Originally Posted by N7Greenfire
Originally Posted by Odieman
The average Half orc is stronger than the average Halfling. Thats the point. There are a lot more 18-20 str Half orcs than there are halflings with the same. THAT is what the racial ability scores are supposed to reflect. Not this "anything you can do I can aslo do mentality".

Racial Ability score bonuses are supposed to reflect the difference in the average population of Hafling, Half Orcs, Dwarfs, Elves etc etc. And it is reflected in every single humanoid statblock in the Monster Manual etc. Its a D%D worldbuilding aspect, the races are different and have different average strengths, reflected partially in their Ability score bonuses.

Yes there are exceptions, and when playing a character in d&d you can be whatever you want, and boost your stats to whatever as you lvl up eventually to lvl 20. But at lvl 1, these racial ability bonuses reflect the slight differences between the races.


See that argument falls apart completely if we look at the Orc monster stat block


https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/16972-orc

If we go by this the average Orc only has 16 strength, which basically any race can get to. Even under old rules you could have a halfling as strong as an orc at level 1.

You can have a halfling adventurer being as strong, yes. But the average halfling, gnome, elf or human wouldn't be and that's the point. God, I really miss the racial maximum values for stats that we had in AD&D...
We get that you like the change, but you won't change my opinion or anyone's opinion who is against that crap change.

Originally Posted by N7Greenfire
The thug statblock even uses these stats for all races.

https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/17035-thug

You mean the generic stat block that is meant for the DM to be modified with the racial stats? Even though that isn't necessary, since thugs are cannonfodder anyway.