Half-elves: What's the problem?

[Chronosome]

Hey, all.

I've noted here on the boards that some folks have racial balance issues with the 3.0 half-elf. I'm curious--what's the problem?

I see the race, mechanicially, as a human who traded in that free feat for some skill bonuses, low-light vision, and elf blood. Seems pretty fair to me...they've still got "Any" as a preferred multiclass...

Where's the problem?

 

[Argent Silvermage]

The sad truth.

I whole heartedly agree with you. There are those who remember 1&2nd edit. where the half elf had a more or less advantage over the other races. (with the distinct disadvantage of crappy cleric levels). These people expect the status quo to remain the same.
Poor deluded fools.

 

[fba827]

Slight correction to your list.
In addition to the feat, they also trade in more skill points (1 / level but 4 @ 1st)

--
It comes down to beeing flexible to choose on your own versus having it prepackaged for you.

Also, I have to say the lost skill points that a person would accumulate over the levels is a far greater loss than getting a +1 (?) to some spot and listen checks.

 

[Chronosome]

Interesting point, fba827.

I also forgot to add the immunity to sleep spells and +2 to saves versus enhantments. Does that equal some skill points?

I see what you're saying. It is a matter of choice.

But the crux of my question is really "what is wrong with half-elf as a race choice"? I was just using human as a basis for comparison, to highlight the half-elf's strengths.

 

[Piratecat]

They're a little boring?

 

[Umbran]

They're a little boring?

Bah! If you're elves are flighty humans with pointy ears, perhaps. But if your elves are a separate, alien culture, then straddling the fence becomes an interesting proposition.

How much "interest" is supposed to come from the mechanics of your race alone?

 

[CCamfield]

Well, if you compare the half-elf with the elf...

Half-elves don't have the elven stat mods. They get only +1 to listen, spot, and search, and don't have the elven ability to sense secret doors. They don't get any free weapon proficiencies.

To balance all this out, they get Favored Class: Any.

It's not terrible but it's not exactly wonderful either.

 

[JacktheRabbit]

Well, if you compare the half-elf with the elf...

Half-elves don't have the elven stat mods. They get only +1 to listen, spot, and search, and don't have the elven ability to sense secret doors. They don't get any free weapon proficiencies.

To balance all this out, they get Favored Class: Any.

It's not terrible but it's not exactly wonderful either.

The favored class : any is a powerful bonus EXCEPT that in every campaign I have run as soon as I say that I will invoke the experience penalty not a single player goes near it.

So it is a bonus that is rarely in use.

 

[Zappo]

In my opinion, half-elves (and half-orcs) are very, very slightly underpowered. And, I think that's just fine. That way, they are not really shafted, but yet people won't play as many as the other races. Which is just the right thing, since half-breeds aren't supposed to be common.

 

[Kahuna Burger]

In my opinion, half-elves (and half-orcs) are very, very slightly underpowered. And, I think that's just fine. That way, they are not really shafted, but yet people won't play as many as the other races. Which is just the right thing, since half-breeds aren't supposed to be common.

"Supposed to"? Thats an individual campaign decision, not a core rule call. In some worlds/societies, halfbreeds are going to be very common indeed. In others, almost unheard of. Neither of which should seriously effect the makeup of an adventuring party. So I don't see the value of making them any less of a viable option to play.

And I'd agree that compared to either parent, the half elf is weak.

Kahuna Burger