Talk:Half-Elf, Variant (4e Racial Trait Variant)

3/4 Elf

These folks seem far more Elf then Human, in fact they seem to lose the high versatility that the Half-Elven race is supposed to be known for and becomes a more pigeonholed race. I really think they need a trait more like Dilettante to help give them that Human-like feel. Just some thoughts. -- Sepsis 14:43, 9 March 2009 (MDT)

That's the whole thing I was going for; in LotR, half-elves are more elven than human, and that is where half-elves origionate. I don't really like the D&D background for half-elves, but I really like the LotR half-elves, so why stick to D&D assumptions?

Of course, it you think it needs dilettante, I could replace the bonus feat for dilettante. Either would fit in equally well... Thoughts? --Sam Kay 15:03, 9 March 2009 (MDT)

Your explanation certainly helps with my "vision" of this race. Although in the fluff you may want to point out that the race carries more Elven blood then Human. Although I like most of the Traits I guess the one that screams "I'm an Elf!!" is Forest Walk. If you include Dillettante, that is the trait I would replace with it instead of the Bonus Feat. But because this would potentially unbalance them you might want to remove the +5 racial bonus to saving throws against charm effects from the Elf Will to help balance it (leaving the +1 racial bonus to Will defense as is). -- Sepsis 15:17, 9 March 2009 (MDT)

Wouldn't that make it more human than elven? Keeping both the bonus feat and dilettante but dropping forest walk? --Sam Kay 03:31, 10 March 2009 (MDT)

Well the Elf Will, Fey Origin, and Half-Blood Traits keep them very Elven (or Half-Elven in the case of Half-Blood). Not to mention Low-Light vision, the Elven language, as well as the Skill and Ability score bonuses that more then just lean toward Elf. So I don't think there is much danger of them becomeing too Humanish. To me Forest Walk is just such an Elven trait it almost seems unfair to give it to half breeds. So while I could agree that maybe Dillettante could not be used (although its one of the most Half-Elvish Traits I've seen), I still think Forest Walk should be replaced with something more Human or Half-Elvish (maybe the ability to choose a free Weapon Proficency, dunno). -- Sepsis 06:14, 10 March 2009 (MDT)

I've replaced Forest Walk with a bonus at-will power (I prefer it to dilettante), and removed the +5 bonus to saving throws vs. charm effects to help balance it. How does it look now? --Sam Kay 03:24, 11 March 2009 (MDT)

I like it. This definatly has a strong Half-Elven feel to it. That is it now seems to have the greater versatility that they are known for, and are neither too Human nor too Elven. -- Sepsis 06:06, 11 March 2009 (MDT)

Description

Is the description good or does it need improving? --Sam Kay 08:09, 11 March 2009 (MDT)

It sounds good, although the description makes it sound like all Half-Evils are Good. You may want to allow for (add in the fluff) Unaligned or Evil Half-Elves. Many Players want to play non-good Characters and they might turn away from this if they feel they must be good to be a Half-Elf. -- Sepsis 15:59, 11 March 2009 (MDT)

I'd leave the description until you know what is fully started ;) 79.76.196.13 06:07, 2 April 2009 (MDT)

Dilletante

Sam, by taking away Diletante you are taking away one of the main things about Half-Elves, they where more versatile in elves and humans as they had that little bit of elvish genious and human versitility. ShadowyFigure 15:32, 10 April 2009 (MDT)