Half-elf design discussion

[Captain_Wizbang]

As partially discussed in this thread, http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php...94#post3332194

I feel if we are to have half elves, we should be able to utilize the attributes of the predominant areas;

1) Race

2) Type of elf

3) feats associated with the different elfin tribes

IE... Wood Elves , being of darker complexion, and specializing in ranged weapons and animal & plant mastery. it would make sense to have these as part of introducing them (half-elves) into the game!

The current implementation of Half-elves I feel falls WAY short off the mark of the REAL potential they have!

If we are to have the race in the game let's give them what they should have!

**Side note*** Half-elves are the single most popular race played in PnP for over 30 years because of its flexibility as a playable character!

[Alabore]

**Side note*** Half-elves are the single most popular race played in PnP for over 30 years because of its flexibility as a playable character!

I am not sure about flexibility.
From comments I've read, some players consider them "flavour", or underpowered, compared to other races with a clearer vocation.

I tend to play them in c-rpgs because they manage to feel familiar AND exotic at the same time: they are not wholly alien, in shape or mind-set, but they are not "yet another human".

[Entelech]

**Side note*** Half-elves are the single most popular race played in PnP for over 30 years because of its flexibility as a playable character!

Actually, that's untrue.

Half Elves are, in my experience, not especially popular. Especially if you set the baseline at 30 years.

In First Edition, Half Elves had level caps on the assorted classes that rendered them largely useless. Yes, that's right, if you picked any race other than Human, you had a race-based cap saying whether you COULD be a certain class, and how far within it you could advance.

Second Edition sucked. And Half Elves were deeply unpopular except for certain multiclassed spellcaster builds.

Third Edition Half Elves were, put simply, weaksauce. Even more so than the DDO implementation as of today. Again, highly unpopular.

In 4th edition, Half Elves are on a much MUCH better footing, but it's taken 28 of those 30 years to get there.

[Modinator0]

Well you see in a few months they will introduce a new type of elf as well as a halfbreed for that new type of elf. endless possibilities for profit!

[Angelus_dead]

3) feats associated with the different elfin tribes

IE... Wood Elves , being of darker complexion, and specializing in ranged weapons and animal & plant mastery. it would make sense to have these as part of introducing them (half-elves) into the game!

It would not make sense to divide Half-elves into subtypes in a game that doesn't divide Elves that way.

The current implementation of Half-elves I feel falls WAY short off the mark of the REAL potential they have!

Yes, the potential of Dilettante enhancements is entirely missing.

[SneakThief]

It would not make sense to divide Half-elves into subtypes in a game that doesn't divide Elves that way.

Well, Elves and Drow ... and Eberron has Half-Drow, though they are essentially treated exactly like Half-Elves in terms of character creation, so still pointless.

[BLugas]

Well, Elves and Drow ... and Eberron has Half-Drow, though they are essentially treated exactly like Half-Elves in terms of character creation, so still pointless.

Don't forget that the Forgotten Realms also had Half-Drow, and their only difference from normal Half-elves/Half-Eladrin were the Partial Light Blindness and the Darkvision.

[azrael4h]

Don't forget that the Forgotten Realms also had Half-Drow, and their only difference from normal Half-elves/Half-Eladrin were the Partial Light Blindness and the Darkvision.

Were they half as angsty, and only use one scimitar?

[Mister_Peace]

Elves can take Valenar or Aerenal enhancements. It would be cool if drow could take Sulatar or Umbragen enhancements.

Sulatar are the drow in Searing Heights. They revere fire giants and are good with fire magic.

Umbragen are the drow in Red Fens. They revere scorpions and have white tattoos.

[Junts]

Elves can take Valenar or Aerenal enhancements. It would be cool if drow could take Sulatar or Umbragen enhancements.

Sulatar are the drow in Searing Heights. They revere fire giants and are good with fire magic.

Umbragen are the drow in Red Fens. They revere scorpions and have white tattoos.

Drow Umbragen Lineage I: Fish own you. You take 5% more damage from fish. You don't like trout. Omega3 fatty acids are poisonous for you.

[Angelus_dead]

Umbragen are the drow in Red Fens. They revere scorpions and have white tattoos.

It actually appears a bit more complicated than that. The Red Fens drow weren't previously strongly attached to the Vulkoorim worship and the associated scorpion motif white-scarification, but this recent crisis has been taken as an opportunity to move them more in that direction (as shown in the Claw of Vulkoor dungeon).

Umbragen is something pretty different from that: deep underground dwellers based on shadow magic.

It could be interesting if Drow could pick a mutually-exclusive cultural enhancement for various bonuses, most obviously stacking fire resist for Sulatar.

[Captain_Wizbang]

It could be interesting if Drow could pick a mutually-exclusive cultural enhancement for various bonuses, most obviously stacking fire resist for Sulatar.

My point exactly!

I didnt word it correctly in the original post. TY.

It should include all types of elves, to more correct.