The Reincarnate spell has a problem regarding racial bonuses. There are bonuses you get because of a physical difference (+2 Perception for elves), and there are others you get because of your culture (+1 atk against goblins for gnomes). I think racial bonuses should be divided in two categories: racial and cultural bonuses. If you are reincarnated as a different race, you shouldn't lose your previous cultural training, only your physical advantages.
I think that this is a fantastic idea, and would really go a long way towards fleshing out both racial abilities and the Reincarnate spell. I also believe that creatures that have Racial Hit Dice or Level Adjustments should be removed from the Incarnation Table altogether and replaced with other creatures. The only question is - with what?
I've been ruminating about this thread a bit, and while I still believe that racial traits should be labeled as "physical" or "cultural", I now think that the Reincarnate spell either needs to be heavily modified or needs to be scrapped altogether and replaced with Raise Dead.
As it stands right now, characters that die and are Reincarnated stand a very good chance of assuming a form that is physically superior while simultaneously retaining their mental and cultural abilities. After all, why play a Human when you can play a Human that has been reincarnated into Bugbear, Gnoll, Lizardfolk, or Troglodyte? And depending on how lax your GM is, you may end up with something even better then the rules would normally allow if you get "GM's Choice". After all, as the spell stands right now, you end up gaining all abilities associated with your new form, including forms of movement and speeds, natural armor, natural attacks, and extraordinary abilities. This is just ripe for abuse by imaginative power gamers.
I also believe that most players would rather be Raised then Reincarnated because they aren't interested in running the risk of being brought back in a form that they don't like, regardless of the abilities that they may gain in the bargain. It might present some interesting opportunities for role-playing, but it's just a headache for most players. I've been playing D&D for many years now, and I can count the number of times that I've seen Reincarnate used on one hand.
So in the end, we have a spell that is eagerly embraced by some players and reviled by others. If we absolutely MUST keep Reincarnate, I suggest that characters that have this spell cast upon them automatically Reincarnate as a member of the same race with identical physical statistics, traits, and abilities as they originally possessed.
But honestly, it would probably be easier just to give them Raise Dead as a 6th level Druid spell and be done with it.
