Humans (Rework)

[znancekivell]

FORWARD:

I am aware of the myriad of threads concerning Humans, and so I apologize in advance for anyone who finds the subject dull and a dead horse. I undertook this rework as just an experimental quirk I wanted to try out in a more Human-dominated campaign, with less emphasis on other races. I have had no issues so far in my own games, which occur twice a month, but I am always ready to see outside influence on my material. I appreciate any thoughts on this rework.

If more information on my personal houserules needs explaining, simply ask and I will try to be clearer and more concise.

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REWORK:

I have been reworking the Human core race in Pathfinder, more for my own personal tastes than anything else. I am looking for suggestions and PEACH on this homebrew variant, and will provide background information on the reasoning why these changes have been made:

1 - Feat progression follows a by-level basis. You gain a feat every level, with any class-related bonus feats on top of this. Fighter's are exempt from this change, but have an extra Fighter ability built-in to make up for this. For this reason, Humans lose their extra feat racial trait.

2 - Every race receives a +2 bonus to two different ability scores, with no negative ability scores in place. Half-XXX's receive a +2 bonus to one set ability, and a +2 to any other, except for their inherit +2 bonus. Humans receive two +2 bonuses to any two ability scores of their choice. This replaces the original ability score bonus.

3 - Humans are a highly skilled, versatile people. Their Skilled racial trait is two skill points at first level, and two skill points at every level thereafter. This replaces the original Skilled trait.

4 - Humans receive the Multitalented racial trait, identical to that possessed by the Half-Elf.

5 - Humans possess the Resourceful trait: They receive a +1 racial bonus on all saving throws. Additional, once per day, a Human may re-reoll any single saving throw they just failed as a free action.

All other abilities of the Human core race remain the same, except where noted otherwise. As you see, this is just a simple rework designed to showcase Human adaptability, resourcefulness and talent. With the campaign emphasis on Humans over other, more exotic races, this rework is designed to give Humans a greater edge to make up for racial loss in areas like vision, racial save scores, resistances and so forth.

[Kierato]

You do realize that this race would be at least a +2 ECL, probably at least +3. The humans are already the strongest race.

[Sphynx]

Yeah, Humans are pretty tough... I have a harder time trying to convince my players to play non-humans... Well, except for the guy that'd play an Elf even if it received -2 in all attributes and had pink skin... :P

You just took a great race and made it impossible to play any other race I think.

[MaxBarton]

Sphynx wrote:

Yeah, Humans are pretty tough... I have a harder time trying to convince my players to play non-humans... Well, except for the guy that'd play an Elf even if it received -2 in all attributes and had pink skin... :P

You just took a great race and made it impossible to play any other race I think.

+1

Some of us people like living forever... or close to it ;)

[Remco Sommeling]

There is not even a semblance of balanced design in your suggestions, humans might feell a bit mundane to you, but they have pretty decent abilities. I might support a once per day reroll ability which is kinda cool thing to add to humans, I'd not even limit it to saving throws.

[znancekivell]

Thank you for the replies.

As mentioned, Humans are the core of our world. The other races, such as Elves, Dwarves and the like, are more monstrous than actually heroic. As such, Humans are the mainstay staple of the world, as far as race selection goes, and so they needed a boost in that area.

As I say, with the modifications made to the core system and the focus on nearly Human-only selection, the idea of being "overpowered" or "unbalanced" isn't much of a problem when every other PC has the same stats. The only mechanical options that change are on my end, as the Game Master.

Of course, I feel the need to point out that this re-design is only applicable in my Human-only campaign setting. This re-design is disallowed outside of that setting, and for good reason. No, I am not interested in the "holy balance" that many aspire too, just want to give my Players a needed edge for this campaign setting.

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Still, I do like a good discourse in design and function. Using the ideas I've already presented, how would "you" redesign the Human to give them more edge, skill and ability to make up for the lack of racial options? Please, feel free to share your thoughts!

[Remco Sommeling]

Well the thing with humans is not that they are inherently superior, even many humans will admit elves or dwarves are superior in some respects, but they are versatile and adapt quickly and they have loads of ambition.

The versatility and adaptability is covered quite well with their current abilities. Multi-talented seems less of a proper fit for humans because they are best when they focus on a single objective, often to the point of obsession.

Give them one reroll to an attack roll, saving throw, skill or ability check per day. This reflects well their ability to succeed against all odds, by sheer drive and ambition.

I honestly feel that is enough for humans, it will often keep them from failing a crucial save or fumbling an attack roll that should not miss.

[znancekivell]

Interesting. I considered that, but felt it would be to powerful if given a fuller rein. I can see dropping the +1 racial saving throw bonus, and replacing it with a simple generic once-a-day re-roll bonus instead.

As Humans do not get the benefits of the bonus feat feature in my games, what would you suggest as a replacement for Multitalented? Perhaps a bonus feat, but one tied to a specific skill, such as the Half-Elf Adaptability feature? As you gain a feat on a level-by-level basis the idea of simply letting Humans keep their more generic bonus feat seems... redundant. Any suggestions?

I could see simply keeping the Ability Score Bonuses as is, keeping the Skilled racial trait as is, and adding in the new version of Resourceful. So, the ability to choose any two ability scores of choice, two extra skills at each level, which gives Humans a slight edge, and the Resourceful trait. That sounds like a very good compromise I could live with. Luckily I run several games with very mature and sound individuals - I'll have no complaints with the changes I make thereafter.

[Parka]

If you want to showcase humans as being adaptable, make them adaptable. Take their bonus feat slot. Make it so that they can change the feat in that slot to anything they qualify for with a few day's training. If you already use feat retraining, make sure they can do it faster than anyone else. They can never use the feat in this slot as a prerequisite for anything (like other feats or prestige classes), but given forewarning and time, they can be more flexible and better prepared for a situation than any other race. Sure, they end up forgetting how to do things, but who doesn't forget skills they stop practicing? Especially when it may have simply been Heroic Luck (tm) that allowed you to do what you did, instead of proper training or actual capability?

(Note: This idea stolen from Battle Adaptation elsewhere on this site)

[Ksorkrax]

Let the humans be simple. The bonus feat of common d20 humans is a very strong bonus, it´s hard to find a bonus that can match with that (darkvision does however)

My advice: Make the other races more strange and alienated. Give them flaws, make them savants. Make the elf distant minded and seemingly impassionate, give him animal traits like being very instinctive and irrational or make them half wooden beings, maybe make them beings like original irish elves or japanese forest spirits who care little for human lives. Let the human peasants have a big deal of misbeliefs about elves and fear them - it´s common for isolated peasants who live in constant danger from wild animals and bandits to have such stuff for humans of other nations, imagine how they think about actual magical beings!

It all depends on your setting of course - I wrote these ideas about elves just to show you how to alienate, since you wrote your elves are more monstrous that should be no problem with your elves. (and dwarves and orcs...)

[Sphynx]

ECHOSAVE wrote:

As Humans do not get the benefits of the bonus feat feature in my games, what would you suggest as a replacement for Multitalented? Perhaps a bonus feat, but once tied to a specific skill, such as the Half-Elf Adaptability feature? As you gain a feat on a level-by-level basis the idea of simply letting Humans keep their more generic bonus feat seems... redundant. Any suggestions?

You're kinda confusing... no bonus feat, but a bonus feat instead? I'd suggest keeping it as-is, no matter how you make your character, a character never has enough Feats, especially at the lower levels when you always have 3 or 4 that you just HAVE to have.

Quote:

two extra skills at each level

Nobody has enough skills, not even the Rogue. Heck, I think ALL of my players took bonus skill point instead of bonus HP in my games, for Favored Class. There just aren't enough skill points for what people want. That +1 skill is one of the most powerful aspects of the human, and you want to double it (that's not a 'slight edge', that's a 'great edge').

Definitely smart if you want to make sure everyone plays a human. But +1 is pretty awesome on its own, since that usually equates (at 1st level anyhows) to +4.

[znancekivell]

~Original Post Removed After Having More Time To Think It Through~

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You know, after having more time to think things through, I think a simple bonus to Human ability scores is the way to go. Give Humans one extra ability score choice at first level, keep their other stats the same, and keep the game simple. A simple, but powerful alteration that gives Humans just a slight edge in picking and choosing their vocation, and one that makes them great at any class they pick up.

Thankfully we have been using the modified Human rules for just two games so far in our current Human-only setting, so this simple rework will be easily accepted by the group. Not to mention it will probably please the Feat/Skill-Junkies therein, and keep my job and Human statistics, simple and easy to use.

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This is why I appreciate the internet, and like-minded individuals. Sometimes the simplest solutions are right in front of you. Most times you don't even see the easy solution until you've already made a mistake and already gone gun-ho on the situation. I am confident enough in myself to admit when I make a mistake, and this is just one such a time. Thank you for everyone who contributed and helped me come to this decision. I think I like these forums, they seem very personable and helpful. May haps it's time to stop lurking and start posting!

On a personal side note, just have to say that I am super-excited for the upcoming Ultimate Magic and Magus class being released in a month or so. I can barely contain my glee!

[Sphynx]

ECHOSAVE wrote:

~Original Post Removed After Having More Time To Think It Through~

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That's a powerful and efficient way to do what you want with Humans. Not enough to kill any chance of playing an other race, but definitely should have more people playing humans. :)

I'm looking forward to it as well. ;)