Looks like variant human is default :-(

[brendan_in_china]

Pausing the PFH when they discuss human hair options, we can see racial mods of +2/+1 and what looks to be 2 racial features. Probably extra skill and feat.

Looks like I'm stuck with an unwanted feat at the expense of desired ability score points.

Have to say, if true, it's disappointing.

[Ragnar]

I took another look at PfH and every race they showed in there was barbarian with the same attributes. All had 17 13 15 8 12 10.

[Harukage]

That will also allow me to take both War Caster and Weapon Master, or Heavy Armor Master
feats for my Life Cleric along with 2 ASI.

[Dragon Master]

Originally posted by IceBorg:

Originally posted by dolby:

well if that's the case all other races became useless...

why

Because having an extra feat is a game changer. It more than makes up for not having dark vision. A variant human is not only extremely versatile (and makes humans one of the most powerful races in the world because they can be good at literally anything) but also able to excel as every class.

A drow can be a great rogue, sorcerer, bard, ranger or warlock but will never be able to be as good a wizard as a gnome or a human, or even a githyanki. They will never be as good as a wood elf, half-elf or dwarf at being a cleric or a druid and likely wouldn't be that as good at being a barbarian or a paladin.

Each race excels at a couple of classes. Humans can be competent at all of them, and variant humans can dominate every class when it comes to stats and feats.

[dolby]

Originally posted by Dragon Master:

Originally posted by IceBorg:

why

Because having an extra feat is a game changer. It more than makes up for not having dark vision.

especially in bg 3 where you can just free drop torch and move it to where you need light for free..

[Foolswalkin]

😀 if true

[Dumpster Cat]

Originally posted by Kalarian:

Originally posted by Dumpster Cat:

Yep, I just looked and the human barb shown has a stat spread that's +2 str / +1 con using point buy. Doesn't say anywhere that it's "variant human" just human on screen. Interesting. Can't imagine they'd remove standard human on full release though variant human opens up a ton of build diversity with the lvl 1 feat.

If by build diversity you mean mandatory race selection then yes. Variant human is by far the best race in 5e, objectively. It's not even close.

it is not. Many multiclass builds are MAD in dnd and a feat doesn't help with that. In this case the strong choice is half elf. Then again we are talking about min/maxing and this game isn't just combat.

[dolby]

Originally posted by Dumpster Cat:

isn't just combat.

what is this noise ... stop that :)

combat is the main part for big part of fan base...

[brendan_in_china]

I like the default human because it synergies really well with point buy, meaning I can have a good generalist build with good stats across the board.

Also, the elegant simplicity.

Plus the narrative where only the most gifted humans are equal the standard demihuman adventurer.

[Foolswalkin]

I think it gives human a top tier slot for some classes, and opens up build variety considerably for classes requiring wisdom and int. This is a good thing.

[Dumpster Cat]

Originally posted by dolby:

Originally posted by Dumpster Cat:

isn't just combat.

what is this noise ... stop that :)

someone out there will play the pacifist rogue or bard skill junkie. Sounds like a great way to play 4 man coop. be useless in combat and make your friends do all the work

[Pan Darius Cassandra]

Originally posted by Harukage:

That will also allow me to take both War Caster and Weapon Master, or Heavy Armor Master
feats for my Life Cleric along with 2 ASI.

Heavy Armor Master doesn't scale very well. Hopefully a mod will improve lackluster feats.

[Hub]

Originally posted by Ragnar:

I took another look at PfH and every race they showed in there was barbarian with the same attributes. All had 17 13 15 8 12 10.

Yep
You may have to clic the proceed button to validate the race and change attributes, or a dev client for the show.
Humans will stay +1 all.

[Metallicus]

Humans might actually be playable now.

[Fashion_mage]

So glad they're using variant humans and not the flop jack-of-all-trades human.

[🐺Blue Wolf]

Good, I never play humans in any DnD based game because of how bland and awful they are.

Still, won't touch humans until I've at least played through with Wood Elf, Forest Gnome and Halfling. RP > min/max