Current Events > Are humans ever given actual special abilities in fantasy RPGs?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Like, when you have a choice between player races, do the humans ever have a special ability of their own?

Seems to me that they're always just the "basic bitch" of the races, with jack-of-all-trades stats and no unique abilities or mechanics. Which makes them the most boring race as a result.

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they get more feats

Extra feats n shit

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Well in World of Warcraft humans have what some consider the best racial ability. Basically they gain reputation faster. But thats just a game mechanic and not sure if its what you mean

More skill points

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I remember in Kingmaker you can pick any attribute to add 2 bonus points to

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higher morale or leadership bonuses

cause you know, humans are known for not panicking in the face of danger

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Variant human in 5E is great. Plus 1 in 2 abilities and a feat at level 1. 1 extra language and proficiency in a skill of your choice.

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the ability to procreate with almost any race

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KnightofShikari posted...

the ability to procreate with almost any race

https://youtu.be/ogLXfpZ0qow

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Interesting.

I was more meaning outright powers or abilities the way mrgoatthief mentioned, but I was unaware of the additional feats and things. That makes sense; it means they're not obsolete, in a boring-but-practical way.

KnightofShikari posted...

the ability to procreate with almost any race

Also this.

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The Elder Scrolls games have multiple different types of humans, all of whom have a special ability or two that are generally on par with the other races.

The extra feat at 1st level in extremely useful in developing your character early on.

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Also, if you go back to 2nd Ed of D&D, humans had the ability to duel class, which was unique to them. Other races could multi-class (being something like a fighter & wizard at the same time, thus splitting experience between the two), but duel classing was potentially a lot more broken. This carried over into the Baldur's Gate series also.

pfh1001 posted...

Also, if you go back to 2nd Ed of D&D, humans had the ability to duel class, which was unique to them. Other races could multi-class (being something like a fighter & wizard at the same time, thus splitting experience between the two), but duel classing was potentially a lot more broken. This carried over into the Baldur's Gate series also.

Yeah....but you also had to deal with THAC0 and a really dumb saving throw system.

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ScazarMeltex posted...

Yeah....but you also had to deal with THAC0 and a really dumb saving throw system.

Regardless of the merits & flaws of 2E, humans did have a mechanical advantage that was unique to them-- and it was downright broken when applied to Baldur's Gate 2.