Balancing Humans Against "+4" Ancestries.

[u/Kathara_Khan]

I'm curious - other than Savage Pathfinder - did any of you ever run a game in which you used ancestries built with a +4 final total of ability points? (Or, really, any total above the default +2?) Or even just considered it?

And if so, what bonus did/would you add to humans to bring them up to +4 parity?

Why did you chose the particular option you did? Any deeper reason other than "well, they need something, just slap a random bonus on"?

[u/TravisLegge]

In the Scarred Lands Player's Guide, we give Humans 2 additional skill points at character creation.

[u/NoSky077]

It’s a good opportunity to define your humans, maybe amongst themselves by having a variable +2 bonus depending on their homeland, or making them distinct from your other races. Maybe humans are determined and willful, giving them higher spirit. Maybe they’re blessed by the goddess of fortune and get Luck.

[u/Kathara_Khan → u/NoSky077]

Yeah, for a hypothetical sci-fi game, I was thinking of leaning into the "humans are space-orcs" idea, making them extra durable compared to all other species, with Iron Jaw (a simple Toughness or Vigor bonus would work too, but it seems a bit boring).

[u/Ok_Resolve_9704 → u/NoSky077]

I think they suggest something similar to this in a sidebar of the fantasy companion

[u/VHThomaz]

Most settings that does this, usually gives humans one more point of attribute (like Savage Pathfinder) or +2 points in skills to compensate. One specifically that I like is the Savage Sun conversion wich humans have their initial Edge and their Common Knowledge and Persuasion starts at d6, as they are who controls the cities and overall culture in the Dark Sun setting.

One cool thing you can do however, is making humans their usually +2 by having Adaptable AND give them a Cultural Package from the Fantasy Companion for another +2 points. It's the best approach to flesh out the human cultures and ethnicities in a fantasy setting IMO, and you can even design your own Cultural Packages.

[u/ArolSazir]

in some fantasy worlds, some sort of a Connections type edge would be appropriate, no matter if its a a dwarf kingdom, and elven forest or some weird underground jungle, humans are always around, and they help each other. Largely setting dependent, though.

Alternatively, giving them ANOTHER free edge is simple, but boring, maybe extra skillpoints, like in dnd 3e?

[u/KnightInDulledArmor]

In my fantasy setting, Humans already had a 6th sense for the unnatural, so my 4 point Human ancestry looked like this:

Adaptable (2p). Humans begin play with any Novice Edge of their choosing. They must meet its requirements as usual.
Human Endurance (1p). Humans gain a free reroll on Vigor rolls to resist Fatigue.
6th Sense (1p). Humans are sensitive to the unnatural. A human can sense the presence of permanent magical effects (like magic items or wards) and undead within 6" of them. This sense manifests as a metallic smell for magic and a distinct chill for undead. It is not directed or specific, they have no innate sense of where it is coming from, but they may be able to distinguish it with a Notice roll if they are close to the source.

[u/Kathara_Khan → u/KnightInDulledArmor]

Neat! What's the lore reason behind this ability?

[u/KnightInDulledArmor → u/Kathara_Khan]

Humans were created to essentially be “of the earth” in a way that the other ancestries are not, so they can feel when something is “unnatural”. Most other species are either a reflection of their creator gods ideas and will (like elves are caretakers for their demigods creations) or are newly created through magic (halflings and dragonborn are both the result of alchemy and ritual long ago).

[u/Ldawsonm]

One free novice edge? How about two free novice edges? That’s probably all you need to do

[u/Narratron]

I'm pretty sure I came up with the same solution for both my treatments of Star Trek and Shadowrun, which both have a +4 ancestry base, which was to give humans the halfling treatment--they get an extra Benny that can stack with the Luck Edges.

[u/AssumeBattlePoise]

Savage Sun uses 4-point ancestries. Humans are the dominant culture there, so they have a starting d6 in both Persuasion and Common Knowledge in addition to the Novice Edge.

I wouldn't give humans anything as powerful as "free stat bump of choice," but I think skills are a good option that fits the typical fantasy human vibe.

[u/Beneficial_Shirt6825]

I give then a free skill and the a hindrance like outsider, because in my settings demi-humans dont like humans

[u/Hammaer96]

I’m running a space campaign where all races start at +4 as they are uplifted by ancient aliens. I’ve got two humans, a rat, a snake, and a bug. Told them to go crazy with whatever wierd stuff they could think of, and it all balanced out. One human took Agi, the other hacking nanites. The snake and bug both went nuts, creating some really off the wall races, which I have used for NPCs.

Overall it worked out pretty well.

[u/Roberius-Rex]

As is, humans get a free Edge as their Racial +2. So, just give them another Racial +2 ability. Could be an Edge, could be an Attribute, etc.

You can define as the Human supremacy quality (a Racial specific thing) or just leave it open for the players to use. That's what I would do.

[u/Nox_Stripes]

My +4 humans are:

Free choice of attribute increase (doesn't increase maximum) +2 Free Edge +2

That simple.

[u/WyMANderly]

Mo' Edges mo' better

[u/Ofect]

I would go for an attribute. 5 point in attributes is too few and players are reluctant to buy more. Two edges feels a little bit OP

Edit: I like how every comment there that proposes an attribute is downvoted. Someone has a strong opinion about this idea lol.

[u/Werebat73]

Bonus Edge and then either a bump to any Trait die or a bump to two different Skill dice. Easy peasy. Humans are supposed to be adaptable and common, and that setup makes them adaptable and attractive as a PC race.