Favourite races (D&D)

Simple question: What is/are your favourite race/s in D&D? Edition doesn't matter, and they can be from any setting. If you do like the twist a particular setting gives on a race that elevates it towards the top or makes it even more awesome in your mind, feel free to post that too.

I myself would have to go with Eladrin from 4E, Thri-Kreen from Dark Sun, standard Gnomes and Half-Elves.

edited 13th Jan '11 8:31:38 PM by Diamonnes

Call it the choice of a fanboy or a munchkin if will (or if they aren't already your favorite <3), but Half-Dragons are always going to be my favorite! It's not the Mary Sue-esque power fantasy people seem to peg the fascination to, either; there's something about the Half-Human Hybrid-nature and the variety of which dragons and races that apply, along with the unique nature that makes them for me!

But, seeing as they are a template and not technically a race, I'd say Half-Orcs fit that bill.

Always been fond of the Planetouched, Tieflings and Aasimar.

Near the top of my list are Changelings, from the Eberron Campaign Setting/Races of Eberron books; the Toski, a third-party race in 3.5; I have a current interest in the reptilian and aquatic races; and mechanically I do like the Eladrin of 4E as well, though I really don't play 4E.

^^ That was pretty much exactly what I was going to post.

Also, Hadozee. Pirate orangutans from space, what's not to love?

Since there's no ability penalties or shit anymore, anything is cool. I like all the races.  ^*

However, the Character Builder has numbers. For some reason, i have six goliath characters, more than any other race.

Kobolds!

I'm fond of half-elves. They suck mechanically, but there's something about the flavor that I like, the whole "child of two cultures" thing seems to be prime adventurin' fodder. Dwarves are also a popular choice of mine for anything even remotely martial. Kicking ass is always better when it's being done by a midget with a beard — especially when it's something not-sterotypically-dwarfy. I once made a dwarf monk who specialized in tripping attacks; I generally roleplayed this as him headbutting people in the kneecaps.

I gotta admit, my favorite race to play as is good old Humans. The versatility you get with a Human character is a huge boon.

As far as non-Humans go... Goblins. Most DMs won't allow Goblin characters, but with a net +9 to Move Silently checks without ability score modifiers at 1st level, they make incredible Rogues.

edited 14th Jan '11 10:35:04 AM by Filby

I tend to favor human just because it makes me feel like less of a munchkin (though I admit making a half-orc with a decent Int can lead to some interesting roleplaying experiences.)

I'm a big fan of Halflings. I like the way how they admire guile and courage over might. The fact that they make for surprisingly badass Paladins (my favourite class) in 4e pretty much seals the deal.

Have to agree on the halfling paladin thing. Hilarious but awesome.

"I make an athletics check for a jump. Okay, succeeded that... Now I smite that beeyotch in the face with my shortsword. Fear my midget wrath!"

Planetouched, goliaths, diaboli, and catfolk.

Thri-Kreen, Dragonborn with 3.5 era fluff, Kobolds, and Dwarves.

4e Eladrin: yes, I am a mage with a sword and my intelligence gives me a +5 AC bonus

Half Elves: Our Elves Are Better with a Badass Beard

Gnomes: not another Spoony Bard if you set them up right.

Warforged: "I'll be back!"

edited 17th Jan '11 10:57:42 AM by 66Scorpio

Warforged and kalashtar.

I tend towards elves and elardin, but I will occasionally play a tiefling. I like playing the smart hero who can also tear you apart. The only thing that makes me really sad is that there are no intelligence based strikers in 4e.

Avengers like their intelligence, thought that too is used more for controlling.

Aye. They came sort of close with the Assault Swordmage (The secondary role of which is a striker). Here's hopng the next PH brings us an int-based striker. And a martial controller, because that would be So Cool Its Awesome.

edited 17th Jan '11 5:49:53 PM by Diamonnes

I never noticed that, but you are right. With the right options a wizard can basically function as a striker. The at-will powers can't match the damage output of a proper striker but many of the encounter and daily attacks are good for taking out tough individuals. The melee proficiency feat is always nifty to use intelligence to add to attack and damage.

I like Eladrint too, they're cool, but no way are they a PC race. I mean, they're fucking CELESTIALS, incarnations of Chaotic Good, even with Savage Species they're pretty crazy.

... Edition war incoming!

(DISCLAIMER: I don't support one, I'm just predictin'.)

In 4e, Eladrin aren't the Celestial CG race; they're similar to Grey Elves, the civilised/magical side of the Elf type, whereas Elves are the wild/magical side.

For comparison's sake, Eladrin get +2 Int, while Elves get +2 Wis; Eladrin mke good Wizards, Elves make good Druids.

elves make good everythings, due to their special ability. even if the primary stacks dont match, elves can pull it off with their special ability. even if their SECONDARY STATS DONT MATCH EITHER, elves can STILL pull it off fairly easy.

i mean, i like elves, they're cool in an Ambiguously Gay kind of way. no one at my tables wants to play anything else though, agianst all rhyme and reason.

edited 18th Jan '11 4:39:58 AM by Dynamod

I second the diaboli. Wish they'd make an appearance in 4e.

You're overestimating Elves, dude, big time. In 4E they only get one roll of Elven Accuracy per encounter; Our Elves Are Better is thankfully subverted, as all races can easily match the Elves. Also valid: Humans aren't weak any more- they were already pretty much on par with the other races, but since PH 3 came out, they're fricking Powerhouses.

Elves are also automatically proficient with bows, while Eladrin are automatically proficient with longswords. These can lead to some interesting characters.

Seconded. Here's hoping that PH 4 gives us what we want.

edited 18th Jan '11 6:52:03 AM by Diamonnes