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Poll: How to handle "multiverse" races (poll 1/2)
🕑 Added 2022-06-13 09:58:09 +0000 UTCAnother update without a new version, because I again would like some feedback from you before finalizing what I'm working on. A lot of time has gone towards catching up with the unfilled Sorcerer/Soothsayer-tier rewards, but that is not what this post is about.
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse has been out for a couple of months now (counting its box set release) and many of you are probably waiting on it being implemented. This is where I would like some input. As you might've read on other sources, Wizards of the Coast have decided, in all their wisdom, to make this new release overrule previously published materials instead of making an errata for those older books.
For example, this new book includes the Aasimar and Hobgoblin races, just like Volo's Guide to Monsters, but both books contain different rules for these races. WotC says that you should only use the latest version in MP:MotM, but this is a drastic change for the Aasimar and Hobgoblin.
My sheets have always worked with the principal that it will apply the newest version if multiple things exist by the same name. However, I feel that this is no longer preferable with this publication.
Ideally, I would like to transition the sheet away from a drop-down box for races and instead present a pop-up dialog. In this dialog you would then select race, subrace, and variant, each in their own drop-down box. This would work similar to the class selection drop-box.
I could even add the ability to redefine the way the race is displayed on the sheet. For example, when you select "Dwarf, Mountain", you could then have it displayed as "Shield Dwarf", "Daewar", "Grimgol Dwarf", "Totally not a dwarf", or anything you want really. This would allow for reskinning and for having a decoy sheet (if your group be like that).
I want to know if this is something worth pursuing. I haven't finished implementing this and it is still way off at the moment. Also, it would come with the caveat that the sheet would be even less compatible with older version of Adobe Acrobat Reader (older than DC, i.e. before 2015).
Thus, the question is actually two-fold and a third about which one to do first:
- [1] Do you want to have these new different version of races be selectable separately or only that latest version?
- [2] Do you want to have a pop-up dialog to select race, subrace, and variant (similar to the one for selecting classes)?
- [3] If the answer to both [1] and [2] are "yes", then should I wait with [1] until [2] is finished or not?
As it is impossible to resolve this in a single poll, I have posted two polls, click here for the second poll.
Comments
Jaklyman
The drop-down is probably the best solution, but I would like to retain the availability of the old versions of races / classes.
Shad Gray
I'm all for a drop-down to make finding races easier (as the list is already getting massive). It will also become key for anyone using a "Custom Lineage". That said, I do NOT want a VGtM's Kobold and an MMotM and a Kolbold option. In that regard, I want the sheet to still only apply the newest version just like I dont want 2 Bladesinger classes floating around. my sheet.
Gawain Ouronos
The idea of having a "Display Name" for the race is something that I have inquired about, though in a different context. If we can have a "Display Name" for the race, can we not do the same for "Class"?
The Dread Pirate Mittens
Hi peeps! Maybe we could have the new race replacements just be considered variants so we can pick the new version or stick with the old version (like I plan to do).
First, I hate adding more work for other people. That being said at the rate that new content gets added accommodating all of that with the current method seems non-sustainable, or at least unfriendly to use. I have difficulty just reading some of the drop down options, sometimes, even on the non-race related stuff
Christopher
While I like the current drop-down solution, it will inevitably reach a point where you are scrolling for a while to find things. The option to rename the race on the sheet sounds good, too. Thanks!
Anna
Thank you for asking us about this! I appreciate how you communicate with us about potential changes and updates. I hope things are going well for you and your family!
