Something I have noticed with quite a few hobbyists accustomed to newer editions is their utter bafflement with any sort of limitation; they seemingly fail to understand that restrictions - game balance considerations aside - helped to differentiate the Races and Classes from one another. For example: a true Paladin throws them for a loop (even though the Paladin is based on a historical archetype), and a race disinclined to following certain pursuits (e.g., Halflings do not become Magic-Users/Mages) is regarded as a sort of bigotry.
Saw an interesting thread a week ago with a new 5e player asking what is the actual difference in-universe even between a Paladin and a Cleric? What is the purpose for those two different roles?
Extremely easy to answer this by AD&D terms, not so much when any cleric can weild swords and optimize for melee combat, and paladins only requirement is to vaguely follow some sort of code including one they made up themself.
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u/ApprehensiveType2680 1d ago
Something I have noticed with quite a few hobbyists accustomed to newer editions is their utter bafflement with any sort of limitation; they seemingly fail to understand that restrictions - game balance considerations aside - helped to differentiate the Races and Classes from one another. For example: a true Paladin throws them for a loop (even though the Paladin is based on a historical archetype), and a race disinclined to following certain pursuits (e.g., Halflings do not become Magic-Users/Mages) is regarded as a sort of bigotry.