Read on Twitter
"We encourage you to just homebrew it in" is a fine sentiment when it comes to magical items and weapons that do wild and wacky things, but it shouldn't be used as a response to under-represented folks not being included in core rulebooks for ttrpg/D&D.
It's lazy and only- 1/8
It's lazy and only- 1/8
serves as a reminder of who these companies truly care about catering to - the cis white able-bodied male experience.
"Just homebrew it in/make it yourself" is used as a dismissive. I had people say this when I spoke up about disability rep. I had to go and make it myself- 2/
"Just homebrew it in/make it yourself" is used as a dismissive. I had people say this when I spoke up about disability rep. I had to go and make it myself- 2/
because other companies sure as hell weren't going to do it. I've yet to see big companies like WotC change or do anything about this. Fix your core rulebooks because they should represent everyone.
Anyone can be a hero.
And before you say "oh, well they removed the- 3/
Anyone can be a hero.
And before you say "oh, well they removed the- 3/
attunement rule on the Eberron prosthetics!" let me tell you I won't be congratulating them for doing the bare minimum. That attunement rule shouldn't have been there to begin with, because it sure as hell didn't reflect the disabled experience and left a bad taste in many- 4/
people's mouths.
We have to stop saying "homebrew it yourself" in response to valid criticisms and cries for better and more positive diverse representation. Companies should be held responsible. I say this because I care about D&D and want to see it do better. But right now- 5/
We have to stop saying "homebrew it yourself" in response to valid criticisms and cries for better and more positive diverse representation. Companies should be held responsible. I say this because I care about D&D and want to see it do better. But right now- 5/
I don't get to see myself in D&D and whenever I see folks like me in it, the representation is always sub par at best and absolutely vile at worst (*ahem* mongrelfolk in Curse of Strahd).
Let me be clear: "Homebrew it in yourself" should apply to creative projects- 6/
Let me be clear: "Homebrew it in yourself" should apply to creative projects- 6/
that can be used in lots of games like a cursed sword, or a magical piano, or whatever other creativity flows from your mind.
What it SHOULDN'T be used for is to act as a dismissal of genuine critiques that ask a company to better represent the diversity of their players.- 7/
What it SHOULDN'T be used for is to act as a dismissal of genuine critiques that ask a company to better represent the diversity of their players.- 7/
I shouldn't have had to make the combat wheelchair. That should have been in the core books from the start.
TTRPGs need to do better and we should be holding companies accountable for their failure to represent folks in the past and encourage them to learn from it.
8/end
TTRPGs need to do better and we should be holding companies accountable for their failure to represent folks in the past and encourage them to learn from it.
8/end
Oh god and let me also make it clear: no, I don't hate D&D or TTRPGs. I *care* about them, which is why I critique them. I want games and their publishing companies to do better and continue to be better. That's all.
