It's fascinating how the 5.5 species format shaped the conversation around character creation and diversity in gameplay. I noticed that a few of the earlier rulebooks, especially Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, really leaned into more flexible options for player races, allowing for deeper customization. It's interesting to see how that paved the way for the newer formats.
I can totally see why people are eager to dissect those older texts and find the bits that align with this fresh approach. Have you found any specific rulebooks that surprised you with how closely they matched the 5.5 format? I'd love to hear about any unique interpretations or homebrew ideas that came from that exploration!