D&D (2024) One D&D Permanently Removes The Term 'Race'

In line with many other tabletop roleplaying games, such as Pathfinder or Level Up, One D&D is removing the term 'race'. Where Pathfinder uses 'Ancestry' and Level Up uses 'Heritage', One D&D will be using 'Species'.

Moving On From 'Race' in the 2024 Core Rulebooks

We understand "race" is a problematic term that has had prejudiced links between real world people and the fantasy peoples of D&D worlds.

www.dndbeyond.com

In a blog post, WotC announced that "We have made the decision to move on from using the term "race" everywhere in One D&D, and we do not intend to return to that term."

 

[Jfdlsjfd]

Darn it. I was all aboard the cancel Handel train!

And he never ONCE made a positive comment on disco!

 

[SteveC]

Why can't there be half elves if species replaces race? Many irl species are capable of hybridisation.

There are even rare cases of domestic chickens and peafowl producing offspring. They're not the same species. Or the even the same genus. They're not even the same tribe of birds!

Genetics are weird.

Sigh. So I now have to figure how to get my friend who works in genetic research a case of beer (and beer that's only sold in my State) because they said "you know, people are going to point out that breeding between species does exist."

So yes, things like this do happen. Science, and life in general is more complicated than simple definitions make it out to be.

I was referring to the definition of species, which I just did a google search on again...

a group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding.

Now you're right, it is more complicated than that.

And now I must figure out how to get Spotted Cow to New Jersey. From what I've seen, that may need to wait until their next visit to my State.

 

[Vaalingrade]

I guess this explains the need for sensitivity experts. Rather than spend the resources on these specialized teams though, wouldn't it just be easier to acknowledge fantasy is not real life? It can reflect it, but it's no more real than an image in a mirror is?

No.

Let me put it this way: when you see a new mole on yourself in the mirror, it's not the mirror image that needs to see a doctor.

 

[DEFCON 1]

Then play something different. If you are forever going to see gnomes or dwarves as anti semitic and orcs as a racial stereotype, and dark elves as racist no changes are ever going to remove that historical context for you. Because that context is always going to be there, it will never go away.

Sure.

OR...

The writers of the material CAN change what they write if they wish to do so, and you as the recipient of said material just have to deal with it.

Either one could work-- the Giver of material choosing what they give, or the Recipient of the material demanding what they be given. But I suspect only one of the two ways is more likely to happen.

 

[Warpiglet-7]

Most of this seems silly to me but I like harmony. If I play a computer game with race or species identifying the aliens I am not troubled either way. I just want to freaking play.

The assertion that huge swaths of people are upset by this does not square with my observations/readings. Assertions that this is some clear big blight that hurts people seems absurd. Designers from one section of the US and a small vocal twitter/Reddit block does not make me turn off my powers of reasoning.

But…

If it does not matter much it cuts both ways. Whatever. My books all say race, new ones won’t. Old ones excluded half orc paladins. New ones don’t.

The change of this word does not in itself change the flavor of the whole. And honestly? Species is more accurate. Isn’t it?

Folks should be more concerned about substantive rules changes that are happening if they are not to taste.

Speaking of flavor—for me to fork out money for a phb I need fewer tieflings with lasers from their butts and more earth based armors and weapons. Or at least some samples of more grounded fantasy mixed in the weird. Which is not not weird but, meh. It’s another monsters smiling with a lute.

I am excited about the prospect of some purported tentative changes. Others are less thrilling.

But I have learned it’s ok to pick my battles and to be “just ok” with some things. This is one of them.

If species works—-and folks realize monsters are not supposed to be real world groups (as I had always held) I will happily make the change. Whatever it takes to just get back to playing.

 

[Mallus]

I'm fine with 'species', will probably still use 'race' out of habit, and probably should try not to, because in my new home-brew setting the preferred term is 'people'.

 

[Shades of Eternity]

I'm glad they are doing it, but <looks at Rifts main book 1991>, they might be a bit slow on the draw.

 

[payn]

Most of this seems silly to me but I like harmony. If I play a computer game with race or species identifying the aliens I am not troubled either way. I just want to freaking play.

The assertion that huge swaths of people are upset by this does not square with my observations/readings. Assertions that this is some clear big blight that hurts people seems absurd. Designers from one section of the US and a small vocal twitter/Reddit block does not make me turn off my powers of reasoning.

But…

If it does not matter much it cuts both ways. Whatever. My books all say race, new ones won’t. Old ones excluded half orc paladins. New ones don’t.

The change of this word does not in itself change the flavor of the whole. And honestly? Species is more accurate. Isn’t it?

Folks should be more concerned about substantive rules changes that are happening if they are not to taste.

Speaking of flavor—for me to fork out money for a phb I need fewer tieflings with lasers from their butts and more earth based armors and weapons. Or at least some samples of more grounded fantasy mixed in the weird. Which is not not weird but, meh. It’s another monsters smiling with a lute.

I am excited about the prospect of some purported tentative changes. Others are less thrilling.

But I have learned it’s ok to pick my battles and to be “just ok” with some things. This is one of them.

If species works—-and folks realize monsters are not supposed to be real world groups (as I had always held) I will happily make the change. Whatever it takes to just get back to playing.

Even if its a small minority, the move is in the direction of inclusiveness. You may not have ever felt put off by this, as perhaps you can easily see yourself in the role of the protagonists, but many folks have only seen themselves represented as sidekicks, or villains, if folks like them are included at all. To them this change is recognition of that.

 

[Warpiglet-7]

Even if it’s a small minority, the move is in the direction of inclusiveness. You may not have ever felt put off by this, as perhaps you can easily see yourself in the role of the protagonists, but many folks have only seen themselves represented as sidekicks, or villains, if folks like them are included at all. To them this change is recognition of that.

Yeah, I merely wanted to say even if it’s not someone’s preference, this won’t make a negative impact on most people’s games. Going with it does not mean you agree with the premise even if you can sympathize with the care behind it.

I am making the term ‘species’ player and not character facing. In world, people will talk about the race of men or seed of the mountain king or whatever.

Character sheets will likely say “species.”

The reason I note I don’t buy the rationale is to point out to those who also don’t, that it’s not a game breaker or even a game detractor unless you make it one.

A long time ago I offered “species” as a win-win.

Where I have issue is with ability score modifiers for certain groups of humans in some older publications. Eek. That surely does make for some not good stuff and is literally based on junk science and old weirdnesses with as much credibility as phrenology. (I am familiar with the actual scholarly literature related to IQ, etc.) so can say that with comfort.

If it takes ‘species’ to make it abundantly clear monsters are not just shades of people so be it.

Honestly had they just done it and not announced it, I don’t think it would even make a stir. Then again, it’s the internet.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Yeah, I merely wanted to say even if it’s not someone’s preference, this won’t make a negative impact on most people’s games.

I am making the term ‘species’ player and not character facing. In world, people will talk about the race of men or seed of the mountain king or whatever.

Character sheets will likely say “species.”

The reason I note I don’t buy the rationale is to point out to those who also don’t, that it’s not a game breaker or even a game detractor unless you make it one.

A long time ago I offered “species” as a win-win.

Where I have issue is with ability score modifiers for certain groups of humans in some older publications. Eek. That surely does make for some not good stuff and is literally based on junk science and old weirdnesses with as much credibility as phrenology. (I am familiar with the actual scholarly literature related to IQ, etc.) so can say that with comfort.

If it takes ‘species’ to make it abundantly clear monsters are not just shades of people so be it.

Honestly had they just done it and not announced it, I don’t think it would even make a stir.

I've never heard a single person I play with object to the term, "race" in the context of D&D. That said, it doesn't matter to me either way, so I have no objection to WotC's use of the term, "species".