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."

 

[CreamCloud0]

Then what IS your point? I don't think I've gotten it then. From what I've gathered from your posts (and admittedly perhaps I could be misunderstanding what you've been saying)... it's that because people will remember how these races were portrayed in the past, then there's no reason to change the portrayal now. We shouldn't bother. Even though the game wants to change the portrayal of orcs, since we can remember how orcs used to be portrayed back in the '70s then there's no reason to do so. Is that what you mean?

If it is... then that is rather... silly. Cause last I checked... Japan isn't looked at as an enemy of the USA even though they used to be back in World War II. Their portrayal has changed and we all have gone along with it without any problem.

having looked back through this reply chain the original point as far as i can tell isn't about not disconnecting the species portrayal from racist stereotypes but rather not removing all exclusive species abilities to prevent claims of bioessentiallism? yes, certain species have historically had unfortunate parralels made with real life groups, this is something we are trying our best to remove, but this does not mean modern species should have no exclusive strengths and capabilities to make them all appear 'equal' or because they might be interpreted as a commentary on XYZ group, they should be goblins and orcs and tieflings first, and a stand in for real life groups never.

 

[Warpiglet-7]

delete

 

[Micah Sweet]

having looked back through this reply chain the original point as far as i can tell isn't about not disconnecting the species portrayal from racist stereotypes but rather not removing all exclusive species abilities to prevent claims of bioessentiallism? yes, certain species have historically had unfortunate parralels made with real life groups, this is something we are trying our best to remove, but this does not mean modern species should have no exclusive strengths and capabilities to make them all appear 'equal' or because they might be interpreted as a commentary on XYZ group, they should be goblins and orcs and tieflings first, and a stand in for real life groups never.

This is a big issue I have with orcs in particular, since without their culture, there's very little to differentiate them from humans other than physical appearance. Even the culture is hardly something humans couldn't have.

 

[Marandahir]

This is a big issue I have with orcs in particular, since without their culture, there's very little to differentiate them from humans other than physical appearance. Even the culture is hardly something humans couldn't have.

Why can't Orcs have various cultures in D&D?

The point is that they shouldn't be DEFINED by a single culture.

Eberron Orcs have very different cultures from Tolkien Orcs from Warhammer 40k Orks from WarCraft Orcs from Forgotten Realms Orcs from The Elder Scrolls Orcs from The Legend of Zelda Moblins from Star Wars Gamorreans from Magic: the Gathering Tarkir Orcs, but you'd recognise them all as Orcs at a glance, no question (okay, well MAYBE you'd argue that Tolkien's Orcs or Zelda's Moblins are more like goblins, but still…).

There's a common set of tropes that are kept to or deviated from. The PHB is NOT THE PLACE to define which set are kept to outside of biology.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Why can't Orcs have various cultures in D&D?

The point is that they shouldn't be DEFINED by a single culture.

Eberron Orcs have very different cultures from Tolkien Orcs from Warhammer 40k Orks from WarCraft Orcs from Forgotten Realms Orcs from The Elder Scrolls Orcs from The Legend of Zelda Moblins from Star Wars Gamorreans from Magic: the Gathering Tarkir Orcs, but you'd recognise them all as Orcs at a glance, no question (okay, well MAYBE you'd argue that Tolkien's Orcs or Zelda's Moblins are more like goblins, but still…).

There's a common set of tropes that are kept to or deviated from. The PHB is NOT THE PLACE to define which set are kept to outside of biology.

Yes, of course Orcs can have any culture. But every heritage has that going for it. Other than that, what makes an orc any different from a human?

 

[Marandahir]

Yes, of course Orcs can have any culture. But every heritage has that going for it. Other than that, what makes an orc any different from a human?

Orcs have a "toughness and tenacity that can't be matched", they're "tireless guardians and mighty allies wherever they are found" and they seem to have a religious culture of some sort in D&D regardless of worlds, whether to primal forces, shamanistic spirits, Gruumsh and the other Orc gods, etc.

They can adrenaline rush, have darkvision, have a powerful build, and have relentless endurance.

 

[Morrus]

Why can't Orcs have various cultures in D&D?

They do.

 

[Marandahir]

They do.

Thanks Morrus, I'll definitely take a look tonight before the sale is over.

I was saying it more as a rhetorical question, since I immediately listed off several varying Orc cultures within D&D settings.

 

[Mecheon]

Yes, of course Orcs can have any culture. But every heritage has that going for it. Other than that, what makes an orc any different from a human?

I mean, purely going off what they have...

You can see in the dark, you're more in tune with nature as a baseline (Humans don't get anything like Primal Awareness), and pretty much everyone's going to be able to lift heavier stuff, so that stuff alone's going to lead to way more different town design

 

[Scribe]

Other than that, what makes an orc any different from a human?

Depends.

Are Gods real?
How influencial are they in the world?
Did they factually create the race schorlp?
Whats the afterlife?
Whats the socio-political situation in the setting?
Do they still mature quicker?
Does this impact their mentality and outlook?
How do others interact with them?

Otherwise what do we know?

Their ASI is the same as a Human now.
They are HUMANoids.
They are medium size, like humans and most anything else.
Walk speed is the same as Human.

They would appear to be able to hype themselves up (Adrenaline Rush).
They have an ability to see in the dark better than Humans.
They can carry stuff better.
They have a type of resilience that Humans do not.

Frankly...meaningfully speaking, they are not that different at all now, and its all cultural/setting specific, but based on MotM, they are quite noble and positively presented within the multiverse.

Take that as you will.