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."

 

[GMforPowergamers]

This seems like classic Disneyfication to me. Is that what we're advocating?

how is making a game not default to raciest ablest and sexist a negative no matter WHAT you call it... remember each game can ADD objectional content in easier then someone can remove it...

 

[Alzrius]

Isn’t Dark Sun inspired by ancient civilizations, like the ancient Egyptians, Babylonians and possibly the Romans? I don’t really see the colonial era connection, ancient civilizations had plenty of brutality and injustice on their own, no need for colonial parallels.

Each of the seven city-states is inspired by an ancient Earth civilization, at least in terms of aesthetic conventions. Urik is Uruk, for instance, while Balic is Rome and Nibenay is Angkor, etc.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Each of the seven city-states is inspired by an ancient Earth civilization, at least in terms of aesthetic conventions. Urik is Uruk, for instance, while Balic is Rome and Nibenay is Angkor, etc.

And if that's a problem too, (and it seems like it is from what I hear), then Dark Sun is off the table.

 

[Remathilis]

Each of the seven city-states is inspired by an ancient Earth civilization, at least in terms of aesthetic conventions. Urik is Uruk, for instance, while Balic is Rome and Nibenay is Angkor, etc.

Those aren't even subtle...

That said, I'm sure they could remix things so that we don't have another "x with the label ripped off" style of world building.

Oh, but that would invalidate THE LORE [emoji769] (angelic choir). So we can't do that. Guess we gotta let it crumble into obscurity... [emoji2369]

 

[Micah Sweet]

Those aren't even subtle...

That said, I'm sure they could remix things so that we don't have another "x with the label ripped off" style of world building.

Oh, but that would invalidate THE LORE [emoji769] (angelic choir). So we can't do that. Guess we gotta let it crumble into obscurity... [emoji2369]

Well, you can certainly remix things. You should also change the names and make it a new setting with similar themes. I'm looking forward to seeing it.

 

[Remathilis]

Well, you can certainly remix things. You should also change the names and make it a new setting with similar themes. I'm looking forward to seeing it.

2025: Shmark Shmun! A setting legally distinct from prior TSR settings.

I get you'd rather have these settings die virginal and untouched rather than to live "defiled". I'm well aware.

 

[Alzrius]

2025: Shmark Shmun! A setting legally distinct from prior TSR settings.

I get you'd rather have these settings die virginal and untouched rather than to live "defiled". I'm well aware.

Given how much play a lot of those settings got among their fanbases, I'm not sure you can call them "virginal and untouched."

 

[Micah Sweet]

2025: Shmark Shmun! A setting legally distinct from prior TSR settings.

I get you'd rather have these settings die virginal and untouched rather than to live "defiled". I'm well aware.

I would be fine if they added new material without rendering the previous lore invalid. They used to do that all the time.

 

[Tonguez]

And if that's a problem too, (and it seems like it is from what I hear), then Dark Sun is off the table.

the City-States take inspiration from your classic Bronze Age (early Iron) empires and should be no more problematic than Glorantha. How does RQ deal with problematic stuff?

 

[Micah Sweet]

the City-States take inspiration from your classic Bronze Age (early Iron) empires and should be no more problematic than Glorantha. How does RQ deal with problematic stuff?

I don't think Dark Sun is problematic, but I also don't have WotC's headaches trying to avoid offending everyone.