D&D (2024) How did I miss this about the Half races/ancestries

[jasper]

It’s almost like things like nuance and whatnot are better left up to individual tables rather than be dictated from on high.

And low the WOTC heard the words of Hussar and took back there words. Words like
Wotc: Races is evil word we now using species.
Wotc: No more half elfs and half orcs because half is evil.

 

[Minigiant]

I don't think they care about the old guard. Nor should they, we're not their primary customers.

They did originally when creating 5e. And they are mostly stuck with the skeleton that thought the old guard would be a lot of their primary customers.

WOTC spent most of 5e not really thinking about what a half elf or half orc is. Mostly becuse 5e started that way and leaned on a community that didn't think much into it either.. Heck they barely thought about what an elf or orc is.

Now they are doing a revision and attempted to sidestep not putting emphasis on the ins and outs of the half and full forms of these races for so long. And it isn't working.

 

[niklinna]

Also thinking what is being presented in UA is what will eventually appear in OneD&D, they are throwing a lot of stuff out in the playtest and seeing what sticks. I mean we could get....

And I was hoping for more Gino.

 

[Mirrorrorrim]

And low the WOTC heard the words of Hussar and took back there words. Words like
Wotc: Races is evil word we now using species.
Wotc: No more half elfs and half orcs because half is evil.

If a person is really interested in understanding why the word "half" used in the context of race is considered by some to have racist connotations, and why sensitivity readers will warn against using it, that person can just look it up online.

I mean, look up half-breed in the dictionary. It is listed as offensive and disparaging.

I don't want to link to articles, specifically, but the insights and arguments regarding why it is contentious are out there.

 

[Mirrorrorrim]

Heck, the arguably most famous "half-elf" in D&D lore is explicit in saying that the name/title was derogatory. He just reclaimed it and lived with humans because they cared less about it.

 

[Frozen_Heart]

If a person is really interested in understanding why the word "half" used in the context of race is considered by some to have racist connotations, and why sensitivity readers will warn against using it, that person can just look it up online.

I mean, look up half-breed in the dictionary. It is listed as offensive and disparaging.

I don't want to link to articles, specifically, but the insights and arguments regarding why it is contentious are out there.

This is why Khoravar is a better name than half-elf. The name could easily be adopted from Eberron and brought over to 1DnD. Half-Orcs don't currently have an equivalent name, but they could be given a proper name instead.

 

[Mirrorrorrim]

This is why Khoravar is a better name than half-elf. The name could easily be adopted from Eberron and brought over to 1DnD. Half-Orcs don't currently have an equivalent name, but they could be given a proper name instead.

Agreed about Eberron (they can even be a race introduced in an Eberron reprint/update after 2024, which would live officially in DDB), but that name makes no sense in FR or Krynn.

 

[Mirrorrorrim]

However, Frozen_Heart, if the writing style allowed for it in the 2024 book, the Khoravar of Eberron could be used as a regional-specific example that showcases how a more elaborate Mixed-Origin subsystem could be used.

 

[Hussar]

So it appears your post boils down to. Elf are immune to sleep and most charms so I use those things anymore. But I will post here when a module I running has sleep or charm.

I'm sorry, but, I do not understand what this means. There's a period in a random spot. I think there's supposed to be a "don't" in there somewhere. Could you please repeat?

 

[Hussar]

The flaw is in thinking that this thread, or the extremes presented as normal takes, are actually a representation of reality and the majority.

Ok, I'm going to string a few posts here together in one, because they all seem to be covering similar points.

The counter point to that is most people don't like dramatic change either.

And low the WOTC heard the words of Hussar and took back there words. Words like
Wotc: Races is evil word we now using species.
Wotc: No more half elfs and half orcs because half is evil.

Few things.

1. What extreme? What "extreme" position is being taken here? That the term "half" when applied to people has strong associations with bigotry and racism? Is that really an extreme position? As was just mentioned, the most famous half-elf in the game is a direct reflection of that racism. The racism is also called out specifically in the PHB under the race descriptions. That half carries racist elements isn't extreme or even a secret. It's presented as a de facto truth in the game. Note that ONLY half races or mixed races (tiefling, half elf and half orc) are SPECIFICALLY targeted by racism.

2. What dramatic change? The ONLY difference between a 2014 half elf and a 2024 half elf is two skills in return for either a cantrip or a movement bonus. That's it. That's the sum total of the changes. Nothing else has changed. This is why I don't get the whole "we're being erased" thing. Half species are IN the PHB. They aren't going anywhere. Mechanically, a half-elf is nearly identical. And the primary defining traits of a half-elf are right there. And, if you want to play a half orc? Poof, you can play a half orc whose mechanics will be nearly identical. But, guess what? Now, you could be a half orc, half goliath. Or a half elf half halfling. Nothing whatsoever is being lost.

3. Again, to @jasper, what are you talking about? Did you not read the quoted material in the OP? It's right there that half-elves and half-orcs are specifically called out as options. Nothing is being erased.

So, can someone please show me how anyone is taking an "extreme" position here or how anything is being "erased"?