Favored enemy and half-orcs

[Plane Sailing]

I agree that the mechanic is somewhat silly when it differentiates between humanoids ("poke humans in the eye, knee them in the groin or slit their throat. Dunno what to do against elves though") but then puts big bags of stuff together like Aberrations.

The only in-game rationale I could think of would be if it were considered some kind of "morale bonus" against those creatures (aka hated enemy, or "enemy I feel good about taking down" if the hate is nixed). A strict morale bonus would mean losing out from bardic encouragements and certain spells though, so it is probably not the best way to go.

Whatever it is, it can't really be "knows how to hurt them because of his study of anatomy" because that is the one rationale that doesn't make sense!

 

[Creamsteak]

I can sort of agree with the designers reasoning... otherwise I think every ranger in my game would have picked Favored Enemy: Humanoids at some point. But at the same time, it does seem really contrived I guess...