D&D (2024) Half Race Appreciation Society: Half Elf most popular race choice in BG3

Do you think Half Elf being most popular BG3 race will cause PHB change?s?

  • Yes, Elf (and possibly other specieses) will get a hybrid option.

    Votes: 10 8.7%
  • Yes, a crunchier hybrid species system will be created

    Votes: 8 7.0%
  • Yes, a fluffier hybrid species system will be created

    Votes: 5 4.3%
  • No, the playtest hybrid rules will move forward

    Votes: 71 61.7%
  • No, hybrids will move to the DMG and setting books.

    Votes: 13 11.3%
  • Other

    Votes: 8 7.0%

Yeah, the Elves of the High lineage and the Elves of the Wood lineage are the same species. They can obviously reproduce children with each other. The children can drive traits from both of their parentages.




There is only one species, the Elf. This species lacks wings and lacks waterbreathing.

So, when one happens across a community of Elves who actually have wings (Avariel) or who can breathe water (Sea), this particular community of Elves obviously acquired these by means of magic − because they arent species traits.

As a species trait, Elves do exhibit innate magic. And by means of this species magic, certain communities can acquire effects such as wings and waterbreathing.

I just don't see you getting wide buy-in for this idea. I don't think it's a crazy idea or anything, it's just too contrary to tradition to get sufficient support from the wider consumer community. I also don't think you've thought through some ramifications like anti-magic zones and the impact that has on what is considered innate abilities.
 

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Yeah, just call them Elfkin or Orckin, then you dont even need to change anything mechanically outside of an update to the new templating (which will last for all of 1 book).
I'd be fine with that, but isn't that the same issue as half-elf or half-orc; ie, assuming the human part? I thought the whole point of this was to defy the conventions of fantasy and science fiction by reducing the narrative importance of humanity in comparison to other heritages (and by extension encouraging the Cantina effect).
 

I'd be fine with that, but isn't that the same issue as half-elf or half-orc; ie, assuming the human part? I thought the whole point of this was to defy the conventions of fantasy and science fiction by reducing the narrative importance of humanity in comparison to other heritages (and by extension encouraging the Cantina effect).

I think the 'issue' or if one even exists depends on who you ask.

Yes, this would still center humanity, but I dont think thats an issue within the majority of the player base.
 

I think the 'issue' or if one even exists depends on who you ask.

Yes, this would still center humanity, but I dont think thats an issue within the majority of the player base.
Then why is half-elf bad but elfkin (which has the same implication) not bad?
 


Neither are bad in my eyes, but to denote 'half' is bad to a certain segment of (imo especially American) society, as it indicates a 'less than whole'.
Yeah, if it literally means the same thing, I don't see a meaningful difference. Of course, I had no problem with half-elf anyway, and am unlikely to suddenly start using another term unless a real person objects to my use of it, so this really isn't about me.
 

Yeah, if it literally means the same thing, I don't see a meaningful difference. Of course, I had no problem with half-elf anyway, and am unlikely to suddenly start using another term unless a real person objects to my use of it, so this really isn't about me.
I don't think the perception is that they are literally the same thing.
 


Then why is half-elf bad but elfkin (which has the same implication) not bad?


Kin implies some sort of ancestry, which could be distant and skipping generations or triggered by an event or magic or something else or immediate, while half implies something specific about parents? Heck Kin can even imply adopted into a familial group.
 

Kin implies some sort of ancestry, which could be distant and skipping generations or triggered by an event or magic or something else or immediate, while half implies something specific about parents?
Its not the kin I see as a potential problem for some people here, its the elf. It implies the same thing as half-elf: that the human part is assumed, and we have to call out the other part.
 

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