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

[Yaarel]

Because, you are looking at a single platform (D&D) which functions in a way where different environments have a potential multitude of humanoid species.

This is not Earth. This is not real.

"Why are there multiple types of birds? The rainforest only needs 1."

There is only one Aaracokra entry, despite it representing many different kinds of birds.

 

[Scribe]

There is only one Aaracokra entry, despite it representing many different kinds of birds.

It doesn't represent many types of birds.

Also, Kenku.

 

[Scribe]

Oops, and Owlin.

Concede.

 

[Yaarel]

I didnt say every. I said many.

Also, you can have Aaracokra who are owls, and who are crow/raven/hawk.

So the decision to create Owlin and Kenku as separate species needs a salient mechanical distinction to justify a separate entry.


The Owlin lacks a salient mechanical distinction and was probably a mistake to create. It derives from Magic The Gathering and is obviously inspired by the Harry Potter owls, but probably should have translated into an owlesque Aaracokra to populate Strixhaven. Owlin can easily be an Aaracokra ethnicity.

 

[Scribe]

So the decision to create Owlin and Kenku as separate species needs a salient mechanical distinction to justify a separate entry.

No it doesnt. It doesnt need anything at all but a desire from WotC to add a new species.

Just like a Sea Elf, or a hypothetical Mountain Elf, or a hypothetical Desert Elf, or Polar Elf.

Several of which, were part of a 3.5 (I believe) release.

Thats all it takes, to make a new species of Elf, or anything else.

 

[CreamCloud0]

Which Elf types would you like to see develop into a distinct species?

not quite what i meant, just that i'd like to see a little more distinction between the individual variations of elf within the species,

like, take away high elves weapon proficiencies in exchange for leaning into the magic and knowledge angle some more with daily spells and extra choices of proficiencies like arcarna and history or artisans tools, give the wood elf a climb speed and a druid cantrip, the drow proficiency with the disguise or poisoners kit,

 

[Scribe]

The Owlin lacks a salient mechanical distinction and was probably a mistake to create. It derives from Magic The Gathering and is obviously inspired by the Harry Potter owls, but probably should have translated into an owlesque Aaracokra to populate Strixhaven. Owlin can easily be an Aaracokra ethnicity.

If Wizards shared your design ethos, you may be correct.

They very very clearly do not.

 

[Vaalingrade]

not quite what i meant, just that i'd like to see a little more distinction between the individual variations of elf within the species,

like, take away high elves weapon proficiencies in exchange for leaning into the magic and knowledge angle some more with daily spells and extra choices of proficiencies like arcarna and history or artisans tools, give the wood elf a climb speed, the drow proficiency with the disguise or poisoners kit,

Okay, so eladrin are back.

So we have elf, eldadrin and drow and then they all have multiple cultures that grant proficencies and such.

It neither makes sense not make for a good look that high elves are bred for their skill in magic like ligers.

No need for the WIS elves and the CON elves.

 

[Yaarel]

not quite what i meant, just that i'd like to see a little more distinction between the individual variations of elf within the species,

like, take away high elves weapon proficiencies in exchange for leaning into the magic and knowledge angle some more with daily spells and extra choices of proficiencies like arcarna and history or artisans tools, give the wood elf a climb speed and a druid cantrip, the drow proficiency with the disguise or poisoners kit,

I will get to a magical knowledge in an other post.

"More daily spells" would already be covered by: "choose a slot-1 spell at level 3 and a slot-2 spell at level 5".
"Druid cantrip" would already be covered by: "choose two innate cantrips" (the Elf spells can come from any spell list).

The rest of the stuff is cultural Background features
• Arcana proficiency
• History proficiency
• Tool proficiency (artisan tools)
• Tool proficiency (disguise kit)
• Tool proficiency (poisoners kit)


Normally, the cultural Background stuff shouldnt be part of the species traits.

 

[CreamCloud0]

I will get to a magical knowledge in an other post.

"More daily spells" would already be covered by: "choose a slot-1 spell at level 3 and a slot-2 spell at level 5".
"Druid cantrip" would already be covered by: "choose two innate cantrips" (the Elf spells can come from any spell list).

The rest of the stuff is cultural Background features
• Arcana proficiency
• History proficiency
• Tool proficiency (artisan tools)
• Tool proficiency (disguise kit)
• Tool proficiency (poisoners kit)


Normally, the cultural Background stuff shouldnt be part of the species traits.

my point was more, 'make their flavour more than the sum of their parts' saying 'two cantrips, daily spells a skill and a tool' is incredibly bland, making them come in different combinations and from specific sources/choices builds more of a skeleton of what X species is meant to excell at else why not just chuck it all in and just have species pointbuy for everything

and yes some of those things are culturally learned and i wish there was separation between biological abilities and learned ones but i don't expect wizards to add a 4th character creation stage for which society you grew up in so it's getting lumped in with species like it always has been in 5e.