Heard/seen this rumour floating around in the last couple of days. Half races are to be removed. Is this an actual thing or just an April Fools joke? Appreciate if anyone is able to confirm either way. Many thanks.

If the rumors can't source their rumor, that's a pretty good sign that someone is either stirring up bunk or is attempting to read into some off-hand statement that doesn't actually say what they are complaining about. 

Failing that, there is always Google?  

https://www.wargamer.com/dnd/half-elf-half-orc-racist-removed#:~:text=Wizards%20of%20the%20Coast%20won,company%20revealed%20to%20content%20creators.&text=Wizards%20of%20the%20Coast%20plans,from%20the%20DnD%20creator%20summit.

Oh, sorry... wasn't trying to dredge up a taboo subject. Just trying to confirm if it's actually a thing or not. Sounds like it may well be.

Yes I did see some articles online, but again wasn't sure if just an April Fools joke and thought best to confirm at the source.

"Just a rumor" Mean it's the truth and will be revealed in a few months.

Does that mean halflings are out too?

The quote that actually matter from the article:

How fantasy biracial characters work in One DnD is fairly straightforward. You can “mix and match visual characteristics” as you like, then choose which race option provides your game traits: size, speed, and special traits (like dwarf’s stonesense and dragonborn’s breath weapons).

This is a streamlining of the system.

Quote from Metamongoose >>

The quote that actually matter from the article:

How fantasy biracial characters work in One DnD is fairly straightforward. You can “mix and match visual characteristics” as you like, then choose which race option provides your game traits: size, speed, and special traits (like dwarf’s stonesense and dragonborn’s breath weapons).

 

This is a streamlining of the system.

This is what confused me, that wording seems to suggest they are not being removed, just handled differently, while the other quote suggests the opposite. 

Sorry, if a mod needs to close this thread please do so. I don't think I can delete it myself?

Quote from Metamongoose >>

The quote that actually matter from the article:

How fantasy biracial characters work in One DnD is fairly straightforward. You can “mix and match visual characteristics” as you like, then choose which race option provides your game traits: size, speed, and special traits (like dwarf’s stonesense and dragonborn’s breath weapons).

 

This is a streamlining of the system.

 
As written you have to pick one race, but you can pretend it looks different. It does not allow you to mix & match racial traits. The point of half-elves was to have some of the versatility of humans with some of the benefits of elves - not having all of either one.

You're misquoting the "half" thing, the point was using "half" as a racial term like "half-elf" can be a racist way of describing an individual of mixed heritage, same way we wouldn't go to somebody and say "oh, you're half-black". The naming strategy is being removed in favour of something more palatable. But the races are not being removed. You can still play them. 

And "halfling" isn't part of that because the "half" used in that is a reference to them being "half the size" not "half a race". New versions of halflings will be included.

Half-elves and half-orcs not being removed. Jeremy confirmed they will still be available to play. Just in One D&D you will have other options to create characters of mixed heritage and will not be called "half" of a race.

It's more inclusive. Not less.

Chill out. Sweet jeebus.

Quote from afolkapart >>

Quote from Cyb3rM1nd >>

 

You're misquoting the "half" thing, the point was using "half" as a racial term like "half-elf" can be a racist way of describing an individual of mixed heritage, same way we wouldn't go to somebody and say "oh, you're half-black". The naming strategy is being removed in favour of something more palatable. But the races are not being removed. You can still play them. 

And "halfling" isn't part of that because the "half" used in that is a reference to them being "half the size" not "half a race". New versions of halflings will be included.

Half-elves and half-orcs not being removed. Jeremy confirmed they will still be available to play. Just in One D&D you will have other options to create characters of mixed heritage and will not be called "half" of a race.

It's more inclusive. Not less.

Chill out. Sweet jeebus.

 

No. They are being removed. Crawford stated that "half-" races would not be playable races.

 

No he didn't.

He literally stated they will continue to be available in the PHB and on D&D Beyond.

Quote from Cyb3rM1nd >>

Half-elves and half-orcs not being removed.

They quite literally are. The proposed rules for Revised (no longer to be called One D&D) are that you have to pick one, and all your traits have to come from that one. The only way to play a half-elf with the combination of traits they currently have will be to use the old PHB.

Quote from afolkapart >>

Quote from Cyb3rM1nd >>

 

You're misquoting the "half" thing, the point was using "half" as a racial term like "half-elf" can be a racist way of describing an individual of mixed heritage, same way we wouldn't go to somebody and say "oh, you're half-black". The naming strategy is being removed in favour of something more palatable. But the races are not being removed. You can still play them. 

And "halfling" isn't part of that because the "half" used in that is a reference to them being "half the size" not "half a race". New versions of halflings will be included.

Half-elves and half-orcs not being removed. Jeremy confirmed they will still be available to play. Just in One D&D you will have other options to create characters of mixed heritage and will not be called "half" of a race.

It's more inclusive. Not less.

Chill out. Sweet jeebus.

 

Let me guess:

You believe "half-" something can be seen in a racist way ...

... but mobs of even white activists shouting racist epithets at Black cops in cities like Portand?

.. but a media and a mob that lack the courage and integrity to call that out or to call out people who dehumanize Black conservatives?

That's "not" racist. Am I right?

 
To some yes, being defined as "half-black" can be seen as discriminative. 

"... but mobs of even white activists shouting racist epithets at Black cops in cities like Portand?"

Mobs of anyone shouting racist anything is racist. 

".. but a media and a mob that lack the courage and integrity to call that out or to call out people who dehumanize Black conservatives?"

Calling a racist a racist is fine. Being a racist is not.

-

Let me stop you right here. You're making assumptions made of out ignorance and blind anger. You do not know me. You do not know my life. You do not know my skin colour. You do not know anything.

Use words I put, apply logic, do not succomb biased assumptions. I am not, and will never be, who you think I am.

Quote from Elioron >>

Quote from Cyb3rM1nd >>

Half-elves and half-orcs not being removed.

 

They quite literally are. The proposed rules for Revised (no longer to be called One D&D) are that you have to pick one, and all your traits have to come from that one. The only way to play a half-elf with the combination of traits they currently have will be to use the old PHB.

Or just play half-elf. Which will be an option on D&D Beyond.  

Just to highlight what is being missed by some

Jeremy's quote

Frankly, we are not comfortable, and haven’t been for years with any of the options that start with ‘half’…The half construction is inherently racist so we simply aren’t going to include it in the new Player’s Handbook. If someone wants to play those character options, they’ll

still be in D&D Beyond. They’ll still be in the 2014 Player’s Handbook”

Maybe this will be harder to miss?

Quote from Cyb3rM1nd >>

Maybe this will be harder to miss?

No, just more obnoxious. Maybe I should make a character using feats from my 3.5 PHB, since it still exists.

Quote from afolkapart >>

Quote from Cyb3rM1nd >>

Or just play half-elf. Which will be an option on D&D Beyond.  

 

Not everyone plays online.

So you're happy with the fact that for future generations of players at tables the half-elf will be nothing more than cosmetic?

 
I'm happy for character to play basically any character.

A human that happens to be a vibrant blue? Fine.

A Drow with rainbow stripes? Fine.

A harengon with devil horns and a reptilian tail? Fine.

A red-skinned dwarf with minute fairy wings and using the mechanical stats of a Mark of Healing halfling? Fine.

I don't give a flying **** about what cosmetic applications they want for their character or what mechanics they want , as long as the mechanics are balanced and the cosmetics aren't ridiculously extreme like ears the size of continents or something or something vulgar like having strand of hair actually being a wiggling cock. 

You don't have to play online to use half-elf. But a DM can certainly go "here's a site with a list of more options, I approve these" and then just give them the link to D&D Beyond races (half-elf is basic rules : it's free to look it up). They don't have to play online, but nothing stops them reading a webpage and adding details from there onto their paper sheet. A good DM works with their group and makes sure they can provide all the relevant options easily. 

Quote from Elioron >>

Quote from Cyb3rM1nd >>

Maybe this will be harder to miss?

 

No, just more obnoxious. Maybe I should make a character using feats from my 3.5 PHB, since it still exists.

 
For my games I'd say as long as it is mechanically balanced in the 5th edition ruleset and any houserules I use, go for it. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The game is for fun and imagination. The most fun I've had playing D&D included homebrew or rules from 3.5 and 4th being ported over. 

The funny part is that the racism is the point. Half-elves, half-orcs, half-whatevers, are supposed to be outcasts, not accepted by either race. There is a need by some people to categorize everything. If you fall outside of that category, then you should be forced to conform or be cancelled.

Quote from afolkapart >>

Quote from Cyb3rM1nd >>

I don't give a flying **** about what cosmetic applications they want for their character or what mechanics they want , as long as the mechanics are balanced and the cosmetics aren't ridiculously extreme like ears the size of continents or something or something vulgar like having strand of hair actually being a wiggling cock. 

You don't have to play online to use half-elf. But a DM can certainly go "here's a site with a list of more options, I approve these" and then just give them the link to D&D Beyond races (half-elf is basic rules : it's free to look it up). They don't have to play online, but nothing stops them reading a webpage and adding details from there onto their paper sheet. A good DM works with their group and makes sure they can provide all the relevant options easily. 

 

What they're doing is like telling someone with mixed parentage to pick a race.

It is gross.

If you can't comprehend why a ton of mixed heritage players for whom half-elves in fantasy fiction and in the game have resonated for years are PISSED OFF and are right now tweeting at Wizards about this then I really don't know what to say.

 
Are they though? Given the ever more modular approach the One D&D is taking, especially with things like custom lineages and more, this isn't the message I am getting. Maybe you're right, maybe you're not. Personally, this seems more of a wait and see kinda thing, and see what they will actually do in their playtest of it, rather than making a big deal - which may be over nothing, given what possible new options their might be to reflect mixed heritage. We may even see a version that is mechanically the same but just named differently. 

The One D&D new rule sets will include boxes and sections on how to still use the older PHB stuff with the new stuff - including how to use original races with their new species and so on. 

It is also very clear the intention isn't to say biracial anything is bad. They are trying to remove terms that resemble methods, ideologies and similar that have been used or interpreted as discriminative. They have shown their intent on this multiple times so, perhaps, jumping to the conclusion this was intended to be a negative. 

Also reminder nothing discussed in the summit was "deadlocked" - everything is going to playtested and open for feedback before being made official, so long as it is constructively and maturely done. It's kinda the point of One D&D.