Pretty much what the title says: Does a drow qualify as an 'elf' for the purposes of a 'favored class bonus'? Moreover, does an Aasimar with the 'scion of humanity' trait qualify for human based bonuses? I understand this logic applies to half-elves and half-orcs of course (due to the recent FAQ) but I just wanted to see if it applied to other races as well (it also makes me wonder if Hobgoblins qualify for goblin bonuses too).
Thanks again.
Yes,
Drow have the same text as half-elves, so they qualify as elf for anything, including favored classes, feats, equipment, bane, and even racial class archetypes.
Scion of Humanity says they are treated as human for effects related to race, so yes, they can take human favored class traits, classes, feats, etc.
Aasimar with Scion of Humanity maybe.
The rest I believe are no.
Edit: Hmmm....I have to reconsider on Drow. They are in fact humanoid subtype elf. Which makes them no different from normal elves. And that actually bugs the shit out of me. Despite being physically similar to a degree, their cultures are completely different. I think RAW it may be allowed, but I certainly wouldn't allow it.
Again, this would also beg the question: do hobgoblins count as goblins for archetypes, favored class bonuses, etc?
As an added aside, because I am a lawful evil grammarian, it would "raise" the question, not "beg the question". Begging the question is a particular kind of fallacy where I would try to prove a point with evidence that depends on the point being true, e.g. "I know we can trust him, because he told me he is trustworthy."
I find this helpful if only because I was aware they people usually used the phrase incorrectly, but was unsure of how to properly use it. Your exmaple makes that a little more clear. Thank you.
As to the question of can a hobgoblin take goblin things?
No.
If goblins and hobgoblins's types were humanoid (goblin), it'd be one thing; that's basically the same situation as an elf having humanoid (elf). But goblins and hobgoblins are typed humanoid (goblinoid), so RAW doesn't allow Balloon Headed hobgoblins, however hilarious it would be.
Drow and Elves share a common sub-type, but they are not the same race.
Any feat, trait, effect, etc. that is specified by subtype would affect both Drow and Elf; any effect, etc. that is specified by race would only affect the specific race.
Problem being, things that are elf-specific are rarely specified as "elf type" or "elf race". Most are simply labeled "elf".
Problem being, things that are elf-specific are rarely specified as "elf type" or "elf race". Most are simply labeled "elf".
Context of the ability would be key.
Racial traits, for example, would most likely be race specific.
Just a sidenote: Some races have not a single (racial) trait for choice (not those Alternate racial traits that modify the race you picked but those you may choose from to add like rich parents) - Catfolk, Lizardfolk, Tengu, Dhampir etc, pretty much any race that came with or after APG.