PFS Racial Availability (spells, traits, etc)


Pathfinder Society


I was told last that a half elf wizard wasn't capable of casting blend (elf only level 1 spell).

Looking through the FAQ I saw:

FAQ wrote:


Half-Elf or Half-Orc: Can a character of either of these races select human racial favored class options?
Yes. Half-elves and half-orcs may select racial favored class options, archetypes, traits, and so on, as if they were a full member of both races (a half-elf can select elf and human rules elements, a half-orc can select human and orc rules elements).

Edit 9/26/13: This is a reversal of an earlier ruling. This resolves a discrepancy between this FAQ, another APG FAQ, and a Core Rulebook FAQ.

—Pathfinder Design Team, 09/27/13

Is there some larger ruling that overrides this? I'm really confused.


I can't see why you couldn't.

I also can't see how a spell can have a racial restriction ... how does that even work?

Scarab Sages 2/5

A number of the spells in the Advanced Race Guide are said to only be known to members of that specific race, and very rarely taught to others (with GM permission). From what it sounds like, OP was told that his wizard couldn't cast blend originally, but it may just be that the GM hadn't seen the FAQ ruling.

Originally, a half-elf wouldn't have had access to it, but the FAQ ruling (from less than a month ago) changes that.


He said this overruled the FAQ

additional resources PFS wrote:


To create an dhampir, fetchling, grippli, goblin, ifrit, kitsune, nagaji, oread, suli, sylph, undine, vishkanya or wayang character, you must have a Chronicle sheet that opens the race as a legal option at character creation.
Note: Alternate racial traits, racial archetypes, racial evolutions, racial feats, and racial spells are only available for characters of the associated race. Racial equipment and magic items can be purchased and used by any race as long as the specific item permits it (for example, only halflings can purchase and use solidsmoke pipeweed).
The new alchemist discovery on page 44 is legal for play for characters of all races.


This is a PFS-specific question with no bearing on the rules for Pathfinder in general. Isn't there another board for this sort of thing?

And yes, if the above quote is from PFS (effectively from the campaign's "GM"), then it is Rule Zero and overrules anything, Paizo FAQ included.


Karui Kage wrote:
A number of the spells in the Advanced Race Guide are said to only be known to members of that specific race, and very rarely taught to others (with GM permission).

And members of other races couldn't develop this spell on their own why? This makes zero sense. What is it with these nonsensical restrictions in PF?

Scarab Sages 2/5

I wouldn't call it a hard restriction per say, only really in PFS. If you're the GM, do with it what you want.

"The spells in this section are common to spellcasting members of the race. Sometimes they only target members of the race, but often they are just the race’s well guarded secrets; members of other races can learn to cast them with GM permission."

3/5

the restriction that supposedly trumps the half elf faq does not specifically state half races, only taking those items that specifically belong to an alternate (chronicled) race traits etc. I would uphold the half elf racial faq answer over the general reference that doesn't state them at all.

Shadow Lodge

Just food for thought, would it be considered an effect of being that race to be able to use the racial stuff? Because then Racial Heritage becomes worth it, as you are treated as that race for all effects.

Liberty's Edge

blahpers wrote:

This is a PFS-specific question with no bearing on the rules for Pathfinder in general. Isn't there another board for this sort of thing?

And yes, if the above quote is from PFS (effectively from the campaign's "GM"), then it is Rule Zero and overrules anything, Paizo FAQ included.

Agreed and flagged as such. There seems to be a rash of these PFS specific question out here in the main forums lately ...

Sczarni 4/5

however, that only applies to the stuff from the APG, it also doesn't apply to the favored class bonuses.

A half elf, half orc, tiefling, and aasimar count as half human so they can all pull from their own list, or the human list, and the half-orc/elf can pull from the orc/elf list in addition.

Quite the range there.

Silver Crusade

@lantzkey - tieflings and aasimars are their own races. They are not half human. You may be thinking of half-celestial/fiend templates, if applied to a human. If they did, aaismar would not have to take the alternate racial trait Scion of Humanity.

Sczarni 4/5

Are races such as tieflings and aasimars considered as half-human in Pathfinder Society Organized Play?
Yes.

Dark Archive

dot

Sczarni 5/5 5/55/5 ***

The "race restriction" clause of the ARG supercedes the FAQ last month. There are multiple other threads confirming this.

Sczarni 4/5

if you'll note, that race restriction of the ARG does not apply to favored class bonuses...

Sczarni 5/5 5/55/5 ***

Already got you covered.

Sczarni 4/5

ok, so you've got me covered by having created a random thread else where saying the same thing?

I'm pointing it out to the OP and others in that case then =D


DiscOH wrote:

He said this overruled the FAQ

additional resources PFS wrote:


To create an dhampir, fetchling, grippli, goblin, ifrit, kitsune, nagaji, oread, suli, sylph, undine, vishkanya or wayang character, you must have a Chronicle sheet that opens the race as a legal option at character creation.
Note: Alternate racial traits, racial archetypes, racial evolutions, racial feats, and racial spells are only available for characters of the associated race. Racial equipment and magic items can be purchased and used by any race as long as the specific item permits it (for example, only halflings can purchase and use solidsmoke pipeweed).
The new alchemist discovery on page 44 is legal for play for characters of all races.

As the new FAQ says Half-Elves/Half-Orcs now count as a member of both races so a Half-Elf meets the Elf requirement of the spell.

Sczarni 5/5 5/55/5 ***

That is incorrect.

Specifically regarding the ARG, you must be a member of that race.

For any other source you would be correct.

5/5 *

Right, but the argument is that the additional resources restriction still trumps the FAQ in the OP, which states racial spells are only available to members of that race.

Edit: What Nefreet said


CRobledo wrote:

Right, but the argument is that the additional resources restriction still trumps the FAQ in the OP, which states racial spells are only available to members of that race.

Edit: What Nefreet said

Which as per the FAQ they are members of that race.

Lantern Lodge 3/5

Got a related question, trying to avoid making a new thread.

Are the spells from the Race books like, Gnomes, Humans, Dwarves and Orcs, etc of Golarion, race restricted in PFS?

A number of them don't have any race listed in their casting requirements and the Additional Resources don't label the spells from these <Race> of Golarion books being restricted to their respective races.

Does this mean other races can cast such spells?
(Question is for the <Race> of Golarion books, not spells from ARG.)

For example, are the below spells restricted to their respecive races? Or can any race learn them in PFS?:

Gnomes of Golarion:
Illusory Poison

Orcs of Golarion:
Spontaneous Immolation, Blood Rage

Dwarves of Golarion:
Ancestral Gift

5/5

Secane wrote:

Got a related question, trying to avoid making a new thread.

Are the spells from the Race books like, Gnomes, Humans, Dwarves and Orcs, etc of Golarion, race restricted in PFS?

A number of them don't have any race listed in their casting requirements and the Additional Resources don't label the spells from these <Race> of Golarion books being restricted to their respective races.

Does this mean other races can cast such spells?
(Question is for the <Race> of Golarion books, not spells from ARG.)

For example, are the below spells restricted to their respecive races? Or can any race learn them in PFS?:

Gnomes of Golarion:
Illusory Poison

Orcs of Golarion:
Spontaneous Immolation, Blood Rage

Dwarves of Golarion:
Ancestral Gift

As long as it's not called out as restricted to race in the AR (or banned there), like the spells from the ARG and Goblins of Golarion, anyone who meets the requirements of the spell in the book itself can use them.

Shadow Lodge 4/5

Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens Subscriber

It says you must be an Elf to use an Elf spell.

Half-Elves count as Elves.

Simple enough. Half-Elves can use Elf spells.

---

The real question is what "half-human" means for Aasimars and Tieflings. I am of the opinion that the FAQ is saying "No, you can't have an Elf whose great-grandfather was a Pit Fiend for your tiefling."

It doesn't open up human racial options for Tieflings.

3/5 RPG Superstar 2013 Top 16

The Morphling wrote:

The real question is what "half-human" means for Aasimars and Tieflings. I am of the opinion that the FAQ is saying "No, you can't have an Elf whose great-grandfather was a Pit Fiend for your tiefling."

It doesn't open up human racial options for Tieflings.

The bit about Aasimars and Tieflings being "half-human" was removed from the context of the discussion where it came up. It just means that you can't say that your Aasimar is half-Gnome or half-Halfling, and therefore small-sized.

Shadow Lodge 4/5

Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens Subscriber

The FAQ needs to be updated to state clarify the status of half-races. As it stands, it seems they can, but I know it's worded vaguely enough that some GMs will try to veto a Half-Elf using an Elf spell, and others will try to veto a Racial Heritage human from doing the same.

Aasimars can technically use Paragon Surge, with the right combination of a racial trait and a feat. While a bit silly, this is still legal.

5/5

The Morphling wrote:

The FAQ needs to be updated to state clarify the status of half-races. As it stands, it seems they can, but I know it's worded vaguely enough that some GMs will try to veto a Half-Elf using an Elf spell, and others will try to veto a Racial Heritage human from doing the same.

Aasimars can technically use Paragon Surge, with the right combination of a racial trait and a feat. While a bit silly, this is still legal.

A general FAQ for Pathfinder does not override a PFS specific house rule (the AR).

The AR states for the ARG that if you are not of a specific race, you do not have access to the racial spells presented in that book. Doesn't matter if you normally "qualify" by whatever other option you may have. In PFS, if you're not an elf, you can't use the elf items restricted in the book. If you're not a half-elf, you can't use Paragon Surge in PFS.

Yes, this is different than how the base rules work, but that's the same as crafting, Leadership, etc. in PFS.

Shadow Lodge 4/5

Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens Subscriber
Sniggevert wrote:
The Morphling wrote:

The FAQ needs to be updated to state clarify the status of half-races. As it stands, it seems they can, but I know it's worded vaguely enough that some GMs will try to veto a Half-Elf using an Elf spell, and others will try to veto a Racial Heritage human from doing the same.

Aasimars can technically use Paragon Surge, with the right combination of a racial trait and a feat. While a bit silly, this is still legal.

A general FAQ for Pathfinder does not override a PFS specific house rule (the AR).

The AR states for the ARG that if you are not of a specific race, you do not have access to the racial spells presented in that book. Doesn't matter if you normally "qualify" by whatever other option you may have. In PFS, if you're not an elf, you can't use the elf items restricted in the book. If you're not a half-elf, you can't use Paragon Surge in PFS.

Yes, this is different than how the base rules work, but that's the same as crafting, Leadership, etc. in PFS.

The PFS specific house rule is worded vaguely and doesn't include the glaringly obvious corner-cases of half-elves, half-orcs, the Scion of Humanity alternative racial trait, and the Racial Heritage feat. The house rule should be updated to explain what it means with relation to these four cases (there may be more, those four are the ones I'm aware of).

In the absence of a PFS ruling that says "The Racial Heritage feat doesn't have any game impact on your character, and is a dead feat," I'm going to assume the feat (which is legal in PFS) does what it says it does, and causes you to be treated as the race you select.

Again, gray area, interpretation will vary, and Paizo should clarify this because until they do, people will argue.

5/5

1 person marked this as a favorite.

I've never understood why it's so hard to just play an elf if you want elven things.

The Additional Resources clarification supersedes the Racial Heritage feat. Assume all you want, but expect your character to be illegal at any table with a GM who's aware of the situation and don't expect get a free rebuild.

5/5

Kyle Baird wrote:

I've never understood why it's so hard to just play an elf if you want elven things.

The Additional Resources clarification supersedes the Racial Heritage feat. Assume all you want, but expect your character to be illegal at any table with a GM who's aware of the situation and don't expect get a free rebuild.

This.

Shadow Lodge 4/5

Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens Subscriber
Kyle Baird wrote:

I've never understood why it's so hard to just play an elf if you want elven things.

The Additional Resources clarification supersedes the Racial Heritage feat. Assume all you want, but expect your character to be illegal at any table with a GM who's aware of the situation and don't expect get a free rebuild.

So what does the Racial Heritage feat do, then? Nothing? Seems pretty absurd. Almost as though the FAQ should be clarified, like I said.

5/5

The Morphling wrote:
Kyle Baird wrote:

I've never understood why it's so hard to just play an elf if you want elven things.

The Additional Resources clarification supersedes the Racial Heritage feat. Assume all you want, but expect your character to be illegal at any table with a GM who's aware of the situation and don't expect get a free rebuild.

So what does the Racial Heritage feat do, then? Nothing? Seems pretty absurd. Almost as though the FAQ should be clarified, like I said.

It gives you access to everything it says it does unless it's from the ARG.

Shadow Lodge 4/5

Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens Subscriber
Kyle Baird wrote:
The Morphling wrote:
Kyle Baird wrote:

I've never understood why it's so hard to just play an elf if you want elven things.

The Additional Resources clarification supersedes the Racial Heritage feat. Assume all you want, but expect your character to be illegal at any table with a GM who's aware of the situation and don't expect get a free rebuild.

So what does the Racial Heritage feat do, then? Nothing? Seems pretty absurd. Almost as though the FAQ should be clarified, like I said.
It gives you access to everything it says it does unless it's from the ARG.

Oh, is that house rule only for that specific book? Hadn't realized that (I'd just seen it quoted here, out of context). That does change things.

5/5

Yeah, the ARG is protected to give each race some "cool things" that other races can't get.

4/5

The Morphling wrote:
Kyle Baird wrote:
The Morphling wrote:
Kyle Baird wrote:

I've never understood why it's so hard to just play an elf if you want elven things.

The Additional Resources clarification supersedes the Racial Heritage feat. Assume all you want, but expect your character to be illegal at any table with a GM who's aware of the situation and don't expect get a free rebuild.

So what does the Racial Heritage feat do, then? Nothing? Seems pretty absurd. Almost as though the FAQ should be clarified, like I said.
It gives you access to everything it says it does unless it's from the ARG.
Oh, is that house rule only for that specific book? Hadn't realized that (I'd just seen it quoted here, out of context). That does change things.

That's why a copy of the Additional Rules is part of the requirement for any option you are using on your character. The Additional Rules document tells you what is available. It's pretty clear.

Lantern Lodge 3/5

Sniggevert wrote:
Secane wrote:

Got a related question, trying to avoid making a new thread.

Are the spells from the Race books like, Gnomes, Humans, Dwarves and Orcs, etc of Golarion, race restricted in PFS?

A number of them don't have any race listed in their casting requirements and the Additional Resources don't label the spells from these <Race> of Golarion books being restricted to their respective races.

Does this mean other races can cast such spells?
(Question is for the <Race> of Golarion books, not spells from ARG.)

For example, are the below spells restricted to their respecive races? Or can any race learn them in PFS?:

Gnomes of Golarion:
Illusory Poison

Orcs of Golarion:
Spontaneous Immolation, Blood Rage

Dwarves of Golarion:
Ancestral Gift

As long as it's not called out as restricted to race in the AR (or banned there), like the spells from the ARG and Goblins of Golarion, anyone who meets the requirements of the spell in the book itself can use them.

Thanks! That was what I thought.

I'm planning to take Blood Rage for my PFS Aasimar Paladin via Unsanctioned Knowledge, and wanted some clarification on that spell.
Learning Blood Rage for a Paladin is weird, but I'm RPing a Paladin with some anger issues.

I was a little confused when I notice that one of the spells from Orcs of Golarion, Ghost Wolf, was reprinted in the ARG with a (half-orc) requirement. Only to realize that it was the only spell from Orcs of Golarion that got reprinted in the ARG and gain a race requirement.

Shadow Lodge 4/5

Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens Subscriber
Secane wrote:
Sniggevert wrote:
Secane wrote:

Got a related question, trying to avoid making a new thread.

Are the spells from the Race books like, Gnomes, Humans, Dwarves and Orcs, etc of Golarion, race restricted in PFS?

A number of them don't have any race listed in their casting requirements and the Additional Resources don't label the spells from these <Race> of Golarion books being restricted to their respective races.

Does this mean other races can cast such spells?
(Question is for the <Race> of Golarion books, not spells from ARG.)

For example, are the below spells restricted to their respecive races? Or can any race learn them in PFS?:

Gnomes of Golarion:
Illusory Poison

Orcs of Golarion:
Spontaneous Immolation, Blood Rage

Dwarves of Golarion:
Ancestral Gift

As long as it's not called out as restricted to race in the AR (or banned there), like the spells from the ARG and Goblins of Golarion, anyone who meets the requirements of the spell in the book itself can use them.

Thanks! That was what I thought.

I'm planning to take Blood Rage for my PFS Aasimar Paladin via Unsanctioned Knowledge, and wanted some clarification on that spell.
Learning Blood Rage for a Paladin is weird, but I'm RPing a Paladin with some anger issues.

I was a little confused when I notice that one of the spells from Orcs of Golarion, Ghost Wolf, was reprinted in the ARG with a (half-orc) requirement. Only to realize that it was the only spell from Orcs of Golarion that got reprinted in the ARG and gain a race requirement.

That spell would be amazing for my tiefling paladin. I love Unsanctioned Knowledge, hehe. Such cool Paladin concepts it lets you make.

Lantern Lodge 3/5

The Morphling wrote:
Secane wrote:
Sniggevert wrote:
Secane wrote:

Got a related question, trying to avoid making a new thread.

Are the spells from the Race books like, Gnomes, Humans, Dwarves and Orcs, etc of Golarion, race restricted in PFS?

A number of them don't have any race listed in their casting requirements and the Additional Resources don't label the spells from these <Race> of Golarion books being restricted to their respective races.

Does this mean other races can cast such spells?
(Question is for the <Race> of Golarion books, not spells from ARG.)

For example, are the below spells restricted to their respecive races? Or can any race learn them in PFS?:

Gnomes of Golarion:
Illusory Poison

Orcs of Golarion:
Spontaneous Immolation, Blood Rage

Dwarves of Golarion:
Ancestral Gift

As long as it's not called out as restricted to race in the AR (or banned there), like the spells from the ARG and Goblins of Golarion, anyone who meets the requirements of the spell in the book itself can use them.

Thanks! That was what I thought.

I'm planning to take Blood Rage for my PFS Aasimar Paladin via Unsanctioned Knowledge, and wanted some clarification on that spell.
Learning Blood Rage for a Paladin is weird, but I'm RPing a Paladin with some anger issues.

I was a little confused when I notice that one of the spells from Orcs of Golarion, Ghost Wolf, was reprinted in the ARG with a (half-orc) requirement. Only to realize that it was the only spell from Orcs of Golarion that got reprinted in the ARG and gain a race requirement.

That spell would be amazing for my tiefling paladin. I love Unsanctioned...

I totally agree. Unsanctioned Knowledge just opens up so much RP options for a Paladin. You are only getting the spells at much higher levels then other other classes, so it is a really balanced but RP-friendly feat to have.

Having Blood Rage on a Tiefling Paladin would be great. It is really one of those high-risk, high-reward spells that fits the RP for any number of character types. From Dhampires with a taste for blood to Oath of Vengeance Paladins.

On a Paladin, it has the additional benefit of boosting your to hit and damage output if you get hurt, which is perfect for a tanking class.

Shadow Lodge 1/5

Racial items are still available to any race, right? Like a human can buy and use Gloves of Elvenkind and a tiefling can get an Ifrit fire ink tattoo?

Grand Lodge 2/5 RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32

Ninjaxenomorph wrote:
Racial items are still available to any race, right? Like a human can buy and use Gloves of Elvenkind and a tiefling can get an Ifrit fire ink tattoo?

Unless the item only works for that race.


Anyone could get a fire ink tattoo, you just might not feel so great afterwards.

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