Race: Difference between revisions

From MTG Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
>Webspidrman
(→‎Sapient non-humanoid races: The Cephalids are sometimes described like "squid" on magic.wizards.com, so designers seem to use both octopodes and squids as inspiration for the Cephalid race; therefore I included squids as an additional reference point for them.)
>Yandere-sliver
mNo edit summary
Line 3: Line 3:
==Description==
==Description==
"Race" designates the unique genetic makeup of a sapient (and usually humanoid) [[creature]] group.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/635790011905851392/hi-mark-following-the-discussion-about-the|title=Can you give your rigorous definitions of the "types of creature subtypes", like class, race and others, please?|November 25, 2020}}</ref>
"Race" designates the unique genetic makeup of a sapient (and usually humanoid) [[creature]] group.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/635790011905851392/hi-mark-following-the-discussion-about-the|title=Can you give your rigorous definitions of the "types of creature subtypes", like class, race and others, please?|November 25, 2020}}</ref>
Besides race, most ''Magic'' cards with humanoid creatures may also have another [[creature type]]: the [[class]] represents their job, career or calling in life. This is known as the [[race/class model]].
Besides race, most ''Magic'' cards with humanoid creatures may also have another [[creature type]]: the [[creature class]] represents their job, career or calling in life. This is known as the [[race/class model]].


Note that the ''Magic'' approach is somewhat different from the scientific one.<ref>{{DailyRef|savor-flavor/magics-exclusive-creatures-2011-08-10|Magic's Exclusive Creatures|[[Doug Beyer]]|August 10, 2011}}</ref> In biology, the basic unit of biological classification and taxonomic rank is "[[wikipedia:species|species]]", which is defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. Race in that aspect is defined as a genetically distinct population of individuals within the same species.
Note that the ''Magic'' approach is somewhat different from the scientific one.<ref>{{DailyRef|savor-flavor/magics-exclusive-creatures-2011-08-10|Magic's Exclusive Creatures|[[Doug Beyer]]|August 10, 2011}}</ref> In biology, the basic unit of biological classification and taxonomic rank is "[[wikipedia:species|species]]", which is defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. Race in that aspect is defined as a genetically distinct population of individuals within the same species.

Revision as of 14:53, 2 July 2021

In Magic, race is a subset of the characteristic "creature type".

Description

"Race" designates the unique genetic makeup of a sapient (and usually humanoid) creature group.[1] Besides race, most Magic cards with humanoid creatures may also have another creature type: the creature class represents their job, career or calling in life. This is known as the race/class model.

Note that the Magic approach is somewhat different from the scientific one.[2] In biology, the basic unit of biological classification and taxonomic rank is "species", which is defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. Race in that aspect is defined as a genetically distinct population of individuals within the same species.

Humanoid races

Humanoid races without their own subtype

Humanoid races (in appearance only)

Sapient non-humanoid races

These races only have a class in rare exceptions.

Non-humanoid races without their own subtype

Crossbreeds

Not-races

The following creature types are not considered races.[5][6]

Animals

Animals (fantastical)

Plantlife

Microorganisms

Artifact creatures

Non-sapient creatures

Notes and references

  1. Mark Rosewater (November 25, 2020). "Can you give your rigorous definitions of the "types of creature subtypes", like class, race and others, please?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  2. Doug Beyer (August 10, 2011). "Magic's Exclusive Creatures". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  3. In practice, any horned ruminant is a possibility: Zedruu the Greathearted is an antelope-based minotaur.
  4. Zombie is a weird race/class hybrid. Mark Rosewater (November 23, 2020). "Which one isn't a race among Dinosaur, Elf, Vampire, Zombie?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  5. Mark Rosewater (November 23, 2020). "I guess you’d say some creature types are neither?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  6. Mark Rosewater (November 24, 2020). "What makes Dinosaur not a race? What is it? What else is in that category?". Blogatog. Tumblr.