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Can a half-elf raised by Varisian nomads take the trait Varisian Tattoo?

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up vote 20 down vote

A half-elf can take human race traits

The Pathfinder Core Rulebook FAQ includes this exchange:

Half-Elf or Half-Orc: Can a character of either of these races select human racial archetypes (such as from Advanced Race Guide)?

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 and two Advanced Player's Guide FAQs.

(Emphasis and formatting mine.)

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+1 for searching the FAQ for this. Without pointing out that the ruling was reversed, the RAW description of Elf Blood would remain ambiguous. – Mike Q Jun 21 at 17:53
    
@MikeQ Yeah, heated debate often ensued prior to the FAQ ruling, especially since no one was entirely sure if being able to pick racially exclusive stuff was an effect. It was particularly contentious with regards to half-orcs as many feats have prerequisites that specify orc or half-orc and why say that if half-orcs already count as orcs, right? (My half-orc inquisitor was pleased by—and benefited directly from—this FAQ ruling, by the way.) – Hey I Can Chan Jun 21 at 17:59
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Half-elves count both as human and elf for any traits, feats, magic items or effects that work only on a certain race.

From the core rulebook:

Elf Blood: Half-elves count as both elves and humans for any effect related to race.

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