I've looked at EE_PlayersCompanion.pdf (640Z3276001 EN) races and nothing stood stood out at 1st. Sure Aarakocra could fly but a lot of adventuring happen inside so I wasn't hyped, and even outside behing high up a tree line or worse in a field, is calling for attention for the rest of the party which in most likelyhood can't all fly.
But then I decided to make a ranger and Wis was 1st ability for me followed by Dex which Aarakocra satisfy in order to get +3 for ability (well that was the modifier but I always use modifier unless there's a need to differentiate between the integer and the mid-point (ie: 7/2=3.5); am I the only one that has that habit?). Then I read a bit on Aarakocra and realized if a bird of prey became human-like they would use a bow instead of plunging then grabbing while piercing & slicing with talons.
I was told by GMs that AL forbid Aarakocra and one of them showed me the clause. I knew Wood Elf had the same ability increase so that was my alternative and I didn't have to remake my character on the spot beside crossing out the race section of the sheet. Yes Wood Elf are interesting but something about Aarakocra excites me. So I'm chanelling the race I want in the alternative; often making reference, and prepending race sections with: dysmorphic. And anyway his name is of the desired race, not fitting with the alternative.
Right now I'm hoping Aarakocra will become AL-legal before my character hit level 5, thus not able to be changed, but I'm worried that I won't have the time.
So my question: If I'm--clear--that my desired race is Aarakocra and the one I chose is an alternative, even if my character hit the stage where changes can't be made, if it becomes AL-legal would there be an exception with my character to change race keeping his XP, magical items, enough money to pay for Raise Dead & basic items? Or would I be stuck waiting for another opportunity to make a ranger? May I remind you I will make it clear about my desire for the race.
Thank you kindly for your help
I would not get your hopes up for the Aarakocra. It was banned because not all DMs have the skills or ability to handle flying PCs at that level of play, and IIRC - no other character has At-Will Flight before L14 (Dragon Sorcerer).
On the off chance that it does become legal after your character reaches L5, no exception will be made. Were an exception made for players who wanted to play an Aarakocra, similar exceptions would need to be made for any other content that someone would prefer. Your only hope at that point would be for the Powers that Be to extend rebuilding to beyond L5, which is also unlikely.
Again, I reiterate - I think it highly unlikely the aarakocra will ever be legal, so please do not get your hopes up on playing one in AL.
William CQ,
To make it official Aarakocra will not be coming in to the Adventurers League at all. No chance at all even in the future. Kalani was incorrect in that the AL DM could not handle the flight and such it is that the Aarakocra was considered to be to powerful BECAUSE of the flight at 1st level and such. If the AL allowed Aarakocra everyone and their mother would mostly want to play one and that is the other thing. We want the entire table to have fun and for it to be fairly and uniformly spread through the entire party and that the team dynamic does not get out of whack because of a few PC's that could fly over obstacles and over come things others can not. Not to mention having to possibly adjust the encounter to account for possibly several PCs that have flight at low levels.
So again this is OFFICIAL Aarakocra are not allowed in the Adventures League nor will they be in the future.
-jon lamkin
The 50' fly speed makes it too OP for AL.
It trivializes a large chunk of all published material by making terrain, obstacles, walls and a lot of monster positioning meaningless. You can just fly over everything.
That alone makes it a horrible design decision to make a 'playable' race with at will fly.
Considering it was already banned in AL from day 1, it is unlikely they will change their minds.
Even if you wanted to hold on to the hope that they change their minds and allow them.... there is just no way they would do so in the middle of the season. Which only leaves the possibility that they *start* allowing a Season 2 race to be legal starting in Season 3.... nope, not gonna happen.
Byakugan01 wrote:
TSRO_Kip wrote:
Just to clarify, changes in what you can use to make a PC or level up only occur when the Player's Guide is update, and they only happens at the beginning of seasons so you wouldn't see a change until the start of season 3. And as others have said, there are currently no plans to allow Aarakocra now or in the future.
Greg Marks
Associate Resource Manager
Thank you Greg. Could you also dispel my rules source confusion, or will you claim the wiser and more valorous path? 
I don't believe John was making a ruling himself, but rather pointing out a discusssion and ruling previous made (albeit with not citing his source). RCs will often reiterate rulings since its part of their job to spread the word.
Greg Marks
Associate Resource Manager
Thank you again Greg. In which case I would ask John to please indicate such in future. Its boggy enough around here. This is a pretty contrary place, if you post/reiterate a ruling and don't want to stir up an unholy hell wasp swarm, please provide pedigree.
(and rereading my post, may have replied with more sarcasm than intended, so I am sorry about that John. Or Jon, greg confused me..)
Upvoting for pedigree.
Ravix wrote:
imaginaryfriend wrote:
TSRO_Kip wrote:
Coredump00 wrote:
Not entirely true.
Robert Adducci has said on several occasions that the admins may remove (read: phase out) some story origins at a future (unspecified) period. This would prevent new characters from being created with those (removed) story origins, but would not prevent pre-existing characters from participating in an adventure. For the time being though, you are 100% correct. Such may not always be the case however.