There were countless races in Apocalypse World. It was still impossible to know exactly how many existed—perhaps tens of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands—but they could roughly be divided into eight great races.
First, the Human race referred to creatures based on human form, possessing intelligence and pure Human bloodlines. For example, humans on Earth, as well as certain races that met these conditions, could all be called Humans.
Second, the Demon race consisted mostly of beast-form creatures with intelligence. Higher Demons could transform into human form; the Six-Eyed Demon Flood Dragon and the Wind Dragon Lord, for instance, could both be considered Demons.
Third, the Devil race encompassed all demon races. Certain people with pure devil bloodlines were also called Devils.
Fourth, the Other races referred to all foreign races, such as Elves, Orcs, Goblins, and Kobolds. Though some of these races also possessed human forms, Human blood did not flow through their veins. Thus, Humans excluded them and called them Other races.
Fifth, the God race referred to divine creatures, including gods themselves, as well as god-descendants. They were creatures possessing divine blood, and thus also belonged to the God race. There were also beings created by gods, such as angels and Five Element spirits.
Sixth, the Water race referred to all creatures living in water. Apocalypse World also had many bodies of water, and they were naturally immense. The Water race mainly lived within them. These creatures came in every strange and bizarre form—some humanoid, some beastly—yet they belonged neither to the Human, Demon, nor Other races, and so they were called the Water race.
Seventh, the Death Clan included all undead creatures and ghosts, as well as certain races of the underworld. Black and White Impermanence, Ox-Head and Horse-Face, for example, all belonged to the Death