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I was pretty skeptical about the new races in the PHB3.  I have no problem with WotC releasing new races, but my attitude was "Meh, not for my game."  Now that I'm actually reading through them, I may have to change my mind.

I think the designers did a great job of giving each new race really strong role-playing hooks that make them intriguing.  Let's go one by one:

Minotaurs

Initial Reaction: Great, another excuse for players to play as monsters.

After Actually Reading: OK, I actually really like this.  Fighting against your beastial nature is a really strong roleplaying hook.  The idea that minotaurs revere labyrinths as symbols makes for a really cool, unique flavor.  And a minotaur society under constant threat from falling under the sway of The Horned King opens up endless story