Suppose you have a game where there are different races; for example, maybe the game is a fantasy game with elves, dwarves, and half-dragons, all playable (along with humans). Furthermore, suppose each race is to be given some special power, ability, or useful characteristic.

In this sort of game, what special ability would be appropriate for the human race?

Edit: Why the low rating? Why are people downrating interesting discussion topics about games, ones that get some very good discussion? (If you're responsible for this, please stop.)

Humans are usually the basic all rounded rare in games that I've played.
I think humans would have more determination and perseverance maybe.
Maybe they would be better at something relating in how they can salvage resources from their surroundings.

Ofc what effect you give humans depends on what other races you have in this fictional universe and what bonuses other races get and if their are "classes" that effect the abilities.

The problem here (that applies to most fantasy, and even SF settings) is that the three races you mention are themselves based on men. You start with a human basis and then add something, as you say, "special" (immortaliy, stout build, a mixed race...)

If you want humans to be "special" and interesting, go the other way and substract from them.

the archtype is that humans are jack of all trades, master of non.

So, like a Final Fantasy Red Mage?

(Funny thing is, in classic Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (1e & 2e), Humans are the one playable core race that *can't* multi-class, which is rather at odds with this idea. Then again, the way AD&D tried to balance the other races with humans is rather poor.)

Edit: AGAIN, why the low rating?

In 4X space games, we are usually portrayed as master diplomats for some reason... perhaps it's something we aspire to as a global culture, because, I mean... not gonna go into international politics, but things could be better. *Looks at civilization's end countdown clock and laughs maniacally*

same in WoW, humans get a 10% increase in repuation

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Furthermore, humans are the only race which CAN dual-class - which also seems a bit at odds.

Lore-wise, giving up progression in your original class and starting again from level 1 seems to make much more sense for a long-lived race like elves or dwarves. With the shorter lifespan of humans, multi-classing would make more sense -- using their flexibility and resourcefulness to get more out of the limited time they have. Conversely, I would expect an elf to be the one to say, "Well I had a pretty good run over the past two-hundred years as a fighter, but I seem to be reaching my limits. Perhaps I'll start practicing magic for the next part of my life..."

Mechanics-wise, dual-classing also seems to make more sense for non-humans since all non-humans have level caps on each class (with the sole exception of half-elf bards). A halfling cleric, for example, can only advance to level 8. I would think they should be able to dual-class into something else at that point and continue progressing. Otherwise, why in the world would anyone pick a race/class combo with a very low level cap? Even if they multi-class, they're getting more abilities but the level caps on each class still apply.

In AD&D 1st and 2nd editions, all the non-humans are front-loaded with abilities while the humans eventually become more powerful after a long time and have the greatest long-term growth potential... which seems completely backasswards.

It would be great if more games portrayed humans as the only ones with a specific trait, and then none of the other races being necessarily compared to them (insted of humans being the vanilla race and the others are humans with a quirk).

This reminds me of the old TV show Sliders, where every alternate universe had an oddity that moved the plot of the episode, but our universe didn't stand out for anything. In Master of Orion humans have a diplomatic advantage (a nod to the Federation from Star Trek and maybe the way the Earth developed the United Nations) and better trade agreements (arguably for balance and because trade is usually part of the diplomacy system in 4X games.

I was thinking about replaying Morrowind, which reminded me that in the Elder Scrolls, humans are divided in several different races, with different specializations (some more useful than others), just as elves/mer are.
Perhaps similar thing could work in other games?

Also, don't get me speaking about early D&D, because if I recall correctly humans had special ability of being able to access every class, and reach any level. Other races had level caps.

Edit: Others mentioned D&D facts before me.