Elf (2024) Guide 5e

What is this guide?

This guide is meant to give you an idea of whether or not the elf (2024) will be right for your 5e character build.

The color code below has been implemented to help you identify, at a glance, how good that option will be for your elf (2024). This color coding isn’t a hard and fast rule; there are plenty of sub-optimized options out there that will be viable to your party and will be fun to play.

• Red : Isn’t going to contribute to the effectiveness of your character build at all
• Orange : Situationally good, but a below-average option otherwise
• Green : A good option
• Blue : A great option, you should strongly consider this option for your character
• Sky Blue: An amazing option. If you do not take this option your character would not be optimized

What are Elves in 5e?

Elves are a magical people of otherworldly grace, living in the world but not entirely part of it. They live in places of ethereal beauty, in the midst of ancient forests or in silvery spires glittering with faerie light, where soft music drifts through the air and gentle fragrances waft on the breeze. Elves love nature and magic, art and artistry, music and poetry, and the good things of the world.

Whether drawn from the courts of the Feywild, secluded woodland groves, or the mystical spires of elven cities, these graceful creatures sometimes heed the call for adventure. Driven by wanderlust, a thirst for knowledge, or a calling to protect the world, they wade through their foes using their innate magic, uncanny agility, and keen senses.

Elf (2024) 5e Traits

Age: Elves reach adulthood at 100 years and can live to be 750 years old.

Size: Elves are medium creatures, typically 5-6 feet tall.

Speed: 30ft walking is standard.

Darkvision: 60ft is standard for races that receive Darkvision. It’s a solid feature to have access to, though it can be negated by party members that don’t have the ability to see in the dark.

Keen Senses: Free proficiency in Insight, Perception, or Survival is always welcome. Most often the choice will be Perception, as it’s an incredibly handy skill in D&D.

Fey Ancestry: Advantage against being Charmed and being unable to be put to sleep by magic will come in handy quite often, and is especially good for builds that don’t value Wisdom as highly.

Trance: The elf’s trance is seemingly innocuous but it is quite powerful upon closer inspection. First off, remaining conscious allows you to be surprised less often. Second, only having to sleep for 4 hours will allow casters (specifically Wizards, Sorcerers, and Warlocks) the ability to wake up before the rest of the party, cast a spell, and then Short Rest to get the spell slot back. This can be extremely powerful given the right spell and the right circumstance.

Elven Lineage: This allows you to choose one of three lineages (listed below). Your lineage grants you a unique level 1 feature, as well as spells you learn at levels 3 and 5. You always have your lineage spells prepared and can cast each once per Long Rest without using a spell slot. Alternatively, you can cast the spells using spell slots you have. You also get to choose Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma as your spellcasting ability for these spells when you select your lineage, allowing you to meld your racial spellcasting with your classes’ focus.

• Drow: Drow are the choice for players who want to lean into Stealth-focused playstyle. The enhanced Darkvision is perfect for subterranean or dimly lit campaigns, and Faerie Fire is a powerful utility spell for revealing Invisible enemies or creating Advantage on attack rolls. Darkness adds strong battlefield control but requires coordination with your party to avoid hindering allies.
• High Elves: High Elves offer incredible flexibility with their cantrip-swapping feature, which allows them to choose a Wizard cantrip of their choice every Long Rest, making them perfect for spellcasters who want a wide range of utility. Detect Magic is situationally useful spell for any campaign, but Misty Step is a fantastic mobility tool that shines in both combat and exploration.
• Wood Elves: Wood Elves are ideal for builds that prioritize mobility and nature themes. The increased Speed is useful for kiting builds that like to hit-and-run. Longstrider offers even more mobility, but is generally not a good spell. Pass Without Trace, however, is one of the best utility spells in the game any time Stealth is one the table.