Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition race
Elf (High)
Elf (High) is a race in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition: Graceful Feywild-touched people with darkvision, charm resistance, and a free wizard cantrip.
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Key facts
- Speed
- 30
- Size
- Medium
- Traits
- Darkvision, Keen Senses, Fey Ancestry, Trance, Elf Weapon Training, Cantrip, Extra Language
- Languages
- Common, Elvish
Overview
The high elf in the SRD is built around precision and a little magic. Dexterity +2 with Intelligence +1 points at ranged and finesse characters, and the free wizard cantrip is a trait no other SRD race has: any high elf, whatever their class, can cast something. The supporting traits are defensive utility that stays relevant for twenty levels. Darkvision to 60 feet, Perception proficiency, advantage on saves against being charmed, and immunity to magical sleep cover a long list of common encounters. Trance replaces eight hours of sleep with four hours of meditation, which changes what a party can do with a night.
How it works
Ability Score Increase: +2 Dexterity, +1 Intelligence Size: Medium Speed: 30 feet Darkvision: See in dim light within 60 feet as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. Keen Senses: Proficiency in Perception. Fey Ancestry: Advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic cannot put you to sleep. Trance: You do not sleep. Four hours of meditation gives you the benefit of eight hours of sleep. Elf Weapon Training: Proficiency with the longsword, shortsword, shortbow, and longbow. Cantrip: You know one wizard cantrip, and Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for it. Extra Language: One additional language of your choice.
Tips and playstyle
Best Classes: Wizard (Intelligence plus a bonus cantrip), Rogue (Dexterity plus Perception proficiency), Ranger (Dexterity plus the weapon proficiencies), and any Dexterity-based fighter. Character Concepts: Ancient scholar, forest sentinel, exiled noble, traveling musician, arcane archer, lorekeeper who remembers the last war personally. Why Choose High Elf: The free wizard cantrip is unique in the SRD and it scales with your character level, so it never becomes dead weight. Add the weapon proficiencies and Fey Ancestry and you get a character who is competent at range, hard to charm, and rarely out of options.
Frequently asked questions
Which wizard cantrip should a high elf take?
Take one that does not depend on a high Intelligence score. Fire bolt gives a non-caster a reliable ranged attack, while light, mage hand, and minor illusion solve problems without needing a good attack modifier. Intelligence is the casting ability regardless of your class.
Is the high elf good for non-wizards?
Yes. Dexterity +2 serves rogues, rangers, monks, and finesse fighters, and the longsword, shortsword, shortbow, and longbow proficiencies arrive independently of your class list, which matters for classes with a narrow weapon selection.
What does Trance do at the table?
You meditate 4 hours instead of sleeping 8 and still gain the benefit of a long rest. In practice the elf can take a long watch every night at no cost, which quietly settles one of the most common party logistics arguments.