Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition race
Half-Elf
Half-Elf is a race in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition: Charisma plus two ability increases of your choice, two free skills, and elven charm resistance.
Last reviewed
Key facts
- Speed
- 30
- Size
- Medium
- Traits
- Darkvision, Fey Ancestry, Skill Versatility (two extra proficiencies)
- Languages
- Common, Elvish, One extra
Overview
Half-Elf is the most flexible race in the SRD after Human. Charisma +2 comes with two more +1s you place wherever you like, which means the race fits any class you can attach a Charisma story to and several you cannot. Skill Versatility adds two skill proficiencies of your choice on top of everything your class and background already give you, which is the widest free skill grant available. Darkvision to 60 feet and Fey Ancestry, meaning advantage against being charmed and immunity to magical sleep, arrive with it, and there is no cost anywhere in the package.
How it works
Ability Score Increase: +2 Charisma, and +1 to two other ability scores of your choice 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. Fey Ancestry: Advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic cannot put you to sleep. Skill Versatility: Proficiency in two skills of your choice. Languages: Common, Elvish, and one extra language of your choice.
Tips and playstyle
Best Classes: Bard (Charisma and skills reinforce each other), Paladin (Charisma plus flexible Strength or Constitution), Sorcerer and Warlock, and realistically anything, since the two floating increases go where the class needs them. Character Concepts: Court diplomat, wanderer between two peoples, elven noble raised among humans, charming spy, caravan negotiator, bard who trades on belonging to neither side. Why Choose Half-Elf: It is arguably the strongest SRD race. Charisma +2 with two floating +1s optimizes for any build, and the two free skills plus Fey Ancestry cost you nothing. Choose it when versatility matters more than a signature trait.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I put the two floating increases?
Into your primary and secondary class scores. A paladin takes Strength and Constitution, a rogue takes Dexterity and Constitution, a wizard takes Intelligence and Dexterity. Those two points are why Half-Elf works on classes that never touch Charisma.
Is Half-Elf better than Human?
For most builds, yes, because Charisma +2 plus two chosen +1s is more focused than +1 across the board, and the free skills and darkvision are real value. Human is the better pick when you need three or four decent scores at once.
What does Fey Ancestry protect against?
Advantage on saving throws against being charmed, plus outright immunity to magical sleep. Charm effects appear across the entire level range, so this defense stays useful long after low-level spells have stopped showing up.