Dungeons & Dragons: The Types Of Elves Explained

Dungeons & Dragons: A Comprehensive Guide to Elven Subraces

Dungeons & Dragons, a cornerstone of tabletop RPGs, boasts a rich tapestry of fantasy races, with elves holding a particularly prominent place. This guide explores the diverse elven subraces, their lore, and their unique mechanical attributes, updated to reflect the 2024 Player's Handbook and Spelljammer: Adventures in Space.

While Tolkien's influence is undeniable, D&D's elves offer significant variations. This guide covers the various types, their history, and their distinct gameplay mechanics. Note that, at your DM's discretion, both the 2014 and 2024 Player's Handbook rules for elves can be used.

2024 PHB Elven Changes

The 2024 Player's Handbook introduces key changes:

• Unified Traits: Most elves share common traits, including skill proficiencies and a shortened long rest (four hours).
• Lineage Benefits: Specific elven lineages (High Elf, Wood Elf, Drow) provide unique benefits at levels 1, 3, and 5.

High Elves

Source Book	2024 Player's Handbook
Key Features	Prestidigitation cantrip, additional spells at higher levels
Realm	The Feywild

Often associated with the Forgotten Realms as Sun or Moon Elves, High Elves are renowned for their cunning and magical prowess. Infused with the magic of the Feywild and Material Plane, they are known for both their aloofness and their friendliness, often integrating with other races. Like all elves, they have advantage on saving throws against being charmed and can complete a long rest in four hours. Their spell access includes:

Player Level	Spell Known
Level One	Prestidigitation (replaceable with another wizard cantrip)
Level Three	Detect Magic
Level Five	Misty Step

Wood Elves

Source Book	2024 Player's Handbook
Key Features	Increased speed, Druidcraft
Realm	The Feywild

Also known as Wild Elves, Green Elves, or Forest Elves, Wood Elves are forest dwellers known for their instincts and intuition. Often reclusive, they possess exceptional speed and camouflage. Mechanically, they have a 35-foot movement speed and gain these spells:

Player Level	Spell Known
Level One	Druidcraft
Level Three	Longstrider
Level Five	Pass without Trace

Note that variations exist in different settings (e.g., Grugach in Greyhawk). Consult your DM for setting-specific details.

Dark Elves (Drow)

Source Book	2024 Player's Handbook
Key Features	Extended Darkvision
Realm	The Feywild, The Underdark

Descendants of Lolth, the spider goddess, Drow traditionally inhabit the Underdark. Their society is matriarchal and fiercely competitive. While often antagonistic (Monster Manual, Monsters of the Multiverse), good-aligned Drow exist, including the famous Drizzt Do'Urden. In Eberron, they reside in rainforests and ruins, not the Underdark. Mechanically, they possess extended Darkvision (120 feet) and sunlight sensitivity. They gain the same spells as Wood Elves.

Eladrin

Source Book	Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
Key Features	Seasonal affinity, teleportation (Fey Step)
Realm	The Feywild, The Material Plane

Inhabiting both the Material Plane and the Feywild, Eladrin possess ancient civilizations. Their moods and appearances shift with the seasons. Mechanically, they utilize Fey Step, a powerful teleportation ability, with effects varying by season. They can change their seasonal form after a long rest.

Shadar-kai

Source Book	Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
Key Features	Teleportation, necrotic damage resistance
Realm	The Shadowfell

Elves of the Shadowfell, Shadar-kai are followers of the Raven Queen. They appear pale and often emotionless, though this is not always the case. Mechanically, they teleport and gain resistance to all damage types until their next turn.

Sea Elves

Source Book	Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
Key Features	Underwater breathing, aquatic communication
Realm	Elemental Plane of Water

Amphibious blue-skinned elves, Sea Elves inhabit ocean communities and the Elemental Plane of Water. They have a deep rivalry with the Sahuagin. Mechanically, they breathe underwater, possess a swimming speed, have cold damage resistance, and can communicate with aquatic beasts.

Astral Elves

Source Book	Spelljammer: Adventures in Space
Key Features	Starlight Step teleportation, divine cantrips
Realm	Astral Sea

Inhabitants of the Astral Sea, Astral Elves are immortal and require no sustenance. They can access the Astral Sea's knowledge and gain skills/weapon proficiencies after each long rest. Their unique teleportation ability is called Starlight Step.

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