Character BuildingGame Education

Elf Race Builder: Level One

Elves are a Dungeons & Dragons fan favorite! Elves live a long time and have some great abilities. They’re naturally dexterous and even have fey ancestry advantages!

Let’s build an elf character –

Elf Race Basics:

This guide should make it easy-peasy for you to fill out your first character sheet for the Elf race! Consult your player’s handbook for more detailed information.

Life Span

Approximately 750 Years

Claiming Adulthood

Elves Gain Adult Name at Approximately 100 Years Old

Ability Score Increase

Add +2 to Your Dexterity Score

Typical Elf Size

Medium

Average Elf Height

Under Five Feet to Over Six Feet Tall

Keen Senses

Elves Are Proficient in Perception Skill

Base Speed

30 Feet

Elf Languages

Elvish & Common

Darkvision

60 Foot Range
(Dim Light = Bright Light, Dark Light = Dim Light)

Trance

Meditate 4 Hours Daily Instead of Sleeping
(Same Benefit as Long Rest)

Fey Ancestry Advantages

Advantage on Savings Throws Against Being Charmed
& Magic Can't Put You to Sleep

Suggested Alignment

High Elves & Wood Elves Tend to Value Freedom and Expression. Drow Elves Are More Often Evil and Dangerous.
See Below For Sub-Class Choices

Elf Sub-Race Options

Now that you got all the basics of your elf character race written into your character sheet, you can choose a subclass to further explore your elf!

Choose One Elf Sub-Class:

High Elf Sub-Race

You chose High Elf as your Elven sub-race. Cool! Here are the extra things you can add to your character sheet now:

Ability Score Increase

Add +1 to Your Intelligence Score

Cantrips

You Know One Cantrip of Your Choice (Wizard Spell List)
-Use Your Intelligence Spellcast Ability-

Weapon Proficiencies

Longsword, Shortsword, Longbow, and Shortbow

Extra Language

Choose One Extra Language of Your Choice

Wood Elf Sub-Race

You chose Wood Elf as your Elven sub-race. Cool! Here are the extra things you can add to your character sheet now:

Ability Score Increase

Add +1 to Your Wisdom Score

Weapon Proficiencies

Longsword, Shortsword, Longbow, and Shortbow

Base Speed Increase

Your Base Speed is Now 35 Feet!

Mask of the Wild

You Can Attempt to Hide Using Nature & Natural Phenomena - Even When Only Lightly Obscured

Drow Elf Sub-Race

You chose Drow Elf as your Elven sub-race. Cool! Here are the extra things you can add to your character sheet now:

Ability Score Increase

Add +2 to Your Charisma Score

Superior Darkvision

120-Foot Radius

Sunlight Sensitivity

Disadvantage On Attack Rolls & On Perception Checks That Rely On Your Sight in Direct Sunlight

Drow Magic

You Know Dancing Lights Cantrip
(Use Your Charisma Spellcasting Ability)

Weapon Proficiencies

Rapiers, Shortswords, & Hand-Crossbows

Related Articles

Game Education

Meet the “Write Your Own TTRPG Adventure” Summer 2023 Cohort!

Oh, the places we’ll go… Behold the Summer 2023 cohort for our...

How to become a freelance TTRPG writer
Game BusinessGame Education

How to Become a Freelance TTRPG Writer

Freelance writing is the core of the TTRPG publishing industry. Who knows?...

Game EducationGame Mastering

How Game Masters Can Avoid Burnout

Being a Game Master (GM) can be a rewarding experience—but it can also be...

Game Education

Beware These Game Master Red Flags

When looking for a Game Master (GM), be aware of red flags...

Skip to content