Straddling the Line Between Two Legacies
What are Half-Elves?
Half-Elves are the children of Elves and another race in Faerun. As a result, they gain aspects of both races, though are typically not fully accepted by either. In theory, many races could mate with an Elf to produce Half-Elf children, but a Human/Elf union is the most common, due to the physical and cultural similarities between the two races.
While some may struggle to establish identity, torn between two worlds, others embrace their unique heritage taking the best of both cultures and using it to their advantage.
Is a Half-Elf right for you?
Dungeons and Dragons lets you take a flexible approach to building a character, but if you are going adhere to typical culture and the best-optimised build for a Half-Elf you might consider the following:
Choose a Half-Elf if you like…
- A versatile race that can be suited to most classes or settings
- A character with access to lots of skill proficiencies that will make them useful outside of combat
- A dual-heritage
A Half-Elf might not be for you if…
- You are looking for a character with a stronger sense of direction for the class you take
- You looking for a race that stands out more visually
Racial traits
| Ability Scores | +2 Charisma, +1 any 2 other abilities |
| Creature Type | Humanoid |
| Size | Medium |
| Speed | 30ft |
| Languages | Common, Elven and 1 other language |
| Traits | Darkvision, Fey Ancestry, Skill Versatility |
| Resistances | Charmed, Sleep |
| Innate Spellcasting | If taking High Elf or Drow heritage |
| Book found in | Player’s Handbook |
If you want to play as a Half-Elf, your character will have the following traits and abilities (as found in the SRD for D&D 5e):
Darkvision – Thanks to your elven heritage, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Fey Ancestry – You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.
Depending on your heritage, choose one of the following options:
Skill Versatility (general) – You gain proficiency in two skills of your choice.
Elf Weapon Training (High or Wood Elf Heritage). You have proficiency with the longsword, shortsword, shortbow, and longbow.
Cantrip (High Elf Heritage). You know one cantrip of your choice from the wizard spell list. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for it.
Fleet of Foot (Wood Elf Heritage). Your base walking speed increases to 35 feet.
Mask of the Wild (Wood Elf Heritage). You can attempt to hide even when you are only lightly obscured by foliage, heavy rain, falling snow, mist, and other natural phenomena.
Drow Magic (Dark Elf Heritage). You know the Dancing Lights cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast Faerie Fire once, and it recharges after a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast Darkness once, and it recharges after a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Swim Speed (Aquatic Elf Heritage). You have a swimming speed of 30 feet.
Tactics
Generally, the abilities of the Half-Elf don’t have obvious combat applications like those of the Lizardfolk or Minotaur. This can vary with which Elf race is part of your character’s heritage, but there are ways to at least make the most of what is on offer. Unfortunately, not all these traits are made equally. Some offer better options than others. Below, I’ve shared some ways to use the better options effectively in combat:
Utilise Skill Versatility: Choose skills that complement your combat style, such as Perception for getting the lay of the land before the fight, Stealth for ambush tactics, or Athletics for grappling and manoeuvring opponents.
Master Cantrips (High Elf Heritage): A great option for melee classes is booming blade as you can consistently up your damage output from melee attacks, at least until you start getting extra attacks. This makes it a particularly useful option for Rogues and melee Bards and Warlocks.
Exploit Fleet of Foot (Wood Elf Heritage): Use your increased movement speed to manoeuvre around the battlefield quickly, engaging or disengaging from enemies as necessary, even more useful combined with the Mobile Feat and a Rogue or Monk’s ability to slip in and out of combat. Also great for charging your tanks into combat.
Harness Drow Magic (Dark Elf Heritage): Use Dancing Lights to create distractions or illuminate dark areas, Faerie Fire to reveal invisible enemies or impose disadvantage on their attacks, and Darkness to obscure vision and control the battlefield.
Which classes are good for Half-Elves?
As mentioned, Half-Elf abilities aren’t necessarily combat focussed, but can accentuate strengths or shore up weaknesses that some classes have.
Below I’ve put together a score for how well each class works with a Half-Elf based on how well the ability score increases and racial traits work with each class. Primarily, we’re looking at classes that benefit from a charisma increase and need multiple ability score increases. We’re also looking at classes that benefit from extra skill proficiencies too:
Artificer⭐⭐⭐
Barbarian ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bard ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cleric ⭐⭐⭐
Druid ⭐⭐⭐
Fighter ⭐⭐⭐
Monk ⭐⭐⭐
Paladin ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ranger ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rogue ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sorcerer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Warlock ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wizard ⭐⭐⭐
*Star ratings scored out of 5
Best Half-Elf classes
Rogue
Half-elves’ Skill Versatility allows them to gain proficiency in two additional skills, making them well-suited for the skill-focused Rogue class. Their increased movement speed from Fleet of Foot can aid in positioning for sneak attacks.
Bard
With their natural charisma and proficiency in two skills of their choice, half-elves make excellent Bards, who often end up as a swiss army knife for ability checks.
Paladin
The Paladin class benefits from the half-elf’s charisma bonus, making them effective leaders and diplomats. The extra ability score increase also helps as Paladins have a lot of abilities they need to focus on. Fey Ancestry provides resistance to charm effects, Great for a frontline class that generally falls short on wisdom. Additionally, their proficiency in two skills of their choice allows them to excel in social interactions and investigation.
Worst classes for Half-Elves
As Half-Elves are so versatile, they generally can add something useful to most classes – but there are a few that feel less optimal. Generally, this is classes like the barbarian or fighter, whose role is to take the front line of combat. A Half-Elf player may be best applied to classes that take on a more varied role that uses their skills more often.
About Half-Elves
Appearance
Half-Elves tend to take on traits of both their parents, taking on a partially elven appearance with features from the other race that makes up their parentage. As such, they may have the slender delicate features of an Elf, pointed ears or a lithe build. If part human they may be stockier than elves, and have more rugged features or facial hair. Equally, if the other parent is a gnome or halfling they would be smaller. You can consult with your dungeon master to select the most appropriate appearance for your character.
Personality
Adaptability: Half-elves are often adaptable and flexible, able to navigate between societies with ease. They may possess a chameleon-like quality, adjusting their behaviour to fit in with different social groups.
Diplomacy: With their charisma and understanding of both elven and other cultures, half-elves often excel in diplomacy and mediation. They may act as peacemakers within their communities or serve as ambassadors between different races.
Independence: Half-elves usually value their independence and freedom, preferring to forge their path rather than conforming to societal expectations. They may be fiercely individualistic and resistant to authority or control.
Ambition: Half-elves often possess a drive for success and achievement, striving to prove themselves in both elven and other societies. They may be ambitious in their pursuits, whether it be in academics, politics, or adventuring.
Complexity: Overall, the personalities of half-elves are often complex and multifaceted, reflecting the dual nature of their heritage. They may embody a balance of human emotion and elven wisdom, making them intriguing and dynamic characters in any setting.
How to roleplay as a Half-Elf
Half-Elves, like all other races, have a wide variety of personalities, but most suffer from some similar conflicts; the pulling of the 2 sides of their biology. While you may find that the character you create may be different from most Half-Elves, the following considerations will help you determine where you differ and where and how these personality traits are the same:
Two races, no home: You’re born of 2 races but are likely not at home in either. Both races likely begrudgingly accept your differences, but do not like it. How you respond to this conflict may say a lot about your character. Do you resent your heritage, see the unique talents it provides or have you found your own path away from either race?
Where were you raised: Where you were raised likely has important implications for who you are. You may have been educated by Humans or Elves. Have you retained any of their particular sensibilities and quirks. Perhaps you were raised separately and maybe that’s given you different quirks entirely. Has your life with a particular race made you more fond of them, or have you found living with those different to you to create conflict?
Balanced personality: The traits you’ve gained from your Human and Elvish parents likely gives you a more balanced personality, one that gives you a more measured approach to life and its challenges. How does this manifest in you?
