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D&D 2024 Species GuideElf Guide: Lineages, Classes and Builds

Which elven lineage to pick, the best classes for an elf in the 2024 rules, and two builds ready to play.

2024 RULES 2014 RULES
Thrain Mapcarver
Resident DM · Updated October 21, 2026

Overview

At a glance
Size
Medium
Speed
30 ft (35 ft Wood Elf)
Darkvision
60 ft (120 ft Drow)
Best lineage
Wood Elf
ScoutCasterSkirmisher

In the 2024 rules your species no longer sets your ability scores; your background does. That makes the elf a good fit for any class. What it brings is a lineage with free spells at levels 1, 3 and 5, Darkvision, a skill, resistance to charm, and a 4-hour Long Rest.

Thrain's take

Pick the lineage for the spell you get at level 5. Wood Elf gets Pass without TracePass without Trace2nd-level AbjurationConcentrationCastingActionRangeSelfDuration1 hourYou radiate a concealing aura in a 30-foot Emanation for the duration. While in the aura, you and each creature you choose have a +10 bonus to Dexterity (Stealth) checks and leave no tracks., and that one spell can carry a whole party past a camp of guards. High Elf gets Misty StepMisty Step2nd-level ConjurationCastingBonus ActionRangeSelfDurationInstantaneousBriefly surrounded by silvery mist, you teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space you can see.. Drow gets DarknessDarkness2nd-level EvocationConcentrationCastingActionRange60 feetDuration10 minutesFor the duration, magical Darkness spreads from a point within range and fills a 15-foot-radius Sphere. Darkvision can't see through it, and nonmagical light can't illuminate it.. Most players want Wood Elf and do not know it yet.

Strengths
  • Three free spells from your lineage, cast once per Long Rest without a slot
  • Fey Ancestry: Advantage on saves to avoid or end Charmed
  • Trance: magic cannot put you to sleep, and a Long Rest takes 4 hours
  • A free skill: Insight, Perception or Survival
Weaknesses
  • No damage resistance or extra hit points
  • Lineage spells are once per Long Rest unless you have slots
  • Drow and High Elf lean on spells a non-caster rarely uses

Elf Traits

Darkvision

60 feet. Drow extends it to 120 feet.

Elven Lineage

Choose Drow, High Elf or Wood Elf. Each gives a level 1 benefit and a free spell at levels 3 and 5. Pick Intelligence, Wisdom or Charisma as the spellcasting ability, whichever your class uses.

Fey Ancestry

Advantage on saving throws to avoid or end the Charmed condition.

Keen Senses

Proficiency in Insight, Perception or Survival. Perception is the usual pick.

Trance

You do not need to sleep, magic cannot put you to sleep, and you finish a Long Rest in 4 hours.

Elven Lineages, Rated

Legendary: build around it Epic: excellent Rare: good Uncommon: works Common: weak fit
Wood Elf
35-foot speed and DruidcraftDruidcraftTransmutation cantripCastingActionRange30 feetDurationInstantaneousWhispering to the spirits of nature, you create one of the following effects within range. - Weather Sensor. You create a Tiny, harmless sensory effect that predicts what the weather will be at your location for the next 24 hours. at level 1, LongstriderLongstrider1st-level TransmutationCastingActionRangeTouchDuration1 hourYou touch a creature. The target's Speed increases by 10 feet until the spell ends. at 3 and Pass without TracePass without Trace2nd-level AbjurationConcentrationCastingActionRangeSelfDuration1 hourYou radiate a concealing aura in a 30-foot Emanation for the duration. While in the aura, you and each creature you choose have a +10 bonus to Dexterity (Stealth) checks and leave no tracks. at 5. The best stealth spell in the game, free every day.
Legendary
High Elf
PrestidigitationPrestidigitationTransmutation cantripCastingActionRange10 feetDuration1 hourYou create a magical effect within range. Choose the effect from the options below. If you cast this spell multiple times, you can have up to three of its non-instantaneous effects active at a time. Sensory Effect., swappable for any wizard cantrip after a Long Rest. Detect MagicDetect Magic1st-level DivinationConcentrationRitualCastingActionRangeSelfDuration10 minutesFor the duration, you sense the presence of magical effects within 30 feet of yourself. at 3 and Misty StepMisty Step2nd-level ConjurationCastingBonus ActionRangeSelfDurationInstantaneousBriefly surrounded by silvery mist, you teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space you can see. at 5. Best for casters and anyone who wants a teleport.
Epic
Drow
120-foot Darkvision and Dancing LightsDancing LightsIllusion cantripConcentrationCastingActionRange120 feetDuration1 minuteYou create up to four torch-size lights within range, making them appear as torches, lanterns, or glowing orbs that hover for the duration. Alternatively, you combine the four lights into one glowing Medium form that is vaguely humanlike., then Faerie FireFaerie Fire1st-level EvocationConcentrationCastingActionRange60 feetDuration1 minuteSaveDexterityObjects in a 20-foot Cube within range are outlined in blue, green, or violet light (your choice). Each creature in the Cube is also outlined if it fails a Dexterity saving throw. at 3 and DarknessDarkness2nd-level EvocationConcentrationCastingActionRange60 feetDuration10 minutesFor the duration, magical Darkness spreads from a point within range and fills a 15-foot-radius Sphere. Darkvision can't see through it, and nonmagical light can't illuminate it. at 5. Faerie Fire gives your whole party Advantage on a group of enemies.
Epic

Best Classes for an Elf

Ranger (Wood Elf)
Extra speed for kiting, Perception from Keen Senses and Pass without Trace for the scouting a ranger already does.
Legendary
Rogue (Wood Elf or Drow)
Pass without Trace turns a sneaky rogue into a sneaky party. Drow's Faerie Fire sets up Sneak Attack.
Legendary
Wizard (High Elf)
An extra wizard cantrip you can change every day and a free Misty Step on the class with the fewest hit points.
Epic
Monk (Wood Elf)
Speed stacks with Unarmored Movement, and Pass without Trace keeps you hidden while you close in.
Epic
Druid (Wood Elf)
Wisdom-cast lineage spells that match the druid's own list, so your slots go further.
Epic
Warlock (Drow)
Faerie Fire and Darkness cast with Charisma. Darkness with the Devil's Sight invocation is a classic warlock trick.
Rare
Cleric
Any lineage works. Perception from Keen Senses and Wisdom casting keep it useful.
Rare
Fighter
A Dexterity fighter with a bow and a free Misty Step or Pass without Trace. Solid, not special.
Rare
Bard
Charisma-cast lineage spells. Fey Ancestry protects the party's talker from being turned.
Rare
Barbarian
Wood Elf speed is nice, but you cannot cast lineage spells while Raging.
Uncommon

Elf Builds

Elf rogue
StealthThe Wood Elf Shadow
Lineage
Wood Elf
Class
Rogue (Thief)
Background
Criminal (AlertAlertOrigin featWhen you roll Initiative, you can add your Proficiency Bonus to the roll.)
8STR
17DEX
14CON
12INT
14WIS
10CHA

Moves first, moves fast, and from level 5 hides the whole party with Pass without TracePass without Trace2nd-level AbjurationConcentrationCastingActionRangeSelfDuration1 hourYou radiate a concealing aura in a 30-foot Emanation for the duration. While in the aura, you and each creature you choose have a +10 bonus to Dexterity (Stealth) checks and leave no tracks..

Build this elf
Free to start. No card needed.
Elf wizard
CasterThe High Elf Evoker
Lineage
High Elf
Class
Wizard (Evoker)
Background
Sage (Magic InitiateMagic InitiateOrigin featChoose a level 1 spell from the same list you selected for this feat's cantrips. You always have that spell prepared. You can cast it once without a spell slot, and you regain the ability to cast it in that way when you finish a Long Rest.)
8STR
14DEX
14CON
17INT
12WIS
10CHA

Six cantrips at level 1 (three wizard, two from Magic Initiate, one from the lineage), and a free Misty StepMisty Step2nd-level ConjurationCastingBonus ActionRangeSelfDurationInstantaneousBriefly surrounded by silvery mist, you teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space you can see. for when the front line breaks.

Build this elf
Free to start. No card needed.

Elf FAQ

What is the best elf lineage in D&D 2024?

Wood Elf for most characters, because it adds 5 feet of speed and a free Pass without Trace every day from level 5. High Elf is best for wizards and other Intelligence casters. Drow is the pick for warlocks and for parties that want Faerie Fire.

Do elves get ability score increases in the 2024 rules?

No. In the 2024 rules ability score increases come from your background, so an elf can be any class without falling behind.

Do elves sleep in D&D 2024?

No. Trance means you do not need to sleep, magic cannot put you to sleep, and you finish a Long Rest in 4 hours of meditation.

Keep reading

Wizard Guide: Build, Spells and RatingsD&D 2024 Class Guide
How to Build a TricksterD&D Build Guide

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This guide includes material from the System Reference Document 5.2 by Wizards of the Coast LLC, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. TableForge is not affiliated with Wizards of the Coast. Full licenses.