The Complete Book of Elves
Drow
A subrace of the Elf. Every value below is this subrace's own, resolved — marked where it is the Elf's unchanged.
At a glance
Ability adjustmentsDEX +2, INT +1, CON -1, CHA -2own
Infravision90 ftown
Movement12as Elf
Languagesdrow elvish, elvish, duergar, svirfneblin, deep dwarf, illithid, undercommon, drow sign language, kuo-toa, bugbear, orcishown
Requirements
Ability rangeSTR 3-18, DEX 6-18, CON 7-18, INT 8-18, WIS 3-18, CHA 8-18
Subrace rangeSTR 3-18, DEX 8-20, CON 7-17, INT 9-19, WIS 3-18, CHA 6-16A score outside this range warns; the choice still stands, and your DM decides.
Abilities
Sleep & charm90% resistanceas Elf
Detectionnotice concealed door (passing) 1-in-6 (within 10 ft); secret door (actively searching) 1-in-3 on d6; concealed door (actively searching) 1-in-2 on d6as Elf
Special abilitiesDancing lights (1/day), Faerie fire (1/day), Darkness (1/day), Levitate (1/day), Know alignment (1/day), Detect magic (1/day), Clairvoyance (1/day), Detect lie (1/day), Suggestion (1/day), Dispel magic (1/day)own
Saving throws+2 vs magic, +2 vs magically powered devicesown
Class access
ClassesFighter, Ranger, Mage, Cleric, Thief, Crusader, Chronomancer, Temporal Champion, Temporal Raider, diviner, enchanteras Elf
MulticlassFighter/Mage, Fighter/Thief, Fighter/Mage/Thief, Mage/Thiefas Elf
Experience surchargeDrow +20%
Level limitsNot yet available in this app — the limits table is in the Dungeon Master's Guide. Ask your DM.
Kits
FighterAmazon, Barbarian, Beast-Rider, Berserker, Cavalier, Gladiator, Myrmidon, Noble Warrior, Peasant Hero, Pirate/Outlaw, Samurai, Savage, Swashbuckler, Wilderness Warrior, Archer, Windrider, Bladesinger, War Wizard, Huntsman, Infiltrator, Undead Slayer
RangerBeastmaster, Explorer, Falconer, Feralan, Forest Runner, Giant Killer, Greenwood Ranger, Guardian, Justifier, Mountain Man, Pathfinder, Sea Ranger, Seeker, Stalker, Warden, Archer, Wilderness Runner, Windrider, Undead Slayer
MageAcademician, Amazon Sorceress, Anagakok, Militant Wizard, Mystic, Patrician, Peasant Wizard, Savage Wizard, Witch, Wu Jen, Spellfilcher, Bladesinger, War Wizard, Collector, Infiltrator, Undead Slayer
ClericAmazon Priestess, Barbarian/Berserker Priest, Fighting-Monk, Nobleman Priest, Outlaw Priest, Pacifist Priest, Peasant Priest, Prophet Priest, Savage Priest, Scholar Priest, Herbalist, Undead Slayer, Shinobi Priest
ThiefAcrobat, Adventurer, Assassin, Bandit, Beggar, Bounty Hunter, Buccaneer, Burglar, Cutpurse, Fence, Investigator, Scout, Smuggler, Spy, Swashbuckler, Swindler, Thug, Troubleshooter, Spellfilcher, Huntsman, Collector, Infiltrator, Undead Slayer
divinerAcademician, Amazon Sorceress, Anagakok, Militant Wizard, Mystic, Patrician, Peasant Wizard, Savage Wizard, Witch, Wu Jen
enchanterAcademician, Amazon Sorceress, Anagakok, Militant Wizard, Mystic, Patrician, Peasant Wizard, Savage Wizard, Witch, Wu Jen
Notes
- PC elves assumed (other subtypes by DM permission).
- Not-in-metal-armor penalty: opponents −4 (−2 if opening door/screen).
- PHBR8 standard elf package: 90% to sleep and charm-related spells (a failed resistance still allows the normal ).
- PHBR8: moves silently and near-invisibly in natural terrain while not attacking; only see-invisible-grade sight spots it.
- PHBR8 : enemies take -4 when the elf is alone, 90+ ft ahead of the party, or in an all elf/halfling group in nonmetal armor; -2 if a door or screen must be opened.
- PHBR8 : warrior, wizard, priest, thief, and the fighter/mage, fighter/thief, mage/thief and fighter/mage/thief multiclasses. Bard is reachable only through the Elven Minstrel (The Complete Bard's Handbook).
- PHBR8 fighter/mages cast only unarmored or in elven-made or magical armor.
- PHBR8: the racial +1 with bows and with short and long swords is TO-HIT only. There is no bonus unless the bow is -rated, and the to-hit bonus stacks with a weapon's own magical bonus.
- PHBR8 : one kit ever, no swapping, and the kit must match the or combination. No multiclass elf may specialize in a weapon, rangers included.
- PHBR8: all CIVILIZED elves know Reading/Writing free. Which count as civilized is your DM's call; PHBR8 does not enumerate them.
- Innate 1/day: dancing lights, faerie fire, darkness. From 4th , also levitate, know and detect magic.
- priests additionally gain clairvoyance, detect lie, suggestion and dispel magic 1/day. Availability is the DM's to set.
- Recorded condition, never auto-applied - BRIGHT LIGHT: in light brighter than a torch or continual light, and in sunlight, the takes -2 and -2 on attacks, and opponents gain +2 on against drow spells while lit. A drow in darkness facing lit foes keeps its Dexterity and , but the attack penalty still stands.
- Recorded condition, never auto-applied - SURFACE FADE: after more than 2 weeks away from the Underdark the innate powers fade one per day, most-innate first; for a priest the order is dispel magic, then suggestion, then clairvoyance, then detect lie. fades 10% per day. One day in the Underdark restores one surface week's loss.
- Other elves react at -4 minimum, cumulative with any modifier, until individual friendship is earned.