From a mechanics point of view, trance is actually a very useful racial ability, and yes far far far too many people forget it when talking about eladrin.
First of all, you get less sleep. And unlike in 3e with elven wizards, you actually get less sleep and still get all of your stuff back. That means if your party is ambushed, you might have all of your dailies back and they don't. Further, that's 2 extra hours the character can do other stuff. Talk in the city, go run some errands, do extra research. From a RP standpoint, that is a huge power.
Second, you take no penalty on perception checks while trancing. That means an eladrin is always on watch, a great benefit for the party just like elves give the party better perception, and half-elves give them better diplomacy. And it also means that the eladrin is less likely to be surprised, another advantage.
If you want to drop trance because you don't like the flavor that's fine. But keep in mind this isn't just some flavor text, this is a very nice racial ability, and you should give the eladrin something to compensate.
First of all, you get less sleep. And unlike in 3e with elven wizards, you actually get less sleep and still get all of your stuff back. That means if your party is ambushed, you might have all of your dailies back and they don't. Further, that's 2 extra hours the character can do other stuff. Talk in the city, go run some errands, do extra research. From a RP standpoint, that is a huge power.
Second, you take no penalty on perception checks while trancing. That means an eladrin is always on watch, a great benefit for the party just like elves give the party better perception, and half-elves give them better diplomacy. And it also means that the eladrin is less likely to be surprised, another advantage.
If you want to drop trance because you don't like the flavor that's fine. But keep in mind this isn't just some flavor text, this is a very nice racial ability, and you should give the eladrin something to compensate.
