D&D 5E Elven trance and long rests

[Hriston]

So, if an elf trances for four hours and can do light activity "for no more than two hours" of an eight-hour long rest, what does the elf do for the other two hours?

 

[TrippyHippy]

So, if an elf trances for four hours and can do light activity "for no more than two hours" of an eight-hour long rest, what does the elf do for the other two hours?

An elf can do light activity for longer.

 

[Hriston]

An elf can do light activity for longer.

A case of specific trumps general?

 

[TrippyHippy]

A case of specific trumps general?

I guess, if you want to look at it that way. The only reason why everybody else can do light activity for no more than two hours of their eight hour rest is because they need to sleep. Elves don’t need to sleep.

 

[Plaguescarred]

After going into Trance for 4 hours, you gain the same benefit that a human does from 8 hours of sleep. The question is: does 8 hours of sleep give you the benefit of an extended rest? The answer is yes if you haven't had one in the last 24 hours and had at least 1 HP at the start of it. So the same benefit may apply after a Trance by logic.

While Trance may not be intended to work that way, there's certainly a strong case for it RAW due to the way its formulated.

 

[CapnZapp]

Despite the wording that a long rest is 8 hours, any other PC race who sleeps 8 hours has a long rest, so if 4 hours of elven trance is equal to 8 hours of sleep for anyone else, logic would dictate that this would be a long rest for an elf.

No, this is flawed.

 

[TrippyHippy]

No, this is flawed.

Terrific argument!

 

[CapnZapp]

Terrific argument!

I'll add the name of the logical fallacy when I have time.

Or you can help out and do it. Thanks.

 

[ExploderWizard]

A long rest is 8 hours period.

An elf doesn't have to spend quite as much of it zonked out, that's about it.

This is a great filter question for prospective players. A few of gems like these could filter the cheese away from your table.

 

[FighterMageThief]

Despite the wording that a long rest is 8 hours, any other PC race who sleeps 8 hours has a long rest, so if 4 hours of elven trance is equal to 8 hours of sleep for anyone else, logic would dictate that this would be a long rest for an elf.

I agree with you.