Spelljammer Astral Elves: Spelljammer's Elves In Spaaaaace!

WotC has a preview of Spelljammer's upcoming Astral Elves over on D&D Beyond (following on from their preview of the Giff last week).

Astral Elves can teleport as a bonus action, use divine cantrips, and 'tap into the knowledge of the infinite multiverse' to pick up new proficiencies after a long rest.

Sneak Peek: Play as the Immortal Astral Elf From Spelljammer: Adventures in Space!

The astral elf is a timeless creature with a deep connection to the Astral Sea. Click here for a preview of the new race offered by Spelljammer: Adventu...

www.dndbeyond.com

 

[Yaarel]

I want one versatile elf race format to rule them all.

ELF
Creature type. Humanoid, or an other creature type that you and your DM agree is appropriate.
Size. Medium, typically any human height, weight, and bodytype.
Speed. Walk 30.

Ability Score Improvements. Choose +2 any and +1 other, or +1 any three.
Age. Adult around 20, then eternally youthful.

Fey Ancestry. Charm resistance.
Trance. Immunity to sleep, and 4-hour meditation equivalent to long rest.
Elven Magic. Choose either one cantrip from any spell list, or darkvision 60.

Elven Feat. Choose one thematically elvish feat, or two such half-feats.



An innate slot-2 spell, such as Misty Step or Invisibility, per short rest, is an example of a half-feat.

 

[Yaarel]

DNDBeyond mentions the Astral Elf has "Misty Step a couple of times a day". This feature differs from the UA astral elf version.

Misty Step is a sizable design space. It is unclear where they would make room for it.

If the UA astral elf deletes Radiant Soul and Darkvision, and perhaps reduces the Trance Proficiencies from two tools (or weapons) to only one per trance, that opens enough room for the Misty Step to appear in a balanced way.

 

[Yaarel]

I know there are too many elf races, but I happen to like the astral version of the elf, because it is closer to the Norse elf.

Its skyey and luminous themes, its innate magic, its immortality, and its choosable ability score improvements, are all welcome. Even the affinity for tools and crafting is appropriate. Now the flavor of Misty Step can hint at the ghostlike manifestations of some apparitions. It is a decent Norsesque elf.

If necessary, I would swap out darkvision and Perception for Arcana and a choice of slot-1 spell per long rest.

 

[MarkB]

I notice that the art department has a look for the astral elf, namely solidly dark eyes with a diamond-like star shape iris that appears to be luminous. Their complexions of skin and hair seem to be any human complexion.

But there seems to be no text describing this look.

Highly illogical. We already know what space elves look like.

 

[Yaarel]

Highly illogical. We already know what space elves look like.

The designers mention Spock as a main inspiration for the astral elf. They wanted him in a setting with a space exploration mood.

Notice the DNDBeyond describes the astral elf as "emotionless" and "stoic".

 

[Stormonu]

Oh god, the Eladrin are back! Are you happy with with what you've done now, you maniacs! Run for the hills!

 

[Parmandur]

Oh god, the Eladrin are back! Are you happy with with what you've done now, you maniacs! Run for the hills!

The Eladrin are already in both Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes and Monsters of the Multiverse.

 

[Yaarel]

The Eladrin are already in both Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes and Monsters of the Multiverse.

DNDBeyond:

"a couple times a day or more"

might mean

proficiency bonus times per day.

It is ambiguous, because alternatively it might be assuming at least one short rest, while allowing the possibility of more.

I probably prefer pro per day because the nova potential feels more flavorful. The elf can bamf around, rather than just once.

 

[Yaarel]

In the image from DNDBeyond, this is probably the Mithril Dragon?

My favorite dragon is the 4e Mithril Dragon that teleports at-will. IIRC, "Move. Teleport 50". It inhabits the astral plane.

 

[Yaarel]

I pasted together images for the statblocks of the mithral dragon − from the 4e Draconomicon book. Is that something I can post here?