Eladrin

[Roman]

It appears that Eladrin, formerly chaotic good celestials (in 3.XE), will be a player race in the 4th Edition. They seem to be one of the three races with common fey heritage: Eladrin, Elves and Drow. Elves will now be relegated to the nature-type/woodsman-types of elves represented by wild elves and wood elves in the past, whereas I think it is reasonable to predict that the Eladrin will most likely take over the role of the arcane/magical grey elves and high elves.

I really, really like this change. I have always found a disconnect between the elven propensity for arcane magic and high civilization, while simultaneously being portrayed as almost tantamount to spirits of nature. It is nice to see Eladrin take over the magical role (as I presume they will do). Such a change will also eliminate the need for mechanically different subraces of elves, as all bases will be covered by different races.

Are others liking this change as much as I do?

I am also wondering: Is the name eladrin completely made up or is it also taken from (non-D&D) mythology? If the latter is the case, what did it originally used to mean?

 

[Blackrat]

I would say: My thoughts exactly. Me likey.

 

[Psion]

Are others liking this change as much as I do?

Hate it.

The classic planar race is being nerfed to give us what we already had: an elven subrace.

 

[Vyvyan Basterd]

Hate it.

The classic planar race is being nerfed to give us what we already had: an elven subrace.

I don't think so. I remember reading that the eladrin player race is a toned down 'terrestrial' version. But the more powerful planar version also still exists.

 

[Frostmarrow]

Hate it.

The classic planar race is being nerfed to give us what we already had: an elven subrace.

I think you will find the eladrin an elven super-race.

 

[WayneLigon]

I dunno how I feel about the Eladrin. I'd never heard of them until this, and still haven't bothered looking them up in whatever MM they were in.

 

[Zebediah Magus]

Didn't like it much first time I read about it, but it does seem to make more sense than having dozens of elven subraces.

 

[Kapture]

I dunno how I feel about the Eladrin. I'd never heard of them until this, and still haven't bothered looking them up in whatever MM they were in.

But they're a classic!

Instead of being nerfed, I think they're being upgraded. Anything that has class levels is generally more versatile and interesting than anything without.

I always like new races, especially high concept ones. It looks like fey are being elevated to a near outsider level, and in this context the eladrin could be hella cool to play.

 

[DandD]

But they're a classic!

Instead of being nerfed, I think they're being upgraded. Anything that has class levels is generally more versatile and interesting than anything without.

I always like new races, especially high concept ones. It looks like fey are being elevated to a near outsider level, and in this context the eladrin could be hella cool to play.

How can they be a classic, if everybody either played a Drow, or another elven subrace with no Level adjustment?

 

[Wanderer20]

As a Planescape fan, I hate seeing the word "Eladrin" used for something different from a CG celestial (hell, fantasy is filled with exotic/arcane names, just find one yourself).

Not to mention that this "Eladrin" will be either an elven subrace or a revision of the "Aasimar".

The first remembers me the argue about "why elves have 685678575 completely different -in terms of abilities and skill bonuses- subraces while humans are all equal, despite they should be the ones quick and able to adapt, not those who live millennia"; and in this one, I'm with those who say that a subrace must be created by fluff alone, not by different crunch stats.

The second makes me wonder "What was wrong with the 'Aasimar' word"?