D&D General So how do Half-Elfs feel different to Elfs?

[Tonguez]

So in top 3 playable species poll I noticed a couple of people voted both Elf and Half-Elf, which got me thinking in terms of actual playability what is the difference between an Elf and a Half-Elf, is there anything that actually distinguishes one from the other? or is it just the choice of mechanics?

I can see how Drow might be different to standard Elf, but cant really think of anything other than the contrived "feels like an outsider" to differentiate Half-Elf (but most monsters ought to feel that way).

Anyway I am genuinely interested to know (even if -in all honesty- I dont like Elfs)

 

[Hriston]

As the Rankin/Bass Hobbit shows, half-elves can grow beards!

 

[Minigiant]

To me, both the Half-Elf and Half-Orc both are modified Humanity.

For Half Elf, they are a Human with the longevity and senses of an Elf. Or an Elf with the ambition and resourcefulness.

In the human civilization, a half Elf would have all the time to perfect and the senses and grace to do so.

But compared to an Elf, a half elf let's you play something mystical or fantastic while maintaining the drive and versatility of a human. You can be much like a young human while justifying weirdness and a deep backstory.

Basically Half elf let's you be old and young, wise and inexperienced, at the same time.

 

[nevin]

So in top 3 playable species poll I noticed a couple of people voted both Elf and Half-Elf, which got me thinking in terms of actual playability what is the difference between an Elf and a Half-Elf, is there anything that actually distinguishes one from the other? or is it just the choice of mechanics?

I can see how Drow might be different to standard Elf, but cant really think of anything other than the contrived "feels like an outsider" to differentiate Half-Elf (but most monsters ought to feel that way).

Anyway I am genuinely interested to know (even if -in all honesty- I dont like Elfs)

I always view them as those poor souls stuck between worlds. One parent and all your family on that side probably have so much time left and real life experiences that you'll never catch up.
The other side you get to be that guy in the human world and watch everyone die before you do and be overshadowed by your long life.

You just don't fit well in either society.

 

[CreamCloud0]

I can see how Drow might be different to standard Elf, but cant really think of anything other than the contrived "feels like an outsider" to differentiate Half-Elf (but most monsters ought to feel that way).

half elves (and half orcs) aren't just 'outsiders' in the same way that regular monster species are who are completely displaced from the society are, half elves deal with the issue of being in and out of the group at the same time, and of being strung between two societies, neither yet both, both yet neither, too long lived to fit in with humans, too short lived to fit in with elves.

 

[Laurefindel]

Short answer; the are special without being alien.

 

[AlViking]

I always view them as those poor souls stuck between worlds. One parent and all your family on that side probably have so much time left and real life experiences that you'll never catch up.
The other side you get to be that guy in the human world and watch everyone die before you do and be overshadowed by your long life.

You just don't fit well in either society.

That's always been my take as well, especially with half-elves. On one side you have elves who's life span is so long that they have an entirely different approach to life and while they may value relationships with humans it will never be the same as a friendship with another elf. Human's life spans are simply too short to truly understand elven psyche. That makes elves seem to be xenophobic to humans and to a certain degree they are. Meanwhile humans are relatively short lived and know it so they are more likely to push and demand change.

Half-elves are stuck not just between two societies but between entirely different viewpoints of how life should be lived. Not long-lived enough to be considered as worthy as other elves, long lived enough to see human friends grow up, get old and die.

Half-orcs traditionally were treated with caution because they had aspects of orcs that were primarily monstrous humanoids. The current release depicts orcs as just another variation of humans.

 

[Scribe]

First, one has to embrace the various species as foils to Humanity, archetypes.

If you.dont do that, the whole exercise is a waste of time.

 

[Minigiant]

Short answer; the are special without being alien.

Slightly longer answer: They get to be weird and special with an unique background which can be decades long but still play mostly a human. Even a young looking "human".

 

[Remathilis]

Depends on the edition. In AD&D, they get several benefits a human doesn't (infravision, slight resistance to sleep/charm) and have a wider selection of classes and multiclasses (ranger, druid, bard, cleric). Assuming you weren't expecting to play post 12th level, half-elf is strictly better than human and usually better than elf (unless you were going mage or fighter/mage). That superiority disappeared when humans got abilities and elves could be any class in 3e.

But story wise, half-elf is a sampler platter. You get all the cool stuff of being an elf (beauty, grace) with the expediency of a human AND you get the tragic backstory (elves sneer at your mixed blood, humans fear you). So you get to be beautiful, powerful, and hated.

In essences: They are Mary Sue, the Species.