D&D 5E Why Dont The Creators Add Snow Elves In D&D?

[Sunseeker]

I think it's something best suited for a setting book. The *location* of the *evil bad buy* of Winter! Could have snow elves, perhaps some cold-themed dwarves or goliath-variant ala "norns", perhaps even half-yeti characters.

I think if we're going to go all subraces, we need to spread the love around. I'd really like to see something akin to the Pathfinder companion series "Blood of X" adopted for D&D. I really like the tiefling and damphir subraces.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

Because making them exactly the same but calling them "eladrin" makes it so much better?

not a lot better, but it was a start. I really want to see the mystical fey lord and the woodsie ranger races separated...
it was a very small step in the right direction... but two steps forward then three steps back

 

[Dragonhelm]

The beauty of D&D is that you're able to make your own rules, then share with the community. My recommendation here is to use something existing, and then modify it to be what you want. What makes an elf into a snow elf? Resistance to cold? Ability to travel across snow and ice without a reduction in speed?

Plus, the game gives you the ability to reskin things. So maybe a wood elf might become the foundation of your snow elves, and you just add in some flavor text.

Likewise, there are many talented folks out there who may have inspiration for you already. One source of inspiration you might look at would be the Snowcaster Elves from Pathfinder. So look at 3rd party products, or what has already been created in the fan community.

Point is, if you wait on the game's creators to create something, you may be waiting a long time. There are no guarantees. If you take ownership and come up with your own, then they'll be that much more special to you. And if WotC comes up with their snow elves, compare with your own to see what you like better.

Happy gaming!

 

[Corpsetaker]

I actually created a "Snow Elf" race for my Arctic wasteland Campaign setting.

Snow Elves: Snow elves resemble their cousins but their skin is very pale, their eyes are usually icy blue, emerald green,or violet. Their hair varies from white to blue.

Standard elf abilities plus the following.

+1 to Constitution (Hardy due to the frozen conditions).
Cold Resistance.
Advantage on all saving throws vs cold magic.
Never leave footprints in the snow.
Snow is never difficult terrain for them.

Enjoy!

 

[neobolts]

I was pleased that Dragonborn and Tieflings (and Aasimar in the DMG) got inclusion in 5e. And drow PCs in the core book addresses a long-standing reality of the game. Even if you've never read a book about Drizzt (and I haven't), the societal outcast archetype has its appeal. You play long enough and someone in a group will ask to play a drow.

Half-dragons, tieflings/aasimar, and drow have had a long standing place in my group's games, and seeing them "graduate up" to the core rulebooks seems reasonable. The game does need to grow some over the years. I would point to kender, genasi, and warforged as other races that might be on their way to getting the PHB A-list treatment in future editions. Snow elves? By comparison, not much impact on the history of D&D.