B/X-5 Design Log: Revised Elf

In creating B/X-5, a 5th Edition  homage to early D&D, I've tried to stay close to the spirit of the early Basic box sets. As such, I've tried to model Race-as-Class in such a way that would make sense within the bounds of D&D 5th Edition, giving them a familiar flavor of B/X while making them mechanically similar to a 5th Edition class. You can read more about B/X-5 here. Without further ado, the Elf. (No, this is not an April Fool's joke).

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Source: Wizards of the Coast

Elves are human-like fey whose origins are wrapped in myth and legends. Elves have a strong magical tie to Feydheim, a plane of existence where nature and magic exist in a chaotic union. Because of this, they live in close harmony with nature -- their cities and dwellings often interwoven with their natural surroundings rather than carved from them. This Fey ancestry also extends their lives well past most other mortal humanoids.

Elves have a reputation for being haughty, aloof, or reclusive, but that is largely due to a misunderstanding their culture. Due to their extended lifespan, they harbor a perspective much different than most other sentient beings. Most other creatures live and die at a frenetic pace as compared to Elves, and as such, they are ambivalent in becoming emotionally involved with those who pass quickly from the world.

Elves also do not comprehend the tendency toward specialization by other humanoids. Due to their long lives, Elves have time to pursue the martial and arcane arts at leisure. To only use magic, or to only brandish a sword in combat is a concept alien to an Elf. To them, it is akin to going into battle with one hand tied. They wield swords, bows, and magic in equal measure. As such, there is no such thing as an "Elven Fighter" or "Elven Wizard"... They are just Elves, utilizing their martial and arcane arts together.

Elves do not worship individual gods as much as they venerate the pantheon of Elvish deities. The gods of Elves, whether good or evil, all represent aspects of the Elvish existence. Even "good" Elves will pay homage to the "evil" Elven gods, depending upon the needs of the individual or the customs of a particular religious ceremony. Elvish morality and ethics are a bit more complex than what one might witness or understand as an outsider.

Elf 

Genus Traits
Ability Scores. +2 to either Wisdom or Dexterity. +1 to one other ability score.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Fey Ancestry. You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed or paralyzed, and magic cannot put you to sleep.
Innate Detection. You gain Advantage on Investigation or Perception rolls related to finding secret or concealed doors.
Low Light Vision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were normal light. In non-magical darkness, you can see the outlines or silhouettes of creatures and objects within 20’.
Natural Stealth. You gain advantage on Stealth checks in outdoor or similar natural environments.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Elvish.

Class Traits
Hit Dice. 1d8 per level
Armor. Light or Medium non-metal armors, or Elven Chain. Wooden shields.
Weapons. Simple weapons, martial weapons.
Spell Casting. Your spell casting bonus is based upon your Wisdom ability bonus.
Cantrip Recovery. During a short rest, recover 0th level slots equal to ½ your level (rounded up).
Combat Specialization. At 1st level, Elves may select one combat specialization: Archer, Duelist, or Two-Weapon Fighter.
Saving Throws. Wisdom, Charisma

Level	Bonus	Features	Cantrips Known	Spells Known	0th*	1st	2nd	3rd
1st	+2	Combat Specialization, Cantrips	2	̶	3	̶	̶	̶
2nd	+2	Spellcasting, Cantrip Recovery	2	2	3	2	̶	̶
3rd	+2	Natural Explorer	3	3	3	3	̶	̶
4th	+2	Ability Score +2, Specialization Talent**	3	3	4	3	̶	̶
5th	+3	Primeval Awareness	3	4	4	4	2	̶
6th	+3	Extra Attack	3	4	4	4	2	̶
7th	+3	Natural Explorer	4	5	5	4	3	̶
8th	+3	Ability Score +2, Specialization Talent**	4	5	5	4	3	̶
9th	+4	Land's Stride	4	6	5	4	3	2
10th	+4	Natural Explorer	4	6	6	4	3	2
11th	+4	Hide in Plain Sight	5	7	6	4	3	3
12th	+4	Ability Score +2, Specialization Talent**	5	7	6	4	3	3

** Specialization Talents are like mini-feats, giving a small bump to a PC's melee, ranged, or spell abilities. They are less powerful than 5th Edition Feats, so B/X-5 classes get the full ability score bump in additional to the Talent.

Elf Spell List

Cantrips	1st Level	2nd Level	3rd Level
Arcane Flame Blade Dancing Lights Light Lightning Lash Mending Produce Flame Ray of Frost Resistance Shillelagh Sweeping Blades	Befriend Animal Charm Person Cure Wounds Create or Destroy Water Detect Magic Detect Poison/Disease Ensnaring Strike Entangle Faerie Fire Fog Cloud Hail of Arrows Hunter’s Quarry Jump Purify Food and Drink Speak with Animals	Animal Messenger Barkskin Darkvision Enhance Ability Flame Blade Gust of Wind Heat Metal Lesser Restoration Locate Animals/Plants Magic Weapon Moonbeam Pass without Trace Protection from Poison Spider Climb Spike Growth	Call Lightning Conjure Animals Daylight Dispel Magic Nondetection Plant Growth Protection from Energy Sleet Storm Speak with Plants Water Breathing Water Walk Wind Wall

For more about B/X-5, such as my variants on Combat Specialization, Healing, and old school resource management, view my B/X-5 work-in-progress document here.