Rules edition: 2014 Player’s Handbook Drow traits and 2014 character rules. Drow options in Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse and the 2024 Player’s Handbook differ. Use one source’s full trait set rather than combining versions, and check which options your campaign allows.
The 2014 Drow is an Elf subrace with extended darkvision, innate magic, weapon training, and Sunlight Sensitivity. That mix rewards a character who plans around light and spell timing. This overview covers the traits and table choices; for build progressions see our 2014 Drow Rogue guide or 2024 Drow Bard guide.
2014 Drow Traits
A 2014 Drow has the Elf traits: proficiency in Perception, advantage on saving throws against being charmed, immunity to magical sleep, Trance, and the Common and Elvish languages. The Drow subrace adds +2 Dexterity and +1 Charisma, 120-foot darkvision, Drow Weapon Training (rapiers, shortswords, and hand crossbows), Drow Magic, and Sunlight Sensitivity.
Sunlight Sensitivity imposes disadvantage on your attack rolls and on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight when you, the target of your attack, or what you are trying to perceive is in direct sunlight. It does not trigger merely because a scene is outdoors or brightly lit. Since the rule can affect core combat and exploration, ask how often the campaign features direct sunlight and apply the text consistently.
Drow Magic and Concentration
Drow Magic uses Charisma. You know Dancing Lights. At character level 3, you can cast Faerie Fire once per long rest; at level 5, you can cast Darkness once per long rest. The latter spells require concentration under their 2014 descriptions, so you cannot maintain both at once. They can also block sight for allies.
Faerie Fire can reveal affected creatures and help attackers who can see them, but targets make a Dexterity saving throw and the spell requires concentration. Darkness creates an area of magical darkness. Devil’s Sight lets a Warlock see through magical darkness within its range, but the combination does not let the rest of the party see through it. Coordinate before dropping it over allies or an objective.
Class Fit and Feats
The 2014 +2 Dexterity supports Dexterity-based classes, while +1 Charisma can help a Charisma caster. Rogue, Ranger, Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, and Dexterity-based martial concepts can all work, but choose ability scores for the class’s actual attacks, features, and spells. Drow Weapon Training can add proficiencies to a class that lacks them; it does not grant extra attacks or make a weapon use Charisma.
Elven Accuracy is available to a Drow because the 2014 Drow is an Elf and the feat’s prerequisite is Elf or half-elf. Its benefit only applies to attack rolls using Dexterity, Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma when you already have advantage. Other feats should match the build: for example, a concentration feat may help a caster, while a ranged Drow may value options that improve their chosen weapon style.
Do not assume every Drow class feature uses the 2014 version. If you use a 2014 Gloom Stalker or Warlock alongside a different edition’s class rules, confirm those class features separately. This article’s traits and spell timings are specifically from the 2014 Drow.
Roleplay and Setting
Some Drow stories center on Lolth, the Underdark, or conflict with surface communities; others do not. Those are setting choices, not requirements of the 2014 player traits. A Drow can be shaped by family, faith, upbringing, exile, work, or personal commitments. Talk with the DM about how the setting treats Drow and how much prejudice or faction conflict the group wants in play.
Sunlight Sensitivity can give the character practical reasons to seek shade, travel at night, or adapt tactics outdoors. It need not define their personality. Likewise, Drow Magic can be used for ordinary tasks or careful problem-solving, not only ambushes. Build a specific person whose ancestry is one part of their history.
What Changes in Later Rules?
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse updates the Drow option. Do not assume the 2014 fixed ability increases, weapon training, and Sunlight Sensitivity all carry forward unchanged. The 2024 Player’s Handbook instead presents Drow as an Elven Lineage: at level 1 it extends Darkvision to 120 feet and grants Dancing Lights; the lineage adds Faerie Fire at level 3 and Darkness at level 5. It does not use the 2014 subrace’s fixed ability increases or list Sunlight Sensitivity as a lineage trait. Use the full wording in your chosen book.
Official Rules Sources
- D&D Beyond Basic Rules (2014), Races
- Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
- D&D Beyond Basic Rules (2024), Character Origins
A dark, woodland palette can also work for a Drow-themed table; see the Dark Castle Ceramic Dice Set.
