D&D 5E Playing a Drow

[GainVanquish]

Hi Oracles of D&D

Starting a new campaign shortly that haven't had to much detail of the setting. I really want to make a Drow Character. Have you had much experience? What if the campaign is not in the underdark? How should I deal with the light issues?

Thanks

 

[jgsugden]

Mechanically speaking: it works. Avoid the bright lights to manage the light sensitivity.

From a setting and role playing perspective, the impacts of being a drow are really going to depend upon your DM and the world the DM creates. It can be a huge pain in the rear if you're constantly being hunted and attacked on sight, or it can be a nearly meaningless issue if the DM has people nearly instantly accept your heritage as no big deal. Talk with the DM and see what the DM wants to do, and if there is a fun approach you'll both enjoy that works in the DM's world.

 

[pkt77242]

Double post. Sorry.

 

[pkt77242]

He should wield dual scimitars and have great dexterity.


In all seriousness, I have seen it handled a few ways, 1. is to slowly remove the sensitivity to light while slowing removing some of the other powers. 2. If you don't mind slightly overpowered you can just slowly remove the light sensitivity over time or even completely ignore it.
3. If you are a playing in FR you might want to play up the fact that people hate drow and give disadvantage on social interactions or have people people openly hostile.

Oops, I read that wrong, I thought you were DMing. Talk to your DM about how Drow fit into the world and get their thoughts on the light sensitivity.

 

[GainVanquish]

He should wield dual scimitars and have great dexterity.


In all seriousness, I have seen it handled a few ways, 1. is to slowly remove the sensitivity to light while slowing removing some of the other powers. 2. If you don't mind slightly overpowered you can just slowly remove the light sensitivity over time or even completely ignore it.
3. If you are a playing in FR you might want to play up the fact that people hate drow and give disadvantage on social interactions or have people people openly hostile.

It's funny just read the first book of Drizzt and that was my focus for the character. Great book

 

[GainVanquish]

He should wield dual scimitars and have great dexterity.


In all seriousness, I have seen it handled a few ways, 1. is to slowly remove the sensitivity to light while slowing removing some of the other powers. 2. If you don't mind slightly overpowered you can just slowly remove the light sensitivity over time or even completely ignore it.
3. If you are a playing in FR you might want to play up the fact that people hate drow and give disadvantage on social interactions or have people people openly hostile.

Oops, I read that wrong, I thought you were DMing. Talk to your DM about how Drow fit into the world and get their thoughts on the light sensitivity.

Point 3 I'm used to I'm playing a Tiefling Monk in another campaign currently

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

If I recall correctly, my first 1e character was a dark elf assassin. Back then we mostly did dungeon crawls, so the light problem wasn't much of an issue. In 2e, in a game I was running, I had a PC attack another drow character just because he was a drow (though really, it was just an excuse for the one player to try to bully the other).

As far as this edition goes, I agree with jgsugden - talk it over with your DM, as far as the campaign and what you want out of your character. Is the DM going to play up the social aspects of it? Will you always be stuck running around in daylight, with said penalty? What about eventually getting special goggles to offset it? Is your character a typical or atypical drow? That sort of thing.

 

[lowkey13]

*Deleted by user*

 

[mellored]

Spells are not affected by light sensitivity. So they make a good fit for sorcerer, warlock, or bard.

Warlocks can also get disguise self at-will. Toss in the charlatan background and you've solved many social issues.

 

[pkt77242]

It's funny just read the first book of Drizzt and that was my focus for the character. Great book

Nothing wrong with that. Books provide inspiration for many players' characters. I have a player in my group who builds a Legolas clone every single time. For 30 years now. Recently a player built a Logen Ninefingers clone, and I have seen plenty of Raistlin clones and myself once built a character that bared a close resemblance to Dalamar.