Elf FAQ
How do Fey Ancestry and Trance work for a 2014 Elf?
Fey Ancestry gives a 2014 Elf advantage on saving throws against being charmed and prevents magic from putting the Elf to sleep. Trance means the Elf does not need normal sleep and can gain the stated resting benefit after four hours of semiconscious meditation. Neither trait makes the Elf immune to every effect that causes unconsciousness.
Charm protection is advantage, not immunity
Fey Ancestry improves saving throws against the charmed condition but does not make every charm effect automatically fail.
Magical sleep is prevented
Magic cannot put the 2014 Elf to sleep.
Unconscious is broader than sleep
An effect that causes unconsciousness without putting the target to sleep is not automatically negated by Fey Ancestry.
Trance replaces the Elf's need for ordinary sleep
The Elf meditates for four hours while remaining semiconscious and gains the rest benefit defined by the trait.
Trance does not automatically shorten every party activity
A shorter personal rest requirement does not make travel, another character's long rest, spell preparation, crafting or other downtime instantly finish four hours earlier.
Later Elf versions use updated wording
Astral Elf and Monsters of the Multiverse Elves have modernized Trance wording with flexible proficiency benefits. Do not import those benefits into the 2014 core Elf.