Elves
A 1993 TSR sourcebook for 2nd Edition AD&D exploring elven culture, abilities, and spells.
The Complete Book of Elves is a supplementary sourcebook published by TSR in 1993 for the 2nd edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role playing game. It was created to give players a deeper understanding of the Elven race within the world of Advanced Dungeons and Dragons, from day-to-day life, culture, myths and religion, to new abilities and spells.
Lore & Background
The Complete Book of Elves was written by Colin McComb and published in 1993, with interior color illustrations by Brom, Larry Elmore, and John and Laura Lakey, and black and white art by Terry Dykstra. It was originally advertised in TSR's 1992 Fall/Winter catalog as 'a detailed look at the culture, society, habits, strengths, and weaknesses of the many nations of elves.' In Dragon magazine, the book was mentioned throughout the series of magazines. Player Brian J. Van Court showed concern for missing magical cards that could be implemented including such sources in a letter to the magazine. In Bruce A. Heard's piece 'Lord of the Skies,' he touched on 'winged-elves' which were adapted from the Avariel in The Complete Book of Elves and Dragon Magazine issue #51. The book was also asked about by the community in Dragon Magazine's Sage Advice, with questions on the use of multiple actions to combine quick-draw and double-arrow shot, further detail on trick shots, and an inquiry about huntsmen being given a 'smaller penalty' when tracking 'other non-rangers' due to a hole in the kit's description. Thirty years after its publication, author Colin McComb admitted The Complete Book of Elves was 'dreadful,' and acknowledged the negative influence the book had on the 2nd edition of AD&D, apologizing for 'making elves so incredibly powerful and unbalanced that all of our AD&D games were henceforth ruined until 3rd Edition D&D came to save us.'
Reader's Guide
The Complete Book of Elves was reviewed in Casus Belli #92. The book is a supplementary sourcebook for the 2nd edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, focusing on the elven race. It includes information on day-to-day life, culture, myths, religion, new abilities, and spells. The book features interior color illustrations by Brom, Larry Elmore, and John and Laura Lakey, and black and white art by Terry Dykstra. It was part of TSR's series of splatbooks following the 1989 release of the three core rulebooks for 2nd Edition AD&D.
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