i dont understand that elves still need 8 hours of long rest
Quote from PHB: Elves don't need to sleep. Instead, they meditate deeply, remaining semiconscious, for 4 hours a day (The Common word for such meditation is "trance."). While meditating, you can dream after a fashion; such dreams are actually mental exercises that have become reflexive through years of practice. After resting in this way, you gain the same benefit that a human does from 8 hours of sleep.
the last sentence says that elves gain the same benefit a human gets from 8 hours of sleep. doesnt that mean that when an elf meditates for 4 hours he/she actually completes a long rest?
well the questionmarks started after reading shem's answer, and legendarydude's answer isnt really clear enough to take away doubt. Elves take a long rest in 8 hours right?
Long Rest A long rest is a period of extended downtime, at least 8 hours long, during which a character sleeps or performs light activity: reading, talking, eating, or standing watch for no more than 2 hours.
hmm, there might be a point since it says at least 8 hours long
But I think each group needs to come to a conclusion on its own. The rules on basic mechanics like sleep--no matter the race--and food have some pretty rough edges.
For instance, I recall when 5e came out doing some figuring and realizing that one could eat one good meal every fourth day without ever incurring a mechanical penalty. After that it was "well, if my group's going to worry about food we'll make up our own rules."
@Tijnkwan @nitsua60 I guess the real question is "what is this game I'm playing about?" If it's about keeping a schedule of sleep, meals, washing clothes etc. you can forget about D&D, all you need is an Excel spreadsheet.
@eimyr Ahh... you're not going to trick me like that- my doctor's been trying to get me to do something about my diet for years. Nice try, but I see through your plan! How much did he pay you, anyway? (he he he)
