Goodman Games

So, the default rule at my table seems to have been that elves do, in fact, add their Luck mod to this roll. Based on the rules, however, it is quite unclear, and on balance, I'd say it appears that only wizards add their mod to this roll. At no point in the text for the elf class does it say that elves add their Luck mod to the roll, and it specifically says that wizards do in the write-up for the wizard class on pg 49.

But the part about wizards adding their Luck mod to mercurial magic rolls also appears in the general text about mercurial magic on pg 110 (at least of my edition), and this text is generally descriptive of how elves use magic, as well. So, kind of a puzzle. My take is that specific trumps general, and that the classes are balanced with this as a wizard-only Luck perk intentionally (also worth noting: it can be negative...the text doesn't say wizards may add their Luck mod to the role; it says they do).

Anyway, just my opinion, and I think it's a close enough question that I'd like to hear the thoughts of you all.

I would say that this is one of the things that makes a Wizard different from an Elf so that there isn't too much overlap.

IMO, what is says for Wizards generally applies to Elves.

But also IMO, there are contradictory or unclear bits on purpose, so you can think about what you're doing and not just slavishly follow the Rules As Writ.

So you're absolutely right to say Elves don't get that adjustment, because they are in some ways different to Wizards.