No. 20: The elven warriors of Wizards

This 1977 cult classic from Ralph Bakshi hits some, um, strange notes. The characters are formidable, as elves go. But in the negative column: They’re only inspired after their leader finds Nazi propaganda and shows it to them. So these guys do make our list … but they’re lowest on the list. (Photo by: 20th Century Fox)

No. 19: The dark elves from Thor: The Dark World

You’d think you’d make sure your race’s most powerful weapon didn’t fall into the hands of Natalie Portman. You’d think wrong. These guys look quite menacing, but could barely destroy a cardboard box, never mind the Nine Realms. (Photo by: Marvel Studios)

No. 18: Honeythorn Gump from “Legend”

There’s a good chance you’ve never heard of 1985’s Legend, but you should seek it out for its surprisingly stellar cast: Tom Cruise stars as Jack, who is fighting Darkness (played by Tim Curry!) as he tries to destroy the last of the unicorns. A brave elf named Honeythorn Gump protects the unicorns and ends up joining forces with Tom Cruise. Not a bad gig for an elf. (Photo by: Universal Pictures)

No. 17: Bernard from “The Santa Clause”

When Tim Allen mysteriously becomes Santa, it takes an elf — specifically, Bernard, played by David Krumholtz — to help him make that big career transition. (Photo by: Walt Disney Pictures)

No. 16: Jen from The Dark Crystal

Jim Henson and Frank Oz worked together on this cult classic, which followed Jen on his journey to heal the titular crystal while facing off against the evil, half-birdlike, half-reptilian Skeksis. (Photo by: Universal Pictures)

No. 15: The High Elves from Warhammer

Brave, quick, and highly skilled, the High Elves — or Asur — are a worthy faction addition to your favorite tabletop game. (Photo by: Aftermath Miniatures)

No. 14: Queen Azshara from “World of Warcraft”

It doesn’t get much more badass than getting a city named after you. Then again, starting the War of Ancients? Not so badass. (Photo by: Blizzard Entertainment)

No. 13: Prince Nuada from Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Encouraging your father to build a goblin-made mechanical army and then massacring people to put your magical crown back together: Not cool. But! Pretty badass. (Photo by: Universal Pictures)

No. 12: Hermey from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

So many elves are either warriors or toymakers. Not Hermey! He dared to dream of dentistry. And in the world of elves, that’s kinda badass. (Photo by: Dreamworks Classics)

No. 11: Illidan Stormrage from World of Warcraft and Heroes of the Storm

Illidan Stormrage was the first Demon Hunter. He’s got kickass tattoos and horns, and he totally rocks the Warglaives of Azzinoth. However: Betraying your people to the point where your nickname is, um, “The Betrayer”? Uncalled for. (Photo by: Blizzard Entertainment)

No. 10: Thranduil from the Hobbit

Exactly zero people were surprised to learn Legolas’s dad was also hot, fabulous, and had luscious locks. Thranduil was notably uncool toward Bilbo & Co., but riding a war elk and being king of the elves is all pretty rad. (Photo by: Warner Bros. Pictures)

No. 9: Drizzt Do’Urden from Dungeons & Dragons

A character who was a last-minute replacement in a book series ended up becoming one of the best-known Dungeons & Dragons characters of all time. Every book about his story has hit the New York Times bestseller list, and he even scored himself his own D&D board game. (Photo by: Wizards of the Coast)

No. 8: The elves of Discworld

The elves that inhabited Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series were based on earlier European fairy tales. Meaning: They were jerks. They stole little kids, hunted humans, and according to Pratchett, would happily smash the world if they thought it would make a pretty sound. (Photo by: Transworld Publishers / Random House)

No. 7: Galadriel from Lord of the Rings

The mightiest and fairest elf in Middle-earth, Galadriel is blessed (or cursed, depending on how you look at it) with the ability to read minds. (Photo by: Warner Bros. Pictures)

No. 6: Buddy from “Elf”

OK, a grown man chewing used gum from the subway and cramming cookies into a VCR doesn’t meet the traditional definition of the word “badass.” But Buddy saves Santa and teaches his family the meaning of Christmas, which is its own kind of holiday awesomeness — enough to earn him a spot on this list. (Photo by: New Line Cinema)

No. 5: Sylvanas Windrunner from World of Warcraft and Heroes of the Storm

Also known by her nicknames — “the Dark Lady” and “the Banshee Queen” — Sylvanas Windrunner is one-time high elf ranger who was transformed into an agent of the Lich King after she was murdered by Arthas. (Photo by: Blizzard Entertainment)

No. 4: Link from Legend of Zelda

This is a contentious entry: Link is technically Hylian, a race that is not strictly elvish. But those ears! And that little hat! And the fact that he’s lived for centuries in various incarnations! Yeah, we’re calling that as a win for the elves. (Photo by: Nintendo)

No. 3: Dobby from the Harry Potter Series

Standing up to Bellatrix Lestrange is a pretty hardcore badass move. (Photo by: Warner Bros. Pictures)

No. 2: Kael’thas Sunstrider from World of Warcraft and Heroes of the Storm

Prince Kael’thas Sunstrider led his people against the Scourge. Plus his DPS numbers in Heroes of the Storm are totally unreal. (Photo by: Blizzard Entertainment)

No. 1: Legolas from Lord of the Rings

He helped destroy the One Ring. He took down a fell beast in one shot. He brokered peace between the elves and the dwarves. Legolas is obviously the most badass elf of all time. No contest. (Photo by: Warner Bros. Pictures)