How to Create a D&D 5e Character

Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition was published in 2014 and has gained a large following in the years since. It's a relatively simple system that's pretty easy for table top RPG beginners. This page aims to help players who are new to table top role playing create their first level 1 character for a new campaign!

A group of adventurers sitting together

Art by ncorva

How The Game Works

Dungeons and Dragons is a game that is played by having a conversation. The conversation is between a Game Master (or GM for short) and a group of players. The GM will usually introduce the characters to the world and then open up the floor for players to describe what they want their characters to do. When conflict arises, the players roll dice to determine the outcome. Depending on what your character specializes in, they will add modifiers to rolls on certain actions, increasing the chance for success.

Pick a Race, Class, and Background

Below are some combinations that can work well together, but I encourage you to get creative and pick whichever options sound most fun for you in each catagory. The most important thing is that you're playing a character that you'll have fun playing as.

Races Classes Backgrounds
Human Fighter Soldier
Elf Wizard Sage
Half-Elf Sorceror Charlatan
Dwarf Cleric Acolyte
Half-Orc Barbarian Outlander
Halfling Rogue Criminal
Gnome Druid Hermit
Dragonborn Bard Entertainer
Tiefling Warlock Urchin
Ranger Folk Hero
Monk Noble
Paladin

Stats, Features, and Abilities

Different aspects of your character will determine their strengths and weaknesses. A character's race can provide stat bonuses, like improving your strength or inteligence, as well as special features like seeing in the dark. Their class will give them proficiency with certain weapons, let them cast spells, and will unlock special abilities for them as they grow stronger. A character's background usually gives the player somewhere to start coming up with a loose backstory and provides the character with some starting items.

Additional Character Options

If you want more options for races, classes, and backgrounds for your character, there are a lot of supplemental D&D 5e books that you can check out!

  • Xanathar's Guide to Everything
  • Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide
  • Tasha's Cauldron of Everything

Input Your Choices Here!