One of the most integral parts of Dungeons & Dragons is character creation. As a tabletop roleplaying game, players assume the roles of the distinct characters that they create and have a wide range of elements that they’re able to utilize in order to flesh out and create their character.
While character creation may be second nature to D&D veterans, it can be an overwhelming task for newcomers. So today, let’s cover the basics and go over everything you need to know about making a character in the fifth edition of Dungeons & Dragons.
10 Class
Often the first step to creating a D&D character is selecting that character’s class. This is the element of character creation that tends to have the most weight, influencing the rest of how their character is made.
Classes vary greatly and determine the majority of their abilities, combat role, if they can use magic, and even how much HP they have. Even if two characters had the exact same stats, they’d function completely differently if one were a barbarian while the other was a wizard.
9 Subclass
Another way that players are able to distinguish their characters is through their choice of subclass. Every class in the game has numerous subclass options that allow for two characters of the same class to still be unique from one another.
For example, a cleric of the War Domain gains access to higher damage output and the ability to wear heavier armor, while a cleric of the Life Domain gains access to far superior healing.
8 Race
When it comes to character creation in D&D, one of the first things that come to mind for many players is the races within the game. Races help flesh out a character and provide additional benefits and perks to one’s stats, adding a great deal of flavorful utility.
For example, a player making a half-ork character automatically gets boosts to their strength and access to dark vision, while a player making an aquatic race such as a Triton automatically gains the ability to breathe underwater.
7 Subrace
While not a factor for many races, there are some that offer players numerous subraces to choose from. For example, when a player is creating a dragonborn character, they are able to choose what color dragon they originate from, impacting the element of their breath attack.
Some subraces may offer more subtle differences such as the more strength-focused mountain dwarf and the slightly better-rounded hill dwarf. Meanwhile, the four variations of the elemental Genasi offer completely different resistances and spells a character can innately cast.
6 Proficiencies And Languages
Depending on what class a player selects, they will be given numerous options of skills they can become proficient in. Depending on their level, a character has a proficiency bonus (+2 for level ones) that they can add when rolling checks for a skill they’re proficient in. These proficiencies allow a player to express what their character’s specialties are and what they’re good at.
For example, a healing focused cleric of the Life Domain may be proficient in Religion and Medicine, while a smooth-talking bard may be proficient in persuasion and deception. Furthermore, some races and backgrounds allow a player to give their character the ability to speak additional languages. What languages a character speaks can help inform their background, where they’re from, or where they’ve traveled.
5 Background
Backgrounds are a means of giving a character useful proficiencies and abilities that fit their backstory that they don’t already have from the other elements that make up their character.
For example, if a player gives their character the sailor feat, their character would automatically be proficient with water vehicles and therefore know how to steer a ship. Alternatively, if a character has shadier routes, one may opt to give that character the criminal background that supplies them with a criminal contact.
4 Feats
Depending on what level players are starting their campaign at, or if a player is playing a Variant human, they are able to give their character a feat. Feats are incredibly flavorful bonus abilities that provide a character with a little something extra that they don’t already get from their class, subclass, or race.
For example, the Tavern Brawler feat allows a character to become proficient with improvised weapons, adding their proficiency bonus if they were to attack a creature with an everyday object like a chair. On the other hand, the Inspiring Leader feat allows a character to provide their allies with temporary HP by giving a motivational speech.
3 Spells
While only applicable to classes that are capable of wielding magic, a player is able to choose and determine which spells their character is capable of casting. Each class has access to its own distinct spell list, with many subclasses offering additional spell options as well.
Which spells a character gravitates towards and wields not only determines how they function in and out of combat, but it helps characterize them as a person. For example, while one druid may focus on utilizing as many high damaging spells as possible, another may put their focus on out-of-combat utility.
2 Equipment
While not part of your character specifically, what equipment they start with can help form their identity as well as how they play. For example, when building a rogue, a player is offered the option of an additional simple weapon or a bow and twenty arrows.
Two rogues with differing starting equipment are able to approach a combative situation in different ways.
1 Alignment
While a character’s alignment is not something that directly impacts their stats, it allows a player to figure out and organize where their persona’s morality lies.
As D&D is a roleplaying game, having a solid understanding of a character’s morality allows one to better understand their motivations, their likes and dislikes, and how they would act towards other party members.
NEXT: Dungeons & Dragons: A Complete Guide To Your RPG Adventure
