First Published 1 March 2018 | Last Updated 24 May 2021

Now that you know what the game is and what equipment you will need to play it you will need a character to play it with. The character you create (often called a ‘PC’ - short for ‘Player Character’) has two main options that decide how you are represented in the game. These are your race and your class.

Race

Your race represents the type of creature you are. Just as you are a human in real life (I assume), you may choose to be a race such as an elf or a dwarf in the D&D multiverse. Your choice of race will mean your character will have access to a range of racial abilities that others of a different race may not have.

Your race will also give you things like how fast you can move and some other traits.

The core set of races available are -

• Dwarf - Short and stocky, dwarves make great warriors. You would choose this race if you wanted to play a tough character they can take it as hard he can deal it. They love to use hammers and axes.
• Elf - Tall and elegant, elves are nimble and can live for hundreds of years. You would choose this race if you were looking for a character that is good with a ranged weapon like a bow, or likes to use arcane magic.
• Halfling - Small in size, halflings are great at sneaking in and out of places. You would choose this race if your character likes to attack with small weapons like knives, or want to play using stealth.
• Human - I hope you know what a human is... Humans are pretty well rounded, and can try just about anything, but that usually means they have mastered nothing.
• Dragonborn - Descended from dragons, they gain some traits such as their breath weapons. The are rare and often intimidate those they meet. You would choose this race if your character likes to be the biggest and deadliest in the crew. They are comfortable with pretty much any weapon.
• Gnome - Although small in size, Gnomes are often big on wisdom. Choose this race if your character isn't very tough, but using his intelligence to win battles.
• Half-Elf - Half-elves are human / elf hybrids that share the traits of both. Choose this race if your character would like the best of both worlds.

Write down the name of the race that you would like to play.

A male dragonborn

A female elf

Class

Once you have a race you must add a class. A class represents a set of skills your character has (sort of like a profession). For example, if you choose to be a spellcaster (like a wizard or a sorcerer) you will have access to powerful spells, whereas a warrior (like a fighter or a barbarian) will have access to greater strength and powerful fighting abilities.

Your class will also give your things like how much life you have (hit points), and what armor and weapons you are best at using (proficiencies). We'll talk more about this later.

Any of the races can be one of these classes -

• Barbarian - Fierce in battle, barbarians use brute force to win a fight. Humans and dragonborn often make good barbarians.
• Bard - The bard is a performer first and foremost, and usually dabbles in a few other things. Halflings and gnomes often make good bards.
• Cleric - With powers sent to them from their god, the cleric is the battlefield defender and healer. Dwarves and elves often make good clerics.
• Druid - Nature is the most important thing to a druid, and they will fight to protect it. Elves and humans often make good druids.
• Fighter - The fighter is a highly trained professional in weaponry and battle. Dwarves and humans often make good fighters.
• Monk - Using nothing but their hands and feet in combat, monks specialise in martial arts. Elves and humans often make good monks.
• Paladin - The paladin is the classic knight of old, who fights for justice for those less privileged. Humans and half-elves often make good paladins.
• Ranger - The ranger lives in the forests, and is an expert in hunting and tracking. Elves and humans often make good rangers.
• Rogue - Not everyone lives within the law. Rogues excel at thieving and assassination. Halflings and gnomes often make good rogues.
• Wizard - The classic spellcaster of fantasy, the wizard uses magic to shape the world around them. Elves and humans often make good wizards.

A dwarven cleric

Although the races all have classes that fit nicely with them, you can choose any combination. Who says a gnome can't be a raging barbarian, or a dragonborn can't be a singing bard?

Whatever character you eventually choose it is worth mentioning that their abilities will not stay the same. As your character achieves things (like solving a puzzle, or finding a treasure, or defeating an enemy) you will increase in level. Every time this happens all your abilities will improve. As your character improves your class also later gets a sub-class - which allows you to really specialise in something. Over many hours of gameplay some characters eventually make it all the way to level 20.

Write down the name of the class that you would like to play.

The number of races and classes available is constantly growing with each new official expansion rule book released.

< What do I need to play? | How do I create a Character? >

Further Information

This is a list of further articles you may wish to read before returning here. These articles will open in a new browser window.

Races

• Dragonborn
• Dwarves
• Elves
• Humans

Classes

• Bards
• Clerics
• Druid
• Humans