Roll for Adventure: A Comprehensive Guide to Creating Your First D&D Character
So, you’re ready to embark on an epic journey, slay fearsome dragons, and explore forgotten realms? Welcome to the wonderful world of Dungeons & Dragons! One of the most exciting aspects of D&D is creating your own unique character, a hero or anti-hero that you’ll guide through countless adventures. This comprehensive guide will walk you through each step of the character creation process, making it easy and enjoyable, even for complete beginners.
## What You’ll Need
Before we dive in, gather your supplies. You’ll need:
* **The Player’s Handbook (PHB):** This is the essential rulebook for D&D 5th Edition. It contains everything you need to know about character creation, gameplay, and spells.
* **Character Sheet:** You can download a printable character sheet online (many free options are available), use a fillable PDF, or use a digital character builder tool like D&D Beyond.
* **Dice:** A set of polyhedral dice (d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d20) is crucial for determining ability scores, attacks, and more.
* **Pencil and Eraser:** For filling out your character sheet.
* **Optional:** A notebook for taking notes and developing your character’s backstory.
## The 8 Steps to Character Creation
Follow these steps in order to bring your D&D character to life:
**Step 1: Concept & Inspiration**
Before crunching numbers, spend some time envisioning the character you want to play. Ask yourself these questions:
* **What kind of hero (or anti-hero) do I want to be?** Do you want to be a brave knight, a cunning rogue, a wise wizard, or a fierce barbarian?
* **What are their motivations?** What drives them to adventure? Are they seeking fortune, knowledge, revenge, or something else entirely?
* **What are their personality traits?** Are they kind and compassionate, or cynical and sarcastic? Are they brave and bold, or cautious and reserved?
* **What is their appearance?** Do they have any distinguishing features, like scars, tattoos, or unusual hair color?
* **What is their background?** Where did they come from? What was their life like before becoming an adventurer?
This initial concept will guide your choices throughout the character creation process. Don’t be afraid to draw inspiration from your favorite books, movies, or video games. Think about characters you admire or find interesting, and adapt aspects of them to your own character.
**Example:**
Let’s say you decide you want to play a wise and compassionate cleric who seeks to heal the sick and protect the innocent. They are driven by a strong sense of justice and believe in the power of redemption. They have long, flowing white hair and piercing blue eyes. They come from a small village where they served as an apprentice to the local healer.
**Step 2: Choose a Race**
Your character’s race provides them with inherent traits and abilities. The Player’s Handbook details several races, each with its own unique advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the most common races:
* **Human:** Versatile and adaptable, humans gain a +1 bonus to all ability scores.
* **Elf:** Graceful and intelligent, elves have keen senses and are resistant to charm effects. They often have subraces like High Elves (with increased intelligence and wizardly aptitude) and Wood Elves (with increased wisdom and mobility).
* **Dwarf:** Hardy and resilient, dwarves are skilled miners and craftspeople. They often have subraces like Hill Dwarves (with increased hit points) and Mountain Dwarves (with increased strength).
* **Halfling:** Small and nimble, halflings are lucky and resistant to fear.
* **Gnome:** Clever and curious, gnomes are skilled illusionists. They often have subraces like Forest Gnomes (with increased dexterity) and Rock Gnomes (with increased constitution).
* **Dragonborn:** Proud and powerful, dragonborn inherit draconic ancestry and can breathe elemental energy.
* **Tiefling:** Marked by their infernal heritage, tieflings possess charisma and resistance to fire damage.
* **Half-Elf:** Inheriting traits from both humans and elves, half-elves are versatile and charismatic.
* **Half-Orc:** Combining the strength of orcs with human adaptability, half-orcs are fierce warriors.
When choosing a race, consider how it fits your character concept. Does your wise cleric’s compassionate nature align with the elven affinity for nature or the human dedication to community? Also, pay attention to the racial traits, as they will affect your character’s abilities and skills.
**Example:**
Based on our cleric concept, a High Elf might be a good choice. Their increased intelligence aligns with the character’s wisdom and knowledge, and their resistance to charm effects could be useful for resisting temptations and deceit.
**Step 3: Choose a Class**
Your character’s class defines their role in the party and their combat abilities. The Player’s Handbook offers a wide variety of classes, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Here are some of the most popular classes:
* **Barbarian:** A fierce warrior who channels rage in battle.
* **Bard:** A charismatic performer who uses music and magic to inspire and heal.
* **Cleric:** A divine spellcaster who serves a god and can heal, protect, and destroy.
* **Druid:** A nature-based spellcaster who can shapeshift into animals and command the elements.
* **Fighter:** A skilled warrior who excels in combat with weapons and armor.
* **Monk:** A martial artist who channels their inner energy to perform amazing feats.
* **Paladin:** A holy warrior who is sworn to uphold justice and protect the innocent.
* **Ranger:** A skilled hunter and tracker who is at home in the wilderness.
* **Rogue:** A cunning and stealthy character who excels at trickery and sabotage.
* **Sorcerer:** A spellcaster who is born with innate magical abilities.
* **Warlock:** A spellcaster who gains power through a pact with an otherworldly being.
* **Wizard:** A scholarly spellcaster who studies magic and casts powerful spells.
Consider how each class aligns with your character concept and the type of gameplay you enjoy. Do you want to be in the thick of combat, supporting your allies from the rear, or sneaking around in the shadows? Also, pay attention to the class features, as they will determine your character’s abilities and spells.
**Example:**
As we’ve already established the character concept as a cleric, that’s the clear class choice here. The cleric’s ability to heal and protect aligns perfectly with the character’s compassionate nature and desire to help others.
**Step 4: Determine Ability Scores**
Ability scores represent your character’s innate capabilities in six key areas:
* **Strength (STR):** Measures physical power and athletic ability.
* **Dexterity (DEX):** Measures agility, reflexes, and balance.
* **Constitution (CON):** Measures health, stamina, and endurance.
* **Intelligence (INT):** Measures mental acuity, knowledge, and reasoning.
* **Wisdom (WIS):** Measures perception, insight, and judgment.
* **Charisma (CHA):** Measures force of personality, persuasiveness, and leadership.
There are two main methods for determining ability scores:
* **Standard Array:** This method provides a balanced set of scores: 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8. You can assign these scores to any ability score you choose.
* **Rolling for Stats:** This method involves rolling 4d6 (four six-sided dice), dropping the lowest die, and adding the remaining three dice together. Repeat this process six times to generate six ability scores. This method can lead to higher or lower scores than the standard array, adding an element of randomness.
Regardless of which method you choose, prioritize the ability scores that are most important for your class. For example, a cleric will want to prioritize Wisdom, while a fighter will want to prioritize Strength or Dexterity.
Also, consider your character’s background and personality when assigning ability scores. A charismatic character might have a high Charisma score, while a scholarly character might have a high Intelligence score.
After assigning your ability scores, calculate your ability score modifiers. The modifier is calculated as (Ability Score – 10) / 2, rounded down. For example, an ability score of 16 would have a modifier of +3.
**Example:**
Using the standard array, we might assign the following ability scores to our High Elf cleric:
* Strength: 8 (-1)
* Dexterity: 14 (+2)
* Constitution: 12 (+1)
* Intelligence: 13 (+1) + 1 (Racial Bonus) = 14 (+2)
* Wisdom: 15 (+2)
* Charisma: 10 (+0)
Wisdom is the highest score, reflecting the character’s divine connection and insight. Dexterity is also relatively high, reflecting the character’s elven grace and agility. Strength is the lowest score, reflecting the character’s lack of physical prowess.
**Step 5: Choose a Background**
Your character’s background represents their life before becoming an adventurer. It provides them with proficiencies, equipment, and a unique feature. The Player’s Handbook details several backgrounds, such as:
* **Acolyte:** You have spent your life in the service of a temple or religious order.
* **Charlatan:** You are skilled at deception and trickery.
* **Criminal:** You have a history of illegal activity.
* **Entertainer:** You are a performer who travels from town to town.
* **Folk Hero:** You are a champion of the common people.
* **Guild Artisan:** You are a skilled craftsperson or member of a guild.
* **Hermit:** You have lived in isolation from society.
* **Noble:** You come from a wealthy and influential family.
* **Outlander:** You have spent your life in the wilderness.
* **Sage:** You are a scholar who studies ancient lore.
* **Sailor:** You have spent your life at sea.
* **Soldier:** You have served in a military organization.
* **Urchin:** You grew up on the streets.
Choose a background that aligns with your character’s backstory and motivations. What experiences have shaped them into the person they are today? The background will also provide useful skills and equipment for your adventures.
**Example:**
Given the character’s origins as an apprentice healer in a small village, the Acolyte background seems like a natural fit. It provides proficiency in Insight and Religion, which are both relevant to the character’s knowledge and abilities. It also grants access to healing supplies and the support of a temple or religious order.
**Step 6: Determine Alignment**
Alignment represents your character’s moral and ethical compass. It is a combination of two axes: Lawful-Chaotic and Good-Evil.
* **Lawful:** Characters who value order, tradition, and authority.
* **Neutral:** Characters who are pragmatic and adaptable.
* **Chaotic:** Characters who value freedom, individuality, and change.
* **Good:** Characters who value compassion, altruism, and the well-being of others.
* **Neutral:** Characters who are indifferent to good and evil.
* **Evil:** Characters who value self-interest, power, and domination.
The combination of these axes creates nine possible alignments:
* **Lawful Good:** The classic hero who always does the right thing, even if it means following the rules.
* **Neutral Good:** A compassionate character who acts according to their conscience.
* **Chaotic Good:** A rebel who fights for good, but doesn’t always follow the rules.
* **Lawful Neutral:** A character who believes in order and tradition above all else.
* **True Neutral:** A character who is indifferent to good and evil, and who is only concerned with their own survival.
* **Chaotic Neutral:** A character who is unpredictable and acts on whim.
* **Lawful Evil:** A villain who believes in order and structure, but uses them to achieve their own selfish goals.
* **Neutral Evil:** A selfish character who will do anything to get what they want.
* **Chaotic Evil:** A destructive force who delights in chaos and suffering.
Choose an alignment that reflects your character’s values and beliefs. However, remember that alignment is a guideline, not a rigid constraint. Your character’s actions may not always perfectly align with their alignment, and their alignment can even change over time as they evolve.
**Example:**
Given the character’s compassionate nature and desire to help others, Good seems like an obvious choice. As for Lawful vs. Chaotic, Neutral Good seems most appropriate. While the character values order and tradition, they are primarily driven by their conscience and a desire to do what is right, even if it means breaking the rules.
**Step 7: Choosing Skills and Proficiencies**
Skills represent your character’s learned abilities. Proficiencies are areas in which your character is particularly skilled. Your race, class, and background all grant you proficiencies in certain skills.
Skills are tied to ability scores. When you attempt a skill check, you roll a d20 and add your ability score modifier and your proficiency bonus (if you are proficient in the skill).
Some common skills include:
* **Acrobatics (Dexterity):** Maintaining balance and performing acrobatic maneuvers.
* **Animal Handling (Wisdom):** Calming and training animals.
* **Arcana (Intelligence):** Recalling lore about spells, magic items, and magical traditions.
* **Athletics (Strength):** Performing strenuous physical tasks.
* **Deception (Charisma):** Lying and misleading others.
* **History (Intelligence):** Recalling historical events and figures.
* **Insight (Wisdom):** Determining someone’s true intentions.
* **Intimidation (Charisma):** Frightening or coercing others.
* **Investigation (Intelligence):** Searching for clues and making deductions.
* **Medicine (Wisdom):** Diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries.
* **Nature (Intelligence):** Recalling knowledge about the natural world.
* **Perception (Wisdom):** Noticing details and detecting hidden objects.
* **Performance (Charisma):** Entertaining others through music, acting, or storytelling.
* **Persuasion (Charisma):** Influencing others to agree with you.
* **Religion (Intelligence):** Recalling knowledge about deities, religious practices, and sacred texts.
* **Sleight of Hand (Dexterity):** Performing acts of legerdemain and picking pockets.
* **Stealth (Dexterity):** Moving silently and avoiding detection.
* **Survival (Wisdom):** Tracking, foraging, and navigating in the wilderness.
Choose skills that align with your character’s background, class, and personality. For example, a rogue might be proficient in Stealth, Sleight of Hand, and Deception, while a cleric might be proficient in Religion, Medicine, and Insight.
**Example:**
Our High Elf cleric gains the following skill proficiencies:
* **Insight (Acolyte Background)**
* **Religion (Acolyte Background)**
* **Medicine (Class)**
* **Persuasion (Class)**
These skills reflect the character’s wisdom, knowledge, and compassionate nature.
**Step 8: Equipping Your Character and Final Touches**
Your class and background determine your starting equipment. This typically includes weapons, armor, adventuring gear, and a small amount of money.
* **Weapons:** Choose weapons that are appropriate for your class and fighting style. Clerics often use maces, quarterstaffs, or light crossbows.
* **Armor:** Choose armor that provides adequate protection without hindering your movement. Clerics can typically wear light or medium armor, depending on their subclass.
* **Adventuring Gear:** This includes items like a backpack, a bedroll, rations, torches, and other essential supplies for adventuring.
* **Money:** Use your starting money to purchase additional equipment or supplies.
After equipping your character, take some time to flesh out their backstory and personality. Consider the following questions:
* **What are your character’s goals and aspirations?**
* **What are your character’s flaws and weaknesses?**
* **What are your character’s relationships with other people?**
* **What are your character’s favorite things?**
* **What are your character’s fears?**
The more you develop your character’s backstory and personality, the more engaging and memorable they will become.
Finally, choose a name for your character! A good name should be evocative and memorable, and it should reflect your character’s race, background, and personality.
**Example:**
Our High Elf cleric starts with the following equipment:
* A mace
* Leather armor
* A shield (if proficient)
* A holy symbol
* A backpack containing:
* A bedroll
* A mess kit
* A tinderbox
* 10 torches
* 10 days of rations
* A waterskin
* 50 feet of hempen rope
* A set of common clothes
* A pouch containing 15 gold pieces
We decide to name our cleric Elara Meadowlight. She aspires to become a renowned healer and protector of the innocent. Her biggest flaw is her naiveté and tendency to trust others too easily. She has a close relationship with her family and community back in her village. Her favorite things include stargazing and listening to the sounds of nature. Her biggest fear is failing to protect those she cares about.
## Tips for Creating a Compelling Character
* **Don’t be afraid to break the mold:** While it’s helpful to follow the rules and guidelines, don’t be afraid to experiment and create a character that is truly unique.
* **Collaborate with your Dungeon Master:** Your DM can provide valuable feedback and suggestions on your character concept.
* **Consider your party:** Think about how your character will interact with the other characters in the party. Will they complement each other, or will they clash?
* **Embrace your character’s flaws:** Flaws make your character more relatable and believable.
* **Have fun!** The most important thing is to create a character that you enjoy playing.
## Conclusion
Creating a D&D character is a rewarding and creative process. By following these steps and guidelines, you can bring your own unique hero (or anti-hero) to life and embark on unforgettable adventures. So gather your dice, grab your character sheet, and get ready to roll for adventure!