D&D Basic Rules, Version 1.0, Released November 2018

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BASIC RULES

Credits

Lead Designers: Jeremy Crawford, Mike Mearls,

Based on the original D&D game created by

Christopher Perkins

E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson,

Design Team: James Wyatt, Rodney Thompson, Robert J.

with Brian Blume, Rob Kuntz, James Ward, and Don Kaye

Schwalb, Peter Lee, Steve Townshend, Bruce R. Cordell

Drawing from further development by

J. Eric Holmes, Tom Moldvay, Frank Mentzer, Aaron Allston,

Managing Editor: Jeremy Crawford

Harold Johnson, David “Zeb” Cook, Ed Greenwood, Keith

Editing Team: Chris Sims, Michele Carter, Scott Fitzgerald Gray,

Baker, Tracy Hickman, Margaret Weis, Douglas Niles, Jeff

Kim Mohan

Grubb, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, Richard

Baker, Peter Adkison, Bill Slavicsek, Andy Collins, and Rob

Graphic Designers: Bree Heiss, Emi Tanji

Heinsoo

Interior Illustrator: Jaime Jones, Richard Whitters

Playtesting provided by

Additional Contributors: Matt Sernett, Chris Dupuis, Tom

over 175,000 fans of D&D. Thank you!

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Producer: Greg Bilsland

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DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, D&D, Wizards of the Coast, Forgotten Realms, the dragon

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Contents

Introduction

Ch. 8: Adventuring

Time

Worlds of Adventure

Movement

Using These Rules

Speed

How to Play

The Environment

Adventures

Social Interaction

Resting

Part 1: Creating a Character

Between Adventures

Ch. 1: Step-by-Step Characters

Ch. 9: Combat

Beyond 1st Level

The Order of Combat

Movement and Position

Ch. 2: Races

Actions in Combat

Choosing a Race

Making an Attack

Racial Traits

Cover

Dwarf

Damage and Healing

Elf

Mounted Combat

Halfling

Underwater Combat

Human

Part 3: The Rules of Magic

Ch. 3: Classes

Cleric

Ch. 10: Spellcasting

Fighter

What Is a Spell?

Rogue

Casting a Spell

Wizard

Ch. 11: Spells

Ch. 4: Personality and Background

Cleric Spells

Character Details

Wizard Spells

Inspiration

Spell Descriptions

Backgrounds

Ch. 5: Equipment

Part 4: Dungeon Master’s Tools

Starting Equipment

Wealth

Ch. 12: Monsters

110

Armor and Shields

Statistics

110

Weapons

Legendary Creatures

114

Adventuring Gear

Monster Stat Blocks

115

Tools

Nonplayer Characters

162

Mounts and Vehicles

Ch. 13: Building Combat Encounters... 165

Trade Goods

Expenses

Modifying Encounter Difficulty

166

Trinkets

Fun Combat Encounters

166

Monsters by Challenge Rating

167

Ch. 6: Customization Options

Ch. 14: Magic Items

168

Multiclassing

Feats

Using a Magic Item

168

Item Descriptions

168

Part 2: Playing the Game

Appendices

Ch. 7: Using Ability Scores

Appendix A: Conditions

171

Ability Scores and Modifiers

Advantage and Disadvantage

Appendix B: Gods of the Multiverse

172

Proficiency Bonus

Ability Checks

Appendix C: The Five Factions

174

Using Each Ability

Saving Throws

Character Sheet

177

What Comes Next?

180

Contents

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Introduction

The Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game is about

together, the group might explore a dark dungeon, a ru-

storytelling in worlds of swords and sorcery. It shares ele-

ined city, a haunted castle, a lost temple deep in a jungle,

ments with childhood games of make-believe. Like those

or a lava-filled cavern beneath a mysterious mountain.

games, D&D is driven by imagination. It’s about picturing

The adventurers can solve puzzles, talk with other char-

the towering castle beneath the stormy night sky and

acters, battle fantastic monsters, and discover fabulous

imagining how a fantasy adventurer might react to the

magic items and other treasure.

challenges that scene presents.

One player, however, takes on the role of the Dungeon

Master (DM), the game’s lead storyteller and referee. The

DM creates adventures for the characters, who navigate

Dungeon Master (DM): After passing through the

its hazards and decide which paths to explore. The DM

craggy peaks, the road takes a sudden turn to the east

might describe the entrance to Castle Ravenloft, and the

and Castle Ravenloft towers before you. Crumbling

players decide what they want their adventurers to do.

towers of stone keep a silent watch over the approach.

Will they walk across the dangerously weathered draw-

bridge? Tie themselves together with rope to minimize

They look like abandoned guardhouses. Beyond these, a

the chance that someone will fall if the drawbridge gives

wide chasm gapes, disappearing into the deep fog below.

way? Or cast a spell to carry them over the chasm?

A lowered drawbridge spans the chasm, leading to an

Then the DM determines the results of the adventurers’

arched entrance to the castle courtyard. The chains of

actions and narrates what they experience. Because the

the drawbridge creak in the wind, their rust-eaten iron

DM can improvise to react to anything the players at-

tempt, D&D is infinitely flexible, and each adventure can

straining with the weight. From atop the high strong walls,

be exciting and unexpected.

stone gargoyles stare at you from hollow sockets and grin

The game has no real end; when one story or quest

hideously. A rotting wooden portcullis, green with growth,

wraps up, another one can begin, creating an ongoing

hangs in the entry tunnel. Beyond this, the main doors of

story called a campaign. Many people who play the

Castle Ravenloft stand open, a rich warm light spilling into

game keep their campaigns going for months or years,

the courtyard.

meeting with their friends every week or so to pick up

the story where they left off. The adventurers grow in

Phillip (playing Gareth): I want to look at the gargoyles. I

might as the campaign continues. Each monster de-

have a feeling they’re not just statues.

feated, each adventure completed, and each treasure

Amy (playing Riva): The drawbridge looks precarious? I

recovered not only adds to the continuing story, but also

want to see how sturdy it is. Do I think we can cross it, or

earns the adventurers new capabilities. This increase

is it going to collapse under our weight?

in power is reflected by an adventurer’s level.

There’s no winning and losing in the Dungeons &

Dragons game—at least, not the way those terms are

Unlike a game of make-believe, D&D gives structure to

usually understood. Together, the DM and the players

the stories, a way of determining the consequences of the

create an exciting story of bold adventurers who confront

adventurers’ action. Players roll dice to resolve whether

deadly perils. Sometimes an adventurer might come to

their attacks hit or miss or whether their adventurers

a grisly end, torn apart by ferocious monsters or done in

can scale a cliff, roll away from the strike of a magical

by a nefarious villain. Even so, the other adventurers can

lightning bolt, or pull off some other dangerous task. Any-

search for powerful magic to revive their fallen comrade,

thing is possible, but the dice make some outcomes more

or the player might choose to create a new character to

probable than others.

carry on. The group might fail to complete an adventure

successfully, but if everyone had a good time and created a

memorable story, they all win.

Dungeon Master (DM): OK, one at a time. Phillip, you’re

looking at the gargoyles?

Worlds of Adventure

Phillip: Yeah. Is there any hint they might be creatures

The many worlds of the Dungeons & Dragons game

and not decorations?

are places of magic and monsters, of brave warriors and

DM: Make an Intelligence check.

spectacular adventures. They begin with a foundation of

Phillip: Does my Investigation skill apply?

medieval fantasy and then add the creatures, places, and

DM: Sure!

magic that make these worlds unique.

Phillip (rolling a d20): Ugh. Seven.

The worlds of the Dungeons & Dragons game exist

within a vast cosmos called the multiverse, connected

DM: They look like decorations to you. And Amy, Riva is

in strange and mysterious ways to one another and to

checking out the drawbridge?

other planes of existence, such as the Elemental Plane

of Fire and the Infinite Depths of the Abyss. Within this

In the Dungeons & Dragons game, each player cre-

multiverse are an endless variety of worlds. Many of

ates an adventurer (also called a character) and teams

them have been published as official settings for the D&D

up with other adventurers (played by friends). Working

game. The legends of the Forgotten Realms, Dragonlance,

Introduction

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Greyhawk, Dark Sun, Mystara, and Eberron settings are

How to Play

woven together in the fabric of the multiverse. Alongside

The play of the Dungeons & Dragons game unfolds ac-

these worlds are hundreds of thousands more, created

cording to this basic pattern.

by generations of D&D players for their own games. And

1. The DM describes the environment. The DM

amid all the richness of the multiverse, you might create a

tells the players where their adventurers are and what’s

world of your own.

around them, presenting the basic scope of options that

All these worlds share characteristics, but each world

present themselves (how many doors lead out of a room,

is set apart by its own history and cultures, distinctive

what’s on a table, who’s in the tavern, and so on).

monsters and races, fantastic geography, ancient dun-

2. The players describe what they want to do. Some-

geons, and scheming villains. Some races have unusual

times one player speaks for the whole party, saying,

traits in different worlds. The halflings of the Dark Sun

“We’ll take the east door,” for example. Other times,

setting, for example, are jungle-dwelling cannibals, and

different adventurers do different things: one adventurer

the elves are desert nomads. Some worlds feature races

might search a treasure chest while a second examines

unknown in other settings, such as Eberron’s warforged,

an esoteric symbol engraved on a wall and a third keeps

soldiers created and imbued with life to fight in the Last

watch for monsters. The players don’t need to take turns,

War. Some worlds are dominated by one great story, like

but the DM listens to every player and decides how to re-

the War of the Lance that plays a central role in the Drag-

solve those actions.

onlance setting. But they’re all D&D worlds, and you can

Sometimes, resolving a task is easy. If an adventurer

use the rules in this book to create a character and play

wants to walk across a room and open a door, the DM

in any one of them.

might just say that the door opens and describe what lies

Your DM might set the campaign on one of these

beyond. But the door might be locked, the floor might

worlds or on one that he or she created. Because there is

hide a deadly trap, or some other circumstance might

so much diversity among the worlds of D&D, you should

make it challenging for an adventurer to complete a task.

check with your DM about any house rules that will affect

In those cases, the DM decides what happens, often

your play of the game. Ultimately, the Dungeon Master is

relying on the roll of a die to determine the results of

the authority on the campaign and its setting, even if the

an action.

setting is a published world.

3. The DM narrates the results of the adventurers’

actions. Describing the results often leads to another de-

Using These Rules

cision point, which brings the flow of the game right back

The D&D Basic Rules document has four main parts.

to step 1.

Part 1 is about creating a character, providing the rules

This pattern holds whether the adventurers are cau-

and guidance you need to make the character you’ll play

tiously exploring a ruin, talking to a devious prince, or

in the game. It includes information on the various races,

locked in mortal combat against a mighty dragon. In

classes, backgrounds, equipment, and other customiza-

certain situations, particularly combat, the action is more

tion options that you can choose from. Many of the rules

structured and the players (and DM) do take turns choos-

in part 1 rely on material in parts 2 and 3.

ing and resolving actions. But most of the time, play is

Part 2 details the rules of how to play the game, beyond

fluid and flexible, adapting to the circumstances of the

the basics described in this introduction. That part cov-

adventure.

ers the kinds of die rolls you make to determine success

Often the action of an adventure takes place in the

or failure at the tasks your character attempts, and de-

imagination of the players and DM, relying on the DM’s

scribes the three broad categories of activity in the game:

verbal descriptions to set the scene. Some DMs like to

exploration, interaction, and combat.

use music, art, or recorded sound effects to help set the

Part 3 is all about magic. It covers the nature of magic

mood, and many players and DMs alike adopt different

in the worlds of D&D, the rules for spellcasting, and a

voices for the various adventurers, monsters, and other

selection of typical spells available to magic-using charac-

characters they play in the game. Sometimes, a DM

ters (and monsters) in the game.

might lay out a map and use tokens or miniature figures

Part 4 is especially for the Dungeon Master. It contains

to represent each creature involved in a scene to help the

instructions for how to challenge the player characters

players keep track of where everyone is.

with adversaries that are a good test of their abilities,

plus dozens of ready-to-use monster descriptions.

Game Dice

It also provides a sampling of magic items that the

The game uses polyhedral dice with different numbers of

characters can earn as their rewards for vanquishing

sides. You can find dice like these in game stores and in

those monsters.

many bookstores.

The end of the document contains supplemental mate-

In these rules, the different dice are referred to by the

rial. Appendix A collects all the definitions of conditions

letter d followed by the number of sides: d4, d6, d8, d10,

that can affect characters and monsters. Appendix B is a

d12, and d20. For instance, a d6 is a six-sided die (the

brief discussion of deities in the game, particularly those

typical cube that many games use).

in the Forgotten Realms setting. Appendix C describes

Percentile dice, or d100, work a little differently. You

the five factions in the Forgotten Realms that characters

generate a number between 1 and 100 by rolling two

can become associated with. Finally, a three-page char-

different ten-sided dice numbered from 0 to 9. One die

acter sheet provides a standardized way for players to

(designated before you roll) gives the tens digit, and

record and keep track of their characters’ abilities and

the other gives the ones digit. If you roll a 7 and a 1, for

possessions.

Introduction

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example, the number rolled is 71. Two 0s represent 100.

Advantage and Disadvantage

Some ten-sided dice are numbered in tens (00, 10, 20,

Sometimes an ability check, attack roll, or saving throw

and so on), making it easier to distinguish the tens digit

is modified by special situations called advantage and dis-

from the ones digit. In this case, a roll of 70 and 1 is 71,

advantage. Advantage reflects the positive circumstances

and 00 and 0 is 100.

surrounding a d20 roll, while disadvantage reflects the

When you need to roll dice, the rules tell you how many

opposite. When you have either advantage or disadvan-

dice to roll of a certain type, as well as what modifiers to

tage, you roll a second d20 when you make the roll. Use

add. For example, “3d8 + 5” means you roll three eight-

the higher of the two rolls if you have advantage, and use

sided dice, add them together, and add 5 to the total.

the lower roll if you have disadvantage. For example, if

The same d notation appears in the expressions “1d3”

you have disadvantage and roll a 17 and a 5, you use the

and “1d2.” To simulate the roll of 1d3, roll a d6 and divide

5. If you instead have advantage and roll those numbers,

the number rolled by 2 (round up). To simulate the roll of

you use the 17.

1d2, roll any die and assign a 1 or 2 to the roll depending

More detailed rules for advantage and disadvantage are

on whether it was odd or even. (Alternatively, if the num-

presented in chapter 7.

ber rolled is more than half the number of sides on the

die, it’s a 2.)

Specific Beats General

The D20

This book contains rules, especially in parts 2 and 3, that

govern how the game plays. That said, many racial traits,

Does an adventurer’s sword swing hurt a dragon or just

class features, spells, magic items, monster abilities, and

bounce off its iron-hard scales? Will the ogre believe an

other game elements break the general rules in some

outrageous bluff? Can a character swim across a raging

way, creating an exception to how the rest of the game

river? Can a character avoid the main blast of a fireball,

works. Remember this: If a specific rule contradicts a

or does he or she take full damage from the blaze? In

general rule, the specific rule wins.

cases where the outcome of an action is uncertain, the

Exceptions to the rules are often minor. For instance,

Dungeons & Dragons game relies on rolls of a 20-sided

many adventurers don’t have proficiency with longbows,

die, a d20, to determine success or failure.

but every wood elf does because of a racial trait. That

Every character and monster in the game has capa-

trait creates a minor exception in the game. Other exam-

bilities defined by six ability scores. The abilities are

ples of rule-breaking are more conspicuous. For instance,

Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom,

an adventurer can’t normally pass through walls, but

and Charisma, and they typically range from 3 to 18 for

some spells make that possible. Magic accounts for most

most adventurers. (Monsters might have scores as low as

of the major exceptions to the rules.

1 or as high as 30.) These ability scores, and the ability

modifiers derived from them, are the basis for almost

Round Down

every d20 roll that a player makes on a character’s or

monster’s behalf.

There’s one more general rule you need to know at the

Ability checks, attack rolls, and saving throws are the

outset. Whenever you divide a number in the game, round

three main kinds of d20 rolls, forming the core of the

down if you end up with a fraction, even if the fraction is

rules of the game. All three follow these simple steps.

one-half or greater.

1. Roll the die and add a modifier. Roll a d20 and add

the relevant modifier. This is typically the modifier de-

Adventures

rived from one of the six ability scores, and it sometimes

The Dungeons & Dragons game consists of a group of

includes a proficiency bonus to reflect a character’s par-

characters embarking on an adventure that the Dungeon

ticular skill. (See chapter 1 for details on each ability and

Master presents to them. Each character brings partic-

how to determine an ability’s modifier.)

ular capabilities to the adventure in the form of ability

2. Apply circumstantial bonuses and penalties. A

scores and skills, class features, racial traits, equipment,

class feature, a spell, a particular circumstance, or some

and magic items. Every character is different, with var-

other effect might give a bonus or penalty to the check.

ious strengths and weaknesses, so the best party of

3. Compare the total to a target number. If the total

adventurers is one in which the characters complement

equals or exceeds the target number, the ability check,

each other and cover the weaknesses of their compan-

attack roll, or saving throw is a success. Otherwise, it’s a

ions. The adventurers must cooperate to successfully

failure. The DM is usually the one who determines target

complete the adventure.

numbers and tells players whether their ability checks,

The adventure is the heart of the game, a story with

attack rolls, and saving throws succeed or fail.

a beginning, a middle, and an end. An adventure might

The target number for an ability check or a saving

be created by the Dungeon Master or purchased off the

throw is called a Difficulty Class (DC). The target num-

shelf, tweaked and modified to suit the DM’s needs and

ber for an attack roll is called an Armor Class (AC).

desires. In either case, an adventure features a fantastic

This simple rule governs the resolution of most tasks

setting, whether it’s an underground dungeon, a crum-

in D&D play. Chapter 7 provides more detailed rules for

bling castle, a stretch of wilderness, or a bustling city. It

using the d20 in the game.

features a rich cast of characters: the adventurers created

and played by the other players at the table, as well as

nonplayer characters (NPCs). Those characters might

be patrons, allies, enemies, hirelings, or just background

Introduction

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extras in an adventure. Often, one of the NPCs is a villain

to defeat their opponents, whether that means killing

whose agenda drives much of an adventure’s action.

every enemy, taking captives, or forcing a rout. Combat

Over the course of their adventures, the characters are

is the most structured element of a D&D session, with

confronted by a variety of creatures, objects, and situa-

creatures taking turns to make sure that everyone gets

tions that they must deal with in some way. Sometimes

a chance to act. Even in the context of a pitched battle,

the adventurers and other creatures do their best to

there’s still plenty of opportunity for adventurers to at-

kill or capture each other in combat. At other times, the

tempt wacky stunts like surfing down a flight of stairs on

adventurers talk to another creature (or even a magical

a shield, to examine the environment (perhaps by pulling

object) with a goal in mind. And often, the adventurers

a mysterious lever), and to interact with other creatures,

spend time trying to solve a puzzle, bypass an obstacle,

including allies, enemies, and neutral parties.

find something hidden, or unravel the current situation.

Meanwhile, the adventurers explore the world, making

The Wonders of Magic

decisions about which way to travel and what they’ll try

Few D&D adventures end without something magical

to do next.

happening. Whether helpful or harmful, magic appears

Adventures vary in length and complexity. A short ad-

frequently in the life of an adventurer, and it is the focus

venture might present only a few challenges, and it might

of chapters 10 and 11.

take no more than a single game session to complete. A

In the worlds of Dungeons & Dragons, practitioners

long adventure can involve hundreds of combats, interac-

of magic are rare, set apart from the masses of people

tions, and other challenges, and take dozens of sessions

by their extraordinary talent. Common folk might see

to play through, stretching over weeks or months of real

evidence of magic on a regular basis, but it’s usually

time. Usually, the end of an adventure is marked by the

minor—a fantastic monster, a visibly answered prayer,

adventurers heading back to civilization to rest and enjoy

a wizard walking through the streets with an animated

the spoils of their labors.

shield guardian as a bodyguard.

But that’s not the end of the story. You can think of

For adventurers, though, magic is key to their survival.

an adventure as a single episode of a TV series, made

Without the healing magic of clerics and paladins, adven-

up of multiple exciting scenes. A campaign is the whole

turers would quickly succumb to their wounds. Without

series—a string of adventures joined together, with a con-

the uplifting magical support of bards and clerics, war-

sistent group of adventurers following the narrative from

riors might be overwhelmed by powerful foes. Without

start to finish.

the sheer magical power and versatility of wizards and

druids, every threat would be magnified tenfold.

The Three Pillars of Adventure

Magic is also a favored tool of villains. Many adven-

Adventurers can try to do anything their players can

tures are driven by the machinations of spellcasters who

imagine, but it can be helpful to talk about their activities

are hellbent on using magic for some ill end. A cult leader

in three broad categories: exploration, social interaction,

seeks to awaken a god who slumbers beneath the sea, a

and combat.

hag kidnaps youths to magically drain them of their vigor,

Exploration includes both the adventurers’ movement

a mad wizard labors to invest an army of automatons

through the world and their interaction with objects and

with a facsimile of life, a dragon begins a mystical ritual

situations that require their attention. Exploration is the

to rise up as a god of destruction—these are just a few

give-and-take of the players describing what they want

of the magical threats that adventurers might face. With

their characters to do, and the Dungeon Master telling

magic of their own, in the form of spells and magic items,

the players what happens as a result. On a large scale,

the adventurers might prevail!

that might involve the characters spending a day crossing

a rolling plain or an hour making their way through cav-

erns underground. On the smallest scale, it could mean

one character pulling a lever in a dungeon room to see

what happens.

Social interaction features the adventurers talking to

someone (or something) else. It might mean demanding

that a captured scout reveal the secret entrance to the

goblin lair, getting information from a rescued prisoner,

pleading for mercy from an orc chieftain, or persuading

a talkative magic mirror to show a distant location to the

adventurers.

The rules in chapters 7 and 8 support exploration and

social interaction, as do many class features in chapter 3

and personality traits in chapter 4.

Combat, the focus of chapter 9, involves characters

and other creatures swinging weapons, casting spells,

maneuvering for position, and so on—all in an effort

Introduction

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Chapter 1: Step-by-Step Characters

Your first step in playing an adventurer in the

Halfling paladins and mountain dwarf wizards, for exam-

Dungeons & Dragons game is to imagine and create a

ple, can be unusual but memorable characters.

character of your own. Your character is a combination

Your race also increases one or more of your ability

of game statistics, roleplaying hooks, and your imagina-

scores, which you determine in step 3. Note these in-

tion. You choose a race (such as human or halfling) and

creases and remember to apply them later.

a class (such as fighter or wizard). You also invent the

Record the traits granted by your race on your

personality, appearance, and backstory of your character.

character sheet. Be sure to note your starting

Once completed, your character serves as your repre-

languages and your base speed as well.

sentative in the game, your avatar in the Dungeons &

Building Bruenor, Step 1

Dragons world.

Before you dive into step 1 below, think about the

Bob is sitting down to create his character. He decides

kind of adventurer you want to play. You might be a cou-

that a gruff mountain dwarf fits the character he wants

rageous fighter, a skulking rogue, a fervent cleric, or a

to play. He notes all the racial traits of dwarves on his

flamboyant wizard. Or you might be more interested in

character sheet, including his speed of 25 feet and the

an unconventional character, such as a brawny rogue

languages he knows: Common and Dwarvish.

who likes hand-to-hand combat, or a sharpshooter who

2. Choose a Class

picks off enemies from afar. Do you like fantasy fiction

featuring dwarves or elves? Try building a character of

Every adventurer is a member of a class. Class broadly

one of those races. Do you want your character to be the

describes a character’s vocation, what special talents he

toughest adventurer at the table? Consider the fighter

or she possesses, and the tactics he or she is most likely

class. If you don’t know where else to begin, take a look

to employ when exploring a dungeon, fighting monsters,

at the illustrations in this book to see what catches

or engaging in a tense negotiation. The character classes

your interest.

are described in chapter 3.

Once you have a character in mind, follow these steps

Your character receives a number of benefits from

in order, making decisions that reflect the character you

your choice of class. Many of these benefits are class

want. Your conception of your character might evolve

features—capabilities (including spellcasting) that set

with each choice you make. What’s important is that you

your character apart from members of other classes. You

come to the table with a character you’re excited to play.

also gain a number of proficiencies: armor, weapons,

Throughout this chapter, we use the term character

skills, saving throws, and sometimes tools. Your profi-

sheet to mean whatever you use to track your character,

ciencies define many of the things your character can do

whether it’s a formal character sheet (like the one at the

particularly well, from using certain weapons to telling a

end of these rules), some form of digital record, or a piece

convincing lie.

of notebook paper. An official D&D character sheet is a

On your character sheet, record all the features that

fine place to start until you know what information you

your class gives you at 1st level.

need and how you use it during the game.

Level

Building Bruenor

Typically, a character starts at 1st level and advances in

Each step of character creation includes an example of

level by adventuring and gaining experience points (XP).

that step, with a player named Bob building his dwarf

A 1st-level character is inexperienced in the adventuring

character, Bruenor.

world, although he or she might have been a soldier or a

pirate and done dangerous things before.

1. Choose a Race

Starting off at 1st level marks your character’s en-

Every character belongs to a race, one of the many in-

try into the adventuring life. If you’re already familiar

telligent humanoid species in the D&D world. The most

with the game, or if you are joining an existing D&D

common player character races are dwarves, elves,

campaign, your DM might decide to have you begin at a

halflings, and humans. Some races also have subraces,

higher level, on the assumption that your character has

such as mountain dwarf or wood elf. Chapter 2 provides

already survived a few harrowing adventures.

more information about these races.

Record your level on your character sheet. If you’re

The race you choose contributes to your character’s

starting at a higher level, record the additional elements

identity in an important way, by establishing a general

your class gives you for your levels past 1st. Also re-

appearance and the natural talents gained from culture

cord your experience points. A 1st-level character has

and ancestry. Your character’s race grants particular ra-

0 XP. A higher-level character typically begins with the

cial traits, such as special senses, proficiency with certain

minimum amount of XP required to reach that level

weapons or tools, proficiency in one or more skills, or the

(see “Beyond 1st Level” later in this chapter).

ability to use minor spells. These traits sometimes dove-

Hit Points and Hit Dice

tail with the capabilities of certain classes (see step 2). For

Your character’s hit points define how tough your char-

example, the racial traits of lightfoot halflings make them

acter is in combat and other dangerous situations. Your

exceptional rogues, and high elves tend to be powerful

hit points are determined by your Hit Dice (short for Hit

wizards. Sometimes playing against type can be fun, too.

Point Dice).

Chapter 1: Step-by-Step Characters

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At 1st level, your character has 1 Hit Die, and the die

3. Determine Ability Scores

type is determined by your class. You start with hit points

Much of what your character does in the game depends

equal to the highest roll of that die, as indicated in your

on his or her six abilities: Strength, Dexterity, Constitu-

class description. (You also add your Constitution mod-

tion, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma. Each ability

ifier, which you’ll determine in step 3.) This is also your

has a score, which is a number you record on your char-

hit point maximum.

acter sheet.

Record your character’s hit points on your character

The six abilities and their use in the game are de-

sheet. Also record the type of Hit Die your character uses

scribed in chapter 7. The Ability Score Summary

and the number of Hit Dice you have. After you rest, you

table provides a quick reference for what qualities are

can spend Hit Dice to regain hit points (see “Resting” in

measured by each ability, what races increases which

chapter 8).

abilities, and what classes consider each ability particu-

Proficiency Bonus

larly important.

The table that appears in your class description shows

You generate your character’s six ability scores ran-

your proficiency bonus, which is +2 for a 1st-level

domly. Roll four 6-sided dice and record the total of the

character. Your proficiency bonus applies to many of the

highest three dice on a piece of scratch paper. Do this five

numbers you’ll be recording on your character sheet:

more times, so that you have six numbers. If you want to

save time or don’t like the idea of randomly determining

• Attack rolls using weapons you’re proficient with

ability scores, you can use the following scores instead:

• Attack rolls with spells you cast

15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8.

• Ability checks using skills you’re proficient in

Now take your six numbers and write each number

• Ability checks using tools you’re proficient with

beside one of your character’s six abilities to assign

• Saving throws you’re proficient in

scores to Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence,

• Saving throw DCs for spells you cast (explained in each

Wisdom, and Charisma. Afterward, make any changes to

spellcasting class)

your ability scores as a result of your race choice.

Your class determines your weapon proficiencies, your

After assigning your ability scores, determine your

saving throw proficiencies, and some of your skill and

ability modifiers using the Ability Scores and Modifiers

tool proficiencies. (Skills are described in chapter 7, tools

table. To determine an ability modifier without consulting

in chapter 5.) Your background gives you additional skill

the table, subtract 10 from the ability score and then divide

and tool proficiencies, and some races give you more

the result by 2 (round down). Write the modifier next to

proficiencies. Be sure to note all of these proficiencies, as

each of your scores.

well as your proficiency bonus, on your character sheet.

Building Bruenor, Step 3

Your proficiency bonus can’t be added to a single die

roll or other number more than once. Occasionally, your

Bob decides to use the standard set of scores (15, 14, 13,

proficiency bonus might be modified (doubled or halved,

12, 10, 8) for Bruenor’s abilities. Since he’s a fighter, he

for example) before you apply it. If a circumstance sug-

puts his highest score, 15, in Strength. His next-high-

gests that your proficiency bonus applies more than once

est, 14, goes in Constitution. Bruenor might be a brash

to the same roll or that it should be multiplied more than

fighter, but Bob decides he wants the dwarf to be older,

once, you nevertheless add it only once, multiply it only

wiser, and a good leader, so he puts decent scores in

once, and halve it only once.

Wisdom and Charisma. After applying his racial ben-

efits (increasing Bruenor’s Constitution by 2 and his

Building Bruenor, Step 2

Strength by 2), Bruenor’s ability scores and modifiers

Bob imagines Bruenor charging into battle with an axe,

look like this: Strength 17 (+3), Dexterity 10 (+0), Con-

one horn on his helmet broken off. He makes Bruenor a

stitution 16 (+3), Intelligence 8 (-1), Wisdom 13 (+1),

fighter and notes the fighter’s proficiencies and 1st-level

Charisma 12 (+1).

class features on his character sheet.

Bob fills in Bruenor’s final hit points: 10 + his Constitu-

As a 1st-level fighter, Bruenor has 1 Hit Die—a d10—

tion modifier of +3, for a total of 13 hit points.

and starts with hit points equal to 10 + his Constitution

modifier. Bob notes this, and will record the final number

Ability Scores and Modifiers

after he determines Bruenor’s Constitution score (see

Score

Modifier

Score

Modifier

step 3). Bob also notes the proficiency bonus for a 1st-

−5

16-17

level character, which is +2.

2-3

−4

18-19

4-5

−3

20-21

Quick Build

6-7

−2

22-23

Each class description in chapter 3 includes a section

8-9

−1

24-25

offering suggestions to quickly build a character of that

class, including how to assign your highest ability scores,

10-11

26-27

a background suitable to the class, and starting spells.

12-13

28-29

14-15

+10

Chapter 1: Step-by-Step Characters

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ability Score Summary

Ability Score Point Cost

Strength

Score

Cost

Score

Cost

Measures: Natural athleticism, bodily power

Important for: Fighter

Racial Increases:

Mountain dwarf (+2)

Human (+1)

4. Describe Your Character

Dexterity

Once you know the basic game aspects of your character,

Measures: Physical agility, reflexes, balance, poise

it’s time to flesh him or her out as a person. Your charac-

Important for: Rogue

ter needs a name. Spend a few minutes thinking about

Racial Increases:

what he or she looks like and how he or she behaves in

Elf (+2)

Human (+1)

general terms.

Halfling (+2)

Using the information in chapter 4, you can flesh out

your character’s physical appearance and personality

Constitution

traits. Choose your character’s alignment (the moral

Measures: Health, stamina, vital force

compass that guides his or her decisions) and ideals.

Chapter 4 also helps you identify the things your char-

Important for: Everyone

acter holds most dear, called bonds, and the flaws that

Racial Increases:

could one day undermine him or her.

Dwarf (+2)

Your character’s background describes where he or

Stout halfling (+1)

she came from, his or her original occupation, and the

Human (+1)

character’s place in the D&D world. Your DM might of-

fer additional backgrounds beyond the ones included in

Intelligence

chapter 4, and might be willing to work with you to craft

Measures: Mental acuity, information recall, analytical skill

a background that’s a more precise fit for your charac-

Important for: Wizard

ter concept.

Racial Increases:

A background gives your character a background

High elf (+1)

feature (a general benefit) and proficiency in two skills,

and it might also give you additional languages or

Human (+1)

proficiency with certain kinds of tools. Record this

information, along with the personality information

Wisdom

you develop, on your character sheet.

Measures: Awareness, intuition, insight

Important for: Cleric

Your Character’s Abilities

Racial Increases:

Take your character’s ability scores and race into account

Hill dwarf (+1)

Human (+1)

as you flesh out his or her appearance and personality. A

Wood elf (+1)

very strong character with low Intelligence might think

and behave very differently from a very smart character

Charisma

with low Strength.

Measures: Confidence, eloquence, leadership

For example, high Strength usually corresponds

with a burly or athletic body, while a character with

Important for: Leaders and diplomatic characters

low Strength might be scrawny or plump.

Racial Increases:

A character with high Dexterity is probably lithe and

Lightfoot halfling (+1)

Human (+1)

slim, while a character with low Dexterity might be either

gangly and awkward or heavy and thick-fingered.

Variant: Customizing Ability Scores

A character with high Constitution usually looks

At your Dungeon Master’s option, you can use this vari-

healthy, with bright eyes and abundant energy. A charac-

ant for determining your ability scores. The method

ter with low Constitution might be sickly or frail.

described here allows you to build a character with a set

A character with high Intelligence might be highly

of ability scores you choose individually.

inquisitive and studious, while a character with low Intel-

You have 27 points to spend on your ability scores. The

ligence might speak simply or easily forget details.

cost of each score is shown on the Ability Score Point

A character with high Wisdom has good judgment, em-

Cost table. For example, a score of 14 costs 7 points.

pathy, and a general awareness of what’s going on.

Using this method, 15 is the highest ability score you can

A character with low Wisdom might be absent-minded,

end up with, before applying racial increases. You can’t

foolhardy, or oblivious.

have a score lower than 8.

A character with high Charisma exudes confidence,

This method of determining ability scores enables you

which is usually mixed with a graceful or intimidating

to create a set of three high numbers and three low ones

presence. A character with a low Charisma might come

(15, 15, 15, 8, 8, 8), a set of numbers that are above aver-

across as abrasive, inarticulate, or timid.

age and nearly equal (13, 13, 13, 12, 12, 12), or any set of

numbers between those extremes.

Chapter 1: Step-by-Step Characters

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Building Bruenor, Step 4

Your character needs to be proficient with armor and

Bob fills in some of Bruenor’s basic details: his name, his

shields to wear and use them effectively, and your armor

sex (male), his height and weight, and his alignment (law-

and shield proficiencies are determined by your class.

ful good). His high Strength and Constitution suggest a

There are drawbacks to wearing armor or carrying a

healthy, athletic body, and his low Intelligence suggests a

shield if you lack the required proficiency, as explained in

degree of forgetfulness.

chapter 5.

Bob decides that Bruenor comes from a noble line, but

Some spells and class features give you a different way

his clan was expelled from its homeland when Bruenor

to calculate your AC. If you have multiple features that

was very young. He grew up working as a smith in the re-

give you different ways to calculate your AC, you choose

mote villages of Icewind Dale. But Bruenor has a heroic

which one to use.

destiny—to reclaim his homeland—so Bob chooses the

Weapons

folk hero background for his dwarf. He notes the profi-

For each weapon your character wields, calculate the

ciencies and special feature this background gives him.

modifier you use when you attack with the weapon and

Bob has a pretty clear picture of Bruenor’s personality

the damage you deal when you hit.

in mind, so he skips the personality traits suggested in

When you make an attack with a weapon, you roll

the folk hero background, noting instead that Bruenor is

a d20 and add your proficiency bonus (but only if you

a caring, sensitive dwarf who genuinely loves his friends

are proficient with the weapon) and the appropriate

and allies, but he hides this soft heart behind a gruff,

ability modifier.

snarling demeanor. He chooses the ideal of fairness from

the list in his background, noting that Bruenor believes

• For attacks with melee weapons, use your Strength

that no one is above the law.

modifier for attack and damage rolls. A weapon that

Given his history, Bruenor’s bond is obvious: he aspires

has the finesse property, such as a rapier, can use your

to someday reclaim Mithral Hall, his homeland, from the

Dexterity modifier instead.

shadow dragon that drove the dwarves out. His flaw is

• For attacks with ranged weapons, use your Dexterity

tied to his caring, sensitive nature—he has a soft spot for

modifier for attack and damage rolls. A melee weapon

orphans and wayward souls, leading him to show mercy

that has the thrown property, such as a handaxe, can

even when it might not be warranted.

use your Strength modifier instead.

5. Choose Equipment

Building Bruenor, Step 5

Your class and background determine your character’s

Bob writes down the starting equipment from the fighter

starting equipment, including weapons, armor, and

class and the folk hero background. His starting equip-

other adventuring gear. Record this equipment on your

ment includes chain mail and a shield, which combine to

character sheet. All such items are detailed in chapter 5,

give Bruenor an Armor Class of 18.

“Equipment.“

For Bruenor’s weapons, Bob chooses a battleaxe

Instead of taking the gear given to you by your class

and two handaxes. His battleaxe is a melee weapon, so

and background, you can purchase your starting equip-

Bruenor uses his Strength modifier for his attacks and

ment. You have a number of gold pieces (gp) to spend

damage. His attack bonus is his Strength modifier (+3)

based on your class, as shown in chapter 5. Extensive

plus his proficiency bonus (+2), for a total of +5. The bat-

lists of equipment, with prices, also appear in that chap-

tleaxe deals 1d8 slashing damage, and Bruenor adds his

ter. If you wish, you can also have one trinket at no cost

Strength modifier to the damage when he hits, for a total

(see the Trinkets table at the end of chapter 5).

of 1d8 + 3 slashing damage. When throwing a handaxe,

Your Strength score limits the amount of gear you can

Bruenor has the same attack bonus (handaxes, as thrown

carry. Try not to purchase equipment with a total weight

weapons, use Strength for attacks and damage), and the

(in pounds) exceeding your Strength score times 15.

weapon deals 1d6 + 3 slashing damage when it hits.

Chapter 7 has more information on carrying capacity.

6. Come Together

Armor Class

Most D&D characters don’t work alone. Each charac-

Your Armor Class (AC) represents how well your

ter plays a role within a party, a group of adventurers

character avoids being wounded in battle. Things that

working together for a common purpose. Teamwork

contribute to your AC include the armor you wear, the

and cooperation greatly improve your party’s chances

shield you carry, and your Dexterity modifier. Not all

to survive the many perils in the worlds of Dungeons &

characters wear armor or carry shields, however.

Dragons. Talk to your fellow players and your DM to de-

Without armor or a shield, your character’s AC equals

cide whether your characters know one another, how they

10 + his or her Dexterity modifier. If your character

met, and what sorts of quests the group might undertake.

wears armor, carries a shield, or both, calculate your

AC using the rules in chapter 5. Record your AC on

your character sheet.

Chapter 1: Step-by-Step Characters

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the first tier (levels 1-4), characters are effectively

Beyond 1st Level

apprentice adventurers. They are learning the features

As your character goes on adventures and overcomes

that define them as members of particular classes, in-

challenges, he or she gains experience, represented by

cluding the major choices that flavor their class features

experience points. A character who reaches a specified

as they advance (such as a wizard’s Arcane Tradition or a

experience point total advances in capability. This ad-

fighter’s Martial Archetype). The threats they face are rel-

vancement is called gaining a level.

atively minor, usually posing a danger to local farmsteads

When your character gains a level, his or her class

or villages.

often grants additional features, as detailed in the class

In the second tier (levels 5-10), characters come into

description. Some of these features allow you to increase

their own. Many spellcasters gain access to 3rd-level

your ability scores, either increasing two scores by 1 each

spells at the start of this tier, crossing a new threshold

or increasing one score by 2. You can’t increase an ability

of magical power with spells such as fireball and light-

score above 20. In addition, every character’s proficiency

ning bolt. At this tier, many weapon-using classes gain

bonus increases at certain levels.

the ability to make multiple attacks in one round. These

Each time you gain a level, you gain 1 additional Hit

characters have become important, facing dangers that

Die. Roll that Hit Die, add your Constitution modifier

threaten cities and kingdoms.

to the roll, and add the total (minimum of 1) to your hit

In the third tier (levels 11-16), characters have reached

point maximum. Alternatively, you can use the fixed value

a level of power that sets them high above the ordinary

shown in your class entry, which is the average result of

populace and makes them special even among adven-

the die roll (rounded up).

turers. At 11th level, many spellcasters gain access to

When your Constitution modifier increases by 1, your

6th-level spells, some of which create effects previously

hit point maximum increases by 1 for each level you have

impossible for player characters to achieve. Other charac-

attained. For example, when Bruenor reaches 8th level as

ters gain features that allow them to make more attacks

a fighter, he increases his Constitution score from 17 to

or do more impressive things with those attacks. These

18, thus increasing his Constitution modifier from +3 to

mighty adventurers often confront threats to whole re-

+4. His hit point maximum then increases by 8.

gions and continents.

The Character Advancement table summarizes the

At the fourth tier (levels 17-20), characters achieve

XP you need to advance in levels from level 1 through

the pinnacle of their class features, becoming heroic (or

level 20, and the proficiency bonus for a character of that

villainous) archetypes in their own right. The fate of the

level. Consult the information in your character’s class

world or even the fundamental order of the multiverse

description to see what other improvements you gain at

might hang in the balance during their adventures.

each level.

Character Advancement

Tiers of Play

Experience Points

Level

Proficiency Bonus

The shading in the Character Advancement table shows the

four tiers of play. The tiers don’t have any rules associated

300

with them; they are a general description of how the play

900

experience changes as characters gain levels.

2,700

6,500

14,000

23,000

34,000

48,000

64,000

85,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

165,000

195,000

225,000

265,000

305,000

355,000

Chapter 1: Step-by-Step Characters

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Chapter 2: Races

A visit to one of the great cities in the worlds of

Racial Traits

Dungeons & Dragons—Waterdeep, the Free City of

The description of each race includes racial traits that are

Greyhawk, or even uncanny Sigil, the City of Doors—

common to members of that race. The following entries

overwhelms the senses. Voices chatter in countless

appear among the traits of most races.

different languages. The smells of cooking in dozens

of different cuisines mingle with the odors of crowded

Ability Score Increase

streets and poor sanitation. Buildings in myriad ar-

Every race increases one or more of a character’s abil-

chitectural styles display the diverse origins of their

ity scores.

inhabitants.

And the people themselves—people of varying size,

Age

shape, and color, dressed in a dazzling spectrum of styles

The age entry notes the age when a member of the race

and hues—represent many different races, from diminu-

is considered an adult, as well as the race’s expected

tive halflings and stout dwarves to majestically beautiful

lifespan. This information can help you decide how old

elves, mingling among a variety of human ethnicities.

your character is at the start of the game. You can choose

Scattered among the members of these more common

any age for your character, which could provide an ex-

races are the true exotics: a hulking dragonborn here,

planation for some of your ability scores. For example,

pushing his way through the crowd, and a sly tiefling

if you play a young or very old character, your age could

there, lurking in the shadows with mischief in her eyes. A

explain a particularly low Strength or Constitution score,

group of gnomes laughs as one of them activates a clever

while advanced age could account for a high Intelligence

wooden toy that moves of its own accord. Half-elves and

or Wisdom.

half-orcs live and work alongside humans, without fully

belonging to the races of either of their parents. And

Alignment

there, well out of the sunlight, is a lone drow—a fugitive

Most races have tendencies toward certain alignments,

from the subterranean expanse of the Underdark, try-

described in this entry. These are not binding for player

ing to make his way in a world that fears his kind. The

characters, but considering why your dwarf is chaotic, for

Player’s Handbook has more information about these

example, in defiance of lawful dwarf society can help you

unusual races.

better define your character.

Size

Choosing a Race

Characters of most races are Medium, a size category

Humans are the most common people in the worlds of

including creatures that are roughly 4 to 8 feet tall. Mem-

D&D, but they live and work alongside dwarves, elves,

bers of a few races are Small (between 2 and 4 feet tall),

halflings, and countless other fantastic species. Your

which means that certain rules of the game affect them

character belongs to one of these peoples.

differently. The most important of these rules is that

Not every intelligent race of the multiverse is appropri-

Small characters have trouble wielding heavy weapons,

ate for a player-controlled adventurer. Dwarves, elves,

as explained in chapter 5.

halflings, and humans are the most common races to

produce the sort of adventurers who make up typical

Speed

parties. Other races and subraces are less common as

Your speed determines how far you can move when trav-

adventurers.

eling (chapter 8) and fighting (chapter 9).

Your choice of race affects many different aspects of

your character. It establishes fundamental qualities that

Languages

exist throughout your character’s adventuring career.

By virtue of your race, your character can speak, read,

When making this decision, keep in mind the kind of

and write certain languages. Chapter 4 lists the most

character you want to play. For example, a halfling could

common languages of the D&D multiverse.

be a good choice for a sneaky rogue, a dwarf makes a

tough warrior, and an elf can be a master of arcane magic.

Subraces

Your character race not only affects your ability scores

Some races have subraces. Members of a subrace have

and traits but also provides the cues for building your

the traits of the parent race in addition to the traits speci-

character’s story. Each race’s description in this chapter

fied for their subrace. Relationships among subraces vary

includes information to help you roleplay a character of

significantly from race to race and world to world. In the

that race, including personality, physical appearance, fea-

Dragonlance campaign setting, for example, mountain

tures of society, and racial alignment tendencies. These

dwarves and hill dwarves live together as different clans

details are suggestions to help you think about your char-

of the same people, but in the Forgotten Realms, they live

acter; adventurers can deviate widely from the norm for

far apart in separate kingdoms and call themselves shield

their race. It’s worthwhile to consider why your character

dwarves and gold dwarves, respectively.

is different, as a helpful way to think about your charac-

ter’s background and personality.

Chapter 2: Races

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Clans and Kingdoms

Dwarf

Dwarven kingdoms stretch deep beneath the mountains

“Yer late, elf!” came the rough edge of a familiar

where the dwarves mine gems and precious metals and

voice. Bruenor Battlehammer walked up the back of his

forge items of wonder. They love the beauty and artistry

dead foe, disregarding the fact that the heavy monster lay

of precious metals and fine jewelry, and in some dwarves

on top of his elven friend. In spite of the added discomfort,

this love festers into avarice. Whatever wealth they can’t

find in their mountains, they gain through trade. They

the dwarf’s long, pointed, often-broken nose and gray-

dislike boats, so enterprising humans and halflings

streaked though still-fiery red beard came as a welcome

frequently handle trade in dwarven goods along water

sight to Drizzt. “Knew I’d find ye in trouble if I came out

routes. Trustworthy members of other races are welcome

in dwarf settlements, though some areas are off limits

an’ looked for ye!”

even to them.

—R. A. Salvatore, The Crystal Shard

The chief unit of dwarven society is the clan, and

dwarves highly value social standing. Even dwarves

Kingdoms rich in ancient grandeur, halls carved into the

who live far from their own kingdoms cherish their clan

roots of mountains, the echoing of picks and hammers

identities and affiliations, recognize related dwarves, and

in deep mines and blazing forges, a commitment to clan

invoke their ancestors’ names in oaths and curses. To be

and tradition, and a burning hatred of goblins and orcs—

clanless is the worst fate that can befall a dwarf.

these common threads unite all dwarves.

Dwarves in other lands are typically artisans, espe-

cially weaponsmiths, armorers, and jewelers. Some

Short and Stout

become mercenaries or bodyguards, highly sought after

Bold and hardy, dwarves are known as skilled warriors,

for their courage and loyalty.

miners, and workers of stone and metal. Though they

stand well under 5 feet tall, dwarves are so broad and

Gods, Gold, and Clan

compact that they can weigh as much as a human standing

Dwarves who take up the adventuring life might be

nearly two feet taller. Their courage and endurance are

motivated by a desire for treasure—for its own sake, for

also easily a match for any of the larger folk.

a specific purpose, or even out of an altruistic desire to

Dwarven skin ranges from deep brown to a paler

help others. Other dwarves are driven by the command

hue tinged with red, but the most common shades are

or inspiration of a deity, a direct calling or simply a desire

light brown or deep tan, like certain tones of earth.

to bring glory to one of the dwarf gods. Clan and ancestry

Their hair, worn long but in simple styles, is usually

are also important motivators. A dwarf might seek to

black, gray, or brown, though paler dwarves often have

restore a clan’s lost honor, avenge an ancient wrong the

red hair. Male dwarves value their beards highly and

clan suffered, or earn a new place within the clan after

groom them carefully.

Slow to Trust

Long Memory, Long Grudges

Dwarves get along passably well with most other races.

Dwarves can live to be more than 400 years old, so the

“The difference between an acquaintance and a friend is

oldest living dwarves often remember a very different

about a hundred years,” is a dwarf saying that might be

world. For example, some of the oldest dwarves living

hyperbole, but certainly points to how difficult it can be

in Citadel Felbarr (in the world of the Forgotten Realms)

for a member of a short-lived race like humans to earn a

dwarf ’s trust.

can recall the day, more than three centuries ago, when

Elves. “It’s not wise to depend on the elves. No telling

orcs conquered the fortress and drove them into an exile

what an elf will do next; when the hammer meets the orc’s

that lasted over 250 years. This longevity grants them a

head, they’re as apt to start singing as to pull out a sword.

perspective on the world that shorter-lived races such as

They’re flighty and frivolous. Two things to be said for them,

humans and halflings lack.

though: They don’t have many smiths, but the ones they

Dwarves are solid and enduring like the mountains

have do very fine work. And when orcs or goblins come

they love, weathering the passage of centuries with stoic

streaming down out of the mountains, an elf ’s good to have

endurance and little change. They respect the traditions

at your back. Not as good as a dwarf, maybe, but no doubt

of their clans, tracing their ancestry back to the found-

they hate the orcs as much as we do.”

ing of their most ancient strongholds in the youth of the

Halflings. “Sure, they’re pleasant folk. But show me

a halfling hero. An empire, a triumphant army. Even a

world, and don’t abandon those traditions lightly. Part of

treasure for the ages made by halfling hands. Nothing. How

those traditions is devotion to the gods of the dwarves,

can you take them seriously?”

who uphold the dwarven ideals of industrious labor, skill

Humans. “You take the time to get to know a human,

in battle, and devotion to the forge.

and by then the human’s on her deathbed. If you’re lucky,

Individual dwarves are determined and loyal, true to

she’s got kin—a daughter or granddaughter, maybe—who’s

their word and decisive in action, sometimes to the point

got hands and heart as good as hers. That’s when you can

of stubbornness. Many dwarves have a strong sense of

make a human friend. And watch them go! They set their

justice, and they are slow to forget wrongs they have suf-

hearts on something, they’ll get it, whether it’s a dragon’s

fered. A wrong done to one dwarf is a wrong done to the

hoard or an empire’s throne. You have to admire that

dwarf’s entire clan, so what begins as one dwarf’s hunt

kind of dedication, even if it gets them in trouble more

often than not.”

for vengeance can become a full-blown clan feud.

Chapter 2: Races

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having been exiled. Or a dwarf might search for the axe

Duergar

wielded by a mighty ancestor, lost on the field of battle

In cities deep in the Underdark live the duergar, or gray

centuries ago.

dwarves. These vicious, stealthy slave traders raid the

surface world for captives, then sell their prey to the other

Dwarf Names

races of the Underdark. They have innate magical abilities

to become invisible and to temporarily grow to giant size.

A dwarf’s name is granted by a clan elder, in accordance

with tradition. Every proper dwarven name has been

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common

used and reused down through the generations. A

and Dwarvish. Dwarvish is full of hard consonants and

dwarf’s name belongs to the clan, not to the individual.

guttural sounds, and those characteristics spill over into

A dwarf who misuses or brings shame to a clan name

whatever other language a dwarf might speak.

is stripped of the name and forbidden by law to use any

Subrace. Two main subraces of dwarves populate the

dwarven name in its place.

worlds of D&D: hill dwarves and mountain dwarves.

Male Names: Adrik, Alberich, Baern, Barendd, Brottor,

Choose one of these subraces.

Bruenor, Dain, Darrak, Delg, Eberk, Einkil, Fargrim,

Flint, Gardain, Harbek, Kildrak, Morgran, Orsik,

Hill Dwarf

Oskar, Rangrim, Rurik, Taklinn, Thoradin, Thorin,

As a hill dwarf, you have keen senses, deep intuition, and

Tordek, Traubon, Travok, Ulfgar, Veit, Vondal

remarkable resilience. The gold dwarves of Faerûn in

Female Names: Amber, Artin, Audhild, Bardryn, Dagnal,

their mighty southern kingdom are hill dwarves, as are

Diesa, Eldeth, Falkrunn, Finellen, Gunnloda, Gurdis,

the exiled Neidar and the debased Klar of Krynn in the

Helja, Hlin, Kathra, Kristryd, Ilde, Liftrasa, Mardred,

Dragonlance setting.

Riswynn, Sannl, Torbera, Torgga, Vistra

Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score in-

Clan Names: Balderk, Battlehammer, Brawnanvil,

creases by 1.

Dankil, Fireforge, Frostbeard, Gorunn, Holderhek,

Dwarven Toughness. Your hit point maximum

Ironfist, Loderr, Lutgehr, Rumnaheim, Strakeln,

increases by 1, and it increases by 1 every time you

Torunn, Ungart

gain a level.

Dwarf Traits

Mountain Dwarf

As a mountain dwarf, you’re strong and hardy, accus-

Your dwarf character has an assortment of inborn abili-

tomed to a difficult life in rugged terrain. You’re probably

ties, part and parcel of dwarven nature.

on the tall side (for a dwarf), and tend toward lighter col-

Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score in-

oration. The shield dwarves of northern Faerûn, as well

creases by 2.

as the ruling Hylar clan and the noble Daewar clan of

Age. Dwarves mature at the same rate as humans, but

Dragonlance, are mountain dwarves.

they’re considered young until they reach the age of 50.

Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score in-

On average, they live about 350 years.

creases by 2.

Alignment. Most dwarves are lawful, believing firmly

Dwarven Armor Training. You have proficiency with

in the benefits of a well-ordered society. They tend to-

light and medium armor.

ward good as well, with a strong sense of fair play and a

belief that everyone deserves to share in the benefits of a

just order.

Elf

Size. Dwarves stand between 4 and 5 feet tall and aver-

“I have never imagined such beauty existed,”

age about 150 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Goldmoon said softly. The day’s march had been difficult, but

Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet. Your speed

is not reduced by wearing heavy armor.

the reward at the end was beyond their dreams.

Darkvision. Accustomed to life underground, you have

The companions stood on a high cliff over the fabled

superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see

city of Qualinost.

in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light,

Four slender spires rose from the city’s corners like glisten-

and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern

color in darkness, only shades of gray.

ing spindles, their brilliant white stone marbled with shining

Dwarven Resilience. You have advantage on saving

silver. Graceful arches, swooping from spire to spire, soared

throws against poison, and you have resistance against

through the air. Crafted by ancient dwarven metalsmiths,

poison damage (explained in chapter 9).

Dwarven Combat Training. You have proficiency with

they were strong enough to hold the weight of an army, yet

the battleaxe, handaxe, light hammer, and warhammer.

they appeared so delicate that a bird lighting on them might

Tool Proficiency. You gain proficiency with the arti-

overthrow the balance. These glistening arches were the city’s

san’s tools of your choice: smith’s tools, brewer’s supplies,

only boundaries; there was no wall around Qualinost. The

or mason’s tools.

Stonecunning. Whenever you make an Intelligence

elven city opened its arms lovingly to the wilderness.

(History) check related to the origin of stonework, you are

—Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman,

considered proficient in the History skill and add double

Dragons of Autumn Twilight

your proficiency bonus to the check, instead of your nor-

mal proficiency bonus.

Chapter 2: Races

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Elves are a magical people of otherworldly grace, living

Haughty but Gracious

in the world but not entirely part of it. They live in places

Although they can be haughty, elves are generally gracious

of ethereal beauty, in the midst of ancient forests or in

even to those who fall short of their high expectations—

silvery spires glittering with faerie light, where soft music

which is most non-elves. Still, they can find good in just

drifts through the air and gentle fragrances waft on the

about anyone.

Dwarves. “Dwarves are dull, clumsy oafs. But what they

breeze. Elves love nature and magic, art and artistry, mu-

lack in humor, sophistication, and manners, they make up

sic and poetry, and the good things of the world.

in valor. And I must admit, their best smiths produce art

that approaches elven quality.”

Slender and Graceful

Halflings. “Halflings are people of simple pleasures, and

With their unearthly grace and fine features, elves appear

that is not a quality to scorn. They’re good folk, they care

hauntingly beautiful to humans and members of many

for each other and tend their gardens, and they have proven

other races. They are slightly shorter than humans on

themselves tougher than they seem when the need arises.”

Humans. “All that haste, their ambition and drive to

average, ranging from well under 5 feet tall to just over

accomplish something before their brief lives pass away—

6 feet. They are more slender than humans, weighing

human endeavors seem so futile sometimes. But then

only 100 to 145 pounds. Males and females are about

you look at what they have accomplished, and you have to

the same height, and males are only marginally heavier

appreciate their achievements. If only they could slow down

than females.

and learn some refinement.”

Elves’ coloration encompasses the normal human

range and also includes skin in shades of copper, bronze,

and almost bluish-white, hair of green or blue, and eyes

Exploration and Adventure

like pools of liquid gold or silver. Elves have no facial and

Elves take up adventuring out of wanderlust. Since they

little body hair. They favor elegant clothing in bright col-

are so long-lived, they can enjoy centuries of exploration

ors, and they enjoy simple yet lovely jewelry.

and discovery. They dislike the pace of human society,

which is regimented from day to day but constantly

A Timeless Perspective

changing over decades, so they find careers that let them

Elves can live well over 700 years, giving them a broad

travel freely and set their own pace. Elves also enjoy

perspective on events that might trouble the shorter-lived

exercising their martial prowess or gaining greater mag-

races more deeply. They are more often amused than

ical power, and adventuring allows them to do so. Some

excited, and more likely to be curious than greedy. They

might join with rebels fighting against oppression, and

tend to remain aloof and unfazed by petty happenstance.

others might become champions of moral causes.

When pursuing a goal, however, whether adventuring

on a mission or learning a new skill or art, elves can be

Elf Names

focused and relentless. They are slow to make friends

Elves are considered children until they declare them-

and enemies, and even slower to forget them. They reply

selves adults, some time after the hundredth birthday,

to petty insults with disdain and to serious insults with

and before this period they are called by child names.

vengeance.

On declaring adulthood, an elf selects an adult name,

Like the branches of a young tree, elves are flexible

although those who knew him or her as a youngster

in the face of danger. They trust in diplomacy and com-

might continue to use the child name. Each elf’s adult

promise to resolve differences before they escalate to

name is a unique creation, though it might reflect the

violence. They have been known to retreat from intru-

names of respected individuals or other family members.

sions into their woodland homes, confident that they can

Little distinction exists between male names and

simply wait the invaders out. But when the need arises,

female names; the groupings here reflect only general

elves reveal a stern martial side, demonstrating skill with

tendencies. In addition, every elf bears a family name,

sword, bow, and strategy.

typically a combination of other Elvish words. Some elves

traveling among humans translate their family names

Hidden Woodland Realms

into Common, but others retain the Elvish version.

Most elves dwell in small forest villages hidden among

Child Names: Ara, Bryn, Del, Eryn, Faen, Innil,

the trees. Elves hunt game, gather food, and grow vege-

Lael, Mella, Naill, Naeris, Phann, Rael, Rinn, Sai,

tables, and their skill and magic allow them to support

Syllin, Thia, Vall

themselves without the need for clearing and plowing

Male Adult Names: Adran, Aelar, Aramil, Arannis,

land. They are talented artisans, crafting finely worked

Aust, Beiro, Berrian, Carric, Enialis, Erdan, Erevan,

clothes and art objects. Their contact with outsiders is

Galinndan, Hadarai, Heian, Himo, Immeral, Ivellios,

usually limited, though a few elves make a good living by

Laucian, Mindartis, Paelias, Peren, Quarion, Riardon,

trading crafted items for metals (which they have no inter-

Rolen, Soveliss, Thamior, Tharivol, Theren, Varis

est in mining).

Female Adult Names: Adrie, Althaea, Anastrianna,

Elves encountered outside their own lands are com-

Andraste, Antinua, Bethrynna, Birel, Caelynn, Drusilia,

monly traveling minstrels, artists, or sages. Human

Enna, Felosial, Ielenia, Jelenneth, Keyleth, Leshanna,

nobles compete for the services of elf instructors to teach

Lia, Meriele, Mialee, Naivara, Quelenna, Quillathe,

swordplay or magic to their children.

Sariel, Shanairra, Shava, Silaqui, Theirastra, Thia,

Vadania, Valanthe, Xanaphia

Chapter 2: Races

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Family Names (Common Translations): Amakiir

Subrace. Ancient divides among the elven people re-

(Gemflower), Amastacia (Starflower), Galanodel

sulted in three main subraces: high elves, wood elves,

(Moonwhisper), Holimion (Diamonddew), Ilphelkiir

and dark elves, who are commonly called drow. This

(Gemblossom), Liadon (Silverfrond), Meliamne

document presents two of these subraces to choose

(Oakenheel), Naïlo (Nightbreeze), Siannodel

from. In some worlds, these subraces are divided still

(Moonbrook), Xiloscient (Goldpetal)

further (such as the sun elves and moon elves of the

Forgotten Realms), so if you wish, you can choose a nar-

Elf Traits

rower subrace.

Your elf character has a variety of natural abilities, the

High Elf

result of thousands of years of elven refinement.

As a high elf, you have a keen mind and a mastery of

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score in-

at least the basics of magic. In many of the worlds of

creases by 2.

D&D, there are two kinds of high elves. One type (which

Age. Although elves reach physical maturity at about

includes the gray elves and valley elves of Greyhawk,

the same age as humans, the elven understanding of

the Silvanesti of Dragonlance, and the sun elves of the

adulthood goes beyond physical growth to encompass

Forgotten Realms) is haughty and reclusive, believing

worldly experience. An elf typically claims adulthood

themselves to be superior to non-elves and even other

and an adult name around the age of 100 and can live

elves. The other type (including the high elves of Grey-

to be 750 years old.

hawk, the Qualinesti of Dragonlance, and the moon elves

Alignment. Elves love freedom, variety, and self-ex-

of the Forgotten Realms) are more common and more

pression, so they lean strongly toward the gentler aspects

friendly, and often encountered among humans and

of chaos. They value and protect others’ freedom as well

other races.

as their own, and they are more often good than not.

The sun elves of Faerûn (also called gold elves or sun-

Size. Elves range from under 5 to over 6 feet tall and

rise elves) have bronze skin and hair of copper, black,

have slender builds. Your size is Medium.

or golden blond. Their eyes are golden, silver, or black.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Moon elves (also called silver elves or gray elves) are

Darkvision. Accustomed to twilit forests and the night

much paler, with alabaster skin sometimes tinged with

sky, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions.

blue. They often have hair of silver-white, black, or blue,

You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were

but various shades of blond, brown, and red are not

bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You

uncommon. Their eyes are blue or green and flecked

can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

with gold.

Keen Senses. You have proficiency in the Percep-

Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score in-

tion skill.

creases by 1.

Fey Ancestry. You have advantage on saving throws

Elf Weapon Training. You have proficiency with the

against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.

longsword, shortsword, shortbow, and longbow.

Trance. Elves don’t need to sleep. Instead, they medi-

Cantrip. You know one cantrip of your choice from the

tate deeply, remaining semiconscious, for 4 hours a day.

wizard spell list. Intelligence is your spellcasting abil-

(The Common word for such meditation is “trance.”)

ity for it.

While meditating, you can dream after a fashion; such

Extra Language. You can speak, read, and write one

dreams are actually mental exercises that have become

extra language of your choice.

reflexive through years of practice. After resting in this

way, you gain the same benefit that a human does from 8

Wood Elf

hours of sleep.

As a wood elf, you have keen senses and intuition, and

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common

your fleet feet carry you quickly and stealthily through

and Elvish. Elvish is fluid, with subtle intonations and

your native forests. This category includes the wild elves

intricate grammar. Elven literature is rich and varied, and

(grugach) of Greyhawk and the Kagonesti of Dragon-

their songs and poems are famous among other races.

lance, as well as the races called wood elves in Greyhawk

Many bards learn their language so they can add Elvish

and the Forgotten Realms. In Faerûn, wood elves (also

ballads to their repertoires.

called wild elves, green elves, or forest elves) are reclu-

sive and distrusting of non-elves.

The Darkness of the Drow

Wood elves’ skin tends to be copperish in hue, some-

Were it not for one renowned exception, the race of drow

times with traces of green. Their hair tends toward

would be universally reviled. Their depraved society is

browns and blacks, but it is occasionally blond or cop-

preoccupied with the favor of Lolth, their spider-goddess,

per-colored. Their eyes are green, brown, or hazel.

who sanctions murder and the extermination of entire

Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score in-

families as noble houses vie for position. Drow grow

creases by 1.

up believing that surface-dwelling races are worthless

Elf Weapon Training. You have proficiency with the

except as slaves.

longsword, shortsword, shortbow, and longbow.

Yet one drow, at least, broke the mold. In the world of the

Fleet of Foot. Your base walking speed increases

Forgotten Realms, Drizzt Do’Urden, ranger of the North,

has proven his quality as a good-hearted defender of the

to 35 feet.

weak and innocent.

Mask of the Wild. You can attempt to hide even when

you are only lightly obscured by foliage, heavy rain, fall-

ing snow, mist, and other natural phenomena.

Chapter 2: Races

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Halflings are easily moved to pity and hate to see any

Halfling

living thing suffer. They are generous, happily sharing

Regis the halfling, the only one of his kind for

what they have even in lean times.

hundreds of miles in any direction, locked his fingers behind

Blend into the Crowd

his head and leaned back against the mossy blanket of the

Halflings are adept at fitting into a community of hu-

tree trunk. Regis was short, even by the standards of his

mans, dwarves, or elves, making themselves valuable

diminutive race, with the fluff of his curly brown locks barely

and welcome. The combination of their inherent stealth

cresting the three-foot mark, but his belly was amply thick-

and their unassuming nature helps halflings to avoid un-

wanted attention.

ened by his love of a good meal, or several, as the opportu-

Halflings work readily with others, and they are loyal

nities presented themselves. The crooked stick that served as

to their friends, whether halfling or otherwise. They can

his fishing pole rose up above him, clenched between two of

display remarkable ferocity when their friends, families,

his toes, and hung out over the quiet lake, mirrored perfectly

or communities are threatened.

in the glassy surface of Maer Dualdon.

Pastoral Pleasantries

—R.A. Salvatore, The Crystal Shard

Most halflings live in small, peaceful communities with

large farms and well-kept groves. They rarely build

The comforts of home are the goals of most halflings’

kingdoms of their own or even hold much land beyond

lives: a place to settle in peace and quiet, far from ma-

their quiet shires. They typically don’t recognize any sort

rauding monsters and clashing armies; a blazing fire

of halfling nobility or royalty, instead looking to family

and a generous meal; fine drink and fine conversation.

elders to guide them. Families preserve their traditional

Though some halflings live out their days in remote ag-

ways despite the rise and fall of empires.

ricultural communities, others form nomadic bands that

Many halflings live among other races, where the

travel constantly, lured by the open road and the wide

halflings’ hard work and loyal outlook offer them abun-

horizon to discover the wonders of new lands and peo-

dant rewards and creature comforts. Some halfling

ples. But even these wanderers love peace, food, hearth,

communities travel as a way of life, driving wagons or

and home, though home might be a wagon jostling along

guiding boats from place to place and maintaining no

an dirt road or a raft floating downriver.

permanent home.

Small and Practical

Exploring Opportunities

The diminutive halflings survive in a world full of larger

Halflings usually set out on the adventurer’s path to de-

creatures by avoiding notice or, barring that, avoiding

fend their communities, support their friends, or explore

offense. Standing about 3 feet tall, they appear relatively

a wide and wonder-filled world. For them, adventuring

harmless and so have managed to survive for centuries

is less a career than an opportunity or sometimes a

in the shadow of empires and on the edges of wars and

necessity.

political strife. They are inclined to be stout, weighing

between 40 and 45 pounds.

Halfling Names

Halflings’ skin ranges from tan to pale with a ruddy

A halfling has a given name, a family name, and possibly

cast, and their hair is usually brown or sandy brown and

a nickname. Family names are often nicknames that

wavy. They have brown or hazel eyes. Halfling men often

stuck so tenaciously they have been passed down through

sport long sideburns, but beards are rare among them

the generations.

and mustaches even more so. They like to wear simple,

comfortable, and practical clothes, favoring bright colors.

Male Names: Alton, Ander, Cade, Corrin, Eldon, Errich,

Halfling practicality extends beyond their clothing.

Finnan, Garret, Lindal, Lyle, Merric, Milo, Osborn,

They’re concerned with basic needs and simple pleasures

Perrin, Reed, Roscoe, Wellby

and have little use for ostentation. Even the wealthiest

Female Names: Andry, Bree, Callie, Cora, Euphemia,

of halflings keep their treasures locked in a cellar rather

Jillian, Kithri, Lavinia, Lidda, Merla, Nedda, Paela,

than on display for all to see. They have

Portia, Seraphina, Shaena, Trym, Vani, Verna

a knack for finding the most straightforward solution

Family Names: Brushgather, Goodbarrel, Greenbottle,

to a problem, and have little patience for dithering.

High-hill, Hilltopple, Leagallow, Tealeaf, Thorngage,

Tosscobble, Underbough

Kind and Curious

Halfling Traits

Halflings are an affable and cheerful people. They

cherish the bonds of family and friendship as well

Your halfling character has a number of traits in common

as the comforts of hearth and home, harboring few

with all other halflings.

dreams of gold or glory. Even adventurers among

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score in-

them usually venture into the world for reasons of

creases by 2.

community, friendship, wanderlust, or curiosity. They

Age. A halfling reaches adulthood at the age of 20

love discovering new things, even simple things, such

and generally lives into the middle of his or her sec-

as an exotic food or an unfamiliar style of clothing.

ond century.

Chapter 2: Races

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alignment. Most halflings are lawful good. As a rule,

Affable and Positive

they are good-hearted and kind, hate to see others in

Halflings try to get along with everyone else and are loath to

pain, and have no tolerance for oppression. They are

make sweeping generalizations—especially negative ones.

also very orderly and traditional, leaning heavily on

Dwarves. “Dwarves make loyal friends, and you can count

the support of their community and the comfort of

on them to keep their word. But would it hurt them to smile

once in a while?”

their old ways.

Elves. “They’re so beautiful! Their faces, their music,

Size. Halflings average about 3 feet tall and weigh

their grace and all. It’s like they stepped out of a wonderful

about 40 pounds. Your size is Small.

dream. But there’s no telling what’s going on behind their

Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

smiling faces—surely more than they ever let on.”

Lucky. When you roll a 1 on the d20 for an attack roll,

Humans. “Humans are a lot like us, really. At least some

ability check, or saving throw, you can reroll the die and

of them are. Step out of the castles and keeps, go talk to

must use the new roll.

the farmers and herders and you’ll find good, solid folk. Not

Brave. You have advantage on saving throws against

that there’s anything wrong with the barons and soldiers—

being frightened.

you have to admire their conviction. And by protecting their

Halfling Nimbleness. You can move through the space

own lands, they protect us as well.”

of any creature that is of a size larger than yours.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common

Human

and Halfling. The Halfling language isn’t secret, but

halflings are loath to share it with others. They write

These were the stories of a restless people who

very little, so they don’t have a rich body of literature.

long ago took to the seas and rivers in longboats, first to

Their oral tradition, however, is very strong. Almost all

pillage and terrorize, then to settle. Yet there was an energy,

halflings speak Common to converse with the people

in whose lands they dwell or through which they are

a love of adventure, that sang from every page. Long into the

traveling.

night Liriel read, lighting candle after precious candle.

Subrace. The two main kinds of halfling, lightfoot and

She’d never given much thought to humans, but these sto-

stout, are more like closely related families than true sub-

races. Choose one of these subraces.

ries fascinated her. In these yellowed pages were tales of bold

heroes, strange and fierce animals, mighty primitive gods, and

Lightfoot

a magic that was part and fabric of that distant land.

As a lightfoot halfling, you can easily hide from notice,

even using other people as cover. You’re inclined to be

—Elaine Cunningham, Daughter of the Drow

affable and get along well with others. In the Forgotten

Realms, lightfoot halflings have spread the farthest and

In the reckonings of most worlds, humans are the young-

thus are the most common variety.

est of the common races, late to arrive on the world scene

Lightfoots are more prone to wanderlust than other hal-

and short-lived in comparison to dwarves, elves, and

flings, and often dwell alongside other races or take up a

dragons. Perhaps it is because of their shorter lives that

nomadic life. In the world of Greyhawk, these halflings

they strive to achieve as much as they can in the years

are called hairfeet or tallfellows.

they are given. Or maybe they feel they have something

Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score in-

to prove to the elder races, and that’s why they build their

creases by 1.

mighty empires on the foundation of conquest and trade.

Naturally Stealthy. You can attempt to hide even when

Whatever drives them, humans are the innovators, the

you are obscured only by a creature that is at least one

achievers, and the pioneers of the worlds.

size larger than you.

A Broad Spectrum

Stout

With their penchant for migration and conquest, humans

As a stout halfling, you’re hardier than average and have

are more physically diverse than other common races.

some resistance to poison. Some say that stouts have

There is no typical human. An individual can stand from

dwarven blood. In the Forgotten Realms, these halflings

5 feet to a little over 6 feet tall and weigh from 125 to 250

are called stronghearts, and they’re most common in

pounds. Human skin shades range from nearly black

the south.

to very pale, and hair colors from black to blond (curly,

Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score in-

kinky, or straight); males might sport facial hair that is

creases by 1.

sparse or thick. A lot of humans have a dash of nonhu-

Stout Resilience. You have advantage on saving

man blood, revealing hints of elf, orc, or other lineages.

throws against poison, and you have resistance against

Humans reach adulthood in their late teens and rarely

poison damage.

live even a single century.

Chapter 2: Races

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Everyone’s Second-Best Friends

Variety in All Things

Just as readily as they mix with each other, humans mingle

Humans are the most adaptable and ambitious people

with members of other races. They get along with almost

among the common races. They have widely varying

everyone, though they might not be close to many. Humans

tastes, morals, and customs in the many different lands

serve as ambassadors, diplomats, magistrates, merchants,

where they have settled. When they settle, though, they

and functionaries of all kinds.

stay: they build cities to last for the ages, and great king-

Dwarves. “They’re stout folk, stalwart friends, and true to

doms that can persist for long centuries. An individual

their word. Their greed for gold is their downfall, though.”

human might have a relatively short life span, but a hu-

Elves. “It’s best not to wander into elven woods. They

don’t like intruders, and you’ll as likely be bewitched as

man nation or culture preserves traditions with origins

peppered with arrows. Still, if an elf can get past that

far beyond the reach of any single human’s memory. They

damned racial pride and actually treat you like an equal, you

live fully in the present—making them well suited to the

can learn a lot from them.”

adventuring life—but also plan for the future, striving to

Halflings. “It’s hard to beat a meal in a halfling home,

leave a lasting legacy. Individually and as a group, hu-

as long as you don’t crack your head on the ceiling—good

mans are adaptable opportunists, and they stay alert to

food and good stories in front of a nice, warm fire. If

changing political and social dynamics.

halflings had a shred of ambition, they might really amount

to something.”

Lasting Institutions

Where a single elf or dwarf might take on the responsi-

found in more localized areas of Faerûn. These groups,

bility of guarding a special location or a powerful secret,

and the typical names of their members, can be used as

humans found sacred orders and institutions for such

inspiration no matter which world your human is in.

purposes. While dwarf clans and halfling elders pass on

Calishite

the ancient traditions to each new generation, human

Shorter and slighter in build than most other humans,

temples, governments, libraries, and codes of law fix

Calishites have dusky brown skin, hair, and eyes. They’re

their traditions in the bedrock of history. Humans dream

found primarily in southwest Faerûn.

of immortality, but (except for those few who seek un-

death or divine ascension to escape death’s clutches) they

Calishite Names: (Male) Aseir, Bardeid, Haseid,

achieve it by ensuring that they will be remembered when

Khemed, Mehmen, Sudeiman, Zasheir; (female)

they are gone.

Atala, Ceidil, Hama, Jasmal, Meilil, Seipora, Yasheira,

Although some humans can be xenophobic, in general

Zasheida; (surnames) Basha, Dumein, Jassan, Khalid,

their societies are inclusive. Human lands welcome large

Mostana, Pashar, Rein

numbers of nonhumans compared to the proportion of

humans who live in nonhuman lands.

Chondathan

Chondathans are slender, tawny-skinned folk with brown

Exemplars of Ambition

hair that ranges from almost blond to almost black.

Most are tall and have green or brown eyes, but these

Humans who seek adventure are the most daring and

traits are hardly universal. Humans of Chondathan

ambitious members of a daring and ambitious race. They

descent dominate the central lands of Faerûn, around

seek to earn glory in the eyes of their fellows by amassing

the Inner Sea.

power, wealth, and fame. More than other people, hu-

mans champion causes rather than territories or groups.

Chondathan Names: (Male) Darvin, Dorn, Evendur,

Gorstag, Grim, Helm, Malark, Morn, Randal, Stedd;

Human Names and Ethnicities

(female) Arveene, Esvele, Jhessail, Kerri, Lureene, Miri,

Having so much more variety than other cultures, hu-

Rowan, Shandri, Tessele; (surnames) Amblecrown,

mans as a whole have no typical names. Some human

Buckman, Dundragon, Evenwood, Greycastle, Tallstag

parents give their children names from other languages,

Damaran

such as Dwarvish or Elvish (pronounced more or less

Found primarily in the northwest of Faerûn, Damarans

correctly), but most parents give names that are linked to

are of moderate height and build, with skin hues ranging

their region’s culture or to the naming traditions of their

from tawny to fair. Their hair is usually brown or black,

ancestors.

and their eye color varies widely, though brown is

The material culture and physical characteristics of

most common.

humans can change wildly from region to region. In

the Forgotten Realms, for example, the clothing, archi-

Damaran Names: (Male) Bor, Fodel, Glar, Grigor, Igan,

tecture, cuisine, music, and literature are different in

Ivor, Kosef, Mival, Orel, Pavel, Sergor; (female) Alethra,

the northwestern lands of the Silver Marches than in

Kara, Katernin, Mara, Natali, Olma, Tana, Zora;

distant Turmish or Impiltur to the east—and even more

(surnames) Bersk, Chernin, Dotsk, Kulenov, Marsk,

distinctive in far-off Kara-Tur. Human physical character-

Nemetsk, Shemov, Starag

istics, though, vary according to the ancient migrations

of the earliest humans, so that the humans of the Silver

Marches have every possible variation of coloration

and features.

In the Forgotten Realms, nine human ethnic groups

are widely recognized, though over a dozen others are

Chapter 2: Races

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Illuskan

Turami

Illuskans are tall, fair-skinned folk with blue or steely gray

Native to the southern shore of the Inner Sea, the

eyes. Most have raven-black hair, but those who inhabit the

Turami people are generally tall and muscular, with dark

extreme northwest have blond, red, or light brown hair.

mahogany skin, curly black hair, and dark eyes.

Illuskan Names: (Male) Ander, Blath, Bran, Frath, Geth,

Turami Names: (Male) Anton, Diero, Marcon, Pieron,

Lander, Luth, Malcer, Stor, Taman, Urth; (female)

Rimardo, Romero, Salazar, Umbero; (female) Balama,

Amafrey, Betha, Cefrey, Kethra, Mara, Olga, Silifrey,

Dona, Faila, Jalana, Luisa, Marta, Quara, Selise,

Westra; (surnames) Brightwood, Helder, Hornraven,

Vonda; (surnames) Agosto, Astorio, Calabra, Domine,

Lackman, Stormwind, Windrivver

Falone, Marivaldi, Pisacar, Ramondo

Mulan

Human Traits

Dominant in the eastern and southeastern shores of the

It’s hard to make generalizations about humans, but your

Inner Sea, the Mulan are generally tall, slim, and amber-

human character has these traits.

skinned, with eyes of hazel or brown. Their hair ranges

Ability Score Increase. Your ability scores each in-

from black to dark brown, but in the lands where the

crease by 1.

Mulan are most prominent, nobles and many other Mulan

Age. Humans reach adulthood in their late teens and

shave off all their hair.

live less than a century.

Mulan Names: (Male) Aoth, Bareris, Ehput-Ki, Kethoth,

Alignment. Humans tend toward no particular align-

Mumed, Ramas, So-Kehur, Thazar-De, Urhur; (female)

ment. The best and the worst are found among them.

Arizima, Chathi, Nephis, Nulara, Murithi, Sefris, Thola,

Size. Humans vary widely in height and build, from

Umara, Zolis; (surnames) Ankhalab, Anskuld, Fezim,

barely 5 feet to well over 6 feet tall. Regardless of your

Hahpet, Nathandem, Sepret, Uuthrakt

position in that range, your size is Medium.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Rashemi

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common

Most often found east of the Inner Sea and often

and one extra language of your choice. Humans typically

intermingled with the Mulan, Rashemis tend to be short,

learn the languages of other peoples they deal with,

stout, and muscular. They usually have dusky skin, dark

including obscure dialects. They are fond of sprinkling

eyes, and thick black hair.

their speech with words borrowed from other tongues:

Rashemi Names: (Male) Borivik, Faurgar, Jandar,

Orc curses, Elvish musical expressions, Dwarvish mili-

Kanithar, Madislak, Ralmevik, Shaumar, Vladislak;

tary phrases, and so on.

(female) Fyevarra, Hulmarra, Immith, Imzel,

Navarra, Shevarra, Tammith, Yuldra; (surnames)

Variant Human Traits

Chergoba, Dyernina, Iltazyara, Murnyethara,

If your campaign uses the optional feat rules from chapter 6

Stayanoga, Ulmokina

of the Player’s Handbook, your Dungeon Master might allow

these variant traits, all of which replace the human’s Ability

Shou

Score Increase trait.

The Shou are the most numerous and powerful ethnic

Ability Score Increase. Two different ability scores of your

group in Kara-Tur, far to the east of Faerûn. They are

choice increase by 1.

Skills. You gain proficiency in one skill of your choice.

yellowish-bronze in hue, with black hair and dark

Feat. You gain one feat of your choice.

eyes. Shou surnames are usually presented before

the given name.

Shou Names: (Male) An, Chen, Chi, Fai, Jiang, Jun, Lian,

Long, Meng, On, Shan, Shui, Wen; (female) Bai, Chao,

Jia, Lei, Mei, Qiao, Shui, Tai; (surnames) Chien, Huang,

Kao, Kung, Lao, Ling, Mei, Pin, Shin, Sum, Tan, Wan

Tethyrian

Widespread along the entire Sword Coast at the west-

ern edge of Faerûn, Tethyrians are of medium build

and height, with dusky skin that tends to grow fairer the

farther north they dwell. Their hair and eye color varies

widely, but brown hair and blue eyes are the most com-

mon. Tethyrians primarily use Chondathan names.

Chapter 2: Races

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 3: Classes

Adventurers are extraordinary people, driven by

Cleric

a thirst for excitement into a life that others would never

dare lead. They are heroes, compelled to explore the dark

Arms and eyes upraised toward the sun and a prayer

places of the world and take on the challenges that lesser

on his lips, an elf begins to glow with an inner light that

women and men can’t stand against.

spills out to heal his battle-worn companions.

Class is the primary definition of what your character

Chanting a song of glory, a dwarf swings his axe in

can do. It’s more than a profession; it’s your character’s

wide swaths to cut through the ranks of orcs arrayed

calling. Class shapes the way you think about the world

against him, shouting praise to the gods with every

and interact with it and your relationship with other peo-

foe’s fall.

ple and powers in the multiverse. A fighter, for example,

Calling down a curse upon the forces of undeath, a

might view the world in pragmatic terms of strategy and

human lifts her holy symbol as light pours from it to drive

maneuvering, and see herself as just a pawn in a much

back the zombies crowding in on her companions.

larger game. A cleric, by contrast, might see himself as

Clerics are intermediaries between the mortal world

a willing servant in a god’s unfolding plan or a conflict

and the distant planes of the gods. As varied as the gods

brewing among various deities. While the fighter has con-

they serve, clerics strive to embody the handiwork of

tacts in a mercenary company or army, the cleric might

their deities. No ordinary priest, a cleric is imbued with

know a number of priests, paladins, and devotees who

divine magic.

share his faith.

Healers and Warriors

Your class gives you a variety of special features,

such as a fighter’s mastery of weapons and armor, and

Divine magic, as the name suggests, is the power of the

a wizard’s spells. At low levels, your class gives you

gods, flowing from them into the world. Clerics are con-

only two or three features, but as you advance in level

duits for that power, manifesting it as miraculous effects.

you gain more and your existing features often im-

The gods don’t grant this power to everyone who seeks it,

prove. Each class entry in this chapter includes a table

but only to those chosen to fulfill a high calling.

summarizing the benefits you gain at every level, and

Harnessing divine magic doesn’t rely on study or train-

a detailed explanation of each one.

ing. A cleric might learn formulaic prayers and ancient

Adventurers sometimes advance in more than one

rites, but the ability to cast cleric spells relies on devotion

class. A rogue might switch direction in life and dab-

and an intuitive sense of a deity’s wishes.

ble in the cleric class while continuing to advance as a

Clerics combine the helpful magic of healing and in-

rogue. Elves are known to combine martial mastery with

spiring their allies with spells that harm and hinder foes.

magical training and advance as fighters and wizards

They can provoke awe and dread, lay curses of plague

simultaneously. Optional rules for combining classes in

or poison, and even call down flames from heaven to con-

this way, called multiclassing, can be found in the Play-

sume their enemies. For those evildoers who will benefit

er’s Handbook.

most from a mace to the head, clerics depend on their

Four basic classes—listed in the Classes table—are

combat training to let them wade into melee with the

found in almost every D&D world and define most typical

power of the gods on their side.

adventurers. See the Player’s Handbook for information

about other classes.

Divine Agents

Not every acolyte or officiant at a temple or shrine is a

cleric. Some priests are called to a simple life of temple

service, carrying out their gods’ will through prayer and

Classes

Hit

Primary

Saving Throw

Armor and Weapon

Class

Description

Die

Ability

Proficiencies

Cleric

A priestly champion who wields

Wisdom

Wisdom & Charisma

Light and medium armor, shields,

divine magic in service of a

simple weapons

higher power

Fighter A master of martial combat, skilled

d10

Strength

Strength & Constitution All armor, shields, simple and

with a variety of weapons and armor

or Dexterity

martial weapons

Rogue A scoundrel who uses stealth

Dexterity

Dexterity & Intelligence Light armor, simple weapons,

and trickery to overcome

hand crossbows, longswords,

obstacles and enemies

rapiers, shortswords

Wizard A scholarly magic-user capable of

Intelligence

Intelligence & Wisdom Daggers, darts, slings, quarterstaffs,

manipulating the structures of reality

light crossbows

Chapter 3: Classes

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

sacrifice, not by magic and strength of arms. In some cit-

have a special task in mind for you? Or are you striving to

ies, priesthood amounts to a political office, viewed as a

prove yourself worthy of a great quest?

stepping stone to higher positions of authority and involv-

Quick Build

ing no communion with a god at all. True clerics are rare

in most hierarchies.

You can make a cleric quickly by following these sugges-

When a cleric takes up an adventuring life, it is usually

tions. First, Wisdom should be your highest ability score,

because his or her god demands it. Pursuing the goals

followed by Strength or Constitution. Second, choose the

of the gods often involves braving dangers beyond the

acolyte background.

walls of civilization, smiting evil or seeking holy relics in

ancient tombs. Many clerics are also expected to protect

Class Features

their deities’ worshipers, which can mean fighting ram-

As a cleric, you gain the following class features.

paging orcs, negotiating peace between warring nations,

or sealing a portal that would allow a demon prince to

Hit Points

enter the world.

Hit Dice: 1d8 per cleric level

Most adventuring clerics maintain some connection to

Hit Points at 1st Level: 8 + your Constitution modifier

established temples and orders of their faiths. A temple

Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d8 (or 5) + your

might ask for a cleric’s aid, or a high priest might be in a

Constitution modifier per cleric level after 1st

position to demand it.

Proficiencies

Creating a Cleric

Armor: Light armor, medium armor, shields

Weapons: Simple weapons

As you create a cleric, the most important question to

Tools: None

consider is which deity to serve and what principles you

want your character to embody. The Player’s Handbook

Saving Throws: Wisdom, Charisma

includes lists of many of the gods of the multiverse.

Skills: Choose two from History, Insight, Medicine,

Check with your DM to learn which deities are in

Persuasion, and Religion

your campaign.

Once you’ve chosen a deity, consider your cleric’s rela-

Equipment

tionship to that god. Did you enter this service willingly?

You start with the following equipment, in addition to the

Or did the god choose you, impelling you into service

equipment granted by your background:

with no regard for your wishes? How do the temple

•

(a) a mace or (b) a warhammer (if proficient)

priests of your faith regard you: as a champion or a trou-

•

(a) scale mail, (b) leather armor, or (c) chain mail

blemaker? What are your ultimate goals? Does your deity

(if proficient)

The Cleric

—Spell Slots per Spell Level—

Proficiency

Cantrips

Level

Bonus

Features

Known

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

7th

8th

9th

1st

Spellcasting, Divine Domain

—

2nd

Channel Divinity (1/rest),

—

Divine Domain feature

3rd

—

4th

Ability Score Improvement

—

5th

Destroy Undead (CR 1/2)

—

6th

Channel Divinity (2/rest),

—

Divine Domain feature

7th

—

8th

Ability Score Improvement, Destroy Undead

—

(CR 1), Divine Domain feature

9th

—

10th

Divine Intervention

—

11th

Destroy Undead (CR 2)

—

12th

Ability Score Improvement

—

13th

—

14th

Destroy Undead (CR 3)

—

15th

—

16th

Ability Score Improvement

—

17th

Destroy Undead (CR 4),

Divine Domain feature

18th

Channel Divinity (3/rest)

19th

Ability Score Improvement

20th

Divine Intervention improvement

Chapter 3: Classes

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

•

(a) a light crossbow and 20 bolts or (b) any

Divine Domain

simple weapon

Choose one domain related to your deity: Knowledge,

•

(a) a priest’s pack or (b) an explorer’s pack

Life, Light, Nature, Tempest, Trickery, or War. The Life

• A shield and a holy symbol

domain is detailed at the end of the class description and

provides examples of gods associated with it. See the

Spellcasting

Player’s Handbook for details on all the domains.

As a conduit for divine power, you can cast cleric spells.

Your choice grants you domain spells and other fea-

See chapter 10 for the general rules of spellcasting and

tures when you choose it at 1st level. It also grants you

chapter 11 for a selection of cleric spells.

additional ways to use Channel Divinity when you gain

that feature at 2nd level, and additional benefits at 6th,

Cantrips

8th, and 17th levels.

At 1st level, you know three cantrips of your choice from

the cleric spell list. You learn additional cleric cantrips

Domain Spells

of your choice at higher levels, as shown in the Cantrips

Each domain has a list of spells—its domain spells—that

Known column of the Cleric table.

you gain at the cleric levels noted in the domain descrip-

tion. Once you gain a domain spell, you always have it

Preparing and Casting Spells

prepared, and it doesn’t count against the number of

The Cleric table shows how many spell slots you have to

spells you can prepare each day.

cast your cleric spells of 1st level and higher. To cast one

If you have a domain spell that doesn’t appear on the

of these spells, you must expend a slot of the spell’s level

cleric spell list, the spell is nonetheless a cleric spell for you.

or higher. You regain all expended spell slots when you

finish a long rest.

Channel Divinity

You prepare the list of cleric spells that are available for

you to cast, choosing from the cleric spell list. When you

At 2nd level, you gain the ability to channel divine energy

do so, choose a number of cleric spells equal to your Wis-

directly from your deity, using that energy to fuel magical

dom modifier + your cleric level (minimum of one spell).

effects. You start with two such effects: Turn Undead and

The spells must be of a level for which you have spell slots.

an effect determined by your domain. Some domains

For example, if you are a 3rd-level cleric, you have four

grant you additional effects as you advance in levels, as

1st-level and two 2nd-level spell slots. With a Wisdom of

noted in the domain description.

16, your list of prepared spells can include six spells of

When you use your Channel Divinity, you choose which

1st or 2nd level, in any combination. If you prepare the

effect to create. You must then finish a short or long rest

1st-level spell cure wounds, you can cast it using a 1st-

to use your Channel Divinity again.

level or 2nd-level slot. Casting the spell doesn’t remove it

Some Channel Divinity effects require saving throws.

from your list of prepared spells.

When you use such an effect from this class, the DC

You can change your list of prepared spells when you

equals your cleric spell save DC.

finish a long rest. Preparing a new list of cleric spells

Beginning at 6th level, you can use your Channel Divin-

requires time spent in prayer and meditation: at least 1

ity twice between rests, and beginning at 18th level, you

minute per spell level for each spell on your list.

can use it three times between rests. When you finish a

short or long rest, you regain your expended uses.

Spellcasting Ability

Channel Divinity: Turn Undead

Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for your cleric spells.

As an action, you present your holy symbol and speak a

The power of your spells comes from your devotion to

prayer censuring the undead. Each undead that can see

your deity. You use your Wisdom whenever a cleric spell

or hear you within 30 feet of you must make a Wisdom

refers to your spellcasting ability. In addition, you use

saving throw. If the creature fails its saving throw, it is

your Wisdom modifier when setting the saving throw

turned for 1 minute or until it takes any damage.

DC for a cleric spell you cast and when making an attack

A turned creature must spend its turns trying to move

roll with one.

as far away from you as it can, and it can’t willingly move

Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus +

to a space within 30 feet of you. It also can’t take reac-

your Wisdom modifier

tions. For its action, it can use only the Dash action or

try to escape from an effect that prevents it from moving.

Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus +

If there’s nowhere to move, the creature can use the

your Wisdom modifier

Dodge action.

Ritual Casting

Ability Score Improvement

You can cast a cleric spell as a ritual if that spell has the

When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 12th, 16th,

ritual tag and you have the spell prepared.

and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of your

Spellcasting Focus

choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your

You can use a holy symbol (found in chapter 5) as a spell-

choice by 1. As normal, you can’t increase an ability score

casting focus for your cleric spells.

above 20 using this feature.

Chapter 3: Classes

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

those in need, and driving away the forces of death and

Destroy Undead

undeath. Almost any non-evil deity can claim influence

Starting at 5th level, when an undead fails its saving

over this domain, particularly agricultural deities (such

throw against your Turn Undead feature, the creature is

as Chauntea, Arawai, and Demeter), sun gods (such as

instantly destroyed if its challenge rating is at or below a

Lathander, Pelor, and Re-Horakhty), gods of healing

certain threshold, as shown in the Destroy Undead table.

or endurance (such as Ilmater, Mishakal, Apollo, and

Diancecht), and gods of home and community (such as

Destroy Undead

Hestia, Hathor, and Boldrei).

Cleric Level

Destroys Undead of CR . . .

5th

1/2 or lower

Life Domain Spells

8th

1 or lower

Cleric Level Spells

11th

2 or lower

1st

bless, cure wounds

14th

3 or lower

3rd

lesser restoration, spiritual weapon

17th

4 or lower

5th

beacon of hope, revivify

7th

death ward, guardian of faith

9th

mass cure wounds, raise dead

Divine Intervention

Beginning at 10th level, you can call on your deity to in-

Bonus Proficiency

tervene on your behalf when your need is great.

When you choose this domain at 1st level, you gain profi-

Imploring your deity’s aid requires you to use your ac-

ciency with heavy armor.

tion. Describe the assistance you seek, and roll percentile

dice. If you roll a number equal to or lower than your

Disciple of Life

cleric level, your deity intervenes. The DM chooses the

Also starting at 1st level, your healing spells are more

nature of the intervention; the effect of any cleric spell or

effective. Whenever you use a spell of 1st level or higher

cleric domain spell would be appropriate.

to restore hit points to a creature, the creature regains

If your deity intervenes, you can’t use this feature again

additional hit points equal to 2 + the spell’s level.

for 7 days. Otherwise, you can use it again after you fin-

ish a long rest.

Channel Divinity: Preserve Life

At 20th level, your call for intervention succeeds auto-

Starting at 2nd level, you can use your Channel Divinity

matically, no roll required.

to heal the badly injured.

As an action, you present your holy symbol and evoke

healing energy that can restore a number of hit points

Divine Domains

equal to five times your cleric level. Choose any creatures

In a pantheon, every deity has influence over different

within 30 feet of you, and divide those hit points among

aspects of mortal life and civilization, called a deity’s

them. This feature can restore a creature to no more than

domain. All the domains over which a deity has influence

half of its hit point maximum. You can’t use this feature

are called the deity’s portfolio. For example, the port-

on an undead or a construct.

folio of the Greek god Apollo includes the domains of

Knowledge, Life, and Light. As a cleric, you choose one

Blessed Healer

aspect of your deity’s portfolio to emphasize, and you are

Beginning at 6th level, the healing spells you cast on

granted powers related to that domain.

others heal you as well. When you cast a spell of 1st level

Your choice might correspond to a particular sect

or higher that restores hit points to a creature other than

dedicated to your deity. Apollo, for example, could be

you, you regain hit points equal to 2 + the spell’s level.

worshiped in one region as Phoebus (“radiant”) Apollo,

emphasizing his influence over the Light domain, and in

Divine Strike

a different place as Apollo Acesius (“healing”), emphasiz-

At 8th level, you gain the ability to infuse your weapon

ing his association with the Life domain. Alternatively,

strikes with divine energy. Once on each of your turns

your choice of domain could simply be a matter of per-

when you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can

sonal preference, the aspect of the deity that appeals

cause the attack to deal an extra 1d8 radiant damage to

to you most.

the target. When you reach 14th level, the extra damage

Each domain’s description gives examples of deities

increases to 2d8.

who have influence over that domain. Gods are included

from the worlds of the Forgotten Realms, Greyhawk,

Supreme Healing

Dragonlance, and Eberron campaign settings, as well as

Starting at 17th level, when you would normally roll one

from the Celtic, Greek, Norse, and Egyptian pantheons of

or more dice to restore hit points with a spell, you instead

antiquity.

use the highest number possible for each die. For exam-

ple, instead of restoring 2d6 hit points to a creature, you

Life Domain

restore 12.

The Life domain focuses on the vibrant positive en-

ergy—one of the fundamental forces of the universe—that

sustains all life. The gods of life promote vitality and

health through healing the sick and wounded, caring for

Chapter 3: Classes

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Creating a Fighter

Fighter

A human in clanging plate armor holds her shield before

As you build your fighter, think about two related ele-

her as she runs toward the massed goblins. An elf behind

ments of your character’s background: Where did you get

her, clad in studded leather armor, peppers the goblins

your combat training, and what set you apart from the

with arrows loosed from his exquisite bow. The half-orc

mundane warriors around you? Were you particularly

nearby shouts orders, helping the two combatants coordi-

ruthless? Did you get extra help from a mentor, perhaps

nate their assault to the best advantage.

because of your exceptional dedication? What drove you

A dwarf in chain mail interposes his shield between the

to this training in the first place? A threat to your home-

ogre’s club and his companion, knocking the deadly blow

land, a thirst for revenge, or a need to prove yourself

aside. His companion, a half-elf in scale armor, swings

might all have been factors.

two scimitars in a blinding whirl as she circles the ogre,

You might have enjoyed formal training in a noble’s

looking for a blind spot in its defenses.

army or in a local militia. Perhaps you trained in a war

A gladiator fights for sport in an arena, a master with

academy, learning strategy, tactics, and military history.

his trident and net, skilled at toppling foes and moving

Or you might be self-taught—unpolished but well tested.

them around for the crowd’s delight—and his own tactical

Did you take up the sword as a way to escape the limits

advantage. His opponent’s sword flares with blue light

of life on a farm, or are you following a proud family tra-

an instant before she sends lightning flashing forth to

dition? Where did you acquire your weapons and armor?

smite him.

They might have been military issue or family heirlooms,

All of these heroes are fighters, perhaps the most di-

or perhaps you scrimped and saved for years to buy them.

verse class of characters in the worlds of Dungeons &

Your armaments are now among your most important

Dragons. Questing knights, conquering overlords, royal

possessions—the only things that stand between you and

champions, elite foot soldiers, hardened mercenaries,

death’s embrace.

and bandit kings—as fighters, they all share an unparal-

Quick Build

leled mastery with weapons and armor, and a thorough

You can make a fighter quickly by following these sug-

knowledge of the skills of combat. And they are well

gestions. First, make Strength or Dexterity your highest

acquainted with death, both meting it out and staring it

ability score, depending on whether you want to focus

defiantly in the face.

on melee weapons or on archery (or finesse weapons).

Your next-highest score should be Constitution. Second,

Well-Rounded Specialists

choose the soldier background.

Fighters learn the basics of all combat styles. Every

fighter can swing an axe, fence with a rapier, wield a

The Fighter

longsword or a greatsword, use a bow, and even trap foes

in a net with some degree of skill. Likewise, a fighter

Proficiency

Level

Bonus

Features

is adept with shields and every form of armor. Beyond

that basic degree of familiarity, each fighter specializes

1st

Fighting Style, Second Wind

in a certain style of combat. Some concentrate on ar-

2nd

Action Surge (one use)

chery, some on fighting with two weapons at once, and

3rd

Martial Archetype

some on augmenting their martial skills with magic.

4th

Ability Score Improvement

This combination of broad general ability and exten-

5th

Extra Attack

sive specialization makes fighters superior combatants

6th

Ability Score Improvement

on battlefields and in dungeons alike.

7th

Martial Archetype feature

8th

Ability Score Improvement

Trained for Danger

9th

Indomitable (one use)

Not every member of the city watch, the village militia,

10th

Martial Archetype feature

or the queen’s army is a fighter. Most of these troops are

11th

Extra Attack (2)

relatively untrained soldiers with only the most basic

12th

Ability Score Improvement

combat knowledge. Veteran soldiers, military officers,

13th

Indomitable (two uses)

trained bodyguards, dedicated knights, and similar fig-

14th

Ability Score Improvement

ures are fighters.

Some fighters feel drawn to use their training as adven-

15th

Martial Archetype feature

turers. The dungeon delving, monster slaying, and other

16th

Ability Score Improvement

dangerous work common among adventurers is second

17th

Action Surge (two uses), Indomitable

nature for a fighter, not all that different from the life he

(three uses)

or she left behind. There are greater risks, perhaps, but

18th

Martial Archetype feature

also much greater rewards—few fighters in the city watch

19th

Ability Score Improvement

have the opportunity to discover a magic flame tongue

20th

Extra Attack (3)

sword, for example.

Chapter 3: Classes

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two-Weapon Fighting

Class Features

When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add

As a fighter, you gain the following class features.

your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

Hit Points

Second Wind

Hit Dice: 1d10 per fighter level

Hit Points at 1st Level: 10 + your Constitution modifier

You have a limited well of stamina that you can draw on

Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d10 (or 6) + your

to protect yourself from harm. On your turn, you can use

Constitution modifier per fighter level after 1st

a bonus action to regain hit points equal to 1d10 + your

fighter level.

Proficiencies

Once you use this feature, you must finish a short or

Armor: All armor, shields

long rest before you can use it again.

Weapons: Simple weapons, martial weapons

Tools: None

Action Surge

Saving Throws: Strength, Constitution

Starting at 2nd level, you can push yourself beyond your

Skills: Choose two skills from Acrobatics, Animal

normal limits for a moment. On your turn, you can take

Handling, Athletics, History, Insight, Intimidation,

one additional action.

Perception, and Survival

Once you use this feature, you must finish a short or

long rest before you can use it again. Starting at 17th

Equipment

level, you can use it twice before a rest, but only once on

You start with the following equipment, in addition to the

the same turn.

equipment granted by your background:

Martial Archetype

•

(a) chain mail or (b) leather armor, longbow,

and 20 arrows

At 3rd level, you choose an archetype that you strive

•

(a) a martial weapon and a shield or (b) two

to emulate in your combat styles and techniques. The

martial weapons

Champion archetype is detailed at the end of the class

•

(a) a light crossbow and 20 bolts or (b) two handaxes

description; see the Player’s Handbook for information

•

(a) a dungeoneer’s pack or (b) an explorer’s pack

on other martial archetypes. Your archetype grants you

features at 3rd level and again at 7th, 10th, 15th, and

Fighting Style

18th level.

You adopt a particular style of fighting as your specialty.

Ability Score Improvement

Choose one of the following options. You can’t take a

Fighting Style option more than once, even if you later

When you reach 4th level, and again at 6th, 8th, 12th,

get to choose again.

14th, 16th, and 19th level, you can increase one ability

score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability

Archery

scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can’t increase

You gain a +2 bonus to attack rolls you make with

an ability score above 20 using this feature.

ranged weapons.

Extra Attack

Defense

Beginning at 5th level, you can attack twice, instead of

While you are wearing armor, you gain a +1 bonus to AC.

once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.

Dueling

The number of attacks increases to three when you

When you are wielding a melee weapon in one hand and

reach 11th level in this class and to four when you reach

no other weapons, you gain a +2 bonus to damage rolls

20th level in this class.

with that weapon.

Indomitable

Great Weapon Fighting

Beginning at 9th level, you can reroll a saving throw that

When you roll a 1 or 2 on a damage die for an attack you

you fail. If you do so, you must use the new roll, and you

make with a melee weapon that you are wielding with

can’t use this feature again until you finish a long rest.

two hands, you can reroll the die and must use the new

You can use this feature twice between long rests

roll, even if the new roll is a 1 or a 2. The weapon must

starting at 13th level and three times between long rests

have the two-handed or versatile property for you to gain

starting at 17th level.

this benefit.

Protection

When a creature you can see attacks a target other than

you that is within 5 feet of you, you can use your reaction

to impose disadvantage on the attack roll. You must be

wielding a shield.

Chapter 3: Classes

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Martial Archetypes

Rogue

Different fighters choose different approaches to perfect-

Signaling for her companions to wait, a halfling creeps

ing their fighting prowess. The martial archetype you

forward through the dungeon hall. She presses an ear

choose to emulate reflects your approach.

to the door, then pulls out a set of tools and picks the

lock in the blink of an eye. Then she disappears into the

Champion

shadows as her fighter friend moves forward to kick the

door open.

The archetypal Champion focuses on the development

A human lurks in the shadows of an alley while his

of raw physical power honed to deadly perfection.

accomplice prepares for her part in the ambush. When

Those who model themselves on this archetype combine

their target—a notorious slaver—passes the alleyway,

rigorous training with physical excellence to deal devas-

the accomplice cries out, the slaver comes to investigate,

tating blows.

and the assassin’s blade cuts his throat before he can

Improved Critical

make a sound.

Beginning when you choose this archetype at 3rd

Suppressing a giggle, a gnome waggles her fingers and

level, your weapon attacks score a critical hit on a roll

magically lifts the key ring from the guard’s belt. In a mo-

of 19 or 20.

ment, the keys are in her hand, the cell door is open, and

she and her companions are free to make their escape.

Remarkable Athlete

Rogues rely on skill, stealth, and their foes’ vulnerabil-

Starting at 7th level, you can add half your proficiency

ities to get the upper hand in any situation. They have a

bonus (round up) to any Strength, Dexterity, or Con-

knack for finding the solution to just about any problem,

stitution check you make that doesn’t already use your

demonstrating a resourcefulness and versatility that is

proficiency bonus.

the cornerstone of any successful adventuring party.

In addition, when you make a running long jump, the

distance you can cover increases by a number of feet

Skill and Precision

equal to your Strength modifier.

Rogues devote as much effort to mastering the use of

a variety of skills as they do to perfecting their combat

Additional Fighting Style

abilities, giving them a broad expertise that few other

At 10th level, you can choose a second option from the

characters can match. Many rogues focus on stealth and

Fighting Style class feature.

deception, while others refine the skills that help them

Superior Critical

in a dungeon environment, such as climbing, finding and

disarming traps, and opening locks.

Starting at 15th level, your weapon attacks score a criti-

When it comes to combat, rogues prioritize cunning

cal hit on a roll of 18-20.

over brute strength. A rogue would rather make one

Survivor

precise strike, placing it exactly where the attack will

At 18th level, you attain the pinnacle of resilience in bat-

hurt the target most, than wear an opponent down with a

tle. At the start of each of your turns, you regain hit points

barrage of attacks. Rogues have an almost supernatural

equal to 5 + your Constitution modifier if you have no

knack for avoiding danger, and a few learn magical tricks

more than half of your hit points left. You don’t gain this

to supplement their other abilities.

benefit if you have 0 hit points.

A Shady Living

Every town and city has its share of rogues. Most of them

live up to the worst stereotypes of the class, making a

living as burglars, assassins, cutpurses, and con art-

ists. Often, these scoundrels are organized into thieves’

guilds or crime families. Plenty of rogues operate inde-

pendently, but even they sometimes recruit apprentices to

help them in their scams and heists. A few rogues make

an honest living as locksmiths, investigators, or extermi-

nators, which can be a dangerous job in a world where

dire rats—and wererats—haunt the sewers.

As adventurers, rogues fall on both sides of the law.

Some are hardened criminals who decide to seek their

fortune in treasure hoards, while others take up a life of

adventure to escape from the law. Some have learned

and perfected their skills with the explicit purpose of

infiltrating ancient ruins and hidden crypts in search

of treasure.

Creating a Rogue

As you create your rogue character, consider the char-

acter’s relationship to the law. Do you have a criminal

Chapter 3: Classes

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

past—or present? Are you on the run from the law or

The Rogue

from an angry thieves’ guild master? Or did you leave

Proficiency

Sneak

your guild in search of bigger risks and bigger rewards?

Level

Bonus

Attack Features

Is it greed that drives you in your adventures, or some

1st

1d6

Expertise, Sneak Attack,

other desire or ideal?

Thieves’ Cant

What was the trigger that led you away from your pre-

2nd

1d6

Cunning Action

vious life? Did a great con or heist gone terribly wrong

3rd

2d6

Roguish Archetype

cause you to reevaluate your career? Maybe you were

4th

2d6

Ability Score Improvement

lucky and a successful robbery gave you the coin you

needed to escape the squalor of your life. Did wander-

5th

3d6

Uncanny Dodge

lust finally call you away from your home? Perhaps you

6th

3d6

Expertise

suddenly found yourself cut off from your family or your

7th

4d6

Evasion

mentor, and you had to find a new means of support. Or

8th

4d6

Ability Score Improvement

maybe you made a new friend—another member of your

9th

5d6

Roguish Archetype feature

adventuring party—who showed you new possibilities for

10th

5d6

Ability Score Improvement

earning a living and employing your particular talents.

11th

6d6

Reliable Talent

12th

6d6

Ability Score Improvement

Quick Build

13th

7d6

Roguish Archetype feature

You can make a rogue quickly by following these sug-

gestions. First, Dexterity should be your highest ability

14th

7d6

Blindsense

score. Make Intelligence your next-highest if you want to

15th

8d6

Slippery Mind

excel at Investigation. Choose Charisma instead if you

16th

8d6

Ability Score Improvement

plan to emphasize deception and social interaction. Sec-

17th

9d6

Roguish Archetype feature

ond, choose the criminal background.

18th

9d6

Elusive

19th

10d6

Ability Score Improvement

Class Features

20th

10d6

Stroke of Luck

As a rogue, you have the following class features.

At 6th level, you can choose two more of your proficien-

Hit Points

cies (in skills or with thieves’ tools) to gain this benefit.

Hit Dice: 1d8 per rogue level

Sneak Attack

Hit Points at 1st Level: 8 + your Constitution modifier

Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d8 (or 5) + your

Beginning at 1st level, you know how to strike subtly and

Constitution modifier per rogue level after 1st

exploit a foe’s distraction. Once per turn, you can deal an

extra 1d6 damage to one creature you hit with an attack

Proficiencies

if you have advantage on the attack roll. The attack must

Armor: Light armor

use a finesse or a ranged weapon.

Weapons: Simple weapons, hand crossbows,

You don’t need advantage on the attack roll if another

longswords, rapiers, shortswords

enemy of the target is within 5 feet of it, that enemy isn’t

Tools: Thieves’ tools

incapacitated, and you don’t have disadvantage on the

Saving Throws: Dexterity, Intelligence

attack roll.

Skills: Choose four from Acrobatics, Athletics,

The amount of the extra damage increases as you gain

Deception, Insight, Intimidation, Investigation,

levels in this class, as shown in the Sneak Attack column

Perception, Performance, Persuasion, Sleight of

of the Rogue table.

Hand, and Stealth

Thieves’ Cant

Equipment

During your rogue training you learned thieves’ cant, a

You start with the following equipment, in addition to the

secret mix of dialect, jargon, and code that allows you to

equipment granted by your background:

hide messages in seemingly normal conversation. Only

•

(a) a rapier or (b) a shortsword

another creature that knows thieves’ cant understands

•

(a) a shortbow and quiver of 20 arrows or (b)

such messages. It takes four times longer to convey such

a shortsword

a message than it does to speak the same idea plainly.

•

(a) a burglar’s pack, (b) a dungeoneer’s pack, or (c) an

In addition, you understand a set of secret signs and

explorer’s pack

symbols used to convey short, simple messages, such as

• Leather armor, two daggers, and thieves’ tools

whether an area is dangerous or the territory of a thieves’

guild, whether loot is nearby, or whether the people in

Expertise

an area are easy marks or will provide a safe house for

thieves on the run.

At 1st level, choose two of your skill proficiencies, or

one of your skill proficiencies and your proficiency with

thieves’ tools. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any

ability check you make that uses either of the chosen

proficiencies.

Chapter 3: Classes

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cunning Action

Stroke of Luck

Starting at 2nd level, your quick thinking and agility

At 20th level, you have an uncanny knack for succeeding

allow you to move and act quickly. You can take a bonus

when you need to. If your attack misses a target within

action on each of your turns in combat. This action can

range, you can turn the miss into a hit. Alternatively, if

be used only to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.

you fail an ability check, you can treat the d20 roll as a 20.

Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until

Roguish Archetype

you finish a short or long rest.

At 3rd level, you choose an archetype that you emulate in

the exercise of your rogue abilities. The Thief archetype

Roguish Archetypes

is detailed here; see the Player’s Handbook for other ar-

Rogues have many features in common, including their

chetypes. Your choice grants you features at 3rd level and

emphasis on perfecting their skills, their precise and

then again at 9th, 13th, and 17th level.

deadly approach to combat, and their increasingly quick

reflexes. But different rogues steer those talents in vary-

Ability Score Improvement

ing directions, embodied by the rogue archetypes. Your

choice of archetype is a reflection of your focus—not

When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 10th, 12th,

necessarily an indication of your chosen profession, but a

16th, and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of

description of your preferred techniques.

your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of

your choice by 1. As normal, you can’t increase an ability

Thief

score above 20 using this feature.

You hone your skills in the larcenous arts. Burglars,

Uncanny Dodge

bandits, cutpurses, and other criminals typically follow

this archetype, but so do rogues who prefer to think of

Starting at 5th level, when an attacker that you can see

themselves as professional treasure seekers, explorers,

hits you with an attack, you can use your reaction to halve

delvers, and investigators. In addition to improving your

the attack’s damage against you.

agility and stealth, you learn skills useful for delving into

ancient ruins, reading unfamiliar languages, and using

Evasion

magic items you normally couldn’t employ.

Beginning at 7th level, you can nimbly dodge out of the

way of certain area effects, such as a red dragon’s fiery

Fast Hands

breath or an ice storm spell. When you are subjected

Starting at 3rd level, you can use the bonus action

to an effect that allows you to make a Dexterity saving

granted by your Cunning Action to make a Dexterity

throw to take only half damage, you instead take no

(Sleight of Hand) check, use your thieves’ tools to disarm

damage if you succeed on the saving throw, and only half

a trap or open a lock, or take the Use an Object action.

damage if you fail.

Second-Story Work

Reliable Talent

When you choose this archetype at 3rd level, you gain the

ability to climb faster than normal; climbing no longer

By 11th level, you have refined your chosen skills until

costs you extra movement.

they approach perfection. Whenever you make an ability

In addition, when you make a running jump, the dis-

check that lets you add your proficiency bonus, you can

tance you cover increases by a number of feet equal to

treat a d20 roll of 9 or lower as a 10.

your Dexterity modifier.

Blindsense

Supreme Sneak

Starting at 14th level, if you are able to hear, you are

Starting at 9th level, you have advantage on a Dexterity

aware of the location of any hidden or invisible creature

(Stealth) check if you move no more than half your speed

within 10 feet of you.

on the same turn.

Slippery Mind

Use Magic Device

By 13th level, you have learned enough about the work-

By 15th level, you have acquired greater mental strength.

ings of magic that you can improvise the use of items

You gain proficiency in Wisdom saving throws.

even when they are not intended for you. You ignore

all class, race, and level requirements on the use of

Elusive

magic items.

Beginning at 18th level, you are so evasive that attackers

rarely gain the upper hand against you. No attack roll has

Thief’s Reflexes

advantage against you while you aren’t incapacitated.

When you reach 17th level, you have become adept at lay-

ing ambushes and quickly escaping danger. You can take

two turns during the first round of any combat. You take

your first turn at your normal initiative and your second

turn at your initiative minus 10. You can’t use this feature

when you are surprised.

Chapter 3: Classes

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scholars of the Arcane

Wizard

Clad in the silver robes that denote her station, an elf

Wild and enigmatic, varied in form and function, the

closes her eyes to shut out the distractions of the battle-

power of magic draws students who seek to master its

field and begins her quiet chant. Fingers weaving in front

mysteries. Some aspire to become like the gods, shap-

of her, she completes her spell and launches a tiny bead

ing reality itself. Though the casting of a typical spell

of fire toward the enemy ranks, where it erupts into a con-

requires merely the utterance of a few strange words,

flagration that engulfs the soldiers.

fleeting gestures, and sometimes a pinch or clump of

Checking and rechecking his work, a human scribes

exotic materials, these surface components barely hint at

an intricate magic circle in chalk on the bare stone

the expertise attained after years of apprenticeship and

floor, then sprinkles powdered iron along every line and

countless hours of study.

graceful curve. When the circle is complete, he drones

Wizards live and die by their spells. Everything else is

a long incantation. A hole opens in space inside the cir-

secondary. They learn new spells as they experiment and

cle, bringing a whiff of brimstone from the otherworldly

grow in experience. They can also learn them from other

plane beyond.

wizards, from ancient tomes or inscriptions, and from an-

Crouching on the floor in a dungeon intersection, a

cient creatures (such as the fey) that are steeped in magic.

gnome tosses a handful of small bones inscribed with

The Lure of Knowledge

mystic symbols, muttering a few words of power over

them. Closing his eyes to see the visions more clearly,

Wizards’ lives are seldom mundane. The closest a wizard

he nods slowly, then opens his eyes and points down the

is likely to come to an ordinary life is working as a sage

passage to his left.

or lecturer in a library or university, teaching others the

Wizards are supreme magic-users, defined and united

secrets of the multiverse. Other wizards sell their ser-

as a class by the spells they cast. Drawing on the subtle

vices as diviners, serve in military forces, or pursue lives

weave of magic that permeates the cosmos, wizards cast

of crime or domination.

spells of explosive fire, arcing lightning, subtle deception,

But the lure of knowledge and power calls even the

and brute-force mind control. Their magic conjures mon-

most unadventurous wizards out of the safety of their

sters from other planes of existence, glimpses the future,

libraries and laboratories and into crumbling ruins and

or turns slain foes into zombies. Their mightiest spells

lost cities. Most wizards believe that their counterparts

change one substance into another, call meteors down

in ancient civilizations knew secrets of magic that have

from the sky, or open portals to other worlds.

been lost to the ages, and discovering those secrets could

unlock the path to a power greater than any magic avail-

able in the present age.

The Wizard

— Spell Slots per Spell Level —

Proficiency

Cantrips

Level

Bonus

Features

Known

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

7th

8th

9th

1st

Spellcasting, Arcane Recovery

—

2nd

Arcane Tradition

—

3rd

—

4th

Ability Score Improvement

—

5th

—

6th

Arcane Tradition feature

—

7th

—

8th

Ability Score Improvement

—

9th

—

10th

Arcane Tradition feature

—

11th

—

12th

Ability Score Improvement

—

13th

—

14th

Arcane Tradition feature

—

15th

—

16th

Ability Score Improvement

—

17th

—

18th

Spell Mastery

19th

Ability Score Improvement

20th

Signature Spell

Chapter 3: Classes

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Creating a Wizard

Cantrips

At 1st level, you know three cantrips of your choice from

Creating a wizard character demands a backstory dom-

the wizard spell list. You learn additional wizard cantrips

inated by at least one extraordinary event. How did your

of your choice at higher levels, as shown in the Cantrips

character first come into contact with magic? How did

Known column of the Wizard table.

you discover you had an aptitude for it? Do you have a

natural talent, or did you simply study hard and practice

Spellbook

incessantly? Did you encounter a magical creature or an

At 1st level, you have a spellbook containing six 1st-level

ancient tome that taught you the basics of magic?

wizard spells of your choice. Your spellbook is the repos-

What drew you forth from your life of study? Did your

itory of the wizard spells you know, except your cantrips,

first taste of magical knowledge leave you hungry for

which are fixed in your mind.

more? Have you received word of a secret repository of

knowledge not yet plundered by any other wizard? Per-

Preparing and Casting Spells

haps you’re simply eager to put your newfound magical

The Wizard table shows how many spell slots you have

skills to the test in the face of danger.

to cast your wizard spells of 1st level and higher. To cast

one of these spells, you must expend a slot of the spell’s

Quick Build

level or higher. You regain all expended spell slots when

You can make a wizard quickly by following these sug-

you finish a long rest.

gestions. First, Intelligence should be your highest ability

You prepare the list of wizard spells that are available

score, followed by Constitution or Dexterity. Second,

for you to cast. To do so, choose a number of wizard spells

choose the sage background. Third, choose the light,

from your spellbook equal to your Intelligence modifier +

mage hand, and ray of frost cantrips, along with the

your wizard level (minimum of one spell). The spells must

following 1st-level spells for your spellbook: burning

be of a level for which you have spell slots.

hands, charm person, mage armor, magic missile, shield,

For example, if you’re a 3rd-level wizard, you have

and sleep.

four 1st-level and two 2nd-level spell slots. With an In-

telligence of 16, your list of prepared spells can include

Class Features

six spells of 1st or 2nd level, in any combination, chosen

As a wizard, you gain the following class features.

from your spellbook. If you prepare the 1st-level spell

magic missile, you can cast it using a 1st-level or a 2nd-

Hit Points

level slot. Casting the spell doesn’t remove it from your

Hit Dice: 1d6 per wizard level

list of prepared spells.

Hit Points at 1st Level: 6 + your Constitution modifier

You can change your list of prepared spells when you

Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d6 (or 4) + your

finish a long rest. Preparing a new list of wizard spells

Constitution modifier per wizard level after 1st

requires time spent studying your spellbook and mem-

orizing the incantations and gestures you must make to

Proficiencies

cast the spell: at least 1 minute per spell level for each

Armor: None

spell on your list.

Weapons: Daggers, darts, slings, quarterstaffs,

light crossbows

Spellcasting Ability

Tools: None

Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for your wizard

spells, since you learn your spells through dedicated

Saving Throws: Intelligence, Wisdom

study and memorization. You use your Intelligence

Skills: Choose two from Arcana, History, Insight,

whenever a spell refers to your spellcasting ability. In

Investigation, Medicine, and Religion

addition, you use your Intelligence modifier when setting

the saving throw DC for a wizard spell you cast and when

Equipment

making an attack roll with one.

You start with the following equipment, in addition to the

equipment granted by your background:

Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus +

•

(a) a quarterstaff or (b) a dagger

your Intelligence modifier

•

(a) a component pouch or (b) an arcane focus

Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus +

•

(a) a scholar’s pack or (b) an explorer’s pack

your Intelligence modifier

• A spellbook

Ritual Casting

Spellcasting

You can cast a wizard spell as a ritual if that spell has the

As a student of arcane magic, you have a spellbook con-

ritual tag and you have the spell in your spellbook. You

taining spells that show the first glimmerings of your true

don’t need to have the spell prepared.

power. See chapter 10 for the general rules of spellcast-

ing and chapter 11 for the wizard spell list.

Spellcasting Focus

You can use an arcane focus (found in chapter 5) as a

spellcasting focus for your wizard spells.

Chapter 3: Classes

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Learning Spells of 1st Level and Higher

Arcane Tradition

Each time you gain a wizard level, you can add two wiz-

When you reach 2nd level, you choose an arcane tradi-

ard spells of your choice to your spellbook for free. Each

tion, shaping your practice of magic through one of eight

of these spells must be of a level for which you have spell

schools: Abjuration, Conjuration, Divination, Enchant-

slots, as shown on the Wizard table. On your adventures,

ment, Evocation, Illusion, Necromancy, or Transmutation.

you might find other spells that you can add to your spell-

The school of Evocation is detailed at the end of the class

book (see the “Your Spellbook” sidebar).

description; see the Player’s Handbook for information

on the other schools.

Arcane Recovery

Your choice grants you features at 2nd level and again

You have learned to regain some of your magical energy

at 6th, 10th, and 14th level.

by studying your spellbook. Once per day when you fin-

ish a short rest, you can choose expended spell slots to

Ability Score Improvement

recover. The spell slots can have a combined level that is

When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 12th, 16th,

equal to or less than half your wizard level (rounded up),

and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of your

and none of the slots can be 6th level or higher.

choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your

For example, if you’re a 4th-level wizard, you can recover

choice by 1. As normal, you can’t increase an ability score

up to two levels worth of spell slots. You can recover either a

above 20 using this feature.

2nd-level spell slot or two 1st-level spell slots.

Spell Mastery

Your Spellbook

At 18th level, you have achieved such mastery over

The spells that you add to your spellbook as you gain levels

certain spells that you can cast them at will. Choose a

reflect the arcane research you conduct on your own, as well

1st-level wizard spell and a 2nd-level wizard spell that

as intellectual breakthroughs you have had about the nature

of the multiverse. You might find other spells during your

are in your spellbook. You can cast those spells at their

adventures. You could discover a spell recorded on a scroll

lowest level without expending a spell slot when you have

in an evil wizard’s chest, for example, or in a dusty tome in

them prepared. If you want to cast either spell at a higher

an ancient library.

level, you must expend a spell slot as normal.

Copying a Spell into the Book. When you find a wizard

By spending 8 hours in study, you can exchange one

spell of 1st level or higher, you can add it to your spellbook

or both of the spells you chose for different spells of the

if it is of a spell level you can prepare and if you can spare

same levels.

the time to decipher and copy it.

Copying a spell into your spellbook involves reproducing

Signature Spells

the basic form of the spell, then deciphering the unique

system of notation used by the wizard who wrote it. You

When you reach 20th level, you gain mastery over two

must practice the spell until you understand the sounds

powerful spells and can cast them with little effort.

or gestures required, then transcribe it into your spellbook

Choose two 3rd-level wizard spells in your spellbook as

using your own notation.

your signature spells. You always have these spells pre-

For each level of the spell, the process takes 2 hours and

pared, they don’t count against the number of spells you

costs 50 gp. The cost represents material components you

have prepared, and you can cast each of them once at 3rd

expend as you experiment with the spell to master it, as well

level without expending a spell slot. When you do so, you

as the fine inks you need to record it. Once you have spent

this time and money, you can prepare the spell just like your

can’t do so again until you finish a short or long rest.

other spells.

If you want to cast either spell at a higher level, you

Replacing the Book. You can copy a spell from your own

must expend a spell slot as normal.

spellbook into another book—for example, if you want

to make a backup copy of your spellbook. This is just like

Arcane Traditions

copying a new spell into your spellbook, but faster and

easier, since you understand your own notation and already

The study of wizardry is ancient, stretching back to the

know how to cast the spell. You need spend only 1 hour and

earliest mortal discoveries of magic. It is firmly estab-

10 gp for each level of the copied spell.

lished in the worlds of D&D, with various traditions

If you lose your spellbook, you can use the same

dedicated to its complex study.

procedure to transcribe the spells that you have prepared

The most common arcane traditions in the multiverse

into a new spellbook. Filling out the remainder of your

revolve around the schools of magic. Wizards through

spellbook requires you to find new spells to do so, as

the ages have cataloged thousands of spells, grouping

normal. For this reason, many wizards keep backup

them into eight categories called schools, as described

spellbooks in a safe place.

in chapter 10. In some places, these traditions are lit-

The Book’s Appearance. Your spellbook is a unique

compilation of spells, with its own decorative flourishes and

erally schools. Elsewhere, they are more like academic

margin notes. It might be a plain, functional leather volume

departments, with rival faculties competing for students

that you received as a gift from your master, a finely bound

and funding. Even wizards who train apprentices in the

gilt-edged tome you found in an ancient library, or even a

solitude of their own towers use the division of magic

loose collection of notes scrounged together after you lost

into schools as a learning device, since the spells of each

your previous spellbook in a mishap.

school require mastery of different techniques.

Chapter 3: Classes

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

School of Evocation

Overchannel

Starting at 14th level, you can increase the power of

You focus your study on magic that creates powerful ele-

your simpler spells. When you cast a wizard spell of 1st

mental effects such as bitter cold, searing flame, rolling

through 5th level that deals damage, you can deal maxi-

thunder, crackling lightning, and burning acid. Some

mum damage with that spell.

evokers find employment in military forces, serving as

The first time you do so, you suffer no adverse effect. If

artillery to blast enemy armies from afar. Others use

you use this feature again before you finish a long rest,

their spectacular power to protect the weak, while some

you take 2d12 necrotic damage for each level of the spell,

seek their own gain as bandits, adventurers, or aspir-

immediately after you cast it. Each time you use this

ing tyrants.

feature again before finishing a long rest, the necrotic

Evocation Savant

damage per spell level increases by 1d12. This damage

Beginning when you select this school at 2nd level, the

ignores resistance and immunity.

gold and time you must spend to copy an evocation spell

into your spellbook is halved.

Sculpt Spells

Beginning at 2nd level, you can create pockets of relative

safety within the effects of your evocation spells. When

you cast an evocation spell that affects other creatures

that you can see, you can choose a number of them equal

to 1 + the spell’s level. The chosen creatures automati-

cally succeed on their saving throws against the spell,

and they take no damage if they would normally take half

damage on a successful save.

Potent Cantrip

Starting at 6th level, your damaging cantrips affect even

creatures that avoid the brunt of the effect. When a crea-

ture succeeds on a saving throw against your cantrip,

the creature takes half the cantrip’s damage (if any) but

suffers no additional effect from the cantrip.

Empowered Evocation

Beginning at 10th level, you can add your Intelligence

modifier to one damage roll of any wizard evocation

spell you cast.

Chapter 3: Classes

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 4: Personality and Background

Characters are defined by much more than their

You don’t need to be confined to binary notions of sex

race and class. They’re individuals with their own stories,

and gender. The elf god Corellon Larethian is often seen

interests, connections, and capabilities beyond those

as androgynous, for example, and some elves in the mul-

that class and race define. This chapter expounds on the

tiverse are made in Corellon’s image. You could also play

details that distinguish characters from one another, in-

a female character who presents herself as a man, a man

cluding the basics of name and physical description, the

who feels trapped in a female body, or a bearded female

rules of backgrounds and languages, and the finer points

dwarf who hates being mistaken for a male. Likewise,

of personality and alignment.

your character’s sexual orientation is for you to decide.

Height and Weight

Character Details

You can decide your character’s height and weight, using

Your character’s name and physical description might be

the information provided in your race description or on

the first things that the other players at the table learn

the Random Height and Weight table. Think about what

about you. It’s worth thinking about how these character-

your character’s ability scores might say about his or

istics reflect the character you have in mind.

her height and weight. A weak but agile character might

Name

be thin. A strong and tough character might be tall or

just heavy.

Your character’s race description includes sample names

If you want to, you can roll randomly for your charac-

for members of that race. Put some thought into your

ter’s height and weight using the Random Height and

name even if you’re just picking one from a list.

Weight table. The dice roll given in the Height Modifier

column determines the character’s extra height (in

Sex

inches) beyond the base height. That same number mul-

You can play a male or female character without gaining

tiplied by the dice roll or quantity given in the Weight

any special benefits or hindrances. Think about how your

Modifier column determines the character’s extra weight

character does or does not conform to the broader cul-

(in pounds) beyond the base weight.

ture’s expectations of sex, gender, and sexual behavior.

For example, a male drow cleric defies the traditional

Random Height and Weight

gender divisions of drow society, which could be a rea-

Base

Height

Base

Weight

son for your character to leave that society and come to

Race

Height

Modifier

Weight

Modifier

the surface.

Human

4'8"

+2d10

110 lb.

× (2d4) lb.

Dwarf, hill

3'8"

+2d4

115 lb.

× (2d6) lb.

Tika and Artemis: Contrasting Characters

Dwarf, mountain

+2d4

130 lb.

× (2d6) lb.

The details in this chapter make a big difference in setting

Elf, high

4'6"

+2d10

90 lb.

× (1d4) lb.

your character apart from every other character. Consider

the following two human fighters.

Elf, wood

4'6"

+2d10

100 lb.

× (1d4) lb.

Hailing from the Dragonlance setting, Tika Waylan was a

Halfling

2'7"

+2d4

35 lb.

× 1 lb.

brash teenager who had a rough childhood. The daughter of

a thief, she ran away from home and practiced her father’s

For example, as a human, Tika has a height of 4 feet 8

trade on the streets of Solace. When she tried to rob the

inches plus 2d10 inches. Her player rolls 2d10 and gets

proprietor of the Inn of the Last Home, he caught her and

a total of 12, so Tika stands 5 feet 8 inches tall. Then the

took her under his wing, giving her a job as a barmaid. But

when the dragonarmies laid waste to the town of Solace

player uses that same roll of 12 and multiplies it by 2d4

and destroyed the inn, necessity forced Tika into adventure

pounds. Her 2d4 roll is 3, so Tika weighs an extra 36

alongside the friends she’d known from her childhood. Her

pounds (12 × 3) on top of her base 110 pounds, for a total

skill as a fighter (a frying pan remains one of her favorite

of 146 pounds.

weapons) combined with her history on the streets gave her

skills invaluable in her adventuring career.

Other Physical Characteristics

Artemis Entreri grew up on the streets of Calimport in the

You choose your character’s age and the color of his or

Forgotten Realms. He used his wits, strength, and agility

to carve out his own territory in one of the city’s hundreds

her hair, eyes, and skin. To add a touch of distinctiveness,

of poor shanty towns. After several years, he attracted the

you might want to give your character an unusual or

notice of one of the most powerful thieves’ guilds in the

memorable physical characteristic, such as a scar, a limp,

city, and he ascended the ranks of the guild quickly despite

or a tattoo.

his youth. Artemis became the favored assassin of one

of the city’s pashas, who sent him to far-off Icewind Dale

Alignment

to recover some stolen gems. He’s a professional killer,

constantly challenging himself to improve his skills.

A typical creature in the worlds of Dungeons & Drag-

Tika and Artemis are both human and both fighters (with

ons has an alignment, which broadly describes its moral

some experience as rogues), possessing similarly high

and personal attitudes. Alignment is a combination of

Strength and Dexterity scores, but there the similarity ends.

two factors: one identifies morality (good, evil, or neutral),

and the other describes attitudes toward society and

Chapter 4: Personality and Background

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

order (lawful, chaotic, or neutral). Thus, nine distinct

Tika and Artemis: Alignment

alignments define the possible combinations.

Tika Waylan is neutral good, fundamentally good-hearted

These brief summaries of the nine alignments describe

and striving to help others where she can. Artemis is lawful

the typical behavior of a creature with that alignment.

evil, unconcerned with the value of sentient life but at least

Individuals might vary significantly from that typical

professional in his approach to murder.

As an evil character, Artemis is not an ideal adventurer.

behavior, and few people are perfectly and consistently

He began his career as a villain, and only cooperates with

faithful to the precepts of their alignment.

heroes when he must—and when it’s in his own best

Lawful good (LG) creatures can be counted on to do

interests. In most games, evil adventurers cause problems

the right thing as expected by society. Gold dragons, pala-

in groups alongside others who don’t share their interests

dins, and most dwarves are lawful good.

and objectives. Generally, evil alignments are for villains

Neutral good (NG) folk do the best they can to help oth-

and monsters.

ers according to their needs. Many celestials, some cloud

giants, and most gnomes are neutral good.

Such a creature is incapable of making a moral or ethical

Chaotic good (CG) creatures act as their conscience

choice and acts according to its bestial nature. Sharks

directs, with little regard for what others expect. Copper

are savage predators, for example, but they are not evil;

dragons, many elves, and unicorns are chaotic good.

they have no alignment.

Lawful neutral (LN) individuals act in accordance with

law, tradition, or personal codes. Many monks and some

Languages

wizards are lawful neutral.

Neutral (N) is the alignment of those who prefer to

Your race indicates the languages your character can

steer clear of moral questions and don’t take sides, doing

speak by default, and your background might give you ac-

what seems best at the time. Lizardfolk, most druids, and

cess to one or more additional languages of your choice.

many humans are neutral.

Note these languages on your character sheet.

Chaotic neutral (CN) creatures follow their whims,

Choose your languages from the Standard Languages

holding their personal freedom above all else. Many bar-

table, or choose one that is common in your campaign.

barians and rogues, and some bards, are chaotic neutral.

With your DM’s permission, you can instead choose a

Lawful evil (LE) creatures methodically take what they

language from the Exotic Languages table or a secret lan-

want, within the limits of a code of tradition, loyalty, or or-

guage, such as thieves’ cant or the tongue of druids.

der. Devils, blue dragons, and hobgoblins are lawful evil.

Some of these languages are actually families of lan-

Neutral evil (NE) is the alignment of those who do

guages with many dialects. For example, the Primordial

whatever they can get away with, without compassion or

language includes the Auran, Aquan, Ignan, and Terran

qualms. Many drow, some cloud giants, and yugoloths

dialects, one for each of the four elemental planes. Crea-

are neutral evil.

tures that speak different dialects of the same language

Chaotic evil (CE) creatures act with arbitrary violence,

can communicate with one another.

spurred by their greed, hatred, or bloodlust. Demons, red

dragons, and orcs are chaotic evil.

Standard Languages

Language

Typical Speakers

Script

Alignment in the Multiverse

Common

Humans

Common

For many thinking creatures, alignment is a moral

Dwarvish

Dwarves

Dwarvish

choice. Humans, dwarves, elves, and other humanoid

Elvish

Elves

Elvish

races can choose whether to follow the paths of good or

Giant

Ogres, giants

Dwarvish

evil, law or chaos. According to myth, the good-aligned

gods who created these races gave them free will to

Gnomish

Gnomes

Dwarvish

choose their moral paths, knowing that good without free

Goblin

Goblinoids

Dwarvish

will is slavery.

Halfling

Halflings

Common

The evil deities who created other races, though, made

Orc

Orcs

Dwarvish

those races to serve them. Those races have strong

inborn tendencies that match the nature of their gods.

Exotic Languages

Most orcs share the violent, savage nature of the orc god,

Language

Typical Speakers

Script

Gruumsh, and are thus inclined toward evil. Even if an

orc chooses a good alignment, it struggles against its in-

Abyssal

Demons

Infernal

nate tendencies for its entire life. (Even half-orcs feel the

Celestial

Celestials

Celestial

lingering pull of the orc god’s influence.)

Deep Speech

Mind flayers,

—

Alignment is an essential part of the nature of celes-

beholders

tials and fiends. A devil does not choose to be lawful evil,

Draconic

Dragons,

Draconic

and it doesn’t tend toward lawful evil, but rather it is law-

dragonborn

ful evil in its essence. If it somehow ceased to be lawful

Infernal

Devils

Infernal

evil, it would cease to be a devil.

Primordial

Elementals

Dwarvish

Most creatures that lack the capacity for rational

Sylvan

Fey creatures

Elvish

thought do not have alignments—they are unaligned.

Undercommon

Underdark traders

Elvish

Chapter 4: Personality and Background

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

threatened. They can work very much like ideals, driving

Personal Characteristics

a character’s motivations and goals.

Fleshing out your character’s personality—the array of

Bonds might answer any of these questions: Whom do

traits, mannerisms, habits, beliefs, and flaws that give a

you care most about? To what place do you feel a special

person a unique identity—will help you bring him or her

connection? What is your most treasured possession?

to life as you play the game. Four categories of charac-

Your bonds might be tied to your class, your

teristics are presented here: personality traits, ideals,

background, your race, or some other aspect of your char-

bonds, and flaws. Beyond those categories, think about

acter’s history or personality. You might also gain new

your character’s favorite words or phrases, tics and habit-

bonds over the course of your adventures.

ual gestures, vices and pet peeves, and whatever else you

can imagine.

Flaws

Each background presented later in this chapter in-

Finally, choose a flaw for your character. Your character’s

cludes suggested characteristics that you can use to

flaw represents some vice, compulsion, fear, or weak-

spark your imagination. You’re not bound to those op-

ness—in particular, anything that someone else could

tions, but they’re a good starting point.

exploit to bring you to ruin or cause you to act against

your best interests. More significant than negative

Personality Traits

personality traits, a flaw might answer any of these ques-

Give your character two personality traits. Personality

tions: What enrages you? What’s the one person, concept,

traits are small, simple ways to help you set your char-

or event that you are terrified of? What are your vices?

acter apart from every other character. Your personality

traits should tell you something interesting and fun about

Inspiration

your character. They should be self-descriptions that are

specific about what makes your character stand out. “I’m

Inspiration is a rule the Dungeon Master can use to re-

smart” is not a good trait, because it describes a lot of

ward you for playing your character in a way that’s true

characters. “I’ve read every book in Candlekeep” tells you

to his or her personality traits, ideal, bond, and flaw. By

something specific about your character’s interests and

using inspiration, you can draw on your personality trait

disposition.

of compassion for the downtrodden to give you an edge in

Personality traits might describe the things your char-

negotiating with the Beggar Prince. Or inspiration can let

acter likes, his or her past accomplishments, things your

you call on your bond to the defense of your home village

character dislikes or fears, your character’s self-attitude

to push past the effect of a spell that has been laid on you.

or mannerisms, or the influence of his or her abil-

ity scores.

Gaining Inspiration

A useful place to start thinking about personality traits

Your DM can choose to give you inspiration for a variety

is to look at your highest and lowest ability scores and de-

of reasons. Typically, DMs award it when you play out

fine one trait related to each. Either one could be positive

your personality traits, give in to the drawbacks pre-

or negative: you might work hard to overcome a low score,

sented by a flaw or bond, and otherwise portray your

for example, or be cocky about your high score.

character in a compelling way. Your DM will tell you how

you can earn inspiration in the game.

Ideals

You either have inspiration or you don’t—you can’t

Describe one ideal that drives your character. Your ideals

stockpile multiple “inspirations” for later use.

are the things that you believe in most strongly, the fun-

damental moral and ethical principles that compel you to

Using Inspiration

act as you do. Ideals encompass everything from your life

If you have inspiration, you can expend it when you make

goals to your core belief system.

an attack roll, saving throw, or ability check. Spending

Ideals might answer any of these questions: What are

your inspiration gives you advantage on that roll.

the principles that you will never betray? What would

prompt you to make sacrifices? What drives you to act

and guides your goals and ambitions? What is the single

Tika and Artemis: Character Details

most important thing you strive for?

Consider how the names Tika Waylan and Artemis Entreri

You can choose any ideals you like, but your character’s

set these characters apart from each other and reflect their

alignment is a good place to start defining them. Each

personalities. Tika is a young woman determined to prove

background in this chapter includes six suggested ide-

that she’s not just a kid any more, and her name makes her

sound young and ordinary. Artemis Entreri comes from an

als. Five of them are linked to aspects of alignment: law,

exotic land and carries a more mysterious name.

chaos, good, evil, and neutrality. The last one has more

Tika is nineteen years old at the start of her adventuring

to do with the particular background than with moral or

career and has auburn hair, green eyes, fair skin with

ethical perspectives.

freckles, and a mole on her right hip. Artemis is a small

man, compact and all wiry muscle. He has angular features

Bonds

and high cheekbones, and he always seems in need of a

Create one bond for your character. Bonds represent a

shave. His raven-black hair is thick and full, but his eyes

character’s connections to people, places, and events in

are gray and lifeless—betraying the emptiness of his

the world. They tie you to things from your background.

life and soul.

They might inspire you to heights of heroism, or lead

you to act against your own best interests if they are

Chapter 4: Personality and Background

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tika and Artemis: Personal Characteristics

more money? How did you learn the skills of your class?

Tika and Artemis have distinct personality traits. Tika

What sets you apart from ordinary people who share

Waylan dislikes boastfulness and has a fear of heights

your background?

resulting from a bad fall during her career as a thief. Artemis

The sample backgrounds in this chapter provide both

Entreri is always prepared for the worst and moves with a

concrete benefits (features, proficiencies, and languages)

quick, precise confidence.

and roleplaying suggestions.

Consider their ideals. Tika Waylan is innocent, almost

childlike, believing in the value of life and the importance

Proficiencies

of appreciating everyone. Neutral good in alignment, she

Each background gives a character proficiency in two

cleaves to ideals of life and respect. Artemis Entreri never

skills. Skills are described in chapter 7.

allows his emotions to master him, and he constantly

In addition, most backgrounds give a character

challenges himself to improve his skills. His lawful

proficiency with one or more tools. Tools and tool profi-

evil alignment gives him ideals of impartiality and a

lust for power.

ciencies are detailed in chapter 5.

Tika Waylan’s bond is to the Inn of the Last Home.

If a character would gain the same proficiency from

The inn’s proprietor gave her a new chance at life, and

two different sources, he or she can choose a different

her friendship with her adventuring companions was

proficiency of the same kind (skill or tool) instead.

forged during her time working there. Its destruction by

the marauding dragonarmies gives Tika a very personal

Languages

reason to hate them with a fiery passion. Her bond

Some backgrounds also allow characters to learn

might be phrased as “I will do whatever it takes to

additional languages beyond those given by race.

punish the dragonarmies for the destruction of the Inn of

See “Languages” earlier in this chapter.

the Last Home.”

Artemis Entreri’s bond is a strange, almost paradoxical

Equipment

relationship with Drizzt Do’Urden, his equal in swordplay

Each background provides a package of starting equip-

and grim determination. In his first battle with Drizzt,

ment. If you use the optional rule from chapter 5 to spend

Artemis recognized something of himself in his opponent,

coin on gear, you do not receive the starting equipment

some indication that if his life had gone differently, he

might have led a life more like the heroic drow’s. From that

from your background.

moment, Artemis is more than a criminal assassin—he

is an antihero, driven by his rivalry with Drizzt. His bond

Suggested Characteristics

might be phrased as “I will not rest until I have proved

A background contains suggested personal charac-

myself better than Drizzt Do’Urden.”

teristics based on your background. You can pick

Each of these characters also has an important flaw.

characteristics, roll dice to determine them randomly, or

Tika Waylan is naive and emotionally vulnerable, younger

use the suggestions as inspiration for characteristics of

than her companions and annoyed that they still think

your own creation.

of her as the kid they knew years ago. She might even be

tempted to act against her principles if she’s convinced that

Customizing a Background

a particular achievement would demonstrate her maturity.

You might want to tweak some of the features of a back-

Artemis Entreri is completely walled off from any personal

ground so it better fits your character or the campaign

relationship and just wants to be left alone.

setting. To customize a background, you can replace

one feature with any other one, choose any two skills,

Additionally, if you have inspiration, you can reward

and choose a total of two tool proficiencies or languages

another player for good roleplaying, clever thinking, or

from the sample backgrounds. You can either use the

simply doing something exciting in the game. When

equipment package from your background or spend coin

another player character does something that really con-

on gear as described in chapter 5. (If you spend coin, you

tributes to the story in a fun and interesting way, you can

can’t also take the equipment package suggested for your

give up your inspiration to give that character inspiration.

class.) Finally, choose two personality traits, one ideal,

one bond, and one flaw. If you can’t find a feature that

Backgrounds

matches your desired background, work with your DM to

Every story has a beginning. Your character’s back-

create one.

ground reveals where you came from, how you became

an adventurer, and your place in the world. Your fighter

Tika and Artemis: Backgrounds

might have been a courageous knight or a grizzled sol-

Tika Waylan and Artemis Entreri both lived their earliest

dier. Your wizard could have been a sage or an artisan.

years as street urchins. Tika’s later career as a barmaid

Your rogue might have gotten by as a guild thief or com-

didn’t really change her, so she might choose the urchin

background, gaining proficiency in the Sleight of Hand and

manded audiences as a jester.

Stealth skills, and learning the tools of the thieving trade.

Choosing a background provides you with important

Artemis is more defined by his criminal background, giving

story cues about your character’s identity. The most im-

him skills in Deception and Stealth, as well as proficiency

portant question to ask about your background is what

with the tools of thievery and poison.

changed? Why did you stop doing whatever your back-

ground describes and start adventuring? Where did you

get the money to purchase your starting gear, or, if you

come from a wealthy background, why don’t you have

Chapter 4: Personality and Background

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Acolyte

Personality Trait

You have spent your life in the service of a temple to a

I idolize a particular hero of my faith, and constantly

specific god or pantheon of gods. You act as an intermedi-

refer to that person’s deeds and example.

ary between the realm of the holy and the mortal world,

I can find common ground between the fiercest

performing sacred rites and offering sacrifices in order to

enemies, empathizing with them and always working

conduct worshipers into the presence of the divine. You

toward peace.

are not necessarily a cleric—performing sacred rites is

I see omens in every event and action. The gods try to

not the same thing as channeling divine power.

speak to us, we just need to listen.

Choose a god, a pantheon of gods, or some other quasi-

Nothing can shake my optimistic attitude.

divine being, and work with your DM to detail the nature

I quote (or misquote) sacred texts and proverbs in

of your religious service. Appendix B contains a sample

almost every situation.

pantheon, from the Forgotten Realms setting. Were you

I am tolerant (or intolerant) of other faiths and respect

a lesser functionary in a temple, raised from childhood

to assist the priests in the sacred rites? Or were you a

(or condemn) the worship of other gods.

high priest who suddenly experienced a call to serve your

I’ve enjoyed fine food, drink, and high society among

god in a different way? Perhaps you were the leader of a

my temple’s elite. Rough living grates on me.

small cult outside of any established temple structure, or

I’ve spent so long in the temple that I have little

even an occult group that served a fiendish master that

practical experience dealing with people in the

you now deny.

outside world.

Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Religion

Languages: Two of your choice

Ideal

Equipment: A holy symbol (a gift to you when you

Tradition. The ancient traditions of worship and sacrifice

entered the priesthood), a prayer book or prayer wheel,

must be preserved and upheld. (Lawful)

5 sticks of incense, vestments, a set of common clothes,

Charity. I always try to help those in need, no matter

and a pouch containing 15 gp

what the personal cost. (Good)

Change. We must help bring about the changes the

Feature: Shelter of the Faithful

gods are constantly working in the world. (Chaotic)

As an acolyte, you command the respect of those who

share your faith, and you can perform the religious

Power. I hope to one day rise to the top of my faith’s

ceremonies of your deity. You and your adventuring com-

religious hierarchy. (Lawful)

panions can expect to receive free healing and care at

Faith. I trust that my deity will guide my actions. I have

a temple, shrine, or other established presence of your

faith that if I work hard, things will go well. (Lawful)

faith, though you must provide any material components

Aspiration. I seek to prove myself worthy of my god’s

needed for spells. Those who share your religion will sup-

favor by matching my actions against his or her

port you (but only you) at a modest lifestyle.

teachings. (Any)

You might also have ties to a specific temple dedicated

to your chosen deity or pantheon, and you have a resi-

Bond

dence there. This could be the temple where you used to

I would die to recover an ancient relic of my faith that

serve, if you remain on good terms with it, or a temple

where you have found a new home. While near your tem-

was lost long ago.

ple, you can call upon the priests for assistance, provided

I will someday get revenge on the corrupt temple

the assistance you ask for is not hazardous and you re-

hierarchy who branded me a heretic.

main in good standing with your temple.

I owe my life to the priest who took me in when my

parents died.

Suggested Characteristics

Everything I do is for the common people.

Acolytes are shaped by their experience in temples or

I will do anything to protect the temple where I served.

other religious communities. Their study of the history

I seek to preserve a sacred text that my enemies

and tenets of their faith and their relationships to tem-

consider heretical and seek to destroy.

ples, shrines, or hierarchies affect their mannerisms and

ideals. Their flaws might be some hidden hypocrisy or

heretical idea, or an ideal or bond taken to an extreme.

Flaw

I judge others harshly, and myself even more severely.

I put too much trust in those who wield power within

my temple’s hierarchy.

My piety sometimes leads me to blindly trust those that

profess faith in my god.

I am inflexible in my thinking.

I am suspicious of strangers and expect the

worst of them.

Once I pick a goal, I become obsessed with it to the

detriment of everything else in my life.

Chapter 4: Personality and Background

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Criminal

Personality Trait

You are an experienced criminal with a history of

I always have a plan for what to do when

breaking the law. You have spent a lot of time among

things go wrong.

other criminals and still have contacts within the

I am always calm, no matter what the situation. I never

criminal underworld. You’re far closer than most people

raise my voice or let my emotions control me.

to the world of murder, theft, and violence that pervades

The first thing I do in a new place is note the locations

the underbelly of civilization, and you have survived up to

of everything valuable—or where such things

this point by flouting the rules and regulations of society.

could be hidden.

Skill Proficiencies: Deception, Stealth

I would rather make a new friend than a new enemy.

Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set,

I am incredibly slow to trust. Those who seem the

thieves’ tools

fairest often have the most to hide.

Equipment: A crowbar, a set of dark common clothes

I don’t pay attention to the risks in a situation. Never tell

including a hood, and a pouch containing 15 gp

me the odds.

The best way to get me to do something is to tell me I

Criminal Specialty

can’t do it.

There are many kinds of criminals, and within a thieves’

guild or similar criminal organization, individual mem-

I blow up at the slightest insult.

bers have particular specialties. Even criminals who

operate outside of such organizations have strong pref-

Ideal

erences for certain kinds of crimes over others. Choose

Honor. I don’t steal from others in the trade. (Lawful)

the role you played in your criminal life, or roll on the

Freedom. Chains are meant to be broken, as are those

table below.

who would forge them. (Chaotic)

Charity. I steal from the wealthy so that I can help

Specialty

people in need. (Good)

Blackmailer

Highway robber

Greed. I will do whatever it takes to become

Burglar

Hired killer

wealthy. (Evil)

Enforcer

Pickpocket

People. I’m loyal to my friends, not to any ideals, and

Fence

Smuggler

everyone else can take a trip down the Styx for all I

care. (Neutral)

Feature: Criminal Contact

Redemption. There’s a spark of good in

You have a reliable and trustworthy contact who acts as

everyone. (Good)

your liaison to a network of other criminals. You know

how to get messages to and from your contact, even over

great distances; specifically, you know the local messen-

Bond

gers, corrupt caravan masters, and seedy sailors who can

I’m trying to pay off an old debt I owe to a

deliver messages for you.

generous benefactor.

My ill-gotten gains go to support my family.

Suggested Characteristics

Something important was taken from me, and I aim to

Criminals might seem like villains on the surface, and

steal it back.

many of them are villainous to the core. But some have

I will become the greatest thief that ever lived.

an abundance of endearing, if not redeeming, character-

I’m guilty of a terrible crime. I hope I can redeem

istics. There might be honor among thieves, but criminals

myself for it.

rarely show any respect for law or authority.

Someone I loved died because of I mistake I made. That

Variant Criminal: Spy

will never happen again.

Although your capabilities are not much different from

those of a burglar or smuggler, you learned and practiced

Flaw

them in a very different context: as an espionage agent.

When I see something valuable, I can’t think about

You might have been an officially sanctioned agent of the

anything but how to steal it.

crown, or perhaps you sold the secrets you uncovered to

When faced with a choice between money and my

the highest bidder.

friends, I usually choose the money.

If there’s a plan, I’ll forget it. If I don’t forget it,

I’ll ignore it.

I have a “tell” that reveals when I’m lying.

I turn tail and run when things look bad.

An innocent person is in prison for a crime that I

committed. I’m okay with that.

Chapter 4: Personality and Background

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Folk Hero

Personality Trait

You come from a humble social rank, but you are

I judge people by their actions, not their words.

destined for so much more. Already the people of

If someone is in trouble, I’m always ready to lend help.

your home village regard you as their champion, and

When I set my mind to something, I follow through no

your destiny calls you to stand against the tyrants and

matter what gets in my way.

monsters that threaten the common folk everywhere.

I have a strong sense of fair play and always try to find

the most equitable solution to arguments.

Skill Proficiencies: Animal Handling, Survival

I’m confident in my own abilities and do what I can to

Tool Proficiencies: One type of artisan’s tools,

instill confidence in others.

vehicles (land)

Thinking is for other people. I prefer action.

Equipment: A set of artisan’s tools (one of your choice),

a shovel, an iron pot, a set of common clothes, and a

I misuse long words in an attempt to sound smarter.

pouch containing 10 gp

I get bored easily. When am I going to get on

with my destiny?

Defining Event

You previously pursued a simple profession among the

Ideal

peasantry, perhaps as a farmer, miner, servant, shepherd,

Respect. People deserve to be treated with dignity and

woodcutter, or gravedigger. But something happened that

respect. (Good)

set you on a different path and marked you for greater

Fairness. No one should get preferential treatment

things. Choose or randomly determine a defining event

before the law, and no one is above the law. (Lawful)

that marked you as a hero of the people.

Freedom. Tyrants must not be allowed to oppress the

d10

Defining Event

people. (Chaotic)

I stood up to a tyrant’s agents.

Might. If I become strong, I can take what I want—what

I saved people during a natural disaster.

I deserve. (Evil)

I stood alone against a terrible monster.

Sincerity. There’s no good in pretending to be

I stole from a corrupt merchant to help the poor.

something I’m not. (Neutral)

I led a militia to fight off an invading army.

Destiny. Nothing and no one can steer me away from

I broke into a tyrant’s castle and stole weapons to

my higher calling. (Any)

arm the people.

I trained the peasantry to use farm implements as

Bond

weapons against a tyrant’s soldiers.

I have a family, but I have no idea where they are. One

A lord rescinded an unpopular decree after I led a

day, I hope to see them again.

symbolic act of protest against it.

I worked the land, I love the land, and I will

A celestial, fey, or similar creature gave me a blessing or

protect the land.

revealed my secret origin.

A proud noble once gave me a horrible beating, and I

Recruited into a lord’s army, I rose to leadership and

will take my revenge on any bully I encounter.

was commended for my heroism.

My tools are symbols of my past life, and I carry them

so that I will never forget my roots.

Feature: Rustic Hospitality

I protect those who cannot protect themselves.

Since you come from the ranks of the common folk, you

I wish my childhood sweetheart had come with me to

fit in among them with ease. You can find a place to hide,

pursue my destiny.

rest, or recuperate among other commoners, unless you

have shown yourself to be a danger to them. They will

Flaw

shield you from the law or anyone else searching for you,

The tyrant who rules my land will stop at nothing to

though they will not risk their lives for you.

see me killed.

Suggested Characteristics

I’m convinced of the significance of my destiny, and

A folk hero is one of the common people, for better or for

blind to my shortcomings and the risk of failure.

worse. Most folk heroes look on their humble origins as

The people who knew me when I was young know my

a virtue, not a shortcoming, and their home communities

shameful secret, so I can never go home again.

remain very important to them.

I have a weakness for the vices of the city,

especially hard drink.

Secretly, I believe that things would be better if I were a

tyrant lording over the land.

I have trouble trusting in my allies.

Chapter 4: Personality and Background

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Noble

Personality Trait

You understand wealth, power, and privilege. You carry

My eloquent flattery makes everyone I talk to feel like

a noble title, and your family owns land, collects taxes,

the most wonderful and important person in the world.

and wields significant political influence. You might be

The common folk love me for my kindness

a pampered aristocrat unfamiliar with work or discom-

and generosity.

fort, a former merchant just elevated to the nobility, or

No one could doubt by looking at my regal bearing that I

a disinherited scoundrel with a disproportionate sense

am a cut above the unwashed masses.

of entitlement. Or you could be an honest, hard-working

I take great pains to always look my best and follow the

landowner who cares deeply about the people who live

latest fashions.

and work on your land, keenly aware of your responsibil-

I don’t like to get my hands dirty, and I won’t be caught

ity to them.

dead in unsuitable accommodations.

Work with your DM to come up with an appropriate ti-

Despite my noble birth, I do not place myself above

tle and determine how much authority that title carries. A

noble title doesn’t stand on its own—it’s connected to an

other folk. We all have the same blood.

entire family, and whatever title you hold, you will pass it

My favor, once lost, is lost forever.

down to your own children. Not only do you need to deter-

If you do me an injury, I will crush you, ruin your name,

mine your noble title, but you should also work with the

and salt your fields.

DM to describe your family and their influence on you.

Is your family old and established, or was your title only

Ideal

recently bestowed? How much influence do they wield,

Respect. Respect is due to me because of my position,

and over what area? What kind of reputation does your

but all people regardless of station deserve to be treated

family have among the other aristocrats of the region?

with dignity. (Good)

How do the common people regard them?

Responsibility. It is my duty to respect the authority of

What’s your position in the family? Are you the heir to

those above me, just as those below me must respect

the head of the family? Have you already inherited the ti-

tle? How do you feel about that responsibility? Or are you

mine. (Lawful)

so far down the line of inheritance that no one cares what

Independence. I must prove that I can handle myself

you do, as long as you don’t embarrass the family? How

without the coddling of my family. (Chaotic)

does the head of your family feel about your adventuring

Power. If I can attain more power, no one will tell me

career? Are you in your family’s good graces, or shunned

what to do. (Evil)

by the rest of your family?

Family. Blood runs thicker than water. (Any)

Does your family have a coat of arms? An insignia you

Noble Obligation. It is my duty to protect and care for

might wear on a signet ring? Particular colors you wear

the people beneath me. (Good)

all the time? An animal you regard as a symbol of your

line or even a spiritual member of the family?

Bond

These details help establish your family and your title

as features of the world of the campaign.

I will face any challenge to win the approval of my family.

My house’s alliance with another noble family

Skill Proficiencies: History, Persuasion

must be sustained at all costs.

Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set

Nothing is more important than the other members

Languages: One of your choice

Equipment: A set of fine clothes, a signet ring, a scroll of

of my family.

pedigree, and a purse containing 25 gp

I am in love with the heir of a family that my

family despises.

Feature: Position of Privilege

My loyalty to my sovereign is unwavering.

Thanks to your noble birth, people are inclined to think

The common folk must see me as a hero of the people.

the best of you. You are welcome in high society, and

people assume you have the right to be wherever you are.

Flaw

The common folk make every effort to accommodate you

I secretly believe that everyone is beneath me.

and avoid your displeasure, and other people of high birth

I hide a truly scandalous secret that could ruin my

treat you as a member of the same social sphere. You can

family forever.

secure an audience with a local noble if you need to.

I too often hear veiled insults and threats in every word

Suggested Characteristics

addressed to me, and I’m quick to anger.

Nobles are born and raised to a very different lifestyle

I have an insatiable desire for carnal pleasures.

than most people ever experience, and their personalities

In fact, the world does revolve around me.

reflect that upbringing. A noble title comes with a pleth-

By my words and actions, I often bring shame

ora of bonds—responsibilities to family, to other nobles

to my family.

(including the sovereign), to the people entrusted to the

family’s care, or even to the title itself. But this responsi-

bility is often a good way to undermine a noble.

Chapter 4: Personality and Background

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Sage

Personality Trait

You spent years learning the lore of the multiverse. You

I use polysyllabic words that convey the impression of

scoured manuscripts, studied scrolls, and listened to the

great erudition.

greatest experts on the subjects that interest you. Your

I’ve read every book in the world’s greatest libraries—or

efforts have made you a master in your fields of study.

I like to boast that I have.

Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, History

I’m used to helping out those who aren’t as smart

Languages: Two of your choice

as I am, and I patiently explain anything and

Equipment: A bottle of black ink, a quill, a small knife, a

everything to others.

letter from a dead colleague posing a question you have

There’s nothing I like more than a good mystery.

not yet been able to answer, a set of common clothes,

I’m willing to listen to every side of an argument before I

and a pouch containing 10 gp

make my own judgment.

I . . . speak . . . slowly . . . when talking . . . to idiots, . . .

Specialty

which . . . almost . . . everyone . . . is . . . compared . . .

To determine the nature of your scholarly training, roll a

to me.

d8 or choose from the options in the table below.

I am horribly, horribly awkward in social situations.

Specialty

I’m convinced that people are always trying to

Alchemist

Professor

steal my secrets.

Astronomer

Researcher

Discredited

Wizard’s apprentice

Ideal

academic

Scribe

Knowledge. The path to power and self-improvement is

Librarian

through knowledge. (Neutral)

Beauty. What is beautiful points us beyond itself toward

Feature: Researcher

what is true. (Good)

When you attempt to learn or recall a piece of lore, if you

Logic. Emotions must not cloud our logical

do not know that information, you often know where and

thinking. (Lawful)

from whom you can obtain it. Usually, this information

No Limits. Nothing should fetter the infinite possibility

comes from a library, scriptorium, university, or a sage

inherent in all existence. (Chaotic)

or other learned person or creature. Your DM might rule

Power. Knowledge is the path to power and

that the knowledge you seek is secreted away in an al-

domination. (Evil)

most inaccessible place, or that it simply cannot be found.

Self-Improvement. The goal of a life of study is the

Unearthing the deepest secrets of the multiverse can re-

betterment of oneself. (Any)

quire an adventure or even a whole campaign.

Suggested Characteristics

Bond

Sages are defined by their extensive studies, and their

It is my duty to protect my students.

characteristics reflect this life of study. Devoted to

I have an ancient text that holds terrible secrets that

scholarly pursuits, a sage values knowledge highly—

must not fall into the wrong hands.

sometimes in its own right, sometimes as a means

I work to preserve a library, university, scriptorium,

toward other ideals.

or monastery.

My life’s work is a series of tomes related to a specific

field of lore.

I’ve been searching my whole life for the answer to a

certain question.

I sold my soul for knowledge. I hope to do great deeds

and win it back.

Flaw

I am easily distracted by the promise of information.

Most people scream and run when they see a demon. I

stop and take notes on its anatomy.

Unlocking an ancient mystery is worth the price of a

civilization.

I overlook obvious solutions in favor of

complicated ones.

I speak without really thinking through my words,

invariably insulting others.

I can’t keep a secret to save my life, or anyone else’s.

Chapter 4: Personality and Background

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Soldier

Personality Trait

War has been your life for as long as you care to remem-

I’m always polite and respectful.

ber. You trained as a youth, studied the use of weapons

I’m haunted by memories of war. I can’t get the images

and armor, learned basic survival techniques, including

of violence out of my mind.

how to stay alive on the battlefield. You might have been

I’ve lost too many friends, and I’m slow to

part of a standing national army or a mercenary com-

make new ones.

pany, or perhaps a member of a local militia who rose to

I’m full of inspiring and cautionary tales from

prominence during a recent war.

my military experience relevant to almost every

When you choose this background, work with your DM

combat situation.

to determine which military organization you were a part

I can stare down a hell hound without flinching.

of, how far through its ranks you progressed, and what

I enjoy being strong and like breaking things.

kind of experiences you had during your military career.

I have a crude sense of humor.

Was it a standing army, a town guard, or a village militia?

Or it might have been a noble’s or merchant’s private

I face problems head-on. A simple, direct solution is the

army, or a mercenary company.

best path to success.

Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Intimidation

Ideal

Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set,

vehicles (land)

Greater Good. Our lot is to lay down our lives in defense

Equipment: An insignia of rank, a trophy taken from

of others. (Good)

a fallen enemy (a dagger, broken blade, or piece of a

Responsibility. I do what I must and obey just

banner), a set of bone dice or deck of cards, a set of

authority. (Lawful)

common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp

Independence. When people follow orders blindly, they

embrace a kind of tyranny. (Chaotic)

Specialty

Might. In life as in war, the stronger force wins. (Evil)

During your time as a soldier, you had a specific role to

Live and Let Live. Ideals aren’t worth killing over or

play in your unit or army. Roll a d8 or choose from the op-

going to war for. (Neutral)

tions in the table below to determine your role:

Nation. My city, nation, or people are all that

Specialty

matter. (Any)

Officer

Quartermaster

Scout

Standard bearer

Bond

Infantry

Support staff

I would still lay down my life for the people I

Cavalry

(cook, blacksmith,

served with.

Healer

or the like)

Someone saved my life on the battlefield. To this day, I

will never leave a friend behind.

Feature: Military Rank

My honor is my life.

You have a military rank from your career as a soldier.

I’ll never forget the crushing defeat my company

Soldiers loyal to your former military organization still

suffered or the enemies who dealt it.

recognize your authority and influence, and they defer to

Those who fight beside me are those worth dying for.

you if they are of a lower rank. You can invoke your rank

I fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.

to exert influence over other soldiers and requisition sim-

ple equipment or horses for temporary use. You can also

Flaw

usually gain access to friendly military encampments and

The monstrous enemy we faced in battle still leaves me

fortresses where your rank is recognized.

quivering with fear.

Suggested Characteristics

I have little respect for anyone who is not a

The horrors of war combined with the rigid discipline of

proven warrior.

military service leave their mark on all soldiers, shaping

I made a terrible mistake in battle that cost many lives—

their ideals, creating strong bonds, and often leaving

and I would do anything to keep that mistake secret.

them scarred and vulnerable to fear, shame, and hatred.

My hatred of my enemies is blind and unreasoning.

I obey the law, even if the law causes misery.

I’d rather eat my armor than admit when I’m wrong.

Chapter 4: Personality and Background

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Chapter 5: Equipment

The marketplace of a large city teems with buyers

With one gold piece, a character can buy a bedroll, 50

and sellers of many sorts: dwarf smiths and elf woodcarv-

feet of good rope, or a goat. A skilled (but not exceptional)

ers, halfling farmers and gnome jewelers, not to mention

artisan can earn one gold piece a day. The gold piece is

humans of every shape, size, and color drawn from a

the standard unit of measure for wealth, even if the coin

spectrum of nations and cultures. In the largest cities,

itself is not commonly used. When merchants discuss

almost anything imaginable is offered for sale, from ex-

deals that involve goods or services worth hundreds or

otic spices and luxurious clothing to wicker baskets and

thousands of gold pieces, the transactions don’t usually

practical swords.

involve the exchange of individual coins. Rather, the gold

For an adventurer, the availability of armor, weapons,

piece is a standard measure of value, and the actual ex-

backpacks, rope, and similar goods is of paramount

change is in gold bars, letters of credit, or valuable goods.

importance, since proper equipment can mean the differ-

One gold piece is worth ten silver pieces, the most

ence between life and death in a dungeon or the untamed

prevalent coin among commoners. A silver piece buys

wilds. This chapter details the mundane and exotic mer-

a laborer’s work for half a day, a flask of lamp oil, or a

chandise that adventurers commonly find useful in the face

night’s rest in a poor inn.

of the threats that the worlds of D&D present.

One silver piece is worth ten copper pieces, which are

common among laborers and beggars. A single copper

piece buys a candle, a torch, or a piece of chalk.

Starting Equipment

In addition, unusual coins made of other precious met-

When you create your character, you receive equipment

als sometimes appear in treasure hoards. The electrum

based on a combination of your class and background.

piece (ep) and the platinum piece (pp) originate from

Alternatively, you can start with a number of gold pieces

fallen empires and lost kingdoms, and they sometimes

based on your class and spend them on items from the

arouse suspicion and skepticism when used in transac-

lists in this chapter. See the Starting Wealth by Class ta-

tions. An electrum piece is worth five silver pieces, and a

ble to determine how much gold you have to spend.

platinum piece is worth ten gold pieces.

You decide how your character came by this starting

A standard coin weighs about a third of an ounce,

equipment. It might have been an inheritance, or goods

so fifty coins weigh a pound.

that the character purchased during his or her upbringing.

You might have been equipped with a weapon, armor, and

Standard Exchange Rates

a backpack as part of military service. You might even have

Coin

stolen your gear. A weapon could be a family heirloom,

passed down from generation to generation until your

Copper (cp)

1/10

1/50

1/100

1/1,000

character finally took up the mantle and followed in an

Silver (sp)

1/5

1/10

1/100

ancestor’s adventurous footsteps.

Electrum (ep)

1/2

1/20

Gold (gp)

100

1/10

Starting Wealth by Class

Platinum (pp)

1,000

100

Class

Funds

Cleric

5d4 × 10 gp

Selling Treasure

Fighter

5d4 × 10 gp

Opportunities abound to find treasure, equipment,

Rogue

4d4 × 10 gp

weapons, armor, and more in the dungeons you explore.

Wizard

4d4 × 10 gp

Normally, you can sell your treasures and trinkets when

you return to a town or other settlement, provided that you

can find buyers and merchants interested in your loot.

Wealth

Arms, Armor, and Other Equipment. As a general

Wealth appears in many forms in a D&D world. Coins,

rule, undamaged weapons, armor, and other equipment

gemstones, trade goods, art objects, animals, and prop-

fetch half their cost when sold in a market. Weapons and

erty can reflect your character’s financial well-being.

armor used by monsters are rarely in good enough condi-

Members of the peasantry trade in goods, bartering for

tion to sell.

what they need and paying taxes in grain and cheese.

Magic Items. Selling magic items is problematic. Find-

Members of the nobility trade either in legal rights, such

ing someone to buy a potion or a scroll isn’t too hard, but

as the rights to a mine, a port, or farmland, or in gold

other items are out of the realm of most but the wealthiest

bars, measuring gold by the pound rather than by the

nobles. Likewise, aside from a few common magic items,

coin. Only merchants, adventurers, and those offering pro-

you won’t normally come across magic items or spells to

fessional services for hire commonly deal in coins.

purchase. The value of magic is far beyond simple gold

and should always be treated as such.

Coinage

Gems, Jewelry, and Art Objects. These items retain

Common coins come in several different denominations

their full value in the marketplace, and you can either

based on the relative worth of the metal from which they

trade them in for coin or use them as currency for other

are made. The three most common coins are the gold

transactions. For exceptionally valuable treasures, the

piece (gp), the silver piece (sp), and the copper piece (cp).

Chapter 5: Equipment

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DM might require you to find a buyer in a large town or

Variant: Equipment Sizes

larger community first.

In most campaigns, you can use or wear any equipment

Trade Goods. On the borderlands, many people con-

that you find on your adventures, within the bounds of

duct transactions through barter. Like gems and art

common sense. For example, a burly half-orc won’t fit in a

objects, trade goods—bars of iron, bags of salt, livestock,

halfling’s leather armor, and a gnome would be swallowed

up in a cloud giant’s elegant robe.

and so on—retain their full value in the market and can

The DM can impose more realism. For example, a suit

be used as currency.

of plate armor made for one human might not fit another

one without significant alterations, and a guard’s uniform

Armor and Shields

might be visibly ill-fitting when an adventurer tries to wear it

as a disguise.

D&D worlds are a vast tapestry made up of many dif-

Using this variant, when adventurers find armor, clothing,

ferent cultures, each with its own technology level. For

and similar items that are made to be worn, they might

this reason, adventurers have access to a variety of ar-

need to visit an armorsmith, tailor, leatherworker, or similar

mor types, ranging from leather armor to chain mail to

expert to make the item wearable. The cost for such work

costly plate armor, with several other kinds of armor in

varies from 10 to 40 percent of the market price of the item.

between. The Armor table collects the most commonly

The DM can either roll 1d4 × 10 or determine the increase

available types of armor found in the game and separates

in cost based on the extent of the alterations required.

them into three categories: light armor, medium armor,

and heavy armor. Many warriors supplement their armor

Stealth. If the Armor table shows “Disadvantage” in

with a shield.

the Stealth column, the wearer has disadvantage on Dex-

The Armor table shows the cost, weight, and other

terity (Stealth) checks.

properties of the common types of armor worn in the

Shields. A shield is made from wood or metal and is

worlds of D&D.

carried in one hand. Wielding a shield increases your

Armor Proficiency. Anyone can put on a suit of armor

Armor Class by 2. You can benefit from only one shield

or strap a shield to an arm. Only those proficient in the

at a time.

armor’s use know how to wear it effectively, however.

Your class gives you proficiency with certain types of

Light Armor

armor. If you wear armor that you lack proficiency with,

Made from supple and thin materials, light armor favors

you have disadvantage on any ability check, saving throw,

agile adventurers since it offers some protection without

or attack roll that involves Strength or Dexterity, and you

sacrificing mobility. If you wear light armor, you add your

can’t cast spells.

Dexterity modifier to the base number from your armor

Armor Class (AC). Armor protects its wearer from at-

type to determine your Armor Class.

tacks. The armor (and shield) you wear determines your

Padded. Padded armor consists of quilted layers of

base Armor Class.

cloth and batting.

Heavy Armor. Heavier armor interferes with the wear-

Leather. The breastplate and shoulder protectors of

er’s ability to move quickly, stealthily, and freely. If the

this armor are made of leather that has been stiffened by

Armor table shows “Str 13” or “Str 15” in the Strength

being boiled in oil. The rest of the armor is made of softer

column for an armor type, the armor reduces the wear-

and more flexible materials.

er’s speed by 10 feet unless the wearer has a Strength

Studded Leather. Made from tough but flexible

score equal to or higher than the listed score.

leather, studded leather is reinforced with close-set rivets

or spikes.

Armor

Cost

Armor Class (AC)

Strength

Stealth

Weight

Light Armor

Padded

5 gp

11 + Dex modifier

—

Disadvantage

8 lb.

Leather

10 gp

11 + Dex modifier

—

10 lb.

Studded leather

45 gp

12 + Dex modifier

—

13 lb.

Medium Armor

Hide

10 gp

12 + Dex modifier (max 2)

—

12 lb.

Chain shirt

50 gp

13 + Dex modifier (max 2)

—

20 lb.

Scale mail

50 gp

14 + Dex modifier (max 2)

—

Disadvantage

45 lb.

Breastplate

400 gp

14 + Dex modifier (max 2)

—

20 lb.

Half plate

750 gp

15 + Dex modifier (max 2)

—

Disadvantage

40 lb.

Heavy Armor

Ring mail

30 gp

—

Disadvantage

40 lb.

Chain mail

75 gp

Str 13

Disadvantage

55 lb.

Splint

200 gp

Str 15

Disadvantage

60 lb.

Plate

1,500 gp

Str 15

Disadvantage

65 lb.

Shield

10 gp

—

6 lb.

Chapter 5: Equipment

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Medium Armor

Donning and Doffing Armor

D&D Basic Rules, Version 1.0, Released November 2018 - page 1