How to roll a DND 5e character in 4 easy steps
Sources
BR: Basic Rules
PHB: Player's Handbook
DMG: Dungeon Master's Guide
EE: Elemental Evil Player's Companion
SCAG: Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide
1. Race
Roll D10, D12, or D20, depending on how common humans are in your campaign
1 | Hill Dwarf PHB 20, BR 12 | CON+2, WIS+1, Speed 25, Darkvision, Dwarven Resilience, Dwarven Toughness, Dwarven Combat Training, Tool Proficiency, Stonecunning, Common Language, Dwarvish Language |
2 | Mountain Dwarf PHB 20, BR 12 | CON+2, STR+2, Speed 25, Darkvision, Dwarven Resilience, Dwarven Combat Training, Dwarven Armor Training, Tool Proficiency, Stonecunning, Common Language, Dwarvish Language |
3 | High Elf PHB 23, BR 13 | DEX+2, INT+1, Speed 30, Darkvision, Keen Senses, Fey Ancestry, Trance, Elf Weapon Training, Cantrip, Common Language, Elvish Language, Extra Language |
4 | Wood Elf PHB 23, BR 13 | DEX+2, WIS+1, Speed 35, Darkvision, Keen Senses, Fey Ancestry, Trance, Elf Weapon Training, Mask of the Wild, Common Language, Elvish Language, |
5 | Lightfoot Halfling PHB 23, BR 16 | DEX+2, CHA+1, Speed 25, Lucky, Brave, Halfling Nimbleness, Naturally Stealthy, Common Language, Halfling Language |
6 | Stout Halfling PHB 23, BR 16 | DEX+2, CON+1, Speed 25, Lucky, Brave, Halfling Nimbleness, Stout Resilience, Common Language, Halfling Language |
7 | Uncommon race | Or roll again if you only have basic rules |
8+ | Human PHB 24, BR 17 | All +1, Speed 30, Common Language, Extra Language |
1.1 Uncommon Race
Roll D20
1-3 | Half-orc PHB 40 | STR+2, CON+1, Chaotic, Speed 30, Darkvision, Menacing, Relentless Endurance, Savage Attacks, Common Language, Orc Language |
4-6 | Half-elf PHB 38 | CHA+2, two other scores +1, Chaotic, Speed 30, Darkvision, Fey Ancestry, Skill Versatility, Common Language, Elvish Language, Extra Language |
7-8 | Rock Gnome PHB 35 | INT+2, CON+1, Good, Speed 25, Darkvision, Gnome Cunning, Artificer's Lore, Tinker, Common Language, Gnomish Language |
9-10 | Forest Gnome PHB 35 | INT+2, DEX+1, Good, Speed 25, Darkvision, Gnome Cunning, Natural Illusionist, Speak with Small Beasts, Common Language, Gnomish Language |
11 | Drow PHB 24 | DEX+2, CHA+1, Speed 30, Superior Darkvision, Sunlight Sensitivity, Keen Senses, Fey Ancestry, Trance, Drow Weapon Training, Drow Magic, Common Language, Elvish Language |
12 | Dragonborn PHB 32 | STR+2, CHA+1, Speed 30, Draconic Ancestry, Breath Weapon, Damage Resistance, Common Language, Draconic Language |
13 | Tiefling PHB 42 | INT+1, CHA+2, Speed 30, Darkvision, Hellish Resistance, Infernal Legacy, Common Language, Infernal Language |
14 | Aasimar DMG 286 | WIS+1, CHA+2, Speed 30, Darkvision, Celestial Resistance, Celestial Legacy, Common Language, Celestial Language |
15 | Aarakocra EE 3 | DEX+2, WIS+1, Speed 25, Flight, Talons, Common Language, Auran Language, |
16 | Deep Gnome EE 5 | INT+2, DEX+1, Speed 25, Neutral, Superior Darkvision, Gnome Cunning, Stone Camouflage, Common Language, Gnomish Language, Undercommon Language, Swirfneblin Magic |
17 | Goliath EE 11 | STR+2, CON+1, Speed 30, Lawful, Natural Athlete, Stone's Endurance, Powerful Build, Mountain Born, Common Language, Giant Language |
18 | Genasi EE 7 | CON+2, Speed 30, Common Language, Primordial Language and roll 1D4 for subtype 1: (Air) DEX+1, Unending Breath, Mingle with the Wind 2: (Earth) STR+1, Earth Walk, Merge with Stone 3: (Fire) INT+1, Darkvision, Fire Resistance, Reach to the Blaze 4: (Water) WIS+1, Acid Resistance, Amphibious, Swim, Call to the Wave |
19 | Dark Dwarf SCAG 104 | CON+2, STR+1, Speed 25, Superior Darkvision, Dwarven Resilience, Dwarven Combat Training, Tool Proficiency, Stonecunning, Common Language, Dwarvish Language, Undercommon Language, Duergar Resilience, Duergar Magic, Sunlight Sensitivity |
20 | Ghostwise Halfling SCAG 110 | DEX+2, WIS+1, Speed 25, Lucky, Brave, Halfling Nimbleness, Common Language, Halfling Language, Silent Speech |
2. Ability scores
Assign ability scores from [15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8] or from your own list of 6 × (4D6 and sum 3 highest)
Then roll 1D8 in the column of your highest ability score to get your recommended class or go straight to Class table
| Strength | Dexterity | Intelligence | Wisdom | Charisma |
1 | Fighter
| Rogue
| Wizard
| Cleric
| Bard
|
2 | |||||
3 | Barbarian
| Monk
| Monk
| Warlock
| |
4 | |||||
5 | Paladin
| Ranger
| Druid
| Sorcerer
| |
6 | |||||
7 | Cleric | Bard | Ranger
| Paladin | |
8 | Ranger | Fighter | Rogue | Rogue |
3. Class
Use your recommended class or roll D12 (D4 if you only have basic rules)
Starting HP is max hit dice value + CON modifier
Equipment GP is used only when not using eqipment from background
1 | Cleric PHB 56, BR 20 | Hit Dice 1d8, Light Armor, Medium Armor, Shields, Simple Weapons, WIS Saving Throw, CHA Saving Throw, (2 of History, Insight, Medicine, Persuasion, Religion), Spellcasting (3 Cantrips), Divine Domain (Knowledge, Life, Light, Nature, Tempest or War), 5d4x10 gp of equipment |
2 | Fighter PHB 70, BR 24 | Hit Dice 1d10, Light Armor, Medium Armor, Heavy Armor, Shields, Simple Weapons, Martial Weapons, STR Saving Throw, CON Saving Throw, (2 of Acrobatics, Animal Handling, Athletics, History, Insight, Intimidation, Perception, Survival), Fighting Style (Archery, Defence, Dueling, Great Weapon Fighting, Protection, Two-Weapon Fighting), Second Wind, 5d4x10 gp of equipment |
3 | Rogue PHB 94, BR 26 | Hit Dice 1d8, Light Armor, Simple Weapons, Hand Crossbows, Longswords, Rapiers, Shortswords, Thieves' Tools, DEX Saving Throw, INT Saving Throw, (4 of Acrobatics, Athletics, Deception, Insight, Intimidation, Investigation, Perception, Performance, Persuasion, Sleight of Hand, Stealth), Expertise, Sneak Attack, Thieves' Cant, 4d4x10 gp of equipment |
4 | Wizard PHB 112, BR 29 | Hit Dice 1d6, Daggers, Darts, Slings, Quarterstaffs, Light Crossbows, INT Saving Throw, WIS Saving Throw, (2 of Arcana, History, Insight, Investigation, Medicine, Religion), Spellcasting (3 Cantrips, 6 Spells), Arcane Recovery, 3 Cantrips, 4d4x10 gp of equipment |
5 | Barbarian PHB 46 | Hit Dice 1d12, Light Armor, Medium Armor, Shields, Simple Weapons, Martial Weapons, STR Saving Throw, CON Saving Throw, (2 of Animal Handling, Athletics, Intimidation, Nature, Perception, Survival), Rage, Unarmored Defence, 2d4x10 gp of equipment |
6 | Bard PHB 51 | Hit Dice 1d8, Light Armor, Simple Weapons, Hand Crossbows, Longswords, Rapiers, Shortswords, (3 Musical Instruments), DEX Saving Throw, CHA Saving Throw, Any 3 Skills, Spellcasting (2 Cantrips, 4 Spells), Bardic Inspiration (d6), 5d4x10 gp of equipment |
7 | Druid PHB 64 | Hit Dice 1d8, Light Armor, Medium Armor, Shields (will not wear metal armor or shields), Clubs, Daggers, Darts, Javelins, Maces, Quarterstaffs, Scimitars, Sickles, Slings, Spears, Herbalism Kit, INT Saving Throw, WIS Saving Throw, (2 of Arcana, Animal Handling, Insight, Medicine, Nature, Perception, Religion, Survival), Druidic, Spellcasting (2 Cantrips, 2 Spells), 2d4x10 gp of equipment |
8 | Monk PHB 76 | Hit Dice 1d8, Simple Weapons, Shortswords, (1 Artisanal Toolkit or Musical Instrument), STR Saving Throw, DEX Saving Throw, (2 of Acrobatics, Athletics, History, Insight, Religion, Stealth), Unarmored Defence, Martial Arts, 5d4 gp of equipment |
9 | Paladin PHB 82 | Hit Dice 1d10, Light Armor, Medium Armor, Heavy Armor, Shields, Simple Weapons, Martial Weapons, WIS Saving Throw, CHA Saving Throw, (2 of Athletics, Insight, Intimidation, Medicine, Persuasion, Religion), Divine Sense, Lay on Hands, 5d4x10 gp of equipment |
10 | Ranger PHB 89 | Hit Dice 1d10, Light Armor, Medium Armor, Shields, Simple Weapons, Martial Weapons, STRr Saving Throw, DEX Saving Throw, (3 of Animal Handling, Athletics, Insight, Investigation, Nature, Perception, Stealth, Survival), Favored Enemy, Natural Explorer (arctic, coast, desert, forest, grassland, mountain, swamp, Underdark), 5d4x10 gp of equipment |
11 | Sorcerer PHB 99 | Hit Dice 1d6, Daggers, Darts, Slings, Quarterstaffs, Light Crossbows, CON Saving Throw, CHA Saving Throw, (2 of Arcana, Deception, Insight, Intimidation, Persuasion, Religion), Spellcasting (4 Cantrips, 2 Spells), Sorcerous Origin (Draconic Bloodline or Wild Magic), 3d4x10 gp of equipment |
12 | Warlock PHB 105 | Hit Dice 1d8, Light Armor, Simple Weapons, WIS Saving Throw, CHA Saving Throw, (2 of Arcana, Deception, History, Intimidation, Investigation, Nature, Religion), Otherworldly Patron (the Archfey, the Fiend, or the Great Old One), Pact Magic (2 Cantrips, 2 Spells), 4d4x10 gp of equipment |
4. Background
D20, or D8 if you only have basic rules
Use background equipment OR use Class equipment value
Or choose 2 personality traits, motivating ideal, a bond, a flaw and check with DM for 2 skills, 2 tool proficiencies/ languages (or one of either), traits and items
1 | Acolyte | Insight, Religion, 2 languages | PHB 127, BR 37 |
2 | Criminal | Deception, Sleight of Hand, Gaming set, Thieves' tools | PHB 129, BR 38 |
3 | Folk Hero | Animal Handling, Survival, Artisan's Tools, Land Vehicle | PHB 131, BR 39 |
4 | Noble | History, Persuasion, Gaming set, 1 language | PHB 135, BR 40 |
5 | Sage | Arcana, History, 2 languages | PHB 137, BR 41 |
6 | Soldier | Athletics, Intimidation, Gaming set, Land vehicles | PHB 140, BR 42 |
7 | Spy |
| PHB 130, BR 39 |
8-9 | Roll again |
|
|
10 | Charlatan | Deception, Sleight of Hand, Disguise kit, Forgery kit | PHB 128 |
11 | Entertainer | Acrobatics, Performance, Disguise kit, Musical instrument | PHB 130 |
12 | Gladiator |
| PHB 131 |
13 | Guild Artisan | Insight, Persuasion, Artisan's tools, 1 language | PHB 132 |
14 | Guild Merchant |
| PHB 132 |
15 | Hermit | Medicine, Religion, Herbalism kit, 1 language | PHB 134 |
16 | Knight |
| PHB 136 |
17 | Outlander | Athletics, Survival, Musical instrument, 1 language | PHB 136 |
18 | Pirate |
| PHB 139 |
19 | Sailor | Athletics, Perception, Navigator's tools, Water vehicle | PHB 139 |
20 | Urchin | Sleight of Hand, Stealth, Disguise kit, Thieves' tools | PHB 141 |
| City Watch |
| SCAG 145 |
| Clan Crafter |
| SCAG 145 |
| Cloistered Scholar |
| SCAG 146 |
| Courtier |
| SCAG 146 |
| Faction Agent |
| SCAG 147 |
| Far Traveler |
| SCAG 148 |
| Inheritor |
| SCAG 150 |
| Knight of the Order |
| SCAG 151 |
| Mercenary Veteran |
| SCAG 152 |
| Urban Bounty Hunter |
| SCAG 153 |
| Uthgardt Tribe Member |
| SCAG 153 |
| Waterdhavian Noble |
| SCAG 154 |