Your ability scores will determine your modifiers – in other words, how much you’ll be able to add to your rolls when performing ability checks. Otherwise, you could assign the scores 15, 14, 13, 12, 10 and 8 to the abilities of your choice - for example, STR: 12, INT: 8, CHA: 15, WIS: 13, DEX: 13, CON: 10 - which ensures that you start with a well-rounded character that leans just enough into the abilities you want them to specialise in. If you like to live life on the edge, then for each stat score you can roll four six-sided dice and add up the three highest scores do this six times and you have your ability scores. These stats consist of strength, constitution, intelligence, wisdom, charisma and dexterity, and can be generated into two very distinct ways. | Image credit: Ilse Gort/Wizards of the CoastĪbility scores are your D&D character’s primary statistics and determine how good they are at doing anything. You can find more specific guidance on this topic in our guide on which D&D race/species to choose.įigure out your stats Ability scores make up your character's main stats. You might just be drawn to how a particular race/species looks and pick one for purely aesthetic reasons. There’s also the appearance and social aspects of race/species to consider, with certain races/species - such as tieflings or drow – potentially facing prejudice depending on who they interact with. Beyond the abilities and features of each race/species, selecting a certain option will affect aspects like average size, lifespan and movement speed.

However, specific unique features and attributes will still apply to certain races/species, such as dragonborn characters having a dragon ancestry ability. Thanks to recent changes made to the RPG – which you can find in D&D sourcebooks like Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything or in playtest materials for the upcoming One D&D - picking a certain race/species no longer give your character stat advantages and disadvantages. Though less important than your character’s class, race/species still has an effect on your Dungeons & Dragons character. Who is your character? Each race/species provides players with traits that can enhance their character's abilities. You can find more specific guidance on this topic in our guide on which D&D class to choose. Other times, selecting a class is a choice that’s driven by a desire to create and play a certain archetype or to fit background aspects of a character you’ve already imagined. Some classes are able to cast spells, while others are more focused on swinging weapons.ĭeciding between the D&D classes may be a matter of wanting to cast certain types of spells, wanting to wield particular weapons or wanting specific feats or abilities.

Whilst some classes in Dungeons & Dragons favour characters designed for close-up and personal fighting, others are better suited to staying on the sidelines. Which class you play will affect how your character will be able to interact with the world of Dungeons & Dragons, both in and out of combat. | Image credit: Wizards of the CoastĬhoosing your character’s D&D class is probably the most important choice you’ll make when creating your character. What’s your playstyle? Every class offers its own unique playstyle for you to choose from. It’s time to make your own D&D character! Liv provides a quick character creation guide for D&D 5E. Using this step-by-step walkthrough will make the entire endeavour feel a lot less daunting, with every task broken down and explained to hold your hand. Thankfully, our guide to creating a Dungeons & Dragons character is ideal for beginners. How to make a D&D character for beginners Once you’ve grasped how to figure out your character stats, using those numbers and levelling up will be a lot more straightforward. Nevertheless, having a good understanding of how your character’s stats work from the start will make playing the actual tabletop RPG a lot easier in the long run. The nature of D&D being a tabletop roleplaying game means that it requires players to do some maths before they can play - which can be rightfully off-putting Dungeons & Dragons can be incredibly overwhelming for new players, especially when they have to learn how to make a D&D character.Ī surprising amount of work goes into creating a character for D&D, it’s not just picking a class and playable race/species.

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