DnD character creator for beginners

Making your first Dungeons and Dragons character can feel like a big hurdle to clear for new players - but our D&D character creator makes it easy. We've used Wizards of the Coast's Player's Handbook (both 2014 and 2024 versions), plus our own decades of experience to break down each step in clear language - so read on, and you'll be ready to play in no time.

We'll help you choose the right DnD classes and DnD races for your character concept, and the DnD 2024 backgrounds that play an equally important role in the most recent edition of the rules. We'll also explain any important calculations in the character creation process, and all the jargon.

You will need:

• A handful of six-sided dice.
• A pencil and an eraser.
• A character sheet (or piece of paper) to write on.
• A copy of Wizards of the Coast's D&D Player's Handbook.

There are two versions of the Player's Handbook, one released in 2014 and the other in 2024. They're similar, but the 2024 version has tweaked and improved many of the rules from the 2014 version. Technically the two versions of the game work together, but we don't recommend mixing and matching content until you're very familiar with how to play Dungeons and Dragons.

If you already have a group to play with, use the version of the Player's Handbook that they're running with - in fact, why not borrow a copy? Otherwise, we recommend using 2024 newest version. This character creator is compatible with both editions, and we'll explain the key differences as we get to them.

1. Establish a concept

Some players start with the concept for who their character is; some players don't get to this until after they've nailed down all the stats and abilities. We like to begin with a character concept, so we've started the guide here!

A character concept can be as deep or shallow as you like. Some players create lengthy backstories explaining how their new persona fits into the DnD setting for the campaign, but you can create a great character from a simple idea like "fantasy Batman" or "Aang from Avatar the Last Airbender, but a criminal".

While you don't have to know everything about a character, it's easier to roleplay them if you have the answers to some key questions:

• What does my character do best?
• Does my character have a particular career or life calling?
• How does my character solve problems? Magic, words, cunning, violence..?
• When someone meets my character, what personality trait do they notice first?
• What part of my character's past has the most impact on how they act now?
• If my character knew the rest of the player-characters before the campaign, what is our relationship?

If you want to get really in-depth at this stage, 5e suggests you flesh out your character's ideals, bonds, and flaws: their personal values, most important relationships, and major issues.

It's a good idea to leave space in your character to see how they develop during roleplay. You don't actually have to know what your character's deep dark secret is when you start a campaign?

2. Pick a class

Every adventurer has special skills and abilities, which they usually gain from a unique profession, ancestry, or event in their lives. These are known as 'classes' in Dungeons and Dragons, and the one you pick will influence everything from your hit point value to your combat strategy.

There are currently 13 classes to choose from, though only 12 of them feature in both versions of the Player's Handbook. The table below summarizes each of the D&D classes, and it links to some Wargamer guides that can explain them in a bit more detail.

Your choice of class will establish some key things about your character:

Hit points and Hit Dice

DnD characters have a pool of Hit Points (HP) and Hit Dice. They lose Hit Points when they suffer damage, and roll their Hit Dice when they heal. Tougher classes roll larger Hit Dice!

A brand new character has a maximum number of HP equal to the highest possible roll on their Hit Dice, plus their Constitution modifier (we'll figure out what this is in step five - we'll remind you when we get there).

Proficiencies

Each class makes a character proficient in various things:

• DnD armor
• DnD weapons
• DnD tools
• Saving throws
• At least two DnD skills (with a list to choose from)

Being proficient with a type of armor allows you to wear it without any penalty - an untrained Rogue who attempts to wear heavy Plate Armor will really struggle! The other proficiencies make it easier to use the weapon, tool, or skill you're proficient with - or make you better at saving throws against certain threats.

In game, this means that you'll add your proficiency bonus to any D20 dice rolls you make when attempting to use that weapon, skill, tool, or saving throw. For a level-one character, your proficiency bonus is +2 and it increases as you level up. (more on how this changes later).

Most character sheets have space to note down the skills and saving throws you're proficient in, and calculate the total bonus you get from your proficiency and your Ability Score modifiers - but again, this will have to wait until step five, after you've generated your Ability Scores.

3. Generate your initial Ability Scores

Your character's Ability Scores describe their innate characteristics:

• Strength - How well you can hit things or perform feats of athletics.
• Dexterity - How well you dodge, handle ranged weapons, or perform feats of acrobatics.
• Constitution - Your fortitude, or how well you handle damage, poison, and other adverse physical effects.
• Intelligence - How educated you are, and how well you apply book-smarts.
• Wisdom - Your natural intuition, which helps with everything from tracking to understanding social situations.
• Charisma - How well you use words and personality to solve problems.

Generating your character's Ability Scores is a critical part of creating a character. While there's no wrong way to build a character, it's a good idea to check the key Ability Score(s) for your class: the higher you can make that score, the better your character will be at using the powers and abilities they're equipped with.

There are three possible ways to determine your Ability Scores - be sure to talk to your DM about which method they prefer you to use. At this stage, you're going to generate your initial Ability Scores. Then, your choice of Background (or Race, if you're using the 2014 rules) will modify those initial values to give the actual Ability Scores you'll use. So it's a good idea to do this stage on rough paper.

Rolling for Ability Scores

The classic way to figure out your Ability Scores is to roll for them. Roll four d6 and ignore the die with the lowest result. Then, add the three remaining dice together. Repeat this process five more times, and you should end up with six numbers. These are your Ability Scores, and you can assign these to each stat in any way you like.

Standard Array

If you're not a fan of random rolling, you can also use the Standard Array for your Ability Scores. This will give you average and reliable stats. With this method, you assign these six numbers across your six Ability Scores:

• 8
• 10
• 12
• 13
• 14
• 15

Points Buy

If you want to get even more crunchy, the Points Buy method gives you even more control over your ability scores. You start with 27 points, and you use them to 'buy' different Ability Scores.

4. Choose a background

Your character's background is literally what they did before they became an adventurer. This works differently in the two version of the DnD 5e rules - in fact, it's the biggest difference between the two!

2024 backgrounds

In the 2024 rules, your background gives your character the following:

• Ability Score increases: each background lists three Ability Scores. You can either increase all three of these scores for your character by +1, or instead increase one of those scores by +2, and another by +1.
• Origin Feat - A special ability.
• Additional skill and tool proficiencies.
• Additional starting equipment or starting gold.

2014 backgrounds

When using the 2014 rules, backgrounds don't add very much to your character's stats and abilities: they give you a few additional proficiencies, some equipment, and a unique (though very situational) ability that might be useful during your adventures.

We suggest picking a background based on the extra skills you want to be good at; or go with the one that best suits your character concept. If a rich, privileged upbringing is an important part of who your character is, then the Noble background is the perfect choice, regardless of what minor benefits it offers.

You can find a list of the best 5e backgrounds in our dedicated guide.

You can use 2014 backgounds with the 2024 rules, but you need to add an Origin feat from the 2024 Player's Handbook, as well as some Ability Score increases. It's best to check in with your DM if you want to do this.

5. Choose a species

Your character's species (also known as race) decides your creature type, size, speed, and what additional species abilities you get. In the 2014 rules, this also determines which Ability Scores you increase, just like Backgrounds do in the DnD 2024 rules.

There are a huge number of species you could play as in Dungeons and Dragons. To keep things simple, here are the core options found in both versions of the Player's Handbook:

• DnD Aasimar
• DnD Dragonborn
• DnD Dwarf
• DnD Elf
• DnD Gnome
• DnD Goliath
• DnD Half-Elf
• DnD Halfling
• DnD Half-Orc
• DnD Human
• DnD Orc
• DnD Tiefling

Many races published in supplements to the 2014 rules haven't yet been updated to the 2024 version of the rules. You can still use them - all you have to do is ignore any Ability Score increases the race provides. Everything else works as normal.

6. Finalize Ability Scores and calculate modifiers

Now that you've picked your Race and Background and modified the initial Ability Scores you generated, you should commit the final results to your character sheet.

But we're not quite done! In DnD, when you take an action and roll a D20, one of your Ability Scores will modify the result. If you're trying to hit someone with a sword, you will add a modifier based on your Strength: if you get zapped while trying to focus on a spell, your Constitution will modify your Concentration test. These modifiers are used in a few other places too.

To determine the Ability Score Modifier, refer to this chart:

There's space on your character sheet next to your Ability Scores to record the relevant Modifier.

7. Calculate total skill and save modifiers

You know what Skills and Saves your character is proficient in, and you know what your Ability Score modifiers are. Now's the time to put that information together on your character sheet. Many character sheets have space for you to write this information in so you can do the calculation on the sheet.

For example, suppose a character has a +3 Ability Score modifier for Wisdom. The skills Animal Handling, Insight, Medicine, Perception, and Survival all use the Wisdom Ability score modifier. The character would have a +3 modifier when rolling for any of those skills they were not proficient in, and a +5 modifier when rolling for skills they were proficient in.

8. Fill in the gaps

If you've been filling in your character sheet as you follow these steps, you'll have a few small boxes left to complete:

Alignment

Choose one of the nine DnD alignments to represent your character's moral compass. Alignment largely serves as inspiration for roleplaying your character, but there are rare occasions where it matters to the game rules, too.

Armor class

Your character's armor class is 10 + your Dexterity modifier + bonuses from any armor or shields you've equipped. This number decides how easily enemies can hit you in combat. Some classes, like the Barbarian, may calculate this differently, so be sure to check.

Initiative

Your Initiative bonus is typically the same as your Dexterity modifier, and it helps decide how soon you can take your turn in the order of combat. Some character options can alter this number.

Passive Perception

Your Passive Perception equals 10 + your Wisdom modifier + your proficiency bonus (if you're proficient in the Perception skill). A high Passive Perception means you're harder to sneak up on or hide from.

9. What level is your character?

If you were building a level-one character, congratulations! The character creation process is over for you. However, if you're starting at a higher level, there's still work to do. A DnD level up changes a lot about your character:

Hit points and hit dice

Every time your character levels up, you must roll your Hit Die. Add your Constitution modifier to the result, and then add the sum to your hit point maximum. If you start a campaign at level four, for example, you'll need to do this three times to ensure you start with the right amount of hit points.

After every level up, the number of Hit Dice in your Hit Dice pool increases by one. This isn't related to creating your character, but it's important to note down on your sheet - as you can use these dice to heal hit points during DnD short rests.

Proficiency bonus

Your proficiency bonus changes depending on your character level:

Experience points

If your DM uses experience points to figure out when your character levels up, you'll need to adjust your starting XP to reflect your level. Level-one characters begin with zero XP. After that, your starting XP will be:

Class features

Your chosen class will add new abilities as you reach certain level up milestones. You may also find your ability scores and spellcasting abilities increase as you progress. Each class operates very differently, so refer to your rulebook when getting a new character up to speed.

Subclasses

One guarantee is that, at some point, a higher-level character will need to choose a subclass. This drastically alters the flavor and play style of your character class, so choose wisely. In the 2014 rules, classes may introduce subclasses as early as level-one. However, in the 2024 rules, all classes gain a subclass at level three.

Our DnD subclasses guide has an overview of all the options from fifth edition. Many of these have been reworked for the 2024 Player's Handbook, so see the individual class guides for an update on what's changed. 2024 also introduced several new subclasses, which you can learn more about here:

• Path of the Wild Tree Barbarian
• Circle of the Sea Druid
• College of Dance Bard

Multiclassing

You might decide to use the DnD multiclassing rules to add a new class to your character build. You must have a score of at least 13 in a class' primary ability to multiclass into it.

Your hit points for that level up are based on the class you chose, and you gain one of their Hit Dice instead of one for your original class. You also gain proficiencies based on your new class, which is detailed in their section of the Player's Handbook.

You also gain any features the class offers at that level, though some higher-level abilities don't stack (for example, the Extra Attack feature). Your armor class is calculated based on one class' rules, and your spellcasting is modified if both your classes allow you to use magic.

If you're creating your very first D&D character, we'd recommend skipping multiclassing. Each class is designed to function perfectly well on its own, and it'll be easier to get your bearings without mixing and matching. A poorly-thought-out multiclass feels much worse in-game than a single-class character, so it's only worth pursuing once you understand the game fully.

10. Choose your spells

If you're playing a magical class, you'll need to decide which DnD spells to start out with. The number of spells (and spell slots) you have will depend on your class, and each class has its own spell list to choose from. If you're building a level-one character, you'll likely begin your game with a handful of DnD cantrips and level-one spells.

This is the most fiddly part of character creation by far. However, the 2024 Player's Handbook recommends starting spells for each class that's able to use magic.

Anyone who can cast spells needs to know a few key calculations. First is your spell save DC, the number enemies will need to roll against to avoid the effects of your spells. Your spell save DC equals eight plus your proficiency bonus and spellcasting modifier (the ability modifier for Wisdom, Intelligence, or Charisma, depending on your class).

Next is your spell attack bonus. When rolling to make an attack with a spell, this modifier is added to your roll. Spell attack bonuses equal your proficiency bonus plus your spellcasting modifier.

11. Choose your equipment

Last of all, it's time to pick your gear! Your character always starts the game with a selection of equipment, and the options you have depend on your class.

For each class, you'll get two options to choose from:

1. A pre-set list of starting equipment selected to compliment your class and role (usually some combo of armor, weapons adventuring packs, and/or a spellcasting focus).
2. A budget of starting gold (decided by your class and, in part, your background) to buy whatever equipment you want.

If this is your first time playing DnD, we'd strongly recommend picking one of the pre-made starting equipment packages 'off the shelf'. This makes sure you're not missing anything core to your class - and you can always pick up new stuff you fancy later in the adventure.

It also ensures you'll start with weapons you're proficient in - to learn more about how the different weapons work in the 2024 rules, read our full guide to the DnD weapon mastery rules.

Some classes also start with special items such as Thieves' Tools or Artisan's Tools - these can come in very handy on your adventures, and they're much more useful in DnD's new 2024 ruleset. For full details on how they work, read our complete DnD tools guide.

To check out all the equipment options for your chosen class, head to our detailed 2014 and 2024 class guides - they're all linked in the 'Choose your class' section above.

Starting equipment at higher levels

If you're starting your DnD campaign at a level higher than one, your Dungeon Master may choose to grant you some extra starting equipment so you're properly tooled up to fight higher level enemies.

If they do, the 2024 Player's Handbook recommends the following higher level starting equipment:

Premade DnD characters

If you'd like to see what a finished D&D character looks like - or you want to skip all the hard work - we've put together a few premade DnD characters for you. These DnD character builds aren't particularly broken or overpowered, but they are optimized enough that they'll feel fun to play, whatever your experience level.

The one section we've left blank is those that decide your character's personality - that's up to you. Click on the images below to zoom in, read all the details, and save the big pic down for use in your games if you like!

Cleric

Fighter

And, with that, you now have a complete Dungeons and Dragons character ready to go! If you're keen to learn more about 5e, here's all you need to know about this year's DnD release schedule. We can also explain crunchy rules like DnD damage types and DnD sizes.