How to Create a DnD Character – A Complete Guide for Adventurers

Table of Contents

Ready to dive in and start building your new Dungeons & Dragons character? Whether you’re a new player learning the ropes or an experienced adventurer in need of a refresher, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to create a character that’s uniquely yours. Creating and roleplaying a character is truly the heart and soul of DnD, and we’re here to make the process as exciting and enjoyable as the stories you’ll bring to life. Whether you’re preparing for a game set in our unique custom setting of the Star Wilds or playing in one of the many iconic worlds across the multiverse, this guide will help you craft a character ready to take on any challenge.

The first decision you’ll make when creating your character is selecting the race or species you want to play. In the vast Dungeons & Dragons multiverse, there are countless races to choose from, each offering unique abilities and traits. However, in our custom setting of the Star Wilds, we’ve crafted over 33 unique and original races, each designed to immerse you in the rich lore and diverse cultures of this setting. Your race doesn’t just determine your character’s abilities, features, and traits—it also plays a significant role in shaping their background, personality, and role-playing opportunities. When choosing, think beyond the stats: pick a race that excites you and inspires a character you’ll enjoy bringing to life.

Whether you’re creating a character within the Star Wilds setting or incorporating Star Wilds content into another campaign, you’ll find a wealth of options here. Browse our list of custom playable races below.

Click here to learn more about the humans.

Click here to learn more about the elden.

Click here to learn more about the dworin.

Click here to learn more about the halflings.

Click here to learn more about the orkish.

Click here to learn more about the gobish.

Click here to learn more about the dragonborn.

Click here to learn more about the demonborn.

Click here to learn more about the avian.

Click here to learn more about the felix.

Click here to learn more about the primarian.

Click here to learn more about the reptilian.

Click here to learn more about the rhynox.

If you’re looking for more inspiration, you can also explore the official Dungeons & Dragons races via DnD Beyond or dive into a wide variety of homebrew options to further customize your game.

Once you’ve explored the available races and decided on the one you want to play, you’re almost ready to move on to Step 2. All of your character’s racial traits and features will eventually be applied to your character sheet, which we’ll cover later in this guide.

Pro Tip: Be sure to bookmark or save any links or resources related to your chosen race—you’ll be referencing them again as you continue building your character!

Now that you’ve decided on a race for your character, it’s time to select a class. Your class is a critical choice that defines your character’s combat style, abilities, and overall role in the party. It influences how your character fights, what skills and spells they can use, and how they grow as they level up.

Selecting your class is often considered the most important decision in character creation, as it determines your character’s abilities, level-up progression, and the unique strengths they bring to the group. DnD offers 13 official classes, each with its own unique flavor and mechanics. Additionally, each class has subclasses, which provide even more customization and allow you to develop your character in exciting and unique ways.

Below is a list of the 13 official Dungeons & Dragons classes, each with a brief description to give you an idea of what they offer. Additionally, you’ll find links to resources for deeper exploration, helping you decide which class best suits your character:

Artificer

A master of invention and magical technology, artificers use tools, gadgets, and enchantments to support their party. They can craft magical items, infuse weapons, and act as both damage-dealers and support.

Barbarian

A fierce warrior fueled by primal rage. Barbarians excel in melee combat, with high durability and raw physical power. They thrive on the front lines, soaking up damage and dishing it out in equal measure.

Bard

A master of performance and magic, bards use their charisma and versatility to inspire allies, manipulate enemies, and cast a wide variety of spells. They’re adaptable and can fill many different roles in a party.

Cleric

A divine spellcaster who serves a god or higher power. Clerics are versatile, with access to powerful healing, protective, and destructive spells. They can specialize in many roles, from healer to combatant.

Druid

A nature-based spellcaster who commands the forces of the wild. Druids can shapeshift into animals, cast a wide range of spells, and protect the natural world.

Fighter

A highly skilled combatant who excels with weapons and tactics. Fighters are a straightforward and flexible class, capable of adapting to melee or ranged combat and excelling in durability or damage-dealing.

Monk

A martial artist who channels inner energy (ki) to perform extraordinary feats. Monks are fast, agile, and capable of delivering devastating unarmed strikes while deflecting attacks with ease.

Paladin

A holy warrior devoted to a cause or deity. Paladins combine combat prowess with divine magic, making them strong front-line fighters with healing and support abilities.

Ranger

A skilled tracker and hunter, rangers thrive in the wilderness. They excel in ranged combat or dual-wielding weapons and can cast spells that connect them to nature.

Rogue

A stealthy and cunning adventurer who uses precision and guile to outwit enemies. Rogues specialize in sneak attacks, traps, and exploration, making them invaluable in and out of combat.

Sorcerer

A natural spellcaster whose magic comes from an innate source, such as a magical bloodline or otherworldly influence. Sorcerers are powerful and versatile but rely heavily on their limited spell choices.

Warlock

A spellcaster who gains their power through a pact with a powerful patron, such as a demon, fey, or otherworldly entity. Warlocks are unique in their ability to recharge spell slots quickly and cast powerful eldritch magic.

Wizard

A scholarly spellcaster who learns and wields arcane magic through study and practice. Wizards have the largest spell selection in the game and are incredibly versatile, though they are often fragile in combat.

In addition to the official Dungeons and Dragons classes, there is a vast array of homebrew classes and subclasses, created by the community. These can add even more variety to your game, but be sure to get your Game Master’s approval before using homebrew content.

When choosing a class, we recommend considering what sounds the most fun to you—there are no right or wrong choices! However, working with your Game Master (GM) and party members to fill specific roles (like healer, tank, or damage-dealer) can help ensure your group functions well as a team. That said, this is not a requirement—DnD is about playing the character you want.

Your choice of class should reflect both your character’s background and their personal skill development. Think about the kind of hero you want to play and select a class that fits your vision.

Once you’ve selected both your race and class, the next step is to dive into developing your character’s background. This step helps flesh out your character’s personality, origin, and motivations. Creating a background happens in two parts: Selecting a background and creating your backstory.

Your chosen background grants your character additional features, such as proficiencies, starting equipment, etc. It also provides personality traits, ideals, bonds, and flaws, which can help define how your character interacts with the world. Below we have provided some resources to help you explore and choose the perfect background for your character.

Background Resources:
Official DnD Beyond
Unofficial DnD Wikidot

Your background represents your character’s origin and what they were before the start of your current adventure. However, unlike your class or race, your background does not necessarily define who they are long-term. Your character will grow and evolve throughout your playtime, and their background serves as a starting point for that journey.

DnD offers many official background options, and there’s also a vast collection of homebrew and community-created backgrounds. Choose a background that feels fun to roleplay and aligns with your character concept. These backgrounds are versatile and can be reinterpreted to fit any setting, including custom worlds like the Star Wilds or other campaign settings.

Your backstory is an essential part of any roleplaying character. It provides a foundation for roleplaying and gives your Game Master (GM) material to weave into their story. A backstory is essentially a snapshot of your character’s life leading up to the start of the campaign. The events of your game will build on this foundation, becoming the next chapters of your character’s story.

Your backstory can be as detailed or brief as you prefer. If you enjoy writing and digging deep into your character, feel free to elaborate. If you prefer simplicity, even a short and straightforward backstory will suffice. A solid backstory should generally include the following elements:

• When crafting your backstory, think about your character’s origin and upbringing. Where are they from, and what kind of environment shaped them? Consider how their upbringing influenced their decision to follow the path of the class you selected and how it ties into the background you’ve chosen. This connection helps ground your character in the world and makes their narrative feel cohesive.
  
• Relationships are an important part of any backstory. Think about the allies, friends, or mentors your character has had in their life—people they care about or are connected to. On the flip side, consider whether your character has any enemies, rivals, or even an archenemy. These relationships give the GM opportunities to weave your backstory into their campaign, adding depth and personal stakes to your character’s journey.
  
• Incorporating the personality traits, ideals, bonds, and flaws from your selected background can help bring your character to life. These elements are not just mechanical aspects of the game; they provide insight into your character’s values, motivations, and weaknesses. By reflecting these traits in your backstory, you’ll create a well-rounded character with a unique perspective on the world.
  
• Attachments are another key aspect of a compelling backstory. Your character should have something meaningful they are connected to—this could be a family heirloom, a personal goal, a specific ideal, or an important person. Attachments provide your character with something to fight for and, just as importantly, something to lose. These ties help ground your character emotionally and connect them to the game world.
  
• Your backstory should integrate seamlessly into the campaign’s setting. Work with your GM to ensure your character’s story fits within the world’s lore. For example, if you’re playing in the custom world of the Star Wilds, explore its unique lore and history to align your character’s background with the setting. This allows your character to feel like a natural part of the world while still having their own unique story. Explore Star Wilds world lore and content on our free and accessible wiki.
  
• A good backstory should also leave room for growth and development. While you want to establish a solid foundation, leaving some unanswered questions or mysteries about your character’s past gives the GM opportunities to explore your story during the campaign.
  
• including personal goals and aspirations for your character can help drive roleplay and decision-making throughout the game. Focus on the key elements of your character’s past rather than overloading it with unnecessary details—simplicity can be just as powerful as complexity.

Ultimately, your backstory can be as detailed or brief as you prefer. Whether you choose to write an elaborate history or keep it simple, the goal is to create a foundation that both you and your GM can reference. A well-crafted backstory will enrich your roleplaying experience and make your character feel like a living, breathing part of the world. If you’re new to roleplaying or looking for helpful resources, be sure to check out our article Tips for Roleplaying Your Dungeons & Dragons Character.

Your character’s backstory is a vital part of their identity and serves as a foundation for their personality, motivations, and role in the story. This backstory is best written as a narrative, whether it’s a short summary or a detailed account of their life. You can record it on your character sheet or keep it in your own notes—just make sure it’s easily accessible to both you and your Game Master.

As for revealing your backstory to your fellow party members, that decision is entirely up to you and your Game Master. Some tables enjoy sharing backstories openly from the start, while others prefer to keep them hidden, allowing elements of the past to emerge naturally through roleplay. Choose whichever approach best fits your table’s playstyle and the flavor of your campaign.

Your backstory is an opportunity to bring your character to life, so take the time to craft something meaningful, exciting, and fun to play!

A character sheet is a document that contains all the important information about your character: their abilities, skills, hit points (HP), spells, equipment, etc. It’s essentially the blueprint of your character and serves as your primary tool during gameplay, helping you keep track of character.

If you’re new to Dungeons & Dragons, character sheets can feel a bit overwhelming at first. There are a lot of numbers, boxes, and terms that might seem confusing, but don’t worry—we’ll break it down step by step to make it easy to understand.

When it comes to creating and managing your character sheet, there are several options available depending on your preferences and the tools your group is using. Here’s a quick breakdown of the most common methods:

1.) Physical Character Sheets:
The classic option is a physical character sheet, typically a printed piece of paper where you can manually write down your character’s stats, abilities, and details. You can find printable character sheets online such as the Official Dungeons & Dragons 5e Character Sheet, as well as a ton of custom homebrew character sheets.

2.) Online Character Sheets:
For those who prefer digital tools, there are several online options such as DnD Beyond and many other websites.

3.) Virtual Tabletop (VTT) Sheets:
If you’re playing online using a VTT like Roll20, FoundryVTT, or Fantasy Grounds, these platforms often have built-in character sheets. These sheets are designed to integrate directly into the game, allowing you to roll dice, track stats, and manage your character with ease.

4.) PDFs and Apps:
Some players prefer using fillable PDF character sheets, which can be downloaded and edited digitally. There are also mobile apps available for managing character sheets on the go. We recommend the Official Dungeons & Dragons 5e Character Sheet.

Ability scores are the foundation of your character’s strengths and weaknesses. These six scores—Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma—affect everything from combat to roleplaying interactions.

Determining these scores is one of the most important steps when creating your character. If you’re playing in the Star Wilds setting, you can use our custom Dynamic Point Array – Alternative Attribute Rolling for New Characters rule supplement, which offers a more flexible and thematic way to generate your ability scores. Alternatively, you can use the classic D&D methods, such as the standard array or point buy systems.

Consult with your Game Master (GM) to determine which method your table will be using for ability scores. Some GMs may prefer to stick with classic methods, while others might embrace the Dynamic Point Array or even allow rolling for stats if it fits the tone of your adventure.

Your character’s skills represent the specific areas where they excel. Skills are tied to your ability scores and reflect how your character interacts with the world. For example, Stealth is tied to Dexterity, while Persuasion is tied to Charisma. When creating your character, you’ll select a number of proficient skills based on your class, race, and background. Proficiency means your character is particularly talented in those skills, allowing you to add your Proficiency Bonus (a number based on your level) to rolls involving those skills.

How to Choose Skills: 
Each class and background gives you a set number of skills to choose from during character creation. Think about your character’s personality and story—what would they naturally be skilled at? A roguish thief might excel at Sleight of Hand, while a scholarly wizard might favor Arcana or History.

Proficiency Bonus: 
At level 1, your proficiency bonus is +2. This bonus increases as you level up, and it applies not just to skills but also to things like attacks and saving throws where you have proficiency.

Your Hit Points (HP) determine how much damage your character can take before falling unconscious or dying. Your starting HP is based on your class and Constitution modifier, plus your Hit Die, which is a type of dice determined by your class (e.g., a fighter uses a d10, while a wizard uses a d6).

How to Determine Starting HP: 
At level 1, your starting HP is the maximum roll of your Hit Die plus your Constitution modifier. For example, if you’re a barbarian (d12 Hit Die) with a Constitution modifier of +3, your starting HP would be 15 (12 + 3).

Leveling Up: 
When you level up, you’ll roll your Hit Die (or take the average roll) and add your Constitution modifier to determine how much your HP increases.

Your Armor Class (AC) represents how difficult it is for enemies to hit you in combat. It’s determined by the armor you’re wearing, your Dexterity modifier, and any magical items or abilities you have. AC is one of the most important defensive stats on your character sheet, so be sure to equip your character appropriately for their role in the party.

Your Initiative determines how quickly your character acts in combat. It’s a simple number based on your Dexterity modifier. When combat begins, you’ll roll a d20 and add your Initiative bonus to determine your place in the turn order. Higher Initiative = Acting Sooner.

If your character is a spellcaster, your Spells section will include all the magical abilities you can use, including your spell slots and known spells.

Spellcasting Ability: 
Each spellcasting class has a primary ability score for spells. For example, wizards use Intelligence, clerics use Wisdom, and sorcerers use Charisma.

Spell Slots: 
These represent how many spells you can cast per day. Spell slots refresh after a long rest (or sometimes a short rest, depending on the class).

Cantrips:
These are minor spells you can cast an unlimited number of times.

As you select your class, race, and background, your character will gain various features and traits that define their unique abilities and role in the game.

Class Features: 
These are the core abilities your character gains from their class selection.

Racial Traits: 
These are special abilities determined by your race selection.

Background Features: 
These provide additional features based on your characters background selection.

Your character’s equipment is critical for survival and success in the game. This includes weapons, armor, tools, and other items your character carries. You can log all of your gear within your character sheet. Your class and background will provide you with initial starting equipment. Some tables use encumbrance rules, which limit how much your character can carry based on their Strength score. Consult with your Game Master to determine how your game will be handling encumbrance.

Pro Tip:
A character sheet contains a lot of information, and it’s okay to feel a bit overwhelmed when filling it out for the first time. Take your time, ask your Game Master (GM) or fellow players for help if needed, and remember that the most important part is creating a character you’re excited to play.

Now that you’ve chosen your race, class, background, and crafted a backstory, as well as filled out your character sheet, you’re ready to embark on your next great adventure. Whether you’re diving into our unique world of the Star Wilds or exploring other realms across the multiverse, this guide has equipped you to create a character that is truly your own. Your character is the heart of your D&D experience, and we hope this process has helped you create someone you’re excited to roleplay and grow with. Before your first session, don’t forget to share your character sheet and backstory with your Game Master. This not only helps them weave your character into the story but also ensures that any custom rules or setting-specific details fit seamlessly into your campaign.

For more tips, guides, and resources to enhance your adventures, be sure to explore our blog and check out the free, accessible Star Wilds Wiki for even more lore and content. Now go forth, roll some dice, and bring your character to life—have fun out there in the Star Wilds and beyond!