I’m trying to start a D&D campaign (or at least one solid adventure) with some of the people from work. Only one of them has played D&D before, so this is an introduction to character options for them. If there’s anything any of you want to ask questions about, please don’t be shy.
This is going to be far from a comprehensive guide, just some of the fundamentals.
Mathematically, the core to a character is their six stats: Strength (STR), Constitution (CON), Dexterity (DEX), Intelligence (INT), Wisdom (WIS), and Charisma (CHA). Each stat plugs into various formulas on a character sheet, and you end up with the actual numbers you use to modify the results of dice rolls. Higher numbers are better. The process of what each stat does exactly is much easier to explain in person, but the learning curve really isn’t as bad as it appears.
Anyway, here’s a list of races and classes to choose from for creating your characters:
Available Races:
Here’s the list of races to choose from. Each race (aside from humans) gets a bonus to two ability scores. Each race also gets a special power. Most powers are only useable occasionally (once per encounter), but humans and goblins can use their powers as often as they like. The last three races in the list are under 4 feet tall, and considered small creatures. They can’t use big two-handed weapons, and have to wield some one-handed weapons with both hands.
| Race | Ability Score Bonuses | Special Powers (useable occasionally) | Miscellaneous Notes |
| Human | one ability of player’s choice | Gets an extra power of their choice from their class. | Very versatile, can excel as any class. |
| Dragonborn | STR and CHA | Dragon-breath area attack. | General Combat bonuses. |
| Dwarf | CON and WIS | Can heal self much quicker than other races. | Moves slower, but great defensive bonuses. |
| Elf | DEX and WIS | Can re-roll bad attack rolls. | Moves faster than other races. |
| Eladrin | DEX and INT | Can teleport short distances. | Smarty-pants skill bonuses. |
| Half-elf | CON and CHA | Gets an extra power of their choice from a second class. | Social skill bonuses. |
| Orc | STR and DEX | Can add extra damage to an attack. | General Combat bonuses. |
| Halfling | DEX and CHA | Can force an enemy to re-roll an attack. | Can’t use two-handed weapons, but has lots of lucky defensive bonuses. |
| Gnome | INT and CHA | Can go invisible when damaged. | Can’t use two-handed weapons, moves slower, but very stealthy. |
| Goblin | DEX and CHA | Can shift position whenever missed by a melee attack. | Can’t use two-handed weapons, but great thieves. |
Available Classes:
And here’s the list of classes to chose from. You can pair any race with any class, but some are better suited than others. The powers of each class are usually driven primarily by one or two ability scores, with certain secondary scores being important as well.
The classes are divided into four combat roles. Generally speaking: leaders have the best healing abilities, strikers do a ton of damage, controllers are good at putting foes at a disadvantage, and defenders are resilient tanks. Ideally you want at least one of each role in the adventuring party, but it’s not a big deal if that doesn’t happen. Leaders are essential though, you need at least one of those.
| Class: | Role: | Primary Abilities: | Secondary Abilities: | Synopsis: |
| Bard | Leader | CHA | WIS and CON | A jack-of-all-trades. Charms foes, swings swords, sings songs. |
| Cleric | Leader | WIS or STR | CHA | A divine protector. Can choose to focus more on melee combat or spell-casting. |
| Captain | Leader | STR | INT and CHA | A military commander that thrives alongside a group of more melee-focused allies. |
| Barbarian | Striker | STR | CON and CHA | A wild berserker that sacrifices defense for extra damage. Likes big weapons and shiny things. |
| Sorcerer | Striker | CHA | DEX and STR | A spellcaster that channels raw power into potent spells lots of big bursts and blasts. |
| Ranger | Striker | STR or DEX | WIS | A naturalist that chooses between either primarily ranged weapons, or fighting with one weapon in each hand. |
| Rogue | Striker | DEX | STR and CHA | A stealthy thief. Ever hear of ‘sneak attacks’? This is where they came from. |
| Warlock | Striker | CON or CHA | INT | A spellcaster that has made a pact with sinister forces in exchange for power. |
| Wizard | Controller | INT | WIS and DEX | A student of magic with a spell for every situation. |
| Fighter | Defender | STR | CON or DEX or WIS | A trained and capable warrior. Very resilient. The ultimate student of battle. |
| Paladin | Defender | CHA or STR | WIS | A holy warrior in heavy armor. Some healing abilites. |
| Warden | Defender | STR | CON or WIS | A primal defender that draws power from the earth. Some shape-shifting abilities. |