In tabletop role-playing games, the character race represents the people to which a player character (PC) or a non-player character (NPC) belongs. 'People' is to be taken in the broader sense, and may encompass ethnic groups, species, nationality[1] or social groups.[2]
An Elf as inspired by Tolkien.
In this fantasy world, the word âraceâ means the same as and replaces âspeciesâ.
ââEarthdawn (1993) p.38[3]
It can be a fictitious species from a fictional universe, or a real people, especially in case of a history-based universe (even if it has a given level of fantasy), e.g. Call of Cthulhu (1981),[4]Boot Hill (1975)[5] or Bushido (1979).[6] The term âraceâ is even broader than the usual meaning, as it also includes extraterrestrial beings; vegetal beings, e.g. the Aldryami in Glorantha (1978),[7] or the Sylvanians in Fantasy Craft (2010);[8] and robots, e.g. Artificials in Fantasy Craft or the Forgeborn/Dwarf-forged optional race in 13th Age (2013).[9]
This notion is also present in most fantasy or science-fiction works: novels, comics, video games (especially role-playing video game), board games, LARP, etc. The transmediality is obvious in case of consistent universes, e.g. the Middle Earth or the Star Wars universe.
Not all works use the term 'race': in Tunnels and Trolls 7th ed. (2005),[10]Ken St. Andre uses the term 'kinship (kin)'; the term is 'Spezies' (species) in Das Schwarze Auge 5th ed. (2014),[11] and 'éthnie' (ethnicity) in EW-System 2.0 (2004).[12]
In the heroic fantasy games, the races are usually humans, elves, dwarves, orcs, goblins, immaterial being (spirits, ghosts), etc. The main influence is the work of John Ronald Reuel Tolkien. Some fantasy or steampunk games also involve 'artificial creatures' (alchemical homunculus, golems and mechanical creatures).
Vampire nexus sims 4. In science-fiction games, especially space opera and cyberpunk, the races are humans, extraterrestrials, mutants, cyborgs, transhumans, robots, and artificial intelligences (AI).
In some universes, it is possible to have hybrid characters. For example, in Dungeons & Dragons, it is possible to play a half-elf (hybrid of a human and an elf) or a half-orc (hybrid of a human and an orc).
- 1History
- 3Game design
History[edit]
The first role-playing game, âoriginalâ Dungeons & Dragons (1974),[13] stems from the wargameChainmail (1971).[14]Chainmail was especially designed to include fantasy races. The race is therefore a core notion present at the very beginning of the role-playing games.
The races in Dungeons & Dragons are strongly inspired by the fantasy literature of the 1930s-1960s.[15] It thus includes the Tolkienian archetypes, but the game makes a difference between:
- the races that can be played as player characters, the so-called âplayable racesâ: humans, elves, dwarves, gnomes, halflings (initially called hobbits), half-elves and half-orcs;
- âmonstersâ, which can only be non-player characters, and which are by name opposed to the player characters: orcs, goblins, kobolds, trolls, ogres, gnolls, etc.
In the first science-fiction role-playing game, Metamorphosis Alpha (1976),[16] it is possible to play humans and mutated creatures.
In 1975, Tunnels & Trolls[17] allows for the first time to play âmonstersâ, i.e. a player character can be any race, including possibly a âmonsterâ, but the races are not described in this game; in the 1979solo adventureGoblin Lake,[18] the player character is a goblin. The 1983 game Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game[19] also allows 'monsters' as PCs (e.g. goblin or a kobold), and these races are described in the same way as the ânon-monsterâ races.
The first fantasy game that breaks with the D&D conventions is RuneQuest:[7] the âelvesâ (Aldryami) are vegetal beings, it is possible to play a duck [sic], but the game also takes into account the cult (pantheon and system of beliefs such as animism) and the cultural background of the character's people: primitive, barbarian, nomadic or civilized. As opposed to Dungeons & Dragons, the character is not totally defined by race and class, but by a list of skills (what the character can do); the cultural background defines the basic value of the skills, and the cult the access to magic. The race is thus less important in a functional point of view (how the character can interact with the fictional world), but more important in a mimetic point of view (roleplay). The âbasic bricksâ of the character are more flexible (see § The race, a brick of the character below).
Generic races[edit]
The âoriginalâ Dungeons & Dragons(OD&D), and the first Advanced Dungeons & Dragons manuals (AD&D), do not describe any particular universe. The universe is only described through the game rules (magic, gods, fantasy races), and it outlines a generic universe inspired by popular fantasy novels of the 1930s-1960s.[15] The race is essentially a list of capabilitiesâfunctional partâand a rather thin description that is often limited to the visual appearance, with an illustration, and some elements of moeursâmimetic part (see § Function, mimesis and roleplay below). The way the race takes place in the fictional universe is described in optional books, the âcampaign settingsâ or âworld booksâ. The race is thus mainly a âfunctional toolâ, a set of functions that the player can implement in the adventure: the elves can see in the dark, and in OD&D hobbits can only be fighting men.[20] The Player's Handbook[21] also provide a table of âRacial preferencesâ and racial restrictions to the alignment, i.e. some races are intended to behave in a given moral way.
TSR Hobbies assumed anyone buying D&D knew what Hobbits are, there was no real description and the only reason they seemed to have been included was to reinforce the game's connection with Tolkien's stories.
ââRonald Mark Pehr, A Change of Hobbit[20]
The player thus has to pick from his own knowledge of other works, particularly in what is now called the âgeek cultureâ; according to Isabelle Périer, PhD in comparative literature:[22]
[this intertextuality] is a concision toolâit allows to quickly get into the middle of the actionâand an opening towards variationsâyou can then play with the stereotypes.
French: [Cette intertextualité] est un outil de concision â ça permet d'aller au cÅur de l'action très vite â, et une ouverture vers la variation â après on peut jouer avec les stéréotypes.
French: [Cette intertextualité] est un outil de concision â ça permet d'aller au cÅur de l'action très vite â, et une ouverture vers la variation â après on peut jouer avec les stéréotypes.
ââIsabelle Périer, Role-playing games: another form of youth literature? (Le jeu de rôle : une autre forme de littérature de jeunesse ?)[23]
Race-driven campaign[edit]
In 1989, Jean-Luc Bizien [fr] creates Hurlements [fr] (French for âhowlsâ) in which players characters are âerrantsâ, âwanderersâ, i.e. were-animals that form a caravan. The race of were-animals, and their relationship with the humans, become the main subject of the adventures, and not only a functional element or a flavour to the universe. Other games are then published, where the race of the player characters is itself the main topic of the adventures, especially Vampire: The Masquerade (1991)[24] and Nephilim (1992)[25]
Depiction of real peoples[edit]
As aforementioned, some campaign settings are based on real world events, and thus depict real peoples. The way the people are described can be problematic and may sometimes be considered as offending. For example, French articles[26]·[27] criticised the way the Soviets were depicted in The Price of Freedom (1986).[28]
Game design[edit]
Race selection screen in Falcon's Eye.
According to Coralie David,[29] in role-playing games (as well as in youth literature), the characters are defined by âbricksâ; they are in fact âsyntagms of fictional paradigmsâ (French: syntagmes de paradigmes fictionnels). This makes the immersion of the player (or reader) easier, as anyone can build his own character in a way that is consistent with the fictional universe.[30]
[As they describe various archetypes,] the authors of Dungeons & Dragons draw paradigms, the gears and bricks that compose them. It is possible to play Hobbits, Elves, Humans [⦠The players] will use bricks to build their own characters. The characters will be in fact structured like a set of gears that are both fictional and ludic. French: [En décrivant différents archétypes,] les auteurs de 'Donjons & Dragons' dégagent des paradigmes, les rouages et les briques qui les composent. Il est possible d'y incarner des hobbits, des elfes, des humains [⦠Les joueurs] vont utiliser des briques pour construire leurs propres personnages, qui vont être en fait structurés comme un ensemble de pièces d'engrenage qui sont à la fois fictionnelles et ludiques
ââCoralie David, Role-playing game and fictional writing (Jeux de rôle et écriture fictionnelle)[30]
Thus, the race is one of these bricks, as it provides a set of predefined parameters (diegetic paradigms) and of characteristicsâin the broad sense: physical characteristics, cultural background, moral values and social relationships. The fictional world is built as a consistent system made of âexposedâ bricks[31] that can be easily identified, and this promotes creativity and sharing; it also promotes the imaginary creation by the player (or reader).[30]
The race itself can be made of âsub-bricksâ the player can choose, e.g. in After the Bomb 2nd ed. (2001),[32] the player can build his own race by a combination of a basic animal race and mutations.
All Playable Races In D D 5e
Function, mimesis and roleplay[edit]
As aforementioned, a character is mainly defined by two things:
- what he can do in the fictional world, his âfunctionalitiesâ;
- who he is as a fictional person: his social status, his look, his habits, his past, etc. which is called here his âmimetic partâ
The functionalities are often a set capabilities and impairments which the game designer try to keep balanced. In some games, the choice of a given race has a cost in generation points, to reflect the advantages a race can give.
In race-driven campaigns, the functionalities can play a central role. For example, in Cats ! (La Mascarade) (2010),[33] the PCs are cats, with the following consequences:
4: The cats have powerful powers, but always in a feline point of view.
5: Cats can hardly understand the way humans understand things.
6: The domestic felines do not have an opposable thumb!
7: What is easy for a human is complicated for a cat.French: 4 : Les pouvoirs des chats sont puissants, mais toujours rapportés à une optique féline.
5 : Les chats ont du mal à comprendre lâesprit humain.
6 : Pas de pouce préhenseur chez les félins domestiques !
7 : Ce qui est facile pour un humain est compliqué pour un chat.
5: Cats can hardly understand the way humans understand things.
6: The domestic felines do not have an opposable thumb!
7: What is easy for a human is complicated for a cat.French: 4 : Les pouvoirs des chats sont puissants, mais toujours rapportés à une optique féline.
5 : Les chats ont du mal à comprendre lâesprit humain.
6 : Pas de pouce préhenseur chez les félins domestiques !
7 : Ce qui est facile pour un humain est compliqué pour un chat.
ââTlön Uqbar (Vincent Mathieu), The Universe and the scenarios as sub-systems (Lâunivers et les scénarios comme sous-systèmes)[34]
This influences the decisions of the player, i.e. the roleplay. In some games, the race has an influence on the choices made by the player. The influence can be prescribed by descriptions of the cultural background: the âRacial preferencesâ in AD&D impels the character to behave in a given way with other characters, and each cult and culture in RuneQuest Glorantha describe the way the character sees the world. In some other games, the influence on choices is impelled, and sometimes enforced, by the rules.
Some game designers consider that creating a rule to induce a role-playing choice is suitable:
In role-playing games, there is a balance between functionalism and mimesis, that is to say that at the beginning, a character is functional: he knows 1. How to fight or 2. How to chat up people [â¦] What can I do at that game table? How can I interact with the world that surrounds me? All this is transcribed by a list of characteristics or attributes [â¦] Furthermore, [we impose the role-playing character to have a] given mimetic wrapper: who I am, what my name is [â¦] what my past life is [â¦] There is a balance; the balance is found, in my opinion, when the mimetic part echoes to the functional part. For example in Vampire, you have main traits of personality, called âNatureâ, and when you play according to your Nature, you earn points of Willpower that allows you to make better dice rolls.French: Dans le jeu de rôle, on a un équilibre entre fonctionnalisme et mimétique, à savoir qu'un personnage de jeu de rôle, à l'origine, est fonctionnel : il sait 1. Se battre ou 2. Baratiner des gens [â¦] Qu'est-ce que je vais faire autour de la table ? Comment est-ce que je vais agir sur le monde autour de moi ? Tout cela est retransmis par des listes de caractéristiques ou d'attributs [â¦] Par ailleurs, [on impose aussi au personnage de jeu de rôle] une certaine enveloppe mimétique : qui je suis, comment je m'appelle [â¦] quel est mon passé [â¦] On est dans un équilibre, l'équilibre étant à mon avis trouvé lorsque le mimétisme renvoie à du fonctionnalisme. Par exemple dans 'Vampire', vous avez des traits de caractère principaux, qu'on appelle la « Nature », et quand vous jouez votre Nature, vous regagnez des points de 'Volonté' qui vous permettent de faire de meilleurs jets.
ââIsabelle Périer, âRole-playing games: another form of youth literature?â (Le jeu de rôle : une autre forme de littérature de jeunesse ?)[35]
Some other consider that such rules limit the freedom of choice of the player and impedes the immersion:
Typically, if you want to create game situations where the players don't know whether their characters are losing their minds, or whether this NPC is actually going to betray them, you shall make sure not to tell them. This means to make sure that what you envision for your game to be played is not that obvious, or that there is no explicit statistic that will let them know for sure what is going to happen next. [..] Indeed, some issues are much more well addressed through play if they are not explicit or if they emerge during the play without being felt as mandatory.French: Typiquement, dans un jeu où on veut créer une dynamique où les joueur se demandent si leurs personnages sont fous ou si tel ou tel PNJ vont les trahir ou pas, il serait bien malvenu de ne laisser aucun doute à ces sujets, que ce soit par une vision trop explicite ou une statistique trop évidente. [â¦] De fait, certaines thématiques parlent dâautant plus fort en jeu quâelles sont tues ou ne sont pas obligatoires.
ââJérôme Larré, De la vision au jeu : 10 pièges[36]
For example, in many role-playing games based on medieval Japan, the notion of honour is specific to the Japanese people (âraceâ); it is handled in different ways:
- honour is represented by a statistic that varies according to the acts of the character:
- the first dedicated role-playing game, Bushido (1979)[6] uses a statistic called On;
- in the first edition of AD&DOriental Adventures (which takes place in Kara-Tur, 1985),[37] the character has âHonorâ points that influences some game parameters (e.g. the reaction rolls that tell if a NPC have a positive or negative reaction towards the PCs);
- similarly, in the Fighting FantasygamebookSword of the Samurai (1986),[38] the character also has âHonourâ points; the character commits seppuku if the Honour points drop to zero, and a given amount of Honour points is required to activate some magical effects;
- in Land of Ninja (1986),[39] some characters have an Honour characteristic (HON); a positive HON accounts as a bonus to social skills as the PC has a favourable reputation, and negative HON also acts as a bonus, by intimidation;
- the Pathfinder Ultimate Campaign system (2013)[40] proposes the use of a Honor Points that can be spent to have a favour or a gift from an ally NPC, or to have a bonus in social skill rolls;[41]
- a player can choose to follow a code of honour that forces him to act in a given way in some situations, to get advantages in reward:
- in GURPS Japan, the character may choose a disadvantage to have additional character points; in the 1st ed. (1988),[42] a disadvantage called âSense of Dutyâ obliges the PC towards a given NPC or organisation; the 2nd ed. (1999)[43] provides an additional disadvantage, âCode of Honorâ, that constrains the PC to act according to a moral code;
- in the 3rd edition of D&DOriental Adventures (in Rokugan, 2001),[44] there is no longer honour gauge, honour is handled in the same way as an alignment with possibly bonus to honourable characters (at dungeon master's discretion); it is even proposed to replace the alignment system by an honour system, with the same consequences (e.g. honour oriented magic spells and magical objects);
- in Usagi Yojimbo 2nd ed. (2005),[45] âHonorâ is a âGiftâ: if the character follows the code of honour, he gets some special features such as negating the feature of an opponent or get a bonus die;
- on the contrary, other games do not implement a game mechanism to handle the honour, such as Rolemaster Oriental Companion (1992),[46]Tenga [fr] (2011)[47] or Les Errants d'Ukyo (2012).[48]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^e.g. in Savage Worlds'Pirates of the Spanish Main or Weird War II
- ^in Rolemaster Oriental Companion, âCommon manâ and âNobleâ are two distinct human races, although Nobles are said to have some divine or elfic ancestors
- ^Weisman, Jordan; Gorden, Greg; Kubasik, Christopher; et al. (1993). Earthdawn. Fasa Corp.ISBN1-55560-213-4.
- ^Petersen, Sandy (1981). Call of Cthulhu. Chaosium.
- ^Blume, Brian; Gygax, Gary (1975). Boothill. TSR, Inc.
- ^ abCharrette, Bob; Hume, Paul R. (1979). Bushido. Tyr Games.
- ^ abStafford, Greg (1978). RuneQuest. Chaosium.
- ^Andersen, Jon; Flagg, Alexander; Gearin, Scott; Kapera, Patrick; Newman, Mark (2010). Fantasy Craft. Crafty Games. ISBN978-0-9826843-0-6.
- ^Heinsoo, Rob; Tweet, Jonathan (2013). 13th Age. Pelgrane Press. ISBN978-1-909834-04-0.
- ^St. Andre, Ken (2005). Tunnels & Trolls (7th ed.). Fiery Dragon Productions. ISBN1-894693-67-1.
- ^Junge, Tobias Rafael; Spohr, Alex; Ullrich, Jens; Demirtel, Eevie; Mönkemeyer, Marie; Richter, Daniel Simon (2014). Beta Regelwerk für das Schwarze Auge, 5. Edition. Das Schwarze Auge (in German). Ulisses Spiele. ISBN978-3-95752-071-5.
- ^Davoust, Lionel; Grussi, Christian; Merkling, Sidney; Cuidet, Arnaud (2004). EW-System Core Rules 2.0(PDF) (in French). Extraordinary Worlds Studio.
- ^Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, TSR, Inc., 1974
- ^Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren, Guidon Game, 1971
- ^ abThe authors of Dungeons & Dragons give references to Conan the Barbarian (Robert E. Howard, 1932â1936), the Sword series (Fritz Leiber, 1939â1988), the Dying Earth series (Jack Vance, 1950â1984), The Lord of the Rings (J.R.R. Tolkien, 1954â1955), and the Elric of Melniboné series (Michael Moorcock, 1961â2005)
- ^James M. Ward, TSR, Inc., 1976
- ^St. Andre, Ken (1975). Tunnels & Trolls. Flying Buffalo.
- ^St. Andre, Ken (1979). Goblin Lake. Pocket Adventures. Flying Buffalo.
- ^Siembieda, Kevin; Wujcik, Erick (1983). Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game. Palladium Books. ISBN0-916211-04-5.
- ^ abPehr, Ronald Mark (February 1981). 'Better Role-Playing: A Change of Hobbit'. Different Worlds (11). Albany, CA: Chaosium. pp. 6â8.
- ^Gygax, Gary (1978). Player's Handbook. Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. TSR, Inc. ISBN0-935696-01-6.
- ^wikidata:Q40895816
- ^Périer, Isabelle (2014-09-24). 'Le jeu de rôle : une autre forme de littérature de jeunesse ?'. La littérature de jeunesse dans le jeu des cultures matérielles et médiatiques : circulations, adaptations, mutations (in French). Paris 13 University. pp. section III-3 Intertextualité et stéréotypie (25:22â32:10).
- ^Davis, Graeme; Dowd, Thomas A.; Reinâ¢Hagen, Mark; Stevens, Lisa; Wieck, Stewart (1991). Vampire: The Masquerade. White Wolf. ISBN0-9627790-6-7.
- ^Lamidey, Fabrice; Weil, Frédéric (1992). Néphilim (1st ed.). Multisim. ISBN2-909934-00-4.
- ^Rosenthal, Pierre; Vitale, Duccio (April 1987). 'Price of Freedom'. Casus Belli (in French). Excelsior. p. 28.
- ^'Vitrine : Price of Freedom'. Chroniques d'outre-monde (in French) (7). Les Tentacules associées. May 1987. pp. 7â8. ISSN0764-8197.
- ^Costikyan, Greg (1986). The Price of Freedom. WEG. ISBN0-87431-053-9.
- ^PhD in comparative literature and civilizations at Paris 13 University, see the 'notice'. These.fr (Agence bibliographique de l'enseignement supérieur) (in French).
- ^ abcDavid, Coralie (2014-09-24). 'Jeux de rôle et écriture fictionnelle'. La littérature de jeunesse dans le jeu des cultures matérielles et médiatiques : circulations, adaptations, mutations (in French). Paris 13 University. pp. section I Univers systématisé (5:04â5:29, 7:21â7:44) and section II Structuration paradigmatique des univers fictionnels dans les Åuvres de jeunesse (7:44â8:53, 10:45â13:11).
- ^the process is called the âsystematization of the fictional worldâ (French: systématisation du monde fictionnel) by Coralie David, op. cit.
- ^Wujcik, Erick (2001). After the Bomb. Palladium Books. ISBN978-0-916211-15-8.
- ^Mathieu, Vincent (2010). Cats ! (La Mascarade) (in French). Ãditions Icare. ISBN978-2-917475-17-1.
- ^'L'univers et les scénarios comme sous-systèmes â Commentaires'. Tartofrez (in French). March 11, 2015.
- ^Périer, Isabelle (2014-09-24). 'Le jeu de rôle : une autre forme de littérature de jeunesse ?'. La littérature de jeunesse dans le jeu des cultures matérielles et médiatiques : circulations, adaptations, mutations (in French). Paris 13 University. pp. section III-2 Le personnage (20:42â22:10).
- ^Jérôme Larré (February 17, 2014). 'De la vision au jeu : 10 pièges'. Tartofrez (in French). Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved May 5, 2015., Piège #07 â Confondre parler dâune façon de jouer et jouer de cette façon (trop en dire)
- ^Gygax, Gary; Marcela-Froideval, François (1985). Oriental Adventures. Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (1st ed.). TSR, Inc.ISBN0-88038-099-3.
- ^Smith, Mark; Thomson, Jamie (1986). Sword of the Samurai. Fighting Fantasy. Puffin Books. ISBN0-14-032087-3.
- ^Charrette, Bob; Farnsworth, Dave; Petersen, Sandy; Swenson, Anders (1986). Land of Ninja. RuneQuest. Avalon Hill. ISBN0-911605-33-9.
- ^Benner, Jesse; Bruck, Benjamin (2013). Ultimate Campaign. Pathfinder. Paizo. ISBN978-1-60125-498-6.
- ^'Honor'. Pathfinder Reference Document.
- ^Gold, Lee (1988). GURPS Japan. GURPS (1st ed.). SJGames. p. 29. ISBN1-55634-109-1.
- ^Gold, Lee; Johnson, Hunter (1999). GURPS Japan. GURPS (2nd ed.). SJGames. p. 67. ISBN1-55634-388-4.
- ^Wyatt, James Wilson (2001). Oriental Adventures. D&D3e. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN0-7869-2015-7.
- ^Sanguine Productions, 2005, pp. 71-72
- ^Bund, Alex (1992). Oriental Companion. Rolemaster. ICE. ISBN1-55806-175-4.
- ^Larré, Jérôme (2011). Tenga (in French). John Doe.
- ^Feasson, Vivien (2012). Les Errants d'Ukiyo (in French). Ãditions Icare. ISBN978-2-917475-79-9.
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Character_race&oldid=903713665'
Posted byDM1 year ago
Archived
Since I started playing in February of 2015 I have been looking for a clear and accurate list of races and classes available in 5e. With homebrew, unearthed arcana, and Adventure League rules it has been surprisingly difficult for me, and I'm sure others, to find this information online; So I created this list. It has every official class archetype and subrace Wizards of The Coast has made for 5e so far.
I've also added small tags so new players can find the book they need to read more about the race or class archetype. I even tried to include notation on whether or not a race or class was restricted or banned in Adventure League. If anyone notices an error please point it out in the comments below. Cheers!
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A character race is a fundamental part of the identity and nature of characters in the Dungeons & Dragonsrole-playing game.
Each race has a distinct appearance, behavior and often range of statistics associated with it. The following races have appeared in D&D throughout its history.
Core races[edit]
In each edition, the core player character races are detailed in one of that edition's core rulebooks: Men & Monsters for 'original' Dungeons & Dragons, the Basic Set and Rules Cyclopedia for 'basic' Dungeons & Dragons and the Player's Handbook for all other editions.
Race | Editions as a core race | Sourcebooks in other editions |
---|---|---|
Dragonborn | 4th, 5th | Races of the Dragon(3.5, T) |
Dwarf | All | |
Eladrin | 4th | Dungeon Master's Guide(5th), Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes(5th) |
Elf | All | |
Gnome | 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 3.5, 5th | Player's Handbook II(4th) |
Half-elf | 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 3.5, 4th, 5th | Greyhawk(O) |
Half-orc | 1st, 3rd, 3.5, 5th | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Player's Handbook II(4th), Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms(4th) |
Halfling | All | |
Human | All | |
Tiefling | 4th, 5th | The Planewalker's Handbook(2nd), Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting(3rd), Monster Manual(3.5, M), Races of Destiny(3.5), Planar Handbook(3.5) |
Races from other sourcebooks[edit]
Race | Sourcebooks |
---|---|
Aarakocra | Dark Sun Campaign Setting, Expanded and Revised(2nd), Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Races of Faerûn(3rd), Dark Sun Player's Handbook(3.5), Monster Compendium: Monsters of Faerun(3rd) , Elemental Evil Players' Companion(5th) |
Aasimar / Deva | Planewalker's Handbook(2nd), Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting(3rd), Races of Faerûn(3rd), Monster Manual(3.5, M), Planar Handbook(3.5), Races of Destiny(3.5), Player's Handbook 2(4th), Dungeon Master's Guide(5th), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th) |
Alaghi | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd) |
Armand | Monster Manual III(3.5) |
Asherati | Sandstorm(3.5) |
Aurak | Dragonlance Campaign Setting(3.5) |
Aventi | Stormwrack(3.5) |
Azer | Monster Manual(3.5, M) |
Azurin | Magic of Incarnum(3.5) |
Baaz | Dragonlance Campaign Setting(3.5) |
Bariaur | Planewalker's Handbook(2nd), Planar Handbook(3.5) |
Beastman | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd) |
Bhuka | Sandstorm(3.5) |
Bladeling | Manual of the Planes(4th) |
Blue (Goblin) | Expanded Psionics Handbook(3.5, M) |
Bozak | Dragonlance Campaign Setting(3.5) |
Bugbear | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5, M; 4th), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th) |
Bullywug | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Monster Manual 2(4th, M) |
Buomman | Planar Handbook(3.5) |
Catfolk | Races of the Wild(3.5) |
Centaur | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Races of Faerûn(3rd), Monster Manual(3.5, M), Races of the Wild(3.5), Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica(5th) |
Changeling | Eberron Campaign Setting(3.5), Eberron Player's Guide(4th) |
Chaos Gnome | Races of Stone(3.5) |
Chitine | Underdark(3.5) |
Crucian | Sandstorm(3.5) |
Darfellan | Stormwrack(3.5) |
Deep Imaskarri | Underdark(3.5) |
Diopsid | The Dragon Compendium, Volume 1(3.5) |
Drow | Complete Book of Elves(2nd), Monster Manual(3rd, M; 3.5, M; 4th), Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting(3rd), Underdark(3.5), Forgotten Realms Player's Guide(4th), Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms(4th), Player's Handbook, as Elf subrace(5th) |
Dire Wereboar (Lycanthrope) | Monster Manual(3.5, M, T), Races of Faerûn(3rd, T) |
Doppelganger | Monster Manual(3.5, M), Races of Destiny(3.5), Monster Manual(4th) |
Draconic creature | Races of the Dragon(3.5, T) |
Dracotaur | Monster Manual III(3.5) |
Dragonkin | Draconomnicon(3.5) |
Dromite | Expanded Psionics Handbook(3.5) |
Duergar / Gray Dwarf | Monster Manual(3rd, M; 3.5, M), Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting(3rd), Underdark(3.5), Monster Manual 2(4th, M), Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide(5th), Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes(5th) |
Duskling | Magic of Incarnum(3.5) |
Dvati | The Dragon Compendium, Volume 1(3.5) |
Elan | Expanded Psionics Handbook(3.5) |
Feral Gargun | Races of Stone(3.5) |
Fey'ri | Races of Faerûn(3rd) |
Firbolg | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th) |
Flind | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd) |
Fremlin | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd) |
Frost Giant | Monster Manual(3.5, M) |
Gargoyle | Monster Manual(3.5, M) |
Genasi | Forgotten Realms Player's Guide(4th), Elemental Evil Players' Companion(5th) |
Ghost | Ghostwalk(3.5, T) |
Githyanki | A Guide to the Astral Plane(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5, M; 4th), Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes(5th) |
Githzerai | Planewalker's Handbook(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5, M; 4th), Player's Handbook 3(4th), Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes(5th) |
Gloaming | Underdark(3.5) |
Gnoll | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Unapproachable East(3rd), Monster Manual(3.5, M; 4th), Races of the Wild(3.5) |
Goblin | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5, M; 4th), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th), Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica(5th) |
Goblinoid | Races of Faerûn(3rd) |
Goliath | Races of Stone(3.5), Player's Handbook 2(4th), Elemental Evil Players' Companion(5th), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th) |
Grimlock | Monster Manual(3.5, M), Underdark(3.5) |
Hadozee | Stormwrack(3.5) |
Hagspawn | Unapproachable East(3rd) |
Half-Celestial | Monster Manual(3.5, M, T) |
Half-Dragon | Monster Manual(3.5, M, T), Races of the Dragon(3.5) |
Half-Fiend | Monster Manual(3.5, M) |
Half-Giant | Dark Sun Boxed Set(2nd), Dark Sun Campaign Setting Expanded and Revised(2nd), Expanded Psionics Handbook(3.5) |
Half-Ogre | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Savage Species(3rd), Races of Destiny(3.5) |
Hamadryad | Heroes of the Feywild(4th) |
Hellbred | Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells(3.5) |
Hengeyokai | Oriental Adventures(1st; 3rd) |
Hill Giant | Monster Manual(3.5, M) |
Hobgoblin | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5, M; 4th), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th) |
Illumian | Races of Destiny(3.5) |
Jaebrin | Monster Manual V(3.5) |
Janni (Genie) | Monster Manual(3.5, M) |
Kalashtar | Races of Eberron(3.5), Eberron Player's Guide(4th) |
Kapak | Dragonlance Campaign Setting(3.5) |
Kender | Dragonlance Campaign Setting(3.5) |
Kenku | Monster Manual 2(4th, M), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th) |
Killoren | Races of the Wild(3.5) |
Kir-Lanan | Races of Faerûn(3rd) |
Kobold | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5, M; 4th), Races of the Dragon(3.5), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th) |
Korobokuru | Oriental Adventures(1st; 3rd) |
Kuo-toa | Underdark(3.5) |
Lich | Monster Manual(3.5, M, T) |
Lizardfolk / Lizardman | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Races of Faerûn(3rd), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th) |
Loxo | Shining South(3.5) |
Loxodon | Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica(5th) |
Lupin | The Dragon Compendium, Volume 1(3.5) |
Maenad | Expanded Psionics Handbook(3.5) |
Mephling | Planar Handbook(3.5) |
Illithid | Monster Manual(3.5, M) |
Minotaur | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5, M; 4th), Player's Handbook 3(4th), Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica(5th) |
Modron, Rogue | Planewalker's Handbook(2nd) |
Mongrelfolk | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Races of Destiny(3.5) |
Mul | Dark Sun Boxed Set(2nd), Dark Sun Campaign Setting Expanded and Revised(2nd), Dark Sun Campaign Setting(4th) |
Neanderthal | Frostburn(3.5) |
Neraphim | Planar Handbook(3.5) |
Nezumi | Oriental Adventures(3rd) |
Ogre | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5) |
Orc | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5, M; 4th), Races of Faerûn(3rd), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th) |
Phrenic creature | Expanded Psionics Handbook(3.5, T) |
Pixie | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5, M), Heroes of the Feywild(4th) |
Pterran | Dark Sun Campaign Setting Expanded and Revised(2nd) |
Rakasta | Rage of the Rakasta(2nd) |
Rakshasa | Monster Manual(3.5, M) |
Raptoran | Races of the Wild(3.5) |
Revenant | Heroes of Shadow(4th) |
Rilkan | Magic of Incarnum(3.5) |
Satyr | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5, M), Heroes of the Feywild(4th) |
Saurial | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd) |
Sea Elf | Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes(5th) |
Sea Kin | Races of Destiny(3.5) |
Shadar-kai | Monster Manual(4th), Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes(5th) |
Shade | Races of Faerûn(3rd), Heroes of Shadow(4th) |
Shadowswyft | Planar Handbook(3.5) |
Sharakim | Cityscape(3.5), Races of Destiny(3.5) |
Shardmind | Player's Handbook 3(4th) |
Shifter | Eberron Campaign Setting(3.5), Monster Manual(4th), Player's Handbook 2(4th) |
Simic Hybrid | Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica(5th) |
Sivak | Dragonlance Campaign Setting(3.5) |
Skarn | Magic of Incarnum(3.5) |
Skulk | Races of Destiny(3.5) |
Slyth | Underdark(3.5) |
Spellscale | Races of the Dragon(3.5, T) |
Spiker | Planar Handbook(3.5) |
Spirit Folk | Oriental Adventures(1st; 3rd), Unapproachable East(3rd) |
Stonechild | Races of Stone(3.5) |
Svirfneblin / Deep Gnome | Elemental Evil Players' Companion(5th), Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide(5th), Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes(5th) |
Swanmay | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd) |
Synad | Complete Psionic(3.5) |
Tabaxi | Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th) |
Taer | Unapproachable East(3rd) |
Tanarukk | Races of Faerûn(3rd) |
Thri-Kreen | Dark Sun Boxed Set(2nd), Dark Sun Campaign Setting Expanded and Revised(2nd), Expanded Psionics Handbook(3.5, M), Shining South(3.5), Dark Sun Campaign Setting(4th) |
Tibbit | The Dragon Compendium, Volume 1(3.5) |
Triton | Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th) |
Troglodyte | Monster Manual(3.5, M) |
Troll | Monster Manual(3.5, M) |
Uldra | Frostburn(3.5) |
Unbodied | Expanded Psionics Handbook(3.5, M) |
Underfolk | Races of Destiny(3.5) |
Vampire | Monster Manual(3.5, M, T) |
Vanara | Oriental Adventures(3rd) |
Vedalken | Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica(5th) |
Verdan | Acquisitions Incorporated(5th) |
Voadkyn | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd) |
Volodni | Unapproachable East(3rd) |
Vryloka | Heroes of Shadow(4th) |
Warforged | Eberron Campaign Setting(3.5), Eberron Players Guide(4th) |
Wemic | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Races of Faerûn(3rd), The Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd) |
Wilden | Player's Handbook 3(4th) |
Wildren | Planar Handbook(3.5) |
Xeph | Expanded Psionics Handbook(3.5) |
Yuan-ti | Races of Faerûn(3rd), Monster Manual(3.5), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th) |
Key[edit]
Key | |
---|---|
O | 'Original' Dungeons & Dragons |
B | 'Basic' Dungeons & Dragons |
1st | Advanced Dungeons & Dragons |
2nd | Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition |
3rd | Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition |
3.5 | Dungeons & Dragons v. 3.5 |
4th | Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition |
5th | Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition |
M | Playable race entry is contained within a monster entry |
T | Playable template |
References[edit]
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_character_races_in_Dungeons_%26_Dragons&oldid=904061533'
A character race is a fundamental part of the identity and nature of characters in the Dungeons & Dragonsrole-playing game.
Each race has a distinct appearance, behavior and often range of statistics associated with it. The following races have appeared in D&D throughout its history.
Core races[edit]
In each edition, the core player character races are detailed in one of that edition's core rulebooks: Men & Monsters for 'original' Dungeons & Dragons, the Basic Set and Rules Cyclopedia for 'basic' Dungeons & Dragons and the Player's Handbook for all other editions.
Race | Editions as a core race | Sourcebooks in other editions |
---|---|---|
Dragonborn | 4th, 5th | Races of the Dragon(3.5, T) |
Dwarf | All | |
Eladrin | 4th | Dungeon Master's Guide(5th), Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes(5th) |
Elf | All | |
Gnome | 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 3.5, 5th | Player's Handbook II(4th) |
Half-elf | 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 3.5, 4th, 5th | Greyhawk(O) |
Half-orc | 1st, 3rd, 3.5, 5th | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Player's Handbook II(4th), Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms(4th) |
Halfling | All | |
Human | All | |
Tiefling | 4th, 5th | The Planewalker's Handbook(2nd), Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting(3rd), Monster Manual(3.5, M), Races of Destiny(3.5), Planar Handbook(3.5) |
Races from other sourcebooks[edit]
Race | Sourcebooks |
---|---|
Aarakocra | Dark Sun Campaign Setting, Expanded and Revised(2nd), Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Races of Faerûn(3rd), Dark Sun Player's Handbook(3.5), Monster Compendium: Monsters of Faerun(3rd) , Elemental Evil Players' Companion(5th) |
Aasimar / Deva | Planewalker's Handbook(2nd), Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting(3rd), Races of Faerûn(3rd), Monster Manual(3.5, M), Planar Handbook(3.5), Races of Destiny(3.5), Player's Handbook 2(4th), Dungeon Master's Guide(5th), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th) |
Alaghi | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd) |
Armand | Monster Manual III(3.5) |
Asherati | Sandstorm(3.5) |
Aurak | Dragonlance Campaign Setting(3.5) |
Aventi | Stormwrack(3.5) |
Azer | Monster Manual(3.5, M) |
Azurin | Magic of Incarnum(3.5) |
Baaz | Dragonlance Campaign Setting(3.5) |
Bariaur | Planewalker's Handbook(2nd), Planar Handbook(3.5) |
Beastman | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd) |
Bhuka | Sandstorm(3.5) |
Bladeling | Manual of the Planes(4th) |
Blue (Goblin) | Expanded Psionics Handbook(3.5, M) |
Bozak | Dragonlance Campaign Setting(3.5) |
Bugbear | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5, M; 4th), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th) |
Bullywug | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Monster Manual 2(4th, M) |
Buomman | Planar Handbook(3.5) |
Catfolk | Races of the Wild(3.5) |
Centaur | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Races of Faerûn(3rd), Monster Manual(3.5, M), Races of the Wild(3.5), Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica(5th) |
Changeling | Eberron Campaign Setting(3.5), Eberron Player's Guide(4th) |
Chaos Gnome | Races of Stone(3.5) |
Chitine | Underdark(3.5) |
Crucian | Sandstorm(3.5) |
Darfellan | Stormwrack(3.5) |
Deep Imaskarri | Underdark(3.5) |
Diopsid | The Dragon Compendium, Volume 1(3.5) |
Drow | Complete Book of Elves(2nd), Monster Manual(3rd, M; 3.5, M; 4th), Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting(3rd), Underdark(3.5), Forgotten Realms Player's Guide(4th), Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms(4th), Player's Handbook, as Elf subrace(5th) |
Dire Wereboar (Lycanthrope) | Monster Manual(3.5, M, T), Races of Faerûn(3rd, T) |
Doppelganger | Monster Manual(3.5, M), Races of Destiny(3.5), Monster Manual(4th) |
Draconic creature | Races of the Dragon(3.5, T) |
Dracotaur | Monster Manual III(3.5) |
Dragonkin | Draconomnicon(3.5) |
Dromite | Expanded Psionics Handbook(3.5) |
Duergar / Gray Dwarf | Monster Manual(3rd, M; 3.5, M), Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting(3rd), Underdark(3.5), Monster Manual 2(4th, M), Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide(5th), Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes(5th) |
Duskling | Magic of Incarnum(3.5) |
Dvati | The Dragon Compendium, Volume 1(3.5) |
Elan | Expanded Psionics Handbook(3.5) |
Feral Gargun | Races of Stone(3.5) |
Fey'ri | Races of Faerûn(3rd) |
Firbolg | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th) |
Flind | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd) |
Fremlin | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd) |
Frost Giant | Monster Manual(3.5, M) |
Gargoyle | Monster Manual(3.5, M) |
Genasi | Forgotten Realms Player's Guide(4th), Elemental Evil Players' Companion(5th) |
Ghost | Ghostwalk(3.5, T) |
Githyanki | A Guide to the Astral Plane(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5, M; 4th), Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes(5th) |
Githzerai | Planewalker's Handbook(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5, M; 4th), Player's Handbook 3(4th), Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes(5th) |
Gloaming | Underdark(3.5) |
Gnoll | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Unapproachable East(3rd), Monster Manual(3.5, M; 4th), Races of the Wild(3.5) |
Goblin | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5, M; 4th), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th), Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica(5th) |
Goblinoid | Races of Faerûn(3rd) |
Goliath | Races of Stone(3.5), Player's Handbook 2(4th), Elemental Evil Players' Companion(5th), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th) |
Grimlock | Monster Manual(3.5, M), Underdark(3.5) |
Hadozee | Stormwrack(3.5) |
Hagspawn | Unapproachable East(3rd) |
Half-Celestial | Monster Manual(3.5, M, T) |
Half-Dragon | Monster Manual(3.5, M, T), Races of the Dragon(3.5) |
Half-Fiend | Monster Manual(3.5, M) |
Half-Giant | Dark Sun Boxed Set(2nd), Dark Sun Campaign Setting Expanded and Revised(2nd), Expanded Psionics Handbook(3.5) |
Half-Ogre | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Savage Species(3rd), Races of Destiny(3.5) |
Hamadryad | Heroes of the Feywild(4th) |
Hellbred | Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells(3.5) |
Hengeyokai | Oriental Adventures(1st; 3rd) |
Hill Giant | Monster Manual(3.5, M) |
Hobgoblin | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5, M; 4th), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th) |
Illumian | Races of Destiny(3.5) |
Jaebrin | Monster Manual V(3.5) |
Janni (Genie) | Monster Manual(3.5, M) |
Kalashtar | Races of Eberron(3.5), Eberron Player's Guide(4th) |
Kapak | Dragonlance Campaign Setting(3.5) |
Kender | Dragonlance Campaign Setting(3.5) |
Kenku | Monster Manual 2(4th, M), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th) |
Killoren | Races of the Wild(3.5) |
Kir-Lanan | Races of Faerûn(3rd) |
Kobold | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5, M; 4th), Races of the Dragon(3.5), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th) |
Korobokuru | Oriental Adventures(1st; 3rd) |
Kuo-toa | Underdark(3.5) |
Lich | Monster Manual(3.5, M, T) |
Lizardfolk / Lizardman | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Races of Faerûn(3rd), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th) |
Loxo | Shining South(3.5) |
Loxodon | Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica(5th) |
Lupin | The Dragon Compendium, Volume 1(3.5) |
Maenad | Expanded Psionics Handbook(3.5) |
Mephling | Planar Handbook(3.5) |
Illithid | Monster Manual(3.5, M) |
Minotaur | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5, M; 4th), Player's Handbook 3(4th), Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica(5th) |
Modron, Rogue | Planewalker's Handbook(2nd) |
Mongrelfolk | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Races of Destiny(3.5) |
Mul | Dark Sun Boxed Set(2nd), Dark Sun Campaign Setting Expanded and Revised(2nd), Dark Sun Campaign Setting(4th) |
Neanderthal | Frostburn(3.5) |
Neraphim | Planar Handbook(3.5) |
Nezumi | Oriental Adventures(3rd) |
Ogre | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5) |
Orc | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5, M; 4th), Races of Faerûn(3rd), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th) |
Phrenic creature | Expanded Psionics Handbook(3.5, T) |
Pixie | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5, M), Heroes of the Feywild(4th) |
Pterran | Dark Sun Campaign Setting Expanded and Revised(2nd) |
Rakasta | Rage of the Rakasta(2nd) |
Rakshasa | Monster Manual(3.5, M) |
Raptoran | Races of the Wild(3.5) |
Revenant | Heroes of Shadow(4th) |
Rilkan | Magic of Incarnum(3.5) |
Satyr | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5, M), Heroes of the Feywild(4th) |
Saurial | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd) |
Sea Elf | Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes(5th) |
Sea Kin | Races of Destiny(3.5) |
Shadar-kai | Monster Manual(4th), Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes(5th) |
Shade | Races of Faerûn(3rd), Heroes of Shadow(4th) |
Shadowswyft | Planar Handbook(3.5) |
Sharakim | Cityscape(3.5), Races of Destiny(3.5) |
Shardmind | Player's Handbook 3(4th) |
Shifter | Eberron Campaign Setting(3.5), Monster Manual(4th), Player's Handbook 2(4th) |
Simic Hybrid | Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica(5th) |
Sivak | Dragonlance Campaign Setting(3.5) |
Skarn | Magic of Incarnum(3.5) |
Skulk | Races of Destiny(3.5) |
Slyth | Underdark(3.5) |
Spellscale | Races of the Dragon(3.5, T) |
Spiker | Planar Handbook(3.5) |
Spirit Folk | Oriental Adventures(1st; 3rd), Unapproachable East(3rd) |
Stonechild | Races of Stone(3.5) |
Svirfneblin / Deep Gnome | Elemental Evil Players' Companion(5th), Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide(5th), Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes(5th) |
Swanmay | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd) |
Synad | Complete Psionic(3.5) |
Tabaxi | Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th) |
Taer | Unapproachable East(3rd) |
Tanarukk | Races of Faerûn(3rd) |
Thri-Kreen | Dark Sun Boxed Set(2nd), Dark Sun Campaign Setting Expanded and Revised(2nd), Expanded Psionics Handbook(3.5, M), Shining South(3.5), Dark Sun Campaign Setting(4th) |
Tibbit | The Dragon Compendium, Volume 1(3.5) |
Triton | Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th) |
Troglodyte | Monster Manual(3.5, M) |
Troll | Monster Manual(3.5, M) |
Uldra | Frostburn(3.5) |
Unbodied | Expanded Psionics Handbook(3.5, M) |
Underfolk | Races of Destiny(3.5) |
Vampire | Monster Manual(3.5, M, T) |
Vanara | Oriental Adventures(3rd) |
Vedalken | Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica(5th) |
Verdan | Acquisitions Incorporated(5th) |
Voadkyn | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd) |
Volodni | Unapproachable East(3rd) |
Vryloka | Heroes of Shadow(4th) |
Warforged | Eberron Campaign Setting(3.5), Eberron Players Guide(4th) |
Wemic | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Races of Faerûn(3rd), The Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd) |
Wilden | Player's Handbook 3(4th) |
Wildren | Planar Handbook(3.5) |
Xeph | Expanded Psionics Handbook(3.5) |
Yuan-ti | Races of Faerûn(3rd), Monster Manual(3.5), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th) |
Key[edit]
Key | |
---|---|
O | 'Original' Dungeons & Dragons |
B | 'Basic' Dungeons & Dragons |
1st | Advanced Dungeons & Dragons |
2nd | Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition |
3rd | Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition |
3.5 | Dungeons & Dragons v. 3.5 |
4th | Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition |
5th | Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition |
M | Playable race entry is contained within a monster entry |
T | Playable template |
References[edit]
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_character_races_in_Dungeons_%26_Dragons&oldid=904061533'
Your bread-and-butter Dungeons & Dragons party wonât include a manticore, a gargoyle, a hyena or a sentient fungi, but maybe it should. One D&D player spent a year and a half converting every single creature in the D&D Monster Manual into playable characters, and now players can live out their dreams of being a great fire beetle who slays dragons.
D&d 5e Drow Playable Race
There are hundreds of monsters in D&Dâs Monster Manual, many of which donât really lend themselves to the Lord of the Rings-esque adventures that traditionally star humanoids. Most dungeon masters wonât let players stray too far from that model. Itâs hard to wrap a plot around a rag-tag team of dire bats and oozes, and itâs hard to make sure a partyâs stats are balanced when it contains both a faerie dragon and a mastiff.
Creator Tyler Kamstraâs new 283-page homebrew mod âMonstrous Racesâ offers ways for players to embody any of D&Dâs monsters using stats, role-playing notes and everything else youâd expect to see listed next to the âHumanâ race in the D&DPlayerâs Handbook. To play a basilisk, for example, players can attempt to petrify a creature with their gaze as an action. This is helpful, since basilisks donât have hands, rendering them incapable of holding a sword. To play a banshee, or an undead spirit of a female elf, Kamstra recommends that players covet beautiful objects and remain within five miles of anywhere the banshee lived while alive.
5th Edition D&d Playable Races
This âMonstrous Racesâ mod is the sort of wonderful thing that, back in D&D days of yore, would exist as a titanic document in some far-flung basement, only to be enjoyed by a handful of players. We can at least thank the internet for giving us playable purple worms.