Deciding what Dungeons and Dragons race you are is a difficult question and it can influence the rest of your campaign. Will you choose with your head, using their racial traits to your advantage, or will you choose with your heart – how closely the race reflects the real you. Some people enjoy someone completely different to themselves in real life, others want to project themselves into the forgotten realms. In this article we’re only considering the basic races. So, without further ado let’s discover: which Dungeons and Dragons Race am I?
Dragonborn : (July 23 – August 22)
Racial Traits:
- +2 Strength, +1 Charisma
- Draconic Ancestry
- Breath Weapon – Based on Draconic Ancestry Choice
- Damage Resistance – Based on Draconic Ancestry damage type
Is Family most important to you? To any Dragonborn, the clan and belonging is more important than life itself. They’re delighted to embrace their royal status: Vivacious, passionate, and fiery (duh!).
Dwarf: (May 21 – June 20)
Racial Traits:
- +2 Constitution
- Darkvision – You cannot see in colour in darkness, only shades of gray, but your eyesight remains better other races in the dark.
- Dwarvern Resiliance – You are resistant to poison damage and get bonuses when throwing for saves.
- Stone cunning – Whenever you make an Intelligence check related to the origin of stonework, you are considered proficient in the History skill. Add double your proficiency bonus to the check.
- Dwarvern Combat Training – You have proficiency with the following Axe type weapons: battleaxe, handaxe, light hammer, and warhammer.
Similar to the Dwarves of Tolkeins world you seek justices for wrongdoing. You’re loyal and decisive an insult to your friends and family is a slight to you too. You tend to be stubborn, but at the end of the day, you’re right – right?
Halfling: (November 22 – December 21)
Racial Traits:
- Dexterity +2
- Brave – Fear no evil! You have advantage on saving throws against being frightened.
- Halfling Nimbleness – You can move through the space of any creature that is of a size larger than yours – a bit like a cat.
Not to be confused with Dwarves, these little people have generosity in abundance. They do not seek material gain and are known for their Charity. They will always go to any extent to help and feed the needy ones just to make them smile.
Elf: (August 23 – September 22)
Racial Traits:
- +2 Dexterity
- Darkvision (as described for Dwarves)
- Keen Senses – Proficiency in the Perception
- Fey Ancestry – Magic can’t put you to sleep, advantage on throws versus charmed
- Trance – Elves don’t sleep, you only need 4 hours of rest compared to the 8 of humans.
Drawn to the countryside Elves are a wiser race driven by their insatiable curiosity. Elves love to explore, they can live over 700 years and so want to journey to every edge of the realm. Are you a globetrotter? Because this race might suit you.
Half-Elf: (February 19 – March 20)
Racial Traits:
- Darkvision
- Fey Ancestry (as Elves)
- Skill Versatility – best traits of humans and elves, half-elves gain proficiency in 2 skills.
From Halflings to Half-Elves. Half Elves often enjoy solitude and reflection. They seek self-improvement and can be over critical – I think we’ve all been a Half-Elf one time or another…
Gnome: (June 21 – July 22)
Racial Traits:
- +2 Intelligence
- Darkvision
- Gnome Cunning – Advantage against magic on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws.
Enthusiastic and Energetic are defining characteristics of Gnomish folk. They are quite literally empathic to be alive. With a lifespan of 300-500 years they don’t let themselves be tethered to a clock and live every day to their fullest.
Half-Orc: (March 21 to April 20)
Racial Traits:
- +2 Strength, +1 Constitution
- Darkvision
- Menacing – proficiency in the intimidation skill
- Restless endurance – you have a second wind, if you would go to 0hp you drop to 1hp instead.
- Savage attacks – melee weapon bonuses
Quick to anger, Half-Orcs are quick to lose their temper and have a short fuse. But as overpowering as their negative emotions are, they are strong, loyal and quick to laugh.
Human: (April 20 – May 20)
- +1 to all ability scores
- Extra language
You and me! Just because humans actually exist in the real world does not mean they’re boring, in fact, they are the most adaptable and ambitious people. This race is essential the Jack-of-all trades of the Dungeons and Dragons universe. Humans are dependable, trustworthy and devout, they’re a necessary addition to any campaign.
Tiefling: (January 20 – February 18)
- +2 Charisma, +1 Intelligence
- Darkvision
- Hellish Resistance – Resistance to fire damage
- Infernal Legacy – Uses Charisma to cast race specific spells
Tieflings are characterised by making their own way in the world. As such they have to be strong to survive. They are not quick to trust anyone who extends the hand of friendship. But when friendship is proved through acts they will form an unbreakable bond.
Conclusion
We’ve looked at 9 different races, there are at least 82 at the time of writing this, quite literally an entire world to explore. This was only a brief overview of their lifestyles, however, don’t take it for fact. I, for example, am born in November, but I’d more closely align to a Dragon Born in personality because family means everything to me. To tell you the truth though, from a traits point of view I would love to have dark vision as you never know when that will come in handy!
Why don’t you check out?
https://tabletoptemple.com/are-board-games-popular-in-2022/ – Here we have a look at how Dungeons and Dragons has influenced the whole tabletop genre.
For more information regarding races, check out:
