by Steven Kovacs

Created on: January 26, 2010

Choosing a race in dungeons and dragons is probably the first decision you will have to make. The choices at one point were very simple. But do to numerous editions this has now become a daunting task. There many options besides the traditional races such as elves, half elves, half orcs,dwarves and also Halflings ,gnomes and finally humans. These are main races of dungeons and dragons and are the most all purpose campaign friendly races. They are also well suited for new or beginning players. However for new and veteran players alike this one of the most important descions you will make before embarking on adventures in the campaign world.

When choosing a race one of the most important things to consider is the campaign setting. For example a dwarf would not fit in well in all orc campaign setting. The campaign will help you weed out some the options. An underdrak campaign setting would have no place for a lawful good eleven cleric of selune. Just as a wooded surface campaign setting would really have no place for drow chaotic evil cleric of lloth. Another thing to consider is sub races there many sub races in dungeon and dragons allot of them are little known and are actually very fun to role-play with. One these is the Urindar dwarf which most people never heard of. Sometimes research is best you might something that you really like to play that has been lost in the many source books over the years.

Another thing to consider is what kind of character you plan on playing. Different races are role-played differently they also have different places in society. Each race is also viewed different but other races and civilizations. There is usually a predetermined racial modifier as to how other races react with you characters. Also some of the more advanced races such as drow may have an experience point penalty attached to them. So after taking al these into consideration one of the last things to consider is your character background. For example an elf would have nothing to do with under dark. Or a rare xenophobic race would not be seen in a major city without a good reason.

The final thing to consider is do your racial stats help or hinder the class you will be using with your character. For example a dawrven sorcerer is doable but you take hit in charisma which is the sorcerers’ primary stats. And you would also have explain why this dwarf went on this path since it is not racially acceptable. And would require a very detailed background as to why he chose this path. Perhaps the most important thing is that you enjoy playing the character. Since you will be one to play him or her. The only thing that really matters is that you enjoy you character everything else can be worked out.

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