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One of the most exciting parts of any newDungeons & Dragonscampaign is character creation.
It can also be tricky to know where to start if youre brand new to the game.
Let’s make an outstanding Bard, shall we?
How do you best optimize your new character?
What narrative paths are there left to explore?
Some people tend to consider Dungeons & Dragons a ‘DM vs. Players’ competition.
But that can very often be counterintuitive to good character creation.
When establishing a backstory, leave a mystery or tantalizing thread open for your DM to solve.
There’s no need for you, as the player, to have the answer to everything!
9Connect To A Previous Character
The Journey Doesn’t End Here!
For an extra twist, consider making your new character an adversary of your previous one.
For example, perhaps your last character was an archmage whose experimental exploits inadvertently destroyed a small neighborhood.
8Use Point Cost System
Less Math Involved!
Instead, the Point Cost system works like this.
This is not to suggest that you should ignore archetypes altogether.
A Druid by Alexander Mokhov
Everything you gotta know about building an Artificer in D&D.
However, once youve got an archetype in mind, its a good idea narratively to subvert expectations.
This will give you plenty of opportunities to surprise and subvert your fellow players and even your DM.
A Fighter & A Black Dragon by Campbell White
When selecting your class, work with your DM to plan aheadwhat subclass you will takewhen the time comes.
Subclasses are just one of the many ways that individual characters with shared classes can differentiate themselves.
Consider working with your DM on a ‘Subclass Story Moment.’
The Winds of Pandemonium by Chris Rallis
In other words, a moment in the narrative that informs your subclass selection.
Some classes select their subclass at Level One.
Work with your DM to figure out what this moment might look like.
A Thief by Billy Christian
5Make Use Of Clothing
Dress To Impress
Appearances can often be deceiving.
you’re free to also use clothing to subvert expectations.
4Use Nerfs Or Unexpected Combinations
Play On Hard Mode!
Sneak Attack by Evyn Fong
It can be very easy to fall for the temptation of optimization above all else.
But nerfs or unexpected combinations of species, backgrounds, and classes can make for extremely unique characters.
For example, creating a goliath fighter with a soldier background makes a lot of sense for stat improvement.
The Sorcerer Delina by Wisnu Tan
Trinkets are a good example.
These are small tokens that your character can have on their person from the outset of a campaign.
What is homebrew, and how do you do it?
A Wizard In His Study by Olga Drebas
But consider working with your DM to homebrew at least one unique aspect of your character from the outset.
This is likely to be something small.
When it comes to homebrew, every DM is different.
Dwarves by Mike Pape
Ultimately, it’s up to the DM’s discretion.
Do they have family still alive?
Do they have friends that theyve left behind to pursue a life of adventure?
An Elven City by Jedd Chevrier
But multiclassing just for the sake of stats or interesting builds is only half of the journey.
When consideringthe best multiclass, its best to plan ahead and to plan narratively.
If your druid wants to take some cleric levels, what event in the campaign has triggered this idea?
A Draconic Warlock by Ignatius Budi
Did an encounter with a nature-loving deity call your character to a life of the divine?
