Guides for new players

These guides explain the parts of fifth-edition character creation that new players find hardest. Each one follows the 2024 rules.

• Building your first characterA step-by-step guide to building a fifth-edition character under the 2024 rules: class, background, species, ability scores, and the numbers on your sheet.
• Choosing a classA comparison of all twelve fifth-edition classes for new players, with each class's main ability, Hit Die, and complexity, and suggestions for a first character.
• Ability scores explainedWhat the six fifth-edition ability scores do, how modifiers work, the standard array, point buy, and rolling, and where each class should put its best scores.
• Species and backgroundsA guide to the nine fifth-edition species and four backgrounds in the 2024 rules: their traits, ability increases, Origin feats, and which classes they suit.
• Roleplaying your characterHow to play a fifth-edition character at the table: let your reason for adventuring guide your decisions, and use traits, ideals, bonds, and flaws to bring the character to life.
• Glossary for new playersPlain-language definitions of the fifth-edition terms new players meet first: D20 Tests, Advantage, Proficiency Bonus, spell slots, rests, and more.