DnD character maker, random or built step by step.

A DnD character maker turns a few choices into a playable 5E character: a race, a class, a background, six ability scores and everything that follows from them. This one works as a random generator and as a guided builder at the same time. Leave nothing locked and each press of Roll new character gives you a different hero. Lock the parts you care about and it only changes the rest. It uses the free System Reference Document 5.1, so the rules content is the open part of fifth edition.

How to use the DnD character maker

1. Press Roll new character to see a full random sheet on the left.
2. Change anything in the column on the right. Race, Class, Background, Alignment and the ability scores lock themselves when you change them, and the button shows Locked.
3. Set the Level from 1 to 20, or pick Roll level to let the dice choose between 1 and 5, 10 or 20.
4. Under Ability scores choose Roll 4d6, drop lowest, Standard array or Point buy (27 points). Place them decides whether the best numbers go to the class's main abilities, in a random order, or in order from STR to CHA.
5. Pick your class skills in the skill list, choose your equipment from the options, and edit the backstory in its box if you want your own words.
6. Use Download PDF for a printable sheet, Copy text or Copy Markdown for a notes app, and Copy link to share the exact character. Clear all locks clears every lock.

How the numbers are worked out

An ability modifier is the score minus 10, halved and rounded down. A score of 16 gives (16 minus 10) divided by 2 is +3, and 9 gives -1. The proficiency bonus depends only on level: +2 at levels 1 to 4, +3 at 5 to 8, +4 at 9 to 12, +5 at 13 to 16 and +6 at 17 to 20.

Hit points at level 1 are the class's hit die at full value plus the Constitution modifier. Each later level adds the average of the die (half the die, rounded down, plus 1) plus the Constitution modifier, and never less than 1. A level 5 fighter has a d10, so with a Constitution modifier of +3 that is 10 + 3 = 13 at level 1, then four levels of 6 + 3 = 9, which is 13 + 36 = 49. A hill dwarf adds 1 more per level, and so does a draconic sorcerer, so the same fighter as a hill dwarf would have 54. Choose Roll hit dice each level to roll the die instead of taking the average.

Armor class comes from the armor in the gear you picked. Leather armor is 11 plus the Dexterity modifier. Scale mail is 14 plus Dexterity up to +2. Chain mail is 16 with no Dexterity. A shield adds 2. With no armor, a character has 10 plus Dexterity, a barbarian has 10 plus Dexterity and Constitution, a monk has 10 plus Dexterity and Wisdom, and a draconic sorcerer has 13 plus Dexterity. A barbarian with Dexterity 14 and Constitution 16 is 10 + 2 + 3 = 15.

Saving throws add the proficiency bonus for the two abilities your class names. Skill bonuses add it for each skill you are proficient in, and twice for expertise. Spellcasters get a spell save DC of 8 + proficiency bonus + the casting modifier, and a spell attack bonus of proficiency plus the casting modifier. A level 5 wizard with Intelligence 18 has 8 + 3 + 4 = 15 and +7.

Three ways to get ability scores

Rolling 4d6 and dropping the lowest die gives six numbers that tend to land a little above 12. The standard array is fixed: 15, 14, 13, 12, 10 and 8. Point buy starts every score at 8 and spends 27 points. The cost goes up as the score does.

Three 15s and three 8s cost 9 + 9 + 9 = 27. The standard array costs 9 + 7 + 5 + 4 + 2 + 0 = 27 as well, which is why the two methods feel alike. In point buy the scores stay between 8 and 15 before race bonuses, and the page tells you how many points are left. Race bonuses and level-up improvements are added on top of the numbers you enter.

What is from the SRD and what is ours

The races, classes, class tables, equipment, weapons, packs and skills come from the SRD 5.1. The SRD has one subclass for each class and one background, Acolyte, so those are what you get. The other four backgrounds (Ferry Hand, Hedge Scholar, Border Scout and Market Hawker), the names and the backstory lines are our own writing and are marked as custom. The sheet lists the names of class features and tells you what the main ones do, but the SRD is the place to read each in full. It also gives spell numbers and slots, not a spell list, and it does not cover feats or multiclassing.

Common problems

• The armor class is lower than your book says: fighting style bonuses, magic items and spells are not added to it, except the Defense style when you wear armor.
• You cannot take a skill: a skill your race or background already gives is shown as known, and a class only offers its own list.
• A locked class has odd gear: change the class and the gear and skills reset to fit it, since they belong to the class.

To roll single dice at the table try the dice roller, and for more names use the fantasy name generator.