Race/Favored Class

Perks

Penalties

Human

One extra feat at 1st level.

No special or unique abilities.

Favored Class: Any

Medium Size (no bonuses or penalties).
Speed: 30 ft. on land.

4 extra skill points at 1st level. 1 extra at level

ups.

No favored relationships with any other

races (though you arent automatically
enemies with any either).

A well-rounded starter choice. Not a lot of

perks but not a lot of penalties either.
Flexible and can play pretty much any class.

Dwarves
Favored Class*: Fighter
Medium Size
Speed: 20 ft. on land.
Dwarves have a perk where their speed is
not impacted by their encumbrance.
If you prefer a more punch first, ask
questions later role, this is probably the best
choice. Dwarves are more durable, and have
a lot of perks for crafting and weaponry.
Elves
Favored Class*: Wizard
Medium Size
Speed: 30 ft. on land.
Elves typically take classes which mesh with
high intellect or high dexterity. They cant
take as many hits, so theyre best if you focus
on ranged weapons or magic.

Highest level class doesnt count toward

multiclass exp. penalty.
Can learn any non-secret language as a bonus
(based on Int). Default Language: Common
Special Abilities: Darkvision, Stonecunning,
Stability, Weapon Familiarity (Dwarven
Weapons)
+2 Constitution
Racial bonuses to saving throws on poison
and spell effects; attacks and defense against
orcs, goblins, and giants; and appraisal and
crafting of stone and metal.

-2 Charisma
Dwarves do not get along with elves so
conversing and working with elves can be
more difficult.
Limited bonus languages.

Default Languages: Common and Dwarven

Special Abilities: Low-Light Vision, Weapon
Proficiency (Martial Weapons), immunity to
magic sleep effects.
+2 Dexterity
Racial bonuses on saving throws against
enchantments; and on listen, search, and spot
checks.

-2 Constitution
Elves do not get along with dwarves so
conversing and working with dwarves can
be more difficult.
Limited bonus languages.

Entitled to search check on hidden entrances,

even if they are not actively searching for
them.
Default Languages: Common and Elven

Half-Elves
Favored Class: Any
Medium Size
Speed: 30 ft. on land.

Special Abilities: Low-light vision; Elven

Blood (for effects related to race Half-Elves
are consider Elven); immunity to magic sleep
effects.

Fewer solid perks with weapons

compared to other races.
No extra feat or skill points that humans
receive.

Racial bonuses on listen, search and spot

Half-elves are similar to humans in that
checks; and on diplomacy and gather
theyre fairly well-rounded, with fewer perks
information checks.
and penalties. However they do retain some
of the perks elves have, without the penalties. Can learn any non-secret language as a bonus
They also dont have the automatic conflicts
(based on Int). Default Languages: Common
with other races, and in fact have bonuses to
and Elven.
diplomacy.
*Favored Classes: If you select your races favored class, then it will not count towards experience penalties when multiclassing. If your race
has no favored class, then they receive no experience penalty on their highest level class.

Race Details

Perks

Penalties

Gnomes

Special Abilities: Low-light vision; Weapon

Familiarity (can use gnome hammers as
martial weapons); can use Speak with Animal
on burrowing mammals once per day; can use
dancing lights, ghost sound, and
prestidigitation once per day.

-2 Strength

+2 Constitution

Small and because of a lack of natural

weapon proficiencies, can be difficult to
find good weapons for them (thought in
preferred classes, they tend to use magic
or non-typical weapons anyway).

Favored Class*: Bard

Small Size (+1 size bonus to Armor Class, +1
size bonus to attack roles, +4 size bonus to
Hide check. Must use smaller weapons and
carrying limits are lower than for medium
size creatures)
Speed: 20 ft. on land.
Gnomes are often overlooked but are gain a
lot of unique benefits not found in other
classes. They work well in magic classes but
especially as Bards because theyre adept at
illusion.

Racial bonuses on saving throws against

illusions; racial bonuses when attacking or
defending against kobolds, goblins, or giants;
racial bonuses on listen checks and alchemy
crafting.

Generally consider a shy and reclusive

race, so roleplaying and creating a
functional backstory can be more difficult
though not impossible.

Add +1 to DC for illusion spells cast by

gnomes.
Default Languages: Common and Gnome OR
Elven (depends on edition).

Half-Orcs
Favored Class*: Barbarian
Medium Size
Speed: 30 ft. on land.

Special Abilities: Darkvision; Orc Blood (For

effects related to race, a half-orc is considered
an orc)

-2 Intelligence, -2 Charisma (an orcs

intelligence is always at least 3 even if
the modifier makes it less than 3).

+2 Strength

Most other races are at least suspicious

of half-orcs, especially dwarves, fey
elves, and even humans. This might
impact how easily you interact with
most non-enemy NPCs.

Orcs are the penultimate warrior class they

tend to hit hard, and they have all the
immunities of standard orcs. Because orcs
tend to run on the evil or chaotic end of
alignments, a half-orc character might be
able to negotiate with enemies more. But
they may also clash with other races
considerably more.

Half-Orcs and Barbarians are common

enemies (though this can vary depending on
your DM) so you may get an edge in gathering
information from enemy NPCs.

Halflings

+2 Dexterity

-2 Strength

Favored Class*: Rogue

Small Size (+1 size bonus to Armor Class, +1
size bonus to attack roles, +4 size bonus to
Hide check. Must use smaller weapons and
carrying limits are lower than for medium
size creatures)
Speed: 20 ft. on land.

Racial bonuses on all saving throws, and

additional bonuses on throws against fear;
bonuses on attacks with slings and throwing
attacks; and racial bonus on climb, jump,
listen, and move silently checks.

Small and because of a lack of natural

weapon proficiencies, can be difficult to
find good weapons for them (though in
preferred classes, they tend to use smaller
weapons anyway).

Default Languages: Common and Orc

Default Languages: Common and Halfling

Halflings are essentially hobbits (really,

theyre directly inspired by Tolkein hobbits).
They take more advantage of their small size
than Gnomes, and so do well in stealthier
roles. They arent as good on their own, but
they can accomplish a lot of utility roles to
benefit the team.
*Favored Classes: If you select your races favored class, then it will not count towards experience penalties when multiclassing. If your race
has no favored class, then they receive no experience penalty on their highest level class.