Roll 1d10 | Race Species |
---|---|
1-4 | Select or roll a common (C) race/species from appropriate environment |
5-7 | Select or roll an uncommon (UC) race/species from appropriate environment |
8-9 | Select or roll a rare (R) race/species from appropriate environment |
10 | Select or roll a very rare (VR) race/species from appropriate environment |
Legend
C = Common
UC = Uncommon
R = Rare
VR = Very Rare
L = Leader (this race is not found as a population - only as rulers).
FANTASY RACES
Civ | Wild | Aqua | UG | Race / Species / Monster | Player Character traits | Monster stat blocks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VR | R | - | R | Bakemono (strong goblins) | - | 3E D&D Oriental Adventures |
VR | UC | - | UC | Bugbear | 5E D&D Volo's Guide to Monsters; 5E D&D House (see below); 5E D&D Eberron Rising from the Last War; 5E D&D Explorer's Guide to Wildemount; 4E D&D Monster Manual; 2E D&D Complete Book of Humanoids; B&B Core Rulebook | 5E D&D Monster Manual; 5E D&D Monster Manual Expanded; 5E D&D Monster Manual Expanded 2; PF2 Bestiary; 13th Age Core Book; 4E D&D Monster Vault; 4E D&D Monster Manual; 4E D&D Monster Manual 2; 4E D&D MV Threats to Nentir Vale (Daggerburg); PF Bestiary; 2E D&D Monstrous Manual |
UC | C | - | C | Goblin | 5E D&D Volo's Guide to Monsters; 5E D&D House (see below); 5E D&D Eberron Rising from the Last War; 5E D&D Explorer's Guide to Wildemount; 5E D&D Plane Shift Ixalan; 5E D&D Plane Shift Zendikar; PF2 Core Rulebook; PF2 Lost Omens Character Guide; 4E D&D Monster Manual; PF Bestiary; 2E D&D Complete Book of Humanoids; B&B Core Rulebook | 5E D&D Monster Manual; 5E D&D Monster Manual Expanded; 5E D&D Monster Manual Expanded 2; PF2 Bestiary; 13th Age Core Book; 4E D&D Monster Vault; 4E D&D Monster Manual; 4E D&D Monster Manual 2; 4E D&D MV Threats to Nentir Vale (Daggerburg); PF Bestiary; 2E D&D Monstrous Manual; AGE Fantasy Age Basic Rulebook; Savage Worlds Adventure Edition; Savage Worlds Deluxe Edition; Savage Worlds Fantasy Companion; |
- | R | - | VR | Goblin - desert | 3E D&D Sandstorm (bhukas); PF + AGE Midgard Campaign Setting (dust) | 5E D&D Tome of Beasts (dust); 5E D&D Creature Codex (dust); 3E D&D Sandstorm (bhukas) |
- | R | - | VR | Goblin - snow / ice | PF2 Core Rulebook; B&B Core Rulebook (goblin + coldsoul) | Savage Worlds Hellfrost Bestiary |
VR | VR | - | VR | Goblins - unique/specific | - | D&D 5E Tome of Horrors (elemental); 5E D&D Creature Codex chaos & shadow); 3E D&D Expanded Psionics Handbook (blue) |
VR | VR | - | - | Half-hobgoblin | 3E D&D Kingdoms of Kalamar Player's Guide | - |
VR | R | - | VR | Half-orc | 5E D&D Player's Handbook; 5E D&D House (see below); PF2 Core Rulebook (under human); PF2 Lost Omens Character Guide; 13th Age Core Book; 4E D&D Player's Handbook 2; 4E D&D Advanced Player's Guide (as orc-blooded); 3E D&D Races of Destiny; 3E D&D Kingdoms of Kalamar Player's Guide; 2E D&D Complete Book of Humanoids; B&B Core Rulebook (see below); Savage Worlds Deluxe Edition; Savage Worlds Fantasy Companion; | 13th Age Core Book; 4E D&D Monster Manual 2 |
R | UC | - | R | Hobgoblin | 5E D&D Volo's Guide to Monsters; 5E D&D House (see below); 5E D&D Eberron Rising from the Last War; 5E D&D Explorer's Guide to Wildemount; PF2 Lost Omens Character Guide; 4E D&D Monster Manual; 3E D&D Slayer's Guide to Hobgoblins; 3E D&D Kingdoms of Kalamar Player's Guide; 2E D&D Complete Book of Humanoids; B&B Core Rulebook | 5E D&D Monster Manual; 5E D&D Volo's Guide to Monsters; 5E D&D Monster Manual Expanded; 5E D&D Monster Manual Expanded 2; PF2 Bestiary; 13th Age Core Book; 4E D&D Monster Vault; 4E D&D Monster Manual; 4E D&D Monster Manual 2; 4E D&D MV Threats to Nentir Vale (Daggerburg); PF Bestiary; 2E D&D Monstrous Manual; Savage Worlds Fantasy Companion; |
- | - | - | UC | Jermlaine | - | 5E D&D Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio 1; 2E D&D Monstrous Manual (under gremlin); 2E D&D Dragon Magazine #262 (ecology); |
- | VR | UC | - | Koalinth (aquatic hobgoblins) | - | 5E D&D Ghosts of Saltmarsh |
- | VR | - | UC | Norker | - | 5E D&D Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio 1; 4E D&D Monster Manual 3 |
- | C | - | UC | Orc | 5E D&D Volo's Guide to Monsters; 5E D&D Eberron Rising from the Last War; 5E D&D Explorer's Guide to Wildemount; 5E D&D House (see below); 5E D&D Plane Shift Ixalan; 4E D&D Monster Manual; 2E D&D Complete Book of Humanoids; B&B Core Rulebook; Savage Worlds Sundered Skies | 5E D&D Monster Manual; 5E D&D Volo's Guide to Monsters; 5E D&D Monster Manual Expanded; 5E D&D Monster Manual Expanded 2; PF2 Bestiary; 13th Age Core Book; 4E D&D Monster Vault; 4E D&D Monster Manual; 4E D&D MV Threats to Nentir Vale (Bloodspear); PF Bestiary; 3E D&D Monster Manual IV; 2E D&D Monstrous Manual; AGE Fantasy Age Basic Rulebook; Cypher Strange Bestiary; Savage Worlds Adventure Edition; Savage Worlds Deluxe Edition; Savage Worlds Fantasy Companion; Savage Worlds Sundered Skies |
VR | VR | - | - | Orc - magical | 3E D&D Races of Destiny (as sharakim) | 3E D&D Nyambe African Adventures (as kosan) |
- | R | - | R | Orc - unique / special | - | 5E D&D Tome of Horrors (4 types); 5E D&D Creature Codex (underdark & jungle); Savage Worlds Hellfrost Bestiary (snow) |
- | R | - | - | Tarek | - | 4E D&D Dark Sun Creature Catalog |
- | R | - | - | Tasloi | 2E D&D Dragon Magazine #262 | 3E D&D Oriental Adventures; 2E D&D Monstrous Manual; 1E D&D Monster Manual II |
- | R | - | R | Varag | - | 3E D&D Monster Manual IV |
- | R | - | R | Xvart | - | 5E D&D Volo's Guide to Monsters; 5E D&D Monster Manual Expanded 2; 4E D&D Monster Manual 3 (as xivort - shadow fey) |
VR | VR | - | - | Sci-Fi Species (select from table below) | - | - |
SCI-FI SPECIES
Civ | Wild | Aqua | UG | Race / Species / Monster | Player Character traits | Monster stat blocks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UC | R | - | - | Gamoreans | Saga Star Wars Core Rulebook; d20 Ultimate Alien Anthology; Cypher sci-fi site; B&B Core Rulebook | Saga Rebellion Era Campaign Guide |
UC | R | - | R | Goblin - Space | SF Alien Archive | SF Alien Archive |
UC | - | - | - | Half-orc | SF Starfinder Core Rulebook | - |
UC | UC | - | - | Klatooinian | Saga Legacy Era Campaign Guide; d20 Ultimate Alien Anthology; Cypher, B&B, Year Zero sci-fi site; | - |
UC | UC | - | - | Legion | Fragged Fragged Empire Core Rule Book | Fragged Antagonist Archive (Archon's Vengeance) |
UC | UC | - | - | Weequay | Saga Legacy Era Campaign Guide; Cypher, Year Zero sci-fi site | - |
VR | R | - | R | Fantasy Species (select from table above) | - | - |
INDIVIDUAL RACE FEATURES
BUGBEAR
Game Statistics & Lore. 5e D&D Volo's Guide to Monsters chapter 2; 5E D&D Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, chapter 4.
Further Lore & Roleplaying Ideas. There is a lot of lore on bugnears in chapter 1 of Volo's Guide to Monsters too.
GAME MECHANICS
Dungeons & Dragons 5E
Typical Bugbear Drawbacks
- Anti-Social (Minor) OR Dullard (Minor). Bugbears are certainly not known for their pleasantries and can often come across as stupid, despite their cunning.
- Heavy Sleeper (Minor). Bugbears are well known for their short bursts of activity and then prolonged rests.
- Outsider (Minor). Outside goblinoid societies, bugbears are rarely welcomed. In fact, they are often the subject of lurid tales and known as bogey-men.
- Threatening (Minor). Bugbears typically bully others.
Bonus Proficiencies. For each minor drawback assigned to a bugbear, you select one of the following: Athletics, Intimidation, Perception, Brawling Weapons (Simple + Martial), or Clubs & Staffs (Simple + Martial) or one relevant language.
BUGBEAR RACIAL FEATS
Race Feat & Source
GOBLIN
Game Statistics & Lore. 5e D&D Volo's Guide to Monsters chapter 2; 5E D&D Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica; 5E D&D Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, chapter 4. There are alternate 5E D&D stats for goblins in the Magic the Gathering Planeshift Zendikar article too.
Further Lore & Roleplaying Ideas. There is a lot of lore on goblins in chapter 1 of Volo's Guide to Monsters too.
GAME MECHANICS
Dungeons & Dragons 5E
Typical Goblin Drawbacks
- Annoying (Minor) OR Unwise (Minor). Goblins can't help but be annoying. Of course, if they think they can beat up another creature this turns to bullying. They are not known for making wise decisions either.
- Outsider (Minor). Outside goblinoid societies, goblins are rarely welcomed.
- Weak (Minor). Goblins may be feisty, but they lack bulk.
Illiterate (Minor). Even if given the chance to, most goblins don't like reading and therefor never learn.
Bonus Proficiencies. For each minor drawback assigned to a goblin, you select one of the following: Acrobatics, Animal Handling, Perception, Stealth, Slight of Hand, Bows (Simple), Brawling Weapons (Simple), Short Blades (Simple), Thrown & Slings (Simple) or one relevant language.
GOBLIN RACIAL FEATS
Race Feat & Source Goblin Beast Affinity (rodents or wolves (including monstrous wolves like worgs, but not other canines - goblins hate dogs)) (House, D&D Racial Feats) Goblin Beast Rider (House, D&D Racial Feats) Goblin Bendy & Bouncy (House, D&D Racial Feats) Goblin Great Eater (House, D&D Racial Feats) Goblin Light Frame (House, D&D Racial Feats) Goblin Shifty (House, D&D Racial Feats) Goblin Survival Instinct (House, D&D Racial Feats) Goblin Wild Survivor (House, D&D General Feats) This is a general feat, but goblins can take it as a racial feat.
HALF-ORC
Game Statistics & Lore. 5e D&D Player's Handbook chapter 2.
Further Lore & Roleplaying Ideas. Earlier versions of half-orcs from most games (including Dungeons & Dragons) describe half-orcs as being the result on an unwanted union. This is the case in Pathfinder Core Rulebook and Savage Worlds too. More recent interpretations, such as in 13th Age suggest it is a race apart. 4th Edition Dungeons & Dragons also takes this approach, offering several suggestions for the origins of the race. The 3E Races of Destiny has a lot of information on half-orcs.
GAME MECHANICS
Dungeons & Dragons 5E
Typical Half-Orc Drawbacks
- Socially Inept (Minor) OR Dullard (Minor). Many half-orcs have grown up having difficulty communicating and others have inherited their lack of wit from their orcish heritage.
- Outsider (Minor). Half-orcs often have difficulty dealing with civilised races; (and in some settings they are not accepted by orcs either).
Bonus Proficiencies. For each minor drawback assigned to a half-orc, you select any one of the following: Athletics, Endurance, Intimidation, Axes & Picks (Simple + Martial), Brawling (Simple + Martial), Clubs & Staffs (Simple + Martial), Long Blades (Simple + Martial), Spears (Simple + Martial) or one relevant language.
HALF-ORC SUBRACES
The half-orc above describes a race that has bred true over time. It could also represent a union between orc and human. In settings where there are distinctive orc races, there may also be differing half-orcs.
HALF-ORC RACIAL FEATS
Race Feat & Source Half-orc Orcish Fury (Xanathar's Guide to Everything) Half-orc Prodigy (Xanathar's Guide to Everything) Half-orc Swift Charge (House, D&D Racial Feats) Half-orc Unwavering Destiny (House, D&D Racial Feats)
HOGOBLIN
Game Statistics & Lore. 5e D&D Volo's Guide to Monsters chapter 2; 5E D&D Explorer's Guide to Wildemount chapter 4.
Further Lore & Roleplaying Ideas. There is a lot of lore on hobgoblin's in chapter 1 of Volo's Guide to Monsters too.
GAME MECHANICS
Dungeons & Dragons 5E
Altered Hobgoblin Traits
- Martial Training. If using our weapon group proficiency house rules, this grants proficiency in Simple and Martial weapons for two groups.
Typical Hobgoblin Drawbacks
- Outsider (Minor). Hobgoblins are universally feared and hated, so initial reactions are always going to be strained.
Bonus Proficiencies. For each minor drawback assigned to a hobgoblin, you select one of the following: Endurance or any weapon group proficiency (Simple + Martial) or one relevant language.
HOBGOBLIN RACIAL FEATS
Race Feat & Source
ORC
Game Statistics & Lore. 5e D&D Volo's Guide to Monsters chapter 2; 5E D&D Explorer's Guide to Wildemount chapter 4.
Further Lore & Roleplaying Ideas. There is a lot of lore on orcs in chapter 1 of Volo's Guide to Monsters too.
GAME MECHANICS
Dungeons & Dragons 5E
Typical Orc Drawbacks
Orcs already have a drawback factored into their statistics. So, this is not optional and you do not get further benefits for having a penalty to Intelligence.
- Anti-Social (Minor) OR Dullard (Minor). Orcs are certainly not known for their pleasantries and can often come across as stupid, despite their cunning. (If you take the Intelligence reduction, this is on top of the penalty that already applies to orcs).
- Outsider (Minor). Civilised societies see orcs a savages and a lone orc will find it difficult to break down common perceptions.
- Violent (Minor). Aggression is core to an orc's being.
Bonus Proficiencies. For each minor drawback assigned to an orc, you select one of the following: Athletics, Axes & Picks (Simple + Martial), Brawling Weapons (Simple + Martial), or Spears (Simple + Martial) or one relevant language.
ORC RACIAL FEATS
Race Feat & Source
GAME MECHANICS
Dungeons & Dragons 5E