The tabletop RPG Dungeons & Dragons has been a staple of the geek community for several decades. Since 2010, its popularity has grown dramatically with the rise of several beloved Twitch and Youtube D&D-based Youtube channels.
Now, with the characters of Stranger Things regularly playing and referencing the game, Dungeons & Dragons has been picked up by a whole new demographic as television fans look to discover what all the fuss is about. For those who are interested in creating their first D&D character, here are 10 of the most popular playable races found in the game.
Half-Orc
As their name would suggest, half-orcs are characters with both orc and human ancestry. As such, they are smaller than an average orc but larger than a human and have significantly smaller and less overt orc-like features when compared to a regular orc.
Half-orcs are a popular race indeed as they allow players to create large, imposing characters without stepping too far into the monstrous territory of being a full-blown orc. Naturally, these races tend to be favored by players who wish to be the brawn of the group. Their mixed heritage also makes them attractive to players looking to build a character with a flavorful backstory.
Gnome
These are certainly not the gnomes you might find in your grandmother's garden. Instead, the gnomes of Dungeons & Dragons are more akin to goblins or elves with their small stature and pointed ears.
Gnomes are a popular pick for D&D players looking to build a more whimsical and humorous character. In terms of skills, gnomes of the D&D world are known for their inventions and potions so they're perfect for someone who wishes to be the brains of the group and play a wizard-like character.
Halfling
The hobbits of the Dungeons & Dragons universe, halflings are a diminutive but adventurous race with a sunny disposition. Their penchant for stealth makes them a great fit for the rogue class.
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Halflings likely have The Lord of the Rings to thank for their popularity as this race is the go-to pick for players wanting to emulate the adventures of the film's courageous hobbits. On top of this, players wanting to strike their enemies from the shadows prefer this race as their small size makes them perfect for sneaking into enemy camps.
Genasi
The genasi are a race of elemental beings similar to the benders of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Depending on their heritage, genasi have the power of earth, water, fire, or air and have bodily features that reflect their elemental affinity.
The genasi are a popular pick among D&D players wanting a more magical/superhero-like character who possesses inherent powers. The ability to choose the character's elemental affinity also makes them a commonly played race as it allows for more customization and variation. This means player groups can form whole bands of genasi with wildly different abilities (despite earth genasi arguably being one of the worst playable races).
Tiefling
Tieflings are a race of humanoids with demonic qualities such as large horns, pointed ears, and a tail. As such, they are often treated with mistrust and fear within settlements as most believe them to be children of devils.
Tieflings are one of Dungeons & Dragons' most popular races perhaps due to the roleplaying potential that comes from their status as outsiders who must skulk in the shadows. On top of this, they're arguably the coolest-looking race in D&D with an appearance that's somewhere between a human, an elf, and a demon.
Dragonborn
The dragonborn of Dungeons & Dragons are a lot different from the one gamers take the role of in the popular fantasy video game Skyrim. Instead, these dragonborn look a lot more reptilian and are literally born of dragons.
Dragonborn are a popular race partly due to their wholly unique appearance making this race the most far removed from an average human. On top of this, the ability for players to customize what kind of breath their dragonborn has, from acid to fire to lighting, makes them a very attractive pick for those wanting a particularly distinct ability.
Dwarf
A true staple of fantasy fiction, the dwarves of D&D are exactly what one would expect. A small but strong race of people often seen sporting huge beards, dwarves are known for their skills as warriors, miners, and blacksmiths.
Thanks to their prevalence in works like The Lord of the Rings and World of Warcraft, dwarves are a beloved fantasy race and as such are one of the most common player races in D&D. Players wishing to be their group's wisened and hardy warrior would see the dwarven race as an obvious pick for their character.
Human
In a game where the player can be anything and anyone, it may be surprising to discover that humans are one of the most played races in Dungeons &Dragons. Despite this, many hardcore D&D players feel this is a boring choice but there are those with the unpopular opinion that relying on race to make a character interesting is a lazy tactic.
Humans are a popular race in the tabletop RPG as they are great for beginner players since it's easy for players to get into the flow of roleplaying a character just like themselves. Perhaps the most likely reason for their popularity, however, is due to most fantasy fiction featuring humans as the protagonists. After all, who doesn't want to be the main character?
Elf
One of the most common races in all fantasy fiction, the elves of D&D are not too dissimilar to those found in Lord of the Rings. Able to live for over 700 years, elves see themselves as somewhat superior to the rest of the world's inhabitants but that does not mean they don't appreciate intermingling with other races.
Due to elf-like races being commonplace in popular D&D-inspired fantasy games like The Elder Scrolls lots of players love building their very own elven hero for their D&D character. The elven race is a great pick for players wanting to use a combination of intellect and combat prowess to beat their enemies.
Half-Elf
The name of this race speaks for itself with half-elves being born to human and elvish parents. Growing up in either of the two communities they stem from, half-elves struggle to fit in anywhere for much of their lives.
Half-elves are popular because they're a great choice for those wanting to play as a fantasy race without stepping too far away from humanity. Thanks to being born of two worlds, half-elves are perfect for players wishing to be the charismatic diplomat of the group.