How the generator builds a character

Build 5e Hero makes complete fifth-edition player characters under the 2024 rules, using the content in the System Reference Document 5.2.1. Every character comes with ability scores, skills, attacks, spells, equipment, and the features for its level.

Guided or random

In guided mode you answer up to seven questions: how you like to fight, how much magic you want, which themes appeal to you, how much you want to track during play, and, if you have a preference, your species, background, and ability score method. Every question has a "You choose" option that leaves that decision to the generator.

Your answers don't pick a class directly. They raise or lower the odds of each class, so a player who wants to keep the party alive and use a lot of magic will usually get a Cleric, Bard, or Druid, but can still be surprised. The character sheet explains which answers led to the result.

Completely random mode skips the questions. Class, species, background, ability scores, and every choice along the way are left to chance.

Ability scores

• Standard array: the scores 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, and 8, placed where your class needs them most.
• Point buy: 27 points spent across the six abilities, using one of several balanced spreads.
• Roll 4d6: four six-sided dice rolled six times, keeping the highest three each time.
• Enter my own: type in six scores, such as numbers you rolled with real dice. The generator can place them for your class, or use them in the order you entered.

Your background then raises three abilities, either +2 and +1 or +1 to each. The generator picks whichever split helps your class most.

Levels 1, 2, and 3

A level 1 character has full Hit Points from their class's Hit Die. Each later level adds the class's average Hit Point value plus the Constitution modifier. Characters above level 1 receive their level 2 features, such as a Fighter's Action Surge or a Wizard's Scholar Expertise, and start with one common magic item. At level 3 every class gains its subclass, along with any spells that subclass always has prepared.

Story

Every character comes with a story built from its class and background. The centerpiece is a reason for adventuring, with a line on how it should guide the character's decisions. Around it are a short backstory, two personality traits, an ideal, a bond, a flaw, appearance and mannerisms, and a secret the game master can use. The roleplaying guide explains how to use them at the table.

Sharing and saving

Every character has a short code, shown under its name. The same code always rebuilds the same character, including your level and answers, so you can share a character by copying its link. Nothing is stored on a server.

"Download PDF" produces a two-page character sheet with room for notes, ready to print.

What's included

The generator uses the 12 classes, 9 species, and 4 backgrounds published in the SRD 5.2.1, each with the subclass the SRD provides. Options from other books aren't included.