How to use the random character generator
- Press New character. You get a name and how to say it, a race, a class, a background, six ability scores, a description, a personality and a short backstory, with a portrait.
- Choose what you know already. Pick a race or a class, and choose between the best point buy for that class or a classic 4d6 roll.
- Lock and reroll. Love the backstory but not the class? Lock the backstory and press New character. Press ↻ to change just one part.
- Keep it. Copy the character into your notes, print it, share it as a link, or save it in this browser.
What's in a character
Every part comes from one of our own tools, so the character hangs together instead of being a pile of random facts:
- Race and name from the D&D Name Generator: 24 races, each with its own sound, and a meaning for every name.
- Ability scores from the Point Buy Calculator: the best 27-point buy for the class, with the 2024 background bonus, or a classic roll placed where the class needs it.
- Looks from the Appearance Generator: height, colouring, face and clothes that fit the race and class.
- Personality from the Personality Generator: a type, strengths, a weakness and a flaw.
- Backstory from the Backstory Generator: where they grew up, what set them on the road, and what they want now.
The class decides more than the numbers: a wizard dresses like a mystic and a fighter like a warrior, and the backstory's turning point fits the class (a wizard finds a spellbook; a paladin swears an oath). The background is one of the four in the free 2024 rules (Acolyte, Criminal, Sage or Soldier), and its ability bonuses are already in the scores.
Classes and their roles
A party works best with a mix of roles. The party maker gives one of each; here is how we group the 12 classes:
| Role | Classes |
|---|---|
| Front line | Barbarian, Fighter, Paladin |
| Healer and support | Bard, Cleric, Druid |
| Damage | Monk, Ranger, Rogue, Warlock |
| Magic | Sorcerer, Wizard |
These are broad roles. Every class can do more than one job, and a creative player can make any of them work anywhere.
What each class needs
- Barbarian: Strength for hits, Constitution for staying power; Dexterity helps your Armor Class without armour.
- Bard: Charisma powers your spells; Dexterity and Constitution keep you alive in light armour.
- Cleric: Wisdom powers your spells; Constitution keeps concentration; Strength if you wear heavy armour and fight up close.
- Druid: Wisdom powers your spells and shapes; Constitution keeps concentration.
- Fighter: Strength (or Dexterity for an archer) for attacks; Constitution for hit points.
- Monk: Dexterity and Wisdom both add to your Armor Class and your attacks.
- Paladin: Strength for attacks, Charisma for spells and auras; Constitution for hit points.
- Ranger: Dexterity for bows and light weapons; Wisdom for spells.
- Rogue: Dexterity for attacks, stealth and Armor Class; Constitution so one hit does not drop you.
- Sorcerer: Charisma powers your spells; Constitution keeps concentration and hit points.
- Warlock: Charisma powers your spells; Constitution for hit points and concentration.
- Wizard: Intelligence powers your spells; Constitution and Dexterity keep a fragile caster alive.
Roll a whole party
Roll a party creates four heroes at once, with four different races and one of each role, so the group can fight, heal, deal damage and cast spells. It's perfect for a one-shot, for pre-made characters at a convention table, or for a DM who wants a rival party of adventurers. Press Open on any hero to see the full character, then lock and change whatever you like.
Tips for playing a random character
- Keep one surprise. Random characters are fun because they're not what you'd pick. Keep at least one part you'd never have chosen.
- Find the reason. Why is this halfling a barbarian? The answer is your backstory, and your best scene.
- Check with your DM. Some tables use only certain races or rolled scores. Lock what fits and reroll the rest.
- Make it yours. A random character is a starting point. Change the name, the look or the goal until it feels like your hero.
Frequently asked questions
What does the random character generator make?
A named character with a race, class, background, six ability scores and modifiers, a description, a personality and a short backstory, plus a portrait.
Does it use the 2024 or the 2014 rules?
The background and its ability bonuses follow the free 2024 rules (SRD 5.2). For 2014 race bonuses, take the scores to the Point Buy Calculator and switch to the 2014 rules.
Can I choose the race or class?
Yes. Pick them in the settings, or lock them on the card and keep pressing New character for everything else.
Can I roll the ability scores instead?
Yes. Choose Roll 4d6: six scores are rolled the classic way (four dice, drop the lowest) and placed where the class needs them most.
Which background does my character get?
One of the four in the free 2024 rules: Acolyte, Criminal, Sage or Soldier. Like a real player, the generator prefers a background that raises your class's key ability, so a wizard is often a Sage.
Is it free, and does it use AI?
It's free with no login, and it doesn't use AI. Every character is put together in your browser from our own tables and rules from the free SRD.
Can I save or share a character?
Yes. Save keeps it in this browser, Share copies a link to the exact character, and Print gives a clean page for the table.
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