The Most Popular Dungeons & Dragons Character, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the character you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 2, 2024 06:35
When deciding on the next character for a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, the choices can seem endless and often overwhelming. Each character comes with its unique abilities, backstory, and alignment, making the decision even more complex. By ranking these characters based on popularity, we offer a starting point for both new and experienced players to find their favorite quickly.
This ranking is constantly updated based on user votes, reflecting the most current trends in character preferences. It serves as a dynamic guide that adapts to the community's collective opinions. By participating, voters not only have the chance to see where their favorites stand but also influence the list's future. So cast your vote today and see how your preferred characters measure up against the rest.
What Is the Most Popular Dungeons & Dragons Character?
-
143votes
Human Fighter
Gary GygaxThe most popular character in Dungeons & Dragons is the Human Fighter. This class is widely loved because of its versatility in combat and straightforward gameplay. Fighters are highly customizable with a wide range of weapons and armor to choose from, making them a favorite among both new and experienced players.The Human Fighter is one of the most iconic and widely chosen character classes in Dungeons & Dragons. As the name suggests, they are skilled warriors who rely on their physical prowess and combat abilities to overcome challenges in the fantasy world of D&D. With a focus on martial skills and versatility, the Human Fighter is a well-rounded and adaptable character.- Primary Abilities: Strength and Constitution
- Weapons Proficiency: Proficient with a wide range of weapons
- Armor Proficiency: Proficient with all types of armor and shields
- Fighting Styles: Can choose a specific fighting style for bonuses
- Extra Attack: Gains the ability to make multiple attacks in combat
-
239votes
Half-Elf Ranger
Gary GygaxHalf-Elf Rangers are popular among players because of their ability to track, hunt, and survive in the wilderness. They are highly skilled archers and have an innate connection with nature, making them a perfect fit for players who enjoy exploring the game's vast landscapes.The Half-Elf Ranger is a popular character archetype in the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons. This character combines the elven grace and affinity for nature with the human versatility and adaptability. As a ranger, they have honed their skills in wilderness survival, archery, and tracking, making them formidable scouts and hunters. Their mixed heritage allows them to straddle the line between human society and the elven realms, often acting as ambassadors or mediators between the two races.- Race: Half-Elf
- Class: Ranger
- Ability Scores: Dexterity, Wisdom, and Constitution
- Skills: Nature, Perception, Stealth, and Survival
- Combat Style: Archery or Two-Weapon Fighting
-
311votes
Tiefling Warlock
Chris PerkinsTiefling Warlocks are popular because of their unique demonic heritage and magical abilities. Warlocks have access to a wide range of spells and can summon powerful demons to fight alongside them in combat.The Tiefling Warlock is a popular character archetype in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. It combines the demonic heritage of Tieflings with the magical abilities of a Warlock. This character is often depicted as having a pact with a powerful extraplanar entity, which grants them exceptional arcane powers.- Race: Tiefling
- Class: Warlock
- Ability Scores: Charisma as the primary ability score, followed by Dexterity or Constitution
- Pact: Typically a pact with a demonic or otherworldly entity
- Infernal Legacy: Tieflings have access to a set of unique spells
-
428votes
Dwarf Cleric
Gary GygaxDwarves are highly respected in the world of Dungeons & Dragons, and the Cleric class is highly sought after for its healing abilities. Dwarf Clerics are highly resilient and excel at keeping their allies alive in combat.The Dwarf Cleric is a popular character in the world of Dungeons & Dragons. It is a combination of the Dwarf race, known for its courage, endurance, and strong crafting abilities, and the Cleric class, which focuses on divine magic and healing. This character excels in supporting the party through their strong offensive and defensive capabilities, as well as their ability to heal and restore others.- Race: Dwarf
- Class: Cleric
- Alignment: Usually Lawful Good
- Primary Abilities: Healing, divine magic
- Weapon Proficiency: Simple weapons, warhammers, battleaxes
-
522votes
Half-Orc Barbarian
Dungeons & Dragons designersHalf-Orc Barbarians are highly favored for their brute strength and ability to deal massive amounts of damage in combat. They are highly resistant to damage and can shrug off attacks that would kill other characters.The Half-Orc Barbarian is a character type in Dungeons & Dragons created by the game's designers.- Class: Barbarian
- Race: Half-Orc
- Alignment: Usually Chaotic Neutral or Chaotic Evil
- Abilities: Strength, Constitution, and Dexterity
- Weapon Proficiency: Simple and martial weapons
-
610votes
Human Rogue
Gary GygaxHuman Rogues are popular because of their stealthy gameplay and ability to pick locks and disarm traps. They are highly skilled at sneaking around and can deal massive amounts of damage with their sneak attacks.The Human Rogue is a versatile character class in Dungeons & Dragons. They are masters of stealth, cunning, and deceit, skilled in both thievery and combat. These rogues rely on their agility, wit, and sharp senses to outmaneuver their enemies and exploit their weaknesses.- Ability Scores: Dexterity and Intelligence
- Skills: Acrobatics, Athletics, Deception, Insight, Investigation, Perception, Performance, Persuasion, Sleight of Hand, and Stealth
- Tools: Thieves' tools
- Alignment: Any alignment, but often leans towards chaotic and neutral alignments
- Armor Proficiencies: Light armor
-
710votes
Dragonborn Paladin
Wizards of the CoastDragonborn Paladins are popular because of their unique dragon heritage and holy powers. They are highly skilled in combat and can heal their allies with their divine magic.The Dragonborn Paladin is a powerful and noble character in the Dungeons & Dragons game. This character combines the natural strength and charisma of the Dragonborn race with the divine powers and righteousness of a Paladin. They are formidable warriors, capable of both melee combat and divine spellcasting.- Race: Dragonborn
- Class: Paladin
- Alignment: Lawful Good
- Armor Proficiencies: All armor, shields
- Weapon Proficiencies: Simple weapons, martial weapons
-
88votes
Gnome Wizard
Gary GygaxGnome Wizards are highly favored for their intelligence and ability to cast a wide range of spells. They are highly versatile in combat and can use their magic to manipulate the battlefield to their advantage.The Gnome Wizard is a popular character in Dungeons & Dragons, known for their magical prowess and mischievous nature. They are small, usually standing around 3 to 4 feet tall, with pointy ears and a generally whimsical appearance. Gnome Wizards possess a deep understanding of arcane magic and are capable of casting powerful spells to manipulate the elements and control the battlefield.- Size: Small
- Race: Gnome
- Class: Wizard
- Primary Ability Score: Intelligence
- Spellcasting: Arcane
-
95votes
Half-Elf Bard
Gary GygaxHalf-Elf Bards are highly charismatic and excel at inspiring their allies with their music and words. They are highly versatile in combat and have access to a wide range of spells and abilities.The Half-Elf Bard is a versatile character in Dungeons & Dragons. As a combination of human and elf heritage, the Half-Elf Bard possesses a unique blend of both races' strengths. Bards are charismatic and musically inclined individuals who wield their words and songs as powerful magical tools. With an inherent knack for music and performance, the Half-Elf Bard is a captivating storyteller and performer, capable of inspiring allies and manipulating enemies with charm and magic.- Race: Half-Elf
- Class: Bard
- Ability Scores: Charisma, Dexterity, and Constitution
- Skills: Performance, Persuasion, Deception, and Acrobatics
- Main Weapons: Musical instruments, daggers, and light weapons
-
109votes
Elf Druid
Gary GygaxElves are highly respected in the world of Dungeons & Dragons, and Druids are highly sought after for their connection to nature. Elf Druids are highly skilled at manipulating the elements and can transform into powerful animals to fight in combat.The Elf Druid is a versatile character in Dungeons & Dragons. As an elf, they possess a deep connection with nature and the arcane. The druid class further enhances their abilities to commune with the natural world and harness its power to protect and heal. They embody the harmony between the wild and the civilized, serving as the guardians of the natural order. With their spellcasting abilities and shape-shifting powers, Elf Druids can adapt to various situations, making them formidable allies and formidable opponents.- Race: Elf
- Class: Druid
- Alignment: Usually neutral
- Primary Abilities: Wisdom, Dexterity, and Constitution
- Armor Proficiencies: Light armor, medium armor, shields (except metal), and druidic shields
Missing your favorite character?
Graphs
Discussion
Ranking factors for popular character
-
Character ClassThe various classes available in the game are crucial in determining popularity, as each class has unique abilities and gameplay. Some common classes include Paladin, Fighter, Rogue, and Wizard, while others like Bard, Druid, or Warlock may be less frequently chosen.
-
Roleplay PotentialCharacters that offer interesting roleplaying opportunities or backstories are likely to be more popular among players.
-
Iconic CharactersD&D has many famous NPCs (non-player characters), such as Drizzt Do'Urden, Elminster, or Mordenkainen. These characters have been established in novels, lore, and previous editions, influencing players to create similar characters or choose the same class/race.
-
Race ChoiceSome races like Elves, Humans, or Dwarves are popular and provide players with unique abilities and traits that may influence their character choices. Other races like Tieflings or Dragonborn may be less frequently chosen but provide interesting options for players.
-
ArchetypesCertain character archetypes or stereotypes, like wise wizards, sneaky rogues, or noble paladins, are popular in the D&D community. Characters that fit into these molds are more likely to be highly ranked.
-
Balance and VersatilityCharacters that are well-rounded and versatile are more likely to maintain popularity among players. Characters should provide meaningful contributions in and out of combat, as well as offer utility in various situations.
-
Player PreferenceUltimately, popularity will vary depending on individual players' preferences. Some may prefer spellcasters, while others prefer melee fighters, or support characters that can heal and buff allies.
-
Ability to Play Well with OthersIn a game that often depends on teamwork, characters who have abilities that complement other party members or contribute to the group's overall effectiveness are more likely to be popular.
-
Ease of PlaySimpler classes with straightforward abilities are often more accessible to new players, and therefore may be more popular than more complex classes like Artificers or Wizards.
-
Popularity in MediaCharacters that have been portrayed in popular culture, such as movies, television shows, or books, may influence players to create characters similar to those in the media. For example, Legolas from Lord of the Rings may inspire people to make Elf Rangers, or Harry Potter might inspire people to create a young Wizard character.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Dungeons & Dragons character. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or character is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2375 views
- 186 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each character once every 24 hours. The rank of each character is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular dungeons & dragons character
Dungeons & Dragons has been a popular tabletop RPG game since its creation in 1974. It allows players to create their own characters and embark on adventures in a fantasy world filled with magic, monsters, and mythical creatures. With each character having its unique abilities, players get to explore different classes, races, and backgrounds.
In the world of Dungeons & Dragons, there are countless character options to choose from, each with its own set of strengths and weaknesses. From the powerful spellcasters like the wizard and the sorcerer to the agile and cunning rogue and ranger, there is no shortage of exciting characters to play.
But which character is the most popular among players? This is a question that has been debated for years, with no clear answer. Some argue that the warrior class, with its brute strength and durability, is the most popular, while others believe that the versatile and cunning rogue is the way to go.
Regardless of which character is the most popular, Dungeons & Dragons has something to offer for everyone. So grab your dice and join in on the adventure!
Explore other rankings
Check out some of the other recommended rankings on StrawPoll and make your voice heard.
