A character race is a fundamental part of the identity and nature of characters in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game.
Each race has a distinct appearance, behavior and often range of statistics associated with it. The following races have appeared in D&D throughout its history.
Core races[]
In each edition, the core player character races are detailed in one of that edition's core rulebooks: Men & Monsters for "original" Dungeons & Dragons, the Basic Set and Rules Cyclopedia for "basic" Dungeons & Dragons and the Player's Handbook for all other editions.
| Race | Editions as a core race | Sourcebooks in other editions |
|---|---|---|
| Dragonborn | 4th, 5th | Races of the Dragon(3.5, T) |
| Dwarf | All | |
| Eladrin | 4th | Dungeon Master's Guide(5th), Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes(5th), Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Elf | All | |
| Gnome | 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 3.5, 5th | Player's Handbook II(4th) |
| Half-elf | 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 3.5, 4th, 5th | Greyhawk(O) |
| Half-orc | 1st, 3rd, 3.5, 5th | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Player's Handbook II(4th), Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms(4th) |
| Halfling | All | |
| Human | All | |
| Tiefling | 4th, 5th | The Planewalker's Handbook(2nd), Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting(3rd), Monster Manual(3.5, M), Races of Destiny(3.5), Planar Handbook(3.5) |
Races from other sourcebooks[]
| Race | Sourcebooks |
|---|---|
| Aarakocra | Dark Sun Campaign Setting, Expanded and Revised(2nd), Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Races of Faerûn(3rd), Dark Sun Player's Handbook(3.5), Monster Compendium: Monsters of Faerun(3rd) , Elemental Evil Players' Companion(5th), Explorer's Guide to Wildemount(5th), Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Aasimar / Deva | Planewalker's Handbook(2nd), Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting(3rd), Races of Faerûn(3rd), Monster Manual(3.5, M), Planar Handbook(3.5), Races of Destiny(3.5), Player's Handbook 2(4th), Dungeon Master's Guide(5th), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th), Explorer's Guide to Wildemount(5th), Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Aetherborn | Plane shift: Keledesh(5th) |
| Air Genasi | Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Alaghi | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd) |
| Armand | Monster Manual III(3.5) |
| Asherati | Sandstorm(3.5) |
| Aurak | Dragonlance Campaign Setting(3.5) |
| Aven | Plane shift: Amonket(5th) |
| Aventi | Stormwrack(3.5) |
| Azer | Monster Manual(3.5, M) |
| Azurin | Magic of Incarnum(3.5) |
| Baaz | Dragonlance Campaign Setting(3.5) |
| Bariaur | Planewalker's Handbook(2nd), Planar Handbook(3.5) |
| Beastman | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd) |
| Bhuka | Sandstorm(3.5) |
| Bladeling | Manual of the Planes(4th) |
| Blue (Goblin) | Expanded Psionics Handbook(3.5, M) |
| Bozak | Dragonlance Campaign Setting(3.5) |
| Bugbear | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5, M; 4th), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th), Eberron: Rising from the Last War(5th), Explorer's Guide to Wildemount(5th), Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Bullywug | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Monster Manual 2(4th, M) |
| Buomman | Planar Handbook(3.5) |
| Catfolk | Races of the Wild(3.5) |
| Centaur | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Races of Faerûn(3rd), Monster Manual(3.5, M), Races of the Wild(3.5), Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica(5th) ,Mythic Odysseys of Theros(5th), Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Changeling | Eberron Campaign Setting(3.5), Eberron Player's Guide(4th), Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron(5th), Eberron: Rising from the Last War(5th), Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Chaos Gnome | Races of Stone(3.5) |
| Chitine | Underdark(3.5) |
| Crucian | Sandstorm(3.5) |
| Custom Lineage | Tasha's Cauldron of Everything(5th) |
| Darfellan | Stormwrack(3.5) |
| Deep Imaskarri | Underdark(3.5) |
| Dhampir | Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft(5th) |
| Diopsid | The Dragon Compendium, Volume 1(3.5) |
| Drow | Complete Book of Elves(2nd), Monster Manual(3rd, M; 3.5, M; 4th), Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting(3rd), Underdark(3.5), Forgotten Realms Player's Guide(4th), Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms(4th), Player's Handbook, as Elf subrace(5th) |
| Dire Wereboar (Lycanthrope) | Monster Manual(3.5, M, T), Races of Faerûn(3rd, T) |
| Doppelganger | Monster Manual(3.5, M), Races of Destiny(3.5), Monster Manual(4th) |
| Draconic creature | Races of the Dragon(3.5, T) |
| Dracotaur | Monster Manual III(3.5) |
| Dragonkin | Draconomnicon(3.5) |
| Dromite | Expanded Psionics Handbook(3.5) |
| Duergar / Gray Dwarf | Complete Book of Dwarves(2nd), Monster Manual(3rd, M; 3.5, M), Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting(3rd), Underdark(3.5), Monster Manual 2(4th, M), Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide(5th), Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes(5th), Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Duskling | Magic of Incarnum(3.5) |
| Dvati | The Dragon Compendium, Volume 1(3.5) |
| Earth Genasi | Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Elan | Expanded Psionics Handbook(3.5) |
| Fairy | The Wild Beyond the Witchlight(5th), Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Feral Gargun | Races of Stone(3.5) |
| Fey'ri | Races of Faerûn(3rd) |
| Firbolg | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th), Explorer's Guide to Wildemount(5th), Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Fire Genasi | Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Flind | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd) |
| Fremlin | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd) |
| Frost Giant | Monster Manual(3.5, M) |
| Gargoyle | Monster Manual(3.5, M) |
| Genasi | Forgotten Realms Player's Guide(4th), Elemental Evil Players' Companion(5th), Explorer's Guide to Wildemount(5th) |
| Ghost | Ghostwalk(3.5, T) |
| Githyanki | A Guide to the Astral Plane(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5, M; 4th), Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes(5th),Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Githzerai | Planewalker's Handbook(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5, M; 4th), Player's Handbook 3(4th), Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes(5th) ,Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Gloaming | Underdark(3.5) |
| Gnoll | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Unapproachable East(3rd), Monster Manual(3.5, M; 4th), Races of the Wild(3.5) |
| Goblin | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5, M; 4th), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th), Plane shift: Zendikar(5th), Plane shift: Ixalan(5th), Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica(5th), Eberron: Rising from the Last War(5th), Explorer's Guide to Wildemount(5th), Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Goblinoid | Races of Faerûn(3rd) |
| Goliath | Races of Stone(3.5), Player's Handbook 2(4th), Elemental Evil Players' Companion(5th), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th), Explorer's Guide to Wildemount(5th), Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Grimlock | Monster Manual(3.5, M), Underdark(3.5) |
| Grung | One Grung Above(5th) |
| Hadozee | Stormwrack(3.5) |
| Hagspawn | Unapproachable East(3rd) |
| Half-Celestial | Monster Manual(3.5, M, T) |
| Half-Dragon | Monster Manual(3.5, M, T), Races of the Dragon(3.5) |
| Half-Fiend | Monster Manual(3.5, M) |
| Half-Giant | Dark Sun Boxed Set(2nd), Dark Sun Campaign Setting Expanded and Revised(2nd), Expanded Psionics Handbook(3.5) |
| Half-Ogre | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Savage Species(3rd), Races of Destiny(3.5) |
| Hamadryad | Heroes of the Feywild(4th) |
| Harengon | The Wild Beyond the Witchlight(5th), Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Hellbred | Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells(3.5) |
| Hengeyokai | Oriental Adventures(1st; 3rd) |
| Hexblood | Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft(5th) |
| Hill Giant | Monster Manual(3.5, M) |
| Hobgoblin | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5, M; 4th), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th), Eberron: Rising from the Last War(5th), Explorer's Guide to Wildemount(5th), Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Illumian | Races of Destiny(3.5) |
| Jaebrin | Monster Manual V(3.5) |
| Janni (Genie) | Monster Manual(3.5, M) |
| Kalashtar | Races of Eberron(3.5), Eberron Player's Guide(4th), Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron(5th), Eberron: Rising from the Last War(5th) |
| Kapak | Dragonlance Campaign Setting(3.5) |
| Kender | Dragonlance Campaign Setting(3.5) |
| Kenku | Monster Manual 2(4th, M), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th), Explorer's Guide to Wildemount(5th), Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Khenra | Plane shift: Amonket(5th) |
| Killoren | Races of the Wild(3.5) |
| Kir-Lanan | Races of Faerûn(3rd) |
| Kobold | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5, M; 4th), Races of the Dragon(3.5), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th), Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Kor | Plane shift: Zendikar(5th) |
| Korobokuru | Oriental Adventures(1st; 3rd) |
| Kuo-toa | Underdark(3.5) |
| Leonin | Mythic Odysseys of Theros(5th) |
| Lich | Monster Manual(3.5, M, T) |
| Lizardfolk / Lizardman | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Races of Faerûn(3rd), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th), Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Locathah | Locathah Rising(5th) |
| Loxo | Shining South(3.5) |
| Loxodon | Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica(5th) |
| Lupin | The Dragon Compendium, Volume 1(3.5) |
| Maenad | Expanded Psionics Handbook(3.5) |
| Mephling | Planar Handbook(3.5) |
| Merfolk | Plane shift: Zendikar(5th), Plane shift: Ixalan(5th) |
| Illithid | Monster Manual(3.5, M) |
| Minotaur | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5, M; 4th), Player's Handbook 3(4th), Plane shift: Keledesh(5th), Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica(5th), Mythic Odysseys of Theros(5th), Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Modron, Rogue | Planewalker's Handbook(2nd) |
| Mongrelfolk | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Races of Destiny(3.5) |
| Mul | Dark Sun Boxed Set(2nd), Dark Sun Campaign Setting Expanded and Revised(2nd), Dark Sun Campaign Setting(4th) |
| Naga | Plane shift: Amonket(5th) |
| Neanderthal | Frostburn(3.5) |
| Neraphim | Planar Handbook(3.5) |
| Nezumi | Oriental Adventures(3rd) |
| Ogre | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5) |
| Orc | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5, M; 4th), Races of Faerûn(3rd), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th), Eberron: Rising from the Last War(5th), Plane shift: Ixalan(5th), Explorer's Guide to Wildemount(5th), Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Owlin | Strixhaven: a Curriculum of Chaos(5th) |
| Phrenic creature | Expanded Psionics Handbook(3.5, T) |
| Pixie | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5, M), Heroes of the Feywild(4th) |
| Pterran | Dark Sun Campaign Setting Expanded and Revised(2nd) |
| Rakasta | Rage of the Rakasta(2nd) |
| Rakshasa | Monster Manual(3.5, M) |
| Raptoran | Races of the Wild(3.5) |
| Reborn | Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft(5th) |
| Revenant | Heroes of Shadow(4th) |
| Rilkan | Magic of Incarnum(3.5) |
| Satyr | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Monster Manual(3.5, M), Heroes of the Feywild(4th), Mythic Odysseys of Theros(5th), Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Saurial | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd) |
| Sea Elf | Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes(5th), Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Sea Kin | Races of Destiny(3.5) |
| Shadar-kai | Monster Manual(4th), Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes(5th), Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Shade | Races of Faerûn(3rd), Heroes of Shadow(4th) |
| Shadowswyft | Planar Handbook(3.5) |
| Sharakim | Cityscape(3.5), Races of Destiny(3.5) |
| Shardmind | Player's Handbook 3(4th) |
| Shifter | Eberron Campaign Setting(3.5), Monster Manual(4th), Player's Handbook 2(4th), Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron(5th), Eberron: Rising from the Last War(5th), Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Simic Hybrid | Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica(5th) |
| Siren | Plane shift: Ixalan(5th) |
| Sivak | Dragonlance Campaign Setting(3.5) |
| Skarn | Magic of Incarnum(3.5) |
| Skulk | Races of Destiny(3.5) |
| Slyth | Underdark(3.5) |
| Spellscale | Races of the Dragon(3.5, T) |
| Spiker | Planar Handbook(3.5) |
| Spirit Folk | Oriental Adventures(1st; 3rd), Unapproachable East(3rd) |
| Stonechild | Races of Stone(3.5) |
| Svirfneblin / Deep Gnome | Complete Book of Gnomes and Halflings (2nd), Elemental Evil Players' Companion(5th), Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide(5th), Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes(5th), Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Swanmay | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd) |
| Synad | Complete Psionic(3.5) |
| Tabaxi | Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th), Explorer's Guide to Wildemount(5th), Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Taer | Unapproachable East(3rd) |
| Tanarukk | Races of Faerûn(3rd) |
| Thri-Kreen | Dark Sun Boxed Set(2nd), Dark Sun Campaign Setting Expanded and Revised(2nd), Expanded Psionics Handbook(3.5, M), Shining South(3.5), Dark Sun Campaign Setting(4th) |
| Tibbit | The Dragon Compendium, Volume 1(3.5) |
| Tortle | The Tortle Package(5th), Explorer's Guide to Wildemount(5th), Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Triton | Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th), Mythic Odysseys of Theros(5th), Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Troglodyte | Monster Manual(3.5, M) |
| Troll | Monster Manual(3.5, M) |
| Uldra | Frostburn(3.5) |
| Unbodied | Expanded Psionics Handbook(3.5, M) |
| Underfolk | Races of Destiny(3.5) |
| Vampire | Monster Manual(3.5, M, T), Plane shift: Zendikar(5th), Plane shift: Ixalan(5th) |
| Vanara | Oriental Adventures(3rd) |
| Vedalken | Plane shift: Keledesh(5th), Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica(5th) |
| Verdan | Acquisitions Incorporated(5th) |
| Voadkyn | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd) |
| Volodni | Unapproachable East(3rd) |
| Vryloka | Heroes of Shadow(4th) |
| Warforged | Eberron Campaign Setting(3.5), Eberron Players Guide(4th), Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron(5th), Eberron: Rising from the Last War(5th) |
| Water Genasi | Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
| Wemic | Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd), Races of Faerûn(3rd), The Complete Book of Humanoids(2nd) |
| Wilden | Player's Handbook 3(4th) |
| Wildren | Planar Handbook(3.5) |
| Xeph | Expanded Psionics Handbook(3.5) |
| Yuan-ti | Races of Faerûn(3rd), Monster Manual(3.5), Volo's Guide to Monsters(5th), Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse(5th) |
Key[]
| Key | |
|---|---|
| O | "Original" Dungeons & Dragons |
| B | "Basic" Dungeons & Dragons |
| 1st | Advanced Dungeons & Dragons |
| 2nd | Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition |
| 3rd | Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition |
| 3.5 | Dungeons & Dragons v. 3.5 |
| 4th | Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition |
| 5th | Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition |
| M | Playable race entry is contained within a monster entry |
| T | Playable template |
References[]
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