Character Creation


 

Contents

  1. 1 CHARACTER SHEET
  2. 2 CHARACTER CREATION SOFTWARE
  3. 3 CHARACTER CONCEPT
  4. 4 CHOOSE A RACE
    1. 4.1 DWARF
    2. 4.2 ELF
    3. 4.3 HUMAN
  5. 5 CHOOSE YOUR CLASS
    1. 5.1 CLERIC
    2. 5.2 FIGHTER
    3. 5.3 ROGUE
    4. 5.4 WIZARD
  6. 6 THE SIX ABILITY SCORES
    1. 6.1 STRENGTH
    2. 6.2 DEXTERITY
    3. 6.3 CONSTITUTION
    4. 6.4 INTELLIGENCE
    5. 6.5 WISDOM
    6. 6.6 CHARISMA
  7. 7 ROLL ABILITY SCORES
    1. 7.1 ROLL 4D6 AND ADD TOGETHER THE BEST THREE NUMBERS.
    2. 7.2 MODIFY ABILITY SCORES BASES ON YOUR RACE
  8. 8 ABILITY MODIFIERS
  9. 9 CHOOSE AN ALIGNMENT
    1. 9.1 LAWFUL GOOD (LG)
    2. 9.2 NEUTRAL GOOD (NG)
    3. 9.3 CHAOTIC GOOD (CG)
    4. 9.4 LAWFUL NEUTRAL (LN)
    5. 9.5 NEUTRAL (N)
  10. 10 CHOOSE A NAME
    1. 10.1 DWARF
    2. 10.2 ELF
    3. 10.3 HUMAN
  

CHARACTER SHEET

You can simply use a blank sheet of paper and a pencil, or you can download a free character sheet from Paizo here.

CHARACTER CREATION SOFTWARE

Lone Wolf Development makes a free "starter" version of their excellent Hero Lab software just for beginning Pathfinder players, you can download it here.

CHARACTER CONCEPT

It’s time to build your own 1st-level character! What character do you want to play? A wise priest? A mighty warrior? A crafty thief? A brilliant wizard? A rugged dwarf? A clever elf? A versatile human? The choice is up to you!

Every step of the way, this site will tell you what you need to write down on your character sheet and where you need to write it. Just follow the steps in order!

CHOOSE A RACE

DWARF

You are tough and hardy! Dwarves can see in the dark and are skilled at fighting monsters.

ELF

You are agile and sharp-eyed! Elves are swift and skilled with many weapons.

HUMAN

You are skilled and versatile! Humans learn fast and excel at more things than any other race.

CHOOSE YOUR CLASS

CLERIC

You mix divine magic and steel! Clerics can heal, blast enemies, and wear armor.

FIGHTER

You master all weapons and armor! Fighters are brave and skilled in war.

ROGUE

You are sneaky and deadly! Rogues can disable trapsand backstab.

WIZARD

You wield powerful arcane magic! Wizards cast the most powerful spells.

THE SIX ABILITY SCORES

You have six ability scores that represent your raw talent in physical and mental tasks. The higher your ability score, the better you are in that category. The ability scores are:

STRENGTH

This is how strong you are. A high Strength means your weapons deal more damage. Fighters need a high Strength.

DEXTERITY

This is how agile you are. A high Dexterity means you’re better with ranged weapons and are harder to hit in combat. Rogues need a high Dexterity.

CONSTITUTION

This is how tough you are. A high Constitution means you have more health and are better at resisting poisons.

INTELLIGENCE

This is how smart you are. A high Intelligence means you get more skills. Wizards need a high Intelligence.

WISDOM

This is how aware and intuitive you are. A high Wisdom means you are perceptive. Clerics need a high Wisdom.

CHARISMA

This is how persuasive you are. If you like to talk your way out of trouble, you need a high Charisma.

ROLL ABILITY SCORES

ROLL 4D6 AND ADD TOGETHER THE BEST THREE NUMBERS.

Write this total on a piece of scratch paper. Do this five more times so you have six numbers ranging from 3–18. These numbers will be your six Ability Scores.

DID YOU GET BAD ROLLS?
If your highest ability score is a 13 or lower, or if all your ability modifiers (Step 5) add up to +3 or lower, you can reroll all your ability scores—just go back to Step 4!

MODIFY ABILITY SCORES BASES ON YOUR RACE

RACE
 ABILITY MODIFIERS
Dwarf
 Add 2 to Constitution and Wisdom, and subtract 2 from Charisma
Elf
 Add 2 to Dexterity and Intelligence, and subtract 2 from Constitution
Human
     Add 2 to one ability score of your choice (choose the one that's best for your class)

ABILITY MODIFIERS

Use your ability scores and the table below to figure what your Ability Modifiers (also called Ability Mods) are. When you see an abbreviation like STR, DEX, CON, INT, WIS, or CHA, that means your Ability Mod (–5 to +5), not your Ability Score (1–20).

ABILITY SCORE
 ABILITY MODIFIER
1 -5
2-3
 -4
4-5
 -3
6-7
 -2
8-9
 -1
10-11
 0
12-13
 +1
14-15
 +2
16-17
 +3
18-19
 +4
20
 +5

CHOOSE AN ALIGNMENT

Every creature has an “alignment” that indicates its general morals and attitude. Pick one of the following:

LAWFUL GOOD (LG)

You combine honor with compassion.

NEUTRAL GOOD (NG)

You believe in doing what is good and right without bias for or against law and order.

CHAOTIC GOOD (CG)

You combine a good heart with a free spirit.

LAWFUL NEUTRAL (LN)

You are reliable and honorable without being devoted to doing good deeds.

NEUTRAL (N)

You act without prejudice or compulsion.

CHAOTIC NEUTRAL (CN)

You are free from society’s restrictions and do-gooders’ strict ethics.

CHOOSE A NAME

Your character's name is up to, but here is a small sampling if you are lost for ideas.

DWARF

Male: Gimon, Gomnar, Karor, Borobar, Hirzin, Thorgug, Glorur, Durru, Indur, Gogaim, Throg
Female: Tirtia, Almaba, Rokota, Adra, Rona, Yenma, Tefra, Yuanret, Werka, Gani

ELF

Male: Iorthonor, Berenor, Adabon, Calaeron, Pengon, Mithrilon, Carandolon, Celonor, Dawon, Círon
Female: Gilrin, Anwel, Cerebel, Raewyn, Merineth, Ingil, Tindi, Maenel, Aerinel, Esgorelda

For more ideas, try the Elf Name Generator.

HUMAN

Male: Merek, Zad, Fendrel, Rowan, Dane, Gavin, Asher, Brom, Tyr, Ulric
Female: Beka, Barda, Helena, Athena, Rose, Alexa, Guinevere, Godiva, Isabel, Elizabeth, Arya

For more ideas, try the Medieval Name's Generator.