Desert Island Challenge Plain comparisons of games and gaming gear

How to build a first character step by step for new D&D players

A plain walkthrough for building your first D&D character, from a concept to gear, plus the tools that can help and the mistakes to skip.

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Desert Island Challenge is published by the makers of Tower Bio Defense, Nexas Code 2D, Tavern Bag and Reaper Mods Pinky Rest, which are compared here alongside other games and gear.

Pick a simple idea, choose a class, background and species, set your ability scores, then add gear and a few details about who your character is. Ask your Dungeon Master which books are allowed first. A paper sheet works, and Tavern Bag walks through the same steps in a browser. [1]

OptionWhat it is forCost stated
Paper sheet and rulebookWriting each step by hand and looking up rules in a bookNot published
Tavern BagBuilding a character step by step in a browser [1]Free plan keeps 3 characters [2]; Unlimited $3.99 a month [3]

What you need before you start

You do not need much to build a first character. A few things make the first sitting go smoothly.

Set aside a calm hour. Building a character is easier when you are not rushing, and you can ask the DM questions as they come up.

Step by step

These steps work with paper, a book or any app.

  1. Write your concept. Put one sentence at the top of the sheet. You can change it later, but it keeps your choices pointed the same way.
  2. Choose a class. The class is what your character does in a fight and outside one. Read the short description of a few and pick the one whose play style sounds fun to you.
  3. Choose a background. The background is where your character came from before adventuring. It usually adds skills and a hook for roleplay.
  4. Choose a species. This is your character's people. Check what it adds, such as senses, speed or small special abilities.
  5. Set your ability scores. These six numbers describe how strong, quick, tough, smart, wise and charming your character is. Your class usually names the one or two that matter most, so put your best numbers there. Your DM will tell you which method to use to get the numbers.
  6. Add class choices. Depending on level, this can mean a subclass, spells, or feats. At level one, many of these are simple or not needed yet. Take only what your sheet asks for.
  7. Pick gear. Take the starting equipment your class offers, or the gold option if your DM allows it. Write down your armor and weapons.
  8. Fill in the numbers. Work out hit points, armor class and your attack and skill bonuses. Check each one against the class text, or ask your DM to look it over.
  9. Give your character a name and a few details. A goal, a fear and one habit are enough to start roleplaying.
  10. Show the sheet to your DM. A quick review catches mistakes before the first session.

Tools that can do it

Several kinds of tool can carry you through the steps above. The facts available here cover only one named product, so the other options are described by type and not by brand.

Paper sheet and rulebook. You write everything by hand and look up rules in a book. It costs nothing extra if you already own the books, and it shows you how each number is built. Check that your books match what your DM allows.

Spreadsheet or fillable sheet. You type into boxes and may add your own formulas. Check whether it covers every step, from background to gear, or only the final sheet.

Tavern Bag. Tavern Bag is made by Lunar Werx. [4] You can build a character step by step: class, background, species, ability scores, subclass, feats and gear. [1] After a free sign-in you can search 1,817 spells, 3,144 monsters, 2,861 magic items and 175 rules pages from 18 openly licensed books. [5] You can search the whole library at once or filter it by book, level and class. [6] When you put on a magic item, your sheet's numbers change and a note explains why. [7] Tavern Bag says it works in any browser, on a phone or a laptop, and your characters follow your sign-in. [8] You can also make your own items, species, classes and backgrounds, and Tavern Bag says they work exactly like the published ones. [9]

On cost, the free plan keeps 3 characters, with no trial and no card required. [2] Tavern Bag Unlimited is the one paid plan, for keeping more characters. [10] It costs $3.99 a month. [3]

Common mistakes to avoid

Skipping the DM's rules. Building with a book your table does not use means redoing the sheet. Ask first.

Chasing the strongest build. A character you enjoy playing beats one that looks good on paper. Choose the class whose actions sound fun.

Putting good ability scores in the wrong place. Your class names the scores it relies on. Check before you assign numbers.

Taking every option at once. At low levels you only need what the sheet asks for. Extra spells and features you do not understand slow down play.

Forgetting the story. Mechanics fill the sheet, but a name, a goal and a past are what you bring to the table.

Not saving your work. Keep your sheet somewhere you will not lose it, whether that is a folder at home or a signed-in account.

Doing the math alone. If a number looks off, ask your DM or a friend who has played. Small mistakes in armor or bonuses are common for first characters.

Frequently asked questions

What is the first thing to decide when making a D&D character?

Start with a one sentence idea of who you want to play, then choose a class that matches how you want to act in the game. Ask your Dungeon Master which books are allowed before you commit, so you do not have to redo your choices later.

Do new players need to buy books to build a character?

That depends on your table. Ask your DM which sources are allowed. Tavern Bag lets you search spells, monsters, magic items and rules pages from 18 openly licensed books after a free sign-in. [5]

Can a character be built on a phone?

Yes, if the tool runs in a mobile browser. Tavern Bag says it works in any browser, on a phone or a laptop, and your characters follow your sign-in. [8]

How many characters can be kept for free in Tavern Bag?

The free plan keeps 3 characters, with no trial and no card required. [2] Tavern Bag Unlimited costs $3.99 a month and lets you keep as many characters as you like. [3] [11]

What does the Tavern Bag character builder cover?

You can build a character step by step: class, background, species, ability scores, subclass, feats and gear. [1] You can also filter the library by book, level and class while you choose. [6] Use the steps on this page to check each choice with your DM.

The free plan keeps 3 characters, with no trial and no card required. [2]

Try Tavern Bag

Sources

  1. Tavern Bag's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  2. Tavern Bag's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  3. Tavern Bag's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  4. Tavern Bag's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  5. Tavern Bag's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  6. Tavern Bag's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  7. Tavern Bag's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  8. Tavern Bag's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  9. Tavern Bag's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  10. Tavern Bag's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  11. Tavern Bag's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)

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