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Species

Diverse adventuring party representing various D&D species

When you choose your character's species, you determine whether they're human or a member of a fantastical race like dragonborn or gnome. A character's species defines their game traits—the mechanical benefits and characteristics they gain from their ancestry.

Species in the D&D multiverse originate from different worlds, planes, and gods, though members have spread across the realms and contributed to many cultures. Most species members live roughly 80 years (with exceptions noted in their descriptions), and all species reach physical maturity at approximately the same age. Your character can be any age within their species' normal life span.

(5e 2014) indicates an option from the 2014 rules that is not part of the 2024 core. 5e (2014) = 2014 rules. 5.5e (2024) = 2024 revised rules.

Parts of a Species

Every species provides the following:

Component Details
Creature Type Your species determines your creature type (described in the rules glossary). All playable species in this chapter are Humanoid.
Size Your species determines your size category. Most species are Medium, though some can be Small or Medium—you choose.
Speed Your species determines your walking speed in feet.
Special Traits Each species grants unique traits reflecting its physiology or magical nature. You gain all listed traits for your species, and some offer choices.

Common Species

Core species from the 2024 Player's Handbook

Exotic Species

  • Aasimar
  • Aarakocra (5e 2014)
  • Changeling (5e 2014)
  • Deep Gnome (5e 2014)
  • Duergar (5e 2014)
  • Eladrin (5e 2014)
  • Faerie (5e 2014)
  • Firbolg (5e 2014)
  • Genasi (Air, Earth, Fire, Water) (5e 2014)
  • Githyanki (5e 2014)
  • Githzerai (5e 2014)
  • Goliath
  • Harengon (5e 2014)
  • Kenku (5e 2014)
  • Locathah (5e 2014)
  • Owlin (5e 2014)
  • Satyr (5e 2014)
  • Sea Elf (5e 2014)
  • Shadar-Kai (5e 2014)
  • Tabaxi (5e 2014)
  • Tortle (5e 2014)
  • Triton (5e 2014)
  • Verdan (5e 2014)

Monstrous Species

  • Bugbear (5e 2014)
  • Centaur (5e 2014)
  • Goblin (5e 2014)
  • Grung (5e 2014)
  • Hobgoblin (5e 2014)
  • Kobold (5e 2014)
  • Lizardfolk (5e 2014)
  • Minotaur (5e 2014)
  • Orc
  • Shifter (5e 2014)
  • Yuan-Ti (5e 2014)

Setting Specific

Dragonlance

  • Kender (5e 2014)

Eberron

Plane Shift

  • Aetherborn, Aven, Khenra, Kor, Merfolk, Naga, Siren, Vampire (5e 2014)

Ravenloft

  • Dhampir (5e 2014)
  • Hexblood, Reborn (5e 2014)

Ravnica

  • Loxodon, Simic Hybrid, Vedalken (5e 2014)

Spelljammer

  • Astral Elf, Autognome, Giff, Hadozee, Plasmoid, Thri-Kreen (5e 2014)

Theros

  • Leonin (5e 2014)

Lorwyn Species

Lorwyn-inspired species including flamekin and faerie

Legacy Species (2014)

Species from the 2014 Player's Handbook and related 2014-era rules that are not part of the 2024 core:

Exotic (Other)