D&D Cheatsheet

Setup Requirements

The following are needed before you can start creating your D&D 4th Edition Character:

• • Dungeons and Dragons Players Handbook 4th Ed

    • The guides below refer to pages in this book like Page 70 PHB

  • Blank note paper to use as a worksheet.

  • Blank Dungeons and Dragons 4th Ed character sheets, 2-sided

    • These can be downloaded and printed from PDF

  • Blank system cards

    • 2 inch by 4 inch work well, from any office supply

Where the guide below says record, this means write in ink on your character sheet - it is suggested you use a new character sheet when you change levels.

Where the guide says note, this means write on your worksheet - this is an interim result that will wind up being factored into the final result on your character sheet.

Where it says generate, this means examine tables, roll dice or otherwise come up with figures and results as described,  Use the worksheet for interim results, if necessary.

Step 2: Class

Page 50 PHB

The class you choose defines the role your character plays - both with respect to the world and to the party.  It defines where you draw your power from and your path in life.

Choose one of:

• • Cleric (Pg 60)

  • Fighter (Pg 75)

  • Paladin (Pg 89)

  • Ranger (Pg  103)

  • Rogue (Pg 116)

  • Warlock (Pg 129)

  • Warlord (Pg 143)

  • Wizard (Pg 156)

Note the following from the class panel on the pages shown above:

• • items for backstory and party integration

    • party role, eg Defender, Striker

    • power source, eg Martial, Divine

  • Note key abilities,

    • eg for Fighter: Strength, Dexterity, Wisdom, Constitution

Generate abilities:

• • by using pg 17 of PHB the sequence

    • 16, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10

  • or by using the point system

    • easy way is to choose line from the chart on page 18

  • use the key abilities

    • eg, use the 1st 4 highest scores as the 1st 4 key abilities

  • factor in the race ability modifiers from Step 1

Record abilities:

• • top left panel "Ability Scores"

Step 1: Race

Page 32 PHB

Race is the first step in character building in D&D 4th Edition.  With this choice you define your characters cultural identity, your starting place in the world.

Choose one of:

• • Dragonborn (Pg 34 PHB)

  • Dwarven (Pg 36 PHB)

  • Eldarin (Pg 38 PHB)

  • Elven (Pg 40 PHB)

  • Half-elven (Pg 42 PHB)

  • Halfling (Pg 44 PHB)

  • Human (Pg 46 PHB)

  • Tiefling (Pg 48 PHB)

Record the following, by referring to the race details on the page above, on the front of your character sheet:

• • Race (top left, above initiative)

  • Height and weight (guided by the provided range)

  • Low-light vision (all except human and halfling)

  • Skills bonuses under "Misc" column lower left

  • Race features

    • put the details of these on a card, see the example

    • put the name of each in the "Race Features" panel of the character sheet

Note on your worksheet:

• • the ability modifiers for your race

    • eg for Dwarven +2 Constitution, +2 Wisdom