D&D 5th Edition Character Creation
1 - Who is this character? Background, motivations, goals, personality, etc.
You may want to use a favorite fictional character as reference or inspiration. Optionally, you could write any background info on page 2 of the character sheet in the ‘character backstory’ section. Try using the character questionnaire to help you to create an interesting character.
2 - Select a race and class
Remember that if you do not have access to a Player’s Handbook you may want to stick to the races and classes in the free Basic Rules PDF.
3 - Determine Ability Scores - 6 numbers needed. Roll for them (4d6 drop the lowest), or take the standard array (see chapter 1). For now just keep them written on a scratch piece of paper.
4 - Record racial characteristics on your character sheet - Find the section on your race (chapter 2) and find the “_________ (your race) traits”. Record the necessary info in the ‘features and traits’, ability scores, and ‘proficiencies and languages’ section of your character sheet. You may not need to write everything down.
5 - Select a background and record any skills, equipment, or other features. Backgrounds can be found in chapter 4. Just pick one that you like and that makes sense to you. You may roll for the characteristics or just choose characteristics that fit your idea of your character. Feel free to tweak what they have written to fit the background and personality you want.
6 - Record Class information - Find your class in chapter 3. Record all the relevant info from the ‘class features’ section. After you do that go to the ‘Quick Build’ and follow the suggestions for where to place your ability scores. Place all 6 of your ability scores now. Do not forget to add any racial bonuses to them. Determine your ability score modifiers by looking them up on the chart in chapter 1. Alternatively, you can take an ability score, subtract 10, and then divide that by 2. Always round down. Example: 13 minus 10 is 3, divided by 2 is 1.5, rounding down gives us 1. Thus a modifier of +1 for an ability score of 13
If your class uses magic, you’ll also want to figure out how that works and select your spells.
7 - Equipment - To make it easier; go through the equipment choices in your class section. Write it down in the equipment section. If you have armor and weapons, you can now record armor class and weapon damage (attacks).
8 - Skills - Record your skill modifiers and saving throws (based on your ability score modifiers). You also get to add your proficiency bonus if you are proficient with that skill/saving throw.
Passive wisdom will be 10 plus your perception skill modifier. Initiative is simply your dexterity modifier.
9 - Loose ends - There might be things still blank. Many of those can be left blank, but check with someone who knows. I may have missed some things. :)