Races in Baldur's Gate 3 determine many aspects of a character, from their appearance to their innate capabilities. BG3 Races are chosen during Character Creation, and each choice grants various buffs and effects that are exclusive to a certain race, as well as unique physical traits. Players looking to optimize their Builds will take into account character race as well as Background and Class. Below you can find the full list of all Baldur's Gate 3 Races, Sub-Races, and their special abilities, features, and possible attribute boosts.
What is the Best Race in BG3?
There is no overall Best Race, but players will find that certain groups lend themselves better for certain styles of play. Dwarves, for example, would be naturally inclined to tankier builds, as they come with a boost to Constitution. Not all choices are done for battle or build purposes, however, so players should feel free to pick the race that they prefer for roleplay, aesthetics, or optimization objectives.
Early Access features 9 races to pick from, with sub-races that add more customization options, and this will be expanded over time leading to full launch.
What are Subraces in BG3?
Subraces are variations of a group, with notable distinctions in appearance and characteristics. Subraces feature additional lore, and in some cases intrinsic alignments that may impact your relationship with other races during the course of the game. This is part of the world of D&D, and you can explore what effect your race has by checking out Backgrounds and tags.
Baldur's Gate 3 Races Guide
Picking your race is an important choice in BG3, as it will impact your character's appearance and background, to an extent. Your race and the associated civilization may change npc's perception of your character. Your Baldur's Gate 3 Race choice also determines specific effects and thus impacts your Build.
Dwarf
Ability: +2 Constitution Score
Racial Features: Dwarven Resilience, Battleaxe Proficiency, Handaxe proficiency, Light Hammer Proficiency, Warhammer Proficiency, Darkvision,
Subraces:
Gold Dwarf Traits:
Gold dwarves are known for their confidence and keen intuition. The culture of their Deep Kingdom values family, ritual, and fine craftsmanship.
Best Classes for the Gold Dwarf: Druid and Strength Cleric
For the Druid, it is ideal to pick the Race that gives you +1 Wisdom, which is your primary Ability. This increases the chances of your Spells hitting enemies. It also raises the damage you deal using Shillelagh, so it is hands down the Ability you should be focusing on. For the Circle of the Land Subclass, specifically, the best Race to choose is the Gold Dwarf due to the bonuses to Wisdom and Constitution that allow you to reach 16 each during Character Creation. As such, you will be able to maintain the Spells that require Concentration.
If you are playing as a Strength Cleric, then the Gold Dwarf is also the best Race for this Class due to the extra HP and the bonuses granted to both Wisdom and Constitution once again.
Shield Dwarf Traits:
Shield dwarves survived a long fall from grace, surrendering many of their ancient kingdoms in wars with goblins and Orcs. These losses have lead to a cynical mindset, yet shield dwarves will endure anything to restore their ancestral homelands.
Best Classes for the Shield Dwarf: Fighter and Barbarian
For the Fighter and Barbarian, it is essential to focus on Strength since this is your primary Ability. A high Strength increases your chances of successfully attacking and damaging enemies with Melee Weapons. The Race that satisfies this criterion is the Shield Dwarf since you can set your Strength and Constitution to 17 each in Character Creation. For the Eldritch Knight Fighter Subclass, this is the main Ability spread if you are planning to obtain the Warped Headband of Intellect. Otherwise, you should still be able to hit 17 Strength, 15 Intelligence, and 12 Constitution, which is a decent Ability spread overall.
Elf
Ability: +2 Dexterity Score
Racial Features: Darkvision, Keen Senses, Fey Ancestry, Longsword Proficiency, Shortsword Proficiency, Longbow Proficiency, Shortbow Proficiency.
Subraces:
High Elf Traits:
Heirs of the mystical Feywild, high elves value magic in all its forms, and even those who do not study spellcraft can manipulate the Weave.
- Intelligence +1
- Base Racial Speed
- 1 High Elf Cantrip
Wood Elf Traits:
Wood elves spend their reclusive lives in Faerün's forests. Decades of training in archery and camouflage are enhanced by an otherworldly swiftness.
Best Classes for the Wood Elf: Rogue, Ranger, and Dexterity Cleric
For the Rogue and Ranger, a good Race to pick is the one that raises Dexterity to 17 at Character Creation since this is your primary Ability. Dexterity directly influences your hit chances especially when it comes to Sneak Attacks, Stealth Checks, and lock-picking. This also influences the damage you deal with Dexterity-based Weapons, as well as your Initiative and AC. As a Wood Elf, you gain an additional +2 Dexterity, which lets you build towards a Dexterity of 16 if you equip 2 Rapiers +1 later on. Otherwise, you can raise this Ability to as much as 17 and use the Longbow +1 for your attacks instead. Equipping this Weapon is possible since the Wood Elf is proficient with Longbows.
Meanwhile, for the Ranger and Cleric, their Spellcasting Ability is Wisdom, which determines whether or not certain Spells like Hail of Thorns and Guiding Bolt will land on the target. Because the Wood Elf also grants +1 Wisdom, you are able to set Wisdom to 16 in Character Creation.
Halfling
Ability: +2 Dexterity Score.
Racial Features: Lucky
Subraces:
Lightfoot Halfling Traits:
Lightfoot halflings are stealthy but social. traveling all over Faerün to make names for themselves
Strongheart Halfling Traits:
Legends say dwarven blood gave stronghearts their hardiness. Resistant to poison and wellsprings of endurance, these halflings easily hold their own.
Human
Ability: +1 Strength Score, + 1 Dexterity Score, +1 Constitution Score, +1 Intelligence Score +1 Wisdom Score, and +1 Charisma Score
Racial Features: Base Racial Speed.
Subraces: None
The most common face to see in Faerün, humans are known for their tenacity, creativity, and endless capacity for growth.
Githyanki
Ability: +1 Intelligence Score and + 2 Strength Score
Racial Features: Choice of skill proficiency, Base Racial Speed, Light Armor Proficiency, Medium Armor Proficiency, Shortsword Proficiency, Longsword Proficiency, Greatsword Proficiency and Githyanki Psionics: Mage Hand Conjuration Cantrip.
Level Up Features: Githyanki Psionics: Jump (Level 3), Misty Step (Level 5).
Subraces: None
Githyanki are peerless warriors from the Astral Plane, known for their legendary silver blades and red dragon mounts. They seek the total destruction of mind flayers, whose ancient empire enslaved the Githyanki for millennia.
Half-Elf
Ability: Charisma +2 and +2 Ability score points to spend as the player sees fit in any of the other five Abilities. (Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence or Wisdom).
Racial Features: Fey Ancestry and Darkvision.
Subraces:
High Half-Elf traits:
A touch of the Feywild remains in half-elves with this bloodline. and even those untrained in magic possess a hint of wild power.
- Base Racial Speed.
- 1 High Elf Cantrip among 13 available to choose from.
Wood Half-Elf Traits:
Like their wood elf parent. these half-elves have a quickened stride and eye for stealth. Yet many break away from isolation in Faerün's forests to explore the rest of the Realms.
Best Classes for the Wood Half-Elf: Warlock and Sorcerer
For the Warlock and Sorcerer, it is important to prioritize Races that increase your Charisma to 16 so that you can reach 18 at Level 4 with the Ability Score Improvement Feat, giving you a +4 Charisma Modifier. The Spellcasting Ability of both Classes is Charisma, which means that your Spells and Cantrips are more likely to land with a higher Charisma Modifier. A Wood Half-Elf is the best Race to select because during Character Creation, you can reach 16 in Charisma, Dexterity, and Constitution. Dexterity is needed for more AC, and Constitution is needed for HP and to maintain Concentration for Spells that require it.
Drow Half-Elf Traits:
Most half-drow result from liaisons between Seldarine drow and surfacers. While half-drow inherit a few magical gifts, they aren't usually raised in the Underdark.
- Base Racial Speed.
Dancing Lights Evocation Cantrip.
Tiefling
Ability: N/A
Racial Features: Darkvision and Hellish Resistance
Subraces:
Asmodeus Tiefling Traits:
Bound to Nessus, the deepest layer of the Hells. these tieflings inherit the ability to wield fire and darkness from the archdevil Asmodeus infernal bloodline.
- Base Racial Speed.
- Intelligence +1
- Charisma +2
Thaumaturgy Transmutation Cantrip.- At Level 3: Hellish Rebuke once per Long Rest.
- At Level 5:
Darkness.
Mephistopheles Tiefling Traits:
Descended from the archdevil Mephistopheles, these tieflings are gifted with a particular affinity for arcane magic.
- Base Racial Speed.
- Intelligence +1
- Charisma +2
Mage Hand Conjuration Cantrip.- At Level 3: Legacy of Cania: Burning hands (Cast as level 3) once per Long Rest
- At level 5:
Legacy of Cania: Flame Blade.
Zariel Tiefling Traits:
Tieflings from Zariel 's bloodline are empowered with martial strength, and can channel searing flame to punish their enemies.
- Base Racial Speed.
- Strength +1
- Charisma +2
- Thaumaturgy Transmutation Cantrip.
- At Level 3: Legacy of Avernus: Searing Smite (Cast as level 3) once per Long Rest
- At Level 5:
Legacy of Avernus: Branding Smite.
Drow
Ability: +1 Charisma Score and +2 Dexterity Score.
Racial Features: Base Racial Speed, Fey Ancestry, Rapier Proficiency, Shortsword Proficiency, Hand Crossbow Proficiency and Superior Darkvision
Subraces:
Lolth-Sworn Drow Traits:
Raised by Lolth's cult in the city of Menzoberranzan. these drow extol the virtues oftheir corrupt and merciless goddess. Lolth marks her followers with bright red eyes so the Underdark will leam to fear drow on sight.
- Dancing Lights Evocation Cantrip.
- At level 5, Darkness:
Seldarine Drow Traits:
Drow are the result of an ancient schism between the elven deities Corellon Larethian and Lolth. The latter's treachery drove the drow into the Underdark, where they splintered into warring factions. Seldarine drow can be found seeking allies from all over Faerün, aiming to settle their conflict with Lolth - and each other - by any means necessary.
- Dancing Lights Evocation Cantrip
- At Level 5, Darkness.
Best Class for the Drow: Wizard
You should prioritize obtaining the Warped Headband of Intellect for the Wizard in Early Access to boost your Intelligence to 18, which grants a higher corresponding modifier to increase your hit chances when casting Spells. As such, you will prioritize raising Dexterity to 17 during Character Creation by choosing the Drow. This is equivalent to a Dexterity Modifier of +3, thereby increasing your AC to 13 and enhancing your defenses. You can then add +1 to this Ability at Level 4 to raise your AC to 14, which significantly improves your survivability against enemy attacks.
Gnome
Ability: +2 Intelligence Score.
Racial Features: Base Racial Speed, Gnome Cunning
Subraces:
Deep Gnome Traits:
Deep gnome info
- Ability Score Increase: +1 Dexterity
Superior Darkvision: This creature can see in the dark within 24m.- Stone Camouflage: You have advantage on Stealth checks.
Forest Gnome Traits:
Forest Gnome info
- Ability Score Increase: +1 Dexterity
Darkvision: Can see in the dark up to 12 m. - Spell:
Speak with Animals
Rock Gnome traits
Rock gnome info
- Ability Score Increase: +1 Constitution
- Darkvision: Can see in the dark up to 12 m.
- Artificer's Lore: Add twice your proficiency bonus to History checks.
Best Class for the Gnome: ???
Baldur's Gate 3 Races Table
If you are having trouble picking your race, use this table to compare the racial attributes available in BG3. Sub-races have minor changes that you may also want to consider as you work on your Build. Click the table header to sort.
AnonymousPah. No dragonborns? Lizardfolk? *Anything* that isn't just human remixes? Won't be purchasing this game.
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So many cool races in the PHB and they had to focus on 7 elf subraces.
This is going in the grudge book.
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Honestly, I already know that my characters race won't be added, but damn I wish they would add changelings in the future. Changelings are simply so cool :)
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Hopefully they'll put in Aasimar in BG3, then I'll get it hands down.
- Anonymous
Fingers crossed for goblin, even if it's a DLC. Or kobold, but goblin seems more realistic (though not likely still). But considering the popularity of goblins in general, I hope they make it in there somewhere.
- Anonymous
half orc till I die, played in BG one and two, I always play half orc.
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Laughed my ass off you. You so pathetic really. No one cares about your whining. Game will sell a lot, it already are. If they didn't add any beast races - no one will cry about it, except you. Get a life. You can ask, but they decide put time on that or not. Modders will, maybe do this later, but you will get nothing like unic dialogues or scenes for this race, you will play as nothing with this. So suit yourself.
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To everyone who keep's saying they have already stated they personally will only add the races introduced in the PHB officially, however let us all be real everyone..the modding community for this game will be crazy, give it time and mods for races will start popping up!. So you will have to wait but im looking forward to seeing the mods that come out.
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This list sucks it's all just variants of humans, if this was the list of races in DND I'd never play!
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I'm really into the Feywild and love playing as Fey Eladrin, Fairy, and Harengon. I would love to see one of them in this game. But, I know it's 0 to none for those races to be introduced in this game. But I sure can dream of "what ifs" at least.
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I'd kill for lizardfolk tbh. I just want to wander around eating people's fingers mang
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I have to admit that I have been waiting for dragonborn but with each new class or race they add I start a new game and enjoy playing the same game all over again ( with the new option). I would like to see the character items that are empty so far make an appearance like belts, robes and other equipment.
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Well, Barbarian was finally added. Too bad Half-Orcs still don't exist. Guess I'll just have to wait another year and a half.
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So... I know I'll get flack for this. But I hope that Larian doesn't create different Subraces for the Dragonborn when they're implemented. I now the new sourcebook coming out gives them 3, but I genuinely think that the options are already suffering a bit of bloat with all the options we have now, and the likelihood of the Half-Orc and Gnome getting in as well. It's just too much, I'd rather they just take all the strengths of the Dragonborn racial abilities and make them mono-race. Just leave the scale colors to the usual character creation shaders, don't make Chromatic and Metallic (and sure, even Gem) their own things.
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Larian isn't going to make these ridiculous monster races playable. You're not going to get to play Tiamat, okay? I'm sure they'll eventually make gnomes and half-orcs, and yeah, I think the duergar subrace and svirfneblin subrace would be appropriate for the setting, but don't expect a half-tarrasque demilich as an option.
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"Welp, guys, we disappointed by your boring race choices."
There are 5 humans with different constitution, plus one grey skinned human.
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No big body races? Where's the Half-Orcs, Orcs, Goliath, Firbolg? Come on guys...
- Anonymous
This page notes the wrong speed for Half Woodelves. They are faster than base speed.
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I find the whole 4th 5th edition something abominous.
In 3rd edition you had the choice play and keep it simple with the 3 core books.
If you wated more options you could buy more books with the added options.
Personally i like to make my character my own, not one of 3 options.
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If Larian doesn't add the exact race that I want than I am going to cry. Seven races + every sub race is NOT ENOUGH. I don't care if half-orcs, gnomes, and dragonborn are supposed to be added in the future. I want my race AND I WANT NOW!
By the way, I hope everyone can pick up on my sarcasm.
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You include an obscure race like Githyanki but not Dragonborn or Half Orcs
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I like to see anthropomorphic races like Dragonborn's, Tabaxi's, Loxodon's, Leonin, Locathah, Tortle, Aarakocra's, Lizardfolk, Kenku's, Kobold's, and Minotaur's.
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I would love to see Warforged be added to the game, they're my favourite DnD exotic race
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I really hope they just add more monstrous races, the races they have now are pretty cool, but boring for people that like to play more exotic races.
That being said, i'd like to see Dragonborn, Orc's, etc. added instead of all the half-version of some races.
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Kobolds would make my day! Heres hoping! (Even if they're a dlc)
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Good thing there's no animal races but there's literally everything else, animal races are weird af. I like how you can make literal half breeds for each different type of elf
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Laughing my ass off at all the scalies shitting their pants in anger because they can't play a lizard like in Divinity: OS 2
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To all the people complaining about missing monster races, do you really think the game would be better if almost every obscure race was added to the Baldurs Gate 3?
One of the coolest things about the game currently is how NPCs react differently to different races. If you add more races then every separate race will not be focused on very much. The entire game would have to become more streamlined. No studio is capable of devoting time to both fully fleshed branching paths for each distinct race while also adding dozens of race options. If you want minotaurs, aasimar, tabaxi, etc. to be added to the game then just wait for a mod to come out.
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I really would like to see races like kobold,dragonborn,asimar,gnome,orc,half-orc,goblin,kenku,tabaxi and bugbear to add a vast variety of playstyles through the game but I wouldnt say goliath cause I think they may be too big for the games scaling unless they would fix that in the future and I wonder if multiclassing will eventually be a thing since I would personally love to make a rouge/fighter.
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https://www.geeknative.com/103964/the-most-popular-dd-races-in-dd-beyond-in-2020/
The fact that humans are the most played race is a bit depressing to me... but not entirely unexpected. That being said, Dragonborn must be included. A full-fledge D&D universe without them is just poorly planned.
Other popular races I'm sure many people would love to play as would be Tabaxi, goliath, aasimar and a few other classics.
I would suggest Aarokocra, but I could understand that a flying race such as that may be a bit game-breaking.
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Larian if you see this please make the half orcs look as fat and ugly as possible.
- Anonymous
Drow should be a subrace of Elves, it should not be it's own race.
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Tabaxi, Dragonborn, and Yuan-ti please. Though I'm definitely gonna try Druid class first regardless. Climbing skill and poison immunity is super awesome. While my computer can play it, I'm hoping the game will be as long as it'll take to download 150GB. Cue the sweating man meme.
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remove hobbits, elves and humans. add trolls, orcs and illithid as playable races and the game will be a winner.
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Dont know why they didnt add mostly finished races and classes like Goblin, Bugbear and Paladin for example. :/ If we have to wait 3 months there should be more meat.
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Kobolds as DLC id pay for it plus the people that don't want kobolds in there game don't have to get it I think that's a good grey area
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Knowing the mod community, if they are like it was in BG2 and NWN, they will be added
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Will Gnomes, Dragonborns and Hal-Orcs be added in full release? Was really looking forward to playing a Gnome.
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I just kinda hope they add the Swashbuckler Rogue subclass though I'm gonna be giving thief a good try in mean time!
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Wood elf rangers. the new 35 feet movement coupled with the high wisdom and dexterity
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For Video Game Gamers, you lot are quite unreasonable, it's like this is the first video game based on D&D... if you want to help so much petition Larion for a Mod-ing tool and make them your selves then send Larion the end result, that way you can get more races in shorter amount of time and get them to do all your wishes.
OR just wait for the game to release and for modders to add every race under the sun and more.
You should worry more about the game not running as intended then not having 50 shades of Elf .
- Anonymous
Honestly, the lack of core races is concerning. No Gnomes? No Dragon Born? yet we have drow? i dunno i feel like this is really lacking... meanwhile Wrath of the Righteous is adding like i dunno like 3-5 new classes and a couple new races on top of everything else and a new turn based system. I have to say, the fact you didn't add a +2 int race leaves wizards kind of in a bad spot. Especially if you arent adding dice rolling stat generation system since the point buy is really restrictive and relies on that +2 bonus.
Basically yes we need more race options if only adding all the core races.
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I can not wait to play Dragonborn with how much explosive stuff that is around, breath weapon into a room and you explode half the map. I guess fireball could do the same, but no, I wanna sneeze to destroy my enemies... and loot...
Well, you can tell us it's in early access all you want, but that's not going to stop people from voicing their opinions on what they think would make a great addition to the game. If people want beast races, then Larian Studio's team should consider it. If no one spoke up on the matter then no one would care would they? Larian Studios has not stated anything on other races yet, so that is why I am speaking up and hoping they will bring something other than just gnomes, halflings, and half-orcs to the table which I presume they already plan on bringing in to BG3 at the moment. I want to speak for a lot of the people here and hopefully, Larian Studios will shed some light on the subject if they have any upcoming plans on bestial races, if any at all. Personally, I hope they bring lizardfolk or minotaurs as a playable race. I'll be the first in line with wallet in hand when they announce something other than a human or sub-human whether it be a year from now or five, I can wait.
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message to everyone who complained about x race not being in the game. Its is early access dummy
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So only humans with different sizes...? It's 2020 and we still have no minotaurs, goblins or centaurs as playable races in RPG...
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No Gnolls or Kobolds? Y_Y There are so many different human faced races, but I don't want to be a human. Please Baldurs Gate team, please let us be a beast for once, D&D has excellent beast races.
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Real talk, been watching a few playthroughs, we need a playable Goblinoid race.
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Zariel Tieflings just there waiting for Paladins to hit the shelf lol
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i would like to make a argument for dragonborn and goliath so that barbarian players have the classes they like to use barbarian with.
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So constructive feetback here,
Miss some of the PHB races, Which feels a bit weird...
And i notice alot of other people agree with that.
Really LIKE the adition of the Gith's their a very interesting race
But I dont like the fact that they split Drow Elves from Elves...
While they did combine Wood and High elves...
Now it looks like they have more races then they actually have
There is also no difference between the 2 Drow Subrace... so i dont see the function of spliting them from the normal elves..
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I know it is a lot, but I would love dragonborn. Also hope at some point they add Half-orc.
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No half orcs. Why?
Its interesting to see Githyanki though. They've not had any kind of spotlight before and now they are front and center.
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This is so awesome and I'm here complaining there's no possibility to play a Moon Half-Elf, even though they think about choosing between High, Wood and Drow. Just because I want to play my D&D character so bad in the Larian game! :D
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We get githyanki but no Dragonborn... gnomes... orcs even(or half-orcs)?? C'mon...
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Can everyone just chill out and instead of complaining on fextralife about what races aren't in at the moment just ask Larian in a feedback support ticket on their website to add it in? (Though it's all WotC's choice) or better yet just wait for the ones we already know will be in...
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no half-orcs or orcs at all? thats bullshit, what are we in? first edition? the 80s?
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Was hoping to play a Half-Elf Half-Orc.. Orcs don't exist.. ;-;
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I don't really get why they haven't started with the PHB1 races. *Sad dragonborn noises*
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I hope they add kitsune race
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