Mechanical Design

Dwarf Traits: Dungeons & Dragons System Reference Document

Need audio instead? Here you go! You can even listen while you read. (We are working on audio clips for every part of this website!)

Dwarf Traits

Your dwarf character has an assortment of inborn abilities, part and parcel of dwarven nature.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2.

Age

Dwarves mature at the same rate as humans, but they’re considered young until they reach the age of 50. On average, they live about 350 years.

Alignment

Most dwarves are lawful, believing firmly in the benefits of a well-­‐‑ordered society. They tend toward good as well, with a strong sense of fair play and a belief that everyone deserves to share in the benefits of a just order.

Size

Dwarves stand between 4 and 5 feet tall and average about 150 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet. Your speed is not reduced by wearing heavy armor.

Darkvision

Accustomed to life underground, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Dwarven Resilience

You have advantage on saving throws against poison, and you have resistance against poison damage.

Dwarven Combat Training

You have proficiency with the battleaxe, handaxe, light hammer, and warhammer.

Tool Proficiency

You gain proficiency with the artisan’s tools of your choice: smith’s tools, brewer’s supplies, or mason’s tools.

Stone Cunning

Whenever you make an Intelligence (History) check related to the origin of stonework, you are considered proficient in the History skill and add double your proficiency bonus to the check, instead of your normal proficiency bonus.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Dwarvish. Dwarvish is full of hard consonants and guttural sounds, and those characteristics spill over into whatever other language a dwarf might speak.

Subrace: Hill Dwarf

As a hill dwarf, you have keen senses, deep intuition, and remarkable resilience.

Ability Score Increase

Your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Dwarven Toughness

Your hit point maximum increases by 1, and it increases by 1 every time you gain a level.

Written by
Beth the Bard (@ItsBethTheBard)

She/Her | Pro DM & Coach | ADHD | Best-Selling DnD Author of Feminist Curse of Strahd Book | D&D in a Castle DM | Creator of TTRPG University

Related Articles

How to PlayMechanical Design

What is a polyhedral dice set? A guide to the “math rocks” of D&D.

Hey, there! I’m your resident go-to when learning how to play various...

Game EducationMechanical Design

Elf Traits: Dungeons & Dragons System Reference Document

Need audio instead? Here you go! You can even listen while you...

Mechanical Design

Races & Species: Dungeons & Dragons System Reference Document

Need audio instead? Here you go! You can even listen while you...

Mechanical Design

The Environment: Dungeons & Dragons System Reference Document

By its nature, adventuring involves delving into places that are dark, dangerous,...

Skip to content