Why D&D Player Characters Make More Sense As Commoners

Backgrounds are an important part of creating a character in Dungeons & Dungeons, but making someone that is both unique and interesting can be a challenge. A character’s background governs not only things like skill and tool proficiencies, but also how they act and how they are treated by others during a campaign. Making noble characters is a popular choice in D&D, but it doesn’t always fit with the campaign, while players who create commoners face no such problem.

Many Dungeons & Dragons campaigns begin with every character at 1st level , meaning they aren’t very powerful relative to the world they live in. This makes perfect sense for commoner PCs, since they have lived average lives without much, if any, combat experience. Members of nobility, however, are often trained for battle and taught important skills, but their education may not translate to the limits of a 1st level character. While it is certainly popular for a noble character to have an explanation for their weakness, it’s an extra step the player will want to consider.

Another downside to playing noble characters is that their responsibilities can get in the way of a campaign. Most D&D campaigns involve a group of adventurers traveling far and wide to accomplish tasks, and this can pretty easily interfere with a noble’s duty. Of course, this can be easily overcome with campaigns designed around someone of noble birth, or if the noble character in question simply rejects their nobility. Commoner PCs have it much easier, and most can justify leaving their home in pursuit of whatever it is they are after. While commoner PCs may also have ties such as family or work that make it difficult to travel, they may not seem as significant as a noble character’s.

Why Playing As A Commoner Allows For More Freedom In D&D

Perhaps the best part about creating a commoner character in D&D is how many options players have when it comes to their background. Whereas a noble character has to account for some ties to an important family, commoners can have been born to absolutely anyone. Whether they were born from soldiers fleeing the army or wealthy merchants, a commoner PC’s childhood is open to creativity, along with their life up until the campaign. They are also less likely to be known while adventuring, which means they conduct their business without any sort of trouble from NPCs. This makes playing a commoner a great choice for newer D&D players not yet familiar with the game

There is nothing wrong with a D&D player creating a character they want, even if that means they’re related to nobility, but players should understand the potential drawbacks. By working closely with the DM while designing the character, most issues can be safely avoided and the character can enjoy a smooth campaign. Still, commoner PCs can be just as fun, and they can account for some of the most creative characters in Dungeons & Dragons.

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