Looking for a Halfling 5e guide? this is it. This guide explains dnd Halfling in details. Lets start with the level table because that is the most important (and probs what you're lookin' for eh?).
Small, Brave, and Lucky
In this quick build guide, we'll show you how to create a Halfling character and provide valuable insights into playing this stout and steadfast race.
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TABLE OF CONTENT
1. Traits
2. Subrace
3. Names
4. Story
5. Expectations
6. Quickbuild
7. Example
8. Resources
Halfling Traits
Your halfling character has a number of traits in common with all other halflings.
Ability Score Increase
Your Dexterity score increases by 2.
Age
A halfling reaches adulthood at the age of 20 and generally lives into the middle of his or her second century.
Size
Halflings average about 3 feet tall and weigh about 40 pounds. Your size is Small.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 25 feet.
Lucky
When you roll a 1 on the d20 for an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw, you can reroll the die and must use the new roll.
Brave
You have advantage on saving throws against being frightened.
Halfling Nimbleness
You can move through the space of any creature that is of a size larger than yours.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common and Halfling. The Halfling language isn’t secret, but halflings are loath to share it with others. They write very little, so they don’t have a rich body of literature. Their oral tradition, however, is very strong. Almost all halflings speak Common to converse with the people in whose lands they dwell or through which they are traveling.
Subrace
The two main kinds of halfling, lightfoot and stout, are more like closely related families than true subraces. Choose one of these subraces or one from another source.
Lightfoot Halfling
As a lightfoot halfling, you can easily hide from notice, even using other people as cover. You’re inclined to be affable and get along well with others. In the Forgotten Realms, lightfoot halflings have spread the farthest and thus are the most common variety.
Lightfoots are more prone to wanderlust than other halflings, and often dwell alongside other races or take up a nomadic life. In the world of Greyhawk, these halflings are called hairfeet or tallfellows.
Ability Score Increase
Your Charisma score increases by 1.
Naturally Stealthy
You can attempt to hide even when you are obscured only by a creature that is at least one size larger than you.
Stout Halfling
As a stout halfling, you’re hardier than average and have some resistance to poison. Some say that stouts have dwarven blood. In the Forgotten Realms, these halflings are called stronghearts, and they’re most common in the south.
Ability Score Increase
Your Constitution score increases by 1.
Stout Resilience
You have advantage on saving throws against poison, and you have resistance against poison damage.
Halfling Names
A halfling has a given name, a family name, and possibly a nickname. Family names are often nicknames that stuck so tenaciously they have been passed down through the generations.
Male Names: Alton, Ander, Cade, Corrin, Eldon, Errich, Finnan, Garret, Lindal, Lyle, Merric, Milo, Osborn, Perrin, Reed, Roscoe, Wellby
Female Names: Andry, Bree, Callie, Cora, Euphemia, Jillian, Kithri, Lavinia, Lidda, Merla, Nedda, Paela, Portia, Seraphina, Shaena, Trym, Vani, Verna
Family Names: Brushgather, Goodbarrel, Greenbottle, High-hill, Hilltopple, Leagallow, Tealeaf, Thorngage, Tosscobble, Underbough
Back story and about
Regis the halfling, the only one of his kind for hundreds of miles in any direction, locked his fingers behind his head and leaned back against the mossy blanket of the tree trunk. Regis was short, even by the standards of his diminutive race, with the fluff of his curly brown locks barely cresting the three-foot mark, but his belly was amply thickened by his love of a good meal, or several, as the opportunities presented themselves. The crooked stick that served as his fishing pole rose up above him, clenched between two of his toes, and hung out over the quiet lake, mirrored perfectly in the glassy surface of Maer Dualdon.
— R.A. Salvatore, The Crystal Shard
The comforts of home are the goals of most halflings’ lives: a place to settle in peace and quiet, far from marauding monsters and clashing armies; a blazing fire and a generous meal; fine drink and fine conversation. Though some halflings live out their days in remote agricultural communities, others form nomadic bands that travel constantly, lured by the open road and the wide horizon to discover the wonders of new lands and peoples. But even these wanderers love peace, food, hearth, and home, though home might be a wagon jostling along a dirt road or a raft floating downriver.
Small and Practical
The diminutive halflings survive in a world full of larger creatures by avoiding notice or, barring that, avoiding offense. Standing about 3 feet tall, they appear relatively harmless and so have managed to survive for centuries in the shadow of empires and on the edges of wars and political strife. They are inclined to be stout, weighing between 40 and 45 pounds.
Halflings’ skin ranges from tan to pale with a ruddy cast, and their hair is usually brown or sandy brown and wavy. They have brown or hazel eyes. Halfling men often sport long sideburns, but beards are rare among them and mustaches even more so. They like to wear simple, comfortable, and practical clothes, favoring bright colors.
Halfling practicality extends beyond their clothing. They’re concerned with basic needs and simple pleasures and have little use for ostentation. Even the wealthiest of halflings keep their treasures locked in a cellar rather than on display for all to see. They have a knack for finding the most straightforward solution to a problem, and have little patience for dithering.
Kind and Curious
Halflings are an affable and cheerful people. They cherish the bonds of family and friendship as well as the comforts of hearth and home, harboring few dreams of gold or glory. Even adventurers among them usually venture into the world for reasons of community, friendship, wanderlust, or curiosity. They love discovering new things, even simple things, such as an exotic food or an unfamiliar style of clothing.
Halflings are easily moved to pity and hate to see any living thing suffer. They are generous, happily sharing what they have even in lean times.
Blend into the Crowd
Halflings are adept at fitting into a community of humans, dwarves, or elves, making themselves valuable and welcome. The combination of their inherent stealth and their unassuming nature helps halflings to avoid unwanted attention.
Halflings work readily with others, and they are loyal to their friends, whether halfling or otherwise. They can display remarkable ferocity when their friends, families, or communities are threatened.
Pastoral Pleasantries
Most halflings live in small, peaceful communities with large farms and well-kept groves. They rarely build kingdoms of their own or even hold much land beyond their quiet shires. They typically don’t recognize any sort of halfling nobility or royalty, instead looking to family elders to guide them. Families preserve their traditional ways despite the rise and fall of empires.
Many halflings live among other races, where the halflings’ hard work and loyal outlook offer them abundant rewards and creature comforts. Some halfling communities travel as a way of life, driving wagons or guiding boats from place to place and maintaining no permanent home.
AFFABLE AND POSITIVE
Halflings try to get along with everyone else and are loath to make sweeping generalizations—especially negative ones.
Dwarves. “Dwarves make loyal friends, and you can count on them to keep their word. But would it hurt them to smile once in a while?”
Elves. “They’re so beautiful! Their faces, their music, their grace and all. It’s like they stepped out of a wonderful dream. But there’s no telling what’s going on behind their smiling faces—surely more than they ever let on.”
Humans. “Humans are a lot like us, really. At least some of them are. Step out of the castles and keeps, go talk to the farmers and herders and you’ll find good, solid folk. Not that there’s anything wrong with the barons and soldiers—you have to admire their conviction. And by protecting their own lands, they protect us as well.”
Exploring Opportunities
Halflings usually set out on the adventurer’s path to defend their communities, support their friends, or explore a wide and wonder-filled world. For them, adventuring is less a career than an opportunity or sometimes a necessity.
What to Expect as a Halfling
Halflings are small in stature but mighty in heart. They possess a knack for avoiding danger, a natural sense of curiosity, and a boundless sense of optimism. As a Halfling, you can expect:
Lucky
Halflings are naturally lucky and can reroll a natural 1 on an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw once per turn.
Bravery
Despite their small size, Halflings have incredible bravery and resilience, making them excellent adventurers.
Halfling Subrace Traits
Different Halfling subraces offer unique abilities, such as the Lightfoot Halfling's stealth or the Stout Halfling's resistance to poison.
Quick Build Steps for a Halfling
Creating a Halfling character involves selecting a character class, distributing your ability scores to match your desired role, and choosing equipment. Follow these steps:
Choose a Character Class: Decide on a character class that aligns with your preferred playstyle, whether it's a nimble rogue like Rogue, a jovial bard like Bard, or a stalwart fighter like Fighter.
Distribute Ability Scores: Halflings receive a bonus to Dexterity, making them agile and quick. Depending on your class, prioritize other ability scores, such as Charisma for Bards or Strength for Fighters.
Select Skills and Background: Consider skills that match your character's personality, backstory, and class. Halflings' natural luck makes them adept at skills like Sleight of Hand or Acrobatics.
Choose Equipment: Select starting equipment based on your character class. Halflings often favor ranged weapons like slings or shortbows, but tailor your choices to your character concept.
Plan Your Backstory: Develop a backstory that explores your Halfling's home, family, and how they've come to be an adventurer. Embrace your character's curiosity and optimism.
Organize D&D Campaigns via a Calendar
To ensure your Halfling character can attend sessions and coordinate with your party, use a shared calendar. This can help schedule game nights and ensure everyone's availability. Here's a guide on creating events in Discord.
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Example
Meet Pippin, the Lightfoot Halfling Rogue
Character Class: Rogue - Pippin is a nimble and stealthy rogue, specializing in sneak attacks and acrobatics.
Ability Scores: Pippin's high Dexterity makes him quick on his feet and a master of stealth, while his Charisma aids him in social interactions.
Skills and Background: Pippin gains proficiency in skills like Stealth, Sleight of Hand, and Acrobatics, reflecting his rogue expertise. His background as a Charlatan gives him proficiency in Deception and forgery tools.
Equipment: Pippin carries a short sword, a shortbow, leather armor, and a burglar's pack, allowing him to excel in stealthy endeavors.
Backstory: Pippin hails from a bustling Halfling village, known for its festivals and cheerful inhabitants. His mischievous nature led him to a life of adventure, where he uses his talents to outwit foes and uncover hidden treasures.
External Resources
For more in-depth information on playing a Halfling in D&D, check out these external resources:
D&D Beyond - Halfling Race Guide: A comprehensive guide to the Halfling race, including subrace options and role-playing tips. Read the Guide
Roleplaying Tips - How to Play Halflings: An article offering insights into the mindset and role-playing possibilities of Halflings. Read the Article
Rogue Class Guide: If you've chosen the Rogue class, this guide provides insights into Rogue abilities and gameplay. Read the Guide
Now, embrace the small stature and boundless bravery of the Halfling race as you embark on your epic adventures in Dungeons & Dragons!
