D&D Character Build Guide

A 1st-20th level build guide suitable for any level of play

Start to finish
We know how rare it is to complete a 1st-20th level campaign and how often players participate in
one shots and campaigns that might only reach 10th level or so. When we create a Character Build
Guide we focus on making them fun, interesting, useful and effective from the start.
You won't find characters who only "get good" at certain levels — CBGs hit the adventuring road
with the abilities they need to thrive and quickly develop a reliable collection of features that only
continue to get better as they gain experience. Features shown in bold indicate those the player can
choose along the way.

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Because you asked for it Step 5 — Level Progression
This character idea came straight from Patreon. 1 Warlock Pact Magic, Otherworldly Patron —
We conducted a poll to ask which Nerdarchyverse Hexblade, Hexblade’s Curse, Hex
villain to revisit. Our own Lord of Dead Dreams Warrior
came out as No. 1 and while we shared the insidious 2 Warlock Eldritch Invocations (Beguiling
entity’s dream goblins at Nerdarchy the Website we Influence, Fiendish Vigor)
thought he could use a more substantial enforcer.
3 Warlock Pact Boon — Pact of the Blade
4 Bard Bardic Inspiration, Musical
Step 1 — Race Instrument — Horn, Skill —
Perception, Spellcasting
Fairy. This whimsical new character option fits the 5 Bard Jack of All Trades, Song of Rest
theme perfectly. Flight, a handful of wonderfully 6 Bard Bard College — College of Whispers,
thematic spells and their fey nature make them a Expertise (Deception, Intimidation),
perfect vessel to serve the Lord of Dead Dreams. Psychic Blades, Words of Terror
Proficiencies 7 Warlock Ability Score Improvement —
Armor None Charisma +2
Weapons None 8 Bard Ability Score Improvement —
Tools None Charisma +2
Skills None 9 Bard Bardic Inspiration (d8), Font of
Languages Common, Sylvan Inspiration
10 Bard Countercharm, Mantle of Whispers
11 Warlock Eldritch Invocation — Thirsting Blade
Step 2 — Class 12 Warlock Accursed Specter
Warlock. The versatility along with an existing lore 13 Warlock Eldritch Invocation — Eldritch Smite
connection to our villain made a terrific starting point. 14 Warlock Feat — Fighting Initiate (Dueling)
15 Warlock Eldritch Invocation — Maddening Hex,
Proficiencies Spell — Dream
Armor Light Armor 16 Warlock Armor of Hexes
Weapons Simple Weapons 17 Warlock Mystic Arcanum (True Seeing)
Tools — 18 Warlock Eldritch Invocation — Lifedrinker,
Saving Throws Wisdom, Charisma Feat — Tough
Skills Deception, Investigation 19 Warlock Mystic Arcanum (Crown of Stars)
20 Warlock Master of Hexes
Step 3 — Ability Scores
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Conclusion
1 0 (+0) 15 (+2) 13 (+1) 8 (-1) 12 (+1) 14 (+1)
While developing this character it became clear
they can really dish out some serious damage. For
Step 4 — Background example armed with a longsword this servant of
dead dreams can tack on 3d6 psychic damage five
Knight. As servants to the Lord of Dead Dreams
these dread representatives function as emissaries times before a long rest, 5d8 force damage four
and enforcers who follow an ephemeral code. times before a long rest, plus a static +12 damage
(7 slashing and 5 necrotic) with hex for the cherry
Proficiencies on top adding another 1d6 necrotic.
Skills History, Persuasion
Languages Elvish Oh yeah, and Hexblade’s Curse squeezes in another
Tools Playing Card Set +6 damage.
Final Ability Scores
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
10 (+0) 16 (+3) 13 (+1) 8 (-1) 12 (+1) 20 (+5)
Proficiencies
Armor Light Armor, Medium Armor, Shields
Weapons Martial Weapons, Simple Weapons
Tools Horn, Playing Card Set
Saving Throws Wisdom, Charisma
Skills *Deception, History, *Intimidation,
Investigation, Perception, Persuasion
Languages Common, Elvish, Sylvan
*Expertise
Dungeon Master Version
Corrupted by nightmares. Dread sprites were
created by the Lord of Dead Dreams. A dread sprite
is created by exposing a sprite to nightmares over
and over again until they break and the poison
infecting their minds and souls painfully bursts
through their flesh as poisonous spines. They
appear to be wearing spiked leather armor. Upon
closer inspection it’s leather armor with their little
spines protruding through it. The process to create
a dread sprites surrounds them with a tangible
aura that causes fear and protects them from harm.
Servants of the Lord of Dead Dreams. The Lord
of Dead Dreams uses dread sprites as knights and
enforcers. He is prone to sending them forth to the
realms of mortals to enact his will. The Lord of Dead
Dreams finds delight in having the wee folk corrupted
and then used against larger overconfident foes.
All the Joy is Gone. None of the kindness of a
sprite remains. Dread sprites are beings of malice
and spite. They were nursed on nightmares and
swaddled in terror before being reborn.
Dread Sprite
Tiny fey, chaotic evil
Armor Class 20 (studded leather + shield)
Hit Points 50 (20d4)
Speed 20 ft., fly 40 ft. (hover)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
5 (-3) 22 (+6) 11 (+0) 13 (+1) 18 (+4) 17 (+3)
Skills Acrobatics +8, Intimidation, +5, Perception
+6, Stealth +10
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 16
Languages Common, Sylvan
Challenge 4 (1100 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +2
Avoidance. If the dread sprite is subjected to an
effect that allows it to make a saving throw to take
only half damage, it instead takes no damage if it
succeeds on the saving throw, and only half damage
if it fails.
Fear Aura. Any beast or humanoid that starts its
turn within 10 feet of the dread sprite must succeed
on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened
until the start of the creature’s next turn.
Flyby. The dread sprite doesn’t provoke an
opportunity attack when it flies out of an enemy’s
reach.
Poison Spines. At the start of each of its turns,
the dread sprite deals 1 piercing damage to any
creature grappling it. The creature must also
succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or
become poisoned for 1 minute. A poisoned creature
no longer in direct contact with the dread sprite
can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its
turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Actions
Multiattack. The dread sprite makes three dagger
attacks.
Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to
hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 7
(1d4 + 6) piercing damage.
Reactions
Uncanny Dodge. Dread sprite halves the damage
it takes from an attack made against it, provided it
can see the attacker.
Further Resources • Hypnotist
• Mage Slayer
• Deadshot Sniper
We discuss character creation, roleplaying tips and
• Tiniest Wrestler
more in a video on Nerdarchy the YouTube channel
• Unkillable
here. In the video description you can find a link to
• Dagger Master
this character build on D&D Beyond.
• Know It All
• Bardbarian
D&D Encounters • Mind Killer
• Circle from the Beyond • Boom Boom
• Hag’s Apprentice • Spell Assassin
• Kobold Cavalry • Ever Living One
• Roper Wrangler • Elephant in the Room
• Mischief Maker
• Centaur of Disease Control
Other Character Guides
• Sling Master
• Mind Breaker • Blind Master
• Zen Archer • Extreme Brawler
• Sewer Ninja • Staff Master
• Nature Possessed • Tunnel Runner
• Scaled Skald • Pack Master
• Quick Strike • Rage Singer
• Night Parader • Master Thinker
• Ultimate Duelist • The Wolverine
• Justicar • Combat Medic
• Ultimate Spell Duelist • Dark Knight
• Extreme Adventurer • Party Animal
• Whirling Dervish • Supernatural Soldier
• Library Agent • Mad Bomber
• Shadow Haunted • Devil of the City
• Flesh Render • Lizard Wizard
• Stealer of Souls
• Spell Savant
• Master of Undeath
• Champion of the Wild
• Adopted Trash Panda
• Illusion Warrior
• Storm Herald
• Hell's Enemy
• Purveyor of Peace
• Beast Binder
• Ultimate Gladiator
• Slayer of Evil
• Witch Doctor
• Drunken Tactician
• Azorius Templar
• Real Heal Bot
• Holy Paragon
• Mystic Seer
• Indomitable Defender
For a few years now one of our most popular (and fun to make) videos are the Character Build Guides.
These videos walk through a complete character from concept all the way to 20th level. Then we
create an NPC or creature inspired by the character build, which we share at the Dungeon Master’s
Guild along with a behind-the-scenes post at Nerdarchy the Website.

Even more popular than our CBGs is Out of the Box Encounters, which is a style of encounter design
we really love. These encounters really capture our approach to running games. So we’re mashing
them together!

Now you can follow the path from video all the way to Patreon where we’ll develop an Out of the Box
Encounter for the CBG creature along with the mix of new magic items and other content you love
to get every month. We think you’ll really enjoy how these all come together and help you and your
group of players create awesome and memorable experiences together.

New supporters receive instant access to all past rewards. Simply scroll down on Patreon to find all the
monthly rewards. You can also find a sampler of the kinds of stuff you’ll receive in a FREE bundle over
at Nerdarchy the Website. You can find this content here.

In July we’re connecting the Forgotten Soldier to an infamous bounty hunter from Out of the Box to
expand on the fiction. A new character soars into the fray with their trusty winged companion.