Human (2024) Guide 5e

Published on December 3, 2024, Last modified on December 5th, 2024

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What is this guide?

This guide is meant to give you an idea of whether or not the human (2024) will be right for your 5e character build.

The color code below has been implemented to help you identify, at a glance, how good that option will be for your human (2024). This color coding isn’t a hard and fast rule; there are plenty of sub-optimized options out there that will be viable to your party and will be fun to play.

  • Red : Isn’t going to contribute to the effectiveness of your character build at all
  • Orange : Situationally good, but a below-average option otherwise
  • Green : A good option
  • Blue : A great option, you should strongly consider this option for your character
  • Sky Blue: An amazing option. If you do not take this option your character would not be optimized

Humans in the 2024 Player’s Handbook

The most adaptable race Dungeons & Dragons returns with exciting updates in the 2024 Player’s Handbook!

Humans now embrace a more flexible, personalized approach to character creation, leaning into their resourcefulness, skillfulness, and adaptability to fit nearly any role. Though the days of static ASI assignments from your race are gone (those are now tied to your background) and the ever-popular Variant Human subrace, the Human race still provides tons of value. Let’s take a closer look at what makes the new Human a powerhouse choice for adventurers.

What are Human (2024) in 5e?

Source: 2024 Player's Handbook

According to D&D Beyond’s 2023 Unrolled, Humans are the most popular race in Dungeons & Dragons, known for their adaptability, diversity, and determination. They come from all walks of life, ranging from noble knights to streetwise rogues, and their cultures span the breadth of every known land. And good news, if you’re reading this, you are most likely a human, and therefore, you know what a human is!

Humans are known to be the youngest of the races, and one commonly sees them walking the streets of any given town or community. They also have the shortest life span of the common races, which could explain why humans tend to be hard workers, innovators, and conquerors.

One thing that separates humans from other races is the sheer diversity in their ranks. From appearance, cultures, customs, and institutions, every group of humans you may meet in your travels will be notably different.

In a world filled with fantastical creatures, humans stand out as generalists, excelling in their ability to grow, adapt, and persevere. Their innate ingenuity, familiarity, and drive make them a popular choice for players looking to maximize customization and versatility in their builds.

Human (2024) 5e Traits

Size: You can choose to be Medium or Small. Medium is the typical size of most races, and is neither good nor bad. Small creatures average out at 2-3 feet tall, but being a Small creature has had its negatives smoothed out in the 2024 Player’s Handbook. The upside is you get to use Medium creatures as mounts. The downside is you have have a reduced Carrying Capacity. Small character races no longer have a decreased Speed or Disadvantage wielding Heavy weapons, which is a decently big buff in the 2024 Player’s Handbook.

Resourceful: You gain Heroic Inspiration whenever you finish a Long Rest. This is an incredible ability because it gaurentees at least one re-roll per day. In the 2024 Player’s Handbook, Heroic Inspiration (previously just referred to as Inspiration) only allowed you to gain Advantage on an ability check, attack roll, or saving throw. Now, spending your Heroic Inspiration allows you to re-roll one dice of your choice. This could be a damage die to attempt to fell a bad guy or a Bardic Inspiration die, whatever you want! You can also see the result of the roll before spending Heroic Inspiration, unlike the 2014 version where you had to declare before you rolled.

Skillful: Gain proficiency in one skill of your choice. This extra skill is always valuable, letting you round out your toolkit and pick something thematically relevant to your character. The top picks in D&D are usually Persuasion, Perception, or Stealth because of how often they are used.

Versatile: You gain an Origin feat of your choice. The recommended starting feat is Skilled, but you can select any Origin feat that aligns with your playstyle or party needs. This feature is perfect for tailoring your character right from level 1 because, thanks to your background which grants you an Origin feat, you’ll get to pick two Origin feats to start off with. We cover which Origin feats are best for which class below.

Which 5e Classes Work With Human (2024)?

Humans’ inherent flexibility makes them a fantastic choice for any class. Here’s how they synergize with each one:

Artificer: The Human race is a solid foundation for Artificers. A free Heroic Inspiration per day and an extra skill proficiency will always come in handy, and the extra Origin feat is a huge boost. For Origin feats, consider Skilled to round out your proficiencies in artisan's tools or Magic Initiate to pick up additional spellcasting options, like Mage Hand for utility or Fire Bolt to complement your ranged arsenal.

Barbarian: Humans are an excellent pick for Barbarians. Heroic Inspiration can turn a failed save into a success, and the extra skill proficiency helps with Athletics or Survival. The extra Origin feat is invaluable early on—Tavern Brawler boosts grappling and Unarmed Strikes, while Tough improves your survivability with increased healing during rests.

Bard: Humans’ extra skill proficiency is a natural fit for Bards, whose versatility is enhanced by the Jack of All Trades feature. Heroic Inspiration ensures you’ll shine during crucial performances or when saving allies with healing spells. For your Origin feat, Magic Initiate is excellent, granting you access to cantrips like Fire Bolt for combat or Prestidigitation for flair, along with a level 1 spell like Disguise Self. Alternatively, Skilled amplifies your role as a jack-of-all-trades.

Cleric: Humans are a strong choice for Clerics. Heroic Inspiration supports important spellcasting or saving throws, and the extra skill proficiency improves your versatility. For an Origin feat, Healer increases your support options, while Magic Initiate allows you to grab utility cantrips or a level 1 spell to complement your divine abilities.

Druid: Heroic Inspiration provides a safety net for important rolls, and the extra skill proficiency can help you pick up Persuasion to round out your build. For an Origin feat, Magic Initiate is a solid pick, giving you damage cantrips like Fire Bolt which the Druid spell list lacks, and a level 1 spell to broaden your spell options.

Fighter: Humans are ideal for Fighters. Heroic Inspiration keeps you consistent on saving throws and attacks, while the extra skill proficiency allows you to grab Stealth, which the Fighter skill proficiency list lacks. The extra Origin feat lets you pick up Alert, Lucky, Savage Attacker, or Tough early, all of which are incredibly powerful for Fighters to grab early.

Monk: Humans are excellent for Monks. Heroic Inspiration ensures crucial saving throws or attacks land, while the extra skill proficiency helps grab Perception or Persuasion, which the Monk skill list lacks. The extra Origin feat is a big advantage—Lucky further improves the chances that your attacks hit and Tough helps increase your Hit Points.

Paladin: Humans are a top pick for Paladins. Heroic Inspiration is perfect for clutch saving throws or attacks, while the extra skill proficiency allows you to grab Deception for another face skill or Perception to help with exploration. The extra Origin feat lets you pick up Alert, Lucky, Savage Attacker, or Tough early, allof which are incredibly powerful for Paladins to grab early.

Ranger: Humans are great for Rangers. Heroic Inspiration ensures crucial attack rolls or saving throws succeed, and the extra skill proficiency allows you to grab Persuasion for an extra boost to your face skills. The extra Origin feat is a significant advantage—Alert, Lucky, and Tough are all excellent choices.

Rogue: Humans are outstanding for Rogues. Heroic Inspiration helps you land Sneak Attacks or hit those important Stealth checks, and the extra skill proficiency adds to your versatlity. For an Origin feat, Alert boosts Initiative, while Lucky improves your reliability on attack rolls, saving throws, or checks.

Sorcerer: Humans are a strong option for Sorcerers. Heroic Inspiration smooths out critical saving throws or attacks, and the extra skill proficiency allows you to pick up Perception. The extra Origin feat allows you to pick up Magic Initiate, which can get you access to Find Familiar or some healing spells.

Warlock: Humans are a solid choice for Warlocks. Heroic Inspiration ensures you land key attacks or saves, and the extra skill proficiency can get you access to Persuasion, which helps your role as the party face. For an Origin feat, Magic Initiate expands your spell selection and a free level 1 spell slot, while Lucky offers increased reliability across combat and exploration.

Wizard: Wizards love the ability to tailor their strengths with the Human race. For the skill proficiency, you can grab a face skill or Perception, and the Origin feat allows you to grab Lucky or Magic Initiate, both of which are incredible at increasing your versatility.

Sources Used in This Guide

  • : 2014 Player's Handbook
  • 2024 PHB: 2024 Player's Handbook
  • BR: Basic Rules
  • GotG: Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants
  • SotDQ: Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen
  • ERLW: Eberron: Rising from the Last War
  • EEPC: Elemental Evil Player’s Companion
  • EGtW: Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount
  • FToD: Fizban's Treasury of Dragon
  • GGtR: Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica
  • MotM: Monsters of the Multiverse
  • MToF: Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes
  • MOoT: Mythic Odyessys of Theros
  • PAitM: Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse
  • PHB: Player's Handbook
  • SAiS: Spelljammer: Adventures in Space
  • SCoC: Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos
  • SCAG: Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
  • TCoE: Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
  • TTP: The Tortle Package
  • WBtW: The Wild Beyond The Witchlight
  • : Unearthed Arcana
  • VRGtR: Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft
  • VGtM: Volo's Guide to Monsters
  • XGtE: Xanathar’s Guide to Everything

Mike Bernier

Mike Bernier is the lead content writer and founder of Arcane Eye. He is a Adamantine best-selling author of Strixhaven: A Syllabus of Sorcery on DMs Guild and is a contributing author at D&D Beyond. Follow Mike on Twitter.

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