Every single D&D race explained

We all know Dungeons & Dragons can be overwhelming to get into. You have all these rules and terms to learn, and that's not to mention character creation. So let me help you out a bit by explaing every D&D race in the player's handbook as simply as possible.
This video is meant for beginners choosing their race, so people who have played Dungeons and Dragons might find this a bit oversimplified. Hopefully new D&D players find it useful, though.
-CHAPTERS-
00:00 Intro
2:46 Dwarf
6:06 Elf
10:37 Half-elf
12:00 Human
13:25 Halfling
15:26 Gnome
17:32 Half-orc
19:26 Tiefling
21:56 Dragonborn
#dnd #dungeonsanddragons

[@Dznts1234]

The intro reminded me of this fun fact: Humans are bioluminescent but the light is too weak for our eyes to see

[@poliwhirlswirl]

How do you know this?!?

[@Dznts1234]

@@poliwhirlswirl I just know alot of random obscure facts

[@SlayrLink]

Yup, it's called black body radiation. Some of the energy our bodies create is emitted as infrared light. Source, am a physicist.

[@BlenderWeasel]

I’m bioluminescent?

[@rainbowsorceress2082]

​​@@BlenderWeasel well, yes but actually no. "Bioluminescent" isn't really the right word, it's just that everybody glows in infrared because of body heat.

[@semic1648]

my cat walked up when you said "unless you're showing this video to your cat"

[@AlphagnomeTV]

i have that effect on cats

[@IzzyKindaFizzy]

@@AlphagnomeTVit also worked on my baby sister, I don’t know what that means 😢 maybe she’s destined to be a d&d player

[@isaacmillen8789]

​@@AlphagnomeTV Rolled a nat 20 on the persuasion check on that cat (I don't understand any of these words I just pretend to know D&D despite today being the day I decided to get into it)

[@Crossed._.Pawzzz]

@@IzzyKindaFizzy or a therian >:3

[@N64Goldeneye118]

"Every single D&D race explained" Me, playing a Kenku: Fascinating.

[@decayedwolf1997]

As a Kobold, I agree

[@beewebb5366]

same, im playing a kenku as my first character ever

[@haleybridwell2276]

I picked a Dragonborn for my first DnD campaign and was very surprised when most of the people in the game (including the DM) said they'd never had anyone play a dragonborn. It surprised me because...its a freaking dragon. This is a game where the only limits are the dice and my own creativity, of fucking course I wanna be a fucking dragon!

[@luckytheprotoboi826]

I play Dragonborn because it is cool and that Tabaxi aren't in 5th edition.

[@GeekyFloyd]

@@luckytheprotoboi826tabaxi are in 5e…

[@svenrox13]

Same but I picked it because it reminded me of the argonians from elder scrolls

[@HappyMagolor2]

Completely agree

[@Xhenziak]

Same exact thing happened to me bro

[@Jaceareeno]

You don't have darkvision? You still may not be a human. Here is what you might be: Aarakocra, Autognome, Centaur, Changeling, Dragonborn, Fairy, Firbolg, Genasi (excluding fire), Giff, both Giths, Goliath, Hadozee, Halfling, Haregon, Kalashtar, Kender, Kenku, Lizardfolk, Loxodon, Minotaur, Reborn, Satyr, Tortle, Vedalkan, Verdan or Warforged. Now, if you're solely sticking to the PHB, you still might be a Dragonborn or Halfling.

[@icetide9411]

He's a dragonborn, I just know it

[@Klaital1]

All Genasi actually got darkvision in their newest printing in MotM.

[@Klaital1]

@@Jaceareeno Personally I really like it, it brings the old races up to the same level as the newer ones, which will result in lot more of those races seeing play.

[@hankdetroit2076]

There are no kenders or reborns in dungeons and dragons ...that's dragonlance which is not dungeons and dragons...

[@Jaceareeno]

@@hankdetroit2076 Reborn was added to the official 5e with the VRGR source book. Dragonlance isn't Forgotten Realms but it's still D&D.

[@marks2807]

I always took the Dwarf/Halfling poison resistance as existing because both races drink heavily in most fantasy settings. Basically became resistant to alcohol poisoning.

[@elementalgolem5498]

The fact humans actually have quite decent night vision (after 15-25m of adapting that is) that can discern movement at about 300ft of range in darkness is hilarious given the whole darkvisiov differences 😂

[@gebdemedici]

Honestly Darkvision in DnD is more magic than biology, considering a character with Darkvision can still see even in pitch darkness. Humans and a lot of animals are adapted to see in low light, but there must still be SOME light.

[@elementalgolem5498]

@@gebdemedici yeah but the Extremely limited range of dark vision when humans can see about 300ft in quite the dark environment.

[@estaveler3288]

There is a reason why its called dark vision and not night vision, since at night everything is actully in dim light not darkness

[@elementalgolem5498]

@@estaveler3288 i mean sure but even the underdark, which is meant to be, dark has quite a bit of light

[@ikmart112]

No there are situations where you have ZERO light. Such as in a cave with no bioluminescence. Or just a couple hundred feet under water. With no light darkvision would work fine. Those races with darkvision still see better than humans cause low-light conditions, like you described at night with moon and start light? They'd see as if it were bright light.

[@jookie8469]

The second he mentioned pointy ears I was distracted by his ears the whole time, they're pointy

[@DarkwillsEnd]

I want to offer my appreciation for the music choices behind the different races. Hearing the Runescape Gnome Stronghold music when describing gnomes and the music from the Barrens in WoW for half-orcs was a wonderful touch.

[@jccallen7514]

I love the music at the beginning. Legend of Zelda skyward sword

[@peachmelon6294]

Im just starting to get into D&D for the first time and i found your channel literally today!!! You make things simple but not too simple to the point where i have actually no idea whats going on. Doing great keep up the good work man!! Im staying tuned thats for sure. + bonus points bc ur hillarious 💀

[@AlphagnomeTV]

thanks! i just want more people to play D&D with tbh

[@davidblanchard3810]

It's rare to see such a high quality channel so early in its development! Loved the video, hope to see you prosper here on KZbin!!

[@farkas266]

God damn that intro joke broke me, didn't expect it and burst out laughing. So happy you made this channel for dnd. Cheers!

[@PrettyWeirdDuck]

It would be cool if there were more half-breeds. Imagine a character that's half-Drow and half-Orc! Come to think of it, that sounds like something Ganondorf would be.

[@RyuTama42]

A friend of mine played a Tabaxi Tiefling rogue in our previous campaign. An absolute menace. More diverse half-breed characters would be awesome to see.

[@blackwings724]

I home brewed a green dragonborn dwarf named Pudding Snatcher. Most of her abilities were dwarven but my dm let her keep her breath attack and resistance. She basically just looked like a dwarf size dragon born and I love her to bits.

[@ericka_akcire2193]

Remember: tiefling is the right answer

[@omni0414]

Tiefling is the worst answer possible.

[@Deadly_fox512]

Tiefling: For those who want to be edgy but are so unoriginal and edgless in reality that they have to pick the "demon."

[@MoonManMoonMan]

Aasimar* is the right answer

[@Deadly_fox512]

@MoonManMoonMan lol Evil Aasimar is more clever than a good tiefling.

[@omni0414]

@@Deadly_fox512 Exactly

[@calebdahlheimer1471]

Why, oh why, is this guy rizzing up my cat?

[@julie-tx9uw]

i just found your channel and i thought i would find so many videos because the quality was so good ! the fact that you just started posting not even a year ago is crazy impressive! please make more dnd content 😭🙏🏼 i love the way you explain things !! it makes so much sense

[@mikynugget8985]

I'm a new dnd player and having these videos is super cool to learn as well as your fun personality making it all interesting to watch. Keep up these awsome videos

[@libbilamb3165]

Loving these videos! I've been sending them to my friends who've never played before to help them make their first character. If you wanna make more of these types of videos, I'd love to see one on Backgrounds or Ability Scores to help with the other parts of building your first character.

[@anordinarygurl9642]

You're videos really helped me understand how to create a character more! I'm just beginning to get into D&D so it's overwhelming rn and your videos are a nice place to start

[@Zquen]

In my current dnd campain. The main kingdom has a kill on sight order on tieflings. I'm playing a tiefling....

[@RyuTama42]

Playing on hard mode I see! Respect lol.

[@theblaze5530]

The correct way to play!

[@tinakulow047]

you are AWESOME! I’m about to start my first campaign and have been terrified of creating my first character, but your videos have made it so much more fun and simple. Thank you thank you THANK YOU! Keep making content please😊

[@tymoteuszmotyka2849]

Somehow my favourite race blends perfectly with my favourite classes. Tiefling with +2 to charisma helps so much with sorcerers and bards and occasional warlocks

[@jukyyyyy]

I’m new to DnD and I love your channel! By far, your videos are the easiest to comprehend compared to all the other guide videos on KZbin. Please keep it up!!!

[@nickioleary8577]

This was really insightful! I’d love to see another video on D&D races. I’ve been trying to build a Kenku character lately, so I’d love to hear your insight on them

[@idkwhattonamemyself6357]

Highly underrated, this guid is amazing for new players.

[@snowfella7426]

I love that in my world (Campaign) Haflings are a miracle, they born from any race in a rarely occasion, people believe that they're somehow a divine blessing, that does not turn them a demi-god but do turn them into something that most people adore and want around because it's a honor to be with one, more for those who get married with them

[@futurewario9591]

Gnomes are the most underrated race in DnD & Baldur's Gate 3.

[@CyberSprout1]

Dragonborn are my absolute favourites, I'm always hesitant to try any other races cus i love them too much

[@bk6555]

Love your content! I hope there is more in the future! You are like a stand up comedian with the way you hold your mic, it's now who you are 😂 I am brand new to getting into roleplaying and made my kingdom map last night! Will you be covering non D&D brands too? I am trying to keep my options open with constructing my collection but mostly doing it via a tight budget. Thanks again for being yourself, it makes it easier for newbies like myself to ease our way in.

[@omegaonion]

hm i think this video is epic awesome so i did some research and it turns out that everyone likes this too. Thanks so much for everything you do for society

[@AlphagnomeTV]

thanks?

[@omegaonion]

I don't do this for thanks I do this because I must @@AlphagnomeTV

[@AlphagnomeTV]

@@omegaonion thanks!

[@prophetic-apathetic]

For humans +1 to all stats is 6 not 5 (sorry just nit picking) but you also left out the overcompensation Variant human with +1 to 2 stats , 1 skill proficiency, and a starting FEAT (caps for a reason)

[@Local_commentor]

But where is githyanki I love martial prodigy on warlocks sorcerer or wizard

[@F23GreyGhost]

Of all my favorite RuneScape/DnD KZbinrs, you're definitely my favorite.

[@ManaBunz]

Man, you are so wholesome and goofy. I love this shit. I'm pretty new to understanding D&D, but I've played a little bit since 2006. The cat comment, too. So good.

[@ManaBunz]

I'm really excited to pull my dragonborn over from BG3 to our homebrew campaign.

[@nyx6360]

Im honestly surprised to hear dragonborn arent very common, i totally thought they'd be one of the most popular. My Dragonborn is a descendant from silver dragons.

[@mdcrumpler]

i love that you played durotar/barrens music for half-orc

[@LokNarash697]

Hey, great content, I'm gonna begin my first character with half orc.

[@aaronreapersoard1098]

I enjoy the structure of this video reminds me of a comprehensive version of Jocats crap guides 😂 keep up the good work I’m new to playing dnd and got “the dubious honor of being dm because it was my idea to play with a group of friends that happened to say they were interested and even after 3 full sessions we have yet to have all 4 main players show up and has caused me to have to come up with some rules that apply in game so that I can continue to introduce them to each other” 👈 insert deep godly voice

[@duke6965]

Longest lifespan Warforged being technically immortal

[@BlackOwlMage]

Will there be a video on other playable races? (I admittedly want to see more videos on owlin)

[@RyuTama42]

It’d be cool to see Aasimar and Eladrin too (my own current races)! I see a lot of dislike toward Aasimar but it’s been a lot of fun so far. Tabaxi would be cool too, I had a friend that played a Tabaxi Tiefling rogue in our last campaign, which was a menace lol.

[@bigearcat96]

great vid! you gonna do the races from other sourcebooks?

[@quinnlinjohnson785]

I’ve been waiting on you to drop some heat 🔥

[@razorhollow4936]

You should make a vid talking about the more Exoric Races and what not, im just getting into DND and my first character is gonna be a Goblin, I've been told most DM's dont mind stuff like it so.

[@Markoesj]

Damn.... You look so much like this other dude, Idyl! You should check him out... He is the president of MMORPGs! I enjoy your videos!

[@desuwu31]

I hope they can do a collab together soon!

[@xyreniaofcthrayn1195]

Tiefling by the name Kaileena, six horns reigning in her braided offensively red hair, skin the colour of some form of gold-copper alloy, on the whole curves in all the right places and her backstory is that she just quit her job in the palace of the third circle because gary from accounting kept foisting errands on her so now she's working off her debt as a barmaid/adventurer with only 50 gold plus tax left and intends on acquiring significantly more gold to open a tea shop and spa called heallion. (A pun on heal and hellion.)

[@nirnaayakghosh8790]

You deserve so much more subscribers

[@senpai20lk48]

im just starting to get interested in dnd and im playing a dragonborn in our campaign and lorewise they are very flexible and i got to admit they look awesome

[@jacsonswain]

I’m playing a Dragonborn Warlock in BG3 rn and loving it so much

[@GodOfWindSikar]

In czech WotC approved DnD clone they reworked dragonborn ancestry, so there are 10 ancestries and 10 breath weapons. I always tell players, they can choose whichever rules version they want.

[@suruxstrawde8322]

Elves sound like they should have sharp teeth and claws, being arboreal humanoids who can see well in the dark, as well as across extreme distance, who are also very agile-- that's essentially a human leopard.

[@19.udbhavtiwari91]

As someone who has never played D&D or even heard about it irl, because people in India are similar to people who live under the rock when it comes to D&D, even I haven't heard about it besides in 'the big bang theory'. So I dint think that I would be able to find irl people with whom I can play D&D, so I'm only left with online approach. But sadly I can't really find anything about how to play it online. There are videos explaining the rules and what not which is helpful but it just explains the rules and some suggestions, or they show an irl gameplay of one of the games, but never how to play it online even if someone did show it, none has done it properly. And the online sites gets too overwhelming for nevigtion(I've experienced D&D Beyond), and are of no real help for beginners. TLDR; please can you make a video with proper screensharing in incognito and starting how to play, mainly after the character creation part is done. + the website's navigation system.

[@katemclean99]

had never played DnD before but wanted to get into it, designed a Tiefling Rogue and then I got BG3. Last minute when making her, I made her a sorceress and BOY did we have fun! (totally didn't romance a rogue or anything though *cough* *cough*) But honestly I loved Tieflings when I read up about them. I relate to them the most tbh.

[@mimicsforge]

My only clarification here is all the stuff about which specific ability score increases specific races get is completely obsolete and has been for quite a while. All races get a +2 and +1 to whatever ability score the player chooses to allow for more customisation

[@franzvonhinten7558]

i am gonna make an Fire dragon Dragonborn Wizard and a half elf druid. thank you so much for the overview. now i feel prepered for my first charakter and my first rounds

[@futurewario9591]

YOUR NAME IS ALPHAGNOME! THOUGHT GNOMES WOULD BE YOUR FAVORITE

[@textoffender3410]

0:48 "In the players handbook" well that makes the title a lie. Also the players handbook versions of some races are outdated (missing a lot of subraces and the dragonborn are just completely wrong and worse). Maybe make a series going over the races in the different books? Also you should probably talk about the Tasha's variant origin rules as they have a pretty significant impact across all the races

[@Griff589]

The video is already 20 minutes if he did all that the video would be over 2 hours

[@muffinconsumer4431]

*Clicks on 24 minute video* “ACKSHUALLY THATS NOT ALL THE RACES”

2:00 Note though that since Tasha's got released (2020) all races can distribute their ability score improvements in whatever way they want (except base humans). Mordenkainen's (2022) also allows many formerly medium-sized races to also play as a small creature. It's mostly for flavor, but note that a small creature can ride a medium one which might be important for characters who have some sort of an animalistic companion (battle smith, beast master, drakewarden) and a lot of fairly cheap medium animals can also be used as mounts and still go into dungeons.

[@meikahidenori]

It's interesting how with most of the races you only chose the defult setting versions of them to mention. Eberron has variations of all the base races as well as the Critical roll setting and they're just as interesting as their FR and Greyhawlk equivalents. (Halflings who ride dinosaurs? What's not to love? Oh and Clan Borimar, the Halfling Mafia.)

[@countsnowyofgwainn3996]

Could you possibly do a part 2 with the races from Volos guide to monsters?

[@joeivo911]

Great vids keep them coming. Maybe do lore vids to help a bg3?player get more involved.

[@Gibbypastrami]

6:10 I…. I thought I just wasn’t aware of an Elf remake with Butler instead of Ferrell coming out at some point Why build me up just to knock me down?

[@mathewgallery2475]

Can You do a video to how make a character sheet?

[@myrtletyrtle5062]

I feel like its dumb to say that I wish you had more videos..... but I wish you had more videos.

[@MarveliteLuck]

I lovee your content ❤

[@BobaBushido]

Are Seradine Drow new? Im currently running it as one in BG3 and i was kinda sad Drow were subjected to a subrace 😂 very informative for a noob in this sphere, though

[@RadiantHealer]

12:12 AYOO WHAT THE HELL DID U JUST TELL MY CAT??

[@jordansjensen]

Ire the bonuses he mentions for 5e D&D or the new version (“Beyond”)?

[@anthonyzayne8675]

I’ve never played DnD mainly cuz I don’t have a friends that would play with me to be able to do so but race wise I feel most drawn to Elf, Tiefling, Tabaxi, & somewhat DragonBorne Class wise I’m most drawn to like wizard, sorcerer, paladin, rouge & Druid

[@bambi_saurusrex]

I think his ears are pointy, he must be like at least a half elf

[@nathanielreik6617]

I really like dragonborn. My first character ever was a dragonborn and I kinda want to play another one soon but I've got a couple other characters to play first.

[@jaybroach980]

When the drow becomes the bbeg for the next campaign...finds a pair of glasses that were cursed to make it dark as night when wearing them. He proceeds to destroy your players' party and leaves with the peter dinklage line from pixels. I owe everything to these b****in' shades. Idk just kinda my first thought about their debuff

[@darkcookie456]

Babe, wake up! Alphagnome just made a new video!! 🎉. Jkjk nice video though man :>

[@darrionorpinel1825]

Can we also expand into all the other races?

[@the_goofiest_whajje]

"every race in dnd explained" my metallic/wooden ass:

[@Gnomelotte]

If a race I'm gonna roll it likely be smol.

[@nvdawahyaify]

Which edition are you talking about?

[@keithbrown4850]

Nonsense, jokes and D&D? got it. subscribed

[@chadnorris8257]

The dragonborn is a bit odd. It feels like they just made a Human with scales, and a once per rest burning hands expy. No darkvision, even though dragons have both darkvision and blindsight. You don't automatically get the Draconic language, and there's no mention of wings or a tail. At least there is a feat to give you a frightening roar.

[@Voxdalian]

I'm going to play D&D for the first time in the near future, and I was for sure going to go with Dragonborn. Seems like they're a bit weaker stats-wise, but they're just so cool.

[@koutouloufas7]

D&D is more than stats. It is primary a role-playing game. Don't think only about min-maxing

[@Voxdalian]

@@koutouloufas7 I just said I'd play Dragonborn despite it being weaker, doesn't that suggest that I think roleplay is more important anyway?

[@koutouloufas7]

@@Voxdalian yeah, i agree with you. You should not even mention stats, RP is what matters

[@Voxdalian]

@@koutouloufas7 That sounds like strange advice. I'd still like to be okay at whatever I'm doing.

[@koutouloufas7]

@@Voxdalian you will be ok if you enjoy the game.

[@chrisbrowny1701]

I loved the video and quality but you barely scratched the surface. Tortals, kenku, bugbears, harengon the list goes on

[@suruxstrawde8322]

And realistically humans should have medium vision in all directions, not the worst dark vision irl but it varies. I do personally, and can see the legs/antennae/jaws/hairs on ants if I get close enough, but most of us should realistically have the highest traits in edible mild poison resistances and physical adaptability.

[@SilverionX]

I'm currently playing a Wizard turned into a fabulous ladies handbag in my D&D campaign. Race unknown... to the rest of the party.

[@EvanSharp-rt1fd]

Rip Owlin race. Favorite one 😢

[@zacharylovell4984]

I just started watching a bunch of these kind of videos and I made a Dragonborn with blue draconic ancestry

[@royart4781]

Fun fact -Most dnd races can move only 2 feet per turn due to the fact they only have two feet

[@wadesessions7164]

what about the beast races? I play as a yuan-ti

[@aaronbutler5969]

I liked 3.5 better with dark vision being 60 feet but black and white only dwarf in complete darkness, low light which elves had was in color and twice as far as human in torch or starlight

[@pastaconnoisseur8441]

EVERY SINGLE RACE* *in the PHB only

[@pandaslayer11]

Why does nobody talk about Verdan? They are the perfect Warlock race!

[@AnonymousFohYOU]

1:29 You forgot Gargantuan, Tiny, and Minuscule

[@brandyoung4795]

shout out the durotar ost 17:59

[@TheGamingGhost574]

I enjoy playing as Warforged

[@Reldonator]

Woah it's the osrs guy, but dnd :o

[@evewithwonder]

I have a Draconic Bloodline Sorceress and she gets natural armor and speaks draconic, so when I found out that Dragonborns don't have any of those traits and don't have darkvision either, it kinda ruined the race for me 😅

[@KxC-FK6349]

tbh Austin Butler besides Elvis played an elf in the Shanara Chronicles

[@nicholasesparza2978]

Wait small characters can squeeze past, thought only halfing?

[@Harrison-kp3pc]

Does d‘n’d have cults as it decides if i can play dnd

[@Nalhirrim]

I pick Malaysian!! 🇲🇾 🇲🇾

[@cruncleosrs6115]

Wait… Idyl makes DnD vids? Actually that makes hella sense

[@geoffchurchill5492]

kobolds get sunlight sensitivity too