Character creation

Character creation
The character creation process is a step-by-step procedure of selection various options to customize your character as much or as little as you wish. At any time, you may go back to previous steps and refine your choices.

Step 1 - Style
Select your style (class archetype) and Gender. Melee, Spell or Specialist. All this does is break down the class selection for the next step and give you a rough idea of where each class fits.

Step 2 - Class
Select your class. On the left side of the page are the class choices. Click on the links for individual information on the various classes.

Melee Classes

 * Fighter
 * Alignment: Any; Hit die: d10; Skill points at 1st level: (2 + Intelligence modifier) x4, (2 + Intelligence modifier) for successive level; Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Repair (Int), Swim (Str); Proficient with: Simple weapons, Light - Heavy armor, Shields (except tower shields).


 * Barbarian
 * Alignment: Any Non-Lawful; Hit die: d12; Skill points at 1st level: (4 + Intelligence modifier) x4, (4 + Intelligence modifier) for successive level; Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Listen (Wis), Swim (Str); Proficient with: Simple & Martial weapons; Light & Medium armor; Shields (except tower shields).


 * Paladin
 * Alignment: Lawful Good; Hit die: d10; Skill points at 1st level: (2 + Intelligence modifier) x4, (2 + Intelligence modifier) for successive level; Concentration (Con), Diplomacy (Cha), Heal (Wis), Intimidate (Cha); Proficient with: Simple weapons, Light - Heavy armor, Shields (except tower shields).


 * Monk
 * Alignment: Any Lawful; Hit die: d8; Skill points at 1st level: (4 + Intelligence modifier) x4, (4 + Intelligence modifier) for successive levels; Balance (Dex), Concentration (Con), Diplomacy (Cha), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Spot (Wis), Tumble (Dex); Proficient with:

Spell-Casting Classes

 * Sorcerer
 * Alignment: Any; Hit die: d4; Skill points at 1st level: (2 + Intelligence modifier) x4, (2 + Intelligence modifier) for successive level; Concentration (Con), Bluff (Cha); Proficient with: Simple weapons.


 * Cleric
 * Alignment: Any; Hit die: d8; Skill points at 1st level: (2 + Intelligence modifier) x4, (2 + Intelligence modifier) for successive level; Concentration (Con), Diplomacy (Cha), Heal (Wis); Proficient with: Simple weapons, Light - Heavy armor, Shields (except tower shields).


 * Wizard
 * Alignment: Any; Hit die: d4; Skill points at 1st level: (2 + Intelligence modifier) x4, (2 + Intelligence modifier) for successive level; Concentration (Con), Repair (Int); Proficient with: Simple weapons.


 * Favored Soul
 * Alignment: Any; Hit die: d8; Skill points at 1st level: (2 + Intelligence modifier) x4, (2 + Intelligence modifier) for successive level; Concentration (Con), Diplomacy (Cha), Heal (Wis), Jump (Str); Proficient with: Simple weapons, Light & Medium armor, Shields (except tower shields).


 * Druid
 * Alignment: Any, except Lawful Good and Chaotic Good; Hit die: d8; Skill points at 1st level: (4 + Intelligence modifier) x4, (2 + Intelligence modifier) for successive level; Concentration (Con), Diplomacy (Cha), Heal (Wis), Intimidate (Cha), Listen (Wis), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str); Proficient with: Simple weapons, Scimitar, Light & Medium non-metal armor, Shields (Except tower shields).

Specialist Classes

 * Ranger
 * Alignment: Any; Hit die: d8; Skill points at 1st level: (6 + Intelligence modifier) x4, (6 + Intelligence modifier) for successive level; Concentration (Con), Heal (Wis), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Search (Int), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str); Proficient with: Simple & Martial weapons, Light armor, Shields (except tower shields).


 * Rogue
 * Alignment: Any; Hit die: d6; Skill points at 1st level: (8 + Intelligence modifier) x4, (8 + Intelligence modifier) for successive level; Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Diplomacy (Cha), Disable Device (Int), Haggle (Cha), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Open Lock (Dex), Repair (Int), Search (Int), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex), Use Magic Device (Cha); Proficient with: Simple &	Martial weapons (Rapier, Short Bow, Short Sword), Light armor.


 * Bard
 * Alignment: Any Non-Lawful; Hit die: d6; Skill points at 1st level: (6 + Intelligence modifier) x4, (6 + Intelligence modifier) for successive level; Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Diplomacy (Cha), Haggle (Cha), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Perform (Cha), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex), Use Magic Device (Cha); Proficient with: Simple & Martial weapons, Light armor, Shields (except tower shields).


 * Artificer
 * Alignment: Any; Hit die: d6; Skill points at 1st level: (4 + Intelligence modifier) x4, (4 + Intelligence modifier) for successive level; Concentration (Con), Disable Device (Int), Haggle (Cha), Hide (Dex), Open Lock (Dex), Repair (Int), Search (Int), Spot (Wis), Use Magic Device (Cha); Proficient with: Simple weapons, Exotic weapons (Great Crossbow, Repeating Light Crossbow and Repeating Heavy Crossbow); Light & Medium armor; Shields (except tower shields).

Step 3 - Path
Here you can either choose to follow a pre-built path that the developers have set up, or fully customize your character. For most new players, it's recommend you customize and follow either our Category:Starting a class guides or select a build from our Category:Builds for New Players category, as the default paths tend to have some flaws.

Step 4 - Race
On the left-side of the first page you can choose your race.
 * Human
 * +1 starting feat, +4 skill points at level 1, +1 skill point each later level


 * Elf
 * +2 Dex, -2 Con; sleep Immunity; +2 saves vs enchantment; +2 search, spot, listen; Proficient with Short Bows, Long Bows, Long Swords, and Rapiers


 * Dwarf
 * +2 Con, -2 Cha; +2 saves vs poison and spells; +2 search, +4 balance; treat Dwarven War Axes as martial instead of exotic


 * Halfling
 * +2 Dex, -2 Str; +2 all saving throws, +2 saves vs fear; +1 attack roll, AC; +2 Jump, move silently, listen, +4 hide


 * Drow
 * +2 Dexterity, +2 Intelligence, +2 Charisma, -2 Constitution; sleep Immunity; +2 saves vs enchantment; Spell resistance 10 + (Character Level); +2 Listen, Search, Spot; Proficient with rapiers, short swords, and shurikens.


 * Warforged
 * +2 Con, -2 Wis, -2 Cha; +3 saves vs Energy Drained, Exhausted, Nauseated, Paralyzed, Poison and Sleep; 25% chance to resist critical hits and sneak attacks; Use different armor system, built-in light armor with +2 AC and 5% arcane spell failure. Can be adjusted with feats.


 * Half-Elf
 * +1 Dilettante feat, sleep Immunity; +1 search, spot, listen; +2 diplomacy


 * Half-Orc
 * +2 Str, -2 Int, -2 Cha;

Step 5 - Ability Points
DDO uses a point-buying system for setting your initial six ability scores. Normally you have 28 points to spend, though you can unlock 32-point builds by unlocking them through gaining 1750 Favor or skip that and fast-track it by spending Turbine Points in the DDO Store. True Reincarnation will unlock 34-point and 36-point builds successively, but is only available after you have leveled your character to 20.

You start with 8 points in each of the six abilities: strength, dexterity, constitution, intelligence, wisdom, and charisma. These are then modified by your race. To raise an ability, it costs 1 point for the first six raises, 2 points for the next two, and finally 3 points for the last two. You can only start with a maximum of 18 in an ability (20 with a racial mod). Every even multiple of 2 ability points higher or lower correspondingly raises or lowers your bonus from that ability by 1. These bonuses add to (or subtract from) actions related to that ability. For example, your dexterity bonus will affect your character's reflexes and dodging ability among other things.

The point cost to change an ability is based on its value before adding racial modifiers. Don't be confused if the cost looks wrong while you're adjusting an ability that has +2 or -2 due to your race.

Step 6 - Skills
Here you can select with skills your character will start with. You can spend a maximum of 4 points into a single skill, but cross-class skills only rise +0.5 ranks per skill point spent. Don't forget that skills are modified by your stat bonuses. Generally it's better to keep a few skills high than to spread your skill points out and be mediocre in many skills.

As you level up, the max ranks you can have in a skill is (character level + 3) for class skills and half that for cross-class skills.

Step 7 - Feats
Here you'll be selecting 1 feat (and possibly some bonus feats depending upon your race and class). Most classes/races only get about 7 feats over their entire life, so you should really consider which feats you want your character to have the most, especially if you're working to get a feat that has other feats as prerequisites. Look over the list and take note of which feats sound the most interesting. If they're grayed out, you don't meet its prerequisites. It should list what they are, so you can figure out if it's possible (and/or worth it) to get that feat.

All characters get one feat at level 1 and gain another at every multiple of 3 total character levels. So for the current maximum level of 20, you eventually get 7 feats. Human characters get one additional feat at level 1, for a total of 8. These feats can be chosen from the entire list as long as you meet prerequisites.

Some classes gain more feat selections in addition to these. These bonus feats can't be chosen from the whole list; instead, they're restricted to feats that fit the class's area of expertise. Fighters gain an extra fighting-related feat at Fighter level 1 and at every even Fighter level. Wizards gain an extra Metamagic feat at Wizard level 1 and every multiple of 5 Wizard levels. Monks gain an extra martial arts-related feat at Monk levels 1, 2, and 6.

Some other classes automatically gain certain feats for free at certain levels.

Once you've done that, you are given a summary of your choices. Carefully review this summary to ensure everything is correct.

Step 8 - Spell Selection (Certain classes only)
Certain spell casting classes get a final page to select what spells they start with. Neither Bards nor Sorcerers have free spell swapping upon level-up, and doing so between levels is costly and slow (limited to one spell every 3 days), so you should really think about what spell you want before you need to pick.

As for Wizards and Artificers, you should probably select at least one damage spell and then whatever you want. Even if you don't want to be a damage dealing Wizard/Artificer in the long run, a damage spell will greatly get you through those early quests/levels. Since you can swap spells at any shrine or tavern, and Inscribe spells into your spell book whenever you have the scroll and required inscription materials, it's not a big deal if you choose some spells at start which you end up deciding you don't like.

Step 9 - Final Page
Appearance customization, name and alignment are the final three things you must select from.

Appearance
Here you're given the option to customize how your character will look in the game world. You can alter your hairstyle, facial hair, eyebrow style, hair color, eye geometry, eye iris color, nose geometry, lip geometry, facial details (scars mainly, a few race specific unique features like Halfling glasses), and skin tone.

Name
In the upper-right you can type in your desired name for your character. The surname field is optional and has no effect other than cosmetics. There cannot be more than one person with the same first name on a single server regardless of whether you would've had different surnames.

Alignment
Below the name, you have a little drop-down box listing the various alignments you can choose from. Only good and neutral alignments are available in DDO, no evil alignments. Some classes are restricted to certain alignments.
 * Lawful Good
 * Neutral Good
 * Chaotic Good
 * Lawful Neutral
 * Neutral (AKA True Neutral)
 * Chaotic Neutral

Complete
Click the create button and you're done. Now you can enter the world!