This is a checklist of questions to help you build a new character. You can answer them however you want, but if you want instant inspiration, most questions have tables that you can roll to get your answers. To do this properly, you will need the PHB (Player's Handbook), and the XGE (Xanathars Guide to Everything). Note, with the answer to many questions, you should think as to why that question is true. Does the answer fit with what you have so far?
What class are you?
Choose or roll from the "Class" table on XGE 72. You will have to choose a subclass as well. More information on classes/subclasses is available in Chapter 3 of the PHB. (or Chapter 3 of the Basic Rules)
Note: You might want to delay answering these subquestions until after you've answered the "What's your background?" question.
If you want to roll for your subclass, see the Character Creation Tables.
(Note: Weapons can be found on PHB 149).
This is highly optional, but the XGE section for your class has a set of questions that you can answer to help you suss your character out better.
What is your background?
You can choose from the list of backgrounds on D&D Beyond, or create your own custom background using the method on PHB 126. If you want to be lazy, use the suggested background in your class "Quick Build" section. If you want to roll for this, roll on the "Backgrounds in the PHB" table below (or the Character Creation Tables if you want more options).
What are your personal characteristics?
Choose or roll on your background's "Trait" (and you get two of those bad boys), "Ideal", "Bond", and "Flaw" tables.
What race are you?
Choose or roll from the "Race" table on XGE 73. Write down (and choose) what racial features you get. More information on races is available in Chapter 1 of the PHB. (or Chapter 1 of the Basic Rules)
You can also use the table in the Reincarnate spell, or mrpeach32's "Updated Reincarnate Table".
If you're human, there's a list of common ethnicities on PHB 30. You may roll for this using my Human Ethnicity Table.
Some races harmonize better with certain classes than others, due to those racial bonuses. You may want to reroll your race if there's a total conflict.
What is your gender identity?
What is your sexual orientation?
Choose or roll from my Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Tables.
On your race page, there's a way to make a name! I also like the Fantasy Name Generators D&D Race Name Generator. More names are available in Appendix B of XGE, starting on page 125.
What are your ability scores?
See the "Determine Ability Scores" section (also on PHB 12). I prefer to use the "point buy" system as described in the "Variant: Customizing Ability Scores" section, though if you want to be lazy, the "Standard Array" (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8) is fine. It's a decent idea to use your class "Quick Build" suggestion. Don't forget to add your racial bonus, and level up if your class tells you that you can. (Instead of improving ability scores, you can take a feat if you want.)
What is your alignment?
Choose or roll from my PC Alignment Table, or from the "Alignment" table on XGE 72. You might want to reroll your "Ideal" if it's inconsistent.
See the "Gods of the Multiverse" chapter (also in the PHB, starting on page 293). Make sure it's somewhat consistent with your alignment (and possibly domain).
Most of these have a box on your character sheet, but you should probably also take all of the answers to these questions, and put them together into an "Appearance" paragraph.
Choose or roll from "Life Events By Age" table on XGE 69. Roll how many "Life Events" you have, you'll need this later. This table assumes that you're human, so...
- If you're an elf, multiply by 5
- If you're a dwarf, multiply by 2.5
- If you're a gnome, multiply by 2
- If you're a dragonborn or half-orc, multiply by 0.75
See "Height and Weight" section on PHB 121. Note, it's a good idea to note if the character is "tall (for an elf)", or "short (for a human)", or "heavy (for a tiefling)", or "waif-like (for a dwarf)". Descriptors are slightly more useful than raw "145 lbs.", though you should have both. To find out if your dice rolls are high or low, use my Dice to Distribution tool.
If you're a human, this should probably be near where you chose your name. Otherwise, make some arbitrary choices. If you want to roll, use the tables on the D&D Wiki "Random Hair and Eye Color" page.
See the table on PHB 157. If you want to roll for this, roll using the "Family Lifestyle" table on XGE 63.
Scars? Unusual fashion sense? Other? None? It helps to come back to this after you've done your background.
Most of these questions can be answered by the "This Is Your Life" section of XGE, starting on page 61. And again, the best way to do this is to answer all the questions, then join/edit them into a small little "Background" essay.
Note: When you're creating NPCs, it helps to use the "Supplemental Tables" starting on XGE 72. I always try to fill out race, gender, and name. You can also roll for alignment, occupation, relationship, status, and age.
Note: If you're starting off at a higher "Tier of Play", then you should probably an extra life event or two, to simulate the levels you've skipped. For example, if you're starting the campaign as a level 12 character, how'd you get to level 12?
Choose or roll a trinket from PHB 160. This trinket usually comes from the background above, but it doesn't have to.
You might want to consider one of the five basic factions, such as the Harpers, The Order of the Gauntlet, the Emerald Enclave, The Lords’ Alliance, or the Zhentarim.