5th Edition D&D Subraces: Human

In the early editions of D&D, humans were the foundation on which other races were compared. In other words, they were bland. Humans had no advantages or penalties (with the exception of being able to rise to any level in any class). Starting with 3rd edition, humans were instead described as the most flexible and adaptable of races, granting them a choice of ability scores increases, bonus feats, and training in a choice of skills. Humans went from the least played race to one of my favorites.

Humans in the 5th edition Player's Handbook continue what 3rd edition started, providing two options for your human characters.

1. Gain +1 to all ability scores (as opposed to the standard +2 to one and +1 to a second of other races).
2. Gain a +1 to two ability scores, proficiency in a skill of your choice, and a free feat at 1st level.

Using the second option gives you quite a few choices when creating characters from specific cultures. For example, if you want your human to have come from a race born on the open plains and commonly using mounts for transport and war, you could put your skill bonuses in Strength, Constitution and/or Wisdom, select proficiency in Animal Handling and take the Mounted Combatant feat. A human from a country bordering on demonic invasion, such as the Worldwound from Pathfinder's Golarion, may put their bonuses in Constitution, Intelligence and/or Wisdom, select proficiency in Arcana or Religion, and take the Mage Slayer, Magic Initiate or Ritual Caster feats. However, these options aren't limitless due to the small number of feats*.

Below you will find a variety of human subraces who hail from specific environments or countries with particular cultural or political leanings. These subraces are built using the half-elf as a guide, and the following abilities replace those of a standard human. Each subrace gains +2 to one ability score and +1 to two others. They also gain proficiency in one or two skills and one special ability, such as Darkvision 60 feet, Advantage on specific saving throws, etc.

Human Subraces by Environment

• Arctic: +1 Strength, +2 Constitution, +1 Wisdom; Advantage on saves against cold as well as environmental effects involving cold, ice, snow, hail, etc; proficiency in either Athletics or Survival
• Desert: +2 Constitution, +1 Intelligence, +1 Wisdom; Advantage on saves against fire as well as environmental effects of heat; proficiency in either Nature or Survival
• Coastal: +1 Constitution, +2 Dexterity, +1 Wisdom; proficiency with spears, tridents, nets, vehicles (water), and two tools from the following list: carpenter, cartographer, navigator, weaver, woodcutter. Proficiency in either Acrobatics or Athletics
• Forest: +1 Constitution, +2 Dexterity, +1 Wisdom; moving through nonmagical difficult terrain costs you no extra movement and you may move through nonmagical plants without being slowed by them and without taking damage from thorns, spines, or similar hazards. At 6th level, this ability grants Advantage on saving throws against plants that are magically created or manipulated to impede movement, such as those created by the entangle spell. Proficiency in either Athletics or Survival
• Grassland: +1 Constitution, +2 Dexterity, +1 Wisdom; move 35, Advantage on Constitution saves involving forced marches; proficiency either Nature or Stealth
• Jungle: +2 Strength, +1 Dexterity, +1 Wisdom; Advantage on saves against disease; proficiency with either herbalism or poisoner kits, and either Nature or Survival
• Mountain: +2 Strength, +1 Constitution, +1 Wisdom; climbing costs you no extra movement, Advantage on saves against environmental effects involving altitude (low pressure, decreased oxygen, altitude sickness); proficiency in either Athletics or Survival
• Swamp: +1 Strength, +2 Constitution, +1 Wisdom; Advantage on saves against poison and disease; proficiency in Nature or Survival
• Underdark: +1 Intelligence, +2 Wisdom, +1 Charisma; Darkvision 60 feet; proficiency in both Perception and Stealth

Human Subraces by Culture

• Political State: +1 Dexterity, +1 Intelligence, +2 Charisma; +5 bonus to passive Insight and passive Investigation scores; proficiency in both Insight and Persuasion
• Theocracy: +2 Wisdom, +1 Intelligence, +1 Charisma; Advantage on saving throws against either radiant or necrotic damage and effects; proficiency in either Persuasion or Religion
• Martial State: +2 Strength, +1 Constitution, +1 Intelligence; proficiency in any two weapons, any one tool kit, light armor or shields, and either either Athletics or History

* = Feats in 5th edition are fewer in number and more powerful than in previous editions. Each class allows the character to gain an ability score increase five times (six for rogues and seven for fighters) during their career. In place of gaining an ability score increase, the player may instead take a feat. Since the earliest a character can take a feat is 4th level, gaining a bonus feat at 1st is a significant advantage.