Creating a Character

Deathwish5e can be played using the provided pre-generated characters, but you also have the option to create your own character if you should like to do so!

 

Before you can get started, we recommend that you have a D&D Beyond account. You can register for an account here. If you’ve already got one, or you wish to create your character using another method, you’re ready to begin!

The character creation rules are as follows:

Content Sources: Official D&D 5e content beginning with the 2024 release of the Player’s Handbook is available. Third party content, Legacy content, and Expanded Rules content are not. Some of these sources will be made available through cards earned during gameplay.

Character Level: Level is determined by each adventure and is based on the tier of play. Tier 1 characters are level 3, Tier 2 characters are level 7, Tier 3 characters are level 15, and Tier 4 characters are level 18. Character advancement cards can unlock higher levels within each tier.

Ability Scores: Ability scores are chosen through either Point Cost (27 points using the Ability Score Point Costs table in the 2024 Player’s Handbook) or Standard Array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8). If you are unfamiliar with these options, they are explained in detail here.

Hit Points: Deathwish5e characters use the Fixed Hit Point Type option.

Equipment: Characters do not get starting gold or equipment as they typically would. Instead, you may begin with any standard, non-magical equipment as well as one (1) magic item, the rarity of which depends on your game’s tier of play (Tier 1: uncommon, Tier 2: rare, Tier 3 and 4: very rare). You cannot take so much starting equipment that you would become Encumbered before stowing your items in any special containers (like a Bag of Holding). The categories of equipment are as follows:

• Weapons – You can take any weapons your character is proficient in wielding. You are not required to carry mundane ammunition (such as arrows) for your ranged weapons.
• Armor – You can take any armor your character is proficient in wearing.
• Tools – You can take any tools your character is proficient in using.
• Adventuring Gear – You can take any adventuring gear (except for potions of healing and spell scrolls) your character can carry. Spell components with a gold value are not considered “Adventuring Gear”; you’ll find these as treasure in Card Packs!
• “Mounts and Vehicles” – You cannot select anything from this category.

Spells and Spell Components: Spells that have components with a gold value are required  in order to cast those spells, and spell components can only be found as Deathwish5e treasure cards. Component Pouches, Focuses, and so on are not included in this and can be taken as “Adventuring Gear”.

Deathwish5eTM Conventions

(July 30 - August 3, 2025)