Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition race
Dwarf (Hill)
Dwarf (Hill) is a race in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition: constitution, poison resistance, and an extra hit point every level.
Last reviewed
Key facts
- Speed
- 25
- Size
- Medium
- Traits
- Darkvision, Dwarven Resilience, Dwarven Combat Training, Tool Proficiency, Stonecunning, Dwarven Toughness
- Languages
- Common, Dwarvish
Overview
The hill dwarf is the SRD durability pick. Constitution +2 raises hit points, concentration saves, and every Constitution save in the game, and Dwarven Toughness adds a further hit point per level on top of that, so a hill dwarf is ahead of the rest of the party from level 1 onward. The rest of the kit is quiet but constant. Advantage on saves against poison plus resistance to poison damage covers one of the most common damage types in the early tiers. The 25 foot speed is never reduced by heavy armor, which cancels the usual penalty for a fully armored character with modest Strength, and Stonecunning doubles your proficiency on History checks about stonework, which comes up in dungeons more often than it sounds.
How it works
Ability Score Increase: +2 Constitution, +1 Wisdom Size: Medium Speed: 25 feet, and heavy armor never reduces it Darkvision: See in dim light within 60 feet as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. Dwarven Resilience: Advantage on saving throws against poison, and resistance to poison damage. Dwarven Combat Training: Proficiency with the battleaxe, handaxe, light hammer, and warhammer. Tool Proficiency: Proficiency with one set of artisan's tools (smith's, brewer's, or mason's). Stonecunning: Double your proficiency bonus on History checks related to stonework. Dwarven Toughness: Your hit point maximum increases by 1, and by 1 more every level.
Tips and playstyle
Best Classes: Cleric (Wisdom plus heavy armor with no speed penalty), Fighter (Constitution plus free martial weapon proficiencies), Paladin, and Druid. Character Concepts: Forge priest, mountain warrior, mine foreman, retired soldier, traveling craftsman, brewer who walked away from the family business. Why Choose Hill Dwarf: Take the hill dwarf when you want to be the character who does not go down. Constitution +2 plus Dwarven Toughness is the largest hit point advantage in the SRD, and poison resistance stays relevant at every tier of play.
Frequently asked questions
How many extra hit points does a Hill Dwarf get?
Dwarven Toughness gives 1 per level, so 20 by level 20, and the Constitution +2 adds another 1 per level whenever it pushes your Constitution modifier up by one. Over a full campaign that is roughly 40 hit points more than a comparable character.
Does the 25 foot speed hurt?
Less than it looks. Heavy armor with a Strength requirement you do not meet normally costs 10 feet of speed, and dwarves ignore that reduction entirely, so an armored dwarf with modest Strength keeps the full 25 feet while other races drop to 20.
Is Wisdom +1 wasted on a fighter?
Not entirely. Wisdom governs Perception, Insight, and Wisdom saving throws, and Wisdom saves are among the most commonly targeted in the game by charm and fear effects. It is not a damage bonus, but it is never dead weight.