Standard or variant, the best classes and feats for a human in the 2014 rules, and two builds ready to play.
Under the 2014 rules your race sets your ability score increases. The standard human, the one in the SRD, gets +1 to every score: six points in total, more than any other race, but spread thin. It suits classes that need three or more good scores, like the paladin and monk.
The Player's Handbook also has an optional variant human: +1 to two scores, one extra skill and a feat at level 1. Most tables allow it, and it is one of the strongest race choices in 5e, because no other Player's Handbook race starts with a feat.
Players call the human boring right up until the variant human fighter takes Great Weapon Master at level 1 and spends the first four levels hitting harder than anyone else. The standard human is fine. The variant human is why half the tables I run have a human on them. Ask your DM which one you get before you build.
+1 to all six scores. Put your odd numbers (15 and 13 in the standard array) where you want 16 and 14.
Common and one extra language of your choice.
30 feet.
The standard human is in the SRD and is what the builds below use. If your table allows the variant human, take it for almost any build and spend the feat on the ones listed under Feats.
These ratings assume the variant human. A standard human is a solid pick for any class, and best on the paladin, monk and ranger, which need several good scores.
Spirit GuardiansSpirit Guardians3rd-level ConjurationConcentrationCastingActionRangeSelfDuration10 minutesSaveWisdomDamage3d8 RadiantYou call forth spirits to protect you. They flit around you to a distance of 15 feet for the duration. If you are good or neutral, their spectral form appears angelic or fey (your choice). If you are evil, they appear fiendish. up later on. Any +1 to Wisdom and Constitution helps.
All of these are Player's Handbook feats, so check that your table uses feats at all:
The SRD includes one feat, GrapplerGrapplerGENERAL featYou have advantage on attack rolls against a creature you are grappling.. Xanathar's Guide to Everything adds Prodigy for humans, half-elves and half-orcs: a skill, a tool, a language and Expertise in one skill.
Chain mail, a greatsword and nothing to keep track of but Second Wind and Action Surge. As a variant human, start with Great Weapon Master instead.
Build this human
BlessBless1st-level EnchantmentConcentrationCastingActionRange30 feetDuration1 minuteYou bless up to three creatures of your choice within range. Whenever a target makes an attack roll or a saving throw before the spell ends, the target can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to the attack roll or saving throw., 
Shield of FaithShield of Faith1st-level AbjurationConcentrationCastingBonus ActionRange60 feetDuration10 minutesA shimmering field appears and surrounds a creature of your choice within range, granting it a +2 bonus to AC for the duration.The standard human's +1s land on Strength, Constitution and Charisma at once. Holds the line, heals with Lay on Hands and smites what gets close. As a variant human, take Polearm Master and a glaive.
Build this humanThe standard human is solid: +1 to every score. The variant human is one of the best races in the 2014 rules, because it starts with a feat at level 1. Ask your DM whether the variant is allowed.
An optional rule in the Player's Handbook. Instead of +1 to every score, you get +1 to two scores, one skill proficiency and one feat at level 1.
Fighter or paladin with the variant human, taking Great Weapon Master, Sharpshooter or Polearm Master at level 1. A standard human is best on classes that need three good scores, like the paladin or monk.
No. Humans have no Darkvision, so they need a light source or a friend who can see in the dark.
Build a human in a couple of minutes and start an adventure in your browser. Play solo, or send your friends a link and play together.
This guide includes material from the System Reference Document 5.1 by Wizards of the Coast LLC, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. TableForge is not affiliated with Wizards of the Coast. Full licenses.
