Summary

InDungeons & Dragons, selecting a species undoubtedly says something about your personality. Most of all, selecting a certain species over another can say a lot about whether or not you’re a hardcore edgelord or not. But, you might be wondering which species are the most edgy, and which ones mean you’re an edgy player.

If that’s the case, we’ve taken the steps to definitively rank the DND species by edginess. If you select one of the below species, chances are, you’ve got a bit of a dark side to you. Here are the species from DND, ranked by edginess.

Dungeons & Dragons 2024 Player’s Handbook artwork of halflings sharing a feast together.

For this list, we’re just looking at the core species from the 2024 Player’s Handbook, not species that are featured in supplements or other sourcebooks.

10Halfling

Not Even A Little Edgy

I mean, c’mon guys,halflings are basically the goody-two-shoesof the Dungeons & Dragons universe. In the description for the species found in the 2024 Player’s Handbook, halflings are described as gentle beings who tend to value home and hearth above all else. Good food, vibes, and more are the hallmarks of halflings.

When all is said and done, if you pick halfling for your DND species, you’ve basically got no edge at all. You’ve probably never skipped school, and maybe haven’t ever broken a single rule in your life. We love you anyway, though.

Dungeons & Dragons 2024 Players Handbook artwork of gnomes working to make a construct.

9Gnome

Small But Mighty

Similar to halflings, gnomes are also known for having a clever and kind disposition. They’re not necessarily known for being particularly edgy, but some gnomes do have more of a wry sensibility. However, ultimately, gnomes are small with big eyes and pointed ears, making them extra cute.

At the end of the day, a gnome is barely edgier than a halfling. The only thing that allows gnomes to eke out a bit more edge than their halfling counterparts is that they tend to be great inventors, meaning they can create weapons, armor, and traps to contend with enemies. This gives them slightly more edge, meaning, if you pick gnome, you might be a bit more hardcore than you think.

Dungeons & Dragons 2024 Player’s Handbook artwork of humans gathered during a celebration.

8Human

Yawn

We’ve all done it. We’ve all played a human at least once in Dungeons & Dragons. Ultimately, this is the most boring species selection you can pick in DND. After all, why play a version of yourself when you can be a fantastical creature?

Humans, of course, in real life, can span the gap from having an edge to no edge at all. But, in essence, humans just aren’t very edgy as a species. If you pick this species, you might have some innate edge to you, but it’s ultimately going to come down to how you roleplay your character. There’s nothing naturally hardcore about humans in Dungeons & Dragons.

This Dungeons & Dragons 2024 Player’s Handbook artwork features dwarves working together.

7Dwarf

Gettin' A Little Tougher

Dwarves are hearty and tough, despite their short stature.Dwarves are experts with weaponsand forges, making them a little tougher than most other species. Of course, dwarves, like halflings, are still very warm and welcoming in ways, but they’ve got a bit more of an edge to them thanks to their strong resolve.

If you select a dwarf as your species, you’re probably someone who has a tougher outer shell. This means you’re probably a little more hardcore than most, and your thick skin gets you out of a lot of problems in life. Ultimately, picking a dwarf means you’ve definitely got spunk and maybe a little edge to you.

Dungeons & Dragons 2024 Player’s artwork of goliaths moving a stone pillar.

6Goliath

Just A Dash Of Edge

As we progress through the list, it’s worth noting that some species in Dungeons & Dragons can be made edgier by which subspecies you select. The goliath species is a great example of this. When you select this species, you can choose between six different subspecies that dictate your giant lineage.

If you select something like a fire or storm giant, you’ve definitely got some edge to you. However, if you select something like hill giant, well, you might be a bit more milquetoast than you think. However, if you pick a storm giant, you might’ve been the baddest kid in all of detention.

Dungeons & Dragons art showing a group of orcs.

5Orc

The Tusks Really Sell It

As Dungeons & Dragons has evolved, so too has the mythology surrounding orcs. In works likeThe Lord of the Rings, orcs are pure evil and only serve maligned designs. In older editions of Dungeons & Dragons, half-orcs carried this legacy. However, in the 2024 Player’s Handbook, orcs are a bit broader as a species.

However, if you do select orc, you can’t deny that the tusks make you look pretty cool. Plus, orcs don’t get knocked down very easily and are hard to kill in battle, which is awesome. If you pick orc for your species, you’re probably someone who won’t go down without a fight, which is hardcore.

Dungeons & Dragons image showing elves prancing around.

4Elf

That Is, If You Pick Drow

Similar to goliaths, elves can be really hardcore or not at all hardcore, depending on what kind of subspecies you pick. Obviously, if you select a subspecies like high or wood elf, you’re probably not someone who others would describe as edgy. However, if you pick the drow subspecies, well, let’s just say a Hot Topic hates to see you coming.

Drow are one of the coolest subspecies you’re able to play in Dungeons & Dragons, especially if you adhere to the legacy rule that you suffer while in sunlight as a drow. Plus, at fifth level, drow can inherently cast spells like Darkness, which is really edgy and helpful when coming up with a dramatic, scary character concept.

Dungeons & Dragons image showing several dragonborn talking.

3Dragonborn

Hardcore

While dragonborn aren’t inherently edgy, they have so many different features that can help make your character come off like a dark, edgy loner. Plus, the color choice you make for your dragonborn can say a lot about how edgy you are overall.

For example, if you select the black or green dragonborn variation, which allows your breath weapon to fire acid or poison, respectively, you might be a pretty hardcore tabletop gamer. Of course, if you select a more traditional dragonborn breath weapon, you might be a bit more of a normie. Still, the ability to have a breath weapon and fly is, base-level, pretty edgy.

Dungeons & Dragons image showing a village of aasimar.

2Aasimar

Go Necrotic Mode

Again, depending on what kind of aasimar subspecies you select, you might either be a big softie or bad to the bone. Technically speaking, aasimar don’t have subspecies, but rather, unique celestial revelations, which are different transformation options that can color your character concept in unique ways.

If you select the necrotic shroud transformation, you’re definitely a stone-cold killer with a ton of edge to you. This transformation option allows your character to transform their eyes into pools of darkness as flightless wings sprout from their back. You can also impose the frightened condition with this effect, which is just about one of the edgiest features you can have in Dungeons & Dragons.

Dungeons & Dragons 2024 Player’s Handbook Tieflings gambling around a table.

1Tiefling

The Edgiest

Last, but certainly not least, selecting tiefling for your species in Dungeons & Dragons undoubtedly means you are the edgiest player at your table. Like many of the other species on this list, there are several subspecies of tiefling you can select, but all of them are equally hardcore.

Tieflings are descended from fiendish ancestors in the Lower Planes, and are often connected ancestrally to a demon or devil. It really doesn’t get much more hardcore than that. If you select tiefling as your species, the other players at your table had better watch out. You’re too cool for school.