---
title: 12 minute build
subtitle: 'Quickest possible D&D character build'
author: Seth Kenlon
date: 2022-02-20 20:20
publish_date: 2022-02-20 20:20
hero_classes: text-light title-h1h2 overlay-dark-gradient hero-large parallax
hero_image: 5e-icewind-dale-character-sheet-1600x800.jpg
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taxonomy:
category: gaming
tag: [tip, gm, rpg, 5e, dnd]
---
<p>
I've written about <a href="
http://mixedsignals.ml/games/blog/blog_one-shot" target="_blank">one shots</a> before, and one of my tips for a successful <em>quick</em> game of D&D is to bring prebuild characters.
However, there are two potential problems with that advice:
</p>
<ol>
<li><p>
Somebody needs to build those characters
</p></li>
<li><p>
A player may want to build their own character just for the experience or out of preference
</p></li>
</ol>
<p>
I've gotten the 5e character build process down to just under 12 minutes.
It's not a complete build and it wouldn't be suitable for a long campaign, but for a single game session, such as you might play at a conference or at a friend's house after dinner, it's perfectly usable.
Additionally, you can use this method to build a character at any level.
</p>
<p>
The theory behind the 12-minute build is that much of the power scaling in 5e is attributable to the proficiency bonus, and that the primary mechanic in a quick game is the d20 roll.
Sure, each class has special features that get introduced along the way to help characters gain power, but in a one-shot game those features are secondary to the real workhorse of D&D 5e: rolling a d20 and adding your attribute modifier and proficiency bonus.
</p>
<p>
You can use this method to build a few characters before your friends arrive for an evening game, or you can use it to guide your friends while they build their own characters at the table.
</p>
<p>
Keen to give it a try?
Here it is.
Feel free to time this.
</p>
<ol>
<li><p>
Pick a class and use the <strong>Quick Build</strong> section to dictate what features and spells you take.
Write those features on a sheet of paper or character sheet.
</p>
<p>
Skip choosing a background, you don't have time for that.
</p></li>
<li><p>
Write down the features listed under <strong>Class Features</strong>, including <strong>Hit Dice</strong>, <strong>Hit Points</strong> (use the average), <strong>Proficiencies</strong>, and <strong>Equipment</strong>.
</p>
<p>
Pick 5 <strong>Skill</strong> proficiencies (3 standard plus 2 for having skipped over background selection.)
</p></li>
<li><p>
Use the standard array (15,14,13,12,10,8) to assign scores to attributes.
Boost one score by 2 for free (you're using <strong>Tasha's Cauldron</strong> rules for a custom lineage.)
</p>
<p>
Your speed is 30 feet.
<p>
Add your CON modifier to HP.
</p>
<p>
Your AC is 10 + DEX modifier.
</p></li>
<li><p>
Choose your level.
</p>
<p>
Multiply your HP and your Hit Dice by your level to determine their new values.
</p></li>
<li><p>
Record the data in the class table.
This includes your level, proficiency bonus, features, and spell slots for magic users.
</p>
<p>
If you're building a character with spell slots above level 1, then you will upcast the existing spells you gained at level 1.
</p></li>
<li><p>
Choose a race and a name.
</p></li>
</ol>
<p>
12 minutes, almost guaranteed.
</p>
<p>
It's not perfect, but it's only 12 minutes.
There's plenty of room for experienced players who are familiar with their class to choose a feat or to use one of their class abilities that this build skips over.
You can make an allowance for a new player to leaf through the PHB for an interesting spell while another player is taking their turn in combat.
The idea, though, is to get everyone at the table a playable character in the minimum amount of time, and for that playable character to <em>feel</em> like a D&D character.
Using a little bit of PHB quick build tips and a little bit of Tasha's customization, this gets pretty close, especially at low levels.
</p>
<p>
And any way, it's a one shot.
By the time anyone thinks to complain that they don't have enough cool stuff to do, they'll have already slaughtered three demons and looted a room full of magic items.
Don't sweat the build.
</p>
<div class="mxs_attribution">
<p>
Header image of Icewind Dale character sheets by
<a href="
http://wizards.com" target="_blank">Wizards of the Coast</a>
</p>
</div>
