Summary
The Lord of the Rings roleplaying game, which is balanced for fifth editionDungeons & Dragons, features several new species, or ‘Heroic Cultures,’ for players to choose from. These Heroic Cultures span the full breadth of Middle Earth and are ideal for anyone who remembers that the world of Tolkien actually inspired Dungeons & Dragons itself.
But, if you’re just diving into The Lord of the Rings roleplaying game for the first time, you might be wondering which Heroic Culture is right for you. Here’s a list of every species, or Heroic Culture, you’re able to play as in the game.
Strong-limbed, fair hair, long hair
Best Background
Healing Hands
Bardings are Northmen who come from a noble background. They rebuilt the city of Dale from nothing after the Dragon Smaug decimated it some time ago, creating a new era of wealth for themselves. Bardings are often merchants and world travelers who are similar in nature to the Men of the West. They are often recognized by their long hair and unique adventuring gear.
Typically, you’ll want to play a barding as though they come from a noble background, or at least some kind of material wealth. Each Heroic Culture in the game comes with six different unique background options for you to choose from. Bardings have many great options that grant individual proficiencies, but the Healing Hands background is best, as this grants you the ability to craft a Potion of Healing.
Exceptionally strong, short and stout, bearded
The Grief of Azanulbizar
Dwarves are another classic Tolkien creation that fans of The Lord of the Rings are sure to be familiar with. These dwarves operate similarly to the dwarves in a typical Dungeons & Dragons campaign. They are hearty and strong and also have a variety of subspecies on offer, which can help boost your Intelligence, Charisma, Wisdom, or Strength depending on your selection.
As far as backgrounds go, selecting The Grief of Azanulbizar is a classic option as it gives you proficiencywith Smith’s Tools, which just feels right for dwarves. Additionally, what’s great about dwarves is that heavy armor doesn’t impose disadvantage on fatigue-saving throws, which are The Lord of the Rings version of Exhaustion in Dungeons & Dragons.
Maker of Ships
Elves in The Lord of the Rings also function quite similarly to the elves in a typical Dungeons & Dragons game. They are lithe, youthful, and beautiful-looking, and rather adept with bows and swords. Like dwarves, elves also have a subspecies option known as the elves of Lindon (with more subspecies to become available), which grants a +1 to Dexterity and Intelligence.
The most unique feature elves have is their elven skill, which allows them to obtain a magical success when they add their proficiency bonus to an ability check. Magical successes allow players in-game to achieve things that might otherwise be impossible to mere mortals, at the GM’s discretion, of course. Examples of magical successes might include leaping over an impossibly large chasm without falling, or recalling an event from thousands of years ago as though you were there.
Restless Farmer
Hobbits are another classic Tolkien creature that serves asthe inspiration for halflingsin Dungeons & Dragons. Just like in the novels, this species is gentle and kind-hearted, with a particular affinity for parties and food. Select the Restless Farmer background to gain proficiency with Cook’s Utensils, which is just perfect for hobbits.
Like elves and dwarves, hobbits also have several subspecies options that allow you to increase either your Charisma, Wisdom, or Constitution score by one. The harfoot hobbit is particularly good as you’re able to choose to become proficient with herbalism kits, allowing you to craft a Potion of Healing for your party, which is extremely useful.
Up the Greenway
The men of Bree are most akin to your typical ‘human’ species that you would see in a normal D&D campaign. Men of Bree are happy people, independent and wise beyond their appearance. They do not have a proclivity for war and prefer a simple life.
The Lord of the Rings roleplaying game offers several new skills for players to try their hand at beyond the typical skills you find in Dungeons & Dragons. One of the backgrounds offered to the men of Bree, known as Up the Greenway, offers two proficiencies in these skills: Old Lore and Riddle. This is relatively unique and can help ingrain you into the world of Middle Earth, despite the fact that, in essence, you’re playing a human in this setting. Plus, riddles are common in Middle Earth, so you might need this skill.
Hunter of Orcs
Lastly, the rangers of the north serve as guardians who strive to keep the people of Eriador free from worry. They are highly secretive and don’t often give out their real names to people, even the ones they protect from harm. They dress dark, obscuring themselves from view.
Beyond getting the most proficiencies and Ability Score boosts of any Heroic Culture, the rangers of the north are also highly versatile. Many of their background options offer great skill proficiencies, meaning you’ll start every campaign with at least four proficiencies andAbility Score improvements. The most classic option on offer in terms of backgrounds comes in the form of Hunter of Orcs, which grants proficiency in Hunting and Stealth, which feels ideal for rangers. However, the Protector of the Land background is also helpful, as you gain tool proficiency with herbalism kits.
