Halfling 5e
Halflings are a small, cheerful race known for their luck and courage. Standing about 3 feet tall, they are practical people who value home, hearth, and comfort. Despite their size, halflings are remarkably brave and resourceful. They are affable and get along well with most races. Halflings are adept at fitting into communities of other races and making themselves useful.
At a Glance
Ability Scores
+2 Dexterity
Size
Small
Speed
25 ft.
Languages
Common, Halfling
Source
Player's Handbook
Racial Traits
| Trait | Description |
|---|---|
| Lucky | When you roll a 1 on an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw, you can reroll the die and must use the new roll. |
| Brave | You have advantage on saving throws against being <a href="/rules/conditions/frightened-condition-5e/">frightened</a>. |
| Halfling Nimbleness | You can move through the space of any creature that is of a size larger than yours. |
| Small | Your size is Small. Small creatures have disadvantage with heavy weapons. |
Subraces
| Subrace | Bonus |
|---|---|
| Lightfoot Halfling | +1 Charisma. Naturally Stealthy: You can attempt to hide even when you are obscured only by a creature that is at least one size larger than you. |
| Stout Halfling | +1 Constitution. Stout Resilience: You have advantage on saving throws against poison, and you have resistance against poison damage. |
Common Mistakes
Common Mistake
Forgetting Lucky only rerolls natural 1s, not just any low roll
Common Mistake
Not using Halfling Nimbleness to move through ally spaces tactically
Common Mistake
Thinking Naturally Stealthy lets you hide anywhere (you need to be obscured by a larger creature)
Common Mistake
Not taking advantage of Lucky on critical saving throws
Common Mistake
Forgetting disadvantage on heavy weapons due to Small size
DM Tips
DM Tip
Lucky is one of the most powerful racial abilities - it prevents critical failures
DM Tip
Lightfoot Halflings make excellent rogues and infiltrators
DM Tip
Stout Halflings are surprisingly tough with their poison resistance
DM Tip
Halfling communities value comfort, food, and family - create cozy villages
DM Tip
Their small size allows for creative problem-solving in tight spaces
DM Tip
Brave makes them surprisingly effective against fear-based enemies
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & Further Reading
- Halfling — D&D 5e Wikidot — Full SRD race text
- Halfling — D&D Beyond — Official race reference
- Halfling Handbook — RPGBOT — Race optimization guide