Part V: We look at D&D character classes and see how that correlates to who plays them and what type of character they are.
It was early in 2020 that we posed the question: does your personality type affect what kind of D&D character you play as? Well, after about a year of collecting hundreds of responses, we have analyzed them all and come to some interesting conclusions. Not only about personality, but about player gender, age, ethnicity, and how some character choices correlate to others. This is the fifth in a series of blog posts throughout this month to dive into what we learned, and what it means for the game of Dungeons & Dragons.
The first question in our survey focused on Myers-Briggs personality types. The second and third on self-identified gender and ethnicity. The third and fourth were on age groups and occupation choices. The fifth question was about the race of the respondent’s favorite D&D character they have ever played. And the sixth related to character class. We’ve taken a look at each D&D character class and analyzed for player data correlations, as well as other character choice correlations. Again, we had 546 respondents for this survey.
Rogue
Rogue was our most popular class, with an impressive 95 respondents saying their favorite character they’ve ever played was a Rogue. Known for stealth, trap disarming, and sneak attacks, Rogues are also popular across other TTRPG’s and video games.
- 30% of Rogues are played by INFP Mediator personality types.
- 58% of Rogues are played by female players and 59% of these characters are female.
- 32% are on quests of Understanding.
Cleric
Clerics were our second most popular class, with 68 respondents. Known for their devotion to a god, their healing, and versatility in arcane specialties, Clerics make popular party members.
- 52% of Cleric players are female, and 55% of the characters end up being female.
- 57% are on quests of Understanding.
- 35% have a Person vs Self conflict.
Druid
Our third most popular were Druids with 54 respondents. They are able to change form into animals or elementals, and call on nature as their ally.
- 25% are played by INFJ Counselor personality types.
- 72% are played by female players and and impressive 81% of their characters end up being female.
- 55% of Druid players are aged 25 – 34 years.
- 36% are either Elves or Half-Elves.
- 51% are on a quest of Understanding.
- 31% have a Person vs Society conflict.
Bard
Next in line were the Bards with 45 respondents. Entertainers and charmers, Bards have a diverse array of magic to help out a party.
- 28% of Bards are played by INFP Mediator personality types.
- 53% of players are aged 25 – 34 years.
- 29% of them are Tieflings.
- 51% are on quests of Understanding.
- 35% have a Person vs Self conflict.
Ranger
There were 43 Ranger respondents. They were tied with Wizards who also have 43 respondents. This class is known for their connection with nature and animals, as well as their excellent tracking and survival ability.
- 72% of players are female but only 62% of the Ranger characters end up being female.
- 57% are either Elves or Half-Elves.
- 46% are on quests of Understanding.
- 32% have a Person vs Self conflict.
Wizard
Wizards are tied with Rangers for 43 respondents. Wielders of powerful magic, Wizards have multiple specialities they can branch into.
- 53% of Wizard players are male and 55% of the characters end up being male.
- 58% of players are aged 25 – 34 years.
- 27% are Elves.
- 55% are on quests of Understanding.
Warlock
There were 42 Warlock respondents in our survey. Tied with a patron for magical ability, Warlocks have many memes regarding Eldtrich Blast.
- 57% of Warlock players are aged 25 – 34 years.
- 52% of their players are female and 52% of the characters end up being female.
- 23% of Warlock players are Students.
- 23% are Tieflings.
- 52% are on quests of Understanding.
- 38% have a Person vs Self conflict.
Barbarian
We had 33 Barbarian respondents in our survey. Strong, heavy hitters, Barbarians protect other party members with their ability to take lots of damage and keep fighting.
- 57% are male players but a staggering 75% of the characters end up being male.
- 21% are Half-Orcs.
- 39% are on quests of Transformation.
- 27% have a Person vs Society conflict.
Sorcerer
Coming in just behind Barbarians, there were 32 Sorcerer responses in our survey. Born with sometimes unruly magic, Sorcerers are a wild card on the battlefield.
- 30% are played by INFJ Counselor personality types.
- 59% are female players and 59% of the characters end up being female.
- 25% of the players are Students.
- 28% are Half-Elves.
- 37% are on quests of Understanding.
- 40% have a Person vs Society conflict.
Monk
There were 30 Monk players in our survey. Dexterous, calm of mind, and with incredible martial arts abilities, Monks use ki points to fuel their abilities.
- 60% are female players but 50% of the characters end up being female.
- 56% of players are aged 25 – 34 years.
- 50% are on quests of Understanding.
- 33% have a Person vs Society conflict.
Paladin
There were 28 Paladin respondents. Oath-sworn warriors who help others or set out to deliver justice, Paladins are known for heavy armor and impressive weapons.
- 53% are female players but only 46% of the characters end up being female.
- 32% of players are aged 18 – 24 years.
- 25% are Tieflings.
- 35% are on a quest of Understanding.
- 35% have a Person vs Society conflict.
Fighter
There were 22 Fighter respondents. With an array of battle-oriented abilities and fighting styles, Fighters are a versatile melee class.
- 59% of Fighter players are male and 63% of the characters end up being male.
- 100% of the players are White/ Caucasian.
- 57% of the players are aged 25 – 34 years.
- 27% are Humans.
- 47% are on a quest of Understanding.
- 36% have a Person vs Society conflict.
Artificer
There were only four Artificers in our survey, so it is hard to draw a meaningful correlation. Tinkerers and builders, Artificers always have something innovative planned.
- 50% of players are a INTJ Mastermind personality type.
- 100% are male players but 50% of the characters ended up being male.
- 100% of players are aged 25 – 34.
- 50% said they are of an “Other Race” for their character.
- 50% are on a quest of Understanding.
- 50% have a Person vs Society conflict.
Gunslinger
There were only three Gunslingers, so again these results need to be taken with a grain of salt. A class adapted for D&D 5e by Matthew Mercer, Gunslingers wield, obviously, guns.
- 33% are INFJ Mediator personality types.
- 66% are male players but 66% of the characters are female.
- 100% of the players are aged 18 – 24 years.
- 66% of the players are Students.
- 66% are on quests of Transformation.
- 66% have a Person vs Self conflict.
Blood Hunter
There were only three Blood Hunters. Another class recently created by Matthew Mercer, it’s hard to draw any real conclusions with only three responses.
- 66% of the players are female but 66% of the characters ended up being male.
- 66% of players work in the Education field.
- 66% are on a quest of Redemption.