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5e5e Point Buy
Race Build Guide

Dwarf (Hill & Mountain Dwarf) Point Buy Guide for D&D 5e

Dwarves are one of the toughest races in 5e, and both subraces bring exceptional durability. Hill Dwarf adds +2 CON and +1 WIS plus 1 extra HP per level — deceptively powerful over a full campaign. Mountain Dwarf adds +2 CON and +2 STR, making it one of the few races to grant four raw stat points across just two ability scores. For Clerics, Fighters, and Paladins, Dwarves are consistently among the strongest race options.

Updated Reviewed by D&D Content Team10 min read

Dwarf (Hill/Mountain) Lore & Background

Dwarves are synonymous with persistence, craft, and underground fortresses. In the Forgotten Realms, Dwarven strongholds like Mithral Hall and Gauntlgrym are legendary. Hill Dwarves (Gold Dwarves) tend toward civilized settlements and religious tradition. Mountain Dwarves (Shield Dwarves) are stoic warriors famous across the North. Both share the Dwarven resilience traits and a cultural affinity for axes and hammers that the weapon training reflects mechanically.

Mechanical Traits

All Dwarves: +2 CON, darkvision 60 ft, Dwarven Resilience (advantage vs poison, resistance to poison damage), Dwarven Combat Training (battleaxe, handaxe, throwing hammer, warhammer), stonecunning (double proficiency on History checks related to stonework), and the Dwarven trait of no speed penalty in heavy armor. Hill Dwarf adds: +1 WIS, Dwarven Toughness (max HP increases by 1 per level — at level 10, that's 10 extra HP). Mountain Dwarf adds: +2 STR, Dwarven Armor Training (light and medium armor proficiency).

Ability Score Bonuses

2014 PHB

Hill Dwarf: +2 CON, +1 WIS. Exceptional for Clerics — CON covers concentration saves and HP, WIS is the primary casting stat. Mountain Dwarf: +2 CON, +2 STR. One of the only races in the game to grant four total stat points. A Mountain Dwarf Fighter with 15 STR and 14 CON from point buy reaches STR 17 and CON 16 after racial bonuses — frontline powerhouse from level 1.

2024 PHB

Under 2024 rules, Dwarf ASIs flex, but the core traits (Dwarven Resilience, Dwarven Toughness for Hill Dwarf, darkvision) remain defining features.

Sample Point Buy Builds

Life Cleric (Hill Dwarf)

STR10
DEX8
CON15
INT8
WIS16
CHA12

STR 10 / DEX 8 / CON 13+2 / INT 8 / WIS 15+1 / CHA 12. WIS 16, CON 15, plus 1 extra HP per level. The quintessential healer build. 25 points.

Battlemaster Fighter (Mountain Dwarf)

STR16
DEX13
CON15
INT12
WIS8
CHA8

STR 14+2 / DEX 13 / CON 13+2 / INT 12 / WIS 8 / CHA 8. STR 16, CON 15, actually spending points on INT for Battlemaster maneuvers. 26 points.

Forge Cleric (Mountain Dwarf)

STR15
DEX8
CON15
INT8
WIS14
CHA10

STR 13+2 / DEX 8 / CON 13+2 / INT 8 / WIS 14 / CHA 10. STR 15, CON 15, WIS 14. Heavy armor + medium armor proficiency from race. 23 points.

Best Class Pairings for Dwarf (Hill/Mountain)

Cleric point buy build

Hill Dwarf is arguably the best Cleric race: +1 WIS to primary casting stat, +2 CON for concentration and HP, and Dwarven Toughness making the healer noticeably harder to drop.

Fighter point buy build

Mountain Dwarf's +2 STR/+2 CON gives Fighter the highest raw stat total of any PHB race, and fighters don't need any other stats to function.

Paladin point buy build

Mountain Dwarf partially solves Paladin's MAD — +2 STR covers attacks, +2 CON covers HP, leaving only CHA needing point buy investment.

Barbarian point buy build

+2 CON stacks with Unarmored Defense and the already-massive Barbarian HP. Dwarven Resilience against poison is nice, and Mountain Dwarf's STR helps attacks.

Druid point buy build

Hill Dwarf's WIS+1 boosts spell save DC. Dwarves also ignore the Druid's metal armor restriction through their Dwarven Combat Training weapon proficiencies.

Common Build Mistakes

Hill Dwarf players forgetting Dwarven Toughness stacks over levels — at level 20 that's 20 extra HP, more than one level's worth of hit dice for a d8 class. Also: Mountain Dwarf's armor training giving light and medium armor proficiency is wasted on classes that already have it, but relevant for Wizards who take Mountain Dwarf specifically for this trait.

Frequently Asked Questions — Dwarf (Hill/Mountain)

Is Mountain Dwarf or Hill Dwarf better?
Depends on class. Hill Dwarf is better for Clerics and WIS-primary casters. Mountain Dwarf is better for melee martials. Hill Dwarf's Toughness is underrated at high levels.
Can a Dwarf Wizard wear medium armor?
Yes — Mountain Dwarf's Dwarven Armor Training gives light and medium armor proficiency regardless of class. A Mountain Dwarf Wizard with Mage Armor has 13+DEX AC, or can use chain shirt (13+DEX) from armor training.
Do Dwarves really not lose speed in heavy armor?
Correct. Standard heavy armor imposes a speed reduction unless your STR meets the minimum; Dwarves ignore this restriction entirely, making heavy armor more accessible.
What's Dwarven Resilience worth?
Advantage on saving throws vs poison is good, and poison resistance (half damage) is excellent. Poison is a common damage type in lower-tier play and some high-tier encounters.
Is Hill Dwarf legal in Adventurers League?
Fully legal in AL.

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