Neverwinter is out, and that means the call of adventure is at your doorstep! However, with any new MMO, and especially one boasting D&D lore, you can rest assured that you'll be able to pick from a diverse cast of races, each with their own racial bonuses. While every single race can be any class in the game, certain races are undeniably better suited for certain classes.
Human
"Of all the civilized races, humans are the most adaptable and diverse. Human settlements can be found almost anywhere, and human morals, customs, and interests vary greatly."
That sums up humans rather well. Unsure players who maybe don't have a class preference, might want to give humans a shot since they're able to asume almost any role with easy. With their increased defense, they're able to withstand slightly more damage, and their ability to put Ability Points into any stat make them truly versatile.
Increase Defense by 3%
Half-Elf
"Descended from elves and humans, half-elves are a vital race in which the best features of elves and humans often appear."
Half-Elves are natural born warriors who also could dabble into some healing. They make great Guardians with their Constitution boost, as well as Clerics with the boost in Wisdom. Their Knack for Success trait makes them gain slightly more gold and deflect damage than other races, which makes the Half-Elves the keen choice for those with an affinity for all things shiny.
Elf (Wood Elf)
"Wild and free, wood elves guard their forested lands using stealth and deadly arrows from the trees. They build their home in close harmony with the forest, so perfectly joined that travelers often fail to notice that they have entered a wood elf community until it is too late."
Unlike their Half-Elf brethren, Wood Elves are much more magic focused. They excell at being both Clerics and Wizards, though with their Dexterity bonus, they can also make good Rogues. For Rogues especially, the Wild Step racial bonus helps allow the Elf be mobile, by having a resistance to being slowed.
Dwarf
"Carved from the bedrock of the universe, dwarves endured an age of servitude to giants before winning their freedom. Their mighty mountain fortress-cities testify to the power of their ancient empires. Even those who live in human cities are counted among the staunchest defenders against the darkness that threatens to engulf the world."
Dwarves are natural born warriors, which makes it no surprise that they're perfectly suited for either Great Weapon warrior or Guardian, thanks to their bonuses to Constitution and Strength. This is further supported by their racial resistance to Knock and Repel effects, which allows them to be in the fray as close ranged fighters. However, players also have a choice of Wisdom bonus, which also fits a Cleric.
Halfling
"Halflings are a small race known for their resourcefulness, quick wits, and steady nerves. They are a nomadic folk who roam waterway and marshlands. No people travel farther or see more of what happens in the world than Halflings."
Don't mistake their small stature for weakness. Halflings make great Thieves, thanks to their bonus to Dexterity, making them quick and nimble. Since Thieves are close-range fighters, the racial trait for a chance to deflect attacks and increased crowd control certainly help minimize some damage. Small as they are, Halflings are fit to be Guardians, given their bonus to constitution. Coupled with their racial traits make them formidable tanks, making them prime for the front lines.
Half-Orc
"Half-orcs combine the best qualities of humans and orcs, though some would argue that the good qualities of orcs are few and hard to find. From their orc blood, half-orcs inherit great physical strength and toughness. They are fierce warriors, fleet of foot as they charge into battle."
When you think Half-Orc, the first thing that comes to mind is probably a battle hardened warrior. Naturally, given their bonuses to either Constitution or Strength, they make great Guardians or Great Weapon fighters. However, given their natural finesse at Dexterity, Half-Orcs, believe it or not, also make pretty good Thieves.
Tiefling
This hulking race of demon-like humanoids are naturally great at being Wizards, thanks to their bonus to intelligence. Those who prefer their Tiefling to be more tanky can also go the Guardian route thanks to the Constitution bonus. However, thanks to their racial bonus of dealing additional damage to those below half health, they are a much better choice as a Wizard, since they're more of a DPS (damage per second) class.
