In real life, a character's race is determined by their parents' genetics. In the Bard's Tale, you can choose the races for your characters when you create them. Characters from different races have certain advantages - Hobbits generally make better Rogues because they are more dextrous, and Dwarves and Half-Orcs are stronger and tougher, making better fighters. Gnomes and Elves are more intelligent and make better magic users. Humans and Half-Elves are pretty average at everything, with humans tending to be tougher.
Some classes cannot be from certain races. I mean, who ever heard of a Half-Orc Paladin? Or a Dwarf Magician?
Other than the race restrictions and starting statistic bonuses, race really doesn't affect game play much.
Race Class Restrictions[]
| Race | Allowed Classes | Restricted Classes |
|---|---|---|
| Human
"While possibly being of hardier stock, this character is nonetheless like you or me." |
Warrior Paladin Rogue Bard Hunter Monk Conjurer Magician |
|
| Elf
"Patterned after the Tolkien elf, the elf is slight of build, frequently taller than a human, and very inclined to magic." |
Warrior Paladin Rogue Bard Monk Conjurer Magician |
Hunter |
| Dwarf
"The Dwarven people are short and stout, extremely strong and healthy, but not amazingly intelligent (i.e., excellent fighters)." |
Warrior Paladin Rogue Hunter Bard Monk |
Conjurer Magician |
| Hobbit
"Hobbits are slightly smaller than Dwarves but are nimble and dexterous. Just the right make-up for a rogue." |
Warrior Rogue Bard Monk Conjurer Magician |
Paladin Hunter |
| Half-Elf
"These crossbreeds are usually blond and fair-skinned, like elves, and get some added size and strength from their human ancestry." |
Warrior Rogue Bard Monk Conjurer Magician |
Paladin Hunter |
| Half-Orc
"An orc is a large, goblin-like creature often found working for evil wizards. The Half-orc, being half human, is not quite as despicable as his orc parent, but you wouldn't want to date one." |
Warrior Rogue Hunter Conjurer Magician |
Paladin Bard Monk |
| Gnome
"Gnomes closely resemble dwarves, but have less hair and even shorter tempers. They are also more magically inclined, as a rule." |
Warrior Rogue Hunter Monk Conjurer Magician |
Paladin Bard |
Race Starting Attributes[]
The attributes of each character are influence by their race. The five attributes are strength, intelligence, dexterity, constitution, and luck.
| ST | IQ | DX | CN | LK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human | 10-17 | 6-13 | 8-15 | 8-15 | 5-12 |
| Elf | 8-15 | 9-16 | 9-16 | 6-13 | 6-13 |
| Dwarf | 12-18 | 6-13 | 7-14 | 10-17 | 3-10 |
| Hobbit | 4-11 | 6-13 | 12-18 | 5-12 | 10-17 |
| Half-Elf | 9-16 | 8-15 | 9-16 | 7-14 | 6-13 |
| Half-Orc | 11-18 | 3-10 | 8-15 | 11-18 | 4-11 |
| Gnome | 9-16 | 10-17 | 7-14 | 3-10 | 4-11 |
Apple IIGS/iOS versions may be higher.
MSDOS characters are skewed toward higher attributes. It's more likely you'll get higher stats than lower stats.
An attribute is increased by +1 each time a level is gained. Attribute maximum is 18.
References:
↑ The Adventurer's Guild : Developer's Heaven : msdos dissasembly