It takes careful planning and precise execution when using your spell slots in 5e, and then you have cantrips that can be thrown around left and right with no regard to anything. Different cantrips give you different flavors, and can be a blast to use, let's check out our 10 favorite ones that can bring some exciting flavor and fun to your character!

5. Green Flame Blade

Classes: Artificer, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard, Rogue (Arcane Trickster)
Feats: Magic Initiate, Spell Sniper

What It Does:
You brandish the weapon used in the spell’s casting and make a melee attack with it against one creature within 5 feet of you. On a hit, the target suffers the weapon attack’s normal effects, and you can cause green fire to leap from the target to a different creature of your choice that you can see within 5 feet of it. The second creature takes fire damage equal to your spellcasting ability modifier.

At Higher Levels: At 5th level, the melee attack deals an extra 1d8 fire damage to the target on a hit, and the fire damage to the second creature increases to 1d8 + your spellcasting ability modifier. Both damage rolls increase by 1d8 at 11th level (2d8 and 2d8) and 17th level (3d8 and 3d8).

Our Thoughts:
Not everyone loves the utility of this cantrip, especially considering you need a second enemy within 5 feet of you for it to really boast its abilities - especially before level 5. But, considering you get an AUTOMATIC damage to a second enemy, what's not to love about a 2-for-1. This can especially be fun in larger-scale battle settings - where groups of enemies may be coming after your squishy (but hopefully not too squishy if you're thinking about melee attacks) spellcaster self. And what's not to love with the idea of flame jumping around the battlefield upon your swing. We might end up making a whole character with this theme, look forward to it!

4. Vicious Mockery

Classes: Bard
Feats: Magic Initiate (Bard)

What It Does:
You unleash a string of insults laced with subtle enchantments at a creature you can see within range. If the target can hear you (though it need not understand you), it must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or take 1d4 psychic damage and have disadvantage on the next attack roll it makes before the end of its next turn.

At Higher Levels: This spell's damage increases by 1d4 when you reach 5th level (2d4), 11th level (3d4), and 17th level (4d4).

Our Thoughts:
If we're talking about a list of cantrips great for flavor, you might be wondering how Vicious Mockery isn't #1. So are we! This is probably one of the most fun cantrips you can have, because the sheer amount of creativity you can have with this one is amazing. I enjoy one-liner quips a little too much, and this gives me so many excuses to come up with more. The only reason why this is at #4 is that it's only available to the Bard class, and requires multiclassing or a feat to get if you wanted it. It makes perfect sense to be a Bard speciality, but there's more cantrips that can be used with more than one class. Still one of our absolute favorites!

3. Thaumaturgy

Classes: Cleric
Feats: Magic Initiate (Cleric)

What It Does:
You manifest a minor wonder, a sign of supernatural power, within range. You create one of the following magical effects within range:

• Your voice booms up to three times as loud as normal for 1 minute.
• You cause flames to flicker, brighten, dim, or change color for 1 minute.
• You cause harmless tremors in the ground for 1 minute.
• You create an instantaneous sound that originates from a point of your choice within range, such as a rumble of thunder, the cry of a raven, or ominous whispers.
• You instantaneously cause an unlocked door or window to fly open or slam shut.
• You alter the appearance of your eyes for 1 minute.

If you cast this spell multiple times, you can have up to three of its 1-minute effects active at a time, and you can dismiss such an effect as an action.

Our Thoughts:
When reviewing 5 out of the many cantrips available, we couldn't resist taking  Thaumaturgy. Same as Vicious Mockery though, this cantrip is limited to only one class - Cleric. But, just look at all the different effects this one cantrip has! Cantrips are the best for flavor, and for fun, when they're able to accomplish multiple things, and the things you can do with this one just screams shenanigans and fun.

2. Booming Blade

Classes: Artificer, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard, Rogue (Arcane Trickster)
Feats: Magic Initiate, Spell Sniper

What It Does:
Any melee weapon (worth at least 1 SP as part of the Material components of the spell), can be brandished by this cantrip to sheath a creature within 5 feet of you with booming energy, as long as your weapon attack hits it. Along with the melee weapon attack's normal effects, if the target willingly moves 5 feet or more before the start of your next turn, it takes 1d8 thunder damage (scaled by levels).

At Higher Levels: At 5th level, the melee attack deals an extra 1d8 thunder damage on a hit, and the target takes 2d8 thunder damage for moving. At 11th level, extra 2d8 thunder damage on a hit, and the target takes 3d8 thunder damage for moving. At 17th level, 3d8 thunder on a hit, 4d8 thunder on moving.

Our Thoughts:
There is some amazing flavor here, especially thinking about any character that doesn't necessarily get a second attack! Finding clever ways to get the enemy to move after using this is a blast, as is the extra damage we get starting at level 5.

Our next character in the Steal This Character series will actually use this as their ultimate attack, and it's so fun! Stay up to date with us by joining our newsletter for the latest posts and more!

1. Prestidigitation

Classes: Artificer, Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard, Rogue (Arcane Trickster)
Feats: Magic Initiate

What It Does:
This spell is a minor magical trick that novice spellcasters use for practice. You create one of the following magical effects within range:

• You create an instantaneous, harmless sensory effect, such as a shower of sparks, a puff of wind, faint musical notes, or an odd odor.
• You instantaneously light or snuff out a candle, a torch, or a small campfire.
• You instantaneously clean or soil an object no larger than 1 cubic foot.
• You chill, warm, or flavor up to 1 cubic foot of nonliving material for 1 hour.
• You make a color, a small mark, or a symbol appear on an object or a surface for 1 hour.
• You create a nonmagical trinket or an illusory image that can fit in your hand and that lasts until the end of your next turn.

If you cast this spell multiple times, you can have up to three of its non-instantaneous effects active at a time, and you can dismiss such an effect as an action.

Our Thoughts:
I mean, the words "best for flavor & fun" is in the title. And if we didn't go Prestidigitation here, where else would we go? The most simple sounding spell can be used for the most creative things, and it's awesome! Whether you play D&D for the combat, the roleplay, the exploration, or whatever - you can't deny that creativity is needed for all of it. And with the sheer amount of seemingly small things you can do with this one cantrip (with up to 3 effects active at a time), your ideas can go crazy. One of our favorite characters we built, Yoroe Jacqueson (who if not already out as a Steal This Character series, will be in the near future), was actually built thanks to the ideas this cantrip gave. It's just plain fun, and that's what we want out of this game, and out of these cantrips.

Ok, so I think we can agree that 5 is too few to choose from, and there are SO many more amazing cantrips that can be super flavorful and fun to use! But - as of right now - these are our most favorite. All that means is that we'll probably have a part 2 of this list coming out in the future, because Mage Hand and Minor Illusion exist.

Don't forget to subscribe to receive email updates whenever we put up a new post! Either a new list, or a new character from our Steal This Character 5e series, where we build fun, flavorful characters, full with backstory, character sheets, and the story so far between each level up - so you can take the character at any level you need!

Check out the first one we posted, Alelite Alefist, a berserker barbarian with a tree trunk filled with home brewed ale almost three times his size!

Thanks for sticking around, let's keep it flavorful!

Alelite Alefist

The Mountain Dwarf Barbarian
Levels 1 - 5

Welcome to the first Steal This Character build for Dungeons & Dragons 5e!

Every week or so, we'll be posting character builds, filled with characteristics, personalities, backstory, and the story so far to each level up, so you can steal this character at whatever level you need!

We're starting with levels 1-5, so you can get started anywhere on your adventure! We'll start with the backstory, go into level 1, and then add short snippets to continue the backstory for each level above 1.

Whether it's for inspiration for your own character, for a quick game, or for an NPC in your homebrewed world, these characters are just as much yours as they are ours.

I'm very excited to share our first character in this series, Alelite Alefist - a mountain dwarf barbarian that we're going to leveling up to 5. And, we're using everyone's absolute favorite barbarian subclass - the Path of the Berserker. Let's get straight into it!

1. The Concept

2. The Characteristics

3. The Backstory

4. Let's Build!

 - Level 1

 - Level 2

 - Level 3

 - Level 4

 - Level 5

5. The Story Continues...

 - Level 1-2

 - Level 2-3

 - Level 3-4

 - Level 4-5

6. Final Thoughts

The Concept

So for the Steal This Character Series, we're going to have the tl;dr section show up first with the concept. Like I mentioned, this is just an idea of character that you can use as much or as little of as you'd like, if you want to, so if you just need some concepts and starting character sheets, this is hopefully the only section you'll need.

Alelite Alefist is an astonishingly short dwarf with a short fuse to match, from a family of ale makers, that brews his own ale.

The Characteristics

Dwarves are obviously well known to be stout and broad, but Alelite is even more so. Actually, he's A LOT more so. Standing at 2 foot 11 inches (~89 cm), it's easy to confuse Alelite for a swelled up halfling or gnome at a quick glance. The beard is what gives it away, though, which is gloriously puffed out and would drag a good foot on the ground had it not been tied into an impeccable knot just above his legs. Packed with muscles in places you wouldn't even know could have them, what Alelite lacks in height, he more than makes up for in width. Which is a stunning site to see, and something you wouldn't want to comment on when speaking with him - it's a bit of sore spot for him. And never, ever use the words "half-pint" around him.

But if that wasn't enough, adding to this peculiar visual, strapped to his back is a hollowed-out tree trunk, sealed on the top with cloth, with the words "Fist o' Ale" on it. It towers over Alelite, at almost 2x his height, but just barely peeks out the sides of his bulky, wide body. It contains his pride and joy, the beer that he makes, either fermenting in the wood, or ready to sell and drink. His dark brown hair and light brown skin can sometimes blend in with the wood, making it seem like the tree is walking itself if you don't pay attention.

I face problems head-on. A simple and straightforward solution is the best path to success.

If you enjoy the ale I brew, you're a friend for life.

Respect. Treat me with respect and loyalty, and I'll return it tenfold.

Fist o' Ale - the family business. I intend to make my own version a staple in taverns around the world.

I have a short temper. Calling me short, or worse, "half-pint", makes me go into an uncontrollable rage.

The Backstory

The 5th of 8 children, Alelite was born into a family of dwarven ale makers and sellers. What started as a hobby for Alelite's great-great-great-great-great grandmother turned into a thriving family business. Each generation of Alefist's must craft their own brew, and whichever one is able to gather the most following and popularity gets to inherit the family business. With so many siblings,  growing up was rough for Alelite. Competition and rivalries begun almost right away, and it didn't help that he stayed the same height for almost his whole life while even his youngest sibling outgrew him. Because of this, his nickname became "half-pint", which caused a good amount of fists and words to be thrown around as Alelite would go into a fit of rage. Driven by a desire to make all of his siblings pay for their digressions, and show him the respect he deserves, he started to work on crafting the most perfect ale the Alefist's have ever seen.

All Alefist's start to experiment making their own brew as soon as their able to, and Alelite was raring to go. He would go into the forests, smash down trees (thinking of them as his siblings), hollow out the trunk, fill it with grains he would mash himself, hot water, a few spices, and seal it with some cloth. Doing this happened to get himself beefed up, with the strenuous activities involved in his craft. He soon realized that the brew tastes even better if it constantly moves around while it's in the fermentation process, so he strapped the giant tree trunk to his back while he gathered his next batch. This was how many summers were spent by Alelite, before, finally, at the young age of 40, he found the perfect combination, and what he was left with was a delicious tasting brew with hints of wood flavors. Once an Alefist feels confident of their brew, the parents allow them to leave on their own to try their hand at making a name for their brew, and for the Fist o' Ale brand, themselves. Alelite was the first of his siblings to get the okay from his parents, and off he went to take his rightful spot as heir to the business, and to get back at his siblings.

The Alefist Siblings (Oldest to Youngest)

1. Dwendryale (76 yrs old, they/them)
2. Alebrew (72 yrs old, he/him)
3. Aleipa (65 yrs old, she/her)
4. Aledark (53 yrs old, he/them)
5. Alelite (40 yrs old, he/him)
6. Aleamber (31 years old, she/them)
7. Aldeth (31 years old, he/them)
8. Cider (20 years old, he/him)

Let's Build! - Level 1

Race: Mountain Dwarf

Take Tool Proficiencies in Brewer's Supplies.

Tool Proficiencies: Brewer's Supplies
Features: Darkvision, Dwarven Resilience, Dwarven Combat Training, Dwarven Armor Training, Stonecunning, +2 to Strength and Constitution Ability Scores
Speed: 25 ft

Ability Scores

Point Buy
15 - Strength (+2 Racial Modifier)
13 - Dexterity
13 - Constitution (+2 Racial Modifier)
10 - Intelligence
12 - Wisdom
10 - Charisma

Background: Hermit or Soldier

The background we take will depend on what level we start off. If we're starting at level 1 or 2, we'll take Hermit. If we start at level 3, we'll take Soldier.

Hermit
Take Giant as a language. The Discovery background feature would be a unique recipe for craft ale that Alefist created.

Skill Proficiencies: Medicine, Religion
Tool Proficiencies: Herbalism Kit
Languages: Giant

Soldier
Take Survival or Perception as a skill proficiency. Take the Dice Set as a tool proficiency. The Military Rank background feature would have Alelite a regular mercenary that is liked amongst his colleagues.

Skill Proficiencies: Intimidation & Survival
Tool Proficiencies: Vehicles (Land) & Dice Set

Starting Equipment

Barbarian Equipment
Take a greataxe as the primary weapon and two handaxes, along with the 4 javelins and explorer's pack.

Hermit Background Equipment
Take your winter blanket, set of common clothes, herbalist kit, a scroll case filled with recipe notes and a pouch with 5 gp.

Solider Background Equipment
Take a piece of banner and a set of bone dice, along with a set of common clothes and a pouch with 10 gp.

Class: Barbarian 1

Take Skill Proficiencies in Athletics and Nature.

Skill Proficiencies: Athletics & Nature
Hit Die: 1d12 (avg. 7) + Constitution Modifier
Features: Rage, Unarmored Defense

Rages: 2 per Long Rest
Bonus Rage Damage: +2

The Story Continues...

Alelite went off to the first village all Alefist's go to start their journey, Chuggtown. Along the way, he continued to improve his brewing method and taste - cutting down trees (still thinking of them as his siblings as he chopped them down), trying out different thickness of sealant, and adding in natural flavors he comes across into the brew. When he finally got to the village, they had already received word of his approach and prepared the local tavern, Chugale, for the initial tasting celebration. Feeling pumped because of the reaction of the village, and excited to prove himself, Alelite begins his sampling.

Let's Build! - Level 2

Class: Barbarian 2

The Story Continues...

Alelite's brew was a hit with the locals. The natural wood-flavor that mixes in during the fermentation process gives it a whiskey-type feel, but with ale. Alelite felt on top of the world. Until a visiting band of mercenaries - who were in town to take care of a bandit problem - that were in the bar, had asked, whether by intention or not, for "half a pint" of ale. And with that, something snapped in Alelite, his eyes saw red, his muscles strained, and he went into an uncontrollable rage, attacking the band of mercenaries, and in the process, destroying the entire tavern, his equipment and ale included. After cooling down, Alelite profusely apologizes to the people of the village, promising to make up for his transgressions in any way he can. Seeing how he put the band of mercenaries were supposed to take care of some bandits out of commission, the village told him to take care of it. With a strong sense of responsibility, Alelite knew he had to take care of this issue.

Let's Build! - Level 3

Class: Barbarian 3

Rages: 3 per Long Rest

Take the Path of the Berserker Primal Path.

The Story Continues...

Alelite took off to take care of the bandits. Reaching the camp, Alelite started off by asking the bandits to leave the village alone. He never actually had a fight while he was in his right mind, so he didn't think to start off swinging. The bandits just laughed, and noticing the giant tree trunk of ale on his back, told him to give them his ale. Forgetting for a moment his task, Alelite happily obliged, happy to share his brew to the world. The bandits loved the brew, and were impressed at how such "a short fat gnome was able to make such delicious ale".

The next thing Alelite knew, the bandit camp was completely cleared out, feeling pain and soreness through his entire body. Figuring the mission was successful, he went back to the village, where the leader of the mercenary band he had attacked before was waiting. Her name was Za, and she was looking to get even on behalf of her band. Alelite profusely apologized to her as well, feeling bad about doing so to her companions. The payment the mercenaries, named the LaZira, were supposed to get to take care of the bandits instead went to rebuild the tavern, and Za told Alelite to pay off his debt to them by joining the LaZira and working it off. Alelite, worried about the competition with his siblings, hesitates, but what kind of business owner doesn't take responsibility. He agrees, and joins her band of mercenaries.

Let's Build! - Level 4

Class: Barbarian 4

Take the Slasher Feat and use +1  to increase the Strength Ability Score.

Ability Scores

The Story Continues...

Alelite got along great with his mercenary companions. His straightforward personality, and the endless supply of delicious ale he made, got him to become quick friends with the whole band. He learned the ways of mercenaries and they taught him team fighting tactics. They even came up with ways to utilize his anger and rage in situations where they needed to fight. That didn't always work, however, as in the first job Alelite took part in, he ended up causing more damage, vowing to pay it back as well. This ended up a bit of a pattern, where he would end up paying off a good chunk of his debt, but pile on some new debt because of his short temper. But that didn't slow Alelite down. Never forgetting about his original task, Alelite continued to provide samples and share his brew to any town or village the band visited, and lucky for him - they travelled quite a bit.

Let's Build! - Level 5

Class: Barbarian 5

Final Thoughts

And that's our first build! So this is actually one of the first characters I've made in D&D, so it felt fitting to be the first one in our series. I had a blast coming up with the idea, even if it came simply because I thought it'd be funny to have a short character with a short temper going on rampages when being called short. But what is a D&D character than random silly thoughts or concepts turned into flavorful characters you can enjoy in a campaign with other!

Thank you for joining us, and we hope to see you for the next one!