From lore and descriptions to traits and abilities, learn all about Stout Halflings in D&D 5e
Halflings are short humanoids, standing at about 3ft tall, making them shorter (and less stocky) than even Dwarves. They’re similar in nature and stature to the Hobbits of Lord of the Rings enjoying home comforts, friendship and steering well clear of any trouble that might be brewing (though they’re happy to get near any ale that might be brewing).
Stout Halflings are a little less common than their Lightfoot cousins. Stout Halflings are hardier than most Halflings with resistance to poison. For this reason, some believe that Dwarven blood may run in the veins of Stout Halflings though it’s unknown if this is true.
Stout Halflings were introduced in the Player’s Handbook for D&D 5e and our guide below will tell you everything you need to know to play as one of these diminutive characters.
What are Stout Halflings?
Halflings come in a few different varieties in D&D 5e. All of them though, can be identified by their short height (about 3ft tall). They tend to have tan to pale skin, curly hair, little facial hair and a stoutness that comes from enjoying many home-cooked breakfasts. The differences in Halfling variants are fairly minimal; most share the same basic traits but with certain groups adopting certain different behaviours and attitudes, there’s enough to differentiate them by subspecies (just about). These are:
- Lightfoot Halflings
- Stout Halflings
- Ghostwise Halflings
Stout Halflings are less common than their Lightfoot cousins but are hardier. They have a better constitution and resistance to poisons leading some to believe that they have the blood of Dwarves running through them. Stout Halflings are also referred to as Stronghearts in the Forgotten Realms and can be found in southern Faerun.
How to play as a Stout Halfling
As with all D&D 5e races, Stout Halflings come with all kinds of personalities and it’s not unusual to see some break from the norm, especially with their happiness to integrate into the cultures and settlements of other races. Despite this, there are certain traits that are often common among Stout Halflings. You can use the below ideas to form your character or can consider how and why your Halfling might deviate from the norm:
- Avoiding trouble – Stout Halflings know they’re not the biggest or toughest creatures around. How does your Halfling survive in this dangerous world? Do you try to negotiate around problems, hide away or do you make sure you’ve got friends that are much larger and imposing than yourself?
- Friendly – Halflings are friendly folk that can find goodness in just about anyone. You’ll likely find it easy to develop friendships and other races may also trust you more easily for that.
- Home comforts – While many Halflings do have an intense wanderlust, they also love the comforts of home. While you’re adventuring, you may certainly desire a comfortable stay in a warm inn with piping hot food and a cool ale (perhaps from a smaller mug than everyone else).
Stout Halfling features in 5e
| Ability Scores | +2 Dexterity; +1 Constitution |
| Creature Type | Humanoid |
| Size | Small |
| Speed | 25ft |
| Languages | Common and Halfling |
| Traits | Lucky, Brave, Halfling Nimbleness, Stout Resilience |
| Book found in | Player’s Handbook |
If you want to play as a Stout Halfling, your character will have the following traits and abilities:
Stout halfling traits
Lucky – When you roll a 1 on an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw, you can reroll the die. You must use the new result, even if it is a 1.
Brave – You have advantage on saving throws against being frightened.
Nimble – You can move through the space of any creature that is of a size larger than yours.
Stout Resilience – You have advantage on saving throws against poison, and you have resistance to poison damage.