Total Nerd

The Best Languages In Dungeons & Dragons

Kyle Townsend
Updated December 11, 2019 724 votes 57 voters
List Rules
Vote up the best languages to choose when building your character.

The wide variety of D&D languages adds an extra element of role-play to the game. When surrounded by enemies or those who can't be trusted, a party can choose "converse" in a language they know others don't, which can keep a surprise attack a secret. What languages a character speaks also gives insight into what kind of person they are. A halfling who knows Abyssal must have a fascinating background - as would a human who knows Draconic. And it's not just spoken language that offers advantages, a character who knows Giant will also be able to read Dwarven script, which can be particularly useful when adventuring deep underground.

The best D&D languages can be just the thing to give your character a special insight when adventuring across the Forgotten Realms, Ravinica, and beyond. Vote up the best languages to select when building or leveling up a character.

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list ordered by
  • 1

    Common

    Type: Eberron's Common Languages - Common script. Typically spoken by humans.

  • 2

    Undercommon

    Type: Exotic Languages - Elvish script. Typically spoken by Underdark traders.

  • 3

    Elvish

    Type: Eberron's Common Languages - Elvish script. Typically spoken by elves.

  • 4

    Draconic

    Type: Exotic Languages - Draconic script. Typically spoken by dragons and dragonborn.

  • 5

    Dwarvish

    Type: Eberron's Common Languages - Dwarvish script. Typically spoken by dwarves.

  • 6

    Orc

    Type: Eberron's Common Languages - Dwarvish script. Typically spoken by orcs.

  • 7

    Giant

    Type: Eberron's Common Languages - Dwarvish script. Typically spoken by ogres and giants.

  • 8

    Sylvan

    Type: Exotic Languages - Elvish script. Typically spoken by fey.

  • 9

    Thieves' Cant

    Type: Class-Specific
  • 10

    Goblin

    Type: Eberron's Common Languages - Dwarvish script. Typically spoken by goblinoids.

  • 11

    Infernal

    Type: Eberron's Common Languages - Infernal script. Typically spoken by devils.

  • 12

    Deep Speech

    Type: Exotic Languages - No script. Typically spoken by mind flayers and beholders.

  • 13

    Halfling

    Type: Standard Languages - Common script. Typically spoken by halflings.

  • 14

    Abyssal

    Type: Exotic Languages - Infernal script. Typically spoken by demons.

  • 15

    Primodial

    Type: Exotic Languages - Dwarvish script. Typically spoken by elementals.

  • 16

    Celestial

    Type: Exotic Languages - Celestial script. Typically spoken by celestials.

  • 17

    Gnoll

    Type: Monsterous Languages - Available via Favored Enemy or Training.

  • 18

    Druidic

    Type: Class-Specific
  • 19

    Blink Dog

    Type: Monsterous Languages - Available via Favored Enemy or Training.

  • 20

    Gith

    Type: Race-Specific
  • 21

    Gnomish

    Type: Standard Languages - Dwarvish script. Typically spoken by gnomes.

  • 22

    Merfolk

    Type: Ravinica Common Languages
  • 23

    Sphinx

    Type: Monsterous Languages - Available via Favored Enemy or Training.

  • 24

    Sahuagin

    Type: Monsterous Languages - Available via Favored Enemy or Training.

  • 25

    Slaad

    Type: Monsterous Languages - Available via Favored Enemy or Training.