Dungeons and Dragons is a game of adventure, exploration, and combat. But it is also a game of social interaction, diplomacy, and intrigue. As a player, you will encounter many different characters in your quests, some friendly, some hostile, and some neutral. How you deal with them can have a significant impact on your success and enjoyment of the game.
One of the best ways to enhance your experience in Dungeons and Dragons is to make allies. Allies are non-player characters (NPCs) that you befriend, cooperate with, or recruit to your cause. They can provide you with valuable information, resources, assistance, or support in your endeavors. They can also add depth and flavor to your story, as you learn more about their personalities, backgrounds, and goals.
There are many benefits to having allies in Dungeons and Dragons, such as:
- Combat advantage. Allies can help you in combat, either by fighting alongside you, healing you, buffing you, or distracting your enemies. They can also provide you with tactical advice, intelligence, or backup plans. Having allies can make combat easier, more dynamic, and more fun.
- Roleplaying opportunities. Allies can give you opportunities to roleplay, as you interact with them, learn from them, or influence them. You can develop relationships with your allies, whether they are friendly, romantic, or antagonistic. You can also explore their motivations, beliefs, and values, and see how they align or clash with yours.
- Worldbuilding immersion. Allies can help you immerse yourself in the world of Dungeons and Dragons, as they introduce you to new places, cultures, factions, or events. They can also give you a sense of history, politics, or religion, and how they affect the world and its inhabitants. Having allies can make the world more rich, diverse, and believable.
- Quest hooks. Allies can give you quest hooks, as they ask you for favors, invite you to join them, or reveal secrets to you. They can also lead you to new adventures, challenges, or rewards, as they share their stories, goals, or problems with you. Having allies can make the game more exciting, unpredictable, and rewarding.
How do you make allies in Dungeons and Dragons? There are many ways, depending on your character, your party, and your DM. Here are some general tips:
- Be respectful. Treat NPCs with respect, courtesy, and kindness. Don’t insult, threaten, or harm them unless you have a good reason. Show interest in their lives, opinions, and feelings. Compliment them, thank them, or apologize to them when appropriate. Respect can go a long way in building trust and friendship.
- Be helpful. Offer to help NPCs with their needs, wants, or troubles. Do favors for them, solve their problems, or fulfill their requests. Share your resources, skills, or knowledge with them. Help them achieve their goals, or protect them from their enemies. Helping can show that you care and that you are reliable.
- Be persuasive. Use your charisma, diplomacy, or deception skills to persuade NPCs to join you, support you, or trust you. Appeal to their emotions, logic, or interests. Make promises, deals, or bargains with them. Bribe them, flatter them, or intimidate them if you have to. Persuasion can make NPCs more willing to cooperate or compromise.
- Be loyal. Stick with your allies, defend them, and support them. Don’t betray them, abandon them, or exploit them. Honor your agreements, keep your promises, and repay your debts. Show them that you value them, and that they can count on you. Loyalty can strengthen your bonds and earn you respect.
Of course, not every NPC can or will become your ally. Some may be hostile, indifferent, or untrustworthy. Some may have conflicting goals, values, or agendas. Some may simply not like you, or you may not like them. That’s okay. You don’t have to be friends with everyone. But you should always be open to the possibility of making allies,and recognize the benefits they can bring to your game.
If you want to learn more about allies in Dungeons and Dragons, you can check out some of these sources:
- Basic Rules for Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) Fifth Edition (5e) – D&D Beyond: This source provides an overview of the five factions that operate in the Forgotten Realms setting, and how they can serve as allies or enemies for your character.
- Enemies and Allies: This source is a supplement that includes statistics and descriptions for a large variety of pregenerated NPCs that you can use as allies or enemies in your game.
- 15 Strongest Good-Aligned Monsters In Dungeons & Dragons: This source lists some of the most powerful and benevolent creatures that you can encounter in Dungeons and Dragons, and how they can make formidable allies or foes.


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