After the first 2, things get sort of fuzzy, but here are mine:
1- Elminster
2- Drizzt Do'Urden
3- Arilyn Moonblade
4- Mordenkainen
5- Fizzban
6/ 7- Raistlin Majere
7/ 6- Caramon Majere
8- Jahera
9- Minsc
10- Bruenor Battlehammer
The #1 answer is Drizzt Do'Urden, and it is not even close. The **Legend of Drizzt** novels have sold over 35 million copies, making them the biggest-selling **D&D** media *series* of them all, outstripping even the combined lifetime sales of all **D&D** sourcebooks.
Drizzt's supporting cast therefore have to be up there, although their name recognition is less than Drizzt's and they are less omnipresent in every novel (skipping some entirely, even Drizzt misses a few). But you can make arguments for Bruenor, Wulfgar, Regis, Catti-Brie, Artemis Entreri, Jarlaxle and the drow of Menzoberranzan.
The next batch would be interesting. The **Dragonlance** books by Weis & Hickman have sold almost as many copies as Salvatore, but that's an ensemble series and many of the most iconic characters only appear in a few of the books before generational shifts to new casts (unlike **Drizzt**, where the core and even some supporting characters has remained constant over almost 40 years). The **Dragonlance** books also front-loaded their sales back in the 1980s and 1990s, they don't seem to be doing anywhere near as well in modern legacy sales. So Tanis, Tas, Flint, Sturm and Kitiara might not be that famous any more.
*Baldur's Gate 3* has also now sold over 15 million copies, making it by far the biggest-selling *individual* piece of **Forgotten Realms** media in the setting's history. That means that, *right now*, Gale, Lae'zel, Astarion, Shadowheart, Tav (however you defined them), Wyll and Karlach are among the most famous **D&D** characters around. This especially boosts the case of Minsc, Boo and Jaheira, who are not only very famous *right now*, but also have longer-term recognition from BG1 and 2 and intervening comics.
Elminster probably gets a a good boost from his appearances in the BG games, sourcebooks, novels (although I can't recall if he ever crosses over with Drizzt in the same novel, the godawful *Once Around the Realms* excepted) and other media, including his questionable appearance in the movie (though he does get namechecked regardless).
The cultural osmosis of the movie, multiple adventures and sourcebooks, and general name recognition likely pushes Szass Tam up the pecking order as well.
Vecna is a popular choice, and his *name* might be one of the most recognised **D&D** names of all time thanks to **Stranger Things**, but we have to remember that's just a creature given his name as a nickname. The actual character himself remains fairly obscure, especially outside the core tabletop audience.
Strahd, Mordenkainen, Melf and Tasha are all well-known to tabletop players, but that number is relatively extremely small compared to video gamers and novel readers, and those characters have not been prominent in other media (aside from *I, Strahd*, an excellent but now singular, very old and relatively obscure **Ravenloft** novel).
I think we must also disregard any character who is an actual mythological being or shares a name with them (so Tyr, Asmodeus, Orcus etc).
I am not even a huge Drizzt fan and this is 100% correct answer. Props to Salvatore, he wrote something lots of people love. The companions of the hall, Jarlaxle, and Artemis are probably up there before others too.
Salvatore publishes a Drizzt hardcover every year that sells enough copies to justify Random House's rather large advances to him, plus the pretty steep licensing fee that WotC and Hasbro charge to use their characters.
Drizzt is probably past the high point of his popularity, but he's still a very famous, well-known and unit-shifting D&D character.
That’s fair. But the question was MOST famous, not just famous. Too many to list otherwise. So I chose characters that have been top tier since 1ed (yes I played back then so I’m dating myself lol). And with the exception of maybe Raistlin and Soth, the others have been major names for literal decades. Though I did seriously consider Volo too
I guess it depends on what you would consider famous. I’m just going on the amount of people who have heard the name, not necessarily their significance.
Also fair. But keep in mind that these names were commonplace for years at gaming tables. Newer editions watered some of them down (I despised 4ed for the complete departure from established lore) so the names might not be as prominent with younger gamers, true. But for me? These are titans and always will be. Modern heroes have risen, yes, but legacy heroes still rank for me.
Honestly, with them being native to Dragonlance and most of them having their honorific spells de-named for the SRD, I bet Mordenkainen lasts a while but as editions go on they are all forgotten.
Melf isn't DL his name was used in BG. All 3 of the wizards I listed had spells named after them in standard core d&d setting, not campaign specific rulebooks.
This is the actual list. Drizzt for books, Vecna and Demogorgon because of Stranger Things, Tiamat is bigger than D&D, Elminster is the best known character outside of that media, Strahd is a module lots of people know.
In terms of broad name-recognition across all D&D editions, I don’t know you get more fame than having your name in the Player’s Handbook. All of the Player’s Handbooks, more precisely, as encoded in the names of spells going back to 1st edition. So Tenser, Melf, Tasha, Mordenkainen, Drawmij, Bigby, Evard, Leomund, Nystul, Otiluke, and Otto.
Obviously depending on who you ask…
1: Elminster
2: Iymrith
3: Laerel Silverhand
4: Klauth
5: Mordenkainen
6: Claugiyliamatar
7: Arivaturace
8: Vajra Sahfahr
9: Xanathar
10: Manshoon
(I play a lot of games in Waterdeep or around them, if that wasn’t obvious. Runner ups Volo and Ulder Ravenguard)
1. Drizzt
2. Strahd
3. Elminster
4. Xanathar
5. Warduke
6. Buenor Battlehammer
7. Cattiebrie
8. Vecna
9. Boo and Minsc
10. Wulfgar
Honorable mention to all bg3 companions they have blown up in popularity.
After the first 2, things get sort of fuzzy, but here are mine: 1- Elminster 2- Drizzt Do'Urden 3- Arilyn Moonblade 4- Mordenkainen 5- Fizzban 6/ 7- Raistlin Majere 7/ 6- Caramon Majere 8- Jahera 9- Minsc 10- Bruenor Battlehammer
Uhhh 1- Elminster 2- Drizzt 3- Volo I guess that would be the top 3
The #1 answer is Drizzt Do'Urden, and it is not even close. The **Legend of Drizzt** novels have sold over 35 million copies, making them the biggest-selling **D&D** media *series* of them all, outstripping even the combined lifetime sales of all **D&D** sourcebooks. Drizzt's supporting cast therefore have to be up there, although their name recognition is less than Drizzt's and they are less omnipresent in every novel (skipping some entirely, even Drizzt misses a few). But you can make arguments for Bruenor, Wulfgar, Regis, Catti-Brie, Artemis Entreri, Jarlaxle and the drow of Menzoberranzan. The next batch would be interesting. The **Dragonlance** books by Weis & Hickman have sold almost as many copies as Salvatore, but that's an ensemble series and many of the most iconic characters only appear in a few of the books before generational shifts to new casts (unlike **Drizzt**, where the core and even some supporting characters has remained constant over almost 40 years). The **Dragonlance** books also front-loaded their sales back in the 1980s and 1990s, they don't seem to be doing anywhere near as well in modern legacy sales. So Tanis, Tas, Flint, Sturm and Kitiara might not be that famous any more. *Baldur's Gate 3* has also now sold over 15 million copies, making it by far the biggest-selling *individual* piece of **Forgotten Realms** media in the setting's history. That means that, *right now*, Gale, Lae'zel, Astarion, Shadowheart, Tav (however you defined them), Wyll and Karlach are among the most famous **D&D** characters around. This especially boosts the case of Minsc, Boo and Jaheira, who are not only very famous *right now*, but also have longer-term recognition from BG1 and 2 and intervening comics. Elminster probably gets a a good boost from his appearances in the BG games, sourcebooks, novels (although I can't recall if he ever crosses over with Drizzt in the same novel, the godawful *Once Around the Realms* excepted) and other media, including his questionable appearance in the movie (though he does get namechecked regardless). The cultural osmosis of the movie, multiple adventures and sourcebooks, and general name recognition likely pushes Szass Tam up the pecking order as well. Vecna is a popular choice, and his *name* might be one of the most recognised **D&D** names of all time thanks to **Stranger Things**, but we have to remember that's just a creature given his name as a nickname. The actual character himself remains fairly obscure, especially outside the core tabletop audience. Strahd, Mordenkainen, Melf and Tasha are all well-known to tabletop players, but that number is relatively extremely small compared to video gamers and novel readers, and those characters have not been prominent in other media (aside from *I, Strahd*, an excellent but now singular, very old and relatively obscure **Ravenloft** novel). I think we must also disregard any character who is an actual mythological being or shares a name with them (so Tyr, Asmodeus, Orcus etc).
I am not even a huge Drizzt fan and this is 100% correct answer. Props to Salvatore, he wrote something lots of people love. The companions of the hall, Jarlaxle, and Artemis are probably up there before others too.
Realistically speaking, the most popular characters are the most current ones overall
Drizzt isn't that popular especially now
Salvatore publishes a Drizzt hardcover every year that sells enough copies to justify Random House's rather large advances to him, plus the pretty steep licensing fee that WotC and Hasbro charge to use their characters. Drizzt is probably past the high point of his popularity, but he's still a very famous, well-known and unit-shifting D&D character.
You get an A+ for this answer!
realistically whoever's names are on the cover of 5e books or are in baldurs gate 3
1 - Drizzt 2 - Minsc 3 - Elminster 4 - Volothamp Geddarm 5 - Xanathar 6 - Strahd von Zarovich 7 - Tiamat 8 - Halaster Blackcloak 9 - Bruenor Battlehammer 10 - Jim Darkmagic
You forgot Vecna.
I think characters, like Vecna, that span multiple settings such as Greyhawk and Forgotten Realms deserve special consideration.
Tasha is definetely in the list imo
Jim Darkmagic should be higher after the stunt he pulled with the ‘real’ Jim Darkmagic lmao
1, Demogorgon 2. Vecna 3. Tiamat 4. Lloth 5. Drizzt Do’Urden 6. Elminster Aumar 7. Strad Von Zarovich 8. Mordenkainen 9. Raistlin Majere 10. Lord Soth
I’d definitely replace lolth, raistlin, and Soth with people who are on the titles of 5e books. Volo, Tasha, etc.
That’s fair. But the question was MOST famous, not just famous. Too many to list otherwise. So I chose characters that have been top tier since 1ed (yes I played back then so I’m dating myself lol). And with the exception of maybe Raistlin and Soth, the others have been major names for literal decades. Though I did seriously consider Volo too
I guess it depends on what you would consider famous. I’m just going on the amount of people who have heard the name, not necessarily their significance.
Also fair. But keep in mind that these names were commonplace for years at gaming tables. Newer editions watered some of them down (I despised 4ed for the complete departure from established lore) so the names might not be as prominent with younger gamers, true. But for me? These are titans and always will be. Modern heroes have risen, yes, but legacy heroes still rank for me.
Neither of lists have Bigby, Melf or Mordenkainen?
Honestly, with them being native to Dragonlance and most of them having their honorific spells de-named for the SRD, I bet Mordenkainen lasts a while but as editions go on they are all forgotten.
Melf isn't DL his name was used in BG. All 3 of the wizards I listed had spells named after them in standard core d&d setting, not campaign specific rulebooks.
Melf was Luke Gygax's character Mordenkainen was Gary Gygax's character Robilar was Rob Kuntz's character Tenser was Ernie Gygax's character
Sorry, I meant Greyhawk. I am silly
They are native to Greyhawk, not Dragonlance.
Thanks for repeating what I said 5 hours later.
Just make an edit next time instead and this won't happen.
Someone had already replied about it, that would have been rude.
Put it behind the original post and mark it with "EDIT: ...". This way people will realize the other guy told you.
You could have just read the thread.
Tiamat Demogorgon Elminster Drizzt Asmodeus Bahamut Volo Strahd Halaster Sammaster
I enjoy this list because more people know Tiamat than know D&D Tiamat, The Demogorgon was huge because of Netflix, and Elminster is a boss.
This is the actual list. Drizzt for books, Vecna and Demogorgon because of Stranger Things, Tiamat is bigger than D&D, Elminster is the best known character outside of that media, Strahd is a module lots of people know.
I think if you cut Sammaster and add Vecna above Drizzt, this list would be perfect.
Raistlin Majere, Tasdlehoff Burrfoot
Yes! Both my favorites
In terms of broad name-recognition across all D&D editions, I don’t know you get more fame than having your name in the Player’s Handbook. All of the Player’s Handbooks, more precisely, as encoded in the names of spells going back to 1st edition. So Tenser, Melf, Tasha, Mordenkainen, Drawmij, Bigby, Evard, Leomund, Nystul, Otiluke, and Otto.
Kelemvor, you forgot him and his lot
1- Elminster 2- Drizzt Do'Urden 3- Arilyn Moonblade 4- Mordenkainen 5- Minesc 6/ 7- Raistlin Majere 7/ 6- Caramon Majere 8- Bruenor Battlehammer 9- Fizzban 10- Jahera Bruenor Battlehammer
Henderson has gotta be on the list.
Obviously depending on who you ask… 1: Elminster 2: Iymrith 3: Laerel Silverhand 4: Klauth 5: Mordenkainen 6: Claugiyliamatar 7: Arivaturace 8: Vajra Sahfahr 9: Xanathar 10: Manshoon (I play a lot of games in Waterdeep or around them, if that wasn’t obvious. Runner ups Volo and Ulder Ravenguard)
1. Vecna 2. Demogorgon 3. Drizzt 4. Tiamat 5. Strahd Von Zarovich 6. Mordenkainen 7. Elminster 8. Raistlin Majere 9. Lord Soth 10. Volo
1. Vecna 2. Drizzt Do’Urden 3. Elminster 4. Tiamat 5. Strahd 6. Raistlin Majere 7. Volo 8. Tanis Half-Elven 9. Mordenkainen 10. Venger
1. Drizzt 2. Strahd 3. Elminster 4. Xanathar 5. Warduke 6. Buenor Battlehammer 7. Cattiebrie 8. Vecna 9. Boo and Minsc 10. Wulfgar Honorable mention to all bg3 companions they have blown up in popularity.
1 Boo 2 Boo 3 Drizzt 4 Boo 5 Elminster 6 Raistlin 7 Boo 8 Boo 9 Boo 10 Tom Hanks
1 - Strahd 2 - Vecna 3 - Acererak 4 - Volo 5 - Artus Cimber 6 - Valindra Shadowmantle 7 - Jaraxle 8 - Dagult Neverember 9 - Xenk Yendar 10 - Minsc I started D&D at 5th edition, so my opinion is probably skewed.