All Solasta 2 Races (Ancestry) | Solasta 2 Wiki

Races, also known as Ancestries, determine your starting appearance in Solasta 2, along with your character’s Ancestry Features such as Darkvision. In this guide, we review all the Race / Ancestry options available during Character Creation in Solasta 2.

Solasta 2 Race / Ancestry Overview

In Solasta 2, your Race (Ancestry) choice is extremely important for the future gameplay of your character. You can prioritize the magical flexibility of an Elf, the frontline durability of a Dwarf, the reliable consistency of a Halfling, or the unmatched customization of a Human through free Origin Feats. This guide explores the “Core Four” ancestries available at the start of Early Access to help you build the perfect party for the March 12th launch.

This sequel adopts the 2024 D&D ruleset, which decouples your attribute points from your ancestry and moves them to your background. This shift allows you to select a race based on unique tactical utility and biological traits instead of raw stats. You can now build any class with any ancestry without falling behind on your primary numbers, as your background provides the necessary power for your build. Understanding these new synergies is key to mastering the tactical combat and party-driven dialogue that defines this new chapter.

All Solasta 2 Races & Ancestries

Players can choose from the following Race (Ancestry) options during Character Creation in Solasta 2:

• Dwarf – blocky and sturdy, the Dwarf Race are fierce warriors.
• Elf – naturally gifted with magic, agile, and fast, the Elf Race have innate resistances and keen senses.
• Halfling – short and nimble, the Halfling Race is known for their bravery despite their size.
• Human – able to live anywhere and take any job, the Human Race is versatile above all else.

Read on for more details regarding specific Lineages, Ancestry Features, Known Languages, and more for each race in Solasta 2.

Dwarf

One of the ancient dwellers of Solasta, dwarves are naturally skilled miners and craftsmen. Blocky and sturdy, they are fierce warriors and keepers of their ancestral culture and traditions.

Ancestry Features

• Dark Vision – You have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light.
• Dwarven Resilience – You have resistance to poison damage. You also have advantage on saving throws you make to avoid or end the Poisoned condition.
• Dwarven Toughness – Your hit point maximum increases by 1, and increases by 1 again whenever you gain a level.
• Stonecunning – Gain Tremorsense for 10 minutes. You can pinpoint the location of creatures with X distance, provided that you are all in contact with the same stone surface.
  • You can use this bonus action a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus per long rest.

Known Languages

• Common Language

Language Choices

Choose 2 languages in the Proficiencies Step during Character Creation.

• Halfling
• Dwarvish
• Goblin
• Elvish
• Orc
• Gnomish
• Draconic
• Giant

Dwarf Race (Ancestry) Pros and Cons

The Dwarf Race is one of the simplest Ancestry options in Solsata. Unlike the Elf or Human Ancestry, Dwarves do not have any additional proficiency options, Lineage choices or Origin Feats to choose from. Still, Ancestry Features like Dark Vision are definitely helpful in darker conditions, plus their increased HP through Dwarven Toughness in addition to increased Poison Resistance is a nice option for Melee Builds and Tanks on the front line.

On the cons side, the Dwarf lacks the high-mobility spells or movement speed bonuses found in the Elven lineages, making them more susceptible to being kited or stuck in difficult terrain. Additionally, while their features are excellent for front-line combatants, they offer fewer “active” utility options or free spells compared to the High Elf, which make the Dwarven Race less useful for pure casters or utility builds.

Elf

Elves are some of the most ancient dwellers on Solasta, and used to rule a powerful empire before the Cataclysm. They are naturally gifted with magic, agile and fast. They have innate resistances and keen senses.

Ancestry Features

• Dark Vision – You have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light.
• Fey Ancestry – You have advantage on saving throws you make to avoid or end the Charmed condition.
• Keen Senses – You have proficiency in the Insight, Perception, or Survival skill.
• Trance – Magic can’t put you to sleep, and you retain consciousness during long rests.

Skill Choices

The Elf Ancestry in Solasta 2 gains a bonus proficiency choice via the Keen Senses Ancestry Feature. Players can choose one additional Skill Proficincy from the following options:

• Insight
• Perception
• Survival

Known Languages

• Common Language

Language Choices

Choose 2 languages in the Proficiencies Step during Character Creation.

• Elvish
• Draconic
• Dwarvish
• Halfling
• Orc
• Gnomish
• Giant
• Goblin

Elven Lineage

You are part of a lineage that grants you supernatural abilities. You gain the level 1 benefit of that lineage. You gain new spells at character levels 3 and 5, which you can cast once per long rest. You can also cast the spell using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level.

High Elf

• Level 1 – You know the Fire Bolt cantrip. Whenever you finish a long rest, you can replace that cantrip with a different cantrip from the Wizard spell list.
• Level 3 – You know the level 1 Longstrider spell.
• Level 5 – You know the level 2 Misty Step spell.

Sylvan Elf

• Level 1 – Your speed increases to 35 ft. You know the Venemous Spike cantrip.
• Level 3 – You learn the level 1 Expeditious Retreat spell.
• Level 5 – You learn the level 2 Protection From Poison spell.

Elf Race (Ancestry) Pros and Cons

The biggest pro for selecting the Elf Race in Solasta 2 is the sheer flexibility provided by your Elven Lineage. The High Elf’s ability to swap cantrips after a long rest means you always have the right utility or damage tool, while the free Misty Step at level 5 is a literal game-changer for positioning. Additionally, the Trance and Fey Ancestry features provide strong defensive layers against crowd control like sleep and charm, and the extra skill proficiency from Keen Senses helps round out a party’s out-of-combat capabilities.

On the con side, Elves lack the raw durability bonuses found in other ancestries such as the Dwarven health boost, making them feel “squishier” if caught out of position. Also, while the Sylvan Elf’s increased movement speed (35 ft) is helpful, its specific lineage spells like Protection from Poison are more situational compared to the universal utility of the High Elf, potentially making this choice feel less impactful depending on the campaign’s enemy variety.

Halfing

The original halflings evolved in the marshes on the northeastern part of Solasta, before spreading south, following the river, and reaching the sea. They are short and nimble, and known for their bravery despite their size.

Ancestry Features

• Brave – You have advantage on saving throws you make to avoid or end the Frightened condition.
• Halfing Nimbleness – You can move through the space of any creature that is a size larger than you, but you can’t stop in the same space.
• Luck – When you roll a 1 on a d20 test, you can reroll the die, and you must use the new roll.
• Naturally Stealthy – You can take the Hide action even when you are obscured only by a creature that is at least one size larger than you.

Known Languages

• Common Language

Language Choices

Choose 2 languages in the Proficiencies Step during Character Creation.

• Halfling
• Dwarvish
• Goblin
• Elvish
• Orc
• Gnomish
• Draconic
• Giant

Halfling Race (Ancestry) Pros and Cons

The Halfling ancestry in Solasta 2 is built for consistency and tactical positioning, making them one of the most reliable choices for any party. The standout pro for the Halfling is the Luck feature, which drastically reduces the risk of critical failures by allowing a reroll on any natural 1. Their Halfling Nimbleness and Naturally Stealthy traits provide unique tactical freedom, allowing them to weave through enemy lines and hide behind larger allies, which is perfect for Rogues or fragile spellcasters.

On the con side, Halflings lack the direct offensive or utility spells granted by Elven lineages and the raw HP scaling of the Dwarf. While they are harder to hit and more consistent with their dice, they don’t possess the same “staying power” in a direct slugfest, making them more dependent on careful positioning and line-of-sight than the sturdier ancestries.

Human

Originally born on Tirmar and brought to Solasta before the Cataclysm, humans have adapted to their new world thanks to their unique talents. Able to live anywhere and take any job, they are versatile above all else.

Ancestry Features

• Resourceful (Heroic Inspiration) – You gain Heroic Inspiration whenever you finish a long rest. When you fail an attack or saving throw, you can spend your Heroic Inspiration to reroll the dice and use the new roll.
• Skillful – You gain proficiency with one skill of your choice.
• Versatile – You gain an Origin feat of your choosing.

Known Languages

• Common Language

Language Choices

Choose 2 languages in the Proficiencies Step during Character Creation.

• Elvish
• Dwarvish
• Halfling
• Draconic
• Giant
• Orc
• Goblin
• Gnomish

Origin Feats

The Human Ancestry in Solasta 2 can obtain an Origin Feat during Character Creation.

• Magic Initiate (Cleric) – You learn two cantrips of your choice from the Cleric spells list. The cantrips will use the best of your Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma as your spellcasting ability.
  • You also choose a level 1 spell from the Cleric spells list. This spell is always prepared. You can cast it once without a spell slot per long rest. You can also cast it using any spell slots you have.
• Magic Initiate (Wizard) – You learn two cantrips of your choice from the Wizard spells list. The cantrips will use the best of your Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma as your spellcasting ability.
  • You also choose a level 1 spell from the Wizard spells list. This spell is always prepared. You can cast it once without a spell slot per long rest. You can also cast it using any spell slots you have.
• Quick
  • Speed Increase – Your speed increases by 5 ft.
  • Agile Movement – Opportunity attacks have disadvantage against you.
• Ready for War – You gain proficiency with light armor, shields, and martial weapons.
• Robust
  • Healthy – Your hit points (HP) maximum increases by an amount equal to your character level when you gain this feat. Whenever you gain a character level thereafter, your maximum HP increases by an additional 1 HP.
  • Natural Healing – Whenever you use a hit die to regain HP, you roll twice and keep the highest result.
  • Hard to Kill – If you become Stable while Unconscious at 0 HP, you immediately regain 1 HP.
• Savage Attacker – You’ve trained to deal particularly damaging strikes. Once per turn when you hit a target with a weapon, you roll the weapon’s damage dice twice and use the best roll against the target.
• Skilled – You gain proficiency in any combination of three skills or tools of your choice.
• Vigilant
  • Sharp Senses – Gain proficiency in Perception. If you already are proficient, you gain expertise in Perception instead.
  • Ready – Being Surprised doesn’t imposed disadvantage on your Initiative roll.

Human Race (Ancestry) Pros and Cons

The primary pro for the Human Ancestry in Solasta 2 is the sheer power of Versatile, which grants a free Origin Feat at level 1. This allows for powerful early-game synergies, such as taking Ready for War to give a Wizard shield proficiency or Savage Attacker to maximize a Fighter’s damage floor. Furthermore, the Resourceful feature provides a guaranteed safety net by granting Heroic Inspiration after every long rest, allowing you to reroll a critical failure when it matters most.

On the con side, Humans lack any innate supernatural resistances or environmental advantages; they do not have the Darkvision shared by Elves and Dwarves, nor do they have the “infinite” reroll potential of the Halfling’s Luck. While they are incredibly flexible, they can feel “plain” compared to other ancestries that offer unique tactical abilities like Tremorsense or Misty Step.

Ancestry Differences Between Solasta 1 and Solasta 2

While Solasta 1 expanded its roster significantly through DLC (like the Primal Calling and Inner Strength packs), Solasta 2 launches its Early Access with a focused “Core Four” of classic fantasy ancestries.

The other major change between Solasta 1 and Solasta 2, other than the sheer number of available race options, is the removal of Ability Score Improvements (ASI) from your race selection. In Solasta 1, Race was the primary source of stats. A High Elf gave you +2 Dexterity / +1 Intelligence, making them objectively “better” Wizards than a Dwarf (+2 Constitution). This often led to “optimal” race/class pairings that felt restrictive.

But now in Solasta 2, Race selection provides zero attribute points. Instead, these bonuses are tied to your Background (e.g., Aristocrat or Academic). This allows you to play a Dwarven Wizard or a Halfling Barbarian without being behind on your primary spellcasting or attack math.

In short:

• In Solasta 1, your race determined how high your numbers were.
• In Solasta 2, your race determines what unique tools you have in your kit, while your Background determines your numbers.

This shift rewards roleplay and creative builds, as you are no longer penalized for picking a race that doesn’t “match” your class’s primary stat.

Solasta 2 Race & Ancestry FAQ

Navigating the changes in Solasta 2 can be a bit of a shock if you’re coming straight from the first game. Here are the most frequently asked questions regarding the new Ancestry system and how it impacts your character builds.

1. Where did my Ability Score bonuses (ASI) go?

In Solasta 2, races (Ancestries) no longer provide attribute points like Strength or Intelligence. To promote build freedom, these bonuses have been moved to Backgrounds. Your race now provides unique utility features (like teleportation or luck), while your Background (e.g., Academic, Aristocrat) provides your “numbers.”

2. Can I still play a “Hill Dwarf” or “Snow Dwarf”?

The sub-race system from Solasta 1 has been overhauled. For Dwarves, Halflings, and Humans, you now have a unified set of Ancestry features. However, Elves still retain a version of this through Lineages (High Elf or Sylvan Elf), which determines your bonus spells and movement speed.

3. Which race is best for a Wizard?

Because stats are no longer tied to race, there is no “wrong” answer!

• High Elf is a classic choice for the free Misty Step and swappable cantrips.
• Human is incredibly strong for a Wizard because you can take the Ready for War Origin Feat to gain proficiency in Shields and Light Armor, significantly increasing your survivability.
• Dwarf is now a viable Wizard pick for the extra HP and Poison resistance.

4. How does “Heroic Inspiration” work for Humans?

Humans receive Heroic Inspiration every time they finish a long rest. This is a “use it or lose it” resource that allows you to reroll a failed attack or saving throw. It’s a powerful safety net for those critical moments where a single bad die roll could result in a party wipe.

5. What happened to the other races like Tieflings and Dragonborn?

At the start of Early Access (March 12th), Solasta 2 features the “Core Four”: Human, Elf, Dwarf, and Halfling. Based on the development of the first game, it is highly likely that more ancestries will be added through Early Access updates or future DLC.

6. Is Darkvision still as important as it was in the first game?

Yes! Solasta is famous for its lighting mechanics. Dwarves and Elves still start with Darkvision, giving them a distinct advantage in dungeons. If you play a Human or Halfling, you will need to rely more heavily on torches, the Light cantrip, or magical items to avoid disadvantage on your attack rolls in the dark.

More Powerful Solasta 2 Builds!

Check out our complete list of powerful Solasta 2 builds to start your next adventure!

• Best Solasta 2 Builds List
• Battle Domain Cleric Build
• Life Domain Cleric Build
• Oblivion Domain Cleric Build
• Aether Warden Fighter Build
• Commander Fighter Build
• Oath Of Judgement Paladin Build
• Oath Of Liberation Paladin Build
• Scavenger Rogue Build
• Shadowcaster Rogue Build
• Mana Painter Sorcerer Build
• Star Child Sorcerer Build
• Court Mage Wizard Build
• School Of Ruin Wizard Build