
Sun Haven lets every new farmer pick one of seven playable races, and each race grants a distinct racial perk that shapes early game speed. Because the choice can be changed later at the salon, no pick is permanent, but starting with the right race makes gold-making and skill progression noticeably smoother in the first weeks. This guide ranks all 7 races, lists every racial perk, and tells players which race to choose for their preferred playstyle.
Choosing a race is one of the first decisions a player makes, and it is natural to wonder if the choice matters. The short answer is yes — a well-chosen racial perk can save hours of in-game time, especially in the early game when resources are tight and every efficiency boost counts. The good news is that none of the seven races are bad, and players can always switch later. This guide breaks down each race’s perk in detail, explains which playstyles benefit most, and provides a tier list for players who just want to know the strongest overall picks.
The 7 Playable Races
There are seven playable races available during character creation: Angels, Amari, Demons, Elementals, Elves, Humans, and Naga. Some NPCs belong to races the player cannot pick, and each of the seven playable races has one unique racial perk that is either a passive effect or an active spell.

| Race | Perk | Effect | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human | Expert Crafter | Increases crafting speed by 20%, shared with all players | Passive |
| Elf | Elven Eyes | Deals 15% more damage with crossbows | Passive |
| Demon | Shadow Rush | Increases movement speed by 60% for 10 seconds | Active (3 min cooldown) |
| Angel | Miracle | Heals the player 15% + 15 HP and restores health to nearby allies | Active (3 min cooldown) |
| Elemental | Elemental Tap | Restores 10 mana plus 10% of max mana for the player and nearby allies | Active (3 min cooldown) |
| Amari | Primal Nature | Chance to restore a small amount of health when attacking enemies | Passive |
| Naga | Mermaid’s Touch | Enlarges the fishing sweet spot by 30%, making fish easier to catch | Passive |
Racial perks split cleanly into two groups: six races carry a passive perk that always applies, while a single race (Demon) brings an active movement spell. The skill trees stack on top of these race bonuses, so a Human crafter and an Elven archer want different priorities.

Human — The Crafting Powerhouse
Humans are the most straightforward race and the default choice for new players. The Expert Crafter perk increases crafting speed by 20%, and it applies to all nearby players in co-op. This means a Human farmer smelts ore faster, cooks meals faster, and builds furniture faster than any other race. Over the course of a full playthrough, those saved seconds add up to hours of real time. Humans also fit naturally into a money-focused playstyle — faster crafting means faster turnover on artisan goods, which means more gold per day. Pair a Human with the cooking skill tree for maximum profit efficiency.
Elf — The Ranged Specialist
Elves gain Elven Eyes, a passive 15% damage boost with crossbows. This makes them the go-to choice for players who prefer ranged combat over melee. Crossbows are already one of the strongest weapon types in the game, and the Elven bonus pushes them even further ahead. Elves also have a natural synergy with the Nel’Vari region and its forest-themed content. For players who plan to spend a lot of time in the mine fighting monsters or who want to focus on the combat skill tree, Elf is the strongest passive damage option available.
Demon — The Speed Demon
Demons are the only race with a pure movement-based active ability. Shadow Rush grants a 60% movement speed boost for 10 seconds, with a 3-minute cooldown. On paper, 10 seconds every 3 minutes does not sound like much, but in practice it is incredibly useful for long walks across the farm, trips to town, and late-night dashes back home before passing out. Demon players can cover the entire farm in a single rush, making daily chores significantly faster. The movement boost also has combat applications — kiting enemies, dodging boss attacks, and repositioning quickly all become much easier.
Angel — The Healer
Angels have the Miracle active ability, which heals the player for 15% of max health plus 15 flat HP and also heals nearby allies. With a 3-minute cooldown, it is essentially a free healing potion on demand. For new players who are still learning combat patterns and dying frequently, Angel can be a lifesaver. In co-op, the value skyrockets because one Angel player can keep the entire party alive during tough boss fights. Even in solo play, having a reliable heal on demand means fewer trips back home to rest and more time spent mining, fishing, or exploring.
Elemental — The Mana Battery
Elementals restore mana with Elemental Tap, an active ability that gives 10 mana plus 10% of max mana to the player and nearby allies on a 3-minute cooldown. This is a support-focused perk that shines brightest in co-op parties where multiple players are casting spells. Mana is one of the most limited resources in Sun Haven, especially early game, and the Elemental’s ability to top off the entire party’s mana bar makes deep mine runs and extended combat encounters much more sustainable. For solo players who rely heavily on spells, Elemental is also a strong pick, though the effect is less impactful when only one person benefits.
Amari — The Survivor
Amari have the Primal Nature passive, which gives them a chance to restore a small amount of health whenever they attack an enemy. It is a proc-based heal that works best with fast-attacking weapons like daggers or rapid crossbows. The heal amount per hit is not huge, but it adds up significantly over the course of a long fight. Amari players who combine this perk with the combat skill tree and a fast weapon can stay alive in the mine for much longer without needing to use healing items. It is a great choice for players who want a low-effort survivability boost that does not require pressing an ability button.
Naga — The Fishing Master
Naga are the undisputed kings of fishing. The Mermaid’s Touch passive enlarges the fishing minigame’s sweet spot by 30%, making every fish significantly easier to catch. For players who plan to make their fortune through fishing — which is one of the highest-gold activities in the early game — Naga is by far the best starting race. The larger sweet spot means more successful casts, higher-quality fish, and faster fishing skill progression. Combined with the fishing guide, a Naga player can quickly become a fishing powerhouse, earning thousands of gold per day even in the first season.
Best Race for Every Playstyle
Because the best race depends on how a player likes to play, the strongest choice changes with the goal. The author ranking below scores each race by how well its perk supports a specific style.

- Best for profit and crafting: Human. The Expert Crafter perk’s 20% crafting speed saves real hours on large crafts and stacks for the whole party, making Human the safest pick for a relaxed money-focused run.
- Best for fishing: Naga. Mermaid’s Touch enlarges the fishing sweet spot by 30%, which quickly builds the fishing skill and catches more fish per cast.
- Best for combat and crossbows: Elf. Elven Eyes adds 15% more crossbow damage, a direct boost to the ranged weapons playstyle for clearing monsters.
- Best for speed and travel: Demon. Shadow Rush’s 60% movement boost for 10 seconds cuts down long trips across the map, saving time every in-game day.
- Best for survival and defense: Angel. Miracle heals the player and nearby allies, which keeps a solo farmer alive during early monster fights.
- Best for support and co-op: Elemental. Elemental Tap restores mana to the whole group, keeping co-op allies casting.
Her small proc-style heal makes Amari a solid all-rounder for players who want a passive safety net while fighting, though its value is steadier than bursty. Both Amari and Naga bring strong passive benefits that never need a cooldown.
Overall Tier List (Solo Play)
For players who want a simple ranking regardless of playstyle, here is how the races stack up for a typical solo playthrough focused on farming, crafting, and a bit of everything:
S-Tier: Human (universal crafting speed boost that always saves time) and Naga (fishing is broken-good for early gold, and the sweet spot bonus makes it even better). These two races offer the most value for the widest range of players.
A-Tier: Elf (great for combat-focused players, less impactful for pure farmers) and Demon (incredible mobility, but only active 10 seconds every 3 minutes). Strong picks for specific playstyles but not universal winners.
B-Tier: Amari (reliable passive heal that is always nice but never amazing) and Angel (strong heal on demand, but players rarely need that much healing outside of boss fights). Good safety nets but not efficiency boosters.
C-Tier: Elemental (excellent in co-op, underwhelming in solo play). The mana restore is great for spell-heavy parties, but most solo players do not burn mana fast enough to make it top-tier.
Can Players Change Race Later?
Yes. Players are not locked into their starting race. Changing race at the salon also counts toward the series of unlock achievements, and there are seven achievements tied to creating (or switching to) a character of each race. Running the salon lets a player try Human for the early crafting grind and swap to Elf later for combat-heavy content.

Because every race is a permanent feature of the game rather than a temporary modifier, the “wrong” race is never wasted. Players who want the fastest early start choose Human for crafting, while those who plan to spend most of the run fishing pick Naga from the very first day.
How to Change Race at the Salon
The salon is located in Sun Haven town and becomes available fairly early in the game. To change race, simply walk inside, interact with the salon NPC, and select the race change option. There is a small gold cost, but it is affordable even for new players. The process is instant and can be done as many times as desired. Each time a player switches to a race they have never played before, they unlock the corresponding achievement. Completionists who want all seven racial achievements should plan to try every race at least once, though this is purely for collection purposes and does not affect gameplay.
Optimal Race Swap Strategy
Advanced players sometimes use race switching as a strategic tool rather than a cosmetic choice. The most common strategy is to start as Human for the early crafting speed boost, then switch to Naga once the farm is set up and fishing becomes the primary income source. Later in the game, when combat content like the Withergate story opens up, switching to Elf or Amari can make fights easier. This “meta swap” approach maximizes efficiency at each stage of the game, though it is entirely optional and not necessary for a successful playthrough.
Best Race FAQ
What is the best starting race in Sun Haven?
Human is the best starting race for most players because its 20% crafting speed boost is always useful and shared with the whole party. For players who know they want to focus on fishing, Naga is even stronger.
Can players change their race after the game starts?
Yes. Players can change race at the salon at any time for a small gold fee, and doing so counts toward race unlock achievements. There is no limit on how many times a player can switch.
How many races are there in Sun Haven?
There are seven playable races: Angel, Amari, Demon, Elemental, Elf, Human, and Naga. Several NPC-only races also exist in the game world.
Which race is best for fishing?
Naga is best for fishing because its Mermaid’s Touch perk enlarges the fishing sweet spot by 30%, making every fish easier to catch and speeding up skill progression.
Does the Human crafting bonus apply in multiplayer?
Yes. The Expert Crafter perk increases crafting speed by 20% for the player and all other players nearby. In a co-op party with multiple Humans, the effect stacks, making group crafting sessions extremely fast.
Which race is best for combat?
Elf is the strongest pure combat race for crossbow users thanks to the 15% Elven Eyes damage boost. For melee players, Amari’s passive healing on hit provides more survivability in long fights.
Are any races better for beginners?
Human is the most beginner-friendly race because the crafting speed bonus is straightforward and always useful. Angel is also a good choice for new players who worry about dying in combat, since the Miracle heal provides an extra safety net.
Race perks and effects are verified against the official Sun Haven community wiki. Values reflect the numbers recorded there at the time of writing.
Love cozy farming games?
Check out our complete Heartopia Guide — mobile cozy town simulation with home building, gardening, and cute neighbors!
🏡 Explore Heartopia →