Dragonborn Variant - The Homebrewery

Dragonborn Variant

A Fresh Take On The Dragonborn Race by U/ColinHasInvaded

Credits:

WoTC for making the world's greatest
roleplaying game.

The lovely folks at the Haven discord for
helping me get good at brew and being good

friends
My girlfriend. For always being there for me and

loving me unconditionally.
Full art credits are at the end of this document.

Dragonborn Traits Blue Dragonborn
Your dragonborn character has the following traits.
Your line hails from the infamous blue dragons, known for
Age. Young dragonborn grow quickly. They walk hours tricking desert travelers using their talent for hallucinations
after hatching, attain the size and development of a 10-year- and causing desert storms. Blue dragons are unusual among
old human child by the age of 3, and reach adulthood by 15. chromatic dragons, given their orderly nature and the fact
Most live to be around 200 years old, and some can even live that they were more likely to taunt and humiliate creatures
longer than that. than kill them.

Alignment. Dragonborn tend to extremes, making a Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by
conscious choice for one side or the other. A dragonborn’s 2, and your Charisma score increase by 1.
heritage can be a deciding factor in their alignment, a red
dragonborn may tend to be greedy and evil, but they can Draconic Ancestry. The damage type for your Draconic
overcome their natural tendencies and instincts and choose Armor and Breath Attack features is lightning. Also, your
goodness. breath attack uses a 30-foot line, and requires a Dexterity
saving throw.
Size. Dragonborn are generally between 6 and 7 feet tall
and weigh between 200 and 300 pounds. Your size is Desert Magic. You know the Shocking Grasp cantrip, and
medium. can cast it at will. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the
Silent Image spell once with this trait as a first level spell.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet. When you cast Silent Image in this way, you regain use of it
Draconic Armor. Your thick scales protect your body, on a long rest.
while unarmored, your AC equals 12 + your Dexterity
modifier. Also, you have resistance to the damage type Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
granted to you by your Draconic Ancestry.
Breath Attack. Your draconic anatomy grants you the
ability to exhale elemental destruction like greater dragons.
Your Draconic Ancestry decides the shape and damage type
of your breath attack.
Regardless, you use your action to use your breath attack,
each creature in the area of effect must make a saving throw
equal to 8 + your Constitution modifier + your Proficiency
Bonus or take 4d6 damage on a failed save, and half as much
on a successful one.
The damage increases to 6d6 at 5th level, 8d6 at 11th level,
and 10d6 at 17th level. When you reach 8th level, your breath
attack grows in size, if your breath attack is a cone it
becomes a 30-foot cone, and if it's a line it becomes a 5-foot
by 60-foot line.
You regain use of your breath attack on a short or long rest.
Language. You speak Common and Draconic.
Subraces There are as many subraces of dragonborn as
there are types of dragon. Choose one of them for your
character.

Red Dragonborn

Your ancestry traces back to the red dragons. The mightiest
of all the chromatic dragons, red dragons cared little for the
problems of lesser dragons, and even less for what they
considered mortals. This hubris was usually what brought
about the downfall of a red dragon.

Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by
2, and your Constitution score increase by 1.

Draconic Ancestry. The damage type for your Draconic
Armor and Breath Attack features is fire. Also, your breath
attack uses a 15-foot cone, and requires a Dexterity saving
throw.

Powerful Build. You count as one size larger when
determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can
push, drag, or lift.

Green Dragonborn White Dragonborn

Your ancestry traces back to the deceptive green dragons, The weakest of chromatic dragonkind, white dragons were
they are known for their natural gift for manipulation and also the least intelligent. While still being leagues ahead
corruption of lesser creatures. smarter than most humans, they were still considered
animalistic and savage to other dragons.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by
2, and your Charisma score increases by 1. Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases
by 2, and your Strength score increases by 1.
Draconic Ancestry. The damage type for your Draconic
Armor and Breath Attack features is poison. Also, your breath Draconic Ancestry. The damage type for your Draconic
attack uses a 15-foot cone, and requires a Constitution saving Armor and Breath Attack features is cold. Also, your breath
throw. attack uses a 15-foot cone, and requires a Constitution saving
throw.
Poison Resistance. You have advantage on saving throws
against the poisoned condition. Ice Walk. You can move across and climb icy surfaces
without needing to make an ability check. Additionally,
Black Dragonborn difficult terrain composed of ice or snow doesn't cost you
extra movement.
Your ancestry traces you back to the vile tempered black
dragons. Black dragons were the most cruel of all the Gold Dragonborn
chromatic dragons, loving to play with their prey and torture
them before finishing them off. Your ancestry traces back to the reclusive gold dragons, their
majesty and wisdom is in your blood.
Ability Score Improvement. Your Constitution score
increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1. Ability Score Improvement. Your Wisdom score
increases by 2, and your Strength score increases by 1.
Draconic Ancestry. The damage type for your Draconic
Armor and Breath Attack features is acid. Also, your breath Draconic Ancestry. The damage type for your Draconic
attack uses a 30-foot line, and requires a Dexterity saving Armor and Breath Attack features is fire. Also, your breath
throw. attack uses a 15-foot cone, and requires a Dexterity saving
throw.
Swamp Predator. You can hold your breath for up to 15
minutes, and have a swimming speed equal to your walking Brave. You have advantage on saving throws against being
speed. frightened.

Additionally, you have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth)
checks while submerged in water.

Silver Dragonborn

Your ancestry traces back to the graceful silver dragons, their
appreciation of human culture and natural intelligence are in
your blood.

Ability Score Improvement. Your Intelligence score
increases by 2, and your Charisma score increases by 1.

Draconic Ancestry. The damage type for your Draconic
Armor and Breath Attack features is cold. Also, your breath
attack uses a 15-foot cone, and requires a Constitution saving
throw.

Natural Leader. You can use the help action as a bonus
action.

Bronze Dragonborn

Your ancestry traces back to the stalwart bronze dragons,
their good heartedness and pacifism are in your blood.

Ability Score Improvement. Your Constitution score
increases by 2, and your Charisma score increases by 1.

Draconic Ancestry. The damage type for your Draconic
Armor and Breath Attack features is lightning. Also, your
breath attack uses a 30-foot line, and requires a Dexterity
saving throw.

Aquatic Dweller. You can breathe underwater, and have a
swimming speed equal to your walking speed.

Copper Dragonborn

Your ancestry traces back to the trickster bronze dragons,
their skill at entertaining and presenting riddles is in your
blood.

Ability Score Improvement. Your Charisma score
increases by 2, and your Intelligence score increases by 1.

Draconic Ancestry. The damage type for your Draconic
Armor and Breath Attack features is acid. Also, your breath
attack uses a 30-foot line, and requires a Dexterity saving
throw.

Play On Words You have proficiency in Performance and
Deception.

Brass Dragonborn

Your ancestry traces back to the brass dragons, their
appreciation of knowledge and intelligence are in your blood.

Ability Score Improvement. Your Intelligence score
increases by 2, and your Strength score increases by 1.

Draconic Ancestry. The damage type for your Draconic
Armor and Breath Attack features is fire. Also, your breath
attack uses a 15-foot cone, and requires a Dexterity saving
throw.

Fluent You can speak, read, and write 1 extra language of
your choice, and if you converse with a creature using a
language that it knows that isn't common, you add double
your proficiency bonus to any Persuasion checks made
towards that creature.

Bonus Ancestries Undead. Your type is both humanoid and undead, meaning
The following subraces are either one of a kind or incredibly you are affected by any features or abilities that affect either
rare depending on the setting, and require close of those types. For example, you can be targeted by hold
consideration from the DM. person or turned by turn undead. The exception to this is
healing: any spell, feature, or ability that restores hit points
Platinum Dragonborn and normally has no effect on undead instead restores you
for half the number of hit points it would normally restore,
You are a chosen dragonborn of celestial blood, born of light. rather than having no effect.
You are a natural leader, and a powerful weapon against the
forces of evil. Due to your undead nature, you are immune to disease and
the poisoned condition, and you have resistance to poison
Ability Score Improvement. Your Strength score and necrotic damage. You do not need to eat or breathe, but
increases by 2, and your Charisma score increases by 1. you can ingest food or drink if you wish.

Draconic Ancestry. The damage type for your Draconic Instead of sleeping, you enter an inactive state for 4 hours
Armor and Breath Attack features is radiant. Also, your each day. You do not dream in this state, but resting in this
breath attack uses a 30-foot line, and requires a Dexterity way is otherwise identical to sleeping. Magically induced
saving throw. sleep can cause you to enter this inactive state.

Inspiring Roar. As an action, you can expend a use of your Clockwork Dragonborn
Breath Attack to let loose a roar of inspiration. Allied
creatures within 30 feet have advantage on their next attack You were created, not born. Perhaps you were constructed by
or saving throw in the next minute. a master golemsmith to help defend her projects, or were
part of a line of manufactured dragonoid war golems.
Once you use your Breath Attack in this way, you cannot do
it again until you complete a long rest. Ability Score Improvement. Your Constitution score
increases by 2, and your Strength score increases by 1.
Shadow Dragonborn
Draconic Ancestry. The damage type for your Draconic
You were once a true dragonborn, but now you are a monster Armor and Breath Attack features is fire. Also, your breath
corrupted by the shadowfell or a similar darkness. Now the attack uses a 15-foot cone, and requires a Dexterity saving
light burns your flesh and saps your strength, and you forgot throw.
the love of the sun's warm embrace.
Artificial. You were created, not born. This fact is
Ability Score Improvement. Your Dexterity score represented by the following benefits:
increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.
You have advantage on saving throws against being
Draconic Ancestry. The damage type for your Draconic poisoned, and you have resistance to poison damage.
Armor and Breath Attack features is necrotic. Also, your You are immune to disease.
breath attack uses a 15-foot cone, and requires a Constitution You don’t need to eat, drink, or breathe.
saving throw. You don’t need to sleep and don’t suffer the effects of
exhaustion due to lack of rest, and magic can’t put you to
Shadow Stealth. While in dim light or darkness, you can sleep.
take the hide action as a bonus action. Recharge. When you take a long rest, you must spend at
least 6 hours in an inactive, motionless state, rather than
Shadevision. You can see normally in dim light and sleeping. In this state, you appear inert, but it doesn’t render
darkness, both magical and nonmagical, to a distance of 30 you unconscious, and you can see and hear as normal.
feet.
Faerie Dragonborn
Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, you have
disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom Your ancestry traces back to the playful faerie dragons, their
(Perception) checks that rely on sight. fey magic and quickness is in your blood.

Undead Dragonborn Ability Score Improvement. Your Charisma score
increases by 2 and your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Whether you were the failed experiment of some dragon
obsessed necromancer, or born from an evil god, you are an Fey Ancestry. You replace your Draconic Armor and
undead dragonborn and will be hated and spat upon. Breath Attack features, instead you have advantage on saving
Regardless you have some powerful abilities, but the throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to
drawbacks are severe. Work with your DM on how this came sleep.
about.
Size. Faerie Dragonborn are smaller than other
Ability Score Improvement. Your Intelligence score Dragonborn by a sizeable amount, usually around 3 to 4 feet
increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1. tall. Your size is small

Draconic Ancestry. The damage type for your Draconic Fey Magic. You know the Minor Illusion cantrip and can
Armor and Breath Attack features is necrotic. Also, your cast it at will. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the
breath attack uses a 15-foot cone, and requires a Constitution Charm Person spell once with this trait as a first level spell.
saving throw. When you cast Charm Person in this way, you regain use of it
on a long rest.

Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Gem Ancestries Draconic Ancestry. The damage type for your Draconic
The following subraces are descended from gem dragons, Armor and Breath Attack features is fire. Also, your breath
psionic and generally neutral cousins of chromatic and attack uses a 15-foot cone, and requires a Dexterity saving
metallic dragons. Gem dragonborn are not as common as throw.
other types of dragonborn, but share their greater
counterparts natural psionic power and traits. Pyrokinesis. You know the Produce Flame cantrip and
can cast it at will. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the
Amethyst Dragonborn Hellish Rebuke spell once with this trait as a first level spell.
When you cast Hellish Rebuke in this way, you regain use of it
Your blood stems from the easy going amethyst dragons, you on a long rest.
have enherited their natural gift for psionic power.
Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Ability Score Improvement. Your Charisma score
increases by 2, and your Intelligence score increasesby 1. Sapphire Dragonborn

Draconic Ancestry. The damage type for your Draconic You are related to the territorial sapphire dragons, you gained
Armor and Breath Attack features is force. Also, your breath their natural gift for psychoportation and fearlessness.
attack has a 5-foot radius centered on a point within 20 feet
of you, and requires a Dexterity saving throw. Ability Score Improvement. Your Strength and Wisdom
scores increase by 1.
When you reach 8th level, your breath attack grows in size,
and your breath attack has a 10-foot radius centered on a Draconic Ancestry. The damage type for your Draconic
point within 40 feet of you. Armor and Breath Attack features is thunder. Also, your
breath attack uses a 15-foot cone, and requires a Constitution
Psychokinesis. You know the Mage Hand cantrip and can saving throw.
cast it without spell components. When you cast Mage Hand
using this feature, you can make the spectral hand invisible. Psychoportation. As a bonus action, you can magically
teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space you can see.
Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this spell. Once you use this trait, you regain use of it on a short or long
rest.
Crystal Dragonborn

Your ancestry flows from the intensely curious crystal
dragons, a shining light burns in your heart.

Ability Score Improvement. Your Constitution score
increases by 2 and your Intelligence score increases by 1.

Draconic Ancestry. The damage type for your Draconic
Armor and Breath Attack features is radiant. Also, your
breath attack uses a 15-foot cone, and requires a Dexterity
saving throw.

Scintillating Psionics. You know the Light cantrip and
can cast it at will. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the
Color Spray spell once with this trait as a first level spell.
When you cast Color Spray in this way, you regain use of it on
a long rest.

Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Emerald Dragonborn

Your ancestry derives from the paranoid and antisocial
emerald dragons. You share their love for study and
knowledge.

Ability Score Improvement. Your Intelligence score
increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Draconic Ancestry. The damage type for your Draconic
Armor and Breath Attack features is thunder. Also, your
breath attack uses a 15-foot cone, and requires a Constitution
saving throw.

Innate Knowledge. You have proficiency in your choice of
Arcana, Religion, or History.

Obsidian Dragonborn

Your ancestry flows from the hot tempered obsidian dragons
that live amongst volcanos, their fire and strength are a part
of you.

Ability Score Improvement. Your Strength score
increases by 2, and your Charisma score increase by 1.

Topaz Dragonborn Ruby Dragonborn

Your ancestry flows from the selfish topaz dragons, you have You are a one of a kind dragonborn, created either through
their power over water and dehydrating breath. pure chance or divine will. Your powers are versatile and your
will is strong.
Ability Score Improvement. Your Intelligence and
Constitution scores increase by 1. Ability Score Improvement. Your Charisma score
increases by 2, and your choice of ability score increases by 1.
Draconic Ancestry. The damage type for your Draconic
Armor and Breath Attack features is necrotic. Also, your Draconic Ancestry. The damage type for your Draconic
breath attack uses a 30-foot line, and requires a Constitution Armor and Breath Attack features is fire. Also, your breath
saving throw. attack uses a 30-foot line, and requires a Dexterity saving
throw.
Hydrokinesis. You know the Shape Water cantrip and can
cast it at will. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Awesome Presence. As an action, you expend a use of
Create or Destroy Water spell once with this trait as a first your breath attack feature to overwhelm the mind of a
level spell. When you cast Create or Destroy Water in this creature within 30 feet of you with psionic power. The
way, you regain use of it on a long rest. creature must make a Wisdom saving throw against your
breath attack DC or be incapacitated for 1 minute.
Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
The creature can repeat the saving throw at the beginning
of each of it's turns, ending the effect on a success.

Racial Featst certain levels, your class gives you the Ability Draconic Influence
Score Improvement feature. Using the optional
feats rule, you can forgo taking that feature to Prerequisite: Dragonborn
take a feat of your choice instead. You can take You learn how to harness some of the influence that true

Aeach feat only once, unless the feat's description dragons have on mortals. You gain the following benefits:
says otherwise. You gain proficiency in your choice of Intimidation or
Persuasion. If you already have proficiency in one of these
Deep Breaths skills, you add double your proficiency bonus to rolls using
that skill.
Prerequisite: Dragonborn If you choose Intimidation, you can use a bonus action to
Sublety isn’t your way. You have mastered the use of make a Charisma (Intimidation) check against a creature’s
Wisdom (Insight), if the creature can hear or see you and
exhaling elemental energies, and thus you have trained your you succeed, the creature is frightened of you until the end
throat to crack stone with your voice alone. You gain the of your next turn.
following benefits: If you choose Persuasion, you can use a bonus action to
make a Charisma (Persuasion) check against a creature’s
Instead of exhaling destructive energy, you can expend a Wisdom (Insight), if the creature can hear or see you and
use of your Breath Weapon trait to roar, forcing each you succeed, the creature is charmed by you until the end
creature of your choice within 30 feet of you must succeed of your next turn.
on a Wisdom saving throw equal to your Breath Attack You can use this ability once, and you regain use of it on a
DC. A target automatically succeeds on the save if it can't
hear or see you. On a failed save, a target becomes short or long rest.
frightened for 1 minute. If the frightened target takes any
damage, it can repeat the saving throw, ending the effect Telepathy
on itself on a success.
When you speak, you can choose to make your voice up to Prerequisite: Dragonborn (Gem Subrace)
3 times louder. You learn to focus your natural psionic power as a gem

Winged Thunder dragonborn.
You can speak telepathically to any creature within 30 feet
Prerequisite: Dragonborn
You have grown wings that are common amongst the of you. The creature understands you only if the two of you
share a language. You can speak telepathically in this way to
greater of your kind. You gain the following benefits. one creature at a time.
You have a flying speed equal to your walking speed. To
use this speed, you can’t be overencumbered, or wear Minor Polymorph
heavy armor.
Once per short or long rest, when you move into the air Prerequisite: Dragonborn (Metallic Subrace)
using your fly speed you can make a buffet attack as a Like your greater counterpart you now have the ability to
bonus action. Any grounded creatures that are within 5
feet of you must make a Strength saving throw equal to shapeshift and change your form to suit your purpose.
your Breath Attack DC or be knocked prone. You gain the ability to cast the Alter Self spell once per long

Tooth and Scale rest. When you cast Alter Self using this ability, it lasts for as
long as you can concentrate.
Prerequisite: Dragonborn
You grow retractable claws, your fangs grow longer and

your scales harden further. You gain the following benefits:
Your fanged maw and retractable claws are natural
weapons, with which you can make unarmed strikes. Your
bite deals 1d6 piercing damage, and your claws deal 1d6
slashing damage.
Your natural AC equals 13 + your Dexterity or
Constitution modifier.

Art Credits

Cover Image by Homem-Lagarto
"Black Dragonborn Necromancer" by Polygraf
"Rimas, the Dragonborn" by Fushark
"Red Half Dragonborn" Pathfinder
"Rhagar" by BlackSalander
"Dragonborn Barbarian" by Tedd Ottosson
"Purple Dragonborn" Pathfinder
"Infiltrator" by captdiablo