D&D 5E Unearthed Arcana: Draconic Options

The latest Unearthed Arcana from WotC is called Draconic Options. It includes three variant Dragonborn races and a new kobold race, as well as a handful of new spells and feats. Dragonlance fans might do a double-take when they see Fizban's platinum shield (two Forgotten Realms dragons are referenced in the spells, too -- Icingdeath and Raulothim -- as is the FR god of fey dragons, Nathair).

Harness the power of dragons in this installment of Unearthed Arcana! This playtest document presents race, feat, and spell options related to dragons in Dungeons & Dragons.

First is a trio of draconic race options presented as an alternative to the dragonborn race in the Player’s Handbook, as well as a fresh look at the kobold race. Then comes a handful of feat options that reflect a connection to draconic power. Finally, an assortment of spells—many of them bearing the names of famous or infamous dragons—offer a variety of approaches to manifesting dragon magic.

News Archive | Dungeons and Dragons

Read the full archives of Dungeons & Dragons news, Sage Advice, Unearthed Arcana, and D&D Studio Blogs.

dnd.wizards.com

 

[Faolyn]

never heard of a smart grell only hungry grell.

Realms Helps Creature: Grell Philosopher

www.realmshelps.net

 

[Mind of tempest]

Realms Helps Creature: Grell Philosopher

www.realmshelps.net

not a lot in the way of lore it is just a stat block, you got lore for sapient grell?

 

[Faolyn]

not a lot in the way of lore it is just a stat block, you got lore for sapient grell?

There's a section on them in Lords of Madness, but I go by this: Grell, Colonial (Monstrous Manual)

 

[Stormonu]

They’ll happily give out Telepathy, which is ”supposed” to be a 5th level spell, but no wings except a 1 minute flight to Gemborn? And they STILL won’t give an option for natural bite/claws other than by feat/subclass? Nah, not feeling any of it, especially the reworked Kobold (really, I find that version of the kobold terrible).

 

[Charlaquin]

I'm just going to outright state that "Icingdeath" is the doofiest name for a dragon. It sounds like the name of an evil cake dragon.

It’s also the name of one of Drizzt’s swords, the other being Twinkle.

EDIT: Beaten to the punch.

 

[Mind of tempest]

There's a section on them in Lords of Madness, but I go by this: Grell, Colonial (Monstrous Manual)

look I like the idea of them but not everything needs a society sometimes you just want a lone monster.

It’s also the name of one of Drizzt’s swords, the other being Twinkle.

is it bad that I can't tell if you're messing with me?

 

[Ruin Explorer]

is it bad that I can't tell if you're messing with me?

No it just means you're sane. Because it's hard to believe a Drow famed for being some kind of badass straight out of Menzoberranzan would call his swords... Twinkle and Icingdeath... or that anyone would take him seriously after he did... Yet that is the lore.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

"My sword is called Goblin-Cleaver."

"Mine is Blackrazor."

"This is Twinkle."

 

[Charlaquin]

I like changing the Dragonborn breath weapon to replace one attack so that it’s still a relevant option for characters with multi attack. Not a fan of the continued trend of changing 1/short rest abilities to prof bonus times/long rest though. I also noticed all breath weapons are cones in this version; no lines .

Giving metallic dragonborn a second, non-damaging breath weapon is cool, but I wish it matched the dragon type instead of being a one-size-fits-all. Limited-use immunity to the resisted damage type is a nice balance point against the second breath weapon for chromatic dragonborn, but I can’t help but notice metallic dragonborn lose their damage resistance .

Gem dragonborn are a cool addition if they’re bringing gem dragons to 5e.

I don’t know about the new Kobold. Fear resistance, smacking enemies with their tails, and roaring like a dragon don’t strike me as particularly Kobold-like. I mean, I guess it beats having a strength penalty and an ability based on acting pathetic, but... Eh, not a fan. Then again, my Kobolds are rat-folk, so anything that doubles down on the draconic heritage probably won’t get used at my table anyway.

 

[IndigoTraveler]

I think between this ad the gothic option and fey option... Maybe we're looking at a big book of character races?

Gothic options is appearing in the Ravensloft book coming out in May.