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.

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[darjr]

I seem to recall that each ancient dragons in FR had at least one unique named spell in one of the 2e or 3rd ed Faerun book. I wish they'll appear in this one. Icingdeath's stuff is great and all, but ''Horrible Corpse Melt of Gnawbone'' or ''Klauth's Burning Apotheosis'' or ''Ymrith's Gargoyles Storm'' would be even flashier (just inventing names like that, I dont remember the actual names).

Like a rain of fiery brimstone that then, after pummeling the enemy, standup as gargoyles to attack!

 

[Weiley31]

Okay: I will admit that I do like the fact that you can use your Breath Attack to replace an attack ala the Tasha's Bladesinger Extra Attack/Cantrip. And the increased damage is a nice perk. Knowing me, if I was DMing and was using this option for my players, I'd replace the PHB Dragonborn Breath Attack damage with this UA version, and add the extra stuff on automatically OR as a special unlock for Dragonborn pcs.

 

[Weiley31]

Considering that we are getting "three" classic settings this year, Dragonlance seems more and more like a shoe-in at this point since we have these Draconic Options/Subclasses now, Council of Wyrms was released on the DMguilds, AND the fact that another Dragonlance novel is coming out. It would be surprising if they didn't do a tie-in book/Dragon related.

 

[Tales and Chronicles]

Like a rain of fiery brimstone that then, after pummeling the enemy, standup as gargoyles to attack!

Nice.

I had the idea of a 9th level spell that makes enemies within 10 ft of a point restrained 100 ft in the air in a whirl of buffeting winds. After 3 failed saves, they are Petrified and can be moved and made to attack by the caster.

 

[jasper]

My quick hot take. Page 1 Ability Increases. +1 to three stats. More stuff to keep up with when checking pc sheets. Sigh.
Page 2 Chromatic Breath Weapon should be cone also.
page 4 Draconic Roar should have a spell dc wisdom. 8 + con mod + proficiency mod.
page 6 Flame stride should have a spell dc con 8 + con mod + proficiency mod. for half damage.

 

[pukunui]

While I do think the new dragonborn options are an improvement on the PHB version, I still feel like they're a bit of a one-trick pony. It would be nice if they could get some other abilities that aren't so closely tied to a breath weapon or damage resistance.

And no, I'm not really liking this take on the kobold.

 

[Weiley31]

Would dragon and fey stuff work for an Eldraine book?

Well Eldraine's big stick is the fact that its kingdoms have knights and their woods/territories outside of the kingdoms is Fey territory. And slaying dragons is a Knight trope.

 

[Weiley31]

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.

Well in 3.0/3.5, The Races of Dragon book had a feat that could be given to Kobolds/mentioned kobolds that were known as Dragonwought Kobolds. They were a much rarer type of Kobold that had a closer connection to their draconic ancestors. You could say the Volvo's Kobold is your average Kobold, and your Draconic Option UA Kobold Lineage is the Dragonwought Kobold.

 

[Nikosandros]

Considering that we are getting "three" classic settings this year, Dragonlance seems more and more like a shoe-in at this point since we have these Draconic Options/Subclasses now, Council of Wyrms was released on the DMguilds, AND the fact that another Dragonlance novel is coming out. It would be surprising if they didn't do a tie-in book/Dragon related.

It's three classic settings in a two years period.

 

[SkidAce]

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.

My kobolds start mostly rat/dog like ("Yip Yip!"), but are highly mutagenic.

So if they hang around dragons, they will likely get draconic traits.

One group found and worshipped a pig fire demon, so they eventually grew tusks and became piglike. "You hear ritual demonic chanting and smell...bacon...".

So the kobolds adapt to their environment/powerful leaders and you can find all types, forest, mountain, fire, amphibious... much like elves.

/wink