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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[Blue]

Really don't like breath weapon being part of the Attack action. Dragonborn is also a subpar choice, and that relegates them to being choices for classes with Extra Attack only.

With PH Dragonborn, it's an action to use, and it was less damage. Now, it's either effectively exactly the same in the action economy, but better because it's more damage AND because there are a number of options like TWF that trigger off taking an Attack action, or it's a lot better, because if you have extra attack you get all of those advantages above plus you still get attacks.

There is no case where this is not an improvement.

 

[Demetrios1453]

Still bummed that they completely removed the ABIs, languages and alignments instead of giving 'suggested' options. Everyone wins that way.

They usually have UA feedback within a week or two of releasing it, so just mention that in the feedback.

 

[Parmandur]

They usually have UA feedback within a week or two of releasing it, so just mention that in the feedback.

Yeah, though they have done several of these at this point with feedback, so they've probably got good data on whether people like the change or not. I did notice they returned a bit to the language of "Race" for this test, instead of Lineage.

 

[DariusArgent]

They usually have UA feedback within a week or two of releasing it, so just mention that in the feedback.

Already did that with the lineages and Feyfolk UA. I guess it didn't work.

 

[pukunui]

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.

Hmm. That's a good point. If this was more of a "dragonwrought kobold" option, with the Volo's kobold being the standard kobold, I'd be down for that.

I'm quite bothered by the lack of options for Purple, Brown, Grey, Iron, Steel, Cobalt, Mercury, Adamantine, Orium, and Mithral Dragons. Been bothered by their exclusion from monster books all edition, and am still quite bothered by their exclusion - far more than I was bothered by the lack of Gem Dragons.

As for Catastrophic Dragons, Plague Dragons, and Planar Dragons, those I don't mind not having here. But at least give us the full set of Chromatics and Metallics!

I've been wanting to try running a campaign where the more elemental-themed dragons are the only ones that exist. So no chromatics or metallics. Just the catastrophic ones and the like. Could be fun. It would certainly make my job easier as DM if they update these dragons for 5e.

 

[Waller]

Somebody's been reading the Level Up playtest documents, it seems.

 

[Kurotowa]

Yeah, though they have done several of these at this point with feedback, so they've probably got good data on whether people like the change or not. I did notice they returned a bit to the language of "Race" for this test, instead of Lineage.

So did the Folk of the Feywild UA. I wouldn't read too much into it other than that the Gothic Lineages were a special variant. Rather than a group of people they were more for unusual persons who had been altered or transformed by magic, to the point that they were expressly something you could replace your original race with after character creation if the circumstances allowed. The Tasha's "Custom Lineage" option is similarly pitched more for rare or unusual persons with one-off unique traits, not as a "build-a-race" template.

So I'd say more than we're seeing races of people versus a personal lineage as the design model.

 

[NaturalZero]

Icingdeath - Forgotten Realms
Nathair - Forgotten Realms
Raulothim - Forgotten Realms
Fabian - Dragonlance

Enworld posters: "Clearly, it's a Dragonlance book instead of another Forgotten Realms book."

 

[Tales and Chronicles]

I must say I'm not a fan of the new kobold, though. Agreed that the Volo's one were not great, but a tail slap that deals more damage than a centaur's kick and a roar that even a full-fledged dragonborn can pull off? As a small-sized creature? No sure.

I'd prefer to keep the Sunlight sensitivity in exchange for the sweet Pack tactic.
Removing Beg and Cower for a Draconic Gift is a good idea, but I'd replace the tail slap for a burrow speed instead.

oh, and add resistance to trap damage!

 

[pukunui]

oh, and add resistance to trap damage!

I'd rather they have an ability to make traps (like how rock gnomes can make trinkets) than resist them. There's always the Dungeon Delver feat for the latter.