The DND fantasy game is a highly dynamic and expandable game. As such it helps players to create tons of races and classes. If you have gone through the players handbook and you cannot find the perfect race for your campaign, you could create your own yourself. Although dozens of choices are there to be made in the player’s handbook. However many creative individuals have expanded this list offering endless possibilities of races. In this article, you will learn how to create your own races and supply them all the characteristics which you dream of and love to have.
What are Homebrew Races?
Homebrew is the description given to races/classes/feats that is created by players themselves. So as a player, you’re permitted to make up your own classes, races and feats. Since these races/classes did not come from the official rulebooks published by the Wizards of the coast, they are referred to as Homebrew. Sounds appropriate to me. Like the kind of wine you brew in your home if you have a personal brewery at home. It may not be generally recognized by everyone but it is definitely recognized by you. Interesting right?
Reasons for creating a homebrew
There are a plethora of reasons why players homebrew. But generally, players homebrew because they want a particular look, feel and ability in their races which is not available in the rulebooks. Therefore they create this for themselves so that they can better appreciate the games.
10 Best homebrew races 5e
We will be doing a count down of the ten best homebrew races in dungeons and dragons 5e. You can use the attributes and characteristics of these races for your next campaign. But, if you’re not still satisfied with these homebrew races, we will still reach you how to create your own.
Abomination
Every other race has a form of weakness in their make-up. But this is different with the Abomination race are they are entirely imperfect. They were once humanoid beings, they are the product of an evil wizard’s desire to create the ultimate servant to do all his bidding. He infused a mortal being with desirable features such as the dragon and lycanthrope. The horrid experiment that brought an Abomination into being, grants it great power yet much hate.
Size: Medium
Alignment: Any, Evil
Ability Score Bonus: Strength +1, Dexterity +1, Intelligence +1
Racial Traits: Shapechanger, Unholy Sight, Apex Predator, Eldritch Blood, Unnatural Movement
Languages: Common, Any language of your choice
Suitable Classes: Barbarian, Fighter, Ranger
Aarakocra Penguin
Aarakocras are bird-like race that has the semblance of eagles, vultures etc. This homebrew has incorporated penguin-like features into the avian ones. As expected, Aarakocra penguin lives in both frigid tundra regions and oceans. Although they have lost the avian flight, they gained the penguin uncanny ability to swim. They have excellent resistance to cold. This idea I guess must have been gotten because of the fact that penguins live in tundra regions and can withstand extremely cold temperatures.
Size: Medium
Alignment: Any, Good
Ability Score Bonus: Dexterity +2, Wisdom +1
Racial Traits: Icy Resilience, Waddles, Aquatic
Languages: Common, Aarakocra, Aquan
Suitable Classes: Monk, Ranger, Rogue
Animated Armor
Armour is a very vital tool to possess by any fighter or even adventurer. Animated armors are living individualistic sets of armor given life and purpose by dark magic. Animated armor possesses significant strengths and some weaknesses as well. It does not require the basic necessities such as food and water. Since they are creations made alive by magically giving substance to individual armor, they are rendered useless by dispelling their armor.
Size: Medium
Alignment: Any.
Ability Score Bonus: Constitution +1
Racial Traits: Anti-magic Susceptibility, Blindsight, Construct, False Appearance, Mendable, Soul Transfer
Languages: Common, Any language of your choice
Sub-races: Heavy Armor, Medium Armor, Light Armor
Suitable Classes: Barbarian, Fighter, Rogue
Elf-Orc
Elf-Orc has the ability of the Elven race and Orcs. They are very unpredictable and deadly in combat. Their elven blood gives them magical powers and life longevity and the orcish blood makes them durable and aggressive and firm. If you need a lethal homebrew race, you should go for the Elf-Orc.
Size: Medium
Alignment: Chaotic, Good/Evil
Ability Score Bonus: Strength +1, Dexterity +1, Constitution +1
Racial Traits: Darkvision, Elven Gift, Fey Ancestry, Aggression, Erratic Dodge,
Languages: Common, Elvish, Orc
Suitable Classes: Barbarian, Fighter, Ranger
Aab’Shagua
Aab’Shagua are humanoid nomads who travel in the Ethereal Plane. They are well known for their superior excellent sight and knowledge of obscure lore.
Size: Medium
Alignment: Any
Ability Score Bonus: Intelligence +2, Any ability of your choice +1
Racial Traits: Highsight, Strangers To Nowhere, Arcane Appraisal
Languages: Primordial, Any three languages of your choice
Suitable Classes: Fighter, Rogue, Wizard
Demigod
Demigod is a mythological being with more power than a mortal but less power than a god. Their abilities vary greatly. If a demigod is the offspring of the god of war, that demigod will have excellent fighting prowess. Homebrewers tapped into the ability of these gods to create races.
Size: Medium
Alignment: Lawful, Good
Ability Score Bonus: Constitution +1
Racial Traits: Parent’s Assistance
Languages: Common, Any language of your choice
Sub-races: Child of Apollo, Child of Ares, Child of Artemis, Child of Athena, Child of Demeter, Child of Dionysus, Child of Hades, Child of Hephaestus, Child of Hermes, Child of Poseidon, Child of Zeus
Suitable Classes: Any
Succubus
Succubus are known to be demons assuming female form to have sexual intercourse with men in their sleep. Generally speaking, succubus are fiends that reside in the lower planes. They utilize their fiendish and lustful nature to achieve their aim. They can conceal their actual appearance because they are well know for shape-shifting. They are often used in campaigns to attack the male character of different races who is usually powerful but promiscuous.
Size: Medium
Alignment: Any, Evil
Ability Score Bonus: Dexterity +1, Charisma +1
Racial Traits: Charm, Darkvision, Fiendish Nature, Shapechanger, Silver Tongue, Small Wings
Languages: Common, Abyssal/Infernal
Suitable Classes: Bard, Rogue, Warlock
Aaefling
Aaefling are creatures who bear both celestial and Infernal blood. Just like the Elf-Orc, they are very lethal in battle and are one of the most deadly homebrew races you’ll meet.
Size: Medium
Alignment: Any
Ability Score Bonus: Charisma +2, Constitution +1
Racial Traits: Darkvision, Resistance To Hellish And Celestial Energy, Hand Of Health, Hand Of Fire
Languages: Common, Celestial/Infernal
Suitable Classes: Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock
Awakened Skeleton
Awakened skeletons are undead beings that has come to consciousness through magical means. They are one of the most ambiguous race. They are always set to do their masters bidding. They are good adventurers and as they journey, they learn more about themselves.
Size: Medium
Alignment: Lawful, Any
Ability Score Bonus: Constitution +2
Racial Traits: Darkvision, Organless, Dead Resemblance, Undead Nature, Free Willed
Languages: Common
Sub-races: Arcane Soul, Armored Soul, Shadow Soul
Suitable Classes: Barbarian, Rogue, Warlock
Arachne
Arachnida is a class of joint-legged invertebrate animals that includes Spiders, scorpion, mites and ticks. The Arachne is therefore a humanoid spider hybrid similar to the centaurs. Despite their monstrous physical appearance, they are hospitable.
Size: Medium/Small
Alignment: True Neutral
Ability Score Bonus: Dexterity +1
Racial Traits: Darkvision, Claws, Spider Build, Hybrid Nature, Web Sense
Languages: Common, Undercommon
Subraces: Araneichne, Latrodachne, Lycachne, Saltichne, Sicarachne, Solifachne, Therachne
Suitable Classes: Any
How to create a new race in D&D 5e
Choose a race name.
Classify your race.
Give a general overview.
Give them personality traits.
Give them a physical description.
Describe the clan or tribe.
Explain the relationship between your race and other races.
Give your race a History.
Explain your race’s alignments.
Create a map showing their setting.
Explain their religion.
Describe your race’s language.
Think of some common first names
Think of some common family names.
Describe the adventures your race has had.
Explain your race’s physical attributes.
Think about your creatures’ occupations.
Explain how advanced they are.
Describe the other civilizations your race interacts with.
Describe your race’s magical or special powers.
Think about the history of your race and come up with famous sapients from the past.
Come up with population statistics for your race.
Homebrew Race Guide
Here is a Homebrew race guide provided to help you when creating your own homebrew race. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vq1kz6PRAbw5LHy6amH-bNb4OuB8DBXL1RsZROt03Sc/edit