Courage, Claws, and Companions: Elevate Your D&D Journey with the Leonin Race
What are the Leonin?
The Leonin were first introduced in Mythic Odysseys of Theros and are a race specifically for that setting. However, some Leonin do travel from their pride and even find their way to other planes and settings meaning that if your DM accepts, you can play as a Leonin in any campaign. Read on for our full guide on the Leonin as a playable race in D&D.
The Leonin are proud people with a fierce competitive streak. Whether it’s competition through combat, debate or intellect, Leonin respect those that can demonstrate their prowess.
Once the guardians of the archons of Theros, the Leonins have been burnt by that particular relationship and have now abandoned all forms of worship of deity. Leonin view the gods as unworthy of worship and are at best, apathetic towards them.
Leonins live in prides. These are small communities of roughly built structures and tents with an elder female leading the pride (known as a ‘speaker’) with males travelling between prides to find a mate and settle down. While these communities may sound primitive, Leonins are simply content with these simple structures for their homes and do possess the advanced education, artwork and crafting associated with other advanced civilisations.
Is a Leonin the right character for me?
Dungeons and Dragons lets you take a flexible approach to building a character, but if you’re going to stick to typical culture and the best-optimised build for a Leonin you might consider the following:
Choose a Leonin if you like…
- Strength-based characters
- To get into close-combat
- Want to terrify your enemies
A Leonin might not be for you if…
- Your want to play a spellcaster
- Prefer ranged combat
- Want to stay far away from danger
If you think a Leonin isn’t for you, not to worry, there are dozens of playable races for you to pick from, just check out our races guide to find out about all of them. For an alternative close-combat race, you could consider a Minotaur or a Lizardfolk.
Racial traits
| Ability Scores | Constitution +2, Strength +1 |
| Creature Type | Humanoid |
| Size | Medium |
| Speed | 35ft |
| Languages | Common and Leonin |
| Traits | Darkvision, Claws, Hunter’s Instinct, Daunting Roar |
| Resistances | None |
| Innate Spellcasting | None |
| Book found in | Mythic Odysseys of Theros |
Tactics
Survivalist tactics: Capitalise on Leonin’s proficiency in Survival and Perception to anticipate the presence of enmies, assess the battlefield and identify prime targets.
Athletic manoeuvres: Leverage your proficiency in Athletics for dynamic combat manoeuvres. Combine Hunter’s Instincts with physically demanding actions, such as grappling or shoving, to control the battlefield and dictate the flow of the fight.
Terrifying opening: Begin combat with Daunting Roar to create an immediate impact. Frighten enemies within 10 feet, providing your party with a tactical advantage from the start. Alternatively coordinate with your allies to position yourself strategically. Use Daunting Roar to frighten enemies, then have your allies engage from the opposite side, taking advantage of the frightened condition for increased effectiveness.
Short rest recharge: Consider the usage of Daunting Roar in longer encounters or dungeon crawls. Save it for pivotal moments, as it requires a short rest to recharge. Prioritize its use when facing formidable opponents or when it can turn the tide of a critical encounter.
Which classes are good for a Leonin?
Below I’ve put together a score for how well each class works with a leonin based on how well the ability score increases and racial traits work with each class:
Artificer⭐⭐⭐
Barbarian ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bard ⭐⭐
Cleric ⭐⭐
Druid ⭐⭐⭐
Fighter ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Monk ⭐⭐⭐
Paladin ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ranger ⭐⭐⭐
Rogue ⭐⭐
Sorcerer ⭐
Warlock ⭐⭐
Wizard ⭐
*Star ratings scored out of 5
Best classes for Leonin
There are a few classes that benefit most from the Leonins racial traits, namely the extra skill proficiency offered by Hunters Instinct and the battlefield controls of Daunting Roar.
Fighters and Barbarians are both ideal choices as the thrive in close combat, looking to get into the thick of the action. Scattering enemy forces with a Daunting Roar can prevent them getting outnumbered, while skills like Perception and Survival add an extra dimension to these classes outside of combat.
Similarly Paladins also benefit in the same ways as Fighters and Barbarians. Specifically, the Oath of Conquest is well suited for a Leonin embracing intimidation and control. Daunting Roar becomes a powerful tool for demoralising foes and asserting dominance and is great redundancy for the Paladins ‘conquering presence’ ability, if it doesn’t go as planned.
Worst classes for a Leonin
A Leonin’s abilities mainly rely on getting in close to your enemies with daunting roar being the pick of the bunch there. However, many classes want to avoid getting into close combat, and even in the rare circumstances where they might want to use something like daunting roar, other abilities or spells are often a better option.
With this in mind, I’d definitely avoid using a sorcerer or wizard as they should always be far from action. Bards rarely want to be in the thick of the action making them another poor option while rogues that want to do some crowd control are better off just disengaging with their bonus action.
About Leonin
Leonin appearance
Leonins look like lions that stand upright on a pair of legs. They have a muscular build, powerful jaw and for the males, a large mane of hair about their head. There’s little that varies Leonin in appearance, though females are easy to distinguish by their lack of a mane. You can make your Leonin character appear different by changing the colour of their fur, grooming their mane or having scars and birth marks.
Leonin personality
The Leonin are a very proud race. They hate losing and will hone their skills to ensure they come out on top in any contest. This is particular true of combat where the Leonin boast many powerful warriors. They are slow to trust other races and rarely allow outsiders to enter their pride. A Leonin’s trust can be gained though and they do tend to be loyal to those they call a friend.
Roleplaying a Leonin
Embrace the Pride: Your Leonin character could carry themselves with regal poise, always holding their head high. They might be hesitant to show vulnerability or ask for help, preferring to maintain an image of strength, even in times of great struggle.
Honourable Warrior: Your character might refuse to engage in dishonourable tactics, always opting for a fair fight. This could include refusing to ambush a sleeping enemy or take hostages. They could have a deep respect for opponents who show bravery, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
Guardian Instincts: Your Leonin might instinctively position themselves between allies and threats during combat, acting as a frontline protector. Outside of combat, they might be the first to offer to stand watch during the night or take point when travelling to ensure the safety of the party.
Connection to Nature: Your character might have a deep appreciation for natural landscapes, often taking moments to revel in the beauty of the wilderness or the grandeur of the ocean. They could have a fondness for animals and might be proficient in handling or communicating with them.
Conflict Resolution: Leonin can often have an imposing demeanour that can inspire or even intimidate those around them. Your Leonin might prefer diplomatic solutions but can be assertive when needed. They could use their imposing presence to defuse tense situations, making it clear that they won’t tolerate unnecessary aggression.
Personal Goals: Leonin are strong personalities and as such tend to have meaningful goals. Your character might have a personal quest to discover the fate of a lost Leonin tribe or to find a legendary artifact tied to their heritage. This overarching goal adds depth to their character and motivations beyond the immediate campaign objectives.
