Find out more about these changable fae folk and how they can fit into your adventure
A Lorwyn Changeling is a whimsical, blue-green shapeshifter whose transformations are more charming than convincing, producing bug eyed beasts, lumpy fake trees, and other endearingly obvious imitations. They roam the land looking for belonging and sating their curiosity through exploration.
Is the Lorwyn Changeling the right species for me?
Choose a Lorwyn Changeling if you want to…
- Be first into the fight
- Change your shape in entertaining ways
- Be relied upon for your performance skills
A Lorwyn Changeling might not be for you if…
- You are hoping for a full shapeshifter
- You dont want to be the party face
- You are looking for a combat optimised species
Lorwyn Changeling traits
| Creature Type | Fey |
| Size | Small or medium |
| Speed | 30ft |
| Traits | Shape self, darkvision, delightful imitator, unpredictable movement |
| Resistances | N/A |
| Proficiencies | Performance |
| Darkvision | Yes (120 ft) |
| Innate spellcasting | None |
| Book found in | Lorwyn: First Light |
Tactics
Lorwyn Changelings are unusually mobile, adaptable creatures whose power set pushes them toward speed-based tactics, battlefield repositioning. Outside of battle they might use their minimal shapeshifting ability to entertain NPC’s or even trick enemies.
You can use the following tactics when playing a Lorwyn Changeling:
Speedy start
While their base speed is the usual 30 feet, the changeling’s Unpredictable Movement feature gives them a free Dash as a reaction when they roll initiative (as long as they don’t have disadvantage from being surprised).
This means you begin every fight with double movement before your first turn, allowing you to claim the high ground, get into cover, and reach priority targets you might need to snatch.
Its worth noting, the wording of the feature is not ideal, as dash doubles your movement speed for the turn (reactions don’t have a movement speed). However the rules as intended seem clear, however it’s worth chatting to your DM first to ensure clarity on mechanics.
Performance specialist
The automatic Performance proficiency makes changelings naturally expressive and ideal for classes that use social or performative skills, lending themselves to a more charismatic build. Outside of battle you might consider how you can use the innate charms of the changeling to earn the trust of NPCs, win over a villages populace or improve the moral of the party,
Exceptional darkvision
120-foot darkvision is unusually long and gives the changeling strong dungeon delving and ambush detection potential, especially for classes that frequently scout ahead. Be vigilant in asking the DM what your character might be able to see that others can’t, as this could help you avoid traps or prevent enemies getting the jump on you.
Choosing a class for your Lorwyn Changeling
Below I’ve scored how well each class works with a Lorwyn Changeling:
Artificer⭐⭐⭐
Barbarian ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bard ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cleric ⭐⭐
Druid ⭐⭐⭐
Fighter ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Monk ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Paladin ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ranger ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rogue ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sorcerer ⭐⭐⭐
Warlock ⭐⭐⭐
Wizard ⭐⭐
*Star ratings scored out of 5
Best classes for a Lorwyn Changeling
The strongest classes are those that make excellent use of the turn-one Dash, either to rapidly engage or to seize ideal positions. With the inherent skill in performance and shapeshifting it’s likely you would lean into a charisma build, so charisma based spell caster would be synergistic with that set of stats to. This could include:
- Bard – top synergy thanks to Performance proficiency and thematic fit. They benefit from early combat repositioning for getting into a spot to cast buff debuff spells. Bards also excel in social scenes where a changeling’s odd charm could play a part.
- Fighter – high mobility on round one lets them lock down enemies or control space immediately, especially for chasing down melee averse enemy spellcasters.
- Barbarian – just like the fighter, this class wants to be up close, fast. So would benefit from the turn one Dash. Their extra speed will stack with your extra dash movement too.
- Paladin – Wants to get close quickly, and also casts with charisma, which works well for a Lorwyn Changeling.
- Ranger – Similar to the fighter the initiative Dash helps them secure optimal vantage points or prime targets before combat unfolds for shooting or using hunters mark.
- Rogue – excellent synergy with the Changeling’s mobility, especially for reaching advantageous hiding spots before round one officially starts.ugh!
Worst Lorwyn Changeling classes
None of the classes are unusable, but casters that don’t rely on movement or cast using charisma don’t stand to benefit from the Changelings abilities. This includes Wizards and Clerics who don’t really rely on Performance, and their combat rhythm doesn’t gain as much from the initiative Dash.
About Lorwyn Changelings
Appearance
Lorwyn changelings can mimic the shape of creatures and plants, but never their true appearance. Even in altered forms, they retain their signature traits: blue-green skin, tufts of tentacle-like fur, and large yellow eyes with slitted pupils. Their transformations are charmingly unconvincing, an elk with big eyes, a fuzzy boulder, a teal colored tree. This quirk is part of their appeal across Lorwyn, where other species find this quite funny.
Personality
Changeling’s identity is quite fluid, not only physically but also socially, often leaning toward theatricality and curiosity. Many make an annual pilgrimage to Velis Vel Grotto, where their people reflect on their past deeds for the year, suggesting a culture that is thoughtful, despite their tendency to be a little curious and impulsive.
How to roleplay a Lorwyn Changeling
Roleplaying a changeling is about balancing their surface level transformations with how people react to them. Since their disguises are never very convincing, many changelings learn to embrace the silliness or this and play with their shapeshifting a little.
Consider:
- Do you use your imperfect shapeshifting to entertain, distract, or confuse others?
- Do people find your mimicry charming, and do you lean into that social advantage?
- How does your yearly reflection at Velis Vel Grotto shape your morals or view of yourself?
Do you treat your changing form as a playful expression or a burden you feel misunderstood by? Never settling on a form could lead to feeling like you don’t have a personality of your own or that others don’t take you seriously.
Other D&D 2024 playable species guides
Not sure a Changeling is the right species for you? Why not check out one of our other species guides for D&D 2024.
