Playable races and species in DnD 5e

Description: Placed in the world to serve the forces of law and good, Aasimar are part Human and part Celestial beings expected to destroy evil and serve justice.

Description: Large, hairy beasts with the stealth of a cat, Bugbears are considered by many races to be nightmarish creatures. Despite their large frame, they are related to Goblins and share their cunning.

Description: Part humanoid, part horse, Centaurs have the advantages of a powerful, equine lower-half with the intellect and dexterous limbs of a humanoid’s upper-half.

Description: Changeling’s have the ability to change their appearance with a simple thought. As would be expected, this makes Changelings masters of disguise, but also hugely untrustworthy for fear of who they might immitate next.

Description: Dragonborn are related to their full dragon cousins having many of the same features despite their humanoid form, though they lack a tail wings. Chromatic dragonborn come in different colours (red, blue, green, black and white) and have access to elemental breath weapons and resistances to elements such as fire and lightning.

Description: Dragonborn are related to their full dragon cousins having many of the same features despite their humanoid form, though they lack a wings. Gem dragonborn trace their lineage back to the ruby dragon and come in several forms including amethyst, crystal, emerald, sapphire and topaz with matching abilities granted to them.

Description: Dragonborn are related to their full dragon cousins having many of the same features despite their humanoid form, though they lack wings. Metallic dragonborn inherit powers relating to the metallic type with which they are born (brass, bronze, copper, gold and silver). This also grants them certain breath abilities and resistances such as cold or fire.

Description: Duergar are underdark dwelling dwarves with grey skin that have been transformed by generations of enslavement to the psionic mind flayers.

Description: Short but tough and powerful, Dwarves are known for their skill as warriors, miners and blacksmiths. Hill dwarves do not live deep underground like the duergar or within towering mountains, instead, they make their homes among the hills. Hill dwarves have keen senses and a sturdy resilience.

Description: Short but tough and powerful, Dwarves are known for their skill as warriors, miners and blacksmiths. Mountain Dwarves tend to be taller than their hill dwelling cousins and lighter skinned than the deep-dwelling Duergar. They have been hardened through centuries of living in rugged terrain.

Description: Astral elves originally came from the Feywild but eons ago, made their way to the Astral Plane, becoming immortal in the process.

Description: Unlike most elves, the drow typically live beneath the ground in the Underdark. They are sensitive to sunlight and typically are evil-aligned, though some differ from this norm such as the heroic Drizzt Do’Urden.

Description: Eladrin are Elves native to the Feywild. They are more whimsical and mischievous than their Elvish cousins and have an even closer affinity with nature having abilities that reflect the 4 seasons.

Description: Elves are graceful creatures with a natural affinity to nature and magic. High elves tend to live apart from other species, considering themselves superior to other creatures in all the ways that matter. They are notoriously haughty, though do have a capability to match.

Description: Long ago, the Sea Elves established the seas as their homes. Over centuries, their bodies have adapted to grant them the ability to live and breathe in the water as well as swim with grace and speed.

Description: The Shadar-Kai were once fey like the Elves, but centuries ago, were sent to the Shadowfell with their deity, The Raven Queen, transforming their bodies in the process. For the Shadar-Kai, death is but a temporary inconvenience as they are soon brought back to life by the powers of The Raven Queen to continue their servitude.

Description: Elves are graceful creatures with a natural affinity to nature and magic. Wood Elves have an even greater affinity to the natural than most Elves and tend to live in forests. Wood Elves tend to be quick and have a natural intuition that helps keep them safe.

Description: Flying creatures native to the Feywild, Fairies are small, elf-like creatures with natural magical abilities. Fairies enjoy using their magical powers to cause mischief among mortals, often visiting the Mortal Plane for this purpose.

Description: Firbolgs are peaceful creatures and cousins of giants making them taller than the average humanoid. They’re tribal creatures that make forests their homes generally living harmoniously with those around them.

Description: The Genasi are beings whose mortal blood and has been mixed with the blood of Genies. Each elemental type of Genasi traces their lineage back to a different kind of Genie. For the Air Genasi, they are descended from Djinn from whom they gain their air elemental powers.

Description: The Genasi are beings whose mortal blood and has been mixed with the blood of Genies. Each elemental type of Genasi traces their lineage back to a different kind of Genie. For the Earth Genasi, they are descended from the evil Dao from whom they gain their earth elemental powers.

Description: The Genasi are beings whose mortal blood and has been mixed with the blood of Genies. Each elemental type of Genasi traces their lineage back to a different kind of Genie. For the Fire Genasi, they are descended from Efreeti from whom they gain their fire elemental powers.

Description: The Genasi are beings whose mortal blood and has been mixed with the blood of Genies. Each elemental type of Genasi traces their lineage back to a different kind of Genie. For the Water Genasi, they are descended from Marids from whom they gain their water elemental powers.

Description: The giff are hippo-like humanoids with a militaristic history giving them great skill in combat. They are also a space-faring race, travelling the lengths of wildspace as soldiers, guards and mercenaries.

Description: Natural warriors, the Githyanki harness psionic power bestowed on them over centuries of living in the astral plane and in captivity to mind flayers. The Githyanki are a subspecies of the Gith and share many similarities to the Githzerai, though harbour a deep-seated hatred towards their racial counterparts.

Description: Centuries of honing their mental powers within the plane of Limbo has given the githzerai powerful psychic powers. The Githzerai are a subspecies of the Gith and share many similarities to the Githyanki, though harbour a deep-seated hatred towards their racial counterparts.

Description: Built by Rock Gnomes living in wildspace to assist with their work, Autognomes are constructs and robotic in nature. Over time, some of these beings gain an amount of sentience, becoming independent beings with goals and ambitions.

Description: Also known as Svirfneblin, Deep Gnomes are Underdark dwelling Gnomes with a natural affinity with stone and are master miners and craftsmen. The hazards of the Underdark have taken their toll on these Gnomes, turning their once joyful and inquisitive nature into one of caution and mistrust.

Description: Gnomes have an energetic enthusiasm for pretty much everything. They are curious beings, often known for tinkering and experimentation. Forest gnomes tend to be stealthy and sneaky, using their natural subtleness to help them survive. They tend to favour illusions in their magic and will often live isolated from other species.

Description: Gnomes have an energetic enthusiasm. They are curious beings, often known for tinkering and experimentation. Rock gnomes tend to embody the tinkering and inventive nature of gnomes more than the other subspecies and also happen to be the most common among the different D&D settings.

Description: Small and aggressive creatures, Goblins have a tendency react to the dangerous world around them by lashing out at any they believe they can bully into submission. Goblins have learnt to be cunning, making up for a lack of brawn with a cruel, deviousness.

Description: Nomadic creatures native to the mountainous parts of Toril. Their large frames appear almost as if they were carved from mountains themselves. Goliaths are related to giants somewhere in the distant past and it’s from this ancestry that they’ve gotten their large size.

Description: Aggressive in nature, these frog-like humanoids can be found primarily in rainforests and tropical jungles. They are fiercely territorial and will attack over species that encroach on their home. Grung rarely cooperate with other species though some do manage to break from these traditions.

Description: Simian humanoids, the Hadozee are gifted with the ability to glide and have feet as dextrous as their hands. The Hadozee are a space-faring race and can often be found on a Spelljammer ship traversing wildspace or working in some colony or other.

Description: Half-Elves are born of both Human and Elven ancestry and combine the qualities of each race. Though they are accepted by both races, they are also frowned upon by both as well, never really fitting in among either race. However, with an ability to navigate the social challenges of both the Human and Elven world’s with their excellent charisma, Half-Elves do make excellent diplomats and arbitrators.

Description: Born of both Human and Orc ancestry, Half-Orcs combine aspects of both heritages, with prominent teeth and towering builds, but also more intelligent than their Orcish cousins. Half-Orcs often struggle with the 2 parts of their heritage, struggling to really fit in with the rowdier and brasher Orc civilisation or the more organised and structured Human civilisation.

Description: Halflings are much shorter than many creatures, but this does also make them more nimble and easily unnoticed too, which certainly has its advantages. Ghostwise Halflings are the least common of the Halfling subspecies and their main hallmark are the psychic abilities common among this Halfling tribe as well as a history of guilt.

Description: Halflings are much shorter than many creatures, but this does also make them more nimble and easily unnoticed too, which certainly has its advantages. Lightfoot halflings are, unsurprisingly, light-footed so tend to be more capable of sneaking that most species. They also tend to be highly sociable and affable.

Description: Halflings are much shorter than many creatures, but this does also make them more nimble and easily unnoticed too, which certainly has its advantages. Some people believe that Stout Halflings have a bit of dwarven blood mixed in with their gene-pool making these halflings a bit tougher than most halflings.

Description: Humanoid, rabbit-like creatures blessed with the luck of the Fey and keen senses. Harengon are incredibly quick and like most fey creatures, they also have a quick wit. They’re nomadic creatures leading many to adopt and adventurous lifestyle.

Description: Hobgoblins are cousins of Goblins and Bugbears but are more war-like than their distant kin. They follow a strict, militaristic organisation, valuing battle-prowess and tactical thinking over all other pursuits.

Description: Humans are the most adaptable of all the races. They are known for being innovators and pioneers, capable of excelling in whatever pursuit they take. Human cities and settlements are some of the most accepting in all the realms, welcoming all sorts of races into their boundaries, as long as they can contribute and don’t cause trouble.

Description: Humanoids that willingly share their minds with refugees from the plane of dreams known as the Quori. The Kalashtar seek to help the Quori retake their home, but must live in caution as the evil Dal Quor know their intentions and seek to stop any from disturbing their tyrannical rule of the realm of dreams.

Description: Kender are small humanoids with an insatiable curiosity, almost complete fearlessness and a distinct lack of sense of ownership (often finding the belongings of another inexplicably located in their pockets). Kender are Gnomes that ages ago, were magically transformed by Reorx, one of the Gods of Krynn.

Description: Wandering the world as burglars and vagabonds, Kenku live on the fringes of human society, surviving where they can. They lost their true voice and ability to fly along time ago and are now only able to mimic the voices of others.

Description: Timid creatures that tend to hide or run if they can but dangerous and vicious when cornered. Kobolds are related to dragons, though lack both their stature and power. However, they are excellent and productive engineers.

Description: Nomadic creatures, the Leonin are a proud warrior race and fiercely competitive. While Leonin may get obvious comparisons with the cat-like Tabaxi, Leonin are distinctly lion-like as opposed to the Tabaxi that take on the form of all sorts of cats, being more dextrous than strong.

Description: Driven by baser instincts than their warm-blooded cousins, these swamp-dwelling, reptilian humanoids think very differently from the smooth-skinned races. Lizardfolknare driven much less by emotions, and much more by instinct, making connections with others much less easily than other races.

Description: A long history of slavery, war and mistreatment at the hands of other aquatic creatures has led these fish-like beings to become more resilient than most. Locathah are fish people that live under water for the most part, though are capable of living on the surface when they need to.

Description: Strong, calm and wise humanoid creatures with the features of elephants. Loxodons make Reliable friends and allies and are patient and skilled craftsmen.

Description: Minotaurs in D&D vary in temperament from setting to setting. Some are brash and rowdy, others are courageous and filled with Valor; all Minotaurs though, are characterised by their bull head and powerful body. It’s always wise to stay on the good side of a Minotaur.

Description: Independent, savage warriors, Orcs value strength and battle prowess above all else. Orcs have powerful emotions expressed as incredible passion, feeling joy and anger in greater degrees than most other races.

Description: Owlin have soft feathers giving them flight as well as incredibly silent movement. They are proud and graceful folk with the features of owls as well as the arms and legs of a humanoid.

Description: Slime-like humanoids, Plasmoids are the only playable race in D&D 5e to be designated as oozes. They are capable of taking on whatever form they like, though typically appear as humanoids among other races. Their bodies can be contorted to squeeze through very small spaces.

Description: Whimsical revelers with gregarious personality, Satyrs combine features of humanoid civilisation and the freedom of wild beasts. Most Satyrs care about 2 things; exploring the world and sampling every pleasure they can experience.

Description: Also known as the “weretouched”, Shifters are humanoids with bestial aspects. While appearing like Humans with some bestial features most of the time, Shifters can transform their bodies into a more exaggerated bestial form for short periods of time, enhancing their natural capabilities.

Description: The result of magical transfers that give Humans, Elves and Vedalken the traits of animals. These experiments resulted in Simic Hybrids, beings intended to be super soldiers and act as guardians for the Simic Combine.

Description: Cat-like wanderers, driven by tales of glory and a desire to see all the wonders of the world and gather interesting artifacts. Tabaxi are acrobatic humanoids that can take on the features of any species of cat.

Description: The Thri-kreen are insectoids that appear like a large praying mantis. They have natural telepathy making them ideal for psionic subclasses. The Thri-Kreen are often found traversing wildspace but have their origins in the Dark Sun setting.

Description: Tieflings are part Human and part fiend with most Tieflings having the blood of devils running through their veins. While Tieflings inherit many Human characteristics, they also inherit fiendish ones as well such as horns, a tail or colourful skin. They also inherit abilities from whichever fiendish bloodline they’ve been influenced by. Of course, this is often a cause for distrust from the other races, and while not all Tieflings are evil, they often do have a tendency towards trouble.

Description: Eager explorers Tortles are born with a natural wanderlust, only ever settling down in their twilight years to rear children and pass on their knowledge. Tortles live a relaxed and mostly peaceful life, enjoying the simple pleasures of life.

Description: Tritons are ocean-dwelling humanoids capable of living both in the ocean and on the surface. They have positioned themselves as guardians of the ocean and protect the mortal realm from the deep horrors that come through portals from other planes. Such responsibility has developed a civilisation of powerful warriors, and with their impressive capabilities, comes a certain measure of arrogance.

Description: Obsessed with perfection, these semi-amphibious, blue-skinned humanoids strive for self-mastery above all else. Vvedalken are native to the setting of Ravnica and are rare among the other planes. Despite this, some do explore other planes in the pursuit of furthering their knowledge.

Description: Once a tribe of Goblins and Hobgoblins, the Verdan have since mutated from the influence of That-Which-Endures. When born, Verdan appear similar to other Goblins, but as they grow, they mutate in quite dramatic ways such as growing to the height of a Hobgoblin, developing extraordinarily long ears and having their skin change colour. Such a fluid set of attributes that follow little familial similarity has fostered an attitude of acceptance of all others, no matter their differences.

Description: Made from wood and metal to fight in a The Last War of Eberron, they are no longer needed for their original function. They have now been given their autonomy and use their new-found freedom to find purpose in life.

Description: The Yuan-Ti are an ancient Human civilisation that eons ago, performed unholy rituals to transform themselves to take on attributes of snakes. Yuan-Ti Purebloods are those Yuan-Ti that retained mostly Human characteristics. They still have some snake features though, such as slitted pupils, a forked tongue or fangs. Many Yuan-Ti Purebloods integrate into Human civilisations as spies, ambassadors and assassin’s, helping to attain an upper hand against other nations.