Use transformations to disguise and deceive with the updated Changeling species for D&D 2024.
Changelings originated from the Feywild, but like many species, have spread to the mortal plane. Eberron, along with other settings, are inhabited by Changelings, though they are difficult to identify as they are shapeshifters, possessing the ability to look like any other creature that is similarly sized and proportioned to a Human. They can even impersonate the appearance of another.
This makes Changelings excellent at spycraft, stealth and disguise. In fact no other species is better equipped for such things and even spellcasters can only accomplish such feats temporarily. A Changeling can do so permanently.
Changelings were first introduced in 5e 2014 as part of the Eberron: Rising From the Last War setting book and were refreshed in Monsters of the Multiverse. With Eberron character options getting a refresh in Eberron: Forge of the Artificer, we now have a new iteration to play with.
Changelings are my favourite species in the D&D universe as they open up some excellent role-playing opportunities. My favourite character I’ve played is a wise-cracking Changeling rogue who is a master of impersonation. As such, I’ve been excited to see how they’ve changed and dive into tactics and optimisations for the 2024 version of this species.
Is a Changeling the right species for me?
Choose a Changeling if you want to…
- Shapeshift
- Impersonate others
- Play the party face
A Changeling might not be for you if…
- You won’t have a high charisma
- Don’t want the pressure of roleplaying in high stakes situations
- Want more combat focused traits
What’s changed?
The Changeling doesn’t change too much, but does get a couple of alterations from its latest 2014 version in Monsters of the Multiverse:
- You can only change into another playable species: This slight wording change probably doesn’t change too much for a lot of Changeling players, but the previous text just said you could change to another race indicating a much broader spectrum of creatures. For example, creatures like mind flayers, hags, kua-toa, xvarts, gnolls and so on, were all acceptable transformations. Now they’re not. There are dozens of playable species in the game, so most players may not even notice the subtle nerf, but it’s there.
- Advantage on charisma checks: This is a big buff, especially if you’re going to be playing the party face (which you probably should as a Changeling). And it stacks with other charisma enhancements like face skill proficiencies.
Changeling traits
| Creature Type | Fey |
| Size | Small or medium |
| Speed | 30ft |
| Traits | Changeling instincts, Shape-shifter |
| Resistances | None |
| Proficiencies | Two out of; deception, insight, intimidation, performance or persuasion |
| Darkvision | No |
| Innate spellcasting | None |
| Book found in | Eberron: Forge of the Artificer |
Tactics
Changelings are all about face skills and their ability to shapechange making them great at subterfuge and disguises. Changelings work best with the following tactics:
All about face skills: If you’re playing a Changeling, then you’ll want to take proficiency in as many face skills as you can. this will maximise the advantage you have on charisma checks. You’ll also want to get your charisma as high as possible to benefit here too. this might mean playing a charisma class like a bard, warlock or sorcerer. If you can grab expertise in face skills because you’re a bard, rogue or have a feat, then this will help too.
Lean into disguises: It’s scary and vulnerable, but if you want to get the most from a Changeling, then putting on disguises and trying to talk your way into places is the most fun way to do it. It’s challenging taking on a persona, so be prepared for some compelling roleplay and deception, but it’s also where a Changeling gets to shine.
You can also use your shapechange for daring escapes (run round a corner, shapechange and pretend you’re just a commoner). Perhaps you could seduce someone that’s stated they’re partial to members of a particular species. You could try to gain favour and comradery by talking to a Dwarven chief as a Dwarf. Or you can try something else, the options are pretty endless.
Choosing a class for your Changeling
Below I’ve scored how well each class works with a Changeling:
Artificer⭐⭐⭐
Barbarian ⭐⭐⭐
Bard ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cleric ⭐⭐⭐
Druid ⭐⭐⭐
Fighter ⭐⭐⭐
Monk ⭐⭐⭐
Paladin ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ranger ⭐⭐⭐
Rogue ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sorcerer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Warlock ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wizard ⭐⭐⭐
*Star ratings scored out of 5
Best classes for a Changeling
For Changelings, your best classes are going to be those that lean heavily into charisma, face skills and subterfuge. This means your best options are:
Bards are the standout option here. With so many skill proficiencies and expertise, they make great impersonators and party faces.
Rogues deserve a special mention as they tend to do well at stealth and a decent charisma can be beneficial for talking their way out of stealth situations. They also happen to have the skill proficiencies and spare ability score space to focus on charisma and charisma skills.
Worst Changeling classes
There are no bad options here. Quite a few classes lack synergy with a Changeling, but shapeshifting and some reasonable face skills is still a decent option for anyone. It’s not rare that the entire party might need to do some talking or some stealth and this allows even those classes to be decent here.
About Changelings
Appearance
Changelings in their natural form are pale and relatively featureless, but they rarely show their true forms. Instead, they prefer to express themselves through the faces they show which they see as an extension of their personality or even their mood.
Personality
Changelings like to not only have certain faces for certain situations, but also develop personas for those faces. This can become an entirely new self they adopt. This can make their true personality difficult to pin down, even for the Changeling themself.
Some Changelings will even pass faces and personas down generations, even maintaining contacts through established personas across generations.
How to roleplay a Changeling
Roleplaying a Changeling isn’t easy. You don’t just roleplay an individual, you need to roleplay their personas too. This can be challenging, especially when at the forefront of some difficult and high stakes situations.
Having played a Changeling myself, I’d suggest preparing a few personas when you create your character. You don’t exclusively have to use these, but give them names, a description and a personality. You can then fallback on these when it’s difficult to come up with something on the spot. You might even develop new personas that you can write down as you progress. The more prepared you are, the more easily you’ll be able to roleplay a Changeling.
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.
