Engage in revels with this whimsical half goat race.
Satyrs are whimsical creatures native to the ancient Greek inspired setting of Theros (a Magic the Gathering setting). They were later republished in Monsters of the Multiverse and given a background that fits better into the wider multiverse; as a race originally from the Feywild that has spread to the across the multiverse.
You’ll recognise a Satyr by their humanoid torso and head (perhaps most resembling an Elf) and their goat-looking legs. They also possess the horns of a ram or a goat. They can use these horns to headbutt while their magical nature makes them resistant to magic. They’re also highly sociable creatures with proficiency in face skills.
If you want to play a Satyr, then read on for advice on optimisations and tactics.
Is a Satyr the right species for me?
Choose a Satyr if you want to…
- Be charismatic
- Move quickly
- Be resilient against spells
- Headbutt things
A Satyr might not be for you if…
- You don’t want to be a party face
- Have little need for speed
- Dislike goats
Satyr traits
| Ability score increase | Increase 1 ability score by 2 and another by 1 or increase 3 ability scores by 1 |
| Languages | Common and 1 other |
| Creature Type | Fey |
| Size | Medium |
| Speed | 35ft |
| Traits | Ram, magic resistance, mirthful leaps, reveler |
| Resistances | Advantage against spells |
| Proficiencies | Persuasion, performance and one musical instrument |
| Darkvision | No |
| Innate spellcasting | None |
| Book found in | Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse, Mythic Odysseys of Theros |
Tactics
Satyrs possess an interesting combination of traits that leans into the idea of a frontline warrior that’s great at face skills. Below are some tactics to consider for a Satyr:
Great party face: With proficiency in both persuasion and performance, Satyrs make a great option for a party face. These builds usually have a lot of demands on their skills as there are quite a few face skills and you may also want some proficiencies in other skills too. Playing a Satyr can help here. You’ll want to build for charisma though, which also means taking a charisma class.
One of the best resistances: Advantage on saving throws against spells is one of the best resistances available. This is for all saving throws from spells too making them a great option against spellcasters and on the frontlines. It’s a great trait for any character, but will benefit those that skulk at the back less due to their evasive nature (like rogues).
Fast feet: Satyrs are one of just a few races with an increased movement speed. If you want a character that’s quick, Satyrs happen to be a bit extra maneuverable.
Ram is almost never worth using: Ram sounds like a perfectly fine trait on paper, but in practice, it isn’t especially useful. Firstly, it relies on strength, so is rubbish for dexterity builds. If you’re a weapon-wielding martial, then these attacks are going to be weaker than what your weapon attacks can accomplish. An unarmed build might go for this but it makes unarmed attacks worse for monks while paladins and rangers rely on weapon attacks for smites and hunter’s mark. Fighters can grab the unarmed fighting style which equals or improves on this damage which leaves barbarians. This is workable for them as they don’t get fighting styles. The only other time this is of use is when your weapons go missing, which is rare.
Choosing a class for your Satyr
Below I’ve scored how well each class works with a Satyr:
Artificer⭐⭐
Barbarian ⭐⭐⭐
Bard ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cleric ⭐⭐
Druid ⭐⭐
Fighter ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Monk ⭐⭐
Paladin ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ranger ⭐⭐⭐
Rogue ⭐⭐⭐
Sorcerer ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Warlock ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wizard ⭐⭐
*Star ratings scored out of 5
Best classes for a Satyr
I’m going to largely discount ram as a feature other than for barbarians (and even then, not for most barbarians), simply because I think it adds nothing to almost all builds. This means the best classes for a Satyr are going to focus on charisma, benefit from extra speed and benefit from resilience against spells.
I think there are 2 classes that benefit most in this regard. That’s a paladin and a warlock. Both are charisma heavy, while a blade warlock build will be on the frontlines like a paladin and want to close the distance between themselves and their enemies quickly.
A few other specific builds are worth mentioning here too. All bards work well here, but Valor and swords bards do especially well. Some fighters can also build for charisma too, making them a good option too.
Worst Satyr classes
Artificers, clerics, druids and wizards have no use for charisma. They tend not to need high speeds as much and lacks any use for ram. They will benefit from spell resilience and faster movement is still useful, making a Satyr still an OK option, but there are much better classes to consider.
Monks also perform poorly here. Partly due to their lack of charisma, but also because the high speed adds less to their already quick movement and their evasive nature means they’re the target of spells less often.
About Satyrs
Appearance
Satyrs are fey creatures with Elvish features on their upper half, but with furry goat legs and cloven hooves. They also have a pair of horns on their head that looks like those possessed by a goat or a ram.
How to roleplay a Satyr
Satyrs are highly sociable creatures that love parties and revelry. Like most fey, they also happen to be quite whimsical. You’ll likely want to work with this for your character. Give them a mischievous streak have them live for the party life and make them highly sociable.
You can also play on the opposite of these tropes. Not all Satyrs are the same and perhaps the most famous Satyr in media is Philoctetes from Disney’s Hercules who is the opposite of these traits. A grumpy, self-isolating has-been. That’s not to say he doesn’t enjoy being sociable, just that life has gotten the better of him.
Other D&D race guides
Not sure a Satyr is the right race for you? Why not check out one of our other race guides for D&D 5e.
