Overview
At a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Speed
- 30 ft
- Darkvision
- None
- Ability scores
- +2 Str, +1 Cha
- Best ancestry
- Red or Gold (fire cone)
Front lineFaceBlaster
Under the 2014 rules your race sets your ability score increases, and the dragonborn gets +2 Strength and +1 Charisma. That is exactly what a paladin wants, and good for any Strength fighter who also does the talking.
On top of that you get a breath weapon and resistance to one damage type, both set by the dragon you descend from. There are no subraces; your draconic ancestry is the one real choice.
Thrain's take
The breath weapon takes your whole action, and at level 5 that action is worth two sword swings. Use it early, on the first turn, when the enemies are still bunched up in the doorway. It comes back on a Short Rest, so do not save it for a fight that never comes.
Strengths
- +2 Strength and +1 Charisma: a perfect fit for the paladin
- A breath weapon that hits several enemies, back after a Short Rest
- Resistance to one damage type, chosen with your ancestry
- Easy to play: one choice at level 1 and a clear role
Weaknesses
- No Darkvision, unlike most races
- The breath weapon uses your action and falls behind Extra Attack
- Nothing for Dexterity, Constitution or the other casting scores
Dragonborn Traits
Ability Score Increase
+2 Strength and +1 Charisma.
Breath Weapon
Use your action to exhale a 15-foot cone or a 5 by 30-foot line. Each creature in it makes a saving throw (DC 8 + your Constitution modifier + your proficiency bonus) and takes 2d6 damage, or half on a success. The damage rises to 3d6 at level 6, 4d6 at 11 and 5d6 at 16. Once per Short or Long Rest.
Damage Resistance
Resistance to your ancestry's damage type, all day, every day.
Draconic Ancestry
Pick one of ten dragons. It sets your breath weapon's damage type and shape and your resistance. See the ratings below.
Draconic Ancestry, Rated
The Player's Handbook ancestry table:
- Black and Copper: acid, 5 by 30-foot line, Dexterity save
- Blue and Bronze: lightning, 5 by 30-foot line, Dexterity save
- Brass: fire, 5 by 30-foot line, Dexterity save
- Gold and Red: fire, 15-foot cone, Dexterity save
- Green: poison, 15-foot cone, Constitution save
- Silver and White: cold, 15-foot cone, Constitution save
A cone catches the enemies around you; a line is hard to aim at more than two. Pick for the resistance as much as the breath, because the resistance works every round.
Legendary: build around it
Epic: excellent
Rare: good
Uncommon: works
Common: weak fit
Red or Gold (fire, cone)
Fire resistance is one of the most useful, and the cone is the easier shape to use. Matches a fire sorcerer's spells. Fiends often resist fire, so carry something else for them.
Epic
Green (poison, cone)
Poison is one of the most common damage types, so this is the best resistance. The breath is the weakest, because many undead, fiends and constructs ignore poison.
Epic
Silver or White (cold, cone)
A cone against Constitution saves. Cold resistance comes up less often than fire or poison.
Rare
Blue or Bronze (lightning, line)
Lightning is seldom resisted, but a line is hard to aim. Pick it for the look, or to match a storm-themed character.
Rare
Black or Copper (acid, line)
Acid is rarely resisted by monsters, and acid resistance is rarely needed by you. Fine, not special.
Rare
Brass (fire, line)
Fire resistance, but in a line. Red or Gold give you the same damage type in the better shape.
Uncommon
Best Classes for a Dragonborn
Paladin
Strength to hit and Charisma for spells, saves and Aura of Protection. The race the 2014 paladin was built around.
Legendary
Fighter
+2 Strength for heavy armor and a big weapon. The breath weapon is a strong opener before Extra Attack at level 5.
Epic
Barbarian
+2 Strength, and the breath weapon works while Raging because it is not a spell. No Constitution, so start with 14 there.
Epic
Sorcerer (Draconic Bloodline)
Only +1 Charisma, but a matching dragon makes a great character, and the Draconic Bloodline adds hit points and natural AC.
Rare
Bard
+1 Charisma for spells and talking. Strength is wasted unless you go into melee.
Rare
Warlock
+1 Charisma, and a Pact of the Blade warlock can use the Strength.
Eldritch BlastEldritch BlastEvocation cantripCastingActionRange120 feetDurationInstantaneousDamage1d10 ForceA beam of crackling energy streaks toward a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 force damage. carries the rest.
Rare
Cleric
A Strength cleric in heavy armor works with Life Domain, but there is no Wisdom bonus.
Uncommon
Ranger
A Strength ranger with two weapons is possible, but most rangers want Dexterity and Wisdom.
Uncommon
Druid
No Wisdom, and Wild Shape replaces your Strength anyway.
Common
Monk
Monks need Dexterity and Wisdom, and breathing costs you the Attack action and the Martial Arts bonus attack that follows it.
Common
Rogue
No Dexterity. Charisma helps a talker, and that is it.
Common
Wizard
Strength and Charisma are both wasted on a wizard.
Common
Racial Feats for Dragonborn
Xanathar's Guide to Everything adds two dragonborn feats. If your table uses it:
- Dragon Fear: +1 Strength, Constitution or Charisma. Spend a use of your breath weapon to roar instead, and creatures you choose within 30 feet make a Wisdom save or are frightened. Good on a Charisma paladin or sorcerer.
- Dragon Hide: +1 Strength, Constitution or Charisma, natural AC of 13 + Dexterity without armor, and claws for your unarmed strikes. Best on a sorcerer or monk who never wears armor.
From the Player's Handbook, Great Weapon Master and Polearm Master are the usual picks for a Strength dragonborn.
Dragonborn Builds
Beginner friendlyThe Dragonborn Paladin
- Race
- Dragonborn (Red or Gold)
- Subclass
- Oath of Devotion (level 3)
- First spells
BlessBless1st-level EnchantmentConcentrationCastingActionRange30 feetDuration1 minuteYou bless up to three creatures of your choice within range. Whenever a target makes an attack roll or a saving throw before the spell ends, the target can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to the attack roll or saving throw., 
Divine FavorDivine Favor1st-level EvocationConcentrationCastingBonus ActionRangeSelfDuration1 minuteYour prayer empowers you with divine radiance. Until the spell ends, your weapon attacks deal an extra 1d4 radiant damage on a hit.
17STR
10DEX
13CON
8INT
12WIS
15CHA
Chain mail, a greatsword and a fire cone for the first turn of a fight. Divine Smite turns every critical hit into a finisher.
Build this dragonborn
Free to start. No card needed.
BlasterThe Dragon Sorcerer
- Race
- Dragonborn (Red or Gold)
- Subclass
- Draconic Bloodline, same dragon
- First spells
Fire BoltFire BoltEvocation cantripCastingActionRange120 feetDurationInstantaneousDamage1d10 FireYou hurl a mote of fire at a creature or object within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 fire damage. A flammable object hit by this spell ignites if it isn't being worn or carried., 
Burning HandsBurning Hands1st-level EvocationCastingActionRangeSelfDurationInstantaneousSaveDexterityDamage3d6 FireAs you hold your hands with thumbs touching and fingers spread, a thin sheet of flames shoots forth from your outstretched fingertips. Each creature in a 15-foot cone must make a dexterity saving throw., 
ShieldShield1st-level AbjurationCastingReactionRangeSelfDuration1 roundAn invisible barrier of magical force appears and protects you. Until the start of your next turn, you have a +5 bonus to AC, including against the triggering attack, and you take no damage from magic missile.
10STR
13DEX
14CON
10INT
12WIS
16CHA
Pick the same fire dragon for your race and your bloodline. Draconic Resilience gives natural armor and extra hit points, and from level 6 Elemental Affinity adds your Charisma to every fire spell. Your race already covers the resistance it offers.
Build this dragonborn
Free to start. No card needed.
Dragonborn FAQ
Is the dragonborn good in D&D 5e?
For Strength and Charisma classes, yes. Under the 2014 rules the dragonborn gets +2 Strength and +1 Charisma, a breath weapon and a damage resistance. It is one of the best races for a paladin. It has no Darkvision, and the breath weapon falls behind once you get Extra Attack.
What is the best draconic ancestry in 5e?
Red or Gold for most players: fire resistance and a 15-foot cone. Green gives the best resistance, poison, but its breath is the most often ignored. Lightning and acid are rarely resisted but come out as a line.
What is the best class for a dragonborn?
Paladin. The +2 Strength and +1 Charisma go into the two scores a paladin needs most. Fighter and barbarian are close behind.
How often can a dragonborn use its breath weapon?
Once, then again after a Short or Long Rest. It uses your action and the damage goes up at levels 6, 11 and 16.
Take your dragonborn into a campaign
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This guide includes material from the System Reference Document 5.1
by Wizards of the Coast LLC, licensed under the
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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