D&D Build GuideHow to Build a Dragon Character

What Makes a Dragon Character

A dragon character is about the blood of dragons showing in you. In the 2024 rules that comes from two places, and they stack well:

• The DragonbornDragonbornSpeciesDraconic Ancestry, Breath Weapon, Damage Resistance, Darkvision, Draconic Flight: a Breath Weapon, Resistance to your ancestor's damage type, and spectral wings from level 5.
• The SorcererSorcererClassHit died6SavesCHA, CON with Draconic Sorcery: dragon scales for armor, extra hit points, more damage with one element, dragon spells, and real wings at level 14.

Add spells of your element, and a character who talks like they are owed a hoard, and you have a dragon. Your background sets your ability scores in 2024, so a dragonborn can play any class without losing anything.

The Dragonborn: Breath, Resistance and Flight

• Breath Weapon. When you take the Attack action, replace one of your attacks with a 15-foot Cone or a 30-foot Line. Each creature in it makes a Dexterity save against DC 8 + your Constitution modifier + your Proficiency Bonus, taking 1d10 damage (half on a success). It grows to 2d10 at level 5, 3d10 at 11 and 4d10 at 17. You can use it a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus per Long Rest.
• Damage Resistance to your ancestry's damage type.
• Draconic Flight. From level 5, sprout spectral wings as a Bonus Action for 10 minutes, with a Fly Speed equal to your Speed. Once per Long Rest.

Because the breath replaces one attack, classes with Extra Attack can breathe and still swing a weapon in the same turn. Because the DC uses Constitution, it stays reliable on any class that keeps Constitution high.

Draconic ancestries

Fire: Red, Gold or Brass

Fire resistance is the most useful one, and fire matches the most iconic dragon spells. Plenty of fiends and fire creatures resist it, so carry a second element.

Epic

Lightning: Blue or Bronze

Resisted by fewer monsters than fire, and it pairs with Lightning BoltLightning Bolt3rd-level EvocationCastingActionRangeSelfDurationInstantaneousSaveDexterityDamage8d6 LightningA stroke of lightning forming a 100-foot-long, 5-foot-wide Line blasts out from you in a direction you choose. Each creature in the Line makes a Dexterity saving throw, taking 8d6 Lightning damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. for a Line-shaped character.

Epic

Cold: Silver or White

A solid alternative to fire, and the cold spell list (Ray of FrostRay of FrostEvocation cantripCastingActionRange60 feetDurationInstantaneousDamage1d8 ColdA frigid beam of blue-white light streaks toward a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, it takes 1d8 Cold damage, and its Speed is reduced by 10 feet until the start of your next turn., Ice KnifeIce Knife1st-level ConjurationCastingActionRange60 feetDurationInstantaneousSaveDexterityDamage1d10 PiercingYou create a shard of ice and fling it at one creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 Piercing damage. Hit or miss, the shard then explodes., Cone of ColdCone of Cold5th-level EvocationCastingActionRangeSelfDurationInstantaneousSaveConstitutionDamage8d8 ColdYou unleash a blast of cold air. Each creature in a 60-foot Cone originating from you makes a Constitution saving throw, taking 8d8 Cold damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. A creature killed by this spell becomes a frozen statue until it thaws.) is strong.

Epic

Acid: Black or Copper

Very few monsters resist acid, but acid resistance comes up less often than the others.

Rare

Poison: Green

Poison resistance is great defense, but many undead, constructs and fiends are immune to poison, so your breath often does nothing.

Rare

Best Classes for a Dragon Character

Sorcerer (Draconic Sorcery)

The dragon class. Draconic ResilienceDraconic ResilienceLevel 3 featureThe magic in your body manifests physical traits of your draconic gift. Your Hit Point maximum increases by 3, and it increases by 1 whenever you gain another Sorcerer level. Parts of you are also covered by dragon-like scales. gives scales (AC 10 + Dexterity + Charisma) and extra hit points, Elemental AffinityElemental AffinityLevel 6 featureYour draconic magic has an affinity with a damage type associated with dragons. Choose one of those types: Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, or Poison. adds Charisma to one damage roll of your element and Resistance to it, and Dragon WingsDragon WingsLevel 14 featureAs a Bonus Action, you can cause draconic wings to appear on your back. The wings last for 1 hour or until you dismiss them (no action required). For the duration, you have a Fly Speed of 60 feet. gives a 60-foot Fly Speed at 14.

Legendary

Paladin

The dragon knight. Heavy armor, Charisma for presence, and Extra Attack at 5 lets you breathe and smite in the same turn.

Epic

Fighter

More attacks than anyone, so breathing costs the least. Action SurgeAction SurgeLevel 2 featureYou can push yourself beyond your normal limits for a moment. On your turn, you can take one additional action, except the Magic action. Once you use this feature, you can't do so again until you finish a Short or Long Rest. lets you breathe on two groups in one turn.

Epic

Barbarian

Constitution is your second-best score, so your breath DC is high. Rage does not stop you breathing, since it is not a spell.

Epic

Warlock

A patron who might be a dragon in all but name. The Fiend adds Burning HandsBurning Hands1st-level EvocationCastingActionRangeSelfDurationInstantaneousSaveDexterityDamage3d6 FireA thin sheet of flames shoots forth from you. Each creature in a 15-foot Cone makes a Dexterity saving throw, taking 3d6 Fire damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. Flammable objects in the Cone that aren't being worn or carried start burning., FireballFireball3rd-level EvocationCastingActionRange150 feetDurationInstantaneousSaveDexterityDamage8d6 FireA bright streak flashes from you to a point you choose within range and then blossoms with a low roar into a fiery explosion. and Wall of FireWall of Fire4th-level EvocationConcentrationCastingActionRange120 feetDuration1 minuteSaveDexterityDamage5d8 FireYou create a wall of fire on a solid surface within range. You can make the wall up to 60 feet long, 20 feet high, and 1 foot thick, or a ringed wall up to 20 feet in diameter, 20 feet high, and 1 foot thick. The wall is opaque and lasts for the duration. for a fire-themed character.

Rare

Wizard

The widest elemental spell list and Summon DragonSummon Dragon5th-level ConjurationConcentrationCastingActionRange60 feetDuration1 hourYou call forth a Dragon spirit. It manifests in an unoccupied space that you can see within range and uses the Draconic Spirit stat block. The creature disappears when it drops to 0 Hit Points or when the spell ends. The creature is an ally to you and your allies. at higher levels. No draconic features, so the dragon comes from your species.

Rare

Druid

Good elemental spells, and the Circle of the Land can pick fire, cold or lightning spells each day. Nothing draconic in the class itself.

Uncommon

Rogue

One attack per turn, so the breath replaces your Sneak Attack. Works for flavor, costs you damage.

Uncommon

Other Species for a Dragon Theme

You do not have to be a dragonborn. A draconic sorcerer of any species has scales, a dragon's element and, at level 14, wings.

Dragonborn

Breath, resistance and flight. Pair with Draconic Sorcery for two resistances, or one doubled-down element.

Legendary

Tiefling (Infernal)

Fire resistance and Fire BoltFire BoltEvocation cantripCastingActionRange120 feetDurationInstantaneousDamage1d10 FireYou hurl a mote of fire at a creature or an 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 starts burning if it isn't being worn or carried. at level 1. A red dragon sorcerer with horns already looks the part.

Rare

Goliath (Fire Giant)

Fire's Burn adds 1d10 fire damage to a hit a few times a day. A big, fire-touched warrior reads as dragon-blooded easily.

Rare

Human

The extra skill and Origin feat help any build. The scales come from the sorcerer, not the species.

Uncommon

Best Dragon Spells

Draconic Sorcery always has Alter SelfAlter Self2nd-level TransmutationConcentrationCastingActionRangeSelfDuration1 hourDamage1d6You alter your physical form. Choose one of the following options. Its effects last for the duration, during which you can take a Magic action to replace the option you chose with a different one. Aquatic Adaptation. You sprout gills and grow webs between your fingers., Chromatic OrbChromatic Orb1st-level EvocationCastingActionRange90 feetDurationInstantaneousDamage3d8You hurl an orb of energy at a target within range. Choose Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, Poison, or Thunder for the type of orb you create, and then make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 3d8 damage of the chosen type., CommandCommand1st-level EnchantmentCastingActionRange60 feetDurationInstantaneousSaveWisdomYou speak a one-word command to a creature you can see within range. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or follow the command on its next turn. Choose the command from these options: - Drop. The target drops whatever it is holding and then ends its turn. - Flee. and Dragon's BreathDragon's Breath2nd-level TransmutationConcentrationCastingBonus ActionRangeTouchDuration1 minuteSaveDexterityDamage3d6You touch one willing creature, and choose Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, or Poison. Until the spell ends, the target can take a Magic action to exhale a 15-foot Cone. prepared at level 3, FearFear3rd-level IllusionConcentrationCastingActionRangeSelfDuration1 minuteSaveWisdomEach creature in a 30-foot Cone must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or drop whatever it is holding and have the Frightened condition for the duration. and FlyFly3rd-level TransmutationConcentrationCastingActionRangeTouchDuration10 minutes at 5, Arcane EyeArcane Eye4th-level DivinationConcentrationCastingActionRange30 feetDuration1 hourYou create an Invisible, invulnerable eye within range that hovers for the duration. You mentally receive visual information from the eye, which can see in every direction. It also has Darkvision with a range of 30 feet. and Charm MonsterCharm Monster4th-level EnchantmentCastingActionRange30 feetDuration1 hourSaveWisdomOne creature you can see within range makes a Wisdom saving throw. It does so with Advantage if you or your allies are fighting it. On a failed save, the target has the Charmed condition until the spell ends or until you or your allies damage it. at 7, and Legend LoreLegend Lore5th-level DivinationCastingMinuteRangeSelfDurationInstantaneousName or describe a famous person, place, or object. The spell brings to your mind a brief summary of the significant lore about that famous thing, as described by the GM. and Summon DragonSummon Dragon5th-level ConjurationConcentrationCastingActionRange60 feetDuration1 hourYou call forth a Dragon spirit. It manifests in an unoccupied space that you can see within range and uses the Draconic Spirit stat block. The creature disappears when it drops to 0 Hit Points or when the spell ends. The creature is an ally to you and your allies. at 9. Add spells of your Elemental Affinity type, since they get your Charisma on a damage roll.

Fire BoltEvocation cantripCastingActionRange120 feetDurationInstantaneousDamage1d10 FireYou hurl a mote of fire at a creature or an 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 starts burning if it isn't being worn or carried.

Fire BoltFire BoltEvocation cantripCastingActionRange120 feetDurationInstantaneousDamage1d10 FireYou hurl a mote of fire at a creature or an 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 starts burning if it isn't being worn or carried. Fire at range, every turn

Ray of FrostEvocation cantripCastingActionRange60 feetDurationInstantaneousDamage1d8 ColdA frigid beam of blue-white light streaks toward a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, it takes 1d8 Cold damage, and its Speed is reduced by 10 feet until the start of your next turn.

Ray of FrostRay of FrostEvocation cantripCastingActionRange60 feetDurationInstantaneousDamage1d8 ColdA frigid beam of blue-white light streaks toward a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, it takes 1d8 Cold damage, and its Speed is reduced by 10 feet until the start of your next turn. Cold, and slows the target

Shocking GraspEvocation cantripCastingActionRangeTouchDurationInstantaneousDamage1d8 LightningLightning springs from you to a creature that you try to touch. Make a melee spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d8 Lightning damage, and it can't make Opportunity Attacks until the start of its next turn.

Shocking GraspShocking GraspEvocation cantripCastingActionRangeTouchDurationInstantaneousDamage1d8 LightningLightning springs from you to a creature that you try to touch. Make a melee spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d8 Lightning damage, and it can't make Opportunity Attacks until the start of its next turn. Lightning up close, then step away

ElementalismTransmutation cantripCastingActionRange30 feetDurationInstantaneousYou exert control over the elements, creating one of the following effects within range. Beckon Air. You create a breeze strong enough to ripple cloth, stir dust, rustle leaves, and close open doors and shutters, all in a 5-foot Cube.

ElementalismElementalismTransmutation cantripCastingActionRange30 feetDurationInstantaneousYou exert control over the elements, creating one of the following effects within range. Beckon Air. You create a breeze strong enough to ripple cloth, stir dust, rustle leaves, and close open doors and shutters, all in a 5-foot Cube. Small elemental tricks for flavor

Chromatic Orb1st-level EvocationCastingActionRange90 feetDurationInstantaneousDamage3d8You hurl an orb of energy at a target within range. Choose Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, Poison, or Thunder for the type of orb you create, and then make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 3d8 damage of the chosen type.

Chromatic OrbChromatic Orb1st-level EvocationCastingActionRange90 feetDurationInstantaneousDamage3d8You hurl an orb of energy at a target within range. Choose Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, Poison, or Thunder for the type of orb you create, and then make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 3d8 damage of the chosen type. Choose any dragon element

Burning Hands1st-level EvocationCastingActionRangeSelfDurationInstantaneousSaveDexterityDamage3d6 FireA thin sheet of flames shoots forth from you. Each creature in a 15-foot Cone makes a Dexterity saving throw, taking 3d6 Fire damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. Flammable objects in the Cone that aren't being worn or carried start burning.

Burning HandsBurning Hands1st-level EvocationCastingActionRangeSelfDurationInstantaneousSaveDexterityDamage3d6 FireA thin sheet of flames shoots forth from you. Each creature in a 15-foot Cone makes a Dexterity saving throw, taking 3d6 Fire damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. Flammable objects in the Cone that aren't being worn or carried start burning. A breath weapon of your own

Dragon's Breath2nd-level TransmutationConcentrationCastingBonus ActionRangeTouchDuration1 minuteSaveDexterityDamage3d6You touch one willing creature, and choose Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, or Poison. Until the spell ends, the target can take a Magic action to exhale a 15-foot Cone.

Dragon's BreathDragon's Breath2nd-level TransmutationConcentrationCastingBonus ActionRangeTouchDuration1 minuteSaveDexterityDamage3d6You touch one willing creature, and choose Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, or Poison. Until the spell ends, the target can take a Magic action to exhale a 15-foot Cone. Give an ally a breath weapon

Ice Knife1st-level ConjurationCastingActionRange60 feetDurationInstantaneousSaveDexterityDamage1d10 PiercingYou create a shard of ice and fling it at one creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 Piercing damage. Hit or miss, the shard then explodes.

Ice KnifeIce Knife1st-level ConjurationCastingActionRange60 feetDurationInstantaneousSaveDexterityDamage1d10 PiercingYou create a shard of ice and fling it at one creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 Piercing damage. Hit or miss, the shard then explodes. Cold that explodes on hit

Scorching Ray2nd-level EvocationCastingActionRange120 feetDurationInstantaneousDamage2d6 FireYou hurl three fiery rays. You can hurl them at one target within range or at several. Make a ranged spell attack for each ray. On a hit, the target takes 2d6 Fire damage.

Scorching RayScorching Ray2nd-level EvocationCastingActionRange120 feetDurationInstantaneousDamage2d6 FireYou hurl three fiery rays. You can hurl them at one target within range or at several. Make a ranged spell attack for each ray. On a hit, the target takes 2d6 Fire damage. Three rays of fire

Fireball3rd-level EvocationCastingActionRange150 feetDurationInstantaneousSaveDexterityDamage8d6 FireA bright streak flashes from you to a point you choose within range and then blossoms with a low roar into a fiery explosion.

FireballFireball3rd-level EvocationCastingActionRange150 feetDurationInstantaneousSaveDexterityDamage8d6 FireA bright streak flashes from you to a point you choose within range and then blossoms with a low roar into a fiery explosion. The dragon spell

Fly3rd-level TransmutationConcentrationCastingActionRangeTouchDuration10 minutes

FlyFly3rd-level TransmutationConcentrationCastingActionRangeTouchDuration10 minutes Wings before Dragon Wings

Lightning Bolt3rd-level EvocationCastingActionRangeSelfDurationInstantaneousSaveDexterityDamage8d6 LightningA stroke of lightning forming a 100-foot-long, 5-foot-wide Line blasts out from you in a direction you choose. Each creature in the Line makes a Dexterity saving throw, taking 8d6 Lightning damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.

Lightning BoltLightning Bolt3rd-level EvocationCastingActionRangeSelfDurationInstantaneousSaveDexterityDamage8d6 LightningA stroke of lightning forming a 100-foot-long, 5-foot-wide Line blasts out from you in a direction you choose. Each creature in the Line makes a Dexterity saving throw, taking 8d6 Lightning damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. A 100-foot breath of lightning

Fear3rd-level IllusionConcentrationCastingActionRangeSelfDuration1 minuteSaveWisdomEach creature in a 30-foot Cone must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or drop whatever it is holding and have the Frightened condition for the duration.

FearFear3rd-level IllusionConcentrationCastingActionRangeSelfDuration1 minuteSaveWisdomEach creature in a 30-foot Cone must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or drop whatever it is holding and have the Frightened condition for the duration. Dragon presence in spell form

Cone of Cold5th-level EvocationCastingActionRangeSelfDurationInstantaneousSaveConstitutionDamage8d8 ColdYou unleash a blast of cold air. Each creature in a 60-foot Cone originating from you makes a Constitution saving throw, taking 8d8 Cold damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. A creature killed by this spell becomes a frozen statue until it thaws.

Cone of ColdCone of Cold5th-level EvocationCastingActionRangeSelfDurationInstantaneousSaveConstitutionDamage8d8 ColdYou unleash a blast of cold air. Each creature in a 60-foot Cone originating from you makes a Constitution saving throw, taking 8d8 Cold damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. A creature killed by this spell becomes a frozen statue until it thaws. White dragon breath

Summon Dragon5th-level ConjurationConcentrationCastingActionRange60 feetDuration1 hourYou call forth a Dragon spirit. It manifests in an unoccupied space that you can see within range and uses the Draconic Spirit stat block. The creature disappears when it drops to 0 Hit Points or when the spell ends. The creature is an ally to you and your allies.

Summon DragonSummon Dragon5th-level ConjurationConcentrationCastingActionRange60 feetDuration1 hourYou call forth a Dragon spirit. It manifests in an unoccupied space that you can see within range and uses the Draconic Spirit stat block. The creature disappears when it drops to 0 Hit Points or when the spell ends. The creature is an ally to you and your allies. Call an actual dragon

Three Dragon Builds

CasterThe Dragon's Heir

Species

Dragonborn (Red)

Class

Sorcerer (Draconic Sorcery, Elemental Affinity: Fire)

Background

Acolyte (Magic InitiateMagic InitiateOrigin featChoose a level 1 spell from the same list you selected for this feat's cantrips. You always have that spell prepared. You can cast it once without a spell slot, and you regain the ability to cast it in that way when you finish a Long Rest.)

8STR

14DEX

13CON

10INT

13WIS

17CHA

Scales instead of armor, Fire BoltFire BoltEvocation cantripCastingActionRange120 feetDurationInstantaneousDamage1d10 FireYou hurl a mote of fire at a creature or an 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 starts burning if it isn't being worn or carried. every turn, FireballFireball3rd-level EvocationCastingActionRange150 feetDurationInstantaneousSaveDexterityDamage8d6 FireA bright streak flashes from you to a point you choose within range and then blossoms with a low roar into a fiery explosion. at 5 with your Charisma added to the damage from 6, and spectral wings from your species at 5 long before the sorcerer's own at 14. Take a cold or lightning Elemental Affinity instead if you want a second resistance.

Build the Dragon's Heir

Free to start. No card needed.

WarriorThe Breath Knight

Species

Dragonborn (Blue)

Class

Fighter (Champion)

Background

Soldier (Savage AttackerSavage AttackerOrigin featYou've trained to deal particularly damaging strikes. Once per turn when you hit a target with a weapon, you can roll the weapon's damage dice twice and use either roll against the target.)

17STR

10DEX

15CON

8INT

13WIS

12CHA

Heavy armor and a greatsword. From level 5, breathe a Line of lightning through a row of enemies and still make your second attack, and use Action SurgeAction SurgeLevel 2 featureYou can push yourself beyond your normal limits for a moment. On your turn, you can take one additional action, except the Magic action. Once you use this feature, you can't do so again until you finish a Short or Long Rest. to breathe twice when the room is full.

Build the Breath Knight

Free to start. No card needed.

BruteThe Scaled Fury

Species

Dragonborn (Silver)

Class

Barbarian (Path of the Berserker)

Background

Soldier (Savage AttackerSavage AttackerOrigin featYou've trained to deal particularly damaging strikes. Once per turn when you hit a target with a weapon, you can roll the weapon's damage dice twice and use either roll against the target.)

17STR

13DEX

15CON

8INT

12WIS

10CHA

Rage, close the distance, and breathe cold on the crowd before the axe comes down. High Constitution keeps your breath DC up, and wings at level 5 put you on top of anything that tries to fly away.

Build the Scaled Fury

Free to start. No card needed.

Playing a Dragon Character at the Table

• Aim the breath. A Line hits enemies standing in a corridor, a Cone hits a group in front of you. Position before you breathe, and tell your allies to step out of the way.
• Count your uses. Breath Weapon uses equal your Proficiency Bonus per Long Rest. Spend them on groups, not on a single enemy you could hit with a sword.
• Know what resists you. Fire against a fire elemental does nothing. A second element, from a spell or a different Elemental Affinity, saves the fight.
• Play the pride. Dragons hoard, hold grudges and expect respect. A little of that goes a long way in a conversation.

Keep reading

Sorcerer Guide: Build, Metamagic and RatingsD&D 2024 Class Guide

Dragonborn Guide: Ancestries, Classes and BuildsD&D 2024 Species Guide

How to Build a PyromancerD&D Build Guide

How to Build a BerserkerD&D Build Guide