Homebrew Dragonborn (Revised) Species Details
The Dragonborn are my personal favorite race, but it just feels like they are weaker compared to other races. This "Revised" Dragonborn contains minor changes in an attempt to make the race mechanically on par with other races.
TL;DR - Added the unarmored bonus and natural weapon from the Dragon Hide feat from XGtE, as well as allowing the breath weapon to be used a number of times equal to 1+ your CON modifier per short or long rest.
Dragonborn (Revised) Traits
Your draconic heritage manifests in a variety of traits you share with other dragonborn.Ability Score Increase
Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Charisma score increases by 1.
Age
Young dragonborn grow quickly. They walk hours after hatching, attain the size and development of a 10-year-old human child by the age of 3, and reach adulthood by 15. They live to be around 80.
Alignment
Dragonborn tend to extremes, making a conscious choice for one side or the other in the cosmic war between good and evil (represented by Bahamut and Tiamat, respectively). Most dragonborn are good, but those who side with Tiamat can be terrible villains.
Size
Dragonborn are taller and heavier than humans, standing well over 6 feet tall and averaging almost 250 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Draconic Ancestry
You have draconic ancestry. Choose one type of dragon from the Draconic Ancestry table. Your breath weapon and damage resistance are determined by the dragon type, as shown in the table.
Draconic Ancestry
| Dragon | Damage Type | Breath Weapon |
|---|---|---|
| Black | Acid | 5 by 30 ft. line (Dex. save) |
| Blue | Lightning | 5 by 30 ft. line (Dex. save) |
| Brass | Fire | 5 by 30 ft. line (Dex. save) |
| Bronze | Lightning | 5 by 30 ft. line (Dex. save) |
| Copper | Acid | 5 by 30 ft. line (Dex. save) |
| Gold | Fire | 15 ft. cone (Dex. save) |
| Green | Poison | 15 ft. cone (Con. save) |
| Red | Fire | 15 ft. cone (Dex. save) |
| Silver | Cold | 15 ft. cone (Con. save) |
| White | Cold | 15 ft. cone (Con. save) |
Breath Weapon
You can use your action to exhale destructive energy. Your draconic ancestry determines the size, shape, and damage type of the exhalation. When you use your breath weapon, each creature in the area of the exhalation must make a saving throw, the type of which is determined by your draconic ancestry. The DC for this saving throw equals 8 + your Constitution modifier + your proficiency bonus. A creature takes 2d6 damage on a failed save, and half as much damage on a successful one. The damage increases to 3d6 at 6th level, 4d6 at 11th level, and 5d6 at 16th level. You can use your breath weapon a number of times equal to 1 + your Constitution modifier (minimum of 1) per short or long rest.
Draconic Resilience
You have scales reminiscent of your draconic ancestors that form a natural armor. You have resistance to the damage type associated with your draconic ancestry. While you aren’t wearing armor, your AC is 13 + your Dexterity modifier. You can use a shield and still gain this benefit.
You have claws that are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the normal bludgeoning damage for an unarmed strike.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common and Draconic. Draconic is thought to be one of the oldest languages and is often used in the study of magic. The language sounds harsh to most other creatures and includes numerous hard consonants and sibilants.
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Posted Sep 17, 2020I apologize that you feel this way. This was really just something that I made to use with my D&D group, and I decided to share this with anyone in the community who might enjoy this.
Also, on a personal note, I highly doubt that anyone in the community, or Wizards of the Coast for that matter, would take any offense to this. I have talked to many other D&D players who share the same opinion as me that the Dragonborn race is somewhat underpowered when compared to other races that would in many circumstances be a better option if you wanted to min-max. Quite frankly, by your logic, it would seem like Unearthed Arcana and any other form of Homebrew would also be an "insult" to D&D.
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Posted Sep 18, 2020okay bro lmao
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Posted Dec 30, 2020I like this. I do believe the breath weapon should be more powerful as you gain character level. I'm in the process of building my own Dragonborn Variant. Though, having issues with revamping the features of the dragonborn. However, I thoroughly enjoy this variation that you've created.