Wizards of the Coast‘s newest Unearthed Arcana, Draconic Options, unveils some exciting new variances to the Dragonborn race, a fresh look at Kobolds, as well as some new feats and spells inspired by our scaled friends.
Draconic Options – Races
Draconic Races
Until now, the only variance available for Dragonborn was the colour of their scales. Now, Wizards of the Coast have created three distinct subrace options; choose between Chromatic, Metallic, or Gem Dragonborn.
Each subrace features an ancestry which determines the type of damage your Dragonborn delivers with their Breath Weapon, and Draconic Resistance which grants you resistance to your ancestral damage type as well. Additionally, each gains a distinct feature or two as follows:
- Chromatic Dragonborn – at 3rd level these Dragonborn gain Chromatic Warding, a feature that lets them channel energy for protection. Using an action, the Dragonborn can grant themselves an immunity to their ancestral damage type which lasts for 10 minutes. They can use this trait once per long rest.
- Metallic Dragonborn – at 3rd level these Dragonborn gain Metallic Breath Weapon, a secondary breath weapon at their disposal. When taking the Attack action, the Dragonborn can replace one of their attacks with this breath weapon, which takes the form of a gas in a 15 foot cone. The effect can be either: creatures must make a Strength saving throw against being pushed 20 feet away and being knocked prone, or creatures make a Constitution saving throw against becoming incapacitated for 1 round.
- Gem Dragonborn – at 3rd level these Dragonborn gain Psionic Mind, an ability that lets them speak telepathically to others. The target must be within 30 feet and visible to the Dragonborn, and must understand at least one language. Also at 3rd level, Gem Dragonborn gain Gem Flight which lets them summon wings made of spectral gems for 1 minute, allowing them to fly and hover.
The Kobold Option
The Kobold is another race of creature related to dragons. In Draconic Options, the playtest material grants Kobolds the following interesting features:
- Draconic Legacy – A Kobold’s connection to dragons can show itself in a number of ways. Players may choose one of the following traits for their Kobold: advantage on saving throws against being frightened; learn one cantrip from the Sorcerer spell list; or, gain an unarmed strike with your tail that deals 1d6 + Strength damage.
- Draconic Roar – As a bonus action, Kobolds can roar, effecting every enemy within 10 feet. For 1 round, the Kobold and its allies all have advantage on attacks against the enemies who heard the roar. Kobolds may use this trait a number of times up to the character’s proficiency modifier.
Draconic Options – Feats
You don’t need to be a Dragonborn to inherit the power of dragons with these new feats.
- Gift of the Chromatic Dragon – Once per day, you can imbue a weapon with acid, cold, fire, lightning or poison energy; for 1 minute, the weapon deals an extra 1d4 damage of the chosen type. Also, when taking damage of the above types, you can use a reaction to give yourself resistance to that attack’s damage; you can do this a number of times equal to your proficiency modifier per long rest.
- Gift of the Metallic Dragon – You learn the Cure Wounds spell. You can cast it without using a spell slot once per day; additional castings will use spell slots. Also, as a reaction, if you or an ally within 5 feet of you is hit by an attack, you can summon spectral wings that grant a 1d4 bonus to their Armour Class, potentially making the attack miss; this may be done a number of times equal to your proficiency modifier.
- Gift of the Gem Dragon – Increase your Intelligence, Wisdom or Charisma score by one. Also, when hit by an attack from within 10 feet, you can use your reaction to emit telekinetic energy. The creature who attacked you must make a Strength saving throw or be pushed back 10 feet and take 2d8 force damage. You can use this reaction a number of times equal to your proficiency modifier.
Draconic Options – Spells
This issue of Unearthed Arcana includes a total of seven new and exciting spells ranging from levels 2 to 7 and inspired by the magic of dragons. For brevity, here we will list the spells’ titles and brief summary of what they do; for the specifics, head over to the official Unearthed Arcana page.
- Draconic Transformation (Level 7) – As a bonus action, you can transform yourself to take on draconic features. You gain Blindsight, as well as incorporeal wings that give you a fly speed of 40 feet. Finally, you gain a breath weapon capable of dealing 3d8 force damage in a 30 foot cone. This spell can last up to 1 minute.
- Fizban’s Platinum Shield (Level 6) – You create a field of silvery light around yourself or an ally granting the target the following effects: they have half cover; they are resistant to acid, cold, fire, lightning, and poison damage; and if subjected to a Dexterity saving throw, they take half damage if they fail the save and no damage at all on a success.
- Flame Stride (Level 3) – You coat your feet in the billowing flames of a dragon and gain 20 feet to your walking speed for the duration. Additionally, when you move within 5 feet of a creature or object not being worn, they take 1d6 fire damage.
- Icingdeath’s Frost (Level 2) – You blast ice in a 30 foot cone, forcing each creature to make a Constitution saving throw. On a fail, they take 3d8 cold damage and are covered in ice for 1 minute. A creature covered in ice cannot move (effectively grappled) but can use its action to break free. On a successful save, the creature takes half damage and suffers no other effects.
- Nathair’s Mischief (Level 2) – You fill a 20 foot cube with fey and draconic energy. Roll 1d4 to determine the chaotic effect from the table provided in the spell; included are apple pie smells that charms creatures and flowers that blind.
- Raulothim’s Psychic Lance (Level 4) – You haul a lance of psychic power at a creature which must then make an Intelligence saving throw. On a failed save, the creature takes 10d6 psychic damage and is incapacitated for 1 round.
- Summon Draconic Spirit (Level 5) – You can summon the spirit of a Chromatic, Metallic, or Gem dragon to fight alongside you and your allies. It has 50 hit points, an 80 feet fly speed, and a variety of attacks as described by its creature stats.
So that’s it this time; let us know in the comments what you think! And if you’re itching for more Dungeons & Dragons content, check out our last Unearthed Arcana post detailing the Folk of the Feywild. Or have a look at our press announcement for Dark Alliance, the D&D video game coming this summer!