Beyond Dwelfs: Even more mixed race options for Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition

Portrait of a half-Dwarf, half-Orc (dworc) — Portrait of a half-Dwarf/half-Orc (dworc) named Grehg by Archaes8 (via DeviantArt)

It’s March, and apparently that means I’m doing another update of my free ruleset for creating and playing mixed race or hybrid characters in Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition. I launched this is March 2018 with Bring on the dwelfs: Mixed race options in Dungeons & Dragons 5e, and significantly updated it in March 2019 (one year ago today, in fact) with Dwelfs and Dragoblins: More mixed race options for D&D 5e. I wasn’t planning to update it today or even this month, but here we are.

For those who don’t know, I have a bugbear (ba dum tsh) with how fantasy races are portrayed in Dungeons & Dragons, and in particular with how the existing, official hybrid races (mainly Half-Elves and Half-Orcs, but also to a lesser extent Aasimar, Tieflings and Genasi) are presented as wholly separate from either of their parent races. I also dislike that they all seem to be half-Human and half-Something Else, for several reasons. In my first blog post on the subject, I talked at some length about my concerns and ways to address them using the rules as written.

But let’s be honest, it would be far more interesting if there were new rules for actual mixed race characters.

My solution has been to take the official Wizards of the Coast playable races (or at least those available on D&D Beyond) and split their associated rules into two parts, a Left Component and a Right Component, which can be mixed and matched to make any combination (including the official races themselves). I provide the general rules for each component, including the names of the features provided but not the rules of those features (you’ll need relevant official sourcebooks for that).

Now you have rules for playing that Dwelf (half-Dwarf/half-Elf) or Dworc (half-Dwarf/half-Orc) you’ve been thinking about. Or a Genasi that is half-Gnome instead of half-Human (a Genome, if you will). Or, for the first time in this update, a half-Tabaxi/half-Locathah (or Catfish).

This update includes new races from the Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount, Acquisitions Incorporated, One Grung Above, and Locathah Rising. The spreadsheet is also now available on Google Docs instead of needing to be downloaded as an Excel file, which I hope will improve accessibility and will definitely make it easier to update in future. Enjoy!

Creating Hybrid Races in D&D 5e by Stephen Morffew

Also, as ever, instructions and the components are also included in the blog below, but the spreadsheet is likely to remain the most up-to-date version going forwards. Check it out periodically for updates and new races! And let me know if there’s anything you want me to add!

CREATING HYBRID RACES IN D&D 5E (v4, 2020-03-22)

All character races have been divided into Left and Right components. The spreadsheet version, includes a way of auto-populating race features that is not included on this page. It also includes a designer commentary, update history, and a way of re-constructing official races using this guide; these are also not included here.

Instructions

To create your character’s race, pick one Left component and one Right component from the lists below, then apply all benefits (and disadvantages) from both.

Ability Score Increases (ASIs) must be applied in the following order, regardless of which component they come from:

specified ASIs (Strength, Charisma, etc.) – increase the specified Ability by one, or decrease the Ability by one if it is preceded by a minus (-)
any (free) – increase any of the six Abilities by one without restriction
any (repeat) – increase an Ability by one that you’ve already increased under step 1 or step 2
any (other) – increase any negative Ability Score adjustments first to remove the penalty, then increase any Ability that hasn’t already increased (including any you bought off, if relevant)

When both of the chosen components give the same specific (non-ASI) benefit, it applies only once. In certain rare (and explicitly identified) cases, where a specific benefit is duplicated, one of the components will say that its instance of the benefit is replaced with something else.

The Fleet of Foot trait is reworded as “Increase movement speed by 5 feet”.

Components lists

(This section should look like 2 columns/boxes next to each other that scroll independently. The one on the left contains Left components, the one on the right contains Right components. In each column, the individual components can be expanded to read the relevant features.)

LEFT COMPONENTS

Aarakocra

Derived from: Aarakocra
ASI: Dex, Wis
Flight (20 feet, no medium or heavy armor)
Talons
Languages: Common, Aarakocra

Bugbear

Derived from: Bugbear
ASI: Dex, Str
Powerful Build
Sneaky
Darkvision
Languages: Common, Goblin

Celestial

Derived from: Aasimar, Fallen; Aasimar, Protector; Aasimar, Scourge; Aasimar, Variant
ASI: Cha
Celestial Resistance
Healing Hands
Light Bringer
Choose ONE:
- Necrotic Shroud OR
- Radiant Soul OR
- Radiant Consumption OR
- Celestial Legacy OR
Darkvision
Languages: Celestial

Changeling

Derived from: Changeling
ASI: Cha, and choose ONE of Dex OR Int
Change Appearance
Changeling Instincts
Languages: Common, any

Dragonborn

Derived from: Dragonborn
ASI: Cha, Str
Draconic Ancestry
Damage Resistance
Languages: Common, Draconic

Dragonborn, Draconblood

Derived from: Dragonborn, Draconblood
ASI: Cha, Int
Draconic Ancestry
Forceful Presence
Darkvision
Languages: Common, Draconic

Dragonborn, Ravenite

Derived from: Dragonborn, Ravenit
ASI: Con, Str
Draconic Ancestry
Vengeful Assault
Darkvision
Languages: Common, Draconic

Dwarf, Gray (Duergar)

Derived from: Dwarf, Gray (Duergar)
ASI: Con, Str
Dwarven Resilience
Duergar Magic
Duergar Resilience
Superior Darkvision
Sunlight Sensitivity
Languages: Common, Undercommon

Dwarf, Hill

Derived from: Dwarf, Hill
ASI: Con, Wis
Dwarven Resilience
Dwarven Toughness
Darkvision
Languages: Common, Dwarvish

Dwarf, Mountain

Derived from: Dwarf, Mountain
ASI: Con, Str, Str
Dwarven Resilience
Dwarven Armor Training
Darkvision
Languages: Common, Dwarvish

Elf, Cosmopolitan

Derived from: Half-Elf; Half-Elf, Variant
ASI: Choose ONE of Cha OR Dex, and choose any (other)
Fey Ancestry
Choose ONE:
- Skill Versatility OR
- Keen Senses
Darkvision
Languages: Common, Elvish

Elf, Dark (Drow)

Derived from: Elf, Dark (Drow); Half-Elf, Drow
ASI: Choose ONE of Cha OR Dex, and choose any (other)
Fey Ancestry
Drow Magic
Superior Darkvision
Sunlight Sensitivity
Languages: Common, Elvish

Elf, Eladrin

Derived from: Eladrin; Eladrin, Variant
ASI: Choose ONE of Cha OR Dex, and choose any (other)
Fey Ancestry
Fey Step (basic misty step version)
Darkvision
Languages: Common, Elvish

Elf, High

Derived from: Elf, High; Elf, Moon; Elf, Sun; Half-Elf, High; Half-Elf, Moon; Half-Elf, Sun
ASI: Choose ONE of Cha OR Dex, and choose any (other)
Fey Ancestry
Choose ONE:
- Elf Weapon Training OR
- Cantrip
Darkvision
Languages: Common, Elvish

Elf, Pallid

Derived from: Elf, Pallid
ASI: Choose ONE of Cha OR Dex, and choose any (other)
Fey Ancestry
Blessing of the Moon Weaver
Darkvision
Languages: Common, Elvish

Elf, Sea

Derived from: Elf, Sea; Half-Elf, Aquatic
ASI: Choose ONE of Cha OR Dex, and choose any (other)
Fey Ancestry
Swimming Speed (30 feet)
Amphibious
Darkvision
Languages: Common, Elvish

Elf, Shadar-kai

Derived from: Shadar-kai
ASI: Choose ONE of Cha OR Dex, and choose any (other)
Fey Ancestry
Blessing of the Raven Queen
Darkvision
Languages: Common, Elvish

Elf, Wood

Derived from: Elf, Wood; Half-Elf, Wood
ASI: Choose ONE of Cha OR Dex, and choose any (other)
Fey Ancestry
Choose ONE:
- Elf Weapon Training OR
- Fleet of Foot OR
- Mask of the Wild
Darkvision
Languages: Common, Elvish

Fiend

Derived from: Tiefling; Tiefling, Baalzebul; Tiefling, Dispater; Tiefling, Feral; Tiefling, Fierna; Tiefling, Glasya; Tiefling, Levistus; Tiefling, Mammon; Tiefling, Mephistopheles; Tiefling, Variant; Tiefling, Variant Feral; Tiefling, Zariel
ASI: Choose ONE of Cha OR Dex
Hellish Resistance
Choose ONE:
- Infernal Legacy OR
- Devil’s Tongue OR
- Infernal Legacy (Hellfire) OR
- Winged OR
- Legacy of Maladomini OR
- Legacy of Dis OR
- Legacy of Phlegethos OR
- Legacy of Malbolge OR
- Legacy of Stygia OR
- Legacy of Minauros OR
- Legacy of Cania OR
- Legacy of Avernus
Darkvision
Languages: Infernal

Firbolg

Derived from: Firbolg
ASI: Str, Wis
Powerful Build
Hidden Step
Superior Darkvision
Languages: Common, Elvish

Genie, Air

Derived from: Genasi, Air
ASI: Con
Unending Breath
Mingle with the Wind
Languages: Primordial

Genie, Earth

Derived from: Genasi, Earth
ASI: Con
Earth Walk
Merge with Stone
Languages: Primordial

Genie, Fire

Derived from: Genasi, Fire
ASI: Con
Fire Resistance
Reach to the Blaze
Darkvision
Languages: Primordial

Genie, Water

Derived from: Genasi, Water
ASI: Con
Acid Resistance
Swimming Speed (30 feet)
Amphibious
Call to the Wave
Languages: Primordial

Githyanki

Derived from: Githyanki
ASI: Int, Str
Githyanki Psionics
Decadent Mastery
Languages: Gith

Githzerai

Derived from: Githzerai
ASI: Int, Wis
Githzerai Psionics
Languages: Common, Gith

Gnome, Deep (Svirfneblin)

Derived from: Gnome, Deep (Svirfneblin)
ASI: Dex, Int
Stone Camouflage
Superior Darkvision
Languages: Common, Undercommon

Gnome, Forest

Derived from: Gnome, Forest
ASI: Dex, Int
Natural Illusionist
Speak with Small Beasts
Darkvision
Languages: Common, Gnomish

Gnome, Rock

Derived from: Gnome, Rock
ASI: Con, Int
Artificer’s Lore
Tinker
Darkvision
Languages: Common, Gnomish

Goblin

Derived from: Goblin
ASI: Con, Dex
Nimble Escape
Darkvision
Languages: Goblin

Goliath

Derived from: Goliath
ASI: Con, Str
Powerful Build
Stone’s Endurance
Languages: Common, Giant

Grung

Derived from: Grung
ASI: Dex, Con
Poisonous Skin
Water Dependency
Amphibious
Languages: Grung only

Halfling, Ghostwise

Derived from: Halfling, Ghostwise
ASI: Dex, Wis
Brave
Silent Speech
Languages: Common, Halfling

Halfling, Lightfoot

Derived from: Halfling, Lightfoot
ASI: Cha, Dex
Brave
Naturally Stealthy
Languages: Common, Halfling

Halfling, Lotusden

Derived from: Halfling, Lotusden
ASI: Dex, Wis
Brave
Child of the Wood
Timberwalk
Languages: Common, Halfling

Halfling, Stout

Derived from: Halfling, Stout
ASI: Con, Dex
Brave
Stout Resilience
Languages: Common, Halfling

Hobgoblin

Derived from: Hobgoblin
ASI: Con, Int
Martial Training
Darkvision
Languages: Common, Goblin

Human

Derived from: Human
ASI: any (other), any (other), any (other), any (other)
Languages: Common only

Human, Variant

Derived from: Human, Variant
ASI: none
Feat
Skills: proficiency in any one skill
Languages: Common only

Kenku

Derived from: Kenku
ASI: Dex, Wis
Mimicry (and, regardless of what languages they understand, can only speak through mimicry)
Kenku Training
Languages: Common, Auran

Kobold

Derived from: Kobold
ASI: Dex, -Str
Pack Tactics
Darkvision
Sunlight Sensitivity
Languages: Common, Draconic

Lizardfolk

Derived from: Lizardfolk
ASI: Con, Wis
Natural Armor (AC 13+Dex)
Swimming Speed (30 feet)
Hold Breath (15 mins)
Bite
Languages: Common, Draconic

Locathah

Derived from: Locathah
ASI: Dex, Str
Natural Armor (AC 12+Dex)
Swimming Speed (30 feet)
Limited Amphibiousness
Leviathan Will
Languages: Common, Aquan

Orc, Dire

Derived from: Orc (Volo’s Guide to Monsters)
ASI: Con, Str, ‑Int, -Int
Powerful Build
Menacing
Darkvision
Languages: Common, Orc

Orc, Keen

Derived from: Orc (Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount)
ASI: Con, Str
Powerful Build
Primal Intuition
Darkvision
Languages: Common, Orc

Orc, Resolute

Derived from: Half-Orc
ASI: Str
Menacing
Relentless Endurance
Savage Attacks
Darkvision
Languages: Orc only

Quori

Derived from: Kalashtar
ASI: Wis
Dual Mind
Mental Discipline
Mind Link
Psychic Glamour
Severed from Dreams
Languages: Common, Quori

Shifter, Beasthide

Derived from: Shifter, Beasthide
ASI: Con, Con
Shifting (basic temp HP increase) (OR, if a duplication, Shifting Feature (Beasthide))
Tough
Darkvision
Languages: Common

Shifter, Longtooth

Derived from: Shifter, Longtooth
ASI: Str, Str
Shifting (basic temp HP increase) (OR, if a duplication, Shifting Feature (Longtooth))
Fierce
Darkvision
Languages: Common

Shifter, Swiftstride

Derived from: Shifter, Swiftstride
ASI: Cha, Dex
Shifting (basic temp HP increase) (OR, if a duplication, Shifting Feature (Swiftstride))
Graceful
Swift Stride
Darkvision
Languages: Common

Shifter, Wildhunt

Derived from: Shifter, Wildhunt
ASI: Wis, Wis
Shifting (basic temp HP increase) (OR, if a duplication, Shifting Feature (Wildhunt))
Natural Tracker
Mark the Scent
Darkvision
Languages: Common

Tabaxi

Derived from: Tabaxi
ASI: Cha, Dex
Cat’s Talent
Darkvision
Languages: Common, any

Tortle

Derived from: Tortle
ASI: Str, Wis
Natural Armor (AC 13+Dex)
Shell Defense
Hold Breath (1 hour)
Survival Instinct
Languages: Common, Aquan

Triton

Derived from: Triton
ASI: Cha, Str
Control Air and Water
Swimming Speed (30 feet)
Amphibious
Emissary of the Sea
Languages: Primordial

Verdan

Derived from: Verdan
ASI: Cha, Con
Limited Telepathy
Telepathic Insight
Languages: Common, Goblin

Warforged

Derived from: Warforged, Envoy; Warforged, Juggernaut; Warforged, Skirmisher
ASI: Con, any (free)
Warforged Resilience
Sentry’s Rest
Languages: Common

Yuan-ti Pureblood

Derived from: Yuan-ti Pureblood
ASI: Cha, Int
Magic Resistance
Darkvision
Languages: Common, Abyssal

RIGHT COMPONENTS