Dragonborn 5e
Dragonborn are proud, honorable warriors born from the blood of dragons. They stand tall and proud, covered in draconic scales with coloration that hints at their draconic ancestry. Dragonborn are torn between their devotion to clan and kin, and their destiny to serve dragonkind. Most seek to prove themselves worthy through great deeds and personal honor.
At a Glance
Ability Scores
+2 Strength, +1 Charisma
Size
Medium
Speed
30 ft.
Languages
Common, Draconic
Source
Player's Handbook / Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
Racial Traits
| Trait | Description |
|---|---|
| Draconic Ancestry | Choose one type of dragon from the Draconic Ancestry table. Your breath weapon and damage resistance are determined by the dragon type. |
| Breath Weapon | You can use your action to exhale destructive energy based on your draconic ancestry. Each creature in the area must make a saving throw (DC = 8 + your Constitution modifier + your proficiency bonus). A creature takes 2d6 damage on a failed save, and half as much on a success. The damage increases to 3d6 at 6th level, 4d6 at 11th level, and 5d6 at 16th level. After using your breath weapon, you can't use it again until you complete a short or long rest. |
| Damage Resistance | You have resistance to the damage type associated with your draconic ancestry. |
Subraces
| Subrace | Bonus |
|---|---|
| Black Dragon Ancestry | Acid damage, 5 by 30 ft. line (Dex save) |
| Blue Dragon Ancestry | Lightning damage, 5 by 30 ft. line (Dex save) |
| Brass Dragon Ancestry | Fire damage, 5 by 30 ft. line (Dex save) |
| Bronze Dragon Ancestry | Lightning damage, 5 by 30 ft. line (Dex save) |
| Copper Dragon Ancestry | Acid damage, 5 by 30 ft. line (Dex save) |
| Gold Dragon Ancestry | Fire damage, 15 ft. cone (Dex save) |
| Green Dragon Ancestry | Poison damage, 15 ft. cone (Con save) |
| Red Dragon Ancestry | Fire damage, 15 ft. cone (Dex save) |
| Silver Dragon Ancestry | Cold damage, 15 ft. cone (Con save) |
| White Dragon Ancestry | Cold damage, 15 ft. cone (Con save) |
Common Mistakes
Common Mistake
Forgetting the breath weapon recharges on a short rest, not just long rest
Common Mistake
Not positioning properly for line vs cone breath weapons
Common Mistake
Forgetting to add proficiency bonus to breath weapon DC
Common Mistake
Thinking damage resistance makes you immune
Common Mistake
Not tracking breath weapon damage scaling at levels 6, 11, and 16
DM Tips
DM Tip
The breath weapon is powerful at low levels but falls off - consider magical items that enhance it
DM Tip
Dragonborn culture emphasizes honor and clan - create opportunities for moral dilemmas
DM Tip
The damage resistance is situational but very useful against certain enemies
DM Tip
Consider introducing dragon NPCs that react to the dragonborn's ancestry
DM Tip
Fizban's offers the Gem and Metallic/Chromatic variants with different abilities
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & Further Reading
- Dragonborn — D&D 5e Wikidot — Full SRD race text
- Dragonborn — D&D Beyond — Official race reference
- Dragonborn Handbook — RPGBOT — Race optimization guide