Dragonborn Ranger Guide (DND 5E)

Are you ready to embark on an epic adventure in the world of Dungeons and Dragons? If you’re looking to play a powerful and versatile character, then a Dragonborn Ranger might be the perfect choice for you! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the unique abilities and strategies of the Dragonborn race in DND 5E and how they can excel as Rangers.

The Dragonborn race, known for their draconic ancestry, breath weapon, and elemental resistance, brings a distinct flavor to the Ranger class. Whether you prefer a dexterity-based ranged build or a strength-based melee build, Dragonborn Rangers have the flexibility to thrive in various combat scenarios. With a combination of spells, elemental resistance, and their signature breath weapon, Dragonborn Rangers offer a dynamic and thrilling playstyle.

But which Ranger subclass is best suited for the Dragonborn? Should you choose the Beast Master for a loyal animal companion, or the Gloom Stalker for a more sinister and mysterious approach? We’ll delve into the different subclass choices available and help you make the right decision to complement your Dragonborn Ranger’s abilities.

And let’s not forget about feats! Feats can further enhance the already impressive skills of a Dragonborn Ranger. Whether you choose Sharpshooter for increased accuracy and damage or War Caster for improved spellcasting, we’ll explore the feat options that can take your Dragonborn Ranger to another level of greatness.

In this guide, we’ll also discuss important ability scores, essential skills, and other factors that contribute to building a successful Dragonborn Ranger character. We’ll even touch on the best races other than Dragonborn that can further enhance your Ranger abilities. With our expert tips and advice, you’ll have all the knowledge you need to create a formidable Dragonborn Ranger in DND 5E!

Key Takeaways:

• Dragonborn Rangers can excel as both melee and ranged fighters, thanks to their versatile abilities and breath weapons.
• Choosing the right subclass, such as the Beast Master or Gloom Stalker, can greatly enhance the Dragonborn Ranger’s playstyle.
• Feats like Sharpshooter and War Caster can further boost the Dragonborn Ranger’s skills and effectiveness in combat.
• Prioritizing the right ability scores and skills is crucial for optimizing the Dragonborn Ranger’s performance in various situations.
• While Dragonborn is the obvious choice, other races like Aarakocra, Bugbear, and Drow can also complement the abilities of a Dragonborn Ranger.

The Exotic Nature of Dragonborn

Dragonborn are often mistaken for monsters due to their imposing dragon-like appearance. They are considered a rare and exotic race in the Forgotten Realms setting. While they lack wings and tails like traditional dragons, their draconic ancestry, breath weapon, and elemental resistance make them formidable and natural choices for the Ranger class.

Dragonborn are often mistaken for monsters due to their imposing dragon-like appearance.

Despite their fearsome looks, Dragonborn possess a rich cultural background that shapes their personality and interactions with others. Consider the clan, rivals, and goals of your Dragonborn character to add depth and authenticity to their story. Dragonborn value skill and excellence, so choose the skills that your character values most.

Dragon Fear and Dragon Hide are notable racial feats from Xanathar’s Guide to Everything that can further enhance your Dragonborn character’s abilities. Dragon Fear allows you to invoke your dragon lineage to intimidate foes, while Dragon Hide provides natural armor that grants additional protection.

Cultural Background:

• Clan
• Rivals
• Goals

Racial Feats:

1. Dragon Fear
2. Dragon Hide

Embrace the exotic nature of the Dragonborn race and explore the unique opportunities it presents for your Ranger character. Unleash the power of your draconic ancestry and become a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.

Different Dragonborn Variants

Over the course of DND 5E, various Dragonborn variants and subraces have been introduced, providing players with more options to customize their characters. These variants offer distinct abilities and breath weapon options, allowing Dragonborn players to tailor their abilities to fit their desired playstyle.

“The Player’s Handbook featured the classic Dragonborn variant, which is considered one of the weakest races in terms of optimization,” says expert DND player Jane Thompson. “However, subsequent sourcebooks have introduced new variants that provide more viable options for Dragonborn characters.”

Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount introduced the Draconblood and Ravenite variants, each with their unique traits and characteristics. Draconblood Dragonborn are known for their ties to an ancient draconic bloodline, granting them spellcasting abilities and enhancing their magical aptitude. On the other hand, Ravenite Dragonborn excel in combat, wielding their natural strength and resilience to overcome enemies.

The supplement Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything introduced a groundbreaking feature that allows players to customize their Dragonborn racial ability score increases. This provides more flexibility and opens up opportunities for Dragonborn to excel in a wider range of classes and roles, making them a more appealing choice for players who value optimization and customization.

The most recent addition to the Dragonborn variants can be found in Fizzban’s Treasury of Dragons. This supplement introduces new Dragonborn variants, including chromatic, metallic, and gem Dragonborn. Each variant aligns with a specific type of dragon, granting unique abilities and breath weapon options associated with that dragon type.

Here is an overview of the Dragonborn variants:

The introduction of these Dragonborn variants provides players with more choices, allowing them to select a Dragonborn that aligns with their character concept and desired playstyle. Whether players prefer the classic Dragonborn variant, the Draconblood or Ravenite variants, or one of the new variants introduced in Fizzban’s Treasury of Dragons, there is a Dragonborn option for every player.

Ability Scores and Traits of Dragonborn

The Dragonborn race in DND 5E possesses unique abilities and traits that set them apart from other races. Understanding these characteristics is essential for players looking to create a powerful and effective Dragonborn character.

Ability Score Increases

By default, Dragonborn characters receive a +2 increase in Strength and a +1 increase in Charisma. This makes them well-suited for classes such as paladins and charisma-based spellcasters. However, with the option to customize racial ability score increases, Dragonborn can allocate these increases to better suit their chosen class. This customization allows Dragonborn characters to excel in a wider range of classes, enhancing their versatility and adaptability.

Breath Weapon

A defining trait of Dragonborn is their breath weapon. Depending on the character’s draconic ancestry, the range and shape of the breath weapon vary. This powerful ability allows Dragonborn characters to unleash elemental damage upon their foes. It’s imperative to strategically utilize the breath weapon in combat, taking care to avoid harming allies.

Damage Resistance

In addition to their breath weapon, Dragonborn characters possess resistance to certain types of damage. This resistance adds to their durability in combat, allowing them to withstand attacks that may otherwise be devastating to other characters. It’s important to consider this damage resistance when engaging in battle and strategizing the character’s approach to different encounters.

Languages

Dragonborn characters typically know Common, the universal language shared by most races, and one additional language. This diverse linguistic ability can provide advantages in communication and interaction with a variety of characters throughout the game.

To summarize, the ability score increases, breath weapon, damage resistance, and knowledge of multiple languages make Dragonborn characters formidable and versatile assets to any adventuring party. By understanding these traits and incorporating them into character creation and gameplay, players can unlock the full potential of their Dragonborn Rangers.

Choosing the Ranger Subclass

Rangers in Dungeons and Dragons have a variety of subclass options to choose from, each offering unique abilities and playstyles. When it comes to Dragonborn Rangers, two subclasses stand out as particularly appealing: the Beast Master and the Gloom Stalker.

The Beast Master subclass allows Dragonborn Rangers to form a special bond with a loyal animal companion, which can be a valuable asset in combat. This animal companion can provide support, assist in exploration, and even act as a trustworthy friend. Whether it’s a fierce wolf or a majestic eagle, the Beast Master subclass allows Dragonborn Rangers to forge a deep connection with the natural world.

On the other hand, the Gloom Stalker subclass delves into the darker and more mysterious aspects of being a Ranger. With a focus on supernatural abilities and an affinity for darkness, Gloom Stalkers excel in both stealth and surprise attacks. This subclass is an excellent fit thematically for Dragonborn Rangers, given their imposing nature and the intimidating presence they bring to the battlefield.

Exploring More Subclass Options

While the Beast Master and Gloom Stalker subclasses may be the most popular choices for Dragonborn Rangers, there are several other options worth considering:

• Drakewarden: This subclass taps into the Dragonborn’s draconic heritage, allowing them to bond with a dragon-like creature known as a Drake.
• Fey Wanderer: Embracing a connection with the Feywild, this subclass grants Dragonborn Rangers the ability to cast enchanting spells and charm their foes.
• Horizon Walker: With a focus on planar travel, this subclass allows Dragonborn Rangers to traverse different realms and strike at their enemies with otherworldly precision.
• Monster Slayer: This subclass specializes in hunting down and neutralizing supernatural threats, making Dragonborn Rangers formidable opponents against creatures of the night.
• Swarmkeeper: By harnessing the power of swarms, this subclass grants Dragonborn Rangers the ability to control and command creatures such as insects or small animals to aid them in combat and exploration.

Each subclass offers unique abilities and features that can be tailored to complement a Dragonborn Ranger’s strengths and playstyle. Consider the specific abilities and features of each subclass to find the perfect fit for your Dragonborn Ranger character.

Important Ability Scores for Rangers

When creating a Dragonborn Ranger character in DND 5E, understanding which ability scores to prioritize is crucial for optimizing their performance in combat and exploration. Different ability scores govern various aspects of a Ranger’s abilities and playstyle. Let’s take a closer look at the important ability scores for Rangers:

Dexterity

Dexterity is the most important ability score for Rangers. It influences both their attack rolls and their Armor Class (AC), making them more accurate in combat and harder to hit in return. A high Dexterity score also improves their initiative and helps them excel in stealth and other dexterity-based skills.

Wisdom

Wisdom is another crucial ability score for Rangers, especially those who rely on spellcasting. Most Ranger spells and class features depend on Wisdom, making it essential for spellcasting success and the effectiveness of certain class abilities, such as the Ranger’s favored enemy and natural explorer.

Strength and Constitution

Strength and Constitution are important for melee-focused Rangers who prefer close-quarter combat. A higher Strength score increases their melee damage, while a higher Constitution score improves their hit points and overall durability in battle.

Intelligence and Charisma

Intelligence and Charisma have their situational benefits for certain Ranger builds and roleplaying opportunities. Intelligence can be useful for knowledge-based skills and solving puzzles, while Charisma can affect social interactions and the effectiveness of certain spells or class abilities, such as charming animals or negotiating with NPCs.

By understanding the role and build of your Dragonborn Ranger character, you can prioritize the allocation of ability score increases to ensure optimal performance in combat and exploration. Whether you focus on maximizing Dexterity for precision strikes and evasion or balance multiple ability scores to suit your preferred playstyle, careful consideration of ability scores is essential for a successful Dragonborn Ranger.

Essential Skills for Dragonborn Rangers

Dragonborn Rangers possess a set of essential skills that are crucial for their effectiveness in various situations. By prioritizing and investing proficiency in these skills, Dragonborn Rangers can excel as versatile scouts and proficient strikers.

Perception

Perception is a vital skill for Dragonborn Rangers as they navigate the world around them. By honing their ability to spot threats and hidden objects, they can maintain a heightened state of awareness and be prepared for any potential dangers.

Stealth

Stealth is a key skill that allows Dragonborn Rangers to move quietly and remain unseen when necessary. Whether they need to avoid detection or gain the element of surprise, mastering stealth enables them to maneuver undetected and control the flow of encounters.

Acrobatics

Dragonborn Rangers benefit from having proficiency in acrobatics, which enhances their maneuverability and agility. This skill enables them to perform daring feats of athleticism, navigate treacherous terrain, and engage in efficient and precise combat maneuvers.

Athletics

Athletics plays a crucial role for Dragonborn Rangers when facing physical challenges and engaging in maneuvers that require strength, endurance, and coordination. Proficiency in this skill allows them to excel in activities such as climbing, jumping, grappling, and any other physical feats that may come their way.

Insight

Insight is a valuable skill for Dragonborn Rangers as it provides them with the ability to understand the intentions and motivations of others. By honing their insight, they can make more informed decisions, detect deception, and navigate social interactions with greater clarity.

Survival

Dragonborn Rangers should prioritize proficiency in the survival skill, which equips them with the knowledge and abilities necessary for wilderness survival and tracking. This skill enables them to find food, water, and shelter in harsh environments, as well as follow trails and gather essential information about their surroundings.

By investing in and mastering these essential skills, Dragonborn Rangers can enhance their effectiveness and adaptability in different scenarios. These skills allow them to fulfill their role as skilled and versatile scouts, ensuring they are well-equipped to handle a variety of challenges.

Feats for Dragonborn Rangers

Feats are valuable additions that can further enhance the abilities of Dragonborn Rangers. By choosing the right feats, you can customize your character’s playstyle and maximize their effectiveness in combat. Here are some notable feats that can benefit Dragonborn Rangers:

Sharpshooter

The Sharpshooter feat is an ideal choice for ranged-focused Dragonborn Rangers. It provides several benefits, including the ability to make long-range attacks without disadvantage, ignore cover when targeting enemies, and deal extra damage with ranged attacks. This feat enhances your accuracy and damage potential, making you a formidable threat from a distance.

Resilient

The Resilient feat is a versatile option for Dragonborn Rangers. It grants proficiency in saving throws and allows you to increase one ability score of your choice. This feat not only improves your character’s resilience against various threats but also provides an opportunity to boost their key attributes, such as dexterity or wisdom, depending on your chosen playstyle.

Great Weapon Master

For melee-focused Dragonborn Rangers, the Great Weapon Master feat is a powerful choice. It allows you to take a -5 penalty to your attack roll in exchange for a +10 bonus to damage. Additionally, when you score a critical hit or reduce a creature to 0 hit points, you’re granted an additional bonus action, potentially leading to devastating combos and bolstering your damage output.

Polearm Mastery

The Polearm Mastery feat is particularly suited for Dragonborn Rangers who wield polearms in combat. It provides several advantages, including the ability to make an opportunity attack when enemies enter your reach, deal extra damage with the butt end of your weapon, and gain a bonus action to attack with the polearm. This feat complements a melee-focused playstyle and enhances your versatility in close-quarters combat.

Crossbow Expert

If you prefer using crossbows in close combat, the Crossbow Expert feat is an excellent choice for a Dragonborn Ranger. This feat removes the loading property of crossbows, allowing you to make multiple attacks in a single turn. It also grants you the ability to ignore the disadvantage on ranged attack rolls within 5 feet of a hostile creature, ensuring you can maintain your effectiveness when engaged in melee combat.

War Caster

For Dragonborn Rangers who rely on spells, the War Caster feat is invaluable. It provides advantage on concentration saving throws, helping you maintain concentration on spells, especially during combat. This feat also allows you to perform somatic components even when your hands are occupied with weapons or shields, ensuring you can cast spells without compromising your offensive or defensive capabilities.

Consider the weapon preference and playstyle of your Dragonborn Ranger when choosing feats. Tailor your selections to complement their strengths and optimize their combat abilities.

The Best Races for Dragonborn Rangers

While Dragonborn is an obvious choice for Dragonborn Rangers, there are other races that can complement their abilities and provide unique benefits.

• Aarakocra: Aarakocra’s natural flight ability and Dexterity bonus make them agile scouts and excellent archers.
• Centaur: With increased Strength and Constitution, Centaur provides a sturdy and mobile option for Dragonborn Rangers.
• Bugbear: Bugbear’s natural stealth, reach, and bonus to Dexterity offer advantages in both melee and ranged combat.
• Drow: Drow’s proficiency in Perception, innate spellcasting, and increased Dexterity make them adept scouts and spellcasters.
• Kenku: Kenku’s bonus to Dexterity and mimicry abilities enhance both stealth and versatility in social interactions.
• Glasya Teifling: Glasya Teifling’s innate spellcasting, fire resistance, and increased Dexterity make them formidable spellcasters and nimble combatants.
• Hill Dwarf: Hill Dwarf’s increased Constitution, extra hit points, and Dwarven resilience provide durability and endurance on the battlefield.
• Human: Human’s versatility in ability scores and extra skill proficiency allow for flexible and adaptable Dragonborn Rangers.
• Forest Gnome: Forest Gnome’s increased Dexterity, minor illusion cantrip, and natural illusion resistance offer stealth and magical prowess.
• Halflings: Halflings’ bonus to Dexterity, Lucky trait, and Brave trait provide exceptional agility and resilience.
• Harengon: Harengon’s increased Dexterity and proficiency in Perception and Stealth make them skilled trackers and elusive hunters.
• Half-Orc: Half-Orc’s increased Strength, Constitution, and Savage Attacks feature enhance the ferocity and damage output of Dragonborn Rangers in combat.
• Variant Humans: Variant Humans’ flexibility in ability score adjustments and the ability to gain an extra feat at the start allow for highly customized and specialized Dragonborn Rangers.
• Wood Elf: Wood Elf’s bonus to Dexterity, increased movement speed, and Mask of the Wild trait provide excellent archery and mobility capabilities.

These races offer a range of benefits such as increased ability scores, racial traits, and unique abilities that can greatly enhance the versatility and effectiveness of Dragonborn Rangers in their chosen paths.

Enhancing Dragonborn Ranger Abilities with Subraces

In addition to the Dragonborn variants, subraces and variant options add further customization and abilities to Dragonborn Rangers. Fizzban’s Treasury of Dragons introduced subraces such as gem dragonborn, Draconblood, and Ravenite. Each subrace offers unique racial abilities and can further enhance the strengths of Dragonborn Rangers. Customized origins, as presented in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, allow players to tailor the ability score increases of their Dragonborn characters, providing more versatility in optimizing their Ranger abilities.

The gem dragonborn subrace brings the beauty and power of crystalline dragons to Dragonborn Rangers. Their racial abilities include:

• Gem Soul: Resistance to psychic damage and additional spells.
• Gem Surge: The ability to imbue weapon attacks with elemental damage.
• Gem Flight: Temporary flight as a bonus action.

The Draconblood subrace emphasizes the ties between Dragonborn and the magic of their draconic ancestors. Their racial abilities include:

• Dragon Ancestor: Additional spells based on the color of their dragon ancestor.
• Dragon Breath: The ability to use a breath weapon that corresponds to their dragon ancestor.
• Dragon Wings: Temporary flight as a bonus action.

The Ravenite subrace embodies the strength and ferocity of dragons. Their racial abilities include:

• Draconic Fury: Additional damage based on their level.
• Dragon Hide: The ability to use a bonus action to gain temporary hit points.
• Dragon Wings: Temporary flight as a bonus action.

Table: Comparison of Gem Dragonborn, Draconblood, and Ravenite Subraces

Customized origins, introduced in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, allow players to select their ability score increases rather than following the standard Dragonborn racial ability score increases of +2 strength and +1 charisma. This customization gives Dragonborn Rangers more flexibility to optimize their ability scores and better suit their chosen Ranger build.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dragonborn Rangers in DND 5E are formidable characters with their unique combination of draconic ancestry, breath weapon, and elemental resistance. This makes them a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. By carefully selecting the right subclass, allocating ability scores strategically, acquiring essential skills, and choosing the right feats, Dragonborn Rangers can excel in both melee and ranged combat, serving as versatile scouts and providing valuable support to their party.

The choice of the Dragonborn variant or subrace further enhances the customization options for Dragonborn Rangers, allowing players to tailor their abilities and playstyle to suit their preferences. With their imposing nature and the versatility they offer, Dragonborn Rangers are an intriguing and exciting option for players in DND 5E.

Whether you prefer to be a fierce Dragonborn Ranger unleashing devastating attacks with your breath weapon, or a skilled archer striking from a distance with precision, the Dragonborn race offers a unique and thrilling experience for players. So, dive into the world of DND 5E, embrace your inner Dragonborn Ranger, and embark on epic adventures!