Dragonborn Barbarian 5e D&D Guide

The Dragonborn Barbarian emerges from the fiery crucible of ancient prophecy. Born under the auspices of draconic ancestry, their veins course with the fiery essence of a dragon’s breath, fueling their rage. 

With every swing of their colossal weapon, they channel the primal fury of their draconic bloodline, leaving a trail of scorched enemies in their wake as they fulfill a destiny written in the fiery script of ancient scrolls.

Creating a Dragonborn Barbarian

Dragonborn

The Dragonborn were born of dragons, feared by many because of their frightening appearance. Long ago, Dragonborn hatched from dragon eggs, creating a unique race and combining the best attributes of dragons and humanoids.

Even with their powerful past, Dragonborn is a divided race; many serve true dragons, others fight in wars, and some merely drift through the world without a cause.

Note: These features can be slightly changed or modified if some variations don’t fit your character.

Dragonborn Subraces

Dragonborn has 6 subraces, each relating to their dragon kin or influence through decades of relations with other races. 

You’ll also get to choose a type of dragon you relate to, determining your damage and the area of your breath weapon, as well as the resistance you gain.

Note: Choosing Chromatic, Gem, or Metallic dragon ancestry only changes your damage type.

Standard Dragonborn – These are the most common Dragonborn, having increased Strength and Charisma.

Draconblood – Draconblood Dragonborn are socially manipulative and very intelligent, even remembering the days when they were fearsome conquerors.

Ravenite – Ravenite Dragonborn have no tails but possess a sturdy physique, having increased Strength and Charisma.

Many Ravenites remember the days they were enslaved to Draconbloods, retelling the time they overthrew their overlords.

Chromatic Dragonborn – Chromatic Dragonborn trace their ancestry back to beautiful chromatic dragons.

Choose your damage type from the table below:

Gem Dragonborn – Gem Dragonborn trace their ancestry back to breathtaking gem dragons.

Choose your damage type from the table below:

Metallic Dragonborn – Metallic Dragonborn trace their ancestry back to impenetrable metallic dragons.

Choose your damage type from the table below:

Barbarian Class Features

Hit Points

Proficiencies

Barbarian Primal Paths

Arriving at level 3 allows you to choose from 8 different Barbarian Primal Paths. Each path has a different playstyle, so choose the one that you find specifically interesting or that fits your character most.

Ancestral Guardian – Ancestral Guardians revere their ancestors, using ancestral guardian spirits for aid. These spirits bolster their fighting spirits and strengthen them physically, allowing them to fight off even the toughest foes.

Battlerager (Dwarfs only) – Called Kuldjargh (translating to “axe idiot”) by the dwarfs, Battleragers worship the gods of war. 

They wear bulky armor adorned with spikes, needlessly throwing themselves into battle, using even their body as a weapon, and surrendering their sanity to the fury of battle.

Beast – Path of the Beast Barbarians draw their fury from the beast dwelling deep within their soul. If they let it take over, they physically transform, gaining many benefits.

Note: You may describe the origin of your bestial powers or roll for it.

Berserker – Berserkers use their rage to become unfathomably violent, entering a frenzy and getting a thrill from battle like no other. 

In many cases, their fury overwhelms their rational thoughts, causing them to ignore their health and well-being.

Storm Herald – Storm Heralds are taught to transform their rage into a mantle of primal magic that whirls around them, and when enraged, they create powerful magical effects.

These Barbarians are nature’s protectors and are often found in the far reaches of the world, where they train with druids and rangers, keeping nature safe from those who would harm it.

Totem Warrior – Totem Warriors go on a spiritual journey, accepting a spirit animal as their guide, inspiration, and protector. In battle, the spirit fills them with magical power, giving them magical fuel for their rage.

Wild Magic – Wild Magic Barbarians feel the rampant magic of the Feywild and the Upper Planes, transforming them and manifesting the otherworldly magic of their ancestors.

Note: Elves, tieflings, aasimar, and genasi Barbarians often walk this path.

Zealot – Zealots are Barbarians who fight ferocious battles in the name of their deity, channeling their rage into powerful exhibits of divine power. Deities who inspire Zealots are usually gods of violence, destruction, and combat.

Combining Barbarian With Dragonborn

Determining Your Subclass

Choosing your ideal subclass is subjective, but if your objective is optimization, try understanding what your character wants to do and what stats fit best with their subclass.

Optimal Dragonborn Subrace

If you’re looking to fully customize your character without having to navigate through all the potential ability scores, you should choose between the Chromatic, Metallic, or Gem Dragonborn.

They are by far the easiest to make work for almost any class and are the most optimal in most cases since they allow you to easily increase one ability score by 2 and another by 1.

Your Dragonborn Barbarian Background

Your Dragonborn Barbarian needs a unique background that will affect its choices, as well as the way it sees the world and what it wants to achieve.

Start by asking yourself some basic questions: Where were they born, and where did they come from? Do they have any goals, bonds, or ideals, and what are their flaws? Where do they belong in social circles and society as a whole? What inspires them?

Place of Birth

Think of the environment a Dragonborn Barbarian grew up in and how it affected them physically and emotionally and eventually shaped their view of the world.

Try to make their place of birth and upbringing correspond with their personality traits, ideals, bonds, and flaws – this will truly bring their character alive.

Note: The birthplaces of races are usually mentioned in the Player’s Handbook or some of its expansion books.

Characteristics and Personality Traits 

Dragonborn Barbarians are less intellect-based than most Dragonborn, relying on their physical prowess and intuition to get them through most obstacles.

Though they may seem rather vicious, they are some of the most loyal and tough creatures out there.

Dragonborn Barbarian Examples:

• I sleep with my back to a tree or wall, with everything I own wrapped in a bundle in my arms.

• I place absolutely no stock in wealthy or well-mannered folk. Money and manners cannot save you from a hungry owlbear.

Ideals, Bonds, and Flaws

Ideal – Express one ideal that is a driving force in a Dragonborn Barbarian’s life – their conviction, ethical principle, and moral standing (probably something about nature).

Tradition. The ancient traditions of sacrifice and worship must be preserved and upheld. (Lawful)

Bonds – Think of a single bond that your Dragonborn Barbarian has to an event, person, or place. Bonds will tie them to their background and can inspire bravery or stimulate memories driving them against their ideals.

I am the last of my tribe, and so it is up to me to ensure their names enter legend.

Flaws – Choose a single flaw for a Dragonborn Barbarian – their unhealthy compulsion, greatest fear/weakness, or most vile vice.

I harbor dark, bloodthirsty thoughts that my isolation failed to quell.

Inspiration

Inspiration can be used by the DM to reward you for playing according to your bond, personality traits, ideals, and flaws.

I would not miss a chance to know how my forefathers acted before me.

Note: If you’re struggling to create your background or just don’t want to think, the Player’s Handbook has well-thought-through backgrounds that you can use for your character or use as a mold.

Supplies and Gear for Dragonborn Barbarian

Barbarians start with the following equipment, together with the equipment from their background. Choosing equipment based on your situation and your character’s proficiencies is the easiest way to go about things.

• (a) Greataxe or (b) Any martial melee weapon
• (a) Two handaxes or (b) Any simple weapon
• Explorer’s pack and four javelins

You can decide how your character came about these goods – whether they stole, inherited, or purchased them some time back – adding to your character’s background.

Note: By using your starting wealth, you can buy your own equipment (2d4 x 10 GP for Barbarians).

Final Thoughts

Dragonborn Barbarians may seem like some of the most ferocious creatures you could come across, and they are, but only when provoked and given ample reason to attack.

Most are peaceful creatures who have come from far-off tribes where old Draconic traditions remain. They are loyal, yet the fire in their blood yearns for a home long forgotten.

Having one in your party, or even playing as a Dragonborn Barbarian, takes not only strength but will far greater than most, as they have lost so much and will still give more to their friends and companions!