Dragonborn Monk 5e D&D Guide

Release the power of ancient dragon blood coursing through your veins as you master the arcane secrets of the monastery, blending the grace of a monk with the raw, elemental force of a dragon.

Embrace a harmonious synergy between scales and serenity as you traverse dungeons and vanquish foes with the extraordinary fusion of draconic magic and disciplined martial arts.

Creating a Dragonborn Monk

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:

Monk Class Features

Hit Points

Proficiencies

Monastic Traditions

Upon reaching level 3 as a Monk, you commit yourself to one of the 10 Monastic Traditions of your choice, each granting you specific features.

Astral Self – Monks of the Astral Self see their bodies as an illusion, finding their ki to be the representation of their true astral self. These monks are trained to either protect the weak or be of service to the mighty.

Ascendant Dragon – Monks of the Ascendant Dragon emulate dragons, making them a more integrated part of its magic and the world.

These monks alter their spirits to resonate with draconic might, augmenting their prowess in battle, soaring through the sky, or bolstering their allies.

Drunken Master – Monks of the Drunken Master tradition are taught to move with jerky movements that are unpredictable, much like that of a drunkard.

Drunken masters are frustrating to engage as they are often seen as incompetent combatants with their unsteady feet, tottering, and sways, but this only conceals their carefully executed dance.

Four Elements – Monks of the Four Elements harness the elements, focusing their ki on aligning themselves with the forces of creation, bending the four elements to their will, and using them as an extension of your physical body.

Members can focus on dedicating themselves to a single element or weaving all the elements together.

Kensei – Monks of Kensei train relentlessly with their weaponry to the point that the weapon becomes an extension of their physical body. Their tradition was founded on the mastery of sword training but has expanded to include many different weapons as well.

Long Death – Monks of the Long Death are obsessed not with death itself but with the mechanics of dying. These monks will capture creatures to experiment on them, recording and understanding the moments of their death.

They use this knowledge to guide them in understanding what creates a deadly fighting style.

Mercy – Monks of Mercy are taught how to manipulate the life force of others in order to give aid to those in need. They are traveling physicians; however, to those beyond their help, they bring a swift end as a final act of mercy.

Open Hand – Monks of the Open Hand are unmatched when it comes to martial arts combat, whether they are unarmed or armed. 

They learn various techniques, allowing them to strengthen their bodies through meditation, heal damage using their ki, and push or trip enemies.

Shadow – Monks of the Shadow value stealth and subterfuge, often called shadowdancers or ninjas, and serve as assassins and spies.

There are many different monasteries that teach this tradition; some are akin to thieves’ guilds, and others are more like familial clans.

Sun Soul – Monks of the Sun Soul are taught to channel their life essence into searing bolts of light. They teach their disciples that meditation will give them the ability to unleash the indomitable light that resides within every living creature’s soul.

Combining Monk With Dragonborn

Determining Your Dragonborn Monk 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.

These subraces are the easiest for almost any class, including the Monk, and are optimal, as they allow better ability score allocation (increase one ability score by 2 and another by 1).

For the Monk, you’ll most likely increase your Dexterity, Wisdom, and Constitution (scores are put in order of importance and relevance).

Your Background

Your Dragonborn Monk 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 Monk 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 Monks, much like others of their caliber, are often wise, being proficient with various unarmed and melee fighting styles.

However, what sets them apart from most races is their unwavering pride, which is necessary in a world that fears them because of the power they once held and could one day regain.

Dragonborn Monk Examples:

• I will bluntly say what others are hinting at or hiding.

• My sense of humor is crude.

Ideals, Bonds, and Flaws

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

Freedom. Tyrants must not get away with or be allowed to oppress the populous.

Bonds – Think of a single bond that your Dragonborn Monk 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’m still seeking the fullest extent of the enlightenment I pursued in my seclusion, and it still eludes me to this day.

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

I tend to judge others harshly and myself even more severely.

Inspiration

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

The glorious history of the Dragonborn race should be spread far and wide. I never miss a chance to tell those interested all I can about my race!

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

Monks 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) Shortsword or (b) Any simple weapon
• (a) Dungeoneer’s pack or (b) Explorer’s pack
• 10 Darts

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 (5d4 GP for Monks).

Final Thoughts

Dragonborn Monks are quite rare compared to other combos, but their bonus magical abilities combined with their natural monastic skills make for a good spellcaster-melee hybrid.

Dragonborn Monks might be hard to come by, but letting one into your party means you’ll have someone loyal and often having skills to back up their prideful attitude!