Dragonborn Sorcerer 5e D&D Guide

In the world of D&D, where arcane energies dance like ethereal flames, a figure emerges draped in robes woven from the shadows of forgotten incantations. 

The Dragonborn Sorcerer, born of ancient bloodlines intertwined with the very essence of magic, strides into the adventuring party with scales ablaze, casting spells that echo the roars of a dragon and wielding powers that speak to the eons etched into their draconic lineage. 

As the arcane currents swirl around them, the Dragonborn Sorcerer stands as a living conduit between the mundane and the fantastical, a spell-weaver destined to shape the destinies of both realms.

Creating a Dragonborn Sorcerer

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:

Sorcerer Class Features

Hit Points

Proficiencies

Sorcerer Origins

You choose your origin at level 1, describing the source of your magical powers.

Aberrant Mind – Aberrant Mind Sorcerers have their mind influenced by an alien presence, giving them psionic powers. The entity allows you to tap into the minds of others, alter the world around you, and even control magical energy from the multiverse.

As an Aberrant Mind, you can choose to become a shining beacon or a beacon of darkness, spreading terror in its wake.

Clockwork Soul – These Sorcerers have been suffused with magic that arose from Mechanus or a plane of existence similar to it.

Draconic Bloodline – Draconic magic flows through your veins, most likely passed down by your ancestors. 

Most of these Sorcerers can trace their descent back to an ancient Sorcerer who bargained with a dragon or who was claimed a dragon parent.

Divine Soul – In some cases, the divine has a hand in making a Sorcerer, meaning your magic abilities might have come from a distant, powerful familial link to a divine being.

It can even be that your ancestor was an angel who became a mortal to fight for their god or that your birth was aligned with an ancient divine prophecy.

Lunar Sorcery – The moon is thought of as a celestial body encasing vast magical powers that can influence people.

You or one of your ancestors were probably exposed to concentrated magic deriving from the moon, imbuing you with strange yet powerful lunar magic.

Shadow Magic – You can be described as a creature of darkness, your magic deriving from the Shadowfell itself. 

Your ancestors probably came from that wicked place, or you were exposed to its dark magic, which transformed you.

Storm Sorcery – Your magical powers derive from elemental air, traced back to a near-death experience caused by storms that are still spoken about to this day. Your ancestry could also have been influenced by powerful air creatures like djinn.

Wild Magic – You wield magical forces gained from the wild forces of chaos. Being exposed to raw magic, such as a planar portal leading to the Far Realm, Elemental Planes, or Limbo, might’ve given you power.

It can also be that you were marked by a demon or blessed by a formidable fey creature – it can even be a fluke at birth, giving no real reason or cause for you to have it.

Combining Sorcerer With Dragonborn

Determining Your Sorcerer Subclass

You’ll be making your own subjective choice when choosing your subclass, so before choosing, try to understand what your character wants to do and how well the chosen subclass fits with your subrace.

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 Sorcerer Background

Your Dragonborn Sorcerer 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 Sorcerer 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 Sorcerers might seem rather “explosive,” and while they do become rather emotional at times, it is only because their powers are unimaginable, and many times, their brains cannot comprehend such power.

Dragonborn Sorcerer Examples:

• I blow up at the slightest insult.

• I don’t pay attention to the risks in a situation. Never tell me the odds.

Ideals, Bonds, and Flaws

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

Sincerity. There’s no good pretending to be something I’m not. (Neutral)

Bonds – Think of a single bond that your Dragonborn Sorcerer 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 have a family, but I have no idea where they are. One day, I hope to see them again.

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

I have a ‘tell’ that reveals when I’m lying.

Inspiration

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

Though I see unapproachable at times, I would enjoy a heartfelt conversation with someone I care for.

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 Sorcerers

Sorcerers 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) One light crossbow and 20 bolts or (b) Any simple weapon
• (a) Component pouch or (b) An arcane focus
• (a) Dungeoneer’s pack or (b) An explorer’s pack
• Two daggers

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: You can also use your starting wealth to buy equipment (3d4 x 10 GP for Sorcerers).

Final Thoughts

Dragonborn Sorcerers have been blessed, fortunate or not, by powers they themselves cannot comprehend, and whether that is by some elder dragon god or malicious entity remains unexposed.

Not as rageful as other Dragonborn but just as fiery, these Sorcerers aim not only to control their unknown strength but also to bring out their full potential.

While learning to control their power, the Dragonborn Sorcerer may seem weak, but in the future, they will benefit any party greatly.