D&D: Five Different Species to try Before 2024 Changes Everything

There’s a new edition/revision of D&D coming in 2024. Now is the time to play the most broken species before they go away.

In September of this year, the newest version of D&D hits in the form of a brand new Player’s Handbook. And while the book, we’ve been told, will be backwards compatible with 5th Edition, anyone who’s lived through an Edition Change will tell you, not everything escapes unchanged. We already know Tieflings will be different, at least a little, for instance.

So with that in mind, and owing to the fact that editions rarely change the day (or even the month) the new book comes out, there’s still plenty of time left to try all of the broken stuff before it gets wiped away in the 2024 Player’s Handbook.

Here are 5 of “broken” species worth playing before everything changes.

Yuan-Ti

The Yuan-Ti are probably the top of the list as far as “broken” PC options go. And it’s not hard to see why. They used to come with advantage on saving throws vs. spells and poison immunity, until Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything and Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse changed that. Now they just have advantage on saving throws vs. spells and poison resistance.

Yeah. No wonder people still think they’re broken. Whether they are or aren’t is your call to make. But Magic Resistance and innate spellcasting (they get Poison Spray, Animal Friendship (snakes only), and Suggestion) make for a powerful combination.

Fairy

The Fairy option was introduced first in Wild Beyond the Witchlight, and later codified in Monsters of the Multiverse. And they’re a solid option for players hoping to play with power. Fairies, after all, are Fey instead of Humanoids, so they’re immune to the charm/hold/dominate person spells. On top of that, they come with innate spellcasting, knowing Druidcraft, Faerie Fire, and Enlarge/Reduce once each for free (and then also with spell slots).

But perhaps most of all, they have one of the most powerful options of any player species: flight. With a flying speed equal to their walking speed (that only works in Light or No armor), they can be extremely powerful at lower levels. And even at higher levels, they’re still very strong.

Genasi

All Genasi got buffed in Monsters of the Multiverse, making them strong contenders for players hoping to be a little weirder with their human types. These are elemental-infused humanoids, and under the new rules, they get some powerful options. Each Genasi gets their own special passive and active characteristic.

Air Genasi get resistance to lightning damage and can hold their breaths indefinitely, while also being able to cast Shocking Grasp, Feather Fall, and Levitate, while also having a base speed of 35 feet.

Earth Genasi get to ignore difficult terrain and can cast Blade Ward, not just as per the normal spell, but also as a bonus action, a limited number of times per day. That alone would make them real strong, but they also get Pass Without Trace.

Fire Genasi have Fire Resistance and know Produce Flame, Burning Hands, and Flame Blade.

And Water Genasi get a Swim Speed, Acid Resistance, and Acid Splash, Create/Destroy Water, and Water Walk to play around with.

Dhampir

Want to be a little more goth-y? Well the Dhampir, out of Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft is perfect. They don’t need to breathe, which is pretty fun to start with. But they also have a 35 ft walking and climbing speed, and can Spider Climb upside down if they need to. They also have a Vampiric Bite which lets them deal a small amount (1d4 + Con modifier) of damage, while also empowering themselves, with either healing the damage dealt in hit points, or by gaining a bonus to the next ability check or attack roll equal to the damage dealt by the bite.

Bird Person

Specifically a flying bird person, like the Aarakocra or the Owlin. Either of these options comes with a flying speed equal to the base walking speed that works as long as they’re not wearing medium or heavy armor. Aarakocra gain a talon attack and can cast Gust of Wind, while Owlin have darkvision and are proficient with Stealth.

What are your favorite “broken” species options?

Bell of Lost Souls Staff Writer and DM, J.R. covers RPGs of all stripes and on occasion eats sandwiches. You can ask him about either at [email protected]

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