The 10 Weirdest Official D&D Species for Your Next Character
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While dwarves, elves, halflings and humans may be the most familiar Dungeons & Dragons races to most players, they’re also not exactly the most original choices. Fortunately, over the years D&D has introduced a growing list of weird and wonderful playable races. From sentient slime people and reanimated corpses to humanoid owls and clockwork constructs, there’s an off-the-wall option for just about any player.
To help sort out some of these bizarre player options, we’ve put together this list looking only at official Wizards of the Coast D&D 5e races. One thing to also bear in mind is that if you’re playing with the new D&D 2024 rules (which WotC relabeled as D&D 5.5E), older races no longer provide Ability Score bonuses (instead you get them from your Backgrounds). Other than that, all the racial features you get are exactly the same.
With all that in mind, prepare to take a walk on the stranger side of character creation as we break out… 10 weirdly amazing playable D&D species.
10. Owlin
Sourcebook: Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos
Why They’re Worth Playing: Distantly related to giant owls from the Feywild, this unique D&D species is most commonly found in the plane of Arcavios, but has migrated to other planes in the multiverse. They also possess a number of stand-out mechanical features, including Proficiency in the Stealth skill, 120-foot Darkvision (which is double the range that most species get) and the ability to Fly. This makes Owlin a particularly great option for Rogues. At the same time, this quirky species also offers a ton of roleplaying potential, with everything from obvious builds like the wise old wizard owl to more unique offerings like an Owlin Barbarian. They also come in a variety of colors, sizes, facial characteristics and wing shapes, letting you base your character on one of the many types of unique owls that exist in the real world.
9. Leonin
Sourcebook: Mythic Odysseys of Theros
Why They’re Worth Playing: Originating from the Greek-inspired realm of Theros (first introduced in Magic: The Gathering), the Leonin are a great choice for martial classes thanks to their powerful Claw Attack and Daunting Roar ability that can literally frighten enemies into submission. They also open up some interesting roleplaying opportunities as, despite their ferocious appearance, they’re actually noble species who are dedicated to preserving the peace and using violence as a last resort.
8. Loxodon
Sourcebook: Guildmasters Guide to Ravnica
Why They’re Worth Playing: Elephant-like humanoids who exist on the plane of Ravnica, this bizarre D&D species packs a ton of features, including a massive carrying capacity, advantage against being Charmed/Frightened and natural armor due to their leathery hides. Their prehensile trunk is also essentially another appendage that you can use as a snorkel and has a keen sense of smell that grants advantage on a number of skill checks. And while you could build out a Loxodon martial class that’s an absolute wrecker, the species seems way more fun if you lean into their nature as gentle giants who are deeply meditative and at peace with their surroundings.
7. Harengon
Sourcebook: The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
Why They’re Worth Playing: Rabbitfolk native to the Feywild, Harengon are generally a peaceful and free spirited species that dwells in harmony with nature. They also possess some impressive abilities, including a Hare-Trigger feature that allows you to add your Proficiency bonus to initiative rolls. In addition, they gain Proficiency in Perception and the Lucky Footwork feature that allows you to use a reaction to add a D4 to a failed Dexterity saving throw roll. If that wasn’t enough, they can also use the Rabbit Hop ability to jump a number of feet equal to five times your Proficiency bonus without provoking an opportunity attack. They’re an amazing species for classes like Monks and Rogues, but also have a ton of unique roleplaying potential.
6. Tortle
Sourcebook: Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
Why They’re Worth Playing: The ultimate D&D tanks, Tortles’ Natural Armor gives them a base AC of 17, making them a perfect choice for spellcasters looking for a little protection. If things get too dangerous, you can also use their Shell Defense feature to retreat into your carapace for an additional +4 bonus to your AC. Beyond their stats, Tortles are natural born adventurers as nomadic philosophers who carry their entire world on their backs and are constantly exploring new horizons.
5. Reborn
Sourcebook: Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
Why They’re Worth Playing: From Frankenstein-style constructs to souls that simply refuse to leave their body, Reborn come in many forms and offer a unique style of play that goes beyond traditional D&D undead. Mechanically, you gain the Deathless Nature feature, which means you don’t need to eat, drink, breathe or even sleep, and get advantage on death saving throws. The real highlight is Knowledge from a Past Life, which allows you to add a d6 to a skill check a few times a day (representing flickers of memory from the person you were before you died). They’re a fantastic choice with a ton of narrative meat if you’re looking to add a little existential horror to your next character..
4. Grung
Sourcebook: One Grung Above (Extra Life 2017)
Why They’re Worth Playing: These small, colorful frog-folk are as dangerous as they are adorable. One of their stand-out features is Poisonous Skin which offers a solid tactical advantage as any creature that touches you or hits you with an unarmed strike risks becoming poisoned. You can also apply this poison to your own piercing weapons as a bonus action. They are incredibly mobile with a Standing Leap that ignores the need for a running start and the ability to breathe both air and water. In the lore of D&D, Grung tend to be a little on the evil side, but they’re also highly structured as a society, opening up some weird and wonderful options for your character backstory.
3. Simic Hybrid
Sourcebook: Guildmasters Guide to Ravnica
Why They’re Worth Playing: If you can’t decide on one species, why not go with several at once? That’s exactly, what you get with Simic Hybrids, bizarre bio-engineered experiments that combine a number of different life forms into one powerful being. Mechanically, you choose from Animal Enhancements at Level 1 and again at Level 5 that provide a ton of gonzo options, with everything from manta wings and giant claws to whipping tentacles, and the ability to spit acid. While they’re definitely not a species that will work in every campaign, if you’re looking for something truly off the wall, then the Simic Hybrid is a fantastic choice.
2. Autognome
Sourcebook: Spelljammer: Adventures in Space
Why They’re Worth Playing: Sentient clockwork constructs created by space-dwelling rock gnomes, Autognomes are definitely one of the weirder D&D species. Look under their hood, and you’ll find Constructed Resilience, giving you a suite of resistances and immunities. The standout feature, however, is Built for Success, which lets you add a d4 to an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw after you see the roll. Most interestingly, if someone casts the Mending cantrip on you, you can spend a Hit Die to heal, making you the only character in the party who can be “repaired” for free.
1. Plasmoid
Sourcebook: Spelljammer: Adventures in Space
Why They’re Worth Playing: Taking the top spot is the Plasmoid: D&D’s first official sentient slime species. In terms of features, they’re considered entirely Amorphous, meaning you can squeeze through gaps as narrow as 1 inch wide (as long as you aren’t wearing gear). You can also use a bonus action to extend a Pseudopod to manipulate objects up to 10 feet away. Whether you’re a rogue dripping through a keyhole to unlock a door from the inside or a fighter who literally can’t be restrained, the Plasmoid is the pinnacle of weird and offers creative solutions in play that few other species can match.
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Jason Volk is the Publisher of Dungeons & Dragons Fanatics and lives in the wilds of Western Canada. He has been playing D&D for over 25 years and is a huge fan of Dragonlance and the Forgotten Realms. His favorite character of all time was a Necromancer named Neek who spent most of his adventuring career resurrecting the corpses of slain monsters. When he’s not playing TTRPGs, Jason enjoys video games, Magic: The Gathering, Warhammer 40K, watching football and spending time with his wife and adorably nerdy children.
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