D&D 10 Character Builds Inspired By Pokémon

D&D: 10 Character Builds Inspired By Pokémon

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It might not seem so at first, but with hundreds of creatures to pick from, Pokémon provides a lot of potential inspiration for D&D character builds.

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D&D 10 Character Builds Inspired By Pokémon

Building new and interesting characters is one of the most fun parts of D&D. Many players have more characters than they’ll ever have time to play. The character building process in D&D’s 5th edition is streamlined enough to be expedient but complex enough to be engaging and fun to toy around with.

With lots of books to choose from, it can be hard to decide where to start on a new character concept. Choosing an aesthetic or mechanical inspiration to guide the character creation process can be a great way to get started. Pokémon is a great place to look for inspiration, with each and every Pokémon having a clear identity and set of powers.

10 Dragonborn Fire Sorcerer Lets You Unleash The Flames Of Charizard

D&D 10 Character Builds Inspired By Pokémon

Charizard may not be officially a dragon, but it’s hard to argue against there being some strong draconic energy about this Generation 1 starter. A red dragonborn sorcerer with the Draconic Bloodline gains access to fire breath, dragon scales, and even wings at 14th level. Focus on spells that further the fire-based theme, such as Control Flames, Burning Hands, Aganazzar’s Scorcher, and the classic Fireball. Flight-related spells like Feather Fall and Fly will help to cover Charizard’s other type.

9 A Fire Genasi Phantom Rogue Makes The Perfect Chandelure

D&D 10 Character Builds Inspired By Pokémon

Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything introduced players to the Phantom Rogue, a subclass that delves into the relationship with death every rogue has. This subclass allows the rogue to gain knowledge from the deceased, eventually even capturing soul trinkets to power their ghostly abilities. This is similar to Chandelure’s tendency to absorb and burn the spirits of the dead to fuel its flames. A fire genasi brings the firepower to this ghostly sneak, making for a perfect allusion to the candelabra Pokémon.

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8 The Swarmkeeper Ranger Is Basically Vespiquen

D&D 10 Character Builds Inspired By Pokémon

Another addition from Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything was the Swarmkeeper Ranger build. Starting at 3rd level, the Swarmkeeper can direct a swarm of nature spirits, which can take the form of insects, to attack their foes, manipulate objects from afar, or move the ranger out of danger.

This perfectly matches Vespiquen’s ability to direct Combee around it to perform Attack Orders or Defense Orders. While 5th edition does not yet have a playable insect race, the Fairy, Aarakocra, and Simic hybrid all offer something akin to flight.

7 A Circle Of Spores Druid Could Be Controlled Like Parasect

D&D 10 Character Builds Inspired By Pokémon

Parasect is a Pokémon based on the cordyceps fungus which takes over the mind of an insect. The druid subclass Circle of Spores is a symbiotic relationship as written, but could be easily flavored to have the mushrooms be calling the shots. All of their abilities center around spreading spores that can harm or even take over other bodies. Choose spells like Infestation, Thorn Whip, Charm Person, and Protection from Poison for a true mushroom-controlled hero.

6 A Life Domain Cleric Makes For A Great Pokémon-Esque Healer

D&D 10 Character Builds Inspired By Pokémon

Pokémon used competitively to heal their teammates are known as clerics, so what better way to put them into D&D. Life clerics are the game’s most obvious healers, and their access to heavy armor makes them bulky to boot. This is a perfect translation of the Blissey family of Pokémon, known for their penchant for helping out at Pokémon Centers. In addition to healing spells like Healing Word and Cure Wounds, consider Shield of Faith to represent Blissey’s ability to learn Light Screen.

5 Zoroark Is The Perfect Illusion Wizard

D&D 10 Character Builds Inspired By Pokémon

Zoroark is known as the Illusion Pokémon, and the illusionist school of magic makes a great choice to replicate it. Illusion wizards begin with the ability to fool multiple senses with the Minor Illusion cantrip and eventually can shape their illusions to be even more powerful.

Zoroark in the games can disguise themselves as other Pokémon or create illusory mazes around their lairs, so the spells Disguise Self, Silent Image, and Major Image spells are all must-haves. Consider playing a Bugbear, Tabaxi, or Leonin to get the full effect.

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4 Follow The Path Of The Ancestral Guardian To Become An Alolan Marowak

D&D 10 Character Builds Inspired By Pokémon

All marowak are haunted by the spirits of their deceased mothers, but Alolan Marowak takes it to the extreme. “Its mother’s regrets have become like a vengeful spirit,” says the Pokémon Sun Pokedex entry. The Ancestral Guardian barbarian path has the class’s signature Rage feature augmented by spectral ghosts of the character’s ancestors, striking alongside them and helping to protect their allies. Any flaming polearm combined with the Polearm Master feat will have a barbarian spinning and whirling just like the Bone Keeper Pokémon.

3 The College Of Swords Bard Has The Panache Of Gallade

D&D 10 Character Builds Inspired By Pokémon

Xanathar’s Guide To Everything introduced the College of Swords option for bards, a subclass focussed on swashbuckling and dueling it out up close and personal. The subclass’s Blade Flourish options make it a perfect match for Gallade, the Blade Pokémon.

Gallade is “a master of courtesy and swordsmanship” according to its Diamond and Pearl Pokedex entries, just like a classic D&D bard. Bards even get access to Detect Thoughts at 3rd level, allowing this build to mimic Gallade’s ability to sense what its opponent is thinking.

2 Decidueye Is An Arcane Archer, Through & Through

D&D 10 Character Builds Inspired By Pokémon

Decidueye is the evolved form of the adorable Rowlett, the grass starter from Generation 7. An Aarakocra fighter with the Arcane Archer subclass replicates this Pokémon nearly perfectly. Arcane Archers get access to special Arcane Shot options to use alongside their regular archery abilities. For this build, the Piercing Arrow, Enfeebling Arrow, and Shadow Arrow all make great choices to replicate Decidueye’s ghost arrows. Try to pick up proficiency in Stealth through a feat or a background as well.

1 Lucario Is Essentially A Sun Soul Monk Already

The Way of the Sun Soul adds a ranged capability to the monk, allowing them to hurl projectiles of pure ki energy to complement their martial arts attacks. This pairs nicely with Lucario, a Pokémon capable of both physical and special attacks. The Radian Sun Bolt feature is a perfect match for Lucario’s Aura Sphere, while the monk’s normal attack moves are essentially Close Combat, Brick Break, or any number of other fighting-type moves. Making this character a Warforged would capture Lucario’s steel typing as well.

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