Ten Non Dungeons And Dragons Races That Would Work In Campaigns

Using races outside the usual ones isn't unknown. It can be fun to roleplay as a being from another world or another time. Here are ten from other media with ways that can fit into a campaign and how it would work.

1. Terminator

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The soldiers of Skynet that are sent through time to...well terminate. However, something could go haywire sending the Terminator to another world or Skynet could send them there with a specific mission. They could play similarly to the Warforged and since they are undercover, they could easily take any martial class. They could use technology to replicate magic with the same results.

2. Gelflings

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The Dark Crystal and Age of Resistance already feel like unique DND campaigns so why not include them in the game. They would play similarly to gnomes in some ways and are attuned with the magic of the world. Any class would work well with them. Each of the different Clans have their own look and culture but this doesn't stop the player from exploring various classes.

3. Predators

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The space faring hunters opens up an interesting character to roleplay. Have they come to this world to hunt dragons or some other fierce monsters? Their technology could be misinterpreted as magic, and hunting styles fit different classes, this gives players creativity with describing their actions that still work as spells but use technology. For the more artistic players they can design their own unique masks as well.

4. Gargoyles

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Specifically the Gargoyles that appear in the Disney show of the same name, in 5e there are a variety of flying races to play from and gargoyles could work well with those rules. The one drawback is that in the show they turn to stone during sunlight so if your party doesn't want to heft you around during the day talk to the DM about possible penalties however at night your character would more than make up for it. In the show we saw so many different looks and personalities from all the gargoyles and players can be just as different with their own.

5. Orks

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What would make Orks from Warhammer 40k perfect for a fantasy setting is their level of tech is based on their enemies. They also gain size with battle meaning the player will get more visible signs of level progression. They are divided into several different clans that define a lot of their attitude and outlook but within clans have their own specialties. A Kommando is like a ranger, a Weird Boy a sorcerer, a Mek Boy an artificer etc. While they aren't exactly the most intelligent this also gives players an opportunity to roleplay something unique.

6. Gremlins

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Who wouldn't want to play a character that could be lawful good one moment then chaotic evil later. They are small but clever and strong for their size and many classes would work for them, Gizmo in the second one was a ranger using a bow to take out some Gremlins. They would more likely be joke characters but a good player and DM could make them compelling, either struggling with the evil part of them or fully embracing it like Stripe or Brain Gremlin.

7. Saiyans

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Now before you say they are overpowered we're dealing with your average Saiyan warrior not Vegeta. While their most popular class would probably be a very violent monk there's nothing stopping them from other classes either. In terms of alignment we have seen ones like Goku being perhaps a little chaotic good, Vegeta change alignment from chaotic evil to good giving players justification and inspiration for character changes. Maybe at a higher level they can unlock the Great Ape.

8. Lombax

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A species from the Ratchet and Clank series where you play as supposedly the last Lombax Ratchet. They are renowned engineers and warriors with an innate curiosity and enjoyment of building and blowing this up. In the lore most of the species were banished to another dimension and could easily play out that one or some landed on the world of the campaign your party is on. And they are cat people so there's that.

9. Tuskens

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A lot of different species from Star Wars would be a good fit, but I like Tuskens so that's why they are on here. With their unique look, culture and weaponry they could play a central part in any party, they have shamans that could be clerics or, druids, their warriors are a mixture of rogue, ranger, and fighter with a dash of barbarian, a few are force sensitive too which could translate into being a wizard or sorcerer.

10. Skrull

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The DM would have to limit their shapeshifting somehow but both the success and failure of that ability could add much to fights and roleplaying. While as a whole they are seen as militaristic that does not mean your character as to ascribe exactly to that. With their strength and disguising abilities players can roleplay and battle equally well. Because of their shapeshifting abilities and espionage, they could justifiably learn any class.