DnD 5e - The Leonin Handbook
Last Updated: June 5th, 2020
Disclaimer
I will use the color coding scheme which has become common among Pathfinder build handbooks, which is simple to understand and easy to read at a glance.
- : Bad, useless options, or options which are extremely situational.
- : OK options, or useful options that only apply in rare circumstances.
- : Good options.
- : Fantastic options, often essential to the function of your character.
I will not include 3rd-party content, including content from DMs Guild, even if it is my own, because I can't assume that your game will allow 3rd-party content or homebrew. I also won't cover Unearthed Arcana content because it's not finalized, and I can't guarantee that it will be available to you in your games.
Introduction
Where tabaxi are charismatic, agile cat people, leonin are strong, bulky cat people. Tabaxi tend to resemble smaller cats like house cats or ocelots, while leonin resemble lions, including lions' iconic manes.
Mechanically, the Leonin is a Strength-based brute, having similar ability score increases to the Half-Orc. Leonin get Darkvision, a free skill, and a roar which can frighten nearby creatures, making them an excellent, interesting, and accessible race.
Classes
Artificer
No Intelligence increase.
Barbarian
Strength and Constitution are perfect. The claws work with Rage, though a weapon will still be better. Daunting Roar is a great way to handle crowds, which is normally hard for the Barbarian.
Bard
Proficiency in Intimidation is nice, but really not enough. You could try a Valor Bard, but in medium armor a Strength-based build is very MAD because you need 14 in Dexterity and good scores in Strength, Constitution, and Charisma which is very hard to accomplish.
Cleric
The Paladin is a better choice.
Druid
An anthromorph druid always seems like a cool option, but the Leonin's ability increases just don't support it and few of their other traits are particularly useful to the druid.
Fighter
The Leoning works for any Strength-based build, and the additional racial skill proficiency offers an additional choice from several staple fighter options.
Monk
No increases to either Dexterity or Wisdom, and Strength-based monks simply aren't viable.
Paladin
Not such an easy choice as the Barbarian or the Fighter, but still a great option. While Charisma is very helpful for the Paladin, they don't strictly need an increase at 1st level. Strength and Constitution work fine, and the Leonin's racial skill options include Perception, which isn't on the Paladin's list of class skills.
Ranger
Strength-based builds are difficult, but possible.
Rogue
No Dexterity increase, and the Leonin doesn't have anything else that's appealing to the Rogue.
Sorcerer
No Charisma increase.
Warlock
No Charisma increase.
Wizard
No Intelligence increase.
