One of the most fun parts of playing Dungeons & Dragons is character creation, and with the wide variety of player races and classes, players can customize their chosen adventurer in innumerable ways. However, there is one category of races that gets much less spotlight than the others, and that is aquatic races. Since most adventures spend the vast majority of time on land, that doesn't leave much room for aquatic adventurers to shine. However, that doesn't mean that it's not worth giving them a chance. By trying some new things, they may end up with a new favorite D&D character.

One obstacle to making a good aquatic character is the limitations that they face. Aquatic races generally have slow footspeed on land in order to compensate for their advantages in water. However, a good Dungeon Master can accommodate this in their campaign, building the adventure to provide several opportunities for the aquatic party member to shine. Quests in locations that have plenty of water for them to use their innate skills, and other situations that let them combine their talents with the rest of the party in order to work as a functioning unit. With some work, a merfolk or bullywug will be just as natural and vital a member of the party as a dwarven fighter or elven ranger.

Related: D&D 5.5: How Playable Races Could Change

Of course, building an aquatic adventurer is much like building any other character in D&D, just with the added advantages and disadvantages that they bring. Players can come up with a plan for them from the start, or they could craft them to fit a role that the party requires. Their uncommon nature might even give players a chance to get especially creative with their D&D character's backstory. Some of the following examples could provide some inspiration. Players could adapt one of them into their next character, or use the inspiration to write up a new aquatic hero of their own creation.

Potential Aquatic D&D Races - Bullywug Ranger

Bullywug with a spear from Dungeons & Dragons

The swamp is a region that is not frequently explored in D&D adventures, and it is quite a deviation from the usual forests and dungeons. Between the difficult terrain that slows movement and the dangerous creatures that inhabit the marsh, it is a hazardous biome to pass through. That is where the bullywug ranger comes in. A stalwart humanoid bullfrog with powerful legs and an affinity for the swamp, he is the hero that the party needs in the marshlands

The Bullywug's natural ability to hide in the marsh combined with the ranger's ability to hide and move stealthily in their favored terrain gives him a rogue's stealthiness in D&D's swamp. While others struggle to adapt, he leaps in and out of danger with his incredible natural leap. He fires arrows from his natural camouflage until the enemy approaches, at which point he draws his trusty spear to fight them head-on. A fearsome hunter, he can strike vital areas with ease and bring down the toughest foes with finesse.

Related: D&D 5.5: Playable Races That Shouldn't Return

In the swamp, the bullywark ranger is the leader of the party. With his unmatched mastery of the marshland, he can guide and defend his allies with equal competence. He is by no means a liability outside of his comfort zone, though. With his mastery of archery, he can unleash volleys of highly accurate arrows, and his powerful Colossus Slayer ability gives him a hefty damage bonus to bring down his targets. The bullywug ranger is a steadfast ally, at least as long as the party remembers to respect the swamps.

D&D's Merfolk Rogue Is An Avenger Of The Seas

Merfolk Rogue from Dungeons & Dragons

Even in Dungeons & Dragons sea, there exist those who will sink to disgusting depths in order to gain power and fortune, no matter the cost to anyone else. In these forgotten seas, they may believe that they can get away with their crimes. But the merfolk rogue is determined to make sure that they receive their punishment.

The merfolk rogue was born without privilege, and learning to survive on nothing but her own wits has made her a skilled thief and fighter. She can slip through a heavily guarded area undetected, and her keen instincts allow her to casually dodge and deactivate any trap in her path. However, beneath her cool demeanor lies a bubbling rage that reminds one of a character from D&D's barbarian class. This hidden fury empowers her lithe frame to wield her blade with surprising savagery.

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The merfolk rogue thrives in stealth, with many high levels in the sneak feat that allow her to remain unseen until she so chooses. In addition, she has a few levels in barbarian to make up for her weakness on land, doubling her land speed from an awful 10 feet per round to a more respectable 20. Her barbarian experience also gives her access to daily rages, which can give her the strength to battle to the last breath alongside her land-bound allies.

An Evil Aquatic D&D Build - Siren Sorceress: Queen Of Vanity

Aftermath of a shipwreck in Dungeons & Dragons

Embarking on epic quests is a noble endeavor, but players are still able to choose evil alignments for their chosen D&D character. Sometimes they're just looking for what they have to gain, be it fame, riches, or rare treasure. Naturally, such things will lure individuals who are less than virtuous. One such example would be the siren sorceress. Rather than using her song to lure sailors to their doom, she follows the tempting voice of treasures beckoning to her.

She accents her natural charisma with a repertoire of spells granted to her as a sorceress. Direct combat is simply too barbaric for her to sully her hands with, so she lets the rest of the party handle that while she creates violent art with her magic. She charms and confuses her enemies with her mystical talents before unleashing one of her many lethal spells, casually slaying her enemies. Any enemy foolish enough to approach her would find their path blocked by a conjured wall of stone, leaving them to contend with a powerful D&D barbarian waiting behind them. She cannot allow something so uncouth in her presence, after all.

The siren sorceress is almost completely self-interested and only works with the party out of convenience. She ignores combat skills because she does not wish to tarnish her beauty with weapons or armor, and her magical knowledge makes her more than capable of dealing with threats from a distance. Her talent with arcana can guide the party in their more magical endeavors, although she will be sure to let them know how grateful they should be for her help.

The aquatic races of Dungeons & Dragons may typically be overlooked, but they have plenty of potential to be great characters provided players have creativity and drive to create something memorable. They may want to consider giving one of them a try in their next campaign. It could be the beginning of another excellent journey.

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