Disney’s upcoming movie Wish promises the audience a brand new Disney princess in the form of Asha. Also coming in 2023 is Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, the long-awaited modern adaptation of the beloved tabletop game. With both these properties lingering in people’s minds, they inevitably start meshing together.
Disney’s full of fantasy. Inevitably, people will want to run a Disney-themed campaign with their friends. The Disney Princesses prove surprisingly powerful when built just right. Whether it’s Mulan’s quick mastery of the blade or Moana’s affinity with the sea, these icons are entertaining to play on the tabletop.
Mulan - Genie Warlock 3/Mastermind Rogue 17
Mulan is a girl who has a hard time balancing her loyalty to her family versus proving her worth as more than just a damsel. In fact, she’s so good that she single-handedly stopped a rushing army of Huns from invading China in Mulan. Mastermind Rogue perfectly captures this tactical mind. Also, it has the bonus of capturing another aspect of Mulan’s character: her acting skills.
It takes quite a bit of acting to convince others of her masculinity and Master of Intrigue represents that. Combined with the “Actor” feat, it’s easy enough to hide one’s gender. As for the Warlock levels, the “genie” in this case is Mushu, who does help Mulan by scouting out locations or just breathing fire when needed. Pact of the Chain should reflect Mushu’s versatility on the battlefield. The Warlock spells could easily just be Mushu doing “magical” things.
Sundrop Rapunzel - Divine Soul Sorcerer 6/Glamour Bard 14
The "Sundrop" prefix may seem confusing to those who only followed the movie Tangled, but it will be made clear soon enough. Rapunzel gained her magical healing hair thanks to the supernatural blessing of the Sundrop. This is perfectly represented by Divine Soul Sorcerer. Favored by the Gods certainly fit Rapunzel’s lucky streak once she escapes the tower.
Empowered Healing is self-explanatory. Glamour Bard represents her uncanny ability to make friends with seemingly villainous tavern thugs. As for all the spellcasting, the series actually goes out of its way to show how crazy and durable her hair has gotten. That could easily be flavored as her defensive spells. For roleplay reasons, players should sing every time Rapunzel heals someone.
Moonstone Rapunzel - Death Cleric 20
The opposite of the heroic Sundrop Rapunzel is the dark Moonstone. In the Tangled series, the Moonstone gives Rapunzel access to much darker powers and knowledge. Her hair had already lost its healing properties at the start of the series, but the Moonstone gives it quite a few new powers. Most notable of which is the aura of death that Rapunzel now emanates.
Necromancy spells all reflect the death-inducing effects of Rapunzel’s while blessed by the Moondrop. Spells such as Blight, Death Ward, Antilife Shell, and Cloudkill are very much necessities for this class. Her hair is also capable of moving on its own, and spells such as Mage Hand and Telekinesis could easily be flavored as her hair doing it.
Merida - Beast Master Ranger 8/Battle Master Fighter 12
Brave's Merida is a princess that values her independence, but nevertheless, her mother dotes on her. Even as a bear, her mother insists on “assisting” her with her princess duties. Beast Master Ranger levels reflect Merida’s mother, a stalwart companion with perhaps a bit too much meddling in her paws. Primal Companion should be picked to reflect the magical nature of her transformation.
The Sharpshooter feat is a must for Merida. Variant Human is the best race to pick for the extra feat. Battle Master Fighter reflects Merida’s seeming aptitude for archery. Her fighting style, unsurprisingly, is Archery, which adds a bonus to attack rolls made with ranged weapons. The must-have maneuvers are Precision Attack and Disarming Attack.
Jasmine - Beast Master Ranger 8/Thief Rogue 12
Jasmine is a brave princess who nevertheless stumbles under the weight of her gilded palace cage. Jasmine will often sneak out of the castle and see a different view of her kingdom in Aladdin. Thief Rogue should reflect her sneakiness well, specifically Second-Story Work and Supreme Sneak. Fast Hands is just a neat feature to have in general.
As for the Beast Master Ranger levels, this reflects Jasmine’s pet tiger Rajah. This iconic tiger may act like a kitten in front of Jasmine, but those foolish enough to come near will find themselves mauled. The levels are up to 8 to give Rajah some much-needed magical damage, making him far more useful in combat.
Snow White - Shepherd Druid 20
Snow White is an archetypal Disney princess. It makes a lot of sense considering she’s literally the first one in the company’s history. Snow White is the princess responsible for the affinity with animals so common with the title. As she’s the best of the best as far as animal taming goes, Shepherd Druid is the perfect route to go.
All of the class features are geared towards Snow White communing with and supporting her allies. Speech of the Woods allows her to sing and befriend beasts with ease. Spirit Totem could be seen as Snow White’s innocence invigorating her allies. Mighty Summoner allows her to summon more potent animals to defend her. Faithful Summons ensures that when Snow White becomes incapacitated, four spirit animals of no higher than challenge rating 2 will come to her aid.
Vanellope - Horizon Walker Ranger 20
Although she's not “officially” recognized as a Disney Princess, Vanellope from Wreck-It Ralph is, by definition, a Disney Princess. Of course, she quickly calls herself president upon remembering her heritage, but that’s neither here nor there. The important part is that she’s a very fun build. Horizon Walker Ranger is a fun subclass in the normally underwhelming Ranger class. Vanellope’s race would be that of a Forest Gnome, reflecting her small stature. The feat “Fade Away” becomes available, and turns Vanellope “invisible” (i.e. glitched out) upon being damaged.
Horizon Walker perfectly represents Vanellope’s abilities. Detect Portal reflects Vanellope’s uncanny ability to find her way into the weirdest video games. Planar Warrior is the “glitched’ effect of her attacks. Ethereal Step and Distant Strike are obviously her teleportations. Spectral Defense is her glitching instinctively protecting her from severe harm. Her Favored Enemy would probably be humans and monstrosities, seeing as that’s what Turbo turns into.
Moana - Fathomless Warlock 20
Moana has always felt a strange calling from the sea ever since she was young. She doesn’t bend the ocean to her will. Instead, she does as the ocean bids her. This is all very fitting for a Warlock. Contrary to popular belief, not every Warlock patron is an evil manipulator. In Moana’s case, the ocean is a benevolent god who only seeks to help her.
All of the Fathomless class features reflect Moana’s affinity to the sea. Gift of the Sea improves her swimming speed as well as gives her water breathing. Oceanic Soul makes her resistant to cold damage and communicates with creatures submerged in the sea. Guardian Coil, Grasping Tentacles and Fathomless Plunge are all just different ways that water transports or protects Moana. As for feats, Athlete is a must, seeing as she was the most physically fit in her village.
Raya - Samurai Fighter 20
Raya from Raya and the Last Dragon is a princess who acts far more than most other nobles. She’s a master martial artist and takes it upon herself to do what’s best for her family. Her most notable personality trait is her innate stubbornness. The Samurai subclass evokes both her martial skills as well unnatural ability to stay focused in battle.
Elegant Courtier reflects her experience as part of the nobility in “diplomacy,” although her untrusting nature does make this tense regardless. Tireless Spirit and Rapid Strike would reflect the more reckless side of her personality, such as what she did when Sisu “died” right in front of her. The feat Alert should be given to Raya, reflecting her constant paranoia.
Cinderella - Archfey Warlock 6/Glamour Bard 14
Cinderella is arguably the most famous Disney Princess ever, and she’s the first one that many people will remember. No doubt thanks to the constant remakes of her story. Archfey Warlock reflects on her relationship with the Fairy Godmother. Fey Presence would be her magical beauty enrapturing the people around her. Misty Escape would be her “speedy retreat” upon the strike of midnight. Pact of the Chain could easily be reflavored as her rat companions.
Glamour Bard would reflect even more of her beauty and singing ability. Enthralling Performance, Mantle of Majesty, and Unbreakable Majesty are more potent ways for Cinderella to enthrall the people (and animals) around her. Her expertise would most certainly be in Performance and Persuasion. Most of her spells should be geared towards empowering others, as she doesn’t do much fighting by herself.