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In the Humblewood campaign setting forDungeons & Dragons, there is a playable species known as the birdfolk. These creatures resemble a variety of different real-world birds, and come in a ton of different shapes, sizes, and plumages. Living in settlements or perches high above the Humblewood, they are powerful and diverse.
If you’re planning to play in the Humblewood campaign setting for the first time, you’re going to want to consider playing a birdfolk. But, you might be wondering how these creatures work, and what builds work best for birdfolk. Here’s everything you need to know about birdfolk in Dungeons & Dragons.
What Are Birdfolk?
In Humblewood, there are two manner of creatures:birdfolk and humblefolk.Birdfolk represent the flying creatures of the forest, and can resemble crows, doves, and more.
Beyond their external appearances,the birdfolk have made themselves the dominant political forcewithin Humblewood and are responsible for founding their capital in the tree known as Alderheart.
They also have a birdfolk council, which rules over all of Humblewood.
Here’s a quick breakdown of thedifferent types of birdfolkyou can play as:
Intelligence +2
Crows, Ravens
Ability to appraise the value of objects, as well as their possible uses, once per short or long rest.
Proficiency with simple weapons and one additional artisan tool.
Charisma +2
Doves, Pigeons
Ability to reroll any attack, skill check, or saving throw once per long rest.
Dexterity +2
Hawks, Eagles
Can treat three-quarters cover as half cover and half cover as no cover.
Owls
Advantage on Stealth checks when hiding in a forest.
In addition to these core species for birdfolk,each birdfolk species has two subspeciesthat offeradditional specializations and skill improvements, which can all help round out your character build in various ways.
As you’re able to see,no base birdfolk has an ability score improvement for Constitution.
However,two subspecies of birdfolk have improvements to Constitution, such as the Sable Luma and the Stout Strig.
How Birdfolk Flight Works
Despite their differences,all birdfolk have one thing in common: they can all glide.
While other species in Dungeons & Dragons might have flight speeds, to keep things balanced,the birdfolk all have what’s called a glide speed.
Many birdfolk also have abilities likedarkvision and talon attacks.
Gliding has two main elementsto its ruleset:
Additionally, it should be noted thatyou cannot glide while carrying heavy weapons, donning heavy armor, wielding a shield, or are encumbered.
Which Birdfolk Should You Play?
Of course, when it comes to selecting which birdfolk you should play, you’re going to want tobase your decision based off what class you want to play.
Unlike in the 2024 Player’s Handbook,the Humblewood campaign setting makes use of what’s known as ‘Legacy Content.’
This means thatability score improvements are doled out via species rather than backgrounds. Talk to your DM about whether they plan to use any content from the 2024 PHB or beyond in their campaign.
Different birdfolk and birdfolk subspecies are better at different things. Here’s a quick overview of some of thebest birdfolk species/class combinations:
Corvum
Corvums gain a +2 to their Intelligence, making them excellent wizards.
However,dusk corvums also gain a +1 to their Dexterityand bonuses to their Stealth, making them great rogues.
Kindled corvums also gain a +1 to their Charisma, which can be helpful for sorcerers.
Gallus
Becausegalluses gain a +2 to Wisdom, they make for excellent druids and clerics.
Additionally,the huden gallus subspecies gains a +1 Dexterity, which can prove helpful for rangers.
Luma
Lumas gain a +2 to their Charisma, ideal for bards and paladins.
If playing a bard,select the sera luma for proficiency in the Performance skill.
If playing a paladin,select the sable luma for an increase to your Constitution.
Raptor
Thanks to their+2 in Dexterity, raptors make for great martial and ranged fighters.
The mistral raptor gains a +1 to their Wisdom, helpful for monks.
Strig
Strigs make for the best martial classesin Humblewood thanks to their +2 to Strength.
For barbarians,select the stout strig subspecies for a bonus to Constitution.
