Dungeons & Dragons’ Dhampir
The Dhampir species is an intriguing one to use in Dungeons & Dragons. Born or made, these vampires can be powerful in combat and fun to roleplay – so if you’re looking to try a new D&D race, here’s what you need to know about Dhampir.
Dungeons & Dragons’ Dhampir were first introduced in Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft, and are one of the many playable races in the classic setting. They were later added to the Forgotten Realms and Greyhawk campaign settings, and can now be used in any D&D campaign. As one of the most unique D&D races, playing as a Dhampir can be a unique experience, and can also be a lot of fun if you take the time to consider your character’s heritage and background.
Creating a Dhampir
Before creating a Dhampir in Dungeons & Dragons, it is essential to decide whether you were born or made. If you were born a Dhampir, you should consider your heritage, which could be human, gnome, halfling, dwarf, elf, or orc. Each race impacts your stats and traits, so it’s important to consider which fits with your chosen hunger and the overall campaign. For example, choosing orc could give you a boost in strength, but might also influence your background.
If you were made into a Dhampir, you should decide how you were turned, whether through a pact, a ritual, a parasite, or a vampire parent. Each origin impacts how you were made, and you should be comfortable with your backstory – especially if it involves being a parasite.
Once you’ve decided your species and heritage, it’s time to decide on your hunger. You can pick from eight options, and rolling a d8 can lead to interesting situations and moments for your party. For example, if you’re a Feral Dhampir with the ‘Rabid’ hunger and your party encounters a dog, you might suddenly find yourself attacking your friends.
Dhampir hunger adds a challenge to gameplay, but it shouldn’t stop you from having fun. If you’re struggling to control your bloodlust, make sure you’re fulfilling your hunger during fights, or more discreetly. You need to keep track of your own “rations” and when you last ate, so make sure you’re prepared for a fight. Fulfilling your hunger isn’t always easy, whether you’re fighting or trying to avoid the townsfolk.
Choosing a Class
When choosing your class, it’s important to consider what complements the Dhampir species. Due to their strength and constitution, melee fighting or ranged classes such as the fighter or ranger work well. However, you might also want to consider the sorcerer or warlock if your character is a vampire, as these classes are more suited to their spells than those of the cleric or ranger.
Some of the most iconic Dhampir abilities include Spider Climb and the ability to walk on walls and ceilings. Although these skills might not be essential to your chosen class, they can be advantageous, especially underwater where you don’t need to breathe.
Creating a Dhampir Background
When creating your Dhampir, it’s important to consider your background and how it will play into the campaign. As a unique race with a unique relationship to death, reincarnation, pacts, parasites, rituals, or vampire parents can shape your character’s story.
As a Dhampir walks a fine line between life and undeath, you can create a multifaceted character by embracing the dichotomy between your energy and bloodlust. If you’re going for a more vampire-like Dhampir, make sure you and your Dungeon Master are on the same page regarding gory details and feasting, ensuring everyone at the table is comfortable.
At the end of the day, don’t be afraid to communicate with your party and Dungeon Master during Session Zero and throughout your Dungeons & Dragons campaign. Establish boundaries, and work together to ensure everyone is comfortable and having fun.
Now you know how to play a Dhampir in Dungeons & Dragons, it’s time to step into Ravenloft and fight against Strahd von Zarovich. If you’re looking for something a little different, we have guides on how to play each of the other D&D playable races, the best Dungeons & Dragons classes, and the top Dungeons & Dragons spells.
