How to build a githyanki in Dungeons & Dragons 5e
Are you wondering how to build a githyanki in Dungeons & Dragons 5e? These psionic warriors were introduced as a playable species in Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes, and can be an intimidating option for players who want to build their first character. However, seasoned players might see them as an opportunity to try something most players would avoid – a githyanki in their favorite D&D campaign.
Whether you’re new to the game and want to try something unique or are looking to spice up your next adventure with a new character, we have tips on how to build a githyanki in Dungeons & Dragons. A githyanki can be a difficult choice for a first character, but with some planning on your part, it can pay off in some unique adventures.
Before you choose, it’s always important to consult your DM on which version is allowed or if you can pick specific abilities from each sourcebook to make something unique. We’ll be using the Monsters of the Multiverse version, as it contains more versatile abilities focusing on psionics.
Adopt temporary proficiencies
The first, and perhaps most useful, trait of the githyanki is their inherent psionics which gives them access to the Mage Hand, Jump, and Misty Step spells while buffing Mage Hand to appear invisible. You can take advantage of this wording with features like a Sorcerer’s Subtle Spell to interact with objects without anyone noticing, even if they are aware of you. While seemingly extremely situational, a githyanki’s resistance to psychic damage becomes useful as there are a number of psychic effects and damage sources that are spread across dozens of creatures and spells and will likely be used a few times across a campaign.
If you want to build a githyanki as the party’s tank, you can take advantage of the bonus resistance while adding additional ones, like from a Barbarian’s Rage and Storm Soul features or spells like Fire Shield and Protection from Energy, potentially making you resistant to all damage.
Movement and interactive abilities
Because of their movement and interactive abilities, githyanki are more than handy dungeon explorers. With your movement and psionic abilities, look for opportunities to set up ambushes while the face of the party distracts a group of enemies, jumping into the fray and perhaps initiating combat with a handful of surprise conditions.
This ability to interact with the environment is particularly useful for githyanki, partially because it’s their specialty and partially because of their unique psionic abilities.
Githyanki origins
As unique as githyanki are, their origins and story are heavily tied to the astral plane and will make it difficult when building one that lacks this history, especially in cannon settings like Spelljammer. If you’re planning to build an accurate gith from the astral sea, then Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes has loads of lore on their culture and history.
That said, you can still build a githyanki in Dungeons & Dragons, but because of the unique lore tied to their heritage, you might have to work with your DM to establish the gith in their campaign setting if you want to make sure your character remains unique while still being tied to the world and story.
Githzerai abilities
If you’re looking to build an accurate gith from the astral sea, then Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes has loads of lore on their culture and history. If you’re looking to build something a little more unique, then the githzerai might be a better option. While seemingly extremely situational, a githzerai’s resistance to psychic damage becomes useful as there are a number of psychic effects and damage sources that are spread across dozens of creatures and spells and will likely be used a few times across a campaign.
If you want to build a githzerai as the party’s tank, you can take advantage of the bonus resistance while adding additional ones, like from a Barbarian’s Rage and Storm Soul features or spells like Fire Shield and Protection from Energy, potentially making you resistant to all damage.
Because of their movement and interactive abilities, githzerai are more than handy dungeon explorers. With your movement and psionic abilities, look for opportunities to set up ambushes while the face of the party distracts a group of enemies, jumping into the fray and perhaps initiating combat with a handful of surprise conditions.
Githzerai spellcasting
Because of the additional spells from the psionics feature, you will have access to spells that do not require preparing via your spellbook while saving on spell slots by free casting them once per day. While useful to have additional spells as a wizard, gaining access to additional spells that don’t require spell slots as a warlock is like opening presents on your birthday.
Githzerai feats
Because of your inherent spellcasting ability of gith, some feats are unlocked for you even if you take classes with zero spellcasting options. For example, you can take the Githzerai Language feat to gain knowledge of the githzerai language.
