The upcoming movie Thieves, based on the popular role-playing game, features a lead party that parallels the character tropes with which D&D players are familiar.
While some viewers are excited to see the token, charismatic bard (Chris Pine) and his antics, others are anticipating the gritty fight scenes delivered by the party's burly barbarian (Michelle Rodriguez). Each D&D class needs different statistics for successful gameplay. Powerful classes such as the barbarian pair well with races that caters to physical strength and fortitude, for a character who can deliver heavy punches as well as stand their ground. These are the playable races that correlate best with strong characters due to their abilities, bonuses and general stats.
Dragonborn
This draconic race is a no-brainer for its connection with strength, as they give an automatic increase of the strength ability score by two, according to their base form in the Player's Handbook. Dragonborn are also exclusively eligible for the feat Dragon Hide, which gives a boost to an ability score as well as AC, along with damage-dealing dragon claws.
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Offensive ability is just as important as fortitude for strong characters. Dragonborn get a built-in weapon, their dragon breath, which is available for just about any damage type a player could want, depending on what draconic ancestry they choose for their character.
Dwarf
, especially for fighters and barbarians, because of their hardy builds. They get a starting +2 to Constitution, along with benefits from their subraces, such as the mountain dwarf, which gets an additional +2 to Strength. Dwarves also make for good martial fighters, as they have a starting proficiency in many axes and hammers. Their most common subraces give bonuses that aid in combat as well, such as the hill dwarf, which gives bonus hit points when leveling up, and the mountain dwarf, which gives proficiency with light and medium armor.
Goliath
The giant goliaths are perhaps one of the first D&D races that come to mind when thinking of strength. They have both natural hardy stats (+2 to Con and +1 to Str) and powerful traits, such as Stone's Endurance, which can be used once a day to minimize injury, or Powerful Build, which sets a goliath as a size larger for carrying capacity. A popular goliath example in media is Grog, the overpowered barbarian/fighter from Critical Role. Grog is a great example of the goliath's formidability, as he dealt massive amounts of damage and defeated many foes tirelessly.
Lizardfolk
Lizardfolk are considered one of the best playable races and give the appearance of reptilian humanoids, giving them a similar appearance to dragonborn. They start with a +2 to Constitution and stand as slightly bulkier than the average human. Lizardfolk derive much of their strength from their intrinsic anatomy. They have natural, scaly armor to protect themselves and can attack with their jaws. Lizardfolk also have the bonus trait Hungry Jaws, which can attach to their bite attack to gain temporary hit points.
Centaur
As sturdy as horses, centaurs are not to be messed with. Standing at six or seven feet, they not only look menacing but can do damage with their hooves outside of melee weapons or magic. They also get a natural boost to the Strength ability score. The Charge trait proves centaurs to be venerable fighters. If a centaur attacks once with a melee weapon, Charge gives them the ability to do even more damage, allowing a bonus action to strike with their hooves, which serve as natural weapons.
Leonin
The mighty leonin are a strength-based race that resemble humanoid lions. They are cousins to the tabaxi, another humanoid cat race. While tabaxi, however, make great dexterous characters, leonin are the popular choice for physically powerful characters.
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Leonin make fierce warriors because of their abilities, such as their claws, which function as built-in weapons. They also get a natural +2 to Constitution and +1 to Strength. In order to instill fear in their enemies, leonin can unleash a Daunting Roar, which creates the possibility of their enemies becoming frightened.
Half-Orc
Half-orcs have a well-earned place as one of the more popular playable races, mostly for characters dealing in strength. Part of this is because of their automatic ability score increases: a +2 to Strength and +1 to Constitution. The half-orc traits correlate well with fighting and defense, such as Relentless Endurance, which can cause a fatal strike to drop the character to one hit point instead of ruling them unconscious. Savage Attack is beneficial as well, as it gives an opportunity for extra damage when a player rolls a critical hit. They also are the only playable race that can gain a feat that is great for barbarians, Orcish Fury, which provides both an ability score increase (to Str. or Con.) and a bonus reaction after Relentless Endurance.
Loxodon
Another D&D animal race, loxodons resemble elephants, one of the strongest species of the animal kingdom. While loxodons are naturally gentle and peaceful, they can cause lots of damage if provoked and have a natural armor that helps protect them from attacks. Loxodons have the Powerful Build trait, which gives them advantages in lifting and carrying. They also have a unique and impressive trunk that can lift pounds equal to five times their Strength score. While their trunks can't wield weapons, they are a powerful asset that can both grapple and strike enemies.
Orc
While half-orcs are much more common in D&D, regular orcs are also a playable race, and were introduced in Volo's Guide to Monsters as one of many monstrous characters. Their ability score increases are in Strength and Constitution.
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Orc characters have to be strong, as they were derived from a very fierce enemy in D&D. They have several choices of subraces, most of which include the Powerful Build and Aggressive traits, which give advantages in carrying capacity and movement in combat respectively.
Minotaur
The minotaur race of D&D is hardly different from the legendary ancient Greek creature. They, like many of the other powerful playable races, get natural buffs to Strength and Constitution, but what makes these beings strong are their horns, which serve as versatile natural weapons. A minotaur's horns can imbue damage that equates to 1d6 plus their Strength modifier, and correlate with many of the race's traits to buff their action for the turn. Goring Rush allows a minotaur to add a bonus horn attack to their dash, and Hammering Horns allows a melee horn attack with an added attempt to shove. These traits belong to the most popular minotaur subraces: those from Ravnica and Eberron.
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