Aasimar is one of the races that players can enjoy in DnD 5e, however, they have the most complicated version history of any race.
In Dungeons and Dragons (DnD), gamers form an adventuring party to explore fictional worlds together while completing epic quests. DnD is essentially a storytelling game, where the Dungeon Master (DM) takes on the role of the game’s referee and storyteller.
Everything in the game is your decision, from what your character looks like, to how they act and how the story unfolds. The characters in the party work together to solve dilemmas, engage in battles, explore different areas, and gather treasures and knowledge.
However, before you can begin your adventure, every party member must create their character. You can choose your character’s class which determines their skills and abilities. Players can also choose their character’s race, one of which is the Aasimar.
Races
There are several races you can select in the Dungeons and Dragons series, however, some races can only be selected in certain editions of the game. Some of the races are:
| Race | Description |
| Dwarf | Dwarves are skilled warriors, miners, and workers of stone and metal |
| Owlin | Very similar to owls, Owlin are graced with feathers that make no sound when they move or fly, which makes them perfect for sneaking |
| Bugbear | Although they have formidable builds, they are quest skulkerks. They can hide in spaces that are seemingly too small for them |
| Shadar-Kai | They exist in a state between life and death after being transformed by the Shadowfell’s grim energy |
DnD 5e: Aasimar
Whether they descended from a celestial being or are infused with heavenly power, Aasimar are mortals that carry a spark of the Upper Planes in their souls.
They are considered the go-to option for players who want to play a character with clear celestial influence. Although they underwent several design changes, the celestial theme and some of their skills have remained constant.
There are different versions of Aasimar in DnD’s sourcebooks. The version published in Volo’s Guide to Monsters shows 3 subraces. Even though it is not explicitly stated, allegedly, the Scourge and Protector are good-aligned, and the Fallen is intended to be evil-aligned.
That being said, all 3 subraces possess different ability score increase and transformation, which makes each one viable in distinctive sets of builds and classes. However, with the custom origin rules in place, the dissimilarities between the 3 come down to their transformation.
The 3 transformations feature a damage boost, which applies to the damage that you deal on your turn with an attack or spell. The updated version of the race published in Monsters of the Multiverse shares similar transformation effects, and features a Bonus Action activation.
In Volo’s Guide to Monsters (VGtM) and Dungeon Master’s Guide (DMG), 5 Aasimar subraces exist, and each one has unique ability score increases, namely:
| Aasimar version | Ability Score Increases |
| Aasimar (VGtM) | Your charisma score increases by 2 points |
| Protector Aasimar | Your wisdom score increases by 1 point |
| Scourge Aasimar | Players’ constitution score is increased by 1 point |
| Fallen Aasimar | Your strength score increases by 1 |
| Aasimar (DMG) | Your wisdom score increases by 1, and your Charisma score is increased by 2 |
Which class should you use with Aasimar?
Players who are using the “Customizing Your Origin” rules in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything can choose their character’s class. The best classes for the DMG variant and VGtM are outlined below.
| Class | Description |
| Bard | The Aasimar’s innate spellcasting is a complement to the Bard’s capabilities. The damage resistances are excellent for a frail class |
| Paladin | Allegedly, every version of Aasimar works for the Paladin, but the builds can vary |
| Sorcerer | The Aasimar race offers access to some options that the Sorcerer class can normally only get from Divine Soul |
| Warlock | This class offers many great options for the Aasimar. However, you should not use Scourge with this class |
What should you name your Aasimar?
After selecting Aasimar as your character’s race, you must find a fitting name. The Aasimar race does not have a specific naming convention of their own. However, they are generally named by the culture and people that they were born to.
Therefore, their names can vary a lot as they reflect the lands they grew up in, rather than celestial principles. Since the race is born to human parents, their names can be as complex or simple as the family that they are part of.
Why should you create an Aasimar character?
Although there are many other races, the Aasimar provides many interesting opportunities for a player that wants to get the most of their DnD experience. The character evolution and story of this race and their connection to the divine is rivalled only by that of a Celestial Warlock.
You can role–play as a divine avenger or a sympathetic hero who struggles to explain the moral complexity of the human world to the unflinching gods.
