Last Updated on November 20, 2023
In this guide, you will learn all you need to know to create a Yuan-Ti character for your next campaign. We cover the traits and add our suggestions for class choices
We will finish off by giving you an idea of what a Yuan-Ti should look like, and some naming conventions to start you off.
Yuan-Ti Pureblood Traits
Yuan-Ti Purebloods (Monsters of the Multiverse Rules)
Ability Score Increases: When determining your character’s ability scores, increase one score by 2 and increase a different score by 1, or increase three different scores by 1. You can’t raise any of your scores above 20.
Creature Type: Humanoid
Size: Medium or Small. Choose when you select this race.
Speed: Walking 30 ft.
Darkvision (60ft): You can see in dim light as if it were bright light and in darkness as if it were dim light. You cannot discern colour in darkness, only shades of grey.
Serpentine Spellcasting: You know the Poison Spray cantrip. You can cast Animal Friendship an unlimited number of times with this trait, but you can only target snakes with it.
Starting at level 3, you can cast Suggestion with this trait. Once you do so, you cannot cast it again until you finish a long rest. You can cast them using any spell slot you have of 2nd level or higher.
Your spellcasting ability for these spells is Intelligence, Wisdom or Charisma. (Choose at race selection)
Magic Resistance: You have advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Poison Resilience: You have advantage on saving throws you make to avoid or end the poisoned condition on yourself. You also have resistance to poison damage.
Languages: You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language you and your DM agree is appropriate.
Our List of Languages is made as a resource for this.
Source: Monsters of the Multiverse
The Yuan-Ti Purebloods: Serpentine Spies
The Yuan-Ti are serpentine shapechangers who were once human at the dawn of time, but severed their ties with humanity and underwent dark rituals to become more serpentine in appearance and mind.
Currently serving the winged-serpent Sseth, the Yuan-Ti were well-known for their ruthless pragmatism and cold, unfeeling devotion to the acquisition of strength and power.
Class Choices For The Yuan-Ti Pureblood
Warlock
Perhaps the true marriage of the Yuan-Ti Pureblood’s lore and mechanical design is the Yuan-Ti Warlock.
It synergizes well with the Yuan-Ti’s tendency to stay on the outskirts of the battle to the best of their abilities.
In terms of other lore, the Purebloods being considered “less” Yuan-Ti than their kin and blessed with lesser psionic powers might make them seek out more outstanding powers.
Dendar, The Night Serpent is listed as an example for The Great Old One patron in the Players’ Handbook and, though it is somewhat uncommon, is one of the deities worshipped by the Yuan-Ti.
Players looking for a more modern Yuan-Ti patron may look to Sseth, the winged serpent who appeared to the Yuan-Ti claiming to be their original patron deity, Mersshaulk, reborn.
Those worshipping Sseth will most likely be taking the Fiend as their patron as Sseth’s abilities and concepts align better with The Fiend than the Great Old One.
Bard
An easy choice for the Yuan-Ti Pureblood is the Bard class.
Having both Poison Immunity and Magic Resistance can help alleviate the fear when it comes to being in close-quarter combat as well.
In terms of flavour, the College of Whispers and College of Eloquence will fit most in line with the Yuan-Ti Pureblood’s role as a spy or diplomat.
College of Whispers plays more on the psychic force of the Yuan-Ti’s psionic powers, while Eloquence gives you more options when it comes to schmoozing your way into positions of power.
Sorcerer
The Sorcerer gets access to Sorcery Points and Metamagic, allowing for even more spellcasting power.
Unearthed Arcana’s Psionic Soul feels like a solid roleplay option to play into the Yuan-Ti’s psionic powers for subclasses.
For core options, Shadow Sorcerer will allow the player to lean strongly into the Pureblood’s role as an infiltrator giving access to Shadow Walk at the 14th level and Umbral Form at the 18th level. Those wishing to play a more supportive role may look to go Divine Soul.
Rogue
Rogue is a great flavor class for the Yuan-Ti Pureblood. While it lacks the optimization of picking a casting class, it makes up for that by giving your Yuan-Ti more classic spying capabilities from Rogue class and the Expertise bonuses for Deception and Persuasion.
The Assassin class is fantastic for the Pureblood in terms of character flavor, as assassination is well within the job description of the Pureblood.
Yuan-Ti Pureblood Appearances
Yuan-Ti Purebloods hold a unique position in Yuan-Ti society, acting as agents of reconnaissance and diplomacy.
Yuan-Ti Purebloods are mostly humanoid in appearance. At first glance and to the untrained eye, they are often indistinguishable from other humanoid raises.
Purebloods present only minor serpentine features such as slitted pupils, forked tongues, and small patches of scales in their otherwise humanoid skin.
Yuan-Ti Pureblood Names
Yuan-Ti names have been passed down through generations, though the spellings and exact pronunciations have changed.
Yuan-Ti names are gender-neutral, and due to the lack of family structure in their society, they do not have surnames or family names, but it is not unheard of for a Yuan-Ti to take a surname of their own accord.
Letter combinations of “Ss”, “Ts”, “Zh”, and “Sz” are well-documented in Yuan-Ti nomenclature.
Notable Yuan-Ti NPCs include Sisaspia, a Yuan-Ti druid hailing from the Chultan city of Omu and Zstulkk Ssarmn, a member of the Iron Ring.
Some Yuan-Ti styled names for consideration:
- Nasshali
- Szastula
- Asutali
- Zhelki
- Issahu
- Zhumas
- Tsultash
- Suisatal
- Szulkalsie
- Sisava
- Eztatl
- Natsuli
- Hitotee
- Holtssashee
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