These serpentine folk mostly resemble humans but with distinctive snake characteristics, such as a forked tongue, snake eyes, a snake-like nose, and other snake-like features. The Yuan-Ti Purebloods race was first published in Volo’s Guide to Monsters (VGtM), and an updated version was more recently published in Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse (MPMM), dropping the ‘pureblood’ moniker. This is a separate version and does not overwrite the original, it just presents a different way of playing a yuan-ti using more current design conventions.
From humble beginnings to serpentine power
Once upon a time, the yuan-ti were human until they used ancient, magical rituals that changed them forever, corrupting some into terrifying monsters and the rest into modern-day yuan-ti. These rituals blessed them with extraordinary resistance to poisons and magical effects, in addition to granting them magical power tied to connection with snakes.
Whilst many players may think of yuan-ti working together in cults to further the dark ambitions of an evil god, this does not define all yuan-ti. Throughout the multiverse, the yuan-ti are capable of pursuing either great good or great evil depending on their individual beliefs and choices.
The OG Slytherin: Playing a Yuan-Ti pureblood
Playing a Yuan-Ti Pureblood gives you the following traits:
Ability Scores – Cha +2 Int +1
Size – Medium
Creature Type – Humanoid
Speed – 30 ft.
Age – Purebloods mature at the same rate as humans and have lifespans similar in length to theirs.
Darkvision – You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Magic Resistance – You have advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Poison Immunity – You are immune to poison damage and the poisoned condition.
Innate Spellcasting – You know the Poison Spray cantrip. You can cast Animal Friendship an unlimited number of times with this trait, but you can target only snakes with it. Starting at 3rd level, you can also cast Suggestion with this trait. Once you cast it, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Languages – You can speak, read, and write Common, Abyssal, and Draconic.
Dungeon snakes rule: Playing an MPMM Yuan-Ti
Playing a Yuan-Ti from MPMM gives you the following traits:
Ability Scores – You can increase one ability score by 2 and a different score by 1, alternatively you can increase three different ability scores by 1.
Size – Small or Medium
Creature Type – Humanoid
Speed – 30 ft.
Age – The typical life span of a player character in the D&D multiverse is about a century, assuming the character doesn’t meet a violent end on an adventure.
Darkvision – You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light and in darkness as if it were dim light. You discern colors in that darkness only as shades of gray.
Magic Resistance – You have advantage on saving throws against spells.
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.
Serpentine Spellcasting – You know the Poison Spray cantrip. You can cast Animal Friendship an unlimited number of times with this trait, but you can target only snakes with it. Starting at 3rd level, you can also cast Suggestion with this trait. Once you cast it, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest. You can also cast it using any spell slots you have of 2nd level or higher.
Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells when you cast them with this trait (choose when you select this race).
Languages – You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for your character.
We hope that this article has helped the Yuan-Ti slither into your heart. Have you played a Yuan-Ti yet? Are you planning to? If you want to learn more about other race options, check out our races section, or if you want to understand the world’s greatest roleplaying game better, then check out our how to play section. Good luck out there adventurers and, until next time, slither on.
