Fire Genasi Guide 5e

Published on January 2, 2023

Tap into the Elemental Plane of Fire with the fire genasi! From fire resistance to some fun flaming spells, the fire genasi race can turn up the heat for any character build.

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What is this guide?

This guide is meant to give you an idea of whether or not the fire genasi will be right for your 5e character build.

The color code below has been implemented to help you identify, at a glance, how good that option will be for your fire genasi. This color coding isn’t a hard and fast rule; there are plenty of sub-optimized options out there that will be viable to your party and will be fun to play.

Black is a trait shared by many races and or will not impact the effectiveness of your character build
Red isn’t going to contribute to the effectiveness of your character build at all
Orange Situationally good, but a below-average option otherwise
Green is a good option
Blue is a great option, you should strongly consider this option for your character
Sky Blue is an amazing option. If you do not take this option your character would not be optimized

Tasha's Cauldron of Everything Update

Tasha's Cauldron of Everything has added the "Customizing Your Origin" option that may affect the ability score increases, languages, and proficiencies in this guide. To read more about this, visit our D&D Race Guide.

What are Fire Genasi in 5e?

Source: Monsters of the Multiverse

Fire genasi are humanoids descended from the efreet, genies from the Elemental Plane of Fire. Able to channel the fiery powers of their ancestors, fire genasi can produce and manipulate flames to enhance their abilities in combat. They’re affinity with fire also manifests as a resistance to fire damage, allowing them to venture into normally hostile environments with ease.

The fire genasi’s appearance ranges from individual to individual. Some have charcoal skin, while others have shades of red or orange. If they have hair, it can take the form of wispy trails of smoke or tongues of flame.

Fire Genasi 5e Traits

Size: Being able to choose between Small and Medium allows you to fine-tune your build. Looking to go for a heavy weapon-weilding barbarian? Medium is the way to go. Wanting to lean a bit more to the stealthy side of things? Small size might be right for you.

Darkvision: Darkvision is always great, but its advantage can be ruined if your party members do not also have it.

Fire Resistance: Beyond physical damage (bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing), fire is the most common damage type in 5e. This makes a permanent resistance to fire damage incredibly useful.

Reach to the Blaze: Produce flame has some utility and can attack as a less powerful fire bolt, and burning hands is one of the best AoE damage spells for its level. Flame blade is a tricky one, because it can’t be used with most class features like Extra Attack, Sneak Attack, or Flurry of Blows. That said, if you don’t get extra attacks at 5th level, it can be a solid way to increase your melee damage.

Which 5e Classes Work With Fire Genasi?

Fire genasi are a decent base for a variety of builds. The fire resistance and decent fire spells are useful whether you plan on tanking for your party or just want more survivability and options in combat. Half casters, who don’t learn a lot of spells, are often strapped for spell slots, and are usually more involved in combat, will especially love the extra options fire genasi provide.

Artificer: Fire genasi provide artificers a great damage resistance and a couple solid offensive spells normally not on the artificers spell list, which makes a solid start for just about any artificer build.

Barbarian: Fire resistance can help you tank against elemental and spellcaster enemies, but the spells will go by the wayside as they can't be cast while you're raging. If you're able to catch a group of enemies on the first round of initiative, it could be worthwhile to cast burning hands before you rage.

Bard: Some decent damage spells to complement your array of debuffs, as well as an excellent damage resistance. Flame sword is also an awesome spell for Swords and Valor bards who don't want to stack fully into DEX for their regular weapon attacks.

Cleric: Some decent damage spells to complement your array of healing and buff spells, as well as an excellent damage resistance. Flame sword is also an awesome spell for martial clerics who don't want to stack fully into STR for their regular weapon attacks.

Druid: Unfortunately, a decent amount of overlap in the spell list for druids. That said, if you want to focus your prepared spells and spell slots on other spells while still having access to decent damage options, the fire genasi is an alright option.

Fighter: Good damage options, especially at lower levels. Once you get access to 2 or 3 attacks, however, even burning hands AoE won't keep up to your damage output. Unfortunately, attacking with flame blade doesn't count as the Attack action, so you'll lose out on extra attacks if you want to use this spell.

Monk: Monks will enjoy the AoE melee option and a long-range cantrip, as well as the survivability buff from the fire resistance. Unfortunately, if you use flame blade you can't use Flurry of Blows because you're technically making a spell attack, rather than using the Attack action.

Paladin: Some nice damage spells that paladins don't normally learn, plus a common damage resistance is enough to make the fire genasi worthwhile. Keep in mind that you can't use extra attacks with flame blade, so it's better to attack with your mundane weapon most of the time.

Ranger: Some nice damage spells that rangers don't normally learn, plus a common damage resistance is enough to make the fire genasi worthwhile. Keep in mind that you can't use extra attacks with flame blade, so it's better to attack with your mundane weapon most of the time.

Rogue: Nothing here particularly worthwhile for a rogue, especially because you can't sneak attack with flame blade.

Sorcerer: The spells aren't that exciting, but the fire resistance can be useful to help keep your sorcerer alive.

Warlock: The spells aren't that exciting, but getting an extra casting of burning hands can be nice because of your limited spell slots. Unfortunately, the cantrip and flame blade will be pretty useless most of the time. The fire resistance is a solid way to increase survivability.

Wizard: The extra spells learned don't really do much for wizards. They might enjoy the fire resistance, but there are better races out there.

Sources Used in This Guide

BR: Basic Rules
GotG: Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants
SotDQ: Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen
ERLW: Eberron: Rising from the Last War
EEPC: Elemental Evil Player’s Companion
EGtW: Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount
FToD: Fizban's Treasury of Dragon
GGtR: Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica
MotM: Monsters of the Multiverse
MToF: Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes
MOoT: Mythic Odyessys of Theros
PAitM: Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse
PHB: Player's Handbook
SAiS: Spelljammer: Adventures in Space
SCoC: Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos
SCAG: Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
TCoE: Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
TTP: The Tortle Package
WBtW: The Wild Beyond The Witchlight
VRGtR: Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft
VGtM: Volo's Guide to Monsters
XGtE: Xanathar’s Guide to Everything

Mike Bernier

Mike Bernier is the lead content writer and founder of Arcane Eye. He is a Adamantine best-selling author of Strixhaven: A Syllabus of Sorcery on DMs Guild and is a contributing author at D&D Beyond. Follow Mike on Twitter.