Genasi Guide 5e

Which 5e Classes Work With Genasi?

Each genasi subrace comes with a different ASI, so it’ll be pretty obvious which classes they work for. +2 CON means none of the subraces come with +2 to a main stat, though this isn’t too much of a disadvantage considering CON is universally useful and each genasi subrace offers some potent racial traits.

Artificer:

• Fire: Ideally the artificer would like to see +2 INT. The fire genasi gets us most of the way there, plus increased survivability from the CON bonus and Fire Resistance, darkvision, and a useful cantrip to boot.

Barbarian:

• Earth: The earth genasi provides the perfect ability scores, improved movement options, and a reliable way to be stealthy as a barbarian.

Bard: Bards need CHA to be effective.

Cleric:

• Water: The water genasi provides the WIS Clerics need, and CON and Acid Resistance help for assuming a tanking role.

Druid:

• Water: Even though the water genasi provides the WIS druids need, as well as CON, most of their relatively niche abilities are easily replicated by Wild Shape, which can make this choice redundant.

Fighter:

• Earth: The earth genasi provides great ability score increases for a STR fighter, improved movement options, and a reliable way to be stealthy as a fighter, even in heavy armor.

Monk:

• Air: Air genasi do get some DEX, but levitate will only be useful to use on your enemies or out of combat because monks need to be in melee range.
• Water: The water genasi provides CON and WIS, but without DEX the monk will be at a serious disadvantage.

Paladin:

• Earth: The earth genasi provides great ability score increases for a STR paladin, improved movement options, and a reliable way to be stealthy as a paladin, even in heavy armor.

Ranger:

• Air: The air genasi provides DEX and levitate can be used to shoot enemies safely from the air.
• Earth: STR-based rangers could try the earth genasi, though pass without trace is already available to the class and Earth Walk is also redundant due to access to the freedom of movement spell.
• Water: The water genasi is a consideration for the WIS, but rangers typically prefer DEX.

Rogue:

• Air: The air genasi has a moderate DEX boost, but nothing else is exciting as a rogue.
• Fire: Arcane Tricksters could consider the fire genasi for the INT and a host of tempting racial traits, though a lack of DEX could prove to be too much of a roadblock to overcome.

Sorcerer: Sorcerers need CHA to be effective.

Warlock: Warlocks need CHA to be effective.

Wizard:

• Fire: Ideally the wizard would like to see +2 INT, but there is plenty here to make up for that. Increased survivability from the CON bonus and Fire Resistance that the wizard desperately needs, Darkvision, and a useful cantrip to boot.