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Race Build Guide

Leonin Point Buy Guide for D&D 5e

Leonin from Mythic Odysseys of Theros are lion-people from the sun-touched plains of Theros, built as natural frontliners. +2 CON and +1 STR covers the two most important stats for melee martials. Daunting Roar is a bonus action that forces nearby enemies to make a Wisdom save or be frightened of you — free battlefield control without spending a spell slot or action. Claws give natural weapon attacks, and darkvision plus a speed of 35 ft round out a strong package.

Updated Reviewed by D&D Content Team10 min read

Leonin Lore & Background

Leonin in Theros are proud, self-sufficient people who live in nomadic prides on the Oraniad plains. They have a complex relationship with the gods of Theros — traditionally distrustful of divine authority, which makes them unusual in a pantheon-dominated setting. In combat they're natural leaders and intimidators, which the Daunting Roar reflects perfectly. Mythic Odysseys of Theros is the primary sourcebook.

Mechanical Traits

Leonin traits: +2 CON, +1 STR, darkvision 60 ft, 35 ft speed, Claws (1d4 slashing, can be used as unarmed attacks), and Daunting Roar (as a bonus action, you give a menacing roar — each creature within 10 ft that can hear you must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw [DC 8 + proficiency + CON modifier] or be frightened of you until the end of your next turn; once per short or long rest). The frighten is powerful area control for a bonus action.

Ability Score Bonuses

2014 PHB

+2 CON, +1 STR. Excellent melee stats. A Leonin Fighter starts with CON 16 and STR 16 from 14/13 bases after racial bonuses, which is exceptional at level 1.

2024 PHB

Under 2024 rules, ASIs are flexible. Daunting Roar and the speed increase remain the defining traits.

Sample Point Buy Builds

Battlemaster Fighter

STR15
DEX13
CON16
INT12
WIS8
CHA8

STR 14+1 / DEX 13 / CON 14+2 / INT 12 / WIS 8 / CHA 8. STR 15, CON 16. Daunting Roar + maneuvers = excellent battlefield control. 25 points.

Totem Barbarian

STR16
DEX13
CON15
INT8
WIS10
CHA8

STR 15+1 / DEX 13 / CON 13+2 / INT 8 / WIS 10 / CHA 8. STR 16, CON 15. Daunting Roar + Rage makes enemies unable to approach while you recklessly attack. 24 points.

Best Class Pairings for Leonin

Fighter point buy build

+2 CON/+1 STR covers Fighter's primary stats. Daunting Roar gives bonus action frightened effect — Control battlefield without spending Action Surge.

Paladin point buy build

+1 STR for attacks, +2 CON for HP. Daunting Roar adds fear effect that stacks with Divine Smite burst turns.

Barbarian point buy build

CON+2 directly boosts Unarmored Defense and HP. Daunting Roar during Rage is terrifying — frightened creatures can't approach you.

Ranger point buy build

STR-based Ranger with CON+2 and 35 ft speed creates an exceptionally mobile melee ranger.

Cleric point buy build

War Cleric with +2 CON and Daunting Roar can frighten enemies as a bonus action on a non-spellcasting turn — useful crowd control.

Common Build Mistakes

Undervaluing Daunting Roar. A bonus-action frighten that recharges on a short rest is potent: frightened creatures have disadvantage on attack rolls against you and can't move closer. In tight corridors, this is as good as a Hold Person in terms of preventing attacks.

Frequently Asked Questions — Leonin

Is Leonin legal in non-Theros campaigns?
Check with your DM. Leonin are Theros-specific lore but mechanically functional anywhere. Many DMs allow them as 'lion-person' in non-Greek-mythology settings.
How strong is Daunting Roar?
Strong, especially in tier 1 play. A bonus action that imposes disadvantage on attacks against you and prevents movement (frightened creatures can't move toward you) for a turn is excellent action economy.
Is Leonin in Adventurers League?
Mythic Odysseys of Theros is AL-legal, but check your campaign's allowed sources.
Do Leonin claws scale?
They deal 1d4 + your STR modifier and count as unarmed attacks for features like Monk's Martial Arts. They don't scale on their own — you'd need Tavern Brawler feat or Monk levels to increase the damage die.
What's the Daunting Roar save DC based on?
DC 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Constitution modifier. With CON 16 and proficiency +2 at level 1, that's DC 13 — reasonable at early levels.

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