Cactitean - 5E Homebrew Race
by Nines, V1.1
Rough and Tough
A sturdy race of cactus people, the Cactitean race emerge sporadically from the desert. Notoriously difficult to get close to, these plantlike denizens of the desert are nevertheless reliable party members. Hugs are recommended only with caution.
Cactitean Features
Cactitean adventurers share the following traits:
Ability Score Increase
Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Strength score increases by 1.
Flexible Ability Score Increase (Optional)
If your table uses Tasha's rules for character creation, you may increase one ability score of your choice by 2 and a different ability score of your choice by 1 instead of the set ability score increases shown above.
Creature Type
As a Cactitean, you have traits of both plants and humanoids. Your creature type is both Plant and Humanoid.
Plantcunning
Whenever you make an Intelligence (Nature) check related to the origin of plants, you are considered proficient in the Nature skill and add double your proficiency bonus to the check, instead of your normal proficiency bonus.
Desert Denizen
You have resistance to fire damage. You're also acclimated to hot and arid environments, such as deserts, and you require only one day's worth of water each week.
Prickly Body
Your sharp spines can be used to deter attackers in close combat. Your thorns are natural melee weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike. In addition, as a reaction to being grappled or hit with a melee attack by another creature, or you grappling a creature, you can deal 1d4 piercing damage to it.
Image Credit:
Cactus Person by filmflan-and-nonsense, who inspired this quick homebrew race.
Also avaliable on DnDBeyond here: https://www.dndbeyond.com/races/718000-cactitean