It’s time for a new Unearthed Arcana article! This time, Wizards of the Coast (WotC) is showing playtest versions of four Feywild-inspired character options.

In the “Looking at UA” series, I talk about the latest Unearthed Arcana playtest options! These are options that could appear in later Unearthed Arcana articles (in an edited form) or in an official expansion (in their final form).

This article introduces options for playing a fairy, a hobgoblin of the Feywild, an owlfolk, or a rabbitfolk!

Recently, WotC has introduced character options that break from the bioessentialist tradition of racial ability score improvements. The same applies here, too—when you pick one of these options, you can increase any three stats by one point or one stat by two points and another by one point.

You also aren’t limited to a specific non-Common language here. It’s left up to the player and the DM to determine which additional language would suit the character. There’s also a note on creature types since the options here don’t all fall under the “humanoid” creature type.

The Design Note is a follow-up from the Gothic Lineages UA note. It points out that these options can co-exist with characters built from the Player’s Handbook (PHB) options. As well, it also notes that Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything has a way that a PHB option (such as an elf or halfling) can have the flexible ability score improvement shown here.

The Fairy

Not to be confused with pixies or sprites, fairies are slightly less diminutive fey. They are Small size and have the Fey creature type. Fairies can have various special, somewhat magical characteristics, such as wings, unusual ears, shimmering skin, or other traits. The player is encouraged to roll or pick one such characteristics from the Fey Characteristics table or come up with their own.

These fairies are pretty mobile. They have a flying speed equal to their walking speed along with the ability to hover (and you don’t have to give your fairy wings to do this). They can also squeeze through very narrow gaps.

On top of that, fairies get the druidcraft and faerie fire spells, with the ability to cast faerie fire once for free per long rest.

Overall, I like the different options here for customizing your fairy character’s appearance, and I like the mobility features too. I’ve never actually played a Small size creature before (I like being tall in games, because I am short in real life), but I would seriously consider playing a fairy!

The Hobgoblin of the Feywild

This UA also places hobgoblins among the peoples with Feywild origins. These hobgoblins respect a fey-like “rule of reciprocity,” referring to the bonds between people (especially those who give and receive gifts). They are Medium size and have the humanoid creature type, though they get the Fey Ancestry feature. This feature grants them a measure of resistance against the charmed condition, like the PHB’s elves and half-elves.

Other notable feature of this hobgoblin option are the Fey Gift and Fortune from the Many features. The Fey Gift feature allows you to use your bonus action to Help a creature and to pick one of three extra buffs to benefit both you and the target of Help. The Fortune from the Many feature allows you to get a bonus to a failed ability check or saving throw based on the amount of nearby allies.

Hobgoblins aren’t necessarily my go-to, but I have a fondness for characters who have traits that help their party. This seems like the basis for some fun character concepts!

The Owlfolk

Owlfolk are Medium or Small sized humanoids who are distantly related to giant owls. You can select whether your character is Medium or Small when you create them. Like aarakocra, they have wings on their backs. They are naturally stealthy (have proficiency in the Stealth skill) and can fly with their wings. They can cast detect magic as a ritual and have darkvision as well.

I’m surprised to see more animalesque character options—they’re not particularly common in official sources—but they’re definitely popular! Owls are very cool creatures, so playing a character with owl characteristics would be fun!

The Rabbitfolk

As the owlfolk have owl-like traits, the rabbitfolk have rabbit-like traits. The description specifically mentions that the rabbitfolk have fur and long feet as rabbits do. I wonder if they also have the ears?

Like owlfolk, you can choose whether you are a Small or Medium rabbitfolk. You can add your proficiency bonus to your initiative rolls, and you have proficiency in Perception. Additionally, you can add a d4 to a failed Dexterity saving throw. You also get access to the Rabbit Hop feature. You can use this to hop 1d12 feet once per turn if you’ve already walked at least five feet.

Rabbitfolk seem neat! I like the aspects of luck and freedom. I could definitely see myself building one of these characters! What do you think of the new character options? Do you see yourself playing one of these options? I’m excited to see what official release these might appear in sometime…!