In this series, I take a look at Magic: the Gathering characters and outline one way to play them as a character in Dungeons and Dragons. The selected build will go through level 5, so there is plenty of space for you to make them your own.

Today, let’s take a look at one possible way you could play as Angrath, Captain of Chaos, a suggestion from @flavoracle.

Angrath is a minotaur from an unnamed plane; in my head-cannon (and some others), he comes from a world inspired by the Wild West. He is driven by his love for his family; while trapped on the plane of Ixalan, he is driven by feelings of restless impatience, hoping to be able to return back home to his two daughters. His body contains an extreme heat, which he can send into the chain whip he wields. His magic, like his temper, inflames emotions among both his allies and enemies.

As a disclaimer, this build does involve some Homebrew content. I was having a difficult time getting Angrath to fit into some of the pre-made molds, which, in all honesty, is fitting for his character. If you want to play with these alterations, make sure to clear them with your DM before playing.

Starting Stats (using the Standard Array)

• Strength: 13
• Dexterity: 10
• Constitution: 15
• Intelligence: 8
• Wisdom: 12
• Charisma: 14

Angrath is battle-hardened by the time he is introduced in the Ixalan storyline. He is very charismatic, as he riled up a pirate crew into a mutiny against their captain, which then led to Angrath becoming captain himself. He is also fairly strong, as his favored weapon is a giant metal chain.

Race: Minotaur *

Angrath is a minotaur. The Minotaur race was introduced as a playable race in both the Guildmaster’s Guide to Ravnica and Mythic Odysseys of Theros. You could easily pick this race for your own build, but I eventually decided to alter the race a little to better match who Angrath is.

Ability Score Increases: Strength +2, Constitution +1 (Kept the same)

Race Traits Kept

• Horns - Angrath can attack with his horns as a natural weapon
• Imposing Presence (choosing Intimidation) - Angrath is fierce opponent
• Size, Speed, and Languages - Angrath is still a Minotaur

Race Traits Added

• Internal Forge. An eternal flame burns within you, which outwardly manifests with a reddish glow to your skin and with heat that radiates from you. You have resistance to fire damage.
• Heated Weaponry. As a bonus action on your turn, you can send your internal heat into the metal weapons you are holding. For 1 minute, these weapons deal an additional 1d4 fire damage. You can use this racial trait up to a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus before taking a long rest. While this trait is active, you may activate it additional times on subsequent turns to increase the amount of fire damage by 1d4. Activating this trait additional times does not increase the 1 minute duration.

Race Traits Removed

In order to keep Angrath balanced, I felt I had to remove some traits to make way for the new ones being added. Both of these traits build up on the fact that minotaurs have horns, and Angrath does not rely on those sorts of skills in the stories thus far.

• Goring RushandHammering Horns
  

A quick aside. Another option for this would be to combine Internal Forge and Heated Weaponry as a single homebrew feat, and then use either the Custom Lineage or the Variant Human option to get close to what we have here. I chose not to go that route primarily because, with custom lineage, you only get to buff one stat, and Angrath would also be missing out on the Horns trait.

Background: Guild Artisan

On his home plane, Angrath and his family own a smithy. When he returned home in his brief appearance in the closing story of the Ixalan block, the smithy was full of items that had been ordered by various customers. Even though he had been gone for 14 years, his daughters had kept the business going, showing off both their skills as artisans and his skill in teaching them those skills.

• Skill Proficiencies: Insight and Persuasion
• Tool Proficiencies: Smith’s Tools

Level 1: Barbarian (Level 1)

Angrath’s first appearance in the story is in the heat of battle between his crew and warriors of the Sun Empire (including Huatli). Angrath is right in the fray, quickly dispatching dinosaurs who are on the attack. And while Angrath could be a fighter, these lines from A Question of Confidence highlight why Barbarian is the class to pick for his starting class.

The chain was white-hot, and she could feel it even through the denseness of her steel greaves. She bent forward, swinging with all the force she could muster to try to break the chain with her blade. Angrath casually walked forward, a furious fire alight in his eyes.
Huatli struggled and shifted, and thankfully, the chain came loose.
No pirate fought with this kind of callous rage. No River Herald would kill with such disregard. And no Legion of Dusk foe was so unpredictable. Huatli felt off-kilter and out of her element, for this foe was unlike any other.

As an aside, I waffled between Barbarian and Bard, as to which would be the starting class and which would be the multiclass class (spoilers!). In the end, I went with Barbarian to start, as the different proficiencies better matched how I envisioned Angrath.

Skill Proficiencies: Athletics and Survival

Starting Equipment

Normally, I don’t include this part of the build in my analysis. But Angrath has a distinctive feel, so calling that out here felt appropriate.

Weapons: Light Hammer (simple weapon) and Whip* (martial weapon)

* For Angrath’s Whip, I would make the following modifications

• Change the damage die from 1d4 to 1d8
• Change it from being a finesse weapon to being a heavy weapon (albeit one that you could wield with just one hand)
• Denote that the whip is made from metal chains

If you are really feeling spicy, you can add a feature similar to that of the Net, where it restrains the target if it is hit.

Level 2: Bard (Level 1)

Angrath’s main magical abilities, other than his intense heat, is about affecting the emotions of those who are around him: creating fervor amongst his friends and sowing chaos amongst his foes. This feels squarely Bard to me, although this build won’t take advantage of the typical bard’s musical stylings. 

Proficiencies: Drum (musical instrument choice) and Arcana (skill choice)

Spells:

• Cantrips: Friends, Light
• Leveled Spells: Bane, Charm Person, Command*, Heroism
  * Added as an optional Bard spell in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

Level 3: Bard (Level 2)

In Angrath’s lore, he travels the planes looking for various treasures that he can bring home as gifts for his daughters. At his heart, Angrath is just trying to be the best father he knows how to be. At this level, Angrath is a Jack of All Trades and strengthens his allies with a Song of Rest, in the form of a raucous tale from one of his many adventures across the planes.

Spells:

• Identify
  

Level 4: Barbarian (Level 2)

It is at this point that we are introduced to Angrath in the story. He has been separated from his family for 14 years, and his rage is beginning to consume him. All he wants is to return home, and he might need to charge his way through the heart of Ixalan to find his way back. Angrath gains the ability Reckless Attack, which sums up this desperate need. He also gains the ability Danger Sense which would easily come in useful as he voyages as a pirate and makes treks deep into the heart of the jungle to find the Immortal Sun.

Level 5: Bard (Level 3)

Angrath finally escaped Ixalan and he was joyfully reunited with his family. He was, at least for a short while, able to return to his craft. Honing both his magical and martial skills, he would align himself with the College of Swords. His skills in Dueling would have improved, as well as learning some new Blade Whip Flourishes. But, his joy would be short-lived. Summoned to Ravnica by the Planeswalker beacon, he joins in the fight against Nicol Bolas. 

Bard College: College of Swords

Expertise: Arcana and Intimidation

Fighting Style: Dueling

Spells:

• Leveled Spells: Crown of Madness
  

At this point, Angrath returns home, ready to spend more time with his family, and hoping to not be kept away for a long time.

As I was preparing the build, there were a few options that I thought a lot about to fit Angrath, in terms of his classes. 

The primary one was to have Angrath be a Cleric of the Forge, instead of being a Bard. This would easily fit in with being a skilled blacksmith. He also serves in a councilor/mentor role to some degree for both Huatli and Teyo. However, Angrath being a cleric never seemed to fit quite right for me.

Another option would have been to make Angrath an Artificer, which also fits his blacksmith background. However, we never actually see him create artifacts or weapons as an artificer would in the story, so that would have been an even harder sell for me.

Finally, one of the new options presented in Tasha’s is the Rune Knight Fighter; in particular the Fire Rune. However, this would have replaced Barbarian as the class, and I really felt that Angrath’s rage at his situation was such a driving force for his character.

So in the end, I stayed with a Bard-Barbarian multiclass build, with a fine sprinkling of Homebrew in there for good measure.

Now, I will turn it over to you. How would you build Angrath? And are there any other characters you would like to see built?

@flavoracle​@kor-artificer​

Wistful Thinking

Found an old picture I had put together. Maybe someday…

@flavoracle - I know you share this sentiment

I contain 200% if your drv of VITAMIN MILK

now I need to see some art so I can have a dang icon

War of the Spark: Ravnica – Ashes

Yes I know I haven’t gone over the email stories. I was going to read it yesterday to compare & contrast it with today’s, but I’ll give Greg Weisman one last chance. Let’s let him wrap things up before we move onto better things…

I.

• Y’know, reading the first paragraph, it reminds me of something. It’s like hearing your friends talking about something funny that happened, but when they tell it it’s kinda eh, and they’re like ‘You had to be there.’ That. That’s what this is.
• Why does everyone keep calling it a gem between his horns? It’s made of metal. Unless it’s coated in metal, in which case why would you hide your bling, Bolas?
• Of course Liliana is still alive. We STILL don’t know who Raven Man is.
• STOP. CALLING. THEM. CREEPIES!!!
• I think that’s Rhonas and Kefnet down, if the card art is anything to go by.
• He spoke with such confidence, such authority, that he was pretty darn reassuring, you know?
  
• DON’T SAY THAT WE’RE GONNA MISS HIM EVEN MORE NOW…!
• “The plan, this time, is simple enough. For the moment, Bolas has pulled back the bulk of his forces to his Citadel. So we’ll respond by launching a massive two-pronged attack. On the ground, every guildmember, every Planeswalker—hell, every Ravnican who can hold a weapon—will launch a full-frontal assault. Everything we’ve got. All at once. Everyone. Unless you can fly or can hitch a ride on something that does. Next, while the ground assault keeps the Eternals busy, Aurelia, me, and the rest of our combined air forces will engage from above. I’ll make use of my invulnerability to get in close. Then I’ll stab Bolas with Blackblade. And it will all be over.” He made it sound really simple, really easy.
  Too easy …
  
• Nominated for a “Slimefoot thought it was a terrible idea” award.
• I love Ral trying to protect his boyfriend~!
• Mister Jura began, raising Blackblade high once more and saying: “Never again. Not on any world. This I swear: for Sea Gate, for Zendikar, for Ravnica and all its people, for justice and peace, I will keep watch. And after Bolas falls, when any new danger arises to threaten the Multiverse, I will be there with the Gatewatch beside me.”

• I’m pretty sure the rest of Jace’s Oath was telepathic. Where’s your psychic powers for that, Rat?
• Chandra’s, same as before.
• Teferi would know all about the strong plaguing the weak: he’s met Urza.
• “I have seen tyrants whose ambitions knew no limits. Creatures who styled themselves gods or praetors…”
  
• HOLD UP WAIT A MINUTE HOLD UP WAIT A MINUTE
• AJANI, BRUH, YOU AIN’T NEVER BEEN ON NEW PHYREXIA
• ‘But he met with Elspeth!’ Yeah – he ain’t seen shit about praetors! Unless there’s a Roman plane we ain’t been to yet, but f*ck that shit! I’m calling you out on this, Greg Weisman!
  
• NISSA SAID HER OATH SHE’S BACK BABY!!!
• Wait… where’s Kaya’s oath? There was a card for it and everything.
  
• Don’t you go onto the next section without giving us Kaya’s Oath!

II.

• I wonder how long Isperia’s petrified corpse is gonna stay there. Did she have any family? How often do sphinxes have kids anyways? Are there litters, or is it one at a time?
• Chandra. You want Chandra to turn on the Immortal Sun. Okay. I didn’t know it could be turned off, but hey, whatevs. Azor’s a dick, and I could totes see him keeping everyone else on the plane even after he thought Ugin abandoned him, instead of just letting everyone else flee.
  
• Actually this still has me pissed off, but I’m too tired to articulate my frustration.
• Oh yeah, Dack could touch the Immortal Sun and learn how it works. It’s not like he’s… oh right…

• Yes I am still immensely proud of my edit.
• "There’s a humongous golden trinket a couple blocks away, and instead of going after it, I’m off to fight an Elder Dragon. Some thief …” – Dack Fayden, not quite last words but close enough
  

III.

• If I was a little bit …invulnerable, I’d use that to make sure my friends and family stayed alive and safe.
  

• Rub more salt in our wounds, why don’t you.
• That’s… an awkward conversation between Vraska and Jace. I feel like if we knew what was going on, it might seem less so. Why aren’t I complaining about it more? You’ll see…
• Ral, are you jealous of their relationship goals?

IV.

• FIRST LINE AND WE’RE ALREADY IN MEDIA RES, HEARING ABOUT SOMETHING THAT ALREADY HAPPENED OFF-SCREEN.
• I mean, axes can still be used for sneak-attack. Hell, any weapon can be used for sneak-attack in 5e. Maybe they’re working on Pathfinder rules…
• I’m surprised sparks are still flying up. Just how many people on Ravnica are planeswalkers?
• For that matter, is the baby from Under the Cover of Fog still allive???
• Also I miss Nicky Drayden. Even at her worst, she still showed gave us a lot of worldbuilding, memorable characters, intriguing settings, and new ways of thinking about each of the guilds. She is leagues above Greg Weisman.
•  Oh right, as the eternals are covered in Lazotep, Dack would be able to touch ‘em and gain insight. Shame he couldn’t put that to use…
  
• I guess it makes sense for Vorel to return a bit to his roots and use a mace, but I’d be hulking out and using my fits if I were in the simic. Or use a swordfish as a weapon, because I’m in the Simic and I can make a fish that can be air and remain perfectly rigid when impaled through a foe!
• RAT DON’T YOU DARE CALL VRASKA A DEMON IN MY PRESENCE EVER AGAIN!!!
• Jace apparently had telekinesis now.
• Sorin and Nahiri are working together for now. It’s temporary. I fully expect a set where they’re duking it out on some plane. Maybe the Gatewatch has to stop their feud from destroying more worlds.
• Of all the scenes we get to see, of course we get to see Dack’s death!
• Rest in peace, you brilliant thief. You deserved to star in one of the main sets, and you certainly deserved a better death, but we’ll always remember you as the greatest thief in the multiverse…

V.

• How is Kaya valuable to you? Oh right, your unnoticability…
• Rat. Please. Tell me. How do you know what a werewolf is? Is it your psychic ability to know things you shouldn’t?

VI.

• Oh hey! We get to see Feather! See and nothing more. Perhaps in the novel…
• Ooh, card callbacks with sapphire drake!
• So Liliana actually gave the order to shoot Gideon down. Not an autopilot zombie thing – she actually fucking pantomimed shooting a fucking bow and arrow to shoot down Gideon. Just…fuck.

VII.

• If she was caught off guard, maybe Bolas made her enforce her contract. Yeah, Imma go with that ‘til I read the novel…
• Let’s all take a moment to appreciate Viktor Titov and his art piece here. Gideon Jura, wielding the Blackblade, riding amidst the flames on Rakdos’ head, all while lightning arcs in the background. F*cking superb!
• Oof, but this is hardly the worst thing Rakdos has endured.
• Blackbladeshattered against Nicol Bolas’s invincible brow.
  
• If nothing else, we got the phrase ‘invincible brow’ from these stories.

VIII.

• Okay, folks. It’s coming. The moment we’ve all been dreading…
• I knew then that Miss Raven-Hair had switched sides. No way to know why…
  
• A child with unexplained psychic powers? Greg… you haven’t been reading Stephen King, have you? It all makes sense now…!
• Yes, that was it. There was less of her; black flecks and purple sparks were being carried off by the wind. I was watching her flake apart, disintegrate, one little bit at a time.
  That does not seem like a pleasant way to go …
  
• Mister Jura I don’t feel so good…
• Goodbye, Gideon…
• (I know it’s insensitive, but did his Eternal Aegis transfer to Liliana?)

IX.

• Well, looks like Bolas was backstabbed figuratively and literally! Go Niv-Mizzet! Bonus points for using the last Amonkheti God’s weapon!
  
• And now Bolas is no longer a planeswalker. His own weapons, turned against him. Glorious.
• Now, we know from the cards Bolas is in the Meditation Realm with Ugin serving as his jailer. I suppose it’ll be explained in the novel…

X.

• Oh, Vitu-Ghazi’s just dormant. Good to know!
• Note from the wiki, she apparently took Bolas’ Spirit-Gem. Y’know, it kinda does look like an egg… maybe the Raven Man will hatch from it…
• I saw Miss Yanling and Mister Yanggu depart with their three-tailed dog (who seemed to turn to stone just before all three vanished).
  
• …?
• I guess that’s how he’s trying to explain how Mowu can go between planes? I don’t like it.

XI.

• Sorta strange, but then again Rat’s powers are strange, so you’re forgiven for not remembering her, Hekara.
• “COME, WOMAN,” he said in his booming sepulchral voice, “RAVNICA IS OURS AGAIN. THE LONG BATTLE HAS BROUGHT THE PEOPLE LOW, AND THE CIRCUS MACABRE MUST PLAY TO THE CROWD AND LIGHTEN ALL HEARTS. WE HAVE PERFORMERS TO GATHER, ACTS TO PREPARE, AND A READY-MADE AUDIENCE YEARNING TO FORGET THE DAY’S HORRORS—BY BURNING. BLEEDING AND BURNING.”
  
• We got this too out of today’s story. This was fun.
• I’m with Angrath: Destroy the Immortal Sun.
• Dang, Ob Nixilis is on their hitlist now… What did he do? Recently, I mean.
• Miss Nalaar looked over at the demolished Embassy of the Guildpact and said, “We lost our clubhouse.”
  
• The Gatewatch do need a clubhouse. It brought us one of the greatest stories in Magic, Homesick.
• There’s Kaya’s Oath.
• God bless you, Niv-Mizzet, bragging about your new job to the former holder of said job.
• Tomik showing his allegiance to his guild. Think of the property damage…!
• So here’s the hitlist as follows:
• Ral Zarek vs Tezzeret
  I am 100% convinced Tezzeret will show up on New Phyrexia. Ral, bring a hazmat suit.
• Vraska vs Dovin Baan
  So her “punishment” is getting to kill the former Azorius guildmaster? Dang, she got off easy…
• Kaya vs Liliana Vess
  I mean if you really want to help the dead move on, Kaya, you got your work cut out for you…

That was… alright. There was still a lot missing, but it still summed up the story pretty well… though not as well as the cards in the set did :P

So what’s next? Well I have a backlog of email stories to read which I’ve heard are fantastic, so I’ll try and work on that tomorrow. Then we have Core Set spoilers, not sure if we’re getting stories with that or not. We still haven’t had an announcement day in what seems like forever! But I’m sure we’ll get it eventually.

As for you, Greg Weisman…

… we’ll see if it’s just the free stories you wrote that aren’t so good, or you yourself…

…stay tuned for the Ravnica prequels, and for the roasting of Greg Weisman!!!