Tabaxi Point Buy Guide for D&D 5e
Tabaxi from Volo's Guide to Monsters are cat-people with exceptional mobility. Feline Agility doubles your movement speed on your turn (and then you need to move 0 feet on the next turn to recharge) — making a Tabaxi one of the fastest characters in the game in bursts. Combined with +2 DEX, a climbing speed equal to your walking speed, and darkvision, Tabaxi Rogues and Monks can cover ground that other races can't.
Tabaxi Lore & Background
Tabaxi originate from a distant southern continent in the Forgotten Realms lore, driven by wanderlust and obsessive curiosity about objects and stories. Their society collects 'curios' — rare objects of interest — and Tabaxi adventurers often travel seeking specific items or tales. This curiosity makes them natural adventurers, and their feline nature gives them both the grace and predatory instincts that translate to excellent Rogues and Monks.
Mechanical Traits
Tabaxi traits: +2 DEX, +1 CHA, darkvision 60 ft, Feline Agility (your reflexes and agility allow you to move with a burst of speed — when you move on your turn in combat, you can double your speed until the end of that turn; you can't use this until you move 0 feet on one of your turns), Claws (1d4 slashing melee attack, also used for climbing), and Cat's Talents (proficiency in Perception and Stealth). Two free skill proficiencies in two of the most useful skills in the game is an excellent bonus.
Ability Score Bonuses
2014 PHB
+2 DEX and +1 CHA. Tabaxi works for any DEX/CHA build — Rogues (DEX primary, CHA for Arcane Trickster or social), Bards (DEX for armor, CHA for spells), and Monks (DEX for attacks). The +1 CHA can feel wasted on a pure DEX build, but Cat's Talents compensates with two free skills.
2024 PHB
Flexible ASIs under 2024 rules. Tabaxi's mobility traits (Feline Agility, climbing speed) and Cat's Talents remain the differentiators.
Sample Point Buy Builds
Assassin Rogue
STR 8 / DEX 15+2 / CON 13 / INT 12 / WIS 10 / CHA 10+1. DEX 17, CHA 11. Feline Agility gets into Sneak Attack position, then Stealth keeps you hidden. 23 points.
Way of Mercy Monk
STR 8 / DEX 15+2 / CON 13 / INT 8 / WIS 14 / CHA 10+1. DEX 17, WIS 14. One of the fastest Monks alive — covering terrain to deliver Flurry of Blows. 24 points.
Best Class Pairings for Tabaxi
Feline Agility + Cunning Action allows incredible repositioning. +2 DEX powers Sneak Attack and Stealth proficiency stacks with Expertise.
Tabaxi Monk combining Feline Agility with Monk's Step of the Wind or Patient Defense movement creates the most mobile character in 5e.
+2 DEX powers archery. Feline Agility enables rapid reposition between rounds. Cat's Talents gives free Perception (mandatory for Rangers).
+2 DEX/+1 CHA works perfectly. Feline Agility lets Bards run away from threats efficiently while maintaining Concentration.
DEX-based Duellist Fighter with Feline Agility can hit and retreat every round more effectively than almost any other race.
Common Build Mistakes
Misusing Feline Agility — it doubles your speed that turn, but then you must move 0 feet on one subsequent turn to recharge it. Players sometimes use it multiple turns in a row and are confused when it stops working. Track whether you've recharged it. Also: Tabaxi claws are a melee weapon attack, not a bonus action inherently — they're a hand-free option when you don't have a weapon.
Frequently Asked Questions — Tabaxi
How far can a Tabaxi Monk move in one turn?
Does Feline Agility stack with Dash action?
Are Tabaxi claws considered a weapon?
Can Tabaxi use their claws to grapple?
Is Tabaxi legal in Adventurers League?
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