Monster classes?

[TheNerfGuy]

Is it possible to play as a monster in 5e? And if so, how would one play a monster at level 1? Is it anything like playing monsters in 3.5e/Pathfinder?

[Protolisk]

Closest thing I can think of was the UA Sidekick rules, which allowed a monster of CR1 or lower to be given classes, but I don't know if that transferred over to the official form in the newer kit it debuted in.

[moonfly7]

Is it possible to play as a monster in 5e? And if so, how would one play a monster at level 1? Is it anything like playing monsters in 3.5e/Pathfinder?
They have stats in the DMG, but they're meant for DMs to make NPCs with classes.

[Makorel]

Is it possible to play as a monster in 5e? And if so, how would one play a monster at level 1? Is it anything like playing monsters in 3.5e/Pathfinder?

Unfortunately it's impossible to play a monster at level 1 because wild shape doesn't kick in until level 2.

[JackPhoenix]

Sure, just write Chaotic Evil under your alignment and pick appropriate personality traits.

No, there's no option to play non-humanoid in 5e (ignoring the stupid Ravnica centaur). You can turn into a monster later, though it generally comes as a replacement of your class abilities rather than playing a dragon wizard or something (see True Polymorph).