Got any cool ideas for Monstrous/non-standard PCs?

[Necrosnoop110]

DM is opening up a new campaign for us and is allowing races outside the "standard ones" that are described in the players handbook. Do you have any cool ideas or fun builds? No need for a complete build even just a germ of an idea would be helpful. We start at 1st level.

[verbatim]

Tortle and Loxodon have natural AC that is not based on dex, meaning that there's no reason they can't be Strength + Wisdom monks. 2-3 in Barbarian + Rest in Monk is a strong combo due to Rage stacking with Flurry of Blows.

[LudicSavant]

DM is opening up a new campaign for us and is allowing races outside the "standard ones" that are described in the players handbook. Do you have any cool ideas or fun builds? No need for a complete build even just a germ of an idea would be helpful. We start at 1st level.

Here's just a few random ones. I have too many to list.

All suggestions that don't already boost the 'correct' attributes assume that you can swap attributes per Tasha's.

Yuan-Ti spellcaster that takes advantage of its poison immunity to walk inside of AoE poison effects (or maybe even stuff like Transmuted Spell Wall of Fire).

Hobgoblin Wizards or Clockwork Sorcerers with the Moderately Armored feat are all-around tanky as @#$% while remaining single-classed. Not just against attacks either, but saving throws and such too.

Goblin Wizard that Hides after casting a spell each turn, or Disengages if anything actually gets in its face. Not only is this a great defense, it makes your resourceless DPR markedly better (because those cantrips are all one attack roll, and thus get the full benefit of Hidden), and Fury of the Small is nifty too.

Ravenite Dragonborn Rogue for the reaction sneak attack (it can even be ranged). For a Rogue an extra off-turn Sneak Attack they wouldn't have otherwise gotten is like an Action Surge level of value for them, and Ravenite can hand you that 1/short rest.

Tabaxi Monk with the Slasher feat (which bumps Dex!) who can actually have people buff their unarmed attacks like they're weapons (since they count as weapons AND can be used for unarmed strikes), and makes so many attacks with Advantage that their chance of getting a crit (and thus giving an enemy Disadvantage) is high. Also, not only are they very fast, but they can auto-succeed on grapples against Stunned foes, then run them way up a wall and suplex them.

Wildhunt Shifter Barbarian that doesn't give enemies Advantage to hit them when Recklessly attacking.

Loxodon sword'n'board Rune Knight grappler. Simic Hybrids and Loxodons are good for grappler builds in general because of their extra hands, and Rune Knights are great grapplers.

Scourge Aasimar Zealot Barbarian. The self-damage can actually help maintain your rage or break you out of CC (anything that breaks when you take damage), and the extra damage makes you better at demanding enemy attention.

Goliath on basically anything that uses Armor of Agathys (like a Conquest Paladin or any Warlock). The damage reduction makes those THP last for additional hits.

Hexblood Battle Master (or any other Fighter that isn't too heavy on bonus actions). Hex is great on Fighters because of their high number of attacks, and also because it gives people Disadvantage (no save) against your shoves and grapples. Also gives you a dash of non-combat utility. And makes it harder to Charm you (always important, especially when you're a high nova-potential character).