Class and Curiosity: The Addams Family as D&D Characters
The Addams Family has haunted pop culture for over half a century — a clan of eccentric, macabre aristocrats who adore the grim, the ghoulish, and the gloriously weird.
But behind the cobwebs and candlelight, each member embodies a surprisingly distinct archetype — the kind you might find sitting around a D&D table rather than a haunted dinner table. If you want to use the Addams family in your game I did a post a few days ago here. But if you want to take one of these wonderful characters and consider them as maybe a PC . . .
So, let’s crack open the family crypt and ask the most important question of all:
What class would each Addams Family member be in Dungeons & Dragons?
Gomez Addams — The Swashbuckler Rogue
“Cara mia!”
Passionate, charming, and flamboyantly skilled with a rapier — Gomez Addams practically leaps off the page as a Swashbuckler Rogue. In The Addams Family (1991) and Addams Family Values (1993), Raul Julia’s portrayal made it clear: this man doesn’t just duel; he performs. He’s all grace, flair, and danger, wrapped in a pinstripe suit.
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Why Swashbuckler?
The Swashbuckler archetype from Xanathar’s Guide to Everything is all about charisma and panache — exactly Gomez’s vibe. His energy, confidence, and love of risky adventures fit perfectly. -
Signature Moves: Rapier duels for fun, fencing lessons in the hallway, backflips off tables, and extravagant declarations of love.
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Alignment: Chaotic Good (but with a flair for chaos).
Morticia Addams — The Death Domain Cleric (with a touch of Warlock)
“When we’re together, every night is Halloween.”
Elegant, commanding, and utterly at peace with death, Morticia is the spiritual anchor of the Addams clan. She tends her carnivorous plants like a priestess of darkness, offering calm wisdom even as cobwebs gather around her.
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Why Death Cleric?
The Death Domain Cleric from Dungeon Master’s Guide channels negative energy — perfect for Morticia’s cool, almost divine serenity. She reveres the beauty of death, not as evil, but as art. -
Warlock Influence: Her connection to the macabre and her supernatural poise hint at a Raven Queen or Undying patron — she communes with the afterlife like an old friend.
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Cited Moments:
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Her nurturing of Cleopatra, the carnivorous plant (1991 film).
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Her power to command attention — and silence a room — with a single glance.
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In Wednesday (Netflix, 2022), Catherine Zeta-Jones portrays Morticia as a mysterious figure with almost mystical charisma.
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Wednesday Addams — The College of Whispers Bard / Assassin Rogue
“I’m not perky.”
Smart, cutting, and delightfully morbid, Wednesday is equal parts poet and predator. In Wednesday (2022), Jenna Ortega’s version adds layers of intellect, social manipulation, and emotional detachment that make her a master of words — and knives.
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Why Bard (College of Whispers)?
Her sharp wit and ability to unnerve people with words fit this bardic college perfectly. She plays the psychological game, weaponizing sarcasm like a song. -
Why Multiclass with Rogue (Assassin)?
From her guillotine doll experiments in the 1991 film to her fencing and combat training in Wednesday, she’s no stranger to deadly precision. -
Cited Moments:
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Her fencing duel with Bianca in Wednesday.
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Her perfect deadpan delivery — verbal attacks that deal psychic damage.
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Her Rube Goldberg-style trapmaking for her brother.
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Pugsley Addams — The Artificer (Alchemist)
“Can I play with the dynamite now?”
The younger Addams sibling is a chaos gremlin with a love for explosives, electricity, and mechanical mayhem. In nearly every version, Pugsley’s hobbies include booby traps and dangerous inventions — a clear nod to the Artificer class.
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Why Alchemist Artificer?
His creations might blow up the room, but they always work in unexpected ways. He’s a tinkerer, an experimenter, and occasionally, an accidental genius. -
Cited Moments:
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The 1991 and 1993 films show Pugsley wiring explosives and electric chairs.
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In Wednesday, he’s the misunderstood brother who just wants his sister’s approval — the classic “experimenter with heart.”
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Alignment: Chaotic Neutral (with a soft spot for family).
Uncle Fester — The Storm Sorcerer
“Don’t be afraid. I’m just like any other human. I bleed when you cut me, and I whimper when I’m hurt.”
Fester is a walking lightning rod — literally. His energy powers light bulbs, and his personality crackles with manic glee. Beneath the madness lies loyalty and love, making him the perfect embodiment of chaotic magical energy.
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Why Storm Sorcerer?
Fester’s signature trick — holding a lightbulb in his mouth and making it glow — screams innate lightning affinity. He’s not studied, he’s born weird. -
Cited Moments:
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Christopher Lloyd’s electric performances in the 1991–93 films.
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His explosive personality and spontaneous bursts of power.
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His brotherly bond with Gomez — a storm contained by affection.
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Alignment: Chaotic Good.
Lurch — The Undead Oath of Devotion Paladin
“You rang?”
Tall, stoic, and eternally patient, Lurch serves as butler, bodyguard, and occasional organist. Though he may resemble a zombie or flesh golem, his loyalty and sense of duty are unshakable.
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Why Oath of Devotion Paladin (Undead Flavor)?
Lurch embodies service and loyalty — the oathbound knight archetype — albeit wrapped in a corpse-like shell. He’s a guardian who defends his family with solemn grace. -
Cited Moments:
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His protective presence throughout every Addams Family adaptation.
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The Addams Family Musical even gives him a moment to shine as a soulful, gentle protector.
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Bonus Note: If you prefer a darker twist, Lurch could also be a Revenant Fighter or an Undead Warlock bound by service.
Grandmama — The Necromancer Wizard
“It’s a great night for conjuring the dead!”
The family’s potion-brewing, spell-casting matriarch is pure chaotic spellcaster energy. She cackles, conjures, and cooks up curses like an apothecary of the underworld.
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Why Necromancer Wizard?
Grandmama is the Addams version of a D&D necromancer — playful with the powers of death but far from evil. Her knowledge of potions and reanimation fits perfectly. -
Cited Moments:
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Her wild experiments in Addams Family Values (1993).
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Carol Kane’s gleefully witchy portrayal in The Addams Family (2019 animated film).
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Bonus: If your campaign leans comical, she could also be a Wild Magic Sorcerer — unpredictable, loud, and gleefully destructive.
Thing — The Pact of the Chain Warlock (Familiar Form)
“…” (Enthusiastic finger wiggle)
The iconic disembodied hand is the Addams family’s most faithful servant — and in D&D terms, an arcane familiar taken to the next level.
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Why Familiar/Warlock Connection?
Thing acts independently but seems magically bound to the family. Perhaps he’s a familiar granted sentience by an ancient pact — the perfect example of the Pact of the Chain Warlock subclass, where familiars can act autonomously. -
Cited Moments:
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His speed, dexterity, and loyalty across all film versions.
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In Wednesday, he even spies, sneaks, and fights — making him an adventurer in his own right!
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Cousin Itt — The College of Eloquence Bard
“Blblblblbllll!” (Translated: “Charmed to meet you.”)
The walking tumbleweed of hair with impeccable manners and an unshakable sense of confidence — Cousin Itt is a performer, diplomat, and social butterfly.
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Why College of Eloquence Bard?
Despite speaking in incomprehensible gibberish, everyone understands him. That’s peak Eloquence Bard energy — someone whose charm transcends language. -
Cited Moments:
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His debut in the original TV show as the “cultured cousin.”
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His 1991 film portrayal as suave, confident, and wildly popular.
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Alignment: Neutral Good, with a dash of panache.
Bringing the Family to Your Table
Running the Addamses in D&D can create an unforgettable session. They make wonderful NPCs — equal parts comedy, challenge, and chaos. Whether your party visits them for help, crashes a dinner party, or gets invited to a séance gone wrong, each family member offers a chance for roleplay gold.
Adventure Hooks
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The Addams family hires the adventurers to find a missing ancestor’s spirit.
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A mysterious magical artifact they own begins whispering to outsiders.
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The heroes are invited to the family’s “annual wake” — which, of course, is more of a party.
Moral of the Story: Weird Is Wonderful
The Addams family reminds us that being dark, strange, or undead doesn’t mean being evil.
In D&D, as in life, there’s beauty in the bizarre — and family in the freakish.
So next time your players step into a candlelit hall and hear a deep voice say, “You rang?” — smile. You’ve just met the Addamses.
Thanks for reading. Until Next Time, Stay Nerdy!!
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