by in
Are you ready to dive into the wondrous world of Dungeons & Dragons, but still unsure of what DnD 5e class should I play? Fear not! This guide will help you discover the perfect class that fits your playstyle and personality, so you can embark on an epic journey with your friends!
The Basics: What Are Classes in DnD 5e?
In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (DnD 5e), a class represents your character’s profession, skills, and abilities. Each class comes with unique features, spells, and powers, making them suited for different roles in a party. There are 13 classes in DnD 5e, and while they can all be customized, their core identities remain the same. So, let’s take a closer look at each class to help you decide which one to play!
The Barbarian: Unleash Your Inner Beast!
Embrace the Rage
Do you fancy ripping your enemies to shreds with brute strength and raw power? The Barbarian might be for you! These fearsome warriors excel in close combat, boasting high hit points and a Rage feature that boosts their damage output and resilience. If you like playing as a tank with a fierce temperament, the Barbarian is your go-to class.
Path of the Berserker or Path of the Totem Warrior?
As a Barbarian, you get to choose a Primal Path that defines your character’s specific rage-fueled abilities. The Path of the Berserker grants you powerful offensive capabilities, while the Path of the Totem Warrior connects you to the spirits of animals, offering a wide range of defensive and supportive abilities.
The Bard: Charm Your Way Through Adventure!
Weaving Spells and Songs
If you’re the type to captivate everyone with your charisma, the Bard is the perfect choice. Bards are versatile spellcasters, using their magical tunes to heal, buff allies, and hinder foes. They can also dabble in any skill, making them great jack-of-all-trades characters. Plus, they can talk their way out of any situation – or into it, if that’s more your style!
College of Lore or College of Valor?
At level 3, Bards choose a College that reflects their area of expertise. The College of Lore grants additional skills and enhances your magical prowess, while the College of Valor focuses on combat abilities and supporting your allies in battle.
The Cleric: Divine Power at Your Command!
A Channel for the Gods
Do you want to serve a higher power and bring justice, healing, or devastation to the world? The Cleric is a versatile spellcaster with access to a wide array of divine spells. Clerics choose a domain that represents their deity’s influence, granting them additional spells and abilities.
Choose Your Domain
There are several domains to choose from, such as Life, Light, or War, each with its unique playstyle. Life Domain Clerics are powerful healers, Light Domain Clerics excel at dealing radiant damage, and War Domain Clerics can unleash divine wrath on their enemies.
The Druid: Nature’s Guardian and Master of Shape-Shifting
Harnessing Nature’s Power
Druids are spellcasters who draw their power from nature, allowing them to control the elements, summon animal allies, and even transform into powerful beasts. If you like the idea of having a deep connection with the natural world, the Druid class is for you.
Circle of the Land or Circle of the Moon?
As a Druid, you’ll choose a Druidic Circle that further defines your character’s abilities. The Circle of the Land enhances your spellcasting abilities and offers a strong connection to specific terrain types, such as forests, mountains, or swamps. The Circle of the Moon, on the other hand, focuses on improving your shape-shifting abilities and allows you to transform into more powerful creatures.
The Fighter: Master of Weapons and Combat Tactics
The Quintessential Warrior
If you enjoy the thrill of combat and want to excel with a variety of weapons and tactics, the Fighter class is a perfect fit. Fighters are versatile warriors who can adapt to any situation, whether it’s wielding a greatsword, firing a longbow, or donning a shield to protect their allies.
Battle Master, Champion, or Eldritch Knight?
At level 3, Fighters choose a martial archetype that determines their specialization. The Battle Master focuses on using combat maneuvers to control the battlefield, while the Champion emphasizes raw physical prowess with improved critical hits and athletic abilities. The Eldritch Knight combines martial prowess with arcane spellcasting, creating a formidable hybrid.
The Monk: Master of Martial Arts and Inner Strength
Harnessing Ki
Monks are agile, fast, and skilled in martial arts, using their inner energy (ki) to perform incredible feats, such as running on water, dodging attacks, or striking with deadly precision. If you want to play a character who is as much about spiritual growth as physical prowess, the Monk is the way to go.
Way of the Open Hand, Way of Shadow, or Way of the Four Elements?
Monks follow a monastic tradition that shapes their abilities. The Way of the Open Hand focuses on powerful unarmed strikes and controlling the flow of battle, the Way of Shadow blends stealth and shadow magic to become a master of infiltration, and the Way of the Four Elements grants elemental powers and spell-like abilities.
The Paladin: Holy Warrior and Champion of Justice
Oathbound Defender
Paladins are holy warriors who swear oaths to uphold justice, defend the innocent, and smite the wicked. They wield divine magic to heal, protect, and bring ruin to their enemies. If you want to play a character driven by a strong sense of duty and righteousness, the Paladin is your calling.
Oath of Devotion, Oath of the Ancients, or Oath of Vengeance?
Each Paladin takes an oath that determines their powers and abilities. The Oath of Devotion emphasizes protection and healing, the Oath of the Ancients harnesses the power of nature to preserve life and resist evil, and the Oath of Vengeance focuses on punishing wrongdoers and meting out divine retribution.
The Ranger: Skilled Tracker and Master of the Wilds
Adept in Nature and Combat
Rangers are masters of tracking, survival, and ranged combat, making them excellent scouts and skirmishers. They are also capable spellcasters, using nature-based magic to enhance their abilities and aid their allies. If you want to play a character who thrives in the wilds and hunts down their quarry with deadly precision, the Ranger is for you.
Hunter or Beast Master?
Rangers choose a conclave that defines their specialization. The Hunter Conclave focuses on improving combat abilities against specific types of foes, while the Beast Master Conclave grants a loyal animal companion to fight by your side.
The Rogue: Cunning Trickster and Skilled Infiltrator
Master of Stealth and Subterfuge
Rogues are experts in stealth, deception, and disabling traps. They excel in dealing massive damage with precise, well-timed strikes, making them deadly adversaries. If you enjoy playing a character who can outwit and outmaneuver their enemies, the Rogue is your ideal choice.
Thief, Assassin, or Arcane Trickster?
Rogues choose a roguish archetype that defines their unique abilities. The Thief excels in stealth, acrobatics, and using items to their advantage, the Assassin focuses on infiltration and dealing massive damage with surprise attacks, and the Arcane Trickster combines roguish skills with illusion and enchantment magic.
The Sorcerer: Innate Spellcaster with a Magical Bloodline
Born with Power
Sorcerers possess innate magical abilities, often due to a magical bloodline or an extraordinary event in their lives. They are spontaneous spellcasters who can bend and shape their magic in unique ways. If you want to play a character with raw magical power, the Sorcerer is the class for you.
Draconic Bloodline or Wild Magic?
Sorcerers choose a sorcerous origin that defines their source of power. The Draconic Bloodline connects you to the ancient dragons, granting increased durability and elemental affinity, while Wild Magic embodies the chaotic nature of raw magic, leading to unpredictable and powerful magical effects.
The Warlock: Pact-Maker with Otherworldly Patrons
Power through Bargain
Warlocks gain their magical abilities by forging a pact with a powerful, otherworldly being. They wield potent spells and have access to unique abilities called invocations. If you’re drawn to playing a character who walks a fine line between power and peril, the Warlock is an excellent choice.
The Archfey, the Fiend, or the Great Old One?
Your Warlock’s patron determines the nature of their abilities. The Archfey grants enchantment and illusion spells, the Fiend focuses on destructive and protective powers, and the Great Old One bestows mind-altering and psychic abilities.
The Wizard: Master of Arcane Knowledge and Spells
A Scholarly Spellcaster
Wizards are the epitome of arcane knowledge, learning spells through rigorous study and experimentation. They boast the largest spell list in the game and can prepare a wide variety of spells each day. If you want to play a character who wields a vast array of magical options, the Wizard is your best bet.
Choose Your Arcane Tradition
Wizards choose a school of magic that represents their area of expertise, such as Abjuration, Evocation, or Illusion. Each school grants unique abilities and benefits, allowing you to tailor your Wizard’s magical prowess to your playstyle.
With this extensive guide, you should now have a better idea of what DnD 5e class should I play. Remember, the most important aspect of Dungeons & Dragons is having fun with your friends, so choose a class that excites and resonates with you. Happy adventuring!
