"Best" single class party

[Kaodi]

I feel like Team Druid is the way to go if you are looking at effectiveness at every level. They have a fair number of archetypes that give a range of abilities, and the power of animal companions and spontaneous summoning should probably not be underestimated, especially when it is four or more characters doing it.

 

[Matthias]

Bards, and lots of them. "What is the most annoying sound in the world?..."

 

[SnowleopardVK]

I second bards, though a significant factor in that is that bards are fun to play.

Additionally though, multiple bards means multiple performances. Inspire Courage from one, Inspire Greatness from another, Dirge of Doom from a third, Fascination with a sprinkle of suggestion from the fourth...

And bard is the type of class that can do a little bit of everything. People are less likely to feel subpar compared to a well-built teammate, because bards can do enough different things that chances are there'll be something at which their bard is best at.

 

[Holy Bovine]

I have run groups of all Rogues before (they were called Thieves though) and it worked within the confines of the campaign I was running (Guildmembers of the Thieves Guild of Lankhmar). I doubt it work as a regular adventuring group - just not enough staying power once they got engaged. Ambush tactics would be best but they are hard to pull off in every encounter.

 

[Munktar]

We should make an arena battle between 5 teammembers all lvl 5, and see who will win

 

[paradox42]

We should make an arena battle between 5 teammembers all lvl 5, and see who will win

Now, see, this is what Ramaster was getting at. That's a specific level, and that changes the variables involved. At 5th level, flight is a powerful thing that not all classes can do, it's not possible to bring back the dead or to heal more than a few points of ability damage (and drain can't be healed at all), so poison is a power option, and the first real area effects come into play (i.e. Fireball).

Given the above, I have to go with Druid or Summoner at 5th- they'd smash everybody else by having lots of minions, both disposable and otherwise, including the ability to get flying and poisonous ones. They also have a few battlefield-control spells like Spike Growth and Create Pit. I don't see any other class being able to top them, though Wizard and Cleric admittedly come close.

 

[Ramaster]

With proper planning, 5 commoners would wipe the floor with 5 wizards.

Now, in all seriousness, 5 lvl 5 Zen Archers are a force to be reckoned with. They can even change tactics mid-match! Run, like A LOT to escape from melee classes (and then full attack them into oblivion), charge/grapple casters or use the ki abilities.

 

[Werebat]

"What is the most annoying sound in the world?..."

Honeydew's voice.