D&D 5E [Poll] Are any of the subclasses underpowered?

[aco175]

I did not vote since none of my group has played any of these subclasses except assassin, and then only for a few levels. Does this make them all underpowered or underwhelming?

 

[Quickleaf]

Champion Fighter is a bit underpowered, mostly because it's built around crit-fishing and critting with a single damage die isn't that amazing. Also, the 7th level feature Remarkable Athlete is rather unremarkable.

 

[Eltab]

Assassin is underwhelming because of the way Surprise works in 5e. If the Assassin could reliably get a 4e-style Surprise Round, it would be what you expect from the name. As is, the Assassin's player has to actively try to avoid triggering combat or initiative rolls to get his class features to work.

Based on reputation, Beastmaster is underpowered. But as noted above, that may be fixed or at least jury-rigged to be average. I have not played one myself nor played with one.

 

[Todd Roybark]

Champion Fighter is a bit underpowered, mostly because it's built around crit-fishing and critting. Also, the 7th level feature Remarkable Athlete is rather unremarkable.

I agree on Remarkable Athlete...what Champion wont have Athletics?
I house ruled it as a bonus to all ability checks mentioned in the ability, even with a skill the character is already proficient with.

The subclass plays fine, Fighter is a solid chassis, and frankly going MAX Defense with a Champion is super effective. Sword & Board, Fighting Style Armor and either Ranged or Duelist to round out your ranged attacks or more damage, plus Heavy Armor Master makes you rather tough at 21 AC with non magical plate and limited damage resistance. Causing Critical hits more often is never a bad thing, even if the sub-class does not use the ability to the max.

as for this:

Alchemist is really unpowered compared to the other two subclasses offered to this class. It can have some redeeming value with clever multiclassing, but most of the abilities have minimal impact on your adventuring day compared to alternatives.

To inaccurately quote Luke Skywalker: “ Everything in that paragraph, was wrong.”
-An Alchemist is by raw numbers the second best healer after Life cleric due to their bonus to spells.

-is equivalent to a cleric with Potent Casting for cantrips, and a little behind an Evoker Wizard.

-Can convert a 1st level spell slot into experimental elixir that gives decent, not mind blowing,
but useful abilities plus around 11 Temp Hit points.

-Can Imbue Object on Alchemist tools at 11th level with Melf’s Acid Arrow, with bonus damage, 8-10 times a day. That is a lot of guaranteed damage.

I absolute agree on Storm Herald, though, bleah.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Not on the list but should be? I find the Drunken Master monk a disappointment.

 

[Zardnaar]

I agree on Remarkable Athlete...what Champion wont have Athletics?
I house ruled it as a bonus to all ability checks mentioned in the ability, even with a skill the character is already proficient with.

The subclass plays fine, Fighter is a solid chassis, and frankly going MAX Defense with a Champion is super effective. Sword & Board, Fighting Style Armor and either Ranged or Duelist to round out your ranged attacks or more damage, plus Heavy Armor Master makes you rather tough at 21 AC with non magical plate and limited damage resistance. Causing Critical hits more often is never a bad thing, even if the sub-class does not use the ability to the max.

as for this:



To inaccurately quote Luke Skywalker: “ Everything in that paragraph, was wrong.”
-An Alchemist is by raw numbers the second best healer after Life cleric due to their bonus to spells.

-is equivalent to a cleric with Potent Casting for cantrips, and a little behind an Evoker Wizard.

-Can convert a 1st level spell slot into experimental elixir that gives decent, not mind blowing,
but useful abilities plus around 11 Temp Hit points.

-Can Imbue Object on Alchemist tools at 11th level with Melf’s Acid Arrow, with bonus damage, 8-10 times a day. That is a lot of guaranteed damage.

I absolute agree on Storm Herald, though, bleah.

Haven't seen a Druid in action with healing spirit?

 

[Seramus]

To inaccurately quote Luke Skywalker: “ Everything in that paragraph, was wrong.”
-An Alchemist is by raw numbers the second best healer after Life cleric due to their bonus to spells.

Can I see your numbers? I'm interested because my own numbers place Life Clerics about 4th or 5th place in total healing, and almost every full caster outhealing the Alchemist. Even a Cleric1/Wizard19.

 

[Coroc]

Assassin is underwhelming because of the way Surprise works in 5e. If the Assassin could reliably get a 4e-style Surprise Round, it would be what you expect from the name. As is, the Assassin's player has to actively try to avoid triggering combat or initiative rolls to get his class features to work.

Based on reputation, Beastmaster is underpowered. But as noted above, that may be fixed or at least jury-rigged to be average. I have not played one myself nor played with one.

Assassin is somehow named a bit odd. True, it has some spike damage skills, but every other rogue subclass has them too and some much more reliable (swashbuckler). But the majority of its skills is the disguise and imitation skills as far as I see it. It should be called disguise expert or nonmagic polymorpher or such instead.

Imagine that: Kid opens D&D PHB, "oh cool assassin that is a ninja for sure", and then "ah no it is not it is an impersonator how boring".

 

[Paul Farquhar]

If the assassin is doing it's job properly, it slips in, drops the target with one attack, then slips out again. If it ever comes down to "roll for initiative" the assassin has messed up.

Now, that might make it not a particularly useful addition to a party of dungeoneers, but it does what it is designed to do.

 

[Horwath]

Champion Fighter is a bit underpowered, mostly because it's built around crit-fishing and critting with a single damage die isn't that amazing. Also, the 7th level feature Remarkable Athlete is rather unremarkable.

Best fix for champion would be +1 HP/level.
That gives a nice boost and keeps the subclass in it's simplistic style.