D&D 5E Worst Classes Level 1.

[Undrave]

Everybody badmouthing the ranger forget

1. It is one of the three classes that get more than 2 skills from class (Bard gets 3, rogue gets 4)
2. It gets a bonus language from Favored Enemy
3. It still has martial weapons, light armor, medium armor and shields.

The ranger might not be a damage monster but it can hold it is a decent boost in party exploration and social power.

Remember, comprehend languages doesn't let you talk back in their language and tongues is a 3rd level spell.

Bonus languages are big until at least level 6.

The level 1 Ranger just gets ribbons. Even its favored terrain thing is effectively ribbon because it turns challenges into a narrative description. "So you go into the marsh and have no problem finding your way, or finding food, because of the Ranger, and you come out four days later having done nothing exciting. Time to go into the dungeon now!"

 

[Minigiant]

1 extra +2 in a single skill isn't much to get excited about. 1 extra language that has a good chance of not coming up at level 1 isn't either.

If your DM is informing you of what FE you might face, that bonus language can be huge.

+2 to a roll is still something. Especially if it is one you use often. It also lets you pick up Stealth, Survival, and Perception while freeing up your background for skills.

It's waaaaay better that what monks and warlocks get.

 

[FrogReaver]

If your DM is informing you of what FE you might face, that bonus language can be huge.

+2 to a roll is still something. Especially if it is one you use often. It also lets you pick up Stealth, Survival, and Perception while freeing up your background for skills.

It's waaaaay better that what monks and warlocks get.

Monks get better AC and significantly more damage.

 

[DND_Reborn]

Does it change if you are a medium armor cleric with 14 dex?

Huh? No, why would it?

 

[Minigiant]

Monks get better AC and significantly more damage.

Rangers have the same AC in standard array, a better ranged attack, and more HP.

Level 1 monks are just alternate TWF fighters with a skill/ability swaps and less HP.

 

[FrogReaver]

Rangers have the same AC in standard array, a better ranged attack, and more HP.

If they have 16 AC at level 1 then they have disadvantage on stealth. - essentially removing that +1 skill advantage you cited for the ranger.

Level 1 monks are just alternate TWF fighters with a skill/ability swaps and less HP.

Fighters are alot tankier at level 1. 2nd wind is a really impressive ability at that level.

 

[FrogReaver]

Huh? No, why would it?

"Barbarian -- Good combat, decent exploration, poor social (2,1,0)"

I assumed it was the +2 dex for medium armor that made a level 1 barbarian decent at exploration. If not then what ability is factoring in there?

 

[Minigiant]

If they have 16 AC at level 1 then they have disadvantage on stealth.

Standard array they both have 15 AC.

15/14/13/12/10/8
That's assuming a racial bump to Dex. And the ranger gets better HP.

Point buy still only goes to 15 so it only effects Con. So ranger still get the 1 more HP.

Only if you have a race with Dex/Wis is the monk better. Level 1 monk is not great.

 

[FrogReaver]

Standard array they both have 15 AC.

15/14/13/12/10/8
That's assuming a racial bump to Dex. And the ranger gets better HP.

Point buy still only goes to 15 so it only effects Con. So ranger still get the 1 more HP.

Only if you have a race with Dex/Wis is the monk better. Level 1 monk is not great.

15/14 is 16/16 as long as you have a +2/+1 race. So you admit that a monk with 16/16 is better than the ranger?

 

[DND_Reborn]

"Barbarian -- Good combat, decent exploration, poor social (2,1,0)"

I assumed it was the +2 dex for medium armor that made a level 1 barbarian decent at exploration. If not then what ability is factoring in there?

I quoted you about a reference you made for Cleric (see below), so why I are you bringing up Barbarian?

Does it change if you are a medium armor cleric with 14 dex?

But why are Barbarians decent at exploration? Because of their skill selection mostly. I am not saying they have to be, but with typical skills like Athletics, Nature, Perception, and/or Survival, they can do well in the exploration pillar IME.