D&D 5E Worst Classes Level 1.

[Gammadoodler]

Specifically (and only) at first level, how is it that bards haven't been mentioned yet? Bad AC, few spell slots, few cantrips (and none particularly damaging), inspiration still a long rest resource, no expertise on the skills they have.

 

[NotAYakk]

Specifically (and only) at first level, how is it that bards haven't been mentioned yet? Bad AC, few spell slots, few cantrips (and none particularly damaging), inspiration still a long rest resource, no expertise on the skills they have.

You have 4 spells, same as a wizard has prepped. Your AC is better than a wizard. Inspiration is long rest, but still strong. One of your cantrips, mockery, is really good at low levels (when baddies more rarely multiattack).

Your casting stat is social.

There is a plethora of good 1st level spells on your list - sleep, heroism, faerie fire, healing word, hideous laughter, dissonant whispers as a quick selection.

 

[Mort]

Specifically (and only) at first level, how is it that bards haven't been mentioned yet? Bad AC, few spell slots, few cantrips (and none particularly damaging), inspiration still a long rest resource, no expertise on the skills they have.

For me, it's because, even at first level, Bards are adequate at support. Bardic inspiration, particularly, is amazing at 1st level - when your proficiency modifier +2 getting and avg of +3 to a roll is pretty big. Sure it's a long rest resource, but the Bard will likely be able to do it around 3 times per long rest - as many as the lucky feat.

And yes the Bard gets relatively few spells, but they're a good selection. Sleep is practically instakill at 1st level, Faerie fire is also quite good support. As for cantrips, viscous mockery may not be damaging - but it's excellent support.

Also, at first level the bard is almost certainly going to be the best at social interaction.

IMO they have too much going for them to be near the bottom here.

 

[Eltab]

I've played a Bard with Vicious Mockery who was instrumental (no pun) during a fighting retreat down a narrow hallway. He VM'ed the enemy in front of the Tank. The Tank was not hit as he took out a half-dozen swarm-you foes, one at a time.

I cannot say L1 Bard is bad as a class, when you look past DPR to the situations you might get into. They have several effective (and fun) things to do.

 

[Undrave]

I've played a Bard with Vicious Mockery who was instrumental (no pun) during a fighting retreat down a narrow hallway. He VM'ed the enemy in front of the Tank. The Tank was not hit as he took out a half-dozen swarm-you foes, one at a time.

I cannot say L1 Bard is bad as a class, when you look past DPR to the situations you might get into. They have several effective (and fun) things to do.

Exactly! At level 1, despite low DPR, you can still have an IMPACT and you still have decision points and levers to pull on. You have to consider when to best use your Inspiration and your Spell Slots.

 

[Sword of Spirit]

You aren't thinking like a Warlord.
If you down the Tank's foe, move around/behind the next foe so he is Flanked when the Tank moves up. If you hit the Tank's foe and he is still up (or if you miss), finish your move behind that foe for Flanking.

Flanking is an option in the DMG that I don't think is used by many people. The game isn't really set up for it to work.

 

[Gammadoodler]

For me, it's because, even at first level, Bards are adequate at support. Bardic inspiration, particularly, is amazing at 1st level - when your proficiency modifier +2 getting and avg of +3 to a roll is pretty big. Sure it's a long rest resource, but the Bard will likely be able to do it around 3 times per long rest - as many as the lucky feat.

And yes the Bard gets relatively few spells, but they're a good selection. Sleep is practically instakill at 1st level, Faerie fire is also quite good support. As for cantrips, viscous mockery may not be damaging - but it's excellent support.

Also, at first level the bard is almost certainly going to be the best at social interaction.

IMO they have too much going for them to be near the bottom here.

Starting with the last part. At this level a bard is likely exactly as good at social interaction as any other charisma caster and worse than any rogue who's chosen it as an expertised skill.

Their spell list is fine, but it's generally comparable with the other spellcasters, except that bards get to use those spells less and they can only choose 4 of them.

Bardic inspiration is fine. Not sure it's adequate compensation for the missing cantrips, spell slots, armor proficiencies, etc. that the other classes get.
Honestly think bards just get a pass because they get so much better so quickly.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

I inferred too much from past words, or just plain misunderstood. Mea Culpa.

A little of both - I said most rather than all for a reason, and I don't think people select Monks because they want or expect a weak class or whatever, but rather that very positive/upbeat players tend to spend less time looking at whether a class is actually good, and are less upset/put-out when it turns out that it isn't.

 

[Todd Roybark]

The morale is, I should not try to a “funny guy” on the topic of monks..gets me in trouble each time.....

 

[NotAYakk]

Starting with the last part. At this level a bard is likely exactly as good at social interaction as any other charisma caster and worse than any rogue who's chosen it as an expertised skill.

Sure, +5 will be under a rogue's +6. But not far.

Their spell list is fine, but it's generally comparable with the other spellcasters, except that bards get to use those spells less and they can only choose 4 of them.

"Only?"
Wizards can prep 4 spells at level 1. Bards are tied for the most spells to pick from when casting a spell at level 1.

They get 1 less 1st level spell than a wizard after arcane recovery, and are otherwise tied with every other non-pact spellcaster for slots. What does "use them less" mean?

[Quite]Bardic inspiration is fine. Not sure it's adequate compensation for the missing cantrips, spell slots, armor proficiencies, etc. that the other classes get.[/quote]
The only heavier armored full caster is the cleric.

The only spellcaster with more slots per day is the warlock (with 2+ short rests) and the wizard.

I mean, if you add up every other spellcaster into a megaclass they make the bard look bad.

And mockery is a top tier cantrip at level 1. I'd argue the best combat cantrip actually.