D&D 5E Worst Classes Level 1.

[DND_Reborn]

Yes, Bards are tied at level 1. And with level 2 a day's adventure away, the ability to swap isn't high value.

Sure, but level 2 doesn't matter really. Bards gain a new known spell but Wizards learn 2 (or more) and can prepare one more as well. Druids (and Clerics of course) can also prepare another spell at level 2, keeping pace automatically with Bards. Versatility is versatility--at any level. Bards certainly have other features that balance that out, especially as they get to higher levels and learn magical secrets.

 

[Sacrosanct]

It's strange that wizards are rated so much better than sorcerers at level 1, and why? Because they can prepare 4 spells? But look at what's actually going on in probably most games:

• 4 prepared spells does not equal 4 cast spells
• both classes have 2 spell slots
• one of those slots is probably going to be used for something like mage armor, leaving 1
• spell slots regen on a long rest, so during an adventuring day, you're probably casting cantrips 10-20x more often than an actual level 1 spell.
• sorcerers get an extra cantrip

So in actual game play, for a typical adventuring day, you're getting much more flexibility out of that extra cantrip than you are out of the ability to prepare 2 extra types of spells. I.e, let's say you casts 15 cantrip spells and 2 spell slots an adventuring day. Having 4 options 15 times a day (cantrip) plus 2 options twice a day (spells known) is more than 3 options 15 times a day plus 4 options twice a day. 64 to 53 to be exact.

A wizard might get one damage cantrip and two utility cantrips like minor illusion and prestidigitation. And hope you're not fighting a creature that is resistant to your one damage cantrip. A sorcerer can do that, and get another damage cantrip for a different type, or add mage hand or message or mending on top of that--all things used more often the 2 spell slots.

I'm not saying the sorcerer is objectively better, I'm just saying it shouldn't be this big gap that some are presenting it as, and probably comes down to subjective personal preference.

 

[Gammadoodler]

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

"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.

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.
[/QUOTE]

And +5 will be the same modifier the other charisma casters would be bringing to the table. So the bard holds no social advantage over the other charisma casters at level 1.

The caster list vs. bard minus bardic inspiration.

Clerics- same slots. More cantrips. More prepped spells. More known spells. Med armor, shields, domain stuff.

Druids- same slots. More cantrips. Same prepped spells More known spells. Med armor, Shields.

Sorcerer- same slots. More cantrips. Fewer spells known. Sorcerous origin stuff of varying utility. (Ok. This one's worse than I thought. Lotta pressure on those cantrips and origin benefits. Maybe con save proficiency balances this better?)

Warlock- slots equal or better with at least 1 short rest. Same cantrips. Fewer spells known. Varying patron benefits.

Wizard- more slots with a short rest. More cantrips. Same prepped spells. More known spells. Less-ish AC (depends on use of mage armor which would counter balance slot difference).

Do bards get the best of most of these trades after factoring in inspiration?

• Cleric..lol no
• Druid..regular no
• Sorcerer.. I guess probably, but some variation based on subclass features
• Warlock..even more subclass variation to stack onto table variation(how many short rests). Inclined to call it a push leaning toward warlocks.
• Wizards.. Closer than I'd guessed it would be. Think it depends on how 'necessary' mage armor is. The more necessary, the more in bards' favor.

tl&dr
Seems some classes were worse than I thought. Maybe bards aren't at the very bottom.

 

[Seramus]

I have been engaged in many a conversation where a participant makes a religious exclamation like “God Willing” and so forth........this could very well be the verbal component of the Guidance spell.

Whatever V and S components you decide on for Guidance, it shouldn't hide the fact you are casting a spell. A DM might allow a roll to hide the casting, like stealth or sleight of hand though.

 

[DND_Reborn]

FWIW, here is my spellcaster summary at level 1 since it seems to be the "hot" topic:

IMO, (as much as I dislike them in general), Bards rate well. More skills, good known spells, ritual casting, medium or better in all three pillars potentially, and bardic inspiration

Clerics rate well due to high number of prep spells (even if some are predetermined), ritual casting, medium or better in all three pillars potentially, and subclass features.

Druids rate a bit lower, but still have a good prep spell list, ritual casting, two strong pillars potentially, but Druidic is valued lower IMO.

Note: all three have ritual casting, but to use it a spell must be known or prepared, which makes their ritual casting underpowered compared to wizards.

Sorcerers rate a bit lower even though they have great cantrips, but are weak typically in two pillars. However subclass selection can be huge for them in bumping them up!

Warlocks also rate a bit lower despite having potentially 3 spell slots or more depending on short rest availability and being decent at combat. I don't find their subclass choices as powerful at level 1 and wish their Expanded Spells were automatically known to them (we use this house-rule actually) as it would definitely bump them up.

Wizards rate well for decent cantrips and prepared spells. Arcane Recovery can help if a short rest is available. Despite their weak ratings in physical combat, exploration, and social, they stand out (for me) because of their strong ritual casting. With 6 spells initially, they can cast ritual spells without having them prepped, so depending on spell selection they potentially could have all 6 spells available to them. Only the cleric has the potential (with WIS 16+) to match that.

Now, all this is my personal take on how I rate things. For enjoyability, I like Wizards the most and Druids second. This is just because I prefer the flavor of those classes. I can recognize Bards and Clerics as good (and play Clerics 3rd most out of casters), but don't generally like the flavor of bards and find clerics a bit one-dimensional (maybe that is just how I play them?). Sorcerers can be great depending on subclass selection (without XGtE, they fall IMO), and Warlocks are just lack-luster at Level 1 for me.

I know we all have our favourites and personal preferences, so I think they can all be enjoyable depending on what you want.

 

[Todd Roybark]

it shouldn't hide the fact you are casting a spell.

I wasn’t claiming that casting Guidance was hidden, but that it is a prayer....a prayer for guidance.

If behavior like this is often not controversial in the real world, or at least does engender violence against the person issuing the prayer.....the same could very well be true in a D&D world.

 

[Seramus]

If behavior like this is often not controversial in the real world, or at least does engender violence against the person issuing the prayer.....the same could very well be true in a D&D world.

Everyone is going to react differently to an obvious spell being cast in front of them. Some might accept it as a normal part of an organization blessing themselves (they always bless themselves before speaking to us). Others might hold up a hand and ask everyone to wait until the blessing passes. And some might get angry and claim it's trickery (your magic tongue isn't welcome here).

It's not a guaranteed negative reaction, but it's pretty reasonable for many people to be suspicious at least. Of course, lies are always on the table (I was just healing her, I swear).

 

[FrogReaver]

Sure, that one is also a compeditor.

Thing is, toll the dead is no better than a short sword swing when it lands at level 1, while mockery is a life saver against many low level brutes.

Saving throw spells also are inaccurate at low levels. The "virtual AC" they have is 14 plus the stat; high AC is rarer at low levels.

So Toll is mediocre damage at low levels, while Mockery is a save or suck at-will.

Depends on what you are fighting I suppose. Toll is better vs a goblin or an orc IMO. Mockery is better vs an Ogre. But really, even at low level a single attack creature isn't much of a threat as long as someone in the party has healing word...

 

[FrogReaver]

FWIW, here is my spellcaster summary at level 1 since it seems to be the "hot" topic:

View attachment 123322

IMO, (as much as I dislike them in general), Bards rate well. More skills, good known spells, ritual casting, medium or better in all three pillars potentially, and bardic inspiration

Clerics rate well due to high number of prep spells (even if some are predetermined), ritual casting, medium or better in all three pillars potentially, and subclass features.

Druids rate a bit lower, but still have a good prep spell list, ritual casting, two strong pillars potentially, but Druidic is valued lower IMO.

Note: all three have ritual casting, but to use it a spell must be known or prepared, which makes their ritual casting underpowered compared to wizards.

Sorcerers rate a bit lower even though they have great cantrips, but are weak typically in two pillars. However subclass selection can be huge for them in bumping them up!

Warlocks also rate a bit lower despite having potentially 3 spell slots or more depending on short rest availability and being decent at combat. I don't find their subclass choices as powerful at level 1 and wish their Expanded Spells were automatically known to them (we use this house-rule actually) as it would definitely bump them up.

Wizards rate well for decent cantrips and prepared spells. Arcane Recovery can help if a short rest is available. Despite their weak ratings in physical combat, exploration, and social, they stand out (for me) because of their strong ritual casting. With 6 spells initially, they can cast ritual spells without having them prepped, so depending on spell selection they potentially could have all 6 spells available to them. Only the cleric has the potential (with WIS 16+) to match that.

Now, all this is my personal take on how I rate things. For enjoyability, I like Wizards the most and Druids second. This is just because I prefer the flavor of those classes. I can recognize Bards and Clerics as good (and play Clerics 3rd most out of casters), but don't generally like the flavor of bards and find clerics a bit one-dimensional (maybe that is just how I play them?). Sorcerers can be great depending on subclass selection (without XGtE, they fall IMO), and Warlocks are just lack-luster at Level 1 for me.

I know we all have our favourites and personal preferences, so I think they can all be enjoyable depending on what you want.

You definitely have a different take than how I would rank things.

 

[DND_Reborn]

You definitely have a different take than how I would rank things.

Yeah, I'm not surprised by that.