D&D 5E “Buddy the Elf, what’s your favorite character class?”

[Warpiglet-7]

Just a light hearted question among fellow fans…

There have been some great posts about game theory, the history of D&D and related topics. But I thought I would start a conversation of the sort I might have with pals in person. I know their gaming profile after many years but am curious about yours.

What is your favorite class and subclass and why? Purely for fun would love to know why people play what they play.

And perhaps relatedly, how much do you deviate.

For completeness, let’s include multiclassing too.

 

[Tales and Chronicles]

Thief Rogue or Champion Fighter.

To me those archetypes are the real OG adventuring characters.

 

[Bill Zebub]

Shadow Monk. It’s just so much fun BAMFing around.

 

[SakanaSensei]

If 3PP is acceptable, I had the most fun as a player of 5E when I was playing MCDM's Illrigger, specifically the caster subclass. Lots of built in opportunity for making my friends feel cool with their core "Divine Smite lite" mechanic that can trigger on others' attacks, lots of neat illusion spells. And then there's just the theming of "hell knight."

If I gotta stay in house, probably Paladin? I generally don't like playing 5E as much as running it because I like martials.

 

[DND_Reborn]

Rogue Scout is probably my favorite class/subclass combo. I like skill monkeys and the scout gives a couple more expertise skills, while the sneak attack fits the ambush mentality I have for a "scout".

Ranger Gloom Stalker is a close second, for similar reasons.

Which is preferable depends a lot on if I want to utilize Ranger spells or not.

 

[Maxperson]

A human Oath of the Ancients Paladin is my favorite so far, but I DM more than I play, so I only have a few PCs under my belt.

 

[RoughCoronet0]

This is a tough question as I have had fun with many classes and subclasses.

Storm Sorcerer is one of my favorite theme casters, zipping around the battlefield with teleporting and lightning damage spells is always a blast.

Undead Warlock was a lot of fun, pretending to be a mini Nightwalker with my Form of Dread and clawing at opponents with Primal Savagery or Vampiric Touch and causing fear in my opponents.

Artillerist Artificer is a fun ranger blaster, and I especially had fun with a Tortle Artificer who mounted her cannon on her back like a Blastoise which was awesome.

 

[Swarmkeeper]

Swarmkeeper Ranger

1. I like insects
2. No need to spam Hunter’s Mark as the swarm can be used for extra damage
3. Swarm has a chance to move an enemy up to 15’ (maybe off a bridge or into lava or away from ye olde squishy wizard)
4. Swarmy mage hand

 

[Lord Mhoram]

I have a couple or archetypes I tend to re-use.

Martial artists that are completely equipment free - Iron Fist instead of Cap or Nightwing in comics, 3rd, classic VoP monk, those sorts of things. Even I don't play this archetype, I tend towards martial artists a LOT.

Wizard/Clerics - I must have all |o/ the spells.

Paladins - not bad holier than than though stuff though - someone who has great faith and belief is something beyond herself (my paladins tend to be female by and large), and gain power from that.

After that depends on genre, game, tone and such - put I tend toward those types in just about any genre I play (Primarily Supers and High Fantasy).

I've played most D&D classes over the years, although I tend to shy away from Druids Ranges Barbarians and Rogues. Just not my flavor.
Superhero types... I played the big 5 or 6 types a number of times, at most others at least once (Brick, Energy Projector, Supersuit, Agile Guy, Mentalist, Supermage for the big ones, cosmic manipulators, speedsters, shrink/growth characters and others)

 

[Corinnguard]

The Scout Variant Fighter from D&D Wiki. Scout, Variant (5e Subclass) - D&D Wiki I think this variant is someone's attempt at converting 3e's Scout Class (Complete Adventurer) into a 5e Fighter Subclass. I like it's Skirmish and Movement abilities.


Then there is the Blade Dancer Fighter Subclass Also from D&D Wiki. Blade Dancer, 2nd Variant (5e Subclass) - D&D Wiki This subclass attempts to fix the problem the class has with the Two-Weapon Fighting style. Namely the number of attacks you can make with your offhand vs your primary hand. I might play this one next.

 

[EzekielRaiden]

In general, my favorite classes are Charisma-based: Paladin, Sorcerer, Bard, Warlord, etc.

For Paladin, it's absolutely Redemption. That's the kind of Paladin I always strive to play: one passionately pursuing the best possible world for each and every person, but able to make the call and follow through with it when violence is in fact unavoidable in order to prevent a greater evil.

Sorcerer, it's gotta be Dragon, though I do think Storm is interesting and loved the concept (though not necessarily the execution) of the old 4e Cosmic Sorcerer.

Bard is harder; I like the concept of Valor, but it feels kind of...limiting. Lore makes the world (of knowledge, at least) your oyster. That's pretty compelling for me.

Warlord was absolutely Bravura, back in 4e. I love the idea of bold action and high-risk, high-reward tactics.

 

[Brotton Goodfellow]

Barbarian. No specific subclass, but if I had to choose give me the basic Path of the Berserker.

Why? Because crushing my enemies and seeing them driven before me is the juice that gets me to the table. I wanna break goblins over my knee or behead a troll with a flaming great axe, while screaming like the lead singer of a death metal band the entire time.

 

[Vendral]

I am a forever DM so I never get to play or make PCs, however I have been looking at a Human Variant Rogue Scout that take Weapon Master as starting Feat to get Whip proficiency.
An Indiana Jones variant...

 

[Blackrat]

I don’t think I have a favourite class. My least favourite might be the rogue. Can’t remember off the top of my head any rogue I’d have played. I can remember at least one of any other class. Except the warlock, but that’s just because it isn’t a base class in the editions that I usually play. Next 5e character I’ll make is definitely going to be a ’lock.

I just love playing varied characters.

Bard or sorcerer might just be the classes that I’ve played the most.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

My favourite 5e class: Artificer. Because lots of room to refluff spells into weird gadgets. Subclass: Battlesmith, because I get a robopet and can hit stuff with weapons.

 

[Stormonu]

My favorite is Paladin, subclass would be Oath of Ancients or Oath of Vengeance. I like paladins and the purity of spirit/morals they stand for. Which is odd, because in movies and other media, I usually like the villian moreso than the heroes.

In real life, I'd be a bard. Jack of all trades, master of none. The wizardy I know is, of course, computers & programming. No musical instrument for me, just oral storytelling.

 

[Warpiglet-7]

Barbarian. No specific subclass, but if I had to choose give me the basic Path of the Berserker.

Why? Because crushing my enemies and seeing them driven before me is the juice that gets me to the table. I wanna break goblins over my knee or behead a troll with a flaming great axe, while screaming like the lead singer of a death metal band the entire time.

Haha indeed!

I used to play a fat “non-good” barbarian in AD&D 1e. Beserker is All I would play now for exactly the reasons you mention!

We used to cue the Conan soundtrack for some of those old games.

 

[Warpiglet-7]

I don’t think I have a favourite class. My least favourite might be the rogue. Can’t remember off the top of my head any rogue I’d have played. I can remember at least one of any other class. Except the warlock, but that’s just because it isn’t a base class in the editions that I usually play. Next 5e character I’ll make is definitely going to be a ’lock.

I just love playing varied characters.

Bard or sorcerer might just be the classes that I’ve played the most.

At first I was like “warlock? What the heck is this? Invocations, mystic arcanum, I don’t get it.” Now it’s almost all I play! I have a new one lined up If given the chance.

I play lots of armored warlocks. Usually take moderately armored and frequently blade boon but then throw in cool tricks and personality…still have not tired of them

 

[jmartkdr2]

Hexblade is the best iteration of swordmage in 5e, and I love me some swordmagery.

It gives enough magic, and enough bridge between magic and weapon, to feel like I'm using the two together, something no other gishy option does well.

 

[Mind of tempest]

I have always liked the odd classes.

from pure thematic, I would kill for a working 5e psion/mystic but I know there are far more likely things.
I enjoy monks but wish they were built better.
have an idea for a druid character in my head that I want to make.