[5E] The worst race/class combinations?

[BookBarbarian]

Small race Barbarian can't make the most out of the Reckless Attack GWM combo, though they can still make pretty good barbarians.

It's very hard in this edition to make a character that just complexity sucks, mechanically that is, it's perfectly easy to make a terrible character that will make your DM and party hate you.

 

[TiwazTyrsfist]

Since only the tiny stat block monster races in volo have stat penalties, pretty much any race/class combo works fine in 5e.

I've played a High Elf Barbarian, a Goliath Wizard, other things that would be considered 'Off'.

I guess the main things that I'd consider poor choices would be taking a race that gets some default armor bonus (Like Lizard Folk or Tortle) and combining it with a class that gets an armor bonus (Barbarian or Monk) because, officially (in Adventurer's League), you have to Pick one, not combine them.

So, like a Lizard Folk Monk EITHER gets AC 13 + Dex OR AC 10 + Dex + Wis. Not the AC 13 + Dex + Wis you'd really like it to be.

And this seems bad because basically you're giving up one of the better bonuses from either your race or class.

Kobold Fighter or Barbarian (-2 str, small size so no heavy weapons)
Orc Wizard (-2 int)

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Meh, that's no different to a dwarf fighter...

 

[Slit518]

Be a Half-Orc Wizard or perhaps a Goliath Bard.

 

[Wiseblood]

Armored gnome strength monk.

 

[Oofta]

Nobody in their right mind would do a dwarven rogue arcane trickster. With a mediocre intelligence. Well except maybe for yours truly.

Instead I give you a forest gnome strength paladin dual wielding rapiers with an owl friend. I speak of course of Sir McStabsalot. He may have to be my next character which is probably going to be a half-orc monk that I'm going to run because I have a cool mini.

 

[Parmandur]

Since only the tiny stat block monster races in volo have stat penalties, pretty much any race/class combo works fine in 5e.

I've played a High Elf Barbarian, a Goliath Wizard, other things that would be considered 'Off'.

I guess the main things that I'd consider poor choices would be taking a race that gets some default armor bonus (Like Lizard Folk or Tortle) and combining it with a class that gets an armor bonus (Barbarian or Monk) because, officially (in Adventurer's League), you have to Pick one, not combine them.

So, like a Lizard Folk Monk EITHER gets AC 13 + Dex OR AC 10 + Dex + Wis. Not the AC 13 + Dex + Wis you'd really like it to be.

And this seems bad because basically you're giving up one of the better bonuses from either your race or class.

Kobold Fighter or Barbarian (-2 str, small size so no heavy weapons)
Orc Wizard (-2 int)

Yeah, the Monk/Barbarian with AC bonus races is probably the worst mismatch (not AL rules, that's just straight PHB AC rules), but even so it is still pretty much impossible be to fail to make a somewhat useful PC unless you really, really sabotage it.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Actually to get higher AC than 13+dex needs quite high level. A monk of course needs wis for saving throws and the barbarian con for hp. But you can easily start with 14 or even 12 or 13 in that stat and as barbarian focus on dex as secondary stat instead and as monk you can afford a decent con. I would really not say no to that.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Yeah, the Monk/Barbarian with AC bonus races is probably the worst mismatch (not AL rules, that's just straight PHB AC rules), but even so it is still pretty much impossible be to fail to make a somewhat useful PC unless you really, really sabotage it.

Not really, since it means more build freedom not to put points into con/wis.

Barbarians are often better off running around in half plate anyway, unless they inflate dex, want to stealth, or are level 20.

It's the heavy armour classes that really don't synergise with natural armour races (and dragon bloodline sorcerers).

 

[AmerginLiath]

Lizardfolk monk is actually quite strong, particularly early on, when their unarmed attacks do 1d6 instead of 1d4. And +2 con is great for everyone.

Something to consider when trying to make a bad choice is that small PCs get disadvantage with H weapons. So gnome barbarian with Great Weapon Fighting aint great.

There is a goliath rogue in my group.

Don't focus on the goliath rogue's sneak issues, consider how many more sorts of objects he can interact with for free on his turn!