D&D 5E Basic Thoughts on All the PHB Classes

[Zardnaar]

I have more or less seen every class in play usually in multiples only missing a few sub classes (mostly wizards). This is a very brief note on how to ply the classes somewhat optimally.

Barbarian
The Berzerker is a bit meh due to the drawback while the totem one is interesting/fun/powerful. Ragem beat stuff up and tank damage.

Bard
Valor bard is underwhelming for a variety of reason the lore Bard is very versatile and powerful and can sub a large variety of roles (skill monkey, primary caster, healer etc).

Cleric.
Several domains look great but are not all that, The light and healing domains are the best one IMHO.

Druid
Moon Druids tend to be OP at level 2-4 generally not a fan of the 5E Druid for a variety of reason (would rather play another spellcaster).

Fighter
Fighter peaks late in its power relative to things like Rangers, Paladins, Barbarians etc. The Battlemaster is the best one followed by the champion. The EK is better a higher levels or if you have access to SCAG. Not really good at fighting until level 11 (relative to other warriors).

Monk
The Monk is great in the skirmisher roll perhaps replacing the Rogue if you take the right back ground. Not as good at skill stuff better at combat. Avoid the Elemental Monk, the Shadow Dancer and fist monk are fun.

Paladin.
Great gish class with the Way of the Ancients and Avenger Paladins as the stand outs. All Paladins are good though due to the Auraand class features. Best gish in the game.

Ranger
The hunter ranger is great with a bow, maybe as a dex based duel wielder. Avoid the beastmaster.. Take the Hordebreaker ability for melee and ranger hunter rangers.

Rogue
Assassin is not all that, thief is decent/fun, Arcane Trickster is a bit meh until later levels and not as good as you think with Green Flame Blade.

Sorcerer
Dragon fire sorcerers are what you should be playing maybe frost if you have the PotA or EEPG. You kind of want fireball or lightning bolt as one of your elemental spells though..... Wildmages are fun depending on how your DM rolls. Sorcerers I think are better than wizards due to metamagic and way better saves (con+cha vs wis+int). Twin buff spells is golden (fly, haste, greater invisibility etc). Buff or boom or control.

Warlock.
People see warlock and think spellcaster when they should be thinking archer. Build around eldritch blast and even on occasions where you do not get many short rests you won't suck. Bladelocks are a bit meh unless you start as a lvl 1 fighter and MC into warlock.

Wizard
Blasting wizards are a bit meh (play a Sorcerer or Light Cleric instead). Save or suck spells are nasty though so use them instead. Diviners are one of my favorites, invokers not so much. I also like transmuters but overall find the wizard a bit mehuntil higher levels and its not really my type of class (even in AD&D and 3E).

 

[CapnZapp]

If you want feedback, you have to add WHY you come to your various conclusions. What reasons make Valor bard underwhelming? In what ways does a domain look great but then turns out to be "not all that"?

 

[Satyrn]

If you want feedback, you have to add WHY you come to your various conclusions.

It's like you've never read a Zard post.

I don't know how he does it, but this post will probably explode into a thousand poster in one night.

 

[Cognomen's Cassowary]

My advice: use "a bit meh" to describe more things, and maybe mix it up with "kind of blah" and "sort of whatever."

 

[Immoralkickass]

Wizards are far better than Sorcerers. More spells known and able to to learn more spells, more spells prepared, ritual casting gives more utility, being good at Arcana... they are the masters of magic. Con save can be solved by getting Resilient feat.

 

[Chaosmancer]

I'm posting 90% just to see what sort of discussions evolve from this.

I do find it interesting to see that all 3 of the rogues are being presented as somewhat underwhelming. I've had multiple assassins (generally end up multi-classed) and they are always top contenders for MVP. Weird thing is that uncanny dodge really makes them tanky if they've got decent AC and they've got only 2-3 attacks going their way.

I also completely disagree that sorcerer is better than wizard.

I'm also curious what people think of Bards as damage dealers. I've never seen that as their role, but I've had more than one player upset that bards can't throw down very well in the early levels.

 

[Zardnaar]

I'm posting 90% just to see what sort of discussions evolve from this.

I do find it interesting to see that all 3 of the rogues are being presented as somewhat underwhelming. I've had multiple assassins (generally end up multi-classed) and they are always top contenders for MVP. Weird thing is that uncanny dodge really makes them tanky if they've got decent AC and they've got only 2-3 attacks going their way.

I also completely disagree that sorcerer is better than wizard.

I'm also curious what people think of Bards as damage dealers. I've never seen that as their role, but I've had more than one player upset that bards can't throw down very well in the early levels.

Lore bards can be built as dmage dealers but have to focus on it via eldritch blast or MC into warlocks picking up Hex.

 

[Zardnaar]

Wizards are far better than Sorcerers. More spells known and able to to learn more spells, more spells prepared, ritual casting gives more utility, being good at Arcana... they are the masters of magic. Con save can be solved by getting Resilient feat.

knowing more spellsis great in theory, the concentration mechanic though tones it down a bit IMHO. 5E also has a handful of spells which are really really good and if you can twin them for example you domore OP things than say a wizard and you have better saves and skills usually.

 

[Chaosmancer]

Lore bards can be built as dmage dealers but have to focus on it via eldritch blast or MC into warlocks picking up Hex.

See, I read something like that and hear "They are decent damage dealers if they are Warlocks instead of Bards"

Which seems pretty indicative that Bards are bad at damage until they hit 3rd level and higher spells.

 

[ccs]

I guess this is an improvement over the typical Zard post where everything is broken/OP....

The classes? Any of them can make for an awesome (or bleh) character. Depends upon the imagination you invest & the types of games you play in.
Ex: Warlocks
Some see a spell caster with super limited options....
Zard sees an EB fueled archer where damage is the paramount concern.....
I see so many character concepts (with/without EB) that even if I JUST played warlocks I'll never have time to play them all!