Best class mix for party of five or more?

[Imruphel]

I think druid makes an effective 5th character, after taking fighter, rogue, wizard and cleric. A druid can double as a scout, a blaster, a healer and a pretty awesome melee combatant. I don't think a bard adds as much punch or versatility (although bards are great at lower levels).

Hmmm, perhaps a rogue (for traps alone), a cleric and three druids instead?

 

[buzz]

FYI, PHB2 has a whole section on combos for more/less than the standard four-member party, as well as guidelines for combos when a particular class niche is absent. E.g., "the cleric-less party", "the rogue-less party", etc.

I would agree that, for a typical D&D game, both paladin and sorcerer are excellent choices for a fifth member. Bard is also not a bad choice, since they have such diverse expertise: healing, fighting, offensive spellcasting, roguery. Warlock is also good for the extra offense-caster niche.

I've found doubling up on rogue-types to be the least effective addition.

 

[Tinner]

Bard. No doubt about it.
He can fill in for any of the other roles.
He's not as potent as the main class for that role, but he can backup everyone.
And the Bardic Music buffs get pretty potent too.

 

[Nifft]

The perfect party of 5 is:
2 Clerics
2 Druids
1 Bard


Early on, the Druids are battlefield control, while the Clerics are front-line. Later, the Druids become front-line and the Clerics are support. Eventually, all four are front-line.

The Bard is support and is the "skill guy". They don't need a whole lot of skills though. Summoned elementals make short work of traps.

Cheers, -- N

 

[painandgreed]

At low level, I'd say a fighter type as very little is required besides hitting what you are attacking with a weapon one more time while staying on your feet. At high levels, I'd say it would be better for another wizard as they have some staying power and spells will make up for it. Another cleric would be an all round good choice at any level.

Other than that, it would depend greatly on the world and campaign. Something that is mostly wilderness could use a ranger or scout while city adventures could use a rogue or bard. In a world ruled by one class over the others (such as in a culture ruled by mages or clerics), another member of that class is always helpful.

 

[diaglo]

this thread title just screams let me play the guy sandwiched between jennifer love hewitt and neve campbell

 

[Herobizkit]

LOL @ Diaglo!

Traditionally (as in, back when RPGs weren't so common), the 6-person dungeon-buster party was three warrior-types, a rogue, a cleric, and a wizard.

If you already have the "Core 4", a second wizard and a second cleric would be ideal. Two blaster wizards would work well for dungeon-busting, but it'd also be advatageous to have one blaster and one "utility" wizard (with a focus on Divination, Enchantment, and Transmutation spells). Two clerics gives you flexibility between any two of healer, buffer, and front-line warrior, AND they can trade duties when one person's spells run out.

 

[Nyaricus]

The perfect party of 5 is:
2 Clerics
2 Druids
1 Bard


Early on, the Druids are battlefield control, while the Clerics are front-line. Later, the Druids become front-line and the Clerics are support. Eventually, all four are front-line.

The Bard is support and is the "skill guy". They don't need a whole lot of skills though. Summoned elementals make short work of traps.

Cheers, -- N

An almost perfect deduction, Nifft

I'd say a bard with one level of rogue for trapfinding (and take him at first level for x4 the skill goodness!!) and then going into the Hoard Stealer PrC from Draconomicon - you can eventually become invisible to dragons a few times a day. Just focus your spells on party helpers, your skills on traps and dungeon delving, and sing a helluvalot!

Also, consider getting rid of a druid or a cleric for a Monk with Vow of Poverty (in a party of 5, in 6 just add in a VoP Monk) - you can basically now repel any magical affect with more ease than you other players and whop some ass whle your at it, running around the battle field and going nuts with stunning fist attacks while your cleric and druid buddies blast the crap outta the enemies, who at this point are screwed

That's the only good way to play a monk, and the only time I find them useful.

 

[Victim]

Adding a second cleric type is awesome. Basically, the cleric supports the whole party with healing and buffs. When the party/cleric ratio becomes too high, characters don't get the buffs they need, healing runs out fast, AND the cleric becomes more boring to play since more of his spells get used up by everyone else. At least that was my experience when our group went from 4 people to 6 with my character still being the only cleric.

 

[Kunimatyu]

Five clerics. Only way to play.