D&D (2024) Best Classes 1-20 5.5 vs 5.0

[Zardnaar]

So overall this ones mostly a hypothetical. For the most patr classes are fine at levels people play at.

This criteria is what are you willing to play level 1-20 starting from level 1 or 3? This is not a I'll play whatever for fun's but what you think are the most effective classes start to finish. For example a 5.0 monk is kinda good 1-4 and 14+. Wizards are kinda weak 1-4 personally I don't think they're that good vs other spellcasting options until level 10 (they range from C tier to S tier subclass and level dependent).

Also excluding subclasses. Assume you get to pick your class DM picks archetype randomly. It's not a favorite archetype level 1-20 either.

5.0. Fairly dire its easier to list the classes I would be happy to play.

Bard
Cleric
Druid
Paladin

No major weaknesses and decent tier 1. Not reliant on DM charity or playstyle for the most part.

5.5. Much better. It's easier to list the classes I don't want to play level 1-20.

Barbarian (one trick pony, to easily shut down higher levels)
Ranger (meh at higher level, hunters mark eh)
Rogue (just meh)
Wizard (to DM dependent, to long to get good)

Fighter, Warlocks, Sorcerers, and Monks step up from 5.0. Humble goghter gets a utility boost and indomitable along with low opportunity costs on dice manipulation o. 5.5 on general.

Your thoughts? Criteria is whatever you like subject to starting at low level and you don't get to pick your subclass.

 

[mellored]

Paladin.

High durability, high damage, lots of support, and some control and utility.

Barbarian (one trick pony, to easily shut down higher levels)

I know you said subclass was out, but Wild Heart's ability to disengage + dash +polearm master + pike can be great for holding a position.
Swap to elemental resistance against dragons
Or go wolf if stuck in a small room.

Go Gnome with resistance (Wis) and Mage Slayer to avoid being shutdown.

I.e.
4: polearm master
8: great weapon master
12: mage slayer
16: Resilient (wis)

 

[Zardnaar]

Paladin.

High durability, high damage, lots of support, and some control and utility.

I know you said subclass was out, but Wild Heart's ability to disengage + dash +polearm master + pike can be great for holding a position.
Swap to elemental resistance against dragons
Or go wolf if stuck in a small room.

Go Gnome with resistance (Wis) and Mage Slayer to avoid being shutdown.

I.e.
4: polearm master
8: great weapon master
12: mage slayer
16: Resilient (wis)

Lol have theory crafted gnome Barbarian. Not sure if it was you who gave me the idea.

 

[mellored]

Lol have theory crafted gnome Barbarian. Not sure if it was you who gave me the idea.

It's the barbarian I'm playing at the moment.

But even without Gnome, Mage Slayer really helps cover a main weakness of barbarian (or fighter), with +1 Str.

 

[ECMO3]

So overall thos ones mostly a hypothetical. For the most par classes are fine at levels people play at.

This criteria is what are you willing to play level 1-20 starting from level 1 or 3? This is not a I'll play whatever for fun's but what you think are the most effective classes start to finish. For example a 5.0 monk is kinda good 1-4 and 14+. Wizards are kinda weak 1-4 personally I don't think they're that good vs other spellcasting options until level 10 (they range from C tier to S tier subclass and level dependent).

Also excluding subclasses. Assume you get to pick your class DM picks archetype randomly. It's not a favorite archetype level 1-20 either.

5.0. Fairly dire its easier to list the classes I would be happy to play.

Bard
Cleric
Druid
Paladin

No major weaknesses and decent tier 1. Not reliant on DM charity or playstyle for the most part.

5.5. Much better. It's easier to list the classes I don't want to play level 1-20.

Barbarian (one trick pony, to easily shut down higher levels)
Ranger (meh at higher level, hunters mark eh)
Rogue (just meh)
Wizard (to DM dependent, to long to get good)

Fighter, Warlocks, Sorcerers, and Monks step up from 5.0. Humble goghter gets a utility boost and indomitable along with low opportunity costs on dice manipulation o. 5.5 on general.

Your thoughts? Criteria is whatever you like subject to starting at low level and you don't get to pick your subclass.

So why give a runner up prize with multiple builds? Here are the best options IMO:

5e:
In a 5E combat game an Elf or Dwarf Bladesinger is pretty boss at all levels and is a melee god (for 5E) past level 11. Level 1 before the subclass is the only level they are not balls to the wall top tier in combat and even there, with the Racial weapons, blade cantrips and the shield spell once a day it is still on fleek.

5E class for a well rounded game is Fizban's Dragonborn Tasha's Fey Wanderer Ranger with Fey touched-Cause Fear and Dragonfear. In a game that uses all 3 pillars, I think this is the best single class 5E build available. This character rivals a Wizard at control (actually better in parts of tier 2/3), is good with weapons, great at exploration and is the best face in the game.

2024:
In 2024 combat game Monks are superb at all levels.

In a 2024 game focused on all 3 pillars Fighters excel, being the best skill Monkeys at low and medium level and still good at high level while being great in combat at all levels.

A good multiclass will beat all of these though.

 

[Zardnaar]

So why give a runner up prize with multiple builds? Here are the best options IMO:

5e:
In a 5E combat game an Elf or Dwarf Bladesinger is pretty boss at all levels and is a melee god (for 5E) past level 11. Level 1 before the subclass is the only level they are not balls to the wall top tier in combat and even there, with the Racial weapons, blade cantrips and the shield spell once a day it is still on fleek.

5E class for a well rounded game is Fizban's Dragonborn Tasha's Fey Wanderer Ranger with Fey touched-Cause Fear and Dragonfear. In a game that uses all 3 pillars, I think this is the best single class 5E build available. This character rivals a Wizard at control (actually better in parts of tier 2/3), is good with weapons, great at exploration and is the best face in the game.

2024:
In 2024 combat game Monks are superb at all levels.

In a 2024 game focused on all 3 pillars Fighters excel, being the best skill Monkeys at low and medium level and still good at high level while being great in combat at all levels.

A good multiclass will beat all of these though.

I did say no sub classes. Think you convinced me about Fey wanderer and fighters iirc.

Wife's enjoying her hunter but I think she will MC out after level 5.

Multiclassing and 5.0 material changes things.

 

[Stalker0]

For me its Bard or Paladin. They just have a bit of everything, always good.

If I had to pick one it would be the Paladin.

 

[FrogReaver]

@Zardnaar

Do you mean equally weighting levels? Or can I rate low level more importantly as long as I also take into account levels 1-20?

 

[Zardnaar]

@Zardnaar

Do you mean equally weighting levels? Or can I rate low level more importantly as long as I also take into account levels 1-20?

Whatever you like.

Persistent ally I rate lower level way higher url odds are you won't hit level 13 let alone 20.

It's hypothetical you are reaching level 20. Mono class archetypes don't matter.

Beyond thatt its up to you.

 

[Ashrym]

I think a bard's lack of defensive abilities hurts them in this comparison.

I'm more inclined to go with paladins and rangers because of their martial capabilities at lower levels and their spells to support it as they level.

And warlocks for their invocations and spell support if they make a weapon build.

Spell casters aren't good at low levels and other martials lack the spell support at higher levels. I think if we're considering all levels without subclasses that mix covers the full level range better.