D&D 5E Easy Start 5E Level 5 PCs

[Riley37]

What are some character builds which, at 5th level, would be fun and simple to play, for someone new to 5E, new to D&D, or even new to TRPG, as a drop-in player joining a table of mostly-veteran players?Yes, the fighter with all-passive abilities. But that has so *few* choices. What builds have a few interesting choices, but not a bewildering plethora of trade-offs? Preference for clearly-named abilities, so that the player doesn't have to look up exact descriptions to know when to use them?

 

[77IM]

Don't discount the champion fighter. Give them a couple of different weapons and a good Athletics to push people around. More importantly, give them a background that lets them do interesting things outside of combat. My group has a high-Cha champion fighter with good social skills, for example.

Other options i'd consider:

1. Barbarian (any).
2. Paladin (devotion). You pick the spells prepared.
3. Rogue (thief or assassin).
4. Cleric (life, light or war). You pick the spells prepared.
5. Monk (open palm).
6. Sorcerer (dragon).
7. Warlock (chain or tome).

Obviously you'd make the most straightforward weapon, spell and ability choices for these. Again, make sure they have some non-combat skills.

 

[Blackwarder]

For someone knew to TRPG or to D&D don't go with a full caster, at most go with half caster, you want them to be active around the table and not having to read a bunch of spells, my top picks would be champion fighter or hunter ranger.

Warder

 

[damnbul]

I would choose a Half-orc Barbarian. Its melee so they get the feel of being right in the fight, taking hits and giving them. Has high HP so he wont die in his first fight. Have the background outlander, or sailor. Equipment is pretty simple. Make sure to give a heavy weapon. Should be fun and simple to play.

 

[Tormyr]

You could try using one of the pregens from the starter set. They go up to level 5 and seem to be set up in a fairly straightforward way.

 

[Daern]

I have a friend playing a Warlock for her first D&D. It works well because she has only a couple spells and gets them back quickly. Also the fey pact gives her a lot of social power during rp.

 

[Quartz]

The Champion fighter is ready-made as a drop-in PC. The expanded crit range should be good at making the player feel awesome in combat.

 

[Zaruthustran]

Warlock, oddly. Only two spell slots makes things easy, and no confusion over casting a 1st level spell in a 3rd level slot (or choosing which spells to "prepare" from a long list of possibilities). They're by far the most user-friendly casting class.

Fighter (Champion). If you want to add a little complication, make it a High Elf, and choose a high-utility cantrip like Minor Illusion or Prestidigitation.

Avoid the full caster classes. NO DRUIDS.

Question: why fifth level, instead of 1st? D&D has a built-in mechanism for increasing complication.

 

[Riley37]

Question: why fifth level, instead of 1st? D&D has a built-in mechanism for increasing complication.

Yes it does. I'm still learning how to play a Bard effectively.

However, at this table, we have some regular players who really want to develop their PCs over time, and we also want to welcome drop-in players and let them get started right away, with pre-gen PCs who can join the party.

We *could* have newcomer players start with level 1 or 2 PCs, as less-capable members of the party. Somehow that reminds me of Saruman's line: "leave behind the cut-throats and small rag-tag that dangle at your tail".