D&D 5E Exhausted, no ressources, who do you want at you side?

[Undrave]

So this is based on a talk we had in the Monk thread in regard to baseline...

Imagine a situation where you and your party are completely SPENT. No more short rest resource, no more long rest resource, no wand charge, you spent all your HD and potions putting yourselves back to full and now you have one last fight to go before you can take a rest. No escape possible...

Who would you want in your party at that moment? Is there any level you'd prefer them to be there with you? Any subclass in particular? Pick up to five for this desperate fight!

 

[Undrave]

I don't think the Monk is that great, but in this situation it'd be pretty solid, depending on the subclass. Shadow Monk can teleport to either get out of trouble or get cheap advantage, and Kensei have their whole AC bonus thing.

Rogues are obviously the best here.

Depending on level a Ranger could be okay if they're hunters.

Fighters can still be solid, and a Champion can still rely on their extended critical range.

I'd round it off with Warlock, just because of Agonizing Blast and potentially their at-will invocations or familiar if they have one.

 

[DND_Reborn]

No more short rest resource, no more long rest resource

So, no spell slots??? I am a bit confused by your scenario.

 

[Undrave]

So, no spell slots??? I am a bit confused by your scenario.

Yup. You made some stupid choices, you're in a desperate situation and your DM is already thinking what your next campaign is gonna be after the upcoming TPK. Who gives you the best chance to avoid that fate?

 

[DND_Reborn]

Yup. You made some stupid choices, you're in a desperate situation and your DM is already thinking what your next campaign is gonna be after the upcoming TPK. Who gives you the best chance to avoid that fate?

Ok, thanks, just confirming.

 

[J-H]

The Paladin's out of spell slots and Lay on Hands, so he's just a less-good fighter.
The fighter's out of Second Wind and Action Surge, but is still OK.
None of the casters have anything above cantrips or invocations.
The Rogue is (aside from AT) still at full power, and probably still has caltrops, ball bearings, and other gimmicks...plus he can still hide and sneak attack and run away.

I picked Rogue, with Fighter as my mental second choice and Warlock as 3rd.

 

[Undrave]

The Paladin's out of spell slots and Lay on Hands, so he's just a less-good fighter.
The fighter's out of Second Wind and Action Surge, but is still OK.
None of the casters have anything above cantrips or invocations.
The Rogue is (aside from AT) still at full power, and probably still has caltrops, ball bearings, and other gimmicks...plus he can still hide and sneak attack and run away.

I picked Rogue, with Fighter as my mental second choice and Warlock as 3rd.

You can pick up to 5.

I think an Archery style Ranger with the Hunter Subclass (for Horde Breaker) could be okay, plinking away at range.

 

[Jediking]

What level/tier? Won't be a huge impact, but a couple strong abilities depend on it (Monk Diamond Soul, Paladin Aura)

If a Paladin has their Aura up that will be a huge impact for allies

Similar to above posters - Fighter, Rogue, Ranger all have the best chassis for a zero-resource fight. Subclasses can play a huge role.

I threw in Barbarian to round it out to 5- no rage, but Reckless Attack and high HP may help.

All casters are probably out if they are relying on cantrips (presuming even Warlocks with Invocations have expended their use if any)

 

[DND_Reborn]

I chose:

Fighter (obvious)
Monk (lots of movement and special features)
Ranger (many features are also "at will")
Rogue (again, obvious)
Warlock (can't run out of EB spamming )
Wizard (ritual caster can add a lot of utility)

EDIT: I had changed my mind going from Monk to Wizard, but realized with the right invocations the Warlock can handle the ritual caster need if desired. So, back to Monk.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

Rogues and Warlocks with optimized EB are going to be outstanding here. Most Fighters will also be very strong - BM Fighters less so, but virtually every other subclass is less short-rest reliant, and even BM Fighters have the very solid Fighter chassis to go from. At L11 Fighters and EB Locks will get further ahead than other classes (Rogues will progress steadily) due to the extra attack. Whether Feats are in play and which, if any, the Fighter has chosen will matter too (as will weapon choice).

Ranger, Barbarian and Monk all sort of float around the same level. They're likely to be behind Fighters due to worse AC, and Barbarians and Monks will have lost their best defences (Rage DR and Dodge as a Bonus Action). Monks will have their bonus-action unarmed attack, but it's likely if Feats are allowed, even before L11, a Fighter will have higher AC, HP, and DPR - at L11 it'll get worse. Paladin I haven't thought a lot about, but a good match of scenario and subclass at a level where you have your Aura could be nice. I think they'll usually be behind the above though.

Then the exact level and situation could vary things a lot. As can subclasses - you could tweak the precise scenario to favour almost any of the above classes by manipulating level, subclass, and situation, but I think in most "conventional" scenarios (i.e. limited verticality, little/no water, limited charm/frighten, some but not overwhelmingly common DEX-save-based damage coming in), then Rogue, EB Lock and Fighter are going to be your go-tos.