D&D 5E Party Optimization

[AldarinWindcaster]

Hey guys! I recently started playing in a new 5E party. We currently have 2 rogues, a cleric, and a sorcerer, but I have yet to pick my own class. What class would you advise for this group?

 

[KahlessNestor]

Depending on how the cleric is built, it looks like you need a front line or tank.

 

[pming]

Hiya!

Hey guys! I recently started playing in a new 5E party. We currently have 2 rogues, a cleric, and a sorcerer, but I have yet to pick my own class. What class would you advise for this group?

Whatever you want? Seriously, I just don't get the "optimization" mindset (unless you just titled your thread weirdly...). Now, if you have a DM who does nothing to very little in order to 'balance' the PC's against NPC's/Monsters (pretty much like me I guess... ), *then* and only then will your "optimization" actually mean anything and be an actual optimization. If you have a DM who, however, is apt to "adjust" the challenges and re-write the entire game campaign world all for the sake of "balancing stuff so the PC's are challenged all the time, no matter their choices"...then all (as in every scrap) of time you put into 'optimization' is a total and complete waste of creative energy, time and effort.

I know, not helpful at all. Sorry. My 6 year old daughter is sick and I've been more or less up for 30-some-odd hours with a few cat naps in between...so I'm a bit cranky and don't much care. Anyway... play what you want if you have a DM leaning towards the second; because nothing you do to 'optimize' is going to matter. If you have a DM who is more like me, and apt to run a consistent "campaign world balance/expectation", then go with something to compliment the other classes; some kind of Fighter, Ranger or Barbarian (I'd opt for Fighter, personally).

^_^

Paul L. Ming

 

[BoldItalic]

Let's start with backgrounds. What are the backgrounds of the other PCs? Now pick a background that intersects with theirs in some way that gives you a motive for adventuring with them in particular and them with you. There's your backstory. Now pick a class that you think a character with that backstory would adopt. Play that class.

I wouldn't recommend being the sorcerer's meat shield. Or the guy who is dumb enough to stand next to the enemy so that the rogues can get sneak attack with their bows. When the cleric has burned up all his healing keeping you there, that's when you die. Where's the fun in that?

 

[ccs]

1st; What do you WANT to play?
Lets presume that whatever you'll answer is exactly what the party needs. So what is it?

Next;
*Are there any restrictions you need to consider? (for ex; I commonly disallow Drow when I'm DMing. They exist, but not as a PC option. Meanwhile, over in my buddies game, 1/2lings have been hunted to extinction....)
*Considering the setting/campaign background, is there anything that particularly stands out as being setting appropriate? Or inappropriate. Or just interesting?

 

[Zardnaar]

Something like a fighter or Paladin. Maybe a Barbarian.

 

[Shiroiken]

Hey guys! I recently started playing in a new 5E party. We currently have 2 rogues, a cleric, and a sorcerer, but I have yet to pick my own class. What class would you advise for this group?

Probably a warrior type, such as Fighter, Barbarian, Paladin, or Ranger.

Fighter is overall one of the best classes, so it's the base choice. Protection Fighting Style will help the rouges, assuming they join you in melee to get sneak attack. Great Weapon Fighting Style has the best damage output, but the loss of a shield means you'll be hit more, sucking up healing from the cleric.

Barbarian can deal massive damage, and so far your group seems like it's about offense over defense. If the rouges are melee based, the Wolf Totem warrior is amazing. Downside is that you'll be sucking up healing from the cleric.

Paladin is a very balanced option. You can take Protection Fighting Style or Great Weapon Fighter, just as the Fighter, but you provide your own healing.

Ranger is a strong option if the cleric doesn't wear heavy armor, because the group can become stealth assassins. This is even better if everyone has Darkvision.

 

[Nytmare]

Yeah, ignoring questions of campaign limitations and gunning straight for party optimization, I would agree that you probably want to play a front line fighter.

However.

My preferred method of play is to look at it as a combination of what intermeshes best with the existing story and group. So if two rogues, a cleric, and a sorcerer = a cleric of Tymora fence, a second story man, a con man, and an arcane safe cracker who go around the city robbing rich adventurers who are out pillaging far off dungeons, a gnollish barbarian wouldn't be my first choice.

 

[mellored]

Dex/Con barbarian with shield.

Super tanky, melee to be an "an ally within 5'" and can join in the stealth parade. Possibly dipping battlemaster 3 so you can commander's strike for the rogues.

Or whatever you want.

 

[Savage Wombat]

Never undervalue stealth. With two thieves in the party, it may be helpful to tweak a tank character for stealth instead of maximizing AC. Of course, if the cleric doesn't also do so the benefit may be lost.