D&D 5E What is the best "5th" class?

[Mort]

Just curious,

What, in your experience, is the best 5th class to a party - As in 4 characters cover the basics - what's the best 5th?

Now, I recognize the "correct" answer is "whatever that player wants to play" - but lets jump past that. I also recognize groups often have more than 4 or 5 players (heck mine rotates 6-7) but for ease of reference, I just chose 5th.

I'd love to see the boards thoughts on this (in addition to the poll).

 

[GlassJaw]

Luckily 5E makes it so much easier for any party composition to work. But assuming the traditional tank/rogue/healer/wizard roles, I voted paladin. I always like having another tank in a party. Bonus points since the paladin has some healing ability and can dish out a lot of damage.

Honorable mentions go to bard, warlock, and monk. Bard honestly might be a better choice because of crowd control. Monk and warlock also feel like they were purposefully designed to be a "5th character".

 

[mellored]

Warlocks. They have a nice mix of offense and utility.

Monk and Bard are also good choices.

 

[WarpedAcorn]

I'd go with Bard. They've got a wide range of skills and spells that can supplement a standard adventuring party while also providing unique buffs and support spells to disable enemies.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

I went with Bard. Assuming the Rogue is a standard dex-based sort, the Bard covers charisma-based checks that would otherwise be left unsupported, not to mention that bardic inspiration die and song of rest do come in handy.

 

[Satyrn]

Paladin. With the first 4 all being different shades of cleric.

 

[Istbor]

Bard, all the way. And if that bard can be considered a Skald, then all the more!

 

[ccs]

Now, I recognize the "correct" answer is "whatever that player wants to play" - but lets jump past that.

Since the correct answer also happens to be the best, why would I want to jump past it?

 

[Mort]

Since the correct answer also happens to be the best, why would I want to jump past it?

Because while the answer to most of these kind of questions boils down to "whatever works best for your group and is fun for you to play..." that's not really a fun discussion on the mechanics and the contributions of the various classes to the party.

 

[Charlaquin]

Bard, of course.

The traditional party is Fighting Man, Magic User, Priest, and Thief. The Fighting Man role can be filled by a Fighter, Paladin, Ranger, Barbarian, or Monk. The Magic User role can be filled by a Wizard, Sorcerer, or Warlock. The Priest role can be filled a by Cleric or Druid. The Thief role can be filled by... Well, pretty much just a Rogue. The Bard does a little bit of everything, and makes the perfect 5th man, being able to stand-in for and/or support characters of all four traditional roles.

Of course, 5th Edition makes it easier than ever to cover other roles. There's really no need to follow it any more, as long as everyone has a niche to fill.