D&D 5E What is the "Simple" Full Casting Class?

[Yaarel]

I view Wizard as the most complicated spellcaster.

Each spell is a new mechanical system to master. A Wizard probably will switch spells from day to day, and least some of them. More variables to learn and master than any other class.

Bard is simpler, with fewer spells to choose from during play.

Warlock is complex to build. But yeah once put together is simple to run − and if Eldritch Blast is the go-to, nothing is simpler.

 

[Scribe]

3.) Few and fairly simple class features.
4.) No additional subsystems, additional resources, or mini-games.

This was my rational for Wizard also.

 

[jmartkdr2]

I voted warlock for the simplest in terms of "what I would recommend to a new player." Wizard is probably second.

Druid is definitely the least simple.

 

[DrJawaPhD]

Wizard is the simplest by far if you ask me. Sure, creating a new Wizard character would be overwhelming as a new player without help on choosing the best spells, but in a world where Google exists, that just isn't an issue anymore. I've never seen new players have a hard time figuring out what to do as a Wizard - when you always have 5 great options in every scenario it's easy to just pick one and never worry about being "wrong".

I can't believe people are saying Warlock, it's the most complicated class in the game. What are Warlocks even supposed to do for damage? Melee attacks? Spam Eldritch Blast? Summon creatures to fight for them? (answer key: yes, yes, yes) Having only 2 spell slots is so restrictive and overly punishing if you casually waste a spell slot, if you are new to the game this is really difficult to deal with.

I could maybe see an argument that Cleric is simple - just cast Spirit Guardians and run around the battlefield like an idiot, then cast heals after combat or if anyone drops to death saving throws. Cleric gets complicated fast though if you want to branch out beyond running in circles with Spirit Guardians

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Definitely the Warlock.

I don't mean to cast shade on the Warlock (I like them fine) but I find it more exciting to play and to DM for a Champion Fighter than I do for your average Warlock (I'm speaking mechanically here, in combat) who nine-times-out-of-ten IME, casts Eldritch Blast on their turn and nothing else.

I find even the limits of "hacking with a sword" to be more narratively exciting.

Fortunately, the Warlock makes up for their rather boring (IMO) combat narrative for some excellent RP and story-stuff with their patron, and their personal struggles with their pact, whatever those may be.

You win some you lose some.

I can't imagine anyone voting on this poll for a Druid. It is by far the most complicated class in the game.

I do think that if you decide to do anything with the Warlock other than pew pew pew Eldritch Blast they are actually one of the more interesting classes mechanically as well.

Unfortunately, Eldritch Blast is just so appealing it's hard for most players to resist.

 

[Older Beholder]

I did think it was odd that the new PHB has Wizard as Average complexity,
But Warlock and Sorcerer were both considered High.

I thought it would be the other way around personally.

 

[DrJawaPhD]

Unfortunately, Eldritch Blast is just so appealing it's hard for most players to resist.

Spamming Eldritch Blast is just so weak though - does anyone actually do this in real life and not as a baseline DPS metric for youtube videos?

 

[Maxperson]

I can't imagine anyone voting on this poll for a Druid. It is by far the most complicated class in the game.

I played 3e from when it came out until 2019. Every so often I would play a druid, followed shortly by swearing never to play one again. And that of course lasted about 2 years until the next time.

It wasn't that it was too complicated for me to play. I could play one well. It was that it was so complicated it felt more like work than fun.

I haven't tried a 5e druid due to that trauma.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Spamming Eldritch Blast is just so weak though - does anyone actually do this in real life and not as a baseline DPS metric for youtube videos?

The Fear Of Loss of DPS Is A Path To The Dark Side....

 

[DrJawaPhD]

The Fear Of Loss of DPS Is A Path To The Dark Side....

That's ok I bet the Sith do more DPS anyways