D&D 5E Which arcane caster should I play?

[Li Shenron]

I voted standard wizard since I like them best, but go bard if you think you need more healing now that the cleric is gone. I would also make him 2nd or 3rd level to compete with the rest of the PCs. You still not steal the spotlight from your kids, but you can last a bit.

It's only 300xp to 2nd level

 

[Leatherhead]

Standard human stats, free choice of race at cosmetic level.

Oh, that's different. I was asking because a Tortle would have made for a fun and sightly different take on an arcane caster. You would get to do fun things like cast a spell, then hide in your shell. Or pretend to be Gamera by shooting Eldritch Blasts or Firebolts out of your mouth.

I guess you could still do most of that if you picked the sorcerer.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Wizard. Because you can show that intelligence and knowledge skills have its merits.

 

[CTurbo]

Bard all the way. You can be the "healer" since the Cleric is gone. I'd go Lore with the Moderately armored feat which also gives a +1 to Dex. Starting AC with a Chain Shirt + Shield would be 17.

You'll make the entire party better and they'll love you for it.

Valor or Swords would be fun too with the Inspiring Leader feat.

 

[StormbringerAUS]

Wizard as most say, the Sorcerer especially the Warlock could be harder for a first time DM in terms of interaction with your patron.

 

[Eltab]

I like the Bard; he has more versatility plus can pick up some (but not all) of the Cleric's healing. For a one-shot this will not be a crippling trade-off.

Since AC is low, look into a Shortbow rather than a Rapier as your chief weapon.
Do you have a good DPR character in the group? Tasha can take an enemy out of the fight for a turn or two while your heavy-hitter comes over to smack them. (IME, that attack also fizzles the spell.)
Take the cantrip that gives you Resist(weapons) if you think you will need to off-Tank; for a one-shot character it will look cool powerful and fun rather than a trap option.
If you have to be the scout, take cantrip Message. You can relay information to the rest of the group in-game and save IRL time re-describing what the DM told you.

 

[lowkey13]

*Deleted by user*

 

[guachi]

I chose Wizard as I love the Wizard and I find his spell options most appealing.

I do think people hit one something that makes Bard a stronger choice for this particular group. Bard is a support class and supporting your kids to let them be awesome can be a benefit. Vicious Mockery can be funny and you help the frontline PCs not get hit. And Faerie Fire helps PCs with attack rolls be awesome.

 

[Mr. Wilson]

I think Bard thematically fills the hole left by the Cleric not being there for a night and was the choice I made (plus, bards are the best).

However, Warlock makes the party run smoother based on short rest recharges while I can take or leave the Wizard/Sorc.

 

[Li Shenron]

Simple.

Bards suck.
Sorcerers blow.
Wizards, well, do not try to play a wizard, for they are obnoxious and quick to die.

By process of elimination, you're playing the Warlock.

You can't argue with that- it's logic. Because you can't argue with logic, the bastard child of maths.

I'll comply with your logic and play a Paladin.