Dungeons and Dragons, the greatest role-playing game in existence, offers a multitude of ways to play. From casters to martial fighters and everything in between, there is a class to suit every player’s style. In this article, I will list each class, their specializations, and their abilities.
The Artificer – The Artificer is a technology-based combat caster. Their spells revolve around using technology, as they use their artisan’s tools as a casting focus, which is necessary for higher-level spells. At level 3, they can choose from subclasses such as the Alchemist, who creates potions and poisons, the Armorer, who crafts magical armor with special abilities, the Artillerist, who wields steampunk weaponry, and the Battle Smith, who constructs creatures to fight alongside them. Additionally, Artificers have the ability to replicate magic items, making them highly valuable to any party.
The Barbarian – The Barbarian is a heavy attacker with high health and a relentless rage that empowers them in combat. They have a wide range of subclasses, but the main ones are the Path of the Berserker, which enhances their rage but weakens their health, and the Totem Warrior, who forms a bond with an animal spirit granting them various abilities. The three main animal spirits are the Bear for strength, the Eagle for speed and intelligence, and the Wolf for support. Barbarians unlock their subclasses at level 3.
The Bard – The Bard is a caster who channels their spells through their performances, using their own instruments and songs. They are charisma-based spellcasters and gain access to their spells at level 3. The main subclasses are the College of Lore, which utilizes their knowledge of the past for spellcasting, and the College of Valor, which draws on the heroic tales of great figures to cast spells and perform extraordinary feats.
The Cleric – The Cleric is a holy caster who derives their spellcasting abilities from their religious beliefs. They use a holy symbol to cast spells, typically focusing on support spells but also capable of dealing death and destruction. Clerics have numerous subclasses, which they unlock at level 1. Subclasses include Knowledge (focused on learning and ancient artifacts), Life (specializing in healing), Light (centered around fire), Nature (dedicated to protecting the natural world), Tempest (attuned to storms and the sea), Trickery (practicing mischief and stealth), and War (skilled in combat and warfare).
The Druid – The Druid is devoted to protecting nature and preserving its untamed essence. They employ spells derived from nature to shield their allies and harm their foes, while also transforming into animals to enhance their abilities. Druids have two main subclasses that they unlock at level 2. The Circle of the Land focuses on specific types of nature spells, with eight subgroups representing Arctic (cold), Coast (water), Desert (illusion), Forest (mobility), Grassland (stealth), Mountain (earth), Swamp (acid), and Underdark (a mixture of various elements). The Circle of the Moon emphasizes the ability to transform into animals, granting more potent shapeshifting abilities.
The Fighter – The Fighter is a versatile class that excels in combat. They do not possess spellcasting abilities but can wield any weapon and wear any armor. Fighters can take on various roles such as mercenaries, guards, soldiers, and more. Subclasses for Fighters are unlocked at level 3, with three main options. The Champion subclass enhances their strength and offers easier critical hits, the Battlemaster grants access to different maneuvers (fighting abilities), and the Eldritch Knight combines martial prowess with spellcasting abilities.
The Monk – The Monk is known for their maneuverability, gaining increased movement speed when not wielding weapons and dealing enhanced damage with their fists. Monks have three subclasses to choose from. The Way of the Open Hand focuses on dealing more damage with unarmed strikes and ultimately destroying enemies. The Way of Shadow emphasizes hiding and teleportation through shadows. Lastly, the Way of the Four Elements enables control over fire, air, water, and earth.
The Paladin – The Paladin is a holy knight in shining armor, dedicated to protecting the land. They are martial casters capable of wearing heavy armor and wielding any weapon. At level 3, Paladins can choose from three subclasses. The Oath of Devotion represents the stereotypical holy knight, utilizing light to vanquish undead foes. The Oath of the Ancients centers around protecting nature and aiding others using earth and nature-based magic. The Oath of Vengeance is focused on defeating greater evils at any cost.
The Ranger – The Ranger is a hunter, skilled in tracking and taking down their prey, which can be more than just beasts. They are martial casters who use nature magic. Rangers combine elements of Fighters, Druids, and Rogues. At level 3, they unlock two subclasses. The Hunter subclass enhances their combat abilities, while the Beastmaster grants them a creature companion to aid in battle.
The Rogue – The Rogue is a stealth-based martial class, specializing in sneaking, stealing, lockpicking, and dealing high damage. They have three main subclasses. The Thief subclass improves their thieving abilities, allowing them to climb easily, steal, and utilize magic items. The Assassin subclass enhances their sneak attacks and makes hiding easier. Lastly, the Arcane Trickster combines magic with thievery to become a more proficient rogue.
The Sorcerer – The Sorcerer is a martial caster with the ability to use basic and martial weapons, although their focus is primarily on spellcasting. They have two main subclasses. The Draconic Ancestry subclass taps into the power of their dragon ancestors to unleash destruction upon their foes, while the Wild Magic subclass harnesses the chaotic forces of magic.
The Warlock – The Warlock is a martial spellcaster who draws power from a patron. There are three subclasses, known as patrons. The Archfey is a mystical fey creature that grants powers of trickery and illusions. The Fiend is a daemon from the underworld, bestowing power over death and fire. The Great Old One is a being from a distant realm, granting abilities to induce madness in foes. Warlocks also possess a pact item, which can be a magical weapon, a spellbook, or a mystical familiar. They unlock their pact item at level 3.
The Wizard – The Wizard is a class entirely focused on spellcasting. They have the largest number of spells and subclasses for each type of magic. Wizards unlock their subclasses at level 2, gaining access to schools of magic such as Abjuration (focused on protection), Conjuration (specializing in summoning), Divination (centered around foresight), Enchantment (dealing with manipulating enemies), Evocation (harnessing elemental destruction), Necromancy (controlling and raising the dead), and Transmutation (changing one thing into another).
To gain some insight into why people play Dungeons and Dragons, I interviewed several players. I asked them about their experience, preferred class, and reasons for playing. Here are their responses:
Sam Miller, who has been playing for about 4 years, usually plays as a Druid. He started playing because he has a deep love for fantasy and enjoys using his imagination.
Jack Stokowski, a player for approximately one month, usually chooses the Fighter class. He began playing after his friends introduced him to the game.
Isaac Morrison, a player for about a year, typically plays as a Warlock. He started playing because it seemed fun and intriguing.
Forest Henrey, another player for about a month, prefers the Ranger class. He was initially drawn to the game after hearing about it and finding it appealing.
Danial Goveia, who has been playing for about a year, often plays as a Barbarian. He started playing because all of his friends were involved, and he found it to be enjoyable.
Simon Lynch, a player for about a year, usually selects the Druid class. He started playing after hearing about the game and finding it enticing.
We created a poll for you to vote on which class you think is the best from what you have read.
Now, I hope you found this interesting and will try Dungeons and Dragons one day. Goodbye
All of the Property of this article is given to Wizards of the Coast
