Classes in DnD: Get To Grips With This Basic Concept
In Dungeons & Dragons, you’ll be tasked with picking a character that comes from one of the 12 basic classes. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages when it comes to things such as speech, combat, etc. Let’s take a look at those classes to help beginners know what to expect when playing D&D for the first time:
Barbarian
The barbarian is often large and lumbering, offering up high points for strength because of its stature and ability to fight. These characters have a high amount of hit points and can deal a lot of damage that will come in handy during battle. However, the trade-off is that barbarians aren’t too bright, starting off with low levels of charisma and intelligence.
Bard
A bard is exactly what you think it is: a singer and entertainer that is able to lift the spirits of the traveling party. Bards offer up a lot of charisma by nature and have spells that can help get them out of trouble. Bards don’t do a lot of damage, though, and can easily be knocked off in battle. From the side, though, bards are extremely helpful.
Cleric
A cleric is a lot like a barbarian in the sense that they can deal a lot of damage in battle and have a lot of constitution. The big difference is that the cleric is much better with ranged attacks, is much smarter, and has a lot more intelligence and wisdom. A cleric is a warrior of the holy spirit by nature and is a safe well-rounded character for beginners.
Druid
Druids end up having more in common with clerics than clerics do with barbarians. That’s because their primary scores are placed into constitution and wisdom, but they don’t have a lot of the same armor that a cleric might have, making them more susceptible to damage. Druids can deal a lot more damage in most cases, though, and can change forms in battle.
Fighter
Fighters and barbarians share many of the same traits, though the fighter tends to be smaller in stature and much more intelligent. Fighters are knowledgeable about the art of battle and can attack from both close range and distance. There’s much more of a chance for character development with a fighter, too.
Monk
If you want a character that doesn’t use weapons while still doing a lot of damage on the battlefield, then the monk might be your go-to. They are masters of unarmed combat, using hand-to-hand abilities to fight while also having a solid defense. What helps them stand out is their immunity to a lot of poisons and non-combat damage.
Paladin
If you want a character that’s armored to the gills and is tremendous at combat, then a paladin might be your class of choice. Blessed by the holy spirit, paladins are forces of light that can partake in combat with the best of them while using their divine powers. Clerics are most similar to a paladin, though a paladin has more strength and charisma overall.
Ranger
When we think of a modern-day ranger, we probably think of someone that’s riding around on a horse and carrying a gun. In the D&D world, though, rangers are fighters that can battle from a distance and are often wise beyond their years. Dexterity goes a long way toward making a good ranger, and it’s a good class to have on a team with a beginner.
Rogue
The rogue class is similar to that of the monk, but it comes with higher charisma and focuses on getting in and out with their hits instead of sticking around the battlefield for too long. An assassin of sorts, the rogue class is handy for non-combat purposes, too, including picking locks.
Sorcerer
While a ranger can attack from long distances with arrows, the sorcerer does so with its magic abilities. This class is high in intelligence and charisma, casting spells that help the party perform a wide arrange of tasks from healing to doing damage to an enemy. Be careful, though, as sorcerers aren’t allowed to learn all possible spells.
Warlock
Upping the ante from the sorcerer class is the warlock class, which is typically even stronger than the sorcerer and shows their ability in battle. Like the sorcerer, warlocks can deal a great among of damage from a long range using a high constitution.
Wizard
Finally, there’s the wizard, another one of the magic-type classes in D&D that has a lot of skill points to go around. You can make your wizard a fighter or simply a charmer, as this is one of the most versatile classes that the game has to offer.