All adventurers came from somewhere.
However, not all classes are created equal for brand-new players.
Which are the best D&D classes for beginners?
15Gunslinger
Complexity Rating
High.
Key Features
Proficiency with firearms and Tinker’s Tools.
Party Role
Ranged damage.
This class can be tricky in terms of resource management.
14Artificer
Spellcasting and Magical Tinkering, allowing players to create magical objects.
Support and damage hybrid.
Artificers are not in the main Handbook- Instead, you’ll find them in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything.
However, to pull that off properly, you must be familiar with how the game works.
13Bloodhunter
Blood Maledicts, and access to Fighting Styles.
Bloodhunter is not one of the classesthat you will find in either the 2014 or 2024 Player’s Handbooks.
It was instead created by Matthew Mercer of voice acting and Critical Role fame.
12Warlock
Eldritch Invocations, which allow players to customize their spellcasting.
Firearm by Chris Seaman
Damage or support depending on subclass selection.
Warlocks are the best spellcastingD&D classfor beginners.
They have access to many fewer spells and have fewer spell slots than the other magical classes.
Firearm by Chris Seaman
However, those spells hit harder and regenerate faster.
Warlocks regain their spell slots on a short rest as opposed to a long one.
In addition, they take a lot of advantage from their cantrips, which have no casting limit.
Gnome Artificer Vi via Wizards of the Coast
Tracking these abilities and managing refueling spell slots can prove tricky to track at times.
11Wizard
Diverse spellcasting and Arcane Recovery.
Damage and support hybrid.
Blood Hunter by Joma Cueto
Wizards attract a lot of attention to themselves when newcomers see their options.
However, that immense variety in builds and spells makes them a complicated choice for new players.
10Cleric
Average.
A Draconic Warlock by Ignatius Budi
Most healing spells and features in the game.
Here are all the official paladin oaths available in Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition, ranked.
9Bard
Bardic Inspiration, allowing players to buff their allies.
A Scholarly Magic-User by Billy Christian
Bards tend to fill somethingof a support role in combat, particularly with their Bardic Inspiration ability.
They’re also full casters with access to cantrips and various spells.
Plus, bards possess not-so-insignificant physical combat skills and thus have much to offer a player.
Priest by Michael Broussard.
However, it can also be difficult to keep so many abilities straight, let alone leverage them optimally.
8Monk
Ki points, granting players access to extra attacks and movement.
Truth be told,Monks are not particularly difficultto play with.
Bard by Evyn Fong
However, they’re also not the most optimized class in the game.
After all, their damage output isn’t the best, and they’re a bit fragile.
7Druid
Wildshape, allowing players to transform into different animals.
A Martial Artist by Joshua Raphael
Damage, with some minor support elements.
Knowing your options beforehand is nice, but it requires game knowledge or lots of reading.
Players can choose between several main rogue archetypes with varying abilities and traits.
A Druid by Alexander Mokhov
However, not all subclasses are made equal.
Still, this is a class where it’s very difficult to do wrong.
6Paladin
Smite, allowing players to empower their attacks with radiant damage.
A Devout Warrior by Michael Broussard
Support and Tank hybrid.
Paladins are a solid choicefor those unfamiliar with the magic system.
