Simple yet effective,Archery provides a character with a +2 bonus to hit with all ranged weaponry.
Recommended Gameplay
Recommended Weapon
Recommended Classes
Sniping from far away.
Longbow
Fighter or Ranger
Constant barrage, with spells like Hunter’s Mark adding damage.
Shortbow, vex mastery feature
Ranger
Landing the best possible hits with firearms.
Damage drops considerably after level 5.
Doing a combo with a friendly spellcaster that summons Darkness.
Artillerist Artificer Art via Wizards of the Coast
Maul, topple weapon mastery.
Fighter
Scouting ahead as the frontline tank.
Halberd, having reach equal to your Blindsight.
Artillerist Artificer Art via Wizards of the Coast
Paladin or Fighter
Social prefs where combat will be minimal.
From nerfs to buffs, we list some of the biggest spell changes in the 2024 Player’s Handbook.
Frontline tank
Any one-handed weapon and a shield.
Art via Wizards of the Coast
Aggressive Tank
Flail with a shield.
Dexterity focused damage dealer
Rapier with a shield.
This is where the Great Weapon Fighting style comes in.
Player’s Handbook cover art by Tyler Jacobson
Dealing the most amount of damage.
Dealing with swarms of enemies.
Greataxe, cleave weapon mastery.
Nadaar, Selfless Paladin by Aaron Miller
And if your DM allows it, you could even use it to intercept attacks directed at you.
Double frontline party, standing side by side with your damage dealer.
Warhammer, push weapon mastery.
Long range attacker, standing next to the Wizard, so their concentration isn’t broken.
Make the most of your background.
Morningstar with a shield.
Circle of the Moon Druid by Nicholas Elias
Supportive frontline with healing abilities.
Longsword with a shield, being able to drop it when no one needs protection.
Paladin
Light Crossbow with a shield.
Paladin from the Player’s Handbook via Wizards of the Coast
Recommended Maneuver
Use both action and bonus action to attack with a single weapon.
Feinting Attack
Reduce incoming damage to survive longer without needing higher AC.
Parry
Support allies with a class that doesn’t normally do so.
Forsworn Paladin by Lorenzo Mastroianni
However, the Thrown Weapon Fighting style makes the use of such weapons more enticing.
Topple enemies from range to catch them at melee range.
Trident, topple weapon mastery.
Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide Cover Art by Tyler Jacobson
Handaxe, vex weapon mastery.
Use light weapons, freeing up your bonus action to cast spells.
Dagger or Light Hammer, nick weapon mastery.
Dungeons & Dragons Player’s Handbook by Wizards of the Coast
However, this fighting style helps a character be more ambidextrous,allowing their ability modifier to be added.
Remember, however, that for all this to work, both weapons need to have the Light property.
Hand Crossbow, vex weapon mastery.
Shortsword and Scimitar, using the nick weapon mastery of the Scimitar.
Recommended Feat
Grab one enemy until you drop them to 0 hit points.
Grappler
Push enemies around, controlling the battlefield.
Plundering Barbarian by Andrew Mar
Tavern Brawler
These D&D species are still missing from Fifth Edition.
Goblin Javelineer by Mike Jordana
Drizzt Do’Urden art by Wizards of the Coast
Dragon’s Disciple by Lucas Graciano
