Class Tiers
This is a quick and dirty estimation of each class along a few somewhat arbitrary axes. Do not let a ranking on this chart discourage you from playing the character you want to play. Subclasses, feats, and magic items all influence how your character performs in any of these categories, and in some cases turn a ranking to an .
| Class | Complexity | Damage | Tankiness | Support | Utility | Social |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artificer | High | |||||
| Bard | High | |||||
| Barbarian | Low | |||||
| Cleric | Medium | |||||
| Druid | High | |||||
| Fighter | Low | |||||
| Monk | Medium | |||||
| Paladin | Medium | |||||
| Ranger | Low | |||||
| Rogue | Low | |||||
| Sorcerer | High | |||||
| Spellsword | High | |||||
| Warlock | High | |||||
| Wizard | Medium |
Legend
- The best option for this role, almost regardless of your choices. You are going to have to try hard to not fill this role very well.
- There are many options to excel in this role.
- With the correct build, you can perform this role well.
- There might be some options that lets you function in this role, but they might not be obvious or requires sacrificing other strengths.
- This class does not perform well in this role. There might be a few exceptional options that this does not apply to.
On the Martial-Caster divide
It exists, but it isn't as bad as some people say
The following rules are very important to enforce for balance reasons:
- Noticability of spellcasting components
- What are spellcasters holding in their hands
- Costly and consumed components
- Ritual casting times
These are some easy houserules and DM pointers that lessen the impact:
- Free feat at level 1 for all characters, no restrictions. This has a bigger impact on martials, while still allowing for greater build diversity for everyone.
- Ban these spells: Conjure Animals, Conjure Woodland Beings, Animate Objects, and Simulacrum. The first three has balanced versions available in Summon Beast, Summon Fey, and Summon Construct.
- Ensure that almost every combat has ranged attackers or skirmishers that go for the backline.
Consider making letting skills replicate some part of what spells can do. Perhaps not well enough to fully replace the spell, but enough to make a difference.
- Medicine: Spare the Dying
- This is already in the game, but might require a small buff
- Arcana: Detect Magic
- Perhaps just being able to sense the presence, but not the school
- Religion: Detect Evil and Good
- History: Comprehend Languages
- Not the full text, but the gist
- Jump: Athletics
- Animal Handling: Animal Friendship/Speak to Beasts
- Nature: Detect Poison and Disease
- Acrobatics: Feather Fall
- Probably not full immunity
- Survival: Goodberry
- Persuasion: Heroism
- Just the clearing of Frightened
- Sleight of Hand: Prestidigitation
- Various tools: Mending
- Never allow mending to do what would be impossible with tools
- Performance: Tasha's Hideous Laughter