Alternative D&D Party Options: Class Replacements for Fighter, Wizard, Cleric, Rogue

Ah, the classic D&D party: Cleric, Fighter, Rogue, Wizard. It's the OG party comp that's been carrying campaigns since Gygax was rolling dice in his basement.

My players' characters (left to right): Harengon Cleric, Human Bard, Tabaxi Rogue, and Leonin Barbarian. Balanced AND hilariously unhinged.

But sometimes, you wanna mix it up, right?

So grab some sativa, your favorite piece, and settle in while we explore some alternative ways to build a balanced D&D party without losing that magic✨

Cleric

The cleric has been the party healer since forever, but sometimes you want a healer who can spit bars or go chaotic feral as a bear, instead of just basic healing spells.

• Bard: Okay, healing capabilities are more limited than a Cleric, but College of Lore bards can learn cleric spells at 6th level through magical secrets; meaning you get revivify and all the good stuff without ever setting foot in a temple.

• Druid: If you’d rather commune with nature than holy texts, druids are nature's answer to the divine healer. The Circle of the Moon subclass gives you access to healing magic (cure wounds) and the ability to shapeshift into a whole ass bear. And let's not forget goodberry!

• Artificer: Infuse items, brew potions, and build mechanical buddies to keep your allies alive and boosted. Go with the Alchemist subclass to heal while also crafting magical items.

Fighter

You want to be the tank, but maybe your style leans less sword & shield and more smite & might? Say less, my heady bay-beeeees!

UNLEASH THE POWER OF YOUTH!

• Barbarian: Say "goodbye" to heavy armor and "hey, what's up? hello!" (I said what I said) to unstoppable rage. And the best part about raging during combat: you get resistance to physical damage (bludgeoning, piercing, slashing), which means you're taking HALF damage from most attacks. Barbarians also get the biggest hit dice in the game (d12), so you've got more HP than anyone else at the table 💁🏽‍♀️

• Monk: Unarmored defense means you're rocking a decent AC in literally nothing but your confidence and good DEX/WIS scores. But let's not forget the endless bonks courtesy of flurry of blows!

• Paladin: Paladins are what happens when you take a fighter, give them divine magic, and let them destroy enemies with the power of righteous fury. You've got heavy armor and martial weapons like fighters, but you also get spells, healing through lay on hands, and the ability to turn your spell slots into nuclear-level damage with divine smite.

Rogue

When you still want stealth and style, but you're bored with just daggers and lock-picks, here are some sneaky substitutes.

• Bard: As if being charismatic AF isn’t enough, bards get jack of all trades, which adds half your proficiency bonus to ANY ability check you're not already proficient in. Bards get almost as many skill proficiencies as rogues while also being a full spellcaster. Win win!

• Ranger: Excellent stealth and tracking abilities, and if you go with the Gloom Stalker subclass, you'll be invisible in darkness to characters that have darkvision (huge). Or if you want to save people and hunt things (family business) like the Winchester bros, Monster Slayer can turn your character into a supernatural investigator.

• Monk: Sneaky and fast (AF boiiiiii), monks can easily fill a rogue's stealthy shoes! Warrior of Shadow is the subclass you're gonna want. You get minor illusion as a cantrip, can cast darkness and a bunch of other sneaky spells using focus points, and shadow step lets you teleport 60 feet as a bonus action when you're in dim light or darkness. You're basically a Hidden Mist ninja (RIP Zabuza).

Wizard

You still want spells, explosions, and arcane weirdness, but maybe you'd less book-reading and more spicy charisma? I got you.

• Bard (can’t get enough): Wait, didn't we already cover bards as a rogue replacement? Yeah, but with Magical Secrets you can straight-up steal the best spells from other classes' lists. Want counterspell? Fireball? Just take 'em!

• Sorcerer: Sorcerers cast spells from pure innate magic and get metamagic, that lets you cast a spell in some truly wild ways:

- Twinned Spell: cast single-target spells on two targets

- Quickened Spell: cast a leveled spell as a bonus action, letting you cast (you guessed it) two spells in one turn

- Empowered Spell: reroll damage dice when they suck

- Subtle Spell: cast without components, making it impossible to counterspell or detect

- Heightened Spell: give one target disadvantage on their save against your spell

• Warlock: If you like your magic dark and mysterious, hop on the warlock train. While wizards are rationing their spell slots like it's the apocalypse, you're over here firing away because your slots come back on short rests. Eldritch blast with agonizing blast invocation is the most reliable damage in the game, full stop.

• Artificer: Your spell list is smaller but focused on the good stuff: utility, support, and some solid damage options. But let's not forget about infusions; you're basically handing out magic items to your party like candy. You can craft +1 weapons, enhanced armor, wand of secrets, repeating shot, and so much more!

Mix, match, and get CREATIVE!

Building your party doesn't mean you’re stuck following the same recipe. The best-balanced party is the one you're reaping chaos with!

Happy adventuring, and remember: there's more than one way to roll 🍃 initiative 😶‍🌫️💨