Which D&D Class Should You Play?
- Jan 20
- 6 min read
Does choosing your first D&D class feel more overwhelming than trying to pick an anime on Crunchyroll at midnight?
Been. There. Choosing your class is probably the biggest decision you'll make when creating a character because it defines how you play the game.
Are you smashing faces with a greataxe?
Slinging spells from waaaaaaay in the back row?
Sneaking through shadows and stabbing folks in the kidneys?
Ooh! Or maybe you just want an animal companion and don't care about anything else (trust me, you're not alone lol).
Let's figure out which class matches your energy!
The 'Bonk Squad'
Barbarian
Playstyle: For those who like their violence up close
If you want to charge into battle screaming, take hits like they're gentle breezes, and deal absurd damage ... the barbarian class is calling your name. When you rage, you shrug off damage, hit harder, and basically become an unstoppable force of "are you even trying to hurt me?"
Perfect for: Players who want to feel unstoppable and don't care much about complicated mechanics.
Fighter
Playstyle: Versatile combat master
You get tons of attacks (and let’s not forget about second wind), can use basically any weapon or armor, and have the flexibility to build whatever kind of warrior you want. Sword and shield tank? Sure. Dual-wielding damage dealer? Yup. Archer? Hey, why not?
Perfect for: New players who want reliability, or veteran players who want to get tactical with their combat
Monk
Playstyle: Fast, mobile martial artist
Monks are all about speed and control. You're dodging attacks, running far AF, catching arrows, and unleashing a flurry of blows. The 2024 version turned monks into absolute powerhouses with better damage and survivability so give it a try! You're basically playing as an anime character who punches people into next week.
Perfect for: Players who want mobility and don't need heavy armor to feel badass
Ranger
Playstyle: Wilderness warrior with spells
Rangers sit in this sweet spot between fighter and druid and can be reallllly fun to play. You're great with weapons (especially bows), you can track enemies, survive in the wild, and cast nature-themed spells to buff yourself or control the battlefield. And this class allows an animal companion if you pick the beast master subclass.
Perfect for: Players who want ranged combat skills + a sprinkle of magic
Rogue
Playstyle: Sneaky little sneakster
Rogues are the masters of "work smarter, not harder." You sneak, pick locks, disable traps, and when combat kicks off, you deal massive damage with sneak attack (and it's the easiest attack bonus you can get). You're not tanky, but you make up for it by being slippery, skillful, and surprisingly deadly.
Perfect for: Players who want to move around Assassin's Creed-style and like big crits (amirite? lol)
For those who like arcane CHAOS
Artificer
Playstyle: Magic tinkerer and item crafter
Artificers are kind of the mad scientists of D&D. You infuse magic into items, create gadgets, and support your party with buffs and utility. Want a robot dog companion? I mean, SAY LESS. You're half spellcaster, half inventor, and full chaos.
Perfect for: Players who love crafting and creative problem-solving
Bard
Playstyle: Jack-of-all-trades support caster
Bards do a little bit of everything: healing, buffing, damage, crowd control, and they're excellent at social encounters. You can inspire allies, mess with enemies' minds, and have access to spells from other classes. Plus, you can literally talk your way out of (or into) any situation.
Perfect for: Players who want hella versatility and stoned lil' social butterflies (like moi)
Sorcerer
Playstyle: Raw magical power with metamagic
Sorcerers are born with magic in their blood, which means you cast instinctively rather than studying like a wizard. What makes sorcerers special is metamagic, which lets you bend spells to your will; you can twin a spell to hit two targets, extend its range, or make it harder to resist.
Perfect for: Players who want to super-customize their spellcasting
Warlock
Playstyle: Eldritch blast (ON REPEAT) with limited spells
Warlocks made a deal with a powerful otherworldly being to get some pretty awesome magic powers. You don't have many spell slots, BUT they recharge on a short rest, and you get eldritch blast aka my favorite cantrip for guaranteed damage. You’ll have a blast (see what I did there?) customizing your warlock with different invocations and pact boons.
Perfect for: Players who want consistent damage and, obviously, dark magic vibes
Wizard
Playstyle: Ultimate prepared spellcaster
Wizards have the biggest spell list in the game which makes sense because their whole vibe is ‘study magic, prepare spells daily’. While this class is known for being hard to grasp initially, once you figure out the mechanics you’ll have an answer for almost any situation … and that answer is always gonna be fireball. You're squishy as hell, but your versatility makes you invaluable.
Perfect for: Players who love a little challenge (that spellbook can get a bit tricky) and strategic thinking
The Support/Utility Classes (For Those Who Keep Everyone Alive)
Cleric
Playstyle: Divine caster who heals and buffs
Don't let the "healer" stereotype fool you ... clerics can do EVERYTHING. Healing, sure, but also: tanking, blasting enemies, buffing the party (guidance), you name it. Your subclass determines your vibe, so you don't have to be boxed in as just the party's support. Do you want to be a frontline warrior priest? War or life domains would work. Want to blast people with 'fire and revelation'? Light domain. Or, my favorite, you want to be tricksy? Trickery domain, baybee!
Perfect for: Players who want versatility and don't mind being needed
Druid
Playstyle: Nature-powered shapeshifter
Druids are pretty fun: you've got healing, can control enemy movement in combat (entangle), and you have the ability to turn into an animal. With wild shape, you can scout in the air as an owl, infiltrate a room as a rat or straight up maul your enemies as a bear. The 2024 circle of the moon subclass had some tweaks, but all druids remain solidly fun to play.
Perfect for: Players who want utility and the ability to turn into some fuuuuun animals
Paladin
Playstyle: Holy warrior who smites and protects
Paladins wear heavy armor, hit hard in melee, and can either channel divine energy to heal allies or absolutely obliterate enemies with divine smite. Basically, you're a fighter who moonlights as a part-time cleric. Fair warning: Paladins make an oath to some God or cause they believe in, so expect some roleplay responsibility and consequences for oath breaking ...
Perfect for: Players who want to roll into combat blasting 'Holy Diver' on Spotify with radiant damage at the ready
Still can't decide? Ask yourself ...
Do I want to be in the frontlines of combat or stay at range?
LEEEEEROOOY JEEEENKIIIINS: barbarian, fighter, monk, paladin
Range: ranger, rogue (sometimes), warlock, wizard (keep your squishy ass in the back for maximum safety!)
Flexible: bard, cleric, druid, sorcerer
Do I want to manage spell slots?
Yes, bring on the magic: bard, cleric, druid, sorcerer, warlock, wizard
Some magic is fine: paladin, ranger
No thanks: barbarian, fighter, monk, rogue
Do I want to be the party's "face" (the talker aka best CHA)?
Absolutely: bard, paladin, sorcerer, warlock
Maybe ... sometimes: cleric, rogue
I'll let someone else do the talking: barbarian, fighter, monk, ranger, wizard
Am I okay with more complex mechanics?
Bring it on: wizard, druid (wild shape management)
Moderate complexity: Most spellcasters, monk, rogue
Keep it simple: barbarian, fighter (champion subclass)
SHOW. ME. TO. THE. ANIMALSSSSSS
Furry (or scaly) companion: Rangers with the beast master subclass are your go-to in both 2014 and 2024 editions (the 2024 version made beast companions way easier to manage...). Druids can also summon animal allies with spells like conjure animals (though 2024 tweaked this spell a bit)
Magical pet, please: Wizards, warlocks (pact of the chain subclass), and artificers (battle smith or artillerist subclasses) all get access to familiars or construct companions. The 2024 rules made familiars slightly more accessible across the board through the find familiar spell!
