In this post I’ll be going through the DnD classes in a totally unbiased way and telling you the best ones. Just kidding. I’ll be telling you what you should play. You don’t have to listen, obviously…

So you have to build a DnD character. The first two choices you have to make are the race and the class of the character you will be playing. The race is important, but the main thing you have to decide on is the class. This is the variable that will affect your gameplay the most, and as such, it’s the most important choice you’ll make. No pressure.

If you’re starting a campaign that might last some time (I’ve been playing in a campaign that’s just coming its the end after more than two years) then this is a big choice. But try not to overthink it. Something to consider is the type of player that you are (or that you want to be) and then letting it flow from there. I’ll explain what I mean.

If you’re a new player, then this might feel like a tougher choice. When you’re old like me, you’ve been around the class block a bit. You’ve dabbled with the tanks and the squishies, done some spellcasting and inflicted some hardcore melee weapon damage. But as a new player, all this lies before you, a clean field of untrodden snow just waiting for you to make your mark. So many possibilities, but how to choose the right one?

In a previous post I talked about the importance of making the character your own and doing things your way (and not listening to people on the internet who try to tell you things). In this post I’m going to delve into some of the classes in a bit more detail, and tell you what they are like to play.

Firstly, the Rogue.

Rogues are great for beginners. Of all the classes, they are probably the easiest to play. They don’t cast spells, so you don’t have to worry about learning all the intricacies of spellcasting mechanics yet, and their stealthy, sneaky nature lends itself well to a new player who wants to hang back a bit and let some of the more confident party members take the lead. But that’s not to say a Rogue can’t also take a more forward role. I’ve always toyed with the idea of making a Rogue/Bard multiclass, with the backstory that they’re a musician so accustomed to playing in dodgy dive bars that they picked up some criminal skills along the way.

Rogues can be great fun to play. I play a Rogue character who is low on Intelligence and Charisma stats, but has great street smarts. She likes being part of the action in combat, and loves to throw out some wry one-liners (if she can think of them in time). Throughout the campaign we’ve been part of, she’s changed from a moody, lonesome, stand-at-the-back-and-scowl kind of character, and slowly learned to trust her party. She still likes to cut a few fingers off an enemy when she gets the chance, but now she’ll share them around with her friends (if anyone wants one).

Rogues give you simple pleasures. They’re not complex, and they don’t need to be. So go ahead and make a min-max character – Rogues work well when you load up your DEX stats, followed by CON and STR. You’ll end up with passive perception so high you can almost see NPCs’ thoughts. And with disengage as a bonus action, you can move, stab, disengage and move away, all on one turn. Simple and sneaky, like every good Rogue should be.

And now let’s move on to another simple class, the humble Barbarian.

Or are they so simple? It’s true, playing Barbarians can be simpler than playing spellcasting characters. After all, you just hit things with a big sword, right? Well yes, that’s part of it. But Barbs are frontline characters, and as such there can be an expectation that they will take a leading role in the party. A well played Barb can be a great mix of contradictions, muscly but measured. But played poorly, a Barb can be a little bit… boring.

So you’re playing a Barb and you want to make them stand out? Go wild. Give them some fun character traits and don’t be afraid to roleplay. You’re not just a big hitter; you’re more than that. But also, make the most of your big hitting abilities too. Don’t forget to rage, and when you get multiattack, make the most of it. The squishies in your party will thank you.

I’m not going to say much about Bards because I’ve already written a whole post about how great they are so my feelings are clear. But I will say, Bards are also great for an enthusiastic beginner. They’re not too complicated to play – just talk to every NPC you meet and dazzle them with your charm.

So which are the meatier classes? And by that I mean, the classes that are more complex to play. Well, the first that comes to mind is the Artificer.

Ah, the Artificer. The OP of OP; magical and technical; smart and cool; how the DM really sees themself when they look in the mirror…

If you’re going to play as an Artificer, work with your DM. Talk to them about how you plan to play, and see what they can offer you. The Artificer class works really well with some select homebrewed elements or objects but your DM needs to be on board, of course. As a DM, I never really worry about allowing my players to become too OP. Hey, if you’re more powerful I’ll just throw tougher and scarier monsters your way! (Cue the mimic…)

This is already a longer post than I’d planned, so I’ll end it soon and write a part two at some point. But before I sign off, I have one more class I’d like to cover: the Fighter.

A Fighter is another good beginner class, because they give you a blank canvas. You can decide the type of character you want to be and then let your roleplaying take over. Maybe you’re a noble knight, fighting on behalf of the weak. Or perhaps you’re a mercenary, using your physical skills to make some gold. Maybe you were abandoned in the forest and raised by Owlbears… (don’t side-eye me, it could happen). But the best thing about the Fighter class for new players is the high HP. You can charge into fights without worrying that one good hit from your enemy is going to knock you down. Fighters can go many many rounds before they even start to look peaky.

So that covers some of the classes. I’ll be back with more soon. Keep on playing!