Welcome, adventurers! Choosing a D&D (or your favorite ttrpg) class can feel like standing at a crossroads before you even get to Session 0, with paths leading to mighty warriors, cunning rogues, and wise spellcasters. One of the first things to consider before constructing your character is to determine your preferred role within the party. What will you do and what role will you fill? Do you envision yourself as the stalwart protector, the damage-dealing powerhouse, the versatile support, or the life-saving healer? Let’s delve into these core roles and what to consider when choosing a class that fits your playstyle.
Tank:
The tank’s primary job is to draw enemy attention and protect their squishier allies. They are the bulwark against the storm, absorbing blows and controlling the battlefield. If you enjoy being in the thick of combat, leading the charge, taking a knock or two, and keeping your friends safe, the tank role might be for you. Be warned you should only play a tank if you want to be targeted by your foes in order to protect your allies.
- Consider: Do you like the idea of high hit points and strong armor? Are you comfortable being the center of attention, even when that attention comes in the form of a dragon’s fiery breath? Do you prefer a more straightforward combat style, focusing on defense and control?
- Classes often associated with Tank:
- Fighter: Heavy Armor and health points, the classic tank class.
- Paladin: Font liner with some healing and a few spells.
- Barbarian: Not quite as heavy armor but plenty of health getting mad makes your resistant.
DPS (Damage Per Second):
DPS classes are the damage dealers, the ones who unleash devastating attacks and bring down foes with swift efficiency. They are the storm of steel, the arcane barrage, the flurry of arrows that can turn the tide of battle. If you enjoy dealing massive damage, strategizing about maximizing your offensive output, and watching enemies fall before you, the DPS role might be your calling. While this archetype is straight forward in goal the way each class goes about it can be vastly different.
- Consider: Do you prefer a more tactical approach to combat, focusing on maximizing damage output? Are you comfortable with a potentially more complex playstyle, managing resources and abilities to achieve peak performance? Do you enjoy the thrill of delivering the final blow?
- Classes often associated with DPS:
- Rogue: Be stealthy and do a sneak attack to do big spikes of damage.
- Ranger: Traditional archer class for unleashing barrage of attacks on favored enemies; also has a few utility spells.
- Fighter: While traditionally a tank, can easily focus on damage output with two handed weapons.
- Warlock: Eldritch Blast everyone with the occasional high level spell thrown in.
- Sorcerer: Pick a few spells to specialize in and boost with meta-magic, either area or single target.
- Wizard: Choose your spells for the day at hand and pick tactics strong against your chosen enemies.
Utility:
Utility classes are the masters of versatility, providing a wide range of support abilities that can enhance the entire party. They are the Swiss Army knives of the adventuring world, capable of filling multiple roles and adapting to any situation. If you enjoy problem-solving, strategic thinking, and contributing in a variety of ways, the utility role might be a good fit. A lot of these classes will have spells that fill specific role playing or dungeon crawling needs or have the skills to do them the old fashion way.
- Consider: Do you enjoy having a diverse set of skills and abilities? Are you comfortable with a more flexible role, adapting to the needs of the party? Do you like the challenge of finding creative solutions to problems?
- Classes often associated with Utility:
- Rogue: Often affectionately called a walking lock pick, can be great at trap finding and door opening in the process of a theft or simple dungeon crawling.
- Bard: The literal jack of all trades, can fit any role the party needs but is best when motivating and buffing the rest of the party. The smattering of spells also helps fill some magical needs.
- Druid: Nature based spell crafting is useful but wild shaping into a spider to advance scout for the party has saved many lives.
- Cleric: While traditionally a healer, the wide variety of spells can help solve a lot of the needs parties will run into over and over.
- Monk: High dexterity means a lot of the utility skills you want in the party minus the stigma of being a rogue.
Healer:
Healers are the guardians of life, mending wounds and restoring vitality to their allies. They are the beacons of hope in the darkest dungeons, keeping the party alive and fighting. If you enjoy supporting others, playing a vital role in the party’s survival, and wielding the power of healing magic, the healer role might be your destiny. While every party should be thankful for a healer some groups have players that expect to be healed and want to dictate how the healer does there job. In general those groups should be avoided because healers are literally the life savers of the party.
- Consider: Do you enjoy playing a support role and keeping your party healthy? Are you comfortable with the responsibility of keeping others alive? Do you prefer a more reactive playstyle, responding to the needs of your allies?
- Classes often associated with Healer:
- Cleric: The prototypical healer with the best access to all the healing spells you could ask for.
- Paladin: Lives on the front line of the fight were healing is needed the most, fewer spells but better survivability.
- Druid: Great if your party doesn’t have a traditional healer and the goodberry spell has a lot of utility potential.
Beyond the Archetypes
It’s important to remember that these roles are not strictly defined. Many classes can fulfill multiple roles, and your specific build and playstyle can further blur the lines. A Paladin, for example, can be both a tank and a healer. A Rogue can be both a utility character and a Damage Dealer character.
Ultimately, the best way to choose a class is to consider your own preferences and playstyle. What kind of character do you envision yourself playing? What kind of role do you enjoy in group settings? Don’t be afraid to experiment and try different classes until you find one that truly resonates with you and one that fits well within the group you are playing with. Happy adventuring!
