D&D Build GuideBest Class for Beginners

What Makes a Class Good for Beginners

Every class in D&D can be learned in a session or two. Some are just easier to enjoy while you are still learning. A good first class has four things:

• Durability. Plenty of hit points and good armor, so a bad decision costs you a few hit points instead of the fight.
• Few choices per turn. You know what to do when your turn comes around, and you can spend your attention on the story.
• Few resources to track. No long list of spell slots to count down across the day.
• A clear job. "Hit the biggest enemy" or "keep everyone standing" is easier to play than "solve whatever comes up".

This guide uses the 2024 rules. Your background sets your ability score increases and gives you a first feat, so you can play any species with any class and still have the right scores.

Every Class Rated for Beginners

Fighter

Heavy armor, a d10 hit die and Second WindSecond WindLevel 1 featureYou have a limited well of physical and mental stamina that you can draw on. As a Bonus Action, you can use it to regain Hit Points equal to 1d10 plus your Fighter level. You can use this feature twice. to heal yourself as a Bonus Action. Your turn is usually one question: who do I hit? The Champion subclass adds a bigger critical range and nothing to track.

Legendary

Barbarian

The biggest hit die in the game. RageRageLevel 1 featureYou can imbue yourself with a primal power called Rage, a force that grants you extraordinary might and resilience. You can enter it as a Bonus Action if you aren't wearing Heavy armor. gives you Resistance to bludgeoning, piercing and slashing damage, so you survive mistakes that drop anyone else. One button to press at the start of a fight.

Legendary

Paladin

Heavy armor, healing through Lay On HandsLay On HandsLevel 1 featureYour blessed touch can heal wounds. You have a pool of healing power that replenishes when you finish a Long Rest. With that pool, you can restore a total number of Hit Points equal to five times your Paladin level., and big damage when you smite. A few spells to choose, but the class works fine if you mostly swing a sword.

Epic

Cleric

The Protector order adds heavy armor, and the Life Domain makes you the best healer in the party. You prepare spells from a long list each day, which is the main thing to learn.

Epic

Rogue

Simple turns: attack once, add Sneak AttackSneak AttackLevel 1 featureYou know how to strike subtly and exploit a foe's distraction. Once per turn, you can deal an extra 1d6 damage to one creature you hit with an attack roll if you have Advantage on the roll and the attack uses a Finesse or a Ranged weapon., then hide or step away with Cunning ActionCunning ActionLevel 2 featureYour quick thinking and agility allow you to move and act quickly. On your turn, you can take one of the following actions as a Bonus Action: Dash, Disengage, or Hide.. More fragile than a fighter, and you need to think about where you stand.

Epic

Warlock

Eldritch BlastEldritch BlastEvocation cantripCastingActionRange120 feetDurationInstantaneousDamage1d10 ForceYou hurl a beam of crackling energy. Make a ranged spell attack against one creature or object in range. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 Force damage. is a reliable attack every turn, and your few spell slots come back on a Short Rest. Invocations and patron choices take some reading.

Rare

Ranger

Good weapons, light or medium armor, and Hunter's MarkHunter's Mark1st-level DivinationConcentrationCastingBonus ActionRange90 feetDuration1 hourDamage1d6 ForceYou magically mark one creature you can see within range as your quarry. Until the spell ends, you deal an extra 1d6 Force damage to the target whenever you hit it with an attack roll. You also have Advantage on any Wisdom (Perception or Survival) check you make to find it. free a few times a day. You juggle weapons, spells and a Bonus Action, which is a lot in the first sessions.

Rare

Bard

Fun and useful outside combat, with Bardic InspirationBardic InspirationLevel 1 featureYou can supernaturally inspire others through words, music, or dance. This inspiration is represented by your Bardic Inspiration die, which is a d6. Using Bardic Inspiration. As a Bonus Action, you can inspire another creature within 60 feet of yourself who can see or hear you. to help friends. A full caster in light armor, so you learn a spell list and need to stay out of the front line.

Rare

Monk

Fast and hard-hitting, but Focus Points, several Bonus Action options and no armor make it easy to get caught in melee before you know the class.

Rare

Druid

Wild ShapeWild ShapeLevel 2 featureThe power of nature allows you to assume the form of an animal. As a Bonus Action, you shape-shift into a Beast form that you have learned for this feature (see "Known Forms" below). means learning animal stat blocks on top of a full spell list. Rewarding, but there is a lot to read.

Uncommon

Sorcerer

A d6 hit die, no armor, and Metamagic to manage. Choosing the wrong spells is harder to fix than on other casters.

Uncommon

Wizard

The most choices in the game and the fewest hit points. A great second character, or a first one if you love spells and want to learn them.

Uncommon

Best Species for Beginners

Species matters less in 2024 than it used to. Pick the one you like the look of. If you want the one that helps the most while you are learning, these traits are the most forgiving:

Human

Resourceful gives you Heroic Inspiration after every Long Rest: one reroll for the moment that matters. Versatile adds an Origin feat and Skillful adds a skill.

Legendary

Orc

Relentless Endurance drops you to 1 hit point instead of 0 once per Long Rest. Adrenaline Rush lets you Dash as a Bonus Action and gain Temporary Hit Points.

Epic

Dwarf

Dwarven Toughness adds a hit point every level, plus poison resistance and 120 feet of Darkvision. Nothing to remember during a fight.

Epic

Halfling

Luck rerolls any 1 on a d20 Test, including death saves. Brave gives Advantage against fear.

Epic

Goliath

Fast, strong and a Giant Ancestry boon you can use several times a day. Stone's Endurance shrugs off damage on a front-liner.

Rare

Easy First Feats and Backgrounds

Your background gives you an Origin feat at level 1. The safe picks for a first character:

• SoldierSoldierBackgroundAbility ScoresStrength, Dexterity, ConstitutionFeatSavage AttackerSkill ProficienciesAthletics and Intimidation for fighters, barbarians and paladins: Strength and Constitution increases, Athletics and Intimidation, and Savage AttackerSavage AttackerOrigin featYou've trained to deal particularly damaging strikes. Once per turn when you hit a target with a weapon, you can roll the weapon's damage dice twice and use either roll against the target., which works without you doing anything.
• AcolyteAcolyteBackgroundAbility ScoresIntelligence, Wisdom, CharismaFeatMagic Initiate (Cleric)Skill ProficienciesInsight and Religion for clerics and other Wisdom or Charisma casters: Magic InitiateMagic InitiateOrigin featChoose a level 1 spell from the same list you selected for this feat's cantrips. You always have that spell prepared. You can cast it once without a spell slot, and you regain the ability to cast it in that way when you finish a Long Rest. (Cleric) brings GuidanceGuidanceDivination cantripConcentrationCastingActionRangeTouchDuration1 minuteDamage1d4You touch a willing creature and choose a skill. Until the spell ends, the creature adds 1d4 to any ability check using the chosen skill. and a healing spell.
• CriminalCriminalBackgroundAbility ScoresDexterity, Constitution, IntelligenceFeatAlertSkill ProficienciesSleight of Hand and Stealth for rogues and rangers: Dexterity, Stealth and AlertAlertOrigin featWhen you roll Initiative, you can add your Proficiency Bonus to the roll..
• SageSageBackgroundAbility ScoresConstitution, Intelligence, WisdomFeatMagic Initiate (Wizard)Skill ProficienciesArcana and History for wizards: Intelligence, Arcana and a few more wizard spells.

Two feats are easy wins if you get a choice (for example from the human's Versatile trait): AlertAlertOrigin featWhen you roll Initiative, you can add your Proficiency Bonus to the roll., so you act early in most fights, and Tough from the Player's Handbook, for more hit points every level.

Three Easy Builds

EasiestThe Shield Wall

Species

Human (Versatile: AlertAlertOrigin featWhen you roll Initiative, you can add your Proficiency Bonus to the roll.)

Class

Fighter (Champion)

Background

Soldier (Savage AttackerSavage AttackerOrigin featYou've trained to deal particularly damaging strikes. Once per turn when you hit a target with a weapon, you can roll the weapon's damage dice twice and use either roll against the target.)

17STR

13DEX

15CON

8INT

12WIS

10CHA

Longsword, shield and heavy armor. Attack, use Second WindSecond WindLevel 1 featureYou have a limited well of physical and mental stamina that you can draw on. As a Bonus Action, you can use it to regain Hit Points equal to 1d10 plus your Fighter level. You can use this feature twice. when you drop below half, and save Action SurgeAction SurgeLevel 2 featureYou can push yourself beyond your normal limits for a moment. On your turn, you can take one additional action, except the Magic action. Once you use this feature, you can't do so again until you finish a Short or Long Rest. for the turn that ends the fight.

Build the Shield Wall

Free to start. No card needed.

ToughestThe Mountain

Species

Goliath (Stone Giant)

Class

Barbarian (Path of the Berserker)

Background

Soldier (Savage AttackerSavage AttackerOrigin featYou've trained to deal particularly damaging strikes. Once per turn when you hit a target with a weapon, you can roll the weapon's damage dice twice and use either roll against the target.)

17STR

13DEX

15CON

8INT

12WIS

10CHA

Rage, swing a greataxe, use Reckless AttackReckless AttackLevel 2 featureYou can throw aside all concern for defense to attack with increased ferocity. When you make your first attack roll on your turn, you can decide to attack recklessly. when you need to hit. Stone's Endurance and Rage together make you very hard to bring down.

Start an adventure free

Bring your idea to the table. Free to start.

SupportThe Field Medic

Species

Dwarf

Class

Cleric (Life Domain, Protector order)

Background

Acolyte (Magic InitiateMagic InitiateOrigin featChoose a level 1 spell from the same list you selected for this feat's cantrips. You always have that spell prepared. You can cast it once without a spell slot, and you regain the ability to cast it in that way when you finish a Long Rest.)

13STR

10DEX

14CON

8INT

17WIS

13CHA

Heavy armor and a mace in the front line, Healing WordHealing Word1st-level AbjurationCastingBonus ActionRange60 feetDurationInstantaneousDamage2d4A creature of your choice that you can see within range regains Hit Points equal to 2d4 plus your spellcasting ability modifier. for anyone who drops, and BlessBless1st-level EnchantmentConcentrationCastingActionRange30 feetDuration1 minuteDamage1d4You bless up to three creatures within range. Whenever a target makes an attack roll or a saving throw before the spell ends, the target adds 1d4 to the attack roll or save. to start a hard fight. The party will be very glad you came.

Build the Field Medic

Free to start. No card needed.

Your First Sessions

• Know your one good move. For a fighter it is attacking. For a cleric it is keeping someone up. When you are unsure, do that.
• Say what you want, not which rule to use. "I want to get past the guard" is enough. Your Dungeon Master will tell you which roll to make.
• Read your sheet between turns. Learn one new feature or spell each session instead of all of them at once.
• Ask questions. Every experienced player asked the same ones. "Can I do this?" is a good question, and the answer is often yes.

Keep reading

Fighter Guide: Build, Feats and RatingsD&D 2024 Class Guide

Barbarian Guide: Build, Feats and RatingsD&D 2024 Class Guide

Cleric Guide: Build, Spells and RatingsD&D 2024 Class Guide

Best Class for Solo PlayD&D Build Guide