Best Class Tier List (2024)

By zanuffas
Last updated: 14 February 2024

Here is a Tier List that roughly covers how classes are ranked. This is subjective and based on my criteria:

• Only looking at the class benefits, and avoiding thinking of the subclasses
• The general usefulness of the class, but a major contributor is combat prowess.

Some of these choices are lower than what I expected. However, there are huge boosts that come from subclass making some various shuffles. So be sure to look at those.

Now let's go through the reasoning behind my choices.

S-Tier

Sorcerer

The class is a game-changer if you have it in your group. It starts slowly and picks up from level 5. This is when you get access to level 3 spells, which are bread and butter for most of the game - Haste​, Fireball​, Lightning Bolt, etc.

What makes sorcerers special is metamagic like Metamagic: Quickened Spell​, and Metamagic: Twinned Spell​ which can double damage output and capabilities per turn. Imagine releasing the most powerful spells in the game two times per turn...

Bard

This class is the ultimate Jack of All Trades. It can be a spellcaster, frontliner or just a good supporter in the group. However, what makes it special is that it gets access to Song of Rest, a third short rest, and Magical Secrets. The latter allows learning two spells from any other class, giving it a unique edge in possible combinations.

Another aspect is Bardic Inspiration, which can help with ability rolls and give unique boosts based on subclass choice.

Fighter

You could say this is the simplest class, but it is very solid with the options it provides without any subclass stuff. The main highlights - are 4 Feats and Action Surge, which is the bread and butter of some builds.

However, the main highlight if you are ready to commit is Improved Extra Attack, giving the third attack and allowing for some huge damage output in the late game without any gimmicks.

A-Tier

Monk

Starting off from one of the melee martials. What makes it special is that it has access to very effective use of its bonus action and capabilities to stun-lock enemies with their normal attacks.

The main thing that is problematic is that they are multi-ability dependant to sustain high damage and survivability. So you will have to sacrifice one or another.

Cleric

By itself cleric is nothing special, they have a few undead-related actions, and that's it. However, their main highlight comes from their spell list. Spells like Spirit Guardians​, Mass Healing Word​, and Glyph of Warding​ make it a good offensive and support class. This is more emphasized with correct gear choices.

Paladin

This is probably the most popular class in the game. The righteous knight, that saves the weak or protects the world order. Their main highlight is Divine Smite​ allowing for strong nova damage rounds as long as you have spell slots.

Paladins also have an Aura of Protection​ that gives a solid boost to Saving Throws, to maintain concentration and avoid status effects.

Still, they come with a few downsides, they need a high spellcasting modifier in addition to their martial ability - strength or dexterity. Moreover, the limited spell slots, make them shine fully only when multiclassing.

Warlock

This is also an extremely versatile and very popular class, you can be a full caster, melee martial, or something in between. What makes it unique is its spell slots that always upcast spells and restore on short rest.

They are also popular due to their unique Eldritch Blast​ cantrip that is empowered using Eldritch Invocations - Agonising Blast​ and Repelling Blast. This makes it a solid choice for simple attacks and sustains some battlefield control via knockbacks.

Warlocks are also a charisma-based class, making them excellent main characters for dialogue dice rolls. Moreover, they get plenty of unique dialogue choices giving them much-needed advantages.

B-Tier

Barbarian

Barbarian is usually a good class to use for multiclassing, but that still mainly comes from its subclasses. They are also mainly good till level 5 once you get Extra Attack. After that, you also get some features, but they are more like small improvements and not big game-changers.

Wizard

I wanted this one to be higher. It can learn a lot of spells making it extremely versatile both in combat and world exploration. However, compared to Sorcerer and some other spellcasters there are just not enough features, to make it as good when you learn the game and can do good party setups.

Ranger

Just by themselves, Ranger is somewhat lacking, they get some features, but they are just small improvements. The good thing is that you also get access to some spells giving some crowd control in the early game. Still, their main power-ups come from subclass choices.

C-Tier

Rogue

I think I might be too strict with this positioning for Rogue. However, the class is mainly used as a stepping stone in multiclass. Moreover, its power-ups come from subclasses, which are amazing.

Sneak Attack (Melee)​ is a good action, but it's only limited to once per turn, and for more attacks, you need some gimmicks, which is problematic in my opinion.

Other rogue features are accessible fairly late like Reliable Talent​, which would be game changers in mid game.