105
votes
Accepted
Is there a way to ask in game (i.e. in a non-meta way) what a character's class is?
There is no non-metagaming way...
...because class is a metagame construct: from the characters' perspective, it doesn't exist. There is no good way to determine "class" as a hard fact for ...
- 48.9k
79
votes
How can a level 20 warlock cast Magic Jar?
This Warlock knows how to cast Magic Jar
That's it. That's all it takes. This guy can just do that.
In 5e, NPCs don't need to follow Player Class restrictions or guidelines. Dragons don't have ...
- 11.5k
71
votes
How can my PCs discover an NPC's class if they are trying to hide it?
Class is a game mechanic, not an identification 1
As explained very well in this answer, there is no such thing within the game as a "class". It is just a tool to help players design their character, ...
- 41.2k
62
votes
What is a good class if we remove subclasses?
I'd like to propose a different approach. Rather than modifying an existing class to remove features (that is, the "subclasses"), take a look at the "Sidekicks" rules presented as "Unearthed Arcana" (...
- 30k
57
votes
Accepted
Would letting a multiclass character rebuild their character to be single-classed be game-breaking?
This is known as a "re-spec", and it's reasonable on occasion.
While changing one's character levels isn't a standard rule in D&D 5th edition, it's not unreasonable to allow a character to change ...
- 83.9k
56
votes
Accepted
What are the official, WotC-published classes and subclasses in 5e?
Sources:
Basic Rules (BR), Chapter 3: Classes
System Reference Document (SRD), p. 8-55
(Note: D&D Beyond's "Basic Rules" listing is actually an
inclusive combination of the Basic Rules ...
50
votes
Accepted
Creating a character, is Noble a class or a background?
The word "class" is being used in two different senses here.
Noble, as a social class stratum in a Feudal/Medieval setting, is a different use of the term than "Class" for a PC such as Druid, Fighter,...
- 144k
47
votes
Accepted
Is a party consisting of only a bard, a cleric, and a warlock functional long-term?
You don't have a party balance problem unless you create one.
In certain editions of D&D (mostly 4th), there were definitely more stringent requirements for class/party balance. That is not the ...
- 48.9k
43
votes
Accepted
What classes are based on intelligence but not reliant on magic/supernatural power?
Reflavor an existing class instead
I'd like to suggest a major change to how you approach this problem. Rather than saying you want high INT and no magic, here's the process I'd take:
Start with a ...
- 10.3k
43
votes
How can I keep a game running smoothly when two of my players decided to pick the same class?
In short, let them play the same class, but check that they play different characters.
It's not a class problem
You mention that you were worried that they might compete for the same role; this is ...
- 3,499
43
votes
How do I handle a paladin who falls, but wants to choose a different class instead of taking the Oathbreaker subclass?
It’s a situation that has to be worked out with the DM; there aren’t hard and fast rules for it. Even what it means to “abandon” a class is unclear—that could mean the ex-paladin can’t take more ...
- 357k
41
votes
Accepted
What tier are the Pathfinder classes?
For the most part, Pathfinder changed little about balance
The primary maxims of 3.5e remain true: magic dominates everything, the more and higher-level magic you have, the better off you are. Magic ...
- 357k
41
votes
How can a level 20 warlock cast Magic Jar?
NPCs are not bound by character rules.
So what if your NPC is a Warlock? You're the DM, and you can create whatever you want. You can create a custom enemy that resembles very closely a Warlock, and ...
- 46.8k
41
votes
Is there any class+subclass combination which can use divination spells but doesn't rely on magic for combat?
Thomas Markov's answer is probably the closest you can get with player-focused material. The following is how I would normally handle a short-term character with specific requirements.
Roland uses an ...
- 19.2k
40
votes
Accepted
How does the 'five minute adventuring day' affect class balance?
I'll step through each of the classes individually, but first the broad strokes:
[Most] Spellcasters will fare much better than everyone else
The main check on the power of a Spellcaster is their ...
- 52.9k
39
votes
Accepted
Is this homebrew Dragon Rider class balanced compared to the other official classes?
No
Let's take this feature at a time...
Quick build
This is just flatly wrong. This class is a half-caster, they should not prioritize their casting stat. Glancing down below, this class would always ...
- 66.1k
39
votes
Accepted
How can my PCs discover an NPC's class if they are trying to hide it?
Attempting to discover class is missing the point
Class is a metagame concept. Although it maps to the game world, there is no way for a PC to know it. Besides, that's not really what you are trying ...
- 22.1k
39
votes
Accepted
Is succubus in savage species underpowered?
I strongly recommend against allowing it
Been there, done that.
My experience with the Savage Species succubus
I have gamed with a Savage Species succubus in my party before. It did not go well.
The ...
- 357k
36
votes
Accepted
How does one hide one's class from others?
It's worth keeping in mind that, in the vast majority of settings, characters don't know about things like classes and levels. So your druid knows you cast a spell* called Eldritch Blast, cool. Do ...
- 16.3k
34
votes
Is there a way to ask in game (i.e. in a non-meta way) what a character's class is?
If your group subscribes to the Murky Mirror concept of Roleplay, all you have to do is ask. It is thus assumed that your character asks one or more questions that will produce the same result.
...
- 2,941
34
votes
How can a level 20 warlock cast Magic Jar?
The Warlock may have an Artifact
On page 219 of the DMG, there is a Major Beneficial Property on the Artifact table that allows the artifact's possessor to cast a sixth level spell. (Entry roll 71-80)...
- 144k
34
votes
Accepted
How "Official" is the Blood Hunter class?
Blood Hunter is unofficial third-party content by Matt Mercer, but he and Critical Role have an advertising partnership with D&D Beyond.
Nothing makes the Blood Hunter class inherently special as ...
- 50.2k
33
votes
Can I use magic gifted by a deity if I'm not a paladin, warlock, or cleric of that deity?
Any character can worship a god, but only certain classes actually benefit from it in terms of game mechanics
Appendix B: Gods of the Multiverse (from the basic rules or PHB) describes that people may ...
- 79.7k
32
votes
Does a wizard really have the same chance to hit as a fighter?
You are missing something ... just not about how the proficiency bonus works
All classes making an attack with a weapon they are proficient in or with a spell they have spellcasting proficiency in ...
- 214k
31
votes
Accepted
What is the value of a low-level Necromancer in a party?
As valuable as any Tier 1 wizard: wizards are generalists by design
The limit of the scope of this question is from levels 1-4. The wizard does not choose a school until level 2. A focus on levels ...
- 144k
29
votes
What are the best non-wizard options for a divination-focused character?
Bard, College of Lore
The Bard has the ability to free-pick any spell from any spell list with Magical Secrets. A college of Lore Bard gets to pick two each at level 6, 10, 14 and 18.
The Bard core ...
- 129k
28
votes
Can a spellcaster use a focus not specified by his or her class?
Spellcasters can only use the focus specified by their class, by reasoning that it is specified what kind of focus they can use. It doesn't say they can use a focus, it tells you exactly what kind of ...
- 57.1k
28
votes
Are Lawful Evil Tiefling Paladins possible?
Paladins in D&D 5e don't have to be of good alignment.
Firstly, even in earlier editions of the game, a tiefling could be of any alignment, even lawful good, and become a paladin. In D&D 5e, ...
- 83.9k
28
votes
Is this homebrew Tinkerer class balanced?
This class is underpowered
...and by a significant margin. That's because regardless of how much your campaign focuses on technology, Dungeons & Dragons as a game has a heavy emphasis on combat. ...
- 6,794
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