The D&D Classes, Ranked By Combat Ability (2024)

Many say traditional gameplay has three main pillars: combat, exploration, and roleplaying. Of these, combat has the most concrete mechanics attached to it. As such, many players gravitate toward it. It's also one of the easiest metrics to rank classes on, with some classes excelling in this arena and others struggling a bit.

Many factors come into play when discussing just how strong a D&D class is during combat. Factors like player skill, magic items, and the campaign's specifics are impossible to account for. These can all have vast effects on particular classes. However, it's possible to make a rough comparison just by looking at a class' combat features and their access to certain types of weapons and armor.

Updated on June 16th, 2024 by Louis Kemner: This list of the best combat classes in D&D has been updated with more information so players can make highly informed decisions about how to use their characters in combat — or when to avoid combat while playing as certain classes. This can save a character's life in any campaign or one-shot adventure since there are often alternatives to fighting.

13 Bards Are Meant To Support Friendly Fighters Instead

The Bard Class's Best Combat Features:

• College of Swords subclass
• Proficiencies with basic weapons like hand crossbows and rapiers
• Can learn offensive spells from other classes via Magical Secrets
• College of Swords bards can use scimitars and medium armor

The D&D bard class is a typical example of an all-rounder. Bards can do everything well, but they might lose out to a specialist in a specific area. They aren't helpless in combat, but they're held back by one factor: bards lack a way to deal significant damage without expending key resources like their spell slots. Other spellcasters may face that problem too, but at least they get, on average, harder-hitting spells than bards do.

Bards are the only D&D class to lack significant weapon damage — barring subclasses like the College of Swords — or a high-damage cantrip. To have a particular impact in combat, they must expend spell slots or use magic items. Bards can devastate enemies with plentiful buffs and debuffs. By themselves, however, they're less of a threat than others. As a result, this is the single worst D&D class in a fight in terms of trying to quickly kill enemies. That's why bards shine as support characters, not as damage dealers.

12 Artificers Would Rather Build Weapons Than Use Them

The Artificer Class's Best Combat Features:

• Battle Smith subclass
• Proficiencies with light/medium armor and shields

The first class added to D&D Fifth Edition since its release, the artificer is a "half-caster" found in the Eberron book. They have less spellcasting potential than the wizard or cleric. Other half-casters like the paladin and ranger trade out spellcasting for martial power, but the artificer gets a more unique selection of powers instead, mainly with their class traits. Those traits reward resourceful thinking, mostly outside of combat and inside a workshop. The best artificers will certainly be roleplayed that way.

D&D Artificers can hold their own in a fight, but their true potential lies in buffing allies and providing support. Healing, protecting allies, enchanting equipment, and casting buffs are often the most useful things an artificer can do. Depending on the subclass, D&D artificers can still deal respectable damage using either weapon attacks or buffed spells. However, they're far from the strongest D&D class for direct combat.

11 Rogues Favor Stealth And Evasion Over Damage

The Rogue Class's Best Combat Features:

• Swashbuckler subclass
• Sneak Attack
• Cunning Action for mobility and defense
• Evasion and Uncanny Dodge to avoid damage

Rogues bolster any party. Aside from a ludicrous number of skills and utility, they contribute in combat through their Sneak Attack. This mechanic lets rogues add an increasing number of dice to their weapon damage, but it requires them to have advantage or an ally within five feet of the enemy. Rogues also only get one attack per turn, so they must be careful with that attack. Rogues can multiclass into fighter to get more attacks, but even then, they get just one Sneak Attack per turn, and these classes' combat abilities must be fairly measured without any multiclassing.

Sneak Attack isn't hard to use in D&D, but it can be less impactful than many players hope. It does let a rogue hold their own in a fight, but one high-damage attack will often do less damage than several hard-hitting attacks from another class. This disparity only increases when characters get damage-boosting magic weapons. Nonetheless, a D&D rogue can contribute well both in and out of combat, primarily if they belong to the Swashbuckler subclass. Such characters are highly mobile and can even draw enemy fire, then evade those attacks, and leave the party free to finish the job.

10 Monks Excel In Bare-Handed Combat

The Monk Class's Best Combat Features:

• Way of Mercy subclass
• Unarmored Defense
• Ki Points for added combat options
• Deflect Missiles

Monks are something of a black sheep among D&D 5e's martial classes. Many players consider them one of D&D's weaker classes, but monks excel in combat when they fulfill a specific role. Rather than standing and fighting like the D&D fighter or barbarian, the monk proves a more nimble class. They can slip past frontline enemies and attack more vulnerable foes, which is great if they must get around enemy "bodyguard" monsters to attack a spellcaster directly.

Monks can do several things to their chosen targets. One thing D&D monks can do is use Stunning Strike on their target, potentially up to four times per turn. This leaves enemies helpless if they fail a Constitution saving throw. Monks can struggle with dealing damage, but they're still one of the best D&D classes for dominating fragile foes, at least.

9 Warlocks Hit Hard With Their Limited Spells, Like Eldritch Blast

The Warlock Class's Best Combat Features:

• Hexblade subclass
• Defensive spells like Armor of Agathys for survival
• Eldritch Blast is the game's best offensive cantrip
• Hex to deal extra necrotic damage to enemies

Warlocks are unusual spellcasters to build in D&D 5e. They don't use the long rest-focused Spellcasting like other casting classes. Instead, they use the short rest-based Pact Magic. Warlocks have a smaller number of higher-level spell slots they get back more often. To complement this, warlocks gain Eldritch Blast. This is the most damaging cantrip in D&D when buffed with Agonizing Blast.

This gives the D&D warlock a source of constant high damage that other casters lack, but they fall off in other areas. Warlocks can't buff their cantrip's damage with magic weapons or feats like martial classes can with their weapons. Similarly, they get fewer powerful spells than other casters. Warlocks are the best D&D spellcaster class for reliable damage, but that's where their expertise ends. Warlocks may excel in short battles, though, where they can spend 2–3 rounds using powerful spells to turn the tide of battle and win before they fall back on Eldritch Blast.

8 Barbarians Are Tanks With Rage-Fueled Attacks

The Barbarian Class's Best Combat Features:

• Path of the Zealot subclass
• Rage to halve damage from piercing, bludgeoning, and slashing attacks, and deal extra damage
• Brutal Critical for extra damage dice
• Reckless Attack to give advantage with attacks

Given the barbarian's limited out-of-combat abilities, players expect it to be the best D&D class in a straight-up fight. For a large part of the game, players are right. Barbarians have a huge number of hit points, offensive and defensive buffs from Rage, and other combat-boosting abilities like Reckless Attack. These make them one of the strongest D&D classes at lower levels, especially if the barbarian is smart enough to put themselves between the enemy and their party.

That said, D&D barbarians begin losing effectiveness in the latter half of the game. Their damage only increases slightly, and they're stuck at two attacks when the fighter can get up to four. At the same time, other classes get wilder and more powerful abilities. A D&D barbarian never stops being useful in combat, but they fall off relative to other classes. At that point, the barbarian class is indeed more of a tank than a dedicated damage dealer, and if handled correctly, that can be a fairly good (but not amazing) asset for the party.

7 Rangers Are Fine Archers In Wild Terrain

The Ranger Class's Best Combat Features:

• Gloom stalker subclass
• Extra attack
• Fighting Styles for added combat tricks
• Favored enemy

Many fans consider rangers one of D&D 5e's weakest classes. Despite this, combat is one area where they stand up on their own. As a base class, they have a few holes. They lack any real way to increase their damage in the later game and are overly reliant on ranger-style spells. However, rangers have ways to make up for this.

Most of the ranger's D&D subclasses provide significant damage buffs, both in the early game and later on. On top of that, rangers have been buffed several times throughout D&D 5e. In particular, Tasha's Cauldron of Everything gives them new combat abilities. A ranger remains one of D&D's most capable martial classes throughout a campaign. They can help the party take down a flying dragon with their bows, Hunter's Mark adds damage, and they can even dabble in healing if need be.

6 Wizards Can Learn Potent Offensive Magic As Well As Utility Magic

The Wizard Class's Best Combat Features:

• Chronurgy Magic subclass
• Can use light crossbows as backup weapons
• Abjurer wizards can defend themselves with Arcane Ward

Wizards are undeniably one of the most flexible classes in D&D 5e. Wizards have D&D 5e's biggest spell list and the ability to prepare a huge range of magic to bring against their foes. A wizard can excel in almost anything they turn their mind to, including combat. D&D wizards have access to many useful spells in combat, and they can deal lots of area-of-effect damage. Players should note, though, that wizards cannot enhance their combat spells with Metamagic like sorcerers do unless they take the Metamagic Adept feat, which is usually a good call.

Alternatively, they can buff allies, debuff enemies, or move creatures around the battlefield. Wizards can struggle with dealing damage to single targets, which weapons are often better for. In addition, they have infamously low Armor Class and hit points. None of this stops them from being one of D&D 5e's strongest classes, however, especially if the player tries out subclasses like War Caster or Chronurgy. If a wizard wants to survive, they can cast spells like Shield and Absorb Elements, and School of Abjuration wizards will be even tougher with their Arcane Ward to absorb damage, buying them time to reposition and cast another explosive spell.

5 Druids Embrace The Savagery Of The Wild

The Druid Class's Best Combat Features:

• Circle of the Stars subclass
• Wildshape to become combat-ready animals, like bears
• Proficiencies with light/medium armor and shields not made of metal

D&D druids are a versatile and powerful class, helpful during and outside of combat, but in a fight, their abilities can get in each other's way. In particular, their powerful D&D spellcasting can conflict with a Circle of the Moon druid's Combat Wild Shape feature. Circle of the Moon druids can turn into bigger, meaner animals than other druids, making them great warriors for a battle-oriented party.

Druids are full casters, capable of casting spells that reshape the battlefield, but they can't cast while in Wild Shape, the primary combat feature of the Circle of the Moon. Other subclasses that lack this divide make for some of D&D's strongest combat characters. In particular, the Circle of the Stars can concentrate almost endlessly on powerful spells or output huge damage. In some cases, a druid might even use Polymorph to turn into something huge like a T-rex or giant ape to Hulk out against their enemies.

The Sorcerer Class's Best Combat Features:

• Clockwork Soul subclass
• Sorcery Points to enhance offensive spells
• Can use light crossbows as backup weapons

In contrast to other spellcasters' versatility, D&D sorcerers are designed to be built as specialists, receiving several ways to modify and improve their spells. A player can build their sorcerer to be effective at any part of the game, including combat. Like wizards, sorcerers are a bit squishy, but if they position themselves well, that shouldn't be a problem.

D&D sorcerers can be built to be more effective damage dealers, buffers, debuffers, or controllers than most other spellcasters — but this comes with a catch. Their abilities rely on two resources: Sorcery Points and spell slots. Running out of either leaves a sorcerer on the back foot. As long as a player can maintain these resources, however, sorcerers are one of D&D 5e's strongest combat classes. For example, using Quicken allows a sorcerer to inflict pain with a spell like Fireball and an offensive cantrip. Or, the sorcerer might use Empowered Spell to reroll damage dice on a spell like Chain Lightning or Cone of Cold to boost the overall damage.

3 Fighters Are Meant Solely For Combat

The Fighter Class's Best Combat Features:

• Battle Master subclass
• Proficiencies with all armor, shields, and simple/martial weapons
• Action Aurge for another attack
• Fighting Styles for added combat tricks
• Multiple instances of gaining Extra Attack

The D&D fighter has plenty of complex and sophisticated subclasses, but the class itself is simple to play, and it can be fun to roleplay despite its simplicity, too. At their base, D&D's fighters are designed to plant themselves in the middle of combat, hit their enemies hard, and take lots of damage. This simple tactic works throughout the entire game, even at the highest levels.

Fighters get the best armor, have some of the highest hit points, and make more weapon attacks than any other class in D&D. Fighters are one of the most powerful D&D combat classes at any point in the game. Their high number of attacks makes them even better when they acquire some of D&D's best magical weapons, which they should always seek out, such as +3 swords or longbows, and adamantine armor.

2 Clerics Are Tough And Smite Evil In Any Fight

The Cleric Class's Best Combat Features:

• Twilight Domain subclass
• Light/medium armor and shield proficiency
• Blessed Strikes to deal extra radiant damage

Clerics are invaluable to any D&D party. Their mechanics in older D&D editions lead many to think that clerics are only good for healing, but this is only one of many roles clerics excel at. Boasting more flexibility and power than ever before, clerics are one of the strongest and most versatile classes in D&D 5e. They are almost like healers and paladins put together, albeit with smaller hit dice than paladins.

D&D Clerics have access to plenty of powerful combat-related spells. Some subclasses deal buffed damage with cantrips, and others get access to D&D's best arms and armor. Clerics can hold their own on the front lines of combat or punish enemies from range. This is all on top of their powerful and flexible spell list, which includes some nifty control spells like Banishment, which can make any fight easy when targeting the right monster to create a "divide and conquer" scenario.

1 Paladins Excel In Battle With Their Smites, Armor, Weapons, And Spells

The Paladin Class's Best Combat Features:

• Oath of Conquest subclass
• Divine Smite for added radiant damage
• Extra Attack
• Proficiency with all armor, shields, and simple/martial weapons

The paladin is perhaps the most powerful class in D&D 5e. Paladins combine the best aspects of fighters and clerics into a single character. Paladins get a fighter's weapons, spellcasting like a cleric, and several unique features. These make paladins unmatched combatants in D&D, so it's a good idea for most parties to have a paladin, especially in a tough campaign or a fiend-themed campaign like Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus.

A D&D paladin is almost always effective. They can hold their own, even if they're not built with optimization in mind. They can heal, buff, tank, and deal consistent damage. With Divine Smite, paladins can reach some of the highest damage in the game. Paladins are one of D&D's best classes in any situation, but especially in combat. They can also make excellent use of high-end magic weapons and armor, like fighters, which even includes the Holy Avenger — an almost unfairly powerful tool against fiends and undead.

Dungeons and Dragons

A fantasy roleplaying tabletop game designed for adventure-seekers, the original incarnation of Dungeons & Dragons was created by Gary Gygax in 1974.

Franchise

Dungeons & Dragons

Original Release Date

January 26, 1974

Publisher

Wizards of the Coast , TSR Inc.

Designer

E. Gary Gygax , Dave Arneson

Player Count

4-8 Players Recommended

Age Recommendation

12+

Length per Game

3 hours +

Expansions

Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition , Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition , Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition , Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition

Summary

Dungeons & Dragons is the fantasy tabletop role-playing game that has persevered for nearly 50 years and continues to grow strong. Created by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, the game first made publication in 1974 and now falls under the Wizards of the Coast publishing wing. A typical game of DnD consists of 4-6 players, with one player acting as the Dungeon Master. Players can take a sheet and by consulting the various rule books and expansions, can create their own character with weapons, skills, and physical appearance. Once all characters are created, the Dungeon Master sets them off in a campaign of their choosing or design, where players will have to follow the rules of the DM as they roleplay their way through storylines. The characters will level up, find equipment, and experience permanent changes based on the way the story plays out. A roll of the dice can mean the difference between a successful hit, and a painful end. The most recent edition of Dungeons & Dragons is the 5th edition rule book.