TechnicleeWhat is the best class for beginners in the 2024 5e rules?
Play a Fighter. The 2024 rules rate the Fighter Low complexity, and it starts with training in every kind of armour. Its level 1 features keep you alive while you learn. Take the Champion subclass at level 3, because both of its level 3 features work automatically. If you prefer sneaking and skills, the Rogue is the other Low-rated class and my second pick.
Everything here comes from the SRD 5.2.1, the free rules document for the 2024 version of fifth edition. It includes all 12 classes, with one subclass each.
The SRD rates every class for complexity
The character creation chapter of the SRD has a Class Overview table. It gives each class a primary ability and a complexity rating of Low, Average or High. Your primary ability is the score the class leans on most, so it is the one to make highest.
| Class | Subclass in the SRD | Primary ability | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barbarian | Path of the Berserker | Strength | Average |
| Bard | College of Lore | Charisma | High |
| Cleric | Life Domain | Wisdom | Average |
| Druid | Circle of the Land | Wisdom | High |
| Fighter | Champion | Strength or Dexterity | Low |
| Monk | Warrior of the Open Hand | Dexterity and Wisdom | High |
| Paladin | Oath of Devotion | Strength and Charisma | Average |
| Ranger | Hunter | Dexterity and Wisdom | Average |
| Rogue | Thief | Dexterity | Low |
| Sorcerer | Draconic Sorcery | Charisma | High |
| Warlock | Fiend Patron | Charisma | High |
| Wizard | Evoker | Intelligence | Average |
Only two classes get a Low rating, the Fighter and the Rogue. That rating is the clearest guide the rules give a new player, so I start there.
The Fighter starts tough and well armoured
The Fighter has a d10 Hit Point Die, so a level 1 Fighter has a Hit Point maximum of 10 plus their Constitution modifier. Only the Barbarian starts higher. The Fighter also has training with Light, Medium and Heavy armour and Shields, and proficiency with Simple and Martial weapons.
The primary ability is Strength or Dexterity. You can build a heavy-armoured sword fighter or a nimble archer from the same class.
At level 1 you get three features:
| Feature | What it does |
|---|---|
| Fighting Style | You gain a Fighting Style feat. The SRD recommends Defense, which gives +1 Armor Class while you wear armour. |
| Second Wind | As a Bonus Action, you regain 1d10 plus your Fighter level in Hit Points. You get two uses, one back on a Short Rest and all back on a Long Rest. |
| Weapon Mastery | You use the mastery properties of three kinds of weapons you choose. |
A Bonus Action is a second, smaller action that some features let you take on your turn. Second Wind means a Fighter can heal without waiting for a Cleric.
Level 2 adds Action Surge and Tactical Mind. Action Surge gives you one extra action on your turn, apart from the Magic action, once per Short or Long Rest. Tactical Mind lets you spend a use of Second Wind when you fail an ability check. You roll 1d10 and add it to the check, and you keep the use if the check still fails.
The Champion subclass keeps your character sheet short
You choose a subclass at level 3, and the SRD includes one Fighter subclass, the Champion. It gives you two features at level 3.
Improved Critical lets your weapon and Unarmed Strike attacks score a Critical Hit on a roll of 19 or 20. Remarkable Athlete gives you Advantage on Initiative rolls and Strength (Athletics) checks. After you score a Critical Hit, it also lets you move up to half your Speed without provoking Opportunity Attacks.
Advantage means you roll two d20s and use the higher one. Both Champion features switch on by themselves. Neither one asks you to track a resource or make a choice during a fight.
A simple Fighter build from the SRD
These steps build a level 1 Fighter using only SRD 5.2.1 options.
- Use the Standard Array that the SRD suggests for a Fighter: Strength 15, Dexterity 14, Constitution 13, Intelligence 8, Wisdom 10 and Charisma 12.
- Choose the Soldier background, which lists Strength, Dexterity and Constitution.
- Add 2 to Strength and 1 to Constitution, for Strength 17 and Constitution 14.
- Note the Savage Attacker feat and the Athletics and Intimidation skills that Soldier gives you.
- Take starting equipment option A: Chain Mail, a Greatsword, a Flail, 8 Javelins, a Dungeoneer’s Pack and 4 GP.
- Pick the Defense Fighting Style feat.
- Choose the Greatsword, Flail and Javelin for Weapon Mastery.
- Pick any of the nine species in the SRD.
Chain Mail gives Armor Class 16, and Defense raises it to 17. The Greatsword’s mastery property is Graze. When you miss with it, you still deal damage equal to the ability modifier you used for the attack. Savage Attacker lets you roll a weapon’s damage dice twice once per turn and use either roll.
The Rogue is the other Low-complexity pick
Pick the Rogue if you prefer to move quietly, pick locks and talk your way past guards. It has a d8 Hit Point Die and training with Light armour, so it suits a careful player who stays out of the front line.
The Rogue’s level 1 features are Expertise, Sneak Attack, Thieves’ Cant and Weapon Mastery. Expertise doubles your Proficiency Bonus on checks with two skills you are proficient in. Sneak Attack adds 1d6 damage once per turn when you hit with a Finesse or Ranged weapon and have Advantage. You also get it when you lack Disadvantage and an ally stands within 5 feet of the target. That ally must be free of the Incapacitated condition.
At level 2, Cunning Action lets you Dash, Disengage or Hide as a Bonus Action. The SRD subclass is the Thief. Its level 3 features, Fast Hands and Second-Story Work, help with locks, traps, climbing and jumping.
Spellcasting classes for a first character
If you want spells from day one, look at the Average-rated casters first. The Cleric uses Wisdom, has a d8 Hit Point Die and trains with Light and Medium armour and Shields. The SRD gives it the Life Domain, which the SRD describes as a domain of healing. The Wizard uses Intelligence and has a d6 Hit Point Die with no armour training. Its SRD subclass is the Evoker.
The Paladin and Ranger also rate Average. They mix weapons with some spells. The Barbarian rates Average too, and it fights with weapons and Rage.
The SRD rates the Bard, Druid, Monk, Sorcerer and Warlock High. I would save those for a second character, once you know how turns, actions and rests work.
What I would do tonight
Pick the Fighter and follow the build above. For a bow user, swap your Strength and Dexterity scores and put the +2 into Dexterity. Then take equipment option B, which includes a Longbow. Read your three level 1 features out loud before the first session. Learn Second Wind before anything else, because it heals you in the middle of a fight.
This work includes material from the System Reference Document 5.2.1 (“SRD 5.2.1”) by Wizards of the Coast LLC, available at https://www.dndbeyond.com/srd. The SRD 5.2.1 is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, available at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode.