10 Most Broken D&D Classes (2024)

features plenty of classes, subclasses, and multiclass combinations for players to test out during their journey. Each option has its own strengths and weaknesses, making some more suitable for certain roles than others. This also means that some classes and combinations are strong to the point of being broken when compared to other options.

There are classes that are solid choices for most situations, such as wizards. A party can generally assume that their wizard will pump out damage to enemies and help control the battlefield. However, classes become increasingly intricate as subclasses come into play, and then taking levels in multiple classes also brings new potential to already powerful options.

10 Arcane Trickster Adds Magic To The Rogue Class

Rogues with Wizardry at Their Fingertips

Arcane tricksters are a subclass that combines rogues with wizards, which lets a character dip into the skill sets of two strong classes. Sneak Attack damage is always nice, but these rogues also have access to spells that can provide more range and area of effect options compared to other rogue subclasses. They even get an invisible mage hand, which is perfect for rogues who want to steal or misplace the items of others.

The biggest downside to an arcane trickster is that they don't get higher level spells that wizards generally pick up during the middle of the campaign and going into the end. This means that combat often relies on their standard set of rogue abilities with an opportunity now and then to pull out a bigger spell. However, an arcane trickster’s kit is not only strong, it’s a ton of fun to play after getting used to the tools that come with it.

9 Cleric Is A Classically Strong Class Choice

Versatility and Power Through Divine Domains

Cleric might seem like a plain option, but the amount of versatility the class brings with it is enough to make it broken. Through the use of subclasses, the cleric can be tailored to fit any role the party needs. Then, when the possibility of multiclassing is added in, the potential of clerics increases even higher. It also helps that clerics can adjust their prepared spells to suit their current situation.

The type of cleric depends on the god they worship, otherwise known as a cleric's domain, which then acts as the source of their power, deciding which abilities they have access to and the special features they gain. However, the way that cleric spells work is also part of what makes them so strong. Instead of having a set of spells that can be used as long as the character has spell slots, clerics have a larger pool of spells they can access. So, they choose which spells to prepare, and then have access to them until the next long rest.

8 The Joy Of Smiting Enemies With Paladins

Diverse Subclasses and Unmatched Versatility

Not every paladin subclass is broken, but there are options that turn paladins into a fearsome class. The makes a big difference in how that character is played and what its strengths are. Additionally, paladins aren't limited to being tanks with righteous intentions. They can be frontline fighters on a quest of vengeance, for which the Oath of Vengeance is perfectly fitting, and it's an overall strong pick for a subclass.

Of course, paladins can also be broken in roles like tanking or providing utility and support to their party members. Oath of the Watchers paladins have a Channel Divinity option that can save the party when certain saving throws need to be made, and this subclass is part of multiple power builds. With their divine powers and versatility, as well as a general blend of defensive and offensive abilities, paladins are not to be underestimated.

7 Fighters Are Broken In The Right Hands

Versatility and Power for Any Player

Fighters are among the oldest Dungeons & Dragons classes, and they're still a solid choice in 5e. Their design and skill set makes them a great option for beginners, while an experienced player can show off the class' true potential. Compared to other melee classes, fighters have a lot of versatility in the ways they can be built, but that versatility doesn't make them overly complex either. They also maintain enough durability to withstand hits in combat, but aren't focused around being the tank of the party.

One feature that helps fighters deal damage is the extra attack they start getting at level five, which increases to three attacks at level 11, and four attacks at level 20. When combined with Action Surge, the extra attacks from a fighter can become devastating in battle. Although fighters are often seen as a rather plain class option, the right build can turn them into monsters in combat.

6 Bards Can Bring Their Party To The Next Level

The Vital Role of Bards in D&D: Support and Versatility

Although bards usually aren't the ones dealing the most damage, they're a crucial member of the party for the level of support they bring. In particular, Bardic Inspiration can be useful at any level, low or high, and make the difference between succeeding on a roll or failing it. Song of Rest is also a great tool that helps keep the party healthy between long rests, which is incredibly useful when working through a dungeon.

Bards excel at supporting the party and using their abilities to control the battlefield. Naturally, they bring a lot of use to interacting with NPCs, often becoming the face of the party. Plus, their skills can be focused on helping the party avoid drawing attention to themselves, working with magic and disguises to complete tasks quietly that might otherwise result in a battle. The versatility and support that comes from a bard is incredible for any party, but they can end up overlooked since their damage output and durability tend to be on the lower side.

5 Sorcerers Come With A Key Feature That Makes Them Strong

Understanding the Differences in D&D

Sorcerers and wizards are so similar that it might be hard to notice the differences as a newer player. While wizards have the benefit of being able to learn spells by spending gold, sorcerers get access to Metamagics, which are a set of abilities that manipulate spells in various ways. Additionally, sorcerers have a variety of subclass options that range from the chaos of Wild Magic to the Order of the Clockwork Soul sorcerer.

The strength of sorcerers comes in the form of Metamagics, a feature unique to this class, that lets the sorcerer manipulate their spell through the use of sorcery points. Metamagics include options that let the sorcerer empower their spells, manipulate the action economy, cast a spell twice with a single action, extend the duration of a spell, and more. The spell list that sorcerers have access to might not be as large as a wizard's, but Metamagics can definitely make up for that.

4 Moon Druids Become The Ultimate Tank

Unmatched Resilience and Versatility

Circle of the Moon druids are strongest at the beginning of the game, but even when the party reaches high levels, they bring a lot of defensive abilities with them that makes them great tanks. Even with just the two Wild Shape opportunities at lower levels, a Moon druid has a lot of extra health and healing abilities by shifting into their beast forms without needing to use a spell slot. Then, even when they run out of Wild Shape uses in earlier levels, they still have all their spellcasting abilities to use.

At level 20, the Moon druid's tank abilities truly shine, even if most campaigns unfortunately don't reach this level. They have unlimited uses of Wild Shape at this level, which makes the druid essentially immortal, since they can use a bonus action every turn to gain the extra health bar of whichever beast they choose. The combination of Wild Shape, spellcasting, and melee abilities makes a Moon druid a devastating – and durable – party member.

3 Hexblade Warlocks Dominate The Front Lines

A Frontline Powerhouse in D&D

Although most warlocks are built to fight from a distance, Hexblade warlocks throw themselves into the middle of battles, staying safe with the help of their spells. It's not uncommon to see Hexblade warlocks as part of powerful multiclass builds, but a pure Hexblade build can also become a huge threat to enemies. This is primarily thanks to two specific features: Hexblade's Curse and Hex Warrior. However, those aren't the only strengths of building a Hexblade warlock.

Hexblade's Curse basically lets the warlock add proficiency to damage, which isn't a feature that any other class has. Then, Hex Warrior lets the warlock use medium armor and a shield, but also uses charisma instead of strength when rolling for attacks and damage. Armor of Hexes and Master of Hexes then add even more strengths to Hexblade's Curse and Hex Warrior, turning the warlock into a front line monster.

2 Sorlocks Bring Power & Control

Maximizing Synergy Between Sorcerer and Warlock

The sorlock is a multiclass build that takes levels for both sorcerer and warlock. Since both of these classes are charisma-based, they have a lot of synergy from the start. A standard sorlock build only takes three or four levels in warlock, and then builds the rest of their character as a sorcerer, maximizing the potential of eldritch blast by adding in the pure power of a sorcerer.

By using the Hexblade warlock subclass, the sorlock gets access to Hexblade's Curse, which lets them curse an enemy for bonus damage based on their proficiency. Then, the sorcerer side gets access to Metamagics, specifically the Quickened Spell and Empowered Spell options, which make a spell into a bonus action and allow damage to be rerolled, respectively. Altogether, this creates a combination that pumps out damage with a focus on eldritch blast, which doesn't require spell slots to cast.

1 Wizards Are The Classic Powerhouse Class

The Power and Versatility of Wizards in Dungeons & Dragons

When talking about the most powerful classes in Dungeons & Dragons, it would be unusual for wizards to not be included. It's the kind of class that becomes stronger when the player understands how to use a wizard to its maximum potential. But even in the hands of a newer player, the wizard still deals out plenty of damage and utility, with its biggest drawback being limited to the number of spell slots they have available at any given level.

Wizards have a lot of strong subclasses to pick from that range between the Bladesinger, who fights on the front lines, to the School of Evocation wizard, who can shape their spells in ways that avoid hurting their party members. But no matter which subclass is chosen, the wizard will still be able to deal plenty of damage, as well as control the battlefield. Plus, wizards don't need to panic too much about missing a spell they wanted to take, since they can learn spells throughout the game using gold.

With a variety of official classes and subclasses to pick from, it's expected that certain ones would end up being stronger than others. Then, among those powerful classes, there are choices that are broken to the point that it seems like they shouldn't be allowed in a campaign. However, whether a party is full of broken classes or a mix of classes that might not be the best, the adventure itself is the heart of Dungeons & Dragons.

Dungeons and Dragons

Dungeons and Dragons is a popular tabletop game originally invented in 1974 byErnest Gary Gygax and David Arneson.The fantasy role-playing game brings together players for a campaign with various components, including abilities, races, character classes, monsters, and treasures. The game has drastically expanded since the '70s, with numerous updated box sets and expansions.

Franchise

Original Release Date

1974-00-00

Publisher

TSR Inc. , Wizards of the Coast

Designer

E. Gary Gygax , Dave Arneson

Player Count

2-7 Players