Dungeons and Dragons Tutorial Pt 2:

Character Classes

Part 2 of our 3 Part crash course to Dungeons and Dragons will discuss character classes. 

In Dungeons and Dragons, classes define the skills and abilities of what a character can do. It determines the type of role the character will play out throughout your game, similar to a profession or specialization. 

Some classes focus on magic and spell casting, others are centered around combat and strength, and others fall somewhere in between. 

Depending on your character’s class, you will want to determine your character’s ability scores based on the type of actions your class will allow you to do. 

In the 5th edition of the Dungeons and Dragons Player’s Handbook, there are 12 different basic character classes. Here are brief descriptions of each class and the primary ability score which their skills rely on.

Barbarian
  • Description: A primitive warrior who uses rage and primal instincts to excel in battle and deal great amounts of damage in combat. 
  • Primary Abilities: Strength and Constitution 
Bard
  • Description: A magic user who channels their power through music and performance. 
  • Primary Abilities: Charisma and Dexterity 
Cleric
  • Description: A wielder of divine magic who can utilize healing and attack spells to help their party in the name of their chosen deity. 
  • Primary Abilities: Wisdom and Charisma 
Druid
  • Description: In tune to the natural world around them, druids gain their magic through nature and can be used to support their party or deal damage to their enemies. 
  • Primary Abilities: Wisdom and Intelligence 
Fighter
  • Description: Masters of armed and hand to hand combat who are skilled in a wide variety of weapons and fighting styles. 
  • Primary Abilities: Strength and Constitution 
Monk
  • Description: Masters of martial arts who can harness the physical and spiritual power in their bodies to aid them in battle. 
  • Primary Abilities: Dexterity and Wisdom
Paladin
  • Description: Holy warriors who fight to uphold justice in the name of their deity. 
  • Primary Abilities: Strength, Charisma, and Wisdom 
Ranger
  • Description: Primarily archers with a special connection to nature who can also be innate trackers. 
  • Primary Abilities: Dexterity and Wisdom
Rogue
  • Description: Skilled thieves and assassins, rogues utilize stealth and slight of hand to get the jump on their enemies. 
  • Primary Abilities: Dexterity and Intelligence 
Sorcerer
  • Description: Natural born magic users whose magic has been passed down through their bloodline. 
  • Primary Abilities: Charisma and Constitution 
Warlock
  • Description: Magic users who gain their power by forming a pact with a higher, oftentimes malevolent being. 
  • Primary Abilities: Charisma and Wisdom 
Wizards
  • Description: Masters of arcane knowledge who gain their magic through rigorous study and practice. 
  • Primary Abilities: Intelligence and Wisdom