Dungeons & Dragonsreleased a newPlayer’s Handbook in 2024, which revamped most of the subclasses from the 2014 book. These changes have made some subclasses far more welcoming to new players.
One of the biggest changes made to the established 5e rules in 2024 was allclasses picking their subclassat level 3. This means that new players can get to grips with the easier elements of their class if they start from level 1 and will learn enough about their character to make an informed choice at level 3.
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There are some classes and subclasses that are more difficult to follow, such as the Circle of the Moon Druid, which has many Wild Shape options, and with their expansive spell list, a player needs to keep track of a lot of things.
Luckily, there are some subclasses that are advisable for new players to take that are easy to manage and can let them get to grips with the rules without bogging them down in mechanics.
10Champion Fighter
More Critical Hits For Everyone
Subclasses Available
Battle Master, Champion, Eldritch Knight, Psi Warrior
In the older editions of D&D, the Fighter was always the easiest class to play. It’s right there in the game: all they do is fight.
D&D 5e has givenFighter players optionsfor complicated builds, such as with the Battle Master and all of its special powers.
Those who want to play the most basic subclass in D&D 5e 2024 should go for the Champion Fighter, as most of its abilities are simple, such as critting on a 19 and a 20.
The Champion’s Advantage on Initiative rolls and ability to move after a crit without provoking Attacks of Opportunity might seem like small things, but they’re incredibly useful and simple to remember.
9Path Of The Berserker Barbarian
Their Love For Foes Is Like A Truck
Berserker, Wild Heart, World Tree, Zealot
Like the Fighter, the main goal of the Barbarian is to hit things. And what better way to do this than by improving one of their existing abilities?
The Path Of The Berserker subclass allows the Barbarian to roll an extra d6 times their Rage Damage modifier when using Reckless Attack.
This means they’ll be adding 2d6 extra damage when using Reckless Attack until they hit level 9, which is not only easy to remember but is a useful buff for a class focused on whacking enemies on the head.
8Life Domain Cleric
The Living Healing Potion
Life Domain, Light Domain, Trickery Domain, War Domain
There are many ways to make the Cleric break out of the standard healer archetype. A new player might want to stick to what works, especially while getting used to the mechanics of a full spellcaster class.
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The Life Domain takes care of all of the Cleric’s healing needs. Not only will you automatically have all of low-level healing spells prepared via the Domain, but they will all restore an additional two hit points per spell level.
If the party has taken a lot of damage and is Bloodied, the Life Domain Cleric can also use Preserve Life for a group heal that can save an inexperienced party from doom.
7Hunter Ranger
Hit The Weak Point For Massive Damage
Beast Master, Fey Wanderer, Gloom Stalker, Hunter
Experienced D&D players will learn all of the strengths andweaknesses of monstersin the game, giving them a huge advantage over newbies.
The Hunter subclass for the Ranger mitigates this, thanks to their Hunter’s Lore power, allowing them to learn the Immunities, Resistances, and Vulnerabilities of a foe hit by the Hunter’s Mark spell.
Additionally, their class abilities are combat-focused and easy to remember, with Hunter’s Prey letting them switch between a solo target and a group-based attack whenever they rest, which is helpful when the party has an idea of what enemies they’ll be facing.
6Thief Rogue
Grab Everything Not Nailed Down
Arcane Trickster, Assassin, Soulknife, Thief
Taking on the former name of the class from AD&D, the Thief subclass makes the Rogue excel at sneaky actions during combat.
The ability to use magic items and objects as a Bonus Action, as well as pick a pocket or disarm a trap, makes the Thief extremely effective at getting stuff done in combat that doesn’t involve stabbing enemies.
The natural climb Speed and extra jumping distance of their Second-Story Work means the Thief has a much easier time avoiding the dangerous hazards that are encountered in most dungeons.
5Warrior Of The Open Hand Monk
Knockdown Master
Mercy, Shadows, The Elements, The Open Hand
Three of the four Monk subclasses expand the class’ options in different ways, with the Warrior of Mercy granting healing abilities, Warrior of Shadow making them better at stealth, and the Warrior of the Elements granting spells.
The fourth subclass, Warrior of the Open Hand, focuses on combat prowess. The Open Hand Technique adds extra options to the Monk’s Flurry of Blows ability, giving them a power that will remain useful throughout the campaign.
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Possibly the most useful Open Hand Technique is Topple, where the opponent must pass a Dexterity Saving Throw or be knocked Prone. This means other melee allies can follow up with an attack that has Advantage on the roll, which is especially useful for Rogues.
4Oath Of Devotion Paladin
Making Holy Weapons For Free
Devotion, Glory, The Ancients, Vengeance
While D&D offers some variants of the Paladin class, most people associate it with holy knights who serve the cause of good and justice, while smiting evil in the face with righteous fury.
For those wanting to go the stereotype route in the 2024 Player’s Handbook, there’s the Oath of Devotion Paladin, who specializes in crushing evil.
The Oath of Devotion Paladin has the Sacred Weapon ability, where they can add their Charisma modifier to their Attack rolls and change their damage type to Radiant, all for ten minutes per use of Channel Divinity.
This instant holy weapon power means the Paladin can get a quick and easy-to-understand bonus to attacks while likely dealing extra damage to fiends and undead without needing toburn spell slots.
3Circle Of The Sea Druid
Druid Uses Surf
Land, Moon, Sea, Stars
The Druid is one of the hardest classes to get to grips with, due to their full spellcasting prowess and their Wild Shape ability giving them animal forms.
The Circle of the Sea Druid is the easiest of the subclasses to use, as their Wrath of the Sea power is all about creating a barrier that damages enemies.
Unlike the extra spells of Circle of the Land, numerous animal forms of Circle of the Moon, and three star forms of Circle of the Stars, the Circle of the Sea has a power that’s easy to use, and doesn’t change much over the course of a campaign.
2College of Valor Bard
This Is Fight Music
Dance, Glamour, Lore, Valor
The Bard is another complex class to get to grips with, due to their spells and special abilities that involve buffing allies and ensuring they stay alive.
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A player who wants to simplify things can take up the blade and become a College of Valor Bard. Not only do these guys get more combat proficiencies, but they’ll eventually get a second attack, like the warrior classes.
More importantly, their Combat Inspiration is focused on letting allies choose their battle buff. That way, you can focus on fighting alongside them, throwing out healing when needed.
1Fiend Patron Warlock
Running With The Devil
Archfey Patron, Celestial Patron, Fiend Patron, Great Old One Patron
A new player is going to have a hard time with any of the arcane spellcaster classes, as managing a spell list is vital to their success and can determine just how easy or hard a combat or social encounter will be.
The Warlock is a little easier to manage, as they get fewer spells and tend to focus on the Hex and Eldritch Blast combo. Agood choice of specieswill also grant extra spells.
An easy subclass for the Warlock is Fiend Patron. This gives some extra combat spells, as well as Dark One’s Blessing, granting temporary hit points when they kill an enemy, making them a great choice for a simple battle caster.
