The best D&D subclasses introduced in Dungeons & Dragons 5e (2023)

5e has introduced a wide variety of subclasses to play with, but some stand out as the best 5e subclasses for players to choose from. Subcategories give unique flavor to the different categoriesDnD, allowing players to choose specialized professions with their own abilities. The best subclasses offer character traits that stand out as uniquely powerful or provide interesting roleplaying opportunities for characters to incorporate into their stories or playstyle. With over a hundred subclasses available in 5e, every player should be able to find something that sparks their creativity or desire to play.

A number ofsubcategories were made available in the core books available at the time of publicationDnD5e, where most appear inPlayer's Handbookand a few atDungeon Master's Guide. Since then, additional options have become available through expansion books, withXanathar's Guide to EverythingandTasha's Cauldron of Everything, specifikt,adding a large sum of subclasses to the roster. While the abundance of subclasses is great for player freedom, it can also make it difficult to narrow down the strongest choices. Looking at the best subcategoriesDnD5e offerings help break down some of the more interesting paths thereDnDplayers can get.

10 College of Glamour Bard

The College of Glamor Bard subclass offers one of the most fun roleplaying opportunitiesDnD5e. A Charm Person spell available at 1st level and Exciting feat at 3rd level gives College of Glamor Bards the chance to draw various NPCs under their influence, making it easier to make connections or unlock information. This subclass is no slouch in combat either, with abilities that allow Bards to command or grant temporary hit points to allies as bonus actions. By playing smart, a College of Glamor Bard can stay very busy both in combat andnon-combat DnD 5e encountersand provide significant benefits to the party.

9 Echo Knight Fighter

Players who like to be creative in combat may find the Echo Knight a particularly appealing Fighter subclass. Echo Knight Fighters enterDnDthey can summon an echo of themselves and use various related abilities in battle, with one 18th level ability even doubling into two echoes. ThatThe Echo Knight subclass is perfect for critical rolefans that finds its origins in the Official Critical Role SourcebookExplorers guide til Wildemount,but players who don't watch the program can get just as much enjoyment out of the features it offers.

8 Gloom Stalker Ranger

Rangers have arguably seen the most benefits of any categoryDnD5e rulebook expansions, with a number of subclasses that offer more interesting angles than the features originally provided in the core books. The Gloom Stalker Ranger byXanathar's Guide to Everythingis a perfect example of this, as it shines further into stealth capabilities and provides significant advantages to dungeon crawling. Gloom Stalkers can often outwit opponents in the Underdark or night terrors with extra attacks, invisibility, and even access to extradimensional spaces, making it easier to execute devastating ambushes.

7 Aberrant Mind Sorcerer

Aberrant Mind Sorcerers stand out from the crowdDnDWizard subclasses thanks to one impressive feature in particular: Psionic spells. The availability of Psionic spells is a big boost in itself, offering a fairly robust library of additional spells and the ability to trade the included spells for other Sorcerer, Wizard, and Warlock spells as you gain a mage level. At 6th level, Aberrant Mind Sorcerers can use sorcery points to cast Psionic spells instead of spells, further expanding the extraordinary casting abilities of one of the bestDnDsubcategories. ThatAberrant Mind Sorcerer is a fearsome villain, but players can also put these powers to good use.

6 Soulknife Rogue

Like Aberrant Mind Sorcerers, Soulknife Rogues are oneDnDsubclass that benefits from a focus on Psionics iTasha's cauldron of everything. Instead of relying on the physical blades typically used by Rogues, a Soulknife uses Psychic Blades that possess unique abilities at higher levels. A general Psionic dice pool allows for the use of these powers and more, giving the Soulknife Rogue invisibility, telepathy, and the ability to inflict psychic damage directly into the minds of enemies. This odd combination of traits can also be taken in interesting role directions, though its function on the battlefield is incentive enough for players to choose this subclass.

5 Paladin's Oath of Conquest

Many of thembetter sanctify Oaths for the Ancients in Dndcomes fromPlayer's Handbook, but Oath of Conquest Paladin is a great addition fromXanathar's Guide to Everything.These Paladins may not be the best for players who politely want to uphold the traditional Paladin ideal, but for those ready to crack some skulls, Oath of the Conquest is a strong choice. The best attributes of this subclass tend to revolve around its power in crowd control, giving players who take the Oath of Conquest the power to turn the tables when the party is overwhelmed by enemies.

4 Hexblade Warlock

Hexblade Warlocks bring a touch of combat flavor to the Warlock class, taking players from backline casters to frontline fighters. Charisma-based attacks allow Hexblade Warlocks to optimize their melee attacks and spellcasting around the same attribute, providing exceptional flexibility on the battlefield. Surviving them in the middle of it helps the bonus traits to armor and shields, meaning the tank party doesn't have to watch a Hexblade Warlock like a hawk every time a player charges. This subclass is best in campaigns that don't tend to fight waves of enemies, as a key feature that allows battle buffs to only be used once per turn. short break.

3 Circle of Stars Druid

Druids who want versatility need look no further than the Circle of Stars subclass. Circle of Stars Druids gain access to Astral Forms at 2nd level, which allows them to choose between attack buffs, healing, and saving throws. Players who want raw power can find more here than in mostDnDDruid subclasses, but those more interested in supporting their parties can also excel with Circle of Stars. ThisDnDThe 5e subclass really excels at level 10 and above, where players gain escape with a Starry Form and the ability to change form every turn.

2 Path of Wild Magic Barbarian

Path of Wild Magic is not for players who want absolute control over their actions, but the propensity for chaos of barbaric potential is exactly what makes it one of the bestDnD5e subcategories. Path of Wild Magic players roll on a table as they rage to determine a random magical outcome, meaning the effectiveness of the match can rely heavily on the pair's luck. This is agreat subcategory for players who are bored with the standard gameand a superior choice overall. The Best Path of Wild Magic Barbarians are good at adapting to unexpected scenarios, using the cards fate throws at them to gain the upper hand over enemies.

1 Cleric from Twilight

Of all the options available to Clerics, Twilight Domain stands out as not only the best Cleric subclass, but also the bestDnD5th subclass in general. Twilight Sanctuary makes excellent use of Channel Divinity, allowing the Twilight Domain priests to heal allies within 30 feet each turn. Proficiency with heavy armor allows for extra tanking, and an excellent extended spell list further contributes to damage, healing and survivability. 300 feet of darkvision that can be shared with allies and the high level ability to gain half cover via Twilight Sanctuary is the icing on the cake for a truly powerfulDungeons & Dragons class division.