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. Subclasses add unique flavor to the various classes in DnD, 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.

Various subclasses were made available in the core books available at the time of DnD 5e's release, with most appearing in the Player's Handbook and a few in the Dungeon Master's Guide. Since then, additional options have become available through expansion books, with Xanathar's Guide to Everything and Tasha's Cauldron of Everything in particular adding a large number of subclasses to the list. 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 subclasses DnD 5e has to offer helps break down some of the more interesting paths DnD players can take.

10 College of Glamour Bard

The College of Glamor Bard subclass offers one of the most fun roleplaying opportunities in DnD 5e. 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 in DnD can summon an echo of themselves and use various related abilities in battle, with an 18th level ability even doubling to two echoes. ThatThe Echo Knight subclass is perfect for critical rolefans who find its origins in the official role-critical Explorer's Guide To Wildemount sourcebook, but players who don't follow the show can get just as much enjoyment out of the opportunities it presents.

8 Gloom Stalker Ranger

Rangers have seen arguably the most benefit of any class since the DnD 5e expansion rulebooks, with a number of subclasses offering more interesting angles than the options originally provided in the core books. The Gloom Stalker Ranger from Xanathar's Guide To Everything is a perfect example of this, boosting the stealth abilities and providing significant benefits to the dungeon crawl. 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 other DnD Sorcerer subclasses thanks to one striking feature, namely: 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 excellent casting abilities of one of DnD's best subclasses. 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 a DnD subclass that benefits from the focus on Psionics in Tasha'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 from the Player's Handbook, but Oath of Conquest Paladin is a great addition from Xanathar'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 most DnD Druid subclasses, but those more interested in supporting their parties can also excel with Circle of Stars. This DnD 5e subclass really excels at 10th level and beyond, with players gaining escape with a Starry Form and the ability to shapeshift each turn.

2 Path of Wild Magic Barbarian

Path of Wild Magic is not for players who want absolute control over their actions, but the chaos of the barbarian's abilities is exactly what makes it one of the best DnD 5e subclasses. 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 for Clerics, Twilight Domain stands out as not only the best Cleric subclass, but the best DnD 5e subclass overall. 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 & Dragonsclass division.