I am sure some people feel some classes are more powerful mechanics wise, and everyone has their own favorite classes and playstyles. I am interested in people's opinions however on the little known or little played class features (sub classes?).
What class and sub class, or even multiclasses do you think are hidden gems and why? Do they offer a truly unique playstyle that people might overlook? Or maybe really excel at something unexpected? I'm especially thinking of classes and certain features* that you feel go un-noticed by most people but are actually very effective, or really fun, and why?
I would also love to hear some stories of when you were able to use such features to the surprise of your group.
On the flip side, what class/sub class do you think are just awful and in urgent need of a good tweak?
*(again sub classes? what is like "pact of the tome" warlock, or vengeance paladin. They have specific features you chose but I dunno if they are given names?)
I feel like the Bard is always a hidden gem. Looked down as a lowly class that has far more potential than given credit for.
You think people look down on bard?... Surely you jest, my friend!
All I know is that I have not yet seen anyone play a bard at any of my games. We've done Horde/Rise, Strahd, Out of the Abyss and Elemental Evil. Not a single bard.
We had one person briefly play a sorcerer, but they quit. I've also never seen a fighter.
I feel like the Bard is always a hidden gem. Looked down as a lowly class that has far more potential than given credit for.
You think people look down on bard?... Surely you jest, my friend!
All I know is that I have not yet seen anyone play a bard at any of my games. We've done Horde/Rise, Strahd, Out of the Abyss and Elemental Evil. Not a single bard.
We had one person briefly play a sorcerer, but they quit. I've also never seen a fighter.
Bard is one of those classes where if you can't sing, you often feel like the Bard isn't really for you. Its often overlooked the Bard doesn't have to sing. Plus the Bard isn't really a combat specific class.
Fighter is mostly straight forward. Roll dice and see if you hit. I feel like a lot of people like having spells and the other class features that a fighter often feels plain. At least that was my experience in playing one after playing many of the other classes. (May have been more of a 3rd edition thing, as I haven't played one in 5th)
I feel like the Bard is always a hidden gem. Looked down as a lowly class that has far more potential than given credit for.
You think people look down on bard?... Surely you jest, my friend!
All I know is that I have not yet seen anyone play a bard at any of my games. We've done Horde/Rise, Strahd, Out of the Abyss and Elemental Evil. Not a single bard.
We had one person briefly play a sorcerer, but they quit. I've also never seen a fighter.
Bard is one of those classes where if you can't sing, you often feel like the Bard isn't really for you. Its often overlooked the Bard doesn't have to sing. Plus the Bard isn't really a combat specific class.
Fighter is mostly straight forward. Roll dice and see if you hit. I feel like a lot of people like having spells and the other class features that a fighter often feels plain. At least that was my experience in playing one after playing many of the other classes. (May have been more of a 3rd edition thing, as I haven't played one in 5th)
I have a classically trained singer in our group and she refuses to even Bard.
I have to agree on bard hate. In the... dozen or so of 5E groups I've been in, no bards.
Druids were hit or miss until someone did Moon exclusively for the form.
Fighters were everywhere because of the builds and the resilience.
Rogues are... surprisingly rare. I think thats just a me thing just like Fighters are rare to other people.
So many Warlocks and MC Warlocks. Getting tired of seeing that level dip to the point where I've banned it in my games without a thematic justification of a pact.
Not trying to do a full class run through, but it seems like it wanes depending on who you have with you. Except with bards. Rarely ever see a bard. Its like seeing a halfling or a dwarf. All I see are variant humans and elves. No one wants to be short for some reason.
A dwarf wizard would be awesome since you get armor!
Rogue is more of an out of combat class whose potential in combat requires more effort than other classes.
Few people have seen a bard played well and it looks like a weak choice. Granted a bard is more support, than straight up combat killer. But a good bard can change the tide of many a battle.
This is making me really want to play a bard! (A dwarf bard!)
My group has lots of halflings and gnomes. I'm lucky to be in a group where most people like to try new things. So we've had almost everything, though only one Dragonborn, and only one half orc, but several Tieflings, gnomes, elves, half elves and humans.
Volos came out, but we haven't gotten any of those races. (which surprises me. A couple players love the short races and there are now goblins and kobolds and such). A couple players have PTSD about kenku, having had a horrible experience with someone playing one (poorly) and so have talked a couple others out of trying a kenku (which I agree with, you need to be a good RPer to be able to play a Kenku and have it not annoying as all get-out). We have had a Goliath (though they came out earlier) and Aasimar (again they technically came out with the DMG) and an air genasi. So yeah, my group tends to really like the different races at least.
But no dwarves, no bards, no fighters. Only one warlock so far. Only one barbarian. Only one ranger. Lots of clerics, paladins, a couple monks, several druids. Druids and Wizards and Clerics seem to be the favorites. Oh, and no sorcerers, oddly enough. Which I kind of get, they aren't too much different than a circle of the land druid, and the druid seems to offer more variation and customization and options. Or if you want straight up caster I think Wizard beats the sorc, that and sorcery points seem somewhat obnoxious.
Arcane Trickster rogues are popular at my table. So are wizards. Rogues in general.
I am jelly of your rogues Synieth. I always have the hardest time finding them and it leads to a lot of missed opportunities.
When I do see rogues, they always seem to be Arcane Tricksters.
I seem to have the same problem :/
Either them or swashbucklers, but mostly Arcane trickster. Hell, the first character I played was an Arcane trickster! Granted, I've played the other types in one shots, but with campaigns? Almost always a swashbuckler, an arcane trickster, or a bard.
I am jelly of your rogues Synieth. I always have the hardest time finding them and it leads to a lot of missed opportunities.
When I do see rogues, they always seem to be Arcane Tricksters.
I seem to have the same problem :/
Either them or swashbucklers, but mostly Arcane trickster. Hell, the first character I played was an Arcane trickster! Granted, I've played the other types in one shots, but with campaigns? Almost always a swashbuckler, an arcane trickster, or a bard.
We've had thief, arcane trickster and assassin. I played a swashbuckler very briefly but she died.
I do feel very lucky in my group. There is only one person who is not up for trying new things and only plays barbarian or paladin and only plays human or half orc. Everyone else at the table seems to delight in trying something as different as possible from whatever they played last, so we get lots of variety. And we all (with that one exception) are really strong RPers who tend to favor story above all else, so even the archetypal half-elf wizard isn't what you'd expect.
I am now working on building a mountain dwarf battle-bard thanks to this thread. I can't wait to play her! :D
I'm always up for playing new races but tend to stick to classes I can comprehend. I've just created my first monk (and a Tabaxi at that) but am always looking for new and interesting combos to try and this thread has been helping fuel some ideas.
I am sure some people feel some classes are more powerful mechanics wise, and everyone has their own favorite classes and playstyles. I am interested in people's opinions however on the little known or little played class features (sub classes?).
What class and sub class, or even multiclasses do you think are hidden gems and why? Do they offer a truly unique playstyle that people might overlook? Or maybe really excel at something unexpected? I'm especially thinking of classes and certain features* that you feel go un-noticed by most people but are actually very effective, or really fun, and why?
I would also love to hear some stories of when you were able to use such features to the surprise of your group.
On the flip side, what class/sub class do you think are just awful and in urgent need of a good tweak?
*(again sub classes? what is like "pact of the tome" warlock, or vengeance paladin. They have specific features you chose but I dunno if they are given names?)
I feel like the Bard is always a hidden gem. Looked down as a lowly class that has far more potential than given credit for.
A dwarf wizard would be awesome since you get armor!
Rogue is more of an out of combat class whose potential in combat requires more effort than other classes.
Few people have seen a bard played well and it looks like a weak choice. Granted a bard is more support, than straight up combat killer. But a good bard can change the tide of many a battle.
This is making me really want to play a bard! (A dwarf bard!)
My group has lots of halflings and gnomes. I'm lucky to be in a group where most people like to try new things. So we've had almost everything, though only one Dragonborn, and only one half orc, but several Tieflings, gnomes, elves, half elves and humans.
Volos came out, but we haven't gotten any of those races. (which surprises me. A couple players love the short races and there are now goblins and kobolds and such). A couple players have PTSD about kenku, having had a horrible experience with someone playing one (poorly) and so have talked a couple others out of trying a kenku (which I agree with, you need to be a good RPer to be able to play a Kenku and have it not annoying as all get-out). We have had a Goliath (though they came out earlier) and Aasimar (again they technically came out with the DMG) and an air genasi. So yeah, my group tends to really like the different races at least.
But no dwarves, no bards, no fighters. Only one warlock so far. Only one barbarian. Only one ranger. Lots of clerics, paladins, a couple monks, several druids. Druids and Wizards and Clerics seem to be the favorites. Oh, and no sorcerers, oddly enough. Which I kind of get, they aren't too much different than a circle of the land druid, and the druid seems to offer more variation and customization and options. Or if you want straight up caster I think Wizard beats the sorc, that and sorcery points seem somewhat obnoxious.
Arcane Trickster rogues are popular at my table. So are wizards. Rogues in general.
Either them or swashbucklers, but mostly Arcane trickster. Hell, the first character I played was an Arcane trickster! Granted, I've played the other types in one shots, but with campaigns? Almost always a swashbuckler, an arcane trickster, or a bard.
I'm always up for playing new races but tend to stick to classes I can comprehend. I've just created my first monk (and a Tabaxi at that) but am always looking for new and interesting combos to try and this thread has been helping fuel some ideas.
Skameros - Bugbear Barbarian - Out of the Abyss - By Kerrec
Follow your Arrow where it Points - Tabaxi Monk - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
Citron Pumpkinfoam - Fairy Monk - Project Point: Team Longsword
Warforged Assassin Rogue. Stands in as a statue. Comes to life and stabs someone.
Very Weeping Angels. :)