10. Legionnaire Fighter
A legionnaire in action. [Art by Liclillac]
It’s quite surprising that given the role of fighters within a party that there aren’t more tankish subclasses. The Legionnaire is just that subclass, specializing in the use of a shield and protecting their teammates.
Legionnaire Strengths:
- As the name might suggest, Legionnaires are particularly good at taking hits and staying alive.
- Legionnaires are also good at keeping allies alive by turning their second wind into a group effect.
Legionnaire Details: https://www.gmbinder.com/share/-L3_ybZzsHBW2Eg7dBP5
9. Gladiator
Another day at the Colosseum. [Art by Mazertyoung]
Gladiators may sound like another fighter variant, but really this particular homebrew class emphasizes the more bard-like aspects of the historic gladiators. It presents an interesting strength and charisma oriented character type that isn't generally represented in D&D. What would place the class higher on this list would be a bit of constitution based AC bonus in place of the heavy armor proficiency, since historically Gladiators went bare chested to show how bloody they were.
Gladiator Strengths:
- Very specialized fighting styles. They focus on less used fighting styles that use nets and whips.
- Gladiators present a rare sports star archetype that isn't often seen amongst fighters.
Gladiator Details: https://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Gladiator_(5e_Class)
8. Pugilist
An Orc Pugilist. [Art by Broutefoin]
When wanting to play a character who punches people’s lights out on the regular, people generally pick monks. However, this can lead down a very odd path flavor wise, as eastern monks in a world with dwarves and elves can feel a bit strange. As such, the Pugilist fits in a similar slot with less of an impact upon flavor.
Pugilist Strengths:
Pugilists are best with throwing out a fair deal of attacks in a round, making them a reliable source of damage.
In a pinch, Pugilists may also serve as a tank with their Iron Chin ability.
Pugilists also serve as grapplers, to help teammates deal damage to an opponent.
Pugilist Details: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u3rRLGLJe94TFAZA-aobxsh4fWNssD_1/view
7. Con Artist
Where most classes are combat oriented, the Con Artist is heavily social. Much like a rogue, they get expertise, but the difference is that Con Artists focus upon persuading, tricking, and generally spying in place of dealing a fair deal of damage.
Con Artist Strengths:
In low magic settings, con artists make good substitutes for enchanters, sorcerers, and so on.
In a game with wargaming origins, Con Artists add an interesting social aspect to the game in focusing purely upon being a party face.
Con Artist Details: https://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Con_Artist_(5e_Class)
6. Pirate
More aquatic campaigns inevitably have need of pirates, which often sit somewhere between fighter and rogue in nature. Much like the ranger they have often circumstantial benefits. However, one cannot deny the flavor of a pirate having sea legs.
Pirate Strengths:
- Pirates are best at dueling single opponents.
- Pirates also excel at keeping up with said enemies via heightened speed on ships and using bonus actions to negate enemies’ disengage actions
Pirate Details: https://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Pirate_(5e_Class)
5. Witch
Black cats are optional. [Art by Jordan Jardine]
Much like the shaman, but more in the vein of a warlock, witches embrace the older ghostly perceptions of spellcasters. Unlike warlocks, however, they use spell slots much like wizards and depend more heavily upon their class abilities.
Witch Strengths:
- Like Warlocks, Witches commonly use easily repeatable class abilities rather than spell slots.
- Witches make heavy use of their familiars, and get added buffs to said familiars. Making a good thing even better.
Witch Details: https://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Witch_(5e_Class)
4. Shaman
Druids can occasionally come off as too martially oriented, clerics can come off as too civilized, and wizards can come off as out of touch nerds. For those that want something in between, shamans are a good way to keep some of that tribal flavor of the druid, the spiritual nature of the cleric, and the intelligent feel of the wizard. Shamans work heavily with nature spirits to work magic of a divine nature.
Shaman Strengths:
- Much like clerics, Shamans know all of their spells for each given level, they merely need to select which ones they will use for the day.
- Much like sorcerers, they don’t need to decide how many of each spell the use, they only need to choose from their list of spells for the day.
Shaman Details: https://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/share/HyjbBsa
3. Necromancer
Raising a family has never been so easy. [Art by Travis Bagwell]
While necromancers may be in the base book, many potential undead lords may find the base wizard subclass lacking. As such, the homebrew necromancer attempts a far more flavorful version of the necromancer.
Necromancer Strengths:
- Necromancers serve as an alternative to the wizard class, as such they serve much the same purpose once they get going.
- Creed of the departed in particular make fairly good use of their undead minions to trigger traps, protect squishy casters, and so on.
- Overall the class works to make for a less vulnerable caster.
Necromancer Details: https://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/share/rJIR5hpVl
2. Oracle
Where priests may seem like general wisemen and diviners may seem like voyeurs, oracles have a clearly defined purpose. They attempt to see the future, and have a hand in the divine in doing so.
Oracle Strengths:
- Oracles are particularly good at debuffing enemies while buffing allies.
- Oracles are able to hold multiple concentration spells at once, making buffing and debuffing far more easy.
- Oracles pack a fair few utility spells in addition to mere buffs/debuffs.
Oracle Details: https://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Oracle_(5e_Class)
1. Scholar
Scholar in His Study [Art by Rembrandt]
For those who don’t wish to be a wizard, cleric, or any sort of caster, yet still want to play an intelligent character. Scholars serve as a nonmagical form of support which can help both in and out of combat. Their main strengths involve their knowledge skills.
Scholar Strengths:
- Scholars are incredibly versatile, serving as anything from faces to tacticians to healers.
- As a support class, the majority of their maneuvers assist or help other characters.
- Scholars help reign in low magic campaigns and prevent them from becoming too centered on the arcane.
Scholar Details: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx5_a09e6mLlakIzNU94cHlBX2c/view
You may also be interested in:
