Picture this in your mind: you’re rolling into your session zero. You may be a new adventurer to D&D, or maybe it’s not your first tabletop rodeo. Regardless, the other PCs in your party discuss the builds of the new characters they’re rolling and where they’re going. The conversational turn order comes to you, and you respond with “Ranger.”
They wait for you to say something else. You don’t offer any more insight into your character because, frankly, you hadn’t thought about where your character build would head in a few levels. And as the silence permeates the room, you feel judged in a way that only D&D nerds can judge each other.
If you’re like me and you’ve had a variant of this situation happen to you over the course of your adventuring career, you likely wished you had a D&D guide on multiclassing to help you out in a pinch. This article will prevent that situation from ever occurring by illuminating some unsung and frequently sung multiclass builds in Dungeons and Dragons. And as the headline suggests, they’ll help you get the wrecking results you want after even the first couple of levels.
So let’s explore some great character class options in the world of multiclassing! As a note, all of these multiclass options can have either the first or second listed class type be the primary class, but I have made a note when there’s a clear winner as to which you should choose.
15. Ranger / Fighter
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A ranger/fighter tests his skills on the battlefield.
As a base class, Rangers need an extra oomph. While being one of the OG character classes of Dungeons and Dragons, you don’t really get too much out of the box. For instance, if you just went Ranger until the bitter end, your capstone does nothing to reward your loyalty to being a Ranger – it’s basically an ability a Bladesinger can get at level 14, but way worse.
So why not make Ranger better by throwing it together with another class staple of D&D, the Fighter? Already out of the gate, with just two levels of Fighter, you’ll get a second Fighting Style (getting you up close and personal for CQC, close quarters combat) and Action Surge. Further combinations of Rangers and Fighters show how you can increase your Ranger’s viability by seasoning your build with other classes.
Why Ranger / Fighter is Great
Get a bonus to initiative while dealing additional damage by combining Gloomstalker Ranger subclass and Arcane Archer
Gain access to drake riding via the Fighter subclass Cavalier for mounted combat
Increase damage with additional fighting style options
14. Rogue / Artificer
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A rogue/artificer investigates a Dwarvish ruin for useable parts.
On paper, from a roleplaying standpoint, this build may seem wacky. What could a professional tinkerer have anything to do with a professional thief? Don’t sleep on this build, though, as it can enhance the utility of both classes.
First, with levels of Rogue, you now have access to medium armor instead of having to get that via the Artificer subclass Battlesmith. Plus, getting Eldritch Cannon as a Rogue gives you serious firepower. From the Rogue point of view, now you have a reason to take Int in character creation to build into the perfect spell caster via Arcane Trickster. That’s a win-win.
Why Rogue / Artificer is Great
With an arcane focus, you can get Invisibility and Greater Invisibility, making Rogue Sneak Attack advantage easy to get
Lucky feat from your Rogue class can give you better success when crafting Artificer objects
Magical Tinkering from your Artificer class gives you the tools you need to succeed on the job
13. Bard / Paladin
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A bard/paladin calls upon her deity through the power of song.
Paladins make people think of “the goody-two-shoes” of the party. In past editions, Paladins definitely are boy scouts – they’ve largely had their hands tied with a mandatory Lawful Good alignment in 1st through 3rd Editions; otherwise, they could lose their class. While it made for some interesting inter-party conflict, it could prove annoying when you just wanted to push the story along or have more nuance in your roleplay.
Not so much now in 5E. Now built with alignment flexibility, a paladin’s bread and butter stats are Strength and Charisma. A specific subclass build that aligns perfectly with that nuance is the Valor Bard and Devotion Paladin.
In this build, you can net your Paladin’s Sacred Weapon bonus, which adds Charisma mod to attack rolls made with an imbued weapon. Even if you choose another path for your Paladin/Bard, you’ll still build a persuasive powerhouse hitter who can smite, charm, and heal with the rest of them.
Why Bard / Paladin is Great
Multiclassing Bard at level five gets you higher-level spell slots faster
Defensive Flourish + Bardic Inspiration + Paladin Armor = High AC
Add Bardic Inspiration Rolls to Divine Smite via Bardic College of Valor for big attacks
12. Cleric / Rogue
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A cleric/rogue takes a sacred relic for "safe keeping."
When people think of healing, they think Cleric. Making sure your party has a Cleric is the best way to ensure your party stays alive – but that doesn’t mean your Cleric has to be a snooze. So if you’re eager to get some interesting narrative hooks over to your Cleric while packing a heavy-hitting punch, check out multiclassing with Rogue.
The devil is in the details with this multiclass build, as your Roguish Archetypes and Cleric Domains can affect what you get out of this multiclassing arrangement. If you’re into spell casting, picking Arcane Trickster gives you access to the Wizard spells list, something most Clerics can’t get.
Why Cleric / Rogue is Great
Up your tankiness with heavy armor and gain martial weapon proficiency via War, Tempest, or Life Domains
Get access to double the arcane abilities in the early game
Increase your initiative rolls via the Swashbuckler Roguish Archetype and protect your party
11. Fighter / Warlock
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A fighter/warlock prepares for the battle ahead.
What’s an “arcane spellcaster combining magical power with martial skill?” Hexblade Warlock. But if you want to lean more into the blade and less of the hex, picking up some Fighter before you dip into Warlock could get your Warlock character in the direction you want them to go.
Basically, if you want to go crazy hex-y but still want to slice and dice, you can get some great armor and weapon proficiencies by picking up Fighter first. Going Bladelock as your Warlock build can also synergize well with just a vanilla Fighter, with lots of damage with great debuffs cast on all your foes.
Why Fighter / Warlock is Great
Consistent access to magical weapons to cut through immunity or resistance to non-magical damage
Get extra HP for a tankier, not squishier, Warlock via the Fighter subclass Eldritch Knight
Use the Fighter’s Action Surge feat to get bonus attacks
10. Wizard / Artificer
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A wizard/artificer surveys his domain.
These two Int-based magic users make a match in multi-classing heaven. Until the Eberron campaign setting, we’ve not had a fully balanced and fleshed-out Artificer, making the Wizard the lone Int magic user. Adding dips in Artificer to your Wizard gives them the fortification to not be the squishiest guy or gal on the board.
Due to both of these characters being based on brains, the synergy between them just can’t be beaten. From just one dip into Artificer at level two, Wizards get medium armor and shields. Wizards also get saving throw proficiency from a bigger Con pool, making a Wizard’s concentration saves much easier to land.
Why Wizard / Artificer is Great
Heal part-time by getting access to Artificer healing spells, like Cure Wounds via Alchemist and Transmutation subclasses
Roleplay a mad scientist with a knack for spell scrolls by picking up Alchemist and Order of Scribes subclasses
Deck out your Wizard heavy armor through the Armorer artificer subclass, which allows you to ignore your Strength mod
9. Druid / Cleric
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A druid/cleric summons her spirits to help her heal.
Clerics already bring to mind wholesomeness in an RP setting. Add levels of Druid, and you have the crunchiest healing hippie ever. As Clerics and Druids use Wisdom as their primary spellcasting stat, they work quite well together out of the box.
Picking up the dip from Cleric into Druid will give that Druid some Channel Divinity abilities through their Divine Domain subclasses. Of course, there’s great synergy with Circle of the Shepherd Druid and Nature Domain Cleric subclasses, giving you access to Charm Animals and Plants and some animal handling skill buffs.
Why Druid / Cleric is Great
Maximize your Goodberry production through the Life Cleric domain, which restores four HP instead of one at the first level, making it a game-breaking early game healing spell
Pick options in Wildfire Spirit to teleport low HP allies out of harm’s way
Death Clerics can pick up necromancy and access a whole domain of spells normally not available to Druids
8. Bard / Fighter
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The stereotype of a Bard being a slightly annoying yet charismatic person hits differently once you introduce the grounded feeling of the Fighter. If you ever wanted a sturdier Bard or a more magically-aligned fighter (without the Eldritch subclass), multiclassing Bard and adding Fighter should be on your list.
Overall, multiclassing in Fighter makes you a tankier swiss-army knife of a Bard – a Bard with edge. If you felt like a different Bardic college would be a better use of your time (instead of the College of Valor), dipping into a bit of Fighter can give you the shield and armor proficiency you are craving without sacrificing the Bard subclass.
Why Bard / Fighter is Great
Get specific Fighting Styles for martial prowess and defense bonuses
Utilize Action Surge from Fighter to gain more spellcasting options per turn
Get a full list of Wizard and some cleric spells with just level in Bard – unlike being an Eldritch Knight that only gets the Evocation and Abjuration lists
7. Sorcerer / Warlock
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A sorcerer/warlock casts a malevolent spell.
In roleplaying, Warlocks and Sorcerers get a bad rep because they tend to lean towards the alignment chart's evil (or at least neutral) side. So the idea of selecting both to some folks means you’re doubling down on evil. But logistically, all you’re doubling down on is the fact Charisma is your primary spell casting stat and that you’re made out of tissue paper.
Having options to slice and dice when your Sorcerer is backed into a corner is great for spellcaster classes that err to the squishy side out of the box. But if you go Hexblade on your Warlock, your Sorcerer can now have access to medium armor, shields, and martial weapons. Sorcerers with a dip in Warlock also get the amazing feat that allows you to regain spent spell slots after a short rest.
Why Sorceror / Warlock is Great
Sorcerer Metamagic allows you to cast Eldritch Blast as a bonus action
Both Sorcerers and Warlock can get access to subclasses (like the OP Hexblade Warlock subclass) at level one, so you can wreck early
Become a Frost Mage with ease when you combine Fathomless Warlock and Draconic Bloodline Sorcerer subclasses
6. Cleric / Paladin
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A cleric/paladin obliterates her foes with divine energy.
Become a vision of what is all holy and right (or infernal and horrid) by picking up Paladin with dips in Cleric or vice versa. Some might argue that the War Cleric subclass is Paladin lite, but you can always take it further by getting some Paladin levels. While many of the recommendations on this list can go either way, this build has a strong directional focus on picking up primarily Cleric levels with Paladin lightly interspersed.
If you’re looking at a long campaign ahead of you, Clerics get three uses of Channel Divinity at level 18, so don’t stray too far from your Cleric roots. The Paladin dip, though, still gets you a lot of bang for your buck, netting you Smite, Fighting Style, and big attack damage. Just be careful not to get too crazy on dipping here due to the different stats required to cast spells across both classes.
Why Cleric / Paladin is Great
Just two dips into Paladin get you Divine Smite, a big damage dealer, and you’ll have more slots to cast it too
Starting with Paladin levels can get you not just more base HP, but buffed armor and weapon proficiencies as well
Roleplaying a Cleric and Paladin combo is awesome thematic support for any campaign
5. Barbarian / Fighter
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Barbarian smash! Again, another standout on stat synergy is the Barbarian/Fighter. Both use Strength as their primary damage dealer, but a couple of dips in Fighter give your Barbarian an Action Surge feat, increased critting potential, and a Fighting Style.
With just three levels in Fighter to get the Champion archetype, you can increase your crit range through two different mechanics – advantage and crit range window increase. Making a crit a range of 19 to 20 may not seem like much, but it’s a huge difference in your critting ability. And while you may not be able to rage in Heavy Armor, the armor proficiency of the Fighter, you can take up Unarmored Defense which allows you to take your Con mod to your AC for when you go Beserk.
Why Barbarian / Fighter is Great
Get advantage on all Str-based melee weapon attacks via Reckless Attack and Dex saving throws from the Danger Sense feat
Totem Barbarian’s Bear feat crossed with Champion Fighter increases your durability while dropping blows on everyone else
Add some runic knowledge to your Barbarian’s memory via Rune Knight Fighter subclass so you can grow large enough to grapple a dragon
4. Druid / Barbarian
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A druid/barbarian unleashes nature's wrath!
Another excellent combination of skills, abilities and natural inclinations is that of the Druid and Barbarian, making this the most effective Druid multiclass build in the game. With this build, essentially, you become one of the creatures that you had been so in sync with as a humanoid, howling at the moon in rage…
Barbarian gives Druids a higher AC via Unarmored Defense than standard leather armor gets you. Plus, you can acquire resistance to specific damage types if you select the Barbarian subclass Bear Path. Druids can pick subclasses at level two, so the first Barbarian dip should be at level three.
Why Druid / Barbarian is Great
Pick Circle of the Moon Druid subclass, and you can use your Wild Shape as a bonus action AND rage while you’re in that form
If electric Pokemon are your thing, picking the Barbarian class Storm Herald allows you to Wild Shape, rage, and use electricity to shock foes
Select the Tavern Brawler feat after you’ve dipped into Barbarian to increase your Str or Con and give you a bonus action to grapple
3. Rogue / Bard
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When the rogue/bard is around, better watch your pockets!
Thematically for roleplaying purposes and as well as skills, Rogues and Bards have a lot in common. One thing is they’re sneaky, generally charismatic, and quick-witted. As both classes have access to Expertise skills, you could dip one level into Rogue, with ten levels in Bard, and net a total of six Expertise skills as opposed to just four.
Plus, after just one level, your character will have access to the Bard spellbook, cantrips, Bardic Inspiration, and more. Using any of Bard’s performance-based abilities can help buy the trust of the people around you while you rob them blind.
Why Rogue / Bard is Great
Picking up the Swashbuckling subclass for Rogue combines well with the Bard’s naturally high Charisma
After three levels in Rogue, picking the Arcane Trickster archetype will allow you to access additional spells, even if they have an Intelligence, not Charisma spellcasting modifier
College of Glamour Bard works well with Rogues, as you can use the Mantle of Majesty feature to charm and command them
2. Fighter / Wizard
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A fighter/wizard magic missiles his foes before jumping into the fray.
If you like your Wizard surviving a fight, it’s worthwhile to check out the Fighter/Wizard multiclass combination. You get a lot with this build: more HP, armor proficiency options, and the opportunity to fight back if pushed into a corner.
Starting as a Fighter and picking up dips in Wizard gives you the sturdy, reliable build with better gear and the “magic missile into the darkness” playstyle everyone wants. If you lean more into your Fighter's magic side, picking the Psi Warrior subclass would give you the ability to boost your AC via Intelligence – a big get for any Wizard. Really makes you feel like a Jedi!
Why Fighter / Wizard is Great
Action Surge can net you two spells cast in just one turn (caveat: can’t be used on bonus actions)
Picking up enough levels in Wizard to choose the Conjuration subclass can allow you to teleport around the battlefield
If you lean more into slice and dice, choose War Magic Wizard with your Psi Warrior Fighter, you can gain Booming Blade when foes move
1. Paladin / Sorcerer
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A paladin/sorcerer brews up some noxious spells.
If you like your spellcaster or healer alive, I have good news. What if I told you you could have it all, the DPS and the health, all while playing the big alpha magic user of your dreams?
When thinking of multiclassing your Paladin and looking for some great Charisma, you must think of the not-so-humble Sorcerer. While they don’t come out of the box physically strong and sturdy, they have the charisma and spellcasting ability to make up for it in spades.
With just three levels of Sorcerer, your Paladin will get the Quickened Spell Metamagic. This powerful ability allows your multiclass Paladin to physically attack and cast one spell as a bonus action.
Why Paladin / Sorcerer is Great
Using Hold Person as a Paladin Sorcerer multiclass allows you to Hold Person, which upon success, is an automatic crit
Use Divine Smite more thanks to Sorcerer Metamagic
Access to Paladin proficiency equipment as a squishy spellcaster
Alex can be found buffing the party through writing, showing strength +5 while rock climbing and crafting health potions by making lots of matcha green tea.
