D&D Core Base Classes Explained (3.5)
There are more classes than this, many more, but this is a rundown of the core rulebook base classes you can expect to find in basically any campaign. They've all got pluses and minuses, some are better than others for power, but in the end they're all fun in their own unique way.
Barbarian
You pick barbarian when smashing something is the answer you want your character to have to problems. Whether that's a person or an object is entirely up to you.
Primary Stat(s): Strength, Constitution
Dump Stat(s): Intelligence, Charisma
Pros: Full base attack bonus, good fortitude save, rage (improved strength and constitution), damage reduction
Cons: Bad reflex and will saves, limited utility
This means, as a barbarian, you'll have a pretty easy time hitting enemies with melee attacks and dealing decent damage with them, as well as surviving when people try to hit you back. You should pretty much always be the physically strongest member of a party, except maybe if someone casts a spell to temporarily change that, but where you'll find yourself lacking is in social encounters and puzzle-solving. Granted, that's not what the class is for—if you're a barbarian have someone else do the talking outside of intimidations, if you're a barbarian your method of finding and disabling traps is to walk through them.
Bard
You pick bard when smashing something is the answer you want your character to have to problems, except a different variety of smashing than barbarians. Bards inspire their allies to be better through their art and use their charisma-gic to literally and metaphorically open doors.
Primary Stat(s): Charisma
Dump Stat(s): Strength, Intelligence
Pros: Spellcasting, good reflex and fortitude saves, bardic music, bardic lore
Cons: Bad fortitude, more limited spells than other casters
As a bard, you'll often use bardic music alongside spells to support your party. You’re not a wizard with every tool, but you shine as the party face, handling social encounters with charisma, skills, music, or spells. Bardic lore gives you the chance to know random useful things—sometimes clutch, sometimes useless, but always flavorful.
Cleric
You pick cleric when you want to cast spells, heal people, buff people, harm people, and make the undead regret existing (again). You’re also surprisingly good at wearing armor and smashing faces with a mace.
Primary Stat(s): Wisdom, Constitution
Dump Stat(s): Dexterity
Pros: Full spellcasting, Turn/Rebuke Undead, domain spells/powers, armor proficiency, spontaneous healing/harming,
access to all spells in list, no spell failure in armor
Cons: Low skill points, no arcane spells outside domains
Clerics are the magical Swiss Army knife of divine magic. You can heal, buff, summon, and destroy depending on your domains. You can wear full plate and still cast, making you both tanky and versatile. With the right build, clerics can rival fighters and wizards alike. Low skills mean you won’t do much outside your role, but your role is “divine powerhouse.”
Druid
You pick druid when you want to turn into a bear and still cast spells afterward. Also when you want a pet that hits harder than the fighter. You are nature's ally and warden, wielding plants, animals, and elements.
Primary Stat(s): Wisdom, Constitution
Dump Stat(s): Charisma
Pros: Full spellcasting, wild shape, animal companion, nature-themed spells
Cons: Limited arms/armor (no metal), alignment restrictions
Druids have powerful spells, shapeshifting, and beast allies. You can tank, heal, summon, or control. Your animal companion is a real party member, not a pet. Just avoid metal armor if you don’t want to make nature sad.
Fighter
You pick fighter when you want to have all the combat feats. All of them.
Primary Stat(s): Strength, Dexterity
Dump Stat(s): Intelligence, Charisma
Pros: Full base attack bonus, bonus feats every even level, simple to play
Cons: No spells, poor will saves, weak at high levels
Fighters start strong and simple, perfect for beginners or straightforward brawlers. They get tons of feats, so you can specialize in any fighting style. But they fall behind spellcasters at higher levels, making them less versatile late-game.
Monk
You pick monk when you want to punch things so hard that they stop existing. Also when you want to play a one-man utility belt.
Primary Stat(s): Dexterity, Wisdom
Dump Stat(s): Charisma, Intelligence
Pros: Good saves, unarmed strike scaling, flurry of blows, stunning fist, mobility, slow fall
Cons: MAD (Multiple Ability Dependent), weak scaling damage, low AC without gear
Monks are mobile skirmishers with niche tricks like deflecting arrows or dodging spells. Their damage lags without optimization, but they’re slippery, versatile, and flavorful. They excel at scouting, anti-mage roles, and general chaos-making.
Paladin
You pick paladin when you want to be a holy warrior of justice, smiting evil and standing tall as a beacon of righteousness. Or when you want to abuse divine grace for absurdly high saves.
Primary Stat(s): Charisma, Strength, Wisdom
Dump Stat(s): Intelligence
Pros: Smite evil, lay on hands, auras, divine grace, some spellcasting, full BAB
Cons: Alignment restriction (Lawful Good default), limited skills, code of conduct, MAD
Paladins are frontliners with divine support powers. Divine grace makes saving throws ridiculous, but their strict alignment/code can be restrictive. Variants allow for evil or chaotic paladins if you want more flexibility.
Ranger
You pick ranger when you want to dual-wield swords, shoot bows, have an animal buddy, and hate certain creatures passionately.
Primary Stat(s): Dexterity, Strength, Wisdom
Dump Stat(s): Charisma
Pros: Favored enemy bonuses, combat styles, decent skills, some spellcasting
Cons: Limited spell list, low durability, front-loaded
Rangers excel at wilderness survival and killing specific foes. They get strong early features, but can lag later. Still, they’re strong scouts and damage dealers, especially archers or dual-wielders.
Rogue
You pick rogue when you want to outwit, outplay, and out-stab. You’re the skill monkey, trapfinder, and sneaky striker of the party.
Primary Stat(s): Dexterity, Intelligence
Dump Stat(s): Strength
Pros: Tons of skills, sneak attack, trapfinding, evasion, uncanny dodge
Cons: Low HP, relies on flanking/stealth, weak vs. magic
Rogues dominate skills and precision damage. They’re crucial for exploration and ambushes, but squishy if caught. Play clever and opportunistic for best results.
Sorcerer
You pick sorcerer when you want magic on demand. You’re a prodigy with innate magical power.
Primary Stat(s): Charisma, Dexterity
Dump Stat(s): Strength, Intelligence
Pros: Full spellcasting, spontaneous casting, high spells per day
Cons: Few spells known, low durability, few class features
Sorcerers are about raw magical firepower. You cast more often than wizards, but with fewer spell options. Squishy and feature-light, but devastating with the right spell selection.
Wizard
You pick wizard when you want plans, backup plans, and a scroll to solve problems the DM didn’t even know existed.
Primary Stat(s): Intelligence
Dump Stat(s): Strength, Charisma
Pros: Full spellcasting, can learn all spells, specializations, scribe scroll
Cons: Fragile, few spells per day early, must prep spells
Wizards start weak but scale into reality-warping gods. Their vast spell access gives them unmatched flexibility and control. Prepared wizards thrive, but forgetful ones flounder.