The Codex

Class Guides

D&D class breakdowns, tips for new players, and everything you need to pick the right class for how you actually play.

Featured Guide

The Best D&D Classes for Beginners (And What Makes Each One Click)

New to D&D and not sure where to start? Here are the best classes for beginners in 5e, and what kind of player each one actually suits.

Best Race and Class Combos in D&D 5e

Looking for race and class pairings that actually complement each other in D&D 5e? Here are combos that work mechanically, and why the "best" combo depends on which rules your table uses.

How to Choose a D&D Subclass (A Framework, Not a List)

Picked your D&D 5e class and now stuck on subclass? Here is a framework for choosing a subclass that actually fits how you play, instead of just picking the "strongest" one.

The Best D&D 5e Classes for Damage, Ranked

Ranking the highest-damage D&D 5e classes by real DPR: Fighter, Paladin, Barbarian, Rogue, Warlock, and the AoE casters, with the math.

The Best D&D Classes for Introverts (and Which to Skip)

Worried D&D means constant improv? The best classes for introverts let you contribute through mechanics, not performance. Here's what to play, and what to skip.

The Best Multiclass Combos in D&D 5e (for Players Who Optimize)

The strongest multiclass combinations in 5e: Sorlock, Paladin/Warlock, Fighter dips, and Cleric/Rogue splashes, with the mechanics behind why each one works.

What Your Personality Says About Your Ideal D&D Class

Your D&D class should match who you are, not just what's optimal. Here's how planner, improviser, spotlight, and support traits map to specific 5e classes.

Your First D&D Session: What to Expect and How to Show Up Ready

Nervous about your first D&D session? Here is exactly what happens at the table, what to bring, and why not knowing the rules is completely fine.

How to Help a New Player Pick Their First D&D Class

The best way to help a new player choose a D&D class: ask what they want to do at the table, steer by playstyle, and keep it simple.

How Does D&D Actually Work? A Plain-English Guide for Total Beginners

Never played D&D and want the basics? Here is how the game actually works: the DM, the dice, your character, turns, and what a session looks like.

Running D&D for First-Time Players: A New DM's Guide

How to DM for new players: run a session zero, hand out pre-made characters, teach rules in the moment, and keep the fun ahead of the rulebook.

The Best Healer and Support Classes in D&D 5e

Want to keep your party alive without playing a boring bag of heals? Here are the best healer and support classes in D&D 5e, and why raw healing is only part of the job.

D&D 5e Tier Lists (and Why They Lie to You)

Every D&D 5e tier list ranks classes differently, and most of them are answering a question you never asked. Here is what tier lists actually measure, and why they mislead beginners.

The Best D&D Class for Roleplay-Heavy Games

Playing in a campaign that's more talking than fighting? Here are the D&D 5e classes built for roleplay, and what makes each one shine at the table.

D&D 5e Class Comparison: All 13 Classes and Who Should Play Each One

A no-fluff breakdown of every D&D 5e class, what each one actually does, and what kind of player it suits. Find your match.

What D&D Class Should I Play? Here's How to Actually Decide

Picking a D&D class is harder than it looks. Here's a practical way to figure out which of the 13 5e classes actually fits how you play.

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