#first-class friday

[jakaltimes]

FIRST-CLASS FRIDAYS: BARD

Hi all, welcome to First-Class Fridays. This series will be my review of each basic D&D Fifth Edition player class. I will stress this is an ANALYSIS of this class, not a textbook recounting. Please consult your friendly neighborhood Player’s Handbook for more clarification.

STATS Let’s break down how the 6 stats relate to the Bard:

STRENGTH

1/18 skills use this

DEXTERITY

Primary Attack Stat

Saving Throw Proficiency

3/18 skills use this

CONSTITUTION

Average HP at d8

INTELLIGENCE

5/18 skills use this

WISDOM

5/18 skills use this

CHARISMA

Spellcasting Stat

Saving Throw Proficiency

Required Skill for multiclassing

4/18 skills use this

STARTING OUT

You can pick Any Three Skills to start out!

You start proficient wielding simple weapons, lighter swords, and hand crossbows. You only work well in light armor. You start out knowing how to play 3 instruments. If you jump in later you get the armor proficiency, plus one instrument, PLUS A FREE SKILL

Your opening kit guarantees a blade, a townsfolk care package, an instrument, plus some leathers and a shank. You can reject this loot in favor of an average of 125 GP.

At level 1, you get the following stuff:

INSPIRATION

Use your bonus action to give bonus dice to players!

Starts as d6 but gets better at Levels 5/10/15

Number of dice per day equal to your CHA bonus

Each lasts 10 minutes in-game

Can be used on skill, attack, or saving rolls

SPELLCASTING

You can cast Cantrips for free

You can cast spells using Spell Slots

Your number of Spell Slots is less than the number of spells you know

You can pick a new spell and switch one spell each time you level

You can cast Rituals

You use instruments to cast spells

LEVELING UP Basic stuff

Class Specialization (Bardic College) is at Level 3

Your Primal Paths upgrade at 6th, 10th, and 14th levels

You get 5 Ability Score Improvements: 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, and 19th levels

You don’t learn new spells at 12th, 16th, and 19th levels

Level 2

If you aren’t proficient in a skill, you add half your proficiency bonus (rounded down)

Allies get a bonus dice of HP every Short Rest

Level 3

You pick two skills you’re proficient in and double your bonus in that skill

This happens again at 10th Level

Level 5

Your Inspiration refreshes after Short Rests

Level 6

Sing a song for 2 turns to give allies advantage against Fears and Charms!

Level 10

Your learn 2 new spells

These spells can be from ANY CLASS!

This happens again at 14th and 18th levels

MAX LEVEL

You get a free Inspiration every time you’re tapped out and roll Initiative

BARD COLLEGES

LORE 3) 3 Free Skills 3) Spend Inspiration to reduce enemy skill, attack, or damage rolls 6) 2 Spells from ANY CLASS 14) Spend Inspiration on yourself!

VALOR 3) Fighter weapon and armor proficiencies 3) Inspiration can now be used on damage rolls 6) EXTRA ATTACK! 14) Cast a spell and bonus action attack!

SWORDS (Xanathar) 3) Medium armor and scimitars. Weapons can be used to cast spells. 3) Dueling or Two-Weapon Fighting Style 3) Spend Inspiration to deal extra damage AND..    - Increase your AC    - Hit another target    - Push the target 6) EXTRA ATTACK! 14) Infinite d6 Blade Flourishing

GLAMOUR (Xanathar) 3) Spend Inspiration to give allies Temp HP and free movement 3) Razzle-dazzle others into helping you 6) 1 MINUTE BONUS ACTION COMMANDS 14) You become too pretty to hurt

WHISPERS (Xanathar) 3) Spend Inspiration to deal psychic weapon damage 3) Scare the crap out of someone 6) Steal a dead guy’s identity through their shadow 14) Make a new friend through blackmail

[jakaltimes]

FIRST-CLASS FRIDAYS: BARBARIAN

Hi all, welcome to the REDUX of FIrst-Class Fridays. This series will be my review of each basic D&D Fifth Edition player class. I wasn't too happy with my first draft of this review type, so I'm gonna try again. Again I will stress this is an ANALYSIS of this class, not a textbook recounting. Please consult your friendly neighborhood Player's Handbook for more clarification.

STATS Let's break down how the 6 stats relate to the Barbarian: STRENGTH

Primary weapon attack stat

Saving Throw Proficiency

1/6 starting skills use it

Benefits from Rage (see below)

Prerequisite stat for Multi classing

DEXTERITY

Secondary weapon attack stat

Used for calculating AC

CONSTITUTION

Class A Hit Points (d12!)

Saving Throw Proficiency

Used for calculating AC (see below)

INTELLIGENCE

1/6 starting skills use it

WISDOM

1/2 starting skills use it

CHARISMA

1/6 starting skills use it

STARTING OUT

You start proficient wielding all weapons, and wearing all but the heaviest armors. You don't start with any tool-knowledge. If you jump in later you get the weapon knowledge plus shields.

Your opening kit guarantees 2 different weapons, an outdoors care package and some pointed sticks. You can reject this loot in favor of an average of 50 GP.

At level 1, you get the following stuff: RAGE

You get angry while in combat up to a minute, getting the following bonuses:

Skills and Saves using Strength are with Advantage

Bonus damage when using Strength

Resistance to weapon damage

This ability improves at 7th, 11th, and 15th levels.

At Max level you can rage whenever you want.

UNARMORED DEFENSE

Your AC without armor adds your CON bonus too

LEVELING UP Basic stuff

Class Specialization (Primal Path) is at Level 3

Your Primal Paths upgrade at 6th, 10th, and 14th levels

You get 4 Ability Score Improvements: 4th, 8th, 12th, and 16th levels

Your Extra Attack is at Level 5

Level 2

DEX saves are with advantage

You can attack recklessly for advantage

Level 5

You get 10 Ft of extra movement while unarmored

Level 7

Advantage on Initiative!

Level 9

Roll +1 damage die each crit

This upgrades at 13th and 17th levels

Level 18

You can replace bad Strength rolls with your Strength Score!!!

MAX LEVEL

Your natural Strength and Constitution scores can become 24

PRIMAL PATHS

BERSERKER 3) Frenzy while you rage for more attacks at the cost of exhaustion 6) Rage mindlessly to avoid charms and fear 10) Use you CHARISMA to impose fear on a quarry 14) React to counter-punch!

TOTEM WARRIOR 3) Beast Sense and Speak with Animal spells 3) Pick Spirit Animals to get buffs 10) Commune with Nature spell

BEAR

3) Resist all damage except Psychic 6) Carry more stuff 14) Force everyone to fight you

EAGLE 3) Dash like the wind 6) Telescope Eyes 14) Leap tall buildings in a single bound

WOLF 3) Pack Tatics! 6) Track and Run 14) Bonus action knock down

ELK (Sword Coast) 3) Rage and Run 6) They do move in herds 14) Trample over baddies in your rage

TIGER (Sword Coast) 3) Rage and Jump 6) Predator Skills 14) Extra attacks when you move!

ANCESTRAL GUARDIAN (Xanathar) 3) Your dead relatives keep the fight between you two 6) Your dead relatives shield your allies 10) Augury and Clairvoyance spells 14) Your dead relatives punch back

STORM HERALD (Xanathar) Pick a biome and get buffs

SEA 3) Bolt of lightning 6) Resist Lightning and Swim 10) Give allies Lightning Resist 14) React to push over

TUNDRA 3) Give allies Temp HP 6) Resist the Cold and BECOME ELSA 10) Give allies Cold Resist 14) React to freeze

DESERT 3) Sphere of burning 6) Resist the Heat and LIGHT IT UP 10) Give allies Fire Resist 14) React to burn

ZEALOT (Xanathar) 3) Bonus Necrotic or Radiant weapon damage 3) Free Resurrections! 6) Failed Saves get another reroll 10) Inspire allies with your rage 14) As long as you're angry, you can't die

BATTLE RAGER (Sword Coast) 3) Get Spiked Armor 3) Stab people with a bonus action, or when you grapple 6) Get Temp HP when you Reckless Rage 10) Bonus action Rage-Dash! 14) Enemy stabs get stabbed back

[jakaltimes]

FIRST-CLASS FRIDAYS: MONK

Hi all, welcome to First-Class Fridays. This series will be my review of each basic D&D Fifth Edition player class. I will stress this is an ANALYSIS of this class, not a textbook recounting. Please consult your friendly neighborhood Player’s Handbook for more clarification.

STATS Let’s break down how the 6 stats relate to the Monk

STRENGTH

Secondary Attack Stat

Saving Throw Proficiency

1/6 skills use this

DEXTERITY

Primary Attack Stat

Saving Throw Proficiency

2/6 skills use this

Required Skill for multiclassing

CONSTITUTION

Average HP at d8

INTELLIGENCE

2/6 skills use this

WISDOM

1/6 skills use this

Saving Throw Proficiency

CHARISMA

Not much...

STARTING OUT

You start out being able to use Simple weapons and shortswords.

You know how to use one set of Guild Artisan tools and one Instrument.

Your opening kit guarantees a big weapon, a backpack, and some throwing darts. You can reject this loot in favor of an average of 8 GP.

At level 1, you get the following stuff:

MARTIAL ARTS

You can use DEX instead of STR for your punches

Your punches hit on a d4

When you hit with your weapon, you can punch as a bonus action

Unarmored Strike

Without armor, your AC is 10 + DEX + WIS

LEVELING UP Basic stuff

Ability Score improvements at 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, and 19th levels

Your Punching damage upgrades at 5th, 11th, and 17th levels

Level 2

KI

Kung Fu Points

1 Ki = 2 bonus action punches

1 Kit = bonus action Dodge

1 Ki = bonus action Dash or Disengage, and double jump!

Level 3

DEFLECT MISSILES

React to a ranged attack to reduce the damage by 1d10 + DEX + LVL

If you negate all the damage, spend KI to throw it back

Level 4

SLOW FALL

Reduce fall damage by 5 X LVL

Level 5

EXTRA ATTACK

Level 6

MAGIC PUNCHES

Level 7

EVASION

Succeed on a DEX save to take no damage, or half damage if you fail

STILLNESS OF MIND

Use your action to end Fear or Charm conditions

Level 10

PURITY OF BODY

Immunity to POISON AND DISEASE

Level 13

TONGUE OF THE SUN AND MOON

You know all languages

Everyone can understand you

Level 14

DIAMOND SOUL

Proficiency in all Saving Throws

If you fail a save, spend 1 KI to reroll

Level 15

TIMELESS BODY

You do not age

You do not need food and water

Level 18

EMPTY BODY

4 KI = Invisibility for 1 minute

Resist all damage except Force damage while Invisible

8 KI = Astral Projection

Level 20

PERFECT SELF

When you roll Initiative without KI, gain 4 KI

MONASTIC TRADITIONS

OPEN HAND

3) Use your punches to push, knock down, or slow your enemy 6) Once per day heal yourself 3 x Lvl 11) Cast SANCTUARY until your Long Rest! 17) When you punch, 3 KI = have target make a CON save to either DIE or take 10d10 Necrotic damage

SHADOW

3) 2 KI = DARKNESS, DARKVISION, PASS WITHOUT TRACE, or SILENCE 3) Gain MINOR ILLUSION 6) Teleport in shadow up to 60 ft through shadow, then have advantage on your first attack. 11) Invisibility in shadows until your take a major action 17) React to an nearby ally hitting an enemy to attack

FOUR ELEMENTS

3) Elemental PRESTIDIGITATION plus an Elemental Discipline 3) Gain a new one at 6th, 11th ,and 17th levels

FANGs OF THE FIRE SNAKE (1 KI): Punches gain 10 ft reach and 1d10 Fire

FIST OF FOUR THUNFERS (2 KI): Cast THUNDERWAVE

FIST OF UNBROKEN AIR (2 KI): STR save to take 3d10 Bludgeoning and be pushed 20 ft, or half as much on a success

RUSH OF THE GALE SPIRITS (2 KI): Cast GUST OF WIND

SHAPE OF SLOWING RIVER (1 KI): Create a 30 foot large ice flow in a body of water within 120 ft

SWEEP OF CINDER STRIKE (2 KI): Cast BURNING HANDS

WATER WHIP (2 KI): 3d10 Bludgeoning damage and pulled 25 ft on a failed DEX save, or half as much on a success

CLENCH OF THE NORTH WIND (6th LVL, 3 KI): Cast HOLD PERSON

GONG OF THE SUMMIT (6th LVL, 3 KI): Cast SHATTER

FLAMES OF THE PHOENIX (11th LVL, 4 KI): Cast FIREBALL

MIST STANCE (11th LVL, 4 KI): Cast GASEOUS FORM

RIDE THE WIND (11th LVL, 4 KI): Cast FLY

BREATH OF WINTER (17th LVL, 6 KI): Cast CONE OF COLD

ETERNAL MOUNTAIN DEFENSE (17th LVL, 5 KI): Cast STONESKIN

RIVER OF HUNGRY FLAME (17th LVL, 5 KI): Cast WALL OF FIRE

WAVE OF ROLLING EARTH (17th LVL, 6 KI): Cast WALL OF STONE

KENSEI (XANATHAR)

3) Gain Calligraphy or Painter tools, plus a new weapon proficiency 3) Punch while holing your weapon to gain +2 AC 7) Bonus action to deal an extra 1d4 damage 11) Your weapon attacks are magical and deal extra damage using your punch 11) 1-3 KI = Bonus to an nonbonus magical weapon equal to the Ki spent 17) Once per day, when you miss an attack, reroll the attack

SUN SOUL (XANATHAR)

3) Shoot Radiant damage shots as a punch 6) 2 KI = BURNING HANDS 11) 150 ft Radiant bomb (2d6 + 1d6 for each Ki you spend) 15) Bonus action Sun Shield (5 + WIS Radiant damage as a reaction to an attacker)

DRUNKEN MASTER (XANATHAR)

3) Bonus Performance and Brewer’s Kit proficiency 3) When your Flurry of Blows, get a free Disengage and +10 ft move 6) Get up from prone using 5 ft 6) 1 KI = If you miss on an attack, try to hit another target within 5 ft 11) 2 KI = cancel a Disadvantage 17) Make up to 5 Flurry of Blows on different creatures

[jakaltimes]

FIRST-CLASS FRIDAYS: FIGHTER

Hi all, welcome to First-Class Fridays. This series will be my review of each basic D&D Fifth Edition player class. I will stress this is an ANALYSIS of this class, not a textbook recounting. Please consult your friendly neighborhood Player’s Handbook for more clarification.

STATS Let’s break down how the 6 stats relate to the FIghter

STRENGTH

Primary Attack Stat (if melee)

Saving Throw Proficiency

1/8 skills use this

Required Skill for multiclassing

DEXTERITY

Primary Attack Stat (if ranged)

1/8 skills use this

Required Skill for multiclassing

CONSTITUTION

Above-Average HP at d10

Saving Throw Proficiency

INTELLIGENCE

Spellcasting Stat (if applicable)

1/8 skills use this

WISDOM

4/8 skills use this

CHARISMA

1/8 skills use this

STARTING OUT

You start out being able to use ALL ARMOR AND WEAPONS.

No tool proficiencies :(

Your opening kit guarantees a melee and ranged weapon, some armor, leathers, and an outdoors backpack. You can reject this loot in favor of an average of 110 GP.

At level 1, you get the following stuff:

FIGHTING STYLE

Archery: Bonus damage when you shoot

Defense: Bonus AC

Dueling: Bonus damage using 1 hand

Great Weapon: Chance to reroll higher Damage on weapons which use two hands

Protection: React to a friend getting hit by harassing the attacker

Two-Weapon: When duel wielding, you can use your Bonus Action to attack again.

SECOND WIND

Once per rest, regain some HP equal to your Hit Die

LEVELING UP Basic stuff

You get 7 ABILITY SCORE IMPROVEMENTS: 4th, 6th, 8th, 12th, 14th, 16th, and 19th levels

You gain additional attacks on your turn at 5th, 11th, and MAX LEVEL

Druid Circle (Subclass) starts at 2nd level and upgrades at 6th, 10th, and 14th levels

Level 2

ACTION SURGE

Once per rest, you get two act twice on a turn

Upgrades at 17th Level

Level 9

INDOMITABLE

Once per Long Rest, you may redo a failed saving throw

Upgrades at 13th, and 17th Levels

MARTIAL ARCHETYPE

CHAMPION

3) You Critically hit on a 19 & 20 7) Your STR/DEX/CON check your aren’t proficient in get half your prof. bonus 7) You get bonus feet on your Long Jump equal to your STR 10) Gain one extra Fighting Style! 15) Your Crit Range increases to 18′s 18) When you have between 0 and half HP, gain some HP!

BATTLE MASTER

3) You gain 3 Maneuvers (special combat moves) which use Superiority Die 3) Gain one Tool Proficiency... 7) Spend 1 minute watching your enemy to learn 2 abilities of them 10) Upgrade your Superiority die! 15) When you start combat with not Superiority, gain one! 18) Upgrade your Superiority die!

  MANEUVERS

  COMMANDER'S STRIKE: Have an ally attack instead of you

  DISARMING STRIKE: Hit an opponent to make them drop their weapon

  DISTRACTING STRIKE: Hit an opponent to create an opening

  EVASIVE FOOTWORK: Increase your AC when you move

  FEINTING ATACK: Use your bonus action to gain advantage on your attack

  GOADING ATTACK: Force a target to attack only you

  LUNGING ATTACK: Temporarily increase your melee reach

  MANEUVERING ATTACK: Have an ally move in to attack

  MENACING ATTACK: Frighten a target with your attack

  PARRY: Reduce damage from an attack on you

  PRECISION ATTACK: Increase your chance to hit on an attack

  PUSHING ATTACK: Force a target to move on a hit

  RALLY: Give an ally temporary HP

  RIPOSTE: React to an attack missing with your own attack

  SWEEPING ATTACK: Attack two creatures with one attack

  TRIP ATTACK: Knock a target prone on a hit

ELDRITCH KNIGHT

3) Gain (Limited) WIZARD SPELLCASTING 3) Bond to your weapon: it teleports into your hand! 7) Cast cantrips and then attack 10) Hit a creature and give them disadvantage on your next spell 15) Teleport as part of your Action Surge 18) Cast ANY SPELL then attack!

ARCANE ARCHER (XANATHAR)

3) PRESTIDIGITATION or DRUIDCRAFT 3) Magic arrow abilities (2 options, upgrades each feature)

BANISHING: Incapacitate target into the Feywild for 1 turn

BEGUILING: Deal Psychic damage and Charm target

BURSTING: Force-exploding arrows!

ENFEEBLING: Necrotic arrows which weaken the target

GRASPING: Ensnare the target in vines

PIERCING: This arrow uses DEX saves instead of attack rolls

SEEKING: Homing arrows!

SHADOW: Blinding arrows

7) Nonmagical arrows become magical 7) Use your bonus action to redo an arrow attack 15) Regain 1 Magic arrow shot at the start of combat

CAVALIER (XANATHAR)

3) Bonus Fighter proficiency 3) Its easy for you to mount and stay on your Mount 3) Mark targets with your attacks to keep them from ignoring you 7) Ward an ally against an attack 10) Increase your Opportunity attack range, and stop their movement 15) Run over your targets 18) Extra opportunity attacks

SAMURAI (XANATHAR)

3) Bonus Fighter proficiency and a new language! 3) Fighting Spirit: Bonus Action Temp HP! 7) Persuasion uses CHA and WIS 7) Gain proficiency in WIS saves (or INT/CHA saves) 10) Regain use of Fighting Spirit at the start of combat 15) Trade attack advantage for extra attacks! 18) Respond to death by gaining an immediate extra turn

PURPLE DRAGON KNIGHT (SWORD COAST)

3) Heal allies with your Second Wind 7) Double Persuasion, plus possible Fighter proficiency 10) Have an ally react by attacking 15) When you reroll an INT/WIS/CHA save, have an ally reroll their’s too