Ideas to break the mold with your next D&D character.
Barbarian - Rather than be a screaming wall of beef, try a DEX based character. I’d love to see a Barbarian dual wielding light weapons instead of another half-orc with a greataxe/sword/hammer
Bard - Go to horny jail. Stop that. Just play a storyteller, or a con-artist, or a painter, or a wise and older teacher type.
Cleric - You’re automatically the mom of the group so why not embrace it? Cast your healing spells by licking your thumb and wiping your party members cheeks. Or give them forehead kisses and wish them luck on their first day of adventuring. Embarrass your party because they honestly can’t go on without you anyways
Druid - You don’t have to just be Radaghast the Brown.exe. Maybe your druid looks after a toxic swamp. Maybe they’re from a snow-covered mountain. Maybe they’re a street wise orphan who found out at a young age that the rats in the alley could speak to him, and he to them.
Fighter - This class isn’t as boring as you think. Have you ever seen a fighter use a bow? Try it, you won’t regret the power of an Arcane Archer. Or maybe dual Rapiers? Fighter is your chance to get the weird weapon combos out of your system. Also, Battle Master is severely underrated.
Monk - Ok. This one is personally going to be a character I play soon. Fat monk. Take advantage of the fact that your class features don’t care who you are or what you look like. Imagine your enemies surprise when the skinny little gnome punches like a truck. Or the hapless looking Tortle just runs straight up a sheer wall. Or the rotund and lumbering guy without any armour just dashes around like lightning. (Yes I DO main Bob in Tekken, shut up)
Paladin - I can’t believe how many people STILL think Paladins are the anti-fun police. The way you worship and play as a religious class is entirely up to you and your DM. Why not apply the stereotypes of another class to your Paladin? Maybe he’s the horny bard stand in. Or maybe he rages out pretty often.
Ranger - Everyone who plays 5e avoids this class because it's "underpowered" well, to that I say, underpowered chatacters are the most interesting. Try not worrying about a great build and focus on making the person inside the class the actual focus.
Rogue - Don’t be a criminal. Don’t even be just a guy who’s reeeeeealllly good at killing things. Sneak Attack is just a title, it’s not a combat style. Maybe you’re a great tactician, or maybe you’re an armourer’s apprentice so you know how to examine weak points. Maybe you’re a circus performer who’s fallen on hard times and turns to adventuring for money and survival. Don’t forget that Sneak works with ranged weapons
Sorcerer - This class is always described as “sexy spellcaster” but Charisma doesn’t always mean your character is physically attractive. You can have a forceful and charismatic personality in any body. Side note: fire isn’t the only type of damage in D&D
Warlock - Ah yes, the class with strings attached. This one takes some working with your DM but all I can say is don’t forget about your patron. Your relationship with them isn’t always a master/servant dynamic. Maybe you’re madly in love with them? Maybe they are always annoying you and nagging but you can’t exactly drop your agreement with them now. Or, perhaps, to paraphrase Travis Willingham; they need you more than you need them.
Wizard - Consider why you chose to become a wizard. Being one doesn’t happen by chance. You’re more than just a big brain. Are you sleazy and seeking to use spells to make life easier? Do you have ambitions on inventing a crazy new spell? I’d also love to see a Wizard with a high STR or CON score and just be a big beefy boi as well as being smart.
