Class Tier Rankings for D&D 5e: Who is the best Damage Dealer?

BEAT DOWN
0:00 - Sponsor
1:14 - Intro
4:35 - Artificer
7:21 - Barbarian
10:47 - Bard
15:33 - Cleric
19:42 - Druid
22:56 - Fighter
27:27 - Monk
31:42 - Paladin
37:53 - Ranger
42:25 - Rogue
46:41 - Sorcerer
50:06 - Warlock
52:55 - Wizard
56:28 - Community Rankings

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[MadJackMcJack]

For all of the tricksy spells and clever item usage and cunning plans I've seen as a DM, nothing comes close to derailing an encounter more then the words "I use Action Surge."

[PeterSolerom]

One thing I don't like much about most class rankings for D&D is that it is always based on the assumption that you will reach lvl 20 and have all abilities, I'd like to see a ranking for up to lvl 10, I think 95% of the times I've played D&D I never had a character reach more than level 9 or 10.

[TigerWlf]

DD: "Fireball isn't the answer to everything."
Jocat: "What are you trying to say people within fireballing distance?"

[thebranchyboi]

After these videos it would be interesting to see a video where the two of you create the best build you can (no limits, multiclass included) to fit each role.

[deathtoexistance]

don't forget that sneak attack isn't really a nova ability, its consistent damage. Yes it works great on a crit, but you don't use a resource so its available every turn. Sneak attack may not allow for damage to multiple enemies, but for dps you can expect damage similar to extra attack martials without having to build for damage. It's also worth mentioning that for rogues getting a reaction attack can boost their damage exponentially, which is a unique aspect that lets them dish out a lot of damage.

[willydstyle]

I think one of the biggest limitations of Ranger is their reliance on concentration spells. Their spell list is full of great self-buffing spells, but you generally can only use one of them at a time.

[jurekro]

The relevance of Spellcasters as damage dealers relies strongly on the amount of combats per adventuring day. I was in a group where we had 1-2 combats per day. Caster could cast a leveled spell almost every attack, or lay down some AoE or consistent damage concentration spells. It was hard for non-magic users to keep up with that. But when it was longer fights or a rare occasions of a third or fourth combat going down the equation changed. Then it was the ranger, rogue, barbarian and hexblade dishing out damage reliably.

[dooterpecker]

My party has a tempest cleric, and he’s great. Once, we were up against like 50 kobolds, and he flew up on his broom of flying and vaporized them all with call lightning. It was awesome

[theovernight]

"I feel like this is the one time I'm giving the Bard a D."

Every bard player watching this video: ...heh heh.

[escobarisanoctopus]

I really hope the Monk gets some serious love in 5.5 / "One". They really need it. A few Monk-only Unarmed Combat related feats would be nice, as well as an earlier capstone ability, plus just some better cohesion within each subclass abilities. Only the Way of Mercy pulls it off right. I hope they really take a look at how the Way of Mercy is put together and just fixes the others to be more like that. Here's to hoping...

[legomaniac]

Other classes: "You can't just use Fireball in every situation!"
Wizards: "What's your point, person in Fireball range?!"

[joshuaturner]

1) “Nothing warps combat encounters more than ranged combat”. Maybe this is the best reason NOT to ignore ammunition tracking. Give archers a one quiver limit and make them weigh their options for when they need to get into the thick of it (because as mentioned, all archers are also capable of fighting in melee).

2) Nice to see the non-spellcasters FINALLY getting some love :)

[izaac]

One thing to keep in mind, paladins damage doesn’t drop off at higher levels thanks to Improved Divine Smite. At level 11, your accuracy is pretty solid, so you’ll see your paladin adding +2d8 every turn. On top of all the other fun things they do.

[brandoncurtis]

People are STILL sleeping on the Ranger. Post Tasha’s, it’s actually quite good! I agree with the Dudes: Ranger more consistently does damage than most classes. Part of it lies in the Archery fighting style which makes them super accurate.

[dakotaanderson]

Before watching, bard is D-Tier. Crowd control and buffs do not give you a lot of damaging spells.

[wesleymclain]

I’m really loving building an artificer. I know it’s not the best damage dealer but since it’s a party of me and a Cleric, two support classes can be phenomenal together. The sustainability is going to be outstanding. We can both heal each other and as long as the enemies aren’t healing for more than we’re hitting for, we’ll be able to take almost anything.

[logancuster]

Shout out to the Dissonant Whispers spell as a damaging dealing option for the Bard! Provoking attacks of opportunity with a spell is highly underrated!

[blaguard]

Feels like short-changing the sorc to gloss over metamagic. Quicken and Twinned are so broken for burst damage, and lets them get more mileage out of solid cantrips like Firebolt so they can save their spell slots.

[Radmixtape]

I love these videos. My favorite part almost every time is the disappointment with the monk. Can’t wait to see your take on what the Monk could be in your upcoming Kickstarter book!

[kylesousa]

I really love all the recurring damage you can do as a Druid. Setting up turn one with spike growth or insect plague, getting damage every turn, pushing with thunderwave or pulling with thorn whip, and still being able to drop things like Erupting Earth or Blight. Those numbers add up, especially for Wildfire and Stars who get decent bonus action damage as well. I would have fought for the B tier for my nature bois