RELATED: Pro Tips To Create A Cyberpunk D&D Campaign

In the early days of D&D, there were fewer classes, and roleplaying was less sophisticated. Today, thanks to the wealth of supplemental materials available with the release of 5e, there’s a whole selection of character subclasses for players to enjoy. Here are some of the most popular and interesting examples of D&D subclasses that come from various expansions.

Updated on November 11, 2021, by Kristy Ambrose: The D&D universe is always expanding to include new modules, supplemental materials, and collections of lore and local history for every backstory. That includes an increase in the options for unique class and character builds, including some interesting new subclasses. Even classes that seem to be dull and clichéd can enjoy some renewed life with the addition of something creative for characters to experience and enjoy. With that in mind, here are a few additional entries to our list of the best 5e D&D subclasses for 2021.

10 Cleric: The Deadly Forge Domain

Party Role: Defense, Damage Main Spells/Abilities: Artisan’s Blessing, Soul of the Forge Other Benefits: The extra AC that comes with a heavy armor proficiency is great for any Cleric, especially a Domain that fights on the front line. Source: Xanathar’s Guide to Everything

A Cleric is defined by the Domain that they choose. The class is often the best choice for a healing or support role; however, those who are interested in rolling a Cleric that can act as a tank or weapon master can choose this D&D subclass, The Forge Domain.

Any character that follows the gods of the forge would have powers associated with weapons and armor, and the Forge Domain Cleric exemplifies this in a D&D 5e subclass. Clerics of the Forge Domain learn spells like Searing Smite and Magic Weapon in their first few levels, and they have proficiency with heavy armor and smith’s tools. Essentially, these characters are priests who are ready for battle.

9 Bard: College of Spirits

Party Role: Healing, Damage Main Spells/Abilities: Guiding Whispers, Tales from Beyond Other Benefits: At 6th level, this subclass starts to learn spells that deal damage and restore hit points. Source: Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

Return to the Gothic side of D&D to discover this unique twist on the Bard class. Bards are one of the most versatile classes to begin with, often chosen for multi-class options. With this subclass, Bards can channel spirits and buff their party’s abilities for some extra support.

RELATED: Best Dungeons & Dragons Video Games, Ranked

Like the Cleric’s choice of Domain, a Bard’s choice of College defines their character. The power to channel spirits adds a wealth of damage to spellcasting abilities. Additionally, players still have low-level support spells for their party, making this one of the best D&D subclasses.

8 Fighter: The Rune Knight

Party Role: Defense or Damage Main Spell/Ability: Rune Carver Other Benefits: The unique abilities of Giant Might and Runic Shield. Source: Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

Usually, the only class that can make their own armor is an Artificer. However, this type of Fighter uses the power of runes to accomplish the same thing. If a Fighter doesn’t have the stats to multi-class into an Artificer, this is the best alternative choice.

This subclass has six of these runes to choose from as they progress through the leveling process. Each one grants special abilities both to the character themselves and to their party. Another interesting quirk is that this subclass can also speak the language of Giants, who are masters of rune magic and lore.

7 Druid: Circle Of Spores

Party Role: Healing, Damage Main Spells/Abilities: Chill Touch, Symbiotic Entity Other Benefits: Halo of Spores, which acts as both an AC improvement and a weapon. Source: Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica, Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

This subclass specializes in the nature of decay, especially mushrooms, fungi, and spores. A Druid from the Circle of Spores considers the potential for power and life in decay and infestation, and when it comes to persistence and damage, there are few other forms of life that can equal it.

There’s more damage than healing in this subclass, with spells like Blight and Contagion featuring prominently in their repertoire. At later levels, these Druids are almost completely immune to any kind of poison, blindness, or fright, making this one of the most overpowered and best 5e subclasses around.

6 Sorcerer: Divine Soul

Party Role: Damage Main Spells/Abilities: Depends on the character’s moral alignment, but ranges between defense, damage, and healing options. Other Benefits: The ability to learn Cleric spells. Source: Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

Sorcerers don’t train to gain their abilities as a Wizard or a Fighter does. A Sorcerer’s powers are innate, and any training they do is to hone these abilities as opposed to acquire them. In the case of the Divine Soul, this magic-user’s natural abilities come from their connection with a divine spirit.

RELATED: Things You Need To Know Before Starting Your First Dungeons & Dragons Game

As if the role-playing potential for this kind of class wasn’t alluring enough, it includes abilities that are connected to Clerics, like buffs and healing spells. Divine Soul Sorcerers can also choose the nature of their divine soul as good, evil, lawful, chaotic, or neutral, and learn the spells that mesh with that deity’s alignment.

5 Paladin: The Oathbreaker

Party Role: Defense or Damage Main Spells/Abilities: Hellish Rebuke, Blight, Bestow Curse Other Benefits: This subclass has extra powers to manipulate and control the undead and other necromantic powers. Source: Dungeon Master’s Guide

The Dungeon Master’s Guide isn’t usually a resource that players use unless they’re acting as Dungeon Masters. However, for those interested in the lore of a fallen Paladin, it’s worth picking up a copy to check out this class. These characters can wield spells like Hellish Rebuke and Inflict Wounds as early as 3rd level.

This class is essentially a Paladin who has broken their sacred vows. It’s also an option for players who want to try playing a character with an evil alignment. The Dungeon Master might have to consider how this character would fit into the party, which would make this one of the best D&D subclasses for storytelling.

4 Barbarian: The Path of the Zealot

Party Role: Damage Main Spells/Abilities: Divine Fury, Warrior of the Gods Other Benefits: Rage Beyond Death is an ability this subclass gains at advanced levels, allowing them to ignore mortal strikes for a short period of time. Source: Xanathar’s Guide to Everything

There’s a deity for everything in D&D. For this subclass, gods send their adherents into a furious rage. A Barbarian has this ability in the first place, but in the case of the Zealot, it’s a power of a divine nature instead of usual everyday rage.

RELATED: Ranked: The Best D&D Campaigns Of All Time

A Barbarian can choose from a number of paths when they reach level 3. The Path of the Zealot immediately gives players the ability to channel divine power into their weapon hits. They can even choose to do either necrotic or radiant damage with each strike, making them one of the best subclasses when it comes to melee damage.

3 Ranger: Horizon Walker Conclave

Party Role: Healing, Damage Main Spells/Abilities: Detect Portals, Planar Warrior Other Benefits: These Rangers are experts when it comes to traveling to other planes of reality or dealing with creatures native to those places. Source: Xanathar’s Guide to Everything

The Ranger class is known for its ability to move undetected through the wilds. They are talented trackers and survivalists, using their talents to hunt and evade dangerous enemies. The Horizon Walker has expanded their wandering grounds to include other planar realities, and they are often experts when it comes to the denizens of these ethereal realms.

As other Rangers know where to find water or shelter, a Horizon Walker knows where planar portals can be found. Detect Portal is one of the earliest spells they learn, along with Planar Warrior, which allows the user to use energy drawn from the multiverse in their attacks.

2 Warlock: Hexblade

Party Role: Damage Main Spells/Abilities: Branding Smite, Elemental Weapon Other Benefits: The ability to use some Hexes and spells for increased AC, which gives the character more melee damage ability. Source: Xanathar’s Guide to Everything

This Warlock has aligned themselves with a certain diety known as the Raven Queen, who is known for making the weapons that originate in the Shadowfell. Players that like Warlocks will appreciate the extra abilities this character has beyond spellcasting, especially since the class deals with some limitations regarding the variety of spells at their disposal.

From the first level, this subclass has two unique abilities: the Hexblade’s Curse and the Hex Warrior. The ability to curse any character within 30 feet will come in handy, while the Warrior’s benefits include the use of martial weapons and shields. The Hexblade could be the best D&D subclass for spellcasters that want incorporate Fighter or Rogue elements without multiclassing.

1 Rogue: Phantom

Party Role: Damage Main Spells/Abilities: Tokens of the Departed, Ghost Walk Other Benefits: Gaining the ability to utilize Necromantic magic in addition to typical Rogue skills. Source: Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

A Rogue often walks in the shadow of death, and this subclass actually gains a connection to the ethereal in the course of their training or work. Eventually, these types of Rogues take on the ethereal powers of the spirits and can tread the planes like ghosts themselves.

A Phantom Rogue can fill a number of different roles in any party. Wizards, Sorcerers, and other magic users that delve into Necromancy often employ the Phantom as messengers or mercenaries. At higher levels, this subclass even gains powers that include Necrotic damage.

MORE: Tabletop Games To Play If You Like Dungeons & Dragons