# Chapter 3: Character Classes *Source: Player's Handbook (2024), p. 49* ![The heroes Mercion, Molliv...](Mechanics/CLI/books/players-handbook-2024/img/025-03-050-opening-art.webp#center "The heroes Mercion, Molliver, Strongheart, and Ringlerun protect a portal to another plane from diabolical invaders") Character class provides a character's most exciting capabilities. This chapter offers twelve classes, each of which contains four subclasses—all summarized below. ![](Mechanics/CLI/books/players-handbook-2024/img/026-03-002-barbarian-symbol.webp#center) ## Barbarian Storm with Rage, and wade into hand-to-hand combat. Then follow the Path of the... - [Path of the Berserker](Mechanics/CLI/classes/barbarian-xphb-path-of-the-berserker-xphb.md) to unleash raw violence. - [Path of the Wild Heart](Mechanics/CLI/classes/barbarian-xphb-path-of-the-wild-heart-xphb.md) to manifest kinship with animals. - [Path of the World Tree](Mechanics/CLI/classes/barbarian-xphb-path-of-the-world-tree-xphb.md) to tap into cosmic vitality. - [Path of the Zealot](Mechanics/CLI/classes/barbarian-xphb-path-of-the-zealot-xphb.md) to rage in union with a god. ![](Mechanics/CLI/books/players-handbook-2024/img/027-03-003-bard-symbol.webp#center) ## Bard Perform spells that inspire and heal allies or beguile foes. Then join the College of... - [College of Dance](Mechanics/CLI/classes/bard-xphb-college-of-dance-xphb.md) to harness agility in battle. - [College of Glamour](Mechanics/CLI/classes/bard-xphb-college-of-glamour-xphb.md) to weave beguiling Feywild magic. - [College of Lore](Mechanics/CLI/classes/bard-xphb-college-of-lore-xphb.md) to collect knowledge and magical secrets. - [College of Valor](Mechanics/CLI/classes/bard-xphb-college-of-valor-xphb.md) to wield weapons with spells. ![](Mechanics/CLI/books/players-handbook-2024/img/028-03-004-cleric-symbol.webp#center) ## Cleric Invoke divine magic to heal, bolster, and smite. Then harness the... - [Life Domain](Mechanics/CLI/classes/cleric-xphb-life-domain-xphb.md) to be a master of healing. - [Light Domain](Mechanics/CLI/classes/cleric-xphb-light-domain-xphb.md) to wield searing, warding light. - [Trickery Domain](Mechanics/CLI/classes/cleric-xphb-trickery-domain-xphb.md) to bedevil foes with mischief. - [War Domain](Mechanics/CLI/classes/cleric-xphb-war-domain-xphb.md) to inspire valor and chastise foes. ![](Mechanics/CLI/books/players-handbook-2024/img/029-03-005-druid-symbol.webp#center) ## Druid Channel nature magic to heal, shape-shift, and control the elements. Then join the Circle of the... - [Circle of the Land](Mechanics/CLI/classes/druid-xphb-circle-of-the-land-xphb.md) to draw on the magic of the environment. - [Circle of the Moon](Mechanics/CLI/classes/druid-xphb-circle-of-the-moon-xphb.md) to adopt powerful animal forms. - [Circle of the Sea](Mechanics/CLI/classes/druid-xphb-circle-of-the-sea-xphb.md) to channel tides and storms. - [Circle of the Stars](Mechanics/CLI/classes/druid-xphb-circle-of-the-stars-xphb.md) to gain powers in a starry form. ![](Mechanics/CLI/books/players-handbook-2024/img/030-03-006-fighter-symbol.webp#center) ## Fighter Master all weapons and armor. Then embody the... - [Battle Master](Mechanics/CLI/classes/fighter-xphb-battle-master-xphb.md) to use special combat maneuvers. - [Champion](Mechanics/CLI/classes/fighter-xphb-champion-xphb.md) to strive for peak combat prowess. - [Eldritch Knight](Mechanics/CLI/classes/fighter-xphb-eldritch-knight-xphb.md) to learn spells to aid in combat. - [Psi Warrior](Mechanics/CLI/classes/fighter-xphb-psi-warrior-xphb.md) to augment attacks with psionic power. ![](Mechanics/CLI/books/players-handbook-2024/img/031-03-007-monk-symbol.webp#center) ## Monk Dart in and out of melee while striking fast and hard. Then become a Warrior of... - [Warrior of Mercy](Mechanics/CLI/classes/monk-xphb-warrior-of-mercy-xphb.md) to heal or harm with a touch. - [Warrior of Shadow](Mechanics/CLI/classes/monk-xphb-warrior-of-shadow-xphb.md) to employ shadows for subterfuge. - [Warrior of the Elements](Mechanics/CLI/classes/monk-xphb-warrior-of-the-elements-xphb.md) to wield elemental power. - [Warrior of the Open Hand](Mechanics/CLI/classes/monk-xphb-warrior-of-the-open-hand-xphb.md) to master unarmed combat. ![](Mechanics/CLI/books/players-handbook-2024/img/032-03-008-paladin-symbol.webp#center) ## Paladin Smite foes and shield allies with divine and martial might. Then swear the Oath of... - [Oath of Devotion](Mechanics/CLI/classes/paladin-xphb-oath-of-devotion-xphb.md) to emulate the angels of justice. - [Oath of Glory](Mechanics/CLI/classes/paladin-xphb-oath-of-glory-xphb.md) to reach the heights of heroism. - [Oath of the Ancients](Mechanics/CLI/classes/paladin-xphb-oath-of-the-ancients-xphb.md) to preserve life, joy, and nature. - [Oath of Vengeance](Mechanics/CLI/classes/paladin-xphb-oath-of-vengeance-xphb.md) to hunt down evildoers. ![](Mechanics/CLI/books/players-handbook-2024/img/033-03-009-ranger-symbol.webp#center) ## Ranger Weave together martial prowess, nature magic, and survival skills. Then embody the... - [Beast Master](Mechanics/CLI/classes/ranger-xphb-beast-master-xphb.md) to bond with a primal beast. - [Fey Wanderer](Mechanics/CLI/classes/ranger-xphb-fey-wanderer-xphb.md) to manifest fey mirth and fury. - [Gloom Stalker](Mechanics/CLI/classes/ranger-xphb-gloom-stalker-xphb.md) to hunt foes that lurk in darkness. - [Hunter](Mechanics/CLI/classes/ranger-xphb-hunter-xphb.md) to protect nature with martial versatility. ![](Mechanics/CLI/books/players-handbook-2024/img/034-03-010-rogue-symbol.webp#center) ## Rogue Launch deadly Sneak Attacks while avoiding harm through stealth. Then embody the... - [Arcane Trickster](Mechanics/CLI/classes/rogue-xphb-arcane-trickster-xphb.md) to enhance stealth with spells. - [Assassin](Mechanics/CLI/classes/rogue-xphb-assassin-xphb.md) to deliver ambushes and poison. - [Soulknife](Mechanics/CLI/classes/rogue-xphb-soulknife-xphb.md) to strike foes with psi blades. - [Thief](Mechanics/CLI/classes/rogue-xphb-thief-xphb.md) to master infiltration and treasure hunting. ![](Mechanics/CLI/books/players-handbook-2024/img/035-03-011-sorcerer-symbol.webp#center) ## Sorcerer Wield magic innate to your being, shaping the power to your will. Then channel... - [Aberrant Sorcery](Mechanics/CLI/classes/sorcerer-xphb-aberrant-sorcery-xphb.md) to use strange psionic magic. - [Clockwork Sorcery](Mechanics/CLI/classes/sorcerer-xphb-clockwork-sorcery-xphb.md) to harness cosmic forces of order. - [Draconic Sorcery](Mechanics/CLI/classes/sorcerer-xphb-draconic-sorcery-xphb.md) to breathe the magic of dragons. - [Wild Magic Sorcery](Mechanics/CLI/classes/sorcerer-xphb-wild-magic-sorcery-xphb.md) to unleash chaos magic. ![](Mechanics/CLI/books/players-handbook-2024/img/036-03-012-warlock-symbol.webp#center) ## Warlock Cast spells derived from occult knowledge. Then form a pact with the... - [Archfey Patron](Mechanics/CLI/classes/warlock-xphb-archfey-patron-xphb.md) to teleport and wield fey magic. - [Celestial Patron](Mechanics/CLI/classes/warlock-xphb-celestial-patron-xphb.md) to heal with heavenly magic. - [Fiend Patron](Mechanics/CLI/classes/warlock-xphb-fiend-patron-xphb.md) to call on sinister powers. - [Great Old One Patron](Mechanics/CLI/classes/warlock-xphb-great-old-one-patron-xphb.md) to delve into forbidden lore. ![](Mechanics/CLI/books/players-handbook-2024/img/037-03-013-wizard-symbol.webp#center) ## Wizard Study arcane magic and master spells for every purpose. Then embody the... - [Abjurer](Mechanics/CLI/classes/wizard-xphb-abjurer-xphb.md) to shield allies and banish foes. - [Diviner](Mechanics/CLI/classes/wizard-xphb-diviner-xphb.md) to learn the multiverse's secrets. - [Evoker](Mechanics/CLI/classes/wizard-xphb-evoker-xphb.md) to create explosive effects. - [Illusionist](Mechanics/CLI/classes/wizard-xphb-illusionist-xphb.md) to weave spells of deception.