D&D 2024 Class Tier List

The arrival of D&D 2024 has brought significant changes to all thirteen classes in the Player's Handbook. With revamped abilities, improved resource management, and exciting new features, the class balance has shifted in meaningful ways. This comprehensive tier list analyzes how each class performs with the official 2024 changes, helping you make informed decisions for your next character build.

How We Created This Tier List

Before diving into the rankings, let's clarify what makes a class powerful in D&D 2024. Our tier list evaluates classes based on:

• Combat Effectiveness: Raw damage output, survivability, and tactical options
• Versatility: Ability to adapt to different situations and fill multiple roles
• Resource Management: How efficiently a class uses and recovers its limited resources
• Utility Outside Combat: Contribution to exploration and social encounters
• Party Support: Ability to enhance other party members' effectiveness

While every class is viable in the right hands, some naturally excel across more situations than others. Let's explore where each class lands in the 2024 edition.

S Tier: Exceptional Versatility and Power

Wizard

The undisputed arcane master remains at the top of the power scale in D&D 2024 with game-changing improvements to their already formidable flexibility.

Key 2024 Changes:

• Can now swap cantrips on long rests AND prepared spells on short rests
• Improved Spell Mastery for free casting of certain spells
• Enhanced Arcane Recovery for regaining more spell slots

The ability to adapt their spell selection on a short rest represents a massive advantage, allowing Wizards to have the perfect tool for any situation. With the largest spell selection in the game, improved resource recovery, and unmatched utility, they remain the most adaptable class in the game.

Why S Tier: No other class can match the Wizard's ability to solve nearly any problem with the right spell. When your character can literally bend reality with a gesture, you deserve the top spot.

A Tier: Powerful and Versatile

Cleric

The Cleric approaches Wizard-level versatility with exceptional support and damage capabilities.

Key 2024 Changes:

• Revamped Divine Intervention allows casting Cleric spells for free
• Channel Divinity gains more uses and a new Divine Spark feature
• Blessed Strike offers a choice between extra melee or magic damage

Free spellcasting through Divine Intervention combined with increased Channel Divinity uses make Clerics extraordinary support characters who can also excel in combat roles. Their combination of healing, damage, and utility keeps them near the top of the power scale.

Druid

The Druid secures a solid A tier position with Wild Shape improvements that address previous limitations.

Key 2024 Changes:

• Wild Shape is a Bonus Action and you can speak while transformed
• Known Forms for Wild Shape, swappable on long rests
• Primal Strike adds damage to Wild Shape attacks at higher levels

The Bonus Action Wild Shape dramatically improves combat flexibility, while being able to speak while transformed removes a major limitation. Combined with their full spellcasting capability, Druids offer exceptional versatility across all pillars of play.

Bard

The Bard maintains A tier status with significant improvements to Bardic Inspiration and spell options.

Key 2024 Changes:

• Bardic Inspiration lasts an hour and can be used after a roll is made
• Magical Secrets now allows choosing spells from a wider range of classes
• New capstone ability Words of Creation for powerful word spells

Reactive Bardic Inspiration makes their signature ability much more impactful, while expanded Magical Secrets enhances their already impressive spell versatility. Bards excel in support roles while maintaining strong contributions to all aspects of adventuring.

Sorcerer

The Sorcerer rises to A tier with improvements that address their primary limitations.

Key 2024 Changes:

• Increased number of prepared spells
• New Innate Sorcery ability enhances spell attacks and save DCs
• Improved capstone ability for free Metamagic use

The increased spell preparation addresses one of the Sorcerer's biggest weaknesses compared to other full casters. Combined with enhanced spell effectiveness through Innate Sorcery, Sorcerers now have the power and flexibility to compete with other A-tier classes.

B Tier: Strong and Effective

Paladin

The Paladin sits at the top of B tier, powerful but with the Divine Smite changes creating new considerations.

Key 2024 Changes:

• Divine Smite becomes a spell activated with a Bonus Action
• Find Steed is always prepared and can be cast for free once per long rest
• Lay on Hands becomes a Bonus Action for quicker healing

While converting Divine Smite to a Bonus Action spell potentially changes how nova damage works, the improved action economy for Lay on Hands and free Find Steed casting maintain the Paladin's effectiveness as a frontline combatant with strong support capabilities.

Fighter

The Fighter secures a solid B tier position with expanded tactical options through the Weapon Mastery system.

Key 2024 Changes:

• More access to Weapon Mastery, adding tactical options to weapon attacks
• Expanded uses for Second Wind with new Tactical Mind and Tactical Shift abilities
• Improved Indomitable feature for better saving throw rerolls

The Weapon Mastery system gives Fighters more interesting decisions in combat, while improved Indomitable addresses one of their traditional weaknesses. They remain somewhat limited outside of combat but excel in their primary role.

Monk

The Monk climbs firmly into B tier with substantial improvements to resource economy and core abilities.

Key 2024 Changes:

• Stronger Martial Arts damage progression
• Deflect Attacks now works on both ranged and melee attacks
• New Uncanny Metabolism ability for recovering resources mid-combat

The improved damage scaling and expanded Deflect Attacks make Monks more effective combatants, while Uncanny Metabolism addresses their previous Ki limitations. These changes maintain the Monk's mobility and unique combat style while making them more consistently effective.

Warlock

The Warlock falls comfortably within B tier with early access to signature abilities and improved resource recovery.

Key 2024 Changes:

• Eldritch Invocations available from 1st level
• New Magical Cunning ability to restore spell slots
• Free use of Contact Other Plane to communicate with patrons

First-level Eldritch Invocations mean Warlocks can access their customization options immediately, while Magical Cunning helps address spell slot limitations. They remain somewhat specialized but can be highly effective in their niche.

Rogue

The Rogue fits solidly in B tier with enhanced tactical options and skill mastery.

Key 2024 Changes:

• New Cunning Strike ability allows trading Sneak Attack damage for various effects
• Reliable Talent now available at an earlier level
• Improved Stroke of Luck capstone ability

The Cunning Strike option provides tactical flexibility beyond pure damage, while earlier access to Reliable Talent further cements the Rogue's position as the most consistent skill character. Their balanced combination of combat effectiveness and utility keeps them firmly in B tier.

C Tier: Viable but More Limited

Ranger

The Ranger lands at the top of C tier despite significant improvements to core features.

Key 2024 Changes:

• Hunter's Mark is always prepared and can be cast for free twice
• Natural Explorer replaced by Deft Explorer, more skills and languages
• Foe Slayer adds to Hunter's Mark damage

Free Hunter's Mark casting streamlines the Ranger's combat setup, and Deft Explorer provides more consistent benefits. However, they still lack the raw power or broad utility of higher-tier classes, particularly at higher levels when their half-caster status becomes more apparent.

Barbarian

The Barbarian joins the Ranger in C tier due to continued one-dimensionality despite quality-of-life improvements.

Key 2024 Changes:

• Rage now lasts 10 minutes and can be extended with a Bonus Action
• New Brutal Strike ability at 9th level offers tactical options during Reckless Attacks
• Primal Knowledge allows using Strength for certain skill checks while raging

The extended Rage duration and Brutal Strike option do make Barbarians more effective at what they do, but they remain primarily single-target damage dealers with limited utility outside combat and few options against enemies resistant to their primary strategies.

Artificer

The Artificer rounds out the C tier as a jack-of-all-trades that doesn't excel in any particular area.

Key Updates:

• Inclusion in the core rulebook
• Streamlined infusion system
• Improved Magical Tinkering options

Artificers provide unique utility through infusions but lack the raw power of full spellcasters or the combat effectiveness of dedicated martial classes. Their half-caster status and divided focus between multiple roles keep them from reaching the effectiveness of more specialized classes.

Important Contextual Factors

Subclass Can Change Everything

The right subclass can dramatically alter a class's effectiveness:

• Chronurgy Wizard can bend time and potentially move into "S+" territory
• Twilight Cleric with its powerful aura might approach S tier
• Gloom Stalker Ranger could perform closer to B tier
• Hexblade Warlock might rise into high B tier

Campaign Style Matters

A class's effectiveness varies based on campaign style:

• Combat-heavy campaigns benefit Fighters and Barbarians
• Social/intrigue campaigns favor Bards and Rogues
• Exploration-focused campaigns can elevate Rangers
• Dungeons with frequent short rests benefit Warlocks

Party Composition Is Key

Classes should also be evaluated in the context of their party:

• A Ranger in a party with no other wilderness skills becomes more valuable
• A Barbarian with support casters to enhance them performs better
• An Artificer providing infusions to optimize other party members increases in value

Building Your Character: Beyond the Tier List

While this tier list provides a general guideline for class power levels in D&D 2024, remember that player skill, creative thinking, and good teamwork often matter more than theoretical power rankings.

The most powerful character at your table will be the one that:

1. Matches your playstyle and is fun for you to play
2. Has a concept you're excited about and can roleplay effectively
3. Fills a needed role in your specific party composition
4. Suits the campaign style your DM is running

The 2024 rules have done an excellent job of ensuring that every class has meaningful options and can contribute effectively to the adventure. Even C tier classes can shine brightly in the right circumstances.

Conclusion: The Perfect Class Is...

The perfect class is the one that excites you as a player. D&D 2024 has improved class balance significantly, making even traditionally weaker options like Monks and Rangers more viable and fun to play.

Whether you choose the versatile Wizard, the supportive Cleric, the stealthy Rogue, or the rage-fueled Barbarian, what matters most is creating a character you'll enjoy playing session after session.

What's your favorite class in D&D 2024? Have you noticed other significant changes that affect how these classes play? Share your thoughts in the comments below!