Dungeons & Dragons: Strongest Gods In 5th Edition, Ranked

by

Summary

  • Tyr excels in maintaining law and order, upholding justice with powerful law spells.
  • Mystra, the goddess of magic, favors order, balance, and wields unmatched magical power, casting powerful spells rapidly.
  • Tharzidun, the Chained God, is a primal evil deity of madness, feared by others, seeking to break free and spread destruction.

As a seasoned adventurer who has traversed the multiverse and battled gods, I can attest that these deities you’ve listed are indeed formidable forces to be reckoned with. From Tharzidun, the Chained God, whose evil transcends all mortal understanding, to Lord Ao, the Overgod who created the cosmos itself, their powers and portfolios leave me in awe.

In the realm of Dungeons & Dragons, you’ll encounter an array of monsters, magic, awe, and excitement, each domain overseen or protected by a deity. There is a rich tapestry of gods and goddesses across different pantheons, some of which may resonate with familiarity, like the Egyptian god Osiris, or the Norse goddess Freya.

However, it’s important to note that in addition to the widely known deities, there are numerous unique deities as well. Each race possesses its own set of divine entities, whom they seek for counsel, blessings, or even dedicate their lives to serve as a paladin or cleric.

9. Tyr

Excels In Maintaining Law & Order

  • Domain(s): Order, War
  • Portfolio(s): Justice
  • Home Plane: House of Triad

In a different name, Tyr – also recognized as the Mutilated Deity due to his missing eyes and hand – ranks among the mightiest gods. Despite his defeat in safeguarding the Tablets of Destiny, which resulted in his injuries, this setback does not diminish the immense power he wields through his absent fingers.

Despite being visually impaired, he possesses an uncanny ability to perceive through invisibility, catch thieves, and discern lies – qualities that align perfectly with his belief system, which emphasizes upholding what is righteous and lawful. Any spells within the realm of justice are amplified by threefold, enhancing his ability to enforce the law. As a deity of justice, he has no qualms about administering severe penalties to those who transgress.

8. Shar

Claimed The Portfolios Of Many Other Gods

  • Domain(s): Death, Trickery
  • Portfolio(s): Darkness, Loss, Night Secrets, Forgetfulness
  • Home Plane: Towers of Night
Those who have played Baldur’s Gate 3 might be somewhat familiar with this particular goddess, as she is the rather harsh deity whom Shadowheart follows as a cleric of Shar, and make no mistake — she is among the most powerful goddesses in the D&D pantheons. Eternal rival to her sister Selune, the dark goddess Shar has many abilities and has hoarded various portfolios over the ages, claiming them from other deities she slayed, including those that belonged to the underground god Ibrandul. She even had the means to create a weave that was the dark counterpart of Mystra’s spell weave that was meant to be used as a weapon before the Spellplague.

7. Mystra

The Reigning Goddess Of Magic Itself

  • Domain(s): Arcane, Knowledge
  • Portfolio(s): Magic, Spells, The Weave
  • Home Plane: Dweomerheart

Despite meeting an unfortunate end at Helm’s hands during the Time of Troubles, Mystra remains a significant figure in the pantheon, albeit one who held the mantle for a brief period. Assuming the position after her predecessor made a selfless sacrifice, Mystra approached her role as the goddess with great responsibility.

While Mystryl advocated for change, Mystra championed order and equilibrium, embodying the Cosmic Balance. Notably skilled in quickly casting potent spells, Mystra stands alone in mastery of magic. Fortunately for inhabitants of Faerun, she harbors no desire to wage war against mortals, as they would swiftly succumb to her power.

6. Lolth

Lords Over The Drow With Cruelty & Oppression

  • Domain(s): Trickery, War
  • Portfolio(s): Drow, Spiders
  • Home Plane: The Abyss

Venturing into the Underdark carries the risk of witnessing bizarre and potentially perilous sights. A stroll through a luminescent mushroom cavern may unwittingly guide travelers straight into a drow ambush, creatures infamous for their malevolence. However, even the drow pale in comparison to Lolth, the Spider Queen, whose cruelty is unparalleled.

In the process of taking on a new form after gaining power, Lolth morphed and molded the drow to reflect her malevolent and tyrannical character. This race places high value on tradition, strength, brutality, and hierarchy. Those who stray from Lolth’s teachings face her wrath, and such individuals may eventually transform into a dreadful creature known as a drider – a hybrid of drow and spider, which is an ironic twist of fate in a sick and twisted manner.

5. Bahamut

Has Strength Enough To Rival Tiamat

  • Domain(s): Life, War
  • Portfolio(s): Justice
  • Home Plane: Celestia

Just as every dragon has its unique deity, so does Bahamut serve as the divine patron of noble metallic dragons. However, his existence – the one and only platinum dragon – remains elusive and continually endangered due to the malevolent actions of his sister, Tiamat.

Lucky for Bahamut, he’s an influential deity boasting strength on par with few others. Even though he dislikes conflict and prefers peaceful negotiation, he is more than equipped to protect himself. He possesses two distinct breath attacks, a roar that can reduce enemies to dust, and a unique breath that can restore or resurrect his fallen comrades.

4. Vecna

Ascended To Godhood

  • Domain(s): Arcane, Death, Knowledge
  • Portfolio(s): Evil Secrets
  • Home Plane: Domains of Dread

Vecna is well-known within the realm of Dungeons & Dragons, making appearances across different editions, campaign guides, and beyond, such as in Dead by Daylight. He stands out as one of the most frequently used villains due to his captivating character and the formidable challenge he poses to even a well-balanced and powerful group of adventurers.

From a mere humanoid form, I evolved through countless years, seeking immortality and power beyond measure. That pursuit ultimately led me to lichdom, then even further, to a semi-divine standing as a demi-god, earning the loyalty of many. Admirable as it may seem that I climbed the ranks within the D&D pantheon through hard work, it does nothing to absolve me of the countless atrocities I’ve committed throughout history. And make no mistake, despite my elevated status, Vecna remains a formidable adversary.

3. Tiamat

A Fearsome, Five-Headed Dragon

  • Domain(s): Trickery
  • Portfolio(s): Chessenta, Evil Dragons, Evil Reptiles, Greed
  • Home Plane: The Nine Hells

As a die-hard cinema enthusiast might say, among the most chilling and legendary boss monsters in the realm of D&D is none other than Tiamat, a dragon graced with no less than five distinct heads, each emblazoned with a unique color. This fearsome creature also wields breath weapons to match her visage. While she made her grand entrance during the Tyranny of Dragons campaign, her ominous wings have cast a shadow over the entire D&D universe for decades.

In contrast to typical benevolent deities, this goddess does not offer blessings or favors to her worshippers. Instead, she has amassed a loyal cult that longs for her release from her hellish prison. However, if she were to break free, the consequences would be catastrophic, leading to the demise of countless innocent lives at the hands of this malevolent and hateful entity. Her five heads alone possess the power to level entire villages, making it a formidable task for even the bravest heroes to drive her back to where she belongs.

2. Tharzidun

A Mighty Threat Other Gods Fear

  • Domain(s): Trickery
  • Portfolio(s): Eternal Darkness
  • Home Plane: Unknown

Tharzidun, also known as the God bound in Chains, represents an evil entity whose wickedness surpasses the minor ethical constraints of mortals. His essence is so raw and untamed that it transcends every law and rationality known to us. This deity’s domain encompasses madness, a condition that seems to be common among his followers.

Tharzidun was not just wicked; he was incredibly self-centered, finding no contentment in the knowledge that he would coexist with other deities across the multiverse. In his ambition, he desired to be the one and only god. This desire did not go unnoticed by the other gods and primordials who, recognizing the danger he posed, banded together to imprison him in the depths of an abyss. However, these chains are merely temporary, and it’s just a matter of time before he escapes and wreaks havoc throughout the entire multiverse.

1. Lord Ao

Legendary Powers Even Among Gods

  • Domain(s): N/A
  • Portfolio(s): Creation of Deities, Maintaining Cosmic Balance
  • Home Plane: Unknown

In the realm of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), it’s plausible that the title of strongest god would go to none other than the Overgod, Lord Ao, who holds sway over all other deities – including those from domains beyond the plane he governs.

He is one of the lesser known deities, his existence only coming to light among the denizens of Faerun because of his involvement in the Time of Troubles. His wrath was certainly something to behold, as he condemned gods to walk among mortals, leading many to be slain, and he uplifted mortals to fill the voids of godhood. But, this power over the gods is just a fraction of what Lord Ao can do, as he is also credited as the very creator of the cosmos.

Read More

2024-12-21 09:34