Dungeons and Dragons level 3 class tier list

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The latest edition of Dungeons & Dragons, released in 2024, is quite different from the 2014 version. These changes have impacted each character class differently – some have become significantly stronger, while all have seen improvements to their balance. Just like some classes start out more powerful than others, a class that’s weak at the beginning could become incredibly strong by level 20. Dungeons & Dragons also uses a ‘Tier’ system to categorize classes based on their power at different levels of the game.

  • Tier 1 includes characters between level 1 and level 4.
  • Tier 2 includes characters between level 5 and level 10.
  • Tier 3 includes characters between level 11 and level 16.
  • Tier 4 includes characters between level 17 and level 20.

This system focuses on key improvements for each character class, since the most significant upgrades usually occur at levels 5, 11, and 17.

Your character’s class is a key part of who they are, just like their race and background. Because of this, it’s helpful to know which classes are strongest or weakest when you reach level 3. Level 3 is a significant point in Dungeons & Dragons because that’s when each class gains new abilities and becomes more powerful through subclasses.

S-Tier: The Classes That Make Your Level 3 Experience a Walk in the Park

  • Druid
  • Paladin
  • Sorcerer
  • Warlock

In Dungeons & Dragons 2024, the Druid class is incredibly strong at the beginning of the game. It’s tough to take down, deals good damage, and offers a lot of helpful abilities. The Wild Shape ability, available at level 3, is particularly powerful – transforming into forms like a Spider or Wolf gives you a significant advantage. Druids are very adaptable, combining cantrips, spells, Wild Shape, and even a Wild Companion. Choosing a Primal Order further enhances your abilities, either boosting your spellcasting or making you a well-rounded character. The Circle of the Moon subclass is a popular choice, providing extra hit points and armor class. However, all Druid subclasses shine at level 3: the Circle of the Sea offers consistent high damage (especially with high Wisdom), the Circle of the Land provides reliable damage and healing, and the Circle of Stars gives you free access to powerful spells like Guiding Bolt and the versatile Starry Form.

Paladins are a versatile class, combining elements of fighters and clerics. They’re durable with good health and can use a variety of weapons and armor. By level 3, they have almost everything they need, including the ability to heal with Lay on Hands (up to 15 HP, scaling with level), remove poisons, cast spells, choose a fighting style or enhance their abilities with Blessed Warrior, deal extra damage with Divine Smite, and detect good or evil with Divine Sense. Plus, they can specialize further by choosing a subclass. The 2024 edition of Dungeons & Dragons introduces the Oath of the Noble Genies Paladin, which is both fun to roleplay and very effective in combat. This subclass features Elemental Smite and a unique option to trade armor for increased armor class (AC) based on Dexterity and Charisma, while still being able to use a shield.

The Sorcerer is widely considered one of the strongest and most adaptable classes in Dungeons & Dragons, especially by level 20. They also become incredibly powerful very quickly, shining as early as level 3. Features like Innate Sorcery, which makes it easier to succeed on spellcasting, and the ability to customize spells with Font of Magic and Metamagic give them a lot of flexibility. Plus, strong subclass options add even more depth. For instance, the Draconic Sorcery subclass alone can provide both significant damage output and increased survivability, making a level 3 Sorcerer a valuable asset to any adventuring group.

The Warlock is consistently ranked among the strongest classes at lower levels, and it’s easy to see why. It starts with the powerful cantrip Eldritch Blast, can enhance it with the Agonizing Blast invocation, and has ways to recover spell slots. Plus, it offers several excellent subclass options. While the Warlock is a top choice for players who want to combine classes in Dungeons & Dragons 2024 because of how well it grows with levels, it’s already incredibly strong by level 3.

A-Tier: Your Bread And Butter DnD Classes At Level 3

  • Bard
  • Monk
  • Ranger
  • Wizard

Bardic Inspiration is a really powerful ability that can turn the tide of a battle, even before reaching its full potential at level 5. Bards become valuable party members quickly, gaining skills like Expertise and Jack of All Trades early on, and can become formidable fighters, especially if they choose the College of Valor. While cantrips are helpful, Bards truly shine at levels 4 and 5 with more cantrips, improved stats, and stronger Bardic Inspiration. A level 3 Bard is still a great choice, but their effectiveness depends on the party size. They’re at their best in larger groups (4 or more players), and a bit less impactful in smaller ones.

Okay, let me tell you, if you’re looking for a class that really got a boost in the latest Dungeons & Dragons update, the Monk is it. From level 3 onwards, it feels fantastic. You get Deflect Attacks, which seriously improves survivability, and Martial Arts, adding a d6 to your unarmed strikes or light weapon attacks. Then there’s Monk’s Focus, giving you special points to spend on cool abilities. I especially love Flurry of Blows – three attacks in one turn is a game changer! And if you start running low on those Focus Points, Uncanny Metabolism lets you recover them, making the Monk surprisingly strong right from the start. The subclass you pick at level 3 really seals the deal too. Want elemental attacks? Warrior of the Elements has you covered. Need a bit of support? Warrior of Mercy lets you dish out extra damage or heal yourself and your allies. Honestly, it’s a really solid pick now.

Although the Ranger class can struggle in longer Dungeons & Dragons campaigns from levels 12 to 20, it’s surprisingly strong early on, especially at level 3. With subclasses like Gloom Stalker or Beast Master, a level 3 Ranger can often outperform other fighting classes. This makes it an excellent choice for short campaigns or adventures where character power doesn’t scale dramatically. At this level, Rangers benefit from extra damage with Hunter’s Mark, useful spells, the utility of Hunter’s Lore, and strong skill proficiency thanks to Expertise. Their ability to attack twice and still have a bonus action available for Hunter’s Mark makes their weapon attacks particularly effective.

While Wizards are known as the most powerful spellcasters in Dungeons & Dragons, they don’t quite feel that way at the beginning. At level 3, they only have 3 cantrips and 6 spell slots (4 level 1 and 2 level 2), meaning you’ll frequently rely on cantrips even though Wizards have the biggest spell list overall. Because of this, Sorcerers and Warlocks often have a stronger spellcasting experience at this early stage. However, the Wizard class improves significantly as you level up, potentially becoming one of the best classes in Tier 3 and a top contender in Tier 4. The Diviner subclass is still a strong choice, thanks to its unique ability, Portent, which lets you manipulate dice rolls with two pre-rolled d20s. Plus, all Wizard subclasses have been updated and improved in D&D 2024, making the class enjoyable to play despite its early-game limitations.

B-Tier: Level 3 Options That Lack Defining Abilities

  • Artificer
  • Barbarian
  • Cleric
  • Fighter

As a movie critic, let me tell you, the Artificer class in Dungeons & Dragons’ Eberron: Forge of the Artificer is a real standout. Yes, being a half-caster reliant on Intelligence and stuck in Medium armor has its drawbacks, but trust me, the benefits kick in fast. By level 3, this class is bringing serious value, not just for the player, but for the whole party. What I especially loved is how quickly you get a taste of its higher-level power – Replicate Magic Item at level 2 and a subclass choice at level 3 is a brilliant move. Getting a free Bag of Holding, a +1 weapon or shield, or even a Wand of the War Mage? Fantastic! And honestly, both the Artillerist and Battle Smith subclasses are incredibly strong picks. This class isn’t just viable; it’s genuinely fun and impactful.

The Barbarian class has seen major improvements in the 2024 edition of Dungeons & Dragons, most notably with the addition of Primal Knowledge, which gives them useful abilities outside of battles. While still focused on powerful attacks, the Barbarian is much stronger now. Rage is easier to sustain for up to 10 minutes, damage increases more effectively, and the available subclasses are excellent. The Berserker subclass, once considered one of the weakest, is now a top contender, and the new World Tree subclass offers a great option for players who want to play an aggressive, durable tank. Both Berserker and World Tree contribute to the Barbarian being a strong choice at level 3, especially when combined with Weapon Masteries which add even more effects – like the Berserker’s Cleave ability that deals significant area-of-effect damage. However, Barbarians can still feel fragile at level 3 due to their lower health and the risks associated with Reckless Attack, before they unlock stronger upgrades like Brutal Strike.

Although the Cleric doesn’t get the powerful Divine Intervention ability until later levels, it still offers a solid range of spells and the Divine Spark feature from Channel Divinity provides useful extra healing or damage. The Light Domain is a strong choice for players who want to balance support and offense, and the Trickery Domain’s Invoke Duplicity can significantly change the flow of combat if used strategically. At level 3, the Cleric is a capable class with even more potential to come. Options like the Twilight Domain, found in the Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything book, can add a lot of variety to your game, with your Dungeon Master’s permission.

The Fighter class has been significantly improved in the 2024 version of Dungeons & Dragons, becoming much stronger at different levels of play. While level 3 Fighters are still developing – they haven’t gained key abilities like Extra Attack, Tactical Shift, and Indomitable – their Second Wind ability provides valuable relief for the party’s healer, making them remarkably durable, potentially even more so than a Barbarian, at the beginning of the game. Crucially, Action Surge is a very powerful ability, even though it can only be used once. For those looking to specialize, the Eldritch Knight and Battle Master subclasses are generally considered the strongest choices, offering spellcasting and special combat maneuvers, respectively.

C-Tier: DnD Classes With Drawbacks That Make Level 3 a Struggle

  • ​​​​​​​Psion
  • Rogue

The Psion class for Dungeons & Dragons 2024 isn’t officially available yet, but previews suggest it will be released later this year. Currently, based on playtest material, it functions similarly to a Sorcerer, using special dice called Psionic Discipline dice to power its abilities. These dice increase in number as you level up, with a significant jump happening at level 5 – going from 4d6 to 6d6. This is a key moment in the game, as using these abilities requires spending dice, and level 5 gives you more dice and the ability to regain them. Early on, at level 3, the Psion can be a bit weak, even with different specializations, because it has limited options and hasn’t fully developed its core features.

Rogue builds aren’t particularly strong in recent editions of Dungeons & Dragons, often struggling to deal consistent damage outside of short bursts. At level 3, before gaining key abilities like Cunning Strike and Uncanny Dodge, Rogues lack significant damage, utility, and survivability. While they can deal 2d6 damage with Sneak Attack, the Steady Aim feat is more useful for ranged characters, as it restricts movement. Melee Rogues might find it more limiting. Although there are several subclass options, none fully address the Rogue’s weaknesses, particularly at level 3. The Arcane Trickster is generally the strongest choice, thanks to its spellcasting and cantrips like Minor Illusion.

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2026-01-12 06:09