Making a class for Dungeons & Dragons may be tough, but these tips make it a little bit easier, with advice on how to balance your creations.
Wanting to make a homebrew class for Dungeons & Dragons? It’s an exciting prospect, but it can also be a bit daunting. Creating a class requires careful planning and consideration, to ensure it is both balanced and fun to play.
We’ve all seen some pretty... questionable... homebrew classes out there. So, how do you make a class that not only stands out, but is actually worth using in your games? With these 10 tips, you can confidently embark on the journey of homebrewing a class in D&D. So, go ahead, unleash your imagination, and create a class that will leave a mark on your game – and maybe even inspire your players to create new and exciting characters. Here are ten tips for creating a balanced and fun homebrew class in D&D 5e.
Define the idea behind your class
Before you get knee-deep in the mechanics, it’s important to have a clear idea of what the class is and why it should exist in your game.
Ask yourself why this class exists, what role it fills, and what problem it solves. If you are creating a new class to add to an existing setting, consider how it will affect the world around it. For example, if you’re creating a druid in a setting where all magic is evil and corrupt, there should be a very good reason for this class to exist.
Define the class’s role and mechanics
It’s tempting to make your class do everything, but it’s important to focus on a specific role or subset of roles. Try to avoid overlap between your class and existing ones. For example, you might want to create a class that focuses on melee combat, healing, and utility, but if you’re already creating a fighter then you should avoid adding in any healing or utility mechanics.
Flavor (flaws) before mechanics
It’s important to add unique characteristics to give your class a distinct identity. Think about what makes your class different from others, and what makes it stand out from the crowd. You can take inspiration from existing classes, but don’t copy their mechanics – instead, focus on their flavor or character.
Gather feedback
It’s inevitable that someone, somewhere has already created something very similar to your class. Don’t be disheartened! Research existing homebrew classes and gather feedback to learn from others’ experiences. You can also engage with experienced players and Dungeon Masters to refine your homebrew class.
Playtest your class
It’s important to playtest your class in one-shots or with the help of your Dungeon Master to get valuable insights into how it performs in a real-world setting. This will help you understand if your class is too powerful or lacking in certain areas.
Use precise wording
When creating class features, use precise and specific wording to prevent abuse and misinterpretation of the ability. For example, you may intend for your cleric’s Divine Intervention feature to only be used once per rest, but if the wording is vague, players may argue that it can be used an unlimited number of times because it is ‘technically’ not using a spell slot.
Develop two distinct subclasses
In order to create a well-rounded and balanced class, you should aim to develop two distinct subclasses that complement and enhance the main class’s abilities. A great example of this is the druid, which has the Druid Core and Druid Circle subclasses to choose from at level 3. Circle of the Moon druids are focused on combat, while Circle of the Land druids provide powerful utility and support.
Balance powerful features (rocks) with smaller flavour-based abilities (ribbons)
No class is perfect, and continuous tweaking and improvement are expected. When creating your class, aim to balance powerful features (i.e. rocks) with smaller flavor-based abilities (i.e. ribbons). A good example of this is the paladin, which has a number of powerful features to use in combat, along with features that add flavor to their backstory or personality.
Accept that no class is perfect
As you playtest your class, you will inevitably encounter areas that could be improved or refined. Don’t be disheartened! The beauty of homebrewing a class is that it’s yours to mould and shape. If a feature isn’t strong enough, remove it and replace it with something better. If a class feature is too powerful, limit its use or nerf it accordingly.
Seek feedback
Engage with experienced players and Dungeon Masters to refine your homebrew class. Although you’re the creator, you’re not necessarily the best judge of how balanced your class is. If you’re unsure how your class performs in a game, ask your players to be honest with you. Likewise, if you’re concerned about the balance of a certain feature, ask your DM if they can keep an eye out for abuse.
Utilise resources
Class guides
The D&D community is full of helpful resources, and there are many class guides that you can check out to enhance different aspects of your class design.
Tips
With so much content to cover, it can be difficult to know where to begin when creating a new class. These tips will help you to break down your design into manageable chunks, ensuring your class is well-rounded and balanced.
Don’t stress
Remember, there’s nothing to worry about. No one expects your homebrew class to outshine official D&D releases, and you should never be afraid to be creative and unique. So go ahead, unleash your imagination, and create a class that will leave a mark on your game. Happy homebrewing, and may your class inspire epic adventures and unforgettable moments.
