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This is a list of alternative base character classes to the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. As base classes rather than prestige classes, they can be taken by newly created characters without need for any prerequisites.

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Many of these classes have been repeatedly added after the core rules books were released, including the shaman, artificer, and runecaster or runepriest.

2Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition
4Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition
53rd and 3.5 editions
- 5.2Other sourcebooks
64th edition

Original Dungeons & Dragons[edit]

Two new classes were introduced after the release of the original D&D boxed set: Thieves in Supplement I - Greyhawk and Bards in The Strategic Review. New subclasses were introduced in Supplement I - Greyhawk, Supplement II - Blackmoor, Supplement III - Eldritch Wizardry and the Strategic Review.

Sourcebook	New classes and subclasses
Supplement I - Greyhawk	Thief, Paladin (Fighting Man)
Supplement II - Blackmoor	Assassin (Thief), Monk (Cleric)
Supplement III - Eldritch Wizardry	Druid (Cleric)
The Strategic Review - Volume 1, Number 2	Ranger (Fighting Man)
The Strategic Review - Volume 1, Number 4	Illusionist (Magic-user)
The Strategic Review - Volume 2, Number 1	Bard

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition[edit]

Five standard base classes and five subclasses were offered in the Player's Handbook, with an optional 6th base class, the Bard, presented in an appendix. Additionally, various alternative base classes, subclasses and rule changes were offered in the magazine Dragon and elsewhere, such as the Mystic and the Witch. Eventually, some of these alternative rules came to be compiled in 1985 in the volume Unearthed Arcana. Among other changes, it included the thief-acrobat, a Thief subclass, and the barbarian, a Fighter subclass which had abilities such as summoning a horde of fellow barbarians to any location. Unearthed Arcana also included the cavalier class as 'alignment champions' and reworked Paladins to be a subclass of Cavalier. The thief-acrobat, barbarian, and cavalier had previously appeared in Dragon magazine. Many existing classes were also drastically reworked and given different abilities. The Barbarian and Cavalier both had revised treatment in Dragon Magazine #148.^[1] The other major book that offered new base classes was the 1985 version of Oriental Adventures; it included the Bushi, Kensai, Ninja, Samurai, Shukenja, Sohei, Wu Jen, and Yakuza. Dragonlance Adventures presented alternative classes for Knights of Solamnia (Knight of the Crown, Knight of the Sword and Knight of the Rose) and Wizards of High Sorcery, as well as the Tinker class, which is exclusive to Gnomes.

NPCs[edit]

Most NPCs did not technically have a class in 1st and 2nd edition; they were, instead, '0th level characters' or 'hirelings.' Most classes gained the ability to attract and recruit hirelings at 9th level and later; others could be hired for a fee. Their abilities were not normally laid out very specifically, leaving more to the Dungeon Master's improvisation. First Edition did have a few 'quasi-classes' which acted in a similar fashion. For example, humanoids could become shamans and witch doctors, which were functionally equivalent to clerics and cleric/magic-users except highly limited in terms of maximum level advancement.

Basic Dungeons & Dragons[edit]

The 'Basic' Dungeons & Dragons line introduced the Mystic, a counterpart to the AD&DMonk, in the Master Set as available from first level. Additionally, the Companion Set introduced a version of the Druid as an option for advancing a neutrally aligned cleric of ninth level or higher, and the Paladin, Knight, and Avenger as specialized paths for Fighters above ninth level of lawful, neutral, or chaotic alignment respectively.

Optional classes, both human and demi-human, were introduced in the Gazetteer series of setting accessories, and include the Dervish (GAZ2), Elf Wizard (GAZ5), TreeKeeper (GAZ5), Dwarf-Cleric (GAZ6), Wise Woman (GAZ7), Master (GAZ8), Merchant-Prince (GAZ9), Kobold (GAZ10), Goblin (GAZ10), Orc (GAZ10), Hobgoblin (GAZ10), Gnoll (GAZ10), Bugbear (GAZ10), Ogre (GAZ10), Troll (GAZ10), Merchant (GAZ11), Shaman (GAZ12), Shadow Elf (GAZ13), Shadow Elf Shaman (GAZ13), and Shamani (GAZ14)

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition[edit]

AD&D 2nd edition introduced a large number of alternative classes in various supplemental handbooks, which also introduced a variety of 'kits' to customize each base class. These kits would grant certain new special abilities at the cost of various restrictions. On occasion the concept of class vs. kit seemed to blur, for example, the Sha'ir of Al-Qadim was introduced as a wizard kit, but it had very different abilities from other wizards, and an alternative system of spellcasting, which warranted it being a class, and not a mere kit. It was treated as its own class in the release of The Complete Sha'ir's Handbook. As can be seen on the lists below, 2nd Edition had far more alternative classes than 1st Edition, and provided significant flexibility with dozens of kits.

The most common type of variant class was the specialty priest, which applied to almost all settings. Rules for specialty priests were in the 2nd edition Player's Handbook, with the druid offered as an example, and many campaign settings offered detailed abilities and domains for specialty priests of their deities.

2nd edition alternative classes[edit]

Sourcebook	Classes
Birthright campaign setting	Magician (Birthright Campaign Setting box set), Guilder (Havens of the Great Bay expansion)
Celts Campaign Sourcebook	Manteis
Chronomancer	Chronomancer, Temporal Champion, Temporal Raider
Cult of the Dragon	Incantatrix
Dark Sun Campaign Setting	Defiler, Elemental Cleric, Gladiator, Para-elemental Cleric, Templar, Trader
Defilers and Preservers - The Wizards of Athas	Dragon, Avangion
Domains of Dread	Anchorite, Arcanist, Avenger, Gypsy
Dragonlance Campaign Setting	Handler, Tinker, Commoner, Knight of Solamnia, Barbarian (Plains/Ice), Cavalier, Mariner, Wizard of High Sorcery, Holy Order of the Stars
Faiths & Avatars	Crusader, Monk, Mystic, Shaman
Legends & Lore	Ascetic, Pious Knight
Netheril: Empire of Magic	Arcanist
Sages & Specialists	Apothecary, Appraiser, Blacksmith, Cartographer, Engineer, Guide, Healer, Historian, Scribe, Seer
Shaman	Solitary Shaman, Spiritualist, Tribal Shaman
Skills & Powers	Alchemist, Geometer, Shadow Mage, Song Wizard
Spells & Magic	Artificer, Crusader, Dimensionalist, Force Mage, Mentalist, Monk, Shaman
The Complete Barbarian's Handbook	Barbarian Fighter, Shaman
The Complete Druid's Handbook	Arctic Druid, Desert Druid, Gray Druid, Forest Druid, Jungle Druid, Mountain Druid, Plains Druid, Swamp Druid
The Complete Ninja's Handbook	Ninja (Spy/Killer)
The Complete Psionics Handbook	Psionicist
Tome of Magic	Elementalist, Wild Mage
Vikings Campaign Sourcebook	Berserker, Runecaster
Giantcraft	Runecaster
Masque of the Red Death and Other Tales	Adept, Soldier, Mystic, Tradesman
Warriors and Priests of the Realms	Harper, Crusader
Wizards and Rogues of the Realms	Spellsinger, Shadow Walker
The Scarlet Brotherhood	Assassin, Monk

2nd edition kits[edit]

Character kits were conceived as a way for players to customize a class. A character kit is a collection of minor modifications to the standard rules (generally involving bonus languages, changes to forbidden/permissible weapons, bonus non-weapon proficiencies, et cetera). They tended to reflect culture, race, social class, or vocation.

Kit repetition was also not unheard of. Some kit names were used multiple times, occasionally with different descriptions, such as the diplomat. Kits and classes also sometimes duplicated themselves. For example, the shaman appeared in at least six products.

Sourcebook	Kits
Age of Heroes Campaign Sourcebook	Companion, Hero, Hoplite
A Mighty Fortress Campaign Sourcebook	Clansman, Courtier, Forester, Picaro, Preacher, Protector of the Faith, Scholarly Mage, Sea Dog, Vagabond
Arabian Adventures	Ajami, Askar, Barber, Beggar-Thief, Cleric of the Faith Pragmatic (Pragmatist), Cleric of the Faith Ethical (Ethoist), Cleric of the Faith Moral (Moralist), Corsair, Desert Rider, Elemental Mage, Faris, Hakima, Holy Slayer, Kahin, Mamluk, Matrud, Mercenary Barbarian, Merchant-Rogue, Mystic, Outland Priest, Outland Warrior, Rawun, Sa’luk, Sorcerer, Sha'ir
Chronomancer	Guide, Historian, Seer, Traveler
City of Gold	Clown, Fetishist, Trader, Hunter, Azupozi Healer, Bent Priest, Pueblo Priest, Sunwatcher
Defilers and Preservers - The Wizard of Athas	Advanced Being, Arena Wizard, Cerulean, Chasseur, Earth Defender, Exterminator, Free Wizard, Illusionist, Mercenary, Restorationist, Shadow Wizard, Tribal Wizard, Necromancer
Diablo II: The Awakening	Amazon, Barbarian, Necromancer, Paladin, Sorcerer
Elves of Evermeet	Elven Knight, High Mage, Skinwalker, Totem-sister, Unicorn Rider
Jakandor - Isle of Destiny	Artificer, Finder, Galvanist, Porter, Render, Sandman, Shadow Mage, Warden, Dilettante, Bandit, Chirurgeon, Companion, Guildsman, Scribe, Cultist, Jurist, Pantheist, Philosopher, Thanhotepic, Guardian
Masque of the Red Death	Cavalryman, Charlatan, Dandy, Detective, Explorer/Scout, Journalist, Labourer, Medium, Metaphysician, Parson, Physician, Qabalist, Sailor, Scholar, Shaman, Spiritualist
Maztica Campaign Set	Eagle Knight, Hishnashaper, Jaguar Knight, Plumaweaver
Of Ships and the Sea	The Fathomer
Player's Option: Skills & Powers	Acrobat, Amazon, Animal Master, Assassin, Barbarian, Beggar, Cavalier, Diplomat, Explorer, Gladiator, Jester, Mariner, Merchant, Mystic, Noble, Outlaw, Peasant Hero, Pirate, Pugilist, Rider, Savage, Scholar, Scout, Sharpshooter, Soldier, Smuggler, Spy, Swashbuckler, Thug, Weapon Master
The Complete Barbarian's Handbook	Brushrunner, Brute, Dreamwalker, Flamespeaker, Forest Lord, Islander, Medicine Man, Plainsrider, Ravager, Seer, Spiritist, Witchman, Wizard Slayer
The Complete Bard's Handbook	True Bard, Blade, Charlatan, Gallant, Gypsy-bard, Herald, Jester, Jongleur, Loremaster, Meistersinger, Riddlemaster, Skald, Thespian, Dwarven Chanter, Elven Minstrel, Gnome Professor, Halfling Whistler
The Complete Book of Dwarves	Animal Master, Axe For Hire, Battlerager, Champion, Clansdwarf, Crafts Priest, Diplomat, Entertainer, Ghetto Fighter, Hearth Guard, Highborn, Locksmith, Outcast, Pariah, Patrician, Pest Controller, Rapid Response Rider, Ritual Priest, Sharpshooter, Temple Guard, Trader, Vermin Slayer, Vindicator, Wayfinder
The Complete Book of Elves	Archer, Bladesinger, Collector, Elven Minstrel, Herbalist, Huntsman, Infiltrator, Spellfilcher, Undead Slayer, War Wizard, Wilderness Runner, Windrider
The Complete Book of Gnomes & Halflings	Bandit, Bilker, Breachgnome, Buffoon, Burglar, Cartographer, Forestwalker, Goblinsticker, Healer, Homesteader, Imagemaker, Leaftender, Mercenary, Mouseburglar, Oracle, Rocktender, Sheriff, Smuggler, Squire, Stalker, The Archer, Trader, Traveler, Treetender, Tumbler, Tunnelrat, Urchin, Vanisher
The Complete Book of Humanoids	Hedge wizard, Humanoid Bard, Humanoid Scholar, Mine Rowdy, Oracle, Outlaw Mage, Pit Fighter, Saurial Paladin, Scavenger, Sellsword, Shadow, Shaman, Tramp, Tribal Defender, Tunnel Rat, Wandering Mystic, War Priest, Wilderness Protector, Witch Doctor
The Complete Book of Necromancers	Archetypal Necromancer, Anatomist, Deathslayer, Philosopher, Undead Master
The Complete Druid's Handbook	Adviser, Avenger, Beastfriend, Guardian, Hivemaster, Lost Druid, Natural Philosopher, Outlaw, Pacifist, Savage, Shapeshifter, Totemic Druid, Village Druid, Wanderer
The Complete Fighter's Handbook	Amazon, Barbarian, Beast-Rider, Berserker, Cavalier, Gladiator, Myrmidon, Noble Warrior, Peasant Hero, Pirate/Outlaw, Samurai, Savage, Swashbuckler, Wilderness Warrior
The Complete Gladiator's Handbook	Arena Champion, Beast Trainer, Blind fighter, Convict, Gladiatorial Slave, Jazst, Montare, Professional Gladiator, Reaver
The Complete Ninja's Handbook	Consort, Eliminator, Intruder, Lone Wolf, Pathfinder, Punisher, Ravager, Shadow Warrior, Spirit Warrior, Stealer-In
The Complete Paladin's Handbook	True Paladin, Chevalier, Divinate, Envoy, Equerry, Errant, Expatriate, Ghosthunter, Inquisitor, Medician, Militarist, Skyrider, Squire, Votary, Wyrmslayer
The Complete Priest's Handbook	Amazon Priestess, Barbarian/Berserker Priest, Fighting-Monk, Nobleman Priest, Outlaw Priest, Pacifist Priest, Peasant Priest, Prophet Priest, Savage Priest, Scholar Priest
The Complete Ranger's Handbook	Beastmaster, Explorer, Falconer, Feralan, Forest Runner, Giant Killer, Greenwood Ranger, Guardian, Justifier, Mountain Man, Pathfinder, Sea Ranger, Seeker, Stalker, Warden
The Complete Sha’ir's Handbook	Astrologer, Clockwork Mage, Digitalogist, Ghul Lord, Jackal, Mageweaver, Mystic of Nog, Spellslayer
The Complete Spacefarer's Handbook	Aperusa, Arcanist, Astrologer, Astronomer, Corsair, Courier, Crusader, Diplomat, Evangelist, Frontiersman, Geomancer, Harlequin, Imposter, Marine, Medicus, Merchant, Missionary, Privateer, Salvager, War Mage
The Complete Thief's Handbook	Acrobat, Adventurer, Assassin, Bandit, Beggar, Bounty Hunter, Buccaneer, Burglar, Cutpurse, Fence, Investigator, Scout, Smuggler, Spy, Swashbuckler, Swindler, Thug, Troubleshooter
The Complete Wizard's Handbook	Academician, Amazon Sorceress, Anagakok, Militant Wizard, Mystic, Patrician, Peasant Wizard, Savage Wizard, Witch, Wu Jen
The Crusades Campaign Sourcebook	Monastic Warrior (Templar/Hospitaller), Pardoner, Warrior Priest
The Glory of Rome Campaign Sourcebook	Charioteer, Charlatan-Thief, Christian Priest, Gladiator, Military Tribune, Mithraic Priest, Philosopher-Mage, Priest of the Mysteries, Priest of the State Religion, Roman Legionary, Roman Politician, Roman Witch, Street Fighter
The Planewalker's Handbook	Planewalker Warrior, Planewalker Wizard, Planewalker Priest, Planewalker Rogue, Abyssal Warrior, Floating Sorcerer, Hinterland Bandit
Savage Baronies / Red Steel Campaign Setting	Inheritor, Local Hero, Noble, Spy, Swashbuckler, Beast Rider, Defender, Gaucho, Honorbound, Myrmidon, Savage, Militant, Mystic, Wokan, Fighting Monk, Shaman, War Priest, Webmaster, Bandit, Filcher, Scout, Herald, Skald, Trader
The Will and the Way	Auditor, Beastmaster, Mercenary Psionicist, Noble Psionicist, Psiologist, Sensei, Tribal Psionicist

Spells & Magic[edit]

The book Spells & Magic introduced some new magic systems for wizards, and the practitioners of some of these systems could be seen as new character classes. The system of channeling seems to have been an exception, this was purely an alternative form of handling spell casting, and gives the example of a 'channeling invoker'. In other words, the class is invoker, but instead of using the normal method of spell casting, the character uses a different version, and for sake of clarity, is labeled a channeling invoker. The other alternative systems (Alienist/Summoner, Warlock/Wizard) lend themselves more readily to the concept of alternative classes in addition to an alternative form of spell casting (much as the Wild Mage and Defiler classes use modified means of casting spells). The book also introduced different spell systems for priests, but all of them were, like the wizardly form of channeling, of a nature that suggested a different way of handling spell casting (and acquisition) as opposed to outright classes.

3rd and 3.5 editions[edit]

Dungeon Master's Guide[edit]

In its Dungeon Master's Guide, 3rd edition introduced five NPC classes not intended for player use. These were the first official alternative base classes, and still the only ones detailed in the core 3 books. All five of these classes were retained in the 3.5 edition Dungeon Master's Guide.

Class	Description	Statistics
Adept	Adepts are practitioners of divine magic, similar to Clerics, but are less formally trained. They typically arise in poorer or frontier areas, and are common among bestial humanoids as their link to their deity. Unlike Clerics, who possess decent physical combat ability, Adepts' physical combat capabilities are poor.	OGL stats
Aristocrat	The Aristocrat class reflects those of a wealthy and refined upbringing. While nobles commonly meet the description, rich and educated commoners can as well. Due to their extensive education, good diet, and reasonable medical care, Aristocrats possess a wide variety of skills, are reasonably tough, and possess familiarity with combat and martial weapons.	OGL stats
Commoner	Commoners are unskilled average folk and comprise the bulk of the non-player characters of most settings, existing as peasants and laborers. They possess practically no skill at combat and have no special abilities.	OGL stats
Expert	Experts are skilled common people, such as tradesmen, scholars, and educated merchants. They possess considerable acumen at their areas of expertise, and receive a large amount of skill points to reflect this. While more familiar with combat than Commoners, Experts are only familiar with the simplest of weapons.	OGL stats
Warrior	Warriors are trained for combat, similar to Fighters. However, they possess more casual training, similar to that given to a town guard or low-ranking army recruit. This is reflected in their lesser rate of hit point growth than fighters and their lack of special abilities.	OGL stats

Other sourcebooks[edit]

The following base classes were introduced in other sourcebooks. Unless otherwise specified, all sourcebooks are for 3.5 edition.^[2]

Class	Description	Source
Archivist	Archivists are wielders of divine magic who learn and cast spells through diligent study rather than direct communion with their deity. They study and learn spells with a prayerbook, analogous to a wizard's spellbook, and their magic's strength is based on Intelligence. Archivists also have the Dark Knowledge class feature, which allows them to draw on their knowledge of aberrations, elementals, magical beasts, outsiders or undead with a successful skill check, most Dark Knowledge abilities grant allies an offensive or defensive bonus.^[3]	Heroes of Horror
Beguiler	Beguilers are similar to rogues, but possess a small suite of spells cast spontaneously, like a Sorcerer. Their spells are primarily focused on stealth and the manipulation of others; they also have the Cloaked Casting class feature, which raises the save DC and gives them a bonus on rolls to overcome spell resistance when casting a spell on an unaware target.^[4]	Player's Handbook II
Binder	Binders derive their power by making pacts with 'vestiges,' souls of legendary beings who have been 'evicted' from the universe. Binders then fuse with the vestige, which affects their appearance (and possibly their personality) but grants them powers that can usually be used an unlimited number of times per day. This pact-making is despised by most clerics, because the gods were the ones who exiled most of the vestiges in the first place. Binder is the favored class of karsites, a new race introduced in Tome of Magic.	Tome of Magic
Crusader	Crusader is a martial adept class, meaning it utilizes the various boosts, counters, strikes, and stances in Tome of Battle. They may learn the Devoted Spirit, Stone Dragon, and White Raven styles; Devoted Spirit is exclusive to Crusaders alone. Crusaders may only use a randomized selection of maneuvers at the start of battle; they gain the rest one round at a time.	Tome of Battle
Dragon Shaman	Dragon Shamans earn their power by making a pact with a specific breed of dragon. Over time, they slowly begin to grow more like their chosen Totem dragon: they gain a draconic aura, can heal wounds similar to a Paladin's Lay on Hands ability, their skin becomes scales, they gain a dragon's breath, and lastly a dragon's wings. They must remain within one step of their chosen Dragon's alignment.	Player's Handbook II
Dragonfire Adept	Dragonfire Adepts receive spell-like invocations through some form of draconic tie, such as in-born talent, study, or from a deal with a dragon. This includes the ability to use a variety of elemental breath attacks. Despite not casting magic, their abilities are still hindered by armor.	Dragon Magic
Dread Necromancer	Dread Necromancers are focused students of undeath, fear-inducing magic, and evil-aligned spells. They cast spells spontaneously like a Sorcerer and do not have the breadth of a specialist wizard necromancer. Dread necromancers are also more combat-oriented than most arcane spellcasters, able to wear light armor without impacting their spells and possessing numerous abilities. Eventually, a Dread Necromancer can become a lich.	Heroes of Horror
Duskblade	Duskblades combine combat prowess with the ability to cast arcane magic while in light or medium armor. Their spell selection is limited and generally focused on a single target; however, their spells get a bonus against enemies whom they have struck in melee combat. They cast spells spontaneously, like a Sorcerer, but their spells are based on Intelligence, like a Wizard.^[5]	Player's Handbook II
Factotum	Factotums are jacks-of-all-trades and possess a variety of abilities. They can imitate other classes for a short time.	Dungeonscape
Favored Soul	The favored soul is similar to a cleric, but they may cast divine spells they know spontaneously, similar to a Sorcerer. They also acquire characteristics similar to their patron deity, such as expertise in their deity's favored weapons, and eventually grow wings. Favored Soul is one of the few classes with three good saves.	Miniatures Handbook, Complete Divine
Healer	Healers are divine spellcasters similar to clerics. Their spells focus on healing and removing conditions such as fatigue, fear, and paralysis. Healers also gain similar supernatural abilities and the services of a celestial companion, usually a unicorn. Like druids, healers are prohibited from wearing metal armor; healers are further prohibited from using shields. Healers must be of good alignment and may not refuse to heal an ally or good-aligned creature.	Miniatures Handbook
Hexblade	Hexblades are warriors who possess some arcane magic ability, which they may use while wearing armor and cast spontaneously. They may also curse their opponents and, at higher levels, inflict an aura of unluck upon them.	Complete Warrior
Incarnate	Incarnates are characters that have learned to form soulmelds, magical items made from Incarnum, the material of souls. They gain the ability to shape soulmelds and bind them to different chakras, or body regions. This binding grants them additional abilities based on the soulmeld and chakra combination. Incarnates must be either Lawful Neutral, Chaotic Neutral, Neutral Good, or Neutral Evil, and some of their abilities change with alignment. It is the favored class of the Rilkan and Skarn race.	Magic of Incarnum
Knight	Knights are dedicated melee combatants based around protecting other characters, distracting enemies, and high resilience. Their main ability is the 'Knight's Challenge,' which can boost the morale of allies, goad strong enemies into fighting him or her, and scare weak enemies. Knights must be of lawful alignment and maintain a specific code of conduct.^[6]^[7]	Player's Handbook II
Marshal	The marshal is a military commander whose abilities are focused on leading others into battle and inspiring them to victory. They project auras that grant a variety of bonuses to nearby allies based on the marshal's Charisma.^[8]	Miniatures Handbook
Ninja	A 1st edition character class loosely based on the Japanese ninja in the 1985 Oriental Adventures, the Ninja was introduced into 3rd edition in Complete Adventurer. Ninjas are focused on stealth and mobility, and possess a sudden strike special attack on unprepared foes. They also use ki similar to a monk and can turn invisible.	Complete Adventurer
Samurai	Loosely based on the Japanese samurai, the Samurai in Oriental Adventures are those who learn a particular martial style from their clan. They possess a number of bonus feats, which must be taken from styles favored by their clan. Samurai may also sacrifice and empower their ancestral daisho, turning their family's weapons into magical ones in their hands. Samurai must be of lawful alignment. The class was revisited in Complete Warrior, but in a markedly different style dedicated to two-weapon combat.	Oriental Adventures (3rd), Complete Warrior
Scout	Scouts are experts at tracking and natural lore, and are similar to a more wilderness-oriented rogue. They possess a skirmish ability that allows them to do extra damage when moving.	Complete Adventurer
Shaman	Shamans are divine spellcasters who draw their spells from the spirit world.	Oriental Adventures (3rd)
Shadowcaster	Shadowcasters are spellcasters that draw power from the Plane of Shadow. They learn 'mysteries' which start out similar to spells, though over time simpler mysteries become spell-like abilities and can be used more often per day. Eventually shadowcasters become immune to poisons and disease and no longer need to eat, sleep, or breathe.	Tome of Magic
Shugenja	Shugenja are loosely based on Asian mythology and are mechanically similar to traditional Clerics. Typically members of the noble class, Shugenja are spontaneous casters of magic. Shugenja are attuned to one of the four classical elements in particular; they are barred from learning spells of the opposed element. Through concentration, they can sense any element nearby in a radius that grows with experience.	Oriental Adventures (3rd), Complete Divine
Sohei	Sohei are militant religious warriors; they usually act in groups and are primarily employed by large temples and monasteries. They can shrug off a certain amount of damage and deflect arrows, and may also enter a 'ki frenzy' of focused fury. Soheis must be of lawful alignment.	Oriental Adventures (3rd), Dragon #318
Soulborn	Soulborns utilize magic items called 'soulmelds' to increase their own skills and abilities, though they have a more limited selection than Totemists or Incarnates. Soulmelds are made from Incarnum, the material of which souls consist. Soulborns must be of an 'extreme' alignment: one of Lawful Good, Chaotic Good, Lawful Evil, or Chaotic Evil. Azurin have Soulborn as a favored class.	Magic of Incarnum
Spellthief	Spellthieves are a rogue-like class that acquires slightly fewer skills than rogues, but their sneak attack ability can steal spells or magical abilities from others. They also can detect magic and have a small chance of absorbing enemy magic harmlessly.	Complete Adventurer
Spirit Shaman	Spirit Shamans are similar to druids in that they use the druidic spell list, but they cast spells spontaneously like a Sorcerer. Spirit Shamans have their own spirit guide and possess special abilities that affect spirits (such as incorporeal undead, fey, and elementals). Unlike Sorcerers, Spirit Shamans may change their spell selection whenever they meditate to regain their daily allotment of spells.	Complete Divine
Swashbuckler	Based on a 2nd edition kit for Fighters and Thieves, Swashbucklers are a combat-oriented class that emphasizes finesse, style, and flair. They are surprisingly tough and have a Fighter's rate of attack bonus advancement, but can only wear light armor. Swashbucklers also gain a fair number of skills.	Complete Warrior
Swordsage	Swordsage is a martial adept class, meaning it utilizes the various boosts, counters, strikes, and stances in Tome of Battle. They may learn the Desert Wind, Diamond Mind, Setting Sun, Shadow Hand, Stone Dragon and Tiger Claw styles. Swordsages may only use light armor and have a slightly slower attack bonus progression, but are the most versatile of the martial adepts. They must spend a full round to recover one special maneuver.	Tome of Battle
Totemist	Totemists revere magical beasts, such as worgs and unicorns, whom they see as the most powerful forces of nature. They shape incarnum, the material of souls, to make magical items based around magical beasts, such as Displacer Mantles. Totemist is the favored class of Dusklings.	Magic of Incarnum
Truenamer	Truenamers are a type of wizard whose magic revolves around a primordial language that describes the universe. As they learn the true name of entities, they become able to affect them by 'rewriting the universe.' Mechanically, they are similar to sorcerers, except a Truenamer's skills affect the DC of their spell.	Tome of Magic
Warblade	Warblade is a martial adept class, meaning it utilizes the various boosts, counters, strikes, and stances in Tome of Battle. They may learn the Diamond Mind, Iron Heart, Stone Dragon, Tiger Claw and White Raven styles. The Warblade focuses on melee combat and can utilize light and medium armors and shields. They may acquire fighter-exclusive feats as if they were a fighter two levels lower than their Warblade level and recover maneuvers with a simple attack or by spending a turn.	Tome of Battle
Warlock	Warlocks are users of spell-like abilities either in-born or granted through a pact with some unearthly being such as a demon or a fey. Since a warlock's invocations are not normal spells, they may be used while wearing light armor and any number of times. Warlocks can later acquire energy resistance, toughened skin, fast healing, and the ability to force magical items to do their bidding.	Complete Arcane
Warmage	Warmages are battle-oriented mages associated with large army battles who focus on damage-dealing spells. They may cast spells while wearing light (and later, medium) armor.	Miniatures Handbook, Complete Arcane
Wu Jen	Wu Jen are Eastern-style wizards introduced in both versions of Oriental Adventures. They are similar to normal wizards statistically, but with slightly different spells and some additional meta-magic abilities. Wu Jen is the favored class of the shapeshifting Hengeyokai, also introduced in Oriental Adventures.	Oriental Adventures (3rd), Complete Arcane

Core class variants[edit]

These are alternative versions of core base classes.

Class	Description	Source
Bardic Sage	Bard variant focused on knowledge.	Unearthed Arcana
Battle Sorcerer	Combat oriented sorcerer variant.	Unearthed Arcana
Cloistered Cleric	Variant cleric focused on knowledge and lore.	Unearthed Arcana
Divine Bard	Divine spellcaster bard variant.	Unearthed Arcana
Domain Wizard	Wizard variant with arcane domains.	Unearthed Arcana
Druidic Avenger	Variant druid focused on combat.	Unearthed Arcana
Paladin of Freedom	Chaotic good paladin variant.	Unearthed Arcana
Paladin of Slaughter	Chaotic evil paladin variant.	Unearthed Arcana
Paladin of Tyranny	Lawful evil paladin variant	Unearthed Arcana
Planar Ranger	Ranger variant focused on survival on other planes rather than wilderness survival.	Unearthed Arcana
Savage Bard	Variant bard focused on combat.	Unearthed Arcana
Specialist Wizard Variants	Wizard variants focused on specific schools of magic.	Unearthed Arcana
Thug	Urban variant fighter with fewer armor proficiencies and starting feats and more class skills and skill points.	Unearthed Arcana
Totem Barbarian	A barbarian variant with class features which vary depending on which totem animal is chosen.	Unearthed Arcana
Urban Ranger	Urban focused ranger variant.	Unearthed Arcana
Variant Paladin^[9]	Variant paladin without spellcasting.	Complete Warrior
Variant Ranger^[9]	Variant ranger without spellcasting.	Complete Warrior
Wilderness Rogue	Wilderness focused rogue variant.	Unearthed Arcana

Campaign-setting specific[edit]

The Dragonlance campaign setting update for 3rd edition includes 2 alternative base classes (Mystics and Nobles), while further sourcebooks developed by Sovereign Press/Margaret Weis Productions ltd. introduce Masters (in War of the Lance), Mariners (in Age of Mortals and Legends of the Twins), and Nighstalkers (in Races of Ansalon):

Class	Description
Mariner	Mariners are flamboyant sea-going people, a cross between swashbucklers and sea pirates. They are a cross between rogues (for skills and dirty tricks) and fighters (attack bonus) who have developed at skills specific to those on board ships.
Master	Masters are Krynn's enhanced version of experts. More talented, with skills unmatched in their chosen fields, masters are on par with other PC classes. They must specialize in a set of broad skills (craft, knowledge, perform or profession). They receive bonus skill-related feats and special talents akin to feats.
Mystic	Mystics are capable of casting divine spells without need of being a cleric; they are mechanically similar to a Sorcerer in that they cast spontaneously, but from a fixed spell list chosen from the spell list for clerics. This ability was important when Krynn was isolated from the gods for a time.
Nightstalker	Nightstalkers create magical effects, find traps, and see dead people.
Noble	Nobles are charismatic manipulators who leverage skills and connections to advance their goals. They are mechanically similar to rogues without the ability to sneak attack, and can call in favors they earn.

D'arcy Carden

Alternative base classes presented in the 3.5 edition Eberron campaign setting include:

Class	Description	Source
Artificer	Artificers are tinkerers and architects skilled at creating and modifying items. They cast 'infusions' onto ordinary items and constructs so that they grant a bonus to themselves or their wielders. They also are familiar with security, able to tinker with traps and locks. House Cannith is known for their skill in this class.	Eberron Campaign Setting
Magewright	Magewrights are crafters of magical items. They are familiar with some magic, especially that which would aid the creation of other items. The Magewright class is intended for non-player characters.	Eberron Campaign Setting
Psionic Artificer	Psionic variant of the artificer class.	Magic of Eberron
Urban Adept	Urban variant of the adept NPC class.	Sharn: City of Towers

The Al-Qadim setting was not extensively supported in 3rd edition, but issue 315 of Dragon Magazine includes an update to the Sha' ir base class from earlier editions.

The 3rd edition version of Oriental Adventures was set in Rokugan, the setting of Legend of the Five Rings. However, many of the classes in Oriental Adventures were used in other settings as well, and some were reprinted in other books independently. Alternative classes created for that book include the Samurai, Shaman, Shugenja, Sohei, and Wu-Jen; see above.

Generic classes[edit]

The 2004 release of Unearthed Arcana for 3.5 edition included 3 'generic' base classes: Warrior, Spellcaster, and Expert (no relation to the DMG's Warrior and Expert). These classes cover three basic archetypes without any frills and are easily modified. However, these classes were not recommended for use with the standard base classes. The Warrior is similar to the Fighter, with hit points and a strong attack but few skills; the Expert has a large variety of skills but middling combat capabilities (similar to a Rogue); and the Spellcaster has little combat capabilities but the ability to cast spells (similar to a Wizard). Many class features from the core base classes, such as Familiar, Sneak Attack and Turn Undead, are available to the three generic base classes as bonus feats.

Psionics-related[edit]

Psionics in 3rd edition were originally detailed in Psionics Handbook. 2nd edition had only one character class, the psionicist; 3rd edition renamed it the psion and introduced various new alternative classes based on psionics usage. Psionics Handbook was later updated for version 3.5 with the Expanded Psionics Handbook, and new material was added in the Complete Psionic book.

Class	Description	Source
Ardent	Ardents derive their powers from a focus on primal truths or concepts ('mantles'); different mantles offer different abilities to an Ardent. They possess a smaller selection of powers than the more versatile Psion, but enjoy greater martial abilities.	Complete Psionic
Divine Mind	The Divine Mind is a character who chooses to serve a deity using psionic powers; they are thus somewhat similar to Clerics. Like clerics, they may choose mantles a deity represents, similar to domains. They may also exude Attack, Defense, or Perception auras that grant bonuses to nearby allies.^[10]	Complete Psionic
Erudite	Rather than learn powers upon level gain like Psions, Erudites may theoretically use any psionic ability by 'copying' another person or a psionically-infused item. In exchange, they may call upon only a limited selection of powers per day. Mechanically, they are thus somewhat similar to unspecialized wizards rather than Psions.	Complete Psionic
Lurk	Lurks are similar to rogues who call upon psionic powers to aid them. They may perceive the weaknesses of enemies and make sneak attacks, as well as use psionic augments to their abilities.	Complete Psionic
Psion	Psions are dedicated to the usage of psionic power. Mechanically, they are similar to Sorcerers; however, like Wizards, they can (and in fact must) choose a specialization of their school of psionics. In 3rd edition the various disciplines were each linked to a statistic; for instance, clairsentience is linked to Wisdom and Psions who specialize in it are known as Seers. This was changed in 3.5 so that all disciplines are linked to the Intelligence statistic. Psion is the favoured class of the elan race.	Psionics Handbook, Expanded Psionics Handbook
Psychic Rogue	Psychic Rogue is a Rogue with psionic abilities.	http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20040723b
Psychic Warrior	Psychic Warriors are a blend between Fighters and Psions. Like fighters, they gain bonus feats, and like psions, they wield psionic powers, though at a slower rate than either specialized class. Their attack bonus and hit point growth is similarly in the middle.	Psionics Handbook, Expanded Psionics Handbook
Soulknife	Soulknives are warriors who have learned to channel psionic power into 'Mindblades', or swords composed of psionic energy. Their broad training allows them to take many occupations and be a 'jack of all trades.' It is the favoured class of the Xeph race. Soulknives were a prestige class in the original Psionics Handbook, but made into a base class with version 3.5.	Expanded Psionics Handbook
Wilder	Wilders can use 'wild surges', which allow them to augment their psionic powers to a greater extent than normal. Doing so is dangerous and there is a chance every time a wild surge is used that the wilder will suffer from 'psychic enervation' causing them to become dazed and lose power points. They are slightly tougher than psions, but gain fewer abilities and slower. Wilder is the favored class of the maenad race.	Expanded Psionics Handbook

4th edition[edit]

Class	Primary role	Secondary role	Power source	Description	Sourcebook
Ardent	Leader	Defender or Striker	Psionic	Ardents use their psionic power to use emotions to their advantage. They fill their enemies' minds with negative emotions, creating gaps in their defenses. At the same time, ardents fill their allies minds with encouraging thoughts and strengthen their resolve.	Player's Handbook 3
Artificer^[11]	Leader	None	Arcane	The artificer acts to contain magic energy within vessels, whether it's animated constructs or infusing magic into his/her allies.	Eberron Player's Guide
Assassin^[12]	Striker^[13]	?	Shadow^[13]	Assassins make a deal with Death, displacing part of their soul with a reflection from the afterlife. The deal struck gives them the power to move through shadows and gather power to strike at a creature's weakness.	Dragon Magazine #379 (September 2009),^[12]Heroes of Shadow^[14]
Avenger^[15]	Striker^[16]	Controller^[16]	Divine^[16]	Avengers act as the avenging agent of their faith, vowing enmity against a particular foe and gaining power from that vow.	Player's Handbook 2^[17]
Barbarian^[18]	Striker^[18]	Defender or Leader	Primal^[18]	Rage is the main weapon in the barbarian's arsenal. By driving themselves into a state of primal chaos, they can crash through a battlefield and deal heavy damage.	Player's Handbook 2^[18]
Bard^[19]	Leader	Controller	Arcane	Bards perform music that taps into arcane energies, imbuing allies with power and harming enemies.	Player's Handbook 2^[20]
Druid^[21]^[22]	Controller^[23]	Leader or Striker	Primal	Druids control powerful flora and fauna to attack at long range. They also transform themselves into agents of primal power, such as bears, monkeys, wolves, cheetahs, boars, treants, etc.	Player's Handbook 2
Invoker^[15]^[24]	Controller^[24]	Leader or Striker^[24]	Divine^[24]	The Invoker channels the divine magic of their gods directly to castigate their foes and control the battlefield. They wear light to medium armor and can use simple weapons but they usually rely on divine spells to weaken, slow, or otherwise hamper their enemies while aiding their allies.	Player's Handbook 2^[25]
Monk^[26]	Striker	Controller	Psionic	Focusing psionic energy, monks act with little armor and usually unarmed. This energy also allows them to move about the field of battle quickly and in unexpected ways.	Player's Handbook 3^[27]
Psion^[28]	Controller	None	Psionic	Psions are the archetypical channels of psionic energy. They use either telekineses or telepathy to control and befuddle their foes.	Player's Handbook 3^[28]
Runepriest	Leader	Defender or Controller	Divine	Runepriests know the divine secrets inscribed in forgotten runes. Like other leaders, they heal and buff their allies. More importantly, they gain secondary effects to all of their powers depending on which rune state they are in.	Player's Handbook 3
Seeker^[29]	Controller^[29]	Defender or Striker	Primal^[29]	Versed in hunting techniques handed down through the generations, seekers combine thrown weapon and bow techniques with primal evocations. The combination allows seekers great range in which to deliver deadly attacks that confound and hamper their enemies.	Player's Handbook 3^[29]
Shaman^[30]	Leader^[30]	Defender or Striker^[30]	Primal^[30]	Shamans gather spirits to intervene in the material world, healing their allies and disabling their foes. These spirits group under grand marshals like the World Serpent, tied to specific abilities.	Player's Handbook 2^[31]
Sorcerer^[32]^[33]	Striker^[33]	Controller^[33]	Arcane^[33]	Sorcerers are wielders of raw arcane power. Where a wizard wields magic like a fighter wields a sword, a sorcerer wields magic like a barbarian swinging a greataxe. The magic they use is hardly controlled and may have some chaotic side effects.	Player's Handbook 2
Swordmage	Defender^[34]	None^[34]	Arcane^[34]	The sword is used as an arcane focus for the swordmage's abilities, including aegises of shielding, ensaring, and attacking. They ward themselves and enchant their blades to combat any foe.	Forgotten Realms Player's Guide^[35]
Warden^[36]	Defender	Controller or Striker	Primal	The warden uses the power of the primal spirits to protect their allies. They are defenders of the wilderness and make moving around the battlefield very troublesome for their enemies.	Player's Handbook 2^[37]

Multiclass-only classes[edit]

These classes are only available through multiclassing. They cannot be chosen as a character's main class.

Class	Role	Power source	Description	Sourcebook
Spellscarred^[38]	None	Arcane	Those who were touched by the wild Spellplague may have developed a spellscar. The spellscar manifests as wild lines of blue that may ignite when the subject is under the effect of a certain emotion. They can bestow weird magical powers but a small few attempt to master the gifts they bestow.	Forgotten Realms Player's Guide

5th edition[edit]

No official base classes beyond those found in the Player's Handbook have been released for the fifth edition of Dungeons & Dragons as of March 2019. The Dungeon Master's Guide contains alternate class options for the Cleric and Paladin (the Death domain and the Oathbreaker, respectively),^[39] while accessory books Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide and Xanathar's Guide to Everything contain multiple additional subclasses for the base classes in the Player's Handbook in keeping with the fifth edition's use of such archetypes to vary classes.

Many of these were introduced as playtests in the article series 'Unearthed Arcana' on the Wizards of the Coast web site.^[40]^[40]^[41]^[42] Other 'Unearthed Arcana' articles presented playtest versions of full classes, with rules for psionics for 5th edition as a class called the Mystic,^[43]^[44] and a 5th edition version of the Artificer class, which has gone through two revisions.^[45]^[46] Neither class has been made official.

References[edit]

^Howery, David (August 1989). Dragon Magazine. 148.CS1 maint: Untitled periodical (link)
^Wizards.com - Consolidated Lists - Character Class IndexArchived 2014-11-11 at the Wayback Machine
^Heroes of Horror excerpt: ArchivistArchived 2014-11-11 at the Wayback Machine
^Character class: BeguilerArchived 2014-11-11 at the Wayback Machine
^Williams, Skip (2006). 'Character Class: Duskblade -- Master of Sword and Spell'. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on November 10, 2014. Retrieved May 2, 2007.
^Player's Handbook II excerptArchived 2014-11-11 at the Wayback Machine
^'Wizards of the Coast - Search'. Archive.wizards.com.
^Miniatures Handbook Excerpt: MarshalArchived 2014-11-11 at the Wayback Machine
^ ^a^bAndy Collins, David Noonan, Ed Stark: 'Variant: Paladins and Rangers Without Spellcasting', Complete Warrior page 13. Wizards of the Coast, 2003.
^'Character class: Divine Mind'. Archived from the original on November 10, 2014.
^'Keith Baker - Eberron in 4E: What do you want to know?'. Archived from the original on August 17, 2011.
^ ^a^b'Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game Official Home Page - Article (Exclusively Yours)'. Web.archive.org. November 10, 2014. Archived from the original on November 10, 2014. Retrieved January 17, 2018.CS1 maint: BOT: original-url status unknown (link)
^ ^a^b'GenCon 4e Preview: The Assassin'. Critical Hits. August 14, 2009. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
^'Archived copy'. Archived from the original on August 5, 2010. Retrieved August 5, 2010.CS1 maint: Archived copy as title (link)
^ ^a^bAndrew J. Finch (November 11, 2008). 'Re: Unlock the POWER of your character sheet!'. Unlock the POWER of your character sheet!. Gleemax forums. Retrieved December 2, 2008.
^ ^a^b^c'Dungeons & Dragons at New York Comic Con '09'. Archived from the original on February 13, 2009.
^[1]^{[dead link]}
^ ^a^b^c^dHeinsoo, Rob; Mearls, Mike; Decker, Jesse; Schwalb, Robert J. (October 2008). 'Playtest: The Barbarian'(PDF). Dragon Magazine. Wizards of the Coast. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
^'My thoughts of Roles - from Races and Classes - Page 6'. Enworld.org. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
^[2]Archived July 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
^[3]^{[permanent dead link]}
^'GRZ - Mike Mearls at D&D Game Day 08'. YouTube. June 13, 2008.
^[4]Archived December 3, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
^ ^a^b^c^d'Archived copy'. Archived from the original on November 11, 2014. Retrieved November 1, 2018.CS1 maint: Archived copy as title (link)
^Team, Wizards RPG (August 18, 2009). Player's Handbook 2 - Invoker Power Cards: A 4th Edition D&D Accessory (Pcr Crds ed.). Wizards of the Coast. ISBN9780786952861.
^'D&D XP Interview: Andy Collins and Scott Rouse (Part 2)'. Critical Hits. March 9, 2008. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
^[5]Archived February 14, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
^ ^a^b[6]Archived July 9, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
^ ^a^b^c^d'The Seeker: Player's Handbook 3 Debut Content!'. Archived from the original on January 7, 2010. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
^ ^a^b^c^d[7]Archived February 14, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
^Team, Wizards RPG (August 18, 2009). 'Player's Handbook 2 - Shaman Power Cards: A 4th Edition D&D Accessory'. Wizards of the Coast – via Amazon.
^'Homepage'. Wizards Corporate.
^ ^a^b^c^d'The Sorcerer, Levels 1-3'. Forums.gleemax.com. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
^ ^a^b^c[8]Archived December 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
^'Forgotten Realms Player's Guide'. Wizards.com. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
^[9]^{[dead link]}
^Team, Wizards RPG (August 18, 2009). 'Player's Handbook 2 - Warden Power Cards: A 4th Edition D&D Accessory'. Wizards of the Coast. Retrieved January 17, 2018 – via Amazon.
^[10]Archived July 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
^Mearls, Mike; Crawford, Jeremy (December 2014). Dungeon Master's Guide (5th ed.). pp. 96–97. ISBN978-0-7869-6562-5.
^ ^a^bMearls, Mike. 'Unearthed Arcana: Eberron'. Dungeons & Dragons. Wizards of the Coast. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
^Thompson, Rodney. 'Modifying Classes'. Dungeons & Dragons. Wizards of the Coast. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
^Mearls, Mike. 'Unearthed Arcana: Waterborne Adventures'. Dungeons & Dragons. Wizards of the Coast. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
^Mearls, Mike. 'Mystic'. Dungeons & Dragons. Wizards of the Coast. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
^'Psionics and the Mystic'(PDF). Dungeons & Dragons. Wizards of the Coast. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
^'Unearthed Arcana: Artificer'. Dungeons & Dragons. Wizards of the Coast. January 9, 2017. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
^'Unearthed Arcana: Artificer Revisited'. Dungeons & Dragons. Wizards of the Coast. February 28, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019.

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