Paladins continue to outshine Fighters, even with the additional attack feature. Improved Divine Smite grants Paladins a significant damage boost, and their aura and spellcasting capabilities make them irresistible. The level 11 bonus action attack for Fighters falls short. Rangers, already reliant on bonus actions, find their action economy further burdened. A late-game advantage at level 11 hardly compensates for underperformance throughout most of the campaign, especially when campaigns often conclude around level 12.
Tier lists often incorporate ‘class tier scores’ and ‘subclass tier scores.’ The base class tier acts as a benchmark for the subclass tier in most situations. This system makes it challenging for a subclass to receive a low tier if the base class is potent, exemplified by Clerics and Wizards. The Marksman subclass is a rare exception, ranking several tiers below its base class due to minimal contributions.
D&D Cleric Class
5E has struggled with class balance. Caster classes generally surpass non-casters, reflected in tier lists where A tier+ classes possess spellcasting abilities. Class categorization reveals a power level disparity between casters and non-casters. For example: A (Cleric), A (Wizard), A (Paladin), A (Sorcerer), A (Ranger), B+ (Druid), C+ (Rogue), C (Fighter), C (Barbarian). The absence of Fighter’s best subclasses in Solasta exacerbates this imbalance.
