DND: Best Homebrew Subclasses

Highlights

• Homebrew subclasses add new options to existing classes, such as the Path of the Dragon for barbarians and Circle of Roots for druids.
• These subclasses are carefully crafted to maintain the mechanics, lore, and flavor of the original class.
• Homebrew subclasses like Pact of the Tempest for warlocks and Surgeon for rogues offer unique and interesting gameplay options.

When it comes to homebrew in Dungeons & Dragons, most people tend to think of something completely new, such as new classes or interesting magical items. But there’s a certain subsect of homebrew that isn’t about adding entirely new things to the game itself but something that modifies what’s already in the game by adding a new subclass.

These subclasses tend to be well crafted and with great care to adhere to some features and flavour that already exist in the classes we love. Whether it’s a wizard who’s seeking out divine magic or a barbarian who follows the path of dragons, these are the best homebrew subclasses that you just have to try.

10 Path Of The Dragon

This is a unique barbarian with the power of dragons

Barbarians are known as some of the most flavourful classes in Dungeons & Dragons, so it leaves a lot of room for different subclasses, which can open up paths that a barbarian can take. One of these is the path of the dragon, which allows a barbarian to tap into the primal powers of dragons.

The subclass offers elemental damage options for barbarians and grants them a draconic breath and other cool actions. It’s a well-designed and balanced class that could honestly have come from Wizards Of The Coast itself.

9 Circle Of Roots

These druids are all about fighting your enemies up close

Druids are also interesting when it comes to their subclasses, as they tend to differ vastly compared to other classes. circle of roots offers up a more martial option for druids, whereas instead of relying on wild shapes or magic, circle of roots allows druids to tap into the power of trees and use the power of nature to duel their foes.

It’s an interesting and much-needed subclass that offers some great features and alternative uses to wild shape whilst still staying true to the identity of the druid class.

8 Pact Of The Tempest

Make a pact to unleash the power of the storm

When it comes to warlocks, there are a dozen ideas for subclasses and pacts that they could make, but rarely are any as good as pact of the tempest. This subclass allows warlocks to make a pact with ancient elementals or demigods to gain the power of the storm.

It’s a fitting alternative for those who don’t wish to be a storm cleric or sorcerer, and though it can lean a little on the strong side, it offers interesting features and even a couple of new invocations.

7 Surgeon

This rogue can heal as well as deal damage

Have you ever thought how terrifying a doctor would be in combat? If you haven’t, then you can now with the surgeon archetype for rogues. Not only is this one of the few non-magical healers that are in the world but its features are meticulous and well-designed.

From studying a creature’s anatomy to landing a sneak attack to being able to inflict conditions by targeting body parts, this archetype is definitely one to watch out for if you want to try new rogue options.

6 Oath Of Beauty

A paladin that believes in the beauty of the world

The best subclasses are often ones that you think are official, and oath of beauty matches that well. This oath of paladins is focused on actually utilising the charisma of the class, giving paladins illusion and enchantment spells as well as buffs to help them be useful.

Instead of purely focusing on combat, this subclass helps paladins express their bravado and charm outside of combat, which is great at making them the face of any party.

5 Fey Origin

Get your magic from the Fey

Sorcerers have many options for where their magic comes from, and this homebrew adds one more: the Fey. The subclass is perfect for any sorcerers that wish to be more tricksters, utilising stealth and illusion to fool their opponents.

The only downside is that the subclass can come across as pretty weak at later levels with some lacklustre features, but it is still an incredibly interesting and fun subclass to try out and filled with some pretty great flavour.

4 Spellwarden

Play as a fighter that deals with the magical

Although some people like to think they’re boring, fighters have become more interesting over the years because although the original class can be plain, it can be moulded into so many different archetypes. One of these archetypes is the homebrewed subclass known as the spellwarden, an anti-magic specialist.

The subclass offers a bonded weapon that can cast Dispel Magic and buffs to the fighter’s abilities like second wind, which can end conditions imposed on by spells. Overall, it’s a well-crafted subclass that is perfect for any campaign against magic users.

3 Way Of The Elemental Soul

This monk is a much-needed improvement of the original subclass

It’s no secret that the weakest subclass in fifth edition is way of the four elements of the monk class, so way of the elemental is a remake of the subclass by turning the monk into a 1/3 caster similar to ranger or paladin.

The subclass also offers some unique and interesting elemental powers, letting a monk switch between elements per long rest and switch features, whether it’s catching fire spells or not taking any damage from slow fall. It is a masterfully done remake of an existing subclass.

2 Path Of The Witchbreaker

Play as an anti-magic barbarian

Path of the witchbreaker is an anti-magic subclass for barbarians, able to have them focus their attacks on spellcasters and even gives consequences for being so anti-magic. These include the possibility of their magical items and other magic effects suppressed on them, beneficial or not, when raging).

The subclass is one of the more unique additions when it comes to homebrew, but thankfully, it has some powerful features at higher levels and good flavour behind it that makes it one of the better homebrew subclasses.

1 Theurge

Study the ways of the divine

Perhaps one of the more ambitious subclasses, theurge is an arcane tradition for wizards that sees the masters of the arcane magic trying to understand more about the divine magic that comes from the gods and other celestials.

Although they’re not able to learn to heal, the theurge allows wizards to learn spells from the cleric spell list and even manipulate the damage of their spells to partly be radiant damage or learn skills like Religion. Overall, it utilises the best aspects of a wizard, their intellect in learning new spells and skills associated with it to be greatly useful to their party both in and out of combat.