How to have a good party!

[VegBru]

Hello there.

So, we are a pretty big party with members in varius states of optimization. All of us are new to 5th, some brand new to DnD althogether. Not every player attends every session. We use the rules from PHB, no EE or SCAG.

What can we do to optimize the party, with regards to spell selection, party roles etc?

We are all lvl 4, and the party is:

Totem barb
Valor bard
Draconic scorc
Shadow munk
Ranger 3/ druid 1
Fighter 1/ scorc 1/ pally 2 (yeah, I know)

[Jeebs]

Dissonant Whispers is a good early Bard spell. It's stronger than it looks because it provokes Opportunity Attack(s). That could be pretty nasty if your Barbarian takes Great Weapon Master or the Fighter/Paladin/Sorcerer can smite.

Healing Word is probably also better than it looks because it's a Bonus Action heal. You can use it to pop people back into the fight from 0 HP, and then still do a full Attack action.

If your Valor Bard is going to use STR, he/she should consider starting as a Fighter for Heavy Armor proficiency and CON saving throws/Concentration saves.

The Draconic Sorcerer should stick with Fire spells, unless they really like another element or they can convince the DM to allow them "Lightningball" or "Acidball" instead of Fireball and other key spells.

Monks are really helpful for Stunning Fist (not available at level 4) and zipping around the battlefield to kill squishier, high priority enemies. I like Mage Slayer a lot for that, but it depends on how often you'll fight enemy casters.

You might be able to talk the Fighter/Sorc/Paladin into just sticking with Paladin and taking the Magic Initiate feat. Using the Sorcerer spell list can give you a ranged attack cantrip, a utility cantrip (Light, etc.), and one more level 1 spell to be cast once a day. Shield is really helpful there. This might give the character the flavor they're looking for without slowing their progression way down.

[Vogonjeltz]

Hello there.

So, we are a pretty big party with members in varius states of optimization. All of us are new to 5th, some brand new to DnD althogether. Not every player attends every session. We use the rules from PHB, no EE or SCAG.

What can we do to optimize the party, with regards to spell selection, party roles etc?

We are all lvl 4, and the party is:

Totem barb
Valor bard
Draconic scorc
Shadow munk
Ranger 3/ druid 1
Fighter 1/ scorc 1/ pally 2 (yeah, I know)

Party roles are something you need to figure out organically or deliberately as a character concept.

The barbarian is probably a frontliner, working to intercept enemies who go after the squishier sorcerers and shadow monk, the Bard is probably a secondary melee along with the ranger and the character who hasn't figured out their major, Draconic sorc is a blaster probably, monk is a support melee.