Your top 4 classes, and...

[Waazraath]

Paladin, Cleric, Artificer, Fighter.

With Monk and Warlock close (and maybe included if you ask me in a few months). Some classes in general disregarding subclass (Pally and Cleric), for some it depends on the subclass (I love Artificer Battle Smith and would like to play an Artillerist, but would not be interested in an Alchemist, and Fighter I really like subclasses like Battle Master, Rune Knight and Psychic Warrior, but am not really interested in a Champion or Arcane Archer).

[stoutstien]

As single classes that don't need feats, DM fiat, and generally are interesting to operate.
my top 4 are artificer, warlock, rouge, druid.

As a party they are sitting alright regardless of sublcass picked. Maybe lite in Nova but they have enough staying power to prevent the need for it just to succeed.

[Hael]

I will go for top 4 best classes by design (not my favorite or most powerful).

1) Circle of the Stars Druid (absolutely love everything about this class + subclass).
2) Conquest Paladin (wonderful twist on the CC tank)
3) Divination Wizard.. Well designed class + subclass ...
4) Genie Warlock.. Again flavorful, synergistic abilities that create a unique experience.

[JellyPooga]

1) Rogue. Hands down the best designed Class in the game. Not the most powerful, but it has a constant and engaging progression of features with no big spikes or troughs compared to other Classes. It also has massive versatility, in-game durability and a sense of enduring competence that isn't reliant on expendable resources. This means that unless you decide to hyper-specialise, you can happily participate effectively in all pillars and tiers of play and are rarely, if ever, sitting out or stuck spamming your "back up" attack or features. On top of that, they're remarkably hard to kill once you hit Tier 2 play. In my opinion, the most fun class to play at the actual table.

2) Bard. They have all the fun toys that everyone else gets to play with and some unique ones on top. What's not to like? A versatile support Class with high degree of customisation. Love it.

3) Warlock. I like the modular build options and the edurance of the Class (provided adequate Short Rests). Can be a bit of a one-trick pony, but I've a soft spot for the simplicity of the Class as well as its hidden depths.

4) Druid. I'm a nature lover and Druid hits all those spots, while also being a solid support Class with additional and unique features and flavour. I would prefer Wild Shape to be optional rather than mandatory, but I'm not about to complain too hard on that front because of how extremely useful it is both in and out of combat!

Spoiler

Show

Huh. Pretty solid team.

- Combat. Rogue and Warlock can provide steady, if not the best, damage output. Bard and Druid both provide decent support. Probably the weakest pillar of play for my team, but certainly not an achilles heel.

- Exploration. All four of my picks have (or can have) a solid contribution here. Druid has food and water covered as well as scouting and stealth options. Rogue and Bard are in their own personal playground; this pillar is what they're designed for. Warlock is probably the weak link in this pillar, but even then they have access to some solid options in their Invocations.

- Social. Two Charisma based casters with access to all the spells and features you might want to excel here. Rogue can provide additional support if they take Expertise in the right skills. Druid can always turn into a bear...you never know when being a bear might help sway an argument or conversation! Bard, Druid and Warlock all have access to magic that allows them to talk to things you typically can't i.e. dead people, animals, plants and other things that live beyond the ken of mortals. All the bases are covered here.

Overall, I think my "Top 4 Team" would do well. They might struggle a little against certain combat encounters, but on the whole I think they'd do well.

[Bobthewizard]

Wizard, Sorcerer, Bard, and Warlock. I find that arcane spells are my favorite part of the game. Subclass isn't all that important to me, so I just pick it for flavor, and am really in it for the spells. I can swing a sword in real life if I want to. I can't fly or cast a fireball.

Spoiler

Show

Not the most traditionally balanced party, but I think they'd be fine. Levels 1-2 might be hard but after that they'd have so many spell slots between them that they should be able to handle every situation. Even at level 1, three characters with access to sleep should finish most encounters.

For subclasses, let's take the most defensive option for each one. Abjuration wizard, clockwork soul sorcerer, valor bard, and hexblade warlock.

[Asura2468]

Artificer - i just love them, alchemist a bit less but yeah really versatile class and loves lots of magic items but can also do good without them
(Arcana) Cleric - the melee bruiser/tank cleric playstyle just fits with what i like to do, and thx to tashas they got even better because of new/added spells
Paladin - i really like the oaths from an RP point of view and they are a really good martial class
Rogue - Rogue stuff, also reliable talent is just great :D

Spoiler

Show

Ok think it would be pretty good.
cleric Frontline/healing/Buffing/Dispelling (maybe even use a way to get counterspell)
Paladin can be party face
Artillery Artificer for ranged damage and support but could go melee and do pretty much anything thats needed
rogue for exploration/thief stuff and probably ranged dps

So yeah very solid team imo... prob because i play classes that fit with the team

[nickl_2000]

Rogue
Monk
Cleric
Paladin

Spoiler: Let's See

Show

I've got
-Striker abilities in the Rogue and the Monk
-Skill monkey in the Rogue
-Healing in the Cleric and Paladin
-Tanking in the Paladin and Cleric
-Face in the Paladin
-Nova damage in the Paladin

The major thing I am missing blasting.

So, my final party:
-Arcane Trickster Rogue for some extra damage, illusions, and charms. Also takes Ritual Caster to fill in some holes
-Way of the Shadow Monk for striking, scouting, and assistance in sneaking
-Light Cleric healing and blasting from the subclass
-Really whatever Paladin like

[DigoDragon]

I haven't had many opportunities to try out all the classes, but thus far I think Bard and Paladin have been my favorites to play. I'd probably like barbarian too if I could get a chance to play one after third level.

[da newt]

It all started w/ rogue for me, so they will always have a special place in my heart.
Paladin is any easy choice - simply a very solid class (I am partial to dexadins and prefer to make them more complex than just LG do gooders)
Warlock - I like the simplicity coupled w/ a couple game changing spells, and repelling blast is just fun.
Cleric - I usually play damage dealers, but I've been having a blast playing a very nice Friar Tuck type who is a surprisingly effective force multiplier.

Spoiler: We'd be fine.

[Mud Puppy]

Cleric - Dwarf (of course) Forge (Support/ alt Tank)

Paladin - Human Vengeance (Tank/ alt Face)

Monk - Air Genasi Way of the Open Hand (Striker)

Rogue - half Orc Swashbuckler (Face/ alt Striker)

I think we'd do alright...Forge Cleric can heal and manage a variety of support/AoE or single target spells, Veng Pally can tank, supplement healing and face work, the Monk can bounce around the battlefield and handle almost anything you throw at them, and the Swashbuckler can be a primary face of the party as well as lock down single targets. We're really only short on AoE.

[arnin77]

My top 4 from what I’ve played (which isn’t much):

1. Conquest Paladin (L12)
2. Arcane Trickster Rogue (L13)
3. Forge Cleric (L7)
4. Evocation Wizard (L6)

[SociopathFriend]

What are your top 4 favorite classes? Any criteria. What you love to play, your favorite archetypes/ themes, anything. If you're newer to 5e or haven't played much, maybe it's your top picks for things you want to play.
Think about it, take your time.
Got your top 4? Don't continue until you do.

Spoiler

Show

You're now playing in a party comprised of your top 4 picks. How screwed/set are you?

Huh... didn't think about it in advance but "Reply with Quote" shows the spoiler.

That said the answers were easy:
1. Paladin
2. Wizard - specifically Necromancer
3. Fighter
4. Barbarian - specifically Totem

Honorable mention to Cleric but ultimately so long as Fighter and Barbarian need to be separate- Cleric gets 5th place. That is, however, purely because I haven't managed to get a decent Cleric campaign yet to really enjoy trying to use the class as a whole.
Unfortunate mention to Bard- which I have only ever used as a, "Do everything" class and so largely consider nothing better than a vehicle to do things rather than a true class by itself.

As for the spoiler:

Spoiler

Show

Should be pretty set. If the Paladin has enough Charisma then they can be a good face, the Wizard can deal with a good hunk of the magic, Fighter and Barbarian to take up what's left. The Barbarian can pull some Ranger-lite stuff as-needed and a Fighter has plenty of ASIs to squeeze in anything extra that the rest of them can't account for.

... I like the sound of that. (Makes note of this group)

[Foxydono]

Rogue, sorcerer, bard, paladin.

[Valmark]

Mmm... Probably a paladin, a bard, a wizard and a druid. It's the classes I like the most- or close to.

I have to admit, I'd like to fit a barbarian and a fighter in there as well- but I dislike how most 5e barbarian subclasses are magically empowered (and those that aren't are overall mediocre/bad for the most part) and my preferred fighters are EKs and Samurais, which are ultimately not such unique concepts that I can't discard the classes and refluff something else. Especially with Tasha's Bladesinger which is arguably a better EK then the EK (I swear, thet extra attack should've been EK's War Magic all along) unless you want them strenght-based.

Spoiler

Show

Mmm... Well, seems fine. If this was my actual party (which I can fine-tune) the druid would probably dip life cleric, but aside from that everybody can and would probably stay straight-classed and have all bases covered.

Another potential multiclass could be War Wizard/EK, but that would end being more of a fighter and would actually require me to play a War Wizard, which I couldn't possibly like less.

[Asmotherion]

Sorcerer; Aberant Mind.
Warlock; Hexblade.
Cleric; Arcana Domain.
Wizard; Abjurer.

I love playing mages in a fantasy setting.

[Sandeman]

1 Wizard (Evoker)
2 Fighter (Eldritch Knight)
3 Rogue (Arcane Trickster)
4 Paladin (with warlock multiclass)

[RogueJK]

1. Paladin. As for favorite subclass, there are few to no bad choices, partly because the base class itself is so strong. Mechanically, I like the Vengeance Paladin. Thematically, I like the Ancients and Watcher Paladins. Paladin gets even better with a Warlock or Sorcerer multiclass.

2. Rogue. Favorite subclass is hands down the Arcane Trickster. Gishy thief/mage types have always been a soft spot for me in 2/3/3.5/3.75 and now in 5E.

3. Cleric. Lots of great subclass options here. Favorite subclasses include Arcana, Tempest, and Peace.

4. Sorcerer. Favorite subclass is a toss-up between Divine Soul and Aberrant Mind.

(#5 and in close running for the Top 4 would be Druid, especially Moon or Stars.)

Spoiler

Show

We're doing just fine. We've got a tank and backup healer/support, a skill monkey and striker (and occasional arcane caster if going AT), a healing/support caster and backup frontliner (and potentially blaster if going Light or Tempest), and an arcane caster who can cover blasting/control while having some other tricks up their sleeve. Fairly close to the stereotypical 4 person Fighter/Cleric/Thief/Mage party. Really the only thing partly missing is a dedicated utility caster, but having someone take Ritual Caster Wizard would help cover that.

[Miele]

Evoker wizard, Moon Druid, Arcane Trickster Rogue and Beastmaster Ranger (which I still have to play in 5e, but it's my beloved concept class).

[Sillybird99]

Rogue, Sorcerer, Wizard, Paladin. I'd like to try fighter, as I think it could be fun at low levels.

[Chijinda]

Druid, Paladin, Wizard and Fighter (pretty much in that order, though Wizard and Fighter are interchangeable).

Spoiler

Show

I'd also say that we're probably fine as an adventuring party. We've got heals (Paladin and Druid), utility (Druid and Wizard), two full casters, a frontline (Paladin and possibly Fighter), and potentially backline DPR (Fighter if he goes bow fighter). We've also got a party face (Paladin). Overall a pretty well rounded adventuring party.

[yellowrocket]

Top 4 classes

Monk- Idk it's never been great for me mechanically, but very fun to role play. Except for the DM that let me BA dodge EVERY turn fighting the BBEG then realized how hard hitting AC 20 with disadvantage was. That was fun.

Love druid. The turn to turn versatility and built in out if combat options made me fall in love with it mechanically.

I have yet to play a wizard or cleric. Love both of them for their classic origins and various specialties. Which almost overwhelmed me when selecting a class. The low HP and my poor rolling in big moments (including at character creation) has put a big damper on that idea.

And the class that speaks most to me though is the paladin. 90% of the time on the longer what class are you quizzes that are scattered around the internet, and with the download able character designer from someone here at the playground, it's paladin. Mechanically and thematically it speaks to me more than any other class. In a world where God's are real, and there are forces and thematic clashes that can change the world why wouldn't you stand up and fight for your beliefs. Don't preach, that's for the ones that don't want to do or are chosen. Make the people around you see your beliefs through the actions you take. And if you're not a believer in a God, but instead say a vengeance paladin, show them the depth of your convictions, and make your enemies tremble with the might of your belief and fear your wrath.

[Lokishade]

Warlock

A mix and match trove of at-will powers and the most versatile class in the game. You can almost always get what you need for the character concept you have in mind. I like to refluff this one a lot.

I once built a Valkyrie using that class and the level 6 Hexblade ability really helped cement her powers over life and death in the minds of everyone around her.

Rogue

More specifically, a Swashbuckler with the Tavern Brawler feat. Hit them with a Sneak Attack that works in almost every situation, following up with a grapple check meant to disarm your foe (It's for the better that they didn't codify grapple more than they did because I'd hate to be limited to preset options like in a video game. DnD should be limited by your imagination and what makes sense.)

And if your DM is too afraid of stealing the Battle Master's thunder, you still can use darts as melee weapons. Darts are even smaller than daggers and I disguise them as buttons on my outfit. My Swashbuckler litterally hides dozens on his person at any given time and no one is the wiser. No matter the situation, he is never without a weapon, can bluff his way out of being patted down and is an expert at Sleight of Hand to draw these, often to the surprise of his enemies.

Bard

The Bard is like the Warlock, minus some flavor. He can be anything you want, as long as it revolves around music. Not very versatile, concept wise, but you still get access to every spell in the game. Sure, you don't end up with all of them, but you still get to mix and match any of them you like. You're like the sidekick that eventually overshadows the main hero.

I find this one much more inspiring than the Sorcerer.

Fighter

You have access to all the weaponry and all the armors in the game and you can use them without penalty whatsoever. It's also the most down-to-earth class there is, meaning I can draw inspiration from basically anywhere. Through the Ritual Caster feat, I can even perform magic without being confined to Eldritch Knight.


So, how screwed are we with this team? Not much, actually. Healing is a bit lacking, being limited to the Bard's commitment to that role and the Healer feat. But apart that? This team has two spellcasters a martial that can tank and a very mobile one that can take down priority targets. Two of them can be faces, one of which can also be a skill monkey.

Yeah, that's what my love of flexible characters get me.

[Gryndle]

rogue, monk, paladin, warlock. In no particular order. It might not be optimal, but I think a party of those four would alright.

[Leon]

Ranger, Cleric, Fighter, Bard. Nice mix of Combat Ability and Support.

[Catullus64]

Rogue, Barbarian, Druid, Wizard. If I had to give subclasses for each of them, it would be Swashbuckler, Zealot, Circle of the Shepherd, and School of Transmutation.

Rogue because I like its emphasis on mobility, creativity, and elusiveness. I like that it's a class purpose-built to be the first one to explore any given area and do some solo operations, while still being serviceable in a group. I like Swashbuckler for its additional emphasis on melee and superior mobility.

Barbarian because it's a Strength-based frontline melee combatant that doesn't have to clank around in heavy armor, and has features which still suggest speed and nimbleness. I like Zealot for its cool blending of themes and its strong combat performance.

Druid because it's an excellent utility caster that can do a bit of everything, and has some very nice exploration potential with wild shape. Circle of the Shepherd has a lot of valuable support features.

Wizard is another utility caster, but with an even more powerful spell list than the Druid, and supreme convenience of ritual use. I like playing high-Int characters. School of Transmutation has nothing but gems in its features list, and I like the alchemy flavor.

Spoiler:

Show

A well balanced party, all told. Lots of utility, melee damage, leaning towards the fragile side but not bad. I note with happiness the absence of any plate-wearers, so full-group stealth might actually be viable.

[KorvinStarmast]

Cleric, Paladin, Monk, Warlock. Yeah, I can make a party out of that.

Granted, I am enjoying the heck out of my Bard, College of Lore, but I think those four classes are my favorites for this edition. (In previous editions, I leaned hard into rogue and played a ranger who was a favorite character).

[Gtdead]

Cleric is my favorite class. It's the only class that I will play without bothering to theorycraft or optimize. It just speaks to me both from a mechanical and an RP perspective. There is something about fantasy religions that really peaks my interest, granted I am areligious in real life.

Sorcerer is second. While I really dislike the fact that it doesn't have access to all the arcane spells, it has a great chassis for a lot of interesting builds and multiclass opportunities. I consider it one of the more open ended classes build-wise and I'm always excited to give it a spin.

Wizard. The great enabler. The class that has the answer for everything. Not much else to say.

Ranger. My favorite martial although there are some things I'd like to change for a most consistent progression. A very strong T1/T2 class with a great supporting spell list (goodberry and pass without trace mostly) and I consider it one of the more safe classes that you can't really go wrong, as long as you play it as an archer.

Special mentions go to Paladin and Warlock because I like the interactions with Sorcerer.

[Amnestic]

Paladin - D10, minor spellcasting, smites, find steed, auras. The complete package. Comes with built in 'lore' via oaths that help point characters in a direction for backstory and current story.
Cleric - Flexible casting and just a solid baseline even without subclasses. Divine Intervention is also just really cool.
Warlock - Pact magic! Patrons! Invocations! Eldritch Blast! Like Paladins, patrons give in-built 'lore'.
Rogue - Simple and elegant, and with no rest-based resources outside of subclasses you can go all day every day without worrying about resource management.

A party of four is balanced - heavy pally, skilly rogue, diviney cleric, arcaney warlock. Perfection.

[Joe the Rat]

Warlock (GASP!), Monk, Fighter... and philosophically, Rogue.

Spoiler

Show

Not bad. Might need some healjuice, unless we tag in Celestial.
But in terms of parties, I would quite happily run Warlock (Healer), Warlock (Control), Warlock (Blast DPR), and Warlock (Melee), so...

and murim stories

Ah, a man of taste and culture...

[Captain Panda]

I really enjoy wizards, bards (with a bit of hexblade) and druids. Paladins are also fun, but only if I can multiclass out quite a bit.