Embrace Your Elemental Roots! Delve into the optimal class choices for Earth Genasi, known for their sturdy nature and affinity with Earth.
These classes complement the Earth Genasi’s abilities, offering exciting gameplay options from resilient tanking to seismic power. Ground yourself in an adventure with these top picks!
Contents
Best Classes for Earth Genasi
5. Ranger
Primary Ability Score – Dexterity
Secondary Ability Scores – Constitution, Wisdom
Spellcasting Ability – Wisdom
Armor Proficiencies – Light, Medium, Shields
Weapons Proficiencies – Simple, Martial
Why the Ranger?
Earth Genasi Rangers usually go for +2 Dexterity and +1 Wisdom (scores are switched if you’re more spellcasting-oriented).
Casting Blade Ward as a Bonus Action adds to your durability. The only issue with using your Bonus Action is that Rangers often need it for damage.
Note: You don’t have to cast it every round, just when it’s essential, and you can’t deal much damage that round anyway.
You already get Pass Without Trace as a Ranger, but having an extra spell slot and spell known isn’t awful.
Recommended Ranger Archetypes
- Drakewarden
- Gloom Stalker
- Swarm Keeper
4. Paladin
Primary Ability Scores – Charisma and Strength
Secondary Ability Score – Constitution
Spellcasting Ability – Charisma
Armor Proficiencies – Light, Medium, Heavy, Shields
Weapons Proficiencies – Simple, Martial
Why the Paladin?
Earth Genasi Paladins will go for +2 Dexterity and +1 Charisma.
Earth Genasi Paladins will benefit the most if they build for Dexterity and combine it with Pass Without Trance.
Darkvision and Pass Without Trace will allow you to step in as the Scout/Face in your party.
Recommended Paladin Sacred Oath
- Oath of Vengeance
3. Fighter
Primary Ability Score – Strength (STR-based), Dexterity (DEX-based)
Secondary Ability Scores – Constitution
Spellcasting Ability – Intelligence (For Eldritch Knight)
Armor Proficiencies – Light, Medium, Heavy, Shields
Weapons Proficiencies – Simple, Martial
Why the Fighter?
Earth Genasi will take +2 Dexterity and +1 Intelligence.
Earth Genasi Fighters are most efficient when playing as the Eldritch Knight subclass, as it lets you re-cast the innate spells and use Pass Without Trace more effectively.
You’ll want to build for Dexterity to capitalize from Pass Without Trace, and when you add War Magic, you’ll be able to cast Blade Ward every turn.
Recommended Fighter Martial Archetypes
- Echo Knight
- Eldritch Knight
2. Cleric
Primary Ability Score – Wisdom
Secondary Ability Scores – Constitution
Spellcasting Ability – Wisdom
Armor Proficiencies – Light, Medium, Shields
Weapons Proficiencies – Simple
Why the Cleric?
Earth Genasi Clerics can take +2 in Wisdom and +1 in Dexterity to align with Pass Without Trace.
Clerics don’t naturally have access to Blade Ward or Pass Without Trace, and Earth Walk helps Clerics catch up to other classes that can put more points into Strength to get over difficult terrain.
Recommended Cleric Divine Domains
- Grave Domain
- Trickery Domain Thematically appropriate)
- Twilight Domain
1. Artificer
Primary Ability Score – Intelligence
Secondary Ability Scores – Constitution, Dexterity
Spellcasting Ability – Intelligence
Armor Proficiencies – Light, Medium, Shields
Weapons Proficiencies – Simple
Why the Artificer?
Earth Genasi Artificers will get the best results with +2 Dexterity/Intelligence and +1 Dexterity/Intelligence (choose one ability score for +2 and one for +1).
Artificers like the Armorer will use Pass Without Trace, while others will enjoy the Bonus Action needed to cast Blade Ward.
Note: Artificers with low Dexterity will get a lot of value from Blade Ward, even if they trade their Bonus Action for it.
Recommended Artificer Specialists
- Armorer
- Battle Smith
Final Thoughts
Whether you favor the tinkering magic of an Artificer, the martial skills of a Fighter, the divine powers of a Cleric, or the resilience of a Paladin, each class offers unique opportunities for role-playing and adventure.
Consider your Earth Genasi’s background, personality, and party dynamics when choosing a class, and remember, the best class is the one that allows you to harness the strength of the Earth!