Embrace Your Giant Heritage with These Choices! Delve into the best classes for Goliaths, famed for their strength and endurance.
These classes amplify a Goliath’s qualities, providing diverse playstyles from mighty warriors to rugged survivalists. Conquer new heights with these top picks!
Best Classes for Goliaths
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?
Goliath Rangers should increase Dexterity/Wisdom/Strength by +2 and Dexterity/Wisdom/Constitution by +1.
Note: Dexterity for basic Ranger builds, Wisdom for a spellcasting-focused Ranger build, and Strength for a melee/athletics-based Ranger build.
Rangers are left in the dust with their low durability compared to other martial classes, which makes them such impressive Goliaths.
Stone’s Endurance and Mountain Born help close the durability gap, and proficiency in Athletics brings you closer to the abundance of skills the Rogue has at his disposal.
Having an increased Constitution score will mean taking less damage when combined with Stone’s Endurance.
Recommended Ranger Archetypes
- Fey Wanderer
- Gloom Stalker
- Swarm Keeper
4. Monk
Primary Ability Score – Dexterity
Secondary Ability Scores – Constitution, Wisdom
Armor Proficiencies – None
Weapons Proficiencies – Simple, Shortswords
Why the Monk?
Goliath Monks should increase Dexterity by +2 and Wisdom/Constitution by +1.
Stone’s Endurance is a gift from above for the Monk, especially at lower levels when his Dexterity isn’t as high as it needs to be.
Even Mountain Born adds to the Monk’s durability with the Cold resistance it provides.
Unfortunately, Athletics proficiency isn’t helpful unless you go for a grappling build.
Recommended Monastic Traditions
- Way of the Astral Self
- Way of the Open Hand
3. Druid
Primary Ability Score – Wisdom
Secondary Ability Scores – Constitution, Dexterity
Spellcasting Ability – Wisdom
Armor Proficiencies – Light, Medium, Shields (Druids won’t use shields or wear armor made from metal)
Weapons Proficiencies – Spears, Slings, Sickles, Scimitars, Quarterstaffs, Maces, Javelins, Darts, Daggers, Clubs
Why the Druid?
Goliath Druids should increase Wisdom by +2 and Dexterity/Constitution by +1.
Druids are known to be fragile, often having low HP and lower Constitution scores, but that’s why Goliath Druids are so good.
Stone’s Endurance will allow you to shrug off a lot of damage in the early game, becoming a bit less valuable in the late game but also serving a good purpose.
It would be awesome if Stone’s Endurance works while Wild Shaped, but it’s unclear if it actually does, so if your DM allows it, you might want to go for a Circle of the Moon Druid.
Recommended Druid Circles
- Stars
- Spores
- Moon (If Stone’s Endurance works in Wild Shape)
2. 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?
Goliath Fighters should increase Strength/Dexterity by +2 and Constitution by +1.
Suppose you want to cosplay a Paladin as a Fighter and become as tanky as possible. In that case, you can always become a Goliath with Stone’s Endurance and Mountain Born, which add insane durability to your character.
You can then rock a shield and sword for more durability or go for a two-handed build, as you have enough durability to withstand multiple blows while dealing massive damage with your large weapon.
Recommended Fighter Martial Archetypes
- Battle Master
- Rune Knight
1. Barbarian
Primary Ability Score – Strength
Secondary Ability Scores – Constitution, Dexterity to a lesser extent
Armor Proficiencies – Light, Medium, Shields
Weapons Proficiencies – Simple, Martial
Why the Barbarian?
Goliath Barbarians should increase Strength by +2 and Constitution by +1.
Goliaths are made to be Barbarians. Everything, including their abilities, backstory, and appearance, suits a Barbarian.
Stone’s Endurance and Mountain Born grant durability, Little Giant gives you access to one of your best skill proficiencies, and having a high Constitution counts towards Stone’s Endurance.
Recommended Barbarian Primal Paths
- Ancestral Guardian
- Beast
- Totem Warrior
Final Thoughts
Whether you prefer the rugged survival skills of the Ranger, the martial prowess of the Barbarian, or the mystical connection of the Druid, each class offers unique ways to enhance your Goliath character’s abilities and role in your party.