Humans are some of the hardiest creatures in all of D&D, boasting proficiency in almost every class available.
However, there are certain classes that Humans are more attuned to and have them operate optimally.
Best Classes for Humans
5. 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?
Many Fighter builds have a lot of Feats to complement their playstyle. The only issue is that your first Feat is only available at level 4, but if you’re playing as a Variant Human, you’ll have access to a Feat at level 1.
This helps get your build up faster, and being able to increase two ability scores by 1 and getting an extra skill proficiency means you’ll be quite far ahead of your party members.
Recommended Subclasses
- Eldritch Knight is a combination of devastating magic and physical combat power.
- Samurai are perfect Strikers and roleplay well as a foreign Human or master swordsman.
4. Cleric
Primary Ability Score – Wisdom
Secondary Ability Scores – Constitution
Spellcasting Ability – Wisdom
Armor Proficiencies – Light, Medium, Shields
Weapons Proficiencies – Simple
Why the Cleric?
Variant Humans are extremely effective as Clerics, being able to increase both their Wisdom and Constitution by 1, the main ability scores they need to work effectively.
There are a lot of Feats to choose from, some helping with durability like Durable or Resilient, and others allowing you to use a weapon and a shield (War Caster).
You can even take Magic Initiate to gain access to Cantrips that you believe will improve your build and give you more power in the early game.
Recommended Subclasses
- Forge Domain is a frontline subclass, acting as Defenders with their unique utility, supportive playstyle, and combat abilities enough to be a threat.
- Light Domain is your go-to healer option as a Cleric Human.
- Twilight Domain Clerics are also frontline characters, using their various buffs and utilities, but they also have some good defensive and offensive capabilities.
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?
Druids fit well with the Variant Human’s two increased ability scores, only needing Constitution and Wisdom to function efficiently.
Druids have a lot of Feats that suit them well, some being Observant because of their high Wisdom score, Defensive Duelist for Circle of the Moon Druids, Elemental Adept for Druids focusing primarily on spellcasting, and Tough since it helps with their lacking durability.
Recommended Subclasses
- Circle of the Shepherd summons creatures and supports their party.
- Circle of Spores is a very powerful offensive subclass for a Human Druid.
2. 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?
You’ll want to take a Variant Human if you want to become a Paladin, investing in Charisma and Strength (Dexterity can be good in certain situations), as those will be your most important ability scores as a Paladin.
The Feat makes Variant Humans your best bet, letting you choose powerful Feats early on, like Sentinel, Polearm Master, Shield Master, Lucky, or Heavy Armor Master.
The added skill proficiency is nice and can act to round off your build at the beginning of the game, driving you in the direction you’d like to build towards.
Recommended Subclasses
- Oath of Redemption is a nonviolent subclass for Human Paladins to follow, making a perfect Defender.
- Oathbreaker is for Human Paladins who want to be more violent or evil in their approaches.
1. Monk
Primary Ability Score – Dexterity
Secondary Ability Scores – Constitution, Wisdom
Armor Proficiencies – None
Weapons Proficiencies – Simple, Shortswords
Why the Monk?
While Monks NEED their three most important ability scores, having two scores increased by 1, gaining a Feat and a skill proficiency at level 1 is incredible.
You can even choose to get a +1 to one of your ability scores by choosing a Feat with an ability score like Tavern Brawler, Resilient, Observant, Durable, or Acrobat.
Recommended Subclasses
- Way of Long Death has a lot of durability, letting you serve as a Defender, but it doesn’t have good offensive capabilities.
Final Thoughts
Humans have varying options regarding the most optimal class, but with the above-mentioned classes, you know which to go for first.
These classes will allow you to make your character as optimal as possible and put you far above the many enemies you encounter!