Embrace Shadowy Excellence! Delve into the best class choices for Shadar-kai, known for their connection to the Shadowfell.
These classes enhance a Shadar-kai’s traits, providing diverse playstyles from stealthy rogues to dark sorcerers. Embark on shadowy adventures with these top picks!
Best Classes for Shadar-Kai
5. Cleric
Primary Ability Score – Wisdom
Secondary Ability Scores – Constitution
Spellcasting Ability – Wisdom
Armor Proficiencies – Light, Medium, Shields
Weapons Proficiencies – Simple
Why the Cleric?
Shadar-Kai Clerics should put +2 in Wisdom and +1 in Constitution.
Clerics often wade into melee range, but because they don’t have access to short-range teleportation like Misty Step, they feel stuck, but Blessing of the Raven Queen solves that tissue.
The only issue is that you won’t be able to access Spiritual Weapon on the same turn because you’ll need to use your Bonus Action to teleport.
Darkvision and Perception also make good additions to your kit, mainly because of your high Wisdom.
Recommended Cleric Divine Domains
- Death
- Forge
- Trickery
- Twilight
4. 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?
Shadar-Kai Barbarians should put +2 in Strength and +1 in Constitution.
The blessing of the Raven Queen helps Barbarians greatly, giving them flexibility regarding exit strategies or diving headfirst into a group of enemies.
Note: Just know that most Barbarians will use their Bonus Action while raging, so keep that in mind.
Blessing of the Raven Queen and Necrotic Resistance significantly increase your durability outside your Rage.
You’ll also find Fey Ancestry helpful against charmed conditions, as that is one of the Barbarian’s most significant weaknesses.
Recommended Barbarian Primal Paths
- Ancestral Guardian
- Totem Warrior
3. 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?
Shadar-Kai Rangers should add +2 to Dexterity and +1 to Constitution (Extra HP) or Wisdom (Spellcasting).
Unfortunately, Rangers don’t get Misty Step, so Blessing of the Raven Queen is a welcome addition to their kit.
Darkvision and Keen Senses work well with their kit, and Trance allows them to access Thieves’ Tools.
Recommended Ranger Archetypes
- Beast Master
- Drakewarden
- Gloom Stalker
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?
Shadar-Kai Fighters should put +2 in Strength or Dexterity (Depending on your build) and +1 in Constitution.
Regular Fighters can’t get Misty Step, and Eldritch Knights will only use it to escape, so getting it from Blessing of the Raven Queen helps a lot.
Like the Barbarian, you’ll benefit from Fey Ancestry, as charms are scary to deal with as a Fighter, and Perception is a good addition no matter which class you are.
Recommended Fighter Martial Archetypes
- Battle Master
- Eldritch Knight
- Rune Knight
- Samurai
1. 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?
Shadar-Kai Paladins should put +2 in Charisma or Strength and +1 in Constitution.
Like Fighters, Paladins don’t have access to Misty Step, so Blessing of the Raven Queen can make for an easy escape or engagement ability (mainly because of its innate resistances).
Fey Ancestry, combined with a Paladin’s other durability features, makes it extremely difficult to take down a Shadar-Kai Paladin.
Recommended Paladin Sacred Oaths
- Conquest
- Crown
- Vengeance
- Oathbreaker
Final Thoughts
Whether you favor the hit-and-run tactics of a Ranger, the divine powers of a Cleric, or the martial prowess of a Fighter, each class offers unique abilities that can enhance your Shadar-kai’s story and gameplay.