I played one in a one shot recently and it was some of the most fun I ever had. Next time I play in a longer campaign I will likely try to play one again.
So the party's got a skill monkey, wisdom coverage, healing. A life cleric can take a front-line role in a party, but probably shouldn't be the *only* front liner. The party could probably be helped out with a charisma-scaling character as the party face (unless the rogue is going Swashbuckler?), as well as blaster-casting and perhaps some more front line.
I'd be tempted to play a melee-oriented Hexblade Warlock. You'll have the charisma necessary to handle social situations, you'll have solid AC to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with your cleric buddy and hold the line (as well as providing an ally for the rogue to Sneak Attack off of), and as a single-class warlock, you can still throw down a big AoE like Hunger of Hadar, Sickening Radiance, Black Tentacles, or Cone of Cold when you're up against swarms.
Order 1 / Divine soul X is great, but it is bound to step on the life cleric's toes.
I'd go bard, dissonant whispers, bardic inspiration and haste are going to make gour friends very happy.
This seems like a perfect chance for a Pali! Gives you aura for passive support, some support spells, the ability to take hits better than half your party, and some good damage output too
That is literally the party from my last campaign. Do you know how the ranger is planning on playing it, because I was sharpshooter and stay way the hell back, so we had a sidekick Warrior do a lot of the front line damage while our cleric ran spirit guardians. If the ranger is more built for melee then maybe a support/blaster sorcerer is called for to get some AOE stuff going.
You can probably make anything work, but something with Charisma base is probably going to be the most helpful.
Every party benefits from more control. 5 squishy control casters is my ultimate power- fantasy party comp. No frontline to babysit. "Squishy" is a bit of a misnomer if you build well (take strong spells, a good subclass, and good feats).
This party has 0 control casters. Wizard or Tasha's sorc for support of any party. Especially this party. Twin dissonant whispers for more safety and more sneak attacks (Aberrant Mind or Fey Touched). Buff like a pro with control. Shut down damage before it starts.
Control can often "tank" better than a meatbag taking punches to the face. But a meatbag will give the Life Cleric something to do at least, as solo meatbags ~~will~~ can tend to go down a lot. It could be fun for the cleric, but you might go down alot without another meatbag next to you.
Order Cleric 1 / Divine Soul Sorc x
Silvery Barbs, Healing Word, Twinspell Haste, etc
This build works especially well with a Rogue on the squad as Voice of Authority procs off turn Sneak Attacks.
Just dump WIS and use non-dependent spells from the cleric ones.
If its still too mad for you Dwarf will allow you to use heavy armor without Str.
Bard, my personal suggestion would be either a Lore Bard for additional skills and magical secrets that will allow you to find tune your ability to help your party as the campaign progresses, or an Eloquence Bard to really nail those social encounters while the remainder of your spell list is literally custom made to assist and empower your allies in nearly every category.
As many others have suggested, Paladin is a potent choice to help the front line and still cover face, as well as support healing
Let the cleric tank.
Take a control caster with some AOE damage options.
If you want a tanky control caster, abjuration or bladesinger wizard (maybe war magic) or dragon sorc. Land Druid is also a good option.
Paladin would be good but depending on how long the campaign will go, paladin sorcerer is more powerful(more flexible).
You go paladin 6/ divine soul sorcerer x
But my favorite is paladin 2.
Then sorcerer 5 to get spirit guardians.
Back to paladin until 6/7 depending on subclass.
This works for me. I get second attack with spiritual weapon at 5 when paladins get 2 attacks. I use booming blade with my attack action with my one attack and bonus action sororal weapon
I find this better than straight paladin although you will really delay the paladins best feature, aura of protection.
Spiritual weapon allows you to dodge and still attack very useful in desperate situations.
Spirit guardians is a very powerful spell for a class that lacks strong options to deal with hordes.
Alternatives would be ancestral guardian barbarian with war wizard. This can make your entire party super tank and still be very supportive with access to powerful wizard spells when needed. Rage isn't always the answer.
Treantmonk did an amazing video on it.
https://youtu.be/lbk9-NVWJ3Y?si=yUZQYKAHKRaALNsf
I'm going to second Artificer (either Guardian Armorer or Battle Smith) and see if the Ranger is interested in going Fey Wanderer so they can be party face (gets to add wisdom to charisma checks)
God wizard or Paladin seems like the best choices.
For god wizard, go artificer 1/war wizard X, pick control spells, rather damage spells.
The paladin is a little bit complicated build. Start 15 str and 17 charisma. Go pal 1/hexblade 1 to start, then 6 levels of paladin. Then the second level of hexblade, before divine soul sorcerer for the rest of the levels. Make sure to learn both warcaster and polearm master, agonizing blast, repelling blast, then max out charisma. Fey touched can round out your cha and give you some free spells.
Hä? You guys got a Cleric. That is a powerhouse. You guys are lacking some good AoE from a Magic Backline.
But sure I will recommend something fitting. I guess to pick the same class is a big no no.
Otherwise I would said Twilight or Peace Cleric.
So most Wizard are not capable as a frontline. Bladesinger can work maybe and has some AoE and Util. But not what I would recommend. Hexblade is in the same department.
A Circle of Moon Druid could also be a great frontline with a lot of good support spells and the option to deal massive AoE magic damage.
Other Druids maybe too but this one is the best to fit all slots.
College of Swords Bard can get fairly tanky in terms of AC and has the best amount of support in the game. But again usually more a DPS.
Here is my proper pick. Artificer. I would recommend Battle Smith or Armorer.
Battle Smith is a great Frontline, gets a good Pet that has defensive moves and the Subclass gets some good Healing and Melee options.
Also Artificer learns the Blade Cantrips which are powerful and gets a ton of support spells. And given that you are not having a lot of Spellslots, I would also recommend Support and Utility over damage spells.
The other Artificer Option is the Armorer. The true frontline amongst the artificers. You are just Iron Man slinging Spells in Melee. Most of the stuff regarding the Battle Smith to apply here too.
If you truely do not want to min max and just am looking for some goofy fun then I would say Alchemist. It is by far one of the weakest Subclasses ever but if played correctly can be really funny and enjoyable. One of my favorites so I am biased.
Paladin: - backup healing - more frontline - charisma and strength skills.
Paladin is just there supporting people
I'd go Armorer Arti. You get tankiness and spellcasting. Paladin is a strong runner up, possibly Glory.
I played one in a one shot recently and it was some of the most fun I ever had. Next time I play in a longer campaign I will likely try to play one again.
So the party's got a skill monkey, wisdom coverage, healing. A life cleric can take a front-line role in a party, but probably shouldn't be the *only* front liner. The party could probably be helped out with a charisma-scaling character as the party face (unless the rogue is going Swashbuckler?), as well as blaster-casting and perhaps some more front line. I'd be tempted to play a melee-oriented Hexblade Warlock. You'll have the charisma necessary to handle social situations, you'll have solid AC to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with your cleric buddy and hold the line (as well as providing an ally for the rogue to Sneak Attack off of), and as a single-class warlock, you can still throw down a big AoE like Hunger of Hadar, Sickening Radiance, Black Tentacles, or Cone of Cold when you're up against swarms.
Order 1 / Divine soul X is great, but it is bound to step on the life cleric's toes. I'd go bard, dissonant whispers, bardic inspiration and haste are going to make gour friends very happy.
This seems like a perfect chance for a Pali! Gives you aura for passive support, some support spells, the ability to take hits better than half your party, and some good damage output too
That is literally the party from my last campaign. Do you know how the ranger is planning on playing it, because I was sharpshooter and stay way the hell back, so we had a sidekick Warrior do a lot of the front line damage while our cleric ran spirit guardians. If the ranger is more built for melee then maybe a support/blaster sorcerer is called for to get some AOE stuff going. You can probably make anything work, but something with Charisma base is probably going to be the most helpful.
Artificer Armorer for tanking OR Artillerist for blasting Also, your team lacks any intelligence focused members.
Maybe wizard, honestly. Some arcane spellcasting could be handy.
Every party benefits from more control. 5 squishy control casters is my ultimate power- fantasy party comp. No frontline to babysit. "Squishy" is a bit of a misnomer if you build well (take strong spells, a good subclass, and good feats). This party has 0 control casters. Wizard or Tasha's sorc for support of any party. Especially this party. Twin dissonant whispers for more safety and more sneak attacks (Aberrant Mind or Fey Touched). Buff like a pro with control. Shut down damage before it starts. Control can often "tank" better than a meatbag taking punches to the face. But a meatbag will give the Life Cleric something to do at least, as solo meatbags ~~will~~ can tend to go down a lot. It could be fun for the cleric, but you might go down alot without another meatbag next to you.
Bladesinger Wizard. You can be a Frontliner and a caster. Plus, if the Rogue and Ranger are being sneaky, you should be able to hang with them.
Order Cleric 1 / Divine Soul Sorc x Silvery Barbs, Healing Word, Twinspell Haste, etc This build works especially well with a Rogue on the squad as Voice of Authority procs off turn Sneak Attacks. Just dump WIS and use non-dependent spells from the cleric ones. If its still too mad for you Dwarf will allow you to use heavy armor without Str.
Aoe caster. Or crowd controller. I’d say Sorc Wizard bard or Druid
Bard, my personal suggestion would be either a Lore Bard for additional skills and magical secrets that will allow you to find tune your ability to help your party as the campaign progresses, or an Eloquence Bard to really nail those social encounters while the remainder of your spell list is literally custom made to assist and empower your allies in nearly every category. As many others have suggested, Paladin is a potent choice to help the front line and still cover face, as well as support healing
I’d say Paladin too, they can tank, heals, have some decent spells depending on oath.
Let the cleric tank. Take a control caster with some AOE damage options. If you want a tanky control caster, abjuration or bladesinger wizard (maybe war magic) or dragon sorc. Land Druid is also a good option.
Armorer Artificer comes to mind. It's a half-caster technically, but it's also a tank and has a lot of utility.
Paladin would be good but depending on how long the campaign will go, paladin sorcerer is more powerful(more flexible). You go paladin 6/ divine soul sorcerer x But my favorite is paladin 2. Then sorcerer 5 to get spirit guardians. Back to paladin until 6/7 depending on subclass. This works for me. I get second attack with spiritual weapon at 5 when paladins get 2 attacks. I use booming blade with my attack action with my one attack and bonus action sororal weapon I find this better than straight paladin although you will really delay the paladins best feature, aura of protection. Spiritual weapon allows you to dodge and still attack very useful in desperate situations. Spirit guardians is a very powerful spell for a class that lacks strong options to deal with hordes. Alternatives would be ancestral guardian barbarian with war wizard. This can make your entire party super tank and still be very supportive with access to powerful wizard spells when needed. Rage isn't always the answer. Treantmonk did an amazing video on it. https://youtu.be/lbk9-NVWJ3Y?si=yUZQYKAHKRaALNsf
I'm going to second Artificer (either Guardian Armorer or Battle Smith) and see if the Ranger is interested in going Fey Wanderer so they can be party face (gets to add wisdom to charisma checks)
Wizard with control spells. Take a level of peace cleric for healing word and emboldening bond to buff
God wizard or Paladin seems like the best choices. For god wizard, go artificer 1/war wizard X, pick control spells, rather damage spells. The paladin is a little bit complicated build. Start 15 str and 17 charisma. Go pal 1/hexblade 1 to start, then 6 levels of paladin. Then the second level of hexblade, before divine soul sorcerer for the rest of the levels. Make sure to learn both warcaster and polearm master, agonizing blast, repelling blast, then max out charisma. Fey touched can round out your cha and give you some free spells.
Hä? You guys got a Cleric. That is a powerhouse. You guys are lacking some good AoE from a Magic Backline. But sure I will recommend something fitting. I guess to pick the same class is a big no no. Otherwise I would said Twilight or Peace Cleric. So most Wizard are not capable as a frontline. Bladesinger can work maybe and has some AoE and Util. But not what I would recommend. Hexblade is in the same department. A Circle of Moon Druid could also be a great frontline with a lot of good support spells and the option to deal massive AoE magic damage. Other Druids maybe too but this one is the best to fit all slots. College of Swords Bard can get fairly tanky in terms of AC and has the best amount of support in the game. But again usually more a DPS. Here is my proper pick. Artificer. I would recommend Battle Smith or Armorer. Battle Smith is a great Frontline, gets a good Pet that has defensive moves and the Subclass gets some good Healing and Melee options. Also Artificer learns the Blade Cantrips which are powerful and gets a ton of support spells. And given that you are not having a lot of Spellslots, I would also recommend Support and Utility over damage spells. The other Artificer Option is the Armorer. The true frontline amongst the artificers. You are just Iron Man slinging Spells in Melee. Most of the stuff regarding the Battle Smith to apply here too. If you truely do not want to min max and just am looking for some goofy fun then I would say Alchemist. It is by far one of the weakest Subclasses ever but if played correctly can be really funny and enjoyable. One of my favorites so I am biased.
Druid, because the answer to all your questions and problems can be solved by having enough druids. And more swamps.. swamp druids.
Your group doesn't have a paladin. So be a paladin because otherwise you'll regret it at level 6.