The Best Species And Class Combos In DnD

Dungeons & Dragons is all about creating a fantasy character and role-playing as if you were them. The game allows you to choose a species and class among many magical and unique options to fully realize who your character is and what they do. However, due to the gamifying of the world, some species receive statistical bonuses and abilities that make them a better fit for some classes than others.

The 2024 Player’s Handbook changed how ability scores are gained during character creation, making that aspect ruled by backgrounds instead of species. Still, the many abilities given by the species are still important to consider, hence why there are still perfect fits for each species and class, but remember to always pick whatever you find most fun!

Updated on February 5, 2025, by Marissa Fiore: Even with the release of the 2024 Player’s Handbook, there are still many species in fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons that players love to embody. This list has been updated to include more entries from other sourcebooks that fall under the massive fifth edition umbrella.

21

Changeling/Rogue

Naturally Deceptive

Look, changelings can fill many classes wonderfully. Very few choices would be seen as wrong or questionable. But there are very few things that beat the changeling and rogue combination. Need to get into a guarded location? Use your ability to change your appearance into that of a guard and then use some Deception to get inside.

Changelings can be found in Eberron: Rising From The Last War and Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse, so if you want to use them with the 2024 rules, simply ignore the ability scores they offer and use all their other features.

While that’s one example, it’s easy to come up with situations that a changeling rogue can help in, sneak into, and get close to targets so that they can apply a hefty Sneak Attack to unsuspecting NPCs and monsters. Just be sure that your Deception is high, as well as your Performance and Persuasion.

20

Firbolg/Cleric

Bet You Weren’t Expecting That

One of the most well-known images of the Firbolg accompanying their stats, at least in 5e, depicts their connection to nature, making many believe they are best building their new character as a druid. There’s no wrong way to build a character if you’re having fun, and druid is far from the worst choice, but they actually make even better clerics.

Fribolgs can be found in Volo’s Guide To Monsters and Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse, so if you want to use them with the 2024 rules, simply ignore the ability scores they offer and use all their other features.

This is thanks to their additional boost to the Strength stat. Granted, with how the 2024 ruleset has changed, many Dungeon Masters (DMs) might do away with this. But if they don’t, that Strength stat increase makes it so that you can battle fiercely while maintaining all the skills you need to be an excellent healer and team player. Even with that Strength boost removed, you’re going to have a good time beating holy energy into enemies or staying a bit further back and providing support and healing.

19

Goblin/Fighter

Fury In A Small Package

It might seem odd to think of a goblin player character as a fighter, depending on how you’re most familiar with them. But between their Fury Of The Small ability and Nimble Escape, you can apply extra damage and then quickly get out of situations, avoiding taking extra damage.

Goblins can be found in Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse, so if you want to use them with the 2024 rules, simply ignore the ability scores they offer and use all their other features.

Again, with the rules changing in 2024, some of the extra points goblins got to their stats don’t sway which class you should choose in quite the same way. But those two abilities make it so that fighting is still easily mastered by the small but mighty species, not to mention it will be fun to roleplay.

18

Kobold/Monk

Small Fists Of Fury

Kobolds are a beloved species despite not being in the 2024 Player’s Handbook. They often find their way into campaigns and are fun to play. But when you are considering which class to give your newly crafted friend, you could do a whole heck of a lot worse than having them become a monk.

Kobolds can be found in Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse, so if you want to use them with the 2024 rules, simply ignore the ability scores they offer and use all their other features.

This is all thanks to the Pact Tactics ability. Similar to some beasts, like wolves in Dungeons & Dragons, kobolds get advantage on their attacks if their allies are nearby and conscious. Not to mention you have a Hail Mary if things get too dicey (ha ha) in the form of Grovel, Cower, And Beg, giving your allies the advantage instead.

17

Triton/Warlock

More Spells For The Devoted

This combination got a bit of a nerf in the 2024 ruleset, removing stat increases based on species. Even with that said, this is still one of the best classes a triton can build into, and it has to do with having some innate spellcasting.

Triton can be found in Volo’s Guide To Monsters and Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse, so if you want to use them with the 2024 rules, simply ignore the ability scores they offer and use all their other features.

Warlocks struggle with a smaller spell pool than the wizards and sorcerers of Dungeons & Dragons. Meanwhile, triton get three spells: Fog Cloud you can use right away, Gust Of Wind is granted at 3rd level, and Water Walk at 5th level. In addition, with Emissary Of The Sea, you can communicate to a large list of monsters, not replacing something like Speak To Animals in a one-to-one comparison, but can help when there is no druid or other caster with this in their spell list.

16

Gnome/Artificer

Big Brain In A Small Body

Gnomes are clever and natural inventors who are accustomed to magic. Well, that is everything you want in an artificer. The species’ special traits fit perfectly with being an artificer and their species abilities are also supplementary to the class.

The artificer class can be found in the Eberron: Rising From The Last War sourcebook.

The ideal option for your artificer is the rock gnome variant, since they gain Mending and Prestidigitation. Mending’s utility for an artificer is obvious, but Prestidigitation works in a special way for these gnomes, letting them create a tiny clockwork invention able to do all sorts of harmless things, like starting fires or playing music.

15

Dragonborn/Paladin

Knight In Shining Scales

Dragonborn is one of the most stereotypically cool species in D&D. They are bipedal dragonkin with elemental breath weapons and are honorable. What more could you want? Their true potential can be seen once they take an oath and become fully pledged paladins.

Their breath weapon gives them an option for area control, so they can save their spell slots for the classic divine smite. In addition, they get an elemental damage resistance which is always welcome. Add to that dragonborn culture all about being honorable and devoted, and you have the perfect species for a paladin. You’ll snugly fit in the de facto leader position in your party.

14

Goliath/Barbarian

An Avatar Of Raw Natural Power

These giant-looking fierce creatures already live barbarian-like lives before taking a level in a class. They live in clans high on top of mountains and use their physical prowess to survive. This lifestyle gives them increased endurance, a powerful build, and the ability to grow in size.

Note that the barbarian class has the potential to be one of the tankiest, and a goliath barbarian sounds like the perfect fit. Of course, this combo also makes tons of lore sense, which is always lovely. For your Giant Ancestry, consider choosing either Fire’s Burn for damage or Stone’s Endurance for survivability.

13

Half-Elf/Bard

Everybody’s Sweetheart

If you plan on playing a bard in the classic sense, with your songs filling taverns and your stories bringing crowds together, you should absolutely consider playing a half-elf. The half-elves result from a relationship between two species and are thus the bridge between two worlds. This unique situation gives them tons of versatility.

Half-elves are from the 2014 rules, so if you want to use them with the 2024 rules, simply ignore the ability scores they offer and use all their other features.

They were often picked for their Charisma bonus, but you can now get that from your background. Still, they gain all sorts of features useful for bards, like extra skill proficiencies, darkvision, and their resistance to being charmed. Half-elves are already one of the best species in the game, and their versatility and customizable nature lend them to be great bards.

12

Dwarf/Cleric

A Devoted Warrior With Conviction

Dwarves are described as hardy, skilled warriors who are highly loyal and determined—all essential characteristics for the chosen warrior of a god. Their dwarven resilience and toughness are valuable for a frontline, tank-like role, while their tremorsense lets them avoid all kinds of devilish ambushes.

There are unique and interesting deities denoted as dwarven gods, so picking a deity as a cleric will be all the more enjoyable when playing as a dwarf. Grab a shield, a holy symbol, and a trusty warhammer, undoubtedly a classic combination that will work out.

11

Aarakocra/Ranger Or Fighter

Shoot Your Enemies From Afar

Aarakocra is one of the more exotic species options, first introduced in the Elemental Evil Player’s Companion. They are bird people with great agility and the ability to fly. While they get very little else that makes them strong, their ability to fly naturally makes them extremely strong.

Aarakocra are from the Elemental Evil Player’s Companion, so if you want to use them with the 2024 rules, simply ignore the ability scores they offer and use all their other features.

You can get any class that excels in ranged combat and start shooting your enemies from a safe distance in the air. A Dexterity-focused fighter with a bow is extremely powerful, but the ranger class also fits this species incredibly well. If your Dungeon Master allows it, you could also consider the homebrew subclass Gunslinger, written by the one and only Matt Mercer.

10

Halfling/Rogue

As Nimble As It Gets

This may seem like a weird combo at first, since halflings are predominantly depicted as fun-loving, friendly, and warmhearted creatures. In contrast, a stereotypical rogue is the edgelord of any D&D campaign. Well, once you see past the stereotypes, halflings make great rogues, since they are small, agile, and lucky.

These are all things that make a rogue that much more effective on the field. Their natural features make them ideal for sneaking around or escaping a dangerous situation. Imagine a more business-minded rogue or a halfling that’s been through a lot, and you also have an exciting concept.

9

Tiefling/Warlock

Demonic Heritage And Divine Power

If a species was written with a specific class in mind, it must be the tiefling. These creatures have an infernal heritage and are cursed with a devilish appearance. Thus, they are usually met with prejudice and are approached with caution.

It makes sense for a tiefling to ask for a higher power for the ability to protect themselves, then, doesn’t it? Their species’ fiendish legacy and the resistance and spells that come with them are also great boons for a warlock. After all, there is a reason why most players choose to play this combination.

8

Human/Everything

Diverse And Customizable

As the jacks-of-all-trades, we have the humans. Yeah, we might not be as charismatic as a Dragonborn or as magically inclined as a Gnome, but what humans are is diverse. The game represents this by the versatile trait they gain at level one.

The 2024 Player’s Handbook added plenty to the humans, with ways to gain heroic inspiration and extra lore that ties them to the center of the multiverse. Humans are best known for being adaptable and diverse, which is represented in D&D as well. You can match the human with any class in D&D, and your character will be decent at worst.

7

Lizardfolk/Druid

The Apex Predators

While a stereotypical druid may look more like the classic tree-hugging elf who is vegan, this combination of a cutthroat species and a generally peaceful class can lead to interesting scenarios. After all, nature is ruthless, with predators constantly feeding on the prey and creatures living in a constant cycle of death and danger of it.

Lizardfolk are from Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse, so if you want to use them with the 2024 rules, simply ignore the ability scores they offer and use all their other features.

Lizardfolk, a very literal and pragmatic species, perfectly fits that aspect of nature. They use what they can to their advantage, whether that be bones of fallen allies or defeated enemies’ items. This may not be the tried and true druid, but it’s a very interesting take on it. You can even flavor your wild shape to always be something lizardly, like a scaly kind of bear.

6

Kenku/Rogue

An Unusual Infiltrator

There are a lot of species in D&D that can work well as rogues, either for their agility or expertise at remaining hidden. However, kenku carves itself a very niche spot for being a Rogue, thanks to its species abilities’ Mimicry and Expert Forgery.

Kenku are from Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse, so if you want to use them with the 2024 rules, simply ignore the ability scores they offer and use all their other features.

You can sneak around, pick locks, and plant evidence like any good rogue. However, on top of that, you can forge highly believable documents, mimic the voices of important figures, and more. Taking the Keen Mind feat to remember any details you see is a sure way to annoy your DM with how effective it can be.

5

Tabaxi/Monk

Definition Of Speed

With the species’ feats Feline Agility and Cat’s Claws, tabaxi is likely the most mobile of any species, barring the ones with a flying speed. Even if they can’t fly, they can easily make up for that with pure movement and versatility in the type of movement.

Tabaxi are from Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse, so if you want to use them with the 2024 rules, simply ignore the ability scores they offer and use all their other features.

A tabaxi monk can easily move in and out of danger, dishing out incredible damage with their Flurry of Blows. Thanks to the monk’s ability to Disengage as a Bonus Action, you won’t have to worry about Opportunity Attacks. This is simply one of the best species/class combinations for a pure monk experience.

4

Half-Orc/Barbarian

When You Really Don’t Want To Die

There are already memes and rant posts about how barbarians are too hard to kill, thanks to their generally higher Hit Points and their resistance to damage as they rage. If that’s not enough survivability for you, you can easily combine it with the half-orc or the orc for a truly resilient character.

The 2024 Player’s Handbook has orcs instead of half-orcs, but they work exactly the same.

Relentless endurance lets you stay at one Hit Point when you’re reduced to zero once per long rest. Especially if you have a healer in your party, this can mean several extra turns of action for your character instead of beginning to roll Death saving throws. If your orcish barbarian dies somehow, you should feel comfortable knowing it wasn’t meant to be.

3

Yuan-Ti/Sorcerer

Intimidating Caster

The Yuan-Ti is a very interesting species. With a very rich lore and interesting unique features, they sit among the “weirder” species. However, their uniqueness is not a detriment to their abilities, but a boon instead. They make for absolutely great Sorcerers for a few reasons.

Yuan-Ti are from Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse, so if you want to use them with the 2024 rules, simply ignore the ability scores they offer and use all their other features.

The species feat Magic Resistance is what sets them apart though. Having advantage on Saving Throws against magical effects is invaluable, and will likely let you concentrate on your own spells for way longer. The innate spellcasting this species gets is just a big bonus on top of that.

2

Elf/Ranger

Each Ancestry Has Its Flavor

Elves come in three variants: drow, high elf, and wood elf. If you want to play a classic ranger, then the wood elf is for you, gaining the speed and spells needed to stay a safe distance away while you rain death with your arrows.

You might think that is the only elven variant worth it for rangers, but you would be mistaken since rangers have some rather interesting subclasses. A fey wanderer ranger gains fitting skills by being a high elf, while the gloom stalker rangers can reach their full potential by being drow, sneaking through the shadows.