D&D Classes and Their Core Strategies for Solo Mode

D&D Classes and Their Core Strategies for Solo Mode

Also good for understanding self-sufficiency based on Action Economy Warfare in Char-Gen.

PART 1

The sequence is based on the poll in the Solo Guide INDEX page.

# INDEX OF SUBCLASSES AND CORE STRATEGIES is at #3rd Post [WIP / Fighter & Wizard done].

CLASS	SOLO DEFINITION	CORE SOLO STRATEGY
Fighter	The Versatile Arsenal. Master of martial combat, the Fighter is one of the most flexible classes, capable of excelling in melee, ranged, and highly tactical roles. Their Action Surge feature is a vital resource, allowing a lone fighter to take a decisive second action to kill a key threat or retreat out of a lethal position with Disengage Action.	Adaptation and Discipline. Maximize Strength or Dexterity to choose between heavy defense or ranged versatility as secondary strats. The subclass choice (i.e: Battle Master for maneuvers, Eldritch Knight for spells) must cover deficits in damage mitigation or ranged control.
Wizard	The Arcane Controller (Full-Caster). The quintessential "Zero to Hero" class, defined by unparalleled versatility and access to powerful Arcane spells. Wizards excel at battlefield control and AoE destruction. Their low starting survivability is compensated by late-game power and defensive spells like Shield.	Patience and Preparation. Maximize Intelligence for spellcasting. Must rely heavily on Find Familiar or summons (substitution) for battlefield distraction early on. Survival requires mastering resource management, especially of limited spell slots, focusing on control spells (CC) to hinder enemy infantry and set up devastating AoE attacks to be followed by a ranged weapon or cantrips.
Rogue	The Opportunistic Shadow (Martial / Infiltrator). Defined by high Dexterity for Stealth and Cunning Action, the Rogue is the ultimate solo infiltrator and skill monkey. Their Sneak Attack feature provides bursts of damage needed to eliminate priority targets swiftly, provided they can generate the necessary advantage.	Concealment and Single Target Focus. Maximize Dexterity for high AC, initiative bonus & mobility and damage. Survival is based on creating surprise rounds, dividing and conquering enemy groups, and always having an escape route pre-planned with using their Cunning Action (Hide / Disengage as a bonus action).
Sorcerer	The Nuker (Full-Caster). Similar to the Wizard, but reliant on inherent Charisma and the use of Metamagic to enhance their spells. Their ability to manipulate spell effects makes them potentially superior solo controllers and damage dealers at higher levels, though they suffer the same early-game fragility as the Wizard.	Tactical Manipulation of Reality. Maximize Charisma. Must survive to the mid-levels to unlock truly impactful Metamagic options (like Heightened Spell) that force enemies into disadvantageous saves, allowing them to overcome single, powerful foes more reliably than a standard Wizard.
Paladin	The Indomitable Bulwark (Half-caster Hybrid). A divine warrior fusing melee discipline with support and healing magic. They serve as both capable tanks and damage dealers, using divine spells for personal buffs (+AC, resistance) and powerful radiant smites. Their high Charisma allows them to function as the leaders or use Intimidation as a battlefield control tactic in solo mode.	Offense as Defense. Focus equally on Strength and Charisma. Prioritize self-healing to eliminate the need for a dedicated healer, focusing on support spells (buffs) that enhance martial prowess. They are strong frontline combatants who can survive their initial struggle to be a capable foe of the fiend and the undead. Beware the late acquisition of Divine spells.
Ranger	The Prepared Hunter (Ranged / Half-Caster). A martial class that augments ranged prowess with nature spells. They excel at recon and terrain exploitation. Their spell list provides key utility, including buffs and battlefield control (i.e: Ensnaring Strike).	Range and Patience. Maximize Dexterity for precise attacks and have high Wisdom for casting. Their survival relies on establishing battlefield traps, initiating combat from Stealth, and leveraging ranged abilities to keep threats out of melee range.
Monk	The Mobile Striker (Martial). Highly dependent on high Dexterity and in some cases Wisdom for both defense (Unarmored Defense) and offense. Monks are characterized by high mobility and the ability to apply debilitating conditions like stun.	Calculated Engagement based on a Martial Philosophy. Must compensate for lower overall damage per round (DPR) compared to other martials. Survival depends on their high mobility and the ability to use Stunning Strikes (an effective CC) to disable high-priority targets and prevent enemies from establishing flanking maneuvers.
Druid	The Wild Controller (Full-caster Hybrid). Masters of nature magic and shapeshifting, Druids are versatile and adaptable. Their Wild Shape ability allows them to physically substitute different combat roles: they can turn into a bear (tank) or a panther (mobile scout/damage dealer). Their spells offer powerful support and area control (AoE CC) as well as elemental damage.	Flexibility Above All. Maximize Wisdom for powerful healing and elemental damage. Their defining strategy is the ability to shift their form based on immediate tactical need, ranging from soaking damage in melee, to easily deal with ambushes. Always maintain resources over their limited Wild Shapes and spell slots.

D&D Classes and Their Core Strategies for Solo Mode

PART 2

Here's the less loved classes and their core strats based on the poll.
Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, and Warlock.

CLASS	SOLO DEFINITION	CORE SOLO STRATEGY
Barbarian	The Unbreakable Fury (Martial). Defined by raw physical power and a primal frenzy that grants supernatural resilience. A front-line fighter specialized in absorbing "Deadly" damage spikes that would down lesser heroes.	Aggression and Attrition. Maximize Strength and Constitution to build a robust HP buffer. Utilize Rage for universal physical resistance, effectively doubling your health pool. At level 3, the Path of the Totem Warrior (Bear) is the optimal self-sufficiency choice, as it grants resistance to nearly all damage types.
Bard	The Versatile Virtuoso (Full Caster Hybrid). A master of song and speech who weaves magic to inspire allies (even summoned ones) and demoralize foes. Their hallmark is sheer versatility, allowing them to adapt to any encounter role on the fly.	Tactical Control and Performance. Maximize Charisma for high-save DCs to ensure "Action Deletion" via charms and illusions. Weaponize the A+BA+R Engine by using Bardic Inspiration as a Bonus Action and powerful control spells as your primary Action. Use Magical Secrets at level 10 to plunder missing party roles like high-tier healing or heavy defense.
Cleric	The Divine Paramedic (Full Caster Hybrid). An extremely self-sufficient hybrid capable of acting as his own tank, healer, and damage dealer. They serve as a conduit for divine power, combining medium armor with radiant magic.	Resourceful Self-Reliance. Maximize Wisdom for spellcasting and Strength for martial prowess. Don't specialize early. Follow the Substitution Doctrine by using high AC and shields to substitute a tank, while utilizing innate healing to sustain yourself through 8-encounter attrition days. Establish a Zone of Control with radiant Area-Denial spells like Spirit Guardians.
Warlock	The Pact Commander (Full Caster Outlier). A seeker of forbidden knowledge who relies on scalable magic and a customizable, spammable offense (Eldritch Blast). They are unique among casters because their resources recharge on a Short Rest and aligning with solo operational viability.	Sustained Offense and Displacement. Maximize Charisma to leverage Eldritch Blast as your primary "Action" engine, augmented with Invocations like Repelling Blast for spatial control. Reserve limited spell slots for high-impact reactions or repositioning via Misty Step. The Hexblade is the premier solo subclass for increased AC and crit-based threat elimination.

INDEX OF SUBCLASSES AND THEIR CORE STRATEGIES

1. Fighter
2. Wizard
3. Rogue
4. Sorcerer
5. Paladin
6. Ranger
7. Monk
8. Druid
9. Barbarian
10. Bard
11. Cleric
12. Warlock

D&D Subclasses and Their Core Strategies

Fighter Subclasses

I skipped the less viable ones to save space. They will be in the guide.

SUBCLASS	SOLO DEFINITION	CORE SOLO STRATEGY
Rune Knight	The Runic Guardian. A premier frontline bruiser that uses magical runes to augment physical dominance.	Size Advantage and Redirection. Prioritize Giant’s Might to gain advantage on Strength checks for grappling and shoving. Use the Fire Rune to restrain key threats and the Cloud Rune Reaction to turn enemy attacks into outgoing offense.
Battle Master	The Master of Maneuvers. The most versatile solo fighter, capable of manipulating the battlefield’s physical geometry through maneuvers.	A+BA+R Saturation with Maneuvers. Weaponize the A+BA+R engine using maneuvers like Brace or Riposte to strike during enemy turns. Prioritize Precision Attack to guarantee hits on high-threat targets when using Power Attack feats [Great Weapon Master / Sharpshooter].
Psi Warrior	The Mental Bulwark. A versatile fighter who integrates psionic force into both offensive strikes and defensive barriers.	Kinetic Mitigation. Use your Reaction for Protective Field to reduce incoming damage and your Bonus Action for Psi-Powered Leap to maintain distance economy.
Echo Knight	The Phantom Skirmisher. A master of positional dominance who uses a manifest echo to kite enemies endlessly.	Renewable Positional Control. Use your Bonus Action for Echo Jump to teleport safely without using the Disengage action. Deploy the echo to create a secondary Zone of Control, punishing any enemy that maneuvers within its reach. Know that the echo can use Attack of Opportunity.
Champion	The Attrition Brute. A simple, sturdy combatant that relies on raw physical resilience and frequent critical strikes.	Passive Sustainability. Focus on pure damage scaling via Improved Critical. Rely on Second Wind and the Survivor feature to remain in the fight without complex resource management.
Cavalier	The Spatial Warden. A specialist in locking down enemy movement and preventing encirclement.	Hold the Line. Establish an extreme Zone of Control where enemy speed is reduced to zero upon being hit by an Opportunity Attack. Use Warding Maneuver as a reaction to boost your own AC against focused attacks.
Eldritch Knight	The Arcane Shield. A hybrid warrior who uses high-tier abjuration magic to bridge the gap between martial and arcane defense.	Defensive Layering. Maintain high-level protection by using your Reaction for Shield or Absorb Elements. Utilize War Magic to cast a cantrip and make a weapon attack in a single turn, maximizing action efficiency.
Samurai	The Burst Duelist. A fighter specialized in high-risk offense and surviving lethal damage spikes.	Unrelenting Spirit. Weaponize your Bonus Action to gain advantage on all attacks and temporary hit points for immediate survival. Use Strength before Death as a failsafe to take an extra turn when reduced to zero hit points.

Wizard Subclasses

SUBCLASS	SOLO DEFINITION	CORE SOLO STRATEGY
Abjuration	The Arcane Tank. A master of attrition who uses magical wards to survive Deadly damage spikes.	The Diamond Fortress. Use Arcane Ward as a secondary hit point pool that absorbs damage without triggering concentration checks. Replenish the ward using reactive spells like Shield or Counterspell.
War Magic	The Tactical Sovereign. A specialist in initiative supremacy and maintaining unbreakable focus.	Secure the First-Strike. Leverage Tactical Wit to ensure you act first, deploying mass-control spells like Hypnotic Pattern before enemies can act. Use Arcane Deflection as a resourceless reaction to bolster AC or saving throws.
Necromancy	The Horde Commander. A supreme strategist who weaponizes numbers to patch the wizard's inherent fragility.	Action Multiplication. Follow the Substitution Doctrine by raising a horde of undead to act as "Meat-Shields" and additional action sources. Use Grim Harvest to turn enemy deaths into a self-healing resource.
Chronurgy	The Reality Architect. A master of causality who treats battle as a mathematical puzzle.	Secure the Economic Insurance. Utilize Chronal Shift to force rerolls on enemy critical hits or your own failed saves. Use Arcane Abeyance to set up devastating spell combos with your familiar.
Bladesinging	The Skirmish Master (Hybrid). A high-mobility hybrid who wades into melee while remaining nearly untouchable.	Mobility Tactics. Activate Bladesong as a bonus action for a massive AC and concentration boost. Combine weapon attacks with cantrips like Booming Blade to lock enemies in hazardous zones while kiting safely away.
Evocation	The Arcane Artillery. A specialist in removing high volumes of threats through raw destructive Area-of-effect power.	Turn Deletion. Use Sculpt Spells to drop massive AOE attacks like Fireball directly into melee clusters while keeping yourself safe. Eliminate "Infantry" and Swarms quickly to out-produce the enemy's cumulative action economy.
Graviturgy	The Master of Space. A specialist in controlling battlefield geometry through forced movement.	Spatial Repositioning. Focus on high-impact movement manipulation to shove enemies into hazards or create impassable chokepoints. If there is none, create one.
Conjuration	The Summoner. A master of manifestation and spatial manipulation who populates the arena with independent assets.	Sustainable Field Presence. Use summons to substitute the tank, creating Meat-Shield Wall to divide enemy focus. Leverage Benign Transposition for resourceless kiting, allowing you to swap positions with summons to escape melee Zones of Control without using a Disengage action.
Divination	The Master of Fate. A specialist in deterministic victory who erases the RNG variance that often ends solo campaigns.	Calculated Certainty. Utilize Portent to force failed saving throws on high-threat Controllers or to guarantee your own success on Deadly (4d10) damage saves. This serves as the ultimate Economic Insurance against catastrophic failure states.
Enchantment	The Mind Bender. A tactical diplomat who subverts enemy action economy by turning the opposition against itself.	Pacification and Discord. Weaponize your gaze via Hypnotic Gaze to incapacitate Brutes resourcelessly. Use Split Enchantment at level 10 to effectively double your "Turn Deletion" capacity, neutralizing two priority targets with a single Action.
Illusion	The Phantom Trickster. An architect of visual deception who dictates reality by confounding enemy senses.	Layered Evasion. Maintain Illusory Self as a zero-cost reaction to negate incoming damage. Use Malleable Illusions to adjust your Zone of Control on the fly, keeping Artillery and Skirmishers trapped in ever-shifting phantom hazards.
Transmutation	The Smith of Flesh. A practitioner of physical adaptation who bridges the Wizard's physiological deficits through material alchemy.	Physiological Reinforcement. Use the Transmuter’s Stone for passive self-sufficiency, prioritizing Constitution save proficiency or movement speed to maintain Distance Economy. Deploy Shapechanger for an emergency HP buffer when facing Deadly damage spikes.
Order of Scribes	The Arcane Cartographer. A fluid strategist who weaponizes the medium of magic itself to achieve extreme tactical versatility.	Remote Engagement. Utilize Manifest Mind to conduct Line of Sight Warfare casting high-impact control spells from total cover to negate enemy retaliatory actions. Use One with the Word as a final survival failsafe, absorbing lethal damage at the cost of spellbook pages.

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Sorcerer Subclasses

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Coming after I finish Wizard Build Options and Stratagems in the guide.