Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 dehmier Dec 30, 2014 6:29:11	Q. Currently I am starting a game and our party is made up of an eladrin rogue, Dragonborn fighter, high elf wizard, wood elf druid and myself. Personally I'm not one for playing the cleric healer but I can't decide on a class to help balance the party out. Any ideas and also what 5 characters make up in your opinion the best balanced team.
#2 Bloodscythe Dec 30, 2014 8:04:29	All characters can heal out of combat by expending hit dice, and the fighter can use second wind in and out of combat.  In combat, the druid is capable of healing.  If you want additional healing, a cleric or bard are just as effective.  Really, the only healer that "stands out" is the cleric of the Life domain, but druid, bard, and cleric are all effective and fundamentally equal healers since they all have access to cure light wounds.  Note that druids don't gain access to raise dead, so unless you plan on paying for raise dead, you might want to make a character that can cast the spell.   Typically fighting shorter fights removes the need to even have an in-combat healer, so more damage would definitely work.    Depending on play style,... Heavily ranged attackers/light on tanks: If the rogue wants to be a ranged attacker, I'd make another melee type.  Even if the druid plans on meleeing a lot in animal form, another tank will help if the druid has to change back to heal.   If the group wants to play stealthily: A character that can buff the dragonborn with darkvision would be very helpful... not needing a light source as you adventure is really helpful with regard to gaining surprise.   If the fighter is a GWF build: A shield wearing defender might be a good way to go so the dragonborn can stay focused on damage output.  Cleric, barbarian, bard, even monk might be useful here.  A paladin offers amazing defense and supplemental healing.  Lay on Hands is basically the greatest stabilizing ability in the game since you can heal for 1 hp until you run out of uses.  Though monks can't use a shield, they can dodge as a bonus action if they expend a Ki point, and gain AC from both dex and wisdom... a monk at 1st lvl using a race that can boost both dex and wisdom can have a 16 AC with the point buy system, and even higher potentially with rolled stats.  They can also benefit from bracers of defense, which grants an additional +2 AC to anyone not wearing armor or shield.  A way of shadow monk can even cast darkvision.   Truthfully, you have a balanced party already, and adventures and CR are based on a 4-person team, not 5.  You don't need a 5th member unless you really want to play a character in addition to DMing.
#3 Yunru Dec 30, 2014 10:13:44	Rogue Thief with Healer feat?
#4 Ashrym Dec 30, 2014 17:26:30	I think Bloodscythe summarized well. The group looks balanced. A cleric or bard opens up raise dead, or a paladin eventually but the wizard can use wish by then. I would probably go with the paladin for solid damage, additional healing, buffs and the auras; CHA bonus to saves plus bless is a strong addition. Alternatively, I would go with the bard for bardic inspiration, more healing, and raise dead. The bard can add bless through magical secrets. Aura's and inspiration provide strong benefits on two classes that both enhance the group in addition to more healing. Cleric is still a good choice too. ;)
#5 steelwulf99 Dec 31, 2014 12:39:28	dehmier wrote:
#6 PaulPennyfeather Jan 01, 2015 19:15:53	dehmier wrote:
#7 dehmier Jan 02, 2015 11:12:36	This has put a lot into perspective for me thank you everyone for your responses.