Bugbear Guide 5e

Which 5e Classes Work With Bugbear?

Artificer: Nothing here for an artificer.

• Updated: Two artificer subclasses gain Extra Attacks, namely the Armorer and the Battle Smith, which works well with the new Surprise Attack buff. You can still Take +2 INT with your ASI so you won't be restricting your spellcasting ability either.

Barbarian: +2 STR is what Barbarians are all about. The DEX helps with AC and a free stealth proficiency is great.

• Updated: The new bugbear is even better with the barbarian class due to the Surprise Attack update. Still take +2 STR, but now you can decide between DEX or CON for your secondary ASI.

Bard: Nothing here for a bard.

• Updated: Two artificer subclasses gain Extra Attacks, namely the College of Swords and the College of Valor, which works well with the new Surprise Attack buff. Going early in combat shouldn't be too tough if you pick up some DEX and use your Jack of All Trades to boost up your initiative rolls.

Cleric: STR and DEX are good, but mostly wasted together. The racial traits don't work well for a class that wants to cast a lot of spells, but can work if you are more focused on weapon damage.

• Updated: Not much has changed for cleric bugbears as they do not have Extra Attacks to take advantage of the buffs.

Druid: Nothing here for a druid.

• Updated: The only realistic option here would be a druid focusing on Wild Shape, so the Circle of the Moon is your best bet. Several beasts offer multiattack, even as early as 2nd-level when you can turn into a brown bear, allowing you to take advantage of the Surprise Attack trait right from the start.

Fighter: +2 STR for STR-based fighters and +1 DEX for DEX-based fighters. If you are going for a STR-based bugbear build it would make sense to pump DEX and wear medium armor that doesn't grant disadvantage on Stealth checks in order to make the best use of the bugbear's racial traits.

• Updated: With a whole load of Extra Attacks, fighters are the perfect candidate to take advantage of the new bugbear Surprise Attack mechanics. Focusing on DEX here makes sense, as you can boost your initiative really high while also making use of the Sneaky trait.

Monk: Nothing here for a monk, there are plenty of races that give a +2 DEX bonus.

• Updated: Monks get a ton of attacks, so they will be able to take advantage of the new bugbear Surprise Attack mechanics. Monks naturally like DEX, which synergizes well by boosting your initiative and allowing you to make use of the Sneaky trait.

Paladin: The STR bonus is useful and paladins are classic Polearm Master/Sentinel candidates, making good use of Long-Limbed. The proficiency in Stealth can help your disadvantage while wearing heavy armor.

• Updated: DEX-based paladins could be a reasonable option, though they only get one Extra Attack.

Ranger: Nothing here for a ranger.

• Updated: Rangers only get a single Extra Attack, but they usually are DEX-based and use bows, both of which contribute to the effectiveness of Surprise Attack. Gloom Stalkers are probably the best choice as their Dread Ambusher trait allows them to boost their initiative rolls even higher.

Rogue: +1 DEX is a hard choice for Rogues, but taking the Assassin for the Assassinate trait, combined with Surprise Attack and catching your enemies by surprise can lead to mega damage even at lower levels.

• Updated: The new bugbear is about as good as the original for rogues since they don't get any Extra Attacks. Just like most rogues, Two Weapon Fighting is very worthwhile to improve your odds of landing a Sneak Attack, and in this case, a Surprise Attack as well.

Sorcerer: Nothing here for a sorcerer.

• Updated: Bugbear sorcerers can now take CHA, and the new Surprise Attack can be very effective with spell attacks that deliver multiple hits. You can get scorching ray at 2nd-level, which allows you to make three ranged spell attacks for 2d6 damage. With Surprise Attack, these now do 4d6 damage each bringing you up to 12d6 damage as early as level 2.

Warlock: Nothing here for a warlock.

• Updated: Bugbear warlocks can now take CHA, and the new Surprise Attack can be very effective with spell attacks that deliver multiple hits. Eldritch Blast only gets better with Surprise Attack as you level up and gain additional attacks for each cast.

Wizard: Nothing here for a wizard.

• Updated: Bugbear wizards can now take INT, and the new Surprise Attack can be very effective with spell attacks that deliver multiple hits. You can get scorching ray at 2nd-level, which allows you to make three ranged spell attacks for 2d6 damage. With Surprise Attack, these now do 4d6 damage each bringing you up to 12d6 damage as early as level 2.