Goblin Guide 5e

Which 5e Classes Work With Goblins?

The goblin’s stat spread doesn’t lend itself to being optimized for anything other than DEX-dependent character builds.

Artificer: Artificers need INT to be effective.

• Updated: Now that goblins can choose INT they are a solid pick for an artificer. Nimble Escape is good so you don't get caught in melee range if you are playing a squishy subclass, and Fury of the Small gives a solid damage boost whether you are playing a melee artificer or focus on damage dealing spells.

Barbarian: Barbarians need STR to be effective.

• Updated: You do get the bonus damage from Fury of the Small, but nothing else is very appealing here for a barbarian as they typically don't want to run and hide.

Bard: Bards need CHA to be effective.

• Updated: Melee as well as spell-based bards will benefit from the boosted damage by way of Fury of the Small as many of their best spells are focused on support and crowd control rather than raw damage. Nimble Escape will come in handy as bards aren't known for their ability to tank damage.

Cleric: While there are Cleric builds centered around DEX, the lack of WIS is a steep price to pay.

• Updated: Clerics are an excellent candidate for the updated goblin as they receive a boost to their spell and weapon damage with Fury of the Small, and can use Nimble Escape to move into position to save their allies with a spell or distract enemies.

Druid: Druids need WIS to be effective.

• Updated: A strong choice for any Circle of the Moon druid who will be able to take full advantage of Fury of the Small and Nimble Escape. Fury of the Small is less useful to the other subclasses if your druid isn't focused on dealing damage in battle, but Nimble Escape is perfect to get out of sticky situations as druids are quite squishy.

Fighter: Goblins are right at home for DEX-based fighter builds. The goblin’s racial traits add extra movement options and boosted damage. STR-based fighters are better off choosing a different race.

• Updated: The new goblin is perfect for the fighter, allowing you to choose your ASIs depending on your preferred weapons. Fury of the Small gives boosted damage to any of the attacks you wish, and Nimble Escape makes your fighter much more maneuverable on the battlefield, able to disengage an enemy without provoking attacks of opportunity.

Monk: DEX and CON are a great start for a monk build as they need a high AC and hit points to survive in melee range. Nimble Escape works well with this class, but may not get much use as monks have many powerful options for their Bonus Action.

• Updated: Monks can already Disengage with Step of the Wind, though Fury of the Small will add some damage to the many attacks monks can take per round.

Paladin: Because paladins rely on several ability scores, a lack of both STR and CHA is not ideal. Despite this, DEX and CON are still useful and the goblin’s racial traits add extra movement options and boosted damage.

• Updated: Paladins do get the boosted damage from Fury of the Small, but hiding and disengaging isn't typically what they want to be doing.

Ranger: Goblins are a great choice for rangers. The DEX and CON ASI spread is second only to races with DEX and WIS. The goblin’s racial traits all increase the effectiveness of the class.

• Updated: Nimble Escape will be very useful to stay away from your enemies if using a bow, and even melee rangers will make use of it as they aren't as tanky as some other classes. Fury of the Small will stack nicely with Hunter's Mark and other ways to boost damage since rangers don't get many extra attacks.

Rogue: Nimble Escape is useless as a rogue due to Cunning Action. The DEX and CON boosts are what rogues want but there are other races that have similar ASIs and better racial traits.

• Updated: Nothing has changed enough to make the updated goblin better than the original for a rogue.

Sorcerer: Sorcerers need CHA to be effective.

• Updated: Now that goblins can choose CHA they are a solid pick for a sorcerer. Fury of the Small will add damage to all of your spells and Nimble Escape is a great failsafe to get out of harms way if you find yourself within melee range.

Warlock: Warlocks need CHA to be effective.

• Updated: Now that goblins can choose CHA they are a solid pick for a warlock. Fury of the Small will add damage to all of your spells and Nimble Escape is a great failsafe to get out of harms way if you find yourself within melee range. Goblins are also now a strong choice for Hexblades for boosted weapon damage and more maneuverability on the battlefield.

Wizard: Wizards need INT to be effective.

• Updated: Now that goblins can choose INT they are a solid pick for a wizard. Fury of the Small will add damage to all of your spells and Nimble Escape is a great failsafe to get out of harms way if you find yourself within melee range. Goblins are also now a strong choice for Bladesingers for boosted weapon damage and more maneuverability on the battlefield.