Summary
Dungeons & Dragons, the venerable tabletop RPG, is best known for its freeform nature and emphasis on freedom. The rules that govern it are remarkably bendable, and the number of possibilities is hindered only by one’s creativity. Dungeon Masters and players alike can create to their heart’s content, resulting in innumerable opportunities.This independence fuels the process of character creation, the ultimate expression of freedom and creativity among players. With access to various classes, subclasses, races, etc.,players can create various characters.
Such freedom of choice allows for vastly different characters with unique mechanics and playstyles. Although thecharacter creation system ofDungeons & Dragonschiefly inspires creativity, some have taken advantage of its near-limitless capabilities. Through various exploits, players have devised numerous game-breaking builds capable of doing the impossible. While many dissuade such an exploitative practice, there is much to be learned fromDungeons & Dragons’most broken character builds.
Updated on May 25th, 2025 by Chad Thesen:Broken characters in D&D can be a very fun experience. Playing an overpowered character doesn’t mean you instantly win, especially when you have a creative DM that can spin things into a fun time for everyone. Be sure to let your DM know exactly how OP your character can be to not invoke their ire, as they can snap them right out of existence. Instead, let them know how powerful things can be, and ask if they can work it into the story, even if your character loses this godlike status among the other player characters.
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Wizard
The Barbarian is synonymous with the Strength stat, but their other class features work unbelievably well with a Wizard using the Bladesinger subclass. Unarmored Defence stacked with Bladesong means this multiclass adds their Dexterity, Constitution, and Intelligence Modifiers to their AC. Raising both Intelligence and Dexterity to 20, along with wearing an Amulet of Health for 19 Constitution, results in a base AC of 24 — note that you cannot use a shield with Bladesong.
This makes for a very fearsome Dexterity-focused damage dealer that can use Rage to become resistant to Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing damage types. If this character takes damage, they can use the Song of Defense feature to lower the amount of damage by expending spell slots — with higher spell slots reducing more damage. While thisRagesingercharacter is still at a lower level, such as the third level, they can cast the Mirror Image spell with a 2nd level spell slot before entering their Rage to bolster their survivability.
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Sorcerer
The most infamous broken build by far is theCoffeelock. A ridiculously delightful combinationof the naturally gifted Sorcererand otherworldly blessed Warlock, the Coffeelock grants players unlimited spells. In addition, this build also eliminates the need for long rests, hence the name Coffeelock. Despite repeated arguments concerning its legality, the Coffeelock continues to be a good and capable character build.
The Coffeelock requires a character to have at leasttwo levels in Sorcererand three in Warlock. Thus, providing them access tothe Font of Magicand Pact of the Tome features. The former allows a character to convertSorcery PointsintoSpell Slotsand vice versa — the key mechanic of the Coffeelock. The latter allows a character to acquire theEldritch Invocation,Aspect of the Moon, eliminating the need for a long rest. This set of somewhat disjointed abilities lets a character rely solely on short rests to recuperate.
Thus, a Coffeelock can take a short rest, recover spell slots, convert them into Sorcery Points or vice versa, and repeat — essentially granting infinite Spell Slots. The only downside of this build is the consequence of not finishing long rests. Prolonged periods without long rests will result inExhaustion, an effect that incrementally worsens and can even cause death. The only way to avoid this detriment is through theGreater Restorationspell, obtainable through theDivine SoulSorcerer Subclass. Such a spell requiresdiamond dust worth 100 gold pieces. Although expensive at first, eventually, a Coffeelock can discover a way to mitigate the cost.
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Cleric
The Goodberry Masteris a lesser-known but undeniably broken build. Utilizing the Cleric class andMagic Initiate Feat, the Goodberry Master offers substantial, cost-effective healing all ina single Goodberry. As a bonus, these Goodberries grant nourishment for an entire day, removing the need for rations. Although somewhat lackluster by comparison, the Goodberry Master is the only build capable of healing forty hit points with a 1st Level Spell.
The Goodberry Master requires a character to take at leastone level in Cleric, choosing theLife Domain. Doing so grants them theDisciple of Lifefeature, which increases the number of hit points regained from healing spells to two plus the spell’s level. In addition to this ability, players need theMagic Initiate Featfor theDruidspell list. Alternatively, one can dip intoDruid, which is recommended as it makes a character a flexible healer who can do more in and out of combat. The Magic Initiate Feat will grant a character access to theGoodberryspell — the main focus of the Goodberry Master.
With these features, a character can produce Goodberries capable of healing at a minimum of 4 hit points each. While seemingly unimpressive at first, one must consider that the Goodberry spell conjures up to ten Goodberries, meaningforty hit points in total. Such incredible healing capabilities are remarkable for a 1st level spell, and it becomes far more beneficial when cast at higher levels. The only downside, albeit trivial, is the need for adruidic focus, which is not much considering that they can use something as cheap as a sprig of mistletoe. Both of these necessities are easily obtainable and well worth the effort.
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Rogue
A lot of players will minmax characters to optimize using a specific ability point or have the highest probability of accomplishing specific objectives. The rogue is a class that doesn’t normally optimize Intelligence unless it has either the Arcane Trickster or Inquisitor subclass. However, simply 1dip into Artificermeans they gain so much value from their Intelligence ability score. They gain options for new spells and cantrips that can ramp up their already high damage output.
A second dip means even more amazing cantrips and spells. Such as Faerie Fire which can grant the user advantage, and sneak attack, to all their hits for 10 turns. Players can also use these Artificer dips to give them multiple boosts to their AC. Both the Artificer and the Rogue have some crazy game-breaking stunts they can pull off, and when put together, players can increase the frequency of each.
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Bard
The Jack of All Tradesis a strange, broken build that puts all its stock on a nifty perk of being a Bard — that is, being somewhat good at everything. With aid from a race, several classes, and the Skilled Feat, the Jack of All Trades becomes proficientin every skillimaginable. Rather than being a master of none, this build makes a character versatile while providing expertise in some areas. Although not as traditionally powerful comparatively, the Jack of All Trades is essentially a multifunctional character fit for any situation.
The Jack of All Trades requires a character to be aHalf-ElforVariant Human, as each grants many starting skills. In addition, they must take, at minimum,three levels in Bard, one in Cleric, and one in Rogue. With a level in Rogue, a charactergains proficiency in four skills and expertise in two— or one skill and Thieves' Tools, should they prefer. By taking a level in Cleric and choosing theKnowledge Domain, a charactergains proficiency in two languages and two skills— ability checks made using these skills act as if they have expertise.
By taking three levels in Bard and choosing theCollege of Lore, a character gains proficiency with instruments and six skills with expertise in two. Finally, a character must take theSkilled Feat, which makes them proficient in three skills of their choice. Once they reach their5th level, a character can become proficient in nearly every skill. Thus, the Jack of All Trades is a living pocket knife perfect for most situations, especially those that seem unlikely. This build not only makes for outstanding utility but decent support as well.
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Warlock
The Darkblade is a way to brutally punish any enemy that finds itself within melee range of the character and does not require any multiclassing. The player will start by taking Devil’s Sight as one of their Eldritch Invocations at level 2. They will then cast the 2nd level spell, Darkness, on their own melee weapon. This means they have a shroud of darkness that will extend 15 feet from their weapon, with them inside the shroud. This darkness will follow them around wherever they move, and since it is magical darkness, enemies with Darkvision cannot see through it. This build comes alive at 2nd level and just continues to get stronger.
By taking the Variant Human race, this character can get the Sentinel feat at level 1.The Darkblade Warlockcan then approach an enemy and attack with advantage since the enemy cannot see them. Enemy attacks will be at a disadvantage, and if they try to run, the Sentinel feat allows a successful opportunity attack to reduce the foe’s speed to zero — and all opportunity attacks will be at advantage. If the user has the Booming Blade cantrip, this can deal extra damage if their foe attempts to try to run while in the darkness. This lets players lord a significantly unfair edge over their targets.
This build is capable of trivializing most combat through infinite advantage rolls. This comes through their Emboldening Bond and exploits social encounters with their maxed-out Charisma — put the racial bonus into Charisma to help with this. Giving this class the above feats means more HP, communicating over a distance, and some of the best persuasion and insight rolls possible.
This Domain’s Emoldening Bond will allow them to give +1d4 to allies' attacks, saves, and skill checks that will stack with Bless. What makes this build so OP is the sheer abundance of stacking bonus dice, party-wide saving throw insurance, and being a social manipulating machine. This is perfect for players that love high Charisma but really want to roleplay something unique compared to anything else serving as the face of the group.
This build lets players create a massive amount of copies of their character, all armed with spell slots. This does require a character to have progressed all the way to the point they can get their hands on the Wish spell so that they can cast more Simulacrums.
At 20th Level, the initial caster can make a copy, but they cannot cast the spell without it destroying this copy. However, their copy can make a copy of the original using either Simulacrum or Wish. This chain can be repeated to break the combat economy that is built for the current group of players.
While there is no specific race requirement. Taking a race with a focus on INT is recommended.
Become a walking dice controller that manipulates fate using one of the Halfling race’s most notorious features — Lucky. Divination Wizards already have Portant and are known for bending rolls to the point it is considered completely unfair. However, being able to reroll nat 1s three times a day makes it near impossible to take one of these plucky spellcasters out of the fight.
Picking up the Resilient feat will massively help with concentration spells. Other spells these wizards will want in their arsenal to shift a hard encounter to an easy one will be Shield, Silvery Barbs, Hold Person, Counterspell, and Wall of Force. Players will always have times when they fumble a key roll they need, and this is the solution.
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The Pallockis an exceedingly powerful yet somewhat contradictory broken build known by many fans. Using the divinity of Paladins andthe taboo magic of Warlocks, the Pallock can unleash devastating blows capable of decimating nearly anything with only a few hits. Such a unique combination allows for many potent variations of this build, which prove effective regardless. Thus, making the Pallock among the most customizable and deadliest builds possible.
The Pallock requires a character to have at leasttwo levels in Paladinand three in Warlock, although they will likely take more. With three levels in Paladin, a character gains access tothe Divine Smite feature. Divine Smite will contribute to the immense damage-dealing potential of this build. Three levels in Warlock will grant a character access tothe Pact Boonand the Hexblade subclass.
Upon gaining the Pact Boon feature, a character should choosethePact of the Bladeas it offers the most benefits for what this build is to achieve. The Hexblade subclass grants a character additional damage-dealing potential inthe Hexblade’s Curse feature. Together, these classes provide a character with the means to defeat even the strongest and bulkiest enemies with a single blow. The destructive capabilities of the Pallock become increasingly powerful when a character takes more levels in either class. However, six levels in Paladin and fourteen levels in Warlock are preferable to attain a ridiculously effective build.
