Dungeon Master Reference

Level 3 Gains

Full party breakdown · PHB 2024 · Xanathar's · Tasha's

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Martin · Bruno
Druid · Human · Lucky, Speak with Animals

Choose Subclass — Druid Circle

Circle of the Land Circle of the Moon Circle of the Sea Circle of the Stars Circle of Spores Circle of Wildfire Circle of Dreams ✦ Circle of the Shepherd ✦ Circle of Twilight ✦ Circle of Spores ✦✦ Circle of Stars ✦✦
✦ Xanathar's  ·  ✦✦ Tasha's (overlap/variant)

Class Features Gained

Wild Shape Improvement PHB
CR ½ beasts (no swimming speed limit). Can Wild Shape as a Bonus Action now (2024 revision). Two uses per Short Rest.
Druid Circle Feature PHB
Gain the primary feature of whichever Circle is chosen (e.g. Circle Forms for Moon, Land's Aid for Land, Starry Form for Stars, etc.).
2nd-level Spell Slot PHB
Gains first 2nd-level spell slot. Now knows spells up to 2nd level.
💡 Circle of the Moon at lvl 3 is a significant power spike — CR 1 Wild Shapes with CR ½ still accessible. Circle of Stars gives Starry Form with Archer, Chalice, or Dragon forms from the first use.
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Sonny · Vidar
Barbarian · Human · Tavern Brawler, Resourceful

Choose Subclass — Primal Path

Path of the Berserker Path of the Wild Heart Path of the World Tree Path of the Zealot Path of the Ancestral Guardian ✦ Path of the Storm Herald ✦ Path of the Totem Warrior ✦ Path of the Beast ✦✦ Path of Wild Magic ✦✦
✦ Xanathar's  ·  ✦✦ Tasha's

Class Features Gained

Primal Path Feature PHB
Gain the 3rd-level feature of the chosen path. E.g. Berserker: Frenzy (Bonus Action attack while raging + 1 level of Exhaustion on end); Totem Warrior: Spirit Seeker + Totem Spirit.
Danger Sense (already at 2) → Primal Knowledge ✦✦ TCE
Optional class feature (Tasha's): When you enter Rage, choose one skill — gain proficiency in Athletics, Acrobatics, Intimidation, Nature, Perception, or Survival until rage ends.
Tavern Brawler Synergy Note
With Tavern Brawler, unarmed strikes now deal 1d6+STR and grapples are enhanced — combining beautifully with Berserker Frenzy or Beast path's natural weapons.
💡 Wild Heart (2024) is worth highlighting — it replaces old Totem Warrior with cleaner animal spirit benefits and no spell requirement.
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Georgie · Khav...
Sorcerer · Aasimar · Darkvision

Choose Subclass — Sorcerous Origin

Aberrant Mind ✦✦ Clockwork Soul ✦✦ Draconic Bloodline Divine Soul ✦ Shadow Magic ✦ Storm Sorcery ✦ Wild Magic Lunar Sorcery
✦ Xanathar's  ·  ✦✦ Tasha's

Class Features Gained

Sorcerous Origin Feature PHB
Gain the 3rd-level subclass feature. E.g. Draconic: Elemental Affinity; Wild Magic: Bend Luck; Aberrant Mind: Psionic Spells + Telepathic Speech; Clockwork Soul: Restore Balance.
2nd-level Spell Slots PHB
Gains 2 second-level spell slots. Can also learn 2nd-level spells. Now knows 6 spells total (2024: 6 known).
Metamagic (2024 update) PHB
In 2024 PHB, Sorcerers gain Metamagic at 2nd level — but at 3rd they gain an additional Metamagic option (total of 3 options known by lvl 3 in 2024 rules). Also gain 3 Sorcery Points.
Aasimar Radiant Soul PHB
Already has Darkvision + Celestial Resistance. At lvl 3, Aasimar trait Radiant Soul becomes available (if using 2024 Aasimar, this is a 3rd-level racial feature): sprout wings, fly speed equal to walking, bonus radiant damage on spells/attacks.
💡 Divine Soul (Xanathar's) + Aasimar is a popular and thematic combo — they'd access the full Cleric spell list and gain Favored by the Gods.
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Vanja · Luna
Rogue · Halfling · Alert, Brave, Luck

Choose Subclass — Roguish Archetype

Arcane Trickster Assassin Soulknife Thief Inquisitive ✦ Mastermind ✦ Scout ✦ Swashbuckler ✦ Phantom ✦✦
✦ Xanathar's  ·  ✦✦ Tasha's

Class Features Gained

Roguish Archetype Feature PHB
Gain the 3rd-level feature of chosen archetype. E.g. Assassin: Assassinate; Thief: Fast Hands + Second-Story Work; Arcane Trickster: Mage Hand Legerdemain + spellcasting; Phantom: Whispers of the Dead.
Steady Aim ✦✦ TCE
Optional (Tasha's): As a Bonus Action, give yourself Advantage on your next attack roll this turn — but your speed becomes 0 until end of turn. Great for Sneak Attack guarantee.
Sneak Attack 2d6 PHB
Sneak Attack damage increases to 2d6 at level 3.
Halfling Luck Synergy
With both Luck feat and Halfling Lucky trait, Vanja rerolls 1s on attack rolls AND has Luck points — exceptional floor for Sneak Attack consistency.
💡 Swashbuckler (Xanathar's) synergizes extremely well with a Halfling's bravery/charm flavor — Rakish Audacity lets them Sneak Attack 1-on-1 without needing Advantage.
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Emil · Octavian
Bard · Aasimar · Darkvision

Choose Subclass — Bard College

College of Dance College of Glamour College of Lore College of Spirits ✦✦ College of Swords College of Valor College of Whispers College of Creation ✦✦ College of Eloquence ✦✦
✦✦ Tasha's

Class Features Gained

Bard College Feature PHB
Gain subclass features at 3rd level. E.g. Lore: Bonus Proficiencies + Cutting Words; Glamour: Mantle of Inspiration + Enthralling Performance; Spirits: Guiding Whispers + Spiritual Focus; Eloquence: Silver Tongue + Unsettling Words.
Expertise (second set) PHB
Gain Expertise in 2 more skills (or tools) at 3rd level. Double proficiency bonus on chosen skills.
2nd-level Spell Slots PHB
Now has access to 2nd-level spells. Learns 2 additional spells, including any 2nd-level spells.
Magical Secrets (2024) PHB
In 2024 PHB, Bards now gain Magical Secrets earlier — at level 10 normally, but College of Lore gets two at level 6. Check your ruleset version.
💡 College of Eloquence (Tasha's) is widely considered the strongest Bard subclass — Silver Tongue makes Bardic Inspiration and Persuasion nearly guaranteed, and Unsettling Words counters enemy saves.
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Adrian-B · Dan
Warlock · Orc · Darkvision, Powerful Build

Subclass (chosen at 1st) + Pact Boon at 3rd

Archfey Celestial ✦ Fiend Fathomless ✦✦ Genie ✦✦ Great Old One Hexblade ✦ Undead ✦✦ Undying ✦
✦ Xanathar's  ·  ✦✦ Tasha's

Class Features Gained

Pact Boon PHB
Choose one at 3rd level: Pact of the Blade (conjure pact weapon, use CHA for attacks), Pact of the Chain (gain a familiar with special options: imp, pseudodragon, quasit, sprite, or new 2024 options), Pact of the Tome (Book of Shadows: 3 cantrips from any class + ritual spells). In 2024: also Pact of the Talisman.
Mystic Arcanum (not yet) / 2nd Eldritch Invocations PHB
At 3rd level gain a third Eldritch Invocation. Many invocations require a specific Pact Boon — choose your Pact first! E.g. Thirsting Blade requires Pact of the Blade; Voice of the Chain Master requires Pact of the Chain.
2nd-level Pact Magic Slots PHB
Pact Magic slots upgrade to 2nd level. Now has 2 slots (both 2nd-level), and knows 4 spells total. All slots restore on Short Rest.
Orc Adrenaline Rush (2024) PHB
2024 Orc trait: Adrenaline Rush lets them Dash as a Bonus Action a number of times = PB per Long Rest, and gain temp HP equal to PB when doing so. Stacks powerfully with melee Warlocks.
💡 Hexblade (Xanathar's) Warlocks with Pact of the Blade are a common high-damage pick — CHA to attack/damage, medium armor + shield proficiency from Hexblade's Curse. Orc Powerful Build also synergizes with grappling builds.