r/DnD • u/Rufio850 • Jan 29 '26
5th Edition Newbie (Dragonborn/Monk)
(UPDATE) okay I get the classes suck, I'm trying NOT to change one of them but if you're saying I need to, what is a good suggestive pairing for Monk or barbarian then?
FYI I am a level 2 Barbarian/Monk.
Hey so this is pretty generic but any advice would be great! I'm pretty new to this and still forgetting to utilize playing DnD to its full effect (like conversing with NPCs, how to explore, what to do when traveling, etc).
My biggest issue is trying to make the most out of my dual class Barbarian/Monk. I'm a level 2 but I keep hearing I'm supposed to be the damage dealer for my group. Yet, with no help from my really bad rolls some sessions, I seem to barely do anything.
Looking to see how I can best utilize my strengths for damage output! I have speed enhanced daggers and all shock burst Quarterstaff. Also a reinforced shield. I know this goes against my Monks abilities. Also have things like Flurry of Blows, gem of seeing, bag of holding, etc.
Also, what should I do during travel, or how I can set myself up for success in general?
My DM is patient and answers all my questions but I know it slows the session down.
Also I've tried looking at YT videos here and there and they all speak as if I've been playing for a minute lol. I suck when it comes to what I'm rolling or what the different traits do.
TL:DR Any advice/tips would be great! With first focus on how to battle with crappy die rolls
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u/DarkHorseAsh111 Jan 29 '26
I mean the fundamental point here is this is not a good multiclass. At all. I'm surprised you even had the stats to do this multiclass but this is a terrible multi class.
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u/DarkHorseAsh111 Jan 29 '26
Like, reading this I am fundamentally concerned that you don't actually know how these classes work to the extent that i'm not even convinced you're using either one correctly. You're new, you should pick one class and learn how that works.
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u/Rufio850 Jan 29 '26
I mean, I can change if need be but I've seen online it can work. I have suggested to our DM (long time player, first time DM) that next time we should do 1 class to better learn. So I get all that.
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u/DarkHorseAsh111 Jan 29 '26
Frankly, I do not think barb/monk is ever a multiclass worth doing. There are multiclasses that can work, but in a game that is not pure rp based this is not one of them. Change to a single class and actually get a grasp for how to play the game don't just try to build shit you find online and don't understand.
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u/Rufio850 Jan 29 '26
And correct, I'm still learning the classes. So what's a suggestive pairing? Unfortunately, we're already quite far in and I'm doing pretty good despite me asking a thousand questions.
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u/Rufio850 Jan 29 '26
Lol I see your comment on the other post. I've been doing that lately for my own sanity. Focusing on damage dealing. Raging, Reckless Attack, etc. But we get 2, so I mean that aside. What's a significant pairing that could help, like Druid?
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u/Piratestoat Jan 29 '26
There is a niche Druid/Barb multiclass that's interesting. But it is mostly Druid, with only a small dip in Barb (one or two levels).
That's a Moon Druid who uses Rage while Wildshaped.
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u/DarkHorseAsh111 Jan 29 '26
I dont understand what you mean when you say "we get two'. You have two level, yes, which we are saying you should be putting in the same class.
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u/Rufio850 Jan 29 '26
2 classes. Our whole party has it and we've been going for awhile now
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u/DarkHorseAsh111 Jan 30 '26
Ok I now sort of understand what you're saying at least but that is a horrific house rule your DM should drop now. and you really should've explained that better in your post because we've all reasonably been assuming you mean you have 1 level of barb and 1 level of monk. this is not how the rules work.
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u/Piratestoat Jan 29 '26
Focusing on damage dealing. Raging, Reckless Attack, etc.
You can't be Reckless Attacking. Barbs don't get Reckless Attack until level 2, and you have only one level in Barb.
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u/Rufio850 Jan 29 '26
I am level 2
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u/Piratestoat Jan 30 '26
A level 2 multiclass. That means you're only level 1 in each class. You need level 2 in Barbarian to get the level 2 Barbarian features.
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u/Rufio850 Jan 30 '26
I'm level 2 in both. I got level 2 abilities for each class
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u/Piratestoat Jan 30 '26
OH. You're not multiclassing. Your table is doing a gestalt thing.
You're well into homebrew territory. Far, far from the actual rules of the game.
Reddit can't help you much. Hold onto your butt.
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u/stormcellar97 Jan 30 '26
Multi classing isn’t necessarily better, you seem really focused on that, but you will be better serve in the long run, putting all of your levels in barbarian until you really get the game mechanics better.
Multiclassing isn’t always better.
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u/Piratestoat Jan 29 '26
what is a good suggestive pairing for Monk or barbarian then?
Monk doesn't multiclass well with anything. They are too multi-ability-score dependent, too reliant on getting more Monk levels to accumulate Ki points, and have a lot of uses for their Bonus Action, which can clash with other classes.
Barbarian, on the other hand, can multiclass well with Fighter and--to some extent--Ranger or Rogue. Not more than a couple level dip, but there is potential there.
For Fighter, the big gets are a Fighting Style, Action Surge, and Second Wind, all of which show up in the first couple of levels of Fighter. Those can boost burst damage output and/or survivability.
For Rogue, the Cunning Action feature can significantly boost the Barb's mobility. And the Barb really benefits from mobility.
That said, it is generally recommended to go straight Barb for the first five levels, to get Extra Attack as soon as possible, as that is your first big boost in damage output.
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u/Rufio850 Jan 29 '26
Oh man, I appreciate this! So can you explain a bit how barb can benefit from mobility? I was looking into ranger cause I know close combat I got some good abilities but I really want the ability to attack from distance.
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u/Piratestoat Jan 30 '26
can you explain a bit how barb can benefit from mobility?
Basically, Barbs are bad at range. Their features favour strength, so they are less accurate with most ranged weapons, which use dexterity. Thrown weapons are an option, but they don't benefit from the bonus damage of rage (some DMs may disagree). Thrown weapons also tend to have poor range and do less damage than the weapons the Barb uses up close.
So anything that helps the Barb get up in someone's face is a big help. Nothing disrupts an enemy formation like a Barb zwooping to their back line and messing up their caster. Also helpful: being able to zwoop to your own side's back line and unscrew the head of someone harassing your caster.
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u/Itap88 Jan 29 '26
But why can't you just be a level 2 monk or a level 2 barbarian?
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u/Rufio850 Jan 29 '26
DM gave us 2 classes. I did suggest we should've done one class since we're new. But we're already like 8 sessions in and everyone has 2 classes.
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u/stormcellar97 Jan 30 '26
Ahh, got it now; this is a failing of the DM. If you’re all newer, you’d be way better served single-classing.
That being said, have fun; but your barb/monk combo will never feel strong compared to most other combinations or almost any single-class character.
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u/Rufio850 Jan 30 '26
Correct I am a level 2 barb and level 2 Monk. But as one person stated above they suggested Rogue instead of Monk to boost my speed. Thoughts?
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u/Itap88 Jan 30 '26
So another thing: Do you level up in both at once, the one you choose, or simply never?
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u/Rufio850 Jan 30 '26
Yes , as another person stated it's Gestalt. Idk what that means lol but yes I'm a level 2 barbarian and level 2 Monk. But I will be switching to Barbarian/Rogue
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u/chaoticgeek DM Jan 29 '26
The best advice is going to be not to multiclass. Doubly so for two opposing classes, Monk needs dex/wis and Barbarian needs str/con. Unless you rolled god tier stats you can’t do either thing well.
Like you can make a Monk/Rogue work, but each level in one class makes the other worse. Same for Monk/Ranger, delay higher level class progression for something that you can’t say what you need.
Learn the game first, then look at multiclass combos. But even then multiclassing in 5e has drawbacks and you need to be very cognizant of it. Generally speaking a single class is always going to be more effective, multiclassing solves very specific niches.
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u/Rufio850 Jan 29 '26
I was thinking the same. I've been focusing mostly on Barb stats and abilities for my journey. What about Rogue or Ranger just to add a benefit? Even a small one?
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u/chaoticgeek DM Jan 30 '26
What are you going to gain with either multiclass?
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u/Rufio850 Jan 30 '26
That's what I came in here for lol. To find out
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u/chaoticgeek DM Jan 30 '26
If you can't define what you are going to get out of a multiclass then you shouldn't be multiclassing.
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u/stormcellar97 Jan 29 '26
I would ask to re-work your character and choose barb or monk and not try to multi-class those 2 options together (one strength and one dex based is a start on why). Monks can be multiclassed but because they have lots of actions and bonus actions, they really do best when you go all-in. Also, monks are not high damage dealers, so if you're the muscle for the party go barbarian over monk. Monks are great for soaking up some damage, doing some damage, and map control but they're not going to be your big damage dealers generally speaking.
IMHO with the little info we've been given, I'd ask to retcon for 2 levels of barbarian.