Legend of Vox Machina season 2 is proof of that. All these new stories have inspired a lot of newbies to the hobby. Xanathar's Guide To Everything's new and unorthodox subclasses and monsters ensure that their first time playing is immediately exciting.
Despite the plethora of rulebooks in the 5e library, Xanathar’s Guide to Everything remains a staple of the game thanks to its high-quality additions to the world. Xanathar's Guide to Everything is particularly beloved thanks to the huge variety of new subclasses. All these subclasses remain in meta builds to this day, both for their power, customizability, and roleplay potential.
War Magic
Wizard
For those who study the higher mysteries to be more efficient in killing their foes, then this is the perfect subclass. It’s not so much focused on flashiness as it is just being perfect at surviving fights. It’s for the scrappy wizards who love to strike first and survive their infamously low survivability in brute fights.
All of their features are geared towards a good balance of dealing and avoiding damage efficiently. The boost to the initiative as well as bonuses to AC and saving throws make Wizard a lot harder to put down than most other wizards, outside of abjuration. Power Surge gives spells that extra oomph to put down those tougher foes.
Zealot
Barbarian
Barbarians are all about dishing out the hurt, and few subclasses are as good at that as the Zealot. Divine Fury is essentially a Barbarian’s version of a Paladin's Smite. While it’s weaker than Smite per strike, it’s unlimited and can be used consistently in combat. It also encourages reckless abandon.
Zealots are supposed to be in the fray because of their class features such as Warrior of the Gods (which makes resurrection easier). Fanatical Focus (reroll failed saving throws) and Rage Beyond Death (making the Barbarian too angry to die) make it incredibly hard to put them down. For Barbarians that boast of their feats in battle, this is the perfect subclass.
College of Glamour
Bard
Bards are already famed for being charismatic musicians, so this simply amps that up to supernatural levels. Glamour bards revel in the attention of their allies, and bask in the fear of their enemies. Mantle of Inspiration makes it so that the player is so attractive that their allies become better just by being around them.
Enthralling Performance lets the player perform so beautifully that they can charm people into worshiping them. Mantle of Majesty is essentially a free Command bonus action every turn in combat. Lastly, Unbreakable Majesty makes it so that the bard is so unbelievably regal that foes simply don’t want to harm them. In essence, Glamour Bards are supernatural pop stars.
Circle of Dreams
Druid
Beneath the veneer of reality lies the realm of dreams, and its power is far more potent than the world knows. Mystical yet comionate, Dream Druids are a fantastic role. With the Balm of the Summer Court, they can rejuvenate their allies. Hearth of Moonlight and Shadow summons a sphere that hides players within and makes them more alert.
Hidden Paths opens pathways hidden to the conscious realm, allowing druids to teleport huge distances in the blink of an eye. Finally, Walker in Dreams lets them shape dreams at will, and gain access to powerful spells without costing a spell slot. It’s a far cry from the usual damage-centric builds in the top-tier meta, but it’s a fun, flavorful, and powerful way to play Druid.
Samurai
Fighter
Samurai is perfect for those who want to channel their inner shonen protagonist. Fighting Spirit makes the player more accurate in their strikes while amping up their survivability. Elegant Courtier is the infamous “Talk no Jutsu” common to shonen MCs, allowing them a bonus in Charisma checks.
Tireless Spirit adds an extra use of Fighting Spirit for the player, even if they have run out. Rapid Strike is exactly what it sounds like, allowing Samurai to strike the opponent several times in a single turn. Lastly, Strength Before Death makes the Samurai ignore the grasp of death for one extra turn, spitting in the face of adversity.
Way of the Kensei
Monk
Fighting is an art, and there are no better artists in that regard than the monks who train in the Way of the Kensei. To them, a sword is no different from a brush, though the “paint” in this case is often blood. With their chosen signature weapons, they are capable of parries, deadlier shots, magical enhancements, and stronger strikes.
Sharpen the Blade and Unerring Accuracy boost the monk’s weapon damage and accuracy to truly absurd levels. For those who enjoy the art of combat, Kensei monks ensure that fighting is as efficient and effective as possible. It also happens to shore up many of the monk’s previous weaknesses, especially about ranged attacks.
Conquest
Paladin
It often comes as a surprise to many players when they realize that Paladins aren’t limited in their Oaths to “honor, justice and redemption”. Some Paladins believe in their own right to subjugate and conquer those beneath them. They are the Paladins of Conquest, and all will bow before their might. Their presence frightens cowards in combat and their strikes hit with unnatural accuracy.
Those frightened of the Paladin find themselves frozen in fear, their minds dealing psychic damage to them in the process. Whenever a whelp dares strike them, they are Scornfully Rebuked, taking damage in the process. Lastly, the greatest of conquerors become Avatars of Conquest, powerful beings of warfare. Conan the Barbarian’s oath makes him a perfect multiclass candidate for this subclass.
Horizon Walker
Ranger
In a fantastical world, it’s easy to forget that one’s plane is but a drop in the cosmic design. Horizon Walkers defend the planes from threats that originate from other realms of existence. They have an uncanny ability to sense magical portals near them. They gain access to powerful spells befitting their status. Their attacks are infused with multiversal energy, thanks to their status as Planar Warriors.
As a free action, they can become Ethereal, showcasing their tenuous connection to the physical realm. Taken a step further, their Distant Strikes allow them to shift between planes in the blink of an eye during combat, ala Nightcrawler. Lastly, their Spectral Defense lets them react to attacks by weakening planar boundaries, giving them resistance to it. It’s an unorthodox style for Rangers, but perfectly flavorful.
Inquisitive
Rogue
With how dangerous the occupation of Rogues can be, it only makes sense that they develop an uncanny sense for the small things. Inquisitive Rogues have an Ear for Deceit, noticing the slightest signs of lying. Their Eye for Detail allows them to see things that others might not have noticed.
In combat, their minds are suited for Insightful Fighting, allowing them to sneak attack even without an advantage. Think Sherlock Holmes “discombobulating” his foes. Their other features further improve their sense, letting them see weaknesses, illusions, and traps with ease. It might not be flashy, but whether it’s direct combat or murder mysteries, the Inquisitive Rogue is a valuable asset
Grave Domain
Cleric
Clerics are often seen as beacons of the gods, but most people forget that not all the gods are bright. The Grave Cleric worships the gods of death and accepts their important role in the natural order. When a Grave Cleric saves a life, it’s not just out of kindness. It’s because it wasn’t time for that life’s end.
Circle of Mortality allows them to bring allies back from the brink with ease. Path to the Grave hastens a foe’s trip to the afterlife, making them vulnerable to all damage for a single attack. As Sentinels at Death’s Door, they can prevent critical blows that would end a target’s life. Lastly, they can steal a trace of vitality from a dead foe, using it to extend another’s life. While morbid, Grave Clerics are helpful in their own strange ways.
