Omar Bennett
While there are no classes in Dungeons and Dragons that focus on Constitution, it is a valuable statistic for many character builds. Constitution is a defensive statistic that increases a character's hit points, their resistance to poisons and diseases, and how quickly they get drunk, among other things. Barbarians, Fighters, Monks, and Warlocks are all classes that benefit from high Constitution scores, as it improves their durability and ability to take hits. Some players and game designers have called for a Constitution-based class to be added to the game, suggesting a tank-like character that can heal themselves or a spellcaster that uses Constitution to cast spells. For now, players who want to focus on Constitution can use it to enhance their character's defensive abilities and ensure they can stay standing after taking hits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Classes that focus on Constitution | Barbarian, Fighter, Monk, Paladin, Cleric, Druid, Dragonborn, Runeguard, Pugilist, Berserker |
| Constitution-based subclasses | Fire Genasi, Giant Soul Sorcerer, Blood Hunter |
| Constitution-based mechanics | Hit Points, Saving Throws, Holding Breath, Maintaining Concentration, Forced March, Exposure to Heat and Cold, Spellcasting Modifier |
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What You'll Learn
Barbarians are a class that benefits from a high Constitution score
In the world of Dungeons and Dragons, the Barbarian is a class that is all about getting angry, dealing damage, and shrugging off enemy attacks. Barbarians are a durable class that benefits from a high Constitution score in several ways.
Constitution is a measure of a character's health and vitality, and while it doesn't define their personality or skills, it is an essential attribute for Barbarians. A high Constitution score grants Barbarians a large pool of hit points, making them exceptionally durable and capable of withstanding significant damage. This is further enhanced by their "Rage" ability, which provides resistance to weapon damage types and increases their overall survivability.
Additionally, Barbarians with high Constitution can make effective use of certain feats, such as "Tough" and "Durable," which further increase their hit points and keep them in the fight longer. For example, a 20th-level Ancestral Guardian barbarian Hill Dwarf with the Dwarven Fortitude, Tough, and Durable feats and a maxed-out Constitution score can be a formidable opponent.
While Barbarians typically prioritize Strength and Constitution, some players experiment with builds that focus on other attributes, such as Dexterity or Charisma. For instance, a player might create a Fire Genasi barbarian with fire resistance and the Produce Flame cantrip, which is keyed off of Constitution, allowing them to incorporate magic into their playstyle.
In conclusion, Barbarians in Dungeons and Dragons greatly benefit from a high Constitution score, as it enhances their durability, grants them a large pool of hit points, and allows them to make effective use of certain feats and abilities.
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Constitution is useful for casters to keep concentration
While there are no classes that are solely focused on Constitution in D&D, it is a useful skill for casters to keep concentration. Constitution is a character's health and vitality, and it determines their Hit Points. While it does not define a character's personality or skills like other attributes, it is still important for all classes.
Additionally, Constitution can give casters more stamina, allowing them to hold on to spells for longer without losing focus. This is similar to holding your breath for as long as possible; the more stamina you have, the longer you can go without needing to gasp for air. Constitution also helps to ensure that players focus on something other than just their primary stats, creating a more well-rounded character.
Some subclasses, such as certain fighter subclasses in Tasha's Cauldron of Everything and Xanathar's Guide to Everything, use Constitution to determine the DCs for features or the number of daily uses a feature has. However, these subclasses still prioritize other attributes over Constitution. There have been suggestions for a true Constitution class, such as a tanky martial class similar to a barbarian or a spellcaster that uses Constitution to draw on internal vitality and life energy to cast spells.
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Constitution is a defensive and inactive ability score
Constitution is a vital defensive ability score in Dungeons and Dragons, though it is often overlooked. It is a passive score, meaning there are no skills attached to it, but it is important for all classes as it adds to a character's survivability. A high Constitution score gives more hit points, better Constitution saving throws, and helps with things like forced marches, exposure to heat and cold, holding your breath, and maintaining concentration.
Constitution is particularly important for spellcasters, as it helps them maintain concentration on spells, which is critical for any competent spellcaster. It can also be used as a spellcasting modifier. Additionally, Constitution can be important for defence, as it can give an AC (Armour Class) boost, especially for Barbarians. Fighters and Paladins also benefit from a high Constitution score, as it helps them defend themselves with heavy armour and shields.
While there is no official class that relies solely on Constitution, some subclasses come close. For example, the Giant Soul Sorcerer has a fair amount of Constitution-based abilities, and the Blood Hunter, one of Matt Mercer's homebrews, can be built to be somewhat Constitution-dependent. The Ancestral Guardian barbarian Hill Dwarf is another example of a Constitution-based build, with a maxed-out Constitution score.
Some players have also suggested that a new class could be introduced that draws power from their own health, with Constitution as the primary statistic. This class could be less aggressive than a barbarian and less magical than a paladin, instead focusing on blocking attacks and serving as an obstacle for enemies. Alternatively, a Constitution-based spellcaster could be introduced, drawing on internal vitality and life energy to cast spells.
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There is no Constitution-based class in D&D 5e
While Constitution is an important attribute in D&D 5e, there is no official class that specifically focuses on it. Constitution is a passive score that adds to a character's survivability by granting them more hit points and improving their saving throws. It also helps with maintaining concentration, especially for spellcasters, and can be beneficial in situations involving poison, environment, drowning, and suffocation.
Although Constitution is not a primary stat for any class, some classes benefit from it more than others. Barbarians, for example, gain an AC boost and already have high HP, making them a good choice for players who want to focus on Constitution. Fighters and Paladins can also benefit from a high Constitution score, as it improves their defensive capabilities. Additionally, certain subclasses, such as the Giant Soul Sorcerer and the Blood Hunter (a homebrew class), have abilities that rely on Constitution.
Despite the lack of a dedicated Constitution class, players can still create effective builds that take advantage of high Constitution scores. For example, a 20th-level Ancestral Guardian Barbarian Hill Dwarf with the Dwarven Fortitude, Tough, and Durable feats can maximize their Constitution score and focus on taking damage while drawing attackers towards them. Another option is to play as a Fire Genasi, which has fire resistance and the Produce Flame cantrip keyed off Constitution.
While there is no dedicated Constitution class in D&D 5e, some suggest that introducing one could be beneficial to the game. A Constitution class could be a tanky martial class similar to the barbarian but less aggressive. Alternatively, it could be a spellcaster that draws on internal vitality and life energy to cast spells, using Hit Points as a valuable resource. However, these are just suggestions, and Wizards of the Coast has yet to introduce an official Constitution-based class.
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A potential Constitution class could be a tanky martial class
A Constitution-based class would be a compelling addition to Dungeons and Dragons, as Constitution is a consistently needed stat for any melee combatant. A class built around this statistic would allow Wizards of the Coast to find alternative uses for it, beyond increasing Hit Points and concentrating on spells. For example, a Constitution caster could draw on internal vitality and life energy to cast spells, using Hit Points to empower or modify them. This could also result in a new healer class.
Alternatively, a non-caster Constitution class could be a defensive fighter, with heavy armour and shields, that focuses on taking hits and dishing them back out. A high Constitution could also be useful for a scrappy character who thrives in the midst of battle, with a combination of high damage output and protection style.
There are also some existing subclasses that make use of Constitution, such as certain fighter subclasses in Tasha's Cauldron of Everything and Xanathar's Guide to Everything, which use Constitution to determine the number of daily uses a feature has. However, these subclasses still prioritise Strength or Dexterity over Constitution.
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Frequently asked questions
There are currently no official classes that focus on Constitution in D&D. However, some players have created their own homebrew Constitution-based classes and builds, such as the Blood Hunter.
A Constitution-based class would likely be a tanky martial character, similar to a barbarian, but less aggressive. They could focus on blocking attacks and serving as an obstacle for enemies, with a high number of Hit Points.
Yes, certain fighter subclasses in Tasha's Cauldron of Everything and Xanathar's Guide to Everything use Constitution to determine the number of daily uses a feature has. Additionally, the Giant Soul Sorcerer has a fair amount of Constitution-based abilities.
One example is a 20th-level Ancestral Guardian Barbarian Hill Dwarf with the Dwarven Fortitude, Tough, and Durable feats, and a maxed-out Constitution score. This build focuses on drawing attacks towards them and using their high Constitution to take the damage.
