How to Build a Damage Dealer in D&D 5e

Damage dealers (DPR builds: damage per round) optimize for raw output. More attacks, bigger dice, more crits.

Here's how to build one.

Core DPR Principles

1. Multiple attacks. Extra Attack at level 5. Additional attacks via feats or features.
2. Big damage dice. Greatsword 2d6 or greataxe 1d12.
3. Ability score max. +5 damage from 20 Strength or Dexterity.
4. Damage bonuses. Hunter's Mark, Hex, Divine Smite, Favored Foe.
5. Crit chance. Higher crit range (Champion), advantage generation.
6. Power attack feats. GWM or Sharpshooter for +10 damage.

Best DPR Classes

Paladin (S-tier burst)

Divine Smite turns any melee hit into massive damage. Level 5+ with 5th-level slots delivers insane burst.

Fighter (S-tier sustained)

More attacks than any class. Action Surge for bursts. Third attack at level 11, fourth at level 20.

Barbarian (A-tier reliable)

Reckless Attack advantage + Brutal Critical + Rage damage. Consistent high DPR.

Ranger (A-tier ranged)

Hunter's Mark + Sharpshooter + Extra Attack. Sustained damage, great against mobs.

Rogue (B-tier burst)

Sneak Attack. Limited to once per turn but scales to 10d6 at level 19.

Sorcerer / Warlock (B-tier ranged)

Eldritch Blast with Agonizing Blast scales well. Burst via Quickened.

Build Template: Archer Ranger

Race: Variant Human (Sharpshooter at level 1).

Class: Ranger, Hunter, Colossus Slayer.

Stats: STR 10, DEX 16, CON 14, INT 8, WIS 14, CHA 10.

Fighting Style: Archery (+2 to hit).

Key spells: Hunter's Mark (always), Ensnaring Strike (backup), Pass Without Trace.

Feat progression:

• Level 1: Sharpshooter (variant human).
• Level 4: +2 Dex (to 18).
• Level 8: +2 Dex (to 20).
• Level 12: Crossbow Expert (for no disadvantage in close).
• Level 16: Lucky (rerolls).

DPR at level 11: ~70 damage per round (Hunter's Mark + Sharpshooter + 3 attacks).

Build Template: Great Weapon Barbarian

Race: Half-Orc (Savage Attacks for crit damage).

Class: Barbarian, Path of the Berserker.

Stats: STR 16, DEX 14, CON 16, INT 8, WIS 12, CHA 8.

Feat progression:

• Level 4: Great Weapon Master.
• Level 8: +2 Strength (to 18).
• Level 12: +2 Strength (to 20).
• Level 16: Tough (+HP).

DPR at level 11: ~60-80 damage per round with Reckless Attack + GWM + Rage.

Build Template: Sorcadin (Sorcerer/Paladin multiclass)

Race: Dragonborn (Str + Cha, breath weapon backup).

Classes: Paladin 6 + Sorcerer X.

Stats: STR 16, DEX 10, CON 14, INT 8, WIS 10, CHA 16 (grow to 20 over time).

Feats: Great Weapon Master at level 4 (Paladin).

Key combo: Smite with Paladin slots + Sorcerer slots converted to Paladin slots via Sorcery Points.

Nova damage: 3 rounds of 5d8 Smite per turn is possible in peak nova.

Maximizing Advantage

Advantage doubles crit chance. Sources:

• Reckless Attack (Barbarian).
• Hiding attacks (Rogue with Cunning Action).
• Paralyzed targets (Hold Person).
• Prone targets in melee.
• Flanking (if used as house rule).
• Faerie Fire (Bard, Druid).
• True Strike (low-level cantrip, situational).

Maximizing Crit Range

• Champion Fighter: 19-20 at level 3, 18-20 at level 15.
• Elven Accuracy feat (non-SRD): Third roll for advantage.
• Hexblade Critical (non-SRD, level 14): Critical on 19-20 for specific targets.

Action Surge Burst

Fighter Action Surge adds 2 attacks (with Extra Attack) in a single turn. Use on:

• The opening turn when enemies are unprepared.
• To finish a boss near HP 0.
• When multiple enemies are exposed.

In Solo Play

Solo DPR matters because you're the only damage source. Every point of extra damage ends the fight faster, which means less incoming damage to you.

A solo Barbarian or Fighter with optimized DPR can clear encounters in 2-3 rounds that would take a casual build 5-6 rounds.

The Endlessness and DPR Builds

Our AI Dungeon Master applies DPR mechanics: Extra Attack, Action Surge, GWM/Sharpshooter -5/+10 trade, Sneak Attack conditions, critical hit bonus dice, feat interactions.

For related reads, our fighter guide, barbarian guide, paladin guide, and best feats guide cover more.

Final Takeaway

Damage dealers end fights fast. For solo play, this is survival. Build for maximum DPR with Fighter, Barbarian, or Paladin.

Start a damage dealer on The Endlessness and feel the difference.