All of the Character Classes covered in the Players Handbook (PHB) are
covered in this material. They are listed and summarized below.
Within the 3rd Edition game, there are classes and sub-classes (called Prestige
Classes) within them. The Prestige Class contains elements similar to the main class, but with significant variations between them.
Each class has a key ability that is paramount to their success. The better the key ability score is, the more powerful a character can become. For example, a wizard's Intelligence is their key ability, and determines how many spells they can cast, how powerful a spell the wizard can handle, and how difficult it is to learn a new spell.
Barbarian - A ferocious warrior who uses fury and instinct to bring down foes. Conan is a good Barbarian. A barbarian's key ability is Strength (STR).
Bard - a performer whose music works magic - a wanderer, a tale-teller and a jack of all trades. Will Scarlet from Robin Hood was a Bard. A bard's key ability is Charisma (CHA).
Cleric - a master of divine magic and a capable warrior as well. The Religious Orders of the medieval crusades are examples of Clerics. A cleric's key ability is Wisdom (WIS).
Druid - One who draws energy from the natural world to case divine spells and grain strange magical powers. Based on the Druids of Gaul, they have a deep affinity for the forest. A druid's key ability is Wisdom (WIS).
Fighter - a warrior with exceptional combat ability and unequaled skill with weapons. Richard the Lion-Heart, or almost any other knight from the Middle Ages would be a Fighter. A fighter's key ability is Strength (STR).
Monk - A martial artist whose unarmed strikes hit fast and hard - a master of exotic powers. A monk's key ability is Wisdom (WIS).
Paladin - a champion of justice and destroyer of evil, protected and strengthened by an array of divine powers. Sir Galahad was a Paladin. A paladin's key ability is Charisma (CHA).
Ranger - A cunning, skilled warrior of the wilderness. Aragorn from Lord of the Rings is a good fictional example of a Ranger. A ranger's key ability is Dexterity (DEX).
Rogue - a tricky, stealthful scout and spy who wins the battle by stealth rather than brute force. Ali Baba was a Rogue. A rogue's key ability is Dexterity (DEX).
Sorcerer - a spell-caster with inborn magical ability. A sorcerer's key ability is Charisma (CHA).
Wizard - a potent spell-caster schooled in the arcane arts. The most famous wizard was probably Merlin. A wizard's key ability is Intelligence (INT).
There are also many combinations of classes available within the game. These are called multi-classing, and allow for a more interesting and powerful character.
Prestige classes are only available to players after the character has reached 5th Level, and chooses to specialize in a Prestige Class. Prestige classes can be found in the Dungeon Master's Guide,, Tome of Blood, Song and Silence, Defenders of the Faith, Sword & Fist, and the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting books, amongst others.