To that end, most of our pages articles will list a general ''levelcategory'' of balance. These depending on the sorts of power levels are described herethat the game supports. Each level It should be said right off that no balance category is better or worse than any other, the only right one is named after the class one that best exemplifies it, works for your game and your playstyle. Each category contains a number of classes, prestige classes, and character options published by Wizards of the Coast to provide further examples of material at that levelwithin it. The options listed here aren't intended to be used to win or lose any contests, but just to give you a good pool of work to compare our homebrew against. It should be said right off that no level is better or worse than any other, the only right level is the one that works for your game and your playstyle.

As part of that, we accept Breaking things down in this way also means that an option is only overpowered or underpowered when compared with the other available options. There is material within published works that is going to be overpowered for some campaigns, just as there is material that is going to be weak in some campaigns. Sometimes that is even the same material viewed from two different games. These balance levels categories are an attempt to place homebrew works on this site in a greater context. If an article is listed at as having a given levelparticular article balance, we believe it is best matched with other material in that category and thus appropriate for inclusion in a campaign that already primarily includes the options indicated at that level. It may overperform at some levels, it may underperform at others, and it may change based on campaign considerations regarding enemy and equipment distributions, but it shouldn't overshadow or be useless compared to other material overall.

So please look over our article balance levelscategories, and see if you can pick out which one your games tend to work underuse. We hope that you find material here for that balance level your style of play that helps expand the fun of your games , without making you worry about unbalancing it.

==3.5th Edition Balance Points=={{sidebar underbar |I never had a problem before... |  You may never have had a character in your game consistently overshadowing everyone else. Or a character feel completely useless because they just don't contribute like the rest of the party without that artifact sword you gave them. It's possible that you've never banned a spell because it was too strong, or boosted a feat that you thought was too weak. Perhaps you've never had a player use a strong class ability in a way that seemed like abuse, or you've never seen a group stack some abilities and rules together to "win" the game without actually playing it anymore. If that's the case, you probably don't need to worry about this and can just use whatever you like from the wiki. And you should feel very lucky.

  For the rest of us who have had some of these problems, these the article balance points categories should help to minimize , or at least point out , the potential pitfalls. Even if you've never worried about it before and don't particularly feel like worrying about it now, we hope that these levels make it easier for your to identify and resolve the actual root of any instances where you feel that a player is over or under performing.}}===Monk Level===

The [[SRD:Monk==3rd and 3.5th Edition=={{sidebar|Alternate Balance Category Names|At one point these article balance categories were named for classes. Low used to be called Monk]] Level is , Moderate was Fighter, High was Rogue, and Very High was Wizard. These terms are no longer used in general, but may still be present in some older comments.}}There are many things that could be used to measure the lowest possible level strength of balancea character. Materials in On this category will remain competitive with fighter level material up wiki we have elected to level 9 measure classes by their strength against their enemies and challenges, and with rogue character options and wizard level material, as well as appropriate CR monsters, up additions by what they add to level 5a character against his enemies and challenges. Additional levels may be possible with extensive optimization, but after these points the higher category content will likely begin These comparisons are what led to pull awayour balance categories.

The Monk It is widely considered important to be note that, with respect to classes, these balance levels are not intended to represent the weakest pinnacle of a class, nor its minimum. They are intended to represent an average member of all the core class, one who avoids trap options and builds a competent member of their class. You can certainly play some of these classesat a lower balance level by intentionally choosing weaker options, and this fact is agreed upon you can occasionally play some of these classes at a higher level by this wiki's [[Dungeons using tricks and Dragons Wiki:Rating Committee|Rating Committee]]optimizing. We do not allow any level Attempting to categorize every build of balance lower than Monk-level on the wikievery character is simply impossible, and anything weaker than the core monk may be deleted per wiki policywe go with a more general approach here.

Other ===Low Balance===This level contains material that is widely considered to be the weakest. Classes in this balance range generally have extensive multiple attribute dependency and need to boost several attributes to remain competitive with other classes. They have a slower progression in areas they are supposed to remain competent in when compared to other classes. They have class abilities that counter-synergize with their intended role in the party. They gain significant or important class features many levels after other classes and monsters have gained them, when the feature is less relevant. Sometimes these class features come with extensive restrictions that keep them from becoming a more useful ability.  Low article balance material, therefore, is material that does not synergize well with other abilities, offers abilities that are well below those seen by higher powered classes and most monsters for the level they are granted at, progresses substantially more slowly than other classes and the monsters, or offers a small or extremely circumstantial bonus. It also contains most material that is almost entirely fluff, only granting extremely minor benefits. Material in this category will remain competitive with moderate level material up to level 8. It should remain competitive with high and very high balance material, as well as appropriate CR monsters, up to level 4. Additional levels may be possible with extensive optimization, but after these points the higher category content will likely begin to pull away.  '''Note:''' This is the lowest level of balance we support on this wiki, as anything with less power basically doesn't play using the same rules. We do not allow any level of balance lower than Low on the wiki, and anything weaker will be deleted per wiki [[Project:Deletion Policy|policy]]. Classes and prestige classes, published by Wizards of the Coast, that can be considered around the Monk low level of balance include:* Healer<ref name="miniatures handbook">[[Publication:Miniatures Handbook|Miniatures Handbook]]</ref>* [[SRD:Monk|Monk]]* [[SRD:Ranger|Ranger]] (TWF builds)

Some feats, published by Wizards of the Coast, that can be considered around the Monk low level of balance include:

* Most of the feats in the game, unfortunatelyPHB.

For a complete list of low balance articles on this wiki that use the Monk Level of balance, [[Special:SearchByProperty/Balance-20PointArticle%20Balance/MonkLow|click here]].

===Fighter LevelModerate Balance===Classes in this balance category generally have sufficient numerical progression in important areas to maintain their intended role, but often lack significant class features. They may gain sufficient feats to keep abilities fresh and its tricks CR appropriate for a time, but they eventually begin to fall behind monsters who simply acquire new abilities faster than they can. This level is often restricted in reach as well, often being melee only or gaining no significant ranged abilities.

A step up from Monk Level is the balance level corresponding to the [[SRD:Fighter|core Fighter]]. Materials Material in this category will remain competitive with rogue high level material and appropriate CR monsters up to around level 98, and though it will be passed up by wizard very high level material earlier than that. Additional competitive levels may be possible with extensive optimization, but after these points the higher category content will likely begin to pull away. Examples of such optimization would include the "chain tripper" fighter. A "spirited charger" fighter, whose primary goal in life is to wield a lance and use [[SRD:Spirited Charge|Spirited Charge]], with a ''very'' careful magic item selection is fairly competitive, if boring, against monsters at all levels of the game and more likely playing at a high balance level than a moderate one.

This balance point stretches roughly from the chain tripper Fighter to a Fighter whose primary goal in life It is to wield a lance and use [[SRD:Spirited Charge|Spirited Charge]] and have ''very'' careful magic item selection (a build worth noting that is fairly competitive, if boring, against many higher CR monsters and balance material can still be used in games at this level simply by not making use of all levels of the game)their abilities. The latter is an example of Ranged monsters or spell casters that close to melee to utilize their shiny weapons and allow the level of optimization required melee based fighters to keep this content relevant in simple close and strike them are examples. Similarly, "blaster" wizards who favor direct damage with [[SRD:Rogue|Rogues]] spells and published monsters "heal bot" clerics are likely playing at high levels; it is still a fighter level build because of its general lack of options and one-dimensionalitythis balance range as well.

Other classes and prestige classes, published by Wizards of the Coast, that can be considered around the Fighter moderate level of balance include:

* WarlockHexblade<ref name="complete arcanewarrior">[[Publication:Complete Warrior|Complete Warrior]]</ref>* [[SRD:Fighter|Fighter]]* Scout<ref name="complete adventurer">[[Publication:Complete ArcaneAdventurer|Complete ArcaneAdventurer]]</ref>* [[SRD:Ranger|Ranger]] (Bow builds)* Warmage<ref name="complete arcane" >[[Publication:Complete Arcane|Complete Arcane]]</ref>

Some feats, published by Wizards of the Coast, that can be considered around the Fighter moderate level of balance include:

For a complete list of moderate balance articles on this wiki that use the Fighter Level of balance, [[Special:SearchByProperty/BalanceArticle-20Point20Balance/FighterModerate|click here]]. ===High Balance===Classes in this category have sufficient numerical progression in the areas they are intended to cover, but also gain significant class features which allow them to compete on a roughly even footing with enemies of most CRs. Most have some utility abilities which allow them to adjust or influence the narrative of the game, and these abilities do not come at the cost of their combat ability. Material at the high level is therefore material that is competent against all CRs, grants significant and timely abilities to deal with equal CR creatures, offers significant and level-appropriate utility, or scales to match creatures in some important aspect. This is not to say that they have abilities against every potential threat, however, and they will likely excel at certain types of encounters and do poorly at others.

A step up from the Fighter Level is the balance level corresponding to the [[SRD:Rogue|Rogue]]. This level of balance category can also be called the [[Project:Same Game Test|Same Game Test]] level, as the Rogue corresponds most classes correspond to an approximately 50/50 matchup on that balance guideline. Materials in Note that this category will remain competitive against appropriate CR monsters over all levels balance guideline is depreciated, however, due to repeated and unsolved arguments regarding the role of the game, equipment and can generally be optimized for play with wizard level contentbuild specificity.

Other classes and prestige classes, published by Wizards of the Coast, that can be considered around the Rogue High level of balance include:

Some feats, published by Wizards of the Coast, that can be considered around the Rogue High level of balance include:

For a complete list of high balance articles on this wiki that use the Rogue Level of balance, [[Special:SearchByProperty/BalanceArticle-20Point20Balance/RogueHigh|click here]]. ===Very High Balance===The highest level of balance on the wiki is reserved for classes with substantial potential. These classes continually gain abilities that allow them to deal with equal CR opposition like classes in the high category, but they gain a wider selection of them than other classes do. They can therefore deal with a larger range of challenges than other classes, or deal with some threats super hard. Many classes in this range select which abilities they take with them on any given day, tailoring their abilities to their opposition and often winning quickly and easily as a result. They also have substantial plot affecting abilities, allowing them greater control over the story than characters at lower balance levels. Very high balance material is therefore characterized by its strength and versatility, and these combine to make material that often contributes substantially to, if not outright determines, the flow of an encounter.

The highest level of Material at this balance on the wiki is the [[SRD:Wizard|Wizard]] level. Though generally spellcasters, this level also happens to contain a substantial portion of [[Races of War (3.5e Sourcebook)|Tome]] material. It will generally pull away from lower level material and even appropriate CR creatures as early as mid levelssimply because they have more answers to challenges. Note that the Wizard Optimized Very High level should '''not''' be considered a "badge of shame"material may lead to characters who always have an answer for any equal CR challenge, and who face challenges above their CR as some a result. Characters and creatures who have referred to it. It isa near 0 chance of loss, like the rest of our balance levelsThe Wish, The Word, a perfectly acceptable balance point to use and is used for many items on or Pun-Pun are not included in this wikicategory, having surpassed it.

It is important to note Note that this the very high level does should '''not include people who play their wizards casting spells like [[SRD:Magic Missile|Magic Missile]] and [[SRD:Lightning Bolt|Lightning Bolt]]. These are ''' be considered "overpowered" or a perfectly appropriate selection "badge of spellsshame", but are considered as some have referred to be fighter level tactics and thus make it in the class fighter level when played in such a way (which past. It is why you can get away with wizards in fighter level games without continuous overshadowing). Material in this category assumes that players will be using tactical spells , like [[SRD:Color Spray|Color Spray]] and [[SRD:Stinking Cloud|Stinking Cloud]] and make otherwise optimal spell and tactical decisions that often end or decide the battle with one spell. This is an important distinction rest of our balance levels, a perfectly acceptable balance to makeuse, leads to games that are playable (if different from their lower balance brethren), as spell selection and play style will impact which material you allow or disallowis used for many items on this wiki.

Other classes Classes and prestige classes, published by Wizards of the Coast, that can be considered around the Wizard very high level of balance include:

Some feats, published by Wizards of the Coast, that can be considered around the Wizard very high level of balance include:

For a complete list of very high balance articles on this wiki that use the Wizard Level of balance, [[Special:SearchByProperty/BalanceArticle-20Point20Balance/WizardVery-20High|click here]].

==4th Edition =Unquantifiable Balance Points===There are a few rare articles on the wiki whose balance is completely unquantifiable. Most of these articles are those that give you the option to make an additional selection, and are thus dependent on the balance of the selection itself. Leadership falls into this category because of its cohort. Many of these articles are generally reserved for NPC stuff that PCs won't take because it does not have an effect on any in-game statistic or provide any new options. The best example of such an article is [[Memories of Death (3.5e Feat)|Memories of Death]], whose effect on gameplay cannot be quantified by any means because it's so entirely volatile. Some examples from the SRD include the [[SRD:Leadership|Leadership]] feat, the [[SRD:Planar Binding|Planar Binding]] line of spells, and the [[SRD:Gate|Gate]] spell.

The top balance point in ==4th edition is one that uses the Righteous Brand power of the Cleric (Muscle Cleric style build) as an example. Other such examples of this balance point include Orbizards Edition and Rangers.4E Essentials Balance Points==

This is not because there's not a range of balance in this version of Dungeons and Dragons, however. There are 's a few rare articles on the wiki whose rather wide range of balance is completely unquantifiable. These articles are very rarelevels actually, and are generally reserved for NPC stuff stretching from poorly selected class builds that PCs wondon't take because it does not actually have an effect on any inpowers for their primary stats up to yogi-game statistic or provide any new optionshat rangers who literally can't die and orbizards who never let the enemy act. The problem is that the extremely large amount of errata in 4th edition in conjunction with the popularity of the online character builder makes these builds tenuous at best example , and the actual power level of such an article the game itself is [[Memories of Death (3subject to radical change.5e Feat)|Memories of Death]]Even if we had enough examples to specify what the different balance levels looked like at any given time, whose effect on gameplay cannot we wouldn't be quantified by reasonably sure that any means because it's so entirely volatile. Some examples from example would belong in the SRD include same level a few months later or that the [[SRD:Leadership|Leadership]] feat, the [[SRD:Planar Binding|Planar Binding]] line of spells, and level itself would even mean the [[SRD:Gate|Gate]] spellsame thing.

For As a complete list of articles on this wiki that are unquantifiableresult, we have very-high power classes like the [[Bane Guard (4e Class)|Bane Guard]] alongside more standard classes like the [Special:SearchByProperty/Balance-20Point/Unquantifiable[Songweaver (4e Class)|Song Weaver]] and [[Black Lion (4e Class)|click hereBlack Lion]]with no way to indicate which is the higher-powered option at first glance. Each author tends to select a similar balance point, however, even if it is different from that of other authors. Because of that, homebrew in this section by different authors with different goals may not be appropriate for different players at the same table, but homebrew by the same author as other material currently in use should be just fine. We strongly recommend that you examine each piece of 4e homebrew with an eye towards what other players in your game will be doing before allowing it into your campaign. And remember, just because it's over or underpowered for your table doesn't mean it's so for the game itself.