Dungeons & Dragons has always been important to Stranger Things and as the show is ending, it’s safe to say this will be more vital than ever. The first four episodes have already shown us that foreshadowing is incredibly important in the Stranger Things Season 5 story, especially when it comes to D&D.
In fact, many of the main characters have a DND Class that they parallel with. If you’re wondering what each of these Classes are and how they reflect the characters, all of the information you’ll need has been outlined in the guide below.
SPOILER WARNING: This guide covers content that may be considered spoilers for Stranger Things Season 5. Proceed with caution.
Mike Started as a Dungeon Master, But He’s Also a Paladin
The first glimpse we ever get of Mike is of him narrating the party’s epic fight against the Demogorgon (no, not that Demogorgon). However, we later find out that when he’s sitting on the other side of the table, he plays as a Paladin.
A Paladin is a holy knight, bound by a sacred oath, often to help others and fight for order in the world. Mike has always been steadfast in fighting for those he loves, a shield of light against the darkness. We’ve already seen his Paladin side coming through when he protects Derek and the other kids in episode 4 – something I expect we’ll be seeing much more of throughout the remainder of the show.
Lucas is a Ranger Through and Through
Lucas is almost always the most cautious or pragmatic member of the party, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t as brave as everyone else. His skill with a wrist rocket is also pretty reminiscent of a Ranger with a bow, too.
A Ranger is a classic archer, a skilled hunter, and a tracker who usually stays on the outskirts of civilization (and battles as well). Lucas is often put on the side of Recon, but from what we’ve seen in the Season 5 trailers, it can be expected that we’ll be seeing the more action-packed side of his Ranger characteristics soon, especially when it comes to protecting Max.
Dustin Was Always Made to Be a Bard
Dustin is the ideas man for the party, and he’s the one who coined most of the terms used throughout the show, both by the character and fans alike. Right up until the final events of Season 4, Dustin has always been the well-loved, optimistic beacon of light for the team. One such example of his inspiring heroics was his display of charm (or pure stubbornness) that brought Steve into the fray in Season 2.
A Bard is known for their charisma, a storyteller whose power is in creativity and words. Dustin has almost always been a voice for optimism in the show, but in this season, we’ve taken a turn. Dustin is in mourning for Eddie, and he’s dealing with the repercussions of trying to sustain his legacy. Perhaps what he needs to do is keep the legacy alive through being a storyteller, just like Eddie once was.
Will Was Once a Wizard, Now a Sorcerer
Will the Wise is an integral part of Will himself, a Wizard that Will has always seen himself as. This makes sense with Will feeling like he has to earn any power he has or could have. However, Season 5 switched things up, and dramatically. A Wizard is a magic-user who has to study in order to be able to use magic, making them wise and powerful. A Sorcerer is a magic-user who has the ability to use it without any studying or forging of deals, as their powers are innate.
In Episode 4, we discover that under the surface, Will has been a Sorcerer in hiding the entire time, and it all has to do with the Upside Down. After several foreshadowing moments and conversations with his friends and family, Will accepts his connection to the Upside Down and Vecna during the mass fight with the Demogorgons and school children, therefore “freeing” himself.
The result? Will is now not only able to tap into Vecna’s mind and see through his eyes, but also establish total control over the monsters of this world. In an amazing turning point for the character, Will uses these new powers to simultaneously save Mike, Robin, and Lucas from three separate Demogorgons.
Holly is New to the Game as a Much-Needed Cleric
Holly has been brought into the spotlight this season, having been taken by ‘Mr Whatsit’ and now being trapped in a mysterious mind prison with none other than Max Mayfield. However, before all of this, Mike gave Holly a DND minifigure, labelling her ‘Holly the Heroic’.
Holly the Heroic is a Cleric, someone given the gift of magic from a god in order to heal and support others. One important spell they can use is called Dimension Door, which was specifically touched on by Mike at this moment.
The Dimension Door Spell allows a Cleric to teleport themselves and anyone with them to anywhere in existence that they can visualize, within range. It seems things are shaping up for this to be what gets Holly and Max out of Henry’s memory, bringing Holly back to her family and reawakening Max for the final battle. If this turns out to be true, then Holly the Heroic may just turn out to be one of the most important characters of the entire season.