What do Marvel characters do in their off-time? We know that the Thing and Wolverine had a poker night on occasion and would invite various other heroes, like the Beast and She-Hulk to join; though, why they would invite Gambit is beyond anyone’s guess.
The heroes in the Marvel Universe are continually called upon to play a very specific role. Therefore, it would not be surprising to learn that they like to get together and play a game that allows them to play the role of someone different from themselves in a fantasy setting. Let’s examine what class certain Marvel characters would likely choose if they played Dungeons & Dragons.
10 The Hulk - (Wilderness) Barbarian/Rogue
Many Hulk comics feature him screaming, “Hulk just wants to be left alone!” When given the chance, Hulk will retreat to the wilderness to enjoy the alone time he craves. There are also many comics that show the Hulk peacefully interacting with the fauna of the woods.
Hulk seems to prefer nature over more developed areas, and he also seems to genuinely care for animals. The Hulk would probably love the opportunity to play a character that lived in the remote wilderness and protected it from harm – a character that also has control over nature and can take animal forms. Woe to those orcs who hurt Hulk’s forest friends.
9 Spider-Man - Wizard
Spider-man might be a superb fighter, but he is also someone who values intellectual pursuits. Peter Parker would probably love it if he could use his exceptional intelligence as Dr. Strange does. He would probably lean more toward the classes capable of arcane spell-casting because of this; that and it’s not too much of a stretch to think that Spider-man thinks magic is cool.
Spider-man would also lean more towards playing a Merlin or Gandalf type wizard, as opposed to an evil necromancer type. Lastly, he would also likely choose the traditional wizard class over sorcerer and warlock due to the connection with Lower Planar fiends.
8 Iron Man - Artificer
Tinkering is what Tony Stark does. Building things and then finding endless ways to improve upon his creations is what seemingly drives him. Stark would possibly grow bored playing D&D unless he can build/create something while playing.
This makes the artificer class the most likely choice for Tony Stark. In the MCU, Stark seems to have a personal competition going with Dr. Strange to prove technology’s superiority over magic. However, implementing magic into his creations is something he would probably like to experiment with – even if it’s just in a game.
7 Captain Marvel - Barbarian
Captain Marvel is all offense, no defense when she fights. She flies fearlessly into battle blasting away and throwing haymakers; all while ignoring any danger to herself. This is just her nature, and it would probably influence her choice of class in D&D.
Danvers would probably favor the classes built for melee over those that rely on distance attacks. What class is all offense, built to withstand the punishment of a front-line fighter, and willing to sacrifice a little defense for more offense? That is a perfect description of the barbarian class; which is the class Carol Danvers would probably pick.
6 Black Widow - Bard
Black Widow always seems to be the hero that is trying to diffuse the situation at hand without violence – or at least with minimal violence. She also seems to be good at many things but is a master of few. Her mindset, and tendency to know a little bit of everything is perfect for the bard class.
Now, Black Widow could help the party avoid unnecessary fights by using a song that is infused with magic; alternatively, she could sing another song that helps the rest of the group fight better. The limited arcane spells a bard receives would be used for espionage-related tasks; spells like Charm Person and Invisibility.
5 Wolverine - Ranger
Much like the Hulk, Wolverine seems to prefer living in the wilderness, away from more developed areas. Unlike Hulk though, he does not seem to be a part of nature – merely an outsider living within nature. This preference in his living area would almost certainly cause Wolverine to choose a class that also shares his fondness of living in the wilderness; as a means of living-out what he wants most in real life in a fantasy setting.
The class most like this in D&D is the ranger. Being a fighter sub-class is also something that would appeal to Wolverine. He doesn’t seem like someone who would want to deal with spellcasting.
4 Hawkeye - Rogue/Swashbuckler
Hawkeye seems like he wants to be a pirate. At points in his life, he has walked the edge between hero and villain. He has a brash attitude and is infinitely confident of his prowess in battle. Barton is also a natural leader and someone with above-average charisma.
Hawkeye has also, at times, shown a preference for defeating enemies through trickery than through force – as he did with the Grandmaster. Also, like Wolverine and Captain Marvel, Hawkeye doesn’t seem like the kind of person that wants to deals with spellcasting. The class Barton is most likely to choose is a rogue/swashbuckler.
3 Vision - Monk
The class Vision would likely prefer would be the monk, now let’s examine why. Vision is unique and seems to be on a journey to explore his nature and purpose. At first, that sounds like someone who would be inclined to play a cleric.
However, for Vison this seems like more of a personal journey – to explore the limits of his unique gifts through an inward journey. To seek the council of the gods is an outward journey of the soul. This, like in Wolverine’s case, would be a source of wish fulfillment lived out through playing a character with similar goals in a fantasy setting.
2 Ant-Man - Druid/Cleric/Rogue
Whether we’re talking about Hank Pym or Scott Lang, neither character enjoys being involved in a melee. Taking that into account, Pym would likely gravitate to either arcane spellcasters for the ability to expand on his size altering gimmick, or a druid/cleric for the ability to speak with his ants.
Scott Lang also seems like someone who would rather win via trickery like Hawkeye. Lang is a bit of a rogue at heart, and would probably choose to be an archer so he can contribute from a safe distance. There is also a decent chance he runs a multiclass ranger/thief so he can continue to participate in extra-legal capers without having to actually go to prison (again).
1 Captain America - Paladin
Captain America is so driven to do what’s right and just, that it is difficult to imagine him acting otherwise - even when roleplaying in a fantasy setting. He is the paragon of defending the weak from evil, and someone who’s will is indomitable – these are immutable aspects of his personality.
Because of this, it is almost a certainty that Steve Rogers would choose to play a paladin. His very faith and sense of righteousness would be a weapon in and of itself against his enemies. Is there anyone reading this that thinks he would choose any other god as his character’s patron deity than Thor?