D&D has always struggled with balance. They make something too powerful and then they nerf it into oblivion. 4th edition was the exception. It started so balanced that playingꩲ any class was identical to the others making character creation an exercise in name only.

If you are willing to play as a sidekick using Taꦗsha’s rules, this opeꦉns even larger or smaller options. You could play as a sprite, pixie, or wynling and be tiny. You could also play as an awakened horse or Worg and be a large creature.

5e but I still like the simplicity of 1e and 2e. 4e was a nightmare at first. I heard itꦦ got better but like most D&D players I stuck with 3E. I still hate the CR rules and D&D has never figured out h🙈ow to deal with higher levels past 10th.