Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 RCNovak Apr 16, 2015 11:45:53	Since the release of the Modifying Classes article, I've been totally obsessed with trying to use Multiclass Ranger in different kinds of builds and mix-ups. Without a heavy reliance on Wisdom and Spellcasting, I feel like they are able to mesh well with a wider variety of classes. My first instinct was Barbarian, as now the loss of Concentration or the ability to cast spells while Raging isn't so much a concern anymore. I started dreaming up this build here, which is admittedly more about roleplaying a character concept than statistical effectiveness. Still, I'm looking to make it as good as I can while not sacrificing the general fluff. The idea was basically a Hunter-Gatherer tribal nomad type... someone with skills for surviving the harsh wilderness, but also the raw strength and power and slay any hostile wildlife or monstrous beast that they would find adventuring. In my mind, I sort of picture a cross between an Amazonian Warrior and Ygritte from Game of Thrones. Since Raging negates our use of Dex Weapons or Bows, I'm thinking of using Spears as her primary weapon. It's still very symbolic of tribal hunting, allows us the use of Rage Bonus in Melee, and gives us an emergency ranged option if it needs to be thrown. These are the stats and general character breakdown I have so far:   Variant Human Ranger (Hunter, Spell-Less) 11 / Barbarian 9 (Totem) STR: 16 (+3) DEX: 14 (+2) CON: 12 (+1) INT: 8 (-1) WIS: 14 (+2) CHA: 10 (0) Saves: Strength, Constitution Skills: Athletics, Survival (Outlander), Stealth (Human), Nature, Perception (Barbarian), Acrobatics (Ranger) Background: Outlander Feature: Wanderer   Barbarian 1. Rage, Unarmored Defense 2. Reckless Attack, Danger Sense 3. Barbarian Path; Totem Warrior (Wolf) 4. ABI / Feat 5. Extra Attack, Fast Movement 6. Barbarian Path; Totem Warrior (Eagle) 7. Feral Instinct 8. ABI / Feat 9. Brutal Critical (1 Die)   Ranger (Spell-Less) 1. Favored Enemy, Natural Explorer 2. Fighting Style, Combat Superiority 3. Ranger Archetype; Hunter (Colossus Slayer), Primeval Awareness (1 per Rest), Poultice 4. ABI / Feat 5. Extra Attack, +1 Maneuver 6. Favored Enemy & Natural Explorer Enhancements 7. Ranger Archetype; Hunter (Multiattack Defense / Steel Will) 8. ABI / Feat,  Land's Stride 9. Natural Antivenom, +1 Maneuver, +1 Superiority Die 10. Natural Explorer Enhancements, Hide in Plain Sight 11. Ranger Archetype Feature; Hunter (Whirlwind Attack) Between Natural Explorer, Danger Sense, Fast Movement, Feral Instinct, Land's Stride, Hide in Pain Sight, Wanderer, and the ability to see up to a Mile Away (Eagle Totem)... her explorative, scouting, and survival capabilities will be very formiddable. What I'm mostly concerned with now is her combat prowess. A couple of questions, and basically what I would like suggestions on for the character:   1. I started the build off as a Barbarian for the Constitution Save proficiency, but Ranger nets me one extra skill. Not sure which is more valuable, as their weapon and armor proficiencies aren't too different. 2. The Ranger "Fighting Style" feature has me tripped up. I could use Duelist for +2 Damage, but ideally I imagine her using it two-handed and Versatile... and I don't see her using a Shield. I could also just use "Defense" for the flat +1 AC bonus, but that seems a bit tame for the concept. Might work with her being a trained and aware huntress, however (armor will probably be a Breastplate). 3. What Feats would be the best fit for her, both for fighting and for character concept. I'm partial to ones like Alert and Athlete, but also Savage Attack, Charger, Mobile, and Skulker could work as well. Four are in her natural progression, and +1 for Human. Also, the Combat Superiority gives her access to 4 Maneuvers and 5 Superiority Dice, so suggestions on those attacks would be appreciated. -Thanks in advance for your help!
#2 RCNovak Apr 16, 2015 12:58:06	Additional Note: Now that I think about it, using a Shield would open her up to the Shield Master Feat, which could prove very useful for her with her high Strength and decent Dexterity Bonus. While Raging she'd also get a bonus to the Shove, which could open up free Advantage by knocking the enemy prone. That, and using Duelist for the +2 (and Rage) means she'd be stabbing for +5 to Damage with Advantage on top of Colossus Slayer... which is nice. The additional AC does allow her to mix it up a bit more and be safer when going in for Whirlwind Attacks, as well. Perhaps starting off as Ranger wouldn't be too bad then, seeing as it'd give me a bonus to Dexterity Saves, just like the Shield? Or does Constitution Save Bonuses still outweight that benefit?
#3 Danny_Montanny Apr 16, 2015 12:59:52	Wait... how does raging negate the use of Dex weapons and bows? You'll still be raging after you shoot a bow, granted you don't get the extra damage... You can still use a "Dex weapon" with your Str modifier. Nothing wrong with raging for the great defensive benefits and attacking with your bow. Then if someone gets close pulling out your scimitars and going in brutal with Str instead of Dex.
(Reply to #3) HermanTheWize	Danny_Montanny wrote:
#5 Danny_Montanny Apr 16, 2015 13:28:49	Barbarian Battlemaster is a force to be reckoned with. Adding in Ranger stuff is icing. I can see this combo as very strong.   Also, if those are your starting stats, you'll need to bump Con to 13 multiclass out of whatever class you're starting as.   Try this with the Observant feat. STR 15 + 1 DEX 14 CON 14 INT 8 WIS 12 + 1 + 1 CHA 8
(Reply to #5) HermanTheWize	Danny_Montanny wrote:
#7 RCNovak Apr 16, 2015 13:44:01	Danny_Montanny wrote:
#8 Danny_Montanny Apr 16, 2015 13:53:55	Go Melee based, if that's what you want, but even the best fighter can't swing a sword at someone 100 feet away. You're proficient in their use, and your proficiency bonus is alway on the rise. So your bow will go from +4 to +8 even if you don't boost Dex. That's only 3 less than your natural Str based attacks at the top end. It doesn't have to be your focus to have it as an option when you need it.
#9 RCNovak Apr 16, 2015 14:12:39	Danny_Montanny wrote:
(Reply to #9) HermanTheWize	@RCNovak What is your melee weapon?
#11 RCNovak Apr 16, 2015 15:03:11	Additional Note: Are Maneuvers and Superiority Die tied to Fighter Level, or Character Level? Because the way it's worded, it seems like it's based on Character Level and I woulnd't mind snagging the extra abilities and dice if I could. Additional Note (2): Would it be worth going 18 Strength / 16 Dexterity for the End-Game if I wanted to run a more "Balanced" warrior? I'd loose a -1 to the Save DC of my Maneuvers, but would improve the Bow game a bit (plus Dex Saves, Stealth and Acrobatics...)
(Reply to #10) RCNovak	HermanTheWize wrote:
#13 Danny_Montanny Apr 16, 2015 15:41:27	Superiority dice and Manuvers are going to be on Ranger levels, not character level.   Also, forget the Observant suggestion at 1st. Go Resilient: Wisdom to pick up your +1 and a much needed boost to the worst magic that you'll encounter.   For the ability boosts and progression, just do what feels natural. I'd definitely start Batbarian though. If you think those Manuvers are important to how you want to play her, snag em up right after that. The power jump at 5 really calls for the Extra Attack, so the longer you postpone it, the more difficult things might be.   If this was me, I'd go Barbarian 2, then Ranger 5, picking up Shield Mastery at Ranger 4. I think this will give you the best feel for what you want to accomplish in the first two tiers of play. This build would be melee centric, focusing on survival/control in combat and should have decent exploration skills.
(Reply to #5) MasterNamer	Danny_Montanny wrote:
(Reply to #14) Danny_Montanny	MasterNamer wrote: