probably one of the top questions asked about when making a ranger
im thinking of making a Ranger with TWF with crossbow expert feat to have both range and melee capabilities since we have more melee fighters than range in our campaign.
OR stick with the +2 to hit with the Archery fighting style, and still use the sword (Shortsword or whatever)
I am imagining my character hunter using the darkness of the underdark to stay invisible taking out enemies both from afar as well close up
my ranger is a gloom stalker for an Out of the abyss campaign.
If you're taking the Crossbow Expert feat, there's no reason to use two-weapon fighting. A hand crossbow has the same damage die as any light melee weapon and you can already add your ability modifier to the damage of the bonus attack without having to waste your Fighting Style choice. The only reason not to use a hand crossbow is if you need slashing or bludgeoning damage.
You got that right, when I made my ranger I wasn't keeping in mind I would run out of arrows. So for my starter I just picked two daggers not thinking about doing decent damage in a melee fight. Thankfully my DM allowed me to fix that since we only did one day in our adventure so far.
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When you take the Attack action and attack with a light MELEE weapon that you're holding in one hand, you can use a bonus action to attack with a different light MELEE weapon that you're holding in the other hand. You DON'T add your ability modifier to the damage of the bonus attack, unless that modifier is negative.
If either weapon has the thrown property, you can throw the weapon, instead of making a melee attack with it.
Two-Weapon Fighting (FIGHTING STYLE)
When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.
Crossbow Expert
Thanks to extensive practice with the crossbow, you gain the following benefits:
You ignore the loading property of crossbows with which you are proficient.
Being within 5 feet of a hostile creature doesn’t impose disadvantage on your ranged attack rolls.
When you use the Attack action and attack with a one-handed weapon, you can use a bonus action to attack with a hand crossbow you are holding.
So with the rules being taken as Rules As Written you would need Two Weapon Fighting Class Feature to do your Dex mid with the off had weapon. You would need Crossbow Expert Feat to EVEN USE the Hand Crossbow as a bonus action.
I, as a G.M., would allow the use of the Hand Crossbow in Two Weapon Fighting but you would still need the Class Feature to get your Dex mod on your Crossbow and you would only get to use it once because the Hand Crossbow still has the LOADING property without CROSSBOW Expert.
If only firing the crossbow, I would say you COULD apply your Dex mod because you are not engaging in Two Weapon Fighting even if you are duel welding at the time.
Putting both options together would be what is needed to make the MELEE/RANGED character you want.
I prefer archery over twf. Especially when taking the crossbow route. It does require a feat or two, but allows you use a crossbow both at range or in melee when needed. +2 to hit is just to important to pass up for a ranger imo. However it all comes down to your vision of the character, is it more like Drizzt or more like Legolas or anything in-between. My preference is using range whenever possible as a ranger not only for purposes of damage, but for not taking damage as well. I find rangers in melee take more damage which typically consumes more of your healers spells and healing potions as well as your own. Those resources are better spent on the melee classes. In the early levels especially this is also more cost effective allowing you to spend your hard won gold on something other than healing potions. Another thing I find is that at range you can be more than just a dps character but also a support character when necessary. I just like having options. Again though it’s all about your vision of the character and that’s what makes dnd so fun.
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Ranger: Beastmaster
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probably one of the top questions asked about when making a ranger
im thinking of making a Ranger with TWF with crossbow expert feat to have both range and melee capabilities since we have more melee fighters than range in our campaign.
OR stick with the +2 to hit with the Archery fighting style, and still use the sword (Shortsword or whatever)
I am imagining my character hunter using the darkness of the underdark to stay invisible taking out enemies both from afar as well close up
my ranger is a gloom stalker for an Out of the abyss campaign.
1st round only lvl 5
attack action, attack action (same action, weapon only)
attack action
bonus action
after 1st round
Attack action, attack action, bonus action
If you're taking the Crossbow Expert feat, there's no reason to use two-weapon fighting. A hand crossbow has the same damage die as any light melee weapon and you can already add your ability modifier to the damage of the bonus attack without having to waste your Fighting Style choice. The only reason not to use a hand crossbow is if you need slashing or bludgeoning damage.
Thanks! I appreciate it
If you're Level 3, you're attacking too many times.
You don't get Extra Attack until Level 5.
First round you get an additional weapon attack as a feature for first round only.
1st: Attack action: 2 attacks, Bonus Action (can be used to attack with a light weapon - can be hand crossbow with feat).
Other turns: Attack action: 1 attack. Bonus action (can be used to attack with a light weapon- can be hand crossbow with feat).
Where are you getting the extra attack from?
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My bad you're right
I applaud you for being ready for both ranged and close combat. There's nothing wrong with being ready for anything.
You got that right, when I made my ranger I wasn't keeping in mind I would run out of arrows. So for my starter I just picked two daggers not thinking about doing decent damage in a melee fight. Thankfully my DM allowed me to fix that since we only did one day in our adventure so far.
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Two-Weapon Fighting
When you take the Attack action and attack with a light MELEE weapon that you're holding in one hand, you can use a bonus action to attack with a different light MELEE weapon that you're holding in the other hand. You DON'T add your ability modifier to the damage of the bonus attack, unless that modifier is negative.
If either weapon has the thrown property, you can throw the weapon, instead of making a melee attack with it.
Two-Weapon Fighting (FIGHTING STYLE)
When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.
Crossbow Expert
Thanks to extensive practice with the crossbow, you gain the following benefits:
So with the rules being taken as Rules As Written you would need Two Weapon Fighting Class Feature to do your Dex mid with the off had weapon. You would need Crossbow Expert Feat to EVEN USE the Hand Crossbow as a bonus action.
I, as a G.M., would allow the use of the Hand Crossbow in Two Weapon Fighting but you would still need the Class Feature to get your Dex mod on your Crossbow and you would only get to use it once because the Hand Crossbow still has the LOADING property without CROSSBOW Expert.
If only firing the crossbow, I would say you COULD apply your Dex mod because you are not engaging in Two Weapon Fighting even if you are duel welding at the time.
Putting both options together would be what is needed to make the MELEE/RANGED character you want.
You can find my published homebrew Spells here.
I prefer archery over twf. Especially when taking the crossbow route. It does require a feat or two, but allows you use a crossbow both at range or in melee when needed. +2 to hit is just to important to pass up for a ranger imo. However it all comes down to your vision of the character, is it more like Drizzt or more like Legolas or anything in-between. My preference is using range whenever possible as a ranger not only for purposes of damage, but for not taking damage as well. I find rangers in melee take more damage which typically consumes more of your healers spells and healing potions as well as your own. Those resources are better spent on the melee classes. In the early levels especially this is also more cost effective allowing you to spend your hard won gold on something other than healing potions. Another thing I find is that at range you can be more than just a dps character but also a support character when necessary. I just like having options. Again though it’s all about your vision of the character and that’s what makes dnd so fun.
Ranger: Beastmaster