Be careful, you’ll know the most powerful subclass in this game. Wizards, Clerics, Paladins and Sorlocks tremble in the presence of the mighty Gloomstalker.
It's on most lists as the best ranger subclass with horizon walker usually rated well but behind it. I'm trying to find a good ranger subclass to combine with Aarakocra and after creation, Dhampire (so I keep the flight). If i can figure out how to do it here in a character sheet and keep the flight. Do I just create an Aarokocra ranger completely, and then switch the race in the online character sheet? I like Owlin, but I think Aarakocra will work better in this combination.
Also, for Leaf_O, you can just buy the class in DNDB; you don't have to buy the whole book.
It's on most lists as the best ranger subclass with horizon walker usually rated well but behind it. I'm trying to find a good ranger subclass to combine with Aarakocra and after creation, Dhampire (so I keep the flight). If i can figure out how to do it here in a character sheet and keep the flight. Do I just create an Aarokocra ranger completely, and then switch the race in the online character sheet? I like Owlin, but I think Aarakocra will work better in this combination.
Also, for Leaf_O, you can just buy the class in DNDB; you don't have to buy the whole book.
Horizon Walker is not good at all, it has several problems with bonus action conflict and the whole appealing of transforming your damage to Force becomes irrelevant as soon as you get a magic weapon or even the magic weapon spell at level 5.
Hunter, Swarmkeeper, Fey Wanderer and even pet classes (TCoE Beastmaster and Drakewarden) are far better than Horizon Walker.
The only possibility to go Horizon Walker would be at high level play, since you get Haste at level 9 and indeed is a great spell for martials, although it’s not friendly to your action economy and it has a serious drawback if you lose concentration.
Not every ranger build requires heavy bonus action use. (Str rangers are one possible route) and Not every game has magic weapons available. This is especially true if you have a unique weapon preference. There are reasons to take horizon walker but you do have to understand your table and campaign.
Choosing "magic weapon" as a spell means you can't take something else with your spells known. Known spells are a resource.
Off the top of my head. A poison harvesting ranger may really want that conversion of damage. Since poison is a common enemy damage type it could be harvested quite regularly and then converted on the bbeg that's immune.
I agree, but I can’t picture a simple scenario where Horizon Walker is better than any other class I mentioned.
I do agree that by taking Magic Weapon spell you gave up other spells, but the same happens with Planar Warrior, you won’t be able to cast Hunters Mark, Ensnaring Strike, Hail of Thorns, Zephyr Strike and etc. Pet classes at least can cast action spells (Entangle, Silence) and still command their pet to attack with a bonus action.
My biggest hurdle against Horizon Walker is the total anti-synergy with spells. You simply cannot combine your class abilities with spells to produce unexpected and powerful effects, like a restrained foe by Ensnaring Strike being attacked with advantage 2+ times thanks to Dread Ambusher, or the same combined with Hunters Mark for potentially 3+ d6s. Hunters with Horde Breaker and Hail of Thorns hitting multiples targets and being more effective than a fireball. Swarmkeepers moving people around a Spike Growth area for free damage. Fey Wanderers making the most of charming / frighten spells.
Then at level 7 everyone is getting a solid utility/defensive boon, like Wisdom save proficiency, the ability to fly, AC against multiple attacks or charm/frighten resistance, and Horizon Walkers can become ethereal for one turn. WTF.
It's on most lists as the best ranger subclass with horizon walker usually rated well but behind it. I'm trying to find a good ranger subclass to combine with Aarakocra and after creation, Dhampire (so I keep the flight). If i can figure out how to do it here in a character sheet and keep the flight. Do I just create an Aarokocra ranger completely, and then switch the race in the online character sheet? I like Owlin, but I think Aarakocra will work better in this combination.
Also, for Leaf_O, you can just buy the class in DNDB; you don't have to buy the whole book.
take hunter for aoe arrows or other combat boosts, take beastmaster with something like a wolf,panther, giant snake or tiger for assistance at ground, gloomstalker for quick hit and run, drakewarden for a good flying team or swarmkeeper to create defense against other flyers.
all these things are supposed you want a flying aarakroca
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How do I get the Gloomstalker subclass?
Is it in the players handbook? Some other add on?
It's in XGTE.
Birgit | Shifter | Sorcerer | Dragonlords
Shayone | Hobgoblin | Sorcerer | Netherdeep
Be careful, you’ll know the most powerful subclass in this game. Wizards, Clerics, Paladins and Sorlocks tremble in the presence of the mighty Gloomstalker.
Yiou have to have Xanathar's Guide to Everything
I am curious why op asked about gloomstalker. Is it a narative concept or mechanical one? Was it a suggestion as a good ranger.
A closed question has been answered but ranger topics are fun discussion and there may be a fun alternative to your goals without the extra purchase.
It's on most lists as the best ranger subclass with horizon walker usually rated well but behind it. I'm trying to find a good ranger subclass to combine with Aarakocra and after creation, Dhampire (so I keep the flight). If i can figure out how to do it here in a character sheet and keep the flight. Do I just create an Aarokocra ranger completely, and then switch the race in the online character sheet? I like Owlin, but I think Aarakocra will work better in this combination.
Also, for Leaf_O, you can just buy the class in DNDB; you don't have to buy the whole book.
Food, Scifi/fantasy, anime, DND 5E and OSR geek.
Good to know.
Horizon Walker is not good at all, it has several problems with bonus action conflict and the whole appealing of transforming your damage to Force becomes irrelevant as soon as you get a magic weapon or even the magic weapon spell at level 5.
Hunter, Swarmkeeper, Fey Wanderer and even pet classes (TCoE Beastmaster and Drakewarden) are far better than Horizon Walker.
The only possibility to go Horizon Walker would be at high level play, since you get Haste at level 9 and indeed is a great spell for martials, although it’s not friendly to your action economy and it has a serious drawback if you lose concentration.
Not every ranger build requires heavy bonus action use. (Str rangers are one possible route) and Not every game has magic weapons available. This is especially true if you have a unique weapon preference. There are reasons to take horizon walker but you do have to understand your table and campaign.
Choosing "magic weapon" as a spell means you can't take something else with your spells known. Known spells are a resource.
Off the top of my head. A poison harvesting ranger may really want that conversion of damage. Since poison is a common enemy damage type it could be harvested quite regularly and then converted on the bbeg that's immune.
I agree, but I can’t picture a simple scenario where Horizon Walker is better than any other class I mentioned.
I do agree that by taking Magic Weapon spell you gave up other spells, but the same happens with Planar Warrior, you won’t be able to cast Hunters Mark, Ensnaring Strike, Hail of Thorns, Zephyr Strike and etc. Pet classes at least can cast action spells (Entangle, Silence) and still command their pet to attack with a bonus action.
My biggest hurdle against Horizon Walker is the total anti-synergy with spells. You simply cannot combine your class abilities with spells to produce unexpected and powerful effects, like a restrained foe by Ensnaring Strike being attacked with advantage 2+ times thanks to Dread Ambusher, or the same combined with Hunters Mark for potentially 3+ d6s. Hunters with Horde Breaker and Hail of Thorns hitting multiples targets and being more effective than a fireball. Swarmkeepers moving people around a Spike Growth area for free damage. Fey Wanderers making the most of charming / frighten spells.
Then at level 7 everyone is getting a solid utility/defensive boon, like Wisdom save proficiency, the ability to fly, AC against multiple attacks or charm/frighten resistance, and Horizon Walkers can become ethereal for one turn. WTF.
take hunter for aoe arrows or other combat boosts, take beastmaster with something like a wolf,panther, giant snake or tiger for assistance at ground, gloomstalker for quick hit and run, drakewarden for a good flying team or swarmkeeper to create defense against other flyers.
all these things are supposed you want a flying aarakroca