i‘m having trouble building the ranger with a cleric dip to gain heavy armor proficiency. I’m just not sure what to do with my stats. Thinking of going monk instead for unarmored defense. Could I get some help/advice?
I'd be inclined to say Monk is a better choice if what you mainly want out of multiclassing is a higher AC.
Sort of the point of heavy armor existing at all is so that you can have a high AC with a low Dexterity modifier. But Rangers tend to do a lot of stuff that's based on Dexterity and would want it to be high anyway.
Another I was looking into was fighter for all the weapon proficiencies and the extra fighting style, plus concentration bonus if that’s even worth it for this class. The starting equipment I got gave me two different kind of bows and the scimitar and shortsword. I know carrying capacity is suppose to be limited, but I ended up picking several bows in addition to the scimitar and shortsword figuring I could have a ranged weapon for any occasion and still have the best possible option for melee.
i do like the ac buff still, but generally speaking in the late game you want armor for it’s extra power. Right?
Are you trying to be a melee-focused str-based ranger? Those get really hard to multiclass because they are so MAD. Rangers already need dex and wis. Melee wants a good con, then you want a 15 str for heaviest armor. It’s a lot.
I had thought about it, yes. i tend to plan for all the way to level 20, so when I heard the Hunter capstone was less than ideal i wanted to change in via multiclassing. i realize now going for that idea was a mistake.
War Cleric 3 and rest Ranger is one of the strongest Ranger multiclasses in the game and one of the best ways to get heavy armor.
Point buy Str 15 (9), Dex 13 (5), Int 9, Cha 8 and one of Con/Wis 14 and the other 13. +2 to Str, +1 to even out Con/Wis.
If your DM allows you to use Absorb Elements then start Cleric (for wisdom saves), if not start with Ranger (for str/dex saves). Take one level of Cleric before Ranger 5 and then quickly add Cleric 2 and 3. From there go whichever way you want. Generally a fan of GWM or PAM for this build. Increase str to 20 at 2nd ASI and then push Wisdom.
The power comes from three spots: 1. Channel divinity giving you a +10 to hit will turn 2 to 3 misses into hits a day. With a GWM+Hunter's Mark attack that is a lot of damage. 2. War Priest will give you 2 bonus action attacks that you otherwise would not have. 3. Upcastable slots to be used to increase power.
I mean, I’m glad I wasn’t too crazy for trying it lol, but I mainly just wanted it for the heavy armor you can get at level 1 (the absorb elements at level 1 is also a plus). Is it really that powerful to give up a possible epic boon at late levels, let alone dropping one’s primary attack stat so low?
I don’t mean to question it persay; I mean, I’m the one who asked about a heavy armored ranger. I’m just curious. Also, what kind of feats/ASI’s should I go with? Just boost strength? Maybe 3 +1 feats and an ASI to get it to 20?
I’ll give the build a try in the meantime just to see how it works. Thanks in advance!
Some thoughts: With starting scores of Str 17, Dex 13, Con 14, Wis 14, int 9, cha 8 +1 Str ASI at Ranger 4. GWM is a good choice here. With the 2024 rules +1 Str and more damage and the occasional bonus action attack> Ranger 8 ASI is the more complicated one. +2 Str is great to bring you to 20. Boosting wisdom is good. As is boosting your concentration via resilient Con or warcaster. At 12 cover whatever you didn't take at 8.
I try not to plan in Epic boons if I multiclass. If so just make sure the things you are getting are epic boon worthy.
Ah ok. That makes more sense. I misunderstood where you were putying some of the stats. Ok.
I personally would be tempted to dump Dexterity and Inteligence in favor of a 15+1 to either constitution or wisdom. Why didn’t you? If this is a good idea, which should I go for: wisdom or constitution?
Ah ok. That makes more sense. I misunderstood where you were putying some of the stats. Ok.
I personally would be tempted to dump Dexterity and Inteligence in favor of a 15+1 to either constitution or wisdom. Why didn’t you? If this is a good idea, which should I go for: wisdom or constitution?
The rules for multiclassing require you to have a 13 in both Dexterity and Wisdom to multiclass as a Ranger. Not all DMs enforce these prerequisites, but it's technically RAW.
Hmm… I’m still not crazy about having odd numbered stats. Do I dare take away from constitution and intelligence to bump up dexterity? Or would that not work? Sorry, I haven’t gotten the chance to try this yet myself.
Yeah the 13 requirement in Dex really messes with the stat spread, but its not too bad. If you are mostly doing save for half damage the difference between a 14 and 16 in your casting stat is negligible. You can steal constitution down to 12 or 13 and if you have the Tough feat at 1st level its not a bad choice. You can later pick up resilient Con if you need it for concentration saves. Generally I have found the best split to be 17 str, 13 dex, 14 con, 14 wis and 9 in either int or cha with an 8 in the other.
I did sort of have an idea for the feats/asis similar to what I said earlier. What if I took 3 +1 strength feats yo get to 20 and then took +1 in dexterity and either intellect or charisma to even those out for my fourth. What do you think? Is that an ok use? What order should I do them in? What 3 strength feats should I use?
i‘m having trouble building the ranger with a cleric dip to gain heavy armor proficiency. I’m just not sure what to do with my stats. Thinking of going monk instead for unarmored defense. Could I get some help/advice?
I'd be inclined to say Monk is a better choice if what you mainly want out of multiclassing is a higher AC.
Sort of the point of heavy armor existing at all is so that you can have a high AC with a low Dexterity modifier. But Rangers tend to do a lot of stuff that's based on Dexterity and would want it to be high anyway.
pronouns: he/she/they
Yeah, that makes sense. Thanks.
Another I was looking into was fighter for all the weapon proficiencies and the extra fighting style, plus concentration bonus if that’s even worth it for this class. The starting equipment I got gave me two different kind of bows and the scimitar and shortsword. I know carrying capacity is suppose to be limited, but I ended up picking several bows in addition to the scimitar and shortsword figuring I could have a ranged weapon for any occasion and still have the best possible option for melee.
i do like the ac buff still, but generally speaking in the late game you want armor for it’s extra power. Right?
Are you trying to be a melee-focused str-based ranger? Those get really hard to multiclass because they are so MAD. Rangers already need dex and wis. Melee wants a good con, then you want a 15 str for heaviest armor. It’s a lot.
I had thought about it, yes.
i tend to plan for all the way to level 20, so when I heard the Hunter capstone was less than ideal i wanted to change in via multiclassing.
i realize now going for that idea was a mistake.
Sorry for bothering you all.
War Cleric 3 and rest Ranger is one of the strongest Ranger multiclasses in the game and one of the best ways to get heavy armor.
Point buy Str 15 (9), Dex 13 (5), Int 9, Cha 8 and one of Con/Wis 14 and the other 13. +2 to Str, +1 to even out Con/Wis.
If your DM allows you to use Absorb Elements then start Cleric (for wisdom saves), if not start with Ranger (for str/dex saves). Take one level of Cleric before Ranger 5 and then quickly add Cleric 2 and 3. From there go whichever way you want. Generally a fan of GWM or PAM for this build. Increase str to 20 at 2nd ASI and then push Wisdom.
The power comes from three spots:
1. Channel divinity giving you a +10 to hit will turn 2 to 3 misses into hits a day. With a GWM+Hunter's Mark attack that is a lot of damage.
2. War Priest will give you 2 bonus action attacks that you otherwise would not have.
3. Upcastable slots to be used to increase power.
I mean, I’m glad I wasn’t too crazy for trying it lol, but I mainly just wanted it for the heavy armor you can get at level 1 (the absorb elements at level 1 is also a plus). Is it really that powerful to give up a possible epic boon at late levels, let alone dropping one’s primary attack stat so low?
I don’t mean to question it persay; I mean, I’m the one who asked about a heavy armored ranger. I’m just curious. Also, what kind of feats/ASI’s should I go with? Just boost strength? Maybe 3 +1 feats and an ASI to get it to 20?
I’ll give the build a try in the meantime just to see how it works. Thanks in advance!
Some thoughts:
With starting scores of Str 17, Dex 13, Con 14, Wis 14, int 9, cha 8
+1 Str ASI at Ranger 4. GWM is a good choice here. With the 2024 rules +1 Str and more damage and the occasional bonus action attack>
Ranger 8 ASI is the more complicated one. +2 Str is great to bring you to 20. Boosting wisdom is good. As is boosting your concentration via resilient Con or warcaster.
At 12 cover whatever you didn't take at 8.
I try not to plan in Epic boons if I multiclass. If so just make sure the things you are getting are epic boon worthy.
Ah ok. That makes more sense. I misunderstood where you were putying some of the stats. Ok.
I personally would be tempted to dump Dexterity and Inteligence in favor of a 15+1 to either constitution or wisdom. Why didn’t you? If this is a good idea, which should I go for: wisdom or constitution?
The rules for multiclassing require you to have a 13 in both Dexterity and Wisdom to multiclass as a Ranger. Not all DMs enforce these prerequisites, but it's technically RAW.
pronouns: he/she/they
Ah, right. Sorry, I forgot.
Hmm… I’m still not crazy about having odd numbered stats. Do I dare take away from constitution and intelligence to bump up dexterity? Or would that not work? Sorry, I haven’t gotten the chance to try this yet myself.
Yeah the 13 requirement in Dex really messes with the stat spread, but its not too bad. If you are mostly doing save for half damage the difference between a 14 and 16 in your casting stat is negligible. You can steal constitution down to 12 or 13 and if you have the Tough feat at 1st level its not a bad choice. You can later pick up resilient Con if you need it for concentration saves. Generally I have found the best split to be 17 str, 13 dex, 14 con, 14 wis and 9 in either int or cha with an 8 in the other.
Ok, I’ll look into it. Thank you so much for your help!
I did sort of have an idea for the feats/asis similar to what I said earlier. What if I took 3 +1 strength feats yo get to 20 and then took +1 in dexterity and either intellect or charisma to even those out for my fourth. What do you think? Is that an ok use? What order should I do them in? What 3 strength feats should I use?