DM here. I've recently added a thing to my players: the ability for a few of them to have apprentices. Mine is ranger1/wizard4 and as a wizard I raise wizard more. Any thoughts, ideas or advice for this multiclass option?
that's tough. ranger doesn't really seem to synergize with wizard, there is not likely to be a freehand for casting, kinda MAD and I can't think in my head why a outdoorsy person would turn to book learning
mechanicly i would rather pick fighter1/wizard4 or cleric1/wizard4 (with a cleric domain heaving acces to heavy armor) if wizard gonna be your main class. you still heavy caster but with heavy armor.
If wizard gonna be you second class i would grab fighter(elritch knight) or rogue(arcan trickster) as main class.
Wizard gets some good transmutation spells that a ranger or fighter can benefit from. Flame arrows, magic weapon, elemental weapon. Cantrips like mending to repair broken arrows or GFB for melee. Shield is good to have at any range. Or as an apprentice, you can have them focus on low level support spells (counterspell, silence, darkness, afore mentioned transmutation spells) while sitting in the back raining arrows.
A 1R/X+W? Bad idea. I can't really see this working out well. Its MAD.
A Ranger is focused mainly on augmenting their weapon attacks with stat buffs (hunter's mark, zephyr strike, colossus slayer etc). They rely on DEX and WIS.
A Wizard is focused on utilising a vast array of spells so they're prepared for any circumstance. They rely on INT.
Plus CON cos its CON.
That said, if you're set on this, then I would follow DxJxC's suggestion and make your apprentice a massive support character. They'll need CC spells (such as Grease, Darkness, Counterspell), healing spells and any buff/debuff you think is useful. Admittedly, your apprentice will need to be at least 2R/X+W in order to get the heals, but you'll want him to have Spell Mastery if he gets to 2R/18W.
I don't actually consider it all that MAD. That's aid I don't particularly like the Ranger and am not sure it's a great mix. This is because I don't think Ranger has as much to offer with only a single level.
Wizard/Ranger needs 13: DEX, INT, WIS... I'll assume CON because everyone needs it. You won't be maxing out a lot of these. If you're planning on primary Wizard, then INT is going to be your best stat. You'll want 14 in Dex and Wis. With point by you can get: Str 8, Dex: 14, Con: 12, Int: 14. Wis: 14, Cha: 8... have 2 points left over and still not account for racial bonuses.
Ranger gives you +1 skill, +4 HP, light & medium armor, shields, and martial weapons. I would probably build the character to use a heavy crossbow and wear medium armor. Favored Enemy and Natural Explorer could flavor your Wizard less as a book worm and more like a "Naturalist/Explorer" To me though the Ranger gets a LOT better at lvl 2 and 3, but that is less Wizard levels. The good part is a 2nd lvl of Ranger does increase your Caster level! Plus gives you access to goodberry, etc... for minor healing.
Fighter trades the Natural Explorer/Favored Enemy for possibly Heavy Armor (if you wanted it), Fighting Style at lvl 1, and 2nd Wind lets you heal as a Short Rest. Action Surge is amazing as a Wizard because you can get 2 high lvl spells off in a single turn. Yes, Fighter doesn't require a medium Wisdom, but who doesn't want Wisdom?!
Effectively you're choosing not to use cantrips for damage and instead use weapon attacks. This isn't a terrible idea, but keep a cantrip for backup. You'll have a high min damage. I recommend keeping yourself at a distance.
Having 1 level in Ranger gives you a bit of a ribbon with favored enemy and natural explorer, and the skills (more than the fighter!) And proficiencies (not as good as fighter but still ok) are helpful if you wanto to build a combat mage. The fighter 1-level dip is much more powerful for that type of build but ranger/wizard makes an interesting concept that would work less well with the fighter. Also, being reliant on int will synergize with the advantage you'll get on knowledge skills related to your favored enemy and chosen terrain, as situational as that may be.
I actually have ended up doing a similar thing recently, making a chef character with ranger for some basic hunting & Druid spells, along with wizard for the rest.
DM here. I've recently added a thing to my players: the ability for a few of them to have apprentices. Mine is ranger1/wizard4 and as a wizard I raise wizard more. Any thoughts, ideas or advice for this multiclass option?
that's tough. ranger doesn't really seem to synergize with wizard, there is not likely to be a freehand for casting, kinda MAD and I can't think in my head why a outdoorsy person would turn to book learning
on the other hand; how unique, how interesting!
Jesus Saves!... Everyone else takes damage.
mechanicly i would rather pick fighter1/wizard4 or cleric1/wizard4 (with a cleric domain heaving acces to heavy armor) if wizard gonna be your main class. you still heavy caster but with heavy armor.
If wizard gonna be you second class i would grab fighter(elritch knight) or rogue(arcan trickster) as main class.
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Wizard gets some good transmutation spells that a ranger or fighter can benefit from. Flame arrows, magic weapon, elemental weapon. Cantrips like mending to repair broken arrows or GFB for melee. Shield is good to have at any range. Or as an apprentice, you can have them focus on low level support spells (counterspell, silence, darkness, afore mentioned transmutation spells) while sitting in the back raining arrows.
A 1R/X+W? Bad idea. I can't really see this working out well. Its MAD.
That said, if you're set on this, then I would follow DxJxC's suggestion and make your apprentice a massive support character. They'll need CC spells (such as Grease, Darkness, Counterspell), healing spells and any buff/debuff you think is useful. Admittedly, your apprentice will need to be at least 2R/X+W in order to get the heals, but you'll want him to have Spell Mastery if he gets to 2R/18W.
I don't actually consider it all that MAD. That's aid I don't particularly like the Ranger and am not sure it's a great mix. This is because I don't think Ranger has as much to offer with only a single level.
Wizard/Ranger needs 13: DEX, INT, WIS... I'll assume CON because everyone needs it. You won't be maxing out a lot of these. If you're planning on primary Wizard, then INT is going to be your best stat. You'll want 14 in Dex and Wis. With point by you can get: Str 8, Dex: 14, Con: 12, Int: 14. Wis: 14, Cha: 8... have 2 points left over and still not account for racial bonuses.
Ranger gives you +1 skill, +4 HP, light & medium armor, shields, and martial weapons. I would probably build the character to use a heavy crossbow and wear medium armor.
Favored Enemy and Natural Explorer could flavor your Wizard less as a book worm and more like a "Naturalist/Explorer"
To me though the Ranger gets a LOT better at lvl 2 and 3, but that is less Wizard levels. The good part is a 2nd lvl of Ranger does increase your Caster level! Plus gives you access to goodberry, etc... for minor healing.
Fighter trades the Natural Explorer/Favored Enemy for possibly Heavy Armor (if you wanted it), Fighting Style at lvl 1, and 2nd Wind lets you heal as a Short Rest. Action Surge is amazing as a Wizard because you can get 2 high lvl spells off in a single turn. Yes, Fighter doesn't require a medium Wisdom, but who doesn't want Wisdom?!
Effectively you're choosing not to use cantrips for damage and instead use weapon attacks. This isn't a terrible idea, but keep a cantrip for backup. You'll have a high min damage. I recommend keeping yourself at a distance.
Thanks for the input everyone
Elf or half-elf Ranger 5/Wizard 4
May fav though is a Rogue(Swashbuckler) 4 / Wizard (war Mage) 5.
2d6 sneak attack nearly every round with a rapier + green-flame blade. Firebolt for ranged cantrip, expertise, etc.....and initiative score 8+
Having 1 level in Ranger gives you a bit of a ribbon with favored enemy and natural explorer, and the skills (more than the fighter!) And proficiencies (not as good as fighter but still ok) are helpful if you wanto to build a combat mage. The fighter 1-level dip is much more powerful for that type of build but ranger/wizard makes an interesting concept that would work less well with the fighter. Also, being reliant on int will synergize with the advantage you'll get on knowledge skills related to your favored enemy and chosen terrain, as situational as that may be.
I actually have ended up doing a similar thing recently, making a chef character with ranger for some basic hunting & Druid spells, along with wizard for the rest.
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Thank you.
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