thinking of taking magic initiate with my variant human feat as a (eventually) beast master ranger. Is pumping wisdom up high and taking Shillelagh for my wooden spear a good idea? Does the damage scale okay or is it better to go strength?
Shillelagh uses a quarterstaff or club unless your DM houserules otherwise.
I’ve been thinking about a similar build. I was thinking of taking Magic Stone as the other cantrip. A quarterstaff and a pocket full of pebbles and you’re ready for combat. As for the 1st level spell, I couldn’t decide between Animal Friendship and Goodberry but since I can pick the other at 2nd level, it didn’t seem too important.
I was thinking about it as a roleplaying build rather than a min/max build.
DM said I could use it while I wielding a “wooden” spear. Pretty tempted to try it. Would let me not have to worry about strength too much (I like strength weapons more than dex) and I can focus on Con and probably charisma. Min/maxing it might not be great but the idea and role playing part of it seems cool.
Both of those builds go off using Wisdom as your Main stat. They can work but you have to keep in mind the Ranger Spells. Some use your attack mod (Str/Dex) while others use your spell mod (Wisdom). You can go full Wisdom but then you will be limited in which spells will be effective when cast. Just something to keep in mind. (Hail of Thorns, Lightning Arrow, Swift Quiver, Flame Arrows)
Another thing to keep in mind is that Shillelagh requires a bonus action to get going, and a lot of ranger spells also require a bonus action.
In combat, are you planning on having your beast attack most of the time? If so, since having the beast attack requires your action, I wouldn't pick up Shillelagh until level 4 or level 8 since you won't be able to attack anyway until you get Extra Attack.
Another thing to keep in mind is that Shillelagh requires a bonus action to get going, and a lot of ranger spells also require a bonus action.
In combat, are you planning on having your beast attack most of the time? If so, since having the beast attack requires your action, I wouldn't pick up Shillelagh until level 4 or level 8 since you won't be able to attack anyway until you get Extra Attack.
It depends on how you interpret the Beast Master archetype. If you read it as this is everything and the only things the animal companion can do, then the only way the beast can make an attack is if the ranger uses their action to command the beast to take the Attack action or if a creature provokes an opportunity attack from the beast.
I interpret the archetype description as specific changes to the general rules. If a DM controlled NPC beast can do something then the ranger commanded beast can too, as long as they follow the specific changes described in the archetype. This means that the actions that aren’t listed in the archetype must be commanded by the ranger but don’t require the ranger’s action.
Now I just have to find one other person who agrees with me to DM.
Another thing to keep in mind is that Shillelagh requires a bonus action to get going, and a lot of ranger spells also require a bonus action.
In combat, are you planning on having your beast attack most of the time? If so, since having the beast attack requires your action, I wouldn't pick up Shillelagh until level 4 or level 8 since you won't be able to attack anyway until you get Extra Attack.
It depends on how you interpret the Beast Master archetype. If you read it as this is everything and the only things the animal companion can do, then the only way the beast can make an attack is if the ranger uses their action to command the beast to take the Attack action or if a creature provokes an opportunity attack from the beast.
I interpret the archetype description as specific changes to the general rules. If a DM controlled NPC beast can do something then the ranger commanded beast can too, as long as they follow the specific changes described in the archetype. This means that the actions that aren’t listed in the archetype must be commanded by the ranger but don’t require the ranger’s action.
Now I just have to find one other person who agrees with me to DM.
Your objections are why so many people like the revised ranger beast master more than the current beast master. It's too bad WotC appears to have given up on the revised ranger.
I would ask how you plan to fight first, then I would say Dex is going to be your friend either way, it adds to your initiative, AC, and ranged attacks. So, I would skip Shillelagh
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
thinking of taking magic initiate with my variant human feat as a (eventually) beast master ranger. Is pumping wisdom up high and taking Shillelagh for my wooden spear a good idea? Does the damage scale okay or is it better to go strength?
Shillelagh uses a quarterstaff or club unless your DM houserules otherwise.
I’ve been thinking about a similar build. I was thinking of taking Magic Stone as the other cantrip. A quarterstaff and a pocket full of pebbles and you’re ready for combat. As for the 1st level spell, I couldn’t decide between Animal Friendship and Goodberry but since I can pick the other at 2nd level, it didn’t seem too important.
I was thinking about it as a roleplaying build rather than a min/max build.
DM said I could use it while I wielding a “wooden” spear. Pretty tempted to try it. Would let me not have to worry about strength too much (I like strength weapons more than dex) and I can focus on Con and probably charisma. Min/maxing it might not be great but the idea and role playing part of it seems cool.
Both of those builds go off using Wisdom as your Main stat. They can work but you have to keep in mind the Ranger Spells. Some use your attack mod (Str/Dex) while others use your spell mod (Wisdom). You can go full Wisdom but then you will be limited in which spells will be effective when cast. Just something to keep in mind. (Hail of Thorns, Lightning Arrow, Swift Quiver, Flame Arrows)
You can find my published homebrew Spells here.
Another thing to keep in mind is that Shillelagh requires a bonus action to get going, and a lot of ranger spells also require a bonus action.
In combat, are you planning on having your beast attack most of the time? If so, since having the beast attack requires your action, I wouldn't pick up Shillelagh until level 4 or level 8 since you won't be able to attack anyway until you get Extra Attack.
It depends on how you interpret the Beast Master archetype. If you read it as this is everything and the only things the animal companion can do, then the only way the beast can make an attack is if the ranger uses their action to command the beast to take the Attack action or if a creature provokes an opportunity attack from the beast.
I interpret the archetype description as specific changes to the general rules. If a DM controlled NPC beast can do something then the ranger commanded beast can too, as long as they follow the specific changes described in the archetype. This means that the actions that aren’t listed in the archetype must be commanded by the ranger but don’t require the ranger’s action.
Now I just have to find one other person who agrees with me to DM.
Your objections are why so many people like the revised ranger beast master more than the current beast master. It's too bad WotC appears to have given up on the revised ranger.
Hear hear! A few changes to the Revised Ranger, starting with a deeper understanding by the dev team at WoTC of what Rangers ARE would help a lot.
The Beastmaster Ranger is especially underwhelming.
I would ask how you plan to fight first, then I would say Dex is going to be your friend either way, it adds to your initiative, AC, and ranged attacks. So, I would skip Shillelagh