I'm thinking of creating a ranger for the first time - it would start at 5th level and I was wondering which subclass would be the best for me to choose (I have access to Xanathars and the Players' handbook). It would need to hold its own in battle
That's hard. Are you allowed UA? Cause fey wanderer is amazing. For the three pillars of the game: exploration, combat and roleplay. I would ask what the rest of your party is playing, as that can help a lot. No point being a damage dealer when barb and rogue and ahead of you in initiative.
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'The Cleverness of mushrooms always surprises me!' - Ivern Bramblefoot.
I would say that horizon walker, monster slayer and fey wanderer are the best bets. Horizon and fey get some neat teleportation tricks, while giving you extra spells. Monster slayer makes you every spellcasters' worst nightmare. Fey wanderer gives you a bit of an edge, as you get to add wisdom modifier to charisma checks, and that final ability is awesome. You can't be seen or heard. So even with truesight it can't see you. It's like the best invisibility in the world.
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'The Cleverness of mushrooms always surprises me!' - Ivern Bramblefoot.
Thanks, fey wanderer isn't an option I can use but the Horizon walker looks pretty cool and teleporty stuff is fun. might do a dual longsword wielding (dual wielder feat) variant human who teleports between foes and hits them. or maybe has hand crossbows (self-loading if I can get some wizard to make them for me) and the crossbow wielder feat to dual wield those with possibly some short swords too. You might have guessed that I like two weapon fighting.
It was close for me... between Horizon Walker and Gloom Stalker. I have been playing a Horizon Walker since XGtE release weekly (now 14) and had to go with that. While Gloom Stalker is great in its own right, Horizon Walker just has been a ton of fun to play. Your ability to Misty Step early in the game, then Ethereal Step out of danger as a Ranged character by 7, getting Haste at 9 and Distant Strike at 11 keeps the player entertained. I'd say the Gloom Stalker comes out of the gate VERY strong, then it gets Greater Invisibility at 13. While it still gets good features, I would compare Haste and Greater Invisibility as "defining" spells for the subclasses... and getting them earlier is better.
Horizon can still deal as much damage as gloomstalker. Especially when using a longbow or other two handed weapon. But yes, horizon walker or gloomstalker (go horizon).
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'The Cleverness of mushrooms always surprises me!' - Ivern Bramblefoot.
Personally if your just looking from a combat perspective Horizon Walker or Gloomstalker are your best choices as they are both excellent. However if your group is more of a RP group and combat is at most a once per session occurrence, I would actually say Beastmaster as your companion can be a really fun way to break the ice with a collection of new people.
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Alston | Level 12 | Human | Cleric | Forge Dorrin | Level 1 | Stone Dwarf | Warlock | Fiend DM | Toril Catastrophe | Rime of the Frostmaiden DM | Clockwork Contingent | Tyranny of Dragons
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
I'm thinking of creating a ranger for the first time - it would start at 5th level and I was wondering which subclass would be the best for me to choose (I have access to Xanathars and the Players' handbook). It would need to hold its own in battle
Chilling kinda vibe.
That's hard. Are you allowed UA? Cause fey wanderer is amazing. For the three pillars of the game: exploration, combat and roleplay. I would ask what the rest of your party is playing, as that can help a lot. No point being a damage dealer when barb and rogue and ahead of you in initiative.
'The Cleverness of mushrooms always surprises me!' - Ivern Bramblefoot.
I'll worldbuild for your DnD games!
Just a D&D enjoyer, check out my fiverr page if you need any worldbuilding done for ya!
bard, cleric, fighter (str)(the bard and the cleric aren't very combat oriented - more healers)
Chilling kinda vibe.
I would say that horizon walker, monster slayer and fey wanderer are the best bets. Horizon and fey get some neat teleportation tricks, while giving you extra spells. Monster slayer makes you every spellcasters' worst nightmare. Fey wanderer gives you a bit of an edge, as you get to add wisdom modifier to charisma checks, and that final ability is awesome. You can't be seen or heard. So even with truesight it can't see you. It's like the best invisibility in the world.
'The Cleverness of mushrooms always surprises me!' - Ivern Bramblefoot.
I'll worldbuild for your DnD games!
Just a D&D enjoyer, check out my fiverr page if you need any worldbuilding done for ya!
Thanks, fey wanderer isn't an option I can use but the Horizon walker looks pretty cool and teleporty stuff is fun. might do a dual longsword wielding (dual wielder feat) variant human who teleports between foes and hits them. or maybe has hand crossbows (self-loading if I can get some wizard to make them for me) and the crossbow wielder feat to dual wield those with possibly some short swords too. You might have guessed that I like two weapon fighting.
Chilling kinda vibe.
It was close for me... between Horizon Walker and Gloom Stalker. I have been playing a Horizon Walker since XGtE release weekly (now 14) and had to go with that. While Gloom Stalker is great in its own right, Horizon Walker just has been a ton of fun to play. Your ability to Misty Step early in the game, then Ethereal Step out of danger as a Ranged character by 7, getting Haste at 9 and Distant Strike at 11 keeps the player entertained. I'd say the Gloom Stalker comes out of the gate VERY strong, then it gets Greater Invisibility at 13. While it still gets good features, I would compare Haste and Greater Invisibility as "defining" spells for the subclasses... and getting them earlier is better.
Gloomstalker or horizon walker.
Gloom for damage dealing, horizon for utility and fun.
Horizon can still deal as much damage as gloomstalker. Especially when using a longbow or other two handed weapon. But yes, horizon walker or gloomstalker (go horizon).
'The Cleverness of mushrooms always surprises me!' - Ivern Bramblefoot.
I'll worldbuild for your DnD games!
Just a D&D enjoyer, check out my fiverr page if you need any worldbuilding done for ya!
Horizon walker it is!
Chilling kinda vibe.
Personally if your just looking from a combat perspective Horizon Walker or Gloomstalker are your best choices as they are both excellent. However if your group is more of a RP group and combat is at most a once per session occurrence, I would actually say Beastmaster as your companion can be a really fun way to break the ice with a collection of new people.
Gloom stalker.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
gloom stalker until level 5, then unless your DM allows the UA updates to Ranger abilities, change class.