Is this even possible? Or even worth trying? I'm up in the air about what race would even be a good idea to even attempted it. Can anyone help? If I could figure it out it would be a boss build.
It is possible. It isn't optimized, but it will definitely be fun.
1: Roadmap and reasoning. I think that you should play mostly ranger, and a little of sorcerer. That way, you can still get the armor class (13 + dexterity), bonus to charisma against dragons, and extra HP. When paired with dexterity ranger in this way, it gives you some toughness and no need for armor! You also get a few cantrips (infinite cast spells, level 0) and extra spell slots. These will be useful for casting hunter's mark, and for other situations for the noncombat cantrips! As for the drakewarden, you will be able to talk to dragons easier (instant learn draconic). Your drake will be a useful asset for multiple situations. This would be at level 4. From there, continue with the drakewarden until about level 8, (7 ranger, 1 sorcerer.). Here, your drake gets a significant buff, you get your extra attack, and don't need to proceed any farther. Now, you can go farther with the sorcerer. Going up two more level swill give you some more spell slots, metamagic to alter your ranger spellslots (to get more high level ones) and to cast spells differently, and 2nd level sorcerer spells. If you want, you can move to level 6 for some more damage. (Note that fire is you best option. Searing smite on the ranger spell list will be effected, so this makes fire the most efficient.) As long as you get to level 7 on ranger and level 1 on sorcerer, your multiclass is a flavor success! Prioritize wisdom over charisma.
2: The race. There has recently been a new dragonborn UA. This makes dragonborn's breathweapon more effective, gives kobolds more options, and separates chromatic dragons from metallic ones. (in addition to adding gem dragonborn.) This would keep your dragon theme. If it is too much dragon for you, go with whatever you want!
The drake warden from fizban is out in preview- might want to look it over for this. I’ve played a number of ranger/sorceror multiclasses and they are fun. You will probably want do your switches in multiples of 2 ranger for any one sorceror to make best use of the multiclass spell slot table. The draconic sorceror forces you to either ignore the draconic armor or retain only the shield which you will have to have at higher levels to maintain AC. (13 (draconic) +5 (Dex bonus) =18 + 5 (+3 shield) = 23 max, vs 26 max for defensive style (+1) +3 half plate (AC 18) +5 (+ 3 shield) +2 (Dex bonus). you also need to be clear in your head about whether you are a ranger with a little sorcery or a sorceror with skill as a ranger. If the later you probably want to go Ranger 5then switch and stay sorceror till you max out as R5/S15 you won’t get the draconic presence feature or L9 spells but … The other way you need to decide which is more important to you- L5 ranger spells or L3 sorceror spells, you can’t have both. A lot there depends on if you are an ranged or a melee ranger. Any way you build it it’s going to be fairly MAD as you need Dex, Con, Wis, & Charisma all 13+ to have a decent start you might want to go all the way and play a Dragonborn 😁 that can help as the + 2strength lets you use it as a dump without taking penalties and you get a +1 to Charisma to help out.
The idea I will be trying once it's available on D&D Beyond is a Ghostwise Halfling, at lest a level or two of fighter. Magic initiate to get enlarge/reduce. Wing mounted short bow archer and thrown weapons master. I post the link when I can.
It is possible. It isn't optimized, but it will definitely be fun.
1: Roadmap and reasoning. I think that you should play mostly ranger, and a little of sorcerer. That way, you can still get the armor class (13 + dexterity), bonus to charisma against dragons, and extra HP. When paired with dexterity ranger in this way, it gives you some toughness and no need for armor! You also get a few cantrips (infinite cast spells, level 0) and extra spell slots. These will be useful for casting hunter's mark, and for other situations for the noncombat cantrips! As for the drakewarden, you will be able to talk to dragons easier (instant learn draconic). Your drake will be a useful asset for multiple situations. This would be at level 4. From there, continue with the drakewarden until about level 8, (7 ranger, 1 sorcerer.). Here, your drake gets a significant buff, you get your extra attack, and don't need to proceed any farther. Now, you can go farther with the sorcerer. Going up two more level swill give you some more spell slots, metamagic to alter your ranger spellslots (to get more high level ones) and to cast spells differently, and 2nd level sorcerer spells. If you want, you can move to level 6 for some more damage. (Note that fire is you best option. Searing smite on the ranger spell list will be effected, so this makes fire the most efficient.) As long as you get to level 7 on ranger and level 1 on sorcerer, your multiclass is a flavor success! Prioritize wisdom over charisma.
2: The race. There has recently been a new dragonborn UA. This makes dragonborn's breathweapon more effective, gives kobolds more options, and separates chromatic dragons from metallic ones. (in addition to adding gem dragonborn.) This would keep your dragon theme. If it is too much dragon for you, go with whatever you want!
I've been wanting to do the same thing, because of my backstory. This find was a treasure. Thank you.
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Nobody can protect you from what you desire, or from what you fear.
when creating such characters I always go ranger 1 to get the starting hitpoints, proficiencies armor and martial weapons. Then I go sorceror 1 to get the cantrips and spells that will be my ranged attacks. Then I go ranger to L6 (for these builds I take deft explorer to get the swim and climb speeds at L6) to get the second attack and L6 benefits. At that point I typically go sorceror the rest of the way. Rangers transition from martials to casters in tier 2 so this just changes the type of caster the PC becomes. While the draconic armor can be useful at low levels it falls behind fairly quickly so I normally transition to some sort of armor and shield. Of the (magical) medium armors serpent scale is the best as it’s the only one granting full de bonus to AC. The sentinel shield is ideal for a ranger as it grants advantage on both perception checks AND initiative. I typically equip rangers with a short sword and scimitar so they can use TWF if they want (without the shield AC of course) or select the appropriate weapon for the foe. The whip is a nice reach/grapple weapon for special occasions. By going amethyst Dragonborn with bronze sorcerous lineage you get a force breath weapon and resistance to force damage as well as telepathy and flight (limited but useful). bonus action usage can be a bit wonky but that is typical of ranger builds. At some point you probably want to ranger 7 as then your drake gains wings, can act as a mount and it’s bite does +1d6 damage of its energy type. So you max out as Ranger 7/sorceror 13 which gives you a 7th level spell and a 13 th sorceror spell and slots as a 16 th level caster (sorry no L9 slots or spells)
The new UA is out with the draconic sorceror. I’m still playing with it and going to try a Dragonborn drakewarden draconic sorceror using the 1D&D creation, ranger and draconic sorceror. I’ll show you a sample when I have it done.
Racial Abilities: Gold Ancestry Breath Weapon (fire): as an action exhale a 15’ cone of fire. Dexterity save (DC= 12) or 1D10 + level damage proficiency bonus (PB) times per long rest Draconic Resistance: Resistance to fire damage Metallic Breath Weapon (L5): second Breath weapon 1/LR 15’ cone Dexterity save (DC=12) either an Enervating Breath (con save or incapacitated until your next turn) or a Repulsion Breath (strength save or pushed 20’ and become prone) Darkvision 60’ Feats: Alert – add proficiency bonus to initiative, can swap initiative with a willing ally.
Ranger Abilities Expertise (L1): Nature, Survival Favored Enemy (L1): Hunter’s Mark spell always prepared, no concentration required Spell Casting (L1): 2 cantrips and 2 L1 Primal spells prepared (no primal evocation spells) Fighting Style (L2): Dueling - +2 damage when fighting with a single one handed melee weapon. Ranger Subclass: Drakewarden Draconic Gift: Thaumaturgy cantrip, 1 language Drake Companion: small dragon, AC 20, HP 45, SPD 40’, S16+3/D12+1/C15+2/I8-1/W14+2/Ch8-1, immune to lightning, Bite: +9 to hit 1D6+6 damage, infused strikes – when another creature in 30’ of the companion hits with a weapon attack the drake can infuse the strike with its essence adding 1D6 lightning damage to the hit. Feat (L4): +2 Dex Extra Attack (L5): you may attack twice when you take the attack action. Bond of Fang and Scale (L6): drake grows to medium size, gains wings and can be used as a non flying mount if medium or small sized, Bite deals 1d6 lightning damage, you gain resistance to lightning damage. Roving (L7): speed increases by 10’, gain a swim and climb speed equal to your walking speed. Feat (L8): Resilient: Wisdom- +1 to Wisdom, proficiency in wisdom saving throws
Sorceror Abilities Innate Sorcery (L1): always have the Sorcerous Burst (C) and Chaos Bolt (L1) spells prepared Spell Casting (L1): learn 4 cantrips and 2 Level 1 Spells Font of Magic (L2): Gain 2 spell points and +1 for each additional level of sorcerer. Metamagic (L2): Careful Spell (1)(UA), Quickened Spell (2)(UA), Subtle Spell (1) (UA). Sorceror Subclass: Draconic Draconic Resilience (L3): Base AC without armor = 10 + Dexterity Bonus + Charisma Bonus = 19 Dragon Speech (L3): can communicate with creature of the dragon type Feat (L4): +2 Charisma Sorcerous Vitality (L5): use your magic to heal yourself – gain the L3 spell Sorcerous Vitality always prepared Elemental Affinity (L6): Cold: Gain Cold Resistance, Add Charisma bonus to Cold Damage spells Arcane Eruption (L7): always have the L4 Arcane Eruption spell prepared Feat (L8): Resilience: Constitution: +1 Constitution, Proficiency with constitution saves Sorcery Incarnate (L9): Can transform into a being of magical energy – always have the L5 Sorcery Incarnate spell prepared: Draconic Exhalation (L10): 1/T sorcerous Blast can be cast as a 15’ cone, must be cast as a cold, (Fire or Lightning) spell, make a separate attack and damage roll for each against each creature in the cone. Feat (L12): Tough – gain 40 HP
Cantrips: Thaumaturgy, Shillelagh(R), Mending (R), Sorcerous Burst (S), Fire Bolt (S), Ray of Frost (S), Chill Touch (S), Shocking Grasp (S), minor Illusion (S), Mage Hand (S)
Level 1Level 2Level 3 Hunter’s Mark (R) Pass w/o Trace (R) Sorcerous Vitality (S) Shillelagh (R) Silence (R) Dispel Magic (S) Faerie Fire (R) Spike Growth (R) Fireball (S) Speak w/ Animals (R) Mirror Image (S) Lightning Bolt (S) Thunderwave (R) Scorching Ray (S) Chaos Bolt (S) Shatter (S) Burning Hands (S) Detect Magic (S) Protection f/ Evil/good (S) Witch Bolt (S)
Level 4Level 5Level 6 Arcane Eruption (S) Sorcery Incarnate (S) Sunbeam (S) Fire Shield (S) Cone of Cold (S) Arcane Eye (S) Hold Monster (S) Phantasmal Killer (S)
Armor:Bracers of Armor (+2), Ring of Protection +1
Weapons:Dragonslayer Long sword, +2 dagger of Throwing, +2 handaxe of throwing, +1 Whip, Staff of Power, Wand of Magic Missiles
Equipment: Boots of Elvenkind, Herbalism Kit, Explorer’s Kit, 50’ Silk Rope, Grappling Hook, Ball Bearings (3000, 6 tubes of 500), Chalk (3 sticks, 7 folds of powder), string (50’), caltrops (60), Steel Mirror, Signal Whistle, Whetstone,
Some notes: 1) When creating characters I use the same format I have my players do - roll and take the first set of rolls that has nothing under a 10 and at least 3 rolls of 13+ so yes I got good rolls and its a stat powerful character. 2) As this is the sorceror Forum I made him a Ranger 8/ sorceror 12 to make him sorceror dominant. but it gives a good feel to what the combo could be like. 3) Obviously equipment is really up to the player but the equipment listed is reasonable for the character
the UA Drakewarden/Draconic Sorceror looks pretty good. I think the pure draconic sorceror (see the other thread) is probably actually stronger but this isn't a weak character.
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Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
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Is this even possible? Or even worth trying? I'm up in the air about what race would even be a good idea to even attempted it. Can anyone help? If I could figure it out it would be a boss build.
It is possible. It isn't optimized, but it will definitely be fun.
1: Roadmap and reasoning. I think that you should play mostly ranger, and a little of sorcerer. That way, you can still get the armor class (13 + dexterity), bonus to charisma against dragons, and extra HP. When paired with dexterity ranger in this way, it gives you some toughness and no need for armor! You also get a few cantrips (infinite cast spells, level 0) and extra spell slots. These will be useful for casting hunter's mark, and for other situations for the noncombat cantrips! As for the drakewarden, you will be able to talk to dragons easier (instant learn draconic). Your drake will be a useful asset for multiple situations. This would be at level 4. From there, continue with the drakewarden until about level 8, (7 ranger, 1 sorcerer.). Here, your drake gets a significant buff, you get your extra attack, and don't need to proceed any farther. Now, you can go farther with the sorcerer. Going up two more level swill give you some more spell slots, metamagic to alter your ranger spellslots (to get more high level ones) and to cast spells differently, and 2nd level sorcerer spells. If you want, you can move to level 6 for some more damage. (Note that fire is you best option. Searing smite on the ranger spell list will be effected, so this makes fire the most efficient.) As long as you get to level 7 on ranger and level 1 on sorcerer, your multiclass is a flavor success! Prioritize wisdom over charisma.
2: The race. There has recently been a new dragonborn UA. This makes dragonborn's breathweapon more effective, gives kobolds more options, and separates chromatic dragons from metallic ones. (in addition to adding gem dragonborn.) This would keep your dragon theme. If it is too much dragon for you, go with whatever you want!
My only good homebrews: Races, Subclasses.
An aspiring DM and Homebrewer. Ask me if you need anything.
Anything is worth trying - if only for the role play opportunities.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
Thinking the same thing for a Sorcerer/Ranger build.
The drake warden from fizban is out in preview- might want to look it over for this. I’ve played a number of ranger/sorceror multiclasses and they are fun. You will probably want do your switches in multiples of 2 ranger for any one sorceror to make best use of the multiclass spell slot table. The draconic sorceror forces you to either ignore the draconic armor or retain only the shield which you will have to have at higher levels to maintain AC. (13 (draconic) +5 (Dex bonus) =18 + 5 (+3 shield) = 23 max, vs 26 max for defensive style (+1) +3 half plate (AC 18) +5 (+ 3 shield) +2 (Dex bonus).
you also need to be clear in your head about whether you are a ranger with a little sorcery or a sorceror with skill as a ranger. If the later you probably want to go Ranger 5then switch and stay sorceror till you max out as R5/S15 you won’t get the draconic presence feature or L9 spells but …
The other way you need to decide which is more important to you- L5 ranger spells or L3 sorceror spells, you can’t have both. A lot there depends on if you are an ranged or a melee ranger.
Any way you build it it’s going to be fairly MAD as you need Dex, Con, Wis, & Charisma all 13+ to have a decent start you might want to go all the way and play a Dragonborn 😁 that can help as the + 2strength lets you use it as a dump without taking penalties and you get a +1 to Charisma to help out.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
The idea I will be trying once it's available on D&D Beyond is a Ghostwise Halfling, at lest a level or two of fighter. Magic initiate to get enlarge/reduce. Wing mounted short bow archer and thrown weapons master. I post the link when I can.
I've been wanting to do the same thing, because of my backstory. This find was a treasure. Thank you.
Nobody can protect you from what you desire, or from what you fear.
Here is an example of what such a character could look like by L10:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/sheet-pdfs/wcwilson82355_97661394.pdf
when creating such characters I always go ranger 1 to get the starting hitpoints, proficiencies armor and martial weapons. Then I go sorceror 1 to get the cantrips and spells that will be my ranged attacks. Then I go ranger to L6 (for these builds I take deft explorer to get the swim and climb speeds at L6) to get the second attack and L6 benefits. At that point I typically go sorceror the rest of the way. Rangers transition from martials to casters in tier 2 so this just changes the type of caster the PC becomes. While the draconic armor can be useful at low levels it falls behind fairly quickly so I normally transition to some sort of armor and shield. Of the (magical) medium armors serpent scale is the best as it’s the only one granting full de bonus to AC. The sentinel shield is ideal for a ranger as it grants advantage on both perception checks AND initiative. I typically equip rangers with a short sword and scimitar so they can use TWF if they want (without the shield AC of course) or select the appropriate weapon for the foe. The whip is a nice reach/grapple weapon for special occasions. By going amethyst Dragonborn with bronze sorcerous lineage you get a force breath weapon and resistance to force damage as well as telepathy and flight (limited but useful).
bonus action usage can be a bit wonky but that is typical of ranger builds.
At some point you probably want to ranger 7 as then your drake gains wings, can act as a mount and it’s bite does +1d6 damage of its energy type. So you max out as Ranger 7/sorceror 13 which gives you a 7th level spell and a 13 th sorceror spell and slots as a 16 th level caster (sorry no L9 slots or spells)
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
The new UA is out with the draconic sorceror. I’m still playing with it and going to try a Dragonborn drakewarden draconic sorceror using the 1D&D creation, ranger and draconic sorceror. I’ll show you a sample when I have it done.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
Here is the trial character I created using as much UA as I could. I've put it in a spoiler as its fairly long.
Name: Unthor Race: Gold Dragonborn Class: Ranger 8/Sorceror 12
*S) 13 +1 SS) 17 HP) 180 Skills: Nature, Arcana, Perception, Survival, Insight
*D) 20 +5 DS) 21 AC) 23
*C) 15+2 CS) 18 SPD) 40’ Tools: Herbalism Kit
I) 11 IS) 10 P. B.) +6 Languages: Common, Draconic, Elven, Sylvan
*W) 16 +3 WS) 19 Speed – walking, swimming, climbing
CH) 20 +5 CHS) 15
Racial Abilities: Gold Ancestry
Breath Weapon (fire): as an action exhale a 15’ cone of fire. Dexterity save (DC= 12) or 1D10 + level damage proficiency bonus (PB) times per long rest
Draconic Resistance: Resistance to fire damage
Metallic Breath Weapon (L5): second Breath weapon 1/LR 15’ cone Dexterity save (DC=12) either an Enervating Breath (con save or incapacitated until your next turn) or a Repulsion Breath (strength save or pushed 20’ and become prone)
Darkvision 60’
Feats: Alert – add proficiency bonus to initiative, can swap initiative with a willing ally.
Ranger Abilities
Expertise (L1): Nature, Survival
Favored Enemy (L1): Hunter’s Mark spell always prepared, no concentration required
Spell Casting (L1): 2 cantrips and 2 L1 Primal spells prepared (no primal evocation spells)
Fighting Style (L2): Dueling - +2 damage when fighting with a single one handed melee weapon.
Ranger Subclass: Drakewarden
Draconic Gift: Thaumaturgy cantrip, 1 language
Drake Companion: small dragon, AC 20, HP 45, SPD 40’, S16+3/D12+1/C15+2/I8-1/W14+2/Ch8-1, immune to lightning, Bite: +9 to hit 1D6+6 damage, infused strikes – when another creature in 30’ of the companion hits with a weapon attack the drake can infuse the strike with its essence adding 1D6 lightning damage to the hit.
Feat (L4): +2 Dex
Extra Attack (L5): you may attack twice when you take the attack action.
Bond of Fang and Scale (L6): drake grows to medium size, gains wings and can be used as a non flying mount if medium or small sized, Bite deals 1d6 lightning damage, you gain resistance to lightning damage.
Roving (L7): speed increases by 10’, gain a swim and climb speed equal to your walking speed.
Feat (L8): Resilient: Wisdom- +1 to Wisdom, proficiency in wisdom saving throws
Sorceror Abilities
Innate Sorcery (L1): always have the Sorcerous Burst (C) and Chaos Bolt (L1) spells prepared
Spell Casting (L1): learn 4 cantrips and 2 Level 1 Spells
Font of Magic (L2): Gain 2 spell points and +1 for each additional level of sorcerer.
Metamagic (L2): Careful Spell (1)(UA), Quickened Spell (2)(UA), Subtle Spell (1) (UA).
Sorceror Subclass: Draconic
Draconic Resilience (L3): Base AC without armor = 10 + Dexterity Bonus + Charisma Bonus = 19
Dragon Speech (L3): can communicate with creature of the dragon type
Feat (L4): +2 Charisma
Sorcerous Vitality (L5): use your magic to heal yourself – gain the L3 spell Sorcerous Vitality always prepared
Elemental Affinity (L6): Cold: Gain Cold Resistance, Add Charisma bonus to Cold Damage spells
Arcane Eruption (L7): always have the L4 Arcane Eruption spell prepared
Feat (L8): Resilience: Constitution: +1 Constitution, Proficiency with constitution saves
Sorcery Incarnate (L9): Can transform into a being of magical energy – always have the L5 Sorcery Incarnate spell prepared:
Draconic Exhalation (L10): 1/T sorcerous Blast can be cast as a 15’ cone, must be cast as a cold, (Fire or Lightning) spell, make a separate attack and damage roll for each against each creature in the cone.
Feat (L12): Tough – gain 40 HP
Spells Known: Ranger: C2, 4L1, 3L2; Sorceror: C6, 4L1, 3L2, 3L3, 3L4, 2L5, 1L6
Spellslots: 4L1, 3L2, 3L3, 3L4, 2L5, 1L6, 1L7, 1L8
Cantrips: Thaumaturgy, Shillelagh(R), Mending (R), Sorcerous Burst (S), Fire Bolt (S), Ray of Frost (S), Chill Touch (S), Shocking Grasp (S), minor Illusion (S), Mage Hand (S)
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Hunter’s Mark (R) Pass w/o Trace (R) Sorcerous Vitality (S)
Shillelagh (R) Silence (R) Dispel Magic (S)
Faerie Fire (R) Spike Growth (R) Fireball (S)
Speak w/ Animals (R) Mirror Image (S) Lightning Bolt (S)
Thunderwave (R) Scorching Ray (S)
Chaos Bolt (S) Shatter (S)
Burning Hands (S)
Detect Magic (S)
Protection f/ Evil/good (S)
Witch Bolt (S)
Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Arcane Eruption (S) Sorcery Incarnate (S) Sunbeam (S)
Fire Shield (S) Cone of Cold (S)
Arcane Eye (S) Hold Monster (S)
Phantasmal Killer (S)
Armor: Bracers of Armor (+2), Ring of Protection +1
Weapons: Dragonslayer Long sword, +2 dagger of Throwing, +2 handaxe of throwing, +1 Whip, Staff of Power, Wand of Magic Missiles
Equipment: Boots of Elvenkind, Herbalism Kit, Explorer’s Kit, 50’ Silk Rope, Grappling Hook, Ball Bearings (3000, 6 tubes of 500), Chalk (3 sticks, 7 folds of powder), string (50’), caltrops (60), Steel Mirror, Signal Whistle, Whetstone,
Some notes:
1) When creating characters I use the same format I have my players do - roll and take the first set of rolls that has nothing under a 10 and at least 3 rolls of 13+ so yes I got good rolls and its a stat powerful character.
2) As this is the sorceror Forum I made him a Ranger 8/ sorceror 12 to make him sorceror dominant. but it gives a good feel to what the combo could be like.
3) Obviously equipment is really up to the player but the equipment listed is reasonable for the character
the UA Drakewarden/Draconic Sorceror looks pretty good. I think the pure draconic sorceror (see the other thread) is probably actually stronger but this isn't a weak character.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.