Beastmaster Hunter, but allow the pet to act as an independent character.
They could also multiclass into Rogue for sneak attacks and extra proficiencies.
EDIT: All the healing and utility of other builds is fun and cool, but won't outweigh the benefit of 2 "good guys", particularly at lower levels. They will struggle if they are truly alone, and the DM will struggle balancing encounters that aren't just duels with one enemy.
That's an odd way of spelling "Battlesmith Artificer". ;) Which is a much better choice than Ranger and you still get the "main character and sidekick" thing going on. :)
Ha perhaps, I must admit I am not familiar with the Artificer!
If I had to pick one character for a solo campaign it would either be a Bard or an Artificer. If you need one character who can do some of everything, those would be my top recommendations.
I’d go Ranger Hunter or Beast Master, with the following builds:
Hunter Tank (Horde Breaker/Multiattack Defense/Uncanny Dodge). The quintessential melee Hunter that can outright avoid the biggest baddies. Uncanny Dodge for the first hit, +4 AC on the follow-up attacks. Go Str-based and Heavy Armor proficiency and Defense fighting style for improved resilience.
Ranged Hunter (Colossus Slayer/Escape the Horde/Stand Against the Tide). Pure longbow striker. When they engage you in melee range here’s what you do... Mark them, then run away. The Opp Attack is at disadvantage because of Escape and if it misses, use your reaction to force it to attack its ally with Tide. Then you get all your bow attacks on top of that with a bonus d8 and d6 from Hunters Mark cued up.
Beast Master for an extra ally on the field. Just use it to clog up the battlefield. Alternate between Dodge and run when they focus on you, then ranged attacks when they try to focus on the beast
I’d go Ranger Hunter or Beast Master, with the following builds:
Hunter Tank (Horde Breaker/Multiattack Defense/Uncanny Dodge). The quintessential melee Hunter that can outright avoid the biggest baddies. Uncanny Dodge for the first hit, +4 AC on the follow-up attacks. Go Str-based and Heavy Armor proficiency and Defense fighting style for improved resilience.
Ranged Hunter (Colossus Slayer/Escape the Horde/Stand Against the Tide). Pure longbow striker. When they engage you in melee range here’s what you do... Mark them, then run away. The Opp Attack is at disadvantage because of Escape and if it misses, use your reaction to force it to attack its ally with Tide. Then you get all your bow attacks on top of that with a bonus d8 and d6 from Hunters Mark cued up.
Beast Master for an extra ally on the field. Just use it to clog up the battlefield. Alternate between Dodge and run when they focus on you, then ranged attacks when they try to focus on the beast
Or just play an artificer that can do everything you just mentioned, but better. If your DM allows the UA Armorer, you don't need a party. :P
I’d go Ranger Hunter or Beast Master, with the following builds:
Hunter Tank (Horde Breaker/Multiattack Defense/Uncanny Dodge). The quintessential melee Hunter that can outright avoid the biggest baddies. Uncanny Dodge for the first hit, +4 AC on the follow-up attacks. Go Str-based and Heavy Armor proficiency and Defense fighting style for improved resilience.
Ranged Hunter (Colossus Slayer/Escape the Horde/Stand Against the Tide). Pure longbow striker. When they engage you in melee range here’s what you do... Mark them, then run away. The Opp Attack is at disadvantage because of Escape and if it misses, use your reaction to force it to attack its ally with Tide. Then you get all your bow attacks on top of that with a bonus d8 and d6 from Hunters Mark cued up.
Beast Master for an extra ally on the field. Just use it to clog up the battlefield. Alternate between Dodge and run when they focus on you, then ranged attacks when they try to focus on the beast
Or just play an artificer that can do everything you just mentioned, but better. If your DM allows the UA Armorer, you don't need a party. :P
Not really... no extra attacks, no archery or Defense fighting styles, no exploration options, limited spell list that has very little defensive options when bad guys get close... Artificer is an amazing support class but it wouldn’t stand up to a sustained attack. I admit, I love Artificer but it doesn’t hold down a lot against melee until it has higher level spells - early on it will suffer immensely.
Ha perhaps, I must admit I am not familiar with the Artificer!
If I had to pick one character for a solo campaign it would either be a Bard or an Artificer. If you need one character who can do some of everything, those would be my top recommendations.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
I’d go Ranger Hunter or Beast Master, with the following builds:
Hunter Tank (Horde Breaker/Multiattack Defense/Uncanny Dodge). The quintessential melee Hunter that can outright avoid the biggest baddies. Uncanny Dodge for the first hit, +4 AC on the follow-up attacks. Go Str-based and Heavy Armor proficiency and Defense fighting style for improved resilience.
Ranged Hunter (Colossus Slayer/Escape the Horde/Stand Against the Tide). Pure longbow striker. When they engage you in melee range here’s what you do... Mark them, then run away. The Opp Attack is at disadvantage because of Escape and if it misses, use your reaction to force it to attack its ally with Tide. Then you get all your bow attacks on top of that with a bonus d8 and d6 from Hunters Mark cued up.
Beast Master for an extra ally on the field. Just use it to clog up the battlefield. Alternate between Dodge and run when they focus on you, then ranged attacks when they try to focus on the beast
Or just play an artificer that can do everything you just mentioned, but better. If your DM allows the UA Armorer, you don't need a party. :P
Except social stuff. A bard can do everything.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Not really... no extra attacks, no archery or Defense fighting styles, no exploration options, limited spell list that has very little defensive options when bad guys get close... Artificer is an amazing support class but it wouldn’t stand up to a sustained attack. I admit, I love Artificer but it doesn’t hold down a lot against melee until it has higher level spells - early on it will suffer immensely.
Pretty sure you can cast two cantrips (1action) with an action surge.