I mean, frankly "optimize" is a very loose term when you're splitting between Ranger and Warlock. You've got different casting stats, and you don't even stack caster levels like you would with a Sorc, Cleric, etc. Plus it's hard to give much advice until we know where you're currently at with your character and how much you're looking at from Fathomless. Generally speaking, I'd suggest grabbing a handful of utility spells from the Warlock list rather than trying to grab combat features unless you rolled high enough to have a really good CHA mod.
Honestly, my first piece of advice when someone wants to multiclass for story reasons is "don't; either just roleplay it out or look for a feat that will give you the vibe you want"; a 1 level dip rarely gives a strong thematic vibe feature-wise, and going for a significant multiclass investment before tier 3 usually handles really poorly in my experience. That's just one man's opinion though.
I am playing a Drakewarden Ranger and wanted to multiclass into a Fathomless Warlock (for story reasons) and need some advice on how to optimize it.
MCing for story reasons and optimization are incompatible ideas. If you want an optimal character don't MC for story reasons. If you want to MC for story reasons then why do you care about optimizing it?
Essentially, you just need to focus on spells that don't rely on spell casting ability: Armour of Agathys, Hex, Protections G/E, etc...
I have to agree with the others, optimizing is kind of the opposite of story. And this class combo is really hard to pull off. (Btw, do you have the stats? A 13 in dex, wis and cha?) And in this case in particular, both subclasses need your bonus action to do their main subclass thing — use your drake or that freaky tentacle a fathomless gets. Plus any other spells or bonus action powers you might have. So even if you pull it off, your action economy will be pretty screwed.
I get wanting to make some character developments for story reasons, but character developments don’t always need a mechanical change. You can make a deal with a powerful entity and not be a warlock. Just do it through role play. Or maybe just make some cosmetic/flavor changes. Maybe your drake starts to look more aquatic, like a shark instead of a dragon, for example. Or some of your skin turns scaly.
I appreciate the advise and I will look for a feat that will get me the same effect but I am not to worried about optimizing my character I just wanted some opinions on how to go about my idea. (PS I was commanding my drake like you would a steal defender in how you play it like a second character.)
This may not be what you're looking for, but I would second Xalthu's comment. Warlocks do not have a monopoly on making deals and to me its actually more fun to interpret your existing abilities and mechanics as tainted by this new influence.
You’re probably tired of hearing this line too, but try talking to your DM. He could work in a plot point where you do things for a patron for items and the like. Not sure how much water there is in your campaign, but the Fathomless patron would be a very fitting way to get swimming or water breathing items.
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I am playing a Drakewarden Ranger and wanted to multiclass into a Fathomless Warlock (for story reasons) and need some advice on how to optimize it.
I mean, frankly "optimize" is a very loose term when you're splitting between Ranger and Warlock. You've got different casting stats, and you don't even stack caster levels like you would with a Sorc, Cleric, etc. Plus it's hard to give much advice until we know where you're currently at with your character and how much you're looking at from Fathomless. Generally speaking, I'd suggest grabbing a handful of utility spells from the Warlock list rather than trying to grab combat features unless you rolled high enough to have a really good CHA mod.
Honestly, my first piece of advice when someone wants to multiclass for story reasons is "don't; either just roleplay it out or look for a feat that will give you the vibe you want"; a 1 level dip rarely gives a strong thematic vibe feature-wise, and going for a significant multiclass investment before tier 3 usually handles really poorly in my experience. That's just one man's opinion though.
MCing for story reasons and optimization are incompatible ideas. If you want an optimal character don't MC for story reasons. If you want to MC for story reasons then why do you care about optimizing it?
Essentially, you just need to focus on spells that don't rely on spell casting ability: Armour of Agathys, Hex, Protections G/E, etc...
I have to agree with the others, optimizing is kind of the opposite of story. And this class combo is really hard to pull off. (Btw, do you have the stats? A 13 in dex, wis and cha?)
And in this case in particular, both subclasses need your bonus action to do their main subclass thing — use your drake or that freaky tentacle a fathomless gets. Plus any other spells or bonus action powers you might have. So even if you pull it off, your action economy will be pretty screwed.
I get wanting to make some character developments for story reasons, but character developments don’t always need a mechanical change. You can make a deal with a powerful entity and not be a warlock. Just do it through role play. Or maybe just make some cosmetic/flavor changes. Maybe your drake starts to look more aquatic, like a shark instead of a dragon, for example. Or some of your skin turns scaly.
I appreciate the advise and I will look for a feat that will get me the same effect but I am not to worried about optimizing my character I just wanted some opinions on how to go about my idea. (PS I was commanding my drake like you would a steal defender in how you play it like a second character.)
This may not be what you're looking for, but I would second Xalthu's comment. Warlocks do not have a monopoly on making deals and to me its actually more fun to interpret your existing abilities and mechanics as tainted by this new influence.
My homebrew subclasses (full list here)
(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm
You’re probably tired of hearing this line too, but try talking to your DM. He could work in a plot point where you do things for a patron for items and the like. Not sure how much water there is in your campaign, but the Fathomless patron would be a very fitting way to get swimming or water breathing items.