I'm building a new character to start around fourth level and I want him to be a melee gloomstalker with 2 weapons. I plan on using a short sword and scimitar, so I can use the vex and nick weapon masteries. Future levels will be in rogue, so I can be the gloomstalker ranger assassin rogue.
My current question is I'm debating between bug bear or variant human. The bugbear gets the extra 2D6 at the beginning of combat if he can surprise and also gets the extra 5 foot reach. But the variant human ability to get an extra feat would be nice to get dual wielder and get the +1 AC.
I think that's what it comes down to is. Is getting the reach and potential one time use of some extra damage better than the AC bump?
They aren't in the 2024 PHB. Are you sure your DM wants to use old but compatible rules for a new campaign? Do you want to use old stuff and run a risk of potential stoppages due to new rules?
I'm building a new character to start around fourth level and I want him to be a melee gloomstalker with 2 weapons. I plan on using a short sword and scimitar, so I can use the vex and nick weapon masteries. Future levels will be in rogue, so I can be the gloomstalker ranger assassin rogue.
My current question is I'm debating between bug bear or variant human. The bugbear gets the extra 2D6 at the beginning of combat if he can surprise and also gets the extra 5 foot reach. But the variant human ability to get an extra feat would be nice to get dual wielder and get the +1 AC.
I think that's what it comes down to is. Is getting the reach and potential one time use of some extra damage better than the AC bump?
Make sure you're on the same page with your DM about what version of the rules you're using. You're talking about weapon masteries (which are only in the 2024 rules) but you're also describing the 2014 version of Dual Wielder and an old version of the Human species (neither of which is technically allowed under the 2024 rules).
The extra damage from the Bugbear feature is nice, but only if you can reliably go early in the initiative order — consider the Alert feat to help with this. The reach probably won't make much of a difference most of the time. The extra AC from the 2014 version of Dual Wielder, plus the ability to use two non-Light weapons, will be more broadly applicable. The 2024 version of Dual Wielder lacks the AC bonus but does give you a whole extra attack if you're able to use Nick on the same turn; in the long run that will get you more extra damage dealt than the Bugbear thing.
As I replied to the other post, yes, we have a melding of the two rule sets. We generally use legacy rules so that means old Dual Wielder, but also using 2024 weapon mastery.
I'm building a new character to start around fourth level and I want him to be a melee gloomstalker with 2 weapons. I plan on using a short sword and scimitar, so I can use the vex and nick weapon masteries. Future levels will be in rogue, so I can be the gloomstalker ranger assassin rogue.
My current question is I'm debating between bug bear or variant human. The bugbear gets the extra 2D6 at the beginning of combat if he can surprise and also gets the extra 5 foot reach. But the variant human ability to get an extra feat would be nice to get dual wielder and get the +1 AC.
I think that's what it comes down to is. Is getting the reach and potential one time use of some extra damage better than the AC bump?
Bugbears don't need to surprise an enemy to get the extra damage the first round, they just need to hit someone who hasn't gone yet in the initiative.
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Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
Okay, thanks for the clarification. But it doesn't answer the heart of the question. Is it better to get that 2D6 potentially once per combat or to have a plus 1AC the entire combat? I'm leaning towards the AC. Bonus
Okay, thanks for the clarification. But it doesn't answer the heart of the question. Is it better to get that 2D6 potentially once per combat or to have a plus 1AC the entire combat? I'm leaning towards the AC. Bonus
There is no single answer as every DM's type of encounter will give you a different answer.
Does your DM like to create quantity or quality type encounters. A horde versus 1 or 2 powerful bad guys that your party has to cooperate with each other to destroy?
If the DM likes hordes, that 1 AC might be enough to make you invulnerable due to the low level quality and what is needed to swing at you. Against a quality enemy, they have enough plusses that 1 AC is probably irrelevant. Think a horde that get just the D20 roll (maybe a +1) or a big baddie that gets a few swings all at +10.
If you have a quality type of encounters, then the more damage you do (as a group), the shorter the combat and that 1AC is not as important.
I'm building a new character to start around fourth level and I want him to be a melee gloomstalker with 2 weapons. I plan on using a short sword and scimitar, so I can use the vex and nick weapon masteries. Future levels will be in rogue, so I can be the gloomstalker ranger assassin rogue.
My current question is I'm debating between bug bear or variant human. The bugbear gets the extra 2D6 at the beginning of combat if he can surprise and also gets the extra 5 foot reach. But the variant human ability to get an extra feat would be nice to get dual wielder and get the +1 AC.
I think that's what it comes down to is. Is getting the reach and potential one time use of some extra damage better than the AC bump?
bug bear or variant human
They aren't in the 2024 PHB. Are you sure your DM wants to use old but compatible rules for a new campaign? Do you want to use old stuff and run a risk of potential stoppages due to new rules?
Make sure you're on the same page with your DM about what version of the rules you're using. You're talking about weapon masteries (which are only in the 2024 rules) but you're also describing the 2014 version of Dual Wielder and an old version of the Human species (neither of which is technically allowed under the 2024 rules).
The extra damage from the Bugbear feature is nice, but only if you can reliably go early in the initiative order — consider the Alert feat to help with this. The reach probably won't make much of a difference most of the time. The extra AC from the 2014 version of Dual Wielder, plus the ability to use two non-Light weapons, will be more broadly applicable. The 2024 version of Dual Wielder lacks the AC bonus but does give you a whole extra attack if you're able to use Nick on the same turn; in the long run that will get you more extra damage dealt than the Bugbear thing.
pronouns: he/she/they
We are using legacy rules with a few things from 2024, such as the weapon mastery options.
As I replied to the other post, yes, we have a melding of the two rule sets. We generally use legacy rules so that means old Dual Wielder, but also using 2024 weapon mastery.
Bugbears don't need to surprise an enemy to get the extra damage the first round, they just need to hit someone who hasn't gone yet in the initiative.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
Okay, thanks for the clarification. But it doesn't answer the heart of the question. Is it better to get that 2D6 potentially once per combat or to have a plus 1AC the entire combat? I'm leaning towards the AC. Bonus
There is no single answer as every DM's type of encounter will give you a different answer.
Does your DM like to create quantity or quality type encounters. A horde versus 1 or 2 powerful bad guys that your party has to cooperate with each other to destroy?
If the DM likes hordes, that 1 AC might be enough to make you invulnerable due to the low level quality and what is needed to swing at you. Against a quality enemy, they have enough plusses that 1 AC is probably irrelevant. Think a horde that get just the D20 roll (maybe a +1) or a big baddie that gets a few swings all at +10.
If you have a quality type of encounters, then the more damage you do (as a group), the shorter the combat and that 1AC is not as important.
There's also the question of which you'd think would be more fun to play.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.