You need 13 dexterity and 13 wisdom to multiclass ranger. If you're planning on going strength build, that will probably push your constitution score further down the table and make your character fairly MAD. If you've rolled stats and got good rolls, this might not be an issue. On the other hand, you can use your 13+ dexterity that is required for ranger to multiclass fighter as well and limit the stat dependency some. On the other hand, if you're content leaving the dexterity at 13 and going heavy armor, it's doable. Are you wanting strength because of the firbolg +1 or because of a different reason? How much is a higher wisdom score going to factor into your plans? If the main reason is because you want to wear heavy armor, it can work out well, though your dexterity will have to be higher than normal for a plate wearer. If it's because you want to wield one of the bigger weapons, that's fine, just remember that the difference in average damage between the biggest weapons (2d6- 7 average damage, 1d12- 6.5 average damage) isn't that much compared to a rapier (1d8- 4.5 average damage), and two shortswords (1d6 each, at the cost of a bonus action) is the same as a greatsword. Does the concept you have planned use a bonus action regularly? Is the idea that you have a big weapon something that seems right for your character? Are you looking at Polearm Master feat?
As a meatshield, you'll probably want your constitution to be higher than the +1 from 12/13 so you'll have more HP for the hits you do take (which will be somewhat offset by having d10s). You'll probably start at one of those, but the 13 has more flexibility for increasing the modifier. This is why I'm asking if you're ok leaving one of Strength, Wisdom, or Dexterity lower. If a strength build is important, just realize that you'll either not be as stealthy, won't be able to use some spells that have spell saves or attack rolls on more enemies than normal, or you'll be a little less hearty of a meat shield with the potential lower HPs (less of a problem with the Tough feat). This also means that intelligence and charisma will be outright dump stats (again barring really good rolls), which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Just make sure you know the costs associated with the choice. Just glancing at the abilities, it seems like leaving wisdom at the 13 would be suboptimal for some of those abilities in addition to some spells.
Without knowing what you're using for ability score numbers, something like str- 15+1= 16 for +3, dex- 13 (or 14 if you are looking at medium armor and want to max the dex bonus) for +1 (or +2), con- 12 for +1, intelligence 10/8 for +0/-1, wisdom at 14 (or 13 if dex is 14) plus the racial +2 =16/15 for +3/+2, and charisma at 8/10 (opposite of intelligence) for -1/+0. This only sacrifices advancement opportunities on constitution since you'd need a +2 ASI to get more HP instead of a +1/+1 ASI or a +1 con feat.
On the other hand, str 9+1=10, dex 15, con 14, int 11, wis 14+2=16, cha 8 or similar depending on which skills you value more from athletics, knowledge, and social.
Tldr: it can work, but it will mean that you'll probably have to give up on something that is normally important to rangers. Figure out what the costs are and decide if it's worth it to you. Dex build can be just as tanky, particularly with a shield (light armor and medium armor both cap at 17 AC with the Dex bonus which is one lower than the 18 for full plate, which means a 5% higher chance of being hit) but also benefits from having the flexibility of attacking with a longbow from range.
Hi there.
I am playing a firbolg. We are moving in the underdark.
I should be somehow the meatshield in the party, but i would also like to play flexibel.
I thought about getting 2 levels of fighter (making a str build) and then changing to ranger/gloom stalker.
Is my plan going to work? or is the combo with str build not really working?
I would need advice how to arrange my stats please, i am unsure.
Thank you, Nokel
You need 13 dexterity and 13 wisdom to multiclass ranger. If you're planning on going strength build, that will probably push your constitution score further down the table and make your character fairly MAD. If you've rolled stats and got good rolls, this might not be an issue. On the other hand, you can use your 13+ dexterity that is required for ranger to multiclass fighter as well and limit the stat dependency some. On the other hand, if you're content leaving the dexterity at 13 and going heavy armor, it's doable. Are you wanting strength because of the firbolg +1 or because of a different reason? How much is a higher wisdom score going to factor into your plans? If the main reason is because you want to wear heavy armor, it can work out well, though your dexterity will have to be higher than normal for a plate wearer. If it's because you want to wield one of the bigger weapons, that's fine, just remember that the difference in average damage between the biggest weapons (2d6- 7 average damage, 1d12- 6.5 average damage) isn't that much compared to a rapier (1d8- 4.5 average damage), and two shortswords (1d6 each, at the cost of a bonus action) is the same as a greatsword. Does the concept you have planned use a bonus action regularly? Is the idea that you have a big weapon something that seems right for your character? Are you looking at Polearm Master feat?
As a meatshield, you'll probably want your constitution to be higher than the +1 from 12/13 so you'll have more HP for the hits you do take (which will be somewhat offset by having d10s). You'll probably start at one of those, but the 13 has more flexibility for increasing the modifier. This is why I'm asking if you're ok leaving one of Strength, Wisdom, or Dexterity lower. If a strength build is important, just realize that you'll either not be as stealthy, won't be able to use some spells that have spell saves or attack rolls on more enemies than normal, or you'll be a little less hearty of a meat shield with the potential lower HPs (less of a problem with the Tough feat). This also means that intelligence and charisma will be outright dump stats (again barring really good rolls), which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Just make sure you know the costs associated with the choice. Just glancing at the abilities, it seems like leaving wisdom at the 13 would be suboptimal for some of those abilities in addition to some spells.
Without knowing what you're using for ability score numbers, something like str- 15+1= 16 for +3, dex- 13 (or 14 if you are looking at medium armor and want to max the dex bonus) for +1 (or +2), con- 12 for +1, intelligence 10/8 for +0/-1, wisdom at 14 (or 13 if dex is 14) plus the racial +2 =16/15 for +3/+2, and charisma at 8/10 (opposite of intelligence) for -1/+0. This only sacrifices advancement opportunities on constitution since you'd need a +2 ASI to get more HP instead of a +1/+1 ASI or a +1 con feat.
On the other hand, str 9+1=10, dex 15, con 14, int 11, wis 14+2=16, cha 8 or similar depending on which skills you value more from athletics, knowledge, and social.
Tldr: it can work, but it will mean that you'll probably have to give up on something that is normally important to rangers. Figure out what the costs are and decide if it's worth it to you. Dex build can be just as tanky, particularly with a shield (light armor and medium armor both cap at 17 AC with the Dex bonus which is one lower than the 18 for full plate, which means a 5% higher chance of being hit) but also benefits from having the flexibility of attacking with a longbow from range.
Thank you for your reply.
I need to try around now a bit.