Hi all, i decided what i want to play, but could use some help in how I should level up. I don’t have much experience and hope you can help with some good advice :-)
I want a minimal of 2 levels of druid for the wild shape options. Mainly for outside of combat. But primal strike at level 6 sounds useful. Or should I not worry about overcoming damage resistance/immunities and are there better options for a ranger/druid? I suppose getting the extra attack at ranger level 5 is important to keep up with the party, but I really don’t want to wait for level 7 before I get wild shape...
so what would be the best way to level up and make sure that the character is fun to play and is effective against all types of monsters?
I'll start by saying that while I have played a Druid, I haven't played a Ranger in 5e, so this is just based on what I know and not really experience. Others might be able to give you a better idea than I can.
First, I would never recommend multi-classing a Circle of Moon Druid unless it's going to be your primary class, and even then the only really good combination I can think of would be multi-classing Barbarian path of the Totem Warrior for the added Rage benefits and Totem powers - specifically Bear forms damage resistance.
If your Wild Shape forms aren't going to be your primary form of combat, Circle of Moon isn't really worth it (in my opinion,) especially if you're only going to level 2 to unlock it. Your wild shapes will be mainly used for utility - which you mentioned - and as far as utility speaks there's not much difference between a CR 1/4 creature and C/R 1, especially since you can't choose any creatures that can Swim or Fly unless you get a lot more Druid levels.
Multi-classing into Druid with your main class being Ranger should be about the spells and the aforementioned utility of Wild-Shape. Also, it largely depends on what Fighting Style you're planning to choose as a Ranger.
I would recommend Defense or Dueling. My favorite thing about the Ranger/Druid combo is having access to Shillelagh. With it you can totally ignore Strength, and even take less Dexterity if you don't mind wearing some Scale Mail - which shouldn't be a big deal because you'll be able to Stealth in your Wild Shape forms without the disadvantage Scale Mail causes - and focus on Wisdom and Constitution for your spellcasting and durability, with a bit of Intelligence for Nature and Investigation.
You can use a Quarterstaff and Shield, Shillelagh the staff to get the d8 damage die and change modifier to Wisdom, and go to town. Generally speaking DM's allow Quarterstaffs to count as a Druid's spell focus as well. Shillelagh also makes the weapon count as magical, which is what the Primal Strike at Druid level 6 would give you.
Looking over the Circles, I would say Circle of Spores would likely be the best route for a Monster Hunter Ranger, as it allows a lot of damage potential and also gives you another outlet for your Wild Shape than transforming, if you're seeing a lot of combat. Shillelagh, Hunter's Mark, Symbiotic Entity and Slayer's Prey make a very, very mean combo - 1d8+Wis + 1d6+ 1d6 + 1d6 - and Halo of Spores just adds a little extra to it(+1d4). Between that and your increased spellcasting ability, you should be doing plenty of damage even if you don't get Extra Attack until level 7.
I would say you should take Druid to at least level 3 at some point. If you're Circle of Spores, at level 3 you'll not only get a couple 2nd level spell - allowing you to get Flaming Sphere and deal another 2d6-4d6 (or even more to groups) extra damage per turn - you'll also get the first set of Circle of Spores spells: blindness/deafness and gentle repose. All said I think it'd make a pretty mean character, adding a little more Druid levels wouldn't be terrible but after level 3 focusing purely on Ranger should be plenty. You could eventually mix some Barbarian in there, but Rage prevents you from concentrating on spells so that's kinda dipping into opposite wells.
That's just my two cents. Curious to know what others think, and hope I helped out some.
I would talk to your DM to find out if they buy into characters that multiclass into druid choosing not to use metal armor. That one facet could significantly change your needs from your build. Of course, the point may be moot if you are planning on running high dex anyway, or are planning on rolling a tortle or loxodon (both of which would give you reasonable AC without having to dip heavily into dex or worry about metal armors at all).
That said Jaysburn brings up some valid points about circle of the moon. I also like the idea of shillelagh, particularly with a tortle/loxodon build. Either one would allow you to use wisdom for your offensive stat and constitution for your defensive stat (strictly for higher HPs with tortle and higher HPs and higher AC with Loxodon). This is assuming that you are going to be primarily a melee or spellcasting ranger. If you're thinking more of an archer, then I would stick with dex and one of the more archerish races.
Depending on what your thoughts are for the build, you may wish to consider a fighter instead of a ranger, a cleric instead of a druid (or possibly in addition to a druid, in an effort to pick up a few more cantrips for sustainable spellcasting damage), and/or potentially magic initiate (for those extra cantrips and some utility with the level 1 spell).
Outside of that general counsel, I'd ask you to describe a touch more on what you are envisioning with the character. That will help us give more focused advice that will be more in line with what you're thinking.
Thanks for the reactions! But then I guess i’d better go for some other classes :-)
My plan is a monster hunting character who was raised by some druids after his village was destroyed by demons. The wildshaping and some magic he picked up there. I always like to play a wood elf with a sword, I think a dex build. I Want to play a kind of witcher who uses animal forms for sneaking around and scouting.
So I thought the 2 classes I picked would be a good fit, but other builds are also welcome. If there is a good synergy with a few levels of druid and some good spells or skills to boost melee sword combat against especially supernatural stuff (undead, demons, werewolves, vampires l, ghosts, etc) I am happy :-)
You might be better off looking into Blood Hunter, if your GM will allow you to use it. Much more of an undead/demon hunter than Rangers, and the Order of the Mutant subclass is literally a Witcher.
Hmm well if you're set on getting wild shape you need at least 2 levels of druid. Otherwise for the build you want I'd recommend some combination of Fighter/Rogue along with either Nature Domain Cleric or Oath of the Ancients Paladin. Gives you the ability to sense undead and demons, and still tied heavily to druid stuff. Both give access to several druid spells.
Hi all, i decided what i want to play, but could use some help in how I should level up. I don’t have much experience and hope you can help with some good advice :-)
I want a minimal of 2 levels of druid for the wild shape options. Mainly for outside of combat. But primal strike at level 6 sounds useful. Or should I not worry about overcoming damage resistance/immunities and are there better options for a ranger/druid? I suppose getting the extra attack at ranger level 5 is important to keep up with the party, but I really don’t want to wait for level 7 before I get wild shape...
so what would be the best way to level up and make sure that the character is fun to play and is effective against all types of monsters?
I'll start by saying that while I have played a Druid, I haven't played a Ranger in 5e, so this is just based on what I know and not really experience. Others might be able to give you a better idea than I can.
First, I would never recommend multi-classing a Circle of Moon Druid unless it's going to be your primary class, and even then the only really good combination I can think of would be multi-classing Barbarian path of the Totem Warrior for the added Rage benefits and Totem powers - specifically Bear forms damage resistance.
If your Wild Shape forms aren't going to be your primary form of combat, Circle of Moon isn't really worth it (in my opinion,) especially if you're only going to level 2 to unlock it. Your wild shapes will be mainly used for utility - which you mentioned - and as far as utility speaks there's not much difference between a CR 1/4 creature and C/R 1, especially since you can't choose any creatures that can Swim or Fly unless you get a lot more Druid levels.
Multi-classing into Druid with your main class being Ranger should be about the spells and the aforementioned utility of Wild-Shape. Also, it largely depends on what Fighting Style you're planning to choose as a Ranger.
I would recommend Defense or Dueling. My favorite thing about the Ranger/Druid combo is having access to Shillelagh. With it you can totally ignore Strength, and even take less Dexterity if you don't mind wearing some Scale Mail - which shouldn't be a big deal because you'll be able to Stealth in your Wild Shape forms without the disadvantage Scale Mail causes - and focus on Wisdom and Constitution for your spellcasting and durability, with a bit of Intelligence for Nature and Investigation.
You can use a Quarterstaff and Shield, Shillelagh the staff to get the d8 damage die and change modifier to Wisdom, and go to town. Generally speaking DM's allow Quarterstaffs to count as a Druid's spell focus as well. Shillelagh also makes the weapon count as magical, which is what the Primal Strike at Druid level 6 would give you.
Looking over the Circles, I would say Circle of Spores would likely be the best route for a Monster Hunter Ranger, as it allows a lot of damage potential and also gives you another outlet for your Wild Shape than transforming, if you're seeing a lot of combat. Shillelagh, Hunter's Mark, Symbiotic Entity and Slayer's Prey make a very, very mean combo - 1d8+Wis + 1d6+ 1d6 + 1d6 - and Halo of Spores just adds a little extra to it(+1d4). Between that and your increased spellcasting ability, you should be doing plenty of damage even if you don't get Extra Attack until level 7.
I would say you should take Druid to at least level 3 at some point. If you're Circle of Spores, at level 3 you'll not only get a couple 2nd level spell - allowing you to get Flaming Sphere and deal another 2d6-4d6 (or even more to groups) extra damage per turn - you'll also get the first set of Circle of Spores spells: blindness/deafness and gentle repose. All said I think it'd make a pretty mean character, adding a little more Druid levels wouldn't be terrible but after level 3 focusing purely on Ranger should be plenty. You could eventually mix some Barbarian in there, but Rage prevents you from concentrating on spells so that's kinda dipping into opposite wells.
That's just my two cents. Curious to know what others think, and hope I helped out some.
I would talk to your DM to find out if they buy into characters that multiclass into druid choosing not to use metal armor. That one facet could significantly change your needs from your build. Of course, the point may be moot if you are planning on running high dex anyway, or are planning on rolling a tortle or loxodon (both of which would give you reasonable AC without having to dip heavily into dex or worry about metal armors at all).
That said Jaysburn brings up some valid points about circle of the moon. I also like the idea of shillelagh, particularly with a tortle/loxodon build. Either one would allow you to use wisdom for your offensive stat and constitution for your defensive stat (strictly for higher HPs with tortle and higher HPs and higher AC with Loxodon). This is assuming that you are going to be primarily a melee or spellcasting ranger. If you're thinking more of an archer, then I would stick with dex and one of the more archerish races.
Depending on what your thoughts are for the build, you may wish to consider a fighter instead of a ranger, a cleric instead of a druid (or possibly in addition to a druid, in an effort to pick up a few more cantrips for sustainable spellcasting damage), and/or potentially magic initiate (for those extra cantrips and some utility with the level 1 spell).
Outside of that general counsel, I'd ask you to describe a touch more on what you are envisioning with the character. That will help us give more focused advice that will be more in line with what you're thinking.
Thanks for the reactions! But then I guess i’d better go for some other classes :-)
My plan is a monster hunting character who was raised by some druids after his village was destroyed by demons. The wildshaping and some magic he picked up there. I always like to play a wood elf with a sword, I think a dex build. I Want to play a kind of witcher who uses animal forms for sneaking around and scouting.
So I thought the 2 classes I picked would be a good fit, but other builds are also welcome. If there is a good synergy with a few levels of druid and some good spells or skills to boost melee sword combat against especially supernatural stuff (undead, demons, werewolves, vampires l, ghosts, etc) I am happy :-)
You might be better off looking into Blood Hunter, if your GM will allow you to use it. Much more of an undead/demon hunter than Rangers, and the Order of the Mutant subclass is literally a Witcher.
We only use the official books :-( bloodhunter is cool!
Hmm well if you're set on getting wild shape you need at least 2 levels of druid. Otherwise for the build you want I'd recommend some combination of Fighter/Rogue along with either Nature Domain Cleric or Oath of the Ancients Paladin. Gives you the ability to sense undead and demons, and still tied heavily to druid stuff. Both give access to several druid spells.