I say go full rogue, skip the multiclass and build a sniper style crossbow wielder that focuses on one great shot. You don't even need crossbow expert for the build. I would build it as an elf with elven accuracy to help make sure your snipes hit.
If you're going Phantom and starting at 12th, then I would absolutely take the opportunity to start with Tokens of the Departed from the beginning. That means at least 9 levels. I think 3 more levels of rogue gives you more than the dip into hunter and has you set up to pick up Ghost Walk with your first level up. Reliable Talent and the extra ASI are excellent, as is stacking as much sneak attack as possible.
Yeah I think this might be the best approach.
Gives you what you are mostly looking for with a lot of versatile options.
I have a rogue in my party and in a typical combat she can some of the major damage. She holds back and does not engage and then does a series of surprise attacks with a crossbow. Often it leads to an enemy turning towards the shooter and potentially making her a threat leading to an attack of opportunty
Every single time I play and/or DM, more and more I am leaning heavily to not allowing MC'ing in my game. And yes, I was the powergamer who MC'ed into a Sorlock and machine-gunned EB, and am currently playing a Scout Rogue with a single level of Fighter. And yes, my players are being hunted by a Hex Assassin 4th Rogue/ 5th Hexblade.
But every time I see an MC'ed char, the chances of it being narrative as opposed to it being to create an uber-killing machine, well they are incredibly slim.
I'm building a rogue/gloomstalker for AL play. Gloomstalker has a lot of flavor, and some of the spells are pretty cool. Going straight rogue may be more effective, but doing the same thing every round in combat sounds less than fun.
There are a lot of fluff/dead levels the further you get into ranger though - I see no reason to take it past level 5 in the best of circumstances.
I'm building a rogue/gloomstalker for AL play. Gloomstalker has a lot of flavor, and some of the spells are pretty cool. Going straight rogue may be more effective, but doing the same thing every round in combat sounds less than fun.
There are a lot of fluff/dead levels the further you get into ranger though - I see no reason to take it past level 5 in the best of circumstances.
Now a days with Tasha's there's some decent stuff.
I'm building a rogue/gloomstalker for AL play. Gloomstalker has a lot of flavor, and some of the spells are pretty cool. Going straight rogue may be more effective, but doing the same thing every round in combat sounds less than fun.
There are a lot of fluff/dead levels the further you get into ranger though - I see no reason to take it past level 5 in the best of circumstances.
I'd say there is plenty of good things to say about the multiclass. Full rogue isn't necessarily stronger and the two compliment each other quite well. My main reason for suggesting no MC to the OP is because they want to play a Phantom and not starting with that level 9 ability from the first session just feels weird. From there, more rogue feels correct as it's a bit late to care about extra attack.
I have a rogue in my party and in a typical combat she can some of the major damage. She holds back and does not engage and then does a series of surprise attacks with a crossbow. Often it leads to an enemy turning towards the shooter and potentially making her a threat leading to an attack of opportunty
Well, darn. Wrong fun is just so wrong!!!
I'm building a rogue/gloomstalker for AL play. Gloomstalker has a lot of flavor, and some of the spells are pretty cool. Going straight rogue may be more effective, but doing the same thing every round in combat sounds less than fun.
There are a lot of fluff/dead levels the further you get into ranger though - I see no reason to take it past level 5 in the best of circumstances.
Now a days with Tasha's there's some decent stuff.
PHB I fully agree.
I'd say there is plenty of good things to say about the multiclass. Full rogue isn't necessarily stronger and the two compliment each other quite well. My main reason for suggesting no MC to the OP is because they want to play a Phantom and not starting with that level 9 ability from the first session just feels weird. From there, more rogue feels correct as it's a bit late to care about extra attack.