I've been playing with this concept for awhile and I think I'm getting pretty close to a workable character.
The concept is very similar to [this build](https://youtu.be/YPIWAOqFRPM?si=I-0QLw6yfaja7q4n), relying on the interaction between form of dread and beguiling twist to consistently leave enemies frightened. Rather than a bow build, I'd like to lean in to the misty step feature and build a hyper mobile melee ( or thrown dagger) ranger, flitting across the battlefield leaving pain and terror in her wake.
From an RP perspective, she'll have grown up between the material plane and the fey realm, literally raised by wolves, hence the reliance on melee or thrown weapons rather than the more technologicaly advanced ranged weapons. The dip into Undead Patron will be relavored as a gift from a dark fey. Probably just a single level in Warlock, but getting some Eldritch invocations and a pact could add some fun RP and utility (I'd love to get some free speak with animals or flavor the primal savegry cantrip as an involuntary reaction when she gets angry)- I'm just concerned about how it would impact combat functionality later.
Looking at a tier 2-3 build, here is what I'm considering.
Possible races: variant human for the free feat, eladrin (winter) for the fey step, or wood elf for the increased movement and wisdom bonus.
Background: outlander or feylost.
Possible feats: mobile, for increased movement speed and no opportunity attacks, dual wielding (probably not ideal but may as well list it), sharpshooter, piercer, crossbow expert (more on this below), fey touched could be good for early access to misty step but would be obsolete by lvl 15
Possible equipment: cloak of displacement, boots of speed, ring of protection, luck stone, magical weapons (Whisper from critical role would be dope but that would be a big ask from any DM)
Regarding the archery/crossbow expert thing listed above. I could reflavor dual hand crossbows as enhanced daggers gifted to me by my patron. With crossbow expert, I could even make "melee" attacks, since being within 5 feet doesn't impose disadvantage. I'm sure there are some mechanical issues that might arise here that I'm not thinking of. Could also stick with more standard melee weapons, I just love the idea of blinking in behind an enemy, stabbing a couple, then running out of melee range.
I'd use optional class features to get some damage scaling from favored foe. I do get some additional damage from dreadful strikes, but it seems like higher levels depend on summons to scale DPR, rather than increasing damage per attack, so spell selection should probably avoid concentration spells.
Edit: I would take ranger 1-7 before switching over for my warlock level(s), then ranger all they way after that
With all that being said- what spells, feats, equipment, etc. would you use to fill out this build?
The main things to steal from warlock are: 1. Form of dread to make Beguiling Twist abusable (consult with your DM on this one, its an exploit and probably shouldn't be allowed) 2. Short rest refresh spell slot, Rangers have few things that come back on a short rest. Even if you just use it to cast cure wounds before a short rest its a big deal. Goodberry abuse should probably be cleared with your DM. 2nd level gets you two slots instead of 1. 3. Level 2: Invocations. Eldritch Mind gets you advantage on concentration saves. Get that, its worth a second level. Otherwise there are plenty of fun ones here. False Life at will is good on any martial. 4. Level 3: Pact Boon. I recommend going blade here and then getting whatever your weapon is covered under improved pact weapon. Now its a +1/+1 magic weapon. Also those short rest spell slots are now level 2 slots.
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I've been playing with this concept for awhile and I think I'm getting pretty close to a workable character.
The concept is very similar to [this build](https://youtu.be/YPIWAOqFRPM?si=I-0QLw6yfaja7q4n), relying on the interaction between form of dread and beguiling twist to consistently leave enemies frightened. Rather than a bow build, I'd like to lean in to the misty step feature and build a hyper mobile melee ( or thrown dagger) ranger, flitting across the battlefield leaving pain and terror in her wake.
From an RP perspective, she'll have grown up between the material plane and the fey realm, literally raised by wolves, hence the reliance on melee or thrown weapons rather than the more technologicaly advanced ranged weapons. The dip into Undead Patron will be relavored as a gift from a dark fey. Probably just a single level in Warlock, but getting some Eldritch invocations and a pact could add some fun RP and utility (I'd love to get some free speak with animals or flavor the primal savegry cantrip as an involuntary reaction when she gets angry)- I'm just concerned about how it would impact combat functionality later.
Looking at a tier 2-3 build, here is what I'm considering.
Possible races: variant human for the free feat, eladrin (winter) for the fey step, or wood elf for the increased movement and wisdom bonus.
Background: outlander or feylost.
Possible feats: mobile, for increased movement speed and no opportunity attacks, dual wielding (probably not ideal but may as well list it), sharpshooter, piercer, crossbow expert (more on this below), fey touched could be good for early access to misty step but would be obsolete by lvl 15
Fighting style: dual wielding, thrown weapons, archery (if taking crossbow expert)
Possible equipment: cloak of displacement, boots of speed, ring of protection, luck stone, magical weapons (Whisper from critical role would be dope but that would be a big ask from any DM)
Regarding the archery/crossbow expert thing listed above. I could reflavor dual hand crossbows as enhanced daggers gifted to me by my patron. With crossbow expert, I could even make "melee" attacks, since being within 5 feet doesn't impose disadvantage. I'm sure there are some mechanical issues that might arise here that I'm not thinking of. Could also stick with more standard melee weapons, I just love the idea of blinking in behind an enemy, stabbing a couple, then running out of melee range.
I'd use optional class features to get some damage scaling from favored foe. I do get some additional damage from dreadful strikes, but it seems like higher levels depend on summons to scale DPR, rather than increasing damage per attack, so spell selection should probably avoid concentration spells.
Edit: I would take ranger 1-7 before switching over for my warlock level(s), then ranger all they way after that
With all that being said- what spells, feats, equipment, etc. would you use to fill out this build?
The main things to steal from warlock are:
1. Form of dread to make Beguiling Twist abusable (consult with your DM on this one, its an exploit and probably shouldn't be allowed)
2. Short rest refresh spell slot, Rangers have few things that come back on a short rest. Even if you just use it to cast cure wounds before a short rest its a big deal. Goodberry abuse should probably be cleared with your DM. 2nd level gets you two slots instead of 1.
3. Level 2: Invocations. Eldritch Mind gets you advantage on concentration saves. Get that, its worth a second level. Otherwise there are plenty of fun ones here. False Life at will is good on any martial.
4. Level 3: Pact Boon. I recommend going blade here and then getting whatever your weapon is covered under improved pact weapon. Now its a +1/+1 magic weapon. Also those short rest spell slots are now level 2 slots.