I’m trying to decide whether or not to multiclass my Ghostwise Halfling Gloom Stalker Ranger. Currently at Level 8 and expect to play through Level 11. Seriously considering taking three levels of Fighter (Battle Master) for Second Wind, Action Surge, Disarming Strike, Distracting Strike, and Precision Attack. Would multiclassing into Fighter (Battle Master) be better that sticking with ranger to get 3rd-level spells (e.g., Conjure Animals, Fear, Water Breathing, Plant Growth, Wind Wall), Nature’s Veil (Tasha’s), one more favored terrain (PHB), and Stalker’s Flurry? I’ve not played a Ranger before ... I’m really digging the Gloom Stalker subclass (especially dread ambusher and umbral sight) ... but want to make the character an even better archer ... thus the idea of multiclassing into Fighter (Battle Master) for fun maneuvers.
I’m interested in learning other people’s experiences with straight Gloom Stalker Ranger vs. Ranger 8 / Fighter X.
Current (Level 8) stats: 14 Str, 20 Dex, 15 Con, 13 Int, 16 Wis, 11 Cha. Archery fighting style. Weapons: shortbow, 2 shortswords. Feats: Sharpshooter and Squat Nimbleness. Magic Items: Bracers of Archery, Wand of Binding, and Ring of Fire Resistance. 1st-level spells: Absorb Elements, Cure Wounds, Hunter’s Mark, Zephyr Strike, Disguise Self, Speak with Animals. 2nd-level spells: Beast Sense, Pass Without Trace, and Rope Trick.
it sounds like you want to focus on archery rather than the utility or tactics of continuing ranger. If your best in-class option isn't something you would enjoy switch out. You listed off ideas showing you know how to work with battlemaster benefits. You seemed less sure if the favored terrain would help or if conjure animals, ect. would work. They require thought and planning as do most ranger abilities. If you don't have an idea for those benefits your relying on your dm to help with those. How much travel does the party do? are you the only party member that can do certain utility? does your dm throw hordes or single target enemies more often? Your dex is already high and you have bracers of archery + archery fighting style. I'm guessing you wont miss often enough to use stalkers furry and wont go further levels(aka wont miss out on later abilities) . The third level ranger spells are good and the arrow spells might be useful for your idea but if the early spells are enough, battle master is a decent choice. Every extra attack helps HM become more powerful. if you see moments where you just want an item out of an enemies hand disarming will be useful. if you could trade out squat nimbleness.. you could just take a feat to give you a small use of maneuvers and keep ranger spells
I was in almost the same conundrum. So, I say, that it is all dependent on what flavor you see your character as. If he's a combat oriented character (sounds like you and your character are) fighter multiclass is a good choice. So is the rogue class. Each have their benefits.
I decided to go with Fighter - Echo knight. I have a few reasons for this. Our DM insists on putting us in front of dozens of 1/2 challenge rating foes instead of changing and increasing the foe challenge rating. The echo is a dummy that can be targeted by mobs allowing for distractions for other party members or myself to make moves. It also offers a way to get out of trouble if you say... get surrounded (you can switch places with the echo). It also offers an extra attack!! While this is mostly true I do believe it takes a bonus action (Im not as well read as I should be but I did just get the subclass). So if you action surge (GS5/EK3) you can have 8ish attacks (including bonus actions) in your first round (2attack from lvl 5, 1attack from Dread ambusher and 1 attack from echo x2 for action surge).
So, to multiclass or not to multiclass? It is my opinion that after 7th ish level the GS subclass starts to taper off fast. The higher level abilities seem just a bit too situational and not as helpful all around. That said the capstone ability is pretty good from what I am told. At the end of the day, you'll have to decide how you see your character and what you want for him goal wise, then see if multiclassing gets you there or straight classing will. This is what makes this game fun!! Cheers
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I’m trying to decide whether or not to multiclass my Ghostwise Halfling Gloom Stalker Ranger. Currently at Level 8 and expect to play through Level 11. Seriously considering taking three levels of Fighter (Battle Master) for Second Wind, Action Surge, Disarming Strike, Distracting Strike, and Precision Attack. Would multiclassing into Fighter (Battle Master) be better that sticking with ranger to get 3rd-level spells (e.g., Conjure Animals, Fear, Water Breathing, Plant Growth, Wind Wall), Nature’s Veil (Tasha’s), one more favored terrain (PHB), and Stalker’s Flurry? I’ve not played a Ranger before ... I’m really digging the Gloom Stalker subclass (especially dread ambusher and umbral sight) ... but want to make the character an even better archer ... thus the idea of multiclassing into Fighter (Battle Master) for fun maneuvers.
I’m interested in learning other people’s experiences with straight Gloom Stalker Ranger vs. Ranger 8 / Fighter X.
Current (Level 8) stats: 14 Str, 20 Dex, 15 Con, 13 Int, 16 Wis, 11 Cha. Archery fighting style. Weapons: shortbow, 2 shortswords. Feats: Sharpshooter and Squat Nimbleness. Magic Items: Bracers of Archery, Wand of Binding, and Ring of Fire Resistance. 1st-level spells: Absorb Elements, Cure Wounds, Hunter’s Mark, Zephyr Strike, Disguise Self, Speak with Animals. 2nd-level spells: Beast Sense, Pass Without Trace, and Rope Trick.
Level 9 ranger gets you level 3 spells. Conjure Animals, Lightning Arrow, etc.
it sounds like you want to focus on archery rather than the utility or tactics of continuing ranger. If your best in-class option isn't something you would enjoy switch out. You listed off ideas showing you know how to work with battlemaster benefits. You seemed less sure if the favored terrain would help or if conjure animals, ect. would work. They require thought and planning as do most ranger abilities. If you don't have an idea for those benefits your relying on your dm to help with those. How much travel does the party do? are you the only party member that can do certain utility? does your dm throw hordes or single target enemies more often? Your dex is already high and you have bracers of archery + archery fighting style. I'm guessing you wont miss often enough to use stalkers furry and wont go further levels(aka wont miss out on later abilities) . The third level ranger spells are good and the arrow spells might be useful for your idea but if the early spells are enough, battle master is a decent choice. Every extra attack helps HM become more powerful. if you see moments where you just want an item out of an enemies hand disarming will be useful. if you could trade out squat nimbleness.. you could just take a feat to give you a small use of maneuvers and keep ranger spells
I was in almost the same conundrum. So, I say, that it is all dependent on what flavor you see your character as. If he's a combat oriented character (sounds like you and your character are) fighter multiclass is a good choice. So is the rogue class. Each have their benefits.
I decided to go with Fighter - Echo knight. I have a few reasons for this. Our DM insists on putting us in front of dozens of 1/2 challenge rating foes instead of changing and increasing the foe challenge rating. The echo is a dummy that can be targeted by mobs allowing for distractions for other party members or myself to make moves. It also offers a way to get out of trouble if you say... get surrounded (you can switch places with the echo). It also offers an extra attack!! While this is mostly true I do believe it takes a bonus action (Im not as well read as I should be but I did just get the subclass). So if you action surge (GS5/EK3) you can have 8ish attacks (including bonus actions) in your first round (2attack from lvl 5, 1attack from Dread ambusher and 1 attack from echo x2 for action surge).
So, to multiclass or not to multiclass? It is my opinion that after 7th ish level the GS subclass starts to taper off fast. The higher level abilities seem just a bit too situational and not as helpful all around. That said the capstone ability is pretty good from what I am told. At the end of the day, you'll have to decide how you see your character and what you want for him goal wise, then see if multiclassing gets you there or straight classing will. This is what makes this game fun!! Cheers