I will be playing my first campaign!! DM is running a homebrew of Theros and I've had a lot of fun developing the backstory for a (Custom Linage > Dark vision) Criminal/ Spy > Scout . I am looking forward to the role play and the class features!
To start, I am aiming to be an archer, but should still be okay in melee with high DEX ability score, for flavor I am carrying a short sword opposed to a rapier unless the DM wants to allow the rapier be re-skinned. I would be okay with the standard shortbow, but feel that a Ranger or Fighter dip to get the Archery fighting style and access to longbows would be worth it.
If I am already dipping, I think going to level 3 to get a martial archetype/ conclave is worth it to lose the rogue capstone but still get the final Scout ability if the game goes that long.
I am trying to decide between getting a Gloom stalker or Echo Knight. Fighter The Martial archetypes that sound good are Battle Master, Samurai or Rune Knight.
Fighter > Fighting Style + Second wind + Martial archetype
Battle Master Neat utility with Menacing shot, Precision shot and Goading attack. 4 Superiority dice, 3 maneuvers.
Samurai Sneak attack opportunities from > Bonus action (Fighting Spirit) more reliable when hide is not an option, or steady aim is not available
Rune Knight Passive and active abilities from 2 runes (likely cloud/ fire/ stone)
Ranger > Deft Explorer (Optional), Favored Foe (Optional) + Fighting Style + 2 1st level spells + Gloomstalker conclave Will have to check how Canny works with skills that already have expertise
Canny (1st Level) Choose one of your skill proficiencies. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make using the chosen skill.
Gloomstalker is a great combo with rogue as you get some pretty good options for Sneak Attack spell wise. The Umbral sight is pretty dependent on the campaign...if you do not fight in darkness much you will not get a lot of use out of it. WIS to initiative is great if you are going Assassin Rogue
Archery style is very much worth it to you as you only will generally get 1 shot per turn to get Sneak Attack off.
Fighter is an interesting choice as it allows you to get Action Surge which can be clutch. Echo Knight works fine with Ranged but its maximally beneficial for melee characters as you can proc attacks of opportunity from your Echo's spot...which will be at DIS with a bow unless you take Crossbow Expert.
I would throw my hat in the ring for Battlemaster for a couple of reasons:
Ambush maneuver: If you are going Assassin Rogue this is HUGE for you as you can more reliably go first in initiative
Brace/Reposte maneuver: Gives you an off turn chance to deal Sneak Attack damage...which is amazing.
Menacing Attack: will keep the big bad stuff back and away from you if they are frightened.
I will take another look at BM, I do kind of want to save Echo Knight for it's own character so I can really lean into the melee with it, I am eager to try it and think the echos fit nicely to the character.
Just not a fan of crossbows thematically so not looking for XBE, and I don't want to risk the -5 of sharp shooter even if they are great feats.
I don't mind Umbral not getting much use, I would rather have it and not need it, and I took Alert for first feat so would be heightening that element.
Gloomstalker and BM both give some variety to the Character, thank you for the input!
I will take another look at BM, I do kind of want to save Echo Knight for it's own character so I can really lean into the melee with it, I am eager to try it and think the echos fit nicely to the character.
Just not a fan of crossbows thematically so not looking for XBE, and I don't want to risk the -5 of sharp shooter even if they are great feats.
I don't mind Umbral not getting much use, I would rather have it and not need it, and I took Alert for first feat so would be heightening that element.
Gloomstalker and BM both give some variety to the Character, thank you for the input!
That sounds good to me!
The only reason I mentioned XBE is that you can then use bows within 5ft without DIS...but I also get that is a small part of the feat.
Overall seems you have a good idea for flavor and theme which IMO is the hardest for me. Your choices all seem pretty good so you will likely not feel bad with any of the ones you have talked about!
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Hi Team,
I will be playing my first campaign!! DM is running a homebrew of Theros and I've had a lot of fun developing the backstory for a (Custom Linage > Dark vision) Criminal/ Spy > Scout . I am looking forward to the role play and the class features!
To start, I am aiming to be an archer, but should still be okay in melee with high DEX ability score, for flavor I am carrying a short sword opposed to a rapier unless the DM wants to allow the rapier be re-skinned. I would be okay with the standard shortbow, but feel that a Ranger or Fighter dip to get the Archery fighting style and access to longbows would be worth it.
If I am already dipping, I think going to level 3 to get a martial archetype/ conclave is worth it to lose the rogue capstone but still get the final Scout ability if the game goes that long.
I am trying to decide between getting a Gloom stalker or
Echo Knight.FighterThe Martial archetypes that sound good are Battle Master, Samurai or Rune Knight.
Fighter > Fighting Style + Second wind + Martial archetype
Battle Master
Neat utility with Menacing shot, Precision shot and Goading attack. 4 Superiority dice, 3 maneuvers.
Samurai
Sneak attack opportunities from > Bonus action (Fighting Spirit) more reliable when hide is not an option, or steady aim is not available
Rune Knight
Passive and active abilities from 2 runes (likely cloud/ fire/ stone)
Ranger > Deft Explorer (Optional), Favored Foe (Optional) + Fighting Style + 2 1st level spells + Gloomstalker conclave
Will have to check how Canny works with skills that already have expertise
Canny (1st Level)
Choose one of your skill proficiencies. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make using the chosen skill.
Gloomstalker > Disguise self spell + Dead Ambusher + Umbral Sight
Gloomstalker is a great combo with rogue as you get some pretty good options for Sneak Attack spell wise. The Umbral sight is pretty dependent on the campaign...if you do not fight in darkness much you will not get a lot of use out of it. WIS to initiative is great if you are going Assassin Rogue
Archery style is very much worth it to you as you only will generally get 1 shot per turn to get Sneak Attack off.
Fighter is an interesting choice as it allows you to get Action Surge which can be clutch. Echo Knight works fine with Ranged but its maximally beneficial for melee characters as you can proc attacks of opportunity from your Echo's spot...which will be at DIS with a bow unless you take Crossbow Expert.
I would throw my hat in the ring for Battlemaster for a couple of reasons:
Ambush maneuver: If you are going Assassin Rogue this is HUGE for you as you can more reliably go first in initiative
Brace/Reposte maneuver: Gives you an off turn chance to deal Sneak Attack damage...which is amazing.
Menacing Attack: will keep the big bad stuff back and away from you if they are frightened.
I will take another look at BM, I do kind of want to save Echo Knight for it's own character so I can really lean into the melee with it, I am eager to try it and think the echos fit nicely to the character.
Just not a fan of crossbows thematically so not looking for XBE, and I don't want to risk the -5 of sharp shooter even if they are great feats.
I don't mind Umbral not getting much use, I would rather have it and not need it, and I took Alert for first feat so would be heightening that element.
Gloomstalker and BM both give some variety to the Character, thank you for the input!
That sounds good to me!
The only reason I mentioned XBE is that you can then use bows within 5ft without DIS...but I also get that is a small part of the feat.
Overall seems you have a good idea for flavor and theme which IMO is the hardest for me. Your choices all seem pretty good so you will likely not feel bad with any of the ones you have talked about!