I’m joining a new homebrew campaign starting at Level 7, with a Monster Slayer Ranger. We rolled stats in front of the DM in a discord channel and boy, I rolled the best I ever will: 18, 17, 17, 14, 14, 12. We aren’t using the Tasha’s racial rules, so I’ll be going Wood Elf, and ending with 20 DEX, 18 WIS, 17 CON, 14 INT, 14 STR, 12 CHA.
The DM is giving us a free feat in character creation and I’ll obviously take a feat at Level 4 since my DEX is maxed. Sharpshooter is an obvious one, and right now I’m deciding between Skill Expert and Resilient (CON). Both would allow me to bump my CON to 18. The difference is basically just save proficiency or expertise plus an extra skill.
I’m open to any other feat suggestions though, they don’t have to be super strong mechanically, they can just be cool or narratively fun and feel free to ask any questions!
Of the two, I'd go for Resilient (CON). Bonus skills are nice, but you've got party members who can give you advantage via help or magic, but only you can up your CON. Also consider asking your DM how they intend to handle favored terrain/enemies. If you're going to be in your favored terrain a lot, needing the extra expertise is less important.
I'd also suggest for the future considering getting your WIS to 20 as well -- your 11th-level feature, Magic-User’s Nemesis, is basically a Hail Mary counterspell (that can't be counterspelled). Plus you've got Banishment and Hold Monster in your arsenal (depending on how far the campaign goes), so Monster Slayer is one of the subclasses where having a good WIS score can make a difference. If you wanted to stretch it out some and pick up some additional bonuses, you could take Fey Touched and nab Hunter's Mark through that, and any other +1 WIS feat - Observant, Elven Accuracy, or Skill Expert if you really decide you're missing it.
Taking Fighting Initiate would also be a good option - this frees you up to take the Druidic Warrior fighting style as a ranger, and add on the Archery fighting style, or whatever other fighting style you were planning. But that or Magic Initiate, to get cantrips somehow, isn't a bad idea. Ritual Caster also couldn't hurt, as Rangers can't ritually cast.
While Resilient CON is a strong feat mechanically, it's pretty boring and I don't usually associate low-level CON saves as being that terrible. I'd rather take something that enhances your gameplay options and leave the save buffing for higher levels. PM's suggestions of Fey Touched or Fighting Initiate seem pretty fun; Mobile or Elven Accuracy can also be really great if you're melee. Or if it fits your character, Revenant Blade is pretty awesome.
The monster slayer seems to respond well to feats that increase its accuracy, especially at higher levels. If the campaign goes on for a while, elven accuracy can be good. Eventually you’ll be able to choose the spell guardian of nature which gives you advantage on your dexterity attacks AND advantage on constitution saves.
crossbow expert or gunner feat would be nice to make sure you do t have disadvantage on your ranged attacks. Slayers counter at level 15 becomes quite effective vs saving throws if your attacks don’t miss. It technically allows you to pass a saving throw you couldn’t possibly pass if doing a normal roll. That’s on top of the reaction to attack your slayers foe.
That’s a good point about Monster Slayer almost emphasizing accuracy a little. It seems like from talking to multiple people that I rate and like Skill Expert more than most people and I wonder why that is? A half feat with an extra skill and expertise seems extremely useful. I’m also a little pigeon holed into half feats for my extra one anyways so that I can round out that 17.
Nah, those people are wrong, Skill Expert is the best feat in 5E :D
So you plan on being a ranged Monster Slayer? Any opposition to Crossbow Expert? If not, I'd recommend:
Ranger 1: Free starting feat: Crossbow Expert (bonus action shots every round while wielding a 1d6 Hand Xbow. Yes, Monster Hunters have a (somewhat) competing Bonus Action use in their Slayer's Prey, and in Hunter's Mark as well... still worth it, if you're pushing for Sharpshooter then really you can almost just cut Hunter's Mark out of your rotation entirely in a lot of fights between Favored Foe, Slayer's Prey, and the Sharpshooter damage bonus. At Ranger 1, definitely push for the Optional Class Feature to ditch Favored Enemy for Favored Foe, and Deft Explorer for Natural Explorer, they both vastly improve the class! Stealth (eventually you'll get Bonus Action Hiding at Ranger 14) or Perception or Survival (your job) would not be bad choices for the optional Canny, though if you were a melee character I would have recommended Athletics instead.
Ranger 2: Archery fighting style
Ranger 4: Sharpshooter is usually a trap this early in your career, but with Dex at 20 already and Archery style... go for it! Very powerful feat for 2-3 attacks per round!
Ranger 7: You're starting here? Nice.
Ranger 8: Skill Expert +1 Con, for whatever you don't already have Expertise in but want.
Ranger 12: Fey Touched +1 Wisdom
Ranger 16: Shadow Touched +1 Wisdom
Ranger 19: Lucky, Tough, Inspiring Leader, or ASI +2 Con
But honestly, your stat array is so nice, its almost a shame to play a ranger, instead of something more MAD like a Paladin or Barbarian :p
Nah, those people are wrong, Skill Expert is the best feat in 5E :D
So you plan on being a ranged Monster Slayer? Any opposition to Crossbow Expert? If not, I'd recommend:
Ranger 1: Free starting feat: Crossbow Expert (bonus action shots every round while wielding a 1d6 Hand Xbow. Yes, Monster Hunters have a (somewhat) competing Bonus Action use in their Slayer's Prey, and in Hunter's Mark as well... still worth it, if you're pushing for Sharpshooter then really you can almost just cut Hunter's Mark out of your rotation entirely in a lot of fights between Favored Foe, Slayer's Prey, and the Sharpshooter damage bonus. At Ranger 1, definitely push for the Optional Class Feature to ditch Favored Enemy for Favored Foe, and Deft Explorer for Natural Explorer, they both vastly improve the class! Stealth (eventually you'll get Bonus Action Hiding at Ranger 14) or Perception or Survival (your job) would not be bad choices for the optional Canny, though if you were a melee character I would have recommended Athletics instead.
Ranger 2: Archery fighting style
Ranger 4: Sharpshooter is usually a trap this early in your career, but with Dex at 20 already and Archery style... go for it! Very powerful feat for 2-3 attacks per round!
Ranger 7: You're starting here? Nice.
Ranger 8: Skill Expert +1 Con, for whatever you don't already have Expertise in but want.
Ranger 12: Fey Touched +1 Wisdom
Ranger 16: Shadow Touched +1 Wisdom
Ranger 19: Lucky, Tough, Inspiring Leader, or ASI +2 Con
But honestly, your stat array is so nice, its almost a shame to play a ranger, instead of something more MAD like a Paladin or Barbarian :p
With all the competing bonus actions from the subclass, spells, and crossbow expert feat it seems like a problem at first glance. the ranger could temporarily make use of the heavy crossbow for a slight boost in damage if the bonus action is being used that turn though.
This would probably happen more often between the 1st and second turns. Turn one whip out your heavy crossbow and spend a bonus action designating your slayers prey. At this point you’re free to use your action to attack twice with your heavy crossbow deciding if you want to use hunters mark or favored foe. This isn’t a substantial increase, but it may be enough to matter for some battles.
Might do fey touched for hunter's mark/hex and misty step. Give you mobility in a pinch and ease the spell slot use.
Piercer can also be good for upping your damage.
And getting Martial Adept for a trick shot with your bow per short rest is fun. You could even take the fighter initiate feat to take the Tasha's fighting style that gives you a 2nd martial di and third maneuver.
Giving up a d6+5+10 attack every round of the fight (xbow expert), plus the melee shooting buffs, in exchange for 2 extra damage per shot from heavy xbow… very bad math. Monster Slayer has a competing bonus action in the first round or any round you change targets, true. That’s a good reason to not bother with Hunter’s Mark, not skipping a third shot per round with Xbow Expert.
Giving up a d6+5+10 attack every round of the fight (xbow expert), plus the melee shooting buffs, in exchange for 2 extra damage per shot from heavy xbow… very bad math. Monster Slayer has a competing bonus action in the first round or any round you change targets, true. That’s a good reason to not bother with Hunter’s Mark, not skipping a third shot per round with Xbow Expert.
I’m not saying to entirely give up the hand crossbow and the bonus action. What I’m saying is that for the times when you prioritize your bonus action for one of this Rangers many features, like targeting with slayers prey or hunters mark, you can’t use the bonus action hand crossbow attack. So with that in mind, use a heavy crossbow just for that turn or turns like it. Dropping the bonus action hand crossbow attack is indeed a loss in damage potential, but so is not using a higher die weapon with the same amount of attacks when your bonus action is already spoken for that turn.
at higher levels the slayers prey gives multiple offense and defense increases which may well prove to be of more use than the bonus action crossbow attack.
I’m joining a new homebrew campaign starting at Level 7, with a Monster Slayer Ranger. We rolled stats in front of the DM in a discord channel and boy, I rolled the best I ever will: 18, 17, 17, 14, 14, 12. We aren’t using the Tasha’s racial rules, so I’ll be going Wood Elf, and ending with 20 DEX, 18 WIS, 17 CON, 14 INT, 14 STR, 12 CHA.
The DM is giving us a free feat in character creation and I’ll obviously take a feat at Level 4 since my DEX is maxed. Sharpshooter is an obvious one, and right now I’m deciding between Skill Expert and Resilient (CON). Both would allow me to bump my CON to 18. The difference is basically just save proficiency or expertise plus an extra skill.
I’m open to any other feat suggestions though, they don’t have to be super strong mechanically, they can just be cool or narratively fun and feel free to ask any questions!
Of the two, I'd go for Resilient (CON). Bonus skills are nice, but you've got party members who can give you advantage via help or magic, but only you can up your CON. Also consider asking your DM how they intend to handle favored terrain/enemies. If you're going to be in your favored terrain a lot, needing the extra expertise is less important.
I'd also suggest for the future considering getting your WIS to 20 as well -- your 11th-level feature, Magic-User’s Nemesis, is basically a Hail Mary counterspell (that can't be counterspelled). Plus you've got Banishment and Hold Monster in your arsenal (depending on how far the campaign goes), so Monster Slayer is one of the subclasses where having a good WIS score can make a difference. If you wanted to stretch it out some and pick up some additional bonuses, you could take Fey Touched and nab Hunter's Mark through that, and any other +1 WIS feat - Observant, Elven Accuracy, or Skill Expert if you really decide you're missing it.
Taking Fighting Initiate would also be a good option - this frees you up to take the Druidic Warrior fighting style as a ranger, and add on the Archery fighting style, or whatever other fighting style you were planning. But that or Magic Initiate, to get cantrips somehow, isn't a bad idea. Ritual Caster also couldn't hurt, as Rangers can't ritually cast.
Birgit | Shifter | Sorcerer | Dragonlords
Shayone | Hobgoblin | Sorcerer | Netherdeep
While Resilient CON is a strong feat mechanically, it's pretty boring and I don't usually associate low-level CON saves as being that terrible. I'd rather take something that enhances your gameplay options and leave the save buffing for higher levels. PM's suggestions of Fey Touched or Fighting Initiate seem pretty fun; Mobile or Elven Accuracy can also be really great if you're melee. Or if it fits your character, Revenant Blade is pretty awesome.
My homebrew subclasses (full list here)
(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm
The monster slayer seems to respond well to feats that increase its accuracy, especially at higher levels. If the campaign goes on for a while, elven accuracy can be good. Eventually you’ll be able to choose the spell guardian of nature which gives you advantage on your dexterity attacks AND advantage on constitution saves.
crossbow expert or gunner feat would be nice to make sure you do t have disadvantage on your ranged attacks. Slayers counter at level 15 becomes quite effective vs saving throws if your attacks don’t miss. It technically allows you to pass a saving throw you couldn’t possibly pass if doing a normal roll. That’s on top of the reaction to attack your slayers foe.
That’s a good point about Monster Slayer almost emphasizing accuracy a little. It seems like from talking to multiple people that I rate and like Skill Expert more than most people and I wonder why that is? A half feat with an extra skill and expertise seems extremely useful. I’m also a little pigeon holed into half feats for my extra one anyways so that I can round out that 17.
Nah, those people are wrong, Skill Expert is the best feat in 5E :D
So you plan on being a ranged Monster Slayer? Any opposition to Crossbow Expert? If not, I'd recommend:
But honestly, your stat array is so nice, its almost a shame to play a ranger, instead of something more MAD like a Paladin or Barbarian :p
dndbeyond.com forum tags
I'm going to make this way harder than it needs to be.
With all the competing bonus actions from the subclass, spells, and crossbow expert feat it seems like a problem at first glance. the ranger could temporarily make use of the heavy crossbow for a slight boost in damage if the bonus action is being used that turn though.
This would probably happen more often between the 1st and second turns. Turn one whip out your heavy crossbow and spend a bonus action designating your slayers prey. At this point you’re free to use your action to attack twice with your heavy crossbow deciding if you want to use hunters mark or favored foe. This isn’t a substantial increase, but it may be enough to matter for some battles.
Might do fey touched for hunter's mark/hex and misty step. Give you mobility in a pinch and ease the spell slot use.
Piercer can also be good for upping your damage.
And getting Martial Adept for a trick shot with your bow per short rest is fun. You could even take the fighter initiate feat to take the Tasha's fighting style that gives you a 2nd martial di and third maneuver.
Giving up a d6+5+10 attack every round of the fight (xbow expert), plus the melee shooting buffs, in exchange for 2 extra damage per shot from heavy xbow… very bad math. Monster Slayer has a competing bonus action in the first round or any round you change targets, true. That’s a good reason to not bother with Hunter’s Mark, not skipping a third shot per round with Xbow Expert.
dndbeyond.com forum tags
I'm going to make this way harder than it needs to be.
True. My vote would be for the martial dice then. On hit effects you can save for a crit or for when they will be useful.
I’m not saying to entirely give up the hand crossbow and the bonus action. What I’m saying is that for the times when you prioritize your bonus action for one of this Rangers many features, like targeting with slayers prey or hunters mark, you can’t use the bonus action hand crossbow attack. So with that in mind, use a heavy crossbow just for that turn or turns like it. Dropping the bonus action hand crossbow attack is indeed a loss in damage potential, but so is not using a higher die weapon with the same amount of attacks when your bonus action is already spoken for that turn.
at higher levels the slayers prey gives multiple offense and defense increases which may well prove to be of more use than the bonus action crossbow attack.