Urban Tracker Ranger or Thief?

[PalmDaBomb]

I'm super new to DND games/lore and have made a ton of mistakes with character creations while playing BG3.

My favourite class so far has been the ranger, and I was thinking about replacing a thief party spot with an urban tracker Ranger. The thing I like about the ranger is the damage output they have (Duel Weapons + Hunter's Mark + Colossus Slayer), the extra Attack at level 5, and the fighting style (I usually take the +2 Archery). They seem decently tanky too, especially when given a shield.

The Urban Tracker would allow them to pick locks and the Ranger should be good at other thief things like stealth and stealing since they have a good Dex stat. I think it would be cool to multiclass into a thief after the Ranger reaches level 5 when the game fully releases.

Is this good logic? Or am I making a big mistake here?

[Metallicus]

Absolutely! I use my Ranger PC as my rogue replacement all the time. You also can use Shadowheart as a rogue replacement as she has the correct skill set being a trickery domain cleric. Rangers are my favorite class in DnD.

[sevensided]

If the only reason you're keeping a thief is to pick locks, and you'd rather have another class to deal more damage with, you can just have Shadowheart pick locks and make the Ranger whatever you'd like.

Ranger/Rogue multiclass is not bad at all (assuming multiclassing will be in BG3), though, so your idea isn't off. That said, the urchin/criminal background will let you also pick locks so you can choose something else with the ranger option.

[Pan Darius Cassandra]

Ranger/Rogue can be a powerhouse (Sneak Attack with the Shortsword of First Blood, follow up with 2x offhand attacks with the Ritual Dagger or a +1 Shortsword that get Colossus Slayer), and then Entangle, move away, and Hide again.

Level 5 Extra Attack just gives you more swings, as does Potion of Meth.

I don't really like the Ranger feature choices, but may as well go with Bounty Hunter, or take one of the damage resistances (cold is actually a good option because Potions of Fire Restiance are pretty common and there's a Ring of Poison Resistance).

Archery or Dual Wielding are both good choices, depending on where you think most of your damage will be coming from, and whichever you choose, you'll still be good at the other.

The Mobile feat is really good for this class, Shield Master if you're not dual wielding, and Dual Wielder if you have your eyes set on rapier + another weapon (Nere's Rapier + Shortsword of First Blood or the Ritual Dagger are good choices).

Wood Elf is a good choice, but 1/2 Wood Elf is probably best since you'll get everything except the weapon proficiencies (and you get those as a Ranger) plus an extra 2 Cha which also makes you a great 'face' for the party. You'll also get excellent skill selection.

Medium armor (half-plate) and Shield Mastery significantly improve your survivability without really sacrificing any stealth, plus you'll have items like the Smuggler's Ring to improve it.

For spells, Long Strider is a must because you'll get the most utility out of it (lasts until long rest) and it stacks well with other movement buffs like Crusher's Ring, Wood Elf, Haste, etc. Fog Cloud can also be really cool because you can create your own cover with which to Sneak Attack. After that, I'd say prolly Jump is the next most useful spell.

Equip the Spellthief Longbow to extend your meager spellslots, and Joltshooter for xtra dmg and exploiting lightning damage through the Wet condition.

[Pan Darius Cassandra]

If anyone ever mods in the Scout subclass for Rogues, then my first Ranger/Rogue will likely be a 1/2 Wood Elf Hunter/Scout, loaded to the gills with movement and stealth buffs.

Eventually we should be getting Sharpshooter and Skulker feats, which will make the stealth sniper aspect absolutely nuts.

[Pan Darius Cassandra]

Another great synergy with the Hunter/Thief is that you can (re)cast Hunter's Mark and Hide in the same turn.

[Ronin Gamer]

I'm not partial to sneaking/hitting the hide button in combat or sneak attacks, which is kind of what a rogue/thief is good at combat wise, the lockpicking can be done by a number of different sources, some you've already listed, shadowheart is pretty decent at itand you have a cleric that has some stealth oriented stuff if that matters to you, so I wouldn't be too worried about slapping that on your main character.
But it's your play through, do what you wish and enjoy it. Test it out in EA if you wish.

[PalmDaBomb]

Originally posted by Pan Darius Kairos:

Wood Elf is a good choice, but 1/2 Wood Elf is probably best since you'll get everything except the weapon proficiencies (and you get those as a Ranger) plus an extra 2 Cha which also makes you a great 'face' for the party. You'll also get excellent skill selection.

1/2 Elf sounds interesting. I might give this a try.

[Wolff]

Thief is the only class that can use hand crossbows effectively and has enough bonus action points to hide after shooting. If I want to change weapons, like back to a longbow I have enough bonus action points to do it.

[a. Brand]

You should just play a dwarf berserker. /close

[Cirrus]

Originally posted by Wolff:

Thief is the only class that can use hand crossbows effectively and has enough bonus action points to hide after shooting. If I want to change weapons, like back to a longbow I have enough bonus action points to do it.

Hand crossbow thing can go away. It is no correct by raw. By next round after start neither of hand crossbows would have ammunition and you would not be able to shoot.

[KeepCleaving]

Originally posted by Cirrus:

Originally posted by Wolff:

Thief is the only class that can use hand crossbows effectively and has enough bonus action points to hide after shooting. If I want to change weapons, like back to a longbow I have enough bonus action points to do it.

Hand crossbow thing can go away. It is no correct by raw. By next round after start neither of hand crossbows would have ammunition and you would not be able to shoot.

It's not that far off. in raw, if you get xbow expert you can make an extra shot with bonus action while using only 1 hand xbow, and ignore loading property (as long as you have 1 hand free for ammunition).

Larian's homebrew isn't without it's drawback. Having to wield 2xbows at all times to use this ability. This means you're not going to have 1 consistent beefy fave weapon to do all your bonus attacks with.
I would rather Larian's solution than having none at all and waiting for a feat that may never come.

[Wolff]

A Thief duel-wielding hand crossbows fire both and still have an action left to hide. No other class can do that. Duel-wielding hand crossbows do a lot of damage but if I have to hit targets at long range, I switch over to Longbow.

[Harukage]

TBH i was planning to play as a wood elf Thief/Hunter with longbow on release myself. To get the most out of stealth sniping.