Melee is gimp

[Ard]

Compared to ranged and casters, melee is comparatively gimp considering some key features like Dodge, Grapple, and Trip aren't in the game, unless you're a Battlemaster, then you get a trip attack on a limited resource, while there are numerous ways to get out of melee combat.

The 'flavors' on each weapon don't really make up for the lack of these three rather powerful utility and defensive choices that helps to make melee on par to the mobility and range of casters and ranged.

*Laughs in balance*

Edit: I guess I should add this discussion exists in the Tactician framework and not the lower difficulties.

2nd Edit: Basically, ranged and casters can do the same thing as melee, if not better.

[Zeon]

However Melee seems to be better on tactician mode than casters

[Malaficus Shaikan]

Uh what?
Lea'zal has carried my party on her back for several fights.
Casters die to easly.

[Kyutaru]

Melee is very strong, you're just not utilizing some of its key options. Like Enlarge. Growing big does nothing for ranged combat but everything for making those swords hit hard.

[Ard]

I'm playing on Tactician Mode. I get far better results playing with ranged and casters than with melee lol.

Edit: As in shorter fights and less damage done to me, and less resources spent each encounter.

[sevensided]

My Monk Barbarian begs to differ. Along with Karlach. And Laezel.

[Ard]

Enlarge is not a melee option, it is a spell from a caster. I'm discussing the viability of melee on their own merits compared to casters and ranged classes.

[maniacal<1>]

Watching my dual-wielding barbarian with 21 str hit like a wet noodle while my bow fighter two-shots red caps is just mind-numbingly infuriating.

[krazypickle]

my assassin rogue disagrees

[ACS36]

Both are good at different things.

Ranged are really good if you go out of your way to prep the battle areas and set up traps and ambushes before you start fights.

Melee on the other hand are just all around more durable and can deal a lot of damage with less risk.

[Fejj]

Are we playing the same game? Casters are great because they can output high damage and elemental effects from range, but all it takes is one mobile enemy getting close to ruin their day.
Rangers feel literally useless, even on easier difficulties.

Melee, especially barbarians, feels absolutely overpowered by comparison. I have an 18STR barb thats regularly doing 50+ damage a turn at level 3-4. My buddz with his ranger is lucky if he can get 25, Gale usually gets around 20 and Shadowheart as our last is almost pure support.

[Fast]

Melee is so much better on tactician...though..

[Kyutaru]

Originally posted by Istvaan:

Enlarge is not a melee option, it is a spell from a caster. I'm discussing the viability of melee on their own merits compared to casters and ranged classes.

D&D is not a singleplayer game. If you want the advantages to melee vs ranged, melee has attacks of opportunity and higher damage dice. That's it. Comparing classes in a vacuum is useless in a team-based game.

[Lucyfar]

just jump

[JasonB]

Melee is EXTREMELY powerful. When your strength is high enough, you can literally start throwing people into pits and instantly ending combat, throwing chairs and things at people, etc. You have to think outside the box a bit.

During Early Access, I literally threw a boss down into a hole and they got eaten by spiders.

[Pan Darius Cassandra]

The three natural advantages are

• Power
• Range
• Speed

Ranged attackers tend to possess two of those (range and speed, as a byproduct of having Dex) while melee typically has better power (GWM, etc.) and only sometimes speed.

And witj Sharpshooter you can basically do as much damage as melee, but hit from the safety of ranged. Also, if the enemy has ranged units too then you can hit back.

And, if you build right, there's no reason ypur archers can't be heavily armored (Ranger Knight, Dex Fighter), or your caster blasters medium armored (Sorlock with medium armored feat or Dwarf/Githyanki).

Play melee for rp'ing reasons - play ranged because you want to solo the game on Tactician.