Multiclass Question #2

[Namid]

I posted previously about multiclassing with another class for bard and most replies were to stick with pure bard. My question this time is more focused - could I reasonably make a Bard/Ranger work? They would both benefit from Dexterity & Con and I wouldn't imagine rangers need much wisdom because they are half-casters, right? Any ideas are appreciated!

Also: After some discussion, how might a Bard/Warlock work? Having an Archfey to call upon for roleplay reasons would be quite fun!

[Charging Elincia]

It's usually best to mesh classes that actually work together. There's nothing really in Bard's kit that meshes that well (beyond I guess Valor bard?) with Ranger.

Examples of things that mesh well are Sorcerer and Warlock, Paladin and Warlock, Paladin and Bard, etc. that way so your spells are gutted too badly on either side, even for half casters. Ranger would probably be best paired with another class that uses WIS, or a class that doesn't use any spellcasting modifier and just physical, like Rogue.

[ExcaliburV]

I guess if you really wanted to, 2 levels of ranger would be enough to get a fighting style and hunter's mark, which you don't really need wisdom to use well.

You could also take hunter's mark as a spell secret since bards get those anyway, so I still don't think it's a super great idea. But you could.

[katzenkrimis]

Originally posted by Namid:

Most replies were to stick with pure bard.

You got lucky.

Can't believe that was the consensus. Everyone recommending a pure Bard.

This forum has suddenly gone rabid for multiclassing. It's truly bizarre. It will cause problems on release day for inexperienced players.

Why so hell-bent on multiclassing?

Why not have a Ranger and a Bard in your party. And then pick two more.

---

Rangers are all about Strength and Dexterity.

Bards are all about Charisma and Dexterity.

[Namid]

The main motivation for me is the animal companion, honestly.

[Angarvin]

Originally posted by Namid:

The main motivation for me is the animal companion, honestly.

animal companion grows in power with ranger levels if memory serves. so the more levels you get into bard - the more you make your companion obsolete.
if you don't care about it's power and just want a pet hanging around then i'd say you're better off with ritual caster feat or magic initiate. both can allow you to cast find familiar.

as an alternative: why not just adopt halsin? druid wild shape lasts till long rest iirc and he doesn't have to be a bear. pretty sure devs mentioned dinos in addition to wolves, badgers and crocodiles we're sure to get.

as another alternative a spore druid should be able to revive whomever or whatever after getting to level 6. and i happen to know a certain owlbear that would just love to get her murder on with some gobbo folk.

[WeenerTuck813]

Originally posted by Namid:

I posted previously about multiclassing with another class for bard and most replies were to stick with pure bard. My question this time is more focused - could I reasonably make a Bard/Ranger work? They would both benefit from Dexterity & Con and I wouldn't imagine rangers need much wisdom because they are half-casters, right? Any ideas are appreciated!

It’s a bad idea.

You could force it but it won’t be like…good.

It’s too “MAD” we call it.

You need Dex.
You need Charisma.
You need Con.
You need Wisdom.

Like you HAVE to get Dex and Charisma both would be MAIN stats.

And it’s unlikely you’re maxing 2 stats, so you’re just gimping yourself.

[Namid]

Yeah, it's a shame. I totally understand everyone and appreciate the feedback! The only CHA-based class that somewhat interests me is Warlock... is that worth doing anything with? I do like the roleplay of having an Archfey I can call upon.

[守矢早苗Official]

i mean, you could make a mainly Lore Bard, choosing good berry and any aura spell at lv6, then multiclass into lv1 Life Priest and being a very solid support...

[Edstyles]

Id say ranger bard could work . But I would do Just a 1 lv dip to get the benefits of that
Also you dont need wisdom to multiclass it so it could work

[Namid]

I was thinking maybe 4 / 8 split with the Bard / Warlock - College of Swords and Pact of the Blade. I'd love to get some thoughts on it, but if no one replies, that's perfectly fine too since we can respec!

[Something completely different]

New players should not multi class. It only works if you know what you are getting and what you are losing by doing it. Focus too much on one side and it probably won't end well.

[[Heretic]Rivga]

When looking to multiclass it is a simple - what do I gain vs what do I lose.

Having wis 12 on a Ranger is fine, so dex and chr means you do not need high stats. Str is not required on ranged rangers, so another dump stat and Int.

1 Ranger plus 11 Bard, gets you a few ranger goodies but you lose out on a ASI/Feat

2 Ranger plus 10 Bard, you lose the feat as above and lvl 6 spells, although you get a lvl 6 spell slot to upcast (if I understand the 5e system correctly). But you gain the fighting style, maybe +2 archery and a few spells along with the lvl 1 goodies.
What would you have done with that lvl 6 spell? Is it worth the loss of a feat and that spell to get +2 Archery and a few skills.

That is a good thing in 5e, it is a hard choice, there is no definitive yes or no in a lot of cases.

Personally I'd say the full Bard is safest but a 2 lvl dip in ranger is not going to ruin you character, and if you are a person who does not rest a huge amount that plus 2 archery will be on all encounters were as the spell is gone until you long rest.

[[Heretic]Rivga]

Originally posted by Namid:

The main motivation for me is the animal companion, honestly.

I missed this in my first reply.

Depends on what animal you want, if you want a familiar then there is a number of ways you can achieve this including lvl 1 ranger, ritual caster feed, or wizard adapt feat and choose find familiar.

If you want a combat pet then, you need 3 lvls of ranger, alternative is warlock 3 lvls.

But that 3 lvls is going to cost you, 3 lvls of Bard, so that is the loss of:
1. ASI or feat
2. Lvl 5 and 6 spells
3. Bardic dice reduced from d10 to d8
4. A key bardic ability magical secrets

Factor in that the ranger pet, hit points are.linked to you Ranger lvls ONLY.

This is a huge loss vs what you gain - but again if it helps enjoy the game.

[Foolswalkin]

Warlock 2 / Lore Bard X is good. Bards inherently lack strong damage options so your multiclass dip should remedy that. Lore Bard is a little tricky to rate in this regard because of Magic Secrets, but Eldritch Blast is incredibly consistent and therefore lets you focus on strong but more situational spells with Magic Secrets (Fireball is great, but less so if you’re surrounded).

[Namid]

Originally posted by Something completely different:

New players should not multi class. It only works if you know what you are getting and what you are losing by doing it. Focus too much on one side and it probably won't end well.

It'd be fair to say I am newer to 5e, but not to D&D as a whole, since I played with 3.5e for over a decade and a half. ^^ If I understand right, you get an "ASI" (Ability Score Improvement) every 4 levels of a class (instead of every 4 character levels it used to be) OR another feat. So doing a sort of 10 / 2 split means missing a feat in essence.

If I do a 8 / 4 split, I don't miss a feat, but I miss magical secrets from Bard it looks like - yes? And expertise, as well. Though I'd be gaining Eldritch Blast and Pact of the Blade in return. Which would give me more damage and versatility without relying solely on spells... and I'd get the roleplay of getting an Archfey patron. Besides that, we have other companions that will be wizards and clerics and the like surrounding us to help out.

So I think in the end, I might go for this and see how I like it. Since we get to respec, if I don't like it - I can go full bard later. Thank you all for your thoughts!