Best Ranger type build?

[Exarch_Alpha]

I´m trying this one, and with a greatsword for emergencies (lol) my ranger is pretty good.

How people develop their rangers?

[Grumpy]

You take a bow with one hand and with the other you throw Karlach or Laezel in the enemy direction.

[Argonaut]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von swbrandt:

Ursprünglich geschrieben von Kernest:

What trait is this exactly...?

But in any case, Greatsword goes off of your STR modifier, not your DEX.

If you have 10 STR, your Greatsword damage is just 2d6 and your hit chance is going to be crap. A rapier with let's say 18 DEX (+4 modifier) would deal 1d8+4, which is better AND you have higher hit chance and more AC with a shield.

You can also go with a finesse longsword (there are two - Phalar Aluve and Larethian's Wrath) both of which have nice bonus abilities. Those are great back-up weapons for an archer.

They are both pretty bad for dual wielding since they rely on weapon abilities that consume an action to use. Ideally for dual wielding you want weapons that have innate bonus damage or apply some kind of debuff/status effect on hit.

[swbrandt]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von Argonaut:

Ursprünglich geschrieben von swbrandt:

You can also go with a finesse longsword (there are two - Phalar Aluve and Larethian's Wrath) both of which have nice bonus abilities. Those are great back-up weapons for an archer.

They are both pretty bad for dual wielding since they rely on weapon abilities that consume an action to use. Ideally for dual wielding you want weapons that have innate bonus damage or apply some kind of debuff/status effect on hit.

Well it might be sub-optimal but I am steamrolling all my fights so I guess it's good enough for me. I have a ring and a piece of headgear that both stack damage bonuses, though, and with Haste or a potion of speed most fights are trivial.

[marmih]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von Argonaut:

Ursprünglich geschrieben von IlluminaZero:

I was legit shocked when I experienced first hand just how powerful Gloom Stalker + Thief with dual crossbows is. Especially if you are playing a Dark Urge playthrough with a particular cloak...

Fun factoid but Astarion is ALSO the best martial character in the game thanks to early access of the "happy" buff. I suspect many don't realize just how busted he is since pure Rogue is so underwhelming - Especially if you follow the game's default advise and make him an Arcane Trickster.

Gloom Stalker + Thief Astarian is absolutely crazy.

I strongly disagree. Half-orc and Zariel tiefling make the best martials by far and with no contest due to how strong the racial bonus is from orcs and how strong free smites are from Zariel.

Astarions bite + happy buff doesn't even compare to innate faerie fire from drow which gives AoE advantage on attack rolls.

but have you considered that half-orcs are ugly :(
i do agree about zariel tieflings and drows though

[deadsanta]

Cosign off on Ranger/Thief or Ranger/Assassin for that alpha shot from stealth, plus the return to stealth as a bonus action (and the movement skills). 8/4 or 9/3, pick your poison, by the endgame you don't really need that third feat, but you do you, I cannot recall if there's a worthwhile level 9 ranger pick that justifies it right now, and I think level 4 does get you another die of sneak attack damage.

[marmih]

I did 5/5 gloomstalker/assassin and 2 lvls in fighter for the extra action and it was fire

[JimmysTheBestCop]

If you double crossbow and take the crossbow feat you don't need a backup weapon ever.

That +2 from taking archery means you don't need to take ability score on 1st feat. As even if it makes you get to 20 dex it only equals a +1

Much rather be able to fire crossbow from melee at will which helps if you go rogue for sneak attacks. You basically don't have to worry about positioning. Just shoot up one who is tgrrsthnrd in melee for auto sneak.

Much prefer gloom stalker thief build.

Assassin builds are good for starting out of combat. But Assassin works better on a Warlock multi class the great old one.

As not only does it give you auto critical. You get sneak on every beam of eldritch blast outside of combat and the crits give everyone fear.

You could do this on a wizard too for other beam spells outside of combat. But the warlock you get more bonus stuff

My other favorite rogue multi class is beserker thief tavern brawler thrower. The amount of danage is staggering and just pretty funny.

[Phares]

Pure Ranger(Hunter), Strength Ranger Knight.
Halberd with Polearm Master for MANY free pokes.
Longstrider and Leap and Athlete letting you get anywhere in one turn.
Old-fashioned Colossus Slayer and Hunter's Mark for your single targets.
Level 11 brings Whirlwind and Volley in case you feel like killing every mf in the room.
-or the occasional shooting someone around a corner with Volley's AoE.

No real burst damage, but my god the convenience and endurance factor is insane.
Coupled with access to Speak with Animals and Daylight, you got pretty much every base covered.