new to 5th ranger quetion

[huginn]

Hello
I will be trying 5th edition for the first time and have a question. I primary stayed with 1st and 2nd edition and I never like 3rd edition. They just changed it too much for my liking

I have fond memory's of 1st edition playing a halberd wielding ranger, I wanted to be a little different and I used a halberd or crossbow instead of sword and bow. I seen that 5th has a pole arm mastery and I am curious if a ranger with polearm master is viable? I suspect that using longbow or crossbow is better but I haven't read all the rules yet

[Ninja_Prawn]

I seen that 5th has a pole arm mastery and I am curious if a ranger with polearm master is viable? I suspect that using longbow or crossbow is better but I haven't read all the rules yet

It's viable. The Ranger's spell list slightly favours ranged weapons and they don't get the Great Weapon Fighting style, but 5e is quite tolerant of 'unusual' builds.

Rangers don't get many spells known, so it's easy to pick a sensible selection while avoiding things like Conjure Barrage, Lightning Arrow and Swift Quiver, and the Defense style synergises well enough with the Polearm Master feat. Alternatively, a 1-level dip into Fighter could give you GWF, if you're really desperate.

[Arkhios]

Hello
I will be trying 5th edition for the first time and have a question. I primary stayed with 1st and 2nd edition and I never like 3rd edition. They just changed it too much for my liking

I have fond memory's of 1st edition playing a halberd wielding ranger, I wanted to be a little different and I used a halberd or crossbow instead of sword and bow. I seen that 5th has a pole arm mastery and I am curious if a ranger with polearm master is viable? I suspect that using longbow or crossbow is better but I haven't read all the rules yet

Yes, it's viable, although you'll still want about 14 in dexterity so that your AC won't be utterly bad, and it's recommendable to wear medium armor.

You'll also want at least 14 in strength, although preferably 16 or more (with point buy 15+racial modifier (if any) should go into strength), so unless you get to roll your stats, your points are spread thin.

Let's assume standard array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8) and human variant as your race, your stats could be something along these lines:

Str 15+1 (human bonus here)
Dex 14 (at least 13 if you want to multiclass later)
Con 12
Int 10
Wis 13+1 (human bonus here; at least 13 if you want to multiclass later)
Cha 8

As human variant bonus feat you could take the Polearm Master feat immediately at first level.

At 2nd level, Defense Fighting Style is the best bet since by default rangers don't get great weapon fighting style for some reason.

[Specter]

Yep. Get at least 14 DEX for optimal AC in medium armor, and take the Defense Fighting Style.

Even if you favor melee, keep a thrown weapon so you can use the ranged spells. They're very good.

[djreynolds]

I played a beastmaster when they sucked... and he was great. I used PAM and sentinel. I would let my beast attack and use my reactions when you came in my area or when you hit my wolf. I did run out of wolves... but they are only fantasy wolves.

Also lighting arrow and conjure barrage and hail of thorns works also with any ranged weapon attack, so you can easily concentrate on those spells, hold your halberd in one hand, interact with item (free) and throw a dagger, hand axe or dart and then move in with your second attack.

So round 1 you have hunter's mark going and you kill your opponent, instead of moving hunter's mark, drop it and with your bonus action (if you haven't used it) cast lightning arrow (good for 1 minute of concentration), next round throw a lightning hand axe and then move and swing with your halberd and then BA with your off-hand also.

[JellyPooga]

Yes, it's viable, although you'll still want about 14 in dexterity so that your AC won't be utterly bad, and it's recommendable to wear medium armor.

You'll also want at least 14 in strength, although preferably 16 or more (with point buy 15+racial modifier (if any) should go into strength), so unless you get to roll your stats, your points are spread thin.

Let's assume standard array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8) and human variant as your race, your stats could be something along these lines:

Str 15+1 (human bonus here)
Dex 14 (at least 13 if you want to multiclass later)
Con 12
Int 10
Wis 13+1 (human bonus here; at least 13 if you want to multiclass later)
Cha 8

As human variant bonus feat you could take the Polearm Master feat immediately at first level.

At 2nd level, Defense Fighting Style is the best bet since by default rangers don't get great weapon fighting style for some reason.

Wisdom doesn't have ti be decent for a Ranger (unless you want to Multiclass); the Ranger spell listis forgiving enough, with enough buffs and heals that don't really need it.

[MeeposFire]

Yea wisdom is only needed to be hih if you are planning to use a lot of spells that use it directly (such as saving throws and spell attack rolls) or if you are for sure going to level 20 and you want to get something outof the cap stone (which really is only worth it if you are using the alternative ranger from UA).

[Foxhound438]

My recommendation here is to start as variant human for the feat, and point buy as follows:

15/12/13/x/14/x (in order); Vuman stat boosts in str and con; x's are a 10 and an 8, wherever you like them.

Past that, above advice is probably sound enough- medium armor, carry javelins. Take the defense fighting style for +1 AC, since none of the other options really give you anything. between the extra point of AC there and using medium armor, you should be fine AC wise overall- have 16 out the gate, same as a fighter in chain with a different FS.

If you want to be really cheeky and use the bugbear race from volo's guide to monsters, you can do a little better on your initial point buy but won't have the feat until at least L4. Still, until then you have 15 feet of reach, which is at the very least entertaining.

[huginn]

Yes, it's viable, although you'll still want about 14 in dexterity so that your AC won't be utterly bad, and it's recommendable to wear medium armor.

You'll also want at least 14 in strength, although preferably 16 or more (with point buy 15+racial modifier (if any) should go into strength), so unless you get to roll your stats, your points are spread thin.

Let's assume standard array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8) and human variant as your race, your stats could be something along these lines:

Str 15+1 (human bonus here)
Dex 14 (at least 13 if you want to multiclass later)
Con 12
Int 10
Wis 13+1 (human bonus here; at least 13 if you want to multiclass later)
Cha 8

As human variant bonus feat you could take the Polearm Master feat immediately at first level.

At 2nd level, Defense Fighting Style is the best bet since by default rangers don't get great weapon fighting style for some reason.

My fisrt thought was
Str 15
Dex 14
Con 13
Int 10
Wis 12
Cha 8 and boost Str and Con or Wis by 1.
I am undecided if I will multiclass. The Sentinel feat looks like it can go well with polearm so that is something else I have to decide on. I know on levels 4 8 12 16 and 19 I can increase a stat or get a feat. At levels 4 and 8 what seems to better increase a stat or get a feat? My impression is getting a stat to 20 at level 8 is probably best

[djreynolds]

My fisrt thought was
Str 15
Dex 14
Con 13
Int 10
Wis 12
Cha 8 and boost Str and Con or Wis by 1.
I am undecided if I will multiclass. The Sentinel feat looks like it can go well with polearm so that is something else I have to decide on. I know on levels 4 8 12 16 and 19 I can increase a stat or get a feat. At levels 4 and 8 what seems to better increase a stat or get a feat? My impression is getting a stat to 20 at level 8 is probably best

What do you want out of this ranger? What is he doing? How much stealth do you want? What AC is preferable?

As crazy as it sounds, you could use PAM and a quarterstaff and a level of monk... and you could forgo strength or leave it respectable and have an unarmored defense.

Your skills are most likely wisdom and dex dependent, this could help.

You would lose out on the reach of the polearm, but still 1d8 on damage, but lose out on stopping movement with 10ft reach. But the Kensai monk can use polearms with dex, so 3 levels of monk with ranger could be cool

[Arkhios]

My fisrt thought was
Str 15
Dex 14
Con 13
Int 10
Wis 12
Cha 8 and boost Str and Con or Wis by 1.
I am undecided if I will multiclass. The Sentinel feat looks like it can go well with polearm so that is something else I have to decide on. I know on levels 4 8 12 16 and 19 I can increase a stat or get a feat. At levels 4 and 8 what seems to better increase a stat or get a feat? My impression is getting a stat to 20 at level 8 is probably best

Whether you should boost strength to 20 a.s.a.p. or little by little is totally up to you and your expectations. Also, it partly depends on how your other group members prefer to play the game: Some people want the best results fast, while others acknowledge that even a 16 in your primary stat is quite enough through the entire career. So, if you play with a bunch of "power creeps", you might want to focus on getting strength to 20 at level 8 so that you don't feel being "behind" the others. If your other group members are more of the latter type, then, if you only want Polearm Master and Sentinel feats, you could easily pick Sentinel at 4 and boost strength to 18 at level 8.

[djreynolds]

The ranger is tough class to run with a high strength, because unfortunately you need dex for skills and wis for skills and spell.

14 dex is good enough for breast plate and defensive style will go along way.

I love the concept of big pike wielding ranger stabbing the heart of a dragon... that's cool

It really depends on your character and parties dependence on your stealth. Pass without a trace is +10 to stealth so even in heavy armor with disadvantage, you have stealth covered.

Javelins, hand axes, spears, dagger can all be used with lightning arrow and such spells

I might be inclined to begin as fighter, grab your heavy armor proficiency right there and GWF

Its tough to create a character without other party members, you may have to be the stealth specialist of the party, who knows. You may have a rogue and your stealth isn't needed as much.

But hunter's mark and PAM is a very powerful and nasty combo.

Very cool build, with lots of multiclassing options

[Mhl7]

My fisrt thought was
Str 15
Dex 14
Con 13
Int 10
Wis 12
Cha 8 and boost Str and Con or Wis by 1.
I am undecided if I will multiclass. The Sentinel feat looks like it can go well with polearm so that is something else I have to decide on. I know on levels 4 8 12 16 and 19 I can increase a stat or get a feat. At levels 4 and 8 what seems to better increase a stat or get a feat? My impression is getting a stat to 20 at level 8 is probably best

Also, if you are not interested in a DEX build, you can take Heavily Armored (at level 4, maybe?). DEX 14 is worth 3 ASI over DEX 8, whereas Heavily Armored costs you only half ASI (The other half is a +1 STR, which you want anyway).
If you want to multiclass, however, you cannot dump DEX.

[huginn]

What do you want out of this ranger? What is he doing? How much stealth do you want? What AC is preferable?

As crazy as it sounds, you could use PAM and a quarterstaff and a level of monk... and you could forgo strength or leave it respectable and have an unarmored defense.

Your skills are most likely wisdom and dex dependent, this could help.

You would lose out on the reach of the polearm, but still 1d8 on damage, but lose out on stopping movement with 10ft reach. But the Kensai monk can use polearms with dex, so 3 levels of monk with ranger could be cool

Well I see myself as being more of a secondary tank / support fighter with a background along the lines of a folk hero or soldier from the mountains. I want to be decent at stealth and tracking. As for what AC is preferably i am not sure yet. I was thinking of using chain and perhaps Breastplate later on and getting the fighting style that gives plus 1 to ac.
If I go with my first thought I have a 14 dex and 12 Wis and I am not sure if having the 12 in wis is going to hurt me but I do have the option of increasing Wis at level 4.



Whether you should boost strength to 20 a.s.a.p. or little by little is totally up to you and your expectations. Also, it partly depends on how your other group members prefer to play the game: Some people want the best results fast, while others acknowledge that even a 16 in your primary stat is quite enough through the entire career. So, if you play with a bunch of "power creeps", you might want to focus on getting strength to 20 at level 8 so that you don't feel being "behind" the others. If your other group members are more of the latter type, then, if you only want Polearm Master and Sentinel feats, you could easily pick Sentinel at 4 and boost strength to 18 at level 8.

I will be joing a group next week. A gaming store opened up close to me and I have no idea what the players will be like. There is anothergroup I may have a chance to get in to and they are more into role playing then power gaming

[Arkhios]

Well I see myself as being more of a secondary tank / support fighter with a background along the lines of a folk hero or soldier from the mountains. I want to be decent at stealth and tracking. As for what AC is preferably i am not sure yet. I was thinking of using chain and perhaps Breastplate later on and getting the fighting style that gives plus 1 to ac.
If I go with my first thought I have a 14 dex and 12 Wis and I am not sure if having the 12 in wis is going to hurt me but I do have the option of increasing Wis at level 4.




I will be joing a group next week. A gaming store opened up close to me and I have no idea what the players will be like. There is anothergroup I may have a chance to get in to and they are more into role playing then power gaming

Wis 12 is quite alright for a single class ranger, and like you said, you can always increase it at 4th level.

To go in the middle ground "safe route", take polearm master at 1st level (if variant human) or at 4th (if non-human), next increase str to 18, and pick sentinel only after.

[Prophes0r]

Another option you could consider is the "scout" subclass for the fighter or rogue (yes they both got one). They are basically what you get when you give those classes the tools to "scout", which pretty much turns them into Rangers. You would be trading ranger magic, for the other class abilities.

Since you want to do Polearms, the Fighter one might be good.

[djreynolds]

Another option you could consider is the "scout" subclass for the fighter or rogue (yes they both got one). They are basically what you get when you give those classes the tools to "scout", which pretty much turns them into Rangers. You would be trading ranger magic, for the other class abilities.

Since you want to do Polearms, the Fighter one might be good.

As a rider to this great idea, 1 level of rogue will give you expertise in stealth and survival/perception as well.

Have fun, would love to see the final build

[KorvinStarmast]

Just to encourage you:

I played Original, 1e, and 2e. 3.x didn't do it for me, 4 I skipped, but 5e brought me back.

It's feel is a bit of 1 and 2e, some of the Basic Game / BECMI, and a bit of 3. It's a good mix of editions.

The action economy is worth understanding, in terms of what you can to on your turn. Recommend you review it a few times to understand the terms. Pages 69-74 of the basic rules (http://media.wizards.com/2016/downloads/DND/PlayerBasicRulesV03.pdf), or the first few pages of Chapter 9 in the PHB.

1. Move and action are separate things you can do. Move does not pre-empt action.
2. Bonus action happens if a skill, spell, feat, or ability provides one. Otherwise, you don't have one.
3. Reaction is typically contingent on something else happening, and is the trigger for attacks of opportunity.

There are a number of actions that are not the attack action.

Note that there is only 1 bonus action and 1 reaction in any given round for you to use on your turn. You may get additional actions, or you may get additional attacks, depending on conditions later on.

PAM is a good feat, strongly recommend.

Enjoy.

[Cl0001]

It's viable. The Ranger's spell list slightly favours ranged weapons and they don't get the Great Weapon Fighting style, but 5e is quite tolerant of 'unusual' builds.

Rangers don't get many spells known, so it's easy to pick a sensible selection while avoiding things like Conjure Barrage, Lightning Arrow and Swift Quiver, and the Defense style synergises well enough with the Polearm Master feat. Alternatively, a 1-level dip into Fighter could give you GWF, if you're really desperate.

If you go above 15th level, I would definitely recommend going at least 1 in fighter. The 20th level feature is abysmal for rangers