Level 5 Gloom stalker Lizardfolk with dual wield feat - progression recommendations

[LionHeadVillain]

I am currently playing this character and got to level 5 to get extra attack and now do not know where to go with it.
I am thinking of multi-classing but I have been looking at some of the high level gloom stalker skills and am having a hard time deciding.
I am playing him like a ambush raider type if that helps with any ideas.

[nickl_2000]

Let's start with a few questions so we can really help you out.

1) What is your primary role in the party?
2) What other classes are in the party?
3) Have you found any roles missing in the party?
4) What are you stats? Without them we can't know about possible multiclassing
5) What do you enjoy most about your character (I'm guessing the ambushing)
6) What kind of campaign are you in?

[Crgaston]

I have a Gloom Stalker that will be facing the same decision soon. I’m strongly leaning towards Rogue, probably Scout. It’s tough, though, because the GS 7th and 11th abilities are quite good. Plus the bonus Fear spell at 9th is tasty.

On the other hand, expertise in Stealth and Perception, cunning action, then expertise in Nature and Survival and the Skirmisher ability are also solid gold on a Ranger. And then you’re only 1 level away from an ASI, then 1 away from Uncanny Dodge and 3d6 Sneak Attack.

The Sneak Attack dice can mitigate the need for Hunters Mark, freeing up a 1st level slot and your Concentration for Spike Growth or Healing Spirit. And you can switch targets much more easily with the SA than HM.

How are you liking your Ranger?
This is my first one in 5e and I am impressed, especially after all the badmouthing on the forums.

[LionHeadVillain]

1) What is your primary role in the party?
I’m a front liner with high heath but low armour.
I’m often the one to use cc and grapples

2) What other classes are in the party?
Orc fighter2/storm cleric 3 (Tank)
Goliath Champ fighter 5 (Melee dps)
Human Glamour bard 5 (support)
Halfling Warlock 5 (Ranged dps)
Also the bard has a pet direwolf
3) Have you found any roles missing in the party?
a cc and grappler which I feel we need in some of the fights we get into.

4) What are you stats? Without them we can't know about possible multiclassing
15 Strength
13 Dexterity
16 Constitution
9 Intelligence
14 Wisdom
8 Charisma

5) What do you enjoy most about your character (I'm guessing the ambushing)
Getting in on the combat is fun and I’m happy with taking hits when needed.
I enjoy being a bit tactical and of course ambushing

6) What kind of campaign are you in?
Curse of Strahd (with a home brew following i believe)

[Grod_The_Giant]

A dip in Rogue could help your grappling, or you could veer into Druid (perhaps Land or Shepherd) to double-down on crowd control stuff, perhaps? They get some pretty good BFC even at low levels with things like Entangle and Moonbeam.

[LionHeadVillain]

How are you liking your Ranger?
This is my first one in 5e and I am impressed, especially after all the badmouthing on the forums.

Thanks for the ideas, This is my first ranger in 5e also and I have been loving it so far.
I feel a lot more fluid than fighter when in and out of combat.

[nickl_2000]

1) What is your primary role in the party?
I’m a front liner with high heath but low armour.
I’m often the one to use cc and grapples

2) What other classes are in the party?
Orc fighter2/storm cleric 3 (Tank)
Goliath Champ fighter 5 (Melee dps)
Human Glamour bard 5 (support)
Halfling Warlock 5 (Ranged dps)
Also the bard has a pet direwolf
3) Have you found any roles missing in the party?
a cc and grappler which I feel we need in some of the fights we get into.

4) What are you stats? Without them we can't know about possible multiclassing
15 Strength
13 Dexterity
16 Constitution
9 Intelligence
14 Wisdom
8 Charisma

5) What do you enjoy most about your character (I'm guessing the ambushing)
Getting in on the combat is fun and I’m happy with taking hits when needed.
I enjoy being a bit tactical and of course ambushing

6) What kind of campaign are you in?
Curse of Strahd (with a home brew following i believe)

Thanks, that makes a huge difference. Here are the options as I see it if you want to multiclass
1) 2 levels Bear Barbarian - You can rage 2 times a day to get advantage on grapple checks and get more damage. Plus you get crazy resistances against damage. That will help mitigate the lower AC
2) 2+ levels rogue. More damage with sneak attack, bonus disengages to move around more to avoid the hits. Plus expertise with Athletics for grappling goodness
3) 2 Levels fighter for Action Surge, Second Wind, Heavy Armor proficiency, and a Second fighting style. You can take the defensive fighting style and up your AC massively
4) Continue on a Gloomstalker


It sounds to me that a Bear Barbarian would be awesome for your character.

[Mortis_Elrod]

Rogue, Barbarian, and Monk would all help with your grappling.

Considering this I would go Str based Monk. Even just 1 level gives you bonus action unarmed strike, so you could Grapple on the first attack, and make 2 more attacks (one of which is unarmed). Not to mention Lizardfolk starts with d6 unarmed strike. Grab some people in ambush and start eating them.

More levels gives you more stuff, deflect arrows is gonna be nice since you already have low AC, increased movement speed as well since your melee based. Of the Subclasss to choose, Drunken Master would be my go to for this, but Open Hand, Long Death, and Shadow all have some things to offer. Open Hand offfers some maneuverish bonuses to your Flurry of Bites, Long Death gives some THP to help offset that bad AC you have, Shadow gives some more spells, and if you stay some ninja teleports.

The other two classes are both good to choose as well though.


Edit: I have another suggestion. It’s a lot more dippy though.

Take Barbarian to 3 for Bear, helps with taking damage. Then 1 level of Monk, more do you want the extra abilities but BA Bite is really good on its own. Then do 1-4 levels of Rogue for expertise, SA, and cunning action.

I would take one in each (2 in rogue though) then decide from there. If you get into higher levels grabbing the ASIs might be something you want or just completing more levels of Gloomstalker. Obviously this gonna put you behind on spells but from what you’ve said you don’t use them that much anyway.