Three class options

[Dankus Memakus]

So, ive started my campaign and its now time to pick my class (we develop characters first) and i have three ideas id like some feedback to see what people think would be the most fun. All options are variant humans so feats are a big deal.

Option 1:
Barbarian who uses a shield and a staff. Id take the polearm master feat (or whatever its called) so id get the extra d-4 damage. Id carry some handaxes for throwing. Id take a few levels into cleric (nothing concentration so rage doesnt effect it and alot of out of combat utility spells) this will probably require pursing the staff of striking

Option 2:
Druid with some magic feat (possibly spell sniper or something) id use a sword and shield and fufill the healing role. I'd take a one level dip into the monk for unarmored defense and the extra d-4 of martial arts.

Option 3: Full ranger, no multiclass. Strength based with the heavy armor feat (simple but different) ranged weapons are handaxes and main weapon is the biggest sword i can carry. I can then comfortably leave my dex at a 10 or so. I may actually specialise in throwing axes and take a feat for throwing (not sure if sharpshooter works with thrown weapons)

So just looking for feedback on what seems the most fun.

[Sigreid]

All sound fine with one note. RAW PM doesn't work with spears so your DM would need to OK that.

[Dankus Memakus]

All sound fine with one note. RAW PM doesn't work with spears so your DM would need to OK that.

That is lame, is there any option that can get me some bonus damage

[Sigreid]

That is lame, is there any option that can get me some bonus damage

Oddly, using a staff one handed is the most recognized way around the RAW since staffs do work with PM.

[Dankus Memakus]

Oddly, using a staff one handed is the most recognized way around the RAW since staffs do work with PM.

Well, what about javlines?

[Sigreid]

Well, what about javlines?

Nope, but I agree with that one. Unlike spears what is typically classified as a javelin is, or was, frequently designed to be a one use thrown item. For example, the Roman Pilum was designed to stick in your opponent's shield and bend like a hook making the shield to heavy and awkward to use.

[Dankus Memakus]

Nope, but I agree with that one. Unlike spears what is typically classified as a javelin is, or was, frequently designed to be a one use thrown item. For example, the Roman Pilum was designed to stick in your opponent's shield and bend like a hook making the shield to heavy and awkward to use.

Well i guess ill b putting a point on a quarterstaff so i can use it similar to a spear if i take that class option

[lunaticfringe]

Sharpen one end of your staff with your dagger...

[Dankus Memakus]

Sharpen one end of your staff with your dagger...

That was my plan haha

[JeffreyGator]

Option 2:
Druid with some magic feat (possibly spell sniper or something) id use a sword and shield and fufill the healing role. I'd take a one level dip into the monk for unarmored defense and the extra d-4 of martial arts.


The druid is probably going to dip better into barbarian for the Unarmed Defense if you wanted to use a shield. This also opens up all martial weapons if you don't want to just use scimitars.

I am thinking that this is primarily a land druid?

[Dankus Memakus]

The druid is probably going to dip better into barbarian for the Unarmed Defense if you wanted to use a shield. This also opens up all martial weapons if you don't want to just use scimitars.

I am thinking that this is primarily a land druid?

You are correct (i thought monk cuz it scales on wisdom but please enlighten me because ive never played druid)

[djreynolds]

Strength based ranger/barbarian is very workable in medium armor. Just put 14 in dex because you need for stealth anyhow and fight with a glaive.

Remember thrown weapons work with all of the ranger spells, aside form swift quiver. Soften them up from range, bonus action rage, and then move in and kill

[Dankus Memakus]

Strength based ranger/barbarian is very workable in medium armor. Just put 14 in dex because you need for stealth anyhow and fight with a glaive.

Remember thrown weapons work with all of the ranger spells, aside form swift quiver. Soften them up from range, bonus action rage, and then move in and kill

Well see i dont know if i want to dip into barbarian if i play ranger. Im going to be a full ranger so i get all the ranger spells i can. I dont want to sacrifice spell slots

[Sigreid]

Well see i dont know if i want to dip into barbarian if i play ranger. Im going to be a full ranger so i get all the ranger spells i can. I dont want to sacrifice spell slots

Our group has a ranger with the medium armor master feat. As a hunter type, he performs very well at 9th level. Definitely a not a weak link.

[Dankus Memakus]

Our group has a ranger with the medium armor master feat. As a hunter type, he performs very well at 9th level. Definitely a not a weak link.

Oh no thats not what i meant. I know the ranger isn't weak. I just dont want to dip into barbarian if i play ranger because i want all the spells i can get

[Sigreid]

Oh no thats not what i meant. I know the ranger isn't weak. I just dont want to dip into barbarian if i play ranger because i want all the spells i can get

I think dipping is usually a bad idea long term.

[Dankus Memakus]

I think dipping is usually a bad idea long term.

The only reason i would dip is to gain spells for healing or to make AC go up.

[Sigreid]

The only reason i would dip is to gain spells for healing or to make AC go up.

I sometimes dip on wizards to get medium armor and expertise in Arcana.

[Specter]

Option 1:
I personally hate the quarterstaff-and-shield combo, so I may be biased. But caster multiclass on Barbarian? Not cool. Even outside of combat, it could be lackluater.

Option 2:
With Frostbite and Poison Spray, you can forget about using a sword: shield up and keep a free casting hand. The monk level is good for AC, but remember you wouldn't be able to use a shield then.

Option 3:
Heavy armor would totally disrupt your sneaking, and rangers want that desperately. Medium Armor Master is a much better pick: you still have 18AC and can be good at sneaking/ranged warfare.

Out of all three, I'd pick #3.

[Dankus Memakus]

Option 1:
I personally hate the quarterstaff-and-shield combo, so I may be biased. But caster multiclass on Barbarian? Not cool. Even outside of combat, it could be lackluater.

Option 2:
With Frostbite and Poison Spray, you can forget about using a sword: shield up and keep a free casting hand. The monk level is good for AC, but remember you wouldn't be able to use a shield then.

Option 3:
Heavy armor would totally disrupt your sneaking, and rangers want that desperately. Medium Armor Master is a much better pick: you still have 18AC and can be good at sneaking/ranged warfare.

Out of all three, I'd pick #3.

See im not too worried about stealth, im not trying to optimize, i just want a cool character and i like the concept. Ill eventually procure mithral armor or something else that will eliminate stealth disadvantage but due to my companions not being stealthy at all i dont think it can even benefit me that much.

[djreynolds]

Go ranger and grab some cleric, get heavy armor that way and get more spell slots for 1 level. Too easy

[Dudu]

Melee land druid? Id be compelled to go staff and shield plus shillelagh.

And barbarian caster can work. Try a totem barbarian moondruid. The bearbarian was never so literal. Con on AC enraged bear resistant to damage. Act as a support caster who can enter in melee or just rush to melee since you excell on it. Solid build.

[Dankus Memakus]

Okay so ive been leaning towards the ranger build because my dm keeps suggesting it. I however noticed a flaw, does it take a whole action to draw another throwing weapon because thats a dealbreaker if thats true.

[Sigreid]

Okay so ive been leaning towards the ranger build because my dm keeps suggesting it. I however noticed a flaw, does it take a whole action to draw another throwing weapon because thats a dealbreaker if thats true.

RAW you can draw one weapon as your free interaction. Talk to your DM though, because a lot of us think that is stupid and pointlessly limiting and allow weapons to be drawn and thrown 1 per attack like arrows.

[Dankus Memakus]

RAW you can draw one weapon as your free interaction. Talk to your DM though, because a lot of us think that is stupid and pointlessly limiting and allow weapons to be drawn and thrown 1 per attack like arrows.

So even if i get my dm to agree with that can i still use the axe with abilities like volley?

[Sigreid]

So even if i get my dm to agree with that can i still use the axe with abilities like volley?

If I were your DM, I would let you but you would have to have a lot of axes as the ability requires you to have a missile weapon for each attack.

Edit: Actually that's a pretty cool visual, a mad flurry of axes winging their way into the oncoming hoard!

[Findulidas]

You cannot cast spells while raging and starting a rage breaks concentration on any spells. Thats usually why you dont go barbarian if you cast spells.

You also only get the bear totem effect of reduction on all damage while raging I think.

[Dankus Memakus]

If I were your DM, I would let you but you would have to have a lot of axes as the ability requires you to have a missile weapon for each attack.

Edit: Actually that's a pretty cool visual, a mad flurry of axes winging their way into the oncoming hoard!

Yeah see i was thinking that'd be pretty cool, a ranger in like full plate winging handaxes at a horde of enemies.

[Sigreid]

Yeah see i was thinking that'd be pretty cool, a ranger in like full plate winging handaxes at a horde of enemies.

When you talk to your DM you can also point out that it's actually a little less powerful than if you were a high dex character using a longbow to do it. The reason I would be OK with it is I can't see it changing the game balance at all.

[Dankus Memakus]

When you talk to your DM you can also point out that it's actually a little less powerful than if you were a high dex character using a longbow to do it. The reason I would be OK with it is I can't see it changing the game balance at all.

It would be akin to a shortbow so i doubt my dm will fight me on that mechanic