Horizon Walker vs Gloom Stalker for Tyranny of Dragons (Hoard & Rise)

[dreampill1979]

This my first post, im currently playing 2nd level ranger, and my dilema is what path to choose in 3rd level and which one fits better for the campaing (tyranny of dragons), if i choose horizon walker it will be a ranger only character and if i choose gloom stalker, im looking for multiclass gloomstalker/assasin. Also i havent decide yet what fighting style, dueling (HW) or two weapon (GS).

[Man_Over_Game]

Thank you for your first post! Glad to have you!

The differences between the two are pretty obvious.

What's not obvious is what works with Horizon Walker. Keep in mind, its level 3 ability requires your bonus action each attack, and is debatably better than TWF due to the fact that it converts the attack into Force and eventually gets upgraded. Its mobile abilities and defensive traits also lead it into being a melee character.
Combined with all of this information, a Horizon Walker excels with a sword+shield or a two-handed weapon.

On the other hand, the stealth provided by a Gloom Stalker's loadout is going to be easier to utilize with a ranged weapon more than a two-weapon fighting style, although it can easily adapt to using both.

The Monster Hunter isn't mentioned. While it's really powerful and very easy, it did seem a bit dull IMO, but I'm sure others have thought otherwise. It's special abilities that have 60 foot range each make it very good as a ranged specialist. I mention this only as a possible pick.

So take a look at your team. You should have at least 1 more melee character than you do ranged characters. What does it look like your team needs most?

[dreampill1979]

Thank you for your first post! Glad to have you!

The differences between the two are pretty obvious.

What's not obvious is what works with Horizon Walker. Keep in mind, its level 3 ability requires your bonus action each attack, and is debatably better than TWF due to the fact that it converts the attack into Force and eventually gets upgraded. Its mobile abilities and defensive traits also lead it into being a melee character.
Combined with all of this information, a Horizon Walker excels with a sword+shield or a two-handed weapon.

On the other hand, the stealth provided by a Gloom Stalker's loadout is going to be easier to utilize with a ranged weapon more than a two-weapon fighting style, although it can easily adapt to using both.

The Monster Hunter isn't mentioned. While it's really powerful and very easy, it did seem a bit dull IMO, but I'm sure others have thought otherwise. It's special abilities that have 60 foot range each make it very good as a ranged specialist. I mention this only as a possible pick.

So take a look at your team. You should have at least 1 more melee character than you do ranged characters. What does it look like your team needs most?

My team consist in a warlock, priest, rogue/mage, druid and a barbarian, so the barbarian and i do the meele damage mostly. I didnt mention the monster hunter it seems a bit dull too, but it could be another option, thanks

[Twigwit]

To me, the real question is "do you want to be an Elf or a Human?" Gloomstalker provides dark vision for your character and Dread Ambusher benefits someone with Sharpshooter more, which a V Human can nab at level 1. Horizon Walker is just a solid chassis, so having a solid race like Elf for it makes sense. If you want my specific thoughts on the two archetypes I already wrote about them in my Guide to Xanathar's in my signature.

[Man_Over_Game]

My team consist in a warlock, priest, rogue/mage, druid and a barbarian, so the barbarian and i do the meele damage mostly. I didnt mention the monster hunter it seems a bit dull too, but it could be another option, thanks

Based on that information, I'd probably go Sword+Shield Horizon Walker. With your Bonus Action additional damage, you won't need a big weapon to keep up in terms of damage, and the +2/+3 AC you can get will help keep you alive.

I bring this up because depending on the Cleric/Druid, your team will need a lot of help from you to hold the front line. The more damage you can soak, the more your Cleric can focus on his Bless, or the more your Warlock won't have to blow on Shield.

With so many potential squishies to defend, especially on a larger battlefield, the additional mobility will really assist your team.


There's a simple rule to determine what you should focus on:

Look at your team. Now look at your team if you're removed from it. What did your team lose? Now focus on those aspects, and milk it for all it's worth.

[dreampill1979]

To me, the real question is "do you want to be an Elf or a Human?" Gloomstalker provides dark vision for your character and Dread Ambusher benefits someone with Sharpshooter more, which a V Human can nab at level 1. Horizon Walker is just a solid chassis, so having a solid race like Elf for it makes sense. If you want my specific thoughts on the two archetypes I already wrote about them in my Guide to Xanathar's in my signature.

im a wood elf, so dark vision is no upgrade, in fact just half of the party are nonhumans (me, a gnome and another wood elf), and depend of torch or magical light, making dificult for total darkness ambush

[rbstr]

I'm not sure that one really fits the campaign more than the other.

But in your party, since you're on the front line a lot, going Horizon Walker has the benefit of bonus action damage you can use while wearing a shield. Like Man_Over said.
Both are good subclasses. I like Horizon Walker's progression of self-buff spells hunters mark -> Haste -> Guardian of Nature. And I like that it works well with a two-handed weapon. But Strength-based rangers are kinda tough, unless you forgo wisdom or you've got a favorable stat roll.

[dreampill1979]

Thanks everyone for your replies, now i know which one to choose and that`s the horizon walker with a shield and sword build.