D&D (2024) Ranger: is Horde Breaker a bit too good for level 3?

[Quartz]

PHB p.127 ISTM that Horde Breaker could give a level 3 Hunter Ranger four attacks per round - two on their Action and two on their Reaction. That seems a little too good to me. What do you think?

 

[Will Brandiman]

Horde Breaker has nothing to do with reactions. It only works on your turn and potentially gives one extra attack in certain, limited circumstances.

Horde Breaker​

Once on each of your turns when you make an attack with a weapon, you can make another attack with the same weapon against a different creature that is within 5 feet of the original target, that is within the weapon’s range, and that you haven’t attacked this turn.

 

[Horwath]

Horde Breaker has nothing to do with reactions. It only works on your turn and potentially gives one extra attack in certain, limited circumstances.

yes.

 

[see]

Given the attacks would have to be divided among at least three foes anyway (since neither of the two Horde Breaker attacks could be against someone the ranger already attacked that turn), if a 3rd level character did manage to set it up so they could attack with their reaction on their turn, and thus manage four attacks with Horde Breaker, I'd be more inclined to say "Congratulations!" than "That's overpowered."

 

[Will Brandiman]

Given the attacks would have to be divided among at least three foes anyway (since neither of the two Horde Breaker attacks could be against someone the ranger already attacked that turn), if a 3rd level character did manage to set it up so they could attack with their reaction on their turn, and thus manage four attacks with Horde Breaker, I'd be more inclined to say "Congratulations!" than "That's overpowered."

Even if you manage to get a reaction attack on your own turn, it's still limited to one attack from horde breaker "Once on each of your turns".

 

[see]

Even if you manage to get a reaction attack on your own turn, it's still limited to one attack from horde breaker "Once on each of your turns".

Ahah! Yes, I missed that.

 

[Quartz]

Horde Breaker has nothing to do with reactions.

Really? You get an extra turn when it's your Reaction. It's not once per round.

Given the attacks would have to be divided among at least three foes anyway (since neither of the two Horde Breaker attacks could be against someone the ranger already attacked that turn)

That limitation is not present in the text. You could first target A then B and if one or the other provokes a Reaction then you can attack both again.

 

[Horwath]

Really? You get an extra turn when it's your Reaction. It's not once per round.

you do not get an extra turn, you get to use your Reaction.

 

[mellored]

Note that it doesn't need to be a melee weapon, or a dex one.

Use a heavy crossbow to push one creature next to another, then get another attack.

Alternatively, use a greataxe, horde breaker the a second target and cleave back into the first. Possibly as a multiclass world tree barbarian who can use their reaction to group up enemies.

 

[mellored]

Really? You get an extra turn when it's your Reaction. It's not once per round.

It's on your turn.
Not on any turn.