D&D 5E (2024) Forgotten Realms subclasses discussion.

[Weiley31]

Wow. Int bonus to attack and damage from the start!

With or WITHOUT Bladeskng being active?

 

[TheSword]

With or WITHOUT Bladeskng being active?

With

 

[ECMO3]

winter walker: wow, another ranger subclass focused on hunters mark. I would never have expected that...
also, again focusing on wisdom for number of feature usages. bad decision as usual in 2024.

Winter Walker was their bad attempt to fix all the complaints about making the Ranger class too focused on Hunter's Mark. Their solution - well let's just make HM more powerful on this subclass so players will like it.

They totally missed the issues in my opinion.

 

[Burnside]

I think the Winter Walker ranger might have an issue with its ability to overcome Resistance to Cold, but not Immunity to Cold. The set of creatures that have Resistance but not Immunity to Cold is kinda limited, and this ranger might be out of luck trying to use that ability against a lot of the Icewind Dale monsters it seems designed to face - because most of those monsters are Immune to Cold, not Resistant.

white dragons, yetis, remorhaz, ice mephit, winter wolf, frost giant - these guys are all Immune, not Resistant.

Weirdly, what they ARE good at fighting is Fiends, many of whom are indeed Resistant, not Immune.

Because so many monsters native to Icewind Dale are immune to Cold damage, and the Winter Walker’s main thing is causing Cold damage, they weirdly end up being a worse choice for Icewind Dale than p much any other ranger subclass. However, in campaigns OUTSIDE Icewind Dale they’re actually quite good. I don’t think this is what the designers were aiming for, though.

 

[Zardnaar]

I think the Winter Walker ranger might have an issue with its ability to overcome Resistance to Cold, but not Immunity to Cold. The set of creatures that have Resistance but not Immunity to Cold is kinda limited, and this ranger might be out of luck trying to use that ability against a lot of the Icewind Dale monsters it seems designed to face - because most of those monsters are Immune to Cold, not Resistant.

white dragons, yetis, remorhaz, ice mephit, winter wolf, frost giant - these guys are all Immune, not Resistant.

Weirdly, what they ARE good at fighting is Fiends, many of whom are indeed Resistant, not Immune.

Because so many monsters native to Icewind Dale are immune to Cold damage, and the Winter Walker’s main thing is causing Cold damage, they weirdly end up being a worse choice for Icewind Dale than p much any other ranger subclass. However, in campaigns OUTSIDE Icewind Dale they’re actually quite good. I don’t think this is what the designers were aiming for, though.

That's always been a issue with things tied to environment. Eg frost mage from the north.

 

[ECMO3]

Which do you like, which would you play, which are unbalanced, any fun combos?

I don't really care about balance, I like cool and fun.

The three I really like for myself to play are Scion of the Dead three, Bladesinger and Genie Paladin. The players I DM for love the Banneret and Moon Bard. The others Meh.

The first character I am going to play is a multiclass Half Orc (using Orc species) Scion/Bladesinger. Doing a 1-20 campaign starting out as a Rogue and ending I think as a Rogue 12/Wizard 8, max intelligence. Starting probably November 10th.

I am also working up an idea for a Dance Bard/Genie Paladin. This is a bit tricky due to the 13 Strength requirement. I am thinking of adding a level of Warlock or the Eldritch Adept feat for pact of blade.

Finally I know this is about subclasses, but the feats for Cult of the Dragon Initiate, Dragonscarred and Spellfire Adept have me working up an idea for an Aasimar Fey Wanderer Ranger/Valor Bard built around Truestrike and Shillelagh. Causing a save against Frightened every combined hit with Beguiling Twist seems sick.

 

[ECMO3]

only thing that can make any ranger subclass good is ability:
at 5th level, Hunter's mark does not require concentration.

I would strongly disagree with this. What makes some Ranger subclasses good (not Winter Walker) is if you stop trying to make it be a Martial play it like a magic-first Gish.

Max your Wisdom and treat Hunter's Mark like a ribbon instead of something to build around and then quite a few Ranger subclasses are good.

What is not good is all the class abilities tied to Hunter's Mark.

Cold resistance?
wont matter in 95% of combats, unless playing Rime of the frost maiden.

Actually won't matter there either. I played ROTFM and I don't think remember a single enemy resistant to cold (maybe Mastadons??). As someone else noted there are plenty that are immune to cold.

 

[ECMO3]

Nor outheal a cleric or druid. Nor outsupport a bard. Nor do anything well at all.

Any Fighter is going to be good at fighting with weapons provided you stat your character and choose feats to that end and have at least average rolls.

Not quite as good as a Battlemaster or Champion is still really, really good, especially at high level and he will outheal both of those. The Banneret is GREAT at fighting, I don't know why everything needs to be a competition and if you are not the best ... then you are not good.

 

[Zardnaar]

I would strongly disagree with this. What makes some Ranger subclasses good (not Winter Walker) is if you stop trying to make it be a Martial play it like a magic-first Gish.

Max your Wisdom and treat Hunter's Mark like a ribbon instead of something to build around and then quite a few Ranger subclasses are good.

What is not good is all the class abilities tied to Hunter's Mark.




Actually won't matter there either. I played ROTFM and I don't think remember a single enemy resistant to cold (maybe Mastadons??). As someone else noted there are plenty that are immune to cold.

I think the numbers have been broken down. Frost with elemental adept feat i xant remember if it was really goid or kind of pointless.

Frost often targets con saves. I like lightning the best in any event once you consider soell access, resistance and immunity etc.

 

[Zardnaar]

Any Fighter is going to be good at fighting with weapons provided you stat your character and choose feats to that end and have at least average rolls.

Not quite as good as a Battlemaster or Champion is still really, really good, especially at high level.

Yup I haven't crunched it out. Youre giving up a bit of damage for some support.

Think wife is going with knowledge cleric.