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

[fluffybunbunkittens]

Wouldn't the loading quality of the hvy x-bow interfere with that?

I think this'd work better if you were to use a heavy crossbow just for your first attack (to get two enemies next to each other when needed), and then switching to something heavy as you close to melee range to hit two targets at once.

If that heavier melee weapon happens to be a reach weapon, then you can even maintain your mobility after getting your hits in, or make use of it even if stuck in a narrow tunnel sort of a situation etc.

And you can sort of step around the focus firing issue if you're Horde Breaking with a Halberd, to Cleave back at the original target?

 

[ECMO3]

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?

No. A level 1 Ranger/1Monk can make 3 attacks on their turn (4 with a reaction attack), they do this a level earlier, they don't need a specific enemy set up and they can do 2 of those attacks at range using a hand axe and dagger while still getting Vex and light and 1d6 damage on each.

 

[Demetrios1453]

I am not gonna try and argue it, but a reaction is not your turn. That’s how the game works.

I think you got something wrong.

EDIT: Couldn't stop myself... This is from the new book:

Reactions (page 15)

Certain special abilities, spells, and situations allow you to take a special action called a Reaction. A Reaction is an instant response to a trigger of some kind, which can occur on your turn or on someone else's. The Opportunity Attack, described later in this chapter, is the most common type of Reaction.

When you take a Reaction, you can't take another one until the start of your next turn. If the reaction interrupts another creature's turn, that creature can continue its turn right after the Reaction.

In terms of timing, a Reaction takes place immediately after its trigger unless the Reaction's description says otherwise.


Nowhere does it say that it becomes your turn.

The specific overrules the general (that's in a sidebar in the PHB). In general, reactions can take place whenever. In this specific case, however, your reaction is used on your turn when it comes to Horde Breaker.

 

[Ashrym]

The specific overrules the general (that's in a sidebar in the PHB). In general, reactions can take place whenever. In this specific case, however, your reaction is used on your turn when it comes to Horde Breaker.

I'm not sure where you're going with that.

A reaction can take place on any turn but takes place in response to criteria. For a reaction to take place from the ranger on the ranger's turn someone else almost invariably needs to predicate that reaction somehow.

Most reactions take place on someone else's turn.

Horde breaker is restricted to once on the ranger's turn regardless.