D&D 5E (2024) Ranger sub-class that make somewhat decent melee?

[Zardnaar]

Our Hunter ranger deals quite a bit of damage between HM and Colossus Slayer.

What level? I noticed same thing.

 

[Horwath]

What level? I noticed same thing.

I would say up to 5th level, it's probably best damage dealing build, depending on how much forgiving your DM is in interpretation of Dual Wielder feat.

but honestly, ranger needs alternate class feature in next books that will replace Favored enemy and all it's improvements from the class and give something more useful and practical.

all favored enemy features should have been placed in Hunter subclass.
You want to have a character completely focus around Hunter's mark spell, here is a HUNTER subclass so knock yourself out.


HM in not a bad spell, it's an OK spell, probably A tier in low levels, but at level 5+ it drops down as it competes with other better spells for Concentration slot.


maybe one solution for levels5+ rangers is, while you concentrate on HM, you can concentrate on another RANGER! spell at the same time(no multiclass cheese).

 

[Zardnaar]

I would say up to 5th level, it's probably best damage dealing build, depending on how much forgiving your DM is in interpretation of Dual Wielder feat.

but honestly, ranger needs alternate class feature in next books that will replace Favored enemy and all it's improvements from the class and give something more useful and practical.

all favored enemy features should have been placed in Hunter subclass.
You want to have a character completely focus around Hunter's mark spell, here is a HUNTER subclass so knock yourself out.


HM in not a bad spell, it's an OK spell, probably A tier in low levels, but at level 5+ it drops down as it competes with other better spells for Concentration slot.


maybe one solution for levels5+ rangers is, while you concentrate on HM, you can concentrate on another RANGER! spell at the same time(no multiclass cheese).

Removing concentration and letting you move it for free once you kill something. Or just make it a free d6 damage.

 

[Ramhorn]

Last I played a Ranger it was for a 2014 game of CoS. Our GM was my brother, who I keep trying to convince to look at Shadowdark as it really suits his playstyle and love for gritty low-fantasy. All that aside, he was a white knuckle DM and we were playing with a bunch of new players, so I wanted to bring something to the table that could let me provide a lot of utility and ranged support.

I initially went Ranger, chose Sharpshooter and Archery early on as a variant human, and then went into the Hunter subclass for some additional damage with Colossus Slayer. Then I got thrown a speed bump, the Sunsword. Being the only player who could use this important magical item, I chose to adopt a flex tank role in combat. I'd use Zephyr Strike and the mobile feat to engage at close range without provoking attacks of opportunity, and when I got low on health I'd retreat to the backline and start slinging arrows.

I didn't really deviate from this style of play at higher levels either, my damage fell off a bit but my ranger kept the party from getting lost in Barovia, was an emergency medic, and when we needed it, professional con man. Between some of the spells available at first and second level, and some of the Hunter subclass abilities for offense and defense, I never really felt lacking for something to bring to the table.