D&D5E: HUNTER RANGER GUIDE

[@Dream-Reaver]

We had a shifter hunter ranger in our Rime of the Frostmaiden campaign. He was a loner that usually kept his distance from the party. He was also a member of the Zhentarim.

[@TheSinisterheroes]

Ahhh the Zhentarim a group after my own heart. What a coincidence I am currently playing in a time of the frost maiden campaign. Did they read up on the lore of the shifter? It kinda sounds like they did cus they are hard core loners by birthright and culture. I like the Zhentarim though you have to build with caution those kinds of characters, because the world dose not like you.

[@braevblackthorn6853]

My next character. Going melee and I think the race will be a big advantage.

[@TheSinisterheroes]

What are you thinking

[@braevblackthorn6853]

@TheSinisterheroes Defense! So either firbolg for ba invisibility, earth gen for ba blade ward or something like that. Go in, attack, then make it hard to hit me. Def dualist reaction bonus on top of multi atk def.

[@christopherpenn9585]

Hunter is such an underrated gem of a subclass. it can fill a very unique role for martials that normally is relegated to the spellcasters of the group, yet everyone thinks gloomstalker when the conversation about what subclass to pick comes up. yes, that enables some of the best burst damage in the game, however many martials are already great at that. where the hunter ranger really shines compared to the other classes/subclasses is the battlefield aoe and drawn out endurance combats. being able to reliably weaponize your reaction is particularly great for melee hunters as a dual wielding character or polearm master at lvl 5 could reliably make 4 attacks each turn without spending any resources. which is insane. if you wanted, you could multiclass with rouge in the dual wielding case for two potential sneak attacks each round of combat. once you get to higher levels, then you have the aoe of multi attack come into play and now you can save your higher level spells slots and spells known for utility or buff spells where most rangers have to use those on a conjure barrage or volley if they want to fill that role. hunters just do that, and turn after turn. its so good.

[@TheSinisterheroes]

The hunter lets you customize the ranger you want to be, you can get so much out of the choices you make. I love the ranger I am always surprised to hear my self say it. A lot of people do bleed for the gloom stalker and the real strength is never discussed. It’s always that first round and the added darkvision. The real strength is when you turn out the lights and can’t be seen by anything unless it has blind sight or tremor sense. That’s the gloomstalkers real strength. Comparable to what you said. If there’s light then the gloom stalker drops after that first round of combat. The hunter will be a stronger member throught all the turns after it.

[@xiongray]

I'm a fan of the challenge this subclass presents as well as the variability. In one hand, you can go Shillelagh & Shield and, on the other hand, traditional Ranged Character. But as an in between, Sling & Shield with Magic Stone. You'd also probably want two levels in Artificer to infuse Repeating Shot. Or the other half, Shillelagh (Club) & Hand Crossbow. With Crossbow Expert. Crusher allows you to move creatures you hit with Bludgeoning closer to each other, procing Horde Breaker. You got options. Wish you could have them all. Won't break nothing.

[@TheSinisterheroes]

It’s a little simple by the current standards of subclasses but it definitely gets the job done

[@Siegsoul]

Hunter ranger or monster Slayer ranger

[@TheSinisterheroes]

It’s a tough gig man. I gotta say I am happy with either, I love the ranger

[@dustinbush3698]

After playing both to high tier play, i much prefer hunter. Also mathematically speaking horde breaker is much more efficient than colossus slayer.