The Gloom Stalker Ranger: d4 #86

Our D&D 5e character build this week is a burst/nova damage Gloom Stalker Ranger, taking advantage of the new Bugbear from Monsters of the Multiverse.
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dnddeepdive
ColbyPoulson
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Character Concept:(0:00)
Tokyo: Otherscape (sponsor):(5:22)
Level 1:(7:46)
Levels 2-6:(13:46)
Levels 7-9:(28:53)
Levels 10-13:(37:59)
Levels 14-17:(45:20)
Final Thoughts:(50:17)
Outtakes:(54:41)
Math/Graph for this episode:
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Wf_zb9MAwuiE3ERsd87-qS-gPT1mM36IF1_xyjDMumQ/edit?usp=sharing
Master Nova Damage Comparison:
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YkQl4xJHk26zLAh-S0Uh-eW1f3rnKVrWkHaeuN9oCK0/edit?usp=sharing
Thanks to LudicSavant for the amazing DPR calculator! forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?582779-Comprehensive-DPR-Calculator-(v2-0))
Music Credits:
Achaidh Cheide - Celtic by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100340
Artist: incompetech.com/
Angevin 120 loop by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1200111
Artist: incompetech.com/
Celtic Impulse - Celtic by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100297
Artist: incompetech.com/
Fiddles McGinty by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1400051
Artist: incompetech.com/
Lord of the Land by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1400022
Artist: incompetech.com/
Master of the Feast by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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[@dinen5000]

Gloomstalker is the best rogue subclass

[@lolimmune]

Best stealth class period

[@jeffadams9807]

I Like: Bladesinger's (Fighter/Mage's) & Gloomstalker's (Ranger/Arcane Trickster's)...

[@this_is_kino]

@@lolimmune I run them as villains because having someone disappear in front of the party after turning out the lights, then my smug players respond with 'I have darkvision' '... that's not the problem friend...'

[@jeffadams9807]

Gloomstalker Is A RANGER Subclass...

[@dinen5000]

@@jeffadams9807 ...thats the joke...

[@IronShinsDicello]

I vote for the name Boomstalkers for Gun using Gloomstalker Rangers. Love the build!

[@Tusitala1967]

Beat me to it.

[@oldmanandrew]

Yup!

[@ceerawlins3412]

The drawing looks like broomstalker

[@tiagoadelino1734]

Can you explain me why at level 6 it does 10d6 of damage instead of 5d6? i mean shoudn't the d6 be from 3d6 from hunters mark on 3 attacks + 2d6 from bugbear surprise attack ? that would be a total of 5d6. I'm new to the game feel free to correct me. thanks

[@darkestlight660]

​@@tiagoadelino1734 2d6 for surprise attack works on *each* attack not just one, so it's a total of 6d6 just for surprise attack

[@painappledad1352]

"Welcome home" was the final deal with me. I just play as a Dm since always (20+ years of DMing) but I enjoy hearing your builds. I even suggest some builds yo my players. But I wanna reiterate, I'm here because you make me feel home while I learn some crazy sht. Love from South America, and good luck in this hard times 🙇🏻‍♂️♿

[@DnDDeepDive]

Woo hoo!

[@LuckDragonLair]

He's got that smooth voice that's just... comfortable... no other way to describe it... well not without getting into PG territory... LOL

[@thesuitablecommand]

The very same "welcome home" is what got me to subscribe! Didn't even have to finish the video first haha

[@danieljames7629]

Ditto! I love playing dnd but I find myself constantly thinking about character creations throughout my day, thank you for all your hard work!

[@warrendourond7236]

De donde eres?

[@scholarkid14]

Gloomstalkers also “can’t be seen” in darkness. If you can scheme attacking at night, gloomstalkers get auto advantage in the dark. This will definitely offset the sharpshooter penalty.

[@TarninTheGreat]

And is also something to consider when menacing attacking, since they can't see you if it's dark.

[@jbowers56]

Yeah, this is arguably as strong as the dread ambusher feature in most games, perhaps even stronger!

[@tango7974]

Goading attack might actually be more fun. Disadvantage against everyone else, except the one you can't see... oh wait.

[@LuckDragonLair]

So am I right in thinking that if it's dark (not dim light) and they have darkvision they literally either have to use a light spell of some kind or you are essentially under the effects of greater invisibility, permanently, during the whole fight? Even when you're right next to them?

[@torunsmok5890]

@@LuckDragonLair yup...

[@cameronpowell1864]

Fun suggestion: You should include a "sweet spot" in each video where you point out the individual level where the build is at its best compared to the others. It likely wouldn't add much time as you'd likely just mention it when you mention the primary feature that makes the build stand out. I remember recommending the Monger to a friend a while back for a level 9 one shot in large part because you mentioned that the build peaked at 9. He had a blast playing it and we likely never would have seen it in play if you hadn't mentioned that.

[@cameronpowell1864]

I should also mention that he spent the final combat chasing the big bad around through a plant growth disabling its reactions every round so it couldn't cast shield. It was EPIC.

[@danielbeshers1689]

Here's a challenge for you: make an artificer in support character, pick your top 2/3 burst and sustained builds, and recalculate their numbers assuming that artificer is giving them all magic weapons/equipment.

[@Moleje1337]

The new Bugbear race options make for an ideal Gloomstlaker, extra damage, stealth, love it.

[@BLynn]

Level 1:(see above) [ranger 1 & race] Level 2:(see above) [ranger 2 & fighting-style] Level 3:(@14:53) [ranger 3 & sub-class] Level 4:(@17:51) [ranger 4 & ASI] Level 5:(@20:04) ranger 5] Level 6:(@20:49) [fighter 1 & fighting-style] Level 7:(see above) [fighter 2] Level 8:(@29:44) [fighter 3 & sub-class] Level 9:(@34:42) [fighter 4 & ASI] Level 10:(see above) [rogue 1] Level 11:(@38:55) [rogue 2] Level 12:(@39:15) [rogue 3 & sub-class] Level 13:(@41:12) [rogue 4 & ASI] Level 14:(see above) [ranger 6] Level 15:(@46:00) [ranger 7] Level 16:(@46:14) [ranger 8 & ASI] Level 17:(@46:50) [ranger 9]

[@abcrasshadow9341]

I had a gloomstalker arcane archer in a dnd party once, and I was playing a Cleric so I gave them holy weapon :D That was some chunky damage.

[@michaellavy3269]

Favored foe doesn’t require a bonus action to activate, so you could spread this damage to other targets if/when you kill your marked target during the nova turn

[@Hyde_Hill]

You would need to recast your mark though as it requires concentration. Still if want to max that first round it is an option.

[@authorindisguise5173]

45:45 is the best meme. Also, this build is amazingly well-rounded. Even went for the level 4 feats instead of the "Nah, I'll just wait 3 more levels" I see so much.

[@CHJoe83]

One level of Twilight Cleric gives you 330ft of dark vision... which significantly increases your ability to surprise (in the dark) from range

[@Hyde_Hill]

And the vigilant blessing giving you advantage on initiative so you almost always have that first round extra damage. Still this build is already pretty multiclass heavy. Depends on the campaign I think.

[@adlerofrowe9224]

Only 300ft. The extra 30ft goes on top of the races dark vision and dark vision doesn't stack so you'd take the higher one

[@honahamomoru151]

@@adlerofrowe9224Umbral Sight give you extra 30 ft of darkvision if you have one already.

[@GabrielRicardoFreeman-Gabe]

I've enjoyed every one of the Optimized videos I've watched since I found out about your channel, Colby! I love the warmth and fun you imbue into your work while also showing you've done your homework - it's a rarer combination in this space than I wish it was. I also really appreciated how much you talked about alternatives and your reasoning behind choices in this episode - it gave a great dive into your perspective, and helped me think more about how to design my own builds 😊

[@spinwardbound]

Great video. One suggestion…please consider including a section on ideal party members to accompany each of your builds. It would allow you to link together some of your other builds to help develop an optimized party. Or perhaps a video series with some optimized parties.

[@lukelloyd8976]

If you're all about the "extra attacks/round", the Gloomstalket Monk is where it's at; with 8...especially if you got Mercy Monk for extra pain

[@0ldSch00l13]

Shadow monk for the flavor.

[@slimee8841]

Note: you could start the game with a level in Arty. Not only would you gain con save proficiency, artificers are the only class in the game that gain proficiency in firearms from the start.

[@dudewithtude42]

The point buy spread given doesn't have room for 13 INT, unfortunately, so this would come at the cost of either 12 CON or 13 WIS.

[@Barkstopper]

My Dm gave a Standard array only choice but we got lucky. He dropped the 10 and gave us a 16. I kmow this helps no one. But i think having a 13 Wis, you can kinda get away with that. At certain costs ofc. I gotta try out that idea in a one shot coming up for lvl 12.

[@dwightweiers830]

Good point for a rules as written build. In my game I wave the proficiency requirements for firearms. Historically the whole reason firearms became popular was because anyone could become proficient with them. Bows were stronger and more effective than the first firearms. The advantage was that you could give a firearm to anyone and they were a force to be reckoned with.

[@jsamue12]

@@dwightweiers830 the dm's guide also has Firearms as a sub proficiency of Martial. Meaning any character with proficiency in all Martial weapons already has proficiency in firearms. King of like if a class gave proficiency in "polearms".

[@Mr911superstar]

@@Barkstopper that also effects your initiative though which off sets your damage in this particular build

[@Onorel]

Try signing gloomstalker ranger to Sade's "smooth operator", see if you get a giggle out of it. I sure did :)

[@Trial88]

That was fun

[@johannesstephanusroos4969]

Oh, SINGING

[@SwedishSalmonbox]

I had a one shot gloom stalker! A reborn "scarecrow" (made by a hag, from the brain of an elf). She wasnt trusted by the village that paid some adventurers to kill the hag, and thus thrown into the river, bound, to see if she floated. She did not. But, since she doesnt have to breathe, she decided to just live in the sea, becoming one with the darkness and the seaweed. That is, until she got stuck on an anchor and got pulled up, eventually finding she had a knack for bow and arrow, a skill she doesnt remember ever gaining.

[@DR-wz4gh]

I had something like this. Artillerist artificer (repeating shot infusion), Gloom stalker ranger (archery fighting style) and a dip in fighter for action surge n defense fighting style. Had a +14 to hit with a rifle (2d10+6). So on a burst round with action surge and sharpshooter it was. 6d10+96 plus 2d8

[@PillowOfEvil]

I love this intro. Instantly, I can tell that the build is going to be kickass.

[@AvianFang]

I think that you are not giving Pass without Trace enough credit in this build. You mention how getting surprise on the enemy is really important, and I think PWT allows your party to reliably do that. After playing a lot of rangers recently PWT feels like the best thing you can be doing with a level 2 slot. Love the build btw, I hope this doesn't come off the wrong way.

[@MacDanielx]

1 level of Twilight Cleric? I was totally expecting this since it will give you advantage on initiative rolls and also give you support spells.

[@christophermolloy2336]

1 level twilight and gloomstalker is so strong.

[@johncostello4565]

Same was expecting to see Twilight or War Cleric. War cleric lets you cast Divine Favor before combat, and affects your weapon so you can split up your attacks, and then use that Bonus Action for a full attack. Or you could use Bless for higher AC enemies.

[@guitarplayerJeiky]

Let's go! I've been looking for a way to do a gunslinger and after the short from yesterday I got MEGA Hyped for this build!

[@ThrawnIsAlive]

The fact that's there's no limit on surprise attack definitely feels like an oversight. I bet there will be an errata that makes it once per creature, or maybe even once per turn.

[@zeoblow]

I think it's this now Surprise Attack. If you surprise a creature and hit it with an attack on your first turn in combat, the attack deals an extra 2d6 damage to it. You can use this trait only once per combat.

[@LupineShadowOmega]

@@zeoblow It does not need it. The limit is the creature has to have not taken a turn in combat. If anything that's a change that assassin needs to be more relevant. The only class getting too much power out of this is an Action Surging Fighter which could be fixed by it only applying to a single creature.

[@zeoblow]

@@LupineShadowOmega I was just copying verbatim what it says on dndbeyond. You can only use the trait once per combat and it says if you surprise "a" creature, singular. That's unfortunate cause I prefer the op video method

[@kadensyco5618]

@@zeoblow are you looking at the right bugbear? this is the newest version from motm

[@andrewbydder]

I've built a level 3 fighter, level 5 gloomstalker, variant human with sharpshooter feat, using an oathbow. Fighter gives Action Surge, so another attack action (2 shots), which triggers another ambush attack! With advantage in the dark, it is worth taking -5 to hit to get +10 damage on every attack from sharpshooter. Archery fighting style gives +2 to hit. Ability score improvement to 18 dex for + 4 to hit. Proficiency bonus +3, so even after the -5, you still have +4 to hit and advantage. Battlemaster archetype gives precision attack, so if you still manage to miss, you can add another 1d8 to 4 attacks. So first round gives 6 shots at 1d8 + 4 dex bonus + 10 sharpshooter + 3d6 oathbow + 1d6 hunter's mark PER ARROW, and 2 lots of 1d8 ambush damage. 204HP average damage. Not bad at 8th level

[@picallo1]

Having an oathbow at level 8 is kinda OP

[@habanerohombre2708]

YESSS I have been looking forward to seeing how you would build a Gloom Stalker!

[@dieu2282]

I drew up a build very similar to this a while ago but I threw in one level of twilight cleric to get that advantage on initiative rolls

[@brucemaximus3797]

If I might make an unasked for recommendation to investigate, consider this: Barbarians in a Rage cannot cast or concentrate on spells. The Psi Warrior, save the capstone Telekinetic Master feature, doesn't cast spells. *Insert Imperial March Theme Here*

[@logancuster8035]

Love that this is a Turn 1 Nova Build! You are absolutely right Colby turn 1 nova is highly superior to turn 2 nova

[@gdoggy121]

I understand that this is a ranged character, but Land’s Stride is fantastic! Let’s say you get into a brawl in a really large tavern and furniture gets flung everywhere. If you were a melee based character or you needed to get away from the Goliath who was about to give you a (bug)bear hug, now you don’t have to waste movement. You can just walk straight through those tables, chairs, and barstools without it being difficult terrain.

[@Chris_the_Nerd]

With Sharpshooter giving you longer range, the Gloomstalker’s “invisibility” while in darkness, and the Assassin really wanting to go first, it might not be bad to add 1 level of Twilight Cleric for 300’ of Darkvision (which you can share) and advantage on initiative. It gives the flexibility of attacking 300’ away with a longbow (or I suppose 600’ if the enemies are sitting around a fire or something), and if you poison arrows beforehand you can make up for losing Hunter’s Mark in those niche cases. But even outside of that circumstance, 300’ Darkvision and advantage on initiative is pretty good to have for a single level dip-plus some cleric spells.

[@jimmyreinstein9993]

Every time I’ve built a Gloomstalker I’ve don’t Twilight Cleric between fighter 2 and 3 (character level 8) for the sake of the advantage on initiative and the dark vision bonus.

[@Stonewarior]

@@jimmyreinstein9993 the problem i always have with "unusual" dips like the cleric in this case, is that the DMs mostly say yeah your a hunter... why you want to have cleric ??? explain it to me...and i dont know the answer besides to say it fits very well to the build thematically and mechanically but i dont know how to argue.

[@beorntrahern8825]

I've been using this build as a dwarf with heavy crossbow. Its my favorite character yet. The party is no longer groaning about having a "Ranger" in the group.

[@Nemiroffthebest]

Great job, im done builds like this many times and i think its most reliant and recource free burst damage dealer of all. About swiftnes, i rly think that on lvl 10+ u can have potion of swiftnes, so its not a big deal.

[@paulcave87]

The “old metal intro” is so iconic to your channel! Glad it’s back!

[@matthewbell4897]

I haven’t watched in a while but this one peaked my interest, wow! You’ve really grown the channel a lot. Almost to 50k 👏!!!

[@DnDDeepDive]

Welcome back! :)

[@harrisonmurray8905]

This is almost exactly the build I played last Sunday. The key difference in my build was that instead of going Rogue, I went Sorcerer. I would quicken scorching ray and my bonus action would give me an additional 3 attacks (4 if upcast). With a total of 9 round 1 attacks, I was definitely OP.

[@jimmyreinstein9993]

Ohhhhh

[@Hyde_Hill]

How did you get 13 Charisma? Rolled with 4 d6 drop the lowest? Or did you sacrifice constitution?

[@harrisonmurray8905]

@@Hyde_Hill We did 4d6 but you could go add your +1 to the standard 12 and sacrifice your wisdom by 1. Off memory, I was doing 10 attacks by upcasting scorching ray. So 20d6 additional (if everything hits). But your scorching rays are much less likely to hit (because of your low charisma) so it was really good on minions but almost pointless on bosses. I will also say that taking out a room full of enemies before your party gets a turn made me feel bad. If my team rolled high initiative then I would ask my DM if I could go last from the party members who rolled high initiative (before the enemies).

[@Hyde_Hill]

@@harrisonmurray8905 You would sacrifice your wisdom by 2 as I would go 17, 15, 16 Dex, Con, Wis in point buy. And yeah does seem overkill hehe. Think Gloomstalker, Battlemaster, Assassin is probably already more then enough plus lets you shine in wisdom skills. And maybe even some spells with saves if you forgo assassin if there is enough darkness. Still it is indeed an option to go for Sorcerer for some quickening. You do lose your 6d6 from mark as well though and like you said it would be low likelihood to hit attacks.

[@reespewa]

Narrative for my Harengon gloomstalker: part of a freedom loving tribe they would work to disrupt slaving activities in the underdark, countering the dark schemes of Drow.

[@williamtorres4140]

Same thing but mine is an Assasin for hire part of a Company called the Hare Company and a Squad called Bad Hare Day

[@kaneofmars]

The timing on your videos is incredible! Currently running a similar build. BUT, story wise, she started with rogue levels 😁

[@nathanaelthomas9243]

YESSS!!!! I love the original theme song! It makes it feel so much more epic, lol. Thanks for the video Colby, I really enjoyed it. 👍🏻

[@HybridHerps]

Just started the episode and got 4 minutes in…given this will be a firearm build I kinda now wanna see Colby’s take on a GUNK build, since I’ve seen both treatmonk and PAck tactics talk on the subject. It’s also the kinda thing I think is 100% Colby’s style

[@inskeeprulerable]

I'm so excited for this video. I haven't had time to watch during lunch lately, but I always make sure to watch when I get a chance.

[@CreedDante]

It would be so cool of you guys were selling clothes with the characters that your friend design, like the orc from this episode or that Bardbarian, with the name of the build

[@gregorydowning4843]

The metal intro returns!!! LET'S GOOOO!!!!

[@ShyBurgos]

Dude!! I was making sure I was not on an old video.

[@viniciusmichelutti8765]

Awesome content! Love to watch every build video. I am playing a Blood Hunter Mutant / Gloomstalker build, with C Expert and Sharpshooter. Even with the drawbacks it's been a lot of fun.

[@matthewjamesmjw4172]

Love this build. I really want rangers to be good, and this shows that they really can shine!

[@boydkleen5730]

Interesting fact, the Rapier and the Repeating Firearm were both invented in the 1600s. It's really not much of a stretch that they would both be available on a world that included Artificers. Especially, when soldiers have to compete with Magic using races.

[@DnDDeepDive]

History FTW!

[@Akuma-cz4vj]

Firearm user let's goooo Long have I waited

[@redacted6251]

in a surprise round/ first strike build going dex over strength makes way more sense, however i do appreciate the stRanger shout out at the end. I toyed with trying to get as many attacks as possible in a surprise round as a bugbear and came up with fighter/samurai 15, ranger/gloomstalker 3. Attacking 16 times with a heavy crossbow, with hunters mark, and no sharpshooter, the average damage is 268.8 agaisnt an AC of 18. However, I do admit this comes online very late, and your build will do more damage in the mid lvls where D&D is meant to be played, so great work and great video as always Colby.

[@caster-]

Oh I'm so excited! Gloomstalker and firearms! Awesome video, as usual. I'd love to see something with the Horizon Walker too

[@Robert-iu4bx]

Btw - I thought about it and I think that umbral sight and feature where you are invisible in the dark can be quiet reliable way to gain advantage and therefor hit more often....

[@DesignatedHealer]

I'm so glad the metal intro is back 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@Monstein]

Older video but stumbled on when looking at a ranger build for Astarion. Feels a build that still works great when translated to BG3.

[@heitz18]

I really like the idea of a Gloomstalker Echo Knight Drow that was born in the Underdark and eventually found his way to Xhorhas and trained to become a Echo Knight. I think both Gloomstalker and Echo Knight are so good with each other both in flavour but also mechanically.

[@greypilgrim9967]

So I have a request with a twist: Could you make a build around a concept/theme that is race/sub-race focused? (Vs classes for the most part like you have been, since very often the race is CL or VH). That takes the benefits of that race/sub-race as far as it can go. Or that only that sub-race could do so well or in that way? So for example a build that makes the most of a dragonborn's ability bonuses and racial traits. This might be a bit open ended since (keeping the same example) a dragonborn's powers might work equally well on a paladin or a warlock (not sure), but I hope I was clear at least

[@larrynorris9450]

I was going to ask this myself. Specifically for goblins.

[@benjeffries2610]

This build is a delight and I absolutely hope to play a similar character some day. An absolute QuickDraw badass!!

[@seanskeldon3930]

Glad to hear the metal opening again 🤘

[@tomtomlinson2835]

A build I've been waiting for for 18 months and you post !?it 5 minutes before I have to go to work!? It's 1.15 am here in the UK and I'm looking forward to this!

[@careserene2354]

Love the video! My current character is a half elf Rogue Assassin level 5 with currently one level of Ranger aiming for 5 levels of Ranger so I can pick up Elven Accuracy and Extra Attack. We are in Curse of Strahd and so my Rogue is becoming accustomed to the gloom and aiming to use it to his advantage. I'd considered going Ranger 3 and Fighter 2 for a bigger nova round with action surge. However, between Elven Accuracy and Extra Attack I think the consistency is appreciated for this build. Unlike most of these builds I am building for a big single melee hit. Carrying a rapier and a shield while using Dueling fighting style and concentrating on Hunters Mark or Favored Foe after casting Zephyr Strike. I'm presuming we cap at level 10, but if I was going past that I'd pick up Fighter 2 and then start leveling Rogue for maximum sneak attack dice. Our Warlock has Invisibility to cast on two targets so me and the Ranger Barbarian are becoming an infiltration team that hit really hard if required from Invisibility surprise.

[@hm27379]

love this build. Makes me want to play ranger! Going fighter for action surge is so deadly on this..

[@shuriksokol]

Hi! I’m your subscriber from Russia I’ve also been your sponsor for a half of a year or something like that, but now my payment methods don’t work on KZbin because of all the restrictions we get because of obvious reasons I just wanted to say that I appreciate what you do here, and I will continue to watch d&d optimized and like your videos and stuff, and I will continue to provide a little support by sponsoring you when I have opportunity to do it Your videos are something that helps me and (which is obviously more important) my friends from all over the world including Ukraine to stay positive and enjoy life even though such terrible things are happening right now Thank you very much!

[@DnDDeepDive]

Thank you! Hope you're well and safe

[@McTacoDelight]

Gloomstalker Backstory - Amarok was a whaler of the Iniruvik people of the Northern wastes. Young and brash Amarok was confident he could bring down any beast the All Father put before him. One night while Amarok slept, he heard the All Father call to him in the gentle lapping of the waves against the shore. Amarok awoke, grabbed his trusty harpoon and kayak and set out in the midnight tides. Suddenly a great whale, a beast with three sets of eyes and fins breached before him. Amarok understood this creature as a manifestation of the All Father, but pride overtook him and he hurled his weapon at the beast. Finding purchase in the blubber, the whale moaned low and dove beneath the surface. In his hurry Amarok failed to notice the rope of the harpoon had wound its way around his ankle and when the whale descended it pulled Amarok from his kayak and into the dark, cold depths of the Iniruvik Coast. As he struggled to free himself, Amarok heard the voice of the All Father tell him to let go of his life for he was destined for a grim task no mortal should have to contend with. Amarok was to search out the wayward gods of his people who have grown corrupt and polluted by an unknown force. In death the old gods could return to Ahnhome, the realm of the All Father to be freed of their corruption. When Amarok awoke he was laying on the shores of his village, his body cold and stiff. Though his eyes opened he felt no wind fill his lungs and the warmth of the sun offered no succour. Amarok grabbed his harpoon, laying nearby and without a word to his family he set off into the world, into the dark and corrupt dens of the fallen gods. His task was to slay those his people once worshipped, a mission which would forever condemn him as a villain to his people for they knew not the depth of the illness poisoning their gods. Amarok would have to search the vice-filled alleys, the perverted shrines, the cold caverns and shadowed valleys of his world to locate his gods and one by one send them to Ahnhome, to the All Father. Only when his task is complete will he be allowed to finally rest.

[@DnDDeepDive]

Love it!

[@McTacoDelight]

@@DnDDeepDive It’s a very short version of the whole story, but I imagine most people don’t want to read a 200 page novel in the KZbin comments.

[@ambrosedystopian1542]

I'm coming back to playing my first game 5e. Started playing in the early '80s. love your videos happy you're doing a bugbear build because That is going to be my first character build. Probably with pole arm and echo knight. I call it my Jack reacher build, 30 ft away with your echo Plus another 15 reach. or possibly 75 the next turn but your echo will dissipate. I might add some gloom stalker. love your content

[@kevinmorris150]

My first Ranger dip in 5e was a Gloom Stalker dip in a Battle Master Archer build. It was definitely a first-turn Nova build that would pour six attacks into an enemy on turn one. I ended a few boss encounters that way, and I was only using a Longbow.

[@c_ndrsn]

My gloomstalker, a ghostwise Halfling by the name Merrick Proudstep is a leafskulker for his clan. Forward scouts that map safe travel the clan and keep the wilds at bay while the clan traverses the barren plainscape they call home. Absolutely late to the party but is by far my favourite martial that i have played.

[@Platemage-ev6nm]

I love gloomstalker! I recently did a level 20 battle royale, in which I played a single class gloomstalker whith crossbow expert, etc. Itvwas a close fight but I came victorious! Long live Greg the Gloomstalker!

[@alexbrekelmans3444]

"I wanted to hit like a truck!" Colby you made this character hit like a freight train. Terrifying

[@jasonmichaeli1378]

Just want to say thank you for the Land’s Stride and quicksand meme bit. I really needed the laugh after the day I had

[@zephraim242]

On the topic of Land's Stride: in Rime of the Frostmaiden the boots that allow me to ignore difficult terrain is pretty much the only reason my melee character is functional at all.

[@salamaneinglorion5956]

The metal is back! Yay! (Nice build, too)

[@keep_on_harpin8267]

To support the sponsor for this video... I heard about City of Mist from d4 network, I now own almost all of the City of Mist content after watching game sessions of the system and seeing the amazing character customization options, I was hooked and had to have it. And now I immediately went in on the new kickstarter that was fully funded in 38 mins! I totally support Colby in his continued partnership with Son of Oak and thank them both for introducing me to this system.

[@DnDDeepDive]

Awesome!

[@ClintonJohnson1]

I gotta say I've been partial to Enlarge/Reduce as a concentration spell that is similar to hex/hunter's mark but isn't enemy dependant. Useful if you know combat is about to happen and can be more likely to be cast before battle as opposed to during due to it not needing to be cast of an enemy. Using it on my Hexblade1/Swords Bard 4 to good effect. It is even better when I cast it on the monk or the moon druid (who turned into a bear and then was enlarged so she could grapple a dragon with advantage!).

[@olivier5251]

I went a similar build in my table. Though I went samurai for advantage and switched to dual pistols (with dual wield as 2nd fighting style) for after my nova

[@KevinVideo]

Finally getting to this video. Alert would definitely be a great feat to take, especially if you're having trouble going first. Elemental Weapon is a really good idea to have because you're not guaranteed to have a magic weapon, especially a magic firearm. Even in Critical Role, Percy, the gunslinger, had three guns at level 20 and none of them were magical. His original pistol was magical, but it was because of his pact. Once he was a normal person again, guns were just too rare and they didn't have anyone who could enchant stuff.

[@kaerus7096]

Hey Colby, I'd love to see you do some crazy 20th level one-shot builds in a smaller video series, or even just a one off video! I think it'd be fun to see what you could come up with when you didn't need to think about viability at every level, only at 20!

[@DnDDeepDive]

There are plans in the works for a level 20 one shot...

[@thesuitablecommand]

I came up with a Witch build recently. An Aasimar (Fallen) Divine Soul 1 / The Undead Warlock X. The idea is to take the Pact of the Tome and Book of Ancient Secrets to get ritual casting, and be a Hermit to get Herbalism Kit proficiency. Brew up potions and make use of rituals, and have a familiar! Classic Witch aesthetic. However, if I understand the rules surrounding this correctly, this character would want to take a Bat familiar, and then find the Beast Sense ritual at some point for a free 60' blindsight through the familiar without needing to constantly burn your action through the Find Familiar mechanic. Having a Bat familiar, and being an Undead Warlock, makes this character beg to have a Vampire as its patron! I imagine this character's Aasimar Transformation manifests black leathery bat wings rather than skeletal wings, and then Form of Dread would make your hair long and silvery, make your skin pale, red eyes, sharpened teeth, and a very dramatic animation to your cloak (whose collar, of course, would become flipped up for emphasis)! Some other aesthetic touch-ups include... - Eldritch Blast shooting little semi-corporeal bats at your enemies - Tomb of Levistus is an ornate wooden coffin (still vulnerable to fire) - pick up Primal Savagery from Pact of the Tome to get vampire teeth or vampire claws when you find yourself up close in combat - chill touch manifests as a little vampire bat who sucks the blood of the target whenever it would normally regain health - Toll the Dead sounds like Gothic church bells tolling in the night - taking Shillelagh from Pact of the Tome could transform your club or Quarterstaff into a wooden stake (which you could ignite with Green Flame Blade thanks to Sorcerer 1)

[@Negeta]

I’ve been musing over a build to make the most of the Bugbear surprise attack. At the moment, I’m thinking of using Eldritch Blast to get the most of it, since cantrips scale with total character level. We’ll want to be at least a Sorcerer 2/Warlock (Hexblade) 2/Fighter (Battle Master) 3/Rogue (Assassin 3). With sorcerer, we want Quicken Spell. With Fighter, we want the “Ambush” ability from Tasha’s as well as Action Surge. From Warlock, we’ll want eldritch blast (obviously), and Agonizing Blast and Eldritch Spear invocations. We’ll likely never sneak attack as a rogue, but we want the advantage against creatures that haven’t taken a turn and auto-crits if we manage to land a surprise. We’ll likely want to take fighter and rogue to 4 eventually for the feats. I can see Fey Touched for the spell Gift of Alacrity. Also, Spell Sniper is a good choice, given eldritch blast a range of 480 feet, I do believe. Why bother with the range? It has to be much easier to land a surprise round from that distance. You could go with Alert instead, for the +5 Initiative bonus if you don’t think the range will be useful. During the opening round, you use your Action for eldritch blast, quick cast it again as a bonus action, and then Action Surge to cast it once again. I haven’t tested it yet, but that’s 6, 9, or 12 attacks in the opening round (depending on your overall character level) all with advantage that deal 1d10 + 2d6 + Charisma. Would the build actually work? I don’t know. I’d foresee leveling up the rest of the way as sorcerer for more spellcasting and sorcery points. I’m not sure what archetype I like for this build, though. There’s a cool one from the Grim Hollow’s Player Guide that adds Charisma to Initiative, but nothing first party that strikes my fancy.

[@Hyde_Hill]

You could also quicken Scorching ray. Plus there is an item that let's you recast cantrips as a bonus action saving you some meta magic points.

[@LuckDragonLair]

I love the T-shirt! It also works as a general t-shirt to let other geeks know that if they're looking for a fellow D&D nerd they've found one and they're home with the person wearing it too *grin*

[@LuckDragonLair]

If they recognize the D4 I mean :)

[@commodoreblood]

Different intros for different builds? I dig it.

[@enersha6979]

Bro has such a smooth voice I've been falling asleep to this guy telling me how to deal 200 damage in 1 turn

[@daltondavidson7997]

Like earned as soon as you said bugbear for this gloomstalker. So stoked for this combo. So busted lol

[@daltondavidson7997]

Definitely not disappointed. Massive damage build, and this build is a lot more well-rounded than most.

[@zacharylona]

I've been mulling a very similar build recently, and even threw up a detailed post a few weeks ago on your subreddit. In the end, I arrived at Wood Elf (and was given a free feat at level 1) Assassin Rogue 11/Gloomstalker Ranger 5/Battle Master Fighter 3/Twilight Domain Cleric 1. If I were to do it again, I'd do MPMM Bugbear, and Battle Master Fighter 11-12/Gloomstalker Ranger 5/Assassin Rogue 3/maybe Twilight Domain Cleric 1. I find that Twilight dipping is more valuable than seeking a Weapon of Warning, which uses an attunement slot, especially because it also provides some extra spells known/prepared, and the 300' sharable darkvision means you can see and engage targets well before you or your party can be detected. At a glance, I haven't found any officially published monsters with more than 240' of senses. Stack on Pass Without Trace on your party and do some night stalking. The key features to look for are focused on initiative, advantage, and number of attacks. Battle Master adds a lot of flavor, and in the version I'm actually running I chose to triple dip in maneuvers by grabbing the subclass, fighting style, and the feat that all give maneuvers. It keeps combat interesting, and being majority Rogue means you have some serious skills to pay the bills outside of combat. Just some thoughts for people considering alternatives on Colby's character!

[@veeclash4157]

I'm already playing a Gloomstalker Ranger. It's so much fun! I also multiclassed to fighter instead of rogue. Sharpshooter and Crossbow Expert just go so well together! But yeah kind of sucks to give up your bonus action to apply hunter's mark, but against high AC targets the HM gives more reliable extra damage.

[@thesuitablecommand]

I am playing in a campaign where another player character is a gloom stalker. He was scouting ahead with the one other player character with darkvision, so he was functionally invisible. When he went to hand a stone tablet to the other character, that character just perceived a stone tablet floating up to him and getting shoved into his chest with a disembodied voice grunting, "read this."

[@DnDDeepDive]

ha!

[@wizzz1967cm]

Another great video can't wait to see the next hopefully it's oath of Conquest

[@leviroch]

This dude's jawline could chisel away the shadowfell out of the raven queen. . . Also good vid :D

[@lloydlineske2642]

I like this build! I'm not going lie. I think yours has a special place. My Bugbear Gloomstalker is a mishmash of classes just to get the best out of that surprise attack. I went Ranger 5, Fighter 4, Monk 4 for a mid level campaign. I used a spear with Echo Knight. That way I could unleash so many attacks in the very beginning of combat. Before combat I'd create my echo 30 feet in the air above the prey. If still not discovered then I'd throw on hunters mark. Then when combat starts he'd sweep in and just destroy a target. 3 attacks and then Echo attack. For 4 attacks. Then activate Flurry of blows. Then attack 4 more times. That's 10 hits with the Bugbear trait. Loved it for a short campaign. The BBEG was taken down so fast. I ended up dying to his cronies but the land was saved. Lol

[@aaronduncan9045]

I made a starting race wood elf turned damphir using custom lineage gloomstalker rogue. Very fun awsome character.

[@ericpowell8563]

One of the most well-rounded builds in the game. Aside from the obvious damage output, you have a d10 hit die, great saving throws with str, dex, and wis, and the utility spells good berry and pass without trace

[@ericpowell8563]

and con saves too!

[@Acatia2]

And here for a second I was holding my breath for a Longbow build. My Eladrin shadowy Snow White used them, and I got tired of being constantly told I was being suboptimal by not picking Crossbow Expert + a race that ups my damage. Umbral Sight making you essentially invisible in the dark and therefore attack with advantage from level 3 whenever I could motivate my party to move at night or in a dark dungeon (and just be out of torch reach) was really fun. Tap in Elven Accuracy to really "shine" in the dark (hehe) or with Aimed Shot by the time you hit Rogue 3 was gonna be the goal. Scout was obviously flavourful, but Arcane Trickster let me snuff out light with Prestidigitation or Message the party if necessary. By Ranger 5, I had flavoured the Summon Beast spell to be a shadowy hawk .... or almiraj (I was careful to still be kind of bubbly despite all the darkness hoping). Sadly I never got to actually play the concept fully, I got to Ranger 6 and never got to play that character again....

[@knightghaleon]

Ah my second favorite ranger next to the Drakwarden. Always fun to mix in a little assassin rogue with this one. Works alright with Lycan Bloodhunter for darkstalkers kind of feel.

[@WunDumDorf]

Just saw the race selection for this one. I’m glad to see the Bugbear pick. I’m working on a Bugbear Vengeance Pally version of the Whippoorwill concept using Hunter’s Mark instead of Thunderous Smite. I’m curious to see how this build does. Back to the vid.

[@utkarshgaur1942]

I was waiting to see if you'd fall into trap of either "Gloomstalkers get advantage from darkness" or "Gloomstalkers get advantage from ranger 10 invisibility". But you masterfully sidestepped that with the assassin advantage (which isn't negated by truesight). If I went this build, after assassin, I'd consider taking 1 level in twilight cleric to get advantage on initiative checks.

[@Mr911superstar]

You are probably better off taking rogue 4 and taking alert tbh

[@zacharylona]

@@Mr911superstar 300' darkvision + Sharpshooter means you can always see the enemy further than they can see you. Being able to share that with 2-3 others is pretty valuable too, especially if you're outdoors and want to get the drop on enemies. A few extra spells you can swap out every day and the ability to ritual cast is pretty useful too.

[@zacharylona]

Also, the Invisible condition is worded in a tricky way. Gloomstalkers do, in fact, get advantage from darkness, whether or not that creature has Truesight, Tremorsense, or Blindsight. The Invisible condition does not provide advantage because the attacker is unseen; any unseen attacker has advantage, regardless of whether or not they are Invisible. The Invisible condition provides advantage *because it says it does,* right in the condition description, and in a bullet point all to itself, with no restrictions or exceptions. A creature with these senses may know an Invisible target's location (the upside of these special senses is that attacking the incorrect space is an automatic miss per PHB page 194), but mechanically the Invisible creature still has its advantage on attacks, and attacks against it have disadvantage.

[@utkarshgaur1942]

@@zacharylona that is true about the Invisibility condition! Anyone running RAW would give that advantage. But i know of too many DMs that think "it doesn't make sense", definitely check with your DM first. The gloomstalker one though is very clear it it only sidesteps darkvision, not any other senses.

[@zacharylona]

@@utkarshgaur1942 There's a slight bump to that too - if you're in magical darkness, and a creature with the Devil's Sight feature (not the Eldritch Invocation) is fighting you, you're still considered Invisible to it. This is because the Devil's Sight feature just enhances and relies on the creature's darkvision, whereas the Eldritch Invocation is standalone. Interestingly enough, you'd just straight roll for your attacks and you're attacked at advantage, though you'd have to guess the spaces to attack correctly.

[@thomasbdugan]

I also recommend 1st lvl rogue for the extra Proficiency. Makes things awkward, but if you start the campaign at lvl3 or higher it's fine. Also, dont go more than 4 lvls in gloomstalker if you can triple class with rogue and fighter. Extra attack from ranger doesnt stack with fighter extra attack, so save that lvl for fighter. Meaning: lvl1 rogue, then 4 lvls gloomstalker, then 3 more lvls assassin, then 12 lvls battle master fighter to finish the build. That way fighter alone gets you 2 extra attacks and 4 ASI's at lvl20 (if you get there).

[@delilahfox3427]

Not getting extra attack until level 13 is really, really bad though. And an extra skill proficiency isn't really that big of a deal on a martial character. Colby's suggested build in this video is pretty spot on, in my opinion. Perhaps going mainly fighter instead of mainly Ranger would be better for more ASI's.

[@danielbeshers1689]

Every day is a day where I think about dual-wielding and hand crossbows and wonder how in the world that happened.

[@GaiusTulliusCatallusXXC]

@d4:D&D Deep Dive actually undersells the value that the Strength build gives. The Strength build has the option to go with Barbarian levels instead of Assassin Rogue. The average DPR that this combined with Echo Knight gives is about 10-15% over the Dexterity build (270.6 v 282 [316 with both Rage and Hunter’s Mark active] at 18 AC for example). Also, the Str build has the benefit that if there doesn’t appear to be one beeg boi that can take all your damage you can Rage instead and lose only 15 damage while still being able to spread it between multiple targets.

[@MrMravetto]

I love your videos and look forward to them every week!

[@LordNerfherder]

Gs3, bm X, assa 3 seems like the best choice. You need sharpshooter and bless preferably

[@gavinlangston603]

I was just thinking the other day that I'd love to see a firearms build. I both love and fear your ability to read my mind.

[@zacharyharwell351]

My first gloomstalker build was a Drow. His story was that he had grown to hate Drow Society and escaped during the panic caused by a fire he started. He made his way to the surface and eventually found a sympathetic person who taught him how to defend himself, hunt, and survive in the wilderness. He couldn't forget his anger and hatred for the Drow and so he combined his newfound skills with his knowledge of the Drow and became a sort of hunter of the Drow, mostly targetting any of their troops or the people trying to expand their reach. Needless to say his favored enemy was Humanoids (My tables use Revised Ranger as our standard Ranger)

[@karatekoala4270]

I did a gloomstalker with a gun for Strahd. Dude, I did the most DPR compared to our sorcerer/paladin, gun monk, beast barbarian and battle Smith artificer. Perpetually dark so I almost always had advantage. And when I got Ashardalon's stride later! Crazy fun!