D&D 5E MultiClass Question Fighter- Ranger/Paladin

[fskovach]

Hi all,

I currently have a level 6 Fighter - Battle Master. I am the tank in the group, but have some horrible HP. For more interesting battles I was thinking about multiclassing my fighter with another class. The party consists of myself, a Bard, a Ranger Hunter, a Ranger Beast Master, and a Paladin. My original thought was to multiclass with the Hunter, but I am also intrigued with the smiting abilities/spells from the Paladin. What's some inside for these different multiclasses?

 

[DEFCON 1]

If you already have two Rangers, I wouldn't bother multiclassing to Ranger as well. Overkill in my opinion.

Going paladin could be fine, but you won't get smite until you get your second paladin level, so I don't know how if it's worth the wait.

Honestly, if you truly have horrible HP... then I'd say take a level of Barbarian. Doing that will net you an extra hit point due to their d12 hit die, plus you gain Rage... thereby giving you resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage (thus helping your lower HP total), and you gain a consistent damage bonus sooner, unlike divine smite.

Your other option is to just take two more levels of Fighter, because at 8th level you get another Ability Score Improvement, at which time you can jack for CON score up two points and gain all the additional HP from that due to the now one point higher CON modifier.

 

[fskovach]

The only problem I would have with multi-classing with Barbarian is the DM requires a way for the character, in story, to learn the skills of another class.

 

[DaviMMS]

The only problem I would have with multi-classing with Barbarian is the DM requires a way for the character, in story, to learn the skills of another class.

There is not that much distance between fighters and barbarians. The main difference is that one fight with instinct and rage, and the other fights with discipline and technique.

Is not weird for someone to have a mix between both. Just talk a little to your DM and try to arrange with him situations were your character can have a bigger conection with nature (not hard with two rangers on the party) or find some reason to start to some kind of angry management problem (maybe some kind of loss).

Now, from the mechanics part of view, I would like to point out that the resistances part of Rage does not work if you are on heavy armor, unless you have bear 3rd level totem.

A thing that would help a lot for us to give advices is your stats. But no class other than barbarian can really help if you want to tank.

 

[DEFCON 1]

Then I'd personally stick with Fighter and get another Superiority die at 7th level and then take +2 to CON at 8th level. I think that'd serve better for tanking than either of what you'd get from 2 levels of Paladin or Ranger.

 

[fskovach]

A thing that would help a lot for us to give advices is your stats. But no class other than barbarian can really help if you want to tank.

Half-elf; STR: 17, DEX 16, CON 16, INT 12, WIS 12 (I know to multi to Ranger I need 13), CHA 15. I chose the GWF feat, currently carrying a Greatsword and Light Crossbow, wearing Half Plate armor

 

[DaviMMS]

Half-elf; STR: 17, DEX 16, CON 16, INT 12, WIS 12 (I know to multi to Ranger I need 13), CHA 15. I chose the GWF feat, currently carrying a Greatsword and Light Crossbow, wearing Half Plate armor

Barbarian is certantly your best option. You already use medium armor, so that would lead to no loss of armor class, and the resistances will help a lot in maintaining your HP. But it comes with the cost of a slower progression latter. I don't really like delaying the 2nd extra attack, but it will take a long while to get there even without that delay, so, it is a choice between short term vs long term. The point that would tip the balance for me is how many combats your dungeon master gives you per day. If you can expect to rage in most of then, going barbarian is better than keep going fighter.

Paladin does not give you much if going for just a few levels. You don't have spell slots to use divine smite with, so you would be limited by the ones gained through paladin levels, not enough to justify the multiclass IMO. Lay on hands would take many levels to become worthwile. Paladin is not a very good dip if you do not have spell slots already. I think going on with fighter is better than going paladin right now.

Rangers are even worse on your situation. Really small gain and an ASI cost before going into it. It is definitely worse than just keep going fighter for the purpose of tanking.

Going on with fighter is also very good. Take a defensive feat at 8th (heavy armor master is great for you as it would make your STR an 18 and boost your defense, but you would need to change to heavy armor. Other good option is tough, for a pretty great HP boost). Take menacing strike maneuver if you do not have it yet. Frightened gives enemies disavantage to hit you.

 

[Kalshane]

Are you rolling for hit points? With a 16 Con, a fighter should have plenty (58 at 6th level) unless you're rolling and had a bad string of luck. (If you are rolling, maybe ask the DM about adding a line to the Tough feat that allows you to re-roll 1s and 2s for hit points.)

Either way, I suggest sticking with Fighter and taking either Heavy Armor Master, a Con boost or Tough at 8th level.

 

[BookBarbarian]

Are you rolling for hit points? With a 16 Con, a fighter should have plenty (58 at 6th level) unless you're rolling and had a bad string of luck. (If you are rolling, maybe ask the DM about adding a line to the Tough feat that allows you to re-roll 1s and 2s for hit points.)

Either way, I suggest sticking with Fighter and taking either Heavy Armor Master, a Con boost or Tough at 8th level.

I had the same question. I'm terrified of rolling for HP, so I'll always take the standard HP if it's an option.

 

[rgoodbb]

I had the same question. I'm terrified of rolling for HP, so I'll always take the standard HP if it's an option.

Ditto. I want to, I really do, but then chicken-out at the last second.