D&D 5E Ranger with spear, shield and polearm master feat

[auburn2]

I am starting a new game with a V human Ranger S16, D14, C14, I10, W13, Ch12

Thinking about getting polearm master and using a spear and a shield. Spear damage one-handed is not great, but I could get a 17 AC with a chain shirt. and at 2nd level I could pick up dueling to get +2 damage on both the attack and the bonus attack and running hunter's mark I could get an extra 1d6 twice a round.

At 2nd level when it is 19 DPR, 26 with HM and that is without any minuses on the attack rolls. On top of that there is a reaction attack when an enemy gets within 5 feet, which is a nice damage boost and could again ger 1d6 from HM.

This seems to be hands down better than GWM at low levels - GWM will do 20, slightly better on damage without HM, but hit far less often and have a lower AC.

Anyone tried this out?

 

[Flamestrike]

Action economy issues with Bonus actions keeps it kind of not that great. Same issue with TWF rangers.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

As a house rule we don't allow the bonus action attack from PAM when the polearm is used one handed, but RAW it's allowed.

It competes with Hunters Mark for bonus actions, but works much better with Tasha's Favoured Foe.

 

[Benjamin Olson]

I would definitely avoid any ranger subclass that makes regular use of the bonus action. So probably go for Hunter, Gloomstalker, and Fey Wanderer. Avoid Horizon Walker like the plague.

Beware that (if your table is stringent about such things) going with both hands full means you have no way to perform the somatic components of spells without Warcaster and you have no way of fulfilling the material component without dropping your weapon. Not a lot of the melee combat oriented Ranger spells involve material components, but on the somatic side you will probably want to do the occasional cure wounds or absorb elements.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

If you use a staff instead of a spear, and take the Druidic Warrior fighting style, you can use your staff as a spellcasting focus.

 

[Horwath]

If you use a staff instead of a spear, and take the Druidic Warrior fighting style, you can use your staff as a spellcasting focus.

not to mention that if he takes shillelagh cantrip, it boosts the damage to d8

and if dueling fighting style is needed, it can be taken at level 4 as a feat.

But I do think that it's a bad (full)feat and I house rule it to be a half-feat. Also reduce fighting style blindsight to 5ft(but it can be taken twice).

 

[DND_Reborn]

I am starting a new game with a V human Ranger S16, D14, C14, I10, W13, Ch12

Thinking about getting polearm master and using a spear and a shield. Spear damage one-handed is not great, but I could get a 17 AC with a chain shirt. and at 2nd level I could pick up dueling to get +2 damage on both the attack and the bonus attack and running hunter's mark I could get an extra 1d6 twice a round.

At 2nd level when it is 19 DPR, 26 with HM and that is without any minuses on the attack rolls. On top of that there is a reaction attack when an enemy gets within 5 feet, which is a nice damage boost and could again ger 1d6 from HM.

This seems to be hands down better than GWM at low levels - GWM will do 20, slightly better on damage without HM, but hit far less often and have a lower AC.

Anyone tried this out?

Yes, but I did staff and shield. I did the same thing, taking the Dueling Fighting Style and even began with STR 16 LOL! It is very effective IMO and I enjoy the PC a lot.

As @Horwath mentions you can combine it with the Shillelagh cantrip. Just keep in mind, if you do, the bonus PAM attack with the butt-end is still a d4, not a d8 due to the cantrip.

So, by level 2, you can:

Shillelagh as a cantrip, should be up pretty much all the time.
Cast Hunter's Mark (bonus action) when you want to, but no PAM bonus attack that round.

Round 1: Bonus action Hunter's Mark, Attack for d8+d6+5
Round 2: Attack for d8+d6+5, PAM bonus attack for d4+d6+5.
Round 3: Repeat round 2.

Once you have Hunter's Mark on, your average DPR (assuming 65% hits) would be 13.7, pretty significant at level 2.

 

[jgsugden]

Your damage is much less than the two handed style PCs when you both hit, especially by level 5, but you get to divide it up more so there is less overkill. It is a fine build but, you'll suffer from:

a.) Bonus action constipation - you'll want to use your bonus action for multiple things a lot and will have to pick and choose.
b.) Damage envy - When the Barbarian hits for 22 on an OA, you'll look at your d6+5 and have some doubts.

However, you'll also:

a.) Hit more often
b.) Have a higher AC, especially at higher level if you find a magic shield.

If the idea appeals to you, certainly go for it. It is good enough, even if not the most OP build ever.

 

[Horwath]

@6ENow!
Yes, the butt end of the staff could be d4 and it could be d8. It's general vs. specific here.
What is more general and more specific? PAM or druid cantrip? It's very specific when they are used together.
So I would rule it d8. It's a large investment and potential extra 2 damage as bonus action attack won't break anything. And I don't care about Sage advice as they are jumping in their mouths every other publishing.
And player will not have to think about 2nd damage dice type for same weapon.
Also I hate d4 with a passion

 

[DND_Reborn]

@6ENow!
Yes, the butt end of the staff could be d4 and it could be d8. It's general vs. specific here.
What is more general and more specific? PAM or druid cantrip? It's very specific when they are used together.
So I would rule it d8. It's a large investment and potential extra 2 damage as bonus action attack won't break anything. And I don't care about Sage advice as they are jumping in their mouths every other publishing.
And player will not have to think about 2nd damage dice type for same weapon.
Also I hate d4 with a passion

Well, JC clarified it is still a d4. If you want it to be a d8, go ahead since you don't like Sage Advice.

I don't mind the d4, but man, I hate trying to pick them up!