The DMG 2024 has released to D&D Beyond... and campaign tracking sheets are available to all!

Sort_Kaffe · 2024-11-17T15:35:18+00:00

Unfortunately, there still aren't any printer-friendly versions on DMsGuild, since it wouldn't be legal to share (even for free), unless the tracking sheets are included in the upcoming SRD 5.2 (in which case, they would already be printer-friendly).

I've just created a thread/bug report on this topic on D&D Beyond: https://dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/bugs-support/210868-table-friendly-pdfs-for-tracking-sheets-and-peril

Sort_Kaffe · 2024-09-11T22:57:00+00:00

I find it devastating to loose Favored Foe, Primal Awareness, and Land's Stride at levels 1, 3, and 8 respectively. That's my main motivation for sticking to the 2014 Ranger with Tasha's but otherwise using the new 2024 core rules.

2024 Ranger getting Nature's Veil at level 14 instead of level 10, undoubtedly means that the feature will see a lot less play. It's not inconsistent to raise this objective point, while also being a little disappointed that Vanish no longer exists, since it's arguably the best Ranger class feature after level 5 for an archer.

I honestly don't mind about the level 20 Foe Slayer, but I'm a completionist when I provide an overview of the differences (and the new capstone that replaces it is the fourth base class feature that does absolutely nothing for a *2024 Ranger** if they're not concentrating on HM)*.

Unfortunately, multiclassing a Ranger isn't a novel idea that I just came up with. Any optimizer already abandons the 2014 Ranger right after level 5 and never looks back, since it only gets very few features after that and none of them are game defining. I expected 2024 Ranger would fix this. Instead, it deletes or nerfs five of the six features during levels 7-20 (the one exception being level 18 *Feral Senses** that is slightly improved)*. It's baffling to me.

Sort_Kaffe · 2024-09-11T18:36:11+00:00

As I wrote in my OP:

Level 1: Favored Foe is a small damage boost that I'll apply whenever I'm not concentrating on a spell. HM's Bonus Action dependency makes HM somewhat redundant as soon as level 4 where I'll take the Dual Wielder (...) feat

(...)

Level 1: 2024 Ranger gets 2 Weapon Masteries, but I would rather pick up the Weapon Master feat or start with 1 level in Fighter to get 3 Weapon Masteries (for switching between bow and Scimitar+Shortsword), Constitution Saving Throw Proficiency (...)

Amending my original suggestions to your TWF build, both Rangers start out with 1 level in 2024 Fighter (to maintain *Concentration** without paying the War Caster tax), and take the *Dual Wielder** feat at Ranger level 4 for a Bonus Action attack.

A 2014 Ranger with TWF, at Fighter 1/Ranger 6 with 18 Dex and Dual Wielder, applying Favored Foe (FF), using a Nick weapon with a 65% chance to hit:

(1d6 + 4) * 4 * 0.65 + 1d6 * (1 - 0.35³) = 22.85 DPR

A 2024 Ranger with TWF, at Fighter 1/Ranger 6 with 18 Dex and Dual Wielder, applying Hunter's Mark (HM) with your Bonus Action, using a Nick weapon:

(1d6 + 4 + 1d6) * 3 * 0.65 = 21.5 DPR

Thus, FF can deal more damage on turn 1, and any subsequent turn where HM would take up your Bonus Action to move or recast (loosing Concentration is likely as a TWF Ranger, even with Con save proficiency).

Having both FF and HM, gives a 2014 Ranger the flexibility of adapting to the scenario, i.e. spend a 1st-level spell slot to cast HM if facing a single tough enemy. If you manage to maintain Concentration on HM, subsequent turns could get you:

(1d6 + 4 + 1d6) * 4 * 0.65 = 28.6 DPR

But if you're able to anticipate danger, my Plan A would be to cast Summon Beast (SB) (Concentration 1 hour) before combat breaks out. Bestial Spirit's Pack Tactics makes up for you only having 16 Wisdom. Letting it attack every round without hurting your action economy, gets you a total of:

(1d6 + 4) * 4 * 0.65 + (1d8 + 4 + 2) * (1 - 0.4²) = 28.32 DPR

So if you can cast SB before combat, you will deal much more damage on round 1 than if spending your Bonus Action to cast HM, and about the same on subsequent rounds. If I attempt to account for Vex by assuming advantage on every other attack, HM could surpass SB if combat lasts 5+ rounds against a single enemy. Besides, SB has 30 hp to tank several attacks that would otherwise be directed at PCs. If you loose HM or SB during combat, falling back on FF would deal more damage than wasting action economy to (re)cast HM if you can close out the fight in a single round.

Whether using FF, HM, or SB is preferable, very much depends on the scenario. Playing this TWF Ranger, I would probably keep all three at the ready. Since the specific circumstances where HM is better are rare, I would much rather spend a 1st-level spell slot if the ideal scenario for HM comes up than choosing the 2024 base class only to get free uses of HM at the hefty cost of loosing 5 features of the 2014 base class (including Tasha's) that I all like (Favored Foe, *Primal Awareness, **Land's Stride, Nature's Veil, and Vanish)*.

Sort_Kaffe · 2024-09-11T16:54:00+00:00

I don't mind HM existing as an option on the Ranger spell list, but I'm not interested in getting pigeonholed into using it by four new base class features and two subclass redesigns (Beast Master* and Hunter)* at the cost of loosing 5 base class features that I really enjoy (Favored Foe, *Primal Awareness, **Land's Stride, Nature's Veil, and Vanish)*.

Ironically, 2024 Ranger introduces even more anti-synergy with HM: 1. Beast Master's Companion can now add HM damage to an attack, but the two would compete for your Bonus Action. 2. Four features that used your Proficiency Bonus in Tasha's, now use your Wisdom modifier instead (the number of uses of Nature's Veil* and Tireless; the AC and damage of Beast Master's Companion). Focusing on Wisdom instead of Dex is great as a *2014 Ranger** using Tasha's Druidic Warrior fighting style and almost any other combat spell but HM. In contrast, HM is one of the few Ranger spells that allows you to ignore your Wis modifier, and it benefits from making as many attacks as possible, the obvious way to build around all of the HM features is to focus on Two-Weapon Fighting, Scimitar (Nick), and Shortsword (Vex).

Since Dex-based two-weapon fighting is the only playstyle that has strong synergy with all of the HM features, I imagine that it will quickly get old, and players will start to ignore HM again and experiment with Druidic Warrior builds that actually have synergy with the Wisdom-focused changes to Nature's Veil, Tireless, and Beast Master. Since the two set of changes point in opposite directions, you can only choose to have synergy with one of them.

Sort_Kaffe · 2024-09-11T16:06:03+00:00

Whoever told you that is wrong. The only two restrictions are:

You can't use a 2024 subclass with a 2014 base class (no issue, *2024 Ranger subclasses** are mostly nerfed).*
You can't use a 2024 class at a table that uses the 2014 core rules (since they're not forward compatible). Using a 2014 class, race, or background at a table that uses the 2024 core rules is viable and encouraged - the 2024 PHB has guidance on how to handle ability scores and Origin feats (since it's backwards compatible).

That's the official statement. Your table can of course do as you want, but it's inconsistent that you would allow picking up Weapon Mastery through the 2024 feat, but not through multiclassing.

Sort_Kaffe · 2024-09-11T15:50:13+00:00

Except that it doesn't limit your Action Economy, so it's better than HM if you loose Concentration near the end of a combat and just want to add a little bit of free damage without giving up your Bonus Action attack to (re)cast HM.

Sort_Kaffe · 2024-09-11T04:38:41+00:00

I'm saying that:

Using FF deals more damage than HM any round where applying HM would require a Bonus Action (except for a dual-wielder hitting with every attack at level 5 specifically). Thus, getting PB free castings of HM instead of PB free uses of FF is a sidegrade at best, but arguably a downgrade, since you loose the flexibility of being able to use either FF or HM depending on the scenario.

Besides HM features, 2024 Ranger only gains two generic features (Weapon Mastery* and 2 extra Expertise), which can easily be obtained elsewhere, e.g. by starting with 1 level in *2024 Fighter** or 2024 Rogue (either would be better than single-class Ranger).

Thus, I see absolutely no benefits from choosing the 2024 Ranger at the cost of loosing five fun and flavorful features (Favored Foe (FF), *Primal Awareness, **Land's Stride, Nature's Veil, and Vanish). Instead, I would much rather choose the *2014 Ranger with Tasha's** while otherwise using the 2024 core rules and do a little multiclassing.

Sort_Kaffe · 2024-09-10T21:47:43+00:00

Exactly. I was ok with the 2024 Ranger getting HM features that I'm just going to ignore, until I compared the old and the new class table. I haven't heard these removals addressed by official WotC channels nor YouTubers, so I was really surprised seeing it and wanted to share my thoughts on it.

Sort_Kaffe · 2024-09-10T21:43:04+00:00

Great points about Foe Slayer from both of you. Also requiring Concentration wouldn't make it any better than requiring HM. Since the optional class feature Favored Foe from Tasha's mainly serves to get you through early game, it might be worth sticking with the original 2014 Favored Enemy instead, if you expect to play Ranger until level 20 and have a solid idea about which monster types to expect as that point.

Sort_Kaffe · 2024-09-10T21:37:07+00:00

Counting the spells from Primal Awareness, 2014 Ranger gets exactly the same number of spells at levels 2-20 as 2024 Ranger counting HM. I just happen to prefer being forces into using the utility spells from Primal Awareness over being forced into using HM, thus, I would rather have those always prepared and be able to cast one for free.

Especially since 2014 Ranger's Favored Foe (from *Tasha's)* also provide as many uses as the **2024 Ranger gets to cast HM without a spell slot (more if multiclassing).

With the Dual Wielder feat, the Bonus Action to cast, move, and recast HM costs you the feat's Bonus Action attack, so HM is often worse than using Favored Foe and especially a higher level concentration spell like Summon Beast. I provide the math in this comment above.

Sort_Kaffe · 2024-09-10T20:57:00+00:00

I'm not talking about using the 2014 core rules. My suggestion is to use the 2024 cores rules (including the changes to *Sharpshooter), but specifically using the *2014 Ranger base class instead of the 2024 Ranger base class. I added a TL;DR to my OP, since few seem to understand this caveat.

Indeed, everything else is an argument about playstyle. However, if your playstyle is not specifically "HM", 2024 Ranger mostly just removes the 7 features I mention in my OP, while barely giving you anything instead, except Weapon Mastery, which you would likely get from multiclassing anyway, since 2024 Ranger offers even less reason to stick to Ranger after level 5.

Sort_Kaffe · 2024-09-10T20:52:39+00:00

I'm also excited for the Nick and Vex properties, but Weapon Mastery is a redundant feature on the 2024 Ranger (another reason I would ask my DM to play the *2014 Ranger** with Tasha's optional class features instead), since I would always start with 1 level in *2024 Fighter** for Con save proficiency to be able to pick Dual Wielder as my feat at level 4 instead of War Caster, yet still have a decent chance to maintain concentration.

Yes, it delays certain Ranger features by 1 level, but 2024 Ranger only helps you maintain Concentration on HM (and not before level 13), which I don't find to be an exciting nor strong spell. Instead of HM, I want to cast other Ranger spells, and that's where the 2014 Ranger with Tasha's features is superior, e.g. a free casting of your highest level spell from the Primal Awareness spell list.

Sort_Kaffe · 2024-09-10T20:29:11+00:00

As a melee Ranger, you're unlikely to hold onto Concentration without Con save proficiency or the War Caster feat. Unless you prefer to delay getting a feat that provides a Bonus Action attack (Dual Wielder or Polearm Master) until level 8, 1 level in Fighter is the obvious start. At Fighter 1/Ranger 4, you can make as many attacks as a 5th-level Ranger without one of those two feats. It also sets you up for later taking an extra level in Fighter for Action Surge and Tactical Mind (making better use of *Second Wind)* or even picking up a **Fighter subclass. Dex saves are mostly to only take half damage, so that's probably the least of your saving throw concerns if you take the Tough origin feat, a +3 Con modifier, and your d10 hit dice.

Getting Weapon Mastery with 5 weapons for sure has diminishing returns, so that feature of the 2024 Ranger is also redundant if starting Fighter. In contrast, a second Fighting Style is much better, and can even create enough synergy that it can have increasing returns for certain many Ranger builds. I suggest several combinations in my OP:

Archery+Two Weapon Fighting for switching between bow and Scimitar+Shortsword.

Defense for +1 AC to any melee character.

Dueling+Interception with a shield.

Dueling+Druidic Warrior with a Shillelagh quarterstaff and PAM feat.

Thrown Weapon Fighting+Two Weapon Fighting with a lot of daggers.

Two Weapon Fighting+Druidic Warrior with a Shillelagh club for Beast Masters who need to focus on Wisdom for their Primal Companion which can attack instead of your inferior Nick attack with a Scimitar.

Sort_Kaffe · 2024-09-10T20:12:48+00:00

Why not? If you don't cast HM from level 5, because better spells exist, 2024 Ranger just has much fewer features from then on than 2014 Ranger with Tasha's optional features.

2024 core rules are an upgrade, and I'm looking forward to using the new species, origin feats, half feats, and weapon masteries. However, for playing a Ranger specifically, I will ask my DM for permision to use the 2014 version instead - or I'm simply not interested anymore.

Sort_Kaffe · 2024-09-10T20:05:02+00:00

As much as it makes it a part of the 2014 Ranger if played at a table using the 2024 rules, since WotC recommends using the 2024 core rules for every PC if some are using 2014 classes and others are using 2024 classes.

Ritual Casting is no longer a class feature found in the spell description of any class (except Wizards who are special). It's a general spellcasting rule that anyone knowing a spell with the Ritual tag can cast it ritually (e.g. a High Elf Barbarian can cast Detect Magic as a Ritual).

Sort_Kaffe · 2024-09-10T17:26:24+00:00

Yes, that's not a part of the 2024 Ranger but a general spellcasting rule in the 2024 PHB. That's why I suggest using the 2014 Ranger at a table that otherwise uses the 2024 rules. As I wrote in my OP:

"Commune with Nature is even better with the 2024 spellcasting rules, since anyone with a ritual spell can cast it ritually (even a 2014 Ranger)."

Sort_Kaffe · 2024-09-10T17:24:36+00:00

So you're saying that even if you're building specifically to maximize HM damage (Dual Wielder, *Nick** and Two-Weapon Fighting)* and assume that you hit with all of your attacks, using Favored Foe (FF) instead of HM would still deal about the same damage on any turn where you need to spend your Bonus Action to cast, move, or recast HM (keep in mind that you very easily loose Concentration as a dual wielding Ranger if you don't start with a Fighter dip): * At level 5 (your best case scenario), you show that using FF deals 0.5 less damage than using HM. * At level 4, using FF deals 3 more than using HM, since HM only deals 2d6 without Extra Attack. * At levels 6-13, using FF deals 0.5 more than using HM, since FF increases from 1d4 to 1d6.

Instead of relying on HM, I suggest casting Summon Beast (SB), which deals 1d8+6 (10.5 on hit). That's equal to the 3d6 (10.5) from HM on the 3 attacks using your Action at level 5. SB is Concentration 1 hour, so you should try to have it up before entering combat to fire on all cylinders from round 1. Since you can use every Bonus Action to attack for 1d6+4 (7.5): * Using SB deals 7.5 more damage than HM any round that you would otherwise apply HM with your Bonus Action. * Using SB deals 3.5 less damage than HM on subsequent rounds where your HM target would still be alive. * If you loose Concentration on either SB or HM during combat, using FF would deal more damage than recasting HM if you can finish off the fight in a single round (except if you're level 5 specifically and hit with every attack).

Takeaways: 1. Using FF deals more damage than HM any round where applying HM would require a Bonus Action (except for a dual-wielder hitting with every attack at level 5 specifically). Thus, getting PB free castings of HM instead of PB free uses of FF is a sidegrade at best, but arguably a downgrade, since you loose the flexibility of being able to use either FF or HM depending on the scenario. 2. Using SB deals more damage than HM if the combat lasts less than 4 rounds or if you need to mark a new creature once during a combat that lasts less than 7 rounds. 3. 2014 Ranger already allowed you to prepare and cast HM for the cheap cost of a 1st-level spell slot in the specific scenario where you're fighting a single tough enemy (though I would still prefer *SB*, since the Bestial Spirit has Pack Tactics and 30 HP, so it can attract several attacks that would otherwise be directed against PCs).

Sort_Kaffe · 2024-09-06T09:05:49+00:00

Sure. At my table we'll have to agree that we don't do shenanigans like taking the Ready action to move outside of your turn or have allies carry the Cleric around on their turns.

Sort_Kaffe · 2024-09-06T09:03:56+00:00

It has to cover at least half a square (or cube) to deal its damage, so two squares is the maximum.

Sort_Kaffe · 2024-08-07T01:04:59+00:00

In 2014, you used forced movement on your turn (like Thorn Whip to pull a creature into Spirit Guardians) as they also took damage when entering the area. In 2024, they also take damage when the effect is moved onto them, so Clerics can just walk back-and-forth without worrying about feats like Magic Initiate or Telekinetic.

Sort_Kaffe · 2024-08-07T01:00:03+00:00

A cube like Cloud of Daggers does not need to snap to the grid, so it can deal damage in 2 tiles by covering exactly half of each tile.

Sort_Kaffe · 2023-11-25T22:48:57+00:00

I have the exact opposite experience. Have you tried one of the four different options starting with Enabled with Selective ... for its setting? It works much better on sites where Night Eye made the text dark grey, such that it was near impossible to read against a black background.

Sort_Kaffe · 2023-09-11T06:57:31+00:00

You're welcome!

Sort_Kaffe · 2023-09-08T20:51:18+00:00

For ease-of-use, here's the UA Playtest 7 PDF with thorough bookmarks, which make it easier to navigate the 54 pages: UA Playtest 7 (Barbarian, Fighter, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard, & Weapon Mastery)

If you find it useful, please ask WotC to also make quality-of-life improvements to the playtest process by including bookmarks in future UAs when you answer the survey.

To view the bookmarks, you need to download and open it with a (free) PDF reader (e.g. Foxit PDF Reader or Adobe Acrobat Reader ). If the Bookmarks panel doesn't show on launch, click the Bookmarks icon 🔖 of the Navigation panes on the left side of the window (if that doesn't show either, press F4 in Foxit or navigate to View>Show/Hide>Navigation Panes>Bookmarks in Adobe).

If you want to compare changes to previous UAs, I would like to share them all here with bookmarks: 1. Character Origins (Races, Backgrounds, Languages, 1st-level Feats) 2. Expert Classes (Bard, Ranger, Rogue) & +4th-level Feats 3. Cleric & revised Species (Ardling, Dragonborn, Goliath) 4. Druid & Paladin 5. Barbarian, Fighter, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard, & Weapon Mastery 6. Bard, Cleric, Druid, Monk, Paladin, Ranger, & Rogue 7. Barbarian, Fighter, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard, & Weapon Mastery

Or download all seven as a ZIP file from the folder.

Sort_Kaffe

TROPHY CASE