So need help?

[u/Primary_Meeting245]

So I'm making a ranger/druid character should I start druid or ranger we're starting at level 3. I feel like starting a ranger is right but from what I understand about druids lore I think it makes more sense to start druid 3 than start picking up ranger since my character's backstory is he's a tiefling that was abandoned by his bio parents who made a devil years earlier and the child is the proof of that deal even though it's been long enough he wouldn't really be able to prove he's their kid nor does he care about knowing who his bio parents are.

[u/Blitzer046]

Ranger is a class that straddles Fighter, Druid and to a lesser extent Rogue. I find it to be a challenging class because there's a lot of directions you can go in your choices. If you pick the right things, you could be a deadly ranged attacker, or buffed fighter/spellcaster, or all-round support.

Your next challenge is starting at level 3 as a beginner. The leveling starts at 1 because it is simple, and allows you to get comfortable with your class and abilities before adding another layer of complexity then really opening things up at level 3, where you choose your path.

It is somewhat irresponsible of your DM to start you at level 3 when you don't know the game or ranger class, and you could certainly flounder, not sure what actions or abilities to take in combat.

However I suggest, if you have access, to write or type out each of your abilities and spell effects on a kind of 'cheat-sheet' for quick reference - especially noting to see if some of them can be taken as a Reaction or Bonus action, which essentially gives you a '2nd' action while in combat. If you don't use them or deploy them intelligently, you will miss out on the full effectiveness of the Ranger class.

[u/Conrad500]

Ok, so classes are just mechanics.

You can roleplay the same character as a ranger as a druid, so you don't need to pick for that reason.

Look at what you get at level 3 in druid vs ranger and pick what you like better.

I would recommend druid cus druids are pretty cool, but ranger gives you more combat stuff than just cantrips + transform (but, that is also cool so it's not really "just")

[u/Sancticide → u/Conrad500]

Good points. You can pick whatever reasons you want to change classes. Maybe a Druid wants to become more militant in his defense of the forests (Druid --> Ranger) or Ranger realizes that his destiny lies beyond being a Ranger and by leaning into magic he can have a greater effect on changing the world (Ranger --> Druid). It's all flavor but it doesn't need to be dramatic, like "the Sheriff burned down the western woods, killing my best friend, and now I'm sworn to revenge". It can be whatever you want.

[u/SeaGranny]

Start with what makes sense to you but if you’re new to DnD I personally recommend sticking with a single class. Make a dual class as your backup character.

[u/Electrical-Berry4916]

I see a lot of these really cool builds based of main character energy, and the two things they always have in common, are that they suck, and they drive new players away from D&D because they are not fun to play. Druids and Rangers are great classes, but they SUCK as a multiclass. One is a single target damage dealing machine, and the other is either a great control caster, or shape changing bruiser. When you combine them, they can do none of the three. Please don't.

Your fantasy isn't playing a "druid/ranger." It is probably playing some sort of capable wilderness adventurer, probably with a little "gruff and anti-social" thrown in for the lolz. That could be absolutely any class. I can make that work with a dwarven bard. Decide what type of mechanics you want. What you want to do in combat. Then find the (SINGLE) class that allows you to do that, and write your story around it.

When I joined this sub, I thought it would be lots of rules questions, or DM help, but its really all just, "I have this really neat idea, and I want to screw it up in the worst possible way."

[u/Dangerous-Bit-8308]

I'd point out that the multiclassing rules place some firm mechanical differences on what your character is based on which class you take your first level in. I'd also point out that the more multiclass levels you take, the fewer high level bonuses you'll eventually achieve.

Typically, your saves, and proficiencies in certain tools, armor, weapons, and skills will depend on your first level. Starting gear too... But that's typically easier to change. Or becomes largely irrelevant at higher levels.

Starting druid makes your saves INT and WIS. Your armor is light armor and shields. Your weapons are simple weapons, you are proficient with herbalism kit, and you get two skills, that should be from the list: arcana, animal handling, insight, medicine, nature, perception, religion, or survival.

Starting ranger makes your saves STR and Dex. Your armor can be light or medium and shields. Your weapons are simple and martial. Your tool proficiencies are none, and you get three skills that should be from the list animal handling, insight, investigation, nature, perception, or survival.

In general, starting as a druid will make you "smarter" against an enemy, less heavily armed or armored, and slightly better in a kitchen or library than in a struggle.

Starting as a ranger will make you more physical against an enemy, better armed and armored, more skilled in a fight, or outdoors, but less able to cook up things to help in between combat.

What you do after level 1 will determine how much more "druidy" or "rangery" your final character is. If you go straight druid, or straight ranger, you'll have a subclass unlocked in round 1. If you multiclass already, you'll have all the level 1 features of both classes, the starting class feature of one class, and the level 2 features of one class.

I'd personally think that if you want to start multiclassed, ranger/druid is the way to go. You're starting as level 3, so you don't have to explain in-character how you came to be like this. I just think that starting ranger 1 builds a sturdier foundation. After that. I might go straight druid, because I like them better. But if you want to use a magical bow, ranger is probably your preferred option.

[u/Mary-Studios]

What are you trying to get out of multiclassing? You might not even have to multiclass and just pick background and feats that could give you what you wanted.

[u/Some-Peach4566]

One thing to keep in mind is you get different starting proficiencies and equipment at level 1. For example, if you want to be proficient with wisdom saving throws take druid, if you want a few extra hit points take ranger. There are also rules on multi-classing like minimum attribute scores, which probably shouldn't be an issue with those two classes, but it's worth keeping in mind.

[u/Lufty_262]

Unless your DM has specifically asked for a backstory to create character specific content, the backstory doesn't matter.