1 detail you missed about beastmaster is that you can feed elixirs to your pets...strength, colossus, you name it (dire raven scale of dex tho) and that early game (even late game I guess) is HUGE.
One of the most fun (and surprisingly strong) runs I have finished was a goo blade warlock 5, hunter 5 with hoardbreaker, paladin 2. dark urge version, using all the drunk items (especially the hammer from act 2). super niche build i messed around with a lot, but the drunken dark urge was outstanding with matching gear for the style.
I like the sound of a drunken dark urge! I can see how that weapon works well with hordebreaker when the chance arises as well, giving multiple blasts per hit, assuming you mean the punch-drunk bastard.
@@CasualVeteranGamer That is the one, punch drunk bastard. Advantage when drunk, MAD/party lead works because the build just needs charisma focus. Strong from level 1 because warlock just works early, and every level it feels stronger, and more on theme. It was somewhat tedious trying to force hoardbreaker, but there are ways to get enemies in a group when needed.
Loved hunter ranger since I did a playthrough as one, but it definitely doesn't get great until level 11 which is the downside, as you said. The other 2 subclasses are good too, but hunter really grew on me. Great vid! Love hearing your opinion on these things.
I never level the hunter; I just respec into it at 11. The Volley attack does not affect friendlies so it's like an Evocation Wizard and it is amazing with items like the Snow Burst Ring and other Condition provoking items. Lol I had no idea that you could stack your Beastmaster summons!! Wow, with Hero's Feast and Aid and . . . amazing! Also, Beastmaster with the Eversight Ring and huge fields of Raven darkness is awesome!
I think that's the best way to play a hunter ranger sadly, just respec into it at level 11! Of course, the downside to stacking those few beastmaster summons is that we use up short rests very quickly, however the clever use of a few hireling bards can overcome that if needed/wanted.
With the Beast Master, you can make a good face character with high charisma and even a few useful skills. You could be something like a gnome, but since you are kind of tiny and maybe not so good in combat, nature has sent you some protectors. It is possible to get decent charisma, constitution, and dexterity, along with a bit of wisdom. The Gloves of Dexterity exist, along with other stat items. Plus, you can make the animal companions drink potions, which is, frankly, in my opinion, overpowered. Bearoids.
Great video, as always. One thing I'd like clarified, though. Are we rating all these classes, subclasses and specific abilities based on how they perform in a blind first playthrough, or in an optimized playthrough where you pretty much already know what to expect? Because there's a huge difference.
These ratings aren't exactly made for either of those. I haven't taken feats and items into account for the most part, although I have mentioned some of the strongest combinations such as tavern brawler, hat of arcane acuity, and the band of mystic scoundrel for a few of the classes. This is because a few items/feats would dominate most of these videos, and I don't want to assume that everyone will always be using particular items/feats. I'd also argue that some of these videos do rely on people know which are generally the stronger and weaker spells though, as several subclasses get different spells. I know that isn't a clear and simple answer, but the hope is to inform everyone of the abilities the subclasses get within each class.
@@CasualVeteranGamer Understandable. thanks for the well thought our answer. I wasn't referring to items either, that would make these ratings a whole different thing, just base subclass viability. Just how the base subclass with, say, only enchanted weapons and armor, would fare on a blind run, versus a run where you know the encounters.
I would say that my bias would make it so that these are made with knowledge of what encounters are in the game. There are times in some videos where I mention say, immunity to being charmed, and how there are so few times where we are actually charmed that it's not a good ability to have.
Feels like Hunter is only good for Minsc since you get him later on in act 3 where you can use the volley. For a tav there are better archery builds like the swords bard, the gloomstalker or even straight fighter
I might have missed it, but I don’t think you mentioned that Gloom Stalker gets the misty step and fear spells for free. While might not change the rankings they are both great spells
besides 11 lvl any hunter or beastmaster is useless, but you can't pick action surge which is necessary for any attacker, in the end there are no options other than 3/5 gloomstalker, sad but true
1 detail you missed about beastmaster is that you can feed elixirs to your pets...strength, colossus, you name it (dire raven scale of dex tho) and that early game (even late game I guess) is HUGE.
Thanks for mentioning that as it's not something I've often done!
Hunter ranger is not bad with one level of a war cleric, because of war priest charges, but it'll be such a late multi class
It's a great multiclass for sure, probably the strongest for the hunter.
That spin to win plus a weapon that heals on hit is so very good though :)
That's a good weapon to use for sure!
One of the most fun (and surprisingly strong) runs I have finished was a goo blade warlock 5, hunter 5 with hoardbreaker, paladin 2. dark urge version, using all the drunk items (especially the hammer from act 2). super niche build i messed around with a lot, but the drunken dark urge was outstanding with matching gear for the style.
I like the sound of a drunken dark urge! I can see how that weapon works well with hordebreaker when the chance arises as well, giving multiple blasts per hit, assuming you mean the punch-drunk bastard.
@@CasualVeteranGamer That is the one, punch drunk bastard. Advantage when drunk, MAD/party lead works because the build just needs charisma focus. Strong from level 1 because warlock just works early, and every level it feels stronger, and more on theme. It was somewhat tedious trying to force hoardbreaker, but there are ways to get enemies in a group when needed.
Loved hunter ranger since I did a playthrough as one, but it definitely doesn't get great until level 11 which is the downside, as you said. The other 2 subclasses are good too, but hunter really grew on me. Great vid! Love hearing your opinion on these things.
Thanks!
The hunter ranger was always my favourite during early access, but it's a shame that there are a fair few levels of not receiving very much.
I never level the hunter; I just respec into it at 11. The Volley attack does not affect friendlies so it's like an Evocation Wizard and it is amazing with items like the Snow Burst Ring and other Condition provoking items.
Lol I had no idea that you could stack your Beastmaster summons!! Wow, with Hero's Feast and Aid and . . . amazing! Also, Beastmaster with the Eversight Ring and huge fields of Raven darkness is awesome!
I think that's the best way to play a hunter ranger sadly, just respec into it at level 11!
Of course, the downside to stacking those few beastmaster summons is that we use up short rests very quickly, however the clever use of a few hireling bards can overcome that if needed/wanted.
With the Beast Master, you can make a good face character with high charisma and even a few useful skills. You could be something like a gnome, but since you are kind of tiny and maybe not so good in combat, nature has sent you some protectors. It is possible to get decent charisma, constitution, and dexterity, along with a bit of wisdom. The Gloves of Dexterity exist, along with other stat items. Plus, you can make the animal companions drink potions, which is, frankly, in my opinion, overpowered. Bearoids.
Although it's not perhaps nature loving, I do like the idea that we can create a bear, or raven for that matter, on steroids!
I have always enjoyed the beast master. All of the utilty you get is so useful.
Great video, as always.
One thing I'd like clarified, though. Are we rating all these classes, subclasses and specific abilities based on how they perform in a blind first playthrough, or in an optimized playthrough where you pretty much already know what to expect? Because there's a huge difference.
These ratings aren't exactly made for either of those. I haven't taken feats and items into account for the most part, although I have mentioned some of the strongest combinations such as tavern brawler, hat of arcane acuity, and the band of mystic scoundrel for a few of the classes. This is because a few items/feats would dominate most of these videos, and I don't want to assume that everyone will always be using particular items/feats.
I'd also argue that some of these videos do rely on people know which are generally the stronger and weaker spells though, as several subclasses get different spells.
I know that isn't a clear and simple answer, but the hope is to inform everyone of the abilities the subclasses get within each class.
@@CasualVeteranGamer Understandable. thanks for the well thought our answer. I wasn't referring to items either, that would make these ratings a whole different thing, just base subclass viability. Just how the base subclass with, say, only enchanted weapons and armor, would fare on a blind run, versus a run where you know the encounters.
I would say that my bias would make it so that these are made with knowledge of what encounters are in the game. There are times in some videos where I mention say, immunity to being charmed, and how there are so few times where we are actually charmed that it's not a good ability to have.
Feels like Hunter is only good for Minsc since you get him later on in act 3 where you can use the volley. For a tav there are better archery builds like the swords bard, the gloomstalker or even straight fighter
The best way to play a Hunter is to play as something better for levels 1-10, then respec at level 11.
I might have missed it, but I don’t think you mentioned that Gloom Stalker gets the misty step and fear spells for free. While might not change the rankings they are both great spells
Yeah, that came under the "other bonuses" section of the rating. Nice spells for sure, especially misty step, but not exactly build defining either!
@@CasualVeteranGamer lol I should have watched a bit further into the Beast Master section!
Well, it wasn't helpful that I talked about it in the wrong part of the video, sorry!
besides 11 lvl any hunter or beastmaster is useless, but you can't pick action surge which is necessary for any attacker, in the end there are no options other than 3/5 gloomstalker, sad but true