What is the best multiclass combination for a Rogue in Baldur's Gate 3?
Multiclassing a Rogue in Baldur's Gate 3 can significantly enhance your character's versatility and effectiveness in both combat and exploration. One of the best multiclass combinations for a Rogue is pairing it with the Ranger class, specifically the Gloom Stalker subclass. This combination leverages the Rogue's sneak attack and stealth capabilities with the Ranger's combat prowess and utility, creating a highly effective character for both ranged and melee combat.
To start, you should focus on the Rogue class for the first few levels to gain essential abilities like Sneak Attack, Cunning Action, and Expertise. Sneak Attack allows you to deal extra damage when you have advantage on an attack roll or when an ally is within 5 feet of your target. Cunning Action gives you the ability to Dash, Disengage, or Hide as a bonus action, which is crucial for positioning and survivability. Expertise doubles your proficiency bonus for two skills of your choice, making you exceptionally skilled in areas like Stealth or Perception.
Once you have at least three levels in Rogue, consider multiclassing into Ranger. The Gloom Stalker subclass is particularly synergistic with the Rogue because it enhances your stealth and combat abilities. At level 3, Gloom Stalkers gain the Dread Ambusher feature, which grants you an additional attack during the first round of combat and increases your movement speed. This feature synergizes well with the Rogue's Sneak Attack, allowing you to deal significant damage right at the start of a fight.
When building your character, prioritize Dexterity as your primary ability score, as it affects your attack rolls, damage, and AC. Wisdom is also important for Rangers, as it influences their spellcasting and certain class features. Constitution should not be neglected, as it increases your hit points and survivability.
For combat tactics, use your Rogue's stealth to initiate combat from a hidden position, allowing you to gain advantage on your first attack and trigger Sneak Attack. The Gloom Stalker's Dread Ambusher feature will give you an additional attack, maximizing your damage output in the first round. After the initial burst, use your Cunning Action to reposition or hide, making it difficult for enemies to target you.
One common mistake to avoid is neglecting your Rogue's defensive capabilities. While the combination of Rogue and Gloom Stalker is powerful offensively, you should also invest in defensive feats or abilities to ensure you can survive prolonged encounters. Feats like Alert can increase your initiative, allowing you to act first in combat, while Mobile can enhance your movement speed and make it easier to disengage from enemies.
Advanced techniques include using the Rogue's Assassin subclass for even greater burst damage. The Assassin's Assassinate feature grants automatic critical hits against surprised enemies, which can be devastating when combined with the Gloom Stalker's Dread Ambusher. Additionally, consider using spells like Hunter's Mark from the Ranger's spell list to further increase your damage output.
In terms of D&D 5E rules, multiclassing requires careful planning to ensure you meet the ability score prerequisites for both classes. For a Rogue/Ranger multiclass, you need at least 13 Dexterity and 13 Wisdom. Additionally, be mindful of how multiclassing affects your proficiency bonuses and class features. For example, multiclassing into Ranger will grant you proficiency in light and medium armor, shields, and simple and martial weapons, but you will not gain additional saving throw proficiencies.
Specific examples of this build in action include scenarios where you can use your stealth to scout ahead and set up ambushes. In a dungeon setting, you can use your high Stealth and Perception to detect traps and enemies, then initiate combat with a devastating first strike. In open-world exploration, your Ranger abilities like Natural Explorer can help you navigate difficult terrain and track enemies, while your Rogue skills allow you to pick locks and disarm traps.
Overall, the Rogue/Gloom Stalker multiclass is a highly effective and versatile build that excels in both combat and exploration. By carefully planning your ability scores, feats, and class features, you can create a character that is capable of handling a wide range of challenges in Baldur's Gate 3.
To start, you should focus on the Rogue class for the first few levels to gain essential abilities like Sneak Attack, Cunning Action, and Expertise. Sneak Attack allows you to deal extra damage when you have advantage on an attack roll or when an ally is within 5 feet of your target. Cunning Action gives you the ability to Dash, Disengage, or Hide as a bonus action, which is crucial for positioning and survivability. Expertise doubles your proficiency bonus for two skills of your choice, making you exceptionally skilled in areas like Stealth or Perception.
Once you have at least three levels in Rogue, consider multiclassing into Ranger. The Gloom Stalker subclass is particularly synergistic with the Rogue because it enhances your stealth and combat abilities. At level 3, Gloom Stalkers gain the Dread Ambusher feature, which grants you an additional attack during the first round of combat and increases your movement speed. This feature synergizes well with the Rogue's Sneak Attack, allowing you to deal significant damage right at the start of a fight.
When building your character, prioritize Dexterity as your primary ability score, as it affects your attack rolls, damage, and AC. Wisdom is also important for Rangers, as it influences their spellcasting and certain class features. Constitution should not be neglected, as it increases your hit points and survivability.
For combat tactics, use your Rogue's stealth to initiate combat from a hidden position, allowing you to gain advantage on your first attack and trigger Sneak Attack. The Gloom Stalker's Dread Ambusher feature will give you an additional attack, maximizing your damage output in the first round. After the initial burst, use your Cunning Action to reposition or hide, making it difficult for enemies to target you.
One common mistake to avoid is neglecting your Rogue's defensive capabilities. While the combination of Rogue and Gloom Stalker is powerful offensively, you should also invest in defensive feats or abilities to ensure you can survive prolonged encounters. Feats like Alert can increase your initiative, allowing you to act first in combat, while Mobile can enhance your movement speed and make it easier to disengage from enemies.
Advanced techniques include using the Rogue's Assassin subclass for even greater burst damage. The Assassin's Assassinate feature grants automatic critical hits against surprised enemies, which can be devastating when combined with the Gloom Stalker's Dread Ambusher. Additionally, consider using spells like Hunter's Mark from the Ranger's spell list to further increase your damage output.
In terms of D&D 5E rules, multiclassing requires careful planning to ensure you meet the ability score prerequisites for both classes. For a Rogue/Ranger multiclass, you need at least 13 Dexterity and 13 Wisdom. Additionally, be mindful of how multiclassing affects your proficiency bonuses and class features. For example, multiclassing into Ranger will grant you proficiency in light and medium armor, shields, and simple and martial weapons, but you will not gain additional saving throw proficiencies.
Specific examples of this build in action include scenarios where you can use your stealth to scout ahead and set up ambushes. In a dungeon setting, you can use your high Stealth and Perception to detect traps and enemies, then initiate combat with a devastating first strike. In open-world exploration, your Ranger abilities like Natural Explorer can help you navigate difficult terrain and track enemies, while your Rogue skills allow you to pick locks and disarm traps.
Overall, the Rogue/Gloom Stalker multiclass is a highly effective and versatile build that excels in both combat and exploration. By carefully planning your ability scores, feats, and class features, you can create a character that is capable of handling a wide range of challenges in Baldur's Gate 3.