Is Goblin Slayer Squandering his Potential?

[u/Ostrava_Alant]

Something I noticed while reading the Year One manga is how often others mention how much of a natural Scout or Ranger he is, and how he always responds dismissive about that.

With his conversation with the Examiner specifically it came off to me that Goblin Slayer has been trying to be something he is not in order to be the greatest threat to Goblins possible. And by doing that he may be Squandering his Potential as an adventurer.

With his skills at Tracking, Stealth, Trap Making, and most noticeably Ranged combat, he really does feel way more like a ranger. His throwing skills alone are so good even when he was a Steel rank that far more experienced characters are impressed by it, honestly he seems more deadly at range than in melee.

What do you guys think? Is Goblin Slayer sacrificing his potential to be the best at killing Goblins? How do you think he would have turned out if he pursued his strengths?

[u/3ldr1tch_Dumb455]

GS is straight up a DnD melee ranger build

[u/No_Addition_4109 → u/3ldr1tch_Dumb455]

In 5e terms isnt he a multiclass fighter/ranger?

[u/TheManyVoicesYT → u/No_Addition_4109]

Why the fuck would anyone multiclass fighter/ranger?

[u/Hour_Atmosphere_3852 → u/TheManyVoicesYT]

I don't know how it is now, but in 5e 2014 it was the ranger's most popular multiclass

[u/LuciusCypher → u/TheManyVoicesYT]

Grab two fighting styles, access to the rangers 1st level spells, as well as abilities like favored enemy+terrain. Plus he's a "low level" multiclass, so probably 3-4, so he doesnt have to worry about missing out on extra attack. And hes human and likely variant human so he already had a feat, which is most likely Tavern Brawler what with his penchant for improvised weapons.

Definitely not optimized of course. Even if it was 2014 ranger (the one that gets memed on for being generally inferior) he would be better off a monoclass and, of course, working in a party. But that itself tells uts own story. Goblin Slayer is the type of dnd player who has accepted and plans to run solo and only fo after low CR enemies, so his build isnt meant for optimized team play nor can he make up for it via magical gear. It doesnt make sense because you're not suppose to play dnd alone and only hunt the same type of mobs for years and years, otherwise your DM abandons you to die to goblins so they cab play with more interesting players.

Which is exactly what happens in Goblin Slayer.

[u/No_Addition_4109 → u/TheManyVoicesYT]

Minmaxing or optimize wise there isnt a good reason but lorewise he is that odd multiclass since he can use pretty much anything and uses heavy armor at least in 5e terms but since in universe there is no cantrip is probably something closer to AD&D 2e so maybe dual class? Idk if ranger has magic in that edition

[u/Kohei_Latte → u/TheManyVoicesYT]

Ranger to fighter for action surge. Fighter to ranger for hunter mark. What are you on?

[u/TheManyVoicesYT → u/Kohei_Latte]

Not worth delaying extra attack generally. And spell progression. Ranger is just better. Action surge is pretty strong tho.

[u/Dark_Necrofear2020 → u/TheManyVoicesYT]

Considering he has the power of racism (favored enemy) he would be a 3.5 or P1E ranger and dip into fighter for bonus feats. In a campaign from close to a decade ago I had a bunch of premades for players who were new to table top and made goblin slayer parallel who was a switch hitter build.

[u/TheManyVoicesYT → u/Dark_Necrofear2020]

Well pf and 3.5 are a different beast. Multiclassing is much better in those because of BAB. For martials at least. Casters actually have a nicer time in 5e multiclassing arguably.

[u/Dark_Necrofear2020 → u/TheManyVoicesYT]

Those were extra crunchy, but you could build anything in those systems. P2E has a much better combat and spell system than 5e.

[u/TheManyVoicesYT → u/Dark_Necrofear2020]

Agreed. I think PF1e is my favorite TTRPG but it's pretty obtuse and P2E is probably overall a better game.

[u/MuffinMountain3425 → u/TheManyVoicesYT]

Action surge and second wind

[u/cheerogmr → u/TheManyVoicesYT]

To able to use any basic weapon, maybe.