[RPG] Can you train your ranger to master different fighting styles

character-creationdnd-5efighting-styleoptimizationweapons

I realize this is similar to How can I take multiple fighting styles? but it's been still a nagging question that I'd like to find a solution to without multiclassing.

I like playing a Ranger who focuses on archery skills, but that tends to leave me open to melee attacks. Unlike the linked question, Rangers don't get to learn another fighting style at higher levels, which has left me to balance between archery and two-weapon as a fighting style and getting the opposing feat Sharpshooter and Dual Wielder, or multiclass just to get another fighting style.

That said, I wanted to dive deeper into the rules to find a better and faster way to keep on the ranger path and maintain a good balance without relying on the feats. I've considered multiclassing as a ranger (ranger to ranger) and seeing if there was a loophole in a feat that would allow me to learn two feats at once or different fighting styles but in the end, I felt like I might be overcomplicating things.

XGE P.134, under Training states

Given enough free time and the service of an instructor, a character
can learn a language or pick up proficiency with a tool.

Could that also apply to learn new fighting styles?

Best Answer

The answer by @Wizo is correct, as is your own question's assessment of your question--as per 5e RAW you cannot gain a new fighting style through any means except multiclassing.

My suggestion would be to dip into fighter for one level to grab your second fighting style--but there are considerations.

  1. Multiclassing delays class abilities - It is often recommended that a base class take at least 5 levels in that base class to start with so that they gain a second attack and/or 3rd level spell (Ranger's case is 2nd attack). So, if you do multiclass, waiting until level 5 is a good tip, although it could be more contextually dependent than that.

  2. Ability score improvements are granted by class level - Unlike previous editions and Pathfinder, ability score improvements are granted by class level, not character level. So, multiclassing into more than one class will result in suboptimal ability scores at higher character levels. It may be more optimal for you to simply focus on Dexterity and use finesse weapons--you may not have the

  3. No capstone abilities - The second real drawback to multiclassing, which doesn't often come into play (because many tables don't rise up to level 20...) is that levels are capped at 20, meaning that characters who multiclass won't ever get their capstone abilities, i.e. you can gain no more class levels and thus you can not gain any more class features.

  4. Two Weapon Fighting is only... ok - In this player's opinion, dual-wielding is only good at low levels but loses effectiveness quickly. The major problem with dual wielding is that it takes a bonus action, and as you level up your class will have more and more bonus actions to use, meaning that at low levels it's an additional attack but at later levels it becomes just another option. I'd suggest Defense or Dueling.

All that said, I totally understand the flavour of a Ranger requiring something more than just a ranged attack--TWF is very cool and flavourful, but using a finesse weapon in a single hand makes Dueling a better choice for the long run. However, in this player's mind neither may be worth the dip into Fighter.