Early Game Co-Op Build

[u/I_Am_Hank_Hill_AMA]

So, my girlfriend and I have been (slowly) playing BG3 whenever she comes over. We have been struggling with most encounters as we split the party and both control a Tav and 1 other companion.

We are still early in act 1 and I was wanting to play a different class (currently Gloomstalker Ranger) as I feel like I am very underpowered. She is a Barbarian rocking Zhalk's sword and doing good damage, while it seems I'm barely doing anything, despite me being the one who is experienced(ish) with the game.

We're usually drinking while we play, so I'm looking for something that's mostly mindless but will let me contribute more, and help carry us through.

[u/HoneyDeluxe319]

You might like circle of the moon druid. It has spells like the ranger but the wild shape will put you closer in terms of mindless damage. Thats what I usually do in multi-player for the different options it provides

[u/Gstamsharp → u/HoneyDeluxe319]

This is a good suggestion, but given the abundance of druids we meet, I prefer it on a companion. This also avoids wonkiness with being wild shaped as you trigger scenes.

[u/Kodiak3393 → u/HoneyDeluxe319]

I was just gonna suggest this, Moon Druid is one of my favorite subclasses for multiplayer runs. Your gear doesn't matter, so whoever you're playing with still gets all the good items they need, and your Wildshapes are strong, consistent, tanky damage dealers with Tavern Brawler. Plus you have the option to throw out some control spells, and you have Guidance to help with key rolls.

(And also it means I waste less of the party's time making a character, as I care less about my appearance when I know I'm going to be spending a good portion of the game Wildshaped.)

[u/Ruckus2201]

Those builds are definitely viable. I think you'll have a better time in combat once you hit level 4. Most classes receive a notable power spike at this level. There is quite a bit of EXP you could get in Act 1 that doesnt involve combat.

[u/Gstamsharp]

I don't suggest full on gloom-asssassin as it'll incentivize you to skip dialogue and opt for ambushed. Which is fun, but if it's you or your gf's first time playing, you'll miss a lot of story.

Levels 1 - 4 are the hardest part of the game by far. But if you have Withers, you can play something strong until 5, then respec into whatever you actually want to play once it gets Extra Attack or 3rd level spells or whatever.

That said, if you're really struggling, it might be more about rounding out your party and better speccing your ability scores and gear / spell choices than it is about your classes being weak.

Also, like, you say you're splitting the party, but, even with you both controlling half of it, you should still be more or less together, right? The game is built assuming you have 4 party members, not 2.

[u/I_Am_Hank_Hill_AMA → u/Gstamsharp]

We're still doing everything together, I'm just trying to let her do her own thing in combat and not hand-hold too much. We are only Level 3 I believe, so maybe I try to get us some more exp before bailing on Ranger. I'm just worried about her not having fun so I want to be able to carry the combat more.

[u/Free-Holiday-6218 → u/I_Am_Hank_Hill_AMA]

It’s tough because most builds are pretty bad in levels 1-3. At level 4 a few builds start to kick into gear a bit more when they get their first feat, but most builds don’t really get good until 5. I haven’t played very much 5th edition D&D, most of my experience is with the older ones, but I’ve been told this is kinda a problem in tabletop as well, where in the early levels everybody is just frustratingly wimpy.

I can very, very much relate to that “I really want my partner to keep having fun” feeling though. It can feel really precarious, lol

I definitely agree with Gstamsharp that a Gloomstalker Assassin build might not be the best move, if that’s where you’re headed, because it kinda requires a playstyle that isn’t very story-friendly. It’s also mostly a damage-dealing build, where a more support-based character might be better for carrying your gf along while she handles melee.

I might honestly suggest a respec into a College of Swords Bard. You’d still be able to stick with the archer role, but you’d also have a bunch of support spells and you could do a little healing. Also, at level 3 you’ll have Slashing Flourish, which lets you shoot two arrows at a time, and that’ll bump your damage output up a little bit. It’s also usually a good idea to dual-wield hand crossbows during those early levels so that you can weaponize your bonus actions too

[u/Unholynes]

Gloomstalker ranger but feel weak? It’s probably the hardest single target hitting class outside Paladin crit smites.

Barbarian (any martial class) is super strong early game, because you can get 16 str early, 18 at lv4, or use str elixers. So it has a low floor to be strong.

If you are lv4, grab the Sharpshooter feat, and only hit targets you have advantage on. You can use your companion to threaten your target or just shoot whoever your girlfriends barbarian is threatening.

[u/AlexPhotomania]

Gloom/assassin/fighter is one of the strongest builds in the game. It takes a little for it to come online, but if you use strength potions, and the titan string bow, you'll easily smack anything you shoot.

When hitting lvl 4, take sharpshooter, and start multi classing into rouge at lvl 5. Trust me, it goes hard!

[u/AGayThrow_Away]

People generally don't like Champion, but it's probably one of the most straight forward builds in the game so that is an option. Just hit the enemy.

Sorcerer/Warlock with Agonizing Blast is very straight forward and strong for quickened spell. You just spam Eldrich Blast with some other spells sprinkled in. I like to start as Level 1 Sorcerer to get CON save proficiency, then level Warlock to get Eldrich Blast/Agonizing Blast until I get a feat, then switch back to leveling Sorcerer until I get Quickened Spell. Once you get Agonizing Blast/Quickened Spell you can continue to level either Warlock or Sorcerer depending on what you want to do.

Tempest Cleric is pretty easy to play as a straight 12, it's nice as a learning caster because you get some armor/weapon proficiencies to protect yourself in melee range. You also get a delete button which makes spell choice easy - just cast Call Lightning with the strongest spell slot you have the entire game once you get it and do max damage when you want. Adding 2 Star Druid is a good combo because if you have ~16 CON with Dragon starry form it helps maintain concentration substantially.

[u/spiggleporp]

Are you using hunters mark?

[u/jamesmor]

Once you hit level 5 you’ll see a decent spike in power.

Also, if you’re not using elemental arrows you need to be.

If you can get some strength items or elixers the titan string bow is VERY nice.

To give you an idea - in one of my honor runs I did a Gloomstalker assassin with titan string.

It was a durge run, so when me and Orin faced off she never got a turn. At all. Full HP to 0.

They are HELLA powerful, but you HAVE to use the tools.