Touched Hermit (Protector Aasimar Hunter)

This is a bit out of the ordinary in some ways. According to recent surveys, aasimar rangers are fairly rare. In any case, here is a character whose frequently harassed by their angelic guide and has taken to the wilds in an attempt to be away from the constant susurrus of voices both physical and mental. The idea being that they'd have to deal with less harassment from their guide if they aren't around other people to witness potential evil. This has worked to some regard. As a farther note, the setting I'm imagining this for doesn't trust celestials anymore than they do fiends, partially due to the fact that one of the major religious institutions is rather corrupt and would prefer to dictate to the people what they want the dogma to be rather than bend to what the actual gods state. As such, aasimar and many people with actual divine abilities or connections are decried as witches or frauds.


For this I am using a 30 pt pool since there are some stats I want a bit lower than average, namely the Charisma as this is not a character who appreciates the company of others. That said, even putting it at an 8 results in a 10 with the Aasimar Charisma bonus added in. As a further note, I am taking the Outlander rather than the Hermit background despite the way that I described the character in the title.

1st Level Protector Aasimar Ranger

Str: 15

Dex: 14

Con: 14

Int: 10

Wis: 14

Cha: 10

HP: 10

AC: 16
Save DC: 12
Speed: 30ft

Proficiency Bonus: +2

Darkvision 60 ft
Celestial Resistance
Healing Hands
Light Bearer
Radiant Soul

Armor Proficiencies: Light Armor, Medium Armor, Shields

Weapons: Simple Weapons, Martial Weapons

Tools: Flute

Saving Throws: Strength, Dexterity
Languages: Common, Celestial, Sylvan

Proficient Skills
Athletics (Outlander) +4
Investigation (Ranger) +2
Perception (Ranger) +4
Stealth (Ranger) +4
Survival (Outlander) +4

Background: Outlander

Favored Enemy: Undead
Natural Explorer

Cantrip: Light

Equipment
Battle Axe
Dagger
Scale Mail

Reasoning: I am deciding to go for the two-weapon fighting, but I'm making it weapons that a hermit might have on hand and being more realistic than fantastical. In this case, a large axe used for chopping wood which corresponds to a battle axe and a dagger used for other utility purposes. The undead favored enemy is more a nod toward their rather active angelic spirit than a particular dislike for the undead.

2nd to 5th Level

2nd Level - Fighting Style: Two-Weapon Fighting, Spellcasting, +8 HP (18)
Spells: Hunter's Mark, Speak with Animals

3rd Level - Primeval Awareness, Ranger Conclave: Hunter, Hunter's Prey: Colossus Slayer, +8 HP (26)
Spell: Animal Friendship

4th Level - Ability Score Improvement: Medium Armor Master, +8 HP (34)

5th Level - Proficiency Bonus: +3, Extra Attack, +8 HP (42)
Spell: Pass without Trace

Reasoning: I mostly chose the spells here with regard to the idea of someone whose only regular contact is animals, they might recognize them as a hunter and predator but there are other such entities in the wilds. The Hunter's Mark is a standard thing for rangers and there's no reason not to take it. Of the various options for Hunter, Colossus Slayer is the most generally useful. As a further note, neither Giant Killer nor Horde Breaker represent situations this character was likely to encounter much so the Colossus Slayer works better for a person that would mostly be trying to strike prey from a range. And yes, despite not having the archery or dueling style, I imagine they would be using the bow and the spear mostly for hunting purposes. I picked up Medium Armor Master so that things like scale mail wouldn't cause disadvantage on stealth. I considered Cure Wounds, but decided to be satisfied with the aasimar racial ability.

5th Level Statistics

5th Level Protector Aasimar Hunter

Str: 15

Dex: 14

Con: 14

Int: 10

Wis: 14

Cha: 10

HP: 42

AC: 16
Save DC: 13
Speed: 30ft

Proficiency Bonus: +3

Darkvision 60 ft
Celestial Resistance
Healing Hands
Light Bearer
Radiant Soul

Armor Proficiencies: Light Armor, Medium Armor, Shields

Weapons: Simple Weapons, Martial Weapons

Tools: Flute

Saving Throws: Strength, Dexterity
Languages: Common, Celestial, Sylvan

Proficient Skills
Athletics (Outlander) +5
Investigation (Ranger) +3
Perception (Ranger) +5
Stealth (Ranger) +5
Survival (Outlander) +5

Background: Outlander

Feat: Medium Armor Master

Favored Enemy: Undead
Natural Explorer
Fighting Style: Two Weapon Fighting
Spellcasting
Hunter Conclave
Hunter's Prey: Colossus Slayer
Extra Attack

Cantrip: Light

Spell Slots: 4 (1st) 2 (2nd)

1st Level Spells: Animal Friendship, Hunter's Mark, Speak with Animals
2nd Level Spells: Pass without Trace

Equipment
Battle Axe
Dagger
Scale Mail

6th to 10th Level

6th Level - Greater Favored Enemy: Fiends, +8 HP (50)

7th Level - Defensive Tactics: Multiattack Defense, +8 HP (58)
Spell: Cordon of Arrows

8th Level - Ability Score Improvement: Stealthy, +8 HP (66)

9th Level - Proficiency Bonus +4, +8 HP (74)
Spell: Lightning Arrow

10th Level - Hide in Plain Sight, +8 HP (82)

Reasoning: This starts to hit on some level of setting booby traps for pursuers and the Lightning Arrow works to tap into the celestial heritage a little bit for extra power. I chose Multiattack Defense because it again best represents the idea of a hunter who mostly lives alone and generally only deals with hunting regular animals that can attack several times. The Greater Favored Enemy: Fiends also touch on their celestial nature. Stealthy increases Dex a little and adds some extra capability to sneaking about. I considered taking Survivalist, but the basic ranger abilities mostly overshadow it by just doing a lot of the things you would roll Survival for.

10th Level Statistics

10th Level Protector Aasimar Hunter

Str: 15

Dex: 15

Con: 14

Int: 10

Wis: 14

Cha: 10

HP: 82

AC: 16
Save DC: 14
Speed: 30ft

Proficiency Bonus: +4

Darkvision 60 ft
Celestial Resistance
Healing Hands
Light Bearer
Radiant Soul

Armor Proficiencies: Light Armor, Medium Armor, Shields

Weapons: Simple Weapons, Martial Weapons

Tools: Flute

Saving Throws: Strength, Dexterity
Languages: Common, Celestial, Sylvan

Proficient Skills
Athletics (Outlander) +6
Investigation (Ranger) +4
Perception (Ranger) +6
Stealth (Ranger) +10
Survival (Outlander) +6

Background: Outlander

Feat: Medium Armor Master, Stealthy

Favored Enemy: Undead
Natural Explorer

Fighting Style: Two Weapon Fighting
Spellcasting
Hunter Conclave
Hunter's Prey: Colossus Slayer
Extra Attack
Greater Favored Enemy: Fiends
Defensive Tactics: Steel Will
Hide in Plain Sight

Cantrip: Light

Spell Slots: 4 (1st) 3 (2nd) 2 (3rd)

1st Level Spells: Animal Friendship, Hunter's Mark, Speak with Animals
2nd Level Spells: Cordon of Arrows, Pass without Trace
3rd Level Spells: Lightning Arrow

Equipment
Battle Axe
Dagger
Scale Mail

11th to 15th Level

11th Level - Multiattack: Volley, +8 HP (90)
Spell: Conjure Barrage

12th Level - Ability Score Improvement: Brawny, +8 HP (98)

13th Level - Proficiency Bonus +5, +8 HP (106)
Spell: Freedom of Movement

14th Level - Vanish, +8 HP (114)

15th Level - Superior Hunter's Defense: Uncanny Dodge, +8 HP (122)
Spell: Hail of Thorns

Reasoning: Despite being a two-weapon fighter, I have further picked up spells to enhance archery. Similarly I have picked the Volley multiattack option. Some might be wondering why I bothered with the two-weapon style if I was going to do so much with archery, but this does make the character reasonably strong at both melee and range and allows them to thin out the numbers before engaging directly. As useful as Evasion is, Uncanny Dodge comes up more often and is better fitting to someone more used to one on one battles with single opponents. That said, the archery spells and volley I picked up mostly enhance the ability to strike multiple opponents. This character is becoming more of generalist in combat than a specialist, being reasonable capable of dealing with several different situations. Brawny brings Strength to an even number and adds extra capability to Athletics.

15th Level Statistics

15th Level Protector Aasimar Hunter

Str: 16

Dex: 15

Con: 14

Int: 10

Wis: 14

Cha: 10

HP: 122

AC: 17
Save DC: 15
Speed: 30ft

Proficiency Bonus: +5

Darkvision 60 ft
Celestial Resistance
Healing Hands
Light Bearer
Radiant Soul

Armor Proficiencies: Light Armor, Medium Armor, Shields

Weapons: Simple Weapons, Martial Weapons

Tools: Flute

Saving Throws: Strength, Dexterity
Languages: Common, Celestial, Sylvan

Proficient Skills
Athletics (Outlander) +13
Investigation (Ranger) +5
Perception (Ranger) +7
Stealth (Ranger) +12
Survival (Outlander) +7

Background: Outlander

Feat: Brawny, Medium Armor Master, Stealthy

Favored Enemy: Undead
Natural Explorer

Fighting Style: Two Weapon Fighting
Spellcasting
Hunter Conclave
Hunter's Prey: Colossus Slayer
Extra Attack
Greater Favored Enemy: Fiends
Defensive Tactics: Steel Will
Hide in Plain Sight
Multiattack: Volley
Vanish
Superior Hunter's Defense: Uncanny Dodge

Cantrip: Light

Spell Slots: 4 (1st) 3 (2nd) 3 (3rd) 2 (4th)

1st Level Spells: Animal Friendship, Hail of Thorns, Hunter's Mark, Speak with Animals
2nd Level Spells: Cordon of Arrows, Pass without Trace
3rd Level Spells: Conjure Barrage, Lightning Arrow
4th Level Spells: Freedom of Movement

Equipment
Battle Axe
Dagger
Half-Plate

16th to 20th Level

16th Level - Ability Score Improvement Athlete (Dexterity), +8 HP (130)

17th Level - Proficiency Bonus +6, +8 HP (138)
Spell: Tree Stride

18th Level - Feral Senses, +8 HP (146)

19th Level - Ability Score Improvement: +2 Str, +8 HP (154)
Spell: Commune with Nature

20th Level - Foe Slayer, +8 HP (162)

Reasoning: At this point I increased Dexterity to the next even level with the Athlete feat as well as just flat increasing Strength. None of their ability scores hit 20, but they have a wide range of decent abilities this way. I added abilities representing the characters bond with nature at this level. In the long run, by cutting closer to what weapons a outland warrior would most likely use, the build became a bit overly split between Strength, Dexterity, and Wisdom. A more stats oriented build would have gone with scimitars or short swords rather than axe and dagger and then split the Ability Increases between Dexterity and Wisdom. However, short swords are not all that likely for a woodsman to be carrying.

20th Level Statistics

20th Level Protector Aasimar Hunter

Str: 18

Dex: 16

Con: 14

Int: 10

Wis: 14

Cha: 10

HP: 162

AC: 18
Save DC: 16
Speed: 30ft

Proficiency Bonus: +6

Darkvision 60 ft
Celestial Resistance
Healing Hands
Light Bearer
Radiant Soul

Armor Proficiencies: Light Armor, Medium Armor, Shields

Weapons: Simple Weapons, Martial Weapons

Tools: Flute

Saving Throws: Strength, Dexterity
Languages: Common, Celestial, Sylvan

Proficient Skills
Athletics (Outlander) +16
Investigation (Ranger) +6
Perception (Ranger) +8
Stealth (Ranger) +15
Survival (Outlander) +8

Background: Outlander

Feat: Athlete, Brawny, Medium Armor Master, Stealthy

Favored Enemy: Undead
Natural Explorer

Fighting Style: Two Weapon Fighting
Spellcasting
Hunter Conclave
Hunter's Prey: Colossus Slayer
Extra Attack
Greater Favored Enemy: Fiends
Defensive Tactics: Steel Will
Hide in Plain Sight
Multiattack: Volley
Vanish
Superior Hunter's Defense: Uncanny Dodge
Feral Senses
Foe Slayer

Cantrip: Light

Spell Slots: 4 (1st) 3 (2nd) 3 (3rd) 3 (4th) 2 (5th)

1st Level Spells: Animal Friendship, Hail of Thorns, Hunter's Mark, Speak with Animals
2nd Level Spells: Cordon of Arrows, Pass without Trace
3rd Level Spells: Conjure Barrage, Lightning Arrow
4th Level Spells: Freedom of Movement
5th Level Spells: Commune with Nature, Tree Stride

Equipment
Battle Axe
Dagger
Half-Plate

Some 5e Builds