NatureWithoutMan

Hey guys, I tried the Druid, but just can't get into being a caster. I feel too strong and like I don't fit into the story well. For me to be fully immersed in the game I need to be a character to discover their power rather than inherit it. I'd like to be able to use ranged and melee. I guess kind of a skirmisher build. Flanking when possible but sturdy enough to survive. Most of the non magic classes are a bit too auto attack heavy, so what are some active feats available (envenomed strike for example, which also fits a forest warrior making a poison from plants) that would give some additional combat options and/or roleplay well? Can a barbarian get anything out of a bow? I like the rogue, but maybe too much of a glass cannon ? Ranger fits but just seems dull. Dps fighter? Kind wayfarer with Shepard? Soooo many choices. Sorry guys. Am I asking for too much and just drop this idea and play a monk since its an active (or reactionary) fighter class? I want to get into the game but feel paralyzed in my character creation purgatory.

Thanks for all the answers! Okay, so Druid is a bit surprising (caster), but I'll give it a shot. So it looks like I should off-tank, but what about ranged? Can i switch between melee and ranged without sacrificing my effectiveness? And yes my ranger playthrough fits the rp-ing aspect (in Baldur's Gate I always played a stalker, archer, or fighter/thief)., and i enjoy the tactical positioning but with so few active abilities I'm afraid I'll loose interest. Anyway to make that class feel more exciting? Maybe high lore? I'll look into your BatSht build more closely. Not a huge fan of having to rest constantly, but don't mind resting as a concept. In terms of skills, can i become a jack of all trades and use my party for the tougher checks? I'd like to be able to sneak (hunt), be athletic (outdoorsman), have a lot of survival (again outdoorsman) and be able to set traps (trapper). Is it possible? Do these skill checks only work in the extremes 10s 12s or can i get by with 4s, 6s and 8s? And finally, thanks again for all the responses. Great community you guys have built here!

Hey all, I'm new to the forums and new to the game. I have, however, looked at all the amazing builds you all have been posting and thought I'd crowdsource the build I will use for my first playthrough. I have been stuck in character creation for days, (happens to be part of any game I play) and although all your builds are remarkable, I just have my mind stuck on roleplaying a specific character. So here goes: I am looking for a build for a frontiersman/hunter/outdoorsman. The concept is simple. A character that is self sufficient, living out in the wilderness, and surviving on hunting, fishing, trapping, woodworking, etc. Someone who is into bushcraft and homesteading, etc. I have a hard time with many fantasy themes, because magic for me is something that pulls me out of my immersion. Perhaps I lack the imagination, i dunno. However, fantasy settings often remind me of my childhood spent hunting and fishing. And I tend to gravitate toward characters that live in these wilderness zones and don't have a magic inclination. That being said, my MC should feel important, not only from a story view, but also from a tactical and gameplay perspective. Which often times means a spellcaster. I do not min and max, but would do so if it fits a roleplay. I like dialogue options and can't play a "dumb" character. So i have played all the classes but only to the guilded vale. And I understand that my background can be hunter, explorer, etc. and it not have to do with the class. But what is the character you would make for a frontiersman, homesteader? A ranger? A rogue? A kind wayfarer? I truly enjoy character creation, and would just appreciate seeing what you guys come up with! I do not know mechanics etc, but i am willing to take less than optimal choices for sake of rp but do wish to remain a useful member duriing battles. Thanks!!!