Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Coredump00 Sep 22, 2014 9:50:49	Thinking of starting an Archer, we will be playing from first level so I am willing to sacrifice some '15th level awesomeness" for '3rd level awesomeness'.   Also am not interested in the dual weilding hand crossbow build.   I am currently leaning towards long bow, but could be convinced XBow.   My thoughts on a build start with Archery Fighting Style Sharpshooter feat Sneak attack (extra damage against targets near any party members)   I don't really fnd much else, There is the Ranger Hunter subtype, which gives some help (okay, Volley is a big help, but not until Ran11)   Are there abiities I am missing?  Spells I should be looking into? Is there any reason to go Xbow instead of Long Bow?       Bonus question:  I would add my Dex modifier on the Attack *and* the Damage roll for standard ranged weapons, even for crossbows... right?
#2 Sorxores Sep 22, 2014 10:52:59	one of my favorite archer build:   Halfling lightfoot : lucky and you can hide behind ally size medium.   Being halfing you need a lightcross bow (1d8+dex) or shortbow (1d6+dex)   4 level of fighter (for Archery fighting style, champion for crit on 19, Action surge and second wind are situation at best with this built. Alternatively ranger would give you the same fighting style, and you would replace the crit for spells and hunting bonus. Why level 4? so you don't loose your feat/stat increase.   then go full 16 rogues cunning action will let you hide behind your friends as a bonus action. Sneak attack will make that single attack you got hit very hard and give you advantage every round (since your stealth his against the PASSIVE perception of the ennemies) For the subclass, assassin will give you a free crit at the begining of some fight if your team work with you. Arcane trickster give you some usefull spell to protect yourself.   at level 4 and 8 get your dex +2 to reach 20 ASAP. at level 12 take sharpshooter (ignore half and 3/4 cover and you can take a -5 to hit (you have advantage so it's all right) to deal +10 damage) at lvl 16 you take lucky to reroll those unlucky rolls at lvl 18 you take Alert (if your assassin take this at level 16) to increase your chance to be first, and to be never surprise. at lvl 20 you take Martial adept, giving you one superiority dice giving you an additional 1d6 damage and a utility effect.   Any subclass works, but I personally like the champion, since criting with a 19 when you are rolling advantage with 99% of your attacks, give you a huge crit probability and crit double your HUGE sneak damages   Alternativly taking 3fighter, 3 ranger and 14 rogue will offer you some interesting bonus from all 3 classes at the cost of some feat but sharpshooter is the only very good feat, the other 3 are some gravy but could be subtitute for other option (resilience if survival is an issue, magic adept to gain some minor spell power ect...
#3 Rancid_Rogue Sep 22, 2014 10:55:40	You're missing Hunter's Mark (Ranger or vengeance Paladin), which is a lot easier to keep up when you're kiting from 900 feet away. And the +1d8 for a Hunter Ranger striking a wounded target, which at level 5+ is a nice bonus for your second shot on the same target.   So, Human or Wood Elf straight Ranger works nicely.
#4 mellored Sep 22, 2014 10:57:48	There's 3 classes you want to look at.   Fighter.  Does the most single target damage, with good durability.  Best for straight up shooting. Ranger. Does more multi-target damage, and has utility.  Hunter's Quarry is the go-to spell, but Ensaring strike is pretty nice as well. Rogue.  Does ok single target damage, and is very mobile and stealthy.   Xbow works better until level 5, or just always with a rogue.   I would boost Dex before sharpshooter.  At low levels, you tend to waste alot of that damage with overkill.  Though take it as soon as you max. And probably not take it at all with a rogue, since you can loose more sneak attack then you gain.   And yes, you add Dex to both attack and damage.
#5 Yunru Sep 22, 2014 10:59:51	If you're a Fighter, go Eldritch Knight, take Magic Initiate at level 4 and pick up Hex with it.
#6 Direach Sep 22, 2014 11:59:32	I've been very happy with my archer build, human battlemaster fighter with Crossbow Expert and heavy crossbow. Having high AC and HP along with higher accuracy and the highest ranged weapon damage has been very satisfying. The different battlemaster attack options can be very handy as well, and tend to play out a bit differently when using a ranged character.
#7 GladiusLegis Sep 22, 2014 12:21:00	As a pure Assassin Rogue starting at 16 DEX, I'd go:   Lv. 4: Crossbow Expert Lv. 8, 10: DEX +2, +2 (max out at 20) Lv. 12: Skulker Lv. 16: Sharpshooter   (If Variant Human you can obviously shift that progression back four levels earlier, taking Crossbow Expert at Lv. 1.)   You'd want Sharpshooter by Lv. 16, one level before Death Attack, since that can add up to 40 points on your surprise-round ambush w/ two hand crossbows once you do get Death Attack.
#8 Coredump00 Sep 22, 2014 12:23:12	Thanks for the replies so far...   Sorxores: I was looking at that concept for a rogue I was thinking about.  But I am currently looking for more of a 'traditional' archer, not a rogue using a bow.    Rancid Rogue: Not sure how I forgot about Hunters Mark...  another reason to go Ranger, The +d8 is nice, but so is Hordebreaker....  not sure which way to go...   mellored wrote:
(Reply to #7) Coredump00	GladiusLegis wrote:
#10 Yunru Sep 22, 2014 12:26:38	A second attack, and thus a second chance to apply Sneak Attack.
#11 Demosthenes2054 Sep 22, 2014 13:37:42	I'm currently looking at playing an archer as well.  I'm sure it's not 'the optimal build' but I'm leaning heavily towards a Wood Elf Rogue that uses a longbow.  At level 3 I'll go Arcane Trickster with Minor Illusion for instant cover, Sleep for crowd control goodness, and Find Familiar for bonus scouting as well as using Help in combat.   The basic idea is to get advantage as often as possible.
#12 Direach Sep 22, 2014 15:36:33	Coredump00 wrote:
#13 Coredump00 Sep 22, 2014 20:09:54	So...  with Sharpshooter the Archer has a 'standard' range of 4-600' (depending on HX/Long bow)    What types of abiities/builds/spells can take advantage of the Archers great range?   Ensnaring Strike is 'self' so it could work, and potentially let future attacks have advantage Assassin boosts work great with surprise, which should be possible at 300+ feet, Combine with Extra Attack and Action Surge for a really big first turn hit. Collosus Slayer and Hordebreaker work at any distance. (Hex and Hunters mark do not...)     Other ideas?
#14 Psikerlord Sep 23, 2014 1:14:43	Direach wrote:
#15 mellored Sep 23, 2014 7:27:15	Coredump00 wrote:
#16 mellored Sep 23, 2014 7:30:17	Coredump00 wrote:
#17 Guest703856308 Sep 23, 2014 12:13:43	Consider 6 levels of Fighter (Champion) to get 2 stat bumps (DEX 20) and Extra Attack (gives you the extra shot to ensure sneak attack will hit, won't always have advantage to make it happen), then 5 levels of Rogue (Thief for mobility/utlity or Assassin for surprise damage) which gets you 3D6 of Sneak Attack and Uncanny Dodge (roughly doubles your HP effectively), then go up in either Fighter to 11 for a third attack or go up in Rogue for more Sneak Attack, your preference.
#18 Direach Sep 23, 2014 13:29:57	Psikerlord wrote:
(Reply to #15) Coredump00	mellored wrote: