Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 RossGarner Dec 29, 2014 20:57:19	Hi everyone, my 4e campaign is winding down and we're in the process of building new characters for 5e.  We've rolled for stats, with a caveat that each roll is locked to a stat.   Mine were: STR: 8 CON: 12 DEX: 18 INT: 13 WIS: 10 CHA: 10   I'm completely new to the system having never played 5e at all (missed the test play).  I got really lucky with the 18 DEX, some I'm inclined to play an Elf Bow Fighter, though I'm not at all decided.   I was also thinking about playing a High Elf Wizard, who just has a really strong longbow attack early game, and transitions to spell damage later on.   What does everyone think, I'm primarily interested in building a strong, high-permforming character and willing to play just about any class?  Human variants are allowed as are feats.
#2 transcendantviewer Dec 29, 2014 21:19:33	Honestly, just read the rules from cover to cover about 2-3 times until you understand them. Then start working on character builds you find interesting. If it's a dexterous, versitile character you're after, there's plenty of options.
#3 Napolean_Warlord Dec 29, 2014 21:29:22	Human variant fighter using archery/longbow with the sharpshooter feat   If your DM likes cheese, checkout Crossbow expert followed by Sharpshooter
#4 Coredump00 Dec 29, 2014 22:20:36	You have kind of weak stats for a spell caster.  That isn't a deal breaker, would just need to be careful about which spells you take.   5E has stat requirements for multi-classing, right now, the only choices you have are Rogue, Fighter, and Wizard.  If you can increase str or Wis or Cha to 13, you will have other options. (Or your DM may waive the requirement)   If you want to go Bow archer.... I like the Ranger(Hunter) Rogue(assassin) combo, take it to 5/5; then figure something out from there. (Maybe some fighter levels.....) Both Wood Elf and Variant Human are very strong.    WIth your MC restrictions, I would just go fighter rogue.  OTOH, a straight Ranger would still work pretty well, and give you better spells.   If going Wizard, you probably want to go straight Wizard, in some race that gives +2 Int.  At least you will have decent AC...
#5 WizardV Dec 29, 2014 23:31:06	If you're looking for the wizard archer it's the Elritch Knight subclass of fighter. When you say strong performing that's very relative to the type of campaign. I'd personally need more information about your party before I could say what will be best for your group, but if you want straight DPR with those stats a variant of crossbow expert is probably best. You can either go the fighter route, get precision strike to land the shots sharpshooter is causing you to miss, or go the rogue route and focus on getting advantage and landing that sneak attack. Even discussing optimal DPR builds requires context on the number of fights and short rests per day. There are three separate optimization threads: one for at will, one for balanced, and one for nova. My personal suggestion would either be EK gish if you plan on playing beyond 14 or some variant of fighter rogue if you plan on mostly playing below 14. I find rangers underwhelming personally.
#6 UngeheuerLich Dec 30, 2014 1:08:15	Wizard as well as fighter -> eldritch knight or any combination will work fine. 13 Int is a it low for attack spells though. But if versality is yur main concern, you can do more than fine. Sleep spell, magic missile and some other spells don´t allow saving throws or need a good spell attack, so you are good. Your Bow attack with 20 dexterity will make a very good replacement for cantrips up until at least level 10 and maybe beyond. Especially if you find a magic bow, leaving cantrips free for utility. Chose the right school (for example abjuration) and you are doing fine.   sharpshooter is a good feat with that high dexterity. Should be enough situations, where -5/+10 is a good trade. Practically whenever your chances to hit are higher than 50% and the enemy is above 14hp.   One tip: don´t try ti wriggle out every point of damage. Instead fokus on what you like. DPR calculations are not worth their effort.