Archer Druid Subclass?

[Guest 6801328]

Yes, sure, you COULD build an archer druid by multiclassing, but I'm just thinking out loud (well, on paper...I mean, digitally) here.

I'm imagining a druid circle that focuses on protecting sacred areas from outsiders/trespassers/invaders. Circle of Wardens? ("Circle of Wagons"...heh heh heh...)

Note: all of this could apply equally to melee weapons, but in my mind I'm imagining bows or even slings.

Two obvious ideas are:
- Use Wisdom instead of Dex for bow/sling attacks (Shillelagh for ranged weapons)
- Divine Smite equivalent. Poison would be the most flavorful damage type, but so many creatures have resistance/immunity to Poison.

Any ideas for nifty abilities be that aren't just damage boosts?

Bonus spells list might include:
- Alarm
- Hunter's Mark
- Suggestion
- See Invisibility
- ???

Thoughts?

 

[Paul Farquhar]

You can play an archer druid by being an elf.

 

[Horwath]

2nd level; proficiency with bows,
Elemental strike; after you hit with a weapon attack you can spend a spell slot to add 1d6 damage +1d6 per spell level. Damage type is your choice from acid, cold,fire,lightning,thunder or poison damage.
6th level: extra attack feature,

10th level: improved elemental strike: all weapon attacks now deal extra 1d6 elemental damage

14th level: when you make attack action with longbow, you can make one attack with longbow as a bonus action.

 

[Bitbrain]

Well, It's probably not what you are exactly looking for, but for my upcoming campaign, I created a Druid Gish of sorts based kinda-sorta off of the Bladesinger Wizard.
Since you want a kind of "Primeval Smite", I'll leave out the additional 2nd level feature (bonus spell lists, instead of Divine Smite feature).
Hope it helps.

CIRCLE OF THE ELEMENTS
Elemental Shaman
Starting at 2nd level (when you choose this Druid Circle), you can expend one use of your Wild Shape to invoke a special elemental magic, provided that you are not wearing heavy armor or using a shield.
For a number of minutes equal to half your druid level, instead of transforming into the shape of a beast, you gain the following benefits:
AC Bonus. You gain a bonus to your AC equal to your Wisdom modifier (a minimum of +1)
Elemental Resistance. You have resistance to one of the following damage types of your choice: cold, fire, lightning, or poison.
Increased Speed.Your base walking speed increases by 10 feet.

Bonus Attack
At 6th level, you can make one melee weapon attack as a bonus action on your turn.

Elemental Strike
At 10th level, when you hit a creature with a weapon attack on your turn, you deal extra damage equal to your Wisdom modifier.
This extra damage is of the type associated with your chosen element (air = lightning, fire = fire, water = cold, earth = bludgeoning)

Primal Fortitude
Also at 10th level, you are immune to poison and disease.

Iron Skin
At 14th level, the elemental spirits strengthen your body, increasing your stamina and physical endurance.
You have proficiency in Constitution saving throws.

 

[Gwarok]

Archer druid? Aren't those called rangers?

 

[Zardnaar]

Don't think the archer druid has ever been a strong archetype although the occasional one can use a bow (elf, MC etc). Think you will need to go ranger, the plus side being its and obvious MC and fits story, mechanics, playstyle etc.

 

[Kobold Stew]

You can use Wis for a sling attack with Magic Stone. I'm currently playing a rogue using Wisdom as his attack stat.

As stated, Wood elf is the obvious way to use a bow for a druid.

 

[DEFCON 1]

Arcane Archer Fighter with a class feature swap of Action Surge for Wildshape.

 

[Guest 6801328]

You can use Wis for a sling attack with Magic Stone. I'm currently playing a rogue using Wisdom as his attack stat.

I like that.

As stated, Wood elf is the obvious way to use a bow for a druid.

Yeah but I don't just want to be able to use a bow I want it to be effective and worthwhile. A wood-elf druid has no reason (other than flavor) to use a bow instead of cantrips after level 5.

Maybe there isn't enough concept behind "druid with bow" but somehow I wanted to make a ranged martial sub-class because...why not?

 

[Kobold Stew]

Yeah but I don't just want to be able to use a bow I want it to be effective and worthwhile. A wood-elf druid has no reason (other than flavor) to use a bow instead of cantrips after level 5.

This may be true, as indeed it could be for most primary casters.

For me as a player who really loves playing clerics, though, there is a big experiential difference between the two: with a bow you get to roll to hit.

Unlike the Intelligence- and Charisma-based cantrips, Wisdom-based cantrips (i.e. those on the Cleric and Druid lists) require a save, but not the physical experience of the player to roll a d20 to hit. That's a choice, but it is one that affects the experience of play.

(Now some DMs might let players roll the save, and there are ways around this, e.g. by becoming an Arcana cleric; but those are exceptions not the rule.)

Given that most actual games are in the lower levels anyways, the choice to be a DEX-based druid is not entirely foolhardy (and can be supported with feats, etc.