Going F2 for action surge plus anything that gets another attack a 5th level is probably where I'd start. Going Ranger/Hunter 11 and adding Horde Breaker and Volley sounds very promising, especially combined with the spell Flame Arrows so all those shots do an extra d6. That build doesn't do so well against single large targets though, it's pretty dedicated crowd control (other than the -5/+10 from sharpshooter). Adding one more level of fighter gets you some additional damage options that can help with that, either larger crit range from Champion or the Battle Master maneuvers. Or, you could really press the crowd control side and go Samurai to get advantage on all those volley shots (and then add Eleven Accuracy, muhuhahahah!). Paired with hand crossbows and the feat tree you're looking at it gets pretty good no matter exactly where else you go.
If you went Ranger 12 (for that 12th level ASI) and went fighter for the rest you'd have a solid 6 ASIs total to build your feat tree and buff stats. Or you could dip rogue 5 for the backstab damage and some action economy buffs and dodgy stuff. Either of those options works for me.
I know you looked at Assassin and thought maybe it wasn't for you, but just keep in mind that if you went that route, when you double volley (quad volley with action surge) with surprise, every single one of those shots that hits does critical damage. That's an encounter trivializing amount of damage if you set it up properly.
If you went Ranger 12 (for that 12th level ASI) and went fighter for the rest you'd have a solid 6 ASIs total to build your feat tree and buff stats. Or you could dip rogue 5 for the backstab damage and some action economy buffs and dodgy stuff. Either of those options works for me.
I know you looked at Assassin and thought maybe it wasn't for you, but just keep in mind that if you went that route, when you double volley (quad volley with action surge) with surprise, every single one of those shots that hits does critical damage. That's an encounter trivializing amount of damage if you set it up properly.
