doctorbadwolf
Heretic of The Seventh Circle
So, I was tinkering around with the Artificer, and I realized that it actually makes a great Star Wars style Bounty Hunter, and in particular a Boba Fett style BH.
Specifically, the Artillerist.
So now I wonder if there are any opportunities I’m missing here!
Assumptions: All optional player option rules are available. Player is interested in an interesting character to develop, not starting out with maxed out stats.
So, we can either begin with a Variant Human, or a Mark of Finding Human/Half-Orc. Half-orcs in Eberron fill a compatible role to that of Mandolorians IMO, but either way you get set up nicely for bounty hunting.
I’m gonna assume Tharashk hay-fork here, because I wanna.
So right from the jump you’re better at Perception and Survival, and can cast Hunter’s Mark 1/day. Wis and Con aren’t Artificer stats, but genuinely who cares? It’s 5e, minmaxing stats is literally a waste of time.
Strength: 10
Dex: 14
Con: 13+1=14
Int: 14 (don’t worry it will come up and enhanced focus will help make up the difference)
Wis: 12+2=14
Cha: 10
Background: Custom, 2 Skills, 1 Language and 1 Tool. Athletics and Survival, Halfling, Vehicles: Sea/Air
Class Proficiencies: Smith’s Or Alchemists tools, Insight and Investigation or Perception. Good wisdom and the 1d4 help perception, but perception is also more often applicable.
Infusions: Enhanced Focus (staff), Enhanced Armor (Studded Leather), Sending Stones, Rope of Climbing. Early on you’ll need to always infuse the enhanced gear, but eventually you’ll want the others.
Specialization: Artillerist.
Level 1 Spells and Cantrips: Firebolt, Shocking Grasp, Jump, Feather Fall, Absorb Elements, then whatever you like.
Level 2 Spells: Web, Blur, then whatever.
Level 4 Feat: Spell Sniper (Wizard). Grab Ray of Frost, here. If you must focus on stats, raise Int by 2, or grab Observant for +1 Int and insane perceptive abilities.
So, you can snipe with Fire or Cold damage, Shock in Melee (all with the bonus from Arcane Firearm at level 5), and use your “cannon” as either a handheld force damage blaster, or a flamethrower. Or even a SW style personal shield! Meanwhile, Hunters Mark helps you not lose your mark, Locate Object helps find that tracker you planted, Jump and Feather Fall give you a limited use Jet Pack, Web gives you net grenades, etc.
Obviously it works better with rolled stats, but I love it either way.
Specifically, the Artillerist.
So now I wonder if there are any opportunities I’m missing here!
Assumptions: All optional player option rules are available. Player is interested in an interesting character to develop, not starting out with maxed out stats.
So, we can either begin with a Variant Human, or a Mark of Finding Human/Half-Orc. Half-orcs in Eberron fill a compatible role to that of Mandolorians IMO, but either way you get set up nicely for bounty hunting.
I’m gonna assume Tharashk hay-fork here, because I wanna.
So right from the jump you’re better at Perception and Survival, and can cast Hunter’s Mark 1/day. Wis and Con aren’t Artificer stats, but genuinely who cares? It’s 5e, minmaxing stats is literally a waste of time.
Strength: 10
Dex: 14
Con: 13+1=14
Int: 14 (don’t worry it will come up and enhanced focus will help make up the difference)
Wis: 12+2=14
Cha: 10
Background: Custom, 2 Skills, 1 Language and 1 Tool. Athletics and Survival, Halfling, Vehicles: Sea/Air
Class Proficiencies: Smith’s Or Alchemists tools, Insight and Investigation or Perception. Good wisdom and the 1d4 help perception, but perception is also more often applicable.
Infusions: Enhanced Focus (staff), Enhanced Armor (Studded Leather), Sending Stones, Rope of Climbing. Early on you’ll need to always infuse the enhanced gear, but eventually you’ll want the others.
Specialization: Artillerist.
Level 1 Spells and Cantrips: Firebolt, Shocking Grasp, Jump, Feather Fall, Absorb Elements, then whatever you like.
Level 2 Spells: Web, Blur, then whatever.
Level 4 Feat: Spell Sniper (Wizard). Grab Ray of Frost, here. If you must focus on stats, raise Int by 2, or grab Observant for +1 Int and insane perceptive abilities.
So, you can snipe with Fire or Cold damage, Shock in Melee (all with the bonus from Arcane Firearm at level 5), and use your “cannon” as either a handheld force damage blaster, or a flamethrower. Or even a SW style personal shield! Meanwhile, Hunters Mark helps you not lose your mark, Locate Object helps find that tracker you planted, Jump and Feather Fall give you a limited use Jet Pack, Web gives you net grenades, etc.
Obviously it works better with rolled stats, but I love it either way.
I don't think I'd get too caught up in race though, for a couple of reasons. One, to start a build like this I prefer to keep all my doors open. I would approach this as building the spiritual D&D brother of the Mandalorian, rather than a literal copy. Second, from a fluff standpoint, Mandalorians never take off their helmets right? They're synonymous with their armor? Their armor often has cool built-in toys? That all fits pretty well with Warforged. That said, on the skill side of things the VHuman or something else could also build a fine 5E Mando. Lots of awesome possibilities.
