D&D 5E (2024) Ranged Builds Thread

[mellored]

Hunter Ranger + Ensnaring Strike seems fairly comparable through 10th level. I’d have to do a deep dive, but I anticipate it’s very balanced.

They also get Web+Push+Archery style.
Maybe dip fighter 2 for action surge to do it on the same turn.
Doesn't scale to 3 attacks though.

Oh.
Eldritch Knight gets 3 attacks +web +action surge +Archery style.

 

[FrogReaver]

They also get Web+Push+Archery style.
Maybe dip fighter 2 for action surge to do it on the same turn.
Doesn't scale to 3 attacks though.

Oh.
Eldritch Knight gets 3 attacks +web +action surge +Archery style.

You apparently really like web.
I think you are overrating web for most classes. It costing an action is rough. Sorlocks get around that because they can fuel more attacks/rerolls. But I don't think Ranger or Eldritch Knight will.

Ranger's Ensnaring Strike is a bonus action that does the restrain to just 1 enemy. I think in practice you'll usually find it better.
Eldritch Knight won't get close to the Battlemasters mix of Damage+Control.

One thing I dislike about the half casters is either their damage tends to be lower (maxing casting stat) or their save dc tends to be low (maxing dex/str and feats).

 

[mellored]

You apparently really like web.

Only combined with forced movement.
Which is available to most classes.

 

[SLJ]

Only combined with forced movement.
Which is available to most classes.

Web + Telekinetic feat. Your melee partner sets up near the edge of the Web, threatening adjacent squares. Every time a creature barely makes it out of the Web, you shove it right back in with a bonus action.

 

[CptMetal]

Hello, I'm just a noob looking for a ranged build to try for my first game (my pals play it longer and know about optimization) but what about an elven Champion with two vicious hand crossbows?
Perhaps even +1 ammunition.
Viable?

 

[ECMO3]

This thread is to post cool 2024 D&D Ranged Builds. I probably won't post my own till level 20 but feel free to do yours that way.

Holy Crossbowman

Essentially you are a Paladin/Rogue that uses a Heavy Crossbow and focuses on Dexterity and Charisma.
Ultimately this makes you a high damage dealing ranged character, that can operate just as effectively in melee, along with tremendous accuracy, tactical flexibility and mobility.

You use Sacred Weapon and Archery Style for super high accuracy.
You use Cunning Action (dash) primarily for mobility, great for avoiding enemies or repositioning your Aura of Protection for allies or to heal them with Lay on Hands.
Steady Aim helps to land Sneak Attack before enemies reach melee range with the party.
You take the Crossbow Expertise feat to use a Heavy Crossbow and the Push Mastery.

• Enemy next to you gets pushed 10 to 20 feet back and then you move back 30ft in hopes they cannot move 50ft without the dash action next turn.
• The same thing can happen if an enemy is engaged with an ally.
• You can slow an enemies advance toward the party so they don't all reach the party at the same time.
• You can push enemies back into damage zones.

Smite Spells typically require a melee or unarmed strike. This is found in the Casting Time line of them. As such your primary option is

And ultimately Cunning Strike adds even more mobility, prone and disadvantage options.

• Particularly useful is to Poison enemies for disadvantage on their attacks, especially ones too large for forced movement.

It's also highly recommended to go Arcane Trickster as your Rogue subclass for more spells and slots, though certainly not required.
*Note all the options talked about here come online by level 11.

For ideas beyond level 11, it's mostly going to be around Arcane Trickster Spells and feats (though you won't have high int so pick mostly buff spells). Higher level you might want to pick up Great Weapon Master. At some point mutliclassing into Fighter for Action Surge and Battlemaster Manuevers might make sense as well.

Also Starting Point Buy would look something like 13/15/12/8/8/15 -> 13/17/12/8/8/16 after background modifiers of +2 Dex and +1 Cha. IMO, the entertainer background looks the most promising as a book option and inspiring your allies also fits the characters theme well, but if your DM let's you mix and match then other options might be better.

I really like wrathful smite from range in play, and it works with ranged attacks using melee weapons. I like it enough that I would not want to give that up. Against enemies that can be frightened it stops them cold on a failed save. No need for slow or anything else.

As such, I would offer thrown weapon fighting style and dagger(nick) for your other masteries hand axe, heavy crossbow, spear and javelin. Keep a bunch of javelins around for longer ranged throws. You can wrathful smite on all of that except the Crossbow. Get Truestrike on Charisma from Elf or an Origin feat, dump dex to 13 and prioritize strength.

For real long range use the Crossbow with truestrike. When close enough to throw you get 3 attacks once you have extra attack. Your 3rd nick attack would always be a nick dagger, and you would need one other attack with a light weapon
(hand axe or dagger) to trigger it, but the other could be with anything you throw. A Hand Axe mastery could also give you the vex you need to get advantage for sneak attack. Your sneak attack would need to be with the dagger of course

All the thrown weapons would let you wrathful smite from range. With Thrown weapon fighting it would be competitive in terms of damage.

The downside is finding a bunch of magic thrown weapons to make it work.

*Also sacred weapon does not work with Ranged weapons.

 

[Zardnaar]

Hello, I'm just a noob looking for a ranged build to try for my first game (my pals play it longer and know about optimization) but what about an elven Champion with two vicious hand crossbows?
Perhaps even +1 ammunition.
Viable?

Very nasty if you can get the vicious handcrossbows

 

[CptMetal]

I was under the impression, that you can craft magic items if you got enough money.
You only need arcana proficiency and enough money.
Give him DEX 17 and then straight champion till level 8 with the feats CE, Sharpshooter and elven accuracy. That brings the crit chance up to 27.1%.
Normally crits would suck but if you deal 3D6 damage you have very good damage. And superior accuracy with super advantage.
Maybe take one level of ranger for the hunters mark or rogue for expertise.

Any suggestions?

 

[Zardnaar]

I was under the impression, that you can craft magic items if you got enough money.
You only need arcana proficiency and enough money.
Give him DEX 17 and then straight champion till level 8 with the feats CE, Sharpshooter and elven accuracy. That brings the crit chance up to 27.1%.
Normally crits would suck but if you deal 3D6 damage you have very good damage. And superior accuracy with super advantage.
Maybe take one level of ranger for the hunters mark or rogue for expertise.

Any suggestions?

Rules seem ambiguous. DM rols for availability other than that time and money.

The rules are there. IDK if magic item creation has trickled down.

 

[FrogReaver]

Hello, I'm just a noob looking for a ranged build to try for my first game (my pals play it longer and know about optimization) but what about an elven Champion with two vicious hand crossbows?
Perhaps even +1 ammunition.
Viable?

I think you still need the free hand to load them?