Sharpshooter OP? Not really. It's not OP for a Rogue. It's not really OP for a Ranger (depending on build and level). If the Ranger has Colussus slayer and/or Hunter's Mark a lower level Ranger is better off just taking the Dex increase.
Comparing taking Sharpshooter vs. Dexterity increase, assuming Ranger takes Archery Fighting Style:
Example Ranger with 1d8 longbow and Level 4. Dexterity increase does more average damage from AC 18-26. (+8 hit, +4 damage vs. +2 hit, +13 damage)
1d8 longbow, 1d6 Hunter's Mark and Level 4. Dexterity increase does more average damage from AC 16-27
1d8 longbow, 1d8 Colossus Slayer and Level 4. Dexterity increase does more damage from AC 15-27
1d8 longbow, 1d8 Colossus Slayer, 1d6 Hunter's Mark and Level 4. Dexterity increase does more damage from AC 13-27
At level 8 the AC range is, for the same examples as above:
AC 19-28
AC 17-29
AC 16-29
AC 14-29
Even at level 12 where the Sharpshooter has a Dexterity of 20 and matches the non-Sharpshooter here are the numbers:
AC 23-29
AC 21-30
AC 21-30
AC 19-30
Using Hunter's Mark and/or Colossus Slayer every round can't be that hard, can it?
Plus, a higher Dexterity grants better saves, better initiative, and better Dexterity ability checks. So, basically, Sharpshooter is good after your Dexterity is already 20, assuming you have nothing else you can do.
Rogue Level 4, shortbow. Dex increase is better at:
AC 12-25
Level 8:
AC 10-27
Level 12:
AC 11-28
Ouch!!! Sharpshooter actually gets worse!!! There are some benefits as a Rogue can ignore disadvantage at long range. So, if hidden he gains advantage and therefore can sneak attack with a longbow (assuming he can use one) from 600'.
From actual playtests, I can tell you Sharpshooter is ridiculously OP. Maybe not by itself, but when combined with Archery Style, Bless, etc, it's basically a +10 boost to damage. You have an effective +4.5 to hit over the norm - which basically counters the -5, and you never have to worry about cover, so there goes any tactical limitations, as you're now effectively armed with a lazer accurate machine gun that can shoot across any classic D&D encounter map.
In all cases (longbow, hand crossbow, etc) the damage bonus from sharpshooter becomes your primary damage output.
Then once you hit level 17, any sort of fighter type with sharpshooter + foresight basically wins D&D. The expected value of damage for a level 20 Fighter using sharpshooter & Foresight is about 150 damage. Twice per short rest, 8 hours per day.
Also as a Fighter its pretty easy to max out Dex AND pick up sharpshooter, so it's not a choice of one vs the other.
I've also ran the numbers through a spreadsheet, and it's almost always worth using the -5 +10, with some exceptions. It should be -5 +5 at best. And it definitely should not ignore cover.
This edition was meant to be about NOT adding + combat bonuses and allowing for stupid damage combos.... at least I thought.
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