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Help with Elf Archer build
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<blockquote data-quote="Henry" data-source="post: 6698743" data-attributes="member: 158"><p>From your description, you really can't go wrong with the stock Ranger class with Hunter archetype. Since you're starting at 12th level, Choose archery fighting style, the colossus slayer ability, and the volley ability, and you're mostly there. Lots of damage output, and load your Dex as much as possible with ability score increases, and the precision and damage will take care of itself.</p><p></p><p>Now, if you see your archer as the non-spell-using type, you can build an archer using fighter, and the battlemaster archetype. Its disadvantage is that the superiority dice that help you do cool things like super-accurate attacks or super-damaging attacks run out quickly; if your DM is not used to the concept of Short Rests, then you and several other classes will be at a huge disadvantage. For the stealthy component, the "criminal" background is the only one that offers it, but the Players Handbook itself makes the suggestion of customizing backgrounds; i would see if the DM is OK with you taking the "outlander" background and swapping athletics for Stealth. (i wouldn't swap survival, because it sounds more important to your character description than athletics.) if the DM won't allow that, then multiclassing (if allowed) for one level or either ranger or rogue will give you proficiency in stealth.</p><p></p><p>As for feats, no matter your class, if feats are allowed, and you don't mind losing bonuses to Dexterity or constitution, the two best ones for you are sharpshooter, and (counterintuitively) crossbow expert. Why crossbow expert? For the ability to attack things with your bow in melee combat without taking disadvantage! Part of being an archer who can consistently hit in 5e is not so much stacking up attack bonuses, but eliminating penalties. With no penalty to hit things next to you, no penalty to hit things far away, and no penalty to hit things in cover, you can basically become the Movie version of Legolas. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> in the first movie, I'm not sure I remember him ever using anything but a bow, and neither will you, unless the ammo runs out of course. If feats aren't allowed by the DM, that's OK, because it means you just keep stacking up bonuses to DEX and CON until you max out. You will then be the best archer that you can possibly have in the game at this time. That should net -- what, a +11 to hit without magic weapons at level 12? In 5e that's phenomenal.</p><p></p><p>Anyway, good luck, and have fun!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Henry, post: 6698743, member: 158"] From your description, you really can't go wrong with the stock Ranger class with Hunter archetype. Since you're starting at 12th level, Choose archery fighting style, the colossus slayer ability, and the volley ability, and you're mostly there. Lots of damage output, and load your Dex as much as possible with ability score increases, and the precision and damage will take care of itself. Now, if you see your archer as the non-spell-using type, you can build an archer using fighter, and the battlemaster archetype. Its disadvantage is that the superiority dice that help you do cool things like super-accurate attacks or super-damaging attacks run out quickly; if your DM is not used to the concept of Short Rests, then you and several other classes will be at a huge disadvantage. For the stealthy component, the "criminal" background is the only one that offers it, but the Players Handbook itself makes the suggestion of customizing backgrounds; i would see if the DM is OK with you taking the "outlander" background and swapping athletics for Stealth. (i wouldn't swap survival, because it sounds more important to your character description than athletics.) if the DM won't allow that, then multiclassing (if allowed) for one level or either ranger or rogue will give you proficiency in stealth. As for feats, no matter your class, if feats are allowed, and you don't mind losing bonuses to Dexterity or constitution, the two best ones for you are sharpshooter, and (counterintuitively) crossbow expert. Why crossbow expert? For the ability to attack things with your bow in melee combat without taking disadvantage! Part of being an archer who can consistently hit in 5e is not so much stacking up attack bonuses, but eliminating penalties. With no penalty to hit things next to you, no penalty to hit things far away, and no penalty to hit things in cover, you can basically become the Movie version of Legolas. :) in the first movie, I'm not sure I remember him ever using anything but a bow, and neither will you, unless the ammo runs out of course. If feats aren't allowed by the DM, that's OK, because it means you just keep stacking up bonuses to DEX and CON until you max out. You will then be the best archer that you can possibly have in the game at this time. That should net -- what, a +11 to hit without magic weapons at level 12? In 5e that's phenomenal. Anyway, good luck, and have fun! [/QUOTE]
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