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Is Ranged really better than Melee?
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<blockquote data-quote="clearstream" data-source="post: 7519045" data-attributes="member: 71699"><p><u>Ranger Hunter, with Archery, Hunter's Mark, Sharpshooter</u></p><p><strong>Tier 1</strong></p><p>Maximum average/round = 20</p><p>Maximum average/day = 300 <em>assuming about 3 encounters of about 3 rounds each</em></p><p>Likely average/round = 7</p><p>Likely average/day = 106</p><p></p><p><strong>Tier 2</strong></p><p>Maximum average/round = 76</p><p>Maximum average/day = 1140</p><p>Likely average/round = 23</p><p>Likely average/day = 346</p><p></p><p><strong>Tier 3</strong></p><p>Maximum average/round = 82</p><p>Maximum average/day = 1230</p><p>Likely average/round = 30</p><p>Likely average/day = 443</p><p></p><p><u>Barbarian Totem, with Rage, Reckless Attacks, Great Weapon Master</u></p><p><strong>Tier 1</strong></p><p>Maximum average/round = 19</p><p>Maximum average/day = 285</p><p>Likely average/round = 7</p><p>Likely average/day = 105</p><p></p><p><strong>Tier 2</strong></p><p>Maximum average/round = 87</p><p>Maximum average/day = 1305</p><p>Likely average/round = 27</p><p>Likely average/day = 406</p><p></p><p><strong>Tier 3</strong></p><p>Maximum average/round = 101</p><p>Maximum average/day = 1508</p><p>Likely average/round = 33</p><p>Likely average/day = 493</p><p></p><p>Without spells, the Barbarian is nearer the system maximum for melee than the Ranger is to the maximum for ranged. With spells, a Barbarian with Haste could increase their average <em>and</em> maximum by a third, while a Ranger with Greater Invisibility could increase their average by up to a half. That is because the Barbarian is gaining one attack (increases max damage), while the Ranger is gaining advantage (more often deals nearer their maximum).</p><p></p><p>Barbarian likely has 39 HP at Tier 1, and 77 at Tier 2. Doubled due to Rage. Their AC is probably about 14. A factor to keep in mind is that Barbarian's damage is predicated on granting attackers advantage.</p><p></p><p>Ranger has likely 32 HP at Tier 1, and 60 at Tier 2. Their AC is probably about 16. Ranger's damage is predicated on keeping at least 10' away from attackers.</p><p></p><p>Looking at Tier 1, where damage is a wash, 150' range seems more good than wanting to stay 10' away from foes is bad. Looking at Tier 2, where Barbarian is doing likely 20 damage more in each encounter, I think it is less clear, but it is also worth noting that the highest damage SS ranged is a CEX Fighter, not a Hunter. An SS/CEX Fighter can push the damage values in tiers 2 and 3 to <em>equal</em> the GWM Barbarian, with 4 points better AC.</p><p></p><p>For me, within the 5th edition system, there is only one ranged strategy that overshadows all melee to such a great degree that even "twisty-corridors" lack plausibility as a reason not to take it: <strong>Sharpshooter</strong>, which I firmly believe should be "<em>Once per turn</em>" on the power attack. Other ranged attacks like Agonizing Blast certainly push the envelope, but don't overwhelm other considerations to anywhere like the same degree.</p><p></p><p>Note that "Maximum average" shows the product if accuracy, resources and up-time were all 100%, while "Likely average" shows the product if those things are matched to values found in play, e.g. chance to hit against an expected foe's AC.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="clearstream, post: 7519045, member: 71699"] [U]Ranger Hunter, with Archery, Hunter's Mark, Sharpshooter[/U] [B]Tier 1[/B] Maximum average/round = 20 Maximum average/day = 300 [I]assuming about 3 encounters of about 3 rounds each[/I] Likely average/round = 7 Likely average/day = 106 [B]Tier 2[/B] Maximum average/round = 76 Maximum average/day = 1140 Likely average/round = 23 Likely average/day = 346 [B]Tier 3[/B] Maximum average/round = 82 Maximum average/day = 1230 Likely average/round = 30 Likely average/day = 443 [U]Barbarian Totem, with Rage, Reckless Attacks, Great Weapon Master[/U] [B]Tier 1[/B] Maximum average/round = 19 Maximum average/day = 285 Likely average/round = 7 Likely average/day = 105 [B]Tier 2[/B] Maximum average/round = 87 Maximum average/day = 1305 Likely average/round = 27 Likely average/day = 406 [B]Tier 3[/B] Maximum average/round = 101 Maximum average/day = 1508 Likely average/round = 33 Likely average/day = 493 Without spells, the Barbarian is nearer the system maximum for melee than the Ranger is to the maximum for ranged. With spells, a Barbarian with Haste could increase their average [I]and[/I] maximum by a third, while a Ranger with Greater Invisibility could increase their average by up to a half. That is because the Barbarian is gaining one attack (increases max damage), while the Ranger is gaining advantage (more often deals nearer their maximum). Barbarian likely has 39 HP at Tier 1, and 77 at Tier 2. Doubled due to Rage. Their AC is probably about 14. A factor to keep in mind is that Barbarian's damage is predicated on granting attackers advantage. Ranger has likely 32 HP at Tier 1, and 60 at Tier 2. Their AC is probably about 16. Ranger's damage is predicated on keeping at least 10' away from attackers. Looking at Tier 1, where damage is a wash, 150' range seems more good than wanting to stay 10' away from foes is bad. Looking at Tier 2, where Barbarian is doing likely 20 damage more in each encounter, I think it is less clear, but it is also worth noting that the highest damage SS ranged is a CEX Fighter, not a Hunter. An SS/CEX Fighter can push the damage values in tiers 2 and 3 to [I]equal[/I] the GWM Barbarian, with 4 points better AC. For me, within the 5th edition system, there is only one ranged strategy that overshadows all melee to such a great degree that even "twisty-corridors" lack plausibility as a reason not to take it: [B]Sharpshooter[/B], which I firmly believe should be "[I]Once per turn[/I]" on the power attack. Other ranged attacks like Agonizing Blast certainly push the envelope, but don't overwhelm other considerations to anywhere like the same degree. Note that "Maximum average" shows the product if accuracy, resources and up-time were all 100%, while "Likely average" shows the product if those things are matched to values found in play, e.g. chance to hit against an expected foe's AC. [/QUOTE]
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