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Message: <blockquote data-quote="doctorbadwolf" data-source="post: 8247372" data-attributes="member: 6704184">The Archer is an iconic archetype with vastly more examples than half the PHB base classes have, and yet not only does it barely get any subclasses dedicated to it (Arcane Archer, and Hunter which is really an archer sub that gives nods to melee because they felt like they had to for some reason), it has vanishingly few interesting options.Archers are so boring for anyone that isn’t really excited by being blandly effective or that isn’t into combat improv or has a DM that isn’t, that my wife multiclassed her archer ranger Druid just to have more things to do. Some non-concentration archery friendly spells would have helped too, but the ranger Spellcasting is pretty frustrating. But mostly, it was harder for her to improv with arrows than it is for her to improv with her axe and sword Paladin. Anyway, what if we pretend Sharpshooter doesn’t exist, ignore any and all “this thing already fills that narrative role” issues for the moment, and talk about slicing up Archers in 5e?Firstly, I’d drop the power attack mechanic from Sharpshooter and replace it with a bonus action attack limited to short range.Second, I’d look for somewhere to add some trick shots. Here are some rough ideas for those: <ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Deflect Attacks. Reaction, someone makes a weapon attack within your short range. You shoot the weapon, deflecting the attack. Make it different from monks deflect missiles mechanically, but make it effective. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Pinning Shot. Look, not everyone plays a game of murder-dice. It’s often useful to not kill people. It’s also a classic move. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Ricochet shot. Oh you got cover? Lol</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Hobble shot. Like pinning shot, but much less friendly. possibly an upgrade or class/feat feature. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Blinding shot. Cut a forehead, eyes get covered. Non lethal, classic, very mean.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Split the Tree. Two arrows at once, against two targets. Limited range, maybe less damage, but iconic and cool as hell. </li> </ol>Now I know I’ll be a minority here, but I’ve come to the conclusion that the fighter should be split, and Archer should be its own class. <img class="smilie smilie--emoji" alt="🤷‍♂️" src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f937-2642.png" title="Man shrugging    :man_shrugging:" data-shortname=":man_shrugging:" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" />Barring that, a subclass. Barring that, a lot more BM manuvers that focus on archery. Also mounted combat. Mounted archers are such a big deal all over the world and it is very cool to drop over to the side of your horse, swing round below, back up, and shoot a confused combatant that thought you’d fallen off.   Special arrows, more magic bows and arrows, more archer friendly spells, and a sniper subclass for rogues, all also welcome, but what do y’all think? What archer stuff would you see added to the game, and remember, it’s a + thread, so don’t derail us with “your premise is bad” posts.</blockquote>

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