D&D (2024) Ranged Builds Thread

[mellored]

Adv +Quicken vs Haste + Quicken

6d10+30 * .84 = 52.92
Vs
9d10+45 * .6 = 56.7

So Haste is a few more points of damage for you, but I expect Web will be far better for most teams.

 

[Zardnaar]

What feat or feature?
Crossbow Expert gets you from 1d8 to 1d10
Great Weapon master gets you +3 damage.

Eldritch Blast is 1d10 with 1d6 extra damage.
No different.

1d10+3+1d6
Vs
1d10+3+1d8 a few times.

Battlemaster is better, but the difference is small.

I'm waiting 2 levels.

Right, but that's what makes Eldritch Blast special. It scales with multiclassing.

This is a sorlock.
Warlock 2/sorcerer 5.

Then it goes bard to get Haste, dice for allies, and expertise.

If you want more control over damage then stick with Sorcerer. Heightened Web (or other zone) + Quicken Eldritch Blast + Repelling Blast can really ruin a targets day.


Actually.... Restrained gives advantage. So maybe Web would be the better than Hex?

Adv: 8.5 * .84 = 7.14
Vs
Hex: 12 * .6 = 7.2

Adv: 10.5* .84 = 8.82
Vs
Hex: 14*.6 = 8.4


So yea. Web is probably better than Hex since allies get advantage as well. Like a Battlemaster with Heavy Crossbow.

Assuming you reach level 7. 2 levels may be 2-4 months of real life time.

Sorlock does pull away higher levels. Overall I would still rate BM higher because of that.

 

[lall]

I know EB and hex doesn't tend to keep up very well, though by itself it is a bit more controlly. Nor does EB get advantage from the Sorcerer feature. I'm having trouble seeing this one.

Take sorcerer levels 1-4 first. At sorcerer 4 take Eldritch Adept - Pact of the Tome with EB as one of the cantrips. EB will then count as a sorcerer spell and work with Innate Sorcery. It’s admittedly clunky.

 

[SLJ]

I tried to get True Strike Rogue to be competitive. I couldn't, at least not early enough. Like early it got just enough damage to be on the lower end of on par compared to the others, but if doing any control you sacrifice damage hard. Then later it's below Paladin/Rogue and Battlemaster fairly significantly, and any control you do just takes more of your damage away.

Maybe there's something spectacular in Assassin I overlooked, but glancing through at the obvious, I don't think it will be enough.

Did your theorycrafting consider a Thief rogue consistently getting off-turn sneak attacks using a Fast Hands True Strike (either from scrolls or an Enspelled weapon)? I know the former is a little controversial on this board but there seems to be relatively widespread internet consensus that it works RAW.

With a Vex weapon (shortbow) you would rarely need to use your bonus action for Steady Aim. Even more rarely if you can take Elven Accuracy.

 

[mellored]

Hmmm...

Web uses Athletics to escape.
So Hex could give disadvantage to escape.

Not that you can concentrate on both, but worth noting.

 

[ECMO3]

I'm using Push not slow? Heavy Crossbow comes with Push. So you get access to that at level 1. Heavy Crossbow with the feat ignores loading, so best of both worlds.

Ok. I thought you were using both push and slow, I think from where you said you "slow their advance", I see I took that out of context.

I don't know about better, but it's a solid working option. Has some pros and cons compared to the Paladin/Rogue setup.

Doesn't use Push Mastery as well due to not having 2 attacks.
Alot of your damage relies on being immobile, whereas the Paladin 6/Rogue X has high accuracy while being able to maintain mobility.
This also really hurts the push attack enemies off of you then retreat out of their non-dash move range tactic.

I don't know why it is less mobile, I would think it is more mobile because if you are splitting levels early cunning action and Withdraw come on earlier.. 6 levels of Paladin with extra attack is 3d6-6d6 less damage on your sneak attack. You do get push times 2 if you hit twice, but this is countered by you are getting cunning action and trip later.

Also the other thing is it takes a long time to get into it and there are a lot of levels you will be behind the general power curve I think. With Truestrike you are better than a straight Rogue in terms of damage every level except 3-4.

I think Elf takes the cake for the Rogue, especially if you aren't playing with Green Flame blade (not in 2024 rules, which is at least how my table plays).

Agree. With 2024 rules on a straight Rogue Truestrike is pretty much a must if you optimize past level 4, which makes the Elf the strongest if you are not going with MAgic Initiate.

 

[Zardnaar]

Ok. I thought you were using both push and slow, I think from where you said you "slow their advance", I see I took that out of context.



I don't know why it is less mobile, I would think it is more mobile because if you are splitting levels early cunning action and Withdraw come on earlier.. 6 levels of Paladin with extra attack is 3d6-6d6 less damage on your sneak attack. You do get push times 2 if you hit twice, but this is countered by you are getting cunning action and trip later.

Also the other thing is it takes a long time to get into it and there are a lot of levels you will be behind the general power curve I think. With Truestrike you are better than a straight Rogue in terms of damage every level except 3-4.



Agree. With 2024 rules on a straight Rogue Truestrike is pretty much a must if you optimize past level 4, which makes the Elf the strongest if you are not going with MAgic Initiate.

Int based effect? Splashing a fighter level fir medium armor seems like a good idea.

 

[ECMO3]

Int based effect? Splashing a fighter level fir medium armor seems like a good idea.

I would go Charisma or Wisdom instead of Intelligence, but Int would work.

 

[Zardnaar]

I would go Charisma or Wisdom instead of Intelligence, but Int would work.

Derp of course. I'm thinking arcane trickster.


I would probably go wisdom based.