D&D (2024) Ranged Builds Thread

[FrogReaver]

Barbarian's can throw with advantage.
Sharpshooter and javelin is 120'.
Or Nick with a dagger for more throws.
Beserker for the +2d6 damage or Wild Heart (Wolf) for mobility.

That's alot of weapons one might need to throw in a combat. I mean you can hold them carry weight wise. I'm a little iffy because it's not just weight but bulk and easy access. Needed 12-18 weapons to be able to get through a 6 round combat is alot to justify.

Anyways, looking at the damage compared to the other builds. For Beserker
Level 5 -
The javelins compare nicely with Paladin/Rogue, Ranger and Fighter Ranged Damage
The daggers come out just a bit ahead.

Level 11 -
Starts falling behind a bit at level 11. Level 12 it comes back in line with the Devotion Paladin/Rogue. At some point you might dip a level into Fighter for throwing Fighting Style.

Overall not bad. Control options seem a very limited in comparison to the battlemaster and paladin/rogue versions. Though tankiness is increased. It's particularly rough not being able to get push attack IMO.

Still overall it's a very nice build!

 

[Zardnaar]

Ones I would consider.

Sorlock. Not sure on current build or even worth rebuilding.

Battlemaster fighter. Extra feat to aquire heavy weapon master. Sharpshooter 20 dex by level 8.

Dragon Sorcerer. Take scorching ray, Chromatic Orb and fae touched:hex. Elf with Elven Accuracy if available from Xanathars.

There's a true strike crossbow assassin one but details elude me.

 

[FrogReaver]

Ones I would consider.

Sorlock. Not sure on current build or even worth rebuilding.

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.

Battlemaster fighter. Extra feat to aquire heavy weapon master. Sharpshooter 20 dex by level 8.

Agreed. It looks really solid at damage and control. Though I would do Crossbow Expert at 4 so I could get push attack early. If starting later I'd go with sharpshooter.

Dragon Sorcerer. Take scorching ray, Chromatic Orb and fae touched:hex. Elf with Elven Accuracy if available from Xanathars.

I never consider non-2024 options as being available. Without Elven Accuracy I'm fairly certain this doesn't come close at least during the 1-10 level range.

There's a true strike crossbow assassin one but details elude me.

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.

 

[mellored]

It's particularly rough not being able to get push attack IMO.

Barbarian's can at level 9.

Do dagger (slow 15') + Nick dagger (push 15') + javelin (push 15' and slow 10').

Then dash 80' away (for wolf).

You don't have advantage though, so perhaps 3 levels of fighter for precision srike and action surge.

 

[FrogReaver]

Barbarian's can at level 9.

Do dagger (slow 15') + Nick dagger (push 15') + javelin (push 15' and slow 10').

Then dash 80' away (for wolf).

You can only apply either the slow or the push once per turn. And if your totem instead of beserker then your damage is anemic.

Still though, you are right that having the option to push at level 9 does aleviate that concern. It's not as reliable (only a single attack, no accuracy buff) but it's still okay. I guess I should also make sure I'm accounting for the 1d10 damage from that properly. Doubtful it makes much difference, but maybe. About 2 extra DPR.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

I am still unsure, but I somehow want to play a longbow archer with great weapon mastery.
I am not sure however how to realize it best.

I am thinking about an eldritch knight. We need high dex, medium str. Medium con, high int.

So stats are:
Str 13
Con 12
Dex 15+2
Int 14+1
Wis 10
Cha 8

Start with a bow and archery fighting style. Background soldier. Human. Feat magic adept, take longstrider and 2 nice cantrips.

Level 4 feat: sharpshooter 18 dex.
Level 6 feat: great weapon master 14 str
Level 8 feat: ASI 20 dex
Level 12 feat: combat caster
Level 14 feat: ASI Int (or con)
Level 16 feat: ASI Int (or con)
Level 19 epic boon: an attack feat and raise str to 15 (plate armor does not hurt)

Spells. Start with longstrider and use the bow to slow enemies. Then start using expeditious retreat. When you finally be able to cast 3rd level spells, use haste or fly (after you get combat caster and when you are sure not to be hit by too many attacks). Maybe cast magic weapon if you don't have one.

Always keep distance. Pepper enemies with arrows. Deal 1d8+11 damage with each basic attack with +13 to hit. 3 to 4 attacks with your attack action. 5 at level 20. Not an optimized build by far. But you can reliably deliver hurt.

 

[mellored]

You can only apply either the slow or the push once per turn.

You're right, missed that.

And if your totem instead of beserker then your damage is anemic.

Sure, but fly 80', no opportunity attacks, means your not getting caught.

I guess I should also make sure I'm accounting for the 1d10 damage from that properly. Doubtful it makes much difference, but maybe. About 2 extra DPR.

Yea, the extra d10 basically makes up for advantage.

no accuracy buff

Highest accuracy would probably be darts
Artificer 2, returning weapon
Devotion paladin 3, archery style
Barbarian 2, advantage

Advantage + Str + Cha + 2
Not doing much damage that way though...


Maybe
Artificer 2 (repeating)
warlock 1 (pact of the blade works on repeating crossbow).
Devotion paladin, with archery style.

 

[mellored]

Artificer 2, repeating heavy crossbow
Sorcerer 3, web, quicken
Devotion paladin 3, archery style
Warlock 12, pact of the blade, thirsting blade.

Quicken web, or Hypnotic Pattern.
3 heavy crossbow shots with +8 to hit that can push.

 

[ECMO3]

This thread is to post cool 2024 D&D Ranged Builds. I probably won't post my own till level 20 but feel free to do yours that way.

Holy Crossbowman

Essentially you are a Paladin/Rogue that uses a Heavy Crossbow and focuses on Dexterity and Charisma.
Ultimately this makes you a high damage dealing ranged character, that can operate just as effectively in melee, along with tremendous accuracy, tactical flexibility and mobility.

You use Sacred Weapon and Archery Style for super high accuracy.
You use Cunning Action (dash) primarily for mobility, great for avoiding enemies or repositioning your Aura of Protection for allies or to heal them with Lay on Hands.
Steady Aim helps to land Sneak Attack before enemies reach melee range with the party.
You take the Crossbow Expertise feat to use a Heavy Crossbow and the Push Mastery.

• Enemy next to you gets pushed 10 to 20 feet back and then you move back 30ft in hopes they cannot move 50ft without the dash action next turn.
• The same thing can happen if an enemy is engaged with an ally.
• You can slow an enemies advance toward the party so they don't all reach the party at the same time.
• You can push enemies back into damage zones.

Smite Spells typically require a melee or unarmed strike. This is found in the Casting Time line of them. As such your primary option is

And ultimately Cunning Strike adds even more mobility, prone and disadvantage options.

• Particularly useful is to Poison enemies for disadvantage on their attacks, especially ones too large for forced movement.

It's also highly recommended to go Arcane Trickster as your Rogue subclass for more spells and slots, though certainly not required.
*Note all the options talked about here come online by level 11.

For ideas beyond level 11, it's mostly going to be around Arcane Trickster Spells and feats (though you won't have high int so pick mostly buff spells). Higher level you might want to pick up Great Weapon Master. At some point mutliclassing into Fighter for Action Surge and Battlemaster Manuevers might make sense as well.

Also Starting Point Buy would look something like 13/15/12/8/8/15 -> 13/17/12/8/8/16 after background modifiers of +2 Dex and +1 Cha. IMO, the entertainer background looks the most promising as a book option and inspiring your allies also fits the characters theme well, but if your DM let's you mix and match then other options might be better.

Unless I am missing something, you need 9 levels of fighter to use slow with a heavy crossbow. With cunning action disengage, I'm also not seeing what the XBE feat is doing for you.

I think Truestrike with maximum Charisma is a better foundation for a crossbow wielding Rogue type. With a 2-level Paladin dip on an Arcane Trickster this character can be a force to be reckoned with and is pretty awesome from level 1.

on point buy you would start: S13 D16 C12 I8 W8 CH17

Grab Wrathful Smite, Divine Smite and pick up Fey Touched with Dissonant Whispers at Rogue 4.

The reason I like this better is it has higher sneak attack and better melee options. Also from a control perspective Wrathful Smite at range (in this case with a dagger) is awesome and your arcane trickster levels give you enough slots that it is usable. The Truestrike Damage boost, when combined with the extra 1-2 sneak attack dice is going to outrun a level 4 Paladin dip with Sacred Weapon most of the time when using a crossbow.

For species I like Halfling with the Magic Initiate feat (Truestrike, Green Flame Blade, Tashas Hideous Laughter) or Elf with Truestrike and any origin feat (Musician works well).

Another variation is a level 2 Warlock dip for agonizing truestrike.

 

[CleverNickName]

How about the Dark Sniper build?

• Start with rolling up a Drow, Shadow Elf, or Tiefling to get the Darkness spell for free, and choose Warlock to get the Eldritch Blast cantrip.
• When you reach 2nd level, choose two Invocations: Devil's Sight (to be able to see normally in magical darkness) and Agonizing Blast (to add your Charisma modifier to Eldritch Blast damage).
• When you reach 3rd level, you gain the ability to cast Darkness 1/day without expending a spell slot, by virtue of your ancestry. Now you can cast darkness on yourself, and use Eldritch Blast against targets that can't see you (very few enemies can see through magical darkness). You shoot with Advantage, they return fire with Disadvantage.
• At 5th level, take Counterspell to block incoming AoE spells and Dispel Magic attempts.

That's pretty much it. You can add on other feats and invocations that will let you do other stunts (push/pull targets around, slow them down, etc), but the real meat-and-potatoes of this build is to put yourself in a magical bubble of Darkness and then blast away. Sure, you aren't invincible and they will eventually break your Darkness spell...but they will take a lot of damage and burn a lot of resources before that happens.