D&D 5E (2024) Ranged Builds Thread

[FrogReaver]

I really like wrathful smite from range in play, and it works with ranged attacks using melee weapons. I like it enough that I would not want to give that up. Against enemies that can be frightened it stops them cold on a failed save. No need for slow or anything else.

As such, I would offer thrown weapon fighting style and dagger(nick) for your other masteries hand axe, heavy crossbow, spear and javelin. Keep a bunch of javelins around for longer ranged throws. You can wrathful smite on all of that except the Crossbow. Get Truestrike on Charisma from Elf or an Origin feat, dump dex to 13 and prioritize strength.

For real long range use the Crossbow with truestrike. When close enough to throw you get 3 attacks once you have extra attack. Your 3rd nick attack would always be a nick dagger, and you would need one other attack with a light weapon
(hand axe or dagger) to trigger it, but the other could be with anything you throw. A Hand Axe mastery could also give you the vex you need to get advantage for sneak attack. Your sneak attack would need to be with the dagger of course

All the thrown weapons would let you wrathful smite from range. With Thrown weapon fighting it would be competitive in terms of damage.

The downside is finding a bunch of magic thrown weapons to make it work.

*Also sacred weapon does not work with Ranged weapons.

Thrown weapons are much too short of range imo.

Also I think the ranged at will push is as good as wrathful smite, but it’s certainly a trade. Wrathful still requires a hit and a failed save to cause the fear.

I’d suggest considering thrown weapons as the backup for when you really want wrathful. Otherwise use your devotion paladin buffed heavy crossbow.

Even with thrown weapons variations you can go dex, so I don’t get the true strike instead of 2x attacks for the crossbow suggestion.

 

[FrogReaver]

I was under the impression, that you can craft magic items if you got enough money.
You only need arcana proficiency and enough money.
Give him DEX 17 and then straight champion till level 8 with the feats CE, Sharpshooter and elven accuracy. That brings the crit chance up to 27.1%.
Normally crits would suck but if you deal 3D6 damage you have very good damage. And superior accuracy with super advantage.
Maybe take one level of ranger for the hunters mark or rogue for expertise.

Any suggestions?

1. I dont assume elven accuracy is an allowed feat with 2024 options. It certainly isn’t at my table.

2. At actual tables there’s usually not a great chance you can craft or acquire specific magic items.

The ranger MC is good but it’s hard to find the dead levels on the fighter to slow the fighter progression for IMO.

 

[ECMO3]

Even with thrown weapons variations you can go dex, so I don’t get the true strike instead of 2x attacks for the crossbow suggestion.

You lose damage and mastery options using thrown weapons with Dex. If you are using dex all you have is Dagger and Dart for thrown weapons (and WS does not work with darts). I actually forgot to mention Trident earlier, which is going to cause topple. That can slow enemies down quite a bit since it is half their move to get back up.

Going Trustrike with your crossbow saves you the XBE feat, while not giving up and range and not giving up much damage since you get the Cantrip damage, the ability to change to Radiant damage and Hunter's Mark on the feat you get instead of CBE. True Strike Crossbow plus Hunter's Mark is 15.5 at level 5, with the option to change to Radiant, XBE with extra attack is 19 piercing. So it is not a lot more. If you are at longish range only your first crossbow attack using steady aim is generally going to be eligible for sneak attack, so it is not really more chances for sneak attack either.

Using Truestrike with a crossbow will be less than using XBE with a crossbow, but most combat takes place inside thrown weapon range, especially if you have cunning action and Misty Step available to move around. Using thrown weapons with Hunter's Mark, thrown weapon fighting and extra attack you are looking at 32-36 DPR (plus sneak attack) depending which specific thrown weapon combo you use vs 19 (plus sneak attack) with XBE and a heavy crossbow. You also have a lot more versatility with different mastery options and can use your full compliment of smites.

 

[Zardnaar]

1. I dont assume elven accuracy is an allowed feat with 2024 options. It certainly isn’t at my table.

2. At actual tables there’s usually not a great chance you can craft or acquire specific magic items.

The ranger MC is good but it’s hard to find the dead levels on the fighter to slow the fighter progression for IMO.

Assuming its allowed ive seen Elven Accuracy and vex weapons.

Shortbow and hand crossbows. Elven accuracy and champion is s very potent combo with vicious weapons.

Assuming their DM says yes.

 

[ECMO3]

I was under the impression, that you can craft magic items if you got enough money.
You only need arcana proficiency and enough money.

RAW you need money, time and proficiency. A lot of campaigns have the first (not all but a lot), very few campaigns afford you the time to craft anything beyond uncommon magic items.

Give him DEX 17 and then straight champion till level 8 with the feats CE, Sharpshooter and elven accuracy. That brings the crit chance up to 27.1%.
Normally crits would suck but if you deal 3D6 damage you have very good damage. And superior accuracy with super advantage.

If you have Elven accuracy you don't want to be using a Heavy Crossbow IMO. You want to be using something with Vex.

 

[ECMO3]

I think you still need the free hand to load them?

You do, but an alternative is a hand crossbow then thow a different light weapon, and you can use it with nick.

 

[CptMetal]

RAW you need money, time and proficiency. A lot of campaigns have the first (not all but a lot), very few campaigns afford you the time to craft anything beyond uncommon magic items.



If you have Elven accuracy you don't want to be using a Heavy Crossbow IMO. You want to be using something with Vex.

I would use two hand crossbows.
CBE makes me ignore the loading property thus I can create a 'gun' slinger

 

[FrogReaver]

I would use two hand crossbows.
CBE makes me ignore the loading property thus I can create a 'gun' slinger

You can’t. You don’t have the free hand to reload them.

 

[CptMetal]

You can’t. You don’t have the free hand to reload them.

Which is because of the 'loading' property.
Which I ignore because of CBE.
We are talking 2024 rules, right?

 

[FrogReaver]

Which is because of the 'loading' property.
Which I ignore because of CBE.
We are talking 2024 rules, right?

No it’s because of the ammunition property.