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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ashkelon" data-source="post: 6667965" data-attributes="member: 6774887">Ok let's see here. From levels 1-10 the fighter is basically just as good at ranged as the paladin and barbarian. They really aren't significantly worse like you claim. Let's say we have a group of level 9 STR based PCs all with the same stats (STR 20, DEX 12). They are fighting an AC 17 monster. A champion fighter using a longbow deals 2.9 average damage per attack, or 5.85 DPR with both attacks. Using a javelin, this fighter deals 5.875 DPR (only one attack per round because you can only draw one javelin per round). A paladin or barbarian using a longbow deals 2.7 average damage per attack or 5.4 DPR. Using the javelin they deal 5.7 DPR.For comparison, their melee DPR (without using smites, reckless attacker, etc) is about 18.2So, really, are the paladin and barbarian that far behind the fighter at ranged combat? They are only about a quarter of a point of DPR behind in terms of ranged capabilities. That is essentially meaningless. The bigger issue here is that the STR based PCs ranged combat capabilities are only about 30% as good as their melee capabilities. That means that if ranged combat is required, they are all hosed, regardless of class. At least the barbarian has faster movement to close into melee range more easily. And at least the paladin has access to spells like haste to dramatically increase his mobility. The fighter is the worst off in these situations.Edit: you can play around with these number a bit, changing level, AC, etc but the story is the same. The fighter really isn't much better than any of the other weapon using classes from levels 1-10. It really only distinguishes itself at level 11+ when the third attack kicks in. And even then, a STR based PC will always deal laughable ranged damage without heavy investment into Dexterity and a magical ranged weapon.</blockquote>

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