Arcane Archer Advice

[Nosta]

I am going to Be Building a level 5 Pure Arcane Archer and need Advice on race and Feats (if any)

I Come from 3.X so the fact of feats is a little hard to swallow so I am considering Variant Human But then High Elf has more the flavor I want

Also I am not sure what is consider Decent Ac / saves and such

and If I pick High Elf Idk what Cantrip to Take

This is my first 5e character and I like to have Decent DPR but also have more than just killing power

[Man_Over_Game]

I am going to Be Building a level 5 Pure Arcane Archer and need Advice on race and Feats (if any)

I Come from 3.X so the fact of feats is a little hard to swallow so I am considering Variant Human But then High Elf has more the flavor I want

Also I am not sure what is consider Decent Ac / saves and such

and If I pick High Elf Idk what Cantrip to Take

This is my first 5e character and I like to have Decent DPR but also have more than just killing power

I'd go with flavor first. As a Fighter, you'll already get more feats than anybody else. The additional cantrips can really help, too. Some solid choices for an Arcane Archer would be:

Booming Blade (Someone approaches you, so you hit them and run away, discouraging them from chasing you).
Light (Enchant an arrow, shoot it into the darkness)
Mold Earth (create cover to shoot from before being attacked)
or any other non-combat cantrip. As a pure Fighter, you'll usually want to be attacking with a weapon more often than casting a cantrip.

As for AC, you won't need a whole lot as a primarily ranged specialist. Start with 13 and add your proficiency bonus. That's generally how much AC you want for each level. AC in 5e works better against swarms, but you'll easily be able to stay out of reach of any bosses that effectively ignore your AC value.

Don't worry too much about Saving Throws. You have Indomitable eventually, as well as a massive HP pool as an archer. You can afford to eat something to the face just fine, considering you're not likely to be ganged on while using ranged attacks.

The catch about Fighters is that they don't provide much outside of combat. To make your non-combat events more fun, consider picking up some kind of non-combat feat. Something like Linguist, Observant, or Ritual Caster would add a lot as you use your Fighter features to carry you through combat.

If you're interested in combat feats, Crossbow Expert and Sharpshooter are classics for a powerful, hard-hitting ranged combatant. Sharpshooter is especially good once your ranged attacks can be redirected on a miss.

[stoutstien]

You're on the fighter class chassis so Damage is never an issue. Also with those extra ASI/ feat picks you have ton of wiggle room to feel out the class before you decide which feats you want. you may want sharpshooter with Your ability to reroll attack rolls on a different Target and with a ton of attacks but it's not necessary.

personally the best thing about fighters is the flexibility to pick up ways to make your character more well-rounded.

[Garfunion]

This is my opinion here but I’m currently playing at arcane archer and it doesn’t really feel magical enough. You’re basically a fighter with some magic arrows.

I’m thinking of changing to a Hexblade or hand crossbow Bladesinger.

[Man_Over_Game]

This is my opinion here but I’m currently playing at arcane archer and it doesn’t really feel magical enough. You’re basically a fighter with some magic arrows.

I’m thinking of changing to a Hexblade or hand crossbow Bladesinger.

Could pick up Ritual Caster. RC Druid for talking with animals, or RC Wizard for the numerous number of tools at your disposal, either one could be a lot of fun.

[Nosta]

Couple of Questions

1: I see I only Get Two Arcane shots between short Rest. is this consider ok or on Avg is this consider to little (as i feel it is)


2: second what is a short rest (no clue)

[Nosta]

Also so I don't feel the need to make another thread

What would be a Good way to Emulate The main character from the Samurai X Series (Before he became a pacifists) Multi classing is fine here

[ccjmk]

High Elf would be ideal stat-wise, and for the cantrip you can pick something roleplay-themed like Prestidigitation, Thaumaturgy or Message.

Without disregarding optimization, you can max DEX and INT on point buy, while leaving a respectable 10 on WIS(8/17/14/16/10/8 after race bonuses). You will still have 12 passive perception with your innate perception proficiency as elf.

At 4th level, I'd recommend Elven Accuracy feat, the +1 DEX rounds nicely your DEX to 18, so on your 2nd ASI you still max it out, and whenever you have advantage, you still have Super advantage of sorts.

Either as a high elf or variant human, Sharpshooter is always a nice alternative, though you need to have in mind that your Arcane Shots that *do not make an attack roll* don't apply for the -5 to hit / +10 damage bonus.

As a small, super conditional trick, if you have Prestidigitation and are attacking someone without darkvision in a dark but illuminated place, you can use Prestigiditation to snuff off whatever non-magical light source is near you and obscuring your spot, giving you advantage against those who can't see you.

[Man_Over_Game]

Couple of Questions

1: I see I only Get Two Arcane shots between short Rest. is this consider ok or on Avg is this consider to little (as i feel it is)


2: second what is a short rest (no clue)

A Short Rest is dependent on how your DM wants to run them. They're generally about 30-60 minutes of light duties.

During a Short Rest:

Clerics and Paladins regain their Channel Divinities.
Warlocks regain their spell slots.
Players may spend their Hit Dice to heal themselves.
Battlemasters and Arcane Archers regain their special attacks.

Think of a Short Rest every time your character has a meal. If you can afford to have a meal between each combat, you're refreshing 2 uses for each combat. There should be about 2-3 Short Rests per day of adventuring, in order for certain classes/features to be balanced compared to others.

But try not to dwell on it too much. It's a touchy subject on the threads, and it's been the cause of a lot of heated discussions. Just talk to your DM about it.

An Arcane Archer is a lot like the Battlemaster Fighter, but instead of using an assault rifle, you use a bazooka. Less shots, more power.

[Garfunion]

Could pick up Ritual Caster. RC Druid for talking with animals, or RC Wizard for the numerous number of tools at your disposal, either one could be a lot of fun.
I was planning on doing that for my character, until a wizard join our group.😠 I guess I maybe a little biased.

[ccjmk]

This is my opinion here but I’m currently playing at arcane archer and it doesn’t really feel magical enough. You’re basically a fighter with some magic arrows.

I’m thinking of changing to a Hexblade or hand crossbow Bladesinger.

Every single time a discussion on the Arcane Archer appears, this opinion arises, and I .. sort of agree. I reckon that Arcane Shots are on short rests, but still, they feel lackluster. I think 3 things would fit i properly:

1) Give them BOTH druidcraft and prestidigitation (instead of choosing) plus a 3rd cantrip and a single 1st level wizard spell, casteable without a slot at its lowest level 1/short rest.
2) Arcane shots are lame. They might be better 1:1 against a maneuver, but you get 2 shots vs 3 maneuvers, and 2 uses per short rest vs FOUR. Maneuvers also use your main stat for DC, while Arcane Shots use a secondary stat. Just give the damn archer half your Arcane Archer levels learned shots, and [INT modifier] arcane shots per short rest; you will still have weaker DCs!
3) Again, just like Superiority Dice increase in size at 10th and 18th level, Arcane Shots are flat all the way from 3th level to 18th, and they all increase by 2d6/4d6 AT 18 LEVEL. Just let them increase by 1d6/2d6 at 10th level, and to 2d6/4d6 at 18th level (as current)

I feel like doing something like this would render the Arcane Archer... perhaps too similar to the Battlemaster with a bow, just different effects but the same vibe, but it would be the most.. reasonable thing to do, if nothing else. (I'd have actually loved if the Arcane Shots were several different versions of a sort of ranged Divine Smite, and just giving the class goddamn cantrips, spells and spellslots, but that's straying too far from the tree)

[Man_Over_Game]

Every single time a discussion on the Arcane Archer appears, this opinion arises, and I .. sort of agree. I reckon that Arcane Shots are on short rests, but still, they feel lackluster. I think 3 things would fit i properly:

1) Give them BOTH druidcraft and prestidigitation (instead of choosing) plus a 3rd cantrip and a single 1st level wizard spell, casteable without a slot at its lowest level 1/short rest.
2) Arcane shots are lame. They might be better 1:1 against a maneuver, but you get 2 shots vs 3 maneuvers, and 2 uses per short rest vs FOUR. Maneuvers also use your main stat for DC, while Arcane Shots use a secondary stat. Just give the damn archer half your Arcane Archer levels learned shots, and [INT modifier] arcane shots per short rest; you will still have weaker DCs!
3) Again, just like Superiority Dice increase in size at 10th and 18th level, Arcane Shots are flat all the way from 3th level to 18th, and they all increase by 2d6/4d6 AT 18 LEVEL. Just let them increase by 1d6/2d6 at 10th level, and to 2d6/4d6 at 18th level (as current)

I feel like doing something like this would render the Arcane Archer... perhaps too similar to the Battlemaster with a bow, just different effects but the same vibe, but it would be the most.. reasonable thing to do, if nothing else. (I'd have actually loved if the Arcane Shots were several different versions of a sort of ranged Divine Smite, and just giving the class goddamn cantrips, spells and spellslots, but that's straying too far from the tree)

Yeah, the Arcane Archer is a bit lackluster. Still stronger than the Battlemaster on a per-shot basis, but not enough for it to be a 1:2 value. Although the passive benefits of the Arcane Archer are supposed to make up for that (Battlemaster can't recurve shots or deal magic damage).

All-in-all, the Arcane Archer is designed to be an Archer first and Arcane a distant second. Don't be an Arcane Archer if the idea of making a ranged basic attack each turn isn't fun. If you want more diversity in your ranged combat, Battlemaster or Ranger would be more for you. Now, the Champion is still fairly popular, so it's not everyone dislikes that playstyle, but it's definitely not for me.

[ccjmk]

Also so I don't feel the need to make another thread

What would be a Good way to Emulate The main character from the Samurai X Series (Before he became a pacifists) Multi classing is fine here

Samurai/Kensei Monk would be the proper fit, IMO, though the Kensei Monk is still.. really attached to unarmed strikes, which I don't see Himura doing, but you might be ok with it. I mean.. the other features are cool, the evasion, climbing walls, walking on water, etc are pretty anime/samurai-y.

If you feel like doing a more Battousai build instead, Assassin Rogue + Samurai would be on point, thought a little hard to mix roleplay-wise. Leaving optimization aside a little, I'd go for a Variant Human (Mobile or Defensive Duelist), max DEX, and high CON and WIS. Grab 7 levels of Rogue>Assassin (Assassinate, 4d6 Sneak Attack, Evasion, Uncanny Dodge), then grab as much levels of Fighter>Samurai as you want, and wield just a rapier (reflavoured as a katana). No dual wielding, no shield, no two handed weapon. Grab the 2nd feat whenever you feel like it, but you should priorize DEX.

[Man_Over_Game]

Quick correction on the Samurai, it itself doesn't have any flavor attachments to its mechanics. It doesn't have any kind of "Iai-strike" mechanics or anything resembling how a Samurai is.

A 5e Samurai is basically a Barbarian that uses patience instead of wrath. They have burst damage and survivability for very brief moments to ramp up their combat prowess as needed. You could make that a Samurai's heightened awareness, or you could make it that an arcane spirit is enhancing your powers very briefly, or that you can look into the future and determine how the next 10 seconds or so are going to play out and you adjust to compensate.


But don't make the mistake into hearing the name "Samurai" and that instantly recreates a Japanese warrior trope.


If you want a talented, fast warrior that you'd see in animes and such, Kensei+Battlemaster would be the way to go. A single stat, with which you can trip, taunt, lunge, feint, using every weapon at any range, not including the fact that you move faster than anyone else and can charge your attacks with Ki. If you only want to use a weapon and don't like unarmed strikes, then straight Battlemaster would fit very well, still.

[ccjmk]

Quick correction on the Samurai, it itself doesn't have any flavor attachments to its mechanics. It doesn't have any kind of "Iai-strike" mechanics or anything resembling how a Samurai is.

A 5e Samurai is basically a Barbarian that uses patience instead of wrath. They have burst damage and survivability for very brief moments to ramp up their combat prowess as needed. You could make that a Samurai's heightened awareness, or you could make it that an arcane spirit is enhancing your powers very briefly, or that you can look into the future and determine how the next 10 seconds or so are going to play out and you adjust to compensate.


But don't make the mistake into hearing the name "Samurai" and that instantly recreates a Japanese warrior trope.


If you want a talented, fast warrior that you'd see in animes and such, Kensei+Battlemaster would be the way to go. A single stat, with which you can trip, taunt, lunge, feint, using every weapon at any range, not including the fact that you move faster than anyone else and can charge your attacks with Ki.

Oh, i mean, something like Elegant Courtier would just not be a good fit for Himura Kenshin. I actually know the anime he mentions, and the main character is.. just not charismatic :P He's generally shy, and uninvested on other people but his few friends and love affair, and even with them he's reserved and generally lenient to sharing his past life as an assassin. When he was an assassin, he was just as uncharismatic, only replace the shy and uninvested to deadly and more deadly.

[Vogie]

If you think about it like a maneuver, or spell, it'll seem lackluster. Arcane Shots are not spells. They're ranged smites that are a bit wordier than normal. Once you see the shots as that, it'll feel a lot more explosive. If you do want to expand your palette:
If you have the charisma, picking up a couple levels of warlock so you have actual spell slots (that also refresh on short rests).
If you have the wisdom, picking up 3 levels of Ranger will give you a second fighting style, access to things like Hail of Thorns, things like Colossus Slayer or Horde Breaker.
If you have the wisdom, and don't want that, grab some levels in Kensai Monk. It'll increase all ranged damage by d4, give you a faux-cunning action, and an AC boost if someone gets in close enough for you to boop them in the nose.
A dip in War Wizard or Divination wizard will give you a strong activate-able features alongside spells and ritual casting.

[SVamp]

Couple of Questions

1: I see I only Get Two Arcane shots between short Rest. is this consider ok or on Avg is this consider to little (as i feel it is)


2: second what is a short rest (no clue)

It’s very little, imho.

Also imho, the best arcane archer using fighter is an eldritch knight specializing in archery. You can even multi class with wizard after lvl 11 to get an even more magical feel, or rogue for a more sniper feel.

To answer the Q, you ask your DM “can I take a one hour rest right now?” If him (and your party agrees and you aren’t interrupted) you get a short rest.

“By design”, you are supposed to have 6-7 battles in a day with 2-3 short rests in between. Sadly almost no tables play this way, lol, so the balance between short rest and long rest classes usually gets skewered towards long rest classes, since they can use the resources they should have for 6 encounters in 2 to 3, and the short rest classes get usually only one, if at all. (Good luck trying to rest in the middle of the dungeon or the middle of the bandit camp after a fight or when rushing to stop X from doing Y)

A bard specializing in archery and stealing archery spells with magic secrets is also a pretty good arcane archer.