Deadliest Archer Build 5e D&D

[@Nerdarchy]

Links from Video **************************************** Full-Color Custom Miniatures with Hero Forge 2.0 - bit.ly/HeroForgeCKS

[@commanderzulu4724]

You ignored the ranger in your intro. They are kinda the staple for an Archer, along with the fighter and rogue.

[@knutdn]

What about the Kobold as a race, gets good dex, but the pack tactics are really good for adv against anyone fighting an ally, and Growel, cower and beg for granting adv for allies if the enemy gets close to you 👌🏻

[@valkyrieace5768]

Rogue or fighter. It depends, i like that to dependent on the rpg style im going for.😁

[@user-kd1eb6vc7y]

Knut Knut nut nut son got some biiiiiiiiig nuts 🥜

[@williamsterling609]

Champion Fighter/Assisan Rogue multiclass.

[@anasb.8647]

Ted: So what makes the best archer? Rogue or Fighter? Ranger: Am I a joke to you? Dave: There are even other good classes, Artificer, the Monk, even the Warlock Ranger: Dude seriously WTF?

[@deplorablemecoptera3024]

*Laughs in bard*

[@dhiltbruner]

> the infamous Lockbarb enters the cloudy taproom, his ethereal Crossbow glows brighter than the fireplace. A strange smile on his weathered face, he grunts, "What's cookin'?"

[@Fallout2008]

Its why the Ranger got so much attention on the class variant UA.

[@eruditecaptain3117]

I deleted my comment after reading yours cause you encapsulated the same joke but better.

[@override367]

level 12 hexblade with their +20 damage on sharpshooter and ability to banishing smite 3 times per short rest definitely dunks all over ranger

[@shanerooney7288]

2:50 Artificer: Battle smith 3:19 Bard: Lore 3:48 Fighter: Any... 5:14 Monk: Kensei 5:59 Ranger: Gloomstalker / Hunter 7:40 Rogue: Assasin / Scout 9:03 Warlock: Hexblade (or any) 11:00 Races... 12:22 Feats... 14:12 Spells... 17:30 "Thanks for watching"

[@anasb.8647]

You are too good for us, thank you you beautiful soul, may your games be graced with natural 20s and no PC rangers

[@shanerooney7288]

@@anasb.8647 . No. F U. Rangers are best. You're just jelly.

[@shanerooney7288]

@@anasb.8647. I was joking. Pls don't go. Come back and love me :'(

[@Nerdarchy]

Not heroes wear capes. Nerdarchist Dave

[@Basicallydirt]

@@Nerdarchy ^^all

[@zombievirus4058]

I like how they aren't giving us a flat out build but a discussion instead, really encourages theorycrafting

[@Nerdarchy]

We like to mix up from time to time. Though it appears there are those that didn't appreciate us using the term build. Nerdarchist Dave

[@zombievirus4058]

@@Nerdarchy sure technically you gave several builds hahaha

[@schemage2210]

@@Nerdarchy damn straight because a "build" is a step by step set of instructions to "build" something. This video only speculates on the options. Seriously do you have no opinion if a gloomstalker/assassin/battle master multiclass is better then 17 levels of rogue.

[@nimarunimu6291]

@@schemage2210 say you are extremely bland and non-creative without saying it

[@shocknix]

Artificer: Best Arrows Bard: Best caster who is an Archer Fighter: Most attacks and Toughest Monk: Best Bow Ranger: Best AOE and Damage shots Rogue: Best Sniper Warlock: Best Archer who is a caster

[@BouncingTribbles]

Actually the warlock has the best bow (improved pact weapon) and the monk is the highest non-surprise damage

[@davidkepler5261]

Genuinely, thank you, i no longer have to watch this video.

[@justin_cgamer3198]

Something that wasn’t covered in the video was the use of Eldritch smite. Unlike divine smite, it can be used at range since it specifies that it must be used on a pact weapon. Therefore, taking improved pact weapon allows you to smite at range. Additionally, Eldritch smite instantly knocks huge or smaller creatures prone, so you can literally shoot an adult dragon out of the sky... at level 5. Both the imagery and usefulness of this ability is insane (except make sure to use Eldritch smite in your last attack, that way you don’t get disadvantage on your range attacks.)

[@Battleguild]

@@justin_cgamer3198 Archer from the Fate series would definitely be a Hexblade with that Eldritch Smite longbow.

[@michaelpeters6659]

Shouldn’t the Gloom Stalker be the best sniper?

[@devin5201]

Barbarian archer, there's more than one way to attack with a bow.

[@Comicsluvr]

Barbarian Wizard casts FIST!

[@ShinyDarkrai2K]

"I THROW MY BOW AT HIM!!!"

[@richtigmann1]

"I STRANGLE HIM WITH MY BOW"

[@CitizenCain1]

@GammaBoy No? GWM specifies "melee attack", and Longbows don't have a melee attack.

[@Stronghand-yw1lk]

I had an idea for an axe throwing barbarian in 3.5.

[@ethearian487]

One of my favorite archers is samurai fighter. Take the elven accuracy feat and the the sharpshooter feat. boom, with action surge you have 4 shots with +3 to hit, triple advantage, and +15 damage on each shot

[@bySelie]

Absolutely amazing, but terrifyingly cookiecutter. Takes some writing to make this build unique.

[@Nathan_Talisien]

I'm going to have to forward this video to a player in my group. She runs an Undying Light Warlock (IIRC, pact of the tome) relying mainly on a bow in combat; purely for flavor, her Eldritch Blasts are "arrows of magical energy" fired from her bow. I think she might appreciate the ideas presented in this video quite a bit! Thanks, Nerdarchy! 😆

[@shanerooney7288]

I like the "Eldritch Gun" home brew. exactly the same as Eldritch blast, but swap out the Verbal component for Material component (the gun) In you friend's case, the material component would be the bow.

[@wyocowboynblue9011]

I like the broader discussion about the best build options, rather than focus on some crazy multi class build deemed ‘the best’. Always love your basement conversations. Thank you.

[@tobak952]

yall didnt mention the Samurai for the fighter, that can straight up give themselves atvantage.. super atvantage with elven accuracy. Combine that with sharpshooter and uh... is that somewhere between 72 and 36 dpr at level 6 i see? and a 60% crit chance? yup, thats exactly what that is :D ´BTW, awesome video with loads of great ideas, i just felt like this was a worthy addition

[@sandeepreddy7947]

17 assassin rogue/3 battlemaster fighter On the surprise round, that's up to 36d6+8d8 Then action surge and do it again

[@ConnorCoultrup]

I love that you didn't do a build, and instead talked about your options. It was so nice to hear so many options!

[@theshadowbadger]

Intro doesn’t mention ranger, and I can’t argue with it.

[@snenson1596]

I love how your profile pic fits your comment

[@krunk485]

You guys are great. I really enjoy how you look at multiple angles and present the viable options.

[@Christopher_Gibbons]

Best part of a hexblade archer is ascendant step. Levitate at will. You always have the high ground. Well second best, the best part is the ability to seamlessly switch from ranged, to melee, to spell damage.

[@masterreaper115]

the problem is that it is never better or more efficient to fire a hexbow or crossbow than it is to just use eldritch blast....

[@hunterkoons2008]

@@masterreaper115 eldritch smite is pretty worth it, especially if you multiclass into something like rogue instead of going straight warlock.

[@masterreaper115]

@@hunterkoons2008 I mean i guess? for the what absolute max of 4 times you can do it without recharging. Outside of those 4 attacks EB gives more or the same damage

[@Christopher_Gibbons]

@@masterreaper115 not if you use your hexes properly take the relevant feet (sharpshooter/ great weapon master), and take improved pact weapon and lifedrinker. You do weapon damage + char mod + proficiency+ an extra d6 + char mod again + 10 You are looking at 30+ damage per attack before you even roll any dice. And you can still throw smites on top of that. Hexblade overtakes eldritch blast around lvl 5 and doesn't fall behind again untill about lvl 17.

[@masterreaper115]

@@Christopher_Gibbons Take agonizing to match the first +cha, hexes are identical and range outscores with spear. Dont sacrifice an asi for a feat so you can actually get that 20 cha instead. Il admit that midgame hexblade does end up winning in pure damage with all things added but you also risk a miss with that -5 every time you use it. So sacrifice accuracy for a potential +10 but a possible 0 on the miss for a 15 total damage change-up.

[@skyenyx8972]

Nerdarchy, you guys are missing how great Samurai archers are! Fighting Spirit + Elven Accuracy is ridiculous. Fighter, specifically elf or half elf samurai. Subrace doesn't overly matter, but I'm big on Shadar Kai for the con buff and the ability to teleport and gain resistance. I'd go to at least 12 fighter, just to get extra attacks and ASIs At 4th level, you want either sharpshooter or Elven Accuracy, Elven Accuracy on Samurai is stupid because of fighting spirit giving you advantage, and thus setting off your Elven Accuracy. At 6th you take the other feat you didn't take at 4 At 8th you can take crossbow expert if you want to, but it won't actually give you much, beyond the disadvantage ignoring, because your bonus action is spoken for. Probably just increase your dex. At 12th you can round your dex out to 20 The remaining 8 levels are kind of up to you, but personally I like to go ancestral guardian barbarian. Now you can fire at multiple targets, giving disadvantage to foes who would be hitting your allies, meaning that you can either be an awesome single target damage dealer, or perform some battlefield control. On top of that, you have the extra heartiness of rage, and danger sense, fast movement to keep you at range, and Feral Instinct with your huge Dex pretty much means you're going first. Plus there's even synergy between rage and fighting spirit, essentially stretching your THP out further. Finally your unarmored defence at this point, especially if your ASIs after level 12 go into con, can reach really really high numbers. By the time you hit fighter twelve you can attack three times a turn for either +6 and the best of 3 dice, with sharp shooter, or +11 best of three dice without it. 1d8+15 with sharp shooter is already great, but three times around is awesome, and if you action surge... well...

[@skyenyx8972]

Also from a roleplaying perspective a lot of samurai were very, very capable archers. It may not fit the typical action movie samurai but it was a thing.

[@Nathan_Talisien]

@@skyenyx8972 That's extremely accurate. Traditionally, while melee weapons were a matter of personal choice, ALL samurai were excellent archers. Training with the bow included archery from both mounted and foot positions. A lot of that had to do with peasants being used as glorified cannon fodder, though, and samurai being viewed as minor nobility at the very least.

[@RobKinneySouthpaw]

+6 on sharpshooter, not +1. Also with archery fighting style there is another +2. On an RP note, Action Surge with rage and fighting spirit using ranged.is like Rambo yelling with a machine gun. Aaaaaaaaagh!

[@skyenyx8972]

@@RobKinneySouthpaw Thanks for pointing out the math fail, I was just kind of in full flow typing. But yeah. Pretty much!

[@Nerdarchy]

13 character classes and I don't know how many subclasses we were bound to miss something. Nerdarchist Dave

[@calasurien]

When you take Ranger Hunter archetype and you are fighting against an army of small creatures and you have haste casted on you(after you get to 11th level) you can shoot a few hundred arrows in one round.It's just amazing.

[@davidkobold5311]

I loved the creativity with the Warlock archer...now I need a new Warlock! Thanks Nerds

[@Tudella2]

A bit Late, but Warlock Hexblade, Pact of The Blade(12 levels) and Eldritch Knight (8 levels). Basicaly you may cast Eldritch Blast and One weapon attack per turn, so 5 attacks without expending ressurges

[@theonlymatthew.l]

My current favorite Archer build is Battlemaster 11/ Hexblade (Pact of the Blade) 5/ Artificer (any) 4. Eldritch Smite along with a base three attacks a round. Toss in battle maneuvers, and Hunter's Mark or Hex, two fighting styles, not to mention Action Surge and tons of other goodies... In addition you're rocking a hand crossbow with a shield and getting a bonus attack every round Edit: Artificer became official.

[@VioletMoonfox]

I'm surprised you didn't mention Samurai when you were talking about the fighter. The ability to just say "I have advantage" and to take one of those shots and instead make it two separate shots is just great.

[@Gavert3]

Thank you Guys, I didn't knew you can make sick warlock archer build.

[@Otaconsps]

Have to say I like the actual builds better than just going through all of the potential archer abilities you could choose.

[@pvrhye]

I like the assassin for this. I don't think it's mechanically the best largely because of the stipulations on the assassin's ability, but in terms of the fiction, I like the idea of an archer taking his time and lining up his shot more than the barrage of arrows. Makes arrow counting more pleasant as well.

[@Josephkerr101]

Volley: "I'ma just launch mah quiver."

[@KarakisGiorgos]

Favorite archer build with multiple uses, Warlock - Hexblade 9/ Bard College of whispers 11. 4 attacks in a round, one of which can go up to 8d8 + 5d6 + 22 + prone condition with only class features applied (no magical items or spells), whereas the other 3 will score a 1d8 + 22 each. Total if all four score a hit 11d8 + 5d6 +88 Add an Oathbow, and the application of Purple worm poison and you can increase any/ each of these attacks' damage by a 15d6.

[@GoldThird]

I have a rogue scout half elf. Gonna dip into champion at some point for the expanded crit and proficiency in longbows. Also action surge to set myself a extra sneak attack off turn through held action once a short rest. Just hide and get advantage that way, set elven accuracy, maybe get sharpshooter mostly to snipe from far. Was also thinking of getting a familiar through magic initiate, to help myself into free advantage.

[@TheProteanGeek]

I'm playing a Fighter(Arcane Archer)/Rogue (Assassin) currently. I'm thinking of adding Ranger (Gloom Stalker).

[@gladiusgamer9324]

My favorite archer is 3 ranger Gloom Stalker/ 17 Rogue Assassin. I need to try the Artificer Archer, though.

[@SimplestUsername]

3 lvl gloom stalker 6 lvl rogue assassin 11 lvl Fighter Battle Master - That's 8 hits at the start of your turn with action surge. (9 using crossbow expert)

[@williamsterling609]

I would at least take 2 more levels of Ranger getting 1 more attack is always beneficial

[@SimplestUsername]

@@Soma6372 At level 17 I believe that would be like a Con save around DC 18. Average assassination damage for the best ranged Assassin/Gloom stalker build (w/ hunters mark) at lvl 17 is around 213 damage. ((12d6, 1d4)x2) The thing is that most creatures with more than 213 hp seem very likely to beat a Con save of 18.

[@Noobie2k7]

I'm currently theorycrafting 2 potential Archer options for an upcoming campaign i'm going to be a part of. These aren't designed to be min/maxed as we're all building characters for theme and fluff and roleplay potential more than just making them as mechanically powerful as possible. 1 is a Shadar-Kai Hexblade Warlock/Gloom Stalker Ranger. Really fitting the theme of a chosen of the Raven Queen, with the race and also class choices. Both the race and Hexblade subclass being very thematic for followers of the Raven Queen and Gloom Stalker also fitting that Shadowfell assassin feel. Then the other option is being an Eladrin Archfey Warlock/Horizon Walker Ranger. Themed around the Feywild and being an Archer who's focused more around maneuverability and teleporting all over the place in battle with access to Fey Step, Misty Escape and Ethereal Step abilities and also spells like Misty Step and Blink.

[@palexanderrice]

so glad you put hexblade. it’s crazy to see a guy pull out a dagger and deal like 78 points of damage with it with high enough level.

[@DimiLeventis]

Wood Elf, Level 10: 2 in War Cleric, 5 in Battle Master, 3 in Assassin Rogue Will allow you to deal at least +150 damage per round

[@matthewlowrey7001]

Oh P.S Forgot to add the feats i would go with are Piercer, Sharpshooter, Gift of the Chromatic Dragon, and if the DM doesn't allow fighting style Close quarters shooter then also crossbow expert. It DM does allow it then Elven Accuracy, skulker or Lucky. For fighting styles archery is a give in, Close quarters shooter for second one if you can use it. But if you can't Blind fighting and superior technique could be decent too. I would do first lvl as fighter. Con saves are always good , and str saves are not that bad either of the minor 3 saves str i feel is the best between str, int and cha. like resist that melee fighter pushing you off a cliff or grapples.

[@acadiangeek8483]

I've actually been working on an arcane archer / hex blade as an NPC minor villain so this video was very helpful. Thank you very much for the information.

[@androgenius_alisa]

Pack tactics made an awesome vid on it, showing how Ranger gives himself and party an advantage on attacks, replaces the need for potions with goodberry all while dealing top damage

[@macromondo8026]

I love me some Scout Rogue: Can steady aim at low levels for advantage on demand (always has sneak attack) while using skirmisher to move away in the enemy's turn, but at high levels it gets Sudden Strike letting it do TWO sneak attacks per turn (which is...pretty damn wild for a Rogue!)

[@williamsterling609]

Ranger/Rogue with sharpshooter feat and bracers of archery. 3D8+5D6+24 of damage every round.

[@TheSlickster65]

I love my Battalesmith using the heavy crossbow while my steel defender takes the hits

[@SB-yp8vp]

The right Bard + swift quiver thru magical secrets = 4 attacks. Pretty awesome.

[@Gladerunner2113]

Its kind of ironic that they get it before the Ranger.

[@VolrinSeth]

For bards you could also go swords, although the name makes it sound melee only, flourishes can also be used with ranged attacks.

[@jeffreylucier5266]

Missed you two. And Ryan. Thanks guys. Watching since the backyard vids!

[@bolgar1965]

Ranger also gets an awesome 4th level spell. Guardian of Nature, tree form for 1 minute all your shots are with advantage, and as a gloomstalker if you happen to miss a shot (unlikely) you can reroll it with Stalkers Flurry.

[@dsdjkk]

I was enjoying my Horizon Walker Ranger, with hunters mark up already and planar warrior ability every round. Plus mobility.

[@rjanssafttheiii4697]

High elf wizard who uses a bow. They are an archer and insanely deadly.

[@ItsJustKorbin]

Loved this video, great as always :P

[@Altyrell]

You may want to reread the "Assassinate" ability because you only get the Auto-Crit if the opponent is surprised. Going first only gets that if the opponent is surprised, otherwise all you get for going 1st in initiative is Advantage against anyone whom hasn't gone yet.

[@Altyrell]

Which still enables you to do Sneak Attack damage

[@rickbarker4467]

Warlock does the most DMG per shot (DMG mod). Hexblade uses CHA for damage, with proper invocations. Then you stack CHA again with an Invocation. Then add +10 with Sharp Shooter. Than if you get a Tome that's another +4 per shot.

[@spacebarbarian3484]

My elven ranger hunter found the Nature's Guardian spell to be indispensable. I cast it every fight in the later game of my last campaign. With advantage on every attack, I never worried about stealth, used Sharpshooter for the +10 damage (unless it was against very high AC foes), and could add Colossus Slayer to one attack every round. I seldom missed, and consistently dealt heavy damage every round. He was like a piece of precision artillery. I found myself with a bunch of concentration spells from earlier levels that I never used, so I was on a mission to swap them out.

[@Galus999]

I decided to go the valor bard route. So far I'm loving it! One of the most versatile characters I've made in a long time

[@styx_n_stonz]

I'm playing an Inquisitive Rogue/Whispers Bard High Elf who uses a Longbow. Considering a dip in Warlock for the Hex but will see

[@MrNickp2300]

Doesnt eldritch smite also knock creatures large or smaller prone? Wouldn't that hurt an archer?

[@benjaminolson7206]

Remember that Sword Bards can (despite it not fitting so great lorewise) can throw the flourishes on any attack be it with blade or otherwise. If you can get the weapon proficiencies some other way (being an elf is the most straighforward) it easily outclasses a valor bard in archery. Doesn't really compete with the whispers bard for damage nova damage, but it still has extra attacks when the inspirations get used up. My candidate for most unconventional viable archer would be a Bladesinger wizard with a handcrossbow (the only bladesong compatable ranged weapon, for which you can get proficiency by going drow). You do eventually get both extra attack and an intelligence bonus to damage, and having a familiar giving you advantage all the time is pretty awesome. Not so amazing as an archer, but remember that that is all on top of being a full-fledged wizard.

[@NobodyDungeons]

There is only 20 arrows in a quiver though most people don't seem to take ammo into account, and I only do it when playing a survival game because I feel that adds a bit of realism.

[@TheJaybrone]

Assassin + Gloomstalker ranger if you get the drop on the enemy it’s over.

[@Comicsluvr]

My fiance has a Rogue/Assassin who is now MCing into Gloom Stalker and she's the Undead hunter that frightens THEM!

[@appleapple1988]

How many levels in gloomstalker would u suggest? just the three to get to the subclass, four for the ability score, or five for extra attack?

[@TheJaybrone]

@@appleapple1988 5 for extra attack is nice as it provides a second chance at sneak attack but comes at a cost of less sneak attack damage. The extra attack could be the difference between getting that auto crit surprise and a whiff. And if you hit with both attacks at 1d8 (assuming rapier or long bow) + hunters mark you can offset the lost sneak attack damage.

[@Zack.Knuckles]

My Favorite Archer is Scout Rogue 17 Hunter Ranger 3, because you essentially get an extra attack when attacking at more than one creature that are within 5ft of you, and then the 17th level scout ability of double sneak attacking as a bonus action. With some long striders every once in a while from ranger, or even hunters mark, it’s a pretty good build. Especially with class feature variants if your DM allows it... but you know is it’s AL legal just use Xanathar Guide as your extra book, and I’d choose Elf, Half-Elf, or Variant Human. Elven Accuracy is super good, and sharpshooter at level one is really good if you ask me.

[@zeriul09]

one of my players is a rogue/ranger/fighter as he basically wanted to be the witcher but archery based, fine, took variant human, took sharp shooter, ranger and fighter combat types for archery, so +4 to attack rolls and as it's still low level he only gets one attack so positions himself so he can get sneak attack, uses hunter's mark too and if it's been hit before, with colossus slayer he gets, with his longbow, so if he hits he gets (at level 5) 1d6 sneak attack, 1d8+3 bow, 1d8 colossus slayer, 1d6 hunter's mark +10 sharpshooter so at minimum he's doing 17 and max atm is 41

[@BobHerzog1962]

At level 17 Acout also can do a second attack with their bonus action and also sneak attack twice, if done right. But I get why that might not be considered a jaw droping level 17 ability.

[@rileyrogers8309]

What about the Avan (hawk headed) race? They get to make weapon attacks at the weapons’ long range without disadvantage. And also the ability to fly. I’d say that’s pretty fantastic for a sniper, to just be in the air shooting from several hundred feet away then leaving before anybody can get even close

[@rodneyamidon271]

I wish they still had the Seeker class from 4E. That was a really fun Archer to play. I played a Wilden Seeker for a long time and really enjoyed it.

[@Flikis]

I think the hit to DMG ratio should be mentioned as well as how situational each class ability is. The assassin needs to act first and a surprise round. That alone needs fellow party members that is patient enough to let this happen and always attack from ambush. More often then not the DM is the one throwing the mabush meaning the assassin abilities gets thrown out the window. To get any DMG worth talking about you need the static bonuses, meaning sharpshooter or possibly sneak attack. And as sharpshooter lowers attack by 5 a character without Archery fighting style will hit less often. After that we can compare Volley who needs clumps of foes with friendly fire possibility while the Fighter can either do focus fire or spread attacks out at will. Granted, others might have other fun stuff to bring to the table, but if archery is the only thing mattering, and you want to be the very best at that, discarding all else. Elf Fighter is the only way to go from what I've pieced together.

[@Thunder-bw9xm]

Look at Gloomstalker. At low-mid level it can easily out-damage the fighter

[@NobodyDungeons]

So, you completely forgot the arcane trickster rogue who can use the find familiar spell to give themselves the help action for advantage which is especially potent for elven characters as they can get triple advantage with the elven accuracy feat. You can also add booming blade to your melee sneak attacks which makes for a very nice damage boost, and some neat crowd control while your at it. However, their is nothing stopping you from just picking up the magic initiate feat, and doing the same with any other rogue subclass.

[@Ollardell]

My favorite archer build is a variant human (alert) gloomstalker ranger 5, battlemaster (or arcane archer also works) fighter 4, assassin rogue 11. Take sharpshooter and max dex and have a decent wisdom. During combat you cast hunters mark and have fun! 6 attacks that auto crit t1 is fairly easy to set up and deals some decent damage with all the extra damage dice we are adding!

[@Tech_Deity]

Best build suggestion this far

[@sicsempertyrannishonk7197]

I'm currently running a lvl 6 5e *Echo Knight Fighter* Archer, with *Lucky, Elven Accuracy, and Sharpshooter.* I've never had so much fun playing a ranged character; the cheese of ranged attacks + Echo knight are incredible. *Eladrin* for even more blinks. Only level 6, but attacking from 600 feet... If I'm unseen, with advantage (2 dice), Elven accuracy (3 D20 rolls), Lucky (4 D20 rolls) and that +10 damage from sharpshooter? So. Much. Fun. I hope my DM isn't tearing his hair out, he's the best DM I've ever played with and a good friend, and thankfully the other party members outshine with AoE and flashy spells so I'm not spotlight hogging. But it feels SO GOOD to all but ensure that hit when you really need it. No matter how far, no matter how covered or protected. I haven't "4 attack, action surge, etc." I told him I wanted a find familiar scroll/tattoo so it could fly in, hoot a "help" action to give me advantage, and then fly out without provoking AoO. I had considered 2 levels of rogue if we take it to 20 just so I can bonus action hide in combat.

[@DistortedShelf0]

Goblin Archer: Sharpshooter+Piercer+FuryOfTheSmall+Assassinate+Deathstrike = about *230* average damage possible, guaranteed hit before the fight starts

[@drsquirrel7276]

I’m playing a really nasty archer right now human varient rouge assassin 3 lvls and 1 lvl of fighter Now my biggest question is if custome linage can still qualify you for elven accuracy cause you could make an even better archer if that works

[@awokensheep588]

I'm a player in a campaign right now. Being a mix of Gloom Stalker Ranger and Assassin Rogue is quite fun and just plain brutal if you ask me!

[@gustaafargoan]

I always start with Gloomstalker Ranger to 5th level. Why waste the extra attack at 5th, you also get rope trick. I was running the Avernus campaign and my daughter was a Gloomstalker/Rogue. The party was on foot and saw an infernal war machine barreling down on them. I had rocks they could try to hide behind to give them a chance. I expected a hard fight. I asked them what they were going to do before the machine got there, and my daughter said rope trick. Wait, what? She said well we can't fight that thing.

[@tommoses1372]

Gloom Stalker Ranger (3), 2 levels of Rogue (using the Cunning Action AIM from UA), the rest either Battle Master Fighter or Arcane Archer. Also, the Optional UA Options recently published. Hunters Mark and Sneak attack, yes, please.

[@druxusthemage9806]

I like inquisitive rogue as an archer being able to get sneak attack without having to.have an Ally or advantage

[@panpiper]

Combine rogue assassin with a splash of ranger gloom stalker, and you have an absolute death machine. Hide in the dark to attack with advantage and automatically crit, with sneak attack dice added. Ouch! Level mostly in rogue for the extra sneak attack dice, but the splash in ranger will also give you the +2 to hit from fighting style.

[@TommyTheCat83]

Tabaxi is able to position better than any class that doesn't have flight. Double movement and a climbing speed to take high ground. Extremely good race for an archer.

[@nathanross5527]

Last year my DM allowed an aaracokra gloomstalker into his game. Then gave her the Oathbow at 4th or 5th level because he didn't realize how powerful it is. I think she had sharpshooter, but not for certain. I do know she did crazy damage each round.

[@Watertrotter-ge5yp]

I always like the idea of Champion Fighter for the higher crit chance, plus Wood-elf for Elven Accuracy Feat, as well as the Lucky Feat and the Crossbow Expert Feat. Now all you need is one of the dozens of ways to get advantage and you will crit a very large amount of the time compared to normally, which means a guaranteed hit. I know that a lot of people like the high modifier to attack rolls, but I personally would much rather have a huge chance to crit, because then no matter what the enemy’s armor class is with this setup, you will hit almost 50% of the attacks you attempt with luck points, and almost 40% of the them with no luck points as long as you have advantage. Say goodbye to you DM’s sanity, and just pray they don’t unleash a similar character on you.

[@CaptCKernel]

I've got a level 16 rogue/ranger [11/5]. Didnt min/max but ended up doing cool stuff and its my favorite to play (AL legal). Gloomstalker and inquisitor. Expertise in insight with rogue = min 24 for BA insightful fighting. Always get sneak attack, plus sharpshooter with archery fighting style and +2 bow. There was once a wolf totem barbarian and he became my best friend ;)

[@darkvision-9513]

How did yu manage 24 for insight?

[@CaptCKernel]

@@darkvision-9513 wisdom is his 2md highest stat, int is his dump. He has expertise in the only INT stat that matters to him (investigation) then expertise in the other rogue wisdom skills (perception, insight). So with a proficiency bonus of +5, doubled, is +10. Wisdom is 18 so +4, so end up with +14. Reliable talent - anytime you make a check in which you are proficient, any roll 1-9 = 10

[@LordBrittish]

I *do* love my Gloomstalker Ranger archer, but I’m thinking of multiclassing and going Assassin. Would taking Fighter after that for another attack and Action Surge be too much? 😆

[@JagoTFC]

I think Samurai is the one. It's even historically accurate. Human variant, aasimar protector or wood elf. Now to level all three races you could start the human with Eldritch Adept (Devil Sight) and he would get a far better darkvision, unless you want to rely to torches for 6 levels and fire -5 to hit but +10 damage, when you see them.

[@borisdevilboon8064]

Love Ted’s shirt in this one

[@exospaca]

Nerdarchy: We like all these races for archers. Bugbear: Am I a joke to you? (2D6 first round)

[@hiropisku1078]

Deadliest Archer Build Has Ashe on the thumbnail Nerdarchy and League of Legends crossover video confirmed?

[@Nerdarchy]

I'm considering re-installing it on my computer. Nerdarchist Dave

[@ultimateninjaboi]

If you target a grid intersection, its 12 targets on flat ground, assuming theres no enemies stacked up (small/tiny targets). Targetung a space gives 21 targets along the same logic. Not about yo try and work out the numbers for a 3rd axis

[@adamkaris]

ultimateninjaboi Might depend on how you count diagonals maybe?

[@nlentz88]

Yes, a 10' radius from a single "point you can see" would encapsulate 12 squares

[@ultimateninjaboi]

@@adamkaris I'm talking from the perspective of using a grid, where theres a standard pattern for radii. At least as far as a 10' radius is concerned. It's basically a 4x4 square minus the 4 corner squares. Centered on a square, its 5x5 minus the 4 corners. If you wanna use straight line, and figure out which squares are within a 10 foot range, it will likely form the same pattern. But this might not apply at larger radii. But that's your choice as a DM. I'm simply saying what the standard is because they were a bit unsure. Not correcting them. XP

[@lordmimir3099]

I love the idea of a Paladin archer personally. Wish there was a oath that aloud for ranged smiting only.

[@rickbarker4467]

You have a few smite spells that work with ranged weapons, like banishing smite.

[@garthodowd6846]

Banishing and branding smites can be used on ranged attacks, but at 17th level (5th level spell)

[@subzero9113]

Thanks Guys, Super helpful as I have been looking for alternative classes for an Creative Archer build. One race You left out is the Centaur, I know that they have a Dex penalty but seeing as how they were Mythological Master Archers how would You build one in 5th edition? Any suggestions would Be extremely helpful.

[@RickvantHof]

You forgot to mention the Rogue Scout gets a second bonus action attack at 17th level that can benefit from Sneak Attack, allowing you to trigger sneak attack twice each turn. That's a significant damage boost, albeit against two targets.

[@jimwolford7294]

My Archer is a Kobold, Eldritch Knight. At Level 3, learn Find Familiar; level 4, Sharpshooter. Next will be Crossbow expert at level 6 and at Level 8, +2 Dex and Enlarge/Reduce. With Enlarge he'll get Advantage of strength checks and an extra 1d4 damage to weapon attacks. So far everything is AL legal.

[@InvaderHelpUnit]

College of Swords Bard can also make for a good archer since, oddly enough, Blade Flourish doesnt specify weapon type. Oh and another spell for an archer Whisper & Lore Bards to look at is Tensers Transformation.

[@Gamma3318]

I have a level 6 bugbear gloomstalker ranger/assassin rouge first round of combat 4d8+4, 4d6, 1d4(favored foe)… in our game instead of double die a crit is max damage so 64dmg opening round then as long as attacks have advantage subsequent rounds 36dmg solid 100dmg in 2 rounds of combat

[@verdan2655]

Okay, good coverage of all the classes that can use bows. You mention there are maneuvers as a Battlemaster which help. But which ones? You mention the Arcane Archer but you neglect to mention that the magical shots have limited uses before you need to take a short rest.

[@El_Chico_des_Galos]

My Crossbow master multiclass with 17 lvs of Fighter and 3 lvs of (Hunter “Colossus Slayer”) Ranger is the most dangerous ranged build! Look into it!

[@kisaknight626]

So many puns!! Lol. Great video guys

[@marklesueur6585]

Discussing the monk, ki is pronounced “key” not the long I sound 5:46

[@alanschaub147]

I want to play a Gloomstalker Ranger with the Martial Adept feat. It might not be the most optimized archer, but it sounds fun. I particularly like the Trip attack to knock opponents out of the air, and the Menacing Attack to keep opponents from closing with me. If I add some Shadow Monk, and/or Rogue, then I’m now Batman! 🦇

[@adamholcomb1906]

I have a AL Drow Gloom Stalker Ranger That is 8 level and has sharpshooter feat and I plan to take 3 levels of rogue to get the assassin feature🕸🕷💯

[@Nathan_Talisien]

Have you considered the benefits of adding levels of Kensei Monk? Asking purely out of curiosity... I know it's not always the best choice statistically, but it's often an acceptable choice statistically while being a great choice in terms of flavor.

[@chuckallerston9997]

Warlock hits target in gut which launches them through hell(little RP flavor)

[@isaackarr6576]

I could have fun playing a dragonborn reskinning bolts and arrow's as breath attacks.

[@airborneranger2531]

Hey Nerdarchy! Was hoping to see possible builds on one widely known character, that being Judge Dredd. And another for Gor-Rok from Warhammer Fantasy.

[@archielamarr2950]

What do you think of this build? A tefling with a demonic/draconic heratige draconic is green draconic with wings classes are bar/ass 3 levels of bar and the rest ass that's my idea for a PC. What do you think of my idea would it work?

[@Killo464]

30 views within 2 minutes of uploading? At 5 AM no less? Not bad Nerdarchy.

[@tennesseeponderer3146]

I go blade college bard who takes summon greater steed and tesers transformation along with crossbow expert, then take two levels of fighter

[@moquips]

It's worth noting that Small creatures have Disadvantage when attacking with Heavy Weapons, so Halflings and Goblins can't effectively use a Longbow