alright, hear me out: A Battle Smith artificer who specializes in sniping. Variant Human, Sharpshooter feat to start. Uses Repeating Shot so he already ignores the loading property on a heavy crossbow. Would he still *need* Crossbow Expert since he's already staying in the back of the party, already ignores loading, and has a Steel Defender to run around and try and keep enemies off of him?
What other feats might he need to take (including Crossbow Expert *if* he needs to take it), etc?
Upon reviewing feats, it honestly looks like with Repeating Shot at least, I really only need Sharpshooter and maybe Spell Sniper in case using the crossbow (magical or not) doesn't work for some reason...
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
No, you don't need Crossbow Expert if you just want to remove the Loading property from a heavy crossbow. Repeating Shot will suffice for that.
Elven Accuracy is handy for ranged attack builds but you can't pick it if you go Variant Human.
Considering this build is MAD I wouldn't bother with Spell Sniper unless your DM is fond of three-quarters cover. Odds are the range on your attack spells is more than enough already and half cover isn't a huge problem.
How is a snipey Battlesmith MAD? Repeating Shot brings the bow under the umbrella of 'Magical Weapon' so it benefits from the Battlesmith's auto-gishing. You want INT, and 14 DX if you can manage it for armor class but frankly an artificer gets so much access to extra AC via infusions you can totally spank out on DX for a while if you want. Your thieves' tool check will suck, as will any DX tool checks you make, but since MAD only ever seems to apply to combat, guy should be good. A dedicated sniping specialist doesn't need ferocious levels of Constitution (and frankly the artificer can solve THAT problem too later, via an infused Amulet of Health). Battlesmiths are one of the least MAD multi-weapon specialists, even better than the typical Hexblade nonsense since they can guarantee low-grade magical gear to patch up their issues.
My own Battlesmith has 18AC in a basic-bytch chain shirt at level 6, and that;s with a level of Wizard slowing her progression. Chain shirt (+1'd from Enhanced Defense), 14DX, shield. Uses a javelin with Returning Weapon, soon as she picks up Sharpshooter (Skilled was too important to the concept to pass up at 4th, sadly) she can attack anything from zero to 120 feet reliably. yeah, this game uses heroic rolls, but it also has enemies several CR above the normal level. Never once had any issues with MADness. Madness yes, MADness no.
How is a snipey Battlesmith MAD? Repeating Shot brings the bow under the umbrella of 'Magical Weapon' so it benefits from the Battlesmith's auto-gishing.
Sorry, you're right. I completely forgot about Battle Ready. I was thinking they'd need to go all in on both DEX and INT on top of having passable CON.
I still don't think Spell Sniper brings a lot to the table compared to other options like an INT or CON ASI, Lucky, Alert, Elven Accuracy (if applicable) or Elemental Adept though.
More DX is never a bad thing, but you don't need to go bananaham apeshyte on it for a Battlesmith sniper, nah. Spell Sniper's not a great option though, that's definitely true. If the Battlesmith is going to focus on weapon combat - and it kinda has to, Battlesmiths get no support for spell combat - then Spell Sniper doesn't really do anything for them.
Even with Standard Array awfulstats though, it's doable for most any race to have 16+ Intelligence and a 14 in both DX and CON by the time they get to fourth. Yeah I know, everybody always wants fat 18+ CON from the word go, but a sniper with expanded access to magical gear and a Steel Defender, as well as mid-level armor proficiencies, is one of the last characters I'd figure would need to push hard for huge Con.
If you were doing actual sniper sniping as opposed to just long ranged shots in combat sorta deal.
magic initiate.
Snag, Mold Earth and Minor Illusion cantrips. These let you make dug outs, as well as problematic terrains, and minor illusion camoflague. Prestidigitation too has camo potential. As for the first level spell. Plenty to choose from really. Although for classic "I'll wait for days" style. Good Berry is nice. Stay in that hole, unmoving for a week waiting for the caravan style.
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alright, hear me out: A Battle Smith artificer who specializes in sniping. Variant Human, Sharpshooter feat to start. Uses Repeating Shot so he already ignores the loading property on a heavy crossbow. Would he still *need* Crossbow Expert since he's already staying in the back of the party, already ignores loading, and has a Steel Defender to run around and try and keep enemies off of him?
What other feats might he need to take (including Crossbow Expert *if* he needs to take it), etc?
Upon reviewing feats, it honestly looks like with Repeating Shot at least, I really only need Sharpshooter and maybe Spell Sniper in case using the crossbow (magical or not) doesn't work for some reason...
Formerly Devan Avalon.
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
No, you don't need Crossbow Expert if you just want to remove the Loading property from a heavy crossbow. Repeating Shot will suffice for that.
Elven Accuracy is handy for ranged attack builds but you can't pick it if you go Variant Human.
Considering this build is MAD I wouldn't bother with Spell Sniper unless your DM is fond of three-quarters cover. Odds are the range on your attack spells is more than enough already and half cover isn't a huge problem.
The Forum Infestation (TM)
How is a snipey Battlesmith MAD? Repeating Shot brings the bow under the umbrella of 'Magical Weapon' so it benefits from the Battlesmith's auto-gishing. You want INT, and 14 DX if you can manage it for armor class but frankly an artificer gets so much access to extra AC via infusions you can totally spank out on DX for a while if you want. Your thieves' tool check will suck, as will any DX tool checks you make, but since MAD only ever seems to apply to combat, guy should be good. A dedicated sniping specialist doesn't need ferocious levels of Constitution (and frankly the artificer can solve THAT problem too later, via an infused Amulet of Health). Battlesmiths are one of the least MAD multi-weapon specialists, even better than the typical Hexblade nonsense since they can guarantee low-grade magical gear to patch up their issues.
My own Battlesmith has 18AC in a basic-bytch chain shirt at level 6, and that;s with a level of Wizard slowing her progression. Chain shirt (+1'd from Enhanced Defense), 14DX, shield. Uses a javelin with Returning Weapon, soon as she picks up Sharpshooter (Skilled was too important to the concept to pass up at 4th, sadly) she can attack anything from zero to 120 feet reliably. yeah, this game uses heroic rolls, but it also has enemies several CR above the normal level. Never once had any issues with MADness. Madness yes, MADness no.
Please do not contact or message me.
Sorry, you're right. I completely forgot about Battle Ready. I was thinking they'd need to go all in on both DEX and INT on top of having passable CON.
I still don't think Spell Sniper brings a lot to the table compared to other options like an INT or CON ASI, Lucky, Alert, Elven Accuracy (if applicable) or Elemental Adept though.
The Forum Infestation (TM)
More DX is never a bad thing, but you don't need to go bananaham apeshyte on it for a Battlesmith sniper, nah. Spell Sniper's not a great option though, that's definitely true. If the Battlesmith is going to focus on weapon combat - and it kinda has to, Battlesmiths get no support for spell combat - then Spell Sniper doesn't really do anything for them.
Even with Standard Array awfulstats though, it's doable for most any race to have 16+ Intelligence and a 14 in both DX and CON by the time they get to fourth. Yeah I know, everybody always wants fat 18+ CON from the word go, but a sniper with expanded access to magical gear and a Steel Defender, as well as mid-level armor proficiencies, is one of the last characters I'd figure would need to push hard for huge Con.
Please do not contact or message me.
If you were doing actual sniper sniping as opposed to just long ranged shots in combat sorta deal.
magic initiate.
Snag, Mold Earth and Minor Illusion cantrips. These let you make dug outs, as well as problematic terrains, and minor illusion camoflague. Prestidigitation too has camo potential.
As for the first level spell. Plenty to choose from really. Although for classic "I'll wait for days" style. Good Berry is nice. Stay in that hole, unmoving for a week waiting for the caravan style.