If you're a level 4 Fighter, you should almost certainly get to level 5 before doing any multiclassing. You need that Extra Attack more than you need one level of anything else.
That said, taking some Rogue levels might be fun. Sneak Attack works with ranged weapon attacks, which you're already doing a lot of as an Arcane Archer, and if you take two Rogue levels you get Cunning Action, which can help you stay at a comfortable range away from enemies.
I’m a little late here, but for an arcane archer, level 5 is a must as wagnarokkr said. I’d go even further and say level 7 for curving shot, which is really the power where an arcane archer shines. And then if you do multiclass, be careful of other classes that will compete for your bonus action.
Level 5 for extra attack. Level 6 for fighter ASI. Level 7 for Curving Shot. Then... Wizard? Assuming your Intelligence is decent. At the very least, Wizard will give you a lot of utility options. And, if your Intelligence is high enough for a good Casting Modifier, you'll have an array of buff, debuff, control, and damaging spells. While most of them will compete with your Action, it will be nice to have that versatility, as well as something other than a basic attack after the Arcane Shots run out.
Artificer. Arcane Trickster is an option, but then you've tied yourself to the sneak attack grind. Artificer will make your archer better (repeating shot infusion, bracers of archery, googles of night[if needed], and your artificer cantrips can be cast thru your bow (firebolt arrow, acid splash arrow, etc)- you can use your repeating shot bow as an arcane focus and all artificer cantrips have a M component) and you get an arcane canon to double your firepower. Depending of what you want more (more shots or more spells), just keep advancing in that cast.
Artificer. Arcane Trickster is an option, but then you've tied yourself to the sneak attack grind. Artificer will make your archer better (repeating shot infusion, bracers of archery, googles of night[if needed], and your artificer cantrips can be cast thru your bow (firebolt arrow, acid splash arrow, etc)- you can use your repeating shot bow as an arcane focus and all artificer cantrips have a M component) and you get an arcane canon to double your firepower. Depending of what you want more (more shots or more spells), just keep advancing in that cast.
Repeating shot isn’t really that useful. It does nothing for a longbow, and most xbow archers take crossbow expert. So either there is no loading property to ignore, or they’re already ignoring it. But you do make a strong case for other infusions, and the artificer generally.
And I don’t know that sneak attack is a grind. It’s really pretty easy to trigger it.
Artificer. Arcane Trickster is an option, but then you've tied yourself to the sneak attack grind. Artificer will make your archer better (repeating shot infusion, bracers of archery, googles of night[if needed], and your artificer cantrips can be cast thru your bow (firebolt arrow, acid splash arrow, etc)- you can use your repeating shot bow as an arcane focus and all artificer cantrips have a M component) and you get an arcane canon to double your firepower. Depending of what you want more (more shots or more spells), just keep advancing in that cast.
Repeating shot isn’t really that useful. It does nothing for a longbow, and most xbow archers take crossbow expert. So either there is no loading property to ignore, or they’re already ignoring it. But you do make a strong case for other infusions, and the artificer generally.
And I don’t know that sneak attack is a grind. It’s really pretty easy to trigger it.
Repeating Shot does mean you don't have to carry arrows around, which may or may not be useful depending on how much your particular group cares about that sort of thing.
The larger issue with Sneak Attack is that you have to keep investing in Rogue levels to keep it useful.
Re: Sneak Attack is the dark side of ranged attacks, i.e. archery. Once you go down its path, forever it will dominate your playstyle. Rogues constantly seek to proc sneak attack. This is because not only is it a damage boost, but it is necessary part of their cunning strike feature. How much sneak attack is enough? 2d6? 3d6? 5d6? This is what keeps multiclass rogues coming back to more rogue levels. How do you proc sneak attack? Lucky/Human- use inspiration/luck to get advantage? Wait until a friend is in melee? Sacrifice your movement to get advantage? Pop in and out of hiding to get advantage? This is what I mean. Getting 3d6 in sneak attack at level 11+ is not as good as getting another attack per round. And you have to keep looking for ways to get sneak attack. This is fine for a rogue, that's what you signed up for. But as a dip? For an archer build? Nah, not worth it.
I am playing a level 5 arcane Archer and was thinking about some multi classing to add some spice to the character so does anyone have any ideas.
If you're a level 4 Fighter, you should almost certainly get to level 5 before doing any multiclassing. You need that Extra Attack more than you need one level of anything else.
That said, taking some Rogue levels might be fun. Sneak Attack works with ranged weapon attacks, which you're already doing a lot of as an Arcane Archer, and if you take two Rogue levels you get Cunning Action, which can help you stay at a comfortable range away from enemies.
pronouns: he/she/they
I’m a little late here, but for an arcane archer, level 5 is a must as wagnarokkr said. I’d go even further and say level 7 for curving shot, which is really the power where an arcane archer shines. And then if you do multiclass, be careful of other classes that will compete for your bonus action.
Level 5 for extra attack. Level 6 for fighter ASI. Level 7 for Curving Shot. Then... Wizard? Assuming your Intelligence is decent. At the very least, Wizard will give you a lot of utility options. And, if your Intelligence is high enough for a good Casting Modifier, you'll have an array of buff, debuff, control, and damaging spells. While most of them will compete with your Action, it will be nice to have that versatility, as well as something other than a basic attack after the Arcane Shots run out.
Rogue Arcane Trickster- keep the arcane theme going!
Artificer. Arcane Trickster is an option, but then you've tied yourself to the sneak attack grind. Artificer will make your archer better (repeating shot infusion, bracers of archery, googles of night[if needed], and your artificer cantrips can be cast thru your bow (firebolt arrow, acid splash arrow, etc)- you can use your repeating shot bow as an arcane focus and all artificer cantrips have a M component) and you get an arcane canon to double your firepower. Depending of what you want more (more shots or more spells), just keep advancing in that cast.
Repeating shot isn’t really that useful. It does nothing for a longbow, and most xbow archers take crossbow expert. So either there is no loading property to ignore, or they’re already ignoring it.
But you do make a strong case for other infusions, and the artificer generally.
And I don’t know that sneak attack is a grind. It’s really pretty easy to trigger it.
Repeating Shot does mean you don't have to carry arrows around, which may or may not be useful depending on how much your particular group cares about that sort of thing.
The larger issue with Sneak Attack is that you have to keep investing in Rogue levels to keep it useful.
pronouns: he/she/they
Re: Sneak Attack is the dark side of ranged attacks, i.e. archery. Once you go down its path, forever it will dominate your playstyle. Rogues constantly seek to proc sneak attack. This is because not only is it a damage boost, but it is necessary part of their cunning strike feature. How much sneak attack is enough? 2d6? 3d6? 5d6? This is what keeps multiclass rogues coming back to more rogue levels. How do you proc sneak attack? Lucky/Human- use inspiration/luck to get advantage? Wait until a friend is in melee? Sacrifice your movement to get advantage? Pop in and out of hiding to get advantage? This is what I mean. Getting 3d6 in sneak attack at level 11+ is not as good as getting another attack per round. And you have to keep looking for ways to get sneak attack. This is fine for a rogue, that's what you signed up for. But as a dip? For an archer build? Nah, not worth it.
That is what I meant by sneak attack grind.