sword of the arcane order ranger in 3.5 was really fun, would be cool if there was something close to that in 5e but subclasses don't really have that much latitude alas.
If you're looking to maximize round 1 damage with dread ambusher you can cast zephyr strike before initiative is rolled and trigger its effect on the first hit then cast it again with your bonus action and trigger it again on the second hit. You can do the same with hail of thorns on a small group, providing the first attack hits, or ensnaring strike if they pass the first save.
If you're looking to maximize round 1 damage with dread ambusher you can cast zephyr strike before initiative is rolled and trigger its effect on the first hit then cast it again with your bonus action and trigger it again on the second hit. You can do the same with hail of thorns on a small group, providing the first attack hits, or ensnaring strike if they pass the first save.
I know lots of folks do this (initiative) differently, but spells like these, with a 1 minute or less duration, typically can't be cast (if I'm the DM) "before initiative is rolled" like this. When a creature "does something" that requires or effects the timing of others, initiative is rolled first (adjudicating surprise first of course), then creatures take their turns.
People play it out all kinds of ways at different tables. But the formula for adjudicating the start of a combat encounter is fairly solid and clear cut.
Yeah if you are right about to initiate a fight and cast a spell then this should RAW already count as part of the fight and initiative gets rolled (and surprise conditions get applied). You'd have to get real lucky to cast a spell with a one minute duration ahead of a fight without it already counting as the first turn. Initiative doesn't begin with the first attack, it begins right before any character does anything that'd be considered part of the encounter.
In general yes, although there are exceptions like - you know the enemy is on the other side of the door etc.
Why would you say Arcane Archer failed? I never played the 3.5 prestige class but Arcane Archer leans into the theme of an arcane bowman quite well and with the extra feat you get at 6th level you can make it even better.
The 3.5E prestige class was much more Arcane: you used your bow to actually deliver spells. On a fundamental level the Arcane Archer isn't Arcane in any meaningful sense. Contrast with Ranger, Eldritch Knight, or Arcane Trickster for a superior approach to Arcane Archery (where superiority is defined in terms of how arcane the (sub)class feels).
I we took this single turn math idea stuff and applied it to area of effect damage the numbers would be even higher.
sword of the arcane order ranger in 3.5 was really fun, would be cool if there was something close to that in 5e but subclasses don't really have that much latitude alas.
If you're looking to maximize round 1 damage with dread ambusher you can cast zephyr strike before initiative is rolled and trigger its effect on the first hit then cast it again with your bonus action and trigger it again on the second hit. You can do the same with hail of thorns on a small group, providing the first attack hits, or ensnaring strike if they pass the first save.
I know lots of folks do this (initiative) differently, but spells like these, with a 1 minute or less duration, typically can't be cast (if I'm the DM) "before initiative is rolled" like this. When a creature "does something" that requires or effects the timing of others, initiative is rolled first (adjudicating surprise first of course), then creatures take their turns.
I guess I could see that. Personally I would not start the encounter unless the other side could see or hear the spell being cast.
People play it out all kinds of ways at different tables. But the formula for adjudicating the start of a combat encounter is fairly solid and clear cut.
In general yes, although there are exceptions like - you know the enemy is on the other side of the door etc.
The 3.5E prestige class was much more Arcane: you used your bow to actually deliver spells. On a fundamental level the Arcane Archer isn't Arcane in any meaningful sense. Contrast with Ranger, Eldritch Knight, or Arcane Trickster for a superior approach to Arcane Archery (where superiority is defined in terms of how arcane the (sub)class feels).
I have to agree with quindraco. I don't mind the arcane archer, but it definitely feels more like the battlemaster than a battle mage.