It's a bit bland in terms of tactical choices, but my Elven samurai with Elven Accuracy and Sharpshooter was pretty fun. When he used Fighting Spirit - and god forbid, Action Surge - you knew someone was about to die.
You dump your highest stat into Dex of course and take Bursting Arrow as an Arcane Shot option at level 3! Watch for the AOE of this but if you have clumped up enemies it's great! If you want Sharpshooter early you have to be human variant but otherwise take it at level 4 if you're a different race. 👍🏻
I had a Tabaxi Horizon Walker Ranger archer who got better with each passing level. When the Haste spell comes online, and you get Distant Strike, you are flying around the battlefield, shooting 4 arrows per turn, with added Planar Warrior and Favored Foe Damage. The Feline Agility, along with haste provided a movement speed we couldn't even calculate, plus you get Misty Step, Ethereal Step and Distant Strike.
We were allowed custom origin, so I boosted Dex & Wisdom to fit the build.
It was my favorite character thus far. I think rangers get a bad rap. We ended the campaign at level 15, and I wish I could still play that character.
I boosted his Dex to 20 as soon as I could, and I took Resilient Constitution along the was for the saves, as we were in a dragon themed campaign with a bunch of Con saves for breath weapons.
Studded leather, Defense fighting style (for the AC), longbow, and a rapier just in case. Around 5th level, he lucked into a Ring of Protection. Eventually, around level 10, he got a Dragonwing longbow and Bracers of Archery.
Felix was hard to kill, fun to play and a lethal archer.
This cunning dexadin champion build is everything I've ever wanted in a Wood Elf warrior without a single level of ranger. Killer sustained archery DPR, two awesome animal companions, lots of mystic elvish nature-magic, strong utility for scouting, tracking, healing & buffing, and bursting with tree-hugger role-play flavor.
Highlights:
Paladin (Devotion) contributes +3 to hit from sacred weapon, the Bless spell for even more accuracy, extra attack, the game's best animal companion via Find Steed, and a nature devotee's mindset.
Rogue (Arcane Trickster) contributes sneak attack dmg, woodsy skill expertise, the second best animal companion in the game via Find Familiar, THREE possible ways to gain advantage in a given round (hide, steady aim, and familiar's help), and earth/water/air themed Cantrips for nature flavor and utility.
Fighter (Champion) contributes archery fighting style, crit on 19, and action surge to get your setup buffs in place on round 1 of combat.
13 Str 15 Dex +2 = 17 10 Con 8 Int 10 Wis 15 Cha +1 = 16
Flavor Notes:
Our Sylvan champion is devastatingly reliable with a longbow. On foot, we can track a falcon on a cloudy day and pass without a trace through the terrors of the Fire Swamp. Mounted, we are a highly mobile skirmisher, firing arrows with unerring precision from just beyond the reach of enemy blades. A brave Andalusian steed and an inquisitive Spotted Owl accompany us on our quests, aiding us in battle and wordlessly telegraphing our moods to our two-legged traveling companions. Our soul is intertwined with the spirit of the eternal WorldTree whose vast branches support the dome of the heavens and whose tangled roots descend into the underworld. By sacred oath, we are bound to the tenants of the Tree: to be kind, compassionate, true, and to protect all that is innocent and unspoiled in nature. Through this spiritual bond we channel subtle woodland magics to uplift friends, strike down foes, and to shape the earth, wind, and water that surrounds us. When forced to draw our sword, we smite with the fury of mother-nature herself.
I had a theory that 3 Rogue Scout/17 Kensai Monk would give you a lot... I played the character once at level 4, but the game didn't last long... The character was fun and could reposition easily.
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Class, subclass, feats, etc...
It's a bit bland in terms of tactical choices, but my Elven samurai with Elven Accuracy and Sharpshooter was pretty fun. When he used Fighting Spirit - and god forbid, Action Surge - you knew someone was about to die.
My homebrew subclasses (full list here)
(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm
Class: Fighter
Subclass: Arcane Archer
Feat: Sharpshooter
You dump your highest stat into Dex of course and take Bursting Arrow as an Arcane Shot option at level 3! Watch for the AOE of this but if you have clumped up enemies it's great! If you want Sharpshooter early you have to be human variant but otherwise take it at level 4 if you're a different race. 👍🏻
I know, there are likely mechanically better options, but I'd play Twilight Cleric/Gloomstalker Ranger.
Technically Arcane Archer is likely the best option.
+ Instaboot to murderhobos + I don't watch Critical Role, and no, I really shouldn't either +
Hex Blood Rouge Skirmisher/Fighter Arcane Archer with Sharpshooter Feats
I like the Twiilight/Gloom mix with a Damphere race to give a blade feel to a character.
I had a Tabaxi Horizon Walker Ranger archer who got better with each passing level. When the Haste spell comes online, and you get Distant Strike, you are flying around the battlefield, shooting 4 arrows per turn, with added Planar Warrior and Favored Foe Damage. The Feline Agility, along with haste provided a movement speed we couldn't even calculate, plus you get Misty Step, Ethereal Step and Distant Strike.
We were allowed custom origin, so I boosted Dex & Wisdom to fit the build.
It was my favorite character thus far. I think rangers get a bad rap. We ended the campaign at level 15, and I wish I could still play that character.
I boosted his Dex to 20 as soon as I could, and I took Resilient Constitution along the was for the saves, as we were in a dragon themed campaign with a bunch of Con saves for breath weapons.
Studded leather, Defense fighting style (for the AC), longbow, and a rapier just in case. Around 5th level, he lucked into a Ring of Protection. Eventually, around level 10, he got a Dragonwing longbow and Bracers of Archery.
Felix was hard to kill, fun to play and a lethal archer.
This cunning dexadin champion build is everything I've ever wanted in a Wood Elf warrior without a single level of ranger. Killer sustained archery DPR, two awesome animal companions, lots of mystic elvish nature-magic, strong utility for scouting, tracking, healing & buffing, and bursting with tree-hugger role-play flavor.
Highlights:
Level Progression:
Lvl 1: Fighter 1 - FS: Archery
Lvl 2: Paladin 1
Lvl 3: Paladin 2
Lvl 4: Paladin 3 - Sub: Devotion
Lvl 5: Paladin 4 - Feat: Sharpshooter
Lvl 6: Paladin 5 - Extra Attack, Find Steed
Lvl 7: Rogue 1
Lvl 8: Rogue 2
Lvl 9: Rogue 3 - Sub: Arcane Trickster w/ Find Familiar
Lvl 10: Rogue 4 - Feat: Elven Acc., +Dex 18
Lvl 11: Fighter 2
Lvl 12: Fighter 3 - Sub: Champion
Lvl 13: Fighter 4 - Feat: Piercer, +Dex 19
Lvl 14: Rogue 5
Lvl 15: Warlock 1 - Sub: Genie
Lvl 16: Rogue 6
Lvl 17: Rogue 7
Starting Abilities (point buy):
13 Str
15 Dex +2 = 17
10 Con
8 Int
10 Wis
15 Cha +1 = 16
Flavor Notes:
Our Sylvan champion is devastatingly reliable with a longbow. On foot, we can track a falcon on a cloudy day and pass without a trace through the terrors of the Fire Swamp. Mounted, we are a highly mobile skirmisher, firing arrows with unerring precision from just beyond the reach of enemy blades. A brave Andalusian steed and an inquisitive Spotted Owl accompany us on our quests, aiding us in battle and wordlessly telegraphing our moods to our two-legged traveling companions. Our soul is intertwined with the spirit of the eternal WorldTree whose vast branches support the dome of the heavens and whose tangled roots descend into the underworld. By sacred oath, we are bound to the tenants of the Tree: to be kind, compassionate, true, and to protect all that is innocent and unspoiled in nature. Through this spiritual bond we channel subtle woodland magics to uplift friends, strike down foes, and to shape the earth, wind, and water that surrounds us. When forced to draw our sword, we smite with the fury of mother-nature herself.
[edit: typo!]
I had a theory that 3 Rogue Scout/17 Kensai Monk would give you a lot... I played the character once at level 4, but the game didn't last long... The character was fun and could reposition easily.