My initial idea was an Arcane Archer but after looking into it the subclass just seems so so weak and not worth it really, so I looked at being a Wood Elf Fey Wanderer Ranger but after reading the latest UA she is going to have to be a Hexblood. A quirky silly fey that can charm her way through any situation but because of her Hexblood nature her visage can change and bring out the darker side of the Fey all twisted and haunting to terrify her prey.
My main lure to Fey Wanderer was the flavour for sure, and then:
+ Misty Wanderer was a HUGE selling point for me. Casting misty step without using a spell slot a number of times equal to WIS mod. Can also bring along another willing creature within 5 feet of you. It's bloody brilliant. Jumping in and out of the Feywilds
I've read so many things and I'm so lost with multiclass options. So many sources say to ditch ranger after 6th level as the damage tapers off compared to other classes. Trying to decide the pros and cons of what level variance to take with different classes can be difficult.
- I've thought about archfey warlock then going pact of the blade with improved pact weapon for longbow then only using utility spells as I'm going to be focused on using bow all combat. That being said im trying to step away from warlock as i seem to work them into every build i make (favourite class)
- Rogue as an obvious choice and there is a whole wealth of options there.
-Twilight Cleric because it just sounds bloody awesome
- Arcane archer - if this subclass was better id go with this 100% but it's just so weak
- I've looked at Druid and Bard for utility purposes.
-Shadow monk for Shadow step <3
Ultimately the goal is an arcane style archer with a bonus point for a familiar (I was just going to take magic initiate (wizard) at level 4 then Sharpshooter at 8). Other than that anything you could suggest that fits a stealthy fey charmer.
Sorry this post is kind of all over the place haha
Sticking with Fey Wanderer Ranger should be fine. It's a solid subclass. It's true that when you look at straight melee damage, the Ranger begins to fall behind because they are not a full martial class. As you get higher, your spells supplement your damage. At the least, you'll be able to use Summon Fey up to 4 times a day by level 11.
Also, don't discount Beguiling Twist - it's actually a really strong aspect of the subclass. Pretty much every time the party is hit with charm or frighten, at least one person will succeed their save (probably you because you'll be really good at those). A chance to apply that condition to an enemy (for up to 1 minute!) with only a Reaction is great. And note that you can also do this when an enemy succeeds on a save. For something like Charm Person, if your target saves you get to say "Oh, wait, I meant that guy" and effectively get another cast for free. Simply by being there, you amplify the fey effects of fear and charm in the area - it's pretty cool.
Sticking with Fey Wanderer Ranger should be fine. It's a solid subclass.
Completely agree with Scatterbraind. There's no reason not to play the Fey Wanderer subclass for ranger. Yes, the ranger class in general can be a little lacking in areas, but this version has some decent versatility as well as some really interesting role-playing potential. Plus, if you really want to go the archer route, then ranger is one of the best options to do that well.
I've read so many things and I'm so lost with multiclass options. So many sources say to ditch ranger after 6th level as the damage tapers off compared to other classes. Trying to decide the pros and cons of what level variance to take with different classes can be difficult.
Multiclassing options really depends on what you ultimately want to gain in order to augment your ranger.
If you're looking at increasing attack potential, then I'd recommend looking at rogue, since you could potentially gain sneak attack on these ranged bow attacks. The scout subclass lends fairly well to a ranger multiclass; such as skirmisher that allows you to move away from enemies as a reaction.
If you're looking for more magical goodies, then I'd suggest either cleric or druid, especially since they utilize Wisdom for spellcasting as well. The Twilight domain cleric would work very well. However, I'd suggest looking at the Circle of Dreams druid subclass to blend with your Fey Wanderer ranger. Doubling up on the Feywild influence but from different approaches/sources...and you wild shape into various animals to add to your fey zaniness!
Nothing wrong with multiclassing with bard, especially since bards potentially provide so much versatility. I was suggesting cleric or druid to overlap with the Wisdom component, but bard works as long as your Charisma is also high enough (so three stats 13+ versus just the two). The Fey Wanderer's otherworldly glamour ability would give your bardic stuff a nice bump as well.
Just curious, but which bardic college were you thinking? College of Glamour seems an obvious choice for the Feywild connection, but nearly any of them could mesh well depending on how you want to play it out.
I have seen a good build for Fey Wanderer with Warlock Undead Warlock, but I would really like to see a Fey Wanderer with Archfey Warlock, to keep the Fey theme.
- Having started with Ranger as the initial class, when would you introduce the Archfey Warlock, at what level? - Would you switch your focus to Archfey Warlock at some point? - If my DM permitted flavor changes to certain spells, e.g. allowing application to a bow (instead of melee weapon), what would you recommend? - Other features and spell choices? - Other ideas?
Starting at 2nd level when you choose this school, your soft words and enchanting gaze can magically enthrall another creature. As an action, choose one creature that you can see within 5 feet of you. If the target can see or hear you, it must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw against your wizard spell save DC or be charmed by you until the end of your next turn. The charmed creature’s speed drops to 0, and the creature is incapacitated and visibly dazed.
On subsequent turns, you can use your action to maintain this effect, extending its duration until the end of your next turn. However, the effect ends if you move more than 5 feet away from the creature, if the creature can neither see nor hear you, or if the creature takes damage.
Once the effect ends, or if the creature succeeds on its initial saving throw against this effect, you can’t use this feature on that creature again until you finish a long rest.
It is apparently so hard to program Aberrant Mind and Clockwork Soul spell-swapping into dndbeyond they had to remake the game without it rather than implement it.
I’m rather disappointed with the arcane archer subclass as well. To my mind it should be a ranger subclass not a fighter subclass. I built one on paper so PM me you want to see it - I haven’t created it here in DDB yet. That said I’m with the others that think just going straight Fey wanderer is quite good. You may want to do a Tasha’s version rather than straight up which would give you a little extra combat ability. If you feel you have to MC cleric/Druid are good and don’t force a MAD build. If your going to go high charisma also you might consider sorceror and take spells that build on the Fey background rather than straight combat damage. Another option would be to work out ( with your DM) a homebrew Fey sorceror similar to the shadow or storm sorcerors.
There was a period of time where, for whatever reason, it seemed like the response to the fact that Ranger was considered the weakest class was just to give alternatives to have a Ranger-styled character that isn't actually a Ranger. So that's how you end up with Arcane Archer, which honestly wouldn't be so bad if it gave more uses of Arcane Shot... as it stands, it's kind of just a worse Battlemaster, which gets a lot more uses of Maneuvers that can accomplish largely the same function, since most of them can still be used with ranged attacks. You also have the Scout Rogue that's basically just all the flavor of a Ranger just without magic.
I’m rather disappointed with the arcane archer subclass as well. To my mind it should be a ranger subclass not a fighter subclass. I built one on paper so PM me you want to see it - I haven’t created it here in DDB yet. That said I’m with the others that think just going straight Fey wanderer is quite good. You may want to do a Tasha’s version rather than straight up which would give you a little extra combat ability. If you feel you have to MC cleric/Druid are good and don’t force a MAD build. If your going to go high charisma also you might consider sorceror and take spells that build on the Fey background rather than straight combat damage. Another option would be to work out ( with your DM) a homebrew Fey sorceror similar to the shadow or storm sorcerors.
There was a period of time where, for whatever reason, it seemed like the response to the fact that Ranger was considered the weakest class was just to give alternatives to have a Ranger-styled character that isn't actually a Ranger. So that's how you end up with Arcane Archer, which honestly wouldn't be so bad if it gave more uses of Arcane Shot... as it stands, it's kind of just a worse Battlemaster, which gets a lot more uses of Maneuvers that can accomplish largely the same function, since most of them can still be used with ranged attacks. You also have the Scout Rogue that's basically just all the flavor of a Ranger just without magic.
Historically people made Arcane Archers by multiclassing Fighter and Some sort of Arcane caster, and since they were Int based that typically meant Wizard. Could they come from the ranks of rangers? Yes but it was tricky, they just required too many feats for that. If you wanted a Ranger based Arcane Archer you'd have to delay your entry into the prestige class considerably.
Anyway, the only proper class Arcane Archer fits into is the Fighter when translated into 5e. But I do have to give them credit for one thing, they really nailed the power level of the subclass, since historically these guys have always sucked.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I'm probably laughing.
It is apparently so hard to program Aberrant Mind and Clockwork Soul spell-swapping into dndbeyond they had to remake the game without it rather than implement it.
My point was really that since they first came out the entire concept of elven (originally by lore) expert archer and woodsman with access to magic was really an elven ranger mage from the days of dual classes for nonhuman characters.the prestige class screwed this up and 5e has followed suit. As I’ve said I home brewed one based off the ranger with the standard ranger subclass bonuses to try to keep it from being game breaking. If I get time and figure out how to do homebrew subclasses on here I’ll post it. In the meantime I can copy/paste from my home files in private message if anyone wants to look it over.
In all honesty I put this character on hold. I was designing them in preparation for a new campaign but ended up having to go with a different character (long story). But the time has come to renew this character and find a new campaign so I'm looking at a multitude of options!
you were looking for an arcane archer type but didn’t like the current fighter subclass and we’re looking at the Fey wanderer I believe. one possibility is a homebrew ranger version. Ranger subclasses get an extra damage feature,a themed extra spell list and a sensory improvement at L3, a movement method at L7, an extra attack method (=giving a way to make a third attack) at L11 and a defensive improvement at L15. My take on this that you are free to take to your DM for approval is:
L3: arcane shot as the fighter version but proficiency bonus times per rest, clairvoyance as a spell like ability proficiency bonus times per rest and the following spells known without counting against the number of spells known: Hail of Thorns (L1), Melf’s acid arrow (L2), Energy arrows (flame arrows but you choose the energy type when firing from fire/cold/lightning/acid/thunder) (L3), Arcane eye (L4) (I couldn’t find an archery based spell at this level but this fits with the clairvoyance ability and the archers need to see their targets nicely), Swift Quiver (L5)
L7: misty step proficiency bonus times per LONG rest
L11: Arcane archer improvements as the fighter class and you are able to fire an additional arrow as a bonus action ( giving you 3 arrows/rd matching the fighter’s 3 attacks/rd)
L15:gain the skulked feat ( hide when lightly obscured, misses don’t reveal your position when firing from hiding, no disadvantage in dim light.
I hope this helps if not we are all happy to provide ideas and guidance.
side note to others- I’m having trouble sorting through the subclass homebrew engine if one of you experts out there like the homebrew above feel free to create it here just let me know when it’s done please.
At the moment I'm thinking about ditching the whole archer theme entirely and going more down the enchanting route.
I have 2 ideas for this:
Bard (Glamour would fit but it's so lackluster I'd likely go lore)/Warlock Archfey. I do want a familiar with this character so id either go bard 18/warlock 2 and take either ritual caster feat or magic initiate or just go bard 17/warlock 3, but then I miss out on lvl 18 magical secrets.
or
Aberrant Mind Sorc/Archfey Warlock - I would then just flavour the sorc as fey influenced instead of eldritch tentacled horror. I would then change up the additional spells on the spells list to cover off all the enchantment spells I wanted which would then give me more freedom with my other spell choices.
Both builds would offer very different play styles. Both would obviously be the party face but the bard being more CC/Support and Sorc being more CC/DPS
What is the campaign- an FR clone, other WOtC clone or a pure homebrew world? I ask since FR has always had psionics as well as the Fey and the psi wasn’t just aboleths and mindflayers and far realm creatures. So a Fey sorceror wouldn’t be stretch. Play a fairy archfey patron warlock then add in sorceror I haven’t seen a Fey based sorceror but you could go draconic with a faerie dragon ancestor 😳😁.
My initial idea was an Arcane Archer but after looking into it the subclass just seems so so weak and not worth it really, so I looked at being a Wood Elf Fey Wanderer Ranger but after reading the latest UA she is going to have to be a Hexblood. A quirky silly fey that can charm her way through any situation but because of her Hexblood nature her visage can change and bring out the darker side of the Fey all twisted and haunting to terrify her prey.
My main lure to Fey Wanderer was the flavour for sure, and then:
+Dreadful strikes + hunter's mark/hex
+fey wanderer magic - charm person, misty step, dispel magic, dimension door
+beguling twist not so much
+ Misty Wanderer was a HUGE selling point for me. Casting misty step without using a spell slot a number of times equal to WIS mod. Can also bring along another willing creature within 5 feet of you. It's bloody brilliant. Jumping in and out of the Feywilds
I've read so many things and I'm so lost with multiclass options. So many sources say to ditch ranger after 6th level as the damage tapers off compared to other classes. Trying to decide the pros and cons of what level variance to take with different classes can be difficult.
- I've thought about archfey warlock then going pact of the blade with improved pact weapon for longbow then only using utility spells as I'm going to be focused on using bow all combat. That being said im trying to step away from warlock as i seem to work them into every build i make (favourite class)
- Rogue as an obvious choice and there is a whole wealth of options there.
-Twilight Cleric because it just sounds bloody awesome
- Arcane archer - if this subclass was better id go with this 100% but it's just so weak
- I've looked at Druid and Bard for utility purposes.
-Shadow monk for Shadow step <3
Ultimately the goal is an arcane style archer with a bonus point for a familiar (I was just going to take magic initiate (wizard) at level 4 then Sharpshooter at 8). Other than that anything you could suggest that fits a stealthy fey charmer.
Sorry this post is kind of all over the place haha
Sticking with Fey Wanderer Ranger should be fine. It's a solid subclass. It's true that when you look at straight melee damage, the Ranger begins to fall behind because they are not a full martial class. As you get higher, your spells supplement your damage. At the least, you'll be able to use Summon Fey up to 4 times a day by level 11.
Also, don't discount Beguiling Twist - it's actually a really strong aspect of the subclass. Pretty much every time the party is hit with charm or frighten, at least one person will succeed their save (probably you because you'll be really good at those). A chance to apply that condition to an enemy (for up to 1 minute!) with only a Reaction is great. And note that you can also do this when an enemy succeeds on a save. For something like Charm Person, if your target saves you get to say "Oh, wait, I meant that guy" and effectively get another cast for free. Simply by being there, you amplify the fey effects of fear and charm in the area - it's pretty cool.
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
Completely agree with Scatterbraind. There's no reason not to play the Fey Wanderer subclass for ranger. Yes, the ranger class in general can be a little lacking in areas, but this version has some decent versatility as well as some really interesting role-playing potential. Plus, if you really want to go the archer route, then ranger is one of the best options to do that well.
Multiclassing options really depends on what you ultimately want to gain in order to augment your ranger.
im actually contemplating going 5 ranger then 15 bard.... Bount to be problematic though.
Nothing wrong with multiclassing with bard, especially since bards potentially provide so much versatility. I was suggesting cleric or druid to overlap with the Wisdom component, but bard works as long as your Charisma is also high enough (so three stats 13+ versus just the two). The Fey Wanderer's otherworldly glamour ability would give your bardic stuff a nice bump as well.
Just curious, but which bardic college were you thinking? College of Glamour seems an obvious choice for the Feywild connection, but nearly any of them could mesh well depending on how you want to play it out.
it was either going to be Glamour or Lore, Its a tough choice.
My daughter is playing a Spore Druid 2/Archfey Warlock 3 (going full warlock ahead). Its pretty fun to see her going full fey/nature lover.
I have seen a good build for Fey Wanderer with Warlock Undead Warlock, but I would really like to see a Fey Wanderer with Archfey Warlock, to keep the Fey theme.
- Having started with Ranger as the initial class, when would you introduce the Archfey Warlock, at what level?
- Would you switch your focus to Archfey Warlock at some point?
- If my DM permitted flavor changes to certain spells, e.g. allowing application to a bow (instead of melee weapon), what would you recommend?
- Other features and spell choices?
- Other ideas?
Enchanter Wizard. 2 levels gets you:
I'm probably laughing.
It is apparently so hard to program Aberrant Mind and Clockwork Soul spell-swapping into dndbeyond they had to remake the game without it rather than implement it.
I’m rather disappointed with the arcane archer subclass as well. To my mind it should be a ranger subclass not a fighter subclass. I built one on paper so PM me you want to see it - I haven’t created it here in DDB yet. That said I’m with the others that think just going straight Fey wanderer is quite good. You may want to do a Tasha’s version rather than straight up which would give you a little extra combat ability. If you feel you have to MC cleric/Druid are good and don’t force a MAD build. If your going to go high charisma also you might consider sorceror and take spells that build on the Fey background rather than straight combat damage. Another option would be to work out ( with your DM) a homebrew Fey sorceror similar to the shadow or storm sorcerors.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
There was a period of time where, for whatever reason, it seemed like the response to the fact that Ranger was considered the weakest class was just to give alternatives to have a Ranger-styled character that isn't actually a Ranger. So that's how you end up with Arcane Archer, which honestly wouldn't be so bad if it gave more uses of Arcane Shot... as it stands, it's kind of just a worse Battlemaster, which gets a lot more uses of Maneuvers that can accomplish largely the same function, since most of them can still be used with ranged attacks. You also have the Scout Rogue that's basically just all the flavor of a Ranger just without magic.
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Historically people made Arcane Archers by multiclassing Fighter and Some sort of Arcane caster, and since they were Int based that typically meant Wizard. Could they come from the ranks of rangers? Yes but it was tricky, they just required too many feats for that. If you wanted a Ranger based Arcane Archer you'd have to delay your entry into the prestige class considerably.
Anyway, the only proper class Arcane Archer fits into is the Fighter when translated into 5e. But I do have to give them credit for one thing, they really nailed the power level of the subclass, since historically these guys have always sucked.
I'm probably laughing.
It is apparently so hard to program Aberrant Mind and Clockwork Soul spell-swapping into dndbeyond they had to remake the game without it rather than implement it.
My point was really that since they first came out the entire concept of elven (originally by lore) expert archer and woodsman with access to magic was really an elven ranger mage from the days of dual classes for nonhuman characters.the prestige class screwed this up and 5e has followed suit. As I’ve said I home brewed one based off the ranger with the standard ranger subclass bonuses to try to keep it from being game breaking. If I get time and figure out how to do homebrew subclasses on here I’ll post it. In the meantime I can copy/paste from my home files in private message if anyone wants to look it over.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
Ok unless witchofdread responds I think we need to drop this thread as it really died way back in feb.
witch, if your actually watching these how about a reply telling us what you actually did do and how it’s working out.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
In all honesty I put this character on hold. I was designing them in preparation for a new campaign but ended up having to go with a different character (long story). But the time has come to renew this character and find a new campaign so I'm looking at a multitude of options!
Ok then 😁 how can we help you?
you were looking for an arcane archer type but didn’t like the current fighter subclass and we’re looking at the Fey wanderer I believe.
one possibility is a homebrew ranger version. Ranger subclasses get an extra damage feature,a themed extra spell list and a sensory improvement at L3, a movement method at L7, an extra attack method (=giving a way to make a third attack) at L11 and a defensive improvement at L15. My take on this that you are free to take to your DM for approval is:
L3: arcane shot as the fighter version but proficiency bonus times per rest, clairvoyance as a spell like ability proficiency bonus times per rest and the following spells known without counting against the number of spells known: Hail of Thorns (L1), Melf’s acid arrow (L2), Energy arrows (flame arrows but you choose the energy type when firing from fire/cold/lightning/acid/thunder) (L3), Arcane eye (L4) (I couldn’t find an archery based spell at this level but this fits with the clairvoyance ability and the archers need to see their targets nicely), Swift Quiver (L5)
L7: misty step proficiency bonus times per LONG rest
L11: Arcane archer improvements as the fighter class and you are able to fire an additional arrow as a bonus action ( giving you 3 arrows/rd matching the fighter’s 3 attacks/rd)
L15:gain the skulked feat ( hide when lightly obscured, misses don’t reveal your position when firing from hiding, no disadvantage in dim light.
I hope this helps if not we are all happy to provide ideas and guidance.
side note to others- I’m having trouble sorting through the subclass homebrew engine if one of you experts out there like the homebrew above feel free to create it here just let me know when it’s done please.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
At the moment I'm thinking about ditching the whole archer theme entirely and going more down the enchanting route.
I have 2 ideas for this:
Bard (Glamour would fit but it's so lackluster I'd likely go lore)/Warlock Archfey. I do want a familiar with this character so id either go bard 18/warlock 2 and take either ritual caster feat or magic initiate or just go bard 17/warlock 3, but then I miss out on lvl 18 magical secrets.
or
Aberrant Mind Sorc/Archfey Warlock - I would then just flavour the sorc as fey influenced instead of eldritch tentacled horror. I would then change up the additional spells on the spells list to cover off all the enchantment spells I wanted which would then give me more freedom with my other spell choices.
Both builds would offer very different play styles. Both would obviously be the party face but the bard being more CC/Support and Sorc being more CC/DPS
What is the campaign- an FR clone, other WOtC clone or a pure homebrew world? I ask since FR has always had psionics as well as the Fey and the psi wasn’t just aboleths and mindflayers and far realm creatures. So a Fey sorceror wouldn’t be stretch. Play a fairy archfey patron warlock then add in sorceror I haven’t seen a Fey based sorceror but you could go draconic with a faerie dragon ancestor 😳😁.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
no campaign as of yet just planning a character in prep for one!
Ah ok so you just want to rest in the aberrant mind as a Fey sorceror I take it.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.