I think the most natural multiclassing option would be Ranger, either Gloom Stalker or Hunter. Looking purely at the lvl 3 features, Hunter gives a more steady output of damage (Colossus Slayer), while Gloom Stalker gives a higher mobility and burst damage boost on the first round.
The Ranger also has neat spells that can be used in conjunction with ranged attacks, like Ensnaring Strike or Hail of Thorns and the always beautiful Hunter's Mark that can be paired with Arcane Shot for an additional burst of damage + possible condition (to use both AS and either ensnaring or hail you'd have to cast the spell at the end of your turn, after your normal attack, and then use Arcane Shot on your following turn).
Other combos seem underpowered to me... Paladin is a no-go, imho, as 90% of the stuff it can add (the various Smite) are within melee range; pure caster classes could add something in terms of utility spells, but they lack the burst damage the Ranger grants.
Also, you could decide to take Ranger as the first class, take it to 3rd level and then switch to Fighter for the Arcane Archer, taking advantage of the double Fighting Style to take Archery with the Ranger (making it easier for you to hit from the get-go) and then Defense from the Fighter for a boost of your AC (which is always nice, imho).
I might be completely wrong and there might be a better combo I am not seeing, but I think that also thematically Ranger+Fighter works well and it's easily explained form a character story progression standpoint.
I think the most natural multiclassing option would be Ranger, either Gloom Stalker or Hunter.
Looking purely at the lvl 3 features, Hunter gives a more steady output of damage (Colossus Slayer), while Gloom Stalker gives a higher mobility and burst damage boost on the first round.
The Ranger also has neat spells that can be used in conjunction with ranged attacks, like Ensnaring Strike or Hail of Thorns and the always beautiful Hunter's Mark that can be paired with Arcane Shot for an additional burst of damage + possible condition (to use both AS and either ensnaring or hail you'd have to cast the spell at the end of your turn, after your normal attack, and then use Arcane Shot on your following turn).
Other combos seem underpowered to me... Paladin is a no-go, imho, as 90% of the stuff it can add (the various Smite) are within melee range; pure caster classes could add something in terms of utility spells, but they lack the burst damage the Ranger grants.
Also, you could decide to take Ranger as the first class, take it to 3rd level and then switch to Fighter for the Arcane Archer, taking advantage of the double Fighting Style to take Archery with the Ranger (making it easier for you to hit from the get-go) and then Defense from the Fighter for a boost of your AC (which is always nice, imho).
I might be completely wrong and there might be a better combo I am not seeing, but I think that also thematically Ranger+Fighter works well and it's easily explained form a character story progression standpoint.
Edit: corrected typos
Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games