I want to make a character based on the character Orion from the game Wizard with a Gun, but I have been struggling to figure out how to do it and want some help.
He's a doctor and he has a gun, so I was thinking about doing an alchemist artificer, but he also dose a lot of physical damage and has a druid sorta feel so i don't know what to do.
Option 1: Spore Druid - this gets you a toxic aura around yourself, as well as a bonus to weapon attacks (unfortunately only melee weapons RAW so you'd need DM permission to apply it to a gun or gun-like weapon). AoE damage can be mimicked with Spike Growth or various other AOE druid spells. Bonus! Built in toxic / creepy flavouring.
Option 2: Hunter Ranger - take Horde Breaker and Volley - no toxic aura but a few ways to mimic AoE ranged weapon damage, I'd recommend taking Crossbow Expert and reflavouring a hand crossbow as a gun, this would allow you up to 4 attacks per round against multiple creatures for that AoE feel.
I want to make a character based on the character Orion from the game Wizard with a Gun, but I have been struggling to figure out how to do it and want some help.
He's a doctor and he has a gun, so I was thinking about doing an alchemist artificer, but he also dose a lot of physical damage and has a druid sorta feel so i don't know what to do.
You’re not wrong to consider Artificer, but let’s break this down by theme and see what options give you that full flavor:
Core Themes to Capture
1. Doctor / Healer – Scientific, analytical, possibly alchemical knowledge. Supportive or utility magic.
2. Gun User – Uses a firearm for real, high-impact damage.
3. Druidic / Arcane-Nature Vibe – Something wild or chaotic about their magic, grounded in the natural world or entropy.
4. Solo-Capable Adventurer – Needs strong self-sufficiency, which leans toward half-casters or builds with good survivability.
I want to make a character based on the character Orion from the game Wizard with a Gun, but I have been struggling to figure out how to do it and want some help.
He's a doctor and he has a gun, so I was thinking about doing an alchemist artificer, but he also dose a lot of physical damage and has a druid sorta feel so i don't know what to do.
Option 1: Spore Druid - this gets you a toxic aura around yourself, as well as a bonus to weapon attacks (unfortunately only melee weapons RAW so you'd need DM permission to apply it to a gun or gun-like weapon). AoE damage can be mimicked with Spike Growth or various other AOE druid spells. Bonus! Built in toxic / creepy flavouring.
Option 2: Hunter Ranger - take Horde Breaker and Volley - no toxic aura but a few ways to mimic AoE ranged weapon damage, I'd recommend taking Crossbow Expert and reflavouring a hand crossbow as a gun, this would allow you up to 4 attacks per round against multiple creatures for that AoE feel.
Thanks for the input ☺️ but I think I'm going to scrap this as a character and make a boss or NPC but thanks anyway.
PS: love the cross bow idea I think I might due something similar for a Western themed camping (trying to get into DMing) thanks again for the advice.
You’re not wrong to consider Artificer, but let’s break this down by theme and see what options give you that full flavor:
Core Themes to Capture
1. Doctor / Healer – Scientific, analytical, possibly alchemical knowledge. Supportive or utility magic.
2. Gun User – Uses a firearm for real, high-impact damage.
3. Druidic / Arcane-Nature Vibe – Something wild or chaotic about their magic, grounded in the natural world or entropy.
4. Solo-Capable Adventurer – Needs strong self-sufficiency, which leans toward half-casters or builds with good survivability.
Primary Build Recommendation: Artificer (Alchemist) / Ranger (Fey Wanderer or Gloom Stalker)
This blend hits almost everything:
Race: Custom Lineage or Variant Human (for a firearm feat or skill)
• Feat: Gunner (ignore loading, no disadvantage in melee, +1 Dex)
• OR homebrew it in with your DM.
Class Breakdown
Artificer (Alchemist) 5 / Ranger (Fey Wanderer) 3+
Artificer (Alchemist)
• Captures the Doctor/Healer part.
• Gives you spells, potions, and thematic utility like Healing Word, Alchemical Savant, and Experimental Elixirs.
• Can reflavor your alchemy as entropy magic / arcane science.
Ranger (Fey Wanderer or Gloom Stalker)
• Fey Wanderer gives that wild/nature-magic vibe, mental resistance, and extra psychic damage.
• Gloom Stalker gives you a shadowy, solo operative feel, with superior initiative, Dread Ambusher, and invisibility in darkness.
• Natural Explorer + Ranger spell list complements Alchemist tools.
Combined:
• Firearm-based damage dealer
• Heals, buffs, and debuffs
• Nature-flavored arcane energy (not full Druid, but still druidic in tone)
• Mobile and survivable in combat
Alternative Options
1. Artificer (Armorer or Alchemist) / Druid (Stars or Spores)
• Alchemist for tech/science and healing
• Druid for nature-magic and weirdness
• Problem: You’ll be MAD (multi-ability-dependent)
2. Gunslinger Fighter (Matt Mercer) / Druid
• Gives you full firearm flavor and lets you mix martial and spell elements.
• Spores Druid would be a flavorful match for a chaotic/nature-meets-gun character.
Magic + Ammo Flavor
• Each bullet = infused with a different magical property (burning, freezing, chaos, etc.)
• Use Alchemist flavor to say your “spells” are loaded into bullets via enchanted cartridges or vials.
• Healing elixirs = field surgery or emergency potions.
Orion-Themed Spell & Ability Ideas
• Artificer: Cure Wounds, Tasha’s Caustic Brew, Web, Healing Word
• Ranger: Hunter’s Mark, Detect Magic, Ensnaring Strike, Misty Step (Fey Wanderer)
• Use Flash of Genius like a battlefield tactic or instant diagnosis.