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The Gunslinger was originally a homebrew that was popularized by Critical Role. Later it was officially released on D&D and Beyond for everyone to use. Today, thisDungeons & Dragonssubclass still walks a fine line between being official content or homebrew. It’s the perfect fighter class for steampunk and old western-themed campaigns alike.
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Unlike many fighter classes, Gunslinger doesn’t utilize melee attacks, which can make it a little confusing to roll up. That’s why we’re here to teach you how to build it. Grab your ammo and character sheet, and let’s get started!
Best Species For Gunslinger
To roll up a Gunslinger, you’ll benefit from choosing a species that gives extra bonuses toWisdomandDexterity. For many, the best choice is theHuman (Variant).It will allow you to add a +1 Dexterity and +1 Wisdom bonus to your character sheet right from the start. It will also give you access to theSharpshooter Feat.
You should talk to your DM before you roll up at Variant Human because some don’t allow them.
Other good species choices includeGhostwise Halfings, Wood Elves, Aarakocra, Dwarves, and Bugbears. All these will give bonuses toDexterity, Wisdom, or in some cases, both.
Ability Scores
Most fighter classes rely on brute strength, but for Gunslingers,Dexterity is everything. It’s what you’ll be relying on for your attack rolls.Wisdomis also important for a Gunslinger because it will get you a few moregrit points, which is the resource used by the Gunslinger subclass.
Wisdom will also make you moreperspective. That’s essential when it comes to locating targets and hitting them consistently.Constitutionis a good stat for any D&D adventurer to pour points into.Your dump stats will be Strength, Charisma, and Intelligence.
Gunslinger Class Features
Most fighter builds use melee weapons rather than ranged. That doesn’t mean that building a Gunslinger has to be complicated. It has a lot of interesting class feature options in its tool belt. You only need to use them correctly.
Fighting Style
Pick the archer fighting style. It may not fit the ‘flavor’ of the character, but it will give you a+2 to all ranged weapon attacks.
Extra Attack
By the time you reach level 20, you’ll have 4 extra attacks.you may use some of these attacks to reload your gun on the same turn you fire it.
Ability Score Increase
You’ll get an ability score increase every four levels.Pour them into Dex and Wis.
Firearm proficiency will give you proficiency inall types of firearms.
Gunsmith
Gunsmith will be yourprimary source of gaining new ammunition. It will also allow you to repair your guns and craft new ones.
Adept Marksman
Grit points are what allow you to do trick shots. Adept Marksman willgive you anumber of grit points equal to your Wis modifier.You can regain grit points after a short rest, rolling a crit, or defeating an enemy.
Bullying Shot
Bullying shot lets you use one grit point to use a thunderous blast to shake the resolve of one creature. You’ll make a Charisma roll to gain advantage.
Since Charisma is your dump stat, you won’t have much use for this one
Dazing Shot
Use one grit point to dizzy an opponent. They must make aConstitution saving throw. On a failed save,they’ll have a disadvantage on attack rolls until your next turn.
Deadeye Shot
When you make a firearm attack on an enemy, you can use one grit point to gain advantage on the roll.
Disarming Shot
When you make a firearm attack on an opponent, you’re able to use one of your grit points to shoot an object from their hand. Your opponent will take a normal amount of damage and must succeed in aStrength saving throwto continue holding the object.
Forceful Shot
When you make a firearm attack, you can use a grit point to trip an opponent and force them away from you.They must make a Strength saving throw. On a failed save, they’ll be pushed back 15 feet.
Piercing Shot
You can use a grit point to attempt to fire through multiple targets.The first target will take normal damage. Roll an attack roll (at disadvantage) to hit the targets in a line behind the first opponent.
Violent Shot
Extend one or more grit points to increase the volatility of an attack made against a creature.Each point added will stack onto your weapon’s misfire score. If the attack hits, you canroll an additional damage die for every grit point you spent.
Winging Shot
When attacking with a firearm, you may use a grit point to topple a creature.They must succeed a Strength save or be knocked prone.
Best Feats For A Gunslinger
As you level your Gunslinger, you’ll get access to a wide range of feats you can use to give yourself a bigger advantage on the battlefield. Here are a few of the best options for the class.
Crossbow Expert
With Crossbow Expert,you’ll suffer no disadvantage while firing at an adjacent enemy. Despite the name, this isn’t limited to crossbows.
Artificer Initiate
While not being made with fighters in mind, Artificer Initiate works well for Gunslingers. It will give you access to spells that will help you diversify your class.
Sharpshooter
Sharpshooter will increase your attack rolls. Not only will you deal more damage, butyou’ll be able to hit from further away.
Lucky
Lucky can help you avoid misfires by allowing you togive yourself advantage on attacks.
Piercer
Piercer will give you anincrease in your damage numbers.
In short, Gunslinger is a class with an interesting flavor. Since it doesn’t rely on melee attacks like most other fighters do, it can be complicated to roll up. As long as you choose the right feats and utilize your class features, you should have plenty of ammo to work with on the battlefield.
