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There are lots of ways to stay well back from the action inDungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition. You could be a spellcaster and sling fireballs from dozens of feet away. You could be a sneaky rogue who slashes in and out of the shadows. Or you could be an arcane archer, firing magically-infused arrows from afar.
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As the name implies, the arcane archer fighter subclass specializes in archery. With their trusty short or longbow, an arcane archer is able to infuse their arrows with magic, giving them both extra effects and extra damage. Being an arcane archer can let you rain death from afar, keeping yourself safe from harm. Read on to learn how to build this versatile and powerful ranged subclass.
Arcane Archer Fighter Features
Your journey to becoming an arcane archer should actually start at the first fighter level as you choose your fighting style. Since arcane archers exclusively use ranged attacks, you shouldchoose the Archery fighting stylefor an additional +2 to your ranged weapon attacks.
Once you become an arcane archer at level three, you’ll gain access to the arcane archer’s signatureArcane Shotfeature. This allows you to imbue one arrow per turn with magical energies. You start with two uses of the Arcane Shot ability, and you regain all expended uses after finishing a short or long rest.
Youstart with two known Arcane Shots, but gain an additional Arcane Shot option at seventh, 10th, 15th, and 18th level. The shot options are listed below:
Banishes creatures hit by these arrows
Beguiling Arrow
Deal an extra 2d6 psychic damage and potentially charm the target
Bursting Arrow
Deal an extra 2d6 force damage to both the target and any creature within 10 feet
Enfeebling Arrow
Deal an extra 2d6 necrotic damage and potentially debuff the target’s damage output
Grasping Arrow
Deal an extra 2d6 poison damage and create damaging brambles at the target’s feet
Piercing Arrow
Fire an arrow that pierces through the initial target in a straight line
Seeking Arrow
Fire a magical arrow that tracks down its target, revealing their location
Shadow Arrow
Deal an extra 2d6 psychic damage and potentially inflict blindness on your target
At third level,Arcane Archer Loreprovides your fighter with your choice in either Arcana or Nature proficiency, and either the Prestidigitation or Druidcraft cantrips.
At level seven, yournon-magical arrows become magicalfor the purposes of resistance or immunity. TheCurving Shotfeature also allows you to redirect missed arrows at new targets as a bonus action.
And finally,Ever-Ready Shotat level 15 ensures you always have at least one Arcane Shot at the beginning of every combat.
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Best Species For Arcane Archer Fighters
You can play as almost any species in D&D and still be relatively effective as an arcane archer. That said, there are a few species that make slightly better arcane archers.Here are a few suggested speciesfor your arcane archer.
Aarakocra
Gust of Windcan be a handy spell to keep enemies away from you, butflyingis likely to be your first choice to put distance between you and your opponents.
Elf
Elves are natural bow users, and they also gain access to theElven Accuracy feat. Other than that,Darkvisionandcharm resistanceare nice things to have.
Half-Elf
It pretty much has thesame benefits as the elfbut with an extra ability score point.
Human
Starting off as a variant human gives you access to perhaps the most prized feat of any arcane archer:Sharpshooter. Since fighters get ability score improvements all the time, you won’t even notice your low ability scores after a few levels.
Aasimar
Healing Handscan make you a backup healer, but the real draw here is theCelestial Revelationability. Pick eitherNecrotic ShroudorRadiant Soulfor both extra damage and either crowd control or a flying speed.
Goblin
Being a small creature limits you to using a short bow, butFury of the Smallmakes up for the drop in damage and then some.DarkvisionandNimble Escapeare also useful features for a slightly sneaky arcane archer.
Autognome
Built for Successis an amazing feature that’s hard to ignore. Not needing to sleep or eat is cool too, as isArmored Casingfor some free AC when not wearing armor.
Owlin
Instead of Gust of Wind, Owlin getsstealth proficiencyandmassive Darkvision. Dealer’s choice whether you go with Owlin over Aarakocra.
Shadar-Kai
Darkvisionandresistancesare nice to have, but the real draw here is abonus action teleport. Great way to keep your distance or get into a good firing position.
Justavoid any tiny or small-sized speciesso you can use longbows without disadvantage and you should be fine.
Best Ability Scores For Arcane Archer Fighters
As a bow user, you’ll want tomaximize your Dexterityscore to ensure maximum damage.Intelligence is your next most important abilityscore as it determines the efficacy of your Arcane Shots.Constitution is thirdas it determines your hitpoints. Everything else can be safely ignored.
If using the points buy system for determining your starting ability scores,a good spread might look something like this:
10(0)
16(+3)
14(+2)
8(-1)
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Best Starting Equipment For Arcane Archer Fighters
Since you’ll be maximizing your Dexterity,pick leather armor as your starting armoroption. Expect to make good use of thelongbowand20 arrowsyou start with as a fighter.
Although your preferred damage-dealing weapon will be the longbow, you’ll want a sword in case you’re fighting in an enclosed space. Alongswordand ashieldcan make for a good backup, or alongswordand ashortsword.
You won’t need thelight crossbowor thetwo handaxes, but you’re able to at least give them to a party member or sell them later on.
Adungeoneer’s packis more useful than an explorer’s pack for adventurers, so pick that as your starting pack.
Best Feats For Arcane Archer Fighters
As a fighter, you’ll gain lots of ability score increases that can also be swapped for feats.Some of these feats can be extremely usefulfor an arcane archer. Here are some suggestions:
Elven Accuracy
If you’re playing anelfor ahalf-elf, then Elven Accuracy candrastically improve your attacks. Being able to re-roll a d20 also improves your chances of a critical hit.
Sharpshooter
Perhaps the most important feat for an arcane archer, Sharpshooter lets youattack at long range without disadvantageandignore cover. You can also choose to take a penalty to your attack rolls fora potential +10 damage.
Alert
Never being surprisedby enemies can help maintain your distance. Also handy togo earlier in the turn order.
Mobile
Alsouseful for keeping your distancefrom enemies and foravoiding opportunity attackswhen you’re repositioning away from crowds.
Piercer
Arrows deal piercing damage, and this featmakes your damage more consistent. An easy pick up.
