When it comes to playing inDungeons & Dragons, party composition is one of the most important aspects of a good campaign. Sure, it might be fun to run around as a band of Bards, but even then you’ll notice that different classes have subclasses for a reason. This is because there are all sorts of different ways to play similiar types of characters from spellcasters to melee characters.
RELATED:Dungeons & Dragons: Best Magic Items For Ranged
But what happens when you’re in a partyfilled with ranged characters? They could be a different assortment of classes, some magic, others not, and it could be difficult when you don’t have a tank to take all the hits or any classes like a Monk to run up and stun your enemies for you. However, here are some tips to keep you and your party safe if you’re ranged-only.
8Keep Your Distance
This may sound obvious, but keep your distance. There are going to be times when you perhaps get a little cocky and think you can handle an enemy like some zombies or something that barely does damage to you. Except, you’ll quickly realise there’s a reason you focused on being ranged, as you probably do much more damage that way.
That, and you never know what your DM has done to your enemies, if they’re altered or homebrewed in some way or if it’s an enemy you don’t know. Things may get bad when those zombies use their undead constitution feature you didn’t know about and get back up.
7If You’re Surrounded, Don’t Panic
Sometimes, you are eventually going to get cornered and probably surrounded. If this is the case, the last thing you want to do is panic. You’re going to want to try to take advantage of the situation. For example, you can always disengage and get away if things get bad.
RELATED:Dungeons & Dragons: Ways For Players To Bypass A Fight
However, you can also think positively. This might be a time when you distract the enemy for a turn or two so that some other party members get some good hits in, a distraction that your party never had before.
6Use Choke Points
Using the surrounding environment is always a good idea when it comes to combat in Dungeons & Dragons. This is especially important if you’re going to be a ranged character. You’ll likely be moving around a lot more to stay out of the range of movement of your enemies.
You’ll also likely be in locations like caves, forests and dungeons, so there will be plenty of places such as tight hallways and forested paths to use as choke points to take down your foes.
5Have Escape Options
If your Dungeon Master prefaces a combat by saying, “Just a reminder: you may always run away,” that is the equivalent of leaving healing items right before the boss room. Be prepared. One of the things you should always have is an escape option if you’re a ranged character. If you’re a spellcaster, get Misty Step andother teleportation spells, so you can get away if you’re grappled or surrounded.
For characters like Rogues, make sure you remember to disengage as a bonus action. You always need to have some way to escape because the last thing you want is to get surrounded or be stuck in a place you don’t want to be.
4Get Those Feats
For the love of Bahamut, make sure you get some good feats too. There are plenty that are available for ranged characters from Gunner to Elven Accuracy to the famous and dreaded by all DMs, Sharpshooter.
RELATED:Dungeons & Dragons: The Best Feats For A Ranger
The earlier you get these feats, the better, as you’ll get the most use out of them if you get them sooner. Some feats are also very good for spellcasters — War Caster especially is great, as you don’t lose concentration if you get hit.
3Duck And Cover
Once again, you should always be using the environment around you when you’re able to. The good thing about being ranged is that you have the opportunity to utilise cover.
The cover system in Dungeons & Dragons is one that can often get overlooked, but you can just tell your DM that, as a free action, you duck behind cover after your attacks. Depending on what you use this cover for, it can really save you from being hit, but just know that it isn’t entirely foolproof.
2Don’t Forget Constitution
As a ranged character, you probably think that you can dump Constitution for other abilities such as Dexterity or your spellcasting ability modifier. But it’s important thatyou don’t forget Constitution, as this will save your bacon if you get surrounded or enemies land a good hit on you.
You want to make sure that you have a good surplus of hit points, so you don’t just go down instantly in the unfortunate case that you get hit.
1Work With Each Other
It may sound obvious, but you have to work with your party. Just because you’re all ranged characters doesn’t mean that you’ll all be the same party. Some of you will be spellcasters, others will be Rangers or Rogues, so you want to utilise the different skills that you have when it comes to combat.
For example, spellcasters have access to control spells that can paralyse foes, making them easier for ranged attacks to hit. Make sure you’re aware of what each other’s classes can do and discuss how you may work together to make things easier for one another.
