Each build is based around the ability to negate the drawbacks of ranged weaponry, while also increasing damage dealt. As we can see in an earlier post about two-handed damage, attack bonuses largely increase the average damage of two-handed damage and Archery attacks (mainly because of the Sharpshooter feat).
Also, with ranged weapon attacks, positioning matters quite a bit. So each build will have some decent mobility to evade melee combat.
Fighter (Battlemaster)
Core abilities: Archery fighting style, Maneuvers, Extra attacks and Ability score improvements
Melee Evasion: Negate the disadvantage with Feinting attack, or use Evasive footwork
Increased attack bonuses: Take Archery fighting style, use Precision attack on important attacks
Increased Damage: Take Dexterity increase as often as possible, increase ability score improvements also allow for more feats
Ranger (Hunter)
Core abilities: Archery fighting style, Horde Breaker/Volley, Escape the horde/Uncanny Dodge
Melee Evasion: Escape the horde gives enemies disadvantage, so you can exit melee easily
Increased attack bonuses: Take Archery fighting style
Increased Damage: Horde breaker vastly increases damage potential, along with spells like Hunter's Mark, Hail of thorns, Cordon of Arrows, Lightning Arrow, and Conjure Volley
Rogue (Assassin or Arcane Trickster)
Core abilities: Sneak attack, Stealth, Cunning Action, Uncanny Dodge/Elusive
Melee Evasion: Disengage as a bonus action with your Cunning Action.
Increased attack bonuses: You can gain advantage more often by using stealth and sneaking/hiding whenever possible.
Increased Damage: You naturally scale damage quite well as long as you pick your targets properly with sneak attack
Powerful Additions to each of these builds:
Melee Evasion
-Halfling race is a surprisingly good choice for an archer build, halfling nimbleness will help you get in potentially sticky situations, naturally stealthy can let you hide more often (lightfoot subrace), and lucky is always a good trait to have. Plus an extra +2 bonus to Dexterity. To a lesser degree, woodelfs allow you to hide more often in a more natural setting (like jungle or foggy terrain)
- Fighter: An alternative to evasive footwork could be using a pushing attack or maneuvering attack (with a unarmed attack) to hit a creature and move it or yourself away , this is generally a more risky move unless the enemy does a lot of damage and you don't want to risk an attack of opportunity
- Rogue (arcane trickster): spells like invisibility or misty step can be useful to get out of melee combat
- Fighter/Ranger: Mobile feat; this feat allows you to make an unarmed attack at close range and then leave an enemies reach to get another attack, because of extra attack (level 5+)
- Crossbow Expert; this feat allows you to use crossbows without worrying about the loading quality, negates the disadvantage of enemies within 5 feet - an excellent pick for any archer build
Increased attack bonuses
- Taking the feat Magic initiate will allow you to gain a couple cantrips and a 1st level spell. Taking bless is a good option here, increasing your attack power and two allies.
- Rogue (arcane trickster): True strike is excellent, and any spell that gives you advantage, like invisibility
- Skulker; this feat increases your ability to hide and land attacks with advantage, this is particularly good for rogue who relies on stealth more than other builds.
Increased Damage
- Sharpshooter feat; this is an obvious choice to increase your ability to shoot targets behind cover and gives increased damage roll at the expense of your attack roll, taking the human variant and getting this early is a great pick especially if your going fighter for the +2 to ranged attack rolls.
- Rogue (Assassin): The alert feat gives you a better chance of going before other enemies, giving you a better chance to get advantage on an attack (and sneak attack).
Have any comments or additions that make a powerful Archer build? Please share them!
