Dungeons & Dragons: How To Build An Arcane Archer Fighter

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• Arcane Archer Fighter Features

• Best Species For Arcane Archer Fighters

• Best Ability Scores For Arcane Archer Fighters

• Best Starting Equipment For Arcane Archer Fighters

• Best Feats For Arcane Archer Fighters

There are lots of ways to stay well back from the action in Dungeons & 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 should choose the Archery fighting style for 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 signature Arcane Shot feature. 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.

You start 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:

Banishing Arrow

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 Lore provides your fighter with your choice in either Arcana or Nature proficiency, and either the Prestidigitation or Druidcraft cantrips.

At level seven, your non-magical arrows become magical for the purposes of resistance or immunity. The Curving Shot feature also allows you to redirect missed arrows at new targets as a bonus action.

And finally, Ever-Ready Shot at 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 species for your arcane archer.

Aarakocra

Gust of Wind can be a handy spell to keep enemies away from you, but flying is 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 the Elven Accuracy feat. Other than that, Darkvision and charm resistance are nice things to have.

Half-Elf

It pretty much has the same benefits as the elf but 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 Hands can make you a backup healer, but the real draw here is the Celestial Revelation ability. Pick either Necrotic Shroud or Radiant Soul for both extra damage and either crowd control or a flying speed.

Goblin

Being a small creature limits you to using a short bow, but Fury of the Small makes up for the drop in damage and then some. Darkvision and Nimble Escape are also useful features for a slightly sneaky arcane archer.

Autognome

Built for Success is an amazing feature that's hard to ignore. Not needing to sleep or eat is cool too, as is Armored Casing for some free AC when not wearing armor.

Owlin

Instead of Gust of Wind, Owlin gets stealth proficiency and massive Darkvision. Dealer's choice whether you go with Owlin over Aarakocra.

Shadar-Kai

Darkvision and resistances are nice to have, but the real draw here is a bonus action teleport. Great way to keep your distance or get into a good firing position.

Just avoid any tiny or small-sized species so 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 to maximize your Dexterity score to ensure maximum damage. Intelligence is your next most important ability score as it determines the efficacy of your Arcane Shots. Constitution is third as 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:

Strength

Dexterity

Constitution

Intelligence

Wisdom

Charisma

10(0)

16(+3)

14(+2)

16(+3)

10(0)

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 armor option. Expect to make good use of the longbow and 20 arrows you 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. A longsword and a shield can make for a good backup, or a longsword and a shortsword.

You won't need the light crossbow or the two handaxes, but you can at least give them to a party member or sell them later on.

A dungeoneer's pack is 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 useful for an arcane archer. Here are some suggestions:

Elven Accuracy

If you're playing an elf or a half-elf, then Elven Accuracy can drastically 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 you attack at long range without disadvantage and ignore cover. You can also choose to take a penalty to your attack rolls for a potential +10 damage.

Alert

Never being surprised by enemies can help maintain your distance. Also handy to go earlier in the turn order.

Mobile

Also useful for keeping your distance from enemies and for avoiding opportunity attacks when you're repositioning away from crowds.

Piercer

Arrows deal piercing damage, and this feat makes your damage more consistent. An easy pick up.

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