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The concept of aFighterbuild specializing in ranged damage is present in almost every RPG, andBaldur’s Gate 3has made the concept official with the Arcane Archer subclass. Players who want to experiment with this class can either roll a whole new character or choose the subclass for Fighter Lae’zel when she reaches third level.
This isn’t just physical damage, as the name indicates, but combines ranged damage with arcane power, giving players who like bows and crossbows a whole new class to discover. Similar new subclasses that combine arcane magic with sword masteryinclude the Hexblade Warlockand the Bladesinging Wizard.
Overview
The Arcane Archer Fighter, Explained
The Arcane Archer is a Fighter whospecializes in ranged damage. They can combine their shots with magical properties, so they can ignore rules about line-of-sight and make their arrows explode, among other things.
Fighters usually rely solely on Strength and Constitution, but a character’s skill with ranged weapons also depends on Dexterity. Players can turn this into a mixed ranged-melee build or go for a pure Archer with some extra spellcasting abilities.
Finesse weapons are recommended because of the Dexterity, but it’s a guideline, not a rule. Every Fighter is highly customizable, which is one of the reasons it’s a popular class, and players can easily build a Fighter-Archer with no magical abilities if they want.
Fighting Styles
One of the extra advantages of the class, Fighters get yet another level of customization with Fighting Styles. There are six in total, and although other classes also have access to Fighting styles,like the Bard and Ranger, only the Fighter can choose one from all six.
The Arcane Archer’s most obvious choice isArchery, which increases all ranged damage by +2. Should they also want some melee fighting action, thenDefense, which adds +1 to their AC, is also a good choice.
Arcane Arrow And Arcane Shots
Subclass Features
Most of the unique abilities that define the Arcane Archer come with the subclass choice when the player reaches level 3.
Atlevel 7, Arcane Fighters get Curving Shot, which can hit another enemy on a miss, and Magic Arrow, which overcomes all magical resistance. Other bonuses include another choice for Arcane Shot and 3 more charges to use it.
Atlevel 10, the Fighter gets three more Arcane Arrows, bringing the total to 10, plus one more choice of an Arcane Shot.
Start With Dexterity And Strength
Races
Look for extra bonuses to the ability scores of Strength and Dexterity and the Proficiency skills of Insight, Athletics, and Perception.
Feats
Use Feats to improve the Arcane Archer’s Dexterity, Strength, and ranged fighting skills.
Backgrounds
As with the choice of Races, look for Backgrounds with Insight, Athletics, and Perception.
Weapons
Bows, Crossbows, And Dexterity
For those who are building an Arcane Archer with some fighting skills, look for finesse weapons that use Dexterity.
Equipment And Accessories
Some Excellent Choices Thanks To A Fighter’s AC Proficiencies
Fighters can wear Heavy Armor, but that doesn’t mean they have to, and gear and accessories should be chosenbased on the Arcane Fighter’s specific party role.
