The Best Sniper?

[McNinja]

After the Warlock UA came out I was thinking of creating a hexblade for a campaign I'll be starting soon, but then I noticed the moon bow invocation. I'm thinking Arcane Archer 3/Assassin 3/Archfey Warlock 14, with moon bow. 10d8 radiant damage, 2d6 force damage, weapon damage, and advantage plus auto critical if your target is surprised. Your could also pick piercing arrow and crit everything in a line.

Sure, you could just go warlock 3 and sorc/wizard/cleric 17 for that 9th level spell slot to do 18d8 radiant damage, is that better or worse than have assassin+arcance archer? Or just take eldritch spear and spell sniper for the insane range?

Also noticed that fiend warlocks get a lot of versatility in the UA with Kiss of Mephistopheles and Mace of Dispater, making them more deadly at range or up close, so that's also an option.

[Specter]

What a sniper needs is:

- Infallible stealth
- Quick hiding
- At least two attacks (in case you roll horribly on the first)
- Sustained damage (traditionally snipers need to get used to holding the fort for hours)
- A way to avoid area attacks (otherwise you'll face many fireballs coming your general way)

For that I say Hunter 7/Assassin 13 is a great build. Great damage against one or many foes, evasion, pass without trace, disadvantage on opportunity attacks (if you need to run)... a lot going on there.

If you want to do the Moonbow thing, make sure it's got at least two rogue levels in there, otherwise it can hardly be called a sniper.

[joaber]

Arcane Archer is way worse than battlemaster (at least at lvl 3):
-you need a bonus action to conjure that arrow
-you choose to use before the hit, you can lose it
-you only have two uses instead of four from battlemaster
-precision strike with sharpshooter make a +10 hit, that is better than +2d6 with chance to miss (this would be good only if crit)
-you have two arcane shots instead of four combat manuevers

Some Arcane shots effects are really nice in the right conditions, like piercing arrow or shadow arrow, but I don't know if they compensate all those points above.

In which level you'll start the campaing? This is really important, because there is many frankenstein multiclass builds for archers, but many aren't great until you reach a mid level, at least. The delay for three or more classes is heavy.

[Naanomi]

I like your basic 'rogue 1/fighter 1/rogue +18' assassin, pick up sharpshooter and skulker when you can, then work on boosting accuracy (MI: Bless, Lucky, etc) and rely on sneak attack + assassin damage boosters

My version was a Drow for the night vision range boost (which I realize comes with its own drawbacks but worked for me)

[sightlessrealit]

Mystic with Nomadic Arrow discipline. Their focus makes it so they can shoot at max range without disadvantage & if they miss they can use their reaction to reroll the attack. They can even pump up their damage using their bonus action.

[Sir cryosin]

Have you thought about Warlock 5 for the moon bow and an extra attack. Then Arcane trickster Rogue level 15. I picked the Arcane trickster because you get spell slots and you're still a rogue you can use this post lots for smiting.



Or warlock 3 for the moonbow. Rogue 2 then valor bard 15. You get plenty of spell slots to use Smite you get an extra Tech and you get a couple of choices to pick any spells you want from any list.

[joaber]

There is so many good options for range build, but you can't have all, and many combinations don't work well if you start at low level.

grab some class with extra attack (fighter, ranger, blade warlock, valor bard, old favored soul, paladin). Fighter 11 could bring 3 for the table. The rest:
- mystic has a non concentration darkness for 1 psi point, devil's sight. Nomadic Arrow is a nice add and you can pick at least one more discipline (hard to choose).

- assassin has expertise, skills, cunning action and assassinate, I don't think that they add much after lvl 3. And in my table, half of encounters you don't use assassinate.

- battlemaster 3 gives fighting style, action surge, proficiencies, Con ST, 4 superiority dices.

- new ranger 3, proficiencies, Favored Enemy, Natural Explorer, Fighting Style, Primeval Awareness, hunter's mark, cure, spellcasting (level 5 brings pass without the trace). and can choose between Animal Companion, Horde Breaker or Underdark Scout.

- archfey warlock 3 for Moon Bow, devil's sight, hex

- shadow sorcerer 3 for 1 SP darkness, devil's sight, quick spell, full spellcasting

-lore bard 6, short rest cutting word, expertise, any spell, full spellcasting, skills.

hard to choose.

[Newtonsolo313]

Mystic with Nomadic Arrow discipline. Their focus makes it so they can shoot at max range without disadvantage & if they miss they can use their reaction to reroll the attack. They can even pump up their damage using their bonus action.

Plus there nomadic chameleon ability can give them stealth while nomadic step can help them get to the best vantage points

[Cl0001]

Hunter ranger 7/ Assassin rogue 13
From the ranger, you get pass without trace, hunters mark, archery fighting style, extra attack, and then your pick from the archetype features. From assassin you get 7d6 sneak damage, BA hide, Evasion, reliable talent and expertise. At that point, your lowest roll, disregarding a nat 1 is 37 (10+6+6+10+5) pick up skulker and sharpshooter and you'll smoke people from 600 feet away with up to 1d8+8d6+5+weapon enchants with a critical factored in

[Naanomi]

- assassin has expertise, skills, cunning action and assassinate, I don't think that they add much after lvl 3. And in my table, half of encounters you don't use assassinate.
They build up sneak attack dice, which is a great Sniper damage source. Their high-level 'double all damage on a failed save' is also (to me) the iconic 'drop them in one hit' sniper power

[joaber]

They build up sneak attack dice, which is a great Sniper damage source. Their high-level 'double all damage on a failed save' is also (to me) the iconic 'drop them in one hit' sniper power

If you make the calculations you'll see that multiclass give's you much, much more DPR all day, even with death strike, since this only work in the first turn of combat and not even in every encounter. Stay at assassin until lvl 17 if for who:
-don't like multiclass
-really just want to play a rogue
-like skill and rogue stuffs (yeah, same above)
-want damage but never did the math

for who want damage, and don't care about a multiclass platypus (looks the case since he plan to mix three classes), leave assassin after lvl 3 is a better option. Things like divine smite, quick Eldritch blast or booming blade, warlock invocations, psi points to increase damage, superiority dice, hex, underdark scout extra attack, haste, all mixed with extra attacks make 10d6 + death strike looks like a waste of time.

[Naanomi]

A great deal of that doesn't function at anything close to 'sniper range'... nor with 'sniper stealth'... compared to a well supported longbow shot. Not many assassination targets can live through (2d8+20d6+5)X2 + magic and/or poison (average what... 140+? With maybe some more from sharpshooter or aasimar or the like?

It may not win 'absolute DPR' king but it is highly competitive in the 'one shot one kill' idea of your classic sniper. Doubly so if UA material is off the table.

[Biggstick]

Lightfoot Halfling (any background)

10
14(+2)
14
10
15
8 (+1)

Battlemaster Fighter: Grab Precision shot and any other that you like. (I'm partial to Menacing attack, as if they're afraid of you, they can't approach any closer to you)

You're going for 17 levels of Battlemaster Fighter and 3 levels of Rogue. It really doesn't matter what archetype you pick, just pick whatever flavor you're looking for (I'd recommend Assassin for damage or Arcane Trickster for Find Familiar + utility cantrips). The three levels of Rogue can be inserted anywhere you like into the build, but I'd suggest them after you've gotten at least your second attack. I myself would probably put them in after Fighter level 6 and having 18 Dexterity + Sharpshooter.

Fighter Level 4 ASI: +2 Dexterity.
Fighter level 6 ASI: +2 Dexterity or Sharpshooter.
Fighter Level 8 ASI: Sharpshooter or +2 Dexterity.
Fighter Level 12 ASI: Resilient: Wis or Lucky or Crossbow Expert.
Fighter level 14 ASI: Resilient: Wis or Lucky or Crossbow Expert.
Fighter level 16 ASI: Resilient: Wis or Lucky or Crossbow Expert.

Some people are including Skulker into their builds. This build doesn't require it, as you're a Lightfoot Halfling who will eventually have Cunning Action. If you purchase a Mastiff mount (or any other thing that a Halfling could conceivably ride), you can Cunning Action Hide behind said creature with your Lightfoot Halfling racial ability. If you're closer then you should be to the action, Hide behind an ally. This is an easy way for you to create your advantage!

This would represent just a solid overall build that in my mind represents a Sniper. You're going to be making tons of shots with 3 attacks per round (4 if you decide to use a Hand Crossbow, be within 120', and have picked up CE) with the Sharpshooter bonus and Precision Shot. You can nova with Action Surge if you want even more shots (6 in a round, with a potential for 7). You never roll 1's with Halfling luck. For the times that you do roll a low save, you'll have Lucky + Indomitable. You have ok saves with Str, Con, and Wis save proficiency. Advantage versus fear effects, even though you're not going to be in range of those pesky Dragon aura's anyway. You'll have Cunning Action to generate your advantage or to get you the heck out of dodge.

While this isn't probably the BEST Sniper build out there, it's one of the few in my mind that is fun to play from levels 1-20.

[Iamcreative]

Ive been thinking of a mystic/spell less ranger combo for king of range nonsense. Probably take ranger to 5 (at least 3 for extra damage and Id also take extra attack but idk). Then just mystic levels with disiplines that focus on utility/not saves so you can pump dex and con (nomad, celerity, etc.). It sounds like hella fun to me, but i havent actually played a mystic yet.

[coredump]

What a sniper needs is:

- Infallible stealth
- Quick hiding
- At least two attacks (in case you roll horribly on the first)
- Sustained damage (traditionally snipers need to get used to holding the fort for hours)
- A way to avoid area attacks (otherwise you'll face many fireballs coming your general way)

For that I say Hunter 7/Assassin 13 is a great build. Great damage against one or many foes, evasion, pass without trace, disadvantage on opportunity attacks (if you need to run)... a lot going on there.

If you want to do the Moonbow thing, make sure it's got at least two rogue levels in there, otherwise it can hardly be called a sniper.

I agree with your desired criteria.

I would suggest going ranger5/Assassin5, then battlemaster3, then finish up with assassin....

Ranger 6&7 don't help much, but BM3 gives action surge, precision strike, and some added damage via manuever dice.

[joaber]

A great deal of that doesn't function at anything close to 'sniper range'... nor with 'sniper stealth'... compared to a well supported longbow shot. Not many assassination targets can live through (2d8+20d6+5)X2 + magic and/or poison (average what... 140+? With maybe some more from sharpshooter or aasimar or the like?

It may not win 'absolute DPR' king but it is highly competitive in the 'one shot one kill' idea of your classic sniper. Doubly so if UA material is off the table.

well, death strike need a save, magic and poison, add less to rogue to any one with extra attack, same for sharpshooter.

assassin 3/blade warlock 5/battlemaster fighter3/sorcerer 9
with sharshooter
surprise round quick EB, concentrating in hex, you can nova for 8d10 + 8d8 + 20d6 + 76, nothing even couting the fighter superiority dices, save this for later of for precision strike if you miss.
you have enought spellslots to convert to sorcerer point to use EB all day with hex, or use darkness + devil sight.
your normal damage will be 4d10 + 2d8 +8d6 +46, you have resources to do that all day.
Still have expertise in stealth, cunning action, archery, spells, darkness + devil's sight to hide anyware, combat manuevers, and 100% AL legal.

You can keep as rogue if you like it or want another thing, but if you're thinking only in damage, stay at assassin until lvl 17 for death strike is fail in math.


Some UA content possibilities:

An idea if you want go to moonbow, mystic has many good stuffs for archers but they smites need bonus action and you need to use before the hit. Wu jen can convert psi points in moonbow...

[Naanomi]

I found even with Distant Spell that I could rarely count on getting in Hex range for any real 'sniping'; and precision strike doesn't work for Spell attacks like eldritch blast. You also need to consult with the GM about stealthfully casting spells; an AL DM I played under insisted that Eldritch Blasts were highly visible 'laser beams' and thus no matter how far away I was on the surprise attack I would give away my location... whereas the bow user (especially with skulker) gives more possibility of sniping multiple guards out of the towers undetected and the like.

I guess what I'm saying is 'stealthy distant fire' is more important to my conception of a sniper than 'maximized headshot damage' is

[Newtonsolo313]

I found even with Distant Spell that I could rarely count on getting in Hex range for any real 'sniping'; and precision strike doesn't work for Spell attacks like eldritch blast. You also need to consult with the GM about stealthfully casting spells; an AL DM I played under insisted that Eldritch Blasts were highly visible 'laser beams' and thus no matter how far away I was on the surprise attack I would give away my location... whereas the bow user (especially with skulker) gives more possibility of sniping multiple guards out of the towers undetected and the like.

I guess what I'm saying is 'stealthy distant fire' is more important to my conception of a sniper than 'maximized headshot damage' is
It does say in the description that they are crackling beams of energy so he is definitely not wrong

[joaber]

I found even with Distant Spell that I could rarely count on getting in Hex range for any real 'sniping'; and precision strike doesn't work for Spell attacks like eldritch blast. You also need to consult with the GM about stealthfully casting spells; an AL DM I played under insisted that Eldritch Blasts were highly visible 'laser beams' and thus no matter how far away I was on the surprise attack I would give away my location... whereas the bow user (especially with skulker) gives more possibility of sniping multiple guards out of the towers undetected and the like.

I guess what I'm saying is 'stealthy distant fire' is more important to my conception of a sniper than 'maximized headshot damage' is

precision strike work with your two bow attacks (4 with action surge).
you can change hex for darkness + devil's sight.
any attack show your position, but you'll kill your opponent before he can act. In fact, with 4 attacks + 4 EB, you can kill more than one opponent.
I didn't read nothing in OP post about stealth, I only see things about range and nova damage (radiant to be precise).
stay as assassin more than 3 lvls don't add nothing in your stealthiness, you still could multiclass to get extra attack and things like pass without a trace and your damage and stealthiness would be greater than stay as assassin 17

[Naanomi]

A series of crackling beams flying across the sky from a pit of inky magic blackness is... cool, and a fun build, and mechanically effective... but just doesn't feel 'snipery' to me. And while it may be the more effective route of taking out people in round 1; the whole 'feel' of a sniper... sneaking around, picking off targets of opportunity while moving into closer positions, round after round while the enemy has no idea what is going on. The silent kill, with no chance to yell out in alarm... the single shot optimized longbow just feels better in this role to me. More...Thief or Metal Gear style sniper than Halo or Call of Duty long range kill specialist

Again, I wholey admit this might just be a perception issue of the concept of 'sniper' of my own; and if UA is on the table I do think the Mystic can probably pull it off better overall (though it puts it on a much more significant resource limit). Also do note that I do multiclass with this build, it tends to be built as Rogue 1/Fighter 1/Rogue +18 (Archery combat style adds a lot)

[joaber]

A series of crackling beams flying across the sky from a pit of inky magic blackness is... cool, and a fun build, and mechanically effective... but just doesn't feel 'snipery' to me. And while it may be the more effective route of taking out people in round 1; the whole 'feel' of a sniper... sneaking around, picking off targets of opportunity while moving into closer positions, round after round while the enemy has no idea what is going on. The silent kill, with no chance to yell out in alarm... the single shot optimized longbow just feels better in this role to me. More...Thief or Metal Gear style sniper than Halo or Call of Duty long range kill specialist

Again, I wholey admit this might just be a perception issue of the concept of 'sniper' of my own; and if UA is on the table I do think the Mystic can probably pull it off better overall (though it puts it on a much more significant resource limit). Also do note that I do multiclass with this build, it tends to be built as Rogue 1/Fighter 1/Rogue +18 (Archery combat style adds a lot)

Half you're saying about stealth is incorrect by RAW. Attack with a bow or with a spell reveal your position the same way by RAW. So, this is your personal interpretation.

Bavk to topic: Another tought I got with stealthy EBlaster, 3 lvls of trickery domain cleric or theurgy, last option is good to multiclass with mystic. Get your pass without a trace, stay hide while you duplicity spam thosr beams.
Probably don't worth the 3 lvl dip but looks nice, lol.

[Asmotherion]

Well, depends on what you consider "Best".

A sniper may be judged on Range, DPS or Nova. You can even add efficiency as the to-hit ration or as an optimisational component.

Then you need to decide on your character concept. If you like the idea of a DBZ-like energy attacker, Warlock/Sorcerer is your best bet. You need Quicken Spell, Distant Spell Agonising Blast, Repelling Blast and Eldritch Spear; Eldritch Spear is optional, I just list it as a means to the maximum range. As feats, It's good to have War Caster, Spell Sniper, Crossbow Expert(so you won't have disadvantage if someone is melee with you). Your Range is effectivelly 600 feet, and via Distant, you can hit a target at 1200 feet (as long as you can see that far). With most Sorcerers able to Fly by level 14, it even better supports your cause, as you'll be Far Away in the SKY when you literally rain down HELL on your unsuspecting enemies. As far as 1200 feet above ground most will have a hard time debating weather you are a bird or a plane before realising you killed them.

There are many Archer builds if you want to go into that, but most are Martial oriented. An efficient way to aproach the Fay Bow would be to get at least 1 fighter level for Archery FS, and then take Sharpshooter, decreesing the -5 to -3 on your attack roll. Then, if you manage to get advantage, you are even better off (for example, Faery Fire, or casting Darkness on an arrow and having the Devil's Sight Invocation), and your sniping Ability is very good in addition to your Smite-like Ability. Add some Sorcerer levels for more spell slots.

You can also archive a combination of the Two; Eventhough it might seem obsolate, Eldritch Blast Scaling with Character Level rather than Class level will eventually out-Damage even Sharpshooting, and will be a good secondary choice for when you're out of your Nova Juce. Also, if you're like me, you'll agree it's allways nice to have Hand Beams no matter the situation. A good Eldritch Blast to the Head is the best answear to insults I say! Argggg!

[Naanomi]

Half you're saying about stealth is incorrect by RAW. Attack with a bow or with a spell reveal your position the same way by RAW. So, this is your personal interpretation.
Some of it is interpretation, to be sure, but there is the:

Skulker's feat: "When you are hidden from a creature and miss it with a ranged weapon attack, making the attack doesn't reveal your position."

Which is something anyways.

[joaber]

Some of it is interpretation, to be sure, but there is the:

Skulker's feat: "When you are hidden from a creature and miss it with a ranged weapon attack, making the attack doesn't reveal your position."

Which is something anyways.

with 8 attacks you wouldn't miss all, lol.

But I understand your concept. Seeking Missile from Mystic would be great in that by the way.

[Naanomi]

But I understand your concept. Seeking Missile from Mystic would be great in that by the way.
Yeah a mystic or mystic multiclass would pull this off great in multiple aspects

[Kane0]

I'm a great fan of the EK 7+ / Lock 2+ / Rogue 2+

It's not the best all the time but its versatile and playable at all levels, and doesn't rely on UA which may or may not fly at the table. It leaves space for you to personalize while at the same time being perfectly servicable when you aren't sniping. The only problem I find with it is that it is ASI hungry since you want Cha + Dex + Spell Sniper + preferably sharpshooter. Rolling good stats helps this though.

[LudicSavant]

Here's a sniper for ya. Sorclock, taking Sea Sorcery, Pact of the Tome, and Archfey patron who goes by "The End." You take proficiency in Stealth and I don't care what your other skills are.

- Eldritch Blast can slow your target's base move speed 10 feet, which means that, say, a double dashing Monk is losing 40 feet. It can also push your opponent back 10 feet per ray (up to 40 feet per casting, depending on your level)... meaning that Monk is losing up to 80 feet so far.

Oh, and then there's the curse, which can push them back even further. You also can apply the curse multiple times with just one Eldritch Blast.

With Eldritch Spear and Spell Sniper, you attack from 600 feet, and ignore 1/2 and 3/4 cover (also, Spell Sniper lets you pick up an extra cantrip, which is nice).

With Quicken Spell, you can potentially do this multiple times per turn. With Distant Spell, you can manage 1200 feet if you really want to.

- As a Tomelock, you know all rituals. That includes Leomund's Tiny Hut and Phantom Steed. Phantom Steed lets you move 200 feet every round while still sniping. Leomund's Tiny Hut lets you have an impenetrable little force field which you can camp out in like a sniper. And fire mundane missiles weapons through (though not eldritch blasts).

So, not only are you flinging people across the map and locking down their movement, you also move super fast yourself, and your sniper perch can't easily be taken by surprise. Basically, the majority of foes can't even really interact with you... you can just fire away.

Oh, and potentially having access to all rituals from all lists on demand just makes you really generally useful.

- You can fly. If your enemy can't fly, and doesn't have your 600 foot range, and you're outside, you win by default.

- You're really good at escaping. If your position is compromised, you can hide or teleport, relocate, and attack again. Heck, you can even do this as a Reaction if someone actually manages to hit you, thanks to Misty Escape (which teleports you and makes you invisible at the same time).

- You can totally still do the "you can see them but they can't see you" darkness combo everyone likes to talk about.

- You can target a wide variety of defenses, not just AC. You can also circumvent a wide variety of defenses.

[Talionis]

Has anyone thought of adding two levels+ of Trickster Cleric to the Sniper build? Mostly referencing Warlock Sorcerers focusing on Eldritch Blast. It adds 120 more feet to your range and you don't give away your actual position. You also will probably be happy having at least 13 in Wisdom and you don't lose spell slots.

[FluffyFloofer]

Arcane Archer is way worse than battlemaster (at least at lvl 3):
-you need a bonus action to conjure that arrow
-you choose to use before the hit, you can lose it
-you only have two uses instead of four from battlemaster
-precision strike with sharpshooter make a +10 hit, that is better than +2d6 with chance to miss (this would be good only if crit)
-you have two arcane shots instead of four combat manuevers
.

The conjured arrow is part of the attack and can be applied after the hit unless it doesnt use a attack roll.
So point 1 and 2 are void and 4 is kinda void as you can just not use the +2d6, also on the point of 4, theres more then just straight damage arrows so better then a +2d6 maybe but better then blinding/sending to the feywild/lowering there damage/charming them.. you get my point.

Also every ready shot makes it that you have more then 2 uses depending on the situation, although that is a pretty high level ability (15).

[jaappleton]

Don’t sleep on Goblins being incredibly amazing for stealth.

They can Hide as a bonus action. And Fury of the Small adds a bit of damage, ideal for the ‘MLG 360 NOSCOPE!” headshot.

[Vemiva]

It's easy.

Flying machine Sorlock EB 1200ft, 3x it with Twinned Simulacrum (Via Wish). Yes, twinned Simulacrum

*Oh, the enemy is flying*
- Distant Earth Bind (600ft)

*Oh, the enemy is on the ground*
- Distant (2 Mile), Empowered, Elemental Afinity Meteor Swarm with Elemental Adept feat(Fire).

Add Aasimar Ability for extra sweet damage.

[Theaitetos]

{Scrubbed}

[Ventruenox]

Mödley Crüe: Undead thread. Head shot.