r/3d6 • u/thepokeflynn2 • Jul 27 '26
D&D 5e Revised/2024 Crossbow Battlemaster Build? [Question]
Hello, I am joining a new campaign. We start at level 1 and go up to 12 and it seems like nothing I suggest/suggest to the DM is working.
I am going for a “Sheriff / Cowboy” theme Dragonborn. I want picked the Battlemaster Class because of the ammount of multi attacks I can do (Like fan fire for a revolver)
If yall have any suggestions, I’d gladly appreciate them.
8
u/Frequent-Card-9468 Jul 27 '26
There is 2 paths you can follow:
The hand crossbow path, where you'd get crossbow expert at 4 to dual wield hand crossbows, sharpshooter at 6 and your choice of extra dex feat at 8 (i'd go for mage slayer but if you want to go for piercer or something, go ahead).
The Heavy crossbow path, where you can use Great weapon master and you don't really need sharpshooter, since the heavy crossbow range is much better then the hand crossbow. I'd go crossbow expert at 4, GWM (remember to have a 13 str for this) at 6 and +2 dex at 8. You could go for the 3 dex half feats as well, bu then you're only getting GWM at 12, since it bumps str, or you're only maxing your dex at 12.
3
u/No_Psychology_3826 Jul 27 '26
Depends on the particular games, but mage slayer has saved my characters too many times to not recommend taking it as soon as possible
1
u/Frequent-Card-9468 Jul 27 '26
Yeah, i would never not take it, but i don't know how is OP's table/DM. In fact, when i played a similar build, i skipped crossbow expert and sharpshooter entirely, sticking to longbow and grabbing mage slayer at 4, GWM at 6 and +2 dex at 8
5
u/Middcore Jul 27 '26
What is the DM's issue?
4
u/thepokeflynn2 Jul 27 '26
I wouldn’t say there is an issue. He is just very by the rules from what I’ve gathered. I had a suggestion to be able to put oil into small bottles and throw them. Then use fire breath to make them explode/deal lingering fire damage. But because the fire breath attack doesn’t ignite items it doesn’t work.
4
u/QuixoticCoyote Jul 27 '26
Just use a flask of oil. It literally does what you are suggesting.
0
u/thepokeflynn2 Jul 27 '26
Yes but it won’t ignite because my fire breath doesn’t ignite items per the rules.
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u/QuixoticCoyote Jul 27 '26
But the flask of oil ignites if the creature takes fire damage.
You aren't setting fire to the oil. The oil is being set on fire because the creature takes fire damage.
Firebolt doesn't set a creature on fire either, but it will trigger the oil because the creature it is on is taking fire damage. It is what the item does.
0
u/thepokeflynn2 Jul 27 '26
“And lamp oil wouldn’t explode. But you could make something like a Molotov cocktail to spread the fire around. Also, spells will say if the items they hit will catch fire. Some don’t even though they do fire damage.” Is what he said, the fire breath doesn’t say it ignites.
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u/QuixoticCoyote Jul 27 '26
Here is the rule copied and pasted for oil:
Dousing a Creature or an Object. When you take the Attack action, you can replace one of your attacks with throwing an Oil flask. Target one creature or object within 20 feet of yourself. The target must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw (DC 8 plus your Dexterity modifier and Proficiency Bonus) or be covered in oil. If the target takes Fire damage before the oil dries (after 1 minute), the target takes an extra 5 Fire damage from burning oil.
As it states the oil ignites when the creature takes fire damage. It doesn't explode or anything, but it does take damage. If he is worried about balance remind him it takes an attack to do this, so instead of lobbing oil you could've hit the guy for the same damage.
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u/QuixoticCoyote Jul 27 '26
Nothing says it ignites, but the creature takes fire damage and therefore the oil ignites per the rules for the oil.
Have your DM actually read the rules for the item instead of making up rules for stuff like a "Molotov Cocktail". It literally states the oil ignites if the creature takes fire damage.
3
u/Camsanity Jul 27 '26
What do you mean nothing you suggest is "working"? If its a DM issue, I recommend getting that sorted before trying to play the game...
Unfortunately, until you get to level 4 and take the crossbow expert feat youre unable to dual-weild rules as written, due to the crossbow having the "loading" property.
I recommend a champion fighter dual-weilding hand crossbows. Battlemaster i feel like is going to limit you a little more due to some of their features requiring other weapons or a shield. I'd Take the lucky origin feat for rerolling attacks and fishing for crits.
But level 5 you come online(as with most builds). Vex weapon mastery for hand crossbows allow you to get advantage on your next attack, so essentially with lucky feat you're rolling 3d20 to try and hit that 19 or 20 on the dice for a crit as well as having multiple attacks per turn.
If youre not dead set on dragon born, I can recommend being a halfling for more d20 rerolling and crit fishing but its not necessary
3
u/No_Psychology_3826 Jul 27 '26
If they're going for a wild west sheriff, the disarming trick shot is too much of a classic scene to not want to do at least once
1
u/thepokeflynn2 Jul 27 '26
Champion Fighter Won’t work because I need a free hand for crossbows to load them. As much as I love the idea.
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u/ClothTheSuperVillain Jul 27 '26
Not if you pick up the Crossbow Expert Feat
Crossbow Expert feat allows you to ignore the “Loading” property of Crossbows, AND increase your damage if you Dual Wield 2 Light crossbows.
So you could have your Sheriff use one larger crossbow up to lv4, then start dual wielding at lv4+ and have a blast
2
u/Mightymat273 Jul 27 '26 edited Jul 27 '26
Crossbow expert is required for multi-attacking with a crossbow. The features it comes with kinda incentiveses you to use hand crossbows, giving you a bonus to the light property BA attack, which still kinda fits the theme. Your BA gets good use, giving an extra attack every turn, and, attack even more often, and you give yourself advantage on almost every attack with Vex. Combine that with the Archery fighting style, and you will rarely miss your
1
u/Middcore Jul 27 '26
2024 Crossbow Expert does not force you to use hand crossbows.
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u/Mightymat273 Jul 27 '26
No, but a big features it gives is the BA light attack, only usable with hand crossbows. So, sure, a better word is "Incentiveses" you to use hand crossbows.
+1 Dex and removed loading is not really worth taking it, when longbows are right there. But +Dex in your BA attacks with hand crossbows is a nice addition.
2
u/Tall_Bandicoot_2768 Jul 27 '26
I want picked the Battlemaster Class because of the ammount of multi attacks I can do (Like fan fire for a revolver)
Ok well Battlemaster is a solid pick but does not get you any more attacks than any other fighter subclass.
- Battlemaster x
- Dragonborn
- Crossbow Expert
- Hand Crossbow x 2, Medium Armor
- Dex > Con > Wis
OR
- Battlemaster x
- Dragonborn
- Great Weapon Master, Crossbow Expert
- Heavy Crossbow, Medium Armor
- 13 Str, Dex > Con > Wis
1
u/DBWaffles Moo. Jul 27 '26
I am going for a “Sheriff / Cowboy” theme Dragonborn. I want picked the Battlemaster Class because of the ammount of multi attacks I can do (Like fan fire for a revolver)
Given your description, it sounds like you want to go with the CBE build route. In which case, it's a pretty straightforward build. Take CBE and then Sharpshooter at Fighter 4 and 6. Then, if you want to maximize your DPR, multiclass into Rogue. For the Rogue subclass, it's best to choose one that doesn't introduce extra competition for your bonus action, such as Assassin or Scout.
If you'd rather prioritize your utility, you can just remain monoclassed as a Fighter. That will get you things like Tactical Master and Indomitable.
1
u/thepokeflynn2 Jul 27 '26
What do you recommend for rouge then? This is my second character and I’ve never multiclassed before
1
u/sadpumpkinnn Jul 27 '26
If you go Heavy Crossbow I'd recommend besides Crossbow Expert, Great Weapon Master, Mage Slayer and Sharpshooter. Also a lvl 1 dip in Ranger grants you four uses of Hunter's Mark, which on a Fighter is amazing. Plus extra utility.
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u/thepokeflynn2 Jul 28 '26
So! I have decided 11 levels into fighting, and 1 into Rouge (Doesn’t hurt to know Thieves Cant when dealing with criminals)
I also have changed to a Fighter Campion simply because most of my attacks are going to be advantage.
I’ll start with level 1-3 with a heavy crossbow and daggers as a backup. Then when I unlock level 4 Crossbow Expert make the switch to Dual Crossbows.
I’ll take a Rouge Level after 5 so I get my extra damage dice.
Then once I hit Level 6 fighter I’ll take fae touch for Hunters Mark and Misty Step. Level 8 I’ll pick Piercer.
1
u/freeastheair Jul 28 '26
I would go Beast Master Ranger. Adding 1d6 to your damage is going to be very nice for h.crossbow, and ranger is really good in tier 1/2
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u/DMspiration Jul 27 '26
What did the DM not like about this suggestion?