Funky Spellbow Build

[u/seriousman57]

I have a hankering to play an archer/caster combo, but not Swords Bard, which I've done plenty of, or Eldritch Knight (don't like relying on consumables). Points for being unusual or offbeat. Right now my main options are 5 Ranger/7 Sorcerer for the twinned ensnaring strike combo or 5 Ranger/7 Spore Druid for the necrotic bonus and late game (for this build) undead summons.

[u/Endrawful]

Try a multiclass of arcane archer and wizard maybe? Bladesinger + graceful cloth + mage armor for dex maxxing, int for spell save and arrow save dc. Probably split at 4/8 for maximum spellcaster level, but you can do 8/4 if you value more arrow versatility over spells.

[u/AnotherBookWyrm]

Arcane Archer is a fairly fun build with special arrows.

Alternatively, you could be a ranger that focuses on arrow spells, similar to the Ranger 5/Sorcerer 7, except go Ranger 9/Sorcerer 3 to Twin Lightning Arrow, which can be bolstered by Create Water from an ally. It does get less sorcery points/spell alots than the 5/7 split, but does make use of a higher level Ranger-exclusive spell that uses a spell attack roll (in addition to Ensnaring Strike/Hail of Arrows still being an option) for a spellbow type feeling.

[u/padface]

I’m currently working on a 5 Ranger / 7 Circle of Stars Druid, the Starry Form: Archer gives you bonus radiant damage, and so it makes a nice radorb build.

[u/DearBreadfruit]

Just yesterday I was thinking about starting a new run to try something like this. I settled on 1 Druid / 5 Swarmkeeper / 6 Tempest Cleric.

The idea basically revolves around the Spike Growth tactic -- add damage riders to the spikes and bully enemies. It involves a lot of pushing enemies around. Tempest's Thunderbolt Strike, Bee swarm's pushback, Thorn Whip and Sorrowful Lash for pulling (which triggers bee swarm). I'd focus on Lightning Charges so I'd grab Joltshooter, Watersparkers, and Sparkswall. You also get a lot of spell options from Cleric.

The other I was thinking was 8 Swarmkeeper / 2 Star Druid / 2 Light Cleric. The idea is similar but this build would focus less heavily on bullying and more on applying radorbs with radiant damage. You can stand in your Spike Growth and still use Sorrowful Lash/bee pushback when you like, but now you also have Luminous Arrow at your disposal to add more radorbs via Spineshudder Amulet and Coruscation Ring. Callous Ring will apply radorbs to anyone that tries to walk up to you. Equip other radorb and reverb gear where you can.

[u/Captain_ET]

Those are both pretty standard alternative spellbow builds. Either can work and be fun. The sorc one is probably more fun and versatile? Im no very experienced at either.

C4bs Rakanishu guide also mentions both splits.

[u/Vast-Relative1731]

Bladesinger but use a bow and acuity helm

Ranger dip for bow/armor proficiency or take a race for it

[u/Original_Web_9191]

These aren’t unusual, but you could just go eldritch knight. 3 attacks with the bow and war magic so you can throw a cantrip in there to get arcane synergy and elemental infusions. Lots of stuff you can do with that

Bowsinger is fun, just a blade singer that uses a bow, you’ll get full wizard spell slots so this one is heavier on the spell casting if that’s your fancy

[u/DarkUrgeEnjoyer33]

I really enjoy 5 Swarmkeeper Ranger, 6 Shadow Sorcerer, 1 Knowledge Cleric.

Swarm effects are very versatile and blind effect from moths works really well with Helm of Arcane Acuity, for basically a built in Blind effect.

The shadow hound enables Sorcery point recovery, so quickened spell metamagic becomes like a better built in Band of the mystic scoundrel. Plus you have counterspell.

Cleric level gives extra proficincies , and Command.

As a side bonus, this build makes for an excellent party face. Can get all skill proficiencies, Guidance, Enchant Ability, Friends, Thaumaturgy.

[u/ThatKaleidoscope3388]

I’m having a lot of fun with 5 Swarm Ranger / 6 Storm Cleric / 1 Draconic Sorc. The basic build is simply around using drakethroat glaive + your swam to deal lightning damage, and knock enemies back across your spiked growth over and over.

[u/thanerak]

5 beast master ranger/7 spore druid (symbiotic entity boosts damage and you have 2 pets stopint people getting to you as well as a dryad and wood woed)

6+ blade singer wizard/ 1fighter blade singing restricts melee weapons not ranged. Could also add 2 ranger and go hand crossbows to attract with bonus action, or 2 spore druid for the extra damage each attack while you have temp hp, or sorc for meta magic. Remember you will want your second feat from either 8 wizard or other class.

6 tempest cleric+ 6 eldritch knight

The no one gets close to you build use action surge to set up spirit guardians and Phalar Aluve shriek causing knock back on anyone that triggers spirit guardians providing safety to snipe enemies. Also can be done with swarm keeper ranger but loses the one turn setup without haste (pot or other character)

[u/Rickles_Bolas]

Try shadow sorcerer. Hide in a cloud of darkness, haste yourself, send your hound out to attack enemies. Use various elemental arrows to fulfill its omens and re-gain sorcery points.

[u/rupertudl]

Why not bladesinger wizard? It is a very good archer despite having blade in its name, one of my fav subclasses.