This is the kind of fighter I like. Solid, consistent, and reliable for both on the field of combat and off. The kind of fighter that exemplifies what I feel was the code that built the western US where I live: Walk softly, speak true, respect the world, and carry a big stick.
I LOVE these single class builds! Please make more of these :) A feat or two is just enough to add multiclass flavour, without sacrificing level progression, since some DMs dont allow multiclass, but allow feats
Thank you! I try and keep in mind with these builds to keep their gameplay viability! My goal is to have the builds feel like the concept as immediately as possible. 😀
If I were playing this character past level 10, I’d probably multiclass into Ranger, primarily for Hunter’s Mark and Zephyr Strike. Alternatively, a one or two level dip in Hexblade Warlock (of course) could give us Hex, as well as Hexblade’s Curse, both of which strengthen every attack we make. Hexblade’s Curse also allows us to crit on a roll of 19 or 20, which isn’t unlikely with Elven Accuracy.
I played a Samurai Fighter Archer for Lost Mines of Phandelver. His father was a human ranger, and his mother was an elf spec ops member of the "Phoenixes" (she'd retire occasionally to raise a child, then "rise from the ashes" to adventure again). There wasn't much "Samurai" about Glane Owhoupri other than his code of honor, but playing him was awesome. Having "Duelist" came in clutch for melees with the orcs and hobgoblins. "Folk Hero" gave land vehicle proficiency. Hopefully, that party rides again.
Your damage as a samurai archer is higher than most builds. As a melee samurai I like using magic initiate, eldritch adept, and resilient dexterity. (I rolled high stats.) Magic Initiate gives me Shillelagh meaning I can focus on wisdom instead of strength or Dex, samurai benefits from wisdom quite a bit. Resilient dexterity means you have proficiency in the big 3 saving throws (wisdom, dexterity, and constitution). Eldritch Adept can give you access to Fiendish Vigor meaning you can start every combat with temporary HP. Finally I use the orc from MotM so I can bonus action dash proficiency times per day and gain temporary HP equal to the proficiency bonus. Once I hit level 12 I will be taking the tough feat or bumping wisdom to 20. Haven't decided yet. It's not crazy damage, but with all the temporary HP it has tanking potential.
I would've probably gone with Shadar-kai as the race; its teleport ability and necrotic resistance is always handy. 6 Samurai Fighter / 4 (whatever subclass you want to pick, I would go with Mastermind or Assassin) Rogue. I say this cuz of Rogue's optional rule at lvl 3 - Steady Aim. Gives yourself advantage as a bonus action. Since you're most likely gonna be at range, the penalty of this feature won't be as impactful. Paired with Sharpshooter and Elven Accuracy makes for a deadly combo.
This is the archery mirror to the great weapon Master version of the samurai half-elf that I played. It is a really strong build. Using elven accuracy to balance out sharpshooters penalty is a step that I had not taken in the melee version. I should consider it.
I've decided that my next player will be v.human (crusher feat) unarmed fighting samurai. Im thinking of bg being either custom hermit (replace religion with athletics maybe) or go for athlete bg. I imagine that this man when he was very young saw an imposing martial artist figure ( something like Akuma from Street Fighter) kill his father/teacher brutally. He vowed to get revenge and has been trainning nonstop for years to get it.
Elf Fighter Archery Samurai Elven Accuracy Sharpshooter This class just comes alive at level 6. Averaging 19 damage per attack. If you dex is maxed out you roll average 15 to hit
fun fact: action surge stacks with extra attack, wich combos with fighting spirit elven accuracy and sharpshooter, meaning at level 6: round 1 this build can shoot 4 arrows with +4 to hit, superadvantage doing 1d8+14 damage per arrow that hits.. oh, and a 15% change to crit per arrow, meaning 60% chance of atleast one crit... what was that again about not doing big bursts of Damage? :) btw, im gonna go ahead at level 8 and take the alert feat so i always win initiative, and then max my dex out at level 12 instead. thank you for the awesome video :D
oh and also.. we are dishing out dps in arrowsized portions, shooting 2-4 arrows per round, so if one enemy dies we can shoot the next, meaning less wasted DPR than someone with just one super strong attack
Could have taken piercer feat at 8, can be a nice bump to damage. Should time using fighting spirit (3/long) with Action Surge (1/short). Bless is also your friend when using Sharpshooter. 1 level Hexblade can add crit range and damage (if you MAD charisma). Rogue is a good multiclass to use up your bonus action to hide (place yourself strategically) and get advantage. Perhaps with the rogue choice go Wood Half Elf for the hide ability.
I don't know why but I want to build my next samurai to fight with darts using archery and thrown weapons fighting style with fighting initiate to get both. Then sharpshooter and max dex.
What are your thoughts on adding Piercer to the mix? With the 'Super Advantage' given by Fighting Spirit and Elven Accuracy the ability to add an extra dice when you crit and rerollong pme damage dice is quite tasty imo.
So is a high elf 1st to 5 level archer fighter samurai Always on a green disguise, and after i take the 6th level feat i will take as many rogué levels as i can, its like Robin hood a criminal Who steals the ritch to give to the poor At level 6 i Will have both Elven accuracy and sharpshooter What about the rogue, what path of rogué you recomend?
How is the dexterity at 20 at lvl 8? When I used this build at lvl 8 I had 19 dexterity. I've done the math a bunch of times but i can't get 20 Heres my math: Standard array: 15 dex Half elf race ability score increase: +1 Elven Accuracy: +1 Lvl 8 ability score increase: +2 TOTAL: 19 am i missing anything??
This guide is intended to offer suggestions at each level and tries to take into account different ways players generate their stats. Feel free to change it however you see fit to make it work for your table.
Tasha's Cauldron sourcebook character option variant allows the following: "any ability score increase you gain in your race or subrace and apply it to an ability score of your choice. If you gain more than one increase, you can't apply those increases to the same ability score, and you can't increase a score above 20. For example, if the Ability Score Increase trait of your race or subrace increases your Constitution by 2 and your Wisdom by 1, you could instead increase your Intelligence by 2 and your Charisma by 1." pg 7 So according to the PHB, a Half Elf gets +2 CHA and +1 to to other ability scores of your choice. Swapping out the CHA for DEX, you can get 20.
My suggestion, i'd probably go 6 levels samurai fighter to get the core feats set up for this build, then jump into arcane tricker for as many levels as you want.
This is the kind of fighter I like. Solid, consistent, and reliable for both on the field of combat and off. The kind of fighter that exemplifies what I feel was the code that built the western US where I live: Walk softly, speak true, respect the world, and carry a big stick.
I really like this one, and I'm glad you confine these to Levels 1-10.
A very balanced character build that covers all three pillars. Very insightful.
I LOVE these single class builds! Please make more of these :)
A feat or two is just enough to add multiclass flavour, without sacrificing level progression, since some DMs dont allow multiclass, but allow feats
Thank you! I try and keep in mind with these builds to keep their gameplay viability! My goal is to have the builds feel like the concept as immediately as possible. 😀
If I were playing this character past level 10, I’d probably multiclass into Ranger, primarily for Hunter’s Mark and Zephyr Strike.
Alternatively, a one or two level dip in Hexblade Warlock (of course) could give us Hex, as well as Hexblade’s Curse, both of which strengthen every attack we make. Hexblade’s Curse also allows us to crit on a roll of 19 or 20, which isn’t unlikely with Elven Accuracy.
A wonderful feat combinations to go along with this subclass. I never thought about the combination. Another great video!
Great job on this! Feels like a story as you describe the build process with explanations to build a fun archer.
Keep up the good work!
I played a Samurai Fighter Archer for Lost Mines of Phandelver. His father was a human ranger, and his mother was an elf spec ops member of the "Phoenixes" (she'd retire occasionally to raise a child, then "rise from the ashes" to adventure again). There wasn't much "Samurai" about Glane Owhoupri other than his code of honor, but playing him was awesome. Having "Duelist" came in clutch for melees with the orcs and hobgoblins. "Folk Hero" gave land vehicle proficiency. Hopefully, that party rides again.
Your damage as a samurai archer is higher than most builds. As a melee samurai I like using magic initiate, eldritch adept, and resilient dexterity. (I rolled high stats.)
Magic Initiate gives me Shillelagh meaning I can focus on wisdom instead of strength or Dex, samurai benefits from wisdom quite a bit.
Resilient dexterity means you have proficiency in the big 3 saving throws (wisdom, dexterity, and constitution).
Eldritch Adept can give you access to Fiendish Vigor meaning you can start every combat with temporary HP.
Finally I use the orc from MotM so I can bonus action dash proficiency times per day and gain temporary HP equal to the proficiency bonus.
Once I hit level 12 I will be taking the tough feat or bumping wisdom to 20. Haven't decided yet.
It's not crazy damage, but with all the temporary HP it has tanking potential.
Ok so I am here for a reminder what skill to buff to improve chances of hitting a target. Thank you so much.
I would've probably gone with Shadar-kai as the race; its teleport ability and necrotic resistance is always handy. 6 Samurai Fighter / 4 (whatever subclass you want to pick, I would go with Mastermind or Assassin) Rogue. I say this cuz of Rogue's optional rule at lvl 3 - Steady Aim. Gives yourself advantage as a bonus action. Since you're most likely gonna be at range, the penalty of this feature won't be as impactful. Paired with Sharpshooter and Elven Accuracy makes for a deadly combo.
Nice build! And great video editing btw, the way of displaying the info is beautiful.
Thank you! I'm always looking to improve and glad you enjoyed this vid!
Great vid. As always!
Love this build
Solid build and video.
Very good video
This is the archery mirror to the great weapon Master version of the samurai half-elf that I played. It is a really strong build. Using elven accuracy to balance out sharpshooters penalty is a step that I had not taken in the melee version. I should consider it.
I've decided that my next player will be v.human (crusher feat) unarmed fighting samurai. Im thinking of bg being either custom hermit (replace religion with athletics maybe) or go for athlete bg. I imagine that this man when he was very young saw an imposing martial artist figure ( something like Akuma from Street Fighter) kill his father/teacher brutally. He vowed to get revenge and has been trainning nonstop for years to get it.
Heck yea! This rocks!
At lvl 12 one should add "alert". Getting the first shot will make all the difference.
Elf
Fighter
Archery
Samurai
Elven Accuracy
Sharpshooter
This class just comes alive at level 6. Averaging 19 damage per attack. If you dex is maxed out you roll average 15 to hit
fun fact: action surge stacks with extra attack, wich combos with fighting spirit elven accuracy and sharpshooter, meaning at level 6: round 1 this build can shoot 4 arrows with +4 to hit, superadvantage doing 1d8+14 damage per arrow that hits.. oh, and a 15% change to crit per arrow, meaning 60% chance of atleast one crit... what was that again about not doing big bursts of Damage? :) btw, im gonna go ahead at level 8 and take the alert feat so i always win initiative, and then max my dex out at level 12 instead. thank you for the awesome video :D
oh and also.. we are dishing out dps in arrowsized portions, shooting 2-4 arrows per round, so if one enemy dies we can shoot the next, meaning less wasted DPR than someone with just one super strong attack
Could have taken piercer feat at 8, can be a nice bump to damage. Should time using fighting spirit (3/long) with Action Surge (1/short). Bless is also your friend when using Sharpshooter.
1 level Hexblade can add crit range and damage (if you MAD charisma). Rogue is a good multiclass to use up your bonus action to hide (place yourself strategically) and get advantage. Perhaps with the rogue choice go Wood Half Elf for the hide ability.
I still prefer Battle Master Fighter. For Sharp Shooter I would use Precision Attack if need be.
Agreed.
So underrated
I don't know why but I want to build my next samurai to fight with darts using archery and thrown weapons fighting style with fighting initiate to get both. Then sharpshooter and max dex.
What are your thoughts on adding Piercer to the mix? With the 'Super Advantage' given by Fighting Spirit and Elven Accuracy the ability to add an extra dice when you crit and rerollong pme damage dice is quite tasty imo.
Also a great way to build a gun wielding fighter
Might be interesting to do a Ronin build...
I see Tsuruchi, I watch video.
Huzzah!
Could you use a sling with this?!
Its good change the least 4lv for a ranger ?
Sure its accurate, but does it pack a punch?
I'm playing a Dwelf Archer Samurai lol
I like to be rogué and samurai (like a ronin)
So is a high elf 1st to 5 level archer fighter samurai Always on a green disguise, and after i take the 6th level feat i will take as many rogué levels as i can, its like Robin hood a criminal Who steals the ritch to give to the poor
At level 6 i Will have both
Elven accuracy and sharpshooter
What about the rogue, what path of rogué you recomend?
@@icebarrierangel6610 Scout or Thief seem to be the most narratively fitting.
What about arcane trickster?
@@icebarrierangel6610 Now you are getting spicy. I dig it.
How is the dexterity at 20 at lvl 8? When I used this build at lvl 8 I had 19 dexterity. I've done the math a bunch of times but i can't get 20
Heres my math:
Standard array: 15 dex
Half elf race ability score increase: +1
Elven Accuracy: +1
Lvl 8 ability score increase: +2
TOTAL: 19
am i missing anything??
This guide is intended to offer suggestions at each level and tries to take into account different ways players generate their stats. Feel free to change it however you see fit to make it work for your table.
Tasha's Cauldron sourcebook character option variant allows the following: "any ability
score increase you gain in your race or subrace and apply it to an ability score of your choice. If you gain more than one increase, you can't apply those increases to the same ability score, and you can't increase a score above 20.
For example, if the Ability Score Increase trait of your race or subrace increases your Constitution by 2 and your Wisdom by 1, you could instead increase your Intelligence by 2 and your Charisma by 1." pg 7
So according to the PHB, a Half Elf gets +2 CHA and +1 to to other ability scores of your choice. Swapping out the CHA for DEX, you can get 20.
What ir iwant to multiclass to a rogue arcane tricster, what should i do
My suggestion, i'd probably go 6 levels samurai fighter to get the core feats set up for this build, then jump into arcane tricker for as many levels as you want.
Historically Samurai were archers