Is pure archery/longbow build viable?

[Nonomori]

My character is a wood elf and for RP purposes I want to create a pure archery build using longbow but I heard that bows in general in BG3 are obsolete and crossbows will always overpower them, especially dual-wielding hand crossbows.

So, the question is, is it possible to create a somewhat comparable in terms of damage output longbow build? Im currently level 3 Ranger, Gloom Stalker subclass.

[アンジェル]

Originally posted by Nonomori:

Is pure archery/longbow build viable?
My character is a wood elf and for RP purposes I want to create a pure archery build using longbow but I heard that bows in general in BG3 are obsolete and crossbows will always overpower them, especially dual-wielding hand crossbows.

So, the question is, is it possible to create a somewhat comparable in terms of damage output longbow build? Im currently level 3 Ranger, Gloom Stalker subclass.

No. The difference lies in exploiting game mechanics vs. idea.

If you keep out the exploits, then longbow can be equally strong, no issues.

[Nonomori]

Originally posted by アンジェル:

Originally posted by Nonomori:

Is pure archery/longbow build viable?
My character is a wood elf and for RP purposes I want to create a pure archery build using longbow but I heard that bows in general in BG3 are obsolete and crossbows will always overpower them, especially dual-wielding hand crossbows.

So, the question is, is it possible to create a somewhat comparable in terms of damage output longbow build? Im currently level 3 Ranger, Gloom Stalker subclass.

No. The difference lies in exploiting game mechanics vs. idea.

If you keep out the exploits, then longbow can be equally strong, no issues.

What would you suggest in terms of skills, gear, maybe special ammunition like arrows or poisons?

[アンジェル]

Originally posted by Nonomori:

Originally posted by アンジェル:

No. The difference lies in exploiting game mechanics vs. idea.

If you keep out the exploits, then longbow can be equally strong, no issues.

What would you advice in terms of skills, gear, maybe special ammunition like arrows or poisons?

It really depends on your idea of your role play character. Take for example you plan Rogue 3 / Ranger 9 - that one is better for multicrossbow approach, while a role playing orientated archer like I have in mind

thinking of e.g. an elf using mainly only longbows and only in emergencies dagger

I would go with the Fighter Class instead for an offensive archer

Rogue if it was for a stealthy archer

Ranger is more for a mixed approach with focus for familiar

Ammunitionwise I would use everything and look for synergies with your other classes like a Tempest Sorceress could benefit from you setting up puddles for their electrioc attacks, or a fireball user would appreciate acide arrows.

Do you want an offensive ranger, supportive, debuffing one? What do you have in mind?

[Nonomori]

Originally posted by アンジェル:

Originally posted by Nonomori:

What would you advice in terms of skills, gear, maybe special ammunition like arrows or poisons?

It really depends on your idea of your role play character. Take for example you plan Rogue 3 / Ranger 9 - that one is better for multicrossbow approach, while a role playing orientated archer like I have in mind

thinking of e.g. an elf using mainly only longbows and only in emergencies dagger

I would go with the Fighter Class instead for an offensive archer

Rogue if it was for a stealthy archer

Ranger is more for a mixed approach with focus for familiar

Ammunitionwise I would use everything and look for synergies with your other classes like a Tempest Sorceress could benefit from you setting up puddles for their electrioc attacks, or a fireball user would appreciate acide arrows.

Do you want an offensive ranger, supportive, debuffing one? What do you have in mind?

I think I do like the idea of a stealthy archer, my character is a wood elf and the idea of him hiding in the trees or shooting from a high cliff, surprising enemies is really nice. Basically why I picked Gloom Stalker as my subclass.

But using a dagger in close encounters I think is a good thing as well, you won't always have the chance to shoot from a distance, some enemies gonna rush to you.

[アンジェル]

Originally posted by Nonomori:

Originally posted by アンジェル:

It really depends on your idea of your role play character. Take for example you plan Rogue 3 / Ranger 9 - that one is better for multicrossbow approach, while a role playing orientated archer like I have in mind

thinking of e.g. an elf using mainly only longbows and only in emergencies dagger

I would go with the Fighter Class instead for an offensive archer

Rogue if it was for a stealthy archer

Ranger is more for a mixed approach with focus for familiar

Ammunitionwise I would use everything and look for synergies with your other classes like a Tempest Sorceress could benefit from you setting up puddles for their electrioc attacks, or a fireball user would appreciate acide arrows.

Do you want an offensive ranger, supportive, debuffing one? What do you have in mind?

I think I do like the idea of a stealthy archer, my character is a wood elf and the idea of him hiding in the trees or shooting from a high cliff, surprising enemies is really nice. Basically why I picked Gloom Stalker as my subclass.

But using an dagger in close encounters I think is a good thing as well, you won't always have the chance to shoot from a distance, some enemies gonna rush to you.

Then you probably would go a fighter/ranger or a full rogue approach. Reasoning is that the typical Rogue 3 / Gloomstalker 9 thing you mentioned is usually focusing on the relation between Thief subclass => 1 bonus action extra, and the bonus actions stuff, which allows you to use off-hand weapons better => hence the hand crossbow for offhand usage

Fighter gives you extra attacks and the archery bonus for an increased damage output while as Rogue, preferably as assassin for that idea of yours, you get much better damage output as ambusher. Gloomstalker is already the correct subclass for ranger, which just leaves us with the question

what do you want to put your focus on? A lot of ranger gloomstalker stuff is redundant with a high level rogue and eventually excludes each other while the fighter gives you the overall better damage output.

[Nonomori]

Originally posted by アンジェル:

Originally posted by Nonomori:

I think I do like the idea of a stealthy archer, my character is a wood elf and the idea of him hiding in the trees or shooting from a high cliff, surprising enemies is really nice. Basically why I picked Gloom Stalker as my subclass.

But using an dagger in close encounters I think is a good thing as well, you won't always have the chance to shoot from a distance, some enemies gonna rush to you.

Then you probably would go a fighter/ranger or a full rogue approach. Reasoning is that the typical Rogue 3 / Gloomstalker 9 thing you mentioned is usually focusing on the relation between Thief subclass => 1 bonus action extra, and the bonus actions stuff, which allows you to use off-hand weapons better => hence the hand crossbow for offhand usage

Fighter gives you extra attacks and the archery bonus for an increased damage output while as Rogue, preferably as assassin for that idea of yours, you get much better damage output as ambusher. Gloomstalker is already the correct subclass for ranger, which just leaves us with the question

what do you want to put your focus on? A lot of ranger gloomstalker stuff is redundant with a high level rogue and eventually excludes each other while the fighter gives you the overall better damage output.

So I should go fighter instead of ranger? Im a level 3 Ranger now but I think I can respec, or should I do it later?

[アンジェル]

Originally posted by Nonomori:

Originally posted by アンジェル:

Then you probably would go a fighter/ranger or a full rogue approach. Reasoning is that the typical Rogue 3 / Gloomstalker 9 thing you mentioned is usually focusing on the relation between Thief subclass => 1 bonus action extra, and the bonus actions stuff, which allows you to use off-hand weapons better => hence the hand crossbow for offhand usage

Fighter gives you extra attacks and the archery bonus for an increased damage output while as Rogue, preferably as assassin for that idea of yours, you get much better damage output as ambusher. Gloomstalker is already the correct subclass for ranger, which just leaves us with the question

what do you want to put your focus on? A lot of ranger gloomstalker stuff is redundant with a high level rogue and eventually excludes each other while the fighter gives you the overall better damage output.

So I should go fighter instead of ranger? Im a level 3 Ranger now but I think I can respec, or should I do it later?

It really depends on your goal. Give me a few minutes more and I show you a suggestion.

[Mormacil]

The game on normal is easy enough a full team of three companions can carry a suboptimal player character. A fighter focused on archery is totally viable way to play. And you got all the feats to make it work. Disengaging, no short range malus, etc.

[dolby]

IF you want bows i would suggest 6 Swords bard 5war cleric 1 fighter...
you get extra attack and you can attack twice per 1 attack before even level 5 due to how ranged slashing flourish work...


War cleric is there just bonus attack charges, and for spells like bless, spiritual weapon, crusader's Mantle... animate dead...
edit
with sharpshooter feat ofcs, you start as duergar with Titanstring Bow and just use potions of STR..

[Iso Koala]

Ranged weapons are TOTALLY viable build yes.
But bows sadly are complete trash in this game, and Crossbows and hand crossbows are the viable ranged weapons. Shortbows and Longbows are automatically all worse in this than crossbows. Except that there is 1 good bow at the end of chapter 3, but you cant make a build around something that you have for 10% of the game.

[Mirror]

Originally posted by Nonomori:

My character is a wood elf and for RP purposes I want to create a pure archery build using longbow but I heard that bows in general in BG3 are obsolete and crossbows will always overpower them, especially dual-wielding hand crossbows.

So, the question is, is it possible to create a somewhat comparable in terms of damage output longbow build? Im currently level 3 Ranger, Gloom Stalker subclass.

One of the most OP builds in the game is ranged sniper. The build is Rogue 3(assassin)Fighter 2(Action surge) and Ranger 3(gloom). This can easily break the game due to being able to kill off so many units in the 1st turn, if built right. The last 4 levels you can put them in Ranger or Fighter, both give you an extra attack when you reach level 5. But I recommend bringing 2 up to level 4, like rogue and ranger, for the second feat.

I would also recommend Archery fighting style, Sharpshooter feat, and Ability improvement (Dex). So you can output as much damage as possible. I have tried this build myself and the game became a joke, was too easy.

[Zsrai]

Don't go Fighter & Ranger, the extra attacks don't stack, only choose one or the other. Not to disregard the advice above, but if you don't need to min-max in BG3 and certainly not in Explorer or Balanced. You could certainly just go 12 Ranger, any spec, and be fine in that case.

[アンジェル]

Originally posted by Nonomori:

Originally posted by アンジェル:

Then you probably would go a fighter/ranger or a full rogue approach. Reasoning is that the typical Rogue 3 / Gloomstalker 9 thing you mentioned is usually focusing on the relation between Thief subclass => 1 bonus action extra, and the bonus actions stuff, which allows you to use off-hand weapons better => hence the hand crossbow for offhand usage

Fighter gives you extra attacks and the archery bonus for an increased damage output while as Rogue, preferably as assassin for that idea of yours, you get much better damage output as ambusher. Gloomstalker is already the correct subclass for ranger, which just leaves us with the question

what do you want to put your focus on? A lot of ranger gloomstalker stuff is redundant with a high level rogue and eventually excludes each other while the fighter gives you the overall better damage output.

So I should go fighter instead of ranger? Im a level 3 Ranger now but I think I can respec, or should I do it later?

Based on the information about your general idea, and some adjustments to what makes sense gameplaywise by also reducing redundancy I suggest something along these lines

https://i.ibb.co/qWCVPtr/screenshot-1696767863.png
https://i.ibb.co/k3Z6Q12/screenshot-1696767907.png
https://i.ibb.co/RpDVqRg/screenshot-1696767911.png

The order of when to level what is not necessarily bound to that. It makes e.g. sense to respect and start with Fighter so you get instant access to Action Surge and Heavy Armour.

The playstyle is an range orientated heavy attacker with focus on additional attacks and versatility with offensive and support spells. You can adjust things naturally. I made it like that for you since you sounded like you want to reach some very high offensive level.

[talemore]

Sorcerer
Because they fly now

And fighter 2 for early swift quiver.

Then you have to consider that bows in this game don't need arrows and uses special arrows who are the arrows. These arrows are arcane spells

You add fighter for extra accuracy and action surge. You add sorcerer to gain mobility and cantrip.

You can peck your enemies one by one. Ranger isn't using bows. They're versatile but they're no archers. Even if you would go this path Rangers still uses crossbows.

[Nonomori]

Originally posted by アンジェル:

Originally posted by Nonomori:

So I should go fighter instead of ranger? Im a level 3 Ranger now but I think I can respec, or should I do it later?

Based on the information about your general idea, and some adjustments to what makes sense gameplaywise by also reducing redundancy I suggest something along these lines

https://i.ibb.co/qWCVPtr/screenshot-1696767863.png
https://i.ibb.co/k3Z6Q12/screenshot-1696767907.png
https://i.ibb.co/RpDVqRg/screenshot-1696767911.png

The order of when to level what is not necessarily bound to that. It makes e.g. sense to respect and start with Fighter so you get instant access to Action Surge and Heavy Armour.

The playstyle is an range orientated heavy attacker with focus on additional attacks and versatility with offensive and support spells. You can adjust things naturally. I made it like that for you since you sounded like you want to reach some very high offensive level.

Oh, damn, thanks for the effort! Gonna read those! :)