Sharpshooter v. Great Weapon Master

[AokiYakumo]

That's it. That's the title.

Thoughts? Personal preferences are absolutely encouraged here (I'm a SS fan myself because there's more ways to boost the attack bonus of ranged attacks than there are for melee attacks), just be ready to explain why (there will be questions).

[Govi]

I like SS for the shoot and scoot

Thin out the weak so they don’t distract when you go in after the strong

[AokiYakumo]

Originally posted by Govi:

I like SS for the shoot and scoot

Thin out the weak so they don’t distract when you go in after the strong

I dig it, I dig it. The ol' "Hit & Run" maneuver.

[Nordil(Hun)]

Originally posted by AokiYakumo:

Originally posted by Govi:

I like SS for the shoot and scoot

Thin out the weak so they don’t distract when you go in after the strong

I dig it, I dig it. The ol' "Hit & Run" maneuver.

I made a ranger with TWF focus. But i kept shooting more. Since i managed to get him a lot of momentum and speed items. Being a half wood elf, made him sometimes run like almost 80 meters. Shoot ...shoot...then run FAR away and nobody is able to reach you. Was ridiculous:D

[A Disembodied Intelligence]

I think if we're including Hand Crossbows, which means you get +10 dmg to a bonus attack (and your main attacks too if you feel like it) then SS all the way.

But if we're ignoring those because they're a bit overtuned then there're too many fun Two Handed Weapons and Versatile Weapons for me to not root for GWM.

[AokiYakumo]

Originally posted by A Disembodied Intelligence:

I think if we're including Hand Crossbows, which means you get +10 dmg to a bonus attack (and your main attacks too if you feel like it) then SS all the way.

But if we're ignoring those because they're a bit overtuned then there're too many fun Two Handed Weapons and Versatile Weapons for me to not root for GWM.

Yeah, I found that really wierd, honsetly.

There's so many good heavy/versatile weapons in the game, with so many different effects you can apply. However, when it comes to ranged weapons. the only ones of note are Gontr Mael (a longbow), Deadshot (a longbow), Titanstring (a longbow), Hunting Bow and Darkfire Bow (both shortbows), and maybe Ne'ermisser (one of the only good hand crossbows). For hand crossbow builds you get BiS by Act II with Ne'ermisser and Hellfire Hand Crossbow with literally NOTHING else past that point, so it could plateau quick.

I suppose that's to make up for the fact that ranged attacks are a safer option most of the time (at least in tabletop terms), so it doesn't make sense to give a ranged weapon melee power levels, but it does still sting a bit having to switch from dual hand crossbows to a longbow at random.

[Govi]

Originally posted by A Disembodied Intelligence:

I think if we're including Hand Crossbows, which means you get +10 dmg to a bonus attack (and your main attacks too if you feel like it) then SS all the way.

But if we're ignoring those because they're a bit overtuned then there're too many fun Two Handed Weapons and Versatile Weapons for me to not root for GWM.

You can do both

Soften them up with your shooter then close for the kill with your great weaponer

[AokiYakumo]

Originally posted by Govi:

Originally posted by A Disembodied Intelligence:

I think if we're including Hand Crossbows, which means you get +10 dmg to a bonus attack (and your main attacks too if you feel like it) then SS all the way.

But if we're ignoring those because they're a bit overtuned then there're too many fun Two Handed Weapons and Versatile Weapons for me to not root for GWM.

You can do both

Soften them up with your shooter then close for the kill with your great weaponer

Or Thrower. TB Thrower builds are low-key disgusting in this game, I've had Karlach do 40 point non crit hits with a thrown weapon before, it's stupid.

[Govi]

Originally posted by AokiYakumo:

Originally posted by Govi:

You can do both

Soften them up with your shooter then close for the kill with your great weaponer

Or Thrower. TB Thrower builds are low-key disgusting in this game, I've had Karlach do 40 point non crit hits with a thrown weapon before, it's stupid.

I’ve neglected my throwing

I guess I don’t know all the things that go into a good one

[Stormtruper]

SS is superior by virtue of a lot of the classes that would do well with it benefit from Archery, which drops the -5 penalty to -3. It doesn't seem like a lot, but when you combine it with the other meta aspects of the game that grant advantage with bias to ranged characters (easier to hide, get high ground, etc.), then Sharpshooter proves to be a passive you can reliably leave "on" all the time, where you may need to turn off GWM periodically to make sure you hit.

[AokiYakumo]

Originally posted by Govi:

Originally posted by AokiYakumo:

Or Thrower. TB Thrower builds are low-key disgusting in this game, I've had Karlach do 40 point non crit hits with a thrown weapon before, it's stupid.

I’ve neglected my throwing

I guess I don’t know all the things that go into a good one

Big thing is getting TB, making sure you have at least 18 STR (though it can go higher with Elixirs and stuff), and grabbing Kushigo Gloves and the Flinging Ring.

Then it's a matter of if you want to go EK or Berserker. Berserker lets you get a 3rd attack at 5th with higher damage output but you're restricted to 2 or maybe 3 weapons through the game (mainly Returning Pike and Nyrulna), while EK gets the 3rd attack at 11th but gets a lot of magic utility and a higher weapon draw (Thanks to Weapon Bond).

For supports, anything that adds damage or holds adds in place is all you really need. Accuracy isn't the issue, vertical positioning and environmental awareness is (you throw in an arc as opposed to firing in a straight line).

[guard65]

Sharpshooter does not even compare to GWM.

One removes a basic penalty for elevation and give -5/+10 toggle. The other gives an Extra Attack and a -5/+10 toggle. I turn off the toggle on GWM. That lame elevation penalty is not worth it and does not compare.

[[TG] zac]

Given the fighting style exists to boost ranged weapon attacks by 2 and only requires a single dip into warrior or 2 into ranger to achieve sharpshooter is better by far.
(lets be honest if you are doing martial you were likely going to dip into these for either gloom ranger or action surge anyway)

Ranged also has the upside of that many foes have crap for ranged potential vs what they can do in melee.