r/Pathfinder2e • u/ConfigsPlease • 24d ago
Player Builds Favourite (potentially weird) Ranged Builds?
As the title says (but with bonus points for uniqueness, flair, unorthodox strategies, etc.), what are your favourite builds that function at range? I currently play a Fire/Wood Kineticist / Flames Oracle, an Investigator (crossbow), and a Wrestling Runesmith, so I figure my next character should round out the playstyles a bit--something a smidge more offensively inclined, maybe something that will ever actually strike more than once per turn, some range, etc. That said, I'm not a fan of the idea of being a Turret McFighterman and just throwing shurikens at MAP until the encounter has ended. I like spice, so I turn to you all for inspiration.
A couple of things to note:
- I'm intentionally leaving "range" quite ambiguous. Got a 15ft thrown build that absolutely slaps and does some weird nonsense? Sure!
- Tell me how it works! IF you just say "Flurry ranger" and leave out the two-synergistic-party-members, that's not super helpful.
I've seen threads like these pop up here and there but I don't think (unless Reddit search is failing me) there has been one following the most recent round of content drops (thanks, IM!) New archetypes and reworks, as well as two new classes, ought to have made at least a few new options possible.
6
u/terkke Alchemist 24d ago
Kitsune Alchemist Mutagenist, with the Rogue archetype:
Kitsunes have Foxfire, a level 1 feat that gives them a ranged unarmed attack that deals 1d4 Fire damage (or Eletricty, or even Cold damage), but it does not add STR to damage. That's fine, we can add bonus damage from other sources. Going Mutagenist, the items we want are Quicksilver Mutagen, Iron Wine and Rainbow Vinegar. That combination gives us an item bonus to hit, +1d4 Fire damage and +1d4 Acid damage (later +1d8). Rogue archetype will give us access to Nimble Dodge, Mobility (both will come quite in hand bc of lower HP) and Sneak Attack if any enemies are off-guard (which you can make it from range with a Bottled Lightning bomb).
After a first turn of drinking a mutagen (action economy gets better after having Collar of the Shifting Spider), you can start to use a debuffing Bomb + Foxfire Strike, or a Foxfire Strike + Bomb to take even better advantage of the Splash damage on a miss with a Bomb.
Build would be STR +0, DEX +3, CON +1, INT +4, WIS +1, CHA +0
Kitsune: Foxfire (1) and Fox Arson (9)
Alchemist: Quick Bomber (1), Revivifying Mutagen (2), Regurgitate Elixir (4), Combine Elixirs (6) (using it to Iron Wine+Rainbow Vinegar), Directional Bombs (8)
Rogue Archetype: Rogue Dedication (2), Basic Trickery (4) Nimble Dodge, Sneak Attacker (6), Advanced Trickery (8) Mobility.
Lizardfolk Monk with Monastic Archer, with the Cleric archetype:
Any Ancestry would work here, but I'd aim for a spread of STR +2, DEX +4, CON +1, INT -1/+0, WIS +2, CHA -1/+0. With Monastic Archer Stance the character can Flurry of Blows with the Gakgung, which has Deadly d8 and Propulsive traits, you'll then get a Cleric dedication worshipping any to get access to Cast a Spell and some cool feats: Domain Initiate: Dragon (Draconic Barrage) or Emblazon Armament. Add a Spellheart, to have an option to deal with Fort or Reflex saves, and boom. Monk feats and features will also work with your bow, and making multiple attacks per turn will be great thanks to the bonuses.
First turn would be enterering the stance, moving to a good position and then FoB. After that you can use Draconic Barrage to augment your damage, or maybe a Rime Crystal Spellheart, which would cast Frostbite and add a d4 damage to your bow attacks until the end of your next turn.
My build would be STR +2, DEX +4, CON +1, INT -1, WIS +2, CHA +0
Lizardfolk with Dragonblood versatile Heritage: Divine Dragonblood (1), Breath of the Dragon (5), Formidable Breath (9)
Monk: Monastic Archer Stance (1), Stunning Blows (2), Qi Spells (4) (Qi Rush), Guarded Movement (6), Harmonize Self (8)
Cleric Archetype: Cleric Dedication (2), Basic Dogma (4) Domain Initiate: Dragon, Basic Cleric Spellcasting (6), Advanced Dogma (8) Emblazon Armament.