Defeat The Death's Embrace Assassins

Selection up these bows the side by side time you're in town, and bring your damage game to the adjacent level.

The Ranger, a archetype image of a Dungeons & Dragons character if there always was one, is not as often maligned every bit their unarmed friend, the Monk, but is perhaps more overlooked.

The Ranger is and then often passed by that even later on 10 years of well-nigh weekly play I have never built a dedicated primary of the bow.

Lackluster in combat in low levels, and out shined by the warlock at college levels, the affiche-class for Legolas fans could employ a buff or 2.

Here are ten bows to eldritch boom that cantrip spamming, robe wearing, demon lover back to the front lines so you can do what y'all exercise best, and Let 'em FLY!

"But Chris, a expert grade has nothing to practice with magic or cool weapons, it is all in the grapheme build." Well, listen hither illusory effigy of an outraged and argumentative commentator, nosotros aren't talking builds today.

No, this article is all about boosting that 1d8 piercing harm without touching your characters attributes, but more than chiefly it is about absurd items and that sweet, sweet lore.

x. Oathbow

it swore an oath, and your enemies volition bow...

Nock an arrow, friend, and hear this bow speak in elvish tongues "swift defeat to my enemies." Making an Set on while speaking the Command phrase, "Swift death to you who have wronged me," will result in the bow declaring the target its Sworn Enemy. Having a nemesis has ever been a secret dream of mine, and in my younger years I attempted to rack them upwardly, while I don't suggest such nonsense in the existent world (the dry out cleaning & gas bills solitary are astronomical), having i in roleplay space comes with some squeamish perks. For seven days, or until the target dies, you take Reward on attacks made with the Oathbow against the sworn enemy. Having the take a chance to reroll an attack and take the highest number is an opportunity that cannot be missed.

Along with this sudden boost in effectiveness your archer will also receive the power to see through any embrace the target might try to hide behind as long every bit it isn't total comprehend. Whatsoever arrow placed in this bow is at a about can't miss hit rate. Couple these boons with the additional 3d6 piercing damage on all successful hits and what more could y'all desire from a weapon?

In the Forgotten Realms, Tyresia, an elven sorcerer crafted an oathbow for his half-brother High Lord Methrammar Aerasumé, Swiftflight was an oathbow imbued with the personality of the elven wizard. High Lord Aerasumé carried Swiftflgiht through his many adventures equally High Marshal of the Silvery Legion while leading 400 soldiers at Rauvinwatch Keep. Young adventurers tin take annotation from the Lord of the Silvery Marches, ruler of the Silverymoon, Methrammar Aerasumé was e'er armed with +ii magical arrows. In other words, spend your gold wisely.

Weapon Stats

1D8 Harm, +3d6 Damage on Sworn Enemy
Piercing Damage
Very Rare Particular
Heavy, Ranged, Ii Handed
Martial Ranged Weapon

Why Is It So Cool?

Information technology talks! Not like a certain crooked talking sword nosotros all love, just it speaks and that's fun
It is the Death Notation of weapons! All yous have to do is tell it you hate THAT GUY and loose an pointer at 'em.
Being able to shoot clear through embrace. This bow is out for blood!

9. Vicious Heavy Crossbow

Certainly a roughshod & heavy crossbow, but not EXACTLY a Barbarous, Heavy Crossbow

Maybe calling out your enemies isn't your fashion. Maybe you'd rather your good hits require luck. Welcome, friends, to the land of vicious weaponry. This enchantment, which can exist placed on whatever weapon if you accept the coin, adds a +7 to the damage of its assault whenever yous ringlet a 20. While this is a seemingly rare occurrence, the chance to score a full actress 7 damage along with the actress damage coil of a critical hit you are looking at an boilerplate of fourteen damage with one bolt. Expect I know the idea that you are gonna score that natural 20 more than than once per session is a slim margin, merely as we discussed before, the all-time style to get more from your bow is to make more of the archer.

Weapon Stats

1d10 Harm, +seven Damage On Disquisitional Hit
Piercing Impairment
Heavy, Loading, Range, 2-Handed Properties

Why Is Information technology So Cool?

It'south an enchantment so you tin can buy it off but about anybody or get your artificer friend to conjure one upwards for you
Because it's considered an enchantment the crossbow itself tin can look like whatever quondam crossbow, or even your character's favorite crossbow that they've been modifying and caring for over their entire adventure
though y'all're depending on the disquisitional roll to make the magic activate, it is a satisfying twenty-four hours when you exercise

8. Wands & Staves

Merely cast it at the darkness, and and then go get some Cheetos

Yeah, nerds, I realize that I am stepping slightly outside of definitive parameters. This isn't a bow or a crossbow and some people might question whether a coating term like wand tin comprehend or count as a ranged weapon. Well, I say, if you point a stick at a goblin that is 120 feet away and that goblin is devoured by fireballs or engulfed in lightning bolts then yous accept just made a ranged combat attack.

Almost wands come packaged with 7 charges that can be replenished by a magic user or through gold, merely if you're playing the part correctly you discard the spent wands and motion on to more. This ranged weapon isn't just 1 weapon that you can fire off at will, reload, and fire again, awand-slinger is a total class build made for DPS. You will be spending a lot of gold and a ton of magic to pull off this mage-canon ability, but if y'all can practice information technology correctly information technology is the near fun you tin have every bit a magic user bar none, and if yous're in a party with a ranger or other archer type character yous volition constantly be stepping on their toes and remain in an open up rivalry against them for harm output and field control.

My favorite mode to play with wands is to build an Artificer and spend some gold buying upwards bandoleers and bracelets that assist stow items. Using these compartments to hide as many wands as you can afford will continue your easily full of ranged death for every combat the party encounters. A proficient starter choice would be wands of paralysis and magic missile. With magic missle you are able to hit multiple opponents within your sight or a unmarried opponent multiple times, all within 120 feet. The three darts which erupt from the wand upon casting does a negligible 1d4 +ane worth of force impairment. each level of the spell you lot will proceeds 1 extra dart,and hammering an enemy with 4d4 can be the actress edge necessary in early levels. If anyone comes within lx feet of you then paralyze them with your other wand.

Of course there are a ton of other wands, so if magic missile isn't your manner y'all have options. Want to rain fire upon your opponents? Wand of Fireball. Do a bad Emperor Palpatine impression witha wand of Lightning Bolt. Graduate to level 9 and begin experimenting with staves, the wand for the large kids.

Weapon Stats

magic missile, iii darts of light 1d4 +1 each Impairment
Force Damage
120 foot range
+1 Dart for each level of spell

Why is it absurd

Have you e'er wanted to play a cool western gunslinger archetype, only tin can't fit information technology into your groups High Fantasy setting? Wands are cool
Wands let you to live out those wizard fights y'all always idea would come up from D&D.
Harm. Per. Second.

7. Rod of Many Wands

Wonder why this Rod looks null like the Rod described? Yeah, usa too.

Expect, I'g non gonna toy around with you, I used the last entry to gear up you for this 1. I think I've proved even a bad wand tin can be practiced when charged properly and used by a skilled boxing tactician. Now, have a trip back to the long forgotten age of Dungeons and Dragons 3.5, and feast your eyes on the Rod of Many Wands. This staff is as sparse as whatsoever other, and looks like a typical wizard'southward accessory, wrapped in leather from the lesser towards the middle and constructed of steel it feels like a mace when held from the handle. Upon farther investigation you will detect that the head of this wonder is twice that of its tail and has three slots roughly the width of a typical wand.

That'south right, folks, the Rod of Many Wands does exactly what it says on the package. Belongings iii wands at the big finish allowing the wielder to fire off 3 wands at the same fourth dimension. Taking a total round action to load (only never unload it), and a full round action to speak the Draconic control phrase (3.v was ridiculous) all wands loaded into the bedchamber will fire off simultaneously, draining as many charges from the wands every bit at that place are wands in the staff. In other words, if all three chambers are filled, then all three wands will lose iii charges.

Weapons Stats

3.5 Edition, Dungeons & Dragons, Complete Mage pg. 128
Cost 25,000GP (Empty)
Information technology'southward damage output depends on what is in the chamber

Why is it Cool?

It's a staff of multiple wands. If wands are cool that makes this iii times as cool.
3.5 Edition is dumb, like playing modded Morrowind with console commands. This is a peak 3.5 Edition weapon, and dang is information technology a lot of fun.
Like the version of D&D it is from the Rod of Many Wands is archaic and obtuse; Maybe not worth the fourth dimension or money it takes to proficiently understand, but damn is it some of the near fun you can accept.

6. Sling of Seeking

Anyone else upset by how ripped this reptile goblin is? Even if that isn't a magic sling we could be in trouble.

This sling from the ancient days of 1st Edition packs a punch by upping the accuracy of its user to untold heights. Used by Ellisime, the elven queen of Suldanessellar, this enchanted strip of leather, a glorified belt with a loving cup, has college damage rates than any normal sling. At that place were said to be enhanced versions of this enchanted stone thrower that needed no ammunition, allowing the wielder to pummel their enemies with pebbles for a seemingly space corporeality of fourth dimension.

Weapon Stats

1st Edition, Legend
Boosts Impairment, Accuracy
Space Ammunition

Why is it Cool?

Information technology's as old equally the game itself
Featured in the Baldur'south Gate II line of video games.
Its compact and easy to hide.
Infinite Ammo Crook!

5. Elven Court Bow

Honestly in that location is really nothing cooler than a ranger with a bad bow using her magic to invoke the spirits of the forest.

This bow has the draw and curve of an artisan weapon, used by the Elven Court of Cormanthyr for millennia this ancient weapon was by and large formalism in exercise. Fabricated of finely polished yew and covered in intricate elvish engravings this bright artifact was passed downwardly every half-century to an elf who accomplished great quests for the Court. The bowstring had a seemingly perfect pull, giving off an effervescent smoothen as if information technology had been woven from spun gold, and when it was fatigued it is said to sing a crystalline hum of a benevolent heavenly choir.

In the eye 12th century of Dalereckoning a human, by the name of Yin Pon, wrested an elven prince from danger and was gifted the Bow of the Court. When Yin Pon traveled to Baldur's Gate the bow was lost to time. Which makes information technology piece of cake for a DM to slide into their world, or gives a player of the Baldur'due south Gate Two PC games an opportunity to find this rare legend of elvish craft artistry.

Weapon Stats

+3 Longbow, player gets +3 to Assail and Damage with Elven Bow of the Courtroom
1d8 Piercing Damage
Increases wielders accuracy.
Valued at 2,500 GP
second Edition

Why is it Cool?

Some other second Edition Classic that tin hands be slotted into a electric current game.
Has good open ended Lore. It isn't THE preferred weapon of a legendary hero, but a formalism piece of import to a people.
A +3 magic weapon is nothing to laugh at. That is a ability puncher that any mook or henchperson should fearfulness.

4. Bow of Black Archer

Simple, elegant, civilized; a weapon of a unlike age.

Originally the possession of the elven deity Shevarash, this unremarkable bow was lost when he was captured by the drow. With a body every bit black as a starless, moonless dark in the middle of a haunted wood, this weapon comes with a laundry load of baggage. You'd call it cursed, if that wasn't a specific in-game term, for its incessant whispering of revenge. This bow insists on the decimation of ALL drow.

Three Hundred Years later Shevarrash was executed by the drow a young elf took on the job of finding this lost artifact of the god of revenge and hatred of dark elves. Traveling to the Underdark Valaderion killed every nighttime elf he encountered. on his style back to the surface later recovering the bow of Black Archer, he met and eventually fell in love with a drow. Upon returning the weapon to a shrine of Shevarrash, the ranger was struck down by the angry god for consorting with the elves of the Underdark. If you only learn ane matter from this article learn this: Don't Cross A God Of Revenge & Hatred. Seven centuries later the bow was taken up by Salariel, high priestess of the temple of Shevarrash in a battle confronting an army of drow.

Weapon Stats

+i magic Weapon, +1 to Attack and Damage
1d8 Piercing Harm
whispers of revenge confronting night elves
If Drow come inside 60 anxiety of the bow, then the whispers become frequent and angry
Weapon Of Legacy, must perform 3 Rituals to unlock all Legacy abilities
12 Weapon of Legacy Abilities, ignores damage reduction; grants darkvision' longstrider as a 5th Level Spell, +5 to Hibernate and Motility Silently etc.
Has Wielder Requirements (wielder tin can non be Drow, ii Ranks Hide, Base Set on Bonus +three etc.)

Why is information technology Cool?

Evil, revenge weapon. Every list similar this needs one.
Good (Bad) History. Lost weapons with a past are cool.
The Weapon of Legacy abilities.

three. Protector of the Dryads

Make certain the bard stays away from this i. Nosotros accept to pass through the forest, and tin can't have it's protectors angered with united states of america.

The dryads of the Gulthmere Forest created this magical weapon for a great hero. A group of loggers threatened to destroy the forest, but when they cutting down the largest oak it spurred Hannable the White to slay this camp of orcish lumberjacks. Thus the residual of the wood was saved, likewise equally the dryads themselves. This +ii Second Edition weapon later made its way into the possession of the assassin Marek. The Protector of Dryads would afterward announced in the Baldur's Gate PC game from Bioware.

Weapon Stats

+ii magical shortbow, +2 Assail +2 Damage
1d6 Piercing Harm
2 Handed Weapon
4,500 GP

Why is it Cool?

Information technology exists in virtual space rather than theater of the mind
too known every bit Eagle Bow
Strongest shortbow in Baldur's Gate

ii. Taulmaril (Heartseeker)

*Stares in Brood* *doofy cat face*

We've arrived at the obligatory mention of anybody'due south favorite malaise boy. There couldn't be a list of great weapons from D&D without mentioning Drizzt Do'Urden or his legendary arsenal, and this 1 is no different. A corking bow from the Forgotten Realms immortalized in text by the fantasy author R.A. Salvatore, Taulmaril is the magic bow originally carried by Cait-Brie,. Friend, and later wife, of the famed Drow.

Taulmaril, otherwise known every bit the Heartseeker, was a +3 longbow of impeccably polished forest. It is said that the bow was made so well past its elven craftsman that not fifty-fifty stone could scratch it. Regis, of the Companions of the Hall, found the bow in a gap between stones in Mithral Hall, and information technology was later gifted to Drizzt Exercise'Urden upon Cait-Brie's death in 1370 Dalereckoning.

Weapon Stats

+3 Magic Longbow
1d8 Piercing Damage
+3 Harm, +3 Set on
Swell, lowers critical threat range for Attack rolls
3.5 Edition

Why is information technology Cool?

Null beats +3
Cracking Great KEEN. Taking your critical threat range from 18-20 to 15-xx.
Easily translatable to 5e
Owned past Drizzt Practise'Urden, the coolest guy to ever be a part of D&D

one. Javelin of Lightning

Hey, kid, you ever thrown a lightning commodities?

How tin can I justify placing a javelin over a +3 bow wielded by the most famous D&D character of all time? Well, friends and readers, best is a matter of opinion, and I idea I'd send y'all off with something absurd you can use in your next play session. The Javelin of Lightning does the best thing any magic weapon in the game tin do, and that is precisely what information technology says on the packaging.

Speaking a control word equally the javelin leaves the character's arm volition transform the weapon into a bolt of lightning. Traveling at a range of upward to 120 feet the lightning would touch on anything in its path. Upon piercing the target the javelin would course back into itself, delivering a destructive corporeality of lightning damage to the enemy. The bang-up wyrm emerald dragon Raulothim, of the island of Axard, was known to wield ane of these breathtaking weapons.

Weapon Stats

Piercing, Lightning
1d6
Lightning Bolt, 3rd Level Evocation Spell
100 Feet Long 5 Anxiety Wide
Dex Saving Throw For Half Harm
4d6 Lightning Damage

Why is it Cool?

It is a javelin that turns into lightning
Lightning Bolt is a absurd spell that tin can wreck a line of mooks
have you always taken 4d6 damage? That is a ton of impairment

There yous have it, folks, X of the Best Ranged Weapons in all of D&D, y'all might have to try to finagle some numbers to become them all in your game this weekend, but you should be able to make it piece of work.

The history of this game goes dorsum and then far in both its real world age and in the age of the Realm that finding everything would be a monumental task. The beauty of this game is that y'all are encouraged to create your own magic weapons, and build out your own epic stories.

The greatest moment in a player's gaming should be five years afterwards your showtime character has been put away for good, and seeing equally a new player for your old GM finds a weapon of fable from that long dead grapheme'due south risk.

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