Editing Guide:Sharpshooter

{{guide}}
Sharpshooter - a guide for a build that focuses on dealing {{DamageType|Physical}} damage from a distance.

== Overview ==

Core components for this build include:
* Any kind of [[File:Hand Crossbows Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link= Hand Crossbows]] [[Hand Crossbows]] in each hand
* [[File: Sharpshooter Icon.png |frameless|upright=0.1|24px]] [[Sharpshooter]] feat

[[File: Sharpshooter Icon.png |frameless|upright=0.1|24px]] [[Sharpshooter]] provides additional damage for a penalty to accuracy. Attacking from the distance helps to mitigate the accuracy penalty (high ground, hiding) while [[File:Hand Crossbows Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link= Hand Crossbows]][[Hand Crossbows]] allow using bonus action to make attacks. With the bonus damage from [[File: Sharpshooter Icon.png |frameless|upright=0.1|24px]] [[Sharpshooter]] this additional attack more than compensates the fact that [[File:Hand Crossbows Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link= Hand Crossbows]] [[Hand Crossbows]] have less basic damage compared to [[File:Heavy Crossbows Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link= Heavy Crossbows]] [[Heavy Crossbows]].

This build does not require any specific [[Race]] or [[Class]]. Low mobility is also tolerated. Attacking from a distance allows to put less emphasis on the defence in this build.<br>
As a result this build brings high damage while allowing a lot of options for utility and role-play.

== Details ==
Having minimalistic core this build allows many approaches from the class perspective. The most notable options are:
* [[File:Class Fighter Battle Master Badge Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.15|link=Battle Master]][[Battle Master]] fighter - highest average damage, burst potential with [[File:Action Surge Icon 64px.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Action Surge]] [[Action Surge]], utility with [[#Level 3|Manoeuvers]].
* [[File:Assassin Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.15|link= Assassin]][[Assassin]] rogue + [[File:Gloom Stalker Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.15|link= Gloom Stalker]][[Gloom Stalker]] ranger - incredible 1st turn burst damage with {{SmallIcon|Assassinate_Ambush.png}} '''Assassinate: Ambush'''

=== Attack count ===
This build benefits greatly from both: doing '''multiple attacks for each action''' and having '''multiple actions per round'''.<br>
That's why {{Class|Fighter}}s, {{Class|Ranger}}s and {{Class|Bard}}s are good class choices - all of them get an [[File:Extra Attack Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Extra Attack]] [[Extra Attack]] and can attack twice for the cost of one {{action|action}}.<br>There are several ways to get multiple {{action|action}}s for each turn of the battle with the most notable:
* [[File:Haste Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px]] [[Hastened (Condition)|Hastened]]
* [[File: Elixir of Bloodlust.png |frameless|upright=0.1|24px]][[Elixir of Bloodlust]]
* [[File:Action Surge Icon 64px.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Action Surge]] [[Action Surge]] ({{Class|Fighter}} only)
This results in having, on average, 2-3{{action|action}}s per turn plus one {{action|bonus}}.

=== Ability Scores ===
Range weapons use [[File:Dexterity Ability Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Dexterity]] [[Dexterity]] as the primary [[Character Creation#Ability Scores|Ability Score]] so it should be maxed.<br>
Secondary abilities are up to you. [[File:Constitution Ability Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link= Constitution]] [[Constitution]] never hurts. For spell casting {{Class|Ranger}}s might want to improve [[File: Wisdom Ability Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link= Wisdom]] [[Wisdom]] while {{Class|Bard}}s - [[File: Charisma Ability Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link= Charisma]] [[Charisma]].

=== Races ===
This build does not rely on any particular [[Race]].<br>
[[File:Race Halfling.png|frameless| upright=0.1|24px|link= Halfling]] [[Halfling]] is a good choice because of the [[Lucky]]. Their low movement speed is less relevant - as a range striker you don't need to move much around battlefield.<br>
[[File:Race Drow.png|frameless| upright=0.1|24px|link= Drow]] [[Drow]] with [[Superior Darkvision]] is nice in the darker settings.<br>
[[File:Race Dwarf.png|frameless| upright=0.1|24px|link= Duergar]] [[Dwarf|Duergar]] also has [[Superior Darkvision]] and in addition brings {{Advantage}} against being [[File:Paralysed Condition Icon.webp|frameless| upright=0.1|24px|link= Paralysed]] [[Paralysed]] condition.

<br>
<br>
''Note: sections below use numbers and precentages for various things. For an explanation of these numbers and percentages of specific builds see the [[#Assumptions for Math|Math]] section below''.

== [[File:Class Fighter Battle Master Badge Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.15|link=Battle Master]][[Battle Master]] version ==
This version of the build performs great early and mid-game, while completely outperforming other options in the late game.<br>
[[File:Action Surge Icon 64px.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Action Surge]] [[Action Surge]] and [[#Level 3|Manoeuvers]] provide burst, versatility and additional damage.

=== Build ===

Put all your levels into a {{Class|Fighter}}.

Get your starting [[Dexterity|Dex]] to 16 (or 17 if your are going for a +1 from the Hag).<br>

Get yourself 2 x [[File:Hand Crossbows Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link= Hand Crossbows]] [[Hand Crossbows]].

Pick an [[File:Fighting Style Archery Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px]] '''Archery''' [[Fighting Style]].

At level 3 take the [[File:Class Fighter Battle Master Badge Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Battle Master]][[Battle Master]] subclass.<br>
Select any [[Battle Master|Manoeuvers]] you like. Promising options include:
* [[File:Disarming Attack Ranged Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Disarming Attack (Ranged)]] [[Disarming Attack (Ranged)|Disarming attack]]
* [[File:Menacing Attack Ranged Icon 64px.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link= Menacing Attack (Ranged)]] [[Menacing Attack (Ranged)|Menacing Attack]]
* [[File:Action ManoeuveringAttack Ranged.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Manoeuvring Attack (Ranged)]] [[Manoeuvring Attack (Ranged)|Manoeuvring Attack]] 
* [[File:Action GoadingAttack Ranged.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Goading Attack (Ranged)]] [[Goading Attack (Ranged)|Goading Attack]]
* [[File:Action PrecisionAttack.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Precision Attack]] [[Precision Attack]]

Pick [[File: Sharpshooter Icon.png |frameless|upright=0.1|24px]] '''Sharpshooter''' as your level 4 [[File:PassiveFeature Generic.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Feats#Available Feats]] [[Feats|Feat]] and toggle the passive on.

As an extra fighter level 6 [[Feats|feat]] pick [[File:PassiveFeature Generic.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Feats#Available Feats]] '''Ability Improvement''' to get '''[[Dexterity]]+2''' and bring it to 18 or even 20 (depending on your game choices).

For the [[File:PassiveFeature Generic.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Feats#Available Feats]] [[Feats|feats]] at levels 8 and 12, you can go with what you like. Some good options include:
* [[File:PassiveFeature Generic.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Feats#Available Feats]] '''Ability Improvement''' to get your [[Dexterity|Dex]] to 20. 
* [[File: Alert Icon.png |frameless|upright=0.1|24px]] '''Alert''' to win initiative reliably.

Make sure to drink an [[File: Elixir of Bloodlust.png |frameless|upright=0.1|24px]][[Elixir of Bloodlust]] after each long rest.<br>
Getting someone to cast [[File: Bless Icon.png |frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Bless]] [[Bless]] and/or [[File: Haste Icon.png |frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link= Haste]] [[Haste]] on you will be nice as well.<br>
Enjoy an extremely high damage spread over multiple attacks, all from a relatively safe distance.

=== Mid-game numbers ===
''Check assumptions in the Math section below.''

Overall [[File:Class Fighter Battle Master Badge Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Battle Master]][[Battle Master]] brings about '''50% damage increase''' on top of the core Sharpshooter build.


[[File:Fighting Style Archery Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px]] '''Archery''' provides a +2 bonus to {{Attack Roll}}s you make with ranged [[Weapons]] - '''10% damage increase'''.

4 x [[File:Superiority Die d8 Icon.png|frameless|25px]] '''Superiority Dice''' provide 4 x {{DamageText|1d8|Piercing}} damage per short rest. This averages to 2 x {{DamageText|4.5|Piercing}} damage per turn, almost 50% of an '''Attack''' - about '''10% damage increase'''.

From an extra feat of [[File:PassiveFeature Generic.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Feats#Available Feats]] '''Ability Improvement''' having '''[[Dexterity]]+2''' will give +5% chance to hit and +1 damage (about +5% damage) - '''total of 10% damage increase'''.

For the turn where [[File:Action Surge Icon 64px.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Action Surge]] [[Action Surge]] is used, 2 additional Attacks will result in 40% damage increase. Per turn, for a battle, it brings around '''20% damage increase'''.

=== Late-game numbers ===
At level 11 you are getting one more [[File:Extra Attack Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Extra Attack]] [[Extra Attack]] now making 3 Attacks for each {{action}}.

Having on average 2.5 {{action}}s per turn will result in 2.5 additional '''Attacks''' per turn - about '''50% damage increase'''.

This brings damage of [[File:Class Fighter Battle Master Badge Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Battle Master]][[Battle Master]] version of '''Sharpshooter''' on next level, compared to all other version at level 11 and beyond.

=== Late Heavy Crossbow ===
The main argument for having [[File:Hand Crossbows Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link= Hand Crossbows]] [[Hand Crossbows]] in each hand is an extra attack on a {{action|bonus}}. With level 11, doing 3 '''Attacks''' on each {{action}}, you will have on average about 9 '''Attacks''' per turn. This warrants switching to a [[File:Heavy Crossbows Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link= Hand Crossbows]] [[Heavy Crossbow]] and using your {{action|bonus}} for non-attacking purposes.<br>
[[File:Heavy Crossbows Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link= Hand Crossbows]] [[Heavy Crossbows]] do, on average, 2 damage more compared to [[File:Hand Crossbows Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link= Hand Crossbows]] [[Hand Crossbows]]. For 9 Attacks this is '''additional 18 damage''' which comes close to doing an additional attack on a {{action|bonus}} with a [[File:Hand Crossbows Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link= Hand Crossbows]] [[Hand Crossbow]] setup.<br>
For your [[File:Action Surge Icon 64px.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Action Surge]] [[Action Surge]] turn this is additional 24 damage which fully equalises with an additional {{action|bonus}} attack.

On top of this, [[File:Heavy Crossbows Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link= Hand Crossbows]] [[Heavy Crossbow]] will give you a [[File:Brace (Ranged) Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link= Hand Crossbows]] [[Brace (Ranged)]] ability.

Even more -  now you have your {{action|bonus}} free. You can use it for repositioning, getting utility, etc. By this level you should have a lot of items granting you all sorts of additional abilities that require a {{action|bonus}}.

== [[File:Assassin Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.15|link=Assassin]][[Assassin]] version ==
This variation is an ultimate first turn burst build but it comes into play only at level 8 and above.<br>
{{SAI|Assassinate: Initiative|w=40}} + {{SAI|Assassinate: Ambush|w=40}} provide a ton of damage potential but require [[File:Extra Attack Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Extra Attack]] [[Extra Attack]] from another martial class.

Classical martial pick is a [[File:Gloom Stalker Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.10|24px|link= Gloom Stalker]][[Gloom Stalker]] ranger. An alternative with a [[File:Class Fighter Battle Master Badge Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.10|24px|link=Battle Master]][[Battle Master]] fighter is discussed a bit further below.

=== Build ===
Put first 5 levels into {{Class|Ranger}}.

Get your starting [[Dexterity|Dex]] to 16 (or 17 if your are going for a +1 from the Hag).

Get yourself 2 x [[File:Hand Crossbows Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link= Hand Crossbows]] [[Hand Crossbows]].

Pick any {{Icon|PassiveFeature FavoredEnemy BountyHunter.png|24|link=Ranger#Level 1}} [[Ranger#Level 1|Favoured Enemy]].<br>
Select any {{Icon|PassiveFeature NaturalExplorer BeastTamer.png|24|link=Ranger#Level 1}} [[Ranger#Level 1|Natural Explorer]].

At level 2 pick an [[File:Fighting Style Archery Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px]] '''Archery''' [[Fighting Style]].

At level 3 take the [[File:Gloom Stalker Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Gloom Stalker]][[Gloom Stalker]] subclass.

At level 4 pick [[File: Sharpshooter Icon.png |frameless|upright=0.1|24px]] '''Sharpshooter''' as your [[File:PassiveFeature Generic.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Feats#Available Feats]] [[Feats|Feat]] and toggle the passive on.

At level 6 subclass by selecting {{Class|Rogue}} leaving {{Class|Ranger}} at level 5.

At level 8 ({{Class|Rogue}} level 3) take the [[File:Assassin Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Assassin]][[Assassin]] subclass.

At level 9 ({{Class|Rogue}} level 4) get another [[File:PassiveFeature Generic.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Feats#Available Feats]] [[Feats|feat]]. You can select whatever you like. Some good options include:
* [[File:PassiveFeature Generic.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Feats#Available Feats]] '''Ability Improvement''' to get your [[Dexterity|Dex]] to 20. 

Levels 10 to 12 put into the {{Class|Ranger}} getting one more [[File:PassiveFeature Generic.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Feats#Available Feats]] [[Feats|feat]].

Make sure to drink an [[File: Elixir of Bloodlust.png |frameless|upright=0.1|24px]][[Elixir of Bloodlust]] after each long rest.<br>
Getting someone to cast [[File: Bless Icon.png |frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Bless]] [[Bless]] and/or [[File: Haste Icon.png |frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link= Haste]] [[Haste]] on you will be nice as well.<br>
Enjoy an extremely high burst damage on your first turn which allows to wipe several enemies before they even have a chance to act.

Try to always [[File: Surprised Condition Icon.webp |frameless|upright=0.1|24px]] [[Initiative#Surprise|surprise]] your enemies by attacking them from the outside of their cone of vision. Guaranteed [[Critical Hit|crit]] on {{SmIconLink|Surprised Condition Icon.webp|Surprised (Condition)|surprised}} enemies adds a lot of damage.

=== Mid-game numbers ===
''Check assumptions in the Math section below.''

Overall [[File:Assassin Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Assassin]][[Assassin]] brings about '''73% damage increase''' on top of the core Sharpshooter build but most of this increase happens during the first turn.

[[File:Fighting Style Archery Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px]] '''Archery''' provides a +2 bonus to {{Attack Roll}}s you make with ranged [[Weapons]] - '''10% damage increase'''.

[[File:Sneak Attack (Ranged) Icon 64px.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Sneak Attack]] [[Sneak Attack]] (for a level 3 or 4 {{Class|Rogue}}) adds additional {{DamageText|+2d6 (avg 7)|Piercing}} damage to 1 attack per turn - about '''7% damage increase'''.

From an extra feat of [[File:PassiveFeature Generic.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Feats#Available Feats]] '''Ability Improvement''' having '''[[Dexterity]]+2''' will give +5% chance to hit and +1 damage - '''total of 10% damage increase'''.

[[File:Action DreadAmbusher Ranged.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Gloom Stalker#level 3]] [[Gloom Stalker#level 3|Dread Ambusher]] gives whole additional attack (+20% damage) and {{DamageText|+1d8 (avg 4.5)|Piercing} to this attack (+4.5% damage) for a total of about 24.5% damage increase but since it happens only once per battle - about '''8% damage increase'''.

{{SAI|Assassinate: Initiative|w=40}} gives your {{Advantage}} against creatures that haven't taken a turn yet. With this build you are going to win initiative almost always, so you will have {{Advantage}} against everyone.<br>
{{Advantage}} gives your roughly 50% of your turn in value but for [[File:Action Attack Ranged Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Ranged Attack]] [[Ranged Attack|range attacks]] it is quite easy to get {{Advantage}} in other ways, so this feature provides only about 50% of value, as another 50% of the time you will be able to get {{Advantage}} by other means - so only 25% of your turn in value. Spread over 3 turns it results in about '''8% damage increase'''.

{{SAI|Assassinate: Ambush|w=40}} makes a hit against any {{SmIconLink|Surprised Condition Icon.webp|Surprised (Condition)|surprised}} enemy a guaranteed [[Critical Hit|crit]]. By nature this can happen only during the first turn of the battle and you will be the first in initiative, hence having {{Advantage}} from the {{SAI|Assassinate: Initiative|w=40}} ability. Chance of landing a [[Critical Hit|crit]] while having an {{Advantage}} is about 10%, so {{SAI|Assassinate: Ambush|w=40}} adds 90% on top. Spread over 3 turns it results in about '''30% damage increase'''.

== Honorable mentions ==
[[File:Beast Master Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.15|link=Beast Master]]'''[[Beast Master]]''': overall a viable alternative for the {{Class|Ranger}} approach.<br>
This subclass does not bring improvements to the range combat per se. Still beasts are strong and overall [[File:Beast Master Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Beast Master]] [[Beast Master]] version will bring both firepower as well as survivability and flexibility to the party.


[[File:Class Fighter Champion Badge Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.15|link=Champion]]'''[[Champion]]''': an alternative option for the {{Class|Fighter}} approach.<br>
Main benefit of this version is an [[Improved Critical Hit]] (equivalent to about 5% overall damage increase). For a ranged build a [[File: Class Fighter Champion Badge Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link= Champion]] [[Champion]] is more interesting than for a melee one - there are a lot of ways to guarantee crits for melee strikers in bg3. Still [[File: Class Fighter Battle Master Badge Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link= Battle Master]] [[Battle Master]] [[#Level 3|Manoeuvers]] provide a comparable damage increase together with a ton of utility and flexibility.<br>
Do note that [[File: Class Fighter Champion Badge Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link= Champion]] [[Champion]] subclass makes more sense for this build if you try to minimise amount of long & short rests.


[[File:Class Bard Valour Badge Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.15|link=College of Valour]]'''[[College of Valour]]''': an option for a {{Class|Bard}} approach.<br>
This variation brings a full caster in addition to getting 2 attacks (as a {{Class|Ranger}} or a {{Class|Fighter}}), especially - ability to utilise {{Concentration}} way better since {{Class|Bard}}s get a lot of great spells like [[File: Hold Person Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link= Hold Person]] [[Hold Person]], [[File: Glyph of Warding Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link= Glyph of Warding]] [[Glyph of Warding]], etc.<br>
Main downside - [[File:Bardic Inspiration Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Bardic Inspiration]] [[Bardic Inspiration]] cannot be used on yourself. In the end while using all cool spells and abilities {{Class|Bard}} ends up not doing actual damage.<br>
{{Class|Bard}} variation definitely trades some damage potential for support and utility.


[[File:Thief Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.15|link=Thief]]'''[[Thief]]''': an option for a {{Class|Rogue}} approach (without multiclasses).<br>
Main selling point of this variation is that [[File:Thief Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Thief]] [[Thief|Thiefs]] get an extra {{action|bonus}} which can be used to make yet another attack. In addition, investing all 12 levels into {{Class|Rogue}} makes Sneak Attack quite powerful.<br>
The downside is that {{Class|Rogue}} does not get an [[File:Extra Attack Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Extra Attack]] [[Extra Attack]]. While improved [[File:Sneak Attack (Ranged) Icon 64px.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link= Sneak Attack]] [[Sneak Attack]] packs a lot of damage, [[File:Sneak Attack (Ranged) Icon 64px.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link= Sneak Attack]] [[Sneak Attack]] can be used only once per turn and cannot make up for missing [[File:Extra Attack Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Extra Attack]] [[Extra Attack]]s - doing just 3 Attacks with 3 {{action|action}}s instead of 6 or 9 Attacks makes the total damage of this build variation plummet.<br>
It's just much better to invest all levels into a {{Class|Fighter}} and instead of one {{action|bonus}} get 2 additional attacks per each {{action}}.

== Assumptions for Math ==
To be able to compare build variations, some assumptions on the combat length, amount of actions per turn, etc. have to be made. Assumptions taken for this guide down were selected based on an empiric experience with the game.

Assumptions:
* [[File:Slow Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px]] Combat length: 3 turns
* [[File:Extra Attack Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px]] Total Attacks per turn: 5
* [[File:Piercing Damage Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px]] Total Damage per turn: 100
* {{action}}s per turn: 2
* [[File:Extra Attack Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px]] Attacks per action: 2
* [[File:Extra Attack Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px]] Attacks per bonus action: 1
* [[File:Piercing Damage Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px]] Damage per attack: 20
* [[File:Lightning Arrow Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px]] Critical multiplier: x2

Quick reference:
* Once-per-battle abilities contribute only 1/3 of their damage
* +1 action per turn = +40% to damage
* +1 attack per action = +40% to damage
* +1 damage per attack = +5% to damage
* +1% critical chance = +1% to damage
* +1% to accuracy = +1% to damage
* +1 Dexterity = +1 damage and +5% accuracy = +10% to damage

=== [[File:Slow Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|32px]] Combat length: 3 turns ===
Combat in BG3 lasts typically for 1-4 turns.<br>'''Sharpshooter''' build brings a lot of damage so if you have good buffing support and/or damage-focused party, your average combat length will be probably around 2 turns.<br>
Still, to be on the safe side, 3 turns are assumed in this guide which will be more than enough for your to even solo kill most of encounters with this build.

=== {{action}}s per turn: 2 ===
While all characters have 1 {{action}} per turn, [[File:Haste Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px]] [[Hastened (Condition)|Hastened]], [[File: Elixir of Bloodlust.png |frameless|upright=0.1|24px]][[Elixir of Bloodlust]] and [[File:Action Surge Icon 64px.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Action Surge]] [[Action Surge]] can give up to 3 additional {{action}}s.<br>
Excluding [[File:Action Surge Icon 64px.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Action Surge]] [[Action Surge]] (as it's {{Class|Fighter}} specific) we are left with 1-3 {{action}}s per turn.<br>
Since [[File: Elixir of Bloodlust.png |frameless|upright=0.1|24px]][[Elixir of Bloodlust]] has a condition for triggering and [[File:Haste Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px]] [[Hastened (Condition)|Hastened]] requires buffing, 3 {{action}}s per turn will not be always possible.<br>
Hence this guide goes with 2 {{action}}s per turn.<br>
Note that in reality, you can have 3 {{action}}s per turn for a good percentage of your fights.

=== Attacks per {{action}}: 2 ===
All variations of the '''Sharpshooter''' build include a martial class that gets [[File:Extra Attack Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px]] [[Extra Attack]] and can do 2 attacks per {{action}}. Doing more than that is possible only for level 11 {{Class|Fighter}} and seems unreasonable to use as an '''average'''. Hence this guide goes with 2 attacks per {{action}} as the assumption.

=== [[File:Piercing Damage Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|32px]] Basic attack damage: 20 ===
[[File:Hand Crossbows Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link= Hand Crossbows]] [[Hand Crossbows]] by themselves do {{DamageText|1d6|Piercing}} damage, which averages at {{DamageText|3.5|Piercing}}.<br>
On top of that [[File:Dexterity Ability Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Dexterity]] [[Dexterity|Dex]] adds '''3-5''' damage with an average of {{DamageText|+4|Piercing}} damage.<br>
Weapon [[Enchantment]] typically adds {{DamageText|+1|Piercing}} damage.<br>
[[File: Sharpshooter Icon.png |frameless|upright=0.1|24px]] [[Sharpshooter]] adds {{DamageText|+10|Piercing}}.<br>
All together it totals to {{DamageText|18.5|Piercing}} which is rounded to {{DamageText|20|Piercing}}.<br>
In reality you character can have multiple items adding even more damage on top of each hit so '''20''' damage per attack sounds like a reasonable average.
@@ Line 160: / Line 160: @@
 == Honorable mentions ==
-[[File:Hunter Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.15|link=Hunter]]'''[[Hunter]]''': an good alternative for the {{Class|Ranger}} approach.<br>
-This version allows to specialise in killing huge number of low-health enemies with the [[File: Horde Breaker Ranged Icon.png |frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Horde Breaker (Ranged)]] [[Horde Breaker (Ranged)]] and [[File:Action Multiattack Volley.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Hunter#Level 11]] [[Volley]] features.<br>
-Unfortunately this requires enemies to be positioned really tight and even than the damage increase is not that much compared to the ''3 attacks per action'' of a {{Class|Fighter}}.
 [[File:Beast Master Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.15|link=Beast Master]]'''[[Beast Master]]''': overall a viable alternative for the {{Class|Ranger}} approach.<br>
 This subclass does not bring improvements to the range combat per se. Still beasts are strong and overall [[File:Beast Master Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|24px|link=Beast Master]] [[Beast Master]] version will bring both firepower as well as survivability and flexibility to the party.