Play Your Next 5E D&D Game as a Deadshot Archer Sniper

Over at Nerdarchy the YouTube channel Nerdarchists Dave and Ted take aim at a longtime audience request for an expert archer Character Build Guide for fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons. Long range mobile specialists focused on archery is a personal favorite combat strategy of mine so this CBG holds a special place in my heart. The 5E D&D Deadshot Sniper CBG hits the bullseye with all the resources in their quiver from character creation to 20th level. And the special NPC or creature version inspired by the character build for Dungeon Masters ready to drop right into your game incorporates a bit of flair from one of my most beloved character types from a previous edition, which was a lot of fun to develop for 5E D&D. So let’s get into it.

Behind the CBG — Deadshot Sniper

Our CBGs take the journey into account as much as the destination to present a guide suitable for any level of 5E D&D play whether you’re pursuing an epic campaign from start to finish, starting beyond 1st level or choosing a character for a one shot. Next we take those concepts and develop an NPC or creature version of the character build for DMs to incorporate into their games. All of this gets packaged up and laid out in a PDF you can find over at Dungeon Master’s Guild. We’ve got dozens of pay what you want products at DMG, many of them best sellers so if you want to check those out start with the Deadshot Sniper here.

All about the character story

Every CBG starts with an idea for a character with a particular schtick, from the Mind Breaker’s psyche crushing smites to the Deadshot Sniper’s complete devotion to the art of the archer. Sometimes puns and pop culture references instigate the creation of a CBG too but in this case the development remained pretty simple — shoot lots of arrows with supreme precision and dish out tons of damage to targets. The narrative arc and personal motivations for the Deadshot Sniper took off straight as an arrow starting with a worldclass professional athlete specialized as an archer. The discussion then turned to what incident drives this character to take their athletic prowess into the adventuring field and develop a unique multiclass skill set because let’s be real — nearly every one of these guides focuses on a multiclass character. As DM’s Guild Brand Manager and longtime Nerdarchy friend Lysa Penrose puts it they’re each like their own unique class for 5E D&D.

The Deadshot Sniper became a character whose skills reached the highest level possible for a competitive athlete and their attention turns to more exciting targets — monsters! A single minded devotion to the art of the archer leads them to put everything they know to the test against the most dangerous game. Mobility, ambushes and of course supreme precision stack up to make this deadly sniper unparalleled on the battlefield. We imagine their roots as an Athlete continue to play a role too, with their exploits as an adventurer pushing their celebrity status even higher than they could have imagined.

Whenever we reached a decision point, whether in terms of multiclassing or making a class feature choice we asked ourselves what option gives this character opportunities to fire more arrows or deal more damage with them. As the Deadshot Sniper advances they continuously increase their mobility, stealth and of course hard hitting archer skills.

Deadshot Sniper NPC for 5E D&D

Full disclosure — the NPCs and creatures we make in CBGs are some of my favorite bits of 5E D&D content to create. Basically we step back and look at the character guide to find the standout features, the ones that feel like signature abilities. The juice! From there we consider what sort of person or people would possess or gain these abilities and build a stat block around them. More often than not the section of a CBG For Dungeon Masters presents a generic creature, often a member of an organization. Nerdarchist Dave loves including organizations into game material because it’s a great way for players to hook into the world.

Most Dangerous Game. Deadshot Snipers stalk the remote wilderness, protecting the lands of their people from monsters and unwanted visitors. This can bring them into conflict with all manner of creatures, including adventurers! A Deadshot Sniper may track creatures for days or even weeks, misdirecting their travel and setting obstacles in their path.

Book of Grudges. A sentient creature who despoils a Deadshot Sniper’s hunt or interferes with their quarry might find themselves with an implacable foe who turns their hunter’s instincts on the transgressor. Depending on the severity of the affront this can become a lifelong grudge ending only when the sniper eliminates their target.

“Wily Target (Recharge 6). Whenever the Deadshot Sniper provokes an opportunity attack during its turn it can use its reaction to spring an ensnaring trap on its attacker. The attack is made with disadvantage and the attacker must succeed on a DC 14 Strength or Dexterity saving throw (its choice) or be restrained until the start of its next turn.”

If your next 5E D&D game needs a character to range far and wide to strike at key targets with power and precision — whether you’re the DM or a player — check out the Deadshot Sniper CBG here.