This article adds new rules, subclasses, prestige classes, magic items, and more for players interested in expanding archer characters in Fifth Edition.
Here is a summary of what’s included in this article:
- Part 1. Archer Subclasses
- Barbarian Warden
- Monk Way of the Curved Arrow
- Rogue Trickshot
- Part 2. Prestige Class: The Blind Archer
- Part 3. Optional Rules
- Special Shots
- Archery Competitions
- Archer Feats
- Part 4. New Magic Items
- Part 5. New Weapon of Legacy: The Crimson Bow
- Part 6. Archer Units
Part 2: The Blind Archer Prestige Class
What would you give up to be the best in your chosen field of expertise? Gold? Reputation? What about your eyesight? That is what the Blind Archer has chosen to surrender in exchange for unerring accuracy with a bow.
Blind Archers are warriors that can see without seeing. They can hit targets hundreds of feet away with nothing more than their ears and instinct to guide their arrow. Their blindness drops the defenses of those who don’t know better; after all, how dangerous can a blind archer be?
Answer: very.
Becoming a Blind Archer
The Blind Archer is a prestige class, meaning that characters must meet certain requirements before they can take a level in the class.
Requirements
- Abilities: Wisdom 13 or higher
- Feats: Sharpshooter
- Proficiency Bonus: +3 (before you take a level in this class)
- Skills: Proficiency in Wisdom (Perception).
- Weapon Proficiencies: Proficiency in shortbow or longbow.
- Special: Must be permanently blind. If a character’s eyesight returns after taking levels in this prestige class, the character loses all of the benefits of the class.
The Blind Archer
| Blind Archer Level | Features |
| 1st | Bonus Proficiencies, Heightened Senses |
| 2nd | Patient Soul |
| 3rd | Ability Score Improvement |
| 4th | Echolocation (10 ft.) |
| 5th | Killer Instinct |
| 6th | Extra Shot |
| 7th | Ability Score Increase |
| 8th | Echolocation (30 ft.) |
| 9th | Lucky Shot |
| 10th | Rapid Shot |
Class Features
You gain a suite of abilities designed to turn your perceived weakness into a strength. All of the following are features of the Blind Archer prestige class.
Hit Points
Hit Dice: 1d10 per blind archer level
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d10 (or 6) + your Constitution modifier per blind archer level
Heightened Senses
Starting at 1st level, as long as you can hear, you gain the following benefits:
- You do not have disadvantage on attack rolls made with ranged weapons as a result of being blind.
- When you make a ranged weapon attack, you can use your Wisdom modifier instead of Strength and Dexterity for the attack and damage rolls.
- As long as you are wearing light armor and not wielding a shield, you gain a bonus to your AC equal to your Wisdom modifier.
- You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) rolls that rely on hearing.
Patient Soul
Beginning at 2nd level, you have advantage on saving throws against illusion spells. Your heightened senses also cause you to gain proficiency in Wisdom saving throws. If you already have this proficiency, you instead gain proficiency in Intelligence or Charisma saving throws (your choice).
Ability Score Improvement
When you reach 3rd level, and again at 7th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can’t increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.
Echolocation
Starting at 4th level, if you are able to hear, you are aware of anything happening within 10 feet of you, and can perceive hidden or invisible creatures as if you could see them.
At 8th level, this blindsense increases to a range of 30 feet.
Killer Instinct
At 5th level, your heightened senses are so honed that you have advantage on initiative rolls.
Extra Shot
Beginning at 6th level, when you use the Attack action to make a ranged weapon attack, you can make an additional ranged weapon attack as part of the same Attack action.
Lucky Shot
Despite your perceived handicap, your shots are capable of hitting even the most unlikely of targets. At 9th level, whenever you make a ranged attack roll, you can choose to reroll the attack roll. You must choose to roll the extra die before the outcome is determined. You choose which of the d20s is used for the attack roll.
You can use this feature three times, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.
Rapid Shot
At 10th level, when you use the Attack action to make a ranged weapon attack, you can use your bonus action to make an additional ranged weapon attack. The rapid shot must be made at a target within 30 feet of you.
Thumbnail art by Kate Max.