This fighter subclass will need to up its game to compete with Baldur's Gate 3's Battlemaster

The fighter will receive a new subclass in Baldur's Gate 3 in 2025 in the form of the arcane archer. This is exciting news for players looking to create a ranged character, as Many of the game's martial classes lack features that specifically improve ranged weapon attacks. Dungeons and Dragons tabletop players, however, may be skeptical, as the arcane archer doesn't have a stellar reputation.

Inside D&Dthe arcane archer is probably one of the worst subclass choices for fighters, simply because it is overshadowed by the other options. In particular, the battlemaster can do almost everything the arcane archer can do but better, and since the battlemaster is already the best fighter subclass in BG3the archer will need major improvements to make it worthwhile.

Arcane Shot Often misses its target

The main characteristic of this archer is the lack of power

While it's almost certain that the exact mechanics of the arcane archer will change somewhat for Baldur's Gate 3the subclass features described in Xanathar's Guide to Everything paint a clear picture of why this subclass is considered missing. At third level, it grants extra ability proficiency and a free cantrip spell, which is good enough, but Its main feature is arcane shooting, which works like the battle master's maneuvers.

The archer learns two mystery shooting techniques and can choose to apply one of them to a ranged attack after hitting. The effects are nothing to scoff at; they are capable of dealing extra necrotic damage, enchanting targets, or even temporarily banishing them. The main problem, however, is that the arcane archer can only use these shots twice before needing to rest for a while to use more of them.

Battle Master techniques work just as well for ranged characters

Maneuvers tend to outperform arcane shots

The arcane archer has a few more options at higher levels, including the ability to make ranged attacks by ignoring resistance to physical damage and redirecting missed shotsbut arcane shooting powers are its bread and butter. And although they learn a few more shooting techniques from the list as they level up, this power remains underwhelming compared to the maneuvers battle masters can use.

The maneuvers can be used four times per short rest instead of two, the battlemaster learns more of them at third level, and most of them can be used in ranged and melee attacks. They may underperform slightly compared to arcane shots in terms of damage, but their additional effects are close, if not as strong, and ranged characters in BG3 are already quite effective with the Battle Master subclass. As written, the arcane archer is simply not strong enough to warrant control of the battlemaster fighter for almost any character.

Arcane archer needs an upgrade

This subclass requires some changes to be worth doing

There are, however, some obvious ways to make the arcane archer more competitive. The first would be let them learn one or two additional shooting techniques at the third level, giving players more versatility right out of the box. A second possible change is to allow them to use these shots four times per short rest, equal to the number of maneuvers a battle master can use. Arcane shots tend to do more damage, but are also more limited in the types of attacks they can be applied to.

With changes as simple as this, this subclass can be great for Baldur's Gate 3 archers to use. Considering how many mechanics Larian has already changed by adapting D&D in video game format, doing something like this shouldn't cause any problems. Still, it remains to be seen how exactly any of the next 12 subclasses will be implemented in Baldur's Gate 3, and whether they will receive significant updates to their TTRPG versions.

Source: Larian Studios/YouTube