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The renegade fighter from the Runeterra setting ofFifth EditionDungeons & Dragonsis a gun-toting, swashbuckling scoundrel who builds fearsome firearms out of arcane scraps to deal out high-powered ranged attacks on their foes. The renegade is not afraid to fight a dirty and gruesome battle, using elemental upgrades and explosives to destroy their enemies.
Whether you play the up-close and blasting pistoleer or the deadly sniper, you will deal devastating damage as a renegade fighter. While not the most honorable class, this is surely one of the most dangerous and satisfying subclasses of fighter that you can play.
Features Of A Renegade Fighter
Scoundrel’s Wit
When you choose this subclass at third level, you choose two skills fromDeception, Persuasion, or Sleight of Hand.You gain proficiency in those two skills.
Gunfighter Form
Also at third level, youchoose between two styles of firearm.Each style grants certain benefits and will grow more powerful as you gain levels. Thepistoleerstyle gives you more attacks per turn, while thesniperstyle gives you high damage levels from a single shot.
You are automatically proficient in the firearm you choose. You treat your attacks as ranged attacks and use your Dexterity bonus.
Weapon Of Choice
Finally at third level, you chooseone minor and one major upgradefrom thefirearm upgrades listthat applies to your weapon. You gain additional upgrades at higher levels: one minor upgrade at fifth level and one major upgrade at eleventh level.
Cunning Shot
At seventh level, all the damage from your firearm and your firearm upgradesignores resistances and immunities.
This is an extremely powerful ability that gives you a high-powered damage ability.
Grin And Bear It
At tenth level, thesecond windfeature that you have as a fighter grows more powerful. When you use this feature, you gain a one pointbonus to your Armor Class and yourmovement speed increasesby ten feet until the start of your next turn.
Right Gun For The Job
At fifteenth level you canreplace your firearm upgradesat the end of every long rest.
Use this ability toadapt your build to your party’s plansand fighting style, and feel free to try out different options!
Light ‘Em Up
At eighteenth level, you gain the ability torig an explosiononce per short or long rest.
As a bonus action, you can either set down an explosive and detonate it from up to 60 feet away, or you can throw it 30 feet where it will explode immediately.
The explosion has a 15 foot radius. All creatures in this radius must make a Dexterity saving throw to beat your Firearm Upgrade DC. On a failed save a creature takes12d6 force damage,and they take half as much on a successful one.
Best Firearm Upgrades For A Renegade Fighter
Pistoleer As a pistoleer firingmultiple rounds in close rangeevery round, you will want upgrades that suitshort-range combatand give your shots the best chances of hitting every time.
Description
Blade and Black Powder
This upgrade is built for the close-quarters combat of a pistoleer. It allows you toignore disadvantageon your ranged attacks when you are within five feet of an enemy.
Also, when you use your action to attack with your firearm you canuse your bonus action to make a melee attackagainst any creature in melee range, using your Dexterity modifier. You deal 1d6 + your Dexterity modifier piercing damge.
Crosshairs
This upgrade isonly available once you reach fifth level.If you do not move on your turn, you may use your bonus action to steady your sights andgrant yourself advantage on all attacksuntil the end of your turn.
This is a great upgrade since you will usually beattacking multiple timeson your turn, so having advantage on multiple attacks will increase your chances of having each one hit home.
Barrage
This upgrade lets you use your action tofire rapidly in a 15-foot coneonce per short or long rest.
Each creature in this cone must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw, taking3d10 + your Dexterity modifier piercing damageon a failed save or half as much on a successful one.
Lightning Round
This upgrade lets you use your action to fire a30-foot line of lightningfrom your firearm once per short or long rest.
Each creature in this line must make a Dexterity saving throw, taking3d8 lightning damage on a failedsave or half as much on a successful one.
Sniper
As a sniper, you will want upgrades thatbenefit your long-range shotsand maximize the impact of your powerful sniping attacks.
Collateral Damage
This upgrade is only available to the sniper form andmakes your bullets explosive, allowing you to target more than one creature each turn.
When you hit a creature with an attack,all creatures within five feetmust make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, they take1d6 piercing damage.
Double Barrel
This upgrade is only available to the sniper form, and only at fifth level. This allows you toshoot twice during a single attackaction.
You make a separate attack roll each time you shoot with this ability.
Double Up
This upgrade also lets youattack multiple creatures.You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Dexterity modifier each short or long rest.
When you hit a creature with a shot from your firearm, you’re able to cause the bullet tohit another enemy within 15 feetof the first. This target takes piercing damage equal to your Charisma modifier.
Trial By Fire
This upgrade lets you use yourbonus action to power up your weaponsuntil the start of your next turn. You can do this a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier per short or long rest.
When you hit with an attack, you candeal half your fighter level in extra fire damageto the target.
Best Fighting Styles For A Renegade Fighter
Every fighter in D&D gets to choose one fighting style, which they can retrain at certain levels. There are certain fighting styles that work best for the renegade fighter.
Archery
While you are not an archer, this fighting style lets you add a two pointbonus to all attack rollsmade with ranged weaponsand will absolutely come in handy.
Defense
This fighting style grants you a one pointbonus to your Armor Classwhile you are wearing armor. You will already have a high Armor Class since your Dexterity should be high, so this will only make you stronger.
Best Ability Scores For A Renegade Fighter
Dexterity should be your highest scoreas a renegade fighter. You use entirely ranged attacks, which rely on Dexterity, and even those class abilities that let you use melee attacks use your Dexterity modifier for attack and damage. Every one of your class abilities relies on Dexterity as well.
Takingfeats that improve your Dexterityor your proficiency with ranged weapons and firearms will help make your ranged attacks even more powerful!
Charismais used in several of your firearm upgradeabilities, and you gain proficiency in some Charisma related skills when you choose this subclass at third level. As a swashbuckling renegade, this should be your second highest ability score.
Constitution is never bad to have as a fighter.Especially if you choose the pistoleer style which will put you in melee range more often, a high Constitution to fortify hit points is a good choice.
Strength is also never badfor a fighter. You won’t use it that often as a renegade, so this certainly shouldn’t be among your highest abilities. However, putting some points into this skill will never hurt.
Wisdom and Intelligence are the scores that you can safely dump.You won’t need them for any of your class abilities, or in combat where you excel. Wisdom saves are more common, so if anything this skill should be slightly higher. However, these scores should both be your lowest.
Best Species For A Renegade Fighter
Tabaxi
As a long range fighter specializing in Dexterity, a species withhigh speed and high Dexterityis going to benefit you greatly. The tabaxi lets you choose your own ability score increases (you should chooseDexterity and Intelligence). You also gain darkvision, which will be useful for shooting.
As a tabaxi, you have a climbing speed equal to your walking speed. In addition, you can occasionally double your speed on your turn. Especially if you choose thesniper style, this ability to move quickly and position yourself in combat will definitely come in handy.
Drow
The drow is a type of dark elf that will grant you a two point increase to yourDexterityand a one point increase to yourCharisma.You also have a huge range ofdarkvision at 120 feet,which will come in handy especially if you are playing as a sniper.
The drow also grants you limited spellcasting. You gain access to theDancing Lightscantrip at first level, theFaerie Firespell at third level, and theDarknessspell at fifth level. All of these spells have a tactical benefit that will allow you to get creative during combat.
The drow does sufferdisadvantage on attack rollsif you or your target is in direct sunlight, so be aware of this disadvantage if you choose this class.
Owlin
When you are working with ranged weapons, it’s always wonderful to have a flight speed. The owlin has aflight speed of 30 feetand free proficiency in theStealthskill. This is helpful for you to line up distant shots without having to worry about opportunity attacks. It’s also helpful for staying hidden until you have to strike.
This is another species that grants120 feet of darkvision,perfect for a fighter that relies on distance.
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