Stealth Archer is Perfectly Balanced in Honour Mode - Baldur's Gate 3

Summary

This video provides a detailed and strategic guide for creating an ultra-powerful ranged stealth character in *Baldur's Gate 3*. Combining the Ranger, Rogue, Cleric, and Fighter classes, the build focuses on maximizing surprise attacks, critical hits, and stealth through a variety of synergies between abilities, equipment, and buffs. Key elements include using the *Gloomstalker* subclass for extra attacks, the *Assassin* subclass for guaranteed critical hits, and powerful gear that amplifies damage. The player also employs combat techniques like recycling combat and using invisibility to remain undetected and devastating in battle.

Takeaways

• 😀 **Criminal Background** and **Ranger Class** are essential for the Stealth Archer build, providing a strong foundation with Stealth and combat bonuses.
• 😀 **Dexterity 17** is crucial for improving damage and attack rolls, while **Constitution 16** ensures higher HP for solo runs. For party play, prioritize **Wisdom 16**.
• 😀 **Sharpshooter** increases damage by 10 at the cost of -5 attack rolls; counterbalance this with items like the **Risky Ring** for better accuracy.
• 😀 **Gloomstalker Subclass** at Level 3 gives a significant **+3 initiative**, an extra attack with **1d8 damage**, and enhanced mobility, making it a core feature for first-round dominance.
• 😀 **Assassin Subclass** at Level 8 enables **Surprise Round Critical Hits**, making attacks against surprised enemies always critical, boosting damage output dramatically.
• 😀 **Rogue Multiclass** at Level 6 unlocks **Sneak Attack** for bonus damage, and **Cunning Action** (Dash) allows more tactical positioning in combat.
• 😀 **Ability Score Improvement** at Level 9 boosts **Dexterity** to 20, significantly improving both attack accuracy and damage.
• 😀 **Fighter Multiclass** at Level 11 gives **Action Surge**, providing an additional action each turn for more flexibility and extra damage potential.
• 😀 Key equipment like the **Time String Bow** and **Risky Ring** are critical for maximizing damage and accuracy. Be sure to collect these early in the game.
• 😀 **Stealth Tactics** such as using the **Shift key** to track enemy vision and repositioning to max range allow you to fire without being detected, ensuring safe attacks from afar.
• 😀 **Combat Recycling** through **Gloomstalker**, **Invisibility**, and **Assassin abilities** enables you to repeat your best abilities and reset combat encounters for continual damage without risking detection.

Q & A

What is the core strategy behind this build?

The core strategy revolves around maximizing damage output while staying undetected through stealth mechanics, using abilities like 'Dread Ambusher' and 'Assassinate' to gain advantage and critical hits against surprised enemies. The build also includes the use of specialized gear and potions to enhance attack damage and stealth.

What class combination is used in this build, and why?

The build uses a combination of Ranger, Rogue, Cleric, and Fighter classes. Ranger provides the foundation for archery and stealth, Rogue enhances mobility and critical damage with skills like 'Cunning Action' and 'Assassin', Cleric offers additional attacks and buffs, and Fighter adds survivability and action economy through 'Action Surge'.

Why is Gloomstalker the recommended Ranger subclass?

Gloomstalker is ideal for this build because it boosts initiative by +3 and increases movement speed, making it easier to control the turn order and act first. Additionally, it provides an extra attack during the first round of combat, which synergizes well with the build's focus on surprise and critical hits.

How does the 'Assassin' Rogue subclass complement this build?

The 'Assassin' subclass enhances the build by ensuring that attacks against surprised enemies are critical hits, significantly increasing damage. It also synergizes with the stealth mechanics, allowing the player to deal massive damage with guaranteed criticals on ambush attacks.

What role does the 'Time String' bow play in this build?

The 'Time String' bow is a key piece of equipment, boosting the player's attack and damage output. The bow's special ability scales with the player's Dexterity and Strength modifiers, making it ideal for maximizing damage, especially when combined with other gear enhancements like the 'Greater Invisibility' spell.

How does the build ensure it can attack infinitely in combat?

The build can attack infinitely due to the synergy between 'Greater Invisibility', 'Gloomstalker', and 'Action Surge'. The player can repeatedly attack without breaking stealth, using invisibility to reset combat and keep enemies unaware of their position, while 'Action Surge' provides extra actions for more attacks.

What is the importance of the 'Risky Ring' in this build?

The 'Risky Ring' is crucial because it grants advantage on attack rolls while imposing disadvantage on saving throws. It improves the player's hit rate, negates penalties to accuracy, and is especially important for maximizing damage with ranged attacks, making it a must-have item for solo runs.

How does the 'Aura of Murder' benefit the player in combat?

The 'Aura of Murder' makes enemies within a 2-meter radius vulnerable to piercing damage, effectively doubling the damage dealt. This aura is especially powerful when combined with critical hit effects, amplifying the player's overall damage output significantly.

What are some key techniques for maintaining stealth during combat?

To maintain stealth, the player can use various techniques like staying out of enemies' sightlines, moving quickly between cover, and utilizing abilities like 'Invisibility' or 'Gloomstalker'. Additionally, the use of hotkeys like Shift to monitor enemy vision cones and Control to track attack ranges helps ensure the player can stay undetected while attacking from max range.

What are the best equipment choices for maximizing damage in this build?

Key equipment includes the 'Risky Ring' for improved attack rolls, 'Time String' for high damage output, 'Aura of Murder' for enhanced piercing damage, and 'Crater Flash Glasses' for additional force damage on critical hits. The 'Stormy Clamor Boots' and 'Cloak of Hill John String' further enhance the build's effectiveness in solo runs and combat encounters.