This Fighter Subclass Will Need To Step Up Its Game To Compete With Baldur’s Gate 3’s Battlemaster

screenrant.com:

The fighter will be receiving a new subclass in in 2025 in the form of the arcane archer. This is exciting news for players who want to create a ranged character, as many of the martial classes in the game lack features that specifically enhance ranged weapon attacks. tabletop players, however, may be skeptical, as the arcane archer does not have a stellar reputation.

Within, the arcane archer is probably one of the worst subclass picks for fighters, simply because it is overshadowed by the other options. In particular, the battlemaster can do almost everything that the arcane archer does but better, and since the battle master is already the best fighter subclass in, the archer will need some big improvements in order to be worth taking.

While the exact mechanics of the arcane archer are almost guaranteed to change somewhat for, the subclass features described in paint a clear picture of why this subclass is considered lacking. At third level, it grants an extra skill proficiency and free cantrip spell, which is nice enough, butits main feature is arcane shot, which works somewhat like the battle master's maneuvers.

The rules for the arcane archer specifically state that the arcane shots can only be used for shortbows and longbows, a weird limitation that excludes crossbow users.

The archer learns two arcane shot techniques and can choose to apply one of them to a ranged attack after they hit. The effects are nothing to scoff at; they are able to deal extra necrotic damage, charm targets, or even banish them temporarily. The main issue, however, is that the arcane archer can only use these shots twice before needing to have a short rest in order to use more of them.

The arcane archer gets a few more options at higher levels, including the ability to make ranged attacks ignore physical damage resistance and redirecting missed shots, but the arcane shot powers are their bread and butter. And while they learn a few more shot techniques off the list as they level up,