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[Ranger] Dune Sentinel Archetype (Updated)
🕑 Added 2022-09-26 14:04:00 +0000 UTCI like to think my subclasses are never done - I make mistakes and the meta and needs surrounding the game often changes. That's part of the reason why I have so few subclasses: I spend a lot of time designing and testing it, both before and after they are released. For this compendium, I am re-examining three previously released ranger archetypes and updating them for the games.
The fewer changes I need to make, the more robust and timeless the design is. It seems the Dune Sentinel required the fewest changes - all it needed was minor formatting and art revisions.
Dune Sentinel Design
This ranger is themed for the desert and appeared in the From the Desert Sands compendium. It balances desert survivability with excellent offensive, debuff, and mobility features useful for a ranged hit-and-run build.
Dune Sentinel Features Overview
- Desert Wanderer - At 3rd level, the Dune Sentinel picks up a utility cantrip and some expanded desert survival flavor.
- Dune Strike - The ranger also gets an option that lets it deal either extra damage or slow enemies, which is great flavor for the "sinking into sand" feel. This flexibility also combos at 5th level when Extra Attack allows ranged rangers to both deal extra damage and slow their enemies (assuming both attacks hit). Speed reduction is generally situational, but pairs well with a bow. This feature also benefits from dual-wielding as it gives you more chances to activate the effects.
- Sand Stream - At 7th level, Dune Sentinel gets a defensive and utility option - a limited use feature allowing for both enhanced travel and combat maneuverability. This combos well with speed reduction for a hit-and-run build.
- Conjure Mirage - 11th level increases access to a 3rd level spell, similar to Fey Wanderer, as well as a bonus to Dune Strike, allowing rangers who hit twice to deal 2d6 bonus damage. This is comparable to Horizon Walker, and also further encourages two-weapon fighting.
- One with the Sand - 15th rounds it all out with a defensive feature that builds on the Sand Stream feature (compounding features really help streamline design). It's most similar to Swarmkeeper, except Swarmkeeper gets separate uses of this feature. So to make up for it, you can use a limited version of it for free (keep in mind this only applies to reaction-based uses).
![[Ranger] Dune Sentinel Archetype (Updated)](https://img5.patrefans.com/storage/11/un/qc/563145-019e84be-9e64-7ebc-bb72-8bd8073fb246.png)
![[Ranger] Dune Sentinel Archetype (Updated)](https://img5.patrefans.com/storage/1/vr/il/563145-019e84be-9e64-7fac-abcc-ab13001d0f4d.png)
