Spellslinger Martial Archetype

An arcane focus is just another weapon to utilize using the same deft precision required for ranged weaponry. Because you understand magic in this way, you've honed the simplest spells into deadly pieces of ammunition for your spellcasting implements.

Subclass Features

Magic Loadout

3rd-level Spellslinger feature
You gain proficiency in the Arcana skill and your choice of jeweler's tools or woodcarver's tools. You also learn four cantrips of your choice from any spell list. At 7th, 10th, 15th, and 18th level, you learn an additional cantrip of your choice. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Whenever you gain a level in this class, you can replace one of these cantrip with another from any spell list.

Spellslinging

3rd-level Spellslinger feature
Cantrips you cast can use Dexterity as its spellcasting ability.

At 18th level, any spell you cast can use this feature.

Weaponized Focus

3rd-level Spellslinger feature
You treat an arcane focus as a simple ranged weapon with the Special property.

Special. You can cast a cantrip with the following changes as the item's weapon attack:

  • It gains no benefit being casted at higher levels.
  • Its weapon damage's added ability modifier becomes your spellcasting ability modifier and is applied to one damage roll that doesn’t already add an ability modifier.

"When Attacking with a weapon, you add your ability modifier—the same modifier used for the Attack roll—to the damage" (Basic Rules: Damage and Healing, p. 77).

Martial Mage

7th-level Spellslinger feature
Whenever you take the Attack action on your turn, you can cast one of your cantrips in place of one of those attacks.

At 18th level, this can instead be a spell cast at 1st-level.

Esoteric Tools Savant

7th-level Spellslinger feature
You ignore the class requirements of arcane foci you attempt to attune to and spell scrolls you attempt to read. Additionally, choose one of the following options to gain the benefits of:

  • Scholar. Spells you cast from a magic item can instead use your Magic Loadout's spell attack bonus and save DC.

  • Spellblade. You can treat any weapon as an arcane focus.

Arcane Resistance

10th-level Spellslinger feature
While holding an arcane focus, you add your Intelligence modifier (minimum of 1) to saving throws you make against spells. Moreover, the cantrips you cast ignore effects similar to the spells Antimagic Field, Counterspell, and Dispel Magic.

Incanted Bombardment

15th-level Spellslinger feature
You can use your action to make an attack with an arcane focus against any number of creatures within 10 feet of a point you can see within 60 feet of you. Each spell cast with your Weaponized Focus in place of any of these attacks ignores the limit of its range and can only affect one target.

Esoteric Martial Mage

18th-level Spellslinger feature
If a spell you cast with Martial Mage is cast from a magic item, the item can ignore changes it gains upon use—such as crumbling to dust or reducing its charges—so long as it does not restore hit points to a target with more than 0 hit points.


Art By Geo K Art

Subclass By Geo K

Additional Notes For Spellslinger

This page is not Open Games Liscence compliant but provides clarifications and bonus content.

Rulings & Reminders

Spellcaster Fighter

A spellslinger fighter should count as a spellcaster for the purpose of determining what you can use and attune to.

Saving Throw Attacks

Feats, features, and bonuses relying on attack rolls—such as the sharpshooter feat, the sneak attack feature, or the archery fighting style—could affect spells that require a saving throw when casted using your Weaponized Focus only if the dungeon master applies the attack bonuses and penalties to the spell save DC.

Sharpshooter Blade-Casting

Sharpshooter could work with the Booming Blade or Green-Flame Blade cantrip if the melee weapon brandished as a part of the spell is the arcane focus (usually a staff but can be any weapon while you have the Magus Arcane Style). A dungeon master may choose to ignore this ruling.


Art By Matt Stewart

Quick Builds

Arcane Artillery (Arcane Focus)

You can make a Spellslinger Fighter quickly by following these suggestions. First, make Dexterity your highest ability score, followed by Constitution, then Intelligence. Second, choose the sage background.

  • Fighting Style: Archery
  • Magic Loadout: Chill Touch, Fire Bolt, Light, Mage Hand, Message, Minor Illusion, Prestidigitation, Ray of Frost
  • Esoteric Tools Savant: Scholar
  • Feats (if available): Elemental Adept, Ritual Caster (wizard), Sharpshooter, Spell Sniper, War Caster

War Witch (Heavy Reach Polearm)

You can make a Spellslinger Fighter quickly by following these suggestions. First, make Strength your highest ability score, followed by Constitution, then Intelligence. Second, choose the soldier background.

  • Fighting Style: Archery
  • Magic Loadout: Blade Ward, Booming Blade, Eldritch Blast, Green-Flame Blade, Mind Sliver, Sword Burst, Thorn Whip, Vicious Mockery
  • Esoteric Tools Savant: Spellblade
  • Feats (if available): Great Weapon Master, Polearm Master, Sentinel, Spell Sniper, War Caster

Subclass By Geo K