Image and PDF updated 12/10/2021.
I am excited to bring you another 5e-compatible custom subclass based on the world of Flesh and Blood. This design is powerful and more straightforward than the Pact of the Arknight for Viserai lovers.
I am offering this Ranger Archetype: Wayfarers of Aria as a pay-what-you-want download below. My goal is to bring as many of the heroes of Rathe to life in Dungeons and Dragons as well as some adventure settings. So, if that’s something you’d be interested in, let me know and donate what you can through PayPal here or below.
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To understand what this ranger wants to do, particularly in combat, let’s assume we have a level 3 character. At level 3, this ranger is granted the Guiding Bolt spell (see below) and 3 subclass-specific abilities: Entwine the Elements, Blizzard Bolt, and Buzz Bolt.
A flash of light streaks toward a creature of your choice within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 4d6 radiant damage, and the next attack roll made against this target before the end of your next turn has advantage, thanks to the mystical dim light glittering on the target until then.
Guiding Bolt: Basic Rules , pg. 248
Entwine the Elements
Starting at 3rd level, you gain the ability to harness elemental energies through some of your abilities.
Whenever you deal piercing damage, you may deal that damage as cold or lightning damage instead.
You can use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.
Additionally, whenever you deal radiant damage, you may deal that damage as cold or lightning damage instead.
Entwine the Elements
Starting at 3rd level, you gain the ability to harness elemental energies through some of your abilities.
From the Wayfarer of Aria Ranger Archetype
Whenever you deal piercing damage, you may deal that damage as cold or lightning damage instaead. You can use this feature a number of time equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.
Additionally, whenever you deal radiant damage, you may deal that damage as cold or lightning damage instead.
This ability immediately cues the player in as to what this subclass wants to do—infuse elemental damage to their piercing attacks (via bows, crossbows, thrown spears, javelins, rapiers, daggers, shortsword, darts, and others).
Dealing elemental damage also comes with some exciting added bonuses thanks to the next two abilities.
Blizzard Bolt
Starting at 3rd level, whenever you deal cold damage to a target, that target’s movement speed is reduced by 10 feet until the end of its next turn.Buzz Bolt
From the Wayfarer of Aria Ranger Archetype
Starting at 3rd level, whenever you deal lightning damage to a target, that target can’t take reactions until the start of its next turn.
Utilizing these abilities grants this ranger a degree of battlefield control that other low-level rangers can’t muster. At level 3 with a proficiency bonus of +2, wayfarers can turn two of their piercing weapon attacks per day into elemental control spells on hit. These effects mimic cantrip spells in D&D, specifically, Shocking Grasp and Ray of Frost which are usually only chosen over firebolt for their secondary effects rather than their damage output.
The Wayfarer would benefit greatly from a high initiative roll, so taking the Alert feat at level 4 is certainly recommended. With an early jump in combat, the Ranger can peg key targets to either slow them down or remove their chance to cast shield or take attacks of opportunity as the rest of the party moves in.
A popular first move for this hero would be to cast Guiding Bolt on that initial target and utilize the Entwine the Elements feature to have the spell deal either cold or lightning damage instead of radiant for the chosen effect from Blizzard Bolt or Buzz Bolt.
As one continues to level up, the effects granted from dealing cold or lightning damage become even more powerful thanks to the Frost Lock, Light It Up, and Ice Storm abilities. This ranger can pick the right tool for the job. Whether that means increasing their damage output at a crucial moment in combat or increasing their control of the battlefield with powerful ice effects.
Ice Storm becomes a particularly powerful ability at level 11. With their expanded spell list, Wayfarers have access to powerful elemental spells that compete with the attack action for the player. Light It Up grants the ranger one attack as a bonus action after dealing cold or lightning damage with a spell cast with their action.
The simplest thing to do with Ice Storm would be to start the turn with Guiding Bolt followed up by an attack with advantage against the same target.
Lastly, Livewire and Improved Entwine the Elements increase the combat ability of this ranger by several degrees These features allow the ranger to buff their attacks when they take the attack action, keeping their damage output on par with other high-level characters.
What’s Next
Pretty soon I’ll be producing a video for the Collision Point YouTube channel using Roll20 with a level 3 Wayfarer of Aria Ranger and a level 3 Pact of the Arknight Warlock in an encounter to showcase and test their skills.
If you’d like to learn more about Flesh and Blood, check out Team Covenant’s content.
If you’re already in the know and would like to join me in speculating about the new set, check out my post about Everfest here.
Collision Point 
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