Combat Roles #4 - Ranged Damage

Ranged damage is important since it lets you soften up enemies as they get close to you. Additionally, you can deal damage across the battlefield, letting you reach units in the back or across blocking terrain.

Nearly any class can fulfill this role. Spellcasters and non-casters each have their own methods of dealing damage at range. Bows, crossbows, thrown weapons; all can be the center of a build to deal damage. Spellcasters have access to a  ridiculous amount of spells that operate at range.

Spellcaster or not, there are certain feats you need to take. Precise Shot and Point Blank shot allow you to shoot effectively into melee, this also applies to ray attacks. Weapon Focus applies to both weapons and ray attacks, so it is useful as well, as is Improved Critical (but only for ray attacks that deal damage).

If you're effective reach is the length of a battlefield, you should consider readying actions. A spellcaster may think he is in the clear when he starts casting, but if you ready an action to attack him when he begins casting he will be forced to make concentration checks, possibly loosing the spell. If you have access to things like Ranged Disarm or Ranged Trip, disrupting melee characters when they begin their turn can be a lot of fun.