"Bowsinger?" "Spellbow?" HELP! [Archive] - Wizards Community

"Bowsinger?" "Spellbow?" HELP! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
JDRoundtree
12-29-03, 08:48 AM My best friend and I are currently playing elven figter/wizards.
Their characters are childhood friends who have fought together all their lives, and we're trying to make them compliment each other.
I'm the swordsman, he's the archer
I'd like to take my guy towards the Bladesinger prestige class.
Does anyone know of a prestige class that would be comparable for an archer?

The arcane archer doesn't allow any spellcasting advancement like the bladesinger or spell sword prestige classes.
Has anyone seen any classes in the supplements, or on the net that might fit the bill?

Thanks in advance
KShaver
12-29-03, 12:56 PM Have him switch back and forth between more wizard levels and arcane archer levels. You end up with a class that gets 1/2 casting advancement, the equivalent of d6 hp, a 3/4 BAB advancement...which overall probably looks about like what he would want.
bitnine
12-29-03, 02:02 PM Erm, if he doesn't mind multiclassing and mixing things up to get an end result that fits his concept he could do the following:

Be a fighter 1/wizard 5, take 3 levels of Eldrich Knight, then 2 of Arcane Archer, then go back to Eldrich Knight.

You end up with a fighter/wizard who can cast spells through his arrows.
XunValDorl of HouseKilsek
12-30-03, 09:46 PM Originally posted by JDRoundtree
My best friend and I are currently playing elven figter/wizards.
Their characters are childhood friends who have fought together all their lives, and we're trying to make them compliment each other.
I'm the swordsman, he's the archer
I'd like to take my guy towards the Bladesinger prestige class.
Does anyone know of a prestige class that would be comparable for an archer?

The arcane archer doesn't allow any spellcasting advancement like the bladesinger or spell sword prestige classes.
Has anyone seen any classes in the supplements, or on the net that might fit the bill?

Thanks in advance

The spellsword can use ranged weapons instead of melee weapons. That PrC isn't as good with abilities as the Arcane Archer, but it's a thought.
JDRoundtree
12-31-03, 08:50 AM you know,
I looked at the ideas, and went through the books, and I decided on that too.
The spell sword is what he's probably gonna end up doing.
You don't get the same bow abilities with the bow as some of the bow based prestige classes, or the arcane archer, but you don't have any feat pre-requisites for the spell sword, you have spell casting minimums and knowledge arcana ranks.
He can use the feats to get good with the bow.

Thanks for suggesting it, so that I know at least that I'm not crazy.
XunValDorl of HouseKilsek
12-31-03, 08:13 PM No problem... Glad to share the wealth of knowledge :D
Nifft
01-01-04, 09:18 AM Here's the Arcane Archer PrC that I use in my campaign. It's balanced with the core AA, but updated for 3.5e (where DR has more flavors than just +X).

Actually Arcane Archer

Role: Niche Archer

Prerequisites:
Skill Ranks: Knowlege (Arcana) 5+, Spellcraft 5+
BAB: 5+
Feats: Weapon Focus (any Bow), Point Blank Shot and at least one of Rapid Shot, Precise Shot or Far Shot
Spellcasting: Ability to cast 1st-level Arcane spells as a Bard, Sorcerer or Wizard

HD: d6
BAB: Full (as Fighter)
Good Saves: Reflex, Will / Bad Save: Fortitude
Skill Points: 4 + Int bonus
Class Skills: Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), Knowlege (Arcana, Nature, Religion, Dungeoneering, Planes) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), Spot (Wis) and Swim (Str).

Level BAB Fort Ref Will Spellcasting Special Abilities
1 +1 +0 +2 +2 -- Imbue Arrows (Magic)
2 +2 +0 +3 +3 +1 Level Arrow Touch
3 +3 +1 +3 +3 -- Imbue Arrows (Effect)
4 +4 +1 +4 +4 +1 Level Arcane Shot I
5 +5 +1 +4 +4 -- Imbue Arrows (Effect)
6 +6 +2 +5 +5 +1 Level Combined Casting
7 +7 +2 +5 +5 -- Imbue Arrows (Effect)
8 +8 +2 +6 +6 +1 Level Penetrating Arrow
9 +9 +3 +6 +6 -- Enhance Effect
10 +10 +3 +7 +7 +1 Level Arcane Shot II, Enhance Effect

Special Abilities:

Spellcasting: When an even level of Arcane Archer is gained, the character gains new spells per day as if she had also gained a level in whatever arcane spellcasting class she belonged to before she added the prestige class. She does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. This essentially means that she adds the level of Arcane Archer to the level of whatever other arcane spellcasting class the character has, then determines spells per day and caster level accordingly. If a character had more than one arcane spellcasting class before she became an eldritch knight, she must decide to which class she adds each level of Arcane Archer for the purpose of determining spells per day.
Special: If the character uses Bard spellcasting to qualify and chooses to extend her Bardic spellcasting, each even level of Arcane Archer also adds to her Bard level for the purpose of gaining additional daily uses and new effects from her Bardic Music.
Imbue Arrows (Magic) (Su): All arrows fired by the Arcane Archer gain a magical +1 Enhancement bonus. (Thus, they penetrate DR/Magic.)
Arrow Touch (Su): The Arcane Archer may deliver Touch or Ranged Touch spells via her arrows, though the arrow must hit normally (it is not treated as a ranged touch attack, simply as a ranged attack which also delivers the touch spell). The character must be "holding the charge" when she fires the arrow, and each arrow uses up a charge even if it misses.
Imbue Arrows (Effect) (Su): All arrows fired by the Arcane Archer are treated as if they had a single specific special ability from the following list: Bane*, Distance, Flaming, Frost, Ghost Touch, Keen, Merciful, Seeking, Shock, or Thundering; or gain a single alignment trait (Chaotic, Evil, Good, Lawful) for the purpose of penetrating damage reduction.
Each special ability can only be chosen once, except Bane, which can be chosen multiple times (picking a different designated foe each time). Once chosen, special abilities are fixed (cannot be exchanged).
You may choose a maximum of two Alignment traits, and they may not conflict (e.g. Lawful and Chaotic).
Arcane Shot I (Su): As a free action, the Arcane Archer may expend a prepared spell and focus its energy into one of her arrows. If the arrow strikes, it deals +1d4/spell level damage. The spell is expended even if the arrow misses. A cantrip grants +1 to damage.
Combined Casting (Su): As a full-round action, the Arcane Archer may both cast a spell (with a Casting Time of 1 standard action) and fire a single arrow.
Penetrating Arrow (Su): The Arcane Archer may choose to subtract a number from his BAB and add that number to his caster level for the purpose of overcoming SR. This ability only applies to spells delivered via his arrows.
Enhance Effect (Su): The Arcane Archer may upgrade one of his previously chosen Imbued Effects to a more powerful effect, as follows:
* Chaotic Alignment Trait -> Anarchic
* Lawful Alignment Trait -> Axiomatic
* Flaming -> Flaming Burst
* Good Alignment Trait -> Holy
* Frost -> Icy Burst
* Shock -> Shocking Burst
* Evil Alignment Trait -> Unholy
* Alternately, the Arcane Archer may choose to add an additional Effect from the lower-level ability list.
Arcane Shot II (Su): As Arcane Shot I above, except the arrow receices +1/spell level to the attack roll and +1d6/spell level to the damage roll. A cantrip grants +1 to attack and damage rolls.

-- N
strenoth
01-02-04, 02:17 AM I would change this:

Combined Casting (Su): As a full-round action, the Arcane Archer may both cast a spell (with a Casting Time of 1 standard action) and fire a single arrow.

to this:

Combined Casting (Su): As a full-round action, the Arcane Archer may both cast a spell (with a Casting Time of 1 standard action) and fire a single arrow, so long as the spell could be used with arrow touch, and is used with arrow touch through the arrow being fired as part of Combined Casting.

takes away the power level a bit, but still useful.
JDRoundtree
01-02-04, 11:07 AM Wow...
I really really like that.
Pretty cool.
Thanks for the post, I'm prinitng it right now
Nifft
01-02-04, 01:06 PM Originally posted by strenoth
Combined Casting (Su): As a full-round action, the Arcane Archer may both cast a spell (with a Casting Time of 1 standard action) and fire a single arrow, so long as the spell could be used with arrow touch, and is used with arrow touch through the arrow being fired as part of Combined Casting.

That would eliminate the ability for an ArcArch to buff himselff (with Cat's Grace, Shield, True Strike, etc.) The ability is as much for True Strike as it is for Chill Touch.

-- N

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
JDRoundtree 12-29-03, 08:48 AM	My best friend and I are currently playing elven figter/wizards. Their characters are childhood friends who have fought together all their lives, and we're trying to make them compliment each other. I'm the swordsman, he's the archer I'd like to take my guy towards the Bladesinger prestige class. Does anyone know of a prestige class that would be comparable for an archer? The arcane archer doesn't allow any spellcasting advancement like the bladesinger or spell sword prestige classes. Has anyone seen any classes in the supplements, or on the net that might fit the bill? Thanks in advance
KShaver 12-29-03, 12:56 PM	Have him switch back and forth between more wizard levels and arcane archer levels. You end up with a class that gets 1/2 casting advancement, the equivalent of d6 hp, a 3/4 BAB advancement...which overall probably looks about like what he would want.
bitnine 12-29-03, 02:02 PM	Erm, if he doesn't mind multiclassing and mixing things up to get an end result that fits his concept he could do the following: Be a fighter 1/wizard 5, take 3 levels of Eldrich Knight, then 2 of Arcane Archer, then go back to Eldrich Knight. You end up with a fighter/wizard who can cast spells through his arrows.
XunValDorl of HouseKilsek 12-30-03, 09:46 PM	Originally posted by JDRoundtree My best friend and I are currently playing elven figter/wizards. Their characters are childhood friends who have fought together all their lives, and we're trying to make them compliment each other. I'm the swordsman, he's the archer I'd like to take my guy towards the Bladesinger prestige class. Does anyone know of a prestige class that would be comparable for an archer? The arcane archer doesn't allow any spellcasting advancement like the bladesinger or spell sword prestige classes. Has anyone seen any classes in the supplements, or on the net that might fit the bill? Thanks in advance The spellsword can use ranged weapons instead of melee weapons. That PrC isn't as good with abilities as the Arcane Archer, but it's a thought.
JDRoundtree 12-31-03, 08:50 AM	you know, I looked at the ideas, and went through the books, and I decided on that too. The spell sword is what he's probably gonna end up doing. You don't get the same bow abilities with the bow as some of the bow based prestige classes, or the arcane archer, but you don't have any feat pre-requisites for the spell sword, you have spell casting minimums and knowledge arcana ranks. He can use the feats to get good with the bow. Thanks for suggesting it, so that I know at least that I'm not crazy.
XunValDorl of HouseKilsek 12-31-03, 08:13 PM	No problem... Glad to share the wealth of knowledge :D
Nifft 01-01-04, 09:18 AM	Here's the Arcane Archer PrC that I use in my campaign. It's balanced with the core AA, but updated for 3.5e (where DR has more flavors than just +X). Actually Arcane Archer Role: Niche Archer Prerequisites: Skill Ranks: Knowlege (Arcana) 5+, Spellcraft 5+ BAB: 5+ Feats: Weapon Focus (any Bow), Point Blank Shot and at least one of Rapid Shot, Precise Shot or Far Shot Spellcasting: Ability to cast 1st-level Arcane spells as a Bard, Sorcerer or Wizard HD: d6 BAB: Full (as Fighter) Good Saves: Reflex, Will / Bad Save: Fortitude Skill Points: 4 + Int bonus Class Skills: Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), Knowlege (Arcana, Nature, Religion, Dungeoneering, Planes) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), Spot (Wis) and Swim (Str). Level BAB Fort Ref Will Spellcasting Special Abilities 1 +1 +0 +2 +2 -- Imbue Arrows (Magic) 2 +2 +0 +3 +3 +1 Level Arrow Touch 3 +3 +1 +3 +3 -- Imbue Arrows (Effect) 4 +4 +1 +4 +4 +1 Level Arcane Shot I 5 +5 +1 +4 +4 -- Imbue Arrows (Effect) 6 +6 +2 +5 +5 +1 Level Combined Casting 7 +7 +2 +5 +5 -- Imbue Arrows (Effect) 8 +8 +2 +6 +6 +1 Level Penetrating Arrow 9 +9 +3 +6 +6 -- Enhance Effect 10 +10 +3 +7 +7 +1 Level Arcane Shot II, Enhance Effect Special Abilities: Spellcasting: When an even level of Arcane Archer is gained, the character gains new spells per day as if she had also gained a level in whatever arcane spellcasting class she belonged to before she added the prestige class. She does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. This essentially means that she adds the level of Arcane Archer to the level of whatever other arcane spellcasting class the character has, then determines spells per day and caster level accordingly. If a character had more than one arcane spellcasting class before she became an eldritch knight, she must decide to which class she adds each level of Arcane Archer for the purpose of determining spells per day. Special: If the character uses Bard spellcasting to qualify and chooses to extend her Bardic spellcasting, each even level of Arcane Archer also adds to her Bard level for the purpose of gaining additional daily uses and new effects from her Bardic Music. Imbue Arrows (Magic) (Su): All arrows fired by the Arcane Archer gain a magical +1 Enhancement bonus. (Thus, they penetrate DR/Magic.) Arrow Touch (Su): The Arcane Archer may deliver Touch or Ranged Touch spells via her arrows, though the arrow must hit normally (it is not treated as a ranged touch attack, simply as a ranged attack which also delivers the touch spell). The character must be "holding the charge" when she fires the arrow, and each arrow uses up a charge even if it misses. Imbue Arrows (Effect) (Su): All arrows fired by the Arcane Archer are treated as if they had a single specific special ability from the following list: Bane, Distance, Flaming, Frost, Ghost Touch, Keen, Merciful, Seeking, Shock, or Thundering; or gain a single alignment trait (Chaotic, Evil, Good, Lawful) for the purpose of penetrating damage reduction. Each special ability can only be chosen once, except Bane, which can be chosen multiple times (picking a different designated foe each time). Once chosen, special abilities are fixed (cannot be exchanged). You may choose a maximum of two Alignment traits, and they may not conflict (e.g. Lawful and Chaotic). Arcane Shot I (Su): As a free action, the Arcane Archer may expend a prepared spell and focus its energy into one of her arrows. If the arrow strikes, it deals +1d4/spell level damage. The spell is expended even if the arrow misses. A cantrip grants +1 to damage. Combined Casting (Su): As a full-round action, the Arcane Archer may both cast a spell (with a Casting Time of 1 standard action) and fire a single arrow. Penetrating Arrow (Su): The Arcane Archer may choose to subtract a number from his BAB and add that number to his caster level for the purpose of overcoming SR. This ability only applies to spells delivered via his arrows. Enhance Effect (Su): The Arcane Archer may upgrade one of his previously chosen Imbued Effects to a more powerful effect, as follows: Chaotic Alignment Trait -> Anarchic * Lawful Alignment Trait -> Axiomatic * Flaming -> Flaming Burst * Good Alignment Trait -> Holy * Frost -> Icy Burst * Shock -> Shocking Burst * Evil Alignment Trait -> Unholy * Alternately, the Arcane Archer may choose to add an additional Effect from the lower-level ability list. Arcane Shot II (Su): As Arcane Shot I above, except the arrow receices +1/spell level to the attack roll and +1d6/spell level to the damage roll. A cantrip grants +1 to attack and damage rolls. -- N
strenoth 01-02-04, 02:17 AM	I would change this: Combined Casting (Su): As a full-round action, the Arcane Archer may both cast a spell (with a Casting Time of 1 standard action) and fire a single arrow. to this: Combined Casting (Su): As a full-round action, the Arcane Archer may both cast a spell (with a Casting Time of 1 standard action) and fire a single arrow, so long as the spell could be used with arrow touch, and is used with arrow touch through the arrow being fired as part of Combined Casting. takes away the power level a bit, but still useful.
JDRoundtree 01-02-04, 11:07 AM	Wow... I really really like that. Pretty cool. Thanks for the post, I'm prinitng it right now
Nifft 01-02-04, 01:06 PM	Originally posted by strenoth Combined Casting (Su): As a full-round action, the Arcane Archer may both cast a spell (with a Casting Time of 1 standard action) and fire a single arrow, so long as the spell could be used with arrow touch, and is used with arrow touch through the arrow being fired as part of Combined Casting. That would eliminate the ability for an ArcArch to buff himselff (with Cat's Grace, Shield, True Strike, etc.) The ability is as much for True Strike as it is for Chill Touch. -- N