Arcane Archer and magic bows [Archive] - Wizards Community

Arcane Archer and magic bows [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
velocityhead
11-11-03, 09:14 PM Okay....let's say we have a 10th level Arcane Archer. At ninth level, she gains the "Enhance arrow +5" special ability.

The "Enhance arrow +5" special ability gives every non-magical arrow the Arcane Archer fires a +5 Enhancement Bonus.

Now let's say we give the Arcane Archer a +5 Longbow. Since the +5 on the Longbow is considered an "Enhancement Bonus", the two bonuses do NOT stack and the total bonus is NOT considered to be +10. It is indeed, +5.

But instead of giving her a +5 Longbow, let's say we give her a +3 Longbow of Frost and Shock.

What happens with the arrows she fires? Are they considered +5 Arrows that deal 1d6 cold damage and 1d6 electricity damage? Or are they considered +3 Arrows that deal 1d6 cold damage and 1d6 electricity damage?

The way I understand it, each arrow she fires is considered a +5 Arrows that deals 1d6 cold damage and 1d6 electricity damage. Since enhancement bonuses do not stack, you use the one that is higher (+5, in either case). The "Frost and Shock" are both "special abilities" granted to the bow which bestow the ability upon the ammunition fired.

Am I right in this assumption?
Aramar the Black
11-11-03, 10:46 PM looks right to me, though I'm tired and a fairly new DM. But as far as I know, right from the books, you are correct.
Crazy, ain't it?
Oakspar77777
11-11-03, 11:10 PM You are correct, which is why most AA have +1 Bows with +9 worth of Special Abilities.

I suggest Speed (+3), Flaming (+1), Frost (+1), Shock (+1), Distance (+1), Keen (+1), and one +2 ability like Alignment or Wounding or two Banes

I would also suggest some, "specialty just in case arrows"
velocityhead
11-12-03, 12:16 AM Alright, good. Because otherwise, the enhancement bonuses from Arcane Archer wouldn't be of much use to me.
sparkster4242
11-12-03, 01:33 AM Actually, this is only true in 3.5.
In 3.0, enhancement bonuses from bows _did_ stack with enhancement bonuses from arrows, so the arcane archer with the +5 bow could indeed fire +10 arrows.
velocityhead
11-12-03, 01:42 AM Yes....the Arcane Archer's arrows in 3.0 had quite some potential...

but i guess special abilities are just as good as + enhancement bonuses....

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
velocityhead 11-11-03, 09:14 PM	Okay....let's say we have a 10th level Arcane Archer. At ninth level, she gains the "Enhance arrow +5" special ability. The "Enhance arrow +5" special ability gives every non-magical arrow the Arcane Archer fires a +5 Enhancement Bonus. Now let's say we give the Arcane Archer a +5 Longbow. Since the +5 on the Longbow is considered an "Enhancement Bonus", the two bonuses do NOT stack and the total bonus is NOT considered to be +10. It is indeed, +5. But instead of giving her a +5 Longbow, let's say we give her a +3 Longbow of Frost and Shock. What happens with the arrows she fires? Are they considered +5 Arrows that deal 1d6 cold damage and 1d6 electricity damage? Or are they considered +3 Arrows that deal 1d6 cold damage and 1d6 electricity damage? The way I understand it, each arrow she fires is considered a +5 Arrows that deals 1d6 cold damage and 1d6 electricity damage. Since enhancement bonuses do not stack, you use the one that is higher (+5, in either case). The "Frost and Shock" are both "special abilities" granted to the bow which bestow the ability upon the ammunition fired. Am I right in this assumption?
Aramar the Black 11-11-03, 10:46 PM	looks right to me, though I'm tired and a fairly new DM. But as far as I know, right from the books, you are correct. Crazy, ain't it?
Oakspar77777 11-11-03, 11:10 PM	You are correct, which is why most AA have +1 Bows with +9 worth of Special Abilities. I suggest Speed (+3), Flaming (+1), Frost (+1), Shock (+1), Distance (+1), Keen (+1), and one +2 ability like Alignment or Wounding or two Banes I would also suggest some, "specialty just in case arrows"
velocityhead 11-12-03, 12:16 AM	Alright, good. Because otherwise, the enhancement bonuses from Arcane Archer wouldn't be of much use to me.
sparkster4242 11-12-03, 01:33 AM	Actually, this is only true in 3.5. In 3.0, enhancement bonuses from bows _did_ stack with enhancement bonuses from arrows, so the arcane archer with the +5 bow could indeed fire +10 arrows.
velocityhead 11-12-03, 01:42 AM	Yes....the Arcane Archer's arrows in 3.0 had quite some potential... but i guess special abilities are just as good as + enhancement bonuses....