Archer Class [Archive] - Wizards Community

Archer Class [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
aramilcaelvan
10-26-06, 05:46 PM I realize that this is pretty standard, and that there are probably a bunch all over the place, but could someone please point me in the direction of a good archer class? Or, even better, a bunch of good archer classes? I'm looking for something to add to my scout, but I don't want to take fighter because the armor proficiencies will go to waste.
jansteenstra
10-26-06, 05:47 PM all archer classes pretty much suck. Feats usually can do the same or better.

Go fighter or cleric.

Some example archer classes (if you really want to)

Order of the Bow Initiate (CoW)
Peerles Archer (Silver Marches)
Arcane Archer (DMG)
Darth Sephiroth
10-26-06, 05:50 PM Fighter/Battle Sorcerer/Arcane Archer is a great way for an Archer if you want to be an Elf or Half-Elf. You can also replace Fighter with Ranger just as easily.

For the most part focusing on Archery is more based on feats and prestige classes because most of the base classes are more varied in what they can give.
LordPendragon
10-26-06, 06:12 PM I also like the Arcane Archer... it'll save a whole lot of money when buying your bow, and has some cool abilities to round it out.

Another good arching class is the Cragtop Archer (I think that's what it was) from Races of Stone.
Darth Sephiroth
10-26-06, 06:41 PM Arcane Archer is especially good if you get a bow that adds other enchantments to your arrows because they stack with the enhanse arrows ability if I remember right
LordPendragon
10-26-06, 08:10 PM Arcane Archer is especially good if you get a bow that adds other enchantments to your arrows because they stack with the enhanse arrows ability if I remember rightRight... enchantments stack, but enhancements don't.
Seerow
10-26-06, 08:12 PM Arcane Archer does nothing that a Greater Magic Weapon spell won't, avoid it at all costs unless you're going epic.

That said, Ranger20 is the best Archer IMO. If you can find some prestige with full casting, full BAB, and archery based abilities, it may beat out the Ranger, but if it exists I haven't seen it. The Ranger with the Spell Compendium gains lots of Archery Goodies that few other classes can really match.
The_Shaman
10-26-06, 08:20 PM I'd argue for a ranger/deepwood sniper mix. The insane crit rates a DS gets, combined with the hunter's mercy spell (insta-critthreat) and a x burst composite longbow can do a heck of a lot of damage, and if there's ever been such a thing as ranged increments they haven't seen it. The problem with archers is, no DM I've seen runs spot checks for insane distances - and they need those to be able to pull off a shot or two before the enemy closes in. 30 ft. range is not optimal range for archers, period.

Arcane archer is a good gestalt, but one of its greatest abilities (for me) is imbue arrow - and they get not even 1 caster level from the PrC. If it had half progression, or at least 1/3rd, we could talk about it.
Darth Sephiroth
10-26-06, 09:53 PM Right... enchantments stack, but enhancements don't.

If the bow grants abilities like Flaming it isn't overwritten by the class ability that grants the +1 to +5 enhansment bonus. I'm getting a few things mixed up today
LordPendragon
10-26-06, 10:07 PM If the bow grants abilities like Flaming it isn't overwritten by the class ability that grants the +1 to +5 enhansment bonus. I'm getting a few things mixed up todayExactly. Flaming/Shocking/Bane/Holy/Whatever enchantments will stack with Imbue Arrow. However, the +2 on your +2 Holy Longbow will not stack with Imbue Arrow.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
aramilcaelvan 10-26-06, 05:46 PM	I realize that this is pretty standard, and that there are probably a bunch all over the place, but could someone please point me in the direction of a good archer class? Or, even better, a bunch of good archer classes? I'm looking for something to add to my scout, but I don't want to take fighter because the armor proficiencies will go to waste.
jansteenstra 10-26-06, 05:47 PM	all archer classes pretty much suck. Feats usually can do the same or better. Go fighter or cleric. Some example archer classes (if you really want to) Order of the Bow Initiate (CoW) Peerles Archer (Silver Marches) Arcane Archer (DMG)
Darth Sephiroth 10-26-06, 05:50 PM	Fighter/Battle Sorcerer/Arcane Archer is a great way for an Archer if you want to be an Elf or Half-Elf. You can also replace Fighter with Ranger just as easily. For the most part focusing on Archery is more based on feats and prestige classes because most of the base classes are more varied in what they can give.
LordPendragon 10-26-06, 06:12 PM	I also like the Arcane Archer... it'll save a whole lot of money when buying your bow, and has some cool abilities to round it out. Another good arching class is the Cragtop Archer (I think that's what it was) from Races of Stone.
Darth Sephiroth 10-26-06, 06:41 PM	Arcane Archer is especially good if you get a bow that adds other enchantments to your arrows because they stack with the enhanse arrows ability if I remember right
LordPendragon 10-26-06, 08:10 PM	Arcane Archer is especially good if you get a bow that adds other enchantments to your arrows because they stack with the enhanse arrows ability if I remember rightRight... enchantments stack, but enhancements don't.
Seerow 10-26-06, 08:12 PM	Arcane Archer does nothing that a Greater Magic Weapon spell won't, avoid it at all costs unless you're going epic. That said, Ranger20 is the best Archer IMO. If you can find some prestige with full casting, full BAB, and archery based abilities, it may beat out the Ranger, but if it exists I haven't seen it. The Ranger with the Spell Compendium gains lots of Archery Goodies that few other classes can really match.
The_Shaman 10-26-06, 08:20 PM	I'd argue for a ranger/deepwood sniper mix. The insane crit rates a DS gets, combined with the hunter's mercy spell (insta-critthreat) and a x burst composite longbow can do a heck of a lot of damage, and if there's ever been such a thing as ranged increments they haven't seen it. The problem with archers is, no DM I've seen runs spot checks for insane distances - and they need those to be able to pull off a shot or two before the enemy closes in. 30 ft. range is not optimal range for archers, period. Arcane archer is a good gestalt, but one of its greatest abilities (for me) is imbue arrow - and they get not even 1 caster level from the PrC. If it had half progression, or at least 1/3rd, we could talk about it.
Darth Sephiroth 10-26-06, 09:53 PM	Right... enchantments stack, but enhancements don't. If the bow grants abilities like Flaming it isn't overwritten by the class ability that grants the +1 to +5 enhansment bonus. I'm getting a few things mixed up today
LordPendragon 10-26-06, 10:07 PM	If the bow grants abilities like Flaming it isn't overwritten by the class ability that grants the +1 to +5 enhansment bonus. I'm getting a few things mixed up todayExactly. Flaming/Shocking/Bane/Holy/Whatever enchantments will stack with Imbue Arrow. However, the +2 on your +2 Holy Longbow will not stack with Imbue Arrow.