Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Aloïsius 09-20-06, 12:43 PM	Hello ! I'm looking for a low-level build (character created at level 3, slow progression) for playing an interesting/fun/powerfull paladin-like archer. Paladin-like because, well, Paladin-like is the mandatory theme of the group I will join (already 4 paladins), and archer, because I have never played one. Of course, if there is an archer-paladin build wich offer any kind of spellcasting goodness, the better. ! Race will be human, elf, half-elf or maybe dwarf. I'm somewhat lost with all the new options offered by books like ToB, PHBII or ToM (and the various "complete" books), so, I'm begging for help here. Thank you all !
GaffeR 09-20-06, 12:54 PM	Human Paladin 3 Feats: Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Ranged Smite (Exalted Deeds) Future Feats: Rapid Shot, Improved Rapid Shot (Comp War) Possibilities: Get a flying mount and use Mounted archery Actually, the Elf Paladin substitution levels sound right up your alley (Races of the Wild). You could also be a lawful good Cleric Archer, perhaps going into prestige paladin 3 (Unearthed Arcana) and then Fist of Raziel (Book of Exalted Deeds). BAB 18 and CL 18. Yummy. Check the following link for Cleric archers and more ideas: http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=482636
DaveTheMagicWeasel 09-20-06, 02:14 PM	Yeah, Elf Paladin gets Ranged Smite with the sub levels. Whereas a human has to use a feat for it - so the choice becomes one of +2 Dex and various bonuses with the Elf, versus human with favoured class (any) and the extra skill point. In which case I would probably go with Paladin 5 / Ranger 11 / Pious Templar 4, using Devoted Tracker (Complete Adventurer) to merge your Animal Companion and Special Mount (and to stack the levels for Smite damage) and then make a Mounted Archer (the extra mobility is very useful). You'll get a fair few low level spells overall, especially the Ranger ones which include some nice Archery related choices (in Spell Compendium and omplete Adventurer especially). Personally, I think the Elf is the better option than the human in this case - but that means you need to be a Wood Elf in order to avoid an XP penalty (otherwise, Paladin 5 / Ranger 6 / Pious Templar 9 is an option). Also, I don't know of any non-Elf deities that have longbow as a favoured weapon, which you need for Pious Templar. Overall it gives you quite a few bonus feats - Track, Rapid Shot, Endurance, Manyshot, Improved Precise Shot, Weapon Specialization, and a fightr bonus feat (e.g. Mounted Combat) That still leaves you room to fit in Devoted Performer as said, Extra Smite (Complete Warrior), PBS, Precise Shot, Weapon Focus, True Believer and Mounted Archery. (Note - Pious Templar is from Complete Divine)
Aloïsius 09-20-06, 04:17 PM	Thank you a lot ! I was thinking about the crusader, for novelty sake (in ToB) but after reflexion, it's a bad idea for an archer.
ninjarabbit 09-20-06, 04:32 PM	ranger/paladin with the devoted tracker feat from Complete Adventurer An full build would be ranger11/paladin5/pioustemplar4 with a deity that has a bow as the favored weapon (Elhonna and The Silver Flame work)