A Ranger Build if you would [Archive] - Wizards Community

A Ranger Build if you would [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Aravanus
10-04-05, 06:34 PM Simply, I would like to make a ranger based archer. We are using a 38 point buy (I believe) and the Faerun setting. I would prefer to play some variant of elf, but all builds are equally welcome. I look forward to your replies gentleman (and ladies).
X-Codes
10-04-05, 06:46 PM 38!? crikey.

Anyway, given what you've supplied, heres what I give you:

Ranger 6/Rogue 4/Highland Stalker 10

Strength 15
Dexterity 20
Constitution 14
Intelligence 10
Wisdom 12
Charisma 10

Greater Manyshot and Improved Precise Shot included.

If you want more, then you have to give us more ideas. "Ranger Archer" is an incredably broad category of characters because of the selection of feats and PrC's available. With new books coming out every month, this is ever-expanding.
SoulGamit
10-04-05, 07:15 PM Ranger 2 / Fighter 4 / Deepwood Stalker 2 / Stalker of Khalesh 2 / Foehunter 10

is a nice epic-ready build that gives you +5d6 damage and DR 11/-- against all evil creatures.

Ranger 1 / Fighter 4 / Deepwood Stalker 7 / Peerless Archer 3 / Order of the Bow Initiate 5

is a very nice sniping build, and make sure to get the craven feat (from CoR) and if possible greater multishot.

Ranger 1 / Fighter 4 / Peerless Archer 8 / Order of the Bow Initiate 7

Ranger 1 / Fighter 4 / Peerless Archer 8 / Deepwood Stalker 7

These two builds are more combat-intensive and quite powerful.
Blade2718
10-04-05, 08:10 PM For more information on archers of all types, read kbsnowowl's archer optimization thread in the Library.
ksbsnowowl
10-04-05, 08:30 PM For more information on archers of all types, read kbsnowowl's archer optimization thread in the Library.Or to make it easy on you, just click the link in my sig :P

For a very ranger-esq archer I'd go Ranger 3/Fighter 2/Deepwood Sniper 2/Peerless Archer 3/DWS 3-7/ Something else 5

You can basically find that build in my archer thread, but I thought I'd give the basics to you here. Cap it off with another level of Ranger for first level spells, or go with some other class, perhaps Cragtop Archer. As was previously mentioned, pick up the Craven feat (Champions of Ruin). Invest in wands of Hunter's Mercy and Bless Weapon (though BW would require someone with UMD ranks, or a Paladin).
Otto the Bugbear
10-04-05, 09:30 PM It comes into power late, but I really like the machine-gun archer: Cleric 1 / Ranger + PrCs which advance spellcasting. Then, using nightsticks and divine metamagic: persistent spell, make Arrow Storm persistent. Kinda tricksy so I'll add something more.

I've always liked the Nentyar Hunter as an addition to archer characters. It dilutes the 'pure' archers seen above, but the added utility is very nice. Check out the class abilities (+10' move, +4 spot, woodland stride), and the spell selection (True Strike in particular).

Anyway, that's really only an option if you feel the benefits outweigh the loss of other, archery based, PrC levels.

Cheers

Otto :)
nihility
10-04-05, 10:04 PM Here's something a bit different that you might find pleasing (something in the vein of Otto's build):

Ranger 2/ Cleric of Shaundakul 4/ Windwalker 10/ Optional 4

Windwalker advances most of your ranger skills and gives 4 skillpoints per level. Nice, high BAB to fuel your archery, plus some nice special abilities and casting. The optional stage is basically a question of if you want more archery tricks or more casting. I love the Windwalker PrC, personally.

Similar in concept (though almost certainly better) is Funny Slaughter's "Casting Ranger." (http://boards1.wizards.com/showpost.php?p=2947088) It goes like so:

Ranger2/Favored soul5/Harper Paragon10/Windwalker3

Favored Soul is used for the free Weapon Focus feat. You could go cleric if you felt like spending a regular feat on it.
Aravanus
10-04-05, 11:17 PM Thanks all! You have given me alot of great ideas (especially ksbsnowowl's archer thread: neat stuff). However, I was trying to say (and obviously didn't suceed) that I was looking for a build that was Ranger heavy...say 6 or 7 levels (I like the whole animal companion and nature spell thing). If for some reason this is unfeasible, then could someone be kind enough to walk me through the reason(s) why? Sorry to make such a fuss but I am new to this kinda stuff... :D
Blind Io
10-04-05, 11:24 PM Why do you insist on taking so many levels of Ranger? Is it something in particular?
Aramas
10-04-05, 11:37 PM Ranger 4th / Scout 4th / Deepwood Sniper 7th / Peerless Archer 3rd / Order of the Bow Initiate 2nd

Wood Elf
Str 16
Dex 20
Con 12
Int 12
Wis 12
Cha 8

Make sure to get a +1 Blessed Bow (Blessed is a +1 enhancement found in BoED) and a pouch of Pearls of Power (1st Level)

Use the pearls to cast Hunter's Mercy whenever you need to. The Blessed enhancement automatically confirms criticals against evil creatures. Now you can Power Shot for your full BAB.
nihility
10-05-05, 12:54 PM I think it would help if you could narrow down what sort of archer you would like to be. Which of these basic types seems the most appealing?

1) Fire support. You stand away from the enemy during the fight and lob arrows in, and probably offer meat-shield services to the mage. This is probably the most conventional role, and you could do it fine with a pure Ranger if you wanted to.

2) Combat archer. You use a bow almost like a melee weapon, possibly even threatening squares with it. You give up the superior damage of a two-handed melee weapon to gain really long "reach" and the ability to avoid the enemy's reach when needed.

3) Sniper. One shot, one kill. You eliminate the enemy before the fight starts.

4) Casting archer. You suppliment one of the above styles with spellcasting or psionics.

However, I was trying to say (and obviously didn't suceed) that I was looking for a build that was Ranger heavy...say 6 or 7 levels (I like the whole animal companion and nature spell thing). If for some reason this is unfeasible, then could someone be kind enough to walk me through the reason(s) why? Sorry to make such a fuss but I am new to this kinda stuff...
It's a question of focus. The Ranger gets a wide variety of class abilities, but only the combat style feats, limited spells, Favored Enemy bonuses, Camouflage, and Hide in Plain Sight directly add to your ability to be some kind of an archer. The latter three abilities are all situational. The other class abilities certainly help you as a well-rounded character, but they don't help you shoot things in the face.

In contrast, a mix of archery-minded prestige classes can provide great focus on one or another style of archery. ksbsnowowl's builds are good examples of the focus being placed on different styles. Thus, when we toss out these builds, the intent is usually to focus very closely on the face-shooting bit.
yoritomoshomey
10-05-05, 02:23 PM I'll throw my 2 cents in.

This build is based on you being able to use material from Dragon Magazine. If you can't, stop reading now. :)

This build also doesn't use any 3.0 material that hasn't been updated in a 3.5 book (i.e. - Peerless Archer and Deepwood Sniper)

Ranger 2 (free rapid shot)
Targetteer 12 (7 bonus feats)
Order of the Bow Initiate 2 (close combat shot, good will save)
Occult Slayer 4 (bonus damage vs. casters and spellike abilities, good will save)

Targetteer is from Dragon #310. It is a fighter variant that has Hide and Move Silently as class skills. It also gains 2 Ranged Exotic Weapon Proficiencies. Select Greatbow as one of them. I believe in CWar it states that any feat for Longbow also counts for Greatbow.

Dead Eye is from Dragon #304. It pretty much grants dex to damage witha ranged weapon you have Weapon Focus in and within 30 feet.

Order of the Bow Initiate and Occult Slayer are from Complete Warrior.

1 Rng 1 Track, Point Blank Shot
2 Tgt 1 Weapon Focus: Longbow
3 Rng 2 Rapid Shot, Dead Eye
4 Tgt 2 Precise Shot
5 Tgt 3
6 Tgt 4 Manyshot, Weapon Specialization: Longbow
7 OBI 1
8 OBI 2
9 Tgt 5 Greater Manyshot
10 Tgt 6 Improved Initiative
11 Tgt 7
12 Tgt 8 Improved Rapid Shot, Improved Precise Shot
13 Tgt 9
14 Tgt 10 Greater Weapon Focus: Longbow
15 Tgt 11 Woodland Archer
16 Tgt 12 Greater Weapon Specialization: Longbow
17 OSl 1
18 OSl 2 Improved Toughness
19 OSl 3
20 OSl 4 BAB: +20
HD: 8d8+12d10
Base Saves: +12/+11/+11

I would also go with Aramas on the:

Wood Elf
Str 16
Dex 20
Con 12
Int 12
Wis 12
Cha 8

My 2 cents,

Dave
Zathyr
10-05-05, 03:56 PM Is foe hunter updated to 3.5 somewhere?

Anyway, I've been toying around with a Rogue/Ranger/Stalker of Kharash (from BoED) idea. If you take Able Learner (RoD) you can keep up with all the skill monkey essentials, and be a pretty decent combatant.

Something like:
Rogue 1-2; Ranger 1-3; SoK 1-2; Rng 4-6, and honestly I was going to go with some more melee-oriented PrC's after this, but I think the start works just as well for an archer.

Good skills, good feats, you just hit 2nd level ranger spells which isn't huge but there's some good stuff there, and you can have a +3 favored enemy-evil, or +1d6+6 to damage against them with Nemesis (BoED) and Improved Favored Enemy (CW) (If you want to spend the feats - Nemesis is certainly worth it), and you're all set to go into pretty much whatever PrC you like.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Aravanus 10-04-05, 06:34 PM	Simply, I would like to make a ranger based archer. We are using a 38 point buy (I believe) and the Faerun setting. I would prefer to play some variant of elf, but all builds are equally welcome. I look forward to your replies gentleman (and ladies).
X-Codes 10-04-05, 06:46 PM	38!? crikey. Anyway, given what you've supplied, heres what I give you: Ranger 6/Rogue 4/Highland Stalker 10 Strength 15 Dexterity 20 Constitution 14 Intelligence 10 Wisdom 12 Charisma 10 Greater Manyshot and Improved Precise Shot included. If you want more, then you have to give us more ideas. "Ranger Archer" is an incredably broad category of characters because of the selection of feats and PrC's available. With new books coming out every month, this is ever-expanding.
SoulGamit 10-04-05, 07:15 PM	Ranger 2 / Fighter 4 / Deepwood Stalker 2 / Stalker of Khalesh 2 / Foehunter 10 is a nice epic-ready build that gives you +5d6 damage and DR 11/-- against all evil creatures. Ranger 1 / Fighter 4 / Deepwood Stalker 7 / Peerless Archer 3 / Order of the Bow Initiate 5 is a very nice sniping build, and make sure to get the craven feat (from CoR) and if possible greater multishot. Ranger 1 / Fighter 4 / Peerless Archer 8 / Order of the Bow Initiate 7 Ranger 1 / Fighter 4 / Peerless Archer 8 / Deepwood Stalker 7 These two builds are more combat-intensive and quite powerful.
Blade2718 10-04-05, 08:10 PM	For more information on archers of all types, read kbsnowowl's archer optimization thread in the Library.
ksbsnowowl 10-04-05, 08:30 PM	For more information on archers of all types, read kbsnowowl's archer optimization thread in the Library.Or to make it easy on you, just click the link in my sig :P For a very ranger-esq archer I'd go Ranger 3/Fighter 2/Deepwood Sniper 2/Peerless Archer 3/DWS 3-7/ Something else 5 You can basically find that build in my archer thread, but I thought I'd give the basics to you here. Cap it off with another level of Ranger for first level spells, or go with some other class, perhaps Cragtop Archer. As was previously mentioned, pick up the Craven feat (Champions of Ruin). Invest in wands of Hunter's Mercy and Bless Weapon (though BW would require someone with UMD ranks, or a Paladin).
Otto the Bugbear 10-04-05, 09:30 PM	It comes into power late, but I really like the machine-gun archer: Cleric 1 / Ranger + PrCs which advance spellcasting. Then, using nightsticks and divine metamagic: persistent spell, make Arrow Storm persistent. Kinda tricksy so I'll add something more. I've always liked the Nentyar Hunter as an addition to archer characters. It dilutes the 'pure' archers seen above, but the added utility is very nice. Check out the class abilities (+10' move, +4 spot, woodland stride), and the spell selection (True Strike in particular). Anyway, that's really only an option if you feel the benefits outweigh the loss of other, archery based, PrC levels. Cheers Otto :)
nihility 10-04-05, 10:04 PM	Here's something a bit different that you might find pleasing (something in the vein of Otto's build): Ranger 2/ Cleric of Shaundakul 4/ Windwalker 10/ Optional 4 Windwalker advances most of your ranger skills and gives 4 skillpoints per level. Nice, high BAB to fuel your archery, plus some nice special abilities and casting. The optional stage is basically a question of if you want more archery tricks or more casting. I love the Windwalker PrC, personally. Similar in concept (though almost certainly better) is Funny Slaughter's "Casting Ranger." (http://boards1.wizards.com/showpost.php?p=2947088) It goes like so: Ranger2/Favored soul5/Harper Paragon10/Windwalker3 Favored Soul is used for the free Weapon Focus feat. You could go cleric if you felt like spending a regular feat on it.
Aravanus 10-04-05, 11:17 PM	Thanks all! You have given me alot of great ideas (especially ksbsnowowl's archer thread: neat stuff). However, I was trying to say (and obviously didn't suceed) that I was looking for a build that was Ranger heavy...say 6 or 7 levels (I like the whole animal companion and nature spell thing). If for some reason this is unfeasible, then could someone be kind enough to walk me through the reason(s) why? Sorry to make such a fuss but I am new to this kinda stuff... :D
Blind Io 10-04-05, 11:24 PM	Why do you insist on taking so many levels of Ranger? Is it something in particular?
Aramas 10-04-05, 11:37 PM	Ranger 4th / Scout 4th / Deepwood Sniper 7th / Peerless Archer 3rd / Order of the Bow Initiate 2nd Wood Elf Str 16 Dex 20 Con 12 Int 12 Wis 12 Cha 8 Make sure to get a +1 Blessed Bow (Blessed is a +1 enhancement found in BoED) and a pouch of Pearls of Power (1st Level) Use the pearls to cast Hunter's Mercy whenever you need to. The Blessed enhancement automatically confirms criticals against evil creatures. Now you can Power Shot for your full BAB.
nihility 10-05-05, 12:54 PM	I think it would help if you could narrow down what sort of archer you would like to be. Which of these basic types seems the most appealing? 1) Fire support. You stand away from the enemy during the fight and lob arrows in, and probably offer meat-shield services to the mage. This is probably the most conventional role, and you could do it fine with a pure Ranger if you wanted to. 2) Combat archer. You use a bow almost like a melee weapon, possibly even threatening squares with it. You give up the superior damage of a two-handed melee weapon to gain really long "reach" and the ability to avoid the enemy's reach when needed. 3) Sniper. One shot, one kill. You eliminate the enemy before the fight starts. 4) Casting archer. You suppliment one of the above styles with spellcasting or psionics. However, I was trying to say (and obviously didn't suceed) that I was looking for a build that was Ranger heavy...say 6 or 7 levels (I like the whole animal companion and nature spell thing). If for some reason this is unfeasible, then could someone be kind enough to walk me through the reason(s) why? Sorry to make such a fuss but I am new to this kinda stuff... It's a question of focus. The Ranger gets a wide variety of class abilities, but only the combat style feats, limited spells, Favored Enemy bonuses, Camouflage, and Hide in Plain Sight directly add to your ability to be some kind of an archer. The latter three abilities are all situational. The other class abilities certainly help you as a well-rounded character, but they don't help you shoot things in the face. In contrast, a mix of archery-minded prestige classes can provide great focus on one or another style of archery. ksbsnowowl's builds are good examples of the focus being placed on different styles. Thus, when we toss out these builds, the intent is usually to focus very closely on the face-shooting bit.
yoritomoshomey 10-05-05, 02:23 PM	I'll throw my 2 cents in. This build is based on you being able to use material from Dragon Magazine. If you can't, stop reading now. :) This build also doesn't use any 3.0 material that hasn't been updated in a 3.5 book (i.e. - Peerless Archer and Deepwood Sniper) Ranger 2 (free rapid shot) Targetteer 12 (7 bonus feats) Order of the Bow Initiate 2 (close combat shot, good will save) Occult Slayer 4 (bonus damage vs. casters and spellike abilities, good will save) Targetteer is from Dragon #310. It is a fighter variant that has Hide and Move Silently as class skills. It also gains 2 Ranged Exotic Weapon Proficiencies. Select Greatbow as one of them. I believe in CWar it states that any feat for Longbow also counts for Greatbow. Dead Eye is from Dragon #304. It pretty much grants dex to damage witha ranged weapon you have Weapon Focus in and within 30 feet. Order of the Bow Initiate and Occult Slayer are from Complete Warrior. 1 Rng 1 Track, Point Blank Shot 2 Tgt 1 Weapon Focus: Longbow 3 Rng 2 Rapid Shot, Dead Eye 4 Tgt 2 Precise Shot 5 Tgt 3 6 Tgt 4 Manyshot, Weapon Specialization: Longbow 7 OBI 1 8 OBI 2 9 Tgt 5 Greater Manyshot 10 Tgt 6 Improved Initiative 11 Tgt 7 12 Tgt 8 Improved Rapid Shot, Improved Precise Shot 13 Tgt 9 14 Tgt 10 Greater Weapon Focus: Longbow 15 Tgt 11 Woodland Archer 16 Tgt 12 Greater Weapon Specialization: Longbow 17 OSl 1 18 OSl 2 Improved Toughness 19 OSl 3 20 OSl 4 BAB: +20 HD: 8d8+12d10 Base Saves: +12/+11/+11 I would also go with Aramas on the: Wood Elf Str 16 Dex 20 Con 12 Int 12 Wis 12 Cha 8 My 2 cents, Dave
Zathyr 10-05-05, 03:56 PM	Is foe hunter updated to 3.5 somewhere? Anyway, I've been toying around with a Rogue/Ranger/Stalker of Kharash (from BoED) idea. If you take Able Learner (RoD) you can keep up with all the skill monkey essentials, and be a pretty decent combatant. Something like: Rogue 1-2; Ranger 1-3; SoK 1-2; Rng 4-6, and honestly I was going to go with some more melee-oriented PrC's after this, but I think the start works just as well for an archer. Good skills, good feats, you just hit 2nd level ranger spells which isn't huge but there's some good stuff there, and you can have a +3 favored enemy-evil, or +1d6+6 to damage against them with Nemesis (BoED) and Improved Favored Enemy (CW) (If you want to spend the feats - Nemesis is certainly worth it), and you're all set to go into pretty much whatever PrC you like.