Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Zedraikis 10-30-03, 03:58 PM	I'm having trouble creating the Arcane Archer I've been wanting to try out. I'm hoping I can get some suggestions here. Going by 3.5 rules and the character is 10th level. The only thing I've really seen as an option is Fighter 6, Wiz/Sor 1, Arcane Archer 3. However, that pretty much lays waste to the ability to imbue your arrows with area affect spells, but then a fairly low level Wiz/Sor sucks in general, anyway. My main goal is to be able to level all the way as an Arcane Archer and have the feats that make an archer an archer, hence Fighter levels. I wouldn't mind some good spellcasting ability, but I'm not seeing it work, there. Any suggestions?
Ka'loss 10-30-03, 04:13 PM	The most cheesy way to build an arcane archer is:- Figther4/Rogue3/Assassin1/Arcane Archer10/Deepwood Sniper2. In that order, only taking a rogue level first for the skill points. I personally wouldn't use thisd build, i prefer ranger9/wizard1/AA10 but its no where near as powerful. Kal
Lord_of_the_Seven_Towers 10-30-03, 04:26 PM	I;m not sure how good this is, i haven't built an arcane archer before but what the hey it seems ok. 1) Fighter-Point Blank Shot, Weapon Focus (bow) 2) Fighter-Precise Shot 3) Wizard-Rapid Shot 4) Wizard 5) Wizard 6) Wizard-Far Shot 7) Wizard 8) Eldritch Knight-Dodge 9) Eldritch Knight-Many Shot 10) Eldritch Knight 11) Arcane Archer 12) Arcane Archer-Mobility 13) Arcane Archer 14) Arcane Archer 15) Arcane Archer-Shot on the Run 16) Arcane Archer 17) Arcane Archer 18) Arcane Archer-Improved Precise Shot 19) Arcane Archer 20) Arcane Archer This will give you a BaB of +17 and access to level 4 spells. This does mean you won't have access to weapon specialisation, but that only applies for when you're within 30 ft. Anway it's an option.
Neonsamurai 10-30-03, 04:35 PM	The best way to build an arcane archer is to NOT use the arcane archer prestige class :angel: A possible arcane archer can be found here : http://minmax.neonsamurai.de/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=46&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0 You can build varieties from this. For example if you prefer a wizard as base casting class you could use air genasi. +2dex and int are pretty nice as well as breathless and 1/day levitation.
Zedraikis 10-30-03, 04:39 PM	First suggestion isn't bad. It actually kind of works with what I'm going with, and a rogue can read scrolls into the arrows, too. Second one is good for the casting ability, but that's all I'm seeing. I'd be relying mostly on spells for the looks of it. Thanks, you two. Still look for suggestions! And while I'm at it, I have another question. Arcane Archers have to be able to cast at least first level Arcane spells. A friend brought up the fact that a drow can cast a 2nd level Arcane spell, Darkness, as a spell-like ability. Does that qualify for the requirement?
Neonsamurai 10-30-03, 05:00 PM	No it doesn't you need to actually have a spell list from class levels. Thus a level of assassin would suffice, but not a spell-like ability.
draegl0th 10-30-03, 05:28 PM	This is what I suggest: Fighter1 / Wizard 5 / Eldritch Knight 10 / Arcane Archer 4 Able to cast 8th level arcane spells, plus the Imbue Arrow ability. Arrows of disintegration, anyone? ;)
PhaedrusXY 10-30-03, 06:50 PM	I think they can only imbue area affect spells into arrows, best I remember.
SoulLord 10-31-03, 11:12 AM	How about some evards black tentacles then :) SoulLord
draegl0th 10-31-03, 12:14 PM	My bad :blush: Arrows of Horrid Wilting, then?
Lord Arkhaven 10-31-03, 12:24 PM	Fighter 2/Wizard 6/Eldritch Knight 10/Archmage 2 BAB +16, 17th Level Caster - bee-frikken-utiful! Honestly people, if you can cast 9th level spells there is no special ability that the Arcane Archer gets they you could not replicate with a spell or do spell research for. Imbue Arrow, as a spell, would be easy.
Ka'loss 10-31-03, 03:44 PM	The build i done for an Arcane Archer is based around what the class does - shoots arrows, lots of them. When i do min/max, i look to take it to epic levels. The Weapon Specialisation lets you take the epic variant and also works well with point blank shot and swarm of arrows, both come into the feat due to 30ft limit on feat. Far shot(needed for deepwood sniper), lets you take distant shot that gives your hail of arrows any targets you can see. The assassin level is better than a wiz/sor due to increaded hit dice and skill points. Also, when you can get a surprise round in, your first arrow can do an extra 3d6. You can use poison safely. With a keen bow you have a 18-20/x4 critical. The assassin/rogue should give you enough use magic device to use mid level scrolls to cast upon the arrows. The rogue also gives you Evasion, a very nice ability, take another level at epic levels and you dont lose your large dex bonus on ac anytime your surprised (which shouldn't be very often!!). The Build:- Fighter 4/Rogue 3/Assassin 1/Arcane Archer 10/Deepwood Sniper 2 1st Weapon Focus (Longbow) 2nd Point Blank Shot 3rd Precise Shot 3rd Rapid Shot 6th Manyshot 7th Weapon Specialisation 9th Improved Initiative 12th Improved Critical 15th Improved Precise Shot 18th Far Shot Start with rogue, then alternate with fighter, trying to take the rogue levels, the latter of the two, so you can have a higher max skill rank. Then the level of Assassin (should be easy- only disguse not totally useful). Then ful 10 levels of arcane archer, and then finally 2 levels of deepwood sniper. BAB +18, Sv Fort+12 , Ref +16 , Will +5 ,.HD 4d10 + 3d6 + d6 + 10d8 + 2d8. The will save is pretty bad but Improved Intiative can be swapped out for iron will and at epic levels, epic iron will is pretty useful or dexterous will!. Best race for arcane archers are either evles (PHB) or if your strenght score isn't 18, wood elf (FR). New 3.5 rules, the arrows and bow enchantment dont sack, but their abilities still do. Just leave the numerical part to the arrows (for free!!), and just get a +1 bow full of special qualities (speed makes you legolas - giving at level 20 six shots for a round full action.!!). BTW if your group still uses 3.0 rules, you can get off 9 shots in a round!!! Have Fun Kal PS (Edit) - Bracers of aRchery complete the set up and when you use a bow, dont forget you can still have a buckler on your arm that doesn't affect your shooting - an arrow deflection buckler is just to ironic!!! :D