Archer Build [Archive] - Wizards Community

Archer Build [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Kurikin
11-04-06, 03:00 PM I've been playing this archer build in the Ravenloft setting and I've hit a dead end on what to do next with it.

Books availible are all 3.0 and 3.5.

Fighter-4 / Ranger-4 Nuetral Good Elf, Worshiper of Corellon Larethian

Feats
Pathetic(cha)
Point Blank Shot
Precise Shot
Many Shot
Rapid Shot
Improved Rapid Shot
Weapon Focus
Weapon Specialization
Ranged Disarm
Track
Improved Initiative
Endurance

Instead of getting an animal companion at level 8 I chose to take the Distracting Attack ability from PHB2.

Right now with all of my stuff I do +19/+19/+14, 1d8 + 1d6 (fire) + 8 with my Compostie Longbow.

Some things I've been thinking of are going
Wizard-5 / Arcane Archer-2 / Elderitch Knight-5
Leaving me with 17 BAB, CL 9 at 20th level.

Or mabye Dropping Arcane Archer all together and going
Wizard-5 / Elderitch Knight-7
Leaving me with 17 BAB, CL 11 at 20th level.

Or having no spell casting ability
OBI-2 / Rogue-4 (for the PHB2 variant level 4 ability) / ???-6

I'd be willing to be Divine if that would be better to add on to what I already have.
ksbsnowowl
11-04-06, 03:15 PM Check out the Archer Build Thread linked in my sig for some archer builds that may give you some ideas of where to head with the character.

Although you would still need Quick Draw to qualify, I would seriously consider Peerless Archer, as it is by far one of the best archery PrC's ever produced.
Kurikin
11-04-06, 03:49 PM From looking at that thread heres what I came up with that I might use.

OBI-2 for Close Combat shot
PA-3 for Power Shot
PA-8 for Threaten
PT-1 for Mettle

That leaves me with 1 level to work with.

I'd like to have evasion but I don't think there is a way to get it in 3 levels (dropping OBI).
ksbsnowowl
11-04-06, 04:43 PM Mettle generally isn't all that useful; it is only effective vs. 4 or 5 spells in the entirity of the core game.

I'd suggest dropping Pious Templar, and just take 2 levels of Rogue. That gets you evasion.

Here's another idea, albeit a little crazy. You already qualify for OotBI; take that as your 9th and 10th level classes. For your 9th level feat, choose Weapon Focus in some type of thrown weapon (dagger, throwing axe, whatever). At 11th level, take a level in Master Thrower, gaining Quick Draw (to qualify for Peerless Archer). Take a second level of Master Thrower at 12th, gaining evasion without having lost a single point of BAB. Then, at 13th level, take your first level of Peerless Archer.

You can now be an effective archer and thrower, depending upon what your best weapon is at the time. For your one thrown weapon trick, I'd maybe take Sneaky Shot, as it works with any ranged attack, not only thrown weapons. Also note that the Power Shot ability of the Peerless Archer also works with all ranged attacks.

You could then attack with a full attack on any given round, or, say, if you are having trouble getting through DR, shoot only once per round, invoking the small bit of Ranged Precision you have from OotBI, and maybe adding in the Sneak Attack damge you get from Peerless Archer if you make your sleight of hand check.
Kurikin
11-04-06, 06:12 PM Thanks Owl.

I would have never even thought of ever looking at Master Thrower.

I'll let you know how this build works out.
oontyex
11-04-06, 10:23 PM If ur using all books 3.0 and 3.5 i made this build which i think is pretty cool:

non-caster, volley archer, crit focused:

book used so far:
master of the wild
quintessential drow
Dragon magazine 310
complete warrior

this is the build so far:

human:
ranger 2/ targetteer 2 (fighter variant)/ deepwood sniper 7/ Dark Blade 5/ not sure of rest

16 point build: possibly
12 St/ 17 Dex/ 14 Con/ 12 Int/ 10 Wis/ 8 Cha

possibly take the two flaws:
i. Noncombatant: -2 penalty on all melee attack rolls
ii. Pathetic: Reduces one of your ability scores by 2: probably pick charisma
-> 12 St/ 17 Dex/ 14 Con/ 12 Int/ 10 Wis/ 6 Cha

lv 1: ranger (track from ranger - prereq for dark blade)
human feat: farshot, lv 1 feat: weapon focus
+ 2 feats from 2 flaws: (?)
lv 2: ranger (rapid shot from combat style)
lv 3: targetteer
targetteer ability: vital aim, lv 3 feat: pointblank shot
lv 4: targetteer
targetteer feat: power critical (?)
lv 5: ? (was thinking maybe barbarian for speed or swashbuckler for weapon finesse, something with BAB +1)
lv 6 -7: deepwood sniper
lv 6 feat: many shot
gains keen arrows, +1 to crit multiplier, concealment reduction 10%
lv 8 -12: darkblade
lv 9 & lv 12 feat: greater manyshot + power critical (?)
gains:2d6 sneak attack death arrow, evasion, improved critical feat, uncanny dodge, +1 to crit multiplier, 2 feats -
1) pick ability: Crippling strike: 'when darkblade damages an opponent with a sneak attack, the target also takes 1 point of strength damage'
2) ?
lv 13 - 17: deepwood sniper
lv 15 feat: ?
gain: safe poison use, +1 crit multiplier, concealment reduction to 20%

lv 18- 20: ?
lv 18 feat: ?

Ok the key stuff from each:

Deep wood sniper PrC from masters of the wild:
prereqs: BAB:+5, skils: hide 4, move silently 4, spot 4, feats: far shot, point blank shot, weapon focus

full bab progression
at each level gain +10ft range
Lv 1: keen arrows (doubles threat range), concealment reduction 10%
lv 2: improve crit multiplier by 1
lv 3: safe poison use
lv 4: Take aim +2 [+2 bonus to attack if you aim for a full-round action and target moves less than 5 feet]
lv 5: Consistent aim 1/day [once per day can reroll one attack roll]
lv 6: concealment reduction 20%
lv 7: consistent aim 2/day, improve crit multiplier by +1 [so total +2 now]

Dark blade PrC from quintessential drow:
Prereqs: any neutral, bab: +5, bluff 7, sense motive 7, wilderness lore 7, feats: track

BAB progression = class level -1

lv 1:sneak attack +1d6, gain feat improved crit
lv 2: Death arrow (can sneak attack from what ever range), evasion, shadow walk (same as shadow walk spell, can use for 10 min per day per level of darkblade)
lv 3: uncanny dodge (dex to AC), combat mastery [choice from:
"Combat Senses: At the beginning of combat, the
dark blade chooses a target. Against this target, the dark
blade rolls a Sense Motive check (DC is equal to the
attacker’s attack roll). If successful, the dark blade can
add a +1 deflection bonus to his AC per level. Only one
target can be chosen per round; however, this target can
be changed from round to round.

Crippling Strike: When the dark blade damages an
opponent with a sneak attack, the target also takes 1
point of Strength damage.

Feint: The dark blade can disorient his foes with a
dazzling display of weapon mastery. With a successfulBluff skill check, the dark blade can cause his foe to
believe he will attack from one direction, while he is
actually attacking from another. If the feint is successful,
the dark blade adds his level to all damage scored
by the feint attack. Afeint must be called before the dice
are rolled and is considered to be a full round action.

Opportunist: Once per round, the dark blade can
make an attack of opportunity against an opponent who
has just been struck for damage in melee by another
character. This attack counts as the dark blade’s attacks
of opportunity for that round. Even a dark blade with
the Combat Reflexes feat can’t use the opportunist ability
more than once per round.

Feat: Adark blade may gain a feat in place of a special
ability."

lv 4: sneak attack +2d6
lv 5: gain +1 to crit multiplier, combat mastery

Targetteer fighter variant from dragon magazine #310:
Same as fighter except:
starts with profficiency in all simple weapons, all ranged martial weapons and two ranged exotic weapons,
profficiency in all light, medium and heavy armour, and bucklers - but not shields

also, jump, swim, handle animal and intimidate are not class skills, but hide , move silently and profession are

instead of fighter feat, pick either targetteer feat or targetteer ability:

Targetteer Feat
Dodge, Exotic Weapon Proficiency, Far Shot, Greater Weapon Focus, Greater Weapon Specialization, Improved Critical, Improved Initiative, Improved Precise Shot, Improved Unarmed Strike, Lightning Reflexes, Manyshot, Mobility, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Reload, Rapid Shot, Run, Shot on the Run, Stealthy, Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization,

Targetteer Ability
Arrow Swarm – (prerequisite: Rapid Shot) As a Full Round Attack, the Targetteer may make two extra ranged attacks at his/her highest attack bonus, but all attacks receive a –5 penalty.

Sniper – As a Full Round Attack, the Targetteer may “sacrifice” one shot to gain +1 critical threat range on a shot in that Full Round Attack. Multiple attacks may be sacrificed. The bonus is only for one shot & does not “carry
over” from round to round.

Vital Aim – When shooting an opponent who is vulnerable to critical hits, the Targetteer may use his/her Dexterity modifier as a damage bonus instead of his/her Strength modifier. This ability can only be used if the Strength modifier is positive –or– both modifiers are negative.

From complete warrior:
composite great bow:
200gp: 1d10 damage, 20/x3 130ft 6lb piercing

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Kurikin 11-04-06, 03:00 PM	I've been playing this archer build in the Ravenloft setting and I've hit a dead end on what to do next with it. Books availible are all 3.0 and 3.5. Fighter-4 / Ranger-4 Nuetral Good Elf, Worshiper of Corellon Larethian Feats Pathetic(cha) Point Blank Shot Precise Shot Many Shot Rapid Shot Improved Rapid Shot Weapon Focus Weapon Specialization Ranged Disarm Track Improved Initiative Endurance Instead of getting an animal companion at level 8 I chose to take the Distracting Attack ability from PHB2. Right now with all of my stuff I do +19/+19/+14, 1d8 + 1d6 (fire) + 8 with my Compostie Longbow. Some things I've been thinking of are going Wizard-5 / Arcane Archer-2 / Elderitch Knight-5 Leaving me with 17 BAB, CL 9 at 20th level. Or mabye Dropping Arcane Archer all together and going Wizard-5 / Elderitch Knight-7 Leaving me with 17 BAB, CL 11 at 20th level. Or having no spell casting ability OBI-2 / Rogue-4 (for the PHB2 variant level 4 ability) / ???-6 I'd be willing to be Divine if that would be better to add on to what I already have.
ksbsnowowl 11-04-06, 03:15 PM	Check out the Archer Build Thread linked in my sig for some archer builds that may give you some ideas of where to head with the character. Although you would still need Quick Draw to qualify, I would seriously consider Peerless Archer, as it is by far one of the best archery PrC's ever produced.
Kurikin 11-04-06, 03:49 PM	From looking at that thread heres what I came up with that I might use. OBI-2 for Close Combat shot PA-3 for Power Shot PA-8 for Threaten PT-1 for Mettle That leaves me with 1 level to work with. I'd like to have evasion but I don't think there is a way to get it in 3 levels (dropping OBI).
ksbsnowowl 11-04-06, 04:43 PM	Mettle generally isn't all that useful; it is only effective vs. 4 or 5 spells in the entirity of the core game. I'd suggest dropping Pious Templar, and just take 2 levels of Rogue. That gets you evasion. Here's another idea, albeit a little crazy. You already qualify for OotBI; take that as your 9th and 10th level classes. For your 9th level feat, choose Weapon Focus in some type of thrown weapon (dagger, throwing axe, whatever). At 11th level, take a level in Master Thrower, gaining Quick Draw (to qualify for Peerless Archer). Take a second level of Master Thrower at 12th, gaining evasion without having lost a single point of BAB. Then, at 13th level, take your first level of Peerless Archer. You can now be an effective archer and thrower, depending upon what your best weapon is at the time. For your one thrown weapon trick, I'd maybe take Sneaky Shot, as it works with any ranged attack, not only thrown weapons. Also note that the Power Shot ability of the Peerless Archer also works with all ranged attacks. You could then attack with a full attack on any given round, or, say, if you are having trouble getting through DR, shoot only once per round, invoking the small bit of Ranged Precision you have from OotBI, and maybe adding in the Sneak Attack damge you get from Peerless Archer if you make your sleight of hand check.
Kurikin 11-04-06, 06:12 PM	Thanks Owl. I would have never even thought of ever looking at Master Thrower. I'll let you know how this build works out.
oontyex 11-04-06, 10:23 PM	If ur using all books 3.0 and 3.5 i made this build which i think is pretty cool: non-caster, volley archer, crit focused: book used so far: master of the wild quintessential drow Dragon magazine 310 complete warrior this is the build so far: human: ranger 2/ targetteer 2 (fighter variant)/ deepwood sniper 7/ Dark Blade 5/ not sure of rest 16 point build: possibly 12 St/ 17 Dex/ 14 Con/ 12 Int/ 10 Wis/ 8 Cha possibly take the two flaws: i. Noncombatant: -2 penalty on all melee attack rolls ii. Pathetic: Reduces one of your ability scores by 2: probably pick charisma -> 12 St/ 17 Dex/ 14 Con/ 12 Int/ 10 Wis/ 6 Cha lv 1: ranger (track from ranger - prereq for dark blade) human feat: farshot, lv 1 feat: weapon focus + 2 feats from 2 flaws: (?) lv 2: ranger (rapid shot from combat style) lv 3: targetteer targetteer ability: vital aim, lv 3 feat: pointblank shot lv 4: targetteer targetteer feat: power critical (?) lv 5: ? (was thinking maybe barbarian for speed or swashbuckler for weapon finesse, something with BAB +1) lv 6 -7: deepwood sniper lv 6 feat: many shot gains keen arrows, +1 to crit multiplier, concealment reduction 10% lv 8 -12: darkblade lv 9 & lv 12 feat: greater manyshot + power critical (?) gains:2d6 sneak attack death arrow, evasion, improved critical feat, uncanny dodge, +1 to crit multiplier, 2 feats - 1) pick ability: Crippling strike: 'when darkblade damages an opponent with a sneak attack, the target also takes 1 point of strength damage' 2) ? lv 13 - 17: deepwood sniper lv 15 feat: ? gain: safe poison use, +1 crit multiplier, concealment reduction to 20% lv 18- 20: ? lv 18 feat: ? Ok the key stuff from each: Deep wood sniper PrC from masters of the wild: prereqs: BAB:+5, skils: hide 4, move silently 4, spot 4, feats: far shot, point blank shot, weapon focus full bab progression at each level gain +10ft range Lv 1: keen arrows (doubles threat range), concealment reduction 10% lv 2: improve crit multiplier by 1 lv 3: safe poison use lv 4: Take aim +2 [+2 bonus to attack if you aim for a full-round action and target moves less than 5 feet] lv 5: Consistent aim 1/day [once per day can reroll one attack roll] lv 6: concealment reduction 20% lv 7: consistent aim 2/day, improve crit multiplier by +1 [so total +2 now] Dark blade PrC from quintessential drow: Prereqs: any neutral, bab: +5, bluff 7, sense motive 7, wilderness lore 7, feats: track BAB progression = class level -1 lv 1:sneak attack +1d6, gain feat improved crit lv 2: Death arrow (can sneak attack from what ever range), evasion, shadow walk (same as shadow walk spell, can use for 10 min per day per level of darkblade) lv 3: uncanny dodge (dex to AC), combat mastery [choice from: "Combat Senses: At the beginning of combat, the dark blade chooses a target. Against this target, the dark blade rolls a Sense Motive check (DC is equal to the attacker’s attack roll). If successful, the dark blade can add a +1 deflection bonus to his AC per level. Only one target can be chosen per round; however, this target can be changed from round to round. Crippling Strike: When the dark blade damages an opponent with a sneak attack, the target also takes 1 point of Strength damage. Feint: The dark blade can disorient his foes with a dazzling display of weapon mastery. With a successfulBluff skill check, the dark blade can cause his foe to believe he will attack from one direction, while he is actually attacking from another. If the feint is successful, the dark blade adds his level to all damage scored by the feint attack. Afeint must be called before the dice are rolled and is considered to be a full round action. Opportunist: Once per round, the dark blade can make an attack of opportunity against an opponent who has just been struck for damage in melee by another character. This attack counts as the dark blade’s attacks of opportunity for that round. Even a dark blade with the Combat Reflexes feat can’t use the opportunist ability more than once per round. Feat: Adark blade may gain a feat in place of a special ability." lv 4: sneak attack +2d6 lv 5: gain +1 to crit multiplier, combat mastery Targetteer fighter variant from dragon magazine #310: Same as fighter except: starts with profficiency in all simple weapons, all ranged martial weapons and two ranged exotic weapons, profficiency in all light, medium and heavy armour, and bucklers - but not shields also, jump, swim, handle animal and intimidate are not class skills, but hide , move silently and profession are instead of fighter feat, pick either targetteer feat or targetteer ability: Targetteer Feat Dodge, Exotic Weapon Proficiency, Far Shot, Greater Weapon Focus, Greater Weapon Specialization, Improved Critical, Improved Initiative, Improved Precise Shot, Improved Unarmed Strike, Lightning Reflexes, Manyshot, Mobility, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Reload, Rapid Shot, Run, Shot on the Run, Stealthy, Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization, Targetteer Ability Arrow Swarm – (prerequisite: Rapid Shot) As a Full Round Attack, the Targetteer may make two extra ranged attacks at his/her highest attack bonus, but all attacks receive a –5 penalty. Sniper – As a Full Round Attack, the Targetteer may “sacrifice” one shot to gain +1 critical threat range on a shot in that Full Round Attack. Multiple attacks may be sacrificed. The bonus is only for one shot & does not “carry over” from round to round. Vital Aim – When shooting an opponent who is vulnerable to critical hits, the Targetteer may use his/her Dexterity modifier as a damage bonus instead of his/her Strength modifier. This ability can only be used if the Strength modifier is positive –or– both modifiers are negative. From complete warrior: composite great bow: 200gp: 1d10 damage, 20/x3 130ft 6lb piercing