Post/Author/DateTime	Post
velocityhead 04-27-04, 08:30 PM	I'm at 11th level right now, and not quite sure which direction I should send my Arcane Archer in....any suggestions? Here's his info: Fighter 6/ Wizard 1/ Arcane Archer 4 Str: 14 Dex: 22 Con: 15 Int: 12 Wis: 10 Cha: 8 Fort: 10 Ref: 14 Will: 5 HP: 85 AC: 25 (7 armor, 6 dex, 2 deflection) Init: 6 +1 Frost Flaming Composite Longbow (+2 str) MW Greatsword +3 Mithral Shirt +2 Ring of Protection +2 Gloves of Dexterity Quiver of Ehlonna Boots of Striding and Springing +2 Amulet of Health Feats: Point Blank Shot Precise Shot Rapid Shot Weapon Focus Weapon Specialization Leadership Dodge Mobility Alertness (weasel familiar) Spells: Read Magic Mending True Strike Expeditious Retreat So does anyone have an interesting direction to take this build? Keep in mind that I get a feat next level, and magic items are always an option. Our DM only uses Wizards material, so 3rd party stuff is unlikely. Thanks!
Blade2718 04-28-04, 01:49 AM	Manyshot and the PrC Eldritch Knight.
velocityhead 05-03-04, 11:38 PM	I don't believe I can make the requirements of the Eldritch Knight with one level of Wizard...
The Lone Drow 05-04-04, 12:40 AM	Since you're going for an archer build (well, I presume as much), and arcane archer is allowed in you adventure :D, take all levels of arcane archer (it just gets better and better), take two of stalker of karrash from the book of exalted deeds (favoured enemy: evil) presuming you are of neutral or good alignment, and three of peerless archer (FR - Silver Marches) for power shot. If you can, try this: Ranger 2/Fighter 2/Wizard 1/Arcane Archer 10/Stalker of Karrash 2/Peerless Archer 3 Well, that's my two cents. ;)
velocityhead 05-04-04, 01:31 AM	My DM isn't using FR material, as far as I know...but I could probably get him to look at material from BoED. I'll have to check out the stalker....thanks.
The Lone Drow 05-04-04, 02:01 AM	Remind him FR is still Wizards material. ;)
Father Dale 05-04-04, 03:17 AM	Manyshot feat could allow you to fire off a bunch of arrows even when not taking a full round action, albeit with hefty penalties. But AAs have huge AB anyways. Shot on the run lets you shoot in the middle of your move action. (Like spring attack, except with ranged weapons) Together those could be deadly for your arcane archer. Stalker is cool...you'll need to take the Favored of Champions feat and Endurance feats to qualify for it though. But your better off just going arcane archer and fighter probably...the +1 vs evil isn't nearly as good as your +1's from more AA levels. Plus you couldn't cast any of the spells unless you took a bunch of levels in it, since you have no ranger levels. Although with four levels in stalker you get hide in plain sight. Oh, stalkers must be Neutral Good...not Neutral or Good. If you don't mind taking the experience hit for multiclassing, 2 lvls of Barbarian would be good for you as you would get 10ft increase to movement and Uncanny Dodge, which is a great ability for any dexer to have. It wouldn't drop your BAB any. And you could rage once a day hehe.
The Lone Drow 05-04-04, 04:08 AM	You're right Dale. So be Neutral Good and switch to: Ranger 3/Fighter 1/Wizard 1/Arcane Archer 10/Stalker of Karrash 2/Peerless Archer 3 You get Endurance at Ranger 3 and a higher will save. :)
RodIshiCi 05-04-04, 04:15 AM	I agree. Since you already got to lv4 in AA, just get all the way to lv10 - you'll end up with +5 arrows, arrow of death and wail of arrows, which are all nice things to have, even tough you may not use the last two a lot. Deepwood Sniper could be a nice complement if you cannot go for Peerless Archer: you get keen arrows and a better multiplier for only two levels, and you probably already fill the requirements (maybe but skills, but there's plently of time for those). Eldritch Knight could be interesting, since it'd grant a bonus feat in the first level, but since you'd need to get 4 more levels in Wizard, I guess it's a no-no. For feats, your build is crying for Shot in the Run and Manyshot. Those two would allow you to stay behind cover while shooting a lot of magical arrows at each time. Could be even more flexible if you had nice spells to use together with Imbue Arrow, but your Wizard level is too low even to do nice tricks like shooting a Antimagic Field on someone. As for itens, you're going in the right direction: extra dice of damage are nice to have. If it's allowed, try to get Marrowcrushing (same thing as 3.5 Wounding, only it's +3 and seems to be valid for ranged weapons - from BoVD). If you are mostly facing evil, be sure to get Holy before going for other elements (acid should come before lightning since it usually can stop regeneration and seems to face less resistance from monsters). And finish the weapon combination with a Quiver of Anariel, to replace the Ehlonna's, set to produce different material arrows for overcoming DR if you're playing 3.5. Just be sure just to carry some mudane arrows in case of being unable to use magic itens, because those arrows created by the quiver probably won't hit an enemy in an Antimagic Field. For armor, soon you'll find better to sell your current Mithral Shirt and go for a Celestial Armor (better armor bonus, allows more AC and allows you to fly once per day). Don't forget that you can have a buckler. You retain the extra AC while attacking with a bow and it won't give you any penalty. If you cast spells that use somatic component, get a Mithral one for no ASF. The rest is pretty standard. Greater Bracers of Archery, Gloves of Dexterity +6 and Boots of Speed.
KimHal 05-04-04, 09:42 AM	From the SRD SHOT ON THE RUN [GENERAL] Prerequisites: Dex 13, Dodge, Mobility, Point Blank Shot, base attack bonus +4. Benefit: When using the attack action with a ranged weapon, you can move both before and after the attack, provided that your total distance moved is not greater than your speed. (emphasis mine) Manyshot is a specific standard action, not the attack action. It can't be used with shot on the run... :(
ksbsnowowl 05-04-04, 10:32 AM	In addition to your Manyshot/Shot on the Run fubar, the following is also incorrect:Originally posted by RodIshiCi Don't forget that you can have a buckler. You retain the extra AC while attacking with a bow and it won't give you any penalty. If you use the buckler arm to actively wield a weapon, you lose its AC for the round. From the 3.5 SRD:Buckler: This small metal shield is worn strapped to your forearm. You can use a bow or crossbow without penalty while carrying it. You can also use your shield arm to wield a weapon (whether you are using an off-hand weapon or using your off hand to help wield a two-handed weapon), but you take a –1 penalty on attack rolls while doing so. This penalty stacks with those that may apply for fighting with your off hand and for fighting with two weapons. In any case, if you use a weapon in your off hand, you don’t get the buckler’s AC bonus for the rest of the round. You can’t bash someone with a buckler.Emphasis mine. A bow is a two-handed weapon, thus when you use one, you are using it in your off hand (as well as your main hand).
RodIshiCi 05-04-04, 01:58 PM	Hmm, I stand corrected in both cases then. (I was under the false impression that the 'no penalty' for bows and crossbows would also allow the AC while attacking) Altough, in the buckler case, it could be useful for AC when flat-footed or otherwise not attacking with the bow (like using a spell). Of course, this would reduce the investment made in a buckler. Unless you can spare a feat (maybe the one that would be destined to Shot in the Run) for Improved Buckler Defense (CW) - you retain your AC even if using the off-hand to attack.
velocityhead 05-04-04, 02:35 PM	ksbsnowowl: I noticed that you're from Mequon...do you go to Concordia? I completely agree with the weapon direction, and other standard archer magic items...but I'm still wondering what my best bet would be for levels 18-20 (10 arcane archer, 1 wizard, 6 fighter so far). I do want to try to maintain a high BAB. Other things that I would be interested in is maybe a prestige class that boosts AC (because of my character's playing style, he needs it more than your typical archer). Perhaps a better will save would be good as well. I'm not very interested in gaining more spells. Any ideas?
ksbsnowowl 05-04-04, 03:49 PM	Originally posted by velocityhead ksbsnowowl: I noticed that you're from Mequon...do you go to Concordia?Well, I'm actually from KC, but I do go to school at CUW. Is Mequon your home town? I'm still wondering what my best bet would be for levels 18-20 (10 arcane archer, 1 wizard, 6 fighter so far). I do want to try to maintain a high BAB. Other things that I would be interested in is maybe a prestige class that boosts AC (because of my character's playing style, he needs it more than your typical archer). Perhaps a better will save would be good as well. I'm not very interested in gaining more spells. Any ideas? Well, here are a few different options: You could go with 2 or 3 levels of Order of the Bow Initiate (Sword and Fist/Complete Warrior) to gain Close Combat Shot You could take 3 levels of Peerless Archer (Silver Marches) to gain Power Shot (basically allows you to Power Attack with a ranged weapon) and +1d6 ranged sneak attack. Take 2 or 3 levels of Deepwood Sniper (Masters of the Wild) to gain keen arrows, a +1 improved critical multiplier, poison use, and a bonus to the range of your bowshots. Take 3 levels of Dragonslayer (Draconomicon) to gain two caster levels, a good Fort and Will save, an Aura of Courage, a +3 damage bonus vs. dragons, a +3 boost to overcoming dragon SR, and DR 1/-
The Lone Drow 05-04-04, 03:50 PM	Get Combat Expertise and sacrifice attack roll points for more AC.
RodIshiCi 05-04-04, 05:40 PM	Originally posted by The Lone Drow Get Combat Expertise and sacrifice attack roll points for more AC. Not a good idea since it only works with melee attacks. If AC is wanted, the Improved Buckler Defense feats is a better idea. A +4 Buckler would give all those 5 AC points and would only cost 16165 (allowing for 1 more AC 5 enhancement bonus worth of special abilities). Or you could ditch the feat for this and get an Animated Large Shield instead, so you could choose another feat and still enjoy a nice AC bonus. The Dragon Slayer idea is pretty nice. Immunity to fear is always good, and 2 spellcaster levels is just icing on the top, and could allow for 1st level spells with somatic components without ASF if with Still Spell metamagic feat.
The Lone Drow 05-04-04, 06:08 PM	My point is to have that feat for close-up battle... I'm sure an archer should have at least one weapon (like a scimitar) for melee action. The buckler is an excellent idea for melee combat, much like the combat expertise feat is. :)
RodIshiCi 05-04-04, 06:23 PM	For close range he already seems to be fond of the Greatsword. :) I would pick some daggers for that. They can be used on grapple and their damage isn't that inferior comparing to a rapier. Plus, if you can then put some distance to the foe again, you could throw it (or multiple if you have Quickdraw - you could apply almost all archery feats on them then). Combat Expertise could make use of the Animated Heavy Shield. But I guess that busting a feat to use in a situation that is manageable without it and will be seen only in rare events is a bad idea.
velocityhead 05-04-04, 09:02 PM	Well I do have 2 feats left (probably Manyshot and maybe Shot on the Run). With my remaining 3 levels I could pick those up with Figher, and grab another feat or two that way. I'm not convinced Combat Expertise would be the best route, considering my character really shines when he can hit a lot of things others in the group can't (especially baddies that are running away at 120 feet/round). That, and I don't really want to put any more points into Intelligence for Combat Expertise. I'm starting to think that Improved Buckler Defense is a good route to go...Manyshot is a feat that I definately want to pick up, but I'm not too excited about Shot on the Run.......Unless, of course, I pick up the last levels with Fighter, then I can manage all three feats. So: Last three levels in Fighter, and take Manyshot, Shot on the Run, and Improved Bucker Defense? Last three levels in Fighter, and take Manyshot, Improved Buckler Defense, and some other feat? Take Manyshot, Improved Buckler Defense, and three levels in another prestige class? And yes, I am very fond of my greatsword. : )
Blade2718 05-04-04, 09:21 PM	If you love your greatsword so much then why are you depriving it of immediate action? Pick up Quick Draw and let it get some action.
velocityhead 05-04-04, 09:49 PM	hrmm....now theres an idea!
RodIshiCi 05-05-04, 08:44 AM	That could be useful. With Improved Buckler Defense and Quickdraw, you'd be ready for most combat situations. You could draw your Greatsword when forced into melee (while still retaining your full AC) and you could go for Daggers if grappled (and throw it at the enemy as soon as you gain some distance as the first attack of a full ranged attack that could be finished with your bow).