Post/Author/DateTime	Post
foxmarc 11-20-03, 01:16 PM	We are to begin a new campaign using the 3.5ed rules. I wish to play a ranger on the archer path against the advise of others. To avoid a side-issue, of course, I will play how I like because that is the point – fun for me. Anyhow, all say that the ballistic (archery/knife-throwing) benefits eventually become ineffective at higher levels, as high-level characters are largely less effected by missile weapons. Of course there are criticals & possible enchanted weapons – must I depend on these? So, will I be able to assist in combat (I only wish to discuss an archer’s ability in combat – not other abilities)? We found in our previous games that at high levels, the most effective characters were up-front tanks and wizards. Like your opinions/advice…
JosephKell 11-20-03, 01:42 PM	Originally posted by foxmarc We are to begin a new campaign using the 3.5ed rules. I wish to play a ranger on the archer path against the advise of others. To avoid a side-issue, of course, I will play how I like because that is the point – fun for me. Anyhow, all say that the ballistic (archery/knife-throwing) benefits eventually become ineffective at higher levels, as high-level characters are largely less effected by missile weapons. Of course there are criticals & possible enchanted weapons – must I depend on these? So, will I be able to assist in combat (I only wish to discuss an archer’s ability in combat – not other abilities)? We found in our previous games that at high levels, the most effective characters were up-front tanks and wizards. Like your opinions/advice… Archer Rangers are the most effective, anyone that tells you otherwise isn't very good at math. the absence of two-weapon fighting is replaced by a two-handed weapon (I recommend Greatsword or Greataxe)! Plus you get all the fun (and high dex requiring) Archery feats without fear of not qualifying. And since Favored Enemy Damage isn't limited by distance, you can use your bow from 110 ft away and clobber them before the figher or barbarian is within striking distance. This all assumes you aren't in a skewed game where you are always facing non-casters. If you are in a game that features villians of all types, an Archer is more versatile. Check out the Hide Skill for rules about Sniping. Hey Foxmarc, do you go to PolyCon? I noticed you live in San Luis Obispo. I know CalPoly has 5 events a year (four 1 day mini-cons and a 3 day con -- for 2004 it might be four days! Which reminds me, I have to register for the PolyCon XXII).
ksbsnowowl 11-20-03, 02:17 PM	Originally posted by foxmarc We are to begin a new campaign using the 3.5ed rules. Is this new campaign 3.5 core only? Or will PrC's from the previous splat books be allowed? From what I've heard a 3.5 archery ranger is pretty good, however, I doubt that it is as good as the possible archer builds using Order of the Bow Initiate and/or Deepwood Sniper and/or Peerless Archer.
hell0 11-20-03, 03:41 PM	Yeah, Archers are nasty. Do a search for them, someone had a build up a while ago that got 100-200 damage a shot (or something crazy like that).
ksbsnowowl 11-20-03, 03:53 PM	Originally posted by hell0 Yeah, Archers are nasty. Do a search for them, someone had a build up a while ago that got 100-200 damage a shot (or something crazy like that). Yeah, that was my build. At 10th level it did between 90 - 160 damage in one shot. At 15th level it does between 200 - 330 damage with one shot, and at 20th it can get to between 390 - 530. That's why I asked if it was only 3.5 core. That build requires the DWS and PeerArch PrC's.
foxmarc 11-20-03, 05:38 PM	good & helpful opinions. thanks to all. i feel better about playing sort now and again, thanks