Building a better Sniper [Archive] - Wizards Community

Building a better Sniper [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Nor'Morgwae
03-13-05, 05:00 PM I a recent campaign I was trying to make a character who dealt as much damage witha single shot from a distance as possible. But I couldn not get the danage very high.

The Character was a dwarven ranger (i know there a a couple problems already, I wanted to be a fighter but the party needed Survival. I alos like Dwarves and I hate Elves...). My weapon of choice was a Great Crossbow from Sword and Fist. D12 damage and 19-20/X2 critical Range is 150' I think. My DM let me take Far Shot instead of Rapid shot for my feat but I just could not get my damage up. Suggestions?
The Only Stipulations are Race=Dwarf and 1st 3 levels are in Ranger.

P.S. Normally I do forum searches to check for other people who have asked these questions but this forum tells me I don't have "sufficient privalledges to access" the search results. :confused:
So a link to another thread is more than welcome as an answer.
fatlosermatt
03-13-05, 05:30 PM Well...i'd say that adding Deepwoods sniper 2/ order of the bow initiate 10 would be pretty nice, you'd have to use a greatbow, though, as ootbi is bow only.

but if i really had to make a "ranged" dwarf...i'd go

Ftr2/Clr4/Master thrower 3/Hammer of Moradin 10/Battlesmith 2

you have options here, if you want to go with a strength build, you can take brutal throw (CV) and power throw (cv), for some reallly fun hammer throwing goodies.

or for a dex build, you can take twf and throw 2 warhammers, that'd be nice.

battlesmith is for wis to damage on hammers you craft.
Tempest Stormwind
03-13-05, 05:46 PM Work with your equipment as well -- I did a good job with a mercenary who did "odd jobs" (including bounty hunting and assassination via sniping and disguise) as a secondary part of the character, and all it took was a +1 Seeking light crossbow with a gnome crossbow sight, poisoned bolts (did the job with minimal fuss and noise), and good timing. The high dex didn't hurt, either, as well as stealth/disguise skills.

However, for class optimization, KSB Snow Owl's Archers (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=183604) are the definitive benchmark. Most use 3.0, though an update isn't too difficult and doesn't cost them much power (as they don't rely on the twisted loopholes that some 3.0 builds did). Most use Ranger and the ability for rangers to use wands of spells on their lists.

Finally, the Great Crossbow has been updated in 3.5 in Races of Stone. It's now 2d8 (M), 18-20/x2, 120ft increment, but still exotic and full-round reload. With powers like that, Deepwood Sniper's Keen Arrows become even more desirable.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Nor'Morgwae 03-13-05, 05:00 PM	I a recent campaign I was trying to make a character who dealt as much damage witha single shot from a distance as possible. But I couldn not get the danage very high. The Character was a dwarven ranger (i know there a a couple problems already, I wanted to be a fighter but the party needed Survival. I alos like Dwarves and I hate Elves...). My weapon of choice was a Great Crossbow from Sword and Fist. D12 damage and 19-20/X2 critical Range is 150' I think. My DM let me take Far Shot instead of Rapid shot for my feat but I just could not get my damage up. Suggestions? The Only Stipulations are Race=Dwarf and 1st 3 levels are in Ranger. P.S. Normally I do forum searches to check for other people who have asked these questions but this forum tells me I don't have "sufficient privalledges to access" the search results. :confused: So a link to another thread is more than welcome as an answer.
fatlosermatt 03-13-05, 05:30 PM	Well...i'd say that adding Deepwoods sniper 2/ order of the bow initiate 10 would be pretty nice, you'd have to use a greatbow, though, as ootbi is bow only. but if i really had to make a "ranged" dwarf...i'd go Ftr2/Clr4/Master thrower 3/Hammer of Moradin 10/Battlesmith 2 you have options here, if you want to go with a strength build, you can take brutal throw (CV) and power throw (cv), for some reallly fun hammer throwing goodies. or for a dex build, you can take twf and throw 2 warhammers, that'd be nice. battlesmith is for wis to damage on hammers you craft.
Tempest Stormwind 03-13-05, 05:46 PM	Work with your equipment as well -- I did a good job with a mercenary who did "odd jobs" (including bounty hunting and assassination via sniping and disguise) as a secondary part of the character, and all it took was a +1 Seeking light crossbow with a gnome crossbow sight, poisoned bolts (did the job with minimal fuss and noise), and good timing. The high dex didn't hurt, either, as well as stealth/disguise skills. However, for class optimization, KSB Snow Owl's Archers (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=183604) are the definitive benchmark. Most use 3.0, though an update isn't too difficult and doesn't cost them much power (as they don't rely on the twisted loopholes that some 3.0 builds did). Most use Ranger and the ability for rangers to use wands of spells on their lists. Finally, the Great Crossbow has been updated in 3.5 in Races of Stone. It's now 2d8 (M), 18-20/x2, 120ft increment, but still exotic and full-round reload. With powers like that, Deepwood Sniper's Keen Arrows become even more desirable.