10th Level Archer Equipment Advice [Archive] - Wizards Community

10th Level Archer Equipment Advice [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Howie23
03-08-07, 12:17 PM My archer just made 10th level and I need some equipment advice.

I'm sitting on just over 16,000 gp. I originally was planning on buying a belt of giant strength before replacing my current bow and enhancing the new one. I'm now thinking that the opportunity cost is too great to wait on energy buffs, as it means all of 10th, maybe 11th, and possibly 12th before I've got a +2 energy buff on the new bow. Part of the reason for the delay had been that under the old LGCS, I understood my current bow to be non-upgradeable.

Options:

1) Buy belt, get +3 str bow, and build that. (+2 energy end of 10th, early 11th)

2) Upgrade existing +1 str bow and/or build 2nd bow. Current bow is +1 comp longbow (+1 str), good aligned.

3) Retrain for CWI, make stat boost items, and be TU compromised. Have paid for retrain this level, currently at 23 TUs, with this being my only character avail for the year 6 APL10 mods and APL8 ADPs. If not, I retrain FE:human for FE: something else (undead/aberation/magical beast)

Ranger 8/ wizard 1 / arcane archer 1 (future uncertain)

Grey elf (stop laughing)

Str 12
Dex 18 +2 gloves
Con 14 +2 amulet and both bumps
Int 16 (I said stop laughing)
Wis 14
Cha 8

Point Blank, Precise, Rapid, Multi, Wpn Foc (longbow), Imp Rapid Shot, Scribe scroll (use for ranger and wizard utility). FE: Evil Outsider +4, Human +2 (can retrain if no CWI). +16/+16/+11 rapid shot inside of 30'. AC not good at 21 (armor/buckler/dex only).

He's a sensory monkey (Spot goes to low 30s) who is currently ineffective as a damage dealer when dealing with DR10/something I don't have. DR/evil, law, chaos, bludgeoning, and adamantine are all issues. I thought I didn't have adamantine access, but just found I do via an errata to an AR.

I have access to all +1 and +2 DMG wpn upgrades, with multiples on several key ones (holy, bane (evil outsider), bane (undead), bane (dragon), etc.). I also have access to ghost touch and various others (no sacred, no exit wounds).

I am toying with leaving Str where it is, and building bows. Current bow is currently aligned good already. It would get bane(evil outsider) and thundering, for an upgrade cost of 16k. I would then be fairly well optimized vs. evil outsiders, using exacting shot (autoconfirm crits vs FE) to activate thundering more often. There is the option of retraining improved critical as my retrain (need to confirm w/BAB +8 at 9th level, and if it stacks w/exacting shot). Vs. Evil outsider (haste only), I'd be: +19/+19/+19/+14 (1d8+2d6+9/(19-20x3+2d8 sonic)) (avg 20.5/ avg 56.5 on crits (auto confirm)). Sonic weapon and flame arrow are semi frequent buffs (flame useless vs. most outsiders).

I would build another bow that was holy for general use. Holy and bane evil outsider would be nice, but would likely need to do via arrows to get both.

<edited out impossible ghost touch bow idea>

Thoughts?

David
Drezden
03-08-07, 12:38 PM Go and upgrade your bow to Holy. Now.

Daren
Nutation
03-08-07, 02:34 PM You have determined that TU are precious this year, so don't take Craft Wondrous.

Your current bow is good-aligned, which is half of the benefit of Holy. You haven't actually spent that much gold on it. Replacing it in the medium term won't therefore be that costly. Meanwhile, keep it as a backup weapon vs. DR/good or when you are fatigued.

So, what to do right now? Buy the belt of strength and a MW bow of correct strength (your arrows count as magical anyway). Your archery damage immediately increases by 2 points. Enhance to +1 after 1 module, then start saving up for your favorite energy enhancements, or even holy.

Next year, you may want to consider Craft Arms & Armor, although that would require Practiced Caster as well.
UMiskatonic
03-08-07, 02:41 PM Yeah, I would keep the current bow as your DR/Good weapon, and get the belt of giant strength now.

In short order, you'll have a +1 bow built for the correct strength. Upgrade it when you can.

I'd leave ghost touch alone. You have improved rapid shot, so just accept that you'll miss 50% percent of the time. It will take you x2 rounds to shoot down a ghost. Oh well.

And get some blunt arrows, it's nice to be able to take a prisoner from time to time.
Howie23
03-08-07, 03:21 PM Next year, you may want to consider Craft Arms & Armor, although that would require Practiced Caster as well.

This has some muscle to it that I need to review. I had looked at this under the old LGCS and decided against it because of item CL requirements, but this might be the place to save $ instead of on CWI=statboost. It defers the TUs into next year.

Ranger 10 / Wizard 1 /Arcane Archer 1 is CL5 (ranger) for taking CA&A. It gives max +1 weapons, but specialized bane bows become doable at 4k each via wizard 1's summon monster I. I need to review which of my upgrades are favor only. Practiced spellcaster boosts to +2 weapons (if it doesn't get FAQ'd away), but I'm good to go at 12th level without it, and can boost armor as well for resistances and such (need to check prereqs).

Practiced spellcaster would also give me more options to raid the druid/ranger scrolls that overlap, w/o fail. It would mean giving up Improved Rapid Shot, though...but, I can defer that decision until next LGCS. :)

David
berpo
03-08-07, 03:30 PM ghost touch is for mele weapon only ...

you cannot put ghost touch on a bow...

Marc
Howie23
03-08-07, 03:53 PM ghost touch is for mele weapon only ...

you cannot put ghost touch on a bow...

Thanks for the catch. We won't be planning that one, then.... :)

David
Redfist
03-08-07, 03:56 PM If it were me, I'd decide on CWI -vs- CA&A and heard towards that ASAP. You would then either buy the opposite now (ex: if CA&A, buy the CWI type item now), or burn the TUs and craft now.

I'm a huge fan of optimizing $$ even if it means being TU depraved. Have you mapped out the # of TUs left in year 6 mods that you *can't* reach with other PCs? I don't know how many you have left to do. If you really are TU constrained, I would train either CWI or CA&A but then buy the opposite NOW and craft first thing next year.

--Gordon
Howie23
03-08-07, 04:04 PM I'm a huge fan of optimizing $$ even if it means being TU depraved. Have you mapped out the # of TUs left in year 6 mods that you *can't* reach with other PCs? I don't know how many you have left to do. If you really are TU constrained, I would train either CWI or CA&A but then buy the opposite NOW and craft first thing next year.

Hey Gordon.

Yeah, I've mapped it out, and cannot get there with anyone else, even if playing all year 7's this year. As it stands, I think I'm gonna miss one of the year 6s.

The CA&A thing looks like it may really work well. Not only do I get to play this year, but I can't take it until next year anyway (I'll hit 12th early in the year), and the TU stress should be over by then. In addition, it's a spot where low CL doesn't hurt, since I'll want enhancements that aren't straight adds.

David
UMiskatonic
03-08-07, 06:12 PM but specialized bane bows become doable at 4k each via wizard 1's summon monster I.

For all that's holy, why would you do this?

Make bane ARROWS. Then, when confronted with, say, a dragon, you can fire dragon bane arrows from your +1 mighty masterwork flaming shocking acidic burst longbow for even more damage.

Better still, arrows are crafted in sets of fifty. If you have other party members that have a reasonable chance of hitting with a bow, then you'll really tear through your opponents.
Howie23
03-08-07, 06:46 PM For all that's holy, why would you do this?

Make bane ARROWS. Then, when confronted with, say, a dragon, you can fire dragon bane arrows from your +1 mighty masterwork flaming shocking acidic burst longbow for even more damage.

Better still, arrows are crafted in sets of fifty. If you have other party members that have a reasonable chance of hitting with a bow, then you'll really tear through your opponents.

I guess I'm not greedy enough with the damage. :)
Howie23
03-12-07, 11:38 AM I'm a huge fan of optimizing $$ even if it means being TU depraved. Have you mapped out the # of TUs left in year 6 mods that you *can't* reach with other PCs? I don't know how many you have left to do. If you really are TU constrained, I would train either CWI or CA&A but then buy the opposite NOW and craft first thing next year.

I just reviewed my access. Pretty much all of my energy and bane access is from favors. This may change in the next couple of levels, before I take CA&A, but currently I have flaming, frost, shock, and shocking burst only as crafting access. I have no crafting access to any of the banes. :(

David
UMiskatonic
03-12-07, 12:09 PM Look what you need for bane (x). I think the pre-req is summon monster I, so you're only 25 gold away.

And a feat. And maybe some caster levels....

Well, it's a thought.
Howie23
03-12-07, 12:25 PM Look what you need for bane (x). I think the pre-req is summon monster I, so you're only 25 gold away.

And a feat. And maybe some caster levels....

The issue is the purchase access. To craft a weapon of bane (x), I have to have bane (x), some sort of bane (x) weapon has to appear in the Items Found section.

At 12th level, I'll have the feat, CL5 from Ranger 10, and summon monster I as a wiz1 spell.

I have lots of favor-based access, but little purchase access. In looking at old ARs, this seems to improve a lot at APL10-12.

David
UMiskatonic
03-12-07, 02:07 PM Ah, that's right. I was thinking of the old craft rules, you'll have to do a bit better than that.

And yes, you're right. APL 10-12 is when the bad guys have enough cash to have human bane weapons of their own.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Howie23 03-08-07, 12:17 PM	My archer just made 10th level and I need some equipment advice. I'm sitting on just over 16,000 gp. I originally was planning on buying a belt of giant strength before replacing my current bow and enhancing the new one. I'm now thinking that the opportunity cost is too great to wait on energy buffs, as it means all of 10th, maybe 11th, and possibly 12th before I've got a +2 energy buff on the new bow. Part of the reason for the delay had been that under the old LGCS, I understood my current bow to be non-upgradeable. Options: 1) Buy belt, get +3 str bow, and build that. (+2 energy end of 10th, early 11th) 2) Upgrade existing +1 str bow and/or build 2nd bow. Current bow is +1 comp longbow (+1 str), good aligned. 3) Retrain for CWI, make stat boost items, and be TU compromised. Have paid for retrain this level, currently at 23 TUs, with this being my only character avail for the year 6 APL10 mods and APL8 ADPs. If not, I retrain FE:human for FE: something else (undead/aberation/magical beast) Ranger 8/ wizard 1 / arcane archer 1 (future uncertain) Grey elf (stop laughing) Str 12 Dex 18 +2 gloves Con 14 +2 amulet and both bumps Int 16 (I said stop laughing) Wis 14 Cha 8 Point Blank, Precise, Rapid, Multi, Wpn Foc (longbow), Imp Rapid Shot, Scribe scroll (use for ranger and wizard utility). FE: Evil Outsider +4, Human +2 (can retrain if no CWI). +16/+16/+11 rapid shot inside of 30'. AC not good at 21 (armor/buckler/dex only). He's a sensory monkey (Spot goes to low 30s) who is currently ineffective as a damage dealer when dealing with DR10/something I don't have. DR/evil, law, chaos, bludgeoning, and adamantine are all issues. I thought I didn't have adamantine access, but just found I do via an errata to an AR. I have access to all +1 and +2 DMG wpn upgrades, with multiples on several key ones (holy, bane (evil outsider), bane (undead), bane (dragon), etc.). I also have access to ghost touch and various others (no sacred, no exit wounds). I am toying with leaving Str where it is, and building bows. Current bow is currently aligned good already. It would get bane(evil outsider) and thundering, for an upgrade cost of 16k. I would then be fairly well optimized vs. evil outsiders, using exacting shot (autoconfirm crits vs FE) to activate thundering more often. There is the option of retraining improved critical as my retrain (need to confirm w/BAB +8 at 9th level, and if it stacks w/exacting shot). Vs. Evil outsider (haste only), I'd be: +19/+19/+19/+14 (1d8+2d6+9/(19-20x3+2d8 sonic)) (avg 20.5/ avg 56.5 on crits (auto confirm)). Sonic weapon and flame arrow are semi frequent buffs (flame useless vs. most outsiders). I would build another bow that was holy for general use. Holy and bane evil outsider would be nice, but would likely need to do via arrows to get both. <edited out impossible ghost touch bow idea> Thoughts? David
Drezden 03-08-07, 12:38 PM	Go and upgrade your bow to Holy. Now. Daren
Nutation 03-08-07, 02:34 PM	You have determined that TU are precious this year, so don't take Craft Wondrous. Your current bow is good-aligned, which is half of the benefit of Holy. You haven't actually spent that much gold on it. Replacing it in the medium term won't therefore be that costly. Meanwhile, keep it as a backup weapon vs. DR/good or when you are fatigued. So, what to do right now? Buy the belt of strength and a MW bow of correct strength (your arrows count as magical anyway). Your archery damage immediately increases by 2 points. Enhance to +1 after 1 module, then start saving up for your favorite energy enhancements, or even holy. Next year, you may want to consider Craft Arms & Armor, although that would require Practiced Caster as well.
UMiskatonic 03-08-07, 02:41 PM	Yeah, I would keep the current bow as your DR/Good weapon, and get the belt of giant strength now. In short order, you'll have a +1 bow built for the correct strength. Upgrade it when you can. I'd leave ghost touch alone. You have improved rapid shot, so just accept that you'll miss 50% percent of the time. It will take you x2 rounds to shoot down a ghost. Oh well. And get some blunt arrows, it's nice to be able to take a prisoner from time to time.
Howie23 03-08-07, 03:21 PM	Next year, you may want to consider Craft Arms & Armor, although that would require Practiced Caster as well. This has some muscle to it that I need to review. I had looked at this under the old LGCS and decided against it because of item CL requirements, but this might be the place to save $ instead of on CWI=statboost. It defers the TUs into next year. Ranger 10 / Wizard 1 /Arcane Archer 1 is CL5 (ranger) for taking CA&A. It gives max +1 weapons, but specialized bane bows become doable at 4k each via wizard 1's summon monster I. I need to review which of my upgrades are favor only. Practiced spellcaster boosts to +2 weapons (if it doesn't get FAQ'd away), but I'm good to go at 12th level without it, and can boost armor as well for resistances and such (need to check prereqs). Practiced spellcaster would also give me more options to raid the druid/ranger scrolls that overlap, w/o fail. It would mean giving up Improved Rapid Shot, though...but, I can defer that decision until next LGCS. :) David
berpo 03-08-07, 03:30 PM	ghost touch is for mele weapon only ... you cannot put ghost touch on a bow... Marc
Howie23 03-08-07, 03:53 PM	ghost touch is for mele weapon only ... you cannot put ghost touch on a bow... Thanks for the catch. We won't be planning that one, then.... :) David
Redfist 03-08-07, 03:56 PM	If it were me, I'd decide on CWI -vs- CA&A and heard towards that ASAP. You would then either buy the opposite now (ex: if CA&A, buy the CWI type item now), or burn the TUs and craft now. I'm a huge fan of optimizing $$ even if it means being TU depraved. Have you mapped out the # of TUs left in year 6 mods that you can't reach with other PCs? I don't know how many you have left to do. If you really are TU constrained, I would train either CWI or CA&A but then buy the opposite NOW and craft first thing next year. --Gordon
Howie23 03-08-07, 04:04 PM	I'm a huge fan of optimizing $$ even if it means being TU depraved. Have you mapped out the # of TUs left in year 6 mods that you can't reach with other PCs? I don't know how many you have left to do. If you really are TU constrained, I would train either CWI or CA&A but then buy the opposite NOW and craft first thing next year. Hey Gordon. Yeah, I've mapped it out, and cannot get there with anyone else, even if playing all year 7's this year. As it stands, I think I'm gonna miss one of the year 6s. The CA&A thing looks like it may really work well. Not only do I get to play this year, but I can't take it until next year anyway (I'll hit 12th early in the year), and the TU stress should be over by then. In addition, it's a spot where low CL doesn't hurt, since I'll want enhancements that aren't straight adds. David
UMiskatonic 03-08-07, 06:12 PM	but specialized bane bows become doable at 4k each via wizard 1's summon monster I. For all that's holy, why would you do this? Make bane ARROWS. Then, when confronted with, say, a dragon, you can fire dragon bane arrows from your +1 mighty masterwork flaming shocking acidic burst longbow for even more damage. Better still, arrows are crafted in sets of fifty. If you have other party members that have a reasonable chance of hitting with a bow, then you'll really tear through your opponents.
Howie23 03-08-07, 06:46 PM	For all that's holy, why would you do this? Make bane ARROWS. Then, when confronted with, say, a dragon, you can fire dragon bane arrows from your +1 mighty masterwork flaming shocking acidic burst longbow for even more damage. Better still, arrows are crafted in sets of fifty. If you have other party members that have a reasonable chance of hitting with a bow, then you'll really tear through your opponents. I guess I'm not greedy enough with the damage. :)
Howie23 03-12-07, 11:38 AM	I'm a huge fan of optimizing $$ even if it means being TU depraved. Have you mapped out the # of TUs left in year 6 mods that you can't reach with other PCs? I don't know how many you have left to do. If you really are TU constrained, I would train either CWI or CA&A but then buy the opposite NOW and craft first thing next year. I just reviewed my access. Pretty much all of my energy and bane access is from favors. This may change in the next couple of levels, before I take CA&A, but currently I have flaming, frost, shock, and shocking burst only as crafting access. I have no crafting access to any of the banes. :( David
UMiskatonic 03-12-07, 12:09 PM	Look what you need for bane (x). I think the pre-req is summon monster I, so you're only 25 gold away. And a feat. And maybe some caster levels.... Well, it's a thought.
Howie23 03-12-07, 12:25 PM	Look what you need for bane (x). I think the pre-req is summon monster I, so you're only 25 gold away. And a feat. And maybe some caster levels.... The issue is the purchase access. To craft a weapon of bane (x), I have to have bane (x), some sort of bane (x) weapon has to appear in the Items Found section. At 12th level, I'll have the feat, CL5 from Ranger 10, and summon monster I as a wiz1 spell. I have lots of favor-based access, but little purchase access. In looking at old ARs, this seems to improve a lot at APL10-12. David
UMiskatonic 03-12-07, 02:07 PM	Ah, that's right. I was thinking of the old craft rules, you'll have to do a bit better than that. And yes, you're right. APL 10-12 is when the bad guys have enough cash to have human bane weapons of their own.