Arcane Archer [Archive] - Wizards Community

Arcane Archer [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Lord_Snow
08-15-07, 05:36 PM Hey all,
Iv been building a fighter/archer, and im looking at a prestige class to go into.
i was thinking of goin arcane archer but it requires arcane spell casting and
i dont know if i wanna go into a lvl of scorc. just to pull it off. the other thing is that the arcane archer alows you to cast area spells into the arrows she
fires if there area effect. Seems like a bit of a waste to me.
does anyone have any ideas for a nice prc for a fighter archer (going to be 7th lvl). OR any other ideas for the archer, let me know.
thx in advance.
The_Shaman
08-15-07, 05:44 PM Well, here are a few:

- Peerless Archer (FR/Silver Marches) - your probable best choice
- Deepwood Sniper (Masters of the Wild, 3.0) - long-range specialist
- Cragtop Archer (Races of Stone) - ditto, kinda meh if you ask me.
- Justice of Weald and Woe (FR/Champions of Ruin, strong non-good, elf-only fluff requirements) - some ranger levels may be necessary to meet the skill prerequisites. Consider it a ranger/assassin hybrid.
- Order of the Bow Initiate (CWar) - would not recommend it, but is one of the few core options.
Treantmonklvl20
08-15-07, 06:35 PM Arcane archer is probably your weakest choice.

Order of the Bow Initiate is OK. It does improve your archery -but the flavor is kind of monk-y

If your DM will allow 3.0 material, I was a big fan of the Deepwood sniper. It was not just good for range - the crit of your arrows keeps getting better and better. Soon it is "I rolled a crit - do you really need the damage? No, he's dead." However, the deepwood sniper is better suited to a Ranger due to skills.

Peerless archer is also very good - and clearly a fighter PrC. Threatening adjacent squares with a bow is very nice. Mixed with combat reflexes this can be lots of fun.
StevenO
08-15-07, 07:59 PM A few levels of Order of the Bow Initiate aren't too bad. You'll gain the ability to fire your bow safely without provoking AoO and also get the ability to do a little more damage when you only get off one shot.

I'd guess you're an elf to even look at Arcane Archer. Multiclassing and Favored Class rules don't help much but a level (or more) of Duskblade or Hexblade can get you the needed spellcasting without costing you any BAB. You may also qualify using arcane spellcasting from other classes (Bard) or with prestige classes offering casting abilities. As for the AA's class abilities the important one is the enhanced arrow abilities; Imbue Arrow make too many think the AA is a caster's class when it is just a nod to those who wish to dip into it while the other arrow abilities have limited uses.
rone_leah
08-15-07, 11:06 PM StevenO, true the arcane archer is a dip class, but thats only because imbue arrow is usless if you take the whole class. Also everything the class does is emulated by spells. Sure you may run out of spells, but casting evard's black tentacles at 800ft away is just funny.
natzero
08-16-07, 09:48 AM heck id say even a dread commando would suit you well.

initiative bonus equal to your class lvl (in DC i think)

at lvl 5 3d6 sudden strike.

can move at normal speed while MS
only -10 while running in MS

Your check penalty is reduced by 4 in all armor. (min of 0)

believe its good BAB aswell and good ref save.

not hard to get into:
BAB +5
dodge, mobility
sumthin else
arderkrag
08-16-07, 09:55 AM I personally like Deepwood Sniper and Order of the Bow Init. I think a lot of people miss he true ability of an OOTBI, that is - ranged AoO's, and close combat shot - both which are class abilities - bundled with Combat Reflexes.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Lord_Snow 08-15-07, 05:36 PM	Hey all, Iv been building a fighter/archer, and im looking at a prestige class to go into. i was thinking of goin arcane archer but it requires arcane spell casting and i dont know if i wanna go into a lvl of scorc. just to pull it off. the other thing is that the arcane archer alows you to cast area spells into the arrows she fires if there area effect. Seems like a bit of a waste to me. does anyone have any ideas for a nice prc for a fighter archer (going to be 7th lvl). OR any other ideas for the archer, let me know. thx in advance.
The_Shaman 08-15-07, 05:44 PM	Well, here are a few: - Peerless Archer (FR/Silver Marches) - your probable best choice - Deepwood Sniper (Masters of the Wild, 3.0) - long-range specialist - Cragtop Archer (Races of Stone) - ditto, kinda meh if you ask me. - Justice of Weald and Woe (FR/Champions of Ruin, strong non-good, elf-only fluff requirements) - some ranger levels may be necessary to meet the skill prerequisites. Consider it a ranger/assassin hybrid. - Order of the Bow Initiate (CWar) - would not recommend it, but is one of the few core options.
Treantmonklvl20 08-15-07, 06:35 PM	Arcane archer is probably your weakest choice. Order of the Bow Initiate is OK. It does improve your archery -but the flavor is kind of monk-y If your DM will allow 3.0 material, I was a big fan of the Deepwood sniper. It was not just good for range - the crit of your arrows keeps getting better and better. Soon it is "I rolled a crit - do you really need the damage? No, he's dead." However, the deepwood sniper is better suited to a Ranger due to skills. Peerless archer is also very good - and clearly a fighter PrC. Threatening adjacent squares with a bow is very nice. Mixed with combat reflexes this can be lots of fun.
StevenO 08-15-07, 07:59 PM	A few levels of Order of the Bow Initiate aren't too bad. You'll gain the ability to fire your bow safely without provoking AoO and also get the ability to do a little more damage when you only get off one shot. I'd guess you're an elf to even look at Arcane Archer. Multiclassing and Favored Class rules don't help much but a level (or more) of Duskblade or Hexblade can get you the needed spellcasting without costing you any BAB. You may also qualify using arcane spellcasting from other classes (Bard) or with prestige classes offering casting abilities. As for the AA's class abilities the important one is the enhanced arrow abilities; Imbue Arrow make too many think the AA is a caster's class when it is just a nod to those who wish to dip into it while the other arrow abilities have limited uses.
rone_leah 08-15-07, 11:06 PM	StevenO, true the arcane archer is a dip class, but thats only because imbue arrow is usless if you take the whole class. Also everything the class does is emulated by spells. Sure you may run out of spells, but casting evard's black tentacles at 800ft away is just funny.
natzero 08-16-07, 09:48 AM	heck id say even a dread commando would suit you well. initiative bonus equal to your class lvl (in DC i think) at lvl 5 3d6 sudden strike. can move at normal speed while MS only -10 while running in MS Your check penalty is reduced by 4 in all armor. (min of 0) believe its good BAB aswell and good ref save. not hard to get into: BAB +5 dodge, mobility sumthin else
arderkrag 08-16-07, 09:55 AM	I personally like Deepwood Sniper and Order of the Bow Init. I think a lot of people miss he true ability of an OOTBI, that is - ranged AoO's, and close combat shot - both which are class abilities - bundled with Combat Reflexes.