Ranger specialized in archery - what feats? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Ranger specialized in archery - what feats? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
elvegaro
08-28-07, 04:01 PM I am currently playing a Catfolk ranger at level 3. Next level I will get my famed animal companion, which I plan to be a light horse (they are faster)
I plan to get the following feats: Mounted combat and mounted archery. Are these feats worth it? Mounted archery seems like a good idea, as one could slip down the side of the mount and get concealment while still firing on the move.

I would also like exotic weapon proficiency Elven double bow - as it would allow for two arrows fired at each attack, even while using rapid shot. Plus, as far as I understand it, weapon focus longbow would work on this bow provided I am proficient with it.
Is this worth it?

Any guidance is welcome :)
tarkin
08-28-07, 04:09 PM You can not really use the Elven bow with Rapid shot.

Using the Elven bow requires you to spend a Move action to load a 2nd arrow into the bow.

As such, it pretty much means that the best you can do is load it this round, then next round use up the extra arrow to get +1 attack.

There is a feat called Improved Mounted Archery in Complete Warrior, that is in my opinion not really worth it.

Instead I would consider:

Able Sniper (Races of the Wild) OR Bow Slinger (probably not both, do Able Sniper if you can qualify for it)
Precise Shot, (eventually you want Ranged Threat and improved Precise Shot, but that is a ways away.)

You also need the standard set: Point Blank Shot & Rapid Shot
Kouk
08-28-07, 07:49 PM Rapid Shot, Manyshot and Improved Precise Shot are all granted for free and they are all solid feats.

You will definitely still want (Normal) Precise Shot, as it actually does something different from Improved Precise Shot (it removes -4 to hit targets involve in melee, which is practically always if you have any melee guys in your group).

To get Precise Shot requires Point Blank Shot, and it isn't that terrible of a feat anyway.

From there, I would recommend Improved Rapid Shot (Complete Warrior, negates Rapid Shot penalties).

You might also like Shot on the Run, but I doubt it.

Also look in to the Teamwork benefits in PHB2 and DMG2, one of them lets you fire past your allies without them granting a Cover bonus to the bad guys - great until you get Improved Precise Shot.

You might consider the Great Bow (exotic weapon, CW) but that is too big to use mounted I believe.

About Mounted Combat feat: How often do you expect to be outside and in a position to ride around a lot? If you don't have huge, wide-open spaces to move around in, there is not much point in taking Mounted Archery. You already can attack with fairly low penalties when your mount is moving (summarized in the feat Mounted Archery) and if you just have your mount stay still (5ft step is fine) then you attack without penalty. A horse has such good movement you generally wouldn't need to have it Run or even double move.

I would generally consider a horse animal companion not worth it, you could easily just have a different quick kind follow you around and it would also be able to fit better in dungeon settings.

If your companion is a horse, then that means you can direct your horse to do things and it gets upgraded AC and physical abilities - but if you are an archer, then you will want to stay far away from melee so it doesn't matter how much damage the horse can do, and you can control a normal horse with fairly low Ride checks without needing to use your companion benefits to Handle Animal as a free action.
Shadow_Viper
08-28-07, 09:16 PM Which book is the Ranged Threat feat in? I don't think I've ever ran across it.
fighter_mcwarrior
09-06-07, 09:30 AM There is a feat called Improved Mounted Archery in Complete Warrior, that is in my opinion not really worth it.

You can't be serious. IMA lets you shoot with no penalty when your mount takes a double move and reduces the penalty for shooting while running to -2. Perfect for those hit-and-run type tactics.

Anyway, If you are playing in the Forgotten realms, take the regional feat saddleback. Also, take far shot if you want to pepper enemies from far away.
tarkin
09-06-07, 10:41 AM You can't be serious. IMA lets you shoot with no penalty when your mount takes a double move and reduces the penalty for shooting while running to -2. Perfect for those hit-and-run type tactics.

Anyway, If you are playing in the Forgotten realms, take the regional feat saddleback. Also, take far shot if you want to pepper enemies from far away.

I am not saying it is a horrible feat, I am saying there are better ones available.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
elvegaro 08-28-07, 04:01 PM	I am currently playing a Catfolk ranger at level 3. Next level I will get my famed animal companion, which I plan to be a light horse (they are faster) I plan to get the following feats: Mounted combat and mounted archery. Are these feats worth it? Mounted archery seems like a good idea, as one could slip down the side of the mount and get concealment while still firing on the move. I would also like exotic weapon proficiency Elven double bow - as it would allow for two arrows fired at each attack, even while using rapid shot. Plus, as far as I understand it, weapon focus longbow would work on this bow provided I am proficient with it. Is this worth it? Any guidance is welcome :)
tarkin 08-28-07, 04:09 PM	You can not really use the Elven bow with Rapid shot. Using the Elven bow requires you to spend a Move action to load a 2nd arrow into the bow. As such, it pretty much means that the best you can do is load it this round, then next round use up the extra arrow to get +1 attack. There is a feat called Improved Mounted Archery in Complete Warrior, that is in my opinion not really worth it. Instead I would consider: Able Sniper (Races of the Wild) OR Bow Slinger (probably not both, do Able Sniper if you can qualify for it) Precise Shot, (eventually you want Ranged Threat and improved Precise Shot, but that is a ways away.) You also need the standard set: Point Blank Shot & Rapid Shot
Kouk 08-28-07, 07:49 PM	Rapid Shot, Manyshot and Improved Precise Shot are all granted for free and they are all solid feats. You will definitely still want (Normal) Precise Shot, as it actually does something different from Improved Precise Shot (it removes -4 to hit targets involve in melee, which is practically always if you have any melee guys in your group). To get Precise Shot requires Point Blank Shot, and it isn't that terrible of a feat anyway. From there, I would recommend Improved Rapid Shot (Complete Warrior, negates Rapid Shot penalties). You might also like Shot on the Run, but I doubt it. Also look in to the Teamwork benefits in PHB2 and DMG2, one of them lets you fire past your allies without them granting a Cover bonus to the bad guys - great until you get Improved Precise Shot. You might consider the Great Bow (exotic weapon, CW) but that is too big to use mounted I believe. About Mounted Combat feat: How often do you expect to be outside and in a position to ride around a lot? If you don't have huge, wide-open spaces to move around in, there is not much point in taking Mounted Archery. You already can attack with fairly low penalties when your mount is moving (summarized in the feat Mounted Archery) and if you just have your mount stay still (5ft step is fine) then you attack without penalty. A horse has such good movement you generally wouldn't need to have it Run or even double move. I would generally consider a horse animal companion not worth it, you could easily just have a different quick kind follow you around and it would also be able to fit better in dungeon settings. If your companion is a horse, then that means you can direct your horse to do things and it gets upgraded AC and physical abilities - but if you are an archer, then you will want to stay far away from melee so it doesn't matter how much damage the horse can do, and you can control a normal horse with fairly low Ride checks without needing to use your companion benefits to Handle Animal as a free action.
Shadow_Viper 08-28-07, 09:16 PM	Which book is the Ranged Threat feat in? I don't think I've ever ran across it.
fighter_mcwarrior 09-06-07, 09:30 AM	There is a feat called Improved Mounted Archery in Complete Warrior, that is in my opinion not really worth it. You can't be serious. IMA lets you shoot with no penalty when your mount takes a double move and reduces the penalty for shooting while running to -2. Perfect for those hit-and-run type tactics. Anyway, If you are playing in the Forgotten realms, take the regional feat saddleback. Also, take far shot if you want to pepper enemies from far away.
tarkin 09-06-07, 10:41 AM	You can't be serious. IMA lets you shoot with no penalty when your mount takes a double move and reduces the penalty for shooting while running to -2. Perfect for those hit-and-run type tactics. Anyway, If you are playing in the Forgotten realms, take the regional feat saddleback. Also, take far shot if you want to pepper enemies from far away. I am not saying it is a horrible feat, I am saying there are better ones available.