Homebrew: 4E Arcane Archer - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Homebrew: 4E Arcane Archer

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Bruize
Aug 03, 2010 0:23:01 I've been wanting to make an Arcane Archer for a while. I went and looked at a few ways of doing this whether it be adjusting the seeker's power source and flavor text or building a ranger/warlock hybrid using a pact bow (rather interesting really). I got to thinking though that classes are designed to be flexible with their flavor so I began looking at the Swordmage. Not only does the swordmage deal in bonded weaponry but it also deals in weapon based arcane powers. The bonus here was that the Aegis of Assault allowed for frequent opportunities as do a number a the powers and utilities.

The base idea in this case was not to rewrite all the powers or create a new assault, but work with the existing features, tweaked for use with a bow or crossbow.

Arcane Archer: You may use a bow or crossbow with Swordmage Powers and Class Features as if it were a One Handed Heavy Blade. Swordmage powers with a range or Melee Weapon now have a range of Melee or Ranged Weapon.

Bow Defense (Replaces Swordmage Warding): While you are conscious and wielding a bow or crossbow you have training with, you maintain a field of magical force around you. This field provides a +1 bonus to AC, or a +3 bonus if you are wearing Light Armor and wielding a bow or crossbow in one hand and have your other hand free (not carrying a shield, an off-hand weapon, a two-handed weapon, or anything else). You may still use your free hand to draw, knock, and fire an arrow. Additionally, while benefiting from the full +3 bonus to AC, you may make ranged attacks while adjacent to an enemy without provoking Opportunity Attacks.

Arcane Agility: While wearing light armor, you may use your Dexterity modifier in place of your Strength modifier when using Swordmage abilitiers, powers, and Swordmage Paragon Path abilities and powers.

Any comments or suggestions?
#2
Eisenritter
Aug 03, 2010 0:44:46 Prescient Bard, Arcane Power.
#3
adun_irving
Aug 03, 2010 0:51:40 They even did a writeup of the Arcane Archer as a specific bard build in a relatively recent issue of Dragon magazine. Just go to the D&D website and search "arcane archer" and you should find it.
#4
rampant
Aug 03, 2010 0:57:01 In 3e the AA was a Prestige Class.

If You want an arcane archer in 4e wouldn't a Paragon Path make sense, instead of Trying to mod a class?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Bruize Aug 03, 2010 0:23:01	I've been wanting to make an Arcane Archer for a while. I went and looked at a few ways of doing this whether it be adjusting the seeker's power source and flavor text or building a ranger/warlock hybrid using a pact bow (rather interesting really). I got to thinking though that classes are designed to be flexible with their flavor so I began looking at the Swordmage. Not only does the swordmage deal in bonded weaponry but it also deals in weapon based arcane powers. The bonus here was that the Aegis of Assault allowed for frequent opportunities as do a number a the powers and utilities. The base idea in this case was not to rewrite all the powers or create a new assault, but work with the existing features, tweaked for use with a bow or crossbow. Arcane Archer: You may use a bow or crossbow with Swordmage Powers and Class Features as if it were a One Handed Heavy Blade. Swordmage powers with a range or Melee Weapon now have a range of Melee or Ranged Weapon. Bow Defense (Replaces Swordmage Warding): While you are conscious and wielding a bow or crossbow you have training with, you maintain a field of magical force around you. This field provides a +1 bonus to AC, or a +3 bonus if you are wearing Light Armor and wielding a bow or crossbow in one hand and have your other hand free (not carrying a shield, an off-hand weapon, a two-handed weapon, or anything else). You may still use your free hand to draw, knock, and fire an arrow. Additionally, while benefiting from the full +3 bonus to AC, you may make ranged attacks while adjacent to an enemy without provoking Opportunity Attacks. Arcane Agility: While wearing light armor, you may use your Dexterity modifier in place of your Strength modifier when using Swordmage abilitiers, powers, and Swordmage Paragon Path abilities and powers. Any comments or suggestions?
#2 Eisenritter Aug 03, 2010 0:44:46	Prescient Bard, Arcane Power.
#3 adun_irving Aug 03, 2010 0:51:40	They even did a writeup of the Arcane Archer as a specific bard build in a relatively recent issue of Dragon magazine. Just go to the D&D website and search "arcane archer" and you should find it.
#4 rampant Aug 03, 2010 0:57:01	In 3e the AA was a Prestige Class. If You want an arcane archer in 4e wouldn't a Paragon Path make sense, instead of Trying to mod a class?