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Archivist archer advice

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
trednis
Oct 19, 2008 0:12:56 Hello, I am seeking some advice on an archivist character who focuses on archery, buffing, and utility. The party consists of a spiked chain martial adept (battlefield control through AoO's), warwizard with skill focused rogue cohort, and a swiftblade(melee and battlefield control). Level is 12 and I intend on going archivist 20 (sacred exorcist does not make sense for the character). Most non-campaign specific books are allowed: completes, environment, SC, core, and some BoED with permission. A big thing is the DM ruled extend spell bumps most spells up to the next time increment (i.e. 1 rnd/ lv becomes 1min/ level). Also using recharge magic.

Domains are very limited for available scrolls to buy. It is pretty much the basic ones in the PHB. Ranger and Druid spells are more expensive than normal and there are no adepts.

NG middle age human with 2 flaws (not chosen yet)
stats (including middle age, levels, and some stat items)
str: 11
dex: 15
con: 16
int: 23
wis: 17
cha: 11
feats: improved init, draconic archivist, master of knowledge, quickdraw (needed for story), point blank, precise shot, rapid shot, knowledge devotion, heroic surge (allowed from from dragonlance), scribe scroll (bonus), extend spell (bonus), and one free(maybe travel devotion).

I was able to get a elvencraft Heartseeker bow (considered a masterwork staff; so brambles, spikes, etc. will work on it as well).

Basic strategy: have extended buffs up on self and party most of the time. With lore of the gods, full knowledge ranks, and scrolls of uncertain providence I can pretty much get the 35 needed for dark knowledge and the +5 from knowledge devotion all the time. I can use the heroic surge to get an extra move action to stun a single enemy or give the bonus to everyone then make full attacks. If opponent is ranged, make use of Blockade to give self cover. If time allows, get wizard to cast greater invis and use the ranger spell that grants sneak attack.

any specific spells or tactics advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
#2
jaronk
Oct 19, 2008 1:06:47 DMM Persist with Extend Spell, which I think makes your spells now last a week. Whee!

By the way, unless a house rule prevents it, you can always research any existing spell (see the spell research section. As long as you're just duplicating the original, you don't go to the new spells section in the DMG, so you just succeed). So, go nuts. Also, Divine Power is your friend, and so is Guided Shot (Ranger 1) and Swift Haste (Ranger 2). All three are persistable, yay!

JaronK
#3
Omen_of_Peace
Oct 19, 2008 12:03:33 @JaronK: he doesn't have turning, hence no DMM.

@trednis: it seems like you've thought this through already. Arrow Mind (SC) will be helpful to you and it's only an immediate action.
You didn't list PHB2 but you mentioned Hunter's Eye anyway... that would be a damn good spell to Extend if it makes it last one minute.

You'll want to use a bow with a pull that adapts to your Str - then use Divine Power, Righteous Might as usual. Don't forget an (extended) Divine Favor.

Use ranger/druid spells that enhance your senses to anticipate encounters and have time to buff : Eyes of the Avoral (BoED), Embrace the Wild (SC)...
#4
jaronk
Oct 20, 2008 0:19:48 You know, with that day to week change, even without DMM, persist spell might be a good idea. That's an incredible bonus. But yeah, I missed the no turning thing... hmm...

Sacred Exorcist might not fit the character, but what about a Cloistered Cleric dip or a Dread Necromancer dip?

Anyway, if not that I think all the big spells have been mentioned... except of course Shapechange/Polymorph. Arrow Demon is an obvious form that's really helpful, and using that form wouldn't be broken like other forms might be. Heck, you could Planar Bind (available as a divine spell, but pretty much only with a Warlock or with research) a few of these as little helpers to increase your arrow output.

Oh, and Divine Favor or Recitation. Those are good.

JaronK
#5
trednis
Oct 20, 2008 21:41:24 Talked to the DM about persisting. Unfortunately he ruled all fixed duration spells (so a persisted spell or one that specifies 1 rd ) just double as normal. However, I can prepare a normal hunter's eye (PHB2 was given the ok) and an extended one and switch between them as they recharge.

I will look into the contemplative and the arrow demon.
#6
natenate
Oct 21, 2008 1:02:53 If you can find someone with the Rune domain (SC), learn the spell Secret Page. Then you can use that to put any divine spell you want into your prayerbook and then learn the spell from there. With a little time you should be able to learn every possible Archivist spell.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 trednis Oct 19, 2008 0:12:56	Hello, I am seeking some advice on an archivist character who focuses on archery, buffing, and utility. The party consists of a spiked chain martial adept (battlefield control through AoO's), warwizard with skill focused rogue cohort, and a swiftblade(melee and battlefield control). Level is 12 and I intend on going archivist 20 (sacred exorcist does not make sense for the character). Most non-campaign specific books are allowed: completes, environment, SC, core, and some BoED with permission. A big thing is the DM ruled extend spell bumps most spells up to the next time increment (i.e. 1 rnd/ lv becomes 1min/ level). Also using recharge magic. Domains are very limited for available scrolls to buy. It is pretty much the basic ones in the PHB. Ranger and Druid spells are more expensive than normal and there are no adepts. NG middle age human with 2 flaws (not chosen yet) stats (including middle age, levels, and some stat items) str: 11 dex: 15 con: 16 int: 23 wis: 17 cha: 11 feats: improved init, draconic archivist, master of knowledge, quickdraw (needed for story), point blank, precise shot, rapid shot, knowledge devotion, heroic surge (allowed from from dragonlance), scribe scroll (bonus), extend spell (bonus), and one free(maybe travel devotion). I was able to get a elvencraft Heartseeker bow (considered a masterwork staff; so brambles, spikes, etc. will work on it as well). Basic strategy: have extended buffs up on self and party most of the time. With lore of the gods, full knowledge ranks, and scrolls of uncertain providence I can pretty much get the 35 needed for dark knowledge and the +5 from knowledge devotion all the time. I can use the heroic surge to get an extra move action to stun a single enemy or give the bonus to everyone then make full attacks. If opponent is ranged, make use of Blockade to give self cover. If time allows, get wizard to cast greater invis and use the ranger spell that grants sneak attack. any specific spells or tactics advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
#2 jaronk Oct 19, 2008 1:06:47	DMM Persist with Extend Spell, which I think makes your spells now last a week. Whee! By the way, unless a house rule prevents it, you can always research any existing spell (see the spell research section. As long as you're just duplicating the original, you don't go to the new spells section in the DMG, so you just succeed). So, go nuts. Also, Divine Power is your friend, and so is Guided Shot (Ranger 1) and Swift Haste (Ranger 2). All three are persistable, yay! JaronK
#3 Omen_of_Peace Oct 19, 2008 12:03:33	@JaronK: he doesn't have turning, hence no DMM. @trednis: it seems like you've thought this through already. Arrow Mind (SC) will be helpful to you and it's only an immediate action. You didn't list PHB2 but you mentioned Hunter's Eye anyway... that would be a damn good spell to Extend if it makes it last one minute. You'll want to use a bow with a pull that adapts to your Str - then use Divine Power, Righteous Might as usual. Don't forget an (extended) Divine Favor. Use ranger/druid spells that enhance your senses to anticipate encounters and have time to buff : Eyes of the Avoral (BoED), Embrace the Wild (SC)...
#4 jaronk Oct 20, 2008 0:19:48	You know, with that day to week change, even without DMM, persist spell might be a good idea. That's an incredible bonus. But yeah, I missed the no turning thing... hmm... Sacred Exorcist might not fit the character, but what about a Cloistered Cleric dip or a Dread Necromancer dip? Anyway, if not that I think all the big spells have been mentioned... except of course Shapechange/Polymorph. Arrow Demon is an obvious form that's really helpful, and using that form wouldn't be broken like other forms might be. Heck, you could Planar Bind (available as a divine spell, but pretty much only with a Warlock or with research) a few of these as little helpers to increase your arrow output. Oh, and Divine Favor or Recitation. Those are good. JaronK
#5 trednis Oct 20, 2008 21:41:24	Talked to the DM about persisting. Unfortunately he ruled all fixed duration spells (so a persisted spell or one that specifies 1 rd ) just double as normal. However, I can prepare a normal hunter's eye (PHB2 was given the ok) and an extended one and switch between them as they recharge. I will look into the contemplative and the arrow demon.
#6 natenate Oct 21, 2008 1:02:53	If you can find someone with the Rune domain (SC), learn the spell Secret Page. Then you can use that to put any divine spell you want into your prayerbook and then learn the spell from there. With a little time you should be able to learn every possible Archivist spell.