Archer Build

akchf · Aug 3, 2004

I've read claims in numerous threads that people have archer builds that can stand up to some of the better melee fighter builds. I am going to be making an archer for the next game I'm playing in and was just wondering how people do it.

I'll be making a 6th level character and was wondering what feats and classes might be the best to use.

Laurel · Aug 3, 2004

akchf said:
I've read claims in numerous threads that people have archer builds that can stand up to some of the better melee fighter builds. I am going to be making an archer for the next game I'm playing in and was just wondering how people do it.

I'll be making a 6th level character and was wondering what feats and classes might be the best to use.

Arcane Archer -I've seen one almost take out an entire Party of fighter melee types from a rooftop.

GlassJaw · Aug 3, 2004

Arcane Archer -I've seen one almost take out an entire Party of fighter melee types from a rooftop.

Ehh, I never liked the AA as written. I actually think it's one of the weaker archer PrC's. The cool and unique abilities it does get (seeker, phase, etc) it can only use once per day!! Imbue Arrow is pretty useless too since you probably won't have many caster levels, possibly even only 1. It's main ability, enhance arrow, can be easily emulated using Greater Magic Weapon.

I've read claims in numerous threads that people have archer builds that can stand up to some of the better melee fighter builds. I am going to be making an archer for the next game I'm playing in and was just wondering how people do it.

Check out the Character Optimization board in the WotC forums. Some of the stuff in there might be over the top but you'll get a lot of info very fast.

Saeviomagy · Aug 3, 2004

First up - do not do a rogue archer UNLESS you can find a way to repeatedly attack from a hidden or invisible position.

Secondly: good feats are
rapid shot
manyshot
precise shot
improved precise shot
quickdraw (for getting your bow out, and switching to a backup one-handed weapon in a pinch)

So - at first, pick point blank shot, at third pick rapid shot, at 6th pick manyshot. You really do want precise shot, and possibly even specialisation. Fighter is a great class to take for the archer.

Also consider the possibility of being a mounted archer - the halfling on a wardog is certainly a contender for an effective character. Full wardog movement + archery at the same time. There's not a lot that will keep up with that.

Darklone · Aug 3, 2004

Other possibilities are paladin archers (usually good strength, Divine Might + Divine Favor for extra damage and high BAB) or cleric archers. Bard archers (assuming good strength) are another group to be reckoned with.

xazil · Aug 3, 2004

If you have access to the Expanded Psionics Handbook (or SRD), a Psychic Warrior or Wilder archer with a deep crystal bow and the psionic archery feats supplimenting the normal bow feats would be interesting. The PsyWar giving more feats and the Wilder having more power points to keep the bow doing an extra 2d6 damage per shot.

Thanee · Aug 3, 2004

You could do a fairly simple, but still quite effective Human Ranger 2/Fighter 4/Order of the Bow Initiate.

Bye
Thanee

Darklone · Aug 3, 2004

Or a Brd4/Ftr4/OotBI. Some funny small spells, a boost for your bow damage...

Red Wyrmling · Aug 3, 2004

Never go the ranger way if you want to optimize your archer abbilities, the archerystyles take way to long to perfect while a fighter has sooooooooo many feats to use and can gain the same abilities a lot faster.

I would go all out fighter for at least 3 levels, preferably human, giving you already 4 or 5 feats do go all out archer. Like Saeviomagy said: rapid shot, precise shot,...
Do not forget to take a look at Shot on the Run.

The other three levels are easily filled with bard, rogue or more fighter levels depending on what style you'd like best.

Darklone · Aug 3, 2004

Funnily the Eldritch Knight is a good archer build: You have all spells to your disposal, your BAB is not bad (3 points worse than a pure fightertype), you'll have two bonus feats (enough for most archer builds) and if you're out of arrows, start throwing fireballs

Honestly, an EK makes a good secondary fighter and archers are not for the frontline.

Archer Build

akchf

First Post

Laurel

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GlassJaw

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Saeviomagy

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Darklone

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xazil

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Thanee

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Darklone

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Red Wyrmling

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Darklone

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