Archer Build

green slime · Aug 4, 2004

I tend to agree with Chorn on the feat selection, because otherwise you are taking a double hit; -4 from combatants in melee, and -4 from cover (assuming you are standing behind your front line). -8 is a big hit to an archer at any level, but especially at first. -2 further from Rapid shot isn't going to help... 2 shots at -10...

Darklone · Aug 4, 2004

Depends on the campaign, I suppose... My chars often didn't take Precise Shot at all since they rather changed to melee weapons if the enemies closed.

sledged · Aug 4, 2004

Just remember, he's making a 6th-level character, so it doesn't matter if he took Precise Shot at either 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 6th-level. He's only role playing from 6th-level and on.

Darklone · Aug 4, 2004

sledged said:
Just remember, he's making a 6th-level character, so it doesn't matter if he took Precise Shot at either 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 6th-level. He's only role playing from 6th-level and on.

Hey, stop to disturb our rules debate with perfectly sensible and logical comments. Oops :lol:

green slime · Aug 4, 2004

sledged said:
Just remember, he's making a 6th-level character, so it doesn't matter if he took Precise Shot at either 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 6th-level. He's only role playing from 6th-level and on.

But it could matter! All too often I see characters created at higher levels, with more qualified feats than they could have taken, if they had been levelled up by level.

It is easy to say 6th level human Figther has 8 feats and pick them: Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack, Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialisation, Two weapon Fighting, Improved Two weapon Fighting, Elusive Target.

Except he couldn't acquire all those feats, as he only has three feats from 4th level or higher.

Thanee · Aug 4, 2004

Yep, it's better to not only pick a feat, but also take note when it was picked.

Bye
Thanee

sledged · Aug 4, 2004

Darklone said:
Hey, stop to disturb our rules debate with perfectly sensible and logical comments. Oops

green slime said:
But it could matter! All too often I see characters created at higher levels, with more qualified feats than they could have taken, if they had been levelled up by level.

It is easy to say 6th level human Figther has 8 feats and pick them: Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack, Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialisation, Two weapon Fighting, Improved Two weapon Fighting, Elusive Target.

Except he couldn't acquire all those feats, as he only has three feats from 4th level or higher.

Hmmm... Good points... especially the first.

I actually require my players to keep a character progession sheet for the purpose of "rolling back." They have to give me a level-by-level breakdown of classes, feats, skill point allocations, and even what they're hit dice rolls were (before Con adjustments). I do this so if they suffer a level loss, it'll minimize the mistakes in calculating everything.

Carry on.

Darklone · Aug 4, 2004

Yup, doing the same (rolled hitpoints per level noted on back of charsheet).

Ah, btw: If you can talk your DM into allowing some feats from other sources, try to get your hands on Natural Archer/Bowman from AU. +1 damage and +1 AC vs bows.

I love that feat and extra damage is hard to come by for bows.

Dragon Mage · Aug 5, 2004

I am amazed that no one has suggested playing a cleric/archer. I am playing one now in a FR campaign. Granted, having the Elf domain with the abilitiy of Point Blank Shot helps, but even without that this build would rook. With the combination of buff spells and extend spell the cleric is superior to any other archer build (in terms of min/max).

The other utility spells make this build even more effective. With spells like entropic shield to protect against return fire. Align weapon to make sure you always have the right arrows for DR. At higher levels True Seeing takes away alot of the weakness of the archer, no more Invis Displaced Mirror Imaged opponents. Not to mention Divine Favor, Divine Power, Grt Magic Weapon.

Darklone · Aug 5, 2004

Cleric archer. Oops. Yeah. Guess we didn't propose it cause we are discussing it in the cohort thread next door and I'm a little bit disoriented...

Edit: Actually, I did propose it here as well... but cleric archers need sooo many buff spells to rock.