Which 3rd Level Feat?

[Stormrunner]

I agree you should go with your strengths and take an archery feat of some sort.

While Precise Shot removes the -4 for firing into melee, if your friend is between you and the target (e.g., you're firing from the 2nd rank) the target gets cover as well (+4 to AC). The Sharpshooting feat halves the target's cover bonuses, and is especially effective against foes with improved cover (e.g., firing through arrowslits).

If you want to go the mounted combat route, starting the feat chain now is a good idea, but it does represent a slight dilution of focus.

At 5th+ level, consider Ranged Disarm from Complete Warrior. Unlike Ranged Sunder and Ranged Pin, it doesn't require a good Str to be effective - it's a straight-up contest of attack rolls, which with your high Dex and good BAB is likely to be in your favor. Since you're doing it at range, you don't need to worry about AoOs or counter-disarms. It's especially effective against fighter-types, who tend to concentrate much of their wealth into one really good weapon (rather than two mediocre ones) - take away that weapon and they're much wimpier opponents. You can also shoot wands, potions, and the like out of people's hands. The downside is that many opponents, such as dragons, animals, aberrations, and many undead, don't use weapons, and you have to be within 30' so you may be vulnerable to being rushed. It's another good choice for a 2nd-rank archer - your fighter friend in front of you keeps you from being rushed, and can immediately take advantage of the fact that his opponent is now empty-handed.

 

[Swiftbrook]

What are your stats?

Demoquin,
Str 14 +2
Dex 18 +4
Con 12 +1
Int 10
Wis 12 +1
Cha 8

If you fight in the open alot (and don't do alot of dungeon crawling)

Aust Diamondew,
It seem that most of the LG modules I've played in wind up in a dungeon crawl. I have had one ranged attack in 4 modules, over 30 feet away.

Also consider that a shield (except a buckler) is a waste for you

Hejdun,
I use a buckler, a darkwood one to eliminate the armor penalty.

I have a similar character running in the World's Largest Dungeon.
But I went Rgr1/Ftr3 (so far).

Feats are Wpn Focus (longbow), Track, Precise Shot, Rapid Shot, and Sharp Shooting.

Legildur,
Rapid Shot ??? Why did you burn a feat on Rapid shot and not take a second level in Ranger and get that for free?

EWP (bastard sword) effectively gives you +1 to damage on a weapon that's 4 points of attack bonus off your best attack.

I'd even offer counter-suggestions of:

• Weapon Finesse and taking up the rapier if you need better melee attacks.

Starglim,
In my last combat I fought Zombies (DR 5/Slashing). I hit often, and did very little damage. I was thinking EWP (Bastard Sword) so that I can use my buckler and hit & damage when I must enter melee and fight creatures that have some kind of DR to piercing weapons. Also, that is the same problem with Weapon Finese ... it's only works on piercing weapons.


Thanks for all the comments. Still undecided.

-Swiftbrook

 

[Thanee]

Handaxe and kukri are both finessable slashing weapons. Light mace is bludgeoning.

EWP (bastard sword) makes little sense, really. Either use a longsword or a greatsword. Don't waste a feat on that, rather pick up Power Attack instead to support your melee attacks. Or Weapon Finesse and pick up one of the above weapons for a better attack bonus.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Thanee]

Quick Draw might also be worth a look, or Improved Initiative.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Legildur]

Legildur,
Rapid Shot ??? Why did you burn a feat on Rapid shot and not take a second level in Ranger and get that for free?

Horses for courses. I wanted access to Weapon Specialisation earlier. Being stuck in the World's Largest Dungeon means I won't get access to a strength bow and figured that Weapon Spec was my only chance to be in a position to overcome Damage Reduction.

Ranger 2 was tempting, but I also wanted to leave the option open to rely on heavier armor if that became available without the Ranger restrictions on style. Can't buy things off the shelf to suit so need flexibility.

Also, going straight Fighter after the initial level of Ranger means less delay until the important +1 Will save bump at Ftr3.

That Ranged Disarm feat suggested by Stormrunner is also tempting.

 

[Infiniti2000]

I advise against EWP and especially weapon finesse or any other melee feat, specifically because of your comment:

As I'm primarily an archer, I try to avoid melee.

I'd go with weapon focus (longbow). When you get to 4th level fighter, take weapon specialization (longbow). Weapon focus is a requirement and weapon specialization is just too good. You won't be fighting DR/slashing that often to warrant wasting a feat on something like EWP.

PS. Your BAB for any weapon is +3. You meant just attack bonus. Of course, that means you have a dexterity modifier of +6, which is likely not true, so are you figuring in a masterwork or magical bow?

 

[Thanee]

Yeah, all things considered sticking with the archery path (for now, at least) is probably best. Of course, if you often *need* to fight in melee, it would make sense to train that a little...

Bye
Thanee

 

[Swiftbrook]

PS. Your BAB for any weapon is +3. You meant just attack bonus. Of course, that means you have a dexterity modifier of +6, which is likely not true, so are you figuring in a masterwork or magical bow?

BAB +3
PBS +1
Dex +4
Masterwork Bow (+2 Str) +1

Total so far +9 with bow

 

[Infiniti2000]

Total so far +9 with bow

Within 30ft, but given the campaign, I see your point in adding it in.