So I've never Power gamed before.

[Shadus]

So one of the players in my group is thinking of starting a 3.5 game. While I have played 3.5, my knowledge of it no where compared to my 4E experience. But seeing how this game may take place in on the night of the 4E campaign until the DM gets over his DM fatigue, I figure I better prepare a character.

From my understanding the game is a Low-Magic Setting and a Simi-Powergame. The party so far consists of two fighter, who are building their characters too combo of each other, a Archon Hound Bard (Who will be hiding her magical ability) and a Divine Sorcerer (Justified by that he gets his power from the Gods). Seeing how the team already has melee combat handled, I was wanting to make a ranged character. I would pick Ranger, but think that our party could benefit more from a rouge, who has plenty of skills to back up the non-brute force methods of dealing with things.

I already have a background, and personality for the guy. I just need some help building him up so that he doesn't squashed, and is actually good at picking enemies off from a distance. Suggestions?

 

[GunbladeKnight]

Precise Shot so you don't take the -4 penalty is a must. Point-blank Shot since you'll be in 30ft for SA. Deadeye Shot (PHB2) will grant you SA whenever you want.

You're survivability should still be good since Dex would be your main stat.

If you go Ranger, Hunter's Mercy is always a good spell. 1st level spell for ranger, auto-crit threat next attack.

 

[Shadus]

SA? *noobface*

 

[GunbladeKnight]

SA is short for sneak attack. Basically your way of increasing damage. Oh, and before I forget, Order of the Bow Initiate (CW) is a nice prestige class to check out for archers.

 

[Shadus]

Ah. I know what Sneak Attack is. *facepalm*

Thanks for the helps. Once I get my hand on my old books I'll look into this stuff.

 

[Dandu]

I fire you with arrows now!

SA is short for sneak attack. Basically your way of increasing damage. Oh, and before I forget, Order of the Bow Initiate (CW) is a nice prestige class to check out for archers.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

What books can you use? What starting level and gold? And judging by your party make-up, I'm having trouble believing much power gaming is going on at all.

 

[Dandu]

Now now, he did say bard and sorcerer.

 

[HoboGod]

The trick to any successful archer is increasing the number of arrows you can fire and the damage of your bow. Rapidshot, Boots of Speed, and a Splitting enchantment on your bow are a must for increasing the number of arrows you fire. To increase your bow damage, keep your strength high and put enough points into that bow to utilize it. Try to use the largest bow you can, Strongarm Bracers, Enlarge Person spell, and a Psychic Warrior's Expansion power are great ways to get a larger bow. A Zen Archer type Cleric/Psychic Warrior build can be more beneficial than a dex based archer. If you are starting at a higher level or your DM allows racial progression, playing a Centaur is one of the best Dex based archer races around: size large, bonus to dex, bonus to strength. Also, a single level dip into Swordsage does wonders. Take the stance that gives you Scent or take the stance that gives you 2d6 extra sneak attack and take the maneuver Cloak of Deception that lets you have greater invisibility until the end of your turn. Being able to go invisible and sneak attacking 6 or more times in a single round can be VERY devastating. Due to the nature of maneuvers, you can only use that once per encounter, but considering that you're probably winning initiative often with your high dex, you wont need it the first round to sneak attack, only the second round or later.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Now now, he did say bard and sorcerer.

Hound Archon (ie, lots of lost caster levels and LA) Bard. But I'll grant you the sorcerer.