Arcane Archer Ability Question

[reveal]

As a first level Arcane Archer, you get the "Enchant Arrows +1" ability. Does this mean that my attack bonus would go up by 1 as well as arrow damage or would only the damage go up by 1?

 

[Zad]

3.0 Answer: Each normal arrow fired is treated as if it were a +1 arrow and adds 1 to the attack roll and damage. This stacks with any enchantment on the bow.

3.5 Answer: Each normal arrow fired is treated as if it were a +1 arrow and adds 1 to the attack roll and damage. This does not stack with any enchantment on the bow. If the bow was +2, then you'd only get +2 total, and the magic on the arrow wouldn't matter.

For a 3.5 Arcane Archer, this leads towards having a +1 bow with lots of special abilities, since the magic arrows are "free".

 

[allenw]

This (plus the new Ranger) also means that, in 3.5, the first level of Arcane Archer is generally inferior to a level of Ranger, assuming the character has at least a +1 bow (fewer skill points, same HD, smaller skill list (I think), comparable saves (though if you already have Ranger levels then the AA saves are better than another Ranger level would give you, due to the 1st-level bump), and a completely useless special ability vs. the possibility of a useful special ability.
Subsequent levels are also arguably weaker than Ranger levels would be, though you at least get special abilities that do *something*.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

I actually like the new situation. Now, the "weight" the Enchant Arrow ability has to the choice of your class selection with the archer isn't as big. It used to be a very powerful ability, compelling you to take arcane archer, but now you can stay fighter or ranger if you don't like the other special abilities. It's still useful, though:

It practically gives you a magical weapon. You can stuff your Quiver of Solonor with a couple of cheap non-magical bows, and if someone sunders your bow (in the hope that he has crippled you), you just pull out the next and continue turning him into a pincushion.