Archer prestige classes?

[Tidus4444]

I'm thinking about playing an archer in an upcoming game and will probably take an archer prestige class. Can you guys tell me of some and what books thay are in?

 

[haiiro]

Here's a few that come to mind, with sources and (publishers) listed as well:

- Arcane archer - DMG (WotC)
- Deepwood sniper - Masters of the Wild (WotC)
- Peerless archer - Silver Marches (WotC)
- Hunter of the deep - Dungeoncraft (FFG)
- Order of the Bow initiate - Sword & Fist (WotC)
- Wasp bounty hunter - Rokugan (AEG)

 

[Dungannon]

I like the Arcane Archer from the DMG. Might I also suggest Three Arrows for the King - the Archers Guide from Ambient.

 

[Tidus4444]

I found Order of the Bow Initiate and I think that's what I'm gonna take.

 

[Felon]

Say, has anyone out there actually played an arcane archer? I mean, long enough to have an idea what it's really capable of? I was wondering if the ability to place spells on arrows led to any particularly effective (or perhaps just clever) combinations.

 

[Felon]

I found Order of the Bow Initiate and I think that's what I'm gonna take.

Yeah, it's a pretty cool PrC. I like the Deepwood Sniper too, however, it's kind of the opposite of the OotBI. The latter focuses on close-quarters skirmishing, while the former is the quintessential sniper.

If you're in a Forgotten Realms campaign (or just allow the rules), try being an elf cleric. You get free feats from the Time, War, or Elf domains. You can rack up proficiency with longbow, then get Point Blank Shot (Elf) and either Improved Initiative (Time) or Weapon Focus (War), all at first level. Spend your normal first-level feat on Rapid Shot or Precise Shot. Voila, the best little front-loaded archer you could hope for at first level. Take a level of Ranger, and you're just about set for the Deepwood Sniper class.

 

[Technik4]

The bad thing about a level of cleric is a whole level of odd (and few compared to ranger) skill points. The goods are the spells and saves. Another bad point is the BAB loss.

Overall, its a good deal for the feats, but the human fighter can do just as well (fighter feat + human feat = 2 cleric domains), and the fighter isnt locked into worshipping a particular god and all the other cleric baggage.

With 3.5 on the horizon, the ranger will become yet another good 1st level variant (though he doesn't gain a lot of steam till 2nd, with the combat paths).

Technik

 

[Felon]

Overall, its a good deal for the feats, but the human fighter can do just as well (fighter feat + human feat = 2 cleric domains),

Sure, but that's ALL the fighter gets. With an elven cleric, the free feats are just perks. True, the +0 BAB might put people off though.

With 3.5 on the horizon, the ranger will become yet another good 1st level variant (though he doesn't gain a lot of steam till 2nd, with the combat paths).Technik

Well, supposedly 3.5e was supposed to deal with front-loaded character classes, and with his two domains the cleric certainly qualifies. Hopefully, we won't be seeing any more clerics stepping on the fighter's toes by starting with two free combat feats at first level to the fighter's one.

Wouldn't hold my breath though. Wizardsfolks have also said they haven't made any noteworty revisions to the cleric class. Somewhere one of those claims is not entirely correct.