Archers: viable archetype?

[Azgulor]

I'm planning on creating a new character for an upcoming Conan game. I'm considering a Borderer with the Archery combat style, a soldier (Bossonian), or multi-classing between the two. I'm looking for a broad range of in-game experiences, so for a pure D&D parallel, consider it Ranger vs. Fighter.

I typically GM rather than play. None of my players have attempted to run an archer-type character before. I don't have a lot of D&D experience using the 3.5 rules in play. My Kalamar campaign is still in the early stages, and I haven't had a archery-focused PC or NPC come up yet.

Are archers a viable archetype in D&D in general? The feats seem to suggest so, but looking at a lot of abilities being limited to a range of 30' (Precise Shot, Sneak Attack - in case I multi-class, etc.) or less seems restrictive to me. Or are the non-spellcasters in D&D/d20 still dominated by the melee fighters? (Ranged weapons REALLY sucked pre-3.0/3.5 as I recall, with crossbows having ridiculously low damage die.)

 

[Crothian]

Yes, hugely so. Rapid shot is awsome, though I have a habit of running out of arrows using that. THe ranged feats from the PHB are pretty good. PBs, Precise Shot, Rapid shot are usually the first three archery feats I grab.

Also, if you can try to engage the enemy at distance. THis last week we all had missile weapons and killed over twice our number in enemies (we are only 2nd level) without taking any damage. It was awsome.

 

[Krieg]

The feats seem to suggest so, but looking at a lot of abilities being limited to a range of 30' (Precise Shot, Sneak Attack - in case I multi-class, etc.) or less seems restrictive to me.

Remember that most combat is still going to take place at melee ranges. The shorter range feats will help keep the archer viable when things get "up close and personal".

Otherwise to echo Crothian, yes a well played archer can be devestating.

 

[Evilhalfling]

Yes once you get percise shot you can fire into meel with impunity.
In our high level game the cleric and the TWF could do more damage than the archer,
but normally they had to spend a round of combat moving, readjusting etc. while the archer took a full attack + rapid shot every round and even if she had to move there was still 2-3 shots from manyshot. We also crafted 2 types of bane arrows, and when they got used, the damage was extreame.

In the low level game it is more difficult, with cover and lower stats hurting damage output.
last night the archer would have shot an possibly killed a party member. He just happend to be a monk whose style include deflect arrows, it was the first time I have ever seen a monk use this.

 

[Andre]

Depends on the GM's style. If your opponents are fond of sundering weapons, then the archer is going to be up a creek. It's just too darn easy to break weapons in the game, especially relatively fragile ones like bows.

If, OTOH, the GM is willing to allow the archer to shine, then archers can be every bit as deadly as a tank. Their damage output per round is excellent and their ability to strike at range allows them to affect certain creatures that the melee types can't reach (flyers, for instance). The tradeoff is that they can't do that and fill out the front ranks, so your party is down one meat shield. Cohorts, hirelings, and summoning spells can make up for this, allowing the archer to do his/her thing.

 

[Furry]

There's a winged human archer (Ftr4/Rgr4) in my party and he's just ridiculous. I think he's taken a great deal of the archery feats, Weapon Focus and Specialization and plans to do two prestige classes, Order of the Bow Initiate and Cragtop Archer.

We did some calculations and with the feats to extend range increments and maybe a bow enchanted with distance, at a high level the Horizon shot ability actually goes faster than sound.

 

[VirgilCaine]

Yes, hugely so. Rapid shot is awsome, though I have a habit of running out of arrows using that. THe ranged feats from the PHB are pretty good. PBs, Precise Shot, Rapid shot are usually the first three archery feats I grab.

You're the kind of person who only buys one or two quivers of arrows...right?

Boots of striding and springing + Shot on the Run + Bracers of Archery +Weapon Focus/Weapon Specialization + Mighty (+4) Bow = Really nasty damage output.

I recently made an 8th level NPC that stacks the Weapon Focus/Specializat, Bracers of Armor, a Mighty +4 Composite Longbow, Giant Wasp Poison, plus Rapid Shot and a potion of invisibility and wings of flying to deal some very impressive surprise round damage possibilities.

 

[Bloodstone Press]

Yeah. I like playing archers. Focus on mobility, avoiding detection, and multiple attacks. Remember that you can attack from very, very far away as well, especially with the right feats and weapons. The biggest weakness I noticed with them was fighting monsters that were either immune to piercing weapons or had a lot of DR.

 

[Shuffle]

And wind wall. The arguement about allow archers to shine is one I have trouble with. The DM should provide situations where everyone gets a chance to shine at some point or another. On the other hand the DM should also occasionally put you into situations where you're at an obvious disadvantage.

 

[Crothian]

You're the kind of person who only buys one or two quivers of arrows...right?

Unbless I happen to have a horse around, It is not really possible to carry more without magical aid.