Archery Character - Ranger or Fighter?

[Qik]

Snap Shot enables you to threaten adjacent squares, and the Improved version expands that out by 10'. Pretty wicked.

Edit: Also, for whatever it's worth, to the OP or others, there's a great guide on the zen archer up on the Paizo boards. Linky

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Bah, and I thought I'd have the first Zen Archer Monk guide! Oh well, I've been lazy and haven't updated. I skimmed his guide though, and it seems far too wordy and of questionable advice (Goblin is NOT a good race for the class!), but YMMV I guess.

 

[LogantheBard]

For a pure DPR standpoint, fighter is king. From a utility standpoint, ranger is king. My personal preference is Crossbow ranger. It lets me dump strength (low enough only to carry my gear) for higher Wis/Int/Cha for skills/feats/spells.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

I like crossbows, too, they're wildly underrated, and Crossbow master means you can use a Heavy Xbow just as easily as a bow for rate of fire.

My only issue is, RAW a Crossbow Ranger can never get Point Blank Master feat, it's only available to bow rangers (who probably take it at 10th level since IPS is still better, but the point is they can get it). Most DMs will probably houserule that issue away, but it should be noted.

 

[kinem]

On a side note, I plan to nerf the bejeesus out of the current concentration DC for using a spell in a grapple, it's just frigging stupid. 10 + CMD + spell level is just simply impossible after a few levels.

Old post, but (at least according to the SRD) it's 10 + CMB + spell level, not CMD. Which, IMO, is still too hard; there should be a cap.

 

[Fooly_Cooly]

Something that really helps an archers dmg is the Great Bow. 1d10 dmg. They also have composite of course on top of that. Has a longer range and higher dmg. From heroes of battle I think. So Ask your dm if he could let you use that puppy .