Best non WotC Archer Feats & Classes?

[Rackhir]

I'm running an archer in a new campaign, that's willing to look at non WotC books for material. Now the DM isn't stupid and thus is not going to permit stuff like The Peerless Archer (FRCS - Silver Marches), but not having read the literally Tons of D20 stuff out there, I wanted to know what if anything is out there in terms of cool, but reasonable PrCs and Feats from other D20 books. A brief description would be fine, I'm willing to go out there and buy something that's useful. I just don't want to go bankrupt buying books I'll never use.

 

[Chun-tzu]

I've got a pretty good collection of d20 books, but there just isn't that much that stands out to me, in terms of archery-based PrCs and feats that are non-WotC. Your best bet is En Publishing's Three Arrows for the King.

There are several archery-based PrCs, but personally, I prefer the Arcane Archer, Order of the Bow Initiate, and Deepwood Sniper. There are two excellent base classes, the Archer (based on Sovereign Stone's Archer base class, I think) and the Archer-Ranger (part Archer, part Ranger, but much more archery-focused than the 3.5 Ranger taking the Archery combat style). There are several good archery feats, although there are plenty of archery-feats in WotC books already (more than most characters can take, I think). I'm not aware of any other d20 supplements specifically for archers, but this is a really good book, and my favorite EN Publishing book.

 

[Rackhir]

Thanks "Three Arrows" looks like exactly the sort of thing I'm looking for.

I'm familiar with the WotC classes, though I was never really very impressed with the AA. GWM really guts the main advantage of the class and the other abilities are really not nearly as useful as they seem to be. I like DWS quite a bit and the Close Combat shot from OoBI is mandatory for a good combat archer.

 

[Darklone]

Yeah, three arrows for the king is essentially the Sovereign Stone Archer class with beef ups.

Get at least one level UA paladin later if that fits for Divine Might improvement of your arrows.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Thanks "Three Arrows" looks like exactly the sort of thing I'm looking for.

I'm familiar with the WotC classes, though I was never really very impressed with the AA. GWM really guts the main advantage of the class and the other abilities are really not nearly as useful as they seem to be. I like DWS quite a bit and the Close Combat shot from OoBI is mandatory for a good combat archer.

Remember that GMW is now (3.5) +1 per 4 levels, which is a lot lower than the Archer´s advancement - and at epic levels, it is no longer a match, since it can´t give you epic magical enhancements. And than there is the Dispelment issue and the problem of dependence on other characters (and their classes!)
I tend to think the other abilities seem a bit weak, because they require either spells an Arcana Archer probably doesn´t have, or have very limited uses per day...

 

[Rackhir]

Yeah, three arrows for the king is essentially the Sovereign Stone Archer class with beef ups.

Get at least one level UA paladin later if that fits for Divine Might improvement of your arrows.

Is UA - Unearthed Arcana? Unless it's something radically different from the PHB paladin, I swore off running those decades ago.

Remember that GMW is now (3.5) +1 per 4 levels, which is a lot lower than the Archer´s advancement - and at epic levels, it is no longer a match, since it can´t give you epic magical enhancements. And than there is the Dispelment issue and the problem of dependence on other characters (and their classes!)
I tend to think the other abilities seem a bit weak, because they require either spells an Arcana Archer probably doesn´t have, or have very limited uses per day...

Given that most char aren't taking AA until at least 6th level or later if they want enough caster levels to be useful. So their + Arrow advancement isn't really all that much better. Though it is much more useful in 3.5 then it was in 3.0. We are starting at second level, so I'll worry about Epic levels in about 2-3 years when we start getting close, assuming the campaign lasts that long. Besides I can't stand elves.

In D&D you have to depend on other classes no matter what and you can always reduce that with magic items. But dispelling buff spells is always going to be a danger in high level combats. You just make sure you have backups.

 

[TracerBullet42]

Besides I can't stand elves.

Amen, brotha!

I would just like to also recommend the Three Arrows for the King. It's very cool for an archery focused character...