Core+CW+CAdv Archer, no?

[Omegaxicor]

A friend has asked me what I think of him going an Archery character but he is limited to Complete Adventurer, Complete Warrior, Player's Handbook 1&2 as well as DMG/MM but he shouldn't be reading them since they aren't for players.

My immediate reaction was "Baaaad!!!" but am I right or is there a way to make a decent build, since the world is more martial and low-magic Wizards/Sorcerers will be very uncommon but will be the stronger enemies (BBEGs are magic users) so they have to fight Warriors and other Archers

 

[xigbar]

At first I was going to recommend Swift hunter, but that's in complete scoundrel. Anyway, have him play a Cleric, take the Zen Archery feat, and Law Devotion as well for some extra to hit. Standard archery feats from there should be fine.

 

[Omegaxicor]

Law Devotion is Complete Champion...

What two domains should he take as a Cleric of Ehlonna, Animal, Good, Plant and Sun?

If he could have Swift Hunter, since both classes are available, what would you recommend?

 

[xigbar]

Is he required to be a Cleric of Ehlonna? Anyway, if Swift hunter is available, try to play a race with a fly speed and take Flyby Attack. I'm not sure how limited the magic in your campaign is, but being polymorphed into a something with pounce or actions is nice to. If Complete Champion is not available, then the manyshot line of feats is your beast bet.

 

[Omegaxicor]

Ehlonna is the only deity with favoured weapon Bow (any) (the DM changed that because s/he doesn't see why Longbow should be favoured)...

What races are their with Pounce and Fly? I don't even know if he can go a Cleric, I assume he can but he did say that they are playing a Martial Campaign which is why Complete Divine and Complete Arcane/Mage are banned

 

[xigbar]

Well, probably best not to raise any red flags on the dm, so if Swift hunter can be obtained, it's safer.

 

[Omegaxicor]

So what core race has fly speed? otherwise not much of a chance of getting fly-by attack

 

[Sekhmet]

No core races, but Avarial and Raptoran are clear picks.

 

[Omegaxicor]

Clear picks but unavailable, there's little point in designing a character based around a race/feat that is unavailable, the DM might allow Swift Hunter because both classes are allowed however adding a new race will not be allowed

EDIT: Getting rid of the Animal Companion, the only way I can find is Distracting Shot (PHB2 pg 55) it makes enemies flanked after you shoot them, if the enemy is being attacked by an ally does that mean the Swift Hunter gains the flanking bonus or just the fighter?

 

[Sekhmet]

Archers don't gain flanking, iirc.
If you can't have a race with flying, you'll have to pick up a Carpet of Flying as soon as possible.