Eberron: Thrane Archers?

[The_Fan]

I noticed in the 4e Eberron campaign setting they make a big deal about Thrane's archers, almost a bigger deal than they make about the paladins. Granted, I missed out on a lot of late 3e products, but I don't recall any mention of Thrane's archer corps in 3.5. Is this new to 4e?

What class would you use to represent a Thrane archer? Ranger seems way too wild for the theocratic Thrane. Prescient Bard can make an excellent archer, but again that doesn't really fit Thrane's national character.

If it's new, could this be a preview of a possible divine archer class in 4e?

 

[Glyfair]

The weapon of choice for the Silver Flame is the longbow, which has been canon for a while. While I am not sure if the units were focused on before 4E (I'd have to run through Forge of War), it certainly makes sense they would have lots of archery units.

 

[Bold or Stupid]

What class would you use to represent a Thrane archer? Ranger seems way too wild for the theocratic Thrane. Prescient Bard can make an excellent archer, but again that doesn't really fit Thrane's national character.

If it's new, could this be a preview of a possible divine archer class in 4e?

It was mentioned in Forge of War and I seem to recall The Five Nations. I'd suggest that the vast bulk of Thranes archer is Artllary. A Pc should be the wild elite type (think Sharpes rifles) so Ranger sounds good.

A divine archer would be wonderful though.

 

[Rechan]

Which proves problematic given that paladins and clerics can't use bows with their powers, only melee weapons.

 

[SKyOdin]

Nope, not new. Thrane has always had a strong archery discipline. I always figured it was an acknowledgement of the fact that the Archer-Cleric was an effective build in early 3.5 edition. It is a little archaic now, but I still like the concept.

 

[Kwalish Kid]

Perhaps the myserious "Seeker" class will be a divine archer. Githzerai are supposed to be good at it, and they get a Dex and Wis boost.

 

[Klaus]

I noticed in the 4e Eberron campaign setting they make a big deal about Thrane's archers, almost a bigger deal than they make about the paladins. Granted, I missed out on a lot of late 3e products, but I don't recall any mention of Thrane's archer corps in 3.5. Is this new to 4e?

What class would you use to represent a Thrane archer? Ranger seems way too wild for the theocratic Thrane. Prescient Bard can make an excellent archer, but again that doesn't really fit Thrane's national character.

If it's new, could this be a preview of a possible divine archer class in 4e?

I'd say Ranger, trained in Dungeoneering, wearing Leather or Hid, and pumping Dex and Wis. Multiclass feat for Cleric serves well for the training in Religion and healing word.

 

[HazardCatcher]

Perhaps the myserious "Seeker" class will be a divine archer. Githzerai are supposed to be good at it, and they get a Dex and Wis boost.

You know, this makes a certain kind of sense and I would not be surprised if this was the case. In my mind Witch Hunters would be a good ranged divine class, and the name Seeker avoids the various awkward connotations of that name while still implying that they find what lurks in the darkness.


Either that or they're game stealing quidditch players.