Feat and Prc progression for a scout

[johnsemlak]

I've desinged a Scout character and I'm trying to maximize his archer/skirmish ability.

One quick question, what's the more immediate need--Improved initiatiave, or precise shot?

Also, I am assuming that taking rapid shot is of limited value since it doens't work with the skirmish ability. Which feat are the best to take?

I'm debating whether to work towards OotBI, or perhaps Arcane Archer (Elf PC), or to simply stick with the scout class?

THanks in advance...

 

[heratyk]

Precise shot is the more important of the two. You don't need to catch your opponent flat-footed to use your skirmish ability, and you should already have a decent initiative bonus from high Dex and battle fortitude. Chances are, many if not most of your shots will be into a melee. You can't afford to have that -4 penalty with only medium BAB progression, especially at lower levels.

Fighter makes a good multiclass, since archery feats are what you need to get the most out of your character. Barbarian can also be a good choice, since its fast movement, skill selection, and uncanny dodge build on the scout's strengths.

Arcane Archer could be a very interesting choice. You won't be much of a spellcaster, but will be a great archer. To qualify for the arcane spell requirement, you might even consider taking 2 levels of Elf Paragon, from Unearthed Arcana.

 

[szilard]

Rapid Shot is worthwhile. You won't always be able to move for skirmish - you want a worthwhile alternative.

The worth of Arcane Archer depends on the style and pace of your game. It tends to have 1/day abilities. Some of these are cool, but if you tend to get into more than a couple fights a day, they won't hold up. I don't know that more than a two-level dip into arcane archer is worthwhile. If you go that route, though, I'd do the Scout X/Wizard 1/Elf Paragon 3/Aracne Archer 2 thing. Elf Paragon will give you two Wizard spell progression levels, weapon focus with the bow, +2 Int, and some other non-useless things.

If you just want to be a good archer, though? I'd multiclass Scout/Fighter.

-Stuart

 

[Machiavelli]

Scout X/Wizard 1/Elf Paragon 3/Arcane Archer 2

Wow, that's alot of multiclassing. Don't prestige classes count for the multiclass XP penalties? Elf Paragon doesn't, and Wizard is ignored by elves for XP penalties, but unless the Scout levels max out at 3 here, or Arcane Archer doesn't count, you'll take an XP hit. Is that right?

 

[Bront]

Prestiege classes don't count. Besides, most people ignore that rule (which is poorly done anyway).

Precise Shot is probably best, since the -4 firing into melee is a bit problem, and eventualy leads you to improved precise shot, which rocks.

Something like Shot on the Run could be useful.

Ranger is a natural multi-class for a scout, and has some synergy.

On the Melee side, I've built a fun Scout 4/Swashbuckler 3/Duelist 3 that's mobile and pretty good with a blade.

 

[heratyk]

I wouldn't take the level of Wizard if your GM allows you to take paragon levels. Elf Paragon grants +1 level of wizard for spells/day & caster level at 2nd & 3rd class level, NOT +1 level of existing class like many prestige classes. Plus, it has d8 hit dice and 3/4 BAB progression, and longbow Weapon Focus (a prerequisite for arcane archer and decent archery feat). Unless you need the +2 Int for your already great skills, you can skip the 3rd level of paragon. Neither prestige classes or paragon classes impose an xp penalty.

Yes, the once/day nature of many Arcane Archer abilities kinda sucks, but the class has good BAB progression, good fort & ref saves, and at 3rd level makes every arrow you shoot +2 magical.

Scout has its own goodness at upper levels, including increased skirmish damage & AC bonus, blindsense/blindsight, massive skill points, and some of the bonus feats we've been talking about (if you haven't taken all the good ones already). So it's up to you which route you'd prefer.

 

[shilsen]

I wouldn't take the level of Wizard if your GM allows you to take paragon levels. Elf Paragon grants +1 level of wizard for spells/day & caster level at 2nd & 3rd class level, NOT +1 level of existing class like many prestige classes.

You still need at least a level of wizard to benefit from it. That section in the elf paragon description has the caveat "If an elf paragon has no levels in wizard, this class feature has no effect."

 

[Kurotowa]

Rapid Shot is useful mainly to let you get Manyshot, which works very well with Skirmish. Even better is Greater Manyshot, if your DM will let you take a General feat from the XPH.

I wouldn't recommend OotBI to you. While Ranged Precision will stack with Skirmish, you're basically trading all your nice Scout class features for it. Precision damage isn't worth that. Plus it won't stack with Manyshot. IMO you're better just using Manyshot and Skirmish, while staying straight Scout.

 

[szilard]

Scout X/Wizard 1/Elf Paragon 3/Arcane Archer 2

Wow, that's alot of multiclassing. Don't prestige classes count for the multiclass XP penalties? Elf Paragon doesn't, and Wizard is ignored by elves for XP penalties, but unless the Scout levels max out at 3 here, or Arcane Archer doesn't count, you'll take an XP hit. Is that right?

The beauty of this is that you don't. Prestige classes don't count.

Also, the only level that hurts you XP/BAB-wise is Wizard - and it gives you the +2 to the Will Save. Since your familiar won't advance, I wouldn't get one. Go for the specialist wizard option in PHBII if you can. Also, pick up Practiced Spellcaster so that you'll be casting the spells you have as a 7th level Wizard, rather than a 3rd level one. Spell-wise, look at spells you can use with Imbue Arrow (Obscuring Mist, Grease, Web, etc.) and swift spells that enhance your combat ability or mobility (Arrow Mind, Swift Fly, Shock and Awe, etc.)

It is a pretty good build, actually. Even if you can't manage a high Int, starting off with a 12 or so will enable this build to be functional (though I'd recommend more).

-Stuart