Fighter or Ranger? Which makes a better archer?

[TracerBullet42]

I'm joining in a new game, and would like to create a character that will be really good with a bow. Am I better off to start off as a fighter for the extra feats or a ranger for more class abilities? What do you think?

 

[Olive]

a fighter with high dex. that's how i'd play it under 3e.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Fighter. Mechanically, a fighter will out-archer a ranger in almost every case -- more feats, sooner (even compared to the 3.5 ranger).

Flavor-wise? *shrug* Coin toss.

 

[Balthasar]

you mean flavour still matters in D&D? I thought "balance" was king....

 

[Nifft]

A Fighter will make a better archer, but a Ranger will make a better sniper. Fighters just don't have the skills to get into position silently.

A Fighter/Rogue -- in particular a Fighter4/RogueX -- is a decent compromise, so long as you don't mind losing a quarter or so of your BAB.

-- Nifft

 

[Olive]

you mean flavour still matters in D&D? I thought "balance" was king....

They're makign a game. You're playing it.

It's a lot easier to change things in a balanced game for flavour than it is to balance a flavourful game.

 

[Balthasar]

Well yeah, but I remember when the price for stupidity or even bad luck was death....and that was kinda fun, you know?

Flavour wise, I'd take a ranger any day...

 

[Lord Pendragon]

I'm joining in a new game, and would like to create a character that will be really good with a bow. Am I better off to start off as a fighter for the extra feats or a ranger for more class abilities? What do you think?

Fighter.

For the best archer you're going to want: Point-Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Far Shot, Weapon Focus (Longbow), Weapon Specialization (Longbow), Shot on the Run (which requires Dodge and Mobility,) and (if 3.5) Manyshot.

As already pointed out, the Ranger's skills will make him a better sniper, but for sheer damage output, the Fighter is still the King.


Edit to add a few feats.

 

[Olive]

Well yeah, but I remember when the price for stupidity or even bad luck was death....and that was kinda fun, you know?

that's cool. but you can always house rule the ame to make that stuff more likely.

 

[Balthasar]

lol, yeah, I can also bemoan the "lowest common denominator" approach

I keep thinking there's going to be a 3.5 manual coming out with "Front towards players" printed on it