Fighter or Ranger? Which makes a better archer?

[mmu1]

It also depends on whether you're trying to aim for any prestige classes, and if yes, which ones.

In terms of game mechanics, the best archer would probably be a Fighter with enough Ranger levels to qualify for some kind of optimal combination of Order of the Bow Initiate, Deepwood Sniper and Peerless Archer.

But a Fighter 4 / Rogue X can also be absolutely devastating...

 

[Havilor]

I'd lean towards the Fighter, myself. The Ranger, as made, is really for those who wish to play an Aragon-like character. It has a little magic, a little specialized combat and wilderness stuff, and the favored enemy trick, but for all it's perks and flaws, it's really not a heavy combat class. The Fighter gives you access to combat feats much more quickly, and allows you a great deal of customization, so you can still make your bow-using fighter unique.

 

[JChung2003]

Re: Re: Fighter or Ranger? Which makes a better archer?

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.

Ehh, not so fast.

First, if you're going to bring 3.5 into the picture, you have to remember that 3.5 rangers will have the Archery virtual feat tree that may allow them to qualify for Archery feats without the prerequisite feats (in the same way rangers can qualify for the two-weapon fighting virtual feats in 3.0 without having the prerequisite 15 Dex for Ambidexterity).

Second, Weapon Specialization is a fixed +2 bonus. If a 3.5 ranger fights against any of his favored enemies, his damage bonus will be at least as good as, if not better, than a Fighter's damage bonus.

In 3.0, a Fighter has advantages over a Ranger in terms of being able to get his feats quicker. However, if I were going to make an archer in 3.0 or 3.5, I would give the Rogue serious consideration before either Fighter or Ranger.

 

[Shin Okada]

A bard or elven cleric can be a good alterative, too. Thanks to their greater magic weapon spell. A bard can have some stealth skill like rangers or rogues. On the other hand, cleric is a better caster and can use Necklace of Prayer Bead "Karma", which is very useful to enhancing spells such as Greater Magic Weapon.

 

[Endur]

3.5 Ranger

If you are playing 3.5, go with the Ranger. The combination of the Ranger's new spells, archery tree, skills, and favored enemy bonus is awesome.

If you are playing 3e, go with the Fighter (with PRCs like Deepwood Sniper and Peerless Archer).

Tom

 

[fba827]

Well - you're going to get different answers to your question since we all have different ideas on what "best" is.

Having said that, you can see it from different perspectives.

Fighter can definately achieve a fair level of competance with archery-related feats much faster than a Ranger.

Fighter can get the super high specialization since it will still be able to take even more feats after its taken the "basic" archery related ones.

A ranger, however, has better skill select to spot and hear an enemy while it is still far away (and therefore get ready to fire off arrows while the enemy is still at a distances -- as opposed to a fighter who has spot and listen only as cross class skills so chances of seeing or hearing an enemy while it is still in missle range is slimer).

A ranger has better mobility skills to move silently and hide waiting -- like a sniper type character - so less chance of being noticed while "in position" than a fighter


Anyway, again, really depends on what your criteria for "best" is.

 

[Maldur]

Get your paws on a copy of three arrows for the king. The archer class is very nice, as is the ranged fighter ranger! And you'll support this fine website!

 

[Southern Oracle]

Re: Re: Fighter or Ranger? Which makes a better archer?

and (if 3.5) Manyshot.

Manyshot is a 3E general feat in the Epic Level Handbook. It's certainly an option without taking 3.5 changes into consideration yet.

 

[Blockader7]

I'd go;

Fighter/Sorcerer/Arcane Archer.

 

[LGodamus]

fighter/ranger multiclass