Good archer builds?

[Ridley's Cohort]

An archer is going to average more full attacks than any melee specialist. This with Rapid Shot on top means that the bonus damage dice from a simple +1 Shocking bow can really, really add up quickly. At character levels 6-10 that itty bitty extra d6 potentially yields 3d6 extra damage.

You have be an extremely well optimized brawler to out do a decent archer in average damage.

The Ranger who gets a good Favored Enemy match is tough to beat for damage. Remember that a Ranger is going to be multiplying out this bonus by either Rapid Shot or the TWF chain, so this adds up quickly.

 

[Wolfwood2]

I don't disagree with your assessment, and Warlock is more my typical style. I'm specifically looking for advice on the classic archer, though. Robin Hood or maybe William Tell.

Just be a Fighter and take all the archery feats from the PHB, plus all the weapon mastery feats from PHB2. Buy a really nice bow. Max out your Ride and get a powerful Mount to use with Mounted Archery.

Done.

 

[Klaus]

Just be a Fighter and take all the archery feats from the PHB, plus all the weapon mastery feats from PHB2. Buy a really nice bow. Max out your Ride and get a powerful Mount to use with Mounted Archery.

Done.

QFT.

Plus, take the feats Coordinated Shot (allies confer no cover bonus to foes), Guerrilla Warrior (Hide and Move Silently only cost 1 skill point per rank) and Guerrilla Scout (Listen and Spot only cost 1 skill point per rank) from Heroes of Battle.

Another option is adding 1 or 2 levels of Scout, for the skills and the extra skirmish damage, or 2 levels of Ranger, for skills, Track and Rapid Shot.

 

[Thanee]

In fact, there is (almost) no reason not to take two levels of ranger.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Ilium]

You guys are describing one of the characters in my group. Two levels of ranger, some fighter, Archer feats including Mounted Archery and Bow Initiate ladeled on top.

Then she insists on running into melee.

 

[RigaMortus2]

It depends on if your vision or an "archer" is just skill with a bow, or if it encompasses other skills like Hiding/Move Silently (+snipping) and more of that "woodsy" feel. If all you are concerned about is skill with a bow, then straight fighter with archery based skills is the way to go. Otherwise I would take an alternate route and either do straight Ranger or Fighter 2/Ranger X (to get the bonus feats of course).

 

[Mercule]

It depends on if your vision or an "archer" is just skill with a bow, or if it encompasses other skills like Hiding/Move Silently (+snipping) and more of that "woodsy" feel. If all you are concerned about is skill with a bow, then straight fighter with archery based skills is the way to go. Otherwise I would take an alternate route and either do straight Ranger or Fighter 2/Ranger X (to get the bonus feats of course).

If I were to do it, I'd probably go the Fighter route. The archer in our group definitely wants the "woodsy" feel, though. She's taken two levels of Order of the Bow Initiate, but I don't think she plans on taking more (dunno why).

Oddly enough, she had a very strong preferrence for taking the spell-less ranger out of Complete Warrior.

But, I'm not really looking for a way to "save" her character. Mostly, I just wondering what the really great archery feats/PrCs/tactics/gear are.

 

[Thurbane]

Combined with Rapid Shot (or Manyshot if for whatever reason they only get one attack)

I've had a query from one of my players - can he combine RS with MS (i.e. each of his Rapid Shot attacks is with multiple arrows). The wording of the feats seems to suggest he can, and he does take significant to hit penalties, but it seems not quite right to me...

 

[Iku Rex]

I've had a query from one of my players - can he combine RS with MS (i.e. each of his Rapid Shot attacks is with multiple arrows). The wording of the feats seems to suggest he can, and he does take significant to hit penalties, but it seems not quite right to me...

Rapid Shot gives you one extra attack when using the full attack action with a ranged weapon. Manyshot is a standard action. Thus, you can't combine them.

 

[EyeontheMountain]

One trick I like to use with my archers is having them use the greatbow (Exotic weapon form Complete warrior) and then take the Exotic Weapon master prestige class (also complete warrior) for the close-combat shot. (And maybe ranged disarm also)

This gives them the clsoe combat shot (a must for every archer) without dipping into a 10 level prestige class for jsut a couple of levels, and to me at least, seems a lot more believeable with a fighteresque build. (A lot easier to qualify for also. Most of the other archer prestige calsses out there are a bit hard for a fighter to qualify for. )