Good low-level spells for Arcane Archer ?

[Chacal]

I want to try an Arcane archer NPC for the last session, and I need some good low level spells to use with its 2nd level ability.


The NPC will be a standard Elf, Ranger 4 Wiz 4 AA2. Probably a specialist wizard(more spells) Int will be sufficient to have bonus spells (14+).


Any suggestions ?



Chacal

 

[Mordax_sighs]

Burning Hands, Darkness, Fog Cloud, Grease, Obscuring Mist, Sleep, Web.

 

[poilbrun]

True strike

 

[Chacal]

thanks !



A related question :

If she uses an unseen servant (or whatever) to hold a scroll, could she use the spell on the scroll on her arrows ?

I'm still open to other suggestions (e.g from non-PHB spells)

Chacal

 

[Mordax_sighs]

2) is a DM judgment call, I think. I would say yes, but yours might not.

Not sure about non-PHB spells. Hope someone with lots of splatbooks stops by soon.

 

[Pseudonym]

I'd suggest taking a few levels as a Transmuter instead of a general wizard. For this sort of character, I'd focus on magic which enhances the caster's abilities rather than harming his enemies; especially since his Int and feat selection don't set him up as damage dealing spell powerhouse.

Jump, Feather Fall and Spider Climb work well in woodland environments, especially in conjunction with the ranger's hide and move silently abilities. Cat's Grace is always usefull for an archer too.

From Magic of Faerun, I'd suggest Kaupaer's Skittish Nerves; a 1st level trans spell which gives a +5 bonus on initiative checks. Also from MoF; the Scent spell. 2nd level trans spell which grants the Scent ability, which is usefull in conjunction with the ranger's tracking ability.

From Spells and Spellcraft, two which spring to mind are Slipping the Ranks, a 2nd level transmutation spell that allows you to make a 10' teleportation instead of a 5' step without provoking an AoO. Another 2nd level transmutation spell from the same source is Vigilant Guardians. This spell causes up to size small weapons to hover near you (1/level max 5). Daggers work well for this. They threaten as a reach weapon within a distance equal to their range increment, and attacks using your ranged attack bonus if anything in that area threatens an AoO.

 

[Chacal]

2) is a DM judgment call, I think. I would say yes, but yours might not.

I'm the DM so that would be ok



Chacal

 

[Chacal]

I'd suggest taking a few levels as a Transmuter instead of a general wizard.

I agree. I was also thinking about transmuter unless someone come up with lost of spells from another school.

For this sort of character, I'd focus on magic which enhances the caster's abilities rather than harming his enemies;

I mainly want to play with the "cool ability" of the arcane archer. So I'll probably use some buffing spells, but much more spells to put on arrows.

... very good advice for Ranger/Wizards...

I'll use these ones for another Ranger/Wizard. Thanks !


Chacal

 

[BiggusGeekus]

Try to avoid spells that are negated on resistance. You're not going to get your spells to land as well as a pure wizard so you're going to have to assume the bad guys are going to make their saves.

 

[Chacal]

Try to avoid spells that are negated on resistance. You're not going to get your spells to land as well as a pure wizard so you're going to have to assume the bad guys are going to make their saves.

Good advice. This raises another question :
Is the target of an arrow allowed a reflex save
when spell effects are instantaneous ?

I would say no, even if the spell allowed a reflex save. Is it overpowering the ability ?

Chacal