How's the arcane archer?

[NPC]

So I was thinking of building another character for ENWorld's [PoA] server. I'm thinking Arcane Archer this time around.

Couple of questions:
1. How fun is the AA to play?
2. What's the best way to get there?
3. How are they at epic levels?

The manual says that rangers/paladins make good arcane archers. But is that true? Are the ranger's spells arcane or divine?

I know the Bard/Arcane Archer build is pretty strong, but I see a lot of bards around Ascension. I want to play something a little different.

Thanks for your input.

 

[Greylock]

Posted, but I thnk the server ate it. Rangers make fine AA's, but you've got to take a level of Bard, Sor, or Wiz. Can't even comprehend a Paladin AA.

 

[TheStiegler]

I play Barak, the Arcane Archer on the server. There's a Bard/AA and a Ranger/Bard/AA, as well. I'm up to 14th level, 7th level AA. It's quite powerful, but I don't know if that's due to the class or the items available. I haven't played any other character on the server yet. At this level I do an average of 20 damage a hit, 60-70 on a crit. My attack bonus is +30.

I did 5 levels of Fighter and 2 of Wizard to achieve the prereqs, but that was when I thought the BAB req was +5, not +6. I'd have gone Ftr6/Wiz1 in that case. But it doesn't make too much of a difference. A few more HP, a combat feat, and a point of fort save vs. an extra spell at 0 and 1st levels, a more powerful familiar (not much either at first or second level) and a point of will save.

I haven't gone epic, but if the enchanted arrow ability really continues +1 per two levels, it'll be pretty crazy.

The AA requires arcane spellcasting ability, so Ranger and Paladin won't help in that regard.

I'll be on tonight and will, God-willing, level to level 8 in AA and get the rain of arrows ability....that looks like a ton of fun. Run into the goblin camp and kill every goblin on the screen in one shot. Count me in! Even better than "fireball-on-a-stick." I wonder if the "death arrow" ability will work on dancing scimitars? That'd be sweet!

 

[Neo]

I play Barak, the Arcane Archer on the server. There's a Bard/AA and a Ranger/Bard/AA, as well. I'm up to 14th level, 7th level AA. It's quite powerful, but I don't know if that's due to the class or the items available. I haven't played any other character on the server yet. At this level I do an average of 20 damage a hit, 60-70 on a crit. My attack bonus is +30.

I did 5 levels of Fighter and 2 of Wizard to achieve the prereqs, but that was when I thought the BAB req was +5, not +6. I'd have gone Ftr6/Wiz1 in that case. But it doesn't make too much of a difference. A few more HP, a combat feat, and a point of fort save vs. an extra spell at 0 and 1st levels, a more powerful familiar (not much either at first or second level) and a point of will save.

I haven't gone epic, but if the enchanted arrow ability really continues +1 per two levels, it'll be pretty crazy.

The AA requires arcane spellcasting ability, so Ranger and Paladin won't help in that regard.

I'll be on tonight and will, God-willing, level to level 8 in AA and get the rain of arrows ability....that looks like a ton of fun. Run into the goblin camp and kill every goblin on the screen in one shot. Count me in! Even better than "fireball-on-a-stick." I wonder if the "death arrow" ability will work on dancing scimitars? That'd be sweet!

Im the one who plays the Bard/Ranger/Arcane Archer.. and I really like the combo and the prestige if you want a dedicated ranged attacker its definitely the way to go for me as bard provides a lot of versatility as a class with its bardic knowledge, bardic songs and arcane spells..and ranger helps with the attack bonus etc.. unlike some of the archers on the server though I "only" use a bow I use no other weapon except the occasional spell or magic item.. and provided you can keep yourself stocked with arrows (and there are a couple of handy sources of arrows and places to buy them) then its a pretty mean class combo.

 

[youspoonybard]

I'm the Bard 16/AA. I think that's the way to go, personally.

If you want to be a ranged attacker, AA is a necessity, really, otherwise you aren't going to get the damage you need.