Imroved Rapid Shot - too good?

[Longbow]

I wonder about Improved Rapid Shot. Which Archer wouldn´t take it along with Rapid Shot to get an extra attack without a penalty at all? Is a ranged weapon so much worse than a melee weapon? Composite bows can add strength to damage, too. Is there some disadvantage I´m not seeing?

And why isn´t there a similar feat for Two-Weapon-Fighting? There isn´t even a feat that lessens the penalty from -2 to -1.

 

[two]

I had a similarly-named thread a few months back.

Initially, I thought it was overpowered as well, but after some number crunching it seemed ok. It averaged out to something like an extra 2 points of damage per arrow at medium levels (10 or so). Because it's a high-level feat with prerequisites, it's probably ok.

I'd tell you exactly where the thread is, but, I can't.

 

[Scion]

Perhaps this thread will help about the first question

http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=73545&highlight=improved+rapid+shot

As for the second, throwing yet more feats onto the pile it takes to use twf.. I dont know.. twf needs a bit of help anyway

 

[Psiblade]

The main problem for archers is DR. A melee person can power attack and overcome DR. An archer against an 10/- or 15/- is in a world of hurt. Improved rapid shot does nothing to lessen this problem.

Archers also have problems lining up their shots in combat and may have to move to do so. Improved rapid shot takes away some of the penalty for shooting an opponent with cover from a member of your party. A melee person once in combat never has to worry about cover. Improved rapid is a nice feat, but does not address the problems that an archer is likely to encounter.

-Psiblade

 

[Longbow]

After reading the old thread I think that it´s not overpowered. Thanks for the link.

 

[Scion]

np

And I think that archers are probably the best against various types of DR, they can simply change out arrows and each is still just as effective because of their bow.

Against DR 15/- just about everyone is in some trouble! About the only build who will be able to break through it readily is a thf, anyone else is down to dealing nearly no damage.. twf, sword and board, archers, whatever.. better hope you have some major magical backup and/or a thf with a big strength score! lol

Does 'anything' have a DR 15/- before epic?

 

[The Souljourner]

I agree... the lack of power attack or ability to get 1.5x strength bonus really hurts the archer when compared to a melee fighter. Should they be exactly the same? Heck, no. But is +1 attack going to matter that much, when archers so often get cover bonuses they have to overcome? Nah. Heck, an archer shooting at a guy in melee has to take a feat just to get around the inherent -4 to hit. Archery is not a low feat choice (not as bad as TWF, but not too far off either).

-The Souljourner

 

[Endur]

As I mentioned in the previous thread, this is a powerful feat, adding yet another +2 to hit for archers on top of precise shot, improved precise shot, weapon focus, greater weapon focus, bracers of archery, greater magic weapon, etc.

However, this +2 to hit cancels out a corresponding -2 to hit, so I think this feat is ok since it means you have to do less math in calculating to hit chances.

 

[Hypersmurf]

I agree... the lack of power attack...

That's what the 3 levels of Peerless Archer are for...

Archery is not a low feat choice (not as bad as TWF, but not too far off either).

Yeah. I'm playing an archer at the moment, and I'm screaming for more feats... things like Ranged Disarm or Ranged Trip look like lots of fun, but there's just no way I can afford them!

-Hyp.

 

[Darklone]

Order of the Bow Initiate is good against DR

And different materials shouldn't be a problem.

TWF: Yeah, that style definitely needs a boost without feats.

Hmm. Guess I'll head to houserules for a tactical TWF Feat with several options.