Looking to make a Rogue "Archer" type of character, need help...

[RigaMortus]

Was looking for some assistance in making a Rogue-ish Archer. The only requirements are as follows.

*Can use the Core Rules, WotC splat books, Forgotten Realms books.

*1st level of character HAS to be Rogue, any other levels can be whatever (this is part of the campaign restriction).

*Using Point-buy of 30 points.

A few thoughts I had was combining levels of Deepwood Sniper, Peerless Archer and possibly OoBI. Was also considering doing 1 level of Rogue and the rest Cleric (for the Cleric Archer smackdown) but felt that was kinda cheesy and defeats the purpose of the Cleric Archer smackdown by taking that one level of Rogue. Plus he is supposed to have more of the Roguish feel to him. The group (4 or 5 of us) are playing a party of Rogues in a Rogue guild and we need to be able to handle party missions as well as solo adventures.

Any thoughts?

 

[Mr Fidgit]

levels of fighter may be needed for all of the bow feats required for Deepwood Sniper and Peerless Archer

you may want to consider Rogue/Ranger and a PrC like Wild Scout from Silver Marches. Its Camouflage ability really helps it not take hits (if they have cover)

 

[Jeremy]

Number of hits is the most important factor with sneak attackers, so you might find that a rogue archer with simply rapid shot and a couple magic items will work well enough, though having to be within 30 feet is a dangerous range for an archer.

 

[Gaiden]

I am going to second Jeremy's concern but give a bit more detail.

If you want to utilize the rogue archer you have to take advantage of sneak attack (almost too obvious to even mention). The reason for this is the BAB. All other archers will have better BAB or spells.

Thus you have just limited yourself to being within 30' of your target. If you focus on archery - which absolutely requires feats without spells - as a rogue, you will then have to sacrifice melee ability. The combination of 30' max range and lack of melee prowess should be your primary concern with class, skill, and ability selection.

My suggestions are as follows:

1. Focus on sniping - an enemy who is unaware of you AFTER you have shot cannot hurt you. This is accomplished in one of two ways - be so good you kill them in the surprise round - probably requires assassin like abilities or some power critical type ability with the bow. The second option is to be so good at hiding that they can't find you. You effectively would be taking -20 to your Hide check to continue hiding after firing - you are going to have to focus everything into hiding.

2. Take some levels of fighting classes. Fighter class will give you the much needed feats. Barbarian will give you movement and somewhat counteract your lack of melee prowess. Ranger can be quite handy if you plan on being in the wilderness as the spells and skill selection will be tremendously useful. Paladin will give you some nice defensive abilities but really won't be all that useful for your concept.

3. TAKE ORDER OF THE BOW INITIATE! Your primary ability to be a good rogue archer revolves around your damage potential which in turn revolves around sneak attack. OotBI is the only PrC which focuses on archery and gives a SA-type (SA limited to arrows) bonus at the same rate as a rogue. Not to mention you get Figher BAB and a lot of really nice bow abilities - the zen archery stacking with your DEX is incredible.

4. I am not sure if it is possible, but if you have space take a few levels of DWS or PA if you can. I would recommend the DWS because you get the extra critical stuff early on, but its your choice. Just be aware that these classes give you range bonuses which will be absolutely useless to you.
Do not try and counterbalance your lack of melee prowess unless you go with a rogue fighter. If you try and counteract this weakness with other classes and feats you will really lose the specialization it takes to be a great rogue archer. The other fighting classes - Barbarian, Ranger, and Paladin will simply detract from your SA and not give you enough a benefit in other ways to be worth it IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE FOCUSING ON ARCHERY.

I would recommend a rogue fighter who then goes OotBI with perhaps 1 level of ranger and 2 levels of DWS (if you can get them). This way you will be able to get all of the bow feats that you need for OotBI.

You could nix the whole idea of SA and then go with something completely different - like a rogue/ranger/DWS, but I am giving you my advice talored to my idea of a rogue like archer.

You could also go Assassin instead of OotBI but you have to be evil and the abilities are more broad than just an archer at the expense of being less good at archery.

 

[Tobold Hornblower]

A single level of Wizard or Sorcerer could be good, especially if none of the other players are taking any levels as arcane casters.

Mage Armor instead of real armor.

Cast Shield and True Strike before springing that ambush.

Scribe yourself a pile of scrolls and buy some wands:
Shield, True Strike, Mage Armor, Magic Weapon, Protection from - obviously useful
Detect Secret Doors scrolls and a Wand of Knock - put your skill points into something other than Search and Open Locks
Obscuring Mist - when you need to get away
Summon Monster I - pop in a dire rat for a flanking partner
Spider Climb - getting yourself in position to ambush from unexpected places
Wand of Flame Arrow will make you a great archer with your added sneak attack damage.

Bat familiar for reconnaissance in dark places.

[edit] Oh, and the free Alertness Feat, when the bat is in your pocket, is nice for a rogue, too.

 

[Shallown]

I had a 4/4/2/4 Rogue/fighter/deepwoodssniper/order of the bow that was exceedingly nasty. I focused on the bow and scouting/rogue skills. Not a thief but a killer dungeon/woods scout. I got magic items to boost my skills and she had a very philisophical bent. I would now take two levels of peerless archer instead of OOB but it wasn't out when I played that character.

Often I would take somone down in one round especially if i got initiative. Between sneak attack, imp crit, keen and crit multiplier increase I could lay serious smack down. A real munched out character for a dungeon crawl.

Best quote while scouting ahead using a telepathic link. projected thought "Demon" thwip (simulated bow sound) "All clear" .

What was meant to be a challenge for the party I killed with one crit like 102 damage. it was sweet.

 

[Shard O'Glase]

Think about taking 1 level in the shadow dancer prestige class. You can move, shoot, move if you have shot on the run, and with HiPS you can be hidden, move, shoot, move hide on your action. (only way to hit you is to spot you[not easy] or ready actions and with sneak attack you usually win on that deal) I like Order of the bow as the archer pretige class but they all have their merits.

 

[Rackhir]

OoBI probably fits the best with the "roguish archer" since you do get sneak attack dice and the combat archery ability that helps you survive in sneak attack range. It also gives you two good saves, which is not to be under estimated even if you only take 1 level.

At least some, Deepwoods Sniper levels should definitely be included. The crit range addition and increased crit multiplier are simply too good to pass up. Definitely helps with those one shot kills.

Peerless Archer is one of the few classes I would describe as over powered. So if your DM is so foolish at to permit it then you NEED to take it at least up til you get the ranged power attack ability. With the "to hit bonuses" archers typically have, it's an absolutely devastating ability, especially when combined with the crit enhancements of the DWS (PS. Don't forget to get a Burst Enchantment on your bow since it's boosed by the inc Crit multiple).

At least 4 levels of Fighter is pretty much mandatory for any archer. Simply for the feats and the weapon spec.

If you can persuade your DM to let you take an Archer ranger (subs archery feats for the TWF stuff) it sets you up very well for taking the DWS.

At least one more level of Rogue to get Evasion is certainly not a bad idea either. Not taking any damage from area effect spells is an invaluable ability, especially at higher levels and considering that you are likely to have a good reflex save.

Are you starting at first lvl or at a higher level? It does have an effect on character development, as you can afford to take weaker feats/classes earlier on. Some more information on the kind of rogue/archer you want to run would be good, since the prestige classes offer a wide range of abilites and flavors. Tossing in a level of Sorcerer can definitely be useful and offer some significant flavor to the character for example, but it does come at the expense of some fighting abiltity.

 

[Thanee]

All those OotBI, DS or PA archers are more fighters than rogues!

For a truely rogueish archer, there is only one way (well, that might be a slight exaggeration! ):

Rogue/Wizard/Arcane Trickster

Elf is the perfect race for this, but Halfling or Human also works pretty good!

Bye
Thanee

 

[Thanee]

If you are interested, check out my character Silvermoon in the Rogue's Gallery, to get an idea of how this combination can look at higher levels (note: there are a few house rules involved, so don't get too fixed with individual numbers there).

Bye
Thanee