Need help with chracter progression.

[Elocin]

Currently I have a Wild Elf Ranger (monte) 7, Deepwood Sniper 2. I have no idea hwat to take for my next level. Following is some basic information about my character:

Str 18
Dex 20
Con 12
Int 12
Wis 12
Chr 12

Feats:
Weapon Focus: Bow
Rapid Shot
Precise Shot
Point Blank shot
Favoured enemy Strike
Favoured Critical
Far Shot

(I would prefer some suggestions that does not include the Order of the Bow or that other archer out there, I need to start leaning towards fighter of some sort that still gives benefits to my bow and melee if possible, I am trying to stear away from munchkin and cheese)


I am the main tank in my party set in Rokugon and I want to progress in another class or prestige class that is not the one I currently have. I like the deepwood sniper but there is no reason to advance beyond 2nd level, especially since there is no other fighter in the group. I will have to do some melee fighting in the future and currently I am not so great at it. Anyway, some helpful suggestions woudl be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[Surfal]

Keep it simple

I'd go with the obvious: start picking up levels of fighter. You can apply some feats to enhancing your melee ability, and your increased HD should help there too. You've got a high strength but only a 12 in Con, so I'd seriously consider the enhanced toughness feats from MotW, that should help your hp situation. You should have a base fort save of +7 after one level of fighter, which is only enough for Dwarf's Toughness. Next level you'll be able to take Gian't though.

Level 10: Fighter1 bonus feat Improved Crit (bow) or Dwarf's Toughness
Level 11: Fighter2 bonus feat Giant's Toughness
Level 12: Fighter3 basic feat Power Critical (bow) /Giant's Toughness

Assuming you really need the hps, and not additional capabilities, just take GT at 12th or even DT at 10th.

 

[Elocin]

I would take the Improved Critical route but they do not stack with the Deepwood Sniper Abilities, so the first feat would be kind of a waste. If all else fails I will go the fighter route but I just don't see my character going into a straight Fighter roll.

Some background on the guy is he was a scout sent out into the extremeties of the forests to locate other Wild Evles that have been captured by humans as slaves and help them escape. At one point he witnessed a Vanaran help two slaves escape and has now banded with the vanaran to help out his cause in saving the world. Of course my DM is a RBDM and the reason the world is in trouble is because the group set some evil power free ( we are stupid sometimes ) and now the entire world is in danger. Needless to say he wants to save the entire Wild Elf population (which there is niot much of to begin with) but he takes down most humans that get in his way and deals very rudely to everyone and anyone (yea I get into a bit of trouble in towns). So I am not sure if just plain fighter fits in or not esepcailly as he started out as a scout. I would just go Rogue but he doesn;t really sneak around and attack from behind, he is very confrontational, especially to Humans.

I thank you for your helpful suggestion though and will consider it.

 

[Pax]

Maybe go with a levelor three of Sorceror or Wizard, and go for Arcane Archer? 8)

At epic levels ... ouchie. Not what your character would be, but I can just SEE a Fighter(4)/Sorceror(6)/Arcane Archer(10)/Deepwood Sniper(10) truly pin-cushion-ing everything in sight. Ouchie, indeed.

 

[Hypersmurf]

I would take the Improved Critical route but they do not stack with the Deepwood Sniper Abilities...

... what makes you say that?

-Hyp.

 

[Elocin]

Coming from memory here but I believe the Keen Arrows and the Crit Multiplier states that it doe snot stack with any other ability in the book. Was this errata'ed and if so COOL!!!!

Please correct me if I am wrong.

Thank you.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Keen Arrows says it doesn't stack with any other Keen effect.

That includes the Keen Edge spell, or the Keen Magic Weapon Special Quality (which doesn't apply to ranged weapons anyway). Improved Critical is not a Keen effect.

The other one improves your multiplier, so it has no stacking problems with Improved Critical, which improves your threat range.

-Hyp.

 

[Elocin]

Well fine if your going to put it in plain English, you might have a point. But if you turn off your brain like I was doing you could see my point, maybe.

Umm, so yea good point my bad.

Thank you for slapping my face and waking me up

 

[Voadam]

Watch out for xp penalties unless monte ranger is considered a favored class of wild elves.

If they are a favored class, and all you want for continuing archery is BAB, then consider barbarian as well, rage plus uncanny dodge and a lot of hit points keep you a good tank fighter. The D&D Diablerie barbarian class has some great combat abilities as well.

Barbarian and wild elf always have gone well together flavor wise.

 

[Elocin]

That is a very good point and yes they would work well. Only problem I have with the Barbarian is that they are more of a melee fighter than an archer and I want a melee class that is also going to compliment the Archer class. Actually my DM mentioned that he made a prestige class for Arhcer's thatr I am going to take a look at on Wednesday so I might just go into that. Depending on the prereq's, I will probably just continue to advance as the Ranger (Monte's) as I giana few more spell levels and a few bonus feats.

Thank you again for all your help everyone it was most appreciated.