Optimise my archer build

[Doug McCrae]

Start at 6th level, Point buy 30 pts. Standard starting wealth but no more than two items. Books allowed - any WotC.

What I've got so far:

Human fighter 6
Str 15+1 (8) Dex 15+2 (8) Con 14 (6) Int 10 (2) Wis 10 (2) Cha 12 (4)
Feats: Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Weapon Focus (bow), Weapon Specialisation (bow), Rapid Shot, Manyshot, Improved Rapid Shot (CW), Sharp-Shooting (CW)
Skills: Craft (bowmaking) [9] +9, Climb [9] +12, Jump [5] +8, Know (nature) [1] +1, Tumble [1] +4
Gear: Composite longbow +1, Corrosive; Gloves of Dexterity +2

Any ideas for PrCs? Future magic items will be hard to come by, no shops.

The game is set in a fantasy version of Europe, circa 10 AD I think. PCs are members of a Germanic tribe. War will be a major part of the game, probably versus a Roman Empire analog. PCs start off living in a massive forest. There are fey, undead, dwarves, trolls and goblins in the forest and frost giants to the north.

 

[Nifft]

Are you stuck with Fighter?
If not, what other classes are allowed?
How big is the party / who else is in the party?

Cheers, -- N

 

[Doug McCrae]

I'm not stuck with fighter, it was just an idea, to be something different than the traditional power attack with a 2h weapon. Class choices are fairly limited - barbarian, bard, druid, fighter, ranger, rogue, sorcerer. I might be able to persuade the DM to allow the scout, from Complete Adventurer, also. Party size is three or four, one player will be a centaur, don't know about the other two, they'll probably be pretty flexible.

 

[Bayushi Seikuro]

Hm.

My two cents for PrC would include: Darkwood Stalker and Order of the Bow Initiate (CWarrior), maybe Highland Stalker (it's skirmishy, but mostly gains benefits from mountain terrain...)

Order of the Bow Initiate is always popular, and could possibly fit in the background despite the name; they mention barbarians who adopt the philosophy as being possible members.

Just my two cents

 

[Nifft]

Party of mainly fighter-types? Bard would be a good choice, particularly a Barbarian 1 / Bard 5 archer.

1/ Barbarian 1 -- Point Blank Shot, Rapid Shot
3/ Bard 2 -- Precise Shot
6/ Bard 5 -- Power Attack

Spells by level (some from Spell Compendium):
1- Cure Light Wounds, Silent Image, Inspirational Boost (SC), Guiding Light (SC)
2- Suggestion, Sonic Weapon (SC), Tactical Precision (SC) or Whirling Blade (SC)

Eventually you'll take haste and other area-buff spells to help your allies. Note that your Rage is incompatible with spellcasting, but not with your best application of Bardic music -- Inspire Courage.

Level 8 is when this build really takes off, since you'll get another iterative attack and access to haste; so you'll be getting 4 shots off on a (buffed) full attack.

Barbarian is here for two reasons: nice starting package (hit points, weapon proficiency, +10 ft. boost to speed), and also Rage. You will eventually have to engage in melee combat, and this will make you angry. You will drop your bow and Rage, and the poor guy who finds himself cleft by the blade of your Greatsword will be surprised indeed.

- - -

Alternately: Ranger 2 / Fighter 2 / Sorcerer 2 (then Arcane Archer)

Normally I'm down on Arcane Archers, but in a campaign with no Clerics or Wizards, it might be a decent choice. I still prefer my variant (surprise ) but even the Core version is reasonably non-sucky in a low-magic world.

For your Sorcerer spells, take true strike and feather fall -- neither has Somatic components, so you can freely cast them in armor. From the Spell Compendium, consider arrow mind instead of feather fall.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Mistwell]

Ranger 2/Ftr 4 makes more sense. You get Rapid shot archery feat (same one you would have probably taken with your fighter bonus feat anyway), track, favored enemy (human), more skill points, better saves, and a divine spellcasting spell list (useful for wands, like a cure light wounds wand if you can find one).

 

[Darklone]

Glad to see the pinguin uses the same bard archer as me. Depending on how you want the bard archer to be:
- 1 level fighter instead for armor/weapon proficiencies. Barbarian with Extra Rage is IMHO better.
- 1 or two level ranger for favored enemy. Urban ranger and Fav Enemy human is great for humanocentric city settings. This is IMHO the best film noir "detective style" build.

If you don't want to rely solely on archery, one polearm, Combat Reflexes, Power Attack and Extra Rage is everything you'll ever need to rock in combat (literally, because your to hit bonus will always be great and thus this build usually still always hits with full power attack).

Ranger/Scout archers with Swift Hunter heading for Imp Skirmish and Greater Manyshot... +28d6 against constructs and undeads and everything? nuff said.

Mistwell has a good point about Ftr4: You'll qualify for Ranged Weapon Mastery soon.

Archer prestige classes: Usually bad. The best one IMHO is a greatbow wielding exotic Weapon master (one level only needed).