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Message: <blockquote data-quote="StreamOfTheSky" data-source="post: 5156787" data-attributes="member: 35909">I suppose it's actually not that bad, though levels in Deepwood Sniper or Cragtop Archer are preferable as soon as they become available.  Still, ranger does give a lot more skills than a Fighter level does, it's certainly worthwhile to at least go to Ranger 2, 4, or 6.  2 gives Rapid Shot, 4 opens up spellcasting and gives you an animal companion (which should be traded for an alternate class feature that's more beneficial, like Solitary Hunting), 6 gives Manyshot, which is largely unimportant on its own, but is a prereq for some other feats you might want, Improved Rapid Shot if nothing else.  If Deepwood Sniper weren't allowed, I'd say Ranger is better than Fighter simply because at higher levels you get Camouflage and Hide in Plain Sight, which are very valuable to a sniper (not to mention Evasion and other unique benefits).  But since you're prestige classing out anyway, I guess high level class features don't matter.<img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />Prone also gives you -4 AC against melee attacks, standing up from prone provokes an AoO, and you are unable to 5 ft step or move much at all.  But hey, if you're fighting from hundreds or thousands of feet away, none of that really matters, right?  The only attacks you'll be worried about are the enemy's ranged attacks.  And yeah, crossbow and shuriken are the only types of ranged weapons that can be used while prone.It's a free action to reload a heavy repeating crossbow with Rapid Shot?  Are you sure?  Granted, you get several shots before needing to reload, but you'll still need to do so most fights.  As for damage...bows can add str to damage.  Granted, it gets pricy at low levels for a high str composite bow, and then you need another high ability score.  But you can add your full str bonus, versus half your dex.  So as long as you keep your str bonus within half of your dexterity bonus (considering the ability score enhancing items scale in price exponentially, this shouldn't be that hard), it's effectively going to be the same damage.  Except without spending a feat.  And no reload times at all, ever (and also saves you another feat).Use the crossbow, it's fine, you find it cooler.  Just pointing some things out.See if your DM can adapt it to a "Crows Nest Archer" or something and switch the Mountain Warrior feat required for some sort of naval-based one that would be more useful for your campaign.  And you can wait and see how the game turns out.  But to me, the real big draw of Cragtop Archer is Horizon Shot at level 4.  Being able to shoot 15 range increments (assuming Arcing Shot can apply) + Far Shot and have no penalties?  That's just amazing.  If your DM is lame and never lets you encounter enemies far enough away for that to matter, obviously it won't be useful to you, though.  I will say I see no reason to ever take the 5th level in the class.I'd say take Deepwood and Cragtop as early as you can, they directly aid you in your main schtick.  From the progression it looks like you're only taking Cragtop Archer for 1 level, and very late.  I think it's worth going to at least Cragtop Archer 3 quickly once you can enter, and then continue in Deepwood Sniper.  Unless your DM's being really lame with spotting and starting distance, then I guess even Arcing Shot isn't useful.</blockquote>

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