mkletch said:
AA is the only way to have a viable archer in 3E, unless you have party members that are always willing to pump you up with greater magic weapon (which can be dispelled). Considering that magic weapons are a commodity (it is impossible to adventure per the standard rules and setting without magic weapons at the appropriate levels), I felt that AA/deepwood sniper was the only way to make a viable master of the bow. OoBI was weak/pointless in my mind. Combat archery was the only useful ability.
-Fletch!
Well, you're the first person I've ever encountered who has described OoBI as weak and useless. In addition to the sneak attack dice (up to 5d6) they get Imp Wpn Spec and focus (another +1/+2 hit/dam) can add their wisdom bonus (with the Zen archery feat) to their to hit rolls, don't draw AoOs from firing their bows and get to flat foot an opponent as a full round action (effectively guarenteeing their sneak attack damage) with Banked shot.
Their good saves (will, ref) buff, the weak saves from the fighter. They have a better HD d10 vs D8 (for AA) and don't require BAB sapping levels of Mage (which also further hurt their HP).
Finally with AA's + arrow ability, in my experience is frequently about +1 too low to affect monsters at their level.
Granted the OoBI's skill points/skill selection sucks, but it's no worse than most pure fighter types.
With regards to GMW, yes, it can be dispelled, but rarely is and it can be recast. If it is, most opponents that can do that don't have DR, so GMW isn't necessary against them. Also any party which isn't willing to cooperate to the extent of casting GMW at least once a day for the archer (or doesn't have someone capable of casting it) is not going to survive very long.
I have run two OoBI archers in 3e and nobody ever called them "weak/pointless" if anything they were accused of being too effective.
