Ranged bow build help

[Infiniti2000]

I'd swap Hunter's Teamwork for the one that allows you to shift before or after your attack, but I can't recall the name of it since that is what you said you want to be able to do.

You might be thinking of Hit and Run, but that's only for a melee attack. Of course, you could always "waste" an unarmed kick in order to use it, which is what I have done from time to time myself.

I also recommend shifting the ability scores around a little, but given that you're using arrays you're options are limited. Still an 8 INT won't affect you.

I built my ranger with a little more strength, but not necessarily for melee (but it works okay for that), but so that I could climb better. The absolute best place for an archer is up out of reach. So, I learned to climb really well and did that at the beginning of combat (assuming a place to climb to). I also highly recommend quick draw. Unless your character is always holding his bow at the ready, with your high perception (and dex for initiative), you'll rarely be surprised, so being able to shoot your bow in the surprise round could be really important. It also adds to initiative.

 

[Turtlejay]

Really? Set up flanks? And as *I* mentioned, I don't like the Battlefield Archer, so I don't think I'm missing out on any PP. By taking a Raptor Familiar I can Quarry pretty much whatever I want, scout whatever I want, still take the Sharpshooter PP, and all I am out is Defensive Mobility and Prime Shot. Since I should be nowhere near the frontlines to begin with, +2 vs OA is crap for me, and I am willing to trade Prime Shot for a flying laser designator/UAV.

But, like every build, my choices are subjective and *my* choices, so I won't judge you for taking suboptimal choices, and you won't judge me for taking better ones.

Jay

 

[Infiniti2000]

In what book do I find Raptor Familiar? I also don't know where Sharpshooter is located.

 

[Turtlejay]

Raptor=Hawk, Falcon, or other hunting bird. Both it and Sharpshooter are in Martial Power.

Jay

 

[Herschel]

Really? Set up flanks? And as *I* mentioned, I don't like the Battlefield Archer, so I don't think I'm missing out on any PP. By taking a Raptor Familiar I can Quarry pretty much whatever I want, scout whatever I want, still take the Sharpshooter PP, and all I am out is Defensive Mobility and Prime Shot. Since I should be nowhere near the frontlines to begin with, +2 vs OA is crap for me, and I am willing to trade Prime Shot for a flying laser designator/UAV.

But, like every build, my choices are subjective and *my* choices, so I won't judge you for taking suboptimal choices, and you won't judge me for taking better ones.

Jay

LoL, you're choice isn't better if you're a tactical player. If you don't understand tactical party play, then yeah, the other builds work better. But if you want maximum TEAMWORK, then the archer build definitely has its merits. Mobility is a tremendous advantage in the hands of a serious tactician who likes to set up his defenders.

If your idea of teamwork is "I do just my role, you do yours" then you're missing out on a lot of really cool stuff.

 

[Trainz]

My 16th level Arcane Archer took the Archer build.

I am ALWAYS adjacent to my target. With my wintertouched cheese, and a few judicial feats and magic items, when the critter swings at me because I'm firing at him, he does so... at -9 to hit. He only hits on a 20, and when THAT happens, the party's tattoo of vengeance kicks in BIG time.

It gives me a +4 to hit because I'm next to him. In most cases, this means I hit 75% of the time. And nothing sucks more than missing your target when you play a striker.

 

[Turtlejay]

LoL, you're choice isn't better if you're a tactical player. If you don't understand tactical party play, then yeah, the other builds work better. But if you want maximum TEAMWORK, then the archer build definitely has its merits. Mobility is a tremendous advantage in the hands of a serious tactician who likes to set up his defenders.

If your idea of teamwork is "I do just my role, you do yours" then you're missing out on a lot of really cool stuff.

Okay, I'll bite. I built just the character I propose at 12th level. I played him. He was tactical. He had enough utilities to keep him from getting scratched, which is kind of the point of having a bow with a 250 foot range, IMO. He had a variety of powers, useful for one for or many.

Really though, I think I would enjoy playing a Ranger you built, and I hope you would enjoy playing one I built. I'm not sure you can build an un-fun Ranger, unless it is a sit and stand, twin strike only type. I would hope you don't think that is what I'm talking about....

Jay

 

[Herschel]

Actually, that is what I thought you were referring to, my mistake. I am sorry.

I understand the value of the builds you discuss and obviously party composition plays a major role in which build works better. I just feel/prefer situations like Trainz gave is the way to best help a party with someone playing a defender with opportunity or damage on mark attacks. A Shielding Swordmage would be different, IMO, because even though they reduce damage taken (which is awesome in general) the extra attack I would take isn't as negative for the baddy. But a great weapon fighter? Give my ranger about defender AC on some attacks and let the fighter smack him around for it if he tries.

 

[jbear]

Evasive strike is the one that lets me shift and im going to try hunters teamwork first and if i dont like it ill retrain it at level 2



The DM is wanting us to use arrays and I made my strength 11 just incase I EVER needed to melee and I need just one +1 mod or I just want to switch it up to do alittle melee so I dont get bored of doing nothing but range. Also the array that I used was 17 14 12 11 10 10 and the reason I chose that one was because I didnt want any negatives in my skill checks which is why I chose leather over hide.

I'm going to agree with Stalker0 about the 11 Str.

You're not going to get a +1 in Str until level 11. Even than it's fairly irrelevant. A 13 in CON is only 1 hp, although at level 11 it is also an extra Healing Surge. These things although small, may save your life. I don't think you can say that about the difference between 10 and 11 Str.

13 is also the magic number for opening up feat with prerequisites. I don't know if there are any relevant feats for 13 CON, but it could be worth checking out.

 

[Mad Hamish]

13 con at the start does mean that you can get armour specialisation hide later.