So...no Arcane Archer in 4e D&D??

[sukael]

Use Warlock, with a bow as an implement instead of a pact blade.

I rather like this approach.

 

[El Mahdi]

This problem with an "arcane archer" is that the wizard side doesn't gain anything from it. I mean, I'm the master of throwing arcane might and destroying things from a distance, so I'm going to tuck away my spell progression for...slightly better range weapons?

I think a much better idea for arcane archer is one that uses the imbue arrow idea WITHOUT the "has to be a mage first" idea. Let the martial class mix a little bit of magic into his arrows without making him wear robes. The wizard isn't getting anything out of it, so make it a class meant for archers to get more versatility.

The original Spell Archer was kind of this way. I believe he had a Fighter Thac0, but knew a few touch ranged spells. Basically he could cast any touch ranged spell he knew onto an arrow, so no Fireballs but spells like Hold Person and Shocking Grasp worked quite well. I really don't know how you would do this with 4E though.

 

[Zsig]

I really don't know how you would do this with 4E though.

On "my" attempt of making an Arcane Archer I used something like this:

Imbue Arrows (16th level)): When using a close arcane attack power, you can choose to change it
into an area attack using your bow's range as the range for the attack providing you are wielding a
bow. Additionally you can replace the range of any ranged or area arcane attack power with the
range of the bow you’re wielding.

Kinda confusing, and I'm not sure if it's balanced or not. I mean, it's Arcane Reach on steroids... though, it's not like the Ranger in question is going to have many wizard powers anyways...

 

[Fallen Seraph]

It may not be satisfactory to you, but... There are supposed to be Multiclass Feats (or was it PPs) that are supposed to be useful/work with non-Martial Classes.

So there could be one that works well with the Ranger and a Arcane Class that could essentially work as a Arcane Archer.

 

[GlaziusF]

You might aso try the "laser cleric" build....an elven cleric that fights with a long bow and a bunch of ranged, wisdom-based prayers.

Since you only need to strap your holy symbol somewhere on your person to use it as an implement, you can even put it on the front of the bow, or on your wrist guard or something.

 

[CormEvyrncrest]

Doesn't this illustrate the point though? The are lots of sword and spell guys, but only one bow and spell guy (arcane archer) which I've seen widely considered not all that great.

The arcane archer in 3.5 never really lived up to its promise in many ways so I guess it wasn't high on the list for the 4e developers.

Cheers

we never really had the definition of Strikers/ Defenders/:eaders/ Controllers either....
Think of the Arcane Archer as a way for a martial striker, or arcane controller to leap into each others areas, much like Sword Mage.
Any area spell, imbued into an arrow, would do wonders, especially the ones where you can maintain by will, and still take other actions...Imagine being able to arc an arrow over a couple of lines of enemies to set Everd's Black Tentacles or Flaming Sphere to the back row and cut the battle shorter then what it's going to be...

 

[MarkB]

we never really had the definition of Strikers/ Defenders/:eaders/ Controllers either....
Think of the Arcane Archer as a way for a martial striker, or arcane controller to leap into each others areas, much like Sword Mage.
Any area spell, imbued into an arrow, would do wonders, especially the ones where you can maintain by will, and still take other actions...Imagine being able to arc an arrow over a couple of lines of enemies to set Everd's Black Tentacles or Flaming Sphere to the back row and cut the battle shorter then what it's going to be...

I just don't see how this applies to 4e, though. These spells already have fairly decent range by 4e standards and aren't affected by cover. Adding a bow to the equation doesn't do a great deal for them.

The one thing you might usefully do is allow the combo to turn Close spells into Area spells, but that seems like it could throw up all sorts of unforeseen balance problems.

 

[CormEvyrncrest]

I just don't see how this applies to 4e, though. These spells already have fairly decent range by 4e standards and aren't affected by cover. Adding a bow to the equation doesn't do a great deal for them.

The one thing you might usefully do is allow the combo to turn Close spells into Area spells, but that seems like it could throw up all sorts of unforeseen balance problems.

I guess it comes down to what one believes to be decent range....my decent range is about 20 feet in any direction.....arcane archer would be able to double that...or more.

 

[Shroomy]

I do think that a ranged, arcane striker/controller has a place in the game; it could be differentiated from the warlock or wizard by incorporating the Weapon keyword into its powers, kind of like many of the artificer powers work.

 

[doctorhook]

High Forest Scout, a Paragon Path in the FRPG (p57) is an Archery-Ranger PP whose powers are all Arcane (spells) rather than Martial (exploits).

Sounds fairly Arcane Archer-y to me.