Spell channeling through ranged weapons

[Herzog]

I've got a (beginning) player who wants to combine Divine Magic with Ranged Combat.

When I tried to find out what he wanted exactly, he mentioned the Arcane Archer ability to imbue arrows, and expressed the desire to do something similar with Divine (most probably Druid) spells.

I've done some research, and found the PH2 feat Smiting Spell, which seems to be able to do the trick for Touch spells, but haven't been able to find feats or class abilities that apply to other types of spells outside of the Arcane Archer.

Options that do include other types of spells seem to apply only to melee attacks.

Does anyone have a suggestion how to construct this class feature of the Arcane Archer for a Divine Caster within the Official (3.5) rules?

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Have you considered just taking the Arcane Archer, and doing a search-and-replace on Arcane to change it to Divine?

 

[Herzog]

As a matter of fact, I don't like the Arcane Archer.

I find its abilities (except for the imbue arrow) to be either:
1. underpowered. The magic bonusses to arrows, that don't stack with your magic bow and/or arrows, are a derelict from 3.0, where DR/+x was common. In 3.5, all you get is an attack/damage bonus when you focus your bow enhancements on secondary abilities (flaming, shocking, etc)
2. undesirable. I very much dislike the arrow of slaying. It either doesn't work because the target makes its save, or shortcuts an important encounter.

Also, I'm trying to minimize the House ruling in this campaign.

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

The first thing that comes to mind is Spell storing weapons, +1 weapons bonus that allows a spell up to level 3 placed inside to discharge upon a successful attack.

I do not know of any "Greater" versions of spell storing weapons that allow spells of levels higher than 3, but if they exist, this should accomplish what you're describing. A bundle of Spell storing arrows, perhaps also with a returning property so you can retrieve and recharge them, would accomplish what you're looking for?

What specific types of spells does your friend want to cast as a Druid or divine caster?

 

[HoboGod]

[MENTION=6674868]RUMBLETiGER[/MENTION]
Spell storing works, but it's widely debated if it can be applied to ammunition. I rule that it does, I know people that don't (I don't know why, ranged combat is terribly underpowered.) However, Returning may only be placed on thrown weapons, you'd have to house rule a returning arrow.