Threatening while holding a bow

[barkeep]

My character is primarily an archer. One problem with wielding a bow is that you do not threaten the area around you, so can't take advantage of Attacks of Opportunity. I'm looking for advice on how to get around this...

Some suggestions I've heard:
1. Bladed boots..my DM has said no
2. There is a feat that lets you threaten with the bow, but has some strict prereqs
3. Improved Unarmed Strike

What are your opinions on the above suggestions, and do you have any more?

Thanks.

 

[Destil]

Armor spikes.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Spiked Gauntlets are your best bet, generally.

Remember that while you have your bow ready for action, you don't threaten an area even with armor spikes, gauntlets, IUS, etc. You need to take a free action at the end of your round to declare that you are switching into "Gauntlet Mode", and then at the start of your next round, another free action to switch back to "Bow Mode".

For an archer, this isn't a big deal. For a Glavier, it can be a tough call.

-Hyp.

 

[andargor]

If you are an elf, and your DM allows the Quintessential Elf, check out the Ranged Threat feat.

Andargor

 

[Malin Genie]

That is supposed to be one of the disadvantages of using a bow, compensating for the fact that at range you are able to deal damage without taking melee damage in return.

Quintessential Elf is an incredible book for jacked-up archer Feats - if you can convince your DM to allow it, you'll completely dominate the party and achieve power levels undreamed of by even the most hardened m*nchkin

I would accept the fact that you lose AoOs in order to gain all the other benefits of archery (Rapid Shot, attacking at a distance, stacking bow and arrow bonuses, etc.) and if you do get into melee and want those AoOs desperately - drop your bow and draw a sword!

 

[molonel]

thoughts on threatening archers

"Remember that while you have your bow ready for action, you don't threaten an area even with armor spikes, gauntlets, IUS, etc. You need to take a free action at the end of your round to declare that you are switching into 'Gauntlet Mode,' and then at the start of your next round, another free action to switch back to 'Bow Mode.'"

You know, I'm still not entirely sure I buy that particular interpretation from the Sage. Nevermind the fact that it requires selling an obscure Sage ruling to your DM, or that it will make every action slightly tedious as you must always say at the beginning of your turn, "I take a free action to switch back to my bow" and at the end of your every turn, "I take a free action to switch back to my spiked gauntlets."

Also, they have to be spiked gauntlets in order to threaten areas around you. According to the official FAQ, which can be downloaded here:

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/er/20030221a

Page 24:

"A nonmonk wearing a pair of gauntlets is still considered unarmed."

 

[Hypersmurf]

Re: thoughts on threatening archers

Also, they have to be spiked gauntlets in order to threaten areas around you.

Well, yes - I apologise if I was ambiguous.

You'll note that the first line of my message suggested Spiked Gauntlets.

-Hyp.

 

[Zenon]

If you really want to stretch the interpetation of the rules, I have personally seen the following:

Glove of Storing:

Wear the glove on the hand you draw and fire the bow with.

Beginning of round: Fire the bow
End of round: As a free action, produce the sword from your glove. You now threaten an area.
Next round: Store the sword as a free action and fire the bow. At the end of the round, produce the sword as a free action.

The trick is to get the DM to allow you two free actions from the glove per round. With that, you can both produce and store the sword in the same round.

If you can get two free actions from a Glove per round now it gets worse. Get two Gloves of Storing.

You can now produce and store your bow as a free action also. This prevents those nasty Sunder attacks on that fragile bow unless the opponent has a ready action. If you see he's readying just don't produce the bow.

Creative? Yes. Unbalancing? Maybe, but you're taking up you glove slot and paying for two gloves.

From the SRD:

Glove of Storing
On command, one item held in the hand wearing the glove disappears. The item can weigh no more than 20 pounds and must be able to be held in one hand. While stored the item has negligible weight. With a snap of the fingers wearing the glove, the item reappears. A glove can only store one item at a time. Storing or retrieving an item is a free action. The item is held in stasis and shrunk down so small within the palm of the glove that it cannot be seen. If the effect is suppressed or dispelled, the stored item appears instantly. The creation process yields only one glove.
Caster Level: 6th; Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, shrink item; Market Price: 2,200 gp; Weight: -.

 

[kreynolds]

Bladed boots..my DM has said no.

Did he/she happen to say why?

 

[Steverooo]

My character is primarily an archer. One problem with wielding a bow is that you do not threaten the area around you, so can't take advantage of Attacks of Opportunity. I'm looking for advice on how to get around this...

Some suggestions I've heard:
1. Bladed boots..my DM has said no
2. There is a feat that lets you threaten with the bow, but has some strict prereqs
3. Improved Unarmed Strike

What are your opinions on the above suggestions, and do you have any more?

Thanks.

1 - Yes.
2 - Not familiar with this.
3 - Yes.
4 - Spiked Gauntlets - Yes.
5 - Armor Spikes - Yes.