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Message: <blockquote data-quote="MerricB" data-source="post: 2565977" data-attributes="member: 3586">Bow of the Black Archer5th level: 2,375 gp + 1,625 gp (ritual) = 4,000 gp. (That's a nice round figure!)* +1 longbow* at will - detect drow (60')* ignores drow's damage reductionLet's assume you're in an anti-drow campaign. (That's much easier than the anti-plane of earth campaign). It's not so bad so far, though it's actually weaker than Bloodcrier's Hammer at this stage.10th level: 4000 gp; -1 attack; -1 save; -6 hp* +2 longbow* at will - detect drow* ignores drow's damage reduction* 1/day - darkvision* 3/day - longstrider* +5 competence bonus on Hide and Move Silently checksIt's actually looking pretty good at this stage. +1 effective bonus, and a combined cloak and boots of elvenkind. (2000+5000 gp = 7000 gp or so). 11th level: 4000 gp + 13500 gp ritual = 17500 gp; -1 attack; -1 save; -6 hp* +2 drow bane longbow* at will - detect drow* ignores drow's damage reduction* 1/day - darkvision* 3/day - longstrider* +5 competence bonus on Hide and Move Silently checksNo longer quite so strong, but 8000+5000 gp = 13000 gp, so perhaps the longstrider and darkvision make up for the missing value.16th level: 17500 gp; -2 attack; -2 saves; -10 hp* +3 drow bane longbow* at will - detect drow* ignores drow's damage reduction* 1/day - darkvision, shadow walk* 2/day - lesser restoration, protection from evil* 3/day - longstrider* 5/day - imbue arrow with 5d6 electrical damage as standard action* +5 competence bonus on Hide and Move Silently checksAt this point, the bow is becoming rather amusing in the hands of a rogue or ranger, sneak attacking from the shadows. (or an Order of the Bow Initiate with ranger levels). Its utility as a pure weapon is dropping away, but the special abilities may be worth it. It is getting hard to judge, but for a 16th level character, the bow doesn't quite seem to have the oomph it should have.17th level: 17500 gp + 38000 gp ritual = 45500 gp; -2 attack; -2 saves; -10 hp* +3 drow bane longbow* at will - detect drow* ignores drow's damage reduction* 1/day - darkvision, shadow walk* 2/day - lesser restoration, protection from evil* 3/day - longstrider* 5/day - imbue arrow with 5d6 electrical damage as standard action* continuous - freedom of movement* +5 competence bonus on Hide and Move Silently checksHow much would an item of permanent freedom of movement cost? Well, the ring is 40000 gp! This is less a weapon and more a scouting tool...20th level: 45500 gp; -2 attack; -3 saves; -16 hp* +4 drow bane longbow* +3 insight bonus on Will saves to avoid mind-affecting and compulsion effects* at will - detect drow* ignores drow's damage reduction* 1/day - darkvision, shadow walk, arrow of slaying (drow)* 2/day - lesser restoration, protection from evil* 3/day - longstrider* 5/day - imbue arrow with 5d6 electrical damage as standard action* continuous - freedom of movement* base landspeed increases 10 feet* +5 competence bonus on Hide and Move Silently checksVerdict on the longbow: It's not a weapon, it's a ring of freedom of movement! I find this weapon a lot more compelling than Bloodcrier's Hammer. The weapon aspects do pale into insignificance compared to its special abilities. Cautious thumbs up.Cheers!</blockquote>

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