Who makes the better Archer?

[RigaMortus]

Fighter or Ranger?

I would think a Ranger would, but the Fighter just seems to get more benefits. They get way more feats. They can wear better armor. Have higher HPs. Seems like a Fighter would make a much better Archer than a Ranger would, but it seems silly it is that way...

I'm playing an archery-based Ranger now, and I love it! But if my character bites it, I'm seriously thinking about cloning the concept but using a Fighter class to do it. Just to see what aspects are better/worse.

As a side thought/question... Has anyone ever played a "themed" group? Like all Paladins, or all members of a Thieves guild? I'm wondering how an all archery or ranged-based group would be. Not that they'd all be Rangers or Fighters. You'd have Clerics and Wizards too, but their feats would be archery/ranged-based.

 

[Crothian]

It depedns on what you expect from an archer. If you want a military person with the best aromor and training, probably a fighter. But the ranger has the advantage of not needing high scores for certain feats. Not every fighter can afford to have a 19 dex for Improved Precise shot for instance, a feat the Ranger gets and doesn't need the super high dex.

Rangewrs also have the advantage of the skill points. A Fighter might not be abler to spot what the Ranger is shooting at, or the Ranger can attmept to hide and shot and have a decent chance of success.

 

[jarlaxlecq]

Arcane Archer or Initiate of the Bow

 

[RigaMortus]

I'm really not all that impressed with the Arcane Archer personally... They don't have anything all that great. For one, the Imbue Arrow ability only works on area effect spells. That's kind of crappy. You'll never be able to fire a "Hold Person" arrow, or play cupid and fire a "love" arrow (re: Charm Person). The fact that every arrow they fire is +1 (up to +5) is also not very useful. Since by that time, it's very likely you'll have access to GMW. Plus, it's not like the pluses stack with a magic bow's pluses.

Sorry for the little rant there, heh...

I can't look it up at the moment, but can a Spellsword use their "Channel" ability on ranged weapons, or are they limited to only melee weapons? Cause that is what the Imbue Arrow ability should do IMHO.

 

[jgsugden]

Which makes a better archer? They both make fine archers.

A typical (nonhuman) archery ranger gets feats as follows:

1) Tracking, Point Blank
2.) Rapid Shot
3.) Precise Shot
6.) Multishot, Improved Precise Shot?
9.) Weapon Focus?
11.) Improved Precise Shot

A typical (nonhuman) archery fighter gets feats as follows:

1.) Point Blank, Precise Shot
2.) Rapid Shot
3.) Weapon Focus
4.) Weapon Specialization
6.) Multishot, Improved Precise Shot
8.) Improved Weapon Focus
9.) ?
10.) ?
12.) Improved Precise Shot

So, with the exception of improved precise shot, the fighter gets feats as early or earlier than the ranger. But, it doesn't get any of the ranger extra abilities like an animal companion, spells, evasion or a better set of skills.

If you *only* care about archery, the fighter is probably a slightly better option. If you care about a whole character, both options have their strengths and weaknesses. In other words, they both work fine.

 

[Sejs]

Fighter.


But Rangers get a bunch of fringe benefits that arn't directly related to putting arrows into things.

 

[TracerBullet42]

Fighters will make better archers.

"Ranger" - doesn't mean "guy with bow". It's a woodland survivalist who has many varied skills.

"Fighter" - Fights. Will always be the best at dealing physical damage.

So if you're looking for a pure damage dealing machine, then the fighter will be better.

But the ranger actually has useful skills outside of fighting.

 

[Eltern]

I can't look it up at the moment, but can a Spellsword use their "Channel" ability on ranged weapons, or are they limited to only melee weapons? Cause that is what the Imbue Arrow ability should do IMHO.

Nope, melee only.

Eltern

 

[Taren Seeker]

Personally I prefer the ranger as an Archer. The favored enemy bonuses really stack up nicely (balances out specialization in many cases), the stealth and spot skills also work very well to make a versatile long range archer. Also at higher levels the hide and HiPS abilities are a nice plus especially combined with Manyshot. Evasion is good for when an enemy tries long range suppression with AOE spells or tries to burn you out of a hiding spot

Also look at the feat from CW that adds +3 damage to all your favored enemies...mmmm...

 

[Taren Seeker]

Oh yah and the AA...ack that is a really weak class IMO. I can't believe they didn't at least add some DR penetrating capabilities.

I am also underwhelmed with the new OOBI. Take a Greatbow and one level of EWM for close combat shot instead.