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2010-03-07, 11:38 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Arcane Archer build DnD 3.5 - help me please!
Yep.
I'm not that keen on using magic though
The main spells I'm thinking off are Hunter's Mercy, Find the Gap and Arrow Storm ... those spells make your archery better ... same as the Arcane Archer imbue arrow, which you don't seem to have a problem with. Champions of Ruin also has a few nice ranger spells to improve your archery.
You haven't said what books you can use BTW ...
If it's core only then your options are very limited ... a core only Arcane Archer build can be playable, for instance Elf Wizard 6/Ranger 2/Fighter 1/Arcane Archer 2/Eldritch Knight X. The problem is that you are a caster first and an archer second.
In core only the best archer is a straight ranger.
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2010-03-07, 11:42 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Arcane Archer build DnD 3.5 - help me please!
Last edited by PinkysBrain; 2010-03-07 at 11:44 PM.
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2010-03-07, 11:45 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Arcane Archer build DnD 3.5 - help me please!
Also, if you really wanna couple Ranger and Arcane Archer, see if the DM will OK the Mystic Ranger and Abjurant Champion. Combined with Sword of the Arcane Order and your extra feats, you can potentially snag 9th level Sor/Wiz spells, albeit vastly fewer than a real caster. However, the utility of Ranger will still be there, plus their awesome archery spells, and to top it off, you're a 20 CL/20 BAB gish, who's at least as sturdy if not more so than a straight 20 Duskblade.
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2010-03-07, 11:48 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Arcane Archer build DnD 3.5 - help me please!
Elf Druid 8/Wizard 1/Arcane Archer 2/Druid 9 isn't bad at all and matches the OP's fluff pretty well, IMO.
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2010-03-08, 12:06 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Arcane Archer build DnD 3.5 - help me please!
Weapon or shield ... so sure (for the original poster, wand chambers are in Dungeonscape and allow you to use a wand without having to retrieve it by putting it in your weapon or shield).
With 2 gloves of storing you can get a couple more scrolls or wands readily available. (Originally the wand bracelet was a really nice way to store wands/scrolls, but MIC nerfed it from the MoE version by changing the action from free to swift to retrieve something :/)
If you use the Rules Compendium rule for wands/scrolls (no minimum standard action) this makes the low level swift ranger spells quite attractive.
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2010-03-08, 12:09 AM (ISO 8601)
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2010-03-08, 12:27 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Arcane Archer build DnD 3.5 - help me please!
Hi
As already pointed out, Pathfinder has a few better options, though I'd go Eldritch Knight instead of Arcane Archer.
EK has 9/10 CL, and treats your EK levels as Fighter levels for feats, etc, and has full BAB. You'll still have to find a way to increase those caster stats, though.
Ranger is still the best option, though if you really have to, take one level of Cleric with Magic Domain, so you can use Arcane wands (Flame Arrows, etc).
Darkwood Stalker (Complete Warrior, Pg 23) might be useful. Can get into it from Ranger 5. Some useful abilities, like Darkvision & sneak attack, D8 HP, and full BAB. And don't forget Composite Greatbows (CW Pg 154), plus all those nice abilities in Magic Item Compendium!
Cheers
Paul H
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2010-03-08, 12:44 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Arcane Archer build DnD 3.5 - help me please!
Darkwood Stalker is a trap ... if you just want to do damage from short range the basic Swift hunter scout/ranger blows that away.
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2010-03-08, 01:04 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Arcane Archer build DnD 3.5 - help me please!
Yeup. Matters for wilderness, if the ranger gets her way, matters less for dungeons. Heroism and flame arrow still have long durations. Pearls of power otoh are kind of expensive until fairly high levels. Also, a lesser rod of extend is cheaper and can help keep heroism and flame arrow up longer. Especially at higher levels. Yeah, if everything's ideal and everyone in the group has planned and strategized well then there's little need for the arcane archer, but situations vary. Heck, in my last 3 campaigns there wasn't even a source of GMW, go figure. Worst case scenario the arcane archer still keeps up in attack bonus or is a point ahead, but loses out on other class features. Not the end of the world.
Last edited by ericgrau; 2010-03-08 at 01:06 AM.
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2010-03-08, 02:49 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Arcane Archer build DnD 3.5 - help me please!
If obscure splatbooks are open, the Peerless Archer from Silver Marches does the Arcane Archer thing superbly. It gets to enchant its own arrows (just enhancement bonuses, but essentially the same thing as the AA), gets 4d6 ranged sneak attack, it doesn't provoke in melee and it gets Power Attack with its arrows. With a cranked up attack bonus (Knowledge+Law Devotion, Polymorph ridiculousness, some source of Divine Accuracy), this can generate a lot of damage fast.
Last edited by Pluto; 2010-03-08 at 02:50 AM.
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2010-03-08, 07:35 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Arcane Archer build DnD 3.5 - help me please!
Sorry if I sound stupid - why is the Pathfinder's Arcane Archer better? I think they are allowed in our campaign.
I'm not that keen on using magic though
Hmm? Why arcane archer then?
Also, there are no restrictions on books afaik, as long as it's 3,5-4.
see if the DM will OK the Mystic Ranger and Abjurant Champion
Paul H
Hi!
To become an Eldritch Knight I'd have to take at least 5 Wizard's levels, is that right?
If obscure splatbooks are open, the Peerless Archer from Silver Marches does the Arcane Archer thing superbly
One more thing. How bad is AC -1 penalty for the archer? Choosing the armor for my first level, should I go with -1 penalty AC 3 or no penalties, but AC 2?..
Thanks!
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2010-03-08, 07:41 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Arcane Archer build DnD 3.5 - help me please!
They progress spellcasting making the "Imbue Arrow"-ability (only worthwhile class feature Arcane Archer gets) actually useful. Also, the arrow enhancements are actually useful since they aren't single-handedly obsoleted by Greater Magic Weapon.
There are none. It's an alternative Ranger; gives up some stuff normal Ranger gets in exchange for faster spell progression. Ranger spells are good for archery, particularly from Spell Compendium (Hunter's Mercy, Find the Gap, Arrow Storm just to name a few great ones).
You're talking about ACP? As in Armor Check Penalty? -1 is doable; it makes your hiding and such slightly worse, but the increase in armor class increases your survivability greatly so I'd definitely go for Studded Leather over Leather. Later, you can get Masterwork Studded Leather for no ACP, or eventually a Mithril Chain Shirt (it has ACP 0, Max Dex 6, Armor 4, but it's ~1000gp).Last edited by Eldariel; 2010-03-08 at 07:41 PM.
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2010-03-08, 07:44 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Arcane Archer build DnD 3.5 - help me please!
Armor Check Penalty isn't that big for an archer. I'm assuming you'll be putting ranks in Tumble in order to back away from enemies threatening you, but the DCs for Tumble aren't very high and you can get a synergy bonus from 5 ranks in Jump, along with your Dex focus.
Honestly, I'd say your best bet if you don't want spells would be a Ranger/Scout Swift Hunter build. Swift Hunter is a feat in Complete Scoundrel that stacks your ranger and scout levels for Skirmish and Favored Enemy. Then you just build Scout4/Ranger16 and shoot things to death.
If you want spell, go Ranger20 using the Mystic Ranger variant. Pick up spells from SpC that emulate nearly all of the AA class abilities, except better, and call it a game.
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2010-03-08, 11:21 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Arcane Archer build DnD 3.5 - help me please!
I see, thank you.
Honestly, I'd say your best bet if you don't want spells would be a Ranger/Scout Swift Hunter build.
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2010-03-08, 11:29 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Arcane Archer build DnD 3.5 - help me please!
While Elven penalty to Constitution is hugely detrimental to any class, Archer is a slightly safer place for that than others thanks to relatively high Hit Dice and low exposure to damage. If your playgroup plays with multiclass penalties though, may whatever deity you pray to help you.
Though I do feel compelled to point out that Wood Elves (from Monster Manual) have Ranger as their favored class and thus don't run into issues with that regard as a Swift Hunter. They also have a racial Strength-bonus, which makes getting some damage into the bow a bit easier. Wood Elf Mystic Ranger-based Swift Hunter could be just what you want. Mystic Ranger can even learn arcane spells through "Sword of the Arcane Order"-feat, though that's Forgotten Realms-specific [Champions of Valor].
In other words, I suggest:
Wood Elf Mystic Ranger 17/Scout 3 (or Mystic Ranger 15/Scout 4/Cloistered Cleric 1 if you want Travel Devotion) with stat spread like:
12 Str (pre-racials)
16 Dex (pre-racials)
14 Con (pre-racials)
14 Int (pre-racials)
14 Wis (pre-racials)
8 Cha (pre-racials)
With racial modifiers (+2 Str, +2 Dex, -2 Int, -2 Con) this comes down at:
14 Str
18 Dex
12 Con
12 Int (you really want some Int for skill points; also, if you want to entertain the idea of Sword of the Arcane Order)
14 Wis
8 Cha
Do note that Strength should be higher otherwise, but Swift Hunter deals most of the damage via. Skirmish meaning Str loses some relevance. Otherwise, dropping to e.g. 10 Int or 12 Wis might be preferable (and as you desire, of course). 12 Con is a bit on the low side, but hopefully you can prove elusive enough to make up for it.
Note that your d8 HD isn't that bad, in the end. Oh, and level-up scores should go to Dex. All of them. You want to hit first and foremost. It also provides you with extra AC, especially up until 26 (when you get Max Dex for a Celestial Armor).Last edited by Eldariel; 2010-03-08 at 11:51 PM.
Campaign Journal: Uncovering the Lost World - A Player's Diary in Low-Magic D&D (Latest Update: 8.3.2014)
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2010-03-08, 11:52 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Arcane Archer build DnD 3.5 - help me please!
Or you can use classes like they should be used. They don't need to be canned fluff. Raised as a ranger, father was a ranger, that means several things.
1) She is a good archer. Barbarian does that extremely well, high strength, high dex, high health, makes a mean archer since you can put more into str/dex at the expense of con. Pimp wisdom too, if you want too.
2) She is a good wilderness type. Barbarians get 4 skill points per level, so sink one into nature skills, and the improved movement works well with slinking through forests and such. Probably better than track, which you can get as a feat.
3) She has a pet, and some spells. Multiclass into druid, improve caster level. There is probably a good prestige class for this as well, and it pushes the whole nature thing well.
4) Assuming the use of the canned ranger fluff, the whole mystical forest person is enhanced through some more atypical abilities. DR 1 means you can tell brambles to ignore you, don't get cuts running through the brush, etc. Oh, and since you multiclassed into druid, you speak druidic. Useful.
Now, lets do ranger without spells. 1-2 still apply, which is easy with Barbarian. Scout synergizes nicely with barbarian as well, and you can dip fighter to grab some feats.I would really like to see a game made by Obryn, Kurald Galain, and Knaight from these forums.
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2010-03-09, 05:24 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Arcane Archer build DnD 3.5 - help me please!
Rather than the Mystic Ranger I'd ask the DM to allow the prestige ranger from UA.
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/cl...prestigeRanger
A Druid 4/Fighter 1/Prestige Ranger X would have sufficient spell slots for the ranger spells from SPC. Just having a normal spell list is simpler than trying to juggle wands and scrolls, and also allows you to use things like the circlet of rapid casting from MiC.
You also have an almost full strength animal companion (normal ranger animal companion become impossible to keep alive at higher levels).
Just a for instance for why the spell compendium ranger spells are so good ... lets say you have a couple turns time to set up an ambush. You start by casting Find the Gap, which makes your first attack each round hit touch AC. Then you cast Hunter's Mercy (if you hit next round it's a crit) for a nice alpha strike. If you want to add insult to injury use an arrow with some crit properties, prismatic burst from MiC is one of the best (does make for an expensive arrow though, a +1 prismatic burst arrow is around 650 gp ... if you can cast hunter's mercy frequently you really want prismatic burst on your bow in the end).Last edited by PinkysBrain; 2010-03-09 at 05:25 AM.
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2010-03-09, 08:07 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Arcane Archer build DnD 3.5 - help me please!
Eldariel
Wow, I really liked this build. So I went and tried suggesting Mystic Ranger to our DM. That's when he suddenly decided he doesn't want Mystic Rangers And I had to come up with something quickly since we already started playing today and they needed my character.
Oh well. I went a regular Ranger instead. Wood Elf idea was awesome, so I went a Wood Elf too. I suppose I could still take a few classes of a Scout later? Btw, how many would be optimal for a Ranger/Scout Swift Hunter build?
My-my, I feel so confused, I hate being rushed like that. On the top of all, our pointbuy was 28 not 32. So I have it Str 14 Dex 18 Con 12 Int 10 Wis 12 Cha 8 in the end. I hope that's decent?
*goes away grumbling*
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2010-03-09, 11:53 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Arcane Archer build DnD 3.5 - help me please!
my $0.02:
i'm playing a drow ranger/wizard aiming for AA in a PbP campaign.
if it wasn't for the Craft: Poisonmaking skill i've been dumping insane numbers of skillpoints (and gold) into and brewing up DC20 sleepyjus, i'd be pretty seriously crap (the +2 LA just SUCKS at low levels. i can't wait to start buying some of it off).
Archers in vanilla 3.5 get royally rogered. Point Blank Shot is nowhere near as good as it was in earlier editions (it used to DOUBLE damage inside the "loading zone")
Bows really, really need either A: some easy'ish way of getting Dex to Damage and/or B: a Power Attack equivalent ability.Last edited by sambo.; 2010-03-09 at 11:54 PM.
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2010-03-10, 02:11 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Arcane Archer build DnD 3.5 - help me please!
Seems fine. 14 Wis would be nice for your full spellcasting (non-mystic ranger gets 'em too, just slower and less), but you'll have time to buy upgrades there later. I'd probably have cut 2 Str for 2 more Wis but otherwise done the same. And yeah, when you eventually get a +6 Wis-item, you'll still have a bonus level 4 slot so you're fine in that regard.
If you use normal Ranger, I'd use the Player's Handbook II-variant "Distracting Attack" to trade out your Animal Companion for something useful. Alternatively, if you have access to them, Shooting Star substitutions from Champions of Valor are great.
And yeah, Scout 3/Ranger 17 seems fine (Scout-level first to maximize your skill points; if you are expected to be the trap disarmer, you'll have to max that out too and you prolly want 12 Int that way). If you find you need a feat, Scout 4 adds one more.
And if you have trouble activating Skirmish consistently, getting a level (or two if you play by multiclass penalties) of Cloistered Cleric gets you Travel Devotion by trading away Travel-domain, which makes moving a ton easier. Burn all 2 Turn Undead-attempts on it and get Extra Turning-feat (from e.g. Undeath-domain) and burn all those Turn Undead-uses on Travel Devotion too. Gets you 4 uses per day, which is already respectable. Other than that, Greater Manyshot is good.Campaign Journal: Uncovering the Lost World - A Player's Diary in Low-Magic D&D (Latest Update: 8.3.2014)
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2010-03-17, 08:23 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Arcane Archer build DnD 3.5 - help me please!
Sorry, I was away from the Internet for two weeks
Thanks for your advises. Anyway, I have to get to Ranger 16-17 first, and that doesn't look like happening any time too soon...
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2010-03-17, 08:27 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Arcane Archer build DnD 3.5 - help me please!
Campaign Journal: Uncovering the Lost World - A Player's Diary in Low-Magic D&D (Latest Update: 8.3.2014)
Being Bane: A Guide to Barbarians Cracking Small Men - Ever Been Angry?! Then this is for you!
SRD Averages - An aggregation of all the key stats of all the monster entries on SRD arranged by CR.
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2010-03-18, 02:55 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Arcane Archer build DnD 3.5 - help me please!
Okay. Thanks again, you really helped.