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Post by Shadoril on Apr 6, 2009 23:54:26 GMT -5
The game itself actually condones people taking one level of wizard/sorcerer to become an Arcane Archer but with the levelling rules on this server it means that to be a level 10 Arcane Archer you have to take THREE levels of sorcerer/wizard. It's not as if I want to powerbuild or anything but it really is discouraging me from building an Arcane Archer, one of my favourite prestige classes...
Perhaps make an exception?
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Post by DM Sir Carnifex on Apr 7, 2009 0:13:25 GMT -5
Sorry. You know how it goes. . . one exception and then everyone feels that they, too, need an exception. Breaking the rules for one or two people would only result in hard feelings from those who have been refused the same thing.
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Post by hnefi on Apr 7, 2009 1:11:14 GMT -5
Use bard to get the prerequisites for AA. It's a much better suited class to archery anyway.
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Post by Shadoril on Apr 7, 2009 1:40:06 GMT -5
A singing Arcane Archer doesn't really suit my RP but thanks for the idea...
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Jiszo
Senior Member
Posts: 449
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Post by Jiszo on Apr 7, 2009 6:57:11 GMT -5
Sorry. You know how it goes. . . one exception and then everyone feels that they, too, need an exception. Breaking the rules for one or two people would only result in hard feelings from those who have been refused the same thing. That is true, but this could be allowed as an exception to the rule, this is in fact the only class that I could see there being an exception to the rule on, imo taking one lvl as a mage will in no way allow a player to become a power build and since the rule was created to stop powerbuilds and hipsters i believe it should be an exception. I have considered making one myself, and was going to at one point, but after speaking to other about it, i relized I would have to waste two lvls. The server is still beta so is there perhaps a chance that it can be allowed as an exception for trial purposeds and if it become proven to be unbalancing, be reversed? |
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Post by eldur(retired) on Apr 7, 2009 7:19:17 GMT -5
This is a PM that I had sent to another player.
I'll offer you one of my favorite Arcane Archer builds as an alternate to take a look at. You could substitute out the Practiced Spell Caster for something else, but having buffs last as if you're 7 levels is nothing to sneeze at.
This build has the standard weakness of dex based melee, but ends with a ton of hitpoints and tends to out-perform most other classes in terms of offense.
It also takes full advantage of the "Arcane" part in archer and works well with the Wild Elf favored sorcerer class.
This class is very playable from start to finish and tends to accelerate through the mid levels quite rapidly.
Classes Arcane Archer(9), Fighter(18), Sorcerer(3)
Race: Wild Elf
Alignment: Any
Abilities
STR: 14
DEX: 18(28)
CON: 14
WIS: 10
INT: 10
CHA: 12
RF {Immunity To Sleep, Hardiness vs. Enchantments, Skill Affinity (Listen), Skill Affinity (Search), Skill Affinity (Spot), Keen Sense, Low-light Vision}
Legend Bonusfeats: $: Fighter
Level
Lvl 01: Fighter(1): Point Blank Shot, WF (Longbow) $, {Tower Shield Proficiency}
Lvl 02: Fighter(2): Rapid Shot $
Lvl 03: Fighter(3): Dodge
Lvl 04: Fighter(4): DEX+1, WS (Longbow) $, (DEX=19)
Lvl 05: Fighter(5)
Lvl 06: Fighter(6): Improved Rapid Shot, Manyshot $
Lvl 07: Sorcerer(1): {Summon Familiar}
Lvl 08: Arcane Archer(1): DEX+1, {Enhance Arrow (+1)}, (DEX=20)
Lvl 09: Arcane Archer(2): Impr.Crit. (Longbow), {Imbue Arrow}
Lvl 10: Arcane Archer(3): {Enhance Arrow (+2)}
Lvl 11: Arcane Archer(4): {Seeker Arrow I}
Lvl 12: Arcane Archer(5): DEX+1, Practiced Spellcaster (sorcerer), {Enhance Arrow (+3)}, (DEX=21)
Lvl 13: Arcane Archer(6): {Seeker Arrow II}
Lvl 14: Arcane Archer(7): {Enhance Arrow (+4)}
Lvl 15: Arcane Archer(8): Toughness, {Hail of Arrows}
Lvl 16: Arcane Archer(9): DEX+1, {Enhance Arrow (+5)}, (DEX=22)
Lvl 17: Fighter(7)
Lvl 18: Fighter(8): Pow.Crit. (Longbow), GWF (Longbow) $
Lvl 19: Sorcerer(2)
Lvl 20: Sorcerer(3): DEX+1, (DEX=23)
Lvl 21: Fighter(9): Great Dexterity I, (DEX=24)
Lvl 22: Fighter(10): EWF (Longbow) $
Lvl 23: Fighter(11): Great Dexterity II, (DEX=25)
Lvl 24: Fighter(12): DEX+1, GWS (Longbow) $, (DEX=26)
Lvl 25: Fighter(13): Great Dexterity III, (DEX=27)
Lvl 26: Fighter(14): EWS (Longbow) $
Lvl 27: Fighter(15): One Shot
Lvl 28: Fighter(16): DEX+1, Epic Prowess $, (DEX=28)
Lvl 29: Fighter(17): Blinding Speed
Lvl 30: Fighter(18): Epic Toughness I $
Data Hitpoints: 384
BAB: 28
Saving Throws (Fortitude/Reflex/Will): 20/22/12
Skillpoints: 84
Max. Melee AB: 31, Max. Ranged AB: 47 (Longbow)
Spell Casting: Sorcerer(1)
Detailed Spell Casting (Level 0-9): Sorcerer: 5/6 • 3/6
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Jiszo
Senior Member
Posts: 449
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Post by Jiszo on Apr 7, 2009 7:36:38 GMT -5
Nice build, nothing at all as what I was considering going, but perhaps I could go this route and still make one with a different concept. I was initially considering a build of Ranger/Sorc./AA/Rogue
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Post by eldur(retired) on Apr 7, 2009 7:43:39 GMT -5
Nice build, nothing at all as what I was considering going, but perhaps I could go this route and still make one with a different concept. I was initially considering a build of Ranger/Sorc./AA/Rogue A lot of people try to get way too much out of the AA. Usually they are looking for HiPS, Favored Enemies or all sorts of rogue skills. In my mind, the focus for an Arcane Archer is to be a bow master with some spells to enhance it. Having sorcerer as a favored class on the wood elf really opened the door for a build like this. You could also change sorcerer to wizard and take one of the drow, sun or moon elves. |
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Jiszo
Senior Member
Posts: 449
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Post by Jiszo on Apr 7, 2009 7:51:23 GMT -5
Nice build, nothing at all as what I was considering going, but perhaps I could go this route and still make one with a different concept. I was initially considering a build of Ranger/Sorc./AA/Rogue A lot of people try to get way too much out of the AA. Usually they are looking for HiPS, Favored Enemies or all sorts of rogue skills. In my mind, the focus for an Arcane Archer is to be a bow master with some spells to enhance it. Having sorcerer as a favored class on the wood elf really opened the door for a build like this. You could also change sorcerer to wizard and take one of the drow, sun or moon elves. yeah, I was looking to make an assassin with AA being my primary class. I thought an assassin the hides and picks his enemies off with a bow would be kool. That way my victims lasts thoughts would be of trying to spot and figure out who's killing them. |
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Post by broham2 on Apr 7, 2009 8:28:32 GMT -5
Eldur's builds usually work out. I can't speak for that build myself, but I can tell you that overall he knows what he is talking about.
Mmmhmm.
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joleda
Active Member
Posts: 238
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Post by joleda on Apr 7, 2009 13:46:25 GMT -5
I love playing archers. I've played both arcane and non-arcane archers to high levels on other servers.
From my experience, archers are best if they fit in to one of two types:
1. Great Eyesight Sniper: no hips, high spot and listen, a Bard with Amplify works well here
2. Sniper from the Shadows: HIPS, high hide and move silently, shadowdancer or assassin works here
All archers (bow-users) have terrible AC unless they can self buff with stoneskins, etc. Because of this, #2 is a little easier to play than #1 since you can activate HIPS when enemies get within melee range. Practically speaking, you have to be good at hiding or at spotting hiders.
The 3-level rule does throw a damper in creating an archer since the classic 18 Fighter / 1 Wizard / 9 Arcane Archer / 2 Shadowdancer isn't available. Here area couple of alternatives:
8 Bard / 10 Arcane Archer / 12 Fighter
Bard inspirations + AA bonus + Weapon specializations
NO HIPS
Decent bard buffs
28 BAB = 7 Attacks per round with rapid shot turned on
Getting One Shot in epic levels would be mandatory here
8 Wizard / 10 Eldritch Knight / 9 Arcane Archer / 3 Shadowdancer
level 9 spells + AA bonus + HIPS
25 BAB = 6 Attacks per round with rapid shot
One Shot is desirable but not mandatory
18 Bard / 9 Arcane Archer / 3 Shadowdancer
Bard Inspirations + AA Bonus + HIPS
Full bard spellbook available
24 BAB = 6 Attacks per round with rapid shot
Curse Song would be very valuable here
One Shot is very desirable
Could replace AA levels with more Bard levels to qualify for Epic Bard Songs
14 Fighter / 8 Rogue / 8 Assassin
Weapon specialization + Sneak attacks
8d6 sneak
26 BAB = 7 attacks with rapid shot
One Shot isn't as valuable here since it doesn't maximize any added sneak damage
Maybe this helps someone....
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