Powerful Archer Build

Zandes · Post by **Zandes** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 10:53 pm

yeah, the bard 10 / aa 10 is the other standard AA build i've seen around since nwn1-sotu

i guess it is more group friendly too

Zephis · Post by **Zephis** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 11:01 pm

Its a bit annoying that the only Archer PRC is restricted to Elves..
Still what can you do.

And yes i can say from bitter personal experience that the archer feats are bugged.. many shot doesn't work in anyway shape or form.

Mensha Khaine · Post by **Mensha Khaine** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 11:15 pm

Wyvern wrote:People are probably going to flame me for this (and I probably deserve it after some of my earlier posts today) but monk/AA is nice too with zen archery. Pump that wisdom for AC and improved AB. As well as all the other niceties of the class.

Elves get a bonus to Dex, so you'll have a better AB and AC with Dex, but the extra AC from wis and better saves would be handy.

UltimaBoB · Post by **UltimaBoB** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 6:35 am

Without some kind of breeching device, stoneskin will wreck archers - premonition, don't even want to talk about it. I mean I guess there are no adamantite arrows, right?

Therefore archer would really have to be cleric and get the magical damage and dispels (once they are fixed to work). Or possibly Bard - but would have to be like 18+ bard levels. Even then, not sure sicne bard extra damage won't bypass stoneskin.

Maankin · Post by **Maankin** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 9:00 am

A paladin with zen archery, divine power, extra turning and rapid shot can do some nice constant unresistable damage. High wis and charisma is all that's needed.

Greyshore · Post by **Greyshore** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 9:19 am

And it is important how you build your archer because of the rp goodness as well! Don't rp an idiotic character with a high level of wisdom.

And remember, boring characters are those with way too much wisdom. :p

UltimaBoB · Post by **UltimaBoB** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 10:00 am

The zen cleric would be boring. In retrospect, maybe my idea that you be 100% archer was wrong. It makes more sense even in the genre to have a melee option that you could whip out say vs. stoneskinned mages.

A hybrid melee / ranged build might in fact be best. But that takes lots of feats - so that means fighter levels or divine champion levels. Now I gotta think...

Zephis · Post by **Zephis** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 10:04 am

actually, i've been making some adamantine arrows.
Along with some others, when i have 10 or so varieties done i'll be submitting them to the DM's for entry into the loot pool/shops so don't loose faith

Zandes · Post by **Zandes** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 10:10 am

UltimaBoB wrote:The zen cleric would be boring. In retrospect, maybe my idea that you be 100% archer was wrong. It makes more sense even in the genre to have a melee option that you could whip out say vs. stoneskinned mages.

A hybrid melee / ranged build might in fact be best. But that takes lots of feats - so that means fighter levels or divine champion levels. Now I gotta think...

you got 6 level as wizard at least or bard, get some scrolls of spell breach :p

UltimaBoB · Post by **UltimaBoB** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 10:27 am

adamantine arrows??????????

player craftable though? I mean how could you keep a steady supply?

we need a special crafting system for arrows and munitions that is easier than for permanent weapons. That is the big drawback on ranged - you can't get magic bonuses to damage or bypass DR with the same reliability you can on a weapon. You are always running out.

Zephis · Post by **Zephis** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 11:02 am

Yeah thats my problem with the current system.. fighters as allays get their special magical stuff.. archers as always have arrows that run out and are generally less useful then their melee based counterparts.

Imagine having to buy a new sword every 30 rounds or so, 24 if your dual wielding.

Eventually I think theirs going to have to be a shop for bolts/arrows just to allow archers to keep pace, or at least to get the arrows that bypass DR's..
Its supposed to be that bows pass the enhancement onto the arrow, so a flaming longbow makes arrows flaming, sadly because Bioware took a short cut, and obsidian didn't bother to fix it once again were screwed over.

Crimson Knightmare · Post by **Crimson Knightmare** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 2:21 pm

Bards suck a lot now.. also. UltimaBoB you complain so much..

If you want a good build make a pure cleric with zen archery 19cleric/1bard or rogue or my favorite.. monk. You can either use full plate (If your wanting to not go monk) or use robes.. and buff your AC up with your buffs.. So you know Shadowdancers will most likely be banned because people will abuse it for PVP.. So clerics can hold their own..

Zephis · Post by **Zephis** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 2:27 pm

Crimson, just an FYI, but shadowdancer is no longer as abusable as it once was, its hide ability works on a cool down timer now just like normal rogues.

I can't see why they'd ban it.

StormRunner · Post by **StormRunner** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 2:52 pm

Zephis wrote:Yeah thats my problem with the current system.. fighters as allays get their special magical stuff.. archers as always have arrows that run out and are generally less useful then their melee based counterparts.

Imagine having to buy a new sword every 30 rounds or so, 24 if your dual wielding.

The arrow drawback is well worth it, concidering you can hit from a large distance. Your comparison would only be correct if meleé could hit from a distance without the enemy being able to retaliate. Archers are best in a group where they can calmly sit back and do some constant damage to an enemy without much fear of dying.

Zephis · Post by **Zephis** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 2:57 pm

That argument is correct, provided however their not a caster, an archer, and you kill them before they get close enough to melee you.
Which takes on average 1 and a half to 2 rounds.

I'm well aware theirs flaws in the comparison but its still valid enough in general.
Arrows, special ones atleast, need to be available because their a usable item.

Just think how screwed fighters would be if you could only buy cure light potions and had to rely on drops for higher.