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Micah Foehammer · 07-17-2003, 08:05 AM

If you're going to use the ranger as the base build for an arcane archer, here are some things to remember.

1) you MUST be able to cast ARCANE spells. That means a level of wizard or bard. I definitely recommend wizard (favoured class of elves so no xp penalty). That means you need an intelligence of 11 minimum, boost this to 12 for the extra skill point.

2) If you take all 10 arcane archer levels, plus the one level of wizard, you can only take 9 levels of ranger. That means ONE first level spell without bonuses. ONE! Don't burn a lot of points in wisdom. A wisdom of 12 seems sufficient - that will give you a bonus first level spell.

3) Max out your dex! Boost this to 18 at the start.

4) Take the weapon finesse feat. It lets you use your dex instead of strength for attacks. [img]smile.gif[/img] You're going to be wearing light armor, so strength is less critical.

I would recommend this build:

Strength = 8 + 4 points = 12
Dexterity = 8 + 10 points = 16 + elf bonus 2 = 18
Constitution = 8 + 6 points = 14 - elf penalty = 12 (an extra hp per level and +1 to fortitude saves)
Intelligence = 8 + 4 points = 12 ( an extra skill point every level plus one bonus first level spell)
Wisdom = 8 + 4 points = 12 (bonus first level spell; +1 to will saves)
Charisma = 8 + 2 points = 10 (no charisma penalty for animal empathy)

I would put 4 of the stat points for levelling into dex. [img]smile.gif[/img] Put the last one where you think it will do the most good. Charisma is one option.

Then for feats take these:
level 1 = point blank shot
level 3 = rapid shot
level 6 = weapon focus: longbow
level 9 = weapon finesse OR improved critical: longbow

Then add these at higher levels:

level 12 = weapon finesse or improved critical: longbow
level 15 = weapon focus: rapier
level 18 = imrpoved critical: rapier

You will get trackless step, dual wield, favoured enemy, improved two weapon fighting and an animal companion for free as a ranger.

For skills, I would focus on set traps for starters. The rest you can choose depending on what you want your character to look like.

You can build an identical character using a fighter as a base - you get more feats but less skill points for the character.

07-17-2003, 08:05 AM	#2
Micah Foehammer Ma'at - Goddess of Truth & Justice Join Date: November 15, 2001 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 3,253	If you're going to use the ranger as the base build for an arcane archer, here are some things to remember. 1) you MUST be able to cast ARCANE spells. That means a level of wizard or bard. I definitely recommend wizard (favoured class of elves so no xp penalty). That means you need an intelligence of 11 minimum, boost this to 12 for the extra skill point. 2) If you take all 10 arcane archer levels, plus the one level of wizard, you can only take 9 levels of ranger. That means ONE first level spell without bonuses. ONE! Don't burn a lot of points in wisdom. A wisdom of 12 seems sufficient - that will give you a bonus first level spell. 3) Max out your dex! Boost this to 18 at the start. 4) Take the weapon finesse feat. It lets you use your dex instead of strength for attacks. [img]smile.gif[/img] You're going to be wearing light armor, so strength is less critical. I would recommend this build: Strength = 8 + 4 points = 12 Dexterity = 8 + 10 points = 16 + elf bonus 2 = 18 Constitution = 8 + 6 points = 14 - elf penalty = 12 (an extra hp per level and +1 to fortitude saves) Intelligence = 8 + 4 points = 12 ( an extra skill point every level plus one bonus first level spell) Wisdom = 8 + 4 points = 12 (bonus first level spell; +1 to will saves) Charisma = 8 + 2 points = 10 (no charisma penalty for animal empathy) I would put 4 of the stat points for levelling into dex. [img]smile.gif[/img] Put the last one where you think it will do the most good. Charisma is one option. Then for feats take these: level 1 = point blank shot level 3 = rapid shot level 6 = weapon focus: longbow level 9 = weapon finesse OR improved critical: longbow Then add these at higher levels: level 12 = weapon finesse or improved critical: longbow level 15 = weapon focus: rapier level 18 = imrpoved critical: rapier You will get trackless step, dual wield, favoured enemy, improved two weapon fighting and an animal companion for free as a ranger. For skills, I would focus on set traps for starters. The rest you can choose depending on what you want your character to look like. You can build an identical character using a fighter as a base - you get more feats but less skill points for the character. __________________ “Every tavern’s an opportunity, I say.”