Danny Shirley's page

The Cavalier has so far work like a charm for us. The Oracle has replaced the favored soul in our game we have not ran into a balance issue or any other issues so far. If we find one we will send it to you.

<Warning - character optimization ahead!>

Arcane Archer?

For me, that PrC was never about the spellcasting. As everyone has pointed out, there is no increase in spellcasting levels in that PrC. What the Arcane Archer is about is doing nifty things with one's arrows.

The most interesting ability of that PrC was at L 1 - Enhance arrow +1. Take that, and you never, ever, run out of magical arrows. Make sure that the character has access to cold iron and other "obscure alchemical metals", maybe toss in a Holy or similar bow, and you're set as a missile specialist in most cases.

A good multiclass combination with Arcane Archer would include not only some Fighter and/or Ranger levels, plus one Sorcerer level (no worries about losing a spellbook, able to use many wands, etc.) for the arcane spellcasting pre-requisite, but also at least two levels from Order of the Bow Initiate (C.Warrior). Ranged precision adds extra damage at L 1, but - more importantly - Close combat shot at L 2 allows the archer to "attack with a ranged weapon while in a threatened square and not provoke an attack of opportunity" (bolded emphasis is mine).

Needless to say, both PrC (Arcane Archer and Bow Initiate) basically use the same pre-requisites. Basically, it's my personal no-brainer combination for an archery-based missile specialist.

My PFCS has the bulgy cover, too. Of course, since it travelled three weeks over the great pond to Germany, I didn't thought much about it, but now I am reliefed that my book isn't the only one. Otherwise it is fine, though, and I don't mind the bulge. But it is a little bit creepy how the book tries to flex its muscles and grap more space in the book shelf ...

By the way, did you think of a special edition bound in flexible goat skin semi-yapp style with red under gold edges, full leather linings and three ribbon markers ...?

*rubbing my hands in anticipation*

Weapon Focus (spiked chain) is a darn good start, then at 4th level take Weapon Specilization() the chain while amazing is low damage.Then tack on Improved Critial for extra goodness. Also I recommend the Dodge and Combat Reflexes trees for better mobility with afore mentioned chain. When I play a Fighter I almost always use a 2 handed weapon I.E. Greatsword, Greataxe..... Not very original, but hey dead is dead, 2 handed weapons get them there quicker.