Level 20 Arcane Archer Core Only build

[Valindor]

I'm looking to make a 20th level character incorporating levels or arcane archer. This is a strictly core-only campaign. The GM said we have unlimited gold to purchase any and every core-only item we want. I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed in creating this character. Do I go fighter/wizard/arcane archer, ranger/wizard/aa, bard/aa? We have a party with a melee tank character, a wizard, and a cleric. I'm aiming to be the ranged DPS. Any advice?

[Avoron]

Ordinarily, I'd suggest a Wizard 12/Arcane Archer 8, to get 9th level spells. However, since you're more interested in dealing damage, and your party already has a wizard, I'd suggest Sorcerer 8/Paladin 2/Arcane Archer 10.

You don't get 8th or 9th level spells, `but you can still deal a ton of damage and shoot antimagic fields at people. Plus, you'll have an insane UMD score and infinite money to buy scrolls, so you should be fine even when the wizard's not around.

[My Self]

Wait, you have infinite money? Make a mountain of Explosive Runes and put it all in a Bag of Holding. Then shoot it somewhere and dispel. Cue massive explosion of force damage.

Or you could use the Bag of Holding + Portable Hole arrows.

Agreed with Avoron: Use a Charisma caster. Your Arrow of Death or whatever is based on charisma.

[Valindor]

I forgot to mention GM said no paladins, no LG because we'll have some evil PCs in the mix. I could go sorcerer/fighter, though.

[Avoron]

How about Sorcerer 6/Dragon Disciple 4/Arcane Archer 10?

[Ragoz]

Wizard5/Fighter1/Eldritch Knight10/Arcane Archer4

17 bab with 17 spell progression levels. You now get the EK capstone and extra feats for archery.

Buy a greater quicken metamagic rod and extend as well for prebuffing.

Get a +5 Seeking Brilliant Energy bow, then a second bow which you use for undead, constructs, and objects.

Just going to list magical items:

Boots of Speed
Bracers of Archery Greater
Belt of Physical Perfection +6
Headband of Mental Superiority +6
All stat tomes for +5 to all stats
Pearls of Power for every spell level, multiple if you can.
Blessed Book for your spells.
Robe of Eyes
Ioun Stones. There should be a small swarm of them buzzing around your head (or you can implant them all).
Cloak of Resistance +5
Ring of Spell Turning
Ring of Counterspells (choose greater dispel magic)
Bracers of Armor with Heavy Fortification and SR 15 (so things fail their spells 5% of them time probably).
Mithral Reflecting Buckler
Scarab of Protection or Amulet of Natural Armor +5
Crystal Ball of True Sight for scrying
Some sort of mithral armor with no arcane failure chance.

[Eltacolibre]

19 levels of wizards/1 level of arcane archer. Just shoot bow for s%@~ and giggles.

[Scott Wilhelm]

I recommend becoming Arcane Archer by way of Eldritch Knight. Something like this

1Fighter
2F1Wizard1
3F1W2
4F1W3
5F1W4
6F1W5
7F1W5Eldritch Knight1
8F1W5E2
9F1W5E2Arcane Archer1

Then rock on with Arcane Archer for as long as you want. You will lose a little BAB, but you will gain a lot of levels in Wizard, and that will make your character much more powerful in the long run. Especially if you decide to go the rest of the way with Eldritch Knight. After the first, every level of EK raises both your CL and BAB by +1.

It might work well for you to take other Prestige Classes, too. Once you have all the Arcane Archer Abilities you need, taking 3 levels in Cleric or Rogue and then taking levels in Mystic Theurge or Arcane Trickster might be quite powerful, but it all depends on what you want.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, it's probably better to stick with Fighter/Eldritch Knight/Arcane Archer.