Arcayenneist's page

NEW PLAN:
What archetype of Rogue/Unchained Rogue would make the most sense for a ranger, with Trapfinding as a must?

So, my previous build plan of 2lvls Eldritch Archer, 3+lvls Arcane Archer are looking more complicated than I planned, and my character is going down more of a sneaky-progression path. He was just "vaccinated" against the virus that created the homebrew-zombie/vampire plague and gained Darkvision, Scent, and Blindfighting as a result.

Now, it very much feels like making my now level 10 (200xp from lvl 11) Ranger into a Ranger/Rogue makes much more sense.

We recently lost our Rogue/Sorceror, and the duties of finding and disabling traps is now on me, and we have no way to disable magical traps - which has become a very, very obvious need, only mitigated by my substantial HP and a wealth of healing spells.

So I'm looking at either Rogue or Unchained Rogue if my GM will allow it. Given the recent developments, Unchained might even make more sense, as my character is now supposed to have a low-grade vampirism, infected with a strain that was originally prototyping being a sneaky supersoldier, so the Weapon Finesse makes sense.

The final option there is Slayer, but the overlap with Ranger is a bit much, and it would require a 2 level dip to get Trapfinding as a Slayer Talent, whereas I could do a 2 level dip into Rogue and get a totally different Rogue talent doing the same thing. Going Rogue gives 11 more class skills, most of which I have points in, so the instant skill boost would be substantial.

As an aside, Bloodrager would really fit into the flavor, considering my PC now has to make DC15 Will saves to not go into a bloodrage when exposed to blood.

If you are going to Multiclass into Arcane Archer as a Ranger its much better to go into Deadeye Devotee Arcane Archer. That way you scale your Ranger spells and can get Instant Enemy at level 12. It also trades Seeker Arrow for delivering Cure or Harm spells using your bow's range and getting extra heal/damage which is nice.

(Note you do not have to use your spell slot, just need to be casting it).

So then Instant Enemy wouldn't be nearly as helpful given the current build.

I'm also not seeing Deadeye Devotee anywhere.

Arcayenneist wrote:

I'm looking for help for a Ranger-Multiclass for flavor, but I'm having trouble picking between: ...

well - you got flavor.

I'm gonna throw some ideas around
You've focused on a Dex build which is not bad (rapier & bow) but not as good as a Str build or elven curve blade. Scimitar with dawnflower is another choice. Branching into ranged attacks is good but there aren't enough feats to go around as archers are pretty feat intensive. If you were to go this route I'd suggest an archetype and try to dump some of the many Ranger class features to try to focus the build more. Ranger's main claim to fame is their "favored enemy bonus" so that's what you want to preserve.

I'm all for dipping to round out a class BUT that class needs to have the room to do that and not suffer too much. Ranger is pretty spread out "as is" so dipping generally into another martial class is a bad idea. The reason to dip is to pick up things you don't have or if you are extremely lucky, pump what your main class already has.

With Ranger(slow & minimal divine caster) for arcane bolstering I can see dipping into Wizard(if you have a 12 INT) or maybe Arcanist. Draconic bloodline was mentioned but remember you'll be operating with a weapon in hand.

Ranger's don't really need precision damage (Rogue) or unarmed strike (Monk) but everyone can use +3 to all your saves. Fighter has FEATS but it's another martial class... Brawler might be a better choice.

If you want to bump your divine casting Cleric(as you already have Wis). Bloodrager was mentioned as Rage IS useful.

If you need skills I'd go Bard as they're different so you're looking to pick up that flexibility and bards have flaaaavor. Skalds are here also.

Switch-hitter: This actually was my build for a while; I started out with Quickdraw.

Bloodrager: Interesting and worth my looking into, because it could even play into character backstory already generated as well as existing lore.

I would not do that. Any of it.

Rangers get access to Instant Enemy at, what, level 11? Now you drop that sweet +6/+6 on anyone you come across.

Get different types of arrows to help with DR. Take the Clustered Shots feat.

Instant enemy isn't as convincing; I would get more damage output from being able to use Spellstrike through the bow plus added versatility. I would get two 3rd lvl spells, and getting +6 DMG each for my only 3rd lvl spell seems like a poor trade to me.

Clustered Shots seems like a solid idea regardless. Thanks. That wasn't something on my radar, but now it's near the top of my list.

I'm already planning on buying Blunt Arrows, which I should have done far earlier.

I'm looking for help for a Ranger-Multiclass for flavor, but I'm having trouble picking between:
Magus - Eldritch Archer + Arcane Archer
Magus - Eldritch Archer w/o Arcane Archer
Hinterlander Prestige class
- Open to suggestions for others.

The GM has green-lit any of the above ideas.

Our current campaign has a lot of homebrew elements to it as far as lore and setting; there's also a lot of mythology involved, and the GM has said he's planning on going Mythic. He's also using alternate crafting rules, fame and prestige, and homebrew to help get us magical items at a faster rate to fight what he has planned for us, where we're going to also be leaders/generals of towns so we can use Mass Combat as well. (GM: "There's so many cool things out there that no one ever uses, and I want to use them.")

Currently have 9 levels in Ranger, and definitely taking the 10th in it as well to pick up Point Blank Master; I tend to act as a shield for our casters in case something thinks they look tasty with ketchup and gets around the frontline fighters or to help build a barrier shoulder-to-shoulder with the fighters in small rooms.
I want to take a few levels in something else, and even considered Paladin for a while. Even if it's not the "best" option to multiclass, I want to do it for the fun.

Considerations in the build:
- Largest enemy is Undead with ungodly amounts of Dex and DR/Piercing, weak to fire (DMG +50%)
- General theme is Norse Mythology (and therein, protecting the commonfolk).
- Magic damage tends to be a bonus.

My lvl 10 build is as follows:
Half-Elf Ranger
Adjusted ability scores:
STR: 18
DEX: 20
CON: 14
INT: 14
WIS: 16
CHA: 12

Animal Companion: Wolf w/ +2 Darkleaf Lamellar, Cloak of Resistance +1

Magical Items of concern:
+2 Composite Bow of +3 Str, Adaptive, Holy
+2 Darkleak Lamellar
+1 Rapier
Mask, Stalker
Boots of the Winterlands
Efficient Quiver
Cloak of Resistance +1
Bracers of Archery, Lesser
Handy Haversack
Iuon Stone for +2 STR w/ Shining Wayfinder
- There are lots of little ones my character has because I've kitted him as a survivalist, and lots of unslotted wondrous items are great for that.

Favored Enemies: Undead x3, Monstrous Humanoid, Dragon

Traits: Deft Dodger, Hunter's Blood

Feats:
NOTE - for part of the Fame & Prestige, GM added a bunch of ways to get feats no one takes because while they're cool, they're never part of an optimum build, and he wants our characters to get OP so he can throw OP stuff at us and have epic battles.

Half-Elf Skill Focus on Perception
Manyshot
Rapid Shot
Point Blank Shot
Point Blank Master
Deadly Aim
Weapon Focus, Longbow
Alertness (Bonus)
Diehard (Bonus)
Dodge
Endurance (Ranger feat)
Evasion (Ranger feat)
Fleet x2 (Bonus)
Stealthy (Bonus)
Self-Sufficient (Bonus)
Master Craftsman, Armor (Bonus)
_____________________________________________________

My current thoughts:
2 Eldrich Archer, 2 Arcane Archer: If I'm going Eldritch Archer anyway, I probably don't need to worry about picking up Arcane Archer.
Pros:
- Imbue Arrow
- Pick up a 3rd level in Eldritch Archer while I'm at it.
Cons:
-Avoids bonuses to Favored Enemy.
-4 lvls minimum not advancing animal companion.

Eldritch Archer: I'm thinking about a 2 lvl dip here to pick up Spellstrike; with the bow I can be doing 2d6 Shocking Grasp when needed.
- Pros: Quick way to get some extra damage and Arcane spells.
- Cons: Don't advance Animal companion much, but this avoids that problem the least.

Hinterlander: 6 lvls in this if I go this route, minimum. Defended Hearth makes too much sense for the campaign to pass it by if I go any levels into Hinterlander.
- Pros: Fits campaign well.
Cons:
- Doesn't give many advantages over Ranger
- Doesn't really get "cool" until 6 levels in.
- Companion levels, as before.

If you have advice on other things to look at, please feel free.

If you have some strong reasons to stick with Ranger, please let me know as well. Understand that right now I'm willing to sacrifice a lot of what I'd get for Ranger by taking a multiclass, the biggest downside I see with that is Animal Companion levels.