I'm trying to get the general feel of Kingmaker AP without resorting to flat-out reading the AP since I'll be a player, so I'm just wondering are most of the encounters on open plains or in dungeons? Or is it about equal?
I'm wondering because archery rangers are at a bit of disadvantage in dungeons (sometimes it's too cramped to use a big weapon such as a longbow, or no room for a 5 foot step), so I'm deciding whether I should focus completely on archery, or invest in some other methods of fighting.
I'm trying to get the general feel of Kingmaker AP without resorting to flat-out reading the AP since I'll be a player, so I'm just wondering are most of the encounters on open plains or in dungeons? Or is it about equal?
I'm wondering because archery rangers are at a bit of disadvantage in dungeons (sometimes it's too cramped to use a big weapon such as a longbow, or no room for a 5 foot step), so I'm deciding whether I should focus completely on archery, or invest in some other methods of fighting.
its not a spoiler to say an archery ranger is a good choice
Look at Treantmonk's Guide to Rangers and seriously consider the "Switch Hitter" Ranger. He does his Archery stuff, but also can stand on the front line and whack things with a Greatsword / Falchion. I won't be playing Kingmaker (DM'ing it) but I will be playing in Serpent's Skull (the next AP) and that is 95% likely to be my character.
-- david
Papa.DRB
I'm trying to get the general feel of Kingmaker AP without resorting to flat-out reading the AP since I'll be a player, so I'm just wondering are most of the encounters on open plains or in dungeons? Or is it about equal?
I'm wondering because archery rangers are at a bit of disadvantage in dungeons (sometimes it's too cramped to use a big weapon such as a longbow, or no room for a 5 foot step), so I'm deciding whether I should focus completely on archery, or invest in some other methods of fighting.
Swift Hunter is not an option since we're not using the 3.5 stuff.
I've read Treantmonk's guide for Rangers (and his guide for 3.5 Wizards has been my bible while playing Shackled City) and while it helped me mess around with feats, I really don't see the point in specializing both in Close and Ranged combat. Yeah, at some point I'll pickup Power Attack probably, but I really can't understand why would I stop shooting arrows once enemies are engaged in melee. Yes, 1.5x Strength is nice, but hardly a thing to build a character around. Also, he says that imperative is to pickup Quick Draw. Why? You can draw your weapon as a free action during movement anyway, so if you do follow his tactic and charge in melee once enemy is near, you don't need Quick Draw since you'll do it on the run. Also, he suggests that you put, basically ALL points of 15 buy in Strength making your Dex/Con/Wis less then impressive (13s) and your Str formidable (18). So you're mele combatant with crappy AC and not that impressive HP. Not good in my book.
Further in text he claims that you'll still be a competent Archer, but with 13 Dex I really don't see how and it's not even worth it considering shooting when you can attack with a two-handed weapon with an extra +3 to attack roll (which is a lot in the beginning).
Another suggestion is to take Rapid Shot at 2nd level because it's awesome, but also forgets that it entails a -2 penalty on your, already sub-par, ranged attack rolls.
While I do see how a Ranger can be an awesome melee combatant, especially if you take an animal companion (with Boon Companion feat, of course), suggesting that you can still be a good archer while putting everything you have in melee can hardly be called optimization.
So, since cramped spaces won't be an issue that much I guess I'll go archery as much as I can.
Archery Rangers shine in Kingmaker. We have one in our group and it's the first archery build we'll seen in awhile. The whole group is impressed by the output- also all the 'favor' wilderness skills are seeing a lot of use. I think you'll be very happy with the choice.
everyone in our group has a bow or xbow....and that never happens in PF...one good thing it had done was take away the need for a cleric or wizard to have a xbow, just in case they use 1 or 2 times a session.
now the bow is a weapon of choice and people are throwing lots feats at it!!
Erastil is most pleased