Looking to build an Alchemist/Grenadier-Archetype, which uses Alchemical Weapon ability in conjunction with being an Archer.
Other than this, I've not really thought much about the character.
I'm leaning towards an Elf, because of the bonus to Int. and Dex. and the ability to use Focused and Sniper Shot down the road to get the most out of my Int bonus.
I'm probably starting with a dip into Fighter for the bonus feats.
Figure the character would be something like this:
Level 1 = Fighter, Feats = Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot
Level 2 = Grenadier or Fighter (not sure)
Level 3 onwards = Grenadier
I figure combining Alchemical Weapon with archery and with bomb throwing, as a fall back should lead to a nice amount of damage and a bit of a twist for an archer.
Thoughts? Comments?
|
I would stick to human and avoid multiclassing. As a human you can grab longbow proficiency from being a grenadier, and start off with Point-Blank Shot and Precise Shot, picking up Rapid Shot at level 3.
Enjoy using your longbow from range and then throwing bombs when close up! What point buy would this be for?
Don't know the point buy, since this isn't for a specific campaign.
It's just a character idea I had mulling around in my head. I was curious, if people thought it'd be viable. I mean I've mulled around sub-optimal character options that I don't care to get critiqued, such as a Mystic Theurge that combines the awesome spell casting powers of a Bard and Ranger.
I figured this might be a bit more viable, so I was curious what others thought.
I did a couple of searches on the message boards, to see if this idea had been discussed before, but I couldn't find much about using a grenadier as an archer.
Figure it can work with a 15 point buy or above and/or non-crappy 'x'd6 dice rolls for stats.
Basically need two good stats, Dex and Int, while I can dump the rest, if there aren't enough good rolls or points available for the rest of the stats.
Some reason forgot humans get a bonus feat at first level, which solves the point-blank/precise shot issue.
Of course being human in real life, I tend to want to play non-humans in D&D/Pathfinder type games.
Screw being Boring Human #20235304965834098. Be an elf! You'll get a lot more out of it than a bonus feat.
Grab Silent Hunter instead of elven magic. You can now be a decent sniper.
If you're going to be focusing on the bow and augmenting it with your alchemy, then dipping into fighter is just fine. You're a far more of a martial than you are a caster. Don't let your caster trappings hold you back.
And that's why you take a level of fighter!
A kindly GM might let you take Arcane Archer, which is pretty schweet.
Didn't really want to do Arcane Archer or some Alchemist variant. I was just curious about trying to adapt the 2nd level ability to archery or ranged weapon usage in general.
I mean this could be a Dwarven crossbowman or halfling slinger or any ranged weapon user, who wants to apply a bit of extra pop to their ammo.
The mutagens, extracts and bombs are all bonuses in terms of getting versatility in how you want to play this character.
Elf just doesn't do enough to lose that bonus feat. You don't even get to take advantage of the Grenadier's single martial weapon proficiency that way. Archery is too feat intensive to give up a single feat, I'm afraid.
Meh...this isn't a pure archer/ranged weapon user. I think the character could take time to get weapons feats. The character has bombs as a stand-by for damage at early levels.
I think with ranged weapon usage you just take advantage of the 2nd level ability to add damage to your ammo and do something different.
Since the ability to apply alchemical substance to weapon/ammo doesn't become available until 2nd level, I don't think you need to be a super ranged weapon user at first level.
Point blank shot should help with bombs. Precise shot at 3rd level wouldn't really put the character too far behind, in terms of using ranged weapons.
If you're adding an additional 1d6 of elemental damage to your arrow, you can probably manage decent damage without taking rapid shot.
Also your on a 3/4 BAB, so the -2 to hit from Rapid Shot could hurt a bit more than with a full BAB progression. Maybe take weapon focus at 5th level to make up for the lower BAB...don't know...
Since Brew Potion isn't a bonus feat for an Grenadier, maybe I'd need to take that at 1st level.
Like I said this is a very preliminary idea right now.
You don't even get to take advantage of the Grenadier's single martial weapon proficiency that way.
Watcha you talkin' about Willis...
Ever wanted to play an elf wielding a great axe in melee combat or a reach weapon like a glaive?
Without the dip in fighter, there's probably some fun melee weapon to use.
