So my previous character in our RotR campaign died and I decided for RP reasons to leave him dead. I was playing a Battle/Support cleric with emphasis on Battle. We also have a Wizard/EK who's wanting to move up into a melee role, so my replacement character is going to be something that can do damage from range and still support. I have a couple builds kicking around in my head, but I wanted some critique on this one. Starting level 9, the rest of the party is about 10.5, so I want to optimize pretty well (although the group is not overly optimized).
Halfling Paladin (Divine Hunter)
Stats (rolled)
14 -> 12 (racial)
17 -> 20 (racial, level)
10
8
8
15 -> 18 (racial, level)
Feats:
(b) Precise shot
(1) Point blank
(3) Rapid Shot
(5) Deadly Aim
(7) Manyshot
(9) Weapon finesse or Weapon focus: shortbow
Equipment:
Headband of alluring charisma +2
Belt of incredible dex +4
Celestial Armor
Composite shortbow +1 (+1 str)
Masterwork rapier/greatsword (depending on whether I take finesse or not)
Not sure whether I want to Weapon finesse or focus at 9th level, if I went with finesse I'd probably do dervish dance at 11th for possible switch-hitting, because I'm not entirely sure the EK will be able to hold the front line. I plan on supporting with shield other and paladin's sacrifice but the main party melee is a barbarian and he generally needs that sort of support also. The 4th party member is a support/ranged bard.
If on the other hand, I do stay pure ranged, I was thinking after weapon focus do mounted combat and mounted archery, but not positive about that. Clustered shots I'm not really in need of because I'll pretty much be smiting in every combat at this point, although it would help against neutral. What about the possibility of the critical focus chain for bow?
I would suggest to either exchange STR with CON, or at least squeeze power attack in there, possibly by exchanging DEX with STR or CHA with STR. It would help with staying relevant in melee and encumberance as well.
I would not recommend mounted combat with a ranged attacker, there are too many penalties and feat and skill costs involved IMO.
Besides that it looks fine :-)
I picked the shortbow because it can be used from a mount. Overall the extra point of damage from the longbow isn't going to make a lot of difference. That said, if I decide to not use a mount, I would switch.
My lay on hands will also be boosted by taking the halfling favored class bonus, so my lay on hands will be 4d6 + 9, soon to be 5d6 + 10. I have found that when healing is needed it's more needed on one party member badly than most together, so I think it'll work out ok. The bard has wands of clw for out of combat healing, and for when we need in combat healing, distant mercy will be nice.
I'd go weapon focus or since you have the boosted lay on hands think about Word of Healing feat. That should keep your Barbarian up.
I'd focus on just the archery aspect, and take everything you can to up your base damage. While smite is nice, it's not always gonna work. DR isn't a huge issue if you have all the right arrows. Use cold iron exclusively as your normal arrows, then have weapon blanch'd arrows for silver and adamantine. Also carry blunt arrows. With all that, DR won't really matter as long as you can recognize what arrows you need to use pretty quickly.
Actually, as long as the bow is composite, you can use it while mounted.
So I see a Barbarian Red Shirt, Melee Wizard (Seriously???) Ranged Bard, and now you're making an Archer Paladin.
I do hope you have a nice GM, as the Barbarian is going to need constant healing to keep up, and the Wizard is liable to get 1 or 2 shoted from an enemy with a healthy strength score.
You're at the level where Wizards start dominating the average party in terms of party killers. Up until 10th, the melee characters usually rule the battlefield, but at 11th level, casters get 6th level spells and you'll start seeing things like Chain Lightings flying around. If you don't have a caster who can counter such spells, what's going to happen when the enemy throws a Dominate on the Barbarian as he's standing next to the Eldritch Knight?
Actually, as long as the bow is composite, you can use it while mounted.
So I see a Barbarian Red Shirt, Melee Wizard (Seriously???) Ranged Bard, and now you're making an Archer Paladin.
I do hope you have a nice GM, as the Barbarian is going to need constant healing to keep up, and the Wizard is liable to get 1 or 2 shoted from an enemy with a healthy strength score.
You're at the level where Wizards start dominating the average party in terms of party killers. Up until 10th, the melee characters usually rule the battlefield, but at 11th level, casters get 6th level spells and you'll start seeing things like Chain Lightings flying around. If you don't have a caster who can counter such spells, what's going to happen when the enemy throws a Dominate on the Barbarian as he's standing next to the Eldritch Knight?
He starts chipping away at mirror images? He can't see the invisible EK? He doesn't want no part of the polymorphed wizard/fighter? While it's suboptimal to have to spend a round buffing yourself before combat, if the EK is doing so he may be just fine. If not...well....then it's a poor plan.
Someone who can effectively Dispel is always nice to have around, though!
Oh, I understand buffing oneself, but if the arcane caster (with full spell levels) is up in melee combat, no one is tossing around the control spells, SoS spells, blasting spells etc. because he's too busy buffing and swinging a sword.
Actually, as long as the bow is composite, you can use it while mounted.
So I see a Barbarian Red Shirt, Melee Wizard (Seriously???) Ranged Bard, and now you're making an Archer Paladin.
I do hope you have a nice GM, as the Barbarian is going to need constant healing to keep up, and the Wizard is liable to get 1 or 2 shoted from an enemy with a healthy strength score.
You're at the level where Wizards start dominating the average party in terms of party killers. Up until 10th, the melee characters usually rule the battlefield, but at 11th level, casters get 6th level spells and you'll start seeing things like Chain Lightings flying around. If you don't have a caster who can counter such spells, what's going to happen when the enemy throws a Dominate on the Barbarian as he's standing next to the Eldritch Knight?
He starts chipping away at mirror images? He can't see the invisible EK? He doesn't want no part of the polymorphed wizard/fighter? While it's suboptimal to have to spend a round buffing yourself before combat, if the EK is doing so he may be just fine. If not...well....then it's a poor plan.
Someone who can effectively Dispel is always nice to have around, though!
Nay, the bard will just cast calm emotions on the barbarian and he won't really be dangerous anymore. Although he probably he had - with the barbs permission - cast charm person on him previously so the dominate casting wizard would have had to beat the bard in a charisma check first :-P
Oh, I understand buffing oneself, but if the arcane caster (with full spell levels) is up in melee combat, no one is tossing around the control spells, SoS spells, blasting spells etc. because he's too busy buffing and swinging a sword.
Swinging a sword is often as good as blasting spells (unless facing tons of lower enemies). You can get by without SoS and crowd control spells as well (In fact, swinging a sword or shooting arrows often gives the best condition: dead, often with no save). In fact, I played in a group that went through RotRL without a dedicated arcane caster....and we smoked everything. YMMV, and Wizards do get pretty nasty if designed to be God Wizards at about 11th level, but they're not necessary to having a good party.
Also, the Barb will either be immune to mind control if right next to the EK, or get a second save with a +2 to his save against the spell controlling him when he comes near the EK. Any good pre-buff style character like an EK should have Magic Circle vs. Evil up, and probably with an extended duration.
Also, in this group the Arcane Caster doesn't have full spell levels, from the sound of it, so his effectiveness in doing the God Wizard shtick is probably severely hindered (I would guess he doesn't have maxed out DCs either).
@Sangalor: The idea of a Barbarian saying "Charm me!" to a bard to protect himself from enemy mind control made me laugh out loud. I love it. Can't wait to bust that out at some point.
Beerwolf: I've already got the ability to heal at distance with distant mercy, seems like word of healing is a waste. I'd be better off taking extra lay on hands if anything.
Corlindale: I went with the +1 bow because my to-hit and damage is pretty solid already, especially when smite is on. I will also have Divine Bond to put other bonuses on the bow (generally holy, I'd imagine). I do want a better bow of course but because of my high Dex the Celestial armor was so precious that I had to go for it.
Also, in this group the Arcane Caster doesn't have full spell levels, from the sound of it, so his effectiveness in doing the God Wizard shtick is probably severely hindered (I would guess he doesn't have maxed out DCs either).
Well his DC's are pretty solid, but he's a blaster by nature. Player hasn't played an arcane caster much since 2nd edition, and it shows. He won't be dedicated melee though, he'll still mix in some blasting I'm sure. Which is why the Archer Paladin is only one option I'm considering. Between shield other and paladin's sacrifice and swift lay on hands for myself I can basically absorb damage for the front liners while still providing excellent damage from range against key foes. I'm also looking at a couple different oracle builds or maybe even an archer cleric.
One thing for an archer paladin to do Is to cast shield other on the frontline guy. Then half his damage flows to you and you just LOH yourself. Beware of getting caught in the same AOE effect if you do this, however.
Well his DC's are pretty solid, but he's a blaster by nature. Player hasn't played an arcane caster much since 2nd edition, and it shows. He won't be dedicated melee though, he'll still mix in some blasting I'm sure. Which is why the Archer Paladin is only one option I'm considering. Between shield other and paladin's sacrifice and swift lay on hands for myself I can basically absorb damage for the front liners while still providing excellent damage from range against key foes. I'm also looking at a couple different oracle builds or maybe even an archer cleric.
Also, in this group the Arcane Caster doesn't have full spell levels, from the sound of it, so his effectiveness in doing the God Wizard shtick is probably severely hindered (I would guess he doesn't have maxed out DCs either).
Eww. Identity crisis wizard. Introduce him to the create pit line of spells. Assault him when he doesn't use them :p
There are some great oracle builds out there. If you want damage and healing, though, I would stick with your Paladin Archer. It's very solid, just be ready for the fact that there are a good chunk of neutral things you fight at a certain point in RotRL.
I'd stick with making myself as good at archery as possible, with a minor in being as solid in healing as I could be. I wouldn't worry too much about melee or mounted combat as you'll probably spread yourself too thin.
Human fighter 1 / wood oracle 8 archer . I guess if you are starting at 9 level then going full oracle would be OK . You lose smite but gain a lot of spells to help your archery.
I wanna say the cost for a efficient quiver with permanent gravity and abundant ammo cast of it is ard 10k gold.. Not a bad investment at all for an archer imo.. I wouldnt oeverlook clusterd shots that much though, u dont have a never ending supply of smites(3/day unless ur AoV, then as many as 7/day) and carrying boat loads of every arrow can be difficult w/o 2-3 efficient quivers...
