I think that a Zen Archer will get more out of Deflect Arrows than out of the Crane Style feat-tree. If enemies close with you, it's already gone pear-shaped. Enemies will shoot at you, though, which you will want to avoid.
Seems like it is very, very easy to wrong with a monk.
This isn't really true. Not anymore than any other class at least. Take what people say on the forums with about 50 tonnes of salt.
You can't really use crane style with a bow unless you plan on the cheesetacular letting go of the weapon after your turn.
Seems like it is very, very easy to wrong with a monk.This isn't really true. Not anymore than any other class at least. Take what people say on the forums with about 50 tonnes of salt.
You're assuming that our OP is stating this based on posts on the boards and not on working things out for himself. It may alarm you to find out people can reach this conclusion from doing the latter, not the former.
That said, the Zen Archer is much, much easier to get right than the core monk.
You can't really use crane style with a bow unless you plan on the cheesetacular letting go of the weapon after your turn.
Actually that makes much more sense with an archer than a swordsman, and a Zen Archer can use Deflect Arrows which has the same requirement. However, I don't see the need if he keeps his enemies at range.
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Don't worry about Defensive Combat Training; you get to add your Monk AC bonus (ie, Wisdom mod and the other boosts as you level) to your CMD.
You are forgetting that Crane Style requires Dodge as a prerequisite first. But Dodge also improves your CMD, so again, I think you'll be alright in that department.
Instead of going Crane, perhaps look into Serpent Style? It allows you to use a Sense Motive check as your AC or Touch AC for 1 ranged or melee attack as an immediate action; also makes your unarmed strikes deal piercing damage. Since you're pumping up your Wisdom, it could come in handy.
You can't get Medusa's Wrath as a bonus feat and will need it's prereqs to get it as a regular feat, but since you can't flurry with your unarmed strikes won't get the Stunning Fist enhancements, it's best to ignore it AND Stunning Fist.
PS: Look into the Guided weapon property to really pump out the damage. If the DM allows that, you can emphasize Dex over Str for better AC and reflex saves.
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I am playing a Zen Archer in a campaign setting. Based on my experience (now 10th level):
1. You will be doing your best to avoid hand-to-hand combat. Skip style feats and concentrate on feats to improve your ranged attack.
2. You will frequently be the target of ranged attacks. Deflect Arrows will help you a lot.
3. I do not have Clustered Shots - sometimes I wish I did. On the other hand, you can get past a lot of DR with Weapon Blanche (silver, cold iron, adamantine) and a magic bow. You can even bypass DR/bludgeon with dull arrows. DR/slashing is another matter.
4. I like Improved Critical (level 10 bonus). Threatening on a 19 with x3 damage is great, since my bonus to damage is now +10.
5. Remember to use Perfect Strike and spend the Ki point to get the extra shot! I can add a whole bunch of damage with these two abilities.
6. Acquire an Efficient Quiver as soon as you can. Keeping 60 arrows handy is a great benefit. You can also keep a couple spare bows handy. Smart opponents will attempt to sunder your bow, reasoning that you are not much of a threat without it. Of course, they'll have to catch you first!
7. Deny Death is a good Qinggong substitution.
8. With your high wisdom, a one-level dip into Empyreal Sorcerer can be beneficial. You get access to a few good spells and magic devices that you would otherwise find unusable.
9. Deadly Aim is really good at higher levels. Remember that you need 13 DEX to get it. The To Hit/Damage tradeoff follows your Flurry "BAB" (4/4 progression), but you need to be second level to qualify for the feat in the first place.
EDIT
Can you put the "Guided" weapon property on a ranged weapon? The description sounds as if it applied only to melee weapons.
If you don't know it already:
The Porpentine’s Guide to Zen Archery, especially the paragraph "Zen Architecture".
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The Zen Archer's list of Bonus Feats replaces the standard Monk bonus feats. Thus, no Medusa's Wrath without pre-reqs.
Bonus Feats
A zen archer’s bonus feats must be taken from the following list:
Combat Reflexes, Deflect Arrows, Dodge, Far Shot, Point-Blank Shot, Precise Shot, and Rapid Shot.
At 6th level, the following feats are added to the list:
Focused Shot*, Improved Precise Shot, Manyshot, Mobility, and Parting Shot*.
At 10th level, the following feats are added to the list:
Improved Critical, Pinpoint Targeting, Shot on the Run, and Snatch Arrows.
A monk need not have any of the prerequisites normally required for these feats to select them.
These feats replace the monk’s normal bonus feats.
Which is fine; against Medusa's Wrath is a pointless feat for a Zen Archer.
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There are some good magical enhancements for a bow:
Distance
Aura moderate divination; CL 6th; Craft Magic Arms and Armor, clairaudience/clairvoyance; Price +1 bonus.
DESCRIPTION
This special ability can only be placed on a ranged weapon.
A distance weapon has double the range increment of other weapons of its kind.
Seeking
Aura strong divination; CL 12th; Craft Magic Arms and Armor, true seeing; Price +1 bonus.
DESCRIPTION
This ability can only be placed on a ranged weapon.
The weapon veers toward its target, negating any miss chances that would otherwise apply, such as from concealment. The wielder still has to aim the weapon at the right square. Arrows mistakenly shot into an empty space, for example, do not veer and hit invisible enemies, even if they are nearby.
The best enhancement for any weapon is almost always another +1 to hit and damage.
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The best enhancement for any weapon is almost always another +1 to hit and damage.
This is true.
There are occasional exceptions, though. If you know that you will be facing one particular type of enemy (as when our party took on the task of clearing an area of undead), the Bane property is good. If your GM loves to throw enemies with Improved Invisibility at you, then Seeking is good.
But, as Dabbler says, the additional +1 is almost always best.