I want to play a sniper! Help me build one?

[insaneogeddon]

Azaelas Fayth wrote:

Gravity Bow IIRC only works with Bows not Crossbows.

Not to my knowledge:

"Gravity bow significantly increases the weight and density of arrows or bolts fired from your bow or crossbow the instant before they strike their target and then return them to normal a few moments later. Any arrow fired from a bow or crossbow you are carrying when the spell is cast deals damage as if one size larger than it actually is."

[Azaelas Fayth]

insaneogeddon wrote:

Azaelas Fayth wrote:

Gravity Bow IIRC only works with Bows not Crossbows.

Not to my knowledge:

"Gravity bow significantly increases the weight and density of arrows or bolts fired from your bow or crossbow the instant before they strike their target and then return them to normal a few moments later. Any arrow fired from a bow or crossbow you are carrying when the spell is cast deals damage as if one size larger than it actually is."

Yeah I discovered that afterwards... Now if only there was an enchantment similar to Impact for Bows/Crossbows...

As for a Sniper: A Scout Sniper Rogue can become very potent for a Hit and Run Squad Support style sniper. At least when they hit level 8.

[pyro da great]

Flashblade wrote:

Hello friends!

A new campaign is about to start up, and we're making 2nd-level characters for it. A buddy of mine is doing stuff with polearms, and I want to do stuff with sniping. I've taken a look at the Fighter archetypes Archer and Crossbowman, and the Rogue archetype Sniper, and I am wondering what other options if any exist to make a good sniper. Looking at the math, Archer seems better than Crossbowman because of bows being better than crossbows in general. I'm not sure how much utility I would get out of Sniper compared to a regular Rogue. I'd appreciate some advice!

Ability scores are 15-point buy, and we're excluded from using any of the "Ultimate" books. I'd really appreciate it if anyone could give me some advice on how to make an effective sniper. I'll be happy to answer any questions and provide the work I've put into the character thus far for critique.

Thanks in advance!

I would go with arcane trickster with the foresight school and make a pair of "sniper googles" when I had the chance... unless you have a dm that just allows you to buy such an item.

[lantzkev]

musket master with spell slinger, take true strike and dead shot together, (make sure that last one hits! and ignore concealment!)

[Azaelas Fayth]

lantzkev wrote:

musket master with spell slinger, take true strike and dead shot together, (make sure that last one hits! and ignore concealment!)

They don't have access to Ultimate Books.

[lantzkev]

oh how silly, they have the interwebz let em use the PRD!

[Azaelas Fayth]

GM says no Ultimate Books.

[Dark servitude]

Should look at the Zen Archer Monk Archtype. It's actually pretty mean, higher level though (not sure if true but seen a level 18 zen archer face melting creeps).

[TGMaxMaxer]

I woulda said Ninja but not allowed, for the Vanish trick.

As it stands a Vital Striking xbow ranger/Scout-Sniper rogue with gravity bow, sniper goggles/sniper+stealth talents seems to be the best, 1d0-2d8, 4d8-6d8 with vital chain, 17-20 critx3, deadly aim, instant enemy, precise/imp precise, or fighter/rogue. Should be pretty solid.

Str 10 Dex 18(2 race) Con 12 Int 10 Wis 14 Cha 8 (all stats to dex, for fig i'd go 7 Cha and 12 int for the extra skill)

[Azaelas Fayth]

Honestly, If you want a sniper that switches gears to Skirmisher after the surprise round a Rogue(Scout Sniper) using the Vital Strike line is excellent.

[TGMaxMaxer]

Wand of Gravity Bow, Wand of Lead Blades, and when you hit rogue 8 anytime you move 10 feet you get to sneak attack, so doing 4d8+4d6+6 (38 ave no items)at +12 (vs FF AC)is pretty cool by level 11, considering you're prob not getting hit, and at 15, 6d8+5d6+8 (ave 51.5 no items)at +15 (vs FF AC) aint bad.

Now, considering a basic archer at level 12 is getting, say, 5x 1d8+18 at 15/15/15/10/5 vs normal AC, so say first 3 hit last 2 miss for ease (3 hits ave 67.5 no magic).

[Dark servitude]

if you're looking at the rogue archer, then consider the Rogue talent that lets you do sneak attack damage on your full attack maybe? it's in the class acts for rogue talents I thihnnk it's a master trink might be wrong but I honestly think it's work it.

[Azaelas Fayth]

When you move it doesn't make you hit on FF AC.

[Dark servitude]

well if you where a rogue with a ki pool (rogue talent) using your wis you could just go invisible after and maybe 5ft step

EDIT: Oh yeah no ultimate books

[Azaelas Fayth]

That does work as well.

[TGMaxMaxer]

Misread it. It says as tho flat-footed. Still... not bad dps vs the full attacking 5ft stepping archer for a full 30ft mobile combatant.

And yeah, ninja was the way to go for this with vanish and extra Ki, but UC not allowed at all.

[Azaelas Fayth]

Scout Snipers are probably the only solo boss I would ever think of using. Only against a Party of 2-3 though and only in an open area of terrain where they could easily move, hide, and get cover.