Kind of a strange idea I have here for a new character I'm making, but I'm wondering if anyone has any advice on classes, archetypes, feats, traits, etc for an arcane archer that actually uses the crossbow and is a necromancer of the undead animating variety too.
Order of importance:
Arcane Archer-type
Necromancer
Crossbow
In a bind, I'll just flavor the bow as a crossbow. Third party classes are allowed as long as I think they're balanced. This guy is starting at level 5.
The tricky part here is that undead animating is generally within the domain of divine magic, and the arcane archer is sort of...not.
I guess if anyone knows of a good divine archer type, that may work well, but arcane classes get all the fun non-zombie-makin' necromancy spells.
Thanks!
Was the Arrow of Bone spell converted to PF? Vampiric touch xbow/bolts?
Awesome visuals...
there's a spell in one of the KQs that summons a field of grasping bones, like black tentacles. GM probably wouldn't allow 3.5 stuff though.
The two choices are Arcane Archer, replacing the bow with crossbow, but otherwise is the same, or going Myrmidarch Magus to gain Ranged Spell Strike. For the AA, I'd use 5 levels or Crossbowman and 2 of Wizard (readied action focus shot for Int mod + 1/2 Dex mod to damage). Stats would be 16 dex +2 from race, and 16 int with 10s in everything else.
Myrmidarch would have the same stats. It has a small spell list to choose from, but you'd end up with about the same spells per day, with a slightly lower BaB by level 20. The bonus to it would be that you can focus your feats less on using the crossbow, as you don't need them for pre-reqs, and more on spell casting. Just rush crossbow mastery and you're set.
I hadn't thought of that! Might also help the guys who can't really hit in combat out too.
Just remembered that SGG has a death mage class that's arcane caster with 3/4ths BAB. Current plan is to use that as the base. Due to not having easy way to boost to-hit, I'll probably just flavor the bow as a crossbow so I can spend a feat on weapon focus. Currently thinking corpse mage path, although reaper would be nice if it weren't for the anti-undead flavor. That'd clash with my minions.
Myrmidarch magus is close second though.
Any traits that help out with undead controlling?
Gravewalker witch fits possibly?
Everything but the BAB does, but the BAB is a bit important. And we already have a Witch in the party, so I don't want to be stepping on their toes.