Hello there guys! I've been throwing around the idea of playing an Arcane Archer, and I'm not quite sure on how to best do this.
I guess that a more traditional build would be Fighter 4/ Wizard 4/ Arcane Archer 10/ Wizard +2. You'd end up with BAB +17, 7th level spells and everything else you'd expect from the build.
However, I've been wondering if I could come up with something better using Magus. By going Magus 8/ Arcane Archer 10/ Magus +2, I'd end up with the same BAB +17 and 6th level spells.
Now, the problem is that Magus doesn't really offer anything to ranged combat short of ranged spells, so the character would only really take to the bow at level 9. The build wouldn't flow very well. It would be better able to cast spells armored, even though they don't have "discounted" spells like the bard (this isn't really an issue, though).
Do you guys have any advice regarding this? I don't care much for uber optmization (though I'm not against it either!), but I'm sure there must be some way to do it better than this. For now, all I can think of is getting an Elvencraft Composite Longbow ported from 3.5 so I can at least use the same weapon both for melee and ranged combat. Am I missing something? Any archetype I should be aware of? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
The Arcane Archer build I made goes Ranger 6/Wizard 5/Arcane Archer 9. You don't really lose any feats since you get them from Combat Style, you get a better Reflex save, and still end up with +17 BAB and CL 11.
Regarding the Magus class, I suppose you could do it but it seems a little clunky thematically. The Magus class is geared towards one-handed melee weapons and, as a GM, I would hesitate to let even an Elvencraft Longbow be used as a club (but that's just me). At range, you wouldn't be able to benefit from the extra attack that comes with Spell Combat/Spellstrike since the specify melee. If you're in melee you'll lose out on all the AA goodies.
In short, it looks doable but I can't see why you'd want to.
Isn't there a magus archetype who can use range weapons with arcane pool? Might be a better option.
Isn't there a magus archetype who can use range weapons with arcane pool? Might be a better option.
Yes there is.
Isn't there a magus archetype who can use range weapons with arcane pool? Might be a better option.
The Myrmidarch archetype gets Ranged Spellstrike but it only works with ranged touch spells and if you use it to cast something like Scorching Ray you only ever get the effect of one ray added to your damage. You also lose one spell per level per day though you get a slight boost to Fighter Training.
I don't think Magus abilities work with ranged weapons.
Hello there guys! I've been throwing around the idea of playing an Arcane Archer, and I'm not quite sure on how to best do this.
I guess that a more traditional build would be Fighter 4/ Wizard 4/ Arcane Archer 10/ Wizard +2. You'd end up with BAB +17, 7th level spells and everything else you'd expect from the build.
However, I've been wondering if I could come up with something better using Magus. By going Magus 8/ Arcane Archer 10/ Magus +2, I'd end up with the same BAB +17 and 6th level spells.
Now, the problem is that Magus doesn't really offer anything to ranged combat short of ranged spells, so the character would only really take to the bow at level 9. The build wouldn't flow very well. It would be better able to cast spells armored, even though they don't have "discounted" spells like the bard (this isn't really an issue, though).
Do you guys have any advice regarding this? I don't care much for uber optmization (though I'm not against it either!), but I'm sure there must be some way to do it better than this. For now, all I can think of is getting an Elvencraft Composite Longbow ported from 3.5 so I can at least use the same weapon both for melee and ranged combat. Am I missing something? Any archetype I should be aware of? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
fighter 1 wizard 5 eldritch knight 4 arcane archer 10 might be a better option if you want arcane archer 10.
8th level spells, BAB +17. It will cost you one feat but I think the enhanced casting is worth it.
Isn't there a magus archetype who can use range weapons with arcane pool? Might be a better option.Yes there is.
Does not really work. Has been discussed a lot.
Does not really work. Has been discussed a lot.Isn't there a magus archetype who can use range weapons with arcane pool? Might be a better option.Yes there is.
well not with a bow at least, it would require a one-handed ranged weapon.
At least Myrmidarch has SOME synergy with Arcane Archer. I wouldn't just go melee up to level 8 and suddenly turn ranged from then on. I don't see why it has diminished spellcasting, reminds me of Battle Sorcerer from 3.5, but it works. Thanks for showing me that guys!
fighter 1 wizard 5 eldritch knight 4 arcane archer 10 might be a better option if you want arcane archer 10.
8th level spells, BAB +17. It will cost you one feat but I think the enhanced casting is worth it.
Totally worth it, actually. Thanks for this! I guess this might be the way to go. A pity, were it not for just a few quirks, a Magus archer would be AWESOME. =/
Well, there is the Reach Spell Metamagic that lets the Magus use any of his touch spells with his bow as ranged touch attacks. So dropping a Shocking Grasp would be part of his Ranged Spellstrike.
I would think one could use the Imbue arrow in concert with Spell Combat and cast an area spell which goes into an arrow, attack with it and then perform the rest of the full attack. Perhaps a Quickened Reach spell for another shot taking advantage of Magical Linage or Quicken Arcana eventually
A spell cast in this way uses its standard casting time and the arcane archer can fire the arrow as part of the casting. The arrow must be fired during the round that the casting is completed or the spell is wasted. If the arrow misses, the spell is wasted
that all works, right?
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All you would need with the magus would be a two level dip into the AA. As a magus you are already getting the requirements you need to Prestige without Multiclassing
THat being said for the Magus you dont need more than 2 levels of AA since your Arcana abilities provide you with everything you need aside frm the bow/spell ussage.
We are currently working on a guide for the AA for anyone interested the Discussion thread is here
Thank you, Quintin! I'll be sure to check that out, and add it to my list!
And I see what you mean. Hmmm... It's not that the other abilities aren't useful, it's simply that the best one is the 2nd level one, right?
Well, there is the Reach Spell Metamagic that lets the Magus use any of his touch spells with his bow as ranged touch attacks. So dropping a Shocking Grasp would be part of his Ranged Spellstrike.
I would think one could use the Imbue arrow in concert with Spell Combat and cast an area spell which goes into an arrow, attack with it and then perform the rest of the full attack. Perhaps a Quickened Reach spell for another shot taking advantage of Magical Linage or Quicken Arcana eventually
that all works, right?
Good advice on Reach Spell. Opens up quite a few more options for ranged spellstrike, which is a neat trick. Unfortunately spell combat cannot be used with bows or any other two handed weapon. So no go on the imbue/ranged spellstrike as part of a ranged full attack.
Still, combined with the imbue arrow AA ability, the ranged spellstrike adds another trick to the bag, and now you're capable of delivering touch (with reach applied), ranged touch, and area spells through the bow, which is pretty cool IMO.
Ultimitely though, the Myrmadarch is really more of a switch hitter. They get weapon training with multiple weapons, and still have spell combat to fall back on in melee. Also, don't forget they keep the normal version of melee spellstrike.
I also agree with Quntin Belmont that as a Myrmadarch, a 2 level dip into Arcane Archer is really all that's "needed".
Happy Hunting!
Just curious, why not 3 levels of AA to get the elemental enhancement? While a veteran of the genre, new to Pathfinder, and playing an AA build as my first character. In a low magic, low money campaign, so not sure how much equipment I am going to end up with. Thought the elemental arrows would be great, then could get a bow that had Holy, and combine the damages.
Just curious, why not 3 levels of AA to get the elemental enhancement? While a veteran of the genre, new to Pathfinder, and playing an AA build as my first character. In a low magic, low money campaign, so not sure how much equipment I am going to end up with. Thought the elemental arrows would be great, then could get a bow that had Holy, and combine the damages.
You could do that. Might even be worthwhile, but the Magus can already use their arcane pool to enhance the bow, and already has access to the elemental enchants via that ability. So it doesn't provide the ability to do something you couldn't do already.
Getting the AA version would free up a +1 property equivalency that could then be used for something else though. May or may not be worth delaying the rest of the magus progression, but its something to consider.
Just curious, why not 3 levels of AA to get the elemental enhancement? While a veteran of the genre, new to Pathfinder, and playing an AA build as my first character. In a low magic, low money campaign, so not sure how much equipment I am going to end up with. Thought the elemental arrows would be great, then could get a bow that had Holy, and combine the damages.
You could do that. Might even be worthwhile, but the Magus can already use their arcane pool to enhance the bow, and already has access to the elemental enchants via that ability. So it doesn't provide the ability to do something you couldn't do already.Getting the AA version would free up a +1 property equivalency that could then be used for something else though. May or may not be worth delaying the rest of the magus progression, but its something to consider.
Thanks for the response. Your reasoning makes sense, and I think I am going to stay with my 3 planned levels of AA. My build is not caster-centric, going with Archer archetype 8/Archaelogist archetype 3/ AA 3. The AP we are on, is supposed to top out around level 13-14. It turned out that our party had no rogue, so I went with Archaelogist, rather than my planned Bard levels, and using the archer high dex to make up for what he may lack in skill.
Use a gun.
I have a friend in our current game who has a Myrmidarch/Scout(converted from 3.5) It's sort of like the scout skirmish from the rogue but gets the 10ft skirmish starting at 1st level. She's stopped at 5th level for the scout and I think is going to play up the Magus (the group is about 11th level now. So she will be more magus for the rest of the game. So far, she has been a very effective archer.
I have a friend in our current game who has a Myrmidarch/Scout(converted from 3.5) It's sort of like the scout skirmish from the rogue but gets the 10ft skirmish starting at 1st level. She's stopped at 5th level for the scout and I think is going to play up the Magus (the group is about 11th level now. So she will be more magus for the rest of the game. So far, she has been a very effective archer.
Interesting! I was actually considering a Magus chassis for an Arcane Archer because I remember that, back in 3.5, I wanted to make a Scout/Duskblade/Arcane Archer, but unfortunately it wouldn't work: there isn't a multiclass feat for Scout/Duskblade, and back then AA didn't advance spell levels!
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If you want some sneak attack damage then rogue is a bit meh. The Thing about the Magus going into AA is that You follow the class like a Rocket, but play like a Railgun. So you can dip for a short bit for the sneak if you want, but there are better options.
Vivisectionist/Grenedier Alchemist is really good for Enhanceing you ranged attacks while gaining a sneak attack.
its a bit meh, but pretty decent.