First build help.

[Halaman]

Hey everybody, I'm relatively new to pathfinders and I was hoping I could get some basic questions answered and advice on a build or two. My buddies and I have recently returned to DnD via VTTs/g-hangout and we are having a blast. We played our first society mission the other night and now I have a few questions. I was also hoping to get some help with a build before I get to level 2. I'm playing a bard while attempting to fill the role of skill-monkey/archer/support.

My question is regarding one of my traits. I dont know what "You do not suffer a penalty for the second range increment when using a longbow or shortbow." means exactly. What is the 2nd range increment? Is there a link somewhere I can look at?

And any advice or suggestions on my build?

Talaman
Male Human (Taldan) Bard 1
CG Medium humanoid (human)
Init +5; Senses Perception +4
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Defense
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AC 13, touch 13, flat-footed 10 (+3 Dex)
hp 9 (1d8+1)
Fort +1, Ref +5, Will +2
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Offense
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Speed 20 ft.
Melee club +0 (1d6) and
longsword +0 (1d8/19-20) and
spiked gauntlet +0 (1d4)
Ranged longbow +3 (1d8/x3)
Special Attacks bardic performance, bardic performance: countersong, bardic performance: distraction, bardic performance: fascinate, bardic performance: inspire courage
Bard Spells Known (CL 1st; concentration +4):
1st (2/day)—cure light wounds, charm person (DC 14)
0 (at will)—open/close (DC 13), detect magic, light, read magic
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Statistics
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Str 10, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 16
Base Atk +0; CMB +0; CMD 13
Feats Point-Blank Shot, Precise Shot
Traits hunter's eye, reactionary
Skills Acrobatics +0 (-4 jump), Bluff +7, Climb -3, Diplomacy +7, Escape Artist +0, Fly +0, Intimidate +7, Perception +4, Perform (oratory) +7, Ride +0, Sense Motive +4, Stealth +4, Swim -3, Use Magic Device +7
Languages Common
SQ bardic knowledge
Combat Gear Caltrops; Other Gear Studded leather armor, Arrows (60), Club, Longbow, Longsword, Spiked gauntlet, Backpack (empty), Bedroll, Chalk (2), Crowbar, Hammer, Tobacco, 22 GP, 3 SP, 8 CP
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Special Abilities
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Bardic Knowledge +1 (Ex) Add +1 to all knowledge skill checks.
Bardic Performance (standard action) (7 rounds/day) Your performances can create magical effects.
Bardic Performance: Countersong (Su) Counter magical effects that depend on sound.
Bardic Performance: Distraction (Su) Counter magical effects that depend on sight.
Bardic Performance: Fascinate (1 targets) (DC 13) (Su) One or more creatures becomes fascinated with you.
Bardic Performance: Inspire Courage +1 (Su) Morale bonus on some saving throws, attack and damage rolls.
Hunter's Eye (Longbow) You do not suffer a penalty for the second range increment when using a longbow or shortbow.
Point-Blank Shot +1 to attack and damage rolls with ranged weapons at up to 30 feet.
Precise Shot You don't get -4 to hit when shooting or throwing into melee.
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Story coming soon!

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[EldonG]

The first range increment is the range stated in the chart...the second starts there and goes to double...usually at -2.

[EldonG]

In looking at your build, it looks fine to me. Bards are great for RP, but not combat monsters, as a rule, being support more than anything. Your damage won't be scary, but archery isn't a bad way to mitigate that.

Enjoy your character. :)

[Halaman]

Thanks for the answers EldonG. Sorry about being a bit slow, but where is the ranged chart? The one on the paizo site for example says that I can shoot my longbow 100'. So I can shoot up to 200' without a -2 bonus to my attack?

[Magda Luckbender]

Correct. However, this will very rarely come up. This is because the PFS maps are invariably small and crowded. You will rarely see a foe more than 100' away.

[Snow_Tiger]

so 105-200 is no penalty, but what happens at 205-300 ft? is it -2 or -4?

[EldonG]

Snow_Tiger wrote:

so 105-200 is no penalty, but what happens at 205-300 ft? is it -2 or -4?

Good question. I'd go with -2...it's such a rare thing...

[caos]

Hi Halaman welcome to pathfinder. I agree with EldoG, you will be at a -2 for your 3rd range increment. Also there is a guide that you can find here http://www.d20pfsrd.com/extras/community-creations/treatmonks-lab/test2 (sorry not sure how to set it up as a link) that may help you with your leveling decisions. hope this helps

[DrDeth]

I would bring your DEX down to 16 (I assume you bought it @ 15?) this gives you a 12 in either STR or WIS. Better buy.

After a bit you'll discover that the Bard is mostly a spellcaster and buffer with bard song. The archery will be a sideline.

For traits I'd take :
Lore Seeker: The secrets of an ancient fallen civilization intrigue you, particularly the magical traditions of its highly mystical culture. You've studied magic intensely, and hope to increase that knowledge by adding ancient lore. You've come to the region to pursue that study, and chose the town as your base because it was out of the way of bigger cities—meaning less competition to study the ancient monuments in the region, you hope! You gain a +1 trait bonus on Knowledge (arcana) checks, and Knowledge (arcana) is a class skill for you. If you cast arcane spells, pick three spells on your spell list. You are particularly adept at casting these spells, so they function at +1 caster level when you cast them, and their save DCs (if any) gain a +1 bonus.

Charming: Blessed with good looks, you've come to depend on the fact that others find you attractive. You gain a +1 trait bonus when you use Bluff or Diplomacy on a character that is (or could be) sexually attracted to you, and a +1 trait bonus to the save DC of any language-dependent spell you cast on such characters or creatures.

[rgrove0172]

Just my $.02 but dont worry about "builds" and craft your character the way you invision them. There is no WRONG way for a character to be constructed, each individual is ... well.. and individual. Most of us arent perfectly suited to our callings, nor should every character in a fantasy world be a perfectly designed specimen to their class.

Make up a character and send them adventuring! Leave the powergaming and such to somebody else.