Zen Archer dip for Archery Ranger?

[Khelreddin]

I’m just starting Wrath of the Righteous with a demon-hunting archery ranger, and am pondering a 2-level dip into Zen Archer after my first ranger level. Here’s how I see the two approaches over the first five levels (these attack bonus numbers don’t count Dex, Fav Enemy or other bonuses, just BAB and feat effects):

Ranger, 5 levels:
Rgr 1: Point Blank Shot, +2 to attacks
Rgr 2: Precise Shot, +3 to attacks
Rgr 3: Rapid Shot, +4 or +2/+2 to attacks
Rgr 4: no feat, +5 or +3/+3 to attacks
Rgr 5: Regular feat choice, +6 or +4/+4 to attacks

Ranger, 1, then Zen Archer 2, then 2 Ranger levels:
Rgr 1: Point Blank Shot, +2 to attacks
Zen Archer 1: Flurry, Precise Shot, Perfect Strike, +2 or +1/+1 to attacks
Zen Archer 2: Weapon Focus, Regular feat choice what feat?, +4 or +2/+2 to attacks
Rgr 2: what ranger archery feat to take here?, +5 or +3/+3 to attacks
Rgr 3: Regular feat choice what feat?, +6 or +4/+4 to attacks

Zen Approach advantages: at 5th level, have 7 feats instead of 4; can fire two arrows with Precise Shot at second level, rather than waiting until third; at third level the Zen Archer catches up to the ranger on attack bonuses.

All Ranger Approach: playing in a demon-heavy campaign, will pick up next Favored Enemy boost sooner, get spells sooner, be slightly better in melee

I’m sure I missing aspects of each approach, and would love input on feat selection. Thanks much!

[sunbeam]

I think the big attraction of Zen Archer, besides archery being great, is early access to very good feats. You can skip prerequisites and get the really important ones without feat chains or even proper ability bonuses.

There are also the monk abilities, and the ability to make a MAD class SAD (well you know).

I think if you were going to level 20, you would be better off staying just one class or the other. If you are mostly Ranger the ability to flurry and the monk AC bonuses just aren't going to mean much. If you are just trying to get feats early it isn't worth it in the extreme long run.

If you are just going to level 10 or 12 it is probably a good thing to do.

[chaoseffect]

Realistically I would pick Zen Archer or Ranger all the way, but which is up to you.

Monk is nice as it essentially give you built in Rapid shot as well as Evasion and a nice save boost, but with Flurry you can't use Manyshot... or Rapid Shot. Your BAB is also delayed, which means you are a level behind for qualifying for feats, which may or may not be an issue for you. Armor loss may or may not be an issue.

There are two benefits of Ranger I think you are not calculating: Style Feats and Instant Enemy. Style Feats let you ignore prerequisites and get the awesome feats sooner; for instance a level 6 Ranger can be running around with Point Blank Master (requires weapon specialization) or Improved Precise Shot (requires 11 BAB). And then at level 10 when Rangers get access to third level spells it opens the way for Instant Enemy, which allows you to swift action count anything as your Favored Enemy. It's incredibly useful as even though it may be demon-heavy, I can guarantee that at some point you'll be fighting a badass who isn't.

EDIT: I forgot Zen Archer gets those awesome early access feats too, so ignore that part. My bad >_<

Also feats: Clustered Shots. It makes DR a non-issue so you want that when you can take it. Also get Deadly Aim.

[Lastoth]

No, because the Zen Archer can't flurry and use rapid/many shot in the same action. It's not worth it. You still need a high dex to qualify for higher end archery feats anyway, no real point in forcing yourself to have a 17+ dex AND a main stat wisdom. Also you do need strength for damage. It would only make the whole stat allocation segment hurt worse.

[anthonydido]

As has been stated already, I think you're better off going full out with one or the other. I don't think the two classes mesh that well. If it was me, given the AP, I would pick ranger. I also think the ranger fits better thematically with the AP.