Jason Robbs |
I was considering making an eldritch archer build for a home campaign (Fighter 1/Wizard 5/EK 10/Wizard 4 since early entry is not allowed) when I came across the Named Bullet spell. With Quicken Spell and Spell Perfection you could full attack with one of those attacks ignoring concealment, hitting touch within 30 feet, adding CL to damage and is automatically a critical threat - assuming you can identify the targets type and overcome spell resistance. Is this too powerful at 15th level?
David Neilson |
Probably not, though you are also at the level where the game starts to show its edges. If you had gone with a pure archer fighter you would be able to pull off similiar tricks. I think you could actually pull off something similiar with a Ranger, Hunter, or Inquistor if you do not mind the heavy feat investment.
Claxon |
As a ranger or fighter you will certainly be able to ignore concealment before level 15. The seeking enhancement will have done that long before, or improved precise shot. Hitting touch in 30 ft is nice, but requires you to get close as something that is going to be slightly squishy. Also, a full BAB class like fighter or ranger isn't going to have trouble hitting with their first attack normally. Regardless of whether it's vs touch AC or not. And they don't have to get within 30ft to do it. Needing to go against spell resistance can be a problem at this level if you don't take the feats for it, but will depend on the common enemy types you will be fighting. When you fail, it completely wastes the spell. A normal archer's full attack attack is rarely a waste.
The only parts that are especially good are the automatic critical hit and the extra bonus damage. Which, for a limited resource like spells is a valid bonus. Especially when it's only on one arrow or bullet or thrown weapon. Compared to the damage output of a pure fighter archer or ranger I think this will merely help to compensate, not outshine. The fact that you had to use spell perfection with this specific spell and use it to eliminate the cost of quicken each round means you're doing less stuff like free maximized enervation.
Claxon |
Also, might I suggest Fighter 1/Wizard 5/Eldritch Knight 3/Arcane Archer 2/Eldritch Knight 7.
The ability to imbue your arrows with spell is pretty handy. Mostly being able to cast antimagic and then have your enemy stuck in an antimagic field.
You only lose 1 additional caster level and level of spell progression. The caster level can be made up with magical knack. The spell progression hurts, but it can be very nifty to imbue your arrows with spells.
Claxon |
True strike is good, but the hitting is not the real goal here. The goal is getting the criticals and extra damage. Honestly what you would be best off with is casting abundant ammunition, and then casting named bullet. However that requires either preperation or a few rounds.
I'm not sure that works.
Abundant Ammunition seems to only work with spells that affect multiple pieces of ammunition, not single pieces. Its not exactly clear whether it should or shouldn't but I would lean towards no.
Jason Robbs |
Regardless, you'd be better off with True Strike. Most of the same effects of making sure one attack hits, It also ignores concealment, it can be used on other things than ranged attacks, and is only a first level spell.
It was the critical + touch AC that made me pause. A critical hit with a bow is essentially two extra attacks a round though I guess that just brings me back up to the zen archer level. It's too bad that this doesn't combo with the Eldritch Knight capstone due to the swift action bottleneck (though it would be funny to also use Borrowed Time).
Gilarius |
One awkward thing about this spell is that it prohibits the use of Deadly Aim, because it's a touch attack without the special rules for firearms.
I'd check that with the GM. While it could be read that way, I'd still say that since the actual attack is a normal attack and not a 'touch attack' you can still use Deadly Aim. That restriction, as far as I can tell, is only there to stop you using it with eg Scorching Ray.
Gilarius |
Though funnily once outside of the thirty feet deadly aim would work again. Since obviously it is no longer a touch spell.
Which is why I'd allow it to work all the time. Why would you need to be further away in order to do more damage?
I'm not the GM in this case, so I'd ask and abide by whatever he/she said.
Advice forum, so interpretations are allowed. RAW vs RAI. Although trying to apply logic doesn't always work with game rules.