PFS Legal Zen Archer

[Evilserran]

Anyone got any thoughts/must haves,ideas? Thinking of creating one but have never done so in PFS, so ANY thoughts or suggestions would be welcome, provided they aren't negative.

[Pink Dragon]

Dipping one level into sorcerer (perhaps Wildblooded Empyreal to synergize the Wisdom stat) lets you pick up mage armor, shield and true strike spells and/or wands. Also lets you pick up more ways to see invisibility.

Because the attack stat is Wisdom at 3rd level, a high strength is more useful than a high dexterity, along with a high wisdom.

Getting a composite longbow with the adaptive feature is useful with the high strength.

[Imbicatus]

I dislike dipping unless you want to go arcane archer.

What really works well with Zen archer is to simply rely on your bonus feats for archery, and and then use your normal feats for other things.

Kitsune Tail feats for example, or Nature Soul + Animal Ally + Boon Companion for a mount or pet.

[Ascalaphus]

A decent PFS zen archer isn't very different from the generic zen archer builds floating around on the forum. Given the bonus feats available, the build almost writes itself. In short:

Races: Human and Dwarf are very good choices, Half-Orc is also good.

Wisdom >> Strength = Constitution = Dexterity > Intelligence >> Charisma.

Level 1: Precise Shot as bonus feat.
Level 2: Point-Blank Shot as bonus feat.
Level 3: Deadly Aim as your third-level feat.
Level 6: Improved Precise Shot as bonus feat.

Skills should include Perception and Acrobatics (at least 3 ranks in the latter, max out the former).

Weapon should be a composite longbow with strength adjustment.

As for the rest: it's easy to optimize more. On the other hand, you don't really have to, you're already effective enough for PFS. Feel free to diversify instead.

[Krodjin]

I agree with the above and recommend using your standard feats for non-archery related things, in most cases.

Being a Human with that alternate racial trait that grants you skill focus at 1st, 8th, and 16th will get you 2 extra feats in PFS which you can use to increase your out of combat utility.

Skill Focus Perception is great, and you could use the other to boost a CHA based skill (like diplomacy or UMD) to compensate for any penalty you may have for a low stat.

Qingong is a good archetype to take as well as you will have a great Ki Pool with your maxed out Wisdom.

I'm not sure if Wisdom in the Flesh is a PFS legal trait - but if you wanted to boost Acrobatics or Disable Device or something by making them be Wisdom based, it's a decent option.

[Ascalaphus]

I'd like to emphasize again: the Zen Archer is a very powerful and efficient archetype. It leaves you with a lot of spare feats and skill points that you don't need to be on par for your level.

So you have quite a bit of resources left to express a character concept. You can be a guy who does all kinds of interesting things, and just happens to be great at archery as well.

[Renegadeshepherd]

Concerning dips: if any dip is to be done an inquisitor dip works wonders. Infiltrator archetype replaces charisma with wisdom for lots of mouth skills and you get a domain on top of that. Travel, luck, war/tactics and a few others have powers worthwhile even up to higher levels. I think war would be the best just because the ability to roll two dice on initiative rolls for you and/or party members remains relevant for a LONG time.

Bottom line: you become a mouth and you get initiative boosts. Worth it.

[GeneMemeScene]

I'd also suggest Oni-Spawn Tiefling for perfectly placed racial modifiers, although i guess you'll need the sourcebook.

[Ms. Pleiades]

GeneMemeScene wrote:

I'd also suggest Oni-Spawn Tiefling for perfectly placed racial modifiers, although i guess you'll need the sourcebook.

And a racial boon at this point.

[Edymnion]

Half-orc is, IMO, the best race for any archer due primarily to one thing.

Pheromone Arrows.

Half-Orcs can take the Keen Scent racial feat to get the Scent ability. Pheromone Arrows give +2 to hit and damage to anything they for the rest of the fight (10 minutes), and are only 15gp.

Half-Orc archer can fire off 1 Pheromone Arrow at the beginning of combat (use Perfect Strike or something like that to make absolutely sure it hits), and then enjoy tons of extra free hit and damage over the course of the fight.

Also, don't forget about Qinggong Monk, you can dip into that to replace some fairly worthless abilities like Slow Fall with much more useful/powerful ones, like the ability to cast True Strike or Barkskin.

[Krodjin]

That bit about using Perfect Strike on your pheromone arrow is brilliant! However, if you are not shooting an arrow that absolutely must hit I like to use Perfect Strike on one of my iteratives.

So for example lets say level 10 with Ki point & haste... Your attacks (using only BAB) will be:

+8 (haste)/+8 (Ki Point) /+8 /+8 /+3 (use Perfect Strike here) /+3

If you've used one of your feat slots to pick up "Hammer the Gap" this can add a few more points of damage each round.

Using Perfect Strike on your 1st iterative almost guarantees you hit with your first 5 arrows each round (remember at level 10 you get to add a 3rd d20 to your Perfect Strike roll).

[Thotiel]

Sacred Fist Warpriest works well as a dip, since your flurry progression won't be slowed. Plus, having Abundant Ammunition can save you a bunch of money very quickly if you like using specialty arrows.

The Deadeye Bowman trait for worshippers of Erastil (Inner Sea Gods) can also be nice for any archer.

[Melkiador]

Does sacred fist really stack? His flurry doesn't work with bows.