This is the shopping list I've come up with. The asterisks indicate levels at which I get a combat style feat, the dashes are levels where I don't get a feat. The question marks indicate I don't know what feat to get at that level. :-)
1.Point-Blank Shot, Improved Initiative (Human, so two)
2.*Precise Shot
3.Weapon Focus (Longbow)
4.-
5.Quick Draw
6.*Improved Precise Shot
7.Manyshot
8.-
9.Improved Crit
10.*Rapid Shot
11.Deadly Aim
12.-
13.Pinpoint Targeting
14.*Shot on the Run
15.Nimble Moves
16.-
17.??
18.*Far Shot
19.??
20.-
Comments? Suggestions?
I would take Rapid Shot much earlier. Somewhere between 1st and 3rd level. I see that you want quick draw. Is that because you are planning on whipping out melee weapons on occasion? If so, a couple of melee feats should be in there too.
Is Weapon Focus a prereq feat? If it's not then there are far better ways to use the feat. Avoiding it could get you Rapid Shot or Deadly Aim earlier. Considering Boon Companion at 5 would also be a good idea.
You could alternatively pick up Power Attack to combine with Quick Draw for Switch-Hitter potential. Not optimal compared to a dedicated archer but very flexible.
I'd also try to get Pointblank Master in there--survive until lvl 6 and you have no need for a melee weapon anymore (except when Swallowed whole, I guess...).
Ruyan.
After a closer look at Weapon Focus, I think I'll pass it up. And Pointblank Master is probably a better deal than quick draw. I don't really want to be a melee fighter. Sooner stick to my bow.
I'll take a look at boon companion too.
Thanks folks.
Ah, good point. And it requires Weapon Focus, as well, in spite of being a "ranger feat".
I think I need to check prerequisites, too, if I'm going to take "ranger feats" at other than levels 2, 6, 10, 14, and 18. It seems (with Point Blank Master) that there are a total of nine "ranger feats" and only 6 slots where I can take them without meeting prerequisites. So I have to meet the prerequisites for 3. Well, four including Weapon Focus for Point Blank Master. Or am I reading it wrong?
Yes but the feat itself allows rangers to take it without weapon specialization, which is limited to fighters, if they take weapon focus as a prerequisite. This is, as I read it, an exception to the "you don't have to meet prerequisites for ranger feats" rule.
Under "Combat Style Feat" (the ranger special ability) is "The ranger's expertise manifests in the form of bonus feats at 2nd, 6th, 10th, 14th, and 18th level. He can choose feats from his selected combat style, even if he does not have the normal prerequisites." My reading (I might be wrong) is that at those levels, you get to choose a feat from the list, and you don't need to meet the prerequisites when you take it then, but if you take the feat as one of your normal odd-numbered level feats, you do have to meet the prerequisites.
Your understanding of the ranger combat styles is correct, and you do still have to meet the Weapon Focus pre-req for point blank master even as a style feat.
Eal's understanding is correct. Yours is not.
The ranger's expertise manifests in the form of bonus feats at 2nd, 6th, 10th, 14th, and 18th level. He can choose feats from his selected combat style, even if he does not have the normal prerequisites.
Emphasis mine.
What this means is that any feat taken for the Ranger's Combat Style, as long as it is on the list provided for that style, does not need to meet any prerequisites. However, feats taken through standard level progression must still meet all prerequisites, even if they are also on the list for the Ranger's Combat Style.
So, for Point Blank Master, you do not need to meet any prerequisites, but only if it is taken as a Combat Style Feat.
Your understanding of the ranger combat styles is correct, and you do still have to meet the Weapon Focus pre-req for point blank master even as a style feat.
Eal's understanding is correct. Yours is not.
The ranger's expertise manifests in the form of bonus feats at 2nd, 6th, 10th, 14th, and 18th level. He can choose feats from his selected combat style, even if he does not have the normal prerequisites.Emphasis mine.
What this means is that any feat taken for the Ranger's Combat Style, as long as it is on the list provided for that style, does not need to meet any prerequisites. However, feats taken through standard level progression must still meet all prerequisites, even if they are also on the list for the Ranger's Combat Style.
So, for Point Blank Master, you do not need to meet any prerequisites, but only if it is taken as a Combat Style Feat.
Sorry, but you are incorrect.
Special: Starting at 6th level, a ranger with the archery combat style may select Point Blank Master as a combat style feat, but he must have Weapon Focus instead of Weapon Specialization in the selected weapon.
This is one feat with prerequisites that the Ranger's Combat Style feat selection does not allow you to ignore.
As for building your character I recommend you follow this guide.
Even though it's older, it actually contains all the basics you need for the first 13 or so levels.
Now personally, I add in Boon Companion to get the animal companion up to full level progression. I also don't like Combat Reflex/Snapshot/Improved Snapshot that much, especially since the distance was reduced from 15 to 10ft.
Other than those issues, this guide is pretty optimized for archery.
Sorry, but you are incorrect.Special: Starting at 6th level, a ranger with the archery combat style may select Point Blank Master as a combat style feat, but he must have Weapon Focus instead of Weapon Specialization in the selected weapon.This is one feat with prerequisites that the Ranger's Combat Style feat selection does not allow you to ignore.
I stand corrected. With as much as I play a Ranger, I don't know how I missed that. My apologies.