I plan on playing Ranger (archer) next time I play Pathfinder and I've done my homework. This time I've decided to go with the following:
Race: Elf
Class: Ranger (archery)
Trait: Adopted; Human (extra feat at first)
Archetype: Infiltrator
Prestige Class: Horizon Walker
At first glance, it all seems like a good idea but after taking a more logical view at this build, I think I need a few third party opinions on it.
The Archetype eliminates my the set of Favored Terrains that I get because I am a Ranger and I'm not sure if the Infiltrator really makes up for it due to restrictions on using the Adaptations. I tried offsetting this with the Horizon Walker but these Favored Terrain Bonuses wont increase over time (although I do get Terrain Mastery, etc).
So my question to you, the Paizo community, is this:
Is this build really worth it or should I just stick to a basic Ranger?
Adopted does not give you a racial feature. It merely allows you to choose a trait that's usually restricted by Race (instead of Region/Religion/etc).
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Honestly, if your DM plans to keep you in one or two types of territory for the whole game, Favored Terrain is amazing. But if he's not, then the Infiltrator's nifty toys are really good.
And Lemmy is right, you can't use the Adopted trait to get a racial feature/trait of another race. You can only use it to pick from a specific list of race traits.
Adopted does not give you a racial feature. It merely allows you to choose a trait that's usually restricted by Race (instead of Region/Religion/etc).
*checks the rule book again*
Oh... Well, s~#~. Guess my first time reading it, I must'v gotten so excited about it that I missed that part! lol. Thanks for pointing that out.
Okay, so any suggestions on a Trait that I should take since 'Adopted' pretty much opens the flood gates to traits I can use?
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Magical Knack is really good for Rangers who keep their spellcasting (it makes your effective caster level equal to your Ranger level - 1, instead of your Ranger level - 3). This makes your buffs last longer, makes your spells more potent, etc.
Other than that, there should be a page on the d20pfsrd that lists all of the race traits. You might be better off just looking at the guide to Traits that's in the Guide to the Class Guides, instead of sticking to Adopted. Lots of good information in that Google doc.
For a Ranger, I'd get Magical Knack and Indomitable Faith (or any other that boosts your will save). Reactionary is also a nice choice, and you can always use a trait to turn a skill you like into a class skill with an extra +1 trait bonus.
But Magical Knack/Indomitable Faith are probably the most useful.
Personally, I love Favored Terrain, specially since they created the spell that lets you treata single type of terrain as one of your favored terrains during 1h/caster level...
I don't remember its name, though...
EDIT: I found it. It's half the duration I thought it had, but still, a nice trick.
That said, I like the Infiltrator's adaptations as well, so it's more about preference than optimization.
With a name like yours I think you should play a Cavalier.
I've looked through the Cavalier and I have 2 words for it.
Feat Whore.
The Cavalier could be useful in a full scale war when you have a s%+$ ton of warriors who could use the extra feats but in an adventuring group?
Meh. I only chose that username because my last name is Ulrich and that's what Will in A Knights Tale called himself.
For a Ranger, I'd get Magical Knack and Indomitable Faith (or any other that boosts your will save). Reactionary is also a nice choice, and you can always use a trait to turn a skill you like into a class skill with an extra +1 trait bonus.
But Magical Knack/Indomitable Faith are probably the most useful.
Personally, I love Favored Terrain, specially since they created the spell that lets you treata single type of terrain as one of your favored terrains during 1h/caster level...
I don't remember its name, though...
EDIT: I found it. It's half the duration I thought it had, but still, a nice trick.
That said, I like the Infiltrator's adaptations as well, so it's more about preference than optimization.
'Terrain Bond', eh? I dont think I've ever seen that one. I'll have to look it up and see if Ranger's get it at all.
Edit: Duh! I checked your link for the title of that spell but forgot I could use it to see what Class has it available. lol.
Why wouldn't rangers be able to cast the spell? They are the only base class with Favored Terrain!
Well, save for the occasional archetype, but most spells are not made with those in mind... ^^
Infiltrator's tricks are cool, but otherwise I would say Skrimisher. I played one. AMAZING.
Trade off spells which I'll probably never use for a bunch of tricks which will probably frustrate the DM to no end and thus generate lolz? COOL!
I just looked up Skirmisher and the first thing I thought was "how in the world did I not see this one before!?". I think I just found my new favorite Archetype! Thanks for pointing it out friend!
I still find it funny that a Scout Sniper Rogue can be a better skirmisher than a Skirmisher Ranger...
Please don't play an archer, they're unutterably dull.
My Elf Fighter(Archer) would disagree.
Please don't play an archer, they're unutterably dull.
How 'bout we sit down at a gaming table and find out which character is dullest, hmm?
My Composite Longbow with +1 for being Heirloom Weapon (not to mention my spells and rate of fire) versus you're AC. There's no way you can beat a tricked out Ranger, especially when the player knows what they're doing!
Don't need a gaming table, you're doing just fine on-line :-)Please don't play an archer, they're unutterably dull.How 'bout we sit down at a gaming table and find out which character is dullest, hmm?
My Composite Longbow with +1 for being Heirloom Weapon (not to mention my spells and rate of fire) versus you're AC. There's no way you can beat a tricked out Ranger, especially when the player knows what they're doing!
The Game. You've just lost it.