Hi everyone,
I have been creating a guide on the Arcane Archer and I would like some input on it. It focuses more on ranging than using magic.
Thanks,
bakourage
What release did you find the warbow in?
There is a tragic lack of fighter love, and considering the Child of Acavana and Amaznen was basically made for this, you might want to consider typing up about that class.
You may also want to consider, for the sake of completion, bringing up the Eldritch Knight. one of my players has opted only to take 2 levels of Arcane Archer and end his progression with Eldritch Knight so his net CL loss can be mitigated.
Generally speaking, single class entry is better for prestige class progression, but I like how you've pointed out that half-elves function as well.
It is unclear if the Dandy (Ranger) casts arcane spells, since he uses an arcane list but a psychic chassis on a divine class, but that might also be worth looking into for single class entry.
The warbow is a 3rd party weapon I found through Tripod Machine.
I hadn't thought about the fighter as ranging until you just suggested it. That's a great idea and I shall incorporate it.
The Eldritch Knight was something I was considering to write about. Maybe at the end I could do a multi prestige class section.
Thank you for your input master_marshmallow!
It is unclear if the Dandy (Ranger) casts arcane spells, since he uses an arcane list but a psychic chassis on a divine class, but that might also be worth looking into for single class entry.
This could be awesome, but I guess Dandy is still divine, as it doesn't explicitely say otherwise.
Bloodrager can do a very nice single class entry at full BAB. You probably want the Destines blood line, because all others are very melee-focused.
You should make clear, that their are two reasons for the AA.
1) Increase the range of certain spells, that either have low range or no range at all, e.g. bursts. The prime example being Antimagic field. This will be for caster focused AAs.
2) Increase versatility on your archery skills. Become a trick archer.
Bloodrager can do a very nice single class entry at full BAB. You probably want the Destines blood line, because all others are very melee-focused.
You should make clear, that their are two reasons for the AA.
1) Increase the range of certain spells, that either have low range or no range at all, e.g. bursts. The prime example being Antimagic field. This will be for caster focused AAs.
2) Increase versatility on your archery skills. Become a trick archer.
I'll have to take a look at the Bloodrager. Full BAB is really nice. I fell the Wizard and Sorcerer are hindered by half BAB. Magus isn't too bad with 3/4 though. You make some good points on why you would want to prestige with the Arcane Archer. Thanks Ellioti.
I just realized I refer to Damage Rolls as DR in my guide. This might be confusing for some because DR could also mean Damage Reduction. Do you guys think I should specifically say Damage Roll each time?
Don't forget the wild blooded archetypes for the sorcerer, changing their casting stat to int or wisdom can make some races/builds better
Good suggestion Declindgrunt.
Wow! The Arrowsong Minstrel looks like a great class to use to build into an Arcane Archer.
Take Zen Archer then Empyreal Sorcerer
That would be really cool.
1) Spellstrike doesn't work with a ranged weapon by default. So either you need to call out that it's meant to me more of a switch-hitter, or note that you need to be a Myrmidarch Magus or Eldritch Archer to use it with a bow. (You'll probably also want to also call out that Eldritch Archer isn't PFS legal).
Yeah, I am still in the process of working on this guide. I was thinking the build could be a switch-hitter. I'm not too sure yet. Any thoughts on which you would do?
2) Taking the two level range dip nets you an extra feat, but doesn't actually get you into the prestige class any faster than if you went Magus 8 to get 6 BAB. So you trade an extra feat that doesn't speed up access to the class and just delayed your level 3 spells until level 10, when you would have been getting level 4 spells had you been a normal magus.
That is a very good point. I thought that maybe getting that bonus feat would be beneficial but as you pointed out it is quite hinder-some as it comes to spells.
Thank you all for the advice so far. I hope it keeps coming.
The first post I made I can't edit anymore to change the link so here is an updated version of my guide.
This is still a WIP and I could use your suggestions and other inputs to make this a useful guide.
Thanks again,
bakourage
zen archer 8 levels
eldritch archer 2 levels
arcane archer 10 levels
The Monk in general is a great class and the Zen Archer is amazing.
The Eldritch Archer is very nice but as cavernshark said its not PFS legal.Using a level 4 Myrmidarch and level 6 Zen Archer is still pretty good.
Thanks for the suggestion helhir blaze.