Help with zen archer development


Advice


I’m a level 8 human unchained zen archer monk (based off of the Everyman Unchained Monk Archetypes). Our current party consist of a homebrew half-orc barbarian, a nagaji summoner, a oread cleric of Torag and a human inquisitor/cleric of Sarenrae. I’m having trouble deciding which path my character should take, as I’m trying to add something with that has more utility and is a bit more interesting to play other than being a lie detector and spamming full round flurry of blows. With this archetype I get the following class abilities:

• Weapon proficiency with Bow weapon group instead of monk weapon group
• Additional flurry of blow at level 11 (like the normal unchained monks)
• Reflexive shot at level 9: AoO with a bow
• Trick Shot at level 12: same as the zen archer
• Ki focus Bow at level 13: same as the zen archer
• Maneuver shots at level 5 and every 4 levels: I designate 1 attack to additionally add a combat maneuver and if that attack hits, I can perform the combat maneuver. Combat maneuvers options are bull rush, dirty trick, disarm, reposition, sunder, and trip. I picked trip at level 5.
• At level 15, I can designate 2 attacks in a flurry of blows as a maneuver shots.
• Ki powers as normal except for the level 4 and 12 ki power (zen archery and trick shot replaces theses)

Otherwise class abilities are the same as the chained zen archer and the unchained monk.
o https://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/monk/archetypes/paizo-monk-ar chetypes/zen-archer/
o https://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/unchained-classes/monk-unchained

It seems that my options are to either multiclass now at level 9, after level 11, after level 13 or stay as a zen archer the entire way through. The issue I’m having is what classes or feats would help with this. I am open to any and all suggestions. My original plan(s) was to go to level 13 so I can apply stunning fist and touch of serenity to my ranged attacks or to 15 and somehow make use of dirty tricks. The only thing I know I’m not allowed to do is take a dip into an empyreal sorcerer (supposedly conflicts with DM’s story plans for my character), and retrain class levels. My stats and proposed build are listed below. Again I’m open to any ideas Thank you in advance for your time and help.

Str: 17 Dex: 14 Con: 16 Int: 14 Wis: 21 Cha: 8
Human Bonus Feat: Deadly Aim
Monk 1 feats//Class: Dodge/ Improved Unarmed Strike, Point Blank Shot, Perfect strike//Flurry of Blows (1st bonus attack)
Monk 2 feat: Weapon Focus: longbow, Precise Shot
Monk 3 feat//Class: Cosmopolitan// Fast Movement, Ki pool, Ki strike: magic
Monk 4 feat//Class: Point Blank Master// Zen Archery
Monk 5 feat//Class: Iron Will// Maneuver shot: trip (1/round), Ki arrows
Monk 6 feats//Class: Weapon Specialization: longbow, Improved precise shot// Ki power: Ki metabolism
Monk 7 feat//Class: Clustered Shots// Ki strike: cold iron/silver
Monk 8 Class: Insightful Wisdom

Planned Feats// Class Abilities to take
Monk 9 feats//Class: Touch of Serenity/ Reflexive shot, Maneuver shot: bull rush or disarm
Monk 10 feats//Class: Pinpoint Targeting or Improved Critical: longbow// Abundant Step, Ki strike: lawful
Monk 11 feat//Class: Stunning Fist// Flurry of Blows (2nd bonus attack)
Monk 12 Class: Trick Shot
Monk 13 feat//Class: Crushing Blow// Maneuver Shot: Bull Rush or disarm, Ki focus Bow
Monk 14 feat//Class: Pinpoint Targeting or Improved Critical: longbow// Ki power: Diamond Soul
Monk 15 feat//Class: Paralyzing strike or another bonus feat bonus feat// Maneuver shot: 2/round
Monk 16 Class: Ki power: Ki volley, ki strike: adamantine
Monk 17 feat//Class: Paralyzing strike or another bonus feat// Timeless Body, Maneuver Shot: reposition or dirty trick
Monk 18 feat//Class: Snatch Arrows// Ki power: Quivering Palm
Monk 19 feat//Class: bonus feat// Flawless mind
Monk 20 Class: Perfect Self, Ki power: Empty Body

Sovereign Court

Arsenal Chaplain Warpriest plays beautifully with Zen Archer. A single level of Medium of the Master is an amazing dip for any archer. Sanctified Slayer Inquisitor is another great choice to mix with Zen Archer.


ZᴇɴN wrote:
Arsenal Chaplain Warpriest plays beautifully with Zen Archer. A single level of Medium of the Master is an amazing dip for any archer. Sanctified Slayer Inquisitor is another great choice to mix with Zen Archer.

all interesting options. a few questions for archetypes you suggested. for the sanctified slayer inquisitor, how exactly would ranged attacks with a longbow work? also how much of a dip would you suggest for the warpriest and for the sanctified slayer?

Also any interesting feats that would go well with either the zen archer or the suggested archetypes?

Sovereign Court

For both Sanctified Slayer Inquisitor and Arsenal Chaplain Warpriest you'll want a minimum of 5 levels, for Studied Target and Bane, or for Fervor and Weapon Training, respectively. Ideally, though, you'd want to go to either 7 or 10, for 3rd or 4th level spells. You could end up with something like Zen Archer 12/SS or AC 7/Medium 1.


ZᴇɴN wrote:
For both Sanctified Slayer Inquisitor and Arsenal Chaplain Warpriest you'll want a minimum of 5 levels, for Studied Target and Bane, or for Fervor and Weapon Training, respectively. Ideally, though, you'd want to go to either 7 or 10, for 3rd or 4th level spells. You could end up with something like Zen Archer 12/SS or AC 7/Medium 1.

I'm really liking the medium of the master dip. Flavor wise works really well with my character. With the zen archer 8/ Medium 1, would it be worth it to sacrifice more of the zen archer abilities get more out of either Sanctified Slayer or Arsenal Chaplain? Would you consider stacking other archetypes with sanctified slayer or keep it as is? My campaign might not have a level 20 cap, all depending on how long the campaign plus our character stories last. If so would class would be better to get more out of, zen archer, sanctified slayer or arsenal chaplain? I can see the pros and cons for each.

Also thank you for all the help so far.I really appreciate it.

Sovereign Court

Yeah, Medium of the Master is both strong and flavorful.

If you're going to put more levels into something, Arsenal Chaplain is definitely the way to go. Tick up Weapon Training, plus get better spells to buff yourself with. Divine Favor is great, but it's way better when you start giving yourself Divine Power instead.


ZᴇɴN wrote:

Yeah, Medium of the Master is both strong and flavorful.

If you're going to put more levels into something, Arsenal Chaplain is definitely the way to go. Tick up Weapon Training, plus get better spells to buff yourself with. Divine Favor is great, but it's way better when you start giving yourself Divine Power instead.

Thanks. I've decided to go the warpriest route. Thank you for all your help. I have 2 more questions. How important would and extra flurry of blows be in the long run? I like the idea of 2 free full BAB attacks in addition to any buffs, but I also like the idea of getting more spells and buffs earlier. I'm debating on one of the 2 routes.

Route A: UC Zen archer 8/ Medium of the master 1/ UC Zen archer 3/ Arsenal Chaplain 8 or X

Route B: UC Zen archer 8/Medium of the master 1/ Arsenal Chaplain 11 or X

X = rest of campaign levels if we go over level 20 (DM said we might go over 20 a little bit).

Feat wise, I'm considering taking martial focus and burrowing shot at some point for some extra damage and debuff with arrows, and additional traits to get fates favored and magical knack. Are there any other feats that would be worth taking for this build?

Community / Forums / Pathfinder / Pathfinder First Edition / Advice / Help with zen archer development All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.