Kapow (18 Sorcerer/2 Ranger) Unconventional Sorcerer with Arcane Archer

[phreek]

Hey guys, was a bit bored at work, so thought I'd come up with a new unconventional build.

Before you dismiss this build, and think that this is a waste of time let me say this.

This is meant to be a Sorcerer (mainly), only that it has added some frosting on the cake.
In no way do I mean that Arcane Archer is supposed to be your main source of damage. Simply put, it will never be.

Level 20 True Neutral Elf Male
(2 Ranger / 18 Sorcerer)

34 Point Build (Past life: Wizard)

Strength 22 (14 Base + 2 Tome + 6 Item)
Dexterity 26 (16 Base + 2 Tome + 6 Item + 2 Exceptional)
Constitution 22 (14 Base + 2 Tome + 6 Item)
Intelligence 12 (10 Base + 2 Tome)
Wisdom 10 (08 Base + 2 Tome)
Charisma 36 (16 Base +5 Levels + 3 Tome + 3 Exceptional + 3 Enhancment + 6 Item)
---------------------------------

UMD:

11 Ranks
13 CHA
04 GH
02 Luck
06 Greensteel
03 Golden Cartouche
----
39 UMD = Nofail Heal scrolls

---------------------------------
FEATS AND LEVEL PROGRESSION:

Level 1 (Sorcerer)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Wizard

Level 2 (Sorcerer)

Level 3 (Sorcerer)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell

Level 4 (Sorcerer)

Level 5 (Sorcerer)

Level 6 (Sorcerer)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell

Level 7 (Sorcerer)

Level 8 (Sorcerer)

Level 9 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Construct
Feat: (Selected) Toughness

Level 10 (Sorcerer)

Level 11 (Sorcerer)

Level 12 (Sorcerer)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons

Level 13 (Sorcerer)

Level 14 (Sorcerer)

Level 15 (Sorcerer)
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot

Level 16 (Sorcerer)

Level 17 (Sorcerer)

Level 18 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Manyshot

Level 19 (Sorcerer)

Level 20 (Sorcerer)

------------------------------------
ENHANCMENTS:

Sorcerer enhancments:

Enhancement: Sorcerer Improved Maximizing I
Enhancement: Sorcerer Energy of the Dragonblooded II
Enhancement: Sorcerer Elemental Manipulation IV
Enhancement: Sorcerer Lineage of Elements III
Enhancement: Sorcerer Lineage of Deadly Elements III
Enhancement: Sorcerer Charisma III
Enhancement: Sorcerer Spell Penetration III

Elven Enhancments:

Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Elven Enchantment Resistance I
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Attack I
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Damage I
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Acid Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Explosive Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Burst Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Terror Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Slaying Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +5 Arrows

---------------------------------
HP:

HP:

20 Base
72 Sorcerer
16 Ranger
30 GFL
45 Greensteel
120 CON
52 Toughness & enhancments
10 Draconic
----
365
---------------------------------


Pro's:

Almost the full casting ability of a 20th Sorcerer
Alternate DPS

Con's:

Divine Power clickies for max use of Manyshot
Low HP
2 DC's behind an equally geared Drow Sorc (See example below)
Miss out on two 9th level spells and one 8th
All the goodies come at level 20 (Wail of Banshee and Slaying Arrows)

Example:
20 base
05 lvlup
06 item
03 exceptional
03 enhancement
03 tome
=40

DC wise this build won't loose out that much, but of course it will be behind.

The reasoning behind this build, is mainly where caster classes consider themselves a bit useless. Shavarath!
Also after emptying your SP pool, you'll have some sort of backup regarding contributing to DPS.

HP will be a bit low on this toon for my taste, but than again - not that many sorcerers manage to get it much higher.

Was just looking for some feedback on this, because i just might TR my Wiz into this.

[unbongwah]

I don't know if this is a good build idea, buuuut...

I would take ranger 1 at 1st level to maximize your skill points and ranger 2 between lvls 8 - 10: i.e., after your +2 INT tome kicks in so you're ranger 2 / sorcerer 8 by lvl 10 so you can take AA then. Would have to take WF Ranged & PBS earlier in that case.

Have you considered wizard instead? Fewer SPs of course but you'd get 4 free metamagic feats which would let you take some more ranged feats. And you'd get your spells a level sooner to take the sting out of taking ranger at first. Plus that makes INT your caster stat, so fringe benefit is a lot more skill points.

I might consider rogue 2 / ranger 1 / wizard 17: give up free Rapid Shot & TWF, but opens up rogue skills and gets you Evasion & Rogue Haste Boost while still getting lvl 9 spells. Big hit to spell points though. Hmmm...

[phreek]

This is just an outcast that i threw together. Although it's not one of the worst builds out there, I wouldn't say it's the best. That's for sure.

The reason i went with sorcerer instead, is because i'm looking for those SP's that you mention. Although a Wizard would fit the concept more than a sorc, i just can't see myself TR'ing into a Wizard. Why? Cause of those sweet SP's you speak of.

I also just wanted to add this build to the forum, just to spice up the build ideas a bit. :)

[OldAquarian]

This is just an outcast that i threw together. Although it's not one of the worst builds out there, I wouldn't say it's the best. That's for sure.

The reason i went with sorcerer instead, is because i'm looking for those SP's that you mention. Although a Wizard would fit the concept more than a sorc, i just can't see myself TR'ing into a Wizard. Why? Cause of those sweet SP's you speak of.

I also just wanted to add this build to the forum, just to spice up the build ideas a bit. :)

rogue 2 / ranger 1 / wizard 17:
Since you would be shooting whenever manyshot is available, your SP would effectively be much more than a normal Wizard roughly 20% more

You also gain UMD and many of the other benefits of the popular 18/2 split - shame you can't be WF :)

I would say this seems like more fun than a non WF 18 / 2