Arcane Ranger (A build by request)

[sigtrent]

From Sigtrent's Build Request Thread

Build Name: Strongbow Mage
Author: Sigfried Trent
Requester: Terlan
Last Updated: 06/30/10

Key Words [Arcane Archer, Wizard]

Objectives
The request was for a ranger 2, wizard X that was much like an arcane archer. Mind you arcane archer didn’t exist at the time. Now that it does its certainly a bit easier to do. Feats are always an issue with arcane archers so you have to focus the casting side somewhat. I chose to focus on damage casting since multi class inherently hurts control casting. The original was 28pts and I decided to stick with that for the update. Since its 28 I didn’t spec any tomes.

Design
Elf is a given since we are building a wizard. Ranger 2 is a good start for arcane archer and since we will have bow strength I gave the build a decent strength score. Wisdom and dex are next and as much con as you can muster. From there I chose to focus most on dexterity since base attack bonus is low, you need all the accuracy you can muster. The final fighter level is there to pick up Improved Precise shot, something a pure wizard arcane archer can’t get.

On the ranged side you get a full cadre of ranged bow feats which gives you a lot of tools to work with. Ranged DPS is not phenomenal due to the compromised BAB and modest strength. But it is “decent” as you are adding strong damage effects and you can buff up your combat abilities decently. For solo play this will greatly extend your mana letting you save spells for emergencies rather than them being your bread and butter. You do need to keep in mind you need a reserve to make arcane archer work.

On the casting side I went with a damage focus, primarily in acid/lightning, but with a minor in firewall and scorching ray. Max/Empower is coupled with Quicken and Expand. Quicken is great for solo play or throwing firewalls while being kited around and it helps minimize casting time when you want to be firing the bow. Expand lets you get spells out to a range closer to that of the bow and I think is a good thematic fit for the build.

There is also a nice stealth element to the build and when solo if you can avoid instead of kill it will pay dividends in mana conservation.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.34
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 True Neutral Elf Male
(1 Fighter \ 2 Ranger \ 17 Wizard) 
Hit Points: 134
Spell Points: 1203 
BAB: 11\11\16\21
Fortitude: 11
Reflex: 15
Will: 9

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             14                    14
Dexterity            16                    24
Constitution         12                    12
Intelligence         16                    18
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma              8                     8

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               5                    17
Bluff                -1                    -1
Concentration         5                    23
Diplomacy            -1                    -1
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle               -1                    -1
Heal                 -1                    -1
Hide                  7                    19
Intimidate           -1                    -1
Jump                  6                    13
Listen                3                     6
Move Silently         7                    20
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform              n/a                   n/a
Repair                3                     4
Search                3                     6
Spot                  3                     7
Swim                  6                     7
Tumble                5                    17
Use Magic Device     n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Concentration (+4)
Skill: Hide (+4)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Listen (+4)
Skill: Move Silently (+4)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Skill: Swim (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+2)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Ranger Energy Resistence Boost I
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Damage I


Level 2 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Listen (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Swim (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+0.5)
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I


Level 3 (Wizard)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+0.5)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Extend Spell
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot
Enhancement: Elven Arcanum I
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Wizard Energy Manipulation I
Enhancement: Wizard Elemental Manipulation I
Enhancement: Wizard Energy of the Scholar I


Level 4 (Wizard)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+0.5)
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Attack I
Enhancement: Wizard Intelligence I


Level 5 (Wizard)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+0.5)
Enhancement: Wizard Lineage of Energy I
Enhancement: Wizard Lineage of Elements I
Enhancement: Wizard Wand Mastery I


Level 6 (Wizard)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell
Enhancement: Wizard Energy Manipulation II
Enhancement: Wizard Elemental Manipulation II


Level 7 (Wizard)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+0.5)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Quicken Spell
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Damage II


Level 8 (Wizard)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+0.5)
Enhancement: Wizard Lineage of Deadly Energy I
Enhancement: Wizard Intelligence II


Level 9 (Wizard)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell
Enhancement: Wizard Energy Manipulation III


Level 10 (Wizard)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+0.5)
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer I


Level 11 (Wizard)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+0.5)
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Acid Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +2 Arrows
Enhancement: Wizard Lineage of Energy II


Level 12 (Wizard)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Manyshot
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Mental Toughness
Enhancement: Wizard Energy Manipulation IV


Level 13 (Wizard)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+0.5)
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity II


Level 14 (Wizard)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+0.5)
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Explosive Arrows
Enhancement: Wizard Improved Maximizing I
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +3 Arrows


Level 15 (Wizard)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Wizard Lineage of Elements II
Enhancement: Wizard Lineage of Deadly Energy II


Level 16 (Wizard)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+0.5)
Enhancement: Wizard Lineage of Deadly Elements I
Enhancement: Wizard Elemental Manipulation III


Level 17 (Wizard)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+0.5)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Enlarge Spell
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Burst Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Terror Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +4 Arrows


Level 18 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Precise Shot
Enhancement: Wizard Improved Empowering I
Enhancement: Wizard Lineage of Energy III


Level 19 (Wizard)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Enhancement: Wizard Energy of the Scholar II


Level 20 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Precise Shot
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Slaying Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +5 Arrows
Enhancement: Wizard Lineage of Deadly Energy III

Play
Playing this build is not easy. You are squishy! You do not want to get pounded on as you won’t last too long. Keep any and all spell defenses up whenever there is danger of pulling agro, and keep in mind both your bows and spells are quite good at pulling agro. Displacement is a key spell for you and stoneskin is not far behind. Kiting may seem like a good answer but only if you are using tensers or the like. Your bab makes attacks pretty low, running around makes your attack score worse.

Stock up on divine power clickies. These are key for getting the most from many shot and since they last just a bit longer the short duration isn’t a problem. Hit the DP and then hit the many shot, and then fire away!

Variations
For 32pts I’d take starting dex to 18. You could go with an INT focus instead and move to more control casting but I think damage casting is the better direction for this type of build. Spell penetration becomes a bear late in the game.