My Attempt a decent ranged attacker.

[Deaths_ward]

What I tried to do was create a range specced character that was pretty darn lethal with a bow, but that when needed could switch into TWF, but is also capable of self buffing with UMD (maybe even healing with a Shroud CHA skills item). Take into account it's done as a 32 point build, and a +2 STR, +2 DEX tome, and a +1 WIS tome are included (I have them set asside for when I finally do this). I'm looking for comments/critiques, and anyone that comes through and says Ranged Combat isn't worth it can suck a donkey phallus.

Level 16 Neutral Good Elf Male (8Fighter/2Rogue/6Ranger)
Hit Points: 208
Spell Points: 45
BAB: 15/15/20/2525
Fortitude: 11
Reflex: 20
Will: 4
Starting Ability Scores
STR: 14
DEX: 20
CON: 10
INT: 10
WIS: 10
CHA: 10
LVL 16 Stats (After Enhancements, with no items)
STR: 18
DEX: 30
CON: 10
INT: 10
WIS: 11
CHA: 10
Ending Skills (After Enhancements, and Skill Focus UMD)
Balance: 10
Hide: 25
Jump: 12
Move Silently: 25
Spot: 13
Swim: 11
Tumble: 11
Use Magic Device: 22

Levels
Level 1 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Elemental
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Finesse

Level 2 (Ranger)

Level 3 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons

Level 4 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: DEX

Level 5 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider

Level 6 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot

Level 7 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Precise Shot

Level 8 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: DEX
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons

Level 9 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness

Level 10 (Rogue)

Level 11 (Fighter)

Level 12 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: DEX
Feat: (Selected) Improved Precise Shot
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Ranged Weapons

Level 13 (Fighter)

Level 14 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Two Weapon Fighting

Level 15 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Skill Focus: Use Magic Device

Level 16 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: DEX
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Ranger Skill Boost I
Enhancement: Ranger Skill Boost II
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost II
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity II
Enhancement: Elf Ranged Attack I
Enhancement: Elf Ranged Attack II
Enhancement: Elf Ranged Damage I
Enhancement: Elf Ranged Damage II
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage II
Enhancement: Ranger Deepwood Sniper I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I
Enhancement: Ranger Hide I
Enhancement: Ranger Hide II
Enhancement: Ranger Move Silently I
Enhancement: Ranger Move Silently II
Enhancement: Ranger Energy of the Wild I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness III

I used the fighter levels to compensate for the ranged feats that you miss out on for the ranger levels, and it gives access to Fighter STRII, and Toughness III. The rogue levels add a little bit of damage through backstab damage, and the +3 Damage enhancement, but with a +6 Dex, and +6 Str item, and a +5 Longbow damage/to hit should look something like.

To Hit
15 (Base)+13 (Dex)+5 (Bow)+1 (WP Focus)+2 (Elf Ranged Attack)=36 (40 with greater heroism from a gird/scroll/caster)
Damage
Assuming Minimum for my own reasons
1 (Base)+7 (Str)+5 (Bow)+2 (WP Specialization)+2 (Elf Ranged Damage)=17 minimum (18 with ram's might) which gives a minimum of 51 points on crit (more if it's a sniper shot).

Damage isn't great, but you're going to be hard pressed to miss whatever you decide to take a shot at, and even if the damage is somewhat light, it's a lot easier to bypass DR with bows and arrows, and for undead use a transmuter to get through the bludgeoning/slashing DR.

And HP shouldn't be to much of a problem with a decent CON item, and Minos Legens. AC also shouldn't be to big of an obstacle to overcome.

What I want to know is what people think about the build and if there are changes they would make to suit their play style because I'm still slightly iffy on some of it.

[Turial]

My ranged combat build sits at 250ish hp and I find it to be on the low side. I would recomend bumping the con score up.

[Deaths_ward]

I had thought about dropping the dex 1 maybe 2 points to get CON and either CHA or INT up. Mostly because I like HP and Skill Points, but Since it's a primary source for pretty much all of this builds attack bonus I'm slightly hesitant. Though with GFL, a +6 CON item, Minos Legens and Draconic vitality he would hit 314

Optimal Gear would be (and I have most of it just a couple pieces are bound so I'd have to run him for those, and I have the stuff to craft the goggles)

Trinket: Head of Good Fortune/Voice of the Master/Mummified Bat
Necklace: +6 CON
Head: Minos Legen
Goggle: Shroud CHA Skills Goggles (Will also add a heft sum to SP extending the use of Ram's Might)
Body: White Scale Robe
Wrist: STR +6 Bracers
Ring: +6 Dex ( already have one)
Boot: +6 Dex/Madstone
Glove: Seven Fingered/+6 Dex
Ring: Protection +5
Belt: Disease Immunity of GFL
Cloak: Resistance +5 RR: Drow, Elf (Yes I have it.)

The Boot & Glove situation works out like this. If I'm wearing the Madstone I'm not gonna be UMDing anything so I swap the 7-Fingered for +6 Dex, and Vice Versa. If I can't get the Madstone Boots or the 7-Fingered Gloves with him I'd probably got for Dex gloves and 30% striders.

[maddmatt70]

This is a little bit like my ranged build who is a 12 fighter 4 ranger. I would highly recommend you change strength and dex around - I would go with an 18 str and a 16 dex with level ups into dex. My ranged character with 18 str and 18 dex starting never misses with a bow - I do have shot on the run however which helps when moving or kiting what have you. Why not weapon specialization ranged for a feat - I would take that over skill focus umd and with a change in strength score you could get rid of weapon finesse. Its 2 points more damage.

[Deaths_ward]

Weapon Specialization Ranged is on there, if you're talking abour Grtr Special. Don't have enough Fighter levels, and I'm not willing to give up the UMD, besides with items and spells he should hit 26 STR anyways, with Rage pots, and possibly madstone rage it'll be 30. That's plenty for me. I've never been a big fan of shot on the run unless you already qualify with your build, and you have a spare feat. I just don't like sacrificing to hit for damage on that scale, and the DEX gives me AC which will be kind of a big thing when you end up toe to toe with a mob that needs to be melee'd.

[krud]

I don't think it's necessary to max dex in order to be able to hit everything. You could drop to 18 dex, and bump up to a 14con and 14str, or go with 12 con and 16 str. With the elf bow enhancements, and ranged feats you'll still hit everything.

[Gunga]

Listen man. Do yourself a favor and join the 30/30 club (at least 30 Str and 30 Dex). You're also going to want 330-350 hp if you're an elf.

Also, I started out building my ranger for ranged only combat with the sniper enhancement. I tossed sniper, got tempest and joined the crowd. My ranger is a beast and a lot of fun to play.

[Kalanth]

What about Ranger 2 / Barbarian 14 using the feats available for TWF and getting Barbarian Crit Rage? I have seen that a couple of times to great effect. Might not be viable, as this is more a passing thought than anything.

[geoffhanna]

Multi-shot is the best part of ranging; extra ranger levels = extra shots. I also note that almost all the fighter feats you are taking are free in the ranger line. Toughness enhancement isn't. But that can be compensated with gear or by taking some of the other CON suggestiosn in this thread.

Also, why the rogue? UMD, right? If you take the rogue level first you get extra skill points. Then the question becomes 'why the second level of rogue?'

Regardless, looks like a fun build!

[DaveyCrockett]

Multi-shot is the best part of ranging; extra ranger levels = extra shots.

Feat: Manyshot
By activating this ability, you can shoot multiple arrows simultaneously for a time. With a Base Attack Bonus of 10 and under you can shoot two arrows, from 11 to 15 you can shoot 3, and at 16 and up you can shoot 4 at once.

The increased shots has nothing to do with ranger levels.

[maddmatt70]

good point. have a divine power clicky for when you do a manyshot. Without max base attack you loose an arrow.

[geoffhanna]

Feat: Manyshot
By activating this ability, you can shoot multiple arrows simultaneously for a time. With a Base Attack Bonus of 10 and under you can shoot two arrows, from 11 to 15 you can shoot 3, and at 16 and up you can shoot 4 at once.

The increased shots has nothing to do with ranger levels.

Ooooh nice. I did not know this.

[Kalanth]

Ooooh nice. I did not know this.

Its a wonderful thing and makes my Paladin 10 / Ranger 6 nasty with a bow for a short time.