Okay...

[Widgit]

So I read somewhere that the general agreement was that ranged damage sucked, there was a time and place for ranged, but generally no one should ever try to create a character that's 100% bow focused. Well, I threw together this build in an attempt to create a versatile character which can use both ranged and dual weapons amicably, while giving primary focus to ranged attack and damage. Tell me what you think.

It should be noted that you get Inspire Courage, Haste Boost, and Power Surge to increase overall DPS, as well as level 1 and 2 bard spells for a few buffs and minor healing.

--
Level 20
True Neutral
Human
(12 Fighter / 2 Ranger / 6 Bard)

Uses longbow / dual shortswords
Kensai II (longbow)
Warchanter
--
Starting Stats (32 point build):

Strength 15
Dexterity 17
Constitution 12
Intelligence 10
Wisdom 10
Charisma 11
--
Ending Stats

Strength 20
Dexterity 26
Constitution 14
Intelligence 12
Wisdom 12
Charisma 16

(+2 Tome to every stat by level 20)
--
LEVEL BREAK-DOWN

Level 1 (Ranger)
Feat: (Human Bonus) Dodge
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Defense I

Level 2 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Resistance I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I

Level 3 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Piercing Weapons
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I

Level 4 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Mobility
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I

Level 5 (Fighter)

Level 6 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Shot on the Run
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Specialization: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Dexterity I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery II

Level 7 (Fighter)

Level 8 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Attack
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei I
Enhancement: Kensei Longbow Mastery I

Level 9 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost III
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy III

Level 10 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Finesse
Enhancement: Fighter Longbow Specialization I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II

Level 11 (Fighter)

Level 12 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Manyshot
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Precise Shot
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost IV
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy IV

Level 13 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Human Greater Adaptability Charisma I

Level 14 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Specialization: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei II
Enhancement: Kensei Longbow Mastery II

Level 15 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Precise Shot
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery I

Level 16 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Damage I
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song I
Enhancement: Bard Charisma I

Level 17 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Attack I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength III

Level 18 (Bard)
Feat: (Selected) Force of Personality

Level 19 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Inspired Bravery II

Level 20 (Bard)
Enhancement: Bard Lingering Song II
Enhancement: Bard Warchanter I
Enhancement: Bard Charisma II

[Rheebus]

This feat doesn't apply to ranged attacks. Why are you taking it?

[Goldeneye]

A very interesting build. I like the idea of Kensai + Longbows.
Though ask yourself: Would Pure Ranger be better?

[Hokiewa]

This feat doesn't apply to ranged attacks. Why are you taking it?

it's a requirement for warchanter

[Widgit]

A very interesting build. I like the idea of Kensai + Longbows.
Though ask yourself: Would Pure Ranger be better?

pure ranger would have much lower dps than this.

[Lo_Pan]

pure ranger would have much lower dps than this.

If you do the math correctly, a pure fighter (Kensai) would do more dammage than a pure ranger. They'd also end up with more hp

[LAWPRE]

I would take favored enemy Demons or Devils (for endgame raids, etc.)

I am not a fan of Odd stats at creation. Also, ANY stats above 16 at creation seems to be frowned upon. (as with level, tomes, etc. you can easily get any stat to 25 and the primary close to 40). So, I would up the Int and Wis as opposed to Cha, Str and Dex (for better skill points and Will saves).

As I am old and comp not quite able, I find the "clickies" a bit rough. For this reason, I would not take the "boost" series. Obviously, if this is not a problem for you, drive on.

[Slink]

Not sure but this is the build I plan on trying next month.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.10
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 True Neutral Elf Male
(12 Fighter \ 2 Rogue \ 6 Ranger) 
Hit Points: 282
Spell Points: 200 
BAB: 19\19\24\29\29
Fortitude: 15
Reflex: 19
Will: 8

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             14                    25
Dexterity            18                    24
Constitution         12                    14
Intelligence         10                    12
Wisdom               12                    14
Charisma             12                    14

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 7
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 7
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 7
+3 Tome of Strength used at level 20

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               6                    12
Bluff                 1                     4
Concentration         1                     2
Diplomacy             4                    18.5
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle                1                     2
Heal                  3                     4
Hide                  8                    16
Intimidate            1                     2
Jump                  6                    12
Listen                1                     4
Move Silently         8                    17
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair                0                     1
Search                4                     8
Spot                  1                     4
Swim                  4                    10
Tumble                5                     8
Use Magic Device      5                    28

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Damage I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I


Level 2 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Rogue Skill Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy I


Level 3 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Elemental
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I


Level 4 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Attack I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Resistance I


Level 5 (Ranger)


Level 6 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Skill Focus: Use Magic Device
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost II
Enhancement: Ranger Energy of the Wild I


Level 7 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Construct
Enhancement: Rogue Damage Boost I
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Damage II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage II
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I


Level 8 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity II
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity II


Level 9 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Precise Shot
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Attack I


Level 10 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Dodge
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Attack II
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I


Level 11 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Fighter Flanking Mastery I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I


Level 12 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost II


Level 13 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II


Level 14 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Precise Shot
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei I


Level 15 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Mental Toughness
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost III
Enhancement: Kensei Longbow Mastery I


Level 16 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer I


Level 17 (Fighter)
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Arrows
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II


Level 18 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Mobility
Feat: (Selected) Shot on the Run
Enhancement: Fighter Longbow Specialization I


Level 19 (Fighter)


Level 20 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Specialization: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Kensei Longbow Mastery II
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength III
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I

I'll be sure to update how this turns out but is my first attempt at an all-ranged/arcane archer character.

GL on your build as well.

S.

[maddmatt70]

Op why not 14 bard 2 ranger 4 fighter. You miss out on so much.. no haste or displacement shoddy bard songs, etc with your current build. Really it comes to why bard at all with your build.

[Missing_Minds]

I'm guessing he's blowing all five ablity points into dex.

If I'm doing my guess work right, it means his build's bow damage may be about... 2 maybe 3 (depending on if he's using greensteel. if not we'll be about equal.) points more than me on non favored enemies at about 1 or 2 more bonus to attack. Oh wait, we'll be on equal with the attack. items that give a competence bonus to attack.
He'll have to blow attack boosts to keep up with the capstone of 25% faster shooting.

BUT, he'll be a worse at melee, I'll be beating him by 3-4 damage constantly let alone GTWF vs TWF. I've got a lot more SP than he will, and my AC will be higher as well.

Now I'll grant you the DR/5 from warchanter will be nice (hence why he chose power attack) but the duration of it is going to suck, let alone he's going to be running without it for a long long time. LIke... the characters complete leveling life.

The one minor suggestion I have, OP is to take your level of Bard first if you can. You'll get more skill points that way if it matters.