Arcane Archer cleric

[DoctorWhofan]

I know, I know! I have a friend who is stuck on ranged combat and getting a little depressed and feeling useless. He dislikes melee, hates arcane casting, is curious about healing this was my solution. Notthe perfect build but maybe good for helping someone out of their "Hunter/thief" fix.

Help me twink this along so it is at least a viable shot. Looking more of an combat casting/healing arcane Archer.

NOTE: FvS is probably a good idea also.

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

Lennier 
Level 20 Lawful Good Elf Male
(1 Ranger \ 19 Cleric) 
Hit Points: 200
Spell Points: 1606 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 14
Reflex: 10
Will: 18

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats         Base Stats         Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)          (Level 20)           (Level 20)
Strength             15                 15                   15
Dexterity            13                 13                   15
Constitution         13                 13                   13
Intelligence          8                  8                    8
Wisdom               17                 22                   25
Charisma              8                  8                    8

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills        Base Skills        Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)          (Level 20)          (Level 20)
Balance               1                  2                    2
Bluff                -1                 -1                   -1
Concentration         5                 24                   26
Diplomacy            -1                 -1                   -1
Disable Device       n/a               n/a                   n/a
Haggle               -1                 -1                   -1
Heal                  7                 11                   11
Hide                  1                  2                    2
Intimidate           -1                 -1                   -1
Jump                  6                  6                    6
Listen                3                  7                    9
Move Silently         1                  2                    2
Open Lock             n/a               n/a                   n/a
Perform              n/a               n/a                   n/a
Repair               -1                 -1                   -1
Search                3                  3                    5
Spot                  3                  7                    9
Swim                  2                  2                    2
Tumble                n/a               n/a                   n/a
Use Magic Device      1                  1                    1

Level 1 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Giant
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot
Feat: (Automatic) Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Bow Strength
Feat: (Automatic) Defensive Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Elven Keen Senses
Feat: (Automatic) Enchantment Save Bonus
Feat: (Automatic) Heroic Durability
Feat: (Automatic) Immunity to Sleep
Feat: (Automatic) Light Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Shield Proficiency (General)
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Sneak
Feat: (Automatic) Sunder
Feat: (Automatic) Trip
Feat: (Automatic) Wild Empathy


Level 2 (Cleric)
Feat: (Automatic) Heavy Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Magical Training
Feat: (Automatic) Medium Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Turn Undead


Level 3 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Mental Toughness


Level 4 (Cleric)


Level 5 (Cleric)


Level 6 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell


Level 7 (Cleric)


Level 8 (Cleric)


Level 9 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Precise Shot


Level 10 (Cleric)


Level 11 (Cleric)


Level 12 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Spell Penetration


Level 13 (Cleric)


Level 14 (Cleric)


Level 15 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell


Level 16 (Cleric)


Level 17 (Cleric)


Level 18 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Quicken Spell


Level 19 (Cleric)


Level 20 (Cleric)
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity II
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Attack I
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Attack II
Enhancement: Follower of the Silver Flame
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Defense I
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +2 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer I
Enhancement: Cleric Concentration I
Enhancement: Cleric Concentration II
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Smiting I
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Smiting II
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Life I
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Life II
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Incredible Smiting I
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Incredible Life I
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Incredible Life II
Enhancement: Cleric Smiting I
Enhancement: Cleric Smiting II
Enhancement: Cleric Smiting III
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic I
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic II
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic III
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic IV
Enhancement: Cleric Improved Spell Penetration I
Enhancement: Cleric Improved Spell Penetration II
Enhancement: Cleric Energy of the Zealot I
Enhancement: Cleric Energy of the Zealot II
Enhancement: Cleric Energy of the Zealot III
Enhancement: Cleric Energy of the Zealot IV
Enhancement: Cleric Wisdom I
Enhancement: Cleric Wisdom II
Enhancement: Cleric Wisdom III

[Visty]

you know youre missin weapon focus so you cant be AA?
also ranged without manyshot IS worhtless

[Kriogen]

Replace "cleric" with "bard". Tell your friend bards get divine spells.

[Missing_Minds]

I know, I know! I have a friend who is stuck on ranged combat and getting a little depressed and feeling useless. He dislikes melee, hates arcane casting, is curious about healing this was my solution. Notthe perfect build but maybe good for helping someone out of their "Hunter/thief" fix.

Help me twink this along so it is at least a viable shot. Looking more of an combat casting/healing arcane Archer.

NOTE: FvS is probably a good idea also.

If he hates arcane casting, he'll probalby hate divine casting as well.

Also, the rate of fire of the bow is going to be a huge issue for casting because the entier "shoot" animation has to complete before casting even begins. This is a loss of 1.5-2 seconds at low levels to 1 at high levels. I don't know about your friend, but that would irritate me to no end. That is why I didn't ever consider a divine AA combo (for myself)

I have built warchanter AA bards though, and this was before Bow Str came out as a feat. These characters were amusing.

What does your friend really enjoy doing in the game?

[Visty]

If he hates arcane casting, he'll probalby hate divine casting as well.

that i wouldnt say
i personally cant stand arcane casters (my wizard is just no fun) while i play almost only divine casters...dont ask me why
maybe his friend is similar to me

[DoctorWhofan]

If he hates arcane casting, he'll probalby hate divine casting as well.

Also, the rate of fire of the bow is going to be a huge issue for casting because the entier "shoot" animation has to complete before casting even begins. This is a loss of 1.5-2 seconds at low levels to 1 at high levels. I don't know about your friend, but that would irritate me to no end. That is why I didn't ever consider a divine AA combo (for myself)

I have built warchanter AA bards though, and this was before Bow Str came out as a feat. These characters were amusing.

What does your friend really enjoy doing in the game?

Never thought of Bard

Oh he does like Rangers, but is unhappy with ranged combat. He dislikes melee. It think he needs a "crutch" to another class. If he can see that he cna get his "archerness" and see what other classes can offer... It's just an idea.

[DoctorWhofan]

that i wouldnt say
i personally cant stand arcane casters (my wizard is just no fun) while i play almost only divine casters...dont ask me why
maybe his friend is similar to me

I perfer divine casters also. It think it's the skirt thing. THough I do love my Sorcerer (level 18) but that is the only one I really play.

[unbongwah]

I've no idea if it's any good, but I just posted a ranger / FvS archer build. Although a ranger 6 (AA) / bard 14 (WC) might also be a good combo.

EDIT: what exactly does your friend hate about arcane casting? Might make it a little easier to come up with a divine or bard build he would like.

[spifflove]

1 monk/2ranger/18 cleric [edit: 17 cleric]

14 str
18 dex + 1 tome +2 elf
12 con
08
16 + level ups
08

1) point blank shot
m1) toughness
3) mental toughness
6) maximize [later precise shot]
9) wf ranged
12) manyshot
15) ic ranged
18) improved precise shot

[unbongwah]

1 + 2 + 18 > 20

[Missing_Minds]

1 + 2 + 18 > 20

Beat me to it. *chuckles*

But Who... sounds like your friend doesn't like the game. If the player can't stand melee, doesn't like arcane casting, and complains about archery...

Well... I guess you could always give the player a repeater build.

What makes him want to play the game then?

[spifflove]

1 + 2 + 18 > 20

Much to learn, you still have Grasshopper:

Improved precise shot: Requires all of:
Summary: Dexterity 19, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Base Attack Bonus +11

[Visty]

Much to learn, you still have Grasshopper:

Improved precise shot: Requires all of:
Summary: Dexterity 19, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Base Attack Bonus +11

and you too it seems: you cant level to lvl21 yet

[Missing_Minds]

Much to learn, you still have Grasshopper:

Improved precise shot: Requires all of:
Summary: Dexterity 19, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Base Attack Bonus +11

Ouch.. now you have failed with no doubt.

1 monk + 2 ranger + 18 cleric equals what level? 21? Yeah, can't be done.

[DoctorWhofan]

Beat me to it. *chuckles*

But Who... sounds like your friend doesn't like the game. If the player can't stand melee, doesn't like arcane casting, and complains about archery...

Well... I guess you could always give the player a repeater build.

What makes him want to play the game then?

RL friend. He really likes the mechanics of the game. Just when he made the "classic" Ranger hoping for Legolas and got me with suction cup tipped arrows, was kinds disapointed. He played hunter types in other games but now...

I am trying to put some frosting on the cake, and make him realise that the cake is tasty too!

[DoctorWhofan]

Much to learn, you still have Grasshopper:

Improved precise shot: Requires all of:
Summary: Dexterity 19, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Base Attack Bonus +11

Spiff...uhm...1+2+18 = 21 still. We don't have level 21 characters yet.

[Missing_Minds]

RL friend. He really likes the mechanics of the game. Just when he made the "classic" Ranger hoping for Legolas and got me with suction cup tipped arrows, was kinds disapointed. He played hunter types in other games but now...

I am trying to put some frosting on the cake, and make him realise that the cake is tasty too!

The cake is a lie. (you know I had to.)

If he wanted Legolas, why doesn't he play LoTRO then? Did he think it was going to be nothing but easy breasing?
Hell, even Legolas pulled out blades. Any who, enough about that. Me thinks your friend got spoiled by other games which this is not. He's either going to try to get better skills or just never like it.

[spifflove]

Spiff...uhm...1+2+18 = 21 still. We don't have level 21 characters yet.

Oh, well thats what happens when you leave out context

[DoctorWhofan]

Oh, well thats what happens when you leave out context

hey! Just pointing Iwasn't the only one with bad math, that's all!

[krud]

Supposedly Zen archery is coming out, which will make a ranged cleric like this much better than currently possible. A lot depends on how they want to play this character. Do they want to level up slowly and enjoy the process, or are they more interested in how they will come out at higher levels. If it's the latter, then I would drop the ranger level. The added damage from bow strength will be useful only up to level 8 or so. After that, without many shot, it won't add much.

My ranged casting cleric focused on effect bows in the later levels (curse, disrupt, destruct, paralyze, etc). At lower levels he used elemental/pg or righteous bows for damage. When he made the switch to effect bows he took the precision feat (1/2 damage, +4 to-hit). Quickdraw also helps in the transition from ranged to casting. Seems to cut down the delay between qued arrow shots and casting/scrolling/wanding.

Stats were 12str 16dex 12con 8int 18wis 8cha.