Warforged Crossbow

[Gryfalcon]

Hi, I've been around DDO for a few months. And I happened to buy the warforged race with my Turbine points and I was wondering if its advisable to create a Warforge ranger using crossbow with that arcane archer enhancements.

I remember seeing 1 screenshot in one of the posts of a warforge using a great crossbow or something and I wanted to try out one myself maybe with the repeater or something.

Is it advisable too to use both bows and crossbows at the same time since the ranger class is well... a "supposed" ranged class.

I am a casual gamer so I dont need anything too fancy just to have fun and try out stuff since there are limits to what i can do in game. I just need a nice build which caters to these:

1. Warforge race
2. Crossbow user (Bow if it really can't squeeze it in, both is possible)

Thats all I am enquiring for..... I would liek to thank anyone who can help me out in advance =).

[Goldeneye]

Hi, I've been around DDO for a few months. And I happened to buy the warforged race with my Turbine points and I was wondering if its advisable to create a 1.) Warforge 2.) ranger using 3.) crossbow with that 4.) arcane archer enhancements.

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Dear GOD NO!
4. No

Warforged are a powerful race. It would be a pitty to see someone playing a warforged that was a ranged combatant. Please go Melee, it is currenty much much more effective. (Plus, crossbows are very very weak compared to most other weapons)

[Gryfalcon]

So even with all those new enchancements they still don't do good? or is there something that i've missed out?

[Memnir]

It's been said by the Devs that the Arcane Archer's Imbue effect should not apply to crossbows, and is in fact a bug they are working on.

Just a heads-up on that.

[Gryfalcon]

It's been said by the Devs that the Arcane Archer's Imbue effect should not apply to crossbows, and is in fact a bug they are working on.

Just a heads-up on that.

so it means there is no point going for crossbow with arcane enhancements? What other alternative do I have with the crossbow( any type from great to repeater) or the arcane enhancements?

[Jay203]

if you're so set on using crossbows and ranger, look into Deepwood Sniper Repeating Crossbow

[Gryfalcon]

if you're so set on using crossbows and ranger, look into Deepwood Sniper Repeating Crossbow

Isn't deep wood ability only fires 1 shot or applies to one shot? I was thinking about repeaters when you said that =P

[honkuimushi]

It's also worth pointing out that Manyshot, which is probably the most powerful of your bonus ranged feats as a Ranger, does not work with crossbows. Neither does Bowstrength, which allows your to add your Strength bonus to damage with a bow.

The fact that you can't add damage from ability scores to crossbow damage really limits those bulds past level 10. Also, Deepwood Sniper is stll on the first tier, tiers II and III have not been released yet. That really makes it pale when compared to Arcane Archer. Which is pretty sad because Acane Archer really pales in comparison to a decently build melee, even without a PrE.

Finally, the range in Ranger does not refer to ranged combat, it refers to movement. Think of them like park rangers. And if you're looking for a ranged build, first go Elf, then go pure Ranger or combing Ranger, Fighter, and an arcane splash to combine full Arcane Archer benefits with at least 2 tiers for Fighter Kensai. Warforged would do better as an offensive melee, like a Tempest, Kensai, Barbarian, even a Paladin or an arcane.

[Gryfalcon]

It's also worth pointing out that Manyshot, which is probably the most powerful of your bonus ranged feats as a Ranger, does not work with crossbows. Neither does Bowstrength, which allows your to add your Strength bonus to damage with a bow.

The fact that you can't add damage from ability scores to crossbow damage really limits those bulds past level 10. Also, Deepwood Sniper is stll on the first tier, tiers II and III have not been released yet. That really makes it pale when compared to Arcane Archer. Which is pretty sad because Acane Archer really pales in comparison to a decently build melee, even without a PrE.

Finally, the range in Ranger does not refer to ranged combat, it refers to movement. Think of them like park rangers. And if you're looking for a ranged build, first go Elf, then go pure Ranger or combing Ranger, Fighter, and an arcane splash to combine full Arcane Archer benefits with at least 2 tiers for Fighter Kensai. Warforged would do better as an offensive melee, like a Tempest, Kensai, Barbarian, even a Paladin or an arcane.

oh...... cause I have 2 melee characters and I was thinking of trying something new.... so i was thinking of range characters... I don't fancy magic so the only thing i can think off was using bows and stuff...

[Talon_Moonshadow]

AA is is supposed to be Bow only from what I hear.

I have a WF AA who I like very much.

I also have a char who uses Great Crossbows.
Which are an under appreciated weapon IMO.

And would look HUGE in WF hands.

I've long thought about build a Ranger to use Bows and Great Crossbows. And WF would robably be what I would choose....but only because of how cool it would look.

[Kriogen]

oh...... cause I have 2 melee characters and I was thinking of trying something new.... so i was thinking of range characters... I don't fancy magic so the only thing i can think off was using bows and stuff...

Goto Bard section. Bard is 3/4 combat and 2/3 caster class. Some Bards go 'caster' and some go more 'combat' and use spells they have for buffs.

If you really, really want Crossbow then Bard would be better. Ranger is better with Longbow. Has something to do with Bow Strength and Multishot.

I'd go Warforged Repeater Warchanter. DVD player with AK47

[SquelchHU]

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Dear GOD NO!
4. No

Warforged are a powerful race. It would be a pitty to see someone playing a warforged that was a ranged combatant. Please go Melee, it is currenty much much more effective. (Plus, crossbows are very very weak compared to most other weapons)

+1 rep.

All Arcane Archer does is trick people into thinking ranged combat is worthwhile now. It still isn't, unless your definition of 'effective' is 'annoys and hinders the entire party'. It does that very effectively.

It might be viable if it were not so slow, and no not being slow for 20 seconds doesn't count.

If you do make a ranged combatant, don't be surprised if the party /sits, waits for you to die, then melees the mob.

Snicker snack.

[WolfSpirit]

I sure wish crossbows were worthwhile, but truth is they are not. I made one once, Fighter with 2 levels of rogue for evasion and some UMD to be more useful to the party. Wasnt nearly useful enough. Sadly at about lv 5 I began to fall WAY behind in effectiveness. By lv 10 I just sucked. I was attacking Very Slowly... Melees were mowing stuff down so fast. It sure sounded fun, but its not all that great. I did have a guildie once that made a pure fighter heavy repeater build that Was effective. BUT he also had access to piles of resources and had all the best weapons for any scenerio. Ranged combat just isnt up to par, you will begin to feel frustrated every day more and more. Every level in DDO makes your character much more powerful. Sadly not so much for ANY type of ranged character, they just dont get the attack speed up EVER. Because I love ranged so much, I did make the best possible one. Elven pure ranger using bows, high str and dex and con, min wis to cast the spells I need. Tomes, best possible equipment and weapons, For ranged, he is awesome... its been about 18 mos since creation and even with the new enhancements he sits at lv 12, he just isnt nearly as good as my lower level melees.

[Goldeneye]

All Arcane Archer does is trick people into thinking ranged combat is worthwhile now. It still isn't, unless your definition of 'effective' is 'annoys and hinders the entire party'.

Well said!

[Glenalth]

I'd go Warforged Repeater Warchanter. DVD player with AK47

This can go fairly well and with the party buffs you are still contributing well even if you put down the crossbow entirely.

[Ghoste]

since the ranger class is well... a "supposed" ranged class.

False. The word ranger is a reference to the great distances they are constantly traveling or covering. This is the case both in D&D and for their real world counterparts. A ranged combatant is usually called an "archer".

[DToNE]

False. The word ranger is a reference to the great distances they are constantly traveling or covering. This is the case both in D&D and for their real world counterparts. A ranged combatant is usually called an "archer".

Well, I do have a self sufficient Warforged Ranged Build, but it's for a rogue, not a ranger.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.18
DDO Character Planner Home Page

DToK the Gunner
Level 20 Lawful Good Warforged Male
(2 Fighter \ 13 Rogue \ 5 Wizard) 
Hit Points: 158
Spell Points: 348 
BAB: 13\13\18\23
Fortitude: 9
Reflex: 16
Will: 6

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength              8                    10
Dexterity            18                    24
Constitution         10                    12
Intelligence         18                    24
Wisdom                6                     6
Charisma              6                     6

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               8                    30
Bluff                 2                     2
Concentration         0                     1
Diplomacy             2                     2
Disable Device        8                    30
Haggle                2                     2
Heal                 -2                    -2
Hide                  8                    30
Intimidate           -2                    -2
Jump                  2                    23
Listen               -2                    -2
Move Silently         8                    30
Open Lock             8                    30
Perform              n/a                   n/a
Repair                4                     7
Search                8                    30
Spot                  2                    21
Swim                 -1                     0
Tumble                5                     8
Use Magic Device      2                    21

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot
Feat: (Automatic) Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Composite Plating
Feat: (Automatic) Heroic Durability
Feat: (Automatic) Light Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Light Fortification
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Rapier
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Shortsword
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Shortbow
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Sneak
Feat: (Automatic) Sneak Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Trapfinding
Feat: (Automatic) Warforged Resistances
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Warforged Damage Reduction I


Level 2 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Repeating Heavy Crossbow
Feat: (Automatic) Defensive Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Heavy Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Medium Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Shield Proficiency (General)
Feat: (Automatic) Sunder
Feat: (Automatic) Tower Shield Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Trip
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Rogue Faster Sneaking I
Enhancement: Rogue Improved Trap Sense I
Enhancement: Warforged Inscribed Armor I


Level 3 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Rapid Reload
Feat: (Selected) Rapid Shot
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Warforged Constitution I


Level 4 (Wizard)
Ability Raise: DEX
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Extend Spell
Feat: (Automatic) Dismiss Charm
Feat: (Automatic) Inscribe Scroll
Feat: (Automatic) Magical Training
Spell (1): Repair Light Damage
Spell (1): Tumble
Spell (1): Jump
Spell (1): Feather Fall
Spell (1): Mage Armor
Spell (1): Shield
Spell (1): Nightshield
Enhancement: Rogue Skill Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I
Enhancement: Wizard Force Manipulation I
Enhancement: Wizard Energy of the Scholar I


Level 5 (Wizard)
Spell (1): Expeditious Retreat
Spell (1): Master's Touch
Enhancement: Wizard Wand Mastery I


Level 6 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Precise Shot
Spell (2): Cat's Grace
Spell (2): Repair Moderate Damage
Enhancement: Warforged Damage Reduction II


Level 7 (Wizard)
Spell (2): Blur
Spell (2): Fox's Cunning
Enhancement: Wizard Force Manipulation II
Enhancement: Wizard Intelligence I


Level 8 (Wizard)
Ability Raise: INT
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Eschew Materials
Spell (3): Haste
Spell (3): Repair Serious Damage
Enhancement: Wizard Wand Mastery II
Enhancement: Warforged Constitution II


Level 9 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Precision
Feat: (Automatic) Evasion
Enhancement: Rogue Dexterity I


Level 10 (Rogue)
Feat: (Automatic) Trap Sense


Level 11 (Rogue)
Feat: (Automatic) Uncanny Dodge
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Rogue Improved Trap Sense II


Level 12 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: INT
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Warforged Damage Reduction III


Level 13 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Rogue Dexterity II


Level 14 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost III
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy I
Enhancement: Rogue Improved Trap Sense III


Level 15 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons
Feat: (Automatic) Improved Uncanny Dodge
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy II
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training II


Level 16 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: INT
Enhancement: Rogue Faster Sneaking II


Level 17 (Rogue)
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Improved Evasion
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost IV
Enhancement: Rogue Dexterity III


Level 18 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Precise Shot
Enhancement: Rogue Improved Trap Sense IV


Level 19 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training III


Level 20 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Rogue Bonus) Cripling Strike
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training IV

This utilizes everything for Warforged Repeating Crossbowman, self haste, maxed rogue haste boost, rapid shot, and rapid reload. All this while maintaining the ability to heal self.

Again, it's not a ranger, but it should have everything you're looking for and it's going to be KILLER with Vorpal Repeating Heavy or Light Crossbow. That and you have 7d6+12 Sneak Attack Damage Bonus (must be within 30 feet) to boot with rapid fire.

[Kriogen]

...Again, it's not a ranger, but it should have everything you're looking for and it's going to be KILLER with Vorpal Repeating Heavy or Light Crossbow. That and you have 7d6+12 Sneak Attack Damage Bonus (must be within 30 feet) to boot with rapid fire.

I don't think Vorpal repeaters exist.