14 Bard/6Ranger Arcane Archer

[Plutocracy]

I want to TR my tempest ranger into an arcane archer (since they get the +2 bow damage past life feat) I know, ranged isn't the best DPS, but I think it will be fun.

I was thinking elf 14 bard/6 ranger would be a good build, who uses scimitars (I have a bunch already) for melee.

Why 14 bard? Arcane archer spell points, fascinate, warchanter DPS for self and party, UMD, self buff. Why stop at 14? I didn't see all that much after level 14. Only losing out on +1 from inspire courage, level 6 spells (none of which really interest me) and lose inspire heroics + capstone. Significant yes, but gain SO much from level 6 ranger as an archer build.

Why 6 ranger? Bow STR, rapid shot, many shot, favored enemy, TWF+ITWF, Ram's might, +2 dex enhancement.

Here is the build with VERY basic equipment, and a +2 tome of supreme ability

STR: 32 (18 base + 4 lvl + 2 tome + 6 item + 2 Ram's might = 32)
DEX: 28 (16 base + 4 enhancement + 2 tome + 6 item = 28)
CON: 20 (12 base + 2 tome + 6 item = 20)
INT: 10 (8 base + 2 tome = 10)
WIS: 16 (8 base + 2 tome + 6 item = 16)
CHA: 26 (14 base + 1 lvl + 2 tome + 3 enhancement + 6 item = 26)

Feats:
1R: Toughness 2R: TWF*, Rapid Shot* 3R: SF UMD 6R: Manyshot*, ITWF*, Power attack 6R/3B: Improved Crit: ranged 6R/6B: Improved Crit: slashing 6R/9B: GTWF 6R/12B: ?????

Favored enemy: Undead + Evil Outsiders

I focus on STR for DPS.

SilverBow dmg: 1d10 + 29 + 2d6 holy, +5 favored enemy, crit 17-20 x 3 (+5 arcane conjured arrows, +11 STR + 2 RM + 7 Song + 2 Past life + 2 Elf enhancement)

On a crit, 112 on average (130 with blood stone, 145 with bloodstone and FE). With manyshot, that is some SERIOUS damage. As gear gets more advanced, so would DPS.

So, this toon would buff everybody (songs, haste, displacement, etc...), CC, and provide excellent support damage.

Also, if I get sick of the whole archer thing, is still pretty decent with TWF melee damage.

Suggestions?

[nicro]

You need Point Blank Shot and Weapon Focus: Range for Arcane Archer.
You also need Weapon Focus: Slashing/Piercing/Bludgeoning for Warchanter.
I'd also suggest picking up extend for your arcane spells.

[unbongwah]

Yeah, this build is pretty feat-starved: 2 required for AA; 2 for WC; Toughness (who doesn't take Toughness?); that leaves two left. You could take GTWF & 1 Imp Crit; or 2 Imp Crit; or Precise Shot & IPS. Could also drop WC and spend those feats elsewhere. But basically, something's gotta give.

Could also do ranger 12 / bard 8 (or ranger 11 / bard 9): your bard abilities take a hit, but you get GTWF, Prec Shot, & IPS free and 2nd & 3rd lvl ranger spells. For feats you take your AA & WC pre-reqs, Toughness, and two Imp Crits. Basically you sacrifice ranger capstone (endgame ranged DPS) for bard buffs & songs.

[Plutocracy]

Yeah, this build is pretty feat-starved: 2 required for AA; 2 for WC; Toughness (who doesn't take Toughness?); that leaves two left. You could take GTWF & 1 Imp Crit; or 2 Imp Crit; or Precise Shot & IPS. Could also drop WC and spend those feats elsewhere. But basically, something's gotta give.

Could also do ranger 12 / bard 8 (or ranger 11 / bard 9): your bard abilities take a hit, but you get GTWF, Prec Shot, & IPS free and 2nd & 3rd lvl ranger spells. For feats you take your AA & WC pre-reqs, Toughness, and two Imp Crits. Basically you sacrifice ranger capstone (endgame ranged DPS) for bard buffs & songs.

Yes, so I see... Build not looking so good anymore. At 14 bard you don't really lose all that much compared to 20 bard as far as buffing goes, but 8 bard isn't all that great compared the the advantages of ranger capstone...

Bloody weapon focus... I think I would go for 2 improved crits, since I'm using scimitars and have lots of enfeebling+X ones already, and improved crit bow is a must for an archer build. Or completely sacrifice melee, take Improved crit: bow, and extend spell.

Another option would be 6 fighter/14 bard, bow kensei/warchanter, and go THF instead of TWF to free up 1 feat. (WF x2, Power Attack, PBS, Bow Str, Rapid Shot, Many Shot, Improved Crit: Ranged, Toughness, Improved Crit: Slashing, WS: Bow)

Either way, no extend spell without sacrificing melee or toughness.

May have to go complete ranger after all... Thnx for advice.

[Steveohio]

Id pick either TWF or ranged and focus on that.

As much as everyone wants to do everything, you are basically wasting feats half the time depending on your playstyle. Stick to 1 fighting style. THF is more forgiving if you want some melee dps instead of TWF which really, really cuts into your feats. THF has acceptable dps without spending/wasting multiple feats if you want to AA.

[unbongwah]

Alternatively, consider ranger 2 / fighter 2 / bard 16 AA who uses falchions for melee. I have such a build; it's not a WC, but the feats could be rejiggered to become one.