The Hunting Caster (17 Wiz/2 Ranger/1 Rogue)

[phreek]

What does this build do?

Wizard with all the spells, backed up with Arcane Archer and trap skills for 99% of the games content.

Ideal build for DQ, also a little more supportive in Shavarath.

The Hunting Caster
---------------------------------
17 Wiz/2 Ranger/1 Rogue
---------------------------------
34 Point Build (Past life: Wizard)
---------------------------------
Strength 20 (12 Base + 2 Tome + 6 Item)
Dexterity 30 (16 Base + 2 Tome + 7 Item + 2 Exceptional + 3 Enhancment)
Constitution 22 (12 Base + 3 Tome + 6 Item + 1 Exceptional)
Intelligence 38 (18 Base + 5 Levels + 3 Tome + 3 Exceptional + 3 Enhancment + 6 Item)
Wisdom 10 (08 Base + 2 Tome)
Charisma 18 (10 Base + 2 Tome + 6 Item)
---------------------------------
32 Point build
Drop CHA to base.
But that requires you to swap gear for no failing UMD Heal scrolls.

Also, 1 Rogue level is purely for Trap skills. If this wasn't a TR, I would go with 2 rogue levels and 1 ranger level instead.
---------------------------------

GEAR LAYOUT:

Armor: DT Docent (+5 Resistance, +6 STR, Greater Spell Pen VIII)

Helmet: Minos Legens

Goggles: Greensteel (+10 HP, +5 CHA skills, Concordant)

Cloak: Stormreaver's Napkin

Bracers: Greensteel (+35 HP, +1 CHA skills, Concordant)

Gloves: Spectral Gloves

Ring1: Rahkir's Ring

Ring2: Thamor's Band

Boots: Whatever fits the situation

Belt: Vorne's Belt

Necklace: Torc/Silver flame pendant

Weapon: Skiver

Offhand: Light and Darkness

Weapon: Greensteel Lightning Strike Bow (Shock, Good Burst, Shocking Blast, Lightning Strike)

---------------------------------

HP:

20 Base
68 Wizard
16 Ranger
6 Rogue
30 GFL
45 Greensteel
120 CON
52 Toughness & Enhancments
10 Draconic
----
367

---------------------------------

SP:

920 Wizard Base
125 Wizardry VI
50 Enhancments
150 Greensteel Item
364 INT bonus
200 Archmagi
----
1809 SP

---------------------------------

FEAT AND LEVEL PROGRESSION:

Level 1 (Rogue)
(Past Life) Past Life: Wizard
(Selected) Point Blank Shot

Level 2 (Wizard)
(Wizard Bonus) Empower Spell

Level 3 (Wizard)
(Selected) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons

Level 4 (Wizard)

Level 5 (Wizard)

Level 6 (Wizard)
(Wizard Bonus) Maximize Spell
(Selected) Toughness

Level 7 (Wizard)

Level 8 (Wizard)

Level 9 (Wizard)
(Selected) Past Life: Arcane Initiate

Level 10 (Wizard)

Level 11 (Wizard)
(Wizard Bonus) Extend Spell

Level 12 (Wizard)
(Selected) Past Life: Arcane Initiate

Level 13 (Wizard)

Level 14 (Wizard)

Level 15 (Wizard)
(Selected) Past Life: Arcane Initiate

Level 16 (Wizard)
(Wizard Bonus) Heighten Spell/Quicken Spell (You decide, I will go with Heighten)

Level 17 (Ranger)
(Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Construct

Level 18 (Ranger)
(Selected) Many Shot

Level 19 (Wizard)

Level 20 (Wizard)
---------------------------------

32 Point Builds:

Instead of Past Life feats:

Spell Focus
Greater Spell Focus
or
Spell Penetration
Greater Spell Penetration

Rapid Shot (Prerequisite for Manyshot)

Since you won't get Slaying arrows until level 20,
you might as well delay your Ranger levels until after 15 Wiz levels. This way you can pick up level 8 Spells.
But you must pick them up before hitting 18 (Because of prereq for Multishot)
---------------------------------

ENHANCMENTS:

Rogue Enhancments:

Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I

Wizard Enhancments:

Enhancement: Wizard Lineage of Elements III
Enhancement: Wizard Lineage of Deadly Elements III
Enhancement: Wizard Elemental Manipulation IV
Enhancement: Wizard Spell Penetration III
Enhancement: Wizard Intelligence III
Enhancement: Wizard Wand Mastery II

Racial Enhancments:

Enhancement: Elven Ranged Attack I
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Damage I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity II
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Acid Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Explosive Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Burst Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Terror Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Slaying Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +5 Arrows

Ranger Enhancments:

Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I
---------------------------------

KEY SKILLS:

UMD =
39 (23 + 4 GH + 2 Luck + 4 CHA + 6 Shroud)
DD =
59 (23 + 14 INT + 15 Item + 4 GH + 2 Luck + 01 Find traps Scroll)
Search =
68 (23 + 14 INT + 15 Item + 4 GH + 2 Luck + 7 Tools)
Concentration =
23
Open Lock =
50 (13 + 9 DEX + 15 Item + 4 GH + 2 Luck + 7 Tools)
Move Silently =
38 (8 + 9 DEX + 4 GH + 2 Luck + 15 Item) <- If a +15 item is needed. (Monastery etc.)
Hide =
38 (8 + 9 DEX + 4 GH + 2 Luck + 15 Item) <- If a +15 item is needed. (Monastery etc.)
Balance =
34 (4 + 9 DEX + 4 GH + 2 Luck + 15 Item) <- If a +15 item is needed. (Titan etc.)
---------------------------------

MISC:

There is no Improved Crit, no Improver Precise Shot on this build. IPS was not possible to implement, because of the BAB progression. IPS requires 11 BAB, this build gets to 10. And since Slaying arrows only go off on a 20, i figured that Improved Crit wasn't needed.

What i do consider a set back is the need of Divine Power clickies. Than again, this is something you would need only when Multishot is availble, so there will be a few clicks. But not as clickie intensive besides that.

I figure this build plays out like this:

Buff as a caster, and burn everything in your path. When Multishot is up - DP clickie and Bow and you're set. Than back to casting again as soon as timer is up.

This way, you would effectivily save enough SP, that you will probably be on par with a pure Wizard when it comes to durability.

[unbongwah]

Rapid Shot (Prerequisite for Arcane Archer)

FYI, Rapid Shot is not an AA pre-req; Point Blank Shot and WF Ranged are. Rapid Shot is a pre-req for Manyshot, though, so you still want it. Fortunately, you get it free from ranger 2. However, Manyshot also requires DEX 17; your build only has base DEX 14 + 2 tome.

I'm torn between ranger 2 / rogue 1 and ranger 1 / rogue 2: is free Rapid Shot worth more than Evasion? I would lean rogue 2: it looks like you can spare an Arcane Initiate feat for RS; and Evasion would definitely help your survivability. Might also want Insightful Reflexes, since your INT will be 10 pts higher than your DEX.

I would take ranger 1 a lot sooner so you could benefit from Bow STR right away.

[phreek]

Manyshot also requires DEX 17.

Fixed. Was stat points from an earlier version i played around with.

I'm torn between ranger 2 / rogue 1 and ranger 1 / rogue 2

I see what you mean whan you say that. I was as well. Personally i wanted to have PBS and max DC's on spells. Because I know that spells will be this build's main resources. So I'd rather be effective at both, and cast some resistances on me and I'll be good to go.

Evasion is great to have on the other hand. And for newer players I recommend doing it. But I'm sufficient enough without it.

I would take ranger 1 a lot sooner so you could benefit from Bow STR right away

This:
"Because I know that spells will be this build's main resources."

Slayer Arrows, (Wich in my opinion is the only reason it is worthwhile to get AA) you won't have them before level 20. This is a TR. In other words; I will be playing as a Wizard until about 20.