Arcane Archer: or how an eternally ranged player sees the PrE

[Lyrzar]

Your stats should influence your choice, not vice versa. If you're dex based, go rapier and take weapon finesse. If you're strength based, go scimitars or khopeshes. Rapiers/scimitars have the widest crit range, but less base damage.

Doesn't being an AA mean you have to be dex-based? Wouldn't your to-hit suffer if you go str-based?

[Pwesiela]

Doesn't being an AA mean you have to be dex-based? Wouldn't your to-hit suffer if you go str-based?

Not necessarily, as there are a lot of ways to boost to-hit and not too many mobs with insane ac. My ranger has a 38 dex and a 30 str. She typically uses scimi's when dual wielding. I know rangers out there with 38 dex and 18 str. They want to use rapiers. Like I said, it depends on what your stats are at and how effective you want your melee to be. Largely, and AA will probably consider rapiers and weapon finesse, like I said in the OP.

[Salinda]

A very helpful post this, helped me lots in understanding the PrE and how to work it.

One thing, do you have any thoughts yet on playing AA as half-elf? I'm looking at it on Lamannia and it seems this could be a very nice choice, but since I'm pretty much a beginner at this game I'd value the opinions of players already experienced at the class/PrE.

[Pwesiela]

A very helpful post this, helped me lots in understanding the PrE and how to work it.

One thing, do you have any thoughts yet on playing AA as half-elf? I'm looking at it on Lamannia and it seems this could be a very nice choice, but since I'm pretty much a beginner at this game I'd value the opinions of players already experienced at the class/PrE.

I honestly have not looked at the half-elf yet. I'll likely be updating this thread when I've had a chance to do so. It'll be interesting to play around with though.

[AylinIsAwesome]

I honestly have not looked at the half-elf yet. I'll likely be updating this thread when I've had a chance to do so. It'll be interesting to play around with though.

Half-Elf is everything Elf is, except no lines to boost Ranged DPS.

[SilentSnake]

A very helpful post this, helped me lots in understanding the PrE and how to work it.

One thing, do you have any thoughts yet on playing AA as half-elf? I'm looking at it on Lamannia and it seems this could be a very nice choice, but since I'm pretty much a beginner at this game I'd value the opinions of players already experienced at the class/PrE.

I would avoid Half-elf for AA mainly because they looks like Odo and have little to offer compared to other races, especially elves.
The main benefits of any race for an AA can be resumed in:

1.Elf: +2 Dex, Dex enhancements line & +2 to-hit/damage Weapon Enhancements.
2.Halfling:+2 Dex, Dex enhancements line, +1 to-hit/saves size bonus, saves enhancements lines and +8 SA damage.
3.Drow: +2 Dex, Dex enhancements line.
4.Half-orc:+2 Str, Str enhancements line.
5.Human: Extra feat, Human Adaptability enhancements line.
6.Dwarf: +2 Con, +2 saves vs spell, saves vs spell enhancements line, Con enhancements line.
7.Warforged: Immunities & +2 Con, Con enhancements line.
8.Half-elf: Dex enhancements line OR Human Adaptability enhancements line, maybe 1d6 SA damage ( only if rogue dilettante).

[Lyrzar]

Following your OP I made this build but I think I messed up on the enhancements big time.
I'm not really sure if I took the right Favoured Enemies either.

Also, is Concentration really necessarily because I really want to train Tumble?

What is the best alignment to take for an AA? I took Chaotic Good so I could use alignment restricted items.

When will my AC stop mattering? Should I just wear robes all the time?

Rangers get lvl 1 spells at lvl 4, lvl 2 spells at lvl 6, 3 at 8 and 4 at 10, right?

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.5.1
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Lyrpen 
Level 20 Chaotic Good Elf Male
(20 Ranger) 
Hit Points: 262
Spell Points: 400 
BAB: 20\20\25\30\30
Fortitude: 14
Reflex: 20
Will: 6

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             14                    14
Dexterity            18                    26
Constitution         14                    14
Intelligence          8                     8
Wisdom               10                    10
Charisma              8                     8

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               4                     8
Bluff                -1                    -1
Concentration         6                    25
Diplomacy            -1                    -1
Disable Device       n/a                   n/a
Haggle               -1                    -1
Heal                  0                     0
Hide                  8                    31
Intimidate           -1                    -1
Jump                  4                    23
Listen                0                     2
Move Silently         8                    31
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform              n/a                   n/a
Repair               -1                    -1
Search               -1                     1
Spot                  4                    25
Swim                  2                     2
Tumble                5                     9
Use Magic Device     n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot


Level 2 (Ranger)


Level 3 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons


Level 4 (Ranger)


Level 5 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Elemental


Level 6 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Mental Toughness


Level 7 (Ranger)


Level 8 (Ranger)


Level 9 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons


Level 10 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Construct


Level 11 (Ranger)


Level 12 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 13 (Ranger)


Level 14 (Ranger)


Level 15 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Finesse


Level 16 (Ranger)


Level 17 (Ranger)


Level 18 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons


Level 19 (Ranger)


Level 20 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Aberration
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost II
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost III
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Acid Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Explosive Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Burst Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Slaying Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Terror Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Master of Archery
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity II
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Attack I
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Attack II
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Damage I
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Damage II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Attack I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Attack II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage III
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage IV
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Conjure +2 Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Conjure +3 Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Conjure +4 Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Conjure +5 Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer I
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion I
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion II
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion III
Enhancement: Ranger Energy of the Wild I
Enhancement: Ranger Energy of the Wild II
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity II
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity III

Thanks for your replies so far.

[first_wolf]

Consentration is only if you want to cast spells during combat, like a resist acid enegry on one who is suffering from melfed acid arrow or a cure seriuse wounds and other buffs you (or others) did not consider worth casting prior to enter combat.

And bow, i use melee weapon from lvl 1-5, silverbow from 6-11 and greensteel the rest of the time, with chaotic aligned bow for maruts, metalin for elementals and construct and paralize when i feel it would be better
from lvl 10 i use +2 bow of the magi, and is looking for some archmagi item.

the feats i get is almost the same as you, but i get improved crit: slash instead and powercrit instead of weapon finesse, even though i max out my dex, NO AC IS TO BIG FOR MY ARROWS!

any donations of large ingredienses for lightning II is greatly apreciated.
(khyper: send to firstwulf THE Arcane Archer)

[Pwesiela]

Following your OP I made this build but I think I messed up on the enhancements big time.
I'm not really sure if I took the right Favoured Enemies either.

Also, is Concentration really necessarily because I really want to train Tumble?

What is the best alignment to take for an AA? I took Chaotic Good so I could use alignment restricted items.

When will my AC stop mattering? Should I just wear robes all the time?

Rangers get lvl 1 spells at lvl 4, lvl 2 spells at lvl 6, 3 at 8 and 4 at 10, right?

Thanks for your replies so far.

There's no need for concentration on an AA. Drop it and go for tumble if you'd like. It boosts your ability to cast while getting hit, but you don't really have offensive spells to worry about casting while in combat.

Your FEs, feats, and enhancements look fine, actually. When/if you get 32 point builds or if you decide to TR, you can pump more points into str and con, but that's the limitation of a 28 point build. Alignment is really up to you. I suggest something that can use good aligned weapons. So chaotic good, neutral good, or lawful good are all fine by me. I've seen other alignments, and they work fine too.

Unless you have over 60 ac, your ac stops mattering after the gianthold. You need over 50 to be really getting the benefits there. But before GH, any ac is greatly beneficial.

And rangers get lvl 1 spells at lvl 4, lvl 2 at lvl 8, lvl 3 at lvl 11, and lvl 4 at lvl 14. As found in the compendium.

[first_wolf]

oh thanks for the AC answer, now i know what my fighter most aim for to get usefull amaunt of AC.

+5 fullplate
+5 addy tower shield
defender prestege
+4 protection ring
compate expertise
dexterity and dwarven+fighter enchantments to get higher max dex
Enough tumble skill to tumble without using enchantments on tumble and lessening incumbrance XD

and i'm still only at 48 AC

[Maxelcat]

Ranged rangers best friends are rogues.

I stand in front of them, they agg and pull, I get free SA when in range.

even works with groups of mobs.

[cpito]

It's taken me a long time to work up the courage to read this thread and it's good to see that my misgivings were misplaced. It's an excellent beginner's guide.

I would like to expand on the subject of making an archer useful, especially in end game raids and such. A ranger's midline DPS and maneuverability makes her an excellent candidate for aggro management. Let's take VoD as an example: In most typical runs, there is one main tank who will either intimidate or hate tank Sally. Sally likes to teleport away at which point the main tank scrambles out of his corner to do his thing to regain aggro while everyone else stands around. Instead of anyone scrambling, the AA can jump into the main tank's corner, instantly draw Sally back and dump aggro back on the main. This method comes in especially handy once Sally starts chaining. (Of course, as my cleric can testify, Archers can also make this part more difficult by standing in the middle of the group and pewpewpewing so Sally runs right past the scrambling main tank and lays a curse-laiden wallop on the party instead)

A similiar method can be used on the Judge in ToD1 if the archer learns how to stay out of flinging range. This helps keep him off any characters who may be chained in the lava. The start of Shroud5 pulling mini-bosses off kiter (IPS off please) and positioning Harry for surrounding is another job the archer should be used for. An AA with FE: abberation is the only kill team you need for Hound. Heck, even in Reaver a ranged toon should be able keep him cursed and shattermantled or destructed without drawing aggro then use the same weaponry on the ellies making them much easier to defeat.

As an avid archer, I've always thought that most people's real issue with playing them is that they require more thinking than your typical character. That leads to the issue most people have with archers in groups... too many non-thinkers playing them.

[Pwesiela]

It's taken me a long time to work up the courage to read this thread and it's good to see that my misgivings were misplaced. It's an excellent beginner's guide.

Thanks!

I would like to expand on the subject of making an archer useful, especially in end game raids and such. A ranger's midline DPS and maneuverability makes her an excellent candidate for aggro management. Let's take VoD as an example: In most typical runs, there is one main tank who will either intimidate or hate tank Sally. Sally likes to teleport away at which point the main tank scrambles out of his corner to do his thing to regain aggro while everyone else stands around. Instead of anyone scrambling, the AA can jump into the main tank's corner, instantly draw Sally back and dump aggro back on the main. This method comes in especially handy once Sally starts chaining. (Of course, as my cleric can testify, Archers can also make this part more difficult by standing in the middle of the group and pewpewpewing so Sally runs right past the scrambling main tank and lays a curse-laiden wallop on the party instead)

A similiar method can be used on the Judge in ToD1 if the archer learns how to stay out of flinging range. This helps keep him off any characters who may be chained in the lava. The start of Shroud5 pulling mini-bosses off kiter (IPS off please) and positioning Harry for surrounding is another job the archer should be used for. An AA with FE: abberation is the only kill team you need for Hound. Heck, even in Reaver a ranged toon should be able keep him cursed and shattermantled or destructed without drawing aggro then use the same weaponry on the ellies making them much easier to defeat.

To add to this, I'll give an example of a recent ToD I ran on my ranger. Main tank was dealing with Hroroth, secondary tank and party were killing Suluu. My responsibility was to tag all the orthons and get them off either party and, together with another tank, kill them. High AC tank takes the aggro and hate, I kill them. We were the only two members of that party that didn't require extensive healing. (Not that we didn't need some. :P)

As an avid archer, I've always thought that most people's real issue with playing them is that they require more thinking than your typical character. That leads to the issue most people have with archers in groups... too many non-thinkers playing them.

I hate thinking, it's so...detrimental to the mind.

[Lyrzar]

Is it a better idea to choose reptilian as a FE at lvl 1 and swap it out later?

Do I need to take the rapier enhancements? If yes, which ones should I drop? If no, are there better weapons for me to wield then?

I was thinking about this but a better Sprint Boost would be really nice and I have 1 AP left unspent.

Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost II
Enhancement: Ranger Master of Archery
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity II
Enhancement: Aerenal Elf Melee Attack I
Enhancement: Aerenal Elf Melee Attack II
Enhancement: Aerenal Elf Melee Damage I
Enhancement: Aerenal Elf Melee Damage II
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Attack I
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Attack II
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Damage I
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Damage II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Attack I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Attack II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage III
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage IV
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion I
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion II
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion III
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion IV
Enhancement: Ranger Energy of the Wild I
Enhancement: Ranger Energy of the Wild II
Enhancement: Ranger Energy of the Wild III
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity II
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity III

I did some Korthos quests on my AA and wow... I feel so powerless. >.< Not being able to CC, not being able to dish out good dmg when needed. Just hitting and hoping my trip lands. Will this change or is wizard the only class for me after all?

-----------------
Edit:

Fail, just noticed I forgot about Racial Toughness. >.<
Oh ye, forgot something else. Rapier or Longsword? Aerenal affects both.

[toughguyjoe]

and powercrit instead of weapon finesse, even though i max out my dex, NO AC IS TO BIG FOR MY ARROWS!

I would advise against Power Critical. It is quite unnecessary.

[Pwesiela]

Is it a better idea to choose reptilian as a FE at lvl 1 and swap it out later?

Do I need to take the rapier enhancements? If yes, which ones should I drop? If no, are there better weapons for me to wield then?

I was thinking about this but a better Sprint Boost would be really nice and I have 1 AP left unspent.

I did some Korthos quests on my AA and wow... I feel so powerless. >.< Not being able to CC, not being able to dish out good dmg when needed. Just hitting and hoping my trip lands. Will this change or is wizard the only class for me after all?

-----------------
Edit:

Fail, just noticed I forgot about Racial Toughness. >.<
Oh ye, forgot something else. Rapier or Longsword? Aerenal affects both.

I'll just add while you figure it out that 1) starting with reptilian and then switching it out isn't a bad idea, it's just costly for the short time you're dealing with Korthos; 2) rapier or longsword, it wouldn't matter on Korthos as you still don't have weapon finesse. Either way you cut it, you're using your str modifier. Use a bow for the dex to-hit and you'll likely do more. 3) You can look at dropping the Devotion IV, without looking and iirc, you don't need it for the AA and that will free up some AP for you. You can also look to see if you need the ranger dex III. Yes, I know dex is good, but take a look at if it gets you to an even number or not. If not, that's 6 AP you can use elsewhere. If it does, well, you'll have to decide. 4) Rapier and longsword depends on what your str is and whether you have WF. If you do, rapiers.

[Glenalth]

...

[Glenalth]

Wisdom, while providing sp, is hardly something I'd sacrifice precious build points for, especially since a 10 wisdom with a 6 item will get you far more sp than you will need in a regular quest. ........ Starting with a 10 wisdom, I have 484 sp before equiping my wizardry item for pre-quest buffs. Aside from the Abbot (who drains sp) I've never run out.

This really depends on play style and selected feats. If you are using Maximize and/or Empower for healing, you'll eat up those points pretty fast with 60sp for Cure Serious Wounds.

My Arcane Archer ends up with around 900sp at lvl 20 and I always want more. While Concordant Opposition and Torq of Raiyum help delay running out (or just keep you constantly full when soloing explorer areas), not having to drink mnemonic potions is a big plus.

[Noyabrina]

Does Imp.Precise Shot which was maded from paralizing bow, paralizes all targets on it's way?

[Glenalth]

Does Imp.Precise Shot which was maded from paralizing bow, paralizes all targets on it's way?

Every target the arrow passes through can be hit by the arrow and apply status effects such as paralyzing. If you do it right you can have a whole line of mobs paralyzed from one arrow.