Ultimate Archer? (A multiple TR Kensei Archer - built by request)

[sigtrent]

Build Name: Ultimate Archer?
Author: Sigfried Trent
Requester: Zebron
Last Updated: 08/19/10

Key Words [Arcane Archer, Kensei, TR, Ultimate]

Objectives
I got a pretty short request for “an ultimate archer.” I tend to skip some of the requests that are not very specific but sometimes I just want to play around with an idea. I think this was a new player but my reaction was to sit and think... what would be the ULTIMATE archer? What are all the elements you could add in?

The result is not rally a build I’d expect anyone to make, but its an interesting exercise that asks a lot of questions and challenges folks to think, how could it be better? If I get another request where a more reasonable version of this works, I’ll try working it up, but until then....

Design
I took all limitations off the table so this is a multiple TR build where I just took anything and everything that could help an archer build. I took Sorcerer for some extra mana (I held myself to one TR for it) and 3 ranger for the ranged damage boost, 3 monk for its generic damage boost, and 3 fighter for the attack boost. None of these are required for the build to work.

I had lots of build points but they all were sunk into maxing Str, and some Dex and Con. For a less “ultimate” you can shave off 6 build points taking strength to 16. I wanted to go to 10 Int, but it would be less ultimate.

Class choice was dictated by DPS more than any other consideration. Kensei offers the most damage bonuses for the longbow so I went with that. I couldn't go to cap due to the need for Mana and the arcane qualifier. I considered favored soul, wizard, cleric and bard. In the end I chose bard primarily to get full UMD access since it seemed the builds best option for self healing that scaled with the build. For the remaining level I took Ranger. I wanted a full BAB so I could hit +19 for attack speed and manyshot purposes, and ranger gave me a ranged feat and some extra skills at level one to round out a pretty un-rounded build with some meager balance and jump.

Elf is required but its nice in that it boosts attack and damage. Enhancements weren’t too hard and it all went into prerequisites, damage enhancement, and some extra HP.

The final result? Well it does a ton of damage per shot with something like +32 from feats, enhancements, and strength alone. With options and buffs and weapon you should get into the low to mid 40s. You have all the ranged attack feats there are to take for the bow. (on hearing that rapid reload can effect bows, I have that in, just in case) Hit points are quite good, and saves aren’t too shabby either. AC is probably decent but nothing special. I did throw in the ranger past life feat for barkskin for that authentic ranger look and feel.

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

Level 12 True Neutral Elf Male
(10 Fighter \ 1 Ranger \ 1 Bard) 
Hit Points: 224
Spell Points: 175 
BAB: 11\11\16\21
Fortitude: 12
Reflex: 13
Will: 5

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(36 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 12)
Strength             18                    26
Dexterity            18                    22
Constitution         14                    16
Intelligence          8                    10
Wisdom                8                    10
Charisma              8                    10

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 7
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 7
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 7
+3 Tome of Strength used at level 11
+3 Tome of Dexterity used at level 11

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 12)
Balance               6                     8
Bluff                -1                     1
Concentration         2                     4
Diplomacy            -1                     1
Disable Device       n/a                    n/a
Haggle               -1                     0
Heal                 -1                     0
Hide                  5                     7
Intimidate           -1                     1
Jump                  8                    12
Listen               -1                     2
Move Silently         5                     7
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform              n/a                    n/a
Repair               -1                     0
Search               -1                     2
Spot                  3                     6
Swim                  4                     8
Tumble                5                     7
Use Magic Device      1                    15

Level 1 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Hide (+1)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Move Silently (+1)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+2)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Fighter
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Fighter
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Fighter
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Monk
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Monk
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Monk
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Ranger
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Ranger
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Ranger
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Sorcerer
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I


Level 2 (Fighter)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Point Blank Shot
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I


Level 3 (Fighter)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Precise Shot
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Rapid Shot
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I


Level 4 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Attack I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I


Level 5 (Fighter)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II


Level 6 (Fighter)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Manyshot
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost II


Level 7 (Fighter)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Kensei Longbow Mastery I
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei I


Level 8 (Bard)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Use Magic Device (+6)
Feat: (Diety) Favored by the Silver Flame
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer I
Enhancement: Bard Energy of the Music I


Level 9 (Fighter)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II


Level 10 (Fighter)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Longbow Specialization I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Bard Wand Mastery I


Level 11 (Fighter)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Acid Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +2 Arrows
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II


Level 12 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Precise Shot
Feat: (Selected) Past Life: Arcane Prodigy
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Damage II

Play
Stock a ton of arrows and shoot everything that moves. Its not a great way to make friends but if you are going to go all out like this, you may as well make the most of it. I rather like fearsome on archers as you can easily shoot monsters coming and going.

Variations
I’ll skip the variations on this thing. I’m interested in arguments for how this could be an even better archer.

[Honikan]

This looks like an awesome build, I'm thinking about doing this after a few reincarnations. It would be really cool of you to update this build to the lvl 20 cap, I'm sure you can get so much more out of it.

[Shade]

This looks like an awesome build, I'm thinking about doing this after a few reincarnations. It would be really cool of you to update this build to the lvl 20 cap, I'm sure you can get so much more out of it.

Perhaps, but its extremely dated.

"Ultimate" Ranged archer DPS is currently a Barbarian by far. Generally 18/2 barb/ranger, with a past life of sorc to qualify for arcane archer. That or take a wizard level to qualify. Tho not sure the 2 ranger qualifies you to spell poonts you need? Not sure.. I think it does tho, even tho rangers dont get spell casting tell 4. Maybe a Half Elf with ranger delitant could qualify without the level.

[stille_nacht]

Perhaps, but its extremely dated.

"Ultimate" Ranged archer DPS is currently a Barbarian by far. Generally 18/2 barb/ranger, with a past life of sorc to qualify for arcane archer. That or take a wizard level to qualify.

Bard lvl isn't a very good choice. No real benefits aside from UMD unlock.. Which is fine for heal scroll purpose.

But "Ultimate" players dont use heal scrolls. They use silver flame potions. And wizard = bonus feat. good choice.

Would the helve angel build do more damage on a whole with kensai II peshes and arcane archer III?

also, how does a 18/1/1 ftr/rogue/wiz with past life sorc compare to the barb/rgr past life sorc? (or whatever the best 18 ftr configuration is)