FvS Archer???

[Billnert]

I was wondering if it is a good idea to try to make a Silverflame Arcane Archer with 20 levels of FvS?? I have found some builds, but all of them are multiclassed with either fighter, ranger, monk and/or wizard. I still want to keep my main purpose to healing the group, but with the possibility to do some ranged damage. Right now I have a undying court FvS with a scimitar, but it feels as I really don't contribute that much in a group except buff in the beginning and some occasional healing.

[captainker]

It's just REALLY feat heavy to do AA and be an effective FvS, hence why people multiclass for it. Well, to be any good at an AA.

You have to take mental toughness, weapon focus:ranged, and point blank shot just to qualify you to be an AA if you go pure FvS, and that's 3 of your 7 feats right there. You also would want the feat manyshot, which needs point blank shot then rapid shot so that's two more feats, leaving only two left. You also might want bow strength to actually add some damage which ALSO has a multiple feat requirement to pick it up outside of splashing (Summary: Base Attack Bonus +4, Weapon Focus: Ranged, Point Blank Shot, Any of: Power Attack, Combat Expertise, Weapon Specialization: Ranged, or Zen Archery) And that leaves no room for quicken or empower or toughness or anything like that. That's also not getting improved precise shot, which really is a great boost to AAs.

[Damionic]

Also ... (if this gets through)

You wont get Ranger skills like Bow Strength and Manyshot which would be too expencive feat wise to take on the FvS Class Line..

[Damionic]

I Can Post!!!!

((Delete this post please))

[OLDTIMEDD]

Isn't it possible by running elf to get AA also?

[Visty]

Also ... (if this gets through)

You wont get Ranger skills like Bow Strength and Manyshot which would be too expencive feat wise to take on the FvS Class Line..

well, bow strenght and manyshot are regular feats, everyone can take it

so weapon focus, point blank shot, mental toughness, power attack, bow strenght, many shot, rapid shot IS doable for a non-human fvs...though you would skimp on your casting side and thus not worth it

[captainker]

Sorry, I had posted then thought I could be more constructive, so I edited my post. See above post for a feat breakdown

[Billnert]

Thank you all. So its a big ringing NO on trying without multiclassing

Well then, either I rethink my position on being a good healer and go multiclass or I just keep the healing up.....

Thank you again.

[Ystradmynach]

I'm actually planning on TR'ing my AA ranger into AA favored soul 18/ranger 2. That would give me just enough feats to be a good archer, at the expense of having any casting feats. A 20th level fvs couldn't even pull off that off though, I would just end up being mediocre in multiple areas.

[Dark-Star]

I have tried many combinations of AA FvS, including the ones listed above.

After much experimentation, and some frustration, I have found what I feel is the best all around divine kiter possible.

I have a few more items to get to finish the build, then I plan to post it with analysis.

[grape]

DarkStar,

I'm curious about your build/stats for an AA FS. I'm interested in giving it a try.

[Thrudh]

Thank you all. So its a big ringing NO on trying without multiclassing

Well then, either I rethink my position on being a good healer and go multiclass or I just keep the healing up.....

Thank you again.

You can be a good healer with only 18 or 19 levels of FvS.

[Thrudh]

DarkStar,

I'm curious about your build/stats for an AA FS. I'm interested in giving it a try.

No, he can't post it until he gets all the items...

[grape]

I'm wondering if a pure FVS can pull off AA, or the consensus is multiclass.

[Anneliese]

I'm wondering if a pure FVS can pull off AA, or the consensus is multiclass.

You could do:

AA (3 feats - PBS, WF:R, MT)
Manyshot (2 Feats - RS and MS)
Empower and Maximize for Searing Light capstone damage

[Samadhi]

It's just REALLY feat heavy to do AA and be an effective FvS, hence why people multiclass for it. Well, to be any good at an AA.

You have to take mental toughness, weapon focus:ranged, and point blank shot just to qualify you to be an AA if you go pure FvS, and that's 3 of your 7 feats right there. You also would want the feat manyshot, which needs point blank shot then rapid shot so that's two more feats, leaving only two left. You also might want bow strength to actually add some damage which ALSO has a multiple feat requirement to pick it up outside of splashing (Summary: Base Attack Bonus +4, Weapon Focus: Ranged, Point Blank Shot, Any of: Power Attack, Combat Expertise, Weapon Specialization: Ranged, or Zen Archery) And that leaves no room for quicken or empower or toughness or anything like that. That's also not getting improved precise shot, which really is a great boost to AAs.

Pretty much what he said is why splashing is so common.


My biggest concern, however, is that you say you have a scimi FvS that feels ineffective. The scimi FvS *should* be significantly more effective, significantly easier, so I am curious as to your current build and as to why the issues with it.

[grape]

34 Build initial stats

STR:10
DEX:15
CON:14
INT:10
WIS:16
CHR:11

Would this be a good base for a FS: AA that will not take Bow Strength?

[Perceval]

34 Build initial stats

STR:10
DEX:15
CON:14
INT:10
WIS:16
CHR:11

Would this be a good base for a FS: AA that will not take Bow Strength?

A favored soul without the charisma to cast spells seems kinda useless.. IMHO

[unbongwah]

I'm curious about your build/stats for an AA FS.

Darkstar's Blade Kiter build is in his sig.

I'm wondering if a pure FVS can pull off AA, or the consensus is multiclass.

Doable in terms of stats & feats? Yes. A good idea? No, IMHO. As Anneliese points out, being even a halfway decent AA takes a lot of feats: AA takes 3 feats; Manyshot takes 2; Imp Crit Ranged is a good idea; congratulations, you can now take one meta or Toughness. Oh, no Bow STR? Welcome to Gimpyarcherland, population - you.

At a minimum I would take a 2-lvl dip: ranger 2 or ranger 1 / wizard 1 (for extra metamagic & bypass MT pre-req). It's a tough call whether another feat from rgr 2 / wiz 1 is worth sacrificing lvl 9 spells; I guess it depends on whether you consider archery or spellcasting your primary focus.

Alternatively, consider going cleric-based (e.g., my Radiant Archer): you have one less stat to worry about and cleric 17 still gets you lvl 9 spells. You give up RadServ III if & when it comes out, but you can always LR +1 into it if you really want.

[Illiain]

A favored soul without the charisma to cast spells seems kinda useless.. IMHO

You only need a 19 Chr to cast 9th level spells. Beyond that, you only get a few more sp. Think it's 29sp for every 2 Chr. As a caster based FvS you would need a high Wis for spell DC's. Mine has a base 8 Chr and is at 20 now with tomes, items and enhancements.