Ranged Symphony - the 7 Rogue / 5 Ranger / 8 Fighter archer slash crossbowman.

[Deathdefy]

Ranged is pretty horrific at first glance.

For arcane archers:
When manyshot is active, you are a god amongst men. The other 1 minute and 40 seconds aren't that hot.

For repeating heavy crossbow mechanics:
You're consistently almost thinking about maybe doing some passable dps.

I propose to combine the 2 in a beautiful symphony.

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Aggrosh Morales
Level 20 Chaotic Good Elf Male
(8 Fighter \ 7 Rogue \ 5 Ranger) 
Hit Points: 274
Spell Points: 135 
BAB: 18\18\23\28\28
Fortitude: 13
Reflex: 16
Will: 4

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(34 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    16  (For 32 point, drop strength to 15)
Dexterity            17                    21
Constitution         12                    12
Intelligence         16                    23
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma              8                     8

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 4
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               3                     5
Bluff                -1                     0
Concentration         1                     2
Diplomacy            -1                     0
Disable Device        n/a                  n/a
Haggle               -1                    -1
Heal                 -1                    -1
Hide                  3                     5
Intimidate           -1                     0
Jump                  3                     3
Listen               -1                     1
Move Silently         3                     5
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform              n/a                   n/a
Repair                3                     8
Search                3                    10
Spot                 -1                     3
Swim                  3                     3
Tumble                n/a                   n/a
Use Magic Device     n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Rapid Reload


Level 2 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead


Level 3 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Repeating Heavy Crossbow


Level 4 (Rogue)


Level 5 (Rogue)


Level 6 (Rogue)
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot


Level 7 (Rogue)


Level 8 (Rogue)


Level 9 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Manyshot
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 10 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Precise Shot


Level 11 (Fighter)

Level 12 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons


Level 13 (Fighter)


Level 14 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Ranged Weapons


Level 15 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Precise Shot


Level 16 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons


Level 17 (Ranger)


Level 18 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Mental Toughness


Level 19 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider


Level 20 (Rogue)
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost III
Enhancement: Rogue Skill Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Skill Boost II
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Acid Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Explosive Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Burst Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Slaying Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Terror Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Attack I
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Attack II
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Damage I
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Damage II
Enhancement: Rogue Fire Trap Lore I
Enhancement: Kensei Repeating Heavy Crossbow Mastery I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei I
Enhancement: Fighter Longbow Specialization I
Enhancement: Fighter Repeating Heavy Crossbow Specialization I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage II
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +2 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +3 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +4 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +5 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer I
Enhancement: Rogue Mechanic I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training II
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training III
Enhancement: Improved Disable Device I
Enhancement: Improved Disable Device II
Enhancement: Improved Open Lock I
Enhancement: Improved Open Lock II
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II
Enhancement: Rogue Improved Trap Sense I
Enhancement: Rogue Improved Trap Sense II

On the levels of each class:
6 Rogue for Mechanic I to add Int modifier to Repeating Crossbow damage.
4 Ranger to cast spells. Ranger also nets Bow Strength and Rapid Shot as perks. The single spell slot goes to Ram's Might for an additional +2 damage and +2 strength (Will require a WIS item to cast).
8 Fighter gets Kensai I, WS: Ranged, a heap of feats, and GWF: Ranged.
It also allows the Weapon Spec enhancement for 1AP that gives +1 damage, which is taken for both Longbow and Repeating Heavy X-Bow.

Given these 18 necessary levels, we get the most additional utility by getting the next FE with 1 more Ranger, and an extra Sneak Attack die (+ enhancement) with 1 more Rogue.

On the stat breakdown:
You need the 17 Dex as a starting point to qualify for Improved Precise Shot.
You want a decent Strength to add to your Longbow damage with Bow Strength during manyshot.
You need a very decent Intelligent to add to your Repeating Heavy Crossbow damage through Mechanic I.
12 Con isn't ideal, but hey.

For a 32 point build you would drop Strength to 15.

Gear:
-The best longbow (Silver Longbow from level 6 until you craft a GS Lightning II bow) and
-The best heavy repeating crossbow you can find for your level.

Your to-hit isn't marvellous. Get spectral gloves / tumbleweed / a shimmering arrowhead. Get an arrowhead anyway.
-Craft a nice shroud HP Item. Your AC is a write-off, so give it earthgrab or perma-blur since you read this amazing guide after the Mabar event so it's too late for you to make a cloak.
-Get a Wis item of at least +3 to hit the Wis 11.
-Maybe even get something with spell points like wizardry to ensure you can cast Ram's Might and Slaying arrows at the start of quests.

Gameplay:
Use the heavy repeater whenever Manyshot is on cooldown.
Use the longbow and Manyshot whenever it's available.

Hot Tips:
Be smart and line things up with Improved Precise Shot.
Also be smart and get within 30' for your meager but relevant sneak attack damage.

Why Level-Ups into Int not Str:

The answer, in short, is that you are firing much more with the repeater. The number of arrows you shoot with the Longbow does come to over half of the number fired by the repeater, but there is a large enough difference in favor of the repeater bolts that it's worth focusing on int. The different crit-profiles do not end up favoring the Longbow with a strength achievable by this build.

Note: You probably won't always use multi-shot the instant it's off cooldown (save in boss fights). I'd rather a slightly less powerful 'death button' in favor of killing mobs slightly more quickly the other ~83% of the time.

Traps:
You'll be killing it. This build has nice int. It also has mech I and its pre-reqs.

Levelling:
Isn't that fun from 1-7. I'm open to suggestions for swapping levels about, and present draft 4 here. I highly recommend just TWFing your way to level 8 when you get Mechanic I, or 9 when you get Manyshot, as your strength is reasonable and you get a freebie TWF from Ranger 2.



This is the first build I've published. Be gentle and loving yet helpfully critical.

[unbongwah]

Why on earth would you not take rgr 6 for Manyshot & ITWF free? For that reason, why not finish the TWF chain w/GTWF? BTW, GWF is only +1 to-hit and isn't a pre-req for anything else on this build; I would drop it for something more useful.

[Ssmooth]

At 1st glance, 2nd glance, 3rd glance...all other glances that apply.....ranged combat is still kinda funny

[Thrudh]

+100 for the name

[Thrudh]

Why on earth would you not take rgr 6 for Manyshot & ITWF free?

This... Drop a level of fighter or rogue (probably rogue), and pick up a level of ranger... You also get a second 1st level spell at level 6 which is nice (Jump is useful)

[AltheaSteelrain]

I think 300 or so SP isn't bad when all you ever do with them is to cast 5 minute ram's might

12 con is ok for an elf, but please do try harder since it is still 20 hp :P

To be honest though, we both have the same raw HP at level 20 (check my build on my sig) and I'm doing fine on epic content so 12 con should be good but I would not recommend it.

I think getting both longbow and repeater specializations is a waste since you'd be spending your days w/ a repeater by hand. The AA enhancements can more than make up for the longbow feat/spec loss. Though yeah, its still +hit but whatever rocks your boat...

[Deathdefy]

Thanks very much for the responses!

I think you're all correct about Ranger 6. I'll rejig the levels tomorrow.

The reason I originally didn't go for it was that I couldn't think of what I would do with an additional feat slot that was better than +1d6 (+3 with the enhancement) sneak attack from the Rogue level - despite being well aware of how unimpressive the range and usefulness of SA on ranged is.

I still do intend this to be purely ranged (concededly at the cost of the better dps) as a build concept; and hence am not too fussed by the ITWF (and possibility of GTWF) bonus.

I think Quickdraw (which I hate a little, but sadly makes a lot of sense on this build) might be the best choice for the fighter bonus feat I free up? If someone has an alternative I'm all ears.

I think I'll also use the extra enhancement points (from not taking sneak attack training III) for fighter toughness III. The bonus spell slot for jump + the pre-raid buff hilarity of merfolk's blessing is also a genuine consideration.

[unbongwah]

Unless you're committed to the idea of 3 PrEs (which usually sounds better in theory than in practice, IMHO), also consider ranger 11 / rogue 7 / ftr or monk 2. More feats overall: all the free ranger feats plus Toughness, 3 AA pre-reqs, Rapid Reload, Heavy repeater, Imp Crit Ranged & Slash (or Pierce), PA. Oops, I accidentally made your build a lot better at melee and lowered the DEX req - is that a bad thing?

[maddmatt70]

The question for me with this build is why Ranger? I am not really sure that ranger adds much if you could go with say 12 fighter 7 rogue 1 bard or 1 wizard that would add more dps while you use an xbow.

[Hoglum]

Schlongbow - I think it depends on what you're shooting out of this thing.

[grodon9999]

Wouldn't a Ranger 12/Rogue 7/Monk 1 get the job done as well?

Ranger 12 gets you ALL the TWF and Archer feats for free. Take the below feat (not so sure on the order . . .)

Feats:
1 PBS
3 WF: Ranged
6 Mental Toughness
9 IC: Ranged
12 IC: Piercing
15 Power Attack
18 Rapid reload

Monk Feat: Toughness

You'll also be a decent TWFer and be able to use wraps.

[maddmatt70]

Wouldn't a Ranger 12/Rogue 7/Monk 1 get the job done as well?

Ranger 12 gets you ALL the TWF and Archer feats for free. Take the below feat (not so sure on the order . . .)

Feats:
1 PBS
3 WF: Ranged
6 Mental Toughness
9 IC: Ranged
12 IC: Piercing
15 Power Attack
18 Rapid reload

Monk Feat: Toughness

You'll also be a decent TWFer and be able to use wraps.

The OP does not plan to melee at all on this build. This is a ranged character so go with 12 figther 7 rogue 1 bard or wiz for more overall ranged dps.

[unbongwah]

The question for me with this build is why Ranger? I am not really sure that ranger adds much if you could go with say 12 fighter 7 rogue 1 bard or 1 wizard that would add more dps while you use an xbow.

OP's idea is to have both AA w/longbows and Mechanic w/heavy repeaters. I'm not sure if that's a good idea, but the free feats from ranger 6 would definitely still help with that idea.

Wouldn't a Ranger 12/Rogue 7/Monk 1 get the job done as well?

OP isn't a Tempest; what does ranger 12 get him that's better than extra feat?

You'll also be a decent TWFer and be able to use wraps.

Doesn't Tempest I/II only apply to weapons? Or does it work w/wraps as well?

[grodon9999]

OP's idea is to have both AA w/longbows and Mechanic w/heavy repeaters. I'm not sure if that's a good idea, but the free feats from ranger 6 would definitely still help with that idea.

OP isn't a Tempest; what does ranger 12 get him that's better than extra feat?
Doesn't Tempest I/II only apply to weapons? Or does it work w/wraps as well?

12 gets you full barkskin but if you just want IPS 11 is enough.

not suggesting he take Tempest. But yes, Tempest II does give you 100% off-hand attacks with wraps.

[grodon9999]

The OP does not plan to melee at all on this build. This is a ranged character so go with 12 figther 7 rogue 1 bard or wiz for more overall ranged dps.

Can you fit in all those feats that'll give you IPS and all that fun stuff?

[unbongwah]

This is a ranged character so go with 12 figther 7 rogue 1 bard or wiz for more overall ranged dps.

Can you fit in all those feats that'll give you IPS and all that fun stuff?

I was wondering too. That combo gets 14 feats - is it enough? 2 AA pre-reqs (PBS & WF Ranged), WS & GWS Ranged, Imp Crit Ranged, Bow STR, Rapid Shot, Rapid Reload, Heavy Repeater, Manyshot, Prec Shot, IPS, Toughness - I count 13, so that leaves one open.

[maddmatt70]

I was wondering too. That combo gets 14 feats - is it enough? 2 AA pre-reqs (PBS & WF Ranged), WS & GWS Ranged, Imp Crit Ranged, Bow STR, Rapid Shot, Rapid Reload, Heavy Repeater, Manyshot, Prec Shot, IPS, Toughness - I count 13, so that leaves one open.

Yes.. Exactly wizard is actually bettter then bard for this build that gives free feat and means the player does not have to have much wis so the stat splits with dex, int, str, and decent con works.

[Ssmooth]

The OP does not plan to dps at all on this build. This is a ranged character.

fixed

[Deathdefy]

Yeah. I'm totally convinced that 12 Fighter / 7 Rogue / 1 Wizard as suggested by MadMatt is better from a min-max ranged perspective (oxymoron or not).

I think I personally will take Wizard over Bard. While I buy Unbongwah's feat breakdown, I need the bonus feat for Mental Toughness, given I would like GWF: Ranged as I'm terrified the attack stat just won't cut the mustard given the AP tightness means I can't pickup as much Dex through enhancements as I'd like.

EDIT: I'm an idiot and forgot that you don't need Mental Toughness since you can take a 1 point enhancement with either 1 Bard or 1 Wiz. Bard might be better.

I also will be inflicted this build on parties that include Bards. Muahaha.

In any event, the original build is gimpier than it needs to be for the concept of AA Longbow + Heavy Repeater. Ram's Might and Favoured Enemies don't make up for GWS and Kensai II.

Thanks again for all the help. I hope no one has leveled a Schlongbow to the point of including a Ranger level.

NB. I think the new build is the same stat breakdown as Schlongbow, with all level ups into Int.

I'd take the first 6 Levels as Rogue, then the 12 Fighter (with the Wizard level inserted around Manyshot time when the Longbow becomes usable.) then the final rogue level. Feats shouldn't be too bad, and probably allow a lot of give for personal order preferences on IPS, IC: Ranged and the fancier fighter WS / GWS / GWF feats.