TR AA 18 Ranger / 1 Rogue / 1 Monk

[Reivaxx]

I just TR my 28pt build pure AA. Just reached lvl4 on this new build so i still don't know how well it's going. Must say my former build was doing fine at end game, maybe had some problems hiting on epics and I still don't have some heavy picks to deal more damage so I spend most of my shooting on Imp, curse/destrution/shatermantle and for my suprise even paralize on some mobs is working ok. Anyhow my main concern is not epic.
I've seen some posts here with similar builds i just wonder if i got mine right or if there are any sugestions to improve. It's clearly DEX based so finess is a must...I hope to reach a respectable AC value to ease mellee a bit and to be able to disable in most content. Anyhow my Strg must reach 30 while my Dex 34 this equiped and self buffed.

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Elirc 
Level 20 Lawful Good Elf Male
(1 Monk \ 1 Rogue \ 18 Ranger) 
Hit Points: 280
Spell Points: 357 
BAB: 18\18\23\28\28
Fortitude: 16
Reflex: 22
Will: 9

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(34 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             15                    22
Dexterity            18                    25
Constitution         14                    16
Intelligence         12                    14
Wisdom               10                    12
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

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               8                    12
Bluff                -1                     0
Concentration         2                     3
Diplomacy            -1                     0
Disable Device        5                    25
Haggle                3                     4
Heal                  0                     1
Hide                  4                     7
Intimidate           -1                     4.5
Jump                  4                    11
Listen                4                    13
Move Silently         4                     7
Open Lock             8                    17
Perform              n/a                    n/a
Repair                1                     2
Search                5                    23
Spot                  4                    26
Swim                  2                     6
Tumble                6                     9
Use Magic Device      3                    24

Level 1 (Rogue)
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Ranger
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Damage I


Level 2 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Enhancement: Aerenal Elf Melee Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I


Level 3 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I


Level 4 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Aerenal Elf Melee Attack I
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Attack I


Level 5 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I


Level 6 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Giant
Feat: (Selected) Mental Toughness
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Defense I


Level 7 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity II


Level 8 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Ranger Skill Boost I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Attack I


Level 9 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity II


Level 10 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Damage II
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Conjure +2 Arrows


Level 11 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Combat Expertise
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Acid Arrows


Level 12 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Attack II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II


Level 13 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Aerenal Elf Melee Damage II


Level 14 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Aerenal Elf Melee Attack II


Level 15 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Finesse
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Conjure +3 Arrows


Level 16 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Explosive Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity III


Level 17 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Construct
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Burst Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Terror Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Conjure +4 Arrows


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


Level 19 (Ranger)


Level 20 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Slaying Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Attack II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage III
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Defense II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Resistance I
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Conjure +5 Arrows
Enhancement: Rogue Faster Sneaking I

Also I'm thinking of droping Imp crit ranged in the later lvl because my main bow is a MinII in oposition of the most normal choices (I'm just lazy to buy arrows), might craft another but that's a long way to because that i must finish my rapiers and items. So I would have another feat for PA maybe or dodge to help AC.
Sugestions welcomed.

[grodon9999]

If you're going Arcane Archer Ranger 17/Rogue 1/Monk 2 is better. The second Monk level will get you a +1 Centered AC bonus (that works even when you're not Centered) and an Extra feat that can be an extra Toughness.

My elf was 18/1/1 AA last life, would have done 17/1/2 if I'd thought of it before LRing from pure. What I'd do regarding feats is . . .

Feats:
1 PBS
3 WF: Ranged
6 Mental Toughness
9 IC: Ranged
12 IC: Piercing (or slashing)
15 Power Attack
18 Doge or Maximize (for healing)


Toughness (Monk)
Combat Expertise (Monk)

[Draccus]

My AA is only level 16 or so and he's running around with level 9 gear so I'm no expert.

But I'm curious as to if you experts think that the rogue and monk level outweighs the massive damage increase of the Ranger Capstone?

I know splash builds were all the rage before capstones but now it seems to be a much tougher decision. Understanding that the slow rate of fire of the bow is the number one problem that most people have with ranged combat, I'd think that the rogue level and monk level would have to be extraordinary to justify giving up the major bump to bow speed.

[grodon9999]

But I'm curious as to if you experts think that the rogue and monk level outweighs the massive damage increase of the Ranger Capstone?

because the capstone doesn't work as advertised (25% my arse) and doesn't stack with the ToD set or anything useful.

When my AA was full 20 she was getting out I think it was either 92 or 96 arrows in a Many-shot while hasted. With the AA set from ToD as an 18/1/1 she could get out 88. Not that big of a loss considering she could do any trap in the game and have enough AC to tank raid bosses (1d6+2 Sneak attack is nice to).

When ranged gets it's "polish pass" and hopefully becomes more viable a pure might get my interest but right now it's a big bucket of meh. The "Elfspoiter" is a great, fun soloing build that gains a hell of a lot for the little ranged-damage that it loses.

I know splash builds were all the rage before capstones but now it seems to be a much tougher decision. Understanding that the slow rate of fire of the bow is the number one problem that most people have with ranged combat, I'd think that the rogue level and monk level would have to be extraordinary to justify giving up the major bump to bow speed.

If it were a major jump in bow speed, you'd be right. It ain't.

Regarding a ranger capstone - it would have to clean my house and polish my bishop to get me to NOT splash a ranger. Most of the goodness that is ranger ends at ranger 12, the class peaks then and then it's all kinda downhill. A ranger 12/Rogue 7/Monk 1 ARCANE ARCHER will beat an 18/1/1's MELEE damage in an no aggro situation with equal gear (pretty much ANY raid-boss fight). It's that bad.

[Reivaxx]

About the splash x pure the point is made, the versatility gained seems to be a great add on and makes you more valuble to a party that in most cases wont need a rogue and if you gear well you can tank some stuff as well, plus you can scroll some nice usefull things with the umd skill.
About increased monk splash, i must think about it and see if i like the trade, it's -1 BAB and -1 FE, wich can mean a bit of damage as end game goes, on the other side a small AC boost and a free feat also sounds good.
Thanks for the tips.