Best archer dip?

[Gadren]

I'm planning on TRing as a rogue that specializes in archery. I will have two ranger past life feats (so +4 ranged damage).
Do you think it is better to dip into artificer and go repeater, or ranger and go longbow? Keep in mind, I only really want to take 2 or 3 levels of the "dip" class.
I have plenty of experience with longbows from past lives, but I admit of often being jealous of the repeaters RoF while I'm waiting on my manyshot cooldown.

[Kriogen]

At level 1, repeater is better then bow. It's about rate of fire. Bow will catch up, but by that time you'll be 20 and TR.

Repeater. Artificer dip. 2 levels is enough. Bonus points if you have harper tree.

[Gadren]

At level 1, repeater is better then bow. It's about rate of fire. Bow will catch up, but by that time you'll be 20 and TR.

Repeater. Artificer dip. 2 levels is enough. Bonus points if you have harper tree.

Well now that I've got the max point build, I'll probably play epic at 20 instead of TRing again. So would longbow be better in the long run? Maybe I should do artificer in heroic and then use a lesser heart of wood +3 to swap arty dip for ranger dip at level 20?

[Wh070aa]

You want 2 artificer, or 6 ranger(sniper shot). I would do 2 arti,2 bard, 16 rougue. In my opinion repeater is better than bow till you get 4 arrow many shot (16 bab).

Edit: you can also pick elf race for archery stuff.

[Gadren]

I should probably also mention that I've got a +5 inherent strength bonus from a tome that'll carry over.

[Saekee]

The Twilight Bow in my sig is meant to be used after epic reincarnating at level 28 while going from 1-28 as the Twilight Blade. You can take a look at it anyway for some ideas. Like others mention in this thread, bows are rough at lower levels until you get better use of manyshot and IPS.

[Enoach]

Advantage of the 2 Levels of Artificer

1. Artificer Elemental Buffs
2. Rune Arms
3. Pet (Lever puller)
4. Rapid Reload
5. +1 Level On scrolls
6. +1 Level on Potions

Advantage of 2 Levels of Ranger
1. Bow strength
2. Rapid Shot
3. Favored Enemy
4. TWF

[Gadren]

Advantage of the 2 Levels of Artificer

1. Artificer Elemental Buffs
2. Rune Arms
3. Pet (Lever puller)
4. Rapid Reload
5. +1 Level On scrolls
6. +1 Level on Potions

Advantage of 2 Levels of Ranger
1. Bow strength
2. Rapid Shot
3. Favored Enemy
4. TWF

Artificer Elemental buffs? I thought you had to wait til level 3 for that? Or are you talking about something else?

[Enoach]

Artificer Elemental buffs? I thought you had to wait til level 3 for that? Or are you talking about something else?

Sorry you are right, you would only be able to scroll those and for a bow/crossbow that would not be possible. But you still have the Enchant Weapon buff. Oh and one other thing I forgot was that you would effectively get +2 UMD on Scrolls

[Wh070aa]

Sorry you are right, you would only be able to scroll those and for a bow/crossbow that would not be possible. But you still have the Enchant Weapon buff. Oh and one other thing I forgot was that you would effectively get +2 UMD on Scrolls

Also Enchant Weapon does more damage than elemental weapons, if you have bigger than 3W damage modifier.