Archer/Crossbower gish

[RamenKing]

Hello,

It's me again

With the restrictions uplifted on Archmage, is there a way to build an effective archer or crossbow gish?

I've been tinkering with the following combinations:

Wiz/EK/DS/SD
Wiz/ROG/AT/SD
Wiz/EK/AA/AM
Wiz/EK/Thaumaturge/SD
Wiz/EK/ASS/AM

From reading through the forums, I understand HIPs is almost necessary for any ranged build to survive. But with wizard buffs/defenses, is HIPs still necessary? I've come up with some decent builds (at least, I think I did), but not sure what AB requirements are needed for an archer/crossbower.

Any thoughts or help?
RK

[Eclypticon]

I brought the same topic up more or less as a rhetorical question to be helpful and start a discussion. http://bgtscc.net/viewtopic.php?f=64&t=54145

With AM open, it slightly improves AB possibilities in regards to the dispel fix. Wiz/EK/DS/AM has the best AB with CL 30 off the top of my head. You don't need HiPS with this build. You will want to have okay STR since you will not have sneak attack dice. I would not try to play a lower than 30 CL without HiPS. With HiPS, I would not risk anything lower than 28-29 CL.

[Rudolph]

How about this? http://nwn2db.com/build/?253966

It gets both HiPS and 30 CL thanks to blood component.

To anyone of you who knows a lot about casting and has experience with Crossbow gishing:
1) For which schools should I take Spell Focus in the above build?
2) Which spell should I use the spell-like ability Archmage feat for?
3) Is the Archmage spell-like ability subject to ASF and Dispel? No and Yes.
3) Which spells should I take when levelling since they are not for sale on the server? See list below.

(Ed. after responses below)

[Tsidkenu]

Spells you ought to pick on level ups can be found in my Wizardry Guide (Obtaining New Spells)

[RamenKing]

Thank you for the responses.

What is the AB one should try to achieve with and without HIPS?

[Valefort]

SLAs are subject to dispels but pretty certain they're not subject to spell failure so ... feel free to Tenser it up.

http://nwn2db.com/build/?253973

Simple stuff, wizard/EK/AM/fighter with lots of DEX. Use 1 spell power to reach CL 30, rest of the AM feats can be SLAs, like displacement maybe, to go together with your extensive use of Tenser.

[RamenKing]

SLAs are subject to dispels but pretty certain they're not subject to spell failure so ... feel free to Tenser it up.

http://nwn2db.com/build/?253973

Simple stuff, wizard/EK/AM/fighter with lots of DEX. Use 1 spell power to reach CL 30, rest of the AM feats can be SLAs, like displacement maybe, to go together with your extensive use of Tenser.

Interesting. Could also go with Longbow and save two feats, yes?

An arcane archer without the arcane archer?

[Valefort]

I think crossbow is better here since this build lacks some BAB and so won't get as many attacks as most builds. It's not a problem for crossbow though since you have 1 (base attack ) + 1 (rapid reload) +1 (rapid shot) + 1 (haste attack).

Also the damage per hit would be lower and you'd have to pump STR, I didn't calculate but I'm pretty certain crossbow would be superior everywhere here.

[RamenKing]

Interesting, thanks Valefort. I may suck up the XP penalty and go Halfling. Just not a fan of human

[Rudolph]

Let's join up if we meet in game, Ramen. Am planning to play my version soon.

[RamenKing]

Let's join up if we meet in game, Ramen. Am planning to play my version soon.

Sounds good

[RamenKing]

Now here is an interesting build be Sobepop: http://nwn2db.com/build/?241056. Super attracted to all the skill points. Has anyone played around with a crossbow sniper build like this? I was looking for a way to add Craft Wand and another crafting feat in to fit the RP concept but not sure what could be swapped out (if any). Comments in the thread on survivability is a bit worrysome though.

[Rudolph]

I played this build some time ago (before the CL bug was fixed): http://nwn2db.com/build/?198054
It was good fun, which is why I'm reviving Lorna at the moment. Survivability during solo play wasn't much of an issue - at least in the epic areas I ventured into (e.g. Durlag's Tower or the Serpent palace). HiPS with high stealth was quite the life preserver, and the many magic defenses easily did well enough for the time in the open. Moreover, wizard magic is nicely flexible and allows for many ways of escaping danger.

There's little to give up for other feats, though. Maybe you could lower WIS and INT for another DEX point that frees up a feat, though that would cost you skill points, or you could give up two DEXes, but that would cost you AB (unless you replace one with Epic Prowess), AC, and dmg simultaneously...