EW for versatility

[BloodRiot]

Greetings everyone.

I'm working towards a multiclassed Rng(13)/Ass(8)/AA(9) build. Obivously the character is an archer and I have an epic feat(the very last one) to spare that doesn't really have a no brainer choice at this point. This build around the concept of RP while attempting to ensure it will be pretty effective, just probably not powerbuild optimized.

The build is this: http://nwn2db.com/build/?160951

Will EW bee any good at all for a bit of versatility which i might use on ocasion, or last ditch if I run out of arrows, or taking something like blinding speed or iron skin or epic animal companion(also a bit questionable I can imagine) be any better?

Thanks

PS: I used Human because of the skilled feat to correctly calcuylate skill points, but he is in fact a Half-Elf.

[mrm3ntalist]

EDIT: you cannot take AA levels on human. Dont you have an extra feat at lvl1 then?

Blinding speed is alright as an extra feat. I would prefer one of Stealthy or Alertness

[Considerate_]

By EW, do you mean Expose Weakness?

If so, I'd advise against it on a ranged build:

Gameplay Notes
Expose Weakness can be attempted with a ranged weapon, however it does not have any effect.

Source: http://nwn2.wikia.com/wiki/Expose_Weakness

[Valefort]

It would give just a bit of usefulness in melee but not really enough to make it worth it in my opinion, blinding speed seems a much better choice.

[BloodRiot]

Aye, it was as I thought.

Thanks for all the answers. I've corrected the extra feat at one. I am already building like this, but forgot to change on nwn2db.

Cheers.

[BloodRiot]

On another issue regarding the last 2 feats again. Would the build benefit more from Epic Prowess + Blinding Speed, or instead going for Great Dexterity +4 and One Shot?

i'm not sure if there are any +4 Dex items, so an uneven Dex will benefit from a +3 which at least i know exists.

Blinding Speed was something I really wanted, but I can get similar (albeit not instant) speed boosting effects from items as well. on the other hand it costs me 1AB.

I can imagine the One Shot build being a good alpha striker, opening from stealth with a Death Attack enhanced ManyShot followed immediately by a One Shot.

What are your thoughts?

[mrm3ntalist]

First of all there is no right or wrong desicion. it all depends on the playstyle. +4Dex items are very very very rare. Most likely you wont see one. +3dex on the other hand are quite common. Personally i would pick oneshot over Blinding speed. As you said, you can get the same from items and one shot gives you another trick in combat

[Simian]

On a dexterity based ranged build, if you can squeeze in Weapon Finesse feat, get Evasion from one of your classes, and got two epic feats free for Epic Prowess and Expose Weakness, there is no reason not to go for Expose Weakness.

[TeoDeathDealer]

On a dexterity based ranged build, if you can squeeze in Weapon Finesse feat, get Evasion from one of your classes, and got two epic feats free for Epic Prowess and Expose Weakness, there is no reason not to go for Expose Weakness.

Umm, sure there is. This is an archer. EW is pointless because you'll never do better damage with melee then with the bow. Get the extra dex and go for one shot. You'll have HIPS to avoid direct attack.

BTW, your damage is still not going to be great. You don't have Bane of Enemies and you don't have weapon specializations. Your damage comes from your +5 AA bonus and +3 on your strength (assuming 16 str), and in certain situations +4d6 sneak from assn. I believe you will find that low compared to other archer builds out there.

[mrm3ntalist]

Compared to the Fighter/EA versions you lose 4-6 damage from weapon specialization, mastery and elemental damage. What you get in return are more skill points, Camouflage, evasion, swift tracking, better stealth and AC and is easier to level since you get hips at 13lvl. This is my favorite archer build.

[Simian]

On a dexterity based ranged build, if you can squeeze in Weapon Finesse feat, get Evasion from one of your classes, and got two epic feats free for Epic Prowess and Expose Weakness, there is no reason not to go for Expose Weakness.

Umm, sure there is. This is an archer. EW is pointless because you'll never do better damage with melee then with the bow. Get the extra dex and go for one shot. You'll have HIPS to avoid direct attack.

BTW, your damage is still not going to be great. You don't have Bane of Enemies and you don't have weapon specializations. Your damage comes from your +5 AA bonus and +3 on your strength (assuming 16 str), and in certain situations +4d6 sneak from assn. I believe you will find that low compared to other archer builds out there.

Say hello to my Spirit Shaman's Storm Avatar. Oh, you try to manyshot me dead? Good luck with that I guess, since I got roughly 120 minutes of Storm Avatar which makes me immune to ranged attacks. I suppose you could try to one shot my character... but even with 21 levels of Ranger you do not have enough damage output with it.

And nothing is stopping DMs from spawning opponents that are immune to ranged attacks.

Nor does your character have access to his or her bow in all events and role-playing situations - where as a dagger hidden in the boot is a lot more sensible thing that an English longbow stuck and hidden in the boot.

Well, PvM wise, nothing wrong with being a one trick pony. But, if you are going to role-play, then one-trick-pony-ness can come to bite your behind.

[TeoDeathDealer]

On a dexterity based ranged build, if you can squeeze in Weapon Finesse feat, get Evasion from one of your classes, and got two epic feats free for Epic Prowess and Expose Weakness, there is no reason not to go for Expose Weakness.

Umm, sure there is. This is an archer. EW is pointless because you'll never do better damage with melee then with the bow. Get the extra dex and go for one shot. You'll have HIPS to avoid direct attack.

BTW, your damage is still not going to be great. You don't have Bane of Enemies and you don't have weapon specializations. Your damage comes from your +5 AA bonus and +3 on your strength (assuming 16 str), and in certain situations +4d6 sneak from assn. I believe you will find that low compared to other archer builds out there.

Say hello to my Spirit Shaman's Storm Avatar. Oh, you try to manyshot me dead? Good luck with that I guess, since I got roughly 120 minutes of Storm Avatar which makes me immune to ranged attacks. I suppose you could try to one shot my character... but even with 21 levels of Ranger you do not have enough damage output with it.

And nothing is stopping DMs from spawning opponents that are immune to ranged attacks.

Nor does your character have access to his or her bow in all events and role-playing situations - where as a dagger hidden in the boot is a lot more sensible thing that an English longbow stuck and hidden in the boot.

Well, PvM wise, nothing wrong with being a one trick pony. But, if you are going to role-play, then one-trick-pony-ness can come to bite your behind.

No toon can take on everything...see your SS, runs. Immune to ranged? Sure, I suppose, but then again, leave. Hasn't happened to me since I've been here. Archer without his bow...not going to happen.

[Simian]

It seems your archer never sets his or her foot inside the Friendly Armn Inn for example. (All weapons must be left at the gate for safekeeping and security.) It is so much easier to explain to a Dungeon Master how you managed to sneak in a dagger than a bow and quiver of arrows.

[ZabelSword]

EDIT: you cannot take AA levels on human. Dont you have an extra feat at lvl1 then?

So you can take AA on this server without being an elf?

[Hoihe]

EDIT: you cannot take AA levels on human. Dont you have an extra feat at lvl1 then?

So you can take AA on this server without being an elf?

Elf or half-elf