Help with a pure Ranger archer.

[Hrafnar]

Hello, I'm returning to NWN2 after many years and I've been trying to put my archer together. I've been reading about the custom content and looks like I have to re-roll him (again) to make use of Frontline Archer as it seems pretty good. The trouble is my ranger is already feat starved and I've had to make a few a sacrifices.

I came up with this: http://nwn2db.com/build/?260270 and I think I'm more or less happy with it. I would have liked to fit Weapon Finesse in there for a valid melee option and maybe also Power Critical: Longbow, but I just can't find room without taking fighter levels and then I lose some significant perks from Protective Ward. Any help would be appreciated ! One caveat though: I know Orcs as racial enemy no. 1 is a dubious choice but it's for RP/backstory reasons. Also I would prefer not to dump INT or CHA into negative modifiers.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

If you go dex ranger, you should take an additional epic one shot feat, so you have two uses of it. Maybe instead of epic toughness

[Hrafnar]

Ah I didn't realise I get extra uses from it. The ranger feat list is a tad confusing as the ranger version of TWF etc are different. Cheers.

[chad878262]

My comments:

Drop the following feats:
Lightning Reflexes
Knockdown (no idea what 'Frontline Archer' is)
Epic Toughness

Pick up the following feats:
Steadfast Determination
Luck of Heros (+1 to all saves and AC is better than increasing reflex saves which you already have super high)
Oneshot

Have fun!

[Hrafnar]

Thank you, though I was taking lightning reflexes to get the frontline archer feat (i.e. knockdown as there's no option for it on the builder). Would you say the feat is not worth it? Also I think I get manyshot for free so is there reason to take it again?

[Hrafnar]

My comments:

Drop the following feats:
Lightning Reflexes
Knockdown (no idea what 'Frontline Archer' is)

Apparently it's a custom feat on here that functions like Imp Knockdown only you use a bow and your Dex modifier. Lightning reflexes and 16 Dex are the prerequisites for it, otherwise yeah I wouldn't bother with LR. I hadn't considered Steadfast Determination though, that seems pretty good considering my sucky will save. Though my Wis mod is actually higher than my Con... But yeah the idea of Improved Knockdown with a bow combined with HiPS sounded pretty sweet!

Edit: Sorry the requirements for the feat are 15 Dex, wf longbow and lightning reflex.

[Hrafnar]

This one: http://bgtscc.wikia.com/wiki/Frontline_Archer

[chad878262]

huh, it appears Frontline Archer was worked on back in 2012, before I was on the server, but didn't actually get in game... In any case, that makes sense, it's a decent feat, though I would think you are trying not to get in to melee if possible. Personally I'm not really sure it's worth two feats to get a melee knockdown when you are supposed to be a ranged character.

The benefit in Steadfast is not failing Fortitude saves just because you roll 1. failing a saving throw is bad news, especially when the rolls are tilted against the player. Steadfast and evasion goes a long way to making failed saves occur less often, which is good. Yes your will saves still suck, so you'll want a wand of protection from evil at a minimum to assist with protection and/or maybe a + 4 will save item, if you can get one.

[Tantive]

In my opinion, I think a melee knockdown is a good 'oh snazzlepants' moment to get away and get distance. Especially for areas where the ranger cannot Outdoor hips. Not to mention a good RPable skill to 'capture' and secure opponent.

[Hrafnar]

Okay great! Thanks for the input. I will respec with an extra oneshot and steadfast, and maybe power critical? I know luck of heroes is great but since I get protective ward I'll focus on extra dmg/ab feats.The knockdown sounds good but I'm not sure I want to commit to it. I might try it with a sneak attack build sometime.

Edit: Is Protective Ward working right? I don't see the AC bonus on my character sheet. Nevermind it's there now but displays like a buff or item enhancement.

[Hrafnar]

Not to mention a good RPable skill to 'capture' and secure opponent.

The idea of my Elf ranger going all 'bow-fu' was pretty appealing, and any non-lethal way to deal with an opponent is always great for RPing a good character!

[AlfarinIcebreaker]

I would advise taking 4 levels of Fighter instead of pure Ranger. Fighter 4 will grant you access to Ranged Weapon Mastery and Weapon specialization which is equal to flat +4 damage and +2 AB. With Practiced Spellcaster you will retain 30 caster levels. You will lose 1 Epic Feat and Favored Enemy group alongside couple of skill points, but I believe it is worth it.

I wouldn't take knockdown or any similar feat, you are an Archer and your primary goal is to stay away from the enemy, not to engage in melee. It is better to buff up your survivability (which is already much better than other HiPS builds due to Ranger's AC spells and increased HD) through AC feats and Steadfast Determination like it was advised.

Someone already said, make sure to pick One Shot. I would also add - pick Blinding Speed. It is instantly activated feat which grants Haste 4x10 rounds, it saved me on a more than one occasion.

And finaly, the most important thing for a Ranger are his Favored Enemy. Make sure that you know what group relates to which critter group, and whether or not you want to build for PvP, PvE, or a mix of both. But make sure to pick Outsiders as one of the FE groups, as it covers Planetouched (PC race) and a batch of monsters on the server.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

On the other hand you may want shadow dancer 3 instead of fighter. Lose some feats AB but you gain anywhere HiPS

[Hrafnar]

Thanks for the input, I'm playing around with adding those 4 fighter levels. The upshot (pun intended) seems to be: +2 dmg per hit from WS, some extra HP (8!), and a better Fort save (Slightly worse Will), plus two extra feats but these go on practiced spellcaster and natural bond, maybe (if I want my pet to be more than fluff, but it's probably not worth it). The downside is losing an epic feat, waiting longer for HiPS, Bane of enemies, epic animal companion, ranger one shot... so I don't know. WS would be nice though.

Blinding Speed is interesting - the description says once a day for 5 rounds, has it been nerfed? Is it better than expose weakness? What about epic resilience, if we're talking survivability? Otherwise I'm having trouble making room for it. SD levels would be good of course, but I might have to pass on them because it doesn't really fit the character. I think my racials are solid for PvE, which is my main focus with this guy.

http://nwn2db.com/build/?260326

[aaron22]

your build looks to be fine, but i would not suggest taking oneshot so late as it can be tricky while actually building. sometimes when it should be able to be taken it cannot and at level 30 you would in a pickle if it worked out that way.

IMHO a pure ranger or 4 level dipped ranger would not pan out to be a "bow-fu". if that is your desire.

i would also like to point out too that oneshot is less effective than it sounds like during IG application. it is meh nice, not OOOOh!! nice.