Arcane archer/ranger, a wood elf or moon elf?

[Muckluck]

Hi there folks,

I'm kinda new to this whole multiclassing thing, having always preferred pure characters in my D&D experiences previously.

So, just to clarify: Does it matter (for racial MC penalty) if I play as a moon elf or a wood elf if I'm going arcane archer? The wood elf seems the natural choice, but I've always had a preference for moon elves thematically, but at the same time I (shame on me?) don't want to gimp myself by incurring a 40% XP penalty (3 classes) when 20% (2 classes) would suffice.

Thoughts? Recommendations?

[mrm3ntalist]

Hi there folks,

I'm kinda new to this whole multiclassing thing, having always preferred pure characters in my D&D experiences previously.

So, just to clarify: Does it matter (for racial MC penalty) if I play as a moon elf or a wood elf if I'm going arcane archer? The wood elf seems the natural choice, but I've always had a preference for moon elves thematically, but at the same time I (shame on me?) don't want to gimp myself by incurring a 40% XP penalty (3 classes) when 20% (2 classes) would suffice.

Thoughts? Recommendations?

The penalty take into consideration only the base classes. PRCs sych as Arcane Archers are not taken into consideration regarding the multiclassing penalty

[Muckluck]

Hi there folks,

I'm kinda new to this whole multiclassing thing, having always preferred pure characters in my D&D experiences previously.

So, just to clarify: Does it matter (for racial MC penalty) if I play as a moon elf or a wood elf if I'm going arcane archer? The wood elf seems the natural choice, but I've always had a preference for moon elves thematically, but at the same time I (shame on me?) don't want to gimp myself by incurring a 40% XP penalty (3 classes) when 20% (2 classes) would suffice.

Thoughts? Recommendations?

The penalty take into consideration only the base classes. PRCs sych as Arcane Archers are not taken into consideration regarding the multiclassing penalty

Interesting. So in other words, whether I pick moon or wood elf wont matter one bit for XP?

[chad878262]

Only base classes count toward xp penalty so if, for example you're making a Fighter/ rogue/ Assassin/ AA you would want fighter and rogue to be within 1 level of each other. What build are you looking to play?

[Kalgain]

Could you describe your build?

A very common choice for arcane archers are assassins, they also qualify for it and do not impose any MC penalty if you choose a different base class.

[Muckluck]

Only base classes count toward xp penalty so if, for example you're making a Fighter/ rogue/ Assassin/ AA you would want fighter and rogue to be within 1 level of each other. What build are you looking to play?

I know very little, but I want to try out an arcane archer, which means doing ranger as a base class (seems to be the agreed-upon recommendation). For some reason all builds I find for AA stop at level 7 instead of 10, which I can't really figure out.

Mind you, we'll see how far I actually go, since I'm a massive altoholic. But basically, an archer (ranger) pre-AA, then Arcane archer when I can.

[Muckluck]

Looking at this right now, minus the shadowdancer level.

http://nwn2db.com/build/?54967

[chad878262]

I wouldn't say ranger is the primary choice, but it is a fine one. I would recommend either R11/A9/AA10 or R11/B4/AA10/EA5. That said there are far more skilled builders when it comes to archery than me...

[Muckluck]

I wouldn't say ranger is the primary choice, but it is a fine one. I would recommend either R11/A9/AA10 or R11/B4/AA10/EA5. That said there are far more skilled builders when it comes to archery than me...

Interesting. I thought only one token level in spellcaster was required/recommended? Also, assassins are arcane spellcasters? O_O

[Muckluck]

Looking at the build I linked, what do you guys think about the starting attributes? The finer points of level 20-30 can be brought in later, right now I mainly want to get started

[chad878262]

assassins have always been arcane spell casters. NWN just doesn't treat them correctly.

If uit aren't 100% set on ranger i believe F13/A8/AA9 will do more damage (unfortunately need 13 levels to qualify for assassin). You could of course skip weapon specialization and go F8/R3/A9/AA10, which would be better, but would have an xp penalty.

[Muckluck]

Think I'll go for mainly ranger (maybe R19, W1, AA10?).

So what do you think about the attributes? They make sense?

[chad878262]

You are required to have 3 levels in all classes by the time you reach level 20 (3b20 rule).

Would be better off going R17/B3/AA10 (bard inspire courage).

Starts should be max dex and enough STR for mighty bow (20 STR modified app of you'll use +3 STR item 17 STR is preferable).

[Muckluck]

Thanks for the help!

[Tsidkenu]

Bard 7/Elemental Archer 4/Arcane Archer 9/Order of the Bow Initiate 10 is also an interesting concept I've not yet tried