This is insprired by Syrath's Shadow Archer, except using rogue instead of shadowdancer to pick up Epic Dodge and Self Concealment V. It loses HIPS and other Shadowdancer niceties (like the summoned shadow), but it gains an 8d6 sneak attack, slightly higher AB, and slightly higher non-sneak damage. It's a good survivor, although not as good as the Shadow Archer, but it excels in a party situation.
Essential skills: Max Hide and Move Silently on every non-wizard level. Increase tumble in increments of 5 (5, 10, 15, 20) and UMD in increments of 5 (6, 11, 16, 21) on rogue levels, which have been spread out through the build (for the early rogue levels, I would actually take tumble every level, since early on it's useful for the actual tumbling skill rather than just for AC). The rest of the skill points can be altered to taste.
Naked AB with mundane longbow = 27 (BAB) + 12 (DEX) + 3 (Weapon Focus/Epic Weapon Focus) + 11 (AA levels) = 53/48/43/38 (51/46/41/36/51 with Rapid Shot)
You can go Rogue(10)/Wizard(1)/AA(9) pre epic if you want, ending at Rogue(17)/Wizard(1)/AA(22). That will net you an additional 1d6 on your sneak attack, but drop your AB by one (that's actually how I originally had the build before switching it to maximize AB).
Steve
Edited By Kail Pendragon on 04/29/09 18:06
Nice build.
Overall I like the sneak attack, but without HiPS (or conversely a few more wizard levels to cast invisibility) it is difficult to get ranged attacks of opportunity. I would suggest dropping called shot and dodge for knockdown and weapon finesse. It would extend the use of sneak attack in a one on one setting. Even in a party setting, it might be useful to have a bit of a melee presence if the party is outnumbered. _________________ Two wrongs don't make a right but three lefts do.
I hate this build
What I mean it's the template for a cornor sneaking archer, the most annoying thing in PvP at least he has no monk speed.
EDIT: Persnally I would pick bard over wizard since the spellcasting will be useless anyway. With a few points in perform you'd get +1 to attack/damage while singing.
Edited By MartinJHolm on 05/20/05 12:37
Bard would give an XP penalty for most of the builds life though.
Overall I like the sneak attack, but without HiPS (or conversely a few more wizard levels to cast invisibility) it is difficult to get ranged attacks of opportunity. I would suggest dropping called shot and dodge for knockdown and weapon finesse. It would extend the use of sneak attack in a one on one setting. Even in a party setting, it might be useful to have a bit of a melee presence if the party is outnumbered.
As for HIPS, yeah, as I mentioned, that's a distinct advantage that the Shadow Archer has over this. While I think it can solo without it, due to Epic Dodge and SC V, I envisioned this more as a party player, sniping over the shoulder of the party's tank. As for the feat changes, it's my understanding that Dodge is an undocumented prerequisite for Epic Dodge and thus can't be dropped. But I could possibly drop toughness instead to pick those up. Weapon Finesse was something I was considering, and I always give my melee rogues Knockdown/Improved Knockdown, but I ended up posting this as a pure archer type instead for now. But those are definitely changes I would support.
What I mean it's the template for a cornor sneaking archer, the most annoying thing in PvP at least he has no monk speed.
EDIT: Persnally I would pick bard over wizard since the spellcasting will be useless anyway. With a few points in perform you'd get +1 to attack/damage while singing.
, then I'm glad you hate it. As for bard, yeah, Syrath has it right. It's all about the XP penalty really. Plus, Wizard gives you access to true strike. But if you don't care about those things, you could definitely go with bard. That would also give you another chance in the teens to bump up UMD and Tumble.
Steve
Dodge is in the manual listing in the documentation for the game. However technically it is not required. Dodge is not a prerequisite for epic dodge.
This is a known and most likely accepted bug in much the same way as dev crit/weapon focus is.
Dodge is in the manual listing in the documentation for the game. However technically it is not required. Dodge is not a prerequisite for epic dodge.
This is a known and most likely accepted bug in much the same way as dev crit/weapon focus is.
Syrath
Okies, then you could definitely switch that and called shot out for weapon finesse and knockdown if you so desired.
Steve
Shouldn't this build fit blind fighting in there?
nearly 4 years old, and Strav is a LEGEND... hmmm. NO, you are an ARCHER. BUT if you want, you cna fit it in. PLease, check the date of the LAST post before you ask such questions. Lots has changed in 4 years.
Right, so you coud drop Dodge, which isn't needed in this build. _________________ Got Hommlet? World of Greyhawk Action Server (with 1/2 price ales on Mondays!)
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Quote: Posted 02/02/09 16:35 (GMT) -- avado
nearly 4 years old, and Strav is a LEGEND... hmmm. NO, you are an ARCHER.
Blind Fighting benefits both meleers and ranged combatants and the consensus is that it is a must have in any fight oriented build. As such, yes, BF should be fitted in (as the Master Dwarflord suggested).
Also, asking questions about old builds is neither against the rules nor unwelcome. _________________ They can't stop us Let them try For Heavy Metal We will die
, then I'm glad you hate it. As for bard, yeah, Syrath has it right. It's all about the XP penalty really. Plus, Wizard gives you access to true strike. But if you don't care about those things, you could definitely go with bard. That would also give you another chance in the teens to bump up UMD and Tumble.