Just trying my hand at an AA build. I wanted high AB, and Uncanny Dodge in the build, so that's why I took Elf and Barbarian. Elf allows me to min/max to start with the 20 DEX, thus getting amost as much DEX as possible in the game. Barbarian provides UD and a bit of extra HPS (as well as 2 uses of Rage for STR and CON boost) while not sacrificing BAB like Rogue would. Bard gives a bit of boost through Song, along with Tumble and UMD. There are only two of these in the guild. Fernandooa's Solid Archer build is quite similar, but the Singing Sniper has higher AB and AC and distributes the feats a little more efficiently IMO. Singing Sniper also has less Bard in order to eliminate the XP penalty that would ensue and also needs less CHA. Anyway, it's different enough to warrant posting, I think.
21)AA11: GRT DEX I (26) 22)AA12 23)AA13 24)AA14: GRT DEX II (27)/ EWF:Longbow/ DEX (28) 25)AA15 26)AA16 27)AA17: GRT DEX III (29) 28)AA18: Epic Prowess/ DEX (30) 29)AA19 30)AA20: GRT DEX IV (31) 31)AA21 32)AA22: GRT DEX V (32)/ DEX (33) 33)AA23: GRT DEX VI (34) 34)AA24 35)AA25 36)AA26: Armor Skin/ GRT DEX VIII (36)/ DEX (37) 37)Bard6 38)AA27 39)AA28: GRT DEX VIII (37) 40)AA29: DEX (38)
*Depending how you decide to play (i.e if you don't want to use your bow in melee due to AoOs), you may want to opt for Weapon Finesse and Toughness for these feats.
I envision this character as strictly a bow user, which is why I opted for Dodge and Mobility. Mobility grants a +4 bonus to AC vs AoOs, which will be generated by using the bow in close quarters. Finesse and Toughness would probably be a good idea if you're not comfortable with the AoOs.
HPs are low, but he's not really intended to get into the fray that much anyway. He's a sniper and thus is intended to be at long range for his attacks. Called Shot will slow down anything trying to get to him, and if he has to cut and run, he's got the Barbarian speed boost to help out.
Saves are mediocre to poor, other than the Reflex save.
AC is good, and the AB and damage with a bow is excellent, as he has Enchant Arrow XV for +15 AB and damage.
Bard provides a level 6 Song, which gives a bit of a boost to AB and damage. Also, access to level 2 spells gives the opportunity to bost DEX with Cat's Grace as well as another spell of your choice for utility purposes (although you only get 3 castings of your level 2 spells per day). _________________ This signature will self-destruct in 5 seconds...
First thing I thought was "oh-ho, xp penalty ahoy off the port bow", but this one works very well.
solid archer, with nice backup skills. bard skills always add a lot to a char, imo.
-cs
You miss out discipline totally which makes the really hard to play in many environments. I think you should put points in it especially since you get it as a class skill.
Personally i dont think the bard spells are worth it ,the duration is to short and they get dispelled very easy, you should consider starting as Barb rasing con to 12 ,int to 14 and leave cha to 8. You would get all the skills you wanted + discipline due to the int boost and 40more hps +1fort save. Going 8 or 9 Barb and only 3 or 2 Bard will also give you +1 BAB and still +1ab from your song.
You miss out discipline totally which makes the really hard to play in many environments. I think you should put points in it especially since you get it as a class skill.
Easy fix. Just dump Hide and Move and put points into Discipline and either Listen or Spot. However, I don't think Discipline would be any good for this character, since you'd have on;y 40 ranks if you leave your Bard level where it is, or 43 ranks if you take Bard at level 40. 43 ranks isn't worth squat in an environment where Discipline is important. You'd have to take an Epic Skill Focus feat to make it even remotely worthwhile, which would mean giving up some DEX and losing 1 AB and 1 AC. That's not what this build's designed for.
Quote: Personally i dont think the bard spells are worth it ,the duration is to short and they get dispelled very easy, you should consider starting as Barb rasing con to 12 ,int to 14 and leave cha to 8. You would get all the skills you wanted + discipline due to the int boost and 40more hps +1fort save.
I disagree about the utility of the spells. I think they're of value, and the duration is 6 hours, which isn't that bad, all things considered. As for dispelling, yes that's a good point, but without 25+ caster levels, you're open to it anyway. HPs are always good, but you can't have everything and an archer really shouldn't need it (or at least, this one shouldn't). If 40 more HPs are going to make a radical difference to this guy, he's already doomed from the outset. It's a viable option if you want to do so though. I find I like having the spells at my disposal though.
You'll note he starts as Barbarian anyway, btw.
Quote: Going 8 or 9 Barb and only 3 or 2 Bard will also give you +1 BAB and still +1ab from your song.
And an XP penalty for most of the build's life. Either that, or you switch to 1/2 Elf and lose that +1 AB due to the lowered starting DEX, so it's a wash. _________________ This signature will self-destruct in 5 seconds...
I'd change Mobility for Blind-Fight... not that Mobility is not working ok, but I just take Blind-Fight automatically on any non-caster... maybe leaving Toughness instead of Dodge...
Bardsong level 3 could be very worthy, level 6 only adds skills if my mind serves right (of course, Cinn knows the bardsong much better than I do), Barbarian 8 would give +1 BAB actually, but would leave level 3 song until the very end (non-profitable as palayability I think), and I don't think he needs AB so desperately; he won't get much else from more Barbarian under 9 levels anyway, I respect your choice and it should work pretty much the same either way.
I'd change Mobility for Blind-Fight... not that Mobility is not working ok, but I just take Blind-Fight automatically on any non-caster... maybe leaving Toughness instead of Dodge...
Yep, that's a good call. That or Blind Fight and Finesse, perhaps.
Quote: Bardsong level 3 could be very worthy, level 6 only adds skills if my mind serves right (of course, Cinn knows the bardsong much better than I do), Barbarian 8 would give +1 BAB actually, but would leave level 3 song until the very end (non-profitable as palayability I think), and I don't think he needs AB so desperately; he won't get much else from more Barbarian under 9 levels anyway, I respect your choice and it should work pretty much the same either way.
Nice.
Level 6 song gives you +1 to Reflex saves over the level 3 Song. Not a big deal and certainly one could opt to drop the 3 skill points elsewhere.
Thanks, everyone for the input. _________________ This signature will self-destruct in 5 seconds...
I'll echo Thax, the dodge and mobility don't add much. I agree with you about discipline not being very useful here. The whole point of taking barbarian in an archer is to be able to move a bit faster that what ever is chasing you. Hopefully nothing will be able to get close enough to use a disarm or improved knockdown against you. Nicely done Cin. _________________ Two wrongs don't make a right but three lefts do.
How did this one slip by me? A pointy-ear? Archer? Cin, have you been at the Gaffer's home brew again? _________________ Got Hommlet? World of Greyhawk Action Server (with 1/2 price ales on Mondays!)
Ariel, Ookla, RIDE!
Edited By grizzled_dwarflord on 07/30/06 15:45
What the...? BLast! My evil twin Cinnamon Bun hacked into my account again! _________________ It's rogue, dammit, ROGUE!!!
