DIVINE ARCHER
By Deborah Tyr

Concept: This is an epic cleric, a follower of Loki "the Trickster" and also Thor (Thunder). Casting's not the focus on this one per se (ie., no spell foci but with high wisdom, accesses 9th level spells); instead, the purpose here was to create an archer with synergies between cleric and arcane archer for AB/damage abilities & stealth, while maintaining cleric spell access. In addition, Archer can buff up for melee combat, adding versatility & fun.

I would like to thank a number of people for generously commenting on another character in the Norse series, with special thanks out to: Grim, Samphus, and Avado, and also Thax, Mith, Kail and absolutely everyone else who took the time to comment. I hope everyone enjoys Divine Archer, and look forward to your thoughts ~ Tyr

DIVINE ARCHER (the "Trickster") -- Overview
Wizard (1), Cleric(26), Arcane Archer(13)

Race: Elf (Hardiness vs. Enchantments, Keen Sense, Low-light Vision, Skill Affinity: Listen, Skill Affinity: Search, Skill Affinity: Spot, Sleeplessness)

Alignment: Any (Theme: Chaotic Neutral Preferred)

DOMAINS: Travel (haste), Trickery (improved invisibility)

DEITIES: Prime: Loki (God of fire and Trickery, and Odin's blood-brother); Second: Thor (God of thunder, weather, and crops; travels the sky in a chariot pulled by two goats,& wields the hammer, Mjolnir)

FINAL STATS
STR: 12
DEX: 10
CON: 10
WIS: 18 (34)
INT: 14
CHA: 8

Hitpoints: 316 ( > 400 Self-Buffed)

Saving Throws (Fortitude/Will/Reflex): 23/34/19*
Saving Throw bonuses: Spells: +6, Mind Effects: +2

*Note: in addition to stealth & improved invis., it’s an epic cleric; thus, has access to lots of spells granting stat boosts, immunities, protections, magic resistance (SR 38), etc., and s/he's not dispelable.


* Combat Vitals

BAB: 25
AB (naked): 30 (mundane mace), 48 (mundane longbow)

Divine Power Alone: BAB 30, AB +53 (ranged) / +35 (melee combat)
+5 Div.Fav
+2 Battletide
+1 Bless
+1 Aid
+1 Prayer
+2 Stat boost bonus (Owl's for ranged; Bull’s for melee)
--
BAB 30, AB +65 (ranged) / +47 (melee, +3 DP STR. bonus and +5 GMW: AB 55)
NOTE: DP Exploit: enjoys the maximum number of attacks/round, like a warrior, but with the fourth melee attack coming in at full/max AB; DP also works nicely w. the bow, & stacks with haste – enjoy

Capped AB (assuming some magical equipment):
Ranged (Longbow): BAB 30, AB +74
Melee (Mace): BAB 30, AB +56


Combat Damage:
Mundane Longbow: 1d8+7 (crit: 19-20/x3)
In addition to epic cleric buffs/enhancements, the AA prestige class grants: Seeker Arrow II, Hail of Arrows, Arrow of Death, and Enchant Arrow VII. For more information, see: http://www.nwnwiki.org/Arcane_archer

Mundane Mace: 1d6 +1 (crit: 19-20/x2); has access to many buffs, adding 30+ damage, (haste=extra attack, so even more damage); buffs include fire, bludgeoning, physical, divine, magical, and slashing. For more buff/enhancement info, see spells (below).

Weapon Note: Mace taken for theme reasons, since it bludgeons like a hammer; w. elf proficiency, can if you prefer use longsword (1d8 +1 (crit: 17-20/x2 mundane dam.)


* Defense Vitals:

AC: 10 Base
+4 Tumble
--
AC 14 Naked, NO buffs
+5 Magic Vestment (Armor)
+5 Magic Vestment (Shield)
+5 Shield of Faith (Deflection)
+4 Haste (Dodge AC)
+4 Undeath’s Foe (Dodge AC)
+2 Mage Armor (Dod., Nat. AC)
+8 Mundane Plate Mail
--
AC 47 (using a mundane shield when in melee combat will add +3, or AC 50)
--
Note: Self-Buffs only; does not include magic equipment


Skillpoints: 198
Concentration 42(42), Hide 42(42), Move Silently 42(42), Spellcraft 28(30), Tumble 20(20) (4 points left-over).


Spell Casting:

* Wizard(1), (3 cantrips, and 2 first level spells);
Can also summon a familiar, and scribe scroll.

* Cleric(9), SR: 26+1d20
Spell DC: 22, +spell level

Level - No. of Spells/day (or rest period)
0 - 6 spells
1 - 9 spells
2 - 9 spells
3 - 9 spells
4 - 9 spells
5 - 8 spells
6 - 7 spells
7 - 7 spells
8 - 7 spells
9 - 6 spells

For more spell information and to customize your Archer’s spell book: http://www.nwnwiki.org/Cleric


WHAT FOLLOWS is the EPIC PATH of the DIVINE BOW-MASTER:

01: Cleric(1): point blank shot, domain travel, Domain Trickery
02: Cleric(2)
03: Cleric(3): weapon focus: longbow
04: Cleric(4): WIS+1, (WIS=19)
05: Cleric(5)
06: Cleric(6): zen archery
07: Cleric(7)
08: Cleric(8): WIS+1, (WIS=20)
09: Cleric(9): weapon focus: mace
10: Cleric(10)
11: Cleric(11)
12: Cleric(12): WIS+1, improved critical: longbow, (WIS=21)
13: Cleric(13)
14: Wizard(1): {Scribe Scroll}
15: Arcane Archer(1): improved critical: mace
16: Arcane Archer(2): WIS+1, (WIS=22)
17: Arcane Archer(3)
18: Arcane Archer(4): extend spell recommended (alternate: Blind fight or KD)
19: Arcane Archer(5)
20: Arcane Archer(6): WIS+1, (WIS=23)
21: Arcane Archer(7): epic weapon focus: longbow
22: Arcane Archer(8)
23: Arcane Archer(9)
24: Arcane Archer(10): WIS+1, epic prowess, (WIS=24)
25: Arcane Archer(11)
26: Arcane Archer(12)
27: Cleric(14): epic weapon focus: mace
28: Cleric(15): WIS+1, (WIS=25)
29: Cleric(16)
30: Cleric(17): great wisdom I, (WIS=26)
31: Cleric(18)
32: Cleric(19): WIS+1, (WIS=27)
33: Cleric(20): great wisdom II, (WIS=28)
34: Cleric(21)
35: Cleric(22)
36: Cleric(23): WIS+1, great wisdom III, great wisdom IV, (WIS=31)
37: Cleric(24)
38: Cleric(25)
39: Arcane Archer(13): great wisdom V, (WIS=32)
40: Cleric(26): WIS+1, great wisdom VI, (WIS=34)

Note: if uninterested in melee, feel free to drop mace feats for meta magic feat instead.

Skills Progression:

01: Concentration(4), Spellcraft(4), Tumble(2), Save(4),
02: Concentration(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(6),
03: Concentration(1), Spellcraft(1), Tumble(1), Save(6),
04: Concentration(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(8),
05: Concentration(1), Spellcraft(1), Tumble(1), Save(8),
06: Concentration(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(10),
07: Concentration(1), Spellcraft(1), Tumble(1), Save(10),
08: Concentration(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(12),
09: Concentration(1), Spellcraft(1), Tumble(1), Save(12),
10: Concentration(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(14),
11: Concentration(1), Spellcraft(1), Tumble(1), Save(14),
12: Concentration(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(16),
13: Concentration(1), Spellcraft(1), Tumble(1), Save(16),
14: Concentration(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(18),
15: Hide(11), Move Silently(11), Tumble(1),
16: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Save(4),
17: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Tumble(1), Save(6),
18: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Save(10),
19: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Tumble(1), Save(12),
20: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Save(16),
21: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Tumble(1), Save(18),
22: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Save(22),
23: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Tumble(1), Save(24),
24: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Save(28),
25: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Tumble(1), Save(30),
26: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Save(34),
27: Concentration(13), Spellcraft(10), Tumble(1), Save(13),
28: Concentration(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(15),
29: Concentration(1), Tumble(1), Save(16),
30: Concentration(1), Save(19),
31: Concentration(1), Tumble(1), Save(20),
32: Concentration(1), Save(23),
33: Concentration(1), Tumble(1), Save(24),
34: Concentration(1), Save(27),
35: Concentration(1), Tumble(1), Save(28),
36: Concentration(1), Save(31),
37: Concentration(1), Tumble(1), Save(32),
38: Concentration(1), Save(35),
39: Hide(20), Move Silently(20), Save(1),
40: Concentration(2), Heal(4).

Edited some mistakes made by a hasty builder. Grim

Edited leveling guide and title on author's request - Kail Pendragon

Edited By Kail Pendragon on 08/17/06 23:11

Edit: Oops; Level 18: should read, Extend Spell [-OR- Knockdown -or- Blind fight)]. Also, forgot to add DP's STR boost to the buffed combat (melee AB) total, thus adding another +3 AB re: mace (or other simple or elf weapon of your choice) -- will PM the changes, and sorry about that.

I'm still working on that casting-cleric, the Divine Hunter, which is almost done; in the meantime, thought I'd post a fun-filled archer-type build, and "exploit" not only DP but also some of those great comments re: ranged focus, levied at the magistrate build. Thanks, evryone. On this one, if you don't want the versatility of added melee, feel free to change the mace feats for ie., if take extend at 18 (highly recommended), then empower spell and either KD or BF instead of WF:mace, IC:mace, and armor skin perhaps instead of ewf:mace.

Another alternative would be to pick up some spell foci. Thanks again, and stay tuned ~ Tyr

Edited By TyrTemplar on 08/10/06 22:53

Quote: Posted 08/10/06 21:52:26 (GMT) -- TyrTemplar
* Combat Vitals

BAB: 25
AB (naked): 30 (mundane mace), 48 (mundane longbow)

Divine Power Alone: BAB 30, AB +53 (ranged) / +35 (melee combat)
+5 Div.Fav
+2 Battletide
+1 Bless
+1 Aid
+1 Prayer
+2 Stat boost bonus (Owl's for ranged; Bull’s for melee)
--
BAB 30, AB +65 (ranged) / +47 (melee, +5 GMW: AB 52)
NOTE: DP Exploit: enjoys the maximum number of attacks/round, like a warrior, but with the fourth melee attack coming in at full/max AB; DP also works nicely w. the bow, & stacks with haste – enjoy

Capped AB (assuming some magical equipment):
Ranged (Longbow): BAB 30, AB +74
Melee (Mace): BAB 30, AB +56


Combat Damage:
Mundane Longbow: 1d8 (crit: 19-20/x3)
In addition to epic cleric buffs/enhancements, the AA prestige class grants: Seeker Arrow II, Hail of Arrows, Arrow of Death, and Enchant Arrow VII. For more information, see: http://www.nwnwiki.org/Arcane_archer

Mundane Mace: 1d6 +1 (crit: 19-20/x2); has access to many buffs, adding 30+ damage, (haste=extra attack, so even more damage); buffs include fire, bludgeoning, physical, divine, magical, and slashing. For more buff/enhancement info, see spells (below).

Weapon Note: Mace taken for theme reasons, since it bludgeons like a hammer; w. elf proficiency, can if you prefer use longsword (1d8 +1 (crit: 17-20/x2 mundane dam.)


I love clerics. TO post this as you have is, like I have said before, hiding behind the numbers. We know the DP exploit. THere is NO reason to put it in here and mislead people. What do I mean mislead? You put so much "stuff" into your builds that a person scanning it cannot read all of the essentials. It took me 3 tries to see what on earth you are talking about when I counted 13 cleric lvs pre then I read BAB of 30!! I'm thinking that nwn went and changed the game on me without a patch! Thank god it didnt.

While I applaud your energy that you put into this stuff, it makes me wonder why. In reality, you could have made the ab more impressive by taking 15 cleric lvs (to get the max +5 ) then take the rest aa, ending with aa24 and all that ab that goes with it. Yes theres dispel, and doing it this way you wont get 9th lv and you may get 4apr, but when you exploit, dont hold back.

It saddens me that this is just another cleric/aa that hasnt been played. Yes, cleric aas look amazing on paper, but when you get into the game, they disappoint. Look at the damage. A whole d8 +5 (div fav +3max other stuff incl str for a mighty bow). That was the thing I missed out on originally when I did a cleric/aa so many years ago (and the build was exactly like this, cept i used longsword). Anyone who takes the 15 bab path with greater than 20 lvls in cleric takes 21 cleric lvls to start. That gets you your spell power early and lets your buffs support you and gives parties a reason to invite you

In the end, this character becomes a more fun caster than an archer. The ONE thing you missed was the Epic Mummy. See Click Here
That gives you somethin to distract the monsters when they come runnin into your d8 damage. imho that is the real secret to aaclerics (funny, if you had made a dwarf aaclerics could have a whole new meaning...) Plz, before you go out and post another cleric, PLAY ONE for a few hours. They are NOT just a paper champion

btw, when it comes to pure casters, sorcs and wizs and even druids are better than clerics. Yes, I admit it. The truth is that clerics in nwn are meleeists with support magic spells. Yes, harm is great. Yes you can implode. But in the end, their spell line is more for gettin in to the mix and supporting with buffs and summons (if you are wimpy enough to resort to that ) I just thought I'd throw that out there before you post your cleric caster.
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Quote: Posted 06/28/06 00:22:49 (GMT) -- TyrTemplar

This post is for general information purposes only, and does not constitute a legal opinion or render any legal advice. It may not be relied on for any purpose, and gives rise to

Edited By Grimnir77 on 08/11/06 14:45

And I thought clerics are healers.

Edited By bloodymerc on 08/11/06 08:54

What's this? A Divine Archer with no Divine Might? Tsk, Tsk.

By the way, Templar, I'm not sure on this, and I'm not sure what the unwritten rules are, but I believe there might be a handful of builds here already labeled as "Divine Archer". Does this explain why yours is in caps?
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Ariel, Ookla, RIDE! Actually, it would do more than 1d8 damage even with a normal longbow, It has enchant arrow VII which adds +7 damage no matter what you do with your longbow.
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Quote: Posted 08/10/06 21:52:26 (GMT) -- TyrTemplar
* Combat Vitals

BAB: 25
AB (naked): 30 (mundane mace), 48 (mundane longbow)

Divine Power Alone: BAB 30, AB +53 (ranged) / +35 (melee combat)
+5 Div.Fav
+2 Battletide
+1 Bless
+1 Aid
+1 Prayer
+2 Stat boost bonus (Owl's for ranged; Bull’s for melee)
--
BAB 30, AB +65 (ranged) / +47 (melee, +3 DP STR. bonus and +5 GMW: AB 55)

Divine Power does not increase BAB but it's a magical AB bonus and counts towards the +20 AB cap. So in this case it's

+5 Div.Power
+5 Div.Fav
+2 Battletide
+1 Bless
+1 Aid
+1 Prayer
--------
+15 magical AB bonus.

With a bow+5 you'll reach the cap.
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Quote: Posted 08/11/06 06:39:05 (GMT) -- avado


I love clerics. TO post this as you have is, like I have said before, hiding behind the numbers. We know the DP exploit. THere is NO reason to put it in here and mislead people. What do I mean mislead? You put so much "stuff" into your builds that a person scanning it cannot read all of the essentials. It took me 3 tries to see what on earth you are talking about when I counted 13 cleric lvs pre then I read BAB of 30!! I'm thinking that nwn went and changed the game on me without a patch! Thank god it didnt.
In this case it is self-buffs, and most people include those. nothing wrong with. Perhaps limit the number of words a bit for readability.

Quote: Posted 08/11/06 06:39:05 (GMT) -- avado
While I applaud your energy that you put into this stuff, it makes me wonder why. In reality, you could have made the ab more impressive by taking 15 cleric lvs (to get the max +5 ) then take the rest aa, ending with aa24 and all that ab that goes with it. Yes theres dispel, and doing it this way you wont get 9th lv and you may get 4apr, but when you exploit, dont hold back.

It saddens me that this is just another cleric/aa that hasnt been played. Yes, cleric aas look amazing on paper, but when you get into the game, they disappoint. Look at the damage. A whole d8 +5 (div fav +3max other stuff incl str for a mighty bow).
If the damage is such a problem, then undispellable is a good thing right, to at leats keep what little she gets.
As for damage, 1d8+5 at lvl 40 isn't exactly what she gets...... It's already 1d8+7 with normal bow and arrows, add DF +5, Battletide +2, both magic, up to 7 more from Mighty bow and STR items. At that lvl you're bound to find some magic arrows of some kind to, I'm sure, say +5. Now we have 1d8+(12-19) depending on STR and mighty properties. And another +7 magic damage. Add to that 6 APR with decent AB, some AoE spells, defensive buffs, summons and damage spells and it's not that hopeless. It's way better than plenty of the DEX-builds that have been frequenting this page.

Feel I'm defending someone else's build here, but I think it's honestly not that bad.

Quote: Posted 08/11/06 13:43:45 (GMT) -- Kamiryn

Divine Power does not increase BAB but it's a magical AB bonus and counts towards the +20 AB cap. So in this case it's

+5 Div.Power
+5 Div.Fav
+2 Battletide
+1 Bless
+1 Aid
+1 Prayer
--------
+15 magical AB bonus.

With a bow+5 you'll reach the cap.

Hm, it kinda raises BAB, since it grants extra attacks that would be there with the new BAB, but yes it counts towards the cap. If you notice her "capped AB" post you'll see it's correct. (I just checked )
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Quote: Posted 08/11/06 14:44:27 (GMT) -- Grimnir77

Hm, it kinda raises BAB, since it grants extra attacks that would be there with the new BAB, but yes it counts towards the cap. If you notice her "capped AB" post you'll see it's correct. (I just checked )

I know it is posted that way, but what you think she says isnt really what she says. TO say that it increases BAB... no. As far as I can tell (and I am no genius), bab is fixed by class progression and lvl. ANything else increases AB.

I am shocked that a cleric/aa gets that much damage!! If this is the case, this build is better than I originally thought when i played it way back in 2004. Guess I shoulda got past lv 24 then, eh??! Its funny that with all the info, THAT was missed.

Edited By avado on 08/11/06 15:34

Heh, thanks Grim, Avado, and everyone. Yeah, he's pretty cool, and even better w. mighty bow and magic arrows But the cleric buffs, spells, and AA, me thinks it makes for a nice spell-bow, too. (Er, even if his name isn't exactly the most creative (nice to see you, Dwarflord

As to DP: What it actually does, among other things, is magically transfer the cleric from its base table to that of the fighter, ie., in this case, from pre-epic bab 15 to warrior's bab 20; in turn, increases your AB across the board, and also brings in fourth attack (ie., like a warrior). Uh: who said exploitation's bad?

As to spell access, it's not actually all that bad: at level 15, gets spell access 7th, the rest in the 20s. If ya want more of the casting route, by all means drop melee/mace stuff for spell foci instead. This be a good alternative, though I admit that said alternate won't please everyone (psst., you caster fans prefer spell foci early, yes? If so, check out Divine Hunter (Cleric of Odin) v. 2).

What we gots here me thinks is a rather cool spell bow, and he be good fun (thanks: & as usual, interesting discussion and learnin' all around! ~ Tyr

Edited By TyrTemplar on 08/15/06 22:08

Hey easy on the girl avado, she ain't TyrPaladin, Deb's a nice person.

I find myself in agreement with avado though regarding the readability of the post. I like to see the base stats and the leveling guide layed out together without much ado.

Check out Grim's, or CD's, or Mith's, or Finn's, or GD's builds for example (they are not the only ones to make it right, of course). A short intro (plus a sort story if there's one), the build, then you can go into examining all the details you want and write about all the possible buffing variants. If you do it halfway through the build it makes it messy, IMO.


The build's not bad at all, I would take the Wiz lvl just before going AA though. At 2nd lvl it hurts more then it benefits you.


Regarding the title, it is no surprise there's more than one divine archer already. Considering Deb's creativity I believe it won't be difficult to find an alternative name for the build, so please Deb, suggest one.


Cheers,
Kail
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Edited By Kail Pendragon on 08/16/06 12:49

Hey, Kail: good to see you, and thanks!

Really gets at the heart of what *is* cleric, doesn’t it? My sister, a 20+ year die-hard fan/veteran PnP player of cleric, and only cleric, shudders to think of having to wait for her foci; she could care less about such things as AB (though, me loves the idea of having both worlds, and reason why I puts spell foci out as an alternative, though to have both necessarily means some waitin’ be in order, which I know die-hard casters don't like, but all 'bout sacrifices... It's a non-ending debate, & one that can often times get heated

Ah, but for die hard caster fans, like me sister, who want foci & simply can't wait, there be Divine Hunter, Cleric of Odin (v.2), who gets his/her foci right out of the gate, and talk about spell access! (let it never be said that Tyr don’t listen (different builds for different folks, always depending on the environs too of course; this one be a cool spell bow (thanks, Kail; and yeah, not bads at all Oh, & love your idea as to delaying wiz ‘til later; scribe scroll and a familiar be kinda neat, but excellent point do you make (as usual).

And so, pretty please with scrambled dragon eggs on top, could we incorporate that great idea of yours, and make the following edits? (thanks!

EDITS
02: Cleric(2) (ie, delaying wizard until level 14)
14: Wizard(1): {Scribe Scroll} (now, take yer wizard)


AS TO THE ALTERNATE (I.E., FOR MORE DC/CASTING POWER):
If want Spell foci (i.e., for a naked, unbuffed evocat’n DC 28+spell level -and without diluting your ranged focus, all ya needs do, as noted above, is drop mace/melee to instead picks up all yer foci, as follows:

09: Cleric(9): extend spell (ie., drop wf: mace, and bump up ES instead)
12: Cleric(12): WIS+1, spell focus: evocation, (WIS=21) (ie, delaying IC:longbow, but only for 5 levels, as by now you’ve all yer buffs in order, so time for your foci)
15: Arcane Archer(1): greater spell focus: evocation (ie., drop IC: mace)
18: Arcane Archer(4): improved critical: longbow (ie., where ES was, such that it's open, and time to IC bow)
27: Cleric(14): great wisdom I, (WIS=25) (ie., drop ewf: mace, bump up a great wisdom)
28: Cleric(15): WIS+1, (WIS=26)
29: Cleric(16)
30: Cleric(17): epic spell focus: evocation (ie., instead of GrWis, which we took at lvl 27 - & voila: foci

Note re; domains – if goin’ for DC/casting route, might consider dropping Trickery in favor of Plant; this, since s/he’s got stealth anyway, among other things, takin' plant instead to gets yerself a level 26 creeping doom (note: not only would this be keeping within the theme (Thor rules crops), but we also be talking some kinda serious ant army!!). When you consider that s/he’s also got some really nice, buffable AB and decent damage (just as good as many dexers out there, and equally able to find/use all those great magic arrows, not to mention mighty bow for which being able to buff str to cap be a huge bonus… well,‘nuff said

As to a name, hmmm: yeah, “divine” (as in cleric) + “archer” (as in, AA/bow focus), not exactly creative, but merely descriptive, isn’t it Good point! Oh, I got it: how 'bout we change it to this -- Norse Archer (Cleric of Loki) – thanks, Kail (as always

Edited By TyrTemplar on 08/16/06 20:50

edit: and, uh, that be Templar, Deb Templar from hereon in (thanks, everyone)