Another "spellsword" build, this one focusing on ranged combat. AA lvls nicely pump up AB and dmg output too (equivalent to WS/EWS), buffs will greatly help survivability (lvl 6 spells are available already before any AA lvls) as will summons. There's a good deal of compromises in this build, but spellswords are always such.
Advantages •Good AB, especially for a spellsw... arrow •Good naked AC •EMA, EW for high lvl play •Undispellability •Autopenetrates SR 32 •Lvl 9 wizard spells •Epic trap skills •UMD •Evasion (late) plus a good Ref save •Craft Wand
Weaknesses •Low HPs •Slow caster progression •Poor Fort and Will saves (good vs spells though) •3 APR (although haste and RS bring them to 5 and DP scrolls add another 1) •No melee skills (I don't like Finesse in AAs) •Could use some more skillpoints •Tight on feats
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No way? A double comeback? I'm impressed.
I've seen this kind of build before though, and it certainly gives a wizard an extra hand even when his spells are dwindling in number. Buildwise, I prefer EW before EMA, but perhaps you can't? I'm completely out of everything you know. As you mention he also uses quite some time to get everything he wants to be, but such is life for spellblade/bows.
Now this old bear will just crawl back to his cave and sleep the last remains of the "winter" off his hide. _________________ We are sons of Odin, and the fire that we burn inside is the legacy of warrior-kings who reign above in the sky I will lead the charge, my sword into the wind Sons of Odin fights to die and live again
Quote: Posted 03/21/08 22:09 (GMT) -- Grimnir77 I've seen this kind of build before though, and it certainly gives a wizard an extra hand even when his spells are dwindling in number. Buildwise, I prefer EW before EMA, but perhaps you can't?
I could in this build cause EMA requires 26 spellcraft ranks while EW needs 34, but both scores are already reached at 33rd lvl, where the first epic spell is taken. Personally, I value more EMA since it frees up a lot of gear slots and it's long duration. But you can swap them out without problem.
Quote: I'm completely out of everything you know. As you mention he also uses quite some time to get everything he wants to be, but such is life for spellblade/bows.
Aye, unfortunately so.But it makes them rewarding to play, in the end.
Quote: Now this old bear will just crawl back to his cave and sleep the last remains of the "winter" off his hide.
Glad to see you back, buddy _________________ They can't stop us Let them try For Heavy Metal We will die
I've always been unsure about building a spellbow... I always feel like most of the buffs work only for melee, and well, you'll end stronger with only Fighter/AA...
Well, I think it's OK, but I wouldn't play it personally, you only get 14 BAB so that's 3 APR and only just decent AB even though you're an Arcane Archer. He holds the true RP nature of an Arcane Archer, but I feel like you try to get too much things on this build, not powerful IMO. _________________
Quote: Posted 12/19/06 19:54 (GMT) -- FinneousPJ
Thax the Shadow Dragon sez: MONKS USE KAMAS. Just ask him.
I've always been unsure about building a spellbow... I always feel like most of the buffs work only for melee, and well, you'll end stronger with only Fighter/AA...
Well, I think it's OK, but I wouldn't play it personally, you only get 14 BAB so that's 3 APR and only just decent AB even though you're an Arcane Archer. He holds the true RP nature of an Arcane Archer, but I feel like you try to get too much things on this build, not powerful IMO.
It's 4 APR with RS and it's no worse than the melee spellsword (actually it is better), provided a +5 bow available and normal elemental arrows (to cover for the lack of GMW and Flame Weapon usefulness, the only buffs togetehr with Keen Edge that you can't use). You've got a fairly decent AB and lvl 9 spells. As I said, only 3 buffs are unnecessary and those are usually covered with gear.
Playing it has its difficulties, of course, but not worse than melee spellswords. FTR/AA is stronger AB wise, evidently, but you can't really compare them since they are supposed to be played totally differently. FTR/AA can't cast TS, can't bigby, can't IGMS, etc. It's a whole different ballgame. _________________ They can't stop us Let them try For Heavy Metal We will die
At high levels at least, and possibly very much earlier than that this build would chew a fighter/AA to pieces without breaking sweat. That said, I feel characters such as this uses melee/bow to save some spells. In servers with rest-restrictions these builds truly reach their usefulness IMO. And the fact that your head will still have hair when you encounter that pesky piercing resistance is also a major factor. Not to mention those times when you encounter spell-resistant enemies. _________________ We are sons of Odin, and the fire that we burn inside is the legacy of warrior-kings who reign above in the sky I will lead the charge, my sword into the wind Sons of Odin fights to die and live again
I like it, but have a question it seems like a waste to have 30 dex and no uncanny dodge did you consider a 3rd rogue lvl for it and drop 1 wizard lvl or was it not even a consideration.
I like it, but have a question it seems like a waste to have 30 dex and no uncanny dodge did you consider a 3rd rogue lvl for it and drop 1 wizard lvl or was it not even a consideration.
Right, I forgot to mention the possibility to drop one wiz lvl giving up auto penetration of SR 32 (5% chance to fail) for Rogue 3 and UD.
I didn't go for it because careful play, especially with an archer type and with true seeing, will take care of not putting you into a situation where you lose your Dex bonus; add a KD immunity item and you are almost set. More than uncanny Dodge, what I personally miss in high Dex builds is ED. Anyhow, the possibility is there to get UD, if one so wants. Thanks for pointing it out. _________________ They can't stop us Let them try For Heavy Metal We will die
Well it is true he can cast level 9 spells and has a decent AB, bow damage is still higher than non-AA builds, maybe I'm just obsessed about it, when I play Arcane Archers every flurry always hits and for heavy damage, but yeah, that's a different build alright. _________________ "My name is Thaxll'ssyllia, but you simians may refer to me merely as "Sir", if you prefer a less... syllable intensive workout."
Edwin Odesseiron - Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
Quote: Posted 03/22/08 11:09 (GMT) -- Kail Pendragon Right, I forgot to mention the possibility to drop one wiz lvl giving up auto penetration of SR 32 (5% chance to fail) for Rogue 3 and UD. I didn't go for it because careful play, especially with an archer type and with true seeing, will take care of not putting you into a situation where you lose your Dex bonus; add a KD immunity item and you are almost set. More than uncanny Dodge, what I personally miss in high Dex builds is ED. Anyhow, the possibility is there to get UD, if one so wants. Thanks for pointing it out.
No problem, I didn't ask about ED because it would have taken a major change in the build to get it.
I just care about killing first.