Slightly off-topic: what lvl is this guy

[Legacy_tobtor]

               

Hi, I am watching the newest you-tube video of Lars Andersen shooting arrows:

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=BEG-ly9tQGk

 

I was playing around with how to stat him (based solely on archery skills, which of course is not how skills work in real life). What lvl (and class) would he need to be?

 

He clearly has rapid shot and point blank shot.

 

His ability to catch arrows might be covered by deflect missile, except he is doing it while using a bow. This could of course be handwaved.

 

His fastest shootings: 10 arrows in less than 5 seconds and shooting 3 arrows in 0,6 seconds while jumping might not be useful for combat (not fully drawing the arrow back). However, the 3 arrows in 1,5 seconds is made at a real draw and can penetrate armour,  that would allow him 3 attacks in the first flurry (2 seconds so quite close to his 1,5). That seems not possible within NWN (since it would require 7 attacks in a round and does not seem possible with a bow, where 4 (from BAB), +1 (rapid shot) +1 (from haste)=6 is the highest so that could be assumed)

 

So he clearly has very high dex, needs tohave at least some lvl in a full BAB class and be lvl 16 or above (for four attacks pr. round).

               
               

               
            

[Baaleos]

               

Think that guy is playing on a nwnx server where the level cap has been removed.

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Gruftlord]

               

but can he do it riding down an elephants snout?

 

... ok, he probably can.

that video was seriously awesome.

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_WhiZard]

               

Hi, I am watching the newest you-tube video of Lars Andersen shooting arrows:

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=BEG-ly9tQGk

 

I was playing around with how to stat him (based solely on archery skills, which of course is not how skills work in real life). What lvl (and class) would he need to be?

 

He clearly has rapid shot and point blank shot.

 

His ability to catch arrows might be covered by deflect missile, except he is doing it while using a bow. This could of course be handwaved.

 

His fastest shootings: 10 arrows in less than 5 seconds and shooting 3 arrows in 0,6 seconds while jumping might not be useful for combat (not fully drawing the arrow back). However, the 3 arrows in 1,5 seconds is made at a real draw and can penetrate armour,  that would allow him 3 attacks in the first flurry (2 seconds so quite close to his 1,5). That seems not possible within NWN (since it would require 7 attacks in a round and does not seem possible with a bow, where 4 (from BAB), +1 (rapid shot) +1 (from haste)=6 is the highest so that could be assumed)

 

So he clearly has very high dex, needs tohave at least some lvl in a full BAB class and be lvl 16 or above (for four attacks pr. round).

 

While Lars Andersen's stunts look quite impressive, he really adds little to the knowledge of historical archery like the video claims.  With the exception of his 3 full drawn shots used to penetrate chainmail (done in 1.5 seconds), the rest of his shots are at half draw making it difficult for them to do any serious damage to an armored combatant, and very likely wounding instead of killing an unarmored foe.  Quick shots were the way to go when fighting in formation in battle.  The archers would be at the front, and their job would be to fill the air with arrows without much regard towards accuracy.  The thought was if a wave of enemies sustained enough random arrow wounds they would likely break their attack and withdraw.

 

Let's look at Lars techniques:

1) Knocking the arrow on the right, and having the arrows strapped to the thigh, and taken in multiples by the hand.

Nothing new here, these techniques are still used and taught, especially among the Eastern.

2) Catching an arrow mid air.

Technically the video did not mention that he could catch an arrow midair, merely that he could retrieve and fire back enemy arrows.  If you notice, there is a metalic screen behind him, which stops the arrow's momentum before he grabs it.  Useful skill when the enemy is firing a lot of arrows at half-draw, but this will not work at retrieving arrows that are well embedded in a surface.

3) Repelling arrows.

Half-draw against half-draw.  Typically the battle would be filled with arrows, so there wouldn't need to be all that much accuracy needed anyway.  Lars would have problems if the arrows against him were fired at full draw.

4) Splitting an arrow mid-air.

In battle this would do nothing more than repel an enemy arrow,  as there would be a large number of arrows to deal with anyway.

 

Looking at Lars' proficiency at the half-draw, and his evasive style of being able to move quickly and fire (rather than the in battle stance of standing in place with the other archers and hoping the pikemen would come to your rescue if the enemy still got too close), I would put Lars as a rogue with a high sneak attack damage for being able to inflict many wounding shots in rapid succession.

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_tobtor]

               

"the rest of his shots are at half draw making it difficult for them to do any serious damage to an armored combatant"

 

Agreed as far as his strength goes, the reason being that real armour have "DR" and not just "AC". But if you look at historical source half-draw WAS used in battle (Bayeux tapestry and many other depictions as well as texts) for when the enemy got closer. This is of course with a stronger bow if you want to pierce armour.

 

"and very likely wounding instead of killing an unarmored foe"

Any arrow, regardless of strength of the bow, will primarily wound, unless you hit a vital (artery or hearth/lung/brain)), a strong bow will "just" penetrate an unarmoured foe completely.

 

"1) Knocking the arrow on the right, and having the arrows strapped to the thigh, and taken in multiples by the hand.

Nothing new here, these techniques are still used and taught, especially among the Eastern."

 

You would be surprised at how many historians/archers claiming the opposite. Especially for Medieval European archery, and they claim the illustrations he uses is made for "easier depictions in books not needing to "break" the line that is the bowstring", and that you would loose all accuracy doing it the right side shooting, he shows that it can be done accurately.

 

"Technically the video did not mention that he could catch an arrow midair, merely that he could retrieve and fire back enemy arrows.  If you notice, there is a metalic screen behind him, which stops the arrow's momentum before he grabs it.  Useful skill when the enemy is firing a lot of arrows at half-draw, but this will not work at retrieving arrows that are well embedded in a surface."

 

Wrong! Look around 3.05 in the film and onwards: first he does it standing still, then while jumping and spinning, shooting the arrow before hitting the ground! True the arrow fired at him is probably not shot with the strongest bow.

 

"3) Repelling arrows. Half-draw against half-draw.  Typically the battle would be filled with arrows, so there wouldn't need to be all that much accuracy needed anyway.  Lars would have problems if the arrows against him were fired at full draw."

 

I agree, it is totally useless in a battle. Most RPGs (like NWN) are depicting  skirmish fighting, rather than battlefields. You might still consider the usefulness, rather than just ducking/moving away. But as a NWN feat it should be represented.

 

I agree some sneak attack would be added, note that he fast shoots two "skulls" in the eye from some distance (6-8m at least).

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Terrorble]

               

That was cool.  Thanks for sharing.