Author Topic: Arcane Archer build (Read 1679 times)

Legacy_Akrabra · « **on:** January 19, 2015, 03:03:46 am »

Starting a new Neverwinter Nights save and i am very tempted at trying Arcane archer, never tested it before. I searched the web for some guides etc, but most hits are not panning out. Was just wondering about a few basic things. Like what race to choose, which classes do you need points in to make it work?. What feats? Longbow vs short vs compsite and so on. If you have any suggestions or guides that can help i am eagerly awaiting that reply.

Legacy_WhiZard · « **Reply #1 on:** January 19, 2015, 06:48:49 am »

The race for arcane archer is either elf or half-elf. Most builds go elf as it has better racial feats (including keen sense) than half-elf. One class must be arcane. Wizard is often chosen as this is the elf's favored class, but there are bard/red dragon disciple/arcane archer builds as well. Fighter is typically the third class just to give the extra feats. If you want to scour the many arcane archer builds you can visit the epic character builder's guild.

Legacy_MagicalMaster · « **Reply #2 on:** January 19, 2015, 09:38:06 am »

There's no such thing as a "composite" bow -- that's just a fancy way of saying a "a bow with the mighty property." Longbows and shortbows are it, and there's rarely any reason to not go longbow (it's literally just better by 1 damage compared to a shortbow).

Legacy_Empyre65 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 19, 2015, 06:22:20 pm »

In addition to the Epic Character Builders Guild linked above, there is the Epic Character Search Engine.

Legacy_Animayhem · « **Reply #4 on:** February 03, 2015, 01:17:06 am »

I play an arcane archer whos build is 1 wiz 6 fighter and the rest AA. My AA prefers the longbow. Though since they have fighter levels also use blades and shields when needed.

If you play where you can ride horses, mounted combat and mounted archery a must.

Legacy_Jfoxtail · « **Reply #5 on:** February 03, 2015, 03:12:40 pm »

There are probably many many different builds and some posters on these board that are more experienced and better than I.

However I actually prefer a Wizard X / Ranger 1 / AA X build for the solo campaigns, a few DM led games I played, and a few PWs I frequented in the past.

Intelligence high for spells. Additionally you will be able to selectively cross class skills like tumble as you build your INT. Dex as your secondary stat at least 16 and then buff it Cats grace and such equipment as you can acquire. It takes much longer to acquire the AA specialty going heavy wizard but wiz spells like grease, cloud kill, stunning clouds, etc actually help the AA keep foes at "bow range" and safer from direct impact.

Of course you sacrifice armor as well. In addition to the required Weapon focus long bow, and point blank shot I do recommend dodge and mobility (along with the tumble skill).

Why the Ranger 1 ? Well you get access (light armors, etc) to dual weld and with weapon finesse and your dex build you end up being capable with a couple of daggers or short swords.

But above all the "role play aspect" seems about right to me.

Say a "Moon elf of the Neverwinter wood, or Silvery Moon who is typically a arcanist but had to at least learn the "woodsy militia requirements" of the elves of his "glade clan".....

Anyway as I say there are many better qualified to offer advice - that is just my two cents '<img '>

Legacy_Lilura · « **Reply #6 on:** February 03, 2015, 09:34:10 pm »

I played through Hordes of the Underdark as an Arcane Archer, detailing my build (and the errors I made!), tactics and general exploits here.

Legacy_Empyre65 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 04, 2015, 12:49:24 am »

I played a Rogue 17 / Wizard 1 / AA 22 in SoU, the Nether Scrolls bridge module, HotU, and Sands of Fate, which brought me all the ay to level 40. He had all those fun Rogue skills and Epic Dodge. I'd be happy to post the build if you're interested.

Legacy_Lilura · « **Reply #8 on:** February 05, 2015, 10:06:50 pm »

I think the ~~hardest~~ most tedious foe for my AA in HotU was The Maker (demi-lich). I must have fired 50 arrows into that thing!

Legacy_Empyre65 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 06, 2015, 05:55:55 pm »

Here's the build:

Spoiler

Legacy_Akrabra · « **Reply #10 on:** February 06, 2015, 09:19:46 pm »

Here's the build:

Spoiler

Elven Guardian PvM (Rogue 17 / Wizard 1 / Arcane Archer 22)

Elf, Any Alignment

Playable 1 - 40, PvM

Abilities:

STR: 12

DEX: 18 (34)

CON: 14

WIS: 8

INT: 14

CHA: 8

Leveling Guide:

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

01: Rogue(1): Point Blank Shot

02: Rogue(2): {Evasion}

03: Rogue(3): Weapon Focus: Longbow, {Uncanny Dodge I}

04: Rogue(4): DEX+1, (DEX=19)

05: Rogue(5)

06: Rogue(6): Weapon Finesse

07: Rogue(7)

08: Rogue(: DEX+1, (DEX=20)

09: Wizard(1): Called Shot, {Scribe Scroll}

10: Arcane Archer(1)

11: Arcane Archer(2)

12: Rogue(9): DEX+1, Improved Critical: Longbow, (DEX=21)

13: Arcane Archer(3)

14: Arcane Archer(4)

15: Arcane Archer(5): Blind Fight

16: Arcane Archer(6): DEX+1, (DEX=22)

17: Rogue(10): Improved Evasion

18: Arcane Archer(7): Rapid Shot

19: Arcane Archer(

20: Arcane Archer(9): DEX+1, (DEX=23)

21: Rogue(11): Epic Weapon Focus: Longbow

22: Arcane Archer(10)

23: Rogue(12)

24: Arcane Archer(11): DEX+1, Great Dexterity I, (DEX=25)

25: Rogue(13): Defensive Roll

26: Arcane Archer(12)

27: Rogue(14): Epic Dodge

28: Arcane Archer(13): DEX+1, (DEX=26)

29: Arcane Archer(14): Great Dexterity II, (DEX=27)

30: Arcane Archer(15): Epic Prowess

31: Arcane Archer(16)

32: Rogue(15): DEX+1, (DEX=28)

33: Arcane Archer(17): Great Dexterity III, (DEX=29)

34: Arcane Archer(18): Armor Skin

35: Arcane Archer(19)

36: Arcane Archer(20): DEX+1, Great Dexterity IV, (DEX=31)

37: Rogue(16): Skill Mastery

38: Arcane Archer(21)

39: Arcane Archer(22): Great Dexterity V, Great Dexterity VI, (DEX=33)

40: Rogue(17): DEX+1, (DEX=34)

Stats:

Hitpoints: 362

Skillpoints: 336

Saving Throws (Fortitude/Will/Reflex): 21/17/35

Saving Throw bonuses: Spells: +2, Mind Effects: +2, Traps: +4

BAB: 26

AB (max, naked): 39 (melee), 53 (ranged)

AC (naked/mundane armor/shield only): 32/35

Spell Casting: Wizard(1)

Alignment Changes: 0

Skills:

Disable Trap 43(47), Hide 43(55), Listen 43(44), Lore 10(12), Move Silently 43(55), Open Lock 1(13), Search 38(42), Set Trap 31(45), Spellcraft 8(10), Tumble 40(52), UMD 36(35)

01: Disable Trap(4), Hide(4), Listen(4), Lore(4), Move Silently(4), Open Lock(1), Search(4), Set Trap(4), Tumble(4), UMD(4), Save(3)

02: Disable Trap(1), Hide(1), Listen(1), Lore(1), Move Silently(1), Search(1), Set Trap(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1), Save(4)

03: Disable Trap(1), Hide(1), Listen(1), Lore(1), Move Silently(1), Search(1), Set Trap(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1), Save(5)

04: Disable Trap(1), Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Search(1), Set Trap(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1), Save(7)

05: Disable Trap(1), Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Search(1), Set Trap(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1), Save(9)

06: Disable Trap(1), Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Search(1), Set Trap(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1), Save(11)

07: Disable Trap(1), Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Search(1), Set Trap(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1), Save(13)

08: Disable Trap(1), Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Search(1), Set Trap(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1), Save(15)

09: Spellcraft(, Save(11)

10: Hide(2), Listen(2), Move Silently(2), Save(11)

11: Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Save(14)

12: Disable Trap(4), Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Search(4), Set Trap(4), Tumble(4), UMD(4), Save(1)

13: Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Save(4)

14: Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Save(7)

15: Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Save(10)

16: Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Save(13)

17: Disable Trap(5), Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Search(5), Set Trap(5), Tumble(5)

18: Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Save(3)

19: Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Save(6)

20: Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Save(9)

21: Disable Trap(4), Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Search(4), Set Trap(4), Tumble(4)

22: Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Save(3)

23: Disable Trap(2), Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Search(2), Set Trap(2), Tumble(2), UMD(2)

24: Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Save(3)

25: Disable Trap(2), Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Search(2), Set Trap(2), Tumble(2), UMD(2)

26: Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Save(3)

27: Disable Trap(2), Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Search(2), Set Trap(2), Tumble(2), UMD(2)

28: Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Save(3)

29: Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Save(6)

30: Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Save(9)

31: Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Save(12)

32: Disable Trap(5), Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Search(5), Set Trap(1), Tumble(5), UMD(3)

33: Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Save(3)

34: Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Save(6)

35: Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Save(9)

36: Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Save(12)

37: Disable Trap(5), Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), Search(3), Tumble(5), UMD(6)

38: Hide(1), Listen(1), Lore(3), Move Silently(1)

39: Hide(1), Listen(1), Lore(1), Move Silently(1), Save(2)

40: Disable Trap(3), Hide(1), Listen(1), Move Silently(1), UMD(6)

Could you apply the same build to NWN 2?

Legacy_Empyre65 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 07, 2015, 11:19:58 pm »

I have had NWN 2 for several years now, but I haven't installed it yet. I have always intended to, and still do, but I have never yet got around to it.

Legacy_Knight_Shield · « **Reply #12 on:** February 09, 2015, 02:47:37 am »

Ok I thought I would share a build I like. 12M/1W/27AA built on wisdom.

High AC

Movement speed increase

High Spot ':ph34r:'

Legacy_kalbaern · « **Reply #13 on:** February 09, 2015, 05:32:10 am »

There's no such thing as a "composite" bow -- that's just a fancy way of saying a "a bow with the mighty property." Longbows and shortbows are it, and there's rarely any reason to not go longbow (it's literally just better by 1 damage compared to a shortbow).

Erm ... as an actual archery enthusiast (Who behind me keeps saying "nut"?), I need to point out that there are indeed "composite bows" in real life, not just in game. '<img '> Many folks confuse compound bows with composite bows and a composite bow can also be a compound bow. Both refer to a method of manufacturing. Non-composite bows are generally referred to as "self bows".

Here's a decent Wiki link for more details: http://en.wikipedia....i/Composite_bow

As for my favored AA build .. its;

Elven ... 3 levels of fighter or ranger ... 7 levels of wizard ... remainder AA. I prefer taking at least 7 levels of wizard to accumulate a decent range of buffing spells that have a decent duration.

Legacy_MagicalMaster · « **Reply #14 on:** February 09, 2015, 06:27:21 am »

Erm ... as an actual archery enthusiast (Who behind me keeps saying "nut"?), I need to point out that there are indeed "composite bows" in real life, not just in game

Yes, I'm aware : / I was strictly referring to in-game descriptions.

This is a bow.

This is a composite bow.

This is your bow on drugs.

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Author Topic: Arcane Archer build (Read 1679 times)

Legacy_Akrabra

Arcane Archer build

Legacy_WhiZard

Arcane Archer build

Legacy_MagicalMaster

Arcane Archer build

Legacy_Empyre65

Arcane Archer build

Legacy_Animayhem

Arcane Archer build

Legacy_Jfoxtail

Arcane Archer build

Legacy_Lilura

Arcane Archer build

Legacy_Empyre65

Arcane Archer build

Legacy_Lilura

Arcane Archer build

Legacy_Empyre65

Arcane Archer build

Legacy_Akrabra

Arcane Archer build

Legacy_Empyre65

Arcane Archer build

Legacy_Knight_Shield

Arcane Archer build

Legacy_kalbaern

Arcane Archer build

Legacy_MagicalMaster

Arcane Archer build