Persistable Archery Spells for an Archer Archivist

[JaronK]

I've been thinking a lot about how powerful an Archivist would be as an archer... Persistant Spells, full access to the Ranger and Cleric lists, and a few choice other spells... that's going to really help.  But I need to figure out the best spells to use.

Right now, a basic build stub would be Cloistered Cleric 1/Archivist 3/Binder 1/Anima Mage 10/Tenebrous Apostate 5, using the divine adaptation of Anima Mage.  Anima Mage is there for the three free persisted spells per day (but sadly that means being nuetral or evil, so no Sacred Exorcist), and Tenebrous Apostate is mostly because it just fits so well, but perhaps there's a better archery PrC to take.

I think the best persisted spells would be:

Guided Shot (no penalties for range, concealment, or cover)
Hunter's Eye (+1d6/3 caster levels sneak attack damage)
Sniper's Shot (no range limit for sneak attack)
Divine Favor (+3 to hit and damage)
Righteous Might (+1 size increment, +2 Strength)
Divine Power (Full BAB, +6 Str)
Swift Haste (Persistable Haste)
Arrow Storm (As a full attack action, hit everyone within one range incriment, up to your character level targets)
Aura of Vitality (You and allies gain +4 morale bonus to physical stats)
Bite of the Weretiger (Gain +12 enhancement to Str, +4 Dex, some other stuff)
Holy Transformation (Gain 60ft good fly speed, +2 Sacred Bonus to str and con)
Hawkeye (+50% weapon ranges, +5 Spot)
Giant Size (Become really really big!)

And then at really high levels, Shapechange into an Arrow Demon for double shots.

Other important (but not persisted) spells would be Chain of Eyes (to see targets from very far away), Greater Magic Weapon, and Ghost Touch Weapon.

Basic idea:  Persist your spells (extend them as well so you can use up half the number of turn attempts), then fly around really far from your party.  Use Chain of Eyes to see what your party scout sees, and shoot it with no penalties.  Very handy.  Occasionally, make use of Arrow Storm.  You'll be using Righteous Might, and eventually Giant Size, to be really big, which gives plenty of strength and range on your weapon, and you'll want to weild a Greatbow (use Braces of Archery to be able to use it).

But are there better spells to use?

JaronK

[Operation Shoestring]

Arrowmind might be useful.  But only if you anticipate being dragged into melee

[Omen of Peace]

You got most of the important ones. Arrow Mind is indeed nice - you can even make an AoO build with it (and Giant Size).

Perhaps also Storm Rage (SC) for immunity to ranged weapon attacks in case someone duplicates your trick or can reflect arrows at you - certainly not a priority. Greater Visage of the Deity (SC) is never bad.

The problem with Sniper's Shot is that the *text* of the spell says "your ranged attacks made before the start of your next turn [...]" so persisting won't help much, and in turn that lessens the efficiency of Hunter's Eye. Still, you can keep recasting it.

Aura of Vitality can't be persisted.

[ksbsnowowl]

It's not really archery related, but persistent Mass Lesser Vigor is always a great party boon.

At the least, it helps your party "tanks" stay between you and the bag guys, allowing you to do the kick-ass archer thing all day long.