Hello, so, I was reading many guides, handbooks, and so forth, and I decided it would be fun to try my hand at building an archer. Of course, the handbooks don't account for the relatively lenient houserules I have to work with, so I figured I'd see what ideas you had for one.
Sources: Most 3.5 or 3.0 sources, notably including Dragon Magazine, and one or two things from World of Warcraft roleplaying game (well, one or two things that are easy to remember, I happen not to be the one with the book). I personally refuse to use half-ogre or half-minotaur, however, particularly since I want a dex-based archer for this; also, I am more familiar with 3.5 sources than 3.0.
Character: I want a dexterity-based volley archer, fighting preferably at ranges greater than 60', to rain down death on my foes long before they reach me and possibly before they see me.
Levels: Both an e6 build (no higher than level 6 expected, but feats beyond that) and a 20-level build would be ideal. Either way, I'd like every level to feel like a notable increase in power.
Houserules: Well...
[spoiler]
- 32-point buy.
- Up to 2 flaws, 1 trait per flaw.
- Feats every odd level rather than every third level.
- Feat and skill retraining allowed, cost is time.
- Races aren't required for all racial variants; this tends to vary by racial variant - halfling rogue substitution level can be taken by non-halflings, but goliath barbarian could only be taken by a race with powerful build, say.
- There is no such thing as a multiclassing penalty.
- All skills are class skills except speak language.
- Skills are combined: Acrobatics(Balance,Tumble), Athletics(Climb,Jump), Diplomacy(Diplomacy, Gather Information), Linguistics(Decipher Script, Forgery), Perception(Spot, Listen), Stealth(Hide, Move Silently)
- Most LA +0 playable races gain an additional +2 to an ability score. (Any: Humans, Half-Elves, Half-Orcs; Int: Elves, Goblins; Wis: Dwarves, Changelings; Cha: Halflings, Gnomes, Kobolds; Others: Varies)
- Using the kobold features from Races of the Dragon web enhancement.
- Mutations from d20 Future allowed, though taking cybernetic dependency is ah, not recommended.
- No such thing as the track feat; anyone can track with survival, and rangers gain a bonus feat instead.
- Point Blank Shot does not exist and is not a prereq for anything.[/spoiler]
----
So the build I'm looking at, I decided to start with a strongheart halfling. I like small size, I like feats, I like dexterity, and I like a bonus with slings and thrown weapons at least until I gain greatbow proficiency. Going with these ability scores for now.
Str 10, Dex 18, Con 12, Int 12, Wis 16, Cha 10.
Now, my thoughts on e6 are basically take Targetteer from Dragon Magazine for all six levels, so I can get the Woodland Archer feat and a +6 attack bonus. However, for normal 20-level play I can probably live without it a few levels.
So how's this: dip Cloistered Cleric for first, exchanging knowledge domain for knowledge devotion, and taking time and pride domains. Cloistered Cleric's having identify as a first level divine spell seems quite nice, I get the 6+int x 4 skill points, and I can simply pretend to be a cleric for first level and do a half-decent amount of damage with the sling.
Continue with Targetteer for a couple of levels, getting greatbow proficiency, dexterity to damage, and arrow swarm.
Dip wildshape-variant ranger for nothing having to do with wildshape and everything to do with a bonus feat and +10 movement speed.
Move into Arcane Swordsage, taking advantage of how those classes work in multiclassing to get 2nd-level spells available here.
Go back into Targetteer for the BAB for woodland archer.
Maybe get another level of swordsage for third-level spells.
Do ... something with my remaining 11 levels. Eldritch knight? Something less vanilla?
So, not entirely sure what flaws/traits to take, and could use some advice on feats as well. I oddly seem to have too many.