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View Full Version : Archermage (Arcane Archer fix)



dspeyer
2011-11-13, 10:21 PM
Prerequisites: BAB +4, 2nd level spells, weapon focus (a ranged weapon), point-blank shot



levelfortrefwillbabspecialspells
10221magic arrow
20332magic strike+1 existing class
31333imbue area effect+1 existing class
41444imbue single target+1 existing class
51445imbue creation+1 existing class


Hit die: d8
Class Skills: Concentration, Hide, Knowledge (your power source, e.g. arcana), Listen, Move Silently, Search, Spellcraft, Spot
Skill points: 2+int

magic arrow(su): Every arrow you fire gains magic features worth a bonus one greater than your class level. For example, at first level you could fire a +2, +1 flaming, flaming and shocking, or wounding arrow. You cannot apply feature inappropriate to the ammunition (e.g. vorpal on an arrow), and you cannot apply alignments unless you are of that alignment. Magic applied this way overlaps with magic already in the arrow or bow. Note that if you create a +6 arrow (as you can at 5th level), it counts as epic for overcoming damage reduction. In addition to normal properties, you may create the following:



namecosteffect
self-firing+1Does not require a bow. When you draw it back, a bow of force briefly flickers into existence. Fire as if from a normal (not masterwork, not composite) weapon suitable to the ammunition. Cannot be applied to siege weaponry. Must still be of appropriate size.
force-based+1Does not require an arrow. You draw back your empty hand on the string and a sliver of force shoots forth anyway. Once the attack roll is over, the pseudo-arrow disappears again.
sleep+2as in srd (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/magicWeapons.htm#sleepArrow), except that the save dc is 10 + half your caster level rounded down + your casting stat
slaying+4as in srd (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/magicWeapons.htm#slayingArrow)
greater slaying+6as in srd (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/magicWeapons.htm#slayingArrow)



magic strike(su): You can sacrifice a prepared spell or unused spell slot for a more powerful attack. Add the spell level to the attack roll and d4 per spell level to damage.

imbue area effect(su): In a single standard action, you cast a spell and fire an arrow. The spell centers on where the arrow lands. It must be an area-effect spell, and castable as a standard action. If relevant, the damage from the arrow is resolved before the effect of the spell. If the spell allows a reflex save and the arrow strikes a target, the target automatically fails the reflex save.

imbue single target(su): Like imbue area effect, but you use a spell that targets a creature or object (not yourself) and the spell effects whatever the arrow hits. If the arrow misses (or hits an object to which the spell does not apply), the spell is wasted.

imbue creation(su): Like imbue area effect, but you use a spell that creates something such as Arcane Eye or Summon Monster. The creation appears where the arrow lands.

Note on weapons: This was written saying "arrow" because it's a much nicer word than "ammunition", but this class works with any ranged or thrown weapon.

Note on psionics: Again, writing "spell" was much nicer than "spell or power", but this class can be used with psionics too. Replace spellcraft with psicraft in the class skill list and for Magic Strike sacrifice power points sufficient to manifest a known power.

Edits: added dc to sleep arrow and changed magic strike damage from 2 to d4.

Seerow
2011-11-13, 10:36 PM
1) Slaying, Greater Slaying, and Sleep -need- scaling DCs to not be totally irrelevant. I'd say 10+class level+dex mod for slaying/sleep(int or cha may be subbed in place of dex here if you want to favor sorc or wizard entry over the other), and 2*class level for Greater Slaying.

2) For Magic Strike why not just use Arcane Strike? ie xd4 damage instead of a flat +damage.

3) The ability to bypass DR/Epic by level 11 (assuming a standard level 6 entry, for Wizard{Or Sorc}4/Full BAB2 seems kind of strong. On the other hand at that level DR/Epic typically just doesn't show up, so this probably doesn't matter.

4) Is this intended to be usable with Clerics, Druids, etc? Because I just noticed you never specify arcane spells. I could enter as an Archer Cleric at level 6 without multiclassing, level 5 with a dip into a full BAB class.




That said, I do like it. I mean the arcane archer is an example of good idea bad execution due to losing too many spells. You give the spells back, plus some, and that makes it good.

dspeyer
2011-11-13, 11:26 PM
1) Slaying, Greater Slaying, and Sleep -need- scaling DCs to not be totally irrelevant. I'd say 10+class level+dex mod for slaying/sleep(int or cha may be subbed in place of dex here if you want to favor sorc or wizard entry over the other), and 2*class level for Greater Slaying.


But if I unnerf slaying it becomes too powerful.

I don't really see it as useful, more a defining ability of the old class I wanted to keep around.

Sleep isn't game-breaking, so I'll fix that.



2) For Magic Strike why not just use Arcane Strike? ie xd4 damage instead of a flat +damage.


Yeah, that would probably be better.



4) Is this intended to be usable with Clerics, Druids, etc? Because I just noticed you never specify arcane spells. I could enter as an Archer Cleric at level 6 without multiclassing, level 5 with a dip into a full BAB class.


Yes. I see no reason for arcanists to have all the fun.

In fact, one application I see is a long-range healer shooting his allies with merciful arrows of heal.

Note that divine entry isn't all that easy, because you need to get bow proficiency first (unless you want to use a sling -- there's something traditional about divine champions with slings:smallwink:)

Seerow
2011-11-13, 11:41 PM
But if I unnerf slaying it becomes too powerful.

I don't really see it as useful, more a defining ability of the old class I wanted to keep around.


Maybe make the Slaying Arrow eat up low level slots for every use?

But I see what you mean, I guess I forgot that the archer could in theory spam 6+ attacks per round with the slaying property, at which point just trying to force a 1 is actually a viable option.


Yes. I see no reason for arcanists to have all the fun.

In fact, one application I see is a long-range healer shooting his allies with merciful arrows of heal.

Note that divine entry isn't all that easy, because you need to get bow proficiency first (unless you want to use a sling -- there's something traditional about divine champions with slings)


I was thinking more along the lines of a Elf Cleric, or a Cleric with the War Domain and a deity that has a bow as a favored weapon, though I'm not sure how common that actually is.

bobthe6th
2011-11-14, 12:30 AM
coreline is a prime example. he has war and is the primary god of elves.


I notice you removed the prequest of being an elf... now I want to make a half-orc cleric of grumsh that is an arcane arch...

NeoSeraphi
2011-11-14, 12:35 AM
coreline is a prime example. he has war and is the primary god of elves.


I notice you removed the prequest of being an elf... now I want to make a half-orc cleric of grumsh that is an arcane arch...

Correlleon's (how the eff do you spell that guy's name?) favored weapon is a longsword, actually. So his War Domain wouldn't help you there.

dspeyer
2011-11-14, 12:36 AM
Though his favored weapon is the longsword, so no free weapon focus. Ah well.

Yes, I dropped that requirement. Even if the techniques originated among elves, there's no reason others can't learn them. If you want to play a +str -cha cleric/archer, go for it.

Domriso
2011-11-14, 12:42 AM
So, can you combine the Force-Based and Self-Firing arrows into one arrow to allow you to just fire force arrows from your hands at will? 'Cause that actually sounds pretty awesome.

bobthe6th
2011-11-14, 12:43 AM
really, I just make the spelling up every time... and really, longsword? for *bleeps* sake hes the elf god and he dosn't get a bow? sigh, that is rather disappointment.

but on the class itself... how do magic arrows interact with the boost ability? stack, replace, or overlap?

dspeyer
2011-11-15, 01:53 AM
Overlaps I guess. That's generally how magics work. And overlaps with any enchantment on the bow.

Is that abusable?

Seerow
2011-11-15, 01:57 AM
Overlaps I guess. That's generally how magics work. And overlaps with any enchantment on the bow.

Is that abusable?

Hrm... well the biggest abuse I can see would be having a single ranged weapon that is +5 with +15 worth of special enhancements. Possibly +24 worth of enhancements if you're willing to spend a lot of money on ammo. That's a pretty ridiculously enchanted weapon.

But then again, you can get +9/+18 worth of special effects with a +5 enhancement without this class, so it's not actually that big of a deal.

Yitzi
2011-11-15, 09:41 AM
Idea: Maybe an arrow imbued with an area-effect damage spell should get some bonus if it actually hits the target (at the very minimum, the target gets no save and any crits multiply the spell damage as well.)

Because having a fireball go off in your target's head is awesome.

dspeyer
2011-11-16, 01:10 AM
Yitzi: I like it.

Dire Reverend
2011-11-22, 12:41 AM
I also like this class. I plan on using this in a game.

While you already state Notes on Weapons/Psionics, it is on the bottom of the post. Those who lightly skim over pages might miss those parts, and go "Aww, man I wanted to use this with my crossbow/firearm/Psion, too bad" and leave the page. I would kindly suggest moving both to the top of the post.