Rogue Arcane Archer build

[unifiedworld]

I’ve put together a rogue arcane archer build for Swordflight, again intending to use the item that gives Hide in Plain Sight. This time I’ve built a trapper. The basic idea is to use HiPS, range and sneak attacks to take out enemies, but for fights in tight quarters or against enemies with True Seeing, to utilize traps when possible. In really tight situations, this toon can also pull out a melee weapon (using Weapon Finesse) and a shield (arcane archers actually gain the shield proficiency!) if needed. This build should have great fun utilizing its Keen Senses and high stealth capabilities.

Swordflight gives you a bard companion who has lasting inspiration and can give +19 to all skills with her bard song if you buff her Perform up to 100. I’ve built the following character to be able to recover epic traps and set epic traps as long as the bard companion provides at least +11 to skills via bard song.

The second wizard level may seem out of place but it actually increases BAB by 1 (compared to taking another rogue level pre-epic) and allows for a Spellcraft skill dump.

I had a little bit of trouble figuring out the optimal distribution of initial stat points. I don’t want to have any less than 14 strength, 12 constitution and 14 intelligence. I don’t think increasing wisdom or charisma is worth much so I used my last two points to increase strength to 15. A little higher strength will help with damage and carrying capacity but I’m not really so happy with an odd number there. Any ideas on how to improve stat point distribution?

What changes would you make to this build?

Best wishes,

 

Rogue(15), Wizard(2), Arcane Archer(23), Elf

STR: 15
DEX: 18 (34)
CON: 12
WIS: 8
INT: 14
CHA: 8

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 Finesse, {Uncanny Dodge I}
04: Rogue(4): DEX+1, (DEX=19)
05: Rogue(5)
06: Rogue(6): Weapon Focus: Longbow
07: Rogue(7)
08: Rogue(8): DEX+1, (DEX=20)
09: Wizard(1): Called Shot, {Scribe Scroll}
10: Arcane Archer(1)
11: Arcane Archer(2)
12: Arcane Archer(3): DEX+1, Rapid Shot, (DEX=21)
13: Arcane Archer(4)
14: Arcane Archer(5)
15: Arcane Archer(6): Improved Critical: Longbow
16: Arcane Archer(7): DEX+1, (DEX=22)
17: Arcane Archer(8)
18: Arcane Archer(9): Blind Fight
19: Arcane Archer(10)
20: Wizard(2): DEX+1, (DEX=23)
21: Arcane Archer(11): Epic Weapon Focus: Longbow
22: Rogue(9)
23: Rogue(10): Improved Evasion
24: Rogue(11): DEX+1, Great Dexterity I, (DEX=25)
25: Rogue(12)
26: Arcane Archer(12)
27: Rogue(13): Epic Dodge, Defensive Roll
28: Arcane Archer(13): DEX+1, (DEX=26)
29: Arcane Archer(14): Great Dexterity II, (DEX=27)
30: Arcane Archer(15): Great Dexterity III, (DEX=28)
31: Arcane Archer(16)
32: Rogue(14): DEX+1, (DEX=29)
33: Arcane Archer(17): Great Dexterity IV, (DEX=30)
34: Arcane Archer(18): Great Dexterity V, (DEX=31)
35: Arcane Archer(19)
36: Arcane Archer(20): DEX+1, Great Dexterity VI, (DEX=33)
37: Arcane Archer(21)
38: Arcane Archer(22): Epic Prowess
39: Arcane Archer(23): Armor Skin
40: Rogue(15): DEX+1, (DEX=34)

Hitpoints: 322
Skillpoints: 326
Saving Throws (Fortitude/Will/Reflex): 20/17/35
Saving Throw bonuses: Spells: +5, Mind Effects: +2, Traps: +3
BAB: 27
AB (max, naked): 40 (melee), 55 (ranged)
AC (naked/mundane items only): 32/35
Spell Casting: Wizard(1)
Alignment Changes: 0

Craft Armor 8(10), Craft Trap 12(14), Craft Weapon 8(10), Disable Trap 31(35), Hide 43(55), Move Silently 43(55), Open Lock 4(16), Pick Pocket 1(13), Search 11(15), Set Trap 18(32), Spellcraft 23(25), Spot 43(44), Tumble 40(52), UMD 41(40)

01: Craft Trap(3), Disable Trap(4), Hide(4), Move Silently(4), Open Lock(4), Pick Pocket(1), Search(4), Set Trap(4), Spot(4), Tumble(4), UMD(4),
02: Craft Armor(1), Craft Weapon(1), Disable Trap(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Search(1), Set Trap(1), Spot(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1),
03: Craft Armor(1), Craft Trap(1), Craft Weapon(1), Disable Trap(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Search(1), Spot(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1),
04: Craft Armor(1), Craft Trap(1), Craft Weapon(1), Disable Trap(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Search(1), Spot(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1),
05: Craft Armor(1), Craft Trap(1), Craft Weapon(1), Disable Trap(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Search(1), Spot(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1),
06: Craft Trap(3), Craft Weapon(1), Disable Trap(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1),
07: Disable Trap(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1), Save(4),
08: Disable Trap(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1), Save(8),
09: Spellcraft(12),
10: Hide(2), Move Silently(2), Spot(2),
11: Craft Armor(1), Craft Trap(2), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1),
12: Craft Trap(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(2),
13: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(5),
14: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(8),
15: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(11),
16: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(14),
17: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(17),
18: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(20),
19: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(23),
20: Spellcraft(11), Save(16),
21: Hide(2), Move Silently(2), Spot(2), Save(16),
22: Hide(1), Spot(1), Tumble(14), UMD(10),
23: Hide(1), Move Silently(2), Spot(1), Tumble(1), UMD(5),
24: Craft Armor(2), Craft Weapon(2), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Search(1), Spot(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1),
25: Craft Armor(1), Craft Weapon(1), Disable Trap(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Search(2), Spot(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1),
26: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(3),
27: Disable Trap(4), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Set Trap(2), Spot(1), Tumble(2), UMD(2),
28: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(3),
29: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(6),
30: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(9),
31: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(12),
32: Disable Trap(6), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Set Trap(3), Spot(1), Tumble(5), UMD(5),
33: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(3),
34: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(6),
35: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(9),
36: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(12),
37: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(15),
38: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(18),
39: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(21),
40: Disable Trap(9), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Set Trap(8), Spot(1), Tumble(5), UMD(6),

[unifiedworld]

Those who have played Swordflight will understand this, but it’s nice to have access to some wizard scrolls (Flame Weapon, for example) during Chapter 1. Typically, Chapter 1 ends while the main character is level 5. Here’s an alternative leveling plan that enables use of wizard scrolls during chapter 1:

Rogue(15), Wizard(2), Arcane Archer(23), Elf

STR: 15
DEX: 18 (34)
CON: 12
WIS: 8
INT: 14
CHA: 8

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 Finesse, {Uncanny Dodge I}
04: Rogue(4): DEX+1, (DEX=19)
05: Wizard(1): {Scribe Scroll}
06: Rogue(5): Weapon Focus: Longbow
07: Rogue(6)
08: Rogue(7): DEX+1, (DEX=20)
09: Rogue(8): Called Shot
10: Arcane Archer(1)
11: Arcane Archer(2)
12: Arcane Archer(3): DEX+1, Rapid Shot, (DEX=21)
13: Arcane Archer(4)
14: Arcane Archer(5)
15: Arcane Archer(6): Improved Critical: Longbow
16: Arcane Archer(7): DEX+1, (DEX=22)
17: Arcane Archer(8)
18: Arcane Archer(9): Blind Fight
19: Arcane Archer(10)
20: Wizard(2): DEX+1, (DEX=23)
21: Arcane Archer(11): Epic Weapon Focus: Longbow
22: Rogue(9)
23: Rogue(10): Improved Evasion
24: Rogue(11): DEX+1, Great Dexterity I, (DEX=25)
25: Rogue(12)
26: Arcane Archer(12)
27: Rogue(13): Epic Dodge, Defensive Roll
28: Arcane Archer(13): DEX+1, (DEX=26)
29: Arcane Archer(14): Great Dexterity II, (DEX=27)
30: Arcane Archer(15): Great Dexterity III, (DEX=28)
31: Arcane Archer(16)
32: Rogue(14): DEX+1, (DEX=29)
33: Arcane Archer(17): Great Dexterity IV, (DEX=30)
34: Arcane Archer(18): Great Dexterity V, (DEX=31)
35: Arcane Archer(19)
36: Arcane Archer(20): DEX+1, Great Dexterity VI, (DEX=33)
37: Arcane Archer(21)
38: Arcane Archer(22): Epic Prowess
39: Arcane Archer(23): Armor Skin
40: Rogue(15): DEX+1, (DEX=34)

Hitpoints: 322
Skillpoints: 326
Saving Throws (Fortitude/Will/Reflex): 20/17/35
Saving Throw bonuses: Spells: +5, Mind Effects: +2, Traps: +3
BAB: 27
AB (max, naked): 40 (melee), 55 (ranged)
AC (naked/mundane items only): 32/35
Spell Casting: Wizard(1)
Alignment Changes: 0

Craft Armor 8(10), Craft Trap 12(14), Craft Weapon 8(10), Disable Trap 31(35), Hide 43(55), Move Silently 43(55), Open Lock 4(16), Pick Pocket 1(13), Search 11(15), Set Trap 18(32), Spellcraft 23(25), Spot 43(44), Tumble 40(52), UMD 41(40)

01: Craft Trap(3), Disable Trap(4), Hide(4), Move Silently(4), Open Lock(4), Pick Pocket(1), Search(4), Set Trap(4), Spot(4), Tumble(4), UMD(4),
02: Craft Armor(1), Craft Weapon(1), Disable Trap(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Search(1), Set Trap(1), Spot(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1),
03: Craft Armor(1), Craft Weapon(1), Disable Trap(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Search(1), Spot(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1), Save(1),
04: Disable Trap(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Search(1), Spot(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1), Save(4),
05: Spellcraft(8),
06: Disable Trap(2), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(2), Tumble(2), UMD(2),
07: Craft Armor(1), Craft Trap(1), Craft Weapon(1), Disable Trap(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Search(1), Spot(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1),
08: Craft Armor(1), Craft Trap(1), Craft Weapon(2), Disable Trap(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1),
09: Craft Armor(1), Craft Trap(3), Disable Trap(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1),
10: Craft Trap(1), Hide(2), Move Silently(2), Spot(1),
11: Craft Trap(2), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(1),
12: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(4),
13: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(7),
14: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(10),
15: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(13),
16: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(16),
17: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(19),
18: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(22),
19: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(25),
20: Spellcraft(15), Save(14),
21: Hide(2), Move Silently(2), Spot(2), Save(14),
22: Hide(1), Spot(1), Tumble(13), UMD(9),
23: Hide(1), Move Silently(2), Spot(1), Tumble(1), UMD(5),
24: Craft Armor(2), Craft Weapon(2), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Search(1), Spot(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1),
25: Craft Armor(1), Craft Trap(1), Craft Weapon(1), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Search(2), Spot(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1),
26: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(3),
27: Disable Trap(4), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Set Trap(2), Spot(1), Tumble(2), UMD(2),
28: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(3),
29: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(6),
30: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(9),
31: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(12),
32: Disable Trap(6), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Set Trap(3), Spot(1), Tumble(5), UMD(5),
33: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(3),
34: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(6),
35: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(9),
36: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(12),
37: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(15),
38: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(18),
39: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Spot(1), Save(21),
40: Disable Trap(9), Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Set Trap(8), Spot(1), Tumble(5), UMD(6),

[unifiedworld]

I’m playing this build through Swordflight. I’m currently level 5 working my way out of the Asabi cave back to safety to rest and replenish spells, etc. It’s turning out to be really fun! It’s my first rogue character in a long time (usually my rogue levels come during epic levels or only as skill dumps) and I’m really appreciating the ability to stealth before initiating combat (it helps in a lot of situations that I hadn’t anticipated and getting that free sneak attack on the first round feels great!). I really feel like a specialist that can do so many things my other characters can’t (for example, actually disarm or recover all the enemy traps, set my own traps, and take advantage of Zarala as my frontline to generate sneak attacks via flanking). The ability to set traps and defeat enemies merely via the use of traps means that virtually any encounter I might struggle with can be resolved by using traps if I want to do so. There are plenty of trap crafting materials and even trap kits sprinkled along the way. Getting the extra Tumble AC as early as level 2 also feels really nice.

The level of wizard at level 5 is not really necessary but I think it works well in terms of my overall plan with this character. I want to do the arcane-only questline in Chapter 2 as soon as possible (while I’m still level 5) and, in the meanwhile, the spellcraft +2 bonus to saving throws vs. spells will surely help as well. Another nice thing about getting a level of wizard at level 5 is that I can now use Magic Weapon to enchant one of Zarala’s weapons so she can actually get through some of the x/+1 damage resistance without using any charges of the paladin Bless Weapon rod you find in the ruins. I might just use the paladin rod, though. Of course, there is the scroll of Flame Weapon that I may choose to use but I honestly probably won’t even need it in the end. The other nice spell that will come in clutch is Protection from Evil to become immune to the mummies’ fear auras. Of course, I’ll also use Identify to ID all my magic items.

Sadly, there aren’t any good undead-only weapons for this character to use via UMD. I have had other characters who could use the undead-only Tainted Morningstar, for example, and that’s a decent weapon but the only weapon this character would want to use is the Tainted Short Sword and its stats are just not exciting enough for consideration. I have always thought it would be nice if Zarala had full UMD ranks at each level.

[unifiedworld]

Quick note: Magic Weapon is indeed turning out to be a useful spell since it’s the only way to give Zarala a magical weapon with this build. I’m saving the Bless Weapon rod charges for the mummies on the last level. I’m planning to use the Flame Weapon scroll then, too. Almost done with chapter one.

[unifiedworld]

I figured I might as well post an update. I’m now level 10, having taken my first arcane archer level. I’ve done the Rajar questline (the good option), the arcane caster questline, read up on all the xp books, upgraded my weapons and armor using Thorik’s anvil, done some miscellaneous quests and am getting ready to enter the noble district sewers for some serious adventuring.

I’m using a composite longbow +2 with +3 mighty (upgraded from the +1 version sold by the elf in the market district) and The Lucky One +2 rapier with keen and +2 to all saves (found in Rajar’s lair). My armor is the Lesser Shadow Armor (courtesy of Rajar and co.) and I have a Large Shield +2 (upgraded from a Large Shield +1 using Thorik’s anvil). I also have Lesser Robes of Wizardry with Shadow Shield sequenced into it that I can use once a day.

Rajar’s lair was honestly quite easy, especially with help from the golem that Zaynem provides. The mage quest, on the other hand, was not so easy. I wanted to take out the constructs there with as few resources as possible but I found I had no choice but to use a Wand of Fire, Wand of Lightning, Wand of Magic Missile and about 7-10 traps to take out all the constructs (the Watch golem, which I took with me, turned out to be completely ineffective). Of course, the vast rewards made it all worthwhile.

This is my first arcane archer ever so I’m very excited about using him. It’s also really fun to play a rogue character. I like using walls to enable resuming stealth mode during combat.

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