Is archery any good in this game?

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Let me compare to two games I'm quite familiar with: BGI and BGII. In BGI, not hing was better than an archer-type character. In BGII, it was next to worthless.

How will an Archer fare in this game? I was even considering playing a Fighter to 4th level, and maybe multiclassing to Wizard, but I don't know if I'll be able to afford the proper stats. Since an archer needs a high DEX, an Elf is a good choice and with a high DEX, you really don't need heavy armor. Heck, Bard might work as well (but as a Human or Dwarf, I guess).

Casting spells like "Cat's Grace" on himself, this sounds like it could be a good character.

What do you think?

 

First of all, archery in IWD2 isn't all that great. I mean, yeh it was superb in BG1 wasn't it! But here, damage isn't too hot ... even if you have something like the Arc of Gold (very nice bow !). As always, though, archers are still good to have around. Although archery in HofF is pointless. If you don't know why that is ... test it out for yourself ... Goblins with about a million HP against a few piercing damage!

Now, regarding your other question, go with an Elf if you want a good archer. Purely because you get the bow feat for free and a higher dexterity.

By the way, you can go all the way up to Lv. 30 ... so you can keep progressing in your fighter class to get more feats if you want

 

Thanks for the reply!

Any fighter (or barbarian, rogue, paladin and ranger) gets the bow feat for free, in addition to any elf.

I am also considering throwing in a level of barbarian, since a hit and run character (if I play one) would benefit from some speed (I think a Fighter 4/Barbarian 3/Bard X might be a tough build though), so maybe it isn't a good idea (besides, Fighters get so many feats that I could just add "Dash" if I need it). I think I will go with Bard instead of Wizard though, for the higher BAB.

 

That's true ... but I'd go with the wizard so you get a greater amount of spells that are more potent. Sometimes i use a Sorcerer 19/Bard 11, which is an interesting combination as the bard has his best song and they both have charisma as their prime attribute.

As for the hit and run, save your time by getting some boots of speed ... unless ur multi-classing to a barbarian for the extra HP or rage or resistances

 

I use archery in HoF . its not THAT bad they are quite good archers they do round 12 or 13 max damage per hit with just an unenchanted returning arrow, sure they cant do that much but they can still finish of enemies. And seeing as its just my wizard and sorcerer using bows it keeps them alive and out of battle when they arent/dont need to cast any spells. So its not ENTIRELY useless but i guess a devoted archer in a class like ranger would be useless. But if you want to be ranged and stay out of battle try using a throwing axe you can get LOTS and LOTS of enchanted axes that return when you throw them and some are quite good and even add strength bonus to damage.

[ November 13, 2005, 08:55: Message edited by: Goon66 ]

 

Yeh, i used to have a couple of archers when i first started playin, but then i found a better way to cause damage ... 3 arcane spell casters!!! No one escapes, no one lives, and enimies die a lot quicker than if i was using archers. You could say archers are just a used occassionally if your spellcasters (mine who are elves with high dex) if they run out of spells

 

If you have a melee heavy party that casts Executioner's Eyes often then it never hurts to have a bow and a hell bolter plinking away. Sure an unenchanted arrow max's out at 13, but that's 39 on a critical, and you will get lots of criticals.

 

But couldn't this 'spot' in the party be better used by a offensive caster, like a pure sorcerer/wizard/druid?
I just don't think there's a need for it in IWD2. I like the Hell Bolter and the Arc of Gold ... I just hate the damage!

 

Yup, DoomBolter/HellBolter has excellent attack/round, and clerics can use them as they have simple weapon proficiency required, so it can give your defensive/buffer/healer type cleric some ranged packed power, but building an entire character upon ranged attack sounds lame and weak, to tell you the truth.

 

YES! That's what I mean Silver! I'd rather make a powerful offensive spell-caster than just an entire ranged character. Maybe I should just make an elven sorcerer with a high dex ... AHA! problem solved!!!

 

Archery is good, especially for characters relying on Dexterity and Weapon Finesse for combat. For example, my Fighter(4)/Ranger(3)/Monk(3)/Paladin(x) character was able to do around 30 damage pretty often already against the orcs early in the game, while I can't recall her dishing out so much in close quarters. And, mind you, she had no archery feat whatsoever. Just a high DEX score but still nothing too uber (not sure if she ever got to 20 before buffs and items).

As for mages with a high DEX score, yes, they work great early in the game and even later if they spells run out or if you're being stingy. Their Cat's Grace spell should also help. Note also that DEX applies to Finesse-based melee attacks, so it's not so rare that a rogue or mage should have a higher attack bonus than the tanks (as happened to me in ToEE). It's just you don't want them to hang around in the frontline too much.

For a successful archer, consider the benefits of the Rogue, Ranger, Monk, Barbarian and Fighter class. Skill points and Evasion; free dual-wielding feats when wearing light armour; Evasion and WIS bonus added to AC when without armour; increased movement speed and most weapon/armour proficiencies; all starting weapon/armour proficiencies plus Weapon Specialisation, respectively. Point Blank and Rapid Shot are your archery feats in this game, as well as Weapon Focus and Specialisation in bow, if available to your character.

 

Whoa ... Chevalier did you mean 30 damage per round near the early stages of the game (because later it gets easy) or damage???

I was just saying before that even though you may get like around 5 attacks per round, archery wouldn't be worth it. I'd rather an arcane spellcaster or tank dealing out damage. Archers would just be last resort things for me.

 

Per shot rather, although not always. She clearly dealt a lot of damage with a bow, compared to her dual-wielded short swords.

 

I have never seen that kind of damage, specially early in the game. What equipment were you using Chev?
I am not sure I can even believe that

 

Don't remember. Plain longbow, perhaps with Specialisation. Specialisation would give +4 damage on a critical hit. I didn't really have items above +1 back then.

 

I think everyone in the party needs some archery skill. In my typical 6 man party, I have 3 bows, 2 Xbows, and one slinger. Even late in the game, long range damage can take out alot of enemies before they can reach you. Perfect for disrupting enemy spellcasters, or sitting behind a fence and firing away.
Why give the opposition free hits on your tanks by moving them in for melee early in the fight. Some damage before the melee round can sway the battle your way.
Besides, using the fog of war to your advantage is a useful tool in these games.

 

I've always preferred to have everyone wield a ranged weapon with some skill to soften the opposition before melee. At times such as when I play a given game the Nth time, I go for fast and total melee but my classic style is everyone firing from range and then everyone switching to melee weapons when the enemy arrives in close quarters. Magic other than buffs when necessary or particularly convenient.

 

I use ranged weapons all the time, but of course not exclusively. I think it's a wee bit strange that people consider archery to be "next to useless" in other games than BG1. I guess it's just the contrast to the absolute overkill in BG1.

I like to take advantage of the short time before the enemy closes in, and only then engage them in melee. I rarely put non-combative classes in melee at all. If spellcasters have no spells left or no suitable spells for the situation, there's no better option for them than to use ranged weapons to support the warriors. And ranged weapons are priceless against enemy spellcasters who hide behind their warrior allies.

Also, in most of these games enchanted arrows, bolts, bullets and darts are found in such abundance that you can "waste" them pretty freely if, for example, an opponent is trying to run away. And if there are only a handful of opponents, with concentrated attacks you can whack them all before they get close.

 

But like i was saying before, in HoF, archery is quite useless. Unless you have PLENTY of executioner's eyes on hand and ALOT of +3 or more arrows you won't be doing much damage against a 250 HP goblin will you!!!

A specialist on the other hand ...

 

I find archery very usefull! Just save all the special arrows for more dangerous foes! HoF is a lot harder but if all your characters have a few points in archery and quick shot they can be quite devestating