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whats the best ranged weapon in the game. im askin cos recently got the inspiration to make a ranger who puts all his energy into ranged attack. to weapon sepcialisation in a certain ranged weapon, best ranged weapon in game, feats like rapid shot. so what is it?

I would recommend rapid shot, martial weapon: bows, and the Golden Arc (+6 to hit and damage).

Crossbows, hammers, and axes aren't very rangerly. Slings don't appear to have the inferior bonuses, but would be an acceptable second choice. Darts would probably be a third choice.

I'd say that Dragu's Hell Bolter (heavy crossbow) or Big Black Flying-Death (greataxe). These are the ones that I have found most efficient.

TK

[QUOTE=l__TK__l]I'd say that Dragu's Hell Bolter (heavy crossbow) or Big Black Flying-Death (greataxe). These are the ones that I have found most efficient.

TK[/QUOTE]

I agree that those are fine weapons, but they would be more appropriate for a warrior or barbarian. Specifically 1/2 orcs or dwarves (humans would be acceptable too). I just can't see a lightly armored dexerous woodsman lugging around a 20 pound crossbow or flying greataxe.

Yeah, he surely needs a fine bow. What's Golden Arc? Is it a HoF item?

[QUOTE=Brynn]Yeah, he surely needs a fine bow. What's Golden Arc? Is it a HoF item?[/QUOTE]

Close, my dear IWD mod. Close.

It's actually the non-HoF version of the Mithril Arc, which is supposedly called the Arc of Gold, according to our own equipment guide.

I've got too much time on my hands, don't I?

But I've never came across it in the vanilla game... (or just forgot it's name...?) Hm, will have to check.

[QUOTE=Brynn]But I've never came across it in the vanilla game... (or just forgot it's name...?) Hm, will have to check.[/QUOTE]

I have a hunch it may be a random drop later in the game, particularly since the non-HoF version has +6 to both damage and attack bonuses.

Arc of Gold (+6 attack, +6 damage) and Mithril Arc (+7/+7) are purchased from Riki in Severed Hand, in Normal and HoF mode, respectievely.

Actually, in Normal mode, a Composite Longbow +5 (+6/+7) is a better weapon than the Arc - although it is a random item...

Now, another thing any good "Archer/Sniper" char should have is a capacity to do Bludgeoning damage, as many monsters are immune/resistant to piercing damage. This brings up the issue of a "backup" sling. And among slings, there's an ABSOLUTE winner: Sling of Pain +5: +5 attack, +9(!) damage, which is also a random drop.


As to the character build, the feats would be:
Rapid Shot - just take it at level 1, turn it on and leave it on untill you get 5 attacks/round, as it doesn't benefit you anymore
Dirty Fighting - very "in-character" with the Archer - hit them where it hurts!
Improved Critical - to make the above even deadlier
Weapon Focus/Specialization (if you take 4 Fighter levels) - for all the weapon types you use.
other than that, your choice.

as to the race/class, I strongly recommend mixing in some Rogue levels, as the Archer is a perfect candidate to be the partie's rogue (high Dex, and most of Rogue's work is done outside of combat - opening/disarming/etc.) Whatever you decide on, DON'T get tempted to add spellcasting capabilities to your Archer - from the first round of combat up to the last, he should be shooting the approriate ammunition at the partie's biggest threat (usually spellcasters).

kl

what do hellbolter and big black flying death do?

Hellbolter is a crossbow that does 3 attacks/round (Normal version) 4 attacks/round (HoF version), with +3 or so to hit/damage. It's best used by characters that have a low BAB progression, and don't have Rapid Shot

Big (Black Flying) Death is a +1/+1d6 slashing / +3/+1d10 slashing, returning two-handed throwing axe - very efficient in the hands of a high-STR char. It will use Rapid Shot, if you take it.

You'll find more detailed info here.

kl

thnx guys. so hav u got ny advice on the creation of my uba kl ranger character? not only stats n class n race n skills n stuff, but also gender, bio, and name, and portrait

The returning Greataxe imo

Big Death...just the image of a huge flying axehead is pretty cool.