Archers in ToB

[GrimReaper]

Basically, how do archers improve in ToB? Do they gain any more called shot bonuses? And are all those high level abilities they get as useful to them as to a normal ranger (or fighter)? And also, what is the max number of attacks per round with a bow? I have heard that for some reason it is capped at 2.5 despite what your stats say. Anyone have any ideas about this?

[GrimReaper]

There has to be someone out there who knows.

[Skeelo]

Number of hits aren't capped their just bugged. Damn they better get a patch out for this before I get ToB!

[Xyx]

Isn't the number of bow attacks per round set to 2 according to AD&D rules? You can turn the AD&D PHB inside out, but nowhere does it say you get more than 2 attacks with a bow.

[Craig]

Think i had 9 once...

[Andrew Shih]

The primary problem with archers in BG II was that you'd typically only get a few shots off before the monsters were upon you and then you'd have to draw your two-handed sword. Which is a pity because I'd love to be a solo sniper.

In TOB, archers are improved somewhat. First, their bonuses do apply over and beyond the base THACO cap of 0. Second, "critical hit" is perfect to increase damage from arrows, "greater whirlwind" MIGHT work with crossbow--I'd have to check on that, and as far as playing keep away, "smite" is perfect because you send out an arrow and you send your opponent flying--however, you can only select that ability once. You can however select "power attack" numerous times in order to stun your opponent. Also, the Staff of the Ramm was made for archers, because it can push your opponent back so that you can start firing arrows again. Another great innovation is that there are not only shortbows but also longbows and crossbows with unlimited ammo.

Now what about those energy blades, the ultimate missile weapons? Unfortunately, archers can't pick that as an advanced ability UNLESS you go with an archer-cleric. And that dual class has been banned in TOB. It's a pity, because it's an exciting dual class to try--for those of you who haven't installed TOB, you might want to try playing an archer to the XP cap in BG II and then dualling, and THEN installing and importing to TOB.

--Riverwind

[Craig]

Will that work?

[Dimensional]

@ Xyx
I looked at this yesterday and you are correct according to the players handbook . However according to Combat and tactics (where mastery rules come from ) a specialized archer gets 2/1 attcaks while below 7th level 3/1 between 7th and 13th and 4/1 at 13+

i am not sure if grandmastery confers an extra attack as it says nothing specificaly about ranged wepons (mastery and improved mastery specifialy do mention bows and ranged wepons. (enhanced point blank and extrem range catagories respectivly)

All grandmastery says is "Grand masters gain one additional attack per round above and beyond a specialist’s rate of attacks for their level." it also states that melee wepons in the hands of a grandmaster are increased to the next damage type - D10 becomes D12

on the whole i would say that a grandmaster in bows should get 5 attacks per round after level 13 . without grandmastery rules this should be 4 attacks per round.

[Davion]

Originally posted by Dimensional:
<STRONG>@ Xyx
...
on the whole i would say that a grandmaster in bows should get 5 attacks per round after level 13 . without grandmastery rules this should be 4 attacks per round.</STRONG>

Regardless of what AD&D rules say, the real number of attacks should be what the character info screeen says. That it isn't means it's bugged. It has been for a long time now, and it hasn't even been made well known. And, BTW, this bug does not affect bows only. All meele and ranged attacks are susceptible. I'm quite upset about this. It kills BG2 for me.

Davion

[Xyx]

Originally posted by Davion:
<STRONG>Regardless of what AD&D rules say, the real number of attacks should be what the character info screeen says. That it isn't means it's bugged</STRONG>

Either that or the Character Record screen is bugged.

But it is indeed a problem...