Bows ?

[TheBestDeception]

I was not trying to work out a maximum number of shots per round, but a more reasonable average. 5 is rapid shot + a solid BAB of 16+. Whereas you can use different methods to raise it higher, that was not the focus of my post.

As far as crafting, yes, I had neglected to include that limitation in my write-up. It is an extremely constricting one which further causes problems for archers.

[Elagneros]

Elemental damage is the main loss of having to use store-bought arrows. Not to mention the lvl 16 arrows look much cooler when flying through the air.

Elemental damage is ok, but I use it as a bonus rather than relying on it directly given how much in NS4 has some elemental resistance. This is certainly true of extra fire damage, as a good chunk of mobs have fire resist. Still, extra damage is the main issue here. A unique melee weapon typically has +2d6 physical, +1d6 elemental, and is keen. The best store bought arrow is only +1d10 physical. Then take into account that the high level mobs sometimes have 10/- or even 15/- DR againt all weapons and those Enchanted Mithril Arrows are nearly useless for combat in some situations.

2) Ammunition. These cannot be keen, limiting the critical range a bow is capable of having, to 19-20.

Solution: I believe this to be a Bio engine limitation, not being able to stick keen onto arrows. Therefore, additional defense or some other compensation would help for the inherent disadvantage bow users will face at the high levels.

Acutally, it's a pnp limitation, only slashing weapons can be keen in the 3.0 rules that NWN uses. The 3.5 rules and piercing weapons, but disallow crit bonuses from stacking, i.e., no WMs critting on a 10 from class bonuses, a keen weapon, Improved Crit, etc.

I'm pretty sure the spells-on-a-bow issue is an engine limitation. Therefore, this one gets a big "?" on my end.

It is. Pnp rules allow the use of magic weapon and greater magic weapon on missile weapons.

[Yonwe]

Perhaps the issue of ammunition can be solved by adding the "Unlimited Ammo" property to a batch of higher-end bows? They will fall short on the sheer number of properties (they can only be tagged with one bonus at a time; i.e., 1d6 fire OR +3, etc), but this would allow a player to have a constant supply of elemental damage on par with a melee character while saving the specialty-drop arrows/bolts/bullets for bosses or other harder battles.

[Death Dealer1]

i have seen a quiver of arrows scripted so that it constantly refills itself. the DM gives you 5 when the 5 runs out it starts over at 99 and continues like this. a bow comes with the arrows and they are considered a set. if they seperate, your in trouble. if you split the arrows(for multiple bow users) it breaks the script and they no longer refil themselves...something like this would work incredibly well for the extremely high end arrows...say the lvl 40's.....when the mod nears more completion. the catch is they can't be normal drops, so awards from the gods would have to be given for defeating a creature or something.

[Elagneros]

Perhaps the issue of ammunition can be solved by adding the "Unlimited Ammo" property to a batch of higher-end bows? They will fall short on the sheer number of properties (they can only be tagged with one bonus at a time; i.e., 1d6 fire OR +3, etc), but this would allow a player to have a constant supply of elemental damage on par with a melee character while saving the specialty-drop arrows/bolts/bullets for bosses or other harder battles.

Eh, I'm not a fan of the "Unlimited Ammo" property on missile weapons. Way way way way way too cheap. A quiver that can generate a set number of stacks of arrows would be good, maybe 5-10 stacks, and say maybe a quiver on Forest Walkers, Ice Giant Scouts, medusas and Gnoll Archers that generate their specific arrows would be cool.

[Flailer]

I do have about 3 ideas that would help ranged weapons I think, I just need to get the time to work on them. We're going to be redoing the drop list here soon as well, so we'll bump up the drops of ammo from higher level mobs.

[Elagneros]

I do have about 3 ideas that would help ranged weapons I think, I just need to get the time to work on them. We're going to be redoing the drop list here soon as well, so we'll bump up the drops of ammo from higher level mobs.

That sounds good. A stack of imbued arrows IMO is a better find than 3 or 4 gold nuggets on a mob.

[KST_HAVOK]

ok first off if you build any char right you can be great.

My cleric does like close to 20 damage a hit when fully buffed with imbued Mithral arrows

d10+mighty 4+divine favor+5+Praver ive been trying to get it higher for fun but hasnt been working also with the no shield type deal my cleric also has 7 levels of monk so the tumble and wis modifier brings his ac way above 50 mabey you can try something else besids fighter even rangers get some spells to help out

Been thinking about a cleric wizzy arcane archer immagine the damage on that guy

[TheBestDeception]

Ok, first off, this is not a discussion about builds, but about Ranged weapons, and what they lack. Ammunition is a serious disadvantage for ranged weapon users, for which several solutions have been presented.

However, since you quoted a solid number, we can discuss it. 20 damage a hit is very weak for a weapon user. The mage you are shooting at will not feel but 5 from the Divine Favor bonus, since bows are not enchanted. Furthermore, since you are not allowed to use elemental damage (consistantly, at least), you are missing out on the additional damage there.

So, yes, any char can be great if done right. Yours is not, with no help from your weapon of choice.

[KST_HAVOK]

Totally understand TBD i was just throwing out an iead i dont use Archers much so to methat seemed ok with 6 attacks a round but anyways thatks fer the imput

[Kromix]

my char does like 13 dmg ish but that is using al lvl 5 bow and lvl 9 arrows on my epic char.. great for scaring and call shotting lowbies before the disarm

[Mestophalies]

I have a suggestion, perhaps you may add to the inventory of drops or even make it a quest item fo an AA, a "Quiver" that you can store your arrows in and actually add enhancements to." Just a suggestion from out there!!!!!