A Guide to Enhancing and Enabling Ranged Attacks
Summary:
The archer excels in ranged combat, and is Team Player’s counterpart to artillery monsters. Effective archers utilize at-will ranged attacks, and can be further optimized for ranged attack enablers (such as animist/eagle shamans and Direct the Strike warlords) by bolstering an at-will ranged basic attack. This guide characterizes archers as ranged attack specialists from all traditions. Base features from classes are included, but for more specific ways to optimize various features (such as a striker feature), please refer to the corresponding class handbooks found here. Paragon Path and Epic Destiny features are only included if they provide a specific mechanical benefit pertaining to ranged attacks, which is this guide’s focus.
Scope of Guide:
I intend to categorize mechanical benefits that apply to ranged attacks in general. Included in these benefits will be specific riders that pertain to the ranged basic attack subset, which will typically preceed other sections. Where appropriate, this guide will also delineate weapon attacks from implements for quicker reference. General options that apply to a larger category of attacks (not limited to the ranged theme) may be overlooked, even if they have broad applicability. I did make some exceptions and included all Expertise feats, Weapon/Implement Proficiencies and Focus-style feats that provide feat bonuses to hit and damage; along with Whetstones and Dragonshards primarily for damage augmentation. These are feats and items all dedicated archers should consider including in their quiver of options. I also included weapon style feats that work specifically with ranged weapons and light blades (which include the ranged-only shuriken) that either augment ranged attacks or provide a general mechanical benefit. For additional information on breakdown of other weapon styles, check out Dielzen’s Guide to At-Wills here.
Other than RBA powers I don’t intend to include specific ranged power mechanics that do not augment or enable other ranged attacks, including ranged powers with situational boosts (like Influence of Acamar’s range boost with Star Pact, or Prayer of Two Paths not provoking opportunity attacks with secondary attack). I included some daily powers that grant non-standard action ranged attacks every round (Rapid Eye Rays of Doom, Spitting Cobra Stance, Lightning Daggers, Crown of Stars, Wizard’s Fury, etc.), and may expound on at-will ranged attacks in the future.
This guide is intended to be a quick reference for characters who hope to explore all options for augmenting their ranged attacks. As such, subjective ratings for the time being are omitted. I intentionally left out some information such as ability score / deity worship / background feat prerequisites; base damage for ranged attack powers; and skill check bonuses (typically +2). This is not intended to be a substitute to referencing rules sources, but rather is an attempt to categorize basic rules elements pertaining to ranged attacks.
Assumptions:
In the case that a bonus is given when ‘throwing’ a weapon, it is assumed to be restricted to weapon attacks only (e.g. no First Hunter bonus to implement attacks) since implement attacks gain no benefit from weapon properties. It is also assumed that players will have access to level-appropriate magic items or inherent bonuses (e.g. Unseelie Agent theme, Bracers of Infinite Blades, etc. don’t grant players a mechanical benefit specific to ranged attacks that can’t otherwise be obtained). Any feature that affects normal range and long range are assumed to be restricted to weapon powers since implement attacks do not make this distinction.
List of Abbreviations:
1h- = one-handed
2h- = two-handed
Adj = adjacent
AP = action point to take extra action
Atk = attack
CA = Combat Advantage
CD = Channel Divinity class feature
Crit = critical hit
Dmg = damage
ED = epic destiny
EoNT = end of next turn
EoCT = end of current turn
EoE = end of encounter
Evo = evocation school
FoB = Flurry of Blows monk feature
Hp = hit points
Ill = illusion school
Imp = implement
Isolated = No other creature is adjacent
LoE = Line of Effect
LoS = Line of Sight
Lvl = Level
MBA = melee basic attack
Mod = modifier
Nec = necromancy school
OA = opportunity attack
OoE = oath of enmity avenger feature
PP = paragon path
RBA = ranged basic attack
SoNT = start of next turn
Tgt = target
Thps = temporary hit points
Wpn = weapon
Symbol/Number Notation:
In the case of three numbers being separated by slashes (with respect to bonuses), the first number applies to Heroic tier, the second number applies to Paragon Tier, and the third number applies to Epic Tier. When two numbers that follow ‘range’ are separated by a slash, the first number refers to normal range and the second number refers to long range. In cases where those numbers are preceded by a ‘+’ symbol, those bonuses are added to the base weapon’s normal range and long range respectively. For magic items, the number in parenthesis preceding item rarity descriptor (Common/Uncommon/Rare) is the level of the magic item. When this magic item (wpn/imp/neck slot item) has higher lvl counterparts every five levels, this number is followed by the ‘+’ symbol. If a weapon and/or implement are in parentheses with other prerequisites, they must be used to gain the corresponding bonuses.
To Do:
Still need to flesh out: Bonuses against OA’s (all encompassing, not just vs. ranged attack subset), alchemical items, ammunition, light blade stuff, RBA swaps, etc.
Tribute:
No guide would be complete without mentioning LDB's pioneering efforts in handbook creations, whose handbooks include the king of ranged attack strikers (Rangers, Ho!). Still the gold standard guide builder here. Tribute should also be given to WEContact who designed the excellent Seeker handbook, covering the first RBA-oriented class. DuelistDelSol gets knocks for covering the leading implement-based RBA striker in another top-knotch Sorcerer-Elementalist handbook. Further, check out Fardiz's Guide to Basic Attacks for numerous ratings to RBA powers. Many thanks to all the CO inspired archery gurus, and CO community in general!
