Deadly Archery

[Rocmistro]

Ok but with that build (skill 2) you are hardly ever going to hit without spending hope. Which means longer until weary.

Your double expertise scenario would be amazing when it happened, but the opportunity cost of that build...in the hope that it might happen some day, is really high.

When you say opportunity cost are you referring to the Hope you have to spend to make it work or the commitment to the 2 Virtues: Deadly Archery and Stinging Arrow (assuming you go with favored Bow). Because, and here's something I'm not getting...if your intent is to make a kick-ass archer....what else are you going to spend your Wisdom picks on if not those 2 Virtues? The only other thing I could see is maybe dour-handed to increase your ranged damage rating...but really that seems like a lower priority than Deadly Archery even.

[Glorelendil]

The opportunity cost is also in the low bow skill.

But, yes, you hit on the other problem: you can't make a kickass Elven archer.

[Rocmistro]

The opportunity cost is also in the low bow skill.

But, yes, you hit on the other problem: you can't make a kickass Elven archer.

I just did a little experiment to test that and happened upon an interesting piece of information. Has anyone noticed this before? I took MWE and Barding and took them to end-game build to see what they'd look like. Here's what I came up with:

Elf.
Body: 5(10) Heart: 4 Wits: 5
Great Bow: 6d6 (+14 with hope point) Damage: 7 (+ 5/5), Edge: 9, Injury: 18

Valour: 4
-Grievous: +2 Damage
-Fell: -1 Edge
-Keen: +2 Injury

Wisdom: 6
-Deadly Archery
-Elf Magic
-Mastery: Expertise
-Gifted: +1 Body
-Gifted: +1 Body

Barding.
Body: 6(13) Heart: 6 Wits: 2
Great Bow: 6d6 (+13 with hope pt) Damage: 9 (+ 13/13), Edge: 10, Injury: 18

Valour: 4
-Dalish Longbow
-Fell: +2 Injury
-Grievous: +2 Damage

Wisdom: 6
-Fierce Shot
- Gifted: +1 Body
- Gifted: +1 Body
- Gifted: +1 Body
- Gifted: +1 Body

At first I was giving the Barding Dour-handed. That's when I realized he got the same benefit, and more, by taking Gifted: Body. He ramps up his bonus to hit with Hope and his damage.

I think the problem is with Fierce shot, man.

*EDIT: changed due to Glorelendil's audit.

[Glorelendil]

You've got Woodland Bow in there still.

[Rocmistro]

You've got Woodland Bow in there still.

Doh!

Doesn't really change the point though...the problem with Fierce Shot.

[Rocmistro]

Dear Jon:

I have defended Francesco's mighty creation to the best of my ability. All these heathens to continue to poop on Deadly Archery. I beseech thee for an administrative smackdown, as I'm sure you'll agree, I find their lack of faith....disturbing.

[Angelalex242]

....waaaaait a minute.

Why does Gifted do everything the Rivendell Elf's Lesser Ring does without a shadow point cost?

...Also, maybe I suck at powergaming more then I thought I did, but I thought the idea was to take cultural virtues as much as possible. And cultural rewards where applicable.

And, well, the 'mighty creation' just wasn't mighty enough for the rest of us.

[Rocmistro]

....waaaaait a minute.

Why does Gifted do everything the Rivendell Elf's Lesser Ring does without a shadow point cost?

it doesn't. Gifted doesn't affect the base score. Many/most things are triggered off base score. Just for Bardings with Fierce Shot, it's just as good as a lesser ring...well except for protection tests....and melee weapons...and body based common skills.

...Also, maybe I suck at powergaming more then I thought I did, but I thought the idea was to take cultural virtues as much as possible. And cultural rewards where applicable...

...says who?

[Glorelendil]

Next test: I will compare an array of archer builds vs. an array of adversaries and look at % of one-shot kills. I'm certain there are some adversaries for which Roc's build will be the best.

Whether it's worth sacrificing virtues and xp for that circumstance is debatable, but it will be a fun test.

[Michebugio]

But, yes, you hit on the other problem: you can't make a kickass Elven archer.

That's the sad truth. Bardings are the real archery badasses.