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Hey, there. I'm playing an AD campaign set in the real world. Sounds like a horrible, not fun experience, and I only started because I was bored. Turns out it's my favorite campaign to date.

I'm playing again Tuesday, and since my original character died, I figured I'd try something a little less conventional than my straight Sorcerer. I'm going to be playing a human ranged druid and I need help optimizing it. This character will start at 3rd level.

This character will essentially be a sniper, using his divine spells to help keep enemies from getting close to him, and to keep him hidden while he snipes. A lot of people think this would be better suited to a Ranger, but the huge amounts of minotaurs have proven to shorten rangers lifespans in this campaign. Besides... I want to play something new, so I've been doing my homework.

The weapon my character uses is a 20mm rifle which deals 4d10 damage per shot and has an effective short range of 120 feet. With the scope equipped, an additional 50% is added (180ft) and if I were to take the feat Far Shot, an additional 50% is added (270ft, because that needed to happen.) This means I can post up 810 feet away, taking -4 to hit because of Long Range, but adding +4 if I'm prone.

The gun also has a Bipod which - if you're unfamiliar - takes a full round to set up, but adds +1 to hit. So there's that. 1 round doesn't take any time at all considering I'm posted 20x the average character's movement range per round away from the action. (It also has a bayonette, which can cause the weapon to function as a short spear in a pinch... because I had extra money.)

Because the weapon is so large, I take a -4 to hit. This is counteracted by Monkey Grip, which also makes the bayonette a little more useful. This also means I don't HAVE to snipe in order to be effective with this firearm.

My third feat is taken up by proficiency in this weapon.

My next feet will be rapid reload (the gun only holds one round at a time, and is bolt action so there is no way to attach a speed loader of any kind)

I can't remember the name of the feat at the moment, but the one after Rapid Reload will be the one which allows a second ranged attack per round. This will allow me to potentially deal 8d10 damage per round.



Why be a Druid and do this? Well... why not? First there's the utility in this specific campaign. We're in a post apocalyptic Mexico. It's hot. Wastelandy. Deserty. Endure elements, create water and heal spells are a must. Clerics and Rangers can do this of course, but I don't want to be a straight up Cleric. Rangers get a lot of my useful spells lots later than the Druid. Check this out...

Level 1 Spells
Camoflauge (+10 to Hide Check) CD
Hawkeye (+5 Spot, +50% Ranged distance, 10min/lv)CD

Level 2
Cat's Grace (+4 Dex, touch, 1m/lv) Good for ranged to hit
Wild Stealth (+5 Hide/Move Silently outdoors, 10m/lv) BoHM

Level 3
Wind Wall (100+10/lv ft range, 10ft/lv long, 5ft/lv high, 2ft thick, arrows negated, 30%miss other ranged)

This is an especially useful spell. The wall is only 2 feet thick and does not impair SIGHT only projectiles. The weapon (I looked up actual specs for a 20mm rifle) is long enough that I can be outside the wind wall and have my barrel poking out of the windwall, meaning I have cover of sorts if spotted while likely taking a slight minus to hit, but not risking the 30% miss chance)

Level 4

Forestfold (+20 Hide / Move Silent until moving away)CD

This will be my staple. Pouring excess skill points into hide and move silently, and being so holy crap far away from my enemies, I will be able to stay hidden. Attacking and attempting to hide again grants a -20 to Hide / MS. This spell will completely nullify this. With around 8 ranks in H/MS and at a range of 800ft - unless I'm reading this wrong - the enemy will have a -85 to spot me. (-1 spot per 10ft distance, -5 distracted {a 20mm round tends to distract you}) correct me if I'm wrong.

Chain of Eyes (use animal eyes instead of own)CD

This spell will be useful in that I can make a bird my friend, and then tell it to go look at things. Then I will be able to see them too.


Level5

Control Winds (area 40ft/lv, blow circular, one direction, outward, inward - +1 windstep /3lv)

If I'm reading this right, I can essentially create a windy area around me. If I'm posted any distance away from an enemy, and have the wind blow in a direction straight from me to him, at best, I gain a bonus to hit. At worst, it creates a backup windwall if I run out of lower level spells.

Bones of the Earth (60ft range, 1 5ft diameter pillar [20ft tall] per round, duration 1/2lv rds)

If I need to get a little height on a taget... poof. Instant sniper's nest.


Those are the core spells for being a sniper that I've found.






Now the part where I need help. I need advice on feats to take to be a sniper. I'm not focusing on spells; those are bonus. Also... I've played a little pathfinder. There's an alternative feature for druids in pathfinder. It allows you to trade the ability to have an animal companion for the ability to cast spells from one domain. I've been looking REALLY hard for this in 3.5 books, but can't find it. Is anyone aware of something like it?

Anything you can suggest for this is appreciated. We are using all 3.5 books, but not campaign setting books (IE Eberron, so no BS Planar Shepherd)

Thanks!

Precise Shot & Point Blank Shot are staples for ranged attackers. Given the nature of D&D, it seems highly doubtful you'll be fighting most combats at a great range. Weapon Focus is great if other to hit modifiers are rare.
Unearthed Arcana has the suggested houserule that Druids get a free domain choice, p .68. I can't help you with a PF reference, sorry.
Given that the whole "one shot, one kill" principle doesn't really work well in D&D, consider having some sort of assault rifle or SMG as a back up.
Take Zen Archery if you can re-arrange your stats, so you can benefit from your high WIS.


Also, I've got two other suggestions for you for this type of character. I think both share the same "survival" feel, but are mechanicly superior, since playing a Druid and not using Wildshape & Animal Companion is a bit of a waste.

1. Prestige Ranger (UA, p. 71)

Gets more and earlier spell access than the Ranger, but can be based on the Cleric spell-list, which is more suitable, especially since this class suggests you get access to Ranger-specific spells, which include some very nice ones for ranged combat. Check out Spell Compendium for those.
Benefits: free ranged combat feats, good skill list & skill points, better BAB, Cleric list includes Greater Magic Weapon & Magic Vestment, absolutely great in a low magic setting.

2. Cloistered Cleric (UA, p. 50)

More of long-term build. Take Animal & Plants (or Weather) domains for the "survival" feel. Or take Planning domain (fits a sniper) for the free Extend Spell feat. Take Persist Spell & Divine Metamagic (Persist). (See Complete Divine for that feat.) As many Extra Turnings as necessary.
Benefits: DMM (Persist) a Divine Power, and you've got full BAB for 24 hours. You got Greater Magic Weapon & Magic Vestment. Divine Favour to Persist. Divine Agility if needed. If you take Knowledge Devotion (feat) from Complete Champion, you get basicly free bonuses to hit & damage.
For best results, take 1 level of prestige Ranger, so you get all Ranger-exclusive spells.