Teilos
2007-03-31, 05:40 AM
Military Archer
Preamble:
I am missing a serious archer class in DND. For me, an archer should have no chance in close combat, but it should show superiority in ranged combat. For this reason, I do not like the usual DND archer builds, which are very versatile, but do not deal that much damage. Therefore, I created the military archer. The first idea was a multi class between the non spell casting ranger and a fighter with less protection in close combat and more damage potential. It is the aim to out-rule shooting in melee for this class. If you have already seen a class very similar to this, please give me a link.
Flavour text:
Military archers are most commonly trained in an army and serve as strategic unit on the battlefield or are placed on the towers of a stronghold. Military Archer units are known to be deadly unless faced in melee. The more experienced archers often get a command of a few younger ones and are expected to train and lead them. Renegade Military Archers are also known to work as snipers for assassin guilds.
Hit Die: d6
Skill Points: 4 + Int
Military Archer
{table=head]Level|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Special
1st|
+1|
+2|
+2|
+0|Point Blank Shot, Uncanny Sidestep +1
2nd|
+2|
+3|
+3|
+0|Rapid Shot *
3rd|
+3|
+3|
+3|
+1|Endurance
4th|
+4|
+4|
+4|
+1|
5th|
+5|
+4|
+4|
+1|Uncanny Sidestep +2
6th|
+6|
+5|
+5|
+2|Improved Rapid Shot *
7th|
+7|
+5|
+5|
+2|
8th|
+8|
+6|
+6|
+2|Weapon Specialisation (choose one type of bow or crossbow)
9th|
+9|
+6|
+6|
+3|Evasion
10th|
+10|
+7|
+7|
+3|Uncanny Sidestep +3
11th|
+11|
+7|
+7|
+3|Greater Rapid Shot *
12th|
+12|
+8|
+8|
+4|
13th|
+13|
+8|
+8|
+4|Camouflage
14th|
+14|
+9|
+9|
+4|
15th|
+15|
+9|
+9|
+5|Uncanny Sidestep +4
16th|
+16|
+10|
+10|
+5|Superior Rapid Shot *
17th|
+17|
+10|
+10|
+5|Hide in plain sight
18th|
+18|
+11|
+11|
+6|Greater Weapon Specialisation (choose one type of bow or crossbow)
19th|
+19|
+11|
+11|
+6|
20th|
+20|
+12|
+12|
+6|Uncanny Sidestep +5[/table]
Weapon Proficiency:
All simple weapons, short sword, all martial bows and crossbows
Armor Proficiency:
Light
Skills:
Climb, Craft, Diplomacy, Heal, Hide, Jump, Knowledge(geography), Move Silently, Sense Motive, Spot, Swim, Tumble
Class Features:
Please, look up the missing features. You will find them in the ranger list.
Rapid Shot *
Gives Rapid Shot with the following restrictions:
Can be used only in padded or leather armor (!!!)
Can be used only with bows and crossbows
When using this feature you provoke attacks of opportunity for ranged attacks, even if you have another class feature that states the opposite (no order of the bow initiate and the like, please !!!)
Improved, Greater, Superior Rapid Shot *
When you use Rapid Shot *, you gain an additional attack at –5 / -10 / -15
Uncanny Sidestep +x (extraordinary ability):
Due to their superior knowledge of ranged combat, Military Archers gain a +x insight bonus to armor class against ranged attacks.
Please post your critics. I would like to know, if you find the concept interesting. I know balancing is a tough call, even when you do not want to play the class yourself. Please state at the beginning of your post, whether the class is over or under powered and state which of the following suggestions are required to balance this class.
Suggestions, if overpowered:
Hit Die: d4
Only one strong save
Reduce Bonus of Uncanny Sidestep
Remove greater weapon specialisation
Remove superior rapid shot
Remove flavour specials
Suggestions, if underpowered:
Hit Die: d8
Add Features from the following list:
- Improved Precise Shot
- +10’ movement when in light or no Armor and not heavily encumbered
- Improved Evasion
- Fighter Bonus Feats
Thank you for your help!
Preamble:
I am missing a serious archer class in DND. For me, an archer should have no chance in close combat, but it should show superiority in ranged combat. For this reason, I do not like the usual DND archer builds, which are very versatile, but do not deal that much damage. Therefore, I created the military archer. The first idea was a multi class between the non spell casting ranger and a fighter with less protection in close combat and more damage potential. It is the aim to out-rule shooting in melee for this class. If you have already seen a class very similar to this, please give me a link.
Flavour text:
Military archers are most commonly trained in an army and serve as strategic unit on the battlefield or are placed on the towers of a stronghold. Military Archer units are known to be deadly unless faced in melee. The more experienced archers often get a command of a few younger ones and are expected to train and lead them. Renegade Military Archers are also known to work as snipers for assassin guilds.
Hit Die: d6
Skill Points: 4 + Int
Military Archer
{table=head]Level|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Special
1st|
+1|
+2|
+2|
+0|Point Blank Shot, Uncanny Sidestep +1
2nd|
+2|
+3|
+3|
+0|Rapid Shot *
3rd|
+3|
+3|
+3|
+1|Endurance
4th|
+4|
+4|
+4|
+1|
5th|
+5|
+4|
+4|
+1|Uncanny Sidestep +2
6th|
+6|
+5|
+5|
+2|Improved Rapid Shot *
7th|
+7|
+5|
+5|
+2|
8th|
+8|
+6|
+6|
+2|Weapon Specialisation (choose one type of bow or crossbow)
9th|
+9|
+6|
+6|
+3|Evasion
10th|
+10|
+7|
+7|
+3|Uncanny Sidestep +3
11th|
+11|
+7|
+7|
+3|Greater Rapid Shot *
12th|
+12|
+8|
+8|
+4|
13th|
+13|
+8|
+8|
+4|Camouflage
14th|
+14|
+9|
+9|
+4|
15th|
+15|
+9|
+9|
+5|Uncanny Sidestep +4
16th|
+16|
+10|
+10|
+5|Superior Rapid Shot *
17th|
+17|
+10|
+10|
+5|Hide in plain sight
18th|
+18|
+11|
+11|
+6|Greater Weapon Specialisation (choose one type of bow or crossbow)
19th|
+19|
+11|
+11|
+6|
20th|
+20|
+12|
+12|
+6|Uncanny Sidestep +5[/table]
Weapon Proficiency:
All simple weapons, short sword, all martial bows and crossbows
Armor Proficiency:
Light
Skills:
Climb, Craft, Diplomacy, Heal, Hide, Jump, Knowledge(geography), Move Silently, Sense Motive, Spot, Swim, Tumble
Class Features:
Please, look up the missing features. You will find them in the ranger list.
Rapid Shot *
Gives Rapid Shot with the following restrictions:
Can be used only in padded or leather armor (!!!)
Can be used only with bows and crossbows
When using this feature you provoke attacks of opportunity for ranged attacks, even if you have another class feature that states the opposite (no order of the bow initiate and the like, please !!!)
Improved, Greater, Superior Rapid Shot *
When you use Rapid Shot *, you gain an additional attack at –5 / -10 / -15
Uncanny Sidestep +x (extraordinary ability):
Due to their superior knowledge of ranged combat, Military Archers gain a +x insight bonus to armor class against ranged attacks.
Please post your critics. I would like to know, if you find the concept interesting. I know balancing is a tough call, even when you do not want to play the class yourself. Please state at the beginning of your post, whether the class is over or under powered and state which of the following suggestions are required to balance this class.
Suggestions, if overpowered:
Hit Die: d4
Only one strong save
Reduce Bonus of Uncanny Sidestep
Remove greater weapon specialisation
Remove superior rapid shot
Remove flavour specials
Suggestions, if underpowered:
Hit Die: d8
Add Features from the following list:
- Improved Precise Shot
- +10’ movement when in light or no Armor and not heavily encumbered
- Improved Evasion
- Fighter Bonus Feats
Thank you for your help!