Order of the Bow Initiate

Class Notice

The Order of the Bow Initiate PRC facilitates a special long ranged style of combat gameplay. It is unlike other archer prestige classes in that it provides the character with abilities surpassing the normal range of bows and crossbows. The character in essence becomes a sniper or marksman, extending the range of his attack through OOBI abilities.

The Way of the Bow is not a religious creed, nor is the Order of the Bow an actual organization. Instead it refers to a discipline: that of mastering the bow. Initiates literally dedicate themselves to mastering the order that is the bow. The order thus represents the bow as a microcosm, its every aspect a study pursued by the initiate.

Description:

When asked "What is Truth?," an initiate of the Order of the Bow picks up his bow, fires an arrow and, without saying a word, lets his mastery of the weapon serve as the gauge of the archer's progress along the way. By learning the meditative art of the Way of the Bow, the archer improves his discipline, precision, and spirituality. Order of the Bow initiates see their weapons as extensions of their being, and the use of a bow as a spiritual experience. Everything comes down to that one shot in the world of the Initiate hence a common saying is: "One shot, one kill".

Fighters are the most common initiates of the Order of the Bow. Rangers, paladins, and even barbarians utilize these skills and philosophies well. Some rogues and bards have been known to enter the order, but they are rare indeed.

The Way of the Bow is not a religious creed, nor is the Order of the Bow an actual organization. Instead it refers to a discipline: that of mastering the bow. Initiates literally dedicate themselves to mastering the order that is the bow. The order thus represents the bow as a microcosm, its every aspect a study pursued by the initiate.

Requirements:

Race: Any

Alignment: Any

Base attack bonus: +5

Skills: Lore: Religion 2, Craft (Carving & Sculpting) 5 ranks

Feats: Point Blank Shot, Rapid Shot, Weapon Focus Short Bow or Longbow

Class Features

- Hit Die: d8

- Base Attack Bonus: High

- High Saves: Reflex, Will

- Weapon Proficiencies: An Order of the Bow Initiate gains no weapon proficiencies.

- Armor Proficiencies: An Order of the Bow Initiate gains no armor proficiencies.

- Skill Points: 2 + Int Modifier.

- Class Skills: Concentration, Craft Weapon, Lore, Spot, Sense Motive

- Class Feats

1: Ranged precision 1d6
2: Dead Eye Shot
3: Ranged precision 2d6
4: Greater Weapon Focus
5: Ranged precision 3d6
6: Blind Fight
7: Ranged precision 4d6
8: None
9: Ranged precision 5d6
10: Sharp-Shooting

No bonus feats.

Abilities

Ranged Precision I to V
Type of Feat: Class Ability
Prerequisites: Order of the Bow Initiate
Specifics: During a regular ranged attack an initiate takes a precisely aimed attack. Ranged Precision was changed to a combat style mode. Ranged Precision reduces your total attacks to 2 (before Rapid Shot/Haste) but increases your damage per shot by 1d6 at level 1 and for every odd OOBI level, ending at 5d6 at OOBI 9. An initiate’s ranged precision attack only works against living creatures with discernible anatomies. Any creature that is immune to critical hits (either naturally or through a class, item or ability benefit) is not vulnerable to a ranged precision attack. Unlike with a rogue’s sneak attack, the initiate’s target does not have to be flat-footed or denied its Dexterity bonus, but if it is, the initiate’s extra precision damage stacks with sneak attack damage.
Use: Selected as a Mode

Sharp Shooting
Type of Feat: Class Ability
Prerequisites: Order of the Bow Initiate level 10
Specifics: You mark your target. Sharp Shooting fires a single arrow that, if it hits, negates enemy DR for the next 3 rounds. In addition, Sharp Shooting removes any missile protection effects the enemy might have, such as Storm Avatar. Sharp Shooting can be used 3 times per day.
Use: Selected

Dead Eye Shot
Type of Feat: General
Prerequisites: Point Blank Shot, Base Attack Bonus + 4
Specifics: By firing just as your ally connects with a blow, you take advantage of the distraction to strike the same enemy when his guard is ruined. If you ready a ranged attack to occur when an ally strikes a particular target, and your ally succeeds, that target loses his Dexterity bonus to AC against your attack.
Use: Selected

(Notice: Abilities only work with bows, not crossbows,slings)

Class courtesy of Rasael, thorough testing by the Quality Control Team. Implementation on the server by Luna.Updated by Rhifox,