Archer core class

[Jerrid Al-Kundo]

Potential there... The Rank bonuses are fine since there is no increase in Skill Points. You'll want to give them decent names for description purposes (Ambush Archer for Hide and Move Silently, Scout Archer for Spot and Listen, etc.).

Basically, I tend to lurk the WotC Min/Max board looking for all those loopholes and general methods to prevent such abuses in my home-game material. Basically, I think that many using this class would likely not gain past 16th Level, taking at least 4 Levels of Fighter (2 Archery Feats and Specialialization). Being available within the class (even later) would grant that the higher levels will actually be pursued more often than not (which I don't think would have been the case previously).

 

[wolfpunk]

I think I am going to go with the idea of a specialization for the archer. Now offering four abilities, and then the ability to choose from the special abilities four times does mean that a 20th level archer would have them all. So really it simply depends on the order that they are taken. I think that offers enough variety though to warrant the ability to choose rather then demanding a certain progression.

 

[EOL]

Now my understanding of that would mean that a character with 18 strength which is a +4 bonus would gain +6 to damage from strength (strength x1.5), and the mighty bow which is +4 would grant +6 to damage from the bow as well (strength x1.5). That would lead me to think an 18 strength archer with a +4 might composite bow would gain +12 to damage, that seems like a lot of additional damage too me? Maybe I am misunderstanding.

No they don't add, it's two ways of saying the same thing. So the total damage would be +6 from everything I was just saying that even though normally a +4 mighty composite would only allow you to get up to +4 damage the archer would be able to treat it as a +6 mighty composite. Essentially any mighty Bow in the hands of an archer would do 1.5 times as much damage as normal.

 

[Geoff Watson]

Ok I have a question for you guys. I don't know if there is any precedence for this anywhere, or if there is a rulilng for it being a definite no-no.

My question is this. Has anyone ever seen, or attempted to add skills to the class skill list as levels advance. My thinking is this. After say five levels or whatever, the archer has proven themself to be a competent archer, and is allowed to undergo more rigerous training into the finer arts of stealth, ambush, scouting, etc. Could I add skills to the class skill list as the character advances in level? This would symbolize them getting more training?

There are several classes in d20 Star Wars that gain extra class skills as they advance, as does the Courtier in Rokugan. There is also a feat (Versatile) in Rokugan that makes two non-restricted skills Class skills for the character.

Delaying certain class skills is fine with me.

Geoff.

 

[wolfpunk]

EOL, thanks for the clarifacation. What do you think of how it is now. Normal bow is treated as 'Mighty" and "Mighty" bows are treated as two handed. Delayed the ability to 5th level as well.

Geoff, thanks for the info, I have not seeen any of the star wars books, but it is good to know that there is something like that existing in the current d20 system

I think as it stands I like the way it looks. My only concern is the complete lack of any special abilities for the first two levels of the character class.

 

[Geoff Watson]

I think as it stands I like the way it looks. My only concern is the complete lack of any special abilities for the first two levels of the character class.

Give them a bonus Archery feat, or give them EWP Bow or EWP Arrow earlier.

I don't like Twin Shot; doubling the number of attacks seems too powerful.

Maybe add in Close Combat Shot (from Order of the Bow Initiate) in there somewhere.

Geoff.

 

[EOL]

EOL, thanks for the clarifacation. What do you think of how it is now. Normal bow is treated as 'Mighty" and "Mighty" bows are treated as two handed. Delayed the ability to 5th level as well.

Geoff, thanks for the info, I have not seeen any of the star wars books, but it is good to know that there is something like that existing in the current d20 system

I think as it stands I like the way it looks. My only concern is the complete lack of any special abilities for the first two levels of the character class.

Yeah you really should have something at least at first, I think every class gets some benefit at first level even the sorcerer who has almost no specials gets the option of a familiar at first level.

Perhaps something as simple as "Point Blank Shot" as a free feat?

 

[wolfpunk]

Would granting the bonus feat, point blank shot, and moving ewp bow to first level be too much?

 

[Jerrid Al-Kundo]

Yes... Makes it front heavy. There's value to getting just one level for the feats alone.

 

[wolfpunk]

Whoops wait a second, the bonus feat is point blank shot, not a bonus feat and point blank shot. Yeah that would be extreme. So would point blank shot and ewp bow be too much??