Is there a non-arcane archer PrC?

[Alzrius]

So a friend of mine is playing a human fighter in our Pathfinder game, specializing in using a bow and arrows. He's quite enjoying it, but is wondering if there are any prestige classes out there based around the concept.

He looked at arcane archer, but discarded the notion because his mental ability scores were all treated as dump stats, and he doesn't want to spend levels in an arcane spellcasting class anyway. So now I'm on the lookout for archer prestige classes that aren't arcane. Does anyone know of any?

Third-party products are used in our campaign, so please mention any if you know of them! Thanks!

 

[Dingo333]

if he had gone ranger instead of fighter, there would be nature's warden. (not focused on bow, but still nice) and there is horizon walker, nice class with easy prereq, but as for an archer based prestige class, I can't think of any.

Besides, he should be able to do just fine staying just a fighter unless you are going above 20.

If he still wants to multi-class, show him the zen archer monk archetype.

 

[pawsplay]

Well, there's Order of the Bow Initiate, although it has its issues. Mainly, I would suggest sticking with fighter, or perhaps multi-classing into rogue or ranger or some 3pp class like Hunter or Scout.

 

[pawsplay]

Here, I'll make you a new Prestige Class, based loosely on the Order of the Bow Initiate.

Targeteer
Your eye and hand are like the sun's rays falling from heaven.

Requirements
Base Attack Bonus: +5
Skills: Craft (Bowmaking) 5 ranks, Perception 2 ranks
Feats: Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Shot, Weapon Focus (a bow weapon)

Level BAB For Ref Will Special
1 +1 +0 +2 +2 Vital Strike
2 +2 +0 +3 +3 Close Combat Shot
3 +3 +1 +3 +3 Sneak attack +1d6
4 +4 +1 +4 +4 Bow Training +1
5 +5 +1 +4 +4 Improved Vital Strike
6 +6 +2 +5 +5 Improved Precise Shot
7 +7 +2 +5 +5 Sneak Attack +2d6
8 +8 +2 +6 +6 Bow Training +2
9 +9 +3 +6 +6 Greater Vital Strike
10 +10 +3 +7 +7 Bow Training +2, Extended Precision

Hit Die: d10

Class Skills: Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Perception (Wis), Ride (Dex), Swimg (Str).
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier

Class Features:
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The targeteer does not gain proficiency in any armor or weapon.
Vital Strike: At 1st level, the Targeteer receives Vital Strike as a bonus feat.
Close Combat Shot (Ex): At 2nd level, a targeteer can attack with a ranged weapon from a threatened square without provoking an attack of opportunity.
Sneak Attack: At 3rd level, a targeteer gains sneak attack, as a rogue. At level 7, sneak attack increases to +2d6.
Bow Training: At 4th level, a targeteer gains +1 to hit and damage with bow weapons. At level 8, this increases to +2.
Improved Vital Strike: At 5th level, the targeteer gains Improved Vital Strike as a bonus feat, ignoring the usual prerequisites.
Improved Precise Shot: At 6th level, the targeteer gains Improved Precise Shot as a bonus feat, ignoring the usual prerequisites.
Greater Vital Strike: At 9th level, the targeteer gains Greater Vital Strike as a bonus feat, ignoring the usual prerequisites:
Extended Precision: At 10th level, the targeteer may make sneak attacks and other "precision" attacks at a range of 60 feet rather than 30 feet.

 

[Volaran]

If he's playing a standard core rules fighter, focusing on the bow, you may wish to suggest he lobby the GM to let him rebuild with the Archer Variant from the APG.

Of course, it is an archetype rather than a prestige class. One of the players in my last campaign had a cohort Archer who participated from levels 5-12. He was pretty consistently useful, and the ranged use of combat maneuvers was pretty sweet.

 

[concerro]

He is better off going straight fighter or using the archer archetype.

 

[Tahlilian]

There is "deep woods sniper" out of masters of the wild. Pg. 52

There is also "peerless archer" out of heroes of the north. Pg. 115

 

[Asmo]

Well, there's Order of the Bow Initiate, although it has its issues.

And they are?

Asmo

 

[pawsplay]

And they are?

Asmo

Like requiring Rapid Shot to get into the class, but the class's mainstay ability is an attack that takes a standard action. There's nothing inherently wrong with that, but in many cases you are stuck between choosing:

- highest damage bonus
- largest number of attacks
- or using some other feat that requires a standard action

The (presumably unintended) effect is that they are a little weak on the offense, even considering their typical strategy.

Also, they have Knowledge (religion) as a requirement and as a class skill, but it really isn't relevant to anything they do.

Overall, I'd rather play an Arcane Archer. It's largely because of issues with this PrC and with the Scout from Complete Adventurer that I went a different route in designing the Hunter and Scout in Fistful of Denarii.

 

[Asmo]

Your new archerclass (Targeteer), would the sneak attack damage stack if a rogue would go that route?

Asmo