Marksman Subclass is a short pdf product from Alea Publishing and presents a new type of class, the subclass, and the Marksman subclass as a character that focuses on ranged combat, all written by Josh Benton. Marksman Subclass is a 6 page pdf, of which 4 pages are devoted to the content. Marksman Subclass normally retails for $1.50. This review was done as part of Crothian's Review Project.
Disclaimer: The reviewer is also a d20 freelance writer with recent published material through another publisher. Every effort has been made by the reviewer to ensure that this is an impartial review.
Initial Impressions:
As a short pdf Alea Publishing does a good job with the layout and presentation. Writing is good, and so is the general layout, which has a feel and look similar to the WotC short adventures on their website. A good looking piece of art showing a picture of a marksman is included in the pdf, which is nice to see, although it does as a result reduce the content since it takes up almost half the page. The last two pages of the pdf are taken up by the OGL declarations, including statements of open content and product identity. All in all, it's a good looking package, more so because of the short nature of the pdf.
The Details:
The pdf introduces the concept of the subclass. Essentially this is a class that is not quite strong enough to be a prestige class, and is akin to the 'kits' from 2e. A subclass can be taken at any time, and, once taken, you gain a level in the subclass and your normal class or prestige class each time you level up. The penalty is in the form of an XP penalty, and you don't gain any HD or BAB from taking a subclass. I felt the subclass was an interesting idea, and probably worth exploring, although it seems to blur the boundary between a feat and a class. The aim is to specialise a character in a particular area, something that can as easily be accomplished by a feat, although, granted, you don't get as many feats to always be able to achieve. Certainly a mechanic where you can take an XP penalty and gain additional feats would probably have a very similar result to this.
The marksman subclass is presented in this pdf, and is a 20 level subclass focused on ranged attacks and specialising in ranged combat. The marksman is superior in either normal bows and crossbows, firearms or the repeating crossbow. The subclass gains minor increases to saving throws with a probably substantial increase to ranged attack bonus (+7 at level 20). Given that this bonus stacks with other bonuses, it's quite a substantial bonus or an archer type despite the XP penalty applied. Coupled with precision damage gained, proficiency in either firearms or the repeating crossbow, and a number of abilities that increase the deadliness and accuracy of shots, it makes for quite a hefty benefit. The class also gains hp every four levels, meaning that in some instances it may be worth taking this subclass and the XP penalty instead of, for example, another level (or eventually two at 20th level) of fighter.
The pdf concludes with a new feat and rules for black powder firearms such as the musket and pistol. I have to admit that the concept is interesting, although I'm ambivalent with regard to the execution despite the class containing enough flavor to be useful. Overall I think it's a decent pdf, but perhaps lacking in something really exciting.
Conclusions:
Marksman subclass is a pdf presenting a new subclass, the marksman. Rules for subclasses are presented, kind of like minor prestige classes, and the marksman is detailed as a specialist in ranged attacks with bows, crossbows or firearms. Black powder weapons are presented, as well as a new feat to aid in loading of these weapons during combat. Overall a well presented and well written pdf, but I felt the execution of the marksman subclass left me with mixed feelings about the implementation. Based on presentation, concepts and rules for subclasses, the marksman subclass and ideas, I'd grade this pdf with three stars.
