General Prestige Class : Order Of The Bow Initiate
The Way of the Bow is used by some for spiritual self-improvement, by others a philosophical art. Others practice it as a way of life, and yet others employ it as a religious ceremony. Of course, many find the art of killing with the bow to be an important skill in a dangerous world. The Way of the Bow is always what you make of it. The Way of the Bow embraces the following concepts:
Through one's archery, one's true character can be determined.
The Way of the Bow is a spiritual art. By learning it, the archer learns about himself. By improving in the Way of the Bow, the archer improves himself.
The Way of the Bow is a highly meditative martial art whose ultimate goals are Truth, Goodness, and Beauty.
When asked, "What is Truth?", a Master Archer picks up his bow, fires an arrow and, without saying a word, lets his mastery of the bow serve as the gauge of the archer's progress along the "way," thereby showing the archer's knowledge of reality, or "truth" itself.
The Way of the Bow is a matter of precision and discipline: the relationship you have with your bow, the arrow, your body, and your mind. The Way of the Bow is standing meditation. When you shoot, you can see the reflection of your mind, as in a mirror. The target is the mirror. When you release, you also let go of your ego. You can see your own mind.
Fighters are the most common initiates of the Order of the Bow. Powerful rangers, paladins, and even barbarians utilize these skills and philosophies as well.
Requirements
To qualify to become an Order of the Bow Initiate, a character must fulfill all the following criteria:
- Skills: Craft (bowmaking) 5 ranks, Knowledge (religion) 2 ranks
- Feats: Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Shot, Weapon Focus (longbow or shortbow or the composite version of either),
- Base Attack Bonus: +5.
Class Skills
The Order of the Bow's class skills are Craft (bowmaking), Knowledge (religion), Ride, Spot, and Swim.
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the Order of the Bow Initiate prestige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Order of the Bow initiates gain no proficiency with any weapon or armor.
Ranged Precision (Ex): As a standard action, an initiate may make a single precisely aimed attack with a ranged weapon, dealing an extra 1d8 points of damage if the attack hits. When making a ranged precision attack, an initiate must be within 30 feet of his target. An initiate's ranged precision attack only works against living creatures with discernible anatomies. Any creature that is immune to critical hits (including undead, constructs, oozes, plants, and incorporeal creatures) is not vulnerable to a ranged precision attack, and any item or ability that protects a creature from critical hits (such as armor with the fortification special ability) also protects a creature from the extra damage. 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. Treat the initiate's ranged precision attack as a sneak attack in all other ways. The initiate's bonus to damage on ranged precision attacks increases by +1d8 every two levels. An initiate can only use this ability with a ranged weapon for which he has taken the Weapon Focus feat.
Close Combat Shot (Ex): At 2nd level, an initiate can attack with a ranged weapon while in a threatened square and not provoke an attack of opportunity.
Greater Weapon Focus (Ex): At 4th level, an Order of the Bow initiate gains the Greater Weapon Focus feat with a single ranged weapon for which he has taken the Weapon Focus feat even if he has not attained 8th level as a fighter.
Sharp-Shooting: At 6th level, an initiate gains the Sharp-Shooting feat even if he does not meet the prerequisites.
Extended Precision (Su): A 10th-level Order of the Bow initiate's senses and feel for "the shot" become so attuned that he may make ranged precision attacks (and sneak attacks, if he has the ability) at a range of up to 60 feet.
| Order Of The Bow Initiate | Hit Die: d10 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CL | BAB | Fort | Ref | Will | Special |
| 1st | +1 | +0 | +2 | +2 | Ranged precision +1d8 |
| 2nd | +2 | +0 | +3 | +3 | Close combat shot |
| 3rd | +3 | +1 | +3 | +3 | Ranged precision +2d8 |
| 4th | +4 | +1 | +4 | +4 | Greater Weapon Focus |
| 5th | +5 | +1 | +4 | +4 | Ranged precision +3d8 |
| 6th | +6 | +2 | +5 | +5 | Sharp-Shooting |
| 7th | +7 | +2 | +5 | +5 | Ranged precision +4d8 |
| 8th | +8 | +2 | +6 | +6 | - |
| 9th | +9 | +3 | +6 | +6 | Ranged precision +5d8 |
| 10th | +10 | +3 | +7 | +7 | Extended precision |
Source: Compete Warrior
Sword and Fist