Sharpshooter

The tickle of fletching against the cheek, the whir of the sling through the air, the recoil as the bolt leaves the crossbow – these are more beautiful than the sweetest sonnet to the sharpshooter. The force of concentration and aim, the gasp of the shot – these give life meaning. His skill at making and using bows, crossbows, and slings is beyond measure. It is as if the sharpshooter’s projectile weapon were a part of him, and he, part of it.

The Mailed Fists, the Woldian League of Adventurers, the Houses of Dirt City, and other organizations in the Wold are always looking for marksmen. An experienced sharpshooter can’t be beat in his aim and skill with projectiles. But not only that, he’s an exceptional artisan as well. In fact, it’s that craftsmanship that helps him in his amazing skill with weapons. In crafting his bows, slings and crossbows, he gains a deeper understanding of exactly how best to use the weapons he makes with his own hands.

Adventurers: A sharpshooter works best in smaller units. With his stealth abilities and his ranged attacks, he can deliver a staggering blow to the enemy before they can even react to his presence. To this end, many sharpshooters choose to forego the common military life, in which their skills are often underused, and take up adventuring.

Characteristics: Sharpshooters are the ultimate ranged combatants. They use their craft to create projectile weapons, giving them detailed knowledge of every facet of their construction and use, above and beyond that of other classes that use slings, bows and crossbows. This insight into each minute detail grants them special bonuses when using weapons they make themselves. This deeper understanding may make them superior marksmen, but their melee prowess suffers. As a sniper, location can be exceptionally vital and remaining concealed once finding that location can be almost, if not more important.

Alignment: Sharpshooters can be of any alignment, but most tend toward lawful, as their craftsmanship and aim requires a more focused mind. Good sharpshooters will often work as mercenaries for good causes, where evil sharpshooters often hire themselves out as assassins, striking down their victims from a safe and undetectable position.

Religion: Those sharpshooters that do choose to worship a deity tend to choose martial deities, such as Domi, Pantheon, or Jancassis. Craft-conscious deities such as Ffloy are often a secondary choice for a sharpshooter’s religion. Although they tend to have the utmost confidence in their abilities, some choose to follow Warrd, as one can always use a little extra luck.

Races: Individuals from all races can become sharpshooters. However, the shorter races, such as, halflings and gnomes, tends to use slings. Humans and elves have the highest number of archers. Dwarven sharpshooters tend to use crossbows. But individuals of all races may defy these traditions.

Other Classes: Sharpshooters are a fine complement to nearly any party. They do tend to have a friendly rivalry with rangers who have chosen the archery weapon path. They work extremely well with anyone that can keep enemies away from them, allowing them to use their ranged attacks to their fullest extent.

Role: The sharpshooter provides the ranged attack support for the group, using their phenomenal aim to pelt their enemies with arrow after arrow. They are poor combatants in melee, however, so they prefer to stay out of direct conflict whenever possible.

GAME RULE INFORMATION

Sharpshooters have the following game statistics

Abilities: Dexterity and Intelligence are by far the Sharpshooter’s most important ability scores. Dexterity provides him with his bonus to ranged attacks as well as a good number of his skills. Intelligence offers him the important bonus to his craft skills. Strength is important for slingers and archers who make bows with heavy pull. Wisdom helps him in spotting his quarry from further away.

Alignment: Sharpshooters can be of any alignment, but tend toward lawful.

Hit Die: d8

Class Skills
The sharpshooter’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Appraise(Int), Bluff(Chr), Climb(Str), Concentration(Con), Craft(Int), Hide(Dex), Jump(Str), Listen(Wis), Move Silently(Dex), Profession(Wis), Ride(Dex), Spot(Wis), Swim(Str), and Use Rope(Dex).

Skill Points at 1st Level: (6 + Int modifier) x 4
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 6 + Int modifier

Table: The Sharpshooter

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the Sharpshooter

Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: Sharpshooters are proficient in the use of all projectile weapons: composite longbows, composite shortbows, hand crossbows, heavy crossbows, light crossbows, longbows, repeating crossbows, short bows, and slings. They are proficient with no other weapons. They are proficient with light armor and shields. When using armor heavier than light armor, sharpshooters lose their Artisan’s Gift and the ability to make Trick Shots.

Artisan’s Gift (Ex): When using a projectile weapon that he has made himself, the Sharpshooter receives a bonus to attack rolls (but not to damage rolls) equal to one third of his appropriate Craft ranks (round down). For slings and crossbows, use Craft (Weaponsmith) ranks; for bows, use Craft (Bowyer) ranks. This bonus is referred to as his Artisan’s Gift and stacks with all other modifiers to attack rolls. A sharpshooter loses this bonus when using weapons another has enchanted, even if he originally made it. He also loses this bonus when wearing armor heavier than light.

Artisan’s Innovation (Ex): At 7th level, the sharpshooter’s devotion to creating projectile weapons and related paraphernalia has grown so intense that he can put a part of himself into his creations and make them magical. This ability is identical to the feat Craft Magical Items, but only applies to projectile weapons (bows, crossbows, slings, etc.) and related paraphernalia (ammunition, quivers, bracers of archery, etc.). The Sharpshooter is considered to have the prerequisite spells needed to create such magical items as if he were a wizard of his sharpshooter level (thus he would need to be level 14 to make a Slaying Arrow, requiring Finger of Death). Sharpshooter levels stack with caster levels when creating these types of magical items. Because of the special effort and deep connection a sharpshooter develops while creating a weapon (bow, crossbow, sling), such items are magical only for the sharpshooter that created them. All other magical items created by a sharpshooter don’t require such a deep connection and remain magical for anyone that wishes to use it.

Artisan’s Lore (Ex): At 13th level, the sharpshooter’s knowledge of projectile weapons and related paraphernalia has deepened to an almost magical level. He can learn information about such items in a way identical to the Bardic Knowledge class ability, and sharpshooter levels stack with bard levels for such items. Also, the sharpshooter can identify such items as per the spell a number of times per day equal to his Int modifier without the need of material components.

Artisan’s Ingenuity (Ex): At 19th level, the sharpshooter has become so skilled and precise at making projectile weapons and ammunition that he no longer needs to make weaponsmith and bowyer craft checks. All craft rolls for such items are considered to be a natural 20.

Trick Shots (Ex): Starting at 1st level and every four levels thereafter, the sharpshooter begins to learn special “trick shots” that he can perform with projectile weapons. He learns a number of trick shots equal to his Int modifier + 1. Each of these trick shots is a standard action (and cannot be combined with the Manyshot feat), unless otherwise noted.

Disarm Trick: Sharpshooters may make disarm attacks against weapons up to 30 feet away. These resolve exactly like melee disarm attacks. Each time the Disarm Trick is taken beyond the first, a +1 bonus on disarm opposed rolls and an extra 5 feet of range is gained.

Staple Trick: Sharpshooters may attempt a ranged grapple attack by pinning the target’s garments to a nearby structure with an arrow or bolt. Against targets up to 30 feet away, a staple shot suffers a –4 penalty to the attack roll and the target must be in a square adjacent to a structure no less than one size category smaller than it. A successful staple shot does not cause the target to suffer any penalties, but it cannot move away unless it uses a standard action to pull free (Strength or Escape Artist check vs. a DC equal to the damage the bolt or arrow would have inflicted). If the target is stapled by more than one arrow or bolt, the DC to pull free is the total of all the damage that would have been inflicted by all projectiles – or each projectile must be broken. Each time the Staple Trick is taken beyond the first, a +1 bonus on staple attack rolls and an extra 5 feet of range is gained.

Sunder Trick: Sharpshooters that have taken this feat may attempt to sunder items from up to 30 feet away with sling bullets. With crossbows and bows, sunder attempts may be attempted against slashing weapons only. Sunder shots are resolved exactly like melee sunder attacks. Within the conditions specified above, ranged weapon attack damage is not halved. Each time the Sunder Trick is taken beyond the first, a +1 bonus on sunder opposed rolls and an extra 5 feet of range is gained.

Slice Trick: Sharpshooters can cut weaker items, such as paper, rope or glass (see PHB165) without having their range weapon damage halved. Each time the Slice Trick is taken beyond the first, a +2 bonus on attack rolls is gained to hit objects.

Grapnel Trick: Sharpshooters can use an arrow or bolt as a grappling hook, requiring a special bowstring filament. The sharpshooter learns how to make three kinds of special bowstring that can be used as rope:

• Light (50 ft): AC18, 1 HP, Str break DC18, Cost 10 gp, can support up to 150 pounds
• Medium (50 ft): AC20, 2 HP, Str break DC20, Cost 15 gp, can support up to 225 pounds
• Heavy (50 ft): AC22, 3 HP, Str break DC22, Cost 20 gp, can support up to 300 pounds

To make a successful Grapnel Trick (as with a grappling hook, PHB126), make a Use Rope check, DC 10, +2 per 10 feet of distance. The DC is increased by +5 for a medium filament and +10 for a heavy filament. Each time the Grapnel Trick is taken beyond the first, a +2 bonus on Grapnel Trick Use Rope checks is gained.

Arching Trick: Sharpshooters learn to arch their shots to extend their range. Each time the Arching Trick is taken, extend the range increment for that weapon type by 5 feet. This applies to all attacks and does not require a standard action.

Blindfold Trick: Sharpshooters can train their observation skills and memory to allow them to make amazing shots, even while blindfolded. In target shooting (non-combat), the Sharpshooter is considered to have the Blind-Fighting feat. In combat, by making a Listen check DC 10 + HD/Lvl of the target, the Sharpshooter can negate 3% of the target’s concealment. If the target is moving silently, then the DC is the move silent check + HD/Lvl of the target. Each time the Blindfold Trick is taken beyond the first, an additional 3% can be negated. This trick applies to all attacks and does not require a standard action.

Ricochet Trick: You can use hard objects in the area to help bank sling bullet shots against targets who have cover. When you are firing at a target with less than total cover, target’s cover bonus to AC is reduced by one. Also, as a standard action, you can shoot around corners at foes; if you cannot see the target, you can attack around corners into a square as if attacking an opponent with total concealment (PHB p 152). Each time you take this trick beyond the first, the target’s cover bonus is reduced by one. Reducing cover bonuses can be used with any attack, not just with standard attacks. The DM may rule that this trick does not work if there is no hard surface available.
Note: Sharpshooters can research other trick shots via the BGC.

Bonus Feats: At 2nd level and every four levels thereafter, the Sharpshooter receives a bonus feat, much as a fighter does. The Sharpshooter must meet the prerequisites for these feats as usual. Selection of bonus feats is limited to the following: Accuracy1, Combat Shooting1, Defensive Shooting1, Dire Shot1, Far Shot, Greater Weapon Focus2, Improved Critical2, Improved Initiative, Improved Precise Shot, Improved Sniping1, Many Shot, Mounted Archery, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Reload, Rapid Shot, Shot on the Run, Skill Focus3, Speedy Slinger1, Stunning Shot1, Weapon Focus2, and Wounding Shot1.

1 New feats designed specifically for the sharpshooter, detailed below.
2 These feats can only be applied to projectile weapons
3 Skill focus applies only to Craft: Bowyer or Craft: Weaponsmith

Special Sharpshooter Only Feats

Accuracy [General]
You are able to fire into melee with even greater accuracy than other archers.
Prerequisites: Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot
Benefits: When firing into melee, the in-house +1 per target in the path penalty is reduced by half, round down. When firing at a target with concealment, if the concealment makes you miss, you can reroll your miss chance percentile once to see if you actually hit.

Defensive Shooting [General]
You may attempt to shoot while watching foes and dodging blows.
Prerequisites: Dodge
Benefits: Shooting on the defensive does not provoke any attacks of opportunity, but it does require a Concentration check to pull off. The Concentration DC is 5 plus 5 per missile you wish to shoot with your turn: DC 10 for a single shot, DC 15 for two, DC 20 for three, etc. Failure means that you provoke attacks of opportunity as usual.

Combat Shooting [General]
You are better at shooting on the defensive
Prerequisites: Shooting on the Defensive
Benefits: You gain a +5 bonus to Concentration checks when shooting on the defensive

Speedy Slinger [General]
You can reload your sling more quickly than most slingers.
Benefits: The time required for you to reload your sling is reduced to a free action; you may fire your sling as many times in a full attack action as you could attack if you were using a bow. Also, you can reload your sling while using a buckler or light shield.

Improved Sniping [General]
You are skilled at hiding after sniping
Benefits: When sniping (PHB76) with a projectile weapon, the penalty on Hide checks after firing is reduced to –15. If you are sniping with a crossbow while prone, your penalty on Hide checks is reduced to –10.

Dire Shot [General]
You can do tremendous amounts of damage to your target with a single shot.
Prerequisites: Weapon Focus (projectile weapon), Sharpshooter level 5.
Benefits: Choose one type of projectile weapon for which you have already selected Weapon Focus. When you declare you are using this feat before rolling an attack, a successful Dire Shot inflicts normal damage plus an additional amount of damage equal to your character level. If you miss, the Dire Shot is wasted. You may attempt a Dire Shot once per day for every four levels you have attained, and no more than once per round.

Wounding Shot [General]
You can inflict wounds that continue to bleed.
Prerequisites: Weapon Focus (projectile weapon), Sharpshooter level 10.
Benefits: Choose one type of projectile weapon for which you have already selected Weapon Focus. When you declare you are using this feat before rolling an attack, a successful Wounding Shot inflicts normal damage and continues to inflict 1d3 hp of damage each round after the attack. If you miss, the Wounding Shot is wasted. You may attempt a Wounding Shot once per day for every four levels you have attained, and no more than once per round. A Wounding Shot continues to inflict damage each round until healed by a successful heal check (DC20) or by any kind of magical healing. Wounding Shot damage stacks, so if the Sharpshooter hits the same target three times, it will take an additional 3d3 hp of damage each round. Constructs, oozes, plants, undead, incorporeal creatures, and creatures immune to critical hits are immune to Wounding Shots.

Stunning Shot [General]
You can inflict wounds that stun foes.
Prerequisites: Greater Weapon Focus (projectile weapon), Sharpshooter level 15.
Benefits: Choose one type of projectile weapon for which you have already selected Greater Weapon Focus. When you declare you are using this feat before rolling an attack, a successful Stunning Shot inflicts normal damage and stuns the target for one round. If you miss, the Stunning Shot is wasted. You may attempt a Stunning Shot once per day for every four levels you have attained, and no more than once per round. A stunned character can’t act, loses any Dexterity bonus to AC, and takes a –2 penalty to AC. Constructs, oozes, plants, undead, incorporeal creatures, and creatures immune to critical hits cannot be stunned by this feat.

This Woldian Class was created by Philip and approved by Development ACDM Cayzle on March 26, 2006.