Apex Archer (3.5e Prestige Class)

Apex Archer

“	If you think you can defeat me, you're gravely mistaken. You'll find that your death is near, and will be swift.	”

Note from original class creator: DO NOT EDIT.

Becoming an Apex Archer

Very few archers achieve this level of skill with their bows or crossbows. The ones that do are individuals that should be feared and respected.

Entry Requirements

Base Attack Bonus:	+15.
Abilities:	24 Dex.
Feats:	Far Shot, Point Blank Shot, Weapon Focus (any bow), Rapid Reload, Quick Draw, Rapid Shot, Precise Shot, and Improved Critical.
Special:	Must have at least +5d6 sneak attack damage.

Table: The Apex Archer

Hit Die: d8

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throw			Special
		Fort	Ref	Will
1st	+1	+0	+1	+0	Bow of Choice, Range Increment 10ft/lvl, Improved Point Blank Shot
2nd	+2	+0	+1	+0	Stealthy Expertise, Weapon Reliability
3rd	+3	+1	+2	+1	Weapon Specialization, Devastating Critical
4th	+4	+1	+2	+1	Greater Weapon Focus, Improved Keen Weapon
5th	+5	+1	+3	+1	Ranged Weapon Mastery, Greater Weapon Specialization
6th	+6	+2	+3	+2	Improved Precise Shot, Bonus Feat
7th	+7	+2	+4	+2	Blackened Sky
8th	+8	+3	+4	+2	Recoil Control
9th	+9	+4	+5	+3	Hair Trigger
10th	+10	+5	+5	+3	Superior Training, Bonus Feat
Class Skills (7 + Int modifier per level) Balance, Bluff, Climb, Concentration, Craft, Escape Artist, Hide, Intimidate, Jump, Listen, Move Silently, Profession, Search, Sense Motive, Spot, Swim, Tumble.

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the Apex Archer.

Level 1:

Bow of Choice: You must choose a type of bow (Longbow, Composite Longbow, Shortbow, Composite Shortbow, Light Crossbow, Heavy Crossbow, etc.) Your abilities for this class only affect that type of bow and can not use any other type of bow.

Range Increment 10ft/lvl: Increase the range increment of whatever range weapon you are using by 10 feet per Apex Archer level.

Improved Point Blank Shot: As the feat Point Blank Shot, but the 30ft range is increased to your 1st range increment and the +1 bonus to hit is increased to +2.

Level 2:

Stealthy Expertise: You can move at your full movement speed while hidden without incurring any negative penalties to your Hide check and Move Silently check.

Weapon Reliability: You do not critically fail on a "1". If the 1 plus your attack roll is enough to hit the target, you still hit the target.

Level 3:

Weapon Specialization: As per the feat.

Devastating Critical: You can now critically hit against creatures that are normally immune to critical hits (oozes, undead, constructs, elementals, etc.), as well as ignore any armor enchantment, special ability, or feat that grants any degree of immunity to critical hits.

Level 4:

Greater Weapon Focus: As per the feat.

Improved Keen Weapon: The critical threat range of your weapon is now 3x normal (ie. 19-20 goes to 15-20, 18-20 goes to 12-20). Does not stack with any critical threat range doubling such as Keen or Improved Critical. If your critical threat range is already tripled from other combinations of feats, weapon enchantments, or special abilities, then increase the critical multiplier by 1 instead.

Level 5:

Ranged Weapon Mastery: The Apex Archer gains a 30' increase to their chosen bow/crossbow's total range, +3 to attack and damage rolls from the bow type of choice.

Greater Weapon Specialization: As per the feat.

Level 6:

Improved Precise Shot: As per the feat

Bonus Feat: The Apex Archer gains a bonus feat without any limitations other than that he/she must have all prerequisites.

Level 7:

Blackened Sky: Every arrow that is shot from your bow splits into 2 arrows during flight. Use the same attack roll for both arrows but at a -3 penalty. This ability does not stack with many shot. The additional arrows caused by the split must target the same enemy as the original arrow.

Level 8:

Recoil Control: Reduces the penalty for firing multiple arrows from any feat, class abilities, or weapon enchantments by 3 to a minimum of 0.

Level 9:

Hair Trigger: Once per day per 2 levels of Apex Archer you may add half of your Dexterity modifier rounded down in extra attacks at your highest attack bonus for one round.

Level 10:

Superior Training: You have been conditioned and trained so long to use your chosen bow/crossbow to such a perfect extent that your skill and capability is only equal to or bested by a handful in the Multiverse. You add your Dexterity modifier to your damage, your ranged sneak attack range is doubled, and your weapon's critical multiplier is increased by 1.

Bonus Feat: The Apex Archer gains a bonus feat without any limitations other than that he/she must have all prerequisites.

Ex-Apex Archers

In the world: Ex-Apex Archers are those who have given up the way of the bow. Whether this be from old age, a new calling, or being injured beyond repair, this decision is not easy for them. To give up what they have spent a better portion of their lives perfecting is a conflict not just of will, but of their very morals. This usually occurs before they truly master everything that there is to know about the way of this hallowed few.

In game:

If you fail to continue in the Apex Archer's Path (ie. Multiclass before attaining level 10 in this class), you lose all the abilities of the Apex Archer and may not take additional levels again.

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