Prestige Classes
ORDER OF THE BOW INITIATE
When asked, “What is Truth?,” an initiate of the Order of the Bow picks up his bow, fires an arrow and, without saying a word, lets his mastery of the weapon serve as the gauge of the archer’s progress along the way. By learning the meditative art of the Way of the Bow, the archer improves his discipline, precision, and spirituality. Order of the Bow initiates see their weapons as extensions of their being, and the use of a bow as a spiritual experience. Fighters are the most common initiates of the Order of the Bow. Rangers, paladins, and even barbarians utilize these skills and philosophies as well. Some rogues and bards have been known to enter the order, but they are rare indeed. NPC initiates are most often encountered teaching others the ways of archery or wandering the lands looking for true challenges for their skill. |
Hit Die: d8.
Requirements
To qualify to become an Order of the Bow initiate, a character must fulfill all of the following criteria.
Base Attack Bonus: +5.
Skills: Craft (bowmaking) 5 ranks, Knowledge (religion) 2 ranks.
Feats: Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Shot, Weapon Focus (longbow, shortbow, or the composite version of either).
Class Skills
The Order of the Bow initiate's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Knowledge (religion) (Int), Ride (Dex), Spot (Wis), and Swim (Str).
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Table: The Order of the Bow Initiate
| Level | Base Attack Bonus |
Fort Save |
Ref Save |
Will Save |
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 |
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 (see Complete Warrior, page 105) 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.