Hellfire Archer (3.5e Prestige Class)
The Hellfire Archer
| “ | Running. Hiding. Attacking. All will burn. | ” |
| —Dramos, Human Hellfire Archer. | ||
Hellfire archers are powerful fire based bowmen, capable of incinerating the eye of a titan. Hellfire archers, whether good hearted or evil to the core, are the most feared bowmen in the world; they are capable of dropping armies to smoking, charred remains in a matter of moments. They always seek opportunities to expand their skills, or just show off. When hellfire archers meet there is sure to be a competition of egos and marksmanship, entire tribes of orcs have been decimated simply to show better skill.
Becoming a Hellfire Archer
People who become hellfire archers are cocky and competent, often centered on a desire for action and thrill. Hellfire archers must have at least a few levels of a combat class before taking their first level in this class. Dexterity is most important for a hellfire archer, Charisma is also vital as some of their abilities are based in it..
| BAB: | 5 |
|---|---|
| Ability Scores: | Dex 16, Cha 14. |
| Special: | Must have weapon focus in a bow, crossbow, or firearm. |
| Level | Base Attack Bonus |
Saving Throws | Special | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort | Ref | Will | |||
| 1st | +1 | +2 | +2 | +0 | Enflame Arrow (1d6), Fire Resistance |
| 2nd | +2 | +2 | +3 | +0 | Missle Shield (5/magic), Bonus Feat |
| 3rd | +3 | +3 | +3 | +1 | Enflame Arrow (2d6), Hellfire (lesser) |
| 4th | +4 | +3 | +4 | +1 | Burning Edge, Bonus Feat |
| 5th | +5 | +4 | +5 | +1 | Enflame Arrow (3d6), Fire Shield |
| 6th | +6 | +4 | +5 | +2 | Missle Shield (10/magic), Bonus Feat |
| 7th | +7 | +5 | +6 | +2 | Enflame Arrow (4d6), Hellfire (greater) |
| 8th | +8 | +5 | +7 | +2 | Wall of Fire, Bonus Feat |
| 9th | +9 | +6 | +7 | +3 | Enflame Arrow (5d6), Incendiary Cloud |
| 10th | +10 | +6 | +8 | +3 | Inferno Rain, Missle Shield (10/-), Bonus Feat |
Class Skills (2 + Int modifier per level)
Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Ride (Dex), Swim (Str), Profession (Wis), Listen (Wis).
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the Hellfire Archer.
Bonus Feat: A hellfire archer gains a bonus feat from among the following: Shot on the Run, Point Blank Shot, Far Shot, Precise Shot, Improved Precise Shot, Sharp-Shooting, Rapid Shot, Manyshot, Greater Manyshot, Mounted Archery, Weapon Focus, Greater Weapon Focus, Power Critical, Weapon Specialization, Greater Weapon Specialization.
All weapon feats must be with a ranged weapon, and the hellfire archer must meet all prerequisites.
Fire Resistance (Ex): A hellfire archer has fire resistance equal to 3 times his hellfire archer level, at 10th level this becomes immunity to fire.
Enflame Arrow (Su): A hellfire archer is able to automatically add a fiery charge to all arrows (or bolts) that he fires. This charge adds 1d6 fire damage in addition to its normal damage. This fire damage stacks will all other enchantments or powers on the ammunition. At 3rd level the extra fire damage increases to +2d6, at 5th level it becomes +3d6, at 7th it is +4d6 and finally +5d6 at 9th level. The fire damage of this ability benefits from the hellfire archer's hellfire class ability.
Additionallly, all ammunition fired is considered magic for penetrating DR, at 10th level all ammunition fired is considered epic.
Missle Shield (Ex): Beginning at 2nd level, the hellfire archer gains DR5/magic against ranged weapons. At 6th level this becomes DR10/magic, and at 10th level DR10/-. This damage reduction does not protect against any attacks but ranged weapons, it does however stack with any other permanent DR when against ranged weapons.
Hellfire (Su) Beginning at 3rd level, the fire damage of the hellfire archer's abilities ignores fire resistance. At 7th level this ability improves to also ignore fire immunity.
Burning Edge (Ex) At level 4, the ammunition fire by the hellfire archer is conidered to have the keen and flaming burst properties. The fire damage of this ability benefits from the hellfire archer's hellfire class ability.
Fire Shield (Sp) Beginning at 5th level, the hellfire archer is able to protect himself with a fire shield (warm), he may activate this ability once per day for each level of hellfire archer he has attained. The damage of this spell is increased by the hellfire archer's Cha modifier. The fire damage of this ability benefits from the hellfire archer's hellfire class ability.
Wall of Fire (Sp) At level 8, the hellfire archer may create a wall of fire at the impact point of his arrow; this is a standard attack action, but may not be used more than once per round. The archer may use this ability no more than once per day for each two class levels he has attained. The damage of this spell is increased by the hellfire archer's Cha modifier. The fire damage of this ability benefits from the hellfire archer's hellfire class ability.
Incendiary Cloud (Sp): At level 9, the hellfire archer gains the ability to use incendiary cloud as a spell-like ability once per day. The archer fires an arrow (bolt) to the desired origin point for the spell, within spell range limits. The damage of this spell is increased by the hellfire archer's Cha modifier. The fire damage of this ability benefits from the hellfire archer's hellfire class ability.
Inferno Rain (Sp) At 10th level, as a full-round action, a hellfire archer is able to enchant an arrow (or bolt) and fire it into the air above a group of enemies. The arrow bursts apart raining missles of hellfire down upon all targets in a 15 foot radius. Each target struck takes 5d6 + Cha modifier fire damage. The hellfire archer makes one attack roll at his highest BAB and applies the result to all targets. The hellfire archer may use this ability only once 1d4 rounds. The fire damage of this ability benefits from the hellfire archer's hellfire class ability.
Playing a Hellfire Archer
Combat: Hellfire archers are ranged combatants with strong fire based abilities. They are very effective firing into groups of enemy combatants, unleashing powerful area effects to catch as many enemies in them as possible.
Advancement: Hellfire archers typically focus on gaining levels as a hellfire archer, many take additional levels of fighter to strengthen their melee abilities.
Resources: Hellfire archers aren't affiliated with one another, and see other hellfire archers as simply one more person to beat.
Hellfire Archers in the World
| “ | You see those orcs gathering over there for a charge on the walls? Watch... | ” |
| —Dramos, Human Hellfire Archer | ||
NPC Reactions: Most hellfire archers are openly sought in times of war for their ability to deal damage nearly o par with a wizard, but somewhat avoided at other times for their infamous penchant for setting things alight.
Hellfire Archer Lore
Characters with ranks in Knowledge (Arcana) can research Hellfire Archers to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.
| DC | Result |
|---|---|
| 11 | Hellfire archers use lots of flaming arrows.. |
| 16 | Hellfire archers are masters of using powerful fire attacks at range, rivaling even wizards. |
| 21 | Information about a specific hellfire archer. |
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