Order of the bow initiate (3.5e Prestige Class)

Order of the Bow Initiate

From The Complete Warrior

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. The Initiate has such mastery that they dont need words to describe themselves for no words would do them justice.

Becoming a Order of the Bow Initiate

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.

Entry Requirements

Base Attack Bonus:	+5.
Race:	None.
Skills:	Craft (bowmaking) 5 ranks, Knowledge (religion) 2 ranks.
Feats:	Point Blank Shot, Rapid Shot, Weapon Focus (longbow, Shortbow, or the composite version of either).

Table: The Order of the Bow initiate

Hit Die: d8

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Special
		Fort	Ref	Will
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 Skills (2 + Int modifier per level) 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).

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the Order of the Bow Initiate.

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 Which is Your skill with ranged weapons lets you score hits others would miss due to an opponent’s cover. Benefit: Your targets only receive a +2 bonus to Armor Class due to cover. This feat has no effect against foes with no cover or total cover.

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.

Ex-Order of the Bow Initiate

Playing an Order of the Bow initiate

Combat: Order of the Bow initiates are exclusively ranged fighters. With their ranged attacks they can deal major damage to most enemies from a range.

Advancement: Any class can become an initiate but most have main classes in Fighter, Barbarian, Scout or Paladin.

Resources: The order of the Bow is not a numerous organization because the skill required not many posses but if you do get in they will be there to help in your time of need.

Order of the Bow Initiates in the World

“

”

The initiates are found mostly in a guild house some where in your world but some go out adventureing with long time companions. NPC Reactions:

Order of the Bow Initiate Lore

Characters with ranks in Knowledge (local) can research The Order of the Bow to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

Knowledge (local)

DC	Result
11	Most are elves
16	Can preform ranged sneak attacks from up to 60 ft away.
21	The leaders have never been seen by an outsider.
26	The initiates are constantly watched untill they reach level five in the class.

Order of the Bow Initiates in the Game

The Initiates can play the role of the ranged support class back with the wizards or they can be used some what like ranged assassins.

Adaptation:

Sample Encounter:

EL whatever:

---

Back to Main Page → 3.5e Homebrew → Classes → Prestige Classes