Master Bowman

The Quintessential Fighter

Author Matthew Sprange

Series The Quintessential Series

Publisher Mongoose Publishing

Publish date 2001

Few archers attain the skill of the master bowman, possessing neither the drive nor the Concentration necessary to achieve complete mastery of their weapon. True master bowmen can often be found in seclusion, heightening their skills with quiet contemplation. Such fighters are renowned for being able to land their arrows with pinpoint precision and, at range, are deadly to their enemies. It is said that the true master bowman has supernatural powers that guide his arrows, placing them with total accuracy with each shot, irrespective of the target’s speed and cover. Utterly confident of their abilities, master bowmen rarely take the time to prove their skill to lesser mortals.

The Master Bowman
Level	Base Attack	Fort	Ref	Will	Special
1	+1	+2	+0	+0	master shot
2	+2	+3	+0	+0	shoot the opening
3	+3	+3	+1	+1	master aim
4	+4	+4	+1	+1	all seeing eyes
5	+5	+4	+1	+1	all seeing aim

Hit Die: d8

Requirements

To qualify to become a master bowman, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.

Base Attack Bonus: +12 or higher
Feats: Far shot, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Quick Shot, Shot on the Run, Weapon Focus (any bow), Weapon Specialisation (any bow)
Skills: Concentration 4 ranks, Craft (bowyer/fletcher) 8 ranks

Class Skills

The master bowman’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Climb (Strength), Concentration (Constitution), Craft (bowyer/fletcher) (Intelligence), Hide (Dexterity), Listen (Wisdom), Move Silently (Dexterity), Spot (Wisdom), and Swim (Strength)

Skill points at each level: 2 + Intelligence modifier

Class Features

All of the following are class features of master bowyer prestige class.

Weapon and Armour Proficiency: The master bowyer is proficient in all simple and martial weapons, and light armour.

Master Shot: By making only one shot in a round, the master bowman may add his class level to all attack and damage rolls he makes with a bow.

Shoot the Opening: Whilst armed with a bow of any type, the master bowman threatens an area around him of 20 feet. He may make attacks of opportunity as normal against any target within this area with a bow.

Master Aim: With careful aiming, the master bowman is able to place his arrows in the most critical locations when he attacks. At 3rd level, the master bowman may add 1d6 points of damage to all successful attacks he makes with a bow, so long as he does not move or make a move equivalent action.

All Seeing Eyes: At 4th level, the master bowman is not only truly skilled in his own weapon, but he can predict the actions of other, lesser archers. The master bowman may no longer be caught flat-footed by any kind of ranged attack.

All Seeing Aim: Dense cover means little to the master bowman and he can pick out targets cowering behind foliage and brickwork with ease. On achieving 5th level, any target selected by the bowman will never benefit from any more than one quarter cover or concealment. Targets behind total cover or concealment are immune to this class feature.