ELVEN RAIDER

[The Hive Mind]

Driven back into the dark shadows of their forests, the elves have suffered grievously under the iron fist of Izrador. Most hated of all the Shadow’s enemies, the elves have battled valiantly against a rising tide of darkness. Though their numbers are limited and their options few, the elves never hesitate in the battle against the darkness.

Trained to haunt the wilderness with stealth and deadly accuracy with their bows, the elven raiders patrol the borders of the elven forests, constantly searching for the agents of Izrador. When they need supplies or equipment they cannot get for themselves in the forest, the raiders steal forth to attack the goblin and orc encampments, laying waste to their hated enemies and stealing what they can before fading back into the wilds.

Organized very loosely, the raiders train in groups of 10 to 12 and each group is given a range of territory to explore. The leaders of these raiding groups meet only rarely, coming together in secret gathering places to discuss the state of their forests and the disposition of their enemies. For the rest of their time, the raiders flit like wraiths through the trees, unseen when not attacking, unheard unless they are on the warpath.

In some cases, raiders are given permission to leave their raiding parties and venture into the world, assisting the heroes who stand against Izrador. Skilled in wilderness travel and ambushes, the raiders are also fierce warriors and deadly accurate archers who make excellent allies.

Hit Dice: d8.


Requirements

Race: Elf only.
Base Attack Bonus: +5.
Skills: Hide 8 ranks, Move Silently 8 ranks, Survival 8 ranks. Feats: Weapon Focus (longbow or composite longbow), Point Blank Shot, Rapid Shot.

Class Level /Base Attack Bonus / Fort Save / Ref Save / Will Save / Special
1st ---------------+1 -------------+0 --------+2 --------+0 ------Ranged sneak attack +1d6
2nd ---------------+2 -------------+0 -------+3 ---------+0 ------Improved sneak attack range +15 ft.
3rd ---------------+3 -------------+1 --------+3 --------+1 ------Meticulous aim
4th ---------------+4 -------------+1 -------+4 ---------+1 ------Intimidating shot, ranged sneak attack +2d6
5th ---------------+5 -------------+1 -------+4 ---------+1 ------Improved sneak attack range +30 ft.
6th ---------------+6 -------------+2 -------+5 ---------+2 ------Leaf reader
7th ---------------+7 -------------+2 -------+5 ---------+2 ------Disarming shot, ranged sneak attack +3d6
8th ---------------+8 -------------+2 -------+6 ---------+2 ------Improved sneak attack range +45 ft.
9th ---------------+9 -------------+3 -------+6 ---------+3 ------Close combat archery
10th -------------+10 -------------+3 -------+7 --------+3 -------Ranged sneak attack +4d6

Class Skills: Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Heal (Wis), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Search (Int), Speak Language (n/a), Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis), Swim (Str), and Use Rope (Dex).

Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.

Class Features

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Elven Raiders are proficient with all simple and martial weapons. They are proficient with all light armor, but not with shields.

Ranged Sneak Attack (Ex): At 1st level and every three levels thereafter, the elven raider gains +1d6 sneak attack damage on his ranged attacks. This is exactly like the rogue ability of the same name. If the elven raider gains sneak attack damage from another source (such as rogue levels), the bonus damage stack.

Improved Sneak Attack Range (Ex): As master of the bow, elven raiders are able to improve their ranged sneak attack ability through intensive training and experience. Their sneak attack range increases by 15 ft. at 2nd level and every three levels thereafter.

Meticulous Aim (Ex): Raiders are expert shots, and given time to aim are able to bring down even the mightiest foes. For every two rounds the elven raider spends on taking aim against a single target before firing, the critical threat range of the raider's first ranged attack against that target increases by one. An elven raider may take aim for a maximum number of rounds equal to his elven raider level. Thus a character with four levels of the prestige class may aim for four rounds, increasing the critical threat range of his weapon by two.

In order to use this ability, the raider must have the target in view the entire time he is aiming. Targets who gain more than 50% cover or concealment disrupt the aiming process; if the elven raider does not fire immediately after he has aimed for the maximum number of rounds, the ability is wasted.

Intimidating Shot (Ex): Legends speak of the lone raider turning back an entire squad of orcs with a single shot. Using this ability is a full-round action, during which the elven raider is able to make but a single shot with his bow. If the raider misses his target, the attempt clearly fails and the ability may not be used against the same foes for at least 24 hours.

If the attack hits, however, the raider has a chance to frighten the allies of his target. The raider is entitled to an Intimidate check with a circumstance bonus equal to one-half the total damage caused by the attack.

Leaf Reader (Ex): By observing the environment, the elven raider is able to eliminate concealment by vegetation. When firing at a target that has concealment due to vegetation, he may make a DC 10 Spot check as a free action. For every 5 points by which he exceeds the DC, the miss chance for that shot decreases by 10%.

Disarming Shot (Ex): Elven raiders are protectors of their people above all, and taking away an orc's weapon is one of the best ways to prevent it from being used against a fleeing elven child. Using this ability is a full-round action, during which the elven raider makes a single ranged touch attack with his bow. If he succeeds, he may initiate a disarm attempt. For the purpose of the opposed attack rolls, the raider is considered to be wielding a one-handed weapon. If the elven raider fails the opposed attack roll, the target may not attempt to disarm him in return.

Close Combat Archery (Ex): At 9th level, the elven raider may use any kind of bow without provoking attacks of opportunity from adjacent foes. In addition, the archer is able to use arrows as light melee weapons without suffering the normal penalty for using improvised weapons; as such, the elven raider is considered to be armed even while wielding a bow.