Eldritch Sniper (3.5e Class)

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Eldritch Sniper

Rating:	13 out of 20
Power:	4 out of 5
Wording:	2 out of 5
Formatting:	2 out of 5
Flavor:	5 out of 5
	(Rate this class)
Status:	In Construction
Editing:	Constructive edits welcome

Contents 1 Eldritch Sniper 1.1 Making an Eldritch Sniper 1.1.1 Class Features 1.2 Campaign Information 1.2.1 Playing an Eldritch Sniper 1.2.2 Eldritch Snipers in the World 1.2.3 <Eldritch Sniper> Lore 1.2.4 Eldritch Snipers in the Game

[edit] Eldritch Sniper

A group of orc raiders are running through the night, the moon light gleaming off their bared teeth and glinting swords. At a sign from their leader, they stop, their breath forming clouds around their heads. Up ahead is a small village, with goats, sheep, and no defenses. They leader smiles, and signals to the troop of orcs. They start forward again, this time slower and quieter. THe leader stands up a bit, searching for ambush, and falls back down with a cry, and an arrow through his forehead. Before others can react, more arrows stream out of the darkness, gleaming purple and black with eldritch essence. Five orcs go down in rapid succesion. The last two sprint off, but make only ten feet before arrows sprout from their backs and they fall into the high grass. The two eldritch snipers, hiding on the rooftops, reload their bows, and wait.

[edit] Making an Eldritch Sniper

A very Risky, light armored, and fragile character, but able to make anyone fall dead from a single shot from their magically infused form of archery.

Abilities: Dexterity is very important, as it gives the sniper better ranged abilities. Charisma improves the invocations of a sniper. Constitution makes a sniper tougher.

Races: Any race can be an Eldritch Sniper, however most of them are of the Shin-Ti Drow tribe. The savage races unconnected with arcane ways are rarely ever Eldritch Snipers. Elves and gnomes make superb Eldritch Snipers. Humans and dwarves are rarely ever gain levels in the class.

Alignment: Any.

Starting Gold: 5d6×10 gp (175 gp).

Starting Age: "Complex".

Table: The Eldritch Sniper

Hit Die: d6

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Special	Invocations Known
		Fort	Ref	Will
1st	+0	+0	+2	+1	Eldritch Arrow 1d6, Eldritch Snipe, Sniper's Speed, Invocation(Least)	1
2nd	+1	+0	+2	+1	Track, Sight	2
3rd	+2	+1	+2	+2	Eldritch Arrow 2d6	2
4th	+3	+1	+3	+2	Arrow of Shadow	3
5th	+3	+1	+3	+3	Eldritch Arrow 3d6	3
6th	+4	+2	+4	+3	Flawless Stride, Invocation(Lesser)	4
7th	+5	+2	+4	+3	Eldritch Arrow 4d6	4
8th	+6/+1	+2	+5	+4	Swift Tracker	5
9th	+6/+1	+3	+5	+4	Eldritch Arrow 5d6	5
10th	+7/+2	+3	+6	+4	Farsight	6
11th	+8/+3	+3	+6	+5	Eldritch Arrow 6d6	6
12th	+9/+4	+4	+6	+5	Camouflage, Invocation(Greater)	7
13th	+9/+4	+4	+7	+5	Double Snipe	8
14th	+10/+5	+4	+8	+6	Free movement, 7d6	8
15th	+11/+6/+1	+5	+9	+6	Through Shot	9
16th	+12/+7/+2	+5	+10	+7	Sniper's Eye, Eldritch Arrow 8d6, Invocation(Dark)	10
17th	+12/+7/+2	+5	+10	+7	Triple Snipe	10
18th	+13/+8/+3	+5	+10	+7	Hide in Plain Sight	11
19th	+14/+9/+4	+6	+11	+8	Greater Through Shot	11
20th	+15/+10/+5	+6	+11	+8	Master Shot, Eldritch Arrow 9d6	12
Class Skills (6 + Int modifier per level, ×4 at 1st level) Eldritch Sniper class skills are Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Concentration (Con), Disguise (Cha), Heal (Wis), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (geography) (Int), Knowledge (Arcana) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Search (Int), Spellcraft (Cha), Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis), Swim (Str)and Tumble (Dex).

[edit] Class Features

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: An Eldritch Sniper is proficient with all simple weapons and with light armor, and any Bow or Crossbow (simple, martial or exotic). An eldritch sniper's training at ranged combat gives him unrivaled mastery at long ranged weapons, but he has little use for melee.

Invocations:(Su): An Eldritch Sniper does not prepare or cast spells as other wielders of arcane magic do. Instead , he possesses a repertoire of attacks, defenses, and abilities known as invocations that requiere him to focus the energy that is normally infused with his bow. An Eldritch Sniper can use any invocation that he knows at will, with the following qualifications; An Eldritch Sniper's Invocations are spell-like abilities; using an invocation is therefore a standard action that provokes an attack of opportunity. An invocation can be disrupted, just as a spell can be ruined during casting. An Eldritch Sniper is entitled to a Concentration check to successfully use an invocation if he is hit by an attack while invoking, just as a spellcaster would be. An Eldritch Sniper can choose to use an invocation defensively, by making a successful Concentration check, to avoid provoking attacks of opportunity. An Eldritch Sniper’s invocations are subject to spell resistance unless an invocation’s description specifically states otherwise. An Eldritch Sniper’s caster level with his invocations is equal to his Eldritch Sniper level. The save DC for an invocation (if it allows a save) is 10+ equivalent spell level +the Eldritch Sniper’s Charisma modifier. Eldritch Snipers choose their Invocations from the Warlock invocation list. Eldritch Snipers do not know any Blast Shape Invocations.

Eldritch Arrow (Su): As a standard action, an Eldritch Sniper may imbue and fire an arrow that does 1d6 additional damage. This damage increases by 1d6 every other level. Eldritch arrows, being infused with primal magic, are subject to spell resistance and anti magic fields and spells.

Eldritch Snipe (Ex): If an Eldritch Sniper studies his target for three rounds, then he can decide to do a death attack on his next attack with an Eldritch infused arrow. The target must succeed on a Fortitude save of DC(10 + Eldritch Sniper Level + Charisma modifier) or be killed. The Sniper can only use this ability with an Eldritch infused arrow. If this death attack fails (the target made the fortitude save) then the sniper must wait another three rounds before attempting another Eldritch Attack. This attack only works on beings with discernible anatomy. Any creature immune to critical attacks is immune to an Eldritch Snipe. If the eldritch sniper's eldritch arrow did not work, such as firing through an antimagic feild, or not being able to overcome spell resistance, the target is not affected by the eldritch snipe. If an Eldritch Sniper is interrupted, such as taking damage, while he's aiming, he must succeed on a concentration check DC 20 or lose his aim and have to restart his three turns of aiming.

Sniper's Speed(Ex): After pulling off a shot, whether it hit or not, a sniper needs to move quickly, or give away his hiding spot. At first level, a sniper gains +10 feet to his movement speed. He gains this bonus only while wearing a light armor.

Track (Ex): An Eldritch Sniper can add half his level to Survival checks made to follow or identify tracks.

Arrow of Shadow (Su): An Eldritch Sniper's Arrows imbued with Eldritch power, begining at 6th level,can become partially made of shadow at the cost of losing 1d6 of eldritch arrow damage. These shadow arrows ignore all armor, and making all arrow of shadow attacks ranged touch attacks. An Eldritch Sniper can only snipe with a shadow arrow as many times per day equal to his Dexterity modifier.

Flawless Stride (Ex): An Eldritch Sniper able to move through all non-magical terrain at his normal movement

Swift Tracker (Ex): Beginning at 8th level, an Eldritch Sniper can move at his normal speed while using Survival to follow tracks without taking the normal –5 penalty. He takes only a –10 penalty (instead of the normal –20) when moving at up to twice normal speed while tracking

Farsight (Ex): Beginning at 10th level, an Eldritch Sniper receives only a –1 penalty per 20’ on Spot checks (vs. –1 per 10’) –and– only a –1 penalty per range increment on ranged attacks (vs. –2)

Camoflage (Ex): A Eldritch Sniper of 12th level or higher can use the Stealth skill to hide in any sort of natural terrain, even if the terrain doesn’t grant cover or concealment.

Double Snipe (Ex): An Eldritch Sniper has become so skilled in his craft at 13th level, that he can attempt to snipe two opponents at once with his Eldritch Snipe ability. The second shot comes at a -4 penalty. He can use this ability as many times per day equal to his Dexterity modifier. This ability increases to three snipes at once at 17th level.

Free Movement (Ex): Beginning at 14th level, an Eldritch Sniper gains the benefit of the Freedom of Movement spell permanently.

Through Shot (Ex): When attacking an oppponent with his shadow arrow, an Eldritch Sniper can hit any enemy behind the first target, as long as it is in a line from the sniper, through the first enemy, and thhrough the second enemy. This ability increases to two enemies behind the first one at 19th level. The range of the arrow that goes through the first enemy is 1/2 the original distance. An eldritch sniper may only do this once per day.

Sniper Senses (Ex): Beginning at 16th level, an Eldritch Sniper receive only a –1 penalty per 40’ on Spot checks (vs. –1 per 10’) –and– only a –1 penalty every two range increments on ranged attacks (vs. –2 per range increment)

Hide in plain sight (Ex): While in any sort of natural terrain, an Eldritch Sniper of 18th level or higher can use the Hide skill even while being observed.

Master Shot (Ex): Master Strike (Ex): Upon reaching 20th level, an Eldritch Sniper becomes incredibly deadly when dealing Eldritch Arrow damage. This can have one of three effects. The target can be put to sleep for 1d4 hours, paralyzed for 2d6 rounds, or slain. Regardless of the effect chosen, the target receives a Fortitude save to resist with a DC (10+ Eldritch Sniper level+ Charisma modifier). This attack deals damage normally. Once a creature has been the target of a master shot, regardless of whether or not the save is made, that creature is immune to that Eldritch Sniper’s master shot for 24 hours.

[edit] Campaign Information

[edit] Playing an Eldritch Sniper

Eldritch snipers are and an extremely reserved, quiet group, the Shadow Corps from which they originated formed the first line defense for the shin-ti drow tribe, typically spending weeks alone in the surrounding wilderness.

Religion: The only Religion most Eldritch Snipers experience, is the fanatical training and drill of being a member of the Shadow Corps, as such, most Eldritch Snipers, once they encounter a "true" religion, tend to give religions a healthy respect, but and arm-length of space as well..

Other Classes: Eldritch snipers, tend to get along well with other classes that require a good amount of study and training, such as wizards, clerics, and monks. they however, dont tend to get along with those classes which are more undisciplined, such as the barbarian.

Combat: Eldritch Snipers are Support Damage characters, typically sneaking to a good hiding spot to pick off weak targets, Eldritch Snipers often take up a position at the rear or near the flanks, however, they can be effective scouts, and use skirmish tactics when facing an enemy alone.

Advancement: Any eldritch sniper that multiclasses loses all class abilities.

[edit] Eldritch Snipers in the World

This section needs a more complete description. For more information please look here

“	They never even saw us before they died with a sizzling arrow between their eyes.>	”
—Findecano Baenth, Half-Drow Eldritch Sniper

Eldritch Snipers work beautifully in societies of isolated humanoid beings in need of a initial defense unit such as nomadic, exiled, or tribal societies, especially those with inate magical affinity. Also works as an alternate to using a ranger

Organizations: Depends on the Specific Campaign setting, as this is a highly specialized class.

NPC Reactions: Most people outside the home area of an Eldritch Sniper would just think them an archer or ranger type character ( they are often mistaken for rangers). If the NPC is from an area with an Eldritch Sniper Corps, they treat the Eldritch Sniper with great respect, and a bit of fear.

[edit] <Eldritch Sniper> Lore

This section needs a more complete description. For more information please look here

Characters with ranks in Knowledge (Arcana/Religion) can research Eldritch Snipers to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

<Knowledge (Arcana/Religion)>

DC	Result
5	<An Eldritch sniper makes use of superb archery melded with eldritch might.>.
10	<Masters of disguise, Eldritch snipers are not seen unless they wish to be seen.>.
15	<Eldritch snipers delve into their sinister souls to unleash chaos in ones mind.>.
20	<Any knowledge of specific or local Sniper.>.

[edit] Eldritch Snipers in the Game

Eldritch Snipers function best out of sight and out of melee, raining a happy hell on the battle field with black magic and impossible aim.

Adaptation: A sniper could gain the benefits of Sneak Attack through the Rogue class.

Sample Encounter: <-DM placement for NPCs of this class.->.

EL whatever: <-Encounter scenario and character info on sample NPC including stat block. The CR of the NPC is typically the same as the EL for the encounter.->.

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