Crescent Bowyer (3.5e Class)
Crescent Bowyer[edit]
The Crescent Bowyer is a moon-worshiping archer, a guardian of the night who draws power from the lunar phases. They use their mastery of the bow and connection to the moon to protect allies, suppress enemies, and heal those in need. They can adapt to any situation with their lunar shifts and stealth-based tactics.
Making a Crescent Bowyer[edit]
Despite their elusiveness, Crescent Bowyers are best behind a Paladin, Fighter or in stealth from afar. Their powers allow them to be useful in any situation Choosing to deal out more suppression or support allowing them to adapt to their environment.
Abilities: Mastery of the bow requires a high dexterity, a high Intelligence is needs for a diverse skill set as a Trapfinder, as well as for being able to cast spells, and moderate Charisma is needed for some of her Class Features.
Races: While Elves and Humans are most common, orcs are rarely seen in this outfit and dwarves being a Crescent Bowyer is possible but extremely far more likely to be a joke.
Alignment: Any Non-Lawful
Starting Gold: 4d4x5gp
Starting Age: simple.
| Level | Base Attack Bonus |
Saving Throws | Special | Spells per Day | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort | Ref | Will | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1st | +0 | +2 | +2 | +0 | Lunar Shot +1, Trap Finding, Bow Mastery | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2nd | +1 | +3 | +3 | +0 | Lunar Shift, Evasion | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3rd | +2 | +3 | +3 | +1 | Sneak Attack +1d6, Lunar Shot +2 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4th | +3 | +4 | +4 | +1 | Uncanny Dodge, Predict +1 | 0 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5th | +3 | +4 | +4 | +1 | New Moon Shift 1/d, Lunar Shot +3, Improved Link +2 | 0 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6th | +4 | +5 | +5 | +2 | Sneak Attack +2d6 | 1 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7th | +5 | +5 | +5 | +2 | Lunar Shot +4 | 1 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8th | +6/+1 | +6 | +6 | +2 | Predict +2, Improved Uncanny Dodge | 1 | 0 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9th | +6/+1 | +6 | +6 | +3 | Sneak Attack +3d6, Lunar Shot +5 | 1 | 0 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10th | +7/+2 | +7 | +7 | +3 | New Moon Shift 2/day, Improved Link +4, Combat Shadow | 1 | 1 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11th | +8/+3 | +7 | +7 | +3 | Lunar Shot +6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12th | +9/+4 | +8 | +8 | +4 | Sneak Attack +4d6, Predict +3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13th | +9/+4 | +8 | +8 | +4 | Lunar Shot +7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14th | +10/+5 | +9 | +9 | +4 | True Shadow | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15th | +11/+6/+1 | +9 | +9 | +5 | New Moon Shift 3/day, Lunar Shot +8, Sneak Attack +5d6, Improved Link +6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16th | +12/+7/+2 | +10 | +10 | +5 | Predict +4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17th | +12/+7/+2 | +10 | +10 | +5 | Lunar Shot +9 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 18th | +13/+8/+3 | +11 | +11 | +6 | Sneak Attack +6d6 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 19th | +14/+9/+4 | +11 | +11 | +6 | Lunar Shot +10 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 20th | +15/+10/+5 | +12 | +12 | +6 | New Moon Champion, Improved Link +8, Improved Predict, Lunar Shot +12 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Class Skills (8 + Int modifier per level, ×4 at 1st level) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class Features[edit]
All of the following are class features of the Crescent Bowyer.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A Crescent Bower has access to all simple weapons as well as light Martial weapons and ANY Bow (not including crossbows).
Lunar Shot: When the Crescent Bowyer begins her journey, she has a connection with the moon which boosts her arrows effectiveness in combat. At 1st level she gains a +1 divine bonus to damage with any bow she wields. This bonus increases by +1 every two levels thereafter. Upon impact, the arrow loses this bonus, as it is discharged.
Trap Finding: Crescent Bowyer can use the Search skill to locate traps when the task has a Difficulty Class higher than 20.
Bow Mastery:A Crescent Bowyer is very adept at placing her attacks with a bow for maximum effect. She may add her Dex bonus to her damage dealt with bows in place of her Str. (Does not include crossbows)
Lunar Shift: Once per day can shift to a new lunar phase (with the exception of New Moon) gaining all benefits and deficits of your chosen form:
Full Moon: +2 Intimidate, Ride and Survival
Half Moon: Bow damage reduced by 50%, Bow damage done also heals target ally, +2 Bluff, Disguise and Gather Information
Crescent Moon: The crescent Bowyer now deals only 1 damage per shot but may target allies to heal them for the full damage of the bow, a roll to hit must still be made but allies targeted do not benefit from ac gained by DEX against the Crescent Bowyer's arrows, +2 Disable Device, Open Lock, Use Magic Device and Use Rope
Evasion (Ex): At 2nd level and higher, a Crescent Bowyer can avoid even magical and unusual attacks with great agility. If she makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, she instead takes no damage. A helpless Crescent Bowyer does not gain the benefit of evasion.
Sneak Attack: At 3rd level, if a Crescent Bowyer can catch an opponent when he is unable to defend himself effectively from her attack, she can strike a vital spot for extra damage.
The Bowyer's attack deals extra damage any time her target would be denied a Dexterity bonus to AC (whether the target actually has a Dexterity bonus or not), or when the Bowyer flanks her target. This extra damage is 1d6 at 1st level, and it increases by 1d6 every three Crescent Bowyer levels thereafter. Should the Bowyer score a critical hit with a sneak attack, this extra damage is not multiplied.
Ranged attacks can count as sneak attacks only if the target is within 30 feet. (Not affected by lunar shift)
Uncanny Dodge: Starting at 4th level, a Crescent Bowyer can react to danger before her senses would normally allow her to do so. She retains her Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) even if she is caught flat-footed or struck by an invisible attacker. However, she still loses her Dexterity bonus to AC if immobilized.
If a Crescent Bowyer already has uncanny dodge from a different class she automatically gains improved uncanny dodge (see below) instead.
Improved Uncanny Dodge: A Crescent Bowyer of 8th level or higher can no longer be flanked.
This defense denies another rogue the ability to sneak attack the character by flanking her, unless the attacker has at least four more rogue levels than the target does.
If a character already has uncanny dodge (see above) from a second class, the character automatically gains improved uncanny dodge instead, and the levels from the classes that grant uncanny dodge stack to determine the minimum rogue level required to flank the character.
Predict: Beginning at 4th level, a Bowyer can more easily evade incoming attacks. She gains a +1 bonus to her existing Dex to AC. This is in addition to her normal bonus. This bonus increases by +1 every four levels thereafter.
Improved Predict: At 20th level, her ability to dodge blows has reached legendary proportions. Her base Dexterity bonus to AC is now doubled. Furthermore the Bowyer gains the ability to ignore Max Dex from any Armor in which she is proficient in.
New Moon: Starting at level 5, grants access to New Moon Lunar Shift. This shift does not contribute to normal shifts per day. This form allows the healer to heal an ally for all damage done with a bow but does NOT reduce damage. In addition to all skills granted by the other Moons, grants +2 Hide, Sense motive, Slight of Hand and Move Silently. Lasts a number of Minutes equal to the Bowyer's Charisma Modifier (10xChr Mod Turns). Can be used a number of times equal to ((Caster level/5)+Chr Mod).
New Moon Champion: New moon can now be used as any other lunar form but contributes to normal shifts per day (which is only once) and no longer has a time limit.
Improved Link: Increases all skill bonus granted by your current lunar form by 2 every five levels. Also grants half this bonus to hit with a bow (excluding crossbow) when in New Moon form.
Combat Shadow: No penalty for hide and move silently while in combat, if any ally (excluding other Crescent Bowyers and those with invisibility) is in combat with the Bowyer, the Bowyer gains automatic hidden status, cant be targeted and benefits from sneak attack when eligible regardless of status and position.
True Shadow: +10 to hide and move silently as well as no penalty for terrain or lack of cover in all circumstances. While in direct moonlight the Crescent Bowyer gains the effects of Greater Invisibility.
Spells: Crescent Bowyers gain access to the Abjuration, Enchantment and Illusion schools of arcane magic. These spells can be cast without physical components or verbal components and does not need to be prepared ahead of time. All the Crescent Bowyer's spells can be cast from stealth and have double numerical effects (stacking with any bonus from feats or classes).
Ex-Crescent Bowyer[edit]
Those who choose to give up service of the moon or moon god(dess) lose all class abilities and levels in the class but retain skills, feats and known spells (but lose spells per day). Crescent Bowyers can not be made to give up class or become Chaotic. One can only regain these levels and abilities under extreme circumstances.
Epic Crescent Bowyer[edit]
| Level | Special | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21st | Sneak Attack +7d6, Lunar Shot +13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 22nd | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 23rd | Lunar Shot +14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 24th | Predict +6, Sneak Attack +8d6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 25th | Lunar Shot +15, Twin Moons | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 26th | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 27th | Sneak Attack +9d6, Lunar Shot +16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 28th | Predict +7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 29th | Lunar Shot +17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 30th | Sneak Attack +10d6, Lunar Shot +18, Predict +8, True Reflection | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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6 + Int modifier skill points per level. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Predict: This bonus includes the base bonus from improved predict but is added to the bonus it grants from doubling ac from dex mod.
Twin Moons: At night Crescent Bowyer's bow does different damage and healing percentage based on your two chosen phases. (Skill bonuses unaffected) (Attack is always made against the target enemy unless the first chosen phase is crescent)
| Parings | Full | Half | Crescent | New Moon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full | 150%, 0 | 100%, 50% | 50%, 100% | 150%, 100% |
| Half | 100%, 50% | 75%, 75% | 50%, 100% | 125%, 125% |
| Crescent | 100%, 50% | 50%, 100% | 0%, 150% | 100%, 150% |
True Reflection: All bonuses granted from it being night or being in moonlight are also granted at day or in the sun respectively.
Campaign Information[edit]
Playing a Crystal Bowyer[edit]
Religion: Typically a moon god/goddess if there is one or the moon itself.
Other Classes: Being defenders primarily, Crescent Bowyers work against barbarians and rangers more than they work with them. Despite this Crescent Bowyers are not restricted when it comes to who they work with.
Combat: A Crescent Bowyer's primary role in battle is to stop the enemy from hurting allies and/or undo the damage done.
Advancement: Any and all options are available, though the best pairings tend to be arcane archer or in rare circumstances templar.
Crescent Bowyers in the World[edit]
| “ | Just as us, the moon, a reflection of light when things are darkest to give hope to those in trouble. | ” |
| —Kiazu Mi Lura, Kitsune Crescent Bowyer | ||
Crescent Bowyers are usually wanderers, helping any and all that are threatened by an attacker. The bigger the invading force, the better. Crescent Bowyers only get involved in wars where non-combatants are involved.
Daily Life: Typically wandering from town to town asking about rumors or sitting on defense in a fortified and/or hidden position.
Notables: Kaizu Mi Lura (First Crescent Bowyer).
Organizations: All organizations and factions provide help to Crescent Bowyers to show support for their cause but its the religious groups and particularly the Stargazers that work closely with Crescent Bowyers.
NPC Reactions: Most consider the bowyers to be nothing more than a wonderful fantasy but those who actually get to see one in action are extremely grateful. Typically if spotted in wandering, people will go out of their way to give space to the Crescent Bowyer out of fear of making an enemy of them or distracting them incase they're busy.
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