I am about to start a new game that is inspired by Kingmaker but is not the AP itself. Anyhow, we're doing a 15 point build. The other characters so far;
Drow sorcerer
Some sort of Magus
Some sort of Fighter
Cleric with Sun/healing domains (assuming Sarenrae)
I've decided to fill the "rogue" slot but prefer to try ninja over rogue.
Right now, I am planning to do a Fetchling and go bow focused versus doing twf or shuriken based. We're starting at 3rd level. So far, I've taken precise shot and point blank shot. For my ninja trick, I took vanishing. I'll also probably take shadow clone and deadly range at least once.
I originally thought of taking the scout archetype, but decided losing uncanny dodge is too big a risk. If I went shuriken or some sort of shuriken/melee switch hitter, I think it would work well especially with charging hurler.
Anyway, anyone ever do a ranged ninja (short-bow focused) and if so, how did it work out?
The biggest downside to ranged rogue/ninja is the difficulty in getting sneak attack dice, since SA is pretty much the one thing that keeps their damage competitive. The best ways to ensure sneak attack for a ranged rogue is to go down the Dazzling Display/Break Guard route, which is best done with some cooperative character building with your party martial sort.
Ninjas have the advantage of being able to use Ki for an extra attack, ensuring those times when they do get sneak attack that they make the most of it. Though picking up all of the requisite Archery feats, on top of the Dazzling Display/Shatter Defenses line, is a really steep investment for a feat starved class. A standard rogue often uses rogue talents to supplement the lack of feats, but ninja tricks are often better than rogue talents, so the opportunity cost is higher.
Once you get access to Invisible Blade, things get a lot easier as you have reliable access to Greater Invisibility. I'm postponing Deadly Aim because sneak attack rewards iterative attacks, so Rapid Shot/Manyshot are a higher priority. Ninjas also lack in attack bonuses, so you need all the accuracy you can get.
That said, a build could look something like (on a painfully low point build)
Str 10
Dex 16+2
Con 13
Int 10
Wis 10-2
Cha 12+2
Consider taking traits to improve your painfully weak will save. You might also drop Int to 8 to bump Wis to 12, with a net Wis of 10.
1: Point Blank shot
2: Vanishing Trick
3: Precise Shot
4: Weapon Training (Weapon Focus: Shortbow)
5: Rapid Shot
6: Deadly Range
7: Dazzling Display
8: Combat Trick (Manyshot)
9: Shatter Defenses
10: Invisible Blade
11: Deadly Aim
12: Assassinate
By this point, assuming a starting Dex of 18, level bumps to Dex, a +4 Dex item, Point Blank Shot range, and a +3 Shortbow, your attack routine using a Ki point and Deadly Aim would be 16/16/16/11, firing a total of 5 arrows, 4 of which trigger SA (Manyshot only triggers precision damage once) for 5d6 (arrows)+50 (static bonuses)+24d6 (SA). Not bad, especially as your accuracy improves against flat-footed opponents or opponents who can't see you because of Greater Invisibility.