Advice on a Build

[Doc Green]

I wanted to look into playing a Hunter and after reading it through I decided this would be a good class to play for a wildlife loving character who is used to living in the forest.

So my character will be a Hunter
But I want to focus on a bow as my primary but there is no Dex to Damage feats for a bow, or a way to convert a Composite Bow into a Dex to Damage bow. Save for one option I know of. We do allow 3.5 but this would require me to take a level dip into Fighter to pick up Vital Aim via Targeteer ACF.

So is there any way to get Dex to Dmg not just to hit, as well as to use it as a melee weapon should a foe get too close.

What animal aspect is the best suited for bow combat and what animal companion might be best suited for forest combat?

Also while this may be a stand along class, what would be best to Gestalt with this character if I did decide to go that direction?

[RainyDayNinja]

I don't think there's a way to get Dex to damage on a bow, but there are other ways to boost damage. Gravity bow boosts longbow damage by 2.5 points per shot on average, and picking up the divine favor as a spell known through the Divine Hunter archetype (Nobility domain or Archon subdomain) can boost attack and damage. Of course, you'll also want Deadly Aim.

Tiger would be the obvious animal aspect for the Dex boost, and that could free up your belt slot, since it doesn't stack with a Dex belt. Bat for darkvision would be another solid choice. I don't think animal companion choice will differ much based on terrain, so I wouldn't worry about that part.

As for Gestalt, you'll probably want to shore up your weaknesses, with either good Will saves and/or full BAB. Paladin would be great if you don't mind the code of conduct. Fighter would also be good for the BAB and access to Weapon Specialization and other static damage boosts, which are great for archers. Warpriest would also get access to some of those, plus better buff spells and action economy.

[Doc Green]

Ok so I would be forested to take the Fighter dip to trade out my bonus feat for Vital Aim, which allows me Dex to replace Str for damage with ranged weapons.

I know Ranger stacks and the free bonus archery feats might be nice. Slayer could get me that too along with those combat feats and sneak attacks.

Is a Dire Badger a possible companion? Because.. that would be awesome after playing Farcry 4 lol.

Divine Favor and Gravity Bow. I will have to look into those, Gravity Bow for sure.

What feats are best for using a Bow in Melee without eating a AoO each time?

[LoneKnave]

You can get dex to damage with a crossbow, however, with 5 levels of bolt ace. It's probably not worth giving up so much magic tho.

[Doc Green]

Yeah and I really want it to be with a regular Bow.
Ok so one level dip into fighter it is, not to bad.

[LoneKnave]

Followers of erastil can get wisdom to damage with a bow, as can Zen archers IIRC.

[Doc Green]

How do follows of Erastil do this?

[LoneKnave]

Evangelist Deific obedience

It's incredible for hunters in general.

[Doc Green]

LoneKnave wrote:

Evangelist Deific obedience

It's incredible for hunters in general.

That is really cool and I will definitely be picking this up as it seems like a bonus damage to not replacement for.

[Dafydd]

A side note that you have brushed against. You can use an Adaptive CLB and once you get the Dex Belt, that focus boost can go to STR easily and the adaptive allows you to take full advantage of any STR change (enlarge person, bulls strength, Animal Focus etc)

For Companion, I suggest EITHER the Roc (flying mount you can shoot arrows off of and never have to worry about a foe in your face) OR the CRB Dinosaur, which has a speed of 60ft and 5 attacks at level 7. Plus Pounce. The 14 CHA is also awesome on them, allows things like Battle Cry and smite power (if you go divine hunter and trade out teamwork feats)

Gesalt, I would suggest the Trapper Ranger. You already get all the ranger spells via Hunter, and more of them too. Traps on the other hand allow you to say no to enemies trying to get close to ya.

Another option is Slayer, for the Ranger feats and Sneak Attack, though I have never liked the range restriction on SA, since bows have such a great range.

Last is the Archer Fighter, which gives you all the feats you would need and a couple bonuses.

Now some side point I should mention.

Divine Hunter allows you to trade out your Teamwork feats to get a Domain, and celestial on the companion. One of the domains you could pick up (theoretically, as it has not been confirmed tmk) is Eagle. Eagle's power is Hawkeye, which is a (level-2)/2 bonus to ranged attacks. Also gives you a Hawk Familiar, as well as the pet. Another Domain to look at is Feather Animal domain. Improves your perception and boosts your pet power. Both options give you the Fly Spell at 7th level, always good for avoiding melee.