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One of my players is looking for a two-weapon (sword and pistol) fighting character based around Errol Flynn or Burt Lancater from the old swashbuckling movies. There is not a particularly good archetype for this and, after basically re-working about half the ranger to try and make it work, I can understand why.

Please take a look at the following archetype and let me know if you have any suggestions. I'm open to changing just about anything including the name of the archetype... it was just the first thing that came to mind. Thank you in advance -- JD

Buccaneer, Ranger Archetype
1st - Sea Hunter, track, Pistolero
2nd - Combat style feat
3rd - Endurance, Born at Sea +2
4th - Familiar
5th - Grit +1
6th - Combat style feat
7th - Strong Swimmer
8th - Steady Hand, Born at Sea +3
9th - Evasion
10th - Grit +2, combat style feat
11th - Careful Targeting
12th - Gills
13th - Born at Sea +4
14th - Combat style feat
15th - Grit +3
16th - Improved evasion
17th - Bleeder
18th - Born at Sea +5, combat style feat
19th - Bonus Feat
20th - Grit +4, Bonus Feat

[Sea Hunter] At first level the Buccaneer gains the Amatuer Gunslinger feat.

At fifth level, and every five levels thereafter, the amount of Grit the Buccaneer starts with each day increases by +1 to a maximum of +4 at 20th level. Like the Gunslinger, the amount of Grit a character starts with each day cannot exceed the Buccaneer's Wisdom modifier. The Sea Hunter ability replaces Favored Enemy.

[Pistolero] At First Level, the Buccaneer gains Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Firearms), but only with pistols. He also gains the Gunsmithing feat. This ability replaces Wild Empathy.

[Combat Style Feats] The Buccaneer can only choose his combat style feats from the following list: At second level he may choose from Point-blank Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Reload, Quick Draw, and Two-Weapon Fighting. At 6th Level he adds Snap Shot, Improved Precise Shot and Improved Two-Weapon Fighting to the list. At 10th level, he adds Sword and Pistol, Pinpoint Targeting and Greater Two-Weapon Fighting to the list.

[Born at Sea] At third level the Buccaneer gains a +2 bonus on Initiative checks, Acrobatics, Climb, Knowledge(Geography), Knowledge(Nature), Perception, and Survival checks while aboard ship on the ocean or while below the surface.

At Eighth level and every 5 levels thereafter, the initiative and skill bonuses increase by +1 to a maximum of +5 at 18th level. The Born at Sea ability replaces Favored Terrain.

[Familiar] At fourth level, the Buccaneer acquires an exotic pet — a monkey or parrot (see: raven) — that gains abilities as a wizard’s familiar. Treat the Buccaneer's Wizard level as equal to his Ranger level -3. This ability replaces Hunter's Bond.

[Strong Swimmer] At seventh level the Buccaneer gains a swim speed equal to one-half his base land speed (rounded down to the nearest five foot increment) and the ability to hold his breath while underwater much longer than normal. Treat the Buccaneer's Constitution score as 10 higher when calculating the number of rounds he can hold his breath to avoid drowning.

[Steady Hand] At 8th level, the Buccaneer gains a bonus to damage with a pistol equal to one-half her Dex bonus rounded down (minimum 0). This ability replaces Swift Tracker.

[Careful Targeting] At 11th level the Buccaneer gains the Targeting Deed from the Gunslinger's Deed list. This ability replaces the Quarry ability.

[Gills] At 12th level, the Buccaneer's swim speed increases to his base land speed and he grow a pair of gills allowing him to breathe indefinitely underwater. This ability replaces Camoflage.

[Bleeder] At 17th level, the Buccaneer Gains the Bleeding Wound Deed from the Gunslinger's Deed list.

[Bonus Feat] At 19th and 20th level the Buccaneer gains a bonus feat. Yeah, I totally copped out on this one. I'm open to Suggestions.

edit: Never mind... I just saw basically the same post by Omega999 lower on the list...

First, According to the Polymorph description:

When you cast a polymorph spell that changes you into a creature of the animal, dragon, elemental, magical beast, plant, or vermin type, all of your gear melds into your body.

When your armor melds into your new form, do armor penalties like armor check and arcane spell failure go away? What about with the Wild property added to the armor so you continue to gain the armor class benefit?

Second, According to the Druid class ability for Wild Shape:

At 8th level, a druid can use wild shape to change into a Huge or Diminutive animal, a Medium elemental, or a Small or Medium plant creature. When taking the form of animals, a druid’s wild shape now functions as beast shape III. When taking the form of an elemental, the druid’s wild shape now functions as elemental body II. When taking the form of a plant creature, the druid’s wild shape functions as plant shape I.

Beast Shape III allows you to transform into a Small or Medium Magical Beast but the class ability does not specifically state Magic Beast as an option. Can a Druid transform into a Small or Medium Magical Beast at 8th Level?

Okay, so that was three questions. Thanks,
--JD

This comes from a discussion of the Kensai abilities (UC). Specifically:

Can the Kensai use Perfect Strike more than once in a round since it is a reactive ability. In other words, can the Kensai pump as many spell pool points into the crit multiplier as he has left. I've gone through all the books I have and I don't see a limit. The intent seems to be to limit the ability use to once per attack at best. I just wasn't sure.

Thanks in Advance