Pathfinder Player Companion: Ranged Tactics Toolbox (PFRPG)

Announced! Product description and cover image subject to change.

I hope the book have some good options for slings, crossbows and trhowing weapons.

*throws money at screen* Gimme!

Interesting, I wouldn't have expected it, but I'm glad to see the rules team drawing from this particular well. I'm hoping for some interesting crossbow mechanics, personally!

Also, it looks like more Advanced Class Guide iconics. I think that's the Arcanist on the left, but I'm not sure if that's the Hunter or Slayer on the right.

Hmmm- cool! I could use this right now, actually (working on a sniper-esque character).

Hope there is some support for some some ranged versions of the Combat Expertise feat chain (ie, ranged disarm, ranged pin/grapple, etc). So far, only the Fighter/Archer can really do those, but I'd like to have some other class options to do so.

I'm hoping it'll have something like a culverin wielder. The oversized cannon user trope is missing...and final fantasy has fantasy in the name!

I also hope it somehow doesn't make archery even more powerful, while allowing interesting options for non guns and bows.

I hope we will get a melee version of this.

Also, if that is indeed the slayer, I want to shake the hand of whoever decided to base the Slayer off of Geralt.

Hmm... neat! I second ranged options for crossbows and thrown weapons!

Nope, that's the Mystic Theurge from the CRB on the left, and I think the Arcane Archer on the right. I can't remember where the art's from - I'd say the chapter on prestige classes from either the CRB or the NPC Codex.

On a more excitable note, holy cow, I want this. And I know the spell-less ranger in my Kingmaker campaign will, too...

Also, if that is indeed the slayer, I want to shake the hand of whoever decided to base the Slayer off of Geralt.

Curse you Cheapy! Now I really want to build a Slayer/Alchemist...

That aside, I'd love to see Sneak Attack get some ranged love.

Interesting, I wouldn't have expected it, but I'm glad to see the rules team drawing from this particular well. I'm hoping for some interesting crossbow mechanics, personally!

Also, it looks like more Advanced Class Guide iconics. I think that's the Arcanist on the left, but I'm not sure if that's the Hunter or Slayer on the right.

Not quite. That's an inverted picture from NPC Codex featuring Secanus the iconic arcane archer and Cambin the iconic mystic theurge fighting the unnamed iconic dragon disciple.

Oooh. I think the biggest news is that this is potentially a precursor to Melee Tactics Toolbox. Having both would make me explode in delight.

The biggest question is will this include options for crossbowmen, slingers, and thrown weapons builds? Are they planning on buffing these builds to make them more interesting and usable across various classes? Or is this more stuff for just ranged spell casters and bow characters?

If the latter I feel like it's kind of missing the point since both of those builds are pretty well covered and represented by the rules currently to the point that pretty much every existing ranged character is either one of those builds or the errant gunslinger.

Seriously we really don't need more books that focus on what is literally only 40% of the range build options in the game while other options (some of which are literally built into a races stats) are left to languish on the side of the road.

I'm not asking for op slinger builds (though honestly I would laugh with joy at a broken halfling slinger build coming to dominate pfs play) or anything like that. I just want to feel like if I want to play a ranged character who is say a viking spear thrower or a chelish crossbowman I can actually compete and keep pace with the rest of my party without having to play an ultra specialized archetype in order to do it.

Also some kind of feat that gives blanket proficiency in repeating crossbows. As it stands it makes 0 sense that I have to take 3 feats to learn how to work all the repeating crossbows (when they are all literally the same as their non repeating counterparts with the same feeding mechanism) and yet exotic proficiency (firearms) gives me proficiency with EVERY FIREARM THAT IS OR EVERY WILL EXIST.

Well, there is an archer on the cover. Looks like an arcane archer or something, but still an archer.
So not sure what to expect here.
Even more buffs for archery would be...unexpected.

Everything else ranged but archery and guns (especially in the hands of gunslingers) (perhaps insert lasers here, need to read that first) really needs some buffs though!
Perhaps there is even something for halflings and slings?
A halfling rogue archetype that doesn´t trade trapfinding, but works really well with slings and ranged combat would be supreme!

I'm looking forward to Water Balloon Mastery

Seems a bit barrel scrapey

In all the PF I have played I have never thought ' those poor ranged types need some help'

Not on my to buylist

Not big on this one unless we get some awesome stuff for thrown weapons like daggers, chakrams, boomarangs, darts, etc.

Well, there is an archer on the cover. Looks like an arcane archer or something, but still an archer.

So not sure what to expect here.
Even more buffs for archery would be...unexpected.

Everything else ranged but archery and guns (especially in the hands of gunslingers) (perhaps insert lasers here, need to read that first) really needs some buffs though!
Perhaps there is even something for halflings and slings?
A halfling rogue archetype that doesn´t trade trapfinding, but works really well with slings and ranged combat would be supreme!

I could do with a little more guns stuff but more ways for non gunslingers to not suck with them rather than making them better. give more ways to do things like quick clear. Maybe items for it like speed loaders or quick patch kits. Make the latter moderately priced and a little bulky and you're set.

I feel like this book is completely superfluous. The Archer at our table (no matter what game) is always so overpowered it's not even funny. Once your past level 5 or so, they easily outshine everyone else on the field and rarely take any damage in combat.

I feel like this book is completely superfluous. The Archer at our table (no matter what game) is always so overpowered it's not even funny. Once your past level 5 or so, they easily outshine everyone else on the field and rarely take any damage in combat.

Why I would love to see them spend a lot of the book focusing on giving more options to ALL the ranged options available to players rather than the 2 everyone already knows are good and can google a build for that will be both easy and incredibly good.

I hope the book have some good options for slings, crossbows and trhowing weapons.

Oh, sweet lord yes. A Feat for Dex (instead of Strength) to damage on Slings would be excellent, just for example...as would something for crossbow.

Interesting, I wouldn't have expected it, but I'm glad to see the rules team drawing from this particular well. I'm hoping for some interesting crossbow mechanics, personally!

Also, it looks like more Advanced Class Guide iconics. I think that's the Arcanist on the left, but I'm not sure if that's the Hunter or Slayer on the right.

Nope. First it's a mock-up, and thus an old picture from another book. Second, we've seen a (very blurry) picture of the ACG Iconics, and while who's who is speculative...neither of those people are in it at all.

Nicos wrote:

I hope the book have some good options for slings, crossbows and trhowing weapons.

Oh, sweet lord yes. A Feat for Dex (instead of Strength) to damage on Slings would be excellent, just for example...as would something for crossbow.

Robert Brookes wrote:

Interesting, I wouldn't have expected it, but I'm glad to see the rules team drawing from this particular well. I'm hoping for some interesting crossbow mechanics, personally!

Also, it looks like more Advanced Class Guide iconics. I think that's the Arcanist on the left, but I'm not sure if that's the Hunter or Slayer on the right.

Nope. First it's a mock-up, and thus an old picture from another book. Second, we've seen a (very blurry) picture of the ACG Iconics, and while who's who is speculative...neither of those people are in it at all.

Where is this blurry picture of all the iconics?

Here's hoping for a ranged magus archetype!

Here's hoping for a ranged magus archetype!

everybody forgets myrmidarch.

I'm looking forward to Water Balloon Mastery

I'm fairly certain SKR's last act as he was leaving Paizo was to add a note that there was a big community demand for water balloon based combat that was competitive with the other existing ranged combat styles, so I'm certain we'll see plenty of support for that here. I'm just hoping they remember to be clear on the rules for loading different fluids.

Cyrad wrote:

Here's hoping for a ranged magus archetype!

everybody forgets myrmidarch.

Myrmidarch is not a magus specializing in ranged combat. Myrmidarch is a magus/fighter multiclass archetype that happens to possess a ranged ability. A ranged ability that doesn't work RAW and is ambiguous RAI.

Where is this blurry picture of all the iconics?

Here.

I also hope that this book will give the under supported ranged attack types (such as crossbows and thrown weapons) the support they need. Archers have plenty of support already.

My hope is that they have a version of the Lasso which works.

My hope is that they include something to make ranged sneak attacks viable beyond the surprise round.

Curative Arrows maybe?

Curative Arrows maybe?

It already exists. It's called savior's arrow and you have to be a follower of Erastal in order to take the feat.

as far as a magical arrow that ofers curing that can be used by anyone???? yeah that would be cool

In the words of PG Samuel Jackson:

There bettah be some mothertruckin' crossbow options, in this mothertruckin' book!

Updated with final image and description.

Updated with final image and description.

That cover Rocs!

-Skeld

That cover Rocs!

-Skeld

Pretty sure that's a Griffon...

The book looks and sounds great. And I hope this isn't the wrong place for it, but as we're talking ranged tactics, why do so many players build archer Inquisitors (the APG class)? I remember for a time everyone seemed convinced they were unbeatable.

christos gurd wrote:

Cyrad wrote:

Here's hoping for a ranged magus archetype!

everybody forgets myrmidarch.

Myrmidarch is not a magus specializing in ranged combat. Myrmidarch is a magus/fighter multiclass archetype that happens to possess a ranged ability. A ranged ability that doesn't work RAW and is ambiguous RAI.

a problem that can be worked out with errata, unless you are talking ranged spell combat, which i feel i would have to see some real limitations on before it was allowed at my table.

The book looks and sounds great. And I hope this isn't the wrong place for it, but as we're talking ranged tactics, why do so many players build archer Inquisitors (the APG class)? I remember for a time everyone seemed convinced they were unbeatable.

The biggest weakness for ranged combat is punching through DR before you get Clustered Shots. Inquisitor's ability to stack custom Bane and Judgements on every arrow really helps cut through that. They also have several spells that are good for furtherincreasing the damage and/or accuracy of their attacks. Plus, they have free proficiency with repeating crossbows, which is pretty solid at lower levels. I prefer the longbow for reasons that are probably pretty apparent.

Basically, the Inquisitor gets 3/4 casting from a solid custom list that includes good buffs, which is sexy, can stack more damage onto each individual arrow than many other classes, and Solo Tactics + Target of Opportunity gets him as many attacks in a round as a full BAB character, assuming he's got another ranged attacker (like oh, say, a wizard or sorcerer) proc'ing the feat. So he's really solid in combat, plus he's got great skill points and the ability to use Wisdom to modify some key mechanics.

Thanks for that explanation, Ssalarn, it really does help clarify things.

TWO THINGS I am EXPECTING from this book.

[ONE] More goodies for crossbow users. I am tired of them getting little help in their department, always being outclassed by archers and gunners.

[TWO] More goodies for Gunslingers. I am disappointed at how little love they have received over the years since their release, I hope new Grit feats or new stuff for just them in general.

Love how the new iconics are already starting to show up on covers. :)

Winchester repeating rifle & pump-action shotgun please. :}

Gunmagus?
Bowbarian?
Crossbow...anything? Seriously, more crossbow stuff please >.<

Blade bows? Bayonets that don't..... well suck.

How about some sort of firearm archetype for the swashbuckler... we can call it the.... ermmmm.... gunslinger

yeah.....

Siege WEAPONS....SIIIIIIIEEEEEEGGEEEEEEE WEEEAAAPPPOOONNNNSNSSSSDFVSNSD

How about a chariot archer cavalier?

Launching crossbow expert alchemist? I mean they kind of have one but like.... another one.... but cooler?

More ammunition types.

Wow i'm slowly realizing i just want an alchemy handbook, including alchemist archetypes and feats XD

Skeld wrote:

That cover Rocs!

-Skeld

Pretty sure that's a Griffon...

Nope, with a lion's tail it's definitely a Griffin. (Griffons are types of wire-haired hunting dogs)

Sorry, my pooch made me point that out. The Irish side of her didn't want me setting around.

More non-damage/not even more attacks for all ranged characters please!
The things that could really see more use are crossbows and especially SLINGS!

A grit feat where you can daze something with a head as a full-round action or the like would be awesome, but please make sure it:
-doesn´t make more damage
-provides versatility
-doesn´t break action economy, meaing it´s not a swift or immediate action, at least a standard action, better a full-round action.

It could look like this:

Your aim is so good, you can daze people by barely missing their heads.

Requirements: BAB +5, Weapon Focus with used weapon, grit
Benefit: As a full-round action and by spending 1 grit, you can make one shot that potentially dazes a creature. The creature get´s a fortitude save to avoid the daze effect. The DC is 10 + 1/2 your level + the modifier of ability you get grit from.

Really more stuff for any ranged builds that have NOTHING TO DO with either bows or magic. Both arrow and ranged spell builds have pretty much hit their zenith build wise since the core rulebook and everything else that has come down the pipe has either been unneeded or just further overpowered their builds.

What we need is a lot of stuff for Crossbows, Thrown Weapons, and Slings. All of these have been around since we were playing 3.5 and we still haven't really gotten anything for them save the Crossbow Ace that really allows them to function well for the players.

BobROE wrote:

Skeld wrote:

That cover Rocs!

-Skeld

Pretty sure that's a Griffon...

Nope, with a lion's tail it's definitely a Griffin. (Griffons are types of wire-haired hunting dogs)

Sorry, my pooch made me point that out. The Irish side of her didn't want me setting around.

Here's a Pointer: She might want to Retrieve her Bestiary or the SRD, as Pathfinder spells it griffon.

At least now you can confirm she's a large magical beast, though I wouldn't call her Husky.

How about some sort of firearm archetype for the swashbuckler... we can call it the.... ermmmm.... gunslinger

There are already two gun-toting Swashbuckler archetypes, The Musketeer and Picaroon. Oh wait, that was a joke.