I've got enough PFS credits for a second level PC, and one of the ones I'm thinking of is a Calistrian archer of some kind, focusing on hunting down people who have done wrong or gotten away with something that they shouldn't have. In my mind he's a very revenge-focused character, so he focuses on that aspect of her faith more so than the others.
I'm at a bit of a loss as to how to put him together, however. It seems like without low-level bonus feats an archer can't really do much until 3rd level, and your only feats are going to be Point Blank Shot and Precise Shot. I know he'll likely have to end up multiclassed, though the second class will likely just be a splash of a level or two. Race is firm on either elf or half-elf.
This is for PFS, so those are the constraints I'm working under. Here are the classes I've considered:
1. Inquisitor can do most of the things I want, and can do stealth and divine magic together, which is good. I've heard they can make nasty archers. This is my leading contender. However, the lack of bonus feats means I can't do much effective archery until 3rd level, when I can pick up Precise Shot - I don't see any way to get that earlier than 3rd as a straight inquisitor. Straight inquisitor makes me kinda tempted to just accumulate a few more GM credits and start the PC at 3rd level instead of 2nd, or do ninja2/inquisitorX.
2. Ninja gives me a bit of sneak attack, poison use (giant wasp poison everywhere!) and, at 2nd level, the ability to spend ki for extra arrow shots, above and beyond rapid shot. Seems like fun, though I think at most I'd take two levels of it, as that gives me access to ki and the Extra Trick feat.
3. Warpriest would give me Weapon Focus, a few not-very-useful blessings, and the ability to have my whip deal 1d6 damage (which isn't very useful, it's still a whip, but funny anyway). I'd also get full BAB and Weapon Focus with the longbow, which would make me a lot more accurate.
4. Ranger or slayer might be useful, though one level doesn't get much of either, and I think slayer is mostly melee-only. Wonder if the ACG is going to have a ranged slayer archetype?
Any further thoughts? Has anyone played a similar character?
How about an half-elf urban ranger focused on social skills? Take Absalom as a favored community, and traits to make social skills favored.
As a flavor feat at higher levels you could take greater wild empathy (vermin), to be friends with wasps (sadly the only way I know of getting vermin as companions wouldn't be compatible with this archetype.)
Elsbeth
Female Half-Elf ranger 1 Archetypes Urban Ranger,
CN Medium humanoid (elf, human)
Init +3, Senses low-light vision; Perception +6
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DEFENSE
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AC 15, touch 13, flat-footed 12 (+2 armor, +3 Dex, )
hp 12 ((1d10)+2)
Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +2, +2 vs. enchantment spells and effects
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OFFENSE
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Speed 30 ft.
Ranged longbow +4 (1d8/x3)
Melee shortsword +2 (1d6+1/19-20)
Special Attacks Favored Enemby (Human +2)
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STATISTICS
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Str 13, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 13
Base Atk +1; CMB +2; CMD 15
Feats Point-Blank Shot
Skills Bluff +8, Disable Device +7, Knowledge (Local) +6, Perception +6, Sense Motive +7, Stealth +7, Survival +6
Traits Calistrian Prostitute (Calistria) (Sense Motive), Fast-Talker,
Languages Common, Elven, Kelish
SQ elf blood, elven immunities, integrated, track +1, wary, wild empathy +2
Combat Gear rations (trail/per day) (5), torch (10),
Other Gear longbow, outfit (traveler's), leather, arrow (20), pouch (belt), shortsword, thieves' tools, backpack, bedroll, caltrops, chalk (1 piece) (10), flint and steel, grappling hook, common, mess kit, mirror (small/steel), piton (10), pot (iron), rope (hemp/50 ft.), waterskin, 4.5 gp
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SPECIAL ABILITIES
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Calistrian Prostitute (Calistria) (Sense Motive) You worked in one of Calistria's temples as a sacred prostitute, and you know how to flatter, please, and (most of all) listen. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Sense Motive checks and Diplomacy checks to gather information, and one of these skills (your choice) is always a class skill for you.
Elf Blood (Ex) Half-elves count as both elves and humans for any effect related to race.
Elven Immunities (Ex) Half-elves are immune to magic sleep effects and get a +2 racial saving throw bonus against enchantment spells and effects.
Fast-Talker You had a knack at getting yourself into trouble as a child, and as a result developed a silver tongue at an early age.
Humanoid (Human) (Ex) You gain a +2 bonus on Attack rolls, Damage roll and skill checks against humans.
Integrated Many half-elves are skilled in the art of ingratiating themselves into a community as if they were natives. Half-elves with this racial trait gain a +1 bonus on Bluff, Disguise, and Knowledge (local) checks. This racial trait replaces the adaptability racial trait.
Low-Light Vision (Ex) You can see x2 as far as humans in low illumination. Characters with low-light vision have eyes that are so sensitive to light that they can see twice as far as normal in dim light. Low-Light Vision is color vision. A spellcaster with low-light vision can read a scroll as long as even the tiniest candle flame is next to her as a source of light. Characters with low-light vision can see outdoors on a moonlit night as well as they can during the day.
Multitalented (Ex) Half-elves choose two favored classes at first level and gain +1 hit point or +1 skill point whenever they take a level in either one of those classes.
Track (Ex) You gain +1 to Survival checks made to follow tracks.
Urban Ranger At 1st level, an urban ranger adds Disable Device and Knowledge (local) to his list of class skills and removes Handle Animal and Knowledge (nature) from his list of class skills.
Wary Many half-elves have spent their long lives moving from place to place, often driven out by the hostility of others. Such experiences have made them wary of others' motivations. Half-elves with this trait gain a +1 racial bonus on Sense Motive and Bluff checks.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency A ranger is proficient with all simple and martial weapons and with light armor, medium armor, and shields (except tower shields).
Wild Empathy (Ex) You can improve the attitude of an animal.
Check my guide to archery rangers in the sticky. I believe it's all PFS legal. Also it all works out fine for a slayer too, you just end up with a few extra rogue talents to get.
Well, I'd like to include divine magic as my primary class - whatever I take as a splash is really just to get better at archery. Zen archer would be perfect, actually, if I didn't have to be Lawful. Hmmm. I wonder if it's PFS-legal to have already changed alignments when you start?