crossbow slayer

[Sheriff Bart]

Not sure I have ever posted a build before, but this one intrigues me so I am asking for help.

This is for PFS and the reason I am trying it is specifically because the rules are so slanted toward using bows and therefore everyone uses them.

Disclaimer / things I already know:
1) "Use a CLbow, stupid." I know I lose on DPx with Xbow. I may yet switch
2) Straight fighters can handle the feat load better - am considering this but then becomes pretty 1-dimensional and boring
3) This build lacks clustershot, manyshot, devastating strike, imp. crit and dazzling display/shatter defenses. I am debating them and that is part of why I am posting

This is a bounty hunter type of PC who masquerades as a barmaid. I chose slayer because of the ability to snipe and the vital strike feats for the ability to stack with sneak in sniping. I threw in some magic item ideas that would fit the build but am open to suggestions on that too.

So, can it be viable even if not powerful?

Female Human Slayer 12
CG Medium humanoid (human)
Init +5; Senses Perception +15
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Defense
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AC 31, touch 17, flat-footed 26 (+10 armor, +4 shield, +5 Dex, +2 deflection)
hp 124 (12d10+48)
Fort +15, Ref +16, Will +7; +2 trait bonus vs. mind-affecting
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Offense
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Speed 40 ft.
Ranged +1 holy seeking darkwood underwater heavy crossbow +19/+14/+9 (1d10+1/19-20 plus 2d6 vs. evil)
Special Attacks favored target, sneak attack +4d6
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Statistics
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Str 13, Dex 18 (20), Con 16 (18), Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 10
Base Atk +12; CMB +13; CMD 30
Feats Combat Reflexes, Crossbow Mastery[APG], Deadly Aim, Improved Snap Shot[UC], Improved Vital Strike, Point-Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Shot, Snap Shot[UC], Vital Strike, Weapon Focus (underwater heavy crossbow)
Traits dangerously curious, sound of mind

Skills Acrobatics +20 (+25 to jump), Bluff +11, Climb +9, Diplomacy +1, Disguise +8, Heal +6, Intimidate +11, Knowledge (arcana) +3, Knowledge (dungeoneering) +6, Knowledge (engineering) +3, Knowledge (geography) +6, Knowledge (history) +3, Knowledge (local) +11, Knowledge (nature) +3, Knowledge (nobility) +3, Knowledge (planes) +3, Knowledge (religion) +3, Linguistics +4, Perception +15, Profession (barmaid) +4, Ride +9, Sense Motive +11, Sleight of Hand +8, Stealth +25, Survival +14, Swim +5, Use Magic Device +16;

slayer talents (bonus feat, combat trick, fast stealth, ranger combat style, ranger combat style, stealthy sniper)

Languages Common, Jistka, Minkaian, Osiriani, Tien

SQ combat styles (crossbow), swift tracker, track +6

Combat Gear +1 clustershot adamantine crossbow bolts (50), +1 ghost touch silversheen crossbow bolts (50), hand of glory, masterwork cold iron crossbow bolts (50), sniper goggles, unfettered shirt, wand of invisibility, greater, smokestick (5); Other Gear +4 comfort shadow mithral agile breastplate, +3 mithral buckler, +1 holy seeking darkwood underwater heavy crossbow, belt of physical might +2 (Dex, Con), boots of striding and springing, cloak of resistance +3, efficient quiver, ring of protection +2, 150 gp
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Special Abilities
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Combat Reflexes (6 AoO/round) Can make extra attacks of opportunity/rd, and even when flat-footed.
Crossbow Mastery (Underwater heavy crossbow) You can reload any crossbow as a free action. With your chosen crossbow type, this does not provoke attacks of opportunity.
Deadly Aim -4/+8 Trade a penalty to ranged attacks for a bonus to ranged damage.
Fast Stealth (Ex) You may move at full speed while using the Stealth skill without penalty.
Favored Target (+3, 3 at a time, Swift) (Ex) Study foe as a Swift action, gain +3 to att/dam & some skills vs. them.
Improved Snap Shot You threaten an additional 10 feet with Snap Shot
Point-Blank Shot +1 to attack and damage rolls with ranged weapons at up to 30 feet.
Precise Shot You don't get -4 to hit when shooting or throwing into melee.
Rapid Shot You get an extra attack with ranged weapons. Each attack is at -2.
Snap Shot Threaten squares within 5 feet of you when wielding a ranged weapon
Sneak Attack +4d6 Attacks deal extra dam if flank foe or if foe is flat-footed.
Sniper goggles The leather strap attached to these bulbous lenses allows their wearer to fit them to his head. The wearer of these goggles can make ranged sneak attacks from any distance instead of the normal 30 feet. When making ranged sneak attacks within 30 feet, the wearer gains a +2 circumstance bonus on each sneak attack damage die.

Sound of Mind +2 trait bonus to saves vs mind-affecting effects.
Stealthy Sniper (Ex) Sniping is only a -10 penalty, rather than -20.
Swift Tracker (Ex) Tracking penalties when moving at normal speed or faster are reduced.
Track +6 Add the listed bonus to survival checks made to track.
Vital Strike Standard action: x2 weapon damage dice.
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[Ooze licker]

No comments?

[N. Jolly]

Yeah, if you do nothing else, PLEASE go Bolt Ace 5, and then take whatever other levels you want. BA 5 is getting you dex to damage, so you're a monster, and it honestly won't really mess up your slayer progression at all while making your bowing way more dangerous. I'd honestly suggest just going straight Ace, but that's because I'm not a huge fan of Slayers.

[illyume]

Keep in mind, slayers basically get almost as many combat feats as fighters if they want:

1: Feat
2: Ranger Combat Style (feat)
3: Feat
4: Rogue Talent: Combat Trick (combat feat)
5: Feat
6: Ranger Combat Style (better feat)
7: Feat
8: (You lose a feat at this level; pick a good slayer talent instead)
9: Feat
10: Ranger Combat Style (betterer feat)
11: Feat
12: (You lose a feat at this level too; pick another good slayer talent)

I'm not certain which feats you're planning to take at which levels, but I'd recommend making the most of the Ranger Combat Style Feat's caveat: "He can choose feats from his selected combat style, even if he does not have the normal prerequisites."

Not a lot that a crossbow ranger benefits from with that, but for example you could take Crossbow Mastery at 6 without needing rapid reload. Sucks for mobility before then, but saves you on a few feats.

Crossbows don't add strength to damage, so you don't need much strength. I'd be in favour of dropping your strength a little and bumping something else a little.

All together, the idea seems relatively solid. Not going to be as good as a longbow user of course, but it'll get you buy. You're at least not going full Harsk. :P

[wraithstrike]

N. Jolly wrote:

Yeah, if you do nothing else, PLEASE go Bolt Ace 5, and then take whatever other levels you want. BA 5 is getting you dex to damage, so you're a monster, and it honestly won't really mess up your slayer progression at all while making your bowing way more dangerous. I'd honestly suggest just going straight Ace, but that's because I'm not a huge fan of Slayers.

This is what I was going to say.

[Timdog]

I've wanted a valid crossbow build. Dot!