Hunter Unchained? Looking for advice!

[Mizoguchi]

One of my players is really keen to play the Hunter, on account of the way it fights as a team with its animal companion, and the fact it fits neatly with their character concept.

I've heard several reviews though stating that the Hunter is a weak class that doesn't compare favorably with either the Druid or the Ranger. I was wondering what people think are the classes main issues? And more importantly, what would be needed to improve it? (A custom Unchained version if you will)

More BAB or combat feats like the Ranger? Access to an ability like wild shape? A tougher animal companion?

[Kryzbyn]

Hunter is fine as is.

For some thoughts on hunter, check out this thread:
Hunter Thread

[Mizoguchi]

Kryzbyn wrote:

Hunter is fine as is.

For some thoughts on hunter, check out this thread:
Hunter Thread

Great, thanks Kryzbyn! Yeah I like the look of the class personally, but we're also very new to Pathfinder so I thought I might be missing something

[Calth]

The hunter basically suffers from the same issue as the warpriest, both are overshadowed by their full caster equivalent, and have a very narrow design space. A ranger will typically be better at combat than a hunter, but the hunter will be more flexible outside of combat. But a hunter and the druid are about the same in combat, if not leaning druid, and a druid is much better out of combat. You cant make the hunter full BAB while retaining 6th level casting or you basically obsolete the ranger.

The hunter itself isn't really the problem, its that the druid class is much better and covers mostly the same ground, and the ground that isn't covered by the druid is covered by the ranger.

[Michael Sayre]

Hunter is a fine class, and is really one of the strongest classes at levels 1-5 if played properly. Its reliance on teamwork feats requires a player to exercise a bit more system mastery than other classes, but can be very rewarding when executed properly.

I did a couple mid-op builds back when the class first came out, here's the ranged build, and here's the melee build.

One of the big advantages the class has is that it takes off much faster than the Ranger and Druid, with early access to great spells and a more powerful animal companion than the other nature warriors. Its proficiency with martial weapons and access to spells like gravity bow and lead blades right from first level help make it a real powerhouse, eclipsing the Druid and Ranger until their more potent class features pick up steam, and its ability to apply free enhancements to its companion makes it easier to keep their companion competitive and dangerous when the Druid and Ranger will be forced to split more of their WBL to keep their pets in the game.

The fact that it gains Ranger or Druid spells at the lowest level available is a frequently underestimated boon that makes it a more powerful caster than its 6 level progression would initially indicate; for example, the Hunter gains animal growth only 1 level after the druid and 3-4 levels before the Ranger, and gains the potent strong jaw spell at the same level as the Druid, and 3-4 levels before the Ranger. The Hunter also gains access to lead blades 4-5 levels before the Ranger, and the Druid never gains lead blades at all.

The Hunter is a stronger caster than the Ranger, has distinct combat advantages over the Druid through the first quarter of the game thanks to superior proficiencies and early access spells, and has the strongest pet of the three. Free Teamwork feats and the ability to automatically share its teamwork feats with its pet can also give it distinct action economy advantages with properly chosen options, and in Pathfinder, action economy is one of the most relevant factors in determining whether a fight is won or lost.

The Hunter is far from a weak class, and has the potential to be one of the strongest combatants on the field for a very healthy stretch of the game. Its 6+Int skills, good proficiencies, and surprisingly solid casting also give it a deep pool of options to pull from, making it one of the longest lasting classes, able to push through an adventuring day with remarkable stamina.

[Deighton Thrane]

I think Ssalarn's pretty much on point with this one. The hunter is a class that might not look great on paper, especially when you compare it to the druid or ranger, who have really obvious mechanical advantages in better casting and better BAB, but plays really well in game. The key to having a really strong hunter is using teamwork feats well. The ability to not just count your AC as having your teamwork feats, like an inquisitor, but to actually provide them for the AC is incredibly strong. Between pack flanking and outflank, you're looking at a +4 to attack. Broken Wing Gambit is essentially Come And Get Me for hunters, and allows for many more attacks than your already impressive action economy would allow. Just have the player read some of the guides or threads about how to use teamwork feats, and they should be just fine. More than fine actually, low level they'll likely be the most useful party member(s).