So I absolutely love the fluff of this archetype, I think it has a lot of RP potential in Urban campaigns (though I wish it stacked with URBAN HUNTER). However, the loss of both medium armour and shields on a class that greatly benefits from going strength based melee is a bit of a hit. How would you go about mitigating this? Keep a strength build and take a hit to AC? Go finesse and slashing grace or dervish dancer and pay a heavy feat tax to one hand weapons without a shield? Spend a feat on medium armor proficiency or shield proficiency? Just go ranged despite not playing to the Hunter's strengths?
You could focus on letting your pet do the heavy lifting in combat. Build yourself to buff and be where you are needed to flank.
Archer and melee companion.
Dip a level of Mad Dog barbarian You gain, medium armour, couple of HP (if you take it as your first level), full companion progression and a little rage. You lose a little casting and will saves fall behind every third level.
Dip a level of druid possibly nature fang archetype? Full Animal Companion, boost to will saves and your medium armour. Wearing metal armour just means you can't cast spells. Does hurt your BaB.
Dipping into Nature Fang doesn't sound too bad. What teamwork feats would be useful if I decided to try archery with a melee companion?
Dipping into Nature Fang doesn't sound too bad. What teamwork feats would be useful if I decided to try archery with a melee companion?
Escape route? In case you're pinned down or in the front.