I’ve looked for a spell-less Bard or Hunter Archetype, but couldn’t find one. I’m trying to create a character for a new player based on the Halfling Hunter art on page 52 of Ultimate Wilderness. The player isn't interested in being a spellcaster.
My goal is to create a good support class with a wilderness theme. I’ve looked at many Bard, Hunter, Rogue and other class archetypes and I’m gleaning from a few of them. I’m using the Hunter as a base class. The Hunter’s spontaneous spell casting, combining the Bard’s and Ranger’s spell list, is quite good. I’m replacing the spellcasting with a form of Wild Knowledge ( ACG p.81); two Bardic Performances: Inspire Courage and Song of the Wild (ACG p.81); and four Rogue Talents. I’ve also eliminated one of the Hunter’s Teamwork Feats.
Forest Singer
Alignment: Any Neutral
Hit Dice: d8
Parent Classes: Hunter (Druid & Ranger) and Bard
Starting Wealth: 4d6 x 10 gp (average 140 gp)
BAB: 2/3
Fort Save: Good
Reflex Save: Good
Will Save: Average
Skills: Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Heal (Wis), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (dungeoneering) (Int), Knowledge (geography) (Int), Knowledge (nature) (Int), Linguistics (Int), Perception (Wis), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Stealth (Dex), Survival (Wis), and Swim (Str).
Skill Ranks per Level: 6 + Int modifier.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A Forest Singer is proficient with all simple and martial weapons and with light armor, medium armor, and shields (except tower shields).
Spells: A Forest Singer has no spell capability and no caster level.
Class Features
1st: Animal Companion, Animal Focus, Inspire Courage +1, Nature Training, Wild Empathy, Wild Knowledge
2nd: Precise Companion, Track
3rd: Hunter Tactics, Song of the Wild, Teamwork Feat
4th: Improved Empathic Link, Rogue Talent
5th: Inspire Courage +2, Woodland Stride
6th: Teamwork Feat
7th: Bonus Trick
8th: Rogue Talent, Second Animal Focus, Swift Tracker
9th: Teamwork Feat
10th: Raise Animal Companion, Song of the Wild (2 allies)
11th: Inspire Courage +3, Speak with Master
12th: Advanced Rogue Talent or Teamwork Feat
13th: Bonus Trick
14th: Greater Empathic Link
15th: Teamwork Feat
16th: Advanced Rogue Talent
17th: Inspire Courage +4, One with the Wild, Song of the Wild (3 allies)
18th: Teamwork Feat
19th: Bonus Trick
20th: Advance Rogue Talent, Mater Hunter
Wild Knowledge (Ex): At 1st level, a Forest Singer adds 1/2 her level (minimum 1) to all Knowledge (nature) and Knowledge (geography) checks. He can use Knowledge (geography) and Knowledge (nature) untrained.
Any thoughts and insight would be helpful.
Have you considered a hunt caller skald with Nature Soul, Animal Ally, Boon Companion, and Pack Tactics? The skald uses the bard spell list and the archetype adds a limited choice of druid spells. Skald also gets proficiency in all simple and martial weapons, as well as light and medium armor.
Or maybe just beast master ranger with Boon Companion, Fey Spell Versatility, Pack Tactics, and ranks in perform? Combat ability is better, but spellcasting is worse.
The only issue is that these options don't start with an animal companion at 1st level.