Hornet (Martial Artist Archetype)

The hornet is a martial artist who prefers to stay out of melee combat, choosing instead to stay back with a good collection of thrown weapons or a ranged weapon and plenty of ammunition. While by all accounts still a martial artist, the hornet’s techniques do rely more on weaponry than other members of the class.

Weapon Proficiency: Hornets are proficient with all simple weapons, plus all martial ranged and thrown weapons. This alters the martial artist’s weapon proficiencies.

Defensive Movement (Ex): A hornet only gains the benefit of her defensive instinct as long as she moves at least 10 feet on each of her turns.

Ranged Finesse (Ex): At 1st level, a hornet can choose Precise Shot or Rapid Reload as a bonus feat in place of finesse training. At 3rd level, she treats composite bows as finesse weapons and can choose Crossbow Mastery as a bonus feat in place of finesse training. The hornet does not need to meet the prerequisites for these feats. At 11th level, if she has chosen the options above, the hornet can add her full Dexterity bonus (if any) to the damage she deals with bows or crossbows. This alters finesse training. Rapid Shot (Ex): At 1st level, a hornet gains Rapid Shot as a bonus feat, even if she does not meet the prerequisites. Beginning at 2nd level, the hornet can use Rapid Shot to attack twice at any time before, during, or after her move, but she takes an additional –2 penalty on each attack to do so (–4 total). At 6th level, the penalty is reduced back to –2, and at 10th level, the penalty goes away entirely if the hornet moves on her turn.

At 11th level, a hornet can make an additional attack (3 total)at her highest base attack bonus when she uses Rapid Shot. This attack can be made when moving or standing still and stacks with additional attacks from haste and similar effects.

This ability replaces flurry, martial arts, and the style feats gained at 2nd, 6th, and 10th level.

Evasion (Ex): A hornet does not gain this ability until 9th level, and does not gain improved evasion until 18th level. This alters evasion and improved evasion and replaces the style feat gained at 18th level.

Uncanny Shot (Ex): At 14th level, a hornet can add her martial arts damage to her weapon damage on her first successful attack each round. This is considered precision damage and does not multiply on a critical hit. This replaces the style feat gained at 14th level.

* The character chooses 2 of the following skills and substitutes Acrobatics for them. Climb, Disable Device, Escape Artist, Intimidate, Perform (dance), Sleight of Hand, Stealth, and Swim.