Swords aren’t the only thing fighters are good for. Take some Archer Path and blend in a healthy dose of Weapon Specialization and you’ve got a master with the bow.
The Bowmaster
The Bowmaster combines two paths in a manner so obvious that it passes reason that any archer character wouldn’t heavily consider doing this. The bowmaster, naturally, is an Elf. As an Elf, he takes full advantage of archer-friendly items such as a Cloak & Boots of Elvenkind.
- Point Blank Shot, Weapon Focus (Longbow)
- Rapid Shot
- Precise Shot
- Weapon Specialization (Longbow), Dodge
- –
- Mobility, Shot on the Run
- –
- Improved Critical
- Far Shot
He uses the Longbow for both stylistic purposes and the 1d8 damage (with x3 critical on a natural 20). While a heavy crossbow deals more damage in early levels, the rate of fire cannot be improved, and thus loses the advantages of Rapid Shot and the inherent multiple attacks of the fighter class. When possible, the archer will get ahold of magical arrows and novelty arrows (such as whistlers and ropecutters) to improve damage-dealing and to make him generally trickier.
Moreso than a melee-intensive fighter, the Bowmaster picks and chooses his targets. Making good use of Mobility and Shot on the Run to stay out of toe-to-toe combat, the Bowmaster has his pick of the field of battle. He draws no advantage from flanking, and as a result need not bother with it. He strikes those who need striking, peppering enemy spellcasters with interrupting shots while dealing out a modest degree of damage.
Note that at Level 9 the Bowmaster has pretty much expended the stock feats in the field of archery. All that remains related to his beloved bow is Mounted Archery, which would require him to take up the shortbow instead. He would be well-served by some diversification, but the bow specialist is an excellent candidate for temptation into a prestige class.