Tandem Hunter (Ranger/Summoner)

Hunters tend to be loners when venturing into the wilds to track their quarry. However, some employ a summoned ally to aid them in the hunt. Over time, the tandem hunter and his companion stalker develop techniques that allow them to think and act as one. Among these are a system of coordinated attacks, shared tactics, and a unique bond that enables the tandem hunter to share the sense of his stalker. Although these techniques have transformed both the tandem hunter and companion stalker into fearsome foes, they are equally efficient and deadly when left to their own devices. (Orignial Concept by Elghinn Lightbringer)

Primary Class: Ranger.

Secondary Class: Summoner.

Alignment: Any.

Hit Dice: d10.

Bonus Skills and Ranks: The tandem hunter may select three summoner skills to add to his class skills in addition to the normal ranger class skills. The tandem hunter gains a number of ranks at each level equal to 4 + Int modifier.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The tandem hunter is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, with light and medium armor, and with shields (except tower shields).

Favored Enemy (Ex): This is exactly like the ranger ability of the same name, except that the tandem hungers may select a favored enemy at 1st level and every seven levels thereafter, up to a third favored enemies at 15th level.

Companion Stalker: This is exactly like the summoner’s eidolon ability, but the tandem hunter may only select biped or quadruped as the stalker’s base form. The stalker’s physical appearance is up to the tandem hunter, but it always appears as some powerful predatory creature that suits the tandem hunter’s favored terrain. This ability replaces hunter’s bond and the ranger’s 4th and 5th favored enemy.

Life Link (Su): At 1st level, a tandem hunter gains the summoner’s life link ability. This ability replaces wild empathy.

Bond Senses (Su): At 2nd level, a tandem hunter gains the summoner’s bond senses ability. This ability replaces Endurance.

Favored Terrain (Ex): This is exactly like the ranger’s ability of the same name, except that the tandem hunter selects only one favored terrain, and his bonus increases by +2 every five levels after 3rd, to a maximum of +6 at 18th level.

Body Double (Sp): Starting at 4th level, a tandem hunter can create a number of quasi-real doubles of himself. Drawing upon this ability uses the same power as the tandem hunter uses to call his companion stalker. As a result, he can only use this ability when his stalker is not summoned. He can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + his Wisdom modifier as a standard action and the doubles remain for 1 minute per level.

A tandem hunter can create one double at 4th level, plus an additional double every four levels thereafter, to a maximum of five at 20th level. Each body double remains in the tandem hunter’s square, and moves and mimics all the tandem hunter’s sounds and actions. A double has a number of hit points equal to the tandem hunter’s level + his Constitution modifier, an AC of 10 + 1/2 the tandem hunter’s level, and can make one attack per round with a base attack bonus equal to 1/2 the tandem hunter’s level. A double uses whatever weapon the tandem hunter is wielding at the time of casting, but deals only half damage (minimum 1). If a double confirms a critical hit against an opponent, it deals only half its critical hit damage. In addition, a double uses the tandem hunter’s poor saves for attacks or spells that require a saving throw.

Similar to the mirror image spell, whenever the tandem hunter is attacked or is the target of a spell that requires an attack roll, there is a possibility that the attack targets one of the doubles instead. If the attack is a hit, a random roll is made to see whether the selected target is the tandem hunter or a double. If it is a double, the double takes damage as normal. If a double is reduced to 0 hit points, whether from an attack or a spell, it is destroyed. A double can otherwise be affected in the same way as the tandem hunter from attacks and spells. This ability and greater body double replace the ranger’s spell casting ability.

Shared Hunting (Ex): At 5th level, the tandem hunter can grant his companion stalker the benefits of his favored enemy, favored terrain, or track ability. Each round, as a swift action, the tandem hunter can change which ability is active. Only one of these abilities can be in effect at a time. This ability replaces the combat style feat gained at 2nd level.

Flanker (Ex): Beginning at 6th level, any ally adjacent to the tandem hunter or his companion stalker when they are flanking also gain a flanking bonus as if they were part of the flanking action. This ability replaces combat style feat at 6th level.

Hunter’s Call (Su): This is exactly like the summoner’s maker’s call ability, except that the tandem hunter can use this ability once per day at 9th level, plus one additional time per day for every three levels beyond 9th. This ability replaces combat style feat at 10th level.

Shared Stride (Ex): At 10th level, the tandem strider’s companion stalker gains the benefits of his woodland stride ability. This ability replaces the ranger’s 2nd and 3rd favored terrain.

Greater Flanker (Ex): At 12th level, whenever the tandem hunter and his companion stalker flank an opponent, they gain the benefits of the Outflank teamwork feat. Allies adjacent to them during this flanking action only receive the +2 flank bonus as normal. This ability replaces camouflage.

Transposition (Su): This is exactly like the summoner ability of the same name, except that it applies to the tandem hunter’s companion stalker instead.

Greater Body Double (Sp): At 14th level, a tandem hunter’s body double can make a second iterative attack per round with a –5 penalty. Thus, a double summoned by a 14th level tandem hunter would have a +7 bonus with its first attack, and a +2 bonus with its second attack. In addition, a double gains a +4 bonus to its AC. This ability and body double replace the ranger’s spell casting ability.

Camouflage (Ex): This is exactly like the ranger’s ability of the same name and replaces hide in plain sight.

Shared Quarry (Ex): At 17th level, the tandem hunter’s companion stalker gains the benefits of his quarry ability. This ability replaces the ranger’s 4th favored terrain.

Master Flanker (Ex): At 18th level, any ally that is adjacent to the tandem hunter or his companion stalker when they are flanking also gain the benefits of the Outflank teamwork feat as if they had the feat. This ability replaces combat style feat at 18th level.

Twin Hunter (Su): This is exactly like the summoner’s twin eidolon ability and replaces master hunter.

Table: Tandem Hunter