Commander (Apath)

Unofficial rules compendium

The officer is a defensive Cavalier archetype focused on group tactics and tight formations rather than on an aggressive charge. The officer is a front-line fighter, but also a support character somewhat similar to the cleric or paladin in defensive abilities.

The abilities of the officer may trouble some player's suspension of disbelief, but remember that the time scale in Pathfinder is arbitrary and hit points can be a question of morale.

Rally

Once per day, an officer can rally nearby allies. As a standard action, the officer exhorts himself and his comrades to fight with renewed vigor and determination. This affects the officer and any allies within 30 ft. Targets must be able to see or hear the officer. A rallied creature gains 1 bonus Hit Dice (d10s), the commensurate number of temporary hit points (apply the target’s Constitution modifier, if any, to these bonus Hit Dice), and a +1 competence bonus on attack rolls and armor class. The bonus Hit Dice count as regular Hit Dice for determining the effect of spells that are Hit Dice dependent. Rally is a mind-affecting ability and lasts for 1 minute.

The officer can use this ability once per day at 1st level, plus one additional time per day for every three levels beyond 1st, to a maximum of seven times per day at 19th level. Multiple uses do not stack, but temporary hit points overlap

At level 5, and each 5 levels thereafter, the bonus from a rally increases, giving one extra hit dice and increasing the attack and armor class bonus by one.

This ability replaces the Challenge ability.

Command

The officer can spend a Standard Action to give an order to an ally within 150 ft. that can hear the officer (excluding the officer himself). The targeted ally can take what is normally a full-round action or a standard and a move action as an immediate action. If using command on allies 3 levels (or HD) or more lower than the officer's level, up to 5 allies can be commanded at once.

This replaces the Mount ability.

Officer Orders

An officer belongs to an order just as a cavalier does. The officer does not get his order's Challenge ability, as he lacks a challenge. See below for special cases on order abilities. This is a modification to the Order ability.

• Order of the Sword: The level 15 ability Knight's Challenge is replaced by Knight's Rallying Cry. At 15th level, the cavalier can make a knight’s rallying cry once per day. This functions like a normal rally, but the officer adds his Charisma bonus on all attack rolls and damage roles made for the next three rounds. In addition, he receives a +4 circumstance bonus on attack rolls made to confirm critical hits.

Officer's Charge

At 3rd level, the officer and anyone affected by the rally ability does not take a penalty to armor class when charging. This replaces the Cavalier's Charge ability.

Swift Rally

At 4th level, the officer can use rally as a swift action. This replaces the Expert Trainer ability.

Surging Charge

At 11th level, when the officer makes a charge, allies under that officer's rally ability can take an immediate action to charge immediately afterwards. This replaces the Mighty Charge ability.

Frightening Rally

At 12th level, when using the rally ability, any enemies within 20 ft. of the officer must make a Fortitude saving throw (DC 10 + ½ the officer's level + the officers Charisma modifier) or be frightened for one round. This is a mind-affecting fear effect.

A frightened creature flees from the source of its fear as best it can. If unable to flee, it may fight. A frightened creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. A frightened creature can use special abilities, including spells, to flee; indeed, the creature must use such means if they are the only way to escape.

This replaces the Demanding Challenge ability.

Supreme Command

Once per day at level 20, the officer can use Command as a swift action to affect all allies (excluding himself) within 30 ft. This replaces the Mighty Charge ability.