The Pistoliers of the Imperial army are famous for their riding skills and marksmanship. Many Pistoliers in the Imperial army are younger sons of nobles, and some of them become highwaymen when fallen upon hard times. Most pistoliers make a living as brigands or enforcers.
The Pistolier uses a mobile fighting style on foot or horseback. The preferred tactic is to fire a fusillade at point blank range before closing with the enemy. Since pistols are slow to reload, most Pistoliers carry a brace of pistols in battle, sometimes as many as half a dozen, as well as a close combat weapon.
Requirements
To qualify to become an Imperial Pistolier, one must fulfill all the following criteria:
Base Attack Bonus: +4
Feats: Exotic Weapon Proficieny (Firearms), Point Blank Shot and Ambidexterity.
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the Imperial Pistolier prestige class.
Hit Die: d8.
Class Skills: The Imperial Pistolier's class skills are Appraise (Int?), Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Diplomacy (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Listen (Wis), Ride (Dex), Search (Int), Spot (Wis), Tumble (Dex), Wilderness Lore (Wis).
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The Imperial Pistolier is proficient with firearms. They are proficient with light and medium armor, but not with shields. Note that armor check penalties for armor heavier than leather apply to the skills Balance, Climb, Escape Artist, Hide, Jump, Move Silently, Pick Pocket, and Tumble.
| Level | Attack | Fort | Ref | Will | Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | +1 | +0 | +2 | +0 | Dead Eye +1, Close Combat Shot |
| 2nd | +2 | +0 | +3 | +0 | Dead Eye +2, Both Guns Blazing |
| 3rd | +3 | +1 | +3 | +1 | Dead Eye +3, Quick Draw |
| 4th | +4 | +1 | +4 | +1 | Dead Eye +4, Improved Initiative |
| 5th | +5 | +1 | +4 | +1 | Dead Eye +5, Stand and Fire |
Close Combat Shot: The Pistolier can attack with a ranged weapon in a threatened area and not provoke an attack of opportunity.
Dead Eye: This bonus is added to ranged weapon damage at point blank range (30 feet). This stacks with Weapon Specialization. This damage bonus applies to all targets, even those that are immune to critical hits.
Both Guns Blazing: The Pistolier can fire a pistol in each hand. This works like Two Weapon Fighting, but only with firearms. If the Pitoliers make all attacks against a single target, he ignores the normal penalty for attacking with two weapons 1.
Quick Draw: The Pistolier gains the Quick Draw feat. If he already has this feat, he gains Improved Quick Draw. This allows him to holster a pistol (or other weapon) and draw another as a free action.
Improved Reaction: The Pistolier gains +2 to initiative. This stacks with Improved Initiative.
Stand and Fire: When someone enters an area the Pistolier threatens, he can make an opportunity attack against him.
Notes
1 The penalty for attacking with two weapons is normally -2 for the Pistolier since they have Ambidexterity and Two Weapon Fighting.