Bounty Hunter (3.5e Class)

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Bounty hunter

Class description by Robert Rath used with permission, Hunters Creed by Patrick Parker: http://www.community3e.com/dn/class/BountyHunter.pdf

In civilized lands, local lords call upon bounty hunters to capture criminals that live or have traveled beyond their reach or criminals that outclass the knights or soldiers in the lords employ. Closer to the frontier, the bounty hunter might be the only law capable of bringing dangerous criminals to justice. Those who hire bounty hunters both like them, and scorn them.

Evil bounty hunters might seek to recapture the innocent or bring selected captives to cult leaders as sacrifices. They might belong to these cults, or work for pay. Evil bounty hunters might also hunt down good adventurers in the name of evil forces.

Making a Bounty hunter

Abilities: All abilities are crucial to a Bounty hunter, each with its own significant impact on his ability to do his job. Strength raises a Bounty hunters combat ability and damage output which he uses to apprehend the criminals, as well as being linked to the number of times a day a Bounty hunter can use his Freedom of movement ability. Dexterity affects a Bounty hunters ability to disable traps and pick locks and his stealth abilities. Constitution raises a Bounty hunters toughness and hit points and therefore his ability to stand against his quarry. A Bounty hunter also gains his constitution bonus as a bonus on saves against special attacks or spells of his quarries. A high intelligence bonus allows a Bounty hunter to have a larger selection of skills and therefore making him a more versatile hunter. Wisdom is directly linked to a hunters track skill which is a staple required ability to hunt down his quarries as well as detecting lies from others while hunting down his quarry. Charisma powers the hunters social skills which allow him to gather information about a quarry, diplomatically negotiate a price for a quarry, bluff his way out of a situation, bully someone around for information or even pretending to be someone else while in disguise. Charisma is also linked to a Bounty hunters urban tracking feat which allows him to track quarries in cities.

Background:Long ago there was a villain so powerful that the local lords and knights shivered with fear. His fighting skill was such that he would destroy anyone in his path and no one was good enough to fight him. Then a mysterious man came to the king and asked if the king needed assistance in tracking this man down. The king then laughed at the man and agreed to pay him a very heavy sum (not expecting him to return). Weeks went by and there was no word from the mysterious man. Until one day the man marched back into town with the villain thrown over his shoulder. He went to the king to receive his payment and the king stared at him in awe. After receiving the payment the king offered the man his knighthood, but the man refused and walked out of the kingdom never to be seen again. This man was the first Bounty hunter of record. After this many Bounty hunters began to spring up throughout the realm. Showing their employers their ability to track, fight and trap, they travel from town to town in order to make money. They have also learned to be masters of disguise. Standing right next to their prey and falling their foes without them even knowing what hit them.

Characteristics: Bounty hunters are relentless in their pursuit of good or evil. Once given a task they will stop at nothing to accomplish their mission, no matter the difficulty of their apprehension. They can sense when their prey is near and become obsessed and focused on their victim. They also gain amazing speed when in pursuit of their prey and are masters of tracking, stealth and traps.

Races: Most races can become Bounty hunters. Humans with their ambition and greed like to become Bounty hunters to earn riches by bringing in criminals while some take to Bounty hunting to progress their abilities while others seek justice for the world. Elves, who normally care little for riches and gold, and who are generally more chaotic in nature find it hard to adapt to the Bounty hunters role. Dwarves sometimes seek justice and have been known to carry a little greed themselves, however, most Dwarves lack the stealth and speed needed to track their Quarries over long periods of time. The same can be said for Halflings and Gnomes, their small size prevents them from moving fast enough to catch their prey and even if speed weren't an issue, transporting the Quarry back for reward may also be awkward for these smaller races. Half-orcs and other large races such as Half-Giants, Half-dragons, and the planetouched Aasimar and Tiefling all could make excellent Bounty hunters, especially the Aasimar with their wisdom and charisma bonuses useful for tracking down the Quarry.

Alignment: Bounty hunters must be any non-chaotic alignment. This non-chaotic nature does not represent that the Bounty hunters must follow the law of the land, but rather they all must follow a higher cause, and a higher law .. the hunters creed ..

Starting Gold: 6d4 times 10 gp (125 gp).

Starting Age: "Moderate" or "As fighter"


Table: The Bounty hunter

Hit Die: d10

Level Base
Attack Bonus
Saving Throws Special
Fort Ref Will
1st +1 +2 +2 +0 Hunter's Creed, Quarry (1), Nonleathal Force, Track, Trapfinding
2nd +2 +3 +3 +0 Merciful Strike, Urban Tracking
3rd +3 +3 +3 +1 Trackless Step, Endurance
4th +4 +4 +4 +1 Quarry (2), Tenacious Pursuit (+10 ft)
5th +5 +4 +4 +1 Swift Tracker
6th +6/+1 +5 +5 +2 Flawless Stride, Silencing Strike
7th +7/+2 +5 +5 +2 Quarry (3), Ready for Anything
8th +8/+3 +6 +6 +2 Camouflage, Tenacious Pursuit (+20 ft)
9th +9/+4 +6 +6 +3 True Determination, Swift and Silent
10th +10/+5 +7 +7 +3 Quarry (4), Weakening Critical, Track the Trackless
11th +11/+6/+1 +7 +7 +3 See Invisibility, Mind Shield
12th +12/+7/+2 +8 +8 +4 Tenacious Pursuit (+30 ft), Locate Creature
13th +13/+8/+3 +8 +8 +4 Quarry (5), Freedom of Movement
14th +14/+9/+4 +9 +9 +4 Hide in Plain Sight
15th +15/+10/+5 +9 +9 +5 Find the Path
16th +16/+11/+6/+1 +10 +10 +5 Quarry (6), Tenacious Pursuit (+40 ft)
17th +17/+12/+7/+2 +10 +10 +5 Shadowy Figure,
18th +18/+13/+8/+3 +11 +11 +5 Professional Instincts
19th +19/+14/+9/+4 +11 +11 +5 Quarry (7)
20th +20/+15/+10/+5 +12 +12 +6 Tenacious Pursuit (+50 ft)

Class Skills (6 + Int modifier per level, ×4 at 1st level)
Appraise (Int), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disable Device (Int), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Gather Information (Cha), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (Nature) (Int), Knowledge (Local) (Int), Listen (Wis) Move Silently (Dex), Open Lock (Dex), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Search (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex), Use Rope (Dex).

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the Bounty hunter.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Bounty hunters are proficient with all simple and martial weapons as well as with a Sai, Whip, Hand Crossbow, all repeating crossbows and Net. Bounty hunters are proficient with light and medium armors and with bucklers but not any other shields.

Hunter's Creed: Bounty hunters must follow a code of ethics called The Hunter's Creed, sometimes just referred to as The Creed. The Hunter's Creed is a series of beliefs set fowarth by the first Bounty hunters and is still followed to this day. The Bounty hunter must follow The Creed at all times (See Ex-Bounty hunters below).

  • People Don’t Have Bounties, Only Quarries Have Bounties: This single, cardinal rule, more that any other, defines the way in which Bounty hunters approach their chosen profession. It reflects the idea that sapient beings, to some degree, must be accorded respect. If, however, an individual has a bounty placed on them, he or she ceases to be an individual with rights. No longer a member of the galactic community, the "quarry" becomes fair game. Tears should never be shed over the fate of someone who is after all... "Only a quarry."
  • Capture By Design, Kill By Necessity: In keeping with the loosely defined Hunter code of ethics, killing is sometimes necessary. That’s business, pure and simple. However, unnecessary killing is still murder. The Bounty hunter, unless otherwise directed by those leveling the bounty, must attempt to deliver the quarry alive. Often those leveling the bounty have a vested interest in a live target - and the target might be better off trying to get killed by the Bounty hunter.
  • No hunter Shall Slay Another hunter: Simply put, no matter their origin Bounty hunters see themselves as a special breed. They take their lives (and those of others) into their hands each time they hunt. One may agree with another hunters motives, or damn him for the manner in which they carry out their hunts, but no Bounty hunter may ever knowingly take up arms against a fellow hunter. This law applies only to hunters who themselves follow the creed. Those whom have broken the creed, or those that have a bounty posted on their head are merely quarries. In such cases the ex-hunter is no longer seen as a member of the common fellowship and old scores can now be settled with impunity. The hunter has become the hunted.
  • No hunter Shall Interfere With Another's Hunt: While it is not unheard of for Bounty hunters to work together as a team, the hunt for a given quarry is most often viewed as a form of personal duel between two sapient creatures. In such a duel the hunter matches skills, wit and courage against all the resources that one's opponent can bring to bear. If the hunter wins it is a personal triumph denoting superior skill and intellect, not simply a question of luck. To interfere in another’s hunt, unless first invited is to leave the question of "who is better" open and perhaps forever, unresolved. Of course competition between hunters is often fierce and there is often a very thin line between "compensation" and "interference." This being true, while a Bounty hunter is constrained from taking direct action against another hunter, there is nothing to constrain a Bounty hunter from hiring others to do the dirty work. Of course if such an action, successful or not, can be traced back to the original perpetrator serious consequences inevitably follow.
  • In The Hunt One Captures Or Kills, Never Both: In the case where the quarry has been taken alive, that "choice" cannot be altered. To kill a quarry in the course of the hunt is one thing, but to purposely kill an unarmed, helpless being already subdued and unable to resist is seen as simple slaughter and wanton butchery. A quarry "killed while trying to escape" however, would be an entirely different matter altogether.
  • No hunter Shall Refuse Aid To Another hunter: While no hunter has the right to interfere in another’s hunt, there comes times when even the best among master Bounty hunters require assistance. In extreme cases any hunter may ask and expect to receive aid and assistance from another hunter, even if it means the latter must temporarily suspend his or her own hunt in the mean time to render such aid. Whatever personal grievances or animosities may be involved between the two parties, it is known and understood that Bounty hunters take care of their own. Of course such assistance is not without a price tag, and the arbitration of payment after the fact can often put a substantial dent in the requesting Bounty hunters expected profit.

Quarry (Ex): A Bounty hunter can target, or mark, an individual humanoid, monstrous humanoid, giant, outsider (native), or any other creature who is partially or mostly humanoid in shape for this to work, such as Aasimar, Teifling, Rakasha, Half dragon, Dragonkin, Mind flayers, Zombies, Skeletons, Vampires, etc. To quarry an individual of the aforementioned creature types a Bounty hunter must focus on a foe who is present and visible, or on the depiction or description of one who isn't for 10 minutes. Any interruption ruins the attempt and forces the Bounty hunter to start the process again. Once the study is complete that target is now called a quarry. A Bounty hunter adds one half of his Bounty hunter level (rounded down to a minimum of +1) as an insight bonus on all gather information, listen, search, spot, and survival checks made to determine the whereabouts of a quarry. As a Bounty hunter gains levels he gains additional abilities that can be used against a quarry. If a Bounty hunter chooses a new quarry before apprehending an existing one, the latter becomes unmarked and is no longer considered a quarry. The Bounty hunter loses an amount of experience equal to what he would have earned from defeating that unmarked creature. A Bounty hunter can choose a quarry a number of times per week as he has quarry spots. For example, a 3rd level Bounty hunter may choose a quarry only once per week, while a 20th level Bounty hunter may choose a new quarry up to 7 times per week. Initially a Bounty hunter can only have one quarry at a time. At 4th and every 3 levels thereafter a Bounty hunter can have an additional quarry, but only if all the quarries are chosen in the same study process. For example a 4th level Bounty hunter could mark two bugbears in the same group of prisoners, or on the depictions of a bugbear and a hobgoblin if both were studied at the same time. If a Bounty hunter gives up on hunting any of his quarries, all remaining marked creatures become unmarked as described above.

Track: (R1) At first level a Bounty hunter gains Track as a bonus feat.

Nonlethal Force (Ex): At first level a Bounty hunter can use any weapon that deals lethal damage to deal nonlethal damage instead without taking the normal -4 penalty to attack rolls.

Trapfinding: Bounty hunters can use the search skill to locate traps when the the task has a Difficulty Class higher than 20. Finding a nonmagical trap has a DC of at least 20, or higher if it is well hidden. Finding a magical trap has a DC of 25 + the level of the spell used to create it. Bounty hunters can use the Disable Device skill to disarm magic traps. A magic trap generally has a DC of 25 + the level of the spell used to create it. A Bounty hunter who beats the traps DC by 10 or more with a Disable Device check can study a trap, figure out how it works, and bypass it (with her party) without disarming it.

Merciful Strike (Ex): At 2nd level a Bounty hunter can turn any potentially killing blow into an incapacitating one, useful for bringing a quarry back for punishment. At the Bounty hunters option any attack he makes, that would reduce any foe to -2 or fewer hit points reduces the foe to -1 instead. A Bounty hunter must choose to use this ability immediately upon reducing his foe to -2 or fewer hit points, and before making any other actions, even before continuing a full attack action, or even before using any feats such as cleave. A raging Bounty hunter can not use this ability.

Urban Tracking: A Bounty hunter gains Urban Tracking as a bonus feat at 2nd level. ( found on page or page 154 in Races of Destiny or page 56 of the Unearth Arcana)

Trackless Step (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, a Bounty hunter leaves no trail in natural surroundings and cannot be tracked. He may choose to leave a trail if so desired.

Endurance: A Bounty hunter gains Endurance as a bonus feat at 3rd level.

Tenacious Pursuit (Ex): At 4th level a Bounty hunter receives a +4 bonus on constitution checks made to resist non-lethal damage from a forced march while tracking a quarry. In addition, a Bounty hunter tracking a quarry can raise his base speed by 10 ft up to a maximum of the quarry's speed. This bonus increases by 10 ft every 4 levels and stacks with all other speed increases.

Swift Tracker (Ex): Starting at 5th level a Bounty hunter can move at his normal speed while following tracks without taking the normal -5 penalty. He only takes a -10 (Instead of the normal -20) when moving at up to twice normal speed while tracking.

Flawless Stride (Ex): Starting at 6th level, a Bounty Hunter can move through any sort of terrain that slows movement (such as undergrowth, rubble and similar terrain) at his normal speed and without taking damage or suffering any other imparment.

This ability does not allow him to move more quickly through terrain that requires a Climb or Swim check to navigate, nor can he move more quickly through terrain or undergrowth that has been magically manipulated to impede movement.

A Bounty Hunter loses this ability when wearing heavy armor, or carrying a medium or heavy load.

Silencing Strike (Ex): At 6th level, if the Bounty hunter successfully hits a flatfooted opponent with a melee attack, the Bounty hunter may choose that the opponent is unable to speak for 2d2 rounds. This prevents casting spells with verbal components, or shouting warnings or alarms. This ability does not work on creatures immune to critical strikes such as undead.

Ready for Anything (Ex): Beginning at 7th level a Bounty hunter is ready for trickery at all times. Against a quarry, he can ready an action against his quarry, even outside the inniative sequence. If the quarry triggers the Bounty hunters readied action at any point within the next 10 minutes, the Bounty hunter can carry out his readied action as though the two were in combat (as long as the Bounty hunter is physically capable of carrying out that action). If the Bounty hunter is incapable of carrying out the action, for instance, if he is too far away to strike the quarry with a melee attack-the readied action is lost.

True Determination (Ex): Beginning at 9th level a Bounty hunter can add his Constitution bonus (if any) to will saves made to resist special attacks or spells of his quarry.

Swift and Silent (Ex): Beginning at 9th level, a Bounty hunter can move stealthily even at a quick pace. He no longer takes a -5 penalty on hide and move silently checks when moving at any speed up to his normal speed, and he takes only a -10 (instead of the normal -20) on hide and move silently checks when running. (He still takes the normal -20 on such checks when charging.)

Weakening Critical (Ex): Starting at 10th level a Bounty hunter can deliver strikes against his quarry with such precision that each successful critical also deals 2 points of strength damage to the quarry. A Bounty hunter can deliver a Weakening Critical with a melee attack or with a ranged attack from a distance of up to 30 ft.

Track the Trackless (Su): Starting at 10th level, a Bounty hunter can track someone under the influence of pass without trace, or similar effect though he takes a -20 on his Survival checks when doing so.

See Invisibility (Su): This ability, gained at 11th level, functions like the see invisibility spell, except that it is constantly in effect, and reveals only invisible quarries.

Mind Shield (Su): When a Bounty hunter reaches 11th level, he gains spell resistance against any divination spells equal to 15 + his Bounty hunter level. This benefit does not affect any other school of spells, nor does it stack with any other form of spell resistance.

Locate Creature (Sp): Once per day, a Bounty hunter of 12th level or higher can produce an effect identical to Locate Creature spell, that also functions on targets that are not quarries, with a caster level equal to his Bounty hunter class level.

Freedom of Movement (Su): Starting at 13th level the Bounty hunter can act normally regardless of magical effects that impede movement, as if he were affected by a freedom of movement spell. The effect lasts for a total time per day of 1 round per point of strength bonus the Bounty hunter possesses (minimum of 1 round). The effect occurs automatically as soon as its applied, and lasts until it runs out or is no longer needed, and can be used multiple times per day (up to the daily total limit of rounds). The characters caster level is equal to his Bounty hunter level.

Camouflage (Ex): A Bounty hunter of 14th level or higher can use the hide skill in any sort of natural terrain, even if the terrain does not grant cover or concealment.

Find the path (Sp): A 15th level Bounty hunter can use Find the Path, twice per day as the spell. His caster level is equal to his Bounty hunter level.

Shadowy Figure (Ex): At 17th level the Bounty hunter is always considered to be taking 10 on hide and move silently even while walking around normally, unless the Bounty hunter wants to be seen or heard. The DM must make opposed spot and listen checks for any NPC's to be aware of the Bounty hunters presence.

Hide in Plain Sight (Ex): While in any sort of terrain natural or otherwise, a Bounty hunter of 17th level or higher can use the hide skill even while being observed.

Professional Instincts (Su): When hunting a quarry, a 18th level Bounty hunter can make a special survival check to determine in which direction a quarry might be found if the quarry is within 1 mile of the Bounty hunter (DC 15 + targets HD). This ability works only against quarries. The DM should roll this check secretly for the Bounty hunter since the character should not know if he failed the check because of the die roll, or because the target is too far away. A Bounty hunter may try to use Professional Instincts only once per day.

Ex-Bounty hunters

A Bounty hunter who becomes chaotic in alignment or grossly violates the Hunter's Creed loses all class abilities (but not the feats or weapon, armor and shield proficiencies). He may not progress farther as a Bounty hunter. He regains his class abilities and advancement potential if he makes amends for his violations as appropriate, preferably with the begrieved party, but if that is not possible (either there is no party to make amends to, or the party in question wants nothing to do with forgiving the Bounty hunter), than with the atonement spell from a cleric of their deity or of the same alignment (see the atonement spell description on page 201 of the Players Handbook).

Like a member of any other class, a Bounty hunter may be a multiclass character, but multiclass Bounty hunters face a special restriction. A Bounty hunter who gains a level in any other class other than Bounty hunter may never again raise his Bounty hunter level, though he retains all of his Bounty hunter abilities. The path of a Bounty hunter requires constant focus. If a character adopts this class, he must pursue it to the exclusion of all other careers. Once he has turned off the path, he may never return.

Epic Bounty hunters

Table: The Epic Bounty hunter

Hit Die: d10

Level Special
21st
22nd Quarry (8)
23rd Bonus Feat
24th Tenacious Pursuit (+60)
25th Quarry (9)
26th Bonus Feat
27th
28th Quarry (10), Tenacious Pursuit (+70)
29th Bonus Feat
30th

6 + Int modifier skill points per level.

Quarry : At 22nd level and every 3 levels thereafter (25th, 28th, 31st, etc) an Epic Bounty Hunter may have an additional target as a quarry at one time.

Tenacious Pursuit : At 24th level and every 4 levels thereafter (28th, 32nd, 36th, etc), an Epic Bounty Hunter can move an additional 10 feet up to a maximum speed of their qarries speed.

Bonus Feats : The epic Bounty Hunter gains a bonus feat every 3 levels after 20th.


Human Bounty Hunter Starting Package

Weapons: Rapier and Longbow.

Skill Selection: Pick a number of skills equal to 6 + Int modifier.

Skill Ranks Ability Armor
Check
Penalty
Disable Device 4 Int
Gather Information 4 Cha
Hide 4 Dex -2
Move Silently 4 Dex -2
Open Locks 4 Dex
Search 4 Int
Sense Motive 4 Wis
Survival 4 Wis

Feat: Improved Inniative.

Bonus Feats: Track from class and Weapon Focus (Rapier) for Human.

Gear: Chain Shirt.

Gold: 6d4 X 10.

Campaign Information

Playing a Bounty hunter

Religion: Bounty hunters normally don't have a lot of time outside of their busy schedule to worship deities, however some do seek evil for their lawful deity. Some seek justice for vengeful deities, or some seeing themselves as the only person capable of upholding the law may worship Tyr. Others prove their worth in stealth and evil..

Other Classes: Whenever possible, Bounty hunters like to work alone, and why not? They are as stealthy as any rogue and as tough and strong in battle as most fighters. If they are forced to adventure they prefer the company of Druids and Rangers because of their tracking abilities and same stealthy ways. Barbarians and big armored fighters tend to annoy Bounty hunters. Bounty hunters trust no other class, especially other Bounty hunters since both Bounty hunters could be after the same target.

Role: Depending on how a Bounty hunter selects their skills, a Bounty hunter could act as a scout, tracking ahead and finding suitable areas to camp, or a Bounty hunter could act as the party voice haggling with merchants, lying to city guards, pushing an informant around or negotiating out of a situation. Having both disable device and open locks and trap finding, a Bounty hunter could replace a party rogue disarming traps in a dungeon. A Bounty hunter is also a capable combatant able to hold their own even if most of their special abilities are geared only at Quarries. A Bounty hunter is a versatile character who can fill many different rolls..

Advancement: Some Paladins may choose to take a few levels of Bounty hunter before beginning on the path of the paladin to be better able to hunt down specific evil foes, or possibly some others could go from Bounty hunter over to the career of Assassin, as a Bounty hunter, you would be better able to find your target of assassination.

Bounty hunters in the World

You want him brought back here? No problem, but it'll cost ya.
—Setheral, Human Bounty Hunter

Adventures: Like earlier stated the bounty hunter normally works for pay. Just how they become bounty hunters is another story. Some are vigilantes, holding a grudge against evil and seeking justice against those who have wronged them. Others just have exceptional skill and decide to put that skill to good use.

Evil bounty hunters probably begin adventuring to seek riches and to kill those things that are good in life. Evil bounty hunters are sometimes forced into adventuring to repay some of their evil debts to someone they owe. Some of them are hired by aristocrats who want to become powerful and pay the bounty hunter to kill whoever is in their way.

Notables: Lucian, Elven Bounty Hunter, believed to be the last of the surviving co-writers of The Creed, reputed to still be alive to this day.

Organizations: Very rarely do Bounty Hunters purposely congregate and assemble in one place for socializing. More often, if many Bounty Hunters are in the same area, it is probably due to a substantially high reward placed on a particular quarry and many Bounty Hunters having come to the same place to mark the target as one of their quarries.

NPC Reactions: If the Bounty hunter is after the NPC reactions can vary from begging, pleading or possibly even attempts to bribe or guilt the PC into letting them go, such as "Hey look I alway paid my dept be- oh Paul, I don't know any Paul... nevermind what I said friend, may I buy you a beer?" or maybe just outright fleeing. If the Bounty hunter isn't after the NPC but merely in the same area, likely the NPC will feel unsettled around the Bounty Hunter.

Bounty hunter Lore

Characters with a lore skill (martial lore or bardic knowledge, etc) or ranks in gather information or knowledge (History) can research Bounty hunters to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

DC Result
5 Bounty Hunters hunt people and return them for money.
10 Bounty Hunters are master trackers, equally capable of finding people in a city or in the wilderness and can find someone no matter how far they run.
15 A master Bounty Hunter is an adept of stealth, he could seemingly disappear right infront of your eyes, and can seemingly sneak around without even trying. He comes and goes like the wind.
20 All Bounty Hunters follow a code they call the Hunter's Creed. With a well placed strike, a Bounty hunter can take away ones ability to speak, or sap the very strength from an opponents body. Its nearly impossible to learn anything about a master Bounty Hunter through divination magics.

Bounty hunters in the Game

Bounty hunters are the ones that lords and nobles turn to when they want a particularly hard criminal brought to justice that none of the warriors or knights in their employ can capture or defeat, but the security of knowing a Bounty hunter will capture the criminal in due course usually comes with a hefty price tag.

Adaptation: So, how do you handle bounty hunting in your campaign? Any special rules? Limitations on force? Is there a guild? Are there people like bail-bondsman around? Is the risk worth the money for the bounty hunter? Possibly the hunters are hired by the City-state, noble or merchant directly.

  • American Old West Style: Wanted sign on the street: Dead or Alive for 500 gold. Anyone can post one of these and the bounty hunter can take any of these contracts he wishes.
  • Current American Bounty Hunting Style: Someone skips out on a bail-bondsman and a bounty hunter is hired to track the person down and bring them in alive.
  • Good Ol' Wanted List: There is a "black book" that the local government has that bounty hunters can take contracts from. Fairly free-form.
  • Highly Regulated by the Government: Similar to a few of the above options. The Government usually posts some kind of wanted poster or otherwise makes it known that their is a bounty on someone. In these situations there are strict rules that must be followed to even get a mark placed on someone by anyone not involved in the government.
  • Word of Mouth or Personal Hire: Easy enough to understand. A contract passed around in taverns and other establishments or simply a contract given to an individual on a one-on-one basis.

To incorporate this class further into your game, you could set up a bounty system. Any NPC that has a bounty placed on them has a tangible gold reward based directly on how powerful the target is via use of a set formula. Such as using the Table 3-3: Treasure Values Per Encounter table on page 51 of the DMG. Find the quarries level on that chart and divide the number by 2. Then multiply the gold amount you now have based on the severity of the crime committed. Such as X1 for Minor crimes, X1.5 for Intermediate crimes, and X2.5 for Major crimes (see the list of crimes below). Also, some bounty hunters may choose (any possibly be allowed by the DM) to also charge an additional fee based on the creatures type, i.e +100 if its a Outsider (native), +200 for monsterous humanoid +300 for Giants, +400 for other odd types that do qualify for the quarry ability, or +500 for creatures whom the bounty hunter cannot use the quarry ability on.

Alternatively, this formula could be a PC Bounty Hunters formula for his minimum asking price per quarry he takes up. The resulting formula would look something like this: (Character wealth per level / 2) X crime bonus + creature type fee = Gold Price of Bounty. So for example using the additional fee rule, a level 5 humanoid (goblinoid) Bugbear who committed a singular murder would have a formula looking like this. A level 5 encounter is worth 1600 gp according to the Treasure Values per encounter chart, so that divided by 2 is 800 gp multiplied by 1.5 for the crime type is 1,200 gp + 0 gp for the gold type because hes just a normal humanoid for the creature type giving a resulting bounty somewhere in the realm of 1,200 gp, but feel free to play with the amount so the formula doesn't sound so preset. Maybe that bugbear has a bounty of 1185 gp or maybe 1225 gp, just to mix it up some. Another example would be a level 15 mindflayer who committed multiple murders would have a Treasure Values Per Encounter value of 22,000 gp, divided by 2 would be 11,000 gp and then times 2.5 for the crime type would be 27,500, and then +400 for the creature type because he counts as a misc creature that quarry works on, and that would give a rough bounty of 27,900 gp or some random number slightly lower (27,500) or slightly higher (28,250).

Minor
Adultery
Arson that causes no damage to property
Disorderly conduct
Indecent exposure
Minor theft (less than 1 gp)
Stalking

Intermediate
Aiding and abetting a criminal
Arson that causes damage to property
Assault
Battery
Bribery
Extortion
Incest
Moderate theft (less than 100 gp)
Perjury
Singular Murder

Major
Arson that causes major damage to property or a death.
Conspiracy against the king or church
Kidnapping
Major theft (more than 100 gp)
Multiple Murders
Piracy
Prostitution
Rape
Tax Evasion
Treason

Sample Encounter: The characters are traveling in the wilderness when they are caught up to by a Bounty hunter who isn't interested in talking and attacks the party going after 1 specific member with a purpose.

EL 10:

Brian

Medium Humanoid (Human)

Hit Dice: 10d10 (100) + (30 con) = (130 hp max or 85 hp average)
Initiative: 6
Speed: 20 ft (Upto 40 feet while in his chainmail, or upto 50 ft in light armor, and having a quarry with a max speed of 50 ft or higher)
Armor Class: Normal 21 ( Armor +5, Dex +2, Magic +2, Deflection +1, Shield +1), Touch 15, Flat Foot 19
Base Attack / Grapple: +10 / +13
Full Attack: +15/+10 1d8 + 4 17-20 X2
Space / Reach: 5 ft / 5 ft
Special Abilities: Quarry (4), Nonlethal force, Trapfinding, Bring em back alive, Trackless Step, Tenacious Pursuit (+20 ft), Swift Tracker, Silencing Strike, Ready for Anything, Hunters Dedication, Swift and Silent, Weakening Critical, Track the Trackless
Saves: Fort 10, Ref 9, Will 6
Skills: Disable Device, Gather Information, Hide, Move Silently, Open Locks, Search, Sense Motive and Survival 13 ranks
Feats: Dodge, Weapon Focus (Longsword), Track, Urban Tracking, Endurance, Improved Inniative, Mobility, Improved Critical (Longsword)
Abilities: Str: 17, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 15, Wis 16, Cha 13
CR: 10
Treasure: +2 Chainmail, +1 Longsword, +1 Buckler, Ring of Protection +1, Masterwork Heavy crossbow, 7,700 gp
Alignment: Lawful Neutral

  • If for use in a gestalt campaign, make the second class Ranger and feel free to make his favored enemies most of the party's race type, and take archery combat style. Make his animal companion anything with scent and tracking ability.
  • For more powerful for their level groups that are not ghestalt campaigns perhaps concider taking away from his 7,700 gold and giving him a cloak of resistance +2 or perhaps a gauntlets of ogre strength for +2 Strength


Marksman's Homebrews
^The-Marksmanv
Classes Battle Juggernaut, Bewitcher, Bounty Hunter, Cat Burglar, Divine Healer, Enchantress, Footpad, Grimslayer, Half-Nymph, Half-Rylvain, Hunter, Ki Warrior, Martial Artist, Noble, Platinum Dragoon, Radiant Champion, Rylvain, Saiyan Warrior, Scout, Socialite Deluxe, Spy, Undead Slayer, Undead Stalker, Warlord, Wolverine
Races Elven Nymph, Half-Drow, Elf, Half-Giant, Half-Nymph, Half-Rylvain, Half-Saiyan, Liantia, Moogle, Namekian, Ronso, Rylvain, Saiyans, Xanthian
Character Options Ascended Super Saiyan, Ascetic Juggernaut, Awesome Blow, Enhanced Ki Pool, Full Power Super Saiyan, Saiyan Elite, Tail Defense, Ultra Super Saiyan
Equipment Cloak of Bullshit, Cloak of Greater Bullshit, Cloak of Lesser Bullshit, Dragon Balls, Excalibur, Potion of Youth
Spells & Powers Condition, Eternal Charm Monster, Eternal Charm Person, Eternal Slumber, Reraise, Restore Youth, Steal Youth, Summon Wyvern
Invocations After Image, Alternate Delivery, Beam Blast, Candy Beam, Death Beam, Destructo Disc, Dragon Fist, Energy Channel, Energy Rings, Explosive Wave, Final Explosion, Flash Step, Four Witches, Fusion Dance, Greater Ki Transmutation, Healing Spirit, Improved Intimidating Ki, Improved Ki Charging, Improved Ki Flying, Improved Ki Volley, Instant Transmission, Intimidating Ki, Kaio-ken, Ki Barrage, Ki Charging, Ki Enhancement, Ki Flying, Ki Sense, Ki Shield, Ki Sight, Ki Supression, Ki Sword, Ki Transmutation, Ki Wind, Lesser Electrical Transmutation, Lesser Fire Transmuation, Lesser Frost Transmutation, Master Ki Transmutation, Multi-Form, Neo Tri Beam, Nova Chariot, Power Ball, Scatter Shot, Solar Flare, Spirit Ball, Spirit Bomb, Super Ghost Kamikaze Attack, Tri Beam, Warp Blast
Espers Bomb, Cactuar, Cait Sith, Chocobo Esper, Cockatrice, Esper, Goblin, Kirin, Mindflayer, Shiva, Siren, Sylph, Tonberry, Unicorn
Monsters Adamantoise, Ash Viper, Behemoth, Drake, Malboro V.2, Murder of Crows, Tangle Tree
Other Aralhal, Celesdra, Golbez System, James Houlton, Levels That Spells Are Obtained, Rydel Taerun, Shenron, Spirit Beast
Sandbox 1 / Box 2 / Box 3 / Box 4 / Box 5 / Box 6 / Box 7 / Box 8 / Box 9 / Organized table of published races with statistics / Talk page



Back to Main Page3.5e HomebrewClassesBase Classes

Article BalanceHigh +
AuthorThe-Marksman +
Identifier3.5e Class +
Rated BySecondDeath777 + and Franken Kesey +
RatingRating Pending +
SkillAppraise +, Bluff +, Climb +, Craft +, Diplomacy +, Disable Device +, Disguise +, Escape Artist +, Gather Information +, Hide +, Intimidate +, Jump +, Knowledge (Nature) +, Knowledge (Local) +, Listen +, Move Silently +, Open Lock +, Profession +, Ride +, Search +, Sense Motive +, Spot +, Survival +, Swim +, Tumble + and Use Rope +
Skill Points6 +
SummaryIn civilized lands, local lords call upon
In civilized lands, local lords call upon bounty hunters to capture criminals that live or have traveled beyond their reach or criminals that outclass the knights or soldiers in the lords employ. Closer to the frontier, the bounty hunter might be the only law capable of bringing dangerous criminals to justice. Those who hire bounty hunters both like them, and scorn them.
ty hunters both like them, and scorn them. +
TitleBounty Hunter +