A skirmisher has some training in a unique combat style that favors fast movement and devastating attacks.
The skirmisher is an archetype of the archer class.
Skirmish (Ex)
At 1st level, a skirmisher relies on mobility to deal extra damage and improve her defense.
She deals an extra 1d6 points of precision damage on all ranged attacks she makes during any round in which she moves at least 10 feet away from where she was at the start of her turn, but only if the target is within 30 feet. The extra damage applies only to attacks made after the skirmisher has moved at least 10 feet. The skirmish ability cannot be used while mounted. The extra damage applies only to attacks taken during the skirmisher’s turn. This extra damage increases by 1d6 for every three levels gained above 1st (2d6 at 4th, 3d6 at 7th, 4d6 at 10th, 5d6 at 13th, 6d6 at 16th, and 7d6 at 19th level). The skirmisher must be able to see the target well enough to pick out a vital spot and must be able to reach such a spot.
At 3rd level, a skirmisher gains a +1 competence bonus to Armor Class during any round in which she moves at least 10 feet. The bonus applies as soon as the skirmisher has moved 10 feet, and lasts until the start of her next turn. This bonus improves by 1 for every four levels gained above 3rd (+2 at 7th, +3 at 11th, +4 at 15th, and +5 at 19th level).
A skirmisher loses this ability when wearing medium or heavy armor or when carrying a medium or heavy load. If she gains the sneak attack ability from another class, the bonuses stack.
This ability replaces aim and take aim.
Fast Movement (Ex)
At 2nd level, when not firing or reloading, the skirmisher can quickly change position. When wearing light or no armor and carrying no more than a light load, her base move speed increases by 10 feet. This bonus increases by 10 feet for every three archer levels after 2nd level.
This ability replaces hawkeye and fast movement gained at 6th level.
Skirmisher Talents
In addition choosing talents from the archery talents, a skirmisher can choose one of the following talents:
Deadly Range (Ex): This talent increases the range at which the skirmisher can deal skirmish damage by 10 ft. She may take this talent more than once. Its effects stack.
Eagle Eyed: The skirmisher gains Eagle Eyes as a bonus feat. She does not need to meet the feat’s prerequisites.
Fast Stealth (Ex): The skirmisher can move at full speed while using the Stealth skill without penalty.
Hawk’s Eyes (Ex): As a standard action, the skirmisher can make a ranged attack that ignores concealment (but not total concealment), soft cover, and partial cover. She may also apply skirmish damage, if applicable, to such a target.
These abilities may replace archery talents.
Mobility Training (Ex)
At 5th level, a skirmisher learns to be more maneuverable while wearing light or no armor. She gains a +1 dodge bonus to AC while wearing light or no armor and while carrying no more than a light load. Anything that causes the skirmisher to lose her Dexterity bonus to AC also causes the skirmisher to lose this dodge bonus. This bonus increases by 1 for every three archer levels beyond 5th (to a maximum of +6 at 20th level).
In addition, a skirmisher gains an enhancement bonus of +5 feet to her base speed. At 10th level, the bonus increases to +10 feet. This benefit applies only when she is wearing no armor or light armor, and when she is carrying no more than a light load.
This ability replaces targeted shot.
Stealthy Sniper (Ex)
At 11th level, when a skirmisher uses the Stealth skill to snipe, she only suffers a –10 penalty on the Stealth check, instead of –20.
This ability replaces ranged cleave.
Mobile Mastery (Ex)
At 19th level, a skirmisher learns to position her body and conceal her body proportions with clothes so well that it is difficult to hit her. She gains a 20% miss chance on attacks against her. Mobile mastery functions even when the skirmisher is flat-footed, but not when she is immobilized or helpless, when she wears medium or heavy armor, or when she carries a medium or heavy load.
This ability replaces aim mastery.