Scorpion Knight (Ranger/Summoner)

While most rangers develop their talent for tracking and wilderness lore, there are those who instead focus on the use of direct-fire siege engines, and how to employ them in both city and wilderness alike. As part of their learning, some develop magic that allows them to summon an eidolon from the Plane of Sieges. With his long-range partner at his side, the scorpion knight, as they have been called, utilize their training with the ballista to great effect. In the eyes of many, scorpion knights deliver a powerful sting to their enemies, making them truly powerful and mighty. (Original Concept by Lindley Court)

Primary Class: Ranger.

Secondary Class: Summoner.

Alignment: Any.

Hit Dice: d10.

Bonus Skills and Ranks: The scorpion knight gains Knowledge (engineer) and selects two summoner skills to add to his class skills in addition to the normal ranger class skills. The scorpion knight gains a number of ranks at each level equal to 4 + Int modifier.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The scorpion knight is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, plus the ballista siege engine, double crossbow, hand crossbow, repeating crossbow, and scorpion whip. He is also proficient with. The scorpion knight is also proficient with the light and medium armor, and with shields (except tower shields).

Siege Gunner (Ex): At 1st level, a scorpion knight gains Siege Gunner as a bonus feat, even if he does not meet the prerequisites. This ability replaces wild empathy.

Siege Commander (Ex): At 3rd level, a scorpion knight gains Siege Commander as a bonus feat, even if he does not meet the prerequisites. This ability replaces wild endurance.

Arbalest Eidolon: A scorpion knight begins play with the ability to summon to his side a powerful outsider from the Plane of Sieges called an arbalest eidolon. The arbalest eidolon forms a link with the scorpion knight, who, forever after summons an aspect of the same creature. This is exactly like the summoner’s eidolon ability except for the changes described in the Arbalest Eidolon entry below.

Spellcasting: The scorpion knight adds the following spells to the ranger’s spell list at the indicated spell levels: 1st Level–jury-rig, life conduit, rejuvenate eidolon (lesser); 2nd Level–evolution surge (lesser), magic siege engine, restore eidolon (lesser), summon eidolon; 3rd Level–arcane ballista, devolution, evolution surge, life conduit (improved), magic siege engine (greater), rejuvenate eidolon, restore eidolon, transmogrify; 4th Level–evolution surge (greater), life conduit (greater), purified calling, rejuvenate eidolon (greater). A scorpion knight otherwise prepares and casts spells as a ranger equal to his scorpion knight level.

Note: If a scorpion knight casts magic siege engine or greater magic siege engine, it can also affect ballistae.

Shield Ally (Ex): At 5th level, a scorpion knight gains the summoner’s shield ally ability. This ability replaces 2nd favored enemy.

Expose Weakness (Ex): At 7th level, whenever the scorpion knight confirms a critical attack against a foe, his arbalest eidolon gains a +4 bonus to its attacks against the same creature until the beginning of the scorpion knight’s next turn. If the arbalest eidolon has precise shot, this attack may be a ranged attack. This ability replaces woodland stride.

Siege Engineer (Ex): At 8th level, a scorpion knight gains Siege Commander as a bonus feat, even if he does not meet the prerequisites. This ability replaces swift tracker.

Aspect (Su): At 10th level, a scorpion knight gains the summoner’s aspect ability. This ability replaces 3rd favored enemy.

Master Siege Engineer (Ex): At 13th level, a scorpion knight gains Master Siege Engineer as a bonus feat, even if he does not meet the prerequisites.

Greater Shield Ally (Ex): At 15th level, a scorpion knight gains the summoner’s greater shield ally ability. This ability replaces 4th favored enemy.

Greater Aspect (Su): At 20th level, a scorpion knight gains the summoner’s greater aspect ability. This ability replaces 5th favored enemy.

Table: Scorpion Knight