Chapter 1 - Class - Character Kits - Dwarven Kits
Sharpshooter
Note: This kit is taken from the Complete Book of Dwarves.
A Sharpshooter is highly skilled with either the light or heavy crossbow. He has spent the majority of his youth training as a Bowyer/Fletcher, and has had regular practice with
his crossbow. He is skilled in rapid loading and expert at inflicting the most damage
possible with his weapon. Exuding confidence in his abilities, he tends to disdain those
who resort to hand-to-hand combat.
Role: Sharpshooters form either part of a crossbow unit or make their living shooting
for prize money at fairs. When in battle, a Sharpshooter's targets are enemy officers,
wizards, and clerics, to prevent them from coordinating attacks or casting spells.
Secondary Skills: He should have the Bowyer/Fletcher secondary skill.
Weapon Proficiencies: A Sharpshooter must be a specialist with either a light or
heavy crossbow (and, therefore, must be a fighter). He may not begin play with any hand
weapon specializations, but may learn them later in his career. If gunpowder weapons are
used, a sharpshooter may specialize in the arquebus. All the special benefits for
crossbows are available for arquebuses; the character has a supply of perfectly molded
arquebus balls and superior gunpowder.
Bonus Nonweapon Proficiencies: Artistic Ability, Bowyer/Fletcher, Endurance.
Recommended Nonweapon Proficiencies: Alertness, Appraising, Direction Sense,
Rope Use, Sign Language, Signalling.
Equipment: Sharpshooters start with the crossbow of their choice, at no cost.
Distinctive Appearance: They are set apart from other dwarves by the care they
lavish on their crossbows and bolts. The crossbow is made of the finest materials and the
butt is often inlaid with intricate patterns. The bolts have only the finest flights, and they
burnish the points to a fine, razor sharpness.
Special Benefits: In addition to his crossbow specialization, he gains a further +1 to
attack rolls. He fires faster than other specialists as shown on the Sharpshooter Attacks
Table.
Sharpshooter Attacks Table
| Light | Heavy | |
| Level | Crossbow | Crossbow |
| 1-6 | 3/2 | 1/1 |
| 7-12 | 2/1 | 3/2 |
| 13+ | 5/2 | 2/1 |
This increased rate of fire assumes that the Sharpshooter has time to lay out his bolts
in easy reach, minimizing the time required to nock a bolt. He gains these advantages
only with the type of crossbow in which he has specialized.
When using his personal weapon and sharpened bolts, a Sharpshooter can inflict extra
damage. In his hands, a light crossbow causes 1d6 damage vs. any size creatures. A
heavy crossbow causes 1d6+1 vs. S/M, and 1d8+1 against larger creatures. He only gains
these bonuses when he uses his personally built and maintained crossbow and his own
sharpened bolts.
Special Hindrances: Sharpshooters may not start with any hand weapon
specialization, and are limited to short weapons, daggers, and hand axes.
If a Sharpshooter loses his custom-built crossbow or has no time to sharpen his bolts,
he loses his ability to increase damage. He cannot just pull out another crossbow
previously built; it must first be used for 1d4 weeks to "break it in." In addition, it takes one hour to sharpen each bolt and they must be carefully stowed, if they are not to
become dulled.
Wealth Options: Sharpshooters start with 5d4x10 gp, plus their own customized
crossbow.
