Gunpowder Shadow (Legendary Ninja Archetype)

The tools of old may be fine for some ninjas, but others seek to advance with the times, utilizing the explosive and dangerous gift of blackpowder. Gunpowder shadows use these experimental new weapons in unique and interesting ways, barraging opponents with deadly flying lead from all directions.

Weapon Proficiencies

Gunpowder Shadows are proficient in all firearms (excluding siege weapons).

Secret Techniques

At 1st level, a gunpowder shadow gains the firearm specialist secret technique (0 jutsu points):

Firearm Specialist (Ex)

The gunpowder shadow reduces the action needed to reload a firearm by one step (full round action to standard action, standard action to move action, move action to free action); this stacks with the Rapid Reload feat. In addition, whenever a gunpowder shadow wields a firearm, it is treated as though it is always under the effects of the oil of silence magical item.

This ability replaces the throwing specialist secret technique.

Gun Training (Ex)

Starting at 1st level, a gunpowder shadow gains a bonus equal to their Dexterity modifier on damage rolls when firing a firearm; this bonus to damage cannot exceed their class level. Furthermore, they reduce the misfire value of firearms by 1 (minimum 0) and when they fire a broken firearm, the misfire value of that firearm increases by 2 instead of 4.

This ability replaces the ninja weapon specialist class feature.

Sidebar: Firearms and the Campaign

Some games may not be comfortable with introducing firearms into their game. For such games, we suggest changing Gunpowder Shadow into a crossbow and blowgun focused archetype, Secretive Hunter. The following alterations should be considered:

Weapon Proficiencies

Secretive hunters are proficient in all crossbows and blowguns.

Secret Techniques

At 1st level, a secretive hunter gains the ranged specialist secret technique (0 jutsu point(s):

Ranged Specialist (Ex) The secretive hunter reduces the action needed to reload a crossbow by one step (full round action to standard action, standard action to move action, move action to free action); this stacks with the Rapid Reload feat. They also double the range of any blowgun they wield and increase the damage of blowguns they wield to 1d8; also changing their critical hit range to 19-20/x2. In addition, whenever a secretive hunter wields a crossbow or blowgun, it does not provoke attacks of opportunity when used to make an attack within a creature’s threatened range.

This ability replaces the throwing specialist secret technique.

Ranged Training (Ex) Starting at 1st level, a secretive hunter gains a bonus equal to their Dexterity modifier on damage rolls when firing a crossbow or blowgun; this bonus to damage cannot exceed their class level until they reach 5th level. Furthermore, they reduce the penalties while sniping with a crossbow or blowgun by 5; at 8th level they instead reduce them by 10.

This ability the ninja weapon specialist class feature.