Unchained Gunner

Masters of ranged weaponry, Marksmen are capable of precise shots and incredible feats while using crossbows and firearms. They excel at ranged combat, able to pick off foes from a distance with ease and provide covering fire to allies. Unlike a Fighter or Rogue, they are not jacks of all trades or generalist warriors. Instead, they focus their craft into being crack shots with crossbows and firearms.

Signature Weapon Origin

Marksmen have acquired their weapons from somewhere, be it a shady arms dealer or a legitimate place of business. Regardless, they got their first gun at some point in their past, and it's likely an important event in their life.

How did your character get their first gun? Was it a gift from a family friend? Stolen from a mad Artificer? Or perhaps purchased from an illegal auction?

First Kill

All marksmen remember their first kill. Whether it's a wild animal they killed hunting for the first time or a hit on a person they didn't even know, all Marksmen have this first kill engraved in their minds.

What was your character's first kill? How do they feel about it? Consider these things when making an Unchained Gunner.

Attitude

Marksmen take up different attitudes based on their weapons of choice. Be it calm and cool, smarmy and confident, or angry and aggressive, all Marksmen have some notable personality tick.

So how does your character feel with your weapon in hand? Does your character keep a calm head? Or do they relish battle, wading into combat with a scattergun and a death wish?

Multiclassing

Ability Score Minimum: Dexterity 13
When you gain a level in a class other than your first, you gain only some of that class's starting proficiencies.
Armor: Light Armor
Weapons: Martial Weapons with the Ranged Property

Creating an Unchained Gunner

As you build your Unchained Gunner, think about your character's background. What job did they have before becoming an adventurer? Were they a guard, protecting a town with their weapon of choice? Were they a private eye, using their weapon to gun down criminals on the run? Were then an assassin, killing for gold?

Your character might have trained under another Unchained Gunner, or perhaps learned from an Artificer who they still hold a friendship with that crafted their firearm for them.

Class Features

• Hit dice: 1d8 per Unchained Gunner level.
  
• Hit Points at 1st Level: 8 + your Constitution modifier
  
• Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d8 (or 5) + your Constitution modifier per Unchained Gunner level after 1st.

Bullet Time

At 1st level, you can twist your perception to view the battlefield at a slowed speed, in a power called Bullet Time, a force that lets you aim more carefully and avoid incoming attacks. You can enter it as a Bonus Action if you aren't wearing Medium or Heavy Armor.

You can enter Bullet Time the number of times shown for your Unchained Gunner level in the Bullet Time Uses column of the Unchained Gunner Features table. You regain one expended use when you finish a Short Rest, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a Long Rest.

While active, your Bullet Time follows the rules below.

Deadly Shot

At 1st level, you know how to leverage your skill with firearms to deliver deadly shots. When you score a Critical hit using Dexterity with a Ranged Weapon that has the Ammunition Property, you roll an additional die of Damage that increases in size as you gain levels as an Unchained Gunner, as shown in the Unchained Gunner Features Table.

Fighting Style

At 1st level, you have honed your martial prowess and gain a Fighting Style feat of your choice from the 2024 Player's Handbook or the Unchained Rules document. Archery is recommended.

Whenever you gain an Unchained Gunner level, you can replace the feat you chose with a different Fighting Style feat.

Firearm Expert

At 1st level, you become an expert with firearms. You gain the following benefits:

• The Cost of all Firearms and Ammunition for said firearms is reduced by half (rounded down, minimum 1 CP) for you.
• The crafting time for all Firearms and Ammunition for said firearms is reduced by half for you.
• You ignore the Loading and Reload Properties on any Firearms that have it.

Unchained Gunner Subclass

At 1st level, you gain an Unchained Gunner subclass of your choice. A subclass is a specialization that grants you features at certain Fighter levels. For the rest of your career, you gain each of your subclass's features that are of your Unchained Gunner level or lower.

Martial Maneuvers

At 1st level, your experience on the battlefield has refined your fighting techniques. You learn maneuvers that are fueled by special dice called Maneuver Dice.

Maneuvers. You learn two maneuvers of your choice from the "Maneuver Options" section later in this feature's description. Many maneuvers enhance an attack in some way. You can use only one maneuver per Round, and cannot use a maneuver on the same Attack you would use a Weapon Mastery Property, Martial Strike, the Power Attack Class Feature, an attack you would apply Unchained Paladin's Divine Smite Class Feature to, an attack you would apply Unchained Ranger's Hunter's Mark Damage Die to, or an attack you would apply Unchained Rogue's Sneak Attack Class Feature to.

You learn two additional maneuvers of your choice when you reach levels 5, 10, and 15 in the Class you gained your Maneuvers from. Each time you learn new maneuvers, you can also replace one maneuver you know with a different one.

Maneuver Dice. You have two Maneuver Dice, which are d6s. A Maneuver Die is expended when you use it. You regain half of your expended Maneuver Dice (minimum 1) when you finish a Short Rest and all of your expended Maneuver Dice when you finish a Long Rest.

You gain two additional Maneuver Dice when you reach levels 5 (four dice total), 10 (six dice total) and 15 (eight dice total) in the class you gained your Maneuver Dice from.

Saving Throws. If a maneuver requires a saving throw, the DC equals 8 plus your Strength or Dexterity modifier (your choice) and Proficiency Bonus.

Maneuver Options

The Martial Maneuvers are presented here in Alphabetical order.

Ambush. When you make a Dexterity (Stealth) check or an Initiative roll, you can expend one Maneuver Die and add the die to the roll, unless you have the Incapacitated condition.

Bait and Switch. When you're within 5 feet of a creature on your turn, you can expend one Maneuver Die and switch places with that creature, provided you spend at least 5 feet of movement and the creature is willing and doesn't have the Incapacitated condition. This movement doesn't provoke Opportunity Attacks. Roll the Maneuver Die. Until the start of your next turn, you or the other creature (your choice) gains a bonus to AC equal to the number rolled.

Commander's Strike. When you take the Attack action on your turn, you can replace one of your attacks to direct one of your companions to strike. When you do so, choose a willing creature who can see or hear you and expend one Maneuver Die. That creature can immediately use its Reaction to make one attack with a weapon or an Unarmed Strike, adding the Maneuver Die to the attack's damage roll on a hit.

Commanding Presence. When you make a Charisma (Intimidation, Performance, or Persuasion) check, you can expend one Maneuver Die and add that die to the roll.

Disarming Attack. When you hit a creature with an attack roll, you can expend one Maneuver Die to attempt to disarm the target. Add the Maneuver Die roll to the attack's damage roll. The target must succeed on a Strength saving throw or drop one object of your choice that it's holding, with the object landing in its space.

Distracting Strike. When you hit a creature with an attack roll, you can expend one Maneuver Die to distract the target. Add the Maneuver Die roll to the attack's damage roll. The next attack roll against the target by an attacker other than you has Advantage if the attack is made before the start of your next turn.

Evasive Footwork. As a Bonus Action, you can expend one Maneuver Die and take the Disengage action. You also roll the die and add the number rolled to your AC until the start of your next turn.

Feinting Attack. As a Bonus Action, you can expend one Maneuver Die to feint, choosing one creature within 5 feet of yourself as your target. You have Advantage on your next attack roll against that target this turn. If that attack hits, add the Maneuver Die to the attack's damage roll.

Goading Attack. When you hit a creature with an attack roll, you can expend one Maneuver Die to attempt to goad the target into attacking you. Add the Maneuver Die to the attack's damage roll. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or have Disadvantage on attack rolls against targets other than you until the end of your next turn.

Lunging Attack. As a Bonus Action, you can expend one Maneuver Die and take the Dash action. If you move at least 5 feet in a straight line immediately before hitting with a melee attack as part of the Attack action on this turn, you can add the Maneuver Die to the attack's damage roll.

Maneuvering Attack. When you hit a creature with an attack roll, you can expend one Maneuver Die to maneuver one of your comrades into another position. Add the Maneuver Die roll to the attack's damage roll, and choose a willing creature who can see or hear you. That creature can use its Reaction to move up to half its Speed without provoking an Opportunity Attack from the target of your attack.

Menacing Attack. When you hit a creature with an attack roll, you can expend one Maneuver Die to attempt to frighten the target. Add the Maneuver Die to the attack's damage roll. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or have the Frightened condition until the end of your next turn.

Parry. When another creature damages you with a melee attack roll, you can take a Reaction and expend one Maneuver Die to reduce the damage by the number you roll on your Maneuver Die plus your Strength or Dexterity modifier (your choice).

Precision Attack. When you miss with an attack roll, you can expend one Maneuver Die, roll that die, and add it to the attack roll, potentially causing the attack to hit.

Pushing Attack. When you hit a creature with an attack roll using a weapon or an Unarmed Strike, you can expend one Maneuver Die to attempt to drive the target back. Add the Maneuver Die to the attack's damage roll. If the target is Large or smaller, it must succeed on a Strength saving throw or be pushed up to 15 feet directly away from you.

Rally. As a Bonus Action, you can expend one Maneuver Die to bolster the resolve of a companion. Choose an ally of yours within 30 feet of yourself who can see or hear you. That creature gains Temporary Hit Points equal to the Maneuver Die roll plus half your Unchained Gunner level (round down).

Riposte. When a creature misses you with a melee attack roll, you can take a Reaction and expend one Maneuver Die to make a melee attack roll with a weapon or an Unarmed Strike against the creature. If you hit, add the Maneuver Die to the attack's damage.

Sweeping Attack. When you hit a creature with a melee attack roll using a weapon or an Unarmed Strike, you can expend one Maneuver Die to attempt to damage another creature. Choose another creature within 5 feet of the original target and within your reach. If the original attack roll would hit the second creature, it takes damage equal to the number you roll on your Maneuver Die. The damage is of the same type dealt by the original attack.

Tactical Assessment. When you make an Intelligence (History or Investigation) check or a Wisdom (Insight) check, you can expend one Maneuver Die and add that die to the ability check.

Weapon Mastery

At 1st level, your training with weapons allows you to use the mastery properties of two kinds of Simple or Martial weapons of your choice. Whenever you finish a Long Rest, you can practice weapon drills and change one of those weapon choices.

When you reach certain Unchained Gunner levels, you gain the ability to use the mastery properties of more kinds of weapons, as shown in the Weapon Mastery column of the Unchained Gunner Features table.

Covering Fire

At 2nd level, when you are wielding a Ranged Weapon with theAmmunition Property and an allied creature other than yourself is the target of an Attack, you can use a Reaction to roll your Deadly Shot Die and force the attacker to take a Penalty to their Attack Roll equal to the result.

You may use this feature a number of times equal to your Dexterity Modifier (minimum once) and regain all expended uses when you finish a Short or Long Rest.

Martial Talents

At 2nd Level, you gain access to Martial Talents. Refer to the list on page 26 for a list of options. At Unchained Gunner Level 2, you learn 2 Martial Talents. You learn an additional Martial Talent at Unchained Gunner Levels 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, and 20.

When you gain an Unchained Gunner Level, you may substitute one Martial Talent you currently know for a different one for which you meet the prerequisites. If you do so, all benefits of the previous Martial Talent you knew are lost.

Gunner's Skill

At 3rd level, you now add your Dexterity Modifier (minimum +1) to all Strength (Athletics), Wisdom (Perception), and Charisma (Intimidation) Skill Checks you make.

Martial Knowledge

At 3rd Level, and again at 10th Level, you gain proficiency in one skill of your choice.

Additionally, you gain Expertise in one of your skills of your choice in which you are Proficient. At Unchained Gunner Level 10, you gain Expertise in a second skill proficiency of your choice.

Ability Score Improvement

When you reach Unchained Gunner Level 4, and again at Unchained Gunner Levels 6, 8, 12, 14, and 16, you gain the Ability Score Improvement Feat as well as one other feat of your choice for which you qualify.

Multi-Attack

At 5th Level, when you take the Attack action, you can make attacks equal to your Proficiency Bonus - 1. Each Attack you make beyond the first suffers a stacking -1 Penalty.

Power Attack

At 5th Level, when you deal damage with Weapon Attack or Unarmed Strike, you can choose to deal extra damage equal to your Proficiency Bonus. You can only use this Feature Once per Round, and you cannot use Power Attack on the same Attack you would use a Weapon Mastery Property, Martial Maneuver, Martial Strike, an attack you would apply Unchained Paladin's Divine Smite Class Feature to, an attack you would apply Unchained Ranger's Hunter's Mark Damage Die to, or an attack you would apply Unchained Rogue's Sneak Attack Class Feature to.

Heroic Resistance

At 7th level, you gain the ability to shrug off magical effects. When you are forced to make a Saving Throw, you can choose to succeed on that Saving Throw (no action required), and if you would take damage from succeeding on the Saving Throw, you do not.

You can use this feature once, and must finish a Long Rest to use this feature again.

You gain an additional use of this feature at Unchained Gunner Level 11 (two uses), and again at Unchained Gunner Level 18 (three uses).

Hand-Load

At 9th level, whenever you craft Ammunition, you craft twice as much and all Crossbow Bolt Cases, Quivers, and Pouches hold three times as much ammunition of their type for you.

Additionally, all Ranged Weapons with the Ammunition Property score a Critical Hit on a 19 or 20 when wielded by you.

Indomitable

At 9th level, you add half of your Proficiency Bonus (rounded down, minimum 1) to any Saving Throws you lack proficiency in.

Dive for Cover

At 11th level, if you are the target of a Ranged Attack and there is half, three-quarters, or full cover within 15 feet of you, you can use your Reaction to instantly move behind that cover, gaining its bonus to your AC and potentially turning a hit into a miss. When you use this Reaction, your Speed is reduced by 15 feet (minimum 0) during your next Turn.

You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Dexterity Modifier (minimum once), and regain all expended uses when you finish a Long rest.

Peak Performance

At 11th level, you reach peak physical performance. You now age slower, with every ten years counting as one for you.

Additionally, you are immune to magical aging and your Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution scores and Hit Point Maximum cannot be reduced by any means.

Counterstrike

At 13th level, as part of the Reaction you take to use your Dive for Cover Feature, you can make one Weapon Attack with a Ranged Weapon that has the Ammunition Property you are wielding against the creature that made the Attack that you used Dive for Cover against.

You must finish a Short or Long Rest to use this feature again.

Unbreakable

At 17th level, you become immune to the Charmed and Frightened conditions.

Epic Boon

At 19th level, you gain an Epic Boon feat or another feat of your choice for which you qualify. Boon of Truesight is recommended.

Killshot

At 20th level, you learn how to deliver a shot that can instantly fell a foe. When you take the Attack Action while wielding a Weapon with the Ranged and Ammunition Properties, you can forgo the benefits of your Multi-Attack Feature to force a single target within the Normal Range of that Weapon to make a Dexterity Saving Throw against 8 plus your Dexterity modifier and Proficiency Bonus. On a failed save, if it has 100 Hit Points or fewer remaining, it is instantly reduced to 0 Hit Points. If it has more than 100 Hit Points remaining it instead takes eight rolls of your Deadly Shot Die in Force Damage. On a successful save, nothing happens and the target cannot be affected by this Feature for 24 hours.

You must finish a Long Rest to use this feature again. If the target succeeds on its Saving Throw, then your use of this Feature is not expended.

Master Marksman

At 20th level, you become a master marksman. Your Dexterity and Wisdom scores increase by 4, to a maximum of 26.

Drifter

Drifter Unchained Gunners are those who move from town to town doling out justice with pistols, favoring mobility and dual wielding over hiding behind cover.

Slayer

Slayer Unchained Gunners are violent, brutal warriors who will rip and tear until it's done, wading through foes with scatterguns and melee combat, chaining strikes and tearing foes asunder with zeal unmatched. They favor brutal, close-quarters combat.

Sniper

Sniper Unchained Gunners are both deadly assassins and stealthy protectors. They hide in the dark and underbrush, striking from a distance unseen with devastating efficiency and precision.

Spellshot

Spellshot Unchained Gunners combine the use of firearms with magic. Their Spells usually serve to help them keep a distance from their foes, or otherwise put their enemies in the perfect position for a fatal blow.

Magic Bullet

At 10th level, when you deal damage to a creature with a weapon empowered by your Magical Marksman Subclass Feature, the next time you deal damage with a spell against that creature, that damage ignores any Resistance that creature has.

Magical Beam

At 10th level, the damage type of a Weapon affected by your Magical Marksman Subclass Feature can be Force as well as the options listed in your Elemental Marksman Subclass Feature.

Additionally, you can replace one Attack you make as part of the Attack Action with a weapon empowered by your Magical Marksman Subclass Feature with a use of this Feature instead. All creatures in a 60-foot long, 5-foot wide line with you as the point of origin must make a Dexterity Saving Throw against your Spell Save DC. A creature takes four rolls of your Deadly Shot Die in Force Damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Intelligence Modifier (minimum once) and regain all expended uses at the end of a Long Rest. You can also expend a Level 3 Spell Slot to regain a use of this feature.

Magical Twin Burst

At 15th level, when you take the Attack action on your turn, you can replace two of the attacks with a casting of one of your level 1 Unchained Wizard spells that has a casting time of an action.

Unchained Gunner Martial Talents

Pincer Strike

Prerequisites(s): 10th level, Strength 18 or higher, Two-Weapon Fighting Feat, Twin Strikes Martial talent

When you engage in two-weapon fighting using two of the same type of weapon and make a Power Attack with the weapon in your primary hand, you can use your Reaction to strike with your offhand weapon as if it gained the bonus from Power Attack. You must finish a Long Rest to use this talent again.

Precision Shot

Prerequisites(s): Archery Feat.

When you use your Power Attack feature with a weapon that benefits from the Archery fighting style, you can take a penalty to damage equal to your proficiency bonus instead of gaining a bonus to damage to gain a bonus to your attack roll equal to your proficiency bonus instead of the normal penalty and bonus, and you score a critical hit on a 19 or 20.

Reliable Maneuvers

Prerequisites(s): N/A

If you roll a 1 on your Maneuver Die, you may re-roll that die once and must take the new result.

Silver Fists

Prerequisites(s): 5th level, Unarmed Fighting Feat.

Your Unarmed Strikes count as magical for the purpose of piercing resistance and immunity.

Sniper's Cloak

Prerequisites(s): 5th Level (13th Level), Sniper Subclass

You can cast Invisibility as a Level 2 Spell once without using a spell slot. You can't do so again until you finish a short or long rest. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your Spellcasting modifier for this spell (you choose which when you take this talent).

If you have this Talent at Unchained Gunner level 13, you can cast Greater Invisibility as a Level 4 Spell instead using this Talent, with the same restrictions and Spellcasting Modifier as Invisibility.

Superhuman Leap

Prerequisites(s): Proficient in the Athletics skill.

Your jumping distance and height are tripled, and if you would land within 5 feet of a creature you can force that creature to make a Dexterity saving throw against 8 + your Strength modifier + your proficiency bonus or take 1d6 Bludgeoning damage for every 10 feet you fell vertically onto them.

Superhuman Speed

Prerequisites(s): N/A

You gain additional walking speed equal to 5 x your Dexterity Modifier (Minimum 5 feet of additional movement). If you have another type of movement speed from an Unchained Gunner Martial Talent or your Species, it matches your Walking Speed.

Superhuman Strength

Prerequisites(s): Proficient in the Athletics skill.

The amount of weight you can carry, push, pull, and lift is doubled. This applies to you even if you would already increase your carry, push, pull, and lift weights from another source.

Superhuman Swimmer

Prerequisites(s): N/A

You can hold your breath for three times as long, and you gain a swim speed equal to your speed if you do not already have one.

Thrown Weapon Mastery

Prerequisites(s): 10th level, 18 Strength or Dexterity, Thrown Weapon Fighting Fighting Style, Carnie talent

When you throw a weapon with the Thrown property, you can throw another Weapon with the Thrown property at the same creature as a reaction provided you have one on your person.

Twin Strikes

Prerequisites(s): Two-Weapon Fighting Feat.

When you engage in two-weapon fighting using two of the same type of weapon, you deal +1 damage with both weapons. For example, if you were wielding two Shortswords, you would gain this bonus but if you were wielding a Shortsword and a Dagger you would not.

Unarmored Defense (Unchained Gunner)

Prerequisite(s): N/A

When you aren't wearing any armor or a shield, your base Armor Class equals 10 plus your Dexterity and Wisdom modifiers.

Worldly Warrior

Prerequisite(s): Intelligence 14 or higher.

You can read all writing. Additionally, you learn three languages.

Credits

Changelog