with a Real Samurai, they were proficent with Swords .... but they were also Experts with the
Diakyu(Composite Longbow).... this build focuses on that aspect, even though this is not necessarily a class feature(it should be in my opinion)
Another Class Feature that is Ignored .... is the
KIAI SMITE,
this is not Precision Damage, but a more forceful attack, since he is Invigorated by the Shout and this boosts his accuracy and Damage.
An interesting note is that this can be used with any weapon, not just Melee weapons.
when you combine the Kiai Smite feature with Ranged combat .... it can be very effective and Devastating, while at the same time still being Competent at Melee. Especially is this the case when you can apply it to Multiple Arrows at once... thus
Manyshot becomes very important... here is an example of this:
Blooded one Phrenic Gray Elf (LA bought off)
CW Samurai 20Attributes (32pt buy)(Racial adjust +2 Dex,+2 Con,+2 Int,+2 Wis,+4 Cha)
20 Str(10 +4 Inherent(Arm) +6 Enhancement Belt)
30 Dex(16 +2 Racial +2 lvl +4 Inherent+6 Enhancement Belt)
22 Con(14 +2 Racial +6 Enhancement Belt)
20 Int(12 +2 Racial +6 Enhancement Belt)
16 Wis(8 +2 Racial +6 Enhancement Belt)
30 Cha(16 +4 Racial +3 lvl +1 Inherent +6 item)
Traits:Aggressive: +2 Initiative, -1 AC
Flaws:Slow
Vulnerable
Feats:Shadow: This armor is jet black and blurs the wearer whenever she tries to hide, granting a +5 competence bonus on Hide checks.
DARKFEARSOMECombat:Ranged
BAB +20 +10 Dex +7 Enhancement +1 PBS +2 Morale= +38
with
Kiai Smite = +38+10 Cha =
+48 to AttackKiai Smite + Manyshot = +40 Attack roll with 4 Arrows that Split into 8 Arrows ..... that continue thru the Target until they hit a Non-living Object... for each target they pass thru add additional +4 AC to next target
Damage = 1d8(4.5) +1d6(3.5) Exit wound +2d6(7) Raptor arrow +7 Enhancement +5 Str = +27 Damage per arrow
with
Kiai Smite =
+37 Damage per Arrow x 8 arrows
total
296 Damage to every creature in a row for the range of the Bow that it hits(@+4AC of each successive Target)(or until it hits an Object) and it Ignores DR and affects Incorporeal since all of it is Force Damage ..... what this means is that he could use this attack Tactic and take out 4 Balors(290 HP, AC 35 each) if they were in a line in a single round assuming he rolls 10 or better to attack, if he rolls a 1, he still takes out 2 of them in a single round!!!
the nice thing is that he still has the other Skills(Diplomacy, Intimidate) to fall back on, and he is a great TWF Combatant with Retributive Striking ability still.... and can switch between both styles of Combat as a Free Action