Gnaths know there’s strength in numbers, and they rarely send fewer than two gnaths out on patrol. This reliance on one another extends to combat tactics too— overwhelming numbers and tight quarters are the gnath warrior’s friends. Scuttling between the legs of friend and foe alike, the swarm warrior is an unshakable combatant.
The swarm warrior is an archetype of the warrior class, available only to gnath warriors.
Archetype Main Ability Scores:
The swarm warrior mainly focuses on STR/DEX for martial combat and CON for their class features.
Archetype Feature Replacements:
1st – Weapon and Armor Proficiency, Combat Defences. 2nd – Combat Offenses, Warrior Talent. 3rd – Warrior Techniques. 4th – Warrior Talent. 5th – Additional Techs II. 7th – Additional Techs III. 8th – Warrior Talent. 9th – Additional Techs IV. 12th – Warrior Advanced Talent. 13th – Improved Rush. 16th – Warrior Advanced Talent. 17th – Devastating Blow. 20th – Warrior Advanced Talent, Weapon Mastery.
Prerequisite
The swarm warrior must have the swarming alternate racial trait to take this archetype.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency
A swarm warrior is proficient with all simple and martial weapons. He is proficient with light and medium armor, but not with shields.
This ability modifies the warrior’s standard weapon and armor proficiencies.
Athletic Prowess (Ex)
At 1st level, a swarm warrior gains a bonus on Acrobatics and Climb skill checks equal to half his warrior level (minimum 1).
This ability replaces combat defences.
Mobility
At 2nd level, the swarm warrior gains Mobility as a bonus feat, even if he does not meet the prerequisites.
This ability replaces a warrior talent gained at 2nd level.
Swarming Attack (Ex)
Also, at 2nd level, while using the swarming racial trait to share a space with an ally, a swarm warrior gains a bonus on damage rolls equal to the number of precision damage dice his ally has. For example, a swarm warrior would gain +3 damage if his ally has sneak attack 3d6.
This ability replaces combat offenses.
Safety in Numbers (Ex)
At 3rd level, a swarm warrior benefits greatly from the proximity of his allies. He gains a morale bonus on saves against fear effects equal to the number of allies within 20 feet of him. This bonus can’t exceed half his warrior level.
This ability replaces warrior techniques.
Teamwork Fighting (Ex)
At 4th level and every four warrior levels thereafter, the swarm warrior gains a bonus Teamwork Feat. Any allies adjacent or sharing a space with the swarm warrior gains use of these teamwork feats.
This ability replaces a warrior talent gained at 4th level and every four warrior levels thereafter and additional techs IV.
Share Space (Ex)
At 5th level, the swarm warrior can move into the space of another creature at least one size category larger than he is. He may end his movement in, and make attacks from, that space. He must succeed at the Acrobatics check for moving through an occupied square to move into a space occupied by an enemy. While sharing the space of another creature, he gains a +2 shield bonus to AC and a +1 circumstance bonus on Reflex saves.
This ability replaces additional techs II.
Strike the Underbelly (Ex)
At 7th level, creatures with which the swarm warrior shares a space are denied their Dexterity bonus to Armor Class against the swam warrior’s attacks.
At 10th level, a swarm warrior can use War Cry a number of times per day equal to 3 + his Constitution modifier, instead of spending stamina.
This ability replaces additional techs III and changes war cry.
Always Underfoot (Ex)
At 13th level, the swarm warrior gains Step Up as a bonus feat. A creature sharing a square with the swarm warrior is considered adjacent for the purposes of this feat. At 17th level, the swarm warrior gains Following Step as a bonus feat. If the swarm warrior already has these feats, he may take another Combat feat that he must meet the prerequisites for.
These abilities replace improved rush and devastating blow.
Soft Underbelly (Ex)
At 20th level, any attacks made against creatures with which the swarm warrior shares a space automatically confirm all critical threats.
This ability replaces weapon mastery.
