Modern Soldier

The Modern Soldier is the ultimate evolutionary archetype of a Fighter.  Proficient in close-quarters combat as he is at range, Modern Soldiers are a well-rounded, deadly, and flexible class that excels in high-intensity, high mobility engagements on both a close-range and long-range field with whatever weapon he has chosen to focus on and specialize in.  As a Modern Soldier gains experience, he can give tactical aid to allies who are within line of sight or within his voice range (greatly improving their their defense or offense), select and become absolutely devastating with a potent weapon, react to ever-changing battlefield conditions with incredible ease and speed, and maintain a veritable arsenal a firearms while providing valuable buffs to said firearms to allow for extended periods of uninterrupted momentum in combat.  

A player who goes with this archetype may seek to specialize in ranged combat without sacrificing the benefits (and robustness) of being a heavily armed (and armored) fighter, he may seek to be a highly skilled or trained Fighter, or he may play this class to bridge the gap between melee or ranged.

Whatever reason draws you to the Modern Soldier archetype, rest assured that you will be a force to be reckoned on any field of battle and you will be of great value to whatever team you are apart of all while playing a skilled character who can both dish out and take an enormous amount of punishment at any range.

Lessons of the Past

The Modern Soldier is the culmination of hard-won experience acquired over generations of warfare.  Spanning from medieval to the present day.  While modern military training does not train specifically in the use of ancient weaponry or tactics, a careful attention to history and the lessons of the past gives the Modern Soldier a cursory familiarity with the use of his forebears weaponry.

If the player selects this archetype at 3rd level, he receives proficiencies in Firearms (Archaic and Modern; "Personal Firearms Proficiency" for Modern firearms and "Firearm Specialist" for Archaic firearms).  Likewise, a Modern Soldier is proficient in wearing Archaic Light, Medium and Heavy armors (in keeping with his "Fighter" base class) and possesses Proficiencies in Archaic Simple and Martial weapons.

Full Spectrum Warrior

Educated and wary of both the battles and battlefields they take part in, the Modern Soldier is a student of warfare and hard knocks--on both a micro and macro scale.  As such, they can throw themselves at virtually any subject that is related to combat and excel at it or, if the Soldier feels he needs increase his physical abilities more, he can throw himself to training in "fundamentals."  Allowing him to train to a much higher physical and mental capacity then the common rank-and-file Fighter.

At 3rd, 7th, 10th, 15th, and 18th level, the Modern Soldier may either select a bonus feat from a list or forego taking a bonus feat and opt to increase any ability score by 1 point. Note: You cannot gain ability score increases from the selected bonus feat if you choose to pick a bonus feat instead of an ability score increase.

Here is the "bonus feat" list the Modern Soldier can choose from if the player wishes to select one instead of an enhanced ability score increase: Advanced Firearms Proficiency, Alert, Athlete, Brawl, Burst Fire, Charger, Chef, Crossbow Expert, Crusher, Defensive Duelist, Duel Wielder, Dungeon Delver, Durable, Fighting Initiate, Grappler, Great Weapon Master, Gunner, Healer, Heavy Armor Master, Improved Brawl, Improved Knockout Punch, Inspiring Leader, Keen Mind, Knockout Punch, Linguist, Mage Slayer, Medium Armor Master, Mobile, Modern Armor Proficiency (Heavy), Modern Armor Proficiency (Light), Modern Armor Proficiency (Medium), Moderately Armored (only Shield proficiency is gained from this feat), Mounted Combatant, Observant, Piercer, Prodigy, Resilient, Savage Attacker, Sharpshooter, Shield Master, Skill Expert, Skilled, Skulker, Slasher, Tavern Brawler, Tough and Weapon Master.

Bristling Armorer

The Modern Soldier is taught that, first and foremost, his chosen weapon is his life.  So much so that, typically, Modern Soldiers will give their weapons female names and treat their weapon like a significant other or a loved one.  Such a reverent attitude for their armaments exists because they know that, to fail to maintain your armaments is to go home in a pinewood box.  As such, Modern Soldiers possess an armorer's level familiarity with his chosen weapon and keep it maintained to such a degree that ensures they will stay in the fight for as long as possible.

At 7th level, the Modern Soldier gains "Gunner" feat, which applies to both Archaic and Modern Firearms.  Additionally, if the Soldier takes a maintenance period with a Modern firearm (a minimum of 15 minutes for a complete maintenance period) and suffers a critical failure (or naturally rolling a 1 to hit) with that weapon, the weapon will not suffer a catastrophic malfunction that breaks or otherwise renders the weapon inoperable if the weapon has been subject to a trivial amount dust, mud, heavy use or a combination of all three since the last maintenance period.  Heavy dust, mud, or damage gained between maintenance periods will still adversely effect the weapon as normal (unless otherwise stated in a weapon's effects/enchantments).

"This is my rifle..."

The Modern Soldier is a multi-disciplinary warrior.  They are trained with the mentality that to have tactical flexibility is to have dominance on the battlefield.  However, achieving this "tactical flexibility" is generally done in one of two ways:  Either by attaining mastery of multiple weapon systems, or being exceedingly good at one weapon system while being exceptionally well-trained in multiple physical and mental disciplines.

At 7th level, the Modern Soldier gains the "Weapon Focus" feat (from the d20 Modern core rulebook, page 165), but with a few key differences. First, the player chooses a specific weapon (such as a Desert Eagle or a metal baton; Unarmed Strike or grapple may also be chosen for the Weapon Focus).  He then receives a +2 on attack rolls with the selected weapon. The Modern Soldier must be proficient with the weapon. 

Second, the Modern Soldier also gains the "Weapon Specialization" feat (from the d20 Modern core rulebook, page 165).  He then receives a +2 on damage rolls with the weapon he selected for his "Weapon Focus."

At 10th level, the player may apply this archetype's "Weapon Focus" and "Weapon Specialization" to another firearm.  If he has chooses no second firearm for "Weapon Focus" and "Weapon Specialization" then he can choose to increase his ability score cap by 2 instead. Turning his ability score cap from "20" to "22."

Tactical Aid

Some of the greatest leaders in history were soldiers.  The likes of Eisenhower, Patton, Beckwith, Darby, Grant, Sherman, Doss, Murphy and Mattis (to name a few) can be counted among their number, and Modern soldiers take great pride in this martial lineage.  So much so, that Modern soldiers always strive to emulate their forebears through intense discipline and training.  As such, the Modern Soldier's paramount focus on leadership skills equals his focus on mastery of his weapons or his physical attributes.  Allowing him to increase his allies defense or offense by directing and informing them in the heat of combat.

At 10th level, a Soldier can use his knowledge of tactics to direct his allies in combat.

As an attack action, the Soldier provides tactical aid to any single ally (but not himself) with sight and voice range of his position.

As a full-round action, the Soldier provides tactical aid to all of his allies (including himself) within sight and voice range of his position.

This aid provides either a competence bonus on attack rolls or a dodge bonus to Defense (player's choice). This bonus is equal to the soldier's Intelligence modifier (minimum +1), and it lasts for a number of rounds equal to one-half of the Soldier's level in this sub-class, rounded-up. The player may also choose to use a single superiority dice to supplement this bonus. If he does so, then the bonus equals the Modern soldier's intelligence modifier + 1d8 (based on the Fighter's superiority dice).

Devastating Strikes

Any seasoned veteran knows that a devastating strike is an efficient one.  Being aggressive and vicious without being reckless and wasteful takes an immense amount of patience and practice.  As a Modern Soldier's body count increases, the proverbial puzzle pieces regarding the intricacies of combat and life-taking begin to click as he becomes ever-more familiar with the chosen tools of his deadly trade.  Allowing him to strike more effectively with them and have a better chance of dealing significant damage.

At 10th level, the critical strike threat range increases by one for the weapon he has applied "Weapon Specialization" to.  For example, let's say a weapons threatens a critical hit on a naturally rolled 20.  With this feature applied to that weapon, the threat range of a critical hit becomes 19-20.  If the threat range is already 19-20, then the threat range becomes 18-20 (and so on).

At 15th level, the player can choose to increase the critical strike threat range of the second weapon he has applied "Weapon Specialization" to by 1.  If he opts out of increasing the critical strike threat range of his second weapon, then he may increase the critical strike threat range of his first weapon by 2 instead of 1.

Heightened Readiness

Individual combat readiness is not just a requirement for being a Modern Soldier.  It is a way of life.  Constant awareness of exits, people, equipment and training with aforementioned equipment allows the soldier to react to threats rapidly and efficiently.  Enabling them to take on problems with a level of fluidity and competency that is rarely present with other combat oriented classes.

At 15th level, the Modern Soldier gains a +2 competence bonus on initiative checks.

At 18th level, this bonus improves to a +4 competence bonus on initiative checks and you may use a superiority dice to add to any initiative rolls.  Additionally, the player may reroll any saves or initiative rolls if you rolled a 1 and add the superiority dice to the re-roll.  For example:  If you roll for initiative and roll a 1 naturally, you may choose to re-roll for initiative and add your Fighter's 1d8 superiority dice to the roll as a bonus.  This also goes for a save.  For example:  If you roll a 1 to save against a mind-affecting spell (based on his ability modifier + resistances + advantages/disadvantages + Wis modifier) you may re-roll the save, roll your superiority dice, and add the two together for the result (ability modifier + resistances + advantages/disadvantages + 1d8 + 1d20).  If you choose to re-roll your initiative or a save in this way, then you must accept the second result.  Even if the the d20 and/or superiority dice naturally roll a 1.

Unrivaled Weapon Mastery

At a certain point, a Soldier's familiarity with his weapon becomes second nature.  Like its an extension of his own body.  He has trained with the tools of his deadly trade to the point where he is now intimately familiar with how a weapon performs under virtually every battlefield condition, how it feels against his body whenever he braces to fire, and how the weapon moves in his hands when commits to performing now lightning-fast tasks such as readying his weapon, reloading, barrel-sighting, aiming, shooting or clearing jams/malfunctions. 

At 15th level, the Modern Soldier gains "Greater Weapon Focus" feat with the first weapon he selected "Weapon Focus" for.  This ability increases the bonus damage rolls to +4 when using the selected weapon and you may also choose to add the Soldier's superiority dice to the roll.  If you naturally roll a 1 with any of your weapon's damage dice, you may re-roll that dice and add your superiority dice to the damage roll.   Note:  The player must accept the second result.  Even if one, the other, or both dice naturally roll a 1.

Additionally, the Soldier gains "Greater Weapon Specialization" feat for the weapon he first selected for "Weapon Specialization."  Giving him +4 to all attack rolls when using the selected weapon.  The player may choose to add the Soldier's superiority dice to the roll.  If the player would roll a natural 1 on the attack roll, then he may choose to re-roll the attack roll and add his superiority dice to the re-roll.  Note:  The player must accept the second result.  Even if one, the other, or both dice naturally roll a 1.

At 18th level, the player may apply this archetype's "Greater Weapon Focus" and "Greater Weapon Specialization" to the secondary firearm he chose for "Weapon Focus" and "Weapon Specialization" at level 10.  If he has chose no second firearm or if he chooses not to further enhance his secondary firearm with "Greater Weapon Focus" and "Greater Weapon Specialization" then he can choose to increase his ability score cap up to 24 instead.

Efficient Killing

A grisled, weathered Veteran derives no tactical value, nor joy from drawing out kills or taking some sort of sick pleasure from ending life.  When done well, killing becomes a chore like any other... and a mere stepping stone toward accomplishing a greater objective.  With his chosen weapon, such is his skill that he no longer needs any amount of prep-time, forethought, fanfare, or steeling of his resolve to lay waste to his targets with devastating attacks.  He simply does it.

At 18th level, the Modern Soldier gains the ability to automatically confirm a threat as a critical hit when attacking with any weapon he has applied the "Weapon Specialization" to.  Eliminating the need to make a second roll to confirm the critical hit.