As a ranger gains experience, he learns a number of talents that aid him against his foes. Starting at 2nd level, a ranger gains one ranger talent. He gains an additional ranger talent for every 2 levels of ranger attained after 2nd level. Unless otherwise stated, a ranger cannot select an individual talent more than once.
Ambushing Shot (Ex): A ranger with this talent may treat his initiative roll as a 20 for a surprise round, regardless of his initiative, but he may only take an attack action with a ranged weapon. His normal initiative roll is used in subsequent rounds. If two or more characters possess this talent, their initiative determines the order in which they act, but they all go before any other creature. If a ranger is prevented from acting in the surprise round, this talent has no effect.
Chameleon Step (Ex): The ranger can move up to twice his speed as a move action. The ranger does not take any penalty on Stealth skill checks for movement during this move. This move provokes attacks of opportunity as normal (assuming enemies know he’s there). Prerequisite: A ranger must be at least 6th level to select this talent.
Combat Trick: A ranger that selects this talent gains a bonus combat feat (see Feats). This talent may be selected more than once.
Combat Ranger: A ranger that selects this talent gains Empty Quiver Style as a bonus feat without needing to meet it’s prerequisites. The ranger can use empty quiver style with any ranged weapon that isn't a throwing weapon
Close-Ranged Sniper: The ranger gains Point Blank Shot as a bonus feat. If the ranger already has Point Blank Shot, he can choose either Far Shot or Precise Shot instead. At 6th level, the ranger also gains Point Blank Master as a bonus feat, even if he does not meet its prerequisites.
Defensive Bow Stance (Ex): The ranger can use this talent as a swift action. Until the start of his next turn, his ranged attacks do not provoke attacks of opportunity.
Hateful Attack (Ex): As a free action, when the ranger rolls a critical threat, he may automatically confirm it. Prerequisite: An ranger must be at least 8th level to select this talent.
Marauder’s Step (Ex): Whenever the ranger uses a full-round action to attack, he may move up to half his speed as a free action before the first attack is made. This can provoke attacks of opportunity normally. Prerequisite: An ranger must be at least 8th level to select this talent.
Positioning Shot (Ex): Once per round, when a ranger with this talent hits a creature with a ranged attack, he can move up to 30 feet without provoking attacks of opportunity.
Second Chance Shot (Ex): When he misses with a ranged attack, the ranger may reroll his attack at a –5 penalty. Using this ability is an immediate action.
Secondary Target (Ex): The ranger’s incredible skill with bows and crossbows means that even failure is a success. Whenever the ranger misses his target with a ranged attack, he may redirect the attack to an enemy within 20 feet of his target. He makes an attack roll against the new target, and if successful, hits as if he had targeted them in the first place. The ranger may use this ability as often as he misses, but once he hits a creature with a redirected attack, he cannot target it again this way until the beginning of his next turn. Prerequisite: An ranger must be at least 14th level to select this talent.
Split Shot (Ex): Whenever the ranger makes an attack action with a ranged weapon, he can load two arrows/bolts and fire them as part of the same attack. When making an attack action in this fashion, his attack suffers a -2 penalty, but can target two adjacent creatures. For every four ranger levels he possesses, the targets may be an additional 5 feet away from each other and still be viable targets, so long as their distance from each other is not greater than the distance from him to either of them. Rangers can use specialty ammo and called shots with each individual hit
Sure Footing (Ex): The ranger gains a +5 bonus on Acrobatics checks to move on narrow surfaces and loose or uneven ground.
Sure Shot (Ex): A ranger can use a full-round action to make an attack against an opponent who is up to three range increments away. The opponent is treated as flat-footed against this attack. This attack bypasses any damage reduction the target might have. If the target has uncanny dodge, it retains its damage reduction against this attack.
Surprise Shift (Ex): The ranger can move 5 feet as a swift action. This movement does not provoke attacks of opportunity and does not count as a 5-foot step.
Surprise Shot (Ex): Whenever the ranger rolls initiative, he can also make a single attack with a ranged weapon as an immediate action. He can use this ability only if he has a weapon in hand and it is loaded (if applicable). If more than one character has this talent, their initiative check results determine the order in which they make their attacks. After these attacks are resolved, the round proceeds as normal.
Threatening Shot (Ex): A ranger with this talent is so deadly with his ranged weapons, he may flank targets. He threatens an area up to the first range increment.
Vantage Point (Ex): The ranger uses higher ground to his advantage on his projectile attacks. Whenever the ranger has his entire body completely above the body of his enemy, he can ignore all penalties for attacking beyond the first range increment. In addition, he may ignore cover or partial cover that does not extend upward to his position.
Weak Spot (Ex): Whenever a ranger with this talent uses a ranged weapon against a target of his size or larger, the character can make a ranged touch attack instead of a normal attack. If the attack hits, the ranger does not apply his Strength or Dexterity bonus to the damage.
Without a Trace (Ex): When the ranger successfully uses evasion or improved evasion to avoid taking damage, he can attempt to hide as an immediate action. The ranger attempts a Stealth check with a –20 penalty, but gains a +1 bonus on her check for every die of damage the avoided attack would have dealt. The ranger can attempt this check even while being observed, as long as he has cover or concealment or an ability that allows him to use the Stealth skill while being observed without cover or concealment. Prerequisite: A ranger must have the evasion class feature to select this talent.
