Essa Subclass — Fighter

Hexslinger

Striker — Long Range

You don't close distance. Distance is your safety margin.

Archetype: Ranged Essa gunfighter

The Hexslinger Gauntlet is built into the firing mechanism of a ranged weapon — a revolver, crossbow, or hand cannon. Essa flows through the barrel. What you fire is Essa-loaded. Pulse Strike is a ranged attack at full weapon range. Mark targets and know exactly where they are. Root them before they close. You are the only subclass for whom Techniques arrive from across the room.

In the World

The Empire classifies this as unsanctioned Essa-projection. The licensed version requires registered trajectories and per-shot logging fees. Most Hexslingers operating in the Shatterds are not licensed. The Suppression Grid reads every shot.

Key Mechanic: Long Barrel (Ranged Techniques)

Your Techniques travel with your ranged attacks at full weapon range. Pulse Strike is a ranged attack roll using DEX. Burst fires as a sphere centered on a target within range rather than on yourself. Chain arcs at full range.

Essa Interaction

Standard vial + Feedback Save. Long Barrel is the structural Rule Break — Techniques fire at full weapon range. Rig Current applies to ranged attacks. Iron Overcharge applies to ranged attacks including Pulse Strike.

Techniques

Character Level33/6 unlocked

Showing 3 of 6 techniques

S1StrikeL3

Pulse Strike

1 vial (any tier)

Ranged attack at full weapon range (DEX roll). Hit: +EP × 1d8 force. This is a ranged attack — unique to Hexslinger.

S2StrikeL3

Burst

1 vial (T2 min)

Essa detonates at a point within weapon range. EP × 10 ft radius. DEX save or EP × 2d6 force + push 10 ft.

SN5SenseL3

Mark

1 vial (any tier)

One creature within 60 ft: know location within 1 mile for EP days. Enhancements add audio and visual surveillance.

S3StrikeL7🔒 locked

Chain

1 vial (T2 min)

Ranged attack. On hit: arcs to EP additional targets within 15 ft of each previous. EP × 1d6 force (DEX save for half).

C2ControlL10🔒 locked

Root

1 vial (T2 min)

One creature within 60 ft cannot move for EP rounds. CON save negates. Keeps them in your range.

C3ControlL10🔒 locked

Slow

1 vial (T2 min), Concentration

Up to EP creatures within 40 ft: speed halved, attacks at disadvantage. CON save negates. Duration: up to 1 minute.

Class Features

Hexslinger Gauntlet RigLevel 3

Gain a Hexslinger Gauntlet — built into the firing mechanism of your ranged weapon. Externally looks like a heavily modified ranged weapon.

Rig CurrentLevel 3

Every weapon attack (including ranged) deals +CON modifier bonus force damage. Always on. Free.

Long Barrel (Rule Break)Level 3

Ranged weapon attacks can deliver any Strike Technique at full weapon range. Pulse Strike is a ranged attack roll using DEX. Burst targets a point within range rather than self.

Iron OverchargeLevel 5

Once per turn, one weapon attack (including ranged) deals +1d6 force. No vial.

ChainLevel 7

Ranged attack arcs to EP additional targets within 15 ft of each previous target. T2 minimum.

Precision DampenerLevel 7

1/SR: Fail a Feedback Save while using Pulse Strike at long range (beyond 30 ft)? Treat as success. No Burn.

Target LockLevel 10

Marked targets: +1d8 bonus force on Pulse Strike. Cannot have disadvantage on attacks against them from range. Chain initial attack auto-hits Marked targets.

Volley ProtocolLevel 15

1/SR. Select 20 × 20 ft square in range. DEX save or 4d8 + PB force and Rooted until end of their next turn. T3 minimum. No Feedback Save.

OverwatchLevel 15

Reaction: Use Pulse Strike when a creature within range moves 10+ ft toward you or an ally within 15 ft. Cost: 1 vial + 1 Channel Slot. 1/round.

Last RoundLevel 18

1/LR. Ranged Pulse Strike, PB Cap off. Hit: EP × 4d8 force + stunned. Miss: EP × 1d8. Cost: T4 vial + 1 Burn. No Feedback Save.

Apex CalibrationLevel 18

Burn Buffer 4/SR. Long Barrel range extends to twice weapon's long range. Target Lock applies to all Marks simultaneously.

Level Progression

Level	Features	Channel Slots	Rig Tier	Burn Buffer
3	Hexslinger Gauntlet, Rig Current, Long Barrel, Pulse Strike, Burst, Scan, Mark	2	T1	1/SR
5	Iron Overcharge, Dash, Leap, Rig Tier 2	3	T2	1/SR
7	Chain, Track, Precision Dampener	3	T2	1/SR
9	Rig Tier 3	4	T3	2/SR
10	Root, Slow, Target Lock	4	T3	2/SR
13	Rig Tier 4	5	T4	3/SR
15	Volley Protocol, Overwatch	5	T4	3/SR
17	Rig Tier 5	6	T5	4/SR
18	Last Round, Apex Calibration	6	T5	4/SR

fighteressa subclassgauntletrangedstrikervials