Where the template really shines of course is if you can put your pet into play. Can still beat like 80% of the same people I can with a pure bushido archer.

Certainly not as effective as a pure archer because of compromises in skill points, stats and gear, but not bad.

In certain situations, like a big field fight, I can fight like an archer. This template works well for me because it's very flexible. This template has the same basic set of skills as an ABC archer, but obviously the skill levels outside archery are lower (along with +skill gear) to allow for taming and lore. My setup requires a hunter's headdress, and 2 jewelry slots imbued with +skill.