Chambers
2011-01-03, 02:37 PM
Blade Dancer
http://images.community.wizards.com/community.wizards.com/user/alphastream1//dark_sun/06f40b85fd6763db20035c149fe2aec8.jpg?v=269400
Yes, I do wield my blade like a Wudan master. No, I will not teach you. - Sheka
This is an update and revision to the Blade Dancer PrC originally presented in Oriental Adventures. It adds a spellcasting progression, more and better movement related abilities and a channel spell type class feature.
To blade dancers the sword is more than a weapon - it is an ally, a friend, a spirit companion. Viewing combat as art, a deadly dance, some blade dancers are prone to singing in battle. Blade dancers tap powerful magical energy through a combination of martial prowess and magical study, gaining phenomenal acrobatic ability and the ability to enchant their blades in combat.
Most blade dancers are multiclass characters, such as fighters, monks, rogues and beguilers, sorcerers or wizards. Other martial classes such as the swashbuckler and ninja can qualify, as well as other spellcasting classes such as the dread necromancer and warmage, but the blade dancer abilities do not complement well their style of spellcasting.
Martial adept initiates do not usually become blade dancers as it does not advance their own unique sword magic. Between good aligned characters there is a friendly rivalry between blade dancers and martial adepts, each believing in their own style of sword magic and trying to show it's superiority. Evil characters tend to take a more extreme view and may work to eliminate the opposing style in order that their own reigns supreme.
Requirements
Base Attack Bonus: +3
Skills: Jump 4 ranks, Tumble 4 ranks, Spellcraft 4 ranks
Feats: Dodge, Mobility
Spellcasting: Must be able to cast 1st level arcane spells.
Special: Proficiency with any sword.
Class Skills
The blade dancer's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Escape Artist (Dex), Jump (Str), Knowledge: arcana (Int), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), Ride (Dex), and Tumble (Dex)
Skill Points at each Each Level: 4 + Int modifier
{table=head]Level|BAB|Fort|Reflex|Will|Special Ability|Spellcasting
1|+1|+0|+2|+2|Armored Mage, Sword Magic, Acrobatics +10|---
2|+2|+0|+3|+3|Spring Attack, Leap of the Clouds|+1 level of arcane spellcasting class
3|+3|+1|+3|+3|Fast Movement +10ft, Slow Fall 20ft|+1 level of arcane spellcasting class
4|+4|+1|+4|+4|Enchanted Blade I, Fast Acrobatics|---
5|+5|+1|+4|+4|Bounding Assault, Acrobatics +20|+1 level of arcane spellcasting class
6|+6|+2|+5|+5|Fast Movement +20ft, Light Step, Slow Fall 40ft|+1 level of arcane spellcasting class
7|+7|+2|+5|+5|Enchanted Blade II|---
8|+8|+2|+6|+6|Up the Walls, Deflect Arrows|+1 level of arcane spellcasting class
9|+9|+3|+6|+6|Rapid Blitz, Fast Movement +30ft, Slow Fall 60ft|+1 level of arcane spellcasting class
10|+10|+3|+7|+7|Enchanted Blade III, Acrobatics +30, Walk on Air|---[/table]
Class Features
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Blade dancers are proficient with all simple and martial weapons and with light armor. A blade dancer who wears medium or heavy armor, or carries a medium or heavy load, cannot use any of her abilities except for Enchanted Blade.
Spellcasting: At every level except 1st, 4th, 7th, & 10th the blade dancer gains new spells per day and spells known, if applicable, as if she had also gained a level in whatever arcane spellcasting class she belonged to before she added the prestige class. She does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained.
If a character had more than one arcane spellcasting class before she became a Spellmantle, she must decide to which class she adds each level of Spellmantle for the purpose of determining spells per day.
Armored Mage (Ex): At 1st level the blade dancer learns how to move with the armor she's wearing, working within it's protection instead of against it. While wearing light armor she may ignore the arcane spell failure chance for arcane spells.
Sword Magic (Ex): The blade dancer learns to weave the somatic components for her spells into the movements of her blade. At 1st level she gains the Somatic Weaponry feat as a bonus feat without needing to meet the prerequisites.
Acrobatics (Ex): A 1st level the blade dancer gains a +10 insight bonus on Balance, Jump, and Tumble checks. At 5th level this bonus increases to +20 and at 10th level it is +30. In addition, a blade dancer can always choose to take 10 on a Balance, Jump, or Tumble check, even when circumstances would normally prevent her from doing so.
Spring Attack (Ex): At 2nd level the blade dancer gains Spring Attack as a bonus feat.
Leap of the Clouds (Ex): A blade dancer of at least 2nd level does not double the DC for a Jump check if she does not move 20ft in a straight line prior to the jump. If she does move 20ft in a straight line before attempting a jump, she gains a +5 competence bonus on the check.
Fast Movement (Ex): At 3rd level the blade dancers speed increases by +10 feet. This bonus is considered an enhancement bonus. At 6th level this bonus increases to +20 feet and at 9th level it increases to +30 feet.
Slow Fall (Ex): At 3rd level or higher, a blade dancer within arm’s reach of a wall can use it to slow her descent. When first using this ability, she takes damage as if the fall were 20 feet shorter than it actually is. At 6th level she may slow fall 40 feet and at 9th level she may slow fall 60 feet.
Enchanted Blade I (Su): At 4th level the blade dancer learns how to combine her spells with the strikes of her blade. Once per round as a swift action the blade dancer may cast a single touch spell she knows and deliver it through her sword with a melee attack. Casting a spell in this manner does not provoke an attack of opportunity. The spell must have a casting time of 1 standard action or less. If the melee attack is successful, the attack deals damage normally; then the effect of the spell is resolved.
The enchanted blade affects only one target per casting, regardless if the spell could normally target multiple opponents. If the blade dancer misses with the attack the spell is wasted.
At 4th level the blade dancer may enchant her blade with any 0, 1st, or 2nd level touch spell she knows.
Fast Acrobatics (Ex): A blade dancer of at least 4th level can avoid the normal penalties for accelerated movement while using her acrobatic talents. She ignores the normal -5 penalty when making a Balance check while moving her full normal speed and she can tumble at her full speed without taking the normal -10 penalty on her Tumble check.
Bounding Assault (Ex): At 5th level the blade dancer gains Bounding Assault as a bonus feat. She need not have the prerequisites normally required for Bounding Assault to gain this feat.
Light Step (Ex): A blade dancer of at least 6th level may move through non-magically enhanced difficult terrain at her normal speed.
Enchanted Blade II (Su): At 7th level the blade dancer may enchant her blade with a touch spell up to 3rd level. In addition if the blade dancer misses with her attack the spell is not wasted; her blade retains the spell until the end of her round, allowing her to attempt to attack another enemy and discharge the spell.
Up the Walls (Su): At 8th level the blade dancer gains Up the Walls (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/psionicFeats.htm#upTheWalls) as a bonus feat without needing to meet the requirements. She does not need to be psionically focused in order to use the feat.
Deflect Arrows (Ex): At 8th level the blade dancer gains the benefit of the Deflect Arrows feat when using any type of sword. As a free action she may expend a prepared spell or spell slot of at least 1st level in order to gain more uses per round from the feat. For every spell level expended she may use the feat one additional time per round.
Rapid Blitz (Ex): At 9th level the blade dancer gains Rapid Blitz as a bonus feat. She need not have the prerequisites normally required for Rapid Blitz to gain this feat.
Enchanted Blade III (Su): At 10th level the blade dancer may enchant her blade with a touch spell up to 4th level. In addition she may attack multiple opponents with a single casting of the spell. Her blade retains the spell until the end of the round, affecting as many opponents as she successfully hits during her turn.
http://images.community.wizards.com/community.wizards.com/user/alphastream1//dark_sun/06f40b85fd6763db20035c149fe2aec8.jpg?v=269400
Yes, I do wield my blade like a Wudan master. No, I will not teach you. - Sheka
This is an update and revision to the Blade Dancer PrC originally presented in Oriental Adventures. It adds a spellcasting progression, more and better movement related abilities and a channel spell type class feature.
To blade dancers the sword is more than a weapon - it is an ally, a friend, a spirit companion. Viewing combat as art, a deadly dance, some blade dancers are prone to singing in battle. Blade dancers tap powerful magical energy through a combination of martial prowess and magical study, gaining phenomenal acrobatic ability and the ability to enchant their blades in combat.
Most blade dancers are multiclass characters, such as fighters, monks, rogues and beguilers, sorcerers or wizards. Other martial classes such as the swashbuckler and ninja can qualify, as well as other spellcasting classes such as the dread necromancer and warmage, but the blade dancer abilities do not complement well their style of spellcasting.
Martial adept initiates do not usually become blade dancers as it does not advance their own unique sword magic. Between good aligned characters there is a friendly rivalry between blade dancers and martial adepts, each believing in their own style of sword magic and trying to show it's superiority. Evil characters tend to take a more extreme view and may work to eliminate the opposing style in order that their own reigns supreme.
Requirements
Base Attack Bonus: +3
Skills: Jump 4 ranks, Tumble 4 ranks, Spellcraft 4 ranks
Feats: Dodge, Mobility
Spellcasting: Must be able to cast 1st level arcane spells.
Special: Proficiency with any sword.
Class Skills
The blade dancer's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Escape Artist (Dex), Jump (Str), Knowledge: arcana (Int), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), Ride (Dex), and Tumble (Dex)
Skill Points at each Each Level: 4 + Int modifier
{table=head]Level|BAB|Fort|Reflex|Will|Special Ability|Spellcasting
1|+1|+0|+2|+2|Armored Mage, Sword Magic, Acrobatics +10|---
2|+2|+0|+3|+3|Spring Attack, Leap of the Clouds|+1 level of arcane spellcasting class
3|+3|+1|+3|+3|Fast Movement +10ft, Slow Fall 20ft|+1 level of arcane spellcasting class
4|+4|+1|+4|+4|Enchanted Blade I, Fast Acrobatics|---
5|+5|+1|+4|+4|Bounding Assault, Acrobatics +20|+1 level of arcane spellcasting class
6|+6|+2|+5|+5|Fast Movement +20ft, Light Step, Slow Fall 40ft|+1 level of arcane spellcasting class
7|+7|+2|+5|+5|Enchanted Blade II|---
8|+8|+2|+6|+6|Up the Walls, Deflect Arrows|+1 level of arcane spellcasting class
9|+9|+3|+6|+6|Rapid Blitz, Fast Movement +30ft, Slow Fall 60ft|+1 level of arcane spellcasting class
10|+10|+3|+7|+7|Enchanted Blade III, Acrobatics +30, Walk on Air|---[/table]
Class Features
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Blade dancers are proficient with all simple and martial weapons and with light armor. A blade dancer who wears medium or heavy armor, or carries a medium or heavy load, cannot use any of her abilities except for Enchanted Blade.
Spellcasting: At every level except 1st, 4th, 7th, & 10th the blade dancer gains new spells per day and spells known, if applicable, as if she had also gained a level in whatever arcane spellcasting class she belonged to before she added the prestige class. She does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained.
If a character had more than one arcane spellcasting class before she became a Spellmantle, she must decide to which class she adds each level of Spellmantle for the purpose of determining spells per day.
Armored Mage (Ex): At 1st level the blade dancer learns how to move with the armor she's wearing, working within it's protection instead of against it. While wearing light armor she may ignore the arcane spell failure chance for arcane spells.
Sword Magic (Ex): The blade dancer learns to weave the somatic components for her spells into the movements of her blade. At 1st level she gains the Somatic Weaponry feat as a bonus feat without needing to meet the prerequisites.
Acrobatics (Ex): A 1st level the blade dancer gains a +10 insight bonus on Balance, Jump, and Tumble checks. At 5th level this bonus increases to +20 and at 10th level it is +30. In addition, a blade dancer can always choose to take 10 on a Balance, Jump, or Tumble check, even when circumstances would normally prevent her from doing so.
Spring Attack (Ex): At 2nd level the blade dancer gains Spring Attack as a bonus feat.
Leap of the Clouds (Ex): A blade dancer of at least 2nd level does not double the DC for a Jump check if she does not move 20ft in a straight line prior to the jump. If she does move 20ft in a straight line before attempting a jump, she gains a +5 competence bonus on the check.
Fast Movement (Ex): At 3rd level the blade dancers speed increases by +10 feet. This bonus is considered an enhancement bonus. At 6th level this bonus increases to +20 feet and at 9th level it increases to +30 feet.
Slow Fall (Ex): At 3rd level or higher, a blade dancer within arm’s reach of a wall can use it to slow her descent. When first using this ability, she takes damage as if the fall were 20 feet shorter than it actually is. At 6th level she may slow fall 40 feet and at 9th level she may slow fall 60 feet.
Enchanted Blade I (Su): At 4th level the blade dancer learns how to combine her spells with the strikes of her blade. Once per round as a swift action the blade dancer may cast a single touch spell she knows and deliver it through her sword with a melee attack. Casting a spell in this manner does not provoke an attack of opportunity. The spell must have a casting time of 1 standard action or less. If the melee attack is successful, the attack deals damage normally; then the effect of the spell is resolved.
The enchanted blade affects only one target per casting, regardless if the spell could normally target multiple opponents. If the blade dancer misses with the attack the spell is wasted.
At 4th level the blade dancer may enchant her blade with any 0, 1st, or 2nd level touch spell she knows.
Fast Acrobatics (Ex): A blade dancer of at least 4th level can avoid the normal penalties for accelerated movement while using her acrobatic talents. She ignores the normal -5 penalty when making a Balance check while moving her full normal speed and she can tumble at her full speed without taking the normal -10 penalty on her Tumble check.
Bounding Assault (Ex): At 5th level the blade dancer gains Bounding Assault as a bonus feat. She need not have the prerequisites normally required for Bounding Assault to gain this feat.
Light Step (Ex): A blade dancer of at least 6th level may move through non-magically enhanced difficult terrain at her normal speed.
Enchanted Blade II (Su): At 7th level the blade dancer may enchant her blade with a touch spell up to 3rd level. In addition if the blade dancer misses with her attack the spell is not wasted; her blade retains the spell until the end of her round, allowing her to attempt to attack another enemy and discharge the spell.
Up the Walls (Su): At 8th level the blade dancer gains Up the Walls (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/psionicFeats.htm#upTheWalls) as a bonus feat without needing to meet the requirements. She does not need to be psionically focused in order to use the feat.
Deflect Arrows (Ex): At 8th level the blade dancer gains the benefit of the Deflect Arrows feat when using any type of sword. As a free action she may expend a prepared spell or spell slot of at least 1st level in order to gain more uses per round from the feat. For every spell level expended she may use the feat one additional time per round.
Rapid Blitz (Ex): At 9th level the blade dancer gains Rapid Blitz as a bonus feat. She need not have the prerequisites normally required for Rapid Blitz to gain this feat.
Enchanted Blade III (Su): At 10th level the blade dancer may enchant her blade with a touch spell up to 4th level. In addition she may attack multiple opponents with a single casting of the spell. Her blade retains the spell until the end of the round, affecting as many opponents as she successfully hits during her turn.