Elhann
2012-07-30, 09:49 AM
Hi. I'm about to DM a game on 3.5, and I was going to give one of my players this class to try. Thing is, this is the first thing I develop, and I'm not sure how balanced or fun-to-play on paper it looks.
The basis for this is the Myrmidon/Swordmaster from the FE games (a sword fighter with emphasis on speed and criticals, with little defense) My intention here is a character which can deal lots of damage, but not really able to endure for a long time.
So, here it goes:
Hit Die: d8
Class skills: the Swordmaster's class skills are Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Gather information (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge - Local (Int), Sense motive (Wis), Swim (str), Tumble (Dex)
Skill Points at 1st Level: (4 + Int modifier) ×4.
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Table: The Swordmaster:
Level BAB Fort Ref Will Special
1 +1 +2 +2 +0 Sword Adept (+1), Graceful Swordplay
2 +2 +3 +3 +0 Cunning swordplay, Confident attack
3 +3 +3 +3 +1 Feinting strike
4 +4 +4 +4 +1 Improved Cunning swordplay (+2)
5 +5 +4 +4 +1 Balanced attack and defense
6 +6 +5 +5 +2 Dancing blade
7 +7 +5 +5 +2 Wind of death
8 +8 +6 +6 +2 Sword adept (+2)
9 +9 +6 +6 +3 Live by the blade
10 +10 +7 +7 +3 Improved dancing blade
11 +11 +7 +7 +3 Riposte strike
12 +12 +8 +8 +4 Improved Cunning swordplay (+4)
13 +13 +8 +8 +4 Telling blow
14 +14 +9 +9 +4 One with the sword
15 +15 +9 +9 +5 Stunning strike
16 +16 +10 +10 +5 Perfect dancing blade
17 +17 +10 +10 +5 Die by the blade
18 +18 +11 +11 +6 Decissive strike
19 +19 +11 +11 +6
20 +20 +12 +12 +6 Killing intent
(BAB is the highest AB, iterative attacks as normal)
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the Swordmaster
Weapon and Armor Proficiency:
Swordmasters are proficient with the longsword, short sword, bastard sword, dagger, scimitar and rapier.
Swordmasters are proficient with light armors.
Sword adept (EX)
All class features of the swordmaster work when she is using a sword of any kind(*), and no armor or light armor.
The swordmaster gains a +1 bonus on attack rolls. At eighth level, this bonus increases to +2
This bonus stacks with other bonus to attack rolls, such as the one from the Weapon Focus feat.
(*)Longsword, short sword, bastard sword, scimitar or rapier
Graceful swordplay (EX)
A swordmaster may use her Dexterity modifier instead of her Strength modifier on attack rolls.
Cunning Swordplay (EX)
A swordmaster may use her Dexterity modifier instead of her Strength modifier on damage rolls.
Confident attack (EX)
If the swordmaster confirms a critical, she gains a +1 bonus to her attack and damage rolls until the end of the encounter. This bonus stacks with itself.
Improved graceful swordplay (EX)
A swordmaster may use her dexterity modifier for disarm or trip opposed rolls. She may use a sword of any kind to disarm or trip opponents.
Feinting strike (EX)
As a standard action, a swordmaster may use this special attack.
She rolls two d20 instead of 1 as an attack roll, and choose the higher one.
If both rolls would have hit the target, she may add a d6 to the damage roll.
A swordmaster may only use this ability once per encounter against the same opponent.
Improved cunning swordplay (EX)
A swordmaster adds a +2 bonus to her damage rolls. This bonus increases to +4 at 12th level.
She also adds 1.5 times his dexterity or strength modifier to damage rolls, as long as she doesn't wield two weapons.
Balanced attack and defense(EX)
When using a sword of any kind, the swordmaster treats it as if it had the "Defending" property, in addition to any other properties it may have. If it was already a defending weapon, the swordmaster gains an additional +1 bonus to his SC.
Dancing blade (EX)
A swordmaster may make an additional attack as part of a full atack, or a standard action. When using the dancing blade, all attacks suffer a -2 penalty, and all attacks must target the same opponent.
Wind of death (EX)
A swordmaster may make a special attack to hit distant enemies.
As a standard action, he may every creature in a line, with a range of 25 feet, plus 5 feet per every two levels.
Roll a single attack roll, and compare with the AC of every creature. Being engaged in combat doesn't penalize this attack, but cover does.
This attack deals the same damage as a the weapon would inflict, plus half your dexterity or strength modifier. Weapon enhancement such as flaming, bane or axiomatic don't apply to this attack.
Regardless of the weapon used or its enhancements, feats or abilities, this attack only threatens a critical on a 20, and doubles the damage inflicted on a critical.
Live by the blade (EX)
When using a sword of any kind, the weapon threat range is increased by one point. Apply this increment AFTER any other modifier to the threat range of the weapon, such as the improved critical feat, or a keen weapon.
Improved dancing blade (EX)
If a swordmaster makes a charge, she may follow with a full attack. All attacks this round suffer a -2 penalty, and all must be directed against the same opponent.
In addition to this effect, you suffer a -5 penalty to your tumble check to avoid attacks of opportunity when moving your full speed, instead of the normal -10 penalty for doing so.
Riposte strike (EX)
If an opponent fails to hit the Swordmaster, the swordmaster may make an attack of opportunity against this opponent.
Alternatively, she may choose to gain a +1 bonus to AC against the attacker, until the end of the encounter.
Telling blow (EX)
A swordmaster may make a special attack to weaken his opponent. As a standard action, make an attack against one opponent. If it hits, this attack ignores any damage reduction the opponent may have, deals an extra 2d6 damage, and the opponent suffers 2 points of either Strength or dexterity damage. A successful Fortitude save (DC: 10 + half the swordmaster's level + the swordmaster's inteligence modifier) negates the ability damage.
One with the sword (EX)
Choose one of the following weapon enhancements: Axiomatic, Anarchic, Holy, Unholy, Shocking burst, Flaming burst, Icy Burst.
Consider the swordmaster as the weapon creator regarding alignment weapons (for example, a chaotic good swordmaster cannot choose axiomatic or unholy as his enhancement)
Once selected, the enhancement can only be changed if you change your alignment, if and only if the new alignment would make the weapon ineligible. Furthermore, an alignment enhancement can only be swapped with another alignment enhancement if it is possible.
For example, a lawful evil character chooses axiomatic as his enhancement. If he ceased to be lawful, he would be able to choose Unholy as his enhancement. If he turned Lawful neutral, he must keep Axiomatic.
If a Neutral good character chose Holy and ceased to be good, he would be able to choose any of the elemental bursts enhancement, but he wouldn't be able to change it again, even if he turned NG again.
When using a sword of any kind, you may suffer your HD worth of hit point damage, to treat the weapon as if it had that enhancement, in addition to any other enhancement it had, even if it normaly couldn't have it. This effect lasts until the end of the encounter or the swordmaster chooses to end it. While it is active, you cannot regain the damage suffered to activate it by any means.
Stunning strike (EX)
When using a sword of any kind, a swordmaster may make a special attack to stun his opponent. As a standard action, make an attack against one opponent. If it hits, this attack ignores any damage reduction the opponent may have, deals an extra 4d6 damage, and the opponent is stunned for one round. A successful Fortitude save (DC: 10 + half the swordmaster's level + the swordmaster's inteligence modifier) negates the stun effect.
A swordmaster may only use this ability once per encounter against the same opponent.
Perfect Dancing blade (EX)
When using her dancing blade ability, the Swordmaster doesn't suffer the penalty to attack, and may attack different opponents with no restrictions
Die by the blade (EX)
When using a sword of any kind, the weapon critical multiplier is increased by 1 point. (This is, a longsword would deal triple damage on a critical hit). This ability doesn't stack with any other effect that would increase the critical multiplier of the weapon.
Decissive strike (EX)
When using a sword of any kind, a swordmaster may make a special attack to severely damage his opponent. Once per encounter, as a standard action, make an attack against one opponent. If the attack hits, it deals an extra 100 points of damage. This damage isn't multiplied on a critical. If this attack kills an uninjured opponent, all his allies that can see it must make a will save (10 + the swordmaster's inteligence modifier + the decissive strike target's HD) or be shaken until the end of the encounter or the swordmaster is reduced to half her hitpoints or less.
Creatures gain a bonus to this Will save equal to their HD.
Killing intent (EX)
When using a sword of any kind, the swordmaster can end the fight with one hit. When she confirms a critical, the target must pass a Fortitude save (DC: 10+half the swordmaster's level+the swordmaster's inteligence modifier) or die.
A swordmaster can use this ability once per encounter.
****
So, opinions? thanks!
The basis for this is the Myrmidon/Swordmaster from the FE games (a sword fighter with emphasis on speed and criticals, with little defense) My intention here is a character which can deal lots of damage, but not really able to endure for a long time.
So, here it goes:
Hit Die: d8
Class skills: the Swordmaster's class skills are Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Gather information (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge - Local (Int), Sense motive (Wis), Swim (str), Tumble (Dex)
Skill Points at 1st Level: (4 + Int modifier) ×4.
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Table: The Swordmaster:
Level BAB Fort Ref Will Special
1 +1 +2 +2 +0 Sword Adept (+1), Graceful Swordplay
2 +2 +3 +3 +0 Cunning swordplay, Confident attack
3 +3 +3 +3 +1 Feinting strike
4 +4 +4 +4 +1 Improved Cunning swordplay (+2)
5 +5 +4 +4 +1 Balanced attack and defense
6 +6 +5 +5 +2 Dancing blade
7 +7 +5 +5 +2 Wind of death
8 +8 +6 +6 +2 Sword adept (+2)
9 +9 +6 +6 +3 Live by the blade
10 +10 +7 +7 +3 Improved dancing blade
11 +11 +7 +7 +3 Riposte strike
12 +12 +8 +8 +4 Improved Cunning swordplay (+4)
13 +13 +8 +8 +4 Telling blow
14 +14 +9 +9 +4 One with the sword
15 +15 +9 +9 +5 Stunning strike
16 +16 +10 +10 +5 Perfect dancing blade
17 +17 +10 +10 +5 Die by the blade
18 +18 +11 +11 +6 Decissive strike
19 +19 +11 +11 +6
20 +20 +12 +12 +6 Killing intent
(BAB is the highest AB, iterative attacks as normal)
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the Swordmaster
Weapon and Armor Proficiency:
Swordmasters are proficient with the longsword, short sword, bastard sword, dagger, scimitar and rapier.
Swordmasters are proficient with light armors.
Sword adept (EX)
All class features of the swordmaster work when she is using a sword of any kind(*), and no armor or light armor.
The swordmaster gains a +1 bonus on attack rolls. At eighth level, this bonus increases to +2
This bonus stacks with other bonus to attack rolls, such as the one from the Weapon Focus feat.
(*)Longsword, short sword, bastard sword, scimitar or rapier
Graceful swordplay (EX)
A swordmaster may use her Dexterity modifier instead of her Strength modifier on attack rolls.
Cunning Swordplay (EX)
A swordmaster may use her Dexterity modifier instead of her Strength modifier on damage rolls.
Confident attack (EX)
If the swordmaster confirms a critical, she gains a +1 bonus to her attack and damage rolls until the end of the encounter. This bonus stacks with itself.
Improved graceful swordplay (EX)
A swordmaster may use her dexterity modifier for disarm or trip opposed rolls. She may use a sword of any kind to disarm or trip opponents.
Feinting strike (EX)
As a standard action, a swordmaster may use this special attack.
She rolls two d20 instead of 1 as an attack roll, and choose the higher one.
If both rolls would have hit the target, she may add a d6 to the damage roll.
A swordmaster may only use this ability once per encounter against the same opponent.
Improved cunning swordplay (EX)
A swordmaster adds a +2 bonus to her damage rolls. This bonus increases to +4 at 12th level.
She also adds 1.5 times his dexterity or strength modifier to damage rolls, as long as she doesn't wield two weapons.
Balanced attack and defense(EX)
When using a sword of any kind, the swordmaster treats it as if it had the "Defending" property, in addition to any other properties it may have. If it was already a defending weapon, the swordmaster gains an additional +1 bonus to his SC.
Dancing blade (EX)
A swordmaster may make an additional attack as part of a full atack, or a standard action. When using the dancing blade, all attacks suffer a -2 penalty, and all attacks must target the same opponent.
Wind of death (EX)
A swordmaster may make a special attack to hit distant enemies.
As a standard action, he may every creature in a line, with a range of 25 feet, plus 5 feet per every two levels.
Roll a single attack roll, and compare with the AC of every creature. Being engaged in combat doesn't penalize this attack, but cover does.
This attack deals the same damage as a the weapon would inflict, plus half your dexterity or strength modifier. Weapon enhancement such as flaming, bane or axiomatic don't apply to this attack.
Regardless of the weapon used or its enhancements, feats or abilities, this attack only threatens a critical on a 20, and doubles the damage inflicted on a critical.
Live by the blade (EX)
When using a sword of any kind, the weapon threat range is increased by one point. Apply this increment AFTER any other modifier to the threat range of the weapon, such as the improved critical feat, or a keen weapon.
Improved dancing blade (EX)
If a swordmaster makes a charge, she may follow with a full attack. All attacks this round suffer a -2 penalty, and all must be directed against the same opponent.
In addition to this effect, you suffer a -5 penalty to your tumble check to avoid attacks of opportunity when moving your full speed, instead of the normal -10 penalty for doing so.
Riposte strike (EX)
If an opponent fails to hit the Swordmaster, the swordmaster may make an attack of opportunity against this opponent.
Alternatively, she may choose to gain a +1 bonus to AC against the attacker, until the end of the encounter.
Telling blow (EX)
A swordmaster may make a special attack to weaken his opponent. As a standard action, make an attack against one opponent. If it hits, this attack ignores any damage reduction the opponent may have, deals an extra 2d6 damage, and the opponent suffers 2 points of either Strength or dexterity damage. A successful Fortitude save (DC: 10 + half the swordmaster's level + the swordmaster's inteligence modifier) negates the ability damage.
One with the sword (EX)
Choose one of the following weapon enhancements: Axiomatic, Anarchic, Holy, Unholy, Shocking burst, Flaming burst, Icy Burst.
Consider the swordmaster as the weapon creator regarding alignment weapons (for example, a chaotic good swordmaster cannot choose axiomatic or unholy as his enhancement)
Once selected, the enhancement can only be changed if you change your alignment, if and only if the new alignment would make the weapon ineligible. Furthermore, an alignment enhancement can only be swapped with another alignment enhancement if it is possible.
For example, a lawful evil character chooses axiomatic as his enhancement. If he ceased to be lawful, he would be able to choose Unholy as his enhancement. If he turned Lawful neutral, he must keep Axiomatic.
If a Neutral good character chose Holy and ceased to be good, he would be able to choose any of the elemental bursts enhancement, but he wouldn't be able to change it again, even if he turned NG again.
When using a sword of any kind, you may suffer your HD worth of hit point damage, to treat the weapon as if it had that enhancement, in addition to any other enhancement it had, even if it normaly couldn't have it. This effect lasts until the end of the encounter or the swordmaster chooses to end it. While it is active, you cannot regain the damage suffered to activate it by any means.
Stunning strike (EX)
When using a sword of any kind, a swordmaster may make a special attack to stun his opponent. As a standard action, make an attack against one opponent. If it hits, this attack ignores any damage reduction the opponent may have, deals an extra 4d6 damage, and the opponent is stunned for one round. A successful Fortitude save (DC: 10 + half the swordmaster's level + the swordmaster's inteligence modifier) negates the stun effect.
A swordmaster may only use this ability once per encounter against the same opponent.
Perfect Dancing blade (EX)
When using her dancing blade ability, the Swordmaster doesn't suffer the penalty to attack, and may attack different opponents with no restrictions
Die by the blade (EX)
When using a sword of any kind, the weapon critical multiplier is increased by 1 point. (This is, a longsword would deal triple damage on a critical hit). This ability doesn't stack with any other effect that would increase the critical multiplier of the weapon.
Decissive strike (EX)
When using a sword of any kind, a swordmaster may make a special attack to severely damage his opponent. Once per encounter, as a standard action, make an attack against one opponent. If the attack hits, it deals an extra 100 points of damage. This damage isn't multiplied on a critical. If this attack kills an uninjured opponent, all his allies that can see it must make a will save (10 + the swordmaster's inteligence modifier + the decissive strike target's HD) or be shaken until the end of the encounter or the swordmaster is reduced to half her hitpoints or less.
Creatures gain a bonus to this Will save equal to their HD.
Killing intent (EX)
When using a sword of any kind, the swordmaster can end the fight with one hit. When she confirms a critical, the target must pass a Fortitude save (DC: 10+half the swordmaster's level+the swordmaster's inteligence modifier) or die.
A swordmaster can use this ability once per encounter.
****
So, opinions? thanks!