Alabenson
2012-08-22, 03:01 PM
I've decided to attempt to create a major revision to the 3.5 Samurai base class, hopefully bringing it up to roughly tier 3-4 levels of playability. Here's what I finally came up with:
Class Skills: Appraise (Int), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Gather Information (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Iaijutsu Focus (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (any) (Int), Listen (Wis), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Ride (Ride), Sense Motive (Wis), Speak Language, Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis), Swim (Str)
Skill Points per Level: 6 + Int modifier
{table=head]Level|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Special
1st|
+1|
+2|
+0|
+2|Quick Draw (B), Honorable Soul
2nd|
+2|
+3|
+0|
+3|Two-Weapon Fighting (B)
3rd|
+3|
+3|
+1|
+3|Kiai Surge
4th|
+4|
+4|
+1|
+4|Lightning Blade
5th|
+5|
+4|
+1|
+4|Staredown
6th|
+6|
+5|
+2|
+5|Improved Two-Weapon Fighting (B)
7th|
+7|
+5|
+2|
+5|Iaijutsu Master
8th|
+8|
+6|
+2|
+6|Improved Initiative (B)
9th|
+9|
+6|
+3|
+6|Mettle
10th|
+10|
+7|
+3|
+7|Mass Staredown
11th|
+11|
+7|
+3|
+7|Greater Two-Weapon Fighting (B)
12th|
+12|
+8|
+4|
+8|Strike From the Void
13th|
+13|
+8|
+4|
+8|Improved Kiai Surge
14th|
+14|
+9|
+4|
+9|Improved Mass Staredown
15th|
+15|
+9|
+5|
+9|Death Before Dishonor
16th|
+16|
+10|
+5|
+10|Flawless Two-Weapon Fighting
17th|
+17|
+10|
+5|
+10|Thousand Cuts
18th|
+18|
+11|
+6|
+11|Terrifying Presence
19th|
+19|
+11|
+6|
+11|Greater Kiai Surge
20th|
+20|
+12|
+6|
+12|Strike With No Thought [/table]
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A Samurai is proficient with all simple and maritial weapons as well as the bastard sword (one-handed), and with all armor, but not with shields.
Honorable Soul (Ex): A samurai gains one half his class level (rounded up) as a bonus to Diplomacy, Iaijutsu Focus, Intimidate, and Sense Motive checks.
Kiai Surge (Ex): A samurai of 3rd level or higher can give a great cry during combat that invigorates his attacks. When a samurai shouts (a free action) he gains a bonus on all attack and damage rolls equal to his Charisma bonus (minimum +1) until the beginning of his next turn. He may do this a number of times per day equal to 3 + his Charisma modifier.
Lightning Blade (Ex): A samurai of 4th level or higher adds his Charisma modifier as well as his Dexterity modifier to his initiative checks.
Staredown (Ex): At 5th level, a samurai becomes able to strike fear into his foes by his mere presence. He may now attempt to demoralize opponents as a swift action and gains a +4 bonus to Intimidate checks made to demoralize opponents.
Iaijutsu Master (Ex): By 7th level, a samurai has become adept at iaijutsu, a fighting technique that concentrates on drawing his weapon and striking in one fluid motion. He may now deal extra damage with Iaijutsu Focus against enemies even if they aren’t flatfooted. The samurai must still make the attack immediately after drawing a melee weapon.
Mettle (Ex): At 9th level and higher, if a samurai makes a successful Fortitude or Will save against an attack that normally would have a lesser effect on a successful save, he instead completely negates the affect. An unconscious or sleeping samurai gains no benefit from mettle.
Mass Staredown (Ex): At 10th level, a samurai has sufficient presence that he can cow multiple foes. Using an Intimidate check, the samurai can demoralize all opponents within 30 feet as a single move action.
Strike From the Void (Ex): A samurai of 12th level or higher adds his Charisma modifier to each extra damage die gained from using Iaijutsu Focus.
Improved Kiai Surge (Ex): At 13th level, a samurai learns to channel his kiai much more effectively. His kiai surge ability now lasts for a number of rounds equal to his Charisma modifier.
Improved Mass Staredown (Ex): At 14th level, even a glance from the hard eyes of a samurai is enough to give foes pause. The samurai can now demoralize all opponents within 30 feet as a swift action.
Death Before Dishonor (Ex): At 15th level, a samurai’s honor has transcended mortal limits; the samurai is now completely immune to fear, charm, and compulsion effects.
Flawless Two-Weapon Fighting (Ex): At 16th level, a samurai has honed his mastery of the two-weapon fighting style to perfection. He may now make a fourth attack with his off-hand weapon, albeit at a -15 penalty.
Thousand Cuts (Ex): At 17th level, a samurai may also apply the bonus dice from Iaijutsu Focus (including the extra damage from Strike From the Void) to any additional attacks made with that weapon during his turn.
For example, if a 15th level samurai attacks an opponent using Iaijutsu Focus and takes the full attack action, he may also apply his bonus damage to the second and third attacks he can make due to his base attack bonus.
Terrifying Presence (Ex): At 18th level, a samurai’s bravery, honor, and fighting prowess have become legendary. Any opponent successfully demoralized by a samurai of 18th level or higher is shaken for 4d6 rounds instead of one. Furthermore, the samurai no longer takes penalties for attempting to demoralize larger opponents (he still receives bonuses when demoralizing smaller opponents).
Greater Kiai Surge (Ex): At 19th level, a samurai has completely mastered his ability to enhance his fighting ability through channeling his kiai. The samurai may now make an additional attack with each of his weapons at his highest attack bonus when he is under the effects of his kiai surge ability. These extra attacks do not stack with those granted by the haste spell or the speed weapon enchantment.
Strike With No Thought (Ex): At 20th level, a samurai has achieved an almost supernatural ability to react to danger. At the beginning of any combat, the samurai gains a free surprise round in which to act or is able to act in the surprise round, regardless of whether the samurai started combat aware of his opponents.
Explanation for what I've done:
Essentially, what I tried to accomplish was make the Samurai a front line fighter with alternatives to "I hit it with my sword", while also giving him the ability to function as the party face. I approached the latter by giving the class a much wider skill list (taken from the OA Samurai, CW Samurai, and Aristocrat skill lists), enough skill points to take advantage of said skill list, and also through the Honorable Soul ability, which lets the Samurai function without needing a massive Cha score, which has the added benefit of reducing MAD somewhat.
To give the Samurai options in combat, I started by expanding the Staredown power from CW, using the Zhentarim Soldier abilities as a baseline. I also brought back Iaijutsu Focus from OA, with a number of abilities tied to it to increase its usability and power.
Edit Log:
I've halved the skill bonuses granted by Honorable Soul, however I've changed the bonus it grants from competence to untyped.
I've also added Improved Kiai Surge and Greater Kiai Surge at level 13 and 19 to close those dead levels.
I've removed Gather Information from the list of skills boosted by Honorable Soul. It had the least fluff justification for being included, and wasn't critical to the Samurai's ability to function as party Face.
Class Skills: Appraise (Int), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Gather Information (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Iaijutsu Focus (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (any) (Int), Listen (Wis), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Ride (Ride), Sense Motive (Wis), Speak Language, Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis), Swim (Str)
Skill Points per Level: 6 + Int modifier
{table=head]Level|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Special
1st|
+1|
+2|
+0|
+2|Quick Draw (B), Honorable Soul
2nd|
+2|
+3|
+0|
+3|Two-Weapon Fighting (B)
3rd|
+3|
+3|
+1|
+3|Kiai Surge
4th|
+4|
+4|
+1|
+4|Lightning Blade
5th|
+5|
+4|
+1|
+4|Staredown
6th|
+6|
+5|
+2|
+5|Improved Two-Weapon Fighting (B)
7th|
+7|
+5|
+2|
+5|Iaijutsu Master
8th|
+8|
+6|
+2|
+6|Improved Initiative (B)
9th|
+9|
+6|
+3|
+6|Mettle
10th|
+10|
+7|
+3|
+7|Mass Staredown
11th|
+11|
+7|
+3|
+7|Greater Two-Weapon Fighting (B)
12th|
+12|
+8|
+4|
+8|Strike From the Void
13th|
+13|
+8|
+4|
+8|Improved Kiai Surge
14th|
+14|
+9|
+4|
+9|Improved Mass Staredown
15th|
+15|
+9|
+5|
+9|Death Before Dishonor
16th|
+16|
+10|
+5|
+10|Flawless Two-Weapon Fighting
17th|
+17|
+10|
+5|
+10|Thousand Cuts
18th|
+18|
+11|
+6|
+11|Terrifying Presence
19th|
+19|
+11|
+6|
+11|Greater Kiai Surge
20th|
+20|
+12|
+6|
+12|Strike With No Thought [/table]
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A Samurai is proficient with all simple and maritial weapons as well as the bastard sword (one-handed), and with all armor, but not with shields.
Honorable Soul (Ex): A samurai gains one half his class level (rounded up) as a bonus to Diplomacy, Iaijutsu Focus, Intimidate, and Sense Motive checks.
Kiai Surge (Ex): A samurai of 3rd level or higher can give a great cry during combat that invigorates his attacks. When a samurai shouts (a free action) he gains a bonus on all attack and damage rolls equal to his Charisma bonus (minimum +1) until the beginning of his next turn. He may do this a number of times per day equal to 3 + his Charisma modifier.
Lightning Blade (Ex): A samurai of 4th level or higher adds his Charisma modifier as well as his Dexterity modifier to his initiative checks.
Staredown (Ex): At 5th level, a samurai becomes able to strike fear into his foes by his mere presence. He may now attempt to demoralize opponents as a swift action and gains a +4 bonus to Intimidate checks made to demoralize opponents.
Iaijutsu Master (Ex): By 7th level, a samurai has become adept at iaijutsu, a fighting technique that concentrates on drawing his weapon and striking in one fluid motion. He may now deal extra damage with Iaijutsu Focus against enemies even if they aren’t flatfooted. The samurai must still make the attack immediately after drawing a melee weapon.
Mettle (Ex): At 9th level and higher, if a samurai makes a successful Fortitude or Will save against an attack that normally would have a lesser effect on a successful save, he instead completely negates the affect. An unconscious or sleeping samurai gains no benefit from mettle.
Mass Staredown (Ex): At 10th level, a samurai has sufficient presence that he can cow multiple foes. Using an Intimidate check, the samurai can demoralize all opponents within 30 feet as a single move action.
Strike From the Void (Ex): A samurai of 12th level or higher adds his Charisma modifier to each extra damage die gained from using Iaijutsu Focus.
Improved Kiai Surge (Ex): At 13th level, a samurai learns to channel his kiai much more effectively. His kiai surge ability now lasts for a number of rounds equal to his Charisma modifier.
Improved Mass Staredown (Ex): At 14th level, even a glance from the hard eyes of a samurai is enough to give foes pause. The samurai can now demoralize all opponents within 30 feet as a swift action.
Death Before Dishonor (Ex): At 15th level, a samurai’s honor has transcended mortal limits; the samurai is now completely immune to fear, charm, and compulsion effects.
Flawless Two-Weapon Fighting (Ex): At 16th level, a samurai has honed his mastery of the two-weapon fighting style to perfection. He may now make a fourth attack with his off-hand weapon, albeit at a -15 penalty.
Thousand Cuts (Ex): At 17th level, a samurai may also apply the bonus dice from Iaijutsu Focus (including the extra damage from Strike From the Void) to any additional attacks made with that weapon during his turn.
For example, if a 15th level samurai attacks an opponent using Iaijutsu Focus and takes the full attack action, he may also apply his bonus damage to the second and third attacks he can make due to his base attack bonus.
Terrifying Presence (Ex): At 18th level, a samurai’s bravery, honor, and fighting prowess have become legendary. Any opponent successfully demoralized by a samurai of 18th level or higher is shaken for 4d6 rounds instead of one. Furthermore, the samurai no longer takes penalties for attempting to demoralize larger opponents (he still receives bonuses when demoralizing smaller opponents).
Greater Kiai Surge (Ex): At 19th level, a samurai has completely mastered his ability to enhance his fighting ability through channeling his kiai. The samurai may now make an additional attack with each of his weapons at his highest attack bonus when he is under the effects of his kiai surge ability. These extra attacks do not stack with those granted by the haste spell or the speed weapon enchantment.
Strike With No Thought (Ex): At 20th level, a samurai has achieved an almost supernatural ability to react to danger. At the beginning of any combat, the samurai gains a free surprise round in which to act or is able to act in the surprise round, regardless of whether the samurai started combat aware of his opponents.
Explanation for what I've done:
Essentially, what I tried to accomplish was make the Samurai a front line fighter with alternatives to "I hit it with my sword", while also giving him the ability to function as the party face. I approached the latter by giving the class a much wider skill list (taken from the OA Samurai, CW Samurai, and Aristocrat skill lists), enough skill points to take advantage of said skill list, and also through the Honorable Soul ability, which lets the Samurai function without needing a massive Cha score, which has the added benefit of reducing MAD somewhat.
To give the Samurai options in combat, I started by expanding the Staredown power from CW, using the Zhentarim Soldier abilities as a baseline. I also brought back Iaijutsu Focus from OA, with a number of abilities tied to it to increase its usability and power.
Edit Log:
I've halved the skill bonuses granted by Honorable Soul, however I've changed the bonus it grants from competence to untyped.
I've also added Improved Kiai Surge and Greater Kiai Surge at level 13 and 19 to close those dead levels.
I've removed Gather Information from the list of skills boosted by Honorable Soul. It had the least fluff justification for being included, and wasn't critical to the Samurai's ability to function as party Face.