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Human Paragon 3
2007-09-26, 11:21 PM
This five-level PrC expands upon my idea of the Wand and Weapon fighter. It's supposed to be most attractive to rogues, but wizards and multi-classing characters should have a ball with it, too.


The Arcane Duelist
Watch the birdie...
---Thomas Silverfish, Arcane Duelist

Arcane duelists combine sword and sorcery in a unique way- by pairing their two-weapon fighting skills with that most simple of arcane tools: the wand. An arcane duelist knows that the key to surviving to fight another day is using every weapon available to him, and sometimes that means telling the laws of physics to sit down and shut up, just for a minute. If he's never cast a spell in his life, he doesn't let that get in his way. After all, thats what old dusty wizards crafting wands in their old dusty labs are for. Leave the adventuring to people more qualified, somebody that can handle himself in battle. The results: more fun than you can shake a stick at. Literally.

Becoming an Arcane Duelist
Qualifying for this prestige class isn't especially difficult, most can do it at low levels, but few can actually benefit from it. A good dexterity and the ability to dual wield are the most obvious requirements, but there's a secret cost too: the ability to use a wand. Bards will find this PrC especially easy to get into. Rogues have a slightly tougher time, and primary arcane casters can qualify for it too if they plan their career properly. Unconventional magic users such as Hexblades, Spellthieves and Artificers may gain the most utility from its unique abilities, however.

Entry Requirements:
Base Attack Bonus: +3
Feats: Two Weapon Fighting, Combat Reflexes
Skills: Use Magic Device 8 ranks, Knowledge: Arcana 4 ranks



Table: The Arcane Duelist
{table=head]Level | Base Attack Bonus | Fort Save | Ref Save | Will Save | Special
1st | +0 | +0 | +2 | +2 | Wand and Weapon Style
2nd | +1 | +0 | +3 | +3 | Insightful Strike
3rd | +2 | +1 | +3 | +3 | Arcane Defense
4th | +3 | +1 | +4 | +4 | Wand Adaptation
5th | +3 | +1 | +4 | +4 | Superior Wand and Weapon Style
[/table]

Skills: 6+INT Balance, Bluff, Climb, Concentrate, Escape Artist, Hide, Intimidate, Jump, Knowledge: Arcana, Perform, Slight of Hand, Spellcraft, Tumble, Use Magic Device

Hit Dice: d6 per level

Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: The arcane duelist gains no additional weapon or armor proficiencies.

Class Features:

Wand and Weapon Style
Arcane duelists are adept at fighting with a wand and a weapon at the same time. In any round in which an arcane duelist of first level or higher is entitled to two or more melee attacks, he may give up one of those attacks to activate a wand instead. All other normal restrictions still apply to the activation of the wand. If the spell simulated by the wand requires an attack roll, the penalties for two-weapon fighting apply. Treat a wand as a light weapon for the purpose of this ability.

Insightful Strike
Arcane duelists rely as much on their intellect as they do on their dexterity and combat training. Starting at second level, the arcane duelist may apply his intelligence modifier, if any, to any and all damage rolls made with a melee attack or a wand. This bonus is negated if the arcane duelist is wearing medium or heavy armor, and the bonus damage cannot exceed the Arcane Duelist's class level.

Arcane Defense
At third level, the arcane duelist becomes an expert at using a wand for defense as well at attack. As a move action in combat, the arcane duelist may spend two charges from any wand he wields to give himself a +4 shield bonus to his AC until the beginning of his next turn. This ability counts as a a normal activation for the purpose of the Wand and Weapon Style class feature.

Wand Adaptation
An arcane duelist of fourth level or higher gains a competence bonus to Use Magic Device checks made to activate a wand equal to his arcane duelist level.

Superior Wand and Weapon Style
At fifth level, the arcane duelist gains full mastery of fighting with a wand and weapon. In any combat round in which the arcane duelist is entitled to four or more melee attacks, he may forfeit up to two of them to activate a single wand up to two times instead. Activating a wand in this way expends two additional charges per activation.

RTGoodman
2007-09-26, 11:32 PM
I like it, but just a couple of things.

First, do Arcane Duelists gain proficiency with any armors or weapons? Secondly, what size HD do they use?

Also, is there a reason you went with a flat +3 competence bonus for the Wand Adaptation class feature? Otherwise, I don't think it would be overpowered or anything to give them a competence bonus equal to their class level.

Also, could you further explain or give an example of the Superior Wand and Weapon Style ability? Does it mean that you can spend two attack on your weapon and two on your wand, but that doing so costs four charges (one plus three additional)? And is it four charges total, or per use of the wand (so up to 8 charges in a round)?

JackMage666
2007-09-26, 11:33 PM
Traditionally, a a character shouldn't meet the pre-reqs for a PrC before level 5 at the minimum. There are notable exceptions, but it's a good rule to stick too. Makes it less breakable, at least.

Human Paragon 3
2007-09-26, 11:38 PM
Fixed and changed. Good suggestions, everyone. Do the requirements look good now? I elected for Combat Reflexes as the "aw, I have to take this" feat rather than going the Dodge, Mobility route, figured it makes more sense. As it is now, rogues and bards have the easiest time hooking into this class thanks to their skill lists, which is what I wanted.