legomaster00156
2019-10-10, 08:30 PM
Love Path of War, but hate trying to build Path of War creatures to challenge the party? Ever wished all that nasty bookkeeping could be brought down to a minimum? Have I got the template for you! With the handy Initiating Creature template, you can slap thematic Path of War maneuvers and stances onto any humanoid or monster you like!
This template was inspired by this 2015 project by Sacrieur. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=20029440&postcount=1)
This template does not have an official CR adjustment score. Because of the many variants of this template's abilities, and how it might affect various creatures, it is important for the GM to eyeball the CR adjustment. In general, though, a Tier 1 creature will have no CR adjustment, whereas a Tier 2-3 will have a +1 CR adjustment, and Tier 4-5 will have a +2 CR adjustment.
1. Each sub-discipline should be noticeably different from the other, despite using the same discipline. They should each have a unique focus.
2. Avoid overlap of maneuvers and stances known if possible and appropriate.
3. One should get a single maneuver of their highest level available, and a maneuver of the second-highest level available. A third or fourth maneuver should generally come from the third-highest level available.
4. Most builds should have at least one strike maneuver available at every tier.
5. A creature should not have two versions of the same maneuver. For example, having both Wyrmling's Fang and Ancient's Fang on a Thrashing Dragon sub-discipline keeps a creature from having a diverse set of maneuvers.
6. Don't be afraid to grab a maneuver or two beyond the sub-discipline's emphasis.
Initiating Creature
The initiating creature template can be applied to any creature with 3 or more Intelligence (except for Primal Fury) and no other forms of martial initiation.
An initiating creature is a creature that has knowledge of martial maneuvers and stances. When this template is added to a creature, the GM chooses one martial discipline and a sub-discipline for the creature. They gain the maneuvers and stances according to their tier (as displayed below). In addition, they gain the discipline skill as a class skill, and (if their Intelligence is 3+), gain proficiency with one weapon from the discipline weapons.
An initiating creature's initiation modifier is usually the highest of their Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma, but the GM may choose any of these when the template is applied. Their initiator level is equal to their HD (maximum 20).
At the start of combat, an initiating creature has all of their maneuvers readied. They may spend a full-round action to recover their full repertoire of maneuvers, or they may spend a standard action to recover one maneuver.
Hit Dice
Tier
Benefits
Maximum level
1-5
1
1 maneuver
1
6-10
2
2 maneuvers; 1 stance
3
11-15
3
3 maneuvers; 2 stances
5
16-20
4
3 maneuvers; 2 stances
7
21+
5
4 maneuvers; 3 stances
9
Black Seraph
Intimidate || axes, flails, polearms
The Terror
Emphasis on intimidation
Tier 1: Ravaging Blow
Tier 2: Fear Eating Technique, Intimidating Force || Black Seraph's Glare
Tier 3: Bilious Strike, Fear Eating Technique, Sharing the Dark Soul || Black Seraph's Glare, Walk in the Dark
Tier 4: Black Seraph's Wrath, Devastating Riposte, Shadow Raptor Swarm || Black Seraph's Glare, Walk in the Dark
Tier 5: Armageddon Lance, Black Seraph Onslaught, Devastating Riposte, Soul Crusher || Black Seraph's Glare, Walk in the Dark, Vampiric Aura
The Nemesis
Emphasis on high damage and debuffs
Tier 1: Gutstrike
Tier 2: Shadow Feather Strike, Tendon Rip || Savage Stance
Tier 3: Circle of Razor Feathers, Sensory Rip, Vengeful Riposte || Black Seraph Battle Stance, Savage Stance
Tier 4: Abyssal Strike, Armageddon Lance, Consumption Strike || Black Seraph Battle Stance, Razor Wings of the Black Seraph
Tier 5: Apocalyptic Strike, Black Seraph Onslaught, Charge of the Ravager, Consumption Strike || Black Seraph Battle Stance, Razor Wings of the Black Seraph, Vampiric Aura
Broken Blade
Acrobatics || close, monk, natural
Special: Instead of gaining proficiency in a discipline weapon, the initiating creature may gain Improved Unarmed Strike as a bonus feat.
The Street Fighter
Emphasis on high damage and dirty tricks
Tier 1: Pommel Bash
Tier 2: Cartwheel Axe Kick, Iron Dust || Pugilist Stance
Tier 3: Counter Step, Iron Axe Kick, Shards of Steel Strike || Iron Hand Stance, Pugilist Stance
Tier 4: Adamantine Knuckle, Finishing Kick, Spinning Flurry Rush || Pit Fighter's Stance, Pugilist Stance
Tier 5: Adamantine Knuckle, Finishing Kick, Spinning Adamantine Axe, Storm of Iron Fists Strike || Pit Fighter's Stance, Pugilist Stance, Unbreakable Stride Stance
The Wrestler
Emphasis on grappling and tripping
Tier 1: Brawler's Attitude
Tier 2: Flat Iron Riposte, Leg Sweeping Hilt || Iron Hand Stance
Tier 3: Broken Blade Riposte, Iron Monger's Throw, Leg Sweeping Hilt || Iron Hand Stance, Steel Grappler's Attitude
Tier 4: Shards of Adamantine Strike, Singing Steel Strike, Steel Axe Kick || Iron Hand Stance, Steel Grappler's Attitude
Tier 5: Meteoric Throw, Singing Steel Strike, Steel Axe Kick, Storm of Iron Fists Strike || Iron Hand Stance, Steel Grappler's Attitude, Unbreakable Stride Stance
Cursed Razor
Spellcraft || heavy blades, light blades, spears
Special: As a standard action, the initiating creature may attempt to curse a creature within 30'. The target makes a Will saving throw with a DC of 10 + ½ initiator level + initiating modifier. If they fail, they gain the cursed condition for a number of rounds equal to the initiating creature's initiating modifier.
The Doom
Emphasis on high damage
Tier 1: Woeful Burden
Tier 2: Dogpile Strike, Word of Retribution || Touch of the Witch
Tier 3: Hangman's Curse, Persecution, Shadow Pin || The Dragon Knows, Touch of the Witch
Tier 4: Black Dog's Due, Shadow Pin, Warlock's Blow || The Dragon Knows, Oathbreaker's Aura
Tier 5: Black Dog's Due, Festival of Shadows, Unending Nightmare Strike, Warlock's Blow || The Dragon Knows, Oathbreaker's Aura, Luckdrinker Aura
Miss Fortune
Emphasis on debuffs
Tier 1: Spilled Salt
Tier 2: Sorcerer's Sidestep, Torment the Weak || Aura of Misfortune
Tier 3: Warlock's Stride, Witch's Revenge, Witchfinder's Brand || Aura of Misfortune, Aura of Shared Misery
Tier 4: Eye for an Eye, Sorcerer's Gaze, Traitor's Roar || Aura of Shared Misery, Oathbreaker's Aura
Tier 5: Festival of Shadows, Sorcerer's Gaze, Traitor's Roar, Warlock's Mirror || Aura of Shared Misery, Oathbreaker's Aura, Luckdrinker Aura
Elemental Flux
Spellcraft || light blades, monk, thrown
Special: It is recommended to select just one element (fire, cold, electricity, acid) for the initiating creature to use.
The Firestarter
Emphasis on high damage and weapon attacks
Tier 1: Spark Strike
Tier 2: Degrade Resistance, Raging Flux || Elemental Nimbus
Tier 3: Assay Resistance, Elemental Vortex, Energy Hammer || Elemental Flux Stance, Elemental Nimbus
Tier 4: Eldritch Energy Hammer, Force Majeure, Shatter Resistance || Elemental Flux Stance, Nexus of Elemental Retribution
Tier 5: Elemental Breach, Force Majeure, Redirecting Flux, Strike of Elemental Devastation || Elemental Flux Stance, Master of the Elements, Nexus of Elemental Retribution
The Shielded Sorcerer
Emphasis on counters and spell-like attacks
Tier 1: Eldritch Shield
Tier 2: Arcane Shield, Energy Jolt || Endure the Elements
Tier 3: Arcane Torrent, Eldritch Consumption, Elemental Absorption || Elemental Flux Stance, Enter the Vortex
Tier 4: Eldritch Energy Hammer, Elemental Destruction Ring, Redirecting Flux || Enter the Vortex, Nexus of Elemental Retribution
Tier 5: Cascade of Elemental Wrath, Redirecting Flux, Strike of Elemental Devastation, Zephyr Flux || Enter the Vortex, Master of the Elements, Nexus of Elemental Retribution
Eternal Guardian
Intimidate || hammers, heavy blades, polearms
Special: As a standard action, the initiating creature may attempt to curse a creature within 30'. The target makes a Will saving throw with a DC of 10 + ½ initiator level + initiating modifier. If they fail, they gain the cursed condition for a number of rounds equal to the initiating creature's initiating modifier.
The Royal Guard
Emphasis on protection of allies
Tier 1: Strike of the Infinite Protector
Tier 2: Intruder's End, Strike of the Royal Guardian || Valiant Keeper's Stance
Tier 3: Intruder's End, Stand your Ground, Strike of the Steadfast Legion || Stance of the Eternal Guardian, Valiant Keeper's Stance
Tier 4: Inescapable Fetters, Infinite Focus, Unbreakable Promise || Inescapable Grasp, Stance of the Eternal Guardian
Tier 5: Crushing Rebuke, Infinite Focus, Oath of Eternity, Unbreakable Promise || Inescapable Grasp, Stance of the Eternal Guardian, Stance of the Infinite Warrior
The Witch-Guardian
Emphasis on debuffing foes
Tier 1: Terrifying Blow
Tier 2: Binding Fetters, Relentless Warden's Strike || Vigilant Keeper's Stance
Tier 3: Grim Guard's Laughter, Shackles of the Condemned, Watchman's Rebuke || Jailer of the Damned, Vigilant Keeper's Stance
Tier 4: Charge of Dismay, Curse of Impending Doom, Inescapable Fetters || Jailer of the Damned, Inescapable Grasp
Tier 5: Charge of Dismay, Curse of Impending Doom, Hammer of the Immortal, Oath of Eternity || Jailer of the Damned, Inescapable Grasp, Stance of the Infinite Warrior
Fool's Errand
Climb || all weapons
Special: Instead of gaining proficiency in a discipline weapon, the initiating creature must take Improved Unarmed Strike as a bonus feat.
The Locksmith
Emphasis on restricting enemy mobility
Tier 1: Iron Grip
Tier 2: Adamantine Grip, Lead and Follow || Lesson II: Control
Tier 3: Adamantine Grip, Make Them Humble, Surround from Within || Lesson II: Control, Lesson III: Suppression
Tier 4: Finger of God, No Escape, To the Skies || Lesson II: Control, Lesson III: Suppression
Tier 5: Finger of God, Lightning Strikes Twice, Proof of Victory, Sky-Shattering Throw || Lesson III: Suppression, Lesson V: Expression, Lesson VI: Supremacy
The Mage-Hunter
Emphasis on high damage using unarmed strikes and thwarting spellcasters
Tier 1: One-Two Punch
Tier 2: Hurricane Kick, Windmill Waltz Flurry || Lesson I: Balance
Tier 3: Adamantine Grip, Blade-Dance Ballet, Night Falls || Lesson I: Balance, Lesson IV: The Ladder
Tier 4: Blade-Dance Ballet, No Escape, Utter Commitment || Lesson IV: The Ladder, Lesson V: Expression
Tier 5: Endless Dance of Death, Lightning Strikes Twice, Proof of Victory, Utter Commitment || Lesson IV: The Ladder, Lesson V: Expression, Lesson VI: Supremacy
Golden Lion
Diplomacy || hammers, heavy blades, polearms
The General
Focused on buffing allies and repositioning
Tier 1: Encouraging Roar
Tier 2: Call to Action, Defending the Pride || Pride Leader's Stance
Tier 3: Defending the Pride, Direct the Pride, Discipline of the Pride || Pride Leader's Stance, Golden Commander Stance
Tier 4: Endurance of the Strong, Orichalcum Strike, Strategic Blow || Golden General's Attitude, Golden Commander Stance
Tier 5: Alpha's Roar, Endurance of the Strong, Lord of the Pridelands, Orichalcum Strike || Golden General's Attitude, Golden Commander Stance, Triumphant Lion's Leadership
The Pack Leader
Focused on charging and pack tactics
Tier 1: Hunting Party
Tier 2: Kill the Wounded, Warning Roar || Golden Commander Stance
Tier 3: Charge of the Battle Cat, Pack Pounce, Roar of Battle || Golden Commander Stance, Golden Lion Charger
Tier 4: Harry the Prey, Roar of Battle, War Lion's Charge || Golden Commander Stance, Golden Lion Charger
Tier 5: Lion's Feast, Lion Lord's Agony, Lord of the Pridelands, War Lion's Charge || Golden Commander Stance, Golden Lion Charger, Triumphant Lion's Leadership
Iron Tortoise
Bluff || axes, close, heavy blades
Special: Instead of gaining proficiency in a discipline weapon, the initiating creature may gain Shield Proficiency as a bonus feat.
Captain America
Emphasis on shield bashes and shield throws
Tier 1: Throwing Shell
Tier 2: Enraging Strike, Greater Snapping Strike || Snapping Turtle Stance
Tier 3: Ricochet Shell, Shell Shock, Smashing Shell || Snapping Turtle Stance, Iron Tortoise Stance
Tier 4: Cyclonic Shell Crush, Steel Shell, Throwing Shell Cyclone || Mithral Tortoise Stance, Snapping Turtle Stance
Tier 5: Cyclonic Shell Crush, Glorious Shell Shock, Invulnerable Shell of the Iron Tortoise, Snapping Turtle Rush || Mithral Tortoise Stance, Snapping Turtle Stance, Turtle General's Stance
The Stalwart
Emphasis on defending self and allies
Tier 1: Iron Shell
Tier 2: Burnished Shell, Iron Shell || Stance of the Defending Shell
Tier 3: Iron Shell, Snapping Riposte, Vicious Snapping Strike || Stance of the Defending Shell, Turtle Knight's Stance
Tier 4: Iron Defender's Riposte, Steel Shell, Unlimited Aggression || Stance of the Defending Shell, Turtle Knight's Stance
Tier 5: Adamantine Shell, Invulnerable Shell of the Iron Tortoise, Iron Defender's Riposte, Unlimited Aggression || Mithral Tortoise Stance, Stance of the Defending Shell, Turtle General's Stance
Mithral Current
Perform (dance) || light blades, heavy blades, polearms
The Dancer
Emphasis on mobility and counters
Tier 1: Flowing Creek
Tier 2: Flowing Creek, Rushing Wake || Reaching Blade Stance
Tier 3: Blinding Reflection, Disruptive Wave, Flowing Stream || Flowing Water Stance, Reaching Blade Stance
Tier 4: Crashing Wake, Endless Current, Flowing River || Flowing Water Stance, Shifting Waters Stance
Tier 5: Blade of the Silver Sea, Dance of the Silver Hurricane, Flowing River, Riptide Slice || Flowing Water Stance, Mithral Lightning Stance, Shifting Waters Stance
The Iajutsu Master
Emphasis on attacking with sheathed weapons
Tier 1: Tidal Blade
Tier 2: Iron Wake, Salt Breeze Strike || Ready the Draw
Tier 3: Mithral Flash, Ride the Current, Silver Wave || Ready the Draw, Shifting Waters Stance
Tier 4: Raging Whirlpool Strike, Mithral Flash, Quicksilver Wave || Flowing Water Stance, Mithral Current Stance
Tier 5: Dance of the Silver Hurricane, Flowing River, Mithral Wave, Raging Whirlpool Strike || Flowing Water Stance, Mithral Current Stance, Mithral Lightning Stance
Piercing Thunder
Acrobatics || polearms, spears
The Farmer
Emphasis on charging and combating stronger foes
Tier 1: Bronze Lancet Charge
Tier 2: Iron Lancer's Edge, Thunderous Fall | Iron Pikeman's Attitude
Tier 3: Iron Lancet Charge, Meteor Spiral Thrust, Twisting Lance || Iron Pikeman's Attitude, Stance of the Thunderbrand
Tier 4: Rush to the Fray, Lightning Rush, Steel Lancer's Edge || Diving Thunderbolt Stance, Stance of the Thunderbrand
Tier 5: Adamantine Lancer's Edge, Leaping Thunder Crash, Rush to the Fray, Piercing Charge of the Dread Lancer || Deadly Thunder Lancer's Stance, Diving Thunderbolt Stance, Stance of the Thunderbrand
The Hoplite
Emphasis on shield-and-polearm combination
Tier 1: Oaken Shield
Tier 2: Brace for Impact, Goring Strike || Phalanx Lancer
Tier 3: Leaping Strike, Oaken Shield, Throwing Comet || Phalanx Lancer, Stance of the Thunderbrand
Tier 4: Breaking the Charge, Impaling Comet Strike, Throwing Comet || Phalanx Lancer, Stance of the Thunderbrand
Tier 5: Breaking the Charge, Leaping Thunder Crash, Piercing Charge of the Dread Lancer, Thundering Lancer's Blow || Deadly Thunder Lancer's Stance, Phalanx Lancer, Stance of the Thunderbrand
Primal Fury
Survival || axes, hammers, heavy blades
Special: Creatures with an Intelligence score of 1-2 may become initiating creatures with this discipline only. They must take the Beast sub-discipline. They may treat natural weapons as discipline weapons for the purpose of Primal Fury maneuvers.
The Barbarian
Emphasis on high damage and use of two-handed weapons
Tier 1: Primal Wrath
Tier 2: Blade-Breaking Counter, Devastating Rush || Stance of Aggression
Tier 3: Impaling Strike, Lightning Step, Shrug it Off || Running Hunter's Stance, Stance of Aggression
Tier 4: Blood-Spray Strike, Lightning Step, Shield-Breaking Strike || Primal Warrior Stance, Stance of Aggression
Tier 5: Blood-Spray Strike, Meteoric Crash, Shield-Breaking Strike, Wrath of the Primal Hunter || Iron Hide Stance, Primal Warrior Stance, Stance of Aggression
The Beast
Emphasis on emulation of animals
Tier 1: Panthera on the Hunt
Tier 2: Disparity Blow, Raging Hunter Pounce || Running Hunter's Stance
Tier 3: Cornered Frenzy Strike, Momentum Crash, Shrug it Off || Running Hunter's Stance, Stance of Aggression
Tier 4: Charges of the Battle Panthera, Dizzying Blow, Primal Frenzy || Running Hunter's Stance, Skirmisher's Stance
Tier 5: Devastating Momentum, Primal Frenzy, Unbreakable Panthera Guard, Wrath of the Primal Hunter || Iron Hide Stance, Running Hunter's Stance, Skirmisher's Stance
Radiant Dawn
Diplomacy || bows, flails, hammers, polearms, Sun's Gleam
Special: Instead of gaining proficiency in a discipline weapon, the initiating creature gains the Sun's Gleam ability, as follows.
Sun’s Gleam (Su): A Radiant Dawn disciple can choose to fire a ray of light as a ranged touch attack at a target within close range (25 feet + 5 feet per 2 initiator levels) in place of making a ranged weapon attack as part of initiating a strike from a maneuver the initiator could invest essence into. This does not require a free hand. The initiator can choose to use their Strength modifier in place of their Dexterity modifier when firing a ray in this fashion. The ray of light deals force damage equal to 1d6 plus the initiator’s initiation modifier on a hit, plus any effects of the strike (such as additional damage or conditions). The disciple may choose to deal nonlethal damage with this attack at no penalty. As Sun’s Gleam can only be used as substitutes for attacks granted by maneuvers, an initiator cannot channel uses of it through weapons with the conductive weapon special property, or similar abilities.
The Dawn Sword
Emphasis on leading allies in melee combat
Tier 1: Dismiss
Tier 2: Disrupt Essence, Witness to Glory || The Caged Sun
Tier 3: Decree of Silence , Disrupt Essence, Divide and Conquer || Armaments of the Empire, The Caged Sun
Tier 4: Decree of Freedom, Divide and Conquer, Harsh Light of Day || Armaments of the Empire, Battle Against the Sun
Tier 5: Awaken the Sleeper, Harsh Light of Day, Judgment Day, Tyrant's Strike || Armaments of the Empire, Battle Against the Sun, Sun's Zenith
The Dusk Shield
Emphasis on protection and healing of allies
Tier 1: Decree of Mercy
Tier 2: Healer's Bane, Lifeburst Strike || Spoils of War
Tier 3: Decree of Purity, Lifeburst Imbuement, Lifeburst Strike || Spoils of War, Stance of the Sunlight Shield
Tier 4: Decree of Purity, Karmic Strike, Push the Advantage || Spoils of War, Stance of the Sunlight Shield
Tier 5: Awaken the Sleeper, Decree of Vengeance, Judgment Day, Push the Advantage || Spoils of War, Sun's Zenith, Stance of the Sunlight Shield
Riven Hourglass
Autohypnosis || flails, hammers, light blades
The Chronomancer
Emphasis on manipulation of time and action economy
Tier 1: Strike the Hourglass
Tier 2: Chronal Aggression, Temporal Fury || Distorted Clock
Tier 3: Chronal Draw, Gift of Time, Time-Thief's Talons || Chronal Fission, Distorted Clock
Tier 4: Temporal Dilation, Temporal Wave, Time-Thief's Talons || Distorted Clock, Sand-Bearer's Swiftness
Tier 5: Beat the Clock, Break the Hourglass, Temporal Dilation, Wrath of Time || Distorted Clock, God of the Hourglass Stance, Sand-Bearer's Swiftness
The Clockstopper
Emphasis on mobility and reacting quickly
Tier 1: Clockwatcher
Tier 2: Stopwatch, Time Skitter || Sands of Time Stance
Tier 3: Relativity Burst, Temporal Body Adjustment, Tip the Hourglass || Chronal Fission, Sands of Time Stance
Tier 4: Beat the Clock, Hour Hand, Temporal Distortion || Chronal Fission, Sand-Bearer's Swiftness
Tier 5: Beat the Clock, Break the Hourglass, Heart of the Time Lord, Sands of Time Hurricane || Chronal Fission, God of the Hourglass Stance, Sand-Bearer's Swiftness
Scarlet Throne
Sense Motive || heavy blades, light blades, spears
The Cautious Duelist
Emphasis on mobility and counters
Tier 1: Blade of Breaking
Tier 2: Dazing Strike, Sanguine Barrier || Circular Stance
Tier 3: Red Zephyr's Dance, Sanguine Perseverance, Scarlet Riposte || Circular Stance, Unfettered Movement
Tier 4: Red Zephyr's Fleetness, Sanguine Proclamation, Scarlet Riposte || Scarlet Duelist Attitude, Unfettered Movement
Tier 5: Heavenly Blade of the Scarlet Throne, Red Zephyr's Fleetness, Riddle of Steel, Sanguine Proclamation || Scarlet Duelist Attitude, Scarlet Majesty Stance, Unfettered Movement
The Red Prince
Emphasis on high damage
Tier 1: Scything Strike
Tier 2: Regal Blade, Strike of Defeat || Scarlet Einhander
Tier 3: Ruby Zenith Strike, Noble Blade, Weeping Scarlet Razor || Scarlet Einhander, Unfettered Movement
Tier 4: Final Blow, Riddle of Iron, Royal Blade || Scarlet Einhander, Unfettered Movement
Tier 5: Descending Sunset Strike, Final Blow, Heavenly Blade of the Scarlet Throne, Royal Blade || Scarlet Einhander, Scarlet Majesty Stance, Unfettered Movement
Silver Crane
Perception || bows, hammers, spears
The Merciful Saint
Emphasis on protection and healing
Tier 1: Enduring Crane Strike
Tier 2: Emerald Displacement Strike, Silver Knight's Blade || Silver Crane Waltz
Tier 3: Emerald-Tipped Feathers, Silver Crane Resurgence, Silver Knight's Blade || Silver Crane Waltz, Stance of the Crane Knight
Tier 4: Argent Knight's Banner, Diamond-Tipped Feathers, Silver Crane's Mercy || Silver Crane Endurance, Stance of the Crane Knight
Tier 5: Argent King's Scepter, Benediction of the Silver Crane, Diamond-Tipped Feathers, Strike of Silver Exorcism || Diamond Wings of the Imperial Crane, Silver Crane Endurance, Stance of the Crane Knight
The Shining Knight
Emphasis on high damage to evil creatures
Tier 1: Silver Strike
Tier 2: Blessed Pinions, Exorcism Strike || Eyes of the Crane
Tier 3: Sacred Pinions, Silver Crane's Leap, Silver Crane's Spiral || Eyes of the Crane, Stance of the Silver Crane
Tier 4: Diamond Displacement Strike, Holy Pinions, Silver Crane's Spiral || Eyes of the Crane, Stance of the Silver Crane
Tier 5: Celestial Pinions, Diamond Displacement Strike, Holy Rush, Strike of Silver Exorcism || Diamond Wings of the Imperial Crane, Eyes of the Crane, Stance of the Silver Crane
Sleeping Goddess
Autohypnosis || flails, heavy blades, monk, spears, mind blades
Special: Instead of gaining proficiency in a discipline weapon, the initiating creature may gain Wild Talent or Psionic Talent as a bonus feat.
The Mindbreaker
Emphasis on psi-like abilities and ability damage
Tier 1: Ego-Wounding Strike
Tier 2: Inexorable Embrace of Sleep, Mind-Revealing Strike || Unbroken Stride
Tier 3: Puppet of the Goddess, Reshape the Sculpted Mind, Inexorable Embrace of Sleep || Inarguable Presence of the Sleeping Goddess, Internal Dominion of the Sleeping Goddess
Tier 4: Reshape the Sculpted Mind, Soul-Crushing Mien, Strike of Transfixed Awe || Inarguable Presence of the Sleeping Goddess, Unavoidable Gaze of the Sleeping Goddess
Tier 5: Immortal Truths of the Sleeping Goddess, Self Beyond the Self, Pierce the Soul, Soul-Crushing Mien || Inarguable Presence of the Sleeping Goddess, Unavoidable Gaze of the Sleeping Goddess, Unavoidable Gaze of the Sleeping Goddess, Unimpeachable Authority of the Sleeping Goddess
The Psysword
Emphasis on melee combat using a conjured weapon
Tier 1: Call the Soul's Blade
Tier 2: Call the Soul's Blade, Chains of Doubt || Battle Mantra
Tier 3: Armory of the Sleeping Goddess, Chains of Doubt, The Ties that Bind || Battle Mantra, Internal Dominion of the Sleeping Goddess
Tier 4: Dreaming Nomad Strike, Perfect Distillation of the Soul, The Ties that Bind || Battle Mantra, Internal Dominion of the Sleeping Goddess
Tier 5: Immortal Truths of the Sleeping Goddess, Indomitable Idealism, Perfect Distillation of the Soul, Pierce the Soul || Battle Mantra, Unavoidable Gaze of the Sleeping Goddess, Unimpeachable Authority of the Sleeping Goddess
Solar Wind
Perception || bows, crossbows, firearms, thrown
Special: The creature may instead take the Glacial Frost (cold), Oncoming Storm (electric), or Virulent Spray (acid) variants of this discipline.
The Solar Sniper
Emphasis on single high-damage attacks
Tier 1: Horizon Wind Lancet
Tier 2: Phantom Wind Ray, Solar Flare || Stance of Piercing Rays
Tier 3: Blinding Ray Shot, Dazzling Solar Flare, Focused Solar Lance || Stance of Piercing Rays, Sunwalker Stance
Tier 4: Solar Meteor Blow, Stunning Solar Flare, Twisting Wind Shot || Stance of Piercing Rays, True Shot Stance
Tier 5: Aurora Break, Solar Wind Nova, Stunning Solar Flare, Twisting Wind Shot || Solar Hailstorm Stance, Stance of Piercing Rays, True Shot Stance
The Volley Archer
Emphasis on multiple attacks
Tier 1: Steady Hand
Tier 2: Feel the Wind, Solar Reflection || Phantom Sun Stance
Tier 3: Double Solar Reflection, Feel the Wind, Searing Break || Phantom Sun Stance, Stance of Piercing Rays
Tier 4: Burning Break, Solar Meteor Blow, Triple Solar Reflection || Stance of Piercing Rays, True Shot Stance
Tier 5: Burning Break, Solar Wind Nova, Solar Wind Tsunami, Triple Solar Reflection || Solar Hailstorm Stance, Stance of Piercing Rays, True Shot Stance
Steel Serpent
Heal || close, light blades, monk
The Assassin
Emphasis on ability damage and poisons
Tier 1: Dizzying Venom Prana
Tier 2: Sickening Venom Strike, Weakening Venom Prana || Poisoner's Stance
Tier 3: Poison Blood, Sickening Venom Strike, Steel Fang || Hooded Killer's Stance, Poisoner's Stance
Tier 4: Numbing Venom Prana, Steel Fang, Sting of the Viper || Poisoner's Stance, Spitting Cobra Stance
Tier 5: Adamantine Fang, Bite the Mongoose, Five-Fold Hydra Sting, Numbing Venom Prana || Hooded Cobra Attitude, Poisoner's Stance, Spitting Cobra Stance
The Serial Killer
Emphasis on dirty fighting and stealth
Tier 1: Hunting Serpent Blow
Tier 2: Fading Dodge, Sight Piercing Fang || Body of the Night
Tier 3: Pressure Point Break, Rattler's Feint, Sight-Piercing Fang || Body of the Night, Hooded Killer's Stance
Tier 4: Blend with the Night, Pressure Point Break, Silencing Strike || Body of the Night, Hooded Killer's Stance
Tier 5: Blend with the Night, Five-Fold Hydra Sting, Silencing Strike, Sting of the Cobra || Body of the Night, Hooded Cobra Attitude, Hooded Killer's Stance
Tempest Gale
Sleight of Hand || bows, crossbows, firearms, thrown
The Marksman
Emphasis on long-range attacks and close-quarters line AoE's
Tier 1: Distant Gale
Tier 2: Cascading Draft, Piercing Shot || Sniper's Eye Stance
Tier 3: Cascading Draft, Piercing Gale, Wind Tunnel || Dancing Winds Stance, Sniper's Eye Stance
Tier 4: Black Wind, Blinding Shot, Wind Lance || Sniper's Eye Stance, Winds of Vengeance Stance
Tier 5: Black Wind, Breath Stealing Wind, Hunting Zephyr, Vicious Tempest Volley || Dancing Winds Stance, Eye of the Storm Stance, Winds of Vengeance Stance
The Trick Shooter
Emphasis on combat maneuvers
Tier 1: Disarming Shot
Tier 2: Battering Gale, Deflecting Shot || Galebreaker's Stance
Tier 3: Cutting Gale, Disarming Blast, Grounding Shot || Galebreaker's Stance, Tempest Gale Stance
Tier 4: Grounding Shot, Hunting Zephyr, Razor Tempest || Galebreaker's Stance, Tempest Gale Stance
Tier 5: Hunting Zephyr, Punishing Tempest, Steel Tornado, Vicious Tempest Volley || Dancing Winds Stance, Eye of the Storm Stance, Tempest Gale Stance
Thrashing Dragon
Acrobatics || close, double, light blades
Special: Instead of gaining proficiency in a discipline weapon, the initiating creature may gain Two-Weapon Fighting as a bonus feat, even if it doesn't meet the prerequisites.
The Dragon's Breath
Emphasis on thrown weapons and counters
Tier 1: Wyrmling's Fang
Tier 2: Ancient's Fang, Reflexive Twist || Inner Sphere Stance
Tier 3: Ancient's Fang, Dragon Rush, Reversing Thrust || Bend with the Wind, Inner Sphere Stance
Tier 4: Alacrity on Wind, Great Wyrm's Fang, Hurricane of Fangs || Bend with the Wind, Inner Sphere Stance
Tier 5: Alacrity on Wing, Deadly Dragon Strike, Doom Talon, Great Wyrm's Fang || Bend with the Wind, Dragon Warrior's Talons, Inner Sphere Stance
The Dragon's Claws
Emphasis on high damage with two weapons
Tier 1: Swift Claws
Tier 2: Fangs Strike Low, Sweeping Tail || Outer Sphere Stance
Tier 3: Fangs Strike Low, Sharpened Talons, Thrashing Dragon Twist || Battle Dragon's Stance, Outer Sphere Stance
Tier 4: Reversing Thrust, Thrashing Dragon Frenzy, Unbreakable Talons || Battle Dragon's Stance, Brutal Dragon's Stance
Tier 5: Deadly Dragon Strike, Thrashing Blades, Thrashing Dragon Frenzy, Unbreakable Talons || Battle Dragon's Stance, Brutal Dragon's Stance, Dragon Warrior's Talons
Unquiet Grave
Knowledge (religion) || axes, natural, polearms, scythe
The Grave Warrior
Emphasis on high damage against living creatures
Tier 1: Hungry Stillness Strike
Tier 2: Life Sealing Strike, Raging Specter Strike || Bean Nighe Attitude
Tier 3: Flowing Gore Blow, Hunting Mohrg Strike, Life Sealing Strike || Avenging Revenant's Advance, Bean Nighe Attitude
Tier 4: Flowing Gore Blow, Looming Nighwalker Parry, Poltergeist's Wrath || Avenging Revenant's Advance, Charging Dullahan's Advance
Tier 5: Chilling Mist Sidestep, Feasting Wraith Strike, Pitiless Axe of the Executioner, Poltergeist's Wrath || Avenging Revenant's Advance, Charging Dullahan's Advance, Laughing Demilich Attitude
The Vampire
Emphasis on debuffing foes and gaining temporary HP
Tier 1: Thirsting Axe Strike
Tier 2: Chilling Grave Defense, Wight's Blow || Starving Vampire Stance
Tier 3: Ancient Lich Parry, Shrieking Shadow Axe, Wight's Blow || Mourning Ghost Attitude, Starving Vampire Stance
Tier 4: Ancient Lich Parry, Headsman's Descending Axe, Scything Reaper Riposte || Avenging Revenant's Advance, Starving Vampire Stance
Tier 5: Headsman's Descending Axe, Pitiless Axe of the Executioner, Scything Reaper Riposte, Soul Drinking Strike || Avenging Revenant's Advance, Laughing Demilich Attitude, Starving Vampire Stance
Veiled Moon
Stealth || double, light blades, spears
The Fading Warrior
Emphasis on teleportation and illusion
Tier 1: Disturbing Blow
Tier 2: Brilliant Moon, Fading Strike || Leaping Spirit Dance
Tier 3: Ethereal Reminiscence, Flicker Strike, Twisting Ether || Formless Dance, Stance of the Ether Gate
Tier 4: Fade Through, Phantom Penumbra, Vaporform Crash || Formless Dance, Stance of the Ether Gate
Tier 5: Banish to the Beyond, Fade Through, Flashing Ether Touch, Lunar Penumbra || Anchoring Spirit, Formless Dance, Stance of the Ether Gate
The Ghost Hunter
Emphasis on combating incorporeal and ethereal creatures
Tier 1: Ghost Hunting Blow
Tier 2: Ghost Walk, Resonance Strike || Spirit Sensing Stance
Tier 3: Breath of the Moon, Essence Shattering Strike, Ghost Walk || Spirit Sensing Stance, Stance of the Ether Gate
Tier 4: Dispersal Strike, Ether Wave, Vaporform Crash || Spiritual Weapon Stance, Spirit Sensing Stance
Tier 5: Banish to the Beyond, Dispersal Strike, Eclipsing Moon, Ether Wave || Anchoring Spirit, Spiritual Weapon Stance, Spirit Sensing Stance
This template was inspired by this 2015 project by Sacrieur. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=20029440&postcount=1)
This template does not have an official CR adjustment score. Because of the many variants of this template's abilities, and how it might affect various creatures, it is important for the GM to eyeball the CR adjustment. In general, though, a Tier 1 creature will have no CR adjustment, whereas a Tier 2-3 will have a +1 CR adjustment, and Tier 4-5 will have a +2 CR adjustment.
1. Each sub-discipline should be noticeably different from the other, despite using the same discipline. They should each have a unique focus.
2. Avoid overlap of maneuvers and stances known if possible and appropriate.
3. One should get a single maneuver of their highest level available, and a maneuver of the second-highest level available. A third or fourth maneuver should generally come from the third-highest level available.
4. Most builds should have at least one strike maneuver available at every tier.
5. A creature should not have two versions of the same maneuver. For example, having both Wyrmling's Fang and Ancient's Fang on a Thrashing Dragon sub-discipline keeps a creature from having a diverse set of maneuvers.
6. Don't be afraid to grab a maneuver or two beyond the sub-discipline's emphasis.
Initiating Creature
The initiating creature template can be applied to any creature with 3 or more Intelligence (except for Primal Fury) and no other forms of martial initiation.
An initiating creature is a creature that has knowledge of martial maneuvers and stances. When this template is added to a creature, the GM chooses one martial discipline and a sub-discipline for the creature. They gain the maneuvers and stances according to their tier (as displayed below). In addition, they gain the discipline skill as a class skill, and (if their Intelligence is 3+), gain proficiency with one weapon from the discipline weapons.
An initiating creature's initiation modifier is usually the highest of their Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma, but the GM may choose any of these when the template is applied. Their initiator level is equal to their HD (maximum 20).
At the start of combat, an initiating creature has all of their maneuvers readied. They may spend a full-round action to recover their full repertoire of maneuvers, or they may spend a standard action to recover one maneuver.
Hit Dice
Tier
Benefits
Maximum level
1-5
1
1 maneuver
1
6-10
2
2 maneuvers; 1 stance
3
11-15
3
3 maneuvers; 2 stances
5
16-20
4
3 maneuvers; 2 stances
7
21+
5
4 maneuvers; 3 stances
9
Black Seraph
Intimidate || axes, flails, polearms
The Terror
Emphasis on intimidation
Tier 1: Ravaging Blow
Tier 2: Fear Eating Technique, Intimidating Force || Black Seraph's Glare
Tier 3: Bilious Strike, Fear Eating Technique, Sharing the Dark Soul || Black Seraph's Glare, Walk in the Dark
Tier 4: Black Seraph's Wrath, Devastating Riposte, Shadow Raptor Swarm || Black Seraph's Glare, Walk in the Dark
Tier 5: Armageddon Lance, Black Seraph Onslaught, Devastating Riposte, Soul Crusher || Black Seraph's Glare, Walk in the Dark, Vampiric Aura
The Nemesis
Emphasis on high damage and debuffs
Tier 1: Gutstrike
Tier 2: Shadow Feather Strike, Tendon Rip || Savage Stance
Tier 3: Circle of Razor Feathers, Sensory Rip, Vengeful Riposte || Black Seraph Battle Stance, Savage Stance
Tier 4: Abyssal Strike, Armageddon Lance, Consumption Strike || Black Seraph Battle Stance, Razor Wings of the Black Seraph
Tier 5: Apocalyptic Strike, Black Seraph Onslaught, Charge of the Ravager, Consumption Strike || Black Seraph Battle Stance, Razor Wings of the Black Seraph, Vampiric Aura
Broken Blade
Acrobatics || close, monk, natural
Special: Instead of gaining proficiency in a discipline weapon, the initiating creature may gain Improved Unarmed Strike as a bonus feat.
The Street Fighter
Emphasis on high damage and dirty tricks
Tier 1: Pommel Bash
Tier 2: Cartwheel Axe Kick, Iron Dust || Pugilist Stance
Tier 3: Counter Step, Iron Axe Kick, Shards of Steel Strike || Iron Hand Stance, Pugilist Stance
Tier 4: Adamantine Knuckle, Finishing Kick, Spinning Flurry Rush || Pit Fighter's Stance, Pugilist Stance
Tier 5: Adamantine Knuckle, Finishing Kick, Spinning Adamantine Axe, Storm of Iron Fists Strike || Pit Fighter's Stance, Pugilist Stance, Unbreakable Stride Stance
The Wrestler
Emphasis on grappling and tripping
Tier 1: Brawler's Attitude
Tier 2: Flat Iron Riposte, Leg Sweeping Hilt || Iron Hand Stance
Tier 3: Broken Blade Riposte, Iron Monger's Throw, Leg Sweeping Hilt || Iron Hand Stance, Steel Grappler's Attitude
Tier 4: Shards of Adamantine Strike, Singing Steel Strike, Steel Axe Kick || Iron Hand Stance, Steel Grappler's Attitude
Tier 5: Meteoric Throw, Singing Steel Strike, Steel Axe Kick, Storm of Iron Fists Strike || Iron Hand Stance, Steel Grappler's Attitude, Unbreakable Stride Stance
Cursed Razor
Spellcraft || heavy blades, light blades, spears
Special: As a standard action, the initiating creature may attempt to curse a creature within 30'. The target makes a Will saving throw with a DC of 10 + ½ initiator level + initiating modifier. If they fail, they gain the cursed condition for a number of rounds equal to the initiating creature's initiating modifier.
The Doom
Emphasis on high damage
Tier 1: Woeful Burden
Tier 2: Dogpile Strike, Word of Retribution || Touch of the Witch
Tier 3: Hangman's Curse, Persecution, Shadow Pin || The Dragon Knows, Touch of the Witch
Tier 4: Black Dog's Due, Shadow Pin, Warlock's Blow || The Dragon Knows, Oathbreaker's Aura
Tier 5: Black Dog's Due, Festival of Shadows, Unending Nightmare Strike, Warlock's Blow || The Dragon Knows, Oathbreaker's Aura, Luckdrinker Aura
Miss Fortune
Emphasis on debuffs
Tier 1: Spilled Salt
Tier 2: Sorcerer's Sidestep, Torment the Weak || Aura of Misfortune
Tier 3: Warlock's Stride, Witch's Revenge, Witchfinder's Brand || Aura of Misfortune, Aura of Shared Misery
Tier 4: Eye for an Eye, Sorcerer's Gaze, Traitor's Roar || Aura of Shared Misery, Oathbreaker's Aura
Tier 5: Festival of Shadows, Sorcerer's Gaze, Traitor's Roar, Warlock's Mirror || Aura of Shared Misery, Oathbreaker's Aura, Luckdrinker Aura
Elemental Flux
Spellcraft || light blades, monk, thrown
Special: It is recommended to select just one element (fire, cold, electricity, acid) for the initiating creature to use.
The Firestarter
Emphasis on high damage and weapon attacks
Tier 1: Spark Strike
Tier 2: Degrade Resistance, Raging Flux || Elemental Nimbus
Tier 3: Assay Resistance, Elemental Vortex, Energy Hammer || Elemental Flux Stance, Elemental Nimbus
Tier 4: Eldritch Energy Hammer, Force Majeure, Shatter Resistance || Elemental Flux Stance, Nexus of Elemental Retribution
Tier 5: Elemental Breach, Force Majeure, Redirecting Flux, Strike of Elemental Devastation || Elemental Flux Stance, Master of the Elements, Nexus of Elemental Retribution
The Shielded Sorcerer
Emphasis on counters and spell-like attacks
Tier 1: Eldritch Shield
Tier 2: Arcane Shield, Energy Jolt || Endure the Elements
Tier 3: Arcane Torrent, Eldritch Consumption, Elemental Absorption || Elemental Flux Stance, Enter the Vortex
Tier 4: Eldritch Energy Hammer, Elemental Destruction Ring, Redirecting Flux || Enter the Vortex, Nexus of Elemental Retribution
Tier 5: Cascade of Elemental Wrath, Redirecting Flux, Strike of Elemental Devastation, Zephyr Flux || Enter the Vortex, Master of the Elements, Nexus of Elemental Retribution
Eternal Guardian
Intimidate || hammers, heavy blades, polearms
Special: As a standard action, the initiating creature may attempt to curse a creature within 30'. The target makes a Will saving throw with a DC of 10 + ½ initiator level + initiating modifier. If they fail, they gain the cursed condition for a number of rounds equal to the initiating creature's initiating modifier.
The Royal Guard
Emphasis on protection of allies
Tier 1: Strike of the Infinite Protector
Tier 2: Intruder's End, Strike of the Royal Guardian || Valiant Keeper's Stance
Tier 3: Intruder's End, Stand your Ground, Strike of the Steadfast Legion || Stance of the Eternal Guardian, Valiant Keeper's Stance
Tier 4: Inescapable Fetters, Infinite Focus, Unbreakable Promise || Inescapable Grasp, Stance of the Eternal Guardian
Tier 5: Crushing Rebuke, Infinite Focus, Oath of Eternity, Unbreakable Promise || Inescapable Grasp, Stance of the Eternal Guardian, Stance of the Infinite Warrior
The Witch-Guardian
Emphasis on debuffing foes
Tier 1: Terrifying Blow
Tier 2: Binding Fetters, Relentless Warden's Strike || Vigilant Keeper's Stance
Tier 3: Grim Guard's Laughter, Shackles of the Condemned, Watchman's Rebuke || Jailer of the Damned, Vigilant Keeper's Stance
Tier 4: Charge of Dismay, Curse of Impending Doom, Inescapable Fetters || Jailer of the Damned, Inescapable Grasp
Tier 5: Charge of Dismay, Curse of Impending Doom, Hammer of the Immortal, Oath of Eternity || Jailer of the Damned, Inescapable Grasp, Stance of the Infinite Warrior
Fool's Errand
Climb || all weapons
Special: Instead of gaining proficiency in a discipline weapon, the initiating creature must take Improved Unarmed Strike as a bonus feat.
The Locksmith
Emphasis on restricting enemy mobility
Tier 1: Iron Grip
Tier 2: Adamantine Grip, Lead and Follow || Lesson II: Control
Tier 3: Adamantine Grip, Make Them Humble, Surround from Within || Lesson II: Control, Lesson III: Suppression
Tier 4: Finger of God, No Escape, To the Skies || Lesson II: Control, Lesson III: Suppression
Tier 5: Finger of God, Lightning Strikes Twice, Proof of Victory, Sky-Shattering Throw || Lesson III: Suppression, Lesson V: Expression, Lesson VI: Supremacy
The Mage-Hunter
Emphasis on high damage using unarmed strikes and thwarting spellcasters
Tier 1: One-Two Punch
Tier 2: Hurricane Kick, Windmill Waltz Flurry || Lesson I: Balance
Tier 3: Adamantine Grip, Blade-Dance Ballet, Night Falls || Lesson I: Balance, Lesson IV: The Ladder
Tier 4: Blade-Dance Ballet, No Escape, Utter Commitment || Lesson IV: The Ladder, Lesson V: Expression
Tier 5: Endless Dance of Death, Lightning Strikes Twice, Proof of Victory, Utter Commitment || Lesson IV: The Ladder, Lesson V: Expression, Lesson VI: Supremacy
Golden Lion
Diplomacy || hammers, heavy blades, polearms
The General
Focused on buffing allies and repositioning
Tier 1: Encouraging Roar
Tier 2: Call to Action, Defending the Pride || Pride Leader's Stance
Tier 3: Defending the Pride, Direct the Pride, Discipline of the Pride || Pride Leader's Stance, Golden Commander Stance
Tier 4: Endurance of the Strong, Orichalcum Strike, Strategic Blow || Golden General's Attitude, Golden Commander Stance
Tier 5: Alpha's Roar, Endurance of the Strong, Lord of the Pridelands, Orichalcum Strike || Golden General's Attitude, Golden Commander Stance, Triumphant Lion's Leadership
The Pack Leader
Focused on charging and pack tactics
Tier 1: Hunting Party
Tier 2: Kill the Wounded, Warning Roar || Golden Commander Stance
Tier 3: Charge of the Battle Cat, Pack Pounce, Roar of Battle || Golden Commander Stance, Golden Lion Charger
Tier 4: Harry the Prey, Roar of Battle, War Lion's Charge || Golden Commander Stance, Golden Lion Charger
Tier 5: Lion's Feast, Lion Lord's Agony, Lord of the Pridelands, War Lion's Charge || Golden Commander Stance, Golden Lion Charger, Triumphant Lion's Leadership
Iron Tortoise
Bluff || axes, close, heavy blades
Special: Instead of gaining proficiency in a discipline weapon, the initiating creature may gain Shield Proficiency as a bonus feat.
Captain America
Emphasis on shield bashes and shield throws
Tier 1: Throwing Shell
Tier 2: Enraging Strike, Greater Snapping Strike || Snapping Turtle Stance
Tier 3: Ricochet Shell, Shell Shock, Smashing Shell || Snapping Turtle Stance, Iron Tortoise Stance
Tier 4: Cyclonic Shell Crush, Steel Shell, Throwing Shell Cyclone || Mithral Tortoise Stance, Snapping Turtle Stance
Tier 5: Cyclonic Shell Crush, Glorious Shell Shock, Invulnerable Shell of the Iron Tortoise, Snapping Turtle Rush || Mithral Tortoise Stance, Snapping Turtle Stance, Turtle General's Stance
The Stalwart
Emphasis on defending self and allies
Tier 1: Iron Shell
Tier 2: Burnished Shell, Iron Shell || Stance of the Defending Shell
Tier 3: Iron Shell, Snapping Riposte, Vicious Snapping Strike || Stance of the Defending Shell, Turtle Knight's Stance
Tier 4: Iron Defender's Riposte, Steel Shell, Unlimited Aggression || Stance of the Defending Shell, Turtle Knight's Stance
Tier 5: Adamantine Shell, Invulnerable Shell of the Iron Tortoise, Iron Defender's Riposte, Unlimited Aggression || Mithral Tortoise Stance, Stance of the Defending Shell, Turtle General's Stance
Mithral Current
Perform (dance) || light blades, heavy blades, polearms
The Dancer
Emphasis on mobility and counters
Tier 1: Flowing Creek
Tier 2: Flowing Creek, Rushing Wake || Reaching Blade Stance
Tier 3: Blinding Reflection, Disruptive Wave, Flowing Stream || Flowing Water Stance, Reaching Blade Stance
Tier 4: Crashing Wake, Endless Current, Flowing River || Flowing Water Stance, Shifting Waters Stance
Tier 5: Blade of the Silver Sea, Dance of the Silver Hurricane, Flowing River, Riptide Slice || Flowing Water Stance, Mithral Lightning Stance, Shifting Waters Stance
The Iajutsu Master
Emphasis on attacking with sheathed weapons
Tier 1: Tidal Blade
Tier 2: Iron Wake, Salt Breeze Strike || Ready the Draw
Tier 3: Mithral Flash, Ride the Current, Silver Wave || Ready the Draw, Shifting Waters Stance
Tier 4: Raging Whirlpool Strike, Mithral Flash, Quicksilver Wave || Flowing Water Stance, Mithral Current Stance
Tier 5: Dance of the Silver Hurricane, Flowing River, Mithral Wave, Raging Whirlpool Strike || Flowing Water Stance, Mithral Current Stance, Mithral Lightning Stance
Piercing Thunder
Acrobatics || polearms, spears
The Farmer
Emphasis on charging and combating stronger foes
Tier 1: Bronze Lancet Charge
Tier 2: Iron Lancer's Edge, Thunderous Fall | Iron Pikeman's Attitude
Tier 3: Iron Lancet Charge, Meteor Spiral Thrust, Twisting Lance || Iron Pikeman's Attitude, Stance of the Thunderbrand
Tier 4: Rush to the Fray, Lightning Rush, Steel Lancer's Edge || Diving Thunderbolt Stance, Stance of the Thunderbrand
Tier 5: Adamantine Lancer's Edge, Leaping Thunder Crash, Rush to the Fray, Piercing Charge of the Dread Lancer || Deadly Thunder Lancer's Stance, Diving Thunderbolt Stance, Stance of the Thunderbrand
The Hoplite
Emphasis on shield-and-polearm combination
Tier 1: Oaken Shield
Tier 2: Brace for Impact, Goring Strike || Phalanx Lancer
Tier 3: Leaping Strike, Oaken Shield, Throwing Comet || Phalanx Lancer, Stance of the Thunderbrand
Tier 4: Breaking the Charge, Impaling Comet Strike, Throwing Comet || Phalanx Lancer, Stance of the Thunderbrand
Tier 5: Breaking the Charge, Leaping Thunder Crash, Piercing Charge of the Dread Lancer, Thundering Lancer's Blow || Deadly Thunder Lancer's Stance, Phalanx Lancer, Stance of the Thunderbrand
Primal Fury
Survival || axes, hammers, heavy blades
Special: Creatures with an Intelligence score of 1-2 may become initiating creatures with this discipline only. They must take the Beast sub-discipline. They may treat natural weapons as discipline weapons for the purpose of Primal Fury maneuvers.
The Barbarian
Emphasis on high damage and use of two-handed weapons
Tier 1: Primal Wrath
Tier 2: Blade-Breaking Counter, Devastating Rush || Stance of Aggression
Tier 3: Impaling Strike, Lightning Step, Shrug it Off || Running Hunter's Stance, Stance of Aggression
Tier 4: Blood-Spray Strike, Lightning Step, Shield-Breaking Strike || Primal Warrior Stance, Stance of Aggression
Tier 5: Blood-Spray Strike, Meteoric Crash, Shield-Breaking Strike, Wrath of the Primal Hunter || Iron Hide Stance, Primal Warrior Stance, Stance of Aggression
The Beast
Emphasis on emulation of animals
Tier 1: Panthera on the Hunt
Tier 2: Disparity Blow, Raging Hunter Pounce || Running Hunter's Stance
Tier 3: Cornered Frenzy Strike, Momentum Crash, Shrug it Off || Running Hunter's Stance, Stance of Aggression
Tier 4: Charges of the Battle Panthera, Dizzying Blow, Primal Frenzy || Running Hunter's Stance, Skirmisher's Stance
Tier 5: Devastating Momentum, Primal Frenzy, Unbreakable Panthera Guard, Wrath of the Primal Hunter || Iron Hide Stance, Running Hunter's Stance, Skirmisher's Stance
Radiant Dawn
Diplomacy || bows, flails, hammers, polearms, Sun's Gleam
Special: Instead of gaining proficiency in a discipline weapon, the initiating creature gains the Sun's Gleam ability, as follows.
Sun’s Gleam (Su): A Radiant Dawn disciple can choose to fire a ray of light as a ranged touch attack at a target within close range (25 feet + 5 feet per 2 initiator levels) in place of making a ranged weapon attack as part of initiating a strike from a maneuver the initiator could invest essence into. This does not require a free hand. The initiator can choose to use their Strength modifier in place of their Dexterity modifier when firing a ray in this fashion. The ray of light deals force damage equal to 1d6 plus the initiator’s initiation modifier on a hit, plus any effects of the strike (such as additional damage or conditions). The disciple may choose to deal nonlethal damage with this attack at no penalty. As Sun’s Gleam can only be used as substitutes for attacks granted by maneuvers, an initiator cannot channel uses of it through weapons with the conductive weapon special property, or similar abilities.
The Dawn Sword
Emphasis on leading allies in melee combat
Tier 1: Dismiss
Tier 2: Disrupt Essence, Witness to Glory || The Caged Sun
Tier 3: Decree of Silence , Disrupt Essence, Divide and Conquer || Armaments of the Empire, The Caged Sun
Tier 4: Decree of Freedom, Divide and Conquer, Harsh Light of Day || Armaments of the Empire, Battle Against the Sun
Tier 5: Awaken the Sleeper, Harsh Light of Day, Judgment Day, Tyrant's Strike || Armaments of the Empire, Battle Against the Sun, Sun's Zenith
The Dusk Shield
Emphasis on protection and healing of allies
Tier 1: Decree of Mercy
Tier 2: Healer's Bane, Lifeburst Strike || Spoils of War
Tier 3: Decree of Purity, Lifeburst Imbuement, Lifeburst Strike || Spoils of War, Stance of the Sunlight Shield
Tier 4: Decree of Purity, Karmic Strike, Push the Advantage || Spoils of War, Stance of the Sunlight Shield
Tier 5: Awaken the Sleeper, Decree of Vengeance, Judgment Day, Push the Advantage || Spoils of War, Sun's Zenith, Stance of the Sunlight Shield
Riven Hourglass
Autohypnosis || flails, hammers, light blades
The Chronomancer
Emphasis on manipulation of time and action economy
Tier 1: Strike the Hourglass
Tier 2: Chronal Aggression, Temporal Fury || Distorted Clock
Tier 3: Chronal Draw, Gift of Time, Time-Thief's Talons || Chronal Fission, Distorted Clock
Tier 4: Temporal Dilation, Temporal Wave, Time-Thief's Talons || Distorted Clock, Sand-Bearer's Swiftness
Tier 5: Beat the Clock, Break the Hourglass, Temporal Dilation, Wrath of Time || Distorted Clock, God of the Hourglass Stance, Sand-Bearer's Swiftness
The Clockstopper
Emphasis on mobility and reacting quickly
Tier 1: Clockwatcher
Tier 2: Stopwatch, Time Skitter || Sands of Time Stance
Tier 3: Relativity Burst, Temporal Body Adjustment, Tip the Hourglass || Chronal Fission, Sands of Time Stance
Tier 4: Beat the Clock, Hour Hand, Temporal Distortion || Chronal Fission, Sand-Bearer's Swiftness
Tier 5: Beat the Clock, Break the Hourglass, Heart of the Time Lord, Sands of Time Hurricane || Chronal Fission, God of the Hourglass Stance, Sand-Bearer's Swiftness
Scarlet Throne
Sense Motive || heavy blades, light blades, spears
The Cautious Duelist
Emphasis on mobility and counters
Tier 1: Blade of Breaking
Tier 2: Dazing Strike, Sanguine Barrier || Circular Stance
Tier 3: Red Zephyr's Dance, Sanguine Perseverance, Scarlet Riposte || Circular Stance, Unfettered Movement
Tier 4: Red Zephyr's Fleetness, Sanguine Proclamation, Scarlet Riposte || Scarlet Duelist Attitude, Unfettered Movement
Tier 5: Heavenly Blade of the Scarlet Throne, Red Zephyr's Fleetness, Riddle of Steel, Sanguine Proclamation || Scarlet Duelist Attitude, Scarlet Majesty Stance, Unfettered Movement
The Red Prince
Emphasis on high damage
Tier 1: Scything Strike
Tier 2: Regal Blade, Strike of Defeat || Scarlet Einhander
Tier 3: Ruby Zenith Strike, Noble Blade, Weeping Scarlet Razor || Scarlet Einhander, Unfettered Movement
Tier 4: Final Blow, Riddle of Iron, Royal Blade || Scarlet Einhander, Unfettered Movement
Tier 5: Descending Sunset Strike, Final Blow, Heavenly Blade of the Scarlet Throne, Royal Blade || Scarlet Einhander, Scarlet Majesty Stance, Unfettered Movement
Silver Crane
Perception || bows, hammers, spears
The Merciful Saint
Emphasis on protection and healing
Tier 1: Enduring Crane Strike
Tier 2: Emerald Displacement Strike, Silver Knight's Blade || Silver Crane Waltz
Tier 3: Emerald-Tipped Feathers, Silver Crane Resurgence, Silver Knight's Blade || Silver Crane Waltz, Stance of the Crane Knight
Tier 4: Argent Knight's Banner, Diamond-Tipped Feathers, Silver Crane's Mercy || Silver Crane Endurance, Stance of the Crane Knight
Tier 5: Argent King's Scepter, Benediction of the Silver Crane, Diamond-Tipped Feathers, Strike of Silver Exorcism || Diamond Wings of the Imperial Crane, Silver Crane Endurance, Stance of the Crane Knight
The Shining Knight
Emphasis on high damage to evil creatures
Tier 1: Silver Strike
Tier 2: Blessed Pinions, Exorcism Strike || Eyes of the Crane
Tier 3: Sacred Pinions, Silver Crane's Leap, Silver Crane's Spiral || Eyes of the Crane, Stance of the Silver Crane
Tier 4: Diamond Displacement Strike, Holy Pinions, Silver Crane's Spiral || Eyes of the Crane, Stance of the Silver Crane
Tier 5: Celestial Pinions, Diamond Displacement Strike, Holy Rush, Strike of Silver Exorcism || Diamond Wings of the Imperial Crane, Eyes of the Crane, Stance of the Silver Crane
Sleeping Goddess
Autohypnosis || flails, heavy blades, monk, spears, mind blades
Special: Instead of gaining proficiency in a discipline weapon, the initiating creature may gain Wild Talent or Psionic Talent as a bonus feat.
The Mindbreaker
Emphasis on psi-like abilities and ability damage
Tier 1: Ego-Wounding Strike
Tier 2: Inexorable Embrace of Sleep, Mind-Revealing Strike || Unbroken Stride
Tier 3: Puppet of the Goddess, Reshape the Sculpted Mind, Inexorable Embrace of Sleep || Inarguable Presence of the Sleeping Goddess, Internal Dominion of the Sleeping Goddess
Tier 4: Reshape the Sculpted Mind, Soul-Crushing Mien, Strike of Transfixed Awe || Inarguable Presence of the Sleeping Goddess, Unavoidable Gaze of the Sleeping Goddess
Tier 5: Immortal Truths of the Sleeping Goddess, Self Beyond the Self, Pierce the Soul, Soul-Crushing Mien || Inarguable Presence of the Sleeping Goddess, Unavoidable Gaze of the Sleeping Goddess, Unavoidable Gaze of the Sleeping Goddess, Unimpeachable Authority of the Sleeping Goddess
The Psysword
Emphasis on melee combat using a conjured weapon
Tier 1: Call the Soul's Blade
Tier 2: Call the Soul's Blade, Chains of Doubt || Battle Mantra
Tier 3: Armory of the Sleeping Goddess, Chains of Doubt, The Ties that Bind || Battle Mantra, Internal Dominion of the Sleeping Goddess
Tier 4: Dreaming Nomad Strike, Perfect Distillation of the Soul, The Ties that Bind || Battle Mantra, Internal Dominion of the Sleeping Goddess
Tier 5: Immortal Truths of the Sleeping Goddess, Indomitable Idealism, Perfect Distillation of the Soul, Pierce the Soul || Battle Mantra, Unavoidable Gaze of the Sleeping Goddess, Unimpeachable Authority of the Sleeping Goddess
Solar Wind
Perception || bows, crossbows, firearms, thrown
Special: The creature may instead take the Glacial Frost (cold), Oncoming Storm (electric), or Virulent Spray (acid) variants of this discipline.
The Solar Sniper
Emphasis on single high-damage attacks
Tier 1: Horizon Wind Lancet
Tier 2: Phantom Wind Ray, Solar Flare || Stance of Piercing Rays
Tier 3: Blinding Ray Shot, Dazzling Solar Flare, Focused Solar Lance || Stance of Piercing Rays, Sunwalker Stance
Tier 4: Solar Meteor Blow, Stunning Solar Flare, Twisting Wind Shot || Stance of Piercing Rays, True Shot Stance
Tier 5: Aurora Break, Solar Wind Nova, Stunning Solar Flare, Twisting Wind Shot || Solar Hailstorm Stance, Stance of Piercing Rays, True Shot Stance
The Volley Archer
Emphasis on multiple attacks
Tier 1: Steady Hand
Tier 2: Feel the Wind, Solar Reflection || Phantom Sun Stance
Tier 3: Double Solar Reflection, Feel the Wind, Searing Break || Phantom Sun Stance, Stance of Piercing Rays
Tier 4: Burning Break, Solar Meteor Blow, Triple Solar Reflection || Stance of Piercing Rays, True Shot Stance
Tier 5: Burning Break, Solar Wind Nova, Solar Wind Tsunami, Triple Solar Reflection || Solar Hailstorm Stance, Stance of Piercing Rays, True Shot Stance
Steel Serpent
Heal || close, light blades, monk
The Assassin
Emphasis on ability damage and poisons
Tier 1: Dizzying Venom Prana
Tier 2: Sickening Venom Strike, Weakening Venom Prana || Poisoner's Stance
Tier 3: Poison Blood, Sickening Venom Strike, Steel Fang || Hooded Killer's Stance, Poisoner's Stance
Tier 4: Numbing Venom Prana, Steel Fang, Sting of the Viper || Poisoner's Stance, Spitting Cobra Stance
Tier 5: Adamantine Fang, Bite the Mongoose, Five-Fold Hydra Sting, Numbing Venom Prana || Hooded Cobra Attitude, Poisoner's Stance, Spitting Cobra Stance
The Serial Killer
Emphasis on dirty fighting and stealth
Tier 1: Hunting Serpent Blow
Tier 2: Fading Dodge, Sight Piercing Fang || Body of the Night
Tier 3: Pressure Point Break, Rattler's Feint, Sight-Piercing Fang || Body of the Night, Hooded Killer's Stance
Tier 4: Blend with the Night, Pressure Point Break, Silencing Strike || Body of the Night, Hooded Killer's Stance
Tier 5: Blend with the Night, Five-Fold Hydra Sting, Silencing Strike, Sting of the Cobra || Body of the Night, Hooded Cobra Attitude, Hooded Killer's Stance
Tempest Gale
Sleight of Hand || bows, crossbows, firearms, thrown
The Marksman
Emphasis on long-range attacks and close-quarters line AoE's
Tier 1: Distant Gale
Tier 2: Cascading Draft, Piercing Shot || Sniper's Eye Stance
Tier 3: Cascading Draft, Piercing Gale, Wind Tunnel || Dancing Winds Stance, Sniper's Eye Stance
Tier 4: Black Wind, Blinding Shot, Wind Lance || Sniper's Eye Stance, Winds of Vengeance Stance
Tier 5: Black Wind, Breath Stealing Wind, Hunting Zephyr, Vicious Tempest Volley || Dancing Winds Stance, Eye of the Storm Stance, Winds of Vengeance Stance
The Trick Shooter
Emphasis on combat maneuvers
Tier 1: Disarming Shot
Tier 2: Battering Gale, Deflecting Shot || Galebreaker's Stance
Tier 3: Cutting Gale, Disarming Blast, Grounding Shot || Galebreaker's Stance, Tempest Gale Stance
Tier 4: Grounding Shot, Hunting Zephyr, Razor Tempest || Galebreaker's Stance, Tempest Gale Stance
Tier 5: Hunting Zephyr, Punishing Tempest, Steel Tornado, Vicious Tempest Volley || Dancing Winds Stance, Eye of the Storm Stance, Tempest Gale Stance
Thrashing Dragon
Acrobatics || close, double, light blades
Special: Instead of gaining proficiency in a discipline weapon, the initiating creature may gain Two-Weapon Fighting as a bonus feat, even if it doesn't meet the prerequisites.
The Dragon's Breath
Emphasis on thrown weapons and counters
Tier 1: Wyrmling's Fang
Tier 2: Ancient's Fang, Reflexive Twist || Inner Sphere Stance
Tier 3: Ancient's Fang, Dragon Rush, Reversing Thrust || Bend with the Wind, Inner Sphere Stance
Tier 4: Alacrity on Wind, Great Wyrm's Fang, Hurricane of Fangs || Bend with the Wind, Inner Sphere Stance
Tier 5: Alacrity on Wing, Deadly Dragon Strike, Doom Talon, Great Wyrm's Fang || Bend with the Wind, Dragon Warrior's Talons, Inner Sphere Stance
The Dragon's Claws
Emphasis on high damage with two weapons
Tier 1: Swift Claws
Tier 2: Fangs Strike Low, Sweeping Tail || Outer Sphere Stance
Tier 3: Fangs Strike Low, Sharpened Talons, Thrashing Dragon Twist || Battle Dragon's Stance, Outer Sphere Stance
Tier 4: Reversing Thrust, Thrashing Dragon Frenzy, Unbreakable Talons || Battle Dragon's Stance, Brutal Dragon's Stance
Tier 5: Deadly Dragon Strike, Thrashing Blades, Thrashing Dragon Frenzy, Unbreakable Talons || Battle Dragon's Stance, Brutal Dragon's Stance, Dragon Warrior's Talons
Unquiet Grave
Knowledge (religion) || axes, natural, polearms, scythe
The Grave Warrior
Emphasis on high damage against living creatures
Tier 1: Hungry Stillness Strike
Tier 2: Life Sealing Strike, Raging Specter Strike || Bean Nighe Attitude
Tier 3: Flowing Gore Blow, Hunting Mohrg Strike, Life Sealing Strike || Avenging Revenant's Advance, Bean Nighe Attitude
Tier 4: Flowing Gore Blow, Looming Nighwalker Parry, Poltergeist's Wrath || Avenging Revenant's Advance, Charging Dullahan's Advance
Tier 5: Chilling Mist Sidestep, Feasting Wraith Strike, Pitiless Axe of the Executioner, Poltergeist's Wrath || Avenging Revenant's Advance, Charging Dullahan's Advance, Laughing Demilich Attitude
The Vampire
Emphasis on debuffing foes and gaining temporary HP
Tier 1: Thirsting Axe Strike
Tier 2: Chilling Grave Defense, Wight's Blow || Starving Vampire Stance
Tier 3: Ancient Lich Parry, Shrieking Shadow Axe, Wight's Blow || Mourning Ghost Attitude, Starving Vampire Stance
Tier 4: Ancient Lich Parry, Headsman's Descending Axe, Scything Reaper Riposte || Avenging Revenant's Advance, Starving Vampire Stance
Tier 5: Headsman's Descending Axe, Pitiless Axe of the Executioner, Scything Reaper Riposte, Soul Drinking Strike || Avenging Revenant's Advance, Laughing Demilich Attitude, Starving Vampire Stance
Veiled Moon
Stealth || double, light blades, spears
The Fading Warrior
Emphasis on teleportation and illusion
Tier 1: Disturbing Blow
Tier 2: Brilliant Moon, Fading Strike || Leaping Spirit Dance
Tier 3: Ethereal Reminiscence, Flicker Strike, Twisting Ether || Formless Dance, Stance of the Ether Gate
Tier 4: Fade Through, Phantom Penumbra, Vaporform Crash || Formless Dance, Stance of the Ether Gate
Tier 5: Banish to the Beyond, Fade Through, Flashing Ether Touch, Lunar Penumbra || Anchoring Spirit, Formless Dance, Stance of the Ether Gate
The Ghost Hunter
Emphasis on combating incorporeal and ethereal creatures
Tier 1: Ghost Hunting Blow
Tier 2: Ghost Walk, Resonance Strike || Spirit Sensing Stance
Tier 3: Breath of the Moon, Essence Shattering Strike, Ghost Walk || Spirit Sensing Stance, Stance of the Ether Gate
Tier 4: Dispersal Strike, Ether Wave, Vaporform Crash || Spiritual Weapon Stance, Spirit Sensing Stance
Tier 5: Banish to the Beyond, Dispersal Strike, Eclipsing Moon, Ether Wave || Anchoring Spirit, Spiritual Weapon Stance, Spirit Sensing Stance