smasher0404
2020-05-22, 02:10 AM
Hello world! This is my first piece of homebrew for 3.5 that I've made any serious attempt at balancing, so obviously any feedback would be greatly appreciated. The class partially derives from boredom earlier in the year, and from a realization that the Iaijutsu Master's class features incentivize a combat style that if followed from level 1 actively disadvantages the character until they enter the class. A lot of the original class' features feel like an early martial class feature (X Mental Stat to AC, Weapon Finesse, etc.). So I've decided to try my hand at converting it into a full base class with some hopefully flavorful and useful additional class features to flesh out the idea a bit more. Apologies ahead of time for any formatting errors as I try to port this from a Word document. So without further ado, : The Iaidoka
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The Iaidoka hones his singular craft, the art of iaijutsu, to its finest point. Fast as lightning, and twice as deadly, a Iaidoka seeks to end battles in a single stroke. Battle is an artform that the Iaidoka has mastered flitting from battlefield to battlefield. The sword is treated as merely an extension of their own body.
Making a Iaidoka
Abilities: The Iaidoka favors Dexterity and Charisma. Dexterity to help them speedily draw their blade, and to avoid being cut down in battle. And Charisma to allow them to make their deadly Iaijutsu Strikes. Some Iaidoka’s also choose to train their Strength and Constitution on the off-chance their initial strike isn’t enough to end the battle. While a Iaidoka values Intelligence and Wisdom off the battlefield, they often find it isn’t of great value in the thick of battle.
Races: Disciplined warrior cultures often give rise to at least a small subset of Iaidokas. The art of Iaijutsu was originated by Humans in the Far-East, but has found an appreciation among Elven cultures. Dwarves recognize the skill involved in the Iaidoka’s craft, but find the mind games that go into it a bit unnecessary.
Alignment: While Iaidokas tend to trend towards lawful, they can be of any alignment.
Starting Gold: 5d4x10 gp (125 gp)
Starting Age: As Barbarian
Table 1-1 The Iaidoka
Hit Dice: D10
Level
BAB
Fort
Ref
Will
Class Feature
Unarmored Speed Bonus
1
+1
+2
+2
+0
Intimidating Defense, Daisho Proficiency
+0 ft
2
+2
+3
+3
+0
Graceful Swordsmanship, Iaijutsu Specialist
+0 ft
3
+3
+3
+3
+1
Honorary Clansmen, Falling Blade Technique, Lightning Blade
+10 ft
4
+4
+4
+4
+1
Sheathed but Armed, Bonus Feat
+10 ft
5
+5
+4
+4
+1
Surprise Strike
+10 ft
6
+6/+1
+5
+5
+2
Single-Stroke Dash
+20 ft
7
+7/+2
+5
+5
+2
Blade Concentration
+20 ft
8
+8/+3
+6
+6
+2
Bonus Feat
+20 ft
9
+9/+4
+6
+6
+3
One Strike Two Cuts, Evasion
+30 ft
10
+10/+5
+7
+7
+3
Invincible Slash
+30 ft
11
+11/+6/+1
+7
+7
+3
After-Image Slash
+30 ft
12
+12/+7/+2
+8
+8
+4
Reputation of the Master, Bonus Feat
+40 ft
13
+13/+8/+3
+8
+8
+4
Strike from the Void
+40 ft
14
+14/+9/+4
+9
+9
+4
Razor Wind Strike
+40 ft
15
+15/+10/+5
+9
+9
+5
Strike with No Thought
+50 ft
16
+16/+11/+6/+1
+10
+10
+5
Improved Evasion, Bonus Feat
+50 ft
17
+17/+12/+7/+2
+10
+10
+5
Calm in the Storm
+50 ft
18
+18/+13/+8/+3
+11
+11
+6
Aether-Cutter
+60 ft
19
+19/+14/+9/+4
+11
+11
+6
Perfect Nukitsuke
+60 ft
20
+20/+15/+10/+5
+12
+12
+6
Iaijutsu Ascendant, Bonus Feat
+60 ft
Class Skills (6 + Int modifier per level, x4 at 1st level): Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft(Any) (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Gather Information (Cha), Iaijutsu Focus(Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge(Nobility and Royalty) (Int), Listen (Wis), Martial Lore* (Int) Perform(Any) (Cha), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis), Tumble (Dex).
*Martial Lore is a skill available in Tome of Battle.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: An Iaidoka is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, and with light armor and shields (except tower shields).
Intimidating Defense (Ex): When not wearing armor, iaidokas add their Charisma bonus to their Dexterity bonus to modify Armor Class while wielding a katana. As with normal Dexterity AC modifications, positive modifiers are lost when the iaidoka is caught flat-footed.
Daisho Proficiency (Ex): In melee combat, an Iaidoka favors the katana (a masterwork bastard sword) and the wakizashi (a masterwork short sword). Many Iaidoka receive an heirloom set of these two blades, known as the daisho. Because an Iaidoka is trained in their use, they gains Exotic Weapon Proficiency (bastard sword) as a bonus feat.
Graceful Swordsmanship (Ex): At 2nd level, an Iaidoka may use their Dexterity modifier instead of their Strength modifier on attack rolls with their katana. This works like the Weapon Finesse feat, except that it applies to the katana, a weapon to which the feat cannot normally be applied. In addition, they gain Weapon Finesse as a bonus feat.
Iaijutsu Specialist (Ex): A Iaidoka is constantly practicing the art of Iaijutsu almost to the point of obsession. Starting from 2nd Level, an Iaidoka gains a circumstance bonus to Iaijutsu Focus checks equal to ˝ their class level.
Honorary Clansman (Ex): The Crane Clane of Rokugan respects and honors a Iaidoka’s skill no matter where they are from. At 3rd level, an Iaidoka is treated as a member of the Crane Clan for the purposes of qualifying for feats or prestige classes.
Falling Blade Technique(Ex): As a necessity of Iaijutsu, a Iaidoka has also become exceptionally quick at sheathing their blade. At 3rd level, an Iaidoka may once per round sheathe any weapons they have drawn as a free action. This does not provoke an attack of opportunity.
Lightning Blade (Ex): An Iaidoka of 3rd level or higher adds their Charisma modifier to their initiative checks, as well as their Dexterity modifier.
Fast Movement (Ex): At 3rd level, an Iaidoka gains an enhancement bonus to their speed, as shown on Table: The Iaidoka. An Iaidoka in armor or carrying a medium or heavy load loses this extra speed.
Sheathed but Armed (Ex): At 4th level, an Iaidoka threatens any square that they are able to reach with a sheathed melee weapon, and may draw that weapon as a free action when an Attack of Opportunity is provoked.
Bonus Feat: At 4th level and every 4 levels afterwards, an Iaidoka gains a bonus feat. At each such opportunity, they must choose a Fighter Bonus Feat, an Ancestor Feat, Kiai Shout, or Greater Kiai Shout. The Iaidoka must still meet all prerequisites for a bonus feat These bonus feats are in addition to the feat that a character of any class gets from advancing levels. The Iaidoka is not limited to the categories of Fighter Bonus Feats, Ancestor Feats, Kiai Shout or Greater Kiai Shout when choosing these feats.
Surprise Strike(Ex): At 5th level, an Iaidoka may target one enemy within reach as a move action and make a Iaijutsu Focus check using that enemy’s AC as the DC of the check. If their Iaijutsu Focus check succeeds, the target is flatfooted against the Iaidoka’s next attack against them until the end of the turn.
Single-Stroke Dash(Ex): At 6th level, if a Iaidoka deals enough damage to a creature to make it drop with the bonus damage from a Iaijutsu Focus check (typically by dropping it to below 0 hit points or killing it), they may immediately move up to their movement speed as a free action.
Blade Concentration(Ex): Through finely honed concentration, an Iaidoka is extra deadly at their strikes. At 7th level, when an Iaidoka makes a Iaijutsu Focus check to add bonus damage, they can accept a variable penalty to his Armor Class up to their Base Attack Bonus and take an equivalent bonus on the damage roll.
One Strike, Two Cuts (Ex): At 9th level and above, an Iaidoka can make two attacks with a katana as a standard action. This means they can strike twice and move in the same round, or attack twice in the strike phase of an iaijutsu duel.
Evasion (Ex): At 9th level or higher if an Iaidoka makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, they instead takes no damage. Evasion can be used only if an Iaidoka is wearing light armor or no armor. A helpless Iaidoka does not gain the benefit of evasion.
Invincible Slash(Ex): At 10th level, when an Iaidoka adds bonus damage to an attack against an object using Iaijutsu Focus, they may ignore hardness up to the Iaijutsu Focus check.
After-Image Strike(Ex): At 11th level, when an Iaidoka makes a melee attack with one or more melee weapons (including a standard attack, full attack, or even a strike maneuver) where at least one attack gains bonus damage from a Iaijutsu Focus check, they can make an additional attack at their highest attack bonus. You take a -2 penalty on all attack rolls you make this round. An Iaidoka cannot gain an additional attack from After-Image strike as a result of an attack made with After-Image Strike.
Reputation of the Master(Ex): At 12th level, an Iaidoka’s reputation begins to precede them with fellow practitioners of the craft. When interacting with any Sublime Way practitioner or Iaijutsu practitioner who recognizes their skill (usually through a DC (25 – Class Level) Martial Lore or Gather Information check), that person’s attitude starts one category better, and the Iaidoka gains a +2 circumstance bonus on all Charisma-based checks involving that person (except Iaijutsu Focus checks, and if ever applicable Use Magic Device checks).
Strike from the Void (Ex): An Iaidoka of 13th level or higher adds their Charisma modifier to each extra damage die gained from using the Iaijutsu Focus skill.
Razor Wind(Su): At 14th level, an Iaidoka can take a full attack action to use all of its slashing weapons as if they were thrown weapons with a 20-foot range increment. The subject gestures as if making a melee attack, but the result of the attack affects a target within range. This ability does not actually grant reach, and so does not help provide a flanking bonus or allow the Iaidoka to make attacks of opportunity at any range greater than normal. The Iaidoka uses their normal melee attack bonuses and deals damage normally if they hits, though the target of the attacks can benefit from cover or concealment. An Iaidoka cannot use this ability to make more attacks than would normally be allowed with a normal full attack action.
Strike with No Thought (Ex): If an Iaidoka of 15th level begins combat (not an iaijutsu duel) within melee range of an opponent, they gains a free surprise round, even though their opponents are aware of their presence. The only action the Iaidoka can take in this surprise round is an attack action using a katana. For example, if the Iaidoka Kakita Timoshiko and Bayushi Koro are standing on the street hurling insults at each other and the situation erupts into combat, Timoshiko can attack with his katana before Koro even rolls initiative, catching his opponent flat-footed.
Improved Evasion(Ex): At 16th level, an Iaidoka’s evasion ability improves. They still takes no damage on a successful Reflex saving throw against attacks, but henceforth they takes only half damage on a failed save. A helpless Iaidoka does not gain the benefit of improved evasion.
Calm in the Storm(Ex): In a moment of extreme concentration, time may seem to freeze around a master Iaidoka. At 17th level, an Iaidoka may take 4 standard actions during their turn, however each of these standard actions must involve either movement or an attack roll with a slashing weapon. An Iaidoka may only use this ability once per day.
Aether-Cutter(Su): A fast enough blade can cut through even magic. At 18th level, Twice Per Day: When an Iaidoka is targeted by a spell, as an immediate action they can draw a weapon and make an Iaijutsu Focus check against a DC equal to the spell’s caster level +10. If the check succeeds, the Iaidoka may ignore the effect of that spell. If that spell involves a melee touch attack, the Iaidoka may also make an immediate attack of opportunity against the spellcaster.
Perfect Nukitsuke(Ex): At 19th level, an Iaidoka has perfected the art of drawing their katana, to the point that most cannot see the blade until it is too late. As a swift action, the Iaidoka can perform a perfect nukitsuke, Opponents within 15 feet must make a Will Save (DC 10 + ˝ Class Level + Cha Modifier) or be flat-footed until the end of the round. At the end of this action, an Iaidoka may draw a slashing weapon as a free action. An Iaidoka can use this ability Cha Modifier times per day.
Iaijutsu Ascendant: At 20th level, an Iaidoka’s iaijutsu skills brings them closer to enlightenment. They are forevermore considered a native Outsider rather than a humanoid (or whatever the Iaidoka’s creature type was) for the purposes of spells and magical effects.
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The Iaidoka hones his singular craft, the art of iaijutsu, to its finest point. Fast as lightning, and twice as deadly, a Iaidoka seeks to end battles in a single stroke. Battle is an artform that the Iaidoka has mastered flitting from battlefield to battlefield. The sword is treated as merely an extension of their own body.
Making a Iaidoka
Abilities: The Iaidoka favors Dexterity and Charisma. Dexterity to help them speedily draw their blade, and to avoid being cut down in battle. And Charisma to allow them to make their deadly Iaijutsu Strikes. Some Iaidoka’s also choose to train their Strength and Constitution on the off-chance their initial strike isn’t enough to end the battle. While a Iaidoka values Intelligence and Wisdom off the battlefield, they often find it isn’t of great value in the thick of battle.
Races: Disciplined warrior cultures often give rise to at least a small subset of Iaidokas. The art of Iaijutsu was originated by Humans in the Far-East, but has found an appreciation among Elven cultures. Dwarves recognize the skill involved in the Iaidoka’s craft, but find the mind games that go into it a bit unnecessary.
Alignment: While Iaidokas tend to trend towards lawful, they can be of any alignment.
Starting Gold: 5d4x10 gp (125 gp)
Starting Age: As Barbarian
Table 1-1 The Iaidoka
Hit Dice: D10
Level
BAB
Fort
Ref
Will
Class Feature
Unarmored Speed Bonus
1
+1
+2
+2
+0
Intimidating Defense, Daisho Proficiency
+0 ft
2
+2
+3
+3
+0
Graceful Swordsmanship, Iaijutsu Specialist
+0 ft
3
+3
+3
+3
+1
Honorary Clansmen, Falling Blade Technique, Lightning Blade
+10 ft
4
+4
+4
+4
+1
Sheathed but Armed, Bonus Feat
+10 ft
5
+5
+4
+4
+1
Surprise Strike
+10 ft
6
+6/+1
+5
+5
+2
Single-Stroke Dash
+20 ft
7
+7/+2
+5
+5
+2
Blade Concentration
+20 ft
8
+8/+3
+6
+6
+2
Bonus Feat
+20 ft
9
+9/+4
+6
+6
+3
One Strike Two Cuts, Evasion
+30 ft
10
+10/+5
+7
+7
+3
Invincible Slash
+30 ft
11
+11/+6/+1
+7
+7
+3
After-Image Slash
+30 ft
12
+12/+7/+2
+8
+8
+4
Reputation of the Master, Bonus Feat
+40 ft
13
+13/+8/+3
+8
+8
+4
Strike from the Void
+40 ft
14
+14/+9/+4
+9
+9
+4
Razor Wind Strike
+40 ft
15
+15/+10/+5
+9
+9
+5
Strike with No Thought
+50 ft
16
+16/+11/+6/+1
+10
+10
+5
Improved Evasion, Bonus Feat
+50 ft
17
+17/+12/+7/+2
+10
+10
+5
Calm in the Storm
+50 ft
18
+18/+13/+8/+3
+11
+11
+6
Aether-Cutter
+60 ft
19
+19/+14/+9/+4
+11
+11
+6
Perfect Nukitsuke
+60 ft
20
+20/+15/+10/+5
+12
+12
+6
Iaijutsu Ascendant, Bonus Feat
+60 ft
Class Skills (6 + Int modifier per level, x4 at 1st level): Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft(Any) (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Gather Information (Cha), Iaijutsu Focus(Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge(Nobility and Royalty) (Int), Listen (Wis), Martial Lore* (Int) Perform(Any) (Cha), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis), Tumble (Dex).
*Martial Lore is a skill available in Tome of Battle.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: An Iaidoka is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, and with light armor and shields (except tower shields).
Intimidating Defense (Ex): When not wearing armor, iaidokas add their Charisma bonus to their Dexterity bonus to modify Armor Class while wielding a katana. As with normal Dexterity AC modifications, positive modifiers are lost when the iaidoka is caught flat-footed.
Daisho Proficiency (Ex): In melee combat, an Iaidoka favors the katana (a masterwork bastard sword) and the wakizashi (a masterwork short sword). Many Iaidoka receive an heirloom set of these two blades, known as the daisho. Because an Iaidoka is trained in their use, they gains Exotic Weapon Proficiency (bastard sword) as a bonus feat.
Graceful Swordsmanship (Ex): At 2nd level, an Iaidoka may use their Dexterity modifier instead of their Strength modifier on attack rolls with their katana. This works like the Weapon Finesse feat, except that it applies to the katana, a weapon to which the feat cannot normally be applied. In addition, they gain Weapon Finesse as a bonus feat.
Iaijutsu Specialist (Ex): A Iaidoka is constantly practicing the art of Iaijutsu almost to the point of obsession. Starting from 2nd Level, an Iaidoka gains a circumstance bonus to Iaijutsu Focus checks equal to ˝ their class level.
Honorary Clansman (Ex): The Crane Clane of Rokugan respects and honors a Iaidoka’s skill no matter where they are from. At 3rd level, an Iaidoka is treated as a member of the Crane Clan for the purposes of qualifying for feats or prestige classes.
Falling Blade Technique(Ex): As a necessity of Iaijutsu, a Iaidoka has also become exceptionally quick at sheathing their blade. At 3rd level, an Iaidoka may once per round sheathe any weapons they have drawn as a free action. This does not provoke an attack of opportunity.
Lightning Blade (Ex): An Iaidoka of 3rd level or higher adds their Charisma modifier to their initiative checks, as well as their Dexterity modifier.
Fast Movement (Ex): At 3rd level, an Iaidoka gains an enhancement bonus to their speed, as shown on Table: The Iaidoka. An Iaidoka in armor or carrying a medium or heavy load loses this extra speed.
Sheathed but Armed (Ex): At 4th level, an Iaidoka threatens any square that they are able to reach with a sheathed melee weapon, and may draw that weapon as a free action when an Attack of Opportunity is provoked.
Bonus Feat: At 4th level and every 4 levels afterwards, an Iaidoka gains a bonus feat. At each such opportunity, they must choose a Fighter Bonus Feat, an Ancestor Feat, Kiai Shout, or Greater Kiai Shout. The Iaidoka must still meet all prerequisites for a bonus feat These bonus feats are in addition to the feat that a character of any class gets from advancing levels. The Iaidoka is not limited to the categories of Fighter Bonus Feats, Ancestor Feats, Kiai Shout or Greater Kiai Shout when choosing these feats.
Surprise Strike(Ex): At 5th level, an Iaidoka may target one enemy within reach as a move action and make a Iaijutsu Focus check using that enemy’s AC as the DC of the check. If their Iaijutsu Focus check succeeds, the target is flatfooted against the Iaidoka’s next attack against them until the end of the turn.
Single-Stroke Dash(Ex): At 6th level, if a Iaidoka deals enough damage to a creature to make it drop with the bonus damage from a Iaijutsu Focus check (typically by dropping it to below 0 hit points or killing it), they may immediately move up to their movement speed as a free action.
Blade Concentration(Ex): Through finely honed concentration, an Iaidoka is extra deadly at their strikes. At 7th level, when an Iaidoka makes a Iaijutsu Focus check to add bonus damage, they can accept a variable penalty to his Armor Class up to their Base Attack Bonus and take an equivalent bonus on the damage roll.
One Strike, Two Cuts (Ex): At 9th level and above, an Iaidoka can make two attacks with a katana as a standard action. This means they can strike twice and move in the same round, or attack twice in the strike phase of an iaijutsu duel.
Evasion (Ex): At 9th level or higher if an Iaidoka makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, they instead takes no damage. Evasion can be used only if an Iaidoka is wearing light armor or no armor. A helpless Iaidoka does not gain the benefit of evasion.
Invincible Slash(Ex): At 10th level, when an Iaidoka adds bonus damage to an attack against an object using Iaijutsu Focus, they may ignore hardness up to the Iaijutsu Focus check.
After-Image Strike(Ex): At 11th level, when an Iaidoka makes a melee attack with one or more melee weapons (including a standard attack, full attack, or even a strike maneuver) where at least one attack gains bonus damage from a Iaijutsu Focus check, they can make an additional attack at their highest attack bonus. You take a -2 penalty on all attack rolls you make this round. An Iaidoka cannot gain an additional attack from After-Image strike as a result of an attack made with After-Image Strike.
Reputation of the Master(Ex): At 12th level, an Iaidoka’s reputation begins to precede them with fellow practitioners of the craft. When interacting with any Sublime Way practitioner or Iaijutsu practitioner who recognizes their skill (usually through a DC (25 – Class Level) Martial Lore or Gather Information check), that person’s attitude starts one category better, and the Iaidoka gains a +2 circumstance bonus on all Charisma-based checks involving that person (except Iaijutsu Focus checks, and if ever applicable Use Magic Device checks).
Strike from the Void (Ex): An Iaidoka of 13th level or higher adds their Charisma modifier to each extra damage die gained from using the Iaijutsu Focus skill.
Razor Wind(Su): At 14th level, an Iaidoka can take a full attack action to use all of its slashing weapons as if they were thrown weapons with a 20-foot range increment. The subject gestures as if making a melee attack, but the result of the attack affects a target within range. This ability does not actually grant reach, and so does not help provide a flanking bonus or allow the Iaidoka to make attacks of opportunity at any range greater than normal. The Iaidoka uses their normal melee attack bonuses and deals damage normally if they hits, though the target of the attacks can benefit from cover or concealment. An Iaidoka cannot use this ability to make more attacks than would normally be allowed with a normal full attack action.
Strike with No Thought (Ex): If an Iaidoka of 15th level begins combat (not an iaijutsu duel) within melee range of an opponent, they gains a free surprise round, even though their opponents are aware of their presence. The only action the Iaidoka can take in this surprise round is an attack action using a katana. For example, if the Iaidoka Kakita Timoshiko and Bayushi Koro are standing on the street hurling insults at each other and the situation erupts into combat, Timoshiko can attack with his katana before Koro even rolls initiative, catching his opponent flat-footed.
Improved Evasion(Ex): At 16th level, an Iaidoka’s evasion ability improves. They still takes no damage on a successful Reflex saving throw against attacks, but henceforth they takes only half damage on a failed save. A helpless Iaidoka does not gain the benefit of improved evasion.
Calm in the Storm(Ex): In a moment of extreme concentration, time may seem to freeze around a master Iaidoka. At 17th level, an Iaidoka may take 4 standard actions during their turn, however each of these standard actions must involve either movement or an attack roll with a slashing weapon. An Iaidoka may only use this ability once per day.
Aether-Cutter(Su): A fast enough blade can cut through even magic. At 18th level, Twice Per Day: When an Iaidoka is targeted by a spell, as an immediate action they can draw a weapon and make an Iaijutsu Focus check against a DC equal to the spell’s caster level +10. If the check succeeds, the Iaidoka may ignore the effect of that spell. If that spell involves a melee touch attack, the Iaidoka may also make an immediate attack of opportunity against the spellcaster.
Perfect Nukitsuke(Ex): At 19th level, an Iaidoka has perfected the art of drawing their katana, to the point that most cannot see the blade until it is too late. As a swift action, the Iaidoka can perform a perfect nukitsuke, Opponents within 15 feet must make a Will Save (DC 10 + ˝ Class Level + Cha Modifier) or be flat-footed until the end of the round. At the end of this action, an Iaidoka may draw a slashing weapon as a free action. An Iaidoka can use this ability Cha Modifier times per day.
Iaijutsu Ascendant: At 20th level, an Iaidoka’s iaijutsu skills brings them closer to enlightenment. They are forevermore considered a native Outsider rather than a humanoid (or whatever the Iaidoka’s creature type was) for the purposes of spells and magical effects.