Blondie
2007-05-04, 12:10 PM
Hey all,
as my first attempt at home brew I build a variant on the overly discussed but still so very interesting kensai. Story is pending, for now just the numbers. Hope you like it, comments welcome!
Greets,
Joost
Blade Balancer
Hit Die d8
Skill points per level (4 + int) x 4 at first level, 4 + int at higher levels
Class Skills balance, concentration, climb, perform (dance), use rope, profession, escape artist, jump, swim, tumble
Alignment Restrictions True neutral
Weapon Proficiencies All simple and martial weapons that deal slashing damage as well as slings and shortbows
{table=head]Level|Base AttackBonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Special
1st|
+1 |
+0|
+2|
+0|Weapon of Choice (size),Blade barrier, Fast Movement
2nd|
+2 |
+0|
+3|
+0|Rain of slashes
3rd|
+3 |
+1|
+3|
+1|Evasion
4th|
+4 |
+1|
+4|
+1|Weapon of Choice (finesse)
5th|
+5 |
+1|
+4|
+1|Deep cut 1/day
6th|
+6/ +1 |
+2|
+5|
+2|Uncanny dodge
7th|
+7/ +2 |
+2|
+5|
+2|
8th|
+8/ +3 |
+2|
+6|
+2|Improved evasion
9th|
+9/ +4 |
+3|
+6|
+3|Deep cut 2/day (multiplier increase)
10th|
+10/ +5 |
+3|
+7|
+3|Improved rain
11th|
+11/ +6/ +1 |
+3|
+7|
+3|
12th|
+12/ +7/ +2 |
+4|
+8|
+4|Improved uncanny dodge
13th|
+13/ +8/ +3 |
+4|
+8|
+4|
14th|
+14/ +9/ +4 |
+4|
+9|
+4|Deep cut 3/day (multiplier increase)
15th|
+15/+10/ +5 |
+5|
+9|
+5|
16th|
+16/+11/ +6/ +1|
+5|
+10|
+5|Greater Rain
17th|
+17/+12/ +7/ +2|
+5|
+10|
+5|
18th|
+18/+13/ +8/ +3|
+6|
+11|
+6|
19th|
+19/+14/ +9/ +4|
+6|
+11|
+6|Superior Rain
20th|
+20/+15/+10/ +5|
+6|
+12|
+6|Deep cut 3/day (multiplier increase), Perfect Rain[/table]
{table=head]Level|Rain of Slashes attack bonus|Maximum Blade Barrier shield bonus
1st|
- |
+1
2nd|
+0/ +0 |
+1
3rd|
+1/ +1 |
+1
4th|
+2/ +2 |
+1
5th|
+3/ +3 |
+2
6th|
+4/ +4/ -1 |
+2
7th|
+5/ +5/ +0 |
+2
8th|
+6/ +6/ +1 |
+2
9th|
+7/ +7/ +2 |
+2
10th|
+8/ +8/ +3/ +3 |
+3
11th|
+9/ +9/ +4/ +4/ -1 |
+3
12th|
+10/+10/ +5/ +5/ +0 |
+3
13th|
+11/+11/ +6/ +6/ +1 |
+3
14th|
+12/+12/ +7/ +7/ +2 |
+3
15th|
+13/+13/ +8/ +8/ +3 |
+4
16th|
+15/+15/+10/+10/ +5/ +0 |
+4
17th|
+16/+16/+11/+11/ +6/ +1 |
+4
18th|
+17/+17/+12/+12/ +7/ +2 |
+4
19th|
+18/+18/+13/+13/ +8/ +8/+3/+3|
+4
20th|
+20/+20/+15/+15/+10/+10/+5/+5|
+5 [/table]
Unarmoured combat
All the abilities of the Blade Balancer depend on freedom of movement. If the Balancer wears armour of any kind or wears a shield, none of the benefits apply. This also happens when the Balancer is somehow hindered in her movement; either by her load or through other effects such as the spell Web.
Weapon of choice (Ex)
At first level, the Blade Balancer chooses a weapon type which becomes her Weapon of Choice. This weapon must be an edged weapon which does slashing damage. From then on, this weapon type is considered one size category smaller with regard to two weapon fighting penalties.
At fourth level the Blade Balancer gains the effects of the Weapon Finesse feat while (dual-)wielding this weapon. If the Blade Balancer wears any armour or shield, the benefits are lost, as well as the benefits of any abilities which depend on this ability. Since this ability surpasses any regular two-weapon-fighting, she cannot gain benefit of other two weapon fighting feats.
Blade Barrier (Ex)
Every 5 levels the balancer improves her two-handed defensive fighting ability. She can use part of her intelligence bonus to gain an additional shield bonus to AC while wielding two weapons of choice. This bonus is limited to +1 until level 5, +2 until level 10 etcetera, but can never exceed her (actual) intelligence bonus. The bonus is never negative, even if her intelligence bonus is.
Fast movement (Ex)
As per PHB
Rain of Slashes (Ex)
From the second level on, the Blade Balancer gains the ability to rain down slashes with an exceptional speed. When wielding two Weapons of Choice she can substitute her normal full-round attacks for a Rain of Slashes. While doing so, she uses the attack bonuses as denoted above. As the Blade balancer gains levels, this ability improves.
During the rain, an Balancer must be utterly concentrated. If she is hurt or otherwise distracted, she must make a Concentration check. If she fails, she is unable to use the Rain of Slashes for a full round. During any round she used her Rain she receives a -5 penalty on every roll that requires attention and doesn't involve mêlée combat.
Evasion (Ex)
As per PHB
Deep cut (Ex)
For every 5 levels (rounded down) the balancer gets one Deep cut attack per day. Deep Cut is a full round attack that replaces all other attacks. She must announce she is attempting an Deep Cut attack. She rolls an attack roll at her highest modifier and adds her intelligence modifier (if positive). If this attack succeeds, the damage is rolled as it were an critical hit. If the cut misses, the attack still counts towards her daily limit.
Creatures that are immune to critical hits are also immune to the extra damage of a Deep cut attack. If an Deep Cut attack is attempted on such a creature, damage is rolled normally.
At 9th, 14th and 20th level, in addition to gaining an extra Deep Cut attack, the critical multipier increases by 1. For example: when wielding a longsword, the multiplier would increase to x5 at 20th level. This increase only applies to Deep Cut attacks.
Uncanny Dodge (Ex)
As per PHB
Improved Evasion (Ex)
As per PHB
Improved rain (Ex)
At tenth level, she gains an extra attack at her second-highest attack bonus when using the Rain of Slashes ability.
Improved uncanny dodge (Ex)
As per PHB
Greater Rain (Ex)
At 16th level the two-weapon penalty decreases to -1 while using the Rain of Slashes ability
Superior Rain (Ex)
At 19th level the balancer picked up enough speed while raining to make an additional attack for every normal attack she is allowed to make in her own attack-round. These extra attacks are made at the same attack bonus as the original attack is made.
Perfect Rain (Ex)
At 20th level the balancer has perfected her two weapon fighting ability to such extend that the penalty for wielding two weapons is lifted completely.
Ex-balancers
balancers who loose neutrality cannot gain new balancer-levels until they become neutral again. They loose the Weapon of Choice ability and can no longer use abilities tied to this ability.
Balancers and Multiclassing
Once multiclassed away from Blade Balancer, further progress in this class is not possible
as my first attempt at home brew I build a variant on the overly discussed but still so very interesting kensai. Story is pending, for now just the numbers. Hope you like it, comments welcome!
Greets,
Joost
Blade Balancer
Hit Die d8
Skill points per level (4 + int) x 4 at first level, 4 + int at higher levels
Class Skills balance, concentration, climb, perform (dance), use rope, profession, escape artist, jump, swim, tumble
Alignment Restrictions True neutral
Weapon Proficiencies All simple and martial weapons that deal slashing damage as well as slings and shortbows
{table=head]Level|Base AttackBonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Special
1st|
+1 |
+0|
+2|
+0|Weapon of Choice (size),Blade barrier, Fast Movement
2nd|
+2 |
+0|
+3|
+0|Rain of slashes
3rd|
+3 |
+1|
+3|
+1|Evasion
4th|
+4 |
+1|
+4|
+1|Weapon of Choice (finesse)
5th|
+5 |
+1|
+4|
+1|Deep cut 1/day
6th|
+6/ +1 |
+2|
+5|
+2|Uncanny dodge
7th|
+7/ +2 |
+2|
+5|
+2|
8th|
+8/ +3 |
+2|
+6|
+2|Improved evasion
9th|
+9/ +4 |
+3|
+6|
+3|Deep cut 2/day (multiplier increase)
10th|
+10/ +5 |
+3|
+7|
+3|Improved rain
11th|
+11/ +6/ +1 |
+3|
+7|
+3|
12th|
+12/ +7/ +2 |
+4|
+8|
+4|Improved uncanny dodge
13th|
+13/ +8/ +3 |
+4|
+8|
+4|
14th|
+14/ +9/ +4 |
+4|
+9|
+4|Deep cut 3/day (multiplier increase)
15th|
+15/+10/ +5 |
+5|
+9|
+5|
16th|
+16/+11/ +6/ +1|
+5|
+10|
+5|Greater Rain
17th|
+17/+12/ +7/ +2|
+5|
+10|
+5|
18th|
+18/+13/ +8/ +3|
+6|
+11|
+6|
19th|
+19/+14/ +9/ +4|
+6|
+11|
+6|Superior Rain
20th|
+20/+15/+10/ +5|
+6|
+12|
+6|Deep cut 3/day (multiplier increase), Perfect Rain[/table]
{table=head]Level|Rain of Slashes attack bonus|Maximum Blade Barrier shield bonus
1st|
- |
+1
2nd|
+0/ +0 |
+1
3rd|
+1/ +1 |
+1
4th|
+2/ +2 |
+1
5th|
+3/ +3 |
+2
6th|
+4/ +4/ -1 |
+2
7th|
+5/ +5/ +0 |
+2
8th|
+6/ +6/ +1 |
+2
9th|
+7/ +7/ +2 |
+2
10th|
+8/ +8/ +3/ +3 |
+3
11th|
+9/ +9/ +4/ +4/ -1 |
+3
12th|
+10/+10/ +5/ +5/ +0 |
+3
13th|
+11/+11/ +6/ +6/ +1 |
+3
14th|
+12/+12/ +7/ +7/ +2 |
+3
15th|
+13/+13/ +8/ +8/ +3 |
+4
16th|
+15/+15/+10/+10/ +5/ +0 |
+4
17th|
+16/+16/+11/+11/ +6/ +1 |
+4
18th|
+17/+17/+12/+12/ +7/ +2 |
+4
19th|
+18/+18/+13/+13/ +8/ +8/+3/+3|
+4
20th|
+20/+20/+15/+15/+10/+10/+5/+5|
+5 [/table]
Unarmoured combat
All the abilities of the Blade Balancer depend on freedom of movement. If the Balancer wears armour of any kind or wears a shield, none of the benefits apply. This also happens when the Balancer is somehow hindered in her movement; either by her load or through other effects such as the spell Web.
Weapon of choice (Ex)
At first level, the Blade Balancer chooses a weapon type which becomes her Weapon of Choice. This weapon must be an edged weapon which does slashing damage. From then on, this weapon type is considered one size category smaller with regard to two weapon fighting penalties.
At fourth level the Blade Balancer gains the effects of the Weapon Finesse feat while (dual-)wielding this weapon. If the Blade Balancer wears any armour or shield, the benefits are lost, as well as the benefits of any abilities which depend on this ability. Since this ability surpasses any regular two-weapon-fighting, she cannot gain benefit of other two weapon fighting feats.
Blade Barrier (Ex)
Every 5 levels the balancer improves her two-handed defensive fighting ability. She can use part of her intelligence bonus to gain an additional shield bonus to AC while wielding two weapons of choice. This bonus is limited to +1 until level 5, +2 until level 10 etcetera, but can never exceed her (actual) intelligence bonus. The bonus is never negative, even if her intelligence bonus is.
Fast movement (Ex)
As per PHB
Rain of Slashes (Ex)
From the second level on, the Blade Balancer gains the ability to rain down slashes with an exceptional speed. When wielding two Weapons of Choice she can substitute her normal full-round attacks for a Rain of Slashes. While doing so, she uses the attack bonuses as denoted above. As the Blade balancer gains levels, this ability improves.
During the rain, an Balancer must be utterly concentrated. If she is hurt or otherwise distracted, she must make a Concentration check. If she fails, she is unable to use the Rain of Slashes for a full round. During any round she used her Rain she receives a -5 penalty on every roll that requires attention and doesn't involve mêlée combat.
Evasion (Ex)
As per PHB
Deep cut (Ex)
For every 5 levels (rounded down) the balancer gets one Deep cut attack per day. Deep Cut is a full round attack that replaces all other attacks. She must announce she is attempting an Deep Cut attack. She rolls an attack roll at her highest modifier and adds her intelligence modifier (if positive). If this attack succeeds, the damage is rolled as it were an critical hit. If the cut misses, the attack still counts towards her daily limit.
Creatures that are immune to critical hits are also immune to the extra damage of a Deep cut attack. If an Deep Cut attack is attempted on such a creature, damage is rolled normally.
At 9th, 14th and 20th level, in addition to gaining an extra Deep Cut attack, the critical multipier increases by 1. For example: when wielding a longsword, the multiplier would increase to x5 at 20th level. This increase only applies to Deep Cut attacks.
Uncanny Dodge (Ex)
As per PHB
Improved Evasion (Ex)
As per PHB
Improved rain (Ex)
At tenth level, she gains an extra attack at her second-highest attack bonus when using the Rain of Slashes ability.
Improved uncanny dodge (Ex)
As per PHB
Greater Rain (Ex)
At 16th level the two-weapon penalty decreases to -1 while using the Rain of Slashes ability
Superior Rain (Ex)
At 19th level the balancer picked up enough speed while raining to make an additional attack for every normal attack she is allowed to make in her own attack-round. These extra attacks are made at the same attack bonus as the original attack is made.
Perfect Rain (Ex)
At 20th level the balancer has perfected her two weapon fighting ability to such extend that the penalty for wielding two weapons is lifted completely.
Ex-balancers
balancers who loose neutrality cannot gain new balancer-levels until they become neutral again. They loose the Weapon of Choice ability and can no longer use abilities tied to this ability.
Balancers and Multiclassing
Once multiclassed away from Blade Balancer, further progress in this class is not possible