Like a Stroke of Lightning [3.5 PrC]

[Siosilvar]

Lightning Blade

Drawing by Rama

"The reason lightning doesn't strike twice in the same place is that the same place isn't there the second time." - Willie Tyler

A Lightning Blade is a warrior who knows that the art of striking first is also often the art of striking last. To this end, they have perfected that initial attack.

Requirements
Base Attack Bonus: +4
Feat: Quick Draw
Skills: Iaijutsu Focus 5 ranks
Class Abilities: Sudden Strike +1d6
Special: Must have dropped an opponent in a single blow.

Class Skills
The Lightning Blade’s class skills (and their key abilities) are: Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Hide (Dex), Iaijutsu Focus (Cha), Jump (Str), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Spot (Wis), and Tumble (Dex).

A Lightning Blade gains (4 + Int modifier) skill points per level.

Hit Die: d8.

{table=head]Level|BAB|Fort|Refl|Will|Class Abilities
1st|+1|+0|+2|+0|Fast as Lightning, Sudden Strike +1d6
2nd|+2|+0|+3|+0|Curiously Strong, Threatening Stance, Sudden Strike +2d6
3rd|+3|+1|+3|+1|Quick Sheathe, Thunder Strike, Sudden Strike +3d6[/table]

Fast as Lightning (Ex)
A Lightning Blade’s first training allows them to strike as quick as the lightning that makes their name; as an immediate action, he may draw a melee weapon and make an attack with it. His target is considered flat-footed for this attack. If used against an opponent charging through a space the Lightning Blade threatens, the Lightning Blade deals double damage.
In addition, a Lightning Blade may add his class level to any Initiative checks he makes.

Sudden Strike (Ex)
Whenever a Lightning Blade attacks an unaware opponent, he may deal additional damage. He deals an additional 1d6 damage per Lightning Blade level whenever he attacks an opponent denied their Dexterity bonus to AC. This ability may only be used with a melee weapon.

Curiously Strong (Ex)
Whenever a Lightning Blade of at least 2nd level makes a Sudden Strike, he may take a penalty on their attack roll (up to -5) and add the same number to every Sudden Strike die he rolls. This ability may be used after determining the result of an attack.
If the Lightning Blade would miss as a result of using this ability when he would otherwise hit, he still hits but does no extra damage.

Threatening Stance (Ex)
A Lightning Blade of at least 2nd level threatens within their normal melee range so long as they have a weapon that they can access and use Fast as Lightning with.

Quick Sheathe (Ex)
A Lightning Blade of at least 3rd level may sheathe or put away their weapon as a free action, ready to strike again. They may not sheathe their weapon before attacking or between attacks in a full attack.

Thunder Strike (Su)
A 3rd-level Lightning Blade lives up to the name, capable of making an attack so fast that it is like a stroke of lightning. He may choose to have all weapon damage made while using Fast as Lightning to become half electricity damage and half fire damage.
While using a Thunder Strike, a sonic boom is created. All creatures and unattended objects (with the exception of the Lightning Blade himself) within a five-foot radius of the target of the attack must make a Reflex save (DC 15 + the Lightning Blade’s Dexterity modifier) or take sonic damage equal to his Dexterity score plus any dodge bonuses to his armor class.






Quicksilver Cleave
Prerequisites: Str 13, Cleave, Fast as Lightning
Benefit: Whenever you make an attack granted by Cleave, you may treat it as an attack granted by Fast as Lightning (including the target becoming flat-footed for that attack).