"I'm dying over here... so why am I so happy?!" (3.5 Base Class)

[Merk]

Changes:

Spoiler

Changes:
6/14/10: Added table for Spells Known and nerfed Heartbreaking Pierce. Fixed typographical errors and revised love's lure, sexy distraction, charmstrike, boundless beauty, and heartbreaking pierce. Upped skill points to 6 + int mod.

6/15/10: Added Prestidigitation to 1st level Charmblade spells.

Charmblade

Spoiler

Credit to DavidSimpson2112 on deviantart.

Charmblades are peerless tricksters and shameless flirts who leverage their innate magnetism in numerous ways. They love being in the spotlight. Their trademark fencing style, the Seductive Edge, is capable of utterly destroying an enemy while tempting them with feelings of love.

Charmblade Fluff:

Spoiler

Adventures: Charmblades tend to adventure as a form of play. They see even the most dire situation as a time for levity and fun.

Characteristics: Charmblades balances martial prowess with limited arcane spellcasting. At lower levels, a charmblade is most likely hiding in the back lines in battle, but stepping to the front during social interactions. As the charmblade gains experience, s/he becomes more adept at battle and can use stronger spells and charms. Charmblades contribute to battles by manipulating and distracting enemies so that other characters can win the fight, but the charmblade can also contribute in a direct fight.

Alignment: The teasing, capricious nature of the charmblade precludes a lawful alignment. However, both good and evil charmblades exist. Good charmblades ooze love and caring. Evil charmblades use their sex appeal as a tool and disregard the feelings of others.

Religion: Most charmblades are not very devout, but charmblades often worship deities of love, travel, or freedom.

Background: Charmblades discover their powers after puberty, once they start noticing that they tend to attract more hungry eyes -- from all genders -- than their peers. A budding charmblade might receive rudimentary instruction on arcane magic. However, the charmblade's unique abilities are almost always developed independently, as these abilities draw on the charmblade's unique personality traits.

Races: Humans, elves, and half-elves are the most common charmblades. Dwarves find the idea of seduction fighting too silly, and half-orcs usually lack the necessary subtlety. Halfling and gnome charmblades also exist, although they are less common.

Other Classes: Charmblades irk most everybody who isn't a bard, and especially paladins and monks. However, other classes learn to tolerate having a charmblade in the group if only for their social skills, arcane magic, and ability to negate threats simply by showing a little skin (and to be honest, they enjoy the eye candy).

Game Rule Information

Charmblades have the following game statistics.

Abilities: Charisma controls most of the charmblade's unique abilities, aids their offense and defense, and determines DC and bonus spells for their spellcasting. Dexterity aids the lightly armored charmblade. Constitution is useful for surviving hits when the charmblade isn't able to neutralize a threat.

Alignment: Any nonlawful.
Hit Die: d8

Class Skills

The charmblade's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Forgery (Int), Gather Information (Cha), Heal (Wis), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (Arcana) (Int), Knowledge (Local) (Int), Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight Of Hand (Dex), Spellcraft (Int), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex), and Use Rope (Dex).

Skill Points at 1st Level: (6 + Int modifier) x 4
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 6 + Int modifier

The Charmblade

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Fort Save	Ref Save	Will Save	Special	1st	2nd	3rd	4th
1st	+0	+0	+2	+2	Seductive edge, love's lure (puppy love)	-	-	-	-
2nd	+1	+0	+3	+3	Charming defense	-	-	-	-
3rd	+2	+1	+3	+3	Sexy distraction (provoke), graceful heart	-	-	-	-
4th	+3	+1	+4	+4	Boundless beauty (sentient)	0	-	-	-
5th	+3	+1	+4	+4	Bonus feat	0	-	-	-
6th	+4	+2	+5	+5	Charmstrike, love's lure (attracting)	1	-	-	-
7th	+5	+2	+5	+5	Sexy distraction (stun)	1	-	-	-
8th	+6/+1	+2	+6	+6		1	0	-	-
9th	+6/+1	+3	+6	+6	Bonus feat	1	0	-	-
10th	+7/+2	+3	+7	+7	Cute deflection	1	1	-	-
11th	+8/+3	+3	+7	+7	Love's lure (romancing)	1	1	0	-
12th	+9/+4	+4	+8	+8	Improved charmstrike	1	1	1	-
13th	+9/+4	+4	+8	+8	Bonus feat	1	1	1	-
14th	+10/+5	+4	+9	+9		2	1	1	0
15th	+11/+6/+1	+5	+9	+9	Boundless beauty (unlimited)	2	1	1	1
16th	+12/+7/+2	+5	+10	+10	Love's lure (true love)	2	2	1	1
17th	+12/+7/+2	+5	+10	+10	Bonus feat	2	2	2	1
18th	+13/+8/+3	+6	+11	+11	Greater charmstrike	3	2	2	1
19th	+14/+9/+4	+6	+11	+11	Sexy distraction (daze)	3	3	3	2
20th	+15/+10/+5	+6	+12	+12	Heartbreaking pierce	3	3	3	3

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the charmblade.

Spoiler

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A charmblade is proficient with all simple weapons, plus the longsword, rapier, sap, short sword, shortbow, and whip. Charmblades are proficient with light armor and shields (except tower shields). A charmblade can cast charmblade spells while wearing light armor without incurring the normal arcane spell failure chance. However, like any other arcane spellcaster, a charmblade wearing medium or heavy armor or using a shield incurs a chance of arcane spell failure if the spell in question has a somatic component (most do). A multiclass charmblade still incurs the normal arcane spell failure chance for arcane spells received from other classes.

Seductive Edge (Ex):

She twirls her blade once around her waist and bats her eyelashes at the enemy rushing towards her, as if to invite him in. He swings his club at her, but before he realizes it, his target is no longer there, and he feels a sharp stab in his gut. But for some reason, it feels so very, very sweet to him...

Against any target who has missed the charmblade with a melee attack in the previous round, or against any target denied their dexterity bonus to AC, the charmblade gains her charisma bonus to damage on melee attack rolls with any weapon finesse weapon. This extra damage is mind-affecting in nature, and only applies against humanoid opponents with at least 3 intelligence and 1 charisma.

Love's Lure (Su):

She blows a kiss at the guard of the tower, who immediately feels drawn to her. Now he's wrapped around her little finger, and she simply asks the guard if he wouldn't mind escorting her into the tower, to which he hastily complies...

Against one target within 60 ft., the charmblade may activate her love's lure ability as a standard action. The target may resist the effect with a will save, DC 10 + 1/2 charmblade level + charisma modifier. If the target succeeds on the save, he is immune to the charmblade's love's lure for 10 minutes, but it does not count as an expenditure of the ability. This ability has different effects depending on which charm is used. The charmblade learns new ways to use love's lure at 6th level, 11th level, and 16th level, though she can select any one of the charms when she uses love's lure. This is a mind-affecting ability, and can only affect humanoids with at least 3 intelligence and 1 charisma. If successful, the effect lasts for 1 minute. The charmblade can maintain a simultaneous number of lures equal to her class level. No target can be affected by more than 1 lure in a 24 hour period. Hostile actions taken against the target immediately break the effect, and requesting it do something that endangers itself or requires it to act contrary to its beliefs allows it to attempt another save to end the effect.

All of these effects can be dispelled with Dispel Magic or similar abilities. The caster level of the charmblade in this case is equal to your charmblade class level.

Puppy Love: The target is unable to take hostile actions against the charmblade, and the charmblade receives a +4 bonus on all diplomacy, bluff, intimidate, and sense motive checks made against the target.

Attracting: The target prioritizes being within 5 ft. of the charmblade (will do nothing but full move until he reaches the charmblade's position). The target may act hostile towards the charmblade while under this effect.

Romancing: The target acts confused (as the spell effect) for the duration of the charm.

True Love: The target willingly helps the charmblade and defends her to the best of its ability. However, the charmblade cannot issue specific commands to the target. Each time the target takes damage while in this state, he immediately may attempt another will save to escape the effect. The charmblade also receives a +10 bonus on all diplomacy, bluff, intimidate, and sense motive checks made against the target.

The charmblade can use her love's lure ability 1 + charisma modifier times per day at 1st level, and gains an extra daily use at 5th level, 10th level, 15th level, and 20th level.

Charming Defense (Ex):

He sports the most tight clothing that one could feasibly wear to battle. In awe of his ludicrously attractive body, enemies are hesitant to attack him.

The charmblade receives his charisma modifier as a bonus to AC when in light or no armor and carrying no more than a light load.

Sexy Distraction (Ex):

She winks in the direction of the swordsman and tugs ever so slyly on the hem of her blouse, just enough to expose that extra centimeter of cleavage. The swordsman begins to blush and gulps as he tries to get a closer look...

As a move action, the charmblade may target any humanoid with at least 3 intelligence and 1 charisma within 60 ft. of her that can see and has line of sight to her. The target must make a will save DC 10 + 1/2 charmblade level + charisma modifier or immediately provoke an attack of opportunity from each target threatening it. If the target successfully saves, then s/he is immune to further sexy distractions for 10 minutes, but does not expend a use of this ability. This is a mind-affecting ability.

At 7th level, the charmblade may instead choose for the target to be stunned for 1 round.

At 19th level, the charmblade may instead choose for the target to be dazed for 1 round.

The charmblade may use this ability once per day per two charmblade levels.

Graceful Heart (Ex):

Knowing very well the pains that love can bring, the charmblade steadies his own heart for the turbulent sea that is love.

At 3rd level, the charmblade gains a +2 bonus on saves against all charm and compulsion effects. This bonuses rises to +3 at 5th level, +4 at 8th level, +5 at 11th level, and +6 at 14th level.

Boundless Beauty (Ex):

"Feels like I'm wearing nothing at all... nothing at all... nothing at all..."

Beginning at 4th level, the charmblade develops such amazing powers of sex appeal that she can affect those who would be otherwise beyond such antics. With her seductive edge, love's lure, sexy distraction, and charmstrike abilities, she may affect non-humanoid targets, but they still must have at least 3 intelligence and 1 charisma. This benefit does not extend to any spells she may cast.

At 15th level, she is like the Goddess Aphrodite, and she can charm just about anything. She may affect any creature, period. In addition, none of her class abilities are mind-affecting, and so can affect creatures protected by magic (such as Protection from Chaos or Mind Blank); however, such creatures gain a +6 circumstance bonus on their will saves to resist these effects. Again, this benefit does not extend to any spells she may cast.

Spells

People always said there was something magical about the way he smiled, or the stunning way that his hair flows in the wind. People were right.

Beginning at 4th level, the charmblade gains the ability to cast a small number of arcane spells, which are drawn from the charmblade spell list. He can cast any spell he knows without preparing it ahead of time, just as a sorcerer can.

To learn or cast a spell, a charmblade must have a Charisma score equal to at least 10 + the spell level. The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a charmblade's spell is 10 + the spell level + the charmblade's Cha modifier. He also gains bonus spells from a high charisma score.

The charmblade's selection of spells is extremely limited. A charmblade begins play knowing no spells, but gains one or more new spells at certain levels, as indicated below:

Spells Known

Level	1st	2nd	3rd	4th
1	-	-	-	-
2	-	-	-	-
3	-	-	-	-
4	2	-	-	-
5	2	-	-	-
6	3	-	-	-
7	3	-	-	-
8	4	2	-	-
9	4	2	-	-
10	4	3	-	-
11	4	3	2	-
12	4	4	3	-
13	4	4	3	-
14	4	4	4	2
15	4	4	4	3
16	4	4	4	3
17	5	4	4	4
18	5	5	4	4
19	5	5	5	4
20	5	5	5	5

*Provided the charmblade has sufficient Charisma to have a bonus spell of this level.

Upon reaching 12th level, and every third charmblade level after that, a charmblade can choose to learn a new spell in place of one he already knows.

Through 3rd level, the charmblade has no caster level. At 4th level and higher, his caster level is equal to his charmblade class level.

Bonus Feats (Ex):

At the end of the day, the charmblade is a capable fighter, and develops her own style of fencing when manipulating others isn't a possibility.

At 5th level, 9th level, 13th level, and 17th level, a charmblade may select a bonus feat from the following list. A charmblade counts as a fighter of five levels lower for the purpose of qualifying for feats. She must still meet any prerequisites that the chosen feat has:

Acrobatic, Agile, Combat Casting, Combat Expertise, Improved Disarm, Improved Feint, Improved Trip, Whirlwind Attack, Combat Reflexes, Deceitful, Deft Hands, Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack, Improved Critical, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Negotiator, Persuasive, Quick Draw, Run, Spell Focus, Greater Spell Focus, Spell Penetration, Greater Spell Penetration, Weapon Finesse, Arcane Strike*.

* Complete Warrior.

Charmstrike (Su):

Weaving his wiles into his swordplay, the charmblade strikes with a soft swing of the blade that leaves his enemy smarting and wanting more...

If you strike an enemy and can apply your bonus damage from seductive edge, you may spend 1 use of love's lure as a free action to deal 1d4 points of charisma damage in addition to the weapon damage. You may only use this ability once per round. It is mind-affecting in nature.

At 12th level, you may expend any amount of love's lures in a round, but you may only expend one lure per attack.

At 18th level, you automatically deal 2 points of charisma damage on each melee attack when using a Weapon Finesse weapon.

Cute Deflection (Ex):

Right before the maul caught the charmblade in his ribs, the charmblade made one last plea with pouty eyes at his attacker, who had a brief flash of guilt, and struck lightly with hesitation.

You may force an enemy to re-roll any attack roll or damage roll made against you as an immediate action. You must accept the second result, even if it is higher. You may use this ability once per day, and gain an additional use at 12th level, 14th level, 16th level, and 18th level.

Heartbreaking Pierce (Su):

Heartbreaking Pierce is the ultimate goal of Seductive Edge swordplay. With the casual ease that the charmblade captures the heart of an enemy in battle, he can just as easily shatter and discard it. The result is absolute devastation for his victim.

Against a target who is under your love's lure effect, you may as a standard action make a heartbreaking pierce attempt at the target. This is a melee attack which may have any one of the following effects that you choose if it hits, but it also immediately ends the love's lure effect. The DC for the saves is 20 + charisma modifier.

Slaying: The target is instantly killed. If the target makes a successful fortitude save, she instead takes +100 damage.

Hopelessness: The target takes a -10 morale penalty to all attack rolls, saves, and checks for 1 minute. If the target makes a successful Will save, she instead takes a -4 morale penalty to attack rolls and AC only for half a minute.

Charmblade Spell List

Charmblades choose their spells from the following list:

Spoiler

1st level
charm person, color spray, lesser confusion, cure light wounds, daze monster, disguise self, expeditious retreat, feather fall, grease, hideous laughter, hypnotism, mage armor, mount, prestidigitation, shield, silent image, sleep, summon monster I, touch of idiocy

2nd level
blindness/deafness, blur, calm emotions, cat's grace, cure moderate wounds, deep slumber, detect thoughts, eagle's splendor, enthrall, fox's cunning, heroism, hold person, hypnotic pattern, invisibility, minor image, mirror image, misdirection, rage, silence, suggestion, summon monster II, tongues

3rd level
blink, charm monster, confusion, cure serious wounds, dispel magic, displacement, lesser geas, glibness, good hope, haste, invisibility sphere, major image, phantom steed, remove curse, see invisibility, slow, summon monster III

4th level
black tentacles, break enchantment, cure critical wounds, dimension door, dominate person, feeblemind, freedom of movement, hold monster, greater invisibility, locate creature, mind fog, modify memory, rainbow pattern, remove curse, summon monster IV

[Forever Curious]

It's like.... the best class ever.

Honestly, though, I like it and would definately play one. I can easily see this being abused with SAD Charisma, but it's solid enough. Definitely between Tier 3 and Tier 2.

[Djinn_in_Tonic]

Only really glanced at the capstone (I was curious) but a definitely -10 penalty to attack rolls and saves (and a possible -20 penalty to both) is INSANELY overpowered. The Fate Spinner PrC has a really powerful capstone, and that can put a -10 penalty on a single saving throw. 1/day.

[Eloi]

In fluff, like a bard but with MORE SEXINESS. In crunch, it seems to be more focused on the social aspect, which I think would I'd probably have fun playing because I usually am the social interaction/charisma person. Good work.

Oh, and why isn't 'Succubus' listed as one of the many things that'd be this class?

[Forever Curious]

Originally Posted by Djinn_In_Tonic

Only really glanced at the capstone (I was curious) but a definitely -10 penalty to attack rolls and saves (and a possible -20 penalty to both) is INSANELY overpowered. The Fate Spinner PrC has a really powerful capstone, and that can put a -10 penalty on a single saving throw. 1/day.

*rereads*

...wow, I just read it as attack/damage rolls (which I assumed would be strong but not ). Yeah... that's a bit much.

I'd limit it to attack/damage rolls (on a failed save) and nothing on a passed save. Because, you know, you could just kill them with the same ability anyway...

[The Dark Fiddler]

Very... interesting, to say the least. Seems like a lot of fun to play.

A table for spells known might help, though. Here, I'll code it up for you, even, to save you the time.

Spells Known

Level	1st	2nd	3rd	4th
1	-	-	-	-
2	-	-	-	-
3	-	-	-	-
4	2	-	-	-
5	2	-	-	-
6	3	-	-	-
7	3	-	-	-
8	4	2	-	-
9	4	2	-	-
10	4	3	-	-
11	4	3	2	-
12	4	4	3	-
13	4	4	3	-
14	4	4	4	2
15	4	4	4	3
16	4	4	4	3
17	5	4	4	4
18	5	5	4	4
19	5	5	5	4
20	5	5	5	5

Looking at it, it's a bit of an odd progression, but whatever. Also, more spells known than per day makes me laugh for some reason. More insight to come after I read through the abilities again.

Originally Posted by Merk

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A charmblade is proficient with all simple weapons, plus the longsword, rapier, sap, short sword, shortbow, and whip. Charmblades are proficient with light armor and shields (except tower shields). A charmblade can cast bard spells while wearing light armor without incurring the normal arcane spell failure chance. However, like any other arcane spellcaster, a charmblade wearing medium or heavy armor or using a shield incurs a chance of arcane spell failure if the spell in question has a somatic component (most do). A multiclass charmblade still incurs the normal arcane spell failure chance for arcane spells received from other classes.

Of course this class would be proficient with the whip.

Bolded a minor error.

Seductive Edge (Ex):

She twirls her blade once around her waist and bats her eyelashes at the enemy rushing towards her, as if to invite him in. He swings his club at her, but before he realizes it, his target is no longer there, and he feels a sharp stab in his gut. But for some reason, it feels so very, very sweet to him...

Against any target who has missed the charmblade with a melee attack in the previous round, or against any target denied their dexterity bonus to AC, the charmblade gains her charisma bonus to damage on melee attack rolls with any weapon finesse weapon. This extra damage is mind-affecting in nature, and only applies against humanoid opponents with at least 3 intelligence and 1 charisma.

Just a tiny oddity; if you were for some reason playing a non-humanoid character (awakened dog, for example), you can still only seduce humanoids.

Not really sure how to fix that, though. Or if it really needs to be fixed.

Also, an ability a la Weapon Finesse, similar to this, to add Charisma to attack rolls, would not be out of place, I think.

Love's Lure (Su):

She blows a kiss at the guard of the tower, who immediately feels drawn to her. Now he's wrapped around her little finger, and she simply asks the guard if he wouldn't mind escorting her into the tower, to which he hastily complies...

Against one target within 60 ft., the charmblade may activate her love's lure ability as a swift action. The target may resist the effect with a will save, DC 10 + 1/2 charmblade level + charisma modifier. If the target succeeds on the save, he is immune to the charmblade's love's lure for 10 minutes, but it does not count as an expenditure of the ability. This ability has different effects depending on which charm is used. The charmblade learns new ways to use love's lure at 6th level, 11th level, and 16th level, though she can select any one of the charms when she uses love's lure. This is a mind-affecting ability, and can only affect humanoids with at least 3 intelligence and 1 charisma. If successful, the effect lasts for 1 minute. The charmblade can maintain a simultaneous number of lures equal to her class level.

It's a bit odd that a failure doesn't count as a use, but the uses per day are low anyway so shouldn't be too bad. Good so far, I guess.

Puppy Love: The target is unable to take hostile actions against the charmblade, and the charmblade receives a +4 bonus on all diplomacy, bluff, intimidate, and sense motive checks made against the target.

Best kind of love.

Don't really see a problem here, although hostile actions taken against the lured should break the effect.

Attracting: The target is unable to take hostile actions against the charmblade, and on each turn prioritizes being within 5 ft. of the charmblade (will do nothing but full move until he reaches the charmblade's position).

This is just funny, now. See suggestion for puppy love. (I can see using this to lure enemies to their death by traps).

Romancing: The target acts confused for the duration of the charm.

Don't really get the fluff one, but alright I suppose. I assume confused as the spell? Can it be dispelled as if it were a spell? If so, I assume the caster level is equal to class level?

True Love: The target willingly helps the charmblade and defends her to the best of its ability. The charmblade also receives a +10 bonus on all diplomacy, bluff, intimidate, and sense motive checks made against the target.

I'd add the hostile actions breaking it here too. Might be a bit strong earlier, but... eh, it's 16th level at this point. Plenty of worse stuff.

The charmblade can use her love's lure ability 1 + charisma modifier times per day at 1st level, and gains an extra daily use at 5th level, 10th level, 15th level, and 20th level.

Not very many uses, but works well I think.

Sexy Distraction (Ex):

She winks in the direction of the swordsman and tugs ever so slyly on the hem of her blouse, just enough to expose that extra centimeter of cleavage. The swordsman begins to blush and gulps as he tries to get a closer look...

As a move action, the charmblade may target any humanoid with at least 3 intelligence and 1 charisma within 60 ft. of her that can see and has line of sight to her. The target must make a will save DC 10 + 1/2 charmblade level + charisma modifier or be dazed for 1 round. If the target successfully saves, then s/he is immune to further sexy distractions for 10 minutes, but does not expend a use of this ability. This is a mind-affecting ability.

At 7th level, the charmblade may instead choose for the target to be stunned for 1 round.

At 19th level, the charmblade may instead choose for the target to immediately provoke an attack of opportunity from each target threatening him.

The charmblade may use this ability once per day per two charmblade levels.

The final effect seems a bit weak for when you get it, but that may just be me. Maybe add some sort of bonus to the AoOs?

Boundless Beauty (Ex):

"Feels like I'm wearing nothing at all... nothing at all... nothing at all..."

Beginning at 3rd level, the charmblade develops such amazing powers of sex appeal that she can affect those who would be otherwise beyond such antics. With her seductive edge, love's lure, sexy distraction, and charmstrike abilities, she may affect non-humanoid targets, but they still must have at least 3 intelligence and 1 charisma. This benefit does not extend to any spells she may cast.

At 15th level, she is like the Goddess Aphrodite, and she can charm just about anything. She may affect creature, period. In addition, none of her class abilities are mind-affecting, and so can affect creatures protected by magic (such as Protection from Chaos or Mind Blank). Again, this benefit does not extend to any spells she may cast.

Stupid Sexy Flanders....

First ability seems a bit early to me, second a bit late. Maybe bump the first bit down to level 4 and the second bit up to 14?

Graceful Heart (Ex):

Knowing very well the pains that love can bring, the charmblade steadies his own heart for the turbulent sea that is love.

At 4th level, the charmblade gains a +2 bonus on saves against all charm and compulsion effects. This bonuses rises to +4 at 10th level and +6 at 16th level.

Consider scaling this a bit more gradually. I don't know why, it just seems like it should scale more gradually. Like +1 at 3, +2 at 5, +3 at 8, or something. Could use that to fill in the few dead levels.

Upon reaching 12th level, and every third charmblade level after that, a hexblade can choose to learn a new spell in place of one he already knows.

Charmstrike (Su):

Weaving his wiles into his swordplay, the charmblade strikes with a soft swing of the blade that leaves his enemy smarting and wanting more...

If you strike an enemy and can apply your bonus damage from seductive edge, you may spend 1 use of love's lure as a free action to deal 1 points of charisma damage in addition to the weapon damage. You may only use this ability once per round. It is mind-affecting in nature.

At 12th level, you may expend any amount of love's lures in a round, but you may only expend one lure per attack.

At 18th level, you automatically deal 1 point of charisma damage on each melee attack when using a Weapon Finesse weapon.

Charisma damage seems a bit weak, except possibly against Charisma based caster-enemies, in which case it's a tiny bit better. Plus, it runs off the limited lure uses. I don't see this being used much until it becomes automatic at level 18.

Cute Deflection (Ex):

Right before the maul caught the charmblade in his ribs, the charmblade made one last plea with pouty eyes at his attacker, who had a brief flash of guilt, and struck lightly with hesitation.

You may force an enemy to re-roll any attack roll or damage roll made against you as an immediate action. You must accept the second result, even if it is higher. You may use this ability once per day, and gain an additional use at 12th level, 14th level, 16th level, and 18th level.

I'll assume this doesn't need to be declared before seeing if the attack hits or how much damage it does? If it does, the ability usually states as much.

(@New Heartbreaking Pierce)

Seems a bit better now.

Also, I forgot the asterisks in the table, so you might want to add those in.

[Merk]

Forever Curious: Thanks. I used your idea for limiting the penalty to attack and damage rolls only (and also nerfed the amount of penalty) so hopefully it isn't as overpowered as it was.

Djinn In Tonic: Noted. The revised Heartbreaking pierce is now more tame (might have gone too far in the other direction, though.)

Eloi: Thanks. I guess I just didn't think of succubus as a race, but this could be their favored class, or something.

The Dark Fiddler: Ah, thanks, I was looking for a table like that.

[Djinn_in_Tonic]

Originally Posted by Merk

Djinn In Tonic: Noted. The revised Heartbreaking pierce is now more tame (might have gone too far in the other direction, though.)

Indeed it did. The failed save effect can still be catastrophic...the successful save effect, however, shouldn't be an auto-lose like it was last time. Never penalize saving throws on a successful save...that makes a death spiral of terrible portions.

Maybe something like -10 to saves, attacks, ac, and the like on a failed save, and -4 to attacks, AC, and damage for X rounds on a successful save?

[Ellye]

That seems fun! Perfect for those purposely-stereotyped-cliched type of campaign.
I really want to try playing it next time that I play a not-very-serious adventure.

[Milskidasith]

First off, just nitpicking, could you label the spoilers? Second off, and I never comment on fluff, but really, using a picture of a little girl on a class designed to seduce foes is more than a little creepy.

Abilities: Charisma controls most of the charmblade's unique abilities, aids their offense and defense, and determines DC and bonus spells for their spellcasting. Dexterity aids the lightly armored charmblade. Constitution is useful for surviving hits when the charmblade isn't able to neutralize a threat.

Alignment: Any nonlawful.
Hit Die: d8

Class Skills

The charmblade's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Forgery (Int), Gather Information (Cha), Heal (Wis), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (Arcana) (Int), Knowledge (Local) (Int), Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight Of Hand (Dex), Spellcraft (Int), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex), and Use Rope (Dex).

Skill Points at 1st Level: (4 + Int modifier) x 4
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 4 + Int modifier

The Charmblade

The chassis looks decent, considering it's very similar to the bards, but with worse casting. Since it's a social class, a few more skill points couldn't hurt.

Seductive Edge (Ex):

Against any target who has missed the charmblade with a melee attack in the previous round, or against any target denied their dexterity bonus to AC, the charmblade gains her charisma bonus to damage on melee attack rolls with any weapon finesse weapon. This extra damage is mind-affecting in nature, and only applies against humanoid opponents with at least 3 intelligence and 1 charisma.

Well this is... a very weak class feature, because it's +4 damage at level 1 (not bad) and... after that, it's still +4. Plus, mind affecting (which is weird for damage) means many creatures are going to be immune, especially with the "humanoid" restriction in place.

Love's Lure (Su):

Against one target within 60 ft., the charmblade may activate her love's lure ability as a swift action. The target may resist the effect with a will save, DC 10 + 1/2 charmblade level + charisma modifier. If the target succeeds on the save, he is immune to the charmblade's love's lure for 10 minutes, but it does not count as an expenditure of the ability. This ability has different effects depending on which charm is used. The charmblade learns new ways to use love's lure at 6th level, 11th level, and 16th level, though she can select any one of the charms when she uses love's lure. This is a mind-affecting ability, and can only affect humanoids with at least 3 intelligence and 1 charisma. If successful, the effect lasts for 1 minute. The charmblade can maintain a simultaneous number of lures equal to her class level.

Again, fluff comment: Still getting creepier with that picture of a little girl, and it still seems like this is intended to be a female only class. As a basic ability... these are SoSs, auto quickening them is a mite powerful.

Puppy Love: The target is unable to take hostile actions against the charmblade, and the charmblade receives a +4 bonus on all diplomacy, bluff, intimidate, and sense motive checks made against the target.

Save or sort of suck at level one. Not OP, but the auto quickening is a bit unnerving.

Attracting: The target is unable to take hostile actions against the charmblade, and on each turn prioritizes being within 5 ft. of the charmblade (will do nothing but full move until he reaches the charmblade's position).

Save or be useless at level 6. This is a bit too early for such a powerful save or lose, especially auto quickened.

Romancing: The target acts confused for the duration of the charm.

Another will save or suck, not much new.

True Love: The target willingly helps the charmblade and defends her to the best of its ability. The charmblade also receives a +10 bonus on all diplomacy, bluff, intimidate, and sense motive checks made against the target.

Swift Action pseudo dominate with no restrictions against the guy taking suicidal actions or doing something horribly against his convictions? Yeah, this is powerful. Again, being mind affecting and only hitting humanoids drastically reduces the classes power (to near uselessness or just being only sometimes awesome, depending on the campaign), but yeah, quickened dominate person is a tenth level spell, and this is better than that.

Charming Defense (Ex):

He sports the most tight clothing that one could feasibly wear to battle. In awe of his ludicrously attractive body, enemies are hesitant to attack him.

The charmblade receives his charisma modifier as a bonus to AC when in light or no armor and carrying no more than a light load.

Well, at least the "female only" part seems to have gone by. Anyway, standard X to AC bonus, nothing broken, but still useful.

Sexy Distraction (Ex):

She winks in the direction of the swordsman and tugs ever so slyly on the hem of her blouse, just enough to expose that extra centimeter of cleavage. The swordsman begins to blush and gulps as he tries to get a closer look...

As a move action, the charmblade may target any humanoid with at least 3 intelligence and 1 charisma within 60 ft. of her that can see and has line of sight to her. The target must make a will save DC 10 + 1/2 charmblade level + charisma modifier or be dazed for 1 round. If the target successfully saves, then s/he is immune to further sexy distractions for 10 minutes, but does not expend a use of this ability. This is a mind-affecting ability.

Move action makes this very good, especially since you can use it and attack and use Love's Lure in the same round. I don't know why all the abilities are so fast.

At 7th level, the charmblade may instead choose for the target to be stunned for 1 round.

Stunning is weaker than daze*, why do you get it later?

*Daze immunity is near impossible; stun immunity is near standard for most non humanoids (which you can't hit anyway, granted) and fairly easy to get/protect against for humanoids as well.

At 19th level, the charmblade may instead choose for the target to immediately provoke an attack of opportunity from each target threatening him.

That's... worse than Daze again. As a near capstone ability, too.

Boundless Beauty (Ex):

Beginning at 3rd level, the charmblade develops such amazing powers of sex appeal that she can affect those who would be otherwise beyond such antics. With her seductive edge, love's lure, sexy distraction, and charmstrike abilities, she may affect non-humanoid targets, but they still must have at least 3 intelligence and 1 charisma. This benefit does not extend to any spells she may cast.

Stop describing the sex appeal of a class that has it's representation picture be a little girl. It's disturbing.

Anyway, this gets rid of that pesky humanoid requirement, making her effective.

At 15th level, she is like the Goddess Aphrodite, and she can charm just about anything. She may affect creature, period. In addition, none of her class abilities are mind-affecting, and so can affect creatures protected by magic (such as Protection from Chaos or Mind Blank). Again, this benefit does not extend to any spells she may cast.

And this makes it broken. You can now force two will save or sucks per round on any creature (even nonintelligent ones!) and if you succeed, they get dazed/uberdominated. Maybe if you force some kind of check against it (Class level +Charisma bonus against the caster level of the spell/the enemies HD, whichever is higher, which is actually a pretty easy check), but "auto hit" abilities are just as much bad design as "You automatically miss" abilities.

Graceful Heart (Ex):

At 4th level, the charmblade gains a +2 bonus on saves against all charm and compulsion effects. This bonuses rises to +4 at 10th level and +6 at 16th level.

Eh, minor ability, nothing wrong with it.

Spells

Beginning at 4th level, the charmblade gains the ability to cast a small number of arcane spells, which are drawn from the charmblade spell list. He can cast any spell he knows without preparing it ahead of time, just as a sorcerer can.

To learn or cast a spell, a charmblade must have a Charisma score equal to at least 10 + the spell level. The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a charmblade's spell is 10 + the spell level + the charmblade's Cha modifier. He also gains bonus spells from a high charisma score.

The charmblade's selection of spells is extremely limited. A charmblade begins play knowing no spells, but gains one or more new spells at certain levels, as indicated below:

Spells Known

*Provided the charmblade has sufficient Charisma to have a bonus spell of this level.

Upon reaching 12th level, and every third charmblade level after that, a hexblade can choose to learn a new spell in place of one he already knows.

Through 3rd level, the charmblade has no caster level. At 4th level and higher, his caster level is equal to his charmblade class level.

Some of the spells on the list make no sense (black tentacles?) but overall, it's minor casting and not too powerful, though it's certainly a strong addition.

Bonus Feats (Ex):

At 5th level, 9th level, 13th level, and 17th level, a charmblade may select a bonus feat from the following list. A charmblade counts as a fighter of five levels lower for the purpose of qualifying for feats. She must still meet any prerequisites that the chosen feat has:

Acrobatic, Agile, Combat Casting, Combat Expertise, Improved Disarm, Improved Feint, Improved Trip, Whirlwind Attack, Combat Reflexes, Deceitful, Deft Hands, Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack, Improved Critical, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Negotiator, Persuasive, Quick Draw, Run, Spell Focus, Greater Spell Focus, Spell Penetration, Greater Spell Penetration, Weapon Finesse, Arcane Strike*.

* Complete Warrior.

Eh, most of these feats aren't that great besides a few that can be used as qualifiers, so this isn't that bad.

Charmstrike (Su):

If you strike an enemy and can apply your bonus damage from seductive edge, you may spend 1 use of love's lure as a free action to deal 1 points of charisma damage in addition to the weapon damage. You may only use this ability once per round. It is mind-affecting in nature.

At 12th level, you may expend any amount of love's lures in a round, but you may only expend one lure per attack.

At 18th level, you automatically deal 1 point of charisma damage on each melee attack when using a Weapon Finesse weapon.

Even with the level 18 ability it's not enough to really hurt anybody... you might annoy sorcerers, but you'll kill whoever you're fighting before you kill them from charisma damage.

Cute Deflection (Ex):

You may force an enemy to re-roll any attack roll or damage roll made against you as an immediate action. You must accept the second result, even if it is higher. You may use this ability once per day, and gain an additional use at 12th level, 14th level, 16th level, and 18th level.

It's a fair ability.

Heartbreaking Pierce (Su):

Against a target who is under your love's lure effect, you may as a standard action make a heartbreaking pierce attempt at the target. This is a melee attack which may have any one of the following effects that you choose if it hits, but it also immediately ends the love's lure effect. The DC for the saves is 20 + charisma modifier.

Actually attacking anybody under the effect of a Love's Lure is pointless, since they're pseudo dominated anyway and you can just kill them after combat ends, so, as far as capstones go, this is odd in that no matter how broken it is, it's still absolutely never going to be a good idea to use it.

Slaying: The target is instantly killed. If the target makes a successful fortitude save, she instead takes +100 damage.

Fort save or die. Meh.

Hopelessness: The target takes a -6 morale penalty to all attack rolls and damage rolls for 1 minute. If the target makes a successful Will save, she instead takes a -3 morale penalty to all attack rolls and damage rolls for half a minute.

So it's "fort save or die" or "Sort of get a penalty?" The fort save or die is always the right choice, but again, the capstone is worthless because it requires you to attack somebody who is essentially your ally and would willingly submit to a CDG if you needed to do so.

[Eloi]

Second off, and I never comment on fluff, but really, using a picture of a little girl on a class designed to seduce foes is more than a little creepy.

'Little girl'? The proportions of that Moe-style character suggest 'adult' as does the torso. Everything seems to be 'child-like' in Moe-style but its meant to invoke 'cute'. /rantdefendingmyartstyle

Sorry for jumping down your throat, but I think the style really does need more defense in that way.

[Milskidasith]

Originally Posted by Eloi

'Little girl'? The proportions of that Moe-style character suggest 'adult' as does the torso. Everything seems to be 'child-like' in Moe-style but its meant to invoke 'cute'. /rantdefendingmyartstyle

Sorry for jumping down your throat, but I think the style really does need more defense in that way.

Even for moe style, she still looks very childlike... if your defense of the style is "Everything is meant to look like little kids because they are cute" then that's still just as creepy as if it were actually a kid. Again, "cute and childlike" doesn't go well with "sexy seductress."

[Eloi]

Originally Posted by Milskidasith

Even for moe style, she still looks very childlike...

You must have not seen anything related to Lucky Star before.

if your defense of the style is "Everything is meant to look like little kids because they are cute" then that's still just as creepy as if it were actually a kid.

Well no, cute=innocence, nativity, etc. and while those may be associated with little kids, they are not solely tied to them, and the concept of 'cute' as evolved far outside of that. I do believe Moe style is meant to invoke a petite and or innocent young adult or adult rather than 'child'.

Again, "cute and childlike" doesn't go well with "sexy seductress."

I do however agree with that, the image doesn't correlate very well with the concept, but its not because of the style.

[Merk]

Second off, and I never comment on fluff, but really, using a picture of a little girl on a class designed to seduce foes is more than a little creepy.

D: Yeah, it was pretty much just a random last-minute image. If it bothers you that much I'll change it to something else.

As a basic ability... these are SoSs, auto quickening them is a mite powerful.

Standard action might be more appropriate? Also I'll add in the usual restrictions on dominate.

Stunning is weaker than daze*, why do you get it later?

*Daze immunity is near impossible; stun immunity is near standard for most non humanoids (which you can't hit anyway, granted) and fairly easy to get/protect against for humanoids as well.

I'll change the order to provoke -> stun -> daze.

And this makes it broken. You can now force two will save or sucks per round on any creature (even nonintelligent ones!) and if you succeed, they get dazed/uberdominated. Maybe if you force some kind of check against it (Class level +Charisma bonus against the caster level of the spell/the enemies HD, whichever is higher, which is actually a pretty easy check), but "auto hit" abilities are just as much bad design as "You automatically miss" abilities.

I'll probably add that mindless/mindblanked creatures get a bonus (somewhere in the range of +4 to +8) on their will saves against these effects.

Even with the level 18 ability it's not enough to really hurt anybody... you might annoy sorcerers, but you'll kill whoever you're fighting before you kill them from charisma damage.

Will probably change the 6th and 12th level abilities to 1d4 points, and change the 18th level ability to 2 points.

Actually attacking anybody under the effect of a Love's Lure is pointless, since they're pseudo dominated anyway and you can just kill them after combat ends, so, as far as capstones go, this is odd in that no matter how broken it is, it's still absolutely never going to be a good idea to use it.

Two situations make it useful:
1) The duration of the charm is set to expire.
2) Killing them normally would take too long.

I'd probably add in a clause in Love's Lure that no creature can be affected by more than 1 lure in a 24 hour period. Then heartbreaking pierce gives you something useful to do once you can't rely on the charm.

Indeed it did. The failed save effect can still be catastrophic...the successful save effect, however, shouldn't be an auto-lose like it was last time. Never penalize saving throws on a successful save...that makes a death spiral of terrible portions.

Maybe something like -10 to saves, attacks, ac, and the like on a failed save, and -4 to attacks, AC, and damage for X rounds on a successful save?

That seems pretty fair. I'll use this, if you don't mind.

Just a tiny oddity; if you were for some reason playing a non-humanoid character (awakened dog, for example), you can still only seduce humanoids.

Not really sure how to fix that, though. Or if it really needs to be fixed.

Also, an ability a la Weapon Finesse, similar to this, to add Charisma to attack rolls, would not be out of place, I think.

For the time being I'll leave that issue as it is. As for the +cha mod to attack, it wouldn't be terribly strong I think, but as others have pointed out this class is somewhat charisma SAD, so leaving the attack modifier as is is intentional MAD.

Don't really see a problem here, although hostile actions taken against the lured should break the effect.

Good point, will do.

Don't really get the fluff one, but alright I suppose. I assume confused as the spell? Can it be dispelled as if it were a spell? If so, I assume the caster level is equal to class level?

The fluff is something along the lines of "love makes you stupid", I guess. But yeah, it's as the spell effect and dispellable, with CL = class level, I'll add that all in.

Stupid Sexy Flanders....

First ability seems a bit early to me, second a bit late. Maybe bump the first bit down to level 4 and the second bit up to 14?

I might switch the first ability and graceful heart (and have graceful heart scale more gradually like you suggested), though the placement of the second ability at L15 is intentional as equal level Wizards get Mind Blank at that level, and charmblades have 4th level spells at L14.

I'll assume this doesn't need to be declared before seeing if the attack hits or how much damage it does? If it does, the ability usually states as much.

Ah, good point, I'll add that you may declare it after seeing the attack roll result or damage roll result.

[Doppelganger]

Um, do the class features that rely on seducing the target work on creatures the same sex as the character? What about hermaphrodites, like ilithids? What about shapechangers (go team!)? It doesn't seem like a male barbarian will be distracted by his (male) opponent flexing their muscles. But hey, its magic.

[The Dark Fiddler]

Originally Posted by Doppelganger

Um, do the class features that rely on seducing the target work on creatures the same sex as the character? What about hermaphrodites, like ilithids? What about shapechangers (go team!)? It doesn't seem like a male barbarian will be distracted by his (male) opponent flexing their muscles. But hey, its magic.

Are you saying Barbarians can't be gay and Mind Flayers aren't just another creature that wants human women?

I'd chalk it up to magic, honestly.

[Merk]

Originally Posted by Doppelganger

Um, do the class features that rely on seducing the target work on creatures the same sex as the character? What about hermaphrodites, like ilithids? What about shapechangers (go team!)? It doesn't seem like a male barbarian will be distracted by his (male) opponent flexing their muscles. But hey, its magic.

Two explanations.

[Doppelganger]

Um, no, but since cultures that have a high number of lesbians tend to have a very low reproductive rate, I'd say its unlikely. Under the catburglar prestige classess there was one sort of like this, and all of its powers only affect the opposite gender or gays. And yes, mind flayers can't be attracted to other races (without magic). Read Lords of Madness. Mind flayers aren't even attracted to each other, they reproduce by self-fertilization.

[Merk]

Look, the class is about being charming to a degree that's beyond the impossible. I'm not disagreeing with any of that, but I don't really care either. It's not meant to be 100% compatible with a campaign that has serious fluff.

[Forever Curious]

Originally Posted by Doppelganger

Um, no, but since cultures that have a high number of lesbians tend to have a very low reproductive rate, I'd say its unlikely. Under the catburglar prestige classess there was one sort of like this, and all of its powers only affect the opposite gender or gays. And yes, mind flayers can't be attracted to other races (without magic). Read Lords of Madness. Mind flayers aren't even attracted to each other, they reproduce by self-fertilization.

Get your "logic" out of my D&D!

It's magic. Just roll with it.

[Lix Lorn]

...I love this class.
I'm very fond of Black Tentacles as a class spell. (Grin)
...no Prestidigitation? I know it may be mostly pointless, but it seems to me that using magic to make everything perfect is the right idea.

[Merk]

Originally Posted by Lix Lorn

...I love this class.
I'm very fond of Black Tentacles as a class spell. (Grin)
...no Prestidigitation? I know it may be mostly pointless, but it seems to me that using magic to make everything perfect is the right idea.

:D That sounds fun. Added Presto to the 1st level spell list.