Mandrake (3.5e Class)
Mandrake
Mandrakes are assassins who specialize in using poison to get the job done. They even gain venomous natural attacks as their body absorbs the deadly chemicals they work with so often.
Making a Mandrake
Mandrakes are support fighters. By flanking opponents in combat they can make use of their sneak attacks and apply toxins to their enemies. These do damage over time.
Abilities: Dexterity and Intelligence are the two most important skills for the mandrake. Dexterity helps their stealth and ranged attacks, while Intelligence affects their poisons' save DC's. Constitution can be useful for survivability, while Strength, Wisdom, and Charisma aren't necessary.
Races: The path of the mandrake is open to all races, but drow are particularly fond of this class.
Alignment: Mandrakes lean toward Neutral or Evil, but any alignment is allowed.
Starting Gold: 4d6×10 (120gp).
Starting Age: Simple.
| Level | Base Attack Bonus |
Saving Throws | Special | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort | Ref | Will | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1st | +1 | +0 | +2 | +0 | Poison Use, Toxins, Basic Toxin, Sneak Attack 1d6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2nd | +2 | +0 | +3 | +0 | Poison Resist, Uncanny Dodge, Weapon Finesse | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3rd | +3 | +1 | +3 | +1 | Hide In Plain Sight, Sneak Attack 2d6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4th | +4 | +1 | +4 | +1 | Poison Immunity(Natural), Toxic Spittle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5th | +5 | +1 | +4 | +1 | Intermediate Toxin, Evasion, Sneak Attack 3d6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6th | +6/1 | +2 | +5 | +2 | Venomous Spittle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7th | +7/2 | +2 | +5 | +2 | Backstab, Improved Uncanny Dodge, Sneak Attack 4d6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8th | +8/3 | +2 | +6 | +2 | Poison Immunity(Magical) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9th | +9/4 | +3 | +6 | +3 | Tumbling Dodge, Sneak Attack 5d6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10th | +10/5 | +3 | +7 | +3 | Advanced Toxin, Improved Evasion | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11th | +11/6/1 | +3 | +7 | +3 | Death Attack, Sneak Attack 6d6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12th | +12/7/2 | +4 | +8 | +4 | Magical Venomous Spittle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13th | +13/8/3 | +4 | +8 | +4 | Ranged Sneak Attack, Sneak Attack 7d6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14th | +14/9/4 | +4 | +9 | +4 | Breath Attack(Ex) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15th | +15/10/5 | +5 | +9 | +5 | Expert Toxin, Sneak Attack 8d6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16th | +16/11/6/1 | +5 | +10 | +5 | Ranged Death Attack | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17th | +17/12/7/2 | +5 | +10 | +5 | Vicious Backstab, Sneak Attack 9d6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 18th | +18/13/8/3 | +6 | +11 | +6 | Tumbling Dodge(2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 19th | +19/14/9/4 | +6 | +11 | +6 | Quickened Death Attack, Sneak Attack 10d6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 20th | +20/15/10/5 | +6 | +12 | +6 | Masterwork Toxin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Class Skills 8 + Int modifier per level, ×4 at 1st level) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the mandrake.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The mandrake is proficient with Light Armor and all Simple and Martial weapons, as well as 3 Exotic weapons of his choice.
Sneak Attack:If a mandrake can catch an opponent when they're unable to defend their self effectively from his attack, he can strike a vital spot for extra damage. The mandrake's attack deals extra damage any time his target would be denied a Dexterity bonus to AC (whether the target actually has a Dexterity bonus or not), or when the mandrake flanks his target. This extra damage is 1d6 at 1st level, and it increases by 1d6 every two mandrake levels thereafter. Should the mandrake score a critical hit with a sneak attack, this extra damage is not multiplied.
Poison Use: The mandrake is trained in the use of poisons. He suffers no chance to poison himself while applying poison to a weapon.
Toxins: The mandrake may take an hour to produce a number vials of toxin equal to his Intelligence modifier. Each vial is good for 5 applications of the poison. The enemy is entitled to a Fortitude save to avoid the effects of the toxins. The DC is 10+ the mandrake's class levels+ the mandrake's Int modifier.
Basic Toxin: Deals 1d6 + Mandrake Int modifier damage every round for a number of rounds equal to the mandrake's Intelligence modifier.
Intermediate Toxin: Deals 1d8 + Mandrake Int modifier damage every round for a number of rounds equal to the mandrake's Intelligence modifier.
Advanced Toxin: Deals 2d6 + Mandrake Int modifier damage every round for a number of rounds equal to the mandrake's Intelligence modifier.
Expert Toxin: Deals 2d8 + Mandrake Int modifier damage every round for a number of rounds equal to the mandrake's Intelligence modifier.
Masterwork Toxin: Deals 4d6 + Mandrake Int modifier damage every round for a number of rounds equal to the mandrake's Intelligence modifier.
Poison Resist: The mandrake regularly ingests small amounts of poison in order to build up an immunity. This confers a +2 bonus to saves against poison.
Uncanny Dodge: Starting at 2nd level, the mandrake can react to danger before his senses would normally allow him to do so. He retains his Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) even if he is caught flat-footed or struck by an invisible attacker. However, he still loses his Dexterity bonus to AC if immobilized.
Weapon Finesse With a light weapon, rapier, whip, or spiked chain made for a creature of your size category, you may use your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier on attack rolls. If you carry a shield, its armor check penalty applies to your attack rolls.
Hide In Plain Sight: The mandrake can use the Hide skill even while being observed. As long as he is within 10 feet of some kind of shadow, he can hide himself from view in the open without anything to actually hide behind. He cannot hide in his own shadow.
Poison Immunity(Natural): By this point in the mandrake's career, he has ingested enough natural poisons to become immune to all non-magical poisons.
Toxic Spittle: The mandrake's saliva is now incredibly venomous. He can spit at an opponent and deal 1d4 damage with a chance to blind. (Fort negates). The spittle can be used once every 1d4 rounds with a range of 10 feet.
Evasion: A mandrake can avoid even magical and unusual attacks with great agility. If he makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, he instead takes no damage. Evasion can be used only if the mandrake is wearing light armor or no armor. A helpless mandrake does not gain the benefit of Evasion.
Venomous Spittle: The mandrake's Toxic Spittle has become more virulent, now dealing 1d6 damage.
Backstab: The mandrake gets a +2 bonus on attack rolls while making a Sneak Attack.
Improved Uncanny Dodge: A mandrake of 7th level or higher can no longer be flanked.
Poison Immunity(Magical): The mandrake is now immune to magical poisons.
Tumbling Dodge: Once per round, when the target of an attack, the mandrake can substitute his AC for a tumble check.
Improved Evasion: Improved evasion is like Evasion, but even on a failed saving throw the mandrake only takes half damage. A helpless mandrake does not gain the benefit of Improved Evasion.
Death Attack: If a mandrake studies his victim for 3 rounds and then makes a sneak attack with a melee weapon that successfully deals damage, the sneak attack has the additional effect of either paralyzing or killing the target (Mandrake's choice). While studying the victim, the mandrake can undertake other actions so long as his attention stays focused on the target and the target does not detect the mandrake or recognize the mandrake as an enemy. If the victim of such an attack fails a Fortitude save (DC 10 + the mandrake's class level + the mandrake’s Int modifier) against the kill effect, the victim dies. If the saving throw fails against the paralysis effect, the victim is rendered helpless and unable to act for 1d6 rounds plus 1 round per the mandrake's levels. If the victim’s saving throw succeeds, the attack is just a normal sneak attack. Once the mandrake has completed the 3 rounds of study, he must make the Death Attack within the next 3 rounds. If a Death Attack is attempted and fails (the victim makes their save) or if the mandrake does not launch the attack within 3 rounds of completing the study, 3 new rounds of study are required before he can attempt another Death Attack.
Magical Venomous Spittle: The mandrake's Toxic Spittle is now a magical poison.
Ranged Sneak Attack: The range at which the mandrake may perform a sneak attack is increased to 60-feet.
Breath Weapon (Ex): The mandrake can spit a 20 foot line of acid.
Ranged Death Attack: The mandrake is now able to perform a Death Attack at a range of 30 feet.
Vicious Backstab: The mandrake's bonus to sneak attacks increases to +4. Additionally, they can choose to have their sneak attack cripple the opponent, cutting their movement speed in half. (Fort negates)
Tumbling Dodge(2): Allows for an additional use of the ability.
Quickened Death Attack: The mandrake may perform a Death Attack after only two rounds of study.
Ex-Mandrakes
Mandrakes suffer no penalty for multi-classing.
The Epic Mandrake
| Level | Special | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21st | Sneak Attack 11d6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 22nd | Bonus Feat | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 23rd | Sneak Attack 12d6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 24th | Bonus Feat | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 25th | Sneak Attack 13d6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 26th | Bonus Feat | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 27th | Sneak Attack 14d6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 28th | Bonus Feat | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 29th | Sneak Attack 15d6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 30th | Bonus Feat | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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8 + Int modifier skill points per level. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sneak Attack: This class feature continues to progress into the Epic levels.
Bonus Feats: The epic mandrake gains a bonus feat every 2 levels after 20th.
Epic Mandrake Bonus Feat List: Blinding Speed, Combat Archery, Dexterous Fortitude, Dexterous Will, Epic Dodge, Epic Reputation, Epic Skill Focus, Epic Speed, Improved Combat Reflexes, Improved Sneak Attack, Intuitive Trapfinding, Legendary Climber, Lingering Damage, Self-Concealment, Sneak Attack of Opportunity, Spellcasting Harrier, Superior Initiative, Uncanny Accuracy
Drow Mandrake Starting Package
Weapons: Punching Dagger x2, Shuriken x20.
Skill Selection: Pick a number of skills equal to 4 + Int modifier.
Feat: Two-Weapon Fighting.
Bonus Feats: Improved Initiative.
Gear: Studded Leather Armor, Standard Adventuring Gear.
Gold: 4d6.
Campaign Information
Playing a Mandrake
Religion: Mandrakes typically don't favor religion, but some may worship gods of death.
Other Classes: A mandrake doesn't innately have any strong feelings toward other classes. He does, however appreciate the martial classes' ability to take hits for him while he moves into position to apply poison.
Combat: In combat, the mandrake is always moving to flank his opponent. From this position he can deal the most damage and apply his poisons relatively unhindered.
Advancement: Most mandrakes don't have a reason to multi-class. Veering away from the mandrake path slows the rate at which they gain access to their most virulent toxins.
Mandrakes in the World
| “ | The poison was made from a common plant... anyone could gather it from the side of the road. But it's been distilled to a higher potency than I've ever seen before... we're dealing with a very knowledgeable, very intelligent killer. | ” |
| —Dr. Ebbard Leil, during the autopsy of Lord Anor Reabvus Sr. | ||
Mandrakes are typically found in the more shady parts of cities, but their skill in poisons requires a specialized education, either via schooling, a mentor, or years of experimentation.
Daily Life: A mandrake spends a good portion of his day brewing his special poisons. A mandrake assassin will spend hours studying and following his next target. A traveling mandrake blade-for-hire will pause in towns to look for contracts, in seedy alleyways or the corners of taverns.
Organizations: While mandrakes don't have a specific organization they belong to, they've been known to join groups associated with assassination. Some are a part of Mafia-like families or death cults. Others attend universities studying botany or chemistry, refining their poisons under the guise of academic curiosity.
NPC Reactions: Mandrakes usually keep their profession a secret, because authorities tend to arrest assassins. When common folk do find out who a mandrake assassin is, he is usually avoided for obvious reasons. Should the mandrake be a mere sellsword, however, he is treated no differently than any mercenary who uses non-poisoned blades.
Mandrakes in the Game
A mandrake is a great addition to the party in the form of a rogue-like damage dealer and skill monkey, or he can make for a very deadly antagonist to the players' adventures.
Adaptation: A mandrake could be a tribal hunter-warrior who uses blow darts or poison-tipped throwing spears. In a more modern or futuristic setting, his poisons could be electrically-based instead of nature-based so they can damage robots or cyborgs. Give him taser projectiles instead of toxic spittle with a chance to stun instead of blinding, and give him a taser with a line of electricity instead of a line of acid breath attack. Yet another adaptation is to have the mandrake be of a reptilian or plague-riddled rodent race, with his poisons applied to natural bite or claw attacks.
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