Arcane Dancer (3.5e Prestige Class)

An arcane dancer beginning a new dance

Arcane Dancer

Arcane dancers are rare, but powerful. They combine the movements of their bodies seamlessly with the movements of the primal energies within them as they cast their spells. They are very agile, to the point that they can attackers without missing a beat. Bards, sorcerers, and wizards have all been known to take the path of the arcane dancer.

Becoming an Arcane Dancer

Arcane dancers are equally as captivating as they are deadly on the battlefield.

Entry Requirements

Alignment:	Any non-lawful.
Feats:	Any one metamagic feat.
Skills:	Spellcraft 3 ranks, Perform dance 3 ranks.
Spells:	Able to cast 1st-level arcane spells.

Table: The Arcane Dancer

Hit Die: d6

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Special	Caster level/Ability by level
		Fort	Ref	Will
1st	+0	+0	+2	+2	Seamless Transition, Spelldance, Dancer's Talent	+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
2nd	+1	+0	+3	+3	Elegance, Liberating Rhythm	+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
3rd	+2	+1	+3	+3	Dancer's Grace, Disruption	+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
4th	+3	+1	+4	+4	Dancer's Talent	+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
5th	+3	+1	+4	+4	Graceful Metamagic	+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
6th	+4	+2	+5	+5	Dancer's Insight	+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
7th	+5	+2	+5	+5	Dancer's Talent	+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
8th	+6	+2	+6	+6	Elegance, Spellstep	+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
9th	+6	+3	+6	+6	Improved Spelldance	+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
10th	+7	+3	+7	+7	Dancer's Talent, Graceful Metamagic	+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
Class Skills (6 + Int modifier per level) Appraise (Int), Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disable Device (Int), Disguise Skill (Int), Escape Artist (Dex), Forgery (Int), Gather Information (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Heal (Wis), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), All Knowledge (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Open Lock (Dex), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Search (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight Of Hand (Dex), Spellcraft (Int), Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis), Tumble (Dex), Use Magic Device (Cha).

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the Arcane dancer.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: An arcane dancer is proficient with simple weapons, and gains proficiency with all exotic light armor. The characters land speed is increased by 10 feet when wearing exotic light armor.

Spells per Day/Spells Known: When a new arcane dancer level is gained, the character gains new spells per day (and spells known, if applicable) as if they had also gained a level in whatever arcane spellcasting class granted their access to 1st-level spells before they added the prestige class. They do not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained (bonus metamagic or item creation feats, bard or assassin abilities, and so on), except for an increased effective level of spellcasting. This essentially means that they add the level of arcane dancer to the level of whatever other arcane spellcasting class granted their access to 1st-level spells, then determine spells per day, spells known, and caster level accordingly.

Seamless Transition (Su): An arcane dancer can replace the verbal and material components of a spell with somatic components if they wish to, regardless of whether or not the spell already requires a somatic component. Additionally, the arcane dancer can apply a metamagic feat to a spontaneously cast spell without increasing its casting time. To use these abilities, the arcane dancer must be able to move freely and not be restricted in their movement.

Spelldance (Su): Spelldancing is an ancient technique denoted by rhythmic movement, whether it be a vigorous dance or simple tapping of the foot, that harnesses primal energies to enhance the user. The arcane dancer may perform a spelldance a number of times per day equal to their charisma modifer plus their character level. Beginning a spelldance requires a move action and a spelldance lasts a maximum number of rounds equal to five plus their character level. Spelldancing requires a character to continuously move. Should the arcane dancer fail to move at least five feet from their starting position at the end of a round, the spelldance immediately ends. In addition, taking damage can disrupt the arcane dancer's rhythm and thus, prematurely cause their spelldance to end. The arcane dancer must make a concentration check, DC 5 plus half the damage taken to maintain their rhythm.

When the arcane dancer begins spelldancing, they must make a perform check. For each 5 points of the check, the arcane dancer gains 1 point of arcane rhythm that can be used to enhance their spellcasting for the duration of the spelldance. Unless otherwise specified, an ability can only be selected once.

• Intensify - The arcane dancer can spend 2 points of arcane rhythm to increase the DC of spells cast while spelldancing by 1. This option may be selected multiple times.

• Amplify - The arcane dancer can spend 1 point of arcane rhythm to increase the effective caster level of spells cast while spelldancing by 1. This option may be selected multiple times.

• Penetrate - The arcane dancer can spend 4 points of arcane rhythm to gain a bonus equal to their character level on checks to overcome spell resistance while spelldancing.

• Morph - The arcane dancer can spend 2 points of arcane rhythm to treat area spells cast while spelldancing as though they were modified by sculpt spell without the increase in spell level.

A spelldance suffuses the character with primal energy that enhances them in various ways. At each indicated level below, the arcane dancer gains a special ability while maintaining a spelldance.

• Swiftfooted - At 1st level, the arcane dancer gains the evasion special ability while spelldancing.

• Recovery - At 4rd level, the arcane dancer gains fast healing equal to half their HD while spelldancing.

• Untouchable - At 7th level, the arcane dancer gains the improved evasion special ability while spelldancing.

• Shifting Veil - At 10th level, the arcane dancer gains SR 15 plus HD while spelldancing.

Dancer's Talent (Ex): At 1st level, and again at 4th, 7th, and 10th level, the arcane dancer may select any metamagic feat as a bonus feat. They must meet any prerequisites of a feat in order to select it. Each time the arcane dancer gains this ability, they increase their available spells per day (and spells known, if applicable) for each spell level they can cast or gain the ability to cast by 1.

Elegance (Ex): At 2nd level, the arcane dancer's charisma score is increased by +2. The dancer gains a bonus equal to 2 + their HD in a number of skills up to half their charisma modifier. The dancer must be proficient in the chosen skills. At 8th level the arcane dancer's charisma score is increased by an additional +2 and the bonus to the selected skills increases by +4.

Liberating Rhythm (Su): The arcane dancer is a free spirit, fiercely devoted to their own independence and freedom. At 2nd level, the arcane dancer learns to harness their internal rhythm to shrug off effects that would restrain them. The arcane dancer is treated as having the benefits of freedom of movement, as the spell. Additionally, when an arcane dancer makes a save against a mind-affecting spell or effect, they gain a +2 bonus and roll twice, taking the higher of the two rolls.

Dancer's Grace (Su): A 3rd level arcane dancer adds half their Charisma modifier as a bonus on all their saving throws, and as a deflection bonus to their Armor Class.

Disruption (Su): At 3rd level, an arcane dance can disrupt a creature’s internal rhythm with a sudden flick of their wrist, hindering their ability to act. This supernatural ability has a range of 80 feet. Anyone the arcane dancer targets must make a successful will save or be dazed for 1d2 rounds. The arcane dancer must expend 1 of their daily spelldancing uses to activate the ability as a full-round action, 3 uses to activate the ability as a standard action, or 5 uses to activate the ability as an immediate action. This ability is not mind-affecting.

Graceful Metamagic (Ex): At 5th level, an arcane dancer has mastered metamagic to such an extent that whenever they use a metamagic feat, the required increase in spell level (if any) is reduced by one (minimum +0 spell level). For example, a wizard arcane dancer could prepare a quickened fireball as a 6th-level spell instead of a 7th-level spell. At 10th level, the required increase in spell level (if any) is reduced by an additional one.

Dancer's Insight (Ex): At 6th level, the arcane dancer becomes sensitive vibrations, granting them the blindsight special quality out to 40 feet. This increases by 5 feet with each arcane dancer level attained thereafter.

Spellstep (Su): Primal energy surges through the arcane dancer with each step they take across the battlefield. As they come to a stop, the energy pulses within them, waiting to be released. At 8th level, an arcane dancer can add an additional 1d8 points of force damage to single damaging spell they cast in a round after moving a minimum of 10 feet from their starting position. The force damage dealt increases by one dice with each additional 10 feet they move before casting the spell. In addition, the character's land speed is increased by 10 feet.

Improved Spelldance (Su): At 9th level the arcane dancer has mastered the art of spelldancing. They may now begin a spelldance as swift action and gain a bonus equal to their character level on concentration checks made while spelldancing.

Table: The Epic Arcane dancer

Level	Special
11th	Bonus Feat
12th
13th	Bonus Feat
14th
15th	Bonus Feat
16th
17th	Bonus Feat
18th
19th	Bonus Feat
20th

Campaign Information

Playing a Arcane dancer

Religion: Arcane dancers commonly worship deities that hold dance and other art forms in high regard, but they do not put much stock in faith of the divine.

Other Classes: More often than not, the only classes who tend to disapprove of the arcane dancer's ways are the strictest of Paladins and Clerics, finding their sometimes unsavory ways offensive, crude, and dishonorable.

Combat: The arcane prefers to stay amidst her companions, providing support to her companions with bonuses and hindering her opponents.

Advancement: Arcane classes work well with this class, specifically casting oriented ones.

Arcane Dancers in the World

“	She proved very hard to lay a hand on. Worse still, not only was she still dancing, but she was actually clearly winning the fight	”
—Alebaster Gregori, Human Fighter, recounting the dance of an arcane dancer that was attacked by a pack of orcs

Arcane dancers are a fit in amidst many cities, and caravans of gypsies. They are especially at home amidst entertainers such as Bards.

Daily Life: Arcane dancers are as hectic as their Bardic brethren, and seek their path in the world, whether with greedy lust for gold, or with an enthusiasm for their arts.

Notables: Onyxia Ralei, an Elf arcane dancer who has since rose into sovereignty due to some unorthodox business practices.

Organizations: Arcane dancers as groups tend to be traveling bands of gypsies, or bandits. Small groups of Mysic Dancers can be found almost anywhere in this fashion.

NPC Reactions: NPCs most often find Arcane dancers as they find Bards, entertaining, or annoying.

Arcane Dancer Lore

Characters with ranks in Knowledge (Local) can research <-Arcane Dancers-> to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

Knowledge (Local)

DC	Result
5	Arcane dancers are just that, individuals who go through life performing dances for gold and glory.
10	Arcane dancers often travel in groups of gypsies, or as bandits. As such, they are generally less trusting when a group of them are present.
15	Arcane dancers may reach into the planes and arcane arts with their dances to produce spells as if from thin air.
20	Characters who gain this level of knowledge may know any local groups or important people of note within the Arcane dancer class.

Arcane Dancers in the Game

Arcane dancers may be either Player Characters, or Non-Player Characters as to your needs as a DM or Player.

Adaptation: Arcane dancers may also be Entertainers, Harem-Girls, or Prostitutes.

Sample Encounter: June Carini, and her guards may be encountered upon the road, being ambushed by vandals and bandits, or perhaps even in their home city. Carini is a suprisingly gifted combatant, and at puts up a enchanting fight while her guards chip away at the adventurer's health and equipment.

---

Back to Main Page → 3.5e Homebrew → Classes → Prestige Classes