Blade Master (3.5e Prestige Class)

History

The Blade Master is a warrior who has the knowledge to wield most blades in existence. they use mystical techniques long thought lost to the world. Relying on speed a Blade Master flashes in, decimates the enemy, and then flashes out preparing for another strike

Requirements:

To qualify to become a Blade Master, a character must fulfill all of the following criteria.

• Race: Any
• Base Attack Bonus: +2
• Skills: Move silently 4 ranks, jump 3 ranks, tumble 3 ranks, balance 3 ranks,
• Feats: weapon focus with bladed weapon
• Special: Proficiency in a bladed martial or exotic weapon. (short/long sword, scythe, halberd, etc.)

Way of the Blade

A Blade Master makes an oath to follow the "way of the Blade", a belief the Blade Master must follow or lose all Blade Master abilities. A Blade Master's Oath is usually similar to their Instructors' due to the fact that an instructor will only take a disciple who is willing to follow a similar cause that he himself had to pledge.

Table: Blade Master

Hit Die: d10

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Fort Save	Ref Save	Will Save	Special
1st	+1	+0	+2	+0	After Image, Blade Master's Oath, +15 feet to movement speed
2nd	+2	+0	+3	+0	+1 to Ac
3rd	+3	+1	+3	+1	Blinkstrike, bonus feat
4th	+4	+1	+4	+1	+1 to Ac
5th	+5	+1	+4	+1	Blinkstep, +15 feet to movement speed
6th	+6	+2	+5	+2	+1 to Ac, bonus feat, Quickness
7th	+7	+2	+5	+2	True way of the blade,
8th	+8	+2	+6	+2	+1 to Ac, +15 feet to movement speed
9th	+9	+3	+6	+3	Greater Blinkstep, Crescent Slash, bonus feat
10th	+10	+3	+7	+3	+1 to Ac, bonus feat

Class Skills (4 + Intelligence mod)
Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Listen (Wis), Perform (instruments only) (Cha),Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Spot (Wis), Tumble (Dex).

Class Features:

All of the following are Class Features of the Blade Master prestige class.

Fighter Levels: Blade Master levels count as fighter levels for feats.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Blade Masters gain a proficiency with Light armor and in all simple weapons as well as proficiency with the kukri, longsword, scimitar, falchion, greatsword, and bastard sword. A Blade Master loses his or her blade master abilities when wearing medium or heavy armor or upon equipping a shield.

After Image(Ex): At 1st Level, the Blade Master gains the ability to move with quick bursts of speed leaving a lasting image of himself (like minor image lasting one round) as a distraction leaving the enemy confused and making them flatfooted to the Blade Master for that round. This ability allows the Blade Master to move his full run speed as a move action and produce the effects of After Image. However, the Blade Master is limited to moving his full run speed with "After Image" once plus his constitution modifier per day. The Blade Master cannot perform the ability when exhausted. Activating "After Image" is a swift action.

Blade Master's Oath: At first level a blade master swears an oath to their mentor to follow his/her way of the blade and never violate this oath, to do so will cause the blade master to lose all his class abilities until an Atonement spell is cast upon him. This oath is an unbending rule that all blade masters must follow or be stripped of his honor and abilities.(an example would be: thou shalt never harm an innocent or child).

Bonus Feat: the bonus feats are derived from the fighters bonus feat list.

Incredible speed(Ex): At 1st,5th, and 8th level a Blade Master trains to become faster gaining 15 feet of movement speed.(this is added on to their current speed)

Danger sense(Ex): At every even level a Blade Master is always on alert gaining a +1 Miscellaneous Ac bonus, not applicable while stunned, paralyzed or unconscious.(Ac modifiers stack)

Blinkstrike(Ex): When attacking you seem to flicker in and out of existence as you move upon your opponent to attack, leaving the enemy unable to predict where the strike is coming from allowing for the Blade Master to seek a chink in the enemies defenses dealing a worse blow than normally possible. This ability doubles your threat range for a critical strike, does not stack with other abilities to improve criticals.

Blinkstep(Ex): At 5th and 9th levels a Blade Master can instantly move into an open square, within 10 feet for 5th level and 20 feet for 9th level, in any direction the Blade Master can see, this is a move equivalent action.(this doesn't prompt an attack of opportunity for leaving an attackers range nor will it when entering the threat range of an enemy. Blinkstepping but remaining within a enemies attack radius will not cause an attack of opportunity.

Quickness(Su): A Blade Master is supernaturally quick. At 6th level and higher, she can take an extra standard action or move action during her turn each round.

True Way of the Blade: At 7th level a Blade Master must spend 12 hours meditating upon his past experiences and develop his own way of the blade, This ability replaces the Blade Masters oath, it also represents the belief of the Blade Master as a respectful warrior.(If apprentice is taken this is their blade masters oath)

Crescent Slash(Su): At 9th level the blade master may tap into his/her fighting spirit which allows him/her to launch a crescent shaped blade of spiritual energy from the blade dealing either holy or unholy damage. The type of damage is dependent on alignment. Holy energy for good aligned characters or unholy energy for the evil aligned and either type can be chosen by a neutral aligned character. this ranged attack does 5D10+ character level damage this slash is a ranged touch attack that has a 20 foot range and pushes the opponent back one square if the attack is successful. This attack can only be used a number of times per day equal to the blademasters con bonus.

Playing a Blade Master

Adventure Blade Masters make good traveling companions if you don't cross them and their way of the blade. Often showing respect to those who deserve it. they respect everyone's views and privacy. Good aligned Blade Masters would rather help solve a problem peacefully rather than slaughter someone who might have a valid reason for their actions.

Becoming a Blade Master to become a Blade Master one must be offered the chance to become one by a pre-existing Blade Master who has seen the person perform a major deed. Whether it be a good or evil task.

Characteristics A Blade Master usually lives a meek life outside of the hustle and bustle of big cities. They wear simple and functional garments and always have a weapon on them whether hidden or in plain sight

Combat A Blade Master is designed to get in and start picking apart the enemy with deadly accurate blows while using his/her battle trained senses to dodge incoming blows themselves.

Resources Blade Masters usually live meek lives but that doesn't mean they live in poverty they just use what they need and when they need it, preferring to save money rather than wasting it.

Life of a Blade Master Blade Masters, whether good or evil, collect trophies from their most challenging opponents and usually, will take a memento, as a sign of respect to the opposing warrior. An example would be items such as a broken sword of an army's general, the fang or horn of a dragon, or even the spell book of a slain mage. The home of a Blade Master is usually lined with these trophies or are left in a trophy room to show their accomplishments. Theft of such a memento from a Blade Master is to incur their unadulterated wrath. The Blade Master is always looking for a good opponent to hone their skills and to test their power. When a Blade Master is told he/she should fear someone, he/she hears "A worthy opponent."

---

Back to Main Page → 3.5e Homebrew → Classes → Prestige Classes Catagory:Combat-Focused