Spartan, Variant (5e Class)

Spartan Warrior

Spartans are strong, and exceptionally well trained soldiers. They are trained to work as a unit, and use their weapons with deadly efficiency. They share an unparalleled mastery of weapons and armor, and a thorough knowledge of combat. They are well acquainted with death, both meeting it, and staring it defiantly in the face.

Trained From Birth

When born all Spartan boys are inspected, if small, puny, sickly, or even misshaped the boy would be quickly discarded. Then from the moment he could stand he was baptized the fire of combat. Taught to never retreat and to never surrender because death on the battlefield as a Spartan was the greatest glory he could achieve in his life. At the age of seven, as custom dictated in Sparta, the boy is taken from his mother to be plunged in a world of violence.

Manufactured by hundreds years of Spartan warrior society, the boys would develop into the finest soldiers the world as ever known. Known as the Agoge forces them to fight, starves them, forces them to steal, and if inevitable to kill. However by rod and lash the boy would be punished if caught in the act of stealing or killing, taught to show no pain and no mercy. He would be constantly tested. Tossed into the wild, left to pit his wits and will against nature's fury. Finally his initiation would take place, a final test. Sent to the wild for one challenging last hunt, but he would return to his people a Spartan or not a all.

• Spartan Warriors can only be Human
• Because of the Spartan way of training, they do not get any Human trait bonuses. Spartans must sacrifice some humanity in training. No ability score increases and this includes the Human Variant, so no two ability score increase, skill proficiency, nor a free feat.
• However, due to their legendary training a Spartan may choose one ability scores to start at 12, as well all their ability scores will always rest at 10. (The Player will roll as normal to create ability scores, but keep in mind that even if they roll bellow a 10 they will have that ability as a 10. Also if the player would like they may chooses which one ability scores will start at 12 as a starting modifying score. In gameplay, a Spartan can never have a negative ability score as it always rests at 10 if the modifier goes into the negatives.
• Spartan Warriors are trained in only one place, Sparta.

Creating a Spartan Warrior

A spartan warrior, much like the fighter class, can be rolled in many different ways. The class shines a lot when using a Lance (reach weapons) or sword, and a shield. The spartan warrior focuses on combat with their specialized Dory, Xiphos, and Aspis. Those who model themselves on this spartan warrior's combine rigorous training with physical excellence to deal devastating blows. The spartan warrior favors the ways of the warrior, but they accept all other classes as long as they are neutral, chaotic, or lawful good. Once they get along with someone, they will fight to the death along the side of them. Combat: spartan warrior can act a few different ways in combat. They can take up a leadership role in a group with ease. They can also be a loyal fighting companion and stick by your side. Sometimes though, spartan warrior can explode and charge into battle without warning. They usually act one of two ways while fighting. They fight the enemy dealing damage, or they take the damage for their companions.

The spartan warrior is known to pray to gods of battle. There are few exceptions though. The spartan warrior usually prays before a long journey or great battle. Most spartan warrior worships Kord. Some Lawful spartan warrior worships Heironeous. Some neutral spartan warrior worships St.Cuthbert or Fharlanghn.

• Gain stronger fighting styles
• May not class outside of the class due to one solo profession, being a Spartan.

Quick Build

You can make a spartan warrior quickly by following these suggestions. First, Constitution should be your highest ability score, followed by either Strength or Charisma. A high Intelligence is also recommended, but not required. Second, choose either the Soldier or Outlander background.

Class Features

As a Spartan Warrior you gain the following class features.

Hit Points

Hit Dice: 1d10 per Spartan Warrior level
Hit Points at 1st Level: 10 + Constitution modifier
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d10 (or 6) + Constitution modifier per Spartan Warrior level after 1st

Proficiencies

Armor: Spartan Warriors are proficient with Light armor, medium armor, heavy armor, shields
Weapons: Spartan Warriors are proficient with all simple and martial weapons.
Tools: none
Saving Throws: Strength, Constitution
Skills: Choose two skills from Acrobatics, Deception, Athletics, History, Insight, Intimidation, Sleight of hand, Perception, and Survival.

Equipment

You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:

• (a) chain shirt or (b) leather armor, longbow, and 20 arrows
• (a) a martial weapon and a shield or (b) two martial weapons
• (a) a light crossbow and 20 bolts or (b) two handaxes
• (a) a dungeoneer’s pack or (b) an explorer’s pack
• If you are using starting wealth, you have 5d4 x 10 gp in funds.

Table: The Spartan Warrior

Level	Proficiency Bonus	Features
1st	+2	The Arts of War, Block Out the Sun
2nd	+2	Shield Bash
3rd	+2	Spartan Archetype,
4th	+2	Ability Score Improvement, This Is Where We Hold Them
5th	+3	Extra Attack, So That We May Get Close to the Enemy, Legendary Presence
6th	+3	Ability Score Improvement
7th	+3	Spartan Archetype
8th	+3	Ability Score Improvement
9th	+4	These Are Sparta’s Walls
10th	+4	Spartan Archetype
11th	+4	The Arts of War (2)
12th	+4	Ability Score Improvement
13th	+5	Spirit of Leonidas
14th	+5	Ability Score Improvement
15th	+5	Spartan Archetype
16th	+5	Ability Score Improvement
17th	+6	Come and Take Them
18th	+6	Spartan Archetype
19th	+6	Ability Score Improvement
20th	+6	The Champion of Gods

The Arts of War

During your time as a Spartan you choose a specific style of fighting. While you still fight overall as a Spartan you have come to lean towards certain fighting habits. Choose one of the following fighting styles. You may not take a Fighting Style more than once. Pick at the 1st level, and again at the 11th level.

Defense

While you are wearing armor or shield, you gain a +1 bonus to AC. When a creature you can see attacks a target other than you that is within 5 feet of you, you can use your reaction to impose disadvantage on the attack roll. You must be wielding a shield.

Duelist

Gain a +2 bonus to damage rolls while wielding a one handed weapon and no other weapons.

Ranged weapons

Gain +2 attack bonus for all ranged weapons.

Battle Vigor

At the start of combat, when initiative is rolled, you gain temporary hit points equal to your fighter level plus your Constitution modifier.

Great Weapon Fighting

When you roll a 1 or 2 on a damage die for an attack you make with a melee weapon that you are wielding with two hands, you can re-roll the die and must use the new roll. The weapon must have the two-handed or versatile property for you to gain this benefit.

Block out the sun

You are so adept at shield combat that you are able block nearly any mundane ranged weaponry (arrow, spear, etc). At 1st level whenever a successful non-magical ranged attack is made against you, you may use your reaction and roll a 1d4 + spartan level, the damage is reduced by that amount.

Shield Bash

It was common to see a spartan warrior knock back an opponent with their shield, and follow up with a fatal attack with their sword or spear. At 2nd level, you begin to use your shield offensively in combat. Whenever in melee combat, if an opponent misses an attack roll against you, you can use your reaction to make a attack roll with your shield to deal 1d4 damage + your strength modifier and you can force the attacker to make a strength saving throw with a DC of 8 + your STR mod + your proficiency bonus. On a failed save, they are pushed 5 feet away from you.

Spartan Archetype

At 3rd Level you choose the path you want to fight down as a spartan warrior. The Path of Honor and the Path of Kings both are detailed at the end of the class description. Your choice grants you features at 3rd level and again at 7th, 10th, 15th, and 18th levels.

Ability Score Improvement

When you reach 4th level, and again at 6th, 8th, 12th, 14th, 16th and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.

This Is Where We Hold Them

At the 4th level, you can, as a bonus action, release a powerful shout to summon the spirits of ancient spartan warriors. This shout grants you a +2 bonus to AC and +2 to attack roll, and it lasts a number of rounds equal to 1 + your spartan warrior level. You can use this ability again after a short or long rest.

So That We May Get Close to the Enemy

At the 5th level, the spartan can concentrate all his might on the opponents around him. You can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn. If a attack results in kill, you are allowed one additional 5-foot step and a third melee attack as a bonus action. You may continue to do this as long as your attack results in a kill and you take no more than a 5-foot step between attacks. Your total movement this turn cannot exceed your maximum speed. Note that this is treated as an “Extra Attack” feature found in other classes.

Legendary Presence

At 5th level, the spartan warrior has become a local legend, with word of his exploits even reaching his home city. Your Heroic Presence, gained from level 3 spartan archetype auras, grants you a bonus to hit and influence range is now doubled (+2 attack bonus, +10 foot range).

These Are Sparta’s Walls

It was common to see a spartan knock back an opponent with their shield and follow up with a fatal attack with their sword or spear. At level 9, you gain a +2 to damage while you have a shield, also after making a successful Shield Bash you may take another action to make a melee attack with your primary weapon. If the primary weapon has the thrown property, you may throw the weapon within the attack range it possesses.

Spirit of Leonidas

Once king of the Spartans, he and his 300 stood at the hot gates many moons ago. Protecting the world of Hellenic culture down to the last man, in act of rage and might King Leonidas threw his spear at a faraway self proclaimed god-king. Scaring the face of this "god" for what short life he had left. At level 13 you gain the blessing of the hero-king Leonidas, any spear/javelin throw attack roll at long range doesn't impose disadvantage with a spear/ javelin thrown attack roll.

Come and Take Them

Specializing in the spear, Spartans would focus their attacks on critical areas to harm there opponent. Fighting in hoplite formations a Spartan would fight ferociously with well timed spear strikes in the heat of combat, while having his trusty shield on the ready. When level 17 receive a +1 bonus to armor and damage when in combat with your shield and spear in hand. Furthermore, whenever you are in melee combat, if your opponent misses an attack against you then your next attack against that opponent will generate a critical hit on a natural roll of 17-20.

The Champion of Gods

At 20th level, you embody the power of the Gods. Your Strength and Constitution scores increase by 4. Your maximum for those scores is now 24.

Path of Honor

You fight down the Path of Honor and you stand tall and are hard to knock down.

An Aura Of Heroes

Beginning at the 3rd level, you give off an aura of heroes that when in combat any ally within a range of 10 feet of you receives a +1 bonus to all melee attack rolls this also applies to you but only if have at least one ally within the range, if you have at least two allies in range change to +2 bonus to all melee attack rolls.

Stand your ground

Beginning at the 7th level, attackers gain disadvantage when attacking the spartan with a disarm or grapple, spartan must have a shield equipped. Also You can’t be charmed or frightened as long as you have a shield and you have an ally within your aura.

With It or On It

Beginning at the 10th level, you gain the power of your fallen heroes in battle. If you drop to 0 hit points, you cannot die outright in any case unless if someone hits you successfully while your down, and can make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw. If you succeed, you drop to 5 hit point instead. Each time you use this feature after the first, the DC increases by 5. When you finish a short or long rest, the DC resets to 10.

Stand as one

Beginning at the 15th level, you can fight for yourself and also aid your team. When you hit a creature with a main hand melee weapon attack, gain another attack roll with your shield to deal 1d8 damage + your damage modifiers for bludgeoning damage. Applicable only on the spartan's active turn. This attack cannot critically strike, but gives your allies an opening. The next attack roll against the creature by an attacker other than you has advantage, if the attack is made before the start of your next turn.

We Are The Only Ones Who Give Birth To Men

Beginning at the 18th level, you attain the pinnacle of resilience in battle. At the start of each of your turns, you regain hit points equal to 2 + your Constitution modifier if you have no more than half of your hit points left. You don’t gain this benefit if you have 0 hit points.

Path of the Kings

You fight down the path to be a king and maybe even a king of the gods themselves.

The King Beginning

Beginning at the 3rd level, while wielding a shield, allies within 10 feet of you gain +1 AC if they are using a shield, and you gain +1 AC for each ally affected by this feature.

Remarkable Athlete

Beginning at the 7th level, you can add half your proficiency bonus (rounded up) to any Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution check you make that doesn’t already use your proficiency bonus. In addition, when you make a running long jump, the distance you can cover increases by a number of feet equal to your Strength modifier.

Royal blood

Beginning at the 10th level, the people around you know your royal blood, and you can talk your way around things and lie. You gain the skills Persuasion and Deception, and gain advantage on Charisma Checks.

Reach of a King

Beginning at the 15th level, you gain lunging attack. When you make a melee weapon an attack on your turn, you can increase your reach for that attack by 5 feet.

A King And The Monsters

Beginning at the 18th level, you are a well known king. Creatures and people of the world feel your presence. While wielding a shield, you gain resistance to all damage types, except psychic damage.

Explanation

No human traits Inorder to give the class life as a Spartan, no traits are given as the class itself will provide its own strong features, but to give compensation the class was given the never bellow 10 ability score and one starting 12 ability to show the fruits of spartan training from birth.

No multiclassing outside the class and into the class The class itself will be strong, so no more outside class features can be added. A fighters 2nd wind, rouges abilities, a barbarians rage feature, etc could make the class way more powerful then intended. To keep other classes safe from becoming too strong the class has to be played from birth. This it will give a true feel for being born as a spartan and playing out that journey in any campaign a player may desire. Also to respect the Spartan lore of the hardship, suffering, and the great challenging training that it takes to truly be a Spartan no other class may multiclass into it.

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