Spellsword (3.5e Prestige Class)

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Spellsword

“	Magic can be used in a variety of ways.. One of which is to empower your blade, mixing martial prowess with the arcane.	”
—Talia Elvanite, Fairy

The dream of melding magic and weapon play is fulfilled in the person of the spellsword.

Becoming a Spellsword

Despite the class's name, a spellsword can use any weapon or even switch weapons. "Spellaxe," "spellspear," and other appellations for this prestige class are certainly possible but not commonly used. The requirements for this prestige class make it attractive to multiclass wizard/fighters or sorcerer/fighters, although bard/fighters can meet the requerments just as easily.

Entry Requirements

Base Attack Bonus:	+4.
Skills:	Knowledge (arcana) 6 ranks.
Feats:	Proficiency with all simple and martial weapons and with all armor (heavy, medium, and light).
Spellcasting:	Spells: Able to cast 2nd-level arcane spells.
Special:	Must have defeated a foe through force of arms alone, without recourse to spellcasting.

Table: The Spellsword

Hit Die: d8

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Special	Spellcasting
		Fort	Ref	Will
1st	+1	+2	+0	+2	Ignore spell failure 10%	+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
2nd	+2	+3	+0	+3	Bonus Feat	—
3rd	+3	+3	+1	+3	Ignore spell failure 15%	+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
4th	+4	+4	+1	+4	Channel spell 3/day	—
5th	+5	+4	+1	+4	Ignore spell failure 20%	+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
6th	+6	+5	+2	+5	Channel spell 4/day	—
7th	+7	+5	+2	+5	Ignore spell failure 25%	+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
8th	+8	+6	+2	+6	Channel spell 5/day	—
9th	+9	+6	+3	+6	Ignore spell failure 30%	+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
10th	+10	+7	+3	+7	Multiple channel spell	—
Class Skills ( 2 + Int modifier per level) Climb(Str),Concentration(Con), Jump(Str), Knowledge(Int), Profession(Wis), Spellcraft(Int).

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the Spellsword.

Spells per Day: At every odd-numbered level, a spell sword gains new spells per day as if he had also gained a level in an arcane spellcasting class he belonged to before adding the prestige class. He does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained (improved chance of controlling or rebuking undead, metamagic or item creation feats, and so on), save for an increased effective level of spellcasting. If a character had more than one spellcasting class before becoming a spellsword, he must decide to which class he adds the new level for purposes of determining spells per day.

Ignore Spell Failure(Ex): Beginning at 1st level, a spell sword's hard work and practice at merging spellcraft with weaponplay starts to pay off. As an extraordinary ability, he ignores a portion of the arcane spell failure chance associated with using armor. This reduction starts at 10% and gradually increases to 50%, as shown on the class/epic table. A spellsword subtracts the given percentage value from his total spell failure chance, if any. For instance, a character wearing scale mail and carrying a small shield normally has a spell failure chance of 30%, but this drops to only 20% for a 1st-level spellsword.

Bonus Feat: At 2nd, 16th and 19th level, a spellsword advances his art, gaining a bonus feat. This bonus feat must be either a metamagic feat or one drawn from the list of bonus feats allowed to a fighter.

Channel Spell(Sp): At 4th level, a spellsword can channel any spell he can cast into his melee weapon. Using this ability requires a move action, and the spellsword uses up the prepared spell or spell slot just as if he had cast the spell. The channeled spell affects the next target that the spell sword successfully attacks with his weapon (saving throws and spell resistance still apply). Even if the spell normally affects an area or is a ray, it affects only the target. The spell is discharged from the weapon, which can then hold another spell. A spellsword can channel his spells into only one weapon at a time. Spells channeled into a weapon are lost if not used in 8 hours.

Multiple Channel Spell(Sp): A 10th-level spellsword can channel two spells into his melee weapon, using a move action to channel each one. Both channeled spells affect the next target the spellsword successfully attacks with his weapon, in the order the spells were placed into the weapon. As with the channel spell class feature, saving throws and spell resistance apply normally. Each time a spellsword uses multiple channel spell, two of his five channel spell uses per day are expended.

Table: The Epic Spellsword

Level	Special
11th	Ignore spell failure 35%
12th	Channel spell 6/day, True Mage
13th	Ignore spell failure 40%
14th	Channel spell 7/day, Swift channel
15th	Ignore spell failure 45%
16th	Channel spell 8/day, Bonus Feat
17th	Ignore spell failure 50%
18th	Channel spell 9/day, Free channel
19th	Bonus Feat
20th	Channel spell 10/day, Endless Potential

Epic Features

Ignore Spell Failure: A Spellsword can steadily ignore the penalties of wearing heavier armor when casting spells, until he is able to cast spells as if he is wearing no armor at all.

Channel Spell: A spellsword can channel more spells into his weapon as he grows in power.

True Mage(Sp): Upon reaching 12th level, a Spellsword's caster level is now equal to his Spellsword level + Arcane Caster Class level.

Swift channel(Sp): Upon reaching 14th level, once a day a Spellsword can channel a spell into his blade as a swift action, instead of a move action.

Free channel(Sp): Upon reaching 18th level, once a day a Spellsword can channel a spell into his blade as a free action, instead of a move action.

Endless Potential(Sp): At 20th level, a Spellsword unlocks the ability to continuously empower his weapon with magic. The limit for Multiple channel spell is lifted entirely. This does not lift your Channel spell limits.

Campaign Information

Playing a Spellsword

Combat: While a Spellsword can cast spells, make no mistake that they are melee combatants. They are able to pick off targets from afar, but they are most efficient in melee.

Advancement: A Spellsword that advances beyond 20th level should pick up Fighter to gain extra feats, or continue along their Arcane Caster class, to increase the potency of their spells.

Resources: A Spellsword walks the world of both warrior and magus. He can expect to be admired by others for his talent, but many are also jealous for his dedication to his craft.

Spellswords in the World

A Spellsword takes magic to the extreme, infusing their weaponry with magic to give them an edge in melee combat.

NPC Reactions: A Spellsword is often revered for how he is able to balance his body and mind to perfection, being able to move across the battlefield in full plate while casting his magic.

Spellsword Lore

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

Knowledge (Arcana)

DC	Result
11	Some mages decide to take up the sword instead of staying at range to cast their spells.
16	A spellsword is feared by other martial characters because of his ability to use spells.
21	A Spellsword is also feared by spellcasters because of his ability to cast spells while wearing armor.
26	Spellswords can channel spells into their blades, making their swings all the more lethal. A Spellsword often walks the world alone.

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