Sword Dancer (3.5e Class)

Sword Dancer

In the bustle of rich culture and varied paths, the Sword Dancer lies in the middle of it's harsh lifestyle. With a sense of grace, they can attack enemies alongside their comrades, as well as perform eloquent dances that boost the moral, as well as the prowess, of their comrades in the heat of battle. Their dances can even heal an ally's wounds during battle or cure them of any status that ails them. Whatever the intricacies of the dance, the Sword Dancer is always there to teach the willing its steps. Although their sword may be their greatest comrade, their various dances are their greatest asset.

Making a Sword Dancer

Abilities: A Sword Dancer's Charisma is her most utilized ability, as it's what her AC bonus is gained from and it affects aspects of her dances. Strength and Constitution are also good abilities to make her hit harder and grant her a larger pool of health.

Races: Any, however Elves and Humans are commonly seen Sword Dancers

Alignment: Any

Starting Gold: 5d6x10

Starting Age: Simple

Table: The Sword Dancer

Hit Die: d8

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Special
		Fort	Ref	Will
1st	+0	+0	+2	+2	AC Bonus, Fan Dance +1, Samba 1, Waltz 1, Tango 1, Dancers Knowledge
2nd	+1	+0	+3	+3	Fleet, Trained Dance
3rd	+2	+1	+3	+3	Martial Dancer
4th	+3	+1	+4	+4	Samba 2, Waltz 2, Tango 2
5th	+3	+1	+4	+4	AC Bonus +1, Fan Dance +2, Bonus Feat
6th	+4	+2	+5	+5
7th	+5	+2	+5	+5	Samba 3, Waltz 3, Tango 3
8th	+6/+1	+2	+6	+6
9th	+6/+1	+3	+6	+6	Fan Dance +3, Bonus Feat, Flourish
10th	+7/+2	+3	+7	+7	AC Bonus +2, Samba 4, Waltz 4, Tango 4
11th	+8/+3	+3	+7	+7
12th	+9/+4	+4	+8	+8	Force Skill: Crusade
13th	+9/+4	+4	+8	+8	Bonus Feat, Samba 5, Waltz 5, Tango 5
14th	+10/+5	+4	+9	+9	Cultured Dance
15th	+11/+6/+1	+5	+9	+9	AC Bonus +3, Fan Dance +4
16th	+12/+7/+2	+5	+10	+10	Samba 6, Waltz 6, Tango 6
17th	+12/+7/+2	+5	+10	+10	Bonus Feat
18th	+13/+8/+3	+6	+11	+11	Spell Dance
19th	+14/+9/+4	+6	+11	+11	Fan Dance +5
20th	+15/+10/+5	+6	+12	+12	AC Bonus +4
Class Skills 4 + Int modifier (x2 at 1st level) Appraise (Int), Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Gather Information (Cha), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), Knowledge (all skills, taken individually) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Speak Language (n/a), Spellcraft (Int), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex), Use Magic Device (Cha).

Class Features

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A Sword Dancer becomes proficient with all simple weapons, the Cutlass, the Scimitar, the Rapier, and the Whip. However, she is not proficient with any kind of armor or shields.

AC Bonus: At 1st level, the Sword Dancer uses her provocative and skillful lunges to avoid her adversaries attacks. As long as she remains unarmored, and wields a light melee weapon, she adds her Charisma mod as deflection bonus to her AC. Starting at 5th level, and every 5 levels thereafter, she gains an additional +1 deflection bonus to her AC. This bonus applies during touch attacks and when she is caught flat-footed. It does not apply if she helpless or prone, or when she wears armor, carries a shield, or carries a medium or heavy load.

Dancer's Knowledge: Sword Dancer's have a variety of knowledge due to their travels from performance to performance, drawing upon it when the need is great, or when it suits her means. This functions like a Bard's Bardic Knowledge, save that she only applies half her Dancer levels to this bonus.

Sword Dances: Starting at 1st level, and every 3rd level thereafter, the Sword Dancer learns a series of steps for each of the most skillful of dances; The Samba, The Waltz, and The Tango. Each day, the Sword Dancer chooses two of the three dances of each level that she can perform, only being able to change them after fully resting. This is similar to the way a caster would prepare spells. Starting a Sword Dance requires a move action, and a free action to maintain and/or change its Variant each round. Changing what Sword Dance she performs requires a standard action that provokes attacks of opportunity. She may move at her full land speed while maintaining a Sword Dance as normal, but may only make one standard attack action per round regardless of her Base Attack Bonus while maintaining a Sword Dance. If she is subject to an attack during a round in which she is maintaining a dance, she must make a perform (dance) check (DC 10 + damage dealt), or be knocked prone, automatically ending the effect of her Sword Dance. She may maintain two dances simultaneously, but they must be different types (i.e. cannot maintain two Samba's, but can maintain one Samba and one Waltz), but incurs a -2 penalty to attack rolls and AC while doing so.

Samba 1; Counter Samba: The Sword Dancer makes quick, confusing steps that distracts opponents that attack her allies, allowing her to strike at her enemies weak points. While maintaining this dance, every time an enemy within half of her land speed strikes one of her allies, she may move up to a square adjacent to that creature and make an attack against them at a -2 penalty (not stacking). She may do this a number of times per round equal to her CHA modifier.

Waltz 1; Regen Waltz: The Sword Dancer makes slow, fluid steps that restore vigor to allies that see this dance. While maintaining this dance, the Dancer and allies that can see her at the beginning of each round are healed a number of hit points equal to the Dancer's level + her Charisma mod (if any).

Tango 1; Attack Tango: The Sword Dancer makes swift, energetic leaps that raise the morale of allies that can see her. While maintaining this dance, allies that can see her gain a bonus to attack or damage rolls (Dancer's choice) equal to her CHA modifier.

Samba 2; Chase Samba: The Sword Dancer makes staccato like steps that baffle enemies, allowing the Dancer to follow her allies strikes like a mirror image. While maintaining this dance, every time an ally within half of her land speed strikes an enemy, she may move to a square adjacent to the enemy that was struck and make a melee attack against that enemy at a -2 penalty (not stacking). She may do this a number of times per round equal to her CHA modifier.

Waltz 2; Refresh Waltz: The Sword Dancer makes dramatic long steps that mimic the movements of a swan. While maintaining this dance, the Dancer and allies that can see her gain a morale bonus to saves against spells and non magical conditions.

Tango 2; Guard Tango: The Sword Dancer makes slow steps while twirling her sword around her waist, giving the appearance of a guard standing post. While maintaining this dance, allies that can see the Dancer gain a magical bonus to AC equal to her Charisma mod (if any). This cannot stack with the Dancer's Charisma mod to AC.

Samba 3; Trick Samba: The Sword Dancer readies her sword while twirling gracefully, allowing for openings made by her allies. While maintaining this dance, every time the Dancer strikes a creature with a melee attack not gained from her dances; allies within reach of her and the attacked creature may attack that same creature, at a +2 bonus to their attack roll.

Waltz 3; Freedom Waltz: The Sword Dancer performs great leaps and twirls, dancing freely across the battlefield. While maintaining this dance, the Dancer and allies who can see her are treated as though being under the Freedom of Movement spell.

Tango 3; Energy Tango: The Sword Dancer throws her sword in the air multiple times while doing small and staccato like steps. While maintaining this dance, the Dancer and allies who can see her gain energy resistance to an energy type of her choice equal to her level + her Charisma mod (if any).

Samba 4; Rush Dance (Variant): The Sword dancer adds rhythmic steps to the passion of her Samba's, adding an extra affect to her dance. While maintaining a Samba, she can add a d6 of extra damage when making attacks with her Samba, but she takes a -2 penalty to AC.

Waltz 4; Healing Step (Variant): The Sword Dancer adds steps like that of a dramatic dance, telling a tale that lifts the pain of her allies. While maintaining a Waltz, allies that can see her at the end of each round are healed hit points as though under the effects of a Cure Moderate Wounds spell. A Waltz can only be under the effect of one Variant while being maintained.

Tango 4; Wide Dance (Variant): The Sword Dancer adds long, separated steps that push her allies to move faster. While maintaining a Tango, allies that can see her have the effect of her Tango increase by one. A Tango can only be under the effect of one Variant while being maintained.

Samba 5; Mist Dance (Variant): The Sword Dancer adds mystifying, angular steps that can baffle enemies when she strikes them. While maintaining a Samba, anytime she makes an attack due to her Samba, she can potentially knock them prone (DC 10 + her level + 1/2 her Charisma mod). The Save DC against the Prone effect is Fortitude based. A Samba can only be under the effect of one Variant while being maintained.

Waltz 5; Peace Ballad (Variant): The Sword Dancer adds short, sweet steps that grant allies a sense of Succor. While maintaining a Waltz, the Dancer and allies that can see her gain temporary hit points equal to her level + her Charisma mod (if any). A Waltz can only be under the effect of one Variant while being maintained.

Tango 5; Gaia Weaponary (Variant): The Sword Dancer adds odd, tribal steps that grant allies weapons elemantary strength. While maintaining a Tango, allies that can see her add 1d8 of an energy type of her choice to attacks made by thier weapons. A Tango can only be under the effect of one Variant while being maintained.

Samba 6; Razor's Kiss (Variant): The Sword Dancer adds quick, sharp steps that allow her to strike viciously. While maintaining a Samba, the Dancer treats her weapon as though it was Keen (following the normal rules for the Keen quality). If her weapon is already Keen, she instead increases her critical threat range by 1. A Samba can only be under the effect of one Variant while being maintained.

Waltz 6; Esoteric March (Variant): The Sword Dancer adds mystical, awe-inspiring steps that grant her allies repellant against magic. While maintaining a Waltz, the Dancer and allies that can see her gain Spell Resistance equal to her level + her Charisma mod (if any). A Waltz can only be under the effect of one Variant while being maintained.

Tango 6; Leafy Step (Variant): The Sword Dancer adds easygoing, free steps that gives allies a flash of speed. While maintaining a Tango, allies that can see her are treated as though being under the effect of the Haste spell. A Tango can only be under the effect of one Variant while being maintained.

Fan Dance: The Sword Dancer trains her body in a way to be very swift and agile, almost as if she is as light as the fans she uses to perform. Beginning at 1st level, she gains a +1 bonus to her perform check when having to maintain a dance in combat. This increases again at 5th, 9th, 14th, and 19th level.

Fleet: The adrenaline that the Sword Dancer gains from her dance gives her a burst of speed. Starting at 2nd level, while maintaining a Sword Dance, she gains a +10 morale bonus to her base land speed. This increases by 5 feet every 5 levels, to a maximum of +40 feet at 17th level.

Trained Dance: The Sword Dancer gains a deeper understanding of her skillful art, and uses her steps in daily aspects of her life. Starting at 2nd level, she gains a bonus on her Perform (dance) checks equal to half her class level, and can substitute associated skill checks with a Perform (dance) check (i.e. Tumble, Jump, Escape Artist, Balance, and Hide).

Martial Dancer: The Sword Dancer uses her elegant dances so flawlessly in battle, that she becomes a deadly force with her weapon. Starting at 3rd level, for every 5 ranks she has in Perform (dance), she can substitute 1 level in Fighter for the requirements of feats.

Bonus Feat: Starting at 5th level, and every 4 levels thereafter, the Dancer gains a bonus feat that she meets the prerequisites for.

Flourish: The Sword Dancer uses the momentum from her steps to power her attacks. At 9th level, she may now make two attack actions per round while maintaining a Sword Dance, if her Base Attack bonus permits it.

Force Skill; Crusade: The Sword Dancer has learned of a Sacred technique that pushes her allies past their normal physical point. Once per day, while maintaining a Sword dance, the Dancer may give all allies a +2 sacred bonus to AC, attack/damage rolls, saves, skill checks, and combat maneuvers until the start of her next turn. This effect is treated as a variant, and cannot be used in conjunction of other variants. She may use this skill an extra time each day at 17th level.

Cultured Dance: The Sword Dancer is a near master at her dances, and can combine her dances collectively. At She can now maintain three dances simultaneously, one of which must be a different type. (i.e. cannot maintain three Samba's, but can maintain Two Sambas and one Waltz), but she suffers a -4 penalty to AC and attack rolls instead of a -2.

Spell Dance: The Sword Dancer, through rigorous study of spell casters that she's met on her travels, she can mimic their art. at 18th level, once per day, while maintaining one dance, she may cast one level 9th or lower Wizard, Cleric, or Druid spell as a caster level equal to her class level. Any verbal or material components are ignored, but spells that require experience as a cost for casting it are still required.

Epic Sword Dancer

Table: The Epic Sword Dancer

Hit Die: d8

Level	Special
21st	Bonus Feat
22nd
23rd	+1 AC
24th
25th	Bonus Feat
26th
27th	+1 AC
28th
29th	Bonus Feat
30th
4 + Int modifier skill points per level.

Human Sword Dancer Starting Package

Weapons: Cutlass (1d8, 20 x3), Rapier (1d6, 19-20 x2)

Feat: Power Attack (1st level feat)

Bonus Feats: Mobility (Human feat)

Gear: Dancing Scarves, Bedroll, Water skin, Glitter dust, tambourine, Castanets

Gold: 250 gp

Campaign Information

Playing a Sword Dancer

Religion: Sword Dancer's aren't stuffy about religion, and usually remain neutral. They may worship deities like Mefathiel, Garl Glittergold, Kord, and Erevan Ilesere.

Other Classes: Sword Dancer's are often revered for their skill in dancing, and are sought by those seeking their artistry.

Combat: Sword Dancer's are front line fighters, attacking her allies adversaries whilst supporting them with their dances.

Advancement: Good multiclass options may be Rogue, Scout, Fighter, or Bard.

Sword Dancers in the World

“	Need a dance partner? After all, it takes two to Tango...hehe	”
—Penelo, Human Sword Dancer

Daily Life: Sword Dancer's spend their days looking for adventure, be it in a tavern dancing for those willing to give coin, or in a dank cave searching for treasure.

Notables: There's not many Sword Dancer's of note, as they remain mysterious and indifferent.

Organizations: They do not descript themselves with any specific organization or group, but they often are seen working in taverns and guild houses dancing for gold.

NPC Reactions: In town's familiar to the Sword Dancer, NPC's may know them, having seen them perform or having hired them in the past.

Sword dancer Lore

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

Knowledge (local), Knowledge (Arcana)

DC	Result
5	Sword Dancer's are skilled performers of renown.
10	They are skilled sword fighters and tacticians.
15	Their dances can cause magical effects, much like a Bard's music.
20	Sword Dancer's are magical dancers that can bring downtrodden allies back to their feet with a single step, while bringing enemies to their feet with a single slash of her sword.

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