Iai Swordsman (5e Class)

Iai Swordsman Concept Art (By Quel)

Iai Swordsman

"The first time I saw one was at a crossroads in the forest"

"I was traveling with some paid guards to go to a nearby town with wares and general goods"

"When we got to the crossroad, we were ambushed... heh. I mean... I was ambushed"

"The paid guards were in on it. They turned on me. They were probably promised a cut of the wares"

"SO, there I stood... 9 Armed bandits against me. They told me if I cried for help they would kill me."

"I thought myself already dead, so I cried...*Cough*, for help, that is."

"And as my life was nearing its end, and the tip of a spear nearing my neck... THEN, Right before my eyes, the spear was cut in pieces by an invisible blade"

"A man wearing some kind of foreign garb and a funny hat stood now where the spear had been"

"The bandits, one by one, got cut down by the mysterious man. They were absolutely helpless against him"

"An arrow flew directly towards him, but before I could yell out, the arrow was cut in half mid-air"

"The bandits were disposed of, and the man JUST VANISHED"

"He won that battle without a scratch, and he never even drew his sword"

Swordsmanship in the Soul

The power an Iai Swordsman holds isn't his alone. Some say, that the first Iai Swordsman, whose name has been forgotten throughout time, passed down his combat expertise to the next generations of swordsmen, and likewise did they. Time and time again the arts of Iaijutsu were honed, perfected, and then passed down, until it reached perfection. But the swordsmen, knowing that they never could perfect perfection, lost interest in their ways. Instead of upholding their old traditions, they branched out into new schools of swordsmanship too find new purpose. And thus, Iaijutsu was almost forgotten...

This ached the soul of the first swordsman and all his students, and they decided that they would sacrifice their souls to save the ways of Iaijutsu. They sealed away their memories inside the very swords used for their techniques, and so, the "Iai Weapons" came to be.

It is said, that if a person were to acquire an Iai Weapon, they would be able too experience the power of the Iaijutsu masters... If, they were deemed worthy.

Of course some have tried to extract the ancient memories hidden inside these swords via. magic, but to no avail. The only memories left in the swords are typically that of techniques or traditions of Iai Swordsmen. It is very rare that the swords hold any kind of historical information, and certain things will only be revealed to those who have been chosen to wield the swords.

It is said, that those who wield an Iai Weapon, sometimes follow a path that an older wielder of the blade once followed, reliving their successes and their mistakes, and sometimes might get intense flashbacks of an age long past.

Driven by Determination

Iai Swordsmen are often disciplined and honed fighters who use their immense combat prowess for either good or evil. For selfish or selfless purposes. There is no knowing weather or not you will be saved by an Iai Swordsman or killed by one.

Those who walk the path of Iai Swordsmen are driven by a hidden force of determination. The determination of these swordsmen is what drives them to be such skilled fighters. The determination of the wielder of the blade is what gives them strength to fulfill their purpose and overcome any obstacle, and the determination of the ancestors of Iaijutsu sealed inside their swords is what gives them the power to do so.

Heavily Inspired By

The Iai Swordsman is inspired by Iaijutsu swordsmanship, which is a part of traditional Japanese Kendo.

Here is a clip that shows off a pretty good example of the idea of what an Iai Quickdraw attack might look like in-game. (minus all the lightning and stuff) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce6dhqGWdrA&ab_channel=animelab

The class is based on fighter, but it has a rouge subclass, if that's your type.

Creating a Iai Swordsman

Iai Swordsmen are deadly warriors that wield unnatural Iai Weapons, found by a stroke of luck, or maybe it was destiny.

Try to ask yourself why your Iai Swordsman chose to wield the blade, and how they found it.

Quick Build

You can make a Iai Swordsman quickly by following these suggestions. First, Dexterity and Constitution should be your highest ability score, followed by Charisma. Second, choose the Outlander background. Third, choose Leather armor, a Shortbow and 20 arrows, and an Explorers pack

Class Features

As a Iai Swordsman you gain the following class features.

Hit Points

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

Proficiencies

Armor: Light, Medium.
Weapons: One-handed Swords, Simple Weapons
Tools: None
Saving Throws: Dexterity, Charisma
Skills: Choose 2 between Acrobatics, Animal Handling, Athletics, History, Insight, Intimidation, Perception, Slight of Hand, and Survival

Equipment

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

• (a) a Shortbow and 20 arrows or (b) a Light Crossbow and 20 bolts.
• (a) Leather armor or (b) Scale Mail
• (a) An Explorer’s Pack or (b) A Dungeoneer’s Pack
• Two Daggers
• Iai Weapon
• If you are using starting wealth, you have 5d4x10 in funds.

Table: The Iai Swordsman

Level	Proficiency Bonus	Features	Iai Weapon Damage	Iai Dice	Focus
1st	+2	Iai Quickdraw, Iai Sheathe	1d6	1d4	1
2nd	+2	Iai Breathing Technique, Iai Quickdraw Dodge	1d6	1d4	3
3rd	+2	Subclass Feature, Favorite Sword	1d6	1d4	3
4th	+2	Ability Score Improvement	1d6	1d6	3
5th	+3	Extra Attack, Fast Hands	1d8	1d6	3
6th	+3	Subclass Feature, Iai Quickdraw Whirl	1d8	1d6	5
7th	+3	Iai Quickdraw Stab	1d8	1d6	5
8th	+3	Ability Score Improvement, Iai Quickdraw Deflect	1d8	1d6	5
9th	+4	Precise Cuts	1d8	1d8	7
10th	+4	Subclass Feature	1d10	1d8	7
11th	+4	Extra Attack (2), Iai Quickdraw Flurry, Iai Swordsman Senses	1d10	1d8	7
12th	+4	Ability Score Improvement, Iai Warrior Heart	1d10	1d8	7
13th	+5	Iai Quickdraw Rush	1d10	1d8	7
14th	+5	Subclass Feature	1d10	1d10	9
15th	+5	Iai Quickdraw Deflect Improvement	1d12	1d10	9
16th	+5	Ability Score Improvement, Iai Swordsman Senses Improvement	1d12	1d10	9
17th	+6	Precise Cuts Improvement	1d12	1d10	11
18th	+6	Anticipatory Death	1d12	1d10	11
19th	+6	Ability Score Improvement, Complete Focus	1d12	1d12	11
20th	+6	Subclass Feature	1d12	1d12	11

Iai Weapon

Iai quickdraw weapons are one-handed katanas of varying sizes. To you, your sword evolves with you, but to others, your sword is nothing but a simple blade. Your Iai weapon does 1d6 damage at Iai Swordsman level 1, and increases to 1d8 slashing damage at 5th level, to 1d10 at 10th level, and to 1d12 at 15th level. Your Iai weapon has the following properties: Finesse, Light, Dex.

Iai Weapon Damage Calculation

Iai Weapon damage + Dexterity modifier.

Bound Weapon

Your Iai Weapon can be summoned back by doing a simple ritual, recreated as if completely new, right in front of you. The ritual takes 10 minutes. To do the ritual you need to draw a small amount of your own blood, and draw a symbol. After 10 minutes pass, your Iai weapon will martialize where you made the ritual. When you perform this ritual, the old version of the blade disappears... Wherever it is.

Iai Dice

Some features and Iai quickdraw techniques mention your Iai dice. Your Iai dice at Iai Swordsman level 1 is 1d4, and it increases to 1d6 at 4th level, 1d8 at 9th level, to 1d10 at 14th level, and to 1d12 at 19th level. Iai Dice rolls is not treated as “damage rolls”, but as bonus damage for attacks that add Iai Dice to damage rolls.

Focus

Iai quickdraw techniques require a lot of focus to pull off, and the harder the technique, the more you need to focus to successfully do them. At Iai Swordsman level 1 your focus amount is 1, and it increases by +2 at levels 2, 6, 9, 14, and 17. You regain three focus on a short rest (1 hour) and you regain all your focus on a long rest (8 hours). You need to expend the specified amount of Focus to be able to perform certain Iai Quickdraw Techniques.

Iai Quickdraw Style

At 3th level, you chose a Iai Quickdraw Style. Choose between Iai Quickdraw Patience, Iai Quickdraw Resilience, Iai Quickdraw Persistence, and Iai Quickdraw Silence. All are detailed at the end of the class description. Your choice grants you features at 3rd level and again at 6th, 10, 14th, and 20th level

Favorite Sword

At 3rd level you gain confidence and feel focused when wielding your favorite weapon. +2 to attack and damage rolls when wielding only your Iai weapon.

Ability Score Improvement

When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 12th, 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.

Extra Attack

Upon reaching 5th level, when you take the Attack action, you can make an additional attack as part of the same action. The number of attacks increases to three when you reach 11th level in this class.

Fast Hands

Upon reaching 5th level, you can use your bonus action in-between Extra Attack actions. (Remember, you still only have one bonus action)

Precise Cuts

Upon reaching 9th level, when you attack an enemy, you can ignore all non-magical resistances when using an Iai Quickdraw Technique three times, regaining all uses on a long rest. If the Iai Quickdraw Technique, requires you to make more than one attack, all the attacks granted by the technique also gain the benefits of this. Upon reaching 17th level, you instead have six uses.

Iai Quickdraw Techniques

Techniques thought up by Iai Swordsmen, or taught trough training or battle.

"(Level 1/2/3/4/.....20)" refers to the level at which a technique is unlocked.

"(X Focus)" refers to the amount of focus you need to expend on a technique.

Unsheathing attack = Refers to the perquisite of your Iai Weapon needing to be Sheathed, in order to be able to perform the attack.

Sheathe = you sheathe your Iai weapon

Sheathed = refers to your Iai weapon being sheathed

Unsheathed = refers to your Iai weapon being Unsheathed

Spells that require you to make a follow-up attack, such as the cantrip Green-Flame Blade, count as unsheathing attacks if your Iai weapon was sheathed before casting the spell.

Iai Quickdraw (Level 1)

(Action) A fast unsheathing attack that does Iai sword damage.

Iai Sheathe (Level 1)

(Bonus action) You use your bonus action to sheathe your Iai weapon instantly. Can only be used if your Iai weapon is Unsheathed.

Iai Breathing Technique (Level 2)

You know how to breathe calmly even in the heat of battle. Breathing like this gives you advantage on dexterity and constitution saving throws when your sword is sheathed during combat.

Iai Quickdraw Dodge (Level 2)

(Action) You make an unsheathing attack with your Iai weapon, dodging away after delivering a quick strike, dealing Iai weapon damage. You can jump up to half of your current movement speed away from the targeted enemy. Upon landing again you Sheathe your Iai weapon. (1 Focus)

Iai Quickdraw Whirl (Level 6)

(Action) You twist your body as you make an unsheathing attack with your Iai weapon, hitting at all enemies within 5ft of you, dealing Iai weapon damage. (1 Focus)

Iai Quickdraw Stab (Level 7)

(Action) You make an unsheathing attack with your Iai weapon, and stab an enemy, leaving a deep wound, dealing Iai weapon damage as piercing damage. If the attack hits, the vicious stab leave the enemy bleeding.(1 Focus)

Iai Quickdraw Deflect (Level 8)

(Reaction) When your sword is sheathed you can use your reaction to deflect a ranged attack made with a physical projectile. Deflecting a ranged attack happens so fast that the untrained eye only sees the dust around you move, as you deflect it and instantly Sheathe your Iai weapon again. Roll your Iai dice and add your unarmored AC. If the value of your roll is higher than the attackers attack roll, you successfully deflect the attack, negating all the damage taken. If the rolls are equal, you take half damage. If you roll is under, you fail to deflect the projectile. (You can’t deflect critical attacks). (1 Focus)

Iai Quickdraw Flurry (Level 11)

(Action) You make up to 3 consecutive Iai Quickdraw attacks with your Iai weapon. Each attack can be directed at different targets within range, with each attack dealing Iai weapon damage. (2 Focus)

Iai Swordsman Senses (Level 11)

Iai swordsmen aren’t just quick with a sword, but also quick to react. You gain +2 initiative.

Iai Warriors Heart (Level 12)

(Bonus action) You change your Iai breathing technique for a short time, making your heart beat incredibly fast, making you perceive time differently, as if everything is moving at a slower rate. When sheathing your Iai weapon using Iai sheathe, you gain advantage on attack rolls and disregard the effects of Iai breathing technique until the end of your next turn. (1 Focus)

Iai Quickdraw Rush (Level 13)

(Action) You sprint towards an enemy, and make an unsheathing attack. Initiating a Iai quickdraw rush, let's you take a dash action before striking an enemy. For every 5ft you move in a straight line towards an enemy before striking them with an Iai Quickdraw grants you +1 to attack- and damage rolls. If you move 20ft in a straight line before striking an enemy, you can deliver two consecutive Iai Quickdraws instead of one (2 Focus)

Iai Quickdraw Deflect Improvement. (level 15)

Iai Quickdraw Deflect can now deflect melee attacks made with non-magical weapons. (This only includes attacks with the damage types, slashing, piercing, blunt)

Iai Swordsman Senses Improvement (Level 16)

Continuous battle has honed your senses, you gain +3 passive perception.

Iai Anticipatory Death. (Level 18)

When you Sheathe your Iai weapon after killing an enemy, you can point at an enemy that can hear and see you, and say demoralizing words, e.g. “you’re next” or “I’ll do the same to you”. (they don’t need to understand you, as the message gets across anyways). The enemy must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw against your Intimidation throw. (if your “insult” is good, the DM, can in turn, reward bonus points to your roll). If the enemy fails, they are frightened by you, and paralyzed (by fear) until the start their turn (1 Focus)

Iai Complete Focus. (Level 19)

(Action) You can expend up all your remaining focus points to do a big area of effect damaging attack. In a 20ft circle you start jumping from target to target with incredible speed, slashing at them with deadly precise attacks, dealing 1d20 damage per focus spent on the technique. Every enemy within 20ft of you has to make a dexterity saving throw, if they succeed they take half damage. This Iai technique puts a lot of strain on the body and mind, and con only be used once per long rest. (This technique can not crit)

Iai Quickdraw Styles

Iai Quickdraw, Patience

Some Iai Swordsmen have learned that hesitation is defeat, and rush into battle. But others have found that simply waiting isn't the same as hesitating. The Iai Swordsmen who adopt the patience style, are calm and collected individuals... or... at least in battle. These warriors believe in destiny, and they know that they must wait with patience, to strike their enemies, at just the right moment.

Concentrated Blow (level 3)

At the start of your turn, you can choose to Sheathe your Iai weapon, and skip your entire turn. During your next turn however, you can make an unsheathing attack with +2 to the attack roll if it is your first attack. Additionally you can add your Iai dice as bonus damage to all your damage rolls on your next turn.

Prepared (level 6)

(Action) You take a deep breath and calm your mind and body, further preparing them for battle. You gain +1 temporary focus, and temporary health equal to your Iai dice + your constitution modifier. You can do this once per short rest. (temporary focus disappears after a long/short rest)

Right Moment (level 10)

You use the Ready action. You are also allowed to write down your readied action and it’s trigger on a piece of paper, as to keep it secretive to the DM. (or not, if he doesn’t comply). If your sword is sheathed, and your readied action is an unsheathing attack, you can add your Iai dice to the damage rolls

Patience is a Virtue (level 14)

To wait for something without frustration is a useful skill and a good aspect of one’s personality. You are granted proficiency in Insight and perception. If you already are proficient, you gain expertise.

Accumulate Power (level 20)

(Action) You can expend one focus to gain the bonus of Concentrated blow on your next action this turn. (1 Focus) Concentrated blow can now be stacked up to 3 times.

Iai Quickdraw, Resilience

The Iai Swordsmen who adopt the Resilience style are strong and tough warriors. When people think strong and tough warrior, they often think of a big orc paladin with plate armor, but the strength of these warriors doesn't come from a piece of equipment... other than their Iai Weapon... These warriors have no need of heavy armor, as they have learned to toughen themselves through Iai Techniques.

Hardy Iai Sheathe (level 3)

When you use Iai sheathe as the last thing on your turn, gain +1 AC, until your next turn. You gain the effects of Hardy Iai Sheathe when entering combat with your Iai weapon sheathed.

Mountain (level 6)

If you don’t use your movement action for an entire turn, or move by other means, you go into a defensive stance, bolstering your defenses. Your AC is +1, you have advantage on saving throws against being pushed or grappled. Effects last until you either take a movement action or move by other means.

Iai Iron (level 10)

Hardy Iai Sheathe effect change: Increases to +2 AC. When you sheathe your Iai Weapon, you can expend one focus to gain damage equal to your AC/3 (rounded up) as bonus damage on all your attack rolls, during your next turn.

Wide Open (level 14)

(Action) You Sheathe your Iai weapon and lower your guard so it seems that you are wide open. The 2 closest enemies that can see you are compelled to attack you, and must succeed a wisdom saving throw against your Iai dice + deception + performance. If they fail, they are compelled to attack you. When an enemy enters your range, you can make an Iai quickdraw as an attack against both of them individually. (1 Focus)

Steel Will (level 20)

Hardy Iai Sheathe effect change: Increases to +4 AC. You always sheathe your Iai Weapon at the end of your turn, unless you suffer from effects that would render it impossible to do so, such as incapacitated. When making a wisdom saving throw in combat, you can choose to use your constitution modifier instead.

Iai Quickdraw, Persistence

Iai Swordsmen who adopt the persistence style are often impulsive and determined. These warriors will do what they can, to chase or finish of enemies, and have perfected their style for doing exactly that. These warriors move around the battlefield with ease, using a fighting style terrifying for whoever may face them.

Hunting Advance (level 3)

When you make an unsheathing attack on an action, you can move up to 10ft in the direction of the attack, before making the attack.

Opportune Fighter (level 6)

When an enemy provokes an opportunity attack, you can choose to use an Iai Quickdraw Technique for the attack. You gain +2 to attack rolls on opportunity attacks.

Counter (level 10)

(reaction) You make a counter attack when getting hit. For this counter attack you can use Iai Quickdraw Techniques. (1 focus)

Iai Target (level 14)

(Bonus action) You mark an enemy you can see within 60ft of you. You can add your Iai dice to your damage rolls against the enemy. The effect persists until the end of your turn when you attacked the enemy, or until the enemy dies, or combat ends. If you kill the enemy whilst they are marked, you can use your reaction to switch target. You can only mark one enemy at the time. (1 Focus)

Hunting Advance Quickdraw (level 20)

Hunting advance now lets you move up to 15ft instead of 10ft. Hunting advance now lets you hit up to two enemies by passing through them with an Iai Quickdraw before making the initial unsheathing attack. You can pass through enemies one size larger than you during Hunting Advance Quickdraw, without having to roll for it. You must land in an unoccupied space after moving with Hunting quickdraw.

Iai Quickdraw, Silence

Hey, do you want to, Strike from the shadows? take out groups of enemies before they even realize you're there? Lack a moral compass? Well this is the Style for you. A Group of Iai Swordsmen used their incredible power to commit heinous crimes, and they care not for the honor of battle. Some Iai Swordsmen decided to make a style catered around sneaking up on an enemy, and killing them instantly, and are regarded as idiot bastard fools by other Iai Swordsmen.

Sneak Quickdraw (level 3)

When using an unsheathing attack from stealth it is rendered completely silent. Once per turn, when you make an unsheathing attack from stealth you can add your Iai dice to the damage rolls of the attack.

Iai Thief (level 6)

You trained the speed of your hands, not only for swordfighting, but also for theft. You gain proficiency in Sleight of Hand, Investigation and Thieves’ Tools. If you already are proficient, you gain expertise.

Iai Ninja (level 10)

When dashing, your steps are rendered completely silent. In order to communicate with other thieves or ninjas, you have learned yourself Thieves Cant.

Iai Stealth Breathing Technique (level 14)

(Bonus action) You change your Iai breathing technique for a short time, making your heart almost completely silent. When sheathing your Iai weapon using Iai sheathe, you can roll a stealth saving throw. If you succeed, you enter stealth by erasing your physical presence, you keep the effects of Iai breathing technique. (1 Focus)

Deadly Quickdraw (level 20)

When using Sneak quickdraw you can make a deadly quickdraw once per long rest. When making a Sneak Quickdraw, announce that it is indeed a deadly one. If the attack hits, you automatically crit, and if the attack kills, you stay in stealth. (Rolling a NAT20 doesn’t count as “double crit”)

Multiclassing

Perquisites To qualify for multiclassing into the Iai Swordsman class, you must meet these prerequisites: Dexterity 13, Constitution 13

Perquisites When you multiclass into the Iai Swordsman class, you gain the following proficiencies: Slight of Hand

Mythrill, the Warforged Iai Swordsman. The character I'm currently playtesting with. (By Quel)

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