Sword Master, Variant (3.5e Prestige Class)

Sword Master

“	It's funny. I never thought of myself as a Master until you brought it up. I've been a mercenary so long, at some point I started being better than the rest. That's about it.	”
—Radgian, mercenary Sword Master of Faerun

Becoming a Sword Master

For most people training in a single melee combat discipline with the purpose of specializing in a certain weapon, they have extremely limited views as to what is possible in the application of their weapon discipline. This path of training and conditioning is known to only a few, and even fewer go down this path due to the amount of time and dedication required to obtain absolute perfection with their sword. For every level that the aspiring sword master wishes to advance, he/she must undergo 3 years of training before acquiring each level and it's abilities.

Entry Requirements

Classes:	Must have at least 5 levels in a class or prestige class that focuses on a specific type of sword.
Base Attack Bonus:	+20
Special:	The character taking this class must have been using the same type of weapon and only the same type of weapon for the previous 5 years.
Feats:	Two Weapon Fighting, Ambidexterity, Quick Draw, Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization, Weapon Finesse, Improved Initiative.

Table: The Sword Master

Hit Die: d10

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Special
		Fort	Ref	Will
1st	+1	+2	+0	+0	Fighter Levels, Extreme Combat Style, Damage Reduction 2/-, Bonus Feat
2nd	+2	+3	+0	+0	Bonus Feat
3rd	+3	+3	+1	+1	Damage Reduction 4/-, Bonus Feat
4th	+4	+4	+1	+1	Greater Focus, Bonus Feat
5th	+5	+4	+1	+1	Extreme Combat Style
6th	+6	+5	+2	+2	Damage Reduction 6/-
7th	+7	+5	+2	+2	Super Speed
8th	+8	+6	+2	+2	Bonus Feat
9th	+9	+6	+3	+3	Damage Reduction 8/-
10th	+10	+7	+3	+3	Extreme Combat Style, Omnislash
Class Skills (4 + Int modifier per level) The Sword Master’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Climb (Str), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Listen (Wis), Profession (Wis), and Spot (Wis).

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the Sword Master.

Fighter Levels (Ex): These class levels stack with any fighter class levels for the purpose of determining your ability to take feats or expanding to other classes.

Extreme Combat Style (Ex): At 1st level, the Sword Master must choose either the Single of Dual Wield Extreme Combat Style. If single wield is selected, they gain Greater Weapon Focus and Greater Weapon Specialization at 1st level, Overwhelming Critical and Devastating Critical at 5th level, and Blade Bond at 10th level. If they choose Dual Wield, they gain Perfect Two-Weapon Fighting and Two-Weapon Rend at 1st level, Overwhelming Critical and Devastating Critical for as many as two different kinds of swords at 5th level, and Dual Wield at 10th level. These abilities are gained regardless of meeting any prerequisites.

Greater Weapon Focus (Ex): You gain a +1 bonus on all attack rolls you make using the selected weapon. This bonus stacks with other bonuses on attack rolls, including the one from Weapon Focus.

Greater Weapon Specialization (Ex): You gain a +2 bonus on all damage rolls you make using the selected weapon. This bonus stacks with other bonuses on damage rolls, including the one from Weapon Specialization.

Perfect Two-Weapon Fighting (Ex): The character can make as many attacks with his or her off-hand weapon as with his or her primary weapon, using the same base attack bonus. The character still takes the normal penalties for fighting with two weapons.

Two-Weapon Rend (Ex): If the character hits an opponent with a weapon in each hand in the same round, he or she may automatically rend the opponent. This deals additional damage equal to the base damage of the smaller weapon plus 1 1/2 times the character’s Strength modifier. Base weapon damage includes an enhancement bonus on damage, if any. The character can only rend once per round, regardless of how many successful attacks he or she makes.

Overwhelming Critical (Ex): When using the weapon the character has selected, he or she deals an extra 1d6 points of bonus damage on a successful critical hit. If the weapon’s critical multiplier is ×3, add +2d6 points of bonus damage instead, and if the multiplier is ×4, add +3d6 points of bonus damage instead. Creatures immune to critical hits can’t be affected by this feat.

Devastating Critical (Ex): Whenever the character scores a critical hit with the chosen weapon, the target must make a Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 character level + character’s Strength modifier) or die instantly. (Creatures immune to critical hits can’t be affected by this feat.)

Blade Bond (Ex): You now add 1/2 your strength(or dexterity, if using weapon finesse) to your attack rolls and apply 1&1/2 your strength modifier to damage rolls. When using a weapon two handed, you add double your strength modifier to damage rolls.

Dual Wield (Ex): Dual Wield removes all penalties - you may now use two full sized weapons without penalty. You also gain a +2 to attack and damage rolls while dual wielding.

Damage Reduction (Ex): At 1st level the Sword Master gains Damage Reduction 2/-. At level 3, 6, and 9, it increases by 2. This damage reduction stacks with those granted from armor, magic, and other feats.

Greater Focus (Ex): When not flat footed, the Sword Master gains an additional 5 to all reflex and will saves.

Super Speed (Ex): When being attacked by any ranged attack you can do a reflex save to slice the attack in half making it useless no mater how many attacks are being launched you can do this a number of times per round equal to your character level.

Omnislash(Ex):You take all the swords you have or any swords in a 25ft radius and strike a single target dealing damage. Upon taking the last blade, a final strike is made upon the target activating all swords used and dealing damage, even if you use 100 you still use them all but if you use a special weapon such as from a class that can create the weapon out of thin air you can double the damage that weapon does.

Bonus Feats:

Sword Master Bonus Feat List: Armor Skin, Damage Reduction, Devastating Critical, Dire Charge, Energy Resistance, Epic Endurance, Epic Leadership, Epic Prowess, Epic Toughness, Epic Weapon Focus, Epic Weapon Specialization, Exceptional Deflection, Improved Combat Reflexes, Improved Manyshot, Improved Whirlwind Attack, Infinite Deflection, Instant Reload, Legendary Commander, Legendary Rider, Overwhelming Critical, Penetrate Damage Reduction, Perfect Two-Weapon Fighting, Reflect Arrows, Spellcasting Harrier, Storm of Throws, Superior Initiative, Two-Weapon Rend, Uncanny Accuracy. In addition to the feats on this list, the Sword Master may treat any feat designated as a Fighter Bonus Feat as being on his or her bonus feat list.

Ex-Sword Masters

Playing a Sword Master

Combat:

Advancement:

Resources:

Sword Masters in the World

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NPC Reactions:

Sword Master Lore

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

DC	Result
11	.
16	.
21	.
26	.

Sword Masters in the Game

Adaptation:

Sample Encounter:

EL whatever:

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