Villainous Fighter (3.5e NPC Class)
Villainous Fighter
The villainous fighter is an NPC class. This class is designed to provide the nameless minions serving a bad-guy. The class is designed to produce an appropriately effective NPC fighter with minimal design overhead and without having to provide those minions with magic items in order to be appropriate challenges.
If the villainous fighter is a named villain, rather than a faceless follower, they gain additional abilities and minons based on his encounter level (ECL). He and his minions have a challenge rating of his ECL + 2. This should produce a "boss" style battle that is somewhat harder than a standard encounter, but not so difficult as to produce a likely player-character death.
Every villain is a little different from the next. They gain their abilities through a variety of methods. They each have different agendas. They each operate in a different sphere of expertise. A villainous slaver may be a brute thug, while an infiltrator from an evil kingdom may be suave and sneaky.
This class does not multiclass.
This class is not intended for PC play.
Alignment: Any Evil
| Level | Base Attack Bonus | Fort Save | Ref Save | Will Save | Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | +1 | +2 | +0 | +0 | Role, (Villain, Minions) |
| 2nd | +2 | +3 | +0 | +0 | |
| 3rd | +3 | +3 | +1 | +1 | |
| 4th | +4 | +4 | +1 | +1 | |
| 5th | +5 | +4 | +1 | +1 | |
| 6th | +6/+1 | +5 | +2 | +2 | |
| 7th | +7/+2 | +5 | +2 | +2 | |
| 8th | +8/+3 | +6 | +2 | +2 | |
| 9th | +9/+4 | +6 | +3 | +3 | |
| 10th | +10/+5 | +7 | +3 | +3 | (Bonus villainous ability) |
| 11th | +11/+6/+1 | +7 | +3 | +3 | |
| 12th | +12/+7/+2 | +8 | +4 | +4 | |
| 13th | +13/+8/+3 | +8 | +4 | +4 | |
| 14th | +14/+9/+4 | +9 | +4 | +4 | |
| 15th | +15/+10/+5 | +9 | +5 | +5 | |
| 16th | +16/+11/+6/+1 | +10 | +5 | +5 | |
| 17th | +17/+12/+7/+2 | +10 | +5 | +5 | |
| 18th | +18/+13/+8/+3 | +11 | +6 | +6 | |
| 19th | +19/+14/+9/+4 | +11 | +6 | +6 | |
| 20th | +20/+15/+10/+5 | +12 | +6 | +6 | |
| Ranks in all skill equal the villain's ECL. Abilities in (brackets) are only gained by villains. | |||||
| Class Skills: See villain's role description. | |||||
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the villainous fighter.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A villainous fighter is proficient with all simple and martial weapons and with all armor (heavy, medium, and light) and shields (including tower shields).
Favored Weapon (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, the villainous fighter gains an innate enhancement bonus to hit and damage with a favored weapon. Every four levels thereafter (at 7th, 11th, 15th, and 19th level), this bonus increases by one. The villain's favored weapon count as magic weapon in most respects, such as resisting sundering and bypassing DR/magic. At 7th level, the villain gains an additional favored weapon whose bonus is one less than that of his primary favored weapon.
Scheduled Bonuses: Villains gain enhancements as they advance it level.
| Level | Totals* | Bonuses |
|---|---|---|
| 4. | +2 AC +3 Attack | +1 armor enhancement, +1 shield enhancement, +1 enhancement to all saves |
| 6. | +4 AC +4 Attack | +1 weapon enhancement, +1 deflection, +1 natural armor class, +1 armor enhancement, +1 shield enhancement, +1 enhancement to all saves |
| 8. | +6 AC +5 Attack | +1 weapon enhancement, +1 deflection, +1 natural armor class, +2 armor enhancement, +2 shield enhancement, +2 enhancement to all saves, +2 enhancement to one ability and Con |
| 12. | +10 AC +7 Attack | +2 weapon enhancement, +2 deflection, +2 natural armor class, +3 armor enhancement, +3 shield enhancement, +3 enhancement to all saves, +2 enhancement to one ability and Con |
| 14. | +14 AC +9 Attack | +3 weapon enhancement, +3 deflection, +3 natural armor class, +4 armor enhancement, +4 shield enhancement, +4 enhancement to all saves, +4 enhancement to one ability and Con |
| 15. | +16 AC +9 Attack | +3 weapon enhancement, +3 deflection, +3 natural armor class, +5 armor enhancement, +5 shield enhancement, +5 enhancement to all saves, +4 enhancement to one ability and Con |
| 16. | +18 AC +11 Attack | +4 weapon enhancement, +4 deflection, +4 natural armor class, +5 armor enhancement, +5 shield enhancement, +5 enhancement to all saves, +6 enhancement to one ability and Con |
| 18. | +20 AC +12 Attack | +5 weapon enhancement, +5 deflection, +5 natural armor class, +5 armor enhancement, +5 shield enhancement, +5 enhancement to all saves, +6 enhancement to one ability and Con |
| 20. | +20 AC +13 Attack | +5 weapon enhancement, +5 deflection, +5 natural armor class, +5 armor enhancement, +5 shield enhancement, +5 enhancement to all saves, +6 enhancement to one ability and Con |
* Assumes that enhancements are put into strength for melee and dexterity for ranged and for those using Weapon Finesse.
Armor enhancement is gained, no matter which armor (if any) the NPC wears. NPC gains shield enhancement only when he is not using a ranged weapon, not using a two-handed weapon, and not dual-wielding. Weapon enhancements apply to whatever weapons they are using. These weapons are not magic.
- Minions
Minion Roles: All humanoid minions have roles. Other creature types may have roles. The default role is thug.
- Thug: This minion is a base thug. His only purpose is violence and intimidation. This role covers most gangs, soldiers, mercenaries, and any other purveyor of personal violence. Thugs gain skill ranks equal to their ECl in the following skills: Handle Animal, Intimidate, Ride, Swim.
- Bodyguard: This minion guarantees the safety of others. As an immediate action, even on another character’s turn, if this minion is within five feet of his villain, he takes the damage that his villain would normally take. He may use this ability once per round.
- Galley Slave Driver: Galley slave drivers whip slaves into working. Slave drivers gain skill ranks equal to their ECL in the following skills: Balance, Intimidate, Use Rope, and Swim. They gain proficiency in Whip. They gain the Row Faster villainous ability.
- Savage: Savages are primitive and brutal beings. They gain the Track feat. They lose the Armor Proficiency (Heavy) and Tower Shield Proficiency feats. They gain skill ranks equal to their ECl in the following skills: Climb, Hide, Move Silently, Survival.
- Template: Apply any appropriate creature templates to this minion. ECL adjustments affect the skills of the minion.
- Villain
If this NPC is a villain, rather than a minion, they gain the following additional abilities:
Villain (Ex): This character is a villain. Villains gain the following benefits:
- Evil Aura (Su): This character detects as evil using the detect evil spell.
- Twisted Worldview (Ex): There's nothing that you can say to a villain that the villain won't twist into his own dysfunctional world view. No matter what you say to him, he assumes the worst. If he views you a character in a friendly light, he expects to be betrayed. A Villain only really trust those people that he understands: other black-hearted villains. Since his nature is so twisted, spells which attempt to make the villain more friendly or cooperative often have unintended consequences. Intimidation, rather than diplomacy, is the key for dealing with these evil men.
- Minions (Ex): Villains has minions minions. The villain uses his minions to do his dirty work. The villain controls minions whose total CR equal his effective character level (ECL). No single minion may have an ECL greater than the villain's ECL - 4.
- Lead by Example (Ex): Once per battle, when this villain damages any PC, his minions become heartened. They gain a +4 morale bonus to their Strength until the villain's next turn.
- Rule of the Strong (Ex): This villain may use his Strength bonus in place of his Charisma bonus when making Intimidate skill checks. In addition, if the villain is wearing a frightening mask, has a frightening visage, is dressed in spiked armor, or is otherwise arrayed in some obviously intimidating fashion, he may intimidate (demoralize opponent) an opponent as a swift action. A humanoid race with a negative Charisma modifier counts as an intimidating visage, as well as most non-humanoid creatures types.
- Not So Easily Foiled (Ex): Once per encounter, the villain may automatically makes a Will save. This ability may be used after the villain has already missed his saving throw. This ability also allows the villain to avoid all side-affects or save affects of the avoided spell.
Villain Roles (Ex): All villains have roles. Each role gives a villain a unique set of abilities.
- Minion: This villain is a tougher-than-normal minion. See minion roles above.
- Evil Leader: This villain is a leader of men, whether he is a tribal chief, the officer of a company, or a king. Evil Leaders gain skill ranks equal to their ECL in the following skills: Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, Knowledge (choose one), Profession, and Sense Motive.
- Pirate Captain: This villain is a pirate captain. Pirate Captains gain skill ranks equal to their ECL in the following skills: Balance, Bluff, Climb, Intimidate, Swim, Survival (sea), Profession (sea captain), Tumble, and Use Rope. He loses all shield feats. They gain the villainous ability Swashbuckle.
- Fop: This villain is a dangerous dandy. Fops gain skill ranks equal to their ECL in the following skills: Bluff, Diplomacy, Gather Information, Knowledge (choose three), Sense Motive, and Tumble. Fops lose all armor and shield feats. Fops gain the Cunning Bastard, Disciplined Fighting, Orator, and Swashbuckle villainous abilities.
- Other: There are many types of villains out there. A villain should always have a skill list that matches his villain-ish duty, and any key abilities (one to three) that are iconic for this villain type.
- Villainous Abilities
Villains gain abilities as they advance in levels. They may use their feats to acquire these abilities.
Quick-Build Villainous Fighters
About Quick-Build Villains
The following are some quick-build villainous fighters. The numbers are reasonably accurate, but they do contain some simplifications. The numbers were calculated via spreadsheet using fairly generic assumptions.
These numbers are provided as a fast-creation aid. If you need some opponents fast, you can use these tables to create appropriate encounters is minutes rather than hours. If you wish more specialized opponents, you will get more appropriate numbers if you hand-calculate the build.
Weapon and Shield
| Level | HP | Armor Class | Touch AC | Flat AC | Melee Attack | Melee Damage | Ranged Attack | Ranged Damage | Fort | Reflex | Will |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 | 19 | 11 | 18 | +3 | 1d8+2 | +2 | 1d8+2 | +4 | +1 | +1 |
| 2 | 19 | 19 | 11 | 18 | +4 | 1d8+2 | +3 | 1d8+2 | +5 | +1 | +1 |
| 3 | 27 | 19 | 11 | 18 | +5 | 1d8+2 | +4 | 1d8+2 | +5 | +2 | +2 |
| 4 | 34 | 22 | 11 | 21 | +7 | 1d8+3 | +5 | 1d8+3 | +6 | +3 | +3 |
| 5 | 42 | 22 | 11 | 21 | +8 | 1d8+3 | +6 | 1d8+3 | +6 | +3 | +3 |
| 6 | 49 | 22 | 11 | 21 | +9 | 1d8+3 | +7 | 1d8+3 | +8 | +4 | +4 |
| 7 | 57 | 23 | 11 | 22 | +11 | 1d8+4 | +8 | 1d8+4 | +8 | +4 | +4 |
| 8 | 72 | 27 | 12 | 26 | +13 | 1d8+5 | +10 | 1d8+5 | +11 | +5 | +5 |
| 9 | 81 | 27 | 12 | 26 | +14 | 1d8+5 | +11 | 1d8+5 | +11 | +6 | +6 |
| 10 | 89 | 27 | 12 | 26 | +15 | 1d8+5 | +12 | 1d8+5 | +12 | +6 | +6 |
| 11 | 98 | 29 | 13 | 28 | +17 | 1d8+6 | +14 | 1d8+6 | +12 | +6 | +6 |
| 12 | 106 | 31 | 13 | 30 | +19 | 1d8+7 | +15 | 1d8+7 | +14 | +8 | +8 |
| 13 | 115 | 31 | 13 | 30 | +21 | 1d8+8 | +16 | 1d8+8 | +14 | +8 | +8 |
| 14 | 137 | 35 | 14 | 34 | +23 | 1d8+9 | +18 | 1d8+9 | +17 | +9 | +9 |
| 15 | 147 | 35 | 14 | 34 | +25 | 1d8+10 | +19 | 1d8+10 | +17 | +10 | +10 |
| 16 | 172 | 39 | 15 | 38 | +27 | 1d8+11 | +21 | 1d8+11 | +20 | +11 | +11 |
| 17 | 183 | 39 | 15 | 38 | +28 | 1d8+11 | +22 | 1d8+11 | +20 | +11 | +11 |
| 18 | 193 | 41 | 16 | 40 | +30 | 1d8+12 | +24 | 1d8+12 | +21 | +12 | +12 |
| 19 | 204 | 41 | 16 | 40 | +31 | 1d8+12 | +25 | 1d8+12 | +21 | +12 | +12 |
| 20 | 214 | 41 | 16 | 40 | +33 | 1d8+13 | +26 | 1d8+13 | +22 | +12 | +12 |
- Abilities
1st. Sentry. Gains Listen, Spot, and Sense Motive. Substitutes Con modifier for Cha modifier for Sense Motive.
4th. Improved Disarm
8th. Improved Grapple
12th. Improved Critical. Double threat range of weapon.
16th. Evil Pact. Fully healed, as a swift action, 1/day.
20th. Improved Trip
The build above is based on the elite array with Str 15, Dex 11, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 8.
Two-Handed
| Level | HP | Armor Class | Touch AC | Flat AC | Melee Attack | Melee Damage | Ranged Attack | Ranged Damage | Fort | Reflex | Will |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 | 16 | 11 | 18 | +3 | 2d6+3 | +2 | 1d8+2 | +4 | +1 | +1 |
| 2 | 19 | 16 | 11 | 18 | +4 | 2d6+3 | +3 | 1d8+2 | +5 | +1 | +1 |
| 3 | 27 | 17 | 11 | 18 | +5 | 2d6+3 | +4 | 1d8+2 | +5 | +2 | +2 |
| 4 | 34 | 18 | 11 | 21 | +7 | 2d6+4 | +5 | 1d8+3 | +6 | +3 | +3 |
| 5 | 42 | 19 | 11 | 21 | +8 | 2d6+4 | +6 | 1d8+3 | +6 | +3 | +3 |
| 6 | 49 | 19 | 11 | 21 | +9 | 2d6+4 | +7 | 1d8+3 | +8 | +4 | +4 |
| 7 | 57 | 19 | 11 | 22 | +11 | 2d6+6 | +8 | 1d8+4 | +8 | +4 | +4 |
| 8 | 72 | 22 | 12 | 26 | +13 | 2d6+7 | +10 | 1d8+5 | +11 | +5 | +5 |
| 9 | 81 | 22 | 12 | 26 | +14 | 2d6+7 | +11 | 1d8+5 | +11 | +6 | +6 |
| 10 | 89 | 22 | 12 | 26 | +15 | 2d6+7 | +12 | 1d8+5 | +12 | +6 | +6 |
| 11 | 98 | 24 | 13 | 28 | +17 | 2d6+8 | +14 | 1d8+6 | +12 | +6 | +6 |
| 12 | 106 | 25 | 13 | 30 | +19 | 2d6+9 | +15 | 1d8+7 | +14 | +8 | +8 |
| 13 | 115 | 25 | 13 | 30 | +21 | 2d6+11 | +16 | 1d8+8 | +14 | +8 | +8 |
| 14 | 137 | 28 | 14 | 34 | +23 | 2d6+12 | +18 | 1d8+9 | +17 | +9 | +9 |
| 15 | 147 | 28 | 14 | 34 | +25 | 2d6+13 | +19 | 1d8+10 | +17 | +10 | +10 |
| 16 | 172 | 31 | 15 | 38 | +27 | 2d6+16 | +21 | 1d8+11 | +20 | +11 | +11 |
| 17 | 183 | 31 | 15 | 38 | +28 | 2d6+16 | +22 | 1d8+11 | +20 | +11 | +11 |
| 18 | 193 | 33 | 16 | 40 | +30 | 2d6+17 | +24 | 1d8+12 | +21 | +12 | +12 |
| 19 | 204 | 33 | 16 | 40 | +31 | 2d6+17 | +25 | 1d8+12 | +21 | +12 | +12 |
| 20 | 214 | 33 | 16 | 40 | +33 | 2d6+17 | +26 | 1d8+13 | +22 | +12 | +12 |
- Abilities
1st. Sentry. Gains Listen, Spot, and Sense Motive. Substitutes Con modifier for Cha modifier for Sense Motive.
4th. Improved Disarm
8th. Improved Grapple
12th. Improved Critical. Double threat range of weapon.
16th. Evil Pact. Fully healed, as a swift action, 1/day.
20th. Improved Trip
The build above is based on the elite array with Str 15, Dex 11, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 8.
Ranged
| Level | HP | Armor Class | Touch AC | Flat AC | Melee Attack | Melee Damage | Ranged Attack | Ranged Damage | Fort | Reflex | Will |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 | 18 | 12 | 16 | +3 | 1d6+1 | +3 | 1d8+3 | +4 | +2 | +1 |
| 2 | 19 | 18 | 12 | 16 | +4 | 1d6+1 | +4 | 1d8+3 | +5 | +2 | +1 |
| 3 | 27 | 19 | 12 | 17 | +5 | 1d6+1 | +5 | 1d8+3 | +5 | +3 | +2 |
| 4 | 34 | 20 | 12 | 18 | +7 | 1d6+1 | +7 | 1d8+4 | +6 | +5 | +3 |
| 5 | 42 | 21 | 12 | 19 | +8 | 1d6+1 | +8 | 1d8+4 | +6 | +5 | +3 |
| 6 | 49 | 21 | 12 | 19 | +9 | 1d6+1 | +9 | 1d8+4 | +8 | +6 | +4 |
| 7 | 57 | 21 | 12 | 19 | +11 | 1d6+1 | +11 | 1d8+5 | +8 | +7 | +4 |
| 8 | 72 | 24 | 13 | 22 | +13 | 1d6+2 | +13 | 1d8+6 | +11 | +8 | +5 |
| 9 | 81 | 24 | 13 | 22 | +14 | 1d6+2 | +14 | 1d8+6 | +11 | +9 | +6 |
| 10 | 89 | 24 | 13 | 22 | +15 | 1d6+2 | +15 | 1d8+6 | +12 | +9 | +6 |
| 11 | 98 | 26 | 14 | 24 | +17 | 1d6+3 | +17 | 1d8+7 | +12 | +9 | +6 |
| 12 | 106 | 27 | 14 | 25 | +19 | 1d6+3 | +19 | 1d8+8 | +14 | +12 | +8 |
| 13 | 115 | 27 | 14 | 25 | +21 | 1d6+3 | +21 | 1d8+9 | +14 | +13 | +8 |
| 14 | 137 | 30 | 15 | 28 | +23 | 1d6+4 | +23 | 1d8+10 | +17 | +14 | +9 |
| 15 | 147 | 30 | 15 | 28 | +25 | 1d6+4 | +25 | 1d8+11 | +17 | +16 | +10 |
| 16 | 172 | 33 | 16 | 31 | +27 | 1d6+5 | +27 | 1d8+12 | +20 | +17 | +11 |
| 17 | 183 | 33 | 16 | 31 | +28 | 1d6+5 | +28 | 1d8+12 | +20 | +17 | +11 |
| 18 | 193 | 35 | 17 | 33 | +30 | 1d6+6 | +30 | 1d8+13 | +21 | +18 | +12 |
| 19 | 204 | 35 | 17 | 33 | +31 | 1d6+6 | +31 | 1d8+13 | +21 | +18 | +12 |
| 20 | 214 | 35 | 17 | 33 | +33 | 1d6+6 | +33 | 1d8+14 | +22 | +19 | +12 |
- Abilities
These values have not been calculated into the villain.
1st. Add Dexterity bonus to ranged damage. Precise Shot.
4th. Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization. +1 to hit/+2 damage.
8th. Rapid Shot
12th. Ignore cover and concealment
16th. Evil Pact
20th. Weapon Supremacy (extra abilities only)
The build above is based on the elite array with Str 13, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 8.
Example Villainous Fighter
| Male half-orc villainous fighter 4 | |
| CE Medium humanoid (orc) | |
| Init/Senses | +1/darkvision 60 ft.; Listen −2, Spot −2 |
| Languages | Common, Orc |
| AC | 22, touch 12, flat-footed 21 (+7 banded armor, +1 armor enhancement, +2 shield, +1 shield enhancement +1 Dex) |
| hp | 42 (4 HD) |
| Resist | not so easily foiled |
| Fort/Ref/Will | +7/+3/+2 |
| Speed | 20 ft. (4 squares) in banded mail, base 30 ft. |
| Melee | mwk battleaxe +9 (1d8+5/×3) or |
| Melee | sap +8 (1d6+4 nonlethal) |
| Ranged | javelin +5 (1d6+4) |
| Base Atk/Grp | +4/+8 |
| Atk Options | Power Attack, lead by example |
| Special Actions | rule of the strong |
| Combat Gear | potion of cure critical wounds |
| Abilities | Str 18, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 6 |
| SQ | aura of evil, villain, favored weapon (battleaxe), orc blood |
| Feats | Power Attack, Skill Focus (Intimidate) |
| Skills | Handle Animal +2, Intimidate +8, Ride +5, Swim +8 |
| Possessions | combat gear plus masterwork banded mail, masterwork steel heavy shield, masterwork battleaxe, 3 javelins, sap, 150 gp |
| Orc Blood (Ex) | For all effects related to race, Pete is considered an orc. |
| Villainous Role | Pete's has the villainous role of minion (thug). |
| Twisted Worldview (Ex) | Pete is not influenced by Diplomacy skill checks. Instead Intimidate checks have the effect that Diplomacy normally would. |
| Minions (Ex) | Pete has eight orcs as minions. Each orc is equipped with a sap +4 (1d5+4 nonlethal) in addition to its normal weapons. |
| Lead by Example (Ex) | Once per encounter, when Pete damages any PC, his minions become heartened. They gain a +4 morale bonus to their Strength until Pete's next turn. |
| Rule of the Strong (Ex) | Pete uses his Strength bonus in place of his Charisma bonus on Intimidate checks. He may also demoralize (Intimidate) an opponent as a swift action. |
| Not So Easily Foiled (Ex) | Once per encounter, Pete may choose to automatically succeed on a Will save. The choice may be made after a failed roll. Pete avoids any save effects from the saved effect. |
| Armor Enhancement (Ex) | Any masterwork shield Pete uses gains a +1 enhancement bonus. |
| Deflection Bonus (Ex) | Pete has a +1 deflection bonus to his Armor Class. |
| Favored Weapon (Ex) | Pete's battleaxe is treated as a magic +1 battleaxe, including resisting sunder and bypassing DR/magic. |
| Scheduled Enhancements (Ex) | +1 armor enhancement, +1 shield enhancement, +1 save enhancement bonuses |
Black Pete is among the best slavers on the coast. He and his crew raid inland for good "loot", then sell their prisoners off to pirates along the coast, most usually to the notorious Captain Hiram Smith. Black Pete was once a sailor on the Cold Dead Fish, and he still prefers to deal with "the devil he knows." There is a 5,000 gp bounty for his capture, dead or alive.
Captain Smith is particularly interested in "stronger" slaves. His buyer pays well for exceptional specimens. With a good profit in mind, Black Pete does his best to subdue and capture the toughest opponents that he can brutalize.
If Black Pete is alone, the encounter is CR 4. If he is with his "crew", the encounter is CR 6. Black Pete has the villainous role thug. He did not use his feats to purchase any villainous abilities.
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