The Combat Weaver
http://www.jaestudio.com/WarrioroftheDragon.jpg
“Get him boys! We’ve got him outnumbered ten to one!”
Two of the closest assailants fell to the tattooed man’s blade, the reverse strokes slicing through flesh as it would paper, and a strong hand swiftly appeared over the stomach of a third. A bold of lightning annihilated his innards, and crippled the two thugs following the assault.
The tall warrior stood calmly, back facing his foes and katana at his side, ready. The remaining thieves' charge faltered.
“You won’t for long.”
These mighty warriors have developed a unique fighting style that allows them to simultaneously attack their opponents while casting spells. Such a spellcasting warrior has been known to spend anywhere from months to a year developing these techniques. Over time, the Combat Weaver can extend this unique skill to even more complex spells. However, casting such spells requires even more focus to complete. It can take years for a combat-weaver to reach his true potential with the skill. Due to the intense and time-consuming practice that this requires, a Combat Weaver's spellcasting abilities are somewhat inhibited, while their combat prowess is maintained and bettered.
Hit Die: d6.
Requirements
To qualify to become an Combat Weaver, the character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Base Attack Bonus: +5
Spellcasting: Ability to cast 2nd-level arcane spells.
Feats: Weapon Focus (any one melee weapon), Combat Casting, Combat Expertise, Dodge, Mobile Spellcasting
Balance: 6 ranks
Concentration: 8 ranks
Knowledge (Arcana): 4 ranks
Spellcraft: 6 ranks
Class Skills
The Combat Weaver's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Decipher Scripts (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jumps (Str), Knowledge (all) (Int), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Spellcraft (Int), and Swim (Str).
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Spellcasting: At every even level, a Combat Weaver gains new spells per day and spells known as if he had also gained a level in whatever arcane spellcasting class in which he could cast 2nd-level arcane spells before he added the prestige class level. He does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. If a character had more than one arcane spellcasting class in which he could cast 2nd-level spells before he became a Combat Weaver, he must decide to which class he adds each level of Combat Weaver for the purpose of determining spellcasting abilities.
Weapon Specialization (Ex): A Combat Weaver has trained extensively to develop a unique combat style. At first level, he gains Weapon Specialization as a bonus feat for a single melee weapon that he has Weapon Focus for.
Improvised Casting (Ex): A Combat Weaver, through study and experimentation, has developed a new casting technique. Whenever a Combat Weaver makes a full-attack action on an opponent, he has the option of substituting his last attack to cast a spell of 2nd-level or lower as part of that action. This must be a spell from the class that Combat Weavers advance spellcasting with, and it uses a spell slot as normal. If the Combat Weaver prepares spells, as a wizard does, then this must be a spell prepared in that slot. The spell must have a casting time of one standard action or less. This requires a concentration check (DC 20+spell level). The concentration check becomes more difficult depending on the spell components necessary to cast the spell (see the table below). If the check is failed, the spell is lost.
A Combat Warrior may only use this ability while wearing light or no armour, is able to fight with a weapon he has Weapon Focus for, and is able to provide all needed components. This ability uses his swift action for that round.
Weapon Specialization (Ex): A Combat Weaver has trained extensively to develop a unique combat style. At second level, he gains Weapon Specialization as a bonus feat for a single melee weapon that he has Weapon Focus for. If the Combat Weaver already has this feat, he may substitute it for one from the list of Fighter feats, where half his Combat Warrior levels count as Fighter levels for the purpose of meeting requirements.
Ignore Spell Failure (Ex): A Combat Weaver knows that a good defence just as important as his casting abilities while in combat. He develops his casting techniques so that he ignores a portion of the arcane spell failure chance associated with using armour. This reduction starts at 5% at level 3, and increases by 5% every three levels after, to a maximum or 15% at level 9.
Improved Improvised Casting (Ex): At level 4, the Combat Warrior is able to cast spells of 4th-level and lower with his improvised casting.
Empower Strike (Su): At level 5, the Combat Warrior may, rather than cast his spell, use the built up magic power to fuel his final attack. By sacrificing the spell of 1st-level or higher, which must be announced at the beginning of the round, the warrior’s last attack deals an additional d6 magic damage per spell level of the sacrificed spell. The concentration check to cast the spell must still be succeeded to successfully empower the strike. If it is failed, the spell is lost and there is no additional damage to the attack.
Greater Improvised Casting (Ex): At level 7, the Combat Weaver is able to cast spells of 5th-level and lower with his improvised casting.
Improvised Casting Master (Ex): At level 10, the Combat Weaver is able to cast spells of 6th-level and lower with his improvised casting.
The Combat Weaver no longer needs to sacrifice an attack to cast a spell while using this ability. The Combat Weaver may now use his improvised casting ability to cast spells of casting time one full round or less, and he may cast 1st to 3rd-level spells, with casting time one standard action or less, while making a standard attack (DC 30+spell level).
Comments and suggestions are welcome!
Notes
- Mobile Spellcasting is a feat from Complete Adventurer that lets the caster cast a standard action spell and move as a standard action.
http://www.jaestudio.com/WarrioroftheDragon.jpg
“Get him boys! We’ve got him outnumbered ten to one!”
Two of the closest assailants fell to the tattooed man’s blade, the reverse strokes slicing through flesh as it would paper, and a strong hand swiftly appeared over the stomach of a third. A bold of lightning annihilated his innards, and crippled the two thugs following the assault.
The tall warrior stood calmly, back facing his foes and katana at his side, ready. The remaining thieves' charge faltered.
“You won’t for long.”
These mighty warriors have developed a unique fighting style that allows them to simultaneously attack their opponents while casting spells. Such a spellcasting warrior has been known to spend anywhere from months to a year developing these techniques. Over time, the Combat Weaver can extend this unique skill to even more complex spells. However, casting such spells requires even more focus to complete. It can take years for a combat-weaver to reach his true potential with the skill. Due to the intense and time-consuming practice that this requires, a Combat Weaver's spellcasting abilities are somewhat inhibited, while their combat prowess is maintained and bettered.
Hit Die: d6.
Requirements
To qualify to become an Combat Weaver, the character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Base Attack Bonus: +5
Spellcasting: Ability to cast 2nd-level arcane spells.
Feats: Weapon Focus (any one melee weapon), Combat Casting, Combat Expertise, Dodge, Mobile Spellcasting
Balance: 6 ranks
Concentration: 8 ranks
Knowledge (Arcana): 4 ranks
Spellcraft: 6 ranks
Class Skills
The Combat Weaver's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Decipher Scripts (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jumps (Str), Knowledge (all) (Int), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Spellcraft (Int), and Swim (Str).
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Code:
Lv BAB Fort Ref Will Special
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 +1 +2 +0 +2 Improvised Casting
2 +2 +3 +0 +3 Weapon Specialization
3 +3 +3 +1 +3 Ignore Spell Failure 5%
4 +4 +4 +1 +4 Improved Improvised Casting
5 +5 +4 +1 +4 Empower Strike
6 +6 +5 +2 +5 Ignore Spell Failure 10%
7 +7 +5 +2 +5 Greater Improvised Casting
8 +8 +6 +2 +6
9 +9 +6 +3 +6 Ignore Spell Failure 15%
10 +10 +7 +3 +7 Improvised Casting Master
Spellcasting: At every even level, a Combat Weaver gains new spells per day and spells known as if he had also gained a level in whatever arcane spellcasting class in which he could cast 2nd-level arcane spells before he added the prestige class level. He does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. If a character had more than one arcane spellcasting class in which he could cast 2nd-level spells before he became a Combat Weaver, he must decide to which class he adds each level of Combat Weaver for the purpose of determining spellcasting abilities.
Weapon Specialization (Ex): A Combat Weaver has trained extensively to develop a unique combat style. At first level, he gains Weapon Specialization as a bonus feat for a single melee weapon that he has Weapon Focus for.
Improvised Casting (Ex): A Combat Weaver, through study and experimentation, has developed a new casting technique. Whenever a Combat Weaver makes a full-attack action on an opponent, he has the option of substituting his last attack to cast a spell of 2nd-level or lower as part of that action. This must be a spell from the class that Combat Weavers advance spellcasting with, and it uses a spell slot as normal. If the Combat Weaver prepares spells, as a wizard does, then this must be a spell prepared in that slot. The spell must have a casting time of one standard action or less. This requires a concentration check (DC 20+spell level). The concentration check becomes more difficult depending on the spell components necessary to cast the spell (see the table below). If the check is failed, the spell is lost.
Code:
Spell Component DC Change
-----------------------------
Verbal +1
Material +1
Focus +3
XP Cost +3
A Combat Warrior may only use this ability while wearing light or no armour, is able to fight with a weapon he has Weapon Focus for, and is able to provide all needed components. This ability uses his swift action for that round.
Weapon Specialization (Ex): A Combat Weaver has trained extensively to develop a unique combat style. At second level, he gains Weapon Specialization as a bonus feat for a single melee weapon that he has Weapon Focus for. If the Combat Weaver already has this feat, he may substitute it for one from the list of Fighter feats, where half his Combat Warrior levels count as Fighter levels for the purpose of meeting requirements.
Ignore Spell Failure (Ex): A Combat Weaver knows that a good defence just as important as his casting abilities while in combat. He develops his casting techniques so that he ignores a portion of the arcane spell failure chance associated with using armour. This reduction starts at 5% at level 3, and increases by 5% every three levels after, to a maximum or 15% at level 9.
Improved Improvised Casting (Ex): At level 4, the Combat Warrior is able to cast spells of 4th-level and lower with his improvised casting.
Empower Strike (Su): At level 5, the Combat Warrior may, rather than cast his spell, use the built up magic power to fuel his final attack. By sacrificing the spell of 1st-level or higher, which must be announced at the beginning of the round, the warrior’s last attack deals an additional d6 magic damage per spell level of the sacrificed spell. The concentration check to cast the spell must still be succeeded to successfully empower the strike. If it is failed, the spell is lost and there is no additional damage to the attack.
Greater Improvised Casting (Ex): At level 7, the Combat Weaver is able to cast spells of 5th-level and lower with his improvised casting.
Improvised Casting Master (Ex): At level 10, the Combat Weaver is able to cast spells of 6th-level and lower with his improvised casting.
The Combat Weaver no longer needs to sacrifice an attack to cast a spell while using this ability. The Combat Weaver may now use his improvised casting ability to cast spells of casting time one full round or less, and he may cast 1st to 3rd-level spells, with casting time one standard action or less, while making a standard attack (DC 30+spell level).
Comments and suggestions are welcome!
Notes
- Mobile Spellcasting is a feat from Complete Adventurer that lets the caster cast a standard action spell and move as a standard action.
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