Shaartre Warrior

[SageofMusic]

My dad has had this idea for a monk that specialized in using a katana, so I wrote up a paragon path for it. Any help with balancing would be greatly appreciated. Oh, and by the way, it's pronounced Shart, like Sharp.

Shaartre Warrior Path Features
Blade Mastery (11th level): You gain proficiency with all heavy blades and can use them as implements, including the Katana. The Katana has the following properties: Cost, 100 gp; Damage, 1d10; Proficient, +3; Weight, 6 lb; Versatile and High Crit. In addition, you gain +1 to attacks and +4 to damage made with heavy blades.
Shaartre Action (11th level): When you spend an action point to take an extra action, you can use your flurry of blows power again against as many targets as possible.
Storm Speed (16th level): Whenever you are wearing cloth or no armor, you gain a +1 bonus to AC and Reflex, and a +1 bonus to speed.

Strike of the Hawk Shaartre Warrior Attack 11
You fly forward, striking with your sword with the ferocity
of a bird of prey.
Encounter <> Full Discipline, Implement, Psionic
Attack Technique
Standard Action Melee touch
Target: One creature
Attack: Dexterity vs. Reflex
Hit: 3d8+Dexterity modifier damage, and the target
takes a -2 to attacks until the end of your next turn.
Movement Technique
Move Action Personal
Effect: You fly your speed +4. If you don’t land at
the end of this movement, you fall. You can make
the attack at any point during this movement.

Blade of Mighty Will Shaartre Warrior Utility 12
You pour your mind into your blade, enhancing its edge
with the sheer power of your will.
Daily <> Psionic, Stance
Minor Action Personal
Effect: Until the stance ends, you can take up to a -5 on
your Will defense to gain an equal attack and damage
bonus.

Lightening Strike Shaartre Warrior Attack 20
You wait for the perfect moment, and then attack, striking
with the mighty power of a lightening storm.
Daily <> Implement, Psionic
Immediate Interrupt Melee touch
Trigger: An enemy hits you with a melee or close attack.
The enemy does not have to be adjacent to you.
Target: The triggering enemy
Attack: 3d10+Dexterity+Strength modifier damage and
the target is pushed 3 squares and knocked prone.
Miss: Half damage, and the target is pushed 2 squares.

 

[Kingreaper]

As far as I can see, your katana is just a Bastard Sword with High Crit thrown on?

Keep in mind that the bastard sword is already a superior weapon, so adding the "Katana" as you have designed it will eliminate the use of bastard swords entirely (and likely make a few other weapons essentially redundant also)

Or are you intending the Katana to be a special weapon available only to this path? In that case you'll need to keep in mind WHY it's only available to this path.


The other option might be to differentiate the Katana in some other way. The main difference between a Katana and the Bastard Sword is that the Katana is lighter and slightly curved (for improved slicing), and the Bastard Sword heavier and straight (slightly more appropriate for chopping strikes)

Could the Katana perhaps go down to 1d8 damage? Perhaps it could also be a Light Blade if you wanted to be particularly interesting with it? (although calling a katana "light" is a bit implausible)

 

[Ferghis]

First, maybe you should look at the Kensai PP for inspiration. Maybe just use that.

As far as I can see, your katana is just a Bastard Sword with High Crit thrown on?

Keep in mind that the bastard sword is already a superior weapon, so adding the "Katana" as you have designed it will eliminate the use of bastard swords entirely (and likely make a few other weapons essentially redundant also)

This problem occurred to me as well. Maybe you could change the first benefit as follows:

Level 11: You become proficient with all Heavy Blades.
Level 11: A heavy or light blade wielded by you gains the High Crit property.

 

[john112364]

I agree about the katana. It probably should just be a reflavored bastard sword.
Here's my suggestion for tweaking blade mastery (via Ferghis) :

Blade Mastery (11th level): You gain proficiency with all heavy blades and can use them as ki implements. A heavy blade wielded by you gains the high crit property. In addition, you gain +1 to attacks and +4 to damage made with heavy blades.

I left the +4 to damage alone even though personally I think it's a little high. (I would have made it +2 but that's just me.)

Also a flavor question: How does Lighting Strike fit with the katana wielding monk? It seems an...odd power for a sword wielder.

Despite my nit picking I do like the concept.

 

[Keenberg]

Nothing of value to add... just... [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyIo9uvRT2I"]this.[/ame]

 

[TarionzCousin]

Does he look like this guy?

"Hell is Other People."