The Swordsman PrC

[Thels]

SWORDSMAN
Hit Die: d10.
Requirements
To qualify to become a swordsman, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Alignment: Any lawful.
Base Attack Bonus: +5.
Feats: Power Attack, Dodge, Combat Expertise.
Skills: Intimidate 4 ranks, Knowledge (Local) 4 ranks.
Special: Must be proficient with at least one sword that can be wielded twohanded. Must be initiated by another swordsman.
Class Skills
The swordsman's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Gather Information (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (Local) (Int), Search (Int), Swim (Str) and Tumble (Dex).
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.

Table: The Swordsman
Level BaB Fort Ref Will Special
 1st   +1  +2  +2  +0   Block Attack 1/round
 2nd   +2  +3  +3  +0   Twohanded Striking +1
 3rd   +3  +3  +3  +1   Uncanny Dodge
 4th   +4  +4  +4  +1   Block Attack 2/round
 5th   +5  +4  +4  +1   Twohanded Striking +2
 6th   +6  +5  +5  +2   Improved Uncanny Dodge
 7th   +7  +5  +5  +2   Block Attack 3/round
 8th   +8  +6  +6  +2   Twohanded Striking +3
 9th   +9  +6  +6  +3   Evasion
10th  +10  +7  +7  +3   Retaliate

Class Features
All of the following are class features of the swordsman prestige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Swordsmen are proficient with all simple and martial weapons. Swordsmen do not gain proficiency with any armor or shields. Most of the swordsman's abilities are hampered by armor and shields and their order forbids the use of armor and shields, so swordsmen rarely wear armor.
Block Attack (Ex): Once per round, when a Swordsman is hit in combat by a melee attack, he may attempt a block attack (as a reaction) to negate the hit. The hit is negated if your block attack result is greater than the opponent's attack roll. (Essentially, the block attack becomes his Armor Class if it's higher than his regular AC.) The swordsman is only allowed to make block attacks when wielding a twohanded sword and not wearing armor or holding a shield. At level 4 and up, the swordsman is entitled a second block attack each round at a -5 penalty. At level 7 and up, the swordsman is entitled a third block attack each round at a -10 penalty. These extra block attacks must be used against different attacks. The swordsman can only try to negate each attack once.
Twohanded Striking: A swordsman for at least 2nd level is especially trained in wielding twohanded swords, granting him a +1 bonus to all damage rolls with twohanded swords. This bonus increases to +2 at level 5 and +3 at level 8.
Uncanny Dodge (Ex): Starting at 3th level, a swordsman can react to danger before his senses would normally allow him to do so. He retains his Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) even if he is caught flat-footed or struck by an invisible attacker. However, he still loses his Dexterity bonus to AC if immobilized. If a swordsman already has uncanny dodge from a different class he automatically gains improved uncanny dodge (see below) instead. Uncanny Dodge only applies if the swordsman is not wearing armor or holding a shield.
Improved Uncanny Dodge (Ex): A swordsman of 6th level or higher can no longer be flanked. This defense denies another rogue the ability to sneak attack the character by flanking her, unless the attacker has at least four more rogue levels than the target does. If a character already has uncanny dodge (see above) from a second class, the character automatically gains improved uncanny dodge instead, and the levels from the classes that grant uncanny dodge stack to determine the minimum rogue level required to flank the character. Improved Uncanny Dodge only applies if the swordsman is not wearing armor or holding a shield.
Evasion (Ex): At 9th level and higher, a swordsman can avoid even magical and unusual attacks with great agility. If he makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, he instead takes no damage. Evasion can be used only if the swordsman is not wearing armor or holding a shield. A helpless swordsman does not gain the benefit of evasion.
Retaliate (Ex): At 10th level, if a swordsman is able to negate a melee attack using his block attack ability, he is entitled to make an attack of oppurtunity against the creature attacking him, if he is still allowed to make an attack of oppurtunity against that opponent this round. If the swordsman has multiple attacks of oppurtunities (by feats such as combat reflexes), he can still make only 1 attack of oppurtunity against a single opponent, but he is allowed to retaliate against multiple opponents if he manages to negate the attacks of multiple opponents.

EPIC SWORDSMAN
Hit Die: d10.
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Twohanded Striking: The epic swordsman's bonus to damage with twohanded swords is increased by one for every three levels beyond 8th.
Bonus Feats: The epic swordsman gains a bonus feat every three levels higher than 20th.

 

[Lichtenhart]

I like it. It's a little on the strong side but i like it.
I'd just move evasion to 8th and move up uncanny dodge. a fighter taking two levels in it would gain too much and lose too little. I'd also state clearly that block attack can be used only against melee attacks, or at least that it cannot be used against spells.

 

[Thels]

Evasion for the Swordsman only works when not wearing armor or shield. As a normal fighter, I would not be interested in an ability that normally doesn't work.

Dunno about block attack and ranged attacks. Allowing it only against melee attacks would make him a sitting duck as far as archers are concerned, though that might not necessarily be a bad thing.

Not sure about power. I'm tobbing between if it's over the edge or just right. Perhaps we could ditch twohanded striking, granting weapon specialization to 1 weapon of choice and add authoroty abilities like Thomas' as filler ups.

 

[Lichtenhart]

After the last revisions, I have to say that it seems balanced to me and I like it a lot. Hope you like it too, Mith

 

[Thomas Hobbes]

Eyah, I'd drop Twohanded striking- it's a bit flavorless and on the powerful side since it can stack with the two Weapon Specializations (+7 damage. Ouch). So how about get Weapon Specialization at 5th, and then throw in either of the skill bonus ones at the other two- +2 or +3 at 2nd and then double that for 7th.

 

[Mithreander]

I personally like weapon focus rather then power attack. Though they use a large weapon, they are supposed to rely more on finesse and speed then brute force and damage. A swordsman can be weak as long as he's quick (mentally and physically). With Dodge, Power Attack and Expertise, you would have to have a Minumum of 13 str, 13 dex, and 13 int to become this class. Replace Power attack with one (or both) of the two that I had initially started on, and I think you have the requirements about right.

2 skill points a level... well okay, but only because there is an intellegence requirement (through combat expertise).

As for two-handed strike... I like it, but not for the Swordsman, who, like I said is more of a finesse fighter then a damage dealer. It may make the class weaker, but I'm not that concerned with that. I say Drop it!

Uncanny Dodge I like, since that allows his dexerity to stay in affect if flatfooted (which can nagate the penalty of having no armor), but improved Uncanny dodge, once more specializes in fighting multiple opponents, which the Swordsman would not be used to. He should be able to be overpowered form multiple fronts. He's more of an honor bound fighter and used to fighting one on one, rather then specializing in group tactics.

Now, I have another ability that I would like to throw out there for you to consider:

Two-Handed Reach: The Swordsman, do to his expertise and speed when weilding a sword two-handed, is concidered to have a reach 5' greater then he normal would. (The wording needs help, but he would basically threaten 10' rather then the normal 5').

Oh, and Swordsman should be valnerable to ranged weapons, in my opinion. Yes, it gives him a LARGE weakness, but then that's why crossbows are outlawed in his land, and bows only ment for hunting.

SWORDSMAN
Hit Die: d10.
Requirements
To qualify to become a swordsman, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Alignment: Any lawful.
Base Attack Bonus: +5.
Feats: Weapon Focus (Sword), Improved Initiative, Dodge, Combat Expertise.
Skills: Intimidate 4 ranks, Knowledge (Local) 4 ranks.
Special: Must be proficient with at least one sword that can be wielded twohanded. Must be initiated by another swordsman.
Class Skills
The swordsman's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Gather Information (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (Local) (Int), Search (Int), Swim (Str) and Tumble (Dex).
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.

Table: The Swordsman
Level BaB Fort Ref Will Special
 1st   +1  +2  +2  +0   Block Attack 1/round, Judge +1
2nd   +2  +3  +3  +0   Two-handed Finesse
 3rd   +3  +3  +3  +1   Uncanny Dodge, Judge +2
 4th   +4  +4  +4  +1   Block Attack 2/round
 5th   +5  +4  +4  +1   Judge +3
 6th   +6  +5  +5  +2   Evasion
 7th   +7  +5  +5  +2   Block Attack 3/round, Judge +4
 8th   +8  +6  +6  +2   Greater Weapon Focus
 9th   +9  +6  +6  +3   Two-handed Reach, Judge +5
10th  +10  +7  +7  +3   Retaliate

Class Features
All of the following are class features of the swordsman prestige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Swordsmen are proficient with all simple and martial weapons. Swordsmen do not gain proficiency with any armor or shields. Most of the swordsman's abilities are hampered by armor and shields and their order forbids the use of armor and shields, so swordsmen rarely wear armor.
Block Attack (Ex): Once per round, when a Swordsman is hit in combat by a melee attack, he may attempt a block attack (as a reaction) to negate the hit. The hit is negated if your block attack result is greater than the opponent's attack roll. (Essentially, the block attack becomes his Armor Class if it's higher than his regular AC.) The swordsman is only allowed to make block attacks when wielding a twohanded sword and not wearing armor or holding a shield. At level 4 and up, the swordsman is entitled a second block attack each round at a -5 penalty. At level 7 and up, the swordsman is entitled a third block attack each round at a -10 penalty. These extra block attacks must be used against different attacks. The swordsman can only try to negate each attack once.
Judge (Ex): A swordsman is well versed in the laws of his lands, and knows the in and outs of the law. He gains a +1 bonus to Knowledge(Local) checks when dealing with the laws of that land. This bonus increase to +2 at level 3, +3 at level 5, +4 at level seven and +5 at level 9.
Two-handed Finesse: A swordsman is taught the improtance of speed over brawn. He learns accuracy through precision rather then force. As long as the swordsman weilds a sword two-handed, he gains the vitual feat of weapon finesse towards that weapon. The Swordsman can only benifit from Two-Handed Finesse if he is not wearing armor or holding a shield.
Uncanny Dodge (Ex): Starting at 3th level, a swordsman can react to danger before his senses would normally allow him to do so. He retains his Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) even if he is caught flat-footed or struck by an invisible attacker. However, he still loses his Dexterity bonus to AC if immobilized. Uncanny Dodge only applies if the swordsman is not wearing armor or holding a shield.
Evasion (Ex): At 6th level and higher, a swordsman can avoid even magical and unusual attacks with great agility. If he makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, he instead takes no damage. Evasion can be used only if the swordsman is not wearing armor or holding a shield. A helpless swordsman does not gain the benefit of evasion.
Greater Weapon Focus: If the Swordsman does not already have Greater Weapon focus on a sword, he gains the feat as a virtual feat. The virtual feat can only be used if the Swordsman is wielding the sword with two hands and is not wearing armor or holding a shield.
Two-Handed Reach (Ex): Do to his great skill and speed, a Swordsman when using a sword two-handed is treated as if his reach is 5' longer then it normally would be. Two-Handed Reach can be used only if the swordsman is not wearing armor or holding a shield.
Retaliate (Ex): At 10th level, if a swordsman is able to negate a melee attack using his block attack ability, he is entitled to make an attack of oppurtunity against the creature attacking him, if he is still allowed to make an attack of oppurtunity against that opponent this round. If the swordsman has multiple attacks of oppurtunities (by feats such as combat reflexes), he can still make only 1 attack of oppurtunity against a single opponent, but he is allowed to retaliate against multiple opponents if he manages to negate the attacks of multiple opponents.

EPIC SWORDSMAN
Hit Die: d10.
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Judge: The epic swordsman's bonus to knowledge(local) checks is increased by one for every two levels beyond 9th.
Bonus Feats: The epic swordsman gains a bonus feat every three levels higher than 20th.

What do you think?

 

[Thomas Hobbes]

Two-handed reach seems a bit powerful- I like the idea of them getting first hits in, but less so the idea of being able to hit opponents far away. Maybe replace that with something that says that they get an attack of opportunity against a charging opponent (isn't there a feat in S&F like that...?)

 

[Mithreander]

I do not see why it's so powerful. All it does is give it one advantage that other two-handed weapons have (the spiked chain inparticular, since it also can be used on adjacent people) so all it does is give a single ability to his already two-handed weapon. I can reiterate that it only works with large or larger weapons, would that satisfy?

Plus, with the odvious limitations of this class, I do not see it being to overpowering. Anyone with a distance weapon can anialate this class.

 

[Mithreander]

On second thought, maybe two-handed reach is to strong (I've never really liked the spiked chain. People tend to metagame with it too much). Would this PrC look good without it?

 

[Thomas Hobbes]

I think so, although maybe add another block at 10th level? That would also make Epic Swordsman a bit more worth it, if you have a pattern of getting another block every three levels. Then again, I don't know much about epic, so....