The reason that they need range is because the order also is also restricted to melee combat, and not allowed to use ranged weapons.
Ya, I know. No ranged weapon, no armor, no shield? What are they thinking? It's all honor bound to the point of rediculousness, I know, but that's what I picture them as. I think I mentioned that they normally wouldn't have a problem with this since the land that they come from restricts the use of ranged weapons to hunting. It's a matter of onor, though and not a rule. They would not loose any abilities if they did use a range weapon, it's just that if another swordsman saw him use one, he may chellenge the user to a duel for cowardice. They don't need the reach, I just like the abitlity so much. *Sigh* you are right in that it really does not match the PrC though, so I'll remove it.
THis is what I have now:
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: 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.
Code:
Table: The Swordsman
Level BaB Fort Ref Will Special
1st +1 +2 +2 +0 Block Attack 1/round, Detect Chaos
2nd +2 +3 +3 +0 Uncanny Dodge
3rd +3 +3 +3 +1 Greater Weapon Focus
4th +4 +4 +4 +1 Block Attack 2/round
5th +5 +4 +4 +1 Evasion
6th +6 +5 +5 +2 Two-handed Finesse
7th +7 +5 +5 +2 Retaliate, Block Attack 3/round,
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.
Detect Chaos (Sp): The swordsman has the ability to detect the inhenant chaos of an individual. His This ability is exactly liek the spell of the same name except that the Swordsman can do it at will if he takes at least a minute to study the individuals movements, actions and behaviors. It only works on humanoids, for the swordsman must be able to read the creatures body language and facial expressions, and can not do so to creatures alien to himself.
Uncanny Dodge (Ex): Starting at 2nd 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.
Greater Weapon Focus: At 3rd level, if the Swordsman does not already have Greater Weapon focus on a sword and he has Weapon Focus on a sword, he gains a Greater Weapon Focus virtual feat the same weapon at 3rd level. If the swordsman does not have weapon Focus on a sword, he gains it as a bonus 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.
Evasion (Ex): At 5th 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.
Two-handed Finesse (Ex): A swordsman is taught the importance 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.
Retaliate (Ex): At 7th 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
None
Now, in order to reach the next level in Swordsman, the swordsman must challenge a swordsman of the next higher level and beat them in drawing blood 3 times to be able to advance. If they do not, then they can advance as either a fighter or other class, but not as a swordsman.
Looking at this, there will be a lot of rank 1 swordsmen since anyone training to be a swordsman could be this level if they have already been initiated by another swordsman, and very few rank 7.
I know that I got rid of 3 levels of swordsman, but this will give a greater variety of rank 7 swordsmen since they will have a possibility of 13 other levels to improve virsitility rather then just 10. What do you think?
