Edge Master (3.5e Class)

Class Skills (2 + Int modifier per level, ×4 at 1st level)
Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Jump (Str), Move Silently (Dex), Listen (Wis), Perform (Cha), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex).

[edit] Class Features

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Edge Master's are proficient with all One-handed weapons, Swords. Edge Master's are proficient with light armor but not shields.

Edge Master Oath: Edge Master's must pledge an oath to their master, and after they move beyond their master's training they must pledge an oath to live and die by the blade. The oath may also include ways to live, to enhance character.

Edge Master's Training: At the start of their training Edge Masters gain weapon focus and are told to choose an element to base their combat style on :Earth, Wind, Fire, or Water. The Edge master gains abilities depending on their choice.

Wind: Side Step- Once per round, if an opponent misses an attack, the edge master may take a five foot shift. They may also take one after making an attack of opportunity. At level 10 gain a +2 to Dex.

Water: Sweeping Strike- Once every D4 rounds the edge master may make a sweeping blow. An opponent adjacent to the edge master's target takes half the damage the target took. At level 10 gain a +2 to Int

Earth Stalwart Defense- Once per round the edge master may add his Con mod to his AC as a deflection bonus. At level 10 gain a +2 to Con.

Fire Lacerate- Once every D4 rounds, a target will take half damage the following turn. At level 10 gain a +2 to Str.

Sword Prowess: As an Edge Master improves her swordsmanship she gains a bonus to her attack when using swords. At 5st lvl, an Edge Master gains a bonus to her attack rolls and damage when using any weapon with the descriptor 'Sword' in it (This bonus is applicable to Rapiers, Katanas, Scimitars, and Falchions). Bonus starts +1 at 1st lvl up to +4 at 20th lvl increasing by 1 at lvls 10, 15, 20

Combat Expert: An Edge Master is considered a Fighter of equal level when attempting to meet the prerequisites for feats such as Weapon Specialization and also gains the bonus feat Combat Reflexes.

Iaido: An Edge Master of 2nd level may use this technique as s part of a single attack and requires that the Edge Master draw her weapon as part of the attack. The opponent is caught flat-footed against this attack, and if it lands, it deals an extra 1d4 points of damage / Edge Master level. This technique is usable only when the Edge Master's weapon is sheathed. This technique may be used during an attack of opportunity, but only if the sword is sheathed. When used treat this ability as if it were the effect of the Quick Draw feat. The sword is then sheathed at the end of the turn if the edge master wishes. The edge master may only use this one time per opponent.

Dexterous Defense (Ex): At 2nd level when an Edge Master is wearing light or no armor and wielding a sword, she may add her dexterity modifier to AC as a dodge bonus. (Example: a character with a dexterity modifier of +2 would receive a +2 dodge bonus to her AC.) This bonus disappears if in any circumstance where the Edge Master would be denied her Dexterity bonus to AC.

Finesse: At 3rd level the Edge Master gains the weapon finesse ability. With a light weapon, rapier, whip, or spiked chain an Edge Master can use her Dexterity modifier instead of her Strength modifier on attack rolls. She may also substitute strength for dexterity on damage rolls.

Master's Edge (Ex): Starting at 3rd level an Edge Master's critical becomes a Strong Critical, making the critical damage multiplier increase by 1x (Ex. 2x->3x) or increasing the chance of a critical by 1 (20 -> 19-20, etc), the edge master must choose. At 9th level, the critical becomes a "Deadly Critical" allowing him to further increasing one of the bonus by another 1x (Ex. 3x->4x) and by increasing the chance of a critical by 1 (20 -> 18-20, etc).At 16th level the critical becomes an "Insane Critical" by increasing one of the multipliers by 1x (Ex. 4x->5x)or by increasing the chance of a critical by 1(20->17-20). Finally, at 19th level the critical becomes a "Boundless Critical" by increasing the multiplier of the critical by x1 (Ex. 5x-6x)& the chance of a critical by 2(20-> 15-20, etc). At this point an Edge Master's critical is truly boundless and bonuses stack with all other bonuses. A Swordmaster only gains these bonuses in Light or No Armor.

Uncanny Dodge: Starting at 4th level an Edge Master can react to danger before her senses would normally allow her to do so. She retains her Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) even if she is caught flat-footed or struck by an invisible attacker. However, she still loses her Dexterity bonus to AC if immobilized. If a Swordmaster already has uncanny dodge from a different class she automatically gains improved uncanny dodge instead.

Evasion (Ex): At 6th level, an Edge Master gains evasion as the rogue class feature.

Blinkstep: (Ex) At the 6th level as move action an Edge Master can instantly move up to half his land speed. This does not provoke an attack of opportunity.

Fast Movement: Starting at 6th level, an Edge Master's land speed increases by 10ft. (Ex 30->40). At 12th Level the movement speed bonus becomes faster and is increased additional 20ft. (40->60). At 18th level, the Swordmaster's speed rivals that of of a monk and increased by 30ft. (60->90).

Enable Criticals: Choose one type of creature that is normally immune to critical hits (construct, elemental, ooze, plant, undead). The Edge Master becomes so proficient with dealing with that creature she can pinpoint weak spots and score critical hits against that type of creature.

Improved Uncanny Dodge: An Edge Master of 8th level or higher can no longer be flanked. This defense denies rogues 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 improved uncanny dodge from a second class, the character's levels from the classes that grant uncanny dodge stack to determine the minimum rogue level required to flank the character.

Improved Weapon Finesse: At 8th Level, an Edge Master may add her Dex mod score along with her Str mod to her attack rolls. The Edge Master may also apply Weapon Finesse to all swords. Under Dungeon Master's discretion, other weapons may be added to this list. A Swordmaster must still be wearing Light or No armor to have access to this class feature.

Improved Evasion (Ex): At 12th level, a Swordmaster gains improved evasion as the rogue class feature.

Deft Cut (Ex): An Edge Master of 14th level has honed her skill and accuracy with a blade so much that she adds her Dex and Str modifiers to damage when attacking with any slashing, one-handed or light weapon.

[edit] Ex-Edge Master

If this oath is broken or the master become non-lawful they may no longer progress in Edge Master, but the master retain all his class abilities. They may atone for this by returning to their master and train again under them for a year. After doing this they make a new oath.

Like a member of any other class, an edge master may be a multiclass character, but multiclass edge masters face a special restriction. An edge master who gains a new class or (if already multiclass) raises another class by a level may never again raise her edge master level, though she retains all her edge master abilities.

[edit] Epic Edge Master

Invisible After Image (Ex): The movement of an Edge Master is undetectable under any circumstances when moving, after moving 15 ft. all hits are an automatic critical. He may use this 5/class levels a day

Note: If the Edge Master has the Spring Attack feat, the bonuses and criticals apply to any attacks during movement also.

[edit] Human Edge Master Starting Package

Armor: Studded Leather (+3 AC, Armor check penalty -1, speed 30ft, 20lb)

Weapons: Longsword (1d8, crit 19-20/x2, 4lb, one-handed, slashing).

Skill Selection: Pick a number of skills equal to 2 + Int modifier.

Feat: Dexterous Dodge, Improved Initiative (Human Bonus Feat)

Bonus Feats: If Dex is 14 or above, Combat Reflexes. If Dex is 13 or below, Power-Attack

Gear: Backpack with Waterskin, one day's trail rations, bedroll, sack, flint and steel, Gladiator's pass to local Gladiatorial Arena.

Gold: 4d6

[edit] Campaign Information

[edit] Playing an Edge Master

Religion: Edge Masters tend to worship Gods of War, but others may worship no god at all as they believe their power is their own.

Other Classes: Edge Masters respect Fighters for their strength, but laugh at their lack of finesse. They praise paladins for their devotion, and mock barbarians for charging into combat without thinking. They get along well with rogues and spell casters.

Combat: Edge Master's lead the charge. They relish the moment of battle, every times their sword meets another.

Advancement: Like Fighters and Rogues.

[edit] Edge Masters in the World

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[edit] <-class name-> Lore

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[edit] <-pluralized class name-> in the Game

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