Ok, I finished a write up of a homebrew Sword Saint class for Meatlips, while filching ideas from the various Kensai/Iaijutsu Master prestige classes. Here we go...
SWORD SAINTThe Sword Saint is a warrior completely devoted to the mastery of a single weapon, usually a sword.
Alignment: Any.
Religion: Any.
GAME RULE INFORMATIONSword Saints have the following statistics.
Alignment: Any.
Hit Die: d10
Class SkillsThe Sword Saint's class skills are Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Gather Information (Cha), Heal (Wis), Hide (Dex), Iaijutsu Focus (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge [local] (Int), Knowledge [nobility & royalty] (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis), Swim (Str), and Tumble (Dex).
Skill Points at 1st Level: (4 + Int modifier) x 4.
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Class FeaturesAll of the following are class features of the Sword Saint.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Sword Saints are proficient in the use of all simple weapons and all sword-like weapons. “Sword-like weapons” include the following: dagger, punching dagger (katar), shortsword, longsword, bastard sword, greatsword, two-bladed sword, falchion, scimitar, rapier, kukri, sai, katana, wakizashi, shikomi-zue, ninja-to, butterfly sword, and nagamaki.
Sword Saints are proficient with light armor, but not with shields.
Base Save Bonuses: Fortitude (good), Reflex (good), and Will (good).
Base Attack Bonus: Average.
Quick Draw: The Sword Saint receives the
Quick Draw feat as a bonus feat at 1st-level, whether he qualifies for it or not.
Bonus Feats: He receives an additional feat at 4th-level, and every three Sword Saint levels thereafter (4th, 7th, 10th, 13th, 16th, and 19th) These feats must be drawn from the Sword Saint feat list shown below, and he must meet all necessary prerequisites.
These are the Sword Saint bonus feats:
Acrobatic, Acrobatic Strike [PH II], Agile, Alertness, Blind-Fight, Cleave, Combat Acrobat [PH II], Combat Awareness [PH II], Combat Expertise, Combat Reflexes, Defensive Strike [OA], Defensive Throw [OA], Deflect Arrows, Dodge, Grappling Block [OA], Great Cleave, Greater Two-Weapon Defense [Cmp War], Greater Two-Weapon Fighting, Greater Weapon Focus, Greater Weapon Specialization, Iaijutsu Master [OA], Improved Combat Expertise [Cmp War], Improved Critical, Improved Disarm, Improved Feint, Improved Grapple, Improved Initiative, Improved Sunder, Improved Trip, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Karmic Strike [OA], Ki Shout [OA], Mobility, Oversized Two-Weapon Fighting [Cmp Adv], Power Attack, Power Attack-Iaijutsu [OA], Power Critical [Cmp War], Prone Attack [OA], Roundabout Kick [OA], Single Blade Style [Dgn Cmp], Slashing Fury [PH II], Skill Focus (Iaijutsu Focus) [OA/PH], Spring Attack, Stunning Fist, Tumbling Feint [PH II], Two-Weapon Defense, Two-Weapon Pounce [PH II], Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization, and Whirlwind Attack.
Flurry Attack (Ex): As the Monk's
Flurry of Blows ability, but if wearing light armor or less, and fighting either unarmed or with a “sword-like weapon”.
Signature Weapon (Ex): The Sword Saint can choose one “sword-like weapon” as his signature weapon. He gains a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls with this weapon at 1st level. This bonus increases by +1 every three levels thereafter (+3 at 4th-level, +4 at 7th-level, +5 at 10th-level, +6 at 13th-level, +7 at 16th-level, and +8 at 19th-level. This bonus is halved (rounded down) when fighting either unarmed or with other “sword-like weapons”.
Improved Unarmed Strike (Ex): At 1st-level, the Sword Saint gains the
Improved Unarmed Strike feat.
Weapon Finesse (Ex): At 2nd-level, a Sword Saint may use his Dexterity modifier instead of his Strength modifier on attack rolls with his signature weapon. This works like the
Weapon Finesse feat, except that it applies to any signature weapon, even if it is a weapon to which the feat normally cannot be applied.
Ki Damage (Ex): If the Sword Saint scores a hit with his signature weapon, he may choose not to roll dice to determine damage. He instead determines the normal maximum damage (not a critical hit) he can inflict, and deals that much damage to his target.
A 1st-level Sword Saint wielding a bastard sword with a 16 Strength deals 15 points of damage (10 + 3 for strength + 2 for signature weapon) when he chooses this option. Additional damage, such as from the
Power Attack feat, the
sneak attack class ability, or a weapon's special properties (such as
frost or
holy) is determined normally, and not maximized. This ability cannot be used when you roll a critical hit. The Sword Saint can use this ability once per day per class level.
Lightning Blade (Ex): A Sword Saint of 2nd-level or higher can add his Charisma modifier to his initiative checks, as well as Dexterity modifier.
Critical Wound (Ex): A Sword Saint of 2nd-level or higher can inflict extra damage with a critical hit. The damage multiplier of the Sword Saint's signature weapon is increased by 1. For example, the bastard sword has a critical multiplier of x2. If the Sword Saint uses this ability, he can increase that multiplier to x3 once per day at 2nd level. As a Sword Saint increases in level, he can use this ability more frequently. The Sword Saint must declare the use of this ability before rolling any damage dice.
Quickfooted (Ex): At 3rd-level, a Sword Saint’s land speed increases to faster than normal for his race by plus 10 feet. This benefit applies only when he is wearing no armor or light armor, and not carrying a medium or heavy load.
Ki Critical (Ex): When a Sword Saint reaches 9th-level, he gains the
Improved Critical feat for free. If he already possesses this feat (or devotes a feat slot to it later), he adds an additional +2 to the threat range for his signature weapon. This +2 bonus is applied last, after any multipliers, such as those given by the
Improved Critical feat or by keen weapons.
Evasion (Ex): At 9th-level, a Sword Saint 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 Sword Saint is wearing light armor or no armor. A helpless Sword Saint does not gain the benefit of
evasion.
Sixth Sense (Ex): When wearing light armor or less, the Sword Saint adds either his Intelligence or Wisdom bonus (if any) to his AC. In addition, a Sword Saint gains a +1 bonus to AC at 5th-level. This bonus increases by 1 for every five Sword Saint levels thereafter (+2 at 10th, +3 at 15th, and +4 at 20th level). These bonuses to AC apply even against touch attacks or when the Sword Saint is flat-footed. He loses these bonuses when he is immobilized or helpless, when he wears medium or heavy armor, when he carries a shield, or when he carries a medium or heavy load.
Whirlwind Attack (Ex): The Sword Saint gains this as a bonus feat at 5th-level, whether or not he meets the prerequisites. If he already possesses this feat, he may choose another feat from the list above.
Ki Whirlwind Attack (Ex): A Sword Saint of 10th-level or higher can make a
Whirlwind Attack as a standard action rather than a full-round action. Only one
whirlwind attack can be made per round.
Fearless (Ex): Beginning at 11th-level, a Sword Saint is immune to fear (magical or otherwise).
Sword Mastery (Ex): A Sword Saint of 13th-level or higher can use his signature weapon special abilities, and apply them to either unarmed combat or when using any other “sword-like weapon”. Attack and damage modifiers remain the same as usual, however.
TABLE 1: THE SWORD SAINT Level Special 1____ Flurry Attack, Improved Unarmed Strike, Ki Damage, Quick Draw, Signature Weapon +2, Sixth Sense
2____ Critical Wound 1/day, Lightning Blade, Weapon Finesse
3____ Quickfooted
4____ Bonus Feat, Critical Wound 2/day, Signature Weapon +3
5____ Sixth Sense +1, Whirlwind Attack
6____ Critical Wound 3/day
7____ Bonus Feat, Signature Weapon +4
8____ Critical Wound 4/day
9____ Evasion, Ki Critical
10___ Bonus Feat, Critical Wound 5/day, Ki Whirlwind Attack, Signature Weapon +5, Sixth Sense +2
11___ Fearless
12___ Critical Wound 6/day
13___ Bonus Feat, Signature Weapon +6, Sword Mastery
14___ Critical Wound 7/day
15___ Sixth Sense +3
16___ Bonus Feat, Critical Wound 8/day, Signature Weapon +7
17___
18___ Critical Wound 9/day
19___ Bonus Feat, Signature Weapon +8
20___ Critical Wound 10/day, Sixth Sense +4
P.S. I also think this class would be much more appropriate for Meatlips's other character, Lucy. It's something to consider...