Post/Author/DateTime	Post
NightScreamer20 04-04-07, 01:02 AM	GREATBLADE SOLDIER http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48/nightscreamer20/GreatbladeSoldiers.jpg The man stood there shadowed by what the goblins below saw as nothing more than a giant slab of steel. Their drums thundering, their war cries ringing out across the rocks, they had pinned the man there and there he stood, his blade placed in the ground behind him, his hand reaching up and above the handle. Within the blink of an eye he drew the blade out and scored an arc across the ground, the blade laying out in front of him. "Not a single one of you beasts will pass this line!" The ironclad warrior shouted at them, the sun gleaned down from the reflecting off his blade. As he spoke the sky turned black like a flock of birds just arose from the Goblin mob. But these were no birds, they were thousands of crooked stone tipped arrows. Closer they grew toward the ground and all the man did was raise his blade above his head. It was a monsoon of arrows, which covered the area around the man like a plain of arrow shafts. Soon enough there was a great 'whoosh', the sound of wood splintering, and a roar of power. "Guess you're just intent on wasting my time..." And with that he sprinted forward his sword dragging behind him almost as if it were too heavy to lift. It flew through the air and with a couple screams and a loud splattering, the air was enveloped in a mist of blood. In a few minutes he stood, slathered in the blood of his enemies, spinning his sword in the air cleaning it of the filth. He was a master of sword, he was a master of big swords, he was a master of the Great Blades. Greatblade Soldier Hit Die: d10 BAB Fort Ref Will Special 1. +1 +2 +0 +0 Great Blade Master Special Ability 2. +2 +3 +0 +0 Improved Grip +1 (Ogre) 3. +3 +3 +1 +1 Blade Shield (+1 Shield) 4. +4 +4 +1 +1 Special Ability 5. +5 +4 +1 +1 Improved Grip +2 (Giant) 6. +6 +5 +2 +2 Blade Shield (Deflect Arrows) 7. +7 +5 +2 +2 Special Ability 8. +8 +6 +2 +2 Improved Grip (Demon) 9. +9 +6 +3 +3 Blade Shield (+2 Shield/Cover) 10.+10 +7 +3 +3 Special Ability Requirements To qualify to become an Greatblade Soldier, a character must fulfill the following requirements. Base Attack Bonus: +5 Feats: Monkey Grip, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (Any Sword*), Weapon Specialization (Any Sword*) Perform (Weapon Drill): 2 Ranks Special: Must have defeated at least 10 creatures while wielding a Sword at least One size Category larger than himself. In addition, character with the Powerful Build racial trait need not the Monkey Grip Feat as a Requirement for entering this class. Class Skills The Greatblade Soldier has the following class skills: Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), and Swim (Str). Skill Points: 2 + Int Mod Class Features The following are class features of the Greatblade Soldier prestige class. Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The Greatblade Soldier gains no Weapon or Armor Proficiencies. Great Blade Master (Ex): Any abilities gained from this class only apply to the Greatblade Soldier when he wields a Sword* in Two-Hands that is at least 1 Size category larger than Himself, whether it requires it to be or not. While wielding such a blade he also gains a +2 bonus on Intimidate checks. Your effective Fighter level is equal to your Fighter Class levels + Any levels of this Prestige Class, but only for meeting the Prerequisites of Feats that deal with your chosen weapon. Improved Grip (Ex): The Greatblade Soldier expresses an expertise in mastery of the Two-Handed Blade. He applies this bonus to the penalty he takes on attack rolls with weapons larger than usual for his Size. He also applies this bonus to all checks to avoid dropping his weapon or being Disarmed when wielding a Sword in Two-Hands. At 8th level they gain no bonus, however, the Greatblade Soldier's gripping improves 'great'ly. He cannot be Disarmed while wielding a sword in Two-Hands, furthermore he is immune to dropping his weapon. Many a Greatblade Soldier have given this expertise a specific name depending on how great the bonus is. At 2nd level it is referred to as 'Ogre Grip', at 5th as 'Giant Grip' and finally at 8th level as 'Demon Grip'. It has said that the most powerful Greatblade Soldiers even sleep with their sword in hand. Blade Shield (Ex): Deflecting attacks whilst holding a slab of metal is difficult, but the Greatblade Soldier puts his skill to the test. At 3rd level he gains a +1 Shield bonus to AC while wielding a Sword Two-Handed and Fighting defensively. Beginning at 6th level he gains the benefits of the Deflect Arrows feat while doing so. Finally at 9th level he can use his Two-Handed Blade to gain the benefits of Total Cover by taking the Total Defense action, the Shield bonus to AC also increases by 1 at this level. This Shield bonus to AC stacks with that of the weapon (if it confers any). If the weapon has an Enhancement bonus, treat it as if it had the Defending special ability, allowing you to allocate how much enhancement you want to your AC and how much to your Attacks. Special Ability (Ex): At 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th levels the Greatblade Soldier gains an amazing ability while wielding his Two-Handed Blade. He may select any of the special Abilities listed below or instead gain a bonus Fighter feat. Furocious Charge (All): Anytime a Greatblade Soldier charges an opponent, and is successful at dealing damage to them, all opponents within 60 ft. must make a Will save (DC = Damage Dealt to struck opponent) or become shaken for a number of rounds equal to the Greatblade soldier's Strength modifier (minimum 1). Opponents that are already shaken gain a +2 bonus on their saving throws, however on a failed save they become frightened. Opponent's that are already frightened gain a +4 bonus on their, however on a failed save they become panicked. Momentive Attack (All): Whenever the Greatblade Soldier moves at least 10 ft. during a charge in a round he carries the momentum of his speed into the power of his blade. The Greatblade Soldier may add 1d6 points of damage to his next melee attack for every 10 ft. moved in that round. If he chooses to do so he also takes a -1 penalty to AC for every 10 ft. moved until the beginning of his next turn. Farslash (All): Whilst wielding a weapon of 1 size category larger than the Greatblade Soldier, he treats his reach as being 5 ft. longer than it normally is. However he takes a -2 penalty on all attack rolls against all targets beyond his original reach. Rending Slash (Swords and Scythes): Placing a great amount of power into his attacks, the Greatblade Soldier is able to tear his enemy apart. Whenever the Greatblade Soldier applies the Power Attack feat to his attacks the target bleeds for an additional 1 point of damage during the next round, for every -1 penalty the Greatblade Soldier took to his attack rolls. The damage is not culmative, so therefore multiple attacks do not result in additional bleeding. Oversized Deflection (Axes, Swords, Scythes): Your ability to Deflect weapons improves greatly. You can now deflect oversized weapons such as Boulders, Ballista Bolts, and Catapult Stones. You require the Blade Shield (Deflect Arrows) ability to take this ability. Wild Swing (All): As a Full-Round action the Greatblade Soldier can whip his weapon around him in a large continuous arc. He can make a single attack against every opponent within his reach, however he applies only 1x his Str mod to damage instead of the normal 1-1/2x for wielding a weapon Two-Handed (or only 1-1/2x instead of 2x with Maximum Power). Powerful Wield (All): You are considered to be one size category larger than you actually are for the purpose of wielding weapons and how much you can carry. This ability stakcs with all others that increase your size (Ex. englarge person, powerful build, or strongarm bracers). Maximum Power (All): While wielding any Blade in Two-Hands the Greatblade Soldier applies x3 his Str mod to damage instead of the normal 1-1/2x. You must be 10th level to obtain this ability. Blade Fury (Swords): As a Full-Round action you may make a single attack at your highest melee attack bonus, if that attack hits you deal damage normally, after which your begin your Blade Fury. You may make any number of attacks in that round after the first, however each attack after the first takes a culmative -2 penalty to your attack roll. You may make as many attacks as you please in that round until you miss, after which your turn ends. You must be 10th level to gain this ability. Oversized Deflection [General] You are able to knock away objects much larger than normal. Prerequisites: Str 17, Deflect Arrows, Power Attack Benefit: Your ability to Deflect weapons improves greatly. You can now deflect oversized weapons such as Boulders, Ballista Bolts, and Catapult Stones. special: A Fighter can take this feat as one of his Fighter Bonus Feats. http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48/nightscreamer20/VariantGreatblades.jpg Variants: Around the world there are those that master unwieldly weapons. This class can be refitted to any oversized weapons. Some examples would be using this class for Two-Handed wielded Axes (Greatchopper Soldier), Maces (Heavymace Soldier), Hammers (Siegemaul Soldier), Scythes (Demonscythe Soldier) and even Polearms (Mightshaft Soldier). Alternative Special Abilities Smash Back (Maces, Hammers and Polearms): As other Soldiers deflect incoming ranged attacks with their weapons, you hammer them back to those who fire them upon you. This ability is otherwise like Oversized Deflect however when you would otherwise deflect an incoming Ballista Bolt, Catapult Stone, Hurled Boulder or other oversized ranged attack you may take an immediate action to make a Melee Attack roll at a -4 penalty, with your Hammer or Mace, against an AC equal to a single opponent within the range of the incoming weapon. If the attack hits you smash the incoming object back at the opponent dealing damage normal for the weapon + 1/2 you Strength modifier. You require the Blade Shield (Deflect Arrows) ability to take this ability. Earth Crack (Maces and Hammers): Slamming your weapon into the ground you cause the earth in front of you to ripple and burst. As a Full-Round action make a normal attack roll using your highest Melee Attack Bonus, all enemies within a 60 ft. cone must make a Fortitude save (DC = Attack Total) or be stunned for 1 round. All enemies within the cone that make their saves are instead shaken for 1 round. Cannonball Charge (Maces): Carrying the weight of your weapon and swinging it like a meteor into your opponent you fling them backwards. After a successful charge attack you may fling your opponent backwards. They must make a Fortitude save (DC = Attack Roll Total) or be thrown back 5 ft. for every 10 damage your dealt them (before damage reduction and other resistances, but exluding damage caused by elemental damage). The opponent is flung that far and is knocked prone. If an object would interupt his movement he stops abruptly upon that object, taken 1d6 damage for every 10 feet he had left to move. If this object is another opponent or player, they must make a Reflex save (DC = Your Attack Roll against the primary opponent) or be struck, taking the same damage the first opponent would for hitting an object. You must be 10th level to take this ability. Hack Armor (Axes and Scythes): By taking a Move-Equivalent action you may study your opponent. The next attack you make against that opponent ignores an amount of AC or Damage Reduction (your choice) equal to the Strength modifier applied to your weapon (so x1.5 Str mod for most 'Soldiers'). Break The Body (Hammer): No creature can resist the absolute power of your heavy strikes. As a Full-Round Action you may make a single melee attack against any opponent you threaten, if you hit you strike with such devastating force that you cripple the creature considerably. Roll damage normally, the creature instantly takes an amount Strength and Dexterity damage equal to 1/4 of the amount of damage you would normally deal, rounded up (but still takes damage normally, ex. A Greatmaul Soldier deals 25 damage with this attack; the creature takes 6 Str and Dex damage as well). A Fortitude save (DC = Attack Roll Total - 10), reduces the effect by half. You must be 10th level to choose this ability. Obliterating Chop (Axes): With strikes that split through your opponents like water, you slice through your advesaries. Whenever you score a critical hit against an opponent, the opponent must make a successful Fortitude save (DC = Damage Dealt - 20) or Die. You must be 10th level to obtain this special ability. Rending (Scythes): Repetetive strikes from your blade rips apart flesh and bone creating agonizing wounds. Whenever you make more than one attack against an opponent you deal a culmative +1d6 damage per attack in that round with your weapon. (Ex. +1d6 on the first attack, +2d6 on the second, +3d6 on the third, etc.) The Reaper (Scythes): Your are death incarnate. Once per round, whenever you score a critical hit against an opponent, you can immediately make another attack against that opponent using the same bonuses to your attack roll. If that attack hits, it is also considered a critical hit. You must 10th level to choose this ability. Spinning Defense (Polearms and Scythes): When making a Full-Attack you grant yourself a +4 Deflection bonus to AC. Against ranged attacks you gain a 20% miss chance along with the Deflection bonus. Piercing Strike (Polearms): When using your Power Attack feat you can choose to instead attack all opponents in a line from yourself with a length equal to your reach. This attack does not provoke attacks of opportunity from adjacent opponents as it normally would while attacking with a reach weapon. Roll attack rolls for each creature within the area seperately. Death Sting (Polearms): After studying an opponent you can place a strike so precise and exacting you can drop them immediately. After studying an opponent for 3 rounds (a Standard action each round) your next melee attack against that opponent becomes a Death Sting. If the opponent is struck, the strike is considered a critical hit. Furthermore the opponent must make a Fortitude save (DC 20 + Strength modifier + Power Attack if any) or die. Constructs, Oozes, Plants, and Undead are immune to this effect, however creatures normally immune to critical hits or sneak attack due to Fortification or otherwise gain a +5 bonus to their Fortitude save, but are not otherwise immune.
Wargamer 04-04-07, 07:46 AM	Yes! It returns! I loved this class from the moment I saw it! Fantastic to see it here again!
SokenzanMarauder 04-04-07, 12:30 PM	Awesome to have this back. This time I'm printing it off! -Gene
Prince Indirian 04-04-07, 09:20 PM	Cool class, the idea is awesome...
NightScreamer20 04-07-07, 04:22 PM	Ok... because I am a Fanboy... I was going to make a Whirlwind Soldier (Giant Fans) and a Skycutter Soldier (Giant Boomerangs, like Talent and Xen'drik from Eberron)... ...mmm Fanboydom....
Lord_Destron 04-08-07, 12:06 AM	Holy-Freakin' Crap this ROCKS!!!!
Flay Crimsonwind 04-09-07, 07:29 PM	Well nightscreamer, well done again, heheheh. :D
Riplox 04-09-07, 07:46 PM	Well. Looks like I've been outdone on the coolness factor for this type of class. I like it a whole lot, and you're making me jealous and I want to change my Colossus Blade (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=825318) class to have some of these abilities. Good job. This is a solid class. Maybe a little overpowered in places, but solid. I'd lessen the penalties for fighting with a big weapon some if I were you, but I guess it balances it out some. ...sigh..:twitch:
Jarii246 04-17-07, 02:38 PM	How balanced is this Prc and it abilities? Is it overpowered? Great job BTW.
Jarii246 04-19-07, 01:07 PM	Anybody? I really want to play this but I need to know from several people how balanced it is.
Braekor Dragonfang 04-19-07, 04:09 PM	Holy-Freakin' Crap this ROCKS!!!! I second that opinion!
Jarii246 04-24-07, 10:19 AM	This Prc seems too powerfull. Has anybody actually play-tested this Prc?
NightScreamer20 04-10-08, 02:01 PM	So while using the PrC in a game one of the players had a suggestion as he was wailing boulders away from the party with a log (he was a Heavymace Soldier using his Oversized Deflection ability). "Why do I have to do to smash them back?" "Hm..." I thought to myself. "There! Smash Back!" ...and thus Smash Back for the Heavymace and Siegemaul Soldiers were born. Oh and yes to those critics out there, this class has been played by at half a dozen people in games I have been in (and twice by myself). Seeming overpowered and being overpowered... are two totally different things. Oh and require a vote, my friend wishes me to input the Mightshaft Soldier, a master of Polearms being Greatspears, Halberds, Longspears and so on...
Leress 04-10-08, 02:20 PM	Oh and require a vote, my friend wishes me to input the Mightshaft Soldier, a master of Polearms being Greatspears, Halberds, Longspears and so on... I would say yes, it would make sense to do so since you already have the other weapon classes on here.
M-bark 04-10-08, 02:29 PM	It looks like a solid prestige class, and like the kind a lot of people enjoy (well, OBVIOUSLY! :P), and it takes fighting with oversized weapons to a whole new level (and gives extras to it). This prestige class will probably make it to the list of allowed prestige classes for my next campaign. :D
Spikes01k 04-11-08, 12:05 AM	Blade Shield (Ex): Deflecting attacks whilst holding a slab of metal is difficult, but the Greatblade Soldier puts his skill to the test. At 3rd level he gains a +1 Shield bonus to AC while wielding a Sword Two-Handed and Fighting defensively. Beginning at 6th level he gains the benefits of the Deflect Arrows feat while doing so. Finally at 9th level he can use his Two-Handed Blade to gain the benefits of Total Cover by taking the Total Defense action, the Shield bonus to AC also increases by 1 at this level. This Shield bonus to AC stacks with that of the weapon (if it confers any). If the weapon has an Enhancement bonus, treat it as if it had the Defending special ability, allowing you to allocate how much enhancement you want to your AC and how much to your Attacks. You should make this ability only work with a weapon at least one size larger than your self. It makes more sense since it can cover you better.
NightScreamer20 04-11-08, 10:48 PM	You should make this ability only work with a weapon at least one size larger than your self. It makes more sense since it can cover you better. Great Blade Master (Ex): Any abilities gained from this class only apply to the Greatblade Soldier when he wields a Sword* in Two-Hands that is at least 1 Size category larger than Himself, whether it requires it to be or not. While wielding such a blade he also gains a +2 bonus on Intimidate checks. Your effective Fighter level is equal to your Fighter Class levels + Any levels of this Prestige Class -2, but only for meeting the Prerequisites of Feats that deal with your chosen weapon. ;)
Spikes01k 04-11-08, 11:05 PM	;) OK thanks. Its just a little confusing with the switching of one handed and two handed options on occasion.
Midnight_v 04-12-08, 01:29 AM	Most excellent... :clap:
Collyer-san 04-12-08, 12:13 PM	With the 'Powerful Wield', Should it Only count for Weapon Size, or also for Grapple and AC as Well. Due to the Way it has been Written, It seems to effect everything.
NightScreamer20 04-12-08, 01:02 PM	Hm. Good question. Mechanically, I think it would be overpowered. I mean it would allow Goliaths to be considered Huge and could therefore could effectively wield Colossal weapons with the right equipment (well if their Strength score was sufficient as well... cause thats one heavy weapon). So let me reword it. Thanks for pointing it out. :)
Spikes01k 04-12-08, 06:28 PM	Hm. Good question. Mechanically, I think it would be overpowered. I mean it would allow Goliaths to be considered Huge and could therefore could effectively wield Colossal weapons with the right equipment (well if their Strength score was sufficient as well... cause thats one heavy weapon). So let me reword it. Thanks for pointing it out. :) Wielding larger sized weapons is hardly ever really all that powerful. At most you add usually 3.5-5.5 average damage to your attacks with each size increase.