Swordsmith

Masters of the sword and the forge, bringing their skills together through creating their own Sacred Sword, and using unique sword techniques and a variety of stances. Because of that, Swordsmiths don't use shields or other weapons. Each Swordsmith must craft their own blade, their Sacred Sword, and gets to design each aspect of the sword to suit their particular fighting style.

Combat Superiority

When you choose this archetype at 3rd level, you learn sword techniques that are fueled by special dice called superiority dice.

Stances and Techniques. You learn two stances of your choice, which are detailed under “Stances” below. Each stance has access to various techniques related to the stance while it is assumed. Many techniques enhance an attack in some way, provide defensive capabilities or allow some utility. You can use only one techniques per attack.

You learn an additional stance of your choice at 7th, 10th, and 15th level. Each time you learn a new stance, you can also replace one stance you know with a different one.

Superiority Dice. You have eight superiority dice, which are d8s. A superiority die is expended when you use it. You regain all of your expended superiority dice when you finish a short or long rest.

You gain another two superiority die at 7th level and two more at 15th level.

Saving Throws. Some of your techniques require your target to make a saving throw to resist the technique's effects. The saving throw DC is calculated as follows:

Technique save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Strength or Dexterity modifier (your choice)

Forge and the Blade

At 3rd level, you forge your own Sacred Sword to become a true Swordsmith. Create a custom magic item and name your Sacred Sword once it has been forged.

Below are the various customisable options for your own sword, they cannot be changed once the sword has been fully forged.

• Shape
  • Curved - on a critical hit with this weapon, you have a chance of severing a limb off the target, the target must do a CON saving throw. If they fail they lose an arm, if they fail by 10 or more you cut off their head, if they succeed you deal an extra 2d8 damage of the weapon's damage type instead.
  • Narrow Straight - on a critical hit with this weapon, you grievously wound the target and cause them to have disadvantage on all attack rolls until the start of your next turn.
  • Broad Straight - on a critical hit with this weapon, you make the target stumble, giving yourself an opening where you can use your bonus action to make another melee weapon attack.
• Length/Weight
  • Short - light property, can use a bonus action to attack as if it were two weapons, 1d6
  • Traditional - versatile property, 1d8/1d10
  • Great - heavy property, 1d12
  • Massive - heavy property, STR 18 requirement, reach, 1d12
• Edges
  • Edgeless - piercing damage, once per turn, when you hit a creature with this weapon, you can reroll one of the attack’s damage dice, and you must use the new roll.
  • Single-Edged - can choose slashing or piercing damage with each attack, double damage against objects and constructs.
  • Doubled-Edged - slashing damage, once per turn, when you hit a creature with this weapon, you can reduce the targets speed by 10 feet until the start of your next turn.
• Colour - While you wield the sword, you are filled with the corresponding emotion and can channel it to help you fight.
  • Black - Filled with a feeling of power and a coldness, the urge to protect others and yourself.
  • White - Feeling of purity and a coldness for your enemies, urge to clean the world of them
  • Red - Overwhelmed with passion, feeling of your own strength, and aggression towards your enemies
  • Green - Feel stability take over, good health, disgust for your enemies
  • Blue - Calmness fills you, calculated look on the battlefield, trust in your allies
  • Purple - Your pride is brimming, and you are filled with courage
  • Yellow - You feel optimistic and happy, keenly aware of dangers
  • Orange - Your emotions are amplified, and you are excited and energised
  • Pink - Filled with compassion and love for everything around you
  • Turquoise - A feeling of serene clarity overwhelms you
  • Grey - You feel stoic, somewhat isolated, but in control and practical
• Hilt - The hilt can be flavoured in any way by the smith.

At 3rd level, you also gain proficiency with smith's tools.

When you first forge your Sacred Sword it is a +1 magic weapon. At 10th level it becomes a +2 magic weapon and at 15th level it becomes a +3 magic weapon as you and your weapon grows in power.

Stances

A swordsmith uses a variety of stances to best use their sword skills in a wide range of circumstances. Each stance grants access to a variety of sword techniques that can only be accessed while in that stance. You can only be in one stance at a time, and it uses a bonus action to change stances. You decide which stance you assume when combat is initiated, or if you are surprised the standard Ox Stance is assumed.

Bear Stance

You assume the Bear Stance, a defensive Stance, a stance focused on an excellent guard with some utility. You gain access to seven different sword techniques while in this stance which are listed below.

• Defensive Attack
• Defensive Stand
• Disarming Strike
• Full Counter
• Impenetrable Guard - Requires level 10
• Prepared Attack
• Whirlwind Defence - Requires level 7

Dragon Stance

An advanced stance where the wielder stands still either creating a large opening by holding their sword to the side, or by having the sword sheathed. Creates an illusion of an easy opening for opponents while the stance-wielder appears to stand at ease. The Dragon Stance utilises the wielder's lightning fast sword skills to surprise and attack enemies with advanced skills and overwhelming power. You gain access to seven different sword techniques unique to this stance that are listed below. The Dragon Stance requires level 15. Once per turn, you can change your stance as a free action.

• Deceptive Opening
• Execution
• First Strike
• Lightning-Fast Draw
• Masterful Attack
• Pre-emptive Strike
• Sundering Blow

Ox Stance

You assume the Ox Stance, or the battle stance, a stance focused on offense and defence combined. You gain access to eight techniques listed below. Once per turn, you can change your stance as a free action.

• Blinding Strike - Requires level 10
• Disrupting Attack - Requires level 7
• Feinting Attack
• Grappling Strike
• Mighty Strikes - Requires level 15
• Parry
• Pinning Attack
• Precise Lunge

Snake Stance

You assume the Snake Stance, a stance focused on mobility and sliding through the battlefield with deadly maneuverability. You gain access to seven different sword techniques unique to this stance that are listed below. Once per turn, you can change your stance as a free action.

• Acrobatic Defence
• Acrobatic Feint
• Evasive Footwork
• Great Cleave - Requires level 7
• Mobile Attacks - Requires level 10
• Retreat
• Stinging Charge

Wolf Stance

You assume the Wolf Stance, a stance focused entirely on offence with a disregard for yourself. You gain access to seven different sword techniques unique to this stance listed below.

• Bleeding Strike
• Menacing Attack
• Powerful Strikes - Requires level 7
• Reckless Swing
• Riposte
• Unstoppable - Requires level 15
• Whirlwind Attack

Know Your Weapons

You are experienced with various weapons and the process of forging them, primarily swords but with a knowledge of other weapons as well. Starting at 7th level, if you spend at least 1 minute observing or interacting with a weapon of any kind outside of combat, you can learn certain information about its capabilities and if it contains any magical effects. The DM tells you if the weapon is your equal, superior, or inferior when compared to your own sword in regard to two of the following characteristics of your choice:

• Magical Bonus
• Extra Elemental Damage
• Sharpened
• Special Effects
• Soulbound
• Can/can't be disarmed
• Sentience

Improved Combat Superiority

At 10th level, your superiority dice turn into d10s. At 18th level, they turn into d12s.

Relentless

Starting at 15th level, when you roll initiative and have no superiority dice remaining, you regain one superiority die.

Improved Combat Superiority

At 18th level, your superiority dice turn into d12s.