Ronin - Odachi Tradition

Samurai begin their profession in service to a lord or master. When that service ends the Samurai has three options: find another master to serve, commit ritual suicide, or dishonor themselves and leave in poverty and disgrace with nothing but their weapon and the clothes on their back.

Most Ronin become wandering vagrants looking for trouble and libation. Some become peasant workers. Some continue the warrior profession as mercenaries, hired goons, or seek the life of an adventurer. The Ronin subclass is about these masterless warriors struggling to survive in a dangerous and unforgiving world.

The Odachi Tradition focuses on the use of heavy two handed weapons.

Disgraced

The word Ronin means "wave man", or one who is adrift, a vagrant. Upon taking the Ronin subclass you are looked down upon by everyone, including other Ronin. As such you have disadvantage on Persuasion attempts you initiate, but have learned to more effectively intimidate and deceive to get what you want. You have a +2 bonus to Deception and Intimidation checks.

Unarmored Defense

Upon losing your station in society and becoming a Ronin, you learned to survive with little protection from the environment. While you are not wearing any armor, your Armor Class equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier + your Constitution modifier. You can use a shield and still gain this benefit.

Brute Force

The Ronin using a heavy weapon will sometimes use their weight to kick or ram an opponent with his shoulder in order to throw them off balance. The Odachi Ronin may use their bonus action to perform an unarmed strike or shove attack.

Phalanx Disruptor

Samurai specializing in Odachi are trained to use their weapons to parry pike heads as they close ranks with infantry. When armed with a two-handed melee weapon the Ronin may use their bonus action to move through Reach range without provoking attacks of opportunity.

Cavalry Slayer

Odachi Samurai train for many hours a day to use their longer weapons against horsemen and their mounts. The Ronin may use his reaction to make an opportunity attack against a target larger than itself or a mounted rider when the target moves into the Ronin's melee attack range.

Death Strike

When the Ronin has the opportunity to make a melee Attack action with advantage, he may instead take the Death Strike action to increase the damage dealt.

Horse Cleaver

Legend says the Samurai armed with Odachi can cut a horse in two. The Ronin wielding a two-handed weapon adds 2 damage of the same type as their weapon (piercing, slashing, or bludgeoning).

Anticipate Death

The Ronin enters combat expecting to die, and that is why he lives. Every time you slay an opponent you may use your reaction to heal using one of your hit dice plus your constitution modifier.