Ronin - Tachi 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 Tachi tradition teaches Samurai to fight with one medium sized weapon held in both hands.

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.

Unorthodox Technique

You have developed your own secret strategy for ending a fight quickly. On your first attack of the combat you have advantage when attacking a specific opponent you have never attacked before.

Graceful Form

As a specialist in the use of medium sized weaponry with two hands you have mastered all of their martial forms. Your movements with these weapons have become elegant and graceful. You may make attacks with versatile weapons using both hands as though they had the Finesse property.

Swift Strike

While wielding a versatile weapon in two hands and not wearing armor you may use your bonus action to make an attack with that weapon. Due to quick wits you add a +2 bonus to your initiative rolls regardless of the weapon you wield, whether or not you are wearing armor.

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.

Master Duelist

The unencumbered Ronin has honed their fighting prowess to the point where they can block and strike in a single move. The Ronin adds +2 to their armor class while wielding a versatile weapon with both hands and wearing no armor.

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.