Blademaster

A blademaster’s proficiency with a weapon rises above the unimaginative hacking of simpler warriors, extending to defensive parries, targeted lacerations, and much much more. The blademaster’s weapon is an extension of their body and will, and they are a force to be reckoned with.

Blade Parry

At 3rd level, you gain the ability to parry foes attacks directed at you or your allies. As a reaction when a creature within reach of your weapon makes an attack roll against you or another creature, you may Blade Parry its attack, increasing the target’s AC by the roll of one damage die of your weapon. At 5th level and above, you can choose to instead expend one of your extra attacks, forsaking that attack on your next turn to parry without spending your reaction. You may not Blade Parry while holding a shield or wearing heavy armor.

Opportunistic Repositioning

At 3rd level, you can use a parry to make an advantageous maneuver, when you Blade Parry a creature, you can choose to move around the creature to a different space, as long as you remain within the reach of your weapon. This movement does not provoke opportunity attacks.

Guard Break

At 7th level, you are able to weave your attacks together, using every part of your blade effectively. If you have successfully Blade Parried an enemy a number of times equal to its constitution modifier, you can attempt a guard break. On your turn, you may spend a bonus action, making a strength or dexterity check with a dc equal to 8+ their con mod. On a success, your next attack on this creature is an automatic critical, and you are considered to have Blade Parried it 0 times again.

Retributive Break

At 10th level, If you Blade Parry a critical hit, you can immediately attempt a guard break. This does not negate the effects of the attack, or critical hit.

Defensive Shift

At 15th level, if you raise the target’s AC to be at least 5 greater than the attack you are Blade Parrying, you may immediately make an attack as part of the reaction (or attack) you spent to Blade Parry.

Elemental Deflection

At 18th level, when you are the target of a ranged spell attack, or Blade Parry a melee spell attack, your blade absorbs some of the energy of the spell deflected. Your next attack deals additional damage equal to the roll of half of the damage dice of that effect.