Path of the Steelheart

As a Steelheart, you have forged your body and spirit into a bastion of resilience. The trials of life, whether through battle, betrayal, or loss, have hardened your will, and your weapon is an extension of that indomitable strength. On this path, you gain the ability to withstand the harshest of blows and strike with the force of an unstoppable force of nature. Your heart is forged in fire, and your blade is the embodiment of your steadfast resolve—unyielding, powerful, and prepared to face any challenge head-on.

You spellcasting ability score is Constitution.

Additionally, due to limitations of Custom Actions classified as Spells and Regular Spell Cantrips, I have made "Limited Use Cantrips". Charges for "Limited Use Cantrips" can be managed under Actions. This is mainly due to items that increase the saves on your spells not working on Custom Spell Actions unless they have an attack roll on them.

This Barbarian Subclass is a revised version of a Fighter subclass named "Blade of the Exile", with this one having many clarifications, balances, and different mechanics but overall fitting the same thematic and gameplay.

Level 3: Reforged Weapon

Starting at 3rd level, you gain the ability to designate any melee weapon as a Reforged Weapon, a weapon that resonates with your soul. 

Reforged Weapon: Marking a weapon as "Reforged " is done via assigning it as a "Pact Weapon"  when viewing it. You may only have 1 Reforged Weapon at a time and you can change which melee weapon is Reforged every Long Rest. When a weapon is Reforged, you gain proficiency with it (if not already proficient) and any damage it deals counts as magical for the purposes of overcoming resistances. Additionally, gain these benefits while using your Reforged Weapon on attacks:

• Can move 5ft of distance after each attack or spell without provoking opportunity attacks and ignoring difficult terrain. Can only do this if you have the movement remaining to do so.
• After an attack with Reforged Weapon, regardless of hitting or missing, gain 1 charge of Rune Conduit for use in Runic Abilities. Gain 1 + your Constitution Modifier worth of max charges. Your spell casting ability score for Runic Abilities is Constitution.

Runic Ability - Broken Wings (Limited Use Cantrip): Requires and uses 3 Rune Conduit charges to cast this spell. As an action, leap into the air to deal a crushing blow to a target within 10ft. The target and all other targets within 5ft of the initial one must make a Dexterity saving throw. On fails, the main target takes 2d6 Force Damage and other targets take half this damage. On success, the main target takes half damage and other targets take none. Additionally, this spell moves you within 5ft of the main target, ignoring difficult terrain and opportunity attacks. You can use Broken Wings 2 times per Long Rest, and regain one expended use when you finish a Short Rest.

 Broken Wings scales with levels:

• 6 - 3d6, 3 uses, additionally inflicts Prone on main target if save is failed.
• 11 - 4d6, 4 uses, range increases to 15ft.
• 17 - 5d6, 5 uses, additionally inflicts stun on the main target until the start of their next turn instead of prone.

You can manage uses for this Spell under "Actions".

Pact Boon

Reforged Weapon Enhancement

Pact of the Blade

Reforged Weapon Enhancement

Level 3: Spellcasting

This subclass allows spellcasting while raging because its connection to primal, runic magic is rooted in the Barbarian’s inner strength and focus, rather than traditional arcane or divine power. The rage amplifies their raw physical and magical force, enabling them to channel both their fury and spellcasting abilities simultaneously without hindrance.

You can only cast "Rune Ability" spells (Spells gained from this subclass) whilst in Rage.

Your spellcasting ability score is Constitution.

Level 6: Valor

Starting at 6th level, your courage in battle can be focused into your Reforged Weapon's runes. You gain a new ability:

Valor: As a Bonus Action, you can expend 1 use of Valor to gain a quick burst of energy and you can move 15ft, ignoring slows, and difficult terrain but not opportunity attacks. Additionally, regardless of moving or not, gain 2d4 + your Constitution Modifier worth of temporary hit points. You can use Valor 2 times per Long Rest, and regain one expended use when you finish a Short Rest.

Hit points and number of uses for Valor increase based on level:

• 10 - 3d4, 3 uses
• 14 - 4d4, 4 uses
• 18 - 5d4, 5 uses

Level 10: Empowered Runes

Starting at the 10th level, your connection to your reforged weapon deepens, allowing you to fully harness your Spell Slots to channel the raw force of your rage and the refined power of your inner strength into devastating attacks. You gaining the following:

Empowered Runes (Rage Effect): During your Rage, you can expend 1 Spell Slot and 1 Rune Conduit charge to empower your next attack with your Reforged Weapon. This empowerment takes effect on the next attack you make before the start of your following turn, with no action required to activate. The effects vary depending on the Spell Slot you use:

• 1st Level - Add +2 to the attack roll and 1d4 Force Damage on a hit.
• 2nd/3rd Level - Add +3 to the attack roll and 1d4 Force Damage on a hit.
• 4th Level - Add +5 to the attack roll and 2d4 Force Damage on a hit.

 

Level 10: Runic Burst

Starting at 10th level, gain the ability to release stored energy within your Reforged Weapon:

Rune Ability - Runic Burst (Limited Use Cantrip): As an Action, unleash a disorientating wave of energy from your Reforged Weapon, forcing all creatures with 10ft to make a Constitution saving throw. On failed saves, targets take 2d8 Force Damage have their Movement Speed reduced by 15ft until the start of your next turn and their next saving throw attempt is reduced by 1d4. You can use this spell 2 times per long rest and requires and uses 3 Rune Conduit Charges to cast.

Effects increase at level 16: 3d8 Force Damage, 3 uses, additionally inflicts Blinded and Deafened Conditions on failed saves until the start of your next turn. You can manage uses for this Spell under "Actions".

Level 14: Windslash

Starting at the 14th level, you unlock the full potential of your Reforged Weapon. Gain the following:

Rune Ability - Windslash (Limited Use Cantrip): Once per long rest, while raging, you can use your Reforged Weapon to unleash a wave of arcing energy that condenses the air around it into a razor-sharp edge. All creatures within a 30ft cone must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, targets take 4d6 + CON Modifier Force Damage. On a successful save, they take half damage. Regardless of whether they succeed or not, if they are below or equal to 1/5 (20%) of their Maximum Hit Points (Rounded Down) they take double damage.

Damage increases at level 18 (4d8 + CON modifier).