Base Class: Fighter
Origins and Philosophy
Spellblade Knights are a rare breed of warriors who do not draw their arcane prowess from deep study, pacts with eldritch beings, or divine favor, but from the sheer force of their own personality. Unlike eldritch knights who meticulously study tomes of magic, or warlocks who barter with powers beyond mortal ken, Spellblade Knights discover that their will alone can shape magical energy.
Many scholars believe the first Spellblade Knights arose during great wars that demanded not only might of arms but also mastery of morale and manipulation. Generals and champions found that their charismatic speeches, defiant stares, and ironclad confidence did more than rally soldiers—they bent the weave itself. Their passions lit like sparks upon the Weave, forging a new kind of magic that flowed directly from their sense of self.
To a Spellblade Knight, the arcane is not a mystery to decode, but an extension of their own identity. Their spells come not from rote memorization or prayer but from their drive, passion, ego, and indomitable will. They are often performers on the battlefield, using both blade and supernatural presence to inspire awe, dread, or loyalty.
Cultural Roots
Different cultures have embraced the Spellblade tradition in unique ways:
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Valorian Commanders: In the war-torn republic of Valoria, generals train in rhetoric, philosophy, and swordplay, believing true authority is a harmony of mind, body, and force of will. Many Valorian high marshals are Spellblade Knights, dazzling their armies and breaking enemy morale with burning words backed by psychic force.
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Elven Houses of Aerlith: Among the high elves of Aerlith, Spellblade Knights are aristocratic duelists who combine centuries of poetic tradition with war magic. Their charisma is almost artistic, their duels often resembling elaborate performances that leave audiences breathless.
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Oathbrother Tribes: In rugged steppe clans, a Spellblade Knight might be the warleader whose personal magnetism calls entire tribes under one banner. Their magic manifests in flashing eyes, booming war cries, and terrifying displays of will that send lesser foes fleeing.
Appearance and Training
Spellblade Knights often differ in bearing from other fighters. Where traditional warriors might project raw physical menace or calm discipline, Spellblade Knights exude magnetism. Their armor is often ornate, adorned with sigils, vibrant sashes, or personal crests that reinforce their legend. They maintain impeccable posture, knowing every inch of their demeanor is a weapon.
Their training blends rigorous martial drills with techniques to hone their presence: oratory, theater, dance, even ritualized intimidation. They learn to channel every gesture, every glare, every triumphant flourish of their blade into a font of arcane might.
Their Role in Warfare
In battle, Spellblade Knights are force multipliers. They stride into the fray not just to cut down foes, but to unravel enemy morale and fortify allies. A single Spellblade Knight might hold an entire flank by shattering the resolve of advancing troops, or rally battered lines with a few shouted words undergirded by subtle spells of charm and courage.
Their charisma often makes them natural leaders, even if they hold no formal rank. Commanders respect their ability to turn the emotional tides of war, while soldiers follow them almost instinctively, caught up in the current of their vibrant will.
Dark Paths
Not all Spellblade Knights use their talents honorably. Some become tyrants or cruel enforcers, using their power to dominate and terrify. These dark Spellblade Knights often hone spells of fear, compulsion, and psychic torment, delighting in the helpless submission of their victims.
Legends tell of entire kingdoms brought low not by massed armies, but by a single silver-tongued Spellblade Knight who wormed their way into the hearts and minds of the nobility before turning the court upon itself.
Among Adventurers
Spellblade Knights are natural adventurers. The same unshakable confidence that fuels their magic drives them to seek out new challenges and triumphs. Many adventure simply to prove themselves, etching their names into legend through both daring deeds and spectacular displays of magical prowess.
Reputation and Myths
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Tales often exaggerate their powers, claiming a Spellblade Knight can kill with a word or seduce an entire town with a glance.
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Bards love to compose ballads of Spellblade Knights single-handedly holding castle gates, laughing as waves of enemies break upon their indomitable spirit.
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In hushed tones, some claim the strongest Spellblade Knights have so fully intertwined their identity with magic that to wound their pride is to wound them physically—and that by the same token, their victories literally strengthen their bodies.
Symbolic Meaning
To many cultures, the Spellblade Knight embodies the idea that identity is power. Their example teaches that to know oneself utterly, and to project that self unflinchingly into the world, is to wield magic more potent than any dusty tome or muttered prayer.
Level 3: 📊 Spellblade Knight Spellcasting
You augment your combat style with spells drawn from your charisma and commanding spirit.
Cantrips. You learn two cantrips of your choice from the Bard or Warlock spell lists. You learn another cantrip at 10th level.
When you reach Fighter level 10, you learn another Bard or Warlock cantrip of your choice.
Spell Slots. The Spellblade Knight Spellcasting table shows how many spell slots you have to cast your spells of 1st level and higher. You regain all expended slots when you finish a Long Rest.
| —Spell Slots per Spell Level— | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fighter Level | Spells Prepared | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 3 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — |
| 4 | 4 | 3 | — | — | — |
| 5 | 4 | 3 | — | — | — |
| 6 | 4 | 3 | — | — | — |
| 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 | — | — |
| 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | — | — |
| 9 | 6 | 4 | 2 | — | — |
| 10 | 7 | 4 | 3 | — | — |
| 11 | 8 | 4 | 3 | — | — |
| 12 | 8 | 4 | 3 | — | — |
| 13 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | — |
| 14 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 2 | — |
| 15 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 2 | — |
| 16 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 3 | — |
| 17 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 3 | — |
| 18 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 3 | — |
| 19 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| 20 | 13 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
Prepared Spells of Level 1+. You prepare the list of level 1+ spells that are available for you to cast with this feature. To start, choose three level 1 spells from the Bard or Warlock spell list.
The number of spells on your list increases as you gain Fighter levels, as shown in the Prepared Spells column of the Spellblade Knight Spellcasting table. Whenever that number increases, choose additional spells from the bard or warlock spell list until the number of spells on your list matches the number on the table. The chosen spells must be of a level for which you have spell slots. For example, if you’re a level 7 Fighter, your list of prepared spells can include five Bard or Warlock spells of levels 1 and 2 in any combination.
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Spells Known. You know two 1st-level spells of your choice from the Bard or Warlock spell lists. The Spells Known column of the Spellblade Knight Spellcasting table shows when you learn more spells of your choice. Each of these spells must be of a level for which you have spell slots.
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Whenever you gain a level in this class, you can replace one of the spells you know with another spell from the Bard or Warlock spell lists for which you have spell slots.
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Spellcasting Ability. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Spellcasting Focus. You can use an Arcane Focus as a Spellcasting Focus for your Bard or Warlock spells.
Level 3: 🔥 Forceful Personality
3rd-Level Spellblade Knight Feature
Your weapon strikes carry magical force empowered by your charisma. When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend a spell slot to deal extra psychic damage equal to 1d8 per level of the spell slot, and you can push the creature up to 10 feet away if it fails a Wisdom saving throw against your Spell Save DC.
Alternatively, when you take the Attack action, you can replace one of your attacks with a command infused with magic. Choose a creature within 30 feet. That creature must make a Wisdom saving throw against your Spell Save DC. On a failure, it is charmed or frightened (your choice) until the start of your next turn.
Level 7: ✨ Commanding Surge
7th-Level Spellblade Knight Feature
When you use your Action Surge, you can immediately cast a spell with a casting time of 1 action as a bonus action.
Level 10: 🛡️ Charismatic Guard
10th-Level Spellblade Knight Feature
Your supernatural presence shields you. Whenever you make a Dexterity or Wisdom saving throw, you can add your Charisma modifier to the roll.
Additionally, when an attacker you can see hits you with an attack, you can use your reaction to impose disadvantage on the attack roll by sheer force of your presence. You can use this reaction a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum once), regaining all expended uses when you finish a long rest.
Level 15: 🌟 Unshakeable Dominance
15th-Level Spellblade Knight Feature
When a creature fails a saving throw against being charmed or frightened by one of your spells or features, you can force it to become stunned until the end of your next turn. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, regaining all expended uses when you finish a long rest.
Level 18: 👑 Imperial Presence
18th-Level Spellblade Knight Feature
Your aura dominates the battlefield. As an action, you can cause any number of creatures of your choice within 60 feet that can see or hear you to make a Wisdom saving throw against your Spell Save DC. On a failed save, a creature is either charmed or frightened by you (your choice) for 1 minute. It can repeat the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success.
Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.
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