The Book Of Five Rings

Followers of the Go Rin No Sho study the strategy of the Void. This subclass focuses on the "Two Heavens as One" philosophy, allowing a warrior to adapt between overwhelming offense and an impenetrable, reactive defense. Through discipline, the fighter gains an Ego mentor within their blades, guiding them toward the peak of martial perfection

Level 3: The Twofold Path

On Initiative or as a Bonus Action, choose a Stance:

• Nitouryuu: Hyōhō Niten Ichi-ryū: Wielding Katana (Long Sword) in your main hand and a Wakizashi (short sword) in your off-hand.

Mechanic: Each attack roll made as part of your Action counts as two separate hits on the same target. You do not roll a second time; if the initial attack roll hits the target's AC, the damage is dealt twice.

Restriction: You must focus all attacks on a single target. If you switch targets, you lose the double-hit benefit for the remainder of the turn. You cannot make any attacks using a Bonus Action (except Action Surge).

• Ittō-ryū: Tenkai Ichi-ryū: You cannot take the Attack Action or use your Bonus Action to attack on your turn. Instead, you gain the following benefits:

Unyielding Defense: You gain Resistance to all Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing damage.

The Master's Counter: When a creature within your reach attacks you or moves out of your reach, you can use your Reaction to make a melee weapon attack.

Attack Roll: For this Reaction attack, you roll 1d10 + Strength Modifier + Proficiency Bonus.

Level 7: Flow of the Duel

You attune yourself to the rhythm of battle. At the start of each of your turns after the first round of combat, you gain 2d8 Force damage bonus to all your melee weapon attacks. This bonus resets to zero if combat ends or if you are incapacitated.

Level 10: Strike of No-Thought

Your movements become fluid and instinctual, leaving no room for hesitation. Depending on your stance, you gain the following benefits:

Nitouryuu (Dual Wield): Your twin blades create an impenetrable web of steel. You gain a +2 bonus to your Armor Class.

Ittō-ryū (Single Wield): Your counter-strikes carry the weight of the Void. When you hit a creature with a Reaction attack, the target must succeed on a Strength Saving Throw or be knocked Prone.

Level 15: Perfect Balance

You have reached the pinnacle of tactical fluidity. You can now switch between Nitouryuu: Hyōhō Niten Ichi-ryū and Ittō-ryū: Tenkai Ichi-ryū by using either your Action or your Reaction.

When you switch stances, you immediately gain all benefits, resistances, and AC bonuses of the new stance. If you use your Reaction to switch to Ittō-ryū when targeted by an attack, the half-damage benefit applies to that triggering attack.

You can use this feature 3 times, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a Long Rest.

Level 18: Void Slash: Kū

You achieve the final lesson of the Go Rin No Sho. By merging your soul, mind, and body with the Void, you unleash a strike beyond time.

Requirement: Must be in Nitouryuu: Hyōhō Niten Ichi-ryū stance.

Effect: As an Action, you make a single transcendent strike. The target must make a Dexterity Saving Throw. On a failure, they take 10d10 Force Damage and are Stunned until the end of your next turn. On a success, they take half damage and are not stunned.

The Cost of the Void: Immediately after using this feature, you gain 1 level of Exhaustion as the sheer weight of the Void takes its toll on your body.