Blade Dancer

Meditating in a stone circle, the young elf sits as his scimitar glows in front of him, binding itself to his skin.

A female halfling jumps from one gnoll to another, her knives flying through the air and sinking into any flesh that is free as the gnoll screams in pain.

Whirling like a devil a female human spins on a stage, blades flying as she finishes her performance. She gives a wink to an audience member before disappearing in a flash of silver and steel.

A blade dancer spends their whole lives learning and adapting to combat through weaponry, with little time spent elsewhere. Magical blades are bound to skin through the process called "Gilding", which is needed to produce blade dancers, once the gilding has occurred these blades may be called to the dancer at will. The size, length and number of tattoo's also play into a Blade Dancers ability, changing from a longsword into a cloud of daggers.

 When creating a Blade Dancer take into consideration what tattoo your Dancer will have and what weapon they wield: will they have a large curved tattoo which changes into a greatsword or a handful off small tattoos which shift into a handful of daggers? (Be sure to talk to your DM about this to see if they are willing to let this subclass exist.)

Blade Proficiency

 Your blade die increases to a d8.

Gilding

When you choose this archetype at 3rd level, you take place in the gilding, binding a blade to your body.

Dances. You learn three blade dances of your choice, which are detailed under “dances” below. Many dances enhance an attack or defence in some way. You can use only one dance per attack action.

You learn two additional dances of your choice at 7th, 10th, and 15th level. Each time you learn new blade dances, you can also replace one dance you know with a different one.

Blade points. You have (DEX modifier) blade points, which are d6s. A blade point is expended when you use it. You regain all of your expended blade points when you finish a short or long rest.

Saving Throws. Some of your blade dances require your target to make a saving throw to resist the maneuver’s effects. The saving throw DC is calculated as follows:

Blade dance save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Dexterity modifier (your choice)

Gilded blade

At 3rd level, you may summon your gilded blade as a free action.

Your gilded blade takes the form of one bladed weapon you choose, (this cannot be changed once gilded). Your weapon attacks count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistances and you can call your gilded blade from wherever it is to you as a free action. You cannot be disarmed of your gilded blade unless you are incapacitated or unconscious.

Dances

The blade dances are presented in order.

Backhanded Throw

You can expend one blade point to make a melee attack against one creature within 15ft. as a bonus action as your gilded blade flies out, striking the target and dealing an extra blade die of damage.

Display of Splendor

When you hit with a weapon attack you can expend a blade point to deal an extra blade die of damage to the target and force one creature within 30ft. to make a wisdom save or become either charmed or frightened of you.

Distracting Display

When you hit with a weapon attack you can expend one blade point to deal an extra blade die of damage and grant the next two attack rolls advantage against this creature for others.

Inspiring Display

As a bonus action you may use a blade point to create a display that bolsters your allies, granting them advantage on their next attack, save or check and granting them 3 blade die + dex mod temporary hit points.

Retribution

As a reaction after being struck by an enemy you can use a blade point to deal your gilded blade damage plus blade die damage to the attacker. (Dex save for half)

Risky Throw

As a bonus action you can use a blade point try and make an attack against one enemy within 30ft, the attack roll is made with disadvantage but on a hit deals double damage for both the gilded blade and blade die damage.

Savage Strike

When you hit with a weapon attack, you can use a blade point and add the blade die to the damage roll.

Sharpened Guard

When another creature damages you with a melee attack, you can use your reaction and use a blade point to reduce the damage you take by your blade die + DEX mod, the creature who hit you then takes the amount of damage you reduced as slashing damage.

Silvered Escape

As a bonus action, you can expend a blade point to gain a blade die worth of temporary hit points and teleport up to 15ft. as you disappear in a flash of blades. 

Sweeping Slaughter

You can use an action to use a blade point to fire copies of your gilded blade in a 15ft. cone, each creature taking your gilded blade damage plus your blade die damage. (Dex save for half)

Targeted Strike

When you attempt to strike a creature you can use a blade point to add the blade die to the attack roll.

Tearing Air

As an action you can expend a blade point to cast cloud of daggers as you tear the air open within 60ft. of you.

Tearing Blades

When you hit with a weapon attack you can try and tear your gilded blade from a creature in order to cause a gaping wound. The creature must make a Constitution saving throw or take one blade die worth of damage at the start of each of its turns as it slowly bleeds out from the wound. 

Uncanny Deflection

You can spend one blade point to add its roll to your armour class as a bonus action as your gilded blade floats by you, shielding you from harm.

Weakening Strike

When you make an attack against one creature you can remove one blade die worth of armour class from the creature until the start of your next turn.

Showmanship

Starting at 7th level, you are able to turn any situation in your favour, whatever the odds, you gain proficiency in persuasion and performance checks, and as an action can try to convince a creature to participate in single combat with you.

Blade Mastery

Your blade die turns into a d10. At 17th they turn into a d12

Trick up your sleeve

At 15th level, when you roll initiative and have no blade points remaining, you regain one blade point.

Blade Expertise

At 17th level, your blade die turns into a d12.