Blade Master

Blade Masters have demonstrated mastery of the sword and are identified by a heron mark on the base of their blades.

The Heron Spreads Its Wings

When you choose this archetype at 3rd level, you learn maneuvers that are fueled by special dice called superiority dice.

Forms. The Blademaster has learned two forms by level 3.

You gain an additional form at 5th, 7th, 10th, and 15th levels. Each time you learn new forms, you can also replace one form you know with a different one.

 

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

Form save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Strength or Dexterity modifier (your choice)

Student of War

At 3rd level, you gain proficiency with one type of artisan’s tools of your choice.

Sword Forms

The maneuvers are presented in alphabetical order.

Apple Blossoms in the Wind

While in this form the Blademaster can use the shove action as a bonus action to push an enemy 5 ft away. Must be more than one enemy within melee range for this to occur.

Black Lance's Last Strike

While in this form, the blade master draws her weapon for an immediate strike to the neck. Add 1d6 damage to your first attack each round. If you miss on this attack, enemies have advantage on attacks against you until your next turn.

Black Pebbles on Snow

+2 to attack and damage rolls during a surprise round when the Blademaster has surprised her enemies.

Cat Crosses the Courtyard

While in this form you do not provoke opportunity attacks.

Cat Dances on the Wall

While in this form, if an enemy misses an attack against the Blademaster, she can use her reaction to trip the creature who must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or fall prone.

Cat on the Hot Sand

By spending 5 feet of movement in a feint, the Blademaster can force up to two enemies in melee range to expend their reaction on a failed attack of opportunity. The enemy will still roll the attack, but can only succeed on the attack with a natural 20.

Courtier Taps His Fan

As an action while in the form the Blademaster strikes the target's head with the hilt of their blade. The enemy must make a Constitution saving throw or become stunned. DC is calculated with Strength and proficiency.

Creeper Embraces the Oak

While in this form, the Blademaster receives +2 to AC.

Lotus Closes Its Blossom

While in this form, attack rolls of 18, 19, and 20 are considered critical hits.

Plucking the Low Hanging Apple

While in this form, any attacks against a target who is misses half of the Max HP do an additional 1d8 damage.

Rain in High Wind

While in this form, you may use your reaction to halve damage from a melee attack, done by an enemy you can see, once per round.

Swallow Takes Flight

While in this form the Blademaster receives a +1 bonus to their AC.

The Viper Flicks Its Tongue

When the Blademaster is within 5ft of an ally, the ally may roll melee attacks for any attacks that the Blademaster misses.

The Wind Blows Over the Wall

While in this form, the Blademaster gains a +3 bonus to AC.

Know Your Enemy

Starting at 7th level, if you spend at least 1 minute observing or interacting with another creature outside combat, you can learn certain information about its capabilities compared to your own. The DM tells you if the creature is your equal, superior, or inferior in regard to two of the following characteristics of your choice:

• Strength score
• Dexterity score
• Constitution score
• Armor Class
• Current hit points
• Total class levels (if any)
• Fighter class levels (if any)

Threading the Needle

Beginning at 10th level, the Blademaster can choose to shift her form using a bonus action during their turn instead of sacrificing their movement.

Leopard in High Grass

Every time you shift forms, ass 1d6 to your next attack and damage roll.

Kissing the Adder

When the Blademaster rolls initiative, they may select one adversary. For the first round of combat the Blademaster is guaranteed to hit the creature, and natural rolls of 16 or higher are considerer a critical hit during that round. For that round, the Blademaster's AC is reduced to 8 plus their Dexterity modifier.