Blademaster

 

"I do not fear the man that has practiced a thousand strikes.  I fear the man that has practice a single strike a thousand times." 

A samurai's katana swats arrows out of the air as he runs across the battlefield.  An orc chieftain twirls a singing great axe in graceful, fluid motion as she cleaves apart an entire garrison.  A flurry of blows and an imposing elf carves a hole through a stone wall with an elegant polearm.  These individuals are not mere warriors.  They are blademasters.

While tacticians and strategists would insist that different weapons have different uses in different situations, and as such, must be applied to suit the circumstances, a blademaster sees the limitations of their weapon as challenges to be overcome.  Training with a single weapon to utter exhaustion, a blademaster forges their reflexes and cunning just as much as their blade, pushing themselves to find any method through which they can apply the strength of their treasured blade.  The blademaster's technique is an expression of one's very being, the blade an extension of their essence, their skill embodying their own ability to overcome any challenge and meet any foe with steely resolve and cold precision.

Razor's Edge

Starting at 3rd level when you take this Archetype, choose a martial melee weapon type you are proficient with that deals Slashing damage and has the Two Handed or Versatile property to Master.  Whenever you make an attack while wielding your Mastered weapon with two hands, you deal +2 damage on a hit.  This damage is increased to +3 at 10th level,  and again to +4 at 18th level.  

You Master one weapon type when you gain this Archetype, and can Master additional weapon types up to half your Proficiency Bonus.  You can change the weapons you have Mastered whenever your class grants you an Ability Score Increase.

Flashing Steel

Starting t 3rd level when you take this archetype, your reflexes are put to the test as you use your Mastered weapon to deflect harm more effectively than any shield.  While wielding your Mastered weapon with two hands and not wearing armor or a shield,  your AC becomes 10 + STR + DEX.

Uncanny Strikes

At 7th level, your technique is so flawless that you can perform feats of bladework that seem supernatural.  When wielded with two hands, your Mastered weapon counts as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistances and exploiting vulnerability.

Focused Critical

At 10th level, you learn to spot even the tiniest gaps in your opponents' defenses, as well as how your blade can exploit them.  When you hit with a melee attack with your Mastered weapon, as a bonus action, you can make the attack a critical hit.  You can use this before or after making the attack roll, but before resolving the effects of the attack.  After using this feature, you must take a short or long rest before using it again.  At 18th level, you may use this feature a second time between rests.

Unyielding Advance

At 15th level, your reflexes are pushed to the absolute limit, seizing every opening in your foes' attacks to press your advantage.  When you are hit by a melee or ranged weapon attack while wielding a Mastered weapon with both hands, you can use your Reaction to make a damage roll with your Mastered weapon and add the result to your AC, potentially causing the attack to miss.

As part of this Reaction, you can move up to half your speed.  This movement ignores difficult terrain and does not provoke attacks of opportunity.

Bladestorm

At 18th level, you hone your technique to true perfection, and can unleash a devastating whirlwind of strikes at a moment's notice.  Whenever you make a melee weapon attack with a Mastered weapon you are wielding with both hands, you may apply the attack and damage rolls to all enemies are in range of your melee weapon attack.