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Wanted to do something with swords and polearms that wasn't exactly covered by the weapon master or the kensai archtypes. Please critique.
Blade master
A master of edged steel, these monks train to use swords and other slashing weapons as an extension of themselves. Some choose to use two swords, or a single blade, or even pole-arms.
Regardless, in combat they are all equally deadly.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Blade masters are proficient with all slashing simple and martial melee weapons in addition to their normal weapon proficiencies.
Flurry of Blows (Ex): Starting at 1st level, a blade master can make a flurry of blows as a full-attack action, but only when using a slashing melee weapon.
A blade master’s flurry of blows otherwise functions as normal for a monk of his level, with the exception that he may use all of his flurry attacks with a single weapon.
When using flurry of blows, the blade master must be using a slashing weapon with which he has the Weapon Focus feat. A blade master applies his Strength bonus (not ½ Strength bonus on offhand attacks) on all damage rolls made with flurry of blows, even if he is using a weapon two-handed (not 1 ½ Strength bonus).
Bonus Feats: At first level, a blade master gains Weapon Focus as a bonus feat.
All other blade master’s bonus feats must be taken from the following list: Combat expertise, Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Power Attack, Weapon Finesse and Weapon Focus.
At 6th level, the following feats are added to the list: Cleave, Improved Disarm, Improved Sunder, Mobility, Vital Strike and Weapon Specialization.
At 10th level, the following feats are added to the list: Greater Weapon Focus, Improved Critical, Spring attack, Two weapon rend* and Two Weapon Defense*.
A blade master monk need not have any of the prerequisites normally required for these feats to select them. These feats replace the monk’s normal bonus feats.
Perfect Strike (Ex): At 1st level, a blade master gains Perfect Strike as a bonus feat, even if he does not meet the prerequisites. A blade master can use Perfect Strike with any sword. At 10th level, the monk can roll his attack roll three times and take the highest result. If one of these rolls is a critical threat, the monk must choose one of his other two rolls to use as his confirmation roll. This ability replaces Stunning Fist.
Ki Blade (Su): At 5th level, a blade master may spend 1 point from his ki pool as a swift action to change the damage dice of his slashing weapon to that of his unarmed strikes. This lasts
until the start of his next turn. For example, a Medium blade master’s shortsword normally deals 1d6 damage; using this ability, his shortsword deals 1d8 damage until the start of his next
turn. This ability replaces purity of body.
Dance of Blades (Ex): At 7th level, while flurrying, a blade master may take a 5' step between each attack, up to half his movement. This movement does not provoke an attack of opportunity.
At 14th level he may move up to half his movement and still use flurry of blows. This ability replaces wholeness of body.
Zen blade (Su): At 11th level, a blade master may hit targets that he might otherwise miss. By spending 1 point from his ki pool as a swift action, the blade master can ignore concealment. By spending 2 points, he can ignore total concealment or cover. By spending 3 points, he can ignore total cover. These effects last for 1 round. This ability replaces diamond body.
Ki Focus Blade (Su): At 17th level, as long as he has at least 1 point of ki in his ki pool, a blade master may treat his slashing weapons as if it they were ki focus weapons, allowing him to use his special ki attacks as if his slashing weapons were unarmed attacks. This ability replaces tongue of the sun and moon.
*The idea is that these feats will work only while flurrying, as it emulate the two weapon fighting rules.
