The extra 2d4 damage from Copycat Cut for using your opponent's attack roll (Shattered Mirror), is this in addition to the normal 1d6 damage, or a replacement?
Path of War is amaaaaaazinngggg! You'll notice your melee initiators doing some pretty incredible damage between levels 1-5. These are the levels that melees normally always shine though, except the martials will definitely blow the classic Fighter, Paladin, Barbarian, and Ranger classes away.
Levels above 5, however, the PoW classes will start to slink behind your typical 4th levels spells. Being able to summon a Tiger or Satyr with Summon Nature's Ally 4 is pretty hard to beat.
So yeah, your melees will be doing lots more damage and have lots more options at their disposal. Game breaking? Hardly.
The many maneuvers in Path of War mention teleport specifically with italics. Are they referring to the spell, in which case they all suffer from mishap percentage?
I've re-read one of the rules in the System Use and am inclined to agree that all the initiator classes DO indeed get to swap maneuvers even if they take a class in something else.
"Retraining: Initiators can retrain their known maneuvers and stances; this retraining takes 2 days per level of the new maneuver and requires a trainer who can initiate the desired maneuver or enter the desired stance. The new maneuver or stance must be part of the initiator’s available disciplines for the class, and must be of an equal or lower level to the maneuver or stance it replaces. Note that this is unrelated to the ability of initiators to swap maneuvers for higher-level ones at certain initiator levels; that swap represents the initiator’s evolving style of combat, does not require a trainer, cannot replace stances, and can happen only once at a given level."
The fact that they mention the statement in bold can only mean it's referring to a multi-class initiator whom had their ability "proc" from multiple initiator classes at once, which can only be possible if the ability did indeed "proc" from taking a class other than the base initiator class.
That's incorrect, Baval. All classes add initiator levels at the rate of 1/2.
Quoted from System Use:
"When you gain levels in a class that does not grant martial maneuvers, your understanding of the Path of War still increases. A well-trained, highly skilled fighter has the basic combat training needed to master martial maneuvers. If you are a multiclass martial disciple, and you learn a new maneuver by attaining a new level in a martial disciple class, determine your initiator level by adding together your level in that class + 1/2 your levels in all other classes (treating racial Hit Dice as class levels for these purposes).
Baval, I know that's how it's written, but strictly by how it's written, you could just take 1 level of one of the classes, like Zealot for instance, and then take the rest of your levels in Cleric for instance, and still continue to be able to swap old maneuvers for higher level ones as you advance in cleric levels. That doesn't seem right.
Simply put, do the Path of War Prestige classes receive the ability to swap maneuvers at even initiator levels like the base classes?
It doesn't state it anywhere directly, but it would seem like they would be severely gimped in up-to-date maneuvers known if not.
Back in the Book of 9 swords, I don't believe the Prestige classes had the ability to swap maneuvers.
"Q: Can you switch maneuvers that you know for ones that you don't know?
A: Yes. The crusader, swordsage, and warblade can trade one maneuver known for another at certain levels (see their respective descriptions in the Tome of Battle). (Prestige classes that grant maneuvers can't trade maneuvers known.)"
I think they might have carried the same concept over to Prestige classes in Path of War too, but I'm not certain. What does everyone think?
It doesn't specifically state that the removal of the passage for Umbral Blade maneuver swaps has anything to do with all prestige classes simply just automatically receiving it.
Without the Maneuver swaps however, the Prestige classes would seriously be lacking in maneuvers known though so it would make sense.
How does everyone else play this in their campaign?
All of the martial adepts get the ability to swap maneuvers starting at initiator level 4 and then every 2 levels from then on. Let's say you are a multi-class adept or you entered a prestige class and hit an even numbered initiator level (4, 6, etc) but took a level in a class that does not receive maneuver swaps, for instance if you were an 11th level Stalker who took your 12th level in Umbral Blade, or you were a Fighter 1 / Zealot 3 and took your 5th level as a Fighter. Does your Zealot, Warden, Stalker, etc maneuver swap mechanism still kick in?
Full Name
Sir Viktor Holt, Field-Squire Commissar-Cadet
Race
Chelish Human
Classes/Levels
Arcane Duelist Bard 1
Stats:
HP 9/9; AC 15, Flat Footed 13, Touch 12; CMD 14; Fort +1, Ref +4, Will +3; Perception +5; Initiative +2
Gender
Male
Size
6'3", 190 lbs
Age
29
Alignment
Lawful Neutral
Location
Braganza, Molthune
Languages
Common(Taldane)
Occupation
Military Officer, Disciplinarian, Commander
Strength
14
Dexterity
14
Constitution
13
Intelligence
10
Wisdom
12
Charisma
18
About Sir Viktor Holt
Viktor Holt, Field-Squire Commissar-Cadet
Favored Class Bard
Favored Class Bonus +1 Skill Rank
Experience: Experience to Next Level:
Age 29
Height 6'3"
Weight 190 lbs
Male Chelish Human Arcane Duelist Bard 1
LN Medium Humanoid (Human)
Init +2; Senses Perception +5
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AC 15 (Touch 12, FF 13)(+2 Dex, +3 Armor)
Hp 9 (1d8+1[Con])
Fort +1, Ref +4, Will +3; +2 vs Fear, Charm, Compulsion
Defensive Abilities Hero Points 2
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Speed 30 ft
Melee Rapier +2 (1d6+2/18-20x2) or CI Dagger +2 (1d4+2/19-20x2) or Whip +2 (1d3+2 Nonlethal/x2/Reach 15)
Ranged Bard Spells Known (CL 1st, Concentration +5)
1st(2/day): Remove Fear, Moment of Greatness
0(At Will): Presdigitiation, Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Read Magic Special Attacks Bardic Performance (8/day)(Inspire Courage +1, Rallying Cry +11 or +13, Distraction +7, Fascinate DC 14 Will)
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Str 14, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 18
BAB +0, CMB +2, CMD 14
Feats Skill Focus(Intimidate)(B), Lingering Performance(1st), Arcane Strike(B)
Skills(8 - 6[Base]+1[Human]+1[Favored]) Intimidate[1] +11(+13 vs Molthune), Ride[1] +3, Sense Motive[1] +5, Diplomacy[1] +9(+11 vs Molthune, +13 vs Molthune Officials), Perception[1] +5, Acrobatics[1] +6, Perform(Oratory)[1] +7, Profession(Soldier)[1] +5
Languages Common(Taldane)
SQ Traits Natural Born Leader, Courageous, Focused Disciple, Most Noble Order of the Exalted March
Drawback Headstrong
Racial Skilled, Focused Study
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Traits & Drawback:
Natural Born Leader(Trait): You’ve always found yourself in positions where others look up to you as a leader, and you can distinctly remember an event from your early childhood where you led several other children to accomplish a goal that each of you individually could not. All cohorts, followers, or summoned creatures under your leadership gain a +1 morale bonus on Will saves to avoid mind-affecting effects. If you ever take the Leadership feat, you gain a +1 trait bonus to your Leadership score.
Courageous(Trait): Your childhood was brutal, but you persevered through force of will and faith. No matter how hard things got, you knew you’d make it through as long as you kept a level head. You gain a +2 trait bonus on saving throws against fear effects.
Focused Disciple(Trait): When weaker wills falter, you keep a clear mind. You gain a +2 trait bonus on saving throws against charm and compulsion effects.
Most Noble Order of the Exalted March(Trait): You receive a +1 trait bonus to Diplomacy, Knowledge (nobility), and Knowledge (religion); one of these is a class skill for you. Furthermore, your service to the Order earns you an annual stipend (You receive an additional 250gp in starting funds).
Headstrong(Drawback): You feel compelled to correct every action and argument that contradicts your worldview. Whenever you witness an action or hear an argument that contradicts your alignment, you must attempt to stop or correct that action or argument. If you either don’t try to stop it or fail in your attempt to stop it (as adjudicated by the GM), you are shaken for 1 hour.
Items: Combat Gear: (Rapier, Mwk Parade Armor, Cold Iron Dagger, Whip); Consumables: (Wand of Cure Light Wounds[6 Charges]); Other Gear: (Mwk Backpack, Banner, Soldier's Uniform, Peaked Officer's Hat, Spell Component Pouch, Book of Letters[Molthune], Weapon Cord, Locked Gauntlet); Animals (); Teams (); Wealth: (10 gp, 9 sp)
Carrying Capacity: Light (0-66); Medium (67-133); Heavy (134-200);
Current Load: 50 lbs
Notes:
Masterwork Backpack (4 lbs)(50 gp)
Rapier (2 lbs)(20 gp)
Masterwork Parade Armor (20 lbs)(175 gp)
Banner of The Most Noble Order of the Exalted March (4 lbs)(10 gp)(+2 lbs to account for the pole it is attached to)
-------
175 gp
Soldier's Uniform (5 lbs)(Free)
Peaked Officer's Hat (1 lb)(5 gp)
Spell Component Pouch (2 lbs)(5 gp)
Book of Letters (3 lbs)(50 gp)
Locked Gauntlet (6 lbs)(9 gp)
Cold Iron Dagger (1 lb)(4 gp)
Whip (2 lbs)(1 gp)
Wand of Cure Light Wounds [6 Charges] (--)(90 gp)
Weapon Cord (--)(.1 gp)
--------
10.9 gp
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Description: Some say he's half-Ulfen; Others say he has giant blood running through his veins. Still others say he is the bastard son of Dispater himself. None of these are true of course. Still, standing at an impressive six-foot-three and towering over his fellow Molthuni, Field-Squire Viktor Holt's mere presence inspires those around him. Wearing the colors of Molthune on a regal suit of parade armor, Viktor proudly represents his nation. His great coat, with identifying gold and red epaulets, red lining on his collar and cuffs, and black-lined peaked officer's cap denotes him a member of the Commissariat division of the Most Noble Order of the Exalted March. His skin is pale, despite his long hours outside, his eyes are dark and forboding bearing pupils of deep amethyst, while his face bears sharp features. Would he have any hair on his smooth head, it would be of the deepest black - only his eyebrows remain to show this. At his side sits a masterfully crafted rapier bearing a winged skull motif. Nearly always in hand or close by is his banner, proudly displaying the motif of the Most Noble Order: A Gauntlet grasping a dark iron cross in a ring of runic script that says "Ever Forward, Ever Onward". Below that is a secondary motif representing the Commissariat: a Winged Skull above a single line of runic script that says "Victory Through Courage". Though only of low rank in the Most Noble Order, Viktor is a Commissar - with the massive influx of recruits to the Order, they needed officers to train these recruits and ensure discipline among the ranks. That is where Holt and his fellows come in at.
Personality: Like the imposing figure that he is, Viktor is a bastion of steadfast courage, confidence, and discipline. An 'always on duty' type, Viktor suffers no insolence and no nonsense, never letting petty things such as the need for leisure, recreation, or entertainment get in the way of his day to day activities - for what does one need leisure time for when they can be serving their sovereign? He puts the furthering of Molthune's wishes above everything in his personal life to such an extent, one might even say he has no personal life. Holt breaks his morning fast on discipline, sups on order, and dines on duty.
To those who do not know him personally, he is arrogant, brash, zealous, and cruel, but none-the-less inspiring or commanding. To those who know him more personally, he is all of these, but shows wisdom and intelligence, not to mention an utter dedication to his sovereign - everything he does he believes he does for the good of Molthune and her people, even if a few may need to be sacrificed to get there.
In combat situations, Viktor portrays a fearless bastion that others take inspiration from. Though he is no coward, nor is he someone to needlessly sacrifice himself for others - As a result, he's cautious with his own safety, believing that as long as he survives, he may continue serving. He also doesn't believe in needly sacrificing those under his command - though he is perfectly willing to do so if it means victory. Though not a great swordsman or warrior, he is often seen at or near the frontline, dodging in and out of combat where he can aid his fellows, adding well-placed moments of inspiration where needed.
For Viktor, the two mottos on his Banner represent the way he lives his life in all aspects.
Background: Born to unknown parentage in 4682 AR, the man now known as Viktor Holt was taken from his parents at the ripe age of six, and never looked back. Taken as part of a military experiment to train officers from a young age into the perfect soldiers, Viktor is one of the last remaining subjects of that failed experiment - most of the children proved ineffective in the training regime and it was deemed an overall failure. Viktor, however, had proven to be made of sterner stuff than his peers - where other children cried at the harsh training, Viktor thrived. When the others failed, Viktor succeeded. Though not particularly strong, agile, or even intelligent, Viktor had two things the others lacked: Courage and the will to succeed despite any obstacle. Every time he fell, he got back up. Every time he failed, he tried again and again until he succeeded. Despite this, one success out of dozens of failures was not enough to redeem the experiment - by the time he was fifteen, the experiment was called off, and Viktor was released along with the others. Where the other children, now teenagers, filled with the knowledge of their failures, were destined to live lives as enlisted soldiers at best, menial laborers at worst, Viktor immediately enrolled in the Molthuni Imperial army, where he quickly worked his way into the Officer corps and was training to become an officer.
During this time, Viktor fought in numerous skirmishes with Nirmathi forces and survived each one, aiding his side to victory with his rousing speeches and inspirational presence. During each skirmish, Viktor proved his courage time and time again, standing fast when others retreated, rallying those around him to keep fighting, despite heavy losses. On numerous occasions, his acts of bravery helped turn the tide for the Molthune forces. Oddly enough, against all odds, he emerged unscathed from each of the conflicts, despite being near the front line each time and being anything but shy about engaging the enemy in melee.
Because of his growing reputation of bravery and inspiration, Viktor ended up impressing all of the right people. He never made it to becoming an officer, as instead, he was personally invited by Ser Eodric Teldas, younger cousin to the Imperial Governor himself, as well as the founder of the newly established Most Noble Order of the Exalted March, a knightly order meant to help shine Molthune in a better light with foreign nations. Without hesitation, Viktor accepted the offer, and has never looked back.
Traits' Info: Natural Born Leader(Social): During Viktor's early childhood training, when his peers were nothing more than babbling, whining, and crying children, Viktor had already proven himself to be made of sterner stuff. During one particularly brutal exercise, Viktor and the other children, naught but ten years old at the time, were blindfolded and taken to the edge of Duskshroud Forest where the military had set up a scenario where the children had to seek out and capture a 'spy' - a fellow soldier who was playing the part of a Nirmathi colaborator fleeing to spill vital intelligence to the enemy. The children were given one last piece of information - the one to capture this spy was to be richly rewarded with a hot meal and a small vacation. This, however, was meant to trick the children into working against each other as a competition, to which most of the children were fooled. Viktor, however, realized the trick they were playing on he and his fellows - after their officers left them to their devices, Viktor was able to convince his fellows to work together, and by doing so, they were able to succeed. Though Viktor was the one to capture the 'spy', he gave up his reward, stating that without those under his command, he would never had succeeded - this impressed his superiors, and the entire group was given the reward instead.
Though he has since parted ways with his fellow trainees, Viktor proved his worth time and time again - the others, though failures in their superiors' eyes, would never forget that. Perhaps in time, they could be called to serve again, this time when Viktor himself officially at the helm.
Courageous(Combat): Even from a young age, Viktor was one to look fear in the eye and stand firm, not letting it get the best of him. Though no fool, he believed to be fearless is to be insane; instead, however, one must always fight their fears and stand strong. By showing his courage, Viktor hopes to inspire others to do the same.
Focused Disciple(Faith): During his early years, at which time he was forcibly enrolled in an Imperial Army training experiment, Viktor had discipline drilled into him. Though others faltered during this time, Viktor gorged himself on it, growing stronger and more disciplined all the time; he enjoyed it, even. As a child, discipline was as natural to him as curiosity was to a normal child of his age.
Most Noble Order of the Exalted March(Campaign): Thanks to his growing reputation of bravery and inspiration, Viktor ended up impressing all of the right people. He never made it to becoming an officer, as instead, he was personally invited by Ser Eodric Teldas, younger cousin to the Imperial Governor himself, as well as the founder of the newly established Most Noble Order of the Exalted March, a knightly order meant to help shine Molthune in a better light with foreign nations. Without hesitation, Viktor accepted the offer, and has never looked back.
Headstrong(Drawback): Though a bastion of courage, inspiration, and ferocity, Viktor is headstrong to a fault; though some may see this as a boon, others might not, as Viktor doesn't tend to get along with many people thanks to his "My way or the highway" attitude. While a prodigy in the military, civilians tend to be wary of him, as he has the habit of imposing his militaristic views on those who, while quite possibly loyal citizens, are not as disciplined as soldiers.
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To qualify for superior training: See the Background
To earn higher grade gear and belongings: See Personality
To earn yourself another trait: See Natural Born Leader.
To earn yourself a campaign trait: See Background & Most Noble Order of the Exalted March
For a reward above and beyond what is provided above:Coming Soon to a Profile near you
