I tried to make this as true to the original 2nd Ed version as possible. But truth be told, I'm not very gifted in the mathdepartment and sensing the underlying game-mechanic structure that makes a class, prestige or otherwise, balanced. So that's the reason why I choose to put it out for public scrutiny :-). I realize that originally it was only elves and half-elves that were allowed to be bladesingers, but hey! I chose that everybody could apply. :)
Hit Dice: d10
Requirements: To qualify to become a bladesinger, a character must fulfill all the following criteria:
Weapon Proficiency: Must be proficient with all martial weapons.
Skills: Acrobatics 3 ranks, Knowledge (Arcana) 2 ranks, Perform (Dance) 2 ranks, Spellcraft 3 ranks
Feats: Combat Expertise, Dodge, Weapon Focus (light or one handed weapon)
Spells: Must be able to cast 3rd level Arcane spells
Class Skills:
Acrobatics (Dex), Climb (Str), Knowledge (Arcana), Knowledge (Nobility &Royalty), Perform (Cha), Sense Motive (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), Swim (Str)
Skill Ranks at each level: 2 +int
Lvl BaB Fort Ref Will Special Spells per Day
1st +1 +0 +1 +1 Diverse Training, Weapon of Choice
2nd +2 +1 +1 +1 Bladesong I, Combat Tricks +1 +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting Class
3rd +3 +1 +2 +2 Defensive Stance I
4th +4 +1 +2 +2 Offensive StanceI +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting Class
5th +5 +2 +3 +3 Bladesong II
6th +6 +2 +3 +3 Defensive Casting Expert +2 +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting Class
7th +7 +2 +4 +4 Defensive Stance II
8th +8 +3 +4 +4 Bladesong III +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting Class
9th +9 +3 +5 +5 Offensive Stance II
10th +10 +3 +5 +5 Master of the Bladesong, combat Tricks +3 +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting Class
Class Features
Weapon and armor proficiency: Bladesingers gain no proficiency with any weapon or armor.
Diverse Training (Ex)
A Bladesinger adds his level to any levels of fighter he might have for the purpose of meeting the prerequisites for feats (if he has no fighter levels, treat his bladesinger levels as levels of fighter). He also adds his level to any levels in an arcane spellcasting class for the purpose of meeting the prerequisites for feats.
Weapon of Choice (Ex)
The bladesinger gains a +1 bonus to hit and damage with his weapon of choice. This is a specific weapon, not just a type of weapon. If the bladesinger looses his weapon or he wants a new Weapon of Choice, he needs to go through a ritual that lasts a full day, after which he is exhausted until he has rested for a full day.
Bladesong I (Ex)
At 2nd level, a bladesinger learns to parry the attacks of other creatures, causing them to miss. Whenever the bladesinger takes a full attack action with his Weapon of Choice, he can elect not to take one of his attacks. At any time before his next turn, he can attempt to parry an attack against her or an adjacent ally as an immediate action. To parry the attack, the bladesinger makes an attack roll, using the same bonuses as the attack he chose to forego during his previous action. If his attack roll is greater than the roll of the attacking creature, the attack automatically misses. For each size category that the attacking creature is larger than the bladesinger, the bladesinger takes a –4 penalty on his attack roll. The bladesinger also takes a –4 penalty when attempting to parry an attack made against an adjacent ally. The bladesinger must declare the use of this ability after the attack is announced, but before the roll is made.
Combat Tricks (Ex)
The bladesinger learns how to disarm and hinder foes and gains a +1 bonus to CMB when trying to disarm or trip his opponent. This bonus raises to +2 at level 6 and +3 at level 10. These maneuvers do provoke attack of opportunity but the bonuses stack with the bonuses gained from improved trip and improved disarm.
Defensive Stance (Ex)
While fighting defensively a bladesinger gains an additional +1 dodge bonus to AC.
Offensive Stance (Ex)
Assuming this stance during a full attack, the bladesinger gains a +1 bonus to hit, albeit at the cost of a –1 penalty to AC.
Bladesong II (Ex)
While using his Weapon of Choice the bladesinger gains a +1 dodge bonus to AC.
Defensive casting Expert (Ex)
Such is the skill of the bladesinger that casting spells while in the midst of combat becomes second nature to him. He receives a +2 bonus to casting defensively.
Defensive Stance II (Ex)
The bladesinger now receives a +2 dodge bonus to AC while fighting defensively.
Bladesong III (Ex)
While using his Weapon of Choice, the bladesinger receives a +1 bonus to hit and damage due to his intense and magical training with his weapon.
Offensive Stance II (Ex)
Assuming this stance during a full attack the bladesinger receives a +2 bonus to hit, but a –2 penalty to AC.
Master of the Bladesong (Ex)
The bonus to hit and damage from Bladesong is now +2 and the dodge bonus increases to +2.
Admittedly not the best of headlines.. Oh well... No helping that now... Just another case of " That sounded better in my head".. ;-)
Hope you folks can see past it...
So, what sort of feedback are you looking for? The class generally looks good, if (as you've already observed) a bit well-played in the 3.x world.
I can offer some critiques and suggestions, but I don't know how attached you are to the original prestige class. I expect most of the rules I'd be inclined to tinker with are artifacts of old, which may be a big part of your interest.
I tried to make this as true to the original 2nd Ed version as possible. But truth be told, I'm not very gifted in the mathdepartment and sensing the underlying game-mechanic structure that makes a class, prestige or otherwise, balanced. So that's the reason why I choose to put it out for public scrutiny :-). I realize that originally it was only elves and half-elves that were allowed to be bladesingers, but hey! I chose that everybody could apply. :)
The class abilities seem a tad bit bland my friend, a +1 to this or that which slowly rises, and capstone abilties should be full of flavor and pizzazz as well as being useful to the class, seeing as these are abilities you wont recieve until 16th or 17th level.
I think the best way to look at any other fighter/mage type PrC is to look at the Eldritch Knight, and does the special abilities it recieves make up for the less caster levels, this is kinda what I did in my version of the Bladesinger, 2 less caster levels for more special abilities, which I think balanced it out in the end.
So, what sort of feedback are you looking for? The class generally looks good, if (as you've already observed) a bit well-played in the 3.x world.
I can offer some critiques and suggestions, but I don't know how attached you are to the original prestige class. I expect most of the rules I'd be inclined to tinker with are artifacts of old, which may be a big part of your interest.
I must admit I have never really seen the original prestige-class. There, I said it. I have only the original kit from 2nd ed to work with. Oh, and Pathfinder naturally ;). Feedback? Well, it's along the lines of "is this under/overpowered?". Should there be more, pizzazz as Gambit said. Is it dull/bland?
I was looking for a lithe sword-swinging, spell-flinging(not that much, and special-moves guy (hence the disarm and trip bonus). I gave it some bonuses to hit and damage, (sort of) like a fighter would get.
I did not want to make it a 'no-brainer' pick, but more of a flavor-pick. I'm at odds with whether there should be more spells available to him or not. So this is where I'm standing right now...