Is this a better interpretation of the Sword of Valor archetype for the Paladin-class? I know it's pretty much like fusing the old archetype with the Inheritor's Crusader prestige class but somehow the archetype itself seems beefier to me this way? Am I wrong?
Iomedae Worshiper: A sword of valor must have Iomedae as a patron deity.
First into Battle (Su): At 1st level, a sword of valor can spend 1 use of smite evil or lay on hands to act in the surprise round, even if she is surprised. When the paladin makes an Initiative check, she gains a bonus to the check equal to her Charisma bonus. This ability replaces the paladin’s smite evil gained at 1st level.
Aura of Great Courage (Su): At 3rd level, a sword of valor’s aura of courage extends to all allies within 20 feet of her. This stacks with feats such as Fearless Aura and Dragonbane Aura. This ability replaces the paladin’s mercy gained at 3rd level.
Prayer of the Fourth Act (Su): At 5th level, by spending 1 minute leading a prayer to Iomedae, the sword of valor can spend one use of channel energy to give living creatures in the channel burst temporary hit points equal to the amount that ability normally heals. These temporary hit points last for no more than 1 hour per level the sword of valor possesses. This replaces the paladin’s divine bond.
Destroyer of Tyranny (Su): At 7th level, a sword of valor can shatter the oppressive influence of others. Any creature targeted by a sword of valor’s channel energy ability or lay on hands gains a new saving throw against any ongoing charm or compulsion effect upon him. This replaces the paladin’s smite evil gained at 7th level.
Sword against Injustice (Su): At 9th level, a sword of valor may use his power to judge the guilty and absolve the innocent. As a standard action she may announce she is bringing Iomedae’s judgment upon a target who is accused of a crime, lie, or other affront to justice; the sword of valor makes a melee attack with her sword against the target as part of this judgment. If the target is innocent of what he is accused, the attack stops just short of striking him, as if hitting an invisible wall; if the target is guilty, the attack automatically hits with a flash of white light. This attack requires no attack roll and cannot critically hit. If the target is protected by an effect that inhibits divinations (such as mind blank), the attack bounces off the target with an unpleasant metallic hiss, like quenching a red-hot blade in water. The sword of valor may use this ability once per day; each additional use beyond the first drains her, causing her to become fatigued. She cannot use this class ability if she is exhausted. She may expend a use of channel energy or lay on hands while activating this ability to prevent fatigue. This replaces the paladin’s mercy gained at 9th level.
Worthy Enemy (Su): At 11th level, when a sword of valor critically hits an enemy with a smite, the target must make a Will saving throw (DC = 10 + 1/2 the paladin’s level + the paladin’s Charisma bonus) or be compelled to surrender to the paladin, as if affected by a suggestion spell (CL = the paladin’s level) to lay down arms and give up the fight. An enemy that succumbs to this ability remains docile until it is injured by the paladin or one of his obvious allies, at which point the compulsion to surrender immediately ends and the enemy is free to make his own choices again. If the enemy makes the save, it is not subject to this ability for 24 hours. Worthy enemy is a mind-affecting effect. This ability replaces aura of justice.
She can't use First Into Battle until level 2. She has no lay on hands or smite evils at first level.
I think you're looking for "This ability counts as and supplements the paladin's smite evil ability."
You get smite evil 1/day at level one.She can't use First Into Battle until level 2. She has no lay on hands or smite evils at first level.
I think you're looking for "This ability counts as and supplements the paladin's smite evil ability."
First Into Battle states that it replaces smite evil gained at first level so Cheapy is right, there is no smite evil daily use nor lay on hands use that could be spent to power that ability.