One of my players wants to become a blademaster sub-class [linked], wondering if this is balanced?


Advice


So my friend found this: http://www.pathfinderdb.com/character-options/classes/540-blademaster

He's quite sick of his fighter as a standalone fighter, so I really want to help him along to create a character he really likes. I'm wondering if this sub-class is well balanced. I was a bit dubious about a Ki pool on a fighter, but then again I've never actually played one and we all have very little experience with the game.

Thanks!

Grand Lodge

Have you checked out the numerous fighter archetypes? The numerous non-fighter martial capable base classes?


I've seen some, but they're not listed in the Core Rulebook from what I can see. I'm not sure which online sources are "official" or not and I want to ensure that what we choose is balanced. He's looking for a "traveling swordsman" type of character. I'm going to suggest he multi-classes as a fighter/ranger, but if you know of any archetypes that match, or can point me to an online source where I can read myself it would be greatly appreciated. :)

Grand Lodge

Need to look something up?
This


First thing I noticed on there is the proficiency with all slashing weapons from *every category*. It wouldn't be written like that if they weren't talking about exotics... Second thing being holes in the levels, a 3.x thing, as pathfinder avoids this as best it can.

So he's probably going either for Fauchard [reach, trip] or the Elven Curved Blade [to use finesse] to go with this. Alternatively he could be looking at the Katana, or Crystal Chakram...

Medium Armor, 6+int skill progression, d8 HD, full BAB.

Double Dex [oh we're looking at the curved blade alright now] focuses this into a two weapon fighter class...

Parry's a bit strong but would easily, easily be remedied by having the attack automatically strike the parrying weapon. That way the massive power-attack doesn't get ignored three times per combat [or half ignored if he fails eh?]

the Ki Pool's "doesn't regenerate" is a false penalty. As you're looking at eight levels of monk in equivalence just for being level 10 before applying wisdom, the double wisdom bonus growth will generally leave the monk far behind. And unlike the monk, this guy regenerates them at one per five minutes, whenever he gets a break [like say after combat].

Bonus Feats: someone's pulling a fast one... evasion and improved evasion? those be class features. Oh they also get TWF and TWDef for free but the latter is improved.

Blade flurry is an extra attack. in addition to TWF... yet its probably the most balanced thing I've seen on this link so far.

Silent blade isn't just badly worded, its rather broken. You "don't get sneak attack" but instead get to just slice away on a full attack where the target remains completely flat-footed and unaware. Or, you could've just done a coup-de-grace if you're that good... which this probably is intended for.

Blade of Light is unworkable. It doesn't state what actions are involved, if anything needs to hit, if one needs to pay the ki cost, or anything. What is this, FREE?

... oh look. THREE extra attacks [plus improved TWF, plus haste...] at a measly -5. Probably just right to be paired with 'against touch ac this round' or the like.

What's the enhancement bonus of those Bonded weapons?
Because just from the abilities: Dancing[+4], Defending[+1], Flaming/Frost/Shock[+1 each], Holy[+1] and Speed[+1] we're looking at a +10 weapon. Which is impossible as ten is the maximum, and you need at least a +1 enhancement before you can start stacking qualities. I bet you if you asked the class' creator he'd say they're obviously +5s at that level however. And two of them? that's 200k each in value, plus the 3/day teleports.

All in all, I believe my four year old niece could have written something better. She can't spell and it would be in crayon, but undoubtedly it would in fact be better.

Grand Lodge

This seems a bit like a magus with a blackblade.


hey since they don't mention what kind of weapon, just "a pair" with no restrictions, you can have yourself a pair of dancing deep-crystal Flaming/Frost/Shock/Holy defending Double-Barreled-Shotguns of Speed.

perfect capstone for a throwaway character that'll hand those two over to your real character when the time is right. Cohorts, anyone?

Grand Lodge

You can probably get just about everything in that class through pathfinder classes. I would list the abilities he wants, and ask the boards for a build.


Agreed with BBT --

Quote:
Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability to build the world's first bionic man. Steve Austin will be that man. Better than he was before. Better, stronger, faster.

Bonus points to him if he actually names him Steve Austin.

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