Bladesinger - It's old school - Rng/Wiz/HS

[Talamanthalon]

Alright, the Bladesinger is such a legendary prestige class I think Higher Ground should have it's own take on it, since it's so engrained into DD culture at this point.

I've beat my brain to think of a good way to implement, so here goes:

The most deadly of all elven warriors is the Bladesinger (El'Tael in Elvish). While most elves dabble in swordplay and magic, the Bladesinger has made them his life. The Bladesinger is the champion of the elven way of life and sworn protector of his people. In order to become a Bladesinger, an elf must prove himself to be an accomplished wielder of both sword and sorcery, as well as mastering the elven art of the Bladesong. They use very discrete tactics and precise movement in battle to maintain a highly effective combat defense. Using a mixture of arcane and martial abilities, Bladesingers act as roving guardians of surface Tel'Quessir culture, seeking to promote Tel'Quessir ideals, and as protectors and champions of the eladrin and elven communities.

Restrictions and CONS:
RACE: ELF ONLY

OFFHAND RESTRICTION: A Bladesinger will not be allowed to equip ANYTHING in their OFFHAND, the Bladesinger's offhand must be free to harness the power of magic.

Due to the innate nature of his elven heritage a Bladesinger will be barred from the school of Necromancy, however all elemental based spells will be cast at a bonus of +1 DC & +1 Spell Penetration

No shield wearing, battle caster.
Feats will determine which direction you lean in
No necro spells for mass killing
No duel wielding
No shield
Race restricted
Number of attacks are limited because of wizard / ranger combo,
Tier 2 LBAB
Bladesong stance: Acquired ONLY basic form naturally must invest feats to acquire advanced forms.
Casting DC/Spell Pen: This class even with full investment of feats for offensive form will never have full casting power for dc spells or full casting spell penetration.

Requirements:
Ranger 12 / Wizard 12 / Harper Scout 5
(Ranger because he dual wields a weapon and magic)

BAB +5 / Concentration +20 / Discipline +20 / Perform +20 / Tumble +20

Dodge / Wp Focus Longsword or Rapier

Spell Pen and DC: DC and Spell pen are calculated using Ranger+Wiz+HS levels. INT will be used as the primary stat for all spell calculations

Primary Stat: INT

Bonuses:

Upon reaching Bladesinger requirements the Bladesinger will receive the following bonuses:

LBAB: Calculated as a Tier 2 class

+1 AC Dodge Bonus per Bladesinger level to maximum amount of INT bonus

AB will be calculated using the higher of Dex or INT

Bladesinger Level Bonuses - * = Actual CL
Level 1 *29) Blade Song ** See below (Requires +20 Perform)
Level 2 *30) Skill Focus Discipline & Skill Focus Concentration
Level 4 *34)
Song of Celerity ** See Below (Requires +30 Perform)
Mobility
Level 5 *35) Spring Attack
Level 6 *36) Armored Caster - Light Armor - No Arcane Failure
Level 8 *38) Battle Caster Rune 1 - ** See below
Level 10 *40)
Song of Fury (First attack) ** See below (Requres +40 Perform)
LSA Tumble
Level 15 *45) Battle Caster Rune 2 **See below
+1 INT
Level 20 *50) Battle Caster Rune 3 **See below
+1 INT
Song of Fury (2nd attack) ** See below (Requres +40 Perform)
Level 25 *55) Epic Skill Focus / Discipline / Concentration
Level 30 *60) Epic Dodge

During Legendary Levels the Bladesinger will receive a +1 bonus to Int and Dex every 5 levels

** Blade Song

The Bladesong The Bladesong is the epitome of the bladesinger style. The poised steps of the Bladesong not only reveal the Bladesinger to be a creature of beauty during battle, but the steps also carry him or her into advantageous positions for either defensive or offensive combat. The Bladesinger can use for the song to instinctively grasp the flow of battle around him, and his feet will carry him through the intricate manuevers necesaary to optimize attack. Once learned it is relied on so heavily in combat that most Bladesingers don't even realize they are utilizing it.The Bladesong first manifests in the Bladesinger's heart. It meets the tempo of battle, and pulls them into it. Once there they see the battle as it is unfolding, and react accordingly. If the flow of battle changes so does the song. Typically, young Bladesingers try to pull away and make the song do as they want it to, but that is a loosing battle. As they grow older they find the song pulls them, and cannot be tamed. Many loose themself in it so fully that they even begin to sing in battle, releasing the song within their bodies out so that their enemies can hear it. Rarely are two Bladesinger's songs exactly the same. It is even more common, however, for a Bladesinger's song to manifest on its own. As the air passes across the blade of the sword, the air whistles and whines, and often, as if magically, follows the same pattern and melody as the song inside the Bladesinger's heart.

The Blade Song is the art of the Bladesinger, an often times no two bladesingers will illicit the same effect as another Bladesinger. They teach themselves their own inner bladesong since they begin their Bladesinging, as such the following basic stances will be acquired upon reaching Bladesinger level. Based on the Bladesingers continued training, acquiring the following additional feats will increase the benefits of each stance.

Bladesong Standard Form: Upon reaching Bladesinger level the bladesinger will acquire his Standard Form.

AB: +3,
Shield AC = 1/2 INT Bonus
Spell Pen +1
Spell DC +1
Concealment +5% (Stacks with all)

Upon acquiring the feat Skill Focus Parry they will also their Standard Form will change to the following

AB +5
Shield AC = 3/4 INT Bonus
Spell Pen +1
Spell DC +1
Concealment +5% (Stacks with all)

Bladesong Offensive Form:
Upon reaching Bladesinger level the bladesinger will acquire his Offensive Form.

AB: +5,
Shield AC = 1/4 INT Bonus
Spell Pen +2
Spell DC +2
Concealment +3% (Stacks with all)

Upon selecting the feat Improved Parry they will also receive their Offensive Form will change to the following

AB +7
Shield AC = 1/2 INT Bonus
Spell Pen +3
Spell DC +3
Concealment +3% (Stacks with all)

Bladesong Defensive Form: Upon reaching Bladesinger level the bladesinger will acquire his Defensive Form.

AB: +1,
Shield AC = 3/4 INT Bonus
Spell Pen +1
Spell DC +1
Concealment +5% (Stacks with all)

Upon selecting the feat Epic Skill Focus Parry they will also receive their Standard Form will change to the following
AB +3
Shield AC = Full INT Bonus
Spell Pen +1
Spell DC +1
Concealment +10% (Stacks with all)

** Song of Celerity
A Bladesingers Song of Celerity will cause the Ranger's Freedom of Movement spell to act as a Mass Freedom of Movement spell for the entire party

** Battle Caster
A Bladesinger will receive the ability to cast spells during combat as quick actions. At level 38, 45, 50 a Bladesinger will receive a Battle Caster rune that allows them to cast one spell on each rune. The Bladesinger can use these runes as quick actions to cast their spells, and each use will use THREE memorized spells from the casters memorized spell list.

Restrictions on the Battle Caster Runes are as follows:
BC Rune 1: Level 38 - Only spells Level 1-3 on this rune
BC Rune 2: Level 45 - Only spells Level 1-6 on this rune
BC Rune 3: Level 50 - Spells Level 1-9 on this rune

** Song of Fury
A Bladesinger will gain an extra attack at level 40 and 50 with the primary weapon, represented by two unresistable magical damage attacks (similiar to the Barbarian cold effect), this effect will take place when the Bladesinger casts Bladethirst on their weapon.

=========================
Wanted to make this more fluid and allow for the Bladesinger to switch stances during battle. The implementation would use the commands as follows so they could be hotkeyed.

!bladesong std
Bladesong (Standard Stance):
2nd form feat rquired, (Skill Focus Parry)

!bladesong def
Bladesong (Defensive Stance):
2nd form Feat required, (Epic Skill Focus Parry)

!bladesong off
Bladesong (Offensive Stance)
2nd form Feat required, (Improved Parry)


Using Stances:
Upon acquiring each stance the caster will be able to use the parry skill as a swift action to switch between stances. The same swift action limits apply to switching between stances. Finally, a bladesinger must ALWAYS switch to the standard form before going to the opposing form.

Eg. - Bladesinger in Defensive Stance wants to switch to Offensive Stance. The Bladesinger must use a swift action to go from Defensive Stance into Standard Stance, then after waiting for the restriction time, use another swift action to switch into the Offensive Stance.

Again, the Bladesinger must go back to Standard Stance before moving from either Offensive or Defensive stance. However, if the Bladesinger wants to switch from Offensive to Defensive and changes his mind, once he gets into Standard Stance he can go right back to either Offensive or Defensive after waiting the appropriate time limits on Swift Actions.

The swift action time restrictions will ALSO limit the ability for the Bladesinger to use his Swift Actions for his battle caster ability. In other words this system I think better controls what the Bladesinger can do in combat, he won't be able to switch forms and battle cast at the same time.

-=-=
Eg.
Bladesinger wants to switch from defensive to offensive and in the middle of the stance battle cast fireball.

Start Start Defensive:
Swift Action 1: Standard Stance (Wait on time limit)
Swift Action 2: Cast fireball (Wait on time limit)
Swift Action 3: Offensive Stance (Wait on time limit)

=========================
ARMOR Restriction
Blade singer receives full benefits when wearing armor no heavier then LIGHT armor:
=========================

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SPELL MODIFICATIONS
=========================

This following spells are modified to do the following when Bladesinger level is reached:

Premonition - Full benefits in light armor

Ethereal Visage - Full benefits in light armor

Epic Spell: Epic Warding:
Epic Warding
- Grants an additional point of damage reduction per CL above 40, reaching 70/+20 at CL60.
- Grants +10 to all ability checks for duration of spell
- Grants additional cast at Bladesinger 50, 55, 60

Blade Thirst
- Duration is now (CL * 3) rounds.
- Enhancement bonus increases to +6 at CL20, and the weapon becomes Keen.
- Enhancement bonus increases to +12 at CL40 and the weapon receives (CL / 4) vampiric regeneration.
- GSF Enchantment increases the bonus by +1, and LSF Enchantment increases the bonus a further +1.
- GSF Transmutation allows bludgeoning and piercing weapons to be affected.
Song of Fury- When Cast by a Bladesinger, adds 1 unresistable magical attack at Bladesinger level 40 and level 50

The bladesinger strikes with percision against all of the foes he is battling

Eyebite - Becomes AOE - medium range
NO SR check
NO Save check
Psuedo Bardsong

The song of the blade shall shatter your enemies spirit

Shout - Becomes AOE - medium range - non loot breaking

So quickly does the blade whirl that the air can be felt to move

Gust of Wind - Can cast on weapon to become on hit

Find the weaknesses in any armor

True Strike - Same effect plus single target AC decrease on hit equal to Discipline + Concentration skill / 50

The bladesinger is the first into battle creating confusion and mayhem for his allies to follow

Confusion - When cast by bladesinger ONLY FROM battle rune, the spell will be cast at +5 DC and +5 Spell Pen and will bypass mind immunities.

Engage strong with your friends swift to follow, be where your shouldn't be

Spell: Tensers changes, no longer gives Fighter LBAB for bladesinger instead it does:

Tensers Transformation
- No longer polymorphs the caster.
- At CL20, grants +((CL - 20) / 2) AB and +((CL - 20) / 2) Natural AC.
- Grants +CLd6 temporary HP, plus 12 temporary HP per CL above 40, reaching 60d6+240 at CL60.
- Grants +(CL / 4) Str, Dex, and Con, to a maximum of +12.
- Grants additional attacks at CL45 and CL55.
- At CL41 (or if the caster is a Staffmaster), increases
Imbues the caster with an aura of concealment, COLOSSOL. All allies receive +1%, +2%, +3%, or +5% concealment for SF/GSF/ESF/LSF Illusion, duration of this effect is equivalent to barbarian critical hit immunity.

=========================
HEAVY CON ALERT: NOT ABLE TO EQUIP ITEM IN OFFHAND ON THIS CLASS

Intent, a single weapon ( no duel wielding), no shield wearing, battle caster. Lots of options available for customizing the Bladesinger, heavier melee? heavier casting power?. Feats will determine which direction you lean in, Restrictions are again, no necro spells for mass killing, no duel wielding, no shield. Race restricted, number of attacks are limited because of wizard / ranger combo, they are made at Tier 2 LBAB, so you'd end up with I think 4 Attacks per round, with the Song of Fury adding two additional attacks of non resistable magical damage for a total of 6 attacks per round.

The quick action spells are limited to 3 only at max Bladesinger level and reduces spells at a clip of 3 per use, however, they can cast all other spells normally. Also, two of the three runes are limited to specific spell level ranges that can be cast on them.

This class even with full investment of feats for offensive form will never have full casting power for dc spells or full casting spell penetration.

Bladesong effects are limited to basic forms only and require the investment of precious feats to attain the advanced forms. So someone could customize the class to be full out all advanced forms or only plan to invest to get 1 full advanced form.

Bladesong effects might a be a bit much but can be reduced accordingly of course. The epic dodge ability was to avoid the first attack to help with loss of shield to provide stability.

Overall the Bladesinger has always been a sword in one hand spell in another, whirling dance of death, weaving through warriors laying waste to their enemies.

===============
Consolidated information together for better cohesiveness in one post.

[Isendur]

I like the idea

[Talamanthalon]

Alternative:
Purpose:
Focus on the fact that this is a battle caster, meaning when in melee and casting spells they get bonuses.

So FORM BONUSES will ONLY work when actually in melee combat.

[Talamanthalon]

Add requirements:

+20 Perform - Bladesong
+30 Perform - Song of Celerity
+40 Perform - Song of Fury

[Talamanthalon]

Blade singer receives full benefits when wearing armor no heavier then medium armor:

Premonition
Ethereal Visage

This following spells are modified to do the following when Bladesinger level is reached:


Epic Spell: Epic Warding:
Epic Warding
- Grants an additional point of damage reduction per CL above 40, reaching 70/+20 at CL60.
- Grants +10 to all ability checks for duration of spell
- Grants additional cast at Bladesinger 50, 55, 60

The bladesinger strikes with percision against all of the foes he is battling

Eyebite - Becomes AOE - medium range
NO SR check
NO Save check
Psuedo Bardsong

The song of the blade shall shatter your enemies spirit

Shout - Becomes AOE - medium range - non loot breaking

So quickly does the blade whirl that the air can be felt to move

Gust of Wind - Can cast on weapon to become on hit

Find the weaknesses in any armor

True Strike - Same effect plus single target AC decrease on hit equal to Discipline + Concentration skill / 50

The bladesinger is the first into battle creating confusion and mayhem for his allies to follow

Haste - Ports Bladesinger to target

Spell: Tensers changes, no longer gives Fighter LBAB for bladesinger instead it does:

Engage strong with your friends swift to follow, be where your shouldn't be

Tensers Transformation
- No longer polymorphs the caster.
- At CL20, grants +((CL - 20) / 2) AB and +((CL - 20) / 2) Natural AC.
- Grants +CLd6 temporary HP, plus 12 temporary HP per CL above 40, reaching 60d6+240 at CL60.
- Grants +(CL / 4) Str, Dex, and Con, to a maximum of +12.
- Grants additional attacks at CL45 and CL55.
- At CL41 (or if the caster is a Staffmaster), increases
Imbues the caster with an aura of concealment, COLOSSOL. All allies receive +1%, +2%, +3%, or +5% concealment for SF/GSF/ESF/LSF Illusion, duration of this effect is equivalent to barbarian critical hit immunity.

[Talamanthalon]

To many pros not enough cons:

Lowered LBAB from Tier 1 to Tier 2 to matchup to more of a shadowdancer style class.

Spell: Tensers changes, no longer gives Fighter LBAB for bladesinger instead it does:

Tensers Transformation
- No longer polymorphs the caster.
- At CL20, grants +((CL - 20) / 2) AB and +((CL - 20) / 2) Natural AC.
- Grants +CLd6 temporary HP, plus 12 temporary HP per CL above 40, reaching 60d6+240 at CL60.
- Grants +(CL / 4) Str, Dex, and Con, to a maximum of +12.
- Grants additional attacks at CL45 and CL55.
- At CL41 (or if the caster is a Staffmaster), increases
Imbues the caster with an aura of concealment, COLOSSOL, All allies Receive +1%, +2%, +3%, or +5% concealment for SF/GSF/ESF/LSF Illusion, duration of this effect is equivalent to barbarian critical hit immunity.

Lowered Armored Casting: No longer medium armor only light armor

Spell Pen and DC change and other stat changes: Still calculated using Ranger+Wiz+HS levels, however, all other stats damage, distance, are only calculated using Ranger+Wizard levels.

====

Change AB to calculate off of the higher of the two stats for Dex and INT

AC shield bonus of bladesong form uses INT instead of wisdom.

[Talamanthalon]

Bladethirst change:

Blade Thirst
- Duration is now (CL * 3) rounds.
- Enhancement bonus increases to +6 at CL20, and the weapon becomes Keen.
- Enhancement bonus increases to +12 at CL40 and the weapon receives (CL / 4) vampiric regeneration.
- GSF Enchantment increases the bonus by +1, and LSF Enchantment increases the bonus a further +1.
- GSF Transmutation allows bludgeoning and piercing weapons to be affected.
Song of Fury- When Cast by a Bladesinger, adds 1 unresistable magical attack at Bladesinger level 40 and level 50

**Removed positive effect from bladethirst

[Talamanthalon]

Modified Bladesong:

Wanted to make this more fluid and allow for the Bladesinger to switch stances during battle. The implementation would use the commands as follows so they could be hotkeyed.

First form stances will be given free upon reaching Bladesinger level.

Second form stances can only be acquired by taking the appropriate feats.

Changed the level one dauntless, strong soul and slippery soul feats to the following:

!bladesong std
Bladesong (Standard Stance):
2nd form feat rquired, (Skill Focus Parry)

!bladesong def
Bladesong (Defensive Stance):
2nd form Feat required, (Epic Skill Focus Parry)

!bladesong off
Bladesong (Offensive Stance)
2nd form Feat required, (Improved Parry)


Using Stances:
Upon acquiring each stance the caster will be able to use the parry skill as a swift action to switch between stances. The same swift action limits apply to switching between stances. Finally, a bladesinger must ALWAYS switch to the standard form before going to the opposing form.

Eg. - Bladesinger in Defensive Stance wants to switch to Offensive Stance. The Bladesinger must use a swift action to go from Defensive Stance into Standard Stance, then after waiting for the restriction time, use another swift action to switch into the Offensive Stance.

Again, the Bladesinger must go back to Standard Stance before moving from either Offensive or Defensive stance. However, if the Bladesinger wants to switch from Offensive to Defensive and changes his mind, once he gets into Standard Stance he can go right back to either Offensive or Defensive after waiting the appropriate time limits on Swift Actions.

The swift action time restrictions will ALSO limit the ability for the Bladesinger to use his Swift Actions for his battle caster ability. In other words this system I think better controls what the Bladesinger can do in combat, he won't be able to switch forms and battle cast at the same time.

-=-=
Eg.
Bladesinger wants to switch from defensive to offensive and in the middle of the stance battle cast fireball.

Start Start Defensive:
Swift Action 1: Standard Stance (Wait on time limit)
Swift Action 2: Cast fireball (Wait on time limit)
Swift Action 3: Offensive Stance (Wait on time limit)

[Talamanthalon]

Identified HEAVY con for this class that helps to balance it:

HEAVY CON ALERT: NOT ABLE TO EQUIP ITEM IN OFFHAND ON THIS CLASS

[Talamanthalon]

Will be mocking up a build to see how something like this would turn out?

Modified the first post to include all the changes, I think.


Any feedback or thoughts? Would love some input.

[Talamanthalon]

Bumping this for consideration on funky's posting as I put alot of time into the overall layout and like the class combos, it doesn't need to have 3 class requirements, simple ranger/wiz would work fine or other melee/wiz would work fine.

Made mention in the cons that this class even with full investment of feats for offensive form will never have full casting power for dc spells or full casting spell penetration.

Added additional restriction to battle casting rune ability to limit Rune 1, 2 and 3 to the following:
BC Rune 1: Level 38 - Only spells 1-3 on this rune
BC Rune 2: Level 45 - Only spells 1-6 on this rune
BC Rune 3: Level 50 - Only spells 1-9 on this rune (can cast all spells on this one)



Also made some modifications to the first posting to clear up all of the thoughts and ideas to be more cohesive.

[FunkySwerve]

The class reqs are far from the biggest problem with the quasi. Lack of simplicity is. This makes the inventor look simple by comparison. This makes it incredibly hard to balance, as well as making it take forever to implement. Not a winning combination. I like the concept - even used to play one - but don't expect to see this one any time soon.

Funky

[Talamanthalon]

Ya I know but this would be a great work of art! Also wanted to start another post maybe on racial Quasi classes and this could be a great fit for an elven racial. Instead of calling them Quasi classes maybe the could be called Specialists or Racialists or something. Set's them apart and opens the class system a bit more. Maybe only have one subtype racial class ever.

Anyway, so your recommendation would be to in a nutshell, simplify this down alot to be considered or would there actually be a dm available to do some testing if I posted a class breakdown/test build

[Fenris Witchhaven]

I am also a fan of the Bladesinger.... made plenty of them in my past... even made one that became a vampire.... so kept his skills already and though the song was darker and by our Dm it also lowered morale of my foes or could cause random fear amongst all cept myself... ((including Allies)) It was rather effective and played out well.