Swordsage
Swordsages, blade masters, sword saints; expert warriors who dedicate their life to the art of the sword have had many names over the ages. Only drawing their weapon when they are prepared to kill, a true Swordsage will only end the life of another when absolutely necessary.
Legends say that each master Swordsage will only take on a single apprentice over their lifetime, teaching everything they know to a chosen warrior whom they entrust with their mystical legacy.
In your studies you have mastered skills adjacent to swordplay. You gain proficiency in Acrobatics and Performance, and whenever you would make a Charisma (Performance) check, you can choose to make a Dexterity (Performance) check instead. Moreover, whenever you make a Dexterity (Acrobatics) or Dexterity (Performance) check that incorporates a sword you gain a bonus to your roll equal to one roll of your Exploit Die.
You learn certain Exploits at the Fighter levels noted in the table below. They don't count against your total number of Exploits Known and can't be switched upon gaining a level.
You have learned to clear your mind and enter the legendary trance that gives Swordsages their reputation. So long as you are not wearing heavy armor or wielding a shield, you can use a bonus action on to enter a Battle Trance. Your Battle Trance grants you the following benefits for 1 minute:
You have honed your reflexes to a point in pursuit of martial perfection. You gain proficiency in Dexterity saving throws, and you add your proficiency bonus to your initiative rolls. Also, while you are in your Battle Trance, the bonus to your Armor Class increases by 1, for a total bonus of +2.
You have mastered the Battle Trance. When you roll initiative, so long as you are not surprised or incapacitated, you can enter a Battle Trance without expending any resources.
You become a whirlwind of deadly steel while in your Battle Trance. Once per turn while you are in a Battle Trance, you can use any Exploit that you know, rolling a d6 in place of expending one of your Exploit Dice. At 18th level, the d6 from this feature becomes a d8.
You have reached the end of your journey and have become a Swordsage worthy of your own legends. When a creature you can see damages you with an attack, you can use your reaction to expend one Exploit Die, roll it, and reduce the damage you would take by twice the amount rolled.
Student of the Blade
3rd-level Fighter (Swordsage) FeatureIn your studies you have mastered skills adjacent to swordplay. You gain proficiency in Acrobatics and Performance, and whenever you would make a Charisma (Performance) check, you can choose to make a Dexterity (Performance) check instead. Moreover, whenever you make a Dexterity (Acrobatics) or Dexterity (Performance) check that incorporates a sword you gain a bonus to your roll equal to one roll of your Exploit Die.
Swordsage Exploits
3rd-level Fighter (Swordsage) FeatureYou learn certain Exploits at the Fighter levels noted in the table below. They don't count against your total number of Exploits Known and can't be switched upon gaining a level.
| Fighter Level | Exploit |
|---|---|
| 3rd | lightstep, mighty leap |
| 5th | whirlwind strike, zephyr slash |
| 9th | gale slash |
Battle Trance
3rd-level Fighter (Swordsage) FeatureYou have learned to clear your mind and enter the legendary trance that gives Swordsages their reputation. So long as you are not wearing heavy armor or wielding a shield, you can use a bonus action on to enter a Battle Trance. Your Battle Trance grants you the following benefits for 1 minute:
- You can take the Dash action as a bonus action.
- You gain a +1 bonus to your Armor Class.
- You have advantage on Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks.
- Once per turn when you use a Swordsage Exploit, you can roll a d4 instead of expending one of your Exploit Dice.
Heightened Reflexes
7th-level Fighter (Swordsage) FeatureYou have honed your reflexes to a point in pursuit of martial perfection. You gain proficiency in Dexterity saving throws, and you add your proficiency bonus to your initiative rolls. Also, while you are in your Battle Trance, the bonus to your Armor Class increases by 1, for a total bonus of +2.
Trance of the Master
10th-level Fighter (Swordsage) FeatureYou have mastered the Battle Trance. When you roll initiative, so long as you are not surprised or incapacitated, you can enter a Battle Trance without expending any resources.
Storm of Steel
15th-level Fighter (Swordsage) FeatureYou become a whirlwind of deadly steel while in your Battle Trance. Once per turn while you are in a Battle Trance, you can use any Exploit that you know, rolling a d6 in place of expending one of your Exploit Dice. At 18th level, the d6 from this feature becomes a d8.
Legendary Swordsage
18th-level Fighter (Swordsage) FeatureYou have reached the end of your journey and have become a Swordsage worthy of your own legends. When a creature you can see damages you with an attack, you can use your reaction to expend one Exploit Die, roll it, and reduce the damage you would take by twice the amount rolled.
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