Niten Ichi Ryu

Niten Ichi Ryu

Niten Ichi Ryu, or “The School of Two Heavens,” is an ancient sword style mastered by the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. Practitioners of this technique wield two weapons—one long and one short—using both hands with perfect synchronicity. These fighters strike swiftly and decisively, flowing between defense and offense with grace and precision. They believe in the balance of all things: to master both weapons, the mind and body, and to never waste movement in battle. Niten Ichi Ryu fighters are unparalleled duelists, able to adapt to any situation with calm precision.

Bonus Proficiencies

At 3rd level you gain proficiency in History and Insight, as well as with calligrapher’s tools. You have studied both combat and philosophy, following the teachings of the swordmaster Musashi, which emphasize mental clarity alongside martial prowess.

Two Heavens Strike

At 3rd level, when you wield a melee weapon in each hand, your mastery over dual-wielding gives you the following benefits:

Flowing Offense: When you take the Attack action on your turn and hit with both weapons, you can deal an extra 1d8 damage to one of the targets. This damage increases to 2d8 at 10th level.

Seamless Defense: If you hit with both weapons on your turn, you gain a +2 bonus to AC until the start of your next turn.

Perfect Rhythm: When you take the Attack action, you can attack with your offhand weapon as part of the same action (instead of using a bonus action).

Note: This works with weapons that lack the "heavy" property and are considered one-handed.

Adaptable Mind, Fluid Body

At 7th level, the philosophy behind Niten Ichi Ryu teaches adaptability and awareness. When you roll Initiative, you can add your Wisdom modifier to the roll. Additionally, you gain the following benefits:

Read the Flow: When a creature misses you with a melee attack, you can use your reaction to make one weapon attack against it with your offhand weapon.

Switch Stance: As a bonus action, you can switch between offensive stance (gaining +2 to attack rolls) or defensive stance (gaining +2 AC) until the start of your next turn.

Masterful Strike

At 10th level, your mastery over the rhythm of battle allows you to deliver devastating blows. When you make an attack with both your main-hand and offhand weapons on the same turn, you can force a target to make a Dexterity saving throw (DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Dexterity or Wisdom modifier). On a failed save, the target is either:

Knocked Prone, if the attack was made with slashing weapons.

Disarmed, if the attack was made with a piercing weapon. The disarmed weapon lands 10 feet away from the target.

You can use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, regaining all expended uses on a long rest.

Heart of Two Blades

At 15th level you gain supernatural focus and become one with your weapons. You gain the following benefits:

Unyielding Precision: Your melee weapon attacks score a critical hit on a roll of 19 or 20 while dual-wielding.

Evasion Through Awareness: When an enemy forces you to make a Dexterity saving throw to avoid damage, you can use your reaction to move 10 feet in any direction without provoking opportunity attacks, potentially moving out of the area of effect.

Weapon Swap Mastery: You can switch weapons you are holding as part of an attack, allowing you to adapt quickly to different opponents.

Infinite Rhythm At 18th level your mastery of the Niten Ichi Ryu style reaches its peak, allowing you to flow through combat like a river. You gain the following benefits:

Endless Assault: When you score a critical hit with an attack, you can immediately make one additional weapon attack with your offhand weapon as part of the same action.

Perfect Flow: If you take the Attack action and hit with both weapons, you can make a third attack with your offhand weapon as part of the same action, without requiring a bonus action.

Additionally, your mind becomes perfectly attuned to the flow of battle. Once per long rest, you can enter a state of perfect clarity for 1 minute. During this state:

Your offhand weapon attacks do not require a roll—they automatically hit.

You have advantage on all Dexterity saving throws and Insight checks.

Your movement speed increases by 15 feet.