Read First: Notes on the class design.
1.) Yes, I know this is massively more powerful than the core paladin and fighter. This is intentional. I'm aiming to balance with the Tome of Battle classes, rogue, OneWinged4ngel's rebalanced paladin (which this class owes much of its inspiration to), and my still-unfinished rebalanced ranger.
2.) I am convinced that some of the secondary buffs I've given Dark Conduit are too powerful even for the balance point I'm aiming for. Suggestions for bringing them in line while still maintaining flavor are welcome.
3.) This is (obviously) unfinished. We're looking at version 0.11 Alpha, so much of this will change. I do not recommend using it in a game not meant for or open to playtesting at this time.
4.) This class is much better viewed in a format with spoiler blocks that collapse rather than just blacking out text, so that sidebars, lists, and additional rules exposition can be easily skipped over when reviewing the basic mechanics. Since that code is not available on this board at this time, you may wish to read the class here.
Now that that's out of the way, I give you the blackguard.
The Rebalanced Blackguard
By Rogue 9
Special acknowledgment to OneWinged4ngel and Seerow for their work on the Rebalanced Paladin, without which this class would not be possible. Thanks also go to OneWinged4ngel for the name and basic concept of the Dark Conduit ability.
Current Version: v0.11
The Blackguard
Hit Die: d10
BAB: Full
Saves: Good Fort, Bad Reflex, Bad Will
Skill Points at 1st level: (4+int modifier) x4
Skill Points at each additional Level: 4 + Int Modifier
Class Skills: The blackguard’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Heal (Wis), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (History) (Int), Knowledge (nobility and royalty) (Int), Knowledge (religion) (Int), Knowledge (the planes) (Int), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), and Sense Motive (Wis).
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Blackguards are proficient with all simple and martial weapons, with all types of armor (heavy, medium, and light), and with shields (except tower shields).
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The Blackguard Hit Die: d10
Base
Attack Fort Ref Will
Level Bonus Save Save Save Special
1st +1 +2 +0 +0 Aura of Evil, Detect Good, Smite Good 1/encounter
2nd +2 +3 +0 +0 Dark Blessing, Dark Conduit
3rd +3 +3 +1 +1 Aura of Despair, Placeholder
4th +4 +4 +1 +1 Rebuke Undead
5th +5 +4 +1 +1 Smite Good 2/encounter, specialization
6th +6/+1 +5 +2 +2 Unholy Fury
7th +7/+2 +5 +2 +2 Bonus Feat
8th +8/+3 +6 +2 +2 Aura of Terror
9th +9/+4 +6 +3 +3 DC Ability Placeholder
10th +10/+5 +7 +3 +3 Smite Good 3/encounter
11th +11/+6/+1 +7 +3 +3 Vigilance
12th +12/+7/+2 +8 +4 +4 DC Ability Placeholder
13th +13/+8/+3 +8 +4 +4 Aura of Weakness
14th +14/+9/+4 +9 +4 +4 Bonus Feat
15th +15/+10/+5 +9 +5 +5 Smite Good 4/Encounter
16th +16/+11/+6/+1 +10 +5 +5 Paralyzing Strike
17th +17/+12/+7/+2 +10 +5 +5 Constant Vigilance
18th +18/+13/+8/+3 +11 +6 +6 Aura of Malevolence
19th +19/+14/+9/+4 +11 +6 +6 Enervating Strike
20th +20/+15/+10/+5 +12 +6 +6 Smite Good 5/Encounter, Vengeance from Beyond the Grave
Aura of Evil (Ex)
The power of a blackguard’s aura of evil (see the detect evil spell) is equal to her blackguard level. It is not a switchable aura.
Detect Good (Sp)
At will, a blackguard can use detect good, as the spell.
Smite Good (Su)
Once per encounter, a blackguard may attempt to smite good with one normal melee attack. This damage is not multiplied on a critical, or by any other multiplier that would not count "bonus dice." If the blackguard accidentally smites a creature that is not good, the smite has no effect, but the ability is still used up for that encounter.
At 5th level, and at every five levels thereafter, the blackguard may smite good one additional time per encounter, as indicated on Table: The Blackguard, to a maximum of five times per encounter at 20th level. An encounter is considered over when you do no strenuous action for 1 minute or more.
Dark Blessing (Su)
At 2nd level, a blackguard gains a bonus equal to her Charisma bonus (if any) on all saving throws, up to a maximum of her class level.
Dark Conduit (Su)
Beginning at 2nd level, a blackguard with a Charisma score of 12 or higher can grant temporary hit points (to herself or others) by touch. She gains a pool of temporary hit points, which allows her to grant a total number of hit points equal to her blackguard level × her Charisma bonus. A blackguard may choose to divide her temporary HP among multiple recipients, and she doesn’t have to use it all at once. Temporary hit points granted by Dark Conduit last one round per the blackguard’s class level or until depleted, whichever comes first. A Blackguard may fill this pool with a full minute (10 rounds) of concentration and prayer. Refreshing the pool brings the Blackguard's pool of healing back up to the maximum (Blackguard level * Charisma Bonus). She may fill her healing pool a number of times per day equal to 1 + half her Charisma modifier (rounded down).
The blackguard's Dark Conduit gains additional capabilities as she progresses in level as a blackguard. The blackguard may use all additional effects in conjunction with granting temporary HP, as long as she spends enough points.
Switchable Auras
All auras except Aura of Evil are switchable as a move action. You may have only one aura other than Aura of Evil active at a given time. These auras function while the blackguard is conscious, but not while the blackguard is unconscious or dead. The blackguard's auras only affect other characters and creatures, and not the blackguard herself.
Aura of Despair (Ex)
At 3rd level, the blackguard may exude an aura of despair that demoralizes her enemies. Each enemy within 30 feet of her takes a -2 morale penalty on saving throws. Aura of Despair's penalties scale by level. At level 8, enemies take -4 to saves, and a -1 morale penalty to attack rolls. At level 13, enemies take -6 to saves, and a -2 morale penalty to attack rolls. At level 18, enemies take -8 to saves, and -3 morale penalty to attack rolls. This is a switchable Aura.
Placeholder (Ex)
At 3rd level, a blackguard needs an ability other than Divine Health. Suggestions welcome.
Rebuke Undead (Su)
When a blackguard reaches 4th level, she gains the supernatural ability to rebuke undead. She may use this ability a number of times per day equal to 2 + her Charisma modifier. She rebukes undead as a cleric of her level.
Specialization
Upon reaching 5th level, a blackguard may choose any of three abilities representing three different specializations: Dark Scourge (Aggressive), Dread Cavalier (Mounted), and Unyielding Tyrant (Defensive)
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(Sidebar) Behind the Scenes: Specializations
Specializations are designed in order to emphasize a blackguard's specific fighting style, or to make certain choices more viable (For example, fighting with a sword and shield is typically a suboptimal choice of armament compared to a two-handed weapon). DMs: If a player in your campaign has an idea for a particular esoteric fighting style or whatever that might otherwise be less than viable, but is nonetheless interesting and supported by his character's flavor, you may consider designing a Specialization in order to facilitate this choice. Just decide what abilities it grants (usually 4, granted at level 5, 8, 11, and 15) and what bonus feats it makes available (as a rule of thumb, keep it to 5).
In fact, you could even create a unique specialization for each church or faith within your campaign setting, guaranteeing that blackguards of every faith will be even more unique! Essentially, it can be an efficient medium for creating class variants on the blackguard, allowing new concepts without designing a full PrC.
Unyielding Tyrant
The blackguard gains a number of abilities as she rises in level.
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Level Ability
5th Shield Ward
8th Swift Conduit
11th Retribution
15th PlaceholderThe Blackguard gains Shield Ward as a bonus feat, even if the blackguard does not meet the prerequisites.
Swift Conduit (Su)
Once per encounter, the blackguard may use Dark Conduit on herself as an immediate action in response to an attack. The blackguard may grant herself any number of temporary HP within her normal limits, but may not use any other Dark Conduit abilities in conjunction with it. The decision to use Dark Conduit in this way must be made after the success of the attack has been determined, but before the attacker rolls damage.
Retribution
The blackguard gains Retribution* as a bonus feat, even if she does not meet the prerequisites.
Placeholder (Su)
The Unyielding Tyrant blackguard needs a 15th level ability. Suggestions welcome.
Dark Scourge
Aggressive specialization, to be determined. Suggestions welcome.
Dread Cavalier
The blackguard gains the service of an unusually intelligent, strong, and loyal steed to serve her in her crusade for her dark cause. This mount is usually a heavy warhorse (for a Medium blackguard) or a warpony (for a Small blackguard).
As full-round action, a blackguard may magically call her mount from the infernal realms in which it resides. This ability is the equivalent of a spell of a level equal to one-third the blackguard’s level. The mount immediately appears adjacent to the blackguard and remains until dismissed. The mount is the same creature each time it is summoned, though the blackguard may release a particular mount from service.
Each time the mount is called, it appears with the same hp it had previously, as well as any other effects it may have had (though some may have worn off because of their duration). Whether the mount is with you or not, things like poison run their course. The mount also appears wearing or carrying any gear it had when it was last dismissed. Calling a mount is a conjuration (calling) effect.
When the blackguard rests for 8 hours (or long enough to restore his spells), the mount is restored to full hp.
Should the blackguard’s mount die, it immediately disappears, leaving behind any equipment it was carrying. The blackguard may not summon another mount for thirty days or until she gains a blackguard level, whichever comes first, even if the mount is somehow returned from the dead. During this thirty-day period, the blackguard takes a -1 penalty on attack and weapon damage rolls.
The Blackguard’s Mount
The blackguard’s mount is superior to a normal mount of its kind and has special powers, as described below. The standard mount for a Medium blackguard is a heavy warhorse, and the standard mount for a Small blackguard is a warpony. Another kind of mount, such as a riding dog (for a halfling blackguard) or a Large shark (for a blackguard in an aquatic campaign) may be allowed as well.
A blackguard’s mount is treated as a magical beast, not an animal, for the purpose of all effects that depend on its type (though it retains an animal’s HD, base attack bonus, saves, skill points, and feats).
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Blackguard Bonus Natural Strength
Level HD Armor Adj. Adj. Int Special
5th +2 +4 +1 6 Empathic link, improved evasion, share spells, share saving throws
8th +4 +6 +2 7 Improved speed
11th +6 +8 +3 8 Command creatures of its kind
15th +8 +10 +4 9 Spell resistance
Blackguard’s Mount Basics
Use the base statistics for a creature of the mount’s kind, but make changes to take into account the attributes and characteristics summarized on the table and described below.
Bonus HD
Extra eight-sided (d8) Hit Dice, each of which gains a Constitution modifier, as normal. Extra Hit Dice improve the mount’s base attack and base save bonuses. A special mount’s base attack bonus is equal to that of a cleric of a level equal to the mount’s HD. A mount has good Fortitude and Reflex saves (treat it as a character whose level equals the animal’s HD). The mount gains additional skill points or feats for bonus HD as normal for advancing a monster’s Hit Dice.
Natural Armor Adj.
The number on the table is an improvement to the mount’s existing natural armor bonus.
Str Adj.
Add this figure to the mount’s Strength score.
Int
The mount’s Intelligence score.
Empathic Link (Su)
The blackguard has an empathic link with her mount out to a distance of up to 1 mile. The blackguard cannot see through the mount’s eyes, but they can communicate empathically.
Note that even intelligent mounts see the world differently from humans, so misunderstandings are always possible.
Because of this empathic link, the blackguard has the same connection to an item or place that her mount does, just as with a master and his familiar.
Improved Evasion (Ex)
When subjected to an attack that normally allows a Reflex saving throw for half damage, a mount takes no damage if it makes a successful saving throw and half damage if the saving throw fails.
Share Spells
At the blackguard’s option, she may have any spell (but not any spell-like ability) she casts on herself also affect her mount.
The mount must be within 5 feet at the time of casting to receive the benefit. If the spell or effect has a duration other than instantaneous, it stops affecting the mount if it moves farther than 5 feet away and will not affect the mount again even if it returns to the blackguard before the duration expires. Additionally, the blackguard may cast a spell with a target of "You" on her mount (as a touch range spell) instead of on herself. A blackguard and her mount can share spells even if the spells normally do not affect creatures of the mount’s type (magical beast).
Share Saving Throws
For each of its saving throws, the mount uses its own base save bonus or the blackguard’s, whichever is higher. The mount applies its own ability modifiers to saves, and it doesn’t share any other bonuses on saves that the master might have.
Speak with Blackguard (Ex)
The blackguard and servant can communicate verbally as if they were using a common language. Other creatures do not understand the communication without magical help.
Blood Bond (Ex)
If the blackguard’s character level is 11th or higher, the mount gains a +2 bonus on all attack rolls, checks, and saves if it witnesses the blackguard being threatened or harmed.
This bonus lasts as long as the threat is immediate and apparent.
Spell Resistance (Ex)
A mount’s spell resistance equals its master’s blackguard level + 5. To affect the mount with a spell, a spellcaster must get a result on a caster level check (1d20 + caster level) that equals or exceeds the mount’s spell resistance.
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Unholy Fury (Su)
Upon reaching 6th level, whenever a blackguard expends at least 20 points of temporary HP from her dark conduit she may grant a +2 morale bonus to attack and damage to any person she touches. This bonus increases by a further +2 for every 20 points above the first 20 granted, so if she spends at least 40 points of temporary HP she may grant a +4 bonus to attack and damage and so on. This is in addition to temporary hit points granted. The bonuses last as long as the recipient still has temporary HP from Dark Conduit remaining.
The blessings of the dark powers do not come cheaply. When the unholy fury ends, whether by the end of the ability’s duration or by the loss of all temporary hit points, the subject becomes fatigued.
Bonus Feats
At 7th level, and again at 14th level, the Blackguard gains a bonus feat. At each such opportunity, a blackguard may choose any Smite feat*, or a feat drawn from the following list. If a feat is labeled with "Aggressive", "Defensive", or "Mounted", then that feat may only be chosen by a blackguard of the corresponding specialization.
Bonus Feats
Divine Cleansing (CW)
Divine Might (CW)
Divine Resistance (CW)
Divine Shield (CW)
Divine Vigor (CW)
Sacred Vengeance (CW)
Extra Smiting*
Divine Armor (PHB II)
Divine Justice (PHB II)
Profane Aura (PHB II)
Shield Specialization (Defensive) (PHB II)
Armor Specialization (Defensive) (PHB II)
Agile Shield Fighter (Defensive) (PHB II)
Active Shield Defense (Defensive) (PHB II)
Improved Shield Bash (Defensive)
Mounted Combat (Mounted)
Mounted Archery (Mounted)
Ride-By Attack (Mounted)
Spirited Charge (Mounted)
Trample (Mounted)
Intimidating Strike (Aggressive) (PHB II)
Power Attack (Aggressive)
Cleave (Aggressive)
Great Cleave (Aggressive)
Weapon Focus (Aggressive)
Aura of Terror (Ex)
Upon reaching 8th level, the Blackguard may exude an Aura of Terror. While this ability is active, the Blackguard seems to have a terrifying visage to his enemies. All enemies of the blackguard within 30 feet of her must make a Will save (DC 10 + half class level +Cha modifier) upon being first exposed to the aura or become shaken. At level 13, enemies must instead make the save or become frightened. At level 18, enemies must make the save or become panicked. Enemies who succeed on the save are immune to the blackguard’s Aura of Terror for 24 hours. This mind-affecting fear effect is a switchable aura.
Dark Conduit Ability (Su)
Beginning at 9th level The Blackguard needs another add-on for Dark Conduit. At this level, rebalanced paladins can remove ability damage with Lay on Hands; should blackguards be able to grant ability-damaging attacks? Suggestions welcome.
Vigilance (Su)
Upon reaching 11th level, the Blackguard's ability to detect those opposed to her increases. When she uses her Detect Good ability, the area of effect is a 60-foot radius centered on the Blackguard, rather than a 60-foot cone.
Dark Conduit Ability (Su)
Beginning at 12th level a Blackguard needs another add-on for Dark Conduit. At this level, rebalanced paladins can remove exhaustion, fatigue, sickness, and nausea with Lay on Hands; should blackguards be able to grant status-inducing attacks? Suggestions welcome.
Aura of Weakness (Ex)
Beginning at 13th level, the blackguard gains Aura of Weakness. While this ability is active, the Blackguard forces one enemy within a thirty foot radius of her to reroll one Fortitude save every round and keep the worse result. The decision to force a reroll must be made after the roll is made but before the result is declared. This is a switchable Aura.
Paralyzing Strike (Su)
Beginning at 16th level, the Blackguard may grant the ability to immobilize an opponent struck to a subject whenever she spends at least 30 points from her dark conduit pool. The first attack the subject makes every round has a chance of immobilizing its target, as the spell hold monster. The target of the attack receives a Will save (DC 10+1/2 blackguard level+Cha) to negate the effect. If the save fails, the target is treated as though under the effect of hold monster in all ways, including receiving a new save every round, for three rounds. This is in addition to temporary hit points granted. The ability lasts as long as the recipient still has temporary HP from Dark Conduit remaining.
The blessings of the dark powers do not come cheaply. When paralyzing strike ends, whether by the end of the ability’s duration or by the loss of all temporary hit points, the subject becomes exhausted.
Constant Vigilance (Su)
Upon reaching 17th level, the Blackguard is always vigilant for any signs of those who would attempt to thwart her, and her eyes begin to glow with an inner light. Her Detect Good no longer requires any concentration to maintain, and has an unlimited duration.
Aura of Malevolence (Ex)
At 18th level, the blackguard gains Aura of Malevolence. While this ability is active, the Blackguard forces one enemy within a thirty foot radius of her to reroll one Will save every round and keep the worse result. The decision to force a reroll must be made after the roll is made but before the result is declared. This is a switchable Aura.
Enervating Strike (Su)
Beginning at 19th level, the Blackguard may grant the ability to inflict negative levels to a subject whenever she spends at least 40 points from her dark conduit pool. The first attack the subject makes every round also forces the target of the attack to make a Fortitude save (DC 10+1/2 blackguard level+Cha) or take one negative level. The negative levels bestowed by this ability last for one hour. Usually, negative levels have a chance of permanently draining the victim’s levels, but the negative levels from enervating strike don’t last long enough to do so. This is in addition to temporary hit points granted. The ability lasts as long as the recipient still has temporary HP from Dark Conduit remaining.
Due to the strains of supporting both life-bolstering energies and life-draining ones, the duration of Dark Conduit is halved when used with enervating strike.
The blessings of the dark powers do not come cheaply. When enervating strike ends, whether by the end of the ability’s duration or by the loss of all temporary hit points, the subject gains 1d4 negative levels. Unlike negative levels bestowed by the subject’s attacks, these negative levels last for 24 hours and have a chance of permanently draining levels as normal.
Vengeance from Beyond the Grave (Ex)
At 20th level, the blackguard's hatred and determination drive her on when death would claim lesser men. Once per day when a blackguard would be reduced to -10 or less hp or otherwise killed (such as by a death effect), she rises one round later as a vengeful revenant. The blackguard is then considered undead and has her full normal hit points, but otherwise has all game statistics and status effects she had when killed, barring those that the undead type would render her immune to. The blackguard attacks furiously, not stopping until she has either slain her killers or is destroyed. If the former occurs, she falls lifeless to the ground as soon as her last attacker is dead. This does not interfere with attempts to raise or resurrect the blackguard.
Spells: Beginning at 4th level, a Blackguard gains the ability to cast a small number of divine spells, which are drawn from the Blackguard spell list. A blackguard must choose and prepare her spells in advance (see below).
To prepare or cast a spell, a blackguard must have a Wisdom score equal to at least 10 + the spell level. The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a Blackguard’s spell is 10 + the spell level + the Blackguard’s Wisdom modifier.
Like other spellcasters, a blackguard can cast only a certain number of spells of each spell level per day. Her base daily spell allotment is given on Table: Blackguard Spells per Day. In addition, she receives bonus spells per day if she has a high Wisdom score. When Table: Blackguard Spells Per Day indicates that the Blackguard gets 0 spells per day of a given spell level, she gains only the bonus spells she would be entitled to based on her Wisdom score for that spell level. The Blackguard does not have access to any domain spells or granted powers, as a cleric does.
A Blackguard prepares and casts spells the way a cleric does, though she cannot lose a prepared spell to cast a cure spell in its place. A blackguard may prepare and cast any spell on the Blackguard spell list, provided that she can cast spells of that level, but she must choose which spells to prepare during her daily prayer.
Through 3rd level, a Blackguard has no caster level. At 4th level and higher, her caster level is her Blackguard level minus 3.
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The Blackguard: Spells per Day
Level 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
1st - - - -
2nd - - - -
3rd - - - -
4th 0 - - -
5th 1 - - -
6th 2 - - -
7th 2 0 - -
8th 3 1 - -
9th 3 2 - -
10th 3 2 0 -
11th 4 3 1 -
12th 4 3 2 -
13th 4 3 2 0
14th 4 4 3 1
15th 5 4 3 2
16th 5 4 3 2
17th 5 4 4 3
18th 5 5 4 3
19th 5 5 4 3
20th 6 5 4 4
1st
Bane
Curse Water
Curse Weapon
Create Water
Cure Light Wounds
Detect Poison
Detect Undead
Divine Favor
Endure Elements
Entropic Shield
Magic Weapon
Protection From Good
Protection From Chaos (If lawful.)
Protection From Law (If chaotic.)
Cause Fear
Resistance
Restoration, Lesser
Shield of Faith
2nd
Aid
Align Weapon
Bull's Strength
Cure Serious Wounds
Delay Poison
Eagle's Splendor
Hold Person
Invisibility Purge
Magic Circle Against Good
Magic Circle Against Chaos (If lawful.)
Magic Circle Against Law (If chaotic.)
Magic Vestment
Owl's Wisdom
Prayer
Protection from Energy
Remove Blindness/Deafness
Remove Curse
Remove Disease
Remove Paralysis
Resist Energy
Undetectable Alignment
Zone of Truth
3rd
Break Enchantment
Cure Critical Wounds
Cure Light Wounds, Mass
Death Ward
Dimensional Anchor
Discern Lies
Dispel Magic
Divine Power
Freedom of Movement
Heal Mount
Magic Weapon, Greater
Mark of Justice
Neutralize Poison
Poison
Restoration
Spell Immunity
Tongues
4th
Banishment
Cure Moderate Wounds(Mass)
Dispel Chaos (If lawful.)
Dispel Good
Dispel Law (If chaotic.)
Flame Strike
Unhallow
Heroes' Feast
Harm
Heal
Unholy Sword
Righteous Might
Spell Resistance
True Seeing
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Code of Conduct
A blackguard must be of Evil alignment, and to boot is much more malicious and foul than the average Evil-aligned person. Indeed, she is the paragon of villainous Evil, drawn to dominate and cause suffering in others.
Codes of conduct for such a character can vary wildly, depending upon the motivation for her evil and (in some settings) the goals and motivations of her divine sponsor. Consult your DM to determine what, if any, standard of conduct should apply to your character.
Ex-Blackguards
A blackguard who ceases to be evil or grossly violates her code loses all blackguard spells and abilities. She may not progress any farther in levels as a blackguard. She regains her abilities and advancement potential if she atones for her violations (see the atonement spell description), as appropriate.
Insta-fall, all the time. Common sense easily overrules that, of course, but it's still simply lazy. Simply countering healing with damage isn't balanced at all; it's even worse than temporary HP simply because offensive abilities are always always always more powerful than after-the-fact healing.