Sword Saint, Variant (5e Class) (2024)

Sword Saint[edit]

Qi Sword Master[edit]

The Sword Saint is a master of the blade, a warrior who blends martial prowess with mystical focus to become a paragon of combat excellence. Unlike traditional fighters, Sword Saints wield their weapon with an almost supernatural precision and grace, empowered by their deep connection to the art of combat and the essence of their inner focus.

Quick Build

You can make a Sword Saint quickly by following these suggestions. First, Dexterity should be your highest ability score, followed by Wisdom or Constitution.

Class Features

As a Sword Saint you gain the following class features.

Hit Points

Hit Dice: 1d10 per Sword Saint level
Hit Points at 1st Level: 10 + Constitution modifier
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d10 (or 6) + Constitution modifier per Sword Saint level after 1st

Proficiencies

Armor: Light armor, medium armor, shields
Weapons: Simple weapons, martial weapons
Tools: None
Saving Throws: Dexterity, Wisdom
Skills: Choose two skills from Acrobatics, Animal Handling, Athletics, History, Insight, Intimidation, Perception, Survival and Stealth

Equipment

You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:

Focus[edit]

A Sword Saint can Focus and enter into an absolute calm state of mind and perform at a divine level of speed and accuracy. Starting at 1st level, a Sword Saint can focus for a number of rounds per day equal to 4 + its Dexterity modifier. At each level after 1st, it can Focus for 2 additional rounds. Temporary increases to Dexterity, such as those gained from spells like Cat's Grace, do not increase the total number of rounds that a Sword Saint can focus per day. A Sword Saint can enter Focus as a free action. The total number of rounds of Focus per day is renewed after resting for 8 hours, although these hours do not need to be consecutive.

While in Focus, a Sword Saint adds both its Strength and Dexterity modifiers to to-hit as well.

A Sword Saint can end its Focus as a free action and is staggered for a number of rounds equal to 1/2 the number of rounds spent in the Focus to a minimum of 1 round. A Sword Saint cannot enter a new Focus while staggered or exhausted but can otherwise enter Focus multiple times during a single encounter or combat.

Consequences of Running Out of Focus:

Staggered State

If the Sword Saint expends all available Focus rounds, they become staggered until they can rest and recover their Focus. While staggered, the Sword Saint can only take a single move or standard action per turn and cannot take swift actions.

Exhaustion

Once all Focus rounds are depleted, the Sword Saint experiences severe exhaustion. They suffer from a -2 penalty to all attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks until they rest and recover. This exhaustion also impairs their physical and mental performance.

Recovery Period

To regain Focus, the Sword Saint must rest for a full 8-hour period. This rest period must be uninterrupted, and only after this rest can they recover their Focus rounds and resume using them effectively. Until they fully rest, they cannot enter Focus again.

Sword Saint's Finesse[edit]

At 1st level, a Sword Saint gains the benefits of the Weapon Finesse feat with the melee weapon it chose as its proficient weapon, and can use its dexterity score in place of Intelligence as a prerequisite for combat feats. This ability counts as having the Weapon Finesse feat for purposes of meeting feat prerequisites.

Fast Maneuvers[edit]

At 1st level, a Sword Saint speed is faster than the norm for its race. It gains a land speed and dodge bonus to its AC that scales with the Sword Saint's level as shown on Table: (Sword Saint) above. benefit applies only when it is wearing no armor or light armor and not carrying a heavy load. Apply this bonus before modifying the Sword Saints speed because of any load carried.

Miracles[edit]

As a Sword Saint gains levels, it learns to harness its Focus to perform miraculous deeds. Starting at 2nd level, a Sword Saint selects from the Tier (I) miracles. It gains another miracle for every two levels a Sword Saint attained after 2nd level and at 6th, 10th, 15th, and 20th a Sword Saint may select from the higher Tiers of Miracles . A Sword Saint gains the benefits of miracles only while in Focus, and some of these miracles require the Sword Saint to take an action first. Unless otherwise noted, a Sword Saint cannot select an individual miracle more than once. To perform any miracle a Sword Saint must expend additional uses of Focus. A Sword Saint can only expend 1 additional round of Focus at level 1, this increases by 1 for every 5 levels a Sword Saint has attained in the Sword Saint class so at level 5 a Sword Saint can spend 2 additional rounds of focus per turn and at lvl 20 it can expend 5 additional rounds of Focus per turn. Expending any number of additional rounds of Focus in one round is a free action.

Uncanny Dodge[edit]

At 3rd level, a Sword Saint gains the ability to react to danger before its senses would normally allow it to do so. A Sword Saint cannot be caught flat-footed, nor does it lose its Dex bonus to AC if the attacker is invisible. Sword Saints still loses its Dexterity bonus to armor class if immobilized. A Sword Saint with this ability can still lose its Dexterity bonus to armor class if an opponent successfully uses the feint action against it.

The Sword is my Shield[edit]

At 4th level, When wielding its chosen sword and is unencumbered, the Sword Saint gains a +1 shield bonus to AC. This bonus increases by +1 at the 9th, 13th, and 19th level, to a maximum of a +4 shield bonus to AC at 19th level.<!-Class feature game rule information->

Sword Expert[edit]

Sword ExpertAt 5th level, a Sword Saint's understanding and connection with its chosen blade becomes stronger. It gains the bonus combat feats (Weapon Focus) and (Weapon Specialization). You also gain a +2 bonus to CMD against disarm and sunder attempts while wielding your chosen weapon. This bonus also applies on saves against any effect that targets his chosen weapon (for example, grease, heat metal, shatter, warp wood).

This ability's bonuses are considered to be "Weapon Training" for the prerequisites feats.

Honed[edit]

At 7th level, a Sword Saint has pushed its body to the breaking point and this has made it stronger and given it greater control and understanding of its body. The Sword Saint can reduce the focus he spends per round by 1 (to a minimum of 1 round spent per turn). It can not use this ability to reduce the cost of the highest tier of miracle the Sword Saint can use. This ability cost reduction increases by 1 on 14th and 20th level, to a maximum of 3 cost reduction at on the 20th level.

Example A 7th level Sword Saint can only reduce the cost of tier (I) Miracles and can only reduce the cost of Tier (II) Miracles once it has gained a Tier (III) Miracle at 10th Level.

Evasion[edit]

At 9th level and higher, a Sword Saint can avoid even magical and unusual attacks with great agility. If it makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, the Sword Saint instead takes no damage. Evasion can be used only if the Sword Saint is wearing light armor or no armor. A helpless Sword Saint does not gain the benefit of evasion.

Sword Master[edit]

At 11th level, a Sword Saint's chosen weapon has all but become an extension of its body. It gains the bonus combat feats (Greater Weapon Focus) and (Improved Critical). Your bonus to CMD against Disarm or Sunder checks with your chosen weapon increases by +2.

This ability's bonuses are considered to be "Weapon Training" for the prequisites of feats.

Saint Instinct[edit]

At 13th level, the Sword Saint’s training and mastery over Focus grant them the extraordinary ability known as Saint Instinct. This ability allows them to use their heightened senses and reflexes to react with unparalleled precision in both combat and other critical situations Sword Saint can expend 3 rounds of Focus as a reaction and gain all advantage on saving throws.

Sword Lord[edit]

At 17th level, a Sword Saint is now one with its chosen weapon, its body is merely the hilt of the blade. It gains the bonus combat feats (Greater Weapon Specialization) and (Critical Focus). Your bonus to CMD against Disarm or Sunder checks with your chosen weapon increases by +2

Ability Score Improvement[edit]

When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 12th, 16th and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.

Miracles List[edit]

Miracles (I)[edit]

At 2nd level, a Sword Saint may select miracles from the following list. Each of these miracles only cost 1 additional round of Focus to use.

Quickend State[edit]

The Sword Saint can expend 1 round of Focus and receive the following benefits until the beginning of its next turn. A Sword Saint can make a reaction to parry with its profficiency bonus to AC.<!-For subclasses introduce this class option here->

Stance, Deadly Defense[edit]

The Sword Saint can expend 1 round of Focus and receive the following benefits until the Sword Saint ends its current Focus. Only if the Sword Saint's last turn was spent either fighting defensively or as a total defense action and an opponent makes a melee attack against a Sword Saint, it may expend a use of an attack of opportunity to attempt to parry that attack. The Sword Saint makes an attack roll as if it were making an attack of opportunity; for each size category the attacking creature is larger than the Sword Saint, the Sword Saint takes a –2 penalty on this roll. If its result is greater than the attacking creature’s result, the creature’s attack automatically misses. The Sword Saint must declare the use of this ability after the creature’s attack is announced, but before its attack roll is made. Upon performing a successful parry the Sword Saint can as an immediate action make an attack against the creature whose attack it parried, provided that creature is within its reach. For every successfully parried attack, the Sword Saint receives a cumulative -2 to To-Hit until the beginning of the Sword Saints next turn. Only one Stance Miracle can be active at a time and a Stance Miracle can only be switched to another Stance miracle once per turn as a swift action

Special If the Sword Saint possess Both "Stance, Deadly Defense" and "Stance, Pin-Point Deflection", It may use both Simultaneously at the cost of 3 Focus

Expert Maneuvers[edit]

The Sword Saint can expend 1 round of focus and receive the following benefits until the beginning of its next turn. While this is active a Sword Saint dose not provoke attacks of opportunity when performing any combat maneuvers and gains a +2 to CMB and a +4 to CMD.

Threading the Needle[edit]

The Sword Saint can expend 1 round of Focus and receive the following benefits until the beginning of its next turn. A Sword Saint gains the ability to strike with pin-point precision with their chosen weapon, adding its Sword Saint level to the damage dealt. To use this Miracle, a Sword Saint cannot attack with a weapon in its other hand. Any creature that is immune to sneak attacks is immune to the additional damage granted by Threading the Needle, and any item or ability that protects a creature from critical hits also protects a creature from the additional damage of Threading the Needle. This additional damage is precision damage, and isn’t multiplied on a critical hit. As a movement action, a Sword Saint can spend only one more additional round of Focus to double its precision damage bonus.

Focused Movement[edit]

At 5th level or higher, The Sword Saint can expend 1 round of Focus and receive the following benefits until the beginning of its next turn. a Sword Saint within arm’s reach of a wall can use it to slow its descent. When first gaining this Miracle, it takes damage as if the fall were 20 feet shorter than it actually is. The Sword ability to slow his fall (that is, to reduce the effective distance of the fall when next to a wall) improves at 20th level it can use a nearby wall to slow his descent and fall any distance without harm.

Also a Sword Saint starts to move while barely touching the surface underneath it. As a full-round action, it can move up to twice its speed, ignoring difficult terrain. While moving in this way, any surface will support it, no matter how much it weighs. This allows the Sword Saint to move across water, lava, or even the thinnest tree branches. Sword Saints must end its move on a surface that can support it normally. It cannot move across air in this way, nor can it walk up walls or other vertical surfaces. When moving in this way, the Sword Saint does not take damage from surfaces or hazards that react to being touched, such as lava or caltrops, nor does it need to make Acrobatics checks to avoid falling on slippery or rough surfaces. Finally, when using this Miracle, the Sword Saint ignores any mechanical traps that use a location-based trigger.

A Sword Saint also adds it level to all Acrobatics checks made to jump, both for vertical jumps and horizontal jumps. In addition, it always counts as having a running start when making jump checks using Acrobatics. By spending 1 additional round of Focus as a swift action, a Sword Saint gains a +20 bonus on Acrobatics checks made to jump for the rest of the current turn.

Miracles (II)[edit]

At 6th level, a Sword Saint may select miracles from the following list. Each of these miracles cost 2 additional rounds of Focus to use.

Hastened State[edit]

The Sword Saint can expend 2 rounds of Focus and receive the following benefits until the beginning of its next turn. Sword Saint Gain Additional Action(Like Haste Without Side Effect) The attack is made using the Sword Saints full base attack bonus, plus any modifiers appropriate to the situation. (This effect is not cumulative with similar effects, such as that provided by a speed weapon or other miracles, nor does it actually grant an extra action.

A Sword Saint also gains a +1 bonus on attack rolls and a +1 AC. All of the Sword Saints modes of movement (including land movement, burrow, climb, fly, and swim) increase by 30 feet, to a maximum of twice the subject’s normal speed using that form of movement. This increase counts as an enhancement bonus, and it affects the creature’s jumping distance as normal for increased speed. These bonuses do not stack with any other "State" Miracle or the Haste spell.

Special If the Sword Saint also possesses the "Quickened State" Miracle and if the Sword Saint can spend an additional 1 round of Focus, it receive an additional +1 to AC, Reflex, and To-Hit, and an additional 10 Ft. to all modes of movement

Muscle Reaction[edit]

The Sword Saint can expend 2 rounds of Focus and receive the following benefits. As an immediate action, the Sword Saint may act in a surprise round it would not normally act in, and cannot be flat-footed that round and the Sword Saint gains a half of its Sword Saint's level as a bonus to its initiative check. This can still be used at the beginning of a non surprise round combat to still gain the initiative bonus.

AllSeeing Strike[edit]

The Sword Saint can expend 2 rounds of Focus and receive the following benefits until the beginning of its next turn. The Sword Saint can hone all of its senses and not only detect unseen enemies, but also find the hairline crack in their defenses. The Sword Saint performs one strike as a full-round action and gain a temporary +10 insight bonus on this attack's to-hit. Additionally, it is not affected by the miss chance that applies to the Sword Saint trying to strike a concealed or invisible target.

Stance, Pin-point Deflection[edit]

The Sword Saint can expend 2 rounds of Focus and receive the following benefits until the Sword Saint ends its current Focus. The Sword Saint, When it would normally be hit with an attack from a ranged weapon, the Sword Saint may instead deflect it and not only take no damage from it, but also redirect the ranged projectile at an enemy within 10 Ft range. You must be aware of the attack and not flat-footed. Attempting to deflect a ranged attack counts as an attack of opportunity action.

To perform a pin-point deflection the Sword Saint must make an attack at its highest BAB and If its result is greater than the attacking creature’s result, the creature’s attack automatically misses. The Sword Saint must declare the use of this ability after the creature’s attack is announced, but before its attack roll is made. Upon performing a successful deflection the Sword Saint can as an immediate action, make an attack against a creature within 10 ft of the Sword Saint using the same roll it used to deflect. Unusually massive ranged weapons such as boulders or ballista bolts (up to the GM's discretion) cannot be deflected. For every successfully deflected attack, the Sword Saint receives a cumulative -2 to To-Hit until the beginning of the Sword Saints next turn. Only one Stance Miracle can be active at a time and a Stance Miracle can only be switched to another Stance miracle once per turn as a swift action

Special If the Sword Saint possess Both "Stance, Deadly Defence" and "Stance, Pin-Point Deflection", It may use both Simultaneously at the cost of 3 Focus

Hastened Flurry[edit]

The Sword Saint can expend 2 rounds of Focus and receive the following benefits until the beginning of its next turn. As part of a full-round attack action The Sword Saint can focus all its might and speed on a single opponent. When doing so, It may make one additional attack, taking a –2 penalty on all of its attack rolls, as if using the Two-Weapon Fighting feat. These attacks can only be with its chosen weapon (it does not need to use two weapons to utilize this ability).

At 8th level, the Sword Saint can make two additional attacks when he uses Hastened Flurry, as if using Improved Two-Weapon Fighting (even if the Sword Saint does not meet the prerequisites for the feat).

At 15th level, the Sword Saint can make three additional attacks using Hastened Flurry, as if using Greater Two-Weapon Fighting (even if the Sword Saint does not meet the prerequisites for the feat).

A Sword Saint applies its full Strength bonus to its damage rolls for all successful attacks made with Hastened Flurry, whether the attacks are made with an off-hand or with a weapon wielded with both hands. A Sword Saint may substitute disarm, sunder, and trip or any other combat maneuvers for sword attacks as part of a Hastened Flurry. A Sword Saint cannot use any weapon other than their chosen weapon as part of a Hastened Flurry. A Sword Saints with natural weapons cannot use such weapons as part of a Hastened Flurry, nor can it make natural attacks in addition to its Hastened Flurry.

Miracles (III)[edit]

Bond of Life[edit]

Sword Saint can use 3 rounds of Focus and receive the following benefits until the start of his next turn. Sword Saint cannot gain healing from all sources when the Bond of Life miracle is still active. When making an attack, the roll will Advantage Additionally, your critical threat range is reduced by 2 and on next turn Sword Saint can heal himself equal to the first attack and divided half.

Special If the Sword Saint also possesses the "Quickened State" and "Hastened State" Miracles and if the Sword Saint can spend an additional 2 round of Focus, it receive an additional +2 to AC, and To-Hit, and an additional 20 Ft. to all modes of movement

Focused Gaze[edit]

The Sword Saint can expend 3 rounds of Focus and receive the following benefits until the Sword Saint ends its current Focus. A Sword Saint receives a +20 to preception checks and automatically receives a save to disbelieve any illusion it can see each round at the start of its turn even if it hasn’t interacted with it. If it fails a saving throw against an illusion that is not to disbelieve, she can attempt to save again again 1 round later at the same DC. She gets only one extra chance to succeed at its saving throw. It also gains a blindsense of 60ft

Eyes of the Saint[edit]

The Sword Saint can expend 3 round of Focus and receive the following benefits until the Sword Saint ends its current Focus. A Sword Saint gaining advantage on Wisdom saving throws also receive true sight out to a range of 60 feet. You can see through normal and magical darkness, see invisible creatures and objects, automatically detect visual illusions, and perceive the true form of shapechangers or creatures transformed by magic.

Stance: Breaking Points[edit]

The Sword Saint can expend 3 round of Focus and receive the following benefits until the Sword Saint ends its current Focus. The Sword Saint gains the ability to see the structural weaknesses in enemies’ armor and defenses. All attacks made by the Sword Saint have their damage resistance ignored, including magical and non-magical resistances It also gain a +2 to critical threat range.

Miracles (IV)[edit]

Eternal Focus[edit]

The Sword Saint can expend 4 rounds of Focus to enter a state of unparalleled concentration, granting them regeneration, extended duration of their Focus, and unyielding resolve. In this state, they regenerate hit points equivalent to sword saint level x2 at the start of each turn, extend their current Focus by an additional 3 rounds, and gain advantage on all saving throws until the start of their next turn.

Focused Qi[edit]

By expending 4 rounds of Focus, the Sword Saint channels their Qi into their weapon, infusing it with a potent energy that amplifies their combat effectiveness. While in this stance, the Sword Saint’s weapon becomes a formidable tool of destruction, with its damage die increasing by one step and dealing an additional 1d6 damage of a chosen elemental type. Additionally, the weapon grants the Sword Saint regenerative benefits; on a critical hit, they regain hit points equal to the weapon’s damage die roll.

The Sword Saint also experiences a surge in mobility, gaining a +20 feet bonus to their movement speed and being able to ignore difficult terrain. Their precision in combat is heightened, giving them advantage on attack rolls with the infused weapon and improving their critical threat range by 1.

The effects of this stance persist until the start of the Sword Saint’s next turn. Activating this stance requires careful management of Focus, as the enhancements provided do not stack with other magical or class-based weapon enhancements. This powerful stance reflects the Sword Saint’s mastery over their Focus and weapon, demonstrating their exceptional skill and precision in battle.

Special If the Sword Saint also possesses the "Bond of Life" and Miracles and if the Sword Saint can spend an additional 3 round of Focus, it receive an additional critical threat range +3

Stance: Eclipsing Shadow[edit]

By expending 4 rounds of Focus, the Sword Saint assumes the Stance: Eclipsing Shadow, an advanced stance that enhances their mobility to the point where they can briefly step into the shadows and reappear in a different location. This miraculous power allows them to move across the battlefield with remarkable fluidity and evasion.

While in Eclipsing Shadow, the Sword Saint gains the ability to use a limited form of teleportation. As a bonus action, they can instantly transport themselves up to 60 feet to any unoccupied space within line of sight. This movement does not provoke attacks of opportunity, making it a powerful tool for repositioning or escaping danger.

In addition to this teleportation ability, the Sword Saint gains a +2 bonus to Dexterity saving throws and has advantage on saving throws against effects that would cause them to be restrained or immobilized. This heightened agility allows them to avoid area effects and traps more effectively, reinforcing their evasive capabilities.

Moreover, while in Eclipsing Shadow, the Sword Saint’s movements become almost imperceptible. They gain advantage on Stealth checks to hide, as the shadows around them seem to bend and twist, aiding their concealment. This effect is particularly useful for making surprise attacks or avoiding detection in dim light or darkness.

Miracles (V)[edit]

Land of Thousand Cuts[edit]

By expending 5 rounds of Focus, the Sword Saint enters the Land of a Thousand Cuts state, channeling their power into a whirlwind of strikes that overwhelm their enemies with relentless precision and speed.

Upon activation, the Sword Saint’s weapon becomes a blur of motion, allowing them to make a number of additional attacks equal to their proficiency bonus(minimum 3) against all creatures within their reach. Each attack is made with advantage, representing their ability to strike multiple times with flawless accuracy. These attacks deal normal weapon damage, but each hit also inflicts an additional 1d6 precision damage, representing the Sword Saint’s enhanced ability to find and exploit weak points in their foes’ defenses.

The precision of these strikes is unmatched, as each attack made under the effect of Land of a Thousand Cuts is treated as a critical hit on a roll of 16-20. Additionally, the Sword Saint’s critical multiplier for these attacks is increased by 1, amplifying the damage dealt on a successful critical hit.

Multiclassing[edit]

Prerequisites. To qualify for multiclassing into the Sword Saint class, you must meet these prerequisites: 13 Dexterity

Proficiencies. When you multiclass into the sword saint class, you gain the following proficiencies: Light armor, medium armor, shields, simple weapons and martial weapons

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