Klauenstricher Prestige Class

Over the centuries, the Brechts have developed a style of sword fighting generally unknown in other parts of Cerilia. This special, two-weapon defensive style makes the most of light armor and weapons. By using one weapon normally and the other as a sort of shield, a Brecht in light armor can stand up against a warrior with heavier weapons and armor, and often beat him. Though she may still don her heavy armor and weapons for battle, there are many situations where you have to fight without being able to prepare for it beforehand. The klauenstricher is always ready for battle, even when wearing only a dagger and rapier.

The Brechts call their unique method of sword fighting klauenstrichen, or "strike-and-block". Characters from other cultures who observe or learn it often call it the "black strike" technique or "black fencing", for it is considered by most to be a distinctive style of fencing.

Most klauenstrichers were fighters, rogues or bards prior to specializing, but some very successful klauenstrichers started out as wizards. Paladins, rangers, clerics, and druids are rare and monks, sorcerers and barbarians almost unheard of.

This prestige class represents the masters of this fencing technique. Anyone can learn two-weapon fighting, but only a master can learn the secret techniques of the style.

Hit Die: d10

Requirements

To qualify as an klauenstricher, the character must fulfill all the following criteria.

Skill or base attack bonus: Balance 8 ranks or base attack bonus +6

Feats: Two-Weapon Fighting

Weapon Proficiencies: Dagger and rapier.

Class Skills

Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Diplomacy (Cha), Innuendo (Wis), Jump (Str), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Spot (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Tumble (Dex).

Skill points at each level: 4 + Int modifier.

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the klauenstricher prestige class.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Klauenstrichers are proficient with light armor and with the buckler shield. The have all the weapon requirements they need as class prerequisites, and so do not gain any new weapon proficiencies from the class. Not that their class abilities become severely limited if they wear a shield larger than a buckler or weapons other than the rapier and dagger.

Black Strike: The klauenstricher is most comfortable when fighting with rapier and a light off-hand weapon or buckler. Under these circumstances the klauenstricher may add her intelligence bonus to her effective Dexterity bonus when calculating Armor Class. Note that this makes it ineffective to wear heavy armor with black strike. A character who is a klauenstricher and a monk must choose whether to apply her intelligence or wisdom adjustment as a bonus to armor class; she cannot use both. Black Strike is not cumulative with the duelist's canny defence or other similar abilities, nor can a raging barbarian use black strike. You automatically lose this bonus when you lose your dexterity bonus to AC.

Vital Thrust: At 2 nd level, the klauenstricher gains the ability to make deep, impaling thrusts with a rapier or dagger, gaining a bonus of 1d6 damage added to her normal damage roll. When making a vital thrust, the klauenstricher cannot use a shield larger than a buckler. Any creature that is immune to critical hits (including undead, constructs, oozes, plants, and incorporeal creatures) is not vulnerable to a vital thrust, and any item or ability that protects a creature from critical hits (such as armor with fortification) also protects a creature from a vital thrust. The damage bonus becomes +2d6 at lvl 5.

Stand and Deliver: When the klauenstricher is charged, she gets to make an attack of opportunity just before the charge attack is resolved. She can only use this opportunity attack with a rapier.

Famous Cross: When armed with two weapons, the klauenstricher gains a +4 bonus to opposed attack rolls, such as those involved in an attempt to strike a weapon or disarm. She does not need Ambidexterity to do this, and there is no off-hand penalty. See Player's Handbook, page 136 ff., for rules on striking weapons and disarming.