Advanced Race book: swap out adaptability for Dual Mind (+2 to Will saves)
✸ Melee ✸
| Temp Bonus: Challenge +1 per Samurai Level |
Total Bonus:+5 |
Ability Mod:+4 |
Base Attack Bonus:+1 |
| Katana |
Total Attack Bonus:+5 |
Damage:1d8+4 |
Critical:18-20 |
Type: S |
Notes: Deadly |
Deadly: When this weapon delivers a coup de grace, it gains +4 to damage when calculating the DC of the Fortitude saving throw to see whether the target of the coup de grace dies from the attack. The bonus is not added to the actual damage of the coup de grace attack.
| Lance |
Total Attack Bonus+5 |
Damage 1d8+4 |
Critical: ×3 |
Type: P |
Notes: Reach |
Reach: Allows its wielder to strike at targets that aren’t adjacent to him. Most reach weapons double the wielder’s natural reach, meaning that a typical Small or Medium wielder of such a weapon can attack a creature 10 feet away, but not a creature in an adjacent square. A typical Large character wielding a reach weapon of the appropriate size can attack a creature 15 or 20 feet away, but not adjacent creatures or creatures up to 10 feet away.
✸ Ranged ✸
| Total Bonus:+4 |
Ability Mod:+3 |
Misc: |
Misc: |
Misc: |
Base Attack Bonus:+1 |
Temp bonus: +0 |
| Daikyu (longbow) |
Total Attack Bonus:+4 |
Damage:1d8 |
Critical: |
Piercing |
Reach: |
Notes: |
✸ Skills ✸
The Samurai’s class skills are Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), and Swim (Str). Order of the Warrior Samurai add Knowledge (History) and Knowledge (Nobility – Untrained) to their class skills.
✸ Racial Abilities ✸
- +2 to One Ability Score: Half-elf characters gain a +2 bonus to one ability score of their choice at creation to represent their varied nature.
- Medium: Half-elves are Medium creatures and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
- Normal Speed: Half-elves have a base speed of 30 feet.
- Low-Light Vision: Half-elves can see twice as far as humans in conditions of dim light.
- Dual Minded: The mixed ancestry of some half-elves makes them resistant to mental attacks. Half-elves with this racial trait gain a +2 bonus on all Will saving throws. This racial trait replaces the adaptability racial trait.
- Elf Blood: Half-elves count as both elves and humans for any effect related to race.
- Elven Immunities: Half-elves are immune to magic sleep effects and gain a +2 racial saving throw bonus against enchantment spells and effects.
- Keen Senses: Half-elves receive a +2 racial bonus on Perception checks.
- Multitalented: Half-elves choose two favored classes at first level and gain +1 hit point or +1 skill point whenever they take a level in either one of those classes.
- Languages: Half-elves begin play speaking Common and Elven. Half-elves with high Intelligence scores can choose any languages they want (except secret languages, such as Druidic).
✸ Samurai Class Features ✸
| Level |
BAB |
Fort |
Ref |
Will |
Special |
| 1st |
+1 |
+2 |
+0 |
+0 |
Challenge 1/day, Mount, order, resolve |
| 2nd |
+2 |
+3 |
+0 |
+0 |
Order ability |
| 3rd |
+3 |
+3 |
+1 |
+1 |
Weapon Expertise |
| 4th |
+4 |
+4 |
+1 |
+1 |
Challenge 2/day, Mounted Archer |
| 5th |
+5 |
+4 |
+1 |
+1 |
Banner |
| 6th |
+ 6/+1 |
+5 |
+2 |
+2 |
Bonus feat |
| 7th |
+ 7/+2 |
+5 |
+2 |
+2 |
Challenge 3/day |
| 8th |
+ 8/+3 |
+6 |
+2 |
+2 |
Order ability |
| 9th |
+ 9/+4 |
+6 |
+3 |
+3 |
Greater resolve |
| 10th |
+ 10/+5 |
+7 |
+3 |
+3 |
Challenge 4/day |
| 11th |
+ 11/+ 6/+1 |
+7 |
+3 |
+3 |
Honourable Stand
|12th |
+ 12/+ 7/+2 |
+8 |
+4 |
+4 |
Bonus feat, demanding challenge |
| 13th |
+ 13/8/3 |
+8 |
+4 |
+4 |
Challenge 5/day |
| 14th |
+ 14/9/4 |
+9 |
+4 |
+4 |
Greater banner |
| 15th |
15/10/+5 |
+9 |
+5 |
+5 |
Order ability |
| 16th |
+ 16/11/6/+1 |
+10 |
+5 |
+5 |
Challenge 6/day |
| 17th |
+ 17/12/7/+2 |
+10 |
+5 |
+5 |
True resolve |
| 18th |
+ 18/13/8/+3 |
+11 |
+6 |
+6 |
Bonus feat |
| 19th |
19/14/9/4 |
+11 |
+6 |
+6 |
Challenge 7/day |
| 20th |
+ 20/15/10/+5 |
+12 |
+6 |
+6 |
Last stand |
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Samurai are proficient with all simple and martial weapons, plus the katana, naginata, and wakizashi.
Armor Proficiency. Samurai are proficient with all types of armor (heavy, light, and medium) and shields (except tower shields).
Challenge (Ex): Once per day, a samurai can challenge a foe to combat. As a swift action, the samurai chooses one target within sight to challenge. The samurai’s melee attacks deal extra damage when made against the target of his challenge. This extra damage is equal to the samurai’s level. The samurai can use this ability once per day at 1st level, plus one additional time per day for every three levels beyond 1st, to a maximum of seven times per day at 19th level.
Challenging a foe requires much of the samurai’s concentration. The samurai takes a –2 penalty to his Armor Class, except against attacks made by the target of his challenge.
The challenge remains in effect until the target is dead or unconscious, or until the combat ends. Each samurai’s challenge also includes another effect, which is listed in the section describing the samurai’s order.
Mount (Ex): A samurai gains the service of a loyal and trusty steed to carry him into battle. This mount functions as a druid’s animal companion, using the samurai’s level as his effective druid level. The creature must be one that he is capable of riding and that is suitable as a mount. A Medium samurai can select a camel or a horse. A Small samurai can select a pony or a wolf, but can also select a boar or a dog if he is at least 4th level. The GM may approve other animals as suitable mounts.
A samurai does not take an armor check penalty on Ride checks while riding his mount. The mount is always considered combat trained and begins play with Light Armor Proficiency as a bonus feat. A samurai’s mount does not gain the share spells special ability.
A samurai’s bond with his mount is strong, with the pair learning to anticipate each other’s moods and moves. Should a samurai’s mount die, the samurai may find another mount to serve him after 1 week of mourning. The new mount does not gain the link, evasion, devotion, or improved evasion special abilities until the next time the samurai gains a level.
Order (Ex): At 1st level, a samurai must pledge himself to a specific order, typically the order of the warrior. The order grants the samurai a number of bonuses, class skills, and special abilities. In addition, each order includes a number of edicts the samurai must follow. If he violates these edicts, he loses the benefits of his order’s challenge ability for 24 hours. The violation of an edict is subject to GM interpretation.
Most samurai belong to the order of the warrior and are dedicated to their lord. Those without a lord, or who chose to abandon their lord, are ronin. A samurai may instead elect to dedicate himself to one of the orders listed under the cavalier description, but such samurai are rare.
A samurai who wishes to change his order must undertake a lengthy process to dedicate himself to a new cause. When this choice is made, he immediately loses all of the benefits from his old order. He must then follow the edicts of his new order for one entire level without gaining any benefits from that order. Once he has accomplished this, he gains all the bonuses from his new order. The only exception to this is when a samurai decides to become a ronin. A samurai can elect to become a ronin immediately, losing all the benefits from his old order and replacing them with the new benefits from the ronin order. Once a ronin, however, the only way for the samurai to change to another order is through the method described above. Note that the names of these orders might vary depending upon the campaign setting or GM’s preference.
Resolve (Ex): Starting at 1st level, the samurai gains resolve that he can call upon to endure even the most devastating wounds and afflictions. He can use this ability once per day at 1st level, plus one additional time per day for every two samurai levels beyond 1st. Whenever the samurai defeats the target of his challenge, he regains one daily use of his resolve, up to his maximum number of uses per day. Defeating the target of his challenge usually involves reducing the target to 0 hit points or fewer, but the GM might rule that an enemy who surrenders or flees the battle is also defeated. He can use this resolve in a number of ways.
Determined: As a standard action, the samurai can spend one use of his resolve to remove the fatigued, shaken, or sickened condition. If the samurai is at least 8th level, he can alternatively remove the exhausted, frightened, nauseated, or staggered condition. If the condition has a duration longer than 1 hour or is permanent, this ability removes the condition for 1 hour, at which time the condition returns.
Resolute: Whenever the samurai is required to make a Fortitude or Will save, he can spend one use of his resolve as an immediate action to roll twice and take the better result. He must decide to use this ability before he rolls the saving throw.
Unstoppable: When the samurai is reduced to fewer than 0 hit points but not slain, he can spend one use of his resolve as an immediate action to instantly stabilize and remain conscious. He is staggered, but he does not fall unconscious and begin dying if he takes a standard action. He does fall unconscious if he takes additional damage from any source.
Weapon Expertise (Ex): At 3rd level, a samurai gains an unparalleled expertise with his chosen weapons. At 3rd level, the samurai selects either the katana, longbow, naginata, or wakizashi. The samurai can draw the selected weapon as a free action as if he had the Quick Draw feat. In addition, whenever he threatens a critical hit with the selected weapon, he gains a +2 bonus on the confirmation roll. Finally, his samurai levels stack with any fighter levels he possesses for the purposes of meeting the prerequisites for feats that specifically select his chosen weapon, such as Weapon Specialization.
Mounted Archer (Ex): At 4th level, the samurai becomes skilled at firing ranged weapons while mounted. A samurai only takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls with ranged weapons while his mount takes a double move. This penalty increases to –4 while his mount is running.
Banner (Ex): At 5th level, a samurai’s banner becomes a symbol of inspiration to his allies and companions. As long as the samurai’s banner is clearly visible, all allies within 60 feet receive a +2 morale bonus on saving throws against fear and a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls made as part of a charge. At 10th level, and every five levels thereafter, these bonuses increase by +1. The banner must be at least Small or larger and must be carried or displayed by the samurai or his mount to function.
Bonus Feat: At 6th level, and every six levels thereafter, a samurai gains a bonus feat in addition to those gained from normal advancement. These bonus feats must be selected from those listed as combat feats. The samurai must meet the requirements of these bonus feats.
Greater Resolve (Ex): At 9th level, a samurai can spend his resolve to negate some of his most grievous wounds. After a critical hit is confirmed against him, the samurai can spend one use of his resolve as an immediate action to treat that critical hit as a normal hit. Effects that only trigger on a critical hit do not trigger when the samurai uses this ability.
Honorable Stand (Ex): At 11th level, a samurai can make an honorable stand, deciding to fight the target of his challenge to the bitter end, no matter the cost. He can make an honorable stand once per day at 11th level, plus one additional time per day at 16th level. Declaring an honorable stand is a swift action. While making an honorable stand, the samurai is immune to the shaken, frightened, and panicked conditions. He does not fall unconscious while his hit point total is below 0. Finally, whenever a samurai making an honorable stand must make a saving throw, he can spend one daily use of his resolve to reroll the saving throw after the first roll is made. He must take the result of the second roll, even if it is worse. If a samurai making an honorable stand ever retreats from battle against his challenged foe, he loses the ability to make a challenge for 24 hours.
Demanding Challenge (Ex): At 12th level, whenever a samurai declares a challenge, his target must pay attention to the threat he poses. As long as the target is within the threatened area of the samurai, it takes a –2 penalty to its AC on attacks made by anyone other than the samurai.
Greater Banner (Ex): At 14th level, a samurai’s banner becomes a rallying call to his allies. All allies within 60 feet receive a +2 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and compulsion spells and effects. In addition, while his banner is displayed, the samurai can spend a standard action to wave the banner through the air, granting all allies within 60 feet an additional saving throw against any one spell or effect that is targeting them. This save is made at the original DC. Spells and effects that do not allow saving throws are unaffected by this ability. An ally cannot benefit from this ability more than once per day.
True Resolve (Ex): At 17th level, a samurai can spend uses of his resolve to avoid death. If he has at least two uses of his resolve remaining, he can spend all of the daily uses of his resolve that he has available to him to avoid death. Regardless of the source of the attack that would have killed him, he is left alive, at –1 hit points (or lower if he was already below –1), unconscious, and stable.
Last Stand (Ex): At 20th level, a samurai can make a last stand once per day whenever he makes a challenge. While this challenge is in effect, all melee and ranged weapons deal the minimum amount of damage to the samurai, unless the attack scored is a critical hit. In addition, the samurai remains conscious and is not staggered while he is below 0 hit points. While using this ability, the samurai cannot be killed by melee or ranged weapons unless they are wielded by the target of his challenge. Attacks made by opponents that are not the target of his challenge deal no damage when samurai has 0 or fewer hit points. This ability has no effect on spells, environmental effects, supernatural abilities, or any other source of damage other than melee and ranged weapons. Such sources of damage affect him normally and can kill him (although they do not cause him to fall unconscious or to become staggered if they reduce his hit points below 0). This effect lasts until the challenge ends or the samurai takes an offensive action against a target other than the target of his challenge.
✸ Order Abilities ✸
Order of the Warrior
Most samurai swear themselves to the code of the warrior, which emphasizes duty, honor, loyalty, and obedience. This code extends not only to the samurai’s lord and master, but also to his comrades and family. Samurai who follow the order of the warrior are among the most trusted and feared warriors in the land.
Edicts: The samurai must protect the life and lands of his lord with his life. He must be truthful and courageous, respectful to his elders and his masters, and loyal to his friends and liege. He must conduct himself with honor and dignity.
Challenge: Whenever an order of the warrior samurai declares a challenge, he receives damage reduction 1/— against attacks made by the target of his challenge. This DR increases by +1 for every four levels the samurai possesses.
Skills: An order of the warrior samurai adds Knowledge (history) (Int) and Knowledge (nobility) (Int) to his list of class skills. An order of the warrior samurai can make Knowledge (nobility) checks untrained. If he has ranks in the skill, he receives a bonus on the check equal to 1/2 his samurai level (minimum +1) as long as the check involves the nobles or politics of his land.
Order Abilities: A samurai who belongs to the order of the warrior gains the following abilities as he increases in level.
Honor in All Things (Ex): At 2nd level, the order of the warrior samurai draws strength from his sense of honor. Whenever the samurai makes a skill check or saving throw, he can call upon his honor as a free action to grant him a +4 morale bonus on the roll. He can use this ability once per day at 2nd level, plus one additional time per day for every four levels beyond 2nd (maximum of five times per day at 18th level).
Way of the Samurai (Ex): At 8th level, the order of the warrior samurai’s sense of honor and loyalty drives him to accomplish seemingly impossible tasks. The samurai can, as a standard action, focus his mind and will. Once during the next minute, he can choose to roll an attack roll, skill check, or saving throw three times and take the best result. He must decide to use this ability before the roll is made. Using this ability expends one daily use of his resolve.
✸ Feats ✸
1 Power Attack
2
3 Furious Focus
4
5 Weapon Focus (katana)
6 Weapon Specialization (katana)
7 Leadership
8
9 Lunge
10
11 Improved Critical
12 Greater Weapon Focus (katana)
13 Greater Weapon Specialization (katana)
14
15 Feat TBA
16
17 Feat TBA
18 Bonus Feat TBA
19Feat TBA
20
-—-
✸ Druid Animal Companion Stats ✸
| Level |
HD |
BAB |
Fort |
Ref |
Will |
Skills |
Feats |
Natural Armor |
Str/Dex |
Bonus Tricks |
Special |
| 1st |
2 |
+1 |
+3 |
+3 |
+0 |
2 |
1 |
+0 |
+0 |
1 |
Link |
| 2nd |
3 |
+2 |
+3 |
+3 |
+1 |
3 |
2 |
+0 |
+0 |
1 |
— |
| 3rd |
3 |
+2 |
+3 |
+3 |
+1 |
3 |
2 |
+2 |
+1 |
2 |
Evasion |
| 4th |
4 |
+3 |
+4 |
+4 |
+1 |
4 |
2 |
+2 |
+1 |
2 |
Ability score increase |
| 5th |
5 |
+3 |
+4 |
+4 |
+1 |
5 |
3 |
+2 |
+1 |
2 |
— |
| 6th |
6 |
+4 |
+5 |
+5 |
+2 |
6 |
3 |
+4 |
+2 |
3 |
Devotion |
| 7th |
6 |
+4 |
+5 |
+5 |
+2 |
6 |
3 |
+4 |
+2 |
3 |
— |
| 8th |
7 |
+5 |
+5 |
+5 |
+2 |
7 |
4 |
+4 |
+2 |
3 |
— |
| 9th |
8 |
+6 |
+6 |
+6 |
+2 |
8 |
4 |
+6 |
+3 |
4 |
Ability score increase, Multiattack |
| 10th |
9 |
+6 |
+6 |
+6 |
+3 |
9 |
5 |
+6 |
+3 |
4 |
— |
| 11th |
9 |
+6 |
+6 |
+6 |
+3 |
9 |
5 |
+6 |
+3 |
4 |
— |
| 12th |
10 |
+7 |
+7 |
+7 |
+3 |
10 |
5 |
+8 |
+4 |
5 |
— |
| 13th |
11 |
+8 |
+7 |
+7 |
+3 |
11 |
6 |
+8 |
+4 |
5 |
— |
| 14th |
12 |
+9 |
+8 |
+8 |
+4 |
12 |
6 |
+8 |
+4 |
5 |
Ability score increase |
| 15th |
12 |
+9 |
+8 |
+8 |
+4 |
12 |
6 |
+10 |
+5 |
6 |
Improved evasion |
| 16th |
13 |
+9 |
+8 |
+8 |
+4 |
13 |
7 |
+10 |
+5 |
6 |
— |
| 17th |
14 |
+10 |
+9 |
+9 |
+4 |
14 |
7 |
+10 |
+5 |
6 |
— |
| 18th |
15 |
+11 |
+9 |
+9 |
+5 |
15 |
8 |
+12 |
+6 |
7 |
— |
| 19th |
15 |
+11 |
+9 |
+9 |
+5 |
15 |
8 |
+12 |
+6 |
7 |
— |
| 20th |
16 |
+12 |
+10 |
+10 |
+5 |
16 |
8 |
+12 |
+6 |
7 |
Ability score increase |
Horse
Starting Statistics: Size Large; Speed 50 ft.; AC +4 natural armor; Attack bite (1d4), 2 hooves* (1d6); Ability Scores Str 16, Dex 13, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6; Special Qualities low-light vision, scent. *This is a secondary natural attack, see Combat for more information on how secondary attacks work.
4th-Level Advancement: Ability Scores Str +2, Con +2; Special Qualities combat trained (see the Handle Animal skill).
