The Runeblade

Masters of Sword & Sorcery Design Goals

Where there are warriors, training their body and technique
to reach the pinnacle of martial superiority, and great
magicians, unlocking the potential of mystical powers,
runeblades are those who aim to walk both paths.
Runeblades aim to blend magical ability and martial
prowess, both complementing the other, creating one
harmonious style of combat. A runeblade's power is
incomplete without one or the other.
Glyphs of Magic
At the center of the runeblade's magical ability are mystical
glyphs etched onto their signature weapon. These symbols
can imbue the runeblade's arms with great power, at the
same time letting the runeblade use the weapon to channel
their own magic and perform spells.
As the runeblade becomes stronger, they may study, create,
or discover more glyphs to etch onto their weapon, further
enhancing their abilities.
My goal was not to create an entirely new archetype, but
recreate one from scratch, with mechanics that are closer
to my player fantasy when I think of a gish - a player
fantasy that Eldritch Knights, Arcane Archers, or
Bladesingers mechanically don't completely fulfil.
Therefore, you may see very familiar features taken from
various classes/published material, modified to serve the
class.
Balance and seamlessly fitting into 5e's ruleset are
primary design goals.
Questions about specific abilities or interactions? You can
find a Sage Advice portion at the bottom of the document!
Think a certain feature is OP as fuck? Detailed design
notes can be found here! I go through each feature one by
one, noting down my design for each of them. Hopefully it
sheds light on the decisions and balancing I made for this
class's features.

The Runeblade
Proficiency Cantrips
Level Bonus Features Known Spell Known 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
1st +2 Rune Weapon, Glyph of Protection — — — — — — —
2nd +2 Spellcasting, Fighting Style, Arcane Strike 2 2 2 — — — —
3rd +2 Runeblade Archetype 2 3 3 — — — —
4th +2 Ability Score Improvement 2 3 3 — — — —
5th +3 Extra Attack 2 4 4 2 — — —
6th +3 Glyph of Power 2 4 4 2 — — —
7th +3 Runeblade Archetype Feature 2 5 4 3 — — —
8th +3 Ability Score Improvement 2 5 4 3 — — —
9th +4 ─ 3 6 4 3 2 — —
10th +4 Glyph of Mist 3 6 4 3 2 — —
11th +4 Sword & Sorcery 3 7 4 3 3 — —
12th +4 Ability Score Improvement 3 7 4 3 3 — —
13th +5 ─ 3 8 4 3 3 1 —
14th +5 Glyph of Focus 4 8 4 3 3 1 —
15th +5 Runeblade Archetype Feature 4 9 4 3 3 2 —
16th +5 Ability Score Improvement 4 9 4 3 3 2 —
17th +6 ─ 4 10 4 3 3 3 1
18th +6 Glyph of Mastery 4 10 4 3 3 3 1
19th +6 Ability Score Improvement 4 11 4 3 3 3 2
20th +6 Runeblade Archetype Feature 4 11 4 3 3 3 2

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 Class Features
As a runeblade, you gain the following class features.
Hit Points
Hit Dice: 1d8
Hit Points at 1st Level: 8 + your Constitution modifier
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d8 (or 5) + your Constitution
modifier per runeblade level after 1st
Proficiencies
Armor: Light armor, medium armor, heavy armor, shields
Weapons: Simple weapons, martial weapons
Tools: None
Saving Throws: Constitution, Intelligence
Skills: Choose two from Acrobatics, Arcana, Athletics,
History, Intimidation, Investigation, Perception, and
Persuasion.
Equipment
You start with the following equipment, in addition to the
equipment granted by your background:
(a) chain mail or (b) leather armor
(a) a martial melee weapon and a shield or (b) two simple
or martial melee weapons
(a) a dungeoneer's pack or (b) an explorer's pack
A simple or martial ranged weapon and a container with
20 pieces of ammunition
Rune Weapon
You can inscribe runes to a weapon to release its latent
magical power. The weapon must be a weapon you are
proficient with. The inscription of the runes takes 1 hour to
complete, and it can be done during a short or long rest.
Once the inscription is complete, the weapon becomes a
rune weapon, and gains the following benefits:
The rune weapon becomes magical, if it isn’t already.
If your rune weapon is on the same plane of existence, you
can summon it as a bonus action on your turn, causing it
to teleport instantly to your hand.
You can use your rune weapon as a spellcasting focus for
your spells, and you can perform the somatic components
of spells with your rune weapon instead of using a free
hand.
You can only have one rune weapon. If you attempt to
perform the inscription on a second weapon, the magical
inscripted runes of the first weapon fades.
Glyph of Protection
When you are hit by an attack or you fail a saving throw while
holding your rune weapon, you can use your reaction to gain
a bonus to your AC against that attack or to that saving throw.
The bonus is equal to your Intelligence modifier (minimum of
1).
You can use this feature a number of times equal to your
Intelligence modifier (minimum of 1). You regain all
expended uses at the end of a long rest.
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Spellcasting
By the time you reach 2nd level, your dedication to the study
of the arcane to augment your martial skill gives you the
ability to cast spells.
Cantrips
At 2nd level, you know two cantrips of your choice from the
runeblade spell list. You learn additional runeblade cantrips
of your choice at higher levels, as shown in the Cantrips
Known column of the Runeblade table.
Spell Slots
The Runeblade table shows how many spell slots you have to
cast your runeblade spells of 1st level and higher. To cast one
of these spells, you must expend a slot of the spell's level or
higher. You regain all expended spell slots when you finish a
long rest.
For example, if you know the 1st-level spell thunderous
smite and have a 1st-level and a 2nd-level spell slot available,
you can cast thunderous smite using either slot.
Spells Known of 1st Level and Higher
You know two 1st-level spells of your choice from the
runeblade spell list.
The Spells Known column of the Runeblade table shows
when you learn more runeblade spells of your choice. Each of
these spells must be of a level for which you have spell slots.
For instance, when you reach 5th level in this class, you can
learn one new spell of 1st or 2nd level.
Additionally, when you gain a level in this class, you can
choose one of the runeblade spells you know and replace it
with another spell from the runeblade spell list, which also
must be of a level for which you have spell slots.
Spellcasting Ability
Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for your runeblade
spells, since you learn magic through study and practice. You
use your Intelligence whenever a spell refers to your
spellcasting ability. In addition, you use your Intelligence
modifier when setting the saving throw DC for a runeblade
spell you cast and when making an attack roll with one.
Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your
Intelligence modifier.
Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + your
Intelligence modifier.
Spellcasting Focus
You can use your rune weapon as a spellcasting focus for
your runeblade spells.
Fighting Style
At 2nd level, you adopt a particular style of fighting as your
specialty. Choose one of the following options: Archery,
Defense, Dueling, Great Weapon Fighting, or Two-Weapon
Fighting. You can't take a Fighting Style option more than
once, even if you later get to choose again.
Archery
You gain a +2 bonus to attack rolls you make with ranged
weapons.
Defense
While you are wearing armor, you gain a +1 bonus to AC.
Dueling
When you are wielding a melee weapon in one hand and no
other weapons, you gain a +2 bonus to damage rolls with that
weapon.
Great Weapon Fighting
When you roll a 1 or 2 on a damage die for an attack you
make with a melee weapon that you are wielding with two
hands, you can reroll the die and must use the new roll, even
if the new roll is a 1 or a 2. The weapon must have the two-
handed or versatile property for you to gain this benefit.
Two-Weapon Fighting
When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your
ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.
Arcane Strike
Starting at 2nd level, when you hit a creature with a weapon
attack using your rune weapon, you can expend one spell slot Glyph of Power
to deal force damage to the target, in addition to the weapon's Starting at 6th level, when you attack using your rune
damage. The extra damage is 2d6 for a 1st-level spell slot, weapon, it gains a +1 bonus to its attack and damage rolls,
plus 1d6 for each spell level higher than 1st, to a maximum of unless it already has a bonus to those rolls. The bonus
6d6. increases to +2 when you reach 10th level in this class, and to
Runeblade Archetype +3 at 17th level.
At 3rd level, you choose to emulate the ideals and training of Glyph of Mist
a runeblade archetype from the list of available archetypes. Starting at 10th level, when you take the Attack action, you
Your choice grants you features at 3rd level and again at 7th, can teleport up to 10 feet before each attack to an
15th, and 20th level. Those features include archetype spells. unoccupied space you can see if you’re holding your rune
Archetype Spells weapon.
Each archetype has a list of associated spells. You learn these
spells at the levels specified in the archetype description. The Sword & Sorcery
spells count as runeblade spells for you, but they don't count Starting at 11th level, once on each of your turns when you
against the number of runeblade spells you know. take the Attack action, you can forego one of your attacks to
instead cast a spell with a casting time of one action.
Ability Score Improvement
When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 12th, 16th, and Glyph of Focus
19th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice Starting at 14th level, while holding your rune weapon, you
by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by can’t be disarmed, and your concentration can't be broken as
1. As normal, you can’t increase an ability score above 20 a result of taking damage.
using this feature.
Glyph of Mastery
Extra Attack Starting at 18th level, you can use your Glyph of Protection
Beginning at 5th level, you can attack twice, instead of once, an unlimited number of times. Additionally, once per round,
whenever you take the Attack action on your turn. you can use your Arcane Strike without spending a spell slot,
as if you spent a 1st-level spell slot.
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 Runic Knight
The origins of this archetype can be traced back to ancient
giant warrior tribes, but are now associated with goliaths,
who have inherited the tradition, and to dwarves who made it
their own. The Runic Knight are stalwart swordsmen who
learn magical glyphs to complement their martial abilities.
Many go on treacherous expeditions to ruins deep
underground to uncover ancient glyphs left by lost Your rune gear gains the following benefits:
civilizations, bringing back knowledge to strengthen While wearing or holding your rune gear, you are
themselves and their homeland. considered to be holding your rune weapon.
Archetype Spells If you are able to wear or hold your rune gear, you can
You gain archetype spells at the runeblade levels listed. summon both your rune weapon and rune gear as a bonus
action on your turn. If you do, the weapon teleports to
your hand and the gear teleports equipped to you.
Runic Knight Spells When you gain the Glyph of Power feature at 6th level in
Runeblade Level Spell this class, you can use a bonus action on your turn to
transfer power from your rune weapon to your rune gear,
3rd divine favor or vice versa. If the power is in your rune gear, your rune
5th enhance ability weapon’s bonus to attack and damage rolls from the
feature instead becomes a bonus to AC while wearing or
9th glyph of warding holding your rune gear.
13th death ward
Glyph of the Mighty
17th holy weapon At 7th level, you learn an inscription that enhances your
magic with the power of warriors who have walked your path
Flash of Steel before. Whenever you use your Arcane Strike, it deals an
At 3rd level, magic releases from your weapon in a flash of additional 1d6 damage and you can choose its damage type:
light, momentarily blinding an opponent. Whenever you cast cold, fire, force, lightning, necrotic, or poison.
a spell of 1st-level or higher while holding your rune weapon,
you can choose a creature within 10 feet of you. Until the end Glyph of the Resolute
of your next turn, you gain advantage on your next melee At 15th level, you learn a glyph that channels magic into your
weapon attack against that creature, unless that creature runes, creating a resilient aura. Whenever you use your
can't be blinded or can't see you. Glyph of Protection feature, you gain a number of temporary
hit points equal to 2d10 plus your Intelligence modifier.
Rune Gear
At 3rd level, you can inscribe either a set of armor or a shield Glyph of the Ancients
using your Rune Weapon feature to create rune gear in At 20th level, you discover the inscription that lends you the
addition to a rune weapon. You can only have one rune gear. tenacity and purpose of legendary heroes of old. You have
Your magic on the first one fades if you attempt to make a resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage
second. while holding your rune weapon.
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Spellbow Archer
Although the martial tradition of weaving magic into archery Spell Shot
was originally borne and perfected by elven masters, many At 3rd level, you can infuse your arrows with the magic of
others have begun to emulate the art. Spellbow Archers your spells. While holding a ranged rune weapon, the range
combine deadly aim and wicked magic to overwhelm their of spells you cast that do not have a range of self or target
opponents from range. each creature within its range is equal to the spell’s normal
range, or your rune weapon’s normal range, whichever is
Archetype Spells higher.
You gain archetype spells at the runeblade levels listed.
Take a Bead
At 7th level, your strikes leave a trace of magic that lets you
Spellbow Archer Spells aim at your target with ease. Whenever you use your Arcane
Runeblade Level Spell Strike, until the end of your next turn, you gain advantage on
3rd hunter's mark your next attack against that creature.
5th cordon of arrows Phasing Shots
9th lightning arrow At 15th level, spells you cast while holding a ranged rune
weapon and attacks you make using a ranged rune weapon
13th freedom of movement ignore cover.
17th swift quiver
Glyph of Hawks
At 20th level, if your rune weapon that has the ammunition or
Conjure Ammunition thrown property, both its normal range and long range are
At 3rd level, when you make an attack with a rune weapon doubled. Additionally, when you miss with a ranged attack
that has the ammunition property, you can choose to using your rune weapon, you can choose to hit instead. You
magically conjure a piece of ammunition (such as an arrow or can use this feature a number of times equal to your
crossbow bolt) to use with your weapon as part of the attack. Intelligence modifier. You regain all expended uses at the end
The ammunition disappears at the end of the turn or after it of a long rest.
hits or misses.

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 Blade Dancer
The first Blade Dancers came from the secretive tribes of
Zakhara, far south of Faerûn, although the exact origins are
contested. Some believe that genies granted warriors of old
devastating magic, while others say the gods graced those
who perform worship through dance. In any case, the
tradition lives on and has spread - many have adapted dances
into powerful conduits of magic and graceful martial forms,
mastering the use of two weapons.
Archetype Spells
You gain archetype spells at the runeblade levels listed.

Blade Dancer Spells

Runeblade Level Spell
3rd longstrider
5th cloud of daggers
9th haste
13th freedom of movement
17th steel wind strike

Twinned Runes
At 3rd level, you can have up to two rune weapons if both are
melee weapons that don’t have the two-handed property. If
you attempt to create a third rune weapon, your runic magic
on the oldest weapon fades. You can summon two rune
weapons as a bonus action, with one weapon teleporting to
each of your hands. When you do, you can make one melee
weapon attack using the same bonus action if you take the
Attack action immediately before the attack.
Blade Dance
At 3rd level, your graceful agility makes you difficult to pin
down in combat. Whenever you use a bonus action to engage
in two-weapon fighting, until the start of your next turn, your
walking speed is increased by 10 feet, and opportunity
attacks made against you are made with disadvantage.
Double Strike
At 7th level, you can duplicate your magical strikes when
channeling energy through your paired runes. When you use
your Arcane Strike while holding two of your rune weapons,
until the end of the turn, your next melee weapon attack deals
an additional 2d6 force damage if it hits.
Feather Step
At 15th level, your movement through the battlefield is
comparable to an ever-flowing dance. When you move on
your turn while holding two of your rune weapons, you gain a
+2 bonus to your AC and Dexterity saving throws until the
start of your next turn. You lose this this bonus if you are
prone, take damage, or if your speed is 0.
Glyph of Hurricanes
At 20th level, you master the blade dance, making you a
storm of steel in battle. Whenever you use a bonus action to
engage in two-weapon fighting, you can make a number of
melee weapon attacks up to your Intelligence modifier until
you miss, instead of making only one attack.

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Rune Spectre
The glyphs of the Spectre are considered hidden knowledge,
privy only to a select few. Kingdoms only employ a few hand
selected Spectres to perform covert missions, in an attempt
to keep the techniques shrouded in mystery. Those who are
deemed worthy to become Spectres are trained and are
taught glyphs which help them stay undetected, fight in the
shadows, and gather information. Those who fail the training
often become maddened by what they see.
Archetype Spells
You gain archetype spells at the runeblade levels listed.

Spectre Spells
Runeblade Level Spell
3rd disguise self
5th pass without trace
9th major image
13th greater invisibility
17th passwall

Glyph of the Poltergeist

At 3rd level, your first ghastly rune leaves its imprint on your
weapon as well as your soul. While holding your rune
weapon, you can make it invisible as a bonus action on your
turn. While your weapon is invisible, ammunition it uses also
become invisible until it either hits or misses. The first
weapon attack you make against creatures that can see you
but not your invisible rune weapon gains advantage. You can
gain advantage using this feature against the same creature
again after 24 hours.
You can end the invisibility at any time (no action required).
It ends early when you become incapacitated, or when you
die.
Spectre Training
At 3rd level, you benefit from extensive training in covert
operations. You gain proficiency in thieves’ tools and the
Stealth skill. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability
check you make that uses either of those proficiencies.
Spectre’s Ambush
At 7th level, at home unseen in the shadows, you learn to take
advantage of an opponent's defenselessness. Weapon attacks
you make with advantage or against surprised creatures deal
an additional 1d6 damage of the weapon’s type.
Ghastly Reconnaissance
At 15th level, the deathly magic of your runes binds your soul
closer to the realm of the dead. You are always under the
effects of a see invisibility spell, and you can cast the speak
with dead spell at will.
Glyph of the Phantom
At 20th level, your soul is forever altered by your spectral
runes and is now indistinguishable from the dead - even to
the barrier between worlds. While holding your rune weapon,
you can cast the etherealness spell at will without using a
spell slot or requiring a verbal component. The spell ends
early if you end it as a bonus action on your turn, are no
longer carrying your rune weapon, fall unconscious, or die.
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Runeblade Spell List
detect magic earthbind magic circle
Cantrips (0 Level) divine favor enhance ability protection from energy
blade ward expeditious retreat find traps thunder step
booming blade hail of thorns flame blade
fire bolt heroism magic weapon 4th Level
frostbite identify misty step dimension door
green-flame blade jump shadow blade elemental bane
lightning lure longstrider warding bond fire shield
primal savagery mage armor warding wind freedom of movement
ray of frost searing smite shadow of moil
resistance shield 3rd Level staggering smite
shocking grasp shield of faith blinding smite stoneskin
sword burst thunderous smite blink
thorn whip catnap
5th Level
wrathful smite
thunderclap conjure barrage banishing smite
zephyr strike
true strike dispel magic conjure volley
2nd Level elemental weapon far step
1st Level aid fireball holy weapon
absorb elements barkskin flame arrows skill empowerment
armor of agathys blur glyph of warding steel wind strike
command branding smite haste teleportation circle
compelled duel

Multiclassing Art Credits

Ability Score Minimum: Strength or Dexterity 13, Listed in order of appearance. If you are the artist and want
Intelligence 13 your art to be removed from the live version of this document,
Proficiencies Gained: Light armor, medium armor, simply contact me! If anyone knows the unknown artists of
shields, simple weapons, martial weapons some of the artworks, I'd appreciate if you let me know so I
can properly credit them!
Sage Advice
Pathfinder: Kingmaker Regongar Concept Art Mod (artist
Does Glyph of the Resolute grant you temporary hit unknown)
points before the damage? Yes, since you gain the The Trail by Wojtek Fus
temporary hit points at the same time as when your AC or Ashe Legends of Runeterra artwork (artist unknown)
saving throw is increased, before any of the effects of the Bladekeeper Virve by OXAN
attack or saving throw are applied. Dark Souls 3 Yuria of Londor by hannah Ji / Jdori
Does the Phasing Shots feature let you target
creatures around corners in total cover? Yes, although it Feedback Requested! (v0.07)
is important to note that if you're attacking a creature
behind opaque total cover, the disadvantage from your This is an early draft, and requires more playtesting, so
target being unseen still applies. If you target a creature feedback would be very much appreciated, especially from
through cover that you can see through, such as glass, or actual play. Contact me at /u/regularabsentee for any
use another sense like blindsense to sense the creature, questions/feedback.
you do not get this disadvantage. Also important to note Changes from v0.06
that this feature still does not let you target a creature that
is hidden from you (as opposed to unseen by you). Decreased number of cantrips known at higher levels.
Does the Phasing Shots feature let you target
creatures behind a wall of force or forcecage spell?
You cannot target through these spells, as your
ammunition or spell still needs to physically pass through
the barrier, but is prevented as per the spell descriptions.
The feature just lets you ignore cover. This feature does
let you target creatures through invisible walls that are not
conjured by those spells.
Does the Glyph of Power bonus apply to both rune
weapons gained through the Twinned Runes feature?
Yes, they are both considered as your rune weapon and
both get the bonus.

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