Introduction

These documents detail specific house rule changes to the core Pathfinder RPG rules mechanics, for use in the Aviona campaign.
Most of these changes are hopefully relatively non-intrusive and can be kept track of by the referee (a term used in preference to
“DM” or “GM”), but a number of them provide a significantly greater number of options to the players, especially those with
martially-oriented classes, with a correspondingly greater system complexity. This is something that should be borne in mind
when evaluating house rules; this set will certainly not appeal to most groups.
Important: These house rules are not intended to represent a separate and independent game system, nor are they expected to
be used except specifically in conjunction with the Pathfinder role-playing game and other supplements credited. They are for
personal (home) use only. Individual home groups are encouraged to change these rules amendments to suit their own taste, and
to share how their changes impacted the game experience.
Credits
House Rules Conversion Kirth Gersen
Pathfinder Core Rules Paizo Publishing, LLC (Jason Bulmahn et al.)
3rd Edition Source Wizards of the Coast (a subsidiary of Hasbro)
Material
Additional Source Malhavoc Press, Fiery Dragon Publishing, etc. (as credited in text)
Material
Alpha Playtesting houstonderek, Jess Door, Silverhair, Andostre, TriOmegaZero
Comments, Alpha Rules Mistah Green, Frank Trollman
Beta Playtesting, Live houstonderek, Andostre, TriOmegaZero, Cyz, Psyschicmachinery, Mundane
Beta Playtesting, Play-by- Freddy Honeycutt, David James Olsen, Chainsaw, Doodlebug Anklebiter, heliopolix, nighflyer,
Post downrightamazed
Lead Editor Christopher Hauschild
Beta Proofreading Alice Margatroid et al.
Technical and Web TriOmegaZero
Support

Rationale & Applicability
These house rules are not intended for general use. Indeed,
for most groups, the Core rules are far superior in many
respects. In creating these house rules, there were several
design goals which, if not actually achieved, were at least
strived for; any failure to attain them is mine. The major
goals, and cautions for use, are summarized below.
Character Building: Base classes are more versatile,
filling a variety of concepts, making prestige classes or
“archetypes” less important. Multiclass options (see “Class
Synergy Features” below) are intended to allow multiclassing
of casters as well as martial characters, in nearly limitless
combinations. Finally, the rules are extremely mechanically
“crunchy,” geared towards players who especially enjoy the
various tasks associated with creating or “leveling up” a
character. If your group just wants to roll up characters and
play, then these house rules are not for you; sticking with the
core Pathfinder game (or some other system) is
recommended. Likewise, if you consider multiclassing to be
“cheesy,” you will doubtless intensely dislike these house
rules.
Class Rebalancing: Not only in combat (e.g., changing of
casting rules), but in terms of narrative power: fighters,
rogues, etc. are more versatile, and receive class features
enabling them to do more than simply fight and disarm traps.
The ranger regains his “schtick” as a tracker, scout, locator,
and guide―even across the planes. As long as high-level
casters can travel to Heaven at will and stop time, there will
never be a total balance, but our hope is that the number of
levels of which all classes are playable has been expanded
upwards a bit. If you, personally, believe that there is no
martial-caster disparity in the core rules, then these house
rules are not for you; please delete and/or shred your copy.
Fewer “Timmy” Cards: As much as possible, obviously
good or extremely substandard options are obtained
automatically, without needing to decide whether to spend a
limited resource (feat, talent, etc.) on a “tax” option or on
something interesting but sub-par. That means providing
bonus skill ranks (to avoid “skill taxes”) and expanded
bundling of skills; selective “beefing up” or “nerfing” of
talents and feats, and so on. In addition, many feats scale
with skill ranks or base attack bonus, so as to remain useful
throughout the character’s career rather than becoming
obsolescent at some point.
Nostalgia: In a number of cases, a seemingly bizarre rules
change has been implemented as a “nod” to previous
editions, especially 1e AD&D. Overall, those rules were
mechanically a mess, but they did provide a certain type of
experience that these rules use as a reference.
Player Involvement: Considerable creative power is
intentionally shifted from the hands of the “DM” or “GM” to
those of the players. Accordingly, the person running the
game is now termed a “referee” instead, in order to focus on
this shift in role. Custom races, design of personal magic
items, expanded leadership options in these rules all very
intentionally contribute to player empowerment. If you
believe the “GM” should wield absolute authority and
exercise sole creative power, stop reading now and
delete/burn/shred your copy of these rules. These rules
assume that the referee’s job is to design and run encounters,
and to impartially facilitate the rules during play. His or her
job is not to railroad the adventure, “fix” the rules by fiat, and
so on. This implies a correspondingly high level of
responsibility required of the players not to intentionally
disrupt play or “break the game.”
Rebalanced Attributes: Uses have been rebalanced so that
there are fewer obvious “dump stats” (particularly Charisma).
Rock-Paper-Scissors: In many ways, a d20 + modifier task
resolution system breaks down very quickly when the
disparity of modifiers becomes too great. However,
abandoning the core d20 mechanic is beyond the scope of
these house rules, so the problem noted above becomes a
something of a necessary evil. In order to ameliorate this,
some “full stop” options are included in order to nullify part
of a numerically overwhelming advantage. For example, at
low levels AC can be “jacked up” to the point where a target is
essentially impervious to attacks except on a natural 20;
however, a number of feats and talents are included that
potentially allow an attacker to ignore armor bonuses, insight
bonuses, deflection bonuses, etc. This in no way eliminates
potential disparities, but it re-introduces an element of risk to
investing in any “obviously overpowered” ability or feature.
Character Creation
As noted above, these house rules are written on the
assumption that the players enjoy working on their
characters―when leveling up, for example, they enjoy
selecting feats, allocating skill ranks, etc. Accordingly, there
are far more options at each level, and at the start, than is
typical. If you’re looking for a system in which you can roll up
a character in minutes and start playing, there are far better
options for that than these house rules.
Attribute Scores and Modifiers
The term “abilities” is overly vague, in my opinion (especially
given the existence of other terms like “spell-like abilities”);
Strength, Dexterity, etc. need a better name. “Attributes” is
recommended, unless someone comes up with an alternative
suggestion.
Because of the bonuses associated even with relatively low
scores (12+) in the Pathfinder rules, the 1^st^ edition
expectation of mostly 15s and above is not carried over in the
Aviona campaign (indeed, a 15 Dexterity in 1^st^ edition is
exactly equivalent to a 12 Dexterity in Pathfinder and by
extension in these rules, in terms of bonuses). Also, all people
are not created equal. Therefore, I prefer a simple “roll 4d6,
drop the lowest” for each attribute. You can then arrange the
six scores in any order you like. This corresponds to the
“Standard” method described in the Core Rules.
After rolling, if you decide the resultant scores are
unplayable, you can instead choose to start with the Heroic
array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8, plus racial adjustments) for
attribute scores. Unless otherwise noted, cohorts and other
followers with PC classes always use the Heroic NPC array.
For people who refuse to roll for stats, a 15-point buy as
described in the core rules, is an acceptable alternative.
If your group prefers the very high stats (20- or 25-point
buy and the like) that seem to be more or less expected in a
straight Pathfinder game, that’s fine, but expect your referee
to jack up the challenges you face accordingly. In the default
Aviona setting, however, the PCs are expected to become
exceptional through their deeds, not by virtue of being
genetically-superior beings from the start.
Strength: A character whose Strength is reduced to 1 is
entangled (see Conditions, below). A character with a
Strength of 0 is helpless, prone, and cannot stand up. Note
that certain animals in the Pathfinder Bestiary are indicated
as being much weaker, in terms of Strength, than their real-
life counterparts; certain animals such as apes might
therefore use the 3.5 edition Strength scores instead. As
described in the core rules, your Strength modifier applies to
melee attacks and damage; your carrying capacity is also
determined by your Strength score.
Dexterity: Note that attack rolls with projectile weapons,
rays, etc. use the Wisdom modifier (see below). Thrown
weapon attacks, initiative, Reflex saves, and AC are still
modified by Dexterity, as in the Core Rules. A character with
a Dexterity of 1 is slowed; a character with a Dexterity of 0 is
paralyzed.
Constitution: A character with a Constitution of 1 is infirm
and can do nothing but rest; a character with a Constitution
of 0 is dead. As in the Core Rules, undead and constructs
have no Constitution scores. Undead use their Charisma
modifier for hit points and Fortitude saves in place of their
Con modifier, as in the core rules. Constructs use their
Strength modifier similarly; this supersedes the arbitrary
size-based bonus hp listed in the Core Rules.
Intelligence: A character with an Intelligence of 1 is
feebleminded, with the mental acuity of a reptile. A character
with an Intelligence of 0 is a mindless automaton. In these
house rules, animals (especially higher primates) may have
Intelligence scores higher than 2, to reconcile them with the
intelligence of some of their real-life counterparts.
Wisdom: Wisdom is poorly-defined in D&D in general. In
these house rules, it is assumed to be a general measure of
your awareness, both in terms of your physical senses and in
terms of your being “in touch with the universe” (faith,
karma). It is also a measure of patience, caution, and mental
calm. I personally envision it along the lines of the Perception
attribute from the old Victory Games rules.
The bonus for ranged attacks with projectiles has been In addition to the “main six” attributes, there are optionally
moved from Dexterity to Wisdom, both to relieve the two “secondary attributes”—normally hand-waved or ignored
predominance of Dexterity as an attribute, and to give —that can be used to flesh out characters more quantitatively.
something back to Wisdom (see below). If a rationale is These are included for the sake of nostalgia, and for the
needed, we have these words: benefit of people who just really like to roll for stats.
“The most important lesson I learned… was the winner of a Comeliness: In order to emphasize that Charisma
gunplay usually was the man who took his time. The second represents force of personality and magnetism, rather than
was that, if I hoped to live long on the frontier, I would shun appearance, some groups may choose to add a seventh
flashy trick-shooting—grandstand play—as I would poison.” attribute, Comeliness, which reflects only appearance. Per
―Wyatt Earp. the 1^st^ edition Unearthed Arcana, racial adjustments to
Earp also stressed the need for constant practice, whereas Comeliness in Aviona are as follows:
a low Wisdom score would seem to indicate someone too Race Adjustment
careless or impatient to do so.
“Intuition” saves against illusions and charm effects (see Orc, hobgoblin -3
below) are modified by Wisdom, whereas compulsions and Half-orc -2
other more forceful Will saves are modified by Charisma (see
below). Dwarf, gnome -1
A character with a Wisdom of 1 is confused. A character Halfling, human 0
with a Wisdom of 0 is completely insane, has no external Half-elf, wood elf +1
sensory input, and is unaware that the outside world exists.
Charisma: Charisma in these house rules strictly High elf +2
represents confidence, presence, and force of personality
(physical attractiveness is governed by the optional A high comeliness therefore suggests a “classical” beauty
Comeliness attribute; see below, and is totally decoupled as defined by elves, as appropriate for the campaign setting. A
from Charisma). Charisma is therefore directly analogous to character’s Comeliness modifier can be applied to initial
the Willpower attribute from the old Victory Games rules. To reactions in social settings.
reflect this, the Charisma modifier, rather than the Wisdom Social Class: Rather than rolling randomly for starting
modifier, applies to Will saves against compulsions, fear, etc. wealth, and declaring one’s social status arbitrarily, social
You also apply your Charisma modifier to certain uses of status can be rolled randomly, if desired. Starting wealth can
Hero Points (see below). These uses provide a disincentive then be determined as the results of a Social Class check
for everyone other than bards, paladins, and sorcerers to (1d20 + modifier) x 15 gp.
always make Charisma their lowest attribute (as is expected
for 3^rd^ edition and Pathfinder). Social Class Civilian Status Military Status
Social skill is dictated by your bonuses in Bluff and 3 or below Slave —
Diplomacy—with your personal confidence and magnetism 4–5 Outlaw —
(Cha) providing a modifier, rather than dictating your
baseline. People with low Charisma are typically unsure of 6–7 Servant/field hand —
themselves, lack presence, and are often ignored. Characters 8–9 Tradesman Private
with high charisma scores are heeded and paid attention to;
they are leaders, rather than followers. 10 – 11 Professional Corporal
A character with a Charisma of 1 has insufficient ego to 12 – 13 Skilled professional Sergeant
exert autonomy; he or she acts as if charmed by everyone he 14 – 15 Land owner Lieutenant
or she interacts with. A character with a Charisma of 0 is
dominated, likewise. 16 – 17 Knight Captain
How Wisdom and Charisma Interact: A character with a 18 – 19 Baronet Major
high wisdom (awareness and caution) and low Charisma
(confidence and force of personality) is likely to be timid and 20 – 21 Baron Colonel
overly-paranoid about “getting in trouble.” His or her constant 22 – 23 Earl/count General
warnings will often be ignored by companions. 24 – 25 Marquis Supreme Warlord
Conversely, a character with low Wisdom and high
Charisma is likely to be egocentric and careless, assuming 26 – 27 Duke —
that things will “somehow work out.” He can be bold and 28+ Prince —
reckless, like Douglas Fairbanks’ Robin Hood, but he or she
will also often need to be rescued by companions, and may, in Depending on one’s kingdom of origin, race might also
the worst case, have a tendency to treat others as tools. influence his or her starting social class, as shown in the
A character with high scores in both stats is like Dashiell following table. The Kingdom of Northwind is highly
Hammett’s Sam Spade―ruthless, domineering, guileful, and egalitarian; no racial modifiers to Social Class apply there.
always with a backup plan or two. For locations such as the Estren Frontier, social class
receives no racial modifiers, but starting social class can
Secondary Attributes (Optional) generally be no higher than 15.
Race Aviona Aramni
Dwarf, hill -1 -2 Dwarf, mountain* +1 -2 Elf, high +2 -4 Elf,
wood* -1 -3 Elf, half- +1 -2 Gnome 0 -2 Halfling -2 -2
Hobgoblin -1 0 Human 0 +2 Orc -2 0 Orc, half- -2 +1
* Under normal circumstances, wood elves are never found
outside of the Estren Territories, and mountain dwarves are
not found above-ground at all. The modifiers shown apply to
exceptional PCs of one of these races venturing beyond their
typical borders.
It is important to note that social class should not be fixed
at the starting value; it should rise and fall according to the
ongoing events in the campaign. Also, there is generally only
very limited reciprocity from one kingdom to another.
Age
“In layman’s terms, I’ve sucked the magic from him. That
leaves him two hundred and twenty-six years old. I believe
that gives me the win.”
―Larry Niven, What Good is a Glass Dagger? (1972)
Unlike in the Core rules, aging penalties apply to mental
scores, as well as physical ones; a creature past its prime
never gains attribute bonuses for aging. The penalty to
Intelligence simulates memory issues and eventual dementia;
Wisdom can be accounted for as a dimming of senses and
slight absentmindedness, etc.
Alignment
Alignment is totally optional for most mortals other than
paladins and others who are deeply devoted to a specific deity
or cause; it can be recorded as a measure of convenience, for
players for whom it is helpful. Outsiders such as demons, etc.
—creatures that embody cosmic principles—have alignments
in an absolute sense. Fey are inherently [chaotic].
For purposes of adjudicating spells like holy smite, most
mortals are treated as “neutral.” Detect evil, when used on
normal creatures, will detect actively evil thoughts, but not
absolute alignment.
Use of spells with an alignment descriptor leaves behind
lingering traces that can be detected by detect evil, etc. in the
way that detect magic detects lingering traces of spells.
These traces also remain on creatures who cast such spells,
or are affected by them. See also “corruption,” below.
Alignment Descriptors: Outsiders and mortals devoted to
aligned powers or causes (e.g., clerics and paladins) gain the
appropriate alignment descriptor(s), generally indicated in
brackets (e.g., [good]); they register as that alignment to
abilities such as detect evil, and are fully affected by spells
and abilities that target those descriptors. Certain races
(Chapter 2) also gain alignment descriptors as a part of their
heritage.
Corruption: Continued use of, or being affected by, [evil]
spells or magic items can cause corruption, gradually
changing a mortal from “neutral” to [evil]. Each such incident
requires an Intuition save (see below) at DC 10 + the spell
level to avoid succumbing; each additional incident after the
first within a 24-hour period adds a +1 profane bonus to the
save DC. Once a creature succumbs, an atonement spell is
needed to remove the corruption.
Favored Class
Favored Class
Note: I do not like the concept of a “favored class,” but it has
become so heavily ingrained in the d20 rules that it’s hard to
get rid of.
You gain one (1) favored class of your choice. Additionally,
certain races have classes that are always considered favored
for them. When gaining a level in a favored class, you can
select either 1 bonus hp or 1 bonus skill rank. Certain classes
and races provide alternative options, as described in the
appropriate sections.
Hit Points
Starting hit points are equal to your hit die size + your
Constitution modifier, so a 1^st^ level fighter with a 14
Constitution (+2 modifier) starts with 12 hp (1d10+2).
Thereafter, you can either choose to roll hp (but take
whatever you roll), or else receive average hp for the next hit
die gained (plus your Constitution modifier, as normal). In the
latter case, the fighter mentioned above would gain 7 hp at
2^nd^ level, 8 hp at 3^rd^ level, 7 hp at 4^th^ level, etc., not
including bonuses for favored class and/or Toughness. You
may decide each level whether to roll or to go with the
average.
Saving Throws
Unlike in the core rules, there are two types of mental saves:
Intuition saves (modified by Wisdom), which apply
against curses, divination, illusions, charm effects,
confusion, and insanity; and
Will saves (modified by Charisma) which apply against
most compulsions, fear, and most other core rules Will
save effects not specifically enumerated under Intuition
saves.
There are thus four saving throw categories, each governed
by a different attribute.
Saving Throw Progression: All saving throws progress at
the rate of +1/2 your CR or effective character level. Good
saving throws for your class(es) additionally gain a +2 class
bonus, thus matching the Good saving throw progression in
the core rules. (Because class bonuses do not stack, you gain
no benefit if you multiclass into another class with the same
good saves.)
A summary of good (+2) saving throw bonuses provided by
the various classes and creature types is provided below.
Class Fort Ref Intu Will
Barbarian Y Y
Bard Y Y Y
Cleric Y Y
Archivist Y Y
Druid Y Y
Fighter Y Y Y
Incarnate Y Y
 Class Fort Ref Intu Will Scope of Adventure Completion Advancement
Monk Y Y Y Y Major story arc Successful Full Level
Prestige Paladin Y Y Y Major story arc Unsuccessful Half-Level
Ranger Y Y Y Major story arc Incomplete None
Rogue Y Y Minor adventure Successful Half-Level
Sorcerer Y Y Minor adventure Unsuccessful or None
incomplete
Battle Sorcerer Y Y
Very minor side Any None
Summoner Y Y quest
Wizard Y Y
A “major story arc” might comprise one or more full
Creature Type Fort Ref Intu Will adventure path installments, and will generally occur over
Aberration Y Y weeks or months. It is generally assumed that substantial
time―months or years―may elapse between major story
Animal Y Y Y arcs. A “minor adventure” would be something more along
Construct the lines of a GameMastery module or Dungeon magazine
adventure, and can take place over a time span of days or
Dragon Y Y Y weeks.
Fey Y Y Half-levels can be “saved up” towards full level
Giant Y Y advancement, or can be optionally used for half-level
advancement (see below).
Humanoid Y Half-Levels (Optional): In order to smooth level
Magical beast Y Y progression and provide more frequent advancement awards,
the referee might choose to use advancement by half-levels
Monstrous humanoid Y Y (e.g., a 1st level character completes a major adventure and
Ooze Y becomes a 1.5-level character). At levels ending in 0.5, the
Outsider Y Y character gains the Hit Dice, saving throws, and skill points
associated with the next level (2nd, in this example), and any
Plant Y Y other features automatically linked to hit dice (feats at every
Undead Y odd-numbered hit die, and +1 to an attribute every 4 HD), but
none of the actual class features such as spells, talents, class
Vermin Y bonus feats, etc.
In this system, each level in an NPC class counts as a half-
Level Advancement level. Racial hit dice that do not provide new abilities also
Let’s face it, it’s fairly absurd that you can get up in the count as half-levels. A 5.5-level character might be a wizard
morning an inexperienced 18-year-old peasant and, a week 5.5, a fighter 4/wizard 1.5, or a fighter 4/warrior 3, for
later, be a demigod. But that’s what 3.5 advancement rates are example.
like. In addition to being a problem with verisimilitude, in Non-Associated Class Levels: Certain multiclass
these rules there’s a second problem: classes have been combinations are obviously less advantageous than others.
rewritten so as to provide a large number of options at each When not using the half-level system (see above), characters
new level, and leveling too fast means that PCs often don’t of at least 2nd level in a primary class can take up to one level
have a chance to get used to their new abilities before being in another class that adds little to their overall effectiveness
granted yet another set of options. (for example, a druid taking one level of sorcerer without
Experience and Leveling: I strongly advocate the theurgy; or anyone taking one level in an NPC class) and
elimination of experience points (xp). In AD&D, you got them ignore that level for purposes of determining their challenge
for amassing gold, and that drove a treasure-hunt mentality rating (CR). This means that a 7th level fighter/1st level expert
that sometimes bordered on the absurd, to where PCs would can adventure alongside 7th level characters on more or less
check the bodies of their enemies for gold fillings. If that’s the even footing.
game experience you’re going for, stick with 1 gp = 1 xp, but Retraining: Although efforts have been made to make
everyone else got past that by 1987 or so. “organic” character growth viable (through scaling feats and
In 2nd edition, and into 3rd and Pathfinder, you get xp for class synergy), there will still be cases in which previous
killing monsters and so on. This of course encourages you to choices render your current goals impossible. In general,
farm mooks, rather than complete adventures. Again, if that’s when leveling up, players should be given reasonable latitude
your bag, go for it, but it doesn’t really do anything to drive a to re-assign feats, talents, etc.—or even proportions of class
coherent campaign. levels—in order to best fit the character as currently played.
These rules assume level advancement by completion of Changes that are not obvious in play, or that actually
adventures, according to the following table: underline and support recent campaign events, can generally
be made without consultation.
Changes that create contradictions in continuity (“How is it Class Level Full Synergy Strong Synergy Weak Synergy
you’ve been using electrical blasts this whole time, but you 1st +1 +1 +0
suddenly don’t have that ability any more?!”) are more
difficult, but can still be done. In such cases, a reasonable 2nd +2 +1 +1
coherent rationale is needed, and, with that presented, the 3th +3 +2 +1
agreement of the referee and/or other players must be 4th +4 +3 +2
secured.
For example, the player of a sorcerer (Destined bloodline) 5th +5 +4 +2
decides he/she wants to change his bloodline to Elemental 6th +6 +4 +3
Fire. This is a fairly major rewrite, creating definite continuity
issues. The player announces, “When my character was 7th +7 +5 +3
burned to death last adventure and then resurrected, his 8th +8 +6 +4
destiny was fulfilled. The flames that consumed him now 9th +9 +7 +4
permeate his being; I’d like to use fire-themed powers from
now on, and rework my character with the Elemental Fire 10th +10 +7 +5
bloodline instead of the Destined bloodline.” The request 11th +11 +8 +5
directly supports recent campaign events and should be
approved by the referee without issue. 12th +12 +9 +6
On the other hand, “I want to change my bloodline to fire. 13th +13 +10 +6
We encountered a salamander somewhere in the last 14th +14 +10 +7
dungeon, right?” is a stretch and would require unanimous
agreement from the referee and other players. 15th +15 +11 +7
16th +16 +12 +8
Class Synergy Features 17th +17 +13 +8
The core Pathfinder rules are intentionally geared towards 18th
encouraging characters to stay with a single class for their +18 +13 +9
entire careers; incentives include favored class bonuses and 19th +19 +14 +9
capstone features; discouragements towards multiclassing
include non-stacking spellcasting and other class features. In The total is your effective class level, for purposes of that
these rules, multiclassing is intended to be equally as particular class feature only. For example, a fighter 6/rogue 6
advantageous as remaining in a single class. gains the Martial Outlaw rogue talent, providing Weak
The single-class perks in the core rules are retained here, synergy towards the effects of fighter talents. That character
as most players will expect them. However, there are also a would adjudicate the effects of his fighter talents as if he were
large number of feats and class features in these rules a 9^th^ level fighter, rather than a 6^th^ level fighter.
intended to facilitate multiclassing. For example, the Eldritch Maximum Synergy: Synergy, in any combination, can
Knight fighter talent allows you apply a half your fighter level provide a maximum effective class level equal to your total
towards your wizard level, when determining your total spell character level, and no higher.
capacity (Chapter 7). This type of improvement towards the New Class Features: Synergy from another class does not
feature of one class by levels in another class is termed “class provide access to higher-level class features unless the
synergy.” description for the source for that synergy specifically states
There are three rates of advancement for class synergy: that this is the case.
Full (levels in both classes stack), Strong (roughly ¾ of your Stacking Synergy: Although synergy features from two
levels in one class are added to the level of the other), and different classes can be applied individually to a third class
Weak (half your level in the synergy class is added to your without restriction, class synergy features that apply between
level in the base class). These rates are summarized in the the same two classes do not stack. Any exceptions to this
table below. general rule (e.g., Practiced X feats) will carry a disclaimer
Applying Synergy: When you gain synergy towards a specifically stating the intent. Any instances of stacking
particular class feature from another class, add the total from synergy from the same two classes, that are not specifically
the appropriate column in the Synergy table above to your spelled out as being permissible, are not permissible.
level in the class granting the class feature in question. No Positive Feedback Loops: As a sub-rule of the above,
TABLE : CLASS SYNERGY ADVANCEMENT in some cases it’s tempting to create positive feedback loops,
attempting to use Class Feature A to boost Class Feature B in
order to boost Class Feature A again in turn (an example is
provided below). This is never permissible. If you think you
find an instance where it technically applies, it does not.
Example: Assume the fighter 6/rogue 6 mentioned above,
with the Martial Outlaw talent, also selects the Practiced
Rogue Talent feat (which allows him to treat his rogue level
as up to 4 higher for purposes of adjudicating his rogue
talents).
How it works: The character’s rogue level is 6^th^. The
Martial Outlaw talent provides weak synergy from fighter
levels, for an effective rogue level of 9^th^ for determining the
effects of rogue talents (6 + 0.5 * 6). The Practiced Rogue
Talent feat allows him to treat his effective rogue level (for
determining the effects of talents) as up to 4 higher, to a
maximum equal to his total character level; in this case,
12^th^.
The Martial Outlaw talent also provides Weak synergy to
his fighter talents, for an effective fighter level of 9^th^ (see
above).
The rules stated above prohibit the following:
The character cannot first apply the effects of Practiced
Rogue Talent, for an effective rogue level of 10^th^, and
then also claim full synergy from Martial Outlaw (+3 more,
for a total of 13th). This would be a violation of the
“maximum synergy” rule: the character is only 12th level,
so his or her maximum effective rogue level stops at 12th,
no matter how many talents and feats get stacked.
The character does not apply Practiced Rogue Talents to
his rogue level, for a total of 10th, then apply half of that to
his fighter level, for an effective fighter level of 11th. That
would be a violation of the “no positive feedback loops”
rule. “Virtual rogue levels” granted by the fighter levels’
effects (from the Practiced Rogue Talents feat) can never
be used to create more virtual fighter levels in turn.
Identical Class Features Gained from More Than One
Class: In some cases, it is possible to obtain the same class
feature from two or more different classes, and that are not
covered by the above synergy rules. Typical examples include
channel energy, evasion, favored enemies, and favored
terrain. Unless otherwise noted, when this occurs, do not
keep track of them separately; rather, levels in the classes
granting the ability stack (Full synergy). Therefore, a cleric
5/mercy incarnate 5 with Charisma 15, gaining the ability to
channel positive energy from both classes, would channel
5d6 hp worth of positive energy up to 5/day (DC 17), rather
than channeling 2d6 hp worth of positive energy 10/day (DC
14) as in the Core Rules.
For favored enemies, the maximum bonus for any one type
is 1 + half your character level. For favored terrains, the
maximum bonus for any one terrain is equal to 2 + half your
character level. For sneak attack damage and channeling
energy, the maximum number of dice is equal to half your
character level (round up).
Stacking Vision: It is possible to gain darkvision and/or
low-light vision from class features when you already have
one or both abilities due to your race. In general, limited
synergy is possible―with the specific exception of spells and
magic items, which create effects that overlap with (do not
stack with) your existing special vision
Darkvision: If you already have darkvision and gain
darkvision from another stacking source, unless otherwise
specified, the range of your existing darkvision increases
by half the range youwould otherwise gain. For example, a
character somehow acquiring darkvision 60 ft. three times
would have darkvision 120 ft. (60ft. + 30 ft. + 30 ft.).
Low-Light Vision: If you already have low-light vision and
gain that ability from another source, you instead gain
superior low-light vision, and can see three times as far as
a human in dim light, rather than twice as far. Each time
you gain low-light vision again, increase the range
accordingly (e.g., a character receiving low-light vision
three times would be able to see 4x as far in dim light as a
human).
Theurgy: As described in Chapter 7 (Spells), in some cases
you can gain improved spell capacity in one class through
class levels in another class (Cf. the Eldrtich Knight fighter
talent). Theurgy is always based on actual class levels, never
on “effective class levels.” For example, a fighter 4/rogue
4/wizard 4 with the Eldritch Knight talent and the Practiced
Fighter feat would have spell capacity as a 6^th^ level wizard
(4 wizard levels + half his fighter level), not as an 8^th^ level
wizard, because the Practiced Fighter talent does not count
as actual levels in Fighter for purposes of spellcasting
theurgy (that would be a violation of the “stacking synergy”
rule above).
Effective Class Level Cap
Stated simply, your effective class level for any purpose can
never be higher than your total character level. If you have
some ability that allows you to cast spells at +1 caster level,
that’s fine and good, but if your caster level is already equal to
your total character level, that ability has no effect. This is
already stated in the rules for class synergy (the “maximum
synergy” rule), but is re-stated here as a general rule as well.
Unless otherwise noted, this restriction applies to all class
features. No matter what combination of feats, class features,
and abilities you use, there is no way to achieve a number of
sneak attack dice greater than half your class level (rounded
up), for example.
Exceptions to this rule are rare, and will always have a
disclaimer indicating the intent (e.g., “this is a specific
exception to the general rule…”). Any exploit you think you
find that violates this general rule and lacks such a disclaimer
is hereby expressly prohibited.
Rounds per Day Use: A specific exception to this rule* are
feats or favored class bonuses that grant additional rounds
per day uses of barbarian rage or bardic inspiration. Using
those features, it is possible to gain additional rounds per day
of use in excess of what a character of your class level would
normally be capable. However, this applies only to the
number of rounds per day of use, not to the level at which
effects are determined.
* (Note disclaimer of intent.)
What Does Character Level Mean?
In order to make some sense of the powerful abilities that
high-level characters possess, some conceptual framework is
helpful. General level equivalents are summarized below,
based on the challenge rating of the character.
Character CR Level Title
1st – 5th Journeyman
6th – 10th Hero
11th – 15th Champion
16th – 20th Demigod
A journeyman character is a competent adventurer of no
great worldwide fame.
A hero has established a great reputation for mighty deeds,
and is likely to be known in songs and legends; pseudo-
historical figures such as Charlemagne’s paladins, Robin
Hood at the peak of his career, and so on, are presented in
legend as hero-level characters. This is the maximum level
range for any “realistic” framework.
Champion-level characters operate on a scale that cannot
be modeled in real-world terms, and leave real-world
expectations largely behind. For this reason, many groups will
prefer to stop play sometime at or before reaching this level. A
champion-level character is one of the greatest adventurers in
the world, and will be called upon to save nations, invade
other planes, etc.
A demigod-level character’s power eclipses any reasonable
analog. Characters at this level can be expected to save or
conquer entire worlds, contest with demon lords, and foil the
machinations of gods.
In general, it is assumed that only a modest number of
adventurers survives and progresses through each tier.
Adventuring is a dangerous profession, and the mortality rate
for journeymen adventurers and heroes is high. Those who
are not killed will generally settle down, establish
strongholds, and retire before reaching Champion level. Very
few champions are able to find enough challenges suitable to
allow them to acquire demigod-like power.
Adding New Material
These house rules are intended to be modular enough to
accommodate new material. Although each group will
collectively have the final say on what is allowed, the
following guidelines are intended to help with the process.
Base Classes: This is one of the most frequently-asked
questions received in conjunction with these house
rules―conversion of new base classes from various sources.
“Where is the Pathfinder Alchemist?” “What about the
Inquisitor?” “Can you convert the 3.5 edition Duskblade?”
“How do I play a Swashbuckler?” In general, the base classes
listed above can be simulated (in some cases very closely) by
using multiclassing and taking advantage of the various class
synergy features (see above). Common examples are outlined
below.
Alchemist (Advanced Players Guide): This class has three
main abilities: can throw bombs (similar to a 3.5 edition
rogue’s sneak attacking with alchemist’s fire); can gain
physical enhancements using mutagens (similar to barbarian
rage); and can prepare extracts (similar to wizard spells). A
multi-classed rogue/barbarian/wizard in these rules can
stand in for an Alchemist almost perfectly, by taking 1 level in
wizard, then one in barbarian, then the rest in rogue,
selecting the Arcane Trickster, Grenadier, and Savage Outlaw
talents ASAP, in that order (alternatively, take a 2^nd^ level of
wizard after your first rogue level, then stay in rogue
thereafter). For an unusual variant, use archivist or druid
levels in place of wizard levels, and select Temple Raider in
place of Arcane Trickster.
Duskblade (Player’s Handbook II): This is simply a
fighter/sorcerer or fighter/battle sorcerer with appropriate
talents and feats, and can be even more closely simulated
using High Elf Paragon racial levels (Chapter 2).
Inquisitor (Advanced Players Guide): This class can be
simulated using a cleric/rogue or cleric/ranger; the
Inquisition domain in these rules was specifically created to
simulate the Inquisitor’s “judgments.”
Summoner (Advanced Players Guide): This has been
handled as a variant sorcerer, which gains an eidolon in place
of a bloodline.
Swashbuckler (Complete Warrior): A more functional
version can be simulated using a fighter or fighter/rogue and
selecting appropriate feats/talents.
Advanced Class Guide Hybrids: Arcanist—wizard with
High Sorcerer esoteric branch; Bloodrager—
barbarian/sorcerer with the Bloodline totem; Brawler—
fighter/monk with the Ascetic Warrior talent; Hunter—
druid/ranger with druidical theurgy spellcasting option and
spiritual hunter lore (aspect of nature initiation); Shaman—
incarnate/witch with the Spirit Magic feat; Skald—bard
(skald)/barbarian with the roaring skald lore; Slayer—
ranger/rogue (or simply ranger with the swift ambusher
combat style); Warpriest—fighter/cleric with the Templar and
Personal Weapon talents. Note that most of these hybrid
class options could be created using these rules long before
the Advanced Class Guide was announced.
1:1 Correspondences: In some cases, a base class is
presented that is simply a minor variant of an existing core
class. For example, the Pathfinder Witch (Advanced Players
Guide) is basically a wizard with a more limited spell list and
hexes; it is simulated in these rules as an esoteric branch of
wizardry. The 3.5 edition Spirit Shaman (Complete Divine) is
a minor druid variant, simulated in these rules using a
druidic initiation. The Investigator (Advanced Class Guide) is
modeled adequately using the rogue in these rules. Likewise,
the Cavalier (Advanced Players Guide), Gunslinger (Ultimate
Combat), Samurai (Ultimate Combat, or Complete Warrior in
3.5 edition), and Swashbuckler (Advanced Class Guide)
classes can be simulated using the fighter class in these
house rules.
For other player-requested classes, go through the above
recommendations; if the class absolutely can’t be built using
those guidelines, I recommend a vote on whether to simply
“port” it in.
 1. one
2. teo
Prestige Classes: In general, almost all Pathfinder
“archetypes,” and most prestige class features, can be
simulated using feats and class modularity features (cleric
domains, druidic initiations, fighter talents, sorcerer
bloodlines, etc.). I do not recommend the creation of separate
prestige classes unless a base class or multiclass
combination cannot be used to produce the same end effect.
Other Stuff: In general, I use the following process in
evaluating whether and how to “convert” new stuff.
1. Does it violate design principles inherent in these rules
(for example, anything that allows you to increase your
caster level beyond your Hit Dice, or that lets you “cheat”
on magic item or wish costs)? If so, reject it outright. If
not, go to step 2.
2. Is it something that can already be adequately
mechanically modeled within the existing rules? If so, use
what’s already here; if not, go to step 3.
3. Is it something that can be easily adapted into one or
more feats, talents, bloodlines, domains, or whatever? If
so, do that, making sure that the individual abilities are
more or less on a par with existing ones. If not, go to step
4.
4. Is it something that can be used as-is, or will it require
substantial conversion? If it needs conversion, is the
demand worth the effort involved?
5. Are the players OK with the end result? If dissent exists,
invite discussion and call a vote.
Adding New Players
In the long run, any cooperative game is only as good as the
cooperation between players. Even with rules loopholes
closed, disagreements will still arise on occasion. For this
reason, I strongly advocate screening potential
players/referees to get a feel for whether they are socially
compatible with the group (this can obviously be waived for
existing long-term friends). I use the following guidelines:
Neutral, non-game setting (go out to lunch or for a pint of
beer).
General conversation rather than game-focused.
Existing players all invited, but not required to participate.
If at the end of the meeting, the existing players feel the
new candidate doesn’t “click” socially with them, no invitation
need be extended. This screening process can of course be
waived in the case of existing friendships, but for unknown
people, I have found it to be an invaluable tool.
Variations in the Core
Rules
Actions
Attacks of Opportunity and Immediate Actions: In these
rules, an attack of opportunity is specifically defined as an
immediate action. Any time these rules refer to making an
attack of opportunity, doing so requires spending an
immediate action. Preemptive actions (see Combat rules,
below) and Aiding Another (likewise) also require spending
immediate actions. Because of the importance of immediate
actions in combat, the number of immediate actions you can
make during one round of combat automatically scales with
your base attack bonus, as follows:
Base Attack Number of Immediate Actions per Round of
Bonus Combat
+0 None
+1 to +5 1
+6 to +10 2
+11 to +15 3
+16 or higher 4
Immediate actions are still subject to the normal triggering
conditions, and are limited to one immediate action per
trigger
Economy of Action―Robbing Peter to Pay Paul: There
are a number of instances in the core Pathfinder rules that
require a character to “borrow” against the next round’s
actions. The most prevalent example involves taking an
immediate action, which counts as a swift action the next
round. Another example is the Step Up feat as written in the
Pathfinder rules, which counts as the next round’s 5-ft. step.
These sorts of Faustian bargains disproportionately inhibit
martial characters, and are therefore abolished in these
house rules. Unless otherwise noted, actions from a future
round do not need to be “borrowed against” in order to take
actions in the current round.
Losing a Turn (Game Play Etiquette): During combat, if
for some reason a player cannot decide upon a course of
action within a reasonable period of time on his or her turn,
that PC is automatically dazed until the beginning of his or
her next turn (even if normally immune to effects that cause
the dazing condition). There is no saving throw and no appeal,
but the referee will always announce “last call” before
invoking this penalty.
Bonuses and Random Number
Generation
Stacking of bonuses can get fairly extreme in the core rules,
to the point at which the accumulated bonuses swamp the
base d20 being rolled. These rules do not eliminate that
problem by a long shot, but do attempt to ameliorate it in
certain areas.
Bonus Types: “Typeless” bonuses are abolished. All bonuses There are several ways to implement and keep track of
have a type, and very few bonus types (Circumstance and this: (1) calculate effective bonuses on the fly (for people who
Dodge) stack with like-named bonuses. If you come across an are adept at mental arithmetic); (2) keep a table of effective
untyped bonus, assign it a type that fits from the following bonuses like the one above handy, perhaps by reproducing it
list: Alchemical, Armor, Circumstance, Competence, on character sheets; (3) convert everything (bonuses and
Cover/Shield (considered the same bonus type), Deflection, DCs) in advance, and halve conditional bonuses/penalties.
Dodge, Enhancement, Insight, Luck, Morale, Natural Armor, Groups choosing not to use this rule can play using the
Racial, Resistance (specifically considered a type of Core rules with no impact, except for the imbalances
enhancement bonus in these rules; the name is retained from currently present in high-level play. Groups choosing to
the core rules to make cross-references simpler), implement this rule will find that almost-certain successes
Sacred/Profane, and Size. and failures become somewhat less certain, but that there are
Compensation: As noted above, a certain amount of “rock- still hard limits to what a person can succeed or fail at.
paper-scissors” is intentionally introduced in these rules. For Saving Throws: Saving throw progression has been
example, feats and talents have been added that allow an evened out somewhat, with no “poor” progression.
attacker to ignore armor bonuses, deflection bonuses, etc. to Spells and Magic Items: Spells that improve skill checks
AC. To compensate, more ways to bolster AC (Canny always provide enhancement bonuses, and in general, when
Defense, etc.) are added. In general, for each way to drive up a arcane spells directly grant bonuses, those too should be
bonus to a very high level, there is (or at least should be) a enhancement bonuses. An exception is for bard spells, which
way to compensate. all provide morale bonuses. Magic items typically provide
Diminishing Returns: Using this optional rule, all bonuses enhancement bonuses as well (at a greater cost than listed in
and penalties to any one particular d20 roll (AC, attack bonus, the core rules―see Chapter 6). Therefore, guidance,
skill check, saving throw, etc.) are calculated normally up to invisibility, and a cloak of elvenkind no longer provide
± 5. Any total combined bonuses and/or penalties after that stacking bonuses to Stealth, for example.
are cut in half, according to the following table. Shield Bonuses: Do not apply to your flat-footed AC.
Total Bonus Effective Bonus Total Bonus Effective Bonus
Critical Failure
+1 +1 +21 +13
Note: This optional rule applies only to skill checks with non-
+2 +2 +22 +13 fatal consequences for failure, in situations in which the
+3 +3 +23 +14 character would not normally be on “full alert.” It should
never be used in combat or other potentially lethal situations.
+4 +4 +24 +14 In other words, it can be used (with player agreement) to
+5 +5 +25 +15 liven up otherwise mundane proceedings, but should never
+6 +5 +26 +15 result in a life-threatening fall, for example.
On a natural “1” on such a skill check (assuming the task
+7 +6 +27 +16 would normally fail on a 1), rather than the task simply
+8 +6 +28 +16 failing, some major blunder is committed in the process. For
example, a character arrives in a shady bar to meet with an
+9 +7 +29 +17 informant; unbeknownst to the player, there is a bad guy
+10 +7 +30 +17 lurking there, too. The player rolls vs. Perception to notice;
+11 +8 +31 +18 failure indicates that he fails to spot the bad guy. Total Failure
results, on the other hand, might mean that the character
+12 +8 +32 +18 doesn't even spot the informant (who might have stepped out
+13 +9 +33 +19 for a moment) and thus blows the whole meeting.
A natural 1 also threatens a critical failure. Roll a second
+14 +9 +34 +19 check. If this one fails, the Total Failure is even worse. The
+15 +10 +35 +20 referee should then manipulate the situation disastrously for
+16 +10 +36 +20 the character. In the example above, if the character rolled a
critical failure for the Perception check, then not only would
+17 +11 +37 +20 he fail to spot the bad guy AND the informant, but he would
+18 +11 +38 +20 fail to notice that his wallet has just been lifted, and that a
+19 +12 +39 +20
gang of kids outside is engaged in stealing his car.
+20 +12 (etc.) +20 Critical Success
No effective bonus can ever be higher than +20. To On the other end of the spectrum from Critical Failures (see
compensate, DCs above 15 are treated similarly, and no DC above) are critical successes. In this option, skill checks with
(or AC, CMD, etc.) can ever be higher than 30. a DC higher than (10 + the character’s sill modifier) that
succeed with a natural 20 should also be played up to be
more awesome than regular successes. This can be done in
terms of story bonuses; mechanically, it might mean treating
the results as 10 higher than is actually the case.
Hero Points
Hero Points are a concept stolen from Victory Games' James
Bond 007 rules (and which also appear―often under the
name of “Action Points”―in any number of other sources,
including Unearthed Arcana, Trailblazer, and the Pathfinder
Advanced Players Guide). Hero points provide considerable
narrative control to the players, as an alternative to referee
“fudging.”
Spending Hero Points: Spending a hero point can be
done at any time, even if it is not your turn, and does not
require an action on your part. In game terms, one hero point
can have any of the following standard effects:
Add 1d6 + your Charisma modifier as a circumstance
bonus to any one d20 roll or damage roll. This amount
increases to 2d6 + Cha mod at 6^th^ level, 3d6 + Cha mod
at 11th level, and 4d6 + Cha mod at 16th level and above.
Allow you to completely re-roll one die roll, or force an
opponent to do the same.
Allow you to immediately take a single 5-ft. step, move
action, or single iterative attack.
Allow you to disregard the effects of fatigue or exhaustion
for a single encounter.
Cause an attack or spell targeting an ally to target you
instead (by “getting in the way”).
Change the result of a d20 roll to a “10” (as if the
character had Taken 10, but without any of the limitations
of that mechanic).
Convert a critical hit against you to a normal hit;
Provide an additional 1d6 rounds of use of a “rounds per
day” ability such as Rage or Bardic Inspiration, or an
additional use of a 1/day ability.
If referee and players can all agree on particulars, then
hero points can also be used to cause remote but non-
quantifiable possibilities to become likelihood or even
certainty. For example, a hero point might allow a player to
"remember" that his character bought potions of cure light
wounds at the end of the last adventure (even though the
player himself forgot all about the need to restock). The more
reasonable the scenario, the fewer hero points would be
required; less likely coincidences ("What are the chances that
somebody recently lost a \$100 bill near here?") should
require a larger outlay. Judgment and compromise are often
necessary here.
Left for Dead: When you would otherwise be killed by hit
point damage, you may spend two (2) hero points to avoid
being killed outright. You are instead “left for dead.” A
character who is left for dead appears dead to a casual
examination, though he still has a chance of recovering. If
within 1 hour you are healed to a total number of hit points
high enough to leave you dying rather than dead, you are
considered to be stable. If not healed, you must make a
Fortitude saving throw to stabilize at that time. If it fails, you
die, whether or not you have any hero points left.
Regaining Hero Points: Each hero point can only be spent
only once. With the exception of special bonus hero points
awarded to certain classes (e.g., fighters and rogues), hero
points are not automatically regained upon resting, nor upon
gaining a level. However, additional hero points can be
accrued in a number of ways, as described below.
Accumulating Hero Points: An unlimited number of hero
points can be accumulated.
Each player character begins play with one hero point.
Tough adventures will start with a bonus hero point being
awarded to each PC at the start of the adventure, to help
ensure survival—the rationale being that the characters
are aware a difficult task lies ahead, and are keyed up for
it.
Successful completion of a major adventure or long-term
goal (fraught with peril and otherwise heroic; not “I finally
wallpapered the house”) results in the gain of 1 hero point.
Finally, particularly heroic deeds or awesome
outcomes―ones that cause the entire table to break out in
spontaneous heartfelt cheering― might result in a hero
point award. Successful execution of a particularly
cunning or daring plan might likewise provide 1 hero
point.
Opposed Checks
In the event that two checks are made in opposition to one
another (for example, a Perception roll to notice a person
using Stealth to sneak up on you), then there are two basic
means of resolution:
1. Standard opposed checks, as in D&D 3.5, with the higher
results winning.
2. Bidding War: This method can be used for contests in
which one party is determined to outdo the another and is
willing to take risks to force the issue. The declaring party
can state a higher check DC and some set of consequences
that could logically result from failure. Such consequences
might scale all the way up to significant damage (say, 1d6 per
point by which the DC is missed) in situations like car chases.
The opposing party then has three options: (a) give up,
without any consequences greater than normal for the
opposed check; (b) "call," whereupon both parties roll against
that DC, with the stated consequences to each for failure; or
(c) "raise" by declaring a higher DC and worse set of
consequences (generally done only if the initial party was
bluffed into the bidding war to begin with). Raising can go
back and forth until someone gives up or calls.
Once both parties roll, the higher successful results (if any)
win, but any results that do not meet the final DC indicate
failure, with the associated consequences.
Examples of when this method is used: chases (for damage
upon failure); music competitions between two musicians (for
penalties to Diplomacy and Streetwise against all onlookers
in the future), or any analogous situation; any situations
involving two similar or identical checks being made (two
guys attempting to seduce the same girl, etc.). A comedic
example is the progressively more outrageous attempts made
by Michael Caine's and Steve Martin's characters to con the
girl, in the film Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, with consequences
like loss of money, potential relocation or delay (as by the
sailors), and damage (caning Steve Martin).
A hero point may be awarded in the case of winning a
particularly egregious bidding war.
Combat
Aid Another and Flanking
In melee combat, you can help a friend attack or defend by
distracting or interfering with an opponent. If an opponent
that is engaging an ally in melee combat is within your reach,
you can attempt to aid your ally by spending an immediate
action, granting the ally either a +2 circumstance bonus on
attack rolls against that opponent or a +2 circumstance
bonus to AC against that opponent (your choice) until the
beginning of your next turn. You must declare your intent
before the attack is made.
Unlike most bonus types, circumstance bonuses stack.
However, when multiple creatures Aid Another for the same
ally, each additional such creature after the first increases the
total bonus by only +1, rather than +2. If eight kobold warriors
surround a lone hero, for example, and all Aid Another for the
leader, the leader attacks with a +8 bonus (+2 for the first Aid
Another, +1 for each of six additional aids).
This change effectively supersedes the Core flanking rules.
Instead of needing to be exactly opposite one other ally to
flank, instead you need merely both be in reach, and use Aid
Another to each other’s attacks. The added flexibility is made
up for by the action cost. Note that a character with access to
more than one immediate action (see above) can Aid Another
for more than one ally at a time, by spending additional
immediate actions.
Battle Fatigue
First: Fatigue and exhaustion affect mental stats, not just
physical ones (see Conditions, below). This is true in life, and
should be true in the game as well in order to make the
mechanics run more smoothly and to preserve some
semblance of balance.
The optional rule outlined below is a two-edged sword: it
allows accumulated hit point damage to hinder combat
effectiveness. This tends to slightly improve the overall
effectiveness of melee and of evocation spells, vis-à-vis
battlefield-control spells. However, it also inhibits “Die Hard”
scenarios for PCs, by presenting them with penalties for
wounds.
Light Wound: When using this rule, loss of half of a
character’s normal (full) hp is considered a light wound. Upon
incurring a light wound, any living creature with a discernable
anatomy is unable to take a 5-ft. step for the remainder of that
round. Thereafter, lightly wounded creatures are fatigued,
suffering a –1 fatigue penalty to attacks, damage, AC, saves,
and all checks (including concentration checks) and to the
save DC of spells, spell-like abilities, and supernatural
abilities. This flat penalty is to simplify applying the effects of
the normal –2 attribute penalties for fatigue, and also serves
to inconvenience casters as much as it does warriors.
Heavy Wound: At one-fourth his or her normal total hp, a
character is heavily wounded (and also must succeed at a DC
20 Fort or be dazed 1 round) and exhausted, suffering a –3
fatigue penalty to attacks, damage, AC, saves, and all checks
(including concentration checks), and to the save DCs of
spells, spell-like abilities, and supernatural abilities. Again,
this simplifies the effects of the –6 attribute penalties. A
creature incurring a heavy wound is unable to take a 5-ft. step
for the remainder of that round.
Note: Barbarians are immune to the effects of fatigue
while raging. Fighters and rangers gain resistance to fatigue
as a class feature. Some paladins can cure fatigue or even
exhaustion using the “mercy” mechanic in the final
Pathfinder rules. Characters with exceptional ranks in
Endurance might be able to ignore some of these penalties;
see the Endurance skill for details.
Combat Maneuvers
The unified CMB mechanic presented in the Pathfinder RPG
rules is retained, and is broadened somewhat to include
situational maneuvers not specifically listed (for example,
pulling someone’s jacket down over his arms to inhibit him
from attacking for 1 round). CMB is equal to your BAB + your
Strength modifier + your size modifier, as in the core rules.
CMD is equal to 10 + CMB + the following AC modifiers (if
applicable): dexterity, dodge, luck, morale, and penalties due
to blindness, fatigue, etc. If you lose one or more applicable
bonuses to AC (e.g., when flat-footed), you lose those bonuses
to CMD as well. The following bonuses to AC are specifically
not included: armor, armor training, deflection, enhancement,
insight, natural armor, shield.
Types of Maneuvers: For ease of characterizing them,
combat maneuvers can be divided into four broad types:
Forcing Maneuvers (including the bull rush, overrun, etc.);
Tricky Maneuvers (including Feint); Weapon Maneuvers
(including disarm, and sunder); and Wrestling Maneuvers
(including grapple and trip). Maneuvers not included in the
core rules are also possible; the maneuvers described here
are not meant to represent every possible maneuver; rather,
they provide a list of common options. New maneuvers can
be created by player and referee agreement.
Forcing Maneuvers: In addition to the standard bull rush
and overrun maneuvers, forcing maneuvers can be used to
check opponents (stopping them from moving past you), to
deflect charging opponents, and to otherwise reposition
opponents around the battlefield.
Check: Any time someone moves past an area you can
reach, you can attempt to stop that creature in its tracks
(its movement ends, and any remaining movement for the
round is lost rather than beingheld as a preemptive
action). Checking an opponent is an attack action, made by
spending an attack of opportunity or a Preemptive Action
(q.v.). Checking provokes an attack of opportunity unless
you have the Improved Bull Rush feat (q.v.). This maneuver
supersedes the “Stand Still” feat in the final Pathfinder
rules.
Counter Charge: If you have one attack remaining as a held
action (see Preemptive Actions, below), you can use it to
perform a forcing maneuver against any creature that
charges you. If successful, the charging opponent
automatically misses you. For every 5 points by which you
beat the charging opponent’s CMD, you can cause him to
move 5 ft. past you (either straight past or diagonally, at
your option). This maneuver supersedes the Swordsage
counter of the same name, from the Tome of Battle.
Reposition: You can attempt to reposition a foe to a different
location as a standard action. You can only reposition an
opponent that is no more than one size category larger
than you. A reposition attempts to force a foe to move to a
different position in relation to your location without doing
any harm. If you do not have the Improved Bull Rush feat
or a similar ability, attempting to reposition a foe provokes
an attack of opportunity from the target of your maneuver.
If your attack is successful, you may move your target 5 feet
to a new location. For every 5 by which your attack exceeds
your opponent’s CMD, you can move the target an
additional 5 feet. The target must remain within your reach
at all times during this movement, except for the final 5 feet
of movement, which can be to a space adjacent to your
reach. An enemy being moved by a reposition does not
provoke an attack of opportunity because of the movement
unless you possess the Improved Bull Rush feat and BAB
+11 or greater. You cannot move a creature into a square
that is occupied by a solid object or obstacle. Source:
Pathfinder Advanced Player’s Guide.
Clever Positioning: When using the Reposition maneuver
(above), instead of moving the opponent a set number of
spaces, you can simply choose to switch places with him or
her. Both you and the target must be able to move into and
legally occupy the new space in order for this feat to
function. For example, an incorporeal character inside a
solid object couldn't exchange places with a corporeal
character, nor could a non-flying creature exchange places
with an airborne flying creature. This subsumes the Clever
Opportunist feat from Drow of the Underdark, and also the
clever positioning maneuver from the Tome of Battle.
Tricky Maneuvers: These include the Feint maneuver, and
also the following.
Dirty Trick: As a standard action you might use some dirty
trick to inflict a condition upon an opponent, as described
in the Pathfinder Advanced Player’s Guide. Examples
include kicking sand into an opponent’s face to blind him,
pulling down an enemy’s pants to halve his speed, or
hitting a foe in a sensitive spot to make him sickened for a
round. If your attack is successful, the target takes a
penalty. The penalty is limited to one of the following
conditions: blinded, deafened, entangled, shaken, or
sickened. This condition lasts for 1 round. For every 5 by
which your attack exceeds your opponent’s CMD, the
condition lasts 1 additional round. This condition can
usually be removed if the target spends a move action. If
you possess the Improved Feint feat, the penalty lasts for
1d4 rounds, plus 1 round for every 5 by which your attack
exceeds your opponent’s CMD. In addition, removing the
condition requires the target to spend a standard action. If
you do not have the Improved Feint feat or a similar ability,
attempting a dirty trick provokes an attack of opportunity
from the target of your maneuver.
Interrupt Action: In place of a held attack, you can attempt
to interfere with an enemy’s actions—knocking aside his
hand as he completes a spellcasting gesture, or whatever.
Make a combat (tricky) maneuver check against any
opponent within 30 ft. If the result exceeds the opponent’s
CMD, the opponent’s action is wasted (spells, magic item
charges, or daily uses are lost harmlessly).
Weapon Maneuvers: In addition to disarming and
sundering, the bind maneuver (from Art of the Duel, Sinister
Adventures LLC, and later included the Pathfinder Campaign
Setting) is also included.
Bind: As a melee attack, you can perform a combat
maneuver to attempt to bind your opponent’s weapon. A
bound weapon cannot be used to make attacks. A bound
weapon can be wrenched free with a successful opposed
maneuver check, or can be dropped as a free action. If
your opponent does not free or drop his weapon he does
not threaten an area and cannot move. While binding your
opponent, you suffer the same limitations, except you may
end the bind as a free action and make an attack of
opportunity against that opponent as an immediate action.
If you use this attack of opportunity to attempt to disarm
your opponent or sunder the bound weapon, you do not
provoke an attack of opportunity in turn, and you get a +4
bonus on the CMB roll and the damage roll.
Wrestling Maneuvers:
Grapple: Grappling works normally as per the Pathfinder
core rules, except that if your base attack bonus is +6 or
higher, instead of damaging, moving, or pinning a grappled
opponent, you can instead use the victim as cover against
a single attack. If the attack misses you, that attack targets
the creature you used as cover, using the same attack roll.
You cannot use this ability against a creature grappling
you, and the cover you gain ends after the attack you
gained cover against is resolved. This supersedes the
Body Shield feat from Ultimate Combat.
 Unbalance: Instead of tripping an opponent to the ground,
you can instead choose to merely knock the target off-
balance. An off-balance opponent loses his Dexterity
bonus to AC for 1 round. (This maneuver supersedes the
Unbalancing Strike feat from Oriental Adventures.)
Nonstandard Maneuvers: In some cases, a character may
attempt a maneuver that mechanically duplicates an existing
maneuver, but uses a different feat or mechanism. For
example, a character might attempt to force a fencing
opponent back using dazzling swordplay, rather than brute
force. Treat this as a Bull Rush maneuver, but allow Improved
Weapon Maneuvers to apply, rather than Improved Bull Rush.
All attempts need to be provided with a halfway reasonable
rationale by the player, and be approved by the referee.
Conditions
In order add interest to combat by shifting the focus away
from simple full attacks, a variety of Strike feats (Chapter 5)
have been created that allow single attacks to apply
conditions to the target in addition to hit point damage. As a
counterbalance, there are a number of class features
(barbarian rage, monk’s sutras, paladin’s mercy, etc.) that
allow for the amelioration or removal of certain conditions.
Given the importance of conditions in combat, an attempt
was made to establish a coherent framework and
terminology.
Condition Severity: Conditions are rated in terms of
severity: a minor condition is one that applies only a small
penalty, and can often be applied by a combatant with a base
attack bonus of +1, or by a 1^st^ level spell. Severity scales
from there to moderate (BAB +6 or 3^rd^ level spell), severe
(BAB +11 or 5^th^ level spell), and critical (BAB +16 or 7^th^
level spell). For example, a barbarian in a lesser rage is
temporarily unaffected by the entangled, fatigued, flat-footed,
shaken, and sickened conditions; in the text, these can now
all simply be described as “minor conditions,” rather than
listing them all each time.
The base attack bonus and spell level guidelines given for
each severity level are for basic comparison purposes only
and should not be taken for hard and fast rules. In many
cases, momentary conditions (lasting only 1 round) can be
applied at lower base attack bonuses/spell levels than the
ones shown, for example.
Descriptors: Conditions of escalating severity that form
logical chains (e.g., shaken, frightened, panicked, and
cowering) for the most part are given like descriptors in order
to make their relationships clear. Common descriptors, and a
list of the conditions of escalating severity associated with
them, are listed below.
[Affliction]: Afflictions include disease, nausea, poisons,
and so on: conditions that target Fortitude saves and are
generally non-magical. The chain of affliction conditions
includes the following; others that fall outside a chain are
listed below.
Minor: Sickened (–2 on all attacks, damage, saves, and
checks).
Severe: Nauseated (unable to attack, cast spells,
concentrate on spells, or do anything else requiring
attention; the only action such a character can take is a
single move action per turn).
[Debilitation]: Debilitating conditions target the victim’s
attribute scores.
Minor: Fatigued (–2 to all attributes (treat as -1 to all rolls
for the sake of simplicity); cannot run or charge). Doing
anything that would normally cause fatigue causes the
fatigued character to become exhausted. After 8 hours of
complete rest, fatigued characters are no longer fatigued.
Moderate: Exhausted (-6 to all attributes (treat as -3 to all
rolls); move at half speed; cannot run or charge). After 1
hour of complete rest, an exhausted character becomes
fatigued. A fatigued character becomes exhausted by
doing something else that would normally cause fatigue.
Severe: Attribute damaged.
Critical: Attribute drained.
[Fear]: Conditions resulting from fear are spelled out as a
coherent chain in the Core rules, as follows:
Minor: Shaken (-2 to attacks, saves, and checks).
Moderate: Frightened. A frightened creature flees from the
source of its fear as best it can. If unable to flee, it may
fight. A frightened creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack
rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. A
frightened creature can use special abilities, including
spells, to flee; indeed, the creature must use such means if
they are the only way to escape. Frightened is like shaken,
except that the creature must flee if possible. Panicked is
a more extreme state of fear.
Severe: Panicked. A panicked creature must drop anything
it holds and flee at top speed from the source of its fear, as
well as any other dangers it encounters, along a random
path. It can't take any other actions. In addition, the
creature takes a –2 penalty on all saving throws, skill
checks, and ability checks. If cornered, a panicked
creature cowers and does not attack, typically using the
total defense action in combat. A panicked creature can
use special abilities, including spells, to flee; indeed, the
creature must use such means if they are the only way to
escape.
Critical: Cowering (the character is frozen in fear and can
take no actions). A cowering character takes a –2 penalty
to Armor Class and loses his Dexterity bonus (if any).
[Inertia]: These conditions result from interference with the
victim’s ability to respond to actions taking place around him
or her.
Minor: Flat-Footed. A character who has not yet acted
during a combat is flat-footed, unable to react normally to
the situation. A flat-footed character loses his Dexterity
bonus to AC (if any) and cannot make attacks of
opportunity or take other immediate actions.
Moderate: Staggered. A staggered creature may take a
single move action or standard action each round (but not
both, nor can he take full-round actions). A staggered
creature can still take free, swift and immediate actions. A
creature with nonlethal damage exactly equal to its
current hit points gains the staggered condition.
Severe: Dazed (unable to act normally). A dazed creature
can take no actions, but has no penalty to AC. A dazed
condition typically lasts 1 round.
Critical: Stunned. A stunned creature drops everything
held, can't take actions, takes a –2 penalty to AC, and loses
its Dexterity bonus to AC (if any).
[Restraint]: Conditions interfering with the victim’s ability
to move are grouped under this descriptor. Note that the slow
spell applies a severe condition essentially combining the
effects of entangled and staggered.
Minor: Entangled (moves at half speed, cannot run or
charge, and takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and a –4
penalty to Dexterity). An entangled character who
attempts to cast a spell must make a Concentration check
or lose the spell.
Moderate: Grappled (cannot move; –4 penalty to
Dexterity). A grappled creature takes a –2 penalty on all
attack rolls and combat maneuver checks, except those
made to grapple or escape a grapple. In addition, grappled
creatures can take no action that requires two hands to
perform. A grappled character who attempts to cast a
spell or use a spell-like ability must make a Concentration
check or lose the spell. Grappled creatures cannot make
attacks of opportunity.
Severe: Pinned. A pinned creature cannot move and is
denied its Dexterity bonus.. A pinned character also takes
an additional –4 penalty to his Armor Class. A pinned
creature is limited in the actions that it can take. A pinned
creature can always attempt to free itself, usually through
a combat maneuver check or Escape Artist check. A
pinned creature can take verbal and mental actions, but
cannot cast any spells that require a somatic or material
component. A pinned character who attempts to cast a
spell or use a spell-like ability must make a Concentration
check or lose the spell. Pinned is a more severe version of
grappled, and their effects do not stack.
Critical: Paralyzed (frozen in place and unable to move or
act). A paralyzed character has effective Dexterity and
Strength scores of 0 and is helpless, but can take purely
mental actions. A winged creature flying in the air at the
time that it becomes paralyzed cannot flap its wings and
falls. A paralyzed swimmer can't swim and may drown. A
creature can move through a space occupied by a
paralyzed creature—ally or not. Each square occupied by
a paralyzed creature, however, counts as 2 squares to
move through.
[Sensory]: These conditions interfere with the victim’s
ability to perceive the world around him or her. Visual
[sensory] conditions form something of a chain:
Minor: Dazzled. The -1 to attacks and Perception rolls
cited in the Core rules is so minor as to be hardly worth
tracking; instead, the dazzled condition now applies partial
concealment (20% miss chance) to everything the afflicted
creature sees. In addition, the penalty to Perception
checks is increased to -4.
Severe: Blinded. The creature cannot see. It takes a –2
penalty to AC, loses its Dex bonus to AC (if any), and takes
a –4 penalty on physical skill checks and on opposed
Perception skill checks. All checks and activities that rely
on vision (such as reading and Perception checks based
on sight) automatically fail. All opponents are considered
to have total concealment (50% miss chance) against the
blinded character. Blind creatures must make a DC 10
Acrobatics skill check to move faster than half speed.
Creatures that fail this check fall prone.
Critical: Senseless (blinded and deafened; cannot smell or
taste; has no tactile awareness). A senseless creature
cannot use special senses such as blindsight, scent, and
tremorsense, and has no sense of balance (falls prone). It
is helpless and cannot take actions.
Other: A number of other conditions not neatly fitting into
chains are listed here by severity; descriptors are shown in
brackets.
Minor: Attribute penalized [debilitation] (e.g., from a ray of
enfeeblement spell), sickened [affliction].
Moderate: Charmed [mind-affecting]; deafened [sensory];
diseased [affliction].
Severe: Confused [mind-affecting]; energy drained [death];
fascinated; poisoned [affliction].
Critical: Dominated [mind-affecting]; feebleminded
[debilitation]; insane [mind-affecting]; petrified;
unconscious.
Defensive Fighting Iterative Attacks
You can fight defensively, gaining a +1 dodge bonus to AC, +1 As shown on the class progression tables, the iterative attack
per 4 points of your BAB (to a maximum bonus of +6 at BAB penalty is capped at –5. For example, a 16^th^ level ranger
+20). You take a –2 penalty to your attack rolls for every +1 to would attack at +16/+11/+11/+11, not +16/+11/+6/+1 as in
AC; this applies to every attack you make during a round in the core rules. The Multiattack feat, applied to iterative
which you fight defensively (even attacks of opportunity). attacks rather than to natural attacks, reduces the penalty
Using the total defense option works similarly, except that from –5 to –2.
you give up your normal attacks for the round and instead
gain a +2 bonus to AC, +2 per 4 points of BAB (this requires a Miniatures FAQ
full attack action). You can make attacks of opportunity while In the home game, I do not use battlemats and miniatures
using total defense, but if you do so, the penalty to attacks is – except in the cases of combats involving large numbers of
2 per +2 bonus to AC. participants and/or complicated terrain. Note that this is a
The Combat Expertise feat (q.v.) now reduces the attack personal preference, not an ingrained feature of these house
penalties to half—it functions as an “Improved Defensive rules. For players who can’t imagine how things might work
Fighting” feat. The ratio of defense bonus to attack penalties without those tools, the following FAQs are provided.
can be further improved with the fighter’s Elaborate Defense How do I know if there’s a table, staircase, spittoon, or
talent (in effect, a “Greater Defensive Fighting” feat). whatever? For most combats, the setting will have been
Untrained briefly described, and other features reasonably expected to
Base Attack Attack Defensive Total
be present will be present if declared by the participants. For
Bonus Penalty Fighting Defense example, if a fight erupts in a restaurant or tavern, a player
can announce “I jump up on one of the tables and then leap
+1 to +3 a b c up and grab a hold of the chandelier.” Both tables and
+4 to +7 a b c chandeliers would reasonably be expected to be present, so it
is within the player’s scope of authority to use them (subject
+8 to +11 a b c to the usual skill checks for jumping about, of course). On the
+12 to +15 a b c other hand, less likely features, or features located in
+16 to +19 a b c precisely the place you want them in relation to the
combatants, might require expenditure of a Hero Point (see
+20 a b c above). For example, “I cut the rope so that the chandelier
directly over my opponents’ heads falls on them” requires a
Combat Expertise common feature, but located in a very specific place.
Base Attack Attack Defensive Total How do I know if I can move into flanking position, or run
Bonus Penalty Fighting Defense around the fountain, or whatever? Unless the setting as
+1 to +3 a b c described would otherwise prevent it (e.g., you’re in a narrow
corridor, or there are obstructions creating difficult terrain),
+4 to +7 a b c you can usually move anywhere your rate of movement
+8 to +11 a b c allows. Distances can be generalized as “adjacent” (within 5
+12 to +15 a b c
ft.), “within reach” (of weapon or attack with longer reach),
“within 20 ft.,” “within 30 ft.,” or whatever. Note that flanking
+16 to +19 a b c as been simplified in these rules (see Aid Another and
+20 a b c Flanking, above).
How do Attacks of Opportunity work? Moving out of an
Elaborate Defense** enemy’s threatened area provokes an attack of opportunity as
Base Attack Attack Defensive Total
normal. However, once inside an opponent’s threatened area,
Bonus Penalty Fighting Defense you need not track attacks of opportunity unless you leave
that area or do something else to provoke them. Doing things
+1 to +3 a b c like drinking potions or casting non-defensively still provokes
+4 to +7 a b c attacks of opportunity as normal (although a Sleight of Hand
check can sometimes ameliorate this, in the same way an
+8 to +11 a b c Acrobatics check can negate them for movement).
+12 to +15 a b c How do I know if my ally is in the way? If you have at least
+16 to +19 a b c 5 ft. of movement remaining, you can always choose to step
to the side of an adjacent ally to fire a missile past him or her.
+20 a b c If you have enough movement left to move around a nearby
ally, you can also choose to intentionally step in front of that
ally to interpose yourself between that ally and attackers (in
this manner, “tank” characters who retain some movement
for later use (see Preemptive Actions, below) can serve as
effective bodyguards without the need for some kind of
“taunt” mechanic.

Iterative Attacks
Monsters
The referee will need to make minor adjustments to existing
monsters in order to fit these rules. The easiest thing to do is
to simply swap out feats, and as a general rule this should
always be done, making sure that the rules in Chapter 5 for
feats are used (the Stamina Training feat and ranks in
Endurance is a favorite). Adding one or more class levels is
also a good way to increase the threat posed by a monster in
a way that is consistent with these rules. Other specific
adjustments are described below.
Attributes of 1: Creatures with attribute scores of 1 are
immune to the corresponding conditions (see Attribute
Scores and Modifiers, above).
3.5 Edition Attributes: A number of monsters, notably
animals (especially primates), griffins, etc., were
“downgraded” in Pathfinder, relative to their 3.5 edition stats
(in terms of Strength scores, total number of Hit Dice, and so
on). In these cases, it is recommended that the 3.5 edition
stats be retained.
Animal Intelligence: To reflect the large differences in
intelligence of real-world animals, creatures of the Animal
type can have intelligence scores higher than 2 and still be
unable to use humanoid languages (due to missing or
incompatible speech organs, etc.). Dogs might have Int scores
of 4; apes of 6; and dolphins of 10+, for example.
Breath Weapons: Creatures with breath weapons can use
the breath weapon in place of a bite attack with that head,
rather than as a standard action.
Constructs: Much in the way that undead in Pathfinder
were given d8 HD/medium BAB and Cha bonus to Fort and
hp, constructs in these rules also have d8 HD/medium HD,
and use their Strength scores in place of Constitution to
determine hp and Fort saves. This supersedes the arbitrary
size-based bonus hp constructs receive in PF. This
amendment, borrowed from Frank and K’s “Tomes” rules,
allows constructs to be difficult to destroy without increasing
their BAB; a strong but clumsy golem running amok is an
iconic image not modeled well by constructs with a full BAB
progression.
Giants: If you make these guys vulnerable to charm person
and hold person spells, as in the Pathfinder rules, they get a
lot less scary all of the sudden. I’d suggest not doing that.
Gore Attacks: Like spears, natural gore attacks should
have a x3 critical multiplier.
Iterative Attacks: Monsters whose only attack is a primary
natural attack (e.g., bite, slam) should either gain iterative
attacks per their base attack bonus, or else should be
assigned Vital Strike as a bonus feat.
Numen: Use the “minimum” (NPC gear) column in
Chapter 6 and assign magical bonuses and properties
accordingly, even to creatures that do not use items. For
example, there is no reason a winter wolf (CR 5; 3,450 gp
minimum) could not be given a +1 enhancement bonus to its
bite (2,000 numen) and a +1 resistance bonus to saves (1,000
numen).
Spell-Like Abilities: For monsters that get a mess of spell-
like abilities, consider using a racial suite (Chapter 7). This
will ensure that the abilities are level-appropriate, and will
keep them down to a manageable number.
Undead Spawn: There are two proposed rules keeping
undead spawn from overrunning the world; a combination of
the two is recommended. A referee should break these rules
only in the event of an epic campaign-destroying adventure
involving a zombie apocalypse or something similar.
Bound to Location: In this variant, spawn cannot stray
more than 100 ft, from where they were created. This is
appropriate for haunted grave sites and so on.
Bound to Master: Using this variant, no single undead can
have more spawn at one time than described under the
Command Undead feat (Chapter 5). This is especially
appropriate for vampires and the like.
Monsters and Expectations
The duel with the Hill Magician started with a dream, the
night after the Warlock's speech made that duel inevitable. It
ended thirty years later.
―Larry Niven, What Good is a Glass Dagger? (1972)
Even modifying monsters as outlined above, it should be
patently clear that a 3^rd^ level fighter with PC gear (CR 3)
will slaughter a single CR 3 ogre most of the time. This is
especially true in these rules—the fighter doesn’t necessarily
do more damage than in 3.5/PF, but the means by which he
can do it are pretty obvious to anyone, not just hardcore
optimizers. Then again, we should remember that, as a
fighter, that’s his job. Against an assassin vine (also CR 3), his
success is less certain, and the CR 3 shadow might make him
flee. The cleric doesn’t worry about the shadow, but the
assassin vine eats him for lunch. A 3^rd^ level wizard might
shut down the ogres, but within reach of them he can’t cast,
and gets smashed to a pulp.
A 10^th^ level fighter might be 50/50 against a CR 10
bebelith and probably loses against a CR 10 adult white
dragon, but a 10^th^ level fighter with a 10^th^ level wizard
supporting him demolishes a pair of either of them.
So what does all this actually mean?
Fighters will slaughter hordes of martial mooks at low
levels, without being too worried about being injured in the
process. That’s not necessarily a bad thing; the historical
Tokagawa Shogunate kept order by withholding arms and
martial training from peasants, so an armored guy with a
halfway decent sword and some rudimentary training (a
1^st^ level fighter) could easily keep order among twenty or a
hundred peasants. Likewise, an Aristocrat 1 (CR 1/3) with a
high-powered rifle can kill a CR 4 rhinoceros, because their
equipment disparity eclipses their combat disparity. But as
you level up, offenses scale faster than defense and
equipment, and magical save-or-lose effects come on line, and
gradually, the fighter starts to lose—unless he has a caster
friend buffing him and the enemy doesn’t, in which case he
kicks ass even more. Ideally, the caster equally needs the
fighter to keep the monsters from shutting down his
spellcasting and eating him—that’s why casting is a full
attack action, and why casting while threatened is more
difficult.
With that understanding, intelligent adversaries are NEVER
going to want to fight the party 4-on-1. At that point, the game
becomes more about tactics: whose buffing/martial combo
package outdoes the other side’s? And that leads us to the last
piece: if you know in advance what that package will be, or
can interfere with it, you win. And that means, ultimately, that
strategy is the key determining factor, especially at mid to
higher levels.
I envision a game in which a party that charges in against a
prepared foe gets wiped out. TPK. Sorry, guys. But if they
ruthlessly exploit their advantages and deny the enemy his
own, eventually they’ll tip the scales to the point where the
villain goes down like a chump.
Rolling dice for a straight-up fight is sometimes fun, and
the game supports that. But these rules, hopefully, also
support a Sun Tzu-style game in which the outcome is
decided before the fight even begins.
Parrying
If you have base attack bonus of at least +6, whenever you
take a full attack action, you can elect not to take one of your
attacks (as described under Preemptive Actions, below). At
any time before your next turn you can attempt to parry an
attack against you using the held attack. To parry the attack,
you make an attack roll, using the same bonuses as the attack
you chose to forego during your previous action. If your attack
roll is greater than the attack results of the attacking
creature, your opponent’s attack automatically misses.
For each size category the attacking creature is larger than
you, you take a –4 penalty on the roll. You also take a –4
penalty when attempting to parry an attack made against an
adjacent ally. You declare the use of this ability after the
attack is announced, but before the roll is made.
Precision Damage
A number of abilities, notably sneak attack, allow you to hit a
vital spot for extra damage, usually expressed as a number of
six-sided dice. This additional damage is called “precision
damage,” and follows the standard rules outlined here.
Unless otherwise noted, precision damage is of the same type
as the attack that delivered it. It does not multiply on a
critical.
Precision damage applies only against creatures with a
discernable anatomy; oozes and elementals are immune, and
the Fortification ability applies against it. You must be able to
see the target well enough to pick out a vital spot and must be
able to reach such a spot. Normally, you cannot deal precision
damage against opponents with concealment. The Blind-
Fight feat enables you to deal precision damage in melee
against opponents with concealment; the Precise Shot feat
allows you to deal ranged precision damage against
opponents with concealment, as detailed in the feat
description.
Normally, ranged attacks can count as sneak attacks only if
the target is within point blank range (normally 30 feet,
although the Point-Blank Shot feat can expand this range). As
a full attack action, you can make a single ranged sneak
attack at any range.
Unless otherwise noted, precision damage stacks.
Preemptive Actions
A combatant can choose to hold movement and/or attacks, to
his normal limit, for immediate use later in the round. For
example, a ranger with attacks +6/+1 could attack once at +6,
then choose to wait make an attack at +1 asd an immediate
action at any time before his next turn, even if his doing so
interrupts someone else’s turn. These rules supersede the
normal rules for Readied Actions and Delay.
Holding attacks and movement can be used in conjunction
with the tactical movement option described below. For
example, if the ranger above had a speed of 40 ft., he could
move 5 feet and attack at +6, then wait and later that round
move 15 more feat and attack again at +1, possibly saving an
ally.
Any attacks or movement not used before the end of the
round are lost. You are still limited to one immediate action
per round unless you have the Combat Reflexes feat (see
Actions, above).
Beating to the Punch: If two or more creatures attempt to
preempt one another with held actions, make a new initiative
check to determine who goes first in that particular exchange;
the loser must attempt to continue his stated action. Once the
series of preemptive actions ends, initiative returns to the
normal order.
Tactical Movement
A character can move up to half his or her speed and still
make a melee full attack that round (making a full ranged
attack still limits you to a 5-foot step). This movement can be
taken before, in between, or after attacks, or in any
combination thereof, but it must be made in at least 5-ft.
increments. For example, a character with Speed 30 ft. and
BAB +16 could attack once at +16, move ten feet, attack again
at +11, then move five more feet and attack again at +11.
Because this is normal movement, rather than a series of 5-ft.
steps, you still provoke attacks of opportunity for leaving a
threatened area.
If you are using Two-Weapon Fighting, you must take your
attacks in pairs (one primary, one off-hand) when possible,
unless you also have the Improved Two-Weapon Fighting feat.
An attack of opportunity can be traded for a 5-ft. step (this
supersedes the Evasive Reflexes feat from the Tome of
Battle).
Taking a Breather
Using this option from Monte Cook’s Collected Book of
Experimental Might (Malhavoc Press), once per encounter,
any character can take a full round action to rest, regroup,
and focus his or her thoughts. Taking a breather allows you to
do one of the following:
Heal lost hit points to an amount up to your character
level + your Constitution bonus;
Gain a morale bonus equal to +1, plus an additional +1 per
4 levels, to one attack or damage roll made during the next
round; or
Gain a +1 morale bonus to the save DC of one spell cast
the next round.

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Campaign Setting
T
his section provides a brief introduction to the
Aviona Campaign Setting, a homebrew world
in which the home game takes place. Note that
the house rules presented in the other
chapters can be used in other settings;
however, this setting is the “default” for these
rules, much as the World of Greyhawk is for
AD&D, and Golarion for the Pathfinder RPG. Selected
details are provided here, but even if you use this setting, try
not to get too hung up on details or “canon.” Rather, referees
and players are encouraged to work together to create a
unique campaign that all of them will enjoy equally.
The Kingdom of Aviona
The sky was a deep, dusky blue, and the same blueness
pervaded the air as if he rode under water, Grass grew long
and soft, with a silvery hue underlying its pale green; white
flowers starred the earth. Asphodels, Holger thought. Here
and there he saw bushes of white roses. Trees stood alone
and in copses, tall, slim, milky of bark, their leaves the color
of the grass. The slow wind blew through them with a tiny
ringing sound. A brook ran close by which did not tinkle but
played, an endless melody on an alien scale. ―Poul
Anderson,
Three Hearts and Three Lions (1953)
The Kingdom of Aviona is the primary area of play. It is a
culture of ancient, decadent elven aristocracy and their
halfling servants, with human immigration and intermarriage
increasingly common in the last few centuries as the pure
elven population wanes. Style-wise, it draws most heavily
from two or three sources; familiarity with some or all of
these is helpful, but in no way necessary:
Anderson, Poul. Three Hearts and Three Lions.
Brust, Steven. “Vlad Taltos” series.
Dumas, Alexandre (Père). The Three Musketeers, et al.
Aviona’s current monarch is Elcore I, a young, weak king
who in the past relied on his minister of state, the Chancellor
Palamis, to do most of the actual governing ― much to his
regret, as Palamis proved to be a demonic high priest who
nearly toppled the kingdom before he was unmasked. The
Queen, Elfreyja (“Ellie”), a half-elf, half-sirine, is beloved of the
elven nobles and believed by them to be the reincarnation of
the historical Queen Silmar the Good.
The sky in Aviona is a peculiar indigo color not seen in
most other places, indicative of a sorcerously-thick ozone
layer above (a boon to the fair-skinned high elven folk)―this
one of the attributes of the elven lands that makes human
visitors immediately aware that they have left the mortal
world behind.
The language spoken in Aviona is High Elvish, a language
distinct from the tongue of wood elves. Humans in Aviona
mostly speak this as a matter of survival, and most of them
speak Common as well. Halflings in Aviona speak Halfling
and High Elvish, and many speak Common.
The City of Hylore: Hylore is the capital of Aviona,
analogous to Dumas’ Paris. It is here that the Elvenking holds
court; duels in the streets are fought between the
swashbuckling, adventure-loving King’s Guard on the one
hand, and the plotting, scheming remnants of the sinister
Chancellor’s Battalion on the other. Sheraviel (played by Jess
Door), the former leader of the main PC adventuring party in
the campaign, was a young elf attached to the King’s Guard.
Hylore is also home to a human criminal mob enterprise, run
by the enigmatic “Mr. C”― Cadogan (a major PC played by
Derek) is a professional criminal in Mr. C’s organization.
South Province: West of Hylore extends a series of grassy
plains, woodlands, and mild coast, with farming, fishing, and
horses everywhere in evidence; the cities of Vayonnes (on the
coast) and Sovalles (in the farm and horse country) typify this
area. Also in evidence are scars from the Battle of the
Seladan Hills, in which the Marquis d’Ansac, who dared rebel
against the Crown, was put down.
The Andoor Mountains: North of Hylore is an old range of
mountains, now eroded and shrouded in forests. Similar to
the Appalachians of North America, the Andoor Mountains
are home to hillbillies, ogres, and forest gnomes. The
Corundum River Valley holds the cities of Rainville and
Chambard, centers of mining and metallurgy. Further upriver,
the mountains steepen, and the ancient demesnes of Ostfels
and Serraval (home to the elf-lord Fiachra, played by Derek)
can be found.
High Zothique Plain: Past the Andoor mountains is the
old, magic-haunted steppe of the Zothique Plain, home to
religious fanatics and other malcontents.
Western Aviona: Far to the west are the haunted Forest of
Trevallaine and the great Northern Forest, in which the last
traditional elven tree-city can be found—a historical oddity.
On the far western cape is the city of Oceanbrook, where
Count Golvring was lynched amidst the massive Hunger
Riots of 1463.
Island of Montour: This large island is the demesnes of
Marclore the Archimage, a powerful wizard who general
prohibits lesser spellcasters from overtly dominating the
politics of the setting (much like Murgen from Jack Vance’s
“Lyonesse” novels). The island is used by Marclore for
experiments involving the resurrection of dinosaurs as
species, for eventual use as a food source. As the Archimage
frowns upon visitors, he usually allows trespassers to be
eaten by his experiments.
Other Elven Grand Duchies
Balvora: The Duchy of Balvora was once a settled part of
Aviona. The western part (Cortland) is now largely marshes
and woods, with the low stone walls of former farms running
through them – all that remain to show that the area was
once inhabited. The eastern portion (Tellaria) is sparsely-
settled after the depredations of its last ruler, a vampire. To
the north the terrain becomes mountainous, terminating in
Baumergarth Pass, a direct route into Northwind (see below)
guarded by the impregnable Findach Keep.
The sky in Balvora cycles from twilit to starry; there is no full
daylight there. Farming is therefore poor, despite the richness
of the soil; the vinyards around the scattered keeps (including
the castle of Brut de Corbel and the manse of Rémy the
magician) rely on daylight spells.
The natural eastern border of Balvora is the Lake of Fallen
Stars, a huge crater lake formed millennia ago by the impact
of multiple meteors. On clear nights, the stars above the lake
and beneath it are reflected in the waters, and it is said that
anyone diving at the center will be destroyed by silver fire – or
emerge as a sorcerer, with powers derived from the fallen
stars.
Autrisch: The Grand Duchy of Autrisch has long been
affiliated with Aviona, but technically independent. The
western part features the scarecrow-haunted Pheasant Hills
and the drowned city of Antaalmoray; the eastern part is
mountainous, with the great City of Weimach sitting like
jewel on the Crystal River. Weimach is cosmopolitan, with
elves, humans from Northwind and Aramani, and even
Orientals from across the sea all living there. It is famous for
its banking and skiing, and for the Imperial Museum,
accessible by cable car.
The Estren Frontier
Across the Lake of Fallen Stars are the broad Estren
Territories, which owe something to James Fennimore
Cooper’s “Leatherstocking Tales” and to Robert E. Howard’s
“Beyond the Black River.” The forests of Estren are the last
strongholds of the Wood Elves―xenophobic near-savages
living in tribal villages, skirmishing with neighboring tribes
and beasts. The wood elves represent those elven folk who
rejected settling in cities, and who met human immigration
with violence. They especially hate “civilized” elves from
Aviona, whom they view as unnatural traitors to their race.
Their language, Wood Elf, is closer to the root elven tongue
than is the High Elvish spoken in Aviona (and the two have
diverged far enough to be treated as separate languages).
The Estren Territories are bounded to the east by the
impassible Elder Mountains. Beneath these snowy peaks is
the kingdom of the insular Mountain Dwarves; Agun (played
by Jeff) and Rim (played by Jerry “Silverhair”) were the first of
their race in centuries to emerge from beneath the mountains
to adventure in the surface world. Dwarven is the official
language of the Elder Mountains.
South Estren: Recent settlement by human farmers along
the eastern shores of the river and lake have been met by
raids, followed by reprisals, and have finally settled into an
uneasy truce after the extermination of the Blackbird Clan of
wood elves. For a time, South Estren was combined with
Autrisch and Balvora to form the “League of the Southeast,”
with the city of Kaisersburg as its capital; unfortunately,
Queen Käcia was imprisoned in a pore 45 miles beneath the
surface of the earth at the shore of Estren Lake during a
magical duel, leaving Autrisch and Balvora independent
again, and Estren largely ungoverned.
North Estren: The Estren Highlands are the home of the
hill dwarves, enemies of both elves and men, who have
largely turned to Sicilian-style banditry in response to human
incursions. Goblin and hobgoblin tribes are also numerous.
The main bastion of humans and elves here is Fenrift Keep
(the “Keep on the Borderlands”), where young, ambitious
soldiers from Aviona come to serve.
The Kingdom of Northwind
The Kingdom of Northwind
The Kingdom of Northwind was settled a millennium ago by
barbaric humans who crossed over the polar wastes. It now
boasts a relatively high level of civilization and a relatively
enlightened central government―a constitutional monarchy
under Abalore “The Axe,” a titular king who shares power
with an elected parliament. About 100 years before the
current campaign date, all of Northwind paid tribute to Talvar
I, the Napoleon-like elf-king of Aviona (and later “Emperor of
the Pinesvaald”). Northwind is fiercely proud of its current
independence, and has built large navies to maintain it in the
future. They are also famous merchant marines, sailing to
Aramni and even across the sea to the World of Greyhawk to
trade. Common is the official language of Northwind.
Baervania: This province, due north of Aviona, is largely
occupied by the alpine Griffin Peaks; the low northwest coast
receives abundant rain, and is known for logging and fur
trapping.
Arkavore: The great prairies of Arkavore county are known
as the “Breadbasket of the North.” Along the northern coast,
Northwind’s massive shipyards can be found.
Wilden: A rural province, mostly heath and marsh to the
south, with the northern reaches covered by swamp and
mixed birch and fir forest. Wilden is famous for gin,
crossbows, water fowl, and wild rice. The wizards from the
forested area are said to be among the most powerful in the
world.
Gunderland: A very cold, foggy, gloomy province,
apparently stuck in the Viking age. Savage orc tribes can also
be found here, as well as occasional hill and frost giants from
the north. Most of the human population is centered in the
port city of Northaven.
Foreign Kingdoms
Most of the hemisphere has been intentionally left undetailed,
so as to provide individual groups the opportunity to explore
(and create) new areas as the campaign progresses. Areas
already established as part of the campaign setting include
the following.
Aramni: To the east of Autrisch lies the human Kingdom of
Aramni, a nation of strict laws and secret police, in which
slavery is legal and worship of Asmodeus is the state religion.
Nevertheless, a triangle trade exists with Aramni, dominated
by unscrupulous Northwind traders: liquor (which is illegal in
Armani) is smuggled through the ports and sold in Balakash
(see below) for slaves, which are in turn sold in Aramni for
silver.
Aramni owes something in flavor to what Spain might have
become, if the Moorish occupation had been permanent and
had become totalitarian in nature. The official language is
Aramnic, which is distantly related to Mabrahoring (aka
“Infernal”); many of the people also speak Orc as well. Half-
orcs are more common as a part of mainstream society in
Aramni than they are elsewhere.
Bailakash: Far to the southeast, off the map beyond
Aramni, stretch the vast reaches of the Bailakash deserts,
including a Caliphate built with the aid of bound genies. This
is an Arabian Nights setting, the original homeland of Jazeed
(played by Jeff). The people of Bailakash speak Bailakish,
which is distantly related to Aquan, Auran, Ignan, and Terran.
Pentabrin Isles: Lying off the map to the southwest, the The primary unit of value in the campaign setting is the
Pentabrin Isles are where many of the natives of Aramni fled pound sterling―the value of a pound of silver. Due to the
when their nation was conquered by the followers of relative plentifulness of this metal in the setting, the relative
Asmodeus. These isles are now a haven of pirates and value of silver to gold is a modern 1:50, rather than the
buccaneers of Aramnic descent. historical 1:20 modeled in the 1^st^ edition D&D rules. The
D&D “gold piece,” weighing 1/50 of a pound, is therefore
The World of Greyhawk equivalent to 1 pound sterling.
If one sails west from Aviona or Northwind far enough, The pound sterling is traditionally represented in Aviona by
eventually the ship will reach the World of Greyhawk setting. the silver lunate (the “lunate d’argent”), a heavy coin stamped
The trip is long and dangerous, and only the most daring of with the image of a dragon turtle on the back; they are
Northwind mariners regularly brave it. More recently, therefore often called “dragon turtles” or “shellbacks.” The
Cadogan arranged for shipments of grain from Ulek to Silver Lunate is actually minted from palladium (which the
replace the harvests lost in Aviona during d’Ansac’s Rebellion. humans call “witch-silver”) rather than actual silver; the
The “Common Tongue” of this setting is Oeridian, which is neighboring human kingdoms will not touch these coins,
distinct from the Common spoken in Northwind. Various believing them to be cursed. In order to overcome this
other languages, including Sueloise and Bakluni, are spoken problem, Aviona also mints a gold coin called the livre,
here was well. equivalent to the gold piece in the core rules; the livre is now
used far more often than the silver lunate.
In general, all coins other than the silver lunate and the
Currencies flammonde (see below) are universally accepted, due to the
value of the metal in them. A table of currency conversions
for the various kingdoms is provided below (the Avionan sou
and the Northwind skilling, like the traditional English
shilling, weigh 1/20 pound, and are hence worth 1/20 of a
pound of silver, or 1/20 of a Pound Sterling). The Northwind
word “mark” indicates 1/50 of a pound in weight.
GP Equiv. 1^st^ Edition 3^rd^ Ed./ PF Aviona (Noble) Aviona (Common) Northwind Aramni
20 -- – Flammonde** – – –
10 – 1 pp – Pistole "Kraken" –
5 1 pp – – Écu "Blood Eagle" Presidente
1 1 gp 1 gp Lunate d’Argent* Livre Gold mark (Guilder) Doubloon
1/2 1 ep – – – Florin Ducat
1/8 – – – – Half-crown –
1/10 – 1 sp – – – Piastre ("Piece of 8")
1/20 1 sp – – Sou Skilling –
1/50 – – – – Silver mark (Thaler) –
1/80 – – – – – Reale
1/100 – 1 cp – – Pfennig –
1/200 1 cp – – Dennier Half-pence Maravedi

* The Avionan flammonde (“Fallen Star”) is another coin not
accepted outside of Aviona, Balvora, and Autrisch; it is a
heavy coin made from iridium (“elf-gold”), a metal found in
recoverable quantities only in the sediments at the bottom of
the Lake of Fallen Stars.
Religion
The campaign setting is almost schizophrenically
polytheistic.
Aviona: The elven pantheon, particularly Corellon
Larethian, is predominant here. Humans often pray to
Greyhawk gods, and when circles of concern overlap (as with
Hanali Celanil and Myhriss), the corresponding elven and
Greyhawk deities are often simply considered to be aspects of
the same entity. Many of the good- and neutral-aligned
Greyhawk deities have something of a unified church, with
bishops, cardinals, etc. The god Rao is presumed dead; he
has one temple, deserted, that sits on the shore of the Bay of
Arken (would-be paladins must kneel a week-long holy vigil
there).
Northwind: Worship of the Norse pantheon predominates
here, along with some of the Greyhawk gods.
Estren: Originally, the elven peoples followed a druidic
religion, worshipping trees, the night sky, and a few gods like
the Oak King (correlated with the elven god Rillifane
Ralathil). The wood elves of Estren still follow this practice.
The hill dwarves, goblins, and mountain dwarves all have
their own pantheons as well.
Aramni: Devil worship is the state religion, with each of
the nine provinces having a separate patron arch-devil.
Bailakash: Ancient noble genies and gods of all
descriptions are worshipped here; players selecting a
Golarion deity as a patron deity for their PC can simply
assume their god is worshipped in Bailakash as well, for the
sake of convenience.
Chapter 2: RACES
Some effort has been made to standardize races in terms
of powers and abilities. Accordingly, each basic race now
gains a net +2 to starting attribute scores, two racial feats,
two traits (each being equivalent to about half a feat), and
weapon familiarity. These numbers are not absolute; traits
that confer a net disadvantage (such as the gnomes’ small
size and slow speed), for example, might allow an additional
trait to compensate. In some cases, options are presented,
from which the character may choose. Unless otherwise
noted (as for gnomes and halflings), PC races are Medium
size.
More advanced racial abilities can be gained by taking
levels in a racial paragon class (modified from the 3.5 edition
System Reference Document). Paragon class entries follow
the primary race entry. In addition, half-races can be created
using the rules in Appendix A; a number of examples are
provided. Many of the racial feat and trait options presented
are from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Standard Races
Following are the common PC races for the world of Aviona.
Other races are allowable by referee permission and player
agreement. Elves and humans are listed first, out of
alphabetical order, because of their importance in the
campaign setting.
Elf, High
They were clad in colors that seemed luminous against the
twilight, crimson, gold, purple, green, but the hue of each
garment shimmered and flickered and changed from moment
to moment. Some wore chain mail or plate, argent metal
elaborately shaped and chased; others had robes and
coronets. They were a tall people, moving with a liquid grace
no human could rival, nor even a cat. A cold haughtiness
marked their features, which were of a strange cast, high
tilted cheekbones, winged nostrils, narrow chin. Their skin
was white, their long fine hair blue-silver, the men beardless.
―Poul Anderson,
Three Hearts and Three Lions (1953)
High elves are the dominant natives of Aviona. Long-lived,
arrogant, haughty, and egocentric, they are nonetheless
exceptionally polite among themselves and those they view as
equals, as they happily slaughter one another in duels over
the slightest provocation. The typical elf views him or herself
as a nascent godling, studies magic and swordplay to the
point of obsession, and ultimately seeks to gain enough
personal power to guarantee freedom and liberty for the
remainder of his or her long life.
In order to begin to understand the laws, customs, and
social structure of Aviona, it is imperative to remember that
we are dealing with a (relatively) recent human infusion into
an ancient, alien culture of fey origins. Elves are not simply
skinny, pointy-eared humans; despite the fact that they can
interbreed with mankind, their mind-set and social customs
in some cases inspire disbelief or even outright repugnance,
until one realizes that their morality (such as it is) is founded
upon totally different perceptions of the world in which they
live. Their conduct is governed by elaborate conventions that
are largely incomprehensible to others, and many of which
are idiosyncratic to each individual. Although they often “sin
by omission,” and happily allow others to be misled, outright
lying seems to constitute an admission of fallibility and is
never done.
Physical Description: Elves in Aviona average the same
height as humans, although with more variance (many are
only 5 feet; others are over six and a half); they are thin and
graceful; some metabolic irregularity prevents them from
gaining or losing too much weight except in cases of famine.
Musculature almost never adds perceptible bulk; elves
remain lean even after years of weightlifting. Avionan elves
lack the ridiculous bunny ears of their Golarion counterparts;
their ears are small, distinctly pointed, and lie flat against the
head. Their eyes are almond-shaped, with pupils often
unusually colored (indigo, amber, or grass green, for
example). They are pale-skinned, often with faint freckles, and
feel discomfort in direct sunlight except in Aviona and
Balvora, where the indigo sky’s exceptionally thick ozone
layer filters out most of the ultraviolet radiation.
Type: High elves are Humanoids [Civilized], and also have
the [Elf] subtype.
Languages: Elves begin play speaking Common and High
Elvish (as distinct from Wood Elf; the Aviona setting does not
have a single unified “Elven” language). Elves with high
Intelligence scores can choose from the following: Auran,
Celestial, Gnome, Goblin, Wood Elf, and Sylvan.
Typical Classes: Fighter, Wizard. Elf sorcerers and rogues
are also common. All high elves treat wizard as a favored
class, even if they select a different one at 1st level. High Elves
are eligible for the High Elf Paragon (“Daoine Sidhe”) class
described below, and always treat that as a favored class.
High elves view deities simply as beings very much like
themselves, and so are largely irreligious. Clerics among
them are more rare than they are among other races.
When gaining a level in a favored class, rather than gaining
+1 hp or 1 skill point, a high elf can instead choose one of the
following:
 Weapon Familiarity: High Elves have Martial proficiency
Bladesinger (Ex): Reduce your arcane spell failure with light blades and with the longsword. Those who have
chance for wearing armor by 1%. Martial proficiency with these weapons, as from a class
feature, also gain Exotic proficiency with one specific type
Critical Focus (Ex): You gain a +1 circumstance bonus on (e.g., the rapier). High elves dislike the touch of iron and steel,
critical hit confirmation rolls with the longsword, rapier, or and whenever possible prefer to use arms and armor made of
smallsword. You can gain this benefit multiple times; each mithral or glassteel (if they can afford it) or alchemical silver
time, select a different weapon, or increase an existing or bronze (if not).
confirmation bonus by +1 (to a maximum bonus of +4, at Racial Progression: Elves are eligible for the High Elf
which point you are considered to have the Critical Focus Paragon (Daoine Sidhe, pronounced something like ”Danny
feat with that weapon). This bonus does not stack with Shee”) class, allowing them to fully regain their otherworldly
that from the Critical Focus feat. heritage as Sidhe. With each level, an elf’s pupils grow less
distinct:
Eternal Grudge (Ex): You grew up in an elitist community He looked at her through the strange slant eyes of the
where generations-old slights and quarrels linger as elves, all cloudy-blue without whites or a readily-seen pupil.
eternal blood feuds. You gain a +1 favored enemy bonus There were little moon-flecks drifting in Imric’s eyes, and
(see ranger) against civilized humanoids other than high shadows of ancient knowledge, for he had dwelt long in the
elves, or improve this existing favored enemy bonus by an land. But he was ever youthful, with the broad forehead and
additional +1, to a maximum bonus equal to half your high cheekbones, the narrow jaw and straight thin-chiseled
character level +1 (as noted in Chapter 1). nose of the elf lords.
―Poul Anderson, The Broken Sword (1971 ed.)
Attribute Modifiers: +2 Dexterity, +2 Intelligence, –2
Constitution: Elves are nimble, both in body and mind, but
their forms are somewhat frail.
Racial Feats: Select any two of the following:
Dream Speaker (Sp): A few elves have the ability to tap
into the power of sleep, dreams, and prescient reverie. You
gain a +1 racial bonus to saving throw DCs for spells of
the Divination school and all sleep effects you cast. In
addition, if your Charisma is 15 or higher you may use
dream once per day as a spell-like ability. Source:
Advanced Player’s Guide.
Elven Immunities (Ex): You gain Arcane Defense
(enchantment) as a bonus feat, and additionally are
immune to magic sleep effects.
Elven Magic (Su): You gain Skill Focus (Concentration) or
Spell Penetration as a bonus feat.
Graceful Warrior (Ex): You gain Weapon Finesse as a
bonus feat.
Quicksilver (Ex): You gain Superior Initiative as a bonus
feat.
Racial Traits: High elves receive the following:
Keen Senses (Ex): Elves receive a +2 racial bonus on
Perception checks when not in bright light. They can use
Perception instead of Disable Device to detect secret
doors, and receive passive checks to notice secret or
concealed doors within 5 ft.
Light Sensitivity (Ex): Elves are dazzled in bright light or
within the radius of a daylight spell. Note that the indigo
sky in Aviona reduces sunlight from bright to normal light,
mitigating this weakness.
Low-Light Vision (Ex): Elves can see twice as far as
humans in conditions of dim light.
Other elves become so consumed with the building of
personal power that they turn to the service of demon lords
and become Dark Elves, or drow. Such elves are
sadomasochistic parodies of their former selves, but are also
filled with the dark power that consumed them. For PCs,
drow are treated as a 2-level paragon class for particularly
evil elves; there are no “good drow” (drow that somehow find
redemption would trade their drow levels for Daoine Sidhe
levels).
Very rarely, a high elf will retreat back to the forests,
reclaiming the ancestral elven way of life; such a character
can take levels in Lledrith Sidhe, despite not technically
being a wood elf, but must forsake city life forever.
Daoine Sidhe Hit Dice: d8
Level BAB Special
1st +0 Damage reduction, Sidhe magic
2nd +1 Arcane channeling, weapon training
3rd +2 Attribute boost
4th +3 Armored casting
5th +3 Elf-lord
Saving Throws: Daoine Sidhe gain a +2 class bonus to
Reflex and Will saves.
Bonus Skills: You receive 1 free rank per class level in
Concentration, Planar Sense, and Spellcraft; these are
otherwise treated as class skills.
Class Skills: Athletics, Bluff, Craft (any), Diplomacy,
Knowledge (any), Perception, Profession (any), Stealth, and
Survival.
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: High elf paragons are
proficient with light armor, but not with shields. If they do not
already possess it, they gain Exotic proficiency with one light
blade of their choice (or the longsword).
Damage Reduction (Ex): You gain DR/cold iron equal to
your paragon level (i.e., DR 1/cold iron at 1st level, to a
maximum of DR 5/cold iron at 5th level). However, you also
gain iron allergy 1, taking 1 hp of damage per round spent in
contact with at least 2 pounds of iron or steel. A thin covering
of cloth is insufficient to protect you from this effect, so you
cannot wear iron or steel armor, for example, even if you wear
padding under it.
Sidhe Magic (Sp): Your fey heritage provides you with the
following magical abilities:
You gain the following spell-like abilities, as if from the
Magical Talent feat: dancing lights, daze, faerie fire.
You gain a suite of racial spell-like abilities, as described in
Chapter 7. Your list of racial spell-like abilities is as
follows: 1st—hypnotism, 2nd—personal shield of faith, 3rd
—create food & drink, 4th—beast shape II, 5th—mirage
arcana, 6th—true seeing, 7th—instant summons, 8th
—screen, 9th—refuge.
You can choose to trade in your racial spell-like abilities in
exchange for Strong theurgy towards one arcane
spellcasting progression, or Weak theurgy towards one
other spellcasting progression.
Arcane Channeling (Ex): At 2nd level, you gain Spellstrike
as a bonus feat, simulating the 3.5 edition Duskblade’s
“arcane channeling” class feature.
Weapon Training (Ex): Also at 2nd level, you gain the
effects of the Weapon Focus and Weapon Specialization
feats, applying to all light blades (Chapter 6).
Attribute Boost (Ex): At 3rd level, your racial bonus to
Dexterity or Intelligence (your choice) increases by +2.
Armored Casting (Ex): At 4th level, you gain Arcane Armor
Training as a bonus feat.
Elf-Lord (Su): At 5th level, you fully join the ranks of the
sidhe. You gain a +2 racial bonus to Charisma. Your type
changes from Humanoid to Fey, and you become immortal
unless killed (you are also soulless, and therefore cannot be
raised or resurrected if killed). As a fey, you gain the [chaotic]
alignment descriptor. Finally, your blind-seeming eyes grant
you continuous see invisibility.
Drow Hit Dice: d8
Level BAB Special
1st +0 Dark sidhe magic, darkvision, favored terrain,
light blindness, spell resistance, thrall to demons
2nd +1 Attribute boosts, sadism/masochism
Saving Throws: Drow gain a +2 competence bonus to
Reflex and Intuition saves.
Bonus Skills: You gain 1 free rank per drow level in
Concentration, Knowledge (the planes), and Stealth. These
are otherwise treated as class skills.
Class Skills: Administration, Bluff, Craft (any), Diplomacy,
Knowledge (lore), Perception, Planar Sense, Profession
(mining), Spellcraft.
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Drow gain Martial
proficiency with darts, hand crossbows, light and heavy
maces, short swords, whips and flails, and bucklers, and have
Exotic proficiency with one of the items in the list. They are
proficient with light armor.
Dark Sidhe Magic (Sp): Drow gain the following spell-like
abilities, as if from the Magical Talent feat (minimum 1/day
use)—dancing lights, darkness, faerie fire, magic vestment1,
magic weapon1.
At 2nd level, they gain the following additional spell-like
abilities (likewise): detect magic, deeper darkness, discern lie,
dispel magic, feather fall, greater magic weapon1, levitate,
suggestion.
In addition, drow levels provide Weak theurgy to any
existing spellcasting (if you have no existing spellcasting
ability, you gain that ability, defaulting to cleric for females, or
wizard for males). Drow levels also provide full synergy for
determining the level at which domain powers function, and
to Abyssal bloodline abilities (if any).
Darkvision (Ex): At 1st level, you gain darkvision 60 ft.; at 2nd When choosing a favored class bonus, wood elves can
level, the range increases to 120 ft. This supersedes (does not select one of the following in place of the usual +1 hit point or
stack with) the darkvision granted by your favored terrain skill point:
(see below). Critical Focus (Ex): Choose a weapon from the following
Favored Terrain (Ex): Drow gain Favored Terrain list: dagger, hand axe, heavy club, short bow, longbow. Add
(underground) as a bonus feat. a +1 circumstance bonus on critical hit confirmation rolls
Light Blindness (Ex): Abrupt exposure to bright light with that weapon (maximum bonus of +4, at which point
blinds drow for 1 round; on subsequent rounds, they are you are considered to have the Critical Focus feat with
dazzled as long as they remain in the affected area. that weapon). This bonus does not stack with that from
Spell Resistance (Ex): At 1st level, you gain spell the Critical Focus feat.
resistance equal to 6 + your total character level. At 2nd level,
your SR improves to 11 + your character level. Favored Enemy (Ex): Gain a +1 favored enemy bonus (see
Thrall to Demons (Su): As a sworn servant of demonic ranger) against civilized humanoids or against animals,
powers, you gain the [chaotic] and [evil] alignment magical beasts, and vermin; or improve this existing
descriptors. This palpable aura of dark power also provides a favored enemy bonus by an additional +1.
+2 racial bonus to Charisma.
Attribute Boosts (Ex): At 2nd level, you gain a +2 racial Green March (Ex): Add 1 ft. to your base land speed. In
bonus to Dexterity and Wisdom. These stack with any combat this has no effect unless you have selected this
existing racial bonuses (such as the standard high elf’s +2 option 5 times (or another increment of 5); a speed of 34
Dexterity). feet is effectively the same as a speed of 30 feet, for
Sadism/Masochism (Su): When a female drow reduces example. This bonus stacks with a class’s fast movement
an opponent to half its hit points or below, she gains the feature and applies only under the same conditions as that
effects of divine favor for the remainder of the encounter. ability.
Conversely, a male drow reduced to below half his or her
normal hit points gains the effects, likewise for the remainder Silent Hunter (Ex): You reduce the penalty for using
of the encounter. Stealth while moving by 1 x the number of times you
select this option.
Elf, Wood
Wilderness Runner (Ex): You receive a +1 racial bonus on
At the head of a long line of feasters sat a woodland king with Constitution checks, Endurance checks, and Fortitude
a crown of leaves upon his golden hair… The elvish folk were saves to avoid fatigue, exhaustion, or ill effects from
passing bowls from hand to hand and across the fires, and running, forced marches, starvation, thirst, or hot or cold
some were harping and many were singing. environments.
―J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit (1937)
The wood elves of Estren (something like “Nûñnëhī” in Attribute Modifiers: +2 Dexterity, +2 Wisdom, –2
their own tongue) are an offshoot of the ancestral elf race, Charisma: Wood Elves are nimble and at home in nature, but
retaining a closer semblance of the older way of life. They live are taciturn, xenophobic, and get along poorly with livestock
in clans in the forests, existing as hunter/gatherers and and with other races.
skirmishing with other clans/tribes as well as with those of Racial Feats: Wood elves receive Favored Terrain (forests)
other races. They are generally hostile to the established as a bonus feat, and choose one of the following additional
order of things (it was they who refused to consent to human racial feats:
immigration in the ancient councils, preferring to make war
on them instead), and are not citizens of any nation but their
own, nor do they appear on census counts unless they have
given up tribal life and become "civilized."
Physical Description: Wood elves, as a result of living
away from Aviona, have reddish skins to better withstand the
sun (although they remain within the gloomy depths of the
forests whenever possible). They have black or reddish-brown
hair, and brown, hazel, or dark green eyes.
Type: Wood elves are Humanoids [Uncivilized], and also
have the [Elf] subtype.
Languages: Wood elves begin play speaking Common and
Wood Elf. Elves with high Intelligence scores can choose
from the following: Draconic, Dwarven, Gnome, Goblin,
Orcish, High Elvish, and Sylvan.
Typical Classes: Most wood elves are rangers; their
shamans are druids. All wood elves treat ranger as a favored
class, even if they select a different one at 1st level.
Additionally, they are eligible for the Wood Elf Paragon
(“Lledrith Sidhe”) class, as described below, and always treat
it as a favored class.
 Elven Immunities (Ex): You gain Arcane Defense Bonus Skills: You receive one free rank per class level in
(enchantment) as a bonus feat, and additionally are Concentration, Planar Sense, and Survival. These are
immune to magic sleep effects. otherwise treated as class skills.
Quicksilver (Ex): You gain Superior Initiative as a bonus Class Skills: Athletics, Bluff, Craft (any), Diplomacy,
feat. Endurance, Handle Animal, Knowledge (any), Perception,
Profession, Spellcraft, Stealth.
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Shared Insight (Ex): You can grant all friendly creatures Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Elf paragons are
within 30 feet who can see or hear you a +2 circumstance proficient with light armor, but not with shields. If they do not
bonus on Perception checks. already possess it, they gain Exotic proficiency with the short
bow and martial proficiency with the sling.
Racial Traits: Wood elves gain the following traits: Damage Reduction (Ex): You gain DR/cold iron equal to
your paragon level (i.e., DR 1/cold iron at 1st level, to a
Endure Elements (Ex): You have a permanent endure maximum of DR 5/cold iron at 5th level). However, you also
elements effect (as the spell, but the effect cannot be gain iron allergy 1 (see under Daoine Sidhe, above).
dispelled). Elfsight (Ex): An elf paragon has exceptional visual acuity.
Light Sensitivity (Ex): Elves are dazzled in bright sunlight Your racial bonus on Perception checks increases by +2. In
or within the radius of a daylight spell. Note that a forest addition, your low-light vision increases in range, allowing
canopy reduces sunlight from bright to normal light or you to see three times as far as a human in starlight,
even dim light (dense forest or forest on a cloudy day), moonlight, torchlight, and similar conditions of poor
mitigating this weakness. illumination.
Sidhe Magic (Sp): Your otherworldly heritage provides
Low-Light Vision (Ex): Wood elves can see twice as far as you with the following magical abilities:
humans in conditions of dim light. You gain the following spell-like abilities, if from the
Keen Senses (Ex): Wood elves receive a +2 racial bonus Magical Talent feat: dancing lights, daze, faerie fire.
on Perception skill checks when not in bright light. They
can also sense the planet’s magnetic field, allowing them
to use know direction at will.
Weapon Familiarity: Wood Elves have Martial proficiency
with bows and slings, heavy clubs, daggers, and hand axes.
Those who gain Martial proficiency in all weapons from a
class feature also gain Exotic proficiency with short bows.
Wood elves intensely dislike the touch of iron and steel, and
refuse to use arms and armor made from these materials;
they instead have flint-headed arrows, sling stones made
from baked ceramic, and, when possible, weapons crafted
using the ironwood spell.
Racial Progression: Wood Elves are eligible for the Wood
Elf Paragon (“Lledrith Sidhe”) class, allowing them to fully
regain their otherworldly heritage as Sidhe. It is rumored
that their demesnes are composed of a variety of sylvan demi-
planes, stitched together by shadowmasters using the Power
over Shadow feat, and that other creatures cannot enter them
without permissionm; whatever the truth of it, the Lledrith
Sidhe have the ability to sense adjacent planes.
In the Aviona campaign setting, it is unheard-of for a wood
elf to become a drow (see above); however, some referees
might allow it under unique circumstances.
Lledrith Sidhe Hit Dice: d8
Level BAB Special
1st +0 Damage reduction, elfsight, Sidhe magic
2nd +1 Elven woodcraft, elven archery
3rd +2 Attribute boost
4th +3 Careful speaker
5th +3 Elf-lord

Saving Throws: Lledrith Sidhe gain a +2 class bonus to

Reflex and Intuition saves.

You gain the following racial suite of spell-like abilities
(Chapter 7): 1st—pass without trace, 2nd—hawkeyeCAd,
3rd—quench, 4th—tree stride, 5th—mirage arcana, 6th
—ironwood, 7th—control weather, 8th—create
demiplaneUM, 9th—antipathy. You can choose to give up
your racial spell-like abilities in exchange for Strong
theurgy towards druid or ranger spellcasting ability, or
Weak theurgy towards one other casting progression.
Lledrith Sidhe levels provide Strong synergy towards
druidical initiate abilities, both for gaining new ones and
for determining the effects of initiate abilities you already
possess. A Lledrtih Sidhe without druid levels receives no
benefit from this feature.
Elven Archery (Ex): At 2nd level, you gain the effects of the
Weapon Focus and Weapon Specialization feats, applying to
all bows and slings.
Elven Woodcraft (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, you are an
heir to the legendary woodcraft of the sylvan elves. This
manifests itself in the following ways:
Add half your Lledrith Sidhe class level to your favored
terrain (forest) bonus. Your maximum favored terrain
bonus is equal to 2 + half your total character level, as
noted in Chapter 1.
You gain the tracking abilities (tracker, direction sense,
swift tracker, etc.) of a ranger equal to your Lledrith Sidhe
class level. If you have levels in ranger, your Lledrith Sidhe
levels instead provide Full synergy towards gaining these
abilities.
Attribute Boost (Ex): At 3rd level, your Dexterity or
Constitution score (your choice) increases by 2 points.
Careful Speaker (Ex): At 4th level, you gain Careful
Speaker as a bonus feat, even if you do not meet the Arcane
Resistance prerequisite (you must meet the other
prerequisites normally).
Elf-Lord (Su): At 5th level, you fully join the ranks of the
sidhe. Your racial bonus to wisdom increases by +2. Your type
changes from Humanoid to Fey, and you are immortal unless
killed (you are also soulless, meaning you cannot be raised or
resurrected if killed). As a fey, you gain the [chaotic]
alignment descriptor. Finally, your blind-seeming eyes grant
you continuous see invisibility.
Human
I know that the history of man is not his technical triumphs,
his kills, his victories. It is a composite, a mosaic of a trillion
pieces, the account of each man’s accommodation with his
conscience. This is the true history of the race.
―Jack Vance, The Last Castle (1966)
In addition to being the dominant race in the Kingdoms of
Northwind and Aramni, and on the Estren Frontier, humans
represent a large fraction of the population of Aviona itself,
representing immigration from Northwind during the
historical reign of the elf queen Silmar, and also a lesser
number of political refugees from Aramni from the time of
the occupation there.
Physical Description: Humans in the Pinesvaald are
primarily fair-skinned caucasians, of Northwind ancestry; less
common are olive-skinned people from Aramni. Also
encountered are dark-skinned Flans and other swarthy folk of
Continental stock, Orientals from distant lands (there is a
sizeable enclave in Weimach), blacks from Hepmonaland, etc.
Type: Humans are Humanoids. The vast majority live in
settlements, towns, communities, etc. and have the [civilized]
subtype, although those few living as savages in the
wilderness might have the [uncivilized] subtype.
Languages: Humans begin play speaking Common.
Humans with high Intelligence scores can choose any
languages they want (except secret languages, such as
Ogham).
Typical Classes: Any. Humans are eligible for the Human
Paragon class (see below), and always treat it as a favored
class.
Attribute Modifiers: Human characters get a +2 bonus to
one attribute score of their choice at creation.
Racial Feats: Humans gain one bonus feat that can be
used for anything desired, assuming the prerequisites are met
(this takes the place of one racial feat and one trait). The
other racial feat can be used for any one of the following (the
default selection from the Core rules is Open Minded):
Adaptable Nature: You receive one of the following as a
bonus feat: Adaptability, Deep Intuition, Great Fortitude,
Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Skill Focus (any one), or
Toughness.
Defiant Luck: You gain one free Hero Point (Chapter 1)
per day. Unlike normal hero points, these cannot be
accumulated; if not used, they are lost. This subsumes the
feat of the same name, and also the human’s Inexplicable
Luck feat, from the Advanced Race Guide.
Favored Terrain: You gain favored terrain (any one) as a
bonus feat.
 Human Paragon Hit Dice: d8
Open Minded: Humans are adaptable and learn easily. Level BAB Special
Those with this racial feat gain Open Minded as a bonus feat, 1st +0 Attribute boost, class synergy
granting 1 free skill rank per class level. 2nd +1 Attribute boost, bonus feat, theurgy
Racial Traits: The versatility of the unrestricted human 3rd +2 Attribute boost, defiance
bonus feat counts as one trait. In addition, select any one of
the following additional traits: 4th +3 Attribute boost, heroic defiance

Additional Favored Class (Ex): You have two favored Saving Throws: Human paragons gain a +2 class bonus to
classes, rather than one. all saving throws.
Bestow Luck (Ex): You can gain this trait only if you have Class Skills: Choose any ten skills as class skills. (Craft,
the Defiant Luck racial feat (q.v.). You can bestow an Knowledge, Perform, and Profession skills must be selected
unused hero point on an ally who can see and hear you as individually.)
an immediate action; this supersedes the feat of the same Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier (this does not
name from the Advanced Race Guide. include the bonus skill point at each level from the “Open
Minded” racial feat, if applicable).
Eye for Talent (Ex): You have great intuition for hidden Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Human paragons have
potential. You gain a +2 racial bonus on Bluff checks to Simple proficiency with all weapons, and are proficient with
sense motive and to your Leadership score (if applicable). light armor. In addition, a human paragon gains Martial
In addition, if you acquire an animal companion, bonded Weapon Proficiency (any one weapon group) as a bonus feat.
mount, cohort, or familiar, that creature gains a +2 bonus Attribute Boost (Ex): At each new level in human paragon,
to one attribute score of your choice. you gain a +1 racial bonus to any attribute score of your
choice; this stacks with any existing racial bonuses. The
Heart of the Fields (Ex): Humans born in rural areas are boosts gained at higher levels can be applied to the same
used to hard labor. You gain Skill Synergy as a bonus feat score that you improved at 1st level, or to different score(s), at
(choose any three of the following synergy skills: your option.
Endurance, Handle Animal, one Craft skill, one Profession Class Synergy (Ex): Human paragons are endlessly
skill). adaptable. Human paragon levels provide Strong synergy
Heart of the Streets (Ex): Humans from bustling cities are towards the class features (not including spellcasting
skilled with crowds. You gain a +1 circumstance bonus to progression) of all other classes.
AC and Reflex saves when adjacent to at least two allies. Bonus Feat (Ex): At 2nd level, you gain a bonus feat. Due to
the varied talents and adaptable nature of humans, this feat
Heart of the Wilderness (Ex): Humans raised in the wild can be any feat for which you meet the prerequisites.
learn the hard way that only the strong survive. Add half
your character level to your Constitution score when
determining the negative hit point total necessary to kill
you.
Pathfinder Trait (Ex): You gain one of the traits from the
Pathfinder rules. However, the following traits are not
available: Heirloom Weapon (Adventurer’s Armory),
Reactionary (Advanced Players Guide). Also, the names
and descriptive “fluff” for setting-specific traits will
obviously need to be modified according to the campaign.
Sociable (Ex): If you attempt to change a creature’s
attitude with a Diplomacy check and fail by 5 or more, you
can try to influence the creature a second time even if 24
hours have not passed.
Weapon Familiarity: Humans have Simple proficiency
with all weapons. Those who possess Martial Weapon
Proficiency (heavy blades) gain free Exotic proficiency with
one specific heavy blade of their choice.
Racial Progression: Humans who push the boundaries of
experience may become human paragons. They turn
adversity into opportunity by finding new ways to apply their
skills, discovering new techniques to solve problems, and
challenging entropy by constantly seeking out ventures they
have not yet mastered. Humans, and the paragons who rise
from among them, balance strength with agility and temper
intellect with intuition.
Theurgy (Ex): Unlike the paragons of the various elder races,
human paragons do not gain racial spell-like abilities.
However, human paragon levels provide Weak theurgy
towards any existing spellcasting progression(s).
Defiance (Ex): The triumph of the human spirit over
adversity is difficult to suppress. At 3rd level, you gain
Defiance as a bonus feat. You also gain Heroic Defiance as a
bonus feat at 4th level.
Dwarf, Hill
As anyone familiar with Sicilian folk music will tell you, Racial Enmity (Ex): You gain a +1 favored enemy bonus
Giuliano is considered a national hero in many quarters. He (see ranger) against one of the following: civilized
epitomized many of the inherent contradictions and humanoids; dragons; uncivilized humanoids; or
conflicting impulses of Sicily itself. A populist and separatist monstrous humanoids and giants. Alternatively, you can
who saw himself as a liberator of his people, he nevertheless improve an existing favored enemy bonus by an additional
allowed himself to be the pawn in machinations and power +1.
plays that had little to do with improving the lot of the Sicilian
populace. At times too, it was hard to tell where his role as Stability (Ex): You gain a +1 racial bonus to your CMD to
insurrectionary leader broke off and his life of crime and resist bull rushes, overruns, and trips; each additional
banditry began. time you select this option, the bonus increases by +1.
―Nella Coputri,
Banditry and Organized Crime in Sicily (2005) Attribute Modifiers: +2 Strength, +2 Constitution, –2
A race of shepherds, smiths, and distillers from the Estren Charisma: Hill dwarves are tough and strong, but also tend to
Highlands, it is unknown at what time hill dwarves diverged look down on other races.
from their mountain brethren; they are the remnants of Racial Feats: Choose two of the following:
breakaway groups seeking liberation from the rigid class Additional Traits: Hill dwarves can gain two additional
structure under the mountains. traits in place of one racial feat.
Unlike humans and elves, hill dwarves are a comparatively
minor race in Aviona, with little role in politics or national Arcane Resistance (Ex): You receive a +1 racial bonus on
importance; those who are Avionan citizens are often saving throws against spells and spell-like abilities. This
laborers, brewers, miners, metallurgists, or criminals. While bonus increases by an additional +1 per 5 Hit Dice you
off-duty, they keep to their own kind and drink ale, smoke possess.
tobacco, and sing maudlin songs. When found in the Estren
Highlands, hill dwarves are notorious as bandits. Backstabber (Ex): You gain sneak attack +1d6 (see Rogue
Physical Description: Hill dwarves are a short and stocky class description).
race, and stand about a foot shorter than most humans Defensive Training (Ex): You receive Giant-Slayer (see
(“Stump” is a derogatory term for a hill dwarf). They have tan Combat Feats) as a bonus feat.
or brown skin, brown or red-brown hair, and brown eyes.
Male and female dwarves pride themselves on the length of Highlander (Ex): You gain Favored Terrain (hills and
their hair, and male dwarves often decorate their beards with mountains) as a bonus feat.
a variety of clasps and intricate braids. They typically dress in
furs and/or armor.
Type: Peaceful and/or gainfully employed hill dwarves are
Humanoids [Civilized]. The many hill dwarves who live as
outcast brigands who stalk the highlands waylaying others, as
bandits, have the [uncivilized] subtype instead. All dwarves
also have the [Dwarf] subtype
Languages: Hill Dwarves begin play speaking Common
and Dwarven. Hill dwarves with high Intelligence scores can
choose from the following: Giant, Gnome, Goblin, Orcish,
Terran, and Wood Elf.
Typical Classes: Ranger, Rogue. Hill dwarves are eligible
for the Hill Dwarf Paragon (“Maahiset”) class (see below),
and always treat it as a favored class. When gaining a level in
a favored class, a hill dwarf has the following options (instead
of the standard +1 hp or +1 skill point):
 Level BAB Special
Stubborn (Ex): You receive Arcane Defense (enchantment) 1st +1 Highlander, hill magic
as a bonus feat. In addition, if you fail a save against an 2nd +2 Warcraft, weapon training
enchantment effect, you receive another save 1 round later
to prematurely end the effect (assuming it has a duration 3rd +3 Hale
greater than 1 round). This second save is made at the 4th +4 Tenacity
same DC as the first. If you have a similar ability from
another source (such as a rogue's slippery mind), you can 5th +5 Dwarven immunities
only use one of these abilities per round, but can try the
other one on the second round if the first reroll ability Saving Throws: Maahisets gain a +2 class bonus to
fails. Fortitude and Will saves.
Bonus Skills: A maahiset receives one rank in Craft (any
Toughness: You gain Toughness as a bonus feat. one) and Endurance per paragon class level. These does not
count against your skill point total, but are otherwise treated
Racial Traits: All hill dwarves receive the following traits: as normal class skills.
Class Skills: Athletics, Concentration, Craft (any), Handle
Darkvision (Ex): You have darkvision 60 ft. Animal, Heal, Knowledge (lore), Knowledge (warfare),
Dwarven Craftsmanship (Ex): You gain Skill Synergy as a Profession (any), Stealth, and Survival.
bonus feat (synergy applies to all Craft checks and Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Knowledge: Lore). Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Maahisets have Martial
proficiency with all weapons and shields, and are proficient
Slow and Steady (Ex): Dwarves have a base land speed of with light and medium armor.
20 ft. per round, but their speed is never modified by Highlander (Ex): You gain favored terrain (hills and
armor or encumbrance. mountains), with a bonus equal to your hill dwarf paragon
level. If you already have this favored terrain, the existing
In addition, hill dwarves with the Additional Traits racial bonus increases by an additional +1 per class level. Your
feat gain any two of the following: maximum favored terrain bonus for hills and mountains is
equal to 2 + half your total character level (see Ranger).
Battle-Magic (Sp): As the Magical Talent feat; choose Hill Magic (Sp): You gain the following suite of racial spell-
magic stone or magic weapon; once selected, you cannot like abilities (Chapter 7): 1st—magic stone, 2nd—personal
change your mind. The chosen spell-like ability is usable barkskin, 3rd—greater magic weapon, 4th—divine power, 5th
once per day even if you have only 1 rank in —transmute rock to mud, 6th—heroes’ feast or move earth,
Concentration. 7th—symbol of stunning, 8th—earthquake, 9th—
Mordenkainen’s disjunction.
Endure Elements (Ex): You have a permanent endure
elements effect (as the spell, but the effect cannot be
dispelled).
Hardy (Ex): You receive a +4 racial bonus on saving
throws against [affliction] conditions.
Intimidating Prowess (Ex): You gain Intimidating
Prowess as a bonus feat.
Relentless (Ex): You are skilled at pushing your way
through a battlefield, tossing aside lesser foes with ease.
You gain Improved Bull Rush or Improved Overrun as a
bonus feat.
Weapon Familiarity: All hill dwarves have Martial
proficiency with axes, crossbows, and hammers. If proficient
with all martial weapons, you gain Exotic proficiency with
one specific weapon from one of the groups listed above.
Racial Progression: Known for their skill in warfare and
their ability to withstand hardship, hill dwarves grow as
strong as their highland homes. Hill dwarf paragons, known
as “Maahiset,” exemplify this strength, building upon their
already proven toughness, and promoting the crafts and
strengths of their people whenever possible.
Maahiset Hit Dice: d10
You can choose to lose your racial spell-like abilities in
exchange for Weak theurgy to any one existing spellcasting
progression.
Maahiset levels also provide Weak synergy when
determining the effects of clerical domain powers, sorcerer
bloodline powers, or incarnate revelations.
Warcraft (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, Maahiset levels
provide Strong synergy to your fighter level (if any) for
purposes of determining the effects of any fighter talents you
possess, and to your rogue level (if any) when determining
your sneak attack progression and the effects of combat
talents.
Weapon Training (Ex): At 2nd level, you gain the effects of
the Weapon Focus and Weapon Specialization feats, applying
to all axes.
Hale (Ex): At 3rd level, your racial bonus to Constitution
increases by an additional +2.
Tenacity: At 4th level, you gain Fight On as a bonus feat.
Dwarven Immunities (Ex): At 5th level, you are immune to
[affliction] conditions (Chapter 1). In addition, you gain spell
resistance equal to 11 + your character level.
Dwarf, Mountain
Who should the race Of dwarfs create
From the bloody sea And from Blain's bones.
In the likeness of men Made they many
Dwarfs in the earth, As Durin said.
―The Völuspá, as cited by Snorri Sturluson in
The Prose Edda (ca. 1220)
Mountain dwarves are a stoic but stern race, ensconced in
cities carved from the hearts of mountains and owing fealty
to a strong monarch of their own. It could be said that their
history shapes the dark disposition of the race, for they reside
below the high mountains, in dangerous realms below the
earth, constantly at war with giants, goblins, and other such
horrors. Mountain dwarves deny any kinship with hill
dwarves (q.v.).
Physical Description: Mountain dwarves superficially
resemble hill dwarves, although their skin is hard and gray,
and their hair is often gray, blond, or black. They dress in
armor (when proficient) or tunics. Their bones are
exceptionally dense.
Type: Mountain dwarves are Humanoids [Civilized], and
also have the [Dwarf] subtype
Languages: Mountain dwarves begin play speaking
Common and Dwarven. Dwarves with high Intelligence
scores can choose from the following: Draconic, Giant,
Gnome, Goblin, Orcish, Terran, and Undercommon.
Typical Classes: Fighter, Cleric. Mountain dwarves are
eligible for the Mountain Dwarf Paragon (“Dverge”) class (see
below), and always treat it as a favored class.
When gaining a level in a favored class, a mountain dwarf
has the following options (instead of the standard +1 hp or +1
skill point):
Elder Craftsman: You gain a +1 competence bonus to any
Craft skill of your choice. You may select this option
multiple times; each time, select a different Craft skill or
increase the bonus of an existing skill by +1 (to a
maximum such bonus equal to half your class level). This
otherwise duplicates the effects of Skill Focus feat.
Racial Enmity (Ex): You gain a +1 favored enemy bonus
(see ranger) against one of the following groups:
constructs and oozes; giants and monstrous humanoids;
or uncivilized humanoids. Each time you select this bonus,
you can apply it to a different favored enemy or improve an
existing favored enemy bonus by +1.
Stability (Ex): You gain a +1 racial bonus to your CMD to
resist bull rushes, overruns, and trips; each additional
time you select this option, the bonus increases by +1.
Attribute Modifiers: +2 Constitution, +2 Wisdom, –2
Charisma: Mountain dwarves are both tough and wise, but
are so well-integrated into their strict social hierarchy that
they have little personal presence; in a group, they tend to be
followers rather than leaders.
Racial Feats: Mountain dwarves automatically gain
Favored Terrain (underground) as a bonus feat. The bonus
this provides to your Profession (Mining) skill supersedes the
“stonecunning” ability from the core rules.
In addition, choose one of the following options:
Arcane Resistance (Ex): You receive a +1 racial bonus on
saving throws against spells and spell-like abilities. This
bonus increases by an additional +1 per 5 Hit Dice you
possess.
Armored Might (Ex): You gain light, medium, and heavy
armor proficiency, and Martial proficiency with all shields.
 Hardy (Ex): You receive a +4 racial bonus on saving
Azer Blood (Ex): You receive the Arcane Defense feat, throws against [affliction] conditions.
which applies to spells and abilities with the [fire] descriptor.
In addition, you have resistance 5 to fire; this stacks with any Weapon Familiarity: All mountain dwarves have martial
existing resistance to fire. proficiency with hammers and picks. If proficient with all
martial weapons due to a class feature, they gain Exotic
Defensive Training (Ex): You receive Giant-Slayer (see proficiency with one specific hammer or pick of their choice.
Combat Feats) as a bonus feat. Racial Progression: Certain mountain dwarves becomes
paragons of their race: tenacious warriors and craftsmen
capable of producing mighty magic items. At the end of 8
Stone Warden (Ex): You gain a natural armor bonus to AC levels of Dverge progression (see below), a mountain dwarf is
equal to your Constitution modifier (maximum +1 per HD nearly identical to the Midgard Dwarf as described in
you possess). This bonus does not stack with any Dexterity Frostburn.
bonus to AC. Certain other mountain dwarves come to revel in evil and
greed, and forsake their kin—or are outcast by them—to
Stonesinger (Sp): If you have levels in cleric (Earth domain), dwell among the more dangerous races of the Underdark.
incarnate (metal or stone mystery), sorcerer (deep earth or These “gray dwarves,” or duergar, lose their hair and quickly
elemental earth bloodline), or wizard (earth elemental become emaciated in the struggle to survive away from the
esoteric branch), you gain Weak synergy from your other rest of dwarven society. The Duergar is presented here as a 2-
class levels when adjudicating the effects of the granted level paragon class for Mountain Dwarves.
powers, revelations, or school powers associated with that
domain, mystery, bloodline, or school. A dwarf with this racial
feat and the acid resistance trait emulates an oread, from the
Pathfinder Bestiary 2.
Racial Traits: You receive the following traits:
Darkvision (Ex): The range of your existing darkvision
increases by 40 ft., providing a total range of 60 ft. when
combined with your favored terrain.
Dwarf-Lore (Ex): You gain Skill Synergy as a bonus feat
(synergy applies to all Craft checks and to Knowledge:
Lore).
Slow and Steady (Ex): Dwarves have a base land speed of
20 ft. per round, but their speed is never modified by
armor or encumbrance.
You may choose one or both of the negative traits listed
below, although this is not required. If you choose one or both
negative traits, you also gain one additional optional trait
from the list below per negative trait selected. Alternatively,
you can take both negative traits and choose an additional
racial feat.
Agoraphobia (weakness): The first time each day that you
venture outdoors (aboveground) during daylight hours,
you must succeed at a DC 15 Will save. If you fail, you are
shaken whenever you are outdoors for the remainder that
day.
Light Sensitivity (weakness): You are dazzled in bright
light.
Additional Traits List:
Acid Resistance (Ex): You gain resistance 5 to acid.
Battle-Magic (Sp): As the Magical Talent feat; choose
magic stone or magic weapon; once selected, you cannot
change your mind. The chosen spell-like ability is usable
once per day even if you have less than 2 ranks in
Concentration.

Dverge Hit Dice: d10
Level BAB Special
1st +1 Forge magic
2nd +2 Master smith, spell resistance
3rd +3 Alternate form, natural armor +1
4th +4 Dvalinn’s gift
5th +5 Son of Niðavellir, natural armor +2
6th +6 Mótsognir’s roar
7th +7 Curse, natural armor +3
8th +8 Attribute boosts
Saving Throws: Dverge gain a +2 class bonus to Fortitude,
Intuition, and Will saves.
Bonus Skills: Dverge receive one free rank per class level
in Concentration, Craft (smith) and Spellcraft. These do not
count against your skill point total, but are otherwise treated
as class skills.
Class Skills: Bluff, Craft (any), Endurance, Escape Artist,
Knowledge (lore), Knowledge (the planes), Planar Sense, and
Profession (mining). Mountain dwarf paragons generally
select Craft (lapidary) as their secondary skill (Chapter 4), in
order to make the most of their Master Smith ability.
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Dverge have Martial
proficiency with all weapons and shields, and are proficient
with light, medium, and heavy armor.
Then went Loki to the dwarfs that are called the Sons of
Ivaldi, and they made the golden hair and ship Skidbladner,
and the spear that Odin owned and is called Gungnir.
Thereupon Loki wagered his head with the dwarf, who hight
Brok, that his brother Sindri would not be able to make three
other treasures equally as good as these were.
―Snorri Sturluson, The Prose Edda (ca. 1220)
Forge Magic (Ex, Sp): Dverge are paragon magical
craftsmen. At 1st level, you gain the following:
Imbue Item as a bonus feat (if you already have this feat,
you gain no additional benefit).
Domain Access (Artifice domain) as a bonus feat, using
your Craft (smith) skill in place of Knowledge (the planes).
If you have levels in Cleric or Archivist, your Dverge levels
provide Full synergy towards your granted powers from
the Artifice domain.
If you have no spellcasting ability, you gain the spells from
the Artifice Domain or Dwarf Domain (choose one) as a
suite of racial spell-like abilities (Chapter 7).
If you have spellcasting ability, your Dverge levels instead
provide Weak theurgy to one existing spellcasting
progression.
Master Smith (Ex): Add half your Dverge class level as a
racial bonus to all Craft checks; this stacks with the bonus
from your racial traits. Also add half your Dverge level as a
racial bonus to Spellcraft checks. When crafting items, you
spend 10% less gold for raw materials. You also require 50%
less time to create those items (this supersedes the Arcane
Builder discovery from Ultimate Magic). Items you personally
craft count only half of their effective price towards your
magical item affinity score (“numen”—see Chapter 6). If you
have levels in generalist wizard, the total cost reduction for
raw materials is 20%, and you can make items in one-fourth
the normal time.
Spell Resistance (Ex): At 2nd level, you gain spell
resistance equal to your total character level + your number
of levels in Dverge (for example, a dverge 4 with no other
class levels has SR 8; a mountain dwarf wizard 4/dverge 4
has SR 12).
Alternate Form (Sp): At 3rd level, you learn to assume the
form of certain Tiny animals at will, as if by a beast shape II
spell. Choose from the following: badger, otter, raven, salmon,
or weasel.
Natural Armor (Ex): At 3rd level, your skin begins to
become as hard as the metals you work at your forge. You
gain a +1 natural armor bonus, or improve your existing
natural armor bonus by an additional +1. You gain another +1
at 5th and 7th levels.
Dvalinn’s Gift (Ex): At 4th level, you gain full access to the
Rune domain, including bonus spells, domain powers, and
variant channeling. If you have no spellcasting ability, you
gain the domain bonus spells as a suite of racial spell-like
abilities (Chapter 7). If you have spellcasting ability, you can
select Rune domain spells in place of your normal bonus
spells.
Son of Niðavellir (Ex): At 5th level, your type changes to
Outsider [native]. You no longer suffer attribute penalties for
aging, and are effectively immortal unless killed. You also
receive a +1 racial modifier to Strength, Dexterity,
Constitution, and Intelligence; these bonuses stack with
existing racial modifiers.
Mótsognir’s Roar (Ex): At 6th level, you receive a +2 racial
bonus to Charisma (effectively removing the -2 you originally
had for being a mountain dwarf).
Curse (Sp): Starting at 7th level, once per year as a
standard action you can lay a powerful curse on someone
who has wronged you (usually by stealing from you, injuring
you, or killing a close relation). This functions like bestow
curse (DC 10 + half your Hit Dice + your Charisma modifier),
except that the range is unlimited, and the spell is
dismissible. You must be able to see or describe his target
(for example, “the thief who took my gold, wherever he is” or
“the one who killed Snorri”) and the target must be guilty of
the injury you specify. Dwarves on the brink of falling in battle
have been known to forego an attack in order to curse the
enemy who is about to defeat them.
 Instead of targeting a person, you can choose to curse any
item you personally have crafted; the curse then affects
anyone possessing the item.
Attribute Boosts (Ex): At 8th level, you gain an additional
+1 racial bonus to Str, Dex, Con, Int, and Charisma.
Duergar Hit Dice: d10
Level BAB Special
1st +1 Favored terrain, light sensitivity, sneaky, spell-
like abilities
2nd +2 Duergar immunities, spell theurgy
Saving Throws: Duergar gain a +2 class bonus to
Fortitude and Will saves.
Bonus Skills: You gain 1 free rank per duergar level in
Concentration and Profession (mining). These are otherwise
treated as a class skill.
Class Skills: Bluff, Craft (any), Endurance, Escape Artist,
Knowledge (lore), Perception, and Stealth.
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Duergar have Martial
proficiency with all weapons and shields, and are proficient
with light, medium, and heavy armor. They also gain Exotic
proficiency with warhammers.
Favored Terrain (Ex): Your existing favored terrain
(underground) bonus from starting off as a mountain dwarf
increases by +1 per Duergar level, increasing the range of
your darkvision to at least 100 ft. by 2nd level, and providing
you with a burrow speed of 5 ft. at 2nd level (see Ranger).
Light Sensitivity (Ex): At 1st level, you gain light
sensitivity, assuming you didn’t already have that trait. If you
already had light sensitivity, it becomes light blindness
instead.
Sneaky: You are adept at avoiding your former kin, and the
horrors that dwell in your underdark home. At 1st level, you
gain Skill Focus (Stealth) as a bonus feat. Your commitment
to darkness also imposes the [evil] alignment descriptor on
you.
Spell-Like Abilities (Sp): At 1st level, you gain Magical
Talent as a bonus feat (Chapter 5); the associated spell-like
abilities are enlarge person (self only) and reduce person (self
only). These are usable 1/day even if you have only 1 rank in
Concentration. At 2nd level you gain invisibility (self only);
likewise usable at least 1/day with only 2 ranks in
Concentration.
Duergar Immunities: Starting at 2nd level, you are
immune to paralysis, phantasms, and poison.
Spell Theurgy: Duergar levels provide Weak theurgy
towards any one existing psionic or spellcasting progression.
Gnome
Holger didn’t see him till a hand plucked at his trousers
and a bass voice rumbled, “Here I be.” Looking down, he saw
a knotty, earthbrown man with jug handle ears, outsize nose,
and white beard, clad in a brown jacket and breeches, with
bare splay feet. The man was not quite three feet tall.
“This is Hugi,” said Mother Gerd. “He’ll be your guide to
Faerie.” ―Poul Anderson,
Three Hearts and Three Lions (1953)
Gnomes are fey creatures that can be found in small,
insular clans in the Griffin Peaks of Northwind or in other
hilly, rocky areas (these are called “rock gnomes”); dwelling in
the hollows of ancient trees in the elf-lands (“forest gnomes”);
or living in the cellars of buildings, among elves or men in
cities (“city gnomes”). Rock gnomes are obnoxious and
disinclined to speak with (or be seen by) outsiders. Forest
gnomes are furtive around bigger folk, although they are
friendly with animals, druids, elf children, and halflings. City
gnomes are great faddists, and while liked for their
outlandish sense of humor, many people of other races find
their humor bizarre or downright incomprehensible.
Physical Description: Think Huygen & Poortvliet, rather
than Golarion. Gnomes are very small (3 feet tall), with
outrageously large noses. Young gnomes have pale, soft skin;
as they age, their skin darkens, becoming tan and eventually
dark brown; it also toughens, so that an elderly gnome’s skin
is like tree bark. Gnomes are occasionally thin, but more
often stocky. Their hair is blonde or black in youth, becoming
white or gray (respectively) as they age; they do not sport the
Cyndi Lauper day-glo colors of their Pathfinder namesakes.
Type: Gnomes are Fey, rather than humanoids; they are
immune to humanoid-specific spells such as hold person. As
fey, gnomes have the [chaotic] alignment descriptor.
Languages: Gnomes begin play speaking Common and
Gnome. Gnomes with high Intelligence scores can choose
from the following: Dwarven, High Elvish, Wood Elf, Giant,
Goblin, Sylvan, and Terran.
Typical Classes: Ranger, Druid, Illusionist (gnomes always
treat illusionist as a favored class, even if they choose a
different one at 1st level). Gnomes are also eligible for the
Gnome Paragon class (see below), and always treat it as a
favored class. When gaining a level in a favored class, instead
of choosing +1 hp or +1 skill point, a gnome can choose the
following:
Favored Enemy (Ex): You gain a +1 favored enemy bonus
(see ranger) against aberrations, uncivilized humanoids,
oozes, or vermin, or improve an existing favored enemy
bonus by +1.
Attribute Modifiers: +2 Constitution, +2 Wisdom, –2
Strength. Gnomes are physically weak but surprisingly hardy.
They tend to be very cautious, especially of bigger folk.
Racial Feats: Choose any two of the following:
Camouflage (Sp): You gain Magical Talent (blur—self only)
as a bonus feat. You can use thus ability once per day, even
if you have only 1-3 ranks in Concentration.
Defensive Training (Ex): You gain Giant-Slayer (see
Combat Feats) as a bonus feat.
 Speak with Forest Animals (Su) (forest gnome only): You
Favored Terrain (Ex): You gain Favored Terrain as a bonus can speak with animals, as if under a continuous speak
feat. The type of terrain depends on your sub-race: city with animals spell.
gnomes have urban; forest gnomes have forests; and rock Speak with Burrowing Animals (Su) (rock gnome only):
gnomes have hills and mountains or underground (choose You can speak with burrowing animals, as if under a
one) as their favored terrain. continuous speak with animals spell.
Gnome Magic (Sp): You gain Spell Focus (illusion) as a bonus Weapon Familiarity: Gnomes have Martial proficiency
feat. If your Charisma is 11 or higher you also gain the with light hammers, light picks, and spears. Those with
following spell-like abilities, as if from the Magical Talent feat martial proficiency in all weapons (due to a class feature)
—dancing lights, ghost sound, prestidigitation. gain Exotic proficiency with any one of the previously-listed
weapons.
Illusion Resistance (Ex): You gain Arcane Defense (illusion)
as a bonus feat, and are immune to the color spray spell.
Magical Linguist (Sp) (city gnome only): You add a +1 racial
bonus to the DC of spells you cast with the language-
dependent descriptor or those that create glyphs, symbols, or
other magical writings. If your Charisma is 11 or higher, you
gain the following spell-like abilities, as if from the Magical
Talent feat: arcane mark, message.
Nonedetection (Su): You are continuously affected as if by a
nondetection spell (effective caster level equal to your
character level, even if your number of ranks in Concentration
is less than that).
Pass without Trace (Su): You are continuously affected as if
by a pass without trace spell. You can suppress or resume this
ability as a free action.
Racial Traits: Gnomes have the following traits:
Low-Light Vision (Ex): Gnomes can see twice as far as
humans in conditions of dim light.
Small Size: Gnomes are Small creatures and gain a +1
size bonus to their AC, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, a –
1 penalty to their Combat Maneuver Bonus and Combat
Maneuver Defense, and a +4 size bonus on Stealth
checks. Their base land speed is 20 ft. per round, rather
than 30 ft. per round.
In addition, choose any two of the following:
Gift of Tongues (Ex) (city gnome only): Gnomes with this
racial trait gain a +1 racial bonus on Bluff and Diplomacy
checks, and they learn to speak and read one additional
language every time they put a rank in the Linguistics skill
(rather than having to choose whether to speak or read).
Keen Senses (Ex): You gain Skill Synergy (as the bonus
feat) in Craft (Alchemy) and Perception.
Skill Knack (Ex): You gain Skill Focus as a bonus feat. If
you are a city gnome, you receive Skill Focus in any one
Craft, Knowledge, Perform, or Profession skill of your
choice; forest gnomes instead gain Skill Focus in Handle
Animal or Survival; rock gnomes gain Skill Focus in Craft
(Construction) or Profession (Mining).
Racial Progression: Gnome paragon class levels grant fey
racial hit dice, as described below. Alternatively, some rock
gnomes, instead of venturing forth from their hilly homes, dig
ever deeper into the earth and eventually find homes deep
underground, as Deep Gnomes. A deep gnome's ties to the
eerie realm of the fey are even stronger than those of their
surface-dwelling gnome kin, and this makes them either
strangely detached from their emotions or violently random
in their outbursts. They also gain powers related to rock and
stone, becoming equivalent to svirfneblin (Bestiary) and
eventually to pech (Bestiary 2).
Gnome Paragon Hit Dice: d6
Level BAB Special
1st +0 Damage reduction, gnome trickery, keen senses
2nd +1 Fey shroud
3rd +1 Gnome cunning
4th +2 Evasion
5th +2 True seeing
Saving Throws: Gnome paragons gain a +2 class bonus to
Reflex and Intuition saves.
Bonus Skills: You gain 1 free rank per gnome paragon
level in Concentration, Handle Animal, Planar Sense, and
Stealth. These are otherwise treated as a class skills.
Class Skills: Acrobatics, Athletics, Bluff, Craft (any),
Diplomacy, Escape Artist, Knowledge (any), Perception,
Perform (any), Profession (any), Sleight of Hand, Spellcraft,
and Survival.
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Gnome paragons have
Simple proficiency with all weapons and shields, and are
proficient with light armor.
Gnome Trickery (Sp): Your fey heritage provides you with
the following magical abilities:
You gain the following suite of racial spell-like abilities
(Chapter 7): 1st—camouflageMF, 2nd—mirror image, 3rd
—nondetection, 4th—greater invisibility, 5th—mislead, 6th
—quickened mirror image, 7th—quickened greater
invisibility, 8th—screen, 9th—time stop. You can choose to
give up these spell-like abilities in exchange for Strong
theurgy towards illusionist spellcasting, or Weak thurgy
towards any one other spellcasting progression.
If you are an illusionist, Gnome paragon levels provide
Strong synergy for purposes of determining your
specialist bonus, your school powers, and the level at
which your school powers function.
Damage Reduction (Ex): You gain DR/cold iron in an
amount equal to your gnome paragon level.
Keen Senses (Ex): A gnome paragon's racial bonus on
Perception checks and Craft (alchemy) checks increases by
+2.
Fey Shroud (Su): At 2nd level, you have a 5% miss chance
(as if from partial concealment) against all opponents; this
miss chance is negated once an opponent actually strikes
you. The initial miss chance improves by 5% per gnome
paragon level thereafter, to a maximum of 20% at 5th level.
This ability supersedes the Haunted Gnome Shroud feat
from Ultimate Combat. It overlaps with (does not stack with)
other miss chances, as from a blur or displacement spell, the
Wind Stance feat, or the cloak of shadow illusionist ability.
Gnome Cunning (Ex): At 3rd level, your Intelligence,
Wisdom, or Charisma score (your choice) increases by 2
points.
Evasion (Ex): At 4th level, you gain evasion, as the rogue
class feature. If you have levels in rogue, your Gnome
Paragon level instead provides Full synergy towards gaining
improvements.
True Seeing (Su): A 5th level gnome paragon gains the
continuous effects of a true seeing spell as a supernatural
ability.
Deep Gnome Hit Dice: d6
Level BAB Special
1st +0 Damage reduction, deep magic, favored terrain
2nd +1 Agile dodge, twilight luck
3rd +1 Nondetection, spell resistance
4th +2 Earth mastery, light blindness, natural armor,
strength of stone
5th +2 Immunities, stone knowledge
6th +3 Cooperative magic
Saving Throws: As fey, deep gnomes gain a +2 class bonus
to Reflex and Intuition saves. Your connection with the earth
also provides a +2 class bonus to Fortitude saves.
Bonus Skills: Deep gnomes automatically gain 1 rank per
class level in Concentration, Craft (construction) and
Profession (mining). These are treated as class skills, except
you need not spend any skill points on them.
Class Skills: Athletics, Craft (any), Disable Device,
Endurance, Escape Artist, Handle Animal, Knowledge (any),
Perception, Profession (any), Stealth, and Survival.
Skill Points at Each Level: 3 + Int modifier.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Deep gnomes have
Simple proficiency with all weapons and shields, and are
proficient with light armor. They also gain Exotic proficiency
with heavy picks.
Damage Reduction (Ex): You gain DR/cold iron in an
amount equal to your Deep Gnome level (maximum DR
6/cold iron at 6th level).
Deep Magic (Sp/Ex): The magic of the earth and stones
rests in you. You gain the [Earth] subtype, and each of the
following, as applicable:

You gain the following suite of racial spell-like abilities
(Chapter 7): 1st—disguise self, 2nd—summon nature’s ally II
(Small earth elemental) or blur, 3rd—stone shape or
blindness/deafness or meld into stone, 4th—wall of stone, 5th
—stone tell, 6th—flesh to stone or stone to flesh, 7th—
summon nature’s ally VII (greater earth elemental), 8th
—earthquake, 9th—clashing rocksAPG.
A deep gnome with levels in incanate (Stone mystery),
sorcerer (Deep Earth or Earth Elemental bloodline), or
wizard (illusionist or Earth elementalist) can choose to give
up all spell-like abilities in exchange for Strong spell theurgy.
Also, if you have levels in cleric (Earth domain), incarnate
(Stone mystery), sorcerer (Deep Earth or Elemental Earth
bloodline), or wizard (illusionist or earth elemental specialist),
your deep gnome levels provide Strong synergy for purposes
of determining your bloodline/domain/revelation/ school
powers and their effects.
Favored Terrain (Ex): You gain favored terrain
(underground), as the ranger class feature, with a bonus
equal to your Deep Gnome level, with a maximum bonus
equal to half your total character level +2. You gain double the
normal darkvision range from this ability (i.e., 20 ft. per +1
bonus, rather than 10 ft., for a maximum range of 120 ft. at a
favored terrain bonus of +6).
Agile Dodge (Ex): Deep gnomes become increasingly
adept at evading the horrid threats that dwell in the
Underdark. At 2nd level, you gain a +2 racial bonus to
Dexterity, and gain Dodge as a bonus feat.
Twilight Luck (Su): Starting at 2nd level, you gain a +2
luck bonus to all saving throws.
Nondetection (Su): Starting at 3rd level, you are under the
constant effects of nondetection (as the spell), with a caster
level equal to your total character level (even if your number
of ranks in Concentration is less than that). If you already
have this as a gnomish racial feat, the caster level of the effect
increases by +2.
Spell Resistance (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, you gain spell
resistance equal to 11 + your character level.
Earth Mastery (Ex): At 4th level, you gain the [earth]
subtype. You also gain a +1 bonus on attack and damage rolls
if both you and your foes are touching the ground. If an
opponent is airborne or waterborne, you take a –4 penalty on
attack and damage rolls.
Light Blindness (Ex): By 4th level, your pupils have
disappeared, leaving you with blank, bulging white eyes. You
are blinded for 1 round if exposed to bright light. You are
dazzled as long as you remain in areas of bright light.
Natural Armor (Ex): At 4th level, you gain a +2 bonus to
natural armor; this increases to +4 at 5th level.
Strength of Stone (Ex): At 4th level, you gain a +2 racial
bonus to Strength (essentially eliminating the -2 racial
penalty from being a gnome). The bonus to Strength
increases by an additional +2 per class level thereafter, to a
maximum of +6 at 6th level.
Immunities (Ex): Starting at 5th level, you are immune to
illusions and petrifaction.
Stone Knowledge (Ex): Starting at 5th level, your
knowledge of earth and stone grants a +1 racial bonus on
attack and damage rolls and the benefits of the Improved
Critical feat against creatures and objects made of stone or
earth or with the [earth] subtype.
Cooperative Magic (Sp): An experienced deep gnome can
manage a cooperative group, working together to use higher-
level spell-like abilities than he or she would otherwise be
capable of. For every two assistants with at least one level of
Deep Gnome, you can increase your effective number of
ranks in Concentration (for purposes accessing and casting
racial spell-like abilities only) by +1. This is a specific
exception to the rule against increasing your caster level
above your total number Hit Dice (Chapter 1). Each assistant
must be adjacent to you during the casting, and each must
use a full-round action to take part.
Goblin
The horse was coming down the trail at a sloppy gallop.
Bestriding it was a small and dumpy figure that bounced
most amazingly with each motion of its mount. It was a far
from graceful rider, with its elbows thrust out on either side
of it, flapping like a pair of wings.
The horse came tearing down the slope and swung out on
the green. It was no more graceful than its rider, but a shaggy
plow horse, and its mighty hoofs, beating like great hammers,
tore up clods of turf and flung them far behind it. It came
straight at the flier, almost as if intent on running over it, then
at the last moment wheeled clumsily and came to a
shuddering halt, to stand with its sides heaving in and out like
bellows, and snorting through its flabby nostrils.
Its rider slid awkwardly off its back and when he hit the
ground, exploded in a gust of wrath.
"It is them no-good bummers!" he shouted. "It is them
lousy trolls!”
―Clifford Simak, The Goblin Reservation (1968)
In the wild, goblins dwell in tribes in mountain caves,
ruined castles, or forest bramble thickets, along with their
larger bugbear kin (see below). In civilized lands, goblin
bands sometimes skulk at the edges of cities in Roma-like
shanty towns; the goblins themselves are viewed with deep
mistrust, as likely thieves and probable murderers as well.
They therefore fill much the same niche as the Pathfinder
ratfolk (Advanced Race Guide), some of whose trait options
are included here.
Physical Description: A goblin stands 3 to 3½ feet tall and
weighs about 45 pounds. Its eyes vary in color from yellow to
pitch black. A mountain goblin’s skin color ranges from
yellow through any shade of orange, gray, or brown to a deep
brick red; forest breeds are green instead. Goblins tend to
wear clothing of dark leather, preferring drab, soiled-looking
colors.
 Type: Goblins are Humanoids [Uncivilized]. They also have
the [goblinoid] subtype.
Languages: Goblins begin play speaking Goblin. Goblins
with high Intelligence scores can choose from the following:
Common, Draconic, Dwarven, Gnome, Halfling, Orcish, and
Sylvan.
Typical Classes: Rogue, Wizard. Goblin wizards (“pukje”)
often live in the mountains, and are renowned for their skill at
alchemy. All goblins treat rogue as a favored class, even if
they select a different one at 1st level. Goblins with human
blood (hobgoblins—see Appendix A) are eligible for the
Goblin Paragon class (see below), and always treat that as a
favored class.
Attribute Modifiers: +2 Dexterity, +2 Constitution, –2
Charisma. Goblins are agile and hardy, but a lifetime and
ancestral heritage of skulking in the shadows means that they
have very little presence or magnetism to speak of.
Racial Feats: Goblins gain the following racial feats:
Additional Traits: Goblins gain two additional traits,
reflected below.
Favored Terrain (Ex): You gain Favored Terrain
(underground, hills/mountains, or forests, depending on
where you come from) as a bonus feat.
Racial Traits: All goblins share the following traits:
Small size: Small creatures and gain a +1 size bonus to
their AC, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, a –1 penalty to
their Combat Maneuver Bonus and Combat Maneuver
Defense, and a +4 size bonus on Stealth checks.
Darkvision (Ex): Goblins have darkvision with a 60 ft.
range.
Fast (Ex): Despite their small size, goblins have a base
speed of 30 ft., rather than 20 ft.
Sneaky (Ex): Goblins gain Skill Focus (Stealth) as a bonus
feat.
Eat Anything (Ex): Raised with little or no proper food,
many goblins have learned to survive by eating whatever
they happen across and can digest nearly anything without
getting sick. You gain a +4 racial bonus on saving throws
against [affliction] conditions.
Keen Senses (Ex): You gain Skill Synergy as a bonus feat
(Craft: alchemy and Perception).
Scavenger (Ex): Goblins who live within the boundaries of
human cities survive by scavenging for refuse and hunting
stray animals. You gain Skill Synergy (Perception and
Survival) as a bonus feat, and can use Survival to forage
for food while in a city.
Swarming (Ex): Goblins are used to living and fighting
communally, and are adept at swarming foes for their own
gain and their foes' detriment. Up to two goblins with this
trait can share the same square at the same time. If two
goblins in the same square attack the same foe, they are
considered to be flanking that foe as if they were in two
opposite squares.
Tinker (Ex): You gain Skill Synergy (Disable Device,
Spellcraft) as a bonus feat.

In addition, choose two of the following (from your

Additional Traits racial feat):
Bite (Ex): Goblins are known for their balloon-like heads
and enormous maws, but some have even more
exaggeratedly large heads filled with razor-sharp teeth.
You gain a bite attack that deals 1d4 points of damage.
Brewer (Ex): Craft (Alchemy) as a bonus feat.

Wolf-rider (Ex): You gain Skill Focus (Handle Animal) as a
bonus feat.
Weapon Familiarity: Goblins have Martial Weapon
Proficiency with bludgeons, cutlasses (“dogslicers”), spears,
and with either one ranged weapon of their choice or with
halberds (“horse-choppers”). Those proficient with all martial
weapons from a class feature receive Exotic proficiency with
the cutlass, halberd, or spear (choose one).
Racial Progression: Certain exceptionally powerful and
bloodthirsty goblins choose to advance by racial hit dice,
following the goblin paragon (“Bugbear”) class to eventually
become full bugbears. To create a bugbear, start with the
Hobgoblin half-breed race (see Appendix A) to represent a
particularly large and strong goblin, then take class levels as
follows. The creature type of a goblin with levels in Bugbear
changes to Monstrous Humanoid.
Bugbear Hit Dice: d10
Level BAB Special
1st +1 Catch off-guard, intimidating prowess, natural
armor
2nd +2 Scent, sneak attack +1d6
3rd +3 Attribute boost (+2 Str)
Saving Throws: Bugbears retain the quickness and
cunning of their goblin heritage, and also the hardiness and
will of a hobgoblin. Bugbears gain a +2 class bonus to all
saving throws.
Class Skills: Athletics, Bluff, Craft (any), Disable Device,
Endurance, Heal, Perception, Stealth, and Survival.
Skill Points per Level: 4 + Intelligence modifier.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Goblin paragons have
Simple proficiency with all weapons and shields, and have
Martial proficiency with bludgeoning weapons (they prefer
spiked maces) and javelins. They are proficient with light and
medium armor.
Catch Off Guard: You gain Catch Off-Guard as a bonus
feat at 1st level, allowing you to use maces as thrown
weapons.
Intimidating Prowess (Ex): You gain Intimidating
Prowess as a bonus feat.
Natural Armor (Ex): You gain a natural armor bonus equal
to your goblin paragon class level. This stacks with any
existing natural armor bonus you may possess (or
subsequently gain).
Scent (Ex): At 2nd level, a bugbear becomes hairy and
bestial. Your nostrils widen and become sensitive to smells,
giving you the scent special ability.
Sneak Attack (Ex): At 2nd level, you gain sneak attack, as
the rogue class feature of the same name. This stacks with
any existing sneak attack ability (although your maximum
number of sneak attack dice is always limited to half your
total number of Hit Dice, rounded up).
Attribute Boost (Ex): At 3rd level, you reach your full
growth as a bugbear. Your height is seven feet, and you
receive an additional +2 racial bonus to Strength.
Progression: Goblin paragons can tap into fiendish
heritage as well by taking levels in Planetouched (worghest),
as described in Appendix C.
Halfling
Halfling
I suppose hobbits need some description nowadays, as they
have become rare and shy of the Big People, as they call us.
They are (or were) a little people, about half our height, and
smaller than the bearded dwarves. There is little or no magic
about them, except for the ordinary everyday sort which helps
them disappear quietly and quickly when large stupid folk
like you and me come blundering along… They are inclined to
be fat in the stomach; they dress in bright colours (chiefly
green and yellow); wear no shoes, because their feet grow
natural leathery soles and thick warm brown hair like the
stuff on their heads (which is curly); have long clever brown
fingers;, good natured faces, and laugh deep fruity laughs
(especially after dinner, which they have twice a day if they
can get it).
―J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit (1937)
Halflings (“hobbits” to elves, or simply “hobs,” among
themselves) are the exception to the Avionan rule of racial
tolerance; they get teased a lot, and learn to just deal with it
(there's really nothing they can do about it, as they are
smaller and weaker than all the other races except the
gnomes, and less intelligent than all but the hill dwarves).
Groups of halflings are typically under the protection of an
elven noble, like the Teckla in Steven Brust’s Dragaera
novels. Although legally entitled to full citizenship, they are
treated like second-class citizens, and have an unusually high
incidence of servants, etc. vs. better jobs. This treatment
might explain why halflings make such good rogues.
In any event, halflings, as a "hard-working, industrious"
race, respond well to recognition, advancement opportunity,
and pay, and can be the most loyal and efficient of all
servants, if they don't end up as thieves (since they tend to
dislike adventures and such, this is not unlikely). In rural
areas, halflings are overwhelmingly found serving as farm
hands, or in segregated halfling villages consisting of two or
three extremely large extended families.
Despite their generally low social status, halflings often
conduct themselves as if they were great and important
personages, inventing grandiose nicknames for themselves
and elaborate tales of their greatness. One on one or in small
groups, they are headstrong, full of life, and very difficult to
ignore.
Physical Description: Avionan halflings are small (about
3½ feet tall), with skin color varying from fair to dark; many
individuals also have light and dark skin in markings (a ring
around an eye, pale skin and black hands, etc.) or are actually
piebald. Female halflings ("jills") in Aviona are typically
exceptionally curvy (quite unlike the anorexic things depicted
in the 3rd edition art). All halflings are generally hirsute,
although they cannot grow beards (males often wear long
mutton-chop sideburns to make up for it).
Halflings are fecund, and twins, triplets, etc. are more
common in halflings than in other races. As a balancing
factor, some 1% of halfling females have four breasts, rather
than the standard two; perhaps 1% of those have six instead
(three rows of two). Approximately one male in 200 has a
third testicle.
 Type: Halflings are Humanoids [Civilized]. Skillyman (Ex): You are adept at stitching small spells into
Languages: Halflings begin play speaking Common and boots, cloaks, and so on. You gain Imbue Item as a bonus
Halfling. Halflings with high Intelligence scores can choose feat, and one free rank per class level in Craft
from the following: Dwarven, Elven, Gnome, and Goblin. (needlework).
Typical Classes: Rogue, Bard. All halflings treat rogue as a
favored class (in addition to any other favored class they Racial Traits: Halflings are Small creatures and gain a +1
select at 1st level). Halflings are also eligible for the Halfling size bonus to their AC, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, a –1
Paragon class (see below), and always treat that as a favored penalty to their Combat Maneuver Bonus and Combat
class as well. Maneuver Defense, and a +4 size bonus on Stealth checks.
Attribute Modifiers: +2 Dexterity, +2 Charisma, –2 Their base land speed is 20 ft. per round, rather than 30 ft.
Strength. Halflings are agile, headstrong, and likeable, but per round, and their carrying capacity is ¾ that of a Medium
their small stature grants them poor leverage and makes creature.
them weaker than other races. They may also choose three of the following traits:
Racial Feats: Halflings choose two of the following:
Animal Senses (Ex): You receive a +2 racial bonus on
Auspices (Sp): Once per week you can use augury as a Perception checks.
spell-like ability by interpreting the flight of birds. You Athletic Prowess (Ex): You gain Skill Synergy (Athletics,
must be outdoors to use this ability. If you are trained in Stealth) as a bonus feat.
Concentration, you can use this ability once per day per 4
ranks you possess. Bravery (Ex): You have been so terrified for so long that it
is difficult to affect you further. Whenever you are
Beginner’s Luck (Ex): You are adept at making your way in subjected to a fear effect, the intensity is lowered by one
a world filled with bigger, more powerful, more step (cowering or panicked to frightened, frightened to
experienced creatures. You gain Beginner’s Luck as a shaken, shaken to no effect). This stacks with the fighter’s
bonus feat. Bravery class feature, if applicable.
Favored Terrain (Ex): You gain Favored Terrain as a bonus
feat, selecting plains if you grew up in rural areas, or cities
if in an urban center.
Good Companion (Ex): Once per day, when one of your
allies within 30 feet makes a saving throw, you may roll
the same saving throw as if you were the one subject to
the effect requiring it. Your ally may choose to use your
saving throw in place of his own. You may use this ability
after your ally has rolled, but before the referee declares if
the roll was a success or failure (this supersedes the
Lucky Halfling feat).
Halfling Jinx (Su): You have the ability to curse another
creature within 30 ft. with bad luck (-1 penalty to all saving
throws; Intuition negates, DC 10 + half your character
level + your Charisma modifier) at will as a standard
action. This jinx lasts for 24 hours or until you jinx
another creature. Source: Halflings of Golarion.
Halfling Luck (Su): You receive a +1 luck bonus on all
saving throws.
Halfling Magic (Sp): You gain Spell Focus (Divination) as a
bonus feat. You also gain the following spell-like abilities,
per the Magical Talent feat: keep dry, mending, predict
weather.
Halfling Nimbleness: You can move through the spaces of
hostile creatures that are larger than you without
provoking attacks of opportunity.
Hard-Headed (Ex): You gain Arcane Defense against
illusions as a bonus feat. In addition, you are immune to
the color spray spell.
Keen Scent (Ex): You gain the Scent special ability.

Endure Elements (Ex): You have a permanent endure
elements effect (as the spell, but the effect cannot be
dispelled).
Helpful (Ex): When you use the Aid Another action, the
normal bonus you provide is +4, rather than +2. You can use
Improved Aid Another normally (see Skills).
Magic Stone (Sp): You gain Magical Talent (magic stone) as a
bonus feat, even if you do not meet the prerequisite.
Outrider (Ex): You gain Skill Synergy (Handle Animal,
Survival) as a bonus feat.
Practicality (Ex): Halflings are grounded in hard work and
common sense. You gain Secondary Skill Synergy (artisan
or professional).
Weapon Familiarity: Halflings have Martial Weapon
Proficiency with slings, and also receive a +1 racial bonus to
attacks with thrown weapons and slings. Those proficient
with all martial weapons from a class feature receive Exotic
proficiency with any one sling of their choice.
Racial Progression: Clever and capable, halfling paragons
love travel, and they embody the curiosity of the halfling
people. Despite their generally good-natured outlook, halfling
paragons are also the most capable members of their race.
They are survivors― cunning, fearless, and resourceful
enough to traverse a world filled with large, dangerous
creatures.
Halfling Paragon Hit Dice: d8
Level BAB Special
1st +0 Greater halfling luck, hedge magic
2nd +1 Multi-talented, weapon training
3rd +2 Agility
4th +3 Adaptability
5th +3 Fortune’s friend
You gain the following suite of racial spell-like abilities
(Chapter 7): 1st—magic stone, 2nd—aid, 3rd—remove
disease, 4th—divination, 5th—faithful hound, 6th—antilife
shell, 7th—animate plants, 8th—moment of prescience,
9th—foresight. You can choose to give up your racial spell-
like abilities in exchange for Weak theurgy to one
spellcasting progression of your choice, or Strong theurgy
towards the advancement of rogue skill tricks.
Multi-Talented (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, halfling paragon
levels provide Strong synergy towards any of the following:
bardic inspiration (uses per day and college available, but not
effortless inspiration); effective cleric level for effects of
Domain granted powers (this does not stack with your hedge
magic ability); evasion; sneak attack.
Weapon Training (Ex): At 2nd level, you gain the effects of
the Weapon Focus and Weapon Specialization feats, applying
to all throwing weapons and slings (Chapter 6).
Agility (Ex): At 3rd level, your racial bonus to Dexterity
increases by +2.
Adaptability: At 4th level, circumstances no longer faze
you; you gain Adaptability as a bonus feat.
Fortune’s Friend (Ex): At 5th level, you gain a free Hero
Point/Action Point (see “Variations in the Core Rule
Mechanics”) each day. These cannot be accumulated; if you
start the next day with the previous day’s bonus point
unspent, it is lost in favor of the new one.

Saving Throws: Halfling paragons gain a +2 class bonus

to Reflex and Intuition saves.
Bonus Skill: Escape Artist.
Class Skills: Athletics, Bluff, Craft (any), Diplomacy,
Escape Artist, Handle Animal, Perception, Perform (any),
Profession (any), Sleight of Hand, Stealth, and Survival.
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Halfling paragons have
Simple proficiency with all weapons, Exotic proficiency with
all slings, and are proficient with light armor.
Greater Halfling Luck (Ex): You gain a luck bonus to
saving throws equal to your halfling paragon class level. This
overlaps with (does not stack with) the Halfling Luck racial
feat, and supersedes the Halfling Opportunist’s “exceptionally
lucky” prestige class feature, from Halflings of Golarion.
Hedge Magic (Sp): Your endless good fortune and magical
nature manifests itself as follows:
You gain the granted powers from the Luck domain, using
your ranks in Escape Artist in place of your cleric level (if
higher).
 Favored Terrain (Ex): Some orcs are especially at home in
Orc the wilderness or underground, gaining Favored Terrain
…such things as he saw: but beyond, things as a bonus feat (choose one, but not a planar terrain).
unspeakable―dragons, giants, rocs, orcs, witch-whales,
griffins, chimeras, satyrs, enchanters, Paynims, Saracen Ferocity (Ex): You gain Diehard as a bonus feat.
Emirs and Sultans...
―Charles Kingsley, Hereward, The Wake (1898) Keen Scent (Ex): Your pig-like snout gives you the scent
Along with their brute strength and comparatively low special ability.
intellect, the primary difference between orcs and the
civilized humanoids is their attitude. As a culture, orcs are Loping Gait (Ex): Your base land speed increases by 10 ft.
violent and aggressive, with the strongest ruling the rest. Sacred Tattoo (Su): Tattoos, piercings, and ritual
They are quick to anger when challenged. scarification are sacred markings to many orcs. Orcs with
Orcs are “monsters” in Aviona, where they are killed on this racial trait gain a +1 racial bonus on all saving throws.
sight. In the wilderness, however, an orc character might wax
powerful and rise to leadership of many of his people. Orc Tusks (Ex): You gain a bite attack dealing a base 1d6
tribes also exist in a state of temporary truce with the piercing damage.
humans in the northern province of Gunderland in the
Kingdom of Northwind. Orcs are more common in the nation Racial Traits: All orcs have the following traits.
of Aramni, where they are considered citizens; there, they
have become organized, disciplined thugs in the service of the Night vision (Ex): You have either low-light vision or
secret police and others. darkvision 60 ft. (your choice).
The Orc race can also be used to represent Neanderthals Light Sensitivity (Ex): Orcs are dazzled in areas of bright
and other strong, primitive humanoids. sunlight or within the radius of a daylight spell.
Physical Description: An adult male orc is roughly 6 feet
tall and powerfully built, weighing 210 pounds. on average.
Orcs are bestial and savage, with hard gray skin and greasy
black hair. Their eyes are dark brown or black, with very little
or no whites.
Type: Orcs are Humanoids [Uncivilized], and also have the
[orc] subtype.
Languages: Orcs begin play speaking Common and their
own language (“Orcish”). (Those from Aramni will generally
speak Aramnic rather than Common.) Orcs with high
Intelligence scores can choose from among the following
bonus languages: Dwarven, Giant, Goblin, Undercommon,
Wood Elf.
Typical Classes: Barbarian (this is always a favored class
for orcs, even if they initially select a different one). Orcs are
also eligible for the Orc Paragon class (see below), and
always treat it as a favored class. When gaining a level in a
favored class, instead of choosing +1 hp or +1 skill point, an
orc can choose the following:
Hatred (Ex): You gain a +1 favored enemy bonus (see
ranger) against civilized humanoids, or improve this
existing favored enemy bonus by an additional +1, to a
maximum bonus equal to half your character level +1.
Attribute Modifiers: +2 Strength, +2 Wisdom, –2
Intelligence (but see below). Orcs have powerful physiques
and keen senses, but are not overly-bright.
Racial Feats: Choose two of the following:
Bestial Might (Ex): Some full-blooded orcs gain an
additional +2 racial bonus to Strength, but suffer a -2
racial penalty to Charisma.
Bravery (Ex): As the fighter class feature of the same
name, but use your total character level to determine the
effects.
Bullying Blow (Ex): As Daunting Strike feat.
In addition, choose two of the following:
Bestial Senses (Ex): You gain a +2 racial bonus on
Perception checks.
Endure Elements (Ex): You have a permanent endure
elements effect (as the spell, but the effect cannot be
dispelled).
Gatecrasher (Ex): You gain a +2 bonus on Strength checks
to break objects and a +2 bonus on sunder attempts.
When attacking unattended objects, you ignore the first 5
points of the object’s hardness.
Intimidating Prowess (Ex): You gain Intimidating Prowess
as a bonus feat.
Squalid (Ex): You gain a +2 racial bonus on saving throws
against [affliction] conditions.
Surface Dweller (Ex): You are accustomed to daylight, and
lose your light sensitivity trait.
Weapon Familiarity: Orcs have Martial proficiency with
great axes and falchions. Those with martial proficiency in all
weapons (as from a class feature) gain Exotic proficiency with
one of the above, and with all weapons with the word “orc” in
their names.
Some orcs have escaped from slavery and reforged the
chains of their imprisonment into deadly weapons. Orcs with
this racial trait lose the proficiencies noted above, but gain
Martial Weapon Proficiency (flails and whips) as a bonus feat.
Those already proficient in all martial weapons from a class
feature also gain Exotic proficiency with the spiked chain and
the heavy flail.
Racial Progression: This version of the orc paragon
subsumes the Orc Warlord prestige class, from Races of
Faerun. The creature type of an orc with levels in Orc
Paragon changes to Monstrous Humanoid.
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Orc paragons have
Simple proficiency with all weapons and Martial proficiency
with shields, and are proficient with light and medium armor.
In addition, they retain their orc racial weapon familiarity.
Brutal Magic (Sp): You gain a suite of racial spell-like
abilities (Chapter 7), using the list for the Orc sorcerer
bloodline (q.v.). If you have other class levels, you can choose
to give up your racial spell-like abilities in exchange for one of
the following:
Barbarian―Strong theurgy towards your rage power
progression.
Cleric―Weak spellcasting theurgy and domain power
progression.
Druid―Weak spellcasting theurgy and initiation power
progression.
Fighter—Strong synergy for determining bravery and
effects of fighter talents.
Sorcerer (orc bloodline only)―Strong spellcasting
theurgy and sorcerer bloodline power progression.
Light Tolerance: You lose your race's light sensitivity at 1st
level. In addition, the range of your darkvision increases by 30
feet.
Elf-Slayer (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, you gain civilized
humanoids and fey as favored enemies, with a bonus equal to
your orc paragon class level.

Orc Paragon Hit Dice: d10

Level BAB Special
1st +1 Brutal magic, light tolerance
2nd +2 Elf-slayer, rage
3rd +3 Savage strength
4th +4 Inspire savagery
5th +5 Final rage, orc warlord

Saving Throws: Orc paragons gain a +2 class bonus to

Fortitude and Will saves.
Class Skills: Athletics, Bluff, Craft (any), Endurance,
Handle Animal, Perception, Stealth, and Survival.
Rage (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, you gain the ability to rage;
your effective barbarian level is equal to your orc paragon
level –1. If you have levels in barbarian, your orc paragon
levels instead provide Strong synergy for purposes of
determining rage rounds per day and type of rage.
Savage Strength (Ex): At 3rd level, your racial bonus to
Strength increases by +2.
Inspire Savagery (Ex): Starting at 4th level, you can
inspire your companions to greater feats of savagery. While
you rage, all allies within 30 ft. who can see and hear you are
affected as by inspire courage (as the bardic inspiration of the
same name from a bard of level equal to your base attack
bonus).
Final Rage (Ex): At 5th level, you gain the ability to incite a
rage in all your nearby allies for one last phenomenal attack.
Once per day as a free action, any allies within ten feet
immediately enter a rage as if they were barbarians of level
equal to their base attack bonus (maximum 5th), even if they
could not normally do so. This rage lasts until your next turn,
and all penalties for leaving a rage apply (for example, the
creatures are fatigued, and if already fatigued they become
exhausted)..
Orc Warlord (Ex): Starting at 5th level, you can use your
Strength bonus in place of your Charisma bonus for purposes
of determining your Leadership score (if you do not have the
Leadership feat, this ability has no effect). If your Charisma is
13 or higher, you can apply both your Strength modifier and
your Charisma bonus.

Appendix A: Simple Half-
Breeds
There are three types of hybrid races in these house rules:
common simple half-breeds (such as half-elves and half-orcs);
exotic half-breeds (following the same basic rules, but
representing unique or near-unique individuals, as described
in Appendix B); and powerful hybrids (those with “level
adjustments,” such as aasimars and farspawn, described in
Appendix C).
Simple half-breed races start with one of the primary races
described above. You can then selectively exchange racial
feats and traits on a one-for-one basis to create the hybrid
race. By choosing to trade in fewer feats and/or traits than
shown in the examples, you can create a “quarter-elf” and so
on. It is also possible to create rare half-breed characters not
shown as examples, such as a half-dwarf.
Special: Any attempt to acquire three or more races
results in defaulting to Mongrelfolk, also described in this
section.
Half-Elf
Elves have become intermingled with the human population
of Aviona to a large extent; half-elves (“Hanner” in the
Avionan vernacular) and other part-elves are common, and
can interbreed with humans or elves. There is no strict
human/half-elf boundary; various amounts of elf vs. human
blood are possible. Pure high elves, without any human blood,
are often rather snobbish about it (elves, on the whole, tend
to be much less fertile than humans, so that the percentage of
pure elves vs. half-elves is constantly decreasing).
Primary Race: Human; Secondary Race: high elf (or
wood elf, in Estren).
Physical Description: Half-elves inherit the lean build and
comely features of their elven lineage, but their skin color is
dictated by their human side. While half-elves retain the
pointed ears of elves, theirs are more rounded. A half-elf's
human-like eyes tend to range a spectrum of exotic colors
running from amber or violet to emerald green and deep
blue.
Type: Half-elves are Humanoids; they retain the subtype
descriptors of their Elf parent.
Languages: Half-elves begin play speaking Common and
either High Elven or Wood Elf (depending on their elf
parentage). Half-elves with high Intelligence scores can
choose any languages they want (except secret languages,
such as Druidic).
Typical Classes: Bard. Half-elves are also eligible for the
Elf Paragon and Human Paragon classes (see above), and
always treat them as favored classes as well.
Racial Feats: Exchange the open human bonus feat for
elven immunities. Retain one of the other human racial feats.
Racial Traits: Exchange one or both of your human racial
traits for low-light vision and/or keen senses.
Half-Orc
Half-orcs are extremely rare in Aviona; elves view orcs as
little more than savage, evil, and cunning baboons, and in the
past they were genocidally hunted down to near-extinction.
The concept of a sentient creature actually breeding with
orcs is deemed almost too horrible to imagine; an elf cannot
conceive that any product of such a union could avoid
committing suicide from sheer self-loathing. Therefore, half-
orcs are viewed as monstrosities, their tragic births the result
of perversion and violence. Feared, distrusted, and spat upon,
half-orcs still consistently manage to surprise their detractors
with great deeds and unexpected wisdom—though
sometimes it's easier just to crack a few skulls.
The attitude is quite different in the far northern province
of Gunderland in Northwind, where exchanges of captives
and/or fosterlings between orc tribes and men occasionally
occur, and civilized half-orcs (see below) are greatly admired
for their strength and prowess. In the nation of Aramni to the
east, orcs are full citizens, and human/orc crossbreeds are
almost commonplace.
Primary Race: Orc; Secondary Race: human.
Physical Description: Both genders of half-orc stand 6
feet tall, with powerful builds and greenish or grayish skin
and black eyes. In bestial half-orcs, the canines often grow
long enough to protrude from their mouths, and these
“tusks,” combined with heavy brows and slightly pointed ears,
give them their notoriously monstrous appearance. Civilized
half-orcs appear nearly human, although large, powerfully-
built, and ill-favored in appearance.
Type: Half-orcs are Humanoids. Those in Aviona, viewed as
monsters, have the [uncivilized] subtype; those integrated
into Aramnic society have the [civilized] subtype instead.
They retain the [Orc] subtype.
Languages: Half-orcs begin play speaking Common (or
Aramnic) and Orcish. Half-orcs with high Intelligence scores
can choose from the following: Abyssal, Draconic, Giant,
Gnoll, and Goblin.
Typical Classes: Half-orcs always treat barbarian and orc
paragon as favored classes, even if they pick a different
favored class at 1st level.
Racial Feats: Exchange one orc racial feat for Adaptable
Nature.
Racial Traits: Retain two orc traits, or one orc trait and the
following additional trait:
Veiled Vileness (Ex): You appear outwardly human, with
no obvious signs of your orcish heritage (no disguise
check needed). Your subtly menacing presence and
strength grant a +1 racial bonus on Bluff checks and Will
saves. This supersedes the feat of the same name from the
Pathfinder Campaign Setting.
 Typical Classes: Fighter (hobgoblins always treat fighter
Halfling, Stout as a favored class, even if they select another). They make
Shorter but broader than hairfoot halflings, stouts have excellent duelists or fighter/rogues. Hobgoblin “loremasters”
some dwarven blood (and therefore often make good (wizards) are not unknown, and rare hobgoblin heroes might
craftsmen). This hybrid race includes the 3rd edition “deep even be eldritch knights. Hobgoblins are also eligible for the
halfling.” Goblin Paragon class, and always treat it as a favored class.
Primary Race: Halfling; Secondary Race: Hill dwarf or Attribute Modifiers: +2 Dex, +2 Con, -2 Cha (as a goblin).
mountain dwarf. Racial Feats: Hobgoblins trade their goblin racial feats for
Type: Humanoid [Civilized]. two of the following options:
Racial Feats: Exchange one of your halfling racial feats for
two dwarven traits (e.g., darkvision and dwarven Attribute Boost (Ex): You gain an additional +1 racial
craftsmanship). bonus to one attribute (choose Strength, Dexterity, or
Constitution).
Halfling, Tallfellow Bonus Feat (Ex): As the human bonus feat, but more
Tallfellows are halflings with a bit of wood elf blood (the limited; select either Combat Expertise, Toughness,
Wood Elf term for them is something like “Yûñwī Tsunsdi’”). Weapon Finesse, or Weapon Focus as a bonus feat.
Less commonly, use of a halfling servant as a prostitute by a Elven Immunities (Ex): You gain Arcane Defense
high elf will result in a tallfellow offspring. Tallfellows are (enchantment) as a bonus feat, and additionally are
more slender and light boned than the typical hairfoot, immune to magic sleep effects.
looking much more like a miniature human. The average
tallfellow male stands 4'1" and weighs 60 pounds. Tallfellow Military Predisposition (Ex): As the human’s Open Minded
clothing is similar to the hairfoot's, though typically racial feat, but use the extra skill rank per level for
incorporating more natural forest shades. Tallfellows have Knowledge (warfare).
much finer foot hair than the hairfeet, but still typically shun
boots. Both male and female tallfellows typically wear their Scarred (Ex): You gain a +1 natural armor bonus.
hair long Spell Eater (Su): If a you succeed on a save against a
Primary Race: Halfling; Secondary Race: Wood elf or hostile spell, you gain 1 temporary hp per level of the spell
high elf. and a +2 bonus on attack rolls. The attack bonus lasts for
Type: Humanoid [Civilized]. 1 round, and the temporary hit points last for 1 minute.
Racial Feats: Retain your halfling racial feats. Source: Monster Manual V.
Racial Traits: Exchange the optional two traits that
halflings receive for elven keen senses and low-light vision.
Racial Traits: Hobgoblins have darkvision 60 ft. (from their
Hobgoblin goblin parentage) and also retain one of the following goblin
Although hobgoblins are a true race, it is said that a traits. They lose the other goblin racial traits, including the
hobgoblin can also be the result of the mating of a goblin with goblin’s small size.
a human or an elf; it is presented here as such. Such
crossbreed hobgoblins, especially those of elven blood, are
called “Anhardd” in High Elvish (as in the Relics & Rituals:
Excalibur setting from Sword & Sorcery Studios). This race
also supersedes the half-goblin from Creighton Broadhust’s
The Lonely Coast setting (Raging Swan Press).
Primary Race: Goblin; Secondary Race: Human, High
Elf, or Wood Elf.
Physical Description: A typical hobgoblin stands 5 to 6
feet tall and weighs 160 pounds, with a lean and ropy build.
Fiercely ugly, they have reddish, yellowish, gray, or olive-
colored skin, and large males have blue or red noses. Their
eyes are yellowish to dark brown and have very little visible
whites. Ears are long and pointed. Even hobgoblins of elf
parentage are considered hideously ugly by other races.
Type: Humanoid [Uncivilized]. Hobgoblins that abandon
their goblin ways, and instead choose to live in elven or
human society, have the [civilized] subtype instead. They
retain the [goblinoid] subtype.
Languages: Hobgoblins begin play speaking Common and
Goblin. Hobgoblins with high Intelligence scores can choose
any of the following bonus languages: Draconic, Dwarven,
High Elvish, Giant, Orcish, Wood Elf.
 Sound Mimicry (Ex): You can mimic any voice or sound
Bandy-Legged (Ex): You have an even more exaggerated you have heard. Listeners must succeed at an opposed
stature than other hobgoblins, with bowed legs and Bluff check to detect the ruse (at -8 if the listener is
massive shoulders. You gain Skill; Synergy (Athletics, unfamiliar with the sound you are imitating). See
Handle Animal) as a bonus feat, and gain a +2 racial Pathfinder Bestiary.
bonus to your CMD against bull rush or trip attempts
while on solid ground. Source: Advanced Races Guide. Weapon Familiarity: Mongrelfolk have Martial proficiency
with light and heavy clubs, blowguns, bolas, and boomerangs,
Fast (Ex): Your base land speed increases by 10 ft. and also gain Catch Off-Guard as a bonus feat.
Keen Senses (Ex): You gain Skill Focus (Craft (Alchemy)
and Perception) as a bonus feat. Wood Elf, Boar Clan
Low-light vision (Ex): Self-explanatory, from elven The wood elves of the Boar clan, in far northern Estren, are
heritage. infamous for their strength and cruelty, compared to the
other clans. These elves have a strain of orc blood from a
Sneaky (Ex): You gain Skill Focus (Stealth) as a bonus tribe in the Elder Mountains, and are treated as a half-breed
feat. race. Note that all other wood elf clans are at eternal enmity
with the Boar clan.
Weapon Familiarity: Hobgoblins are larger than goblins, Primary Race: Wood elf; Secondary Race: orc.
and correspondingly prefer larger weapons. They have Type: Humanoid [Uncivilized], and they retain both the
Martial proficiency with long swords, longbows, and with all [Elf] and [Orc] subtypes..
polearms. Those with Martial proficiency in one or more of Attribute Modifiers: +2 Str, +2 Wis, -2 Int (as orc).
the weapons listed (as a class feature) also gain Exotic Racial Feats: Retain the wood elf’s favored terrain, and
proficiency with one of those weapons. gain orc ferocity as your other racial feat.
Racial Traits: Retain both parent races’ light sensitivity,
Mongrelfolk and the wood elf’s low-light vision and keen senses. You also
gain darkvision 60 ft. from your orc ancestry.
Mongrelfolk are extreme hybrids, who may have the blood Weapon Familiarity: Wood elves of the Boar clan prefer
of humans, elves, goblins, orcs, halflings, dwarves, and/or simple weapons that take advantage of their greater strength
others in their veins. Any character combining three or more (heavy clubs) or that have some totemic significance (short
races defaults to mongrelfolk. spears). They have Martial proficiency with slings, heavy
Primary Race: Any; Secondary Races: Any. clubs, daggers, hand axes, and spears. Those who gain
Type: Humanoid [Uncivilized]. Some mongrelfolk have a Martial proficiency in all weapons from a class feature also
more conventional appearance and manage to blend into gain Exotic proficiency with heavy clubs or short spears.
society, rather than being outcasts; these mongrelfolk have
the [Civilized] subtype instead. In addition to the above, any
individual mongrelfolk have may have one or more of the
[Elf], [Human], [Orc], [Goblinoid], or other subtypes.
Attribute Modifiers: +2 Con, +2 Wis, -2 Int. Mongrelfolk
benefit from hybrid vigor, but are otherwise tend to be brutish
and dull-witted, either through poor nutrition, lack of
education, or simply bad luck.
Racial Feats: Select any one racial feat from one of the
standard races above. In addition, you gain the following:
Diffuse Blood (Ex): Mongrelfolk count as any race (if
advantageous) for purposes of activating magic items or
gaining other racial-dependent advantages. For example,
they can select the Racial Heritage feat for any standard
race, can gain any race’s favored class bonuses, and are
eligible to take levels in any of the racial classes in this
chapter. You also count as not being of a particular racial
subtype when it is advantageous (for example, when
targeted by a ranger’s Favored Enemy ability).
Racial Traits: Choose two of the following:
Low-Light Vision (Ex): You can see twice as far as a
human in conditions of dim light.
Natural Thievery (Ex): You gain Skill Synergy (Sleight of
Hand, Stealth) as a bonus feat.

Appendix B: Exotic Half-
Breeds
These races are treated more or less as are simple half-
breeds, but are far more rare. Players wishing to play one of
these more exotic races should be warned that this will make
them, at best, an object of mistrust and unwanted attention.
Be sure to discuss these options with the other players and
referee before selecting one, as they may not be available for
all campaigns, or may have additional restrictions (for
example, a lizardfolk walking into a human city would likely
be killed on sight in most campaign settings). If a mutual
agreement as to their inclusion is not reached, then it is
generally considered very poor game etiquette to select one.
Changeling
Descended from humans and doppelgangers, changelings
appeared in Races of Eberron. In normal society they are
forced to keep their true race a secret, lest they be shunned
or even killed outright; many a changeling has deep identity
conflicts as a result.
Primary Race: Human; Secondary Race: Doppel-ganger.
Physical Description: In their natural forms changelings
resemble gray-skinned humans, but lack some facial
definition such as nostrils or lips (though they still have noses
and mouths). Changelings can indeed take on the appearance
of either gender but in their natural forms they have a default
gender, unlike their doppelganger forebears.
Type: Retain the base creature type and gain the
[shapechanger] subtype. Changelings with levels in
Changeling Paragon (see below) become Monstrous
Humanoids with the [shapechanger] subtype. As monstrous
humanoids, doppelgangers have darkvision 60 ft. and are
immune to spells that specifically target humanoids.
Languages: Common.
Typical Classes: Changelings always treat Rogue and
Changeling Paragon (see below) as favored classes.
Attribute Modifiers: +2 Str, +2 Wis, -2 Con. Chanegelings
are strong and cautious, but somewhat frail until they master
their shapeshifting potential.
Racial Feats: Exchange your human bonus feats for the
following:
Minor Shape Change (Su): You can create a supernatural
effect equal to a disguise self spell on yourself (which does
not affect your possessions) at will as a full-round action.
This effect lasts until you change shape again, and you
automatically resume your true form if killed. A true
seeing spell reveals your true form.
Slippery Mind (Ex): You gain Arcane Defense
(Enchantment), and are additionally immune to magical
sleep effects.
Racial Traits: Exchange your human racial traits for the
following:
Deceitful (Ex): You gain Skill Synergy (Bluff, Perform:
Acting) as a bonus feat.
Natural Linguist (Ex): You gain Skill Focus (Linguistics) as
a bonus feat.
Weapon Familiarity: Changelings have Simple proficiency
with all weapons, but do not automatically gain any armor or
shield proficiency.
Racial Progression: A changeling or human with the Skill
Synergy (Bluff and Perform: Acting) feat can take levels in the
Doppelganger racial class, eventually becoming a true
doppelganger.
Doppelganger Hit Dice: d10
Level BAB Special
1st +1 Monstrous humanoid type, natural armament,
unnatural vitality
2nd +2 Change shape, still mind
3rd +3 Alter self, detect thoughts
4th +4 Attribute boosts, perfect copy
Saving Throws: Doppelgangers gain a +2 class bonus to
Reflex and Will saves.
Bonus Skills: You gain one free rank per doppelganger
level in Bluff and in Perform (acting). These are otherwise
treated as class skills.
Class Skills: Athletics, Concentration, Craft (all),
Diplomacy, Escape Artist, Perception, Stealth, and
Streetwise.
Skill Points per Level: 4 + Int bonus.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Doppelgangers have
Martial proficiency with all weapons and shields, and are
proficient with light, medium, and heavy armor.
Natural Armament (Ex): You receive a natural armor
bonus to AC equal to your Doppelganger level. In addition,
you can shape your hands into claws (base damage 1d4) and
back as a swift action. Your claw damage increases with your
doppelganger level, to 1d6 at 2nd level and 1d8 at 3rd level.
Unnatural Vitality (Ex): As you master your shapeshifting
potential, you become stronger, more resistant, and harder to
kill. You gain a racial bonus to Strength and Constitution
equal to your Doppelganger level; these bonuses stack with
existing racial attribute modifiers.
Change Shape (Su): Starting at 2nd level, you can use your
minor shape change ability as a standard action rather than a
full-round action. If you do not already have the minor shape
change ability, you gain it, with use as a standard action.
Still Mind (Ex): At 2nd level, you gain a +2 racial bonus to
Wisdom (this stacks with your initial changeling modifier, for
a total bonus of +4). You also gain Arcane Defense
(enchantment) as a bonus feat and are immune to magical
sleep. If you already have Arcane Defense against
enchantment (as from the changeling racial feat), you become
immune to all charm spells and effects.
Alter Self (Su): Starting at 3rd level, your change shape
ability duplicates the effects of an alter self spell, rather than
disguise self.
Detect Thoughts (Sp): Also at 3rd level, you can use detect
thoughts at will as a spell-like ability.
Attribute Boosts: A 4th level doppelganger’s unique
physiology and mind-set provides it with a +2 racial bonus to
Dexterity and Charisma.
Perfect Copy (Su): Starting at 4th level, when using your
change shape ability you can assume the appearance of
specific individuals.
Deep One
"Wal, as I says, the natives met the things on the little
volcanic islet―goin' thar in canoes with the sacrifices et
cet'ry, and bringin' back any of the gold-like jools as was
comin' to 'em. At fust the things didn't never go onto the main
island, but arter a time they come to want to. Seems they
hankered arter mixin' with the folks, an' havin' j'int
ceremonies on the big days―May-Eve an' Hallowe'en.
"When it come to matin' with them toad-lookin' fishes, the
Kanakys kind o' balked, but finally they larnt something as put
a new face on the matter. Them things told the Kanakys that
ef they mixed bloods there'd be children as ud look human at
fust, but later turn more'n more like the things, till finally
they'd take to the water an' jine the main lot o' things daown
har.”
―H.P. Lovecraft, The Shadow over Innsmouth (1936)
You are descended from Lovecraftian fish-people or
aboleth-bred skum (Pathfinder Bestiary).
Primary Race: Human; Secondary Race: Skum.
Physical Description: You have the “Innsmouth Look.” As
described in Irvin S. Cobb’s “Fishhead” (1911): “His skull
sloped back so abruptly that he could hardly be said to have a
forehead at all; his chin slanted off right into nothing. His eyes
were small and round with shallow, glazed, pink-yellow
pupils, and they were set wide apart on his head, and they
were unwinking and staring, like a fish's eyes.”
Type: Civilized humanoid.
Languages: Common. Those with high Intelligence can
learn Aquan, Aboleth, and other similar languages.
Typical Classes: Cleric (cultist domain; patron
Blibdoolpoolp, Cthulhu, or Dagon); Sorcerer (Deep One
bloodline). Deep Ones always treat Kuo-Toa (see below) as a
favored class.
Attribute Modifiers: +2 Con, +2 Wis, -2 Cha. Deep Ones
are hardy, and share the wisdom of the sea. However, having
been bred as slaves (or merely outcast due to their looks
and/or heritage), they have poor force of personality.
Racial Feats: Deep Ones retain the Adaptable Nature
racial feat from their human ancestry. They also gain Favored
Terrain (underwater) as a bonus feat, granting swim speed
and the hold breath ability.
Racial Traits: Deep Ones have the following traits:
Keen Senses (Ex): +2 racial bonus on Perception checks
when not in bright light.
Light Sensitivity (Ex): Dazzled in bright light.
Low-Light Vision (Ex): Deep Ones can see twice as far as
humans in conditions of dim light.
Weapon Familiarity: Deep Ones have Simple proficiency
with daggers and with all spears.
Racial Progression: Deep Ones can embrace their aquatic
parentage and return to the sea by taking racial levels in Kuo-
Toa (see below). Their type changes to Monstrous Humanoid,
granting them darkvision 60 ft., and they gain additional
abilities as follows. Kuo-toa continue to grow as time goes on;
if you have at 2 levels in kuo-toa, you can also take levels in
Giant (see below) to represent this growth.
The name kuo-toan may have come from “Croatoan,” a
mysterious word carved into a tree―the only clue left when
the English colony vanished from Roanoke Island after
colonizing it in 1587. Alternatively, the name may be related
to the Kulullu―Babylonian fish-men, a race of demons that
Tiamat gave birth to.
Kuo-Toa Hit Dice: d10
Level BAB Special
1st +1 Adhesive, favored terrain, hybrid vigor, natural
armor, slippery
2nd +2 Dreams of R’lyeh, fisheye, resistances
Saving Throws: Kuo-toa, as monstrous humanoids, gain a
+2 class bonus to Reflex and Will saves.
Bonus Skills: You gain 1 free rank per kuo-toa level in
Athletics, Bluff, Escape Artist, and Planar Sense. These are
otherwise treated as class skills.
Class Skills: Concentration, Craft (any), Handle Animal,
Knowledge (any), Perception, Sleight of Hand, Stealth,
Survival.
Skill Points per Level: 2 + Int bonus.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Kuo-toa have Simple
proficiency with bludgeons, and Martial proficiency with
daggers, heavy shields, light shields, mancatchers, nets, and
spears. Those with proficiency in all martial weapons (as
from a class feature), gain Exotic proficiency with one of the
martial weapons listed above (usually the harpoon,
mancatcher, or net). Kuo-toa gain no automatic proficiency
with armor.
In addition, you gain a natural bite attack (base 1d4
damage). You can choose to give up all manufactured weapon
and shield proficiencies in exchange for two claw attacks
(base 1d4 each) and the Eldritch Claws feat.
Adhesive (Ex): Kuo-toas use their own body oil and other
materials to give their shields a finish almost like flypaper,
holding fast any creatures or items touching them. While you
are wielding a shield, anyone who makes an unsuccessful
melee attack against you must succeed on a Reflex save (DC
10 + half your BAB + your Strength modifier) or the attacker’s
weapon sticks to the shield and is yanked out of the wielder’s
grasp. Creatures using natural weapons are automatically
grappled if they get stuck. You requires 1 hour and special
materials costing 20 gp to coat a shield with adhesive. The
adhesive remains good for up to three days or until it actually
catches someone or something (in which case the shield can
trap no additional items, since the adhesive is used up).
Pulling a stuck weapon or limb from a shield requires a DC
20 Strength check.
Favored Terrain (Ex): Your favored terrain (underwater)
bonus increases by +1 per racial level. At a bonus of +4 (2nd
level), you gain the [aquatic] subtype and the [amphibious]
trait, as described under Ranger (favored terrains).
Hybrid Vigor (Ex): You gain a racial bonus to Strength and Typical Classes: Rogue, illusionist, sorcerer (Shadow
Constitution equal to your kuo-toa level; these stack with any bloodline). In addition, fetchlings are eligible for the Shade
existing racial bonuses. (fetchling paragon) class, and always treat it as a favored
Natural Armor (Ex): You gain a natural armor bonus equal class.
to your kuo-toa level. Attribute Modifiers: +2 Dex, +2 Cha, -2 Con. Fetchlings
Slippery (Ex): All kuo-toas secrete an oily film that makes are quick and forceful, but wispy and frail in comparison with
them difficult to grapple or snare. You gain Skill Focus more solid folk.
(Escape Artist) as a bonus feat, and are immune to being Racial Feats: Fetchlings gain Favored Terrain (Plane of
trapped in webs and web spells. Shadow) as a bonus feat. In addition, choose one of the
Dreams of R’lyeh (Ex): At 2nd level, come into your full following:
tainted heritage. You stop ageing, and no longer accrue Fleet (Ex): You gain Fleet as a bonus feat.
attribute penalties (existing penalties remain). You also gain
the [evil] alignment descriptor and, despite being a monstrous Flickering (Ex): You gain Superior Initiative as a bonus
humanoid, you are also affected by abilities and properties feat.
that target aberrations. You are soulless, rendering you
immune to abilities such as magic jar and trap the soul, but Racial Traits: Fetchlings descended from humanoids of
you also cannot be raised or resurrected. Small size retain that trait. All fetchlings have the following
Fisheye (Ex): At 2nd level, your staring eyes grant the racial traits:
following:
Light blindness: Abrupt exposure to bright light (such as Cultist (Ex): Fetchlings gain Skill Synergy (Knowledge
sunlight or a daylight spell) blinds you for 1 round. On (the Planes), Stealth) as a bonus feat.
subsequent rounds, you are dazzled as long as you remain Darkvision (Ex): You gain darkvision 120 ft.
in the bright area.
Light Blindness (Ex): Abrupt exposure to bright light (such
Perceive illusions: You gain Arcane Defense (Illusion) as a as sunlight or a daylight spell) blinds you for 1 round. On
bonus feat. subsequent rounds, you are dazzled as long as you remain
in the bright area.
See invisibility as a continuous effect that cannot be
dispelled. In addition, select one of the following options:
Staredown: Your hideous appearance and lidless stare
inspire fear in others; you gain Staredown as a bonus feat. Shadow Disguise (Sp): You gain Magical Talent (disguise
self) as a bonus feat, even if you do not meet the
Resistances (Ex): At 2nd level, you gain resistance 10 to prerequisites.
electricity, resistance 4 to force, and immunity to poison.
Fetchling
As described in the Bestiary 2 (and as equivalent to the
shadowswyft race from the Planar Handbook and gloamings
in Underdark), fetchlings are descended from generations of
mortal races trapped on the Plane of Shadow. Infused with
the essence of that plane, they are more and less than
human, and often serve as middlemen in planar trade and
politics. Fetchlings are not native to the world of Aviona, and
can be played only with referee approval.
Primary Race: Any humanoid or fey; Secondary Race:
Shade (see below). Per Gary Gygax’s City of Hawks, human
fetchlings are called “phantom-folk,” elf fetchlings are “fuligi,”
and dwarven or gnome fetchlings are “murklings.”
Physical Description: Other than their yellow or smoke-
colored eyes, a fetchling’s flesh has no particular color—it is
either stark white, midnight black, or a shade of gray,
depending on the light conditions. On the Material Plane,
they conceal themselves with heavy clothing or dim light so
they can work without prejudice.
Type: Retain the primary race’s creature type.
Languages: Common. A fetchling with a high Intelligence
score can choose any of the following languages: Aklo,
Aquan, Auran, Draconic, D'ziriak (understanding only, cannot
speak), Ignan, Terran, and any regional human tongue.

Shadow Resistances (Ex): You have resistance 5 to cold and
electricity.
Weapon Familiarity: Fetchlings do not gain any automatic
weapon or armor proficiencies.
Racial Progression: Fetchlings (or other humanoids) can
embrace the stuff of Shadow, progressing in the Shade class
below (this provides abilities similar to the Shade template
from Races of Faerun). The Shadowdancer prestige class can
be simulated by playing a shade/rogue.
Shade Hit Dice: d8
Level BAB Special
1st +0 Favored terrain, fleet, shadow defense, shadow
magic
2nd +1 Shadow step
3rd +2 Fast healing
4th +3 Outsider type
Saving Throws: Shades gain a +2 class bonus to Reflex
and Intuition saves.
Bonus Skills: You gain 1 free rank per shade level in
Concentration, Planar Sense and Stealth. These are
otherwise treated as class skills.
Class Skills: Acrobatics, Bluff, Diplomacy, Escape Artist,
Perception, Perform (any), Sleight of Hand.
Skill Points per Level: 2 + Int bonus.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Shades have Simple
proficiency with all weapons. They do not gain any
proficiency with armor or shields.
Favored Terrain (Ex): You gain a favored terrain bonus
(Plane of Shadow) of +1 per Shade level. As a being of the
Plane of Shadow, you gain the [extraplanar] subtype when on
any other plane (including the Prime Material).
Fleet (Ex): At 1st level, you gain Fleet (Chapter 5, “General
Feats”) as a bonus feat.
Shadow Defense (Ex): While in shadowy light, you gain a
deflection bonus to AC and a luck bonus to saving throws
equal to your Shade class level.
Shadow Magic (Sp): A shade gains a suite of racial spell-
like abilities, as described in Chapter 7. The shade’s list of
spell-like abilities is as follows: 1st—darkness, 2nd—mirror
image, 3rd—displacement, 4th—shadow conjuration, 5th
—shadow evocation, 6th—shadow walk, 7th—plane shift
(Plane of Shadow or Prime Material Plane only), 8th
—summon undead VIII (greater shadow; Command Undead
feat not needed for control), 9th—shades.
Theurgy: If you have levels in illusionist or sorcerer
(Shadow bloodline only), you can choose to give up your
racial spell-like abilities in exchange for Strong spell theurgy
towards that progression. Your Shade levels also provide
Strong theurgy towards your school powers or Shadow
bloodline powers.
Shadow Step (Ex): You gain Shadow Step (Chapter 5,
“Reserve Feats”) as a bonus feat at 2nd level.
Fast Healing (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, you gain fast
healing 1 whenever you are in an area of shadows, dim light,
or darkness. At 4th level, this improves to fast healing 2.
Outsider: At 4th level, your type changes to Outsider. You
stop ageing and are immortal unless killed, but you cannot be
raised or resurrected. You also gain the Shadow Creature
simple template (from the Advanced Race Guide), but with no
increase in your effective CR.
Feytouched
This racial option works for generic fey and swanmays; water
fey half-breeds, however, are more appropriately portrayed as
River Spirit Folk (Aquatic Feytouched; see below). Half-sylphs
also have a separate sub-entry below.
Primary Race: Any humanoid; Secondary Race: Any fey.
Physical Description: Feytouched are a widely varied
group of beings—some are wispy and beautiful, while others
are ugly and brutish. Some resemble elves, with pointed ears
and almond-shaped eyes. Others look more like trolls, with
warty skin and disproportioned limbs. Regardless, all
feytouched have at least one feature or characteristic that is
out of the norm—vibrantly colored hair, feathered eyebrows,
or a propensity for speaking in rhyme, for example. Your eyes
may be of two different colors; one of them is of a color rarely
or never seen among humans (e.g., amber, lavender, crimson,
etc.). Despite their actual appearance, all feytouched are
highly charismatic beings that draw attention wherever they
go.
Type: Retain the base creature type; Feytouched who gain
Paragon levels (see below) become Fey.
Languages: Common, Sylvan. Feytouched with high
intelligences can choose from the following: Auran, High
Elvish, Giant, Goblin, Gnome, and Wood Elf.
Typical Classes: Bard, sorcerer. Feytouched always treat
sorcerer (fey bloodline) as a favored class, even if they pick a
different favored class at 1st level. Feytouched are also eligible
for the feytouched paragon class (see below), allowing them
to eventually become full half-fey, and they always treat it as a
favored class.
Attribute Modifiers: -2 Str, +2 Dex, +2 Cha. Feytouched
are graceful, and those which are not beautiful are terrifying,
but they are physically weak.
Racial Feats: Feytouched gain the following racial trait in
lieu of one of their existing ones:
Fey Immunities (Ex): You gain Arcane Defense
(enchantment) as a bonus feat, and additionally are
immune to magic sleep effects.
You can also choose to trade your remaining racial feat for
one of the following:
Favored Terrain (Ex): You gain Favored Terrain as a bonus
feat. The specific terrain depends on the environment
listed for the type of fey from which you are descended.

Horns (Ex): You have stag’s antlers, goat horns, or some other
indication of your fey heritage growing from your forehead.
You may use these to deliver a natural attack dealing a base
1d6 (for Medium characters) piercing damage (critical 20/x3).
Spell-Like Ability (Sp): Choose one 1st level enchantment
or illusion spell (charm person is the default). You can use
this as a spell-like ability, as per the Magical Talent feat (1/day
even if you have only 1 rank in Concentration).
Racial Traits: Regardless of their non-fey parentage, fey-
touched trade their racial traits for low-light vision and one of
the following:
Keen Senses (Ex): You gain Skill Synergy (Craft (Alchemy)
and Perception) as a bonus feat.
Loresong Magic (Sp): If your Charisma is 10 or higher you
gain the following spell-like abilities, per the Magical
Talent feat: dancing lights, detect magic, ghost sound.
Quickling Speed (Ex): Feytouched with this trait gain
Fleet as a bonus feat, and also have a +1 racial bonus to
initiative.
Sneaky (Ex): You gain Skill Focus (Stealth) as a bonus
feat.
You can also choose to be of sprite or brownie parentage;
in those cases, you are Small sized, and gain a +1 size bonus
to AC, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, a –1 penalty to CMB
and CMD, and a +4 size bonus on Stealth checks. Your base
land speed is 20 ft. per round, rather than 30 ft. Small
feytouched gain one additional trait from the list above (with
the quickling speed racial trait, a Small feytouched is
equivalent to the Quickling faen from Arcana Evolved).
Weapon Familiarity: Feytouched gain no automatic
weapon or armor proficiencies.
Racial Progression: Feytouched can embrace their fey
heritage, progressing by racial hit dice. The Feytouched
Paragon class provides this capability, emulating the fey
creature template from the Bestiary 3, or the half-fey template
from the Fiend Folio by 3rd level. Note that a feytouched
paragon 3/bard 5 makes a reasonable facsimile of the satyr in
the Pathfinder Bestiary, and that a feytouched paragon
5/druid 4 makes a close nymph substitute (albeit with 9 Hit
Dice rather than 8, and without the nymph’s signature
blinding beauty ability). A swanmay is a human
ranger/feytouched paragon with the swan shawl fey gift.
Feytouched Paragon Hit Dice: d6
Level BAB Special
1st +0 Fey type, fey magic
2nd +1 Fey immunities, fey presence
3rd +1 Attribute boost (+2 Dex), fey gift
4th +2 Fey gift, spell resistance
5th +2 Attribute boost (+2 Int), fey gift
Saving Throws: As fey, feytouched paragons gain a +2
class bonus to Reflex and Intuition saves.
Bonus Skills: You gain 1 free rank per class level in
Concentration, Escape Artist, and Stealth. These are
otherwise treated as class skills.
Class Skills: Acrobatics, Athletics, Bluff, Craft (any),
Diplomacy, Fly, Knowledge (lore), Perception, Perform (any),
Sleight of Hand, Spellcraft, Survival.
Skill Points per Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Feytouched paragons
have Simple proficiency with all weapons, and Martial
proficiency with short swords and short bows. They are not
proficient with any type of armor or shields.
Fey Type: Your type changes from humanoid to fey. You
become immortal, and do not age or die of old age, but cannot
be raised or resurrected if killed. You gain the [chaotic]
alignment descriptor. Additionally, you gain DR/cold iron,
with the amount of damage reduced being equal to twice your
feytouched paragon class level. However, you also gain iron
allergy, taking 1 hp of damage per round in iron or steel
armor.
Fey Magic (Sp): A half-fey gains a suite of racial spell-like
abilities (Chapter 7). The exact abilities gained depend on the
half-fey's heritage, but typical progression is as follows: 1st
—faerie fire, 2nd—hypnotic pattern, 3rd—deep slumber, 4th
—greater invisibility, 5th—feeblemind, 6th—mass suggestion,
7th—insanity, 8th—irresistible dance, 9th—time stop.
You can choose to give up all of your feytouched paragon
spell-like abilities in exchange for Strong spellcasting theurgy
in any one class. In addition, Feytouched paragon levels
provide Full synergy with sorcerer levels for determining fey
bloodline powers and their effects, and Weak synergy to
bardic inspiration abilities.
Fey Immunities (Ex): At 2nd level, you become immune to
all spells and effects from the enchantment school. This
ability replaces the saving throw bonus against these effects
included in the feytouched base racial features. You also gain
resistance 10 to cold and electricity.
Fey Presence (Ex): You gain a bonus to Charisma equal to Unearthly Grace (Su): You gain a deflection bonus to AC
your feytouched paragon level -1. This stacks with your equal to your Charisma bonus.
existing racial bonus to Charisma from being a half-fey. Wings (Ex): You grow insect-like wings (usually similar to
Attribute Boosts (Ex): You gain racial bonuses to your those of a butterfly) and may use them to fly at up to twice
attribute scores as shown in the table; these stack with any your land speed with good maneuverability.
existing racial modifiers.
Fey Gift: At 3rd, 4th, and 5th levels, you receive a gift from
your fey heritage. These vary depending on your fey ancestor, Spell Resistance (Ex): At 4th level, you gain spell
but might include the following: resistance equal to 11 + your character level.
Energy Resistance (Ex) You gain resistance 10 to one Feytouched, Aquatic
energy type, or increase an existing resistance by 10.
Resistance increased beyond 30 becomes immunity Feytouched are mortals of some other race with a touch of
instead. This ability can be selected more than once. fey blood. In the Aviona campaign setting, the most common
Feytouched are those descended from the fey “river-maidens”
Evasion (Ex): As the rogue class feature of the same name. of Balvora, the Sirines. These half-Sirines, or “river folk,”
You do not automatically gain Improved Evasion or tend to be serene and calm, attuned to the rivers and the
Greater Evasion, but if you have levels in a class granting greater flow of the natural world. River folk as a race are
evasion, your feytouched paragon levels stack with those modeled on the river spirit-folk from Oriental Adventures;
class levels for purposes of determining when you receive they can also be used to stand in for the undine from the
those improvements. Bestiary 2. Note that non-aquatic feytouched are dealt with in
Greater Invisibility (Ex): A feytouched paragon of at least a separate entry.
5th level with this gift can use invisibility at will, and Primary Race: Any humanoid; Secondary Race: Any
greater invisibility for a number of rounds per day equal to aquatic fey (generally Sirine).
your total number of Hit Dice. You can suppress or Physical Description: River folk appear somewhat elven,
resume your invisibility as a free action. At this point you with small eyes and slender mouths. Their eyebrows are very
are roughly equivalent to a 3.5 edition pixie (+4 LA + 1 thin and their complexions are very pale, with a slight blue or
racial HD = 5th level)—especially if you selected Small green tinge. They have no facial or body hair, but they have
size as a 1st level feytouched racial trait. thick hair, black, brown, or green in color like kelp.
Inspiration (Su): You can choose an intelligent creature to
inspire by giving that creature some token of your
affection (typically a lock of hair). As long as the creature
carries your token, he or she gains a +4 insight bonus on
all Will saving throws, Craft checks, and Perform checks.
A bard who has you for a muse in this way can use his
bardic performance for an additional number of rounds
per day equal to your Charisma modifier. You retain a link
to your token and its carrier as if you had cast a status
spell on the carrier. You can end all these effects at any
time as a free action. You may only inspire one creature at
a time.
Long Step (Su): You can teleport up to 5 feet per Hit Die
as a move action. You may use this ability once every 1d4
rounds.
Natural Armor (Ex): You gain a bonus to natural armor
equal to your feytouched paragon level +1.
Swan Shawl (Su): You can wild shape into the form a
swan once per day, as a 4th level wild shaper druid. You
gain additional uses per day as a druid of level equal to
your Hit Dice. Use of this ability requires a focus you—
specifically, a feathered shawl.
Stunning Glance (Su): As a standard action, you can stun
a creature within 30 feet with a look. The target must
succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 10 + your feytouched
paragon level + your Charisma modifier) or be stunned for
a number of rounds equal to your feytouched paragon
level. Any specific creature can be affected by this ability
only once per day.
Type: Retain the base creature type. River folk who take
levels in Water Fey (see below) become Fey instead.
Languages: River folk begin play speaking Common and
Sylvan. River Folk with high Intelligence scores can choose
from among the following bonus languages: Aquan, High
Elvish, Giant, Goblin, and Wood Elf. All river folk can also
speak with animals at will as a spell-like ability. This ability is
limited to use with aquatic creatures (fish, otters, etc.).
Typical Classes: Bard, Sorcerer. Bard is always a favored
class for river folk, even if they initially select a different one.
Sorcerer is automatically a favored class only if the aquatic
fey or elemental (water) bloodline is selected. River folk are
also eligible for the Sirine (river folk paragon) class, and
always treat it as a favored class.
Attribute Modifiers: +2 Dexterity, +2 Charisma, -2
Wisdom. River folk are graceful and have the eldritch
presence of their fey parentage, but lack concentration and
awareness.
Racial Feats: River folk gain Favored Terrain (underwater)
with a starting bonus of +4 rather than +2, granting you the
[aquatic] subtype and the amphibious trait. This can be
improved by taking feats, ranger, levels, etc., to a maximum
bonus of 4 + half your character level. This ability counts as
both of your starting racial feats.
Racial Traits: River folk have the following traits:
Elemental Resistance (Ex): River folk have resistance to
cold 5, and receive Arcane Defense against spells and
effects with the [water] or [cold] descriptors.
Low-Light Vision (Ex): River folk can see twice as far as
humans in conditions of dim light.
Weapon Familiarity: Feytouched gain no automatic
weapon or armor proficiencies.
Racial Progression: NPC river folk most often advance by
racial (fey) hit dice, in essence talking the Water Fey class
described below. By selecting appropriate water fey gifts, this
racial class can be used to simulate a rusalka (Frostburn, at
2nd level), a sirine (Monster Manual II, at 4th level), a glaistig
(Monster Manual III, at 6th level), or a nereid (Bestiary 2, at
11th level).
Water Fey Hit Dice: d6
Level BAB Special
1st +0 Fey type, water fey magic, wisdom of the waters
2nd +1 Water fey gift, favored terrain
3rd +1 Fey presence
4th +2 Water fey gift
5th +2 Immunities
6th +3 Water fey gift
7th +3 Spell resistance
8th +4 Water fey gift
9th +4 Transparency
10th +5 Water fey gift
11th +5 Beguiling aura
Saving Throws: Water fey gain a +2 class bonus to Reflex
and Intuition saves.
Bonus Skills: You gain 1 free rank per water fey level in
Athletics, Concentration, Escape Artist, Perform (music), and
Stealth. These are otherwise treated as class skills, but do
not cost skill points.
Class Skills: Acrobatics, Bluff, Craft (any), Diplomacy,
Perception, Perform (any), Profession, Sleight of Hand,
Spellcraft, and Survival.
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Fey have Simple
proficiency with all weapons, but are not proficient with any
type of armor or shields.
Fey Type: Your type changes from humanoid to fey, and you
gain the [chaotic] alignment descriptor. You becomes
immortal, and do not age or die of old age, but cannot be
raised or resurrected if killed. You gain DR/cold iron, with the
amount of damage reduced being equal to your water fey
class level (maximum DR 10/cold iron). However, you also
gain iron allergy, taking 1 hp of damage per round in iron or
steel armor, or if wielding an iron or steel weapon.
Wisdom of the Waters (Ex): You gain a racial bonus to
Wisdom equal to your water fey class level. In addition, your
ability to glide through the waves provides a racial bonus to
Dexterity equal to your class level. These bonuses stack with
your existing racial attribute modifiers.
Favored Terrain (Ex): Your favored terrain (underwater)
bonus improves by +1 per 2 class levels you possess. This
cannot cause your total bonus to exceed 4 + half your total
character level.
Water Fey Magic (Ex, Sp): Your fey heritage grants you
the following magical abilities:
Your water fey level provides Full synergy for purposes of
determining aquatic fey bloodline powers (if any) and the
effects of those powers; it also provides Weak synergy for
purposes of determining your bardic inspiration abilities
(including inspirations known, rounds of inspiration per
day, and the level at which they operate), if any.

You gain the following suite of racial spell-like abilities (as
described in Chapter 7): 1st—charm person or fog cloud, 2nd
—invisibility, 3rd—nixie’s lureARG, 4th—captivating song (as
the harpy’s ability of the same name), 5th—mass charm
person, 6th—summon nature’s ally VI (one Huge water
elemental or giant octopus; 1d3 Large water elementals,
giant moray eels, or orcas; or 1d4+1 Medium water
elementals), 7th—mass suggestion, 8th—mass charm
monster, 9th—shapechange. Most of these abilities require
verbal components in the form of signing.
You can choose to give up your racial spell-like abilities in
exchange for Strong spellcasting theurgy (bard, aquatic fey
bloodline sorcerer, or enchanter only) or Weak theurgy (any
one other progression).
Water Fey Gift: At every even-numbered class level, you
gain one of the following gifts, related to your fey heritage:
Blood Drain (Ex): If you establish or maintain a pin, you
drain blood, dealing 1d4 points of Constitution damage.
You heal 5 hit points or gain 5 temporary hit points for 1
hour (up to a maximum number of temporary hit points
equal to your full normal hit points) each round you drain
blood.
Drowning Kiss (Su): You can flood the lungs of a willing,
helpless, or fascinated creature by touching it
(traditionally by kissing the creature on the lips). This
functions similarly to a suffocation spellAPG. You must be
at least 10th level to gain this gift.
Fast Healing (Ex): You gain fast healing; the number of hit
points healed each round is equal to half your class level.
This fast healing is overcome by fire, acid, and cold iron.
Mindless Touch (Su): You gain a touch attack usable as
a standard action that does not provoke an attack of
opportunity. This touch deals 1d4 points of intelligence
damage to the victim (2d4 intelligence damage on a
confirmed critical). You also gain a soothing touch that can
remove up to 1d6 points of intelligence damage caused by
a fey.
Natural Armor (Ex): You gain a bonus to natural armor
equal to 1 + half your water fey level.
Poison (Ex): You can poison those you touch (contact DC
10 + your water fey level + your Constitution modifier;
damage 1d2 Con/round for 6 rounds plus blindness; cure
2 consecutive saves). This touch is a standard action that
does not provoke attacks of opportunity. You cannot
deliver both poison and your mindless touch at the same.
You must be at least 6th level to gain this gift. If you are at
least 8th level, you can also spray this poison up to 10 ft. as
a ranged touch attack. The range increases by an
additional 5 ft. per class level thereafter.
Shawl (Ex): A portion of your life force becomes embodied
in diaphanous shawl (hardness 2, hp 6). While in
possession of your shawl, you gain a racial bonus to
Constitution equal to your class level. However, if the
shawl is ever destroyed, you take 1d6 points of
Constitution drain per hour until you die. You can create a
new shawl from water by making a DC 25 Will save, but
each attempt takes 1d4 hours to complete. Attempts to
destroy or steal your shawl require sunder, disarm, or
Sleight of Hand attempts.
Unearthly Grace (Su): As long as you are not wearing
armor, you gain a deflection bonus to AC equal to your
Charisma bonus.
Fey Presence (Ex): Your racial bonus to Charisma
increases by +1 per 3 water fey class levels you possess
(maximum +3 at 9th level, for a total bonus of +5 including the
initial river-folk racial adjustment).
Immunities (Ex): At 5th level, you gain immunity to cold
and poison.
Transparency (Su): Starting 7th level, your body becomes
transparent when you are underwater, effectively rendering
you invisible (as invisibility). You can become visible or
transparent at will as a free action while in the water.
Spell Resistance (Ex): At 9th level, you gain spell resistance Powerful Build (Ex): Although Small sized, the physical
equal to 11 + your total character level. prowess of grugach lets them function in many ways as if
Beguiling Aura (Su): At 11th level, your ability to beguile they were one size category larger. A grugach treats his
other creatures does not even require a song (spell-like ability size as Medium when calculating CMB and CMD, and
use) on your part. Any creature sexually attracted to when determining whether a creature’s special attacks
humanoids or fey runs the risk of being beguiled if it looks based on size (such as improved grab or swallow whole)
upon your beauty from a distance of 30 feet or less (Will save can affect him. A grugach can use weapons designed for a
at DC 10 + your class level + your Charisma modifier or be Medium creature without penalty. The benefits of this
fascinated). You may use your suggestion spell-like ability at ability stack with the effects of most powers and spells
will against creatures that are fascinated by your beguiling that change the subject’s size category, but not with the
aura. Giant’s Stance feat.
Feytouched, Sylph Racial Traits: Grugach receive the following:
Sylphs (as in the Bestiary 2) are feytouched with an affinity
to the element of air. They are thin and waifish, looking as if Ambuscade (Ex): Gruguach are skilled at skulking and
they might fade into the breeze at any moment. ambush; they receive Skill Synergy (Disable Device,
Race: Feytouched (see above). Stealth) as a bonus feat.
Typical Classes: Sorcerer (elemental air or fey bloodline).
Racial Feats: Exchange your spell-like ability for feather Aura (Ex): Grugach are so wild and xenophobic that they
fall at will. gain the [chaotic] alignment descriptor.
Racial Traits: Exchange your “sneaky” trait for resistance Fast (Ex): Despite their small size, grugach have a base
5 to electricity. speed of 30 ft., rather than 20 ft.
Racial Progression: You can still advance by means of the
Feytouched Paragon class, eventually gaining wings. Sylph Low-Light Vision (Ex): Grugach can see twice as far as
levels provide Full synergy with sorcerer (air bloodline) levels humans in conditions of dim light.
in determining bloodline powers and their effects. Small Size: Grugach are stunted enough to count as being
Small sized. Small creatures and gain a +1 size bonus to
Grugach their AC, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, a –1 penalty to
Found only in the most distant reaches of the Estren their Combat Maneuver Bonus and Combat Maneuver
wilderness, the tribe of grugach, or “wild elves,” are the Defense, and a +4 size bonus on Stealth checks.
stunted offspring of wood elves and some unknown
progenitor (possibly goblins, or a race of giant-kin such as the Weapon Familiarity: Grugach have Simple proficiency
firbolgs). To some extent, they can stand in for exotic, with weapons and shields. They are also proficient with light
primitive races such as the “Picts” from Robert E. Howard. armor. They never use iron or steel weapons or armor, even
Primary Race: Wood Elf; Secondary Race: Unknown. when those are available, preferring leather and stone; more
Physical Description: Grugach are smaller than wood sophisticated grugach might use bronze.
elves―averaging only about four feet tall―and are broad- Racial Progression: At the referee’s option, grugach might
shouldered and muscular compared to wood elves. They are be eligible for the Lledrith Sidhe paragon racial class (see
darker-skinned and somewhat twisted-looking. above).
Type: Grugach are uncivilized humanoids; they gain the
[elf] subtype from their wood elf ancestry.
Languages: Wood elf. Particularly debased grugach might
speak Aklo instead. Particularly intelligent grugach might
learn Sylvan and/or Giant.
Typical Classes: Barbarian, druid. When choosing a
favored class bonus, in place of the usual +1 hit point or skill
point, a grugach can gain a +1 favored enemy bonus (see
ranger) against civilized humanoids, or against animals,
magical beasts, and vermin. Thus option can be selected
multiple times, to gain the other category of favored enemies
or to improve an existing favored enemy bonus by +1.
Attribute Modifiers: Str +2, Int -2, Wis +2. Grugach are
particularly strong for their size. However, they are less
intelligent than most civilized races.
Racial Feats: Choose two from the Wood Elf racial feats
list (particularly debased grugach might choose underground,
rather than forests, as a favored terrain). Alternatively, you
can select the following as one of your racial feats:

Genasi
The desert kingdom of Bailakash, far to the east of Aviona,
is a land of strange magic and genies. Sometimes these
powerful creatures mate with humans; the result is a half-
genie or “genasi” (Monsters of Faerun) as described here.
Primary Race: Any humanoid; Secondary Race: genie
(any). The most common half-genie is a human/janni, called a
“Suli,” or “suli-jann,” per the Bestiary 3. Half-efreeti are
“ifreets,” per the Bestiary 2.
Physical Description: Suli-jann appear as tall, regal
humans whose eyes sparkle with a strange light. Other
genasi appear stranger: ifrits, for example, appear as
muscular, red-skinned members of the primary race, albeit
with fiery-colored hair and small horns. Half-shaitans or half-
dao are heavy and solid, with chiseled, angular features that
make them look almost like statues brought to life.
Type: Retain the base creature type. Genasi Paragons
(genies; see below) are Outsiders with the appropriate
elemental subtype (janni are native outsiders, and do not gain
an elemental subtype).
Languages: Half-genies begin play speaking Common and
one elemental language of their choice (Aquan, Auran, Ignan,
or Terran).
Typical Classes: Cleric (with appropriate elemental
domain); fighter; sorcerer (genie bloodline). Half-genies
always treat sorcerer with the appropriate bloodline as a
favored class.
Attribute Modifiers: Str +2, Cha +2, Wis -2. Half-genies are
powerful of body and in force of personality, but their
passions are extreme and difficult to control.
Racial Feats: Exchange one or both of your existing racial
feats for half-genie racial feats, selected from the following:
Elemental Affinity (Su): Genasi spellcasters with an
elemental domain, esoteric branch, mystery, or bloodline
use their powers and bonus spells at +1 caster level.
Elemental Assault (Su): As a swift action, you can call on
the elemental power lurking in your veins to shroud your
arms in acid, cold, electricity, or fire (as appropriate to your
genie parentage). Unarmed attacks with your elbows or
hands (or attacks with weapons held in those hands) deal
+1 points of damage of the appropriate energy type until
your next turn. It you have a spell or spell-like ability with
the appropriate energy or elemental descriptor (e.g., [cold]
or [water] for cold damage) ready for use, the bonus
damage is instead equal to the level of the highest-level
such spell or ability you have available.
Enlarge Self (Sp): You gain Magical Talent (enlarge
person) as a bonus feat, except it has a range of Personal
and always affects you, regardless of your creature type
(humanoid, fey, outsider, etc.). You can use it 1/day even if
you have only 1 rank in Concentration. You also gain
Arcane Defense (transmutation) as a bonus feat.
Planar Terrain (Ex): You gain Favored Terrain as a bonus
feat, selecting any one elemental plane as your favored
terrain (alternatively, if you are from Bailakash you can
choose deserts instead). Your maximum such bonus is
equal to 4 + half your total character level or number of hit
dice.
Spell-Like Ability (Sp): You gain Magical Talent as a bonus
feat (1/day use even if you have only 1 rank in
Concentration). The spell-like ability depends on the
element chosen: air—feather fall; earth—magic stone; fire
—burning hands; water—hydraulic push.
Racial Traits: Half-genies can trade one or more of their
racial traits for genasi traits (choose from the following):
Darkvision (Ex): 60-ft. range.
Elemental Resistance (Ex): You have resistance to acid,
cold, fire, or electricity 5 (or any existing resistance
increases by 5). You may gain this trait more than once.
Low-Light Vision (Ex): You can see twice as far as humans
in conditions of dim light.
Negotiator (Ex): You gain Skill Synergy (Bluff, Diplomacy)
as a bonus feat.
Weapon Familiarity: Half-genies lose their existing racial
weapon familiarity and instead gain Martial proficiency with
scimitars and falchions (if they possess Martial proficiency
with one or both of those weapons, as from a class feature,
they gain Exotic proficiency instead).
Racial Progression: A four-level progression for genies is
provided here; you must progress as the type of genie from
which you are descended (half-djinnis become djinn, etc.). A
reasonably close approximation of a djinni, efreeti, shaitan, or
marid can be made by multiclassing into battle sorcerer
(genie bloodline) and trading in your spell-like abilities for
spell theurgy (see below).
Genie Hit Dice: d10
Level BAB Special
1st +1 Genie magic, planar terrain
2nd +2 Genie’s might
3rd +3 Improved initiative, natural armor
4th
+4 Genie’s guile, telepathy
Saving Throws: Genies gain a +2 class bonus to Fortitude
and Intuition saves.
Bonus Skills: You gain 1 free rank per genie level in
Concentration, Diplomacy, Knowledge (lore), and Knowledge
(the planes). These are otherwise treated as class skills.
Class Skills: Bluff, Craft (any), Endurance, Escape Artist,
Fly, Handle Animal, Perception, Spellcraft, and Stealth.
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Genasi paragons have
Martial proficiency with all weapons and shields. They are
proficient with light armor.
Genie Magic (Sp): Your genie heritage provides you with
the following:
Genies receive racial spell-like abilities (as described in
Chapter 7), depending on their type. Their progression for
spell-like abilities is the same as that of a sorcerer
(Chapter 3) of the appropriate Genie bloodline.
If you have levels in cleric or archivist (any elemental
domain), incarnate (any elemental mystery), sorcerer (any
genie bloodline), wizard (an elemental esoteric branch),
you can choose to give up your racial spell-like abilities in
exchange for Strong spellcasting theurgy.
If you have levels in sorcerer (genie bloodline), your genie
level provides Full synergy for purposes of determining
bloodline spells known, bloodline powers gained, and the
effects of these powers.
Planar Terrain (Ex): At each level in Genie, you gain a +1
favored terrain bonus (see Ranger), which you can allot to any
one of the Elemental Planes. Djinn, efreet, marids, and
shaitans/dao will generally put all available points in a single
elemental plane (air, fire, water, and earth, respectively); jann
spread them out more or less evenly among all four planes.
Genie’s Might: Starting at 2nd level, you gain a racial bonus
to Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution equal to half your
genie level. These stack with existing racial modifiers.
Improved Initiative: At 3rd level, you gain Improved
Initiative as a bonus feat.
Natural Armor (Ex): At 3rd level, you gain a +1 bonus to
natural armor (or any existing natural armor bonus increases
by +1). This bonus increases by +1 per genie class level
thereafter.
Genie’s Guile (Ex): At 4th level, you gain a +2 racial bonus
to Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma. These stack with
existing racial modifiers.
Telepathy (Su): Starting at 4th level, you can communicate
with any creature within 60 ft. that has a language.
Genasi, Azer
The basic genasi rules included above can be modified to
produce an azer character (Bestiary 2).
Primary Race: Mountain dwarf; Secondary Race: genie
(efreet).
Physical Description: Azer appear as squat, brass-skinned
dwarves; their heads and shoulders blaze with a mane of fire.
Type: Outsider [Elemental Fire].
Languages: Azer trade Dwarven for Ignan.
Typical Classes: Fighter, expert. Azer also advance by
racial hit dice; see below.
Attribute Modifiers: Retain the mountain dwarf’s racial
modifiers of +2 Con, +2 Wis, -2 Cha.
Racial Feats: Exchange your favored terrain
(underground) for favored terrain (Elemental Plane of Fire).
Your other racial feat must be Azer Blood (q.v.).
Racial Traits: Choose Arcane Resistance (q.v.) as your
optional trait.
Weapon Familiarity: As mountain dwarf.
Racial Progression: You can come into your full heritage
by taking levels (i.e., racial hit dice) in Azer, as described
below.
Azer Hit Dice: d10
Level BAB Special
1st +1 Favored terrain, natural armor
2nd +2 Heat, spell resistance
3rd +3 Attribute boosts
4th +4 Attribute boosts
Saving Throws: Azer levels provide good progression in
Fortitude and Will saves, and poor progression in Reflex and
Intuition saves.
Bonus Skills: Azer gain 1 free rank per class level in Craft
(smith) and Endurance. These are otherwise treated as class
skills.
Class Skills: Athletics, Bluff, Craft (any), Diplomacy,
Knowledge (lore), Knowledge (the planes), Perception,
Profession (any), and Spellcraft.
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Azer retain their
dwarven weapon familiarity, and are proficient with light and
medium armor.
Favored Terrain (Ex): Your favored terrain bonus (Plane of Powerful Build (Ex): Although Medium sized, your
Fire) increases by +1 per azer level you possess. You physical stature lets you function in many ways as if you
therefore gain the [fire] subtype at 2nd level, when your were one size category larger. Treat your size as Large
favored terrain bonus reaches +4. when calculating CMB and CMD, and when determining
Natural Armor (Ex): Your bronze-like skin grants you a whether a creature’s special attacks based on size (such as
natural armor bonus equal to your azer level. improved grab or swallow whole) can affect you. You can
Heat (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, the heat from your body use weapons designed for a creature one size larger
deals 1d6 points of fire damage whenever you hit an without penalty. However, your space and reach remain
opponent in melee, or in each round you maintain a grapple. those of a creature of your actual size. The benefits of this
Spell Resistance (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, you lose your racial trait stack with the effects of powers, abilities, and
Arcane Resistance racial trait, but instead gain spell spells that change your size category.
resistance equal to 11 + your class level. Spell Resistance (Ex): You gain spell resistance equal to
Attribute Boosts (Ex): At 3rd level, you gain a +1 racial 11 + your character level.
bonus to Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence. These bonuses
increase to +2 at 4th level.
Racial Traits: Hagspawn trade one or both of their existing
Hagspawn racial traits for choices from following list:
Hagspawn are the horrid progeny of humans and hags. Male Darkvision (Ex): Your hag parentage gives you darkvision
hagspawn (as described in Unapproachable East) resemble with a 60-ft. range
half-giants (see below); females are tall and thin, as the so-
called changelings from Pathfinder Adventure Path #43 Green Widow (Ex): Female greenhag spawn can gain Skill
(“The Haunting of Harrowstone”). Synergy (Bluff, Perform: Acting) as a bonus feat.
Primary Race: Any; Secondary Race: hag (any). Monstrous Humanoid: Hagspawn with this racial trait are
Physical Description: Male hagspawn resemble brutish Monstrous Humanoids, rather than Humanoids, and are
members of the primary race (usually human). They are tall therefore immune to spells that specifically target
and powerfully built, with long arms, big hands, and a humanoid races.
distinctive hunched posture. Their hair is long and lank,
usually black in color. Their skin is pale, with a hint of color Weapon Familiarity: Hagspawn have long, hard nails,
dependent on their parentage: pallid blue for annis spawn, providing them with two natural claw attacks (base damage
sickly green for greenhag spawn, etc. Female hagspawn are 1d4, or 1d6 if they also possess the Powerful Build racial
tall and slender (sometimes even gaunt). They often have feat). They gain no other armor or weapon proficiencies due
mismatched, differently-colored eyes. to race.
Type: Retain the base creature type, although hagspawn Racial Progression: Female hagspawn can choose to
can also gain the Monstrous Humanoid type as a racial trait advance by taking Monstrous Humanoid racial hit dice,
(see below). eventually becoming true hags. A class progression chart
Languages: Common, Aklo. Those with high Intelligence would need to be worked out.
scores can learn Giant, Goblin, Orcish, or Draconic as well.
Typical Classes: Barbarian (males); sorcerer (hag
bloodline) (females).
Attribute Modifiers: Male hagspawn gain Str +2, Con +2,
Cha -2. They are strong and hardy, but also sullen, ill-
tempered, and easily led. Female hagspawn gain +2 Wis, +2
Cha, -2 Con. They are frail, but possess a sharp wit and force
of personality.
Racial Feats: All hagspawn have claws (see Weapon
Familiarity, below). Also, exchange one or both of your
existing racial feats for hagspawn racial feats selected from
the following list:
Favored Terrain (Ex): You gain Favored Terrain as a bonus
feat; the specific terrain depends on the type of hag from
which you are descended2: annis, green hag, or swamp
hagCC—swamps; bheur hagUE, marzannaFB, or ice hagCC
—arctic; cavern hagCC—underground; dune hagSSt—
desert; moon hagCC—mountains; night hag—lower
planes; sea hag or brine hagCC—underwater; shrieking
hagUE—plains.
Natural Armor (Ex): You gain a +2 natural armor bonus.

Half-Giant
“Some men have arrived here, outside, a group of twelve, if
they could be called ‘men,’ but they’re more like ogres than
human beings in size and looks.”
―Egil’s Saga (ca. 1240)
Rare creatures from the far northern reaches of
Gunderland, half-giants are descended from one of the
standard races and a giant of some type. While not as large
as their monstrous progenitors, half-giants can grow into
mighty warriors. The basic half-breed race presented is
adapted from the 3.5 edition System Reference Document
(Psionic Races).
Primary Race: Any humanoid; Secondary Race: giant
(any). An orc half-giant is an “orog.”
Physical Description: Half-giants are often over 7 feet in
height and weigh over 315 pounds. Skin and hair color are
variable, depending on the type of the giant parent. Most half-
giants have human-like eyes, though about one in five have
the white pupils common to ogres. Their odor is noticeable,
but it is not as overpowering as that of a full-blooded giant or
ogre.
Type: Humanoid [Uncivilized].
Languages: Half-giants begin play speaking Common and
Giant. Those with high Intelligence scores can learn
Draconic, Dwarven, Goblin, and/or Orcish as bonus
languages.
Typical Classes: Barbarian, psychic warrior. Half-giants
are eligible for the half-giant paragon class (see below), and
always treat it as a favored class.
Attribute Modifiers: Str +2, Con +2, Int -2. Half-giants are
big and strong, but also rather slow-witted.
Racial Feats: Exchange one of your existing racial feats for
the following:
Powerful Build (Ex): Although Medium sized, the physical
stature of half-giants lets them function in many ways as if
they were one size category larger. A half-giant treats his
size as Large when calculating CMB and CMD, and when
determining whether a creature’s special attacks based on
size (such as improved grab or swallow whole) can affect
him. A half-giant can use weapons designed for a creature
one size larger without penalty. However, his space and
reach remain those of a creature of his actual size. The
benefits of this ability stack with the effects of most
powers and spells that change the subject’s size category,
but not with the Giant’s Stance feat.
Your other racial feat can be chosen from among those
listed for your non-giant parentage, or you can instead choose
one of the following:
Favored Terrain (Ex): You gain Favored Terrain (arctic or
hills/mountains) as a bonus feat.
Stomp (Sp): Once per day, your foot stomp precipitates a
psychokinetic shock wave that travels along the ground in
a 20-ft. cone, toppling creatures and loose objects. The
shock wave affects only creatures standing on the ground
within the area; those that fail a Reflex save (DC 10 + half
your character level + your Strength modifier) are thrown
to the ground, prone, and take 1d6 points of nonlethal
damage.
Racial Traits: Half-giants trade one or both of their
existing racial traits for an equal number of selections made
from the following:
Endure Elements (Ex): A half-giant can endure either heat
or cold (choose one upon creating the character), as if
under a continuous endure elements spell.
Intimidating Prowess (Ex): You gain Intimidating Prowess
as a bonus feat.
Low-Light Vision (Ex): Half-giants can see twice as far as
humans in conditions of dim light.
Relentless (Ex): You are skilled at pushing your way
through a battlefield, tossing aside lesser foes with ease.
You gain Improved Bull Rush or Improved Overrun as a
bonus feat.
Survivor (Ex): You gain Skill Focus (Survival) as a bonus
feat.
Weapon Familiarity: Half-giants have Martial proficiency
with bludgeons. If already proficient with all martial weapons
(as through a class feature), they gain Exotic proficiency with
great clubs.
Racial Progression: Some half-giants have particularly
strong giant heritage. Upon taking levels in the Giant class
below, they gain the [giant] subtype. A 1st level giant is
effectively a half-ogre (Cf. Races of Destiny). A verbeeg (per
the 1st edition Monster Manual II and the 3.5 edition
Expedition to the Ruins of Greyhawk) is a human with one
level of giant. Those with troll blood can gain up to 4
additional levels, simulating the half-troll template from the
Fiend Folio.
Giant Hit Dice: d8
Level BAB Special
1st
+0 Deformities, powerful physique
2nd +1 Large size, rock catching
Saving Throws: Giants gain a +2 class bonus to Fortitude
and Will saves.
Bonus Skills: Giants gain 1 free rank per class level in
Endurance. This is otherwise treated as a class skill.
Class Skills: Athletics, Bluff, Craft (any), Handle Animal,
Heal, Profession (any), and Survival.
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Giants have Simple
proficiency with all weapons and shields, and are proficient
with light and medium armor. In addition, they retain their
half-giant racial weapon familiarity.
You also gain the ability to throw Small (ca. 40-lb.) rocks
with a range increment of 20 ft. A rock thrown by you deals a
base 1d8 bludgeoning damage, with a base critical threat
range and multiplier of 20/x2.
Deformities (Ex): A giant (especially one descended from
an ogre or fomorian) can choose one beneficial and one
disadvantageous deformity from the options given under
Ogrekin, in the Bestiary 2. You are not required to select any
deformities if you do not wish.
N.B. A half-giant paragon with orc parentage can select the
thick skin and weak mind deformities and can trade in rock
throwing for Exotic proficiency with unarmed attacks,
essentially creating an ogrillon (per the 1st edition Fiend
Folio).
Powerful Physique (Ex): At 1st level, although you are still
technically Medium sized, your stature and powerful physique
grants you a +2 size bonus to Strength and Constitution, and
a -1 size penalty to Dexterity. You gain a +1 natural armor
bonus that stacks with any existing natural armor bonus you
may possess.
Large Size (Ex): At 2nd level, your size increases to Large.
This supersedes (does not stack with) your half-giant
Powerful Build racial feat. Your size bonus to Strength and
Constitution increase by +2 (to +4 total), your natural armor
bonus increases by +2, and your size penalty to Dexterity
increases by an additional -1. Your reach extends to 10 feet.
(You now have the equivalent of the Giant simple template,
from the Pathfinder Bestiary).
Rock Catching (Ex): Once per round, a Giant that would
normally be hit by a rock can make a Reflex save to catch it as
a free action. The DC is 15 for a Small rock, 20 for a Medium
one, and 25 for a Large one. (If the projectile provides a
magical bonus on attack rolls, the DC increases by that
amount.) You must be ready for and aware of the attack in
order to make a rock catching attempt.
There was a man named Hallbjörn, nicknamed Half-Troll,
who was the son of Úlf the Brave. He lived on the island of
Hrafnista, which lies near Raumsdal. He was a powerful man
and influential over the farmers north of there. He was
married, and had a son named Ketil, who grew up to be a big
and strong man.
―The Saga of Ketil Trout (ca. 13th century)
Trollborn Hit Dice: d8
Level BAB Special
3rd +2 Fast healing, might of Járnviðr
4th +3 Natural armament
5th +3 Rend, scent
6th +4 Regeneration
Fast Healing (Ex): At 3rd level you gain fast healing 2,
overcome by fire or acid. This fast healing increases by +1 per
trollborn level thereafter.
Might of Járnviðr (Ex): Your racial bonus to Strength and
Constitution increase by +1 per trollborn level (up to +4, or +6
total with your half-giant racial bonuses).
Natural Armament (Ex): At 4th level, when not wielding
manufactured weapons, you gain two natural claw attacks
(base damage 1d6) and a bite attack (base damage 1d8). In
addition, at 4th and every subsequent level, your natural
armor bonus increases by +1.
Scent (Ex): At 5th level, you gain the Scent ability.
Rend (Ex): At 5th level, you gain Two-Weapon Strike and
Vital Strike as bonus feats, even if you do not meet the
prerequisites. If your base attack bonus is less than +6, your
Vital Strike deals an additional +2d4 damage, rather than
+2d6.
Regeneration (Ex): At 6th level, your fast healing improves
to regeneration.
Man-Ape
Man-Ape
“Firstly, you shall know that Busyrane dwells in the woods
where the Losels breed, those most hideous creatures that
are half-human in form, yet eat of human flesh…”
Out from among the trees loped a pair of naked, hairy
seven-foot ape men. They had huge ears with tufts of hair
sprouting from them, and throat pouches like orangutans. In
their hands were clubs. For a moment they stood at gaze,
then came splashing through the stream at a gallop.
The first of the ape men ran at him, bellowing. Shea never
knew whether he had gained his senses or lost his nerve, but
he next instant he and Chalmers were running round and
round the tethered animals, with the ape-men foaming
through their tusks behind.
―L. Sprague deCamp and Fletcher Pratt,
“The Mathematics of Magic” (1940)
One of the more bizarre races possible, a human/ape
crossbreed character was conceived by one of the players in
the Aviona campaign after reading H.P. Lovecraft’s “Facts
Concerning the Late Arthur Jermyn and His Family” and
seeing Bela Lugosi’s Murders in the Rue Morgue (1932). The
character, played as a henchman to one of the PCs with the
Leadership feat, was a circus attraction before being rescued
and befriended by the PC. This race is also useful for creating
such NPCs as Thak, from Robert E. Howard’s “Rogues in the
House.”
Primary Race: Human; Secondary Race: ape. Another
possibility is to make orc-ape crossbreeds, as in Gygax’s
Artifact of Evil (called “losels” in homage to deCamp and
Pratt, who in turn were referencing Spenser’s Faerie
Queene).
Type: Humanoid [Uncivilized].
Languages: Common, and a man-ape can communicate
with apes and dire apes as well, as if by speak with animals.
(Alternately, you can use Edgar Rice Burroughs’ conception
of “Mangani,” a language spoken by gorillas, dire apes,
baboons, and monkeys.)
Typical Classes: Barbarian. Man-apes always treat ape
levels (see below) as favored class levels.
Attribute Modifiers: Str +2, Int -2, Wis +2. Man-apes are
strong and alert, but are less intelligent than true men.
Racial Feats and Traits: Man-apes retain the human
Adaptable Nature racial feat (q.v.), and exchange the other
human bonus feat for Favored Terrain (choose a terrain
appropriate to the ape parent’s habitat―a typical lowland
gorilla would select forests and jungles, but a mountain
gorilla or Himalayan-like gray ape might have hills and
mountains instead). In addition, you trade your human racial
traits for low-light vision and the Intimidating Prowess feat.
Weapon Familiarity: Man-apes have Simple proficiency
with bludgeons. They gain no armor or shield proficiencies.
Racial Progression: You can tap into your bestial heritage
by taking levels in the Ape Paragon class, described below. A
3rd level ape paragon is equivalent to a gorilla; a 4th level ape
paragon is more or less similar to an intelligent dire ape.
Ape Paragon Hit Dice: d8
Level BAB Special
1st +0 Natural armor, savage attributes
2nd +1 Agile climber, slam
3rd +2 Powerful build, scent
4th +3 Bite, rend

Saving Throws: Ape paragons gain a +2 class bonus to

Fortitude, Reflex, and Intuition saves.
Bonus Skills: Ape paragons gain 1 free rank per class level
in Acrobatics, Athletics, and Bluff; these are otherwise
treated as class skills.
Class Skills: Endurance, Escape Artist, Perception, and
Stealth.
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Ape paragons are
proficient with their natural weapons.
Natural Armor (Ex): You gain a natural armor bonus equal
to your Ape Paragon class level.
Savage Attributes (Ex): You gain a racial bonus to
Strength equal to your Ape Paragon class level. Starting at
2nd level, you also gain a racial bonus to Dexterity and
Constitution equal to half your Ape Paragon level. These
bonuses stack with existing racial attribute modifiers.
Agile Climber (Ex): At 2nd level, you gain a climb speed of
10 ft.; this increases by an additional 5 ft. per ape level
thereafter (maximum 20 ft. at 4th level). If you already have a
climb speed (from a favored terrain or existing class feature),
add this speed to your existing climb speed.
Slam (Ex): Also at 2nd level, you gain two slam attacks
(base damage 1d4).
Powerful Build (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, your physical
stature lets you function in many ways as if you were one size
category larger. This applies to your CMB and CMD. You are
also considered to be one size larger when determining
whether a creature’s special attacks based on size (such as
improved grab or swallow whole) can affect you. Your heavy
weapons and unarmed strikes deal damage as if they were
one size larger (and your base slam damage increases to
1d6). However, your space and reach remain those of a
creature of your actual size. The benefits of this ability stack
with the effects of most powers and spells that change the
subject’s size category, but not with the Giant’s Stance feat.
Scent (Ex): Also at 3rd level, you gain the scent special
quality.
Bite (Ex): At 4th level, you gain a natural bite attack (base
damage 1d6).
Rend (Ex): Starting at 4th level, your slam attacks become
claw attacks. You also gain Improved Grapple and Two-
Weapon Strike as bonus feats (even if you do not meet the
prerequisites); the latter applies to your claw attacks.

Appendix C: Powerful
Hybrid Races
In the case of more powerful races, simply trading racial
feats and traits is not sufficient to balance them. In those
cases, the character chooses a primary race as normal
(unless one is already specified for the powerful race), but
your first level (and possible some subsequent levels) is
dictated by your first racial hit die. Examples include
planetouched and those with the Blood of Amber, as
described below.
These guidelines can be used to allow other monstrous
races, in a manner similar to that promulgated in Savage
Species. However, in all cases, racial hit dice and level
adjustment should be merged, so that every level carries a hit
die (even if only a d6) and skill points (even if only 2/level).
There is no guarantee that these races are allowable in any
given campaign; the approval of the other players and referee
(and an appropriate character back-story) are always needed.
Amberite
Although you appear as a normal human, the blood of Amber
flows in your veins (Cf. Roger Zelazny’s “Amber” series). You
are not a full Prince of Amber like Corwin, and not even a
direct bastard like Dalt, but rather a more distant relation like
Lord Rein. Still, your heritage makes you more powerful than
normal mortals.
Primary Race: Human; Secondary Race: Outsider (Lord
of Amber).
Physical Description: As a normal human.
Type: PC Amberites are distantly-related enough from the
House of Amber that their type is Humanoid [Civilized],
rather than Outsider. You also gain the [Lawful] alignment
descriptor.
Languages: Common, Thari.
Attribute Modifiers: As human.
Racial Feats and Traits: Exchange your human bonus feat
for Power over Shadow as a bonus feat (you gain this feat
even though you do not meet the prerequisites). For the other
human feat, you gain Skilled, with the bonus skill ranks
automatically being taken in the Walk in Shadow skill.
Racial Progression: You start at 1st level with one level in
an NPC class of your choice (Adept, Aristocrat, Expert, or
Warrior). When advancing to 2nd level, you again must take a
level in an NPC class. At 2nd level, you are equivalent to a 2nd
level NPC with the Advanced simple template – still CR 2,
like a 2nd level PC. Thereafter, you progress using normal PC
classes. If your NPC class was Warrior, you always treat
Fighter as a favored class. If your NPC class was Adept, you
always treat sorcerer (Amber bloodline) as a favored class.
Amberite Hit Dice: By NPC Class
Level BAB Special
1st +1 Natural armor, superhuman
2nd +2 — 4th
Saving Throws, Class Skills, and Weapon and Armor
Proficiencies: By NPC class.
Natural Armor (Ex): You gain +1 natural armor per level
in Amberite, for a total of +2 at 2nd level.
Superhuman (Ex): At 1st level, you gain a +2 racial bonus
to all attributes (this stacks with existing modifiers). At 2nd
level, this bonus increases to +4.
Centaur
Aloof with other races and at odds even with their own kind,
the centaurs are an old race only slowly coming to accept the
modern world. While the majority of centaurs still live in
tribes roaming vast plains or the fringes of eldritch forests,
many have abandoned the isolationist ways of their ancestors
to walk among the more cosmopolitan cities of the world.
Often such free-spirited centaurs are considered outcasts and
are shunned by their own tribes, making the decision to leave
a heavy one.
Primary Race: Human; Secondary Race: Horse.
Physical Description: Typically found on the fringes of
civilization, these stoic people vary widely in appearance,
their skin tones typically appearing deeply tanned but similar
to the humans who occupy nearby regions, while their lower
bodies borrow the colorations of local equines. Centaur hair
and eyes trend toward darker colors and their features tend
to be broad, while the overall bulk of their bodies is
influenced by the size of the horses their lower quarters
resemble.
Type: Monstrous Humanoid. As a monstrous humanoid,
you have darkvision 60 ft. and are immune to spells that
specifically target humanoids.
Languages: Common, Sylvan.
Typical Classes: Barbarian, ranger. Centaurs always treat
their racial class levels as favored class levels.
Attribute Modifiers: Dex +2, Int -2, Wis +2. Centaurs are
agile and perceptive, but less intelligent than most other
races.
Racial Feats and Traits: Centaurs are Large sized, with a
-1 size penalty to Armor Class and attack rolls, -4 racial
penalty on Stealth checks, +1 size bonus to CMB, and lifting
and carrying limits are double those of Medium characters.
Your equine lower body makes it difficult for you to fit in
passages meant for Medium creatures (you must squeeze
through at half speed). Although you are Large, your upper
torso is the same size as that of a Medium humanoid; as a
result, you wield weapons meant for Medium creatures, and
do not have natural reach.
You otherwise gain no human racial feats nor traits;
instead, refer to the racial class features below.
Racial Progression: You progress through 4 levels’ worth
of racial hit dice (outlined below) before beginning
progression in a standard PC class.
Centaur Hit Dice: d10
Level BAB Special
1st +1 Draft horse, hooves 1d4, speed 35 ft.
2nd +2 Agility, natural armor, speed 40 ft.
3rd +3 Combat training, speed 45 ft.
+4 Hooves 1d6, speed 50 ft.
Saving Throws: As monstrous humanoids, centaurs gain a
+2 class bonus to Reflex and Will saves.
Class Skills: Athletics, Bluff, Craft (any), Endurance, Handle
Animal, Perception, Stealth, and Survival.
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Centaurs have Simple
proficiency with all weapons and shields, and Martial
proficiency with bludgeons, with bows, and with the lance.
They are proficient with light armor.
Draft Horse (Ex): You gain a racial bonus to Strength and
Constitution equal to your centaur level (maximum +4 at 4th
level).
Hooves: You can fight with your fore-hooves as a secondary
attack form while using weapons, or as a primary attack form
while unarmed. Your hooves deal a base 1d4 damage; at 4th
level, the base damage increases to 1d6.
Speed: You have a base land speed of 30 ft. plus 5 ft. per
racial hit die you possess.
Agility (Ex): You gain a racial bonus to Dexterity equal to
half your class level (maximum +2 at 4th level). This stacks
with any existing racial bonuses.
Natural Armor: At 2nd level, you gain a +1 bonus to natural
armor.
Combat Training (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, you are
treated as if you had the Mounted Combat feat for purposes
of qualifying for other feats such as Spirited Charge.
However, you do not need a separate steed, as you already
have the lower body of a horse.
Farspawn
Lavinia Whateley had no known husband, but according to
the custom of the region made no attempt to disavow the
child; concerning the other side of whose ancestry the
country folk might―and did―speculate as widely as they
chose. On the contrary, she seemed strangely proud of the
dark, goatish-looking infant who formed such a contrast to
her own sickly and pink-eyed albinism, and was heard to
mutter many curious prophecies about its unusual powers
and tremendous future.
He was soon disliked even more decidedly than his mother
and grandsire, and all conjectures about him were spiced
with references to the bygone magic of Old Whateley, and
how the hills once shook when he shrieked the dreadful
name of Yog-Sothoth in the midst of a circle of stones with a
great book open in his arms before him.
―H.P. Lovecraft, “The Dunwich Horror” (1928)
Much as fiends produce terrible mortal progeny, certain
entities of the Far Realm occasionally venture to the Material
Plane to procreate. Sometimes the mortal parent is willing, a
fanatical cultist or creature so debased in evil that he or she
deliberately invites the union. Other times, the Far Realm
being visits its horrible taint on whatever mortal creature best
suits its abhorrent purpose.
Physical Description: Farspawn are horrible in
appearance. By the capriciousness of fate and heritage, they
might appear largely normal, strongly favoring the mortal
parent, but always prominently bear abnormal features: extra
limbs, writhing cilia, tentacles, translucent flesh, variable
coloration, or slavering maws or alien eyes embedded in
otherwise normal flesh. With heavy clothing, a humanoid
farspawn might conceal its true nature for a time, but anyone
viewing the farspawn without its coverings could not possibly
miss its differences.
Type: Any creature with at least 1 level in Farspawn in
considered an Aberration, rather than a humanoid or fey, by
type. It is always treated as [evil] aligned for purposes of
adjudicating spells and auras.
Attribute Modifiers: As primary race, with an additional
+2 bonus to Constitution. At 5th level, you gain additional
racial modifiers (see below).
Racial Feats and Traits: As per the base race.
Racial Progression: Farspawn are more powerful than
fully mortal beings; they begin with one level in the Farspawn
class. Thereafter, they may advance by character class or by
racial hit dice (the latter representing additional levels in the
Farspawn class).
A low-level farspawn is equivalent to a creature with the
pseudonatural template from Complete Arcane. Higher-level
farspawn mimic the half-farspawn template from Lords of
Madness. By 8th level, a farspawn has many of the abilities of
a mind flayer, from the 3.5 edition Monster Manual.
Farspawn Hit Dice: d8
Level BAB Special
1st +0 Aberrant resistances, blindsight, spell-like
abilities
2nd +1 Damage reduction, natural armor, natural
weapons, spell resistance
3rd +2 Alternate form, immunities
4th +3 Change shape
5th +3 Attribute boosts
6th +4 Improved grab
7th +5 Innate metamagic
8th +6 Extract
Saving Throws: Farspawn are aberrations, gaining a +2
class bonus to Intuition and Will saves.
Bonus Skills: You gain 1 free rank per farspawn level in
Concentration and in Planar Sense. These are otherwise
treated as class skills.
Class Skills: Acrobatics, Athletics, Bluff, Escape Artist, Fly,
Knowledge (lore), Knowledge (the planes), Perception,
Profession (mining), Spellcraft, Stealth, and Survival.
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: As aberrations,
Farspawn have Simple proficiency with all weapons. They do
not automatically gain any proficiency with armor.
Aberrant Resistances (Ex): At 1st level, farspawn gain
resistance 5 to acid, electricity, and sonics. At 4th these
resistances improve by an additional 5 points per 4 hit dice
you possess. For example, a farspawn 4/fighter 8 (12 HD
total) would have resistance 20 to acid, electricity, and sonics.
Blindsight (Ex): Farspawn gain blindsight with a range of
10 ft. per farspawn level possessed.
Spell-Like Abilities (Sp): You gain a racial suite of spell-
like abilities, as described in Chapter 7: 1st—true strike, 2nd
—detect thoughts, 3rd—blink or displacement, 4th—greater
invisibility, 5th—telekinesis, 6th—plane shift, 7th—ethereal
jaunt, 8th—scintillating pattern, 9th—implosion or summon
monster IX. If you have one or more class levels in archivist,
cleric, incarnate, sorcerer (aberrant bloodline only), or wizard,
you can choose to forego all racial spell-like abilities in
exchange for Strong spellcasting theurgy.
Damage Reduction (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, you gain
DR 5/magic, with the enhancement bonus needed to bypass
this damage reduction equal to half your class level (round
up). For example, a 3rd level farspawn has DR 5/+2. This
reduction increases by 5 hp per 4 levels in Farspawn you
possess.
Natural Armor (Ex): At 2nd level, you gain a bonus to
natural armor equal to half your Farspawn class level. This
stacks with any existing natural armor bonus.
Natural Weapons (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, you gain two
tentacle attacks in addition to your normal attacks. These are
secondary attacks that deal a base 1d4 damage (assuming
you are Medium). When using these tentacles to assist in a
grapple, you gain a +2 racial bonus to your CMB. You gain an
additional tentacle per 4 levels in Farspawn you possess (an
8th level farspawn therefore has 4 tentacle attacks).
Spell Resistance (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, you gain spell
resistance equal to 5 + your farspawn class level + your total
number of hit dice (including aberration HD). For example, a
farspawn 4/fighter 8 (12 HD) would have SR 21.
Alternate Form (Su): Starting at 3rd level, as a standard
action you can take the form of a grotesque, tentacled mass
(or another appropriately gruesome form, as determined by
you and the referee). Despite the alien appearance, your
abilities remain unchanged. Other creatures receive a -1
morale penalty on their attack rolls against you when you are
in this alternate form.
Immunities (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, you are immune to
[affliction] conditions.
Change Shape (Su): At 4th level, your alternate form
increases in power. While in your tentacular form, you gain
two additional tentacle attacks and become amorphous (you
cannot be flanked, and are not subject to extra damage from
critical hits).
Attribute Boosts (Ex): At 5th level, you receive a +2 racial
bonus to Strength, Dexterity, and Charisma, and a +4 racial
bonus to Constitution and Wisdom. These bonuses stack
with existing racial attribute modifiers.
Improved Grab (Ex): Starting at 6th level, on a successful
tentacle attack against a creature of your size or smaller, you
can attempt to start a grapple as a free action without
provoking an attack of opportunity. If you beat the opponent’s
CMD, you establish a hold and attach the tentacle to the
opponent’s head. If you begin your turn with at least one
tentacle attached, you can try to attach your remaining
tentacles with a single grapple check. The opponent can
escape with a single successful grapple check or an Escape
Artist check, but you get a +2 circumstance bonus to CMD
against this for every tentacle that was attached at the
beginning of the opponent’s turn.
Innate Metamagic (Sp): A 7th level farspawn gains Innate
Metamagic, to be applied to one of its spell-like abilities, as a
bonus feat. The standard mind flayer in the Monster Manual
would have taken Enlarge Spell to increase the area of effect
of its psionic blast.
Extract (Ex): A farspawn that begins its turn with all of its
tentacles attached to a single opponent automatically extracts
the opponent’s brain as a standard action on a successful pin
that round, instantly killing that creature. This ability is
useless against constructs, elementals, oozes, plants, and
undead. It is not instantly fatal to foes with multiple heads,
such as ettins and hydras.
Lich
He learned of the otherworldly powers that lay waiting in the
world’s hidden places. He learned how to tap into their
potency and so quicken his own resources. And ultimately, he
learned how he could have it all. It required one’s own death,
but repaid that death a hundredfold with eternity—but not in
some nebulous afterworld. What use was that?
―Charles deLint, Spiritwalk (1992)
These rules allow a character to become a lich and retain
some semblance of a class progression, rather than simply
becoming a monster NPC.
Primary Race: Any.
Type: Undead. A lich also gains all of the traits of the
Undead type, and gains the [evil] alignment descriptor.
Attribute Modifiers: As primary race. The character also
loses its Constitution score upon becoming a lich, and applies
its Charisma modifier to Fortitude saves and hit points per
die. As you gain levels, you receive mental attribute bonuses
as indicated in the table.
Racial Traits and Feats: As primary race.
Special: The process of becoming a lich is unspeakably
evil and can be undertaken only by a willing character. An
integral part of becoming a lich is creating a magic phylactery
in which the character stores its life force. As a rule, the only
way to get rid of a lich for sure is to destroy its phylactery.
Unless its phylactery is located and destroyed, a lich
reappears 1d10 days after its apparent death.
Each lich must make its own phylactery, which requires the
Imbue Item feat. The character must be able to cast
Necromancy spells and have at least 11 ranks in
Concentration. The phylactery costs 30,000 gp per lich level
(which counts against the owner’s numen—see Chapter 6)
and has a caster level equal to that of its creator at the time of
creation.
The most common form of phylactery is a sealed metal box
containing strips of parchment on which magical phrases
have been transcribed. The box is Tiny and has 40 hit points,
hardness 20, and a break DC of 40. Other forms of
phylacteries can exist, such as rings, amulets, or similar
items.
Racial Progression: Upon gaining sufficient experience to
gain a level, instead of advancing normally, the would-be lich
undertakes a dread ritual that culminates in his death, rising
1d10 days later with 1 level in the Lich class. Lich class levels
count as Undead hit dice.
Lich Hit Dice: d8
Level BAB Special
1st +0 Channel resistance, damage reduction, natural
armor, spell theurgy, wisdom of the grave
2nd +1 Attribute boost (+2 Int), immunities, touch of
corruption
3rd +2 Attribute boost (+2 Wis), fear aura
4th +3 Attribute boost (+2 Cha), rejuvenation
Saving Throws: Liches, as undead, gain a +2 class bonus
to Will saves.
Bonus Skills: Liches receive 1 free rank per class level in
Concentration, Knowledge (the planes), and Spellcraft. These
are otherwise treated as class skills.
Class Skills: Athletics, Bluff, Fly, Knowledge (lore),
Perception, Perform (acting), and Stealth.
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Liches do not gain any
additional weapon or armor proficiencies.
Channel Resistance (Ex): You gain channel resistance
equal to +1 per lich level you possess.
Damage Reduction (Ex): At 1st level, you gain DR
6/bludgeoning and magic. The amount improves by +3 per
level thereafter, to a maximum of DR 15/bludgeoning and
magic at 4th level.
Natural Armor (Ex): A 1st level lich gains a +2 natural
armor bonus; this improves by +1 per lich level thereafter.
Spell Theurgy: Lich levels provide Strong theurgy towards
your existing spellcasting ability.
Wisdom of the Grave (Ex): You gain a competence bonus
on Bluff, Perception, and Stealth checks equal to twice your
lich class level.
Immunities (Ex): At 2nd level, you are immune to cold and
electricity.
Touch of Corruption (Su): You gain a touch attack that
deals an amount of negative energy damage equal to 1d8 +
half your number of ranks in Concentration. Any creature
damaged by this attack must also succeed at a Fortitude save
(DC 10 + your Concentration bonus) or be paralyzed for 1
round per rank in Concentration you possess. At 2nd level, the
paralysis lasts 10 minutes per level instead; at 3rd level it
lasts 1 day per level; and at 4th level it is permanent unless a
remove curse (with a successful check equal to the save DC)
is used. A paralyzed victim appears to be dead (DC 15 Heal
check to realize he or she is still alive).
Skill
Skill Points
Points at
at Each
Each Level:
Level: 44 ++ Int
Int modifier.
modifier.
Fear Aura (Su): Starting at 3rd level, creatures within 60
feet that look upon you must succeed on a Will save (DC 10 +
half your Hit Dice + your Charisma modifier) or become
frightened (if they have fewer than 5 HD) or shaken (if they
have 5 or more HD) for a number of rounds equal to your
total number of Hit Dice. Creatures with HD greater than
yours are not affected. A creature that successfully saves
cannot be affected again by your aura for 24 hours. This is a
mind-affecting fear effect.
Rejuvenation (Su): When a lich with at least 4 lich class
levels is destroyed, its phylactery (which is generally hidden
by the lich in a safe place far from where it chooses to dwell)
immediately begins to rebuild the undead spellcaster's body
nearby. This process takes 1d10 days—if the body is
destroyed before that time passes, the phylactery merely
starts the process anew. After this time passes, the lich
wakens fully healed (albeit without any gear it left behind on
its old body), usually with a burning need for revenge.
Lizardfolk
These guidelines can be used not only to represent the
lizardfolk race as presented in the Pathfinder Bestiary, but
also to advance into a dragonborn race (four levels in
Lizardfolk Paragon is equivalent to the half-dragon template).
Primary Race: Human; Secondary Race: Dragon or other
reptilian race. You can potentially model kobolds as lizardfolk
using goblin, rather than human, as the primary race.
Physical Description: Most lizardfolk stand 6 to 7 feet tall
and weigh 200 to 250 pounds, their powerful muscles
covered in scales of gray, green, or brown (or some other
color appropriate to dragon ancestry, if any). Some have short
dorsal spikes or brightly colored frills.
Type: Monstrous Humanoid; you also gain the [reptilian]
subtype. As a monstrous humanoid, you have darkvision 60 ft.
and are immune to spells that specifically target humanoids.
Languages: Common, Draconic.
Typical Classes: Barbarian, sorcerer. Lizardfolk always
treat their racial class levels as favored class levels.
Attribute Modifiers: Str +2, Con +2, Int -2. Lizardfolk are
strong and hardy, but not as intelligent as humans.
Racial Feats and Traits: Lizardfolk trade their human
feats for favored terrain and natural armor, as described
below.
Racial Progression: Lizardfolk progress through two
levels’ worth of racial hit dice before selecting a PC class.
Alternatively, they can discover or embrace a draconic
heritage through two more levels’ worth of racial progression,
as shown below.
Lizardfolk (Dragonborn) Hit Dice: d10
Level BAB Special
1st +1 Favored terrain, natural armor
2nd +2 Natural weapons, strength of Semuana
3rd +3 Draconic heritage
4th +4 Breath weapon, wings
Saving Throws: As monstrous humanoids, lizardfolk gain
a +2 class bonus to Reflex and Will saves.
Class Skills: Athletics, Bluff, Craft (any), Endurance, Fly,
Handle Animal, Perception, Stealth, and Survival.
Skill
Skill Points
Points at
at Each
Each Level:
Level: 44 ++ Int
Int modifier.
modifier.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Lizardfolk have Simple
proficiency with all weapons and shields, and Martial
proficiency with bludgeons. They are proficient with light
armor.
Favored Terrain (Ex): You gain Favored Terrain (swamps
and marshes) as a bonus feat. You also gain a swim speed
equal to half your base land speed, and can hold your breath
for a number of rounds equal to 4 times your Constitution
score before you risk drowning.
Natural Armor (Ex): You gain a bonus to natural armor
equal to your lizardfolk level.
Natural Weapons (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, you gain two
claw attacks (base 1d4 damage) and a bite (base 1d4 damage)
as natural weapons. Alternatively, you can use a
manufactured weapon and still gain a secondary bite attack.
If you have the Two-Weapon Fighting feat, you can also attack
with a claw as a secondary (off-hand) weapon. At 3rd level,
your base bite damage increases to 1d6.
Strength of Semuana (Ex): Your racial bonus to Strength
increases by an additional +2 per lizardfolk level above 1st, to
a maximum total of +8 at 4th level (including the initial +2
bonus for being a lizardfolk).
Draconic Heritage (Ex): If you choose to take a 3rd level in
Lizardfolk, your type changes to Dragon. Do not recalculate
skills or hit points, but you gain Great Fortitude and Deep
Intuition as bonus feats. You gain low-light vision and
immunity to sleep and paralysis; you also gain a +2 racial
bonus to Intelligence (which essentially removes the -2
penalty you took at 1st level), Strength, and Charisma. At 4th
level, the bonus to Intelligence increases to +4 (for a net
bonus of +2).
Choose one dragon type; your scales take on that color
predominantly, and you gain immunity to the corresponding
energy type (see table below). If you have levels in Sorcerer
with the Draconic bloodline of the same type as yours, you
add your Dragonborn class level to your sorcerer level; for
purposes of determining your bloodline powers and their
effects.
Breath Weapon (Ex): At 4th level, you gain a breath
weapon usable once per day based on your dragon type (see
below). The breath weapon deals 1d6 hit points of damage
per racial HD you possess (initially 4d6); a Reflex save
applies for half (DC 10 + half your racial HD + your Con
modifier).
Dragon Type Breath Weapon
Black or copper 60-ft. line of acid
Brass 60-ft. line of fire
Blue or bronze 60-ft. line of electricity
Gold or red 30-ft. cone of fire
Green 30-ft. cone of acid
Silver or white 30-ft. cone of cold
Wings (Ex): At 4th level, you gain a pair of leathery wings
and a fly speed equal to your base land speed.
Lycanthrope
Under these rules, a person bitten by a lycanthrope who
contracts the curse simply becomes an NPC on nights of the
full moon, with no recollection of his or her actions while in
animal form (which works as per the beast shape I spell). By
taking levels in the lycanthrope class, however, the character
can learn to use these abilities to his or her advantage.
Likewise, a class progression allows natural lycanthrope
characters to start play, but with only a fraction of their
eventual abilities.
Primary Race: Any humanoid; Secondary Race:
Lycanthrope.
Type: Lycanthropes retain their base creature type, but
also gain the [shapechanger] subtype.
Attribute Modifiers: Con +2, Wis +2, Cha -2. Lycanthropes
are hardy and perceptive, but lack poise and self-confidence.
Racial Feats and Traits: Unless noted otherwise,
lycanthropes retain all the racial feats and traits of the
primary race. They also gain the following:
Animal Empathy (Ex): Lycanthropes gain a +4 racial
bonus to Handle Animal checks made with animals of the
same type as the lycanthrope’s animal form (including dire
animals).
Animal Senses (Ex): Lycanthropes have low-light vision in
all forms.
Racial Progression: Lycanthropes come into their power
by advancing in the Lycanthrope class.
Lycanthrope Hit Dice: d8
Level BAB Special
1st +0 Animal form, damage reduction, natural armor,
scent
2nd +1 Hybrid form (+4, bite), moon magic, savagery
3rd +2 Hybrid form (+6, claws), curse
4th +3 Hybrid form (+8), savagery
5th +3 Hybrid form (Large, +2)
6th +4 Hybrid form (Large, +4), savagery
Saving Throws: Lycanthropes gain a +2 class bonus to
Fortitude, Reflex, and Intuition saves.
Class Skills: Acrobatics, Athletics, Endurance, Perception,
Stealth, and Survival.
Skill Points per Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: Lycanthropes are
proficient with their natural weapons. They gain no weapon
or armor proficiencies.
Animal Form (Su): Once per day as a standard action, you
can assume the form of an animal, as if under the effects of a
beast shape I spell. The type of animal depends on the type of
lycanthrope you are: werebear—Medium black bear;
wereboar—Medium boar; weretiger—Medium cat; wererat—
Small dire rat; werewolf—Medium wolf. Starting at 5th level,
you can take the form of a Large animal of the appropriate
type (e.g., a brown bear, dire boar, or dire wolf) or Tiny animal
(rat), as if under the effects of a beast shape II spell.
Damage Reduction (Ex): Starting at 1st level, you gain
damage reduction 5/silver when in animal form. At 2nd level,
you have DR 5/silver in your human form, and DR 10/silver
in animal or hybrid form (see below).
Natural Armor (Ex): Your natural armor bonus increases
by +1 per lycanthrope class level you possess. The maximum
such bonus in humanoid form is +2; in animal or hybrid form
(see below), you receive the full bonus.
Scent (Ex): Starting at 1st level, you gain the scent special
quality (you gain the effects of this quality in your humanoid
and hybrid forms, not just in your animal form).
Hybrid Form (Su): Starting at 2nd level, as a standard
action you can assume an animal-like humanoid form. While
in hybrid form, you gain a bite or gore attack (base damage
1d6). Starting at 3rd level, your hybrid form also has two claw
or slam attacks (base damage 1d4). You can wield weapons
while in hybrid form, but cannot cast spells with verbal
components (nor use bardic inspirations that require singing
or chanting) unless you also have the Natural Spell feat (q.v.).
While in hybrid form, you also gain an additional +4 total
profane bonus to your physical attributes, divided as you see
fit or as appropriate for your animal type. For example, a
werebear might gain +4 Strength; a wererat might choose +4
to Dexterity; and a werewolf might choose +2 to Dexterity
and Constitution. The total bonus to physical stats while in
hybrid form improves as shown in the table. The additional
+2 at 3rd and 4th levels can be applied to any physical stat(s)
you choose.
You can spend a maximum number of rounds per day in
hybrid form equal to twice your lycanthrope class level + your
(hybrid) Constitution bonus.
Moon Magic (Ex): Lycanthrope levels provide Weak
theurgy to any existing druid, ranger, transmuter, or sorcerer
(bestial bloodline only) spellcasting progression you possess.
It also provides Weak synergy towards advancing bestial
bloodline powers or moonspeaker Druid initiation abilities
(both in terms of gaining new powers and the level at which
those powers function).
Savagery (Ex): At 2nd, 4th, and 6th levels, you gain a
special ability appropriate to your animal type, chosen from
the list below.
Bear: grab (see Bestiary), immunity to poison, or bonus
feat (Fast Recovery, Giant’s Stance, Improved Grapple,
Improved Natural Armor, Improved Natural Attack, Power
Attack, Toughness, or Two-Weapon Strike);
Boar: impale (x3 crit multiplier with gore), or bonus feat
(Cleave, Defiance, Diehard. Fast Recovery, Improved Bull
Rush, Improved Natural Armor, Improved Overrun, Power
Attack, Skirmish, Toughness, or Vital Strike);
Rat: disease (filth fever by bite; see Bestiary), immunity to
afflictions, or bonus feat (Ability Focus (disease), Combat
Expertise, Dodge, Fast Recovery, Improved Feint,
Improved Weapon Maneuvers, Toughness, Unclean
Strike, or Weapon Finesse);
Tiger: grab, pounce, or rend (see Bestiary) or bonus feat
(Bleeding Strike, Combat Reflexes, Crippling Strike, Fast
Recovery, Improved Initiative, Improved Natural Attack,
Skill Focus, or Weapon Focus);
Wolf: favored terrain (plains; maximum bonus equal to
your lycanthrope class level), sneak attack +1d6 (you may
select this more than once to increase the bonus), or
bonus feat (Dodge, Fast Recovery, Improved Critical (bite),
Improved Flanking, Improved Trip, Maneuvering Strike
(trip), or Skirmish).
You must meet all normal prerequisites for feats, but can
otherwise select freely from the choices available to you. Lists
for other animal types (for unusual lycanthropes) can be
developed similarly.
Curse (Su): Starting at 3rd level, your bite in animal or
hybrid form inflicts lycanthropy (Fortitude DC 15 negates). If
the victim's size is not within one size category of yours, this
ability has no effect.
Large (Ex): Starting at 5th level, your hybrid form is Large
sized (roughly 8 ft. tall). The damage from your natural
attacks improves by 1 die type (bite 1d8, claws 1d6), your
natural armor bonus increases by +3, and you gain a +2 size
bonus to Strength and Constitution while in hybrid form. At
6th level, the bonus to Strength and Constitution increases to
+4.
Planetouched
You are descended from a planar entity such as a celestial
or a demon; either from a more or less distant ancestor (if
you end up taking only your first level in Planetouched) or
even a parent (if you progress through all six levels). [Good]
planetouched (descended from celestials) are assimars; [evil]
ones (descended from demons, devils, or daemons) are
“tieflings,” [lawful] ones (descended from Axiomites and the
like) are “resolute,” and [chaotic] ones (descended from true
Proteans or slaadi) are “proteans” or “neraphim,”
respectively.
Primary Race: Any humanoid or fey; Secondary Race:
Celestial, fiend, etc.
Type: Planetouched are Outsiders [native], rather than
humanoids or fey; planetouched levels are considered
outsider racial hit dice, as described below. They and gain all
alignment descriptor(s) and subtype(s) appropriate to their
Outsider parentage.
Typical Classes: Planetouched tend to multiclass into
cleric or paladin (aasimars), rogue (tiefling), or sorcerer
(Celestial, Celestial, Daemon, Infernal, or Protean bloodline).
Aasimars always treat paladin as a favored class; Tieflings
always treat rogue as a favored class; and all planetouched
treat their planetouched levels as favored class levels.
Favored Class Bonus: If you have Planetouched as a
favored class, instead of choosing +1 hp or +1 skill point as a
favored class bonus, you can instead gain a favored enemy
bonus (aberrations and evil outsiders for aasimars; good
outsiders for tieflings; etc.) of +1 each time you select this
option, to a maximum bonus equal to half your character
level.
Attribute Modifiers: Depend on planar heritage; these
modifiers are in addition to the modifiers for the base race.
Aasimars: +2 Wisdom, Charisma
Proteans: +2 Constitution, Charisma; -2 Wisdom
Resolute: +2 Constitution, Wisdom; -2 Charisma
Tieflings: +2 Dexterity, Intelligence; -2 Charisma.
Racial Feats and Traits: Unless noted otherwise,
planetouched retain all the racial feats and traits of the
primary race.
Racial Progression: To play a planetouched, a character
starts with one of the standard races (generally human), and
then selects the Planetouched class for at least one level.
Thereafter, the character can multiclass to progress in one of
the standard classes when leveling. He or she can also
choose to continue progress in the Planetouched class,
eventually becoming a celestial or fiendish character (or even
a half-celestial or half-fiend).
Planetouched Hit Dice: d10
Level BAB Special
1st +1 Darkvision, planar heritage, planar magic, skill
synergy
2nd +2 Natural weapons, spell resistance
3rd +3 Immunities, smite
4th +4 Natural armor
5th +5 Attribute boosts (+2 to all scores)
6th +6 Wings
Saving Throws: Good saves are dependent on heritage:
Aasimar or Resolute—Fortitude and Will; Tiefling or Protean
—Reflex and Intuition.
Bonus Skills: You gain 1 free rank per planetouched level
in Concentration and in Knowledge (the planes). These are
otherwise treated as class skills.
Class Skills: Bluff, Fly, Perception, and Stealth. Additional
class skills are based on your specific planar heritage.
Aasimar: Athletics, Diplomacy, Endurance, Heal
Protean: Endurance, Escape Artist, Planar Sense,
Survival
Resolute: Endurance, Craft (any), Knowledge (any),
Streetwise
Tiefling: Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand, Spellcraft,
Streetwise.
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: As outsiders,
Planetouched have Martial proficiency with all weapons.
They do not automatically gain any proficiency with armor or
shields.
Bonus Language: Aasimars gain Celestial as a bonus
language. Tieflings gain Abyssal or Mabrahoring (Infernal),
depending on their heritage. Resolute and Proteans gain
Thari (the language spoken in Amber and the Courts of
Chaos), or another language (Slaadi, etc.) if more appropriate
to their parentage.
Darkvision (Ex): Planetouched gain darkvision with a 60-
ft. range. If they already possess darkvision due to their non-
outsider parent race, the range of their existing darkvision
increases by 30 ft.
Planar Heritage (Ex): You gain Favored Terrain (lower
planes or upper planes, as appropriate) with a bonus equal to
your Planetouched class level (maximum bonus of 2 + half
your character level). In addition, at 1st level, planetouched
gain resistance 5 to three energy types, depending on their
heritage:
Aasimar—acid, cold, and electricity
Protean—acid, fire, and negative energy
Resolute—acid, cold, and fire
Tiefling—cold, electricity, and fire.
These stack with similar resistances, if any.
Planar Magic (Sp, Ex): You gain a suite of racial spell-like
abilities (Chapter 7) appropriate to your heritage, as follows.
Axiomatic (Resolute): 1st—axiomatic weapon (as bless
weapon, but lawful), 2nd—calm emotions, 3rd—magic
circle against chaos, 4th—order’s wrath, 5th—dispel
chaos, 6th—hold monster, 7th—dictum, 8th—shield of law,
9th—summon monster IX (marut).
Celestial (Aasimar): 1st—bless, 2nd—daylight, 3rd
—remove disease, 4th—holy smite, 5th—dispel evil, 6th
—hallow, 7th—holy word, 8th—holy aura, 9th—summon
monster IX (celestials only).
Entropic (Protean): 1st—entropic shield, 2nd—alter self,
3rd—magic circle against law, 4th—confusion, 5th—major
creation, 6th—disintegrate, 7th—word of chaos, 8th
—cloak of chaos, 9th—shapechange.
Fiendish (Tiefling): 1st—darkness, 2nd—desecrate, 3rd
—contagion, 4th—poison, 5th—unhallow, 6th
—blasphemy, 7th—destruction, 8th—unholy aura, 9th
—summon monster IX (fiends only).
Alternatively, choose a specific planar being as your
ancestor, and build a suite of racial spell-like abilities using
the abilities possessed by that being. For example, a
planetouched character descended from a green slaad (a
“green neraph”) might use the following: 1st—protection from
law, 2nd—see invisibility, 3rd—deeper darkness, 4th—fear,
5th—dispel law, 6th—animate objects, 7th—delayed blast
fireball, 8th—cloak of chaos, 9th—summon monster IX (1
green slaad, 1d3 blue slaadi, or 1d4+1 red slaadi). A character
descended from an angel of light might use the Heavenly
Radiance feat from the Advanced Race Guide as a starting
point. Examples are limited only by the requirement of player
and referee agreement.
You also gain the following class synergy options:
If you have levels in archivist, cleric, incarnate (Aspirancy
mystery), sorcerer (appropriate planar bloodline only), or
wizard, you can choose to forego all racial spell-like
abilities in exchange for Strong spellcasting theurgy.
Planetouched who multiclass into sorcerer and select an
appropriate planar bloodline (Celestial for aasimars, etc.)
gain Full synergy from their planetouched levels for
purposes of determining bloodline powers and resistances
gained, and their effects.
Skill Synergy: Planetouched gain Skill Synergy as a bonus
feat; the specific skills are dependent upon their planar
heritage, as follows: Aasimar—Diplomacy, Perception
(despite the normal prohibition on choosing Perception as a
synergy skill); Protean—Escape Artist, Planar Sense;
Resolute—Concentration, Streetwise; Tiefling—Bluff,
Stealth.
Natural Weapons (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, a tiefling
gains two claw attacks (base 1d4 damage) and a bite attack
(base 1d6 damage).
Spell Resistance (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, you gain spell
resistance equal to 5 + your character level.
Immunities (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, you are immune to
[affliction] conditions.
Smite (Su): Starting at 3rd level, you can smite once per
day as a swift action. This work’s as the prestige paladin’s
smite evil ability, but affects an enemy of alignment opposite
yours, and functions at an effective class level equal to your
total hit dice.
Natural Armor (Ex): At 4th level, you gain a +1 bonus to
your natural armor. This stacks with any existing natural
armor bonus. At 6th level, this bonus improves by an
additional +1.
Attribute Boosts (Ex): At 5th level, you become infused
with the power of the planes. You gain a +2 racial bonus to all
attribute scores (this stacks with your initial racial bonuses to
attributes).
Wings (Ex): At 6th level, an aasimar grows feathered wings
(a tiefling gains bat-like wings instead, proteans shifting mist-
like ones, and resolute mechanical ones) and can fly at twice
the base creature’s base land speed (good maneuverability).
Planetouched, Eladrin
4th edition D&D renamed high elves as “eladrin” (a race of
elflike celestials from previous editions), and retained the
names of specific eladrin types (bralani, ghaele, etc.) as
“noble” eladrins infused with fey powers. I recommend a
fusion of the two approaches for the Aviona campaign, as
outlined here.
Primary Race: High Elf; Secondary Race: Celestial.
Type: Outsider [Chaotic, Good, Elf].
Racial Progression: Celestial high elves (“eladrin”) can
also gain levels in the Feytouched Paragon racial class
(Appendix B). The addition of other class levels helps define
the variety of eladrin: an eladrin barbarian with favored
terrain: Arctic or an eladrin frost incarnate is a “bralani;” an
eladrin paladin is a “shiere;” and so on.
Use the following substitutions for the standard aasimar
class abilities:
Planar Magic (Ex): Create a list appropriate to your
eladrin type (e.g., a ghaele eladrin might have 1st—cure
light wounds, 2nd—detect thoughts, 3rd—dispel magic, 4th
—globe of invulnerability, 5th—wall of force, 6th—chain
lightning, 7th—prismatic spray, 8th—holy aura, 9th—mass
hold monster). Add alternative synergy appropriate to your
eladrin type: incarnate (Frost mystery) or Boreal bloodline
for bralani; paladin class features for shiere, etc.
Planetouched, Worghest
Planetouched, Worghest
This planetouched variant supersedes the “worghest” from
Dragon magazine, issue 350.
Primary Race: Goblin; Secondary Race: Barghest.
Type: Outsider [Evil, Lawful, Goblinoid].
Racial Progression: Worghests progress in levels as
Goblin Paragons (see above) and as fiendish Planetouched
(tieflings) for at least three levels, gaining the appropriate
abilities at the indicated level breaks. They also take levels in
lycanthrope (werewolf), in order to gain the change shape
ability. A goblin paragon 2/tiefling 3/werewolf 1 is the
equivalent of a lesser barghest; additional levels of tiefling
and/or lycanthrope to approximate a greater barghest. Use
the following substitutions for the standard tiefling class
abilities:
Feed (Su): Once per day when you slay a humanoid
opponent, it can feed on the corpse, devouring it as a full-
round action. Feeding destroys the victim’s body and
prevents any form of raising or resurrection that requires
part of the body. There is a 50% chance that a wish,
miracle, or true resurrection spell can restore the victim to
life (check once only; if the first check fails, the victim
cannot be restored). You gain the effects of a death knell
when it feeds in this manner. This ability replaces the
standard tiefling’s smite good ability.
Planar Magic: Replace the tiefling’s Infernal bloodline
with the Goblin bloodline. Replace the standard tiefling
spell-like abilities with the following: 1st—misdirection,
2nd—levitate, 3rd—crushing despair, 4th—dimension
door, 5th—heightened charm monster, 6th—mass bull’s
strength, 7th—destruction, 8th—unholy aura, 9th
—summon monster IX.
Vampire
The vampire progression presented here assumes a
character is infected mid-campaign―apparently dead, but
then slowly transforming into a vampire.
Racial Progression: 1d4 days after being drained by a
vampire, you rise as an Undead with the blood drain, servant
of darkness, and shadowless abilities, and all of the vampire
weaknesses (described below). As an undead, you gain the
[evil] alignment descriptor. Thereafter, you may choose to
continue to progress using PC classes, although you have all
of the weaknesses of a vampire and almost none of its
strengths. Alternatively, you can take levels in the Vampire
class in order to gain vampiric abilities to compensate for the
many weaknesses you gain as a new vampire slave. At 4th
level, you are equivalent to a vampire spawn; at 8th, you are a
full vampire.
Blood Drain (Su): As the vampire ability in the Bestiary;
this is how you survive, being unable to eat.
Servant of Darkness (Su): A vampire is under the
complete control of the vampire that created it, and remains
enslaved until its master's destruction.
 A vampire cleric or archivist devoted to a non-evil deity Attribute Modifiers: A vampire gains profane bonuses to
loses all class abilities, including spells, unless you renounce attribute scores as shown in the table. The bonuses shown
former allegiances and swear an oath to the forces of for each level supersede (do not stack with) those shown in
darkness. This restores your former abilities, but as a cleric previous rows.
or archivist sworn to evil, so that the ability to channel Natural Armor (Ex): A vampire’s natural armor bonus
negative positive becomes channel negative energy, etc. You improves as shown in the table.
lose your former domains and instead gains access to two of Slam (Ex): At 1st level you gain a slam attack (base
the following: Death, Destruction, Evil, or Trickery. Vampire damage 1d6), if you didn't have one. Your natural weapons
levels provide Weak theurgy to spellcasting. (including the slam) are treated as +1 weapons for the
Shadowless (Ex): A vampire casts no shadows and shows purpose of overcoming DR.
no reflection in a mirror. At the referee’s option, this also Spider Climb (Ex): Starting at 1st level, you can climb
applies to modern imaging methods such as film and sheer surfaces as though by spider climb.
videotape. Bonus Feat: You receive one bonus feat per level from 2nd
Undead Type: As an undead, a vampire has no through 7th level. These must be chosen from the following
Constitution score. It uses its Charisma modifier to list: Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Improved Initiative, Improved
determine hit point and Fortitude saving throw adjustments. Iron Will, Leadership, Lightning Reflexes, Skill Focus
Vampires gain all of the undead traits listed on pp. 309-310 of (Perception), Toughness.
the Pathfinder Bestiary Channel Resistance (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, you gain
Vampire Weaknesses: You have all of the weaknesses channel resistance with a bonus equal to half your vampire
described on pp. 270-271 of the Bestiary. You also have level.
resurrection vulnerability (Su): a raise dead or similar spell Damage Reduction (Ex): At 3rd level, you gain damage
with a spell level higher than your vampire level destroys you reduction 5/silver. The amount improves by +1 per vampire
unless you succeed at a Fortitude save (if your vampire level level thereafter. At 8th level, you have DR 10/magic and silver.
is higher than the level of the revivification spell, you are Fast Healing (Ex): At 3rd level, you gain fast healing at the
immune to its effects). rate shown in the table.
Gaseous Form (Su): Starting at 3rd level, as a standard
Vampire Hit Dice: d8 action you can assume gaseous form at will, but you can
Attribute Fast Natural
remain gaseous indefinitely and have a fly speed of 20 feet. If
Level BAB Special Modifiers: Healing Armor reduced to 0 hp, you automatically assume gaseous form. You
must reach your coffin within 2 hours or be destroyed (you
Str Dex Int can travel up to 9 miles in 2 hours). Additional damage dealt
0 +0 Blood drain, servant of +0 +0 +0 to you in gaseous form has no effect. Once at rest, you are
darkness, shadowless, helpless. You regain 1 hit point after 1 hour, then are no
vampire weaknesses longer helpless and resume fast healing as in the table.
1st +0 Slam, spider climb +0 +0 +0 Resistances (Ex): At 4th level, you gain resistance 10 to
cold and fire.
2nd +1 Bonus feat, channel +0 +1 +0 Dominate (Sp): Starting at 4th level, you can crush a
resistance humanoid opponent's will; you gain dominate person as a
3rd +2 Bonus feat, damage +1 +1 +0 spell-like ability, useable at will.
reduction, gaseous Energy Drain (Su): Starting at 4th level, any creature hit by
form your slam (or other natural weapon) gains one negative level.
4th +3 Bonus feat, +2 +2 +0 This ability only triggers once per round, regardless of the
resistances, dominate, number of attacks you make. At 8th level, this ability bestows
energy drain two negative levels instead of only one.
5th +3 Bonus feat, change +3 +2 +0 Change Shape (Su): Beginning at 5th level, you can use
shape change shape at will to assume the form of a bat, a wolf, or a
6th +4 Bonus feat, children of +4
dire wolf, as beast shape II.
the night
+3 +0
Children of the Night (Su): Starting at 6th level, once per
night you can call forth 1d6+1 rat swarms, 1d4+1 bat
7th +5 Bonus feat +5 +3 +1 swarms, or 2d6 wolves as a standard action. They arrive in
8th +6 Energy drain (2 levels) +6 +4 +2 2d6 rounds and serve you for up to 1 hour.
Saving Throws: Vampires, as undead, gain a +2 class
bonus to Will saves. 1. The effects of these abilities are suppressed in normal
Bonus Skills: Vampires gain 1 free rank per class level in light, and dispelled in bright light.↩
Bluff, Perception, and Stealth. These are otherwise treated 2. Non-Paizo sources are as follows: CC = Creature
as class skills. Collection (Sword & Sorcery Studios); FB = Frostburn;
Class Skills: Athletics, Concentration, Craft (any), SSt = Sandstorm; UE = Unapproachable East.↩
Diplomacy, Fly, Knowledge (any), Perform (any), and
Spellcraft.
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Vampires do not gain
any additional weapon or armor proficiencies.
Kirthfinder Barbarian (Unchained)
Barbarian rage need not imply a Viking berserkergang; nor
And when Kveldúlf boarded the ship, he told his men to go
even something like the Celtic ríastrad, the Maasai battle-
along the gunwales and strike the pegs from the forks, while frenzy of okiluriti, the Malay amok, Navaho iich’aa, etc.
he went back to the stern- deck frenzied, and then, it is said, (although those can all be represented using this mechanic).
he shape-shifted, and many of his companions shape-shifted Despite the name, you could imagine your “rage” as a kind of
too. They killed every single man who was in their way. meditative battle-trance during which your senses and
Skallagrim did the same—neither father nor son stopped muscular control are heightened; there is no reason that
before they had cleared the ship. And when Kveldúlf came every character with levels in this class must be a primitive
back to the stern deck, he raised his halberd and struck at
savage. Choice of a totem, which provides minor benefits and
abilities, allows you to customize the “flavor” of your
Hallvard’s helmet and sank it up to the shaft; he then jerked it
character’s background―anything from a mongol of the Gobi
so hard that he lifted Hallvard into the air and slung him (or Fremen of Arrakkis, from Frank Herbert’s Dune), to a
overboard. Skallagrim unleaded the stem and killed Sigtrygg. Norse berserk (like Kveldúlf and Berdla-Kari from Egil’s
Many of the men jumped into the water, but Skallagrim’s men Saga, quoted above), an Irish champion like Cúchulainn from
took the boat that they had come in and rowed to them and the Táin Bó Cúailnge, a Maasai lion hunter, a skulker in the
killedeveryone who was in the water. ― Egil’s Saga (ca. 1240) rain forests—or even the Incredible Hulk.
Hit Dice: 1d12
Class Skills
Class Skills: Acrobatics, Bluff, Craft (any), Handle Animal, Knowledge (linguistics, lore, warfare), Planar Sense, Profession
(sailing), Stealth, Survival. Your totem (q.v.), provides additional class skills.
Skill Ranks per level 4 + Int modifier
Bonus Skills: All barbarians automatically receive one free rank per class level in Athletics, Endurance, and Perception. These
are otherwise treated as class skills, but do not count against your total number of skill points.
barbarian (unchained)
Level Base Attack Bonus Special lesser imp. greater mighty primal
1st +1 Endure elements, Bonus Feats, Furious counterstroke, Rage (+1), — — — — —
Totem
2nd +2 Damage reduction 1/–, lesser rage power 1 — — — —
3rd +3 Totem ability 1 — — — —
4th +4 Totem feat, lesser Rage power, Superstition +1 2 — — — —
5th +5 Improved rage (+2) 2 — — — —
6th +6/+1 Damage reduction 2/–, improved rage power 2 1 — — —
7th +7/+2 Totem ability 2 1 — — —
8th +8/+3 Totem feat, Improved rage power, Superstition +2 2 2 — — —
9th +9/+4 Greater rage (+3) 2 2 — — —
10th +10/+5 Damage reduction 3/–, Greater rage power 2 2 1 — —
11th +11/+6/+6 Totem ability 2 2 1 — —
12th +12/+7/+7 Totem feat, greater rage power, Superstition +3 2 2 2 — —
13th +13/+8/+8 Mighty rage (+4) 2 2 2 — —
14th +14/+9/+9 Damage reduction 4/–, mighty rage power 2 2 2 1 —
15th +14/+10/+10 Indomitable Will 2 2 2 1 —
16th +16/+11/+11/+11 Totem feat, mighty rage power, Superstition +4 2 2 2 2 —
17th +17/+12/+12/+12 Primal rage (+5) 2 2 2 2 —
18th +18/+13/+13/+13 Damage reduction 5/–, Primal rage power 2 2 2 2 —
19th +19/+14/+14/+14 Perpetual rage 2 2 2 2 —
20th +20/+15/+15/+15 Totem feat, primal rage power, Superstition +5 2 2 2 2 1
Saving Throws: Barbarians gain a +2 class bonus to
Fortitude and Intuition saves.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency:
A barbarian has Martial proficiency with all weapons and
shields, and is proficient with light armor and medium armor.
At your option, you can make one or more of the following
exchanges:
Agile Dodge (Ex): You may choose to give up light and
medium armor proficiencies in exchange for the Dodge
feat. When unarmored, you also gain a morale bonus to
saving throws against fear equal to your dodge bonus. You
can gain these benefits and still use a shield.
Canny Defense (Ex): You can trade proficiency with
shields for the Canny Defense feat.
Brawler (Ex): You may choose to downgrade your weapon
proficiencies to Simple rather than Martial. If you do so,
you gain Exotic proficiency with unarmed attacks and
Two-Weapon Fighting (unarmed only) as bonus feats. At
6th level you gain Improved Two-Weapon Fighting
(unarmed) as a bonus feat.
Endure Elements (Ex):
Whether they hail from the frozen north, the steaming
jungles, or the blazing deserts, barbarians are inured to harsh
climates. A barbarian can survive in conditions between –50
and 140 degrees Fahrenheit without having to make
Fortitude saves or Endurance checks. This ability provides no
protection from fire or cold damage, nor does it protect
against other environmental hazards such as smoke, lack of
air, and so forth.
Bonus Feats (Ex):
Barbarians are ferocious in combat and notoriously hard to
kill. All barbarians gain Diehard, Fast Recovery, Power Attack,
and Vital Strike as bonus feats at 1st level.
Furious Counterstroke (Ex):
At 1st level, you gain Diehard as a bonus feat. In addition,
when near death you are spurred to a murderous fury.
Whenever you have less than 1 hit point remaining but are
still functioning (due to the Diehard feat), you gain a +1
circumstance bonus to attack rolls and +2 to damage in
melee or with hurled weapons (other than splash weapons or
grenade-like missiles). These bonuses increase depending on
the type of rage of which you are capable, according to the
following table.
Furious Counterstroke
Rage Attack/Damage bonus
Lesser +1/+2
Improved +2/+4
Greater +3/+6
Mighty +4/+8
Primal +5/+10
It’s said about people who are in a berserksgangr,
that while that’s going on they’re so strong that
nothing can withstand them, but as soon as it’s
passed, they’re weaker than usual. Kveldúlf was like
that, too, so that when the hamramr passed, he felt
exhausted from the fight he’d had and was so weak
that he took to his bed. ―Egil’s Saga.
Rage (Ex):
As a free action, a barbarian can call upon inner reserves of
strength and ferocity, granting additional combat prowess.
Starting at 1st level, you can rage for a number of rounds per
day equal to 4 + your Constitution modifier. At each level after
1st, you can rage for 2 additional rounds. Temporary
increases to Constitution, such as those gained from spells
like bear's endurance, do not increase the total number of
rounds that you can rage per day. You can enter rage as a free
action. The total number of rounds of rage per day is renewed
after resting for 8 hours, although these hours do not need to
be consecutive. While in a rage, you gain the following:
+1 morale bonus to all d20 rolls (attacks, combat
maneuver checks, initiative, saving throws, skill and
attribute checks, etc.) and to all static d20 target values
(AC, CMD, special ability DCs, etc.). This bonus overlaps
(does not stack with) morale bonuses from other sources
(spells, a bard’s inspire courage ability, etc.). However,
during any round in which both effects are active, you
choose which of the bonuses to accept, and that round
does not count against your daily rounds’ worth of rage.
Temporary hit points equal to your rage bonus x your total
number of hit dice. When your rage ends, any temporary
hit points not already lost disappear.
Temporarily immunity to the effects of minor conditions
(Chapter 7). These conditions are not removed; they are
merely suspended until your rage ends.
When in a rage, all successful attacks you make deal Vital
Strike damage, even if the normal activating conditions
are not met, and this additional damage stacks with sneak
attack damage (if any).
While in a rage, you cannot cast spells, use any
Intelligence-based skills, or use any other ability that
requires patience or care on your part; your effective
Intelligence score for other purposes is reduced by an
amount equal to your twice rage bonus (to a minimum
effective score of 2). The use of spell-like abilities in a rage
is generally permitted, however.
When your rage ends, you damage (not reduced by damage
reduction) equal to your rage bonus x the number of rounds
spent raging. You are also fatigued for a number of rounds
equal to twice the number of rounds spent in the rage. If
already fatigued, you become exhausted instead (if already
exhausted, you become unconscious). You cannot enter a new
rage while fatigued or exhausted unless you succeed at an
Endurance check (Chapter 4) to ignore that condition. (Note
that your bonus ranks in Endurance render you immune to
fatigue and exhaustion at 6 and 11 ranks, respectively,
however). If you fall unconscious for any reason while raging,
your rage ends, and you are at risk of death when you take
the damage from your rage ending.
Totem (Ex):
You may select one totem from the list provided in Appendix
A, to reflect the guardian spirit associated with your tribe, or
else a personal spirit guide. Each totem grants a favored
terrain and has two associated skills, as listed in Appendix A.
You do not receive bonus skill ranks, but totem skills are
always treated as class skills, and when using your totem
skills you gain a sacred bonus to checks equal to your rage
bonus (even when not raging). You gain a +4 sacred bonus on
Handle Animal checks when dealing with creatures of the
same general category as your totem (e.g., amphibians, fish,
reptiles, canines, felines). With creatures that match your
totem (e.g., frogs, sharks, snakes, wolves, lions, repectively),
this bonus increases to +8. As a rule of thumb, general
categories should be based more on casual visual recognition
by laypersons than on scientific taxonomy; when in doubt,
referee discretion prevails.
Damage Reduction (Ex):
At 2nd level, a barbarian gains damage reduction. Subtract 1
from the damage you take each time you are dealt damage
from a weapon or a natural attack. Every four barbarian
levels thereafter (6th, 10th, 14th, and 18th level), this damage
reduction increases by 1 point. While you are raging, add
your rage bonus to this damage reduction (e.g., an 11th level
barbarian in a greater rage has damage reduction 6/—, rather
than DR 3/—).
Rage Powers:
As you gain levels, you learn to use your rage in new ways.
You gain the benefits of rage powers only while raging, and
some of these powers require you to take an action first.
Unless otherwise noted, you cannot select an individual
power more than once. Rage powers come in 5 “levels”—
lesser, improved, greater, mighty, and primal—based on the
level of rage (q.v.) of which you are capable. When eligible for
a new rage power, you can choose to select a lower-level
power in place of a higher-level one, if desired. Tables listing
examples of rage powers are provided in Appendix B, with
rules descriptions following.
Totem Ability (Ex):
Your totem provides a special ability at 3rd level, as described
for the totem chosen at 1st level. You gain additional totem
abilities at 7th and 11th levels. You may also choose to have
no totem, gaining more generic barbarian class features
instead (see Totems, below).
Superstition (Ex):
At 2nd level, you gain a +1 sacred bonus on saving throws
made to resist spells, supernatural abilities, and spell-like
abilities. This bonus improves by an additional +1 per 4 levels
thereafter. However, in order to be the willing recipient of any
spell not cast by you, you must succeed at a Will save (DC 10
+ spell level + the caster’s Charisma modifier).
Totem Feat:
At 4th level, and every 4 class levels thereafter, your totem
provides you with a bonus feat, drawn from the list given for
your totem (barbarians without totems still gain bonus feats,
taken from a separate list). You must meet all prerequisites to
select any given listed feat.
Improved Rage (Ex):
Improved Rage (Ex):
Starting at 5th level, during your rage, your rage bonus
improves to +2, and you are temporarily immune to the
effects of minor and moderate conditions (Chapter 7). These
conditions are not removed; they are merely suspended until
your rage ends. Likewise, any magical [death] effects you
would otherwise succumb to (such as a wail of the banshee
spell), as well as death from massive damage, are delayed
until your rage ends. You can ignore up to 1 negative level
while raging, and attempt a save to remove that negative level
when your rage ends.
As the name implies, improved rage is an improvement to
your normal rage, not a separate ability to be kept track of
separately. Likewise, the greater rage ability (q.v.) is an
improvement to your improved rage, and so on.
Greater Rage (Ex):
Starting at 9th level, your rage bonus improves to +3, and you
are temporarily immune to the effects of minor, moderate,
and severe conditions. These conditions are not removed;
they are merely suspended until your rage ends. If ignoring
an energy drained condition, you can attempt a save to
remove the negative levels when your rage ends.
Mighty Rage (Ex):
Starting at 13th level, your rage bonus improves to +4, and
you are temporarily immune to minor, moderate, severe, and
critical conditions. These conditions are not removed; they
are merely suspended until your rage ends.
Indomitable Will (Ex):
Starting at 15th level, once per rage, you may attempt a
second saving throw against any condition temporarily
suppressed by your rage; if successful, that condition ends. If
you are affected by an enchantment spell or effect while not
in a rage, you can choose to activate your rage as an
immediate action so as to delay the onset of the effects
(assuming you have rounds of rage remaining for that day).
Primal Rage (Ex):
Starting at 17th level, your rage bonus improves to +5. During
a rage you are temporarily immune to the effects of all status
conditions and effects—including death—that would impede
your fighting. These conditions are not removed; they are
merely suspended until your rage ends.
Perpetual Rage (Ex):
At 19th level, as an immediate action you can initiate any rage
power you know even when you are not raging. This lasts as
long as desired, but only one such power can be in effect at a
time. You can switch out the power manifested as an
immediate action.
Mutagenic Form (Special)
Although it is assumed that you retain your normal
appearance while raging, this need not be the case. From
Irish legend:

The first warp-spasm seized Cúchulainn, and made

him into a monstrous thing, hideous and shapeless,
unheard of. His shanks and his joints, every knuckle
and angle and organ from head to foot, shook like a
tree in the flood or a reed in the stream. His body
made a furious twist inside his skin, so that his feet
and shins switched to the rear and his heels and
calves switched to the front... On his head the
temple-sinews stretched to the nape of his neck,
each mighty, immense, measureless knob as big as
the head of a month-old child... he sucked one eye
so deep into his head that a wild crane couldn't
probe it onto his cheek out of the depths of his
skull; the other eye fell out along his cheek. His
mouth weirdly distorted: his cheek peeled back
from his jaws until the gullet appeared, his lungs
and his liver flapped in his mouth and throat, his
lower jaw struck the upper a lion-killing blow, and
fiery flakes large as a ram's fleece reached his
mouth from his throat... The hair of his head
twisted like the tangle of a red thorn bush stuck in a
gap; if a royal apple tree with all its kingly fruit were
shaken above him, scarce an apple would reach the
ground but each would be spiked on a bristle of his
hair as it stood up on his scalp with rage.
— The Táin Bó Cúailnge, Thomas Kinsella
(translator), 1969

By selecting a monstrous rage form, the “mutagenic form” of

the Alchemist can be duplicated using barbarian levels
Appendix A: Totems
Standard (Totemless) Barbarian
Like Robert E. Howard’s Conan, you shun any spiritual
connection with some tribal totem and instead exemplify the
unthinking wariness and hair-trigger violence of a born killer.
Favored Terrain: Plains or Hills.
Totem Skills: Stealth, Survival.
Bonus Feats: Alertness, Cleave, Improved Initiative,
Staredown, Strength Training, Toughness. Totem Abilities:
Keen Senses (Ex): You gain low-light vision and scent
Mistrust of Magic (Ex): By concentrating as a full-round
action, you can detect magic in a 60-ft. cone. By
concentrating an additional round, you sense the power of
the most potent aura, and after a third round you correctly
identify any illusions in the area.
Gather Barbarian Horde (Ex): Given one week in an area
in which barbaric tribes dwell, you may gather a horde of
barbarians. These number the same as your followers
would if you had the Leadership feat, but all are
barbarians, and you add your Strength bonus in addition
to your Charisma modifier when determining your
Leadership score. The horde must be gathered for a
specific, short-term purpose (e.g., “destroy the City of
Necromancers and slay all within”), and can be held
together a maximum number of weeks equal to the
number of class levels you possess. If the purpose has not
been fulfilled by that time, the horde disbands, and you
cannot gather another horde from that area.
Ape Totem
"In seconds, while holding a lit cigarette in one hand, he can
climb a tree and triangulate precisely the best spot from
which to view an orangutan from the ground." ―Sy
Montgomery, Walking With The Great Apes (1991) You are
agile and strong, possessed of the bestial reflexes needed to
survive in the rain forests of your homeland.
Favored Terrain: Forests and jungles.
Totem Skills: Acrobatics, Escape Artist.
Bonus Feats: Alertness, Giant-Slayer, Improved Grapple,
Strength Training, Two-Weapon Strike, Staredown.
Totem Abilities:
Brachiation (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, you gain a climb
speed equal to 10 ft. x your rage bonus (even when not
raging). This stacks with any climb speed derived from
favored terrain, it stacks with this one. You can move
through trees, vines, etc. at your full climb speed.
Powerful Build (Ex): Starting at 7th level, your physical
stature lets you function in many ways as if you were one
size category larger. This applies to your CMB and CMD.
You are also considered to be one size larger when
determining whether a creature’s special attacks based on
size (such as improved grab or swallow whole) can affect
you. Your heavy weapons and unarmed strikes deal
damage as if they were one size larger. However, your
space and reach remain those of a creature of your actual
size. The benefits of this ability stack with the effects of
most powers and spells that change the subject’s size
category, but not with the Giant’s Stance feat.
Simian Reach (Ex): Starting at 11th level, your long arms
grant you an additional 5 ft. of reach.
Anklyosaurus totem
Unlike most barbarians, you come from a tribe that values
heavy armor and solid protection. This totem supersedes the
Armored Hulk archetype from Ultimate Combat.
Favored Terrain: Plains.
Totem Skills: Endurance, Craft (smith).
Bonus Feats: Crushing Blow, Exotic Shield Proficiency
(tower shield), Exotic Weapon Proficiency (heavy mace,
morning star, or heavy flail), Heavy Armor Proficiency,
Weapon Specialization (heavy mace, morning star, or heavy
flail). Totem Abilities:
Armor Training (Ex): At 3rd level, you gain Armor
Training (as the fighter talent of the same name), with a
bonus equal to your rage bonus. If you have levels in
fighter, use the fighter progression for that talent, and your
barbarian levels provide Full synergy (Chapter 1).
Powerful Build (Ex): As the ape totem ability; you gain
this at 7th level.
Immovable [Stance] (Ex): Starting at 11th level, you can
adopt a stance that makes you nearly impossible to move
by physical or magical means. While in this stance, you
are immune to bull rush, reposition, drag, trip, and throw
maneuvers, and cannot be picked up, carried, or moved by
magical or physical effects; you also have a personal
dimensional anchor effect.
Bat totem
You are small and agile, adept at hiding from your enemies
and baffling their attacks.
Favored Terrain: Underground.
Totem Skills: Acrobatics, Stealth.
Bonus Feats: Alertness, Blind-Fight, Dodge, Feat Mastery
(Blind-Fight), Spring Attack, Wind Stance.
Totem Abilities:
Darkvision (Ex): At 3rd level, the range of the darkvision
provided by your favored terrain (10 ft.) expands by an
additional 50 ft.. If your race provides darkvision as well,
the ranges stack.
Evasion (Ex): At 7th level, you gain Evasion (as the rogue
class feature of the same name); you gain Improved
Evasion at 15th level, but do not gain Greater Evasion.
Vampire Bat (Su): Starting at 11th level, you can use
vampiric touch at will, with a caster level equal to your
base attack bonus. You can use this normally as a melee
touch attack, or can channel it through a melee weapon as
a [strike].
Bear Totem
You are bigger and stronger than most others of your race,
and they tend to look to you for protection and leadership. In
Mi’kmaq and some other Native American cultures, the bear
makes an astral journey to bring medicines to the people.
Favored Terrain: Hills and mountains (brown or black
bear totem), arctic (polar bear totem), or Astral Plane (Ursa
Major).
Totem Skills: Diplomacy, Heal.
Bonus Feats: Defensive Rebuke, Fight On, Improved
Grapple, Leadership, Shared Shield, Strength Training.
Totem Abilities:
Scent (Ex): At 3rd level, you gain the Scent special quality
(as the bear warrior prestige class from Complete
Warrior).
Powerful Build (Ex): As the ape totem ability; you gain this
at 7th level.
Medicine Giver (Ex): At 11th level you gain a suite of racial
spell-like abilities, using your Heal skill in place of
Concentration: 1st—cure light wounds, 2nd—lesser
restoration, 3rd—create food & water, 4th—neutralize
poison, 5th—dream, 6th—globe of invulnerability, 7th—
regenerate, 8th—animal shapes (bears only), 9th—astral
projection.
Bloodline Totem
Pick a sorcerer bloodline (q.v.); your totem is represented by
that bloodline in some way. This allows you to simulate a
Bloodrager (Advanced Class Guide) by multiclassing
barbarian with sorcerer.
Favored Terrain: None.
Totem Skills: Concentration, Spellcraft.
Bonus Feats: Choose from the bonus feats listed for your
sorcerer bloodline.
Totem Abilities:
Blood Casting (Su): Starting at 3rd level, you can cast
sorcerer spells while in a rage. You gain Weak sorcerer
spellcasting theurgy from your barbarian levels. Your
barbarian levels also provide Full synergy for purposes of
determining your bloodline resistances, and weak synergy
towards determining bloodline powers gained.
Blood Sanctuary (Ex): Starting at 7th level, you can
choose not to be affected even if you are within the area of
an area-effect spell cast by you or one of your allies.
Bloodrage Spell (Ex): Starting at 11th level, whenever you
activate your rage you can simultaneously cast any one
sorcerer spell you know on yourself as a swift action. This
spell ends when your rage ends, even if its normal
duration has not ended.
Boar Totem
Heavy-set, gluttonous, and monstrously ugly, you have few
friends—but your enemies fear your ferocity and resistance
to injury. Favored Terrain: Plains. Totem Skills: Endurance,
Survival. Bonus Feats: Improved Natural Armor, Improved
Overrun, Iron Will, Skirmish, Stamina Training, Toughness.
Totem Abilities:
Improved Damage Reduction (Ex): Starting at 3rd level,
your normal barbarian damage reduction doubles.
Powerful Charge (Ex): At 7th level, you gain Spirited
Charge as a bonus feat. You can use this ability with any
piercing weapon, even when you are not mounted. In
addition, if you have the Spearfighter feat, you can use it in
conjunction with any piercing weapon or natural attack.
Pig’s Gluttony (Su): Starting at 11th level, you can derive
nutrition from anything you can swallow, and are immune
to ingested poisons. You can even eat active spell effects;
treat this as dispel magic with a range of touch and a
caster level equal to your class level. Starting at 19th level,
you can eat magic items as well (treat as 3.5 edition
disjunction, again with a range of touch).
Bull Totem
Favored Terrain: Plains.
Totem Skills: Bluff, Escape Artist.
Bonus Feats: Cleave, Daunting Strike, Heedless Charge,
Improved Bull Rush, Improved Overrun, Strength Training.
Totem Abilities:
Dashing Step (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, the penalty to AC
when you charge is reduced by 2 (minimum 0). You also
receive a sacred bonus to AC against attacks of
opportunity made against you while charging equal to
your rage bonus (even when not raging).
Gorgon’s Blood (Ex): Starting at 7th level, you are immune
to Dexterity damage and Dexterity drain, and cannot be
paralyzed or turned to stone.
Unstoppable Charge (Ex): At 11th level, you gain immunity
to entanglement and Check maneuvers. If you have the
Improved Overrun feat, you can use your trample ability
on barriers in the path of your charge, and ignore any
hardness on barriers attacked in this manner. You gain a
combat maneuver (Overrun) check to destroy a wall of
force or prismatic wall if you charge into it (1d20 + your
class level + your Str bonus, against a DC of 11 + the
wall’s spell level + the wall’s caster level. If you fail to
destroy a wall of force, you take damage as if you had
trampled yourself and you stop immediately in front of the
barrier. Failing to destroy a prismatic wall subjects you to
the wall’s full effects.
Dragon Totem
Your prowess and ferocity strike fear into the hearts of those
who stand against you.
Favored Terrain: Hills and mountains or underground
(dragon totem), or arctic (linnorm totem).
Totem Skills: Bluff, Perception.
Bonus Feats: Blind-Fight, Improved Natural Armor, Iron
Will, Penetrating Strike, Resist Energy, Shatter Defenses.
Totem Abilities:
Totem Immunities (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, you are
immune to fear, paralysis, and sleep.
Breath Weapon (Su): At 7th level, you gain a breath
weapon as a supernatural ability usable three times per
day; it takes the shape of a 60-ft. line or 30-ft. cone and
deals energy damage (of a type appropriate to your
specific dragon or linnorm totem) equal to 1d6 x your
class level (Reflex half, DC 10 + half your class level + your
Con modifier).
Frightful Presence (Ex): At 11th level, you gain
Staredown and Feat Mastery (Staredown) as bonus feats.
Elephant Totem
Elephant Totem
In addition to being admired for its size and prowess in war,
the elephant has long been a symbol of wisdom, royalty,
divine protection, and virility. You consider your rage to be
akin to a bull elephant’s musth state.
Favored Terrain: Plains or Forests.
Totem Skills: Diplomacy, Knowledge (lore).
Bonus Feats: Awesome Blow, Heedless Charge, Improved
Bull Rush, Improved Overrun, Improved Natural Armor,
Moral Training.
Totem Abilities:
Great T’Phon (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, your carrying
capacity triples (as if affected by an ant haulAPG spell, but
this is an extraordinary ability and cannot be dispelled.
Powerful Build (Ex): As the ape totem ability; you gain
this at 7th level.
Wisdom of Ganesha (Ex): At 11th level you gain a suite
of racial spell-like abilities, using your Diplomacy skill in
place of Concentration if the bonus is greater: 1st—
protection from evil, 2nd—bull’s strength, 3rd—prayer, 4th
—divination, 5th—greater heroism, 6th—geas, 7th—
repulsion, 8th—earthquake, 9th—storm of vengeance.
Fox Totem
Favored by Small barbarians such as gnomes and halflings,
the fox totem is for swiftness and cunning more than brute
strength.
Favored Terrain: Forest (red fox), cold (arctic fox), or desert
(fennec or coyote).
Totem Skills: Acrobatics, Stealth
Bonus Feats: Agility Training, Careful Attack, Combat
Expertise, Dodge, Giant-Slayer, Improved Feint.
Totem Abilities:
Reynard’s Luck (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, you gain a
bonus Hero Point (Chapter 1) at the start of each day. If
not used within 24 hours, it is lost in favor of the new one
for the next day; you cannot accumulate these bonus
points.
Evasion (Ex): At 7th level, you gain evasion, as the rogue
class feature of the same name. At 15th level, this
improves to Improved Evasion. You do not receive greater
evasion, however.
Sour Grapes (Su): You are accustomed to surviving the
humiliating failures of even your most audacious tricks.
Starting at 11th level, you are immune to the effects of
starvation and dehydration (including desiccation
damage), and need not breathe (rendering you immune to
inhaled poisons, suffocation, and drowning).
Frog Totem
Barbarians with the primordial Frog totem represent the
most primitive of their class. Favored Terrain: Marshes and
swamps (frog), or underground (lizard totem; otherwise
identical).
Totem Skills: Bluff, Planar Sense.
Bonus Feats: Careful Speaker, Chaotic Mind, Great
Fortitude, Penetrating Strike, Skill Trick (jump), Toughness.
Totem Abilities:
Disruptive (Ex): At 3rd level you gain the Disruptive
fighter talent (q.v.), using your barbatian level in place of
your fighter level. If you have levels in fighter, they provide
Full synergy towards this ability.
Nondetection (Ex): At 7th level, you gain a permanent
nondetection effect, as the spell with a caster level equal
to your class level (even if you have no ranks in
Concentration), except that this is an extraordinary ability
and cannot be dispelled.
Spell Resistance (Ex): Starting at 11th level, you gain
spell resistance equal to 11 + your class level.
Hawk Totem
Hawk totem barbarians are fast and graceful, often preferring
the use of ranged weapons.
Favored Terrain: Hills and mountains, or desert.
Totem Skills: Handle Animal, Perception.
Bonus Feats: Blinding Strike, Dodge, Far Shot, Precise
Shot, Rapid Shot, Skirmish.
Totem Abilities:
Animal Companion (Ex): At 3rd level, you gain a hawk as
an animal companion. Your effective druid level is equal to
your barbarian level; you can improve your animal
companion as a druid does, and eventually attain a more
powerful hawk-like animal (e.g., a roc at 12th level). It
takes 1 in an appropriate terrain, and a DC 15 Handle
Animal check, to find a new companion if the previous one
dies.
*Eyes of the Eagle (Sp): Starting at 7th level, you can
spend a move action in order to lose your own vision and
instead see through the eyes of your animal companion;
switching back is a free action. You can do this as often as
desired. In addition, up to 3 times per day you can see
through the eyes of a different bird of prey; treat this as a
clairvoyance spell (at a caster level equal to your class
level), but it works only outdoors.
Speed of the Hawk (Su): Starting at 11th level, as a swift
action, you can act as if hasted for 1 round. This ability can
be used a number of times per day equal to your class
level. HIVE TOTEM
Hive Totem
Hive Totem
Certain tribes of barbarians revere the mindless vermin of
their homelands, honoring their toughness, sense of
community, and ability to strip all edible material bare. This
totem was adapted from the rage powers of the same name
from Ultimate Combat.
Favored Terrain: Jungle, swamp, or underground.
Totem Skills: Craft (toxicology), Handle Animal.
Totem Feats: Chaotic Mind, Combat Reflexes, Fight On,
Improved Flanking, Iron Will, Serenity.
Totem Abilities:
Hive Resistance (Su): Starting at 3rd level, you take no
damage from attacks by swarms, preventing harmful
secondary effects of such attacks like distraction, poison,
etc. In addition, you can use the Handle Animal skill on
vermin without the usual +4 to the DC.
*Hive Toxicity (Su): Starting at 7th level, you can envenom
any piercing weapon you use with the equivalent of giant
scorpion venom (DC 10 + half your class level + your
Constitution modifier, damage 1d2 Str/rd. for 6 rounds,
cure 1 save) at no cost, to a maximum number of doses
per day equal to your barbarian level plus your number of
ranks in Craft (toxicology) skill.
Cloak of Vermin (Su): Starting at 11th level, you are
constantly surrounded by a 5-ft. radius swarm of
Diminutive biting, flying insects. Those within the area
(except you) are attacked by the swarm (damage equal to
that of your Vital Strike, plus distraction). Your cloak of
vermin has Hit Dice equal to your class level, and uses
your Constitution modifier, AC, and saving throws. If your
attendant vermin swarm is destroyed, it recovers at the
rate of 1 effective druid level per day.
Honey Badger Totem
Barbarians with this totem often live in burrows in the hills,
bursting forth to slay their enemies with great ferocity and
tenacious resolve.
Favored Terrain: Hills and mountains.
Totem Skills: Bluff, Escape Artist.
Bonus Feats: Great Fortitude, Improved Grapple, Improved
Natural Armor, Stamina Training, Toughness, Unclean Strike.
Totem Abilities:
Burrow (Ex): A 3rd level, you gain a burrow speed equal
to 5 ft. x your rage bonus (through sand and earth only, not
solid rock).
Fearless (Ex): Starting at 7th level, you are immune to all
[fear] effects. In addition, you are immune to the attacks of
swarms.
Snake-Eater (Ex): At 11th level, you gain immunity to all
[afflictions], including disease, poison, nausea, and
sickness.
Horse Totem
Like a Comanche brave or one of Genghis Khan’s Mongols,
you were born in the saddle. You are keenly aware that, on
the plains or steppes of your homeland, a man without a
horse is soon a dead man. Horse totem barbarians often call
themselves Horselords (as per Dragon magazine, issue 338),
and may refer to their rage as a “battle ecstasy.”
Favored Terrain: Plains or desert.
Totem Skills: Handle Animal, Survival.
Bonus Feats: Magical Talent (create water, predict weather,
etc.), Mounted Combat, Skirmish, Spirit Banner (as the
fighter’s “banner” talent), Spirited Charge, Steady Aim.
Totem Abilities:
Animal Companion (Ex): At 3rd level, you gain a horse as
an animal companion (as that function of the Druid’s mark
of the wild class feature). It takes 1 week and a DC 15
Handle Animal check to find a new companion if the
previous one dies. If you have Plains as your favored
terrain, your mount also receives the bonus to base land
speed. As your skill in Handle Animal improves, you can
improve your horse as noted for animal companions; at
higher levels, you can conceivably trade an actual horse
for a horse-like steed such as a hippogriff, nightmare,
pegasus, or dragon horse, subject to the CR limits based
on your level and skill bonus.
Ferocious Mount (Ex): At 7th level, your animal
companion gains damage reduction equal to yours. While
you rage, your mount gains the benefits of your rage and
all active rage powers for as long as you remain mounted
or adjacent to it.
Planar Mount (Su): At 11th level, your mount gains the
following suite of racial spell-like abilities (Chapter 8),
using your class level as its caster level in place of ranks in
Concentration: 0—create water, 1st—expeditious retreat,
2nd—blur, 3rd—water walking, 4th—air walk, 5th—plane
shift, 6th—find the path, 7th—ethereal jaunt, 8th—rapid
journeyRR, 9th—astral projection (self and riders only).
Kracken Totem
You are at home in and on the waves of the icy seas.
Favored Terrain: Water (shipboard) or Water (underwater).
Totem Skills: Concentration, Knowledge (planes).
Bonus Feats: Favored Terrain (increase existing bonus by +2;
you can gain this multiple times), Improved Grapple,
Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Two-Weapon Fighting, Two-
Weapon Strike, Two-Weapon Versatility.
Totem Abilities:
Strong Swimmer (Ex): Swim speed equal to 5 ft. x rage
bonus (even when not raging); stacks with swim speed
from favored terrain (if any).
Freedom of Movement (Ex): Starting at 7th level, you are
at home beneath the choppy seas, and are as adept as
escaping as the jetting squid. You can grant yourself
freedom of movement and water breathing (as the spells,
but as an extraordinary ability) as a swift action, lasting 1
minute per class level per use. You can use this ability
once per day per 3 class levels you possess.
Storm Magic (Sp): At 11th level, you gain the following
suite of racial spell-like abilities: 1st—obscuring mist, 2nd
—resist energy, 3rd—call lightning, 4th—dominate animal
(marine life only), 5th—control winds, 6th—summon
nature’s ally VI (marine life only), 7th—control weather,
8th—maelstromCD, 9th—storm of vengeance.
Lion Totem
Like a Maasai warrior, you are at home on the grassy
savannah and rough badlands. A barbatian with this totem
supersedes the Singh Rager prestige class from Oriental
Adventures. N.B. The pounce ability granted by the spirit lion
totem (from Complete Champion) has been superseded in
these house rules by the Skirmish feat (q.v.). The damage
bonus when charging conferred by the Unearthed Arcana
lion totem is likewise already subsumed into the Vital Strike
and Skirmish feats.
Favored Terrain: Plains.
Totem Skills: Acrobatics, Stealth.
Bonus Feats: Agility Training, Fleet, Lightning Reflexes,
Skirmish, Spearfighter, Staredown.
Totem Abilities:
Lion-Hearted (Ex): At 3rd level, you gain low-light vision.
You are also immune to fear and [fear] effects.
Lion’s Pounce (Ex): Starting at 7th level, when you make a
charge attack, the critical threat range of your weapon(s)
increases by one (e.g., from 19-20 to 18-20). This ability
stacks with the effects of the Improved Critical feat and/or
keen weapon property. This ability supersedes the Jaguar
Pounce feat from Pathfinder Companion: Sargava, the
Lost Colony.
Swiftness of the Lioness (Ex): Starting at 11th level, as a
swift action, you can act as though under a haste spell for
one round, but this is an extraordinary ability, rather than
a spell-like ability. You can use this ability a number of
times per day equal to your class level.
Oiroboros Totem
You revere the Worm Ouroboros, a symbol of the unity of
your home world and defense against outsiders. This totem
was adapted from the chain of World Serpent Totem rage
powers (Ultimate Combat).
Favored Terrain: Plains, mountains, or underwater
Totem Skills: Knowledge (planes), Planar Sense.
Bonus Feats: Aligned Strike, Anchoring Blow, Counterport,
Moral Training, Paragon of Insight, Serenity.
Totem Abilities:
World Stability (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, you cannot be
knocked prone, and gain a sacred bonus to CMD against
other maneuvers equal to your rage bonus (even when not
raging).
World Serpent Unity (Ex): At 7th level, you gain
outsiders (all) and aberrations as favored enemies (as the
ranger lore of the same name), using your barbarian level
in place of your ranger level (if you also have levels in
ranger, they provide Full synergy). You can use the Aligned
Strike or Anchoring Blow feat (if possessed) in
conjunction with a full attack against these enemies
without the normal -5 attack penalty.
World Serpent Resistance (Ex): At 11th level, you gain
spell resistance equal to 11 + your class level.
Rat Totem
Rat totem barbarians are often Small creatures themselves,
like goblins, kobolds, or halflings.
Favored Terrain: Urban or underground.
Totem Skills: Escape Artist, Stealth.
Bonus Feats: Catch Off-Guard, Giant-Slayer, Great Fortitude,
Improved Feint, Unclean Strike, Weapon Finesse.
Totem Abilities:
Sneak Attack (Ex): At 3rd level, you gain sneak attack
+1d6 (as the rogue class feature of the same name). This
improves by +1d6 per 4 levels thereafter (maximum +5d6
at 19th level).
Call of the Sewers (Sp): Starting at 7th, level, you can
summon a rat swarm once per day as a spell-like ability, as
per a summon swarm spell with a caster level equal to
your barbarian class level (even if you have no ranks in
Concentration). At 7th level, you can either use this ability
twice per day, or else once per day to summon 1d4+1 rat
swarms. At 11th level, you can use this ability at will, or
three times per day to summon 1d3 rat swarms, or once
per day to summon 3d6 rat swarms.
Survivor (Ex): At 11th level, you gain immunity to all
[afflictions], including disease, poison, nausea, and
sickness.
Scorpion Totem
Scorpion Totem
Scorpion totem barbarians can represent the “whirling
dervishes” of the desert places. They are generally ascetics,
eschewing material possessions other than their clothing and
weapons.
Favored Terrain: Deserts.
Totem Skills: Concentration, Knowledge (planes).
Bonus Feats: Exotic Weapon Proficiency (scimitar),
Improved Natural Armor, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting,
Two-Weapon Fighting, Two-Weapon Strike, Weapon Finesse.
Totem Abilities:
Dust Devil (Ex): At 3rd level, you gain the ability to can
kick up a cloud of dust while you fight as a free action,
granting you partial concealment (20% miss chance). You
can use this ability a number of rounds per day equal to
your class level. If activated while raging, you pay the
duration cost only for the first round; the effect
automatically lasts thereafter until your rage ends.
Wisdom of the Wastes (Sp): At 7th level, you gain the
following suite of racial spell-like abilities (Chapter 8): 1st
—locate waterSSt, 2nd—blades of fireCA, 3rd--
haboobSSt, 4th—poison, 5th—control winds, 6th—true
seeing, 7th—summon nature’s ally VII (djinn), 8th—
whirlwind, 9th—etherealness.
You achieve complete submission to the will of your deity,
At 11th level, you become immune to [mind-affecting]
spells and effects.
Serpent Totem
Living deep in the rain forests, Serpent totem barbarians
often use poisoned missiles from ambush, then swiftly attack
and slay their foes in melee.
Favored Terrain: Forests and jungles, or marshes and
swamps.
Totem Skills: Bluff, Craft (toxicology).
Bonus Feats: Ability Focus (hypnotic gaze), Improved
Grapple, Improved Initiative, Lightning Reflexes, Skill Focus
(Stealth), Venomous Strike.
Totem Abilities:
Serpent’s Glide (Ex): At 3rd level, you gain a climb speed
and a swim speed, each equal to 5 ft. x your rage bonus
(even when not raging). If you already have a climb and/or
swim speed, the speed(s) stack.
Poison Use (Ex): Starting at 7th level, you never risk
poisoning yourself when envenoming your weapons. In
your native rain forest, you can envenom your arrows
and/or blowgun darts with the equivalent of black adder
venom (DC 10 + half your class level, damage 1d2 Con/rd.
for 6 rounds, cure 1 save) at no cost, to a maximum
number of missiles per day equal to your barbarian level
plus your number of ranks in Craft (toxicology) skill.
 Hypnotic Gaze (Su): Starting at 11th level, as a standard
action, you can entrance any single creature within 30 ft.
that meets your gaze. The victim must succeed at a Will
save (DC 10 + your barbarian level) or be fascinated for
2d4 rounds. The creature stands or sits quietly, taking no
actions other than to pay attention to the fascinating
effect. The victim takes a –4 penalty on skill checks made
as reactions, such as Perception checks. Any potential
threat, such as a hostile creature approaching, allows the
fascinated creature a new saving throw against the
fascinating effect. Any obvious threat, such as someone
drawing a weapon, casting a spell, or aiming a ranged
weapon at the fascinated creature, automatically breaks
the effect. A fascinated creature's ally may shake it free of
the spell as a standard action. Starting at 15th level, you
can activate this ability as a move action. At 19th level, you
can target one creature per round as a swift action.
Shark Totem
Sharks are often viewed as deified ancestor spirits in
Hawaiian mythology, making this a particularly appropriate
totem for characters from a society modeled on the Pacific
Islands. Barbarians with the shark totem manifest the spirit
of the ocean’s most feared predator, with senses and instincts
designed to stalk prey from huge distances.
Favored Terrain: Water (underwater).
Totem Skills: Athletics, Bluff.
Bonus Feats: Bleeding Strike, Furious Focus, Great
Fortitude, Improved Natural Armor, Intimidating Prowess,
Toughness.
Totem Abilities:
Keen Scent (Ex): At 3rd level, you gain the scent special
quality. If you can breathe underwater (using water
breathing or by having favored terrain [underwater] of +4
or better), your scent ability functions underwater at
double the normal radius, and you can smell blood up to a
mile away.
Quarry (Ex): At 7th level, you gain the Quarry ability, as the
ranger class feature of the same name. For purposes of
this ability, you effective ranger level is equal to your
barbarian level -4. If you have levels in ranger, your
barbarian level provides Strong synergy to your quarry
class feature.
Aumakua (Su): At 11th level and above, you are a living
ancestor to your people, able to appear in various spirit
forms. You gain the wild shape ability (as the druid class
level feature), limited to the following forms: huge shark
(as beast shape III), normal owl (beast shape II), a rock
(meld into stone), or in dreams (as the dream spell). You
can use this ability once per day per six class levels you
possess; if you possess levels in druid, they provide Full
synergy, unless you have the Wild Shaper initiation, in
which case your barbarian level provides Full synergy to
your druid level, and the additional forms (rock, dream)
are retained.
Spirit Totem
Spirit Totem
You are at one with the spirit world, allowing you to access
mystical abilities that most barbarians shun and fear. This
totem is intended to synergize with the incarnate’s Rage
mystery, in order to supersede the Rage Prophet prestige
class from the Advanced Player’s Guide. It can also be used
to simulate the Rage Mage prestige class from Complete
Warrior.
Favored Terrain: Extraplanar (choose one).
Totem Skills: Concentration, Planar Sense,
Bonus Feats: Arcane Armor Training, Expanded Arcana (you
can select this multiple times), Extra Rage, Magical Talent,
Practiced Bloodline (or Practiced Channeling, Practiced
Initiate, or Practiced Revelations).
Totem Abilities:
Spell Rage (Ex): Choose one spellcasting class in which
you have levels. Starting at 3rd level, your barbarian levels
provide Weak theurgy towards that class’ spellcasting
progression, and you can cast spells from that class’ list
while in a rage. Your spellcasting class levels also provide
Weak synergy for purposes of determining the type of rage
of which you are capable, your rage bonus, and your total
number of rounds per day of rage. While raging, you can
expend a spell slot as a swift action in order to regain a
number of daily rounds’ worth of rage equal to the level of
the spell slot.
Spirit Guardian (Sp): Starting at 7th level, as a swift action
you can spend 1 round of rage (whether you are raging or
not) to give your armor and weapons the ghost touch
property for 1 round. If you have the ghost rager rage
power, that functions normally, and imbuing your weapons
(and armor/shield, at 9th level) when not raging do not
cost rounds of rage.
Spell Fury (Sp): Upon reaching 11th level, you can quicken
one spell of 2nd level or lower (as if by the Quicken Spell
feat) cast while raging, but without adjusting the spell’s
level or casting time. You may use this ability once during
each rage. The maximum spell level increases by +1 per 4
levels after the 11th (maximum 4th level spell at 19th
level).
Thylacine Totem Wolf Totem
Ritual scars, battle scars, or both—possibly enhanced with The wolf has taught you that cooperation with your
brands and/or paint—crisscross your face and body like the companions can mean the difference between survival and
stripes of your totem animal, the so-called “Tasmanian tiger” starvation.
or “Tasmanian wolf.” This totem is derived from the Scarred
Rager archetype, from Ultimate Combat. Favored Terrain: Plains.
Favored Terrain: Desert or plains. Totem Skills: Endurance, Survival.
Totem Skills: Bluff, Diplomacy. Bonus Feats: Adaptable Flanking, Combat Reflexes,
Exhausting Defense, Improved Flanking, Improved Trip, Skill
Bonus Feats: Evade Reach, Fight On, Intimidating Prowess, Focus (Endurance).
Shatter Defenses, Staredown, Toughness.
Totem Abilities:
Totem Abilities:
Scent (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, your nose is as keen as a
Scarred Hide (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, any continuing wolf’s. You gain the scent special quality.
damage you sustain (as from a bleed effect, an acid arrow Sneak Attack (Ex): At 7th level, you gain sneak attack
spell, etc.) is reduced by an amount equal to your totem +2d6, as the rogue ability. Your sneak attack damage
bonus (minimum 0). Any sneak attack or Vital Strike made increases by +1d6 per 4 class levels beyond the 7th (i.e., to
against you has its damage reduced by a number of dice +3d6 at 11th level, +4d6 at 15th, and to +5d6 at 19th level).
equal to your totem bonus (your normal damage reduction At a total bonus of +5d6, you also gain Improved Sneak
is applied thereafter). Attack (q.v.).
Bushfire Markings (Ex): Aboriginal legend attributes the
markings of the thylacine as soot from a bush fire. At 7th *Pack Lord (Su): Starting at 11th level, once per day you
level, you gain the [fire] subtype, including immunity to fire can summon wolves to fight with you. This works as
and vulnerability to cold. summon nature’s ally (4d6 wolves, 1d4+1 dire wolves, or
1d3 winter wolves), except the duration is 10 minutes per
Tolerance (Ex): If you fail a save against an effect that level (it operates at a caster level equal to your class level,
causes you to become dazed, exhausted, fatigued, even if you have no ranks in Concentration). The number
frightened, nauseated, sickened, shaken, or stunned, you of wolves summoned increases as you gain levels, as
can make a second save to negate the effect on the start of follows; you can summon only one type at a time.
your next turn. Only one additional save is allowed. If the
effect does not allow a saving throw, its duration is halved Wolf Summons
instead (minimum of 1 round). Class Level: 11th 13th 15th 17th
Wolves 4d6 6d6 10d6 15d6
Weasel Totem
You may not be the largest of your people, but none doubt the Advanced Wolves 2d6 4d6 6d6 10d6
savage ferocity and uncanny reaction speed of which you are Dire Wolves 1d4+1 2d6 4d6 6d6
capable. Winter Wolves 1d3 1d4+1 2d6 4d6
Favored Terrain: Cold (wolverine totem), forest (marten
totem), plains (stoat totem), or underground (badger totem). Zombie Totem
You belong to a primitive death cult. Barbarians with this
Totem Skills: Acrobatics, Stealth. totem often go into battle with their faces painted like skulls,
Bonus Feats: Agility Training, Crippling Strike, Giant-Slayer, leading zombies animated by their tribal witch doctors.
Improved Initiative, Spring Attack, Weapon Finesse. Favored Terrain: Ethereal Plane.
Totem Abilities: Totem Skills: Concentration, Knowledge (planes).
Weasel War Dance (Ex): At 3rd level, you gain the Bonus Feats: Command Undead, Iron Will, Skill Focus
Defensive Roll rogue combat talent. (Knowledge: planes), Spellstrike, Toughness, any Death
Riposte (Ex): At 7th level, you gain the Riposte fighter Domain or [Necromantic] feat.
talent (q.v.), with an effective fighter level equal to your Totem Abilities:
barbarian class level. You must have the Dodge and
Weapon Finesse feats in order to gain the effects of this Taint of the Grave (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, you are healed,
ability. rather than damaged, by negative energy (if you are undead,
Feigned Opening [Stance] (Ex): At 11th level, you gain you instead gain channel resistance equal to your rage
the Robilar’s Gambit advanced fighter talent. bonus; this stacks with any existing channel resistance you
possess. You are treated as if you had access to the Death
domain and the ability to channel negative energy, for
purposes of qualifying for [divine], [domain], and
[necromantic] feats (Chapter 5).
Wolf Totem
Touch of Death (Sp): At 7th level, you gain access to a
racial suite of spell-like abilities (Chapter 8), as follows: 0
—reduced ray of entropy (1d6), 1st—damage attribute
(Str), 2nd—ghoul touch, 3rd—vampiric touch, 4th—
enervation, 5th—crypt warden’s graspCM, 6th—
Heightened slay living (6d4 Con), 7th—ethereal jaunt, 8th--
blackfireCA, 9th—wail of the banshee.
Baron Samedi (Su): If you are at least 11th level and are
killed, you rise the next night as one of the walking dead;
you gain the juju zombie template (Bestiary 2) except that
you can benifit from moral bonuses. If destroyed as a juju
zombie, you rise again the next night unless basic steps
are taken to prevent it (e.g., burning the body or casting
sanctify corpse on it, making sure the body is within the
area of a hallow spell, etc.).
Bard
(the legendary Welsh bard, especially as described in
“These praises, King / Won't cost you dear That I Charles deLint’s Moonheart), Morgon (from Patricia
shall sing / If you will hear: Who beat and blazed / McKillip’s The Riddle-Master of Hed), and Silver John (from
Your trail of red, ‘Til Odin gazed / Upon the dead.” Manley Wade Wellman’s Appalachian stories). Minstrels often
Egil’s Saga (ca. 1240) take levels of Prestige Specialist (see Wizard), choosing
enchantment or illusion as their specialist school);
Väinämöinen (from Elias Lönnrot’s Kalevala) is an example of
Each bard must choose to follow one of two traditions: that of a bard/wizard or bard/sorcerer.
a minstrel (who uses an instrument as an arcane spellcasting Examples of skalds include Egil Skallagrimsson (from
focus, and is capable of a variety of magical effects) or a skald Snorri Sturlusson’s Egil’s Saga), Rostand’s Cyrano de
(a warrior-poet, who fights while chanting). The type of bard Bergerac, Volker of Alzey (from The Niebelungenlied), and
chosen has an effect on skills, spellcasting, and other class Lemminkäinen (from Elias Lönnrot’s Kalevala). Skalds often
features. take levels in fighter or barbarian to further increase their
Examples of minstrels from mythology and literature combat prowess; Gurney Halleck (from Frank Herbert’s
include Orpheus (from Greek mythology), Alan-a-Dale (from Dune) is a bard/fighter.
The Adventures of Robin Hood and his Merry Men), Taliesin
Table 1: The Bard Hit Dice: d8
Class Level Base Attack Bonus Spell Capacity Special
1st +0 1st Bardic tradition and performance, college (Fochlucan/+1), bardic inspiration
2nd +1 2nd Bardic lore, skill focus
3rd +2 3rd College (Mac-Fuirmidh/+2)
4th +3 4th Lore master 1/day, well-versed
5th +3 4th Bardic lore, tradition keeper
6th +4 5th College (Doss/+3)
7th +5 6th Effortless inspiration (1^st^), move inspiration
8th +6/+1 6th Accompaniment, bardic lore, skill focus
9th +6/+1 7th College (Canaith/+4)
10th +7/+2 8th Effortless inspiration (2^nd^), lore master 2/day
11th +8/+3 8th Bardic lore, gift of tongues
12th +9/+4 9th College (Cli/+5)
13th +9/+4 10th Effortless inspiration (3^rd^), swift inspiration
14th +10/+5 10th Bardic lore, jack of all trades, skill focus
15th +11/+6/+6 11th College (Anstruth/+6)
16th +12/+7/+7 12th Effortless inspiration (4^th^), lore master 3/day
17th +12/+7/+7 12th Bardic lore, tradition keeper
18th +13/+8/+8 13th College (Ollamh/+7)
19th +14/+9/+9 14th Effortless inspiration (5^th^), lingering inspiration
20th +15/+10/+10 14th Bardic lore, college (Magnus Alumnus/+8) inspiration of life, skill focus

Saving Throws: Bards gain a +2 class bonus to Reflex,
Intuition, and Will saves.
Bonus Skills: All bards automatically receive one free rank
per class level in Concentration, Knowledge (Linguistics), and
Knowledge (Lore). These are otherwise treated as class
skills, but do not count against the bard’s total number of skill
points per level.
Other Class Skills: Athletics, Bluff, Craft (all), Diplomacy,
Escape Artist, Knowledge (all), Perception, Perform (all),
Profession (all), Sleight of Hand, Spellcraft, and Streetwise. A
skald also has Endurance as a class skill.
Skill Ranks per Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Favored Class: When gaining a level of bard as a favored
class, rather than choosing +1 hp or skill point, you can
instead choose one of the following:
 Extra Inspiration: You gain an additional daily round of
use of your Bardic Inspiration ability (q.v.) each time you
select this option.
Maneuver Mastery: You gain a +1 class bonus to your
CMB with one type of maneuvers (forcing, tricky, weapon,
or wrestling, as outlined in Chapter 1). The effects stack,
but the maximum bonus in any one category gained in this
manner cannot exceed +1, with an additional +1 per 4
class levels you possess.
Practiced Sage: You gain a +1 competence bonus to any
Knowledge skill of your choice. You may select this option
multiple times; each time, select a different Knowledge
skill or increase the bonus of an existing skill by +1 (to a
maximum such bonus equal to half your class level). This
otherwise duplicates the effects of Skill Focus feat.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A bard has Simple
proficiency in all weapons and with the buckler. They have
Martial proficiency with the longsword, rapier, sap, short
sword, short bow, and whip.
Bards are also proficient with light armor. A bard can cast
bard spells (but not arcane spells received from other classes,
if any) while wearing light armor and/or using a buckler
without incurring the normal arcane spell failure chance.
Like any other arcane spellcaster, a bard wearing medium or
heavy armor incurs a chance of arcane spell failure if the
spell in question has a somatic component.
Spellcasting: Bards cast spontaneous arcane spells,
gaining spells known and spells per day according to the
progression shown on the table. Your spellcasting attribute is
Charisma (if you are a Minstrel) or Intelligence (if you are a
skald). Optional: some referees may allow some bards to
choose prepared casting, rather than spontaneous casting;
prepared-caster bards must have books of sheet music or
poetic verses equivalent to a wizard’s spellbooks (q.v.).
Bard spells are drawn from the expanded bard spell list
(the standard list of the core bard, plus referee-approved bard
spells from other sources, plus the additional spells listed in
Appendix A). You can also learn martial maneuvers from the
White Raven school (from the Tome of Battle) as if they were
spells of the same level.
Upon reaching 5th level, and at every third bard level after
that (8th, 11th, and so on), you can choose to learn a new spell
in place of one you already know. In effect, you “lose” the old
spell in exchange for the new one. The new spell's level must
be the same as that of the spell being exchanged, and it must
be at least one level lower than the highest-level bard spell
you can cast. You may swap only a single spell at any given
level and must choose whether or not to swap the spell at the
same time that he gains new spells known for the level.
Bonus Spells: The bard’s bonus spells (see Spellcasting
Table 1 in Chapter 7) are as follows: 1st—hypnotism; 2nd
—suggestion; 3rd—fear; 4th—break enchantment; 5th—mass
suggestion; 6th—greater shout; 7th—mass cure serious
wounds.
Bardic Tradition (Ex): Starting at 1st level, a bard must
choose one of two bardic traditions: the minstrel or the skald.
The specific tradition determines the character’s standard
bardic performance (q.v.) and also his tradition keeper
abilities (q.v.). Certain bardic inspirations and items of bardic
lore are available only to bards of one or the other tradition.
Minstrel: A minstrel gains 1 free rank per class level in
Diplomacy and Perform (music). These are otherwise
treated as class skills, but do not count against the bard’s
total number of skill points per level.
Skald: A skald has Endurance as a class skill, and has
Martial proficiency with all weapons and shields. Skalds
are also proficient with light and medium armor. A skald
can cast bard spells (but not arcane spells received from
other classes, if any) while wearing light or medium armor
and use a shield without incurring the normal arcane spell
failure chance. Like any other arcane spellcaster, a skald
wearing heavy armor incurs a chance of arcane spell
failure if the spell in question normally has a somatic
component. You can choose to give up medium armor and
shields proficiencies in exchange for the Canny Defense
feat.
Bardic Performance (Ex): Your bardic tradition influences
the way you cast spells and use bardic inspiration. In any
case, the use of spells requires sound from you (either music
or chanting of poetry); you therefore cannot apply the Silent
Spell feat to any of your spells.
Minstrel: A minstrel’s spells and inspirations have only two
components: an arcane focus (a musical instrument) with
associated somatics (playing). A minstrel must have both of
his hands free in order to cast spells, but can otherwise be
gagged or restrained. You cannot use the Still Spell feat in
conjunction with your bard spells. Arcane spell failure applies
for medium or heavy armor.
When casting spells, you can extend the spell duration by
continuing to play. In that case, the spell lasts for as long as
you continue playing (maximum 1 round per class level), and
the spell’s normal duration begins thereafter. Concentration
checks are needed to continue a spell in this manner if you
are injured. If you choose not to extend spell durations in this
manner, you can continue to cast spells from round to round,
as does any other spellcaster.
A minstrel (and only a minstrel) can sing and play an
instrument simultaneously in order to cast a spell and
maintain an inspiration at the same time. If you have one
hand free, you can sing in order to maintain inspiration while
fighting with a light or one-handed weapon in the other hand.
You cannot begin an inspiration, cast spells, or maintain
spells unless both hands are free to play an instrument,
however. Alternatively, you can maintain two types of bardic
inspiration simultaneously, by playing an instrument and
singing. The usage costs, in terms of rounds of inspiration,
stack—in other words, maintaining inspire courage and
inspire greatness would cost 2 rounds’ worth of inspiration
per round. This ability supersedes the War Chanter
(Complete Warrior) and the Seeker of the Song (Complete
Arcane) prestige class feature of the same name.
Skald: A skald’s spells and inspirations all have verbal
components only. You need not have your hands free in order
to cast spells, but must be able to speak in a loud, clear voice.
This means that you can cast a spell as a standard action,
rather than as a full-attack action, and that the DC of
Concentration checks to cast defensively is at -8 (Chapter 4).
When casting spells, you can extend the spell duration by
continuing to recite. In that case, the spell lasts for as long as
you continue reciting that verse (maximum 1 round per class
level), and the spell’s normal duration begins thereafter.
Concentration checks are needed to continue a spell in this
manner if you are injured. A skald (and only a skald) can
maintain a spell or inspiration in this manner while fighting.
College (Ex): As you gain experience, you become more
adept at inspirations (see below) and other bardic features.
The use of college names, rather than simply using numerals,
is included as a tribute to the 1st edition AD&D bard. Bardic
colleges are as follows:
Bard Level College Name College Bonus
1st Fochlucan +1
3rd Mac-Fuirmidh +2
6th Doss +3
9th Canaith +4
12th Cli +5
15th Anstruth +6
18th Ollamh +7
20th Magnus Alumnus +8
Inspiration (Su): You are trained to use music (for
minstrels) or poetry (Linguistics skill, for skalds) to magically
inspire those around you, including yourself if desired. You
can use this ability for a number of rounds per day equal to 4
+ your Charisma modifier (for minstrels) or Intelligence
modifier (for skalds). For each class level after the 1st you can
use bardic inspiration for 2 additional rounds per day.
To conduct a bardic inspiration, choose any bard spell you
know (of maximum level equal to your college bonus) that
affects one or more creatures. You can use Heighten Spell or
other metamagic on a lower-level spell, as long as the final
spell level is less than or equal to your college bonus. When
you use the inspiration, the effects of that spell occur as a
supernatural ability, with a save DC equal to 10 + half your
class level + your Charisma modifier, and lasting as long as
you pay the cost to maintain the inspiration. This does not
use up any spell slots.
Inspirations affecting an area always use your square as
their point of origin. If the effects are beneficial and apply to
multiple targets (or an area), your enemies are excluded from
the effects; if the effects are harmful and apply to multiple
targets (or an area), you and your allies are excluded. If the
spell normally affects only a single target, you can affect
multiple creatures by multiplying the inspiration cost in
rounds by the total number of targets. Spells with a range of
“personal” cannot be modified to affect multiple creatures.
Instantaneous effects are applied each round at the end of
your turn.
Examples of typical inspirations are provided in Appendix
B.
If you have prepared spellcasting (due to multiclassing with
wizard, cleric, druid, etc.), only bard spells (or other spells
approved by a case-by-case basis) can be used as inspirations,
and only spells currently prepared can be used for inspiration
—with the exception that the bard bonus spells are always
available, even if not currently prepared.
Starting an inspiration is a standard action at 1st level, but
becomes quicker as the bard gains levels (see below). Once
started, bardic inspiration can be maintained each round
using the bardic performance ability (see above) as a free
action. Changing an inspiration from one effect to another
requires you to stop the previous effect and start a new one. A
bardic inspiration cannot be disrupted except by another bard
using the countersong ability (q.v.). It ends immediately if you
are killed, paralyzed, stunned, knocked unconscious, or
otherwise prevented from taking a bardic performance action
to maintain it each round.
Targets must be able to hear you for the inspiration to have
any effect, and chanted (skald) inspirations are language-
dependent. A deaf bard has a 20% chance to fail when
attempting to use a bardic inspiration. If you fail this check,
the attempt still counts against your daily limit.
Inspire Courage (Su): When using bardic inspiration,
rather than activating a spell, you can instead choose inspire
courage in yourself and your allies, bolstering against fear
and improving combat abilities. Those affected receive a
morale bonus to attacks, weapon damage, and saving throws
against fear effects. The magnitude of the bonus is equal to 1
+ half your college bonus (maximum +5 at 20th level).
Each round, allies within 30 ft. who are already under a
fear or despair effect can attempt a new save each round
using your Perform (music) or Knowledge (linguistics) skill
check results for that round in place of the saving throw. This
does not work on effects that don’t allow saves. Inspire
courage is a mind-affecting ability. This inspiration
supersedes the Arcane Duelist’s rallying cry variant class
feature from the Advanced Player’s Guide, and also the
Marshal’s motivate ardor, motivate attack, and steady hand
auras, from the Miniatures Handbook.
Bardic Lore: Starting at 2nd level, and every 3 levels
thereafter, you gain new abilities based on your experiences
and learning. The various types of lore are normally
restricted to a specific tradition, although some are available
equally to all bards. Possible examples of bardic lore are
described in Appendix C.
Skill Focus: At 2nd level, specific training you have
undertaken in a particular field begins to manifest itself.
Choose one class skill; you gain Skill Focus in that skill as a
bonus feat. You gain an additional skill focus every 6 levels
after the 2nd. This ability supersedes the various skill-
boosting variant class features from the Advanced Player’s
Guide and Ultimate Combat. Note that a minstrel need not
select Skill Focus (Perform: Music), as the well-versed ability
(q.v.) essentially already grants that.
Lore Master (Ex): At 4th level, you become a master of lore
and can choose to take 10 on any Knowledge skill check (as
long as you have ranks in the appropriate Knowledge skill). In
addition, once per day, you can take 20 on any Knowledge
skill check as a standard action. You can use this ability one
additional time per day for every six levels you possess
beyond 4th, to a maximum of three times per day at 16th level.
Well-Versed (Ex): Starting at 4th level, you apply your
college bonus in the following ways:

As a competence bonus to saving throws against bardic
spells and inspirations; language-dependent effects;
[sonic] effects; and symbols, glyphs, and magical writings
of any kind.
As a competence bonus on caster level checks and saving
throws to see through disguises and protections against
divination (such as magic aura, misdirection, and
nondetection). This subsumes the archivist bard’s “magic
lore” variant and the detective-bard’s “arcane insight”
variant from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
You gain sonic resistance equal to 5 x your college bonus.
At 20th level, you are immune to sonic attacks.
If you are a minstrel, your college bonus applies as a
competence bonus to Perform (music) checks. If you are a
skald, instead add your college bonus as a competence
bonus to your Leadership score (Chapter 5).
Tradition Keeper (Ex): At 5th level and 17th levels, you
gain special abilities based on the bardic tradition you
represent.
Lyric Spell (Minstrel): Starting at 5th level, you can extend
the duration of a bardic inspiration after you stop
concentrating, without expending additional rounds of use, by
sacrificing a spell slot as a swift action. The inspiration’s
effects linger for 1 extra round per level of the spell. This lore
supersedes the bardic magician’s Extended Performance
variant class feature from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Metamagic Song (Minstrel): Starting at 17th level, when
you cast an arcane spell that is enhanced by a metamagic
feat, you can spend a number of rounds of your bardic
inspiration ability equal to twice the number of extra levels
that the metamagic feat imposes on the spell, rather than
raising the spell's effective level. Applying metamagic
spontaneously using this method does not increase the
casting time of the spell. You cannot use the Metamagic Song
feat to add metamagic feats that would make the spell's
effective level higher than the highest level of spell that you
can cast normally. You must sing and play an instrument (as if
maintaining inspiration and casting a spell), so you cannot
use this lore in conjunction with the Still Spell or Silent Spell
feat.
When applying a metamagic feat to a spell, you must either
use Metamagic Song to completely offset the increase in the
spell's effective level, or apply the metamagic feat normally
and cast the spell at its higher level. You cannot partially
increase the level of the spell (or split the cost) to reduce the
number of rounds of inspiration spent when using the
Metamagic Song feat.
This supersedes the feat of the same name from Races of
Stone, and also the bardic magician’s “metamagic mastery”
performance from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Martial Prowess (Skald): At 5th level, a skald’s base attack
bonus increases by +1 (from +3 to +4), exactly as if you had
gained a level in a class that provided a +1 to base attack
bonus that level. This means that a single-classed skald
reaches BAB +6 (and gains an iterative attack) at 7th level
instead of 8th. At 17th level, your base attack bonus increases
by an additional +1 (to +14). A single-classed skald therefore
gains a 4th iterative attack (BAB +16/+11/+11/+11) at 19th
level.
Effortless Inspiration (Su): Starting at 7th level, when you
inspire courage or use a Fochlucan (1st level) inspiration, you
can maintain that inspiration for multiple rounds without
paying the maintenance cost (only the first continuous round
of use requires you to expend a round of bardic inspiration
use). If the inspiration normally requires more than 1 round
of use per round―for example, when paying extra to affect
additional creatures―then the total cost of each round after
the first is reduced by one.
You can end an ongoing effortless inspiration as a free
action. Any interruption in the inspiration’s verbal and/or
somatic component(s) ends the inspiration immediately,
whereupon you must start it again as normal, paying the
normal 1st round cost. This means that, barring casting
silence on yourself and then using the accompaniment ability
(q.v.), there is almost no way to be at all stealthy while
maintaining an inspiration.
As you gain experience, you gain the ability to maintain
more powerful inspirations in this manner, as shown in Table
1.
Move Inspiration (Su): At 7th level, you can start a bardic
inspiration as a move action instead of a standard action.
Accompaniment (Su): Starting at 8th level, your bardic
spells and inspiration continue to operate even in magical
silence, as long as you continue to play, sing, and/or chant.
You are also immune to magical deafness. This duplicates the
feat of the same name from the Book of Eldritch Might II
(Malhavoc Press).
Gift of Tongues (Sp): At 11th level, you gain the ability to
speak and understand the language of any intelligent
creature, whether it is a racial tongue or a regional dialect, as
if under a permanent tongues spell (this effect cannot be
totally dispelled; merely suppressed for 1d4 rounds). You can
speak only one language at a time, although you may be able
to understand several languages.
Swift Inspiration (Su): At 13th level, you can start a bardic
inspiration as a swift action.
Jack of All Trades (Ex): Starting at 14th level, you treat all
skills as class skills, and can use trained-only skills untrained.
Lingering Inspiration (Su): Starting at 19th level, the
effects of your bardic inspirations continue for two rounds
after you cease paying the maintenance cost. Any other
requirements, such as range or specific conditions, must still
be met for the effect to continue. If you begin a new bardic
inspiration during this time, the effects of the previous one
immediately cease (unless you would normally be able to
maintain a bardic inspiration while starting a new one, as a
minstrel with an instrument can do).

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This ability supersedes the feat of the same name, and also
the Battle Herald’s “persistent commands” prestige class
feature, from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Inspiration of Life (Su): A bard of 20th level (a “Magnus
Alumnus”) learns to use his inspiration to cause one enemy
to die from joy or sorrow, or to lure a fallen comrade back
from the land of the dead.
To be affected by the killing version, the target must be able
to hear you perform or recite for 1 full round and be within
30 feet. The target receives a Will save (DC 10 + half your
class level level + your spellcasting attribute modifier) to
negate the effect. If a creature's saving throw succeeds, the
target is staggered for 1d4 rounds, and you cannot use this
ability on that creature again for 24 hours. If a creature's
saving throw fails, it dies. This is a mind-affecting death
effect.
To bring a creature back to life, you must perform or chant
an elegy for 20 consecutive rounds, expending 1 round worth
of bardic inspiration per round. You must be within 10 ft. of
the body during this time. After 20 rounds, the fallen creature
rolls for resurrection survival (a Fortitude save, with DC
based on his race’s life span; see Introduction). If successful,
he or she is brought back to life, as if by a resurrection spell.
If this check fails, the creature is brought back to life, but only
for as long as the inspiration effect continues thereafter. He
or she is immune to curative spells and stabilization during
that time; when the inspiration ends, the creature dies again
for good. This function supersedes the Songhealer bard’s
funereal ballad ability from Ultimate Magic.
Appendix A: Bard Spells
In order to better simulate the range of abilities available to
3.5-edition bards through various feats and prestige classes, it
is recommended that the following spells be added to the Weaponshatter
bard’s class list. Non-core sources (indicated by superscripts) School: Evocation [sonic]
are cited in Chapter 7. Level: Bard 7
0 Level: canny effortAUG, guidance, learn heritageBEM3, Casting Time: 1 standard action
quick soberRR. Components: Somatic, Focus (stringed instrument)
` 1st Level: astute fightingAPM, bane, bless, calm animals, Range: 30 ft.
command, detect evil (etc.), distract assailantCAd, divine favor, Area: 30-ft.-radius spread, centered on you
doom, greater canny effortAUG, incite actionMH, magic Duration: Instantaneous
weapon, protection from evil (etc.), sanctuary, serpent’s Saving Throw: Fortitude negates (magical object) or
stareRR2, smiteRR, stabilize, swift expeditious retreatCAd. partial (non-magical object) or half (see text)
2nd Level: aid, bear’s endurance, bulls’s strength, curse of Spell Resistance: Yes
ill fortuneCD, curse of impending bladesMH, dissonant When you strike the appropriate magical note at the
chantSS, divine insightCAd, glossolaliaSRD, gust of wind, culmination of this spell, all drawn or readied weapons
healing lorecallCAd, lesser restoration, litany of eloquenceUC, (including magical wands and staves) within 30 ft. of you are
lively stepPGF, mindless rageCAd, natural rhythmAPG (self destroyed. Magical weapons that succeed at the saving throw
only; all melee attacks), phantom’s howlRR, resist energy, are unaffected; non-magical weapons that succeed at the
snake’s swiftnessMH, sonic weaponCAd, status, stormrunner’s saving throw gain the broken condition, but are not destroyed
wardSW, surmount afflictionUM, welterBEM2, zone of truth. outright. Crystalline creatures within the area of effect take
3rd Level: arcane eye, beast shape I, bestow curse, curse of 1d6 points of sonic damage per caster level (maximum 15d6),
petty failingMH, dazzlesphereAUG, destructive resonance with a Fortitude save for half damage.
(from Pathfinder #6), dirge of discordCAd, drums of Source: This spell, essential a mass shatter, was inspired
despairGA, greater magic weapon, greater weapon of by Morgon’s harp from Patricia McKillip’s The Riddle-Master
energySC (sonic only), keen edge, legion’s curse of impending of Hed.
bladesMH, legion’s snake’s swiftnessMH, magic circle against
evil (etc.), magic vestment, prayer, protection from energy,
righteous vigorAPG, sonorous humSS.
4th Level: beast shape II, blessing of fervorAPG, discern
lies, dreadmantleRR2, enervation, fire shield (sonic instead of
hot or cold), lower spell resistanceDN, mass resurgenceCD,
sending, stoneskin, ward the faithfulAPG, waves of fatigue.
5th Level: baleful polymorph, beast shape III, cacophonic
burstSC, dispel evil (etc.), doomwailRR, feeblemind, legion’s
curse of petty failingMH, nightstalker’s transformationCAd,
prying eyes, symbol of sleep.
6th Level: antipathy, aura of evasionDN, beast shape IV,
breath of life, demand, find the path, flesh to stone, greater
mystic flowAUG, heroes’ feast, legion’s greater magic
weaponME, litany of madnessUC, mass bear’s endurance,
mass bull’s strength, mass hold person, mass moment of
clarityBED, mass rage, sympathy, transformation, true seeing,
waves of exhaution.
7th Level: banishment, bestow greater curseCD, charm’s
aegisRR2, circle of clarityUM, control weather, crown of
despairDr331, discern location, greater shadow conjuration,
heroic invocationUC, insanity, instant summons, mass charm
monster, mass cure serious wounds, mass invisibility, mass
lesser geasDr312, moment of prescience, power word: blind,
greater prying eyes, repulsion, scintillating pattern, spell
turning, summon monster VII, vision, weaponshatter (see
below).
Appendix B: Bardic Inspiration

C
ountersong checks can be made by anyone with
ranks in Perform (music), as described in the
Skills rules. Other examples of Pathfinder RPG
bardic performances are duplicated by spells, as
summarized in the following table (those marked
with an asterisk are included in the bard’s list of
bonus spells).
 Inspiration Source Spell Equivalent College Spell Level
Chant of the Long Road Complete Scoundrel InvigorateAPG Fochlucan 1st
Dirge of Doom Core Rulebook Doom Fochlucan 1st
Fascinate Core Rulebook Hypnotism Fochlucan 1st
Fortune’s Favor Ultimate Combat Divine favor Fochlucan 1st
Goad Adventurer’s Handbook (SGG) Incite actionMH Fochlucan 1st
Glorious Epic Advanced Player’s Guide Distract assailantCAd Fochlucan 1st
Harmless Performer Advanced Player’s Guide Sanctuary Fochlucan 1st
Satire Advanced Player’s Guide Bane Fochlucan 1st
Sustaining Song Complete Adventurer Stabilize Fochlucan 1st
Derring-Do Ultimate Combat Cat’s grace Mac-Fuirmidh 2nd
Disappearing Act Advanced Player’s Guide Invisibility Mac-Fuirmidh 2nd
Discordant Voice Ultimate Combat Sonic weaponCAd Mac-Fuirmidh 2nd
Encourage Failure Dragon mazine #337 QualmUC Mac-Fuirmidh 2nd
Inspire Competence Core Rulebook Divine insightCAd Mac-Fuirmidh 2nd
Inspire Fury Races of Stone Rage Mac-Fuirmidh 2nd
Keep Your Heads Advanced Player’s Guide Eagle’s splendor Mac-Fuirmidh 2nd
Lamentable Belaborment Advanced Player’s Guide Daze monster Mac-Fuirmidh 2nd
Motivate Urgency Miniatures Handbook Lively stepPGF Mac-Fuirmidh 2nd
Raid Tactics Adventurer’s Handbook (SGG) Surmount afflictionUM Mac-Fuirmidh 2nd
Still Water Advanced Player’s Guide Stormrunner’s wardSW Mac-Fuirmidh 2nd
Suggestion Core Rulebook Suggestion Mac-Fuirmidh 2nd
Whistle the Wind Advanced Player’s Guide Gust of wind Mac-Fuirmidh 2nd
Bladethirst Advanced Player’s Guide Greater magic weapon Doss 3rd
Frightening Tune Core Rulebook Fear Doss 3rd
Mockery Advanced Player’s Guide Bestow curse Doss 3rd
Pedantic Lecture Advanced Player’s Guide Confusion or dazzlesphereAUG Doss 3rd
Rain of Blows Ultimate Combat Haste Doss 3rd
Slumber Song Advanced Player’s Guide Heightened deep slumber Doss 3rd
Sound the Retreat Advanced Player’s Guide Displacement Doss 3rd
Grant Move Action Miniature’s Handbook Blessing of fervorAPG Canaith 4th
Inspire Greatness Core Rulebook Ward the faithfulAPG Canaith 4th
True Confession Advanced Player’s Guide Discern lie or detect thoughts Canaith 4th
Wearying Dance Complete Scoundrel Waves of fatigue Canaith 4th
Inspire Greatness Core Rulebook Greater heroism Cli 5th
Mass Slumber Song Advanced Player’s Guide Symbol of sleep Cli 5th
Mass Suggestion Core Rulebook Mass suggestion Cli 5th
Scandal Advanced Player’s Guide Song of discord Cli 5th
Battle Song Advanced Player’s Guide Mass rage Anstruth 6th
Mass Bladethirst Advanced Player’s Guide Greater legion’s magic weaponME Anstruth 6th
Song of the Fallen Advanced Player’s Guide Summon monster VI Anstruth 6th
Warning Shout Complete Scoundrel Aura of evasionDN Anstruth 6th
Call the Storm Advanced Player’s Guide Control weather Ollamh 7th
Soothing Performance* Core Rulebook Mass cure serious wounds Ollamh 7th
Appendix C: Bardic Lore
Arcane Bond (Ex) (Minstrel or Skald): You gain the
Lore Tradition Description Arcane Bond ability, as a wizard of level equal to your class
Arcane bond Both As wizard class feature level. A skald either gains a weapon as a bonded item, or else
Bonus feat Both Choose a feat can choose the Diligent Preparation ability (allowing you to
use your Intelligence bonus to calculate your spell and
Countersong, reactive Minstrel Immediate action inspiration saving throw DCs). A minstrel can choose a
Dauntless Both Bonus vs. mind-affecting familiar (usually something exotic, like a monkey or parrot),
or a musical instrument as a bonded item. The latter
Discordance Both Gain sonic attack functions exactly as a specialist enchanter’s pendant or
Elder kantelist Both Multiclass with arcane illusionist’s mirror (your choice), except the instrument must
Evasion Both As rogue class feature be played in place of your spells’ somatic components (and
verbal components, in the case of a woodwind or brass
Fighter talent Skald (Self-explanatory) instrument).
Fortune’s friend Both Bonus hero point/day If you are a minstrel, starting at 10th level, whenever you
use a spell completion item (wand or instrument of the bards)
Green ear Minstrel Powers affect plants, fey containing a spell on your spell list, you use your Charisma
Harmonic sage Minstrel Boost spells indoors bonus to set the item’s save DC. At 16th level, when using
Inspiration, masterful Both +1 to inspiration effects such an item, you use your number of ranks in Concentration
in place of the item’s default caster level.
Instant daze Skald Daze those hitting you Bonus Feat (Minstrel or Skald): You can gain one bonus
Mythic song Minstrel Affect giants, dragons feat in place of an item of bardic lore; you must meet the
prerequisites normally. You may gain this lore multiple times;
Network of
informants
Minstrel Call in favors from NPCs each time, select a different feat.
Countersong, Reactive (Ex) (Minstrel): You can begin a
Oral tradition Skald +2 inherent bonus to Int countersong as an immediate action. You cannot use Reactive
Outlaw performer Both Multiclass with rogue Countersong at the same time you are using another bardic
inspiration ability (though you could stop the other
Perform., versatile Minstrel Swap out skill checks inspiration to begin Reactive Countersong if so desired).
Powerful voice Both Double inspiration range Source: 3.5 edition System Reference Document, “Epic
Probable path Both Take 10 on any d20 rolls
Feats.”
Dauntless (Ex) (Minstrel or Skald): You gain a morale
Requiem Minstrel Affect undead bonus on saving throws against mind-affecting spells and
Roaring skald Skald Multiclass with barbarian effects, including all fear effects, equal to your college bonus.
In addition, if you fail to save against a [fear] effect, the
Rune lore Skald Access to Rune domain condition’s severity is lessened by one step, plus an additional
Sacred performer Both Multiclass with cleric step per 6 class levels you possess. This lore supersedes the
Sneak attack Both Also incl. cloaked casting
Daredevil’s variant class feature of the same name, from
Ultimate Combat.
Social graces Minstrel +2 inherent bonus to Cha Discordance (Sp) (Minstrel or Skald): As long as you
Splendor Both As a rod of splendor have at least one bard spell slot of 1st level or higher available
and ready to cast, you can inflict harm on your enemies with
Stone singer Both Boost effects
underground
a single word of power (skalds) or discordant note (minstrels).
Choose one target within close range; you must succeed at a
Twilight luck Both +2 luck bonus to saves ranged touch attack against that target. If successful, the
Wilderness harper Both Multiclass with druid victim takes 1d6 sonic damage per level of the highest-level
spell slot you have remaining. This ability is otherwise similar
Words of power Skald Reroll failed Diplomacy to a sorcerer’s eldritch blast ability, and also supersedes the
Sound Striker archetype from Ultimate Magic. It counts as a
1st level spell-like ability for purposes of the Innate
Metamagic feat.
At 8th level, you gain Innate Metamagic, applied to your
discordance ability, as a bonus feat. Choose one of the
following effects: Channel Spell, Coercive Spell, Deafening
Spell, Empower Spell, Entangling Spell, Fell Frighten, Fell
Weaken, Imbue Missile, Maximize Spell, Merciful Spell,
Shape Spell, or Storm Evocation. You must meet all
prerequisites.
 At 14th level, you gain an additional discordant metamagic
feat; add Blast Spell, Chain Spell, Dazing Spell, Forceful
Evocation, Irresistible Evocation, and Slowing Spell to the
list shown.
Elder Kantelist (Ex) (Minstrel or Skald): You must have
levels in an wizard or sorcerer to select this lore. You gain the
following benefits when multiclassing:
Your arcane class levels provide Strong synergy towards
your number of rounds per day of bardic inspiration and
the DC of your inspirations. You do not gain new colleges
(spell levels) of inspirations in this manner, however.
Your bard levels provide Weak synergy for purposes of
determining the effects of your school powers or bloodline
abilities.
You can choose to give up your bard spellcasting ability. In
exchange, your bard levels provide Strong theurgy
towards your arcane spellcasting progression. You retain
access to both class spells lists.
Using this option, the Prestige Bard from Unearthed
Arcana can be modeled. A wizard/bard or sorcerer/bard can
also be used to simulates the great spellcasting heroes from
the Kalevala.
Evasion (Ex) (Minstrel or Skald): You gain evasion, as the
rogue class feature. If you have at least 10 levels of bard
and/or rogue in any combination, you also gain Improved
Evasion. If you have at least 18 levels of bard and/or rogue in
any combination, you also gain Greater Evasion.
Fighter Talent (Ex) (Skald): You can learn a fighter talent
in place of an item of bardic lore. You must meet all
prerequisites listed. You may learn advanced fighter talents in
this manner if your base attack bonus is +11 or higher.
If you have levels in Fighter, your bard level provides Full
synergy when determining the effective the effects of fighter
talents you possess.
Fortune’s Friend (Ex) (Minstrel or Skald): You gain a free
Hero Point/Action Point (see “Variations in the Core Rule
Mechanics”) each day. These cannot be accumulated; if you
start the next day with the previous day’s bonus point
unspent, it is lost in favor of the new one. You can gain this
talent multiple times; the effects stack. This talent largely
supersedes the Fortune’s Friend prestige class, from
Complete Scoundrel.
Green Ear (Su) (Minstrel): You are attuned to the green
places and the magic of the fey, providing you a number of
benefits.
You gain Domain Access and Improved Domain Access
(Plant domain) as bonus feats, using your Knowledge
(lore) skill in place of Knowledge (the planes).
Plants and plant creatures are not immune to your mind-
affecting spells and bardic inspiration abilities, and your
spells affect fey as if they were humanoids (making them
vulnerable to a hold person cast by you, for example).
You can spend rounds of bardic inspiration to extend the
preceding ability to allies within 60 feet as well.
When you use bardic inspiration with audible components
in a forest, the range or area of your chosen performance
is doubled.
The saving throw bonuses from your Well-Versed class
feature apply to saving throws against the spells, spell-like
abilities, supernatural abilities, and extraordinary abilities
of plants and fey.
This lore supersedes the feat of the same name from
Complete Adventurer, and also the Leaf Singer feat from the
Advanced Player’s Guide.
Harmonic Sage (Ex) (Minstrel): While inside an artificial
structure, you can spend a free action to make a DC 15 Craft
(construction) check when you begin an inspiration. Success
on this check allows you to do one of the following.
Self-Harmonize: By performing over the reverberations of
your performance, you increase the DC of your
inspirations by +1.
Reverberation: You can choose to have the effect of your
current bardic inspiration continue for 1 round after you
cease maintaining it, regardless of why you cease.
Source: Ultimate Combat.
Inspiration, Masterful (Su) (Minstrel or Skald): When
you use any bardic inspiration that grants a numerical bonus
or applies a numerical penalty, the bonus or penalty increases
by 1. Thus, a 9th level bard with this feat grants his allies a +4
bonus on attack rolls, damage rolls, and saving throws
against fear when he uses inspire courage, rather than the +3
he would normally grant. You may learn this lore up to two
times; the effects stack. It supersedes the Master Performer
feat from the Pathfinder Faction Guide, the Song of the Heart
feat from the Eberron Campaign Setting, and the Epic
Inspiration feat from the 3.5 edition System Reference
Document.
Instant Daze (Su) (Skald): You can daze an enemy who
strikes you in melee (Will negates) by spending 1 round of
inspiration upon being struck. The effect lasts for 1 round, or
as long as you continue to extend the inspiration and spend
additional rounds of use. This is a mind-affecting compulsion.
Creatures with HD greater than your bard level are immune.
You can’t activate this ability in response to an attack you are
unaware of. Source: Players Handbook II.
Mythic Song (Su) (Minstrel or Skald): You are attuned to
the lore and magic of mythical creatures, providing you with a
number of benefits:
Your spells and inspirations affect magical beasts as if
they were animals, and affect monstrous humanoids and
giants as if they were humanoids.
Dragons normally immune to sleep and paralysis are
vulnerable to those effects from your spells or bardic
inspiration abilities.
You can spend rounds of bardic inspiration to extend the
above benefits to all allies within 60 ft.

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 Network of Contacts (Ex) (Minstrel): You have contacts
and “friends of friends” all over the world. Whenever you are
in any settlement, town, or city, once per week you may call in
favor from someone you know, or who knows someone you
know. The maximum CR of this NPC is equal to half your
bard level. The NPC will try to accomplish any one task that
is not suicidal, doesn’t seriously affect his or her resources,
and takes up to one day. Exact details on how calling in the
favor works, who the NPC is, etc., are subject to player and
referee agreement.
Oral Tradition (Ex) (Skald): Your long practice at
composing and memorizing complex lays has heightened
your memory and sharpened your intellect. You gain a +2
inherent bonus to Intelligence, as if from a Tome of Clear
Thought. You must be at least 11th level to learn this lore. You
may learn this lore multiple times; each time, the bonus
improves by +1, to a maximum inherent bonus of +5 at 20th
level (after taking it 4 times).
Outlaw Performer (Ex) (Minstrel or Skald): You can
learn rogue skill talents (if you are a minstrel) or combat
talents (if you are a skald) in place of bardic lore, although
you still must meet all prerequisites listed. Your effective
rogue level for these talents is equal to your rogue level plus
half your bard level (Full synergy); you qualify for advanced
rogue talents if your effective rogue level is 10th or higher.
If you have levels in rogue, your bard levels provide Weak
synergy when calculating your sneak attack damage.
Your rogue levels provide Weak synergy when calculating
the number of rounds of bardic inspiration per day that
can be maintained and the DC of your bardic inspirations.
You can choose to give up your rogue skill tricks and
instead gain Strong theurgy (see Chapter 7) from your
rogue levels to your bardic spellcasting ability and college.
Alternatively, if you give up all bard spellcasting, your bard
levels provide Strong theurgy to your rogue tricks
progression, and you still retain access to the bard bonus
spells in the form of inspirations.
This lore largely supersedes the Archaeologist archetype
from Ultimate Combat.
Performance, Versatile (Minstrel) (Ex): You become
adept at bolstering your chances of success with other skills
by judicious use of performance. When using any of the skills
from the list below, if conditions allow you can choose to take
a full round action and also make a Perform check of the
associated type. If the perform check is better, you can use
those results in place of the skill check results. You cannot
use this ability in combat, or when you would otherwise be
unable to take 10. You must possess at least one rank in the
associated skill to use this ability, although this requirement
is waived once you gain the Jack-of-All-Trades ability (q.v.) at
10th level.
Skill Associated Performance
Acrobatics Dance
Bluff Acting
Diplomacy Music
Fly Dance
Handle Animal Music
For example, when attempting a Handle Animal check, you
might be able to soothe the animal with music, even if you
would normally be unable to handle such a fierce beast.
Powerful Voice (Su) (Minstrel or Skald): Double the
range of any bardic inspiration ability that has a range (as if
using Reach Spell, but without any increase in casting time or
spell level).
In addition, if the power affects multiple creatures, it
affects one additional creature (over the normal number) for
every five levels beyond 5th (this does not affect powers that
affect only a single creature).
You can learn this lore multiple times; its effects on range
stack (remember that two doublings equals a tripling, and so
forth). This lore supersedes the Ranged Inspiration epic feat
from the 3.5 edition System Reference Document, the
Verbose Performer feat from the Pathfinder Faction Guide,
and the War Singer and Wide Audience variant class features
from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Probable Path (Ex) (Minstrel or Skald): You can
calculate the action likely to bring success with the least risk.
Any time you make a d20 roll, you can choose to take 10, even
if this is not normally possible. This lore supersedes the
archivist-bard’s class feature of the same name, from the
Advanced Player’s Guide.
Requiem (Su) (Minstrel): Add speak with dead to the
class list of 3rd level spells. Undead are not immune to your
mind-affecting spells and bardic inspiration abilities, and you
can spend rounds of bardic inspiration to extend this ability
to allies within 60 feet. Alternatively, you can expend bardic
inspiration use in order to produce an effect that duplicates a
halt undead spell, lasting as long as you continue the
inspiration. This lore supersedes the feat of the same name
from Libris Mortis.
Roaring Skald (Ex) (Skald): You may learn this lore only
if you have at least one level in barbarian.
You take no penalty to Intelligence while raging, and can
use bardic inspiration while in a rage. Your barbarian
levels provide Strong synergy towards your bardic
inspiration (rounds per day, and DC) and college.
Your bard levels provide Weak synergy for determining the
type of rage you can enter, your rage attribute bonuses,
and your effective initiator level for determining the effects
of level-dependent rage powers.
Whenever you become eligible for a new item of bardic
lore, you can elect to choose a rage power instead. Your
barbarian levels provide Weak synergy when calculating
the effects of level-dependent bardic lore.
When using the rage spell as an inspiration on allies, you
can spend one additional round of inspiration per round to
give affected allies access to any one rage power you
possess. You can likewise spend additional rounds to give
your allies access to additional rage powers you have.
Finally, you can freely spend rounds of bardic inspiration
in order to extend your rage, or spend rounds of rage in
order to maintain bardic inspirations.
Rune Lore (Su) (Skald): You gain Domain Access. Improved
Domain Access, and Domain Channeling (Rune domain) as
bonus feats, using your Knowledge (linguistics) skill in place
of Knowledge (the planes). Add explosive runes and all
symbol spells to your list of class spells.
“No man should carve runes /
unless he can read them well;
many a man go astray / around those dark letters.”
―Egil’s Saga
Sacred Performer (Su) (Minstrel or Skald): You can
select this lore only if you already possess levels in cleric,
archivist, or incarnate. You gain the following advantages
when multiclassing:
Your bard levels provide Strong synergy to your
channeling energy progression (for purposes of
determining your number of channeling dice and the
channeling DC) or to your incarnate resistances or terrain.
Your cleric or archivist levels provide strong synergy to
your bard level, for purposes of determining your number
of rounds per day of bardic inspiration, inspiration DC,
and college.
You may choose to give up your bard spellcasting ability. If
you do so, your bard levels provide Strong theurgy to your
cleric, archivist, or incarnate spellcasting progression. You
retain access to spells on both class lists.
This lore supersedes the feat of the same name from
Dragon magazine (issue 357). A bard/cleric using this option
supersedes the Divine Bard from Unearthed Arcana, and also
the Evangelist archetype from Ultimate Combat (such a
character might prepare the following in the place of Domain
bonus spells: 1st—command; 2nd—enthrall; 3rd—tongues;
4th—suggestion; 5th—greater command; 6th—geas/quest; 7th
—mass suggestion; 8th—sympathy; 9th—demand).
Sneak Attack (Ex) (Minstrel or Skald): You gain sneak
attack +1d6, as the rogue class feature. You also add a +1
circumstance bonus to the save DC of spells and bardic
performance against opponents who are denied their
Dexterity bonus, and +2 circumstance bonus to
Concentration checks to overcome spell resistance against
such foes. You may select this lore multiple times; each time,
increase your sneak attack damage by 1d6, the save DC
bonus improves by +1, and the level check boost to defeat SR
improves by +2.
If you already have sneak attack from another class, the
damage dice stack (subject to the limitations described in
Chapter 1). This lore subsumes the Sandman’s variant class
feature of the same name, from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Social Graces (Ex) (Minstrel): You are long accustomed
to social interactions of all kinds, from dealing with the
common folk to entertaining nobles. You gain a +2 inherent
bonus to Charisma, as if from a Tome of Leadership and
Influence. You must be at least 11th level to learn this lore.
You may learn this lore multiple times; each time, the bonus
improves by +1, to a maximum inherent bonus of +5 at 20th
level (after taking it 4 times).
Spell Kenning (Sp) (Minstrel or Skald): Once per day,
you can cast any spell on the cleric or sorcerer/wizard spell
list as if it were one of your spells known. Casting the spell
requires you to expend two spell slots of that spell level or
higher, and the spell takes 1 full round per spell level to cast
(or increase the existing casting time by that much, if the
desired spell normally requires 1 full round or longer to cast).
At 11th level, you can use this ability twice per day. At 17th
level, you can use this ability three times per day.
Splendor (Su) (Minstrel or Skald): You must be at least
11th level to gain this lore, which grants a +4 enhancement
bonus to your Charisma score. Once per day, you can garb
yourself in magically-created clothing of the finest fabrics,
plus adornments of furs and jewels. Apparel created by this
magic remains in existence for 12 hours. However, if you
attempt to sell or give away any part of it, use it for a spell
component, or the like, all the apparel immediately
disappears. The same applies if any of it is forcibly taken
from you. The value of noble garb created ranges from 7,000
to 10,000 gp (1d4+6 × 1,000 gp)—1,000 gp for the fabric
alone, 5,000 gp for the furs, and the rest for the jewel trim
(maximum of twenty gems, maximum value 200 gp each).
In addition, you gain a second special power, usable once
per week. As a full-round action, you can create a palatial tent
—a huge pavilion of silk 60 feet across. Inside the tent are
temporary furnishings and food suitable to the splendor of
the pavilion and sufficient to entertain as many as 100
people. The tent and its trappings last for 1 day. At the end of
that time, the tent and all objects associated with it (including
any items that were taken out of the tent) disappear.
Stone Singer (Su) (Minstrel or Skald): The power of the
earth infuses your songs and poems. Source: Advanced
Player’s Guide.
When you use a bardic inspiration with audible
components underground, the range or area of your
chosen inspiration is doubled.
You can affect deaf creatures if they possess tremorsense
and are in your new range.
In addition, the DC for saving throws against your bardic
inspiration is increased by +2 for creatures of the earth
subtype, regardless of where the performance occurs.
You gain favored terrain (underground), as the ranger
class feature, with a bonus equal to the highest spell level
you are able to maintain as a bardic inspiration.
If you have the Earth elemental or Dao sorcerer bloodline,
Stone incarnate mystery, or Elemental Earth domain, your
bard levels provide Strong synergy for purposes of
determining your bloodline, domain, or mystery powers
(the levels at which you gain them and at which they
operate).
Twilight Luck (Ex) (Minstrel or Skald): You receive a +2
luck bonus to all saving throws. You can select this lore
multiple times; each time, the bonus increases by +1 (to a
maximum bonus of +5, after selecting this lore 4 times).
Wilderness Harper (Ex) (Minstrel or Skald): When you
gain new spells known, you can learn druid spells as if they
were bard spells of equal level. The normal druid oaths
regarding armor are relaxed, allowing you to wear light metal
armor (or medium armor, for skalds) with no loss of
spellcasting, supernatural, or spell-like abilities.
If you have levels in druid, your druid levels provide Strong
synergy with your bard levels for purposes of determining
your number of rounds per day of bardic inspiration, the
DC of those inspirations, and your college.
Your bard levels provide Weak synergy with your druid
level for purposes of determining the druidic initiate
powers (q.v.) you have and their effects. For example, a 6th
level bard/4th level wild shaper druid would create bardic
inspirations as a 8th level bard, and would wild shape as a
7th level druid.
You gain access to the druid class spells list. If you have
levels in druid, you can choose to give up your normal bard
spellcasting; if you do so, your bard levels provide Strong
theurgy with your druid spellcasting progression. You
retain access to both class spells lists.
A minstrel with this lore can use Perform (music) in place
of Handle Animal in efforts to befriend animals, vermin,
etc. This supersedes the Soothe the Beast feat from the
Eberron Campaign Setting handbook.
A druid/skald using this option can simulate the Fochlucan
Lyrist prestige class from Complete Adventurer.
Words of Power (Ex) (Skald): Even the most prideful
noble, no matter how deeply offended, might be mollified to
hear mighty stanzas composed and recited in his honor). If
you fail a Diplomacy check, you can subsequently attempt a
Linguistics check and use those results instead, “erasing” the
results of the failed Diplomacy check.
You also learn the words of power that govern magic; when
making a Spellcraft check as a full round action, you can also
make a Linguistics check and use the better of the two
results.

Appendix D: Bard Feats

The following feats are listed here, rather than in Chapter
5, because they are specific to bard characters.

Inspiration, Extra
You can use your bardic performance ability more often than
normal.
Prerequisite: Bardic inspiration class feature.
Benefit: You can use bardic inspiration for 6 additional
rounds per day.
Special: The effects of this feat stack with other class
synergy features, and with itself (if selected multiple times),
and the normal HD limits described in Chapter 1 do not
apply.

Inspiration, Practiced
Prerequisite: Bardic inspiration class feature.
Benefit: Treat your bard level as 4 levels higher than is
actually the case for purposes of determining the DC of your
bardic inspirations, your college, and the number of rounds
per day your inspirations may be maintained. Your effective
bard level cannot exceed your total number of hit dice.
Special: The effects of feat stack with class synergy
features improving your effective bard level; this a specific
exception to the non-stacking rule. Your total limit based on
effective character level, as described in Chapter 1, remains in
force.
Cleric
Saving Throws: Clerics gain a +2 class bonus to Fortitude
From another direction comes Archbishop Turpin; and Intuition saves.
He spurs his horse and climbs a hill. Bonus Skills: All clerics automatically receive one free
He calls the French, he preached a sermon to them:
rank per class level in Concentration, Heal, and Knowledge
(the Planes). These are otherwise treated as class skills, but
My lord barons, Charles left us here,
do not count against the cleric’s total number of skill points.
We must die well for our king. Class Skills: Craft (all), Diplomacy, Knowledge (all), Planar
The French dismount, they knelt to the ground, Sense, Profession (all), Spellcraft.
And the Archbishop blessed them in God’s name. Skill Ranks per Level: 2 + Int modifier.
For a penance, he commands them to strike. Bonus Languages: A cleric's bonus language options for a
―La Chanson de Roland (ca. 1100) high Intelligence score include Celestial, Abyssal, and
Mabrahoring (the languages of good, chaotic evil, and lawful
A cleric must choose one of two types of ordainment. evil outsiders, respectively). If you have access to an
Outgoing priests like Friar Tuck or the Archbishop Turpin elemental domain (air, earth, fire, or water), you may also
(referenced above), who actively minister in the field, are most select the appropriate language (Auran, Terran, Ignan, or
often called simply “clerics.” Cloistered clerics, sequestered Aquan, respectively). These choices are in addition to the
in their monasteries or palaces and knowledgeable in lore bonus languages available to the character because of her
(Cardinal Richelieu et al.), are called Archivists. Each of the race.
two types of ordainment offers slightly different class Favored Class: When gaining a level of cleric as a favored
features, as described below. The Mystic Theurge prestige class, rather than choosing +1 hp or skill point, you can
class can now be emulated by selecting the Arcanist domain instead choose one of the following options:
(see below). Clerics with the War domain also receive Divine Exorcist (Su): Each time you select this option, you
excellent synergy with levels in fighter. gain a +1 sacred (or profane) bonus to defeat the spell
TABLE 1: THE CLERIC HIT DICE: D8 resistance of creatures with the opposite alignment type.
Class Base Attack Spell Channel Divine Wrath (Su): Your damaging spells and spell-like
Level Bonus Capacity Energy Special abilities deal +1 point of damage against creatures with an
alignment subtype opposite that of your deity or cause.
1st +0 1st 1d6 Aura, channel
energy, domain Selective Channeling (Su): When channeling energy, you
access can choose to omit one creature of your choice from the
2nd +1 2nd 1d6 Bonus feat effects.
3rd +2 3rd 2d6 ― Spontaneous Casting (Sp): Each time you select this
4th +3 4th 2d6 Domain power(s) bonus, choose one Domain spell or one cure/inflict spell
(depending on whether you channel positive or negative
5th +3 5th 3d6 ― energy). You can cast this spell spontaneously by
6th +4 6th 3d6 Steadfast faith +1 sacrificing a prepared spell of equal or higher level.
7th +5 7th 4d6 ―
8th 7th
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Clerics have Martial
+6/+1 4d6 Bonus feat, domain
power(s)
proficiency with bludgeons and hammers, and Simple
proficiency with flails, slings, and shields. Clerics of specific
9th +6/+1 8th 5d6 ― deities (as opposed to ideals, churches, or pantheons of
10th +7/+2 9th 5d6 Planar channeling deities) gain Martial proficiency with their deity’s favored
weapon as well. Clerics are proficient with light and medium
11th +8/+3 10th 6d6 ― armor. You can choose to trade in your armor and shield
12th +9/+4 11th 6d6 Steadfast faith +2 proficiencies for the Canny Defense feat.
13th 12th
To simulate an AD&D cleric in heavy plate, but with no
+9/+4 7d6 ―
spells at 1st level, simply start with one level of fighter and
14th +10/+5 13th 7d6 Bonus feat then multiclass into Cleric, remaining a cleric for the
15th +11/+6/+6 13th 8d6 Crusader’s aura remainder of your career.
Spellcasting: Clerics cast prepared divine spells, drawn
16th +12/+7/+7 14th 8d6 Handle relic from the cleric spell list, using the progression shown on the
17th +12/+7/+7 15th 9d6 ― standardized table in Chapter 7. Your spellcasting attribute is
18th +13/+8/+8 16th 9d6 Steadfast faith +3
Wisdom. Clerics have the additional requirement that extra
spell slots derived from high Wisdom scores must be filled
19th +14/+9/+9 17th 10d6 ― with Domain spells (see below).
20th +15/+10/+10 18th 10d6 Bonus feat, domain
exemplar
Clerics meditate or pray for their spells. Choose a set time
each day (which cannot be changed thereafter) when you
must spend 1 hour each day in quiet contemplation or
supplication to regain your daily allotment of spells. As
described under “Casting Spells on Other Planes” in Chapter
7, you cannot regain spells on planes into which your deity’s
awareness and power do not extend. This is an unusual
occurrence, and in general you will not encounter this
situation on the Inner Planes. An exception is if you are
inside a demi-plane or extra-dimensional space (such as from
a rope trick spell), in which case you must prepare your spells
outside of that space.
You may prepare and cast any spell on the cleric spell list
from the Core Rulebook (except those opposed to your deity’s
alignment and those specifically removed from the list, as
noted in Chapter 7), provided that you can cast spells of that
level. Clerics can learn spells from other sources, but such
spells generally must be learned from distant sects of clerics,
and they count against the character’s personal numen
(Chapter 6) as if they were scrolls being kept on hand.
Domain Spells: Your bonus spells (as shown on the
Prepared Spellcasting table in Chapter 7) are drawn from the
bonus spells provided by your domains. Each day, you can
prepare one of the spells from your domains in that slot. If a
domain spell is not on the cleric spell list, you can prepare it
only in an appropriate domain spell slot. If the same spell
appears on both your domain lists, you gain a +1 sacred (or
profane) bonus to the save DC for that spell, to compensate
for the reduced spell choice.
Holy Symbol: In order to cast spells, use domain spell-like
or supernatural abilities, or channel energy, you must have a
holy symbol of your deity or cause; this functions as a focus
component for your powers.
Spontaneous Casting: At 1st level, you may choose to cast
spontaneously (like a sorcerer) instead of preparing your
spells, with the referee’s permission. Once made, this choice
cannot be changed.
Aura (Su): You have an aura of alignment identical to the
alignment of your deity or cause. You are also affected by
spells as if you yourself were of that alignment.
Channel Energy (Su): You can release a wave of energy by
channeling the power of your faith through your holy (or
unholy) symbol. Choose one of your domains (Appendix A);
you channel energy as described for that domain.
Alternatively, you can instead choose to channel positive
energy (for good deities) or negative energy (for evil ones); a
cleric who worships a neutral deity (or a cleric not devoted to
a particular deity) can choose whether to channel positive or
negative energy. Once this choice is made, it cannot be
reversed.
When you channel energy, the power manifests in a burst
that affects a 30-foot radius centered on you. Channeled
positive energy heals living creatures and damages undead;
channeled negative energy heals undead and damages living
creatures; and channeled domain energy has variant effects
depending on the domain. The amount of damage dealt or
healed is equal to 1d6 points of damage plus 1d6 points of
damage for every two class levels you possess beyond the
first (2d6 at 3rd, 3d6 at 5th, and so on).
Creatures that take damage or other ill effects from
channeled energy receive a Will save for half (DC of this save
is equal to 10 + half your class level + your Charisma
modifier). Creatures healed by channeled energy cannot
exceed their maximum hit point total—all excess healing is
lost.
You may channel energy a number of times per day equal
to 3 + your Charisma modifier. This is a standard action that
does not provoke attacks of opportunity. You can choose
whether or not to include yourself in this effect. You must be
able to present your holy symbol to use this ability.
Domain Access: Your faith influences your values, how
others see you, and what magic you can perform. You gain
access to two domains (Appendix A) from among those
associated with your deity or cause (subject to referee
approval).
In addition, you gain the 1st level granted power from both
of your domains. You do not gain the archivist skill
enhancements listed for the domains.
Bonus Feat: At 2nd level, you gain a bonus feat chosen
from the following: any Domain feat, any Divine feat, Exotic
Weapon Proficiency (deity’s favored weapon), Heavy Armor
Proficiency, Serenity, Skill Focus (Concentration, or the
archivist skill for one of your domains), Spontaneous Spell
(the spells from one of your domains, or cure spells or inflict
spells), or Thaumaturgist (Chapter 5). Your domains might
grant additional choices, as listed in Appendix A. You must
meet all prerequisites normally.
For every 6 class levels you attain thereafter, you gain an
additional bonus feat, as shown in the table.
Domain Powers: You receive additional granted powers
from your domains at 4th and/or 8th level, as described in the
Domains section.
Steadfast Faith (Su): At 6th level, you are granted special
protection against hostile magic. You gain a +1 sacred (or
profane) bonus on saving throws against the following:
Arcane spells and spell-like abilities;
Divine spells with an alignment descriptor opposite that of
your deity or cause, or cast by enemies of your faith; or
The spells and spell-like abilities of Outsiders with
alignment opposite that of your deity or cause.
At 12th and 18th levels, this bonus increases by an
additional +1, as shown on Table 1.
Planar Channeling (Su): You are charged with banishing
the servants of Powers opposed to your patron or cause. At
10th level, you gain Planar Channeling as a bonus feat.
Crusader’s Aura (Sp): Starting at 15th level, your very
presence inspires holy zeal in your allies and dread in your
enemies. You are surrounded at all times by a 40-ft. radius
aura that is equivalent to a prayer spell. If dispelled, you can
restore the aura as a full-round action.
Handle Relic (Su): You are expected to destroy the tools of
the enemies of your faith. At 16th level, you gain Handle Relic
as a bonus feat.
Domain Exemplar: At 20th level, you are the earthly
embodiment of one of your domains. Choose one domain for
which to gain this ability (unlike other domain powers, you do
not gain it for all domains). The specific effects are listed
under the domain descriptions below.
 Favored Class: As for the Cleric (see above), and add the
following option:
Archivist
This variant cleric is intended to supersede the Cloistered Spell Mastery (Ex): Each time you select this option,
Cleric (from Unearthed Arcana), the Archivist (from Heroes of choose one spell. You can prepare that spell without
Horror), and the Priest (from Adamant Entertainment’s Tome referring to your prayer book.
of Secrets). It allows for a priest more focused towards the
powers of your domains, and less towards melee combat. Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Archivists have Simple
TABLE 2: THE ARCHIVIST HIT DICE: D6 proficiency with all weapons, and are proficient with light
armor. They do not gain any shield proficiencies. You can
Class Base Spell Channel choose to trade in your light armor proficiency for the Canny
Level Attack Capacity Energy Special Defense feat.
1st +0 1st 1d6 Aura, channel energy,
Spellcasting: Archivists cast prepared divine spells which
domains are drawn from the cleric spell list. Your spellcasting attribute
is Intelligence or Wisdom (your choice; once chosen, you
2nd +1 2nd 1d6 Bonus feat cannot re-assign it).
3rd +1 3rd 2d6 Versatile channeling Prayer Book: Unlike a standard cleric, you do not receive
4th 4th
your daily spell complement directly from whatever deity or
+2 2d6 Domain power(s), skill
focus
cosmic force you worship. Rather, you must seek out and
collect new spells much as a wizard does, but from such
5th +2 5th 3d6 Rune domain esoteric sources as holy tablets, ancient steles, or other
6th +3 6th 3d6 Bonus feat magical scriptures. You cannot prepare any spell not
recorded in your prayer book except for read magic, which all
7th +3 7th 4d6 Versatile channeling archivists can prepare from memory.
8th +4 8th 4d6 Domain power(s), skill You begin play with a prayer book containing all of the Core
focus rules 0-level cleric spells, plus three 1st level cleric spells of
9th +4 9th 5d6 Additional domain your choice, plus your domain spells. For each point of
Intelligence bonus you have, the prayer book has an
10th +5 10th 5d6 Bonus feat additional 1st level cleric spell. At each new class level, you
11th +5 11th 6d6 Versatile channeling gain one new cleric spell for your prayer book; this can be of
12th +6/+1 12th 6d6 Skill focus
any spell level or levels that you can cast (based on your new
level). In addition, you always add the domain spells of your
13th +6/+1 13th 7d6 — domains to your prayer book; these do not count against your
14th +7/+2 14th 7d6 Bonus feat spells added due to level advancement.
At any time, you can also add spells found on scrolls
15th +7/+2 15th 8d6 Versatile channeling containing clerical spells to your prayer book, but you must
16th +8/+3 16th 8d6 Skill focus make any checks and spend the time and numen required
17th +8/+3 17th 9d6 —
(see Adding Spells to a Wizard's Spellbook). You can similarly
add non-cleric spells that directly pertain to your domains as
18th +9/+4 18th 9d6 Bonus feat if they were cleric spells, at the referee’s discretion. For
19th +9/+4 19th 10d6 Guarded mind, versatile example, an archivist with access to the Air, Knowledge, and
channeling Plant domains finds a druid scroll with magic fang and speak
20th +10/+5 20th
with plants on it, and an arcane scroll with identify and
10d6 Domain exemplar, skill fireball. The archivist could add speak with plants to his
focus
prayer book as a 3rd level spell and identify as a 1st level spell.
Saving Throws: Archivists gain a +2 class bonus to He could not add magic fang or fireball, as they fall outside
Intuition and Will saves. the general themes of his domains. When determining
Bonus Skills: All archivists automatically receive one free themes, player and referee agreement is the standard of
rank per class level in Concentration, and Knowledge (the comparison.
Planes). These are otherwise treated as class skills, but do Domain Spells: Your bonus spells (as shown on the
not count against your total number of skill points. In Prepared Spellcasting table) are drawn from the bonus spells
addition, your domains grant bonus skill ranks as well, as provided by your domains. Each day, you can prepare one of
listed under “Archivist Skill.” the spells from your domains in that slot.
Class Skills: Diplomacy, Disable Device, Heal, Knowledge Aura (Su): You have an aura of alignment identical to the
(all), Planar Sense, Profession (all), and Spellcraft. alignment of your deity or cause. You are also affected by
Skill Ranks per Level: 2 + Int modifier. spells as if you yourself were of that alignment.
Bonus Languages: An archivist’s bonus language options Channel Energy (Su): As the cleric class feature of the
for a high Intelligence score include Abyssal, Aklo, Aquan, same name; you choose positive energy, negative energy, or
Auran, Celestial, Draconic, Ignan, Mabrahoring, and Terran. one domain. Regardless of your initial choice, you eventually
These choices are in addition to the bonus languages gain the ability to channel energy of the other types and
available to the character because of her race. domains through your versatile channeling class feature (q.v.).
Domains: Your faith influences your values, how others see
you, and what magic you can perform. Choose one domain
(Appendix A) from among those belonging to your deity. If you
are not devoted to a particular deity, you still select a domain
to represent your spiritual inclinations and abilities (subject
to referee approval). In addition to the domain selected, you
automatically gain the Knowledge domain as well. Your
domains provide the following:
Bonus spell choices, as listed.
One class skill or skill-related feat, as listed for the
domain.
Granted powers, as listed.
You automatically gain additional domains at 5th and 9th
levels, as described below.
Bonus Feat: At 2nd level, and every 4 levels thereafter, you
receive a bonus feat, which must be selected from the
following list: Imbue Item, Spell Focus, Thaumaturgy, any
Divine feat, any Domain feat (Chapter 5), or any metamagic
feat (Chapter 7). Your domains might grant additional
choices, as described in Appendix A. You must meet all
prerequisites normally.
Domain Powers: You receive additional granted powers
from your domains at 4th and/or 8th level, as described in the
Domains section.
Skill Focus: At 4th level, and every 4 levels thereafter, you
gain Skill Focus as a bonus feat. These must be taken in
either Knowledge skills and/or in the archivist skills listed for
your domains.
Versatile Channeling: At 3rd level, you receive Versatile
Channeling as a bonus feat. You gain this feat an additional
time every 4 levels thereafter, each time choosing a different
energy type or domain channeling. When you reach 19th level,
each time you channel energy, you can therefore choose to
channel positive energy, negative energy, and/or energy from
any of your four domains.
Rune Domain: Your research has revealed the secrets of
ancient glyphs. At 5th level, you gain access to the Rune
domain.
Additional Domain: At 9th level, select one domain from
among those belonging to your deity, spiritual inclinations, or
cause. You gain access to that domain, including bonus
spells, granted powers, etc.
Guarded Mind (Su): Sometimes your peering into places
that mortals were not meant to see attracts unwanted
attention, and you gradually learn to defend against that. At
19th level, you gain a permanent mind blank effect.
Domain Exemplar: At 20th level, you are the earthly
embodiment of two of your domains. Choose two domains for
which to gain this ability. The specific effects are listed under
the domain descriptions below.

Appendix A: Domains
In some cases, more than one domain spell is listed for a
particular level. Clerics with a domain spell of that slot can
choose which of the listed spells they will use to fill that slot
(if any). Spells from non-core sources are indicated by
superscripts; the sources are listed in Chapter 7.
“Subdomains” from the Advanced Players Guide can be
chosen in place of domains, again with referee approval.
For powers that allow saving throws, the save DC, unless
otherwise noted, is equal to 10 + half your class level + your
Charisma modifier. Unless otherwise noted, using a domain
power is a standard action.
Air Domain
Archivist Skill: Fly.
Feat Options: Storm Bolt [Reserve], Wind-Guided Arrows
[Reserve], Wind Stance [Stance].
Variant Channeling: Channeled energy is electrical
(rather than positive or negative), dealing electrical damage to
those within the channeling radius. This is otherwise similar
to channeling negative energy, except you heal air elementals
and outsiders of the [air] subtype, instead of healing undead.
Domain Spells: 1st—obscuring mist, 2nd—wind wall, 3rd
—gaseous form, 4th—air walk, 5th—control winds, 6th
—chain lightning, 7th—elemental body IV (air only), 8th
—whirlwind, 9th—elemental swarm (air) or winds of
vengeance.
Cloudwalker (Ex): You gain favored terrain (Elemental
Plane of Air), as the ranger class feature of the same name,
with a bonus equal to 1 + half your class level.
Lightning Arc [Reserve] (Sp): Starting at 4th level, as a
standard action you can unleash an arc of electricity targeting
any foe within 30 feet as a ranged touch attack. This arc of
electricity deals 1d6 points of electricity damage per level of
the highest-level Air domain spell you have prepared. You can
use this ability at will as long as you have at least one Air
domain spell prepared.
Air Exemplar (Sp): At 20th level, you are continuously
under the effects of a winds of vengeance spell. You can
suppress this effect as a free action. If suppressed or
dispelled, you can renew the effect as a standard action.
Ancestors Domain
This domain supersedes the Ancestral Speaker variant cleric,
from Dragon magazine, issue 311.
Archivist Skill: Diplomacy.
Feat Options: Ghost Strike [Strike], Racial Heritage.
Variant Channeling: Turn Undead (as the feat).
Bonus Spells: 1st—detect undead, 2nd—ancestral
communionDG, 3rd—speak with dead, 4th—ancestral giftDG,
5th—commune, 6th—geas/quest, 7th—legend lore, 8th
—compelOA, 9th—foresight.
Ancestral Advice (Su): An ancestral speaker may pray to
his ancestors for advice or knowledge. Once per day, they
grant you a competence bonus to one skill check equal to half
your class level. It does not matter if you already possesses
any ranks in this skill or not; you can use the skill even if you
are untrained in its use or cannot normally use it. The bonus
lasts for a number of rounds equal to 1 plus your Charisma
bonus. At 5th level and every 4 levels thereafter, you may use
this power an additional time per day.
Improved Resurrection (Ex): Starting at 8th level, you can
call on the ancestors to smooth over the transition for anyone
making the crossing between life and death.
Add half your class level as a sacred bonus to Fortitude
saves for resurrection survival, and to remove a negative
level gained from a raise dead spell.
Anyone raised by you gains only one negative level, rather
than two. Those you resurrect gain no negative level.
Living Ancestor (Ex): Upon reaching 20th level, you
become a living ancestor. You are immune to attribute
damage, attribute drain, death effects, and energy drain. You
no longer age, and are effectively immortal unless killed.
Animal Domain
Archivist Skill: Handle Animal.
Feat Options: Skill Focus (Endurance, Handle Animal, or
Survival).
Variant Channeling: You can turn or rebuke animals as a
cleric with the appropriate feats can turn or rebuke undead.
See the Command Undead and Turn Undead feats for
details.
Domain Spells: 1st—calm animals, 2nd—hold animal, 3rd
—dominate animal, 4th—summon nature's ally IV (animals
only), 5th—beast shape III (animals only), 6th—antilife shell,
7th—animal shapes, 8th—summon nature's ally VIII (animals
only), 9th—shapechange.
Speak with Animals (Sp): You can speak with animals, as
per the spell, at will.
Mark of the Wild (Ex): As the druid class feature of the
same name; you gain this ability at 4th level.
Animal Exemplar (Sp): At 20th level, you can use beast
shape III at will as a spell-like ability; each use lasts until you
change back as a move action.
Aquatic Domain
This domain was presented in Ultimate Magic as a variant
terrain domain for druids; it is included here so as to keep
domains in one place (and because there is no reason a sea
god could not grant access to this domain to a cleric).
Archivist Skill: Athletics.
Feat Options: Skill Focus (Endurance, Handle Animal, or
Survival).
Variant Channeling: You heal creatures with the [aquatic]
or [water] subtype or command them (similar to using the
Command Undead feat against undead).
Domain Spells: 1st—hydraulic pushAPG, 2nd
—slipstreamAPG, 3rd—water breathing, 4th—freedom of
movement, 5th—black tentacles, 6th—freezing sphere, 7th
—animal shapes (aquatic only), 8th—seamantleAPG, 9th
—tsunamiAPG.
Ocean Born (Ex): You gain favored terrain (underwater), as
the ranger class feature of the same name, with a bonus
equal to 1 + half your class level.
Seastrike [Strike] (Su): Starting at 4th level, as a standard
action you can throw a weapon underwater without the
normal penalties for throwing weapons. If your target is in or
under the water, the weapon also acts as a returning weapon
for that attack.
Aquatic Exemplar (Sp): At 20th level, you are can use
seamantleAPG at will as a spell-like ability.
Archery Domain
This domain appears in Relics and Rituals: Olympus (Sword
& Sword Studios). Only deities with bows as favored
weapons will grant access to this domain.
Archivist Skill: Craft (bowyer/fletcher).
Feat Options: Archery-related and [Ranged] feats.
Variant Channeling: You channel a storm of spiritual
arrows dealing piercing damage within a 30-ft. radius of you
(Reflex half).
Domain SpellsRRO: 1st—longshotUC or arrow mindCAd,
2nd—hunter’s mercyMF, 3rd—flame arrow, 4th—bow
spiritAPG, 5th—bane bowCD, 6th—arrow stormCAd, 7th
—horizon shotRRO, 8th—prismatic bowCM, 9th—greater
arrowlinkRRO.
Zen Archery (Ex): At 1st level, you gain a +1 insight bonus
to damage with ranged weapons. This bonus increases by +1
per class level beyond the 1st, to a maximum bonus equal to
your Wisdom modifier.
Puissant Archery (Ex): At 4th level, you gain a bonus
archery-related combat feat for which you meet the
prerequisites. In addition, after 4th level you can select
archery-related combat feats in place of cleric/archivist bonus
feats.
Archery Exemplar (Ex): At 20th level, you ignore all range
penalties when using bows, and ignore any cover or
concealment less than total when targeting with bows.
Artifice Domain
A version of this domain also appears in Relics & Rituals:
Olympus (Sword & Sorcery Studios). It has been combined
with the Forge domain from the Book of Hallowed Might II
(Malhavoc Press).
Archivist Skill: Craft (any).
Feat Options: Favored Terrain (Elemental Plane of Fire),
Imbue Item Weapon Focus (any hammer), Weapon
Specialization (any hammer).
Variant Channeling: You can repair damage to objects and
constructs. This works the same as channeling positive
energy on living things, but deals no damage to undead.
Objects within the area of the channeled energy also gain 1
temporary point of hardness per die of channeled energy, for
a number of rounds equal to half your class level.
Alternatively, your channeled energy is fire (rather than
positive or negative), dealing fire damage to those within the
channeling radius. This is otherwise mechanically similar to
channeling negative energy, except you heal fire elementals
and outsiders of the [fire] subtype, instead of healing undead.
Make this choice upon selecting this domain; once chosen,
you cannot re-assign the type of channeled energy (although
you can gain access to both by taking the Versatile
Channeling feat).
Domain Spells: 1st—animate rope or honeRRO, 2nd—heat
metal or wood shape, 3rd—keen edge or stone shape, 4th
—greater magic weapon or minor creation, 5th—fabricate,
6th—animate objects, 7th—dismantleRRO or wall of iron, 8th
—iron body or polymorph any object, 9th—stone
warriorsRRO.
Artificer's Touch [Reserve] (Sp): You can cast mending at
will, using your class level as the Craft ranks to repair
damaged objects. In addition, you can cause damage to
objects and construct creatures by striking them with a melee
touch attack as a standard action that does not provoke
attacks of opportunity. Objects and constructs take 1d6 points
of damage per level of the highest-level Artifice domain spell
you have prepared and available to cast. This attack bypasses
an amount of damage reduction and hardness equal to your
class level.
Dancing Weapons (Su): At 8th level, you can give a
weapon touched the dancing special weapon quality for 4
rounds. You can use this ability once per day at 8th level, and
an additional time per day for every four levels beyond 8th.
Artifice Exemplar (Ex): At 20th level, you can create
magical items using your Craft skills and the Imbue Item feat
in half the normal amount of time, and for half the normal
cost.
Chaos Domain
Archivist Skill: Bluff.
Feat Options: Adaptability, Beginner’s Luck, Chaotic Mind.
Variant Channeling: You call upon the raw power of
entropy. You channel negative energy, as a standard cleric.
Domain Spells: 1st—protection from law, 2nd—align
weapon (chaos only), 3rd—chaos hammer, 4th—confusion, 5th
—dispel law, 6th—animate objects, 7th—word of chaos, 8th
—cloak of chaos, 9th—summon monster IX (chaotic only).
Touch of Chaos (Sp): You can imbue a target with chaos
as a melee touch attack that does not provoke an attack of
opportunity. For the next round, anytime the target rolls a d20,
he must roll twice and take the less favorable result.
Creatures under the effect of this touch count as chaotically-
aligned for the purposes of alignment-specific spells and
effects.
Chaos Blade (Su): At 8th level, as a free action you can
give a weapon touched the anarchic special weapon quality
for a number of rounds equal to half your class level. You can
use this ability once per day at 8th level, and an additional
time per day for every four levels beyond 8th.
Exemplar of Chaos (Su): At 20th level, you gain the
Entropic template.
Charm Domain
Archivist Skill: Perform (Acting).
Feat Options: Coercive Spell [Metamagic], Mental
Distraction [Reserve], Skill Focus (Enchantment).
Variant Channeling: You channel a wave of adoration for
you that affects those around you. Enemies within 30 ft. must
succeed at Will saves to attack you. This affects a maximum
number of Hit Dice worth of enemies equal to the total rolled
on your channeling dice. This protection lasts for a number of
rounds equal to half your class level. Enemies you attack are
freed from the effect.
Domain Spells: 1st—charm person, 2nd—calm emotions,
3rd—suggestion, 4th—heroism, 5th—charm monster, 6th
—geas/quest, 7th—insanity, 8th—demand, 9th—dominate
monster.
Dazing Touch (Sp): You can cause a living creature to
become dazed for 1 round as a melee touch attack that does
not provoke an attack of opportunity. Creatures with more Hit
Dice than your class level are unaffected.
Charming Smile (Sp): At 8th level, you can cast charm
person as a swift action, with a DC of 10 + half your class
level + your Charisma modifier. You can only have one
creature charmed in this way at a time. The total number of
rounds of this effect per day is equal to your class level. The
rounds do not need to be consecutive, and you can dismiss
the charm at any time as a free action. Each attempt to use
this ability consumes 1 round of its duration, whether or not
the creature succeeds on its save to resist the effect.
Charming Exemplar (Ex): At 20th level, you gain an
inherent +4 bonus to Charisma. As with other like-named
bonuses, inherent bonuses do not stack.
Community Domain
This domain also supersedes the Missionary domain from
Relics & Rituals (Sword & Sorcery Studios).
Archivist Skill: Streetwise.
Feat Options: Communal Spell [Metamagic], Favored
Terrain (Urban), Leadership, Selective Spell [Metamagic]; any
feat that applies benefits to adjacent or nearby allies.
Variant Channeling: You can channel your own life energy
to aid your companions. For each die of channeling, apply the
results of that die roll as temporary ability damage to yourself
(you choose which attribute each die will affect). You can
choose to channel less than your level would otherwise allow.
Attribute points you channel in this manner can then be
bestowed on willing companions. Channeling dice can be
divided among companions’ various attributes as you see fit,
but no more than one die of results can be added to any
single attribute possessed by one companion. Temporary
damage and bonuses last for a number of rounds equal to
half your class level.
Domain Spells: 1st—bless, 2nd—shield other, 3rd—prayer,
4 —status, 5th—telepathic bond, 6th—heroes' feast, 7th
th
—refuge, 8th—mass cure critical wounds, 9th—miracle.
Calming Touch [Reserve] (Sp): You can touch a creature
as a standard action to heal it of 1d6 points of nonlethal
damage per level of the highest-level Community domain
spell you have prepared. This touch also removes the fatigued,
shaken, and sickened conditions (but has no effect on more
severe conditions).
Unity (Su): At 8th level, whenever a spell or effect targets
you and one or more allies within 30 feet, you can use this
ability to allow your allies to use your saving throw bonus
against the effect in place of their own. Each ally must decide
individually. Using this ability is an immediate action. You can
use this ability once per day at 8th level, and one additional
time per day for every four class levels beyond 8th.
Exemplar of the Community (Ex): At 20th level, you form
the center of a limited form of hive mind between
companions within 200 ft. of you. If one of the group is aware
of a particular danger, all are. If one member of the group is
not flat-footed, none of you are. No one in the group is
considered flanked unless all of you are.
Cudgel Domain
Cudgel Domain
This domain was specifically created to simulate a priest of
St. Cuthbert.
Archivist Skill: Diplomacy.
Feat Options: Confusing Blow [Strike], Crushing Blow
[Combat], Pulverize Foe [Combat].
Variant Channeling: You channel positive energy, as a
standard good-aligned cleric.
Domain Spells: 1st—charm person, 2nd—detect thoughts,
3 —mace of odoMF, 4th—discern lies, 5th—disrupting
rd
weapon or mark of justice, 6th—heroes’ feast, 7th—dictum,
8th—shield of law, 9th--convertRR.
Billet (Su): In your hands, any quarterstaff or heavy club
automatically gains the effects of a shillelagh spell for as long
as you wield it.
Mace of Cuthbert (Su): Starting at 4th level, you can
designate a specific heavy mace, heavy club, or quarterstaff as
your bonded weapon (as the wizard’s arcane bond class
feature). If the weapon is a heavy club or quarterstaff, the
increased damage dice from your billet ability are retained,
but the enhancement bonus from the shillelagh effect is
superseded.
Exemplar of St. Cuthbert (Su): At 20th level, your
steadfastness and zeal for your deity’s cause render you
immune to all mind-affecting spells and effects.
Cultist Domain
Occasionally the power of evil outsiders, or of even stranger
beings from beyond the curved rim of space, attract the
servitude of depraved or debased beings from the Prime
Material Plane. Although not necessarily even aware of their
worshippers, they are able to impart some measure of power
to them. This domain allows customization of demon-
worshipping cultists, beyond simple selection of domains.
Particularly skulking cultists can be modeled by multiclassing
with rogue and taking the Tomb Raider skill talent.
Archivist Skill: Bluff.
Feat Options: Nameless.
Variant Channeling: None. You channel negative energy,
as a standard cleric.
Domain Spells: The specific domain spells depends on
your cult’s patron; see Appendix B.
Granted Powers: 1st and 4th or 8th level domain powers
are dependent upon the entity you worship, as detailed in
Appendix B. Regardless of the specific patron, you gain the
same exemplar domain power. Fiendish Apotheosis (Su): At
20th level, you gain the Fiendish template.

Darkness Domain
Archivist Skill: Stealth.
Feat Options: Blind-Fight [Combat], Fade into Darkness
[Arcane], Gloom Attack [Reserve], Night Stalker, Shadow Veil
[Reserve], Umbral Shroud [Reserve].
Variant Channeling: You channel absolute blackness in a
30-ft. radius. Within this area, not even darkvision operates;
the darkness can dampen a number of levels of light spells
equal to the sum of your channeling dice (e.g., a 5th level
archivist could dampen 3d6 levels worth of light spells). This
sphere of darkness moves with you and lasts a number of
rounds equal to half your class level. You can see within the
darkness; if you have the Selective Channeling feat, you can
assign other creatures the ability to see as well.
Domain Spells: 1st—darkness, 2nd—blindness, 3rd
—deeper darkness, 4th—damning darknessBVD, 5th
—summon undead V (1d3 shadows), 6th—shadow walk, 7th
—power word: blind, 8th—screen, 9th—shades.
Touch of Darkness [Reserve] (Sp): As a melee touch
attack that does not provoke an attack of opportunity, you can
cause a creature's vision to be fraught with shadows and
darkness. The creature touched treats all other creatures as
if they had concealment, suffering a miss chance of 5% x the
level of the highest-level [darkness] spell you have available.
on all attack rolls. This effect lasts for a number of rounds
equal to half your class level (minimum 1 round).
Eyes of Darkness (Su): At 8th level, your vision is not
impaired by lighting conditions, even in absolute darkness
and magic darkness. You can use this ability for a number of
rounds per day equal to half your class level. These rounds do
not need to be consecutive.
Dark Exemplar (Su): At 20th level, you are perpetually
shrouded in darkness. Your 8th level granted power becomes
continuous. Also, you gain a measure of concealment from
the shroud of darkness; enemies suffer a 20% miss chance
when attacking you.
Dawnflower Domain
This domain simulates the Dawnflower Dissident prestige
class from Paths of Prestige.
Archivist Skill: Bluff.
Feat Options: Disguise Spell, Exotic Weapon Proficiency
(scimitar), Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Skill Focus
(Bluff), Two-Weapon Fighting, and Weapon Finesse.
Variant Channeling: Your channel the morning light of
dawn, granting allies within 15 feet a new saving throw
against any one ongoing condition or effect that allows a save.
This does not affect instantaneous or permanent effects or
effects that do not allow a saving throw.
Domain Spells: 1st—illusion of calmUC, 2nd—rope trick,
3rd—nondetection, 4th—detect scrying, 5th—private
sanctum, 6th—veil, 7th—magnificent mansion, 8th—screen,
9th—communal mind blankUC.
Shift Blame (Su): When you provoke an attack of
opportunity, you can attempt to deceive the creature making
the attack of opportunity into believing the provoking action
was performed by another creature as long as it is adjacent to
you and also threatened by the attacker. Doing so requires an
opposed Bluff check (the attacker gains a bonus equal to its
base attack bonus on this check). If your Bluff check is
successful, the attack of opportunity instead targets an
adjacent creature chosen by you. You can use this ability only
once per provoking action.
Burning Blade (Su): Starting at 4th level, any scimitar you
wield gains the flaming (+1d6) property for as long as you
wield it. At 8th level, it gains the flaming burst property. At
12th level, the fire damage increases to 2d6, and to 3d6 at
16th level.
Exemplar of the Dawn (Su): At 20th level, when killed,
your body is engulfed in a column of holy fire equivalent to a
flame strike (CL 20th). At the beginning of your next turn,
your spirit returns in the form of a phoenix that fights as you
direct for up to 20 rounds and then disappears. This phoenix
is not considered called or summoned. You are reborn (as
resurrection) 1d4 rounds after it disappears in a random
location within 1 mile, with your gear intact but with two
permanent negative levels. If the phoenix is killed before it
disappears, you cannot be reborn via this ability, though other
methods of raising you still work.
Death Domain
Archivist Skill: Heal.
Feat Options: Any [Necromantic] feats; Spell Focus
(Necromancy).
Variant Channeling: None. You channel negative energy,
as a standard cleric.
Domain Spells: 1st—cause fear, 2nd—death knell, 3rd
—animate dead, 4th—death ward, 5th—slay living, 6th
—create undead, 7th—destruction, 8th—create greater
undead, 9th—wail of the banshee.
Bleeding Touch (Sp): As a melee touch attack that does
not provoke an attack of opportunity, you can cause a living
creature to take 1d6 points of damage per round. This effect
persists for a number of rounds equal to half your class level
(minimum 1) or until stopped with a DC 15 Heal check or any
spell or effect that heals damage.
Death's Embrace (Ex): At 8th level, you heal damage
instead of taking damage from channeled negative energy.
You still heal from channeled positive energy as well.
Exemplar of Death (Su): At 20th level, creatures that die
within 30 ft. of you are automatically animated 1 round later
as zombies (not necessarily under your control).
Demonic Domain
This domain draws from the Demonic Apostle (Advanced
Race Guide) and the Abyss domainSC.
Archivist Skill: Bluff.
Feat Options: Thaumaturgist.
Variant Channeling: You channel negative energy, as a
standard evil cleric. However, you gain additional effects as
described below.
Domain Spells: 1st—corrupt weaponBVD, 2nd—bull’s
strength, 3rd—babau slimePnH, 4th—dimensional anchor, 5th
—slay living, 6th—planar binding, 7th—summon monster VII
(1 vrock or 1d3 shadow demons or succubi), 8th—bodak’s
glarePnH, 9th—gate.
Demonic Familiar (Ex): You gain a familiar, as a wizard’s
arcane bond, using your class level as your effective wizard
level. If you have the Thaumaturgist feat, you can improve
your familiar within the limits described for that feat.
Demonic Channeling (Su): You gain the following
improvements to your Channeled Negative Energy:
You gain Planar Channeling as a bonus feat at 1st level (a
10th level cleric gains no additional benefit.
Starting at 4th level, [chaotic evil] allies within the burst
are affected as if targeted by a rage spell with a duration of
1 round.
At 8th level, [lawful] or [good] enemies are also sickened
for 1d6 rounds if they fail their saving throw against the
demonic channel.
Demonic Exemplar (Su): At 20th level, you gain the
Fiendish template.
Desert Domain
This domain was presented in Ultimate Magic as a variant
terrain domain for druids; it is included here so as to keep
domains in one place (and because there is no reason a
desert god could not grant access to this domain to a cleric.
Archivist Skill: Endurance.
Feat Options: Sand Dancer [Stance].
Variant Channeling: Your channeled energy sucks the
moisture from those in the area; it works as channeled
negative energy, but deals desiccation damage instead.
Domain Spells: 1st—cloak of shadeAPG, 2nd—shifting
sandAPG, 3rd—cup of dustAPG, 4th—hallucinatory terrain, 5th
—transmute rock to mud (creates loose sand instead of mud),
6th—siroccoAPG, 7th—sunbeam, 8th—sunburst, 9th—horrid
wilting.
Dweller in the Wastes (Ex): You gain favored terrain
(deserts), as the ranger class feature of the same name, with a
bonus equal to 1 + half your class level.
Servant of the Sands (Sp): At 8th level, once per day, you
may call upon the aid of a janni as if using lesser planar ally.
At 12th level, you may call upon the aid of any type of common
(non-noble) genie as if using planar ally. At 16th level, you may
call upon the aid of a noble genie as if using greater planar
ally. If you use this power while in desert terrain, you need
not make an offering to call the creature(s), and the cost of
any service is halved.
Exemplar of the Desert (Su): At 20th level, you gain a
siabrie paramour (from the Wizards of the Coast web site,
Far Corners of the World, “Sand and Sun: Monsters of the
Desert”). This desert fey is an ally, and is treated as a follower
(although it does not count against your Leadership or
similar potential).
Destruction Domain
Destruction Domain
Archivist Skill: Craft (Construction).
Feat Options: Explosive Spell [Metamagic], Spell Focus
(Evocation), Vital Strike [Strike].
Variant Channeling: You channel negative energy, as a
standard cleric. Any object destroyed by your channeled
energy is disintegrated.
Domain Spells: 1st—true strike, 2nd—shatter, 3rd—rage,
4 —inflict critical wounds, 5th—shout, 6th—harm, 7th
th
—disintegrate, 8th—earthquake, 9th—implosion.
Destructive Smite [Strike] (Su): You gain the
supernatural ability to make a single melee attack as a
standard action with a morale bonus on damage rolls equal
to your class level (minimum +1).
Destructive Aura (Su): At 8th level, you can emit a 30-foot
aura of destruction for a number of rounds per day equal to
your class level. All attacks made against targets in this aura
(including you) gain a morale bonus on damage equal to half
your class level, and all critical threats are automatically
confirmed. These rounds do not need to be consecutive.
Exemplar of Destruction (Ex): At 20th level, your attacks
ignore all damage reduction and hardness. Your critical
threats are automatically confirmed.
Dwarf Domain
From the Spell Compendium, this domain also subsumes the
dwarven cleric racial substitution levels from Races of Stone.
Archivist Skill: Endurance.
Feat Options: Dwarven racial feats (Chapter 2).
Variant Channeling: When you expend a channel energy
use as a swift action, you gain the ability to smite racial
enemies, as a prestige paladin smites evil Choose a dragon,
giant, or uncivilized humanoid (or group of similar uncivilized
humanoids, such as an army of goblins); the bonuses last
until your target is dead, or until active battle is broken off for
1 round.
Domain Spells: 1st—magic weapon, 2nd—bear’s
endurance, 3rd—glyph of warding, 4th—divine power, 5th
—wall of stone, 6th—stone tell, 7th—dictum, 8th—protection
from spells, 9th—elemental swarm (earth).
Moradin’s Fortitude (Ex): At 1st level, you gain Great
Fortitude as a bonus feat.
Hammer Specialist (Ex): At 4th level, you gain Weapon
Focus (warhammer) and Weapon Specialization
(warhammer) as bonus feats.
Exemplar of the Dwarves (Ex): Upon reaching 20th level,
you become a master of dwarven magic. You can apply any of
the following feats to any [earth] or stone spell without
increasing the spell level or casting time: Extend Spell, Reach
Spell, Silent Spell, Still Spell, or Widen Spell. The maximum
amount of “free” metamagic you can use in this manner is
equal to 2 spell levels (In any combination: extended to
double duration and with reach increased by 1 range step, or
range increased by 2 steps, etc.). You need not know the feats
in question.

Earth Domain
Archivist Skill: Profession (mining).
Feat Options: Favored Terrain (Elemental Plane of Earth).
Variant Channeling: You channel seismic energy into the
earth, resulting in a tremor. Creatures within 30 ft. that are
standing on the ground take bludgeoning damage according
to your number of dice of channeling, and are knocked prone.
A Reflex save halves the damage and negates the prone
condition. Creatures with the [earth] subtype are immune.
Domain Spells: 1st—magic stone, 2nd—soften earth and
stone, 3rd—stone shape, meld into stone, 4th—spike stones,
5th—wall of stone, 6th—stoneskin, 7th—elemental body IV
(earth only), 8th—earthquake, 9th—elemental swarm (earth
only).
Fist of Stone (Su): As a free action, your hands can
become as hard as stone. While under the effects of this
power, you have Martial proficiency with your fists (unarmed
attacks), and gain a bonus on damage rolls with them equal to
your class level.
Elemental Attunement (Ex): At 4th level, you gain favored
terrain (Elemental Plane of Earth), as the ranger class feature
of the same name, with a bonus equal to 1 + half your class
level.
Earth Exemplar (Ex): At 20th level, elemental power
surges through your body. You gain damage reduction
10/adamantine, and immunity to sneak attacks and critical
hits.
Entropy Domain
A cleric with the Entropy domain supersedes the
Entropomancer prestige class from Complete Divine. An
entropy domain also appeared in Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of
the Abyss.
Archivist Skill: Spellcraft.
Feat Options: Energy Admixture [Metamagic] (negative
energy only).
Variant Channeling: You channel a miniature shard of
entropy that lasts while you concentrate (up to 1 round per
class level). The shard is a chunk of absolute blackness, 2
inches across, and can be moved up to 30 feet by you as a
standard action. The shard deals negative energy damage
against creatures (ranged touch attack needed to hit); against
objects and undead, the shard deals disintegration damage,
bypassing the object's hardness. Any creature who passes
through the shard's square takes damage as if the shard
struck him, as does any creature that's in the same square as
the shard at the beginning of your turn. You can move the
shard into another square with a move action, or aim it at a
specific creature (dealing damage immediately) as a standard
action.
If you channel at least 8d6 of energy, the shard exerts an
inexorable tug on creatures within 15 ft., pulling them
towards itself. This is treated as a bull rush attempt with a
CMB of +11, at the end of your turn. If the shard wins, it pulls
creatures in a direct line toward its square. You are not
immune to this effect.
Domain Spells: 1st—entropic shield, 2nd—inflict
moderate wounds, 3rd—magic circle against chaos/law, 4th
—rusting grasp, 5th—waves of fatigue, 6th—disintegrate, 7th
—insanity, 8th—orb of the voidUM, 9th—abyssal riftFC1.
Entropic Bolt [Reserve] (Sp): As a standard action you
can fire a ray of entropy as a ranged touch attack, dealing 1d6
damage per level of the highest-level entropy domain spell
you have prepared. Half the damage is sonic damage, and half
is unholy damage that cannot be reduced by sonic resistance
or immunity.
Entropic Field (Su): Starting at 8th level, as a standard
action you can surround yourself with a field of invisible,
entropic energy that lasts for 1 round per class level. The field
extends in radius of 5 ft. per level, centered on you. All
magical healing automatically fails within the entropic field.
Starting at 12th level, the entropic field becomes strong
enough to warp the laws of probability. Once per round as
a free action, you can force one creature within the field
(including you) to reroll an attack, save, or check. You
demand the reroll after you knows whether the attack,
save, or check succeeded or failed, but before the exact
consequences have been calculated and applied. The
result of the reroll takes precedence, even if it's worse
than the original roll.
Starting at 16th level, the entropic field causes wounds
created within it to continue bleeding, dealing an
additional 1 point of damage per round thereafter (at the
end of your turn) as long as they remain within. A
successful Heal check (DC 15) stops the bleeding. If
multiple wounds are suffered, then the creature takes 1
point of damage per wound. You are subject to the
bleeding effect.
Exemplar of Entropy (Ex): At 20th level, you are immune
to negative energy and disintegration. You can control a
sphere of annihilation as if you were using a talisman of the
sphere, and you are personally unaffected by a sphere of
annihilation, which passes through you as if your square was
completely empty.
Evil Domain
Archivist Skill: Craft (toxicology).
Feat Options: Energy Admixture [Metamagic] (unholy
only), Favored Terrain (Lower Planes).
Variant Channeling: None. You channel negative energy,
as a standard cleric.
Domain Spells: 1st—bane or protection from good, 2nd
—align weapon (evil only) or desecrate, 3rd—unholy blight,
4th—dispel good, 5th—slay living, 6th—create undead, 7th
—blasphemy, 8th—unholy aura, 9th—summon monster IX
(evil only).
Touch of Evil (Sp): You gain a touch attack that carries the
effects of the Sickening Strike feat (Chapter 5), except that
you need not meet the prerequisites, and it applies only to
melee touch attacks (you can apply the effects to other
attacks by using the Versatile Blow feat).
Scythe of Evil (Su): Starting at 8th level, any weapon you
wield gains the corrupt property (as corrupt weaponBVD). As
a swift action you can give a weapon touched the unholy
special weapon quality (+2d6 negative energy damage, half
unholy and not subject to resistance) for a number of rounds
equal to half your class level. You can use this ability once per
day at 8th level, and an additional time per day for every four
levels beyond the 8th.
Exemplar of Evil (Su): At 20th level, you gain the Fiendish
template.
Fire Domain
Archivist Skill: Perform (any one).
Feat Options: Burning Evocation [Metamagic], Fiery Burst
[Reserve], Searing Evocation [Metamagic].
Variant Channeling: Channeled energy is fire (rather than
positive or negative), dealing fire damage to those within the
channeling radius. This is otherwise mechanically similar to
channeling negative energy, except you heal fire elementals
and outsiders of the [fire] subtype, instead of healing undead.
Domain Spells: 1st—produce flame, 2nd—resist energy
(fire), 3rd—fireball, 4th—wall of fire, 5th—fire shield, 6th—fire
seeds, 7th—elemental body IV (fire only), 8th—incendiary
cloud, 9th—elemental swarm (fire spell only).
Fire Bolt [Reserve] (Sp): As a standard action, you can
unleash a scorching bolt of divine fire from your outstretched
hand. You can target any single foe within 30 feet as a ranged
touch attack with this bolt of fire. If you hit the foe, the fire
bolt deals 1d6 points of fire damage per level of the highest-
level fire spell you have prepared.
Dweller in Fire (Ex): At 4th level, you gain favored terrain
(Elemental Plane of Fire), as the ranger class feature of the
same name, with a bonus equal to 1 + half your class level.
Fire Exemplar (Ex): Upon reaching 20th level, you become
a master of fire. You can apply any one of the following feats
to any fire spell you cast without increasing the level or
casting time: Extend Spell, Reach Spell, Silent Spell, or Still
Spell.
Fury Domain
This domain appeared in Oriental Adventures. It is modified
here so as to supersede the Rage Cleric variant, from Dragon
magazine (issue 333).
Archivist Skill: Endurance.
Feat Options: You can select barbarian rage powers (for
which you meet the type of rage required; see below) in the
place of bonus feats.
Variant Channeling: When you channel energy, you can
give yourself and allies a bonus on weapon damage and
critical hit confirmation rolls until your next turn. This bonus
is equal to the number of dice your channeled energy
normally heals or harms. This option supersedes the Foment
the Blood feat from the Advanced Race Guide.
Domain Spells: 1st—shatter, 2nd—castigateAPG, 3rd
—rage, 4th—shout, 5th—flame strike, 6th—harm, 7th
—destruction, 8th—earthquake, 9th—implosion.
Ferocious Strike [Strike] (Su): As a standard action, you
can make a single melee attack that receives a divine bonus
to damage equal to half your class level (minimum +1). You
can use this ability in conjunction with a full attack, but doing
so imposes a -5 penalty to all attack rolls that round.
Rage (Ex): At 4th level, you gain the rage ability, as a
barbarian of level equal to half your class level. This applies to
the type of rage and the number of rounds of use per day, and
also grants you the furious counterstrike ability, but does not
grant you rage powers. If you have levels in barbarian, your
cleric/archivist level instead provides Weak synergy towards
your rage ability.
Exemplar of Fury (Ex): Starting at 20th level, you gain the
frightful presence ability. Whenever you charge or attack, all
opponents within 30 ft. must succeed at Will saves or be
shaken for 5d6 rounds. Creatures with less than half as many
Hit Dice as you have class levels are frightened instead.
Glory Domain
Archivist Skill: Diplomacy.
Feat Options: Blinding Spell [Metamagic], Staredown.
Variant Channeling: You channel positive energy, as a
standard cleric. When you channel positive energy to harm
undead creatures, the save DC to halve the damage is
increased by 2.
Domain Spells: 1st—shield of faith, 2nd—bless weapon,
3 —searing light, 4th—celestial brillianceBED, 5th
rd
—righteous might, 6th—sunbeam, 7th—holy sword, 8th
—crown of gloryBED, 9th—blinding gloryBED.
Touch of Glory (Sp): You can cause your hand to shimmer
with divine radiance, allowing you to touch a creature as a
standard action and give it a bonus equal to your class level
on a single Charisma-based skill check or Charisma ability
check. This ability lasts for 1 hour or until the creature
touched elects to apply the bonus to a roll.
Divine Presence (Su): At 8th level, you can emit a 30-foot
aura of divine presence for a number of rounds per day equal
to your class level. All allies within this aura are treated as if
under the effects of a sanctuary spell with a DC equal to 10 +
half your class level + your Wisdom modifier. These rounds
do not need to be consecutive. Activating this ability is a
standard action. If an ally leaves the area or makes an attack,
the effect ends for that ally. If you make an attack, the effect
ends for you and your allies.
Exemplar of Glory (Su): At 20th level, your mere presence
dazzles onlookers within 30 ft. for 1 minute unless they
succeed at Will saves. If your divine presence is active, those
failing their saves are blinded instead of dazzled. Those who
successfully save are immune to this aura for 24 hours.
Good Domain
Archivist Skill: Diplomacy.
Feat Options: Energy Admixture [Metamagic] (holy only),
Favored Terrain (Upper Planes)., Merciful Spell [Metamagic].
Variant Channeling: None. You channel positive energy, as
a standard cleric.
Domain Spells: 1st—bless or protection from evil, 2nd
—bless weapon, 3rd—holy smite, 4th—dispel evil, 5th
—summon monster V (good only), 6th—blade barrier, 7th
—holy word, 8th—holy aura, 9th—summon monster IX (good
spell only).
Touch of Good [Reserve] (Sp): You can touch a creature
as a standard action, granting a sacred bonus on attack rolls,
skill checks, ability checks, and saving throws for 1 round.
The magnitude of the bonus is equal to the level of the
highest-level Good domain spell you have available.
Holy Lance (Su): Starting at 8th level, any weapon you
wield gains the blessed property (as bless weapon). You can
give a weapon you touch the holy special weapon quality for a
number of rounds equal to half your class level (this weapon
need not actually be a lance). You can use this ability once per
day at 8th level, and an additional time per day for every four
levels beyond 8th.
Holy Exemplar (Su): At 20th level, you gain the Celestial
template.
Greed Domain
This domain, and the associated non-core spells, are from the
3rd edition Book of Vile Darkness supplement.
Archivist Skill: Sleight of Hand.
Feat Options: Eye for Larceny [Skill].
Variant Channeling: You can channel material wealth, in
the form of coins. Roll dice normally; a total number of coins
equal to the total on the channeling dice are teleported into
your hands from within a 30-ft. burst. Creatures within the
area are entitled to Will saves to avoid having any of their
coins taken. The channeling effect applies to gold coins first
(if available within range; with coins being affected in order of
increasing distance), then silver, then other metals if no more
gold or silver coins within range can be affected (and you still
have additional coins’ worth of channeling remaining). The
channeling effect can penetrate barriers, but 1 foot of stone, 1
inch of common metal, a thin sheet of lead, or 3 feet of wood
or dirt blocks it.
Domain SpellsBVD: 1st—cheat, 3rd—entice gift, 5th
—knock, 7th—emotion, 9th—fabricate, 11th—guards and
wards, 13th—vanish, 15th—phantasmal thief, 17th
—sympathy.
Appraiser’s Touch (Su): As a standard action, you can
touch an item to know its value. You make a Knowledge (lore)
check with a +1 sacred bonus per 2 class levels you possess;
success indicates you know its market value to the copper
piece. You can always take 10 on this roll.
Safeguard Valuables (Sp): Starting at 8th level, you can
place your valuables beyond the reach of nearly any thief. For
a number of rounds per day equal to your number of ranks in
Concentration, any items held by you that you designate
become ethereal. These rounds need not be consecutive, but
sending the items to the ethereal plane requires a move
action, as does retrieving them.
Exemplar of Greed (Su): At 20th level, items on your
person or held or worn by you cannot be stolen by means of
the Sleight of Hand skill or the Steal maneuver, nor broken
by means of the Sunder maneuver. Additionally, they are
immune to incidental damage from attacks targeting you,
even if you fail your save, and cannot be deactivated with
dispel magic or mage’s disjunction.
Healing Domain
Archivist Skill: Heal.
Variant Channeling: You channel positive energy, as a
standard cleric. If you are capable of channeling at least 6d6
hp worth of positive energy, you can expend three uses of
your channel energy to restore a dead creature to life as if you
had cast the breath of life spell. This supersedes the
Channeled Revival feat from Ultimate Combat.
Domain Spells: 1st—cure light wounds, 2nd—lesser
restoration, 3rd—remove disease, 4th—neutralize poison, 5th
—breath of life, 6th—heal, 7th—regenerate, 8th—mass cure
critical wounds, 9th—mass heal.
Combat Medic (Ex): You do not provoke attacks of
opportunity when casting Necromancy (Healing) spells or
using the Heal skill to stabilize another. You do not need to
channel defensively, nor do you ever provoke attacks of
opportunity from channeling, even from an opponent with the
Disruptive fighter talent. Source: Ultimate Combat.
Healer's Blessing (Su): At 4th level, all of your cure spells
are treated as if they were empowered, increasing the amount
of damage healed by half (+50%). This does not apply to
damage dealt to undead with a cure spell. This does not stack
with the Empower Spell metamagic feat.
Healing Exemplar (Su): Upon reaching 20th level, you
become a bastion of life. All living creatures within 30 ft. of
you gain regeneration at the rate of 1 hp/round. Negative
energy, profane damage, and evil-aligned weapons still deal
normal damage, however. Healing domain spells you cast are
both Empowered and Maximized.
Hunting Domain
This domain, combined with the ordained hunter lore, is
ideal for a cleric/ranger of Ehlonna, for example (clerics of
Ehlonna will generally select Animal as their other domain).
Archivist Skill: Survival.
Feat Options: Favored Terrain (forest); any Favored Enemy
feats (see Ranger).
Variant Channeling: You channel divine energy into the
pursuit of your quarry. When you invoke this ability, you treat
one opponent as if it were a ranger’s Quarry (q.v.) with a
bonus equal to the number of dice you would normally
channel. This otherwise works identically to the ranger class
feature, except that the effect automatically ends after 1
minute per die you would normally channel (if it has not
ended sooner).
Domain Spells: 1st—longstrider or pass without trace, 2nd
—hunter’s stalkRR, 3rd—snare, 4th—locate creature, 5th
—commune with nature, 6th—find the path, 7th—wind walk,
8th—discern location, 9th—shapechange.
Endure Elements (Su): You are continuously under the
effects of endure elements.
Sacred Hunter (Su): Starting at 4th level, you gain the
tracking ability of a ranger equal to half you class level. If you
have levels in ranger, you instead gain Weak synergy towards
your ranger tracking ability.
Exemplar of Hunting (Su): You gain the ranger’s master
hunter class feature.
Inquisition Domain
A cleric/rogue with the Inquisition domain is intended to
replace the Inquisitor base class from the Advanced Players
Guide and the Church Inquisitor prestige class from
Complete Divine. A cleric 4/rogue 16 with this domain and
the Temple Raider rogue skill talent has a BAB of +15 and a
spell capacity of 16th, and can use rogue combat talents to
gain additional Strike feats to use with your variant
channeling (aka “judgment”) ability.
Archivist Skill: Bluff. This supersedes the Inquisitor’s
“stern gaze” class feature.
Feat Options: [Strike] feats.
Variant Channeling: You can channel divine judgment on
heretics. As a swift action, expend one daily use of channel
energy, and choose any one opponent and any one Strike feat
you possess. Until the end of the current encounter, the
effects of that feat apply to all of your weapon attacks against
that opponent, even if you make iterative attacks. Also, use
your full cleric or archivist level (in place of your BAB derived
from that level) to determine the effects of Strikes used in this
manner. You can select Strike feats as class bonus feats.
If you could otherwise channel 4d6 of energy, when you
use your variant channeling ability, you can choose to
expend two uses and gain the effects of two simultaneous
Strike feats (even if you do not have the Striking Mastery
feat).
If you could otherwise channel 8d6 of energy, you can
expend three uses to simultaneously gain the effects of
three Strike feats.
Domain Spells: 1st—wrathAPG, 2nd—detect thoughts, 3th
—discern lies, 4th—bladebaneUE, 5th—mark of justice or
dispel evil (etc.), 6th—forbiddance or geas, 7th—dictum (etc.),
8th—shield of law (etc.), 9th—imprisonment. Spells noted
with “etc.” should be swapped out for the equivalent spells for
other alignments, as appropriate for your deity or cause.
Detect Alignment (Sp): At will, you can use detect chaos,
detect evil, detect good, or detect law. You can only use one of
these at any given time, however.
Penetrating Stare (Su): Starting at 4th level, you
automatically gain an Intuition save to detect illusions, even if
you do not interact with them. In addition, you gain a +4
sacred/profane bonus to Perception checks to penetrate
disguises (see Perform: Acting skill) and to Intuition saves to
penetrate illusions.
Exemplar of Judgment (Su): At 20th level, whenever you
use your variant channeling ability, you can invoke true
judgment on a foe as a swift action. Once declared, you can
make a single melee attack (or ranged attack, if the foe is
within point-blank range) against the target. If the attack hits,
it deals damage normally and the target must succeed at a
Fortitude save or die. Regardless of whether or not the save
succeeds, the target creature is immune to your true
judgment ability for 24 hours.
Knowledge Domain
This domain includes most of the class features of the
Archivist base class, from Heroes of Horror.
Archivist Skill: Knowledge (Lore).
Feat Options: Arcane Defense (Enchantment).
Variant Channeling: You channel the secret knowledge of
your enemies’ weaknesses, rather than simple energy. Each
die of channeling you would normally receive can be assigned
to a single type of creature. You and your allies within 30 ft.
receive benefits against that creature type for a number of
rounds equal to half your class level; the specific benefits
depend on how you assign the total number of dice. Your
options expand as you gain higher levels, as shown in the
following table.
Class Knowledge
Level Type Effects of 1 Die of Channeling
2nd Tactics +1 insight bonus to attacks against
creatures of designated type
5th Puissance +1 insight bonus to saves against
abilities used by creatures of the
designated type
8th
Foreknowledge +1 insight bonus to AC against
creatures of the designated type.
11th Foebane +1d6 insight bonus to damage rolls
against creatures of the designated
type
14th Dread secret One creature of the designated type
must save vs. Will or be dazed 1
round
You can assign multiple dice to a single category, providing
higher bonuses, to a maximum of 3 dice in any one particular
category. If you assign multiple dice to a single creature to be
affected by the Dread Secret knowledge, 2 dice renders the
target dazed instead of dazzled, and 3 dice renders it stunned
instead of dazzled.
Example: Jazeed and his friends encounter a group of dark
creepers, led by a dark stalker. Jazeed is 11th level, giving him
6 dice of channeling. He channels knowledge and assigns 2
dice in an effort to daze the dark stalker. With his remaining
4 dice, he elects to give himself and his allies a +1 bonus to
attacks and saves, and a +2d6 bonus to damage rolls, against
the dark folk.
Domain Spells: 1st—identify, 2nd—detect thoughts, 3rd
—tongues, 4th—detect scrying, 5th—contact other plane, 6th
—legend lore, 7th—sequester or vision, 8th—discern location,
9th—foresight.
Lore Keeper (Su): You can touch a creature to learn about
its abilities and weaknesses. With a successful touch attack,
you gain information as if you made the appropriate
Knowledge skill check with a result equal to 15 + your class
level + your Wisdom modifier.
Remote Viewing (Sp): Starting at 8th level, you can use
clairvoyance/clairaudience at will as a spell-like ability. You
can use this ability for a number of rounds per day equal to
your class level. These rounds do not need to be consecutive.
Exemplar of Knowledge (Sp): At 20th level, you can take
20 on all Knowledge skill checks. Your attunement to the
fundamental underpinnings of reality has also become so
advanced that once per week, you can cast wish as a spell-like
ability. This ability does not require a material component,
but the wish cannot be used to grant ability score bonuses,
nor can it be used to replicate spells with expensive material
components.
Law Domain
Archivist Skill: Concentration (you gain no additional skill
ranks, but can use one of your bonus Skill Focus feats in this
skill).
Variant Channeling: You channel the power of law. All d20
rolls within 30 ft. are treated as if the result were 11, without
any need to actually roll. This effect lasts for 1 round per 2
class levels you possess (minimum 1 round) or else for a
number of rolls equal to the total of your channeling dice. For
example., a 5th level archivist might roll a 10 on 3d6 for
channeling. The effect would last for 10 rolls, or for a
maximum of 2 rounds, whichever comes first.
Domain Spells: 1st—protection from chaos, 2nd—calm
emotions, 3rd—order’s wrath, 4th—dispel chaos, 5th—spell
resistance, 6th—hold monster, 7th—dictum, 8th—shield of
law, 9th—summon monster IX (law spell only).
Touch of Law (Sp): You can touch a willing creature as a
standard action, infusing it with the power of divine order and
allowing it to treat all attack rolls, skill checks, ability checks,
and saving throws for 1 round as if the natural d20 roll
resulted in an 11. Creatures under the effect of this touch
count as lawfully-aligned for the purposes of alignment-
dependent spells and effects.
Staff of Order (Su): At 8th level, you can give a weapon
touched the axiomatic special weapon quality for a number of
rounds equal to half your class level. You can use this ability
once per day at 8th level, and an additional time per day for
every four levels beyond 8th.
Exemplar of Order (Su): At 20th level, you gain the
Resolute simple template.
Liberation Domain
Archivist Skill: Escape Artist.
Feat Options: Chaotic Mind.
Variant Channeling: You may apply your channeling dice
as sacred bonus against grappling, entanglement, paralysis,
slow, and other inhibitions of mobility; or against mind-
affecting spells and powers (choose which application each
time you channel). These dice can be divided among you and
your allies within 30 ft. as you see fit; the effects last for 1 full
round. For example, a 15th level archivist with the Liberation
domain could provide each of 4 people a +2d6 bonus to saves
against mind-affecting powers for 1 round.
Domain Spells: 1st—remove fear, 2nd—remove paralysis,
3 —remove curse, 4th—freedom of movement, 5th—break
rd
enchantment, 6th—greater dispel magic, 7th—refuge, 8th
—mind blank, 9th—freedom.
Liberation (Su): You have the ability to ignore
impediments to your mobility. For a number of rounds per
day equal to your class level, you can move normally
regardless of magical effects that impede movement, as if you
were affected by freedom of movement. This effect occurs
automatically as soon as it applies. These rounds do not need
to be consecutive.
Freedom's Call (Su): At 8th level, you can emit a 30-foot
aura of freedom for a number of rounds per day equal to your
class level. Allies within this aura are not affected by the
confused, grappled, frightened, panicked, paralyzed, pinned, or
shaken conditions. This aura only suppresses these effects,
and they return once a creature leaves the aura or when the
aura ends, if applicable. These rounds do not need to be
consecutive.
Liberated Exemplar (Su): At 20th level, you are immune to
the confused, entangled, grappled, frightened, panicked,
paralyzed, pinned, or shaken conditions.
Luck Domain
Luck Domain
Archivist Skill: Bluff.
Feat Options: Beginner’s Luck, Hexblade’s Curse
[Reserve].
Variant Channeling: At the time you receive this domain,
choose whether you will channel good luck or ill fortune.
Once made, this choice cannot be changed (although you can
gain both choices by selecting the Versatile Channeling feat).
For good luck, roll 1d6 for each ally within 30 ft. (maximum
number equal to the number of dice of channeling you would
normally receive). Each affected ally receives his or her 1d6
roll as a luck bonus on his or her next d20 roll. Ill fortune
works similarly, except that affected enemies use their 1d6
total as a penalty on their next 1d20 roll. Ill fortune can be
reduced by half by a successful Will save.
Domain Spells: 1st—true strike, 2nd—aid, 3rd—protection
from energy, 4th—freedom of movement, 5th—break
enchantment, 6th—mislead, 7th—spell turning, 8th—moment
of prescience, 9th—miracle.
Bit of Luck (Sp): You can touch a willing creature as a
standard action, giving it a bit of luck. For the next round, any
time the target rolls a d20, he may roll twice and take the
more favorable result. You can use this ability a number of
times per day equal to 3 + your Charisma modifier.
Good Fortune (Ex): At 8th level, you can reroll any one roll
that you have just made before the results of the roll are
revealed. You must take the result of the reroll, even if it's
worse than the original roll. You can use this ability once per
day at 8th level, and one additional time per day for every four
class levels beyond 8th.
Exemplar of Luck (Su): At 20th level, your great good
fortune protects you from harm. You gain greater evasion, as
the rogue class feature.
Madness Domain
This domain appeared in Pathfinder #5, Sins of the Saviors.
Archivist Skill: Bluff.
Feat Options: Bewitching Spell [Metamagic], Chaotic
Mind, Confusing Blow [Strike].
Variant Channeling: As a swift action, you can emit a 30-ft.
aura of madness for a number of rounds equal to half your
class level (minimum 1). Enemies within this aura are
affected by confusion unless they succeed at Will saves.
Creatures that succeed on their saving throws are immune to
this aura for that channeling usage. You can affect a total
number of Hit Dice worth of enemies as determined by the
total of your channeling dice. You are immediately aware of it
if your turning check is insufficient for the number of Hit Dice
to be affected, and can expend an additional channeling use
as part of the initial channeling. The confusion effect ends
immediately for creatures that leave the area, or when the
aura expires. You can choose to expend one or more
additional channeling uses to extend the duration.
Domain Spells: 1st—lesser confusion, 2nd—touch of
idiocy, 3rd—rage, 4th—confusion, 5th—nightmare, 6th
—phantasmal killer, 7th—insanity, 8th—scintillating pattern,
9th—weird.
Vision of Madness [Reserve] (Sp): You can give a creature a
vision of madness as a melee touch attack that does not
provoke an attack of opportunity. Choose one of the following:
attack rolls, saving throws, or skill checks. The target
receives a bonus to the chosen rolls equal to the level of the
highest-level Madness domain spell you have prepared, and a
penalty of the same magnitude to the other two types of rolls.
This effect fades after 3 rounds.
Insanity (Su): At 4th level, you gain an insanity score equal
to one-fourth of your class level. For spellcasting (determining
bonus spells) and other abilities that rely on Wisdom, you use
your Wisdom score plus your insanity score in place of
Wisdom alone. For all other purposes, such as skills and
ranged attacks, use Wisdom minus insanity in place of
Wisdom.
Once per day, you can see and act with the clarity of true
madness. Use your insanity score as a positive rather than a
negative modifier on a single roll involving Wisdom. Choose
to use this power before the roll is made.
Exemplar of Madness (Su): At 20th level, you are immune
to all mind-affecting spells, powers, and abilities.
Magic Domain
Archivist Skill: Spellcraft. In addition, you can activate
arcane spell-completion items (e.g., scrolls) and spell-trigger
items (e.g., wands) as if those spells were on your class list.
Feat Options: Any [Arcane] feats.
Variant Channeling: You can channel arcane energy as an
immediate action in order to counterspell. Each time, you can
counterspell any arcane spell of level equal to or lower than
your number of channeling dice (so at 19th level you can
counterspell even epic spells in this manner). You need not
know the exact spell you are attempting to interfere with; you
simply channel the held energy and roll 1d20 + your
channeling level + your Charisma bonus. If this check equals
or exceeds a DC of 11 + the number of ranks in
Concentration of the spell’s caster, the spell is countered and
does not take effect. This option supersedes the divine
counterspell variant class feature, from Complete Mage.
Domain Spells: 1st—identify, 2nd—magic mouth, 3rd
—dispel magic, 4th—scrying, 5th—spell resistance, 6th
—antimagic field, 7th—spell turning, 8th—protection from
spells, 9th—mage's disjunction.
Arcane Bolt [Reserve] (Sp): As long as you have a 1st or
higher level Magic domain spell prepared, you can launch an
arcane bolt as a ranged touch attack against a target within
close range. If this attack hits, it deals ld6 points of force
damage per level of the highest-level Magic domain spell you
have remaining. This ability supersedes the Magic Devotion
feat from Complete Champion.
Dispelling Touch (Sp): At 8th level, you gain Dispelling
Strike as a bonus feat; you also gain a melee touch attack that
carries the same effects.
Arcane Exemplar (Su): At 20th level, you can prepare
arcane spells as if they were divine spells. You are limited to a
number of levels of arcane spells per day equal to 3 + your
Wisdom modifier.
Mind Domain
Adapted from Complete Divine.
Archivist Skill: Concentration (no additional skill ranks,
but available for one of your bonus Skill Focus feats).
Feat Options: Arcane Defense (Enchantment), Bewitching
Spell [Metamagic], Concentration Spell [Metamagic], Deep
Intuition, Mental Distraction [Reserve], Insightful Strike, Iron
Will, Moral Training, Open-Minded, Paragon of Insight,
Paragon of Intellect.
Variant Channeling: You channel mental energy,
generating a blast of disorienting psychic energy that inflicts
nonlethal damage. Creatures that fail their Will saves for half
damage are also sickened for 1 round. Creatures without
Intelligence scores are immune to this ability.
Domain Spells: 1st—comprehend languages, 2nd–detect
thoughts, 3rd—lesser geas, 4th—discern lies, 5th—telepathic
bond, 6th—mass suggestion, 7th—demand, 8th—mind blank,
9th—weird.
Daze (Sp): You can use daze at will as a spell-like ability.
Starting at 4th level, you can also use daze monster at will.
The maximum number of Hit Dice you can affect with this
ability is equal to 2 + your class level; the effective spell level
of this ability is equal to half your class level.
Mental Fortress (Su): At 8th level, your mind becomes a
fortress warded against intrusion. You gain spell resistance
against mind-affecting abilities equal to 12 + half your class
level. Any creature that successfully uses a mind-affecting
ability against you is dazed for 1 round due to psychic
feedback (Will save negates). Starting at 16th level, victims of
this effect are stunned for 1 round instead.
Tower of Iron Will (Su): At 20th level, your mind is a
bastion of strength in a sea of chaos. You are immune to
charm and compulsion effects, and all allies within 30 feet of
you gain a +5 sacred bonus to resist such effects. Additionally,
if an opponent attempts to use a mind-affecting ability against
you, you can target that foe with a mind-affecting spell you
know as an immediate action.
Music Domain
This domain appears in Relics and Rituals: Olympus (Sword
& Sorcery studios). Many who have access to this domain will
multiclass with bard, selecting the sacred performer lore (q.v.).
Archivist Skill: Perform (music).
Feat Options: Extra Inspiration, Practiced Inspiration.
Variant Channeling: Channeled energy is sonic (rather
than positive or negative), dealing sonic damage to those
within the channeling radius. This is otherwise mechanically
similar to channeling negative energy
Domain Spells: 1st—hypnotism, 2nd—sound burst, 3rd
—deep slumber, 4th—insistent beatRRO, 5th—shout, 6th
—song of discordRRO, 7th—dissonant chorusRRO, 8th
—irresistable dance, 9th—wail of the banshee.
Well-Versed (Ex): You are resistant to the bardic
performances of others, and to sonic effects in general. You
gain a +4 bonus on saving throws made against bardic
performances and spells, and to sonic and language-
dependent effects.
Inspire Courage (Su): You gain inspire courage, as a bard
of level equal to your cleric level. If you already have the
bardic inspiration ability, your cleric/archivist levels provide
Strong synergy for purposes of determining the college, DC,
and number of rounds of inspiration available to you per day.
If you have the Sacred Performer bardic lore, you instead
gain Full synergy towards your college and inspiration ability,
and can use appropriate cleric/archivist spells (by referee
approval on a case-by-case basis) as inspirations.
Musical Exemplar (Ex): At 20th level, add all bard spells to
your list of cleric spells of the same levels (if you do not
already have theurgic spellcasting with bard levels).
Mystic Domain
This domain is intended to supersede the Mystic Theurge
prestige class, facilitating multiclassing with sorcerer or
wizard.
Archivist Skill: Spellcraft.
Feat Options: Any [Arcane] feats.
Variant Channeling: You can apply any metamagic feats
you know to your channeled energy, with no increase in
activation time. Doing so reduces the number of channeling
dice by a number equal to the final spell level increase of the
metamagic applied.
If you have the eldritch blast ability (see Sorcerer, q.v.) and
you channel energy of the same energy type, you can apply
your improved blast and greater blast improvements (and any
other Innate Metamagic feats you have that apply to your
eldritch blast) to your channeled energy as well, without
reducing the number of channeling dice.
Domain Spells: 1st—magic aura or magic missile, 2nd
—see invisibility, 3rd—arcane sight, 4th—arcane eye or
sending, 5th—disc of concordant oppositionGA, 6th—analyze
dweomer or greater dispel magic, 7th—greater arcane sight,
8th—mind bank, 9th—time stop.
Mystic Theurge (Ex): Choose one of the following options;
once this choice has been made, you cannot change it.
a. Your cleric/archivist levels and your sorcerer/ wizard levels
provide Weak spell theurgy towards each other; or
b. You combine cleric and arcane casting, with arcane class
levels providing Strong theurgy towards your divine
casting progression. You retain access to both spell lists;
however, the maximum level of arcane spells you can
access is equal to your arcane casting class level, so that a
cleric 8/wizard 4 has a spell capacity of 11th, but can cast
only 0 – 4th level arcane spells.
Combined Spells (Su): If you chose option A (weak
synergy) at 1st level, then starting at 4th level you can prepare
and cast spells from one of your spellcasting classes using
the available slots from any of your other spellcasting classes.
Spells prepared or cast in this way take up a slot one level
higher than they originally occupied. The components of
these spells do not change, but they otherwise follow the
rules for the spellcasting class used to cast the spell.
Spontaneous spellcasters can only select spells that they
have prepared that day using non-spontaneous classes for
this ability, but can do so even if the spells have already been
cast. For example, a cleric/sorcerer can use this ability to
spontaneously cast a bless spell using a 2nd level sorcerer
spell slot, if the character had a prepared bless spell using a
1st level cleric spell slot, even if that spell had already been
cast that day.
Spontaneous Spells (Sp): Starting at 8th level, your
theurgy works similarly to that of a sorcerer with the Arcane
bloodline with the theurgy option listed under the prepare
spells ability.
Spell Synthesis (Su): At 20th level, once per day you can
cast two spells, one from each of your spellcasting class lists,
using one action. Both of the spells must have the same
casting time. You can make any decisions concerning the
spells independently. Any target affected by both of the spells
takes a –2 penalty on saves made against each spell. You
receive a +2 bonus on Concentration checks made to
overcome spell resistance with these two spells.
Nobility Domain
Archivist Skill: Diplomacy.
Variant Channeling: You channel the power of rulership.
Humanoids within 30 ft. of you when you channel this ability
must succeed at Will saves or fall under your control, obeying
your commands to the best of their ability (giving self-
destructive commands ends the effect instantly). You can
control any number of people, so long as their total Hit Dice
do not exceed your class level. This ability lasts for 1 minute
per class level you possess.
Domain Spells: 1st—divine favor, 2nd—enthrall, 3rd
—magic vestment, 4th—discern lies, 5th—greater command,
6th—geas/quest, 7th—repulsion, 8th—demand, 9th
—overwhelming presenceUM.
Inspiring Word (Sp): As a standard action, you can speak
an inspiring word to a creature within 30 feet. That creature
receives a +2 morale bonus on attack rolls, skill checks,
ability checks, and saving throws for a number of rounds
equal to half your class level (minimum 1). You can use this
power a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Wisdom
modifier.
Leadership (Ex): At 8th level, you receive Leadership as a
bonus feat. In addition, you gain a +2 sacred bonus to your
leadership score as long as you uphold the tenets of your
deity (or divine concept if you do not venerate a specific deity).
Exemplar of Nobility (Ex): At 20th level, all allies fighting
on your behalf automatically receive a +1 morale bonus to
attacks, damage, and saving throws against fear.
Plant Domain
“I grow plants,” said the monk, “and I do things with them.”
As he talked the plants rose, swaying like charmed snakes.
They dug green tendrils into the smooth rock, making cracks
where they did not find them. Up they went, wriggling and
twisting, until the tops of the two vines were out of sight.
―John Bellairs, The Face in the Frost (1969)
Archivist Skill: Profession (horticulture). In addition, you
can speak with plants once per day as a spell-like ability.
Variant Channeling: You can command plant creatures as
an evil cleric with the Command Undead feat commands or
rebukes undead.
Domain Spells: 1st—entangle, 2nd—barkskin, 3rd—spike
growth, 4th—command plants, 5th—wall of thorns, 6th
—repel wood, 7th—animate plants, 8th—control plants, 9th
—shambler.
Wooden Fist (Su): As a free action, your hands can
become as hard as wood, covered in tiny thorns. While under
the effects of this ability, you have Martial proficiency with
unarmed attacks, and your fists gain an enhancement bonus
equal to the level of the highest-level Plant domain spell you
have prepared and available to cast.
Bramble Armor [Reserve] (Su): At 4th level, you can cause a
host of wooden thorns to burst from your skin as a free
action. While bramble armor is in effect, any foe striking you
with a non-reach melee attack takes 1d6 points of piercing
damage per level of the highest-level Plant domain spell you
have prepared and available. You can use this ability for a
number of rounds per day equal to your class level. These
rounds do not need to be consecutive.
Plant Exemplar (Su): At 20th level, your type changes to
plant. As long as you have ample earth and sunlight you do
not require food, and you are immune to sneak attacks and
critical hits.
Possession Domain
Archivist Skill: Bluff.
Feat Options: Spell Focus (Enchantment).
Variant Channeling: You channel the spiritual connection
between you and another creature, and cast spells along that
connection. You can channel energy only against an
individual who has affected you with a spell, or from whom
you have a sample of hair, nail clippings, blood, etc. When you
channel energy, you are able to cast a s Possession domain
spell on that creature from any distance, as long as you are on
the same plane. This uses up the physical sample (or spiritual
spell connection) as if it were a material component. The
maximum level of spell you can cast in this manner is equal
to the number of dice you would normally channel.
Domain Spells: 1st—charm person, 2nd—hypnotic
pattern, 3rd—suggestion, 4th—dominate person, 5th—magic
jar, 6th—symbol of persuasion, 7th—demand, 8th—binding,
9th—dominate monster.
Possession Sense (Su): You are instantly aware if any
creature you are conversing with is charmed, dominated,
possessed and/or under a magic jar effect.
Break Protection (Su): Starting at 4th level, your spells are
not affected by protection from evil or similar 1st level spells,
although a magic circle is still effective against them. At 8th
level, your spells also ignore a magic circle against evil or
similar warding, and at 12th level you and your spells are
immune to spells such as holy aura. At 16th level, you can
penetrate even a mind blank spell.
Exemplar of Possession (Su): At 20th level, you become a
true possessing entity. At will as a standard action, you can
attempt to use your consciousness to take over any nearby
body as if by a magic jar spell, but no physical receptacle is
needed (the transfer is direct). There is no limit to the
duration, so you can gain effective immortality by possessing
a chain of younger bodies over time.
Protection Domain
Archivist Skill: Perception.
Feat Options: Shared Shield [Stance], Spell Focus
(Abjuration), Urgent Shield [Arcane].
Variant Channeling: You create a halo of shelter around
yourself and allies within 30 ft. of you. This halo can absorb
as many hit points of damage as you would normally heal by
channeling positive energy. This is a total amount; it does not
apply separately to each creature affected. The halo collapses
when its total damage capacity is exceeded, or after one
minute per class level, whichever comes first. Allies who
move more than 30 ft. away from you while the halo is up
lose its protection, but can regain it by re-entering the area.
Domain Spells: 1st—sanctuary, 2nd—shield other, 3rd
—protection from energy, 4th—spell immunity, 5th—spell
resistance, 6th—antimagic field, 7th—repulsion, 8th—mind
blank, 9th—prismatic sphere.
Resistant Touch [Reserve] (Sp): You receive a +1
resistance bonus on saving throws. This bonus increases by
an amount equal to half the level of the highest-level
Protection domain spell you have available to cast (for
example, if you have spell immunity prepared and unused, the
bonus would be +3). As a standard action, you can touch an
ally to grant him your resistance bonus for 1 minute (you lose
your bonus during that time). You can transfer your bonus to
allies a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Wisdom
modifier.
Aura of Protection (Su): At 8th level, you can emit a 30-
foot aura of protection for a number of rounds per day equal
to your class level (these rounds do not need to be
consecutive). You and your allies within this aura gain a +1
deflection bonus to AC and resistance 5 against all elements
(acid, cold, electricity, fire, and sonic). The deflection bonus
increases by +1 for every four class levels you possess beyond
8th. At 14th level, the resistance against all elements
increases to 10.
Exemplar of Protection (Su): At 20th level, your resistant
touch is always active on you, and also extends to all allies
within 10 ft. of you.
Repose Domain
Archivist Skill: Heal.
Feat Options: Ghost Strike [Strike].
Variant Channeling: None. You channel positive energy, as
a standard cleric.
Domain Spells: 1st—deathwatch, 2nd—speak with dead,
3 —deep slumber, 4th—death ward, 5th—slay living, 6th
rd
—undeath to death, 7th—destruction, 8th—waves of
exhaustion, 9th—undeath’s eternal foeMF, wail of the
banshee.
Gentle Rest (Su): As a melee touch attack that does not
provoke an attack of opportunity, you can fill a creature with
lethargy, causing a living creature to become staggered for 1
round (Intuition save negates). If you touch a staggered living
creature, that creature falls asleep for 1 round instead
(Intuition negates); undead creatures touched are staggered
for a number of rounds equal to your Wisdom modifier.
Ward Against Death (Su): At 8th level, as a free action you
can emit a 30-ft. aura that wards against death for a number
of rounds per day equal to your class level; these rounds do
not need to be consecutive. Living creatures in this area are
immune to all death effects, energy drain, and effects that
cause negative levels. This ward does not remove negative
levels that a creature has already gained, but the negative
levels have no effect while the creature is inside the warded
area.
Repose Exemplar (Su): At 20th level, you radiate a
continuous aura of gentle repose (as the spell) within 120 ft.
Corpses within this aura cannot be animated as undead
unless the animating magic succeeds at an opposed
Concentration check.

Rune Domain
Archivist Skill: Knowledge (linguistics). You can store
spells in inscribed runes, using this skill; these work as do
scrolls, except for the difference in medium.
Variant Channeling: You can destroy magical traps,
including glyphs of warding and the like, by channeling
energy. When you channel, make a Concentration check. Any
magical traps within 30 ft. with a caster level of that result –
11 are destroyed. You can destroy a number of spell levels
worth of magical traps with one channeling attempt equal to
the amount of damage you would otherwise heal if
channeling positive energy.
Domain Spells: 1st—erase, 2nd—secret page, 3rd—glyph
of warding, 4th—explosive runes, 5th—lesser planar binding,
6th—greater glyph of warding, 7th—instant summons, 8th
—transcribe symbolMF, 9th—teleportation circle. In addition,
add all spells with the word “symbol” in the name to your list
of class skills.
Blast Rune [Reserve] (Sp): As a standard action, you can
create a blast rune in any adjacent square. Any creature
entering this square takes 1d6 points of damage per level of
the highest-level Rune domain spell you have prepared
(Reflex save applies for half damage). The rune deals either
acid, cold, electricity, or fire damage, decided when you create
the rune (if you can channel negative energy, you can set the
blast rune to inflict negative energy damage instead). The
rune is invisible and lasts a number of rounds equal to your
class level or until discharged. You cannot create a blast rune
in a square occupied by another creature. This rune counts as
a 2nd level spell-like ability (DC 27 Spellcraft to
identify/disarm).
Spell Rune (Sp): Starting at 8th level, you can attach
another spell that you cast to one of your blast runes, causing
that spell to affect the creature that triggers the rune, in
addition to the damage. This spell must be of at least one
level lower than the highest-level cleric spell you can cast and
it must target one or more creatures. Regardless of the
number of targets the spell can normally affect, it only affects
the creature that triggers the rune.
Runic Exemplar (Su): At 20th level, you are automatically
aware of any glyphs, runes, or other written magic within 60
ft. of you. You can bypass them (with your companions) or
trigger them at will. You are also instantly aware when any
glyph or rune that you scribed is activated, and you can
activate them yourself from any distance as a move action.
Scalykind Domain
Archivist Skill: Athletics.
Feat Options: Improved Natural Armor, Poison Spell
[Metamagic], Snake Style [Stance], Venomous Strike [Strike].
Variant Channeling: When you channel energy, you can
choose to deal nonlethal damage. Those taking full damage
are fascinated until the beginning of your next turn.
Domain Spells: 1st—magic fang, 2nd—animal trance, 3rd
—serpents of TheggeronBVD, 4th—poison, 5th—snake
staffAPG, 6th—eyebite, 7th—creeping doom, 8th—animal
shapes, 9th—shapechange.
Venomous Stare [Reserve] (Sp): As a standard action,
you can activate a gaze attack with a 30-foot range. This is an
active gaze attack that can target a single creature within
range. The target takes 1d6 points of nonlethal damage per
level of the highest-level Scalykind domain spell you have
prepared and is also fascinated until the beginning of your
next turn (Will half/negates). This is a mind-affecting effect.
Serpent Companion (Ex): At 4th level, you gain the service
of an animal companion (as the cohort function of a druid’s
mark of the wild, but using your class level in place of your
ranks in Handle Animal). You may choose either a viper or a
constrictor snake as your companion.
Father of Serpents (Su): At 20th level, you gain the Ti-
Khana template, from the 3.0 edition Fiend Folio; this does
not change your effective character level.
Space Domain
This domain allows a character to reproduce a 1st edition
cleric of Celestian.
Archivist Skill: Fly.
Feat Options: Dimensional Agility [Arcane], Dimensional
Jaunt [Reserve], Favored Terrain (Astral Plane), Trans-
dimensional Spell [Metamagic].
Variant Channeling: You channel the chill and void of
interstellar space. Channeled energy is cold (rather than
positive or negative), dealing cold damage to those within the
channeling radius. This is otherwise mechanically similar to
channeling negative energy.
Domain Spells: 1st—feather fall, 2nd—levitate, 3rd—fly,
4 —dimension door, 5th—teleport, 6th—suffocationAPG, 7th
th
—greater teleport, 8th—sunburst, 9th—astral projection.
Meteors [Reserve] (Sp): At 1st level, you can fire stone
meteors from your hands. Each meteor is a ranged touch
attack (close range) dealing 1d6 points of bludgeoning
damage; you can fire a number of meteors equal to the level
of the highest-level Stars domain spell you have prepared.
Adaptation (Su): Starting at 4th level, you gain favored
terrain (Astral Plane), as the ranger class feature of the same
name, with a bonus equal to 2 + half your class level.
Exemplar of the Orbs (Su): At 20th level, you are at home
in the interstellar void. You gain immunity to cold, and
vacuum and a fly speed of 60 ft.
Strength Domain
Archivist Skill: Athletics.
Feat Options: Awesome Blow [Strike], Endurance
Training, Explosive Spell [Metamagic], Great Fortitude,
Inexorable Evocation [Metamagic], Paragon of Health,
Paragon of Might, Overhand Chop [Strike], Power Attack
[Combat], Pushing Spell [Metamagic], Strength Training.
Variant Channeling: When you channel energy, roll your
channeling dice and divide the total as evenly as possible
among creatures within 30 ft. as temporary hit points. These
last a maximum of 1 round per class level you possess, unless
lost first.
Domain Spells: 1st—enlarge person, 2nd—bull's strength,
3rd—magic vestment, 4th—spell immunity, 5th—righteous
might, 6th—stoneskin, 7th—grasping hand, 8th—clenched
fist, 9th—crushing hand.
Strength Surge [Reserve] (Sp): As a standard action, you
can touch a creature to give it great strength. For one round,
the target gains an enhancement bonus to Strength equal to
the level of the highest-level Strength domain spell you have
prepared.
Might of the Gods (Su): At 8th level, you can add your
class level as an enhancement bonus to your Strength score
for a number of rounds per day equal to your class level. This
bonus only applies on Strength checks and Strength-based
skill checks. These rounds do not need to be consecutive.
Exemplar of Strength (Ex): At 20th level, you gain a +5
inherent bonus to Strength. As with other like-named
bonuses, inherent bonuses do not stack.
Suffering Domain
Archivist Skill: Profession (Torturer).
Feat Options: Fell Affliction [Metamagic], Fell Nausea
[Metamagic], Sickening Grasp [Reserve], Sickening Spell
[Metamagic].
Variant Channeling: None; you channel negative energy.
Domain Spells: 1st—bane, 2nd—inflict moderate wounds,
3rd—bestow curse, 4th—enervation, 5th—symbol of pain, 6th
—harm, 7th—forcecage, 8th—horrid wilting, 9th—implosion.
Hasten Death [Reserve] (Sp): You can touch a living
creature as a standard action, dealing 1d6 damage per level
of the highest-level Suffering domain spell you have prepared.
You can only use this ability on a creature that is below 0 hit
points.
Curse of Agony (Su): Starting at 4th level, all of your inflict
spells are treated as if they were Empowered, increasing the
amount of damage dealt by half (+50%). This does not apply
to damage healed to undead with an inflict spell. This does
not stack with the Empower Spell metamagic feat.
Exemplar of Suffering (Su): At 20th level you can choose
for your inflict spells and channeled negative energy to deal
either non-lethal or lethal damage (decide each time you cast
or channel). Any creature failing a Will save against one of
your inflict spells or channeled negative energy is rendered
helpless for 1 round as they writhe in agony.
Sun Domain
This domain also incorporates the Master of Radiance
prestige class from Libris Mortis.
Archivist Skill: Survival.
Feat Options: Blinding Spell [Metamagic], Blinding Strike
[Strike], Positive Spell [Metamagic].
Variant Channeling: You can channel a 30-foot nimbus of
light. This acts as a daylight spell centered on you, with a 60-
ft. radius (half normal, or 30 ft. x 2 for your radiance ability),
that lasts 1 round per die of channeling. Undead within this
aura take normal channel energy damage each round that
they remain inside the nimbus, and must save vs. Fortitude or
be sickened for as long as they remain within the nimbus.
Spells and spell-like abilities with the [darkness] descriptor of
spell level less than or equal to your number of channeling
dice +1 (due to your radiance ability) are automatically
dispelled if brought inside this aura.
Domain Spells: 1st—endure elements, 2nd—scorching ray,
3 —searing light, 4th—fire shield, 5th—flame strike, 6th
rd
—fire seeds, 7th—sunbeam, 8th—sunburst, 9th—prismatic
sphere.
Radiance (Su): When you cast any spell or use a spell-like
or supernatural ability with the [light] descriptor, the radius of
illumination is doubled, and the spell is treated as if it were
one level higher than it actually is for all purposes, including
determining whether it can counter or dispel a spell with the
[darkness] descriptor.
Searing Light [Reserve] (Sp): Starting at 4th level, at will
you can fire a beam of sunlight as a close range ray (ranged
touch attack) that deals damage based on the spell level of the
highest-level Sun domain spell you have prepared (the
reserve spell), as follows:
Creature Type Damage
Undead, molds, fungi, etc. 1d6 per spell level
Undead vulnerable to daylight 1d8 per spell level
Constructs and objects 1d6 per 2 spell levels
All others 1d8 per 2 spell levels
Half of the damage is fire damage; the other half results
from divine power and is not subject to fire resistance.
Solar Exemplar (Su): At 20th level, your mere presence
blinds onlookers within 30 ft. for 1 round and dazzles them
for 10 minutes thereafter unless they succeed at Will saves or
have some means of protecting their vision from the light. If
your variant channeling is active, those failing their saves are
permanently blinded, and even those who save successfully
are dazzled 1 round. Those who successfully save are
immune to further effects from this aura for 24 hours.
Thievery Domain
An archivist with the Thievery and Luck domains, and
possibly multi-classing with rogue, can neatly supersede the
Temple Raider of Olidammara prestige class from Complete
Adventurer.
Archivist Skill: Disable Device.
Feat Options: Evasion (as the rogue class feature), Skill
Focus (any).
Variant Channeling: You can channel energy as a swift
action, granting yourself the ability to perform sneak attacks
(as a rogue) for 1 round. Your sneak attack damage is equal to
the damage a standard cleric would gain by channeling
negative energy. This does not stack with any existing sneak
attack ability.
Domain Spells: 1st—detect secret doors, 2nd—locate
object, 3rd—dispel magic, 4th—death ward, freedom of
movement, 5th—shadow door, 6th—passwall, 7th—phase
door, 8th—mind blank, 9th—foresight.
Alertness (Ex): You always treat Perception as a class skill.
In addition, at 1st level, you gain Alertness as a bonus feat.
Uncanny Talent (Ex): At 4th level, you gain a rogue talent
of your choice. Your effective rogue level is equal to your
cleric/archivist level. If you have levels in rogue, your
cleric/archivist level instead provides Full synergy towards
determining the effective rogue level at which your rogue
talents function.
Exemplar of Thievery (Ex): At 20th level, you gain an
advanced rogue skill talent (see Rogue) of your choice.

Time Domain
Archivist Skill: None. However, you can use know time at
will as a spell-like ability.
Feat Options: Delay Spell, Extend Spell, Lingering Spell,
Personal Spell, Quicken Spell, Sudden Spell
Variant Channeling: When casting a non-instantaneous
spell, you can channel time in order to extend the spell’s
effect. As a swift action as part of the casting, expend one use
of channel energy; this doubles the duration of the spell being
cast (as per the Extend Spell metamagic feat) and subsumes
the +1 spell level metamagic cost for the extension. The
maximum level of spell you can affect in this manner is equal
to the number of dice you would normally channel.
You can expend more than one channeling use in order to
extend the duration further; each use takes the place of one
additional spell level of metamagic cost (see Extend Spell feat
in Chapter 7).
Domain Spells: 1st—precognition, 2nd—silence, 3rd
—haste, 4th—research aidDr342, 5th—second chance, 6th
—contingency, 7th—fate of one, 8th—temporal stasis, 9th
—time stop.
Extend Spell: At 1st level, you gain Extend Spell as a
bonus feat.
Blinding Speed (Sp): Starting at 8th level, you can act as if
hasted for 1 round per day per class level you possess. The
duration of the effect need not be consecutive rounds.
Activating this power is a swift action.
Temporal Exemplar (Su): At 20th level, you stop aging,
and do not die when your natural life span would normally be
up.
Travel Domain
Archivist Skill: Endurance.
Feat Options: Dimensional Jaunt [Reserve], Fleet, Power
Over Shadow.
Variant Channeling: You can channel great celerity of
motion. When you channel energy, divide your channeling
dice as you see fit among creatures within 30 ft. of you. Add
the total roll of the dice you assign to each creature to all of
that creature’s movement speeds (minimum +5 ft.). For
example, a 7th level archivist might channel celerity to grant
himself and 3 companions each a +1d6 ft. bonus to
movement. This effect lasts a number of rounds equal to half
your class level.
Domain Spells: 1st—expeditious retreat or longstrider,
2nd—locate object, 3rd—fly, 4th—dimension door, 5th—plane
shift or teleport, 6th—shadow walk, 7th—greater teleport, 8th
—phase door, 9th—astral projection.
Agile Feet (Su): As a free action, you can gain increased
mobility for 1 round. For the next round, you ignore all
difficult terrain and do not take any penalties for moving
through it. You can use this ability a number of times per day
equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier.
Dimensional Hop (Sp): At 8th level, you can teleport up to
10 feet per class level per day as a move action. This
teleportation must be used in 5-foot increments and such
movement does not provoke attacks of opportunity. You must
have line of sight to your destination to use this ability. You
can bring other willing creatures with you, but you must
expend an equal amount of distance for each creature
brought.
Travel Exemplar (Su): At 20th level, you gain Power over
Shadow; this functions as the Amberite racial feat (Chapter
2). You can survive and move normally on any of the
elemental or inner planes.
Trickery Domain
Archivist Skill: Perform (acting).
Feat Options: Bouncing Spell [Metamagic], Disguise Spell
[Metamagic], Face-Changer [Reserve], Improved Feint.
Variant Channeling: You can channel energy as a swift
action, granting yourself the ability to perform sneak attacks
(as a rogue) for 1 round. Your sneak attack damage is equal to
the damage a standard cleric would gain by channeling
negative energy. This does not stack with any existing sneak
attack ability.
Domain Spells: 1st—disguise self, 2nd—invisibility, 3rd
—nondetection, 4th—confusion, 5th—false vision, 6th
—mislead, 7th—screen, 8th—mass invisibility, 9th—time stop.
Copycat (Sp): You can create an illusory double of yourself
as a move action. This double functions as a single mirror
image and lasts for a number of rounds equal to your class
level, or until the illusory duplicate is dispelled or destroyed.
You can have no more than one copycat at a time. This ability
does not stack with the mirror image spell. You can use this
ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Wisdom
modifier.
Master's Illusion (Sp): At 8th level, you can create an
illusion that hides the appearance of yourself and any number
of allies within 30 feet for 1 round per class level. This ability
otherwise functions like the spell veil. The rounds do not
need to be consecutive.
Exemplar of Trickery (Su): At 20th level, you are immune
to divination and location magic, and any magic that would
inhibit you from lying—your thoughts cannot be read, you can
lie undeterred by a zone of truth and undetected by a discern
lies, you cannot be located by a locate person or even a
discern location spell, and your aura does not register to a
detect evil spell, for example.
Vermin Domain
Archivist Skill: Craft (Toxicology).
Variant Channeling: You channel a cloud of biting,
stinging vermin that deals piercing damage (subject to
damage reduction normally).
Domain Spells: 1st—spider climb, 2nd—summon swarm,
3rd—repel vermin, 4th—giant vermin, 5th—insect plague, 6th
—summon nature’s ally VI (shark-eating crab), 7th—creeping
doom, 8th—summon monster VIII (1d3 bebeliths), 9th
—weird.
Vermin Empathy (Su): You gain the supernatural ability to
communicate with vermin. This functions as speak with
animals, but applies to vermin instead. You also have the
equivalent of Handle Animal with vermin, using your cleric or
archivist level as your effective number of skill ranks even if
you have no actual ranks in that skill. Finally, your spells that
normally only affect creatures of certain types (animals or
humanoids, for example) also affect vermin.
Master of Swarms (Su): At 4th level, swarms no longer see
you as prey. You can walk among swarms without fear of
being harmed by them at all. Starting at 8th level, by taking a
standard action to mentally command a swarm in which you
stand, you can direct that swarm’s attacks and movements as
long as you have more Hit Dice than the swarm. You can also
command or rebuke vermin as an evil cleric with the
Command Undead feat commands or rebukes undead.
Exemplar of Vermin (Su): At 20th level, you are
perpetually surrounded by a cloud of biting vermin equivalent
to a crown of vermin spell (3.5 edition System Reference
Document, “Epic Spells”). As per the spell, you may
completely suppress the aura of insects as desired. Your aura
of vermin constantly replenishes itself at a rate of 200 vermin
per round (unlimited duration). When vermin die off either by
being slain or by dealing damage to another creature, the
aura does not permanently collapse, even if all the vermin are
slain or if all 1,000 vermin deal their damage in 1 round. As
soon as any vermin are replenished, they participate normally
in the crown of vermin effect.
War Domain
Archivist Skill: Knowledge (Warfare).
Feat Options: Channel Spell [Metamagic], Initiate of the
Open Sky, Mass Effect Spell [Metamagic], any [Combat] feats.
Variant Channeling: You channel energy to smite your
foes. Each time you expend a use of channel energy, select
one foe. Thereafter, you gain a sacred (or profane) bonus to
attack rolls against that opponent equal to your Charisma
bonus, and deal +1d6 holy (or unholy) damage per die of
energy you would normally channel against that creature.
This lasts until combat with that opponent is interrupted (e.g.,
you spend a round doing something other than attacking that
enemy) or the opponent is dead.
Domain Spells: 1st—magic weapon, 2nd—spiritual
weapon, 3rd—magic vestment, 4th—divine power, 5th—flame
strike, 6th—blade barrier, 7th—power word: blind, 8th
—power word: stun, 9th—power word: kill.
Martial Training (Ex): You gain Exotic proficiency and
Weapon Focus with your deity’s favored weapon as bonus
feats. If your deity has no favored weapon, you gain the
effects of these feats with the heavy mace instead. You also
gain heavy armor proficiency.
Weapon Master (Su): At 8th level, you gain the use of one
[Combat] feat for a number of rounds per day equal to your
class level. These rounds do not need to be consecutive and
you can change the feat chosen each time you use this ability.
You must meet the prerequisites to use this feat.
In addition, if you have levels in fighter, your cleric/archivist
level provides Strong synergy towards determining the
effects of your fighter talents.
Exemplar of War (Su): Upon reaching 20th level, you can
channel enough positive energy to allies within a 100-foot
radius that they will continue to fight even after suffering
mortal wounds. Using this ability is a move action and
requires concentration. While in use, allies within the radius
who suffer enough damage to become disabled, dying, or
dead ignore the effects of that damage and continue fighting.
Disabled or dying characters must keep track of further
damage. When the ability ends―because you stop
concentrating, fail a Concentration check, or becomes
disabled or worse―the full effects of all damage take effect.
This ability supersedes the Warpriest’s prestige class feature
of the same name, from Complete Divine.
Water Domain
Archivist Skill: Athletics.
Feat Options: Aquatic Breath [Reserve], Drowning Glance
[Reserve], Favored Terrain (Underwater), Steam Spell
[Metamagic].
Variant Channeling: You can command or rebuke water
creatures and creatures with the [aquatic] subtype, as if you
had the Command/Turn Elemental feat.
Domain Spells: 1st—obscuring mist, 3rd—fog cloud, 5th
—water breathing, 7th—control water, 9th—ice storm, 11th
—cone of cold, 13th—elemental body IV (water only), 13th
—horrid wilting, 15th—elemental swarm (water spell only).
Water Jet [Reserve] (Sp): As a standard action, you can
create a jet of water targeting any foe within 30 feet as a
ranged touch attack. The jet deals 1d6 points of nonlethal
damage per level of the highest-level Water domain spell (or
other spell with the [water] descriptor) you have prepared. In
addition, the target is buffeted by the pressure and/or blinded
by the spray, taking a –2 penalty on attack rolls for 1 round.
Protection of the Waves (Su): Starting at 8th level, as a
swift action you can grant all allies within 30 ft. freedom of
action, and they suffer no risk of involuntary drowning.
Enemies within 30 ft. who are in the water take a penalty on
attack rolls equal to your Charisma bonus due to interference
of waves. You can use this ability a number of rounds per day
equal to your class level; these rounds used need not be
consecutive.
Water Exemplar (Ex): At 20th level, you are can use
seamantleAPG at will as a spell-like ability.
Weather Domain
Archivist Skill: Survival. In addition, you suffer no penalties
to Perception checks due to precipitation or wind.
Feat Options: Clap of Thunder [Reserve], Conductive
Evocation [Metamagic], Deafening Spell [Metamagic], Storm
Bolt [Reserve].
Variant Channeling: Channeled energy is electrical
(rather than positive or negative), dealing electrical damage to
those within the channeling radius. This is otherwise
mechanically similar to channeling negative energy.
Domain Spells: 1st—obscuring mist, 2nd—gust of wind,
3 —call lightning, 4th—sleet storm, 5th—ice storm, 6th
rd
—control winds, 7th—control weather, 8th—whirlwind, 9th
—storm of vengeance.
Storm Burst [Reserve] (Sp): As a standard action, you can
create a storm burst targeting any foe within 30 feet as a
ranged touch attack. The storm burst deals 1d6 points of
nonlethal damage per level of the highest-level Weather
domain spell you have prepared. In addition, the target is
buffeted by winds and rain, causing it to take a –2 penalty on
attack rolls for 1 round.
Lightning Lord (Sp): At 8th level, you can call down a
number of bolts of lightning per day equal to your class level.
You can call down as many bolts as you want with a single
standard action, but no creature can be the target of more
than one bolt and no two targets can be more than 30 feet
apart. This ability otherwise functions as call lightning.
Exemplar of Storms (Su): At 20th level, you are immune
to electricity and sonic energy. You are treated as if your size
were Colossal, for purposes of wind effects on you (only).
Winter Domain
This domain is from Frostburn. The domain powers from the
Pathfinder water domain have been moved here, in order to
de-emphasize the assumption in Pathfinder cosmology that
“water = cold.”
Archivist Skill: Survival.
Feat Options: Flash Frost Evocation [Metamagic],
Numbing Cold Evocation [Metamagic], Piercing Cold
Evocation [Metamagic], Winter’s Blast [Reserve].
Variant Channeling: Channeled energy is cold (rather
than positive or negative), dealing cold damage to those
within the channeling radius. This is otherwise mechanically
similar to channeling negative energy.
Domain SpellsFB: 1st—snowsight, 2nd—snow walk, 3rd—
winter’s embrace, 4th—ice storm, 5th—blizzard, 6th—death
hail, 7th—control weather, 8th—summon giants (frost), 9th
—fimbulwinter.
Icicle [Reserve] (Sp): As a standard action, you can fire an
icicle from your finger, targeting any foe within 30 feet as a
ranged touch attack. The icicle deals 1d6 points of cold
damage per level of the highest-level [cold] spell you have
prepared.
Dweller in Winter (Ex): At 4th level you gain favored
terrain (arctic), as the ranger class feature of the same name,
with a bonus equal to 1 + half your class level.
Exemplar of Winter (Su): Upon reaching 20th level, you
become a master of cold. You can apply any one of the
following feats to any [cold] spell without increasing the level
or casting time: Extend Spell, Reach Spell, Silent Spell, or
Still Spell.

Appendix B: Unspeakable
Cults
The following index of demon lords and other
blasphemous patrons is not intended to be all-encompassing;
rather, it represents a list of examples from which other cults
can be developed (for example, each of the orcish gods would
likely have its own cult). This section is primarily intended as
a utility to the referee in fleshing out evil opponents; it is not
geared towards PCs (the “you” terminology is retained for the
sake of consistency).
To prepare spells, you spend an hour performing some
fetishistic obedience to your patron, as described in the
entries below. Unless otherwise noted, the examples given
are from the Pathfinder Campaign Setting (Lords of Chaos).
Non-core sources, as indicated in the domain spells lists, are
as noted in Appendix A.
Abraxas, Master of the Final
Incantation
Interests: Forbidden lore, magic, snakes.
Obedience: Self-flagellate with a small whip or tree
branch, punctuating each stroke with utterances of mystic
words of power.
Domain Spells: 1st—identify, 2nd—augury, 3rd—illusory
script, 4th—confusion, 5th—fleshshiverPGF, 6th—greater
dispel magic, 7th—vision, 8th—power word: stun, 9th
—imprisonment.
Resistances (Ex): You gain Arcane Defense
(Enchantment) as a bonus feat; the save bonus provided by
this feat also applies to all written magical effects (glyphs,
runes, symbols, etc.).
Penultimate Incantation (Sp): At 4th level, you gain
Improved Dispelling as a bonus feat.
Aldinach of the Six Venoms
Interests: Sand, scorpions, thirst.
Obedience: Pray to Aldinach while lying prone on sand for
an hour, during which time you must eat at least one live
scorpion.
Domain Spells: 1st—Extended endure elements, 2nd
—glitterdust, 3rd—searing light, 4th—giant vermin, 5th—flesh
to saltSSt, 6th—mass desiccateSSt, 7th—mass flesh to saltSSt,
8th—summon monster VIII (fiendish giant emperor
scorpion), 9th—summon monster IX (fiendish black
scorpion).
Desert Resistance (Ex): You gain favored terrain (deserts),
as the ranger class feature, with a +2 bonus (this stacks with
any existing bonus). You also receive a a +4 profane bonus on
saves against effects that cause fatigue or exhaustion.
Dehydrating Strike (Ex): At 8th level, you gain the
Staggering Strike feat as a bonus feat. For purposes of
determining the scaling effects of this feat, treat your BAB
derived from cleric/archivist levels as being equal to your
cleric/archivist class level.
Andirifkhu, The Razor Princess
Interests: Illusions, traps, knives.
Obedience: Torture a living creature that is smaller than
your size category on a mechanical device that utilizes blades
or spikes, or torture a bound creature of any size with a knife.
The creature must remain alive for the duration, and must
die within 1 minute of the obedience’s end.
Domain Spells: 1st—magic weapon, 2nd—phantom trap,
3 —chain of perditionUC, 4th—dancing chainsBVD or
rd
phantasmal killer, 5th—summon monster V (babau demon),
6th—greater glyph of warding, 7th—mass invisibility, 8th—
Empowered blade barrier, 9th—weird.
Resistances (Ex): You gain a +4 profane bonus on saves
against illusions and a +4 profane bonus to AC against traps
that inflict slashing damage.
Deeper Cuts (Ex): At 8th level, you gain the Bleeding
Strike feat as a bonus feat. For purposes of determining the
scaling effects of this feat, treat your BAB derived from
cleric/archivist levels as being equal to your cleric/archivist
class level.
Angazhan, The Ravenous King
Interests: Apes, jungles, brutal tyrants.
Obedience: Ingest hallucinogenic jungle plants and then
beat a complex rhythm on a large drum made of human skin
and bones while chanting prayers to Angazhan.
Domain Spells: 1st—entangle, 2nd—bull’s strength, 3rd—
girallon’s blessingSS, 4th—summon monster IV (fiendish dire
ape), 5th—jungle’s raptureWotC, 6th—summon monster VI
(1d3 bar-lgura demons, fiendish girallons, or advanced
fiendish dire apes), 7th—summon monster VII (1d3 advanced
fiendish girallons), 8th—animal shapes, 9th—crushing hand
or summon monster IX (baregara demon)
Jungle Resistances (Ex): You gain favored terrain (forests
and jungles), as the ranger class feature, with a +2 bonus (this
stacks with any existing bonus). You also receive a a +4
profane bonus on saves against disease and poison caused by
exposure to the jungle or creatures native to jungles.
Jungle’s Might (Su): At 4th level you gain a +2 profane
bonus to Strength and a +2 profane bonus on all Fortitude
saving throws.
Areshkagal, The Faceless Sphinx
Interests: Greed, portals, riddles.
Obedience: Inscribe several of the 23 riddles of the flesh
(an interlocked series of conundrums, the answer to which no
mortal has achieved) on your own flesh with a bone knife
carved from a child’s rib.
Domain Spells: 1st—hold portal, 2nd—touch of idiocy, 3rd
—shrink item, 4th—confusion, 5th—plane shift, 6th—legend
lore, 7th—greater teleport, 8th—power word: stun, 9th—gate.
Resistances (Ex): You gain a +4 profane bonus on Will Baphomet, Lord of Minotaurs
saving throws against sonic and language-dependant effects.
Portal Jump (Sp): Starting at 8th level, as a move action This combines the options
you can step through one doorway, arch, or window and given in Lords of Chaos with
emerge from another at any point within 500 feet. This is a the abilities of the Thrall of
teleportation effect similar to dimension door, but you do not Baphomet prestige class from
become disoriented when you use this ability. Dragon Magazine (issue 341).
Asmodeus, Prince of Darkness
Asmodeus is worshipped in
Aramni as “Ashmedei” or
“Asmodei,” head of the
pantheon. This cult draws on
the Disciple of Asmodeus
prestige class from the Book
of Vile Darkness.
Interests: Beasts, labyrinths, minotaurs.
Obedience: Remain motionless for 55 minutes, and then
spend the last 5 minutes speaking 50 observations regarding
your surroundings into a hollowed-out bull’s horn.
Interests: Devils, contracts, absolute order. Domain Spells: 1st—curse water, 2nd—misdirection, 3rd
—dragon’s breath, 4th—nightmare, 5th—extended monstrous
Obedience: Litany and vows of obedience. physique II (minotaur), 6th—summon monster VI (1d3
Domain Spells: 1st—command, 2nd—scorching ray, 3rd fiendish minotaurs or schir demons, or one ankshar or
—vigorCD, 4th—lesser geas, 5th—greater command, 6th
—mass suggestion, 7th—summon monster VI (1d3 hellcats),
bulezau demon), 7th—insanity, 8th—maze, 9th—summon
8th—greater planar ally (devils only), 9th—dominate monster. monster IX (ghour demon).
Learn Secret (Ex): Through trickery, deceit, and Cunning (Ex): You gain immunity to maze and a +4
sometimes even intimidation, you can learn secrets otherwise profane bonus on saving throws against confusion and
unattainable. You can use Bluff in place of Streetwise to insanity effects. While in a maze or labyrinth, you gain a +2
gather information; you gain a competence bonus to to the profane bonus to armor class, weapon damage rolls, and
check equal to half your class level. Intuition saving throws.
Evil Authority (Sp): Once per day, at the command of a Feral Visage (Ex): At 4th level, you grow a pair of bull’s
disciple of Asmodeus of 8th level or higher, all [lawful] and/or horns on your head, providing a natural gore attack for 1d6
[evil] creatures within 50 feet that have Hit Dice less than base damage (if you already have a gore attack, you gain a
your class level must succeed at a Will save or recognize you bite attack; if you already have a bite attack as well, you gain
as their superior. Affected creatures do not attack you and do the Multiattack feat instead). You gain a +4 competence
as you command as though affected by a mass suggestion bonus on Bluff checks to demoralize or browbeat.
spell. This mind-affecting ability lasts for 24 hours. Blibdoolpoolp, The Sea Mother
Baalzebul, Lord of the Flies
Adapted from the Disciple of Baalzebul prestige class, from
the Book of Vile Darkness. Cultists of Baalzebul are most
common in Aramni’s Seventh Province.
Interests: Lies, deceit, flies, slugs.
Domain Spells: 1st—ray of enfeeblement, 2nd—scare, 3rd
—suggestion, 4th—glibness, 5th—insect plague (biting flies),
6th—mass suggestion, 7th—summon monster VII (bone
devil), 8th—greater planar ally (horned devil), 9th—mass
charm monster.
Sneak Attack (Ex): At 1st level, you gain sneak attack
+1d6, as the rogue class feature. This improves to +2d6 at 8th Interests: Elemental water,
level, and +3d6 at 16th level. If you have levels in rogue, your insanity, kuo-toa.
cleric/archivist levels instead provide Weak synergy to your Obedience: Cultists wear pearl-colored vestments, shell
existing sneak attack progression (this increases to Strong helms, and drape themselves in nets; sacrifice pearls or
synergy if you have the Temple Raider talent). humans (if available), or lobsters (if not).
King of Lies (Ex): You gain an inherent bonus to
Charisma equal to +1 per 4 class levels you possess.

Baphomet, Lord of Minotaurs

Domain Spells: 1st—lesser confusion, 2nd—silence, 3rd
—touch of blibdoolpoolpDr342, 4th—summon monster IV
(Medium water elemental), 5th—call lightning storm
(horizontal, not vertical lines), 6th—summon nature’s ally VI
(Huge water elemental), 7th—insanity, 8th—horrid wilting, 9th
—elemental swarm (water elementals).
Restrain Defectives (Ex): At 1st level, you gain Exotic
Weapon Proficiency with the mancatcher (“pincer-staff”) and
Improved Grapple as bonus feats.
Punish Infidels (Sp): Starting at 4th level, all foes within
30 feet who can see and hear a kuo-toa whip are affected as if
by a doom spell (Intuition negates).
Cyth-V’sug, Prince of the Blasted
Heath
Interests: Disease, fungus, parasites.
Obedience: Eat moldering flesh rife with parasitic worms
during a 1-hour feast.
Domain Spells: 1st—ray of enfeeblement, 2nd—warp wood,
3rd—contagion, 4th—rusting grasp, 5th—insect plague, 6th
—enveloping coccoonCD, 7th—creeping doom, 8th—summon
monster VIII (fiendish purple worm), 9th—shambler.
Demonic Health (Ex): You gain a +4 profane bonus on all
saving throws against disease and effects that cause sickness
or nausea.
Parasitic Link (Su): Starting at 8th level, once per day with
a successful touch attack, you can infest a living creature with
tiny worms and gnawing mites unless the target makes a
Fortitude save. These parasites retain an unholy link to you,
draining that creature’s energy and transferring it to you. This
infestation persists for 10 rounds, during which you act as if
hasted and the infested victim is staggered. As a swift action,
you can quicken the parasitic infestation—this reduces the
remaining duration by 1 round, but causes the parasites to
chew and feed at an accelerated rate, dealing 1d2 points of
Constitution damage to the target. You can only maintain a
parasitic link with one creature at a time. These parasites
count as a disease effect.
Dagon, The Shadow in the Sea
Interests: Deformity, the sea, sea monsters.
Obedience: Offer a bowl of fresh blood to Dagon by
speaking prayers over the blood and then emptying the blood
into the sea. The bowl must be made of gold and inscribed
with runes sacred to Dagon—such a bowl must be worth no
less than 100 gp, but can be reused for multiple obediences.
Domain Spells: 1st—speal with animals (aquatic only), 2nd
—disfiguring touchUM, 3rd—water breathing, 4th—freedom
of movement, 5th—contact other plane, 6th—mass bear’s
endurance, 7th—control weather, 8th—blood mistUM, 9th—
summon monster IX (chernobue qlippoth, fiendish kraken, or
shoggoth).
First Invocation of the Sea (Ex): You gain favored terrain
(underwater), as the ranger class feature of the same name,
with a bonus equal to half your class level (minimum +1).
Your appearance changes slightly—your eyes may take on a
glassy appearance, or your fingers and toes may be slightly
webbed.
Second Invocation of the Sea (Ex): At 8th level, you gain
terrain mastery (underwater), as the ranger class feature of
the same name. Typically you gain gills, scales, bulging eyes,
etc. as well.
Demogorgon, Prince of Demons
Demogorgon, Prince of Demons
This cult supersedes the Thrall of Demogorgon prestige class
from Dragon magazine, issue 357.
Interests: Dinosaurs, reptiles, split personality.
Obedience: Drug-fueled violent orgy.
Domain Spells: 1st—hypnotism, 2nd—scare, 3rd—
exteneded barkskin (scales), 4th—summon monster III
(1d4+1 fiendish venomous snakes), 5th—slay living, 6th
—transformation, 7th—limited wish, 8th—summon monster
VIII (1d3 fiendish tyrannosaurs), 9th—two mindsRR.
Reaching Touch (Ex): Your reach increases according to
the following table.
Level Touch Attacks Melee Attacks
1st – 8th +5 ft. +0
9th – 16th +10 ft. +5 ft.
17th +
+15 ft. +5 ft.
Rotting Touch (Su): Starting at 8th level, as a standard
action you can deal 1d6 points of Constitution damage as a
melee touch attack (Fortitude negates).
Deskari of the Locust Host
Interests: Chasms, infestations, locusts.
Obedience: Meditate while allowing insects or worms of
any type to crawl upon your body—if no such vermin is
available, you must instead lie face-down in a trench dug into
soil and mouth prayers to Deskari into the dirt while
scratching yourself with sharp bits of bone or wood.
Domain Spells: 1st—inflict light wounds, 2nd—summon
swarm, 3rd—contagion, 4th—summon monster IV (d’ziriak or
fiendish giant wasp), 5th—insect plague, 6th—swarm
skinAPG, 7th—creeping doom or summon monster VII
(chasme demon), 8th—reverse gravity, 9th—Quickened insect
plague.
Resistances (Ex): You gain a +4 profane bonus on all
saving throws against disease and against effects caused by
vermin.
Swarm Walker (Su): Starting at 4th level, you can walk
through any swarm without fear of taking damage or
suffering any ill effects—swarms recognize you as one of
their own. As long as you stand within a swarm, you gain a +4
profane bonus on Initiative checks and on all saving throws.
Dispater, Master of the Iron City
Adapted from the Disciple of Dispater prestige class, from
the Book of Vile Darkness. Cultists of Dispater are most
common in Aramni’s Second Province.
Interests: Domination, Iron, military strategy.
Domain Spells: 1st—bane, 2nd—darkness, 3rd—greater
magic weapon, 4th—rusting grasp, 5th—stoneskin
(“ironskin”), 6th—wall of iron, 7th—summon monster VII
(1d3 erinyes, or 1d4+1 kytons), 8th—iron body, 9th
—imprisonment.
Iron Hews [Reserve] (Su): This functions as does the
Godhammer divine feat, but it can be applied to any iron or
steel weapon.
Iron Power (Ex): Any iron or steel weapon you wield gains
an enhancement bonus equal to +1 per 4 class levels you
possess for as long as you wield it. Starting at 8th level, you
also gain the effects of the Improved Critical feat when
wielding any iron or steel weapon.
Erythnul, The Many
Interests: Ugliness, hate, envy, malice, panic, slaughter.
Domain Spells: 1st—enlarge person, 2nd—scare, 3rd
—rage, 4th—fear, 5th—summon monster V (2d4+1 fiendish
gnolls, 1d4+1 fiendish bugbears, 1d3 fiendish ogres, or 1
fiendish troll), 6th—transformation, 7th—giant form I, 8th
—wrathful castigationMF, 9th—crushing fist of spiteBVD.
Mace of Terror [Strike] (Ex): When wielding Erthnul’s
favored weapon (a stone-headed mace), you gain the effects of
the Daunting Strike feat, using your cleric level in place of
your BAB derived from cleric levels.
Blood Servitors (Sp): Starting at 8th level, once per day
when you are struck in combat, you can cause the drops of
blood you shed to spring up into monsters. This acts as a
Quickened summon monster IV spell (1d4+1 fiendish gnolls
or 1d3 fiendish bugbears).
Thief of Life (Ex): Also at 8th level, you also gain Thief of
Life as a bonus feat. Remember that [Strike] effects cannot
be combined in the same attack, so you cannot use this ability
in conjunction with your mace of terror ability.
Fraz’Urb-Luu
This cult supersedes the Thrall of Fraz-Urb’luu prestige class,
from Dragon magazine (issue 333).
Interests: Deception, illusions, imprisonment.
Domain Spells: 1st—silent image, 2nd—misdirection, 3rd
—glibness, 4th—illusory wall, 5th—seeming, 6th—planar ally
(two skurchur demons), 7th—project image, 8th—trap the
soul, 9th—wish.
Bonded Item (Ex): You gain a staff as a bonded item. This
follows the rules for a generalist wizard’s staff arcane bond.
Deception (Ex): Once per day per four class levels you
possess, you can accomplish any one of the following as a
free action:
Deceptive Magic: Add a +1 profane bonus to the DC of any
illusion spell you cast;
Deceptive Summoning: Deceive a monster summoned by
someone else into believing you are its summoner. This
requires a Concentration check opposed to the
summoner’s.
Deceptive Will: You gain a +4 profane bonus on a single
Will save. If successful, you can make a Perform (acting)
check to convince the caster that you failed the save.
Graz’zt
This cult is based on the Thrall of Graz’zt prestige class from
the Book of Vile Darkness.
Interests: Drow, lamia.
Domain Spells: 1st—charm person, 2nd—mirror image,
3 —deeper darkness, 4th—fear, 5th—dominate person, 6th
rd
—summon monster VI (one fiendish lamia, lamia matriarch,
or succubus; or 1d3 babaus), 7th—disintegrate, 8th—trap the
soul, 9th—gate.
Dark Charisma (Ex): When dealing with evil creatures,
you gain a +1 enhancement bonus to Charisma. This applies
to your skill checks made in interacting with evil creatures,
spells and ability DCs when used against evil creatures, and
so on. The bonus improves by an additional +1 per 2 class
levels after the 1st (maximum +10 at 19th level).
Spell Betrayal (Su): Starting at 4th level, whenever you
cast a damaging spell on targets denied their Dexterity bonus
to AC, you deal an additional +1d6 hp of damage per 4 class
levels you possess. Starting at 8th level, you deal half this
number of dice to any targets being threatened in melee.
Haagenti, The Whispers Within
Interests: Alchemy, invention, transformation.
Obedience: Practice the Divine Experiment by following
the procedure to transmute lead into gold; this process
normally requires a philosopher’s stone, but for this
obedience, you can substitute any material—it’s not the actual
transmutation that functions as obedience, but the act of
going through the motions.
Domain Spells: 1st—enlarge person, 2nd—alter self, 3rd
—beast shape I, 4th—polymorph, 5th—baleful polymorph, 6th
—transformation, 7th—reverse gravity, 8th—polymorph any
object, 9th—shapechange.
Truth in the Flesh (Ex): You gain Arcane Defense
(transmutation) as a bonus feat.
Master of Shapes (Su): At 8th level, you gain the
[shapechanger] subtype. Your body can react instantaneously
to mitigate attacks, granting immunity to critical hits and
sneak attacks (which are treated as normal attacks).
Whenever you are affected by a polymorph effect, you heal
1d6 points of damage per spell level of the effect.
Hextor
Interests: War, discord, conflict, murder.
Obedience: Fight Club-like brawl with other worshippers.
Domain Spells: 1st—murderous commandUM, 2nd—scare
or spiritual weapon, 3rd—girallon’s blessingSS, 4th—black
tentacles, 5th—incite riot, 6th—transformation, 7th—finger of
death, 8th—iron body, 9th—implosion.
Sneak Attack (Ex): At 1st level, you gain sneak attack
+1d6, per the rogue class feature. Your number of sneak
attack dice increases by 1 per 4 class levels you possess
(maximum +6d6 at 20th level). If you have levels in rogue,
your cleric level instead provides Weak synergy to your sneak
attack progression; if you also have the Temple Raider talent,
your cleric levels provide Full synergy instead (this
supersedes the sneak attack synergy from both sources).
Assassination (Ex): At 8th level, you gain Killing Stroke as
a bonus feat, using your cleric or archivist class level in place
of your BAB derived from cleric or archivist levels.
Incabulos
Interests: Plague, famine, drought, nightmares, ill sendings.
Obedience: Weird humming and droning chants, with no
light other than that of black candles.
Domain Spells: 1st—sleep, 2nd—feast of ashesAPG, 3rd—
contagion, 4th—phantasmal killer, 5th—nightmare, 6th
—endless slumberCM, 7th—bestow greater curseCD or
eyebite, 8th—plaguePHII, 9th—weird.
Eye of Possession (Sp): Once per day, you can use Domain Spells: 1st—chill touch, 2nd—bull’s strength, 3rd
hypnotism as a spell-like ability. You gain an additional use —sleet storm, 4th—foebaneCAd, 5th—cone of cold, 6th
per day every 4 class levels thereafter; at 20th level, you can —summon monster VI (1d3 giant fiendish leucrottas, aka
use this ability at will. “hounds of Kostchtchie”), 7th—giant form I, 8th—summon
Nightmare Mount (Su): At 8th level, you gain a nightmare monster VIII (1d3 fiendish frost giants), 9th—polar
steed. This functions similarly to fighter’s Mount talent, in midnightUM.
terms of scaling the mount’s abilities. Inured to Frost (Ex): You gain favored terrain (arctic), as
the ranger class feature of the same name, with a bonus
Juiblex, The Faceless Lord equal to half your class level (minimum +1). If you already
Interests: Oozes, poison, sloth. have this favored terrain, your levels in classes granting that
Obedience: Submerge a small, severed piece of a human ability stack to determine your total bonus.
body in a vial of acid and chant praise to Juiblex as the flesh Rage (Ex): Starting at 4th level, you can rage as a barbarian
dissolves. of level equal the base attack bonus derived from your
Domain Spells: 1st—grease, 2nd—delay poison, 3rd cleric/archivist level (e.g., a 4th level cleric of Kostchtchie
—contagion, 4th—touch of slimeUM, 5th—corrosive
rages as a 3rd level barbarian). This applies to the type of rage
consumptionUM, 6th—conjure black puddingUM, 7th available and the number of rounds of use per day, but does
—destruction, 8th—fluid formAPG, 9th—summon monster IX
not grant you rage powers or any other barbarian class
(1d3 alkilith demons or one omox demon). features. If you have levels in barbarian, your cleric/archivist
Sign of the Faceless Lord (Ex): You gain a +4 profane levels instead provide Strong theurgy towards your rage
bonus on all saving throws against poison and resistance to ability.
acid 5. Lamashtu, Mother of Monsters
Ooze Form (Sp): Starting at 8th level, you can assume the
form of a Medium ooze once per day, as if using beast shape Interests: Madness, monsters, nightmares.
III, but you receive no bonus to natural armor and are Obedience: Engage in a tryst with the sincere intention of
immune to poison, sneak attacks, and critical hits while in being impregnated or impregnating your partner, or sacrifice
ooze form. You can use this ability an additional time per day a creature that has been alive for no more than a week.
per 4 class levels after the 8th. Domain Spells: 1st—lesser confusion, 2nd—touch of
idiocy, 3rd—summon monster III (1d3 fiendish gnolls or 1
Kabriri (Doresain), King of Ghouls fiendish bugbear), 4th—nightmare, 5th—baleful polymorph,
Interests: Ghouls, graves, secrets kept by the dead. 6th—summon monster VI (1d3 lamias or pack of 1d4+1 yeth
Obedience: You must partake of a cannibal feast; the body hounds), 7th—insanity, 8th—symbol of insanity, 9th
—dominate monster.
upon which you feed must either be at least a week old or be Teratoma (Ex): You gain a beneficial deformity. Generally,
eaten while atop a grave. this deformity manifests as a tentacle, tail, claw, or bite that
Domain Spells: 1st—deathwatch, 2nd—ghoul touch, 3rd grants you a secondary natural attack dealing a base 1d6
—speak with dead, 4th—summon undead IV (1d3 fiendish
ghasts), 5th—ghoul gauntletLM, 6th—create undead, 7th damage.
—finger of death, 8th—temporal stasis, 9th—energy drain.
Third Eye (Su): At 4th level, a third eye opens in your
Kiss of the Grave (Ex): You gain a +4 profane bonus on all forehead. This eye grants you darkvision to a range of 60 feet
saving throws against paralysis, poison, and disease. (if you already have darkvision, it extends the range of your
Ghoulish Apotheosis (Ex): Starting at 8th level, the next darkvision by 30 feet) and a +4 profane bonus on Perception
time you die, you rise as a ghoul after 24 hours. Your type checks and Intuition saves.
changes to undead and you lose all previous racial traits and Lolth, Demon Queen of Spiders
racial feats (except small size), replacing them with +2
natural armor, darkvision 60 feet, channel resistance +2, and Interests: Drow, poison, spiders, arachnids.
a ghoul's physical attacks. You do not change your total Hit Obedience: Bind a living creature so only a few key
Dice. If you achieve this boon when you’re already an undead portions of anatomy (such as the belly, mouth, or eyes)
creature, you instead gain a +4 profane bonus to Charisma. remain exposed, allowing you to torment these exposed areas
with needles, tiny knives, or poisonous vermin. During rituals,
Kostchtchie, The Deathless Frost clerics of Lolth are nude or clad in black robes and/or tight
This cult incorporates the Thrall of Kostchtchie prestige class leather.
from Dragon magazine, issue 345. Domain Spells: 1st—animate rope, 2nd—web, 3rd—snare,
Interests: Cold, giants, revenge. 4th—poison, 5th—vermin shape II (spider), 6th—summon
Obedience: Spill the blood of a living creature onto snow- monster VI (yochlol demon), 7th—summon monster VII
covered ground; the creature must remain alive during the (bebelith or fiendish drider), 8th—maze, 9th—reach (close
entire obedience, and must die within a minute of the range) temporal stasis.
obedience’s end. Command Arachnids (Su): At 1st level, you gain a limited
form of the druid’s Mark of the Wild ability, but using your
Knowledge (the planes) skill in place of Handle Animal, and it
affects only vermin (spiders and other arachnoid creatures,
including fiendish or demonic ones). Unallocated leadership
potential can be used to spontaneously summon monster
(arachnoids and demons only).
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Malcanthet, The Succubus Queen
This cult supersedes the Thrall of Malcanthet prestige class,
from Dragon magazine (issue 353).
Interests: Lust, succubi, torture.
Domain Spells: 1st—charm person, 2nd—sanctuary, 3rd—
touch range energy drain (typically by kiss), 4th—charm
monster, 5th—dominate person, 6th—summon monster VI
(succubus), 7th—summon monster VII (dubbuk), 8th
—demand, 9th—dominate monster.
Dominating Voice (Su): You receive a +1 profane bonus
on Bluff and Diplomacy checks, and on the save DCs of an
language-dependent spells or spell-like abilities you use. This
bonus increases by +1 per 5 class levels you possess.
Profane Beauty (Su): At 4th level and above, when not
wearing armor or using a shield, you gain a deflection bonus
to AC equal to your Charisma modifier.
Mephistopheles
Adapted from the Disciple of Mephistopheles prestige class,
from the Book of Vile Darkness. Cultists of Mephistopheles
are most common in Aramni’s Eighth Province.
Interests: Fire, cold, scheming, horned devils.
Domain Spells: 1st—command, 2nd—scorching ray, 3rd
—suggestion, 4th—fire shield, 5th—hellfireBVD, 6th—cone of
cold, 7th—hellfire stormBVD, 8th—summon monster VIII
(barbed devil), 9th—summon monster IX (1 ice devil or 1d3
barbed devils).
Hellfire Grasp [Reserve] (Su): You gain a touch attack
dealing 1d6 fire damage per level of the highest-level domain
[fire] or Cultist domain spell you have prepared. You can use
this ability as a [strike] effect in conjunction with unarmed or
weapon attacks.
Body of Flame (Su): Starting at 8th level, you can
transform your body into flame for up to 1 round per class
level per day (these rounds need not be consecutive, but each
activation requires a standard action). This functions as
elemental body II, and creatures hitting you with natural
weapons or unarmed attacks take 2d6 points of fire damage
and also catch fire unless they succeed at a Reflex save (DC
15).
Mormo, Mother of Witches
Interests: Cruelty, deception, hags.
Obedience: Perform an act of cruelty upon a nonbeliever
after spending an hour observing the nonbeliever—preferably
from a vantage unknown by the victim. This act must, at the
very least, incite the victim to tears or anger.
Domain Spells: 1st—disguise self, 2nd—misdirection, 3rd
—bestow curse, 4th—fear, 5th—baleful polymorph, 6th
—eyebite, 7th—summon monster VII (1d4+1 will-o’-the-
wisps), 8th—greater bestow curse, 9th—wail of the banshee.
Witch’s Cunning (Ex): You gain Arcane Defense (illusions)
as a bonus feat.
Elder’s Grace (Ex): At 8th level, you immediately age into
the next age category, taking all of the appropriate bonuses to
mental ability scores without any of the penalties to physical
ability scores. If you are venerable when you achieve the
boon, you die and become a ghost. Any illusion effect you
create gains a +2 profane bonus to the save DC.
Orcus, Prince of the Undead
Orcus, Prince of the Undead
This cult draws from both the Pathfinder demonic obedience
and from the Thrall of Orcus prestige class from the Book of
Vile Darkness.
Interests: Necromancy, undead, wrath.
Obedience: Grind a half-pound of bones from the skeleton
of a sentient creature, mix with water to create a gray paste,
and then eat it at the end of a long recitation of prayers to
Orcus.
Domain Spells: 1st—detect undead, 2nd—command
undead, 3rd—vampiric touch, 4th—summon undead IV (allip,
shadow, or zombie ogre), 5th—overland flight (demon wings),
6th—summon undead VI (1 wraith, 1d3 wights, or 1d4+1
shadows), 7th—finger of death, 8th—summon undead VII (1
fiendish morgh or 1d3 bodaks or spectres), 9th—summon
undead IX (1 nightwing or 1d3 devourers).
Carrion Stench (Ex): As a free action, you can emit the
reek of carrion in a 10-ft. radius; those within (other than you)
must save vs. Fortitude or be sickened for 1 round per class
level you possess. You may use this ability a number of
rounds per day equal to your Charisma modifier; these need
not be consecutive.
Pallor of Death (Su): Starting at 8th level, as a standard
action you can adopt the appearance of a humanoid undead
creature of your size, as if using an alter self spell. While
using this ability, you radiate an aura of fear in a radius equal
to 5 ft. per 4 class levels you possess. You can use this ability
for a number of minutes per day equal to half your class level;
these need not be consecutive, but each use counts as at least
one minute.
Pazuzu, King of the Wind Demons
Interests: Sky, temptation, winged creatures.
Obedience: String up the intestines of a freshly killed
creature somewhere that will attract the attention of hungry
birds (such as the branches of a tree or the crenellations of a
tower), then meditate on the offering.
Domain Spells: 1st—charm person, 2nd—enthrall, 3rd
—fly, 4th—charm monster, 5th—magic jar, 6th—mass
suggestion, 7th—creeping doom (appears as a breath
weapon), 8th—summon monster VIII (1d3 vrock demons), 9th
—dominate monster (winged creatures only).
Temptation (Ex): You gain a +2 profane bonus on Bluff
and Diplomacy checks made to convince a creature to
perform an action against its nature. When casting a spell
from the school of Enchantment, you gain a +1 profane bonus
to the spell’s DC, and +2 profane bonus to penetrate spell
resistance.
Winged Avatar (Sp): Starting at 8th level, you can assume
the form of a winged creature at will, as if by a beast shape I
spell. This ability improves to beast shape II at 10th level,
beast shape III at 12th, beast shape IV or swarm skin at 14th
level, form of the dragon II at 16th level, and form of the
dragon III at 18th level.

Wastri, The Hopping Prophet
As described in the 1st edition World of Greyhawk
gazetteer, cultists of Wastri often multiclass into monk,
taking the Sacred Fist sutra.
Interests: Amphibians, bigotry, bullywugs, human
supremacy and extermination of demi-humans (dwarves,
elves, etc.), self-deception, swamps.
Obedience: Drown a living creature in swamp water (or at
the very least, in muddy water), then impale the dead body on
a sharp branch so wild creatures can feast on it. After
impaling the creature, you must spend the rest of your
obedience meditating on the sound of fluid dripping from its
sodden body.
Domain Spells: 1st—jump, 2nd—personal barkskin
(“warty skin”), 3rd—summon monster III (fiendish giant toad),
4th—confusion (verbal component is a croak), 5th—insect
plague, 6th—bestow greater curseCD (warts causing -6 Cha
and lose action 50%), 7th—summon monster VII (1 mogobo
or 1d4+1 fiendish glacier toads), 8th—summon monster VII
(1 hezrou or 1d3 fiendish dire crocodiles), 9th—summon
monster IX (fiendish froghemoth).
Swamper’s Boon (Ex): You gain favored terrain (swamps),
as the ranger class feature of the same name, with a bonus
equal to half your class level (minimum +1). If you already
have this favored terrain, your levels in classes granting that
ability stack to determine your total bonus.
Superior Summoning (Su): At 4th level, when you use a
summon monster spell, there is a 50% chance an additional
creature of the same type is summoned. When you cast a
Heightened summon monster spell to summon a variable
number of creatures, the chance is 100%. This ability
emulates the feat of the same name from Ultimate Magic,
and supersedes the bullywug’s summoning racial trait from
Monsters of Faerun.
Xoveron, The Horned Prince
Interests: Gargoyles, gluttony, ruins.
Obedience: Perch atop a high outcrop and look out over
the surrounding terrain. If the outcrop is in an inhabited area
(such as a city), no passersby should realize you are a living
thing—any who do must be slain before the hour’s end.
Domain Spells: 1st—sanctuary, 2nd—shatter, 3rd
—vampiric touch, 4th—stoneskin, 5th—summon monster V
(1d3 fiendish gargoyles), 6th—summon monster VI (nabasu),
7th—statue, 8th—heightened finger of death, 9th—wail of the
banshee.
Gargoyle’s Gift (Ex): You gain a +4 profane bonus on
saving throws against effects that cause sickness, nausea,
fatigue, or exhaustion.
Glutton’s Feast (Sp): Starting at 8th level, you can cast
heroes’ feast once per day. The food created by this effect
consists of raw or rotting meat and rancid milk; it can be
consumed and take effect in only 1 minute. Non-worshipers
of Xoveron must make a Fortitude save to avoid being
sickened by the feast for 6 hours (though all other benefits of
the feast still apply).
Zuggtmoy, Demon Queen of Fungi
Zuggtmoy, Demon Queen of Fungi
This cult supersedes the Thrall of Zuggtmoy prestige class
from Dragon magazine, issue 337.
Interests: Fungi, molds, putrescence.
Obedience: Drink putrid alcohol distilled from strange
fungi during a 1-hour ceremony.
Domain Spells: 1st—entangle, 2nd—tree (fungus) shape,
3rd—fungal infestationUM, 4th—summon monster IV
(fiendish fungal crawler, phantom fungus, phycomid, or violet
fungus), 5th—memory rotMF or spore cloakRF, 6th—summon
monster VI (fiendish rot grub swarm or 1d3 fiendish
ascomids), 7th—destruction, 8th—control plants, 9th
—shambler.
Infestation (Ex): You become infested with abyssal spores
and fungoid parasites, imposing a –4 penalty on Diplomacy
checks with civilized humanoids. However, you gain
Toughness as a bonus feat. You are immune to effects that
normally cause the sickened condition; effects that would
normally cause nausea make you sickened instead.
Zuggtmoy’s Embrace (Su): At 8th level, your type changes
to Plant. You are immune to disease, mind-affecting spells
and effects, nausea, poison, sickness, and sleep. However,
your penalty to Diplomacy checks from your infestation
increases to –8.
Zura, The Vampire Queen
Interests: Blood, cannibalism, vampires.
Obedience: Drink some of the blood of a willing creature,
and allow the same creature to drink some of your own blood.
Alternatively, you can feed on the flesh of a creature of your
own race until you are full.
Domain Spells: 1st—deathwatch, 2nd—spider climb, 3rd
—fangs of the vampire kingLM, 4th—summon monster IV
(1d4+1 fiendish wolves), 5th—dominate person, 6th—create
undead or summon undead VI (1d3 vampire spawn), 7th
—undead anatomy IV (vampire), 8th—blood mistUM, 9th
—energy drain.
Zura’s Favor (Ex): You gain a +4 profane bonus on all
saving throws against the spells, spell-like abilities, and
supernatural abilities of undead creatures.
Blood is Life (Su): Starting at 8th level, once per day as a
full-round action, you may drink the blood of a creature that
has been dead for no more than an hour to gain the benefits
of heroes’ feast and death knell. The blood imbibed must
come from a creature with a minimum CR of your character
level –2.
Druid
…they escaped them in the shapes of deer near the Bonus Languages: A druid automatically knows Ogham
standing stones at Lia Mor in the north. For though they were (“Druidic”), a secret language known only to druids, which is
known as the ‘Mellifluous Harpers’, they were druids, men of taught to all aspirant druids. Ogham is a free language for a
great cunning and great power of augury and magic. druid; that is, you know it in addition to your regular
―Táin Bó Cúalnge, Joseph Dunn (translator), 1914 allotment of languages and it doesn't take up a language slot.
This version of the druid also supersedes the Spirit Druids are forbidden to teach this language to non-druids.
Shaman (Complete Divine) and the Greenbond (from Arcana Ogham has its own alphabet. Druids with high Intelligence
Unearthed, Malhavoc Press). Examples include Cathbhadh, scores can choose Sylvan as one of their bonus languages, in
Mogh Roith, Amergin, and other druids from Irish legend, as addition to the bonus languages available to the character
well as Thomas Hengwr (from Charles deLint’s Moonheart), because of his or her race.
the Voth brothers (from Manley Wade Wellman’s The Old Favored Class: When gaining a level of druid as a favored
Gods Waken), Zogar Sag (from Robert E. Howard’s “Beyond class, rather than choosing +1 hp or skill point, you can
the Black River”), and the Brotherhood of the Eleventh instead choose one of the following options:
Commandment (from Sterling Lanier’s Hiero’s Journey).
Bonded Companion: One animal companion (if any) gains
Table 1: The Druid Hit Dice: d8 +1 hp and +1 skill point each time you select this option.
Class Spell Energy Resistance: You gain energy resistance 1 against
Level Attack Bonus Capacity Special acid, cold, electricity, fire, or sonics. Each time you selects
1st +0 1st Detect spirits, mark of the
this option, increase your resistance to one of these
wild, wild speech energy types by 1.
2nd +1 2nd Favored terrain
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Druids have the
3rd +2 3rd Bonus spell, resist nature’s following weapon proficiencies:
lure
4th +3 4th Druidical initiation
Simple proficiency with the cutlass, dagger, dart, great
club, guisarme, hand axe, hunting blowgun, light flail, long
5th +3 5th ― spear, spear, staff sling, and tonfa;
6th +4 6th Initiate ability Martial proficiency with the bolas, boomerang, heavy club,
7th +5 7th ― light club (ranged option), light hammer, quarterstaff,
8th +6/+1 8th Initiate ability
scimitar, scythe, short bow, short spear, sickle, and sling;
9th +6/+1 9th ― Proficiency with all natural attacks (claw, bite, and so
10th 10th
forth) of any form they assume with wild shape (see
+7/+2 Initiate ability below).
11th +8/+3 11th ―
12th +9/+4 12th Initiate ability Druids are proficient with light and medium armor but are
13th +9/+4 13th ―
prohibited from wearing metal armor; thus, they may wear
only padded, leather, or hide armor. A druid may also wear
14th +10/+5 14th Initiate ability wooden armor that has been altered by the ironwood spell so
15th +11/+6/+6 15th ― that it functions as though it were steel (Chapter 6). Druids
have simple proficiency with shields but must use only those
16th +12/+7/+7 16th Timeless body crafted from wood. A druid who wears prohibited armor or
17th +12/+7/+7 17th ― uses a prohibited shield is unable to cast druid spells or use
18th +13/+8/+8 18th Master of all terrains
any of her supernatural or spell-like class abilities while doing
so and for 24 hours thereafter.
19th +14/+9/+9 19th Hierophant Druids can “trade in” one or more proficiencies, as follows:
20th +15/+10/+10 20th Numinous hierophant Canny Defense (Ex): You can choose to give up all armor
and shield proficiencies in exchange for the Canny
Saving Throws: Druids gain a +2 class bonus to Fortitude Defense feat.
and Intuition saves.
Bonus Skills: All druids automatically receive one free
rank per class level in Concentration, Handle Animal, and
Planar Sense. These are otherwise treated as a class skills,
but do not count against your total number of skill points.
Class Skills: Athletics, Craft (all), Fly, Heal, Knowledge
(all), Perception, Profession (all), Spellcraft, Survival.
Skill Ranks per Level: 2 + Int modifier.

Oakheart Brother (Ex): You can choose to take oaths
against the use of all weapons other than the quarterstaff,
light club, heavy club, natural attacks, and unarmed
attacks (the penalties for violating these oaths are the
same as for wearing prohibited armor). In exchange, you
gain Exotic proficiency with the quarterstaff or heavy club
(your choice). The Oak Brother option is from The
Quintessential Druid (Mongoose Publishing).
Spellcasting: A druid casts prepared divine spells which
are drawn from the druid spell list. Your casting attribute is
Wisdom. You require a focus (analogous to a cleric’s holy
symbol) to cast spells; traditionally this is a sprig of mistletoe
you personally harvest on Midsummer's Eve with a gold or
silver sickle, catching the cuttings in a golden bowl before
they touch the ground. Other foci are permissible.
You must spend 1 hour each day in a trance-like meditation
on the mysteries of nature to regain your daily allotment of
spells. You may prepare and cast any spell on the druid spell
list in the Core Rulebook, provided that you can cast spells of
that level, but you must choose which spells to prepare during
your daily meditation. Druids can learn spells from other
sources, but such spells generally must be learned from
distant sects, and they count against the character’s personal
numen (Chapter 6) as if they were scrolls being kept on hand.
Add the following to the druid’s list of class spells; they are
treated as if they were on the druid spells list in the Core
Rulebook; non-core sources (indicated by superscripts) are
cited in Chapter 7.
0 Level: ghost sound, ignite, predict weatherAUG.
1st level: detect evil (etc.), detect undead, protection from
evil (etc.).
2nd level: augury, charm person, sleep of the deadRR.
3rd level: beast shape I.
4th level: beast shape II, bestow curse, charm monster,
hallucinatory terrain, lesser geas.
5th level: beast shape III.
6th level: beast shape IV, flesh to stone, geas, shadow
walk.
7th Level: bestow greater curseCD, plane shift (elemental,
shadow, faerie, etc.), sequester.
9th level: etherealness.
Bonus Spells: Unless otherwise noted, a druid’s bonus 1st
and 2nd level spells (see Spellcasting Table 1 in Chapter 7)
can be any spells of the appropriate level from the druid class
list. Bonus spells of 3rd level and above are determined by the
druid’s initiation instead (see below).
Green Faith: When you cast spells that deal damage,
channel negative energy, or otherwise use abilities that harm
life, they do not hurt normal or magical plants. Plant
creatures are not protected by this feat, but plants that grow
or are created as a result of magic are. This supersedes the
Green Faith Acolyte feat from the Pathfinder Campaign
Setting.
Variant Druids: At 1st level, you may choose to cast
spontaneously instead of preparing your spells; once made,
this choice cannot be changed.
Detect Spirits (Sp): You can detect spirits (incorporeal
creatures, fey, elementals, nature spirits, oni, outsiders, and
creatures in astral or ethereal form or with astral or ethereal
bodies) at will. Most natural features (trees, rivers, rock
formations, etc.) have one or more nature spirits (kami)
associated with them; in general, the larger and more
imposing the feature, the stronger the spirit. The amount of
information revealed depends on how long you study a
particular area.
1st Round: Presence or absence of spirits.
2nd Round: Number of spirits and the strength of the
strongest present. If a spirit’s strength is overwhelming
(see below), and the spirit has HD of at least twice your
character level, you are stunned for 1 round and the effect
ends.
3rd Round: The strength and location of each spirit. If a
spirit is outside your line of sight, then you discern its
direction but not its exact location.
Aura Strength: The strength of spirit is determined by its
HD, as given on Table 2.
Lingering Aura: A spirit’s presence lingers after the spirit
departs or is destroyed. If the detect spirits ability is directed
at such a location, the spell indicates an aura strength of dim
(even weaker than a faint aura). How long the aura lingers at
this dim level depends on its original power, as given on Table
2.
Each round, you can detect spirits in a new area. The spell
can penetrate barriers, but 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common
metal, a thin sheet of lead, or 3 feet of wood or dirt blocks it.
This ability supersedes the Spirit Shaman class feature of the
same name (Complete Divine), and also the Greenbond’s
“percipience” class feature (from Arcana Evolved, Malhavoc
Press) and the Menhir Savant’s spirit sense ability (from
Ultimate Magic).
TABLE 2: SPIRIT AURAS
(or) Lingering
Feature Scale
Creature
HD
Aura
Aura Strength Duration
Tree, pond, boulder, 1 or less Faint 1d6
etc. rounds
Copse, grove, hill, 2-4 Moderate 1d6
outcrop, etc. minutes
Forest, lake, river, 5-10 Strong 1d6 x 10
mountain, etc. minutes
Sea, mountain range, 11+ Overwhelming 1d6 days
etc.
Mark of the Wild (Su): Wild things recognize you as one
of their own. You gain leadership potential as if from the
Leadership feat (Chapter 5), but using your Handle Animal
skill in place of Diplomacy. You can retain followers and/or a
cohort (ignoring the 6-rank minimum requirement) of the
Animal, Plant, or Fey type. If you have less than 5 ranks in
Handle Animal, the maximum CR of your animal cohort is as
follows:
 Skill Ranks Maximum CR
Link (Ex): You can handle your animal companion as a
free action, or push it as a move action, even if you don't
1 ½ have any ranks in Handle Animal. The animal learns a
2 1 number of additional tricks equal to 1 + 1 per 3 ranks in
Handle Animal you possess. You gain a +4 circumstance
3 1 bonus on Handle Animal checks made regarding a
4 2 bonded companion.
5+ No. of ranks -3 Share Spells (Ex): You may cast a spell with a target of
“You” on your animal companion (as a spell with a range
Any animals you retain in this manner also gain the of touch) instead of on yourself. You may cast spells on
Bonded Companion template (see below). You can apply your animal companion even if the spells normally do not
other templates (Giant, Advanced, Young, etc.) and/or class affect creatures of the companion's type (animal). This
levels in order to fine-tune the CR of specific ability does not allow the animal to share abilities that are
followers/cohorts; treat awakened (as the spell) as a +1 CR not spells, even if they function like spells.
template. You can also choose to advance your companion(s) Evasion (Ex): If you have at least 3 ranks in Handle
by racial hit dice, at a rate of +1 CR per 2 additional HD (the Animal, your bonded companion gains Evasion (as the
animal gains an additional +1 bonus to natural armor per 3 rogue class feature of the same name). At 15th level, this
additional hit dice). This supersedes the Core druid’s animal improves to Improved Evasion.
companion nature’s bond.
You can gain and release followers (except your cohort) Devotion (Ex): If you have at least 6 ranks in Handle
gained through this ability at will, although it requires a Animal, your bonded companion gains Arcane Defense
successful Handle Animal check (per “befriending an (enchantment) as a bonus feat.
animal”) to establish control over new followers.
If you still have potential left over after assigning followers, Multiattack: If you have at least 9 ranks in Handle Animal,
you can perform the following: your bonded companion gains Multiattack as a bonus feat
Wild Empathy (Su): Any time you are faced with animals, if it has three or more natural attacks and does not already
fey, lycanthropes, magical beasts, plants, and/or vermin of have that feat. If it does not have the requisite three or
total encounter level (EL) less than your remaining potential, more natural attacks, the animal companion instead gains
these beings must succeed at a Will save (DC 10 + your iterative attacks with one of its natural weapons as its
Handle Animal bonus) or be unable to attack you. Those that BAB allows, albeit with the normal -5 penalty.
are magically controlled use the controller’s Will save instead.
This ability does not require an action on your part, but does Wild Speech (Sp): As you gain experience, you learn to
require you to keep track of your unallocated potential, inform speak with the spirits. You gain the following suite of spell-
the referee of the amount, and make sure he or she applies like abilities (as per Racial Spell-Like Abilities in Chapter 7):
the effect against the correct number/CR of creatures. If 1st—speak with animals, 2nd—speak with verminWotC, 3rd
more creatures are potentially attacking you than can be —speak with plants, 4th—tongues, 5th—commune with
affected, you decide the order in which the effect is to be nature, 6th—stone tell, 7th—speak with woodUM, 8th—speak
applied. with anythingMW. These powers all have a range of
Spontaneous Summons (Sp): If you have sufficient “personal.”
potential, you can spontaneously cast summon nature’s ally Favored Terrain (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, you gain one
spells, as if from the Spontaneous Spell feat. The spell levels favored terrain (see Ranger class for details). Your favored
you can spontaneously cast depends on the minimum terrain bonus is equal to half your class level, but you do not
amount of unallocated potential you have remaining: automatically gain additional favored terrains as a ranger
Spontaneous Spell Minimum CR Available does. If you have levels in Ranger, your druid levels instead
provide Full synergy with your ranger levels for purposes of
Summon nature’s ally I ½ determining your number of favored terrains and their
Summon nature’s ally I-II 1 bonuses.
Resist Nature's Lure (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, you gain a
Summon nature’s ally I-III 2 +4 bonus on saving throws against the extraordinary, spell-
Summon nature’s ally I-IV 4 like, and supernatural abilities of animals, elementals, fey,
Summon nature’s ally I-V 5 and plants. This bonus also applies to spells and effects that
utilize or target plants, such as blight, entangle, spike growth,
Summon nature’s ally I-VI 7 and warp wood. Note that certain initiations (see below) add
Summon nature’s ally I-VII 9 other creature types as well.
Druidical Initiation (Su): At 4th level, you become initiated
Summon nature’s ally I-VIII 11 into the deeper mysteries of nature. Choose one of the
Summon nature’s ally I-IX 13 options described in Appendix A. Each of these initiations
provides an initial ability at 4th level, and improvements
BONDED COMPANION (TEMPLATE) CR +0 and/or additional abilities at 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th, and 14th
A bonded companion gains the following abilities, based on levels. They also determine your bonus spells, as noted above.
your number of ranks in Handle Animal:
Timeless Body (Ex): After attaining 16th level, you stop
ageing. You no longer take attribute score penalties for aging,
cannot be magically aged, and will not die of old age. Any age
penalties you may have already incurred, however, remain in
place.
Master of All Terrains (Ex): Starting at 18th level, all
natural terrains are treated as favored terrains for you with a
+2 bonus (your existing favored terrain bonus is not affected).
In addition, the following planar terrains are considered
favored terrains: Astral, Ethereal, Elemental (all), Faerie,
Shadow. Specific planes included in the campaign that fit this
general motif, such as the Beastlands, should be treated as
favored terrains (+2) as well.
Hierophant (Sp): At 19th level, your insights into nature
have superseded the normal limitations on druidical magic.
You gain one of the Hierophant abilities described below.
Numinous Hierophant: At 20th level, you come into the
full power of your druidical initiation, as described below.
Hierophant Abilities
The most common hierophant abilities are summarized in
the table below and described thereafter. Other abilities can
be added at the referee’s discretion.
Ability Name Description
Bonus Feat Gain bonus feat
Freedom of Continuous supernatural effect
Movement
Hollow Hill Permanent magnificent mansion
Gain 10th level spell slot
Improved Spell
Capacity
Mastery of Change energy types freely
Elements
Mastery of Shaping Leave gaps in area of effect
Mind over Matter Substitute Wis modifier for others
One with Nature Commune with nature freely
Powerful Shape Larger form in wild shape
Reach Spells Use touch spells as 30-ft. rays
Spell Power +1 to effective caster level
Unimpeded Magic Your spells function normally on
other planes
Bonus Feat: You can select a bonus feat in place of the
special ability. You must meet all prerequisites normally.
Freedom of Movement (Su): You have perpetual freedom
of movement, as the spell, except this is an supernatural
ability that cannot be dispelled.
Hollow Hill (Su): Upon gaining this ability, designate one
doorway: a tree, a spot on a rock wall, a ring of standing
stones, a circle of toadstools, or whatever. That doorway
becomes the opening to a permanent, Widened (2x
dimensions) magnificent mansion spell, with you as the
caster.
Improved Spell Capacity (Sp): You gain one spell slot per
day of any level up to one level higher than the highest-level
spell you can already cast (which can be used to hold lower-
level spells or spells whose level has been increased beyond
9th by the application of metamagic feats). You must have a
Wisdom score of at least 20 in order to prepare a 10th level
spell. If you have a high enough ability modifier to gain one or
more bonus spells for this spell level, you also gain the bonus
spells for this spell level. This supersedes the feat of the same
name from the 3.5 edition System Reference Document
(“Epic Feats”).
Mastery of Elements (Sp): You can alter a divine spell
when cast so that it utilizes a different element from the one
it normally uses. This ability can only alter a spell with the
acid, cold, fire, electricity, or sonic descriptor. The spell’s
casting time is unaffected. You decide whether to alter the
spell’s energy type, and choose the new energy type when you
begin casting.
Mastery of Shaping (Sp): You can alter area and effect
spells that use one of the following shapes: burst, cone,
cylinder, emanation, or spread. The alteration consists of
creating spaces within the spell’s area or effect that are not
subject to the spell. The minimum dimension for these
spaces is a 5-foot cube.
Furthermore, any shapeable spells have a minimum
dimension of 5 feet instead of 10 feet. Spells cast in this way
always have a somatic component that you must perform,
even if this would not otherwise be the case (for spells
normally without one, or by using a Stilled spell or having a
familiar to perform the somatic component for you).
Mind Over Matter (Ex): You can use your knowledge of
the secrets of nature to gain an advantage in situations that
usually demand some other faculty. Any time you would
normally use some other attribute modifier (attribute check,
skill check, attack and damage rolls, CMB, etc.), you may
instead apply your Wisdom modifier as an insight bonus. For
example, to force open a stuck door, you can make a Wisdom
check to understand the disposition of the departed spirits of
the wood of the door, and therefore more easily open it than
by making a Strength check. This mimics the Magister class
feature of the same name, from Arcana Unearthed (Malhavoc
Press).
One with Nature (Sp): As a standard action, you can use
commune with nature as a spell-like ability a number of times
per day equal to your Wisdom bonus. This ability supersedes
the Archdruid class feature of the same name, from The
Quintessential Druid (Mongoose Publishing).
Powerful Shape (Su): Choose one form into which you
can wild shape. When taking this form, add the Giant simple
template as well. This ability supersedes the feat of the same
name from Mythic Adventures.
Reach Spells (Su): You can use spells with a range of
touch on a target up to 30 feet away. Spells cast in this way
always have a somatic component that you must perform,
even if this would not otherwise be the case (for spells
normally without one, or by using a Stilled spell or having a
familiar to perform the somatic component for you). You must
make a ranged touch attack.
Spell Power (Ex): This ability increases your effective
caster level by +1 (for purposes of concentration, penetrating
SR, dispelling and counterspelling DCs, and determining
level-dependent spell variables such as damage or range). You
do not gain new spells known or spells per day.
Unimpeded Magic (Su): Your spells function normally on all
planes except those that are dead-magic, without the need to
succeed at Spellcraft checks to alter them, or to prepare them
specifically to suit the conditions of those planes. This ability
supersedes the wizard substitution feature of the same name,
from the Planar Handbook.
Appendix A: Druidical
Initiations
Note: It is possible to acquire abilities from more than one
initiation. Abilities gained in initiations other than your
primary one (i.e., the one chosen at 4th level) are always at
least one “step” lower than the initiation you would have
gained by continuing in your primary initiation. For example,
a 14th level druid could gain, at best, a 12th level initiate
ability from a different initiation. Abilities that are
improvements of lower “step” abilities cannot be gained
unless the relevant lower-step abilities are gained first. For
example, you cannot take the greater wild shape ability
unless you already have wild shape and improved wild shape.
Unless otherwise noted, the save DC against initiate
abilities and druidic feats that allow a saving throw is equal to
10 + half your class level + your Charisma modifier.
Animal Shaman
This variant druid is from the Advanced Player’s Guide. Each
animal shaman selects a single totem animal, which provides
spiritual guidance. The types described here are those listed
in the APG and in Ultimate Combat; others may be allowed
at the referee’s discretion.
Initiate Spells: Upon choosing this initiation, you gain
Domain Access (as the feat) to either the Animal domain or
one domain associated with your totem animal, as follows:
Ape: Community, Fury, Strength;
Bat: Air, Animal, Darkness, Trickery;
Bear: Earth, Protection, Strength;
Boar: Destruction, Protection, Strength;
Eagle: Air, Nobility, Weather;
Lion: Glory, Nobility, Sun;
Serpent: Charm, Trickery, Water;
Wolf: Community, Liberation, Travel.
Your initiate bonus spells are drawn from the appropriate
domain list.
Resist Nature’s Lure (Ex): Add magical beasts to the
creature types listed.
Totem Transformation (Su): At 4th level, you can adopt an
aspect of your totem animal while retaining your normal
form. While using totem transformation, you may speak
normally. Using this ability is a standard action at 4th level, a
move action at 8th level, and a swift action at 12th level. You
can use this ability for a number of minutes per day equal to
your class level. These minutes do not need to be consecutive,
but they must be used in 1-minute increments. This is a
[polymorph] effect and cannot be used while you are using
another polymorph effect (such as wild shape). While under a
totem transformation, you gain one bonus appropriate to your
animal type:
Ape: Movement (climb speed 20 ft., +4 racial bonus on
Climb checks), senses (low-light vision, scent), natural
weapons (2 slams [1d6 for a Medium druid], +2 on combat
maneuver checks to grapple), or toughness (+2 natural
armor bonus to AC, +2 to Endurance checks).
Bat: Movement (fly speed 30 ft. [average]; you must be at
least 6th level to select this bonus), natural weapons (bite
[1d4 for a Medium shaman]), or senses (blindsense 20 ft.).
Bear: Movement (+10 enhancement bonus to land speed,
+4 racial bonus on Swim checks); senses (low-light vision,
scent); natural armor (+2); or natural weapons: bite (1d6)
and 2 claws (1d4) for a Medium shaman, +2 to CMB on
grapple checks.
Boar: Movement (+10 enhancement bonus to land speed),
senses (low-light vision, scent), natural weapons (gore
[1d8 for a Medium druid], +2 on combat maneuver checks
to overrun), or +2 natural armor bonus to AC.
Eagle: Movement (fly speed 30 feet (average); senses (low-
light vision, +4 racial bonus to Perception); or natural
weapons: bite (1d4), 2 talons (1d4) for a Medium shaman.
Lion: Movement (+20 enhancement bonus to land speed);
senses (low-light vision, scent); or natural weapons: bite
(1d4), 2 claws (1d4) for a Medium druid, rake, +2 CMB to
grapple.
Serpent: Movement (climb speed 20 feet, swim speed 20
feet); scales (+2 natural armor bonus to AC); senses (low-
light vision, scent); or natural weapons: bite (1d4), poison
(Con-based DC, 1 Con/rd. for 6 rounds, cure 1 save), +2
CMB to grapple.
Wolf: Movement (+20 enhancement bonus to land speed);
senses (low-light vision, scent, +4 racial bonus to Survival
when tracking by scent); or natural weapons: bite (1d4
plus trip) for a Medium druid, +2 CMB to trip.
Totemic Summons (Sp): Also starting at 4th level, you can
cast summon nature’s ally as a standard action when
summoning animals appropriate to your totem, and these
summoned totem animals gain temporary hit points equal to
your druid class level.
Wild Shape (Su): As per the Wild Shaper ability of the same
name (q.v.), except you gain this ability at 6th level, rather than
4th, and you can wild shape only into a form that matches that
of your totem animal. You gain improved wild shape at 8th
level and greater wild shape at 10th.
Bonus Feats: An animal shaman receives bonus feats at
10th, 12th, and 14th levels. These feats must be drawn from
the list corresponding to the animal shaman’s totem, as
follows:
Animal Bonus Feat Choices
Ape Animal Devotion (ape’s fury), Improved Grapple,
Great Fortitude, Toughness
Bat Blind-Fight, Improved Initiative, Lightning
Reflexes, Skill Focus (Perception)
Bear Fast Recovery, Great Fortitude, Skill Focus
(Endurance), Toughness
Boar Diehard, Great Fortitude, Iron Will, Vital Strike
Eagle Animal Devotion (hawk’s flight), Lightning
Reflexes, Skill Focus (Perception), Wind Stance
Lion Animal Devotion (cheetah’s sprint), Lunge,
Skirmish, Iron Will
Serpent Animal Devotion (serpent’s strike), Combat
Expertise, Deep Intuition, Improved Feint
Wolf Dodge, Improved Trip, Skill Focus (Endurance).
Skirmish
Numinous Hierophant (Su): At will as a standard action,
you can command or rebuke animals as an evil cleric or
archivist with the Command Undead feat commands undead.
Arcane Hierophant
This option is intended to allow viable multiclassing between
the druid class and an arcane spellcasting class, along the
lines of the prestige class of the same name in Races of the
Wild. The Geomancer (q.v.) also presents a similar option.
Prerequisite: 1 level in an arcane spellcasting class.
Initiate Spells: Bonus spells are gained according to those
for your arcane spellcasting class.
Spell Theurgy (Ex): Starting at 4th level, ignore your druid
spellcasting progression. Instead, your druid level advances
your arcane spellcasting ability (for purposes of determining
your caster level, spells known, spells per day, and bonus
spells), according to the “Strong” column for theurgy in
Spellcasting Table 3 in Chapter 7. For example, a wizard
6/druid (arcane hierophant) 6 would prepare and cast spells
as a 10th level wizard, with access to the druid and wizard
spell lists. The maximum level of arcane spells you can
access is equal to your arcane casting class level, however, so
that a druid 12/wizard 6 has a spell capacity of 16th, but can
cast only 0 – 6th level arcane spells. This limitation does not
apply to bonus (initiate) spells, which are always those
appropriate to the arcane casting class.
Armored Caster (Ex): Starting at 6th level, when wearing
any form of armor (or using a shield) permitted to druids (see
above), you suffer no arcane spellcasting failure chance from
that armor and/or shield.
Channel Animal (Sp): Starting at 8th level, twice per day
you can establish a magical conduit between yourself and a
single animal that you touch (including an animal companion
and/or familiar, if applicable). For each use of this ability, a
single spell with a range of touch or greater can originate
from the animal instead of from you, provided you have a line
of sight and effect from you to the animal. The spell’s line of
effect then extends from the animal to the target, based on
the senses of the animal. If the spell has a range of touch, the
animal is considered to be holding the charge, once the spell
has been cast. For every 2 class levels beyond the 8th, you can
use this ability an additional time per day.
Channel Plant (Sp): As channel animal (q.v.), but the
conduit extends from you to a single plant. For non-animated
plants, use your senses to extend the line of effect from the
plant to the target; touch spells are discharged when the plant
conduit is touched. Plant creatures are entitled to a Will save
to resist the effects. You gain 1 daily use of this ability at 10th
level. For every 4 class levels thereafter, you gain an additional
daily use.
Wild Shape (Su): Starting at 12th level, you can wild shape
as a Wild Shaper initiate of 4th level. For every class level
thereafter, your effective Wild Shaper level increases by 1
(granting you improved wild shape 2/day at 14th level, greater
wild shape 3/day at 16th, and superior wild shape 4/day at
18th level).
Numinous Hierophant (Su): At 20th level, you learn the
secrets of spell synthesis. Once per day, you can cast one
druid spell and one arcane spell using one action (total). Both
of the spells must have the same casting time. You can make
any decisions concerning the spells independently.
Ascetic Druid
Some sects of druids seek oneness with nature through
mediation and physical discipline. Monks of this initiation
generally select the Canny Defense option in lieu of armor
proficiencies. In conjunction with the monk’s “sacred fist”
sutra, this initiation can be used to create a viable multi-
classed druid/monk.
Initiate Spells: These work as do monk ki powers, with
respect to being attack or personal powers, and in that
spellcasting disruption and concentration do not apply. 3rd
—cure serious wounds, 4th—sudden dimension door, 5th--
slay living (Strike; effect can be delayed up to 1 day per caster
level), 6th—heal (self only), 7th—ethereal jaunt, 8th—mind
blank, 9th—astral projection.
Martial Artist (Ex): Starting at 4th level, you gain Dodge as
a bonus feat and Exotic proficiency in unarmed attacks, as a
monk of your druid level. If you have levels in monk, your
druid levels provide Weak synergy with your monk levels for
purposes of determining your unarmed damage and weapon
form bonus; if you also have the sacred fist monk sutra, this
improves to Full synergy (this is a specific exception to the
general rule prohibiting stacking of synergy features between
the same two classes).
Monk Sutras (Su): At 6th, and 10th levels, you gain a monk
sutra in place of a druidical initiate ability. Your monk levels
and druid levels (if any) provide Full synergy for purposes of
determining the effects of these sutras.
 Combat Style Feats (Ex): At 8th and again at 12th level,
you gain a bonus feat chosen from the list of monk Combat
Style feats. Also add the following to the list of options:
Adaptability, Beginner's Luck, Chaotic Mind, Nameless. You
must meet all prerequisites normally.
Advanced Sutras (Su): At 14th level, you gain an advanced
monk sutra in place of a druidical initiate ability.
Numinous Hierophant (Su): At 20th level, you become a
magical creature. You are forevermore treated as an outsider
rather than as a humanoid (or whatever your creature type
was) for the purpose of spells and magical effects. Your ki
strike ability (if any) is permanently active, and no longer
requires you to have any unused spells. Additionally, you gain
damage reduction 10/chaotic. Unlike other outsiders, you can
still be brought back from the dead as if you were a member
of your previous creature type.
Aspect of Nature
This initiation is similar to the Wild Shaper (q.v.), but rather
than assuming the form of an animal, elemental, or plant, the
druid merely takes on specific aspects (more complete
transformations are made using the initiation bonus spells).
This variant is from Unearthed Arcana.
Initiate Spells: 3rd—beast shape I, 4th—beast shape II, 5th
—beast shape III, 6th—plant shape II, 7th—elemental body
IV, 8th—form of the dragon III, 9th—shapechange.
Aspect of Nature (Su): At 44h level, once per day you may
take on one aspect from those described below. Taking on
one or more aspects is a standard action which does not
provoke attacks of opportunity, and the effect lasts for up to 1
minute per druid level. Unless otherwise noted in an aspect's
description, you retain your own type and subtype(s), keep
your extraordinary, supernatural, or spell-like abilities, and
retain your ability to communicate and cast spells. You are
considered proficient with any natural attacks granted by the
aspect.
You can use the Aspect of Nature ability an additional time
per day at 6th level and every two levels thereafter, for a total
of eight times at 18th level. At 20th level, you can use this
ability at will.
Aspects available at 4th level include the following:
Night vision: You gain darkvision 60 ft. and low-light
vision.
Physical prowess: You gain a +4 enhancement bonus to
your physical attribute scores, divided up as you see fit.
Scent: You gain the scent ability.
Speed: You gain a +30-foot enhancement bonus to your
base land speed.
Tooth and Claw: You gain a primary bite attack (at your full
base attack bonus) and two primary claw attacks that do
damage as normal for your size (1d6 and 1d4, respectively,
for a Medium druid).
Improved Aspect (Su): At 6th level, you gain access to the
following aspects:
Aquatic: You grow gills, enabling you to breathe
underwater (while retaining your ability to breathe air).
Webbing between your fingers and toes grants you a swim
speed of 40 feet (or 30 feet if wearing medium or heavy
armor or carrying a medium or heavy load) and a +8 racial
bonus on Swim checks.
Flight: You grow wings (feathery or batlike, at your option)
that enable you to fly at a speed of 40 feet with average
maneuverability (or 30 feet if wearing medium or heavy
armor or carrying a medium or heavy load).
Improved Physical prowess: You gain a +6 enhancement
bonus to your physical attribute scores, divided up as you
see fit. When you gain access to multiple aspects, you can
select this aspect more than once, but the total bonus to
one attribute cannot exceed +6.
Poison: You gain a bite attack that delivers a lethal venom
(Fortitude save; damage 1d2 Con/round for 6 rounds; cure
2 consecutive saves).
Multiple Aspects (Su): At 8th level, you can take on up to
two aspects simultaneously. Each aspect taken on counts as
one daily use of the ability. Multiple versions of the same
aspect don't stack. Some aspects can only be combined with
certain other aspects, as indicated in their descriptions.
Plant Aspect (Su): At 10th level, you gain access to the
following aspect.
Plant: Your body becomes plantlike. While in this form,
you gain a +8 favored terrain bonus on Stealth checks
made in areas of forest, overgrowth, or similar terrain. You
are immune to poison, sleep, paralysis, and stunning. You
gain a slam attack that deals bludgeoning damage equal to
a light mace (1d6 for Medium druids, 1d4 for Small
druids). Your natural armor bonus becomes +4 (replacing
any other natural armor bonus you have, though
enhancement bonuses to natural armor still apply
normally). You can't combine this aspect with any other
aspect except for physical prowess (and its improvements).
Improved Multiple Aspect (Su): Starting at 12th level, you
can take on up to three aspects simultaneously as a standard
action.
Primal Aspect (Su): At 14th level, you can take on up to
four simultaneous aspects. You also gain access to the
following additional aspects:
Elemental Air: Your body becomes gaseous (as the
gaseous form spell, except that you can fly at a speed of
100 feet with perfect maneuverability and don't lose your
supernatural abilities while in this form). While in this
form, you are immune to poison, sleep, paralysis, and
stunning, and gain other immunities provided by the
gaseous form spell. You cannot cast spells while this
aspect is in effect. You can't combine this aspect with any
other aspect except for agility and endurance.

Elemental Earth: Your body becomes stony and
rocklike. While in this form, you are immune to poison,
sleep, paralysis, and stunning. You gain a slam attack that
deals bludgeoning damage equal to a heavy mace (1d8 for
Medium druids, 1d6 for Small druids). Your natural armor
bonus becomes +8 (replacing any other natural armor
bonus you have, though enhancement bonuses to natural
armor still apply normally). You also gain damage
reduction 10/+5 or adamantine. You cannot cast spells
while this aspect is in effect. You can't combine this aspect
with any other aspect except for physical prowess (and its
improvements).
Elemental Fire: Your body bursts into flame. While in this
form, you are immune to fire, poison, sleep, paralysis, and
stunning. In addition, any creature struck by you in melee
(whether with a weapon, unarmed attack, or natural
weapon) takes an extra 1d6 points of fire damage and
must succeed on a Reflex save or catch fire for 1d4
rounds. The save DC is 10 + half your class level + your
Con modifier. Creatures hitting you with natural weapons
or unarmed attacks while this aspect is in effect take 1d6
points of fire damage and also catch fire unless they
succeed on the Reflex save noted above. You also gain
damage reduction 10/+5 or adamantine. You cannot cast
spells while this aspect is in effect. You can't combine this
aspect with any other aspect except for physical prowess
(and its improvements).
Elemental Water: Your body becomes semi-fluid. While in
this form, you gain a +8 racial bonus on Escape Artist
checks, resistance to fire 10, and immunity to poison,
steep, paralysis, and stunning. You gain a swim speed of
90 feet and a +8 racial bonus on Swim checks. Your touch
puts out torches, campfires, exposed lanterns, and other
open flames of non-magical origin if these are Large or
smaller. You can dispel magical fire you touch as if you
had cast greater dispel magic on it. You also gain DR
10/adamantine. You cannot cast spells while this aspect is
in effect. You can't combine this aspect with any other
aspect except for physical prowess (and its improvements).
Primal physical prowess: You gain a +14 enhancement
bonus to your physical attribute scores, divided up as you
see fit. You can select this up to three times, although the
bonus to any one score cannot exceed +14.
Numinous Hierophant (Su): At 20th level, you become a
living aspect of nature. Your creature type becomes Fey, and
you gain damage reduction 5/cold iron. You can have up to
four aspects active at all times; you may change these at will
as a standard action.
Ashvawg Tamer
Many ashvawg tamers worship the demon queen Lamashtu,
although a few have discovered these baleful practices
independently. As they gain power, tamers can gain
monstrous animal companions, but they are far more limited
in wild shaping than are standard druids. This initiation
duplicates the variant druid of the same name, in Pathfinder
Adventure Path volume 5: “Sins of the Saviors.”
Initiate Spells: 3rd—greater magic fang, 4th—charm
monster, 5th—animal growth, 6th—antilife shell, 7th
—blasphemy, 8th—mass charm monster, 9th—mass hold
monster.
Resist Nature’s Lure (Ex): Add magical beasts to the
creature types listed.
Bestial Bond (Sp): At 4th level, you can call out to the
savage powers of the wilds to aid you and your animal
companion. As a standard action, you can use aid, cure
serious wounds, neutralize poison, or remove disease as a
spell-like ability on any creature bound to you by your Mark of
the Wild ability.
Exotic Companion (Ex): At 6th level, you can have a
magical beast instead of an animal as a Bonded Companion
(the CR limitations are the same). With the referee’s
permission, certain aberrations might also be allowed. For
example, a 6th level Ashvawg tamer could select an Advanced
worg or an ettercap (CR 3) as a bonded companion.
Whatever your bonded companion’s actual type, it is affected
by your spells as if it were an Animal, however.
Undying Bond (Sp): Starting at 8th level, add heal and
resurrection to the list of spell-like abilities duplicated by your
bestial bond class feature (q.v.).
Eyes of the Beast (Su): At 10th level, your companion’s
devotion bonus on saves against enchantments increases to
an amount equal to half your class level. You may scry on any
of your bonded companions at will as if using the scrying
spell, except you need no focus or divine focus, and this ability
requires only a move action to activate. You may view the area
around your companion, or see through its eyes and listen
through its ears.
Iron Claws (Su): At 12th level, your bonded companion(s)
and any creatures you summon with summon nature’s ally
gain DR/cold iron, to an amount equal to half your druid level
(maximum DR 10/cold iron at 20th level). In addition, their
natural weapons are considered +3 weapons for the purpose
of overcoming damage reduction.
Savage Wild Shape (Su): Starting at 14th level, you can
wild shape into the form of a magical beast (as per beast
shape IV) once per day. See the Wild Shape initiation (q.v.) for
more details on wild shaping.
Numinous Hierophant (Ex): At 20th level, whenever you
cast a summon nature’s ally spell, you can automatically
Quicken or Empower the spell (your choice) without
increasing the casting time and without using a higher-level
slot. Additionally, add magical beasts of the appropriate HD
and CR range to the lists of nature’s allies you can summon.

Blighter
When a druid turns away from the land, the land turns
away from him or her. Some druids make peace with this
change; others seek to restore the bond. A few, however,
actually embrace their disconnection from growth and
become forces of destruction and decay. These few, called
blighters, leave their mark wherever they tread. This initiation
combines the prestige class of the same name (Complete
Divine) with the Blight Druid archetype from the Advanced
Players Guide.
Initiate Spells: 1st—bane or doom or inflict light wounds,
2 —death knell or defoliate, 3rd—animate dead animal, 4th
nd
—antiplant shell or blight, 5th—repel wood, 6th
—pestilenceBVD, 7th—fire storm, 8th—horrid wilting, 9th
—wail of the banshee. Alternatively, choose one domain:
Darkness, Cultist (Cyth-V’sug, Deskari, or Zuggtmoy), Death,
or Destruction; you gain Domain Access to that domain and
use that bonus spells list.
Resist Nature’s Lure (Ex): Add vermin to the creature
types listed.
Deforestation (Sp): You regain your spellcasting ability by
stripping the earth of life; a swath of deforested land always
marks your path through the wilderness. Upon becoming a
blighter, you lose your green faith spellcasting feature and
instead gain the ability to kill all non-sentient plant life within
a radius of 20 feet per blighter level as a full-round action
once per day. If a potentially affected plant is under the
control of another (such as a druid's liveoak or a dryad's
home tree), the controller can make a Fortitude save to keep
it alive. Except for plants saved by a controller, nothing can
grow in a deforested area until it has a hallow spell cast upon
it and it is reseeded. Deforestation enables you to regain your
daily allotment of spells. This ability works in any terrain, but
deforesting a sandy desert, ice floe, or other environment
with only sparse vegetation does not empower you to cast
spells.
Blighted Druid (Ex): Upon becoming a blighter, your Mark
of the Wild ability works only on molds, fungi, and vermin. In
addition, your summon nature’s ally spells can no longer be
used to call beings other than molds, fungi, and vermin. Your
speak with animals and speak with plants spell-like abilities
allow you to speak only with dead animals or plants.
Blightfire [Reserve] (Sp): Also starting at 4th level, as a
standard action, you can invoke a 15-ft. cone of fire from your
hands or a 10-ft. burst of fire surrounding you, dealing fire
damage equal to 1d6 x the level of the highest-level spell you
have prepared (Reflex half). Flammable objects within the
area catch on fire.
Sustenance (Su): Starting at 6th level, you no longer need
food and water to survive.
Undead Wild Shape (Su): Starting at 8th level, you gain
the ability to wild shape once per day (as the wild shaper
druid ability), but you take on an undead form, as by an
undead anatomy I spellUM. At 10th level, this improves to
undead anatomy II; at 12th, to undead anatomy III, and at
16th to undead anatomy IV. At 12th, 16th, and 20th levels, you
gain an additional daily use.
Blightblooded (Ex): At 10th level, you become immune to
[affliction] conditions (Chapter 1).
Miasma (Su): Also starting at 10th level, you gain a 5-ft.
aura; at the beginning of its turn, each creature within the
miasma must succeed at a Fortitude save or become
sickened for 1 round. A creature of the animal, fey, or plant
type that fails its save is nauseated for 1 round and sickened
for 1 minute thereafter. If the creature makes its save, it is
immune to this effect for 24 hours, as are creatures immune
to disease.
Plaguebearer (Su): Starting at 12th level, any creature that
strikes you with a touch attack, unarmed strike, or natural
weapon must succeed at a Fortitude save or contract a
disease, as the contagion spell. You can also inflict contagion
at will by touch.
Unbond (Su): Starting at 14th level, you can temporarily
sever the bond between an animal companion, familiar,
ranger’s favored weapon, etc. and its master as a full-round
action. The target must be within 60 ft. of both its master and
you. If the master fails a Will save, the bond terminates as if
the servitor had died or been destroyed. Normally hostile
creatures attack their masters but are otherwise unaffected.
The bond returns after 1 minute per class level you possess,
restoring all benefits; or it can be restored before then by the
usual methods listed for that bond.
Numinous Hierophant (Su): At 20th level, you are a living
embodiment of decay. You gain an aura of disease; those
within 60 ft. must save vs. Fortitude or contract a disease of
your choice (select from those listed for the contagion spell).
In addition, wooden objects and structures are weakened in
this area, taking 1d6 points of structural damage per hour
(this bypasses the hardness of the wood).
Corpselight Whisperer
The bogs of the Bane Mires are stagnant and reek with the
stench of decay. But while they are a boundless well of
sickness and death, they are also part of nature, at least
according to the merciless will-o-wisps that live there. There
are few even among the druids who are willing to make their
home in such an inhospitable land. But there are secrets to be
learned, for those who with a keen ear and a light step. For
while the corpse lights may share their secrets, they may also
lead one into the fast bogs from which there is no escape.
―Frank Trollman and “K,” The Tome of Necromancy
This is one of the more flavorful efforts from The Gaming
Den; this particular prestige class seemed like a good
addition here, albeit somewhat shoehorned to fit the slightly
lower-power spellcaster options in these rules.
Prerequisites: A would-be corpselight whisperer must
have chosen marshes and swamps as a favored terrain at 2nd
level. His or her spontaneous summon nature’s ally V and
higher-level spontaneous nature’s ally spells always summon
one or more will-o’-the-wisps, according to the following table.
Spell Number of Will-o’-Wisps
Summon nature’s ally V 1
Summon nature’s ally VI 1d3
Summon nature’s ally VII 1d4+1
Summon nature’s ally VIII 2d4+4
Summon nature’s ally IX 3d6
You have normal access to the full list of nature’s allies when
preparing the spell; this restriction to will-o’-wisps applies
only when casting one of the listed spells spontaneously
using your Mark of the Wild ability.
Initiate Spells: 3rd—animate dead, 4th—solid fog, 5th
—insect plague, 6th—create undead, 7th--programmed image,
8th—create greater undead, 9th—shambler.
Resist Nature’s Lure (Ex): Add undead to the creature
types listed.
Wild Shape (Su): As the wild shaper druid class feature of
the same name, but the form chosen must be appropriate to a
marsh or swamp.
Death Domain (Su): At 6th level, you gain Domain Access
(Death domain) and the use of one Death domain feat or
granted power. You can also use dancing lights at will as a
spell-like ability.
Terrible Nectar (Su): At 8th level you begin to gain
sustenance from the terror of others. If you are within 60 feet
of an intelligent creature that is affected by a fear effect, you
need one less meal that day and can get by with 2 hours less
sleep (the effects do not stack for multiple victims). If such a
creature is killed while demoralized or under the influence of
a fear effect and within 60 feet of you, you do not need to eat
or sleep that day at all.
Plant Wild Shape (Su): At 10th level, you gain the ability
to wild shape into a Large plant once per day, per the plant
shape II spell.
Hands of the Corpselight [Reserve] (Su): Like a will-o’-
wisp, a corpselight whisperer of 12th level can deliver
powerful electric shocks. Any touch or natural weapon attack
you deliver also inflicts additional electricity damage (even if
it would already inflict electricity damage) equal to 1d6 per 2
levels of the highest-level spell you have prepared.
Sanctum (Su): At 14th level, you gain Sanctum Spell as a
bonus feat; it must apply to a place in a marshy setting
(generally a ramshackle shack, although this need not be the
case as long as the swamp setting is adhered to).
Bog's Heart (Su): At 16th level, you do not gain the
Timeless Body class feature. Instead, if you are killed, you are
reincarnated (as the spell) 1d10 days later in the middle of
your designated sanctum, provided that no one has cut off
access in the meantime (either by physically making the area
into something other than a swamp, or through magic such
as desecrate). Being reincarnated in this fashion does not
result in level loss. Unlike the normal spell effect, you return
with a new young adult body if you die by reaching your
maximum age.
Numinous Hierophant (Su): At 20th level, you gain the
incorporeal wild shape ability; you can use your wild shape
ability to assume the form of an undead creature of the
[incorporeal] subtype, as if using an undead anatomy IVUM
spell.
Dinosaur Cultist
This initiation supersedes the prestige class of the same
name from Villains: Rebirth (Bastion Press).
Prerequisite: You must survive the test of meat by allowing
a tyrannosaurus (or similar dinosaur) to swallow you whole.
You must then begin praying to the dinosaur god for
acceptance. Each round you remain inside the dinosaur’s
gizzard, you suffer normal damage and must make a level
check (modified by your Wisdom modifier; DC 20) to be
heard by the dinosaur god. Failure indicates nothing happens,
but you may attempt the level check again next round.
Success indicates that the dinosaur god has heard your pleas
and accepts you as a new cultist; the tyrannosaurus
immediately regurgitates you, cleans you off with its tongue,
then leaves you in peace to serve the dinosaur god.
Initiate Spells: 3rd—Personal greater magic fang (can be
re-assigned if change shape), 4th—shout, 5th—righteous
might, 6th—Extended bull’s (self only; +6 for 1 hour/level), 7th
—animal shapes (dinosaurs), 8th—greater shout, 9th—
summon nature’s ally IX (1d4+1 advanced tyrannosaurs).
Resist Nature’s Lure (Ex): The save bonus applies against
the extraordinary abilities of dinosaurs.
Dinosaur Wild Shape (Su): At 4th level you gain wild
shape (as the Wild Shaper druid class feature of the same
name), except your forms are limited to Medium or Small
dinosaurs (deinonychus, velociraptor, etc.). You can use this
ability once per day per 4 class levels you possess (maximum
5/day at 20th level).
Savagery (Ex): At 6th level, you gain 1 rank per class level
in Endurance as a class skill, and also gain Stamina Training
as a bonus feat. In addition, you suffer a –2 circumstance
penalty to Diplomacy checks, but gain a +2 circumstance
bonus to Handle Animal checks against dinosaurs and to
Bluff checks to demoralize. Your spells gain a +1 sacred
bonus to the save DCs when targeting dinosaurs.
Greater Dinosaur Wild Shape (Su): At 8th level, you can
use wild shape to change into a Large or Tiny dinosaur (as
beast shape II): compsognathus, dimetrodon, etc.
Superior Wild Shape (Su): At 10th level, you can use wild
shape to change into a Huge dinosaur (as beast shape III):
allosaurus, ankylosaurus, elasmosaurus, triceratops, etc.
Primal Wild Shape (Su): At 12th level, you can use wild
shape to change into a Gargantuan dinosaur (as beast shape
III, but also with the Giant simple template): brachiosaurus,
kronosaurus, spinosaurus, tylosaurus, tyrannosaurus, etc.
Improved Savagery (Ex): At 14th level, you gain Diehard
as a bonus feat. In addition, you gain the scent special quality.
Finally, the sacred bonus to your spells’ save DCs against
dinosaurs increases to +2.
Numinous Hierophant (Su): At 20th level, you gain the Ti-
Khana template, from the 3.0 edition Fiend Folio; this does
not change your effective character level.

Feral Child
This initiation represents
characters like Tarzan or Mowgli or Romulus and Remus,
raised by animals in the wild. Along with the favored terrain
class feature, it supersedes the human archetype of the same
name from the Advanced Race Guide.
Prerequisite: You must have one or more bonded
companions of the appropriate type.
Initiate Spells: 3rd—dominate animal, 4th—summon
nature's ally IV, 5th—beast shape III, 6th—antilife shell, 7th
—animal shapes, 8th—summon nature's ally VIII, 9th—
summon nature’s ally IX.
* Animals native to your favored terrain only.
Native Cunning (Ex): At 4th level, you gain Alertness and
Dodge as bonus feats, and you gain 1 bonus rank in
Perception per class level. While in your favored terrain, you
also gain the effects of Trapfinding (as the rogue skill talent).
Native Fortitude (Ex): At 6th level you gain Fast Recovery
as a bonus feat. You also apply your Alertness bonus as a
competence bonus to saving throws against [affliction],
[debilitation], and [fear] effects (Chapter 1). When in your
favored terrain, apply your favored terrain bonus instead (if
higher).
Strength of the Wild (Ex): At 8th level, you gain a +2
inherent bonus to Strength and Constitution. These bonuses
improve by +1 per 4 levels thereafter (maximum +5 at 20th
level).
Extended Summoning (Su): Starting at 10th level, any
summon nature's ally spells you use to summon animals that
are native to your favored terrain last twice the normal
duration, as if under the Extend Spell feat (but with no
increase to spell level or casting time).
Augmented Summoning (Su): At 12th level, any animals
you summon that are native to your favored terrain gain the
effects of the Augmented Summoning feat, even if you do not
meet the prerequisite. If you already have that feat, you
instead gain Animal Devotion as a bonus feat, even if you do
not meet the prerequisite.
Native Call (Su): Starting at 14th level, when you use
summon nature's ally spells to summon animals native to
your favored terrain, those animals gain a +2 sacred bonus to
Strength and Constitution. This stacks with the effects of the
Augmented Summoning feat.
Numinous Hierophant (Sp): At 20th level, you can use
shapechange at will to take the form of any creature native to
your favored terrain.
Gatekeeper
Gatekeeper
You have been trained in the ancient druidic tradition of the
Gatekeepers, founded originally to ward off an extraplanar
assault by aberrations (Eberron Campaign Setting). This
initiation also incorporates some of the abilities of the Green
Faith Acolyte (Paths of Prestige).
Initiate Spells: 1st—protection from evil, 2nd—zone of
natural purityECS, 3rd—dimensional anchor, 4th—nature’s
wrathECS, 5th—banishment, 6th—dimensional lock, 7th
—return to natureECS, 8th—mind blank, 9th—imprisonment.
Resist Nature’s Lure (Ex): Add aberrations to the creature
types listed.
Repel Aberration (Su): At 4th level, you gain the ability to
channel energy (as the cleric class feature), using your druid
level in place of your cleric level. Your channeled energy
damages aberrations and evil outsiders. In addition, any
creature taking full damage is held at bay, unable to move
toward you for as long as you maintain concentration. The
creature's actions are not otherwise restricted: it can fight
other creatures, use its supernatural or spell-like abilities, or
attack you with ranged weapons. If you move closer to it,
nothing happens; the creature is not forced back. The
creature is free to make melee attacks against you if you
come within reach. If a repelled creature moves away from
you and then tries to turn back toward you, it can't move any
closer.
Hounds at the Gates (Su): At 6th level, any animal
companion(s) gained through your Mark of the Wild ability
gain the following:
They share your saving throw bonuses against
aberrations’ spell-like and supernatural abilities;
They gain the Eldritch Claws feat, using your druid level in
place of their BAB (if higher);
Their melee attacks gain the bane property against
aberrations. The +2 enhancement from this ability does
not stack with the effective bonus from the Eldritch Claws
feat.
Invest Byeshk Weapon (Su): Starting at 8th level, as a
swift action you can enable any weapon you wield to
overcome any form of damage reduction possessed by an
aberration or evil outsider for 1 round. Additionally, any
aberration struck by the weapon during this time is dazed for
1 round unless it succeeds on a Fortitude save.
Aberration Banemagic (Su): At 10th level, you gain Bane
Magic (aberrations and evil outsiders) as a bonus feat. You
also gain Bane Magic against undead.
Slippery Mind (Ex): At 12th level, you gain Deep Intuition
and Iron Will as bonus feats, using your Concentration skill
in place of Bluff and Perception. Any bonded animal
companion(s) gained through your Mark of the Wild also
share this ability.
Purifying Arc (Su): Starting at 14th level, your spells, spell-
like abilities, and supernatural abilities that damage
aberrations also affect them as if by the Sickening Spell feat.
Any aberration taking full damage from your repel aberration
ability is nauseated for 1 round, in addition to the other
effects.
 Numinous Hierophant (Su): At 20th level, you are
constantly surrounded in a 20-ft. radius by a holy aura (as the
spell, but cannot be dispelled); aberrations and evil outsiders
are stunned instead of blinded.
Geomancer
This initiation supersedes the prestige class of the same
name from Complete Divine.
Prerequisite: At least 1 level in another spellcasting class.
Initiate Spells: Bonus spells are gained according to those
for your other spellcasting class.
Spell Versatility (Ex): Upon being initiated, you learn to
blend divine and arcane magic. Your druid level provides
Weak theurgy towards your other spellcasting class, and vice
versa. You still acquire and prepare spells in the normal
manner for your individual spellcasting classes. When you
cast them, however, you can mix or match spellcasting
parameters from any of your classes to gain the maximum
possible advantage for any spell of 1st level or lower. Thus, as
a 4th level geomancer, you can cast any of your 1st level
sorcerer/wizard spells with no chance of arcane spell failure
from armor. (The druidic prohibition against metal armor still
applies to geomancers, however, since this stricture stems
from a spiritual oath rather than a practical limitation.) If a
spell requires either an arcane material component or a
divine focus, you may use either. A geomancer who also has
levels of wizard, sorcerer, or bard can spontaneously summon
nature’s ally (see Mark of the Wild) by sacrificing arcane
spells.
The maximum level of spell you can use your spell
versatility ability with increases by +1 per class level after the
4th, subject to the maximum spell level you can cast.
Stage 1 Drift (Ex): Drift represents your gradual
devolution into some other form. At 6th level, and again at 7th,
you gain one of the following: leopard spots or zebra stripes
appear on your body; you grow a cat's tail; you sprout feathers
(but not wings); your eyebrows become green and bushy; your
hair becomes a tangle of short vines; light, downy fur covers
your skin; your skin turns green and scaly; your touch causes
flowers to wilt; your voice sounds like a dog's, though it is still
intelligible.
Stage 2 Drift (Ex): At 8th level, and again at 9th, you gain
one of the following:
A small camel's hump grows on your back (you can go
without water for up to five days).
You grow a coat of white fur like a polar bear's (you gain
Favored Terrain (arctic) as a bonus feat).
The pads of your feet become sticky, like those of a lizard
(you gain continuous spider climb).
You become as swift as an elk (your land speed increases
by +5 feet).
You become as comely as a dryad (you gain a +4
enhancement bonus to Comeliness and on Diplomacy
checks).
You become as graceful as a cat (you gain a +4
enhancement bonus on Acrobatics checks.)
You sprout leaves and become photosynthetic (you can
subsist on 1 hour/day of sunlight in lieu of food, though
you still require the same amount of water as before).
Your blood flows as slowly as tree sap (the speed at which
progressive damage, such as that from wounding or
decomposition, affects you is halved).
Your eyes become as sharp as a rat's (you gain low-light
vision).
Your skin adapts like that of an octopus (you can change
color to blend with your surroundings, gaining a +4
enhancement bonus on Stealth checks).
Stage 3 Drift (Ex): At 10th level, and again at 11th, you
gain one of the following:
Deer antlers grow from your forehead (you gain a gore
attack for 1d6 damage).
Thorns grow on your body (your unarmed attacks do
piercing damage, and those striking you with natural
weapons take 1d3 points of piercing damage per
successful hit).
You can constrict like a snake (you gain Improved Grapple
as a bonus feat).
You can spin a web like a spider (you can use your web to
snare prey as described in the giant spider entry in the
Bestiary, but you cannot attack with it).
You sprout fish gills (you can breathe both water and air).
Your eyes become as sharp as an eagle's (you gain a +4
enhancement bonus on Perception checks).
Your fingers grow talons (you gain Weapon Finesse and
can make two claw attacks per round for 1d4 damage
each).
Your mouth extends like a crocodile's (you gain a bite
attack for 1d6 damage).
Your toes grow lionlike claws (you can make two rake
attacks for 1d4 damage each if you gain a hold on your
target).
Stage 4 Drift (Ex): At 12th level, and again at 13th, you
gain one of the following:
You grow an acid stinger like that of a giant ant (you can
sting for 1d4 piercing damage + 1d6 acid damage).
You can trip like a wolf (you gain Improved Trip as a bonus
feat; this automatically activates on a successful bite
attack).
You can rage similar to a wolverine (if you take damage,
you rage as a 1st level barbarian, or gain +1 effective level
of any class you have that grants rage as a class feature,
but only for determining the benefits of rage).
You gain a boar's ferocity (you gain Diehard as a bonus
feat and 1 free rank per class level in Endurance).

You can grab like a bear (you gain Improved Grapple as
a bonus feat; it activates automatically on a successful
claw attack).
You can pounce like a leopard (you gain Skirmish as a
bonus feat).
Your hands become as strong as a gorilla's (you gain a +2
sacred bonus on Strength checks to break objects).
Your jaw becomes as powerful as a weasel's (you can
attach to an opponent with a successful bite and inflict
1d3 points of damage per round until unattached.
However, you lose your Dexterity bonus to AC while
attached).
You can fire an ink cloud as a squid does (in water, you can
emit a cloud of jet-black ink 10 ft. on a side once per
minute as a free action; this provides total concealment
and those within the cloud suffer the effects of total
darkness).
Your nose becomes as sensitive as a hound's (You gain the
scent special quality).
Stage 5 Drift (Ex): At 14th level, and again at 15th, you
gain one of the following:
You grow a unicorn horn (you gain a +4 sacred bonus on
saves vs. poison, and a gore attack for 1d8 damage).
Feathered or batlike wings grow from your back (you gain
a fly speed of 60 feet).
You can curl into a spiny ball like a hedgehog (when
curled, you gain a +4 natural armor bonus to AC, but you
may not move or attack; curling or uncurling is a move
action)
You are as graceful as a pixie (you gain a +2 sacred bonus
on Reflex saves).
You gain the tremorsense of an earthworm (you gain
tremorsense 30 ft.).
Your canine teeth exude poison (if you hit with a bite
attack, your target must make a Fortitude save against
poison: injury, Fortitude save, damage 1d2 Dex/round for
6 rounds; cure 2 saves).
Your senses become as sharp as a bat's (you gain
blindsense 30 ft.).
Your feet extend to elephantine width (you gain Improved
Overrun and Vital Strike as bonus feats and can make
trample attacks).
You can move like a cheetah (once per hour, you can take a
charge action to move ten times your normal speed).
Your skin becomes tree bark (your natural armor bonus to
AC increases by +1).
Numinous Hierophant (Su): At 20th level, you learn the
secrets of spell synthesis. Once per day, you can cast one
druid spell and one arcane spell using one action (total). Both
of the spells must have the same casting time. You can make
any decisions concerning the spells independently.
Greenbond Initiate
The greenbond initiate simulates the Greenbond base class
from Arcana Unearthed (Malhavoc Press).
Initiate Spells: Upon gaining this initiation, you gain
Domain Access (Healing); your initiate bonus spells are
chosen from the list of Healing domain spells.
Infuse with Life (Su): At 4th level, you gain Domain
Channeling (healing) and any one other Healing domain feat
or granted power.
Bond with the Green (Su): At 6th level, in a four-hour
ritual that you conducts in your favored terrain, you gain an
intuitive sense of the condition of the land—a literal bond
with the Green. This means that if an area of your favored
terrain is harmed in any way (for instance, a forest fire, a
famine, or a disease) within one mile per class level, you
become aware of it and gains a general understanding of
what is happening. If you succeed at a DC 25 Concentration
check, you gain more details, such as distance and direction.
In order for an event to trigger the bond, it must affect an
area at least 100 yards across or involving at least 25
creatures or large plants (such as trees). Natural, daily events,
such as predators hunting, do not alert you. For example, if a
bestial cyclops band is hacking down trees to burn in a huge
pyre, a 7th level druid four miles away becomes alerted once
they chop down about 25 trees. All the druid knows is that
numerous trees are dying rapidly. If he or she succeeds at the
concentration check, the appoximate distance and direction
are revealed. The druid still does not know specifically that
the cyclops band is the culprit.
Speak With Nature Spirits (Su): Starting at 8th level,
your bond allows you to speak with the spirit of a tree, a
brook, the air, or any other part of nature that you touch.
Once per day, you can ask a spirit a question that requires an
answer of up to one word per class level or a series of yes/no
questions (one per class level). Only natural things have
spirits you can speak with—wood made into a door or water
in a fountain usually has lost its spirit. The spirit is not
omniscient. It knows all observable facts about its
surroundings, and can answer any such question with 100
percent accuracy. For example, if you asked the spirit of a
river if any people on horseback had crossed it in the last
three days, it would be able to answer the question. A spirit's
surroundings are never more than a 300-ft. radius, however—
a river miles long has many spirits. A spirit has a 75 percent
chance, plus 1 percent per class level you possess, to know
the answer to a question about things farther afield, such as,
“Is the dragon still over the next hill?” It never knows the
answer to a question pertaining to the future or to the
thoughts of another: “Can I defeat the dragon in battle?” or
“Does the dragon know I'm here?” To convince the spirit to
give an answer, you must make a Diplomacy check. A failed
check might result in no answer, or it might result in a lie
(DM's discretion). The check's Difficulty Class depends on the
type of spirit, per the following table:
 Spirit Type Diplomacy DC
Water 10
Wood 15
Air 18
Animal 20
Stone 30
Speak with Nature Spirits, Greater (Su): Starting at 10th
level, you can talk freely with nature spirits, asking any
number of questions with any types of answers. Also, spirits
can talk with one another and relay answers back to you; the
range of awareness is expanded to one mile from any edge of
a particular geographic feature (forest, plain, mountain range,
river, swap, or ocean, for example).
Nature’s Gift (Su): Starting at 12th level, at will as a
standard action you can draw on the power of nature and
infuse it within yourself. You must be touching something
solid and natural (the ground, a bit of unworked stone, a
plant, an animal, or a beast) to activate this ability. You gain a
sacred bonus equal to half your class level that you can add to
any one d20 roll you make per round; this lasts for 1 round
per 4 class levels you possess. Alternatively, you can impart
some or all of this gift to any allies you touch, giving each a
portion of the bonus as you decide, with the same duration
and 1/round usage.
Plant Bond (Ex): At 14th level, the greenbond undergoes a
three-day solitary trek into the wilderness, eating and
drinking nothing other than special herbs and water. This
experience increases your bond with the Green so that plants
surrounding you infuse into your body. From that point on,
you are no longer considered a humanoid (or whatever type
you are), but a plant. Anything that specifically does not harm
plants will not harm you (including most mind-affecting spells
and effects).
Numinous Hierophant (Su): At 20th level, the fusion with
plants that occurred at 14th level becomes so complete that
your anatomy changes to resemble a plant’s. Your skin takes
on a greenish sheen, and you become immune to sneak
attacks and critical hits. You can take the shape of a tree as a
standard action, if standing on solid ground where a tree
could potentially grow. There is no way to determine that the
tree is actually other than what it seems—even magic does
not reveal you to be anything but the tree you appear to be.
While a tree, you cannot move or take actions other than to
cast spells or use abilities that affect only you. For example,
you could cast barkskin on yourself while you were a tree or
use infuse with life upon yourself. None of this requires
movement of any kind on your part.
You must root himself in natural earth and take on the form
of a tree for eight hours each day rather than sleeping. During
this time, you remain completely aware of your surroundings
and can change back as a move action. The eight hours need
not be consecutive. Due to this transformation, you need only
sunlight, water, and the touch of the earth to sustain you. You
no longer require sleep, air, or food.
Holt Warden
Holt Warden
You draw on the inherent spiritual power of nature and make
that power accessible to the larger spiritual community.
Above all else, you are a spiritual seeker and guide. This
initiation is based on the prestige class of the same name
from Complete Champion, and includes some abilities of the
Nature Warden from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Initiate Spells: 3rd—protection from energy, 4th—spike
stones, 5th—hallow, 6th—liveoak, 7th—heal, 8th
—antipathy/sympathy, 9th—refuge.
Mystic Harmony (Su): At 4th level, you gain the Terrain
Defense feat (see Ranger).
Guardian of the Green (Ex): Starting at 6th level, you can
use Swift divine favor at will as a spell-like ability. You can use
this ability only when in a natural setting; it cannot be used in
cities, dungeons, etc.
Earth's Communion (Sp): At 8th level, you learn to heal
and replenish yourself and others by communing with the
earth once per day. At the end of 10 full minutes of
concentration, you are affected as if by a heal spell. If you so
choose, you can allow others to sit with you in a circle,
holding hands, during your communion. In that case, you can
choose to divide the hit points and other benefits provided by
your communion among the people in the circle. Each other
benefit of the heal spell can affect only one person in the
circle, at your discretion. Thus, only one person can be cured
of blindness, and so forth. You do not gain the advantages of
any healing benefits that you distribute to others.
You can use this ability twice per day at 10th level, three
times per day at 12th level, and four times per day at 14th
level.
Guarded Lands (Ex): At 10th level, you may designate an
area as your guarded lands, allowing you to treat it as favored
terrain with a bonus of +1 per 2 druid levels you possess (if
the terrain of the area is already favored terrain, the bonuses
overlap, and do not stack). The area must be no larger than 1
square mile, and you must spend 24 hours carefully studying
the entire area. You may also designate one creature type as a
favored enemy within those guarded lands, gaining a favored
enemy bonus against the creature type of +1 per 4 druid
levels you possess; this stacks with any favored enemy bonus
you already have against that type of creature (if any).
Allies who can see and hear you gain an initiative bonus
equal to half your favored terrain bonus for that terrain. You
may have a number of guarded lands equal to your Wisdom
bonus (minimum 1). When you reach your maximum number
of guarded lands, you can select a new guarded land by
abandoning an existing one and performing the ritual for a
new area.
Whispers of the Forest (Sp): Starting at 12th level, the
spirits of plants, trees, and rocks speak to you, bringing you
news. These voices give you a short answers to any simple
question you pose pertaining to current events in the area, as
an augury spell. When in your favored terrain, the effect
improves to be equal to a divination spell. Questions about
distant events require 1 minute per mile of distance to
answer. At the referee's discretion, when the forest deems an
issue important, the whispers bring you news without your
request. This supersedes the Forest Reeve’s “whispers of the
forest” prestige class feature, from Complete Champion, and
the Spirit Ranger’s spirit bond and wisdom of the spirits
variant class features from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
 Web of Life (Sp): At 14th level, you can lead your
community in spiritual union with the interconnected web of
all life. Once per day, when you sing, chant, or speak
inspiringly for at least 1 full minute, every living creature that
hears your voice gains a +2 bonus to Wisdom for the next ld4
hours. In addition, each divine spellcaster who hears you,
including yourself, gains back ld4 levels of spells (up to four
lst level spells, two 2nd level spells, one 3rd level and one 1st
level, or one 4th level spell). These regained spells must be
spells you've cast since you last prepared spells. No
spellcaster can be affected by this spell-regaining ability more
than once per day, even if it is activated by multiple holt
wardens.
Numinous Hierophant (Su): At 20th level, the spirits of
the forest constantly whisper news to you; your whispers of
the forest ability is continually active. Additionally, the spirits
give you insights into other beings. Once per day, you can ask
the voices of the forest about a single creature. For the rest of
that day, you gain a +10 insight bonus on all Bluff and
Diplomacy checks pertaining to that creature. Again, at the
referee's discretion, the forest might occasionally volunteer
information about a person or creature, but only if it
considers the being remarkable in some way.
Moonspeaker
This initiation is adapted from the prestige class of the
same name, from Races of Eberron.
Initiate Spells: 3rd—deep slumber, 4th—moonstruckAPG,
5 —dream or moon pathFR, 6th—bite of the werebearSC or
th
lunar revelationRRO, 7th—insanity or waxing healthRRO, 8th
—were-doomBVD, 9th—gate.
Resist Nature’s Lure (Ex): Add creatures with the
[shapechanger] subtype to the list.
Augmented Summons (Su): Upon being initiated, you
gain Spell Focus (Conjuration) and Augment Summoning as
bonus feats. In addition, add the following to your possible
summons lists: summon nature’s ally IV—yeth hound;
summon nature’s ally V—bralani azata or nightmare;
summon nature’s ally VI—lillend azata, hellcat, or invisible
stalker; summon nature’s ally VII—nymph.
Lunar Resistances (Ex): At 6th level, you gain a the
following blessings from the moons:
Blessing of Luna: You gain damage reduction 1/silver.
This increases by 1 hp per class level thereafter, to a
maximum of DR 15/silver at 20th level.
Blessing of Celene: You gain resistance 5 to one energy
type (choose acid, cold, electricity, fire, force, negative
energy, or sonic). For every 2 levels thereafter, this
resistance increases by 5. At 18th level, you are immune.
At 14th level, choose a second energy type from the list.
You gain resistance 5 to that energy type; this also
increases by 5 per 2 levels thereafter (maximum
resistance 20 at 20th level).
Wild Shape (Su): At 8th level, you gain wild shape (as the
th
4 level wild shaper druid initiation ability). This ability does
not automatically improve, however, except as noted below.
Moonlight Summons (Ex): Starting at 10th level, all
summon nature’s ally spells you cast last twice their normal
duration (as if by the Extend Spell feat, but with no increase
in spell level or casting time). In addition, the creatures you
summon with them shed light as a light spell, are immune to
confusion and sleep effects, and their natural weapons are
treated as silver for the purposes of overcoming damage
reduction.
You treat the planar ally spells as if they were on the druid
class list.
Improved Natural Attacks (Ex): At 12th level, all of your
natural attacks (including unarmed attacks and any natural
attacks gained in wild shape) gain the effects of the Improved
Natural Attack feat. In addition, you and your animal
companion(s), if any, gain Eldritch Claws as a bonus feat.
Improved Wild Shape (Su): At 14th level, you gain
improved wild shape, as a 6th level wild shaper druid (animal
forms only). In addition, if you have levels in lycanthrope
(Chapter 2), your druid levels above 12th provide Weak
synergy towards your hybrid form’s abilities (maximum +4
effective levels, at 20th level).
Numinous Hierophant (Su): At 20th level, you are at home
in the Dreamlands. You longer need to sleep, although you
can still regain spells only once per day (at moonrise). You are
immune to sleep effects, fatigue, exhaustion, and hostile
transmutation effects.
Naga Aspirant
The naga aspirant follows the ancient beliefs and engages
in the rituals of a druidic sect dedicated to the transcendence
of his or her form through absolute devotion to nagas and
naga gods. Through acting as a herald to the naga deities, the
aspirant is rewarded with the ability to unlock his or her
ultimate spirit form and become a true naga. This initiation is
taken from the Advanced Race Guide.
Initiate Spells: Upon being initiated, you gain Domain
Access (Scalykind domain); initiate spells are selected from
the list for that domain.
Resist Nature’s Lure (Ex): Add creatures with the
[reptilian] subtype, including naga, dragons, etc., to the list of
creature types.
Naga Magic (Sp): Upon being initiated, add the following
arcane spells to your druid spell list: 0--acid splash, bleed,
daze, mage hand, open/close, ray of frost; 1st—charm person,
divine favor, expeditious retreat, mage armor, magic missile,
ray of enfeeblement, shield, shield of faith, silent image, true
strike; 2nd—acid arrow, detect thoughts, invisibility, mirror
image, scorching ray, see invisibility; 3rd—dispel magic,
displacement, fireball, lightning bolt, suggestion; 4th—divine
power, greater invisibility.
Naga Shape (Su): At 6th level, you can wild shape once per
day into the form of a true naga. When taking naga form, your
body transforms into that of a large serpent and you lose your
limbs, though you keep your own head. Your size increases by
one category, granting you a +4 size bonus to Strength and
Constitution, a –2 size penalty to Dexterity, and a +2
enhancement bonus to natural armor. You gain a +10 ft.
enhancement bonus to land speed and a bite attack that deals
1d6 points of damage. You can cast verbal spells in this form,
but cannot cast spells with other components without
metamagic or feats such as Natural Spell.
 Augmented Form (Su): At 8th, 10th, 12th, and 14th levels
(each), you can choose one of the following abilities to
enhance your naga form. Once chosen, this augmentation
cannot be changed and always applies to your naga form.
Charming Gaze (Sp): You gain a gaze attack that affects
creatures within 30 feet as a charm person spell (Intuition
negates).
Guarded Thoughts (Ex): You gain Arcane Defense
(enchantment) as a bonus feat, and immunity to any form
of mind reading (such as detect thoughts).
Hypnosis (Su): Once per day, by weaving and coiling your
body as a standard action, you can force all creatures
within 30 ft. to make a Will save to avoid becoming
fascinated. You can maintain this fascination effect as long
as you concentrate; fascinated creatures follow you if you
move, as long as you maintain the effect by concentrating.
Naga’s Senses (Su): You gain darkvision 60 ft. and can use
detect thoughts at will.
Poison Immunity (Ex): You gain immunity to all poisons.
Poisonous Sting (Ex): You grow a stinger on the end of
your tail, dealing 1d6 piercing damage plus poison (injury;
Fortitude save; frequency 1 round; effect sleep for 2d4
minutes; cure 1 save).
Spit Venom (Ex): You can spit venom up to 30 feet as a
standard action. This is a ranged touch attack with no
range increment. Any opponent hit by this attack must
make a successful save (see above) to avoid the effect. You
must already have a poisonous bite to gain this ability.
Water Scales (Ex): Your enhancement bonus to natural
armor increases by +2. You also gain a swim speed equal
to your base land speed, and a +4 racial bonus to Escape
Artist checks.
Venomous Bite (Ex): Your bite attack becomes poisonous.
Bite—injury; Fortitude save; damage 1 Con/round for 6
rounds; cure 1 save.
Numinous Hierophant (Su): At 20th level, you
metamorphose into a unique naga. Your wild shape form
becomes your natural form, though you can transform into
your original shape at will. Your creature type permanently
changes to aberration, and you stop aging.
Oakheart Initiate
This initiation represents the fighting style of the same name,
from The Quintessential Druid (Mongoose Publishing).
Prerequisite: You must have the Oakheart Brother option
(see Weapon and Armor Proficiencies, above) to gain this
initiation, which further expands on your abilities with the
quarterstaff in the form of spell-like abilities and bonus feats
(for which you do not need to meet the prerequisites).
Initiate Spells: 3rd—magic vestment, 4th—divine power,
5 —righteous might, 6th—spellstaff, 7th—changestaff, 8th—
th
persistent bull’s strength (self only; +10 enhancement bonus
for 24 hours), 9th—crushing hand.
Oakheart Adept (Ex, Sp): Starting at 4th level, you gain
Weapon Focus and Weapon Specialization (quarterstaff) as
bonus feats. Any wooden club or quarterstaff you wield is
treated as if it were under the effects of a shillelagh spell;
treat this as a continuous spell-like ability with a caster level
equal to your druid caster level. If dispelled, you can recreate
the effect as a swift action.
Foot Sweep (Ex): Starting at 6th level, you gain Improved
Trip with the quarterstaff, and treat the quarterstaff as if it
had the trip weapon property. You also gain Improved Two-
Weapon Fighting (quarterstaff only) as a bonus feat.
Improved Staff Fighting (Ex): At 8th level, you gain Two-
Weapon Defense and Pulverize Foe (quarterstaff) as bonus
feats, even if you do not meet the prerequisites.
Magic Staff (Sp): At 10th level, any quarterstaff you wield
is treated as if it were under the effects of the greater magic
weapon and weapon of impactMF spells (both ends). Treat
these as continuous spell-like abilities. If dispelled, you can
renew the effects as a swift action.
Stunning Jab (Ex): At 12th level, you gain Sickening Strike
and Staggering Strike as bonus feats; these can be applied
only to attacks made with a quarterstaff.
Blur of Oak (Ex): At 14th level, you gain Crushing Blow
and Two-Weapon Strike as bonus feats; these can be applied
only to attacks made with a quarterstaff. You also gain
Superior Two-Weapon fighting (as the Fighter talent of the
same name) with the quarterstaff.
Numinous Hierophant (Ex): At 20th level, you gain
weapon mastery with the quarterstaff, as the fighter’s
capstone feature of the same name. When wielding a
quarterstaff, you automatically confirm all critical threats, and
gain a critical multiplier of x4 rather than x3. You cannot be
disarmed while wielding a quarterstaff.
Ooze Master
This initiation supersedes the prestige class of the same
name from Masters of the Wild.
Prerequisite: You must have chosen Underground as your
favored terrain in order to select this initiation.
Initiate Spells: 3rd—resinous skinUC, 4th—touch of
slimeUM, 5th—fluid formAPG, 6th—ooze shape II or tar
poolUC, 7th—slime waveCD, 8th—skeletal delequescenceMF,
9th—quagmire vortexWotC.
From Quid Novi, XIII:I (Spes Magna Games).
Resist Nature’s Lure (Ex): Add oozes to the creature types
listed. In addition, you gain resistance to acid 5; this
resistance improves by an additional 5 points per 2 class
levels thereafter.
Friend to Oozes (Ex): Upon being initiated, you treat
oozes as if they were animals for purposes of your Wild
Empathy ability, and you can select oozes instead of animals
as Bonded Companions. You add the following choices to
your summon nature’s ally choices: II—giant amoeba; III—
garden ooze, slime mold; IV—gelatinous cube, gray ooze,
slithering tracker; V—globster, ochre jelly; VI—black
pudding; IX—carnivorous blob.
Touch of Ooze [Reserve] (Su): At 6th level, you gain a melee
touch attack that does not provoke attacks of opportunity; it
deals acid damage equal to 1d6 points per level of the
highest-level druid spell you have prepared and uncast. This
damage is dealt automatically to any creature you grapple.
Any melee attack you make also deals +1d6 acid damage.
Indiscernible Anatomy (Ex): At 8th level, you gain light
fortification, providing a 25% chance to ignore the effects of
critical hits, sneak attacks, and Vital Strikes. This improves
to 50% at 12th level, 75% at 16th level, and 100% at 20th level.
Malleability (Su): Starting at 10th level, you can compress
your body enough to squeeze through an inch-wide crack. You
cannot expand inside a space that offers any resistance, such
as an occupied suit of armor. You gain a competence bonus to
Escape Artist checks equal to half your class level.
Paralyzing Touch (Su): Starting at 12th level, any living
creature that takes damage from your touch of ooze must
succeed at a Fortitude save or be paralyzed for 1 round per
rank in Concentration you possess.
Ooze Limbs (Ex): Starting at 14th level, you can extend
your limbs like pseudopodia, increasing your reach by 5 ft. In
addition, your hands and feet become sticky at will, giving you
a continuous spider climb effect. Finally, you gain the ability
to spit gobs of acid, allowing you to use your touch of ooze
ability as a ranged touch attack.
Numinous Hierophant (Ex): At 20th level, you are as slimy
as the creatures you favor. Your type changes to Ooze. You
gain blindsight 100 ft. and become immune to acid, flanking,
poison, sleep, paralysis, stunning, all mind-influencing effects,
and baleful polymorph.
You also gain the ability to engulf creatures in your path.
You merely have to move over opponents, affecting as many
as you can cover. Targeted creatures can make attacks of
opportunity against you, but if they do so, they are not entitled
to a saving throw against the engulf attack. Those who do not
attempt attacks of opportunity can attempt a Reflex save to
avoid being engulfed―on a success, they are pushed back or
aside (target's choice) as you move forward. Engulfed
opponents gain the pinned condition, begin suffocating, are
trapped within your body until they are no longer pinned, and
are subject to your touch of ooze and paralyzing touch
abilities each round they remain pinned.
Order of Storms
This initiation represents the Storm Druid described in
Dragon magazine, issue 328; it also supersedes the Storm
Druid archetype from Ultimate Magic.
Initiate Spells: Upon being initiated, you gain Domain
Access (Weather domain); initiate spells are selected from
that domain list.
Resist Nature’s Lure (Ex): Add spells, spell-like, and
supernatural abilities with the [electricity] and/or [sonic]
descriptors.
Storm Resistances (Ex): You are immune to deafness,
gain resistance to electricity 10 and sonic 10, and receive a
+1 insight bonus on Reflex saves. The penalties from natural
or magical wind effects are treated as one step less severe for
you. Finally, you can see through 10 feet of magical fog, mist,
gas, wind, rain, or similar inclement weather conditions,
ignoring any concealment it might grant.
Thunder Strike (Su): Starting at 6th level, all of your
melee attacks are treated as if you were wielding a shock
weapon (+1d6 electrical). thundering weapon At 10th level, all
melee attacks you make are treated as if they had the
thundering property (+2d6 sonic and deafness as a [strike]
effect; Fort negates). At 14th level, all melee attacks you make
are treated as if you were wielding a thundering shocking
burst weapon.
Frightful Presence (Ex): At 8th level, you gain the ability to
frighten opponents whenever you attack or charge.
Opponents within 30 ft. become shaken for 4d6 rounds (Will
save negates). This ability affects only opponents with fewer
Hit Dice or levels than you have. An opponent that succeeds
on the saving throw is immune your frightful presence for 24
hours. Frightful presence is a mind-affecting fear effect.
Improved Storm Resistances (Ex): At 10th level, your
storm resistances improve. You gain resistance to electricity
20 and sonic 20, and the insight bonus on Reflex saves
increases to +2. You can see through 60 feet of fog, mist, etc.
Improved Initiative: At 12th level, you gain Improved
Initiative as a bonus feat.
Greater Storm Resistances (Ex): At 14th level, your storm
resistances improve again. You gain resistance to electricity
30 and sonic 30, and the insight bonus on Reflex saves
increases to +3. Finally, you become immune to natural and
magical wind effects, and can see through any distance of fog
and mist.
Numinous Hierophant (Su): At 20th level, your being is
infused with the power of storms. You are immune to
electricity and sonic effects, and gain a +4 insight bonus to all
Reflex saves. All melee attacks you make are treated as if you
were using a thundering lightning blast weapon (+3d6
electrical damage, which multiplies on a confirmed critical).
Spirit Shaman
Migizi was familiar with the Manitou, enough to recognize
and put a name to all the mysteries, great and small. Some
came―wind shadows and small thunders―for the smoke of
the tobacco Migizi offered from his spirit pipe: they told him
secrets in return. Others came only to watch, though they,
too, would accept his tobacco.
―Charles deLint, Spiritwalk (1992)
A druid with the Spirit Shaman initiation supersedes the
Spirit Shaman base class, from Complete Divine.
Initiate Spells: 3rd—remove curse or speak with dead, 4th
—dismissal, 5th—dispel evil/good/law/chaos, 6th—planar
binding or undeath to death, 7th—banishment, 8th—mind
blank, 9th--etherealness.
Resist Nature’s Lure (Ex): Add oni, outsiders, incorporeal
creatures, and creatures in astral or ethereal form or with
astral or ethereal bodies.
Spirit Guide (Su): You can use unallocated leadership
potential from your Mark of the Wild ability to gain a spirit
guide, an incorporeal familiar (see Wizard). Your effective
wizard level is equal to twice the CR of Leadership potential
you devote to the spirit guide.
Chastise Spirits (Su): At 4th level, you gain the ability to
chastise spirits (undead, fey, elementals, oni, and creatures in
astral form or with astral bodies). This works similarly to
channeling negative energy to damage living creatures,
except only the listed creature types are affected. Damage is
not reduced for incorporeal spirits. You may use this ability a
number of times per day equal to 3 + your Charisma modifier.
This ability counts as channeling energy for purposes of
qualifying you for channeling feats.
Ghost Warrior (Su): Beginning at 6th level, you gain Ghost
Strike as a bonus feat, even if you do not meet the
prerequisites. For purposes of determining the effects of this
feat, use your number of ranks in Concentration in place of
your base attack bonus. In addition, when you are personally
on the ethereal plane, add your Wisdom modifier as an
insight bonus to your Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution
scores.
Blessing of the Spirits (Sp): Starting at 8th level, you can
perform a special rite to gain the blessings of spirits friendly
to you. You go into a meditative state in which you travel to
the spirit world. Performing this rite requires 10 minutes.
The blessing functions as a protection from evil or magic
circle against evil spell, except that it protects against spirits
and lasts until dismissed or dispelled.
Spirit Form (Sp): At 10th level, you learn to temporarily
transform yourself into a spirit. Once per day as a standard
action, you can become ethereal for up to 1 round per class
level, as if by an ethereal jaunt spell. Starting at 15th level, you
can use this ability twice per day; at 20th level, you can
assume spirit form 3 times per day.
Greater Chastise (Su): Starting at 12th level, you can use
your chastise spirits ability (q.v.) to affect any creature with a
spirit or soul.
Recall Spirit (Sp): At 14th level, you gain the ability to call
back the spirit of a dead creature before it has arrived at its
planar destination. To be effective, this ability must be used
within 1 round of the victim’s death. It functions like
resurrection, except that the raised creature receives no level
loss, no Constitution loss, and no loss of spells. Resurrection
survival checks apply as usual. The creature is restored to –1
hp and stabilized.
Numinous Hierophant (Su): At 20th level, you become one
with the spirit world. Your creature type becomes Fey. You
gain damage reduction 5/cold iron. You also learn to perform
a special rite that bargains part of your life force for
protection from death. The rite requires 8 hours; after its
conclusion, the first time you are reduced to 0 hp or below, or
have any ability damaged or drained to 0 or below, you
instantly receive the benefits of a heal spell. You receive this
benefit immediately, as the damage takes effect; you may thus
survive an otherwise fatal blow. The rite’s protection is
discharged once it is triggered, and you must perform a new
rite to gain this protection again.
Verdant Lord
This initiation mirrors the prestige class of the same name
from Masters of the Wild, and also subsumes the Treesinger
druid from the Advanced Race Guide.
Initiate Spells: Upon being initiated, you gain Domain
Access (Plant domain); your initiate bonus spells are chosen
from the list of Plant domain spells.
Green Magic (Su): The Verdant Lord initiation confers a
number of plant-related abilities on you:
You are treated as if continuously under the effects of a
speak with plants spell.
You gain 1 free rank per class level in Profession
(horticulture).
Your spells that normally affect only animals also work on
plants.
You gain any one Plant domain feat or granted power.
Plant Master (Su): At 6th level, you gain Domain
Channeling (Plant Domain) as a bonus feat. You can also use
plant growth at will as a spell-like ability.
Plant Immunities (Ex): At 8th level, you gain Arcane
Defense (enchantment) and are immune to sleep, paralysis,
and stunning. Given water and sunlight, you no longer need
food.
Animate Tree (Sp): At 10th level, you gain the ability to
cause trees to uproot themselves and attack your enemies.
You can use liveoak as a spell-like ability once per day.
Treant Wild Shape (Su): At 12th level, you can wild shape
into a treant once per day. This works like a wild shaper
druid’s primal wild shape ability (as a plant shape III spell).
Because a treant has a voice and manipulative appendages,
you can cast spells normally while in treant wild shape.
Fast Healing (Ex): Starting at 14th level, you gain fast
healing 5 as long as you are in sunlight or the equivalent
(such as the effects of a daylight spell). Your need to eat and
sleep are reduced as if you were wearing a ring of
sustenance.
Numinous Hierophant (Ex): At 20th level, your type
changes to Plant. You gain low-light vision, are immune to
poison, polymorph, critical hits, and mind-influencing effects.
You no longer suffer penalties for aging and cannot be
magically aged. Any aging penalties you may already have
suffered, however, remain in place. Your life span is extended
by a thousand years, like an old sequoia.
Vermiurge
This option draws from the Vermin Lord prestige class from
the Book of Vile Darkness and the Master of Flies from
Savage Species.
Initiate Spells: Upon being initiated, you gain Domain
Access (Vermin domain) as a bonus feat. Your initiate bonus
spells are chosen from the list of Vermin domain spells, and
your spontaneous summon nature’s ally spells always
summon swarms or vermin.
Resist Nature’s Lure (Ex): Add vermin to the creature
types listed.
Master of Vermin (Su): At 4th level, you gain the Vermin
Heart feet (see Appendix). You treat vermin as if they were
animals with Intelligence 2 for purposes of your spell
targeting and effects (this includes spells with the mind-
affecting descriptor). In addition, you gain and use vermin
domain powers at your full class level (rather than at a
reduced number of ranks in Knowledge: the planes; see
Domain Access feat). You also gain immunity to webs,
including the web spell.
Cloak of Vermin (Su): Also starting at 4th level, you are
constantly surrounded by a 5-ft. radius swarm of Diminutive
biting, flying insects. Those within the area (except you) are
subject to being attacked by the swarm (damage 1d6 per 4
class levels you possess, plus distraction). Your cloak of
vermin has Hit Dice equal to your druid level, and uses your
Constitution modifier, AC, and saving throws. If your
attendant vermin swarm is destroyed, it recovers at the rate of
1 effective druid level per day.
Venomous Vermin (Ex): Starting at 6th level, your cloak of
vermin is poisonous (injury; Fortitude save; damage 1d2 Dex
per round for 1 round per 3 class levels; cure 1 save).
Swarm Armor (Ex): Starting at 8th level, the insects
swarming around you provide you with a natural armor
bonus of +1 per 4 class levels. In addition, half of all damage
inflicted on you by targeted attacks is taken by your cloak of
vermin instead.
Verminsight (Su): Starting at 10th level, your growing hive
mind with flying insects alerts you to danger. You gain the
equivalent of blindsense with a range of 5 ft. per class level
you possess.
Swarm Shape (Su): Starting at 12th level, you can wild
shape (as a wild shaper druid) at will into one or more
swarms. This works as the swarm skinUM spell.
Hive Mind (Su): Starting at 14th level, you can form a hive
mind with up to one willing ally per 3 class levels you
possess. Those affected are in constant telepathic
communication. If one is aware of a particular danger, you all
are. If one in the group is not flat-footed, none of you are.
None of the members of the group are considered flanked
unless all of you are. You can activate this ability once per day
as a full-attack action that provokes attacks of opportunity;
the effect lasts for up to 1 hour. Starting at 18th level, you can
use it twice per day.
Numinous Hierophant (Su): At 20th level, you gain the
Worm that Walks template (Bestiary 2), with no increase to
your CR. If gravely threatened, you can discorporate as a free
action, simply falling into a pile of individual vermin that
slither quickly away. So long as any of the component vermin
survive, they can breed and create a new body to house your
intelligence and personality. Discorporating is a dangerous
tactic, because once separated, the vermin are treated no
differently than other vermin. Also, you stand a good chance
of losing all your equipment. However, discorporation almost
assures that at least one vermin (if not dozens) will manage
to crawl away, and so provide for your continued existence.
Wild Shaper
The wild shaper initiate represents the standard Pathfinder
druid, and allows access to the class’ signature wild shape
abilities.
Initiate Spells: Wild shaper druids are extremely versatile.
Your initiate spell slots can be filled with any spells of the
appropriate levels from the druid class list. A variant is the
Master of Many Forms (Complete Adventurer), who has the
following: 1st—enlarge self, 2nd—alter self, 3rd—vermin
shape I, 4th—vermin shape II, 5th—polymorph, 6th—form of
the dragon I, 7th—form of the dragon II or giant form I, 8th
—form of the dragon III or giant form II, 9th—shapechange.
Wild Shape (Su): Starting at 4th level, you gain the
[shapechanger] subtype and the ability to turn yourself into
any Small or Medium animal and back again once per day.
Your options for new forms include all creatures with the
animal type that could reasonably be found in your favored
terrain (an arctic druid could become a lynx, but not a jaguar).
This ability functions like a beast shape I spell, except as
noted here. The effect lasts for 1 hour per druid level, or until
you change back. Changing form (to animal or back) is a
standard action and doesn't provoke an attack of opportunity.
The form chosen must be that of an animal with which you
are familiar.
You lose your ability to speak while in animal form because
you are limited to the sounds that a normal, untrained animal
can make, but you can communicate normally with other
animals of the same general grouping as your new form. The
normal sound a wild parrot makes is a squawk, so changing
to this form does not permit speech.
All of your gear melds into your body. Items that provide
constant bonuses and do not need to be activated continue to
function while melded in this way (with the exception of
armor and shield bonuses, which cease to function). Items
that require activation cannot be used while you maintain
that form.
You can use this ability an additional time per day at 6th
level and every two levels thereafter, for a total of eight times
at 18th level. At 20th level, you can use wild shape at will.
Improved Wild Shape (Su): At 6th level, you can use wild
shape to change into a Large or Tiny animal (as beast shape
II) or a Small elemental (as elemental body I).
Greater Wild Shape (Su): At 8th level, you can use wild
shape to change into a Huge or Diminutive animal (as beast
shape III), a Medium elemental (as elemental body II), or a
Small or Medium plant creature (as plant shape I).
Superior Wild Shape (Su): At 10th level, you can use wild
shape to change into a magical beast (as beast shape IV), a
Large elemental (as elemental body III) or a Large plant
creature (as plant shape II).
Primal Wild Shape (Su): At 12th level, you can use wild
shape to change into a Huge elemental (as elemental body IV)
or a Huge plant creature (as plant shape III).
A Thousand Faces (Su): At 14th level, you gain the ability
to change your appearance at will, as if using the alter self
spell, but only while in your normal form.
Numinous Hierophant (Su): At 20th level, your wild shape
ability ripples through your being. You are immune to harmful
Transmutation effects, and you can shift to become at home
anywhere in the multiverse: your Terrain Mastery ability
expands to include all planes of existence, and you gain
Power over Shadow as a bonus feat.

Appendix B: Druid Feats
These feats are listed here, rather than in Chapter 5,
because they pertain specifically to druids. Feats with the
[Wild Shape] descriptor require wild shape or aspect of
nature as a prerequisite. Many druids also take Arcane Bond
as a feat, gaining a staff, a familiar, or a “spirit guide”
(incorporeal familiar).
Aspect of the Beast
Whether by magic or a curse of your blood, some part of you
is more beast than man.
Prerequisite: Wild shape, aspect of nature, or lycanthrope.
Benefit: Your bestial nature manifests itself in one of the
following ways. You choose the manifestation when you
choose the feat, and then you cannot change it.
Night Senses (Ex): You gain low-light vision. If you have
low-light vision, you gain darkvision 30 ft. instead. If you
have darkvision as well, the range of your darkvision
increases by 30 feet.
Predator’s Leap (Ex): You can make a running jump
without needing to run 10 feet before you jump.
Wild Instinct (Ex): You gain a +2 insight bonus on initiative
checks and Survival checks.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide. This feat also subsumes
the Cougar’s Vision feat from Complete Adventurer.
Boar's Ferocity [Wild Shape]
Prerequisite: Wild shape or aspect of nature.
Benefit: If your hit points are reduced to 0 or less (but you
aren't killed), you can spend one wild shape as an immediate
action to continue acting as if not disabled or dying. The
effect lasts for one minute.
Normal: When reduced to 0 hp, you are disabled and can
take only a single move or standard action each round. When
reduced to -1 to -Con hp, you are dying and drop unconscious.
Source: Complete Divine.
Druid of Earth and Metal [Skill]
Prerequisites: Druid level 1st, Craft (smith).
Benefit: You can wear and wield any weapons or armor
that you make with your Craft (smith) skill, even those not on
the list of allowable druid weapons and armor. You do not
gain proficiency with these items, but you suffer a –2 penalty
rather than a –4 penalty on attacks with non-proficient
weapons you have personally constructed. In the case of
magical weapons and armor, you must also imbue them
yourself in order to use them without restriction.
Source: Book of Hallowed Might II: Portents and Visions
(Malhavoc Press).
Eldritch Blast [Reserve]
Eldritch Blast [Reserve]
Reserve Spell: 1st level druid spell.
Benefit: You gain the spell-like ability to fire a bolt of red-
gold fire from your hands as a standard action. This strikes as
a ranged touch attack (a ray) with close range (25 ft. + 5 ft.
per 2 caster levels), dealing 1d6 damage per level of the
highest-level druid spell you have prepared and ready to cast.
Half this damage is fire damage; the other half results directly
from divine power and is therefore not subject to being
reduced by resistance to fire-based attacks. It is otherwise
similar to the sorcerer’s eldritch blast ability, but gains no
automatic improvements as you increase in power.
Fast Wild Shape [Wild Shape]
You assume your wild shape faster and more easily than you
otherwise could.
Prerequisites: Wild shape or aspect of nature.
Benefit: You gain the ability to use wild shape or aspect of
nature as a move-equivalent action.
Normal: Use of wild shape or aspect of nature is a
standard action.
Source: Complete Divine.
Grove Defender [Skill]
You are tied to a specific sacred druidical grove.
Prerequisites: Mark of the Wild class feature, Survival 1
rank, able to cast druid or ranger spells.
Benefit: You receive a sacred bonus to AC, attacks, and
damage equal to +1 per 4 ranks in Survival you possess, but
only when fighting within close proximity of your sacred
grove (half a mile per rank in Survival you possess).
If you have at least 6 ranks in Survival, while within your
sacred grove, you receive the benefits of one full hour of
sleep for every half hour you rest. For every four hours
spent therein, you heal as if a full day had passed, and you
can recover spells as if you had slept 8 hours.
If you have at least 11 ranks in Survival, all druid and
ranger spells you cast within your grove receive a +1
sacred bonus to the save DCs.
If you have at least 16 ranks in Survival, all druid and
ranger spells you cast within your grove receive a +2
sacred bonus to the save DCs, and druid/ranger spells you
cast in close proximity to your grove (see above) receive a
+1 sacred bonus to the save DCs.
Special: You weaken and die if you remain away from your
chosen grove for too long. Each week away from the grove,
you must succeed at a DC 15 Fortitude save or suffer 1d6
points of damage per day spent away thereafter. The save DC
increases by an additional +1 per week thereafter. This
damage can be healed only within the boundaries of the
chosen grove.
Source: This feat largely supersedes the Grove Defender
prestige class, from The Quintessential Druid (Mongoose
Publishing).

Oaken Resilience [Wild Shape]
Prerequisite: Greater wild shape.
Benefit: You can spend a wild shape use to gain immunity
to critical hits, poison, sleep, paralysis, polymorph, and
stunning. You also gain great stability, which gives you a +8
bonus on checks to avoid being bull rushed or tripped. The
effect remains for 10 minutes.
Source: Complete Divine.
Practiced Initiate
Prerequisites: Druidical initiation.
Benefit: Your effective druid level for your druidical
initiation abilities increases by +4. This applies to initiate
powers gained and the level-dependent effects of your
existing abilities; it does not grant you any other druid class
features.
This feat can't increase your total effective druid level
beyond your HD. However, even if you can't benefit from the
full bonus immediately, if you later gain non-druid HD you
may be able to apply the rest of the bonus.
Special: The effects of feat stack with class synergy
features improving your effective druid level; this a specific
exception to the non-stacking rule. Your total limit based on
effective character level remains in force.
Spirit Spell
Prerequisite: Chastise spirits class ability.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can spend 3 uses of your
chastise spirits ability to maximize the next spell you cast,
with no adjustment to spell level or casting time.
Source: Dragon magazine, issue 343.
Spontaneous Affliction
You punish those who would despoil the wilderness
by infecting them with a mild illness.
Prerequisite: Able to cast druid spells.
Benefit: You can transform the stored energy of a spell you
have prepared and use it as a spell-like ability to weaken your
enemies. To use spontaneous affliction, you must spend a
standard action and sacrifice a prepared spell. All humanoids
within 30 feet of you must succeed on a Fortitude save or
become sickened for a number of rounds equal to the level of
the spell sacrificed.
Source: Exemplars of Evil.
Venom’s Gift [Wild Shape]
Prerequisite: Greater wild shape.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can expend one daily
use of your wild shape ability to envenom your natural attacks
for up to 1 round per class level you possess. An ordinary
unarmed strike does not qualify for this benefit; you must
have a true natural attack, though it can be the result of a
transmutation spell or other shapechange effect. Poison:
Injury, Fortitude negates, ld2 Str/round for 6 rounds, cure 1
save
Source: Complete Champion.
Vermin Heart
Vermin Heart
You have a special bond with creeping things.
Prerequisites: Mark of the Wild class feature.
Benefit: You may target Vermin with spells and special
abilities that normally only affect animals (although they are
still affected by spells targeting vermin as well). You may use
wild empathy to influence vermin as easily as you influence
animals.
If you would normally gain an animal companion, you can
gain a monstrous vermin companion instead.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Wild Shape, Planar [Wild Shape]
You can infuse your wild shape with planar strength.
Prerequisites: Wild shape, Knowledge (the planes) 6
ranks.
Benefit: When you use wild shape to take the form of an
animal, you can expend an additional daily use of your wild
shape class feature to add the celestial template or fiendish
template to your animal form. (Good druids must use the
celestial template, while evil druids must use the fiendish
template.)
If your form has the celestial template and you score a
critical threat against an evil creature while using your form’s
natural weapons, you gain a +2 bonus on the attack roll to
confirm the critical hit. The same bonus applies if your form
has the fiendish template and you score a critical threat
against a good creature.
Source: Ultimate Combat.
Wild Shape, Swift [Wild Shape]
Prerequisite: Fast Wild Shape.
Benefit: You can activate your wild shape or aspect of
nature ability as a swift action.
Normal: Activating these abilities is a standard action.
Source: Complete Champion.
Wolverine's Rage [Wild Shape]
Prerequisite: Wild shape or aspect of nature ability
Benefit: If you have taken damage during the last round,
you may spend a wild shape or aspect of nature use as a free
action on your turn to enter a rage, as a 1st level barbarian.
This rage lasts a number of rounds equal to 4 + your (pre-
rage) Constitution modifier, and cannot be ended voluntarily.
Source: Complete Divine.
FIGHTER
A revision of the fighter class follows, allowing one to
“Can you understand a man who, for almost every day of a eventually become a master of warfare like Miyamoto
lifetime like that, has spent some time dwelling with weapons, Musashi or Lancelot du Lac, or, more extremely, John Carter
of Mars or Benedict of Amber. The fighter’s new saving throw
tactics, strategy? All that there is of military science thunders
progression and Warlord abilities simulate the 1st edition
in his head. He has commanded armies so vast that you could
fighter’s primary class features: excellent saves at high levels,
watch them march by day after day and see no end to the and a free army.
columns. Although he is inconvenienced by the loss of his The Pathfinder class feature of armor training is now a
arm, I would not wish to fight with him either with weapons or choice in a broader range of “fighter talents.” A number of the
barehanded. It is fortunate that he has no designs upon the fighter’s talents and abilities have been chosen so as to allow
throne, or he would be occupying it right now. If he were, I the fighter to naturally supersede the Duelist prestige class
believe that I would give up at this moment and pay him
from the core rules and the Cavalier and Samurai base
classes (Advanced Players Guide), as well as a number of
homage.”
other classes in 3.5 edition sources such as Complete
―Roger Zelazny, The Guns of Avalon (1972) Warrior.
TABLE: THE FIGHTER HIT DICE: D10
Level Base Attack Bonus Special
1st +1 Bravery (1 step), combat expertise, fighter talent
2nd +2 Bonus feat, weapon aptitude, weapon training
3rd +3 Fighter talent, versatile weapon use
4th +4 Bonus feat, grit (1/day)
5th +5 Fighter talent, mettle
6th +6/+6 Bonus feat, onslaught of blows, vital strike
7th +7/+7 Bravery (2 steps), fighter talent
8th +8/+8 Bonus feat, grit (2/day), threat assessment
9th +9/+9 Fighter talent, warlord
10th +10/+10 Bonus feat, improved weapon aptitude
11th +11/+11/+11 Advanced fighter talent, improved onslaught of blows
12th +12/+12/+12 Bonus feat, grit (3/day)
13th +13/+13/+13 Advanced fighter talent, bravery (immune to fear)
14th +14/+14/+14 Bonus feat, unstoppable
15th +15/+15/+15 Advanced fighter talent
16th +16/+16/+16/+16 Bonus feat, greater onslaught of blows, grit (4/day)
17th +17/+17/+17/+17 Advanced fighter talent, supreme warlord
18th +18/+18/+18/+18 Bonus feat, greater weapon aptitude
19th +19/+19/+19/+19 Advanced fighter talent, fighting spirit
20th +20/+20/+20/+20 Bonus feat, grit (5/day), weapon mastery

Saving Throws: Fighters gain a +2 class bonus to Fortitude,
Reflex, and Will saves.
Bonus Skills: All fighters automatically receive one free
rank per class level in Endurance and in Knowledge
(warfare). In addition, for each class level, choose a
specialized form of military training to receive; that level, you
gain 1 bonus rank in one applicable skill. Examples include
cavalry (Handle Animal), corps of engineers (Craft:
construction), infantry (Survival), marine (Profession: sailor),
medic (Heal), officer (Diplomacy), and sapper (Profession:
mining); others may be added with referee approval.
These are treated as class skills, but do not count against
the fighter’s total number of skill points.
Class Skills: Athletics, Bluff, Craft (all), Diplomacy, Handle
Animal, Heal, Knowledge (Linguistics), Perception,
Profession (all).
Skill Points per Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Favored Class: When gaining a level of fighter as a favored
class, rather than choosing +1 hp or skill point, you can
instead select one of the following options:
 Critical Focus: Choose a weapon with which you have at
least Martial proficiency. Add a +1 circumstance bonus on
critical hit confirmation rolls with that weapon (maximum
bonus of +4, at which point this ability is equivalent to the
Critical Focus feat for that weapon). This bonus does not
stack with Critical Focus.
Maneuver Mastery: You gain a +1 class bonus to your
CMB with one type of maneuver (e.g., overrun, trip, etc.).
The effects stack, but the maximum bonus in any one
category gained in this manner cannot exceed +1, with an
additional +1 per 4 class levels you possess.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A fighter has Martial
proficiency with all weapons and shields, and is proficient
with all armor (heavy, medium, and light). Additionally, you
gain Exotic proficiency in one shield or one weapon of your
choice. You also have the following options:
You can choose to trade your medium and heavy armor
proficiencies for the Canny Defense feat.
You can choose to give up your exotic shield or weapon
proficiency to gain Dodge as a bonus feat instead.
Bravery (Ex): Starting at 1st level, when subjected to a
[Fear] effect, the severity is lessened by one category (e.g.,
severe to moderate). You can shrug off effects that would
normally leave another person shaken.
At 7th level, the severity of [fear] conditions are reduced by
two steps.
At 13th level, you are immune to fear and [fear] effects.
Combat Expertise (Ex): All fighters are skilled at
defending themselves in battle. You gain Combat Expertise as
a bonus feat at 1st level, even if you do not meet the
prerequisites.
Fighter Talent (Ex): Starting at 1st level, and at each odd-
numbered level thereafter, select one talent from the Fighter
Talents list (Appendix A). Fighter talents are similar to feats,
but are obtainable only by fighters and are generally more
powerful. Talents that are designated as [Strikes] or [Stances]
follow those general rules, as outlined in Chapter 5.
Bonus Feat: At every even-numbered class level, you can
select any combat feat, stance feat, or strike feat for which
you meet the prerequisites. For purposes of qualifying for
combat feats that require a minimum attribute score, treat
your relevant score as the sum of the actual score + half your
fighter level. For example, if your actual Dexterity is 12, you
could still potentially qualify for the Improved Two-Weapon
Fighting feat (prerequisite of Dex 15) at 6th level.
Sneak Attack: Alternatively, a bonus feat can be traded for
sneak attack (as the Rogue class feature of the same name). If
this option is selected, sneak attack damage is 1d6 for each
time you select this option (so that a fighter spending all
bonus feats on Sneak Attack would have sneak attack +10d6
at 20th level). Sneak attack is always capped at a maximum of
1 die per 2 character levels (rounded up), no matter how
many sources of stacking sneak attack damage you have
access to.
Weapon Training (Ex): Fighters are experts with all
weapons. Starting at 2nd level, you gain the following benefits:
For purposes of meeting the prerequisites of other feats,
you are always treated as having the Weapon Focus and
Weapon Specialization feats.
When attacking with a manufactured or natural weapon
or unarmed attack, you gain a bonus on damage equal to
half your class level. Your training is so ingrained that this
is considered a racial bonus, rather than a competence
bonus.
You gain a +1 competence bonus to your CMD against
weapon maneuvers (disarm, sunder, etc.) and saving
throws against spells targeting any weapon you are
wielding (e.g., grease, heat metal, shatter, warp wood).
This bonus increases by an additional +1 per 4 levels after
the 2nd (maximum +5 at 18th level). At 20th level, you
cannot be disarmed.
Weapon Aptitude (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, each
morning, you can choose to spend 1 hour in weapon practice
to change the designated weapon for any feat you have that
applies to a specific weapon or weapons group (such as the
Weapon Focus feat). You must have the newly-designated
weapon available during your practice session in order to
make this change. You can adjust any number of your feats or
talents in this way, and you need not adjust them all in the
same way. This ability is similar to the Warblade’s class
feature of the same name, from the Tome of Battle.
Versatile Weapon Use (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, all
manufactured and natural weapons you wield are treated as
if they dealt bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage.
Grit (Ex): Starting at 4th level, your toughness and resolve
to defeat your enemies allows you to perform heroic deeds.
You gain 1 daily use of this “grit” per 4 class levels you
possess.
___
It was some daring move on the part of the deputy marshal
whose manliness and grit I had doubted. No grit? Rooster
Cogburn? Not much!
―Charles Portis, True Grit (1968).
Spending one point of “grit” allows you to do any of the
following:
Activate the effects of one [Strike] feat or ability on any hit,
even if the activating conditions are not met;
Gain the effects of one Hero Point (see Chapter 1) without
actually using one of your own hero points;
Gain the use of one combat feat whose prerequisites you
meet for 1 round (if you have more than one round of use
available, you can spend them simultaneously so as to
gain the use of more than one feat that round);
Instantly stabilize and remain conscious when reduced to
0 hp or below, but not slain (you are staggered, but do not
fall unconscious and begin dying if you take a standard
action).

Starting at 16th level, if you have at least two uses of grit
remaining, you can spend all of your remaining uses to
avoid death from hit point damage. Regardless of the
source of the attack that would have killed you, you are left
alive (at –1 hit points, or lower if you were already below –
1), unconscious, and stable.
Grit is restored at the beginning of each day. You cannot
“save up” grit from previous days; any uses not spent are lost
when your full number of uses is restored. You can regain
spent uses (up to your daily maximum) before the next day in
the following ways:
Each time you confirm a critical hit in the heat of combat,
you regain 1 grit. Confirming a critical hit on a helpless or
unaware creature, or on a creature that has fewer Hit Dice
than half your character level does not restore grit.
When you use grit as part of an attack that reduces a
creature to 0 or fewer hit points in the heat of combat, you
regain 1 grit use.
Synergy: If you also have the Challenge talent, whenever
you defeat the target of your challenge you regain one daily
use of grit, up to your maximum number of uses per day.
Defeating the target of a challenge usually involves reducing
the target to 0 hit points or fewer, but the referee might rule
that an enemy who surrenders or flees the battle is also
defeated. If you retreat from battle against a challenged foe,
you lose the ability to make a challenge for 24 hours.
Source: This ability supersedes the Gunslinger’s “grit”
class feature (with the combat feat use simulating the
Gunslinger’s “deeds”) and also the Samurai’s “resolve” and
“honorable stand” class features, from Ultimate Combat. It
can be used to emulate the cleric’s “weapon master” War
domain power from the core rules.
Mettle (Ex): Starting at 5th level, if you make a successful
Fortitude or Will save against an attack that would normally
have a lesser effect on a save (such as any spell with a saving
throw of Fortitude Partial), you instead completely negate the
effect. This supersedes the Hexblade class feature of the
same name (Complete Warrior), and also the Pious Templar
prestige class feature.
Onslaught of Blows (Ex): At 6th level, when making
iterative attacks you suffer no attack penalty for the second
attack with any given weapon (i.e., the first iterative attack),
including off-hand weapons; the effects of this ability are
reflected in Table 1. If your base attack bonus improves from
other classes and you gain a third iterative attack in that
manner, the normal -5 penalty applies to it. For example, a 6th
level fighter attacks at +6/+6; a 3rd level fighter/3rd level
ranger attacks at +6/+1.
Vital Strike (Ex): Even when not making iterative attacks,
the fighter has an edge over other combatants. At 6th level,
you gain Vital Strike as a bonus feat. Note: If you also have
the Combat Reflexes feat, this provides the equivalent of the
Trailblazer fighter’s “punishing strike” ability (Badaxe
Games).
Threat Assessment (Ex): By 8th level, your experience in
fighting combatants of all styles and levels of skill allows you
to accurately size up new opponents. After studying a
creature within 60 ft. for 1 round (which requires a swift
action on your part), you can tell by the way it moves how
skilled in combat it is likely to be:
Base Attack Bonus Assessment
+0 Untrained
+1 to +5 Competent/trained
+6 to +10 Extremely experienced
+11 to +15 Exceptionally skilled
+16 to +20 World-class
+21 or higher Godlike
You can also assess the type of threat the primary type of
threat it presents (magical, melee, ranged, supernatural). A
creature intentionally concealing its prowess is entitled to a
Bluff check; in that event, you must succeed at an opposed
Perception check to learn the information given. Any creature
in disguise with at least one rank in Perform (acting) is
assumed to be Bluffing as to its prowess, in accordance with
its assumed role.
On a larger scale, you can scan the battlefield as a move
action to learn which enemy within 60 feet of your current
position has the highest base attack bonus. This assessment
includes only those enemies you can see. This usage
supersedes the Myrmidon’s “eye for danger” opportunism
ability from the Iron Heroes Player’s Companion (Fiery
Dragon Productions).
Warlord (Ex): Starting at 9th level, your reputation as a war
master grants you advantages when dealing with others. You
gain the benefits of Skill Synergy (Bluff, Diplomacy) as a
bonus feat. In addition, you can attract a body of men-at-arms
led by an above-average fighter. This works similarly to the
Leadership feat (Chapter 5), using your ranks in Knowledge
(Warfare) rather than Diplomacy, but you can attract only
fighters, warriors, or experts with this ability.
Instead of maintaining a standing army, you can choose to
keep some or all of your leadership potential unallocated.
Thereafter, whenever you demoralize an opponent or defeat a
creature in combat but spare its life, you can choose to have
that creature join your service on the spot, renouncing its
former loyalties in the process. The target receives a Will
save (DC 10 + half your fighter level + your Charisma
modifier) to resist, and is subject to your normal CR
limitations.
Special: If you establish a stronghold, you receive a noble
title appropriate to the size and usefulness of the lands you
clear around your stronghold. Thereafter, you gain income in
the form of rent, which you can use to support your men-at-
arms and stronghold. Being a noble provides you with
substantial input into the political and world-building aspects
of the campaign, as you can lobby the king (or other
potentate) directly; in game terms, this allows you limited
GM-like powers of fiat when it comes to national affairs
(subject to agreement between you and the referee). Note that
your title isn’t just frills; it also carries the responsibility of
aiding your liege in times of war―unless you prefer to openly
rebel, which starts a new adventure at a time when you might
have more important things going on.
Improved Weapon Aptitude (Ex): At 10th level, you gain Greater Weapon Aptitude (Ex): At 18th level, your
Exotic proficiency with all weapons and shields. Even if aptitude with weapons is so great that you can instinctively
exposed to a totally unfamiliar weapon from a completely apply training and methods learned with one weapon to
different technology level, you can become proficient with it others, without the need for additional practice. From this
after handling it for one round. You also gain Catch Off Guard point on, the effects of all talents and feats you possess that
as a bonus feat. normally apply only to a specific weapon, type of weapon, or
In addition, you have the ability to recall the vital statistics weapons group (Improved Critical, Weapon Focus, etc.)
and important quirks of practically all known commercially automatically apply to all weapons you wield.
available weapons. This includes, but is not limited to, their Fighting Spirit (Ex): Starting at 19th level, you no longer
general level of reliability as well as all vital statistics— automatically fail saving throws on a roll of 1 (you still fail the
material composition, ammunition capacity, caliber, possible save if your total result fails to equal or beat the DC,
outfitted accessories, etc. however). This supersedes the Knight’s “impetuous
Advanced Talent (Ex): Starting at 11th level, each time you endurance” class feature from the Player’s Handbook II.
would gain a new talent, you can select an advanced talent Weapon Mastery (Ex): At 20th level, all your critical
instead, from the list of Advanced Fighter Talents below. If threats are automatically confirmed, and you treat the critical
you cannot meet any of the prerequisites for a new advanced multiplier of weapons you wield as one higher than normal (a
talent, you can select a regular talent instead. ×2 becomes a ×3, for example).
Onslaught of Blows, Improved (Ex): At 11th level, when
making iterative attacks you suffer no attack penalty for the
second or third attacks with any given weapon (including off-
hand weapons); the effects of this ability are reflected in Table
1. If your base attack bonus improves from other classes and
you gain a fourth iterative attack in that manner, the normal
-5 penalty applies to it. For example, an 11th level fighter
attacks at +11/+11/+11; a 6th level fighter/5th level ranger
would attack at +11/+11/+6, and a 3rd level fighter/8th level
ranger attacks at +11/+6/+6.
Unstoppable (Ex): Starting at 14th level, your actions can
no longer be interrupted by immediate or pre-emptive
actions. Those actions can still occur, but do not prevent your
own actions from being completed.
Onslaught of Blows, Greater (Ex): A fighter of 16th level
or above suffers no iterative attack penalties; all of your
attacks are made at your full attack bonus.
Supreme Warlord (Ex): Starting at 17th level, your martial
prowess is near-legendary. After one round of combat with
you, certain opponents must save vs. Will (DC 10 + half your
class level + your Charisma modifier) or break from the fight
and attempt to surrender to you. For this ability to apply, the
opponents must meet the following criteria:
CR no higher than your CR –5;
Intelligence greater than 2 and less than your class level;
Primarily martial (melee or ranged) combatants;
Must not have a leader of CR greater than or equal to
yours.
Creatures affected by this ability immediately become
Indifferent rather than Hostile, and can be affected by Bluff or
Diplomacy thereafter. If you refuse to accept their surrender,
affected creatures flee, demoralized, and will refuse to fight
you or your allies thereafter. Creatures normally immune to
[fear] effects are still subject to this ability, but gain a +4
bonus to the saving throw.
Any number of creatures in battle or led by creatures in
battle with you can be affected, as long as they can see you
and/or they are led by another affected creature. You can
potentially sway entire armies in this manner, across tribal,
racial, and national boundaries.
 Arcane Resistance
Benefit: You gain a resistance bonus equal to half your
Appendix A: Fighter class level on all saving throws against spells and spell-like
Talents abilities (but not supernatural abilities). At 16th level, this is
therefore the equivalent of a permanent protection from
spells effect, except that it is an extraordinary ability and
Talent Description cannot be dispelled.
Arcane resistance +1/2 levels vs. spells, SLAs Source: This talent supersedes the Hexblade class feature
Armor training Bonus to AC, max Dex, DR of the same name (Complete Warrior), and also the Occult
Slayer’s “magical defense” prestige class feature.
Armored skin +1 natural, +1/3 levels
Ascetic warrior Multiclass with monk Armor Training
Banner Charge, save bonuses to allies Prerequisites: Armor Proficiency.
Bulwark Grant soft cover to adjacent allies Benefit: Whenever you are wearing armor with which you
are proficient, you gain the following:
Challenge +Level damage until foe defeated
Combat feat Bonus combat feat
An additional +1 competence bonus to AC;
Deflect blows +1 deflection, +1/4 levels Reduction of the armor check penalty by 1 (to a minimum
of 0)—this benefit stacks with the benefit for ranks in
Disruptive Prevent adjacent spellcasting Endurance (-1 per 3 ranks);
Eldritch knight Multiclass with arcane casting
Reduction of the arcane spell failure chance (if applicable)
Evasion As rogue class feature by 5% (to a minimum of 0%);
Foebane Gain a favored enemy Increase the maximum Dexterity bonus allowed by your
Fortification Negate crit, sneak attack 5%/level armor by 1; and
Grace Add Cha bonus to saves Damage reduction 1/— (this stacks with other DR/— from
Guarded attributes Reduces attribute damage other sources, such as barbarian levels or adamantine
Hand of justice Hold attacks to increase threats
armor).
Iaijutsu Improves initiative, surprise atks These benefits improve by +1 for every 4 levels in fighter
Knightly order See Appendix you possess (for example, a 16th level fighter would have a +5
Marshal, field Multiclass with bard
armor bonus, a -5 reduction of check penalties, a -25% arcane
spell failure chance, a +5 to maximum Dex bonus allowed,
Mobility +10 ft. speed, AC bonus vs. AoO and DR 5/— when wearing armor). At 20th level, your armor
Mount Animal companion (steed) cannot be sundered while you are wearing it.
Special: If you are actively using a light or heavy shield (not
Parry spells Attack roll to negate spell a buckler, animated shield, shield spell, or Two-Weapon
Perfect defense CMB to parry all of foe’s atks Defense), you gain your armor training bonus with the shield
Personal weapon +1, +1/4 lvls in enhancements
if no armor is worn. If using both armor and a shield, the
benefits listed apply to both your armor and shield (i.e., they
Physical condition. Inherent bonus to Str, Dex, or Con stack).
Primal warrior Multiclass with barbarian If you have this talent and reduce your armor check penalty
to 0, you are treated as being “unarmored” for purposes of
Punishing stance +1d6 dmg, -2 AC; scales w/ level feats such as Canny Defense and Giant-Slayer.
Resilient Lessens stun, daze, KO, etc. Source: This talent supersedes the core fighter’s armor
Riposte Immediate AoO on parry
training talent, and also a number of the Armor Master’s
variant class features from Ultimate Combat.
Second wind Regain level x Con mod hp/day
Shield other You take ½ of ally’s damage Armored Skin
Spellsword Multiclass with arcane caster Either from immersion in some magical liquid (perhaps the
River Styx, as for Achilles in The Illiad, or the blood of a
Strong stomach Resist nausea, poison, disease dragon, as for Siegfried in The Niebelungenlied)—or possibly
Strike team leader Grant 6th Sense bonus to allies simply from long and brutal training—your skin is as tough
Templar Multiclass with cleric/incarnate as armor.
Thicket of blades Threatened area is difficult terrain
Benefit: You gain a +1 natural armor bonus to AC, or any
existing natural armor bonus increases by +1. This bonus
improves by +1 per 3 class levels you possess, to a maximum
bonus of +7 at 18th level. If you have another class feature
that improves natural armor (such as the monk’s iron skin
sutra or the ranger’s barkskin lore), you do not gain the
separate benefits from each; instead, your levels those classes
stack in order to determine a single improvement.
Ascetic Warrior
Prerequisite: At least one level in monk.
Benefit: You gain the following synergy between fighter
and monk levels:
Your fighter levels provide Full synergy for purposes of
determining your unarmed mastery bonus damage.
Your fighter levels provide Strong synergy for determining
the improvements of monk sutras.
Your monk levels provide Full synergy towards your
weapon training ability (this supersedes the monk’s
weapon form ability), and for determining the effects of
your fighter talents.
You may select monk sutras in the place of fighter talents,
and vice versa. You may select advanced fighter talents or
monk sutras in the place of normal ones if your combined
fighter and monk levels total at least 11.
Source: This talent supersedes the feat of the same name,
from Complete Adventurer.
Banner
Your fame on the battlefield makes your pennant or shield
device a symbol of inspiration to your allies and companions.
A banner must be prominently carried and displayed by you
or your mount to function. A Knowledge (warfare) check at
DC 25 minus your class level is sufficient to identify you from
your banner. As long as your banner is clearly visible, when
you personally lead followers in battle, the benefits of your
bravery class feature (q.v.) apply to all of your allies, followers,
and cohort(s) who have a line of sight to you.
You gain additional effects as your level increases, as
follows:
At 6th level, you gain Lead the Charge as a bonus feat; this
applies only as long as your banner is displayed.
Starting at 11th level, your banner becomes a rallying call
to your allies. While your banner is displayed, allies within
60 ft. gain a +2 morale bonus to saving throws against
charm and compulsion effects.
At 16th level and above, you 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.
This ability supersedes the Cavalier’s banner class features
from the Advanced Player’s Guide, the bolstering voice
maneuver from the Tome of Battle, and the Legendary
Leader’s “fearless” and “to hell and back” prestige class
features from Heroes of Battle.
Bulwark
Benefit: As long as you are able to act, are not flat-footed, and
have at least one attack of opportunity remaining to you, you
provide soft cover (+4 cover bonus to AC against missile fire)
to all adjacent allies.
Starting at 6th level, you provide soft cover to all allies
within reach.
Starting at 11th level, you are a citadel for your allies.
When wearing heavy armor, you grant hard cover (+4
cover bonus to AC and Reflex saves) to those adjacent to
you (subject to the conditions above).
At 16th level, you provide hard cover for all allies within
reach.
Source: This supersedes the armiger’s “bulwark” and
“citadel” class features, from the Genius Guide to the
Armiger (Super Genius Games).
Challenge
Benefit: As a swift action, you can choose one target within
sight to call out. Your gain a morale bonus to melee attacks
against that opponent equal to your Charisma bonus
(minimum +1), to a maximum bonus equal to your class level.
Successful attacks against that opponent deal extra damage
equal to your fighter level. The challenge remains in effect
until the target is dead or unconscious or until the combat
ends. Challenging a foe requires much of your concentration;
you take a –2 circumstance penalty to Armor Class, except
against attacks made by the target of your challenge.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, the target of
your challenge also takes a –2 circumstance penalty to its
AC against the attacks of all opponents other than you.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, your focus on
the target of your challenge is absolute. While your
challenge is in effect, melee and ranged weapon, unarmed,
and natural attacks by creatures other than the target of
your challenge automatically deal minimum damage to
you.
You can use this ability once per day, plus one additional
time per day for every three fighter levels beyond the 1st
(maximum 7/day at 19th level). In addition, if an ally is
rendered helpless or unconscious or killed within your sight,
you automatically gain the effects of this talent against the
creature that felled him or her, without spending a daily use.
Special: If you belong to a knightly order (q.v.), your
challenge gains an additional effect.
Source: This talent supersedes the Cavalier’s class feature of
the same name, from the Advanced Players Guide, and
incorporates part of the Samurai’s “last stand” ability from
Ultimate Combat. It also supersedes the Samurai’s kiai smite
and the Knight Proctor’s retributive attack from Complete
Warrior, and the Outcast Champion’s avenging strike from
Races of Destiny.
Combat Feat
You gain one bonus [Combat] feat. You must meet all
prerequisites; the provisions of your feat aptitude class
feature still apply.
Source: Selecting this option at 1st level mimics the 1st
level fighter bonus feat listed in the core rules.
Deflect Blows
You are skilled at causing attacks to skitter harmlessly past
you.
Benefit: You gain a +1 deflection bonus to AC. For every 4
fighter levels you possess, this deflection bonus increases by
an additional +1 (to a maximum +6 at 20th level).
Disruptive [Stance]
Your training makes it difficult for enemy spellcasters to
safely cast spells near you.
Prerequisite: Combat Reflexes feat.
Benefit: The DC to cast spells defensively increases by 4
for all enemies within your threatened area. This increase
only applies if you are aware of the enemy’s location and are
attempting to disrupt his or her casting.
In addition, you may make an attack of opportunity against
any opponent you threaten who dismisses a spell, directs or
redirects an active spell, casts a quickened or swift spell, or
attempts to channel energy without doing so defensively (by
way of a concentration check). If your attack is successful,
your opponent must succeed at a Concentration check (DC
10 + damage dealt) or lose the action that provoked the attack
of opportunity.
If your fighter level is 6th or higher, when you hold an
action to attack a spellcaster while he or she is casting or
channeling, you deal double damage if the attack hits.
Precision-based damage (as from Sneak Attack) and other
forms of bonus damage expressed in dice (such as from a
flaming weapon) are not doubled.
If your fighter level is 11th or higher, enemies in your
threatened area that fail their checks to cast spells or
channel defensively also provoke attacks of opportunity
from you.
If your fighter level is 16th or higher, spells, spell-like
abilities, or channeling with casting times greater than a
swift action cannot be completed within your threatened
area. Any attempt to do so automatically fails, in addition
to provoking an attack of opportunity from you.
Normal: Enemies that fail to cast spells defensively lose
their spells, but do not provoke attacks of opportunity.
Supernatural abilities do not require Concentration checks to
use defensively.
Source: This feat now subsumes the Spellbreaker feat
from the Core rules; the Occult Opportunist feat from Dragon
magazine (issue 340), the Spellcasting Harrier feat from the
3.5 edition System Reference Document (“Epic Feats”), and
also the Occult Slayer’s “vicious strike” prestige class feature
from Complete Warrior.
Eldritch Knight
You are trained in combining arcane spellcasting with
combat.
Prerequisites: Arcane spell capacity 1st.
Benefit: Your fighter levels provide Weak theurgy towards
your arcane spellcasting progression (spell capacity),
including spells known and spells per day.
Source: This talent largely supersedes the prestige class of
the same name from the core rules. It can be used to create a
1st edition-like fighter/magic-user.
Evasion
Benefit: You gain evasion, as the rogue class feature. If you
have at least 11 levels in fighter, you also gain Improved
Evasion (you do not gain Greater Evasion with this talent
alone).
Synergy: If you have levels in Rogue, your fighter levels
instead provide Full synergy towards the rogue’s evasion
progression.
Foebane
Benefit: You gain one favored enemy, as the ranger lore of the
same name, treating your fighter level as your effective ranger
level (minimum effective level 2nd).
Fortification
Prerequisites: Armor Training talent.
Benefit: When you wear heavy armor, there is a 5% chance
per fighter level you possess that any critical hit or sneak
attack against you is negated and damage is instead rolled
normally.
If an opponent scores a critical hit against you that is not
negated by this ability, you can still turn the critical hit into a
normal hit. If you do, either your armor or your shield (your
choice) gains the broken condition, providing half the normal
AC bonus and imposing double the normal check penalties.
This option emulates the Fortified Armor Training feat from
Ultimate Combat.
Grace
You are gifted with an almost supernatural ability to avoid
misfortune. Whether this is a matter of divine protection or
only your own boldness of spirit, the effect is the same.
Prerequisite: Charisma 13+.
Benefit: Add your Charisma bonus as a sacred or profane
bonus to all saving throws.
Special: If you have the Serenity feat, you can apply your
Wisdom bonus instead.
Source: This talent supersedes the paladin’s divine grace
class feature from the Core rules.

Guarded Attributes [Skill]
Benefit: When you suffer any effect that causes a
[debilitation] condition, including attribute damage, attribute
drain, or temporary attribute score penalties, the effect is
reduced by 1 point per 2 ranks in Endurance you possess. If
multiple attributes are affected, this ability applies only once;
however, you can allot the total reduction among them as you
see fit.
Against poison and disease, this talent is applied once per
dose or case of the disease, not once per instance of ongoing
damage.
Hand of Justice [Stance]
Benefit: As a swift action, choose one opponent in melee
combat with you. For each round you use a full attack action
against that opponent, each melee attack against that
opponent you voluntarily give up completely (taking no action
instead) grants a +1 insight bonus to the critical threat range
and on any roll to confirm a threat for the next attack you do
make against that opponent. Effects that are triggered on a
crit (e.g., Strike feats, or the flaming burst weapon property)
do not activate unless the attack roll is within your normal
(unmodified) threat range.
The maximum threat range increase is equal to your class
level. For example, an 11th level fighter could give up two full
rounds’ worth of melee attacks against a single opponent
(taking no action instead), and on the third round, his first
attack would have a critical range expanded by 6 places (e.g.,
from 19-20 to 13-20), and gain a +6 insight bonus to confirm
the crit.
If you perform any other actions, or if the opponent leaves
your threatened area, the bonus resets to 0.
Special: Because this talent uses up full attacks, it can be
used in conjunction with Combat Expertise, but not with the
full defense action. This is a specific exception to the general
rule of non-stacking of stance effects.
Source: This talent emulates the spell of the same name,
from Relics & Rituals (Sword & Sorcery Studios).
Iaijutsu [Stance]
Prerequisites: Dex 13, Sleight of Hand 1 rank.
Benefit: While in this stance, apply your Intelligence,
Wisdom, or Charisma modifier as an insight bonus to
initiative. In addition, once per round you can draw a weapon
at any time (even if it is not your turn); this happens
instantaneously, and does not require an immediate action on
your part.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, you can make a
single attack during a surprise round that, in addition to
normal damage, deals 1½ times your Vital Strike damage
and carries the effects of any one other Strike feat you
know. This use supersedes the sword saint’s “iaijutsi
strike,” from the Pathfinder Player Companion: Dragon
Empires Primer. You cannot use this option in conjunction
with two-weapon fighting or a flurry of blows.
If you are at least 11th level, if you are in this stance and
begin combat within reach of an opponent, you gain a free
surprise round, even though your opponents are aware of
your presence.
At 16th level and above, you do not need to roll initiative
while in this stance; it is always treated as if you had rolled
a natural 20.
Synergy: If you also have the Deafening Strike feat and
your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, you can add the
effects of your Deafening Strike and Vital Strike feats
normally to a single attack made during a surprise round, and
the BAB +1 effects of the Deafening Strike feat also apply to
all enemies within 30 ft. This supersedes the sword saint’s
“roaring iaijutsu” ability from the Pathfinder Player
Companion: Dragon Empires Primer.
Source: This talent supersedes the Iaijutsu Master’s
“strike with no thought” prestige class feature from Oriental
Adventures, and the Kensai’s “iaijutsu focus” and “iaijutsu
master” variant class features from Ultimate Combat.
Knightly Order
Benefit: You have pledged yourself to a specific order of
knighthood. The order grants you additional class skills and
special abilities.
At 1st level, you are sworn into the order. You accept the
Order’s edicts (see below) and gain a skill focus and 1st
level ability from that Order.
At 8th level, you are a Knight of Renown. You gain the 8th
level ability from your order, and can expect to receive
hospitality by any noble who recognizes you or your Order,
anywhere in the world you go.
At 15th level, you are a Knight of Quality, and one of the
masters of your order. You gain the 15th level ability listed
under your Order, and are automatically obeyed by lesser
knights of the same Order.
Synergy: If you also have the Challenge talent, your order
of knighthood grants an additional effect when using that
ability.
Special: Each order includes a number of edicts that its
members must follow. If you violate any of these edicts, you
lose all benefits gained from your order for 24 hours. The
violation of an edict is subject to referee interpretation. You
cannot change your order without undertaking a lengthy
process to dedicate yourself to a new cause. When this choice
is made, you immediately lose all of the benefits from the old
order. You must then follow the edicts of your new order for
one entire level without gaining any benefits from that order.
Once accomplished, you gain all of the bonuses from the new
order.
Special: You cannot belong to more than one order of
knighthood.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.

Marshal, Field
You are a beacon to those on the battlefield; your tactical
mastery, communicated in shouted commands, inspires your
allies to fight to their utmost.
Prerequisites: Int 13 or Cha 13.
Benefit: You gain the inspire courage ability, as a 1st level
skald (q.v.). For purposes of rounds of use per day and the
effects of the inspiration, your effective bard level is equal to
your fighter level.
Special: If you have levels in bard, your fighter level
provides Full synergy with your bard level for purposes of
determining the DC and number of rounds of inspiration per
day and to your college. This supersedes the benefits
described above.
Mobility
Prerequisite: Acrobatics 1 rank, Dodge.
Benefit: You are trained in moving during combat. You gain
the following benefits:
Your base land speed for tactical movement in combat
only (not for overland movement) increases by 10 ft.
You gain a +1 circumstance bonus to the attack roll per 10
feet of movement taken immediately before an attack.
You gain a dodge bonus equal to your class level to Armor
Class against attacks of opportunity caused when you
move out of or within a threatened area. If you have at
least 11 ranks in Acrobatics, your movement through
threatened areas does not provoke attacks of opportunity.
The bonus from your Dodge feat also applies to saving
throws or checks against effects causing you to become
entangled, immobilized, paralyzed, or slowed. Starting at
16th level, you gain a perpetual freedom of movement
effect.
Special: Mobility has been changed to a fighter talent,
rather than a feat, so as not to devalue the Acrobatics skill
(which allows movement without provoking attacks of
opportunity).
Source: This talent subsumes the feat of the same name
from the core rules, and also the Mobile Fighter archetype
from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Mount [Skill]
Prerequisite: Handle Animal 1 rank.
Benefit: You gain Skill Focus (Handle Animal) as a bonus
feat. In addition, you gain the service of a loyal and trusty
steed to carry you into battle. This mount functions similarly
to a druid’s bonded companion (per the Mark of the Wild
ability), having a maximum CR equal to 3 less than your
number of ranks in Handle Animal. Exotic mounts (magical
beasts or even dragons, rather than animals) are also
possible: at 7th level, for example, you can gain a griffon (CR
4) as a steed; at 12th level, a dragon horse (CR 9) is not out of
the question.
Mounts with aerial speeds greater than 60 ft. should be
treated as 1 CR higher than actual, making a hippogriff
available at 6th level, a pegasus at 7th, a young bronze dragon
at 13th, and a sleipnir (Bestiary 3) at 15th. You can add the
Phantom Steed template (see below) at a CR +1 cost.
Should your mount die, you may find another mount to
serve you after 1 week of mourning. This new mount does not
gain the link, evasion, devotion, or improved evasion special
abilities until the next time you gain a fighter level.
Special: The creature generally is one that is suitable as a
mount for you (e.g., boar, camel, dog, horse, pony, or wolf), but
with referee approval you can choose one or more animals
other than a mount―a hunting hawk, for example, or a pair
of attack dogs, subject to the normal total CR limit.
Source: This talent supersedes the Cavalier class feature
of the same name, and also the Expert Trainer class feature,
from the Pathfinder Advanced Player’s Guide.
PHANTOM STEED (TEMPLATE) CR +1
A mount with this template gains the following cumulative
special abilities, depending on your class level:
Increased Speed (Ex): Your mount’s base land speed
increases by 5 ft. per 2 class levels you possess, to a
maximum base speed of 100 ft. per round.
Swamp Stride (Ex); Starting at 8th level, the mount can
ride over sandy, muddy, or even swampy ground without
difficulty or decrease in speed.
Water Walk (Sp): At 10th level, the mount can use water
walk at will as a spell-like ability; this ability does not
require an action to activate.
Air Walk (Sp): Starting at 12th level, the mount can use air
walk at will as a spell-like ability, which does not require
an action to activate. However, it lasts only 1 round at a
time, after which time the mount falls to the ground.
Flight (Su): Starting at 14th level, the mount can fly at its
base land speed, with a competence bonus on Fly skill
checks equal to your class level.
Parry Spells
Benefit: You gain the ability to use held attacks to parry
spells. You must have a weapon in hand to parry a spell, and
have one or more unused attacks available to you (per the
Parry maneuver; see Chapter 1). Only spells targeting you
alone can be parried—not area spells or spells targeted
elsewhere. You make an attack roll opposed by the caster's
Concentration check. If your roll is higher, the spell fails to
affect you. You can parry only spells you are aware of; spells
from invisible casters or those casting mental-action only
spells cannot be parried.
Perfect Defense [Stance]
Prerequisites: Improved Weapon Maneuvers.
Benefit: As a full-round action, roll a combat maneuver
check (weapon maneuver) against the CMD of one opponent
in melee with you. If successful, you automatically parry all of
his melee attacks until your next turn or until he moves
outside of your reach without you immediately following.
If the check succeeds by a margin of at least +5, the
opponent cannot move from his current square.
 Source: This talent duplicates the Counterstrike feat from
the Collected Book of Experimental Might (Malhavoc Press).
Personal Weapon
Benefit: Choose a specific weapon (not a weapon category
or type of weapon) you own. When wielding that specific
weapon, treat its enhancement bonus as 1 greater than is
actually the case (a non-magical weapon is +1 in your hands,
a +1 weapon is +2, etc.) for all purposes.
The effective bonus of your personal weapon increases by
+1 per 4 class levels you possess (maximum +6 at 20th level).
The total bonus can be applied as an enhancement bonus
and/or traded in for weapon properties (as described in
Chapter 6), as long as the total bundled enhancement bonus
is always at least +1. If you have the Weapon Aptitude class
feature, these allocations can be changed each morning.
If your personal weapon is destroyed, you can select a
different one after one week. The new weapon need not be of
the same type as the previous one, as long as it is in your
possession and you are proficient with it. You cannot use
Weapon Aptitude or Improved Weapon Aptitude (q.v.) to
transfer personal weapon properties to another weapon.
Special: The effects of this talent to not stack with the
effects of similar weapon enhancement-granting class
features (e.g., the monk’s ki strike, the ranger’s favored
weapon lore, or the barbarian’s wrath of ancestors rage
power. Rather, if you have one of those class features, your
levels in the relevant class provide Full synergy to this ability.
You can select this talent more than once. Each time, it
applies to a different weapon.
Variant: Instead of a personal weapon, you could choose a
personal suit of armor or personal shield.
Physical Conditioning
Benefit: Choose one physical attribute score. You gain a +1
inherent bonus to that attribute, as if from a manual of gainful
exercise or similar tome. For every 5 levels you possess, the
bonus increases by +1 (maximum +5 at 20th level).
Special: You can select this talent multiple times. The
effects do not stack; each time, select a different attribute.
Primal Warrior
Prerequisite: Ability to rage.
Benefit: You gain the following benefits when
multiclassing between barbarian and fighter:
Your fighter level provides Strong synergy when
determining the type of rage you have available (improved,
greater, mighty, etc.), your attribute bonuses from rage, the
number of rounds of rage per day you can sustain, and the
effects of level-specific rage powers.
Your barbarian levels provide Full synergy when
determining the level-dependent effects of fighter talents
you possess.
You can gain fighter talents in the place of rage powers or
improved rage powers, and advanced fighter talents in the
place of greater rage powers or mighty rage powers. You
can also learn rage powers in the place of fighter talents.
Your barbarian level provides Strong synergy towards
your fighter level for purposes of qualifying for advanced
fighter talents.
Punishing Stance [Stance]
Benefit: While you are in this stance, you deal an extra 1d6
points of damage with all melee attacks. This additional
damage is considered precision-based and is not multiplied in
the case of a critical hit; however, it does stack with Vital
Strike or sneak attack damage. You also take a -2 penalty to
AC, because this fighting stance emphasizes power over a
defensive posture. As with most stances, you cannot maintain
this stance while moving.
For every 4 levels in fighter you possess, you can increase
the bonus damage by an additional +1d6 by increasing the
AC penalty by an additional -2 (maximum +6d6 damage, -12
to AC at 20th level).
Source: This talent supersedes the stance of the same
name, from the Tome of Battle.
Resilient [Skill]
Benefit: The severity of [Inertia] conditions affecting you are
lessened by one step (e.g., stunned to dazed; see Chapter 1).
For purposes of this ability, treat unconsciousness as a
critical [inertia] condition (this does not render you immune
to magical sleep effects, nor does it remove your need for
sleep).
If you have at least 6 ranks in Endurance, the severity is
lessened by 2 steps, rather than one.
If you have at least 11 ranks in Endurance, the severity is
lessened by 3 steps.
If you have at least 16 ranks in Endurance, you are
immune to [Inertia] conditions and cannot be knocked
unconscious.
Riposte [Finesse]
Prerequisites: Dex 13, Dodge, Weapon Finesse.
Benefit: You can make an immediate attack of opportunity
against any creature whose attack you successfully parry (see
combat rules), so long as the creature you are attacking is
within reach. This attack counts as part of the parry, and does
not require an additional immediate action on your part.
If your fighter level is at least 6th, each round you are in
melee, designate a single enemy. Any attack made by the
enemy you have designated provokes an attack of
opportunity from you. This special attack of opportunity is
called a counterattack. You may not counterattack an
opponent’s counterattack. Any counterattack uses one of
your attacks of opportunity for the round; you may make
only one counterattack in a round, even if you have the
Combat Reflexes feat. Trading the counterattack for a 5-ft.
step emulates the Sidestep feat chain from the Pathfinder
Advanced Players Guide.
 Spellsword
If your fighter level is 11th or higher, when you trade the Prerequisites: Eldritch Knight talent.
counterattack for a 5-ft. step, you move just out of the Benefit: You gain the following additional benefits when
opponent’s reach before the attack can connect; this multiclassing between fighter and an arcane spellcasting
supersedes the Swordsage shifting defense stance, from class:
the Tome of Battle.
For purposes of determining the effects of fighter talents
If your fighter level is 16th or higher, you can take a 5-ft. you possess, and for qualifying for advanced fighter
step and also counterattack as a single immediate action talents, one arcane spellcasting class provides Strong
in response to an attack by the designated target. synergy towards your fighter level.
Special: You may use a counterattack to parry. Resolve this Your fighter level provides Weak synergy towards your
as combat maneuver against your attacker (the bonus from bloodline abilities or school powers (and arcane bond
Improved Weapon Maneuvers applies, if you also possess abilities, if applicable). This includes the powers gained as
that feat). If successful, one melee attack against you by that well as the effects of those powers.
opponent within the next round is negated. You can gain fighter talents in the place of wizard bonus
Source: Art of the Duel (Sinister Adventures LLC). This feats or school powers. You can also gain arcane feats in
talent also supersedes the Counterattack option for fighters, place of fighter bonus feats, or combat feats in the place of
from the Players Handbook II. sorcerer bonus feats.
Second Wind
Benefit: You can instantly recover a number of hit points per Strong Stomach
day equal to your fighter class level x your Constitution The constant sight and stench of blood has left you inured to
modifier. You can divide this healing however you see fit, but any hint of queasiness.
each use requires an immediate action. If you use this ability Benefit: You are immune to any effect that would apply the
to increase your hit points above their normal total, the sickened condition to a normal person. If you succumb to an
excess are treated as temporary hit points that disappear effect that normally causes nausea, you are sickened instead.
after 1 minute if not lost to damage before then. You also gain a +1 racial bonus to saving throws against
Source: This talent supersedes the Warblade’s iron heart [affliction] conditions.
endurance boost from the Tome of Battle. If you have at least 6 ranks in Endurance, you are immune
to nausea, and your racial bonus against afflictions
Shield Other [Stance] increases to +2.
Benefit: As a swift action, you can declare one ally within If you have at least 11 ranks in Endurance, you are
reach as the recipient of this ability. The subject gains a +1 immune to disease and ingested poisons. Your racial
circumstance bonus to AC and saving throws. Additionally, bonus to saves against afflictions increases to +3.
the subject takes only half damage from all wounds and
attacks (including those dealt by special abilities) that deal hit If you have at least 16 ranks in Endurance, you are
point damage. immune to all [affliction] conditions.
The amount of damage not taken by the warded creature is
taken by you. Forms of harm that do not involve hit points,
such as charm effects, temporary ability damage, level Strike Team Leader
draining, and death effects, are not affected. If the subject Benefit: You gain the following benefits when leading allies:
suffers a reduction of hit points from a lowered Constitution
score, the reduction is not split with you because it is not hit Whenever you can act in a surprise round, allies adjacent
point damage. If the warded ally moves out of reach, the to you can also act in the surprise round (even if they
effect ends instantly. would normally be unable). If such an ally would normally
Energy resistance, damage reduction, and so on are be denied the ability to act in the surprise round, his or her
applied separately to you and the person you are shielding. initiative is equal to his or her initiative roll or your roll –1,
Evasion (if any) is also applied individually, after the damage whichever is lower.
is divided. If you are at least 6th level and both you and your ally
As an immediate action you spend one unused attack of would be able to act in the surprise round without the aid
opportunity to absorb all the damage (plus any associated of this talent, your ally may take both a standard and a
effects, such as poison) from a single attack directed against move action (or a full round action) during the surprise
the shielded ally. You must decide whether to use this ability round.
after the attacker determines that an attack has succeeded
but before he rolls damage. Synergy: If you also have the Alertness feat, you also gain
Source: This talent emulates the Knight of the Realm’s “At the effects of the Alert Bodyguard feat, but the effects extend
the Throne” prestige class feature, from Relics & Rituals: to all allies within 30 ft. of you. In addition, you gain a +1
Excalibur (Sword & Sorcery Studios), the In Harm’s Way feat competence bonus per fighter level to Perception rolls to
from the Pathfinder Advanced Player’s Guide, and the sense nearby allies.
Knight’s “shield ally” class feature from the Player’s
Handbook II.
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Thicket of Blades [Stance]
Your strict vigilance and active defensive maneuvers force
your opponents to move with care. You stand your ground
against all enemies, warding the spot where you make your
stand to prevent foes from slipping past and attacking those
you protect.
Prerequisites: Combat Reflexes, No Retreat.
Benefit: Any opponent that begins its turn in your
threatened area treats all the squares that you threaten as
difficult terrain. (Each square of difficult terrain counts as 2
squares of movement, and the creature cannot run, charge, or
take a 5-ft. step).
Starting at 6th level, add your fighter level as a competence
bonus to the DC for Acrobatics checks to ignore the
effects of this difficult terrain. For an opponent who is
successful (or who has the Surefooted feat), you gain a like
bonus to the DC for Acrobatics checks to move through
your threatened area or your space without provoking
attacks of opportunity.
Starting at 11th level, your threatened area is difficult
terrain for all enemies, even if they do not start their turns
within that area.
Starting at 16th level, enemies within your threatened area
have the entangled condition.
Special: By trading the attack of opportunity provoked by
movement for a 5-ft. step (Variations in the Core Rules
Mechanics: “Tactical Movement”), you can also simulate the
Polearm Master’s “step aside” variant class feature, from the
Pathfinder Advanced Player’s Guide. This step does not
automatically end your stance.
Normal: The Acrobatics check DC to move through
squares you threaten is equal to your CMD. Threatened
squares do not count as any specific type of terrain.
Source: This talent supersedes the Knight’s “vigilant
defender” class feature from the Player’s Handbook II. It
supersedes the Crusader’s stance of the same name from the
Tome of Battle.
Source: This talent subsumes the d20 Modern Weapons
Encyclopedia feat, and also the
A DVANCED T ALENTS
Advanced Talent Description Countering Strike [Strike]
Blinding speed Haste self 1 rd./lvl per day Benefit: As a standard action, make a single attack against a
target that has an extraordinary or supernatural ability of
Countering strike Denies use of Su or Ex ability which you are aware (either by observing it in use, or by
Devastating strike Automatic critical succeeding at a DC 20 Knowledge or other skill check
Diamond defense Add level to results of save
appropriate to the creature). Only a single ability can be
targeted with a use of this talent; spellcasting abilities cannot
Diamond mind Immune to mind-affecting be affected. If the attack hits and deals damage, the target
Diamond soul SR 12 + fighter level must succeed at a Fortitude save or lose the use of the
selected ability for a number of rounds equal to your class
Dodge, epic Avoid one attack per round level.
Elaborate defense Improved Combat Expertise Source: This talent emulates the Mighty Godling’s
Fast healing Fast healing 1/2 lvls after 9th
“counter power” talent, from the Genius Guide to the Godling
(Super Genius games).
Flurry of blows Two-weapon fighting with single
weapon Devastating Strike [Strike]
Last word AoO when reduced to 0 hp Benefit: As a full round action, make a single attack at a –5
Mountain hammer Doubles melee Vital Strike penalty. If you hit, you score a critical hit. Special weapon
Overexertion Shuffle attribute points abilities that activate only on a critical hit, such as flaming
burst, do not also activate.
Parry, manticore Redirect parried attack Synergy: If you also have the Deadly Aim, Point-Blank
Pierce the fog of war See through illusions, etc. Shot, Precise Shot feats, you can use this talent with ranged
attacks (this does not also work in conjunction with the
Pierce magical
protection
Strike ignores and dispels magical
defenses
Manyshot feat).
Source: This feat duplicates the effects of the two-handed
Power attack, greater 4x attack penalty fighter’s Devastating Blow feature from the Advanced Players
Precise strike Additional damage with one-handed Guide, and also the Archer’s “critical shot” token ability from
finesse weapon Iron Heroes (Fiery Dragon Productions).
Powerful bolt Doubles ranged Vital Strike
Diamond Defense
Prowess, epic +1 bonus to all attack rolls
In time of need, you can draw on your focus and training to
Robilar’s gambit Attackers provoke AoO ensure that you overcome almost any effect.
Sheltered life Immune to death effects Benefit: Once per encounter as an immediate action, you
can add your fighter level as a competence bonus to the roll
Sheltered vitality Immune to attribute damage when making any single saving throw. You must declare the
Shield guard Negates flanking use of this ability before rolling the die.
Stance mastery Maintain stances freely Source: Tome of Battle.
Striking mastery Apply more than one effect Diamond Mind
Threat zone Threat reach increases You are nearly impossible to sway with honeyed words or
Two-weapon Eliminates penalties for two-weapon magic.
fighting, superior fighting Prerequisite: Immunity to fear.
Benefit: You are immune to [mind-affecting] effects.
Source: This talent supersedes the Unbreakable’s
Blinding Speed “unbreakable mind” variant class feature, from Ultimate
Benefit: You can act as if hasted for 1 round per day per Combat.
fighter level you possess. The duration of the effect need not Diamond Soul
be consecutive rounds. Activating this power is a free action.
Special: You can gain this talent multiple times. Each time Prerequisite: Arcane Resistance talent.
you take the talent, it grants an additional number of daily Benefit: You gain spell resistance against hostile spells
rounds of use equal to half your fighter level. equal to 11 + your fighter level.
Source: 3.5 edition System Reference Document, “Epic
Feats.”

Countering Strike [Strike]

 For example, an 11th level fighter with this talent and the
Dodge, Epic Improved Two-Weapon Fighting feat, armed with a longsword
Prerequisites: Dodge; Riposte talent. and a shield, could attack with the longsword at +11/+11/+11
Benefit: When struck by an attack from an opponent you and gain the shield bonus to AC, or could instead make a
have designated as the object of your 6th level Riposte talent flurry of six attacks with the longsword at +9 each (but lose
ability, you can spend an attack of opportunity to the shield bonus to AC in the meantime, as a flurry of blows
automatically avoid all damage from the attack. is treated as two-weapon fighting).
Source: 3.5 edition System Reference Document, “Epic Source: This talent supersedes the Slashing Flurry feat
Feats.” from the Player’s Handbook II, and also the Bladesinger’s
“Song of Fury” prestige class feature, from Complete
Warrior. It also resurrects the abortive Weapon Swap feat,
Elaborate Defense from the Pathfinder Beta playtest, and subsumes the
Prerequisite: Armor Training talent or Weapon Finesse feat Dawnflower Dervish’s “lightning strike” ability from the
(see below). Pathfinder Inner Sea Primer.
Benefit: The AC bonus granted by your Combat Expertise
feat is doubled (see table below), provided one of the Last Word
following conditions applies: Benefit: You can make an attack of opportunity as an
You have the Armor Training talent and are actively using immediate action against an opponent within reach, in
a shield (not an animated shield or a shield spell); or response to any attack that would reduce you to negative hit
points, knock you unconscious, or kill you. For example, if
You have the Weapon Finesse feat, are wielding a light or you have 1 hit point left when a red dragon bites you, may use
one-handed finessable weapon in one hand, and have this ability even if the dragon’s bite would otherwise kill you
nothing in the other hand. instantly. This attack of opportunity automatically carries the
effects of your Vital Strike feat (and Mountain Hammer
Base Attack Attack Defensive Total talent, if you possess it).
Bonus Penalty Fighting Defense Once your attack is resolved, you suffer the normal effect of
the attack that provoked this ability (unless you kill or
+11 -3 +6 +9 incapacitate your attacker so that he or she cannot complete
+12 to +15 -4 +8 +12 the attack against you).
+16 to +19 -5 +10 +15 Synergy: If you also have the Riposte talent, you can use
the attack of opportunity granted by this talent in an attempt
+20 -6 +12 +18 to parry the incoming attack (Chapter 1); if successful, it deals
no damage to you.
Source: This talent supersedes the Duelist prestige class Source: This talent supersedes the Stalwart Defender’s
feature of the same name, and also the Shielded Fighter’s prestige class feature of the same name, from the Pathfinder
“active defense” variant class feature from the Advanced Advanced Player’s Guide.
Player’s Guide. It has been altered somewhat to use the same
mechanics as fighting defensively and Combat Expertise. Mountain Hammer
Fast Healing Prerequisites: Vital Strike.
Benefit: When you execute a Vital Strike with a melee
Prerequisite: Fast Recovery feat. attack, the bonus damage is doubled, and you automatically
Benefit: You gain fast healing 1; this improves by an ignore any hardness or damage reduction the target
additional 1 hp/round per 2 class levels after 11th, to a possesses.
maximum of fast healing 5 at 19th level. Source: Tome of Battle.
Flurry of Blows Overexertion
Prerequisite: Two-Weapon Fighting. Benefit: As a move-equivalent action, select one or more
Benefit: When you make a full attack with any single melee attribute scores you would like to boost, and increase them by
weapon, you gain all the effects of any Two-Weapon Fighting the same total amount that you decrease one or more other
feats you possess, even though you are not fighting with two scores. All score decreases are treated as a special form of
weapons. This applies to number of attacks, Strength bonus attribute damage, called attribute burn, which cannot be
to damage, application of Strike feats, etc. You may substitute magically healed—it goes away only through natural healing.
disarm, sunder, and trip combat maneuvers for attacks with You can boost attributes by a number of points equal to
weapons that permit those maneuvers as part of a flurry of your fighter level (or any lesser total), assuming you can afford
blows. to burn your other ability scores to such an extent.
After 1 round per fighter level, your attribute boost ends,
but the burn remains until it is healed naturally.
Synergy: You can reduce the total attribute burn using the
Guarded Attributes talent.
Source: This is equivalent to the Psychic Warrior’s
psychofeedback power, from the d20 System Reference
Document.
Parry, Manticore
Prerequisites: Dex 13, Improved Weapon Maneuvers or
Open-Handed Parry feat.
Benefit: When you successfully parry an attack against you
with a held action (see combat rules), you can bat aside the
blow, causing it to target an adjacent enemy other than your
attacker. Use the results of the original attack roll to
determine whether it hits the new target.
Source: This talent supersedes the Warblade counter of
the same name, from the Tome of Battle, and also the
Swordsage scorpion parry counter from that source and the
“redirect attack” rogue ability from the Advanced Player’s
Guide. When combined with the Riposte talent, this talent
also supersedes the Free Hand Fighter’s “reversal” variant
class feature, also from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Pierce the Fog of War
Prerequisite: Blind-Fight.
Benefit: Through superior tactical reasoning, you deduce
the true locations of your enemies. You ignore all
concealment when attacking, including invisibility, blur,
displacement, and mundane and magical darkness, fog, or
other concealing conditions. Furthermore, you are able to
deduce the true caster from the images when facing an
opponent under a mirror image spell, and can deduce when
and where a blinking opponent will appear (negating that
spell’s usual miss chance). By observing a projected image, as
a free action you can determine the location of the image’s
caster.
Pierce Magical Protection [Strike]
Benefit: As a standard action, you can make a melee attack
that ignores any bonuses to Armor Class and damage
reduction granted by spells (including spell effects created by
magic items, including enhancement bonuses to AC from
magic armor and shields). You also ignore spells or magical
effects that take effect when a foe is attacked, such as fire
shield.
If you deal damage to your opponent, you also instantly and
automatically dispel all that opponent's spells and spell
effects that grant damage reduction or a bonus to Armor
Class, and also strip away any temporary hit points gained
from magical means (such as a false life spell).
Source: Complete Arcane. This talent also supersedes the
Mage Blade’s “slice through wardings” class feature, from
Arcana Evolved (Malhavoc Press).
Power Attack, Greater
Prerequisite: Power Attack.
Benefit: You gain additional damage from the Power
Attack feat equal to the feat’s attack penalty, as summarized
in the table below.
Additional Damage From:
Weapon Type Power Attack
Light 1 x atk penalty
Single-handed 2 x atk penalty
Two-handed 3 x atk penalty
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Powerful Bolt
Prerequisites: Vital Strike.
Benefit: When you execute a Vital Strike with a ranged
weapon, the bonus damage is doubled, and you automatically
ignore any hardness or damage reduction the target
possesses.
Source: In conjunction with a thrown javelin or spear, this
supersedes the Gae Bolga feat from the 2nd edition Celts
Campaign Sourcebook.
Precise Attacks [Finesse]
Prerequisite: Vital Strike, Weapon Finesse.
Benefit: When using a finessable weapon in one hand, with
the other hand free, you apply your Vital Strike damage to
every successful attack. Additional damage from Mountain
Hammer does not apply, however.
Prowess, Epic
Benefit: You gain a +1 epic bonus on all attack rolls and to
CMB.
Special: You can gain this advanced talent multiple times;
unlike most like-named bonuses, epic bonuses stack.
Source: 3.5 edition System Reference Document, “Epic
Feats.”
Robilar's Gambit [Stance]
By offering Robilar's Gambit, you absorb damage to place
yourself in an advantageous position. This dangerous
sacrifice is not for the unfit or the unwise, for one failed
retaliatory strike can undo the advantage gained. Lord
Robilar, a rash and impetuous fighter, gained fame using this
technique against his enemies.
Prerequisites: Dex 13, Combat Reflexes, Dodge; Riposte
talent.
Benefit: At the start of your action, you can adopt a fighting
stance that exposes you to harm but allows you to take
advantage of your opponents' exposed defenses as they attack
you. Anyone who attacks you gains a +4 bonus on attack rolls
and damage rolls against you. In return, they provoke attacks
of opportunity from you each time they swing. Resolve your
attack of opportunity after your foe's attack.
Normal: Opponents do not provoke attacks of opportunity
by attacking. Further, when an opponent provokes an attack
of opportunity, you resolve your attack before he completes
the action that provoked the attack of opportunity.
Source: Player’s Handbook II. This talent also supersedes
the Two-Weapon Warrior’s “deadly defense” variant class
feature from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
 For every 2 fighter levels after 11th, your threatened area
Sheltered Vitality increases by an additional 5 ft., to a maximum of +25 ft. at
Prerequisite: Guarded Attributes talent. 19th level.
Benefit: You are immune to [Debilitation] conditions, death Two-Weapon Fighting, Superior
effects, and energy drain.
Prerequisites: Two-Weapon Fighting, Improved Two-Weapon
Shield Guard [Stance] Fighting.
Prerequisite: Proficient with shields. Benefit: Your attack penalties for two-weapon fighting are
Benefit: As a swift action, designate one square adjacent to eliminated. In addition, when making an attack of opportunity,
you. You may designate two squares if using a heavy shield or you can attack with both weapons, rather than only with the
three squares if using a tower shield, but these squares must primary weapon, in the place of one attack of opportunity.
be contiguous. Enemies in these squares cannot flank you Source: This talent subsumes the Two-Weapon Warrior’s
and do not count for flanking with other creatures. This effect “improved balance” and “equal opportunity” from the
lasts until you move from your position or use another swift Advanced Player’s Guide.
action to change the affected squares.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Striking Mastery
Prerequisites: Two or more strikes.
Benefit: You can apply the effects of two strikes to a single
attack (plus Vital Strike, if applicable, when using a standard
action). If you do so in conjunction with a strike that imposes
penalties on your attack rolls (as with multiple attacks), the
attack penalties stack.
At +16 level or higher, you can apply the effects of three
strikes simultaneously.
Synergy:
If you also have the Combat Reflexes feat, when
combining Strikes with attacks of opportunity, you can
either apply more than one strike to a single attack of
opportunity, or else apply a single strike to all attacks of
opportunity made in that round (your choice).
If you have the Bleeding Strike, Crippling Strike, Shatter
Defenses, Staredown, and Vital Strike feats, you can
combine them into a single “Deadly Stroke” against a
stunned or flat-footed opponent that deals your Vital
Strike damage, Crippling Strike attribute damage, and
also 1 point of Constitution bleed per round thereafter; if
your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, the bleed effect is
attribute drain, rather than damage.
Normal: You can only apply the effects of one strike to a
given attack (in addition to the normal damage dealt).
Threat Zone
Prerequisite: Combat Reflexes.
Benefit: Through training, your awareness and mobility in
a small area have expanded considerably. The area you
threaten increases by 5 ft. in all directions. This does not
mean that the length of your weapon or arms increases;
instead, it assumes that you are able to instantaneously move
out of your square in order to make an attack of opportunity
in the expanded area (and then automatically return to your
square upon completion of the attack). This movement does
not count against any movement you are normally entitled to,
but any obstruction to that movement also obstructs your
threat zone. This free movement does not provoke attacks of
opportunity if your threat area overlaps with area that one or
more opponents threaten.
Appendix B: Knightly Orders
T
he following orders represent the most
common chosen. Members of these orders are
not necessarily bound together, but some
organizations do exist that are comprised of
fighters that all belong to one specific order.
Note that the names of these orders might vary
depending upon the campaign setting. A
member of a knightly order is hereafter termed a “cavalier.”
Order of the Blue Rose
The cavaliers of the Order of the Blue Rose are warriors and
diplomats, dedicated to defending the weak and promoting
peace in the lands they roam. Source: Ultimate Combat.
Edicts: You must seek to stop conflict with a minimum of
bloodshed, to encourage peaceful resolutions to
disagreements between intelligent creatures, and to mend
the wounds opened by battle. You must also honor quarter
given, protecting captives who have surrendered even from
your own allies if need be.
Challenge: You receive a +1 sacred bonus on attack rolls
made against the target of your challenge, if it is an intelligent
creature to whom you offered the chance to surrender (by
taking a standard action to offer terms). This bonus increases
by +1 for every four class levels you possess (maximum +6 at
20th level).
Skill Focus: Diplomacy.
Flat of the Blade (Ex): You no longer take a –4 penalty
when attacking with a lethal weapon to deal nonlethal
damage. When dealing nonlethal damage, you receive a +1d6
bonus on damage rolls. When you make use of this ability,
you must attempt to subdue your target without killing it;
dealing lethal damage after using this ability, or allowing your
allies to kill the target, is a violation of your edicts.
Inner Peace (Ex): Starting at 8th level, once per day as an
immediate action, you may ignore an amount of damage from
a single source (one attack, spell, or effect) equal to your class
level plus your Charisma modifier. You can only ignore hit
point damage in this fashion. You can use this ability one
additional time per day every three levels thereafter
(maximum 5/day at 20h level).
Shield of Blades (Ex): At 15th level, you gain Shared
Shield as a bonus feat. In addition, you can attempt one parry
per round while using the total defense action.
Order of the Cockatrice
A knight who belongs to this order serves only himself,
working to further his own aims and increase his own
prestige.
Edicts: You must keep your own interests and aims above
those of all others. You must always accept payment when it
is due, rewards when earned, and (at least) an even share of
loot. You must take every opportunity to increase your own
stature, prestige, and power.
Challenge: You receive an additional +1 bonus on all melee
damage rolls made against the target of your challenge as
long as you are the only creature threatening the target. This
additional bonus increases by +1 for every four fighter levels
you possess. This bonus ends if the target of the challenge
makes a successful melee attack against you (it is not
restored until you issue a new challenge).
Skill Focus: Knowledge (lore) and Perform.
Braggart (Ex): You are adept at extolling your own
accomplishments and battle prowess. You gain Staredown as
a bonus feat, and receive a +2 profane bonus on melee attack
rolls made against targets demoralized in this way.
Steal Glory (Ex): At 8th level, you can steal the glory from
another creature’s successful strike. Whenever a creature
other than you scores a critical hit, you can immediately
make an attack of opportunity against the same victim.
Moment of Triumph (Ex): At 15th level you can, as a free
action, declare a moment of triumph. For 1 round, you receive
a competence bonus equal to your Cha modifier to all attacks,
damage, saving throws, checks, and AC. In addition, any
critical threats you make are automatically confirmed. You
can use this ability once per day.
Order of the Dragon
Knights belonging to the Order of the Dragon dedicate
themselves to a group of like-minded individuals, be it a
mercenary company or a small band of adventurers. They
believe in loyalty and friendship, and are willing to die to
protect allies.
Edicts: You must remain loyal to your allies and must
always work to further the aims of the group.
Challenge: Your allies receive a +1 circumstance bonus on
melee attack rolls against the target of your challenge
whenever you are threatening the target. This bonus
increases by +1 for every four fighter levels you possess.
Skill Focus: Survival.
Aid Allies (Ex): You gain the Back to Back stance as a
bonus feat.
Strategy (Ex): Starting at 8th level, allies within 30 ft. of
you can use any Combat feats that you possess.
Act as One (Ex): At 15th level, once per combat you can
spend a standard action to move up to your speed and make a
melee attack. All allies within 30 feet can also move up to
their speed and make a melee attack as an immediate action.
This movement and attack can be made as a charge if the
movement qualifies. All attacks gain a +2 circumstance bonus
(this stacks with the bonus from a charge) and all participants
receive a +2 dodge bonus to AC for 1 round.
Order of the Lion
A cavalier who belongs to this order has pledged himself to a
sovereign, be it a king, queen, or even the local warlord.
Edicts: You must protect the life and lands of your
sovereign at all costs. You must obey the commands of your
sovereign without question. You must strive to expand the
power and prestige of his realm.
Challenge: You receive a +1 dodge bonus to your AC against
attacks made by the target of your challenge; this bonus
increases by +1 for every four fighter levels you possess.
Skill Focus: Diplomacy.
Lion’s Call (Ex): You gain the Field Marshal talent.
For the King (Ex): At 8th level, you gain rage as an
additional inspiration.
Shield of the Liege (Ex): At 15th level, as an immediate
action, you can redirect an attack made at a creature adjacent
to you on to yourself, as long as the creature making the
attack is within your reach. This ability must be declared
before the attack roll is made. The attack is made against
your AC and defenses, even if the creature could not normally
reach or attack you. You lose any cover or concealment
bonuses when subject to the redirected attack.
Order of the Raven
A knight of the Order of the Raven is an enforcer, sworn to
the service of a specific lord. The cavalier’s master might be a
senior member of the order, a king or powerful lord, or the
high priest of a religious order. Because his ability to
intimidate is as important as his fighting skill, cavaliers of the
order of the raven promote a dark, menacing presence and
cloak themselves in dark colors and darker rumors. Source:
More Cavalier Orders (Super Genius Games).
Edicts: You must obey your sworn master in all things, and
if your master falls you must seek a new master who is
acceptable to the Order as a whole. You are tasked with
acting as much as a warning as a warrior, and must work to
maintain a forbidding appearance and reputation.
Challenge (Ex): You and all allies gain a morale bonus to
Bluff checks made against the target equal to 1 + half your
class level. In addition, the target takes a like penalty on saves
against [fear] effects you initiate.
Skill Focus: Bluff.
Fearsome Prowess (Ex): You gain Daunting Strike as a
bonus feat. In addition, you gain a morale bonus to saves
against [charm] and [compulsion] effects equal to +1 per 3
class levels you possess.
Knight of Shadows (Su): At 8th level, you gain darkvision
60 ft. (if you already have darkvision, you can choose to
instead gain low-light vision, or else increase the range of
your existing darkvision by 30 ft.). You also gain Blind-Fight
as a bonus feat.
Lord of Darkness (Su): At 15th level, you gain the ability to
prepare and cast spells as a cleric of your fighter level –14,
with access to the Darkness and War domains. If you already
have clerical spellcasting ability, your fighter levels instead
provide Weak spellcasting theurgy (which does not stack with
synergy from the Templar talent) and access to the Darkness
and War domains.
Order of the Seal
A secretive order; each knight is charged with the protection
of a specific object (such as a dangerous magic item), place
(e.g., a lost temple), or secret (for example, that a certain
peasant is actually the last descendant of the royal line).
Source: Ultimate Combat.
Edicts: If your charge is a place, you must keep intruders
out. If a thing, you must keep it safe from thieves—and
restore it to its rightful place if taken (only those attacking you
with the specific intent to steal the object would quality, not
merely anyone attacking you). If a secret, you must kill all
others who know it. You cannot select a person or creature.
Challenge: You can make a free combat maneuver any
time you take the full attack action against the target of your
challenge. This free combat maneuver does not provoke an
attack of opportunity.
Skill Focus: Bluff.
Keeper (Ex): Once per day you must select a location, or a
secret that you have sworn to protect. If you choose a location
or thing, you gain a +1 sacred bonus on attack rolls when
directly defending it. If you choose a secret, you gain a +1
morale bonus on saving throws and opposed checks to resist
revealing information about your charge or leaving it
vulnerable. You gain these bonuses until you pick a new
object, location, or secret to protect. This bonus increases by
an additional +1 per 4 class levels you possess.
Unmoving (Stance) (Ex): At 8th level, you can draw on
your dedication to overcome physical weakness. In this
stance, you receive a dodge bonus to CMD equal to your class
level, and also gain the effects of a dimensional anchor (caster
level equal to your class level, even if you do not have the
Concentration skill).
Driving Assault (Strike) (Ex): At 15th level, you can drive
opponents back without giving ground. While using any
[Stance] feat or ability, every melee attack you make, in
addition to dealing damage, also counts as a Bull Rush
attempt (results equal to the damage dealt; no need for you to
roll), if you so choose.
Order of the Shield
Cavaliers who join the Order of the Shield devote their lives
to protecting the common folk.
Edicts: You must protect the lives and prosperity of the
common folk, shielding them from the deprivations of those
who would seek to cause them harm or exploit them. You
must give charity when it is warranted and aid when needed.
You must take no action that would cause harm or hardship
to those who cannot defend themselves.
Challenge: Whenever the target of your challenge attacks
anyone other than you, you receive a +1 sacred bonus on
attack rolls made against him, her, or it. This bonus lasts for
1 minute. The bonus increases by +1 for every four fighter
levels you possess.
Skill Focus: Heal.
Armor Training (Ex): An Order of the Shield cavalier
receives the Armor Training talent.
Stem the Tide (Ex): At 8th level, you receive Improved Bull
Rush and Improved Overrun as bonus feats, even if you do
not meet the prerequisites.
Protect the Meek (Ex): At 15th level, you can move to
intercept foes, even if you do not have any held actions
available. As an immediate action, you can move up to your
speed (or your mount’s speed, if mounted) and make a single
melee attack. This movement provokes attacks of opportunity
as normal. You must end this movement adjacent to an
enemy. Thereafter, you are staggered (and cannot use this
ability) for 1 round.

Order of the Star
Cavaliers who join the Order of the Star dedicate
themselves to the protection and service of a faith and its
members. Cavaliers belonging to this order follow the tenets
and guides of the religion that they serve.
Edicts: You must strive to protect your faith and all those
who follow its teachings. You must adhere to the strictures of
the faith, promote its cause whenever possible, and serve the
agents of the divine.
Challenge: You receive a +1 morale bonus on all saving
throws as long as you are threatening the target of your
challenge. This bonus increases by +1 for every four class
levels you possess.
Skill Focus: Knowledge (the planes).
Calling (Ex): You gain the Templar fighter talent.
For the Faith (Ex): At 8th level, you can call out the name
of your deity as a free action, granting you a sacred bonus to
attacks equal to your Cha modifier for 1 round. In addition,
any allies within 30 feet also receive half this bonus
(minimum +1). You can use this ability once per day, plus one
additional time per day at 12th level and every four levels
thereafter.
Retribution (Ex): Starting at 15th level, whenever an
enemy makes a successful melee attack against you or an
adjacent ally devoted to the same faith or cause as you, the
enemy provokes an attack of opportunity from you. If the
attack made by the enemy was a critical hit, you may treat the
enemy as the target of your Challenge talent (if applicable) for
the attack of opportunity. You can use this ability once per
round.
Order of the Sword
Cavaliers who join the Order of the Sword dedicate their lives
to the code of chivalry, living a life of honor, valor, and
fairness. Those of this order tend to swear service to a lady or
lord of the opposite gender.
Edicts: You must show courage in the face of danger,
mercy to those who have wronged you, and charity to the
poor and the meek. You must be just and honorable at all
times; you must defend that honor and, above all, the honor of
those you serve.
Challenge: You receive a +1 circumstance bonus on attack
rolls against the target of your challenge so long as you are
astride your mount. The bonus increases by +1 per four
fighter levels you possess.
Skill Focus: Diplomacy. Also, you can use the Diplomacy
skill in place of the Bluff skill to sense motive.
By My Honor (Ex): As long as you fulfill your edicts, you
receive the benefits of Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, or Great
Fortitude (select one).
Mounted Mastery (Ex): At 8th level, whenever you make a
mounted charge, you receive a +4 dodge bonus to AC to avoid
attacks set against the charge. When making such an attack,
you can add your mount’s Strength modifier to the damage
roll, in addition to your own. You also receive a bonus feat
chosen from the following list: Mounted Combat, Skill Focus
(Handle Animal), or Spirited Charge. You must qualify for the
feat selected.
Knight’s Challenge (Ex): At 15th level, you can make a
knight’s challenge once per day. This functions like a normal
Challenge, but you add your Charisma bonus on all attack
and damage rolls made against the target of the challenge
(this supersedes the normal attack and damage bonuses). In
addition, you receive a +4 circumstance bonus to confirm
critical hits against the target of your challenge.
Order of the Tome
The members of this order devote themselves to the
preservation of knowledge. Most would protect written
knowledge at all costs, but there are members that believe
there is such thing as knowledge too dangerous to be allowed
to exist, and seek to destroy it. Source: Ultimate Combat.
Edicts: You must protect approved written knowledge at all
costs. You are also devoted to the destruction of proscribed
knowledge and are equally zealous in the pursuit of its
destruction.
Challenge: You gain a +2 morale bonus on saving throws
against spells or spell-like abilities cast by the subject of your
challenge and a +2 morale bonus on all Bluff checks involving
the subject of your challenge.
Skill Focus: Knowledge (lore) and Knowledge (linguistics).
Specialized Knowledge (Sp): You can use read languages
and read magic at will as spell-like abilities.
Powerful Knowledge (Ex): Starting at 8th level, you can
cast arcane or divine spells from scrolls as if you had a caster
level equal to your class level.
Defensive Knowledge (Ex): Starting at 15th level, allies
adjacent to you gain a +2 morale bonus on all saves against
spells or spell-like abilities cast by the subject of your
challenge. In addition, as an immediate action, a number of
times per day equal to your Int or Wis modifier (minimum 1),
you can allow one ally adjacent to you to reroll a single failed
saving throw against a spell or spell-like ability from the
target of your challenge. The ally must be able to see and
hear you in order to gain this reroll.
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 your lord and master, but also to
your comrades and family. Source: Ultimate Combat.
Edicts: You must protect the life and lands of your lord
with your life. You must be truthful and courageous,
respectful to your elders and masters, and loyal to your
friends and liege. You must conduct yourself with honor and
dignity.
Challenge: Whenever you declare a challenge, you receive
DR 1/— against attacks made by the target of the challenge.
This DR increases by +1 for every four fighter levels you
possess.
Skill Focus: Diplomacy.
Honor (Ex): Whenever you make a skill check or saving
throw, you can draw strength from your sense of honor as a
free action to grant you a +4 morale bonus on the roll. You
can use this ability once per day, plus one additional time per
day for every four class levels you possess.

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made.
Strike True (Strike) (Ex): At 15th level, you gain the
Devastating Blow talent, even if you do not meet the
prerequisites; it applies to any weapon you wield.
Knight Errant
Some knights find themselves without a master, either as a
result of disgrace or death, or occasionally by choice. Known
as knights errant, or ronin, these masterless knights wander
the lands, serving their own code of ideals. While ronin are
significantly freer to do as they please, they do not receive the
same respect and support that a more dedicated knight can
count on. Source: Ultimate Combat.
Becoming a Knight Errant: Normally, when a knight
wishes to change orders, he must undergo a lengthy process
that requires adherence to the edicts of the new order for a
period of time before receiving any benefits. This is not the
case with knight errant. Once a cavalier decides to become a
knight errant, he immediately loses all of the bonuses, skills,
and abilities of his old order and gains those of this order. If
he wishes to once again dedicate himself to another order, he
must do so using the normal rules.
Edicts: Knights errant follow their own personal code of
ethics and honor. You determine your own edicts, which
should include at least three provisions. These edicts are
subject to referee approval.
Challenge: Whenever you are the target of a challenge,
smite, quarry, or similar effect, and you issue a challenge
against that character in return, you receive a +1 profane
bonus on attack rolls made against the target of your
challenge and a +1 dodge bonus to AC against attacks made
by the target of your challenge. These bonuses increase by +1
for every four fighter levels you possess.
Skill Focus: Streetwise.
Self-Reliant (Ex): You learn to rely solely on yourself, even
in the most difficult of times. Whenever you fail a Will save
against an effect with a duration greater than 1 round, you
can attempt another saving throw at the end of the second
round. If you succeed on this saving throw, it has the same
effect as if you had made the original save (negating part or
all of the effect). In addition, whenever you are brought below
0 hp, on your next turn you can roll twice to stabilize, taking
the better result.
Masterless (Ex): Starting at 8th level, you can summon up
your willpower as an immediate action once per encounter,
applying it in one of the following three ways:
When an attack would reduce you to fewer than 0 hit
points but wouldn’t kill you, you are instead reduced to 1
hit point and conscious.
After making an attack roll to confirm a critical hit, you
can reroll the confirmation roll.
You can take 10 on a skill check during combat, even if the
situation or the skill would not normally allow it.
Chosen Destiny (Ex): At 15th level, you gain Deep
Intuition and Iron Will as bonus feats, even if you do not meet
the prerequisites.
Incarnate
Bonus Skills: You gain one free rank per class level in
“Being a god is being able to recognize within one's self these
Concentration. This otherwise counts as a class skill, but
things that are important, and then to strike the single note does not count against your total number of skill points.
that brings them into alignment with everything else that Class Skills: Craft (all), Heal, Knowledge (lore), Knowledge
exists. Then, beyond morals or logic or esthetics, one is wind (the planes), Planar Sense, Profession (all), and Spellcraft. In
or fire, the sea, the mountains, rain, the sun or the stars, the addition, incarnates receive additional class skills depending
flight of an arrow, the end of a day, the clasp of love. One rules upon their divine mysteries.
through one's ruling passions. Those who look upon gods then Skill Ranks per Level: 4 + Int modifier.
say, without even knowing their names, He is Fire. She is
Favored Class: When gaining a level of incarnate as a
favored class, rather than choosing +1 hp or skill point, you
Dance. He is Destruction. She is Love.” can instead choose one of the following:
―Roger Zelazny, Lord of Light (1967)
Additional Spells Known: Add one level of spells known
Far more than a priest of a deity of some planar force, an from your spell list. Levels of spells gained in this manner
incarnate is a living embodiment of that force itself. As you can be “saved up” to gain higher-level spells (maximum
gain in power, that force moves more strongly through you, level equal to the highest-level spell slot you have
providing you with additional strengths, resistances, and available). For example, a 5th level incarnate who chose
abilities. This class has been altered so as to include the this option 5 times would have an additional 2nd and 3rd
favored soul, the incarnate, and the contemplative (Complete level spell known, or one additional 3rd and two additional
Divine); the shugenja (Oriental Adventures and Complete 1st level spells known, or 5 additional 1st level spells
Divine); the mystic (Dragonlance campaign setting); the known, or any other combination totaling 5 levels of
healer (Miniatures Handbook); and the “oracle” (Advanced spells. Alternatively, he or she could continue saving bonus
Player’s Guide). levels for an eventual higher level spell known. Spells
TABLE 1: THE INCARNATE HIT DICE: D8 gained in this manner must thematically relate to your
mystery.
Class Base Attack Spell Special Divine Wrath (Su): Your damaging spells and spell-like
Level Bonus Capacity abilities deal +1 point of damage against creatures with an
alignment subtype opposite that of your deity or mystery, if
1st +0 1st Curse, divine mystery, any.
revelation
2nd +1 2nd Resistance or terrain Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Incarnates have Simple
3rd +2 3rd Revelation
proficiency with all weapons, and are proficient with light
armor. Some incarnate revelations grant additional
4th +3 4th Fast recovery proficiencies. You can choose to give up armor proficiencies
5th +3 5th Damage reduction (+1) in order to gain the Canny Defense feat.
Spellcasting: An incarnate spontaneously casts divine
6th +4 6th Purity of body spells. Unless otherwise noted for your mystery (see below),
7th +5 7th Revelation your spellcasting attribute is Charisma. Your spells list is
8th +6/+1 8th Strength of self
special, as follows:
9th +6/+1 9th Damage reduction (+2) Your first and third “spell known” for each spell level are
drawn from the cleric and shugenjaCD spell lists.
10th +7/+2 10th Diamond body
11th +8/+3 11th Revelation
The second (and any additional spells from your favored
class bonus) can be taken from any full-caster spell list
12th +9/+4 12th Planar body (cleric, druid, or wizard/sorcerer), but must be thematically
13th +9/+4 13th Damage reduction (+3) appropriate to your mystery (see below)—i.e., share a
subtype descriptor, do something similar, etc. Each
14th +10/+5 14th Diamond soul mystery in Appendix A has guidelines for thematic spells
15th +11/+6/+6 15th Revelation listed.
16th +12/+7/+7 16th Sheltered vitality
17th 17th
Unlike a cleric or archivist, you do not need a holy symbol
+12/+7/+7 Damage reduction (+4) as a focus, nor any material components; rather, the forces
18th +13/+8/+8 18th Sheltered life that manifest in you mean that you yourself are a living divine
19th +14/+9/+9 19th Revelation focus for your incarnate spells.
Bonus Spells: You learn additional bonus spells known (the
20th +15/+10/+10 20th Apotheosis “+1” notations in Spellcasting Table 1 in Chapter 7), derived
from your mystery (Appendix A)
Saving Throws: Incarnates gain a +2 class bonus to
Fortitude and Will saves.
 Curse (Ex): An incarnate can choose Cursed by the Gods Sheltered Vitality (Ex): At 16th level, you are immune to
at any time as a bonus feat (see Divine Feats in Chapter 5). [debilitation] conditions (Chapter 1).
Divine Mystery: Each incarnate draws upon a divine Sheltered Life (Su): At 18th level, you gain immunity to
mystery (Appendix A)―analogous to a cleric’s domain―to [death] effects and energy drain.
grant his or her spells and powers. This mystery also grants Apotheosis (Su): At 20th level, you become a living
additional class skills and other special abilities. You must manifestation of the forces associated with your mystery.
pick one mystery upon taking your first level of incarnate. Your creature type changes to Outsider (native), and you
Once made, this choice cannot be changed. receive the following benefits:
Revelation: At 1st level, 3rd level, and every four levels You stop aging, becoming effectively immortal unless
thereafter (7th, 11th, and so on), you uncover a new secret killed.
about your mystery that grants you powers and abilities. You
must select a revelation from the list of revelations available Penetrating your damage reduction requires aligned
to your mystery. If a revelation is chosen at a later level, you weapons (holy, unholy, anarchic, or axiomatic)—i.e., you
gain all of the abilities and bonuses granted by that revelation have DR 10/+4 and aligned.
based on your current class level. Unless otherwise noted,
activating the power of a revelation is a standard action. You gain an additional ability or abilities determined by
Unles otherwise noted, the saving throw DC for revelations your Mystery.
allowing a save is equal to 10 + half your class level + your
Charisma modifier.
Resistance or Terrain (Su): At 2nd level, you gain
resistance 5 against an energy type determined by your
mystery (Appendix A). This resistance improves by an
additional 5 points per 2 class levels thereafter (to resistance
10 at 4th level, resistance 15 at 6th, etc.). At 18th level, you are
immune to the specified energy type(s).
Alternatively, some mysteries instead grant a specific plane
as Favored Terrain, as the ranger class feature; the favored
terrain bonus is equal to half your class level.
Fast Recovery (Ex): Starting at 4th level, the forces you
embody speed your recovery from near-death experiences.
You gain Fast Recovery as a bonus feat.
Damage Reduction (Ex): At 5th level, the cosmic forces
moving through you grant you gain damage reduction. The
number of hit points reduced is equal to half your class level;
the enhancement bonus or other properties needed to
overcome this resistance are as follows:
Class Level Damage Reduction
5h 2/+1
9th 4/+2
13th 6/+3
17th 8/+4

Purity of Body (Ex): Starting at 6th level, you gain

immunity to minor and moderate afflictions (e.g., disease, and
the sickened condition).
Strength of Self (Ex): Starting at 8th level, when you suffer
any effect that causes attribute damage, attribute drain, or
temporary attribute score penalties, the effect is reduced by 1
point per 2 class levels you possess. Against poison and
disease, this ability is applied once per dose or case of the
disease, not once per instance of ongoing damage.
Diamond Body (Ex): At 10th level, you gain immunity to
severe afflictions (e.g., poison and nausea).
Planar Body (Ex): Starting at 12th level, the planar forces
you embody allow you to survive nearly anywhere in the
multiverse. You are constantly protected as by an planar
adaptationAPG spell, except that this is an extraordinary,
rather than a spell-like ability.
Diamond Soul (Ex): At 14th level, you gain spell resistance
equal to 11 + your class level.

Appendix A: Incarnate
Mysteries
New mysteries can be created with referee and player
cooperation, using the guidelines below. In addition,
appropriate revelations can be similarly added to the list for
an existing mystery.
Non-core spells referenced in the spells lists are indicated
with superscripts; sources are cited in Chapter 7.
Akashic
Just outside the range of the senses are collective memories
of all sentient creatures. An Akashic is one who can tap into
these memories, learning secrets long forgotten and
eventually becoming an embodiment of the collective
memory. This mystery supersedes the class of the same
name from Arcana Evolved (Malhavoc Press), and also the
Lore mystery from the Advanced Players Guide.
Class Skills: You treat all skills as class skills. In addition,
you gain one free rank per class level in Knowledge (lore).
Spellcasting Attribute: Because you focus on
understanding, organizing, and using the collected memories
and lore of entire civilizations, you may choose Intelligence
(rather than Charisma) as your spellcasting attribute. Once
this choice is made, you cannot change it.
Mystery Spells: 1st—object readingSRD, 2nd—sensitivity
to psychic impressionsSRD, 3rd—tongues, 4th—modify
memory, 5th—contact other plane, 6th—legend lore, 7th
—vision, 8th—hypercognitionSRD, 9th—metafacultySRD.
Thematic Spells: Sorcerer/wizard spells of the school of
Divination, and psion powers of the Clairsentience discipline.
Divine Resistance: Your connection with lore has led you
to spend time with bards, and you have become accustomed
to their music―and occasional discord. Alternatively, you can
remember the sound made at the very beginning of the
universe. In either case, you are resistant to sonic damage.
Revelations: Choose from the following.
Arcane Enlightenment (Su): Add a number of arcane
spells from the sorcerer/wizard spell list equal to your
Charisma modifier to your class list; these spells need not be
thematically-appropriate.
Battle Memory (Su): Calling upon the knowledge of the
greatest warriors who have ever lived, you can concentrate for
1 round. Afterward, for 1 round per class level, you gain a +1
competence bonus to attack and damage rolls, as well as a +1
dodge bonus to Armor Class. These bonuses increase by +1
per 4 levels after the 1st, to a maximum of +5 at 17th level.
You can use this ability once per day, plus an additional time
per day per 4 class levels above 1st.
Brain Drain (Su): You can take a standard action to
violently probe the mind of a single intelligent enemy within
100 feet. The target receives an Intuition save to negate the
effect and immediately knows the source of this harmful
mental prying. Those who fail this save are wracked with
pain, taking 1d6 points of nonlethal damage per class level
you possess. After successfully attacking with this ability, you
may use a full-round action to sort through the jumble of
stolen thoughts and memories to make a single Knowledge
check using the victim’s skill bonus. The randomly stolen
thoughts remain in your mind for a number of rounds equal
to your Int or Cha modifier (whichever you chose as your
spellcasting attribute). This is a mind-affecting effect. You can
use this ability once per day at 1st level, plus one additional
time per day for every 4 class levels thereafter.
Confusion Curse (Su): Your command of lore can cause
weaker minds to become mired in confusion. As a standard
action, choose a single intelligent target within 30 feet; that
creature must succeed at an Intuition save or become
confused for a number of rounds equal to your spellcasting
attribute modifier (minimum 1). You can affect any given
creature only once per day with this ability.
Delve into Personal Memory (Su): Once per day as a
standard action, you can mentally probe the memory of one
other creature within 25 feet. You mentally form a question
the creature can answer with a single word. No shared
language is needed, nor does it matter whether the creature
is conscious or aware. You gain the answer as if the creature
mentally answered the question as truthfully as possible
(Intuition negates; if the save is successful you gain no
information). In either case, the creature does not know you
made the attempt. Starting at 13th level, answering the
question can require up to 1 word per class level you possess.
Divinatory Awareness (Ex): You gain Spell Focus
(Divination) as a bonus feat. At 9th level, you gain Greater
Spell Focus (Divination) as a bonus feat.
Feat Memory (Su): Once per day, you can reach into the
collective memory and produce an ability normally gained as
a feat. You must meet the prerequisites of the feat. After a full
round of concentration, you can use the feat for 1 round per
class level.
Memory Possession (Su): Once per day, you can absorb
the memories of any intelligent creature who is alive or who
has ever lived for 1 round per class level. During this time, the
creature's personality takes control of your body. Akashics
use this ability to allow their allies to speak with and ask
questions of the possessing memory (often that of an
ancestor, absent friend, or other well-known figure). If the
possessing memory seeks to say or do something against
your will, you may attempt a DC 20 Will save to prevent it.
You must be at least 15th level to gain this revelation.
Mental Acuity (Ex): Your explorations into the secret
mysteries of the world have granted you a preternatural
understanding of all things—and you just keep getting
smarter. You must be at least 3rd level before selecting this
revelation. You gain a +1 inherent bonus to Intelligence upon
taking this revelation; this bonus improves by an additional
+1 at every 4 class levels thereafter (max. +5 at 19th level).
Perfect Recall (Ex): You gain the effects of the Skill Focus
feat, except it applies to all Knowledge skills. In addition,
once per day you can re-attempt any previously failed
Knowledge check. On this attempt, add a +10 competence
bonus to the check. For every 4 class levels beyond the 1st,
you can use this ability an additional time per day.
Finally, you can enter a deep meditation, blocking out
visual and auditory stimuli and allowing you to deeply delve
into the collective memory. This trance lasts 1d6 rounds,
during which time you can only take move actions. During
this period, you gain an insight bonus equal to your class level
on all saves against sonic effects and gaze attacks. When you
come out of your trance, you may make a single Intelligence-
based skill check with a +20 circumstance bonus.
Skill Memory (Su): You can reach into the collective
memory and gain insight into a needed skill—even one in
which you have no ranks and cannot use untrained. After a
full round of concentration, you gain a +1 insight bonus to a
single skill check attempt made the next round. The bonus
increases by +1 per 2 class levels after the 1st, to a maximum
of +10 at 19th level. You can use skill memory to receive this
insight bonus a number of times per day equal to half your
class level (minimum 1/day).
Sneak Attack (Ex): As the rogue class feature of the same
name; sneak attack damage is equal to 1d6, plus an
additional 1d6 per 6 class levels you possess.
Spell Memory (Su): You can delve into the collective
memory once per day to cast a single spell from any class list.
This requires a spell slot of one level higher than the spell’s
actual level.
Apotheosis: At 20th level, once per day you can delve into
the collective memory once per day to gain any ability of any
other class, gained at 20th level or lower. This ability cannot
be used to gain spells, a different base attack bonus, or
different saving throws—only level-based class abilities. No
ability gained lingers longer than 24 hours.
Aspirancy
Some cultures believe divine ascension is possible―that
mortals can rise to take a seat beside the gods themselves.
This divine mystery is included to model the favored soul
from Complete Divine, the mystic (Dragonlance campaign
setting), and the Aspirant variant cleric class (Dragon
magazine, issue 311). It can also stand in for the Outer Rifts
mystery, from the Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Inner Sea
Magic.
Ultimately, an Asprirancy incarnate can essentially become
a half-celestial, half-fiend, etc., but over 20 levels rather than
eight (see Planetouched in Appendix C of Chapter 2), and
with the retention of full divine spellcasting capability.
Class Skills: Add Athletics, Bluff, and Fly to your list of
class skills. Additionally, you gain automatic Martial
proficiency with your deity’s favored weapon (if you do not
have a deity, select one martial weapon).
Bonus Spells: An aspirant’s bonus spells depends on the
plane from which your powers are drawn. For those
embodying the power of the upper or lower planes, the
following lists are recommended; other lists can be developed
for other planes, subject to player and referee agreement.
Celestial: 1st—bless, 2nd—daylight, 3rd—remove disease,
4 —holy smite, 5th—dispel evil or hallow, 6th—heal, 7th
th
—resurrection, 8th—holy aura, 9th—summon monster IX
(celestials only).
Fiendish: 1st—bane, 2nd—darkness, 3rd—contagion, 4th
—unholy blight, 5th—dispel good or unhallow, 6th—harm, 7th
—destruction, 8th—unholy aura, 9th—summon monster IX
(fiends only).
Thematic Spells: Spells with the appropriate alignment
descriptor, or named after a creature of an appropriate plane
(e.g., barghest’s feast for a fiendish aspirant).
Planar Terrain: You gain Favored Terrain (Upper or Lower
Planes, as appropriate to your aspirancy) with a bonus equal
to half your class level.
Revelations: An aspirant can select from the following
revelations.
Attribute Boost (Ex): You gain a +1 inherent bonus to one
of your attribute scores (select one). This bonus increases to
+2 at 7th level, +3 at 11th, +4 at 15th, and +5 at 19th level. You
can gain this revelation multiple times; each time, select a
different attribute score.
Balefire (Su): You call upon the cleansing or searing fires
of the planes to burn your foes. As a standard action, one
target within 30 feet is wreathed in screaming flames and
takes 1d6 points of fire damage per class level you possess. A
successful Reflex save halves this damage. At 9th level, the
fire’s howls cause any creatures damaged by it to be
staggered for 1 round. At 17th level, creatures who fail their
saves against the balefire are staggered for 1d4 rounds and
stunned for 1 round. You can use this ability once per day plus
one additional time per day at 11th and 19th levels.
Bonus Metamagic Feat: In place of a revelation, you can
select any metamagic feat as a bonus feat. In addition to the
standard feat, however, you also gain the Innate Metamagic
version of the feat, and also the Sudden Metamagic version of
the feat. The metamagic level cost of the feat can be no more
than 1 spell level per 3 class levels you possess.
Energy Resistance (Su): In addition to your divine
resistance, you gain resistance of an equal amount to one of
the following energy types: acid, cold, electricity, fire, force,
positive energy, negative energy, or sonic. You may gain this
revelation multiple times; each time, select a different energy
type.
Natural Armor (Ex): You gain a +1 natural armor bonus
(or any existing natural armor bonus improves by +1). For
every 4 class levels beyond the 1st, this bonus increases by an
additional +1. In addition, starting at 9th level your damage
reduction requires either silver weapons (for celestial
aspirants) or cold iron weapons (for fiendish aspirants) to
penetrate, or else weapons with a permanent enhancement
bonus of +2 or greater (+3 or greater at 17th level).
Shield of the Divine (Ex): You gain a +1 sacred bonus to
AC. At 5th level, and every four levels thereafter, the bonus
increases by +1. This bonus applies even when you are flat-
footed or helpless.
Smite (Su): Once per day as a swift action you can smite an
creature whose alignment or nature is opposite the source of
your planar power (i.e,, aspirants who draw their power from
the Upper Planes can smite evil, etc.). You gain a sacred or
profane bonus to attacks equal to your Charisma bonus
against the target of your smite, and deal additional damage
equal to your class level. The smite persists until the target is
dead or until you rest. At 5th level, and every 4 class levels
thereafter, you can use this ability an additional time per day
(maximum 5/day at 17th level). If you gain this ability through
another class (e.g., Prestige Paladin levels), your levels in the
classes granting the smite ability stack (do not keep track of
smiting separately for separate classes, unless the targets
differ).
Spontaneous Casting (Sp): Once per day, you can expend
an unused spell slot to cast any clerical spell of equal or lower
level, even one you do not know. At 5th level, and every 4 levels
thereafter, you can use this ability an additional time per day.
Telepathy (Su): You can mentally communicate with any
other creature within 100 feet that has a language, as per the
telepathy power of demons and angels. You must be at least
7th level before selecting this revelation.
Unearthly Terrain (Su): You can twist the material world
into the harsh, jagged edges and uneven angles of the outer
planes. As a standard action, you can turn one 5-foot square
per class levels into difficult terrain; this lasts for 1 round per
class level. These squares can be arranged however you see
fit, but each must be adjacent to at least one other affected
square. You may use this ability a number of times per day
equal to 3 + your Charisma bonus.
Wings (Ex): You gain wings and can fly at a speed of 60
feet (good maneuverability). A celestial aspirant grows
feathered wings; a fiendish one gains bat-like wings; an
anarchic one gains membranous wings like the fronds of a
sea creature, etc. You must be at least 15th level to gain this
revelation.
Apotheosis: At 20th level, you gain the celestial, fiendish, or
other equivalent template. This does not change your
effective CR.
Athar
These blessings did not fall from the skies. These benefits did
not drop from the outstretched hands of priests. They were
not found in cathedrals or behind altars—neither were they
searched for with holy candles. They were not discovered by
the closed eyes of prayer, nor did they come in answer to
superstitious supplication. They are the children of freedom,
the gifts of reason, observation and experience—and for
them all, man is indebted to man.
―Robert Ingersoll, God in the Constitution (1890)
The Athar work tirelessly to discredit the gods, interfering
with their clerics and attempting to sway the faith of their
congregations. An athar must abandon the worship of gods
and refuse to acknowledge them as beings worthy of praise.
Either your spells are granted by some unknown force, or
else you (consciously or unconsciously) steal divine power
from the gods. Athar cannot gain levels as clerics or
archivists. Athars who pray to or call upon a deity for aid
become ex-athars and lose all incarnate spells and class
features. This mystery supersedes the prestige class of the
same name from Dragon magazine (issue 287), the Ur-Priest
from Complete Divine, and the Defiant prestige class from
the Planar Handbook.
Class Skills: Add Bluff and Perception to your list of class
skills.
Bonus Spells: 1st—disdain the divineBEM2, 2nd—see
invisibility, 3rd—dispel magic, 4th—divine interdictionWotC,
5th—burden of faithRR2, 6th—banishment, 7th—divine
interferenceRRO, 8th—spell turning, 9th—astral projection.
Thematic Spells: Abjuration spells from the
sorcerer/wizard list.
Divine Resistance: You are resistant to divine damage: i.e.,
any magical damage described as sacred, profane, holy,
unholy, anarchic, or axiomatic.
Revelations: An athar can choose from any of the following
revelations.
Destroy Planar Servants [Reserve] (Su): As long as you
have at least one incarnate spell slot of 1st level or higher
remaining, your attacks automatically penetrate damage
reduction based on an alignment component. If you have
higher-level incarnate spell slots remaining, your attacks deal
additional force damage to aligned opponents (those with the
[chaotic], [evil], [good], or [lawful] descriptor, and/or who
detect as such or are affected by spells as such). The
additional damage is equal to 1d6 per 2 levels of the highest-
level incarnate spell slot you have unused.
Divine Counterspell (Sp): You gain Improved
Counterspell as a bonus feat. In addition, you can counter a
divine spell cast by another spellcaster without expending a
spell slot. You must be high enough level to cast a spell of the
same level as the spell you wish to counter. To do so, you
need not determine what the spell is. If the spell cast is not a
divine spell, you cannot counter it using this ability.
Divine Interference (Su): You generate a field that
interferes with all divine spellcasting (except your own). Any
divine spellcaster within 10 feet must succeed at a
concentration check (DC 10 + your class level + Cha
modifier) in order to successfully cast a divine spell. Failure
indicates that the spell does not take effect but is lost as
though cast. This ability can be consciously suppressed as a
free action. You must be at least 11th level to gain this
revelation.
Divine Prevention (Su): As a standard action, you can to
bestow temporary spell resistance (15 + your class level)
upon a single target by touch. This spell resistance affects
only the next divine spell targeted at the subject; if the target
has not used the spell resistance within 24 hours, it fades. As
a touch attack, you can force this resistance on an unwilling
creature, which is then unable to lower it (Intuition save
negates).
Divine Resistance: You gain a profane bonus to saving
throws against cleric/archivist spells (and spell-like abilities
that duplicate cleric-only spells) equal to your Charisma
bonus.
Divine Retribution: Any divine spell you successfully
counterspell, or that fails to penetrate your spell resistance,
can be reflected back at the caster instead of simply failing.
You can use this ability only on divine spells that target you,
not area-affecting spells or those targeting another creature.
You must be at least 11th level to gain this revelation.
Nondetection (Su): You gain the continuous benefits of a
nondetection spell. This ability can be suppressed or resumed
as a free action. At 19th level, you gain mind blank instead.
You can suppress or reestablishing the effects of this
revelation a free action.
Siphon Spell Power (Ex): Because you steal whatever
power you can, you can learn to manipulate divine spell
energy in ways that confound other casters. You can
temporarily sacrifice two (or more) lower-level spell slots and
use those slots to cast a higher level spell. The higher-level
spell must be of a level you can cast, and must come from the
cleric spells list, but need not be a spell you know. Only one
exchange of this sort can be made each day. The levels of the
lower-level slots are totaled, then reduced to three-quarters
(round down) to determine the level of the extra higher-level
spell slot. For example, an athar who sacrifices a 3rd level
spell slot and a 5th level spell slot can use that energy to cast
a a 6th level spell.
Spell Immunity (Ex): You are immune to the following
spells: bane, bestow curse, blasphemy, chaos hammer,
dictum, doom, forbiddance, holy smite, holy word, geas/quest,
order’s wrath, unholy blight, and word of chaos. You can
freely attack creatures under the effects of sanctuary, aura of
chaos, holy aura (etc.) without ill effects, and can enter areas
sealed with forbiddance spells as if you had the password.
Effects tied to a hallowed or unhallowed site do not affect
you. Finally, when subject to a divine spell that does not allow
a saving throw, you gain a Will save to resist the effects.
Steal Spell-Like Ability (Su): You can use the same
techniques that siphon off the gods' spell power to steal the
spell-like abilities of another creature within 60 ft. of you. As a
full attack action, you gain one of the creature’s spell-like
abilities (you must have a minimum number of ranks in
Concentration equal to twice the spell level of the ability). The
creature can resist with a successful Intuition save.
You can use the stolen spell-like ability three times within
the next day; if the creature has fewer daily uses, your total
number of uses are decreased accordingly (this ability lasts
only 24 hours). The creature with the spell-like ability does
not lose the ability when you “steal” it.
Because you do not automatically know the creature’s
spell-like abilities, this ability is generally used after
witnessing the creature using abilities, or in conjunction with
an appropriate Knowledge check (Chapter 4). If you try to
steal a spell-like ability that the creature doesn't have, or try to
steal an ability that is supernatural rather than spell-like, the
attempt automatically fails. You must provide a material
component if costs more than 1 gp.
Apotheosis: Upon reaching 20th level, you and your
motives exist outside of the gods’ established order. You are
protected from all devices and spells that detect, influence, or
read emotions or thoughts. You are immune to all mind-
affecting spells and effects, as well as information gathering
by divination spells or effects; even limited wish, miracle, and
wish spells fail when they are used in such a way as to affect
your mind or to gain information about you. In the case of
scrying that scans an area you are in, such as arcane eye, the
spell works but you simply aren’t detected. Scrying attempts
that specifically target you do not work at all.
Battle
Class Skills: Add Bluff, Endurance, Handle Animal,
Knowledge (warfare), and Perception to your list of class
skills.
Bonus Spells: 1st—enlarge person or shield of faith, 2nd
—sound burst, 3rd—magic vestment, 4th—divine power, 5th
—righteous might, 6th—transformation, 7th—spell turning,
8th—iron body, 9th—meteor swarm.
Thematic Spells: Abjurations and evocations.
Divine Resistance: Each time you gain 5 points of energy
resistance, you choose whether it applies to fire, force, or
sonic attacks. For example, a 14th level incarnate of battle
(total resistance 35) might have resistance to fire 10,
resistance to sonics 10, and resistance to force 15. At 18th
level, choose one of your resistances to make an immunity.
Revelations: An incarnate with a battle mystery can
choose from any of the following revelations.
Battle Cry (Ex): You gain the ability to inspire courage, as
the bardic inspiration of the same name. Your effective bard
level, for purposes of determining your rounds per day of use
and your college bonus, is equal to your incarnate level (if you
have levels in bard, your incarnate levels instead provide Full
synergy to your bardic inspiration abilities).
Battlefield Clarity (Ex): You gain Improved Great
Fortitude as a bonus feat. Starting at 10th level, you also gain
Improved Iron Will.
Combat Mastery (Ex): You gain one [Combat] feat as a
bonus feat, plus an additional such feat for every 4 class
levels you possess.
Combat Healer (Su): You do not provoke attacks of
opportunity when you cast spells that heal allies or remove
harmful conditions from them, even if you do not cast on the
defensive. In addition, you cast cure spells (cure light wounds,
etc., but not heal) as a swift action (as if using the Quicken
Spell feat, but without using a higher-level slot).
Curse of Suffering (Su): As a swift action, you can cause
any creature(s) you desire within 30 feet to take more
damage from bleed effects and to cause their wounds to heal
at a slower rate. When a cursed creature takes bleed damage,
it takes an additional hit point of bleed damage (even if the
bleed is ability damage). Furthermore, when the target is
subject to an effect that would restore hit points, that effect
only restores half the normal hit points. This curse lasts for
as long as the victim is within 30 ft., and for a number of
additional rounds equal to your class level.
Deadly JuggernautUC (Su): Whenever you reduce a credible
opponent to 0 or fewer hp with a melee attack in the heat of
combat, you gain a +1 luck bonus on melee attack rolls,
melee damage rolls, Strength checks, and Strength-based
skill checks, and also DR 2/—. These benefits are cumulative
while durations overlap (maximum +5 bonus and DR 10/—).
A credible opponent has a minimum number of Hit Dice
equal to or greater than your Hit Dice –4, and must be in
combat against you or your allies. You must be at least 7th
level to select this revelation.
Divine Power (Ex): You gain Permanent Spell (divine
power) and Internalize Spell (divine power) as bonus feats.
You must be at least 15th level to gain this revelation.
Enemies’ Bane (Su): As a swift action, you can imbue a
single weapon you are wielding with the bane weapon special
ability, choosing the type of creature affected each time you
use this ability. The effect lasts for 1 minute. If the weapon
already has the bane special weapon ability of the type
chosen, the extra damage dealt by the bane ability increases
to 4d6. You can use this ability a number of times per day
equal to 3 + your Charisma modifier.
Fighter Training (Ex): You gain one fighter talent, and
thereafter may gain fighter talents in place of battle
revelations. These function at an effective fighter level equal
to the sum of your fighter level and your incarnate level (as do
any talents you receive from fighter levels, if any). If your
effective fighter level is at least 11th, you can gain advanced
fighter talents in place of battle revelations. Your other battle
revelations function at an effective incarnate level equal to the
sum of your fighter level (if any) and your incarnate level.
Maneuver Mastery (Ex): When determining your CMB
and the effects of combat maneuvers feats you possess, you
treat your incarnate level as your base attack bonus. At 5th
level, and every 4 levels thereafter, you gain one Improved
Maneuvers feat (such as Improved Bull Rush, Improved
Grapple, Improved Overrun, Improved Trip, or Improved
Weapon Maneuvers). You do not need to meet the
prerequisites to receive these feats.
Resiliency (Ex): You gain Skill Focus (Endurance) and
Diehard as bonus feats.
Skill at Arms (Ex): You gain Martial proficiency in all
weapons, plus proficiency with medium and heavy armor
(you cannot gain this revelation if you traded light armor and
shields proficiency for Canny Defense). At 5th level, you gain
Weapon Focus with one weapon of your choice. At 9th level,
you gain Weapon Specialization with that weapon. At 13th
level, you gain Improved Critical with that weapon. At 17th
level, you have Exotic proficiency with all weapons. You do
not need to meet the prerequisites to receive these feats.
Surprising Charge (Ex): Once per day, you can move up to
your speed as an immediate action. You can use this ability
one additional time per day at 5th, 13th, and 17th levels.
War Master (Ex): Your base attack bonus improves by +1.
You may select this revelation multiple times; the effects
stack.
War Sight (Su): Whenever you roll for initiative, you can
roll twice and take either result. At 9th level, you can always
act in the surprise round, but if you fail to notice an ambush,
you act last, regardless of your initiative result (you act in the
normal order in following rounds). At 17th level, you can roll
for initiative three times and take any one of the results.
Apotheosis: Upon reaching 20th level, you become an
avatar of battle. You can take a full attack action and move up
to your speed as a full round action. Whenever you score a
critical hit, you can ignore any DR the target might possess.
You gain a +4 insight bonus to your AC for the purpose of
confirming critical hits against you. When you are below 0 hit
points, you do not die until your negative total is in excess of
twice your Constitution score.
Flame
An incarnate with the flame mystery represents a fire
shugenja, as from Oriental Adventures or Complete Divine. It
is also useful for emulating various highly-specialized fire-
using classes such as the pyrokineticist from 3.5 edition
System Reference Document (“Psionic Classes”). Charlie
McGee, from Stephen King’s Firestarter, is a flame incarnate.
Class Skills: Add Acrobatics, Climb, and Perform to your
list of class skills.
Bonus Spells: 1st—produce flame, 2nd—resist energy, 3rd
—haste, 4th—wall of fire, 5th—greater fireburstCA, 6th—fire
seeds, 7th—fire storm, 8th—incendiary cloud, 9th—meteor
swarm.
Thematic Spells: Spells and psionic powers with the [fire]
descriptor.
Planar Terrain: You favored terrain (Elemental Plane of
Fire).
Revelations: A fire shugenja can choose from any of the
following revelations.
Channel Elemental Energy (Su): You channel elemental
energy (fire) as an archivist with the Fire domain, using your
incarnate level in place of your cleric/archivist level. In
addition, you gain Command/Turn Elemental as a bonus feat.
Cinder Dance (Ex, Sp): You gain one free rank in
Acrobatics per class level. You also gain a 10-ft. enhancement
bonus to your land speed and flying speed (if applicable).
Starting at 9th level, you can use fire strideFR at will as a
spell-like ability; activating this ability for use within the next
10 minutes per class level is a full attack action; each “jump”
is a move-equivalent action. At 13th level, the range increases
to 100 miles per class level you possess. At 19th level, there is
no range limit; even other planes are open to you.
Control Fires (Su): This works as the psionic power of the
same name from the 3.5 edition System Reference
Document, except you can manifest it at will. For purposes of
this ability, your manifester level is equal to your number of
ranks in Concentration, and you can expend a number of
power points’ worth of effects and/or augmentation per round
equal to half your class level (round up), with no daily
maximum.
Elemental Focus (Ex): You gain Spell Focus (Fire) as a
bonus feat. At 9th level, you gain Greater Spell Focus (Fire) as
a bonus feat.
Fiery Metamagic (Su): Choose one of the following feats:
Extend Spell, Searing Evocation, or Selective Spell. The
effects of that feat automatically apply to all of your spells and
spell-like abilities with the [fire] descriptor, without any
increase in casting time or spell level. Keep track of what the
modified spell level would be; this cannot exceed the
maximum level of spells you are able to cast. You may select
this revelation more than once; each time, choose another
feat from the list.
Fire Breath (Su): As a standard action, you can unleash a
15-foot cone of flame from your mouth. This flame deals 1d6
points of fire damage per class level (maximum 10d6). A
Reflex save halves this damage. You can use this ability once
per day, plus one additional time per day at 5th level and every
five levels thereafter.
Fire Lash (Sp): You gain the ability to create a 15-foot-long
whip of fire as a move-equivalent action. You take no damage
from a fire lash you create. The whip remains in existence as
long as you hold it.. You gain Exotic Weapon Proficiency
(whip) with the fire lash, which you can use to attack any
target within 15 ft. as a ranged touch attack. The lash deals
fire damage equal to 1d8 + half your class level; your
Strength modifier does not apply. As you increase in power,
your skill with the lash increases; you gain the following
bonus feats applicable to the lash only) at the indicated level
breaks: 5th—Weapon Focus; 9th—Improved Grapple; 13th—
Weapon Specialization; 17th—Improved Critical.
Firestarter (Su): You can use spontaneous immolationUC
at will as a spell-like ability. You must be at least 3rd level to
select this revelation. Starting at 9th level, you can target
objects as well as creatures. Also at 9th level, you gain the use
of quench at will as a spell-like ability. Starting at 13th level,
all of your spells and spell-like abilities with the [fire]
descriptor automatically receive the benefits of the Burning
Evocation feat (+1 spell level effect); this does not increase
their casting times or spell level.
Flame Curse (Su): As a standard action, you can cause
one creature within 10 feet per class level to become
vulnerable to fire until end of your next turn. Whenever the
creature takes fire damage, it takes half again as much
damage (+50%). If the creature is immune to fire, this ability
has no effect on it. If the creature is already vulnerable to fire,
this hex has no effect. At 9th level, the duration increases to 1
round per level; at 17th level, this ability can be used on
creatures normally immune to fire; the effect is to temporarily
suppress that immunity, rather than impose vulnerability.
After the duration ends, a creature cannot be the target of
this ability again for 1 day.
Form of Flame (Su): At will as a standard action, you can
assume the form of a Medium fire elemental, as elemental
body II. At 11th level, you can assume the form of a Large fire
elemental, as elemental body III. At 15th level, you can
assume the form of a Huge fire elemental, as elemental body
IV. You must be at least 7th level before selecting this
revelation.
Heat Aura (Su): As a swift action, you can cause waves of
heat to radiate from your body for 1 round. This heat deals
1d6 points of fire damage per level of the highest-level spell
slot you have remaining to all creatures within 10 feet (Reflex
half). In addition, your form wavers and blurs, granting you
20% concealment. You can use this ability once per day, plus
one additional time per day at 5th level and every four levels
thereafter.
Heat Death (Sp): By concentrating for a full round, you
can raise the internal temperature of one living creature
within 30 feet to lethal levels. The target must succeed on a
Fortitude save or die horrifically at the start of your next turn
as its blood (or other internal fluid) boils. Creatures immune
to fire are immune to this ability; creatures with fire
resistance gain a +1 resistance bonus to the save per 5 points
of fire resistance. On a successful save, the target takes 4d8
points of fire damage from the heat. You can use this ability
on any particular creature only once per day, and as a spell-
like ability its use provokes attacks of opportunity if you do
not cast defensively and is subject to disruption if you are
damaged before it takes effect. You must be at least 15th level
to learn this revelation, which duplicates the Pyrokineticist’s
prestige class feature of the same name, from the 3.5 edition
System Reference Document (“Psionic Classes”).
Nimbus of Fire (Su): As a move action, flames that harm
neither you nor your equipment engulf your entire body. This
functions as a fire shield spell (hot flames only). Dismissing
the nimbus of fire is a free action. You can apply the effect to
a willing creature instead by touch, but only one creature
(including you) can be warded at a time, and creatures other
than you can receive this effect only once per day. You must
be at least 7th level to select this revelation.
Ray of Fire [Reserve] (Sp): This functions exactly as the
eldritch blast ability of a battle sorcerer with the elemental
fire bloodline, including the improved blast and greater blast
enhancements, iterative attack use, and powerful blast ability.
Sense Elements (Sp): The signature ability of any
incarnate with an elemental mystery (a “shugenja”) is the
revelation of sense elements. As a full-round action, you can
become aware of all sources of one chosen element (air,
earth, fire, or water) within 10 feet. You learn the size of the
object(s) but not their precise location or actual nature. Each
additional round spent in concentration allows you to add 5
feet to the radius of your sense ability, to a maximum of 5
additional feet per shugenja level. Alternatively, you can focus
on one source of the sensed element per round, attempting a
Spellcraft check to determine more about that single item.
The amount of information you learn depends on the check
result:
Check Information Learned
Result
20+ Item's general location (5-foot square containing it,
or its nearest boundary if it is larger than a 5-ft.
square).
25+ Whether the item is natural or a spell effect. (A
Spellcraft check against DC 20 + spell level can
then determine the nature of the spell effect.)
30+ Whether the item is a creature or an object.
35+ The exact nature of the item (for example, whether
a creature is an efreeti or a fire elemental, whether
an object is gold or stone, whether air is breathable
or not).
In subsequent rounds, you can either retry your Spellcraft
check on the same item, shift your attention to a different
item, or extend the range of your senses.
A 1st level incarnate can use this ability three times per day.
You gain an additional daily use at 5th level, and every 4 levels
thereafter (5/day at 9th, 6/day at 13th, 7/day at 17th). Like
many divination spells, sense elements is blocked by 1 foot of
stone, 1 inch of common metal, a thin sheet of lead, or 3 feet
of wood or dirt.
For example, an incarnate with the flame mystery and the
sense elements revelation enters a room and concentrates to
sense water. (Although you are a fire shugenja, you can just as
easily sense any other element, including water.) A basin of
water rests on the nightstand, a person lurks behind the door
(living creatures are made of all four elements) holding a vial
of poison. You would discover three sources of water within
10 feet of you: one Medium-size, one Small, and one Fine.
Focusing on the Medium-size source and concentrating for a
round, you make a Spellcraft check and get a result of 31 (for
example), in which case you would learn that the Medium-
size source of water is a creature, that it is natural, and where
it is.
Touch of Flame [Reserve] (Su): As a standard action, you
can perform a melee touch attack that deals 1d6 points of fire
damage per level of the highest-level spell slot you have
remaining. Any weapon that you wield is treated as a flaming
weapon, dealing half as many dice of additional fire damage
as your touch attack.
Wings of Fire (Su): As a swift action, you can manifest a
pair of fiery wings that grant you a fly speed of 60 feet with
average maneuverability. You can use these wings for 1
minute per day per incarnate level. This duration does not
need to be consecutive, but it must be spent in 1 minute
increments. You must be at least 7th level before selecting
this revelation.
Apotheosis: Upon reaching 20th level, you can use fiery
body (as the spell from the Advanced Player’s Guide) on
yourself at will as a supernatural ability. Activating this ability
is a move action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity;
you can dismiss the effect at will as a free action.
Frost
This mystery also supersedes the Winter Witch prestige class
from Paths of Prestige and the Cryokineticist from Frostburn.
Class Skills: Add Athletics, Endurance, and Survival to
your list of class skills.
Bonus Spells: 1st—endure elements, 2nd—chill metal, 3rd
—control temperatureFB, 4th—fire shield (cold flames only),
5th—icy prisonUM, 6th—freezing sphere, 7th—whiteoutFB,
8th—frostfellFB, 9th—comet swarm (as meteor swarm, but
cold damage instead of fire).
Thematic Spells: Spells with the [cold] descriptor.
Planar Terrain: You gain favored terrain (arctic).
Revelations: A frost shugenja can select from the following
list of revelations.
Aura of Cold (Su): As a swift action, you can cause waves
of cold to radiate 10 ft. from your body for 1 round. This chill
deals 1d6 points of cold damage per level of the highest-level
spell slot you have remaining. A Reflex save halves this
damage. In addition, your form wavers and blurs, granting
you 20% concealment. You can use this ability once per day,
plus one additional time per day at 5th level and every four
levels thereafter.
Aurora Borealis (Su): As a move action, you cause cold
flames that harm neither you nor your equipment engulf your
entire body. This functions as a fire shield spell (cold flames
only). Dismissing the aurora is a free action. You must be at
least 7th level to select this revelation.
Black Ice (Su): Snow and ice effects you create have a
melting point of 100 degrees Fahrenheit, rather than 32
degrees; they also take half damage from fire. Non-
instantaneous, non-permanent spells and spell-like abilities
you use that have the [cold] descriptor have double their
normal durations, as if from the Extend Spell feat (but with
no increase in spell level or casting time). Finally, you can cast
meltCA (choosing which of your snow and ice effects within
the area are affected) and thawFB at will as spell-like abilities.
Frozen Metamagic (Su): Choose one of the following
feats: Numbing Cold Evocation, Piercing Cold Evocation, or
Staggering Spell. The effects of that feat automatically apply
to all of your spells and spell-like abilities with the [cold]
descriptor, without any increase in casting time or spell level.
However, you must keep track of what the modified spell level
would be, if you had applied this feat normally; the final spell
level cannot exceed the maximum level of spells you are able
to cast. You may select this revelation multiple times; each
time, choose another feat from the list.
HoarfrostUM (Su): One target within 60 ft. turns pale and
blue, and takes 1 point of Constitution damage per minute
until it dies, saves (Fort negates; once per minute), or is cured.
Break enchantment, dispel magic, remove curse, and similar
spells end the effect. If the target saves, it is immune to this
ability for 1 day. You must be at least 11th level to gain this
revelation.
Ice Magic (Ex): You gain Spell Focus (cold) as a bonus
feat. At 9th level, you gain Greater Spell Focus (cold) as a
bonus feat.
Ice TombUM (Su): A storm of ice and freezing wind
envelops the target, which takes 1d6 points of cold damage
per two class levels you possess (Fortitude half). If the target
fails its save, it is paralyzed and unconscious but does not
need to eat or breathe while the ice lasts. The ice has 20 hit
points; destroying the ice frees the creature, which is
staggered for 1d4 rounds after being released. Whether or
not the target’s saving throw is successful, it cannot be the
target of this ability again for 1 day. You must be at least 11th
level to gain this revelation.
Icy Path (Sp): You can use ice slickFB at will as a spell-like
ability (as grease, except the area or object is icy instead of
greasy). Starting at 9th level, all spells and spell-like abilities
you use that have the [cold] descriptor can be modified with
the Flash Frost Evocation feat (the +1 spell level cost
function) at will; this does not change their normal casting
times or spell levels. Starting at 13th level, your cold spells
can instead automatically gain the effects of the +2 spell level
cost function of Flash Frost Evocation (but again, without any
increase in spell level or casting time).
You can also skate at will, as per the psionic power of the
same name in the 3.5 edition SRD, on a line of ice you
creates ahead of you as you move. The trail remains iced over
for one round. On existing ice, you can ice skateFB at will.
Starting at 5th level, you can skate across liquids, as water
walking, by freezing a path across the surface. At 9th level,
you can use pass through iceFB at will. Starting at 13th level,
you can skate through the air by creating a sheet of ice to
travel across (the steepest angle at which you can travel
upwards is 45 degrees (as per the air walk spell). This power
is adapted from the Snowscaper class features from the
Tome of Tiamat (The Gaming Den).
Numbing Chill (Su): Whenever you cast a spell that deals
cold damage, you can imbue the spell with a debilitating chill
as a swift action. Choose one of the spell’s targets or a
creature within the spell effect. If that creature takes cold
damage from the spell, it must also succeed at a Fortitude
save or take 1d4 points of Dexterity damage and be staggered
for 1 round. The creature need only make this saving throw
once per spell, even if the spell deals damage multiple times.
If the target saves successfully, it is immune to this power for
1 day. Source: Paths of Prestige.
Ray of Frost [Reserve] (Sp): This functions exactly as the
eldritch blast ability of a sorcerer with the Boreal bloodline,
including the improved blast and greater blast
enhancements, iterative attack use, and powerful blast ability.
Snowsculpt (Sp): You can shape snow and ice to your will,
and create sculptures formed from magical ice. This ability
manifests as a suite of related powers that work like racial
spell-like abilities (Chapter 7): 1st—snowdriftFB, 2nd—
Leomund’s tiny iglooFB, 3rd—ice shapeFB, 4th—wall of ice,
5th—fabricate (snow and ice only), 6th—move snow and
iceFB, 7th—ice castleFB, 8th—simulacrum, 9th—ice assassin.
Wintry Touch [Reserve] (Su): You gain a melee touch
attack that deals 1d6 points of cold damage per level of the
highest-level spell slot you have available. In addition, any
weapon that you wield is treated as a frost weapon, dealing
half as many dice of additional cold damage as your touch
attack.
Apotheosis: At 20th level, you become a master of the
Frostfell. You can create an ice castle (as the spell from
Frostburn) at will as a spell-like ability; or you can extend the
duration of an existing ice castle; you may have only two such
castles in existence at any one time, however.
Graves
This mystery has been renamed from “bones” to emphasize
that not only corporeal undead are the focus. An incarnate
with this mystery (a “boccor”) makes an excellent substitute
for a True Necromancer or Master of Shrouds (Libris Mortis)
or an oracle with the Juju Mystery (Pathfinder Adventure
Path, Vol. 39).
Class Skills: Add Bluff, Perform (acting), and Stealth to
your list of class skills.
Bonus Spells: 1st—cause fear, 2nd—false life, 3rd—speak
with dead, 4th—fear, 5th—magic jar, 6th—create undead, 7th
—finger of death, 8th—trap the soul, 9th—wail of the banshee
or soul bind. At least two of the revelations offered by the Juju
Mystery (dream haunter and path of the snake) are best
simulated by simply choosing the appropriate spells known
(dream/ nightmare and ethereal jaunt, respectively).
Thematic Spells: Sorcerer/wizard spells from the school
of Necromancy.
Divine Resistance: You are as one with the powers of
unlife, and are resistant to negative energy damage (if you are
undead, you are instead resistant to positive energy).
Revelations: An incarnate with the bones mystery can
choose from any of the following revelations.
Armor of Bones (Su): At will as a standard action, you can
gird yourself in armor made of bones that functions as splint
mail armor, but also provides DR/bludgeoning an amount
equal to your class level (maximum DR 20/bludgeoning at
20th level). You are always treated as being proficient with
your own bone armor. At 5th level, and every 4 class levels
thereafter, the armor check penalty is reduced by 1 and the
max Dex bonus increases by 1; at 13th level, the armor no
longer slows your movement. If multi-classed, you can cast
arcane spells from the school of Necromancy while in bone
armor with no chance of spell failure. You can dismiss the
armor as a free action.
Bleeding Wounds (Su): Whenever a creature takes
damage from one of your spells or abilities that causes
negative energy damage (such as inflict light wounds or
channel negative energy), it begins to bleed, taking 1 point of
damage each round per die of damage inflicted. This bleeding
can be stopped by a Heal check (normal save DC) or by any
effect that heals damage (requiring a successful
Concentration check against the same DC).
Bone Lock (Su): With a quick incantation, you can cause a
creature within 30 feet to suffer stiffness in the joints and
bones. The target is affected as by the slow spell for 1 round
(Fortitude negates). At 9th level, the duration is increased to a
number of rounds equal to your class level, though the target
can attempt a save each round to end the effect. At 17th level,
the target no longer can attempt a saving throw each round to
end the effect.
Connaissance (Su): You can spend a full-round action to
attune yourself to the spirit world, gaining the benefit of a
moment of prescience spell with an insight bonus equal to
half your class level (minimum +1). You may use this ability a
number of times per day equal to your Charisma modifier
(minimum 1/day), but you may only have one connaissance
effect active at a time.
Curse of Suffering (Su): As a swift action, you can cause
any creature(s) you desire within 30 feet to take more
damage from bleed effects and to cause their wounds to heal
at a slower rate. When a cursed creature takes bleed damage,
it takes an additional hit point of bleed damage (even if the
bleed is ability damage). Furthermore, when the target is
subject to an effect that would restore hit points, that effect
only restores half the normal hit points. This curse lasts for
as long as the victim is within 30 ft., and for a number of
additional rounds equal to your class level.
Dark Channeling (Su): You can channel negative energy
as a cleric or archivist of level equal to your incarnate level. In
addition, you gain Command Undead as a bonus feat.
False Death (Su): Add charm person to your list of spells
known. At 8th level, add charm monster to your list of spells
known. 10th level, add dominate person. At 19th level, add
dominate monster. Any creature under the effect of one of
your charm or dominate spells appears dead to any
examiners. Although affected creatures do not detect as
undead, they look pale and death-like while under the effects
of your magic, and those dominated do not need to eat, drink,
or breathe. Those familiar with juju magic refer to such
beings as “laubo.” An affected creature ordered to lie still
gains a circumstance bonus equal to your class level on
Perform (acting) skill checks to look like a corpse.
Grave Sight (Su): Your senses are attuned to life and
death. You gain deathwatch and detect undead as continuous
abilities requiring no concentration on your part. In addition,
you gain lifesense 30 ft. (as blindsense, but works on living
creatures only). You can automatically sense if any creature
you see is diseased, poisoned, or suffering from energy drain.
Life from Unlife (Su): Negative energy heals you, as if you
were undead. However, positive energy still heals you as well;
this ability is not an exchange. You are not subject to being
turned or rebuked.
Path of the Snake (Su): Once per day, as a standard
action, you can become incorporeal. While in this form, you
can move in any direction and through any object (except for
those made of force). You can take no action other than to
move while in this form. You remain in this form for a
number of rounds equal to your class level, but you can end
this effect prematurely with a move action. You must be at
least 9th level to select this revelation. At 13th and 17th levels,
you gain an additional use per day.
Reminder of Death (Sp): You can imbue a handful of salt
with the power of life, making it a potent ward against
undead creatures. As a standard action, you can throw salt at
a single undead creature within 5 feet, affecting it as per the
spell halt undead. Alternatively, you can spend a full-round
action covering a 5-ft. square with imbued salt, causing any
single undead creature that enters this square within the next
10 minutes to be affected as per halt undead.
Spiritual Defense (Sp): Your chanting grants protection
against your enemies (and sometimes your allies). As a move
action, you can begin chanting to gain the benefit of a
protection spell (such as protection from evil). This protection
lasts until you stop chanting or for the spell’s normal
duration, whichever comes first. Chanting after the initial
round of the effect is a free action, and you can incorporate
verbal components and communication into the chant;
magical silence ends a chant and its effects. At 6th level the
effect is equal to a magic circle (such as magic circle against
evil).
Summon Spirits (Sp): Add the following to your list of
spells known of the indicated spell levels: 4th—summon
undead IV (allip or shadow); 6th—summon undead VI
(wraith); 7th—summon undead VII (spectre or greater
shadow); 8th—summon undead VIII (caller in darkness or
witchfire); 9th—summon undead IX (banshee, bhuta, or
dread wraith). You can use higher-level spell slots to summon
more numerous lower-level undead (Chapter 7, Heighten
Spell).
True Necromancer (Ex): You gain Spell Focus
(Necromancy) as a bonus feat. At 9th level, you gain Greater
Spell Focus (Necromancy) as a bonus feat.
Zone of Desecration (Su): You constantly radiate a
desecrate effect (as the spell) in a 5-ft. emanation around
yourself. The radius of this effect increases by an additional 5
ft. per 4 levels after the 3rd, to a maximum of 25 ft. at 19th
level. You must be at least 3rd level to gain this revelation.
Apotheosis: Upon reaching 20th level, you gain all
immunities common to the Undead type.
Heavens
Class Skills: Add Fly, Perception, and Survival to your list of
class skills.
Bonus Spells: 1st—spark shower (as burning hands, but
electrical damage), 2nd—hypnotic pattern or glitterdust, 3rd
—daylight or deeper darkness, 4th—rainbow pattern, 5th
—overland flight, 6th—chain lightning, 7th—sunburst, 8th
—prismatic wall, 9th—meteor swarm.
Thematic Spells: Spells related to the Astral Plane, stars,
space, the sun, the moon, or other heavenly bodies. Also add
phantasmal killer and weird to your list of thematic spells,
simulating the “dweller in darkness” revelation.
Planar Terrain: You gain Favored Terrain (Astral Plane).
Revelations: An incarnate with the Heavens mystery can
choose from any of the following revelations.
Awesome Display (Su): Your phantasmagoric displays
accurately model the mysteries of the night sky,
dumbfounding all who behold them. Creatures affected by
your illusion [pattern] spells are treated as if their total
number of Hit Dice were equal to their number of Hit Dice
minus your Charisma modifier (if positive, minimum 1).
Coat of Many Stars (Su): You conjure a coat of starry
radiance that grants you a +1 deflection bonus to AC per 4
class levels you possess. In addition, you gain a miss chance
of 5% (as if from concealment); this improves by 5% per 4
levels above the 1st (maximum 25% at 17th level).
Energy Resistance (Ex): Choose one energy type; you
gain resistance to that energy equal to your divine energy
resistance. You may select this revelation multiple times; each
time, choose a new energy type.
Guiding Star (Su): Choose a star in the heavens. You
always know where this star lies, giving you know direction at
will as a spell-like ability. When this star is visible in the sky,
you may also add your Charisma modifier to your Wisdom
modifier on all Wisdom-based checks and Intuition saves.
Once per night, you can cast one spell as if it were modified
by the Empower Spell, Extend Spell, Silent Spell, or Still spell
feat without increasing the spell’s casting time or level, so
long as the star is visible.
Heaven’s Leap (Sp): You are adept at creating tiny tears in
the fabric of space, and temporarily stitching them to reach
other locations with a limited, one-way wormhole. At will, can
use jester’s jauntAPG on you or any willing ally within 30 ft. A
specific individual can be affected by your use of this ability
only once per day, however.
Interstellar Void (Su): You call upon the frigid depths of
outer space to bring a terrible chill to your enemies. You can
channel energy as an archivist of level equal to your incarnate
level, using the variant channeling effects for the Winter
domain. At 9th level, the interstellar void you channel is so
extreme that enemies who fail their saving throws are
fatigued. At 15th level, creatures who fail their saves are
exhausted and stunned for 1 round.
Lure of the Heavens (Su): Your connection to the skies
above is so strong that your feet barely touch the ground. At
1st level, you no longer leave tracks. You gain the following
additional effects at the indicated level breaks; these are
continuous or at will, as appropriate: 5th—feather fall and
water walk; 9th—air walk; 13th—fly; 17th—overland flight.
Mantle of Moonlight (Su): Your innate understanding of
the moon renders you immune to lycanthropy. You gain
Wolfsbane Strike as a bonus feat, using your incarnate level
as your base attack bonus for determining the effects. As you
gain access to spells of the indicated levels, you can
automatically add the following to your list of spells known:
1st—lunar speedRRO, 2nd—lunar armorRRO, 3rd—rage, 7th
—insanity.
Moonlight Bridge (Su): You summon a bridge of
shimmering moonlight. The 10-ft.-wide span touches the
ground at a point adjacent to your position. From this point it
can extend in any direction for 10 feet per class level. The
path persists up to 24 hours, or until you dismiss it as an
immediate action. For every 4 levels past the 1st that you
possess, you can specify one type, subtype, or other
description of creatures for whom the bridge is insubstantial
(they fall through if they try to use it). Your description can be
physical (e.g., “those wearing the symbol of the flaming eye”)
or moral (e.g., “[evil] creatures”), but must be precise;
“creatures I don’t like” isn’t good enough. You may summon a
moonlight bridge a number of times per day equal to your
Charisma bonus.
Shooting Stars [Reserve] (Sp): As an attack action, you
can unleash a ball that explodes in a 5-ft. radius burst,
dealing 1d6 points of fire damage per level of the highest-level
spell slot you have available and unused (Reflex half). This
otherwise functions as the eldritch blast ability of a Starsoul
sorcerer, including the improved blast and greater blast
enhancements, iterative attack use, and powerful blast ability.
Apotheosis: Upon achieving 20th level, your rapport with
the heavens grants you perfect harmony with the universe.
You receive a sacred bonus on all saving throws equal to your
Charisma modifier. You automatically stabilize if you are
below 0 hit points, are immune to fear effects, and
automatically confirm all critical hits. Should you die, you are
reborn 3 days later in the form of a star child, who matures
over the course of 7 days (treat as the reincarnate spell).
Life
Called “healers” or “curates,” incarnates with the Life
mystery bring blessings of healing and alleviate the suffering
of those in need. An incarnate with the Life mystery
supersedes the Healer class, from the Miniatures Handbook.
Class Skills: Add Handle Animal and Survival to your list
of class skills. You also adds half your class level as a sacred
bonus to all Heal checks, and you do not require a healer’s
kit.
Bonus Spells: 1st—detect undead, 2nd—lesser
restoration, 3rd—neutralize poison, 4th—restoration, 5th
—breath of life, 6th—vigorous circleCD, 7th—greater
restoration, 8th—mass death ward, 9th—true resurrection.
Thematic Spells: Spells of healing and restoration.
Divine Resistance: You are resistant to negative energy
damage.
Revelations: An incarnate with the life mystery can choose
from any of the following revelations.
Channel Positive Energy (Su): You can channel positive
energy like a cleric, using your incarnate level as your
effective cleric level when determining the amount of damage
healed (or caused to undead) and the DC. You can use this
ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Charisma
modifier. If you can already channel positive energy, your
incarnate levels instead provide Full synergy to your existing
ability.
Combat Healer (Su): As the Battle mystery revelation of
the same name (q.v.).
Deny Succor (Su): As a standard action, you render one
target within 30 feet immune to magical healing and effects
that relieve conditions (Intuition save negates). This effect
lasts for a number of rounds equal to your class level.
Divine Companion (Ex): You gain a magical beast as a
special mount. This works similarly to the fighter’s Mount
talent, but works according to your class level, rather than
your number of ranks in Handle Animal, making the following
base creatures available to you at the indicated level breaks:
6th—unicorn (CR 3); 10th—water naga (CR 7); 11th—
lammasu or gynosphinx (CR 8); 12th—androsphinx or shedu
(CR 9); 13th—couatl (CR 10).
Energy Body (Su): As a standard action, you can
transform your body into pure life energy, resembling a
golden-white fire elemental. In this form, you gain the
[elemental] and [positive energy] subtypes and give off a
warm, welcoming light that increases the light level within 10
feet by one step, up to normal light. Any undead creature
striking you with its body or a hand-held weapon deals
normal damage, but at the same time the attacker takes 1d6
points of positive energy damage + 1 point per class level.
Creatures wielding melee weapons with reach are not subject
to this damage if they attack you.
If you grapple or attack an undead creature using unarmed
strikes or natural weapons, you may deal this damage in
place of the normal damage for the attack. Once per round, if
you pass through a living allied creature’s square or the ally
passes through your square, it heals 1d6 hit points + 1 per
class level. You may use this ability to heal yourself as a move
action. You choose whether or not to heal a creature when it
passes through your space.
You may return to your normal form as a free action. You
may remain in energy body form for a number of rounds per
day equal to your class level.
Enhanced Cures (Su): Whenever you cast a cure spell, the
effect is automatically Maximized, as if using the Maximize
Spell metamagic feat (except that the spell level and casting
time are unaffected). Whenever your healing spells heal a
target up to its maximum hit points, any excess points persist
for 1 round per level as temporary hit points (up to a
maximum number of temporary hit points equal to your class
level).
Healing Hands (Ex): You gain a +4 bonus on Heal checks.
You may provide first aid to two people or treat two people for
poison as a standard action (make a separate Heal check for
each creature). When using the Heal skill to treat wounds
from caltrops (and so on), treat deadly wounds, treat poison,
treat disease, or treat long-term care, you may treat double
the normal number of people you may treat at the same time.
You may provide long-term care for yourself.
Healer’s Blessing (Su): Whenever you cast a cure spell, the
amount of damage healed is automatically increased by 50%
(as if you had applied the Empower Spell feat) but without an
increase in spell level or casting time.
Lay on Hands (Su): As the prestige paladin class feature
of the same name. In addition to the ability to lay on hands,
you also gain one mercy per 4 levels after the 1st (i.e., at 5th,
9th, 13th, and 17th levels; the mercies available duplicate
those gained by a prestige paladin of 4th, 7th, 10th, and 13th
levels, respectively.
Life Link (Su): When allies within 10 ft. of you suffer hit
point or attribute damage, you can choose to transfer some or
all of that damage to yourself as an immediate action. If there
is an additional effect associated with that damage, you suffer
that effect in lieu of the target if all of the damage is
transferred; otherwise, your ally suffers the effect normally.
Lifesense (Su): You notice and locate living creatures
within 30 feet, just as if you possessed the blindsight ability.
Apotheosis: Upon reaching 20th level, you become a
bastion of life. All living creatures within 30 ft. of you gain
regeneration at the rate of 1 hp/round (profane damage and
damage from evil-aligned weapons is not regenerated,
however).
Lust
An incarnate of lust wraps mortals around his or her fingers,
using irresistible charm to get his or her way.
Class Skills: Add Bluff, Diplomacy, Handle Animal, and
Streetwise to your list of class skills.
Bonus Spells: 1st—charm person, 2nd—Rie’s lustful
gazeRR2, 3rd—veil of lustRR2, 4th—charm monster, 5th
—dominate person, 6th—Rie’s dance of seductionRR2, 7th
—crown of despairDr331, 8th—mass charm monster or
sympathy, 9th—dominate monster.
Thematic Spells: Sorcerer/wizard spells from the school
of Enchantment (especially the [charm] subschool).
Divine Resistance: Your divine resistance applies against
all energy types, but only when used by creatures biologically
and emotionally compatible with your species. For example,
assuming you are human, a fireball or lightning bolt cast by
an elf or a centaur would be subject to your divine energy
resistance, but the same spell cast by a lich would not.
Referee and player discretion may be called for in
adjudicating certain cases.
Revelations: Choose from the following.
Beguiling Aura (Su): Any creature sexually attracted to
your race runs the risk of being beguiled if it looks upon your
beauty from a distance of 30 feet or less (Intuition save or be
fascinated). You may use suggestion at will as a spell-like
ability against creatures that are fascinated by your beguiling
aura. You must be at least 15th level in order to gain this
revelation.
Beguiling Look (Su): As a standard action, you can make
eye contact with a single target up to 300 ft. away. The
targeted creature must succeed at a Will save or move
towards you at its normal speed, taking no other actions but
to defend itself if attacked. You can maintain this effect as a
standard action each round. The victim stops within 5 ft. of
you, whereupon it must succeed at an Intuition save or be
charmed (as if by a charm monster spell). Success frees the
victim from the effect and renders it immune to further uses
of this ability for 24 hours. This is a mind-affecting ability.
Charming Smile (Su): You can use charm person as a
swift action. You can only have one creature charmed in this
way at a time. The total number of rounds of this effect per
day is equal to your cleric level. The rounds do not need to be
consecutive, and you can dismiss the charm at any time as a
free action. Each attempt to use this ability consumes 1
round of its duration, whether or not the creature succeeds
on its save to resist the effect.
Charm’s Aegis (Su): You can channel energy as an
archivist of class level equal to your incarnate level; the effect
is always that of the Charm domain variant channeling power
(see Cleric).
Dazing Touch (Sp): You can cause a living creature to
become dazed for 1 round as a melee touch attack that does
not provoke an attack of opportunity. Creatures with more Hit
Dice than your incarnate level are unaffected. You also gain
the following spells known, upon gaining access to spells of
the appropriate levels: 0—daze; 2nd—daze monster; 4th
—mass dazeUM.
Energy Drain (Su): If you lure someone into an act of
passion, or else simply grapple and pin him or her, you can
bestow one negative level upon the victim (Fortitude save to
remove). You must be at least 11th level to select this
revelation. This supersedes the Thrall of Malcanthet’s
draining kiss prestige class feature, from Dragon magazine
(issue 353).
Enchantress (Ex): You gain Spell Focus (Enchantment) as
a bonus feat. At 9th level, you gain Greater Spell Focus
(Enchantment) as a bonus feat.
Inspiration (Ex): Your incarnate levels provide Strong
theurgy towards bardic inspiration ability (including rounds
per day and the number and types of inspiration available).
This ability applies even if you have no bard levels (with a
default bard type of minstrel), so that a 1st – 2nd level
incarnate would use bardic inspiration as a 1st level minstrel.
Instant Daze (Sp): Once per round as an immediate
action, you can daze an enemy who strikes you in melee (Will
negates). This is a mind-affecting compulsion. Creatures with
HD greater than your class level are immune. You can’t
activate this ability in response to an attack you are unaware
of. Source: Players Handbook II.
Stubborn Enchantment (Su): Any creature that
successfully saves against one of your enchantment spells or
spell-like abilities must save again 1 round later (as if you had
cast the spell again) with a +4 bonus on the save. You can use
this ability up to 3 times per day. You must be at least 11th
level to gain this revelation, which emulates the moderate
enchantment esoterica from the Master Specialist prestige
class (Complete Mage).
Unearthly Grace (Su): You gain a deflection bonus to AC
equal to your Charisma bonus (to a maximum bonus of +1
per class level).
Apotheosis: At 20th level, you gain an inherent +5 bonus to
Charisma. As with other like-named bonuses, inherent
bonuses do not stack.

Metal
This mystery appeared in Ultimate Magic.
Class Skills: Add Disable Device to your list of class skills.
In addition, you gain 1 free rank per class level in Craft
(smith).
Bonus Spells: 1st—lead bladesAPG, 2nd—heat metal or
versatile weaponAPG, 3rd—bands of steelCA, 4th—shape
metalRF, 5th—major creation (metal items only), 6th—wall of
iron, 7th—repel metal or stone, 8th—iron body, 9th—summon
monster IX (iron golem).
Thematic Spells: Spells dealing with metal.
Divine Resistance: Your command of the secrets of metal
allows you to act in some ways as a lightning rod. You gain
resistance to electricity.
Revelations: An incarnate with the Metal mystery can
choose from any of the following revelations.
Armor Training (Ex): You gain Martial proficiency with all
shields, and proficiency with heavy armor. You also gain
armor training (as the fighter talent of the same name, but
using your class level as your effective fighter level; if you
have levels in fighter, your incarnate levels provide Full
synergy instead). This applies only when using metal armor
and/or shields.
Colossus of Iron (Ex): Your skin hardens and takes on the
appearance of iron, granting you a +2 natural armor bonus.
This bonus improves by +1 per 2 class levels you possess
after the 1st (maximum +11 at 19th level).
Detect Metal and Minerals (Sp): As the spell of the same
name from Races of Faerun, but useable at will, and this
ability cannot be dispelled or counterspelled. In addition, the
number of rounds of concentration needed for each “step” is
reduced by 1 (i.e., 1 round to estimate weight, and 2 rounds
to determine distance and direction; you can detect presence/
absence and type as a free action).
Iron Constitution (Su): You gain a +1 inherent bonus to
Constitution. This improves by +1 per 4 class levels after the
1st, to a maximum of +5 at 17th level.
Iron Skin (Sp): You gain damage reduction, overcome by
adamantine weapons, in an amount equal to half your class
level.
Iron Weapon (Su): At will as a standard action, you can
create a weapon that lasts for 1 minute for every class level
you possess. You are considered to have Martial proficiency
with the weapon. The weapon has an enhancement bonus
equal to +1 per 4 class levels you possess; you can apply this
in the form of a straight enhancement bonus, or use some of
it for other weapon properties, so long as it retains an actual
enhancement bonus of at least +1. Alternatively, you can
spend a +1 bonus to make the weapon cold iron, or a +2
bonus to make it adamantine. The weapon disappears after 1
round if it leaves your grasp.
Magnetism (Sp): You can use telekinesis at will as a spell-
like ability, but it affects only metal items (or metal-armored
creatures). You must be at least 11th level to gain this
revelation.
Mastery of Steel (Ex): You gain Martial proficiency with
all metal weapons. In addition, you gain Weapon Training (as
the fighter class feature of the same name, but treating your
incarnate level as your effective fighter level) with all metal
weapons. If you have levels in fighter as well, those levels
provide Full synergy for purposes of this talent.
Metal Curse (Su): At will as a standard action, you can
cause a creature within 30 feet to become slightly magnetic
until the end of your next turn. Whenever the creature is
attacked by a melee or ranged attack made primarily of metal,
the creature suffers a “hit chance” (the opposite of a miss
chance—a chance that attacks that would otherwise miss, hit
instead) equal to 5%, plus an additional 5% per 4 class levels
after the 1st (maximum 25% at 17th level).
Rusting Grasp (Sp): At will as a standard action, you can
perform a melee touch attack that rusts iron or corrodes
other metals, as the rusting grasp spell. You must be at least
7th level to select this revelation. If you are at least 11th level,
you can use this ability as a ray (requiring a ranged touch
attack) with a range of 30 ft. If you are at least 19th level, you
can cause the effect in a 30-ft. cone instead.
Shape Metal (Su): Your touch can alter the physical
properties of a metal object (up to 5 lbs. per class level you
possess) so that it runs like water (if in a creature’s
possession, a Will save negates). The melted metal does not
change temperature, but flows as a liquid for 1 round and
then returns to its normal solid state, usually in a form
resembling a puddle. If the object is a magic item, this
renders it broken and nonfunctional, although a character
with the Imbue Item feat and Craft (smith) skill can repair it.
You must be at least 9th level to gain this revelation. If you are
at least 13th level, while the metal is molten, you can shape it
as if by a fabricate spell.
Steel Needle (Sp): At will as a standard action, you can
conjure and fire a steel needle at any target within close
range. This is a ranged (projectile) attack that deals 1d4
piercing damage per class level you possess. Because this is a
spell-like ability, you can apply Innate Metamagic to it to
shape it into a cone or burst, increase the damage, etc., by
appropriate selection of metamagic feats.
Transmute Metal (Su): At will as a standard action, you
can touch up to 1 lb. of metal per class level (all of the same
type) and change it into a different type of non-radioactive
metal. The new metal is magical only if the original metal was
(and retains the same magical properties). The
transformation in type lasts 1 round per class level you
possess. Starting at 9th level, the effect lasts 1 minute per
class level; at 13th level it lasts 10 minutes per class level; and
at 17th level it lasts up to 1 hour per class level.
Vision in Iron (Sp): You can use any piece of polished
metal at least the size of a dagger as a scrying device, as if
using the spell scrying. At 15th level, this functions like
greater scrying. You can scry for a number of rounds per day
equal to your class level; these rounds do not need to be
consecutive. You must be at least 7th level to select this
revelation.
Apotheisis: At 20th level, you are a master of all metal. You
take no damage from metal weapons or creatures made of
metal (such as iron golems). Metal weapons and spell-like
abilities wielded by you always deal maximum damage (no
damage roll necessary).

Nature
An incarnate with the Nature mystery is, in essence, a
spontaneous-caster druid.
Class Skills: Add Handle Animal, Fly, Perception, and
Survival to your list of class skills.
Bonus Spells: 1st—charm animal, 2nd—barkskin, 3rd
—beast shape I, 4th—ice storm, 5th—awaken, 6th—plant
shape II, 7th—creeping doom, 8th—animal shapes, 9th
—storm of vengeance.
Thematic Spells: Spells from the Druid spell list that deal
with nature (as opposed to those dealing with the ethereal
plane, spirits, elements, etc.); also beast shape and plant
shape spells not already on the bonus spells list.
Divine Resistance: You gain one favored terrain (choose a
natural terrain, rather than a planar one).
Revelations: An incarnate with the Nature mystery can
choose from the following revelations.
Animal Domain (Ex): You gain Domain Access, Improved
Domain Access, and Domain Channeling (Animal domain) as
bonus feats. If you can already channel energy, you gain
Versatile Channeling (Animal) instead of Domain Channeling.
Druidic Initiation (Su): You gain one druidic initiation
(q.v.), obtaining the associated abilities as if your incarnate
level were your druid level.
Entangling Curse (Su): At will as a standard action, you
can choose entangle a creature within 30 feet for a number of
rounds equal to your Charisma modifier (Reflex negates).
Once a creature is affected by this ability, it cannot be
targeted by you again with this ability for 1 day.
Erosion Curse [Reserve] (Su): You can summon the
powers of nature to erode a construct or object within 30 feet.
This erosion deals 1d6 points of damage per level of the
highest-level spell slot you have remaining; this damage
ignores hardness and damage reduction. If used against a
construct or an object in another creature’s possession, the
construct or the creature possessing the item can attempt a
Reflex save to halve the damage. Once an object or a
construct is damaged with this ability, it cannot be targeted
again for 1 day. You can instead use this ability as a melee
touch attack that does not provoke attacks of opportunity,
dealing 1d6 points of damage per class level to objects or
constructs. If used against an object in another creature’s
possession, treat this attack as a sunder combat maneuver.
Life Leach (Su): You can draw life force from the bodies of
enemies and channel it into yourself. As a standard action,
you can drain the life essence from one living target within 30
feet. The target takes 1d6 points of damage per two class
levels you possess (maximum 10d6). You gain temporary hit
points equal to the damage you deal. You can’t gain more than
the target’s current hit points + the target’s Constitution score
(which is enough to kill the subject). The temporary hit points
last a number of hours equal to your Charisma modifier. The
target receives a Fortitude save to halve the damage (and the
temporary hit points you gain). You must be at least 7th level
before selecting this revelation. You may use this ability once
per day at 7th level, plus one additional time per day for every
4 levels you possess beyond 7th.
Mark of the Wild (Su): As the Druid class feature of the
same name.
Natural Divination (Ex): You can read the entrails of a
freshly-killed animal or humanoid to gain an insight bonus
equal to your Charisma modifier on one saving throw.
Alternatively, by observing and interpreting the flight of birds,
you may apply a +10 competence bonus on any one skill
check. Finally, by charting marks in dirt or on stone, or
observing the behavior of sand thrown into the wind, you gain
a +4 insight bonus on one initiative check. These bonuses
must be used during the next 24 hours, and you must declare
you are using the bonus before the check or save is made.
Making a natural divination takes 10 minutes. You may use
natural divination (in any combination) once per day plus one
additional time per day for every four class levels you have
attained.
Nature Sense (Ex): You gain Skill Focus (Survival) as a
bonus feat. Starting at 5th level, your knowledge of the
wilderness gives you a +4 bonus on saving throws against the
spell-like and supernatural abilities of fey. This bonus also
applies to spells and effects that utilize or target plants, such
as blight, entangle, spike growth, and warp wood.
Plant Domain (Ex): You gain Domain Access, Improved
Domain Access, and Domain Channeling (Plant domain) as
bonus feats. If you can already channel energy, you gain
Versatile Channeling (Plant) instead of Domain Channeling.
Spirit of Nature (Su): When in a natural setting, whenever
you are reduced to negative hit points, you automatically
stabilize. At 5th level, you gain fast healing whenever you have
less than 0 hp, and for 1d4 rounds thereafter; the number of
hit points healed each round is equal to 1 per 4 levels above
the 1st that you possess (i.e., fast healing 1 at 5th level, fast
healing 2 at 9th, fast healing 3 at 13th, and fast healing 4 at
17th). At 10th level, the ability works everywhere, even in
civilized or wholly artificial realms.
Transcendental Bond (Su): You become so attuned to the
common spirit shared by all living things that you can use it
to communicate with allies. You may communicate with your
allies for a number of rounds per day equal to your class level
as if using telepathic bond. You may designate a number of
creatures as your ally equal to your Charisma modifier.
Designating a creature is a standard action that requires a
touch. At 9th level, you may use this bond to cast a touch spell
on a designated ally once per day. At 17th level, it functions as
interplanar telepathic bond.
Undo Artifice (Sp): At 11th level, you can gain the ability to
reduce a nonliving item to its component parts, essentially
erasing the hand of artifice and rendering the item into a pile
of raw natural materials. This effect acts as the spell
polymorph any object, working on both magical and
nonmagical nonliving objects. The duration is always
permanent. Unlike polymorph any object, it cannot be used to
mimic the effects of other spells. Items subject to this effect
receive a Fortitude save to negate the effect. Magic items
receive a circumstance bonus on this save equal to +1 for
every 5,000 gp in the item’s value. You may use undo artifice a
number of times per day equal to your Charisma modifier.
Wild Speech (Ex): As the druid class feature of the same
name.
Apotheosis: At 20th level you can wild shape (as the druid
class feature) at will, with no daily limitation on usage.

Oracular
"I respond to three questions," stated the augur. "For
twenty terces I phrase the answer in clear and actionable
language; for ten I use the language of cant, which
occasionally admits of ambiguity; for five, I speak a parable
which you must interpret as you will; and for one terce, I
babble in an unknown tongue." ―Jack Vance, “Guyal of
Sfere” (1950)
An incarnate with the Oracular mystery is properly termed
an “oracle.” Whether they receive their visions from volcanic
smoke (as at Delphi) or from the flight of birds, oracles
receive divine visions that allow them glimpses of the future
or of distant places. This mystery can also be used to
simulate the Divine Oracle prestige class, from Complete
Divine.
Class Skills: Add Bluff and Perception to your list of class
skills.
Spellcasting Attribute: Because your abilities require
awareness and insight rather than sheer force of personality,
you may choose Wisdom (rather than Charisma) as your
spellcasting attribute. Once this choice is made, you cannot
change it.
Bonus Spells: 1st—identify, 2nd—augury, 3rd
—clairaudience/clairvoyance, 4th—divination, 5th—contact
other plane, 6th—true seeing, 7th—greater scrying, 8th
—discern location, 9th—foresight.
Thematic Spells: Sorcerer/wizard spells of the school of
Divination, and psion powers of the Clairsentience discipline.
Divine Resistance: You are unfazed even by the weight of
destiny that cuts across dimensions. You are resistant to force
damage.
Revelations: An oracle can choose from any of the
following revelations.
Arcane Sight (Su): You can detect magic at will. At 9th
level, this ability improves to arcane sight, which is
continuously active until you dismiss it as a free action (you
can activate it again at will as a swift action). At 13th level, the
effect improves again to greater arcane sight.
Augury (Sp): You can use augury at will as a spell-like
ability. At 9th level, the effect improves to duplicate a
divination spell. At 17th level, you can contact other plane at
will. You must be at least 3rd level to gain this revelation.
Danger Sense (Ex): You gain a +1 insight bonus to all
saving throws; this increases by +1 per 4 class levels you
possess, to a maximum bonus equal to your Wisdom or
Charisma bonus (whichever you chose as your spellcasting
attribute). In addition, you gain Alertness as a bonus feat.
Diviner's Fortune (Sp): You can touch any creature as a
standard action to give it an insight bonus on all of its attack
rolls, skill checks, ability checks, and saving throws equal to
half your incarnate level (minimum +1) for 1 round. At 9th
level, the duration increases to 2 rounds. At 13th level, it
increases to 3 rounds, and again at 17th level to 4 rounds
total duration. You can use this ability a number of times per
day equal to 3 + your Charisma modifier.
Divination Enhancement (Ex): When using spells such as
augury and divination, you roll twice for results and choose
the better result.
Divinatory Awareness (Ex): You gain Spell Focus
(Divination) as a bonus feat. At 9th level, you gain Greater
Spell Focus (Divination) as a bonus feat.
Forewarned (Su): You receive a +1 insight bonus on
initiative checks; this bonus increases by an additional +1 per
4 class levels above the 1st. Starting at 19th level, anytime you
roll initiative, assume the roll resulted in a natural 20.
Precognition (Su): Precognition allows your mind to
glimpse fragments of potential future events―what you see
will probably happen if no one takes action to change it.
However, your vision is incomplete, and it makes no real
sense until the actual events you glimpsed begin to unfold.
That’s when everything begins to come together, and you can
act, if you act swiftly, on the information you previously
received when you manifested this power. Once per day, you
may use this precognitive edge, allowing you to immediately
reroll any single attack roll, saving throw, or skill check. You
can use this ability an additional time per day at 5th level, and
every 4 class levels thereafter (maximum 5/day at 17th level).
Prescient Sense (Ex): Due to a sense of impending blasts,
you gain the benefit of Evasion, as the rogue class feature of
the same name. At 11th level, this improves to Improved
Evasion; at 19th level, you gain Greater Evasion. Alternatively,
if you have levels in rogue (or another class granting evasion),
your incarnate level instead with your level in that class for
purposes of determining improvements to your evasion
ability.
Scrying Adept (Su): You gain a continuous nondetection
effect, as the spell. You also gain Careful Speaker as a bonus
feat, using your Perception skill instead of your Bluff skill
when determining the effects.
Sensitivity to Psychic Impressions (Su): You gain
historical vision in a given location. Rooms, streets, tunnels,
and other discrete locations accumulate psychic impressions
left by powerful emotions experienced in a given area. These
impressions offer you a picture of the location’s past. The
types of events most likely to leave psychic impressions are
those that elicited strong emotions: battles and betrayals,
marriages and murders, births and great pain, or any other
event where one emotion dominates. Everyday occurrences
leave no residue for you to detect. The vision of the event is
dreamlike and shadowy. You do not gain special knowledge of
those involved in the vision, though you might be able to read
large banners or other writing if they are in your language.
Beginning with the most recent significant event at a
location and working backward in time, you can sense one
distinct event for every 10 minutes you maintain
concentration, if any such events exist to be sensed. Your
sensitivity extends into the past a maximum amount of time
as determined by your class level:
Incarnate Level Maximum Past Sensitivity
1st – 4th 1 day/level
5th – 8th 1 year/level
9th – 12th 10 years/level
13th – 16th
100 years/level
17th + 1,000 years/level
Apotheosis: At 20th level, you are constantly seeing a few
moments into the future, as well as seeing the present. You
cannot be surprised. Additionally, you exist slightly outside of
time; treat this as a continuous mind blank effect that cannot
be dispelled.

Rage
This mystery, in conjunction with the barbarian’s Spirit
Totem, is intended to replace the Rage Prophet prestige class
(from the Advanced Player’s Guide) by allowing a
straightforward but viable barbarian/ incarnate multiclass
combination.
Class Skills: Add Athletics, Endurance, and Survival to
your list of class skills.
Bonus Spells: 1st—unseen servant, 2nd—see invisibility,
3rd—speak with dead, 4th—arcane eye, 5th—dream, 6th
—shadow walk, 7th—ethereal jaunt, 8th—cloak of chaos, 9th
—etherealness.
Thematic Spells: Spells dealing with emotion or wrath, or
that provide morale bonuses.
Divine Resistance: When you use the guidance spell while
fighting a fey, outsider, undead, or incorporeal creature, the
bonus is increased by +1 per 5 points of energy resistance
shown on Table 1 (maximum total bonus of +10 at 18th level).
If you have the ability to rage, you can cast guidance on
yourself as a free action once per rage.
Revelations: A rage prophet can choose from any of the
following revelations.
Battle Revelation: You can select one revelation from the
Battle mystery in place of a Rage revelation. You must meet
any prerequisites (including effective Incarnate level)
normally.
Divine Rage (Ex): You can rage as a barbarian of level
equal to your incarnate level. If you have levels in barbarian,
your incarnate levels provide Full synergy for purposes of
determining the rounds per day of use and the type of rage
(and attribute bonuses). You can select rage powers (of a level
appropriate to the type of rage to which you have access) in
place of incarnate revelations.
Ghost Slayer (Su): You gain Ghost Strike as a bonus feat.
For purposes of determining the effects of this feat, treat your
Incarnate levels as if they provided full BAB, rather than
medium progression. For example, a 11th level incarnate
would be treated as BAB +11, rather than BAB +8, for
purposes of determining the feat’s effects.
Indomitable Will (Ex): Once per rage, you may attempt a
new saving throw against one of the following conditions that
may be affecting you: blinded, confused, dazzled, deafened,
nauseated, or sickened. If you succeed at the save, the effect is
suppressed for the duration of your rage. You also may
attempt a new saving throw if poisoned or suffering from a
disease; a successful save counts against those required for a
cure, but a failed save has no ill effect. If you are affected by
an enchantment spell or effect while not in a rage, you can
choose to activate your rage as an immediate action so as to
delay the onset of the effects (assuming you have rounds of
rage remaining for that day).
Your incarnate level and barbarian level (if any) must total
to at least 14th to gain this ability. If you also gain this ability
as a barbarian class feature, you gain no additional benefit
(the effects do not stack).
Savage Seer (Ex): Your incarnate levels and barbarian
levels provide Strong synergy to one another for determining
damage reduction (from both classes) and the effects of rage
powers, revelations, and incarnate resistances (including
strength of self, etc.).
Totem-Strong (Ex): Your incarnate levels provide Full
synergy for purposes of determining your totem bonus, totem
abilities, and totem feats. If you have no levels in barbarian,
choose a totem; you gain the sacred bonus for that totem and
the totem abilities (but not bonus feats) as a barbarian of level
equal to your incarnate level.
Apotheosis: At 20th level, you gain the barbarian’s
perpetual rage class feature.
Stone
An incarnate with the stone mystery represents an earth
shugenja, as from Oriental Adventures or Complete Divine.
Class Skills: Add Athletics, Bluff, and Endurance to your
list of class skills. In addition, you gain a competence bonus
equal to half your class level to Craft (construction) checks
involving earth or stone.
Bonus Spells: 1st—magic stone, 2nd—glitterdust, 3rd
—meld into stone, 4th—stoneskin, 5th—wall of stone, 6th
—stone tell, 7th—statue, 8th—repel metal or stone, 9th
—elemental swarm (earth only).
Thematic Spells: Spells with the [earth] or [acid}
descriptor. As an option, an earth shugenja can choose to be a
member of one of two secret orders. Members of a secret
order add the following to the list of thematic spells:
Order of the Impenetrable Crucible: magic weapon, sound
burst, greater magic weapon, dismissal, death ward,
banishment, repulsion, binding, imprisonment.
Order of the Perfect Sculpture: shield of faith, soften earth
and stone, stone shape, subvert planar essenceCD,
transmute rock to mud, flesh to stone, disintegrate,
earthquake, antipathy.
Planar Terrain: You gain favored terrain (Elemental Plane
of Earth).
Revelations: An earth shugenja can choose from any of the
following revelations.
Alkaline Touch [Reserve] (Su): As a standard action, you
can perform a melee touch attack that deals 1d6 points of
acid damage per level of the highest-level spell slot you have
remaining. Any weapon you wield deals half as many dice of
bonus acid damage as your touch attack.
Channel Elemental Energy (Su): You channel elemental
energy (earth) as an archivist with the Earth domain, using
your incarnate level in place of your cleric/archivist level. In
addition, you gain Command/Turn Elemental as a bonus feat.
Clobbering Strike (Ex): Whenever you score a critical hit
against an opponent with an attack spell, that spell gains the
effects of the Forceful Spell feat (obviously without any
increase in casting time or spell level).
Clutch of Earth [Reserve] (Su): You can spend a standard
action to reduce the speed of any land bound creature(s)
within 30 feet of you. The creatures’ normal land speeds, as
well as burrow and climb speeds, decrease by 5 feet per level
of the highest-level spell slot you have available to cast, to a
minimum speed of 0 feet. This effect lasts for 1 round. A
successful Fortitude save halves this effect (a minimum speed
of 5 ft. is maintained) and renders the target immune to
further uses of this effect for 24 hours. Creatures currently
swimming or flying are not affected. This revelation simulates
the feat of the same name, from Complete Mage.
Earth Power (Su): As long as you are standing on stone or
unworked earth (including normal soil), you can pull energy
from the earth to you cast a mystery spell or spell with the
[earth] descriptor. When you cast a spell in this way, it
requires a full-round action rather than a full attack action,
but you use a spell slot one level lower than normal (e.g., you
could use a 4th spell slot to cast wall of stone). You cannot use
this ability on 1st level spells. This is similar in effect to the
feat of the same name from Races of Stone.
Earth Spell (Sp): As long as you are standing on stone or
unworked earth (including normal soil), you can use the
Heighten Spell ability to added effect. If you cast a spell using
a spell slot one level higher than the spell's actual level, the
spell is treated as a spell of two levels higher; if you use a
spell slot two levels higher, the spell is treated as three levels
higher; and so on. This effect is not gained with automatic
Heightening from other metamagic feats (Chapter 7); it
applies only if you use Heighten Spell itself to increase the
spell level. You cannot gain the benefit of this ability when
casting a spell with the [air], [fire], or [water] descriptor. This
revelation supersedes the feat of the same name, from Races
of Stone.
Elemental Focus (Ex): You gain Spell Focus (Earth) as a
bonus feat. At 11th level, you gain Greater Spell Focus (Earth)
as a bonus feat.
Form of Stone (Su): At will as a standard action, you can
assume the form of a Medium earth elemental, as elemental
body II. At 11th level, you can assume the form of a Large
earth elemental, as elemental body III. At 15th level, you can
assume the form of a Huge earth elemental, as elemental
body IV. You must be at least 7th level before selecting this
revelation.
Lodestone (Su): At will as a standard action, you can
cause one creature within 30 feet to become heavy and
lethargic (Intuition negates). The creature is treated as if it is
carrying a load one step heavier than is actually the case
(light to medium; medium to heavy). If the creature is already
carrying a heavy load, its maximum Dexterity is reduced to 0,
it takes a –9 armor check penalty, and its movement is
reduced to 5 feet. The effect lasts for a number of rounds
equal to your class level. Starting at 9th level, you increase the
load by 2 steps (save for half).
Rock Throwing (Su, Ex): You gain the eldritch blast ability
of a sorcerer with the Elemental Earth bloodline, including
the improved blast and greater blast improvements. In
addition, you are an accomplished rock thrower and have a
+1 racial bonus on attack rolls with thrown rocks. You can
hurl rocks up to two categories smaller than your own size.
The range increment for a rock is 20 feet, and you can hurl it
up to 5 range increments. Damage for a hurled rock is 2d4
for a Medium creature or 2d3 for a Small creature, plus 1½
times your Strength bonus.
Sense Elements (Sp): See description of this revelation
under the Flame mystery (q.v.).
Shard Explosion (Ex): As a swift action, you can cause
jagged pieces of stone to explode outward from your body.
These shards deal 1d6 points of damage per incarnate level
to all creatures within 10 feet. A Reflex save halves this
damage. In addition, the broken shards make the area
difficult terrain until your next turn. You can use this ability
once per day, plus one additional time per day at 5th level and
every four class levels thereafter.
Spell Transmission (Su): Earth and stone do not block
the line of effect of your spells (see “Castles and Dungeons”
in Chapter 7), although they do still block your line of sight
unless you use the crystal sight ability from your favored
terrain.
Steelbreaker Skin (Su): As an immediate action, you can
harden your flesh so that weapons that impact you are
damaged or destroyed. Anytime a melee or ranged weapon
hits you, you can make a sunder attempt against that weapon
as a free action, even if it is not your turn (if the weapon was
from a ranged attack, treat its CMD as 15 + the attacker’s
BAB for this purpose rather than using the attacker’s CMD).
This does not provoke an attack of opportunity. If your sunder
combat maneuver is successful, you deal damage to the
weapon as if you had hit weapon with an unarmed attack that
does normal (not nonlethal) damage. This damage bypasses
hardness equal to your incarnate level. This ability does not
prevent the weapon from harming you unless the sunder
destroys the weapon attacking you. You can use this ability
once per day, plus an additional time per day per 2 class
levels beyond the 1st (maximum 10/day at 19th level).
Apotheosis: Upon reaching 20th level, you become a
master of acid and earth. You can apply any of the following
feats to any acid or earth spell without increasing the level or
casting time: Extend Spell, Reach Spell, Silent Spell, Still
Spell, or Widen Spell. The maximum amount of “free”
metamagic you can use in this manner is equal to 2 spell
levels (In any combination: extended to double duration and
with reach increased by 1 range step, or range increased by 2
steps, etc.). You need not know the feats in question.
Time
This mystery appeared in Ultimate Magic.
Class Skills: Add Endurance, Perception, and Planar
Sense to your list of class skills.
Bonus Spells: 1st—memory lapseAPG, 2nd—sensitivity to
psychic impressionsSRD, 3rd—sands of timeUM, 4th—
threefold aspectAPG, 5th—contingency, 6th—disintegrate, 7th
—expend, 8th—temporal stasis, 9th—time stop.
In addition, you are always under a continuous know time
effect, even when unconscious, and you can choose to wake
up at any time if you are sleeping normally (rather than
having been rendered unconscious).
Thematic Spells: Spells dealing with time.
Divine Resistance: You are resistant to the pull of entropy,
and gain resistance against negative energy. In addition, you
gain a sacred bonus to saving throws against death effects
equal to half your class level.
Revelations: An incarnate with the time mystery can
choose from any of the following revelations.
Aging Touch (Su): Your touch ages living creatures and
objects. As a melee touch attack against a living creature, you
can deal entropy (negative energy) damage equal to 1d6 x the
highest-level spell slot you have remaining. In addition,
starting at 6th level your aging touch carries the effects of the
Crippling Strike feat, using your class level in place of your
BAB derived from your Incarnate level.
Against objects or constructs, you deal 1d6 points of
damage per class level. (If used against an object in another
creature’s possession, treat this attack as a sunder combat
maneuver.)
Erase from Time (Su): You gain timeless step, as the monk
sutra of the same name, using your incarnate level in place of
your monk level (if you have levels in monk as well, those
levels provide Full synergy when determining the effects).You
can also perform a temporal strike (as per the timeless step
monk sutra) once per day as a melee touch attack. At 9th level,
you gain full access to the timeless step sutra, also applying
your incarnate levels as effective monk levels. At 13th level,
you can manifest suspend lifeSRD at will as a spell-like ability.
Momentary Glimpse (Su): You can see a few milliseconds
into the future, allowing you to avoid blows. Upon selecting
this revelation, you gain Canny Defense as a bonus feat. You
also gain a +1 insight bonus to all skill checks. At 5th level,
you gain Insightful Strike as a bonus feat, using your
Incarnate class level in place of your BAB derived from
Incarnate levels. At 9th level, the bonus to skill checks
increases to +2. Starting at 13th level, you can call on a
moment of prescience effect once per day. At 17th level and
above, you can also use foresight once per day as a spell-like
ability.
Recall Agony (Sp): You can use recall agonySRD as a spell-
like ability; the damage dealt is equal to 1d6 per class level
you possess. Starting at 5th level, the target is also sickened
for 1 minute if it fails the save (as a destiny dissonance effect).
Starting at 17th level, the target dies on a failed save (as a
recall death effect) and is sickened even if the save is
successful. You can use this ability a number of times per day
equal to your Charisma modifier.
Rewind Time (Su): Once per day as an immediate action,
you can reroll any one d20 roll that you have just made after
the results of the roll are revealed. You must take the result of
the reroll, even if it’s worse than the original roll. For every 6
levels beyond the 1st, you can use this ability an additional
time per day (maximum 4/day at 19th level).
Speed or Slow Time (Sp): As a standard action, you can
speed up or slow down time, as either the haste or slow spell.
You must be at least 7th level before selecting this revelation.
Starting at 13th level, you can use this ability to create a mass
haste effect.
Temporal Celerity (Su): You gain Alertness as a bonus
feat. You also gain Iaijutsu, as the fighter talent of the same
name, using your Incarnate level as your fighter level (if you
also have levels in fighter, you gain Full synergy from the two
classes when determining the effects of this talent).
Time Flicker (Su): As a standard action, you can flicker in
and out of time, gaining concealment (as the blur spell). You
can use this ability for 1 minute per class level that you
possess per day. This duration does not need to be
consecutive, but it must be spent in 1-minute increments.
Starting at 9th level, each time you activate this ability, you
can treat it as the blink spell instead.
Time Hop (Su): As a move action, you can teleport up to
10 feet per day per class level you possess. This teleportation
must be used in 5-foot increments. This movement does not
provoke attacks of opportunity. You must have line of sight to
your destination to use this ability. You can bring other willing
creatures with you, but you must expend an equal amount of
distance for each creature brought. You must be at least 7th
level to select this revelation.
Time Sight (Su): You can peer through the mists of time to
see things as they truly are, as if using the true seeing spell.
You can use this ability for a number of rounds per day equal
to your class level, but these rounds do not need to be
consecutive. Starting at 9th level, the duration increases to
minutes per day, rather than rounds; and you can also use
time pool (as the spell from the 2nd edition Tome of Magic) as
a spell-like ability once per day. Starting at 17th level, the true
seeing effect is continuous.
Apotheosis: Upon reaching 20th level, you become a true
master of time. You stop aging, cannot be magically aged, no
longer take penalties to your attribute scores for aging, and
are immune to any effects which impose an altered time
frame on you from externally (e.g., you act normally during a
time stop spell cast by someone else). You are also immune to
necromancy spells and effects, and can manifest timeless
bodySRD (as the psionic power) at will as a spell-like ability.
You cannot die of old age, but you can be killed or die through
accident, disease, poison, or other external effects.
Waves
An incarnate with the waves mystery represents a water
shugenja, as from Oriental Adventures or Complete Divine.
Class Skills: Add Acrobatics, Athletics, Escape Artist, and
Survival to your list of class skills.
Bonus Spells: 1st—obscuring mist, 2nd—chill metal, 3rd
—quench, 4th—control water, 5th—baleful polymorph, 6th
—control water, 7th—waterspoutSW, 8th—maelstromCD, 9th
—shapechange (water subtype only).
Thematic Spells: Spells with the [water] or [cold]
descriptor. As an option, a water shugenja can choose to be a
member of a secret order. Members of a secret order add the
following to the list of thematic spells:
Order of the Forbidding Wasteland: remove fear, scent,
phantom steed, restoration, dance of the unicornCD,
control weather, greater scrying, horrid wilting, shambler.
Planar Terrain: You gain favored terrain (Elemental Plane
of Water).
Revelations: A water shugenja can choose from any of the
following revelations.
Armor of Waves (Su): At will as a swift action, you can
conjure a haze of water vapor that grants you a deflection
bonus to AC equal to +1 per 4 class levels you possess. In
addition, you gain a miss chance of 5% (as if from
concealment); this improves by 5% per 4 levels above the 1st
(maximum 25% at 17th level).
Channel Elemental Energy (Su): You are able to
command and rebuke water elementals, and turn or destroy
other elements, as a an archivist with the Water domain
variant channeling. Use your incarnate level in place of your
cleric/archivist level.
Control Water (Sp): You can use control water at will as a
spell-like ability. You must be at least 7th level to gain this
revelation.
Drowning Glance (Sp): You can use a standard action to
transform a small portion of the air in a living creature's lungs
to water, making it difficult for the creature to breathe. The
subject must be within 30 feet. The target becomes
exhausted for a number of rounds equal to half your class
level; if it succeeds on a Fortitude save, it is instead fatigued.
Whether or not a targeted creature successfully saves, it is
immune to any further uses of your drowning glance for 24
hours. Creatures that can breathe water (or who don't
breathe) are immune to this effect. You must be at least 7th
level to gain this revelation, which simulates the feat of the
same name, from Complete Mage.
Elemental Focus: You gain Spell Focus (Water) as a bonus
feat. At 11th level, you gain Greater Spell Focus (Water) as a
bonus feat.
Fluid Travel (Su): You can walk on liquid as if it were a
solid surface. Walking on the liquid does not harm you; you
can walk on acid or even lava (as if walking on a solid
temporary crust), though you would still take fire damage
from being near the lava. You can move across this surface at
your normal land speed. At 7th level, while this ability is in
effect, you can instead go underwater, gaining a swim speed
of 60 feet and the ability to breathe water. You can use this
ability for 1 hour per day per incarnate level. This duration
does not need to be consecutive, but it must be spent in 1
hour increments.
Sense Elements (Sp): See description of this revelation
under the Flame mystery (q.v.).
Storm (Su): As the Frost Mystery’s “winter storm”
revelation (q.v.).
Water Form (Su): At will as a standard action, you can
assume the form of a Medium water elemental, as elemental
body II. At 11th level, you can assume the form of a Large
water elemental, as elemental body III. At 15th level, you can
assume the form of a Huge water elemental, as elemental
body IV. You must be at least 7th level before selecting this
revelation.
Water Sight (Su): You can see through fog and mist
without penalty as long as there is enough light to allow you
to see normally. At 7th level, you can use any pool of water at
least 1 foot in diameter as a scrying device, as if using the
scry spell. At 15th level, this functions like greater scrying.
Apotheosis: Upon reaching 20th level, you can create a
seamantleAPG effect on yourself at will as a supernatural
ability. Once invoked as a standard action, the effect lasts
until you dismiss it as a free action.
Wind
An incarnate with the wind mystery represents an air
shugenja, as from Oriental Adventures or Complete Divine.
Class Skills: Add Acrobatics, Escape Artist, Fly, and
Stealth to your list of class skills.
Bonus Spells: 1st—feather fall, 2nd—gust of wind, 3rd—fly
or gaseous form, 4th—freedom of movement, 5th—control
winds, 6th—overland flight or chain lightning, 7th—control
weather, 8th—whirlwind, 9th—storm of vengeance.
Thematic Spells: Spells with the [air] or [electricity]
descriptor. As an option, an air shugenja can choose to be a
member of one of two secret orders. Members of a secret
order add the following to the list of thematic spells:
Order of the All-Seeing Eye: A group of shugenja
specializing in air and divination magic; spell access
includes detect snares and pits, detect thoughts,
clairaudience/ clairvoyance, divination, commune with
nature, find the path, legend lore, vision, foresight.
Order of the Spring Zephyr: A group of shugenja
specializing in air and illusion magic; spell access includes
daze, disguise self, blur, invisibility, air walk, greater
invisibility, veil, mislead, screen, foresight.
Planar Terrain: You gain favored terrain (Elemental Plane
of Air).
Revelations: An air shugenja can choose from any of the
following revelations.
Channel Elemental Energy (Su): You channel elemental
energy (electrical) as an archivist with the Air domain, using
your incarnate level in place of your cleric/archivist level. In
addition, you gain Command/Turn Elemental as a bonus feat.
Cloak of Winds (Su): You can surround yourself in a
whirling cylinder of severe winds that provide defense against
incoming missiles and other threats. This acts as a cloak of
winds spell (from the Advanced Player’s Guide). These
buffering winds also provide you with a deflection bonus to
AC equal to +1 per 4 class levels you possess.
At 9th level, this barrier also acts as a fickle winds spell
(Ultimate Magic). At 17th level, the winds increase in strength
to the equivalent to a windstorm, checking Medium creatures
and blowing away smaller ones. The winds do not interfere
with your own attacks, spells, or missiles. You can dismiss
these encircling winds as a free action, and raise them again
as a standard action.
Control Winds (Sp): You can use control winds at will as a
spell-like ability. You must be at least 11th level to gain this
revelation.
Eldritch Blast [Reserve] (Sp): This ability duplicates the
Air elemental bloodline sorcerer class feature of the same
name, including the improved blast and greater blast
enhancements, iterative attack use, and powerful blast ability.
Elemental Focus (Ex): You gain Spell Focus (Air) as a
bonus feat. At 11th level, you gain Greater Spell Focus (Air) as
a bonus feat.
Gaseous Form (Su): As a standard action, you can assume
gaseous form (as the spell). You can remain gaseous for 2
minutes per day per incarnate level. This duration does not
need to be consecutive, but it must be spent in 1-minute
increments. You must be at least 5th level before selecting
this revelation. You can bring other creatures with you in
gaseous form, but each passenger costs an additional minute
per minute of travel.
Invisibility (Su): As a standard action, you can become
invisible (as per the invisibility spell). You can remain invisible
for 1 minute per day per incarnate level. This duration does
not need to be consecutive, but it must be spent in 1 minute
increments. Starting at 9th level, each time you activate this
ability you can treat it as greater invisibility, though each
round spent this way counts as 1 minute of your normal
invisibility duration.
Sense Elements (Sp): See description of this revelation
under the Flame mystery (q.v.).
Thunderburst (Ex): As a standard action, you can create a
blast of air accompanied by a loud peal of thunder. The blast
has a 20-ft. radius, increasing by 5 feet for every 4 incarnate
levels after 7th. Creatures in the area take 1d6 points of
damage per incarnate level and are deafened for 1 hour, with
a Fortitude save resulting in half damage and no deafness.
You must be at least 3rd level before selecting this revelation.
You can use this ability once per day, plus one additional time
per day at 9th level and every four levels thereafter.
Touch of Electricity [Reserve] (Su): As a standard action,
you can perform a melee touch attack that deals 1d6 points of
electricity damage per level of the highest-level spell slot you
have remaining. Any weapon that you wield is treated as a
shock weapon, dealing half as many dice of bonus electrical
damage as your touch attack.
Vortex Spells (Ex): Whenever you affect an opponent with
an [air] or [electricity] spell or spell-like ability, the target
must save vs. Fortitude or be staggered for 1 round. The
duration increases by an additional round per 4 class levels
above the 7th. You must be at least 7th level to gain this
revelation.
Wind Form (Su): At will as a standard action, you can
assume the form of a Medium air elemental, as elemental
body II. At 11th level, you can assume the form of a Large air
elemental, as elemental body III. At 15th level, you can
assume the form of a Huge air elemental, as elemental body
IV. You must be at least 7th level before selecting this
revelation.
Wind Sight (Ex): You ignore penalties to Perception
checks based on wind and the first 100 feet of distance. At 9th
level, you can see and hear into any area (as if using
clairaudience and clairvoyance) within range as long as there
is an unobstructed path for air to travel between you and the
target area (this does not require line of effect, meaning the
path can turn corners and go through spaces no smaller than
1 inch in diameter). You can use this ability a number of
rounds per day equal to your incarnate level, but these rounds
do not need to be consecutive. At 13th level, you can also use
whispering wind at will as a spell-like ability.
Wind Ward (Sp): You can use entropic shield (affecting
any creature touched, rather than being “personal”) once per
day as a spell-like ability. The effect manifests as small gusts
of wind that help deflect missiles targeting a protected
creature. For every 4 class levels beyond the 1st, you can use
this ability an additional time per day; at 17th level, you can
use it at will.
Wings of Air (Su): As a swift action, you can manifest a
pair of translucent, cloud-like wings that grant you a fly speed
of 60 feet with good maneuverability. At 9th level, your speed
increases to 90 feet and your maneuverability increases to
perfect. You can use these wings for 1 minute per day per
incarnate level. This duration does not need to be
consecutive, but it must be spent in 1 minute increments. At
You must be at least 7th level before selecting this revelation.
Apotheosis: Upon reaching 20th level, you can create a
winds of vengeanceAPG effect on yourself at will as a
supernatural ability. This is a standard action that does not
provoke attacks of opportunity; you can dismiss it as a free
action.
Wood
Wood
This option is modified from the version presented in
Ultimate Magic.
Class Skills: Add Endurance and Survival to your list of
class skills. In addition, you gain a competence bonus equal
to half your class level to Craft (construction) checks involving
wood and to Profession (horticulture) checks.
Bonus Spells: 1st—shillelagh, 2nd—barkskin, 3rd—minor
creation (wood only), 4th—thorn bodyAPG, 5th—tree stride,
6th—lignification (as flesh to stone, but turns target to wood),
ironwood or transmute metal to wood, 7th—changestaff, 8th
—control plants, 9th—wooden phalanxUM.
Thematic Spells: Spells dealing with wood or plants.
Divine Resistance: You gain favored terrain (forests).
Revelations: Choose from the following.
Bend the Grain (Sp): At will as a standard action, you can
shape wooden objects; this functions as wood shape. Starting
at 5th level, you can also create a warp wood effect. At 13th
level, you can use this ability to push wood away from you, as
repel wood.
Speak with Wood (Sp): You can talk to wood and learn
what it knows. You must spend 1 minute meditating on and
communing with the wood. At the end of this time, you can
speak with the wood. This functions as the stone tell spell,
except with wood instead of stones. You can use this ability
for 1 minute per class level. This duration does not need to be
consecutive, but it must be used in 1-minute increments. You
can speak with natural or worked wood. You must be at least
11th level to select this revelation.
Splintered Spear (Su): As a standard action, you can
create a wooden shortspear appropriate to your size, which
hurls itself as a ranged attack against one target within 100
feet (range penalties apply), using your Charisma modifier as
an attack bonus instead of your Strength or Dexterity
modifier. The spear deals normal damage according to its
size, plus your Charisma modifier, then breaks into countless
splinters; the target takes bleed damage thereafter (as the
Bleeding Strike feat, using your class level as your effective
base attack bonus if it is higher). At 5th level the spear gains a
+1 enhancement bonus; this bonus increases by +1 per 4
class levels thereafter (maximum +4 at 17th level).
Thorn Burst (Su): As a swift action, you can cause sharp
splinters of wood to explode outward from your body. These
splinters deal 1d6 points of piercing damage per two class
levels (minimum 1d6) to all creatures within a 10-foot burst.
A Reflex save halves this damage. In addition, the sharp
splinters count as caltrops in the area until your next turn.
You can use this ability once per day, plus one additional time
per day at 5th level and every four levels thereafter.
Tree Form (Sp): At will as a standard action, you can
assume the form of a Large living or dead tree or shrub, as
tree shape. At 9th level, you can assume the form of a Small
or Medium plant creature, as plant shape I. At 13th level, you
can assume the form of a Large plant creature, as plant shape
II. At 17th level, you can assume the form of a Huge plant
creature, as plant shape III. You must be at least 3rd level to
select this revelation.
Wood Armor (Su): You can conjure wooden armor around You give up your arcane spellcasting ability in exchange
yourself, which grants you an armor bonus equal to 3 + half for Full theurgy towards your incarnate casting
your class level. The armor has no armor penalty, does not progression. However, you can choose to be a prepared,
inhibit your speed, and has no maximum Dex limit. Starting rather than a spontaneous, caster.
at 9th level, it grants DR 5/slashing; this improves to DR Your incarnate and witch levels provide Full synergy for
10/slashing at 17th level. You can maintain the armor determining the effects of your hexes and revelations, and
indefinitely, but it vanishes if you remove it. their save DCs.
Wood Bond (Ex): Your mystical bond with wood is such
that your weapons become an extension of your body. When
wielding a weapon made of or mostly consisting of wood An incarnate/witch with this feat can more or less stand in
(such as a bow, club, quarterstaff, or spear), you gain an for the Shaman hybrid class from Paizo’s Advanced Class
insight bonus to attacks equal to ¼ your class level, and an Guide.
insight bonus to damage equal to half your class level. You
can use this revelation in conjunction with the splintered
spear revelation (q.v.).
Wooden Weapon (Su): At will as a standard action, you
can create a wooden club, quarterstaff, longspear, shortspear,
or spear that lasts for 1 minute for every class level you
possess. You are considered to have Exotic proficiency with
the weapon. The weapon has an enhancement bonus equal to
+1 per 4 class levels you possess; you can apply this in the
form of a straight enhancement bonus, or use some of it for
other weapon properties, so long as it retains an actual
enhancement bonus of at least +1. The weapon disappears
after 1 round if it leaves your grasp.
Apotheosis: Upon reaching 20th level, you become a living
creature of wood. You are forevermore treated as the Plant
type rather than your original type for the purpose of spells
and magical effects. Your skin takes on the appearance of
polished wood grain, and your natural armor bonus improves
by +4 (you gain a bonus of +4 if you did not already have one).
You also gain DR 20/— against wooden weapons or any
natural attacks made by a wooden or wood-like creature. You
gain immunity to paralysis, poison, polymorph, sleep, and
stunning. At will, you can meld with any tree or single block of
wood (as meld into stone, except wood only, and with no limit
to how long you can remain in the wood).

Appendix B: Incarnate
Feats
The following feats are listed here, rather than in Chapter 5,
because they apply specifically to Incarnates.
Revelations, Practiced
Prerequisite: Revelation class feature.
Benefit: For purposes of the effects of your revelation
powers, treat your incarnate level as if it were 4 levels higher
than is actually the case, to a maximum effective class level
equal to your Hit Dice.
Special: The effects of feat stack with class synergy
features improving your effective incarnate level; this a
specific exception to the non-stacking rule. Your total limit
based on effective character level remains in force.
Spirit Magic [Arcane]
Prerequisite: Able to prepare arcane spells, hex class
feature, access to an incarnate mystery.
Benefit: You gain the following benefits when
multiclassing with Witch (see Wizard, Appendix E):
MONK
“Once upon a time in China, some believe around the year
one double-ought three, head priest of the White Lotus Clan,
Pai Mei, was walking down the road, contemplating whatever
it is that a man of Pai Mei's nearly infinite powers would
contemplate, when a Shaolin monk appeared on the road,
traveling in the opposite direction. As the monk and the priest
crossed paths, Pai Mei, in a practically unfathomable display
of generosity, gave the monk the slightest of nods. The nod
was not returned.
“Now, was it the intention of the Shaolin monk to insult Pai
Mei? Or did he just fail to see the generous social gesture?
The motives of the monk remain unknown. What is known
were the consequences. The next morning Pai Mei appeared
at the Shaolin Temple and demanded of the Temple's head
abbot that he offer Pai Mei his neck to repay the insult. The
Abbot at first tried to console Pai Mei, only to find Pai Mei
was… inconsolable. So began the massacre of the Shaolin
Temple and all sixty of the monks inside at the fists of the
White Lotus. And so began the legend of Pai Mei's five-point-
palm-exploding-heart technique.”
TABLE 1: THE MONK HIT DIE: D10
Class
Base Attack Ki Power
―Quentin Tarantino, Kill Bill 2 (2004)
This version of the monk replaces the ki pool and a
number of the other class features with half-caster
progression for spell-like ki powers. Instead of receiving
specific resistances/immunities at specified levels, the monk
instead gains sutras, knowledge of selected methods of self-
perfection (analogous to rogue talents). By selection of sutras,
a close simulation of the Oathsworn base class (from Arcana
Unearthed, Malhavoc Press) can be made. Examples of
monks from popular entertainment include Remo and Chiun
(from Warren Murphy’s Destroyer series), Max the Silent
(from Andrew Vachss’ Burke series), Kwai Chang Caine (from
the Kung Fu TV series), Li Mu Bai (from Crouching Tiger,
Hidden Dragon), Pai Mei (cited above), and any number of
others from “Kung Fu Theatre” and like films.
Class

Level Bonus Capacity Features

1st +1 0 Combat style feat, ki powers, serenity, sutra
2nd +2 1st Ki attack (+1), weapon form
3rd +3 1st Sutra

4th +4 2nd Combat style feat, unarmed mastery +1d6

5th +5 2nd improved sutras
6th +6/+1 3rd Ki attack (+2), worldly detachment
7th +7/+2 3rd Sutra
8th +8/+3 4th Combat style feat, unarmed mastery +2d6
9th +9/+4 4th greater sutras
10th +10/+5 5th Ki attack (+3), flowing water
11th +11/+6/+6 5th Advanced sutras
12th +12/+7/+7 6th Combat style feat, unarmed mastery +3d6
13th +13/+8/+8 6th superior sutras
14th +14/+9/+9 7th Ki attack (+4), act without thought
15th +15/+10/+10 7th Advanced sutra
16th +16/+11/+11/+11 8th Combat style feat, unarmed mastery +4d6
17th +17/+12/+12/+12 8th Sublime sutras
18th +18/+13/+13/+13 9th Ki attack (+5), no self
19th +19/+14/+14/+14 9th Advanced sutra
20th +20/+15/+15/+15 10th Combat style feat, perfect self, unarmed mastery +5d6

Saving Throws: Monks gain a +2 class bonus to all saving Bonus Skills: You gain one free rank per class level in
throws Concentration and Endurance. These are otherwise treated
as class skills, but do not count against your total number of
skill points. You automatically succeed at Concentration
checks to use ki powers defensively.
Class Skills: Acrobatics, Athletics, Bluff, Craft (all), Escape
Artist, Heal, Knowledge (the planes), Perception, Perform
(all), Planar Sense, Profession (all), and Stealth.
Skill Ranks Per Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Favored Class: When gaining a level of monk as a favored
class, rather than choosing +1 hp or skill point, you can
instead select one of the following options:
Energy Resistance: You gain energy resistance 1 against
acid, cold, electricity, fire, force, negative energy, or sonics.
Each time you select this option, increase your resistance
to one of these energy types by 1.
Maneuver Mastery: You gain a +1 class bonus to your
CMB with one type of maneuver. The effects stack, but the
maximum bonus in any one category gained in this
manner cannot exceed +1, with an additional +1 per 4
class levels you possess.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Monks have Simple
proficiency with all weapons. In addition, they have Exotic
proficiency in unarmed attacks, and with any one specific
“temple weapon” of their choice. Monks are not proficient
with any armor or shields. In addition to the proficiencies
listed, all monks gain Canny Defense and Dodge as bonus
feats.
Note: The “special monk weapons” listed in the Core rules
are abolished. The kama is simply a sickle. Treat the
siangham as a short spear, and treat shuriken as darts. The
nunchaku is a light flail.
Combat Style Feat: At 1st level, you may select a bonus
combat feat. This feat can be any [Combat] feat (including
[Strike] and [Stance] feats) for which you meet the
prerequisites. In addition to combat feats, you may choose
from the following: Alertness, Arcane Defense, Deep
Intuition, Diehard, Fleet (you gain double the listed increase
in speed), Great Fortitude, Improved Initiative, Iron Will,
Lightning Reflexes, Skill Focus, Skill Synergy.
For every 4 class levels you possess, you gain an additional
combat style feat (as shown on Table 1).
Ki Powers (Sp): At 1st level you gain a pool of ki, energy
you can use to accomplish amazing feats. You gain the use of
ki powers, similar to spells. You learn a limited number of ki
powers and manifest them spontaneously, the way a sorcerer
spontaneously casts spells. At 1st level, you gain one 0-level ki
power, usable at will. Starting at 2nd level, your ki powers
known and per day are as shown on Spellcasting Tables 1
and 2 in Chapter 7 (following the spell capacity shown on the
Monk Table 1, above). Your manifesting (spellcasting)
attribute is Wisdom.
Expended slots (spells per day) can be regained by
meditating for 10 minutes per level of the slot to be regained.
Alternatively, after 8 hours of sleep, you regain all expended
ki slots.
There are only two types of ki powers:
Personal powers have a target of “personal”―in other
words, you can “buff” yourself, but not your companions.
A strike power follows the general rules for [Strike] feats.
It can be used as part of an unarmed attack (a melee
attack that deals unarmed damage and spell effects on a
hit) or as a melee touch attack that simply delivers the
spell. In either case, the attack and discharge (if the attack
hits) generally take 1 standard action. Other activating
conditions for [Strikes] can also be applied; see Chapter 5.
Ki powers otherwise exactly resemble the spells or psionic
powers for which they are named, except as follows.
Components: Ki powers require no verbal, material, or
focus components.
Casting Time and Duration: “Sudden” powers have a
casting time of 1 swift action and a duration of 1 round
(i.e., until your next turn). “Immediate” powers have a
casting time of 1 immediate action (they can be used even
when it’s not your turn) and a duration of 1 round.
Disruption and concentration: You need not cast
defensively, even when threatened; monk ki powers
cannot be disrupted the way spells can.
The monk’s ki power (spells) list is as follows; non-core
sources (indicated with superscripts) are cited in Chapter 7.
Additional powers can be added with referee approval
(psychic warrior powers from the 3.5 edition System
Reference Document and Setting Sun and Shadow Hand
maneuvers from the Tome of Battle both make good
additions).
0-Level Personal: accelerated movementCAd, detect evil
(etc.), detect magic, detect poison, endure elements, feather
fall (which can be used to stand in for the core monk’s slow
fall ability), fist of stoneCA, foundation of stoneWotC, guidance,
sudden jump (representing the core monk’s high jump
ability), know time, resistance, standPHII, virtue.
0-Level Strikes: doom.
1st Level Personal: accuracyCA, blade of bloodPHII,
sudden blood windSC, immediate blur, cure light wounds,
sudden divine favor, entropic shield, expeditious retreat,
sudden expeditious retreat, greater canny effortAUG, lesser
deflectPHII, lesser energy surgePHII, inertial armor (as mage
armor, but ki-based rather than arcane, so it specifically
works in conjunction with Canny Defense), ki arrowUM,
longstrider, maestro’s touchPHII, nerveskitterSC, immediate
inertial armor, magic weapon, mountain stanceDr314,
protection from arrows, protection from evil (etc.), remove
fear, sudden shield, personal shield of faith, sudden shield of
faith, spider climb, sudden spider climb, stretch weaponPHII,
sustainOA, ventriloquism, lesser vigorCD.
1st Level Strikes: chill touch, lesser confusion,
frostbiteUM, forcewaveMF, Nybor’s gentle reminderMF, ray of
sickeningUM, sleep, touch of fatigue, touch of nauseaAUG,
whelmPHII.
2nd Level Personal: ablative barrierUC, alter fortunePHII,
barkskin, bear’s endurance, blades of fireCA, bladeweaveCAd,
blindsightShS, blur, bull’s strength, cat’s grace, crown of
veilsPHII, darkvision, deflectPHII, energy surgePHII, sudden
ghost touch weaponLM, guided shotCAd, sudden haste,
sudden invisibility, sudden levitate, sudden lion’s chargeSS,
misdirection, owl’s wisdom, resist energy, resist touchBHM,
lesser restoration, see invisibility, sudden see invisibility,
sleep of the deadRR, speak with animals, sudden water walk,
water walk.
2nd Level Strikes: battering ramSC, Bigby’s striking
fistPHII, force punchUM, mindburnME, ray of enfeeblement,
ray of exhaustion, ray of sicknessDrAn5, shatter, stolen
breathDr314.
3rd Level Personal: air walk, sudden air walk, attune
formMP, celerityPHII, cure serious wounds, dispel magic (you
can use this on yourself with merely a mental effort with no
components), dispelling touchPHII, immediate displacement,
divination, ghost touch weaponLM, sudden greater
acrobaticsAUG, greater energy surgePHII, greater magic
weapon, neutralize poison, nondetection, speak with plants,
spell immunity, tongues, vigorCD, weapon of impactMF,
wraithstrikeCAd.
3rd Level Strikes: deep slumber, dispel magic, finger of
agonyCM, hand of battleAUG, ki leechUM, slow, ray of
dizzinessDrAn5, touch of idiocy, true formAPG, vampiric touch.
4th Level Personal: cure critical wounds, displacement,
immediate dimensional anchor, divine power, freedom of
movement, moment of prescience, shadow formCAd, sudden
protection from energy, sudden stoneskin, true seeing.
4th Level Strikes: bestow curse, blindness/deafness,
charm monster, confusion, dimensional anchor, orb of
forceCA, orb of soundCA, poison, rogue waveDr314, spell
vulnerabilityPnH, teeth of the windAPM.
5th Level Personal: dimensional lock, ethereal jaunt,
sudden etherealness, greater spell immunity, heal, iron body,
mislead, phase door, shadow walk, speak with anythingMW,
unicorn heartCM.
5th Level Strikes: disintegrate, feeblemind, flesh to stone
(this supersedes the Cockatrice Strike feat from the
Advanced Player’s Guide), ki shoutUM, rushing watersUnd,
telekinesis.
Bonus Powers: When you gain access to 1st level ki
powers, you gain daze (strike) as a bonus ki power known
(this is the “+1” power known on the 1st level spells row in
Spellcasting Table 1 in Chapter 7). This ability to some extent
can be used to simulate the core monk’s stunning fist ability;
unlike the spell, the maximum number of HD of the target is
equal to 3 + your number of ranks in Concentration. Your
other bonus powers known are as follows: 2nd—cure
moderate wounds, 3rd—sudden dimension door, 4th—slay
living (strike; effect can be delayed up to 1 day per manifester
level), 5th—ethereal jaunt. These bonus powers represent,
respectively, the core monk’s wholeness of body, abundant
step, quivering palm, and empty body abilities.
Serenity: Monks are trained in introspection and
meditation. You gain Serenity as a bonus feat at 1st level,
allowing you to calculate Charisma-based save DCs using
your Wisdom modifier instead.
Sutra: At 1st level, you receive knowledge of a sutra, a form
of ascetic mastery. You gain an additional sutra at 3rd level,
and every 4 class levels thereafter. Sutras are described in
Appendix A. Most have effects that scale with your class level,
representing steps along your path to self-perfection;
improvements occur at levels 5th (Improved Sutra), 9th
(Greater Sutra), 13th (Superior Sutra), and 17th (Sublime
Sutra), as listed for each sutra. Class synergy effects that
apply to the level at which your sutras operate apply towards
these improvements.
Ki Attack [Reserve] (Su): Starting at 2nd level, as long as
you have at least one 1st level ki power remaining unused, any
weapon with which you have Exotic proficiency you wield
(including your unarmed attacks) gains a +1 enhancement
bonus to attacks and damage, and is thus treated as a magic
weapon for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
Additionally, if you make an attack against an object as a full-
round action, you ignore hardness equal to twice the level of
the highest-level ki power you have remaining. Your ki attack
improves in according to the highest-level unused power or
spell slot you have available:
If you are at least 6th level and have a 2nd level power slot
available, the enhancement bonus increases to +2 (your
attacks therefore also bypass DR/silver as well). Standard
attacks against objects ignore 1 point of object hardness
per 2 class levels you possess.
If you are at least 10th level and have a 3rd level slot left,
your enhancement bonus increases to +3 (your attacks
therefore bypass DR/cold iron).
If you are at least 14th level have a 4th level slot available,
your enhancement bonus increases to +4 and your
unarmed attacks and weapons are treated as aligned for
the purposes of overcoming damage reduction. All of your
attacks against objects ignore 1 point of hardness per
class level you possess.
If you are at least 18th level and have a 5th level slot
available, your enhancement bonus increases to +5 and
your unarmed attacks are treated as adamantine for
purposes of overcoming hardness and damage reduction.
Weapon Form (Ex): When using a weapon with which you
are proficient (no non-proficiency penalty), you gain a
competence bonus to damage equal to half your class level.
Unarmed Mastery (Ex): Your unarmed attacks gain a
damage bonus equal to +1d6 per 4 class levels you possess,
reflecting your advanced knowledge of vulnerable points and
unarmed techniques. This damage is treated as precision-
based, and therefore does not multiply on successful critical
hits. When making unarmed attacks, you can also make
sounds like in old Kung Fu movies, at your option.
If you have an unused ki power slot of at least 1st level, you
can choose to convert some or all of your unarmed mastery
bonus damage to [force] damage, to a maximum number of
dice equal to the level of the highest-level ki power slot you
have remaining. For example, a 12th level monk with an
unused 3rd level ki slot could convert all 3d6 of his unarmed
mastery damage to force damage.
Worldly Detachment (Ex): Starting at 6th level, your
detachment from worldly concerns allows you to instantly
adjust to changing circumstances. You gain Adaptability
(Chapter 5) as a bonus feat.
Flowing Water (Ex): By 10th level, you are expert at
turning an enemy’s strengths against him. You gain
Beginner’s Luck as a bonus feat, allowing you to ignore
enemies’ competence bonuses.
Advanced Sutra (Ex): Starting at 11th level, the monk
gains access to deeper insights, which represent a greater
level of self-perfection. Instead of a standard sutra at each
odd level, you may instead choose an advanced sutra for
which you qualify.
Act Without Thought (Ex): At 14th level, you do not
telegraph your actions, and can go from total stillness to a
blur of motion without blinking an eye. You gain the effects of
the Chaotic Mind feat, allowing you to ignore opponents’
insight bonuses.
No Self (Ex): At 18th level, you gain the effects of the
Nameless feat (although you can still keep your name, if you
wish).
Perfect Self: At 20th level, you are treated as a native
outsider rather than as a humanoid (or whatever your
creature type was). Unlike other outsiders, you can still be
brought back from the dead as if you were a member of your
previous creature type, and there is no change to your
resurrection save DC (Chapter 7). Your ki attack ability is
permanently active, and no longer requires you to have any
unused powers/spell slots, and you ignore up to 20 points of
hardness when attacking objects. Additionally, you gain
damage reduction 10/chaotic.
 Improved: You gain the 3rd level eldritch resistances for
that bloodline.
Appendix: Monk Sutras
The following represent the most common sutras unlocked Greater: You gain 7th level eldritch resistances and the 9th
by monks. Others may be added with the referee’s approval. level power for that bloodline.
Superior: You gain the 11th level eldritch resistances for
Sutras that bloodline
Sutra Description Sublime: You gain the 15th level eldritch resistances and
the 15th level power for that bloodline.
Attribute development +1/3 levels enhancement
Deflect blow +1 deflection/4 levels If you multiclass with sorcerer, you must select the same
Devoted guardian Insight to initiative, surprise bloodline or path, and your monk level instead provides Full
synergy with your sorcerer level for purposes of improving its
Diamond defense + Level as saving throw bonus resistances and powers.
Domain disciple Gain access to one domain Deflect Blow (Ex): You are skilled at shunting aside
Elusive target Reflex save for half damage potentially lethal attacks. You gain a +1 deflection bonus to
AC; this improves by an additional +1 per 4 levels above 1st
Enlightened fist Multiclass with arcane caster (maximum +5 at 17th level).
Evasion As rogue class feature Devoted Guardian (Ex): You gain Alertness as a bonus
feat. Your insight bonus to initiative from this feat (to a
Fast healing Gain fast healing maximum equal to your Wisdom bonus) is always active, not
Fist of the forest Multiclass with druid/ranger merely during surprise rounds.
Healing hand Can heal others with ki powers Improved: Once per round you can draw a weapon or
Iron skin Natural armor bonus other item at any time (even if it is not your turn); this
happens instantaneously, and does not require an
Light step Movement spell-like abilities immediate action on your part.
Mettle No effect on Fort or Will save
Greater: You gain Vital Strike as a bonus feat; your Vital
Perfect senses Gain exceptional senses Strike damage applies to any attack you make during a
Planar body Survive on hostile planes surprise round.
Purity of body Resist nausea, poison, disease Superior: You can Take 10 on initiative checks. If you
Resistant body Energy resistance 5 + 5/3 lvls begin combat within reach of an opponent, you gain a free
surprise round, even if your opponents are aware of your
Sacred fist Multiclass with divine caster presence.
Sensei Multiclass with bard
Sublime: You do not need to roll for initiative; you treat
Sheltered vitality Reduce or eliminate penalties your initiative roll as if it resulted in any number of your
Spell immunity Immune to 1 level/lvl of spells choosing (from 1 to 20).
Spell reflection Rays missing you hit caster
This sutra supersedes the devoted guardian (Ultimate
Steadfast DR 1/– per 2 levels Combat), and uncanny initiative (Advanced Players Guide)
Steal ki Strike replenishes your ki slots variant class features, and incorporates aspects of the
Iaijustsu fighter talent.
Sustenance Go without air, food, sleep Diamond Defense (Ex): Once per encounter as an
Timeless step Move forward in time immediate action, you can add your class level as a
Vigor Temporary hp equal to level competence bonus to the roll when making any single saving
throw. You must declare the use of this ability before rolling
Weapon kata Additional weapon proficiencies the die. Source: Tome of Battle.
Diamond Mind (Ex): You gain Arcane Resistance
Attribute Development (Ex): Choose one attribute (Str, (Enchantment) as a bonus feat.
Dex, Con, Int, Wis, or Cha). Constant practice and training
results in a +2 enhancement bonus to that score; this bonus Improved: You are immune to compulsion effects.
improves by an additional +1 per 4 class levels after the 1st Greater: You are immune to [charm] and [compulsion]
(maximum +6 at 17th level). You may select this sutra multiple effects, except those designated as “harmless” (e.g., bless,
times; each time, choose a different attribute). heroism, etc.).
Bloodline Disciple (Su, Ex): Choose one sorcerer
bloodline or battle sorcerer martial path. You gain the 1st Superior: You are immune to all mind-affecting spells and
level power for that bloodline or path, using your monk level abilities except those designated as “harmless.”
in place of your sorcerer level when determining the effects.
You may also gain that spells from that bloodline’s list in place Sublime: You gain a continuous mind blank effect that
of your bonus ki powers, if desired. cannot be dispelled.
Domain Disciple (Su): You gain Domain Access as a bonus
feat for one of the following domains: Ancestors, Community,
Destruction, Fury, Inquisition, Law, Mind, Mysticism,
Protection, Repose, Suffering, Time, Travel, War. You also
gain the 1st level granted power for that domain.
Improved: You gain the 4th level granted power for that
domain (if applicable).
Greater: You gain the 8th level granted power for that
domain (if applicable).
Superior: You gain Domain Channeling for that domain
(as the feat).
Sublime: You gain the Domain Exemplar ability for that
domain.
Depending on the campaign, the domain list might be
altered or expanded (for example, to include elemental
domains, or the Archery domain).
Elusive Target (Ex): As an immediate action, you may
expend an unused ki power slot (of at least 1st level) to
attempt a Reflex save opposed by an attacker’s attack roll. You
gain a bonus to the saving throw equal to the level of the ki
slot expended. If successful, you take only half damage from
the attack (evasion does not reduce this to no damage,
however).
Greater: When activating your Elusive Target sutra, you
take no damage on a successful save, or half damage on a
failed save.
Superior: Any attack you reduce or negate using thus
ability is automatically redirected to an opponent flanking
you or the attacker. Use the same attack roll, and if the
attack hits the new target, that creature takes half damage
(or full damage if the attack is completely avoided). Any
associated effects from the attack (such as bleed, poison,
or spell effects) apply fully even if the attack deals only half
damage.
Sublime: You need not spend an unused ki power to use
this ability. You are still limited to 1 use per round,
however, even if you have the Combat Reflexes feat.
This sutra supersedes the Flowing Monk’s variant class
feature of the same name, from Ultimate Combat.
Enlightened Fist (Ex): You gain the following advantages
when multiclassing with sorcerer or wizard. This sutra
supersedes the prestige class of the same name, from
Complete Arcane.
You can choose to give up your ki power progression in
exchange for Weak theurgy towards your arcane
spellcasting progression. You retain your ki attack ability
even if the other class uses prepared casting, but levels in
the arcane spellcasting class do not automatically advance
your ki attack ability unless you also have the improved ki
attack advanced sutra..
You gain the ability to deliver arcane touch spells as if they
were monk attack powers, in conjunction with an
unarmed attack and without a chance of disruption by
threatening opponents. You can also deliver arcane spells
normally requiring ranged touch attacks (e.g., ray of
enfeeblement) in this manner.
Your arcane class level provides Weak synergy to your
monk level for purposes of determining your unarmed
mastery damage, your weapon form bonus, and the effects
of your monk sutras, and for purposes of qualifying for
advanced sutras.
Evasion (Ex): You gain Evasion, as the rogue class feature.
If you have levels in Rogue, they provide Full synergy to this
ability.
Improved: You also gain Lightning Reflexes as a bonus
feat.
Greater: You gain Improved Evasion.
Superior: ―
Sublime: You gain Greater Evasion.
Fast Healing (Ex): You heal wounds inordinately quickly.
Upon receiving this sutra, you gain fast healing 1; this
increases by 1 hp/round per 4 class levels after the 1st
(maximum fast healing 5 at 17th level).
Fist of the Forest (Ex): You have a number of abilities in
common with rangers and druids.
Add all ranger spells of the appropriate level to your class
list of ki powers that can be learned. If you actually have
levels in druid or ranger, you can choose to give up your ki
progression in exchange for Weak theurgy towards your
progression in druidic or ranger spellcasting. You retain
both lists of powers.
If you have an animal companion (q.v.) with the share
spells ability, when you are mounted on or adjacent to it,
the effects of any monk sutras you possess, as well as your
ki attack ability and AC bonuses from your Canny Defense
and Dodge feats, apply to your companion as well.
Your monk level provides Weak synergy to your ranger
level for determining your tracker bonus and tracking
abilities. For example, the monk 8/ranger 4 mentioned
above would have a +4 bonus to Survival checks to track,
and would have the swift tracker and anchored navigation
abilities in addition to the tracker and direction sense
abilities.
Healing Hand (Su): Your 0-level personal ki powers can be
used on your allies, as per the original spell descriptions. The
maximum level of ki power that can be used on allies
increases by +1 per 4 levels beyond the 1st (maximum 4th
level ki powers at 17th level). Also add raise dead to your class
list of 5th level ki powers. This sutra can be used to simulate a
Monk of the Healing Hand from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
 Iron Skin (Ex): Through training, you have rendered your
skin as tough as iron. You gain a +2 natural armor bonus to
AC, or any existing natural armor bonus increases by +2. This
bonus improves by +1 per 4 class levels above the 1st, to a
maximum bonus of +6 at 17th level. If you have another class
feature that improves natural armor (such as the fighter’s
armored skin talent or the ranger’s barkskin lore), you do not
gain the separate benefits from each; instead, your other
applicable class levels provide Full synergy towards the best
progression.
Light Step (Sp): You gain the following suite of racial
spell-like abilities (Chapter 7): 1st—pass without trace, 2nd
—feather stepAPG, 3rd—water walk, 4th—air walk, 5th
—overland flight, 6th—shadow walk, 7th—phase door, 8th
—greater teleport, 9th—astral projection. Unless you also
have the Healing Hand sutra, all of these abilities are
personal only. This sutra subsumes the Wanderer monk’s
variant class feature of the same name, from the Advanced
Race Guide.
Mettle (Ex): You are immune to fear.
Improved: If you make a successful Will save against an
attack that would normally have a lesser effect on a save
(such as any spell with a saving throw of Will Partial), you
instead completely negate the effect.
Greater: If you make a successful Fortitude save against
an attack that would normally have a lesser effect on a
save (such as any spell with a saving throw of Fortitude
Partial), you instead completely negate the effect.
Superior: You are immune to energy drain.
Sublime: You are immune to [death] effects and negative
energy damage.
Perfect Senses (Ex): You gain low-light vision (if you
already have low-light vision, you can see three times as far
as a normal human in dim light, rather than twice as far). In
addition, you are immune to the dazzled condition.
Improved: You gain darkvision 60 ft. (if you already have
darkvision, the range is increased by 30 ft.). In addition,
you are immune to deafness.
Greater: You gain the scent special quality, and are
immune to blindness. In addition, you can see invisibility.
Superior: You gain tremorsense 60 ft.
Sublime: You gain a continuous true seeing effect.
Planar Body (Ex): You are constantly under the effects of
planar adaptationUM spell, except that this is an
extraordinary, rather than a spell-like ability that cannot be
dispelled, and it affects only you.
Purity of Body (Ex): You are immune to effects that
normally cause the sickened condition. Any effect that would
normally nauseate the victim makes you sickened instead.
Improved: You also gain immunity to all diseases.
Greater: Your immunity to disease extends to
supernatural and magical diseases and disease-like
curses, such as mummy rot and lycanthropy. You are also
immune to nausea.
Superior: You become immune to all poisons, including
drugs and alcohol.
Sublime: You are immune to hostile transmutation effects.
Resistant Body (Ex): You gain resistance 5 to one type of
energy (acid, cold, electrical, fire, force, negative energy,
positive energy, or sonic). This resistance increases by 5 for
every 4 class levels after the 1st (resistance 20 at 13th level).
At 17th level, you are immune.
Sacred Fist (Ex): You gain the following advantages when
multiclassing with archivist, cleric, druid, or incarnate (the
latter is a natural match, given its strengths and immunities).
This sutra supersedes the prestige class of the same name,
from Complete Divine.
You can choose to give up your ki power progression in
exchange for Weak theurgy towards your divine
spellcasting progression. You retain your ki attack ability
even if the other class uses prepared casting, but levels in
the divine spellcasting class do not automatically advance
your ki attack ability unless you also have the improved ki
attack advanced sutra..
Your monk level also provides Weak synergy towards your
channeling energy ability and effects of your domain
powers, or to your druid initiation abilities (this applies to
gaining new initiation abilities, and to the effective level at
which they operate).
Your monk level provides Full synergy with your incarnate
level (if any) for purposes of determining your damage
reduction, divine resistance, and the effects of your
revelations. You can gain monk sutras in the place of
revelations.
Your divine class level provides Weak synergy to your
monk level for purposes of determining your unarmed
damage, your weapon form bonus, and the effects of your
monk sutras, and for purposes of qualifying for advanced
sutras.
Sensei (Ex): Your sage advice in combat is identical to
bardic inspiration, allowing you to inspire courage as a bard
(skald) of level equal to your monk level, usable a total
number of rounds per day equal to your monk level + your
Wisdom modifier (minimum 1 round).
If you have levels in bard, you instead gain the following
benefits:
Your monk levels provide Weak synergy to your bardic
inspiration (rounds per day and DC) and college.
Your bard levels provide Weak synergy to your ki attack,
unarmed mastery, and weapon form abilities.
You can choose to give up your ki powers. In exchange,
your monk levels provide Weak theurgy towards your
bardic spellcasting ability.
 This sutra supersedes the monk archetype of the same
name, from Ultimate Combat.
Sheltered Vitality (Ex): When you suffer any effect that
causes attribute damage, attribute drain, or temporary
attribute score penalties, the effect is reduced by an amount
equal to half your class level (round up). If multiple attributes
are affected, this ability applies to only one. Against poison
and disease, this sutra is applied once per dose or case of the
disease, not once per instance of ongoing damage.
Improved: The effect applies to multiple attributes.
Greater: You are immune to temporary attribute penalties
(as from ray of enfeeblement), including exhaustion and
fatigue, but not attribute damage.
Superior: You are immune to attribute damage.
Sublime: You are immune to attribute drain.
Spell Immunity (Su): You are immune to all offensive 0-
level spells. For every 2 class levels above 1st, you can select
one more spell of maximum level equal to half your class
level; you are immune to that spell as well (as if by the spell
immunity spell, except that this is a supernatural ability that
cannot be dispelled). For spells on more than one class list,
use the highest-level incidence of that specific spell.
Spell Reflection (Ex): You gain a +1 dodge bonus against
spells and spell-like abilities that require attack rolls. This
bonus increases by an additional +1 per 4 class levels after
the 1st (maximum +5 at 17th level).
Improved: If an enemy misses with a spell, spell-like ability,
or supernatural ability aimed at you, you can use an
immediate action to redirect the effect back at its
originator. The spell or ability attacks the original caster
(who makes a new attack roll using the same attack bonus
as the original attack). If it hits, the caster is subject to the
normal effect of the spell or ability. This effect applies only
to spells and spell-like abilities that require an attack roll.
Other spells and spell-like abilities that affect a target
aren't subject to this reflection.
Greater: If a single spell or ability misses you more than
once at the same time (such as scorching ray cast by a
high-level caster), you can redirect each portion of the spell
that missed. For example, if you were missed by two of the
three rays from an 11th level wizard's scorching ray spell,
you could redirect only those two rays (but not the one
that hit).
Superior: You can spell resistance equal to 12 + your class
level.
Sublime: When a spell or spell-like ability targeting you
fails to overcome your spell resistance, you may reflect the
effect onto its caster (as spell turning).
This sutra subsumes both the variant class feature of the
same name, and also the Spell Sense variant class feature,
from Complete Mage. It also includes the Core monk’s
Diamond Soul class feature, and the Flowing Monk’s “volley
spell” ability from Ultimate Combat.
Steadfast (Ex): You gain DR 1/— per 2 monk levels you
possess (round up), to a maximum of DR 10/— at 19th level.
Source: Unearthed Arcana; Dragon magazine, issue 310; this
also supersedes the adamantine monk variant class feature
from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Steal Ki [Strike] (Su): You can steal ki from other
creatures, though this ability is controversial in some circles
of monks, who see it as nothing less than a form of
vampirism. As a standard action, make a single unarmed
attack against a creature of the [humanoid] type. If this attack
damages your opponent, you can steal some of that creature’s
ki. This replenishes 1 level of your ki potential per 2 CR of
the victim. You can divide these levels however you choose
among the slots normally available to you. For example, an
11th level monk stealing the ki of a CR 6 opponent could
choose to regain one 3rd level slot, or one first and one
second level slot, or three first level slots. You cannot exceed
your ki pool’s maximum for any given spell level. You can steal
ki from a particular creature (or type of creature, in the case
of nearly-identical specimens―i.e., those that share a stat
block) only once per day.
Improved: You can affect dragons, giants, magical beasts,
and monstrous humanoids, as well as humanoids.
Greater: You can affect animals, fey, plant creatures, and
vermin.
Superior: You can affect aberrations, undead, and oozes.
Supreme: You can affect constructs and outsiders.
Source: Modified from the Hungry Ghost Monk’s variant
class feature of the same name from the Advanced Player’s
Guide.
Sustenance (Ex): Your spiritual discipline enables you to
suppress your basic needs. You can go without food for a
number of days equal to 3 x your class level; without water for
a number of days equal to half your class level; and without
air for a number of hours equal to your class level. You also
gain a permanent endure elements effect (as the spell, but
cannot be dispelled).
Improved: You no longer need food to survive.
Greater: You no longer need water to survive.
Superior: You are immune to altitude sickness.
Sublime: You no longer need to breathe, and are immune
to inhaled poisons, vacuum, etc.
Timeless Step (Su): As a full-round action, you can step
forward in time 1 round. In effect, you disappear, then
reappear in the same place after one full round has elapsed.
You appear in the same condition and orientation you were
in; for you, no time passes at all. If the space you were in is
occupied upon your re-arrival, you appear in the closest
unoccupied space. Determine the exact space randomly, if
multiple equidistant spaces are available.
Improved: The effect can last up to a number of rounds
equal to your Wisdom modifier (decide the total duration
each time you use the ability)

Greater: You can impose the effects of the standard
timeless step on another creature in the form of an attack,
the so-called temporal strike (this follows the standard
rules for [Strike] feats). As a standard action, make a
single unarmed strike. Any target damaged by this attack
must succeed at a Will save (DC 10 + half your class level
+ your Wisdom modifier) or be hurled forward in time a
number of rounds equal to your Wisdom modifier
(minimum 1 round), or less, if you so choose. The subject
can act normally on its next turn upon reappearing.
Superior: You can shift your body partly outside of the
time stream as a standard action. Until the end of your
next turn, you ignore all effects and conditions (disease,
fatigue, poison, spells, etc.). In addition, while in this state
you are immune to all attacks and powers. However, you
cannot act while in this state.
Sublime: You gain time stop as a spell-like ability, usable
once per week.
This sutra largely supersedes the Zerth Cenobite prestige
class from Complete Psionic.
Vigor (Ex): You can grant yourself a number of temporary
hit points per day equal to your monk level x your Wisdom
modifier. You need not take them all at once, but each use
requires an immediate action on your part. If not lost to
damage before then, temporary hp granted by this ability last
up to 1 hour per class level.
Weapon Kata (Ex): You gain Martial proficiency with all
weapons (you retain Exotic proficiency with any weapons for
which you already have it).
Improved: Gain Catch Off-Guard as a bonus feat.
Greater: You gain Exotic proficiency with an additional
weapon (in addition to your Exotic proficiency with
unarmed attacks and your temple weapon from 1st level).
Superior: You gain Critical Focus as a bonus feat.
Sublime: You have Exotic proficiency with all weapons.
Advanced Sutras
In place of an advanced sutra, you can always choose to take
a basic sutra instead.
Advanced Sutra Description
Advanced conditioning Inherent bonus to attribute
Blinding speed Haste self as free action
Freedom of movement Continuous; as spell
Ki attack, improved Ki attack continues to scale
Regeneration Fast healing becomes regen.
Striking mastery Apply multiple effects
Timeless body You stop ageing
Unstoppable Your actions can’t be interrupted
Advanced Conditioning (Ex): Choose one attribute. You
gain a +1 inherent bonus to that attribute, as if from a manual
of gainful exercise or similar tome. This bonus increases by
+1 per 2 class levels above 11th, to a maximum of +5 at 19th
level. You can select this sutra multiple times; each time,
select a different attribute.
Blinding Speed (Ex): As a free action you can haste
yourself, as the spell, except this is an extraordinary effect
that cannot be dispelled. You can use this ability a number of
rounds per day equal to your class level; these rounds need
not be consecutive.
Freedom of Movement (Ex): You gain perpetual freedom
of movement, as the spell but as a continuous extraordinary
ability. You are also immune to dazing, paralysis, staggering,
and stunning.
Ki Attack, Improved (Su): You must have the enlightened
fist, fist of the forest, sacred fist, or sensei sutra to select this
sutra. Your levels in the associated theurgy class stack with
your monk level for purposes of determining your ki attack.
If you are capable of using powers/spells of greater than
5th level, your ki attack enhancement bonus is equal to the
highest-level power or spell level you have available. Although
you cannot have a +6 enhancement bonus to an unarmed
attack, you can use an additional +1 bonus property to give
your unarmed attacks the ability to penetrate epic (+6)
damage reduction, once your ki strike is already at +5.
Alternatively, you can add properties such as flaming to your
unarmed strikes (Chapter 6), much as a ranger with the
favored weapon lore adds properties to his or weapon. You
can change out the specific properties each time you regain
spells/powers.
Regeneration (Ex): You must have fast healing from some
source to select this sutra. Your fast healing becomes
regeneration instead; fire, acid, and chaotic-aligned weapons
still inflict normal damage on you.
Striking Mastery (Ex): This functions as the advanced
fighter talent of the same name. You can combine ki strike
effects with standard [Strike] feats, but still cannot add more
than one ki power to a single attack unless you have access to
5th level ki/spell slots and use the Quickened Spell feat on
one of them.
Timeless Body (Ex): You stop aging. You no longer take
penalties to your attribute scores for aging, and cannot be
magically aged. Any aging penalties that you have already
taken are removed. There is no change in your resurrection
survival DC (Chapter 1).
Unstoppable (Ex): Your actions can no longer be
interrupted by immediate or pre-emptive actions. Those
actions can still occur, but do not prevent your own actions
from being completed.
PRESTIGE PALADIN
My good blade carves the casques of men, Saving Throws: Prestige paladins gain a +2 class bonus to
My tough lance thrusteth sure, Fortitude, Intuition, and Will saves.
My strength is as the strength of ten, Bonus Skills: All prestige paladins automatically receive
Because my heart is pure. one free rank per class level in Concentration, Diplomacy,
―Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Sir Galahad. and Handle Animal. These are otherwise treated as class
Rather than beginning play as a paladin, a character skills, but do not count against your total number of skill
aspiring to become a paladin must meet special prerequisites points.
beforehand. The paladin is therefore presented as a prestige Prestige paladins with levels in bard also gain 1 rank per
class in these rules. Depending on the class(es) you level in either Perform (music) or Knowledge (Linguistics),
possessed before becoming a paladin, there may be additions depending on the bardic tradition followed.
and/or alterations to your standard class features (Appendix Class Skills: Bluff, Craft (all), Endurance, Heal, Knowledge
A). (the planes), Knowledge (warfare), Profession (all).
Paladins from fiction and literature include Galahad from Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur and other sources; Favored Class: When gaining a level of prestige paladin as
Charlemagne’s paladins from Le Chanson de Roland; Sir a favored class, rather than choosing +1 hp or skill point, you
Ogier from Poul Anderson’s Three Hearts and Three Lions; can instead gain one of the following:
and, more recently, Paks from Elizabeth Moon’s The Deed of
Paksenarrion. A more irreverent example might be “Rooster” Bonded Companion: Your special mount (if any) gains +1
Cogburn from True Grit. hp and +1 skill point each time you select this option.
Energy Resistance: You gain resistance 2 against acid,
Prerequisites cold, electricity, fire, or negative energy. Each time you
Base Attack Bonus: +4. select this option, increase your resistance to one of these
Skills: Diplomacy 2 ranks, Handle Animal 4 ranks, energy types by 2.
Knowledge (the planes) 2 ranks. Favored Enemy: You gain a +1 favored enemy bonus
Spellcasting: Ability to cast (or manifest) protection from against one of the following: dragons; giants, monstrous
evil as a spell or spell-like ability. humanoids, and uncivilized humanoids; evil outsiders and
Special: You must successfully kneel the week-long holy aberrations; or undead. Each time you select this favored
vigil at the deserted Temple of Rao on the shore of the Bay of class bonus, choose a new favored enemy or improve an
Arken. Only those true of heart and of the most upstanding existing favored enemy bonus by an additional +1 (to a
virtue can successfully complete this vigil; others emerge maximum bonus equal to half your character level +1).
from the temple embittered and somehow marked with the
stamp of their failure. Steady Resolve: You gain a sacred bonus to Concentration
TABLE: THE PRESTIGE PALADIN HIT DICE: D10 checks equal to the number of times you select this option.
Class Base
Level Attack Special Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Paladins have Martial
1st +1 Archetype, aura of good, detect evil, smite
proficiency with all weapons and shields, and are proficient
evil, spell theurgy with all types of armor (heavy, medium, and light).
Archetype (Ex): Dependent upon the class(es) you
2nd +2 Divine bond, divine grace, lay on hands progressed in before becoming a paladin, you may gain
3rd +3 Lesser divine aura, swift abjuration advancement in existing class features as you gain prestige
4th
paladin levels. Compare the Archetypes listed in Appendix A
+4 Mercy with the classes you had levels in before becoming a paladin;
5th +5 Bonus feat, mettle you gain the benefits of those archetypes. Classes acquired
6th +6 Divine aura after becoming a prestige paladin do not gain archetype
benefits.
7th +7 Mercy Aura of Good (Ex): You are consecrated to the powers of
8th +8 Bonus feat Good, and detect as both [lawful] and [good]. Additionally, you
9th
are affected by spells such as protection from good,
+9 Greater divine aura, paladin’s focus protection from law, and unholy blight.
10th +10 Mercy Detect Evil (Sp): At will, you can use detect evil as a spell-
11th +11 Bonus feat, divine impetus like ability. You can, as a move action, concentrate on a single
item or individual within 60 feet and determine if it is evil,
12th +12 Superior divine aura learning the strength of its aura as if having studied it for 3
13th +13 Mercy rounds. While focusing on one individual or object, you do
14th
not detect evil in any other object or individual within range.
+14 Bonus feat Smite Evil (Su): At 1st level, you gain Channeling Smite as
15th +15 Exalted divine aura, holy champion a bonus feat. When executing a smite attack, you gain the
following additional benefits:
 Holy Symbol: At will, you can cause the holy symbol to
Your attacks automatically bypass the target’s damage shed light like a torch. At 2nd level, your holy symbol grants
reduction, if any. one bonus. For every three levels beyond 2nd, the symbol
grants one additional bonus. These bonuses can be spent
On a crit with a x2 critical multiplier weapon, treat all 1s in a number of ways to grant you enhanced abilities to
rolled for the channeled energy as 2s; for a x3 weapon, channel positive energy and to cast spells. Each bonus can
treat all 1s and 2s as 3s, etc. be used to grant one of the following enhancements: +1 to
Your gain a deflection bonus to AC equal to your Charisma the effective caster level to any paladin spell cast; +2 to the
modifier against attacks made by the target until it is DC to halve the damage of channel positive energy when
defeated. used to harm undead; +1d6 to channel positive energy; or
+1 use/day of lay on hands. These enhancements stack
and can be selected multiple times. The enhancements
Spell Theurgy: Prestige paladin levels provide Weak granted are determined when the spirit is called and
theurgy towards any one spellcasting or ki using class you cannot be changed until the spirit is called again. If you
possess, as noted in Appendix A (archetypes). You gain access increase your number of uses of lay on hands per day in
to spells unique to the paladin's spell list, at the same levels this way, that choice is set for the rest of the day, and once
indicated for the standard paladin. You can also prepare used, these additional uses are not restored (even if the
Devoted Spirit and White Raven maneuvers from the Book of spirit is called again that day). The holy symbol grants no
Nine Swords as if they were divine spells of the appropriate bonuses if held by anyone other than you, but resumes
level. giving enhancements if returned to you. If a bonded holy
If you had no spellcasting progression before becoming a symbol is destroyed, you lose the use of this ability for 30
paladin (i.e., you used the Magical Talent feat or a racial spell- days, or until you gain a level, whichever comes first.
like ability to fulfill the protection from evil requirement), you During this 30-day period, you take a –1 penalty on attack
gain spell capacity at the rate of one level of spellcasting per 2 and weapon damage rolls. Source: Advanced Player’s
class levels in prestige paladin. Your spellcasting can be Guide.
either spontaneous or prepared (at your option), and your
spellcasting attribute can be either Wisdom or Charisma (at Mount: As the fighter talent of the same name. You can
your option). Once made, these choices cannot be changed add the celestial or half-celestial template to your mount at
thereafter. the appropriate CR cost. Your special mount, if normally
Divine Bond (Su): Upon reaching 2nd level, you form a an animal, gains the magical beast type instead, granting it
divine bond with the forces of Good. This bond can take one improved BAB and hit die type, darkvision 60 ft., and
of several forms: immunity to spells that specifically affect animals. Once
per day, as a full-round action, you may magically call your
Divine Weapon, Armor, or Shield: As the personal weapon mount to your side. This ability is the equivalent of a spell
fighter talent. Your fighter levels (if any) provide Full of a level equal to half your number of ranks in
synergy to this ability. Concentration. The mount immediately appears adjacent
Domain: Choose one of the following domains: to you. You can use this ability once per day at 2nd level,
Community, Glory, Good, Healing, Law, Protection, and one additional time per day for every 4 levels
Repose, or War. You gain Domain Access and Improved thereafter, for a total of four times per day at 14th level.
Domain Access to that domain as bonus feats.
Divine Grace (Su): At 2nd level, you gain a sacred bonus
equal to your prestige paladin level on all saving throws, to a
maximum equal to your Charisma bonus.
Lay on Hands (Su): Beginning at 2nd level, you can
convert one use of channel energy into two uses of lay on
hands. If you do not have the ability to channel positive
energy, you gain a number of daily uses of Lay on Hands
equal to half your prestige paladin level + your Charisma
modifier, using your prestige paladin level as your effective
cleric level when determining damage. You can then channel
positive energy (as a good cleric) by expending two uses of
your lay on hands ability.
With one use of this ability, you apply the same amount of
positive energy as when channeling energy, but the energy
affects only the creature touched. Using this ability is a swift
action. Despite the name of this ability, you need only one free
hand to use this ability. Positive energy deals damage to
undead creatures; using lay on hands in this way requires a
successful melee touch attack and doesn’t provoke an attack
of opportunity. Undead do not receive a saving throw against
this damage.

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Lesser Divine Aura (Su): Beginning at 3rd level, a prestige
paladin gains a lesser divine aura, chosen from the 3rd level
auras presented in Appendix B. This aura has an initial
radius of 10 feet. Divine auras function continuously while
you are conscious, but not if you are unconscious or dead.
Swift Abjuration (Su): Starting at 3rd level, you can cast
abjuration spells on yourself as a swift action, as if you had
applied the Quicken Spell feat (but without any increase in
spell level). The maximum spell level you can quicken in this
manner is equal to 1/3 your Prestige Paladin class level. This
ability is similar to the Abjurant Champion’s prestige class
feature of the same name, from Complete Mage.
Mercy (Su): At 4th level, your lay on hands and channel
positive energy abilities also remove a specific condition
afflicting that subject or subjects. This works similarly to
dispel magic, remove disease, etc.; removing most conditions
requires a Concentration check on your part against the DC
of the condition (DC 30 if the condition did not allow a save).
Whenever you use lay on hands or channel positive energy to
heal damage to one or more targets, those targets also
receives the additional effects from all of the mercies
possessed by you. The conditions that can be removed
depend on your class level. Unless otherwise noted, once a
condition or effect is chosen, it can't be changed:
At 4th level, you can select any minor condition (Chapter
1).
At 7th level, your mercy also removes one moderate
condition with the same descriptor as the minor one you
chose at 4th level. In addition, choose one of the following
additional conditions to remove as well: charmed, cursed,
or any one moderate condition.
At 10th level, your mercy also removes the severe
condition with the same descriptor as the minor one you
gained at 4th level. In addition, choose one of the following
additional conditions to remove: confused, or any one
severe condition.
At 13th level, your mercy also removes the critical
condition with the same descriptor as the minor one you
chose at 4th level. In addition, choose one of the following
conditions to remove: energy drained, feebleminded,
insane, petrified, or any one critical condition.
A mercy can remove a [debilitation] caused by a curse,
disease, or poison without curing it; such conditions return
after 1 hour unless the mercy actually removes the cause
itself.
You yourself are immune to any condition you can remove
using this ability. Immunity to attribute damage or drain
applies to only one of your attributes (your choice; once
made, you cannot change it).
Bonus Feat: At 5th, 8th, 11th, and 14th levels, you gain a
bonus feat chosen from the following list: Defiance, Diehard,
Great Fortitude, Heroic Defiance, Iron Will, Serenity, Skill
Focus (Concentration), any Combat feat (including Strike
feats and Stance feats), any Paladin Feat (Appendix C), or any
Divine feat. You must meet all prerequisites normally.
Mettle (Ex): Starting at 5th level, if you make a successful
Fortitude or Will save against an attack that would normally
have a lesser effect on a save (such as any spell with a saving
throw of Fortitude Partial), you instead completely negate the
effect.
Divine Aura (Su): At 6th level, you gain one of the 3rd or
th
6 level auras listed in Appendix B. The effects of different
divine auras generally stack, although as usual like-names
bonuses overlap, rather than stack. Additionally, if you have
more than one aura in a given suite (Appendix B), the radius
of all your auras from that suite expands, as shown in the
following table.
Number of Auras in Set Radius of Emanation
1 10 ft.
2 30 ft.
3 60 ft.
4 120 ft.
5 Line of sight
Greater Divine Aura (Su): At 9th level, you gain one of the
3rd, 6th, or 9th level auras described in Appendix B.
Paladin’s Focus (Ex): Starting at 9th level, you are able to
marshal your resolve and act deliberately, despite the
distractions around you. Once per encounter, you can choose
to Take 10 on any d20 roll, even one that does not normally
allow it (such as an attack roll or saving throw), and add a +1
competence bonus to the result. This ability duplicates the
Crusader’s aura of perfect order stance from the Tome of
Battle.
Divine Impetus (Ex): Starting at 11th level, once per round
you can spend one channel energy use (two uses of lay on
hands) as a free action in order to gain an additional swift
action that round. This ability supersedes the Ruby Knight
Vindicator’s prestige class feature of the same name from the
Tome of Battle.
Superior Divine Aura (Su): At 12th level, choose one of
the 12th or lower-level auras described in Appendix B.
Exalted Divine Aura (Su): At 15th level, choose any one of
the auras described in Appendix B.
Holy Champion (Su): At 15th level, you gain damage
reduction 10/evil. Whenever you channel positive energy or
uses lay on hands to heal a creature, you heal the maximum
possible amount.
Code of Conduct
A prestige paladin must be of lawful good alignment and
loses all class abilities if he ever willingly commits an evil act
or knowingly allows an evil act to be committed when it is
potentially within his power to stop it (see below).
Additionally, the paladin must follow a code as agreed upon
by the player and the referee. If disagreements occur, they
must be adjudicated in a calm and respectable manner after
the session ends, without disrupting game play and without
the referee unilaterally stripping the paladin of his abilities
during the game. In general, the referee is responsible for
warning the player whenever an action on the paladin’s part
represents a minor or gross violation of the paladin’s code.
Ex-Paladins: A prestige paladin who grossly violates the code
of conduct (see above), or makes repeated lesser violations
despite warnings made prior to the act or acts, loses all
prestige paladin class abilities. In general, this requires
agreement by the player and referee; it should not be
imposed unilaterally. If the act is premeditated and egregious,
you may not atone. Otherwise, you can regain your abilities
and advancement potential if you atone for your violations
(see the atonement spell description), as appropriate.
Appendix A: Paladin
Archetypes
Depending on the class(es) you had before becoming a
paladin, you may gain additional abilities or variations to
normal abilities. Characters may gain abilities from multiple
archetypes if they have levels in more than one paladin
archetype class.
Dark Knight (Rogue)
Your paladin level provides Weak synergy to your rogue level
when calculating your sneak attack damage and determining
the effects of any rogue talents you possess. Theurgy from
prestige paladin levels can be applied to your skill tricks in
lieu of a spellcasting progression.
Devoted Tracker (Ranger)
You have found a balance between your woodland training
and your devotion to religious training, blending these two
aspects into one seamless whole. Your prestige paladin level
provides Strong synergy to your ranger level for purposes of
determining the effects of your ranger lore and quarry
abilities. In addition, your prestige paladin level provides
Weak synergy to your ranger tracking abilities (tracker,
direction sense, swift tracker, wilderness guide, anchored
navigation, planar tracking, nondetection, find the path,
unerring tracker, and personal preserve).
Holy Exemplar (Incarnate)
Your prestige paladin levels provide Full synergy with your
incarnate level for purposes of determining your divine
resistance and damage reduction, and Weak synergy to the
effectiveness of your revelations.
Holy Champion (Cleric, Archivist)
For the purpose of determining your ability to channel
positive energy, prestige paladin class levels provide Full
synergy with levels from all other classes from which you
gained the ability to channel energy. For instance, a 4th level
fighter/1st level cleric/2nd level prestige paladin would
channel positive energy as a 3rd level cleric. In addition, spell
theurgy from prestige paladin levels also applies to the
effectiveness of your domain powers.
Knight-Troubadour (Bard)
Knight-Troubadour (Bard)
A 6th level minstrel or 5th level skald can qualify for the
Prestige Paladin prestige class, providing a wide range of
spells, group support, and combat abilities. Although a skald’s
martial focus makes it a more obvious starting tradition, a
minstrel/paladin (a so-called “knight-troubadour”) can focus
on a high Charisma score for both classes. Also, because of
the paladin’s reliance on heavy armor and shields, upon
becoming a Prestige Paladin, a minstrel’s normal
requirement to play an instrument to cast spells or inspire
allies is relaxed, and he or she can perform these effects in
combat by singing instead (which means that all spells and
inspirations gain a verbal component, like the skald’s).
Benefits from both singing and playing an instrument can still
be obtained, if the troubadour chooses to play as well as sing.
Prestige paladin levels provide Full synergy with bard
levels for all purposes of bardic inspiration (rounds per day of
use and DC) and college. A Knight-Troubador therefore
makes an exceptionally able replacement for the Battle
Herald prestige class described in the Advanced Player’s
Guide.
Martial Champion (Fighter)
If you had levels in fighter before becoming a prestige
paladin, your prestige paladin levels provide Full synergy for
purposes of determining the effects of your fighter talents.
In addition, you can choose the Banner and/or Knightly
Order fighter talents in place of paladin bonus feats
(treating your Smite Evil ability as the Challenge talent for
purposes of meeting the prerequisites and for Order of
knighthood enhancements), following the same
restrictions.
If you have levels in fighter and possess the Riposte talent
and the other prerequisites, you can gain the Robilar’s
Gambit advanced fighter talent in place of an 11th or 14th
level bonus feat.
Monastic Crusader (Monk)
If have the ki attack ability, your prestige paladin levels
provide Full synergy with your monk levels for purposes of
determining your Unarmed Mastery and Weapon Form
damage bonuses. For example, a human monk 4/paladin 4
would deal +4 bonus damage with weapons, and gain an
additional +2d6 points of damage with unarmed attacks.
Noble Savage (Barbarian)
A single-classed barbarian of at least 4th level with the
protective spirits rage power is eligible to gain levels in
Prestige Paladin; levels of prestige paladin provide Strong
synergy towards your rage (rounds of rage per day and types
of rage available).
At your option, instead of improving spellcasting
progression, prestige paladin theurgy could allow you to gain
additional rage powers as if your paladin levels were
barbarian levels, and to improve the effects of existing rage
powers likewise. If this option is used, certain spells on the
core paladin’s spell list might be adapted into rage powers as
well (1st level spells as rage powers, 2nd level spells as
improved rage powers, etc.).

Appendix B: Divine Auras
As shown below, auras generally come in sets of similarly-
themed effects, called “suites.” Upon gaining a new aura, you
can choose a higher-level aura in the same suite (and expand
the radius of all auras belonging to that set) or you can
choose an aura of the appropriate level or lower from a
different suite, as you see fit. Suites of auras are as follows.
Life
You are a dedicated hunter of undead.
Aura of Life, Lesser (3rd): You can detect undead at will,
in addition to your detect evil ability. Living creatures within
your aura gain a sacred bonus on saves to resist death effects,
negative energy, or energy drain equal to the number of auras
in this suite that you possess.
Aura of Life (6th): You emit an aura of life around you that
weakens undead creatures. Undead within your aura take a
penalty on Will saves made to resist positive energy equal to
the number of auras in this suite that you possess. In
addition, undead within your aura do not regain hit points
from channeled negative energy. This variant ability is from
the Advanced Player’s Guide and Ultimate Magic.
Aura of Life, Greater (9th): When you channel positive
energy or lay on hands, instead of rolling the dice, you may
treat each die as if it had scored a number equal to 2 + the
number of auras in this suite that you possess. At 15th level,
with access to all five auras, you would therefore heal 7 hp
per die of channeled energy. This supersedes the maximize
channeling function of the core paladin’s Holy Champion
class feature.
Aura of Life, Superior (12th): Undead you strike while
using your smite evil ability must save vs. Fortitude (DC 10 +
the number of auras in this suite you possess + your
charisma modifier) or be destroyed, as if you were using a
disruption weapon. Allies within your aura gain a sacred
bonus to damage against undead equal to the number of
auras in this suite that you possess.
Aura of Life, Exalted (15th): You are immune to negative
energy and death effects. Allies within your aura gain
resistance to negative energy equal to 5 x the number of
auras in this suite you possess.
Marshal
You are the ultimate battlefield commander, granting benefits
to all followers within your aura.
Marshal’s Aura, Lesser (3rd): You can project inspire
courage or any one Fochlucan inspiration you know (see
Bard) as a continuous aura, without the need for activation or
performance, and without expending rounds of bardic
inspiration use.
Marshal’s Aura (6th): You can project any one Fochlucan
or MacFuirmidh bardic inspiration you know as a continuous
aura, without expending rounds of bardic inspiration use and
without the need for activation or performance.
Marshal’s Aura, Greater (9th): You can project any one
Fochlucan, MacFuirmidh, or Doss bardic inspiration you
know as a continuous aura, without expending rounds of
bardic inspiration use and without the need for activation or
performance.
Marshal’s Aura, Superior (12th): You can project any one
Fochlucan, MacFuirmidh, Doss, or Canaith bardic inspiration
you know as a continuous aura, without expending rounds of
bardic inspiration use and without the need for activation or
performance.
Marshal’s Aura, Exalted (15th): You can project any one
Cli or lower-level bardic inspiration you know as a continuous
aura, without expending rounds of bardic inspiration use and
without the need for activation or performance.
Purity
You stand firm against fiends and horrors from beyond space.
The 3rd and 9th level auras in this suite supersede the
Oathbound paladin’s abilities of the same names, from
Ultimate Magic.
Aura of Purity (3rd): You gain SR 16 + your class level
against the spells and spell-like abilities of aberrations. You
and all allies within your aura gain a sacred bonus on saves
against the spells, spell-like abilities, supernatural abilities,
and extraordinary abilities of aberrations equal to the number
of auras in this suite that you possess (this also applies to the
spells and bloodline powers of Aberrant bloodline sorcerers).
Aura of Protection (6th): You emanate a magic circle
against evil effect (+2 to AC and saves vs. evil; hedge out
summoned evil creatures), with a radius equal to the radius of
your aura. Evil outsiders within this area cannot use
summoning, plane travelling, or teleportation powers. Source:
Dragon magazine, issue 349; this also supersedes the
Oathbound paladin’s anchoring aura power from Ultimate
Magic.
Cleansing Flame (9th): Your aura sheds light as a torch.
Aberrations and evil outsiders within the aura take a sacred
penalty on attack rolls against you and your allies equal to the
number of auras in this suite that you possess.
Aura of Spell Resistance (12th): You and all allies within
your aura receive spell resistance of 11 + your prestige
paladin level against [evil] spells, and the spells and spell-like
abilities of evil creatures.
Holy Aura (15th): Evil creatures striking you must save vs.
Will (DC 18 + your Charisma bonus) or be blinded, as per the
blindness spell. Additionally, you and all allies within your
aura receive a deflection bonus to AC and a resistance bonus
to saving throws equal to the number of auras in this suite
you possess.
Resolve
You and your allies receive a suite of resistances and
immunities.
Aura of Courage (3rd): You are immune to fear (magical
or otherwise). In addition, allies within your aura receive a
sacred bonus to attacks, weapon damage, and saving throws
against fear effects equal to the number of auras in the Suite
of Resolve you possess.
Aura of Fearlessness (6th): Allies within your aura are
immune to fear and fear effects; this supersedes the feat of
the same name from Ultimate Magic.
Aura of Resolve (9th): You are immune to charm spells
and spell-like abilities. Each ally within your aura gains a
morale bonus on saving throws against charm effects equal
to the number of auras in this Suite that you possess
 Aura of Endurance (12th): You are immune to exhaustion
and fatigue. Allies within your aura who would normally be
fatigued suffer no penalties; allies who would normally be
exhausted are treated as fatigued instead. You and affected
allies gain a morale bonus to Endurance skill checks equal to
the number of auras in this suite that you possess. This aura
is adapted from the limbs of endurance spell from Relics &
Rituals (Sword & Sorcery Studios).
Aura of Righteousness (15th): You gain immunity to
compulsion spells and spell-like abilities. Each ally within
your aura gains a morale bonus on saving throws against
compulsion effects equal to the number of auras in this suite
that you possess.
Righteous Fury
Aura of Awe (3rd): You are immune to fear (magical or
otherwise). In addition, enemies within your aura suffer a
morale penalty to attacks, weapon damage, and saves against
fear effects equal to the number of auras in the Suite of
Righteous Fury that you possess. Source: Races of Destiny.
Aura of Menace (6th): Any hostile creature within the
radius of your aura must succeed on a Will save (DC 10 +
your class level + your Charisma bonus) or be shaken for 24
hours or until they successfully hit you. A creature that has
resisted or broken the effect cannot be affected again by your
aura for 24 hours. This is modified from the Archon ability of
the same name, from the 3.5 edition System Reference
Document.
Aura of Justice (9th): When you activate your smite evil
ability, you can also grant it to a number of allies within your
aura equal to the number of auras in this suite that you
possess. Affected allies that move beyond that radius lose the
bonuses.
Aura of Faith (12th): Your weapons are always treated as
blessed for the purposes of overcoming damage reduction
and confirming critical hits. All attacks made against enemies
within your aura are treated as good-aligned for the purposes
of overcoming damage reduction.
Perfect Bastion (15th): While your smite evil ability is
active, you and all allies within your aura gain regeneration
against the target (essentially regeneration that is overcome
by any damage not caused by the target) equal to 2 x the
number of auras in this suite that you possess. This aura
replicates the Sacred Shield’s variant class feature of the
same name, from Ultimate Combat.
Vindicator
You willingly give your blood in service to your faith, and
are marked by scarified wounds appropriate to your deity.
This suite of auras is adapted from the Holy Vindicator
prestige class in the Advanced Players Guide.
Aura of Martyrdom (3rd): Allies within your aura are
automatically stabilized when at less than 0 hp. At will as a
swift action, you can cause your stigmata to weep blood;
when this ability is active, enemies within your aura to be
affected by a bleed effect if under 0 hp (you can stop this
effect as a swift action). Finally, you are immune to blood
drain and bleed damage from any source other than your
stigmata ability, and you automatically stabilize if reduced to
below 0 hp.
Stigmata (6th): As a swift action, you may stop or start a
steady flow of blood from your stigmata; activating stigmata
causes bleed damage to you equal to the number of auras in
this suite you possess, and this bleed damage is not halted by
curative magic. While your stigmata are bleeding, you gain a
sacred bonus equal to the number of auras in this suite you
possess. Each time you activate your stigmata, you decide if
the bonus applies to attack rolls, weapon damage rolls,
Armor Class, Concentration checks, or saving throws; to
change what the bonus applies to, you must deactivate and
reactivate your stigmata.
Bloodfire (9th): When you use your smite evil ability or the
Channel Smite feat, blood runs down your weapons like
liquid energy. You receive a sacred bonus to damage equal to
the number of auras in this suite that you possess. If you use
this ability while your stigmata are bleeding (see above),
targets struck must save vs. Fortitude or be sickened and take
amount of bleed damage each round on their turns equal to
the number of auras in this suite that you possess. Each
target can attempt a new save every round to end the
sickened and bleed effects.
Bloodrain (12th): Positive energy you channel is
accompanied by a burst of sacred energy, increasing the
amount of energy channeled by 1d6. If your stigmata are
bleeding, undead failing their saves against the channeled
energy become sickened (despite normally being immune to
that condition) and take 1d6 points of bleed damage each
round (likewise). Affected creatures can attempt a new save
every round to end the sickened and bleed effects.
Aura of Holy Blood (15th): While your stigmata are
bleeding, allies within your aura also gain the 6th level sacred
bonus, but do not themselves suffer bleed damage.
Variant: Knight of the Pale
Some paladins are solitary bastions against evil, going
alone against the forces of darkness. Such paladins can gain
suites of personal abilities in place of auras; each time a new
special ability is gained, choose one of the options from the
menu below. Selecting this option prevents you from gaining
standard paladin’s auras; a paladin has either auras or Knight
of the Pale abilities, but never both. These variants supersede
the prestige class of the same name from the Book of
Hallowed Might (Malhavoc Press).
Any weapon you wield automatically gains the effects of a
bless weapon spell.
You gain an enhancement bonus to Strength equal to +1
per 3 class levels you possess.
You gain an enhancement bonus to Dexterity equal to +1
per 3 class levels you possess.
You gain an enhancement bonus to Constitution equal to
+1 per 3 class levels you possess.
You gain a resistance bonus to all saving throws equal to
+1 per 3 class levels you possess.
You gain the ability to see invisible as a continuous spell-
like ability.

Appendix C: Paladin Feats
A prestige paladin can select from any of the following as
bonus feats. This allows the simulation of the divine paladin
option from Complete Champion, and also supersedes a
number of prestige classes. For example, a Gray Guard
(Complete Scoundrel) would simply select the Versatile
Channeling feat to simulate the “unbound justice” feature,
and also the Debilitating Touch feat below.
Annihilate Undead
Prerequisites: Greater divine aura; at least on aura from the
Suite of Life.
Benefit: You can expend one use of your smite evil ability
as a standard action and make a single melee attack against
an undead creature. If this attack hits, the undead creature
must make a Will save or be destroyed. The save DC is equal
to 10 + your paladin level + your Charisma modifier. Undead
with twice as many Hit Dice as you have are unaffected by
this ability. If the attack misses, the smite evil is wasted
without effect.
Source: This feat supersedes the Undead Scourge’s
“undead annihilation” variant class feature from the
Advanced Player’s Guide.
Bastion of Good
You can call upon the powers of good to defend your allies
against evil.
Prerequisite: Smite evil.
Benefit: You can expend one daily use of smite evil, which
grants no benefit on attack or damage rolls against your
target. Instead, any attacks the target makes against allies
within 10 feet of you deal half damage until the end of that
encounter (or until the target is killed, whichever comes first).
Attacks against you deal full damage, but you gain a
deflection bonus to AC equal to your Charisma bonus (if any)
against attacks made by the target of the smite. This bonus
increases by +1 for every three paladin levels you possess (to
a maximum of +6 at 15th level). As with smite evil, if you
target a creature that is not evil, your bastion of good ability is
wasted with no effect. This is a supernatural ability.
Source: This feat supersedes the Sacred Shield’s variant
class feature of the same name, from Ultimate Combat.
Cast into the Void
Prerequisites: Exalted divine aura; at least one aura from the
Suite of Purity.
Benefit: Whenever you use smite evil and successfully
strike an aberration, the creature must succeed at a Will save
(DC 10 + your paladin level + your Charisma modifier) or be
banished to oblivion. This ability does not kill the creature,
but it is sent to a remote place, such as deep underground or
far into space (if it is a creature native to space), and cannot
return under its own power for at least 100 years.
Source: This feat emulates the capstone power of the
Oathbound Paladin (oath against corruption), from Ultimate
Magic.
Debilitating Touch
Prerequisite: Lay on Hands, or spontaneous cure or inflict
spells.
Benefit: You learn to channel your lay on hands ability (or
cure/inflict spells) into a painful touch attack. Using
debilitating touch does not provoke attacks of opportunity. An
opponent hit by this attack is sickened for a number of
rounds equal to the level of the spell or the number of dice of
healing the lay on hands would otherwise cure. A successful
Fortitude save (DC 10 + your number of ranks in
Concentration + your Charisma modifier) negates the effect.
This is a supernatural ability.
Source: This feat supersedes the Gray Guard prestige
class feature of the same name, from Complete Scoundrel.
Faith Healing
Prerequisite: Ability to lay on hands.
Benefit: Any cure wounds spells you cast on yourself are
automatically empowered (as if by the Empower Spell feat),
except they do not use higher spell level slots or an increased
casting time. If you target yourself with a cure spell that
affects multiple creatures, this ability only applies to you.
Source: This feat supersedes the Holy Vindicator’s
prestige class feature of the same name from the Advanced
Players Guide.
Holy Armor
Prerequisite: Canny Defense, Heavy armor proficiency,
Monastic Crusader archetype (see above).
Benefit: You retain the AC bonus granted by the Canny
Defense feat even when wearing armor or carrying a shield
or a medium or heavy load.
Source: This feat supersedes the Argent Fist’s prestige
class feature of the same name, from Faiths of Eberron.
Knight’s Charge
Prerequisite: Divine Bond (special mount), Handle Animal
11 ranks.
Benefit: When you charge a foe, your movement does not
provoke attacks of opportunity, for either you or your mount.
In addition, if your target is also the target of your smite evil
ability and the charge attack hits, the target must make a Will
save or be panicked for a number of rounds equal to half your
class level. The DC of this save is equal to 10 + half your
fighter level (if any) + half your prestige paladin level + your
Charisma modifier.
Source: This feat supersedes the Shining Knight’s variant
class feature of the same name from the Advanced Player’s
Guide.
Shining Light
Prerequisite: Ability to channel positive energy; superior
divine aura; at least one aura from the Suite of Righteous
Fury.

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RANGER
―James Fenimore Cooper, Last of the Mohicans (1826)
His person, though muscular, was rather attenuated than full;
but every nerve and muscle appeared strung and indurated by
unremitted exposure and toil. He wore a hunting-shirt of
In the 3.5 edition game, most terrain challenges become
obsolete due to magic effects by mid-level, rendering the
forest green, fringed with faded yellow, and a summer cap of
ranger’s primary area of expertise largely useless. As a
skins which had been shorn of their fur. He also bore a knife in solution, the ranger now becomes increasingly adept at
a girdle of wampum, like that which confined the scanty tracking and at finding his way, to the extent that he can
garments of the Indian, but no tomahawk. A pouch and horn eventually find the gaps between planes, walk in shadow, and
completed his personal accoutrements, though a rifle of great find the path. This version of the ranger also subsumes the
length leaned against a neighboring sapling. The eye of the Horizon Walker prestige class from the Advanced Player’s
hunter, or scout, whichever he might be, was small, quick, Guide. The inclusion of Alertness as a bonus feat is a nod to
keen, and restless, roving while he spoke, on every side of him,
the first edition ranger’s class ability to avoid being surprised.
Rangers from folklore, fiction, and literature include the
as if in quest of game, or distrusting the sudden approach of
above-referenced Natty Bumppo (from James Fennimore
some lurking enemy. Notwithstanding the symptoms of Cooper’s Leatherstocking Tales), Robin Hood, Aragorn (from
habitual suspicion, his countenance was not only without Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings), Belphebe (from L. Sprague
guile, but at the moment at which he is introduced, it was deCamp & Fletcher Pratt’s “Harold Shea” stories), and Orion
charged with an expression of sturdy honesty. (from Lord Dunsany’s The King of Elfland’s Daughter).
TABLE 1: THE RANGER HIT DICE: D10
Class Spell
Level Capacity
Base Attack Bonus
Special
1st +1 1st Alertness, favored terrain, mark of the wild, ranger lore
2nd +2 1st Combat style feat, quarry, tracker
3rd +3 2nd Ranger lore, tireless
4th +4 2nd Direction sense, low-light vision
5th +5 3rd Additional favored terrain, ranger lore
6th +6/+1 3rd Combat style feat, swift tracker
7th +7/+2 4th Ranger lore, sustenance
8th +8/+3 4th Wilderness guide
9th +9/+4 5th 3rd favored terrain, ranger lore
10th +10/+5 5th Anchored navigation, combat style feat
11th +11/+6/+6 6th Advanced lore
12th +12/+7/+7 6th Planar tracking
13th +13/+8/+8 7th Advanced lore, 4th favored terrain
14th +14/+9/+9 7th Combat style feat, nondetection
15th +15/+10/+10 8th Advanced lore, terrain mastery
16th +16/+11/+11/+11 8th Find the path
17th +17/+12/+12/+12 9th Advanced lore, master of all terrains
18th +18/+13/+13/+13 9th Combat style feat, unerring tracker
19th +19/+14/+14/+14 10th Advanced lore, improved quarry
20th +20/+15/+15/+15 10th Master hunter, personal preserve

Saving Throws: Rangers gain a +2 class bonus to Fortitude,

Reflex, and Intuition saves.

in Bonus
Bonus Skills: Rangers
Skills:Handle
Endurance, Rangers receive
receive
Animal, one
oneth free
free rank
Perception, rank
Planarper class
perSense, level
class level in Bonus
Bonus Skills:
Endurance, Rangers
Skills:Handle
Rangers receive
receive
Animal, one
oneth free
free rank
Perception, rank
Planarper class
class level
perSense, level
in Endurance,
Stealth,
Stealth, and
and Handle
Survival.
Survival. Animal,
Starting
Starting Perception,
at
at 11
11 th level,
level,Planar
you
you Sense,
also
also gain
gain 1
1 in Endurance,
Stealth,
Stealth, and
and Handle
Survival.
Survival. Animal,
Starting
Starting Perception,
at
at 11
11 th level,
level,Planar
you
you Sense,
also
also gain
gain 1
1
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free rank per level
level in Knowledge
Knowledge (the planes),
planes), but you
you do not free
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per level
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in Knowledge
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(the planes),
levels.but
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not
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gain rank
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free ranks
per
ranks retroactively
in
retroactively for
for previous
(the
previous levels.butBonus
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not
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gain free ranks retroactively
retroactively for previous
for previous levels. Bonus skills
are otherwise treated as class skills, but do not count against
your total number of skill points.
Class Skills: Athletics, Bluff, Concentration, Craft (all),
Disable Device, Escape Artist, Heal, Knowledge (all),
Profession (all), Spellcraft, and Streetwise.
Skill Points per Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Favored Class: When gaining a level of ranger as a favored
class, rather than choosing +1 hp or skill point, you can
instead choose one of the following options:
Bonded Companion: Your animal companion (if any) gains
+1 hp and +1 skill point each time you select this option
(maximum bonus equal to the companion’s total number
of hit dice).
Energy Resistance: You gain energy resistance 1 against
acid, cold, electricity, fire, or sonics. Each time you selects
this option, increase your resistance to one of these
energy types by 1.
Favored Enemy: You gain a +1 favored enemy bonus (as
the ranger lore of the same name) against one category of
favored enemies, or improve any existing favored enemy
bonus by an additional +1, to a maximum bonus equal to
half your class level (minimum +1).
Invulnerable Companion: Add DR 1/silver to one animal
companion (if any). Each time you select this benefit, the
DR increases by 1 (maximum DR 10/silver). If you ever
replace your animal companion, the new companion gains
this DR.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A ranger has Martial
proficiency with all weapons and shields, and is proficient
with light armor and medium armor. You can choose to trade
medium armor and shield proficiency for the Canny Defense
feat.
Spellcasting: You cast divine spells, which are drawn from
the ranger spell list. Unlike members of most other
spellcasting classes, rangers choose at 1st level whether they
will cast prepared spells or spontaneous spells. Once this
decision has been made, you cannot change it. In either case,
your spellcasting attribute is Wisdom.
You do not gain bonus spells (indicated by the “+1” on
Spellcasting Table 1 in Chapter 7), so you gain 1st level spells
at 1st level only if your Wisdom is 12 or higher.
You must spend 1 hour per day in quiet meditation to
regain your daily allotment of spells. You may prepare and
cast any spell on the ranger spell list, provided that you can
cast spells of that level, but you must choose which spells to
prepare during your daily meditation.
Add the following spells to the core ranger’s spell list; non-
core sources (noted as superscripts) are cited in Chapter 7.
You also have access to all of the Nomad psionic discipline
powers from the d20 System Reference Document, as if they
were spells of the appropriate level, and you can learn certain
martial maneuvers from the Tome of Battle as if they were
spells of the same level, choosing from the following
disciplines: Diamond Mind, Tiger Claw, and Desert Wind (the
latter only if you have deserts as a favored terrain).
0 Level Spells: Arcane mark, canny effortAUG,
chill/warmthRR, cleanRR, comrade’s trailAEST, create water,
dancing lights, dawnMW, detect magic, detect poison,
guidance, endure elements, ignite, keep dryAEST, keep
freshAEST, know direction, light, magic stone, mending,
message, naturewatchMF, predict weatherAUG, purify food
and drink, ram’s mightMF, read magic, resistance, scent
baneAUG, seekerAUG, virtue.
1st Level Spells: Accelerated movementCAd, animate rope,
arrow mindCAd, Artemis’ blessingRRO, aspect of the wolfSC,
blades of fireSC, blissful sleepBEM3, bloodhoundCAd, branch
to branchCAd, burning brandBHM, camouflageCD, cure light
wounds, darkvision, delay diseaseARG, detect
shapechangersRR2, disguise self, ease of breathFB, easy
trailCAd, exacting shotCAd, expeditious retreat, faerie fire,
feather fall, guided shotCAd, hawkeyeCAd, healing lorecallCAd,
hunter’s mercyMF, instant searchCAd, lay of the landPnH,
lightfootMH, locate cityRD, low-light visionMF, magic weapon,
obliterate tracksWotC, precipitationAPM, quickswimSW,
rankletasteWotC, recent occupantBEM3, resist planar
alignmentPnH, rogue’s stabBEM3, silvered weaponDr340,
sleep, sniper’s shotCAd, stalking brandMF, surefootSC, swift
expeditious retreatCAd, tern’s persistanceCAd, travelers’
mountCD, vigilant slumberCM, webfootSW.
2nd Level Spells: Alter self, balancing lorecallCAd, beast
shape I, blight enemyBHM, blood biographyAPG, blur, bull’s
strength, clairaudience/clairvoyance, cure moderate wounds,
curse of arrow attractionPHII, detect evil, divine favor, easy
climbCAd, flame blade, follow auraAPG, freedom of breathSSt,
Gaean repastRRO, hunter’s eyePHII, hunter’s stalkRR, hunter’s
moonRR2, hydrateSSt, invisibility, lesser restoration,
Liliandel’s flurryRR, linked perceptionPHII, listening
lorecallCAd, living printsMF, locate object, mass hide from
animalsAEST, nature’s favorCAd, near horizonCM,
nondetection, scentCD, see invisibility, shield of faith,
surefooted strideWotC, swift hasteCAd, water breathing,
whispering wind.
3rd Level Spells: Air walk, animal spyRR, avoid planar
effectsMP, bane of the forgeRR2, beast shape II, blade
stormCAd, blink, cure serious wounds, detect favored
enemyCD, dimension door, dispel magic, displacement, find
the gapDN, fire trap, forsestfoldCD, glyph of warding, instant
enemyAPG, keen edge, locate creature, greater magic
weapon, heal animal companionWotC, magic vestment, mark
of the hunterCD, mass feather stepAPG, Tanil’s spectral
archersRR2, wake trailingSW, wraithstrike.
4th Level Spells: Animal growth, arrow stormCAd, attune
formMP, baleful polymorph, charm monster, cure critical
wounds, bane bowCD, beast shape III, elemental body I,
foebaneCAd, detect scrying, dimensional anchor, dismissal,
greater invisibility, hydra’s bloodRRO, implacable pursuerCD,
lesser aura of coldFB, mass camouflageCD, mass
longstriderPHII, mass surefooted strideWotC, perinarchPnH,
planar adaptationAPG, plane shift, restoration, ricochetRR2,
scrying, secret chest, sending, spike stones, stoneskin, swift
lion’s chargeMH, Tanil’s purgingRR, telepathic bond, true
seeing.
5th Level Spells: beast shape IV, control winds, elemental
body II, greater dispel magic, greater glyph of warding, mass
bear’s endurance, mass bull’s strength, mass cat’s grace,
mass cure light wounds, mass owl’s wisdom, mass planar
adaptationAPG, stone tell, teleport, transport via plants, wall
of thorns.
Druidical Theurgy (Multiclass Option): If you have levels in
druid, your ranger levels provide Weak progression towards
your druid spellcasting ability, and you have access to both
spell lists. This supersedes the spell progression shown in
Table 1.
Alertness (Ex): Rangers are constantly alert for possible
danger. At 1st level, you gain Alertness as a bonus feat.
Favored Terrain (Ex): At 1st level, select a type of terrain
from the list provided below.
RANGER FAVORED TERRAINS
Arctic (ice, snow, and tundra)
Desert (sand and wastelands)
Forest or jungle
Mountains and hills
Plane, Astral
Plane, Elemental Air
Plane, Elemental Fire
Plane, Elemental Earth
Plane of Shadow
Planes, Lower (and Negative Material)
Planes, Upper (and Positive Material)
Plains
Swamps and marshes
Underground
Urban (buildings, streets, sewers)
Water (shipboard)
Water (underwater) and Elemental Plane of Water
While in your favored terrain, you have the following
advantages.
Terrain Skills: You gain a +2 competence bonus on
initiative checks and on certain skill checks when in this
terrain (these skills are Athletics, Perception, Stealth, and
Survival). Certain terrains also provide this bonus to an
additional skill, as indicated in Appendix A. You can
always take 10 on applicable skills while in a favored
terrain, even if conditions would normally prevent you
from doing so; if not threatened or distracted, you can take
20, even if there is a penalty for failure. You can use the
Stealth skill in your favored terrain even if the terrain
doesn’t grant cover or concealment. While in your favored
terrain, you can also use the Stealth skill while being
observed.
Terrain Sight: In general, you ignore concealment due to
natural conditions within your favored terrain, as
summarized in Appendix A. For example, a ranger with
the desert favored terrain can see through sandstorms
without penalty.
Terrain Movement: While in your favored terrain, you gain
the ability to move at full speed through certain features
that normally impede or stop movement, or that make
movement more hazardous, as summarized in Appendix
A. Features that are magically manipulated to impede
motion still affect you unless you also have the swift
tracker ability (see below).
Additional Terrain Abilities: Each favored terrain bonus of
at least +2 provides a minor benefit, as indicated in
Appendix A. Additional abilities accrue if your favored
terrain is at least +4, +6, and +8, also as shown. These
abilities supersede the Horizon Walker’s terrain mastery
and terrain dominance prestige class features, from the
Advanced Player’s Guide.
Favored Terrains from Multiple Sources: Certain other
classes, races, and feats provide access to favored terrain
bonuses as well. In general, bonuses to the same favored
terrain from multiple sources stack, as noted in Chapter 1.
However, the maximum bonus for any one favored terrain is
normally limited to 2 + half your character level.
Mark of the Wild (Ex): Just as Davy Crockett could “grin
down a bear,” you have a limited degree of empathy with wild
beasts. You gain Mark of the Wild, as the druid class feature
of the same name. Your bonded companion(s) share your
favored enemy and favored terrain bonuses. Planar templates
(Celestial, Fiendish, etc.) can be applied if you have an
appropriate plane as a favored terrain.
Ranger Lore: At 1st level, you learn one item of ranger lore
(Appendix B), analogous to a rogue talent. You gain additional
lore at 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th levels. Unless otherwise noted,
each item of lore can be selected only once.
Combat Style Feat (Ex): At 2nd level, you gain a bonus
combat feat for which you meet the prerequisites (note: in the
Pathfinder core rules, the ability to ignore prerequisites is a
consequence of the “feat chains;” in these rules, scaling
combat feats reduce the need). You gain an additional such
feat every 4 class levels thereafter.
If all of your combat style feats are in a reasonably well-
defined “style” (e.g., archery, mounted combat, two-weapon
fighting, or whatever), then with the referee’s approval you
can gain other special abilities that also tie in with that “style”
in place of feats. For example, a ranger specializing in
mobility, who takes the Spring Attack and Skirmish feats,
might be allowed to select the fighter’s Mobility stance as a
10th level combat style feat.
In lieu of a normal combat style, a ranger can choose one
of the following:
Shifter: Instead of choosing a combat style and gaining
feats that support it, you instead learn to wild shape (as a
druid) and become increasingly good at it; each combat style
feat instead “uprgardes” your wild shape, as follows: 2nd
—beast shape I (1/day); 6th—beast shape I (2/day); 10th
—beast shape II (3/day); 14th—beast shape III or plant shape
I; 18th—beast shape IV or plant shape II. If you have levels in
druid (wild shaper initiate), you can give up the progression
above (and your combat style class feature). Instead, your
druid levels and ranger levels stack for purposes of determing
your druid wild shape ability. Your druid and ranger levels
also stack when determining your favored enemy bonuses
(see Ranger Lore). This option supersedes the feat of the
same name from Ultimate Combat.
Swift Ambusher: You are skilled at flanking and at attacking
from surprise. Instead of a 2nd level combat style feat, you
gain sneak attack +1d6, as the rogue class feature of the
same name. Each additional combat style feat improves your
sneak attack damage by +1d6. Sneak attack damage gained
from this combat style stacks with sneak attack damage from
other sources (e.g., rogue levels), if applicable.
Quarry (Ex): At 2nd level, you are a deadly hunter. As a
standard action (or a move action at 8th level and above) you
can denote one target within your line of sight as your quarry,
with the following effects:
You gain an insight bonus equal to half your class level on
attack rolls against your quarry, and on Bluff, Knowledge,
Perception, Stealth, and Survival checks when using
these skills against your quarry.
Successful attacks against your quarry deal additional
damage equal to twice the attack bonus.
If you wound your quarry and it subsequently escapes, you
know the direction in which your quarry lies, and the
approximate distance to it (to within 10%). This subsumes
the Consecrated Harrier’s implacable hunt prestige class
feature from Complete Divine.
As a standard action, you can automatically determine the
presence or absence of your quarry in a cone extending 5
ft. per class level. A second round of concentration tells
you the location and status (exhausted, fatigued, unhurt,
etc.).
You can have no more than one quarry at a time. You can
dismiss this effect at any time as a free action, but you cannot
select a new quarry for 24 hours. If you see proof that your
quarry is dead, you can select a new quarry after waiting 1
hour. This ability supersedes the Consecrated Harrier’s
“implacable hunt” prestige class feature, from Complete
Divine, and also the Ranger Guide’s “ranger’s focus” variant
class feature from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Tracker (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, you gain Skill Focus
(Survival) as a bonus feat. You can always choose to take 10
on Survival checks, even if conditions would otherwise
prohibit this.
If you detect a lingering magical aura (as with the detect
magic spell) from a magical item or an active spell, you can
keep detect magic active while using the Survival skill to
follow the trail of the lingering aura (DC 30 – the caster level
of the effect). You can even track creatures under a pass
without trace spell, albeit at a penalty equal to the caster level
of the spell.
When tracking using detect magic you treat recently ended
magical effects as though they were one category stronger
when determining how long a lingering aura remains, and by
concentrating for an additional round you can determine
exactly how long the lingering aura has been there (effectively
allowing you to learn when the spell that caused the aura was
cast). This subsumes the Sleepless Detective’s forensic
thaumaturgy class feature, from Paths of Prestige.
Tireless (Ex): At 3rd level, you gain Skill Focus
(Endurance) as a bonus feat. You also gain immunity to
magical sleep effects, and no longer receive a –10 penalty on
Perception checks while asleep. You become intuitively aware
of the passage of time, and can cause yourself to awake at any
pre-selected time you choose, regardless of external stimuli.
Direction Sense (Ex):
“I have never been lost, but I will admit to being confused
for several weeks.” ―Daniel Boone.
Starting at 4th level, your tracking ability and sense of
direction improve to the point that you always know generally
where you are. This ability is useful to characters who end up
at unfamiliar destinations after teleporting, using a gate, or
traveling to or from other planes of existence. Direction sense
reveals general information about your location as a feeling
or presentiment. The information is usually no more detailed
than a summary that locates you according to a prominent
local or regional site. Using this ability also tells you what
direction you are facing, and you always know which
direction north is.
Low-Light Vision (Ex): Also at 4th level, you gain low-light
vision. If you already have low-light vision, you gain superior
low-light vision instead (per the “Class Synergy Features”
rules in Chapter 1).
Additional Favored Terrain (Ex): At 5th level and every
four levels thereafter, you may select an additional favored
terrain. In addition, at each such interval, the bonus to any
one favored terrain (including the one just selected, if so
desired), increases by +2. Any favored terrain with a bonus of
+4 or higher confers an advanced terrain ability, as shown in
Appendix A.
If a specific terrain falls into more than one category of
favored terrain, the bonuses do not stack; you simply use
whichever bonus is higher.
By spending two uninterrupted hours surveying the lay of
the land and succeeding at a DC 20 Survival check, you can
familiarize yourself with unfamiliar terrain. After successful
study, an area equaling one square mile per ranger level is
treated as favored terrain for you (with a +2 bonus) until you
sleep away from it. This ability subsumes the Battle Scout’s
“infiltration” ability, from Ultimate Combat.
Swift Tracker (Ex): Starting at 6th level, you can move at
your normal speed while following tracks, without taking the
normal –5 penalty. You take only a –10 penalty (instead of the
normal –20) when moving at up to twice normal speed while
tracking. In one of your favored terrains, you can track at any
speed at no penalty, and your movement is no longer impeded
by magical adjustments to the terrain (entangle, etc.).
This ability also allows you to move at full speed while
using the “trackless step” function of the Survival skill, and to
move at full speed using the Stealth skill, without penalty.
Sustenance (Su): Starting at 7th level, you can survive
without food or water for up to 1 day per class level (even
with strenuous activity). If you restrict yourself to light activity,
you can survive for 1 week per ranger level without food, and
with only minimal water (e.g., dewdrops). While in a favored
terrain, you also gain the effects of the Fast Recovery feat
(q.v.). This lore supersedes the Draw from the Land feat from
Unapproachable East.
Wilderness Guide (Ex): Starting at 8th level, when you are in
your favored terrain, all allies within your line of sight that
can hear you gain that favored terrain as well (with a +2
bonus, regardless of what your bonus in that terrain is). This
ability applies even to planar favored terrains, allowing you to
effectively lead parties through hostile planes. Source:
Advanced Player’s Guide; this ability also supersedes the
Battle Scout’s “advantageous terrain” variant class feature
from Ultimate Combat, and the ranger’s “terrain bond” class
feature from the core rules.
Anchored Navigation (Ex): Starting at 10th level, your
tracking skill becomes so instinctive that you cannot become
lost.
I can’t get lost. I always know which way is north, the
direction of the point where I started and how far away it is. I
can head straight back or retrace my steps, even in dark and
jungle.
―Robert A. Heinlein, Glory Road (1963)
You retain a perfect mental trail of where you have been,
and can retrace your steps without hesitation without using a
map, or simply short cut directly back to any point along the
route (assuming some means of passing through the
intervening terrain), no matter how convoluted the original
route. This ability is automatic, even if you are blindfolded or
unconscious, and the memory is retained permanently, so
that you can always find your way to any place you have ever
been.
Anchored navigation operates even in reference to a single
point in n-dimensional space, so that if you bury an object in
the middle of a featureless plain, then come back years later
and find the area underwater, you could guide a boat
unerringly to the burial site and know exactly how far under
water (and below the surface of the underlying sediment) the
object lies―assuming it has not been moved in the
meantime. This ability applies even across planar boundaries
and to psychoportive routes through the Astral plane, so that
you treat any place you have ever been as “very familiar” for
purposes of teleportation (you do not automatically gain the
ability to teleport or plane shift, however).
Advanced Lore: Starting at 11th level, you gain insight into
deeper lore. Every time you would become eligible for a new
item of ranger lore, you can select an advanced lore instead.
Planar Tracking (Su): At 12th level, you are adept at
tracking and finding your way even across planar boundaries.
You gain Power over Shadow as a bonus feat, and also gain
the following additional abilities:
You can use the Survival skill to track creatures across the
featureless expanses of the ethereal and astral planes,
with a base check DC of 25. This ability subsumes the
Astral Tracking feat from Dragon magazine, issue 313
You can track creatures across planar boundaries without
penalty (even barring a means to follow immediately, you
can eventually catch up with them using your Power over
Shadow feat). This subsumes the Consecrated Harrier’s
“faultless hunt” prestige class feature from Complete
Divine.
If you determine the destination of a portal, gate or
teleport and can yourself teleport or plane shift (as
appropriate), then you may attempt to follow as if you had
viewed the destination once (or as if very familiar, if you
have been there at some point in the past).
If you are sent to another plane, you can identify it as a
move action with a successful DC 20 Knowledge (the
planes) check, even if there are no obvious visual,
environmental, or terrain clues (e.g., if you are held
blindfolded in a featureless cell on another plane). You can
also determine the flow of time, relative to that on your
home plane.
You can use shadow walk as a spell-like ability at will.
Nondetection (Ex): Starting at 14th level, you are so
difficult to track that even magical means often miss you. You
are under a permanent nondetection effect (using your class
level as the caster level). This is an extraordinary ability and
cannot be dispelled. It supersedes the Scout’s “cunning
stealth” special ability, from Green Ronin’s Advanced Player’s
Manual.
Terrain Mastery (Ex): At 15th level, you gain exceptional
abilities related to your favored terrains.
When dealing with creatures native to those terrains, you
treat your favored terrain bonus for that terrain as a
favored enemy bonus (q.v.) against those creatures. This
bonus overlaps (does not stack with) bonuses gained
when fighting a favored enemy or quarry.
On any plane which you have as a favored terrain, you are
always treated as a native of that plane when
advantageous to you (for example, for determining effects
such as those of a holy word spell).
Find the Path (Sp): At 16th level, your tracking abilities
improve to the point where you can find even places you’ve
never been. You gain the ability to use find the path as a spell-
like ability at will. This duplicates the 3.5 edition spell, without
the Pathfinder rules limitations, and it operates even across
planar boundaries. You can use this ability to find even
“unfindable” things (like an escape route from Hell). N.B. In
the interest of niche protection, the find the path spell is
removed from the cleric and druid general spell lists, as noted
in Chapter 7.
Master of All Terrains (Ex): At 17th level, your favored
terrain bonus for all terrains increases by +2; this improves
existing favored terrains, and grants you a +2 favored terrain
bonus for all other terrains as well. Thereafter, you can
survive and move freely about on all planes. Your spells
always function on all planes (except on null-magic planes),
without the need for alteration, and you treat all planes as
being “in touch with deity” for purposes of spellcasting (see
Casting Spells on Other Planes in Chapter 7).
Unerring Tracker (Sp): At 18th level, you can find anyone
or anything. At will, you can duplicate the effects of discern
location as a spell-like ability. The listed casting time of 10
minutes applies.
Improved Quarry (Ex): At 19th level, your ability to hunt
your quarry improves. You can now select a quarry as a free
action, and can take 20 while using Survival (or Streetwise)
to track your quarry, while moving at normal speed without
penalty. Your favored enemy bonus to damage your quarry is
equal to your class level (this supersedes your normal favored
enemy bonus to damage). If your quarry is killed or dismissed,
you can select a new one after 10 minutes have passed.
Master Hunter [Strike] (Ex): At 20th level you can, as a
standard action, make a single attack against a quarry at your
full attack bonus. If the attack hits, the target takes damage
normally and must make a Fortitude save (DC 20 + your
Wisdom modifier + your quarry bonus) or die. You can
choose instead to deal an amount of nonlethal damage equal
to the creature’s current hit points (a successful save negates
this damage). You cannot use this ability against the same
creature more than once in a 24-hour period. This
supersedes the Death of Enemies feat, from the 3.5 edition
System Reference Document (“Epic Feats”).
Personal Preserve (Sp): At 20th level, you are at home
anywhere in the multiverse. By spending a week walking in
Shadow, you can locate a relatively unused demiplane in the
back waters of the planes and claim it as your personal
demesnes. Your personal preserve has the following
properties:
At the time you claim the demiplane, you can set whatever
gravity trait, elemental traits, and alignment traits you like,
and you can choose whether the plane is finite or self-
contained.
Although the demiplane isn't morphic, you have total
control over the landscape when you find the place. The
demi-plane can be no larger than a small continent; for
finite planes, you decide what the boundaries will be like
(endless waterfalls, impenetrable thorns or mists, etc.).
Time is always normal.
You can set magic and psionics operability as you wish
(although your ranger spells always function normally
there).
Access can be unrestricted, or permitted only via a single
portal entry which you can control for access. Those who
know of the demiplane's existence can plane shift to the
plane.
When on your personal demiplane, your favored terrain
bonus is always +10. Inhabitants are not necessarily friendly,
but you can use Diplomacy or Handle Animal to influence
their reactions even if this would not normally be possible.
In general, you can have only one such demiplane at a time.
If yours is somehow destroyed, you can claim another by
spending another week searching.

Appendix A: Favored
Terrain
Typical favored terrains are listed here; each entry lists any
additional terrain skills (if any), terrain sight, terrain
movement, additional abilities, 5th level advanced terrain
abilities, and 15th level terrain mastery abilities. Terrains not
specifically listed here can be added with referee approval.
Arctic
Arctic terrain includes conditions of ice (glaciers, etc.), snow,
and tundra; it also applies to Frostfell planes.
Additional Terrain Skills: Endurance. Also, apply you
favored terrain bonus to saving throws against cold effects;
this supersedes the Arctic Adaptation feat from Races of
Faerun.
Terrain Sight: Snowsight (Ex): You do not take penalties to
Perception checks due to sleet or snow; you can see to the
normal limits of your vision through snowfall, even in
whiteout conditions. This enables you to see normally in an
ice storm or sleet storm, or in similar natural snowstorms.
You are also immune to snow glare and snow blindness.
Terrain Movement: Icewalking (Ex): You have no chance
of slipping on ice; you can move across icy surfaces without
penalty, and do not need to make Acrobatics checks to run or
charge on ice. You also ignore difficult terrain due to snow
and heavy snow. This ability subsumes the Driftwalker feat
from Dragon magazine (issue 315) and the Snowrunner feat
from Frostburn.
Additional Terrain Abilities:
+2 Endure Elements (Ex): You gain continuous endure
elements (cold only) as en extraordinary ability. This
supersedes the Cold Endurance feat from Frostburn.
+4 Resist Elements (Ex): You gain resistance to cold equal
to 5 x your favored terrain bonus. Thus supersedes the
Improved Cold Endurance feat from Frostburn.
+6 Cold Subtype: You gain the [cold] subtype. You are
immune to cold, but gain vulnerability to fire.
+8 Cold Immunity (Ex): You are immune to cold, but lose
your vulnerability to fire.
Desert
Desert favored terrain includes sand, wastes, salt flats, and
other arid environments.
Additional Terrain Skills: Endurance.
Terrain Sight: Sandsight (Ex): You can see through dust
storms and brownouts (see Sandstorm) without the normal
penalties to Perception, and are immune to the dazzled
condition and from blindness due to sun glare. Add your
favored terrain bonus to saving throws against gaze attacks.
Terrain Movement: Sandwalker (Ex): You ignore difficult
terrain due to shallow sand or deep sand, do not break
through sand crust when moving, and cannot be involuntarily
buried by collapsing sand dunes (this supersedes the
Sandskimmer feat from Sandstorm). You suffer no penalty to
speed or on Acrobatics or Stealth checks when moving
through sandy or desert terrain; this supersedes the desert
druid variant class feature of the same name from the
Advanced Player’s Guide.
Additional Terrain Abilities:
+2 Endure Elements (Ex): You gain continuous endure
elements (heat only) as en extraordinary ability. This
supersedes the Heat Endurance feat from Sandstorm. You
can also use locate oasisRR2 once per day as a spell-like
ability.
+4 Resist Elements (Ex): You gain resistance to fire and to
desiccation damage equal to 5 x half your favored terrain
bonus (these stacks with any existing resistance, if
applicable). This subsumes the Improved Heat Endurance
feat from Sandstorm.
+6 Sustenance of the Wastes (Ex): You no longer need food
or water to survive. In addition, you are immune to blindness
effects.
+8 Fire Immunity (Ex): You are immune to fire and
desiccation damage.
Forest
Forest favored terrain includes jungles and forest-dominated
planes such as Arboria.
Additional Terrain Skills: Acrobatics.
Terrain Sight: Woodland Sight (Ex): You ignore partial
concealment due to plant growth, leaves, etc. This ability
supersedes the Ehlonna’s Way feat from Dragon magazine
(issue 315) and also the Pierce the Foliage function of the
Woodland Archer feat from Races of the Wild.
Terrain Movement: Woodland Stride (Ex): You ignore
difficult terrain due to undergrowth and heavy undergrowth.
You can move through any sort of undergrowth (such as
natural thorns, briars, overgrown areas, and similar terrain)
at your normal speed and without taking damage or suffering
any other impairment; this supersedes the “woodland stride”
class feature from the core rules.
Additional Terrain Abilities:
+2 Forest Tongue (Sp): You can speak with animals (forest
animals only) at will.
+4 Treetopper (Ex): You gain a climb speed of 5 ft. and
retain your Dex bonus to AC while climbing; this supersedes
the feat of the same name from the Players Guide to Faerun.
+6 Treefriend (Sp): You can speak with plants 1/day (2/day
at terrain bonus +8, and 3/day at +10).
+8 Phantom Forest (Sp): You can use hallucinatory terrain
(forests only) as a spell-like ability 3/day.
Mountains
Mountainous favored terrain applies to hills and broken
country as well.
Additional Terrain Skills: Mountain Stance (Ex): Your
favored terrain bonus applies to your CMD against bull rush,
drag, reposition, and similar combat maneuvers, and to
saving throws against effects that would physically move you
from your position. This supersedes the mountain druid’s
variant class feature of the same name, from the Advanced
Player’s Guide.
Terrain Sight: Mountain Warrior (Ex): You are constantly
aware of the heights above you, as well as your lateral
surroundings; opponents on higher ground do not gain the
normal +1 attack bonus against you for higher ground. When
on higher ground, you gain the attack bonus for higher
ground when using ranged weapons, as well as with melee
attacks. This ability supersedes, in part, the feat of the same
name from Races of Stone.
Terrain Movement: Mountain Stride (Ex): You can move
through scree and dense rubble at your normal movement
speed. You can also move up steep slopes at your normal
movement speed. You ignore DC modifiers to Acrobatics and
Stealth checks derived from scree, light rubble, dense rubble,
steep slopes, or stairs. You need no longer make DC 10
Acrobatics checks to run or charge down steep slopes. These
abilities supersede the Highland Stalker’s prestige class
feature of the same name, from Races of Stone.
Additional Terrain Abilities:
+2 Altitude Affinity (Ex): You are unaffected by altitude
fatigue, altitude sickness, lack of oxygen, or any of their
accompanying complications while at high altitudes,
including the “death zone” above 26,000 feet elevation.
Source: Pathfinder Campaign Setting; this also supersedes
the Altitude Adaptation feat from Frostburn. In addition, you
can resist the cold of the heights; you gain a continuous
endure elements effect (cold only).
+4 Expert Climber (Ex): You gain a Climb speed equal to 5
ft. x your favored terrain bonus (maximum equal to your base
land speed), and no longer lose your Dexterity bonus to AC
while climbing or jumping.
+6 Surefooted (Ex): You are more sure-footed than a
mountain goat. You are under a continuous spider climb
effect, except this cannot be dispelled. You also add your
favored terrain bonus to your CMD against bull rush and
push attempts against you, and to saving throws against
effects that would otherwise shove you from your position
(e.g., telekinesis). If you are somehow thrown from a height,
you are protected by a feather fall effect.
+8 Stoneskin (Ex): You gain DR 5/adamantine (DR
10/adamantine when actually in hilly or mountainous
terrain). You are also immune to petrifaction.
Plains
This terrain includes savannah and steppes. It incorporates
most of the terrain abilities of the plains druid from the
Advanced Player’s Guide.
Additional Terrain Skills: Endurance (this supersedes the
Grass Trekker feat from Savage Species).
Terrain Sight: Eagle Eyes (Ex): You ignore a distance of up
to 10 ft. x your favored terrain bonus when calculating the DC
for visual Perception checks, allowing you to see accurately
at much greater distances than most (the DC normally
increases by +1 per 10 ft. of distance). This ability supersedes
the feat of the same name from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Terrain Movement: Your base land speed increases by 10
ft.
Additional Terrain Abilities:
+2 Wind Resistance (Ex): You are treated as one size
category larger for the purpose of ignoring wind effects.
+4 Grasslands Ambush (Ex): You can stand up from prone
as a free action without provoking attacks of opportunity, or
as an immediate action during a surprise round (this
supersedes the Ankheg Tribe Ambush feat from Shining
South). In addition, you can charge through allies’ squares
without penalty.
+6 Gazelle’s Stride (Ex): Your base land speed increases by
an additional 5 ft per round. At a favored terrain bonus of +8
and +10, it again increases by an additional 5 ft., for a total
base land speed increase of +25 ft. with a +10 favored terrain
bonus. Once per encounter, you may run or charge at double
your normal speed.
+8 Master of the Steppe (Ex): You are immune to the
effects of high winds. In addition, you gain evasion (as the
rogue class feature of the same name), but do not
automatically gain improved or greater evasion.
Plane, Astral
Additional Terrain Skills: Planar Sense.
Terrain Sight: None.
Terrain Movement: On planes with no gravity, or with
subjective directional gravity, you gain a fly speed equal to 10
ft. x your favored terrain bonus. In combat in zero-gravity or
subjective-gravity conditions, you are always considered on
higher ground unless your opponent has an equal or higher
favored terrain (Astral Plane) bonus.
Additional Terrain Abilities:
+2 Timeless Healing (Ex): You can heal naturally even
while on Timeless planes like the Astral.
+4 Adaptation, Lesser (Ex): You are somewhat inured to
the chill of space, and gain a continuous endure elements
effect (cold only). In addition, lack of pressure in a vacuum
does not harm you.
+6 Astral Movement (Sp): You gain dimension door 1/day
as a spell-like ability (2/day at a favored terrain bonus of +8,
3/day at +10). In addition, your movement in zero-gravity or
subjective-gravoty conditions does not provoke attacks of
opportunity.
+8 Adaptation, Greater (Ex): You need not breathe, and are
immune to inhaled poisons and suffocation effects. In
addition, while you are astrally projected, your silver cord
cannot be severed.
+10 Native of the Silver Sky (Ex): Your type changes to
outsider, and you stop aging. You can use astral projection
(self only) as a spell-like ability once per day.
Plane, Elemental (Air)
Additional Terrain Skills: Fly (this applies at all times, not
merely when on the Plane of Air).
Terrain Sight: Eye of the Storm (Ex): You can see through
up to 5 ft. x your favored terrain bonus of fog, mist, gas, wind,
rain, or similar inclement weather conditions, ignoring any
concealment it might grant. This supersedes the Tempest
Druid’s variant class feature of the same name from Inner
Sea Magic.
Terrain Movement: On the Elemental Plane of Air, you
gain a fly speed (average maneuverability) equal to 10 ft. x
your favored terrain bonus.
Additional Terrain Abilities:
+2 Air Mastery (Ex): Airborne creatures take a –1 penalty
on attack and damage rolls against you.
+4 Feather Fall (Sp): Whenever you involuntarily fall more
than 10 feet, you are protected by a feather fall effect.
+6 Energy Resistance (Ex): You gain resistance to
electricity equal to 5 x your favored terrain bonus. At a
favored terrain bonus of +10, you are immune to electrity.
+8 Wings of Air (Su): You gain the fly speed listed under
terrain movement even when not on the Elemental Plane of
Air.
+10 Native Elemental: Your type changes to outsider
(elemental), and you gain the [air] subtype.
Plane, Elemental (Earth)
Additional Terrain Skills: Profession (Mining)
Terrain Sight: Earthsight (Su): You can see through the
stuff of the Elemental Plane of Earth. When on that plane,
your gaze can penetrate a number of feet equal to 10 x your
favored terrain bonus.
Terrain Movement: You gain a burrow speed in soil or on
the Elemental Plane of Earth equal to 5 ft. x your favored
terrain bonus. On the Elemental Plane of Earth, this ability
also permits you to breathe, by burrowing out small air
pockets.
Additional Terrain Abilities:
+2 Earth Mastery (Ex): You gain a +1 circumstance bonus
on attack rolls and CMB and damage rolls if both you and
your foe are touching the ground. If an opponent is airborne
or waterborne, you take a –4 penalty on attack and damage
rolls. These modifiers apply to bull rush and overrun
maneuvers, whether you are initiating or resisting these
kinds of attacks.
+4 Energy Resistance (Ex): You gain resistance to acid
equal to 2 x your favored terrain bonus.
+6 Crystal Sight (Su): You can see through a thickness of
stone, earth, or sand equal to 5 ft. x your favored terrain
bonus. When not on the Plane of Earth, you can use this
ability a number of rounds per day equal to your favored
terrain bonus; these rounds need not be consecutive.
+8 Earth Glide (Su): You gain the earth glide ability,
allowing you to pass through stone, dirt, or almost any other
sort of earth except metal at your base land speed as easily as
a fish swims through water. This burrowing leaves behind no
tunnel or hole, nor does it create any ripple or other sign of
your presence. A move earth spell cast on an area containing
you flings you back 30 feet, stunning you for 1 round unless
you succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 16 + caster’s Cha
modifier).
+10 Native Elemental: Your type changes to outsider
(elemental), and you gain the [earth] subtype.
Plane, Elemental (Fire)
Additional Terrain Skills: Craft (smith).
Terrain Sight: Fire Sight (Ex): You can see through fire
and smoke without penalty, ignoring any cover or
concealment bonuses from fire and smoke. This does not
allow you to see anything you could not otherwise see (for
example, invisible creatures are still invisible). You are
immune to the dazzled condition. This ability supersedes the
Ifrit racial feat of the same name, from the Advanced Race
Guide.
Terrain Movement: None.
Additional Terrain Abilities:
+2 Energy Resistance (Ex): You gain resistance to fire
equal to 5 x your favored terrain bonus; unless otherwise
noted, this stacks with existing resistance to fire.
+4 Fire Subtype: You are immune to fire, but gain
vulnerability to cold. In addition, you suffer no ill effects from
smoke inhalation.
+6 You gain the ability to use fire stride (from the Forgotten
Realms Campaign Setting) 1/day as a spell-like ability (2/day
at a favored terrain bonus of +8, and 3/day at a favored terrain
bonus of +10). Readying this ability for use is a full attack
action; each “jump” is a move-equivalent action, and all jumps
must be completed within 10 minutes x your favored terrain
bonus.
+8 Burn (Su): All of your spells, spell-like abilities, and
supernatural abilities with the [fire] descriptor gain the
effects of the Burning Spell metamagic feat (Chapter 7), with
no increase in spell level or casting time. The amount of burn
damage is 1d6; this increases to 2d6 at a favored terrain
bonus of +10. If you have no applicable abilities, each of your
natural attacks deals burn damage in an amount equal to the
base damage of the attack.
+10 Native Elemental: Your type changes to outsider
(elemental), and you gain the [fire] subtype.
Plane, Ethereal
Additional Terrain Skills: Planar Sense.
Terrain Sight: You gain Witch Sight as a bonus feat,
adding your favored terrain bonus to your number of ranks in
Planar Sense when calculating the effective distance.
Terrain Movement: On planes with no gravity, you gain a
fly speed equal to 5 ft. x your favored terrain bonus.
Additional Terrain Abilities:
+2 Waveless Sea (Ex): You are immune to the effects of
ether cyclones.
+4 Ghost Strike (Ex): You gain Ghost Strike as a bonus
feat, even if you do not meet the prerequisite. For purposes of
adjudicating the effects of this feat, treat your base attack
bonus as at least +6 if your favored terrain bonus is +4, +11 at
a favored terrain bonus of +6, and +16 at a favored terrain
bonus of +8.
+6 Dimensional Anchor (Su): You gain Anchoring Blow as
a bonus feat, with a minimum effective base attack bonus as
defined under ghost strike, above.
+8 Ethereal Jaunt (Sp): You gain the ability to become
ethereal (as per the ethereal jaunt spell) a number of rounds
per day equal to your favored terrain bonus. These rounds
need not be consecutive, but each use is a move action.
+10 Multiplanar Existence (Ex): You gain DR 10/force and
can see invisible as if under the effects of that spell, except
this is an extraordinary ability that cannot be dispelled.
Plane of Shadow
When in areas of shadowy (dim) light on the Prime Material
Plane, your Plane of Shadow favored terrain bonus applies,
but is reduced by 2 points.
Additional Terrain Skills: Acrobatics (this subsumes the
movement function of the Dusk Stalker’s “shadow bond”
variant class feature from the Advanced Race Guide); Bluff.
Terrain Sight: Gloomsight (Ex): You gain low-light vision.
Terrain Movement: See above.
Additional Terrain Abilities:
+2 Shadow Blend (Su): In any condition of illumination
other than bright light, you blend into the shadows, giving you
concealment (miss chance 5% x your favored terrain bonus).
You can suspend or resume this ability as a free action.
+4 Shadowboxing (Ex): When you are within an area of dim
light or darkness, you gain a +1 bonus on attack rolls against
enemies that are also within dim light or darkness. This
supersedes the Gloom Strike feat from the Advanced Race
Guide.
+6 Shadow Step (Sp): You gain Shadow Step as a bonus
feat. If you are a single-classed ranger, you can treat all ranger
spells as if they were Shadow spells one level higher than
their actual ranger spell levels, for purposes of this feat.
+8 See in Darkness (Ex): You can see in darkness, even
magical darkness, as if it were lit.
+10 Shade (Ex): You are treated as a native of the Plane of
Shadow, and gain the Shadow creature simple template
(Advanced Race Guide; the benefits overlap with, rather than
stacking with, those gained above).
Planes, Lower
Additional Terrain Skills: Bluff, Knowledge (planes).
Terrain Sight: You can use detect evil as a spell-like ability
a number of times per day equal to your favored terrain
bonus.
Terrain Movement: Most mortals venturing into Hell or
Carceri are trapped there forever; this does not apply to you
(i.e., you can leave freely). Your companions cannot also do so
unless you also have the wilderness guide ability (q.v.).
Additional Terrain Abilities:
+2 Resist Planar Alignment (Ex): You take no penalties for
being on evil-aligned planes, and can cause your alignment to
register as that of the plane at will.
+4 Resist Energy (Ex): You gain resistance to cold, fire, and
negative energy equal to your favored terrain bonus, allowing
you to survive on minor negative-dominant planes.
+6 Damage Reduction (Ex): You gain DR/good in an
amount equal to your favored terrain bonus. You also treat
your own attacks (natural, unarmed, and with manufactured
weapons) as if they were aligned.
+8 Guarded Life (Su): You are immune to negative levels
and energy drain.
+10 Fiend-Born (Ex): You are treated as a native of the
lower planes, and gain the Fiendish simple template (the
benefits overlap with, rather than stacking with, those gained
above).
Planes, Upper
Additional Terrain Skills: Diplomacy, Fly.
Terrain Sight: You can use detect good as a spell-like
ability a number of times per day equal to your favored terrain
bonus.
Terrain Movement: While on good-aligned upper planes,
you gain a fly speed equal to 5 ft. x your favored terrain
bonus.
Additional Terrain Abilities:
+2 Resist Planar Alignment (Ex): You take no penalties for
being on good-aligned planes, and can cause your alignment
to register as that of the plane at will.
+4 Energy Resistance (Ex): You gain resistance to
electricity, force damage, and positive energy (when
damaging; you can still choose to be healed by it) equal to
your favored terrain bonus.
+6 Damage Reduction (Ex): You gain DR/evil in an amount
equal to your favored terrain bonus. You also treat your own
attacks (natural, unarmed, and with manufactured weapons)
as if they were aligned.
+8 Purity of Body (Ex): You are infused with the purity of
the Upper Planes, and are immune to disease and poison.
+10 Angel-Born (Ex): You are treated as a native of the
upper planes, and gain the Celestial simple template (the
benefits overlap with, rather than stacking with, those gained
above).
Swamps
This favored terrain also includes marshes, bogs, fens, and
wetlands of all descriptions.
Additional Terrain Skills: Escape Artist, Profession
(sailing)—small craft only.
Terrain Sight: Mist Sight (Ex): You can see through up to 5
ft. x your favored terrain bonus of fog, mist, gas, wind, rain, or
similar inclement weather conditions, ignoring any
concealment it might grant.
Terrain Movement: Bog Stride (Ex): You ignore the effects
of bogs, deep bogs, mud, quicksand, and reeds on your
movement. This ability also subsumes the Child of the
Swamps feat from the Players Guide to Eberron.
Additional Terrain Abilities:
+2 Strong Stomach (Ex): You are immune to any effect that
would apply the sickened condition to a normal person. If you
succumb to an effect that normally causes nausea, you are
sickened instead. You gain a bonus on saving throws against
other afflictions (Chapter 1) equal to your favored terrain
bonus; this supersedes the Jungle Stamina feat from Races of
Faerun.
+4 Swarm-Walking (Ex): You also gain DR/— against
swarms to an amount equal to your favored terrain bonus
(i.e., DR 4/— against swarms when you gain this ability).
+6 Purity of Body (Ex): You are immune to minor,
moderate, and severe afflictions.
+8 Bogtrotter (Ex): You gain continuous freedom of
movement.
Underground
Additional Terrain Skills: Disable Device, Profession
(Mining).
Terrain Sight: You gain darkvision with a range of 10 ft. x
your favored terrain bonus.
Terrain Movement: Tunnel Runner (Ex): You ignore
difficult terrain due to rubble, dense rubble, and stairs. You
can move through narrow spaces at your normal speed, and
squeeze without penalties; this supersedes the cave druid’s
variant class feature of the same name from the Advanced
Player’s Guide, and also the feat of the same name from
Underdark.
Additional Terrain Abilities:
+2 Tunnel Fighting (Ex): You ignore the melee penalties for
fighting in low or narrow spaces; this supersedes the feat of
the same name from Races of Stone. In addition, you cannot
be detected by tremorsense; this supersedes the cave druid’s
“lightfoot” from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
+4 Burrow (Ex): You gain a burrow speed of 5 ft. This
speed increases by an additional 5 ft. per additional +2 of
your favored terrain bonus (maximum 20 ft. at +10).
+6 Evasion (Ex): You are constantly alert against cave-ins,
methane gas explosions, and the like. You gain evasion (as
the rogue class feature), but not improved or greater evasion.
If you already have evasion, your vigilance is instead
channeled into your senses, and you gain Blind-Fight as a
bonus feat.
+8 Stone Sense (Ex): You gain tremorsense at a range
equal to the range of your darkvision. This ability supersedes
the feat of the same name from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Urban
This favored terrain also applies when in buildings, streets,
and sewers. Its effects supersede the Crowd Tactics feat from
Races of Destiny.
Additional Terrain Skills: Diplomacy, Streetwise; Bluff
checks to intimidate crowds.
Terrain Sight: None.
Terrain Movement: Crowd Control (Ex): You gain a +1
bonus on attack rolls and a +1 dodge bonus to AC when
adjacent to two or more enemies. In addition, your movement
is not impeded by crowds. You can move through the space
occupied by local citizens as if they were allies (this does not
apply to creatures intent on harming you). This ability is from
the urban barbarian archetype from Ultimate Combat, and
also subsumes the urban ranger’s “push through” ability from
the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Additional Terrain Abilities:
+2 Pass as Local (Ex): You automatically pass as a local
(treat as a disguise with DC 10 + your Stealth skill bonus; this
disguise does not take an action to don). Although you are not
invisible, enemies do not notice your presence in particular
and take no actions against you unless they are taking actions
against the local citizens in general. Source: Advanced
Player’s Guide.
+4 Charm Person (Sp): You gain charm person as a spell-
like ability 1/day (2/day at a favored terrain bonus of +6, 3/day
at +8, and 4/day at +10). You also apply half your favored
terrain bonus to saving throws against charm and
compulsion effects.
+6 Street Lore (Sp): While in a city, you can use commune
3/day as a spell-like ability, but only to learn information
about that city known by at least 1 creature within the city.
+8 City Mind (Ex): You are immune to charm and
compulsion effects.
Water (Shipboard)
Additional Terrain Skills: Profession (sailing).
Terrain Sight: Eyes of the Storm (Ex): You ignore any
concealment provided by fog, rain, sleet, mist, wind, or other
weather effects that is less than total concealment, and any
penalties weather applies on Perception checks are halved.
This ability, and the terrain movement ability below, are from
the Sea Reaver barbarian archetype from Ultimate Combat.
Terrain Movement: Sure-Footed (Ex): You ignore cluttered,
slippery, or pitching decks and rocking, slippery conditions,
including green water surges (Stormwrack) and spells such
as grease, sleet storm, etc. You are not at risk of falling, are
not denied your Dexterity bonus when moving across such
areas, and do not treat them as difficult terrain. You can move
through rigging at half speed.
Additional Terrain Abilities:
+2 Sea Legs (Ex): You are immune to seasickness.
+4 Great Captain (Ex): If you are in command of a vessel,
you can use the Aid Another action to assist all other persons
on board who are performing the same action in the current
round. Commanding the vessel in combat is a move action for
you. This supersedes the feat of the same name from
Stormwrack.
+6 Storm Sailor (Ex): You can choose to treat winds as one
category more or less severe (your choice) for purposes of
sailing and navigating a vessel; this supersedes the Inner Sea
Pirate’s trick of the same name, from Pirates of the Inner
Sea.
+8 Storm-Lashed (Ex): You are accustomed to sailing
through storms and force ten gales. You are immune to
electricity and the effects of high winds, as is any vessel you
personally pilot.
Water (Underwater) or Elemental
Plane of Water
Additional Terrain Skills: None.
Terrain Sight: You suffer no penalties to Perception for
being under water or looking into water from the surface.
Terrain Movement: Expert Swimmer (Ex): You gain a
Swim speed equal to 5 ft. x your favored terrain bonus. You
also ignore difficult terrain due to light or heavy surf. This
ability supersedes the Expert Swimmer feat from
Stormwrack, and any number of similar feats from previous
sources.
Additional Terrain Abilities:
+2 Hold Breath (Ex): You can hold your breath a number of
rounds equal to (your favored terrain bonus +1) x your
Constitution score. This supersedes the Deep Breather feat
from Dragon magazine (issue 335).
+4 Seaborn (Ex): You gain the [aquatic] subtype and the
[amphibious] trait. You are also inured to the chill of the
depths, and can endure cold effects as if by endure elements.
This simulates the Aquatic Druid’s variant class feature of the
same name, from the Advanced Players Guide.
+6 Aquatic Adaptation (Ex): You are immune to the effects
of pressure at depth; this subsumes the Pressure Resistance
feat from Dragon magazine (issue 314). You are also immune
to inhaled poisons, and cannot be suffocated.
+8 Freedom of Movement (Ex): You gain continuous
freedom of movement while underwater.
+10 Native Elemental: Your type changes to outsider
(elemental), and you gain the [water] subtype.
APPENDIX B: RANGER LORE
Other examples of ranger lore can be added with the referee’s approval.
Ranger Lore
Examples of ranger lore are listed here; substitute lore, if appropriate to the character, can be included by player request and
referee permission.
Ascetic Hunter (Ex): You must have at least one level in
Lore Description monk to select this lore, which provides a number of benefits
Ascetic hunter Multiclass with monk when multiclassing between ranger and monk classes.
Barkskin +1 natural AC, +1/3 levels Your ranger levels provide Full synergy for purposes of
Combat style feat Gain additional combat feat determining your unarmed mastery.
Domain bond Gain access to one domain Your ranger levels provide Weak synergy for purposes of
Dragon hunter Ignore +1/2 level natural AC determining the damage bonus from your Weapon Form
ability and the level-dependent effects of monk sutras you
Empathic link,
improved
Share senses with animal
companion(s)
possess.
Energy resistance 5 + 5/3 levels to one type Your monk levels provide Weak synergy for purposes of
determining the effects of level-dependent ranger lore. You
Evasion And improved evasion at 11th qualify for advanced lore if your effective ranger is 11 or
Familiar As wizard class feature higher. You may select monk sutras in the place of ranger
Fast healing Gain fast healing 1
lore and vice versa.
Fast movement +10 ft. to you and mount (if any) You can choose to give up normal ranger spellcasting, and
have your ranger levels instead provide Weak theurgy
Favored enemy Constant Quarry vs. 1 type towards your ki powers (Spellcasting Table 3 in Chapter
Favored weapon Weapon gains enhancements 7). Alternatively, you can give up your ki powers, in which
Feral state You gain claws, bite attack
case your monk levels provide Weak spellcasting theurgy.
Harper scout Multiclass with bard Finally, when using a ki attack power against a favored
enemy or quarry, add half your favored enemy/quarry
Hide in nature Concealment in favored terrain bonus to the DC of the saving throw (if applicable).
Hunting party Allies gain ½ quarry bonuses
Magic fang Permanent greater magic fang This lore supersedes the feat of the same name, from
Complete Adventurer, and also the Sohei’s “monastic mount”
Mettle As fighter class feature variant class feature, from Ultimate Combat.
Ordained hunter Multiclass with cleric Barkskin (Su): You gain a +1 natural armor bonus to AC,
Outlaw hunter Multiclass with rogue or any existing natural armor bonus increases by +1. This
bonus improves by +1 per 3 class levels you possess, to a
Ranger knight Multiclass with fighter maximum bonus of +7 at 18th level. If desired, you can
Ranger mage Multiclass with sorcerer/wizard cosmetically indicate this effect by having small shoots and
leaves grow in your hair, etc.
Ranger’s luck Bonus hero point (1/6 levels) If you have another class feature that improves natural
Savage hunter Multiclass with barbarian armor (such as the fighter’s armored skin talent or the monk’s
Scent Gain scent special ability iron skin sutra), you do not gain the separate benefits from
each; instead, your levels those classes stack in order to
Silver weapons Weapons penetrate DR determine a single improvement.
Spiritual hunter Multiclass with druid Combat Style Feat: You can gain an extra combat style
feat (q.v.) in place of an item of ranger lore. This feat must be
Spiritual bond Shield other (animal companion) chosen from the list of combat style feats available to a ranger
Stoneskin Gain DR /+1 or better of your class level with your combat style (i.e., you cannot
Trapfinding As rogue talent choose a higher-level feat, or a feat from a different combat
style).
Twilight luck Luck bonus to saving throws
Whispers of the Gain augury and/or divination
forest
Wrankletaste Nauseates biting opponents
Domain Bond (Su): Choose one of the following domains: Fast Healing (Ex): You gain fast healing 1 (acid, fire, and
Animal, Archery, Consecrated Harrier*, Liberation, Plant, negative energy damage are healed at the normal rate). You
Rune, Sun, Travel, Weather, Winter. You gain Domain Access must be at least 5th level to select this lore. You may select
(proviing bonus spells as shown in Spellcasting Table 1 in this lore multiple times; the effects stack.
Chapter 7) and Improved Domain Access for the selected Fast Movement (Ex): Your base land speed increases by
domain as bonus feats. (Selecting the Rune domain allows 10 ft. Until you gain the Tireless ability at 3rd level, this
the ranger to represent the 2nd edition Runecaster base benefit applies only when you are wearing no armor, light
class, from the Vikings Campaign Sourcebook.) armor, or medium armor, and not carrying a heavy load. Apply
Special: The Consecrated Harrier prestige class from this bonus before modifying your speed because of any load
Complere Divine, can be simulated using Domain Bond with carried or armor worn. This bonus stacks with any other
the Consecrated Harrier domain (see below) and selecting bonuses to your land speed. This option was presented in
Favored Enemy (heretics) as an additional ranger lore. Complete Warrior.
Consecrated Harrier Domain spells: 1st—command, 2nd If you have an animal companion (q.v.) that also serves as a
—see invisibility, 3rd—crushing despair, 4th—dismissal, 5th mount, it gains the benefits of this ability whenever you are
—false vision, 6th—greater dispel magic, 7th—greater mounted on it.
scrying, 8th—discern location, 9th—foresight.
Granted Powers:
Sanctified Sight (Ex): You gain a +4 sacred bonus on
saving thows against illusions.
Dispel Magic (Sp): Starting at 4th level, you can use dispel
magic as a spell-like ability a number of times per day
equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum 1/day). When
using this against favored enemies, add your favored
enemy bonus as a sacred bonus to the dispelling check.
Dragon Hunter (Ex): Your melee and ranged attacks
ignore 1 point of natural armor per 2 class levels you possess.
Empathic Link, Improved (Su): You gain an improved
empathic link with all bonded companions (if any) you gained
through your Mark of the Wild ability. This functions like an
empathic link with a familiar, except you can also see through
a companion’s eyes as a swift action, maintaining this
connection as long as you like (as long as the companion is
within 1 mile) and ending it as a free action. You can only see
through the eyes of one companion at a time, and are blinded
while maintaining this connection. Source: Advanced Player’s
Guide.
Energy Resistance (Ex): You gain resistance 5 to acid,
cold, electricity, fire, force, negative energy, positive energy, or
sonic attacks. This resistance increases by 5 for every 3
ranger levels you possess, to a maximum resistance of 35 at
18th level. At 20th level, you are immune. You may select this
lore multiple times; each time, choose a new energy type.
Evasion (Ex): As the rogue class feature of the same name.
If you have at least 11 levels in Ranger, you also gain
Improved Evasion (you do not gain Greater Evasion)
Familiar (Ex): You gain a familiar, as the wizard class
feature. Your functional wizard level for determining the
abilities of the familiar is equal to your number of ranks in
Concentration. You do not lose experience points if your
familiar is slain, and you require only 24 hours to replace one
that is lost. Your familiar has total hit points equal to 3/4 of
your own hit points, rather than half as per a wizard’s
familiar. The familiar gains the ability to speak with other
animals of its kind when you have an effective master level of
1st, rather than 7th. When you reach an effective master level
of 7th, you can speak with animals of your companion's kind,
as per speak with animals. This is a supernatural ability that
functions constantly, and it requires only a free action to
reactivate if somehow dispelled. (Source: Cityscape web
enhancement.)
Favored Enemy (Ex): Select a type of creature from among
those listed on the table below (if you choose humanoids or
outsiders as a favored enemy, you must also choose an
associated subtype, as indicated on the table). Against
creatures of that type, the following apply:
You always treat all creatures of the designated type as
Quarry, without needing to use that class feature. This is
an exception to the rule against having only one quarry at
a time.
Your favored enemy bonus applies as a competence bonus
to Knowledge or related skill checks when attempting to
identify favored enemies and their weaknesses. You can
make such checks untrained.
If you have chaotic outsiders and oozes as a favored
enemy, you can score critical hits and precision damage
against oozes.
If you have constructs and undead as a favored enemy,
these creature types are no longer immune to any feats,
fighter talents, or ki powers you possess that normally
allow a Fortitude save. In addition, constructs and undead
damaged to less than half their full hp total by your attacks
take penalties as if fatigued; those to below one-fourth as if
exhausted. This subsumes the Bane of the Clockwork
variant class feature, from Dragon magazine (issue 351).
Having a favored enemy of any type makes you eligible for
Hunter feats (Appendix C).
TABLE: RANGER FAVORED ENEMIES
Animals, magical beasts, and vermin
Arcanists1
Dragons
Fey and plants
Giants, monstrous humanoids, and uncivilized
humanoids2
Humanoids (civilized)3
Organization (select one)4
Outsiders (chaotic) and oozes
Outsiders (elemental) and elementals
Outsiders (lower planar) and aberrations
Outsiders (upper planar)
Outsiders (other: native, astral, shadow, etc.)
Slavers5
Undead and constructs
1 Includes any creatures capable of casting arcane spells
or using invocations or spell-like abilities, per the variant
described in Complete Mage,
2 In the Aviona setting, this includes orcs, goblins, hill
dwarves, wood elves, etc. This broad category emulates the
1st edition ranger’s bonus against “giant class” opponents.
3 In the Aviona setting, this includes humans, mountain
dwarves, high elves, halflings, etc.
4 Choose one type of organization: e.g., churches, police
departments, criminal gangs, etc.
5 Includes slave owners, per the Steel Falcon prestige class
in Andoran: Spirit of Liberty.
If a specific creature falls into more than one category of
favored enemy, the bonuses do not stack; you simply use
whichever bonus is higher. You may select this lore multiple
times; each time, choose a new favored enemy type from the
table.
Favored enemies not listed can be allowed by player and
referee agreement, using the ones shown above as
guidelines.
Favored Weapon (Su): By calling upon the aid of nature
spirits when you prepare spells (or regain spell slots), you can
imbue your weapon with a +1 enhancement bonus per level
of the highest-level spell you prepare. This bonus can be
added to the weapon, stacking with existing weapon bonuses
to a maximum of +5. Alternatively, as long as the weapon
retains a bundled enhancement bonus of at least +1,
additional enhancement bonus can be traded in for other
magical properties as described in Chapter 6. The bonus and
properties granted are determined when you prepare spells
and cannot be changed until the spirits are called again (i.e.,
the next time you prepare or regain spells). The weapon has
no additional bonuses if held by anyone other than you, but
they resume if the weapon is returned to you. These bonuses
apply to only one end of a double weapon.
As you use up your prepared spells, you must choose which
properties to remove from the weapon. Any property which is
only partially active is considered totally negated, unless it
can be downgraded without actually changing it. For
example, a 10th level ranger (3rd level spells, +3 in bonuses)
might imbue his masterwork bow as a +1 weapon, trade the
additional +2 for 12,000 numen, and used that to purchase
the greater shock (+3d6) property. Upon using his 3rd level
spell, he would have insufficient numen to maintain the
greater shock effect, and could reduce it to shock (+1d6)
instead. If he’d instead spent the 12,000 numen on the keen
property, he’d simply lose that property, as 6,000 numen is
insuffient to maintain it and it cannot be downgraded.
Feral State (Su): By living like a wild animal, you have
regressed to a more bestial state. Your hands and feet
become claws dealing 1d6 base damage, and your teeth
lengthen and grow pointed, giving you a bite attack dealing a
base 1d8 damage. You must sleep in natural environments,
never inside buildings, unless forced by circumstances.
Furthermore, you cannot purchase food—you must obtain it
by hunting, gathering, begging, or stealing. Some even give up
speech, the use of fire and tools, and all possessions, but such
extremes are not required. This lore, in conjunction with the
Savage Hunter lore, largely supersedes the Fist of the Forest
prestige class from Complete Champion.
Harper Scout (Ex): You can gain this lore only if you have
at least one level in bard. Thereafter, you may learn ranger
lore in the place of bardic lore, and vice versa. Your effective
level in each class for purposes of adjudicating level-
dependent effects of lore is equal to your level in the class
granting the lore plus half your level in the other class. You
may qualify for advanced ranger lore if your effective ranger
level derived in this manner is 11th or higher. You gain the
following additional benefits.
 Your bard level provides Weak synergy for purposes of
determining your tracking abilities and the level at which
they operate. For example, a ranger 8/bard 6 would have
an effective ranger level of 11th when calculating the
effects of range lore, could select advanced ranger lore in
the place of ranger lore, would gain a +5 bonus to Survival
checks to track and would have the planar tracking ability
in addition to direction sense, swift tracker, and anchored
navigation.
Your ranger levels provide Weak theurgy towards your
arcane spellcasting ability. This supersedes your ranger
spellcasting, although you still have access to all spells on
the ranger list as if they were bard spells of the
appropriate level.
Finally, your ranger level provides Weak synergy to your
bard level for purposes of determining the DC and
number of rounds of inspiration per day, and your bardic
college.
Hide in Nature (Ex): While in one of your favored terrains,
you gain a miss chance equal to your favored terrain bonus x
5%. This works similarly to a blur spell, except that this is an
extraordinary ability that cannot be dispelled.
Hunting Party (Ex): You can spend a swift action to grant
half your quarry or favored enemy bonuses to companions
within 30 feet who can see and hear you. If you have the
Favored Defense or Favored Dodge feat, half of those
bonuses apply to affected allies as well. These bonuses last
for 1 minute. These bonuses do not stack with any favored
enemy bonuses possessed by your allies; they use whichever
bonus is higher.
Magic Fang (Su): You or your bonded companion(s) (if
applicable) gains the effects of a permanent greater magic
fang spell. You may gain this lore twice, in order to have it
apply to you and to your bonded companion(s).
Mettle (Ex): If you make a successful Fortitude or Will
save against an attack that would normally have a lesser
effect on a save (such as any spell with a saving throw of
Fortitude Partial), you instead completely negate the effect.
Ordained Hunter (Ex): You must have at least one level of
cleric, archivist, or incarnate to select this lore. You gain the
following benefits:
Your ranger levels provide Weak theurgy towards your
divine spellcasting ability (Spellcasting Table 3 in Chapter
7). This supersedes your ranger spellcasting, although you
still have access to all spells on the ranger list as if they
were cleric spells of the appropriate level.
Your ranger level also provides Strong synergy to your
cleric or archivist level for purposes of determining your
channel energy dice and save DC; or to your incarnate
level for purposes of determining your incarnate
resistance and the level at which your revelations function.
Your cleric, archivist, or incarnate level provides Weak
synergy to your ranger level for purposes of determining
the effective level at which your ranger lore functions (not
including this one, per the Class Synergy Features rules in
the Introduction).
Outlaw Hunter (Ex): You must have at least one level in
rogue to gain this lore. Thereafter, you can select rogue
talents (combat talents or skill talents) in the place of ranger
lore, and vice versa. You gain the following additional
benefits:
Your ranger level provides Weak synergy to your rogue
level when determining your sneak attack damage, the
level-dependent effects of your rogue talents, and for
purposes of qualifying for advanced rogue talents. For
example, a 6th level ranger/7th level rogue would have an
effective rogue level of 10th when determining the effects
of rogue talents, would qualify for advanced rogue talents,
and would have sneak attack +5d6 (as a 10th level rogue).
Your rogue level provides Weak synergy when determining
your effective ranger level for any level-dependent ranger
lore, and for purposes of qualifying for advanced lore. For
example, an 8th level ranger/6th level rogue would have an
effective ranger level of 11th when determining the effects
of ranger lore, and can choose advanced lore in the place
of normal ranger lore.
You can choose to give up ranger spellcasting. If you do so,
your ranger levels provide Weak theurgy towards your
rogue skill tricks (see Spellcasting Table 3 in Chapter 7).
Ranger Knight (Ex): You must have at least one level in
fighter to gain this lore. Thereafter, you can select fighter
talents in the place of ranger lore, and vice versa. You gain
the following additional benefits:
Your ranger level provides Strong synergy to your fighter
level when determining the level-dependent effects of your
fighter talents, for purposes of qualifying for advanced
fighter talents, and when determining the effects of your
onslaught of blows ability. For example, a 6th level
ranger/7th level fighter would have an effective fighter level
of 11th when determining the effects of fighter talents,
would qualify for advanced fighter talents, and would
make weapon attacks without iterative penalties.
Your fighter level provides Weak synergy to your ranger
level when determining your effective ranger level for any
level-dependent ranger lore, and for purposes of qualifying
for advanced lore. For example, an 8th level ranger/6th
level fighter would have an effective ranger level of 11th
when determining the effects of ranger lore, and can
choose advanced lore in the place of normal ranger lore.
Ranger Mage (Su): Add all sorcerer/wizard spells of the
appropriate levels to your class spells list. You also gain the
following multiclassing benefits:
Your ranger levels provide Weak theurgy towards your
arcane spellcasting ability (Spellcasting Table 3 in
Chapter 7). This supersedes your ranger spellcasting,
although you still have access to all spells on the ranger
list as if they were wizard/sorcerer spells of the
appropriate level. Your ranger level also provides Weak
synergy for determining the effects of your bloodline
and/or arcane school powers

For purposes of determining the effects of ranger lore you
possess (except this one), and for qualifying for advanced
lore, your arcane spellcaster levels provide Weak synery to
your ranger level. You can gain ranger lore in the place of
wizard school powers.
Special: If you also have the druidical theurgy ability or
ordained hunter lore (q.v.), ranger levels do not count towards
both spellcasting progressions; you choose one or the other.
Ranger’s Luck (Ex): You must be at least 6th level to gain
this lore. You gain one free Hero Point (see “Variations in the
Core Rule Mechanics”) each day per 6 class levels you
possess. Unlike normal hero points, these cannot be
accumulated; if you start the next day with the previous day’s
bonus points unspent, they are lost in favor of the new ones.
This supersedes the ability of the same name from the
Advanced Player’s Guide.
Savage Hunter (Ex): You must have at least one level in
barbarian to gain this lore. Your ranger level provides Strong
synergy to your barbarian level for purposes of determining
the type of rage you have available (improved, greater, mighty,
etc.) and your attribute bonuses from rage, for determining
the number of rounds of rage per day you can sustain, and for
determining the level-dependent effects of rage powers.
Your barbarian level provides Weak synergy to your ranger
level when determining the level-dependent effects of ranger
lore, and for purposes of qualifying for advanced lore. You can
learn ranger lore in the place of rage powers, and advanced
lore in the place of greater rage powers, or you can learn new
rage powers in the place of ranger lore.
Scent (Ex): You gain the scent special quality (see
clarifications under the Perception skill heading). When
tracking, you ignore the effects of surface conditions and poor
visibility.
Silver Weapons (Su): All melee weapons you wield, as
well as all projectiles you throw or fire, and all of your
unarmed and natural attacks, are capable of penetrating
damage reduction as if they had an enhancement bonus of +1.
The effective enhancement bonus for purposes of penetrating
DR increases by an additional +1 per 4 class levels you
possess (so that they penetrate DR/+5 or adamantine at 16th
level).
Spiritual Bond (Su): As an immediate action, you can
activate a two-way shield other effect between you and one or
more of your bonded companions, sharing the damage
equally between those affected. This effect lasts until you
dispel it as a free action. Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Spiritual Hunter (Ex): This lore is most effective when
combined with the druidical theurgy spellcasting option.
When multiclassing with druid, you gain the following
additional benefits:
Your druid levels provide Full synergy for determining
ranger tracking abilities gained (tracker, direction sense,
swift tracker, wilderness guide, anchored navigation,
planar tracking, nondetection, find the path, unerring
tracker, and personal preserve) and the class level at
which they operate.
Your ranger levels provide Weak synergy towards gaining
and using the abilities of one druidic initiation.
Stoneskin (Ex): You gain damage reduction, to an amount
equal to half your class level. This damage reduction is
penetrated by the following, depending on your class level:
Level DR Penetrated By
1 Magic (+1), silver, cold iron, or adamantine
5 +2, silver, cold iron, or adamantine
10 +3, cold iron, or adamantine
15 +4 or adamantine
20 +5 or adamantine
Twilight Luck (Su): You receive a +2 luck bonus to all
saving throws. You can select this lore multiple times; each
time after the first, the bonus increases by +1.
Whispers of the Forest (Sp): When you are in one of your
favored terrains, the plants, trees, and rocks speak to you,
bringing you news. These voices give you a short answer to
any simple question you pose pertaining to current events in
the area, as an augury spell. Questions about distant events
require 1 minute per mile of distance to answer. At the
referee's discretion, when the forest deems an issue
important, the whispers bring you news without your request.
Starting at 12th level, you can gain augury-like results even
when not in one of your favored terrains. When in your
favored terrain, the effect improves to be equal to a divination
spell. This lore supersedes the Forest Reeve’s “whispers of
the forest” prestige class feature, from Complete Champion,
and the Spirit Ranger’s spirit bond and wisdom of the spirits
variant class features from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Wrankletaste (Ex): The hardness of your existence has
left your very flesh unpalatable. Any creature that bites,
engulfs, or swallows you must succeed a Fortitude saving
throw (DC 10 + half your class level + your Constitution
modifier) or be sickened for 1d4 rounds. Starting at 11th
level, the victim is nauseated instead of sickened.
Advanced Ranger Lore
Advanced Lore Description
Blinding speed Haste 1 round/level per day
Deadly sniper All ranges are point-blank
Freedom of movement As spell, but permanent
Ghost warrior Ghost touch weapons, armor
Indomitable mind Immune to mind-affecting
Mutliplanar skirmish Quickened blink
Regeneration Fast healing becomes regen.
Spell reflection Reflects ranged attack spells
Wilderness whispers Cannot be surprised
Wind walk As spell-like ability, 1/day
Wraithstrike Touch attacks; 1/day per level
Blinding Speed (Sp): You can act as if hasted for 1 round
per day per ranger level you possess. The duration of the
effect need not be consecutive rounds. Activating this power
is a free action. You can gain this lore multiple times. Each
time, it grants an additional number of daily rounds of use
equal to half your ranger level.
Deadly Sniper (Ex): You must have the Point-Blank Shot If a single spell or ability misses you more than once at the
feat to select this talent, which provides the following same time (such as scorching ray cast by a high-level
benefits. caster), you can redirect each portion of the spell that
All distances up to your maximum range are considered missed. For example, if you were missed by two of the
point-blank range for you. If you have the sneak attack three rays from an 11th level wizard's scorching ray spell,
ability, you may make sneak attacks within this range. you could redirect only those two rays (but not the one
that hit).
When hidden, you can make one or more ranged attacks If you have spell resistance from some source, when a
against a target at least 10 ft. away, then immediately hide spell or spell-like ability targeting you fails to overcome
again as a free action. The penalty to do so (normally –20) your spell resistance, you may reflect the effect onto its
is reduced by a number equal to your ranger class level. caster (as spell turning).
If you have the Vital Strike feat and use it to make a single
shot with a crossbow or long firearm while sniping, you This talent subsumes both the variant class feature of the
double the bonus damage from that feat. same name, and also the Spell Sense variant class feature,
from Complete Mage.
This ability supersedes the “stealthy sniper” talent from the Wilderness Whispers (Su): While within any of your
Advanced Player’s Guide and also the Deadly Sniper feat favored terrains for which you have terrain mastery (q.v.), you
from the Collected Book of Experimental Might (Malhavoc cannot be surprised and always act as if you had rolled a
Press). natural 20 on any initiative check. This lore supersedes the
Freedom of Movement (Ex): You have perpetual freedom Warden’s variant class feature of the same name, from
of movement, as the spell, except this is an extraordinary Ultimate Combat.
ability that cannot be dispelled. This lore supersedes the Wind Walk (Sp): Once per day, you can shift partway to
variant class feature of the same name, from Complete another plane (alone or with companions). Treat this ability as
Warrior. the wind walk spell, except you can use it as a spell-like
Ghost Warrior (Su): Your mastery of different planar ability.
conditions allows you to strike incorporeal and ethereal Wraithstrike (Su): Your movement through the planes is
opponents as if they were corporeal, and to more effectively so certain that you can selectively phase weapons in and out
defend yourself from their attacks. All of your weapons and of the material plane. As a swift action, all attacks you make
armor are treated as if they had the ghost touch property for ignore armor and shield bonuses to AC for 1 round. You can
as long as you use them; this property affects ethereal as well use this ability a number of times per day equal to your
as incorporeal targets. ranger level. You must already have the ghost warrior lore
Indomitable Mind (Ex): You are immune to all mind- (q.v.) to select this advanced lore.
affecting spells and abilities except those designated as
[harmless], such as bless and heroism. This lore supersedes
the variant class feature of the same name, from Dragon
magazine #340.
Multiplanar Skirmish (Sp): You are so adept at finding
your way through the planes that you can cause yourself to
flicker between two adjacent planes, appearing and
disappearing randomly from one to the other. Once per day
as a swift action, you gain the effects of a blink spell; each
“blink” counts as 5 feet of movement for purposes of the
Skirmish feat. This effect lasts up to 1 round per class level
you possess. For every 2 class levels above 12th you possess,
you can use this ability an additional time per day (e.g., 5/day
at 20th level).
Regeneration (Ex): You must already have fast healing to
gain this lore. Your fast healing becomes regeneration
instead (fire, acid, and negative energy deal normal damage).
Spell Reflection (Su): You gain a +4 dodge bonus against
spells and spell-like abilities that require attack rolls.
If an enemy misses with a spell, spell-like ability, or
supernatural ability aimed at you, you can use an
immediate action to redirect the effect back at its
originator. The spell or ability attacks the original caster
(who makes a new attack roll using the same attack bonus
as the original attack). If it hits, the caster is subject to the
normal effect of the spell or ability. This effect applies only
to spells and spell-like abilities that require an attack roll.
Other spells and spell-like abilities that affect a target
aren't subject to this reflection.
APPENDIX C: RANGER FEATS
These feats rely on ranger class features; they are therefore
listed here rather than in Chapter 5.
Dragonslayer [Combat]
Prerequisite: Favored enemy (dragons).
Benefit: You gain evasion (as the rogue class feature of the
same name) against breath weapons. This ability improves
with your favored enemy bonus, as follows:
+4: You also gain evasion against the spell-like abilities
and supernatural abilities of creatures of the dragon type
(or sorcerers with the draconic bloodline).
+6: You gain improved evasion against breath weapons.
+8: You also gain improved evasion against the spell-like
abilities and supernatural abilities of creatures of the
dragon type (or sorcerers with the draconic bloodline).
+10: You gain greater evasion against breath weapons.
Source: This feat supersedes the Oathsworn paladin’s
breath evasion ability, from Ultimate Magic.
Hunter’s Critical [Combat]
Prerequisites: Quarry and/or favored enemy bonus +3.
Benefit: Select one of your favored enemy types that is
normally subject to critical hits. Whenever you attack this
type of creature, the threat range of whatever weapon you are
using increases by 1 (e.g., a longsword goes ftom 19-20/x2 to
18-20/x2). Oter effects that expand the critical threat range
(keen, Improved Critical) are always applied first.
If the creature type is not normally subject to critical hits
(e.g., constructs and oozes), you are able to score critical hits
against that enemy anyway, but using the normal threat
range.
For every additional +3 to your favored enemy/ quarry
bonus, this feat expands your threat range by an additional +1
(e.g., from 18-20/x2 to 17-20/x2 at a +6 bonus, and 16-20/x2
at a bonus of +9 or higher).
Source: Masters of the Wild. This feat also duplicates the
Slayer’s Knack feat from Ultimate Combat.
Hunter’s Defense [Combat]
Prerequisite: Favored enemy.
Benefit: Select a favored enemy type. You add your favored
enemy bonus as an insight bonus to saving throws against the
extraordinary, spell-like, and supernatural abilities of enemies
of that type.
Source: This feat supersedes the Halfling Ranger
substitution level, from Dragon magazine, issue 341.
Hunter’s Dodge [Combat]
Prerequisite: Quary and/or favored enemy.
Benefit: Select a favored enemy type. When fighting a
favored enemy or creature designated as your quarry (q.v.),
you may apply your quarry bonus as a dodge bonus to your
Armor Class and CMD. This bonus applies against creatures
of the appropriate type (and/or your quarry) only.
Source: Dragon magazine, issue 335. This feat also
supersedes the Favored Defense feat from the Advanced
Player’s Guide.
Hunter’s Power [Combat]
Prerequisites: Quarry.
Benefit: When you use the Power Attack feat against your
quarry, the bonus damage is increased by an amount equal to
the attack penalty, as per the fighter’s Greater Power Attack
talent (q.v.).
Source: Complete Warrior.
Quarry, Practiced
Prerequisite: Quarry and/or favored enemy.
Benefit: Calculate your favored enemy and quarry bonuses
as if your class level were 4 higher than is actually the case,
to a maximum effective ranger level equal to your total
number of Hit Dice.
Special: The effects of feat stack with class synergy
features improving your effective ranger level; this a specific
exception to the non-stacking rule. Your total limit based on
effective character level remains in force.
Terrain Defense [Combat]
The very trees and rocks of your favored terrain move to your
defense.
Prerequisite: Favored terrain.
Benefit: While in a favored terrain, apply your favored
terrain bonus as a shield bonus to your AC and CMD.
Source: This feat stands in for the Nature Warden’s mystic
harmony prestige class feature from the Advanced Players
Guide; the Guardian of the Wild feat from the Advanced Race
Guide; and also subsumes the Desert Fighter, Jungle Fighter,
and Mountain Fighter feats from Dragon magazine #318.
Tracker, Practiced
Prerequisite: Tracker class feature.
Benefit: For purposes of ranger tracking class features,
treat your effective ranger level as 4 higher than is actually
the case, to a maximum equal to your total number of ranks
in Survival. These features, and the level breaks at which they
are gained, are as follows: 2nd—tracker; 4th—direction sense;
6th—swift tracker; 8th—wilderness guide; 10th—anchored
navigation; 12th—planar tracking; 14th—nondetection; 16th
—find the path; 18th—unerring tracker; 20th—personal
preserve.
Special: The effects of feat stack with class synergy
features improving your effective ranger level; this a specific
exception to the non-stacking rule. Your total limit based on
effective character level, as described in Chapter 1, remains in
force.
Rogue
This revision of the rogue class focuses on skills use and
“Is this the conduct of a ‘sly and unpredictable villain’?” underhanded fighting. Ambush talents, that apply to the
“Decidedly so, if the villain, for the purposes of his joke, rogue’s signature sneak attack ability, have been rolled into
thinks to simulate the altruist.”
the Strike feats mechanic, using the Opportune Strike ability
to bridge the gap. In order to reinforce this competency,
“Then how will you know villain from altruist?”
combat talents are gained every 3 levels. Skills use is
Cugel shrugged. “It is not an important distinction.” bolstered by the new uses for class skills (Chapter 4) and the
―Jack Vance, Cugel’s Saga (1983) large number of skills on the class skills list, by acquisition of
free Skill Focus feats, and by skill tricks that allow seemingly
magical use of skills.
Classic rogues from folklore and fiction include Reynard
the Fox, Brer Rabbit, Cugel the Clever (quoted above), the
Gray Mouser (from Fritz Leiber’s “Lankhmar” Saga), Slippery
Jim DiGriz (from Harry Harrison’s The Stainless Steel Rat),
Kiera the Thief (from Steven Brust’s Jhereg novels), Han Solo
and Lando Calrissian (from the Star Wars films), Burke (from
Andrew Vachss’ novels), and even James Bond.
Level Base Attack Bonus Skill Trick Capacity Special
1st +0 1st Alertness, opportune strike, sneak attack +1d6, weapon finesse
2nd +1 2nd Evasion, general talent
3rd +2 2nd Combat talent, sneak attack +2d6
4th +3 4th General talent, sneak attack +3d6
6th +4 4th Combat talent, rogue’s luck (1/day)
7th +5 5th Jack of all trades (untrained), sneak attack +4d6
8th +6/+1 6th General talent, skill focus
9th +6/+1 6th Combat talent, improved sneak attack +5d6
10th +7/+2 7th Improved evasion, network of contacts
11th +8/+3 8th Advanced general talent, sneak attack +6d6
12th +9/+4 8th Advanced combat talent, rogue’s luck (2/day), skill focus
13th +9/+4 9th Skill focus, sneak attack +7d6
14th +10/+5 10th Advanced general talent
15th +11/+6/+6 10th Advanced combat talent, sneak attack +8d6
16th +12/+7/+7 11th Jack of all trades (class skills), skill focus
17th +12/+7/+7 12th Advanced general talent, sneak attack +9d6
18th +13/+8/+8 12th Advanced combat talent, greater evasion, rogue’s luck (3/day)
19th +14/+9/+9 13th Greater sneak attack +10d6
20th +15/+10/+10 14th Advanced general talent, skill focus

Saving Throws: Rogues gain a +2 class bonus to Reflex
and Intuition saves.
Bonus Skills: Rogues are alert for danger, and are adept at
remaining hidden from it, escaping from it, and talking their
way out of it. You receive 1 free rank per class level in Bluff,
Escape Artist, Perception, Stealth, and Streetwise. These
bonus skills are otherwise treated as class skills, but do not
count against your total number of skill points.
Class Skills: Acrobatics, Athletics, Concentration, Craft
(all), Diplomacy, Disable Device, Knowledge (linguistics),
Knowledge (lore), Perform (all), Planar Sense, Profession
(all), Sleight of Hand, Spellcraft. A rogue of at least 16th level
treats all skills as class skills.
Skill Ranks per Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Favored Class: When gaining a level of rogue as a favored
class, rather than choosing +1 hp or skill point, you can
instead choose a weapon with which you have at least Martial
proficiency, and add a +1 circumstance bonus on critical hit
confirmation rolls with that weapon (maximum bonus of +4,
at which point this ability is equivalent to the Critical Focus
feat for that weapon and counts as that feat for meeting
prerequisites). This ability does not stack with the Critical
Focus feat.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Rogues have Simple
proficiency with all weapons, plus Martial proficiency with
crossbows, darts, light blades, short bows, and the sap. They
are proficient with light armor, but not with shields. You can
choose to trade light armor proficiency for the Canny Defense
or Dodge feat, at your option (in either case, you gain the
bonuses only when unarmored).
Alertness (Ex): Rogues have an innate knack for sensing
danger. You gain Alertness as a bonus feat at 1st level.
Opportune Strike (Ex): Rogues are adept at seizing
opportunities in combat. You can use your total rogue level in
place of your base attack bonus derived from rogue levels for
a number of abilities and feats that scale with your base
attack bonus. For example, an 11th level rogue, in some
cases, treats his BAB as if it were +11, rather than +8.
Opportune Strike applies to the following:
When determining your number of immediate actions in
combat (Chapter 1).
For purposes of qualifying for and determining the effects
of [Strike] feats (Chapter 5).
For purposes of determining the effects certain other
combat feats (e.g., Precise Shot), as listed in their
descriptions.
Skill Tricks (Sp): You are so sure in the use of certain
skills that you can perform seemingly magical feats with
them. You know only a limited number of such tricks,
according to the progression in Table 1 (referencing
Spellcasting Table 1 in the Introduction), except that there
are no 0-level skill tricks. You gain bonus tricks based on your
Intelligence modifier (much as a wizard gains bonus spells
per day), and a rogue with an intelligence of 8 or lower learns
1 fewer skill trick per level. You do not gain bonus tricks other
than for high intelligence (i.e., ignore the “+1” notation in
Spellcasting Table 1 in the Introduction).
There is no minimum Intelligence score needed to use
most skill tricks. However, you must have a minimum number
of ranks in the relevant skill equal to (2 x the level of the skill
trick) -1. Skill tricks require no verbal, material, or focus
components.
Unless otherwise noted, using a skill trick requires a full-
round action, unless the talent in question involves movement
(such as dimension door, feather fall, and spider climb), in
which case the action of using the skill trick is part of the
movement (re-activation is needed each round of movement).
“Swift” tricks are usable as a swift action, but last only until
the beginning of your next turn. Spells with longer casting
times than 1 round take equally long to activate as skill tricks.
Skill tricks such as expeditious retreat, that provide some
enhancement or benefit (“buff”) to the target, can be used
only on yourself. Also note the restrictions on skill-boosting
spells in Chapter 7.
Unlike spells, skill tricks are not limited by “uses per day.”
Instead, to successfully pull off a trick you are attempting, you
must succeed at a skill check at DC 10 + (4 x the spell level of
the skill trick). As spell-like abilities, skill tricks can be
disrupted in combat (see Concentration skill), but you make a
relevant skill check in place of the Concentration check..
Likewise, your initiator level (i.e., effective caster level) is
equal to your number of ranks in the applicable skill, rather
than your number of ranks in Concentration. Saving throw
DCs, if applicable, are determined using the applicable
attribute modifier for that skill (10 + level of skill trick +
relevant attribute modifier).
A list of skill tricks, sorted by level and relevant skill, is
provided in Appendix A.
Sneak Attack (Ex): If you can catch an opponent when he
is unable to defend himself effectively from your attack, you
can hit a vital spot for extra damage. The attack deals extra
damage whenever any of the following apply:
Your target is flat-footed or would otherwise be denied a
Dexterity bonus to AC (whether the target actually has a
Dexterity bonus or not).
When you flank the target (i.e., receive an Aid Another
bonus to attacks against it, as described in Chapter 1).
When you attack a target that is not aware of your
presence.
This extra damage is 1d6 at 1st level, and increases by 1d6
every two rogue levels thereafter. Should you score a critical
hit with a sneak attack, this extra damage is not multiplied.
Normally, ranged attacks can count as sneak attacks only if
the target is within point blank range (normally 30 feet,
although the Point-Blank Shot feat can expand this range). As
a full attack action, you can make a single ranged sneak
attack at any range.
You must be able to see the target well enough to pick out a
vital spot and must be able to reach such a spot. Normally,
you cannot make melee sneak attacks against opponents with
concealment. The Blind-Fight feat enables you to make melee
sneak attacks in melee against opponents with concealment;
the Precise Shot feat allows you to make ranged sneak
attacks against opponents with concealment, as detailed in
the feat descriptions. Your Opportune Strike ability (q.v.)
applies to both of those feats.
With a weapon that deals nonlethal damage (like a sap,
whip, or an unarmed attack), you can make a sneak attack
that deals nonlethal damage instead of lethal damage. You
cannot use a weapon that deals lethal damage to deal
nonlethal damage in a sneak attack, not even with the usual –
4 penalty, unless you have the Enforcer talent (q.v.). You
cannot use splash weapons to deal sneak attack damage
unless you have the Grenadier talent (q.v.).
If you make a sneak attack during a surprise round with a
concealed weapon that the opponent does not know about,
your sneak attack damage is automatically maximized if you
succeed at a Sleight of Hand check made as part of the attack
(DC 10 + the opponent’s base attack bonus). Your sneak
attack damage is also maximized when used against a
creature that is totally unaware of your presence and is not
expecting to be in immediate danger. You can use a
maximized sneak attack in this manner only once on any
particular creature; thereafter, it will be wary of such a trick
from you (even when surprised). This function supersedes the
“underhanded” talent from Ultimate Combat.
Synergy: You can add the effects of any one strike you
know (see “Combat Feats, Strikes” in Chapter 5) to any sneak
attack that successfully deals damage, even if the normal
activating conditions are not met. You cannot add Vital Strike
to sneak attacks in this manner, however. Also, this synergy
does not apply to sneak attacks made with splash weapons
using the Grenadier talent (Appendix C).
Weapon Finesse: You gain Weapon Finesse as a bonus
feat at 1st level. Use the Rogue's level in place of his BAB for
determining its effects
Evasion (Ex): A rogue can avoid even magical and unusual
attacks with great agility. At 2nd level, you gain the following
abilities:
If you make a successful Reflex saving throw against an
attack that normally deals half damage on a successful
save, you instead take no damage. Evasion can be used
only if you are wearing light armor or no armor. A helpless
rogue does not gain the benefit of evasion.
When targeted by a ranged attack, you can choose to drop
prone as an immediate action, gaining the +4 bonus to AC.
You apply this bonus retroactively to the triggering attack.
(This ability supersedes the Gunslinger’s “leap for cover”
class feature from Ultimate Combat.)
When a swarm attacks you by ending its turn in your
space, you may attempt a Reflex save to avoid damage (DC
equal to the swarm’s distraction save DC + 10). If the save
succeeds, you also avoid any poison, blood drain, or
similar effects that normally result from damage by the
swarm. If you also have improved evasion (q.v.), it also
applies to swarm damage. You must still make a Fortitude
save to avoid distraction if you begin your turn in a space
occupied by a swarm. (This supersedes the Swarm
Dodger feat, from Osirion: Land of Pharaohs.)
General Talent: At 2nd level, you gain one rogue general
talent (Appendix B), representing a particular knack you have
picked up in your checkered career. You gain an additional
general talent for every 3 levels of rogue thereafter. Unless
otherwise noted, you cannot select an individual talent more
than once.
Combat Talent: For every 3 class levels you possess, you
gain a combat talent (Appendix C) representing your
knowledge of underhanded fighting techniques and ability to
seize upon openings. Unless otherwise noted, you must meet
all prerequisites normally.
Skill Focus: At 4th level, you gain Skill Focus in one class
skill as a bonus feat. You gain an additional skill focus every 4
class levels thereafter. This ability supersedes the Trapfinding
ability from the core rules, and also the various analogous
talents and variant class features from the Advanced Player’s
Guide.
Surprise Attacks (Ex): Starting at 4th level, opponents are
always considered flat-footed to you during a surprise round,
even if they have already acted. You can take a move action, a
standard action, and a swift action during a surprise round,
rather than being limited to a move action or a standard
action.
Synergy: If you also have the Spring Attack feat, you can
move, attack, and retreat during a surprise round (subject to
your maximum allowable movement), making a Stealth check
during your retreat to hide; this supersedes the “go
unnoticed” talent from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Rogue’s Luck (Ex): A skilled rogue can routinely pull off
seemingly impossible escapes and gambits. At 6th level, you
gain a free Hero Point (Chapter 1) each day. For every 6 levels
thereafter (i.e., at 12th and 18th levels), you gain an additional
bonus hero point per day. Unlike normal hero points, these
cannot be accumulated; if you start the next day with the
previous day’s bonus points unspent, they are lost in favor of
the new ones. Note that this ability largely supersedes the
Fortune’s Friend prestige class, from Complete Scoundrel.
Jack of All Trades (Ex): A rogue of 7th level or higher can
attempt untrained skill checks for all skills, even ones that do
not normally allow it. At 16th level, you treat all skills as class
skills.
Improved Sneak Attack (Ex): Starting at 9th level, any
attack against a cowering, dazed, grappled, off-balance,
panicked, prone, or sitting opponent is always considered a
sneak attack.
Improved Evasion (Ex): Starting at 10th level, you still
take no damage on a successful Reflex saving throw against
attacks, and also take only half damage on a failed save.
In addition, if you succeed on a Reflex save against a spell
or effect, you can choose to move out of the area of the
spell or effect as an immediate action. You must take the
shortest path available to you, and you can't move farther
than your speed. If more than one path of equal distance is
available, you can choose which path to use. If no such
path is available, you can't use this ability. This movement
provokes attacks of opportunity as normal for movement,
and emulates the “evasive skitter” racial substitution
feature from Races of the Dragon.
Instead of taking a full move, you can choose to take a 5-ft.
step and also make a Stealth check to hide. If the step
moves you to into cover, the Stealth check can be made
without penalty. This supersedes the Cunning Evasion
feat from the Players Handbook II.
A helpless rogue does not gain the benefit of improved
evasion.
Network of Contacts (Ex): By 10th level, you are assumed to
be a notorious underworld figure, celebrated secret agent,
master thief, or whatever, with your own
employees/underlings and/or contacts and “friends of
friends” all over the world. Treat this as the Leadership feat,
but use your Streetwise skill in place of the Diplomacy skill;
this limits your followers to rogues, members of NPC classes,
spies and/or criminals, and politicians.
Your permanent followers permit illegal activities to occur
close to your home base only with your approval; if you do
allow it, you are entitled to “wet your beak” and collect a 10%
“tax” (which is sufficient to pay for the housing and upkeep of
your followers, and for gifts to visiting bosses from
elsewhere). This puts considerable narrative power into your
hands (as opposed to the referee’s), insofar as you can declare
what illegal activities are undertaken in your area, and how
they are run.
If you leave some or all of your leadership potential
unassigned, whenever you are in any settlement, town, or city,
you may call in favor from someone you know, or who knows
someone you know. Treat this as gaining another follower, but
the effect lasts only as long as you remain in town and/or the
contact assists you, and the potential is then refunded to you.
Exact details on how calling in the favor works, who the NPC
is, etc., are subject to player and referee agreement, but it is
not out of the question to call in favors from politicians,
business leaders, a gang of thieves, or even adventurers,
assuming the CR falls within the limits you can afford.
If you also have the Leadership feat, you gain the effects of
that feat separately.
Advanced General Talents: Starting at 11th level,
whenever you become eligible for a new general talent, you
can select an advanced general talent instead.
Advanced Combat Talents: Starting at 12th level,
whenever you become eligible for a new combat talent, you
can select an advanced combat talent instead.
Greater Evasion (Ex): Upon reaching 18th level, you are
immune to all effects that normally allow a Reflex save. This
means that your Reflex save is effectively unbeatable (as if
you always rolled a natural “20”), except in the case of the
Defensive Roll talent and similar special cases. You are also
immune to the attacks of mobs and swarms.
Greater Sneak Attack (Ex): Starting at 19th level, any
attack against a blinded, cowering, dazed, dazzled, entangled,
frightened, grappled, kneeling, nauseated, off-balance,
panicked, prone, or sitting opponent is a sneak attack. Also,
when attacking from higher ground, all your attacks are
considered sneak attacks. This ability duplicates the “Using
the Advantage” feat, from the Collected Book of Experimental
Might (Malhavoc Press).

Appendix A: Skill Tricks
Examples of skill tricks, and their associated skills, are
provided below. These are not meant to represent all possible
tricks; rather, player ingenuity and referee judgment are
called for on a case-by-case basis. In addition to those listed,
you can learn Shadow Hand maneuvers (from the Tome of
Battle) as if they were skill tricks of the appropriate levels.
Non-core sources, indicated by superscripts, are cited in
Chapter 7.
1st Level Skill Tricks
Any: immediate assistanceCM
Acrobatics: accelerated movementCAd, catsfeetCM, feather
fall, feather stepAPG, rooftop striderRD, standPHII
Athletics: expeditious retreat, jump, quickswimSW, swift
expeditious retreatCAd
Bluff: bane, compelling questionAUG, delusional prideUM
(you can use this as an immediate action whenever you must
save vs. charm or compulsion), distract assailantCAd, incite
actionMH, innocenceAPG, interrogationUM, message,
persuasive goadUM, private conversationBEM3, unwitting
allyAPG
Craft (Alchemy): bomber’s eyeAPG, flare burstAPG
Craft (Toxicology): detect poison, extract drugBVD, quick
soberRR
Diplomacy: bless (affects others), charm person, friendly
faceRD
Disable Device: damp powderUC, detect secret doors, hold
portal, instant locksmithCAd, jury-rigUC, peacebondUC, safe
searchBEM3, understand objectWotC, weaken powderUC
Endurance: blissful sleepBEM3, invigorateAPG, remove
sicknessUM
Escape Artist: liberating commandUC, protection from
possessionGW, remove paralysis (you can use this on yourself
even when you are paralyzed)
Knowledge (Linguistics): comprehend languages, erase
Knowledge (Lore): identify, object loresightAUG
Knowledge (the Planes): detect undead
Knowledge (Warfare): phantom threatCM, tactical
acumenUC
Perception: alarm, guided shotCAd, instant searchCAd, keen
sensesAPG, longshotUC, seekerAUG, sniper’s shotCAd, true
strike, unerring weaponUC, vigilant slumberCM
Perform (Acting): combined talentCM, disguise self, Elina’s
wardrobeRR2, greater raimentAPG, haunted fey aspectUC,
illusion of calmUC, hypnotism, lock gazeUC, ventriloquism,
vocal alterationUM
Sleight of Hand: animate rope, cheatDN, mage hand, mirror
strikeUC, prestidigitation, shadow weaponUM
Spellcraft: detect magic, hex wardUM, magic aura
Stealth: mask dweomerAPG, obscure object, relative
identityRRO, remove scentWotC, vanishAPG
Streetwise: locate cityRD
2nd Level Skill Tricks
Acrobatics: balancing lorecallCAd, cat’s grace, graceAPG,
water walking
Athletics: certain gripUC, lesser celerityPHII, spider climb,
swimCA
Bluff: alibiRR, cause fear, detect thoughts, hidden
speechAPG, qualmUC (-1/rank; maximum -5), shock and
aweDr325
Craft (Alchemy): alchemical allocationAPG, dust of
twilightAPG, fire breathAPG, fog cloud, glitterdust, grease,
pyrotechnics, sound burst
Craft (Construction): breakAPG
Craft (Fine Arts): create treasure mapAPG, silent image
Craft (Toxicology): accelerate poisonAPG, memory
lapseAPG, pernicious poisonUM, touch injectionUC, toxic
giftUM, transmute potion to poisonAPG
Diplomacy: eagle’s splendor, honeyed tongueAPG
Disable Device: arcane lock, destabilize powderUC, knock,
recoil fireUC, snare, stabilize powderUC, thunder fireUC
Escape Artist: cushioning bandsUM, surmount afflictionUM
Knowledge (Linguistics): litany of eloquenceUC
Knowledge (Lore): fool’s gold
Perception: acute sensesUM, critical aimCM, listening
lorecallCAd, scentCD, see invisibility
Perform (Acting): compel hostilityUC, disguise otherUM,
ghostly disguiseUM, imbue with auraUM, misdirection,
miserable pityUM
Sleight of Hand: abundant ammunitionUC, pilfering
handUC, reloading handsUC, returning weaponUC, ricochet
shotUC (does not stack with Manyshot feat), silk to steelUM,
summon weaponCM, wracking touchCAd
Spellcraft: bypass wardAUG, dispel wardsDr313, Enkiki’s
prankRR
Stealth: invisibility, rogue’s stabBEM3, swift blur
Streetwise: summon swarm
3rd Level Skill Tricks
Acrobatics: burst of speedUC, shadowslipDr337
Athletics: haste
Bluff: glibness, inevitable defeatPHII, instrument of
agonyUC, vital strikeCM
Craft (Alchemy): amplify elixirAPG, fundamental
breakdownTM2
Craft (Toxicology): rusted bladeCM, spit venomUM
Diplomacy: good hope, suggestion
Disable Device: malfunctionUM
Endurance: lesser age resistanceUM, nap stackAPG
Escape Artist: resinous skinUC
Heal: healing thiefUC
Knowledge (Linguistics): enthrall, tongues
Perception: clairaudience/clairvoyance, find the gapDN,
hunter’s eyeAPG, litany of sightUC, locate weaknessUC
Perform (Acting): screechAPG, veil of lustRR2
Sleight of Hand: absorbing touchAPG, shadow cacheMP,
shrink item
Spellcraft: arcane sight, dispel magic (you can use this on
yourself with merely a mental effort with no components)
Stealth: nondetection, swift displacement, swift
invisibilityCAd
Streetwise: enduring scrutinyCM, winding alleysRD (urban
settings only)
 Spellcraft: analyze dweomer, greater dispel magic
4th Level Skill Tricks Streetwise: city strideRD, incite riotPHII
Acrobatics: shadow stepUM 7th Level Skill Tricks
Bluff: aura of doomUM, battlemind linkUM, discern lies,
greater interrogationUM Bluff: expendAPG, mind blank
Craft (Alchemy): firefallAPG, solid fog Craft (Alchemy): incendiary cloud
Craft (Fine Art): tattoo itemRR Diplomacy: charm’s aegisRRO, marks of forbiddanceAPG,
Craft (Tailor): treasure stitchingAPG mass charm monster
Craft (Toxicology): absorb toxicityUC, Melf’s slumber Escape Artist: etherealness, freedom, passwall
arrowsCM, neutralize poison, poison Knowledge (as appropriate for creature type): greater
Diplomacy: charm monster, control summoned creature, named bulletUC
denounceAPG Knowledge (Linguistics): power word stun
Endurance: age resistanceUM Knowledge (Lore): vision
Escape Artist: freedom of movement (you can use this on Knowledge (the Planes): soul bind
yourself even if you would otherwise be unable to move), Perception: deathsightCM
primal screamUM Perform (Acting): project image, veil
Heal: cursed bladeCW Spellcraft: control constructUM, greater arcane sight,
Knowledge (as appropriate for creature type): named mage’s disjunction
bulletUC Stealth: superior invisibilitySC
Perception: detect scrying, echolocationUM, sniper’s Streetwise: city transportBHM2
eyeCAd
Perform (Dance): dance of a hundred cutsUM
Planar Sense: mirror safeRR Appendix B: General
Sleight of Hand: death bladeRR Talents
Spellcraft: arcana theftUM, curse of magic negationUM,
ghostdweomerRR
Stealth: greater invisibility, shadow formCAd General Talents
Streetwise: locate person
Talent Effects
5th Level Skill Tricks Arcane trickster Multiclass with arcane casting
Bluff: mind fog Bottomless bag Turn sack into bag of holding
Craft (Toxicology): cloudkill
Diplomacy: adoring crowdRRO City born Favored terrain (urban)
Disable Device: symbol of strikingUC (replace descriptive Daggerspell shaper Multiclass with druid
text with you actually rigging the weapon like a trap) Dungeon delver Favored terrain (underground)
Endurance: greater age resistanceUM
Escape Artist: break enchantment (you can use this trick General feat Gain bonus general feat
on yourself to break an effect that would otherwise prevent Guarded mind Permanent nondetection
you from doing so), swift etherealness
Knowledge (Lore): contact other plane Infiltration Treat area as favored terrain
Perception: true seeing Light sleeper Need less rest; immune to sleep
Perform (Acting): false vision, maligned performanceRR2, Night vision Low-light vision or darkvision
seeming
Sleight of Hand: telekinesis, wreath of bladesUC Sabotage item Use Disable Device on magic
Spellcraft: thief of spellsBEM2 Skill inspiration Floating Skill Focus feat
Stealth: mislead, unseen strikeCM
Streetwise: commune with cityBHM2 Slippery mind Deep Intuition, Iron Will
Temple raider Multiclass with cleric
6th Level Skill Tricks Trapfinding Auto-check for traps in 10’r.
Acrobatics: air walk Twilight luck +2 luck bonus to saves
Athletics: cloak of the seaCAd
Craft (Toxicology): euphoric tranquilityAPG Arcane Trickster (Ex): You gain the following advantages
Diplomacy: aura of trustAEST, mass suggestion when multiclassing with an arcane casting class:
Escape Artist: phase door
Knowledge (Linguistics): speak with monstersPH2 Your arcane class level provides Weak synergy towards
Knowledge (Lore): legend lore your sneak attack damage and effective rogue level for the
Perform (Dance): dance of a thousand cutsUM, dance of effects of talents (and qualifying for advanced talents).
seductionRR Your rogue level provides Weak synergy to your arcane
Planar Sense: gate sealMF spellcaster level for purposes of determining the effects of
Sleight of Hand: animate objects, instant summons, bloodline powers, school powers, etc.
wraithstrikeCAd

You may choose to give up all skill tricks. If you do so,
your rogue levels provide Strong theurgy towards your
arcane casting progression (Spellcasting Table 3 in
Chapter 7: Spells).
Combining this option with diviner levels allows you to
simulate an Unseen Seer from Complete Mage. Other
combinations, with appropriate talents, can be used to
simulate the Spellthief and the Daggerspell Mage (Complete
Adventurer).
Bottomless Bag (Su): You can treat any one ordinary sack,
backpack, or other container as a bag of holding (type I). The
container remains a bag of holding until it leaves your
possession or you designate a different container; when the
effect ends, the container resumes its normal properties, and
any items too large to fit within its true dimensions
immediately and harmlessly fall out of the opening.
Unlike a permanent bag of holding, the bag created by this
ability cannot be overloaded or ruptured, nor does it have any
special interaction with other kinds of extradimensional
spaces.
At 6th level, your bottomless bag increases to the size of a
bag of holding II. At 11th level, your bottomless bag increases
to the size of a bag of holding type III. Alternately, you can
create two bags of holding type II, though their
extradimensional spaces are not linked in any way. This
talent supersedes the Balanced Scale of Abadar class feature
of the same name, from Dark Markets: A Guide to Katapesh.
City Born (Ex): You gain favored terrain (urban), as the
ranger class feature, with a bonus equal to half your number
of ranks in Streetwise (minimum +2). This allows you can
move at your normal speed through crowds, and do not treat
them as difficult terrain; you gain the other favored terrain
bonuses and abilities as listed.
You can make Stealth checks while being observed as long
as you are in a “crowd” (for this purpose, defined as 10 or
more creatures of at least half your size within a 10 ft. radius
of you) that is Indifferent to you or better. When in cities you
normally leave no trail and cannot be tracked; if you choose
to "lay low" in a city, you become all but impossible to find
without magical means. All attempts to find you with urban
tracking (see Streetwise skill) simply fail outright unless the
tracker also has favored terrain: urban. You may leave a trail
if you so choose, however.
This talent subsumes the favored terrain ability, the “go to
ground” ability from the Cityscape web enhancement, and the
Crowd Tactics feat from Races of Destiny.
Daggerspell Shaper (Su): You must have at least one level
in Druid (wild shaper) in order to gain this talent. You gain
the following benefits when multi-classing between druid and
rogue:
Your rogue level provides Weak synergy to your druidic
initiation abilities, both in terms of the level at which they
function, and for purposes of gaining new abilities.
You retain magical bonuses from magic items while in
wild shape. If you are holding one or more magical
slashing or piercing weapons and wild shape into a form
with claw attacks, each claw gains the enhancement
bonus and weapon properties (if any) of the weapon held
in the corresponding hand. If the assumed form does not
have claw attacks with limbs that corresponds to your
arms, this has no effect.
You can choose to give up your rogue skill tricks. If you do
so, your rogue level provides Strong theurgy towards your
druidic spellcasting ability.
This talent largely supersedes the prestige class of the
same name from Complete Adventurer.
Dungeon Delver (Ex): You gain favored terrain
(underground), as the ranger class feature of the same name,
with a bonus equal to half your number of ranks in
Profession (mining) (minimum +2 bonus).
General Feat: You can learn one general feat or [Skill] feat
(Chapter 5) in place of a general talent. You may select this
talent more than once; each time, choose a different feat.
Guarded Mind (Ex): A lifetime of guarding your thoughts
has left you with three major effects:
You are permanently under the effects of nondetection (as
the spell), with a caster level equal to your number of
ranks in Bluff. However, this is an extraordinary ability
and cannot be dispelled (although you can lower the effect
as a swift action and reinstate it as a free action).
If a magical effect is used against you that would normally
detect your lies or force you to speak the truth (e.g.,
discern lies, zone of truth), the user of the effect must
succeed at a Concentration check opposed to your Bluff
check to succeed. Failure means the effect does not detect
your lies nor force you to speak only the truth.
You and all magic items you carry are constantly under the
effects of a magic aura spell, for the purpose of making
you appear non-magical. The effective caster level is equal
to your number of ranks in Bluff.
This talent supersedes the Unseen Seer prestige class
feature of the same name (from Complete Mage) and the
Scout’s “cunning stealth” special ability from Green Ronin’s
Advanced Player’s Manual. The magic aura effect supersedes
the Master Spy’s nonmagical aura prestige class feature,
from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Infiltration (Ex): If you spend at least 15 minutes studying
an area or structure up to the size of a small castle, you get a
“feel” for the place. (You must have a vantage point from
which to observe the entire area to be affected, or at least a
significant portion of it; merely studying the entrance to a
dungeon doesn’t work.) Thereafter, you treat that place as
favored terrain (as the ranger class feature of the same name)
with a bonus equal to your Alertness bonus; the skill bonuses
also extend to Acrobatics, Athletics, and Disable Device
checks within the place. Allies with you in that place gain half
the bonus you do whenever they have a line of sight to you.
These bonuses last until you leave; if you come back, you
must spend another 15 minutes studying the place.
 Source: This talent is modified from the Nightsong
Infiltrator prestige class feature of the same name, and the
Nightsong Enforcer’s “teamwork” prestige class feature, from
Complete Adventurer.
Light Sleeper (Ex): You are immune to magical sleep
effects, and do not receive the normal –10 penalty on
Perception checks while asleep. Also, you gain the benefits of
8 hours of rest after only 7 hours; this time is reduced by an
additional hour per 3 class levels you possess (e.g., at 18th
level, you need only 1 hour of sleep per day).
Night Vision (Ex): You gain low-light vision and darkvision
60 ft. If you already have darkvision, you can instead choose
to increase its range by 30 ft. You can select this talent
multiple times; its effects stack.
Sabotage Item (Ex): You can use the Disable Device skill
to “rig” magical items, interfering with their normal
functioning, in the following ways.
Task DC
De-activate item 15 + caster level
Cause backfire 20 + caster level
Take over item 25 + caster level
Destroy artifact 35
De-Active Item: Given access to an unattended magical
item, as a full-round action you can attempt to sabotage it,
rendering it useless for either 1 round per class level you
possess, or else for the next attempted use, no matter when
that occurs (your choice). This requires a Disable Device
check at DC 15 + the item’s caster level. You can attempt this
trick while the item is in someone else’s possession, but this
provokes an attack of opportunity. You can use this ability to
suppress a cursed item’s effects on you and thus get rid of it.
Cause Backfire: If you succeed by a margin of 5 or more,
you can instead cause the item to backfire the next time it is
used (e.g., activating a wand of fireball might cause the
fireball to detonate centered on the wand).
Take Over Item: If you succeed on the check by a margin of
10 or more, you can cause the item to remain useless for
everyone except you until it is repaired using the Imbue Item
feat and the appropriate Craft feat and spells, or until it the
tampering is corrected by another successful sabotage item
check opposed to the one that disabled it (you can also
restore it to use at will). You can also gain beneficial effects
from a cursed item without suffering the curse or other ill
effects from it.
Destroy Artifact: If you have at least 19 ranks in Disable
Device, you can disable or destroy even minor artifacts. You
must have possession of the minor artifact for at least a week,
which you must spend in uninterrupted contemplation of the
nature of the artifact. At the end of that week, you make a DC
35 Disable Device check to unweave the fabric of the item,
and if you are successful, the artifact is disabled (rendered
inoperable until repaired with this ability) or destroyed. If you
fail, you cannot try to affect the artifact again with this ability,
but another rogue can. This mimics the Iconoclast’s “destroy
artifact” variant class feature, from Ultimate Combat.
Skill Inspiration (Ex): You gain Skill Focus as a bonus
feat, but instead of being fixed to one skill, you choose the
skill each morning. In addition, as a free action, you can
change the skill to which it applies; you can change the skill
in this way a number of times per day equal to your
intelligence bonus (if any) + half your class level.
Slippery Mind (Ex): You gain Deep Intuition and Iron Will
as bonus feats.
Temple Raider (Ex): You can select this talent only if you
have levels in a divine spellcasting class.
Your rogue level provides Strong synergy towards
determining your effective divine class level for purposes
of channeling energy, or divine resistance, damage
reduction, and the effects of revelations (Incarnate).
When calculating your sneak attack damage and the
effects of your rogue talents, and for purposes of
qualifying for advanced talents, your divine spellcaster
class level provides Weak synergy to your rogue level.
You can choose to lose all skill tricks. In exchange, your
rogue levels provide Strong theurgy towards your divine
spellcasting progression. If you have access to the
Thievery domain, theurgy from rogue levels also applies
towards gaining domain powers.
This talent supersedes the feat of the same name, from
Dragon magazine (issue 357). It can be used to simulate the
Temple Raider of Olidammara (Complete Divine), and the
Balanced Scale of Abadar (from Dark Markets: A Guide to
Katapesh).
Trapfinding (Ex): You are an expert at finding, disarming,
and activating traps, and gain the following abilities:
You gain a passive Disable Device or Spellcraft check
(Chapter 4), as appropriate, to notice any trap, secret door,
hidden mechanical gadget, or spell effect within 5 ft. per 2
class levels you possess.
You can disable traps by touch. You take no penalties for
finding or disabling traps in darkness or while blinded. In
addition, you can apply your Dexterity modifier, rather
than your Intelligence modifier, to Disable Device checks
if you choose. This ability supersedes the Tactile
Trapsmith feat from Complete Adventurer.
As you gain skill ranks, you gain the following additional
abilities that pertain to mechanical traps (Disable Device
ranks) and magical traps (Spellcraft ranks):
At 6 ranks, as a swift action you can set off any trap within
5 ft. per 2 class levels that you personally constructed or
have successfully bypassed in the past; this supersedes
the “cunning trigger” talent from the Advanced Player’s
Guide. When you trigger a trap against opponents, that
trap receives a circumstance bonus on melee attack rolls
and saving throw DC equal to your Alertness bonus (as
the Trapper’s Setup feat from Ultimate Combat).
At 11 ranks, you are at home walking through minefields
and opening trapped safes. You receive a passive check to
avoid setting off any traps you would normally trigger, even
if you have not detected them,
 At 16 ranks, when you intentionally set off a trap, you can
shift its target square(s) by up to 5 ft. per 2 relevant skill
ranks you possess. Because you affect each square
individually, you can potentially create a “safe” area
surrounded by otherwise deadly effects.
Synergy:
If you have the mage hand spell, you can use it in
conjunction with the Disable Device and Sleight of Hand
skills. Working at a distance increases the normal skill
check DC by 5. Any object to be manipulated must weigh 5
pounds or less. You can only use this ability if you have at
least 1 rank in the skill being used.
Twilight Luck (Ex): You receive a +2 luck bonus to all
saving throws. You can select this talent multiple times; each
time, the bonus increases by +2, to a maximum bonus equal
to your Charisma modifier (minimum +2).
Advanced General Talents
Talent Effects
Bypass spell Treat active spell as magic trap
Cunning rogue +2 inherent bonus to Int
Dexterous fortitude Make Reflex save in place of Fort
Dexterous will Make Reflex save in place of Will
Lord of lies You Bluff unopposed 1 round
Nick of time Standard action as immediate
Quickness of action +2 inherent bonus to Dex
Silver tongue +2 inherent bonus to Cha
Bypass Spell (Ex): You can use the Spellcraft skill on
active spell effects as if they were magical traps. For example,
if trapped in a telekinetic sphere, you might spend a full-
round action determining how to bypass it, thus freeing
yourself. Alternatively, you might spend a full-round action
figuring out how to attack an opponent guarded by a
prismatic sphere without being affected by it. This requires a
Spellcraft check, at DC = 10 + the caster level of the spell +
the level of the spell.
When you successfully disarm a magical trap using the
Spellcraft skill, you always treat your Spellcraft check as if it
were 20 higher than the spell DC (see Spellcraft skill for
details).
Cunning Rogue (Ex): You gain a +2 inherent bonus to
Intelligence, as if from a Tome of Clear Thought. You may
select this talent multiple times; each time, the bonus
increases by +2, to a maximum bonus of +6.
Dexterous Fortitude (Ex): You must have the Slippery
Mind talent to select this advanced talent. Once per round,
when targeted by an effect that requires a Fortitude saving
throw, you may make a Reflex save instead to avoid the effect
(evasion, improved evasion, and greater evasion are not
applicable). This supersedes the feat of the same name from
the 3.5 edition System Reference Document (“Epic Feats”).
Dexterous Will (Ex): You must have the Slippery Mind
talent to select this advanced talent. Once per round, when
targeted by an effect that requires a Will saving throw, you
may make a Reflex save instead to avoid the effect (evasion,
improved evasion, and greater evasion are not applicable).
This supersedes the feat of the same name from the 3.5
edition System Reference Document (“Epic Feats”).
Lord of Lies (Ex): When you attempt a Bluff check, your
target cannot attempt an opposed check to see through your
lies until 1 round after your skill check. For that round, he or
she automatically believes your deception. Targets who
succeed at the check are not affected by this talent from you
for the rest of the day: they are now on guard against you and
suspect of everything you say. You can still trick them, but
they no longer delay their counterchecks.
If you use Lord of Lies to feint, you always get at least one
attack against your opponent with their active defense
denied: they automatically believe your feint long enough for
you to make that attack. Even if you can feint as a free action,
you don't get a full round of attacks with active defense
denied by using Lord of Lies. You only gain this benefit of
Lord of Lies once per opponent per encounter, but may feint
normally against them (without the benefit of Lord of Lies) as
often as you like through the rest of the encounter.
This talent supersedes the Thief ability of the same name
from Iron Heroes (Fiery Dragon Productions).
Nick of Time (Ex): You have a knack for choosing the best
time to act. Once per encounter, you can use an immediate
action to perform an action that normally requires a standard
action to perform. This talent supersedes the Pathfinder
Delver prestige class feature of the same name, from Seekers
of Secrets.
Quickness of Action (Ex): You gain a +2 inherent bonus to
Dexterity, as if from a Manual of Quickness of Action. You
may select this talent multiple times; each time, the bonus
increases by +2, to a maximum bonus of +6.
Silver Tongue (Ex): You gain a +2 inherent bonus to
Charisma, as if from a Tome of Leadership and Influence.
You may select this talent multiple times; each time, the
bonus increases by +2, to a maximum bonus of +6.

Appendix C: Combat
Talents
Combat Talents
Combat Talent Effects
Combat style feat Gain bonus Combat feat/strike
Death in the dark Empower sneak attack damage
Defensive roll Reflex half for 1 attack/day
Fast getaway Withdraw after sneak attack
Grenadier Alchemical flask sneak attacks
Guardbreaker Favored enemy (constructs, etc.)
Martial outlaw Multiclass with fighter
Ninjitsu training Multiclass with monk
Resiliency Gain temp hp
Savage outlaw Multiclass with barbarian
Strike team leader Confer 6th sense bonus to allies
Combat Style Feat: Choose any the following feats:
Adaptable Flanking, Blind-Fight, Combat Expertise, Combat
Reflexes, Deft Opportunist, Disengaging Feint, Dodge, Draw
Attack, Flanking Shot, Improved Feint, Improved Flanking,
Paired Opportunist, Precise Shot, Weapon Focus, Wind
Stance, or any Strike feat. You must meet the prerequisites
normally, but your Opportune Strike ability (q.v.) applies to
any feat you select as a combat style feat. You may select this
talent multiple times; each time, choose a different feat from
the list.
Death in the Dark [Strike] (Ex): When you make a sneak
attack against a flat-footed opponent, if the opponent fails a
Fortitude save, your sneak attack or damage is Empowered
(150% of normal). If the saving throw is successful, however,
the sneak attack damage is halved. Because this is a [strike]
effect, it cannot be combined with other [strike] effects unless
you also have the Striking Mastery feat. Source: Tome of
Battle.
Defensive Roll (Ex): With this talent, you can roll with a
potentially lethal blow to take less damage from it than you
otherwise would. When you would otherwise take damage
that would reduce you to below 0 hp, you can attempt to roll
with the attack. To use this ability, you must attempt a Reflex
saving throw (DC = damage dealt). If the save succeeds, you
take only half damage from the attack (or damage equal to
your remaining hp; whichever is lower. If it fails, you take full
damage. You must be aware of the attack and able to react to
it in order to execute a defensive roll—if you are denied your
Dexterity bonus to AC, you can't use this ability. Since this
effect would not normally allow you to make a Reflex save for
half damage, the evasion ability and its improvements do not
apply to the defensive roll.
Fast Getaway (Ex): After successfully making a sneak
attack or Sleight of Hand check, you can spend a move action
to take the withdraw action. You can move no more than your
speed during this movement. Source: Advanced Player’s
Guide.
Grenadier (Ex): A rogue with the Craft (Alchemy) skill can
use alchemist’s fire, acid flasks, and other splash weapons to
increased effect. As long as you have at least 1 rank in Craft
(alchemy) + 2 ranks per additional +1d6 of sneak attack
damage, you deal sneak attack damage with such weapons.
This talent provides for the favored rogue “builds” of the
“CharOps” boards. An equivalent of a Pathfinder Alchemist
character (from the Advanced Players Guide) would be made
using a multiclass rogue/wizard/ barbarian, with this talent
and the Arcane Trickster talent (q.v.).
Synergy: You can treat alchemical weapons as if they were
1st level spell-like abilities (Evocation school), for purposes of
gaining the Innate Metamagic feat and applying metamagic
effects to them. You can also use the Blast Spell and Imbue
Missile feats (if you have them) in conjunction with
alchemical weapons. These effects allow you to emulate most
of the Pathfinder alchemist’s “bomb-making discoveries.”
Guardbreaker (Ex): Your familiarity with the strange
guardians often left in tombs allows you to attack them more
effectively. You may also treat your Alertness bonus as a
favored enemy bonus against constructs, oozes, and undead;
this bonus stacks with any ranger favored enemy bonuses.
This talent supersedes the Pathfinder Delver prestige class
feature of the same name, from Seekers of Secrets.
Martial Outlaw (Ex): You can select fighter talents in the
place of rogue combat talents, and vice versa. In addition, you
gain the following benefits when multiclassing with Fighter:
Your rogue class level provides Strong synergy when
determining your effective fighter level for any level-
dependent fighter talents or class features you possess,
and for purposes of qualifying for advanced fighter talents.
Additionally, your fighter level (if any) provides Strong
synergy to your rogue level when determining your sneak
attack damage, the level-dependent effects of your combat
talents, and for purposes of qualifying for advanced
combat talents.
Your fighter level provides Weak synergy to general
talents.
If you gain the Eldritch Knight fighter talent, you can elect
for it to apply to your rogue skill tricks instead of to an
arcane casting progression.
Ninjitsu Training (Ex): You must have at least 1 level in
monk to select this talent, which provides the following
advantages when multiclassing between rogue and monk:
Your rogue levels provide Full synergy for determining
your monk unarmed attack damage.
Your rogue levels provide Strong synergy for purposes of
determining your Weapon Form damage bonus, for
determining the effects of level-dependent monk sutras,
and for purposes of effective monk level for qualifying for
advanced sutras. You can gain monk sutras in the place of
rogue skill and combat talents, and vice versa.
Your monk level provides Weak synergy when determining
sneak attack damage and type (improved, etc.), level-
dependent effects of rogue talents, and for purposes of
qualifying for advanced talents.

You can choose to give up your monk ki powers in
exchange for Weak theurgy towards skill tricks known.
You retain ki slots of the appropriate levels (Spellcasting
Table 2) for purposes of your monk ki strike ability.
Alternatively, you can give up your skill tricks in exchange
for Weak synergy towards your ki power progression.
This talent supersedes the Ascetic Rogue feat from
Complete Adventurer and the Ascetic Stalker feat from
Complete Scoundrel. A monk/rogue with this talent
replicates the ninja base class from Ultimate Combat.
Resiliency (Ex): You can instantly gain a number of
temporary hit points per day equal to your rogue class level x
your Dexterity modifier. You can divide the total however you
see fit, but each use requires an immediate action, and
temporary hit points not lost to damage disappear after one
minute.
Savage Outlaw (Ex): You must have at least one level in
barbarian to gain this talent. You gain the following
advantages when multiclassing between rogue and
barbarian:
Your barbarian level provides Weak synergy when
determining sneak attack damage, for adjudicating the
level-dependent effects of rogue talents, and for purposes
of qualifying for advanced rogue talents.
Your rogue level provides Strong synergy for purposes of
determining the type of rage you have available (improved,
greater, mighty, etc.) and your attribute bonuses from rage,
for determining the number of rounds of rage per day you
can sustain, and for determining the level-dependent
effects of rage powers.
You can choose to give up your rogue skill tricks. If you do
so, your rogue level also provides Strong synergy with
your barbarian level for purposes of learning new rage
powers.
Alternatively, you can choose to give up your rage powers.
If you do so, your barbarian level provides Strong synergy
with your rogue level for purposes of determining skill
tricks known.
Strike Team Leader (Ex): This functions as the fighter
talent of the same name.
Advanced Combat Talents
Advanced Combat Talents
Combat Talent Effects
Blink Swift blink 1 round/level
Burning link Damage familiar or companion
Dodge, epic Avoid 1 attack per round
Evasion, friends’ Adjacent allies have evasion
Flurry of throws Additional thrown weapon atks
Ghost blade Opponent loses Dex to AC
Hunter’s surprise Automatic sneak attacks 1 rd./day
Lingering damage Damage on 2nd round as well
Manticore parry Parried attack hits adjacent foe
Persistent attacker Sneak attack next round
Quiet death Confuse eyewitnesses
Savvy strike Strikes bypass immunities
Striking mastery Apply more than one effect
Surprise spells Deliver sneak attack with spells
True death Add to resurrect survival DC
Unstoppable Actions cannot be interrupted
Blink (Sp): You can blink a number of rounds per day
equal to your rogue level. These rounds need not be
consecutive. Activation is a swift action; you can end the
effect as a free action. This talent supersedes the planar
rogue class feature of the same name from the Planar
Handbook.
Burning Link [Strike] (Su): When you successfully
execute a sneak attack, you can choose to apply any or all of
the additional sneak attack damage to the target’s animal
companion, familiar, or bonded object (if any) instead of the
target, bypassing any hardness or damage reduction the
secondary target possesses. Base weapon damage and other
bonuses apply to the target itself. Source: Dragon magazine,
issue 344.
Dodge, Epic (Ex): You must already have the Dodge feat,
the Improved Evasion class feature, and the Defensive Roll
talent to select this advanced talent. Designate one opponent
per round against whom you are being especially wary. Once
per round, when struck by an attack from that opponent, you
may automatically avoid all damage from the attack. This
supersedes the feat of the same name from the 3.5 edition
System Reference Document (“Epic Feats”).
Evasion, Friends’ (Ex): Every ally adjacent to you gains
evasion. If you also have the Improved Evasion talent, this
does not extend to allies; only evasion does. Source:
Complete Champion.
Flurry of Throws [Strike] (Ex): When throwing weapons
(throwing daggers, darts, shuriken, acid flasks, alchemist’s
fire, etc.) against flat-footed opponents, you may choose to
reduce your sneak attack damage to throw one additional
weapon per die “traded.” These additional attacks are made
with a -2 penalty to the attack rolls. Your remaining sneak
attack damage applies to all attacks against susceptible
targets. For example, an 11th level rogue (BAB +8/+3) could
reduce his sneak attack damage by 3d6 to throw 5 daggers
(at +8/+6/+6/+6/+3), each dealing normal damage plus 3d6
sneak attack damage. Source: Dragon magazine, issue 344.
Ghost Blade [Strike] (Ex): As a standard action, make a
single attack. The victim of this attack is automatically
treated as being flat-footed against it. This emulates the strike
of the same name, from the Tome of Battle (used in
conjunction with a charge attack, it also subsumes the
Neraph Charge feat from the Planar Handbook). In addition,
you can activate this ability as a free action (even as part of a
full attack) once per day per 6 class levels you possess; this
supersedes the Arcane Trickster’s “impromptu sneak attack”
ability.
Hunter’s Surprise (Ex): Once per day as an immediate
action, you can designate a single adjacent enemy as your
prey. Until the end of your next turn, you can add your sneak
attack damage to all attacks made against this opponent,
even if the normal conditions for sneak attacks do not apply.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Lingering Damage [Strike] (Ex): You must already have
the Persistent Attacker advanced combat talent (q.v.) to select
this talent. Any time you deal damage to an opponent with a
sneak attack, that opponent takes your sneak attack damage
again on your next turn. You must choose whether to apply
this effect or that of your persistent attacker talent, unless you
have the Striking Mastery feat (q.v.), in which case they both
apply.
Synergy: If you also have the Killing Stroke feat, any death
attack you make that deals sneak attack damage but fails to
kill its target continues to pose a threat. On your turn on the
round after the failed death attack, the target must make a
second Fortitude saving throw (DC 10 + lingering sneak
attack damage) to avoid being slain. Source: Dragon
magazine, issue 297.
You can select this talent multiple times; each time, the
number of rounds the lingering damage and/or death
remains increases by 1.
Manticore Parry (Ex): When you successfully parry an
attack against you with a held action (see combat rules), you
can bat aside the blow, causing it to target an adjacent enemy
other than your attacker. Use the results of the original attack
roll to determine whether it hits the new target. This talent
supersedes the Warblade counter of the same name, from the
Tome of Battle, and also the Swordsage scorpion parry
counter from that source and the “redirect attack” rogue
ability from the Advanced Player’s Guide. When combined
with the Riposte talent, this talent also supersedes the Free
Hand Fighter’s “reversal” variant class feature, also from the
Advanced Player’s Guide.
Persistent Attacker [Strike] (Ex): On a successful sneak
attack, you can cause your first successful attack against that
creature on your next turn to also be considered a sneak
attack, even if it wouldn’t normally qualify. This talent
supersedes the ambush feat of the same name, from
Complete Scoundrel.
Quiet Death (Ex): Whenever you sneak attack and/or kill a
creature during a surprise round, you can also make a Stealth
check, opposed by Perception checks of those in the vicinity
to prevent them from identifying you as the assailant. If
successful, those nearby might not even notice that the target
is dead for a few moments, allowing you to avoid detection.
This supersedes the Assassin’s prestige class feature of the
same name.
Savvy Strike (Ex): When you use a [Strike] feat that
normally applies an effect on the target against an opponent
that is immune, your strike still has some effect (albeit
reduced). Creatures immune to sneak attacks take half sneak
attack damage; creatures immune to ability damage take half
damage from your Crippling Strike feat; creatures immune to
certain scaling conditions are affected but at a condition one
step less severe (e.g., dazzled instead of blinded, staggered
instead of dazed, shaken instead of frightened, etc.).
Striking Mastery (Ex): As the advanced fighter talent of
the same name.
Surprise Spells (Sp): You can add your sneak attack
damage to any spell that deals damage, if the targets are flat-
footed. This additional damage only applies to spells that deal
hit point damage, and the additional damage is of the same
type as the spell. If the spell allows a saving throw to negate
or halve the damage, it also negates or halves the sneak
attack damage. This talent supersedes the Arcane Trickster
prestige class capstone feature from the core rules.
True Death (Su): You must possess the Killing Stroke feat
to gain this ability.
Anyone slain by your sneak attack or Killing Stroke
becomes more difficult to bring back from the dead; add
your number of sneak attack dice to the resurrection
survival DC (for example, a rogue with sneak attack +7d6
adds +7 to the save DC). Casting remove curse the round
before attempting to bring the creature back from the
dead negates this effect; the DC of the remove curse is 15
+ your class level + your Charisma modifier.
Once per day, when you make a successful Killing Stroke,
you can cause the target's body to crumble to dust. This
prevents raise dead and resurrection entirely (although
true resurrection works as normal).
This talent supersedes the Assassin prestige class feature
of the same name, and also the Assassin’s angel of death
class feature, from the core rules.
Unstoppable (Ex): Your actions can no longer be
interrupted by immediate or pre-emptive actions. Those
actions can still occur, but do not prevent your own actions
from being completed. You must have an Alertness bonus of
+5 or higher (16 ranks in Perception) to select this talent.
Appendix D: Rogue Feats
The following feats are listed here, rather than in the Chapter
5, because they are generally applicable only to rogues.
Rogue Talents, Practiced
Prerequisite: Rogue talent class feature.
Benefit: For purposes of the effects of your general rogue
talents, treat your rogue level as if it were 4 levels higher than
is actually the case, to a maximum effective class level equal
to your Hit Dice. This does not provide additional talents; it
merely improves the level-dependent effects of existing
talents.
Special: The effects of feat stack with class synergy
features improving your effective rogue level; this a specific
exception to the non-stacking rule. Your total limit based on
effective character level remains in force. This feat has no
effect on your other class features.
Sneak Attack, Practiced
Prerequisite: Sneak attack +1d6.
Benefit: Treat your rogue class level as if it were 4 levels
higher when determining your sneak attack damage, to a
maximum effective rogue level equal to your Hit Dice.
Special: The effects of feat stack with class synergy
features improving your sneak attack; this a specific
exception to the non-stacking rule. Your total limit based on
effective character level remains in force.
Sorcerer

F
or an old man Quarmal was not particularly hideous until his eyes were noticed. They were peculiar in their shape,
and the ball was a rich ruby-red. The dead-white iris had that nauseous sheen of pearly iridescence found only in the
sea dwellers among living creatures; this character he inherited from his mother, a mer-woman... For Quarmal was a
sorcerer, as were all the Lords of Quarmall from the eon-mighty past. From childhood up through manhood each
male was trained into his calling, like some vines are coaxed to twist and thread a difficult terrace.
―Fritz Leiber, The Lords of Quarmall (1964)
A sorcerer’s magic springs either from his or her own magical heritage, or from an initiation that allows the practitioner to tap
into a wellspring of arcane power. Note that standard spell progression rules (Chapter 7) allow the sorcerer to gain level-
appropriate spells, and that additional class features are granted to make up for the limitations of spontaneous spellcasting. The
various energy ray, energy burst, and breath weapon bloodline abilities from the Pathfinder core rules have been consolidated
under the eldritch blast ability, which works according to the rules for Reserve feats (Complete Mage). By using the battle sorcerer
variant (Appendix B; originally from Unearthed Arcana), a fair approximation of the Warlock class from Complete Arcane can be
made.
Examples of sorcerers from fiction and literature include Juan Matus (from Carlos Castenada’s The Teachings of Don Juan: A
Yaqui Way of Knowledge), Gentle (from Clive Barker’s Imajica), and Merlin (from Roger Zelazny’s second “Amber” series).
Table 1: The Sorcerer Hit Dice: d6
Class Level Base Attack Spell Capacity Special
1st +0 1st Bloodline or initiation, eschew materials, expanded arcana
2nd +1 2nd Bloodline feat, eldritch blast
3rd +1 3rd Eldritch resistances +2
4th +2 4th Blast metamagic
5th +2 5th Rapid metamagic
6th +3 6th Bloodline feat, expanded arcana II
7th +3 7th Eldritch resistances +3
8th +4 8th Expanded arcana III, improved blast
9th +4 9th Bloodline power
10th +5 10th Bloodline feat, expanded arcana IV
11th +5 11th Eldritch resistances +4
12th +6/+1 12th Expanded arcana V, iterative blast
13th +6/+1 13th Impromptu metamagic
14th +7/+2 14th Bloodline feat, expanded arcana VI
15th +7/+2 15th Bloodline power, eldritch resistances +5
16th +8/+3 16th Expanded arcana VII, greater blast
17th +8/+3 17th Impromptu spell
18th +9/+4 18th Bloodline feat, expanded arcana VIII
19th +9/+4 19th Eldritch immunities, powerful blast
20th +10/+5 20th Bloodline power, expanded arcana IX

Saving Throws: Sorcerers gain a +2 class bonus to Reflex Favored Class: When gaining a level of sorcerer as a
and Will saves. favored class, rather than gaining +1 hp or 1 skill point, you
Bonus Skills: You receive one free rank per class level in can instead choose one of the following options:
Concentration. In addition, you receive 1 free rank per class
level in two other skills specific to your bloodline, as listed
under “bonus skills.” These are otherwise treated as a class
skills, but do not count against your total number of skill
points.
Class Skills: Bluff, Craft (all), Fly, Knowledge (all), Planar
Sense, Profession (all), Spellcraft.
Skill Ranks per Level: 2 + Int modifier.

Additional Spells Known: Add one level of spells known
from the sorcerer spell list. Levels of spells gained in this
manner can be “saved up” to gain higher-level spells
(maximum level equal to the highest-level spell slot you
have available). For example, a 5th level sorcerer who
chose this option 5 times would have an additional 2nd
and 3rd level spell known, or one additional 3rd and two
additional 1st level spells known, or 5 additional 1st level
spells known, or any other combination totaling 5 levels of
spells. Alternatively, he or she could continue saving bonus
levels for an eventual higher level spell known.
Energy Puissance: Choose on energy type (acid, fire, etc.),
generally one corresponding to your bloodline. Each time
you select this option, you gain +1 damage to spells, spell-
like abilities (including your eldritch blast, if applicable),
and sorcerer bloodline powers of that energy type.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Sorcerers have Simple
proficiency with all weapons. They are not proficient with any
type of armor or shield. Armor interferes with a sorcerer's
gestures, which can cause her spells with somatic
components to fail (see Arcane Spells and Armor).
Spellcasting: A sorcerer spontaneously casts arcane spells
drawn primarily from the sorcerer/wizard spell list presented
in Spell Lists. Your spellcasting attribute is Charisma.
Upon reaching 4th level, and at every even-numbered
sorcerer level after that (6th, 8th, and so on), you can choose
to learn a new spell in place of one she already knows. In
effect, you lose the old spell in exchange for the new one. The
new spell's level must be the same as that of the spell being
exchanged. You may swap only a single spell at any given
level, and must choose whether or not to swap the spell at the
same time that you gain new spells known for the level.
Bloodline Spells: For each spell level, you learn an
additional spell derived from your bloodline (representing the
bonus spells indicated on Spellcasting Table 1 in Chapter 7).
These spells cannot be exchanged for different spells at
higher levels. Non-core sources are designated by
superscripts and cited in Chapter 7.
Bloodline or Initiation: You have a source of magic that
grants you spells, bonus feats, an additional class skill, and
other special abilities. This source can represent a bloodline
heritage, an extreme event somewhere in your or your
family's past, or an actual initiation into power that you
yourself undergo. For example, you might have a dragon as a
distant relative, your grandfather might have signed a terrible
contract with a devil, or you might have walked the Broken
Pattern and become an adept of the Keep of the Four Worlds
(or whatever). For the sake of brevity, this source of power will
hereafter be referred to simply as a “bloodline.”
Regardless of the source, this influence manifests in a
number of ways as you gain levels. You must pick one
bloodline or initiation (Appendix A) upon taking your first
level of sorcerer. Once made, this choice cannot be changed.
Starting at 1st level, your bloodline grants you a minor power
or ability. It also has subtle effects on spells you cast, as
described for the “bloodline arcana.”
Eschew Materials: A sorcerer gains Eschew Materials as
a bonus feat at 1st level.
Expanded Arcana: At 1st level, you gain Expanded Arcana
as a bonus feat, providing an extra 1st level spell known. This
spell must be in some way related to your bloodline or
initiation: either sharing a descriptor or subtype, appearing
on a bloodline creature’s list of spell-like abilities, or being
otherwise thematically appropriate. These choices should
generally be approved provided that some reasonable
explanation is given.
You gain this feat additional times as you gain experience,
as shown in Table 1; each time, you gain a spell of the
indicated spell level. You also gain an additional cantrip (0-
level spell) known at 1st, 6th, 10th, 14th, and 18th levels.
Bloodline Feat: At 2nd level, and at every four levels
thereafter, you receive a bonus feat chosen from the list
specific to your bloodline. A multi-classed sorcerer can
choose Practiced Bloodline as a bloodline feat as well. You
must meet the prerequisites for these bonus feats.
Eldritch Blast [Reserve] (Sp): Starting at 2nd level, as
long as you have a spell slot of at least 1st level available, you
can unleash a blast of arcane power as a standard action. The
eldritch blast is a ray (ranged touch attack) with close range
(25 ft. + 5 ft. per two ranks in Concentration you possess)
dealing 1d6 damage per level of the highest-level spell slot
you have remaining. The type of damage is determined by
your bloodline; see below.
An unshaped eldritch blast has no saving throw, but does
allow spell resistance. An eldritch blast can be affected by
spell-like metamagic feats as if it were a 1st level spell, even if
it is shaped or carries additional effects (see below). It is also
treated as a 1st level spell for purposes of making
concentration checks to cast defensively, etc. The eldritch
blast is subject to the normal spell failure chance for wearing
armor.
Because it requires an attack roll, you can apply feats such
as Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization, and ranged
[Strike] feats to your eldritch blast. Your arcane blast ability
also automatically improves in a as you gain in power, as
described below.
He lifted his hands, drawing on the last shreds of his
waning power. The fire in his hands burned like a miniature
nova and he flung it at his enemy.
―Charles deLint, Moonheart (1984)
Eldritch Resistances (Ex): At 3rd level, the power of your
bloodline begins to manifest itself more strongly, rendering
you resistant to certain attack forms. You gain resistance 5 to
one energy type, damage reduction 2 (overcome by certain
weapons), and a +2 racial bonus on saving throws against
certain attack forms. These benefits improve as follows:
Class Energy Saving Throw Damage
Level Resistance Bonus Reduction
3rd – 6th 5 +2 2
7th – 10 +3 4
10th
11th – 15 +4 6
14th
15th – 20 +5 8
18th
19th – Immune Immune 10
20th
Blast Metamagic: At 4th level, you gain Innate Metamagic
(Chapter 7) as a bonus feat. This must be applied to your
eldritch blast. You must meet all prerequisites for the
metamagic feat to be applied, and also for the Innate
Metamagic feat itself.
Rapid Metamagic: Starting at 5th level, you can apply
metamagic feats to your spells without any increase in
casting time. Spells with a casting time listed as 1 standard
action in the core rules require a full attack action, rather
than a full round action to cast, meaning you can still take a
5-ft. step.
Improved Blast [Strike] (Su): Starting at 8th level, your
eldritch blast carries an additional effect specific to your
bloodline. This is represented using the Innate Metamagic
feat, with the spell-like ability being your eldritch blast and
the metamagic equivalent as listed for the appropriate
bloodline. When the metamagic feat in question allows a
variable spell level cost, the effect unless otherwise specified
is for the +1 spell level cost effect (unless the minimum cost
is higher than that, in which case the effects for lowest listed
cost apply). However, the actual metamagic level adjustment
for improved blast feats is always considered to be +0 (i.e., it
automatically applies, and does not affect applications of your
Blast Metamagic ability).
The effects of your improved blast are treated as a [Strike]
effect (Chapter 5) for determining when it can be activated
(i.e., on a single blast attack; on multiple blasts if you have the
Battle Touch feat and the iterative blast ability and/or
Manyshot feat or Ray Splitting feat; or on any of the other
special conditions listed).
Bloodline Power: At 9th, 15th, and 20th levels, you gain
additional powers related to your bloodline or sorcerous
initiation, as described in Appendix A.
Iterative Blast (Sp): Starting at 12th level, you can make
iterative attacks with your unmodified eldritch blast, as your
base attack bonus allows.
Impromptu Metamagic (Su): At 13th level, you learn to
apply metamagic effects to your spells by burning additional
spell slots. For each level of metamagic cost, you must
expend two levels’ worth of spell slots (in any combination
from those you have remaining); this is in addition to a slot of
the spell’s normal level. Despite the fact that the spell does
not take up a higher-level spell slot, the total spell level (base
spell level plus total metamagic cost, in levels) can be no
higher than the highest-level spell you are normally able to
cast.
Greater Blast [Strike] (Su): At 16th level, your eldritch
blast gains another innate metamagic effect. As with the
improved blast ability, this is generally represented by gaining
Innate Metamagic as a bonus feat again, with the specific
effects depending on your bloodline (see below). When the
metamagic feat in question allows a variable spell level cost,
the effect unless otherwise specified is for the +2 spell level
cost effect (unless the minimum cost is higher than that, in
which case the effects for lowest listed cost apply). However,
the metamagic level adjustment for greater blast feats is
always considered to be +0 (i.e., it automatically applies, and
does not affect applications of your Blast Metamagic ability).
The effects of your greater blast, together with those of
your improved blast (q.v.), are together treated as a single
[Strike] effect (Chapter 5) for determining when they can be
activated (i.e., on a single blast attack, on multiple blasts if
you have the Battle Touch feat, each with a -5 penalty; or on
any of the other special conditions listed).
Impromptu Spell (Sp): At 17th level, you learn to cast
spells from the wizard/sorcerer list that you don’t know, by
constructing a basic spell framework and running magical
power through it. Spellcasting in this manner is extremely
wasteful of magical energy, and also requires a high degree of
skill. Casting an impromptu spell requires one full round (i.e.,
the effects takes place at the beginning of your next turn). You
must succeed at a Spellcraft check (DC 20 + twice the level of
the spell to be cast) and expend two spell slots of the correct
spell level. If you fail the skill check, the spell fails, the spell
energy is wasted, and you are dazed for 1 round. Because
spellcasting in this manner is considered the use of a spell-
like ability, it provokes attacks of opportunity (unless you
successfully cast defensively) and is subject to being
disrupted, counterspelled, etc. (in which case the attempt fails
and the spell slots are lost).
Powerful Blast (Sp): At 19th level and above, your eldritch
blast no longer relies on unused spell slots to maintain its
potency; it instead deals a base 10d6 damage of the
appropriate type(s), regardless of the level of spell slots you
have remaining at any given time.
Appendix A: Bloodlines
The following bloodlines and initiations represent only some
of the possible sources of power that a sorcerer can draw
upon; additional bloodlines, or modifications to existing ones,
are always possible with referee approval. Unless otherwise
noted, most sorcerers are assumed to have the arcane
bloodline.
For those bloodline powers and abilities that allow saving
throws, the DC, unless otherwise noted, is equal to 10 + half
your class level + your Charisma modifier.
Aberrant
There is a taint in your blood, one that is alien and bizarre.
You tend to think in odd ways, approaching problems from an
angle that most would not expect. Over time, this taint
manifests in your physical form.
Starting at 5th level, you are affected by spells and effects
that target chaotically-aligned creatures, and you detect as
such.
Bonus Skills: Athletics, Planar Sense.
Bonus Spells: 1st—true strike, 2nd—blur, 3rd—stinking
cloud, 4th—greater invisibility, 5th—feeblemind, 6th—veil, 7th
—ethereal jaunt, 8th—scintillating pattern, 9th—implosion.
Bonus Feats: Bewitching Spell, Chaotic Mind, Great
Fortitude, Improved Initiative, Improved Grapple, Skill Focus
(Concentration, Planar Sense, or Profession: Mining),
Staggering Strike, Thaumaturgist.
Bloodline Arcana: Whenever you cast a spell of the
[polymorph] subschool, increase the duration of the spell by
50% (minimum 1 round). This does not stack with the
increase granted by the Extend Spell feat.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast is of bilious fluids; it
deals acid damage. Improved blast: Sickening Spell; greater
blast: Fell Nausea.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—acid; saving throws—
spells or effects that damage or drain mental attributes;
damage reduction—magic (+1 at 3rd level, +2 at 7th, +3 at
11th, +4 at 15th, and +5 at 19th).
Long Limbs (Ex): Your reach increases according to the
following table.
Class Level Touch Attacks Melee Attacks
1st – 8th +5 ft. +0
9th – 16th +10 ft. +5 ft.
17th + +15 ft. +5 ft.
Eldritch Touch (Sp): Starting at 2nd level, when you gain
your eldritch blast ability, at will you can use your eldritch
blast as a melee touch attack rather than as a ranged touch
attack.
Unusual Anatomy (Ex): At 9th level, your anatomy
changes, giving you a 25% chance to ignore any critical hit or
sneak attack scored against you. This chance increases to
50% at 13th level, to 75% at 17th level, and to 100% at 20th
level.
Alien Resistance (Su): At 15th level, you gain spell
resistance equal to your sorcerer level + 11.
Aberrant Form (Ex): At 20th level, your body becomes
truly unnatural. Your type changes to Aberration, and you gain
blindsight with a range of 60 feet. You also gain two tentacle
attacks as natural weapons dealing a base 1d6 damage; these
have a 15-ft. reach.
Abyssal
Generations ago, a demon spread its filth into your heritage.
While it does not manifest in all of your kin, for you it is
particularly strong. You might sometimes have urges to chaos
or evil, but your destiny is up to you. Alternatively, you might
have picked up the demonic taint yourself, perhaps by
traveling to Abyssal places where mortals were not meant to
go.
You are affected by spells and effects that target [chaotic]
and/or [evil] aligned creatures, and you detect as such.
Bonus Skills: Endurance, Knowledge (the planes).
Bonus Spells: 1st—cause fear, 2nd—bull's strength, 3rd
—rage, 4th—greater infernal healingISWG, 5th—dismissal,
6th—Tenser’s transformation, 7th—greater teleport, 8th
—unholy aura, 9th—summon monster IX (demons and
creatures with the fiendish template only).
Bonus Feats: Arcane Bond (familiar), Augment
Summoning, Empower Spell, Great Fortitude, Power Attack,
Skill Focus (Planar Sense), Spell Focus (conjuration),
Thaumaturgist.
Bloodline Arcana: Whenever you cast a spell of the
[summoning] sub-school, the creatures summoned gain
DR/good equal to half your sorcerer level (minimum 1). This
does not stack with any damage reduction the creature might
have.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast channels the fury
of the abyss; it deals fire damage. Improved Blast: Energy
Admixture (unholy); greater blast: you can apply the effects of
your eldritch blast to your claw attacks (see below); the total
number of dice of damage may be divided between the two
claw attacks as you see fit.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—electricity; saving throws
—poison; damage reduction—cold iron or good.
Claws (Ex): At 1st level, you can grow claws as a free
action. These claws are treated as natural weapons, allowing
you to make two claw attacks as a full attack action using
your full base attack bonus. These attacks deal 1d6 points of
damage each (1d4 if you are Small) plus your Strength
modifier.
At 7th level, these claws are considered magic weapons for
the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
At 16th level, they also carry the effects of your arcane
blast, with the dice divided between them as you see fit
(declare before attacking as a free action).
Strength of the Abyss (Ex): At 9th level, you gain a +2
inherent bonus to your Strength. This bonus increases to +4
at 13th level, and to +6 at 17th level.
Added Summonings (Su): At 15th level, whenever you
summon a creature with the demon subtype or the fiendish
template using a summon monster spell, you summon one
additional creature of the same kind.
Demonic Might (Su): At 20th level, the power of the Abyss
flows through you. You gain the Fiendish simple template,
although your character level and CR are still treated as
being the same as they would be without it.
Amber
Your ancestry extends back to a Prince of Amber. Although
you do not share your ancestor’s superhuman strength and
stamina, the Pattern of Amber is inscribed at some level in
your cells, granting you insights into the true workings of the
Multiverse as you progress in power. This bloodline is loosely
based on the cosmology of the first half of Roger Zelazny’s
“Amber” series.
You are affected by spells and effects that target [Lawful]
creatures, and you detect as such.
Bonus Skills: Endurance, Planar Sense.
Bonus Spells: 1st—shocking grasp, 2nd—bull’s strength,
3rd—blink, 4th—scrying, 5th—dispel chaos, 6th—shadow
walk, 7th—regenerate (self only), 8th—mind blank, 9th—gate.
Bonus Feats: Arcane Blade, Great Fortitude, Imbue Item,
Iron Will, Maximize Spell, Power over Shadow, Skill Focus
(Knowledge: the planes), Toughness.
Bloodline Arcana: Whenever you cast a spell with a range
of “personal,” you gain a luck bonus equal to the spell's level
on all your saving throws for 1 round.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast carries some of the
effects of contact with the Pattern of Amber. It deals electrical
damage. Improved Blast: Dazing Spell; greater blast:
Versatile Evocation (force).
Eldritch Resistances: Instead of standard resistances, you
instead gain fast healing 1 (damage inflicted by chaotically-
aligned weapons negates this healing). Your rate of fast
healing improves by 1 per 4 class levels thereafter, to a
maximum of fast healing 5 at 19th level.
Influence Shadow (Su): At 1st level, you gain what seems to
be incredible luck; this is actually a subtle, unconscious
influence on your part on the stuff of Shadow. You may reroll
one skill check involving variables in your environment—for
example, a Streetwise check to find a friendly barkeeper, an
Athletics check to find a smoother route up a mountainside,
or a Profession (gambler) check when drawing to an inside
straight. This ability cannot be used to influence invariable
quantities, such as a Disable Device check against a set DC.
You must declare a use of this ability after the original roll,
but before the results are announced. For every 6 levels past
the 1st, you may use this ability an additional time per day, to
a maximum of 4/day at 19th level.
Primal Strength (Ex): At 9th level, you gain a +2 inherent
bonus to your Strength. This bonus increases to +4 at 13th
level, and to +6 at 17th level.
Timeless Body (Ex): After attaining 15th level, you no
longer take ability score penalties for aging and cannot be
magically aged. Any penalties you may have already incurred,
however, remain in place. Bonuses still accrue.
Living Trump (Sp): At 20th level, you become an
embodiment of the power behind the Great Trumps of Amber.
You can use greater teleport at will (self and 50 lbs. only; not
blocked by earth or stone). Your spells, spell-like abilities,
psionic powers, etc. automatically work normally on any
plane (except null-magic planes), without the need for you to
modify them (see Chapter 7). Given 1 minute of
concentration, you can cause a technological item to work
somewhere it shouldn’t (except in Amber itself) for as long as
you retain possession of it. Additionally, your fast healing
improves to regeneration.
Arcane
You have bound yourself to some source of arcane power that
you can now draw upon at will. Alternatively, your family may
have always been skilled in the eldritch art of magic, and an
inborn talent manifests itself in you as well.
Bonus Skills: Knowledge (linguistics), Spellcraft.
Bonus Spells: 1st—identify or magic missile, 2nd
—invisibility or knock, 3rd—dispel magic, 4th—dimension
door or scrying, 5th—teleport, 6th—true seeing, 7th—greater
teleport or greater scrying, 8th—power word: stun, 9th—wish.
Bonus Feats: Arcane Boost, Improved Counterspell,
Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Skill Focus (Concentration),
Skill Focus (Spellcraft), Spell Focus, Still Spell.
Bloodline Arcana: Unlike most sorcerers, whose innate
magic is powered by force of personality, you use your
intellect to understand and master your mystic powers. You
can choose to apply Intelligence, rather than Charisma, as
your spellcasting attribute. This is from the Sage archetype,
from Ultimate Magic.)
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast deals fire damage.
Improved blast: Versatile Evocation (force); greater blast: Ray
Splitting.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—force; saving throws—
arcane spells and spell-like abilities (maximum saving throw
bonus +6 at 19th level; you do not become immune); damage
reduction—magic (+1 at 3rd level, +2 at 7th, +3 at 11th, +4 at
15th, and +5 at 19th).
Arcane Bond (Su): At 1st level, you gain an arcane bond, as
a wizard equal to your sorcerer level. Your sorcerer levels
stack with any wizard levels you possess when determining
the powers of your familiar or bonded object.
Prepare Spells (Su): Starting at 9th level, you can prepare
a single spell in advance as if you were a wizard. This spell
need not be one of your spells known, but if not, you must
succeed at a Spellcraft check (DC 20 + level of the spell) to
prepare the spell (on a failure, the spell slot and attempted
spell are both lost). Preparing a spell uses one of your “spells
per day” slots of the appropriate level. You can prepare the
spell with any metamagic feat you know; if so, it uses a
higher-level slot. You can prepare an additional spell at 11th
level, and a third spell at 17th level.
Theurgy: If you have levels in Wizard, you can choose to
give up your Wizard spellcasting in exchange for Strong
theurgy towards your sorcerer spellcasting. However, when
you gain new spells known, you can instead designate some
or all of those new spells (except bonus spells) as prepared
spell slots, rather than fixed spells known. You may then
prepare spells in those slots (see above). At each level of spell
capacity gained thereafter, you choose how many of the new
spells known will be permanently filled with spells known, vs.
how many will be left open as prepared spell slots. The
maximum spell level for which you can retain prepared slots
is equal to your wizard class level, so that a wizard 5/sorcerer
10 has a spell capacity of 14th level, and can retain prepared
spell slots for spells of level 0 through 5th (his 6th and 7th
level spells are all spontaneous).
School Power (Ex): At 15th level, pick one school of
magic. You gain a +2 competence bonus on the saving throw
DCs for any spells you cast from that school, and on checks to
defeat SR for spells from that school.
Arcane Apotheosis (Ex): At 20th level, your body surges
with arcane power. You can cast impromptu spells (q.v.) using
only a single spell slot of the appropriate level, rather than
two.
Artistry
You are an artist of supernatural skill. Either your ancestors
were the most gifted artists of their time, or perhaps you have
the blood of lillends in your veins. Alternatively, your own
studies and work have given you insights into the nature of
Art and reality that others lack.
Bonus Skills: Craft (Fine Arts), Perception.
Bonus Spells: 1st—erase, 2nd—hypnotic pattern, 3rd
—major image, 4th—hallucinatory terrain, 5th—major
creation, 6th—permanent image, 7th—prismatic spray, 8th
—prismatic wall, 9th—wish.
Bonus Feats: Catch Off-Guard, Chaotic Mind, Deep
Intuition, Imbue Item, Power over Shadow, Shape Spell, Skill
Focus (Craft), Weapon Finesse.
Bloodline Arcana: Any spells of the Illusion school that
you cast gain +1 to the saving throw DC; this stacks with the
effects of the Spell Focus feat (if applicable).
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast is a riot of colors
and shapes that quickly fade away; it deals nonlethal
(subdual) damage. Those affected are also dazzled for 1
round. Improved blast: Blinding Spell; greater blast: Dazing
Spell.

Eldritch Resistances: Energy nonlethal

—nonlethal
damage;
damage; saving Eldritch
Eldritch Resistances:
Resistances: Energy—nonlethal damage; saving
Eldritch Resistances: Energy saving to Energy nonlethal damage; saving
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Sure Perspective (Ex): Your eye for detail, aesthetic sense,
and sure perspective provide an enhancement bonus to
Wisdom equal to half your class level (rounded up).
Personal Trump Deck (Sp): At 9th level, your command of
artistry is so profound that your paintings of people allow you
to speak with them, and your paintings of places allow you to
step through to them. Choose up to one person or place per
point of your Charisma bonus. For each of these, you can
create a magical “trump,” a small magical portrait, allowing
you to use sending to the person depicted, or greater teleport
or plane shift to the place shown. Having established contact
(via sending) to a person, you can also teleport (or plane shift,
depending on your location) to their location, or allow them
to teleport or plane shift to your location, as long as both of
you are willing. Each trump can be used up to twice per day;
one sending and associated teleport or plane shift counts as
both uses.
Creating a new trump (to replace one lost or destroyed)
takes 1 week of work, and requires you to succeed at a Craft
(fine art) check as if you were imbuing a magic item (DC 29);
you can take 20 on this check, but doing so increases the
creation time to 36 days. You need not know or have access
to the appropriate spells, however, and need not spend gold
or personal numen.
Trump Artist (Sp): At 15th level, the speed and sureness of
your draftsmanship improve; you can produce a replacement
trump in only 1 day, or 1 week if you can take 20 on the
check. You can also produce copies of your personal trump
deck that can be used by others. At any one time, you can
have a number of decks in existence equal to your Charisma
bonus. Generally, these are given to the people depicted,
although this is not required. All of the individual trumps
must be the same as the ones in your own deck, with the
exception that you can substitute any one card with a trump
of yourself. Once produced and handed out, individual cards
can be separated from the decks without interfering with
their properties.
Master of Perspective (Sp): At 20th level, you can instill
your paintings and sketches with a bit of reality. You can
duplicate any of the following spells at will as a spell-like
ability: shadow conjuration, greater shadow conjuration,
shadow evocation, greater shadow evocation, or shades. Each
use requires a full round action and a successful Craft (Fine
Arts) check at DC 20 + the level of the spell to be duplicated.
Bestial
The call of the wild pulls at your soul. This potentially means
an ancestor was a druid or lycanthrope, but perhaps you were
exposed to some other form of animal magic—or maybe you
obtained your powers as part of a vision quest in the
wilderness, on a night of the full moon.
Bonus Skills: Handle Animal, Survival.
Bonus Spells: 1st—charm animal or magic fang, 2nd—
bull’s strength, 3rd—bite of the werewolfSC or greater magic
fang, 4th—claws of the savageBVD or summon nature’s ally
IV, 5th—baleful polymorph, 6th—antilife shell or bite of the
werebearSC, 7th—summon nature’s ally VII, 8th—animal
shapes or spread of savageryBVD, 9th—curse of were-doom.
Bonus Feats: Eldritch Claws (use your class level in place
of your BAB derived from sorcerer levels), Fast Recovery,
Great Fortitude, Kin Mastery (command/rebuke animals),
Natural Spell, Skill Focus (Survival), Wolfsbane Strike, or any
[Animal] Domain feat.
Bloodline Arcana: Your spells that normally target only
animals can also affect magical beasts with Intelligence
scores less than or equal to 1 + the level of the spell.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast is a whirlwind of
claws and fangs; it deals slashing and piercing damage.
Improved blast: Versatile Evocation (force); greater blast:
starting at 16th level, your shaped eldritch blast is similar to a
whirlwind of teethBVD spell. Whenever your eldritch blast is
modified by Innate Metamagic (Shape Spell), it also gains the
effects of the Lingering Spell feat, but lasts 1 round per 4
class levels you possess.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—instead of resistance to
energy, you gain improved senses: low-light vision at 3rd level,
scent at 7th, and blindsense at 11th. Saving throws—at 3rd
level, you gain Alertness as a bonus feat, as if Perception were
a class skill. Damage reduction—silver.
Mark of the Wild (Su): As the druid class feature of the
same name.
Strength of the Beast (Ex): At 9th level, you gain a +2
inherent bonus to your Strength. This bonus increases to +4
at 13th level, and to +6 at 17th level.
Wild Shape (Su): Starting at 15th level, you can primal
wild shape 1/day (as a Wild Shaper druid of 4th level;
emulates beast shape IV). You can use this ability twice per
day starting at 17th level, and 3/day starting at 19th level.
Bestial Nature (Ex): At 20th level, you regeneration 5 (fire
and silver), and a +2 bonus to natural armor.
Beguiler
You are a born manipulator. Subtlety is in your blood, whether
inborn or from a past infusion of blood from a race of
manipulators such as devils, doppelgangers, or even mind
flayers. This bloodline supersedes the Beguiler base class,
from the Player’s Handbook II.
Bonus Skills: Bluff, Perform (acting).
Bonus Spells: 1st—charm person, 2nd—hypnotic pattern,
3 —glibness, 4th—zone of silence, 5th—dominate person,
rd
6th—mass suggestion, 7th—project image, 8th—mind blank,
9th—dominate monster.
Bonus Feats: Arcane Armor Training, Armor Proficiency
(light), Improved Feint (and opponents are flat-footed to your
spells and spell-like abilities, in addition to your weapon
attacks), Lightning Reflexes, Silent Spell, Skill Focus (Bluff),
Still Spell, or any [Charm] Domain feat.
Bloodline Arcana: Your training focuses on subtlety over
flash. Remove all spells from the schools of Evocation and
Necromancy from your list of class spells.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast is a wave of
despair that deals nonlethal (subdual) damage. Improved
blast: Coercive Spell; greater blast: Bewitching Spell.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—negative energy; saving
throws—instead of a bonus to saves, you gain an equivalent
bonus to Bluff checks to conceal your motives or cover up
your lies; damage reduction—lethal (i.e., at 3rd level you gain
DR 2/— against nonlethal damage).
Skilled (Ex): You gain 4 skill ranks per class level, rather
than only 2, and add the following to your list of class skills:
Acrobatics, Diplomacy, Disable Device, Perception, Sleight of
Hand, Stealth, and Streetwise.
Cloaked Casting (Ex): At 9th level, your spells are more
effective against unwary foes. The save DC (if any) for your
sorcerer spells improves by +1 if you cast at a foe who would
otherwise be denied a Dexterity bonus to AC against your
attacks. At 17th level, this bonus increases to +2.
Cloaked Penetration (Ex): Starting at 15th level, your
sorcerer spells automatically penetrate the spell resistance of
any creature that would normally be denied a Dexterity bonus
to AC against your attacks.
Master of Deception (Su): At 20th level, you are always
treated as if you had the glibness and discern lies spells
active; these effects cannot be dispelled. Additionally, you gain
the ability to use disguise self at will as a spell-like ability.
Blackfire Adept
A loosely organized order of nihilistic alienists and
demonologists, the Blackfire Adepts study the power of
unmaking as it manifests throughout the multiverse. They
focus their obsessive research on blackfire. This eldritch
phenomenon burns away the fibers of reality wherever it
touches, thinning the walls between planes—especially
between the Material Plane and the dark and unholy pits of
the Lower Planes. This initiation supersedes the prestige
class of the same name, from Paths of Prestige.
Blackfire adepts gain the [Evil] alignment descriptor.
Bonus Skills: Knowledge (the planes), Planar Sense.
Bonus Spells: 1st—bane, 2nd—false life, 3rd—summon
monster III (cacodaemon, doru div, dretch demon, auger
kyton, or cythnigot qlippoth), 4th—unholy blight, 5th
—darksoulRR2, 6th—planar binding, 7th—summon monster
VII (pact subtypes only), 8th—blackfireCA, 9th—sphere of
ultimate destructionCA.
Bonus Feats: Augment Summoning, Iron Will, Planar
Breaching, Skill Focus (Knowledge: the planes), Spell Focus
(Conjuration), Supernatural Ability (eldritch blast),
Thaumaturgist, Vile Strike.
Bloodline Arcana: When you summon a creature with one
of your blackfire pact subtypes, you can choose to allow that
creature to use any innate summoning abilities it possesses.
The creatures it summons are not under your control. Once
this decision is made, it cannot be reversed until the
summoned creature is sent back to whence it came.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast manifests as an
eruption of darkfire, a searing ebon vortex that deals negative
energy damage.
Improved blast: Energy Admixture (unholy).
Greater blast: Summoned outsiders damaged by the blast
must also save vs. Will or be plane shifted to one of the
Lower Planes.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—negative energy; saving
throws—blackfire pact (see below); damage reduction
—accursed sympathy (see below).
Blackfire Pact (Su): Choose one of the following outsider
subtypes: asura, daemon, demodand, demon, devil, div, oni,
qlippoth, or rakshasa. Against outsiders with that subtype,
you gain a profane bonus on saving throws, Concentration
checks, Charisma checks, and Charisma-based skill checks
equal to the saving throw bonus you would normally receive
(maximum +6 at 19th level). You gain an additional pact
subtype at 9th and 15th levels.
Accursed Sympathy (Su): Whenever you or a called or
summoned creature deal hit point damage to a target affected
by your blackfire taint (see below), as a swift action you can
increase the damage dealt by the attack by half your class
level. If the target dies, you heal a number of hit points of
damage equal to half the target's total number of Hit Dice.
Once fully healed, any additional hit points are gained as
temporary hit points These temporary hit points last 1 hour
and do not stack.
Blackfire Taint (Su): As a standard action, you can corrupt
the planar substrate to create a destructive resonance
between you and a single target within 30 feet. You gains a +1
profane bonus on attack rolls and Concentration checks
against the target, and the target takes a –1 penalty on saving
throws against your attacks. The taint lasts a number of
rounds equal to your class level, though a successful Will save
reduces this to 1 round. The effect immediately ends if the
target moves more than 30 feet away from you. The
bonus/penalty increase by an additional ±1 at 9th and 15th
levels (maximum ±3).
Greater Blackfire Pact (Su): Starting at 9th level, when
using a planar binding spell, you can call 2 additional Hit Dice
of outsiders with the chosen subtype, and those creatures
gain temporary hit points equal to her class level, a +1
profane bonus on saving throws, and a +1 profane bonus to
the caster level DC for effects that would banish, dismiss, or
dispel them.
Riftward Breaching (Su): Starting at 15th level, whenever
one or more creatures appear via a conjuration effect within
30 feet of you, you can as an immediate action unleash an
eldritch blast that targets all such creatures within 30 feet
(but does not affect other creatures).
Exalted Blackfire Pact (Su): At 20th level, you gain the
Fiendish simple template, although your character level and
CR are still treated as being the same as they would be
without it. Your type changes to Outsider, and you gain a
subtype appropriate to one of your blackfire pacts.

Bloatmage
Hemotheurges—more commonly and derogatorily referred
to as bloatmages—are arcanists who believe there’s literal
truth to the old aphorism that “magic runs in the blood.” By
magically overriding their bodies’ fail-safes and producing
more blood than they need, bloatmages are able to greatly
increase their magical abilities, but at the cost of becoming
grotesque, bloated masses of engorged flesh. Even more
significant than any cosmetic changes, the stresses on a
bloatmage’s body can prove dangerous to both them and
those around them, for if the cephalic pressure on a
bloatmage’s brain becomes too great, she flies into a
murderous rage before falling unconscious and quickly
bleeding out. Such obvious drawbacks keep most from
walking the path of the bloated ascetics, but the bloatmages
dismiss those detractors who lack the courage to follow in
their footsteps, noting that in the pursuit of power and self-
perfection, all other concerns are secondary. This bloodline
supersedes the prestige class of the same name, from the
Pathfinder Chronicles: City of Strangers, and also stands in
for the Blood Magus prestige class from Complete Arcane.
Bonus Skills: Endurance, Heal.
Bonus Spells: 1st—discern bloodlineRD or cure light
wounds, 2nd—bull’s endurance or death knell, 3rd—vampiric
touch, 4th—burning bloodCA, 5th—thalassemiaSW, 6th—
summon nature’s ally VI (blood elemental: as huge water
elemental), 7th—bloodwalk (see below), 8th—avascular
massLM, 9th—implosion.
BLOODWALK
School: Conjuration [teleportation]
Level: Sorcerer (bloatmage) 7
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Components: Verbal, somatic
Range: Personal (and touch)
Targets: You (and entry and destination creatures)
Duration: 1 round (see below)
Saving Throw: None (or Fort negates; see below)
Spell Resistance: Yes
You can seamlessly enter any living creature (except an
elemental, ooze, plant, undead, or other creature without
blood or a similar fluid) of a size greater than or equal to
yours and pass any distance to another living creature on the
same plane in a single round, regardless of the distance
separating the two. You merely designates a direction and
distance (“a living creature twenty miles due west of here”),
and the spell transports you to a destination creature as close
as possible to the desired location. You can’t specify a named
individual as the endpoint unless you have previously
obtained a sample of that creature’s blood and have it
preserved in a vial that you carry. The entry and destination
creatures need not be familiar to you. You cannot use yourself
as an entry creature. If an intended entry creature is
unwilling, you must make a successful melee touch attack to
enter (you can Hold the Charge on a miss). When exiting a
creature, you choose an adjacent square in which to appear.
Entering and exiting a creature is painless unless you wish
otherwise (see below). In most cases, though, the destination
creature finds being the endpoint of a magical portal
surprising and quite unsettling.
If you desire, you can attempt to make a bloody exit from
the destination creature. You burst forth explosively from the
creature’s body, dealing 10d6 points of damage unless the
creature makes a Fortitude save. When you make a bloody
exit, you must succeed on a DC 15 Fortitude save or be
stunned for 1 round from the shock of your expulsion.
Source: This spell emulates the Blood Magus’ prestige
class feature of the same name from Complete Arcane.
Bonus Feats: Arcane Bond (homunculus familiar),
Defiance, Diehard, Fast Recovery, Fell Weaken, Great
Fortitude, Skill Focus (Heal), Toughness.
Bloodline Arcana: For the purpose of making a
Concentration check to cast, concentrate on, or direct a spell
when he might be distracted by damage, you subtract your
class level from any hit point damage dealt to you by an attack
that strikes you during the action (or whenever you are
subject to a source of continuous damage, such as acid
arrow). You still takes all the damage dealt to you, but the
damage is less likely to affect your ability to cast, concentrate
on, or direct spells successfully. This subsumes the Blood
Magus’ “durable casting” prestige class feature from
Complete Arcane.
Some bloatmages conduct constant rituals involving
leeches or exsanguination in an attempt to regulate their
systems. These rituals, which must be undertaken daily
during spell preparation, give you the option of subtracting 1
point from any bloating rolls (see below) after the results are
known, but at the price of a non-cumulative –2 penalty to
Constitution. This penalty cannot be removed, save by
abandoning the rituals for a day (also during spell
preparation), which removes it immediately.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast is a gout of blood
corrupted with arcane residue; it deals acid damage.
Improved blast: Sickening Spell; greater blast: Fell Nausea.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—bleed damage, desiccation
damage; saving throws—polymorph and other transmutation
effects, plus Endurance checks to stabilize when unconscious
(at 19th level you automatically succeed). Damage reduction
—bludgeoning.
Blood Pool (Ex): At 1st level, you gain a pool of blood
points, representing an overload of your system with excess
blood to extend your arcane abilities beyond their normal
level. Your normal pool of blood points is equal to 1 + half
your class level. Each day, when you rest to regain spells, you
regain blood points up to 1 + half your class level but not
beyond (so if a 14th level bloatmage currently has 8 points, he
or she remains at 8 until the extra points are spent).
Blood points can be spent at the time of casting to cast a
spell without using a spell slot. Retaining a spell slot in this
manner costs a number of blood points equal to the spell’s
level, and these points must be spent at the time of casting.
Bloat (Su): Starting at 9th level, you can exert yourself as a
free action to instantly gain extra blood points, but doing so
puts you at risk of a dangerous collapse. At 9th level, you can
bloat once per day, gaining 1d6 blood points. At 13th and 18th
levels, you can bloat an additional time per day, and the die
size increases by 1 each time (1d8, and finally 1d10 at 18th
level). This type of exertion is a dangerous gamble. If your
current number of blood points is greater than 1 + half your
class level but less than or equal to your class level, you gain
the sickened condition. If your exertions push you beyond
that, you immediately fly into a homicidal rage, striking out
randomly with your most damaging attacks and abilities at
friends and foes alike for 1d6 rounds or until your blood pool
is reduced to 0 (whichever comes first). At the end of the rage,
your blood points drop to 0, your hit points drop to –1, and
you begin dying.
Absorb Bloodline (Su): Starting at 15th level, you can
temporarily access all of the bloodline powers of a given
sorcerer bloodline (as if you possessed that bloodline in
addition to your own) by consuming blood tied to that
bloodline. By drinking 1 pint of fresh blood (which inflicts 1
point of Constitution damage) from a sorcerer with the given
bloodline or from a creature affiliated with that bloodline, you
gain the ability to use the bloodline powers (but not bonus
spells, feats, eldritch blast, and so on) as appropriate to your
level for 1 hour. This ability is usable once per day and
drinking the blood normally requires a full minute, but
bloatmages with the Craft (Alchemy) skill can distill the blood
into a potion-sized draught that can be stored and later
consumed as a standard action.
In addition to sorcerers of the given bloodline, the
following list presents a few examples of creatures whose
blood is considered affiliated to a bloodline. There may be
others who work equally well, at the players’ and referee’s
discretion.
Aberrant: any aberration.
Abyssal: any chaotic evil outsider.
Arcane: any creature with an arcane spell or spell-like
ability of at least 3rd level.
Celestial: any good outsider.
Destined: any creature able to cast divination spells.
Draconic: any dragon.
Elemental: any creature with an elemental or energy
subtype (air, cold, earth, fire, water), provided it has flesh
and blood (such as a salamander, but not a fire elemental).
Fey: any fey.
Infernal: any lawful evil outsider.
Undead: any undead creature with flesh and blood (such
as vampires or ghouls, but not skeletons).
Blood Sacrifice (Sp): At 20th level, you gain the ability to
use bloat, or even raw blood, to enhance your spells with
metamagic. For each spell level increase that would normally
be applied to a spell you are casting, you can expend 1 bloat
point instead. If you have insufficient bloat points to cover the
cost, you can use your own blood, taking Constitution damage
equal to the number of spell levels to be ameliorated.
By touching a wounded creature (requiring a melee touch
attack), you can use that creature’s blood to cover the spell
cost instead; a Fortitude save prevents this transfer. You can
attempt to stack metamagic feats until the spell level is higher
than you can normally cast (10th or above), but unless the
Constitution damage (on top of its existing wounds) kills the
victim, this automatically fails. This ability supersedes the
Blood Witch’s blood enhancement and sacrifice prestige class
features, from Relics & Rituals (Sword & Sorcery Studios).
Boreal
You are either descended from inhabitants of the lands of ice
and snow, or you gained your abilities through long nights of
exposure out on the polar wastes. This bloodline is adapted
from the bloodline of the same name from the Advanced
Player’s Guide, and also by the similar one presented in The
Genius Guide to Ice Magic (Super Genius Games).
Bonus Skills: Endurance, Survival.
Bonus Spells: 1st—enlarge person (or enlarge self if not a
humanoid), 2nd—fog cloud, 3rd—elemental auraAPG (cold
only), 4th—fire shield (chill shield only), 5th—freezing
glanceFB, 6th—freezing sphere, 7th—giant form I, 8th—polar
ray, 9th—comet swarm (as meteor swarm, but dealing cold
damage).
Bonus Feats: Arcane Bond, Flash Frost Evocation, Great
Fortitude, Piercing Cold Evocation, Skill Focus (Endurance),
Spell Focus (cold), Toughness, or any [Winter] Domain feat.
Bloodline Arcana: Whenever you cast a spell that deals hit
point damage, you can choose to have it deal cold damage
instead of its normal damage type. When you use this ability,
affected spells gain the [cold] subtype. If the spell has an
effect in addition to damage, this effect is unchanged. You
treat all spells of the [fire] subtype as if they were 1 level
higher than is actually the case (thus, fireball is a 4th level
spell for you).
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast is a ray of frost; it
deals cold damage (descendants of frost folk may have this
ray emanate from one eye, although this need not be the case
for all sorcerers with this bloodline). Improved Blast: Flash
Frost Evocation; greater blast: Numbing Cold Evocation.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy and saving throws—special:
you gain Favored Terrain (Arctic) with a bonus equal to 1 +
the saving throw bonus you would normally receive; at 19th
level the bonus improves to +8. Damage reduction—at 3rd
level, a layer of icy rime on your skin grants you a +1 natural
armor bonus (this increases by an additional +1 per 4 class
levels thereafter).
Eldritch Touch (Sp): At 1st level, you can use your eldritch
blast (q.v.) as a melee touch attack (you do not gain the ranged
application until 2nd level, as normal).
 Cold Steel (Su): At 9th level, all weapons you wield are
treated as if they had the frost property. At 13th level, this
improves to the icy burst property; at 17th level, add the keen
property as well. You can bestow these properties by touch to
one weapon or up to 50 pieces of ammunition as a standard
action; this bestowal lasts for a number of rounds equal to
your sorcerer level, during which time you lose the use of this
ability.
Piercing Cold (Su): Starting at 15th level, your spells and
powers dealing with frost are so cold they can affect even
those resistant to the chill. You automatically apply the effects
of the Piercing Cold Evocation feat (q.v.) to spells and spell-
like abilities with the [cold] descriptor, without any increase
in casting time or spell level.
Child of Ancient Winters (Su): At 20th level, you become
immune to cold, fatigue, and exhaustion. In addition, you 50%
Fortitude against sneak attacks and critical hits.
Broken Pattern
“You bear the image of the Broken Pattern within you.”
“And how do you conjure with this?”
“Through the imperfection. You summon the image, and it
is like a dark well from which you draw power. But the break
is always with you.”
“The break? I don't understand.”
“The flaw in the Pattern. It follows you through Shadow. It
is always there beside you as you travel, sometimes as a hair-
fine crack, sometimes a great chasm. It shifts about; it may
appear suddenly, anywhere―a lapse in reality. This is the
hazard for those of the Broken Way. To fall into it is the final
death.” ―Roger Zelazny, Knight of Shadows (1989)
You are an initiate of the Broken Pattern, a scarred
reflection of the Pattern of Amber that maintains the
multiverse. This bloodline is loosely based on the second half
of Roger Zelazny’s “Amber” series.
Bonus Skills: Perception, Planar Sense.
Bonus Spells: 1st—shocking grasp, 2nd—spectral hand,
3rd—clairvoyance, 4th—rainbow pattern, 5th—teleport, 6th
—shadow walk, 7th—plane shift, 8th—scintillating pattern,
9th—gate.
Bonus Feats: Arcane Blade, Imbue Item, Improved
Counterspell, Iron Will, Power over Shadow, Quicken Spell,
Skill Focus (Concentration), Skill Focus (Spellcraft).
Bloodline Arcana: The flaws in your image of the Pattern
exist as flaws in your own magic as well. You receive no
bloodline arcana ability.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast calls on the forces
that come together at the Keep of the Four Worlds. The
damage dealt is equal parts acid, cold, electrical, and fire
damage. Improved blast: Energy Admixture (force); greater
blast: up to 3 times per day you can deliver a spell through
your eldritch blast, per the Blast Spell feat (Chapter 7).
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—choose one: acid, cold,
electricity, or fire; saving throws—conjuration and evocation
spells; damage reduction—magic (+1 at 3rd level, +2 at 7th, +3
at 11th, +4 at 15th, and +5 at 19th).
Magical Sight (Sp): Starting at 1st level, you can cast
detect magic at will. While active, this power also provides
you with darkvision 30 ft. (you perceive things as if there was
a silvery, directionless illumination present, and cannot
discern color). This ability automatically manifests as a free
action whenever you cast spells, prepare spells, or use the
Spellcraft skill, lasting 1 round. At 7th level, this magical
vision improves to arcane sight instead of simply detect
magic, and the range of your darkvision extends to 60 ft. At
14th level it improves again to greater arcane sight, with
darkvision at a 90-ft. range.
Prepare Spells (Su): Starting at 9th level, you can prepare
a single spell in advance as if you were a wizard, “hanging” it
in your personal image of the Broken Pattern. This spell need
not be one of your spells known, but if not, you must succeed
at a Spellcraft check (DC 20 + level of the spell) to prepare
the spell (on a failure, the spell slot and attempted spell are
both lost). Preparing a spell uses one of your spells per day
slots of the appropriate level. You can prepare the spell with
any metamagic feat you know; if so, it uses a higher-level slot
and can be cast using the normal casting time. You can
prepare an additional spell at 13th and at 17th levels.
Dark Well (Su): Starting at 15th level, your personal image
of the Broken Pattern intercepts magic targeting you,
absorbing its power. You may absorb a number of levels of
spells per day equal to your charisma bonus, as with a rod of
absorption. Any unused absorbed spell energy is lost the next
time you regain spells.
This ability applies only to effects that specifically target
you or which must pass through your square as part of a line
of effect. Effects requiring a melee touch attack cannot be
absorbed. This ability does not function if you are flat-footed,
denied your Dex bonus to AC, or whenever your magical sight
is not currently active.
Fount of Power (Su): At 20th level, you can travel to the
Keep of the Four Worlds and bathe in the Fountain of Power.
This treatment deals 5d6 each acid, cold, electrical, and fire
damage per round (this can be ameliorated with resist energy
or protection from energy) and bestows the following
abilities: 1st round: permanent +4 enhancement bonus to
Strength; 2nd round: permanent +4 enhancement bonus to
Constitution; 3rd round: permanent +4 enhancement bonus
to Dexterity. Prolonging the ritual beyond 3 rounds confers
the ability to teleport at will as a spell-like ability, but has a
tendency to remove one’s humanity (i.e., you become an NPC
villain under the referee's control). A Knowledge (the planes)
check might reveal the following:
DC 15: The Keep of the Four Worlds sits at the confluence
of four elemental planes; the power released by their
collision is harnessed in a magical fountain.
DC 25: Those bathing in the Fount, if protected from
energy, emerge with enhanced strength and stamina, and
reflexes.
DC 35: Those who attempt to prolong their treatment lose
their humanity, becoming cruel mockeries of their former
selves.

Celestial
Your bloodline is blessed by a celestial power, either by a
celestial ancestor or through divine intervention. Although
this power drives you along the path of good, your fate is your
own to determine.
You are affected by spells and effects that target [good]
aligned creatures, and you detect as such.
Bonus Skills: Diplomacy, Heal.
Bonus Spells: 1st—bless, 2nd—aid, 3rd—remove curse,
4th—neutralize poison, 5th—dispel evil, 6th—greater dispel
magic, 7th—holy word, 8th—holy aura, 9th—summon
monster IX (celestials and creatures with the celestial
template only).
Bonus Feats: Combat Expertise, Extend Spell, Iron Will,
Mounted Combat, Shared Shield, Skill Focus (Knowledge:
the planes), Weapon Finesse, or any [Good] Domain feat.
Bloodline Arcana: You treat all cleric spells with “cure” in
the name as if they were sorcerer/wizard spells of the same
level. You do not automatically gain these spells as spells
known, but can choose them as such when assigning known
spells. You may also treat the following spells similarly: bless,
remove disease, neutralize poison.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast is of heavenly fire,
dealing half fire damage and half divine damage (not subject
to energy resistance or immunity) against evil creatures. The
blast heals creatures with an aura of good, rather than
harming them. Good creatures can benefit from your
heavenly fire a number of times per day equal to one-fourth
your class level. Improved Blast: Blinding Spell (evil only);
greater blast: Energy Admixture (holy), and neutral creatures,
as well as evil ones, can be blinded.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—acid and cold; saving
throws—petrifaction and poison; damage reduction—silver
or evil.
Soaring Soul (Ex): You gain Upper Planes as a favored
terrain, as the Ranger class feature of the same name, with a
bonus equal to half your class level (minimum +1).
Eldritch Touch (Sp): Also at 1st level, you can use your
eldritch blast (q.v.) as a melee touch attack (you do not gain
the ranged application until 2nd level, as normal).
Conviction (Su): Starting at 9th level, you gain one free
hero point per day. Unlike normal hero points, these cannot
be accumulated; if you start the next day with the previous
day’s bonus point unspent, it is lost in favor of the new one.
Wings of Heaven (Su): At 15th level, you can grow
feathered wings as a standard action, giving you a fly speed of
60 feet with good maneuverability. The wings can be
dismissed as a free action.
Ascension (Su): At 20th level, you become infused with the
power of the heavens. Your type changes to Outsider (Good).
Your +10 favored terrain bonus gives you all the benefits of
the Celestial simple template, and you gain the ability to
speak with any creature that has a language (as per the
tongues spell).
Chaos
Chaos
Your ancestry extends to the Black Zone or to the very Courts
of Chaos themselves. In addition to drawing on the power of
Chaos, you can ultimately become an initiate of the Logrus,
the shifting Sign of Chaos at the heart of the Courts. This
bloodline is loosely based on the second half of Roger
Zelazny’s “Amber” series. Note: the “official” Pathfinder
version is the Protean bloodline (q.v.).
You are affected by spells and effects that target [chaotic]
aligned creatures, and you detect as such.
Bonus Skills: Planar Sense, Survival.
Bonus Spells: 1st—entropic shield, 2nd—alter self, 3rd
—magic circle against law, 4th—confusion, 5th—summon
monster V (chaotic creatures only) or heightened vigorCD (4
hp/round), 6th—shadow walk, 7th—instant summons, 8th
—maze, 9th—shapechange.
Bonus Feats: Arcane Bond (bonded item only—choose a
wand, a weapon, or a specialist implement for any school of
your choice, even though you are not a specialist wizard),
Augment Summoning, Great Fortitude, Iron Will, Minor
Shapeshift, Power over Shadow, Skill Focus (Planar Sense),
or any [Chaotic] Domain feat.
Bloodline Arcana: You can manipulate the limbs of the
Logrus as if they were extensions of your own arms. You can
use mage hand at will as a spell-like ability; by spending
unused spell slots of the indicated spell level, you can
temporarily improve this ability as follows: 2nd—spectral
touch; 5th--telekinesis.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast carries the effects
of absolute entropy; it deals negative energy damage.
Improved Blast: Staggering Spell (vs. Lawful targets only);
greater blast: Fell Drain.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—negative energy; saving
throws—polymorph and transmutation effects; damage
reduction—silver.
Magical Sight (Sp): Starting at 1st level, you can cast
detect magic at will. While active, this power also provides
you with darkvision 30 ft. (you perceive things as if there was
a silvery, directionless illumination present, and cannot
discern color). This ability automatically manifests as a free
action for 1 round whenever you cast spells, prepare spells,
or use the Spellcraft skill. At 7th level, this magical vision
improves to arcane sight instead of simply detect magic, and
the range of your darkvision extends to 60 ft. At 14th level it
improves again to greater arcane sight, with darkvision at a
90-ft. range.
Prepare Spells (Su): Starting at 9th level, you can prepare
a single spell in advance as if you were a wizard, “hanging” it
in your personal image of the Broken Pattern. This spell need
not be one of your spells known, but if not, you must succeed
at a Spellcraft check (DC 20 + level of the spell) to prepare
the spell (on a failure, the spell slot and attempted spell are
both lost). Preparing a spell uses one of your spells per day
slots of the appropriate level. You can prepare the spell with
any metamagic feat you know; if so, it uses a higher-level slot
and can be cast using the normal casting time. You can
prepare an additional spell at 13th and at 17th levels.
Chaos Form (Su): Starting at 15th level, as a full-round
action, you can assume a demonic form suited to chaos
environs. You have a single favored chaos form, chosen when
you receive this ability, that duplicates the effects of a beast
shape IV, elemental body IV, form of the dragon II, or giant
form I spell.
Summon Primal Chaos (Sp): At 20th level, you gain the
ability to summon primal chaos—a field of total entropy
equivalent to a fixed disintegrate spell. As a full-round action,
you can fill a 5-ft. cube; for each additional round you
concentrate, an additional contiguous cube can be filled, to a
maximum number of cubes equal to your Charisma score.
Creatures and objects unable to move out of an affected
square must make Fortitude saves each round as if targeted
by a disintegrate spell. The field of chaos lasts for as long as
you continue concentrating, and for 1 round thereafter.
Construct
You are something of a cyborg in that your “magic“ consists
largely of devices, either separate or cunningly wrought into
your own body. As you gain power and additional personal
abilities, eventually your modifications become extreme
enough that you are more construct than human. This
bloodline can to some extent stand in for the Artificer base
class from the Tome of Secrets (Adamant Entertainment), or
can be used to create an “Iron Man”-like character.
Bonus Skills: Craft (any one), Disable Device.
Bonus Spells: 1st—fist of stoneCA, 2nd—make whole, 3rd
—slow, 4th—unbreakable constructUM, 5th—rapid repairUM,
6th—animate objects, 7th—control constructUM, 8th—iron
body, 9th—summon constructPH2.
Bonus Feats: Arcane Bond (heavy armor), Arcane Armor
Training, Craft Construct, Extend Spell, Great Fortitude,
Heavy Armor Proficiency, Imbue Item, Skill Focus (any Craft).
Bloodline Arcana: Your “spells” manifest as the
discharges of various technological devices you create. For
example, a burning hands might be the result of a spray of oil
followed by a flare, or a lightning bolt might come from a
“galvanic ray gun.” You do not gain Eschew Materials as a
bonus feat, and your spells always require material
components. However, your spells have no verbal
components, as if Silenced (but with no increase in casting
time or spell level).
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast deals fire damage.
Improved blast: Energy Admixture (force); greater blast: your
eldritch blast deals any proportion of fire and force damage
that you choose (you may change the proportions as a swift
action).
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—electricity; saving throws
—disease, mind-affecting effects, poison, and effects that
cause either exhaustion or fatigue; damage reduction—
adamantine.
Armored Chassis (Su): Starting at 1st level, you gain a +1
bonus to natural armor. This bonus improves by an additional
+1 per 2 class levels thereafter, to a maximum of +10 at 19th
level.
Bionic Man (Ex): At 9th level, you gain a +2 inherent bonus
to your Strength. This bonus increases to +4 at 13th level, and
again to +6 at 17th level.
Construct Affinity (Su): Starting at 15th level, you are
affected by spells that affect constructs; this allows you to
cast make whole, rapid repair, and unbreakable construct on
yourself.
Half-Golem (Ex): At 20th level, your type changes to
Construct. You have no Constitution score, and use your
Strength modifier in place of your Constitution modifier
when calculating your Fortitude save and hit points. You are
immune to death effects, disease, necromancy effects,
paralysis, sleep, stunning, and any effect that requires a
Fortitude save (unless the effect also works on objects, or is
harmless). You are not subject to nonlethal damage, attribute
damage, attribute drain, or energy drain. You are not at risk of
death from massive damage. You are immune to spells and
spell-like abilities that allow spell resistance.
Daemon
A daemon, or its influence, lurks somewhere along your
family tree. Your powers derive from these soul-devouring
fiends, who take pleasure and gain power from manipulating
mortal frailties like aging, pestilence, famine, and the horrors
of war. Your lineage gives you great insight into how to exploit
the weaknesses of living beings and how to use leeched soul
energy to enhance your wicked abilities. Source: Blood of
Fiends; also draws from the Souldrinker prestige class from
Book of the Damned, Vol. 3.
You gain the [evil] descriptor; you are affected by spells and
effects that target evil-aligned creatures, and you detect as
such.
Bonus Skills: Bluff, Heal.
Bonus Spells: 1st—ray of enfeeblement, 2nd—touch of
idiocy, 3rd—vampiric touch or bestow curse, 4th—blight or
contagion, 5th—summon monster V (1d4+1 cacodaemons or
1 ceustodaemon), 6th—circle of death, 7th—waves of
exhaustion or creeping doom, 8th—horrid wilting, 9th—soul
bind.
Bonus Feats: Arcane Bond (familiar; generally improved to
a cacodaemon using the Thaumaturgist feat), Defiance, Fast
Recovery, Great Fortitude, Sickening Spell, Skill Focus
(Endurance), Soulcrafting, Thaumaturgist.
Bloodline Arcana: Whenever you cast a spell that kills an
intelligent (Int 3+), you gain the effects of a death knell, as if
you had killed the victim using that spell.
Eldrtich Blast (Sp): Like that of a daemon, your magic
derives from painful and lingering death. Your eldritch blast
deals nonlethal damage. Improved blast: Blast Spell (cup of
dustAPG); greater blast: Fell Draining.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—acid; saving throws—
[afflictions] and [debilitation] effects that target physical
attributes; damage reduction—good or silver.
Soul of Abaddon (Ex): At 1st level, you gain Lower Planes
as a favored terrain (as the Ranger class feature of the same
name), with a bonus equal to half your class level (minimum
+1). You are affected by spells and effects that target [evil]
aligned creatures, and you detect as such.
Sadism (Su): Starting at 9th level, you gain a luck bonus to
attacks, saving throws, and skill checks equal to +1 per 10
points of damage you inflict that round; this bonus lasts until
the end of your next turn. If you defeat a credible enemy
without dealing damage (e.g., by petrifying it with a spell), you
gain the bonus as if you had dealt its full remaining hp in
damage. This is similar to the spell of the same name from
the Book of Vile Darkness, but is always active and is a
supernatural, rather than spell-like, ability.
Soul Pool (Su): Starting at 15th level, you can use
enervation (range: touch) at will as a spell-like ability that
does not provoke attacks of opportunity. Each negative level
you inflict with this enervation or with your greater eldritch
blast (starting at 16th level) counts as one energy level in a
“soul pool” you maintain. These energy levels can thereafter
be used as follows:
Recharge staff or wand: This works like recharging a staff
in the normal manner, but instead of spell slots, you
expends energy levels equal to the spell level needed.
Recover Spell Slot: As a full-round action, you can regain
spent spell slots; this costs a number of energy levels
equal to twice the level of the spell slot to be regained.
One with Abaddon (Su): At 20th level, your body embraces
the unspeakable power of your daemon lineage. Reaching a
+10 favored terrain bonus gives you the Fiendish simple
template, granting you resistance to cold and fire 10 and spell
resistance 25; your damage reduction becomes 10/silver and
good. Your type changes to outsider, and you stop aging.
Deep Earth
The echoing cave-songs and the rumble and creak of primal
spirits deep below the ground thrum in your soul and
possibly in all your family line (which might include the blood
of pechs or some other race of the deep subterranean places).
You are likely slow, steady, and stable in your thinking, little
prone to wandering and preferring to instead find depth in
contemplation. Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Bonus Skills: Athletics, Profession (mining).
Bonus Spells: 1st—expeditious excavationAPG, 2nd
—darkvision, 3rd—shifting sandAPG, 4th—bladebaneUE
(earth creatures, stone or metal constructs, or oozes only), 5th
—spike stones, 6th—stone tell, 7th—repel metal or stone, 8th
—earthquake, 9th—clashing rocksAPG.
Bonus Feats: Blind-Fight, Earth Devotion, Great Fortitude,
Imbue Item, Skill Focus (Perception), Skill Synergy (choose
two: Escape Artist, Profession: Mining, Stealth), Still Spell,
Tremor Step.
Bloodline Arcana: Whenever you and the target of one of
your spells are both underground, increase the spell’s save
DC by +1.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your standard eldritch blast takes the
form of a thrown pebble (metamagic-shaped blasts may
resemble a burst of stones, a spray of rock shards, or boulder
rolling in a line). In any case, the eldritch blast deals
bludgeoning damage. Improved blast: Toppling Spell; greater
blast: Staggering Spell.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—acid; saving throws—
special: you gain Favored Terrain (Underground) with a
bonus equal to 1 + the saving throw bonus you would
normally receive; at 19th level the bonus improves to +8.
Damage reduction—adamantine.
Fist of Stone (Sp): You gain a slam attack that deals 1d6
points of bludgeoning damage (1d4 if you are Small, 1d8 if
you are Large), plus your Strength bonus. You can make
iterative slam attacks if your base attack bonus allows. At 3rd
level, and for every 2 class levels thereafter, treat your
Strength as if it were 1 point higher than is actually the case
for purposes of this attack only. For example, a 17th level
earth bloodline sorcerer (BAB +8) with a 10 Str has slam
attacks at Str 18 equivalent (+12/+7 melee, 1d6+4).
Rockseer (Su): At 9th level you can see through solid
objects as if using a ring of x-ray vision for a number of
rounds per day equal to your sorcerer level. These rounds do
not need to be consecutive.
Earth Glide (Ex): At 15th level, you can glide through any
sort of natural earth or stone as easily as a fish swims
through water, with a burrow speed equal to half your normal
speed. You do not leave a tunnel or trace of your passage. You
can use this ability for 1 minute per sorcerer level each day.
The duration need not be continuous, but it must be used in
1-minute increments.
Elemental Power (Su): At 20th level, elemental power
surges through your body. Your type changes to outsider
(elemental), and you gain immunity to sleep, sneak attacks
and critical hits. You can command or rebuke earth creatures
as an evil cleric with the Command Undead feat commands
undead, with an effective cleric level of 20th.
Deep One
Your family traces its heritage back to the ocean depths,
whether scions of undersea empires left in the wake of
nomadic sea-tribes, or the spawn of creeping ichthyic
infiltrators into remote seaside villages. The song of the sea
hums in your blood, calling the waves and all those within to
your command. This bloodline is adapted from the “Aquatic”
bloodline in the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Bonus Skills: Athletics, Bluff.
Bonus Spells: 1st—hydraulic pushAPG, 2nd
—slipstreamAPG, 3rd—aqueous orbAPG, 4th—geyserAPG, 5th
—control water, 6th—acid fog, 7th—summon nature’s ally VII
(greater water elemental), 8th—seamantleAPG, 9th—world
waveAPG.
Bonus Feats: Deep Intuition, Dodge, Improved Natural
Armor, Innate Metamagic (Channel eldritch blast through
touch), Silent Spell, Skill Focus (Athletics), Toughness, Water
Devotion (see cleric domain spells).
Bloodline Arcana: Creatures you summon that have a
swim speed or the [aquatic] or [water] type gain a +1 morale
bonus on attack and damage rolls.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast desiccates those
affected, dealing nonlethal damage. Those failing a Fortitude
save are fatigued as well. Oozes, plants, and creatures with
the aquatic or water subtype suffer lethal damage. Improved
blast: Sickening Spell; greater blast: Fell Nausea.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—cold; saving throws—
poison, paralysis, and hold; damage reduction—piercing.
Aquatic Adaptation (Ex): You gain water (underwater) as a
favored terrain, as the ranger class feature of the same name,
with a bonus of +1 at 1st level. This bonus increases by +1 per
2 class levels after the first (maximum +10 at 19th level).
Aquatic Telepathy (Su): At 9th level, you gain telepathy
(100 feet) and can communicate with creatures with a swim
speed or the aquatic or water types regardless of intelligence.
You may cast suggestion on such creatures a number of times
per day equal to your Charisma modifier. This ability is
telepathic and does not require audible or visual components.
At 17th level, once per day you can telepathically call and
request a service from an aquatic, water, or swimming
creature as if using demand or greater planar ally.
Innsmouth Look (Ex): At 15th level, your eyes are huge
and staring, appearing almost lidless. You gain true seeing as
an exceptional ability that cannot be dispelled, and also have
darkvision 60 ft. Unfortunately, you also gain light sensitivity,
and are dazzled in areas of bright sunlight or within the
radius of a daylight spell. When submerged in water, you gain
blindsense 60 ft.
Deep One (Ex): At 20th level, your skin is visibly scaled,
and your type changes to Monstrous Humanoid (aquatic,
amphibious). You no longer age; barring death by violence or
disease, you can live forever, but you cannot be raised or
resurrected if killed. You gain continuous freedom of
movement, even when not underwater. Underwater, you gain
evasion and blindsight 120 feet.
Destined
You or your family are destined for greatness in some way.
Your birth could have been foretold in prophecy, or perhaps it
occurred during an especially auspicious event, such as a
solar eclipse. Regardless of your power's origin, you have a
great future ahead.
Bonus Skills: Endurance, Perception.
Bonus Spells: 1st—bless, 2nd—blur, 3rd—protection from
energy, 4th—freedom of movement, 5th—break enchantment,
6th—mislead, 7th—spell turning, 8th—moment of prescience,
9th—foresight.
Bonus Feats: Beginner’s Luck, Defiance, Diehard, Heroic
Defiance, Leadership, Lightning Reflexes, Maximize Spell,
Skill Focus (Endurance or Knowledge: Lore).
Bloodline Arcana: Whenever you cast a spell with a range
of “personal,” you gain a luck bonus equal to the spell's level
on all your saving throws for 1 round.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast carries the weight
of destiny. It deals nonlethal (subdual) damage. Improved
blast: Fell Frighten, as those affected realize the helplessness
of their cause; greater blast: Dazing Spell (premonitions of
doom).
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—instead of a specific
energy resistance, you gain evasion (as the rogue ability of the
same name) at 3rd level, improved evasion at 11th level, and
greater evasion at 19th level; saving throws—you gain an
Alertness bonus equal to the saving throw bonus normally
received, exactly as if you possessed that feat and a number of
ranks in Perception equal to your class level +1; damage
reduction—you gain uncanny dodge and the other abilities
associated with the Alertness feat.
Touch of Destiny (Sp): At 1st level, you can touch a
creature as a standard action, giving it an insight bonus on
armor class, attack rolls, skill checks, ability checks, and
saving throws equal to half your sorcerer level (minimum 1)
for 1 round. Alternatively, you bring a destiny of doom closer
to enemies by touch. This allows you to use your eldritch
blast (q.v.) as a melee touch attack; you do not gain the ranged
application until 2nd level, as normal.
It Was Meant To Be (Su): Starting at 9th level, you gain
one free Hero Point (Chapter 1) per day. Unlike normal hero
points, these do not “save up”—any not used are lost at the
end of the day. At 13th level, you gain two per day. At 17th
level, you gain three per day.
Within Reach (Su): At 15th level, your ultimate destiny is
drawing near. Whenever you roll a natural “1” on a saving
throw, roll again and use the second roll. In addition, once per
day when an attack or spell that causes damage would result
in your death, you may attempt a DC 20 Will save; if
successful, you are instead reduced to –1 hit points and are
automatically stabilized.
Destiny Realized (Su): At 20th level, your moment of
destiny is at hand. You are immune to critical hits. Any critical
threats you score with a spell are automatically confirmed,
and you automatically succeed at checks made to overcome
spell resistance.
Div
You can trace your ancestry or training to one of the foul,
corrupted genies known as divs. You are affected by spells
and effects that target [evil] aligned creatures, and you detect
as such. This bloodline is adapted from the one in People of
the Sands.
Bonus Skills: Bluff, Knowledge (planes).
Bonus Spells: 1st—disguise self, 2nd—touch of idiocy, 3rd
—summon monster III (doru div), 4th—bestow curse, 5th
—insect plague, 6th—disintegrate, 7th—insanity, 8th
—earthquake, 9th—wish.
Bonus Feats: Blind-Fight, Empower Spell, Improved
Initiative, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Power Attack, Skill
Focus (Bluff), Weapon Focus.
Bloodline Arcana: Whenever you deal damage to more
than one creature with a spell or spell-like ability that affects
an area, you gain a +1 profane bonus to the save DCs of your
spells and spell-like abilities for 1d4 rounds.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast corrupts those it
touches; it deals nonlethal damage and carries the effects of
the Sickening Spell feat. Improved Blast: Disruptive Spell;
greater blast: you can emit your eldritch blast as a 10-ft. aura
for a number of rounds per day equal to your class level;
these rounds need not be consecutive, but each activation
requires a standard action.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—fire; saving throws—
poison; damage reduction—cold iron.
Spoiling Touch (Su): At 1st level, you can impose the
broken condition upon one object by making a successful
melee touch attack. Magical items or objects carried or worn
by a creature are allowed a Fortitude save to resist this effect.
Multiple uses of this effect do not stack.
Cursed Gaze (Su): At 9th level, you gain a gaze attack (30-
ft. range) that causes victims to be shaken for 1 round (Will
negates). Any creature under the effects of protection from
evil is immune to your gaze.
 Squander (Su): At 15th level, you gain the ability to force
others to waste the opportunities they are given. At will as a
standard action, you can cause a target within 30 feet to gain
the staggered condition for a number of rounds equal to your
sorcerer level. The duration is halved if the target makes a
successful Will save.
Ahriman's Favor (Su): At 20th level, you are filled with
Ahriman's wickedness. You gain acid resistance 10 and
electricity resistance 10, and the ability to see perfectly in
darkness of any kind to a range of 60 feet.
Domain
You have undergone an initiation similar to the ordainment
of the priest of some god, or else one of your ancestors was
such a priest (or a celestial servant of a god). In either case,
the power of a specific divine domain resides in you. This
concept can easily be modified for Incarnate mysteries as
well.
Choose one domain (see Cleric document). Most of your
bloodline powers are tied to the specifics of that domain.
Bonus Skills: As Archivist skill(s) for that domain, plus
Knowledge (the planes).
Bonus Spells: As per the selected domain.
Bonus Feats: Arcane Armor Training, Deep Intuition,
Domain Feat (any for your domain), Expanded Arcana (divine
spell), Great Fortitude, Medium Armor Proficiency, Serenity,
Skill Focus (Concentration or Knowledge: Religion).
Bloodline Arcana: When selecting new spells from your
expanded arcana class feature or favored class bonus, you
can choose spells from the cleric/archivist spell list as if they
were sorcerer/wizard spells.
Eldritch Blast (Su): Rather than a standard eldritch blast,
you gain the ability to channel energy (per the appropriate
domain’s variant channeling, as an archivist with access to
your domain). In place of blast metamagic bonus feats, you
gain Channel feats instead. In addition, you treat channel
energy as a spell-like ability for purposes of applying the
Innate Metamagic feat.
Improved Blast: You gain Innate Metamagic, applied to
your channeling, as a bonus feat. You may select any
associated metamagic feat with a spell level cost of +1.
Greater Blast: You gain Innate Metamagic, applied to your
channeling, as a bonus feat. You may select any associated
metamagic feat with a spell level cost of +1 or +2.
Eldritch Resistances: Your resistances should reflect your
domain in some way, subject to player and referee agreement.
For example, a sorcerer with the Chaos domain might be
resistant to negative energy (entropy), reduce insight bonuses
used against him (along the lines of the Chaotic Mind feat) in
place of a bonus on saving throws, and gain damage
reduction overcome by lawfully-aligned weapons.
Minor Domain Power (Su): Per the 1st level granted
power for your domain.
Domain Power (Su): At 9th level, you gain the 4th or 8th
level power for your domain, with an effective archivist level
equal to your sorcerer level.
Planar Body (Ex): Starting at 15th level, the divine forces
you embody allow you to survive nearly anywhere in the
multiverse. You are constantly protected as by an planar
adaptation spell (Advanced Players Guide), except that this is
an extraordinary, rather than a spell-like ability.
Domain Exemplar (Su): At 20th level, you gain the
appropriate domain exemplar ability.
Draconic
At some point in your family's history, a dragon interbred with
your bloodline, and now its ancient power flows through your
veins; alternatively, your service to dragons has lent you a
fraction of their power. A battle sorcerer (Appendix B) with
this bloodline makes an acceptable substitute for the Dragon
Shaman from the Players Handbook II and the Dragon
Disciple from the Core rules. The type of dragon determines
your resistances and the effects of your eldritch blast,
according the table.
Bonus Skills: Fly, Perception.
Bonus Spells: Choose by dragon type (or use one of the
generic lists given).
Generic: 1st—mage armor, 2nd—resist energy, 3rd—fly, 4th
—fear, 5th—spell resistance, 6th—vigorous circleCD, 7th—
summon nature’s ally VII (juvenile black or green dragon,
young blue or red dragon, or young adult white dragon), 8th
—discern location, 9th—wish.
Linnorm: 1st—mage armor, 2nd—see invisibility, 3rd
—arcane sight, 4th—bestow curse, 5th—spell resistance, 6th
—true seeing, 7th—greater arcane sight, 8th—form of the
dragon III, 9th—foresight.
Black: 1st—mage armor, 2nd—darkness, 3rd—plant
growth, 4th—acid pitAPG, 5th—insect plague, 6th—mass
suggestion, 7th—summon nature’s ally VII (juvenile black
dragon), 8th—mass charm monster, 9th—wish.
Blue: 1st—ventriloquism, 2nd—resist energy, 3rd—fly, 4th
—hallucinatory terrain, 5th—call lightning storm or
mirage arcana, 6th—veil, 7th—project image, 8th—
extended elemental aura (electricity; 1 hour/level), 9th
—sandstormSSt that also deals 2d6 fire/round.
Brass: 1st—sleep or speak with animals, 2nd—resist
energy, 3rd—suggestion, 4th—blinding gust of wind, 5th
—control winds, 6th—extended elemental auraAPG (fire;
10 min./level) or control weather, 7th—summon nature’s
ally VII (juvenile brass dragon), 8th—whirlwind, 9th
—summon djinni.
Bronze: 1st—speak with animals, 2nd—detect thoughts or
fog cloud, 3rd—create food & water, 4th—polymorph, 5th
—control water, 6th—repulsion, 7th—summon nature’s
ally VII (young bronze dragon), 8th—extended elemental
auraAPG (electricity; 1 hour/level), 9th—wish.
Copper: 1st—grease, 2nd—hideous laughter, 3rd—slow,
4th—stone shape, 5th—transmute mud to rock/rock to
mud, 6th—move earth, 7th—summon nature’s ally VII
(young copper dragon), 8th—extended slow (1 hour/level,
as an aura), 9th—power word: kill.

Gold: 1st—bless, 2nd—resist energy, 3rd—daylight, 4th
—polymorph self, 5th—spell resistance, 6th—geas, 7th—
summon nature’s ally VII (very young gold dragon), 8th
—sunburst, 9th—foresight.
Greater Blast: Starting at 12th level, your breath weapon
carries an additional effect based on your dragon type,
according to the table. This ability supersedes the
draconic ray sorcerer variant from Dragon magazine,
issue 332.

Green: 1st—mage armor, 2nd—plant growth, 3rd Eldritch Resistances: Energy—as appropriate to dragon
—suggestion, 4th—command plants, 5th—dominate type (see Table 2); saving throws—fear and paralysis (and you
person, 6th—acid fog, 7th—summon nature’s ally VII (1d3 are immune to sleep effects); damage reduction—magic (+1);
treants), 8th—control plants, 9th—summon nature’s ally IX and you also gain a +1 bonus to your natural armor, which
(mature green dragon). increases by an additional +1 per 4 levels after the 3rd (+5
natural armor at 19th level).
Red: 1st—mage armor, 2nd—pyrotechnics, 3rd TABLE 2: DRACONIC BLOODLINES
—suggestion, 4th—wall of fire, 5th—waves of fatigue, 6th Dragon Energy Improved Blast Greater Blast
—find the path, 7th—summon nature’s ally VII (young red Type Type Metamagic Effects
dragon), 8th—discern location, 9th—enlarged, extended Black Acid Shape Spell (ray Sickening Spell
elemental auraAPG (10’r., 1 hour/level). dragon to line)
Blue Electricity Shape Spell (ray Blinding Spell
Silver: 1st—feather fall, 2nd—fog cloud, 3rd—hold person, dragon to line)
4th—polymorph self, 5th—control winds, 6th—control
weather, 7th—spell turning, 8th—reverse gravity, 9th— Brass Fire Shape Spell (ray Blast Spell (deep
enlarged, extended elemental auraAPG (cold; 1 hour/level, dragon to line) slumber)
10’r.). Bronze Electricity Shape Spell (ray Explosive Spell
dragon to line)
White: 1st—mage armor, 2nd—fog cloud, 3rd—gust of Copper Acid Shape Spell (ray Blast Spell (slow)
wind, 4th—wall of ice, 5th—freezing fogCA, 6th—control dragon to line)
weather, 7th—summon nature’s ally VII (young adult Green Acid Shape Spell (ray Sickening Spell
white dragon), 8th—discern location, 9th—wish. dragon to cone)
Gold Fire Shape Spell (ray Fell Weaken
Bonus Feats: Animal Devotion (serpent’s strike—linnorm dragon to cone)
bloodline only; you need not meet the prerequisite), Blind- Red Fire Shape Spell (ray Blast Spell (waves
Fight, Great Fortitude, Power Attack, Skill Focus (Fly, dragon to cone) of fatigue)
Knowledge: lore, or Perception), Staredown, Strength
Training, Toughness. Silver
dragon
Cold Shape Spell (ray Blast Spell (mass
to cone) hold person)
Bloodline Arcana: Whenever you cast a spell or use a
spell-like ability with an energy descriptor that matches your Steel Ac id Shape Spell (ray Blast spell (poison)
draconic bloodline's energy type, that spell deals +1 point of dragon to line)
damage per die rolled. White Cold Shape Spell (ray Flash Frost
Linnorm: If your bloodline is that of a linnorm, rather than dragon to cone) Evocation
a standard dragon, you instead curse those who harm you, Cairn Acid Shape Spell (ray Fell Drain
just as a linnorm bestows a terrible curse on those who slay linnorm to cone)
them. When an opponent damages you in combat, they must
make a Will save or gain vulnerability to your energy type for Crag
linnorm
Fire Shape Spell (ray Burning Evocation
to line)
a number of rounds equal to half your sorcerer level
(minimum 1). An opponent who succeeds at his saving throw Fjord Cold Shape Spell (ray Blast Spell (slow)
is immune to your curse ability for 24 hours. linnorm to line)
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast deals energy Gare Fire Shape Spell (ray Blast Spell (solid
damage depending on the type of dragon in your bloodline, linnorm to cone) fog)
according to the following table (these energy types also Ice Cold Shape Spell (ray Numbing Cold
apply to your resistances, and the type of energy damage linnorm to line) Evocation
carried by your claws at 13th level; see below).
Taiga Electricity Shape Spell (ray Blast Spell (solid
Improved Blast: At 8th level, you gain Innate Metamagic linnorm to cone) fog)
(Shape Spell) applied to your eldritch blast as a bonus Tarn Acid Shape Spell (ray Fell Weaken
feat; the exact shape depends on your dragon type, and linnorm to cone)
can be applied at will, making the shaped blast a breath
weapon. When you become eligible for new feats, you can Tor
linnorm
Fire Shape Spell (ray Burning Evocation
to cone)
learn metabreath feats (Draconomicon) to apply to it.
Claws (Ex): You can grow claws as a free action. These claws
are treated as natural weapons, allowing you to make two
claw attacks as a full attack action using your full base attack
bonus. Each of these attacks deals 1d4 points of damage plus
your Strength modifier (1d3 if you are Small).
At 5th level, these claws are considered magic weapons for
the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
At 9th level, the damage increases by one step to 1d6
points of damage (1d4 if you are Small).
At 13th level, these claws deal an additional 1d6 points of
damage of your energy type on a successful hit.
At 17th level, they have the energy burst property
(additional energy damage on a critical hit).
.Dragon Form (Sp): Starting at 9th level, you can assume
the form of a Medium dragon once per day. This works
similarly to the druid’s wild shape ability, but duplicates the
effects of a form of the dragon I spell. At 13th level, you can
instead become a Large dragon (as per a form of the dragon
II spell). At 17th level, you can become a Huge dragon (form of
the dragon III).
Wings (Su): At 15th level, leathery dragon wings grow from
your back as a standard action, giving you a fly speed of 60
feet with average maneuverability. You can dismiss the wings
as a free action.
Power of Wyrms (Su): At 20th level, your draconic
heritage becomes manifest. Your type changes from
humanoid (or whatever it was previously) to dragon. You also
gain blindsense 60 feet or continuous true seeing (your
choice).
Dreamspun
You dream not as ordinary mortals do, but rather as those
who reach through and touch the supernal realm of dreams
and the farthest shores of night. Whether it is a gift or curse
is not always clear, but your visions of the past and future call
you ineluctably to a life of adventure. This bloodline, from the
Advanced Player’s Guide, obviously draws flavor from H.P.
Lovecraft’s “Randolph Scott” stories (The Dream-Quest of
Unknown Kadath, etc.).
Bonus Skills: Knowledge (lore), Planar Sense.
Bonus Spells: 1st—sleep, 2nd—augury, 3rd—deep
slumber, 4th—divination, 5th—dream, 6th—shadow walk, 7th
—vision, 8th—moment of prescience, 9th—astral projection.
Bonus Feats: Bane Magic, Blind-Fight, Combat Expertise,
Deep Intuition, Empower Spell, Improved Feint, Skill Focus
(Perception), Transdimensional Spell.
Bloodline Arcana: Whenever you target a single creature
with a spell, you gain an insight bonus equal to the spell’s
level (minimum +1) to your AC and saving throws against any
attack, spell, or spell-like ability used by that creature within
the next round.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast deals nonlethal
(subdual) damage, and also carries the effects of the lullaby
spell, with the penalty to saves against sleep effects equal to
the highest-level spell slot you have in reserve. You can also
use lullaby at will as a spell-like ability. Improved Blast:
Coercive Spell; greater blast: Bewitching Spell.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—none; saving throws—
instead of a racial bonus to saving throws, you gain a +1
insight bonus to initiative, which increases by an additional
+1 per 4 levels after the 3rd (maximum +5 at 19th level);
damage reduction—instead of damage reduction, you gain an
insight bonus to AC equal to the initiative bonus.
Dream Allies (Sp): You can call creatures from your
dreams to aid you in waking life. You gain summon monster I-
IX as a racial suite of spell-like abilities (Chapter 7).
Summoned monsters are limited to the following choices
(and permutations thereof): I—entropic great horned owlPB3,
II—ghoul or zoogPB3, III—ghast, IV—nightgauntPF64, V—
voonithPB3, VI—shantakPB2, VII—colour out of spacePF46 or
gugPB2, VIII—moon-beastPB3, IX—Leng spiderPB2.
Dreamshaper (Sp): At 9th level, you can manipulate the
dreamscape of others, drawing forth or tampering with their
subconscious minds. This power allows you to tamper with
the target’s memories as if using modify memory, or you may
ask questions as if using speak with dead upon a corpse. A
successful Will save negates the effect. The DC of this save is
modified as the nightmare spell. You can use this ability once
per day at 9th level. At 13th level you can use this ability twice
per day, and at 17th, three times per day.
Eye of Somnus (Sp): At 15th level, once per day as a full
attack action you can project your consciousness as if using
arcane eye. In addition, at any point you can cause the arcane
eye to become visible as a free action. The eye can no longer
be moved at that point, but it acts as a symbol of sleep to all
who see it. Starting at 19th level, you may use this power
twice per day.
Solipsism (Sp): At 20th level, you can drift into the dream
world, fading from the world around you. You can become
incorporeal as a move action for up to 1 minute per sorcerer
level per day. You gain the incorporeal subtype and take only
half damage from corporeal magical attacks (you take no
damage from nonmagical weapons and objects). Your spells
deal only half damage to corporeal creatures, but spells and
abilities that do not deal damage function normally. The
duration need not be continuous, but it must be used in 1-
minute increments, and each use requires a move action to
activate.
Elemental, Air
The power of the elements resides in you, and at times you
can hardly control its fury. This influence comes from an
elemental outsider in your family history or a time when you
or your relatives were exposed to a powerful elemental force.
Bonus Skills: Acrobatics, Fly.
Bonus Spells: 1st—obscuring mist, 2nd—resist energy, 3rd
—wind wall, 4th—defenstrating sphereCA, 5th—telekinesis,
6th—control winds, 7th—wind walk, 8th—summon nature’s
ally VIII (air elementals only), 9th—elemental swarm (air).
Bonus Feats: Command/Turn Elemental, Dodge,
Empower Spell, Improved Initiative, Lightning Reflexes, Skill
Focus (Fly), Wind Stance, or any [Air] Domain feat.
Bloodline Arcana: Whenever you cast a spell that deals
energy damage, you can change the type of damage to
electrical damage, changing the spell’s descriptor to
[electrical].
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast deals electrical
damage. Improved blast: your enhanced blast also carries
severe wind force, affecting those affected by the blast;
greater Blast: At 16th level, this is equivalent to a windstorm
to those affected. At 19th level, the winds are hurricane-force.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—electricity (this overlaps
with, rather than stacking with, the energy resistance granted
by your favored planar terrain bonus); saving throws—
special: you gain Favored Terrain (Elemental Plane of Air)
with a bonus equal to 1 + the saving throw bonus you would
normally receive; at 19th level the bonus improves to +8.
Damage reduction—adamantine.
Feather Fall (Sp): You can use feather fall at will as a
spell-like ability; this ability activates automatically if you fall
while unconscious.
Elemental Body (Sp): Starting at 9th level, you can
assume the form of a Small air elemental at will, as if by an
elemental body I spell. Starting at 11th level, you can also
become a Medium air elemental (as per an elemental body II
spell). At 13th level, you can become a Large air elemental
instead (as per an elemental body III spell). At 17th level, you
can become a Huge elemental (elemental body IV).
Whirlwind Form (Su): At 15th level, you gain the ability to
transform yourself into a whirlwind once per day as a
standard action. You can remain in that form until you choose
to re-assume your own. The whirlwind is 5 feet wide at the
base, up to 30 feet wide at the top and up to 50 feet tall. You
control the exact height, but it must be at least 10 feet. In this
form, you can move through the air or along a surface at a fly
speed of 60 ft. Your movement while in whirlwind form does
not provoke attacks of opportunity, even if you enter the space
another creature occupies.
Another creature might be caught in the whirlwind if it
touches or enters the whirlwind, or if you move into or
through the creature’s space. Creatures one or more size
categories smaller than you might take damage when caught
in the whirlwind and be lifted into the air. An affected
creature must succeed on a Reflex save when it comes into
contact with the whirlwind or take 3d6 points of damage. It
must also succeed on a second Reflex save or be picked up
bodily and held suspended in the powerful winds,
automatically taking 1d8 points of damage each round. An
airborne creature can attempt a Fly check each round to
escape the whirlwind. The creature still takes damage but
can leave if the check is successful. The save and check DCs
are equal to 23 + your Strength modifier.
Creatures trapped in the whirlwind cannot move except to
go where you carry them or to escape the whirlwind.
Creatures caught in the whirlwind can otherwise act
normally, but must make a casting check (DC 15 + 2 x spell
level) to cast a spell. Creatures caught in the whirlwind take a
-4 penalty to Dexterity and a –2 penalty on attack rolls. You
can have only as many trapped inside a whirlwind at one time
as will fit inside its volume. You can eject any carried
creatures whenever you wish, depositing them wherever the
whirlwind happens to be.
If the whirlwind’s base touches the ground, it creates a
swirling cloud of debris. This cloud is centered on you and
has a diameter equal to half the whirlwind’s height. The cloud
obscures all vision, including darkvision, beyond 5 feet.
Creatures 5 feet away have concealment, while those farther
away have total concealment. Those caught in the cloud must
succeed on a concentration check (DC 15 + 2 x spell level) to
cast a spell.
While in whirlwind form, you cannot make melee attacks
or cast spells, and you do not threaten the area around you.
Elemental Power (Su): At 20th level, elemental power
surges through your body. Your type changes to outsider
(elemental), and you gain immunity to sleep, sneak attacks
and critical hits. You can command or rebuke air creatures as
an evil cleric with the Command Undead feat commands
undead, with an effective cleric level of 20th.
Elemental, Earth
You are descended from a creature of elemental earth, or
have been exposed to some great power of elemental earth
yourself. Regardless of the exact earth creature in your
ancestry, you probably have a hardy, solid-looking body and
dark coloration, and you might even exude an earthy smell.
Stone giants produce long, lean descendants who tend to be
shy but playful. The progeny of earth mephits are generally
stubborn. Characters with gargoyle blood tend to be
territorial and prone to violence, especially when it comes to
protecting what is theirs.
Bonus Skills: Endurance, Profession (mining).
Bonus Spells: 1st—magic weapon, 2nd—resist energy, 3rd
—stony graspCA, 4th—stoneskin, 5th—transmute rock to
mud, 6th—move earth, 7th—summon nature’s ally VII (earth
elementals only), 8th—earthquake, 9th—elemental swarm
(earth).
Bonus Feats: Command/Turn Elemental, Empower Spell,
Great Fortitude, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Overrun,
Power Attack, Skill Focus (Profession: mining), or any [Earth]
Domain feat.
Bloodline Arcana: Whenever you cast a spell that deals
energy damage, you can change the type of damage to acid
damage. This also changes the spell's type to [acid].
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your standard eldritch blast takes the
form of a thrown pebble (blasts shaped by metamagic may
resemble a burst of stones, a spray of rock shards, or boulder
rolling in a line). In any case, the eldritch blast deals
bludgeoning damage.
Improved Blast: Starting at 8th level, up to 3 times per day,
your eldritch blast deals 1d6 damage per sorcerer level
you possess, regardless of what level spell slot you have
available (if any).
Greater Blast: Explosive Spell. Use of this ability requires
you to use the Shape Spell feat to make your eldritch blast
into a line, cone, or burst).
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—acid (this overlaps with,
rather than stacking with, the resistance granted by your
favored planar terrain); saving throws—special: you gain
Favored Terrain (Elemental Plane of Earth) with a bonus
equal to 1 + the saving throw bonus you would normally
receive; at 19th level, the bonus increases to +8. Damage
reduction—adamantine.
Fist of Stone (Sp): You gain a slam attack that deals 1d6
points of bludgeoning damage (1d4 if you are Small, 1d8 if
you are Large), plus your Strength bonus. You can make
iterative slam attacks if your base attack bonus allows. At 3rd
level, and for every 2 class levels thereafter, treat your
Strength as if it were 1 point higher than is actually the case
for purposes of this attack only. For example, a 17th level
earth bloodline sorcerer (BAB +8) with a 10 Str has slam
attacks at Str 18 equivalent (+12/+7 melee, 1d6+4).
Elemental Body (Sp): Starting at 9th level, you can
assume the form of a Small earth elemental at will, as if by an
elemental body I spell. Starting at 11th level, you can also
become a Medium earth elemental (as per an elemental body
II spell). At 13th level, you can become a Large earth
elemental instead (as per an elemental body III spell). At 17th
level, you can become a Huge elemental (elemental body IV).
Earth Power (Su): Starting at 15th level, as long as you are
standing on stone or unworked earth (including normal soil),
you can pull energy from the earth to you cast a bloodline
spell or spell with the [earth] descriptor. When you cast a
spell in this way, it requires a full-round action rather than a
full attack action, but you use a spell slot one level lower than
normal (e.g., you could use a 4th spell slot to cast wall of
stone). You cannot use this ability on 1st level spells.
Elemental Power (Su): At 20th level, elemental power
surges through your body. Your type changes to outsider
(elemental), and you gain immunity to sleep, sneak attacks
and critical hits. You can command or rebuke earth creatures
as an evil cleric with the Command Undead feat commands
undead, with an effective cleric level of 20th.
Elemental, Fire
The power of the element of fire resides in you, and at times
you can hardly control its fury. This influence comes from an
elemental outsider in your family history or a time when you
or your relatives were exposed to a powerful elemental force.
Bonus Skills: Acrobatics, Knowledge (the planes).
Bonus Spells: 1st—affect flamesAPM, 2nd—pyrotechnics,
3 —protection from energy, 4th—fire shield, 5th—greater
rd
fireburstCA, 6th—lingering flamesCM, 7th—delayed blast
fireball, 8th—summon nature’s ally VIII (fire elementals only),
9th—elemental swarm (fire).
Bonus Feats: Command/Turn Elemental, Dodge,
Empower Spell, Improved Initiative, Lightning Reflexes, Skill
Focus (Escape Artist), or any [Fire] Domain feat.
Bloodline Arcana: Whenever you cast a spell that deals
energy damage, you can change the type of damage to fire
damage. This also changes the spell's type to [fire].
Eldritch Blast: Your eldritch blast deals fire damage.
Improved blast: Sickening Spell; greater blast: Burning
Evocation (this stacks with the burn ability you gain from
favored terrain at 19th level).
Eldritch Resistances: Energy and saving throws—special:
you gain Favored Terrain (Elemental Plane of Fire) with a
bonus equal to 1 + the saving throw bonus you would
normally receive; at 19th level, the bonus increases to +8.
Damage reduction—adamantine.
Touch of Fire (Su): At 1st level, you can use your eldritch
blast (q.v.) as a melee touch attack (you do not gain the ranged
application until 2nd level, as normal). Alternatively, as a swift
action you can cause any weapon you wield to burst into
flames for 1 round, causing it to deal an additional 1d6 points
of fire damage (as a flaming weapon). Starting at 7th level,
whenever you have a 4th or higher level spell slot remaining,
the weapon deals additional damage equal to half your
eldritch blast damage.
Elemental Body (Sp): Starting at 9th level, you can
assume the form of a Small fire elemental at will, as if by an
elemental body I spell. Starting at 11th level, you can also
become a Medium fire elemental (as per an elemental body II
spell). At 13th level, you can become a Large elemental
instead (as per an elemental body III spell). At 17th level, you
can become a Huge elemental (elemental body IV).
Searing Flames (Su): Starting at 15th level, your fires are
so hot they can affect even those resistant to flames. You
automatically apply the effects of the Searing Evocation feat
(q.v.) to spells and spell-like abilities with the [fire] descriptor,
without any increase in casting time or spell level.
Elemental Power (Su): At 20th level, elemental power
surges through your body. Your type changes to outsider
(elemental), and you gain immunity to sleep, sneak attacks
and critical hits. You can command or rebuke fire creatures
as an evil cleric with the Command Undead feat commands
undead, with an effective cleric level of 20th.
Elemental, Water
The power of the element of water resides in you, and at
times you can hardly control its fury. This influence comes
from an elemental outsider in your family history or a time
when you or your relatives were exposed to a powerful
elemental force.
Bonus Skills: Athletics, Endurance.
Bonus Spells: 1st—create water, 2nd—fog cloud, 3rd
—water breathing, 4th—quench, 5th—transformation of the
deepSW, 6th—control water, 7th—waterspoutSW, 8th—
summon nature’s ally VIII (water elementals only), 9th
—elemental swarm (water).
Bonus Feats: Cleave, Command/Turn Elemental, Dodge,
Empower Spell, Great Fortitude, Power Attack, Skill Focus
(Knowledge: planes), or any [Water] Domain feat.
Bloodline Arcana: Whenever you cast a spell that deals
energy damage, you can change the type of damage to cold
damage. This adds the [cold, water] descriptors to the spell.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast carries the chill of
the ocean depths; it deals cold damage. Improved blast: Flash
Frost Evocation; greater blast: At 16th level, those affected by
your eldritch blast experience a shock akin to drowning, and
become exhausted for 1 round per 2 class levels you possess
(a Fortitude save applies to be fatigued instead).
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—cold; saving throws—
paralysis, poison, and stunning; damage reduction—
adamantine.
Favored Terrain (Ex): At 1st level, you gain Favored
Terrain (Elemental Plane of Water) with a +1 bonus. This
bonus improves by an additional +1 per 2 class levels
thereafter, to a maximum of +10 at 19th level.
Eldritch Touch (Sp): Also at 1st level, you can use your
eldritch blast (q.v.) as a melee touch attack (you do not gain
the ranged application until 2nd level, as normal).
Elemental Body (Sp): Starting at 9th level, you can assume
the form of a Small water elemental at will, as if by an
elemental body I spell. Starting at 11th level, you can also
become a Medium water elemental (as per an elemental body
II spell). At 13th level, you can become a Large elemental
instead (as per an elemental body III spell). At 17th level, you
can become a Huge elemental (elemental body IV).
Mantle of the Sea (Su): Starting at 15th level, your outline
shifts like water; you gain the continuous effects of a blur
spell. While submerged under water, this effect improves to a
full displacement.
Elemental Power (Su): At 20th level, elemental power
surges through your body. Your type changes to outsider
(water elemental), and you gain immunity to sleep, sneak
attacks and critical hits. You can command or rebuke water
creatures as an evil cleric with the Command Undead feat
commands undead, with an effective cleric level of 20th.
Far Realm
You or your ancestors have made pacts with the elder spawn
of madness inhabiting the Far Realm. This bloodline
supersedes the Alienist prestige class of the same name from
Complete Arcane (a wizard-based version is also presented
here as an esoteric branch of wizardry). You are affected by
spells and effects that target [evil] aligned creatures, and you
detect as such.
Bonus Skills: Knowledge (the planes), Planar Sense.
Bonus Spells: 1st—true strike, 2nd—detect thoughts, 3rd
—blink, 4th—greater invisibility, 5th—feeblemind, 6th
—eyebite, 7th—insanity, 8th—scintillating pattern, 9th—gate.
Bonus Feats: Augment Summoning, Great Fortitude, Skill
Focus (Planar Sense), Spell Focus (Conjuration),
Thaumaturgist, or any [Madness] Domain feat. You can also
choose any two metamagic feats in place of two other bonus
feats.
Bloodline Arcana: Whenever you would use any summon
monster spell to summon a creature with the celestial or
fiendish template, it instead has the pseudonatural template
(Complete Arcane). You cannot summon non-pseudonatural
creatures (e.g., mephitis or howlers) with a summon monster
spell. In place of any of your bloodline spells, you can instead
learn a summon monster spell of the appropriate level.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast carries the
inevitable decay of the sane universe; it deals negative energy
damage. Improved blast: Entangling Spell; greater blast: Fell
Nausea.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—acid or electricity (choose
one); saving throws—special (you gain a +1 insight bonus to
all saves, but lose 2 points of Wisdom); damage reduction—
magic (+1 at 3rd level, +2 at 7th, +3 at 11th, +4 at 15th, and +5
at 19th).
Arcane Bond (Su): At 1st level, you gain a familiar, as the
wizard’s arcane bond. If you have the Thaumaturgist feat, you
can add the pseudonatural template (Complete Arcane) at the
cost of +1 CR.
Mad Certainty (Ex): At 9th level, your mad certainty in the
power of entities beyond the reach of normal space and time
lend you an unnatural, insane gaze. You gain a +4 racial
bonus to Bluff checks, and on Charisma-based checks to
influence or control Far Realms entities. However, constantly
dwelling on such beings is mentally corrosive, and your mind
begins to fracture. You take a —4 penalty on all Diplomacy
and Handle Animal checks made to influence non-
pseudonatural creatures.
Timeless Body (Ex): At 15th level, you learn the secret of
perpetual youth. You no longer take attribute penalties for
aging (any penalties already taken remain in place), and you
cannot be magically aged. Unless you achieve 20th level
before then, you are stolen away by horrible entities when
your allotted time is up, and you are never seen again.
Alien Transcendence (Su): At 20th level, because of long
association with alien entities and intense study of insane
secrets, you transcend your mortal form and becomes an
alien creature. You gain the pseudonatural template from
Complete Arcane.
Fey
The capricious nature of the fey runs in your family due to
some intermingling of fey blood or magic. You are more
emotional than most, prone to bouts of joy and rage. You are
affected by spells and effects that target [chaotic] creatures,
and you detect as such.
Certain sorcerers gain their power through pacts with fey.
These sorcerers, called “wild souls,” must swear allegiance
either to the Seelie or Uneelie Court, gaining the [good] or
[evil] alignment descriptor in the process. Wild souls have
different bonus spells, bonus feats, and bloodline arcana
effects than other fey-blooded sorcerers. These options
supersede the Wild Soul prestige class from Complete Mage.
Bonus Skills: Escape Artist, Stealth.
Bonus Spells: 1st—entangle, 2nd—hideous laughter, 3rd
—deep slumber, 4th—vigorCD, 5th—tree stride, 6th—mislead,
7th—phase door, 8th—irresistible dance, 9th—shapechange.
Seelie Bonus Spells: 1st—remove fear, 2nd—hideous
laughter, 3rd—invisibility sphere, 4th—break enchantment,
5th—baleful polymorph, 6th—true seeing, 7th—prismatic
spray, 8th—sympathy, 9th—time stop.
Unseelie Bonus Spells: 1st—lesser confusion, 2nd
—detect thoughts, 3rd—bestow curse, 4th—poison, 5th
—endless slumberCM, 6th—mass suggestion, 7th—waves of
exhaustion, 8th—horrid wilting, 9th—wail of the banshee.
Bonus Feats: Entangling Spell, Fleet, Improved Initiative,
Lightning Reflexes, Skill Focus (Stealth), Spell Focus
(Enchantment), Spell Focus (Illusion), Touch of Distraction.
Bloodline Arcana: Add summon nature’s ally spells (fey
and magical beasts only) to your class spells list at the
appropriate levels.
Eldritch Blast: Your eldritch blast deals nonlethal
(subdual) damage; Improved blast: Coercive Spell; greater
blast: Bewitching Spell.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—none; saving throws—
enchantments and illusions; damage reduction—cold iron.
Woodland Stride (Ex): You can move through any sort of Eldritch Resistances: Energy—none; saving throws—
undergrowth (such as natural thorns, briars, overgrown special: instead of a saving throw bonus, you gain Favored
areas, and similar terrain) at your normal speed and without Terrain (Underwater) at a bonus equal to 1 + your saving
taking damage or suffering any other impairment. Thorns, throw bonus; at 19th level, the bonus increases to +8. Damage
briars, and overgrown areas that have been magically reduction—cold iron.
manipulated to impede motion, however, still affect you. Mindless Touch (Su): At 1st level, you gain a touch attack,
Eldritch Touch (Sp): Also at 1st level, you can use your usable as a standard action that does not provoke an attack of
eldritch blast (q.v.) as a melee touch attack (you do not gain opportunity. Any creature struck must save vs. Will or take
the ranged application until 2nd level, as normal). 1d4 points of Intelligence damage. Whether or not the save is
Fleeting Glance (Su): At 9th level, you can turn invisible successful, that particular creature is immune to further uses
for a number of rounds per day equal to your sorcerer level. of your mindless touch for 24 hours. Starting at 7th level, a
This ability functions as greater invisibility. These rounds saving throw no longer provides temporary immunity; you
need not be consecutive. can use this ability on a particular creature any number of
Fey Magic (Su): At 15th level, you may reroll any check times per day. Starting at 13th level, there is no saving throw.
made to overcome spell resistance. You must decide to use Fleeting Glance (Su): At 9th level, you can turn invisible
this ability before the results are revealed. You must take the for a number of rounds per day equal to your class level. This
second result, even if it is worse. You can use this ability at ability functions as greater invisibility. These rounds need not
will. be consecutive, but each activation is a swift action.
Soul of the Fey (Su): At 20th level, your soul becomes one Unearthly Grace (Su): Starting at 15th level, you add your
with the world of the fey. Your type becomes Fey, rather than Charisma bonus as a deflection bonus to Armor Class and
your former creature type, and you no longer age (existing CMD.
ability score modifiers for aging remain, but additional Soul of the Waters (Su): At 20th level, your soul becomes
modifiers do not accrue). You also gain low-light vision (if you one with the world of the aquatic fey. Your type becomes Fey,
did not already have it), and gain Mark of the Wild as a bonus rather than your former creature type, and you no longer age
feat. Finally, once per day, you can cast shadow walk as a (existing ability score modifiers for aging remain, but
spell-like ability. additional modifiers do not accrue). You also gain low-light
vision (if you did not already have it).
Fey, Aquatic
Your ancestry contains an aquatic fey creature―or perhaps Genie, Djinn
you dallied for a time with one yourself. The characteristics Though few sages put much stock in myths that humanoids
you display might depend in part on the kind of aquatic fey and genies share a common ancestor, there is no denying that
heritage you have. the races are very similar in form. Characters with a djinni
Characters with aquatic fey bloodlines vary in appearance, bloodline are often haughty but display great guile.
but are almost always strikingly beautiful. Those descended Bonus Skills: Craft (any one), Fly.
from water nymphs typically have pointed ears, and non-elves Bonus Spells: 1st—enlarge person, 2nd—invisibility, 3rd
often confuse them with elves. Descendants of sirines tend to —gaseous form, 4th—create food and water, 5th—major
be wistful, and—like their fey parent—often have a slight creation (created vegetable matter is permanent), 6th—wind
green tinge to their skin and silvery or light-green hair. walk, 7th—plane shift, 8th—whirlwind, 9th—wish.
Fossergrim-blooded characters are usually male, have light Bonus Feats: Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Extend Spell,
hair and striking blue eyes, and exude a rugged masculinity. Great Fortitude, Improved Initiative, Skill Focus
Those descended from kelpies vary in appearance greatly but (Concentration), Skill Focus (Knowledge: the planes), Wind
almost universally possess evil hearts filled with darkness. Stance.
Characters with selkie blood typically have light gray, blond, Bloodline Arcana: You can use the wishes (verbal
or deep red hair, and often have slightly webbed hands and requests, not wish spells) of non-genie creatures other than
feet. yourself in place of the normal verbal components of your
You are affected by spells and effects that target [chaotic] spells. A creature can make a wish as an immediate action at
aligned creatures, and you detect as such. any time. You must be able to hear and understand a wish in
Bonus Skills: Athletics, Escape Artist. order to use it as a spell component. A wish doesn't need to
Bonus Spells: 1st—charm person, 2nd—fog cloud, 3rd— mention the name of a specific spell, but must describe an
nixie’s lureARG, 4th—siren’s callSW, 5th—feeblemind, 6th outcome that can be accomplished by casting a spell you
—control water, 7th—control weather, 8th—mass charm know (for example, wishing to be bigger could supply the
monster, 9th—shapechange. verbal component for enlarge person). You are under no
Bonus Feats: Combat Expertise, Deep Intuition, Dodge, compulsion to grant a creature's wish. Source: This simulates
Drowning Glance, Natural Spell, Skill Focus (Escape Artist), the Wishcrafter’s “wishbound arcana,” from the Advanced
Spell Focus (Enchantment), Weapon Finesse. Race Guide.
Bloodline Arcana: Whenever you cast a spell or use a Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast deals electrical
spell-like ability of the [charm] subschool, increase the spell's damage. Improved blast: your enhanced blast also carries
DC by +2. severe wind force, affecting those affected by the blast;
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast deals nonlethal greater Blast: this is equivalent to a windstorm to those
(drowning) damage. Improved blast: Blast Spell (touch of affected.
idiocy); greater blast: three times per day you can apply the
effects of a feeblemind spell to your unshaped eldritch blast.
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Feather Fall (Sp): You can use feather fall at will as a spell-
like ability; this ability activates automatically if you fall while
unconscious.
Genie’s Guile (Ex): At 9th level, you gain a +2 inherent
bonus to your Wisdom. This bonus increases to +4 at 13th
level, and again to +6 at 17th level.
Whirlwind Form (Su): As the Air Elemental bloodline
power of the same name.
Genie Apotheosis (Ex): At 20th level, you become a true
genie. Your type changes to Outsider, you gain the [air]
subtype, and you stop aging. You can grant one wish per year
to a mortal (not you, as you are no longer mortal), as you see
fit.
Genie, Efreet
Characters with the bloodline of the efreet are most likely
descended from slaves of that terrible and powerful race.
Bonus Skills: Craft (any one), Bluff.
Bonus Spells: 1st—enlarge person, 2nd—pyrotechnics or
scorching ray, 3rd—gaseous form, 4th—wall of fire, 5th
—overland flight, 6th—permanent image, 7th—plane shift, 8th
—incendiary cloud, 9th—wish.
Bonus Feats: Dodge, Empower Spell, Improved Initiative,
Lightning Reflexes, Power Attack, Searing Evocation
(standard or innate), Skill Focus (Concentration), Skill Focus
(Knowledge: the Planes).
Bloodline Arcana: You can use the wishes (verbal
requests, not wish spells) of non-genie creatures other than
yourself in place of the normal verbal components of your
spells. A creature can make a wish as an immediate action at
any time. You must be able to hear and understand a wish in
order to use it as a spell component. A wish doesn't need to
mention the name of a specific spell, but must describe an
outcome that can be accomplished by casting a spell you
know (for example, wishing to be bigger could supply the
verbal component for enlarge person). You are under no
compulsion to grant a creature's wish.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast deals fire damage.
Improved blast: Sickening Spell; greater blast: Burning
Evocation.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy and saving throws—special:
you gain Favored Terrain (Elemental Plane of Fire) with a
bonus equal to 1 + the saving throw bonus you would
normally receive; at 19th level, the bonus increases to +8.
Damage reduction—magic (+1), and you also gain a +1 bonus
to your natural armor, which increases by an additional +1
per 4 levels after the 3rd (maximum +5 at 19th level).
Heat [Reserve] (Ex): Starting at 1st level, as long as you
have a 1st level spell slot uncast, your melee attacks deal an
additional 1d6 points of fire damage. As you gain access to
higher-level spells, this damage increases to 1d6 per 2 levels
of the highest-level spell slot you have available and uncast.
For example, at 17th level, if you have a 9th level spell slot
available, your melee attacks deal an additional 4d6 fire
damage.
Genie’s Might (Ex): At 9th level, you gain a +2 inherent
bonus to your Strength. This bonus increases to +4 at 13th
level, and again to +6 at 17th level.
Enlarge Self (Sp): At 15th level, you gain the ability to
assume a larger form at will as a standard action. This
duplicates the effects of a giant form I spell, granting a +6
enhancement bonus to Strength, a –2 penalty to Dexterity, a
+4 enhancement bonus to Constitution, a +4 natural armor
bonus, low-light vision, and a +10 foot enhancement bonus to
your speed. You also gain darkvision 60 feet, and your
resistance to fire increases to 30. This form lasts up to 1
round per class level.
Molten Blood (Su): At 20th level, the flames in your blood
burn those who dare attack you: any creature striking you
with a natural weapon, unarmed strike, or non-reach melee
weapon takes fire damage per your heat ability (see above)
with each blow, and must save vs. Reflex (DC 20) or catch on
fire.
Genie, Marid
Of all the genies, marids most often take human lovers,
whom they lure into the waters from the shore, promising
riches, lavish palaces, and a life of indolence.
Bonus Skills: Athletics, Endurance.
Bonus Spells: 1st—obscuring mist, 2nd—invisibility, 3rd
—water breathing or quench, 4th—control water, 5th
—persistent image, 6th—elemental body III (water), 7th
—plane shift, 8th—giant form II, 9th—wish.
Bonus Feats: Cleave, Empower Spell, Great Fortitude,
Improved Bull Rush, Improved Initiative, Power Attack, Skill
Focus (Concentration), Skill Focus (Knowledge: the Planes).
Bloodline Arcana: You can use the wishes (verbal
requests, not wish spells) of non-genie creatures other than
yourself in place of the normal verbal components of your
spells. A creature can make a wish as an immediate action at
any time. You must be able to hear and understand a wish in
order to use it as a spell component. A wish doesn't need to
mention the name of a specific spell, but must describe an
outcome that can be accomplished by casting a spell you
know (for example, wishing to be bigger could supply the
verbal component for enlarge person). You are under no
compulsion to grant a creature's wish.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast is a jet of water,
dealing bludgeoning damage. Improved blast: Blast Spell
(hydraulic push); greater blast: Blinding Spell.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—cold; saving throws—
paralysis, petrifaction, and stunning; damage reduction—
magic (+1), and you also gain a +1 bonus to your natural
armor, which increases by an additional +1 per 4 levels after
the 3rd (maximum +5 at 19th level).
Favored Terrain (Ex): At 1st level, you gain favored terrain
(Elemental Plane of Water), as the ranger class feature of the
same name, with a +1 bonus. This bonus improves by an
additional +1 per 2 class levels thereafter (maximum +10 at
19th level).
Eldritch Touch (Sp): Also at 1st level, you can use your
eldritch blast (q.v.) as a melee touch attack (you do not gain
the ranged application until 2nd level, as normal).
Genie’s Might (Ex): At 9th level, you gain a +2 inherent
bonus to your Strength. This bonus increases to +4 at 13th
level, and again to +6 at 17th level.
Mantle of the Sea (Su): Starting at 15th level, your outline
shifts like water; you gain the continuous effects of a blur
spell. While submerged under water, this effect improves to a
full displacement.
Mantle of the Sea (Su): At 20th level, you forsake the land to
claim an undersea realm of your own. Your type changes to
outsider, and you gain the [water] subtype. You can also call
aquatic minions to do your bidding. You gain nine spell levels
per day worth of summon nature’s ally (aquatic only) as a
spell-like ability. These uses can be divided as you see fit (e.g.,
one summon nature’s ally IX spell, two summon nature’s ally
IV spells and a summon nature’s ally I spell, etc.).
Genie, Shaitan (Dao)
Bonus Skills: Craft (any one), Profession (mining).
Bonus Spells: 1st—true strike, 2nd—glitterdust, 3rd—meld
into stone, 4th—stoneskin, 5th—wall of stone, 6th—stone tell,
7th—plane shift, 8th—earthquake, 9th—wish.
Bonus Feats: Explosive Spell, Favored Terrain (Plane of
Earth or underground), Great Fortitude, Improved Bull Rush,
Improved Initiative, Power Attack, Skill Focus
(Concentration), Skill Focus (Knowledge: the Planes).
*Synergy: If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher and you
have the Improved Bull Rush feat and a spell slot of at least
3rd level remaining, if you bull rush a target into a stone
barrier you can activate meld into stone on that opponent as a
free action. The target must succeed at a Reflex save (DC 13
+ your Strength bonus) or be trapped in the stone until it
breaks free (which requires a full round action and a
Fortitude save at the DC listed above). This ability simulates
the shaitan’s “stone curse” from the Pathfinder Bestiary.
Bloodline Arcana: You can use the wishes (verbal
requests, not wish spells) of non-genie creatures other than
yourself in place of the normal verbal components of your
spells. A creature can make a wish as an immediate action at
any time. You must be able to hear and understand a wish in
order to use it as a spell component. A wish doesn't need to
mention the name of a specific spell, but must describe an
outcome that can be accomplished by casting a spell you
know (for example, wishing to be bigger could supply the
verbal component for enlarge person). You are under no
compulsion to grant a creature's wish.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your standard eldritch blast takes the
form of a thrown pebble (blasts shaped by metamagic may
resemble a burst of stones, a spray of rock shards, or boulder
rolling in a line). In any case, the eldritch blast deals
bludgeoning damage. Improved blast: Toppling Spell; greater
blast: Staggering Spell.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—electricity; saving throws
—special: you gain Favored Terrain (Elemental Plane of
Earth) with a bonus equal to 1 + the saving throw bonus you
would normally receive; at 19th level, the bonus increases to
+8. Damage reduction—magic (+1), and you also gain a +1
bonus to your natural armor, which increases by an additional
+1 per 4 levels after the 3rd (maximum +5 at 19th level).
Fist of Stone (Su): You gain a slam attack that deals 1d6
points of bludgeoning damage (1d4 if you are Small, 1d8 if
you are Large), plus 1½ times your Strength bonus. At 3rd
level, and for every 2 class levels thereafter, treat your
Strength as if it were 1 point higher than is actually the case
for purposes of this attack only. For example, a 17th level
shaitan bloodline sorcerer (BAB +8) with a 10 Str has a slam
attack with the equivalent of an 18 Strength (+12 melee,
1d6+6).
Might of the Earth (Ex): At 9th level, you gain a +2
inherent bonus to your Strength. This bonus increases to +4
at 13th level, and again to +6 at 17th level.
Grounded (Ex): At 15th level, you gain tremorsense 60 ft.
The range of this ability increases by 10 ft. per level
thereafter, to a maximum of 110 ft. at 20th level.
Genie Apotheosis (Ex): At 20th level, you become a true
genie. Your type changes to Outsider, you gain the [earth]
subtype, and you stop aging. You can grant one wish per year
to a mortal (not you, as you are no longer mortal), as you see
fit
Giant
In ages past in the Northlands, giants mingled more freely
with smaller humanoids. Gifted with a mighty stature beyond
that of most men, the traits of your giant ancestor become
even more pronounced as you progress in power. If you wish
to determine your character's height and weight randomly, a
Medium giant bloodline sorcerer’s base height is 6'4" (male)
or 6'0" (female), and your base weight is 210 lb. (male) or 170
lb. (female).
Bonus Skills: Athletics, Endurance.
Bonus Spells: 1st—enlarge person, 2nd—bull’s strength,
3 —dispel magic, 4th—lesser globe of invulnerability, 5th
rd
—transmute rock to mud, 6th—chain lightning, 7th—giant
form I, 8th—summon nature’s ally VIII (1d4+1 hill or stone
giants, or 1d3 frost or fire giants, or 1 cloud giant), 9th
—crushing hand.
Bonus Feats: Cleave, Great Fortitude, Improved Bull
Rush, Improved Overrun, Overhand Chop, Power Attack,
Reach Spell, Skill Focus (Spellcraft).
Bloodline Arcana: Giantish mages (called the “Ka-Namol”
in the Giant tongue) cast spells with broader effects. The area
of the any area-affect evocation spell you cast increases by 50
percent. Source: Arcana Evolved (Malhavoc Press).
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your standard eldritch blast takes the
form of a thrown rock (blasts shaped by metamagic may
resemble a burst of stones, a spray of rock shards, or boulder
rolling in a line). In any case, the eldritch blast deals
bludgeoning damage. Improved blast: Toppling Spell; greater
blast: Staggering Spell.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—per giant type (acid for hill
giants, stone giants, and mountain giants; cold for frost giants
and taiga giants; fire for fire giants; electricity for cloud giants
and storm giants); saving throws—exhaustion, fatigue, and
massive damage; damage reduction—you gain Deflect
Arrows as a bonus feat, even if you do not meet the
prerequisites. For purposes of that feat only, you have 1
virtual rank in Sleight of Hand, and treat your base attack
bonus as equal to your class level (if it is normally lower).
Powerful Build (Ex): Your physical stature lets you
function in many ways as if you were one size category larger.
You gain a +1 size bonus to your Combat Maneuver Bonus.
You are also considered to be one size larger when
determining whether a creature’s special attacks based on
size (such as improved grab or swallow whole) can affect you.
You can use weapons designed for a creature one size larger
without penalty. However, your space and reach remain those
of a creature of your actual size. The benefits of this racial
trait stack with the effects of powers, abilities, and spells that
change your size category.
Giant’s Might (Ex): At 9th level, you gain a +2 inherent bonus
to your Strength. This bonus increases to +4 at 13th level, and
to +6 at 17th level.
Forceful Attacks (Ex): At 15th level, you gain Awesome
Blow as a bonus feat, even if you do not meet the
prerequisites.
Giant Size (Su): At 20th level, you come into the full
growth of your giant ancestry. Your size becomes Large, and
you permanently gain the benefits of a giant form II spell: a
+8 enhancement bonus to Strength, a –2 penalty to Dexterity,
a +6 enhancement bonus to Constitution, a +6 natural armor
bonus, low-light vision, and a +10 foot enhancement bonus to
your speed. You also gain rock catching and rock throwing
ability (range 120 feet, 2d10 damage). If your giant ancestor
has immunity or resistance to one element, you gain that
immunity or resistance. If the giant has vulnerability to an
element, you gain that vulnerability.
Goblin
One of your ancestors was a hobgoblin loremaster or a pukje
(goblin wizard) of the mountains—or possibly even a
barghest. Alternatively, you might have been stolen by goblins
as a baby and raised as one of them for a time.
Bonus Skills: Handle Animal, Stealth.
Bonus Spells: 1st—reduce person, 2nd—invisibility, 3rd
—blink, 4th—dimension door, 5th—passwall, 6th—summon
monster VI (2-5 fiendish dire wolves), 7th—project image, 8th
—mass charm monster, 9th—energy drain.
Bonus Feats: Dodge, Improved Initiative, Leadership
(goblins, hobgoblins, bugbears, wolves, worgs, dire wolves,
etc.), Lightning Reflexes, Silent Spell, Skill Focus
(Concentration), Skill Focus (Stealth), Thaumaturgist.
Bloodline Arcana: Your spells are more effective against
unwary foes. The save DC (if any) for your sorcerer spells
improves by +1 if you cast at a foe who would otherwise be
denied a Dexterity bonus to AC against your attacks.
However, you powers taint your being; starting at 5th level,
you are affected by spells and effects that target evil-aligned
creatures, and you detect as such.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast is a wave of
despair that deals nonlethal (subdual) damage. Improved
blast: Fell Frighten; greater blast: those failing Will saves are
panicked rather than shaken (and are still shaken on a
successful save).
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—fire; saving throws—
disease and poison; damage reduction—silver.
Darkvision (Ex): At 1st level, you gain darkvision to a range
of 30 ft. (if you already have darkvision, its range increases by
30 ft.).
At 7th level the range increases by an additional 30 ft. You
can also see in areas of shadowy illumination clearly
without suffering the standard penalties.
At 13th level you gain the scent ability.
At 19th level, the range of your darkvision increases by an
additional 30 ft., and you can see through any form of
magical darkness.
Eldritch Touch (Sp): Also at 1st level, you can use your
eldritch blast as a melee touch attack (you do not gain the
ranged application until 2nd level, as normal).
Wolf Form (Su): Starting at 9th level, at will you can take
the form of a Large dire wolf, as if under a beast shape II
spell, or of a Medium worg, as if by the beast shape III spell.
Feed (Su): Starting at 15th level, once per level you can
devour a humanoid's corpse as a full-round action. Doing so
grants you an inherent bonus of +1 to Strength or
Constitution. These bonuses stack, so that at 20th level, after
devouring five humanoids, you have a total of +5 points,
divided between Strength and Constitution. Creatures
devoured in this way cannot be brought back by a raise dead
spell; a resurrection or true resurrection is needed.
Greater Barghest (Su): At 20th level, you come into your
full powers. Your type becomes Outsider, and you gain spell
resistance 31. You can plane shift once per day to Gehenna or
back as a spell-like ability.
Hag
Misfortune, pestilence, and nightmares follow your family like
vermin drawn to carrion. Somewhere in your family history, a
hag’s foul influence entered your bloodline. You may actually
be related to the hag, or you may still be suffering the effects
of a curse that a hag laid upon your kin in generations past. If
you are female, you might have been “adopted” by a hag and
narrowly avoided becoming one of them. In any event, now
the hag’s powers are part of your heritage. This bloodline has
been merged with the “Accursed” bloodline from the Ultimate
Magic supplement.
Bonus Skills: Bluff, Perform (acting).
Bonus Spells: 1st—disguise self, 2nd—touch of idiocy, 3rd
—ray of exhaustion, 4th—bestow curse, 5th—baleful
polymorph, 6th—eyebite, 7th—forcecage, 8th—mind blank,
9th—energy drain.
Bonus Feats: Blind-Fight, Imbue Item, Great Fortitude,
Leadership (ogres, hags, hagspawn, and hill giants), Skill
Focus (Craft: alchemy), Toughness, Two-Weapon Strike (claws
only), Vital Strike.
Bloodline Arcana: You count as a hag for the purpose of
joining a hag’s coven. In addition, whenever you are within 30
feet of another sorcerer with this bloodline or a witch with
the coven hex, you can use the Aid Another action to grant a
+1 circumstance bonus to the other spellcaster’s
Concentration (and effective caster level) for 1 round.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): You can focus the power of the Evil
Eye on your enemies, dealing negative energy damage.
Improved Blast: Staggering Spell (3/day only); greater blast:
once per day, a creature damaged by your unshaped eldritch
blast must succeed at a Fortitude save or be dazed for three
days, although remove curse or dispel evil can restore sanity
sooner. In addition, an affected creature must succeed on a
Fortitude save or die from fright. Creatures with immunity to
fear effects are not affected by the Evil Eye.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—negative energy; saving
throws—charm and [fear]; damage reduction—bludgeoning.
Claws (Ex): Starting at 1st level, you can make two claw
attacks as a full-attack action. These claws are treated as
natural weapons, meaning that you are always considered
armed and you do not gain additional attacks for a high base
attack bonus. These attacks deal 1d6 points of damage plus
your Strength modifier (1d4 if you are Small). Starting at 11th
level, a hit from one of your claws also deals 1 point of
Strength damage.
Hideous Strength (Ex): At 9th level, you gain a +2 inherent
bonus to your Strength. This bonus increases to +4 at 13th
level, and again to +6 at 17th level.
Dream Walking (Sp): Starting at 15th level, once per day
you can enter the ethereal plane as a spell-like ability. This
functions like ethereal jaunt, but lasts up to 1 minute per 2
class levels you possess. Once during this trip, you may cast
nightmare as a spell-like ability on a creature you see on the
Material Plane. (This is an exception to the normal rule that
ethereal creatures cannot affect targets on the Material
Plane).
Hagblood (Su): At 20th level, your type changes to
Monstrous Humanoid. You gain darkvision 60 ft. (if you do
not already possess it) and spell resistance 31.
Incantatrix
Unlike the Abjuration specialist described in Magic of Faerun
and the Players Guide to Faerun, the Incantatrix as described
here draws more heavily from Clive Barker’s Weaveworld.
Many of the abilities of the Forgotten Realms prestige class
are retained, in order to round out the bloodline abilities. An
Incantatrix in the Aviona campaign must be female, although
male equivalents (“Incantatars”) may be included in other
campaign settings.
Bonus Skills: Planar Sense, Spellcraft.
Bonus Spells: 1st—chill touch, 2nd—Enkili’s prankRR, 3rd
—dispel magic, 4th—ghost touch weaponLM, 5th—wall of
force, 6th—ghost trapLM, 7th—soulstrikeRR, 8th—create
greater undead, 9th—energy drain.
Bonus Feats: Imbue Item, Improved Counterspell, Iron
Will, Skill Focus (Planar Sense), Transdimensional Spell.
Also, each time you gain a new bloodline feat, you can select
any metamagic feat (Chapter 7) instead.
Bloodline Arcana: Your powers are drawn from the
Menstruum; you must abstain from sex with men or lose all
spell slots (and your eldritch blast ability) for the next month.
While your powers are intact, you gain a +2 competence
bonus to all Concentration checks made to dispel magic, or
as caster level checks to harm, banish, or overcome the spell
resistance of outsiders.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): You are imbued with the power of the
Menstruum, an unholy manifestation of ectoplasmic blood
with which you can blast your enemies. This deals negative
energy damage. Improved blast: up to 3 times per day, your
eldritch blast deals 1d6 damage per class level you possess,
regardless of whether you have any spell slots remaining.
Greater Blast: Disruptive Spell.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—negative energy; saving
throws—death effects and energy drain; damage reduction—
bludgeoning or slashing.
Drain Item (Sp): As a full-round action, you can drain a
charge from a magic item (potions, wands, staves, or other 1-
use or charged item), using the magic to heal yourself. If the
item drained is a staff, the spell level is that of the lowest-level
spell that uses a single charge. You gain 1d6 hit points per
spell level of the potion or charge drained. If you have reached
your maximum hit points, any additional hit points acquired
are temporary hit points (maximum +1 per class level) that
disappear after 10 minutes.
You can use this ability on magic items held by other
creatures, but this requires a melee touch attack that
provokes an attack of opportunity. The creature holding the
item is entitled to a Will save to prevent the charge or item
from being drained.
Metamagic Adept (Ex): Starting at 9th level, the spell level
adjustment for metamagic feats you apply to your spells is
reduced by 1 (minimum +1 level). For every 3 class levels you
possess, you can defray metamagic costs up to 1 spell level
per day in this manner.
Retroactive Metamagic (Su): Starting at 15th level, you
can apply metamagic feats you possess to spell effects that
are already in place. For example, you could use Extend Spell
to extend the duration of a wall of force or Maximize Spell to
maximize the damage dealt by a cloudkill. To use this ability,
you must be adjacent to or within the spell effect and make a
successful Spellcraft check at DC 18 + (3 × modified spell
level). “Modified spell level” is the level of the spell slot that
the spell would occupy if it were prepared with the
metamagic feat applied. Spell slot increases for metamagic
feats that were applied to affect the spell’s casting (such as
Still Spell, Silent Spell, or Quicken Spell) do not count
toward the modified spell level, but adjustments for
metamagic that change the spell’s effect (such as Empower
Spell, Enlarge Spell, or Widen Spell) do count. The cost of the
metamagic applies against your metamagic mastery capacity
(see above).
Snatch Spell (Su): At 20th level, you can attempt to seize
control over a spell effect created by another spellcaster. The
effect can be one that depends on concentration, or that
relies on or responds to the caster’s control (such as a
summon monster spell or spiritual weapon, but not a wall of
fire, for example). Furthermore, the effect (but not necessarily
the spellcaster) must be within 30 feet of you. The target
spellcaster and you make opposed concentration checks (a
divine spellcaster receives a +2 bonus on this check). If you
win, you gains control of the spell until its original duration
expires. The spell functions as though you had cast it, except
that any variables determined when the spell was cast
(including its caster level) remain as determined by the caster.
The original caster can be affected by his own spell, though
he receives a +2 circumstance bonus on any saving throw
allowed against it.
Infernal
Somewhere in your family's history, a relative made a deal
with a devil, and that pact has influenced your family line ever
since. In you, it manifests in direct and obvious ways,
granting you powers and abilities. While your fate is still your
own, you can't help but wonder if your ultimate reward is
bound to the Pit. You are affected by spells and effects that
target [lawful] and/or [evil] aligned creatures, and you detect
as such.
Bonus Skills: Diplomacy, Profession (admin).
Bonus Spells: 1st—protection from good, 2nd—scorching
ray, 3rd—suggestion, 4th—vigorCD, 5th—dominate person,
6th—planar binding (devils and creatures with the fiendish
template only), 7th—greater teleport, 8th—power word: stun,
9th—meteor swarm.
Bonus Feats: Blind-Fight, Extend Spell, Iron Will, Hell’s
Corruption [Domain], Skill Focus (Knowledge: the planes),
Skill Synergy (Bluff, Perform: Acting), Skill Focus
(Concentration), Thaumaturgist.
Bloodline Arcana: Whenever you cast a spell of the
[charm] sub-school, increase the spell's DC by +2.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): You can unleash a blast of hellfire,
dealing fire damage. Improved blast: Energy Admixture
(unholy); greater blast: Empower Spell.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—fire; saving throws—
special; instead of a saving throw bonus, you gain Favored
Terrain (Lower Planes) with a bonus equal to 1 + the saving
throw bonus you would normally receive; at 19th level, the
bonus improves to +8. Damage reduction—silver or good.
Corrupting Touch (Sp): At 1st level, you can cause a
creature to become shaken as a melee touch attack that does
not provoke an attack of opportunity. This effect persists for a
number of rounds equal to half your sorcerer level (minimum
1). Creatures shaken by this ability radiate an aura of evil, as if
they were an evil outsider (see detect evil). Multiple touches
do not stack, but they do add to the duration. You can
combine this ability with the effects of your eldritch blast (q.v.)
as a melee touch attack.
Smite Good (Su): Starting at 9th level, you can designate a
good-aligned creature as the target of this power as a swift
action. Thereafter, you gain a profane bonus to attack rolls
and AC against that creature equal to your Charisma bonus,
and a damage bonus equal to twice your class level. Your
weapon or natural attacks also automatically bypass any
damage reduction possessed by that target. These bonuses
apply even to spells with attack rolls and/or that cause
damage, and last until that opponent is dead or until the next
time you rest. You can use this ability once per day at 9th level,
and an additional time per day per 4 levels thereafter
(maximum 3/day at 17th level).
On Dark Wings (Su): At 15th level, you can grow fearsome
bat wings as a standard action, giving you a fly speed of 60
feet with average maneuverability. The wings can be
dismissed as a free action.
Power of the Pit (Su): At 20th level, your form becomes
infused with vile power. Your favored terrain bonus increases
to +10, granting you the Fiendish simple template, and you
gain the ability to see perfectly in darkness of any kind to a
range of 60 feet. Those killed by your eldritch blast must save
vs. Will or have their souls damned to Hell in a burst of
brimstone (add a +20 profane bonus to the resurrection
survival check, if raised by a non-evil spellcaster).
Maestro
The spiritual power of song runs strongly through your family
line. This may be the result of ancient pacts made with azata
patrons, or even an inheritance from a lillend or trumpet
archon ancestor. It could also be the lingering taint of a less
savory heritage, such as from a harpy or a forefather driven to
madness by the disquieting gibbering of a shoggoth. However
it came to be, your family’s artistic bent shows itself strongly
in your magic. This bloodline is from Ultimate Magic,
modified somewhat here so as to facilitate multiclassing with
the bard class.
Bonus Skills: Knowledge (linguistics), Perform (Music).
Bonus Spells: 1st—ventriloquism, 2nd—hideous laughter,
3 —suggestion, 4th—shout, 5th—dominate person, 6th
rd
—mass suggestion, 7th—power word: blind, 8th—greater
shout, 9th—wail of the banshee.
Bonus Feats: Arcane Bond (musical instrument; see under
Bardic Lore), Arcane Defense (enchantment), Deep Intuition,
Disguise Spell, Skill Focus (Perform), Skill Synergy (Bluff,
Diplomacy), Spell Focus (enchantment), Still Spell.
Bloodline Arcana: If you have levels in bard, your sorcerer
level provides Full synergy when calculating your number of
rounds of bardic inspiration per day and your college.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast deals sonic
damage (this can be represented as a pneuma―an explosion
of breath―as the Maestro Sartori used in Clive Barker’s
Imagica). Improved Blast: Shape Spell; greater blast:
Deafening Spell), applied to your eldritch blast, as a bonus
feat.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—sonic; saving throws—
bardic inspirations and bard spells, sonic effects, symbols,
glyphs, and magical writings of any kind; damage reduction—
magic (+1 at 3rd level, +2 at 7th, +3 at 11th, +4 at 15th, and +5
at 19th).
Beguiling Voice (Ex): At 1st level, you can use the sound of
your voice to lull a target creature into taking no action. This
ability acts as the daze spell, except it is language-dependent,
has a duration of 1 round, and affects a living creature whose
Hit Dice do not exceed your sorcerer level.
Perfect Voice (Su): At 9th level, you understand all efforts
to communicate through sound, and can make yourself
understood to any creature able to understand language. You
can speak to, and understand the speech of, any creature that
understands at least one spoken language. The save DCs of
language-dependent spells you cast increase by +1. Synergy:
If you already have the bardic gift of tongues ability (q.v.), you
also gain the powerful voice bardic lore.
Inspire (Sp): At 15th level, your artistic magic can inspire
your allies to great accomplishments. You can use bardic
inspiration (q.v.) as a bard of level equal to your sorcerer level,
using inspire courage, your bloodline spells, or other
thematic spells. If you have levels in bard, your sorcerer levels
provide Full synergy for purposes of determining the
inspirations you can maintain effortlessly.
Grand Maestro (Su): If you selected music or linguistics
as your focus, at 20th level the power of pure music flows
through you. You cast any spell with a verbal component as if
it had the Still Spell metamagic feat applied to it, with no
increase to the casting time or spell slot required to cast it, or
any spell with a somatic component as if it had the Silent
Spell feat likewise applied.
Ogre Mage
Powerful ogres or half-giants sometimes intentionally allow
foul spirits to possess them, becoming oni and gaining even
greater powers.
Bonus Skills: Fly, Perception.
Bonus Spells: 1st—sleep, 2nd—invisibility, 3rd—gaseous
form, 4th—arcane eye, 5th—charm monster, 6th—freezing
sphere, 7th—giant form I, 8th—polar ray, 9th—regenerate.
Bonus Feats: Arcane Armor Training, Armor Proficiency
(light), Flash Frost Evocation (standard or innate), Great
Fortitude, Imbue Item, Improved Initiative, Power Attack,
Skill Focus (Bluff or Concentration).
Bloodline Arcana: As evil spirits encased in mortal
humanoid flesh, oni are nearly indifferent to the differences
between the two. Your spells that normally affect only
humanoids also affect monstrous humanoids, giants, and
outsiders of size Large or smaller.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast is a ray of frost; it
deals cold damage. Improved Blast: Empower Spell; greater
blast: Numbing Cold Evocation.
Eldritch Resistances: In lieu of standard resistances, at
3rd level you instead gain fast healing 1 (negated by fire or
acid damage). The amount increases by 1 hp/round per 4
levels thereafter (maximum fast healing 5 at 19th level).
Weapon Training (Ex): Starting at 1st level, you gain
Martial proficiency with any one two-handed weapon of your
choice (typically a greatsword or glaive). At 5th level you gain
exotic weapon proficiency with the composite longbow as
well.
Ogre Power (Ex): At 9th level, you gain a +2 inherent
bonus to your Strength. This bonus increases to +4 at 13th
level, and again to +6 at 17th level.
Flight (Su): Starting at 16th level, you gain a fly speed of 40
ft. with good maneuverability. You can cease or resume flight
as a free action.
Oni Heritage (Su): At 20th level you are treated as an
outsider (rather than as your normal type) for purposes of
being affected by spells such as charm person and hold
person. You can still be raised or resurrected normally. Also,
your fast healing improves to regeneration (fire and acid still
deal normal damage to you). If you lose a body part, you can
reattach it by holding the severed member to the stump for 1
minute (extremities do not otherwise regrow). If your head or
other vital organ is severed, it must be reattached within 10
minutes or you die.
Orc
The rage of your ancestors burns within you, and the taint of
savage orc blood flows through your veins. Your anger is
never far from the surface, giving you strength and driving
you to seek greater power. This bloodline, from Orcs of
Golarion (Paizo Publishing), is most often combined with the
Battle Sorcerer variant (see below).
Bonus Skills: Endurance, Knowledge (warfare).
Bonus Spells: 1st—cause fear, 2nd—bull’s strength, 3rd
—rage, 4th—divine power, 5th—righteous might, 6th— mass
daze monster (“Gruumsh’s glare”; creatures with 15+ HD are
unaffected), 7th—blasphemy, 8th—Bigby’s clenched fist, 9th
—storm of vengeance.
Bonus Feats: Great Fortitude, Intimidating Prowess,
Improved Bull Rush, Power Attack, Skill Focus (Endurance)
Skill Focus (Survival), Toughness, Widen Spell.
Bloodline Arcana: You gain the orc subtype, and all orc
racial traits, including darkvision, ferocity, light sensitivity,
and weapon familiarity. If you already have darkvision, its
range increases to 90 feet. Whenever you cast a spell that
deals damage, that spell deals +1 point of damage per die
rolled.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast carries the fury of
your bloodline; it deals fire damage. Improved blast:
Empower Spell; greater blast: Explosive Spell (applies only to
a shaped blast).
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—instead of energy
resistance, your toughened skin grants you a +1 natural
armor bonus (this increases by an additional +1 per 4 class
levels thereafter); saving throws—fear; damage reduction—
you gain DR/— in the amount shown; this stacks with other
typeless damage reduction (as from adamantine armor or
barbarian levels).
Touch of Rage [Reserve] (Sp): At 1st level, you can touch a
creature as a standard action, giving it a morale bonus on
attack rolls, damage rolls, and Will saving throws equal to the
level of the highest-level spell slot you have available and
uncast, for 1 round.
Strength of the Beast (Ex): At 9th level, you gain a +2
inherent bonus to your Strength. This bonus increases to +4
at 13th level, and to +6 at 17th level.
Orc Warlord (Ex): As the fighter’s Warlord class feature
(including a bonus to Leadership score equal to half your
class level), except you gain this ability at 15th level and
attract orcs, ogres, and/or barbarians as followers. Your
stronghold must be in orcish territory (or in Aramni, if using
the Aviona campaign setting), as the more civilized peoples
generally will not tolerate your presence.
Warlord Reborn (Su): At 20th level, you become a true orc
warlord of legend. You gain a +10 competence bonus to
Charisma-based skills when dealing with creatures with the
[orc] or [giant] subtype.
Pestilence
You were born during the height of a great magical plague, to
a mother suffering from an eldritch disease, or you suffered
an eldritch pox as a child, such that your very soul now
carries a blight of pestilence within it. This bloodline has
been adapted from Pathfinder vol. 29: “The Mother of Flies.”
Bonus Skills: Craft (toxicology), Heal.
Bonus Spells: 1st—charm animal, 2nd—summon swarm,
3 —contagion, 4th—repel vermin, 5th—insect plague, 6th
rd
—swarm skinAPG, 7th—creeping doom, 8th—horrid wilting,
9th—power word: kill.
Bonus Feats: Defiance, Fast Recovery, Great Fortitude,
Heroic Defiance, Skill Focus (Craft: Alchemy), Skill Synergy
(Heal, Survival), Silent Spell, Toughness.
Bloodline Arcana Vermin are susceptible to your mind-
affecting spells. They are treated as animals for the purposes
of determining which mind-affecting spells affect them.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast takes the form of a
blast of biting, stinging winged vermin; it deals piercing
damage. Improved blast: Sickening Spell; greater Blast: Fell
Nausea.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy and saving throws—special;
you gain Favored Terrain (swamps) with a bonus equal to 1 +
the saving throw bonus you would otherwise receive; at 19th
level, the bonus improves to +8. Damage reduction—at 3rd
level, you begin to attract a cloak of crawling vermin; their
chitinous bodies increase your natural armor bonus by +1.
This bonus improves by +1 per 4 class levels thereafter, to a
maximum of +5 at 19th level.
Plague’s Caress (Sp): At 1st level, you gain Sickening Grasp
as a bonus feat, even if you do not meet the prerequisites. At
7th level, you gain Unclean Strike as a bonus feat as well, and
treat your BAB derived from sorcerer level as if it were equal
to your sorcerer class level, for purposes of determining that
feat’s effects (for example, a fighter 4/pestilence sorcerer 7
would have an effective BAB of +11 for determining the
effects of the Unclean Strike feat).
Shroud of Vermin (Su): At 9th level, swarms no longer see
you as prey. You can walk among swarms without fear of
being harmed by them at all, and by taking a standard action
to mentally command a swarm in which you stand, you can
direct that swarm’s attacks and movements as long as you
have more Hit Dice than the swarm. You can also command
or rebuke giant vermin as an evil cleric with the Command
Undead feat commands or rebukes undead.
Pestilential Breath (Su): At 15th level, the sickness within
your body finally becomes so potent that your very breath is
deadly. As a standard action, you can exhale a cloud of
pestilence in a 30-foot cone. Those caught in the area of this
miasmic cloud receive a single Fortitude save to avoid
suffering the effects of two different diseases. You can choose
what two diseases you inflict on each target that succumbs to
your plague breath, but they must be two different diseases
chosen from the following list: blinding sickness, bubonic
plague, cackle fever, filth fever, leprosy, mindfire, red ache,
shakes, or slimy doom. The victim suffers the initial effects of
these two diseases immediately—use the diseases’ frequency
and save DC normally to determine further effects as detailed
on page 557 of the Core Rulebook.
Plague Carrier (Su): At 20th level, your touch inflicts
mummy rot on those you strike. You can choose to suppress
this ability for 1 round as a swift action. You can make a
touch attack to inflict this disease on a target, or transfer it as
part of an attack with any melee weapon or touch-based spell.
The creature touched can resist contracting mummy rot by
making a Fortitude save.
Protean
You have in your veins the ever-changing wildness of primal
chaos, the raw essence of unbound creation. Your mind and
spirit burst with the constant inspiration of consummate
freedom, though you have difficulty following through on a
task when another, new and exciting, catches your interest.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Starting at 5th level, you are affected by spells and effects
that target chaotically-aligned creatures, and you detect as
such.
Bonus Skills: Escape Artist, Survival.
Bonus Spells: 1st—entropic shield, 2nd—blur, 3rd
—gaseous form, 4th—confusion, 5th—greater vigorCD, 6th
—disintegrate, 7th—greater polymorph, 8th—polymorph any
object, 9th—shapechange.
Bonus Feats: Chaotic Mind, Defensive Combat Training,
Enlarge Spell, Great Fortitude, Protean Aura [Domain], Skill
Focus (any Craft skill), Toughness, Weapon Finesse.
Bloodline Arcana: Your magic of creation and changing is
hard to unravel. The DC to dispel transmutation or
conjuration (creation) spells that you cast is increased by +4.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast is raw protoplasm
that damages the stability of its targets; it deals acid damage.
Improved Blast: Entangling Spell); greater Blast: Starting at
16th level, your eldritch blast causes corporeal instability for 1
round unless a successful Fortitude save is made. An affected
creature is unable to hold or use any item as its flesh melts,
flows, and warps. Clothing, armor, rings, and helmets become
useless. Large items worn or carried—armor, backpacks,
even shirts—hamper more than help, reducing the victim’s
Dexterity score by 4. Soft or misshapen feet and legs reduce
speed to 10 feet or one-quarter normal, whichever is less.
Searing pain courses along the nerves, so strong that the
victim cannot act coherently. The victim cannot cast spells or
use magic items, and it attacks blindly, unable to distinguish
friend from foe (-4 penalty on attack rolls and a 50% miss
chance, regardless of the attack roll).
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—acid; saving throws—
polymorph, petrifaction, other transmutation spells or effects;
damage reduction—starting at 3rd level, your internal organs
shift somewhat, giving you 10% fortification against sneak
attacks and critical hits. This fortification improves by 10%
per 4 class levels thereafter, to a maximum of 50% at 19th
level.
Touch of Chaos (Ex): At 1st level, your natural weapons, as
well as all weapons you wield, penetrate damage reduction as
if chaotically-aligned. Starting at 13th level, they gain the
anarchic property for as long as you wield them, and as a
swift action you can also force opponents to treat them as if
they were made of silver, cold iron, or adamantine for 1
round.
Also at 1st level, you can use your eldritch blast (q.v.) as a
melee touch attack (you do not gain the ranged application
until 2nd level, as normal).
Reality Wrinkle (Sp): At 9th level, you can surround
yourself with a mobile, 10-foot-radius emanation of mutable
reality. This rippling distortion is similar to solid fog but does
not provide concealment or block line of sight. Your
movement is not slowed by this aura. Attacks from outside
the aura suffer a 20% miss chance against targets inside the
aura. You may use this ability a number of rounds per day
equal to your sorcerer level, though this duration need not be
continuous.
Spatial Tear (Sp): At 15th level, once per day as a standard
action, you can unravel the fibers of reality and ride along
them as they snap back into place. This power functions as
dimension door, while also creating a mass of black tentacles
centered on your former location. At 19th level, you can use
this ability twice per day.
Avatar of Chaos (Ex): At 20th level, you are infused with
the essence of raw chaos. You receive a +2 racial bonus to
save DCs and on checks to overcome spell resistance against
creatures with the [lawful] subtype. Your internal anatomy
also sometimes shifts unpredictably; you are immune to
petrifaction and polymorph, can shrug off any unwanted
transmutation effect after 1 round, and your fortification
improves to 75%.

Rakshasa
Brilliant and malevolent, rakshasas are nefarious outsiders
who cherish power and cruelty above all else. In their far-
ranging quest for pleasure and worship, rakshasas often pay
little heed to the lives they destroy. One of the more indulgent
of this race has left its mark on your family. This bloodline is
adapted from the one by Rob Billingham, which appeared in
Kobold Quarterly online (www.kobold-quarterly.com), with
reference to the “official” version presented in Ultimate
Magic.
You are affected by spells and effects that target [Lawful]
and [Evil] creatures, and you detect as such.
Bonus Skills: Bluff, Perform (Acting).
Bonus Spells: 1st—disguise self, 2nd—detect thoughts, 3rd
—suggestion, 4th—greater invisibility, 5th—persistent image,
6th—mislead, 7th—plane shift, 8th—scintillating pattern, 9th
—dominate monster.
Bonus Feats: Arcane Blade, Deep Intuition, Evil Devotion
[Domain], Improved Initiative, Innate Spell (detect thoughts),
Searing Evocation (standard or innate), Skill Synergy (Bluff,
Diplomacy), Skill Focus (Concentration).
Bloodline Arcana: Whenever you cast a mind-affecting
spell, increase the spell’s DC by +1. Also, add half your class
level to the Spellcraft DC for others to identify spells you cast.
If their checks fail by 5 or more, they mistakenly believe you
are casting an entirely different spell (selected by you when
you begin casting).
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast deals fire damage.
Improved blast: Energy Admixture (unholy) as a bonus feat;
greater blast: Empower Spell.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—fire; saving throws—
divinations and mind-affecting spells/effects; damage
reduction—piercing or good.
Claws (Ex): At 1st level, you can grow claws as a free
action. These claws are treated as natural weapons, allowing
you to make two claw attacks as a full attack action using
your full base attack bonus. These attacks deal 1d4 points of
damage each (1d3 if you are Small) plus your Strength
modifier.
At 5th level, these claws are considered magic weapons for
the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
At 9th level, the damage increases by one step to 1d6
points of damage (1d4 if you are Small).
At 13th level, these claws become flaming weapons, each
dealing an additional 1d6 points of fire damage on a
successful hit.
At 17th level they becoming flaming burst weapons. This
is a supernatural ability.
Spell Resistance (Ex): Starting at 9th level, you gain spell
resistance equal to 5 + your class level. At 13th level, it
improves to 11 + your class level.
Incorporeal Form (Sp): At 15th level, once per day as a
move action you can become incorporeal. You may remain in
an incorporeal state a number of rounds per day equal to
your class level; these rounds need not be consecutive. While
in this form, you gain the incorporeal subtype. You only take
half damage from corporeal sources as long as they are
magic (you take no damage from non-magic weapons and
objects). Likewise, your spells deal only half damage to
corporeal creatures. Spells and other effects that do not deal
damage function normally.
Timeless (Su): At 20th level you gain a continuous mind
blank effect. In addition, your type changes to Outsider
(native), and you no longer take ability score penalties for
aging and cannot be magically aged. Any penalties you may
have already incurred, however, remain in place.
Serpentine
Your bloodline carries the lingering stain of ancient serpent
races that ruled when the world was young; your forebears
were likely favored slaves anointed by their reptilian masters
and gifted with their cold cunning and subtle manipulation.
While deception and a mesmeric charm are your birthright,
you may struggle for truth in spite of your heritage. Source:
Advanced Player’s Guide.
Bonus Skills: Bluff, Craft (toxicology).
Bonus Spells: 1st—hypnotism, 2nd—delay poison, 3rd—
summon nature’s ally III (reptiles only), 4th—poison, 5th
—snake staffAPG, 6th—mass suggestion, 7th—summon
nature’s ally VII (reptiles only), 8th—antipathy, 9th—dominate
monster.
Bonus Feats: Arcane Bond (viper familiar), Deep Intuition,
Innate Metamagic (channel eldritch blast), Silent Spell, Skill
Focus (Bluff), Skill Synergy (choose two: Bluff, Escape Artist,
Perform: Acting, Stealth), Still Spell, Weapon Finesse.
Bloodline Arcana: Your powers of compulsion can affect
even bestial creatures. Whenever you cast a mind-affecting or
language-dependent spell, it affects animals, magical beasts,
and monstrous humanoids as if they were humanoids who
understood your language.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast carries the
corrosive power of Satha’s venom; it deals acid damage.
Improved blast: you can apply the effects of your venom (see
serpent’s fang, below) to your eldritch blast; each time you do
this, it counts against your total number of daily venom uses.
Greater blast: your eldritch blast always carries the same
venom as your fangs; this does not count against your daily
limit.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—acid; saving throws—
poison and Escape Artist checks; damage reduction—at 3rd
level your scaly skin grants you a +1 natural armor bonus,
increasing by +1 per 4 class levels thereafter.
Serpent’s Fang (Ex): At 1st level, you can grow fangs as a
free action. These fangs are treated as a natural weapon,
inflicting 1d4 points of damage plus your Strength modifier
plus poison (Bite—injury; damage 1 Con/round for 6 rounds;
cure 1 save). You can use your fangs to inject poison a
number of times per day equal to 3 + your Charisma modifier.
At 5th level, these fangs are considered magical for the
purpose of overcoming DR, and the poison damage
increases to 1d2 Con per round.

At 9th level, your poison requires 2 successful saves to
cure.
At 13th level, your poison damage increases to 1d4 Con
per round.
Reptilian Telepathy (Su): At 9th level, you gain telepathy
(100 feet) with reptiles (including various forms of dinosaurs,
lizards, and other cold-blooded creatures). You may cast
suggestion on such creatures as a spell-like ability a number
of times per day equal to your Charisma modifier. This ability
is telepathic and does not require audible or visual
components. At 13th level, once per day you can telepathically
call and request a service from a reptilian creature as if using
demand or planar ally.
Den of Vipers (Sp): At 15th level, you may summon a host
of writhing serpents once per day. This power acts as
creeping doom, but the swarms’ poison inflicts Con damage
and any creature other than you sharing a space with a
swarm is entangled.
Scaled Soul (Su): At 20th level, you gain the
[shapechanger] subtype, and you can assume the form of a
reptilian humanoid (as alter self) or snake of Diminutive to
Huge size (as beast shape III) at will. You retain the power of
speech and the ability to use somatic spell components when
transformed. You also become immune to poison and
paralysis. You may use serpent’s fang as often as desired, and
you may choose to inflict damage to any ability score.
Sevenfold Veil
Colors are imbued with their own magical properties. Just as
exotic substances and mystic words have the power to repel
certain creatures, colors also harbor innate properties that
can be brought forth by the skilled mage, culminating in the
perfection of the prismatic wall or prismatic sphere. Few
spells match the beauty and power of these potent
abjurations. They are perfect defenses, representing a union
of magical lore and keen insight into the workings of nature.
A master of defensive magic, the Initiate of the Sevenfold
Veil approaches the prismatic barrier by mastering one by
one its constituent veils or layers. Her skillful wardings can
deflect many of the most perilous attacks enemy spellcasters
or monsters can muster, shielding herself and her
companions against harm. This bloodline supersedes the
Initiate of the Sevenfold Veil prestige class, from Complete
Arcane.
Given the legends about the Rainbow Bridge in Norse
Mythology, it is easy to envision a group of battle sorcerers
with this bloodline, devotees of Heimdall, calling themselves
the “Guardians of Bifrost.”
Bonus Skills: Perform (any one), Sleight of Hand.
Bloodline Spells: 1st—color spray, 2nd—red veil, 3rd
—orange veil, 4th—yellow veil, 5th—green veil, 6th—blue veil,
7th—indigo veil, 8th—violet veil, 9th—prismatic sphere. Note:
The veils emulate the layers of a prismatic wall and are
described below. When you create a warding (see below), you
can choose to imbue the warding with any one veil you know,
as long as you have a spell slot of the appropriate level
available to spend on the warding.
Red Veil: The first veil an initiate learns is the red veil. A
warding imbued with this veil blocks all non-magical
ranged attacks and missiles. A creature crossing a red veil
takes 1d6 points of fire damage per caster level
(maximum 5d6, Reflex half). A cone of cold spell or effect
destroys a warding with this veil but is negated in the
process.
Orange Veil: A warding with this veil halts magical ranged
attacks, including spells that conjure missiles (such as
acid arrow) or create rays (such as disintegrate or a
beholder’s eye rays) but not spells that do not require a
ranged attack (such as magic missile). A creature crossing
an orange veil takes 1d6 points of acid damage per caster
level (maximum 10d6, Reflex half). A gust of wind spell or
similar effect destroys the veil but is negated in the
process.
Yellow Veil: This veil prevents gases or clouds from
entering the warded area, and it defeats petrifaction
attacks. In addition, a character inside a personal or area
warding imbued with a yellow veil has immunity to poison
introduced from outside the warding (such as from a
creature with an envenomed weapon striking through the
barrier). A creature crossing a yellow veil takes 1d6 points
of electricity damage per caster level (maximum 10d6,
Reflex half). A disintegrate spell destroys the veil but is
negated in the process.
Green Veil: This veil stops the passage of breath weapons.
A creature with Hit Dice equal to half your class level or
less who crosses a green veil must succeed on a Fortitude
save or die; on a successful save, the creature takes 1d4
points of Constitution damage instead. Creatures with HD
greater than half your class level take 1d4 points of
Constitution damage (save for half). This veil is a poison
effect. A passwall destroys a green veil.
Blue Veil: This veil blocks all divinations and mind-
affecting spells and abilities. Any creature crossing a blue
veil must succeed on a Fortitude save or be petrified. A
magic missile spell destroys a blue veil but is negated by
it.
Indigo Veil: This veil prevents the passage of all spells or
spell-like abilities. Any creature crossing an indigo veil
must succeed on a Will save or become permanently
confused, as if by an insanity spell. A daylight spell negates
and is negated by an indigo veil.
Violet Veil: This barrier destroys all objects and effects
that cross it, as if they were disintegrated. Living creatures
passing a violet veil must succeed on a Will save or be
shifted to a random place on a random plane (as the plane
shift spell). A violet veil is destroyed by a successful dispel
magic spell.
Bonus Feats: Improved Counterspell, Improved Dispelling,
Innate Metamagic (Shape Spell), Iron Will, Skill Focus
(Concentration), Skill Focus (Spellcraft), Spell Focus
(Abjuration), Urgent Shield.
Bloodline Arcana: You are accustomed to colors and light,
and are immune to the dazzled condition and to the effects of
the color spray spell.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): At 2nd level, your eldritch blast is a weak
burst of color that deals nonlethal damage. Starting at 3rd
level, it instead carries the effects similar to those of the veil
corresponding to the highest-level spell slot you have
remaining, as follows:
Spell
Level Color Effects
2nd Red 2d6 fire damage
3rd Orange 3d6 acid damage
4th
Yellow 4d6 electrical damage
5th Green 5d6 poison damage
6th Blue 6d6 desiccation damage (petrified if
reduced to 0 hp)
7th Indigo 7d6 nonlethal, plus Innate Metamagic
(Bewitching Spell)
8th Violet 8d6 disintegration damage
You can always choose for your eldritch blast to carry the
effects of a lower-level veil. Improved Blast; Greater Blast:
Your eldritch blast automatically improves according to the
veils you know. You receive no other augmentations at 8th
and 12th levels.
Eldritch Resistances: Rather than acquiring a standard
suite of resistances, starting at 3rd level, you can instead
create a warding (Su). You can choose one veil you know (see
bloodline spells, above, and descriptions below) to be imbued
in the warding; this uses up a spell slot of the appropriate
level. A warding lasts for a certain amount of time as
indicated in its description, unless it is dismissed (the same
way a spell is dismissed).
The basic warding is a sphere 5 ft. in diameter that
encapsulates you. It moves with you, but you cannot force
another creature to pass through it (for example, by
attempting to grapple an enemy). If you do force a creature to
pass through, the warding has no effect on that creature. Any
creature striking at you with a melee weapon or natural
attack is subject to the veil’s effect (although creatures using
reach weapons are not). The warding provides concealment
to you, but you can see out with no hindrance. It lasts for 1
round per class level or until dismissed.
Synergy: Using the Innate Metamagic (Shape Spell) feat in
conjunction with the warding allows you two other
configurations:
Area: An area warding affects an initiate’s space and all
adjacent squares (a sphere 15 feet in diameter for a Small
or Medium initiate, 20 feet in diameter for a Large initiate,
and so on). Any creature who remains adjacent to the
initiate gains the benefit of the warding’s protection, even
if part of its body lies outside the sphere. Moving out of the
warding (stepping away from the initiate) is completely
safe, but anyone attempting to enter the warding—even
someone who was formerly inside it and left—becomes
subject to the effects of the chosen veil. The warding
moves with the initiate, but she cannot force another
creature to pass through it (for example, by moving
adjacent to an enemy). If she does force a creature to pass
through, the warding has no effect on that creature. This
warding provides concealment to all within from
creatures outside, but anyone inside the warding can see
out with no hindrance. It lasts for 1 round per class level
or until dismissed.
Wall: This warding takes the form of a wall, up to 10 feet
long and 5 feet high per initiate class level. For example, a
3rd-level Initiate of the Sevenfold Veil could create a
warding wall 30 feet long and 15 feet high. The wall can
be made smaller, but it is not otherwise shapeable. The
wall must begin within 30 feet of the initiate, but can
extend beyond that distance. The wall is immobile once
created. An initiate may choose to make crossing through
the wall in one direction safe, if she chooses. In any event,
she can pass through her own warding wall with no
danger. This warding provides concealment to creatures
on either side. It lasts for 10 minutes per class level or
until dismissed.
Unimpeachable Abjuration (Ex): Your abjuration spells
are particularly difficult to defeat with spells or effects that
dispel them. Add half your class level as a competence bonus
to the DC to dispel any abjuration spell or effect you create.
Reactive Warding (Sp): At 9th level, you learn to create a
warding (see above) in response to an attack. You can raise a
warding as an immediate action, after an opponent begins an
action but before it is completed. For example, if you see an
enemy warrior charging you, you can raise a warding to
protect yourself. The opponent can choose to continue the
charge through the warding or can halt outside it.
Double Warding: At 15th level and higher, you can raise
two veils at once any time you create a warding. This costs a
spell slot of the appropriate level for each veil. The less
powerful effect (progressing from red up through violet) is
always considered to be “outside” the more powerful effect,
so a double warding consisting of a blue veil and a green veil
would subject any creature passing through to the green veil
first, followed by the blue veil. To negate the entire warding,
the outermost veil must be negated before the inner veil can
be negated.
Kaleidoscopic Doom (Sp): At 20th level, you learn the secret
of the awesome kaleidoscopic doom. Once per day as a
standard action, you designate one creature within 60 feet
and turn magical effects currently affecting the creature
against it. This effect functions like a targeted greater dispel
magic, except that for every spell or effect negated on the
target, the effect of one veil (see above) is visited on the victim
as if the subject had crossed it. The veils created around the
victim proceed through the spectrum from red to violet, with
one veil activated per spell negated. Thus, a creature with
three spells negated would be subject to the effects of the red,
orange, and yellow veils. The subject is still entitled to the
normal saving throws allowed by each veil. This ability is the
equivalent of a 9th level spell.
Shadow
Perhaps you were born during an eclipse, and the shadow on
the sun or moon left its mark on you as well. Alternatively, a
dweller from the Plane of Shadow may have dallied in the
light with one of your ancestors. A sorcerer with this
bloodline grows in the powers of Shadow, eventually
becoming a shade. In order to fit these powers, this bloodline
has been heavily altered from that included in the Advanced
Player’s Guide.
Bonus Skills: Acrobatics, Stealth.
Bonus Spells: 1st—silent image, 2nd—mirror image, 3rd
—deeper darkness, 4th—black tentacles, 5th—summon
undead V (1d3 shadows), 6th—shadow walk, 7th—power
word: blind, 8th—greater shadow evocation, 9th—shades.
Bonus Feats: Blind-Fight, Improved Feint, Lightning
Reflexes, Shadow Step, Shadow Veil, Silent Spell, Skill Focus
(Stealth), or any [Darkness] Domain feat.
Bloodline Arcana: You gain a +1 competence bonus to
Concentration and effective caster level when you are in
darkness or shadow, or when casting spells of the Illusion
school or those with the [darkness] subtype. When in bright
light or outdoors during the day, or when casting spells with
the [fire] or [light] descriptor, treat your caster level as 1
lower than normal (and you take a -1 penalty to
Concentration).
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast deals nonlethal
damage, and those who take full damage are dazzled for 1
round. Improved blast: Blinding Spell; greater blast: Fell
Weaken.
Bloodline Resistances (Su): In place of standard
resistances, starting at 3rd level you gain a 10% miss chance
from concealment whenever you are not in bright light (a
daylight spell or the equivalent). This miss chance improves
by an additional 10% per 4 sorcerer levels thereafter, thus
approximating a blur spell at 7th level, and a displacement
spell (50% miss chance) at 19th level.
Nighteye (Ex): You gain darkvision to a range of 30 ft. If
you already have darkvision, its range increases by 30 ft. At
5th level the range increases by an additional 30 ft. You can
also see in areas of shadowy illumination clearly without
suffering the standard penalties. At 11th level the range of
your darkvision increases by an additional 30 ft., and you can
see through any form of magical darkness.
Eldritch Touch (Sp): Also at 1st level, you can use your
eldritch blast (q.v.) as a melee touch attack (you do not gain
the ranged application until 2nd level, as normal).
Shadow Jump (Su): At 9th level, you gain the ability to
travel between shadows as if by means of a dimension door
spell. The limitation is that the magical transport must begin
and end in an area with at least some shadow, and you must
have a line of sight between the two shadows. You can jump
up to a maximum of 30 feet in this way. Synergy: If you also
have the Shadow Step feat, you can teleport in this manner
once per day, with no line of sight needed. At 13th level, the
effect improves to greater teleportation.
Shadow Form (Sp): Starting at 15th level, you can become
incorporeal as a move-equivalent action. You can spend a
total number of rounds per day incorporeal equal to your
class level; these can be split up however you choose. In this
form, you can fly at a rate equal to your base land speed. You
lose natural and armor bonuses to AC, but gain a deflection
bonus equal to your Charisma modifier. You cannot attack
with weapons, and your spells fail against corporeal targets
50%, but you gain an incorporeal touch that deals 1d6 points
of Strength damage. Becoming corporeal again is a move-
equivalent action.
Shade (Su): At 20th level, you come into the full power of
your shade heritage. You gain fast healing 2 and spell
resistance equal to 11 + your character level. You also stop
aging; existing ability score modifiers for age remain in effect,
but no new ones are applied as time goes on.
Shai’ir
There are desert empires built by genies, who created
towering spires and opulent palaces for the padishah
emperor in the hopes that a future ruler will set their kinsfolk
free. But not all mages see genies as creatures to be bested
and enslaved. Instead of potential slaves, these Sha’ir, or
daivrat (“brothers of genies”) treat genies as powerful allies,
wise counselors, and comrades-in-arms. Though few are
foolish enough to consider liberating the thralls of the
emperor, each daivrat considers herself a soldier, servant, or
cousin to the genies. This initiation combines the Sha’ir base
class (from Dragon magazine, issue 315) with the Daivrat
prestige class (from Qadira: Gateway to the East).
Bonus Skills: Diplomacy, Knowledge (the planes).
Bonus Spells: Choose one of the Genie bloodlines
presented above. You gain the bonus spells from that
bloodline, with the following substitutions: 4th—lesser planar
ally (janni); 6th—planar ally (one dao, djinni, efreeti, marid, or
shaitan, or two jann)
Bonus Feats: Command/Turn Elemental, Empower Spell,
Energy Shield, Iron Will, Power Attack, Skill Skill Focus
(Knowledge: the planes), Spell Focus (conjuration), Spell
Focus (elemental type corresponding to your gen familiar).
Bloodline Arcana: Once per day while regaining spell
slots, you can send your gen familiar to the elemental planes
to find an unusual spell for you. Choose one spell you do not
know, such as a spell from a prohibited school or from
another class’s spell list. The gen returns after 10 minutes
and presents you with the matching spell energy. For the next
24 hours you may cast the fetched spell as if you knew it.
Casting a fetched spell is more difficult than using spells you
actually know; casting the fetched spell requires a spell slot 1
level higher than the actual spell level.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast matches that of the
Genie bloodline of your bonus spells (q.v.).
 Energy Saving Throw Damage
Spell Fetch (Sp): Starting at 9th level, once per day you
Sorcerer Resistance: Bonus: Reduction: can send your gen familiar to the elemental planes to fetch a
spell for you. Choose one spell you do not know (including
Level Gen’s Type Other Types Gen’s Type one from another class’s spell list). Your gen returns after 10
3rd – 6th 5 2 +2 minutes and presents you with the matching spell energy. If
7th –
the fetched spell is on the wizard/sorcerer spell list or has an
10th
10 4 +4 energy or elemental descriptor matching your gen’s, it is
treated as 1 spell level higher than normal; otherwise it is
11th – 15 6 +6 treated as 2 spell levels higher than normal. Until you regain
14th spell slots, you may cast the fetched spell (using a spell slot of
15th – 20 8 +8 the level described) as if you know it.
18th Elemental Travel (Sp): Starting at 15th level, you can
19th - (Immune) 10 (Immune) plane shift once per day, as the spell, to any of the elemental
20th planes or from any elemental plane to the Material Plane. You
automatically gain the ability to survive on the plane you shift
Eldritch Resistances: Special. At 3rd level, you gain to, as do all companions within 30 ft. of you. At 20th level, you
resistance 2 to acid, cold, electricity, and fire, and also a +1 may use this ability at will.
racial bonus on all saves against acid, cold, electricity, and Genie-kin (Ex): At 20th level, your type changes to outsider
fire. You gain damage reduction 1/— against attacks made by (native). You gain damage reduction 5/— against all attacks
any creature with the air, earth, fire, or water subtype. These (not just those of elementals). You can command or rebuke
resistances are doubled against elementals or energy attacks creatures of the same elemental type as your gen’s as an evil
of the type corresponding to your gen, and improve by +1 per cleric commands undead.
4 levels beyond the 3rd (refer to the table).
Summon Gen Familiar (Su): At 1st level, you gain the Spellthief
service of a gen (“zhyen”) familiar, an intelligent outsider that You have a talent for stealing spells from others. Perhaps you
resembles a small elemental. The creature serves as a have a magic-devouring ancestor, or else your knack for
companion and servant to you. The elemental type matches stealing things does not end with the mundane. In either
that of your bloodline spells and eldritch blast. case, a rogue/sorcerer can use this bloodline to simulate the
GEN CR ½ Spellthief base class from Complete Adventurer.
N Tiny outsider (air, earth, fire, or water) Bonus Skills: Disable Device, Spellcraft.
Init +0; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +6 Bonus Spells: 1st—identify, 2nd—invisibility, 3rd—dispel
Languages Aquan, Auran, Ignan, Terran magic, 4th—detect scrying, 5th—quickened arcane sight, 6th
AC 17 (+2 Dex, +3 natural, +2 size), —greater dispel magic, 7th—greater arcane sight, 8th—mind
touch 14, flat-footed 15 blank, 9th—disjunction.
hp 9 (2 HD; LW 4/HW 2) Bonus Feats: Alertness, Defiance, Disguise Spell,
Immune energy corresponding to elemental type Improved Feint, Lightning Reflexes, Open Minded, Skill
Resist acid 5, cold 5, electricity 5, and fire 5 Focus (Perception), Skill Focus (Spellcraft).
Fort +0, Ref +4, Int +2, Will +4 Bloodline Arcana: Your rogue levels (if any) provide Full
Vulnerabilities energy corresponding to opposite synergy with your sorcerer levels for purposes of determining
elemental type the effects your Spellthief bloodline abilities and resistances.
Spd 20 ft., burrow 60 ft. (earth), fly 60 ft. (air or fire), swim Eldritch Blast (Sp): Rather than an eldritch blast, you gain
60 ft. (water) sneak attack (as the rogue class feature of the same name),
Melee touch +4 (1d4 acid, cold, electricity, or fire) with a number of dice equal to the level of the highest-level
Face 2 ½ ft. x 2 ½ ft.; Reach 0 ft. spell slot you have available and uncast. If you have levels in
Base Atk +1; CMB –3; CMD 9 rogue, your spellthief levels instead provide Full synergy
Special Atks air, water, or earth mastery; or burn (DC 11, towards your sneak attack ability.
1/rd.) Eldritch Resistances: Instead of gaining resistances
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 2nd) yourself, you must steal them from others, as described under
At will—mage hand, mending steal spell effect, below.
1/day—endure elements, touch of fatigue, plane shift (self Steal Spell (Su): This ability requires a touch as a
only, to elemental planes) standard action. Alternatively, if you hit an opponent with a
Str 6, Dex 14, Con 10, Int 9, 14, Cha 12 successful sneak attack, you can choose to forgo sneak attack
Feats Weapon Finesse damage in order to steal a spell, spell-like ability, or the
Skills Concentration +7, Fly +6 (or Athletics +6), potential to cast a specific known spell or spell-like ability,
Knowledge (the planes) +3, Perception +6, Spellcraft +6, from the target.
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After stealing a spell, you can cast the spell yourself on a
subsequent turn. Treat the spell as if it were cast by the
original owner of the spell for the purpose of determining
caster level, save DC, and so forth. You can cast this spell
even if you don't normally have spellcasting ability, or even
the minimum ability score normally required to cast a spell of
that level, but you must supply the same components
(including verbal, somatic, material, XP, and any focus)
required for the stolen spell.
You can instead use the stolen spell power to cast any spell
that you know of the same level or lower (effectively, this gives
you one free casting of a known spell). You must cast or use a
stolen spell within 1 hour of stealing it; otherwise, the extra
spell energy fades harmlessly away.
At any one time, you can possess a maximum number of
stolen spell levels equal to your class level (treat 0-level spells
as ½ level for this purpose). If you steal a spell that would
cause you to exceed this limit, you must choose to lose stolen
spells sufficient to reduce your total number of stolen spell
levels to no more than your maximum. You can't apply
metamagic feats or other effects to the stolen spell unless the
specific spell stolen was prepared with such an effect.
Steal Spell Effect (Su): Starting at 3rd level, as a standard
action you can make a melee touch attack to gain the effect of
a single spell affecting the target. Alternatively, if you hit an
opponent with a sneak attack, you can choose to forgo
dealing 1d6 points of sneak attack damage and apply this
effect as well. You can choose which spell effect to steal;
otherwise, the stolen spell effect is determined randomly. If
you try to steal a spell effect that isn't present, the stolen spell
effect is determined randomly from among those currently in
effect on the target. You can't steal a spell effect if its caster
level exceeds your class level + your Charisma modifier. Upon
stealing a spell effect, you gain the stolen effect (and the
original creature loses that effect) for up to 1 minute per class
level (or until the spell's duration expires, whichever comes
first). If the spell effect's duration hasn't expired by this time,
the spell effect returns to the creature that originally
benefited from it.
You can steal the effect of a spell only if the spell could be
cast on you. For example, you couldn't gain the effect of an
animal growth spell unless you are of the animal type. If you
try to steal the effect of a spell not allowed to you, the effect is
still suppressed on the original target of the spell for 1 minute
per class level. This ability does not work on spell effects that
are immune to dispel magic (such as bestow curse).
Alternatively, you can temporarily gain resistance to an
energy type to which your target is resistant or immune (up to
resistance 10 per die of sneak attack damage you forego).
Simultaneously, the target creature's resistance to that energy
type is reduced by a like amount. You cannot steal more
resistance than the amount possessed by the target. A
creature with immunity to an energy type retains that
immunity.
If the target has resistance to more than one type of energy,
you can choose which kind to steal; otherwise, the resistance
stolen is determined randomly from among those possessed
by the target. If you choose to steal a type of resistance that
the target doesn't possess, the stolen type of resistance is
determined randomly from those possessed by the target.
The resistance you gain from using this ability lasts for 1
minute. If the resistance is derived from a temporary effect
(such as a spell), the stolen resistance disappears when the
effect expires.
You can use this ability multiple times, but its effects do not
stack unless they apply to different types of energy. For
example, throughout a long combat, you might use this ability
to gain resistance to fire and resistance to cold, but you could
not use it twice on a creature that is resistant to fire to gain
twice as much resistance to fire (nor to reduce the creature's
resistance to fire by twice as much).
Absorb Spell (Su): Starting at 9th level, if you make a
successful save against a spell that targets you, you can
attempt to absorb the spell energy for later use. This ability
affects only spells that have you as a target, not effect or area
spells. You can't absorb a spell of a higher spell level than you
could steal with your steal spell ability (see above).
To absorb a spell, you must succeed on a Concentration
check against a DC of 16 + the spell's caster level. Failure
indicates that the spell has its normal effect. Success means
that you suffer no effect from the spell and can cast the spell
later (or use its energy to cast one of his own spells known)
as if you had stolen the spell with the steal spell ability (q.v.).
Your normal limit of total spell levels stolen still applies.
Steal Spell Resistance (Su): Beginning at 15th level, a
spellthief can use a sneak attack to temporarily steal some or
all of a creature's spell resistance. A spellthief who hits an
opponent with a sneak attack can choose to forgo 3d6 points
of sneak attack damage and instead reduce the target's spell
resistance by 5. The spellthief also gains spell resistance
equal to 5 + his class level (up to a maximum value equal to
the original spell resistance of the target). If the target is
willing, a spellthief can steal spell resistance with a touch as a
standard action.
The stolen spell resistance benefits the spellthief for a
number of rounds equal to the spellthief's Charisma modifier
(minimum 1 round) and then returns to the target creature. If
the spell resistance is derived from a temporary effect (such
as a spell), the stolen spell resistance disappears when the
effect elapses. A spellthief can't use this ability on the same
creature again until the creature's stolen spell resistance
returns.
Master Spellthief (Sp): At 20th level or higher, you can use
a stolen spell or absorbed spell energy as an immediate
action.

Starsoul
You come from a line of stargazers and explorers who
delved deeply into the darkness beyond the stars. In touching
the void, the void touched them, and your mind, spirit, and
body yearn to span the gulf between worlds. Source:
Advanced Player’s Guide.
Bonus Skills: Knowledge (the planes), Survival.
Bonus Spells: 1st—unseen servant, 2nd—glitterdust, 3rd
—blink, 4th—dimension door, 5th—overland flight, 6th
—repulsion, 7th—reverse gravity, 8th—greater prying eyes,
9th—meteor swarm.
Bonus Feats: Blind-Fight, Deep Intuition, Dodge,
Improved Counterspell, Fleet, Quicken Spell, Skill Focus
(Fly), or any [Sun] or [Travel] Domain feat.
Bloodline Arcana: Whenever you cast an evocation spell,
targets that fail their saves are dazzled by tiny sparkling
starlights for 1 round per level of the spell.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast takes the form of a
falling swarm of minute meteors; it deals fire damage.
Improved Blast: your bloodline arcana (see above) applies to
your eldritch blast; the effect lasts 1 round per level of the
highest-level spell slot you have available, and has no saving
throw. Greater blast: Blast Spell (steal breath).
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—cold and fire; saving
throws—inhaled poisons (at 19th level, you no longer need to
breathe); damage reduction—none.
Suffocating Touch (Su): As a melee touch attack that does
not provoke an attack of opportunity, you can inflict the
airlessness of space upon the victim. The creature touched
must succeed at a Fortitude save or begin suffocating. A
suffocating victim can attempt a new saving throw each
round to end the effect. Any creature touched is unaffected by
your suffocating touch for 24 hours thereafter, whether or not
it succeeds at the initial save.
Aurora Borealis (Sp): Starting at 9th level, you can create
a sheet of cascading colors as a standard action. This power
acts as a wall of fire, but it inflicts cold damage and does not
radiate heat. However, one side of the aurora designated by
you also fascinates creatures within 10 feet, up to a
maximum of 2 HD of creatures per sorcerer level. A Will save
negates this fascinate effect. You may use this ability for a
number of rounds per day equal to your sorcerer level. These
rounds do not need to be consecutive.
Breaching the Gulf (Sp): Once per day you can teleport a
single creature within 30 feet into the void of space if it fails a
Will save. The target can attempt a new saving throw as a full-
round action each round to return. While trapped in the
airless void, the target suffers 6d6 points of cold damage per
round and immediately begins to suffocate.
Starborn (Ex): At 20th level, you gain immunity to
blindness, and you can see perfectly in natural or magical
darkness. In addition, you gain fast healing 1 when you are
outdoors at night.
Stormborn
Stormborn
You trace your heritage to fierce and proud spirits of storm
and sky, and living lightning sings in your veins. Source:
Advanced Player’s Guide.
Bonus Skills: Endurance, Fly.
Bonus Spells: 1st—shocking grasp, 2nd—gust of wind, 3rd
—lightning bolt, 4th—shout, 5th—overland flight, 6th—chain
lightning, 7th—control weather, 8th—whirlwind, 9th—storm
of vengeance.
Bonus Feats: Deadly Aim, Dodge, Far Shot, Great
Fortitude, Skill Focus (Fly), Widen Spell, Wind Stance, or any
[Weather] Domain feat.
Bloodline Arcana: Whenever you cast a spell or use a
spell-like ability with the [electricity] or [sonic] descriptor,
increase the save DC by 1.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast deals electrical
damage. Improved Blast: Energy Admixture (sonic); greater
blast: Deafening Spell.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—electricity and sonics;
saving throws—deafness; damage reduction—starting at 3rd
level, you treat wind effects as being one step less severe.
Decrease the effects by an additional category per 4 levels
thereafter, so that at 19th level you treat winds as being 5
categories less severe (you treat a tornado as a moderate
wind, a hurricane as a light wind, and ignore any winds less
severe than a hurricane).
Thunderstaff (Su): At 1st level, any weapon you wield
gains the shock property. At 7th level, any weapon you wield
has the shocking burst property; at 13th, add the thundering
property as well. Also at 1st level, you can use your eldritch
blast (q.v.) as a melee touch attack (you do not gain the ranged
application until 2nd level, as normal).
Elemental Body (Sp): Starting at 9th level, you can
assume the form of a Small lightning elemental (Bestiary 2)
at will, as if by an elemental body I spell. Starting at 11th level,
you can also become a Medium lightning elemental (as per an
elemental body II spell). At 13th level, you can become a Large
lightning elemental instead (as per an elemental body III
spell). At 17th level, you can become a Huge elemental
(elemental body IV).
Ride the Lightning (Sp): At 15th level, you can become a
living lightning bolt as a swift action and move in a straight
line up to 10 times your speed as a full-round action. You do
not provoke attacks of opportunity while moving in this way.
Creatures or objects in your path are affected as by your
eldritch blast. Creatures do not block your movement but
solid barriers do unless they are reduced to 0 hit points. You
can use this power once per day for a number of rounds
equal to your sorcerer level.
Storm Lord (Ex): At 20th level, you are one with the storm.
You gain immunity to deafness, stunning, and wind effects
and gain blindsight 120 feet against concealment from
natural or magical fog, mist, or weather. Once per day, when
attacked with an electricity or sonic effect, you may forgo your
saving throw and absorb the energies of the attack, healing 1
point of damage for every 3 points of damage the attack
would otherwise have dealt.

Undead
The taint of the grave runs through your family. Perhaps
one of your ancestors became a powerful lich or vampire;
maybe you were born dead before suddenly returning to life;
or possibly you gained your powers through unspeakable
congress with the dead. In any case, the forces of undeath
move through you and touch your every action.
Bonus Skills: Endurance, Knowledge (the planes).
Bonus Spells: 1st—chill touch, 2nd—false life, 3rd
—animate dead, 4th—grasp of the dead1, 5th—waves of
fatigue, 6th—undeath to death, 7th—finger of death, 8th
—undead anatomy IVUM, 9th—energy drain.
Bonus Feats: Command Undead, Defiance, Great
Fortitude, Skill Focus (Knowledge: the planes), Spell Focus
(Necromancy), Still Spell, or any [Death] domain or
[Necromancy] feat.
Bloodline Arcana: Some undead are susceptible to your
mind-affecting spells. Corporeal undead that were once
humanoids are treated as humanoids for the purposes of
determining which spells affect them.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast deals negative
energy damage. Improved blast: Fell Frighten; greater Blast:
Starting at 16th level, the [fear] effects of your improved blast
stack; shaken creatures affected again become frightened;
frightened creatures become panicked, and panicked
creatures become cowering.
Synergy: Your eldritch blast is treated as channeled
negative energy for purposes of qualifying for feats such as
Command Undead. Affecting an area with such a feat also
requires you to also have the Innate Metamagic (Shape Spell)
feat.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—cold; saving throws—
energy drain and death effects; damage reduction—slashing.
Grave Touch (Sp): Starting at 1st level, you can make a
melee touch attack that does not provoke an attack of
opportunity as a standard action that causes a living creature
to become shaken for a number of rounds equal to half your
sorcerer level (minimum 1). If you touch a shaken creature
with this ability, it becomes frightened for 1 round if it has
fewer Hit Dice than your sorcerer level. You can combine this
ability with the effects of your eldritch blast (q.v.) as a melee
touch attack.
Zone of Desecration (Su): At 9th level, you begin to
project an aura of desecration (as the spell) in an emanation
around yourself. This aura is centered on you and moves with
you; it extends to a radius of 5 ft. per class level you possess.
This ability supersedes the True Necromancer’s prestige
class feature of the same name from Libris Mortis, and also
the minor necromancy esoterica from the Master Specialist
prestige class (Complete Mage).
Incorporeal Form (Sp): At 15th level, as a move action you
can become incorporeal. You may remain in an incorporeal
state a number of rounds per day equal to your class level;
these rounds need not be consecutive. While in this form, you
gain the incorporeal subtype. You only take half damage from
corporeal sources as long as they are magic (you take no
damage from non-magic weapons and objects). Likewise,
your spells deal only half damage to corporeal creatures.
Spells and other effects that do not deal damage function
normally.
One of Us (Ex): At 20th level, your form begins to rot (the
appearance of this decay is up to you) and undead see you as
one of them. You gain immunity to nonlethal damage,
paralysis, and sleep. Unintelligent undead do not notice you
unless you attack them. You receive a +4 morale bonus on
saving throws made against spells and spell-like abilities cast
by undead.
Verdant
Your progenitors infused themselves with raw plant life,
binding it into their own tissue and passing it down to their
literal seed, giving you innate communion with nature.
Alternatively, you might simply be descended from a dryad.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Bonus Skill: Profession (horticulture), Survival.
Bonus Spells: 1st—entangle, 2nd—barkskin, 3rd—speak
with plants, 4th—command plants, 5th—wall of thorns, 6th
—transport via plants, 7th—plant shape III, 8th—animate
plants, 9th—shambler.
Bonus Feats: Domain Access (Plant), Domain Channeling
(Plant), Extend Spell, Great Fortitude, Improved Grapple,
Skill Focus (Profession: horticulture), Toughness, or any
[Plant] Domain feat.
Bloodline Arcana: Add all spells with “plant” in the name
to your list of class spells. In addition, your powers of
compulsion can affect even plant creatures. Whenever you
cast a mind-affecting or language-dependent spell, it affects
creatures of the plant type as if they were humanoids that
understood your language.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast is a ray (or puff) of
spores which immediately grow into vines on those affected,
dealing 1d6 piercing damage per round for a number of
rounds equal to the level of the highest-level spell slot you
have available. Improved blast: Entangling Spell), applied to
your eldritch blast, as a bonus feat; greater blast: those
entangled are also considered grappled.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy: your need to eat and sleep
is reduced as if wearing a ring of sustenance; saving throws—
special: you gain Favored Terrain (Forests and Jungles) with a
bonus equal to 1 + the saving throw bonus you would
normally receive; at 19th level, the bonus improves to +8.
Damage reduction—your gnarled, woody skin gives you a +1
natural armor bonus to AC at 3rd level, increasing by an
additional +1 per 4 class levels thereafter.
Tanglevine (Sp): At 1st level, as a standard action, you can
create a 15-foot-long, animated vine that springs from your
hand. This vine lasts for 1 round and can be used to make a
single disarm, grapple, or trip combat maneuver, using your
sorcerer level plus your Charisma modifier in place of your
normal CMB.
Massmorph (Sp): At 9th level, as a full-round action, you
can alter the size and health of plant life, as if using plant
growth or diminish plants. Alternatively, you can transform
one willing non-plant creature per sorcerer level (no two of
which can be more than 30 feet apart) as tree shape. You may
transform creatures as plant shape I at 13th level, or plant
shape II at 18th level; you can transform non-plant creatures
using this power once per day (or use it on yourself once per
day per 3 class levels you possess).
Liveoak (Sp): At 15th level, a tree animates itself as a treant
and does your bidding. This otherwise functions as a liveoak
spell, except the duration is unlimited (if your tree is killed or
you dismiss it, you can turn affect a different tree with 10
minutes of concentration).
Shepherd of the Trees (Su): At 20th level, your verdant
heritage fully manifests. You gain immunity to paralysis,
poison, polymorph, sleep, stunning, sneak attacks, and
critical hits, and you gain tremorsense 30 feet even when not
rooted.
Appendix B: Battle Sorcerer
The battle sorcerer (Chinese wuxia, or “martial hero”) is a capable physical combatant who mixes magical prowess with fighting
skill. Use of the martial way (“wudan”) options below provides a reasonable substitute for the Magus base class from Ultimate
Magic. Morrolan e’Drien, from Steven Brust’s Taltos novels, is an example of a battle sorcerer.
TABLE B-1: BATTLE SORCERER HIT DICE: D8
Spell
Capacity Special
Class Level Base Attack Bonus
1st +0 1st Bloodline or martial way, eschew materials, limited power

2nd +1 2nd Wudan feat, eldritch blast

3rd +2 3rd Eldritch resistances +2

4th +3 4th Blast metamagic

5th +3 5th Weapon form +2

6th +4 6th Wudan feat

7th +5 7th Eldritch resistances +3

8th +6/+1 7th Iterative blast

9th +6/+1 8th Wudan power, weapon form +4

10th +7/+2 9th Wudan feat

11th +8/+3 10th Eldritch resistances +4

12th +9/+4 11th Improved blast

13th +9/+4 12th Weapon form +6

14th +10/+5 13th Wudan feat

15th +11/+6/+6 13th Eldritch resistances +5, wudan power

16th +12/+7/+7 14th Greater blast

17th +12/+7/+7 15th Weapon form +8

18th +13/+8/+8 16th Wudan feat

19th +14/+9/+9 17th Eldritch immunities, powerful blast

20th +15/+10/+10 18th Wudan power

Saving Throws: Battle sorcerers gain a +2 class bonus to

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Class Skills: Bluff, Craft (any), Diplomacy, Endurance, Fly,
Knowledge (any), Planar Sense, Profession (any), Spellcraft.
Skill Ranks per Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Battle sorcerers have
Simple proficiency with all weapons, and also gain Martial
Weapon Proficiency with one weapon group of their choice (if
already proficient with all martial weapons, you may gain
Exotic proficiency with one weapon instead).
Battle sorcerers are proficient with light armor, and have
Simple proficiency with shields. You can cast spells in light
armor without suffering the normal arcane spell failure
chance. You can instead choose to trade armor and shields
proficiency for the Canny Defense feat.
Class Features: Battle sorcerers are treated as standard
sorcerers except as specifically noted here (note that they do
not receive several of the class features gained by the
standard sorcerer). Also, the levels at which they gain the
improved blast and iterative blast abilities are juxtaposed, as
shown in Table B-1.
Bloodline or Martial Way: A battle sorcerer can use one
of the normal sorcerer bloodlines, or can instead select one
of the martial paths (‘wudan”) described below.
Limited Power: Battle sorcerers cast spells as do
sorcerers, but generally know fewer spells and can cast fewer
spells per day. You do not gain the standard sorcerer’s
expanded arcana, rapid metamagic, impromptu metamagic,
or impromptu spells abilities. In addition, you do not gain in
spell capacity at 8th or 15th level.
Weapon Form (Ex): Starting at 5th level, you receive a +2
competence bonus to damage with any weapon with which
you are proficient, and to spell-like abilities that deal hit point
damage (including your eldritch blast). This bonus improves
by +2 per 4 levels thereafter, as shown in the table. If you
have levels in monk, your battle sorcerer level instead
provides Full synergy to the monk’s weapon form class
feature.
Martial Paths (“Wudan”)
These variant class packages work exactly as do bloodlines,
but represent the fruition of martial training as opposed to
the development of some inborn bloodline. You can develop
new martial paths using the following as examples; as always,
this is subject to referee approval.
Martial Arcanist (Ex): All followers of martial paths gain
Skill Focus (Concentration) as a bonus feat. In addition, if you
have levels in fighter, your fighter level provides Full synergy
for determining the effects of your wudan powers and
resistances, and your battle sorcerer level provides Strong
synergy for purposes of determining the level-dependent
effects of your fighter talents. This ability replaces the
sorcerer’s bloodline arcana.
Archon
This martial path supersedes the class of the same name
from the Genius Guide to the Archon (Super Genius Games).
The Archon’s signature “rivenspell” ability is represented by
selecting Arcane Boost as your 2nd level Wudan feat.
Bonus Skills: Endurance, Spellcraft.
Wudan Spells: 1st—shield, 2nd—mirror image, 3rd
—vampiric touch, 4th—fire shield, 5th—cone of cold, 6th
—disintegrate, 7th—greater teleport, 8th—shield of law, 9th—
prismatic sphere.
Wudan Feats: Arcane Armor Training, Arcane Boost,
Dispelling Strike, Greater Sudden Metamagic (quicken spell),
Lightning Reflexes, Quicken Spell, Skill Focus (any), Spell
Focus (any).
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast strikes like an
invisible blade, dealing force damage.
Improved Blast: You gain Innate Metamagic (Channel
Spell and Imbue Missile), applied to your eldritch blast, as
bonus feats.
Greater Blast: You gain Sudden Metamagic (Channel
Spell and Imbue Missile) applied to your eldritch blast as
well.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—electricity; saving throws
—special (see below); damage reduction—adamantine.
Counter (Su): Instead of a bonus on saves, at 3rd level you
gain the ability to sacrifice a spell slot in order to reroll a
failed save. You can use this ability an additional time per day
for every 4 class levels above 3rd (i.e., 2/day at 7th, 3/day at
11th, 4/day at 15th, and 5/day at 19th level). You gain a
competence bonus or penalty to the save reroll equal to the
level of the spell sacrificed -4 (i.e., -3 for a 1st level spell, -2 for
a 2nd level spell, +0 for a 4th level spell, etc., to a maximum of
+5 for a 9th level spell slot.
Hexsword (Ex): At 1st level, you gain an Arcane Bond (as
the wizard class feature). You must choose a weapon as the
object of your arcane bond.
Soul of the Spellblade (Su): At 9th level, you gain Channel
Spell and Imbue Missile as bonus feats.
Spellblade Mastery (Su): At 15th level, you gain Battle
Touch as a bonus feat; you can apply this to channeled spells
or to your eldritch blast.
Dominion of the Dusk Knight (Ex): At 20th level, as a full-
round action, you may make a single attack (melee or ranged)
and also cast a single spell with a casting time of 1 standard
action. You may decide to cast then attack, or attack then
cast. You can also cast a quickened spell in the same round,
using Quicken Spell or Sudden Quicken Spell.
Green Star Adept
A Green Star adept is a master of the strange and powerful
magic derived from the glittering green starmetal from the
comet Alhazarde. He travels the land, searching for more of
the comet's fallen substance and mastering its eldritch power.
Turning his back on the traditional studies of the sorcerer or
wizard, he slowly infuses himself with starmetal, gaining
immortality and invulnerability at the cost of his own flesh. At
each appearance of the comet, only a handful of adepts can
complete the rites necessary to achieve this transformation.
Source: Complete Arcane.
Bonus Skills: Craft (alchemy), Knowledge (lore).
Wudan Spells: 1st—stone fistAPG, 2nd—chill metal, 3rd
—bands of steelCA, 4th—rusting grasp, 5th—telekinesis, 6th
—wall of iron, 7th—repel metal or stone, 8th—iron body, 9th
—crushing hand.
Wudan Feats: Combat Casting, Empower Spell, Exotic
Weapon Proficiency (unarmed), Great Fortitude, Improved
Bull Rush, Improved Natural Armor, Skill Focus (Endurance),
Toughness.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast is impregnated with
tiny metal particles that carry a charge; it deals electrical
damage. Improved blast: Energy Admixture (bludgeoning,
piercing, and slashing); greater blast: Irresistible Evocation.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—special: you gain +1
natural armor at 3rd level, +2 at 7th, +3 at 11th, +4 at 15th, and
+5 at 19th. Saving throws—poison, sleep, paralysis, stunning,
disease, death effects, and necromancy effects. Damage
reduction—adamantine.
Starmetal Rigor (Ex): At 1st level, a Green Star adept's
process of transformation has already begun. His flesh takes
on a faint emerald hue, and it becomes denser and stronger
as the starmetal infusion takes hold. You gain a +1 racial
bonus to Strength and a -1 racial penalty to Dexterity (to a
minimum of 3); these stack with existing racial modifiers.
Later, you also gain a measure of protection from critical hits
and precision damage (fortification). These continue to
accrue as you gain levels, according to the following table (the
modifiers shown are total, not cumulative).
Class Level Str Dex Fortification
1st – 3rd +1 -1 — Weapon Mastery (Su): At 20th level, all your critical
4th – 7th +2 -1 — multiplier of weapons you wield as one higher than normal
8th – 11th +3 -2 25%
12th – 15th +4 -2 50%
16th – 19th +5 -3 75%
20th +6 -3 100%
Otherworldly Vision (Ex): At 9th level, you gain darkvision
60 ft. and low-light vision.
Null Metabolism (Ex): Starting at 15th level, you no longer
need to breathe, eat, or sleep (although you still must rest 8
hours in order to regain spells). You are immune to inhaled
poisons, drowning, suffocation, fatigue, and exhaustion.
Emerald Perfection (Ex): At 20th level, you complete your
transformation. You resemble a perfectly-sculpted statue of
yourself, forged from green starmetal. Your type changes to
Construct and you lose your Constitution score, instead
determining hit points and Fort saves using your Strength
score. You no longer heal naturally and cannot benefit from
[healing] spells, but you gain rapid repair (as fast healing) at
the rate of 1 hp per hour. You no longer age. Unlike most
constructs, you gain no immunity to magic or mind-affecting
spells and effects.
Kensai
You are trained to focus your will like a knife, cutting down
anyone before you. This martial path replaces the Magus
archetype of the same name from Ultimate Combat and the
prestige class of the same name from Complete Warrior.
Bonus Skills: Bluff, Perception.
Wudan Spells: 1st—mage armor, 2nd—protection from
arrows, 3rd—greater magic weapon, 4th—greater invisibility,
5th—Heightened bull’s strength (+8; self only), 6th—true
seeing, 7th—ethereal jaunt, 8th—moment of prescience, 9th
—foresight.
Wudan Feats: Canny Defense, Combat Reflexes, Critical
Focus, Lightning Reflexes, Perfect Strike, Skill Focus (Bluff),
Vital Strike, Weapon Focus.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast strikes like an
invisible blade, dealing force damage.
Improved Blast: The threat range of your eldritch blast is
19-20.
Greater Blast: You gain Deadly Critical, applied to your
eldritch blast, as a bonus feat (even if you do not meet the
prerequisites).
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—force; saving throws—
mind-affecting spells and effects; damage reduction—
adamantine.
If you have levels in fighter, your kensai level provides Full
synergy for determining the effects of the following abilities:
Signature Weapon (Ex): At 1st level, you gain the Personal
Weapon fighter talent.
Iaijutsu (Ex): At 9th level, you gain the Iaijutsu fighter
talent.
Ki Warlord (Ex): At 15th level, you gain the fighter’s
Warlord class feature.
threats are automatically confirmed, and you treat the critical
(this does not increase the threat multiplier of your greater
blast).
Knight of the Arcane Order
Your martial path is an actual Order of Knighthood (see
Knightly Order fighter talent).
Bonus Skills: Endurance, Knowledge (warfare).
Wudan Spells: 1st—compel hostilityUC, 2nd—shield other,
3 —phantom steed, 4th—fire shield, 5th—wreath of
rd
bladesUC, 6th—Tenser’s transformation, 7th—magnificent
mansion, 8th—iron body, 9th—heroic invocationUC.
Wudan Feats: Arcane Armor Training, Arcane Boost,
Dispelling Strike, Great Fortitude, Martial Shield Proficiency,
Medium Armor Proficiency, Heavy Armor Proficiency, Skill
Focus (Knowledge: warfare).
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Instead of an eldritch blast, you gain
the Challenge fighter talent (q.v.), using your battle sorcerer
level as your effective fighter level.
Improved Blast: The target of your challenge also takes a –
2 circumstance penalty to its AC against the attacks of all
opponents other than you (even though your BAB is not
yet +11).
Greater Blast: You gain any one Strike feat as a bonus
feat; the effects automatically apply to your first attack
each round when using your Challenge, even if the normal
activating conditions are not met.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—force; saving throws—fear,
and your saving throw bonus also applies to Endurance skill
checks; damage reduction—adamantine.
Order of Knighthood (Ex): At 1st level, you gain an Order
of Knighthood (see Fighter). You gain the corresponding
edict(s), skill use, and 1st level Order ability. When you gain
the Challenge ability at 2nd level, you also gain the
corresponding improvement from your Order.
Knight of Quality (Su): At 9th level, you gain the 8th level
Knight of Quality ability that corresponds to your order of
knighthood.
Knight of Renown (Su): At 15th level, you gain the 15th
level ability for your order of knighthood.
Weapon Mastery (Ex): At 20th level, all your critical
threats are automatically confirmed, and you treat the critical
multiplier of weapons you wield as one higher than normal (a
×2 becomes a ×3, for example).
Living Monolith
The ancient lands of the desert are rife with aged ruins
guarded by stony sentinels from bygone days, whose
implacable gaze can still the heart of a miscreant or scare off
a would-be tomb robber. The ancient race of sphinxes is said
to have endowed the first living monoliths with their powers,
raising statues to a semblance of life, but today, most of these
paragons of justice are mortals who willingly take on the
mantle of immortal warriors through ritual and devotion,
imbuing themselves with the patience and eternal strength of
stone.
―Pathfinder Player Companion: People of the Sands.
Bonus Skills: Endurance, Knowledge (lore).
Wudan Spells: 1st—enlarge person, 2nd—see invisibility,
3 —speak with dead, 4th—mark of justice, 5th—contact
rd
other plane, 6th—stone tell, 7th—Heightened planar ally (12
HD max; sphinxes only), 8th— Quickened righteous might,
9th—imprisonment.
Wudan Feats: Arcane Defense (Enchantment), Diehard,
Divine Healing (enlarge self or righteous might), Innate
Metamagic (Quicken enlarge person), Innate Metamagic
(Sudden righteous might), Iron Will, Skill Focus (Endurance),
Toughness.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast carries the roar of
sphinxes; it deals sonic damage. Improved blast: Deafening
Spell; greater blast: Fell Frightening (frightened).
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—negative energy; saving
throws—[death] effects and energy drain; damage reduction
—adamantine.
Fortified Flesh (Ex): At 1st level, your flesh takes on some
of the hardness of stone. You gain 5% fortification (immunity
to critical hits and sneak atacks). At 3rd level and every 4 class
levels thereafter, your fortification increases by 5%
(maximum at 35% at 19th level). This fortification doubles
while you are under the effects of an enlarge person or
righteous might spell (maximum 70% at 19th level).
Tombsight (Sp, Ex): Starting at 9th level, you can sense
the ebbing of life forces and the pulse of necromantic energy
around you. You gain the continuous effects of deathwatch
and detect undead (as the spells). You also gain tremorsense
30 ft.
Assumption of Stone (Sp): At 15th level, you can use meld
into stone and statue at will as spell-like abilities (self only),
and you are immune to petrifaction.
Ageless Stone (Ex): At 20th level, you become immortal.
You cease aging (though any aging effects already accrued
remain in place), though you can still be killed by other
means. You are also immune to all diseases, including
supernatural and magical diseases (such as mummy rot).
Magus
Magus
This martial path is intended to simplify efforts to simulate
the Magus base class from Ultimate Magic.
Bonus Skills: Endurance, Spellcraft.
Wudan Spells: 1st—true strike, 2nd—bull’s strength, 3rd—
haste, 4th—fire shield, 5th—telekinesis, 6th—forceful hand,
7th—spell turning, 8th—moment of prescience, 9th—time
stop.
Wudan Feats: Arcane Armor Training, Arcane Boost,
Combat Casting, Lightning Reflexes, Medium Armor
Proficiency, Skill Focus (Spellcraft), Spellstrike, Two-Weapon
Fighting.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast deals fire damage.
Improved blast: Versatile Evocation (force); greater blast: Ray
Splitting.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—fire; saving throws--
evocations; damage reduction—adamantine.
Athame (Ex): At 1st level, you gain an Arcane Bond (as the
wizard class feature). You must choose a weapon as the
object of your arcane bond.
Synergy: If you have the Two-Weapon Fighting feat and are
wielding your athame in one hand and have the other hand
free, as a full-round action you can make all of your attacks
with your athame at a –2 penalty, and also cast any spell (or
use a spell-like ability) with a casting time of 1 standard
action. Any attack roll made as part of this spell also takes the
-2 penalty.
Knowledge Pool (Su): This functions as the Arcane
bloodline’s “prepare spells” ability; it is gained at 9th level.
Counterstrike (Ex): Starting at 15th level, whenever an
enemy within reach casts a spell defensively, that enemy
provokes an attack of opportunity from you after the spell is
complete. This attack of opportunity cannot disrupt the spell.
True Magus (Su): At 20th level, you become a master of
spells and combat. Any time you cast a spell in the same
round in which you make a melee attack against the same
target, you do not need to make a Concentration check to cast
the spell defensively. In addition, you can choose to either
increase the DC to resist the spell by +2, or grant yourself a
+2 circumstance bonus on all attack rolls made against that
target during that turn.
Soulknife
This martial path represents the base class of the same name
from the 3.5 edition System Reference Document;
enhancements to your mind blade are represented by spells
known. If desired, replace the word “magic” with the word
“psionic” in the abilities below; the mechanics stay the same.
Bonus Skills: Athletics, Sleight of Hand.
Wudan Spells: 1st—lead bladesAPG, 2nd—weapon of
energySS, 3rd—keen edge, 4th—ghost touch weapon, 5th
—greater energy surgePHII, 6th—brilliant blade or death
bladeRR, 7th—daggers of VaulRR or Mordenkainen’s sword,
8th—black blade of disasterMF, 9th—soul bind (as swift
action, on killing blow with mind blade).
Wudan Feats: Concussive Strike, Exotic Weapon
Proficiency (short sword), Fleet, Lightning Reflexes, Skill
Focus (Sleight of Hand), Vital Strike, Weapon Focus (light
blades), Whirlwind Strike.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast is like a thrown mind
blade; it deals piercing damage. Improved blast—the damage
is force damage; greater blast—any feats, spells, or magic
properties active on your mind blade also apply to your
eldritch blast.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—force; saving throws—
instead of you gaining a bonus to saving throws, your mind
blade gains an enhancement bonus equal to 1 less than the
saving throw bonus you would normally receive (maximum
+5 at 19th level). Damage reduction—magic (enhancement
bonus equal to your mind blade’s is needed to overcome your
DR).
Mind Blade (Su): As a move action, you can create a
semisolid blade composed of magical energy distilled from
your own mind. Each time you manifest it, choose one melee
weapon; the blade is identical (except visually) to a weapon of
that type. You can use feats in conjunction with the mind
blade just as if it were a normal weapon; any weapon-specific
feats (e.g., Weapon Focus) that apply to your mind blade in
one form also apply to the mind blade in all other forms. You
can spend personal numen (Chapter 6) on your mind blade
as if it were a physical object, and its properties apply
whenever you manifest it.
The blade can be broken (it has hardness 10 and 10 hit
points); however, you can simply create another on your next
move action. The moment you relinquish your grip on your
blade, it dissipates (unless you intentionally throw it, in which
case it vanishes after the attack). Spells you cast on your
mind blade carry over to any new manifestation of it, if a
previous one is broken or dissipates.
Even in places where magic effects do not normally
function (such as within a null magic field), you can attempt to
sustain your mind blade by making a DC 20 Will save. On a
successful save, you maintain the mind blade for a number of
rounds equal to your class level before you need to check
again. On an unsuccessful attempt, the mind blade vanishes.
As a move action on your turn, you can attempt a new Will
save to rematerialize the mind blade while you remains
within the negating effect.
Enhance Mind Blade (Su): At 9th level, any spells you cast
that target your mind blade have a casting time of one swift
action. In addition, you gain the Spellstrike feat, but it applies
only in conjunction with your mind blade.
Pierce Magical Protection (Ex): At 15th level you gain the
Pierce Magical Protection advanced fighter talent; it applies
to your mind blade.
Mind Blade Mastery (Ex): At 20th level, you reach the
pinnacle of your art. You no longer require a Will save to
maintain her mind blade in a null magic field, and it retains
any enhancement bonus and magical properties. In addition,
you may cast spells affecting your mind blade as immediate
actions.
Spelldancer
This martial path represents the Magus archetype of the
same name from the Advanced Race Guide. It also provides
the building blocks of the 3.5 edition Swiftblade prestige class
from the Wizards of the Coast web site.
Bonus Skills: Acrobatics, Perform (dance).
Wudan Spells: 1st—expeditious retreat, 2nd—blur, 3rd—
haste, 4th—freedom of movement, 5th—teleport, 6th
—shadow walk, 7th—greater teleport, 8th—moment of
prescience, 9th—time stop.
Wudan Feats: Canny Defense, Improved Initiative,
Internalize Spell (haste), Lightning Reflexes, Skill Focus
(Acrobatics), Skirmish, Spring Attack, Swift Surge.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Your eldritch blast deals sonic
damage. Improved blast: your eldritch blast gains the effects
of the Anchoring Blow feat (the BAB +11 and +16 effects do
not apply); greater blast: Staggering Spell.
Eldritch Resistances: Energy—sonic; saving throws—
evasive celerity (special; see below) Damage reduction—cold
iron.
Evasive Celerity (Ex): Instead of a bonus to saving throws,
you receive a miss chance (as if from a blink spell) as shown
in the following table. Hostile spells that specifically target
you also have that chance of failure (even if they do not
require an attack roll), unless affected by the
Transdimensional Spell feat. You do not gain any other
features of the blink spell.
Class Level Evasive Celerity
3rd – 6th 10%
7th – 10th 20%
11th – 14th 30%
15th -18th 40%
19th – 20th 50%
Mobility (Ex): At 1st level, you gain Mobility (as the fighter
talent), using your battle sorcerer class level in place of your
fighter level (if you also have levels in Fighter, they provide
Full synergy to this ability).
Spelldance (Su): Starting at 9th level, you can cast any of
your bloodline spells as a swift action. This ability also
applies to spell-like abilities gained from Reserve feats that
are dependent upon one or more of your bloodline spells.
Perpetual Options (Ex): Starting at 15th level, you can
perform even more actions with the haste spell. Instead of
making one extra attack at your highest base attack bonus
while under the effect of a haste spell that you cast yourself,
you now have the choice of making one extra move action or
one extra standard action.
True Magus (Su): As the Magus ability of the same name
(see above).
Appendix C: Summoner
The Summoner base class, from the Advanced Player’s Guide, is presented here as a variant sorcerer, although it would
conceivably work equally well as a 10-level prestige class for a conjurer. Theleb K’aarna, from Michael Moorcock’s Elric of
Melniboné saga, is a good example of a summoner―he has magical powers of his own, but is generally found with a very powerful
summoned ally (e.g., Quaolnargn in “The Stealer of Souls”).
TABLE C-1: THE SUMMONER HIT DICE: D8 Saving Throws: Summoners gain a +2 class bonus to
Intuition and Will saves.
Spell Bonus Skills: You receive one free rank per class level in
Class Base Attack Capacity Special Concentration and Knowledge (the Planes). These are
Level Bonus otherwise treated as class skills, but do not count against
1st +0 1st Eidolon, life link, your total number of skill points.
Thaumaturgist Class Skills: Bluff, Craft (any), Fly, Knowledge (any),
Planar Sense, Profession (any), Spellcraft.
Skill Ranks per Level: 2 + Int modifier.
2nd +1 2nd Bond senses Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Summoners have
Simple proficiency with all weapons. They are also proficient
3rd +2 3rd — with light armor, but gain no shield proficiency. A summoner
can cast summoner spells while wearing light armor without
4th +3 4th Shield ally
incurring the normal arcane spell failure chance. Like any
other arcane spellcaster, a summoner wearing medium or
heavy armor, or using a shield, incurs a chance of arcane spell
5th +3 5th — failure if the spell in question has a somatic component. A
multiclass summoner still incurs the normal arcane spell
6th +4 6th Maker’s call failure chance for arcane spells received from other classes..
Class Features: Summoners are treated as standard
sorcerers except as specifically noted (as shown in Table C-1,
7th +5 7th — they do not receive many of the class features gained by the
standard sorcerer or battle sorcerer). The lack of a bloodline
8th +6/+1 8th Transposition or martial path means that you gain no bloodline/wudan
arcana, eldritch blast, eldritch resistances, or bonus feats.
9th +6/+1 9th —
Spellcasting: Summoners cast spells as do sorcerers, but
generally know fewer spells and can cast fewer spells per day.
You do not gain the standard sorcerer’s eschew materials,
10th +7/+2 10th Aspect expanded arcana, eldritch blast, blast metamagic, rapid
metamagic, impromptu metamagic, or impromptu spells
11 th +8/+3 11 th — abilities. In addition, you reduce your spells per day
(Spellcasting Table 2 in Chapter 7) by 1 per spell level (to a
minimum of 0/day).
12th +9/+4 12th Greater shield ally Your bonus spells (Chapter 7, Table 1) are as follows: 1st
through 9th—summon monster I—IX. These spells cannot be
13th +9/+4 13th — exchanged for different spells at higher levels.
Eidolon: A summoner has no bloodline; he or she instead
14 th +10/+5 14 th Life bond
devotes her initiation to the binding of an increasingly-
powerful extraplanar being.
You begin play with the ability to summon to your side an
15th +11/+6/+6 15th — outsider called an eidolon. The eidolon forms a link with you;
forever after, you summon an aspect of the same creature.
16 th +12/+7/+7 16 th Merge forms Eidolons are treated as summoned creatures, except that
they are not sent back to their home plane until reduced to a
number of negative hit points equal to or greater than their
17th +12/+7/+7 17th — Constitution score. In addition, due to its tie to its summoner,
an eidolon can touch and attack creatures warded by
18th +13/+8/+8 18th Greater aspect protection from evil and similar effects that prevent contact
with summoned creatures.
19th +14/+9/+9 19th Gate

20th +15/+10/+10 20th Twin eidolon

You can summon your eidolon in a ritual that takes 1 minute
to perform. When summoned in this way, the eidolon’s hit
points are unchanged from the last time it was summoned.
The only exception to this is if the eidolon was slain, in which
case it returns with half its normal hit points. The eidolon
does not heal naturally. The eidolon remains until dismissed
by you (a standard action). If the eidolon is sent back to its
home plane due to death, it cannot be summoned again until
the following day. The eidolon cannot be sent back to its
home plane by means of dispel magic, but spells such as
dismissal and banishment work normally. If you are
unconscious, asleep, or killed, your eidolon is immediately
banished.
The eidolon takes a form shaped by your desires. The
eidolon's Hit Dice, saving throws, skills, feats, and abilities
are tied to your class level and increase as you gain levels. In
addition, each eidolon receives a pool of evolution points,
based on your class level, that can be used to give the eidolon
different abilities and powers. Whenever you gain a level, you
must decide how these points are spent, and they are set until
you gain another level of summoner.
The eidolon's physical appearance is up to you, but it
always appears as some sort of fantastical creature. This
control is not fine enough to make the eidolon appear like a
specific creature.
Life Link (Su): Whenever your eidolon takes enough
damage to send it back to its home plane, you can, as a free
action, sacrifice any number of hit points. Each hit point
sacrificed in this way prevents 1 point of damage done to the
eidolon. This can prevent the eidolon from being sent back to
its home plane.
In addition, you and your eidolon must remain within 100
feet of one another for the eidolon to remain at full strength.
If the eidolon is beyond 100 feet but closer than 1,000 feet, its
current and maximum hit point totals are reduced by 50%. If
the eidolon is more than 1,000 feet away but closer than
10,000 feet, its current and maximum hit point totals are
reduced by 75%. If the eidolon is more than 10,000 feet away,
it is immediately returned to its home plane. Current hit
points lost in this way are not restored when the eidolon gets
closer to its summoner, but its maximum hit point total does
return to normal. Because the eidolon’s maximum, rather
than current, hit points are reduced, its wound thresholds
change accordingly.
Thaumaturgist: You gain Thaumaturgist (Chapter 5) as a
bonus feat at 1st level, allowing you to control summoned
monsters. Your eidolon’s CR (Table C-2) counts against your
total CR limit; you are always able to retain an eidolon of at
least the CR listed in the table, even at 1st through 7th level.
Bond Senses (Su): Starting at 2nd level, you can, as a
standard action, share the senses of your eidolon, hearing,
seeing, smelling, tasting, and touching everything the eidolon
does. You can use this ability a number of rounds per day
equal to your class level. There is no range to this effect, but
you and the eidolon must be on the same plane. You can end
this effect as a free action.
Shield Ally (Ex): At 4th level, whenever you are within your
eidolon's reach, you receive a +2 shield bonus to Armor Class
and a +2 circumstance bonus on saving throws. These
bonuses do not apply if the eidolon is grappled, helpless,
paralyzed, stunned, or unconscious.
Maker's Call (Su): At 6th level, as a standard action, you
can call your eidolon to his side. This functions as dimension
door. When used, the eidolon appears adjacent to you (or as
close as possible if all adjacent spaces are occupied). If the
eidolon is out of range, the ability is wasted. You can use this
ability once per day at 6th level, plus one additional time per
day for every four levels beyond 6th (maximum 4/day at 18th
level).
Transposition (Su): At 8th level, you can use your maker's
call ability (q.v.) to swap locations with your eidolon. If it is
larger than you, you can appear in any square occupied by the
eidolon. The eidolon must occupy the square that was
occupied by the you if able, or as close as possible if it is not
able.
Aspect (Su): At 10th level, you can divert up to 2 points
from your eidolon's evolution pool to add evolutions to
himself. You cannot select any evolution that the eidolon
could not possess, and you must be able to meet the
requirements as well. You cannot select the ability increase
evolution through this ability. Any points spent in this way are
taken from the eidolon's evolution pool (reducing the total
number available to the eidolon). You can change the
evolutions you receive from these points any time you can
change the eidolon's evolutions.
Greater Shield Ally (Su): At 12th level, whenever an ally of
yours is within your eidolon's reach, the ally receives a +2
shield bonus to its Armor Class and a +2 circumstance bonus
on its saving throws. In addition, your shield other bonuses
increase to +4. These bonuses does not apply if the eidolon is
grappled, helpless, paralyzed, stunned, or unconscious.
Life Bond (Su): At 14th level, your life becomes
inextricably linked to your eidolon's. As long as the eidolon
has 1 or more hit points, you are protected from harm.
Damage in excess of that which would reduce you to fewer
than 0 hit points is instead transferred to the eidolon. This
damage is transferred 1 point at a time, meaning that as soon
as the eidolon is reduced to a number of negative his points
equal to its Constitution score, all excess damage remains
with you. Effects that cause death but not damage are
unaffected by this ability. Likewise, this ability does not affect
spells like baleful polymorph, flesh to stone, or imprisonment,
or other spells that do not cause actual damage.
Merge Forms (Su): At 16th level, as a full-round action, you
can touch your eidolon and merge into its form. This
transformation includes all of the your gear. While merged in
this way, you are protected from harm and cannot be the
target of spells or effects. All effects and spells currently
targeting you are suspended until you emerge from the
eidolon (although durations continue to expire).
You can cast spells while inside the eidolon by taking
control of the eidolon for the duration of the casting. Any
material components used for these spells are taken from
your gear, even though they are otherwise inaccessible. You
can direct all of the eidolon's actions while merged, can
perceive through its senses, and can speak through its voice.
You can use this ability for a number of rounds per day equal
to your summoner level. You can end this effect at any time as
a swift action. You emerge in a square adjacent to the eidolon
if able. If the eidolon is returned to its home plane while you
are merged with it, you are immediately ejected, taking 4d6
points of damage, and are stunned for 1 round.
Greater Aspect (Su): At 18th level, you can divert more of
his eidolon's evolutions to yourself. This ability functions as
the aspect ability, but up to 6 evolution points can be taken.
Unlike the aspect ability, the eidolon loses 1 point from its
evolution pool for every 2 points (or fraction thereof) diverted
to you.
Gate: At 19th level, you gain gate as a bonus spell known,
as if you had selected the Expanded Arcana feat.
Twin Eidolon (Su): At 20th level, you and your eidolon
share a primal connection. As a standard action, you can
assume the shape of your eidolon, copying all of its
evolutions, form, and abilities. Your Strength, Dexterity, and
Constitution scores change to match the base scores of your
eidolon. You can choose to have any gear that you carry
become absorbed by your new form, as with spells from the
[polymorph] subschool. Items with continuous effects
continue to function while absorbed in this way. You lose your
natural attacks and all racial traits (except bonus feats, skills,
and languages) in favor of the abilities granted by your
eidolon's evolutions. You retain all of your class features. You
can keep this form for a number of minutes per day equal to
your summoner level. This duration does not need to be
consecutive, but it must be spent in 1-minute increments. You
can end this effect as a free action.
Eidolons
An eidolon's abilities are determined by the summoner's level and by the choices made using its evolution pool. Table C-2 lists
many of the base statistics of the eidolon. Each eidolon possesses a base form that modifies these base statistics (Table C-3). In
addition eidolons gain the Bonded Companion template (see druid’s Mark of the Wild class feature).
Class Level: This is your summoner level.
Hit Dice: This is the total number of racial (Outsider) Hit Dice the eidolon possesses.
Bate Attack: This is the eidolon's base attack bonus. Eidolons do not gain additional attacks using their natural weapons for a
high base attack bonus.
Armor Bonus: The number noted here is the eidolon's base total armor bonus. This bonus may be split between an armor bonus
and a natural armor bonus, as decided by the summoner. This number is modified by the eidolon's base form and some options
available through its evolution pool. An eidolon cannot wear armor of any kind, as the armor interferes with the summoner's
connection to the eidolon.
Str/Dex Bonus: Add this modifier to the eidolon's Strength and Dexterity scores, as determined by its base form. Some options
available through the eidolon's evolution pool might modify these scores.
Evolution Pool: The value given in this column is the total number of points in the eidolon's evolution pool. Points from this pool
can be spent on a wide variety of modifications and upgrades that add new abilities, attacks, and powers to the eidolon. Whenever
the summoner gains a level, the number in this pool increases and the summoner can spend these points to change the abilities of
the eidolon. These choices are not set. The summoner can change them whenever he gains a level (and through the transmogrify
spell).
Maximum Attacks: This indicates the maximum number of natural attacks that the eidolon is allowed to possess at the given
level. If the eidolon is at its maximum, it cannot take evolutions that grant additional natural attacks. This does not include attacks
made with weapons.
TABLE C-2: THE EIDOLON HIT DICE: D10
Summoner Hit Base Armor Str/Dex Maximum
Level Dice Attack Bonus Bonus Attacks
Evolution Pool Effective CR
1st 1 +1 +0 +0 3 3 ½
2nd 2 +2 +2 +1 4 3 1
3rd 3 +3 +2 +1 5 3 2
4th 3 +3 +2 +1 7 4 2
5th 4 +4 +4 +2 8 4 3
6th 5 +5 +4 +2 9 4 4
7th 6 +6 +6 +3 10 4 5
8th 6 +6 +6 +3 11 4 5
9th 7 +7 +6 +3 13 5 5
10th 8 +8 +8 +4 14 5 6
11th 9 +9 +8 +4 15 5 7
12th 9 +9 +10 +5 16 5 7
13th 10 +10 +10 +5 17 5 8
14th 11 +11 +10 +5 19 6 8
15th 12 +12 +12 +6 20 6 9
16th 12 +12 +12 +6 21 6 9
17th 13 +13 +14 +7 22 6 10
18th 14 +14 +14 +7 23 6 11
19th 15 +15 +14 +7 25 7 11
20th 15 +15 +16 +8 26 7 12

Saving Throws: An eidolon possesses two good saving throws and two bad saving throws, determined by the creature's base
form (see below).
Class Skills: Bluff, Craft (any), Knowledge (planes), Perception, Planar Sense, and Stealth. In addition, at 1st level, you can
choose two additional skills to be class skills for your eidolon. Note that eidolons with a fly speed receive Fly as a free class skill,
even if they do not gain a fly speed until a later level.
Skill Points per Hit Die: 4 + Int modifier.
Base Forms: Each eidolon has one of three base forms that Claws (Ex): The eidolon has a pair of vicious claws at the
determines its starting size, speed, AC, attacks, and attribute end of its limbs, giving it two claw attacks. These attacks are
scores. These base forms also note any free evolutions that primary attacks. The claws deal 1d4 points of damage for
base form possesses. The bonuses from these free evolutions Medium eidolons. The eidolon must have the limbs evolution
are already factored into the starting statistics. (q.v.) to take this evolution. This evolution can only be applied
The eidolon is assumed to be Medium size at the start. to the limbs (legs) evolution once This evolution can be
Alternatively, any one of these base forms can be used to selected more than once, but the eidolon must possess an
make a Small eidolon. If the eidolon is Small, it gains a +2 equal number of the limbs evolution.
bonus to its Dexterity score. It also takes a –4 penalty to its Climb (Ex): The eidolon becomes a skilled climber, gaining
Strength and a –2 penalty to its Constitution. It also gains a a climb speed equal to its base speed. This evolution can be
+1 size bonus to its AC and attack rolls, a –1 penalty to its selected more than once. Each additional time it is selected,
CMB and CMD scores, a +2 bonus on its Fly skill checks, and increase the eidolon's climb speed by 20 feet.
a +4 bonus on its Stealth skill checks. Reduce the damage of Energy Resistance (Ex): The eidolon's form takes on a
all of its attacks by one step. If this choice is made, the resiliency to one particular energy type, which is usually
eidolon can be made Medium whenever the summoner can reflected in its physical body (ashen hide for fire, icy breath
change the eidolon's evolution pool (which causes it to lose for cold, and so on). Pick one energy type (acid, cold,
these modifiers for being Small). electricity, fire, or sonic). The eidolon gains resist 5 against
TABLE C-3: EIDOLON BASE STATISTICS that energy type. This resistance increases by 5 for every 5
Shape: Quadruped Biped Serpentine
class levels you possess. This evolution can be selected more
than once. Its effects do not stack. Each time an eidolon
Speed: 40 ft. 30 ft. 20 ft., selects this evolution, it applies to a different energy type.
climb 20 ft. Gills (Ex): The eidolon has gills and can breathe
underwater indefinitely.
Natural AC: +2 +2 +2
Improved Damage (Ex): One of the eidolon's natural
attacks is particularly deadly. Select one natural attack form
Good Saves: Fort, Ref Fort, Will Ref, Int and increase the damage die type by one step. This evolution
Bad Saves: Int, Will Ref, Int Fort, Will can be selected more than once. Its effects do not stack. Each
time an eidolon selects this evolution, it applies to a different
Attacks: Bite 2 claws Bite, tail natural attack.
Strength: 14 16 12 Improved Natural Armor (Ex): The eidolon's hide grows
Dexterity: 14 12 16
thick fur, rigid scales, or bony plates, giving it a +2 bonus to
its natural armor. This evolution can be taken once for every
Constitution: 13 13 13 five class levels you possess.
Intelligence: 7 7 7 Penetrating Attacks (Su): The eidolon’s natural attacks can
penetrate damage reduction as if they had a permanent
Wisdom: 10 10 10 enhancement bonus of +1, with an additional +1 per 4 class
Charisma: 11 11 11 levels you possess (maximum +6 at 20th level).
Free Bite, limbs Claws, limbs Bite, climb, reach
Mount (Ex): The eidolon is properly skilled and formed to
Evolutions: (legs) (2) (arms, legs) (bite), tail, tail slap serve as a combat-trained mount. The eidolon must be at
least one size category larger than its rider. This evolution is
Evolutions: Each eidolon receives a number of evolution only available to eidolons of the quadruped and serpentine
points that can be spent to give the eidolon new abilities, base forms.
powers, and other upgrades. These abilities, called Pincers (Ex): The eidolon grows a large pincers at the end
evolutions, can be changed whenever you gain a new level, of one pair of its limbs, giving it two pincer attacks. These
but they are otherwise set. Some evolutions require that the attacks are secondary attacks dealing a base 1d6 damage for
eidolon have a specific base form or that you be of a specific Medium eidolons. Eidolons with the grab evolution (q.v.)
level before they can be chosen. A number of evolutions grant linked to pincers gain a +2 bonus on CMB checks made to
the eidolon additional natural attacks. grapple. The eidolon must have the limbs (arms) evolution to
Evolutions are grouped by their cost in evolution points. take this evolution. Alternatively, the eidolon can replace the
Evolution points cannot be saved. All of the points must be claws from its base form with pincers (this still costs 1
spent whenever you gain a level. Unless otherwise noted, evolution point). This evolution can be selected more than
each evolution can only be selected once. once, but the eidolon must possess an equal number of the
limbs evolution.
1-Point Evolutions Pounce (Ex): The eidolon gains quick reflexes, allowing it
to make a full attack after a charge. This evolution is only
Bite (Ex): The eidolon's maw is full of razor-sharp teeth, available to eidolons of the quadruped base form.
giving it a bite attack. This attack is a primary attack dealing a
base 1d6 damage for Medium eidolons. If the eidolon already
has a bite attack, this evolution allows it to deal 1½ times its
Strength modifier on damage rolls made with its bite.
Pull (Ex): The eidolon gains the ability to pull creatures
closer with a successful attack. Select one type of natural
attack. Whenever the eidolon makes a successful attack of
the selected type, it can attempt a free combat maneuver
check. If successful, the target of the attack is pulled 5 feet
closer to the eidolon. This ability only works on creatures of a
size equal to or smaller than the eidolon. Creatures pulled in
this way do not provoke attacks of opportunity. The eidolon
must have a reach of 10 feet or more to select this evolution.
This evolution can be selected more than once. Its effects do
not stack. Each time an eidolon selects this evolution, it
applies to a different natural attack.
Push (Ex): The eidolon gains the ability to push creatures
away with a successful attack. Select one type of natural
attack. Whenever the eidolon makes a successful attack of
the selected type, it can attempt a free combat maneuver
check. If successful, the target of the attack is pushed 5 feet
directly away from the eidolon. This ability only works on
creatures of a size equal to or smaller than the eidolon.
Creatures pushed in this way do not provoke attacks of
opportunity. This evolution can be selected more than once.
Its effects do not stack. Each time an eidolon selects this
evolution, it applies to a different natural attack.
Reach (Ex): One of the eidolon's attacks is capable of
striking at foes at a distance. Pick one attack. The eidolon's
reach with that attack increases by 5 feet.
Scent (Ex): An eidolon's sense of smell becomes quite
acute. The eidolon gains the scent special quality, allowing it
to detect opponents within 30 feet by sense of smell. If the
opponent is upwind, the range increases to 60 feet; if
downwind, it drops to 15 feet. Strong scents can be detected
at twice the normal range. Scent does not allow the eidolon
to precisely locate the creature, only to detect its presence. It
can detect the direction with a move action. The eidolon can
pinpoint the creature's location if it is within 5 feet. The
eidolon can use scent to track creatures.
Skilled (Ex): An eidolon becomes especially adept at a
specific skill, gaining Skill Focus with that skill as a bonus
feat. This evolution can be selected more than once.
Slam (Ex): An eidolon can deliver a slam attack. This attack
is a primary attack dealing a base 1d8 damage for Medium
eidolons. The eidolon must have the limbs (arms) evolution to
take this evolution. Alternatively, the eidolon can replace the
claws from its base form with this slam attack (this still costs
1 evolution point). This evolution can be selected more than
once, but the eidolon must possess an equal number of the
limbs evolution.
Sting (Ex): The eidolon possesses a long, barbed stinger at
the end of its tail, granting it a sting attack. This attack is a
primary attack dealing a base 1d4 damage for Medium
eidolons. The eidolon must possess the tail evolution to take
this evolution. This evolution can be selected more than once,
but the eidolon must possess an equal number of the tail
evolution.
Swim (Ex): The eidolon gains webbed hands, feet, or
powerful flippers, giving it a swim speed equal to its base
speed. This evolution does not give the eidolon the ability to
breathe underwater. This evolution can be selected more
than once. Each additional time it is selected, increase the
eidolon's swim speed by 20 feet.
Tail (Ex): The eidolon grows a long, powerful tail. This
grants it a +2 racial bonus on Acrobatics checks made to
balance. This evolution can be selected more than once; the
effects stack.
Tail Slap (Ex): The eidolon can use its tail to bash nearby
foes, granting it a tail slap attack. This attack is a secondary
attack dealing a base 1d6 points of damage for Medium
eidolons. The eidolon must possess the tail evolution to take
this evolution. This evolution can be selected more than once,
but the eidolon must possess an equal number of the tail
evolution.
Tentacle (Ex): The eidolon possesses a long, sinuous
tentacle, granting it a tentacle attack. This attack is a
secondary attack dealing a base 1d4 damage for Medium
eidolons. This evolution can be selected more than once.
Wing Buffet (Ex): An eidolon learns to use its wings to
batter foes, granting it two wing buffet attacks. These attacks
are secondary attacks dealing a base 1d4 damage for
Medium eidolons. The eidolon must possess the flight
evolution, with wings, to select this evolution.
2-Point Evolutions
Ability Increase (Ex): The eidolon grows larger muscles,
gains faster reflexes, achieves greater intelligence, or
acquires another increase to one of its abilities. Increase one
of the eidolon's attribute scores by +2. This evolution can be
selected more than once. It can only be applied once to an
individual attribute score, plus one additional time for every 6
class levels you possess.
Constrict (Ex): The eidolon gains powerful muscles that
allow it to crush those it grapples. Whenever the eidolon
successfully grapples a foe using the grab evolution, it deals
additional damage equal to the amount of damage dealt by
the attack used by the grab evolution. This evolution is only
available to eidolons of the serpentine base form or that grab
with tentacles.
Energy Attacks (Su): The eidolon's attacks become charged
with energy. Pick one energy type: acid, cold, electricity, or
fire. All of the eidolon's natural attacks deal additional energy
damage of that type equal to 1d6 per 5 class levels you
possess.
Energy Immunity (Su): The eidolon's body becomes
extremely resilient to one energy type, gaining immunity to
that type. Pick one energy type: acid, cold, electricity, fire,
force, negative energy, positive energy, or sonic. The eidolon
gains immunity to that energy type. This evolution can be
selected more than once. Its effects do not stack. Each time it
applies to a different energy type. The summoner must be at
least 7th level before selecting this evolution.
Flight (Ex or Su): The eidolon grows large wings, like those
of a bat, bird, insect, or dragon, gaining the ability to fly with a
fly speed equal to its base speed. For 2 additional evolution
points, the eidolon flies by means of magic, making this a
supernatural ability. The eidolon's fly speed can be increased
by spending additional evolution points, gaining a 20-foot
increase to fly speed for each additional point spent.
Gore (Ex): The eidolon grows a number of horns on its
head, giving it a gore attack. This attack is a primary attack
dealing a base 1d6 damage for Medium eidolons, with a
critical multiplier of x3.
p>Grab (Ex): The eidolon becomes adept at grappling foes,
gaining the grab ability. Pick bite, claw, pincers, slam, tail
slap, or tentacle attacks. Whenever the eidolon makes a
successful attack of the selected type, it can attempt a free
combat maneuver check to grapple the target. This ability
only works on creatures of a size one category smaller than
the eidolon or smaller. Eidolons with this evolution receive a
+4 bonus on CMB checks made to grapple.
Limbs (Ex): The eidolon grows an additional pair of limbs.
These limbs can take one of two forms: legs, complete with
feet, or arms, complete with hands. Each pair of legs
increases the eidolon's base speed by 10 feet. The eidolon
does not gain any additional natural attacks for an additional
pair of arms, but it can take other evolutions that add
additional attacks (such as claws or a slam). Arms that have
hands can be used to wield weapons, if the eidolon is
proficient. This evolution can be selected more than once.
Poison (Ex): The eidolon injects poison with its bite or
sting (pick one). Eidolon poison—type poison (injury); save
Fort negates (DC 10 + half the eidolon’s HD + the eidolon’s
Con modifier); effect 1d4 Strength damage/round for 1 round
per 2 class levels you possess; cure 1 save. For 2 additional
evolution points, this poison deals Constitution damage
instead. This poison can be used no more than once per
round.
Rake (Ex): An eidolon grows claws on its feet, allowing it to
make 2 rake attacks on foes it is grappling. These attacks are
primary attacks dealing a base 1d4 damage for Medium
ediolons. The eidolon receives these additional attacks each
time it succeeds on a grapple check against the target. This
evolution is only available to eidolons with the quadruped
base form. This evolution counts as one natural attack toward
the eidolon's maximum.
Rend (Ex): The eidolon learns to rip and tear the flesh of
those it attacks with its claws, gaining Two-Weapon Strike
and Vital Strike as bonus feats. The eidolon must meet the
prerequisites normally.
Trample (Ex): The eidolon gains the ability to crush its foes
underfoot, gaining the trample ability. As a full-round action,
the eidolon can overrun any creature that is at least one size
smaller than itself. This works like the overrun combat
maneuver, but the eidolon does not need to make a check, it
merely has to move over opponents in its path. The creatures
take Vital Strike damage (Chapter 5), plus 1½ times the
eidolon's Strength modifier. Targets of the trample can make
attacks of opportunity at a –4 penalty. If a target forgoes the
attack of opportunity, it can make a Reflex save for half
damage (DC 10 + half the eidolon's HD + the eidolon's
Strength modifier). A trampling eidolon can deal trampling
damage to a creature only once per round. This evolution is
only available to eidolons of the biped or quadruped base
forms.
Tremorsense (Ex): The eidolon becomes attuned to
vibrations in the ground, gaining tremorsense out to a range
of 10 feet per 2 class levels you possess.
Trip (Ex): The eidolon gains Maneuvering Strike as a bonus
feat, which applies to trip attempts made with its bite.
Weapon Training (Ex): An eidolon learns to use a weapon,
gaining Simple Weapon Proficiency as a bonus feat. If 2
additional evolution points are spent, it gains Martial
proficiency with all weapons. If 4 additional evolution points
(total) are spent, it gains Exotic proficiency with all weapons.
3-Point Evolutions
3-Point Evolutions
Blindsense (Ex): The eidolon's senses become incredibly
acute, giving it blindsense out to a range of 10 feet per 3 class
levels you possess.
Burrow (Ex): The eidolon grows thick and gnarled claws,
allowing it to move through the earth. The eidolon gains a
burrow speed equal to half its base speed. It can use this
speed to move through dirt, clay, sand, and earth. It does not
leave a hole behind, nor is its passage marked on the surface.
You must be at least 9th level before selecting this evolution.
Damage Reduction (Su): The eidolon's body becomes
resistant to harm, granting it damage reduction. Choose one
alignment: chaotic, evil, good, or lawful. The eidolon gains
damage reduction equal to half your class level that can be
bypassed by weapons that possess the chosen alignment.
Frightful Presence (Ex): The eidolon becomes unsettling to
its foes, gaining the frightful presence ability. The eidolon can
activate this ability as part of an offensive action, such as a
charge or attack. Opponents within 30 feet of the eidolon
must make a Will save (DC 10 + half the eidolon’s HD + the
eidolon’s Charisma modifier) or become shaken for 3d6
rounds. If the eidolon has at least 4 more Hit Dice than an
opponent, that opponent becomes frightened instead. Foes
with more HD than the eidolon are immune to this effect. You
must be at least 11th level before selecting this evolution.
Swallow Whole (Ex): The eidolon gains the swallow whole
ability. Swallowed creatures take damage equal to the
eidolon's bite damage each round plus 1d6 points of
bludgeoning damage. A swallowed creature keeps the
grappled condition, but can attempt to cut its way free with a
light slashing or piercing weapon. The amount of damage
needed to cut free is equal to 1/10 the eidolon's total hit
points. The eidolon's AC against these attacks is equal to 10 +
1/2 its natural armor bonus. If a swallowed creature cuts its
way out, the eidolon loses this ability until it heals this
damage. Alternatively, the swallowed creature can attempt to
escape the grapple as normal. Success indicates that it has
returned to the eidolon's mouth, where it can attempt to
escape or be swallowed again. The eidolon must possess the
grab evolution, tied to a bite attack, to take this evolution.
Web (Ex): The eidolon gains a pair of spinnerets, giving it
the ability to spin webs. The eidolon can use these webs to
support itself plus up to one creature of the same size. It can
throw webbing as a ranged touch attack up to 8 times per day,
entangling a creature up to one size larger than the eidolon.
The webbing has a range of 50 feet and a 10-foot range
increment. Creatures entangled by the web can escape with
an Escape Artist check or a Strength check (at a –4 penalty).
The DC of these checks is Con-based. The webs have a
Hardness of 0 and a number of hits points equal to the
eidolon's total Hit Dice. The eidolon can climb its own webs
at its climb speed and can pinpoint any creature touching its
webs. The eidolon must possess the climb evolution to take
this evolution. You must be at least 7th level before selecting
this evolution.
4-Point Evolutions
Blindsight (Ex): The eidolon must possess the blindsense
evolution to take this evolution. The eidolon's senses sharpen
even further, granting it blindsight rather than blindsense.
Breath Weapon (Su): The eidolon learns to exhale a 30-ft.
cone or 60-ft. line of magical energy, gaining a breath weapon
that deals 1d6 acid, cold, electricity, or fire damage per HD it
possesses. Those caught in the breath weapon can attempt a
Reflex save for half damage. The DC Con-based. You must be
at least 9th level before selecting this evolution. The eidolon
can use this ability once per day, plus an additional time per 4
class levels after the 9th that you possess (maximum 3/day at
19th level).
Fast Healing (Su): The eidolon gains fast healing 1. This
fast healing does not function when the eidolon is not on the
same plane as its summoner. This healing can be increased
by 1 per round for every 2 additional evolution points spent
(maximum 5 hp/round). You must be at least 11th level before
selecting this evolution.
Large (Ex): The eidolon grows in size, becoming Large.
The eidolon gains a +8 size bonus to Strength, a +4 size
bonus to Constitution, and a +2 size bonus to its natural
armor. It takes a –2 size penalty to its Dexterity. If the eidolon
has the biped base form, it also gains 10-foot reach (any
reach evolutions the eidolon possesses are added to this
total). The eidolon must be Medium to take this evolution.
If 6 additional evolution points are spent, the eidolon
instead becomes Huge. The eidolon gains a +16 total size
bonus to Strength, a +8 size bonus to Constitution, and a +5
bonus to its natural armor. It takes a –4 penalty to its
Dexterity. This size change also gives the creature a 10-foot
reach. If the eidolon has the biped base form, its reach
increases to 15 feet (10 feet for all other base forms). Any
reach evolutions the eidolon possesses are added to this total.
The ability increase evolution costs twice as much (4
evolution points) when adding to the Strength or Constitution
scores of a Large or Huge eidolon.
Spell Resistance (Ex): The eidolon is protected against
magic, gaining spell resistance equal to 11 + your class level.
This spell resistance does not apply to spells cast by you.

1. This spell functions exactly as black tentacles, except it

belongs to the school of Necromancy rather than
Conjuration. The effect is that of skeletal hands, rather
than rubbery tentacles, bursting up from the ground.↩
Wizard
Prospero and Roger Bacon, the two main characters in a Skill Ranks per Level: 0 + Int modifier.
story that seems crammed with wizards, were wizards. They Bonus Languages: You may substitute Draconic, Aklo, or
knew seven different runic alphabets, could sing the Dies Irae another arcane language for one of the bonus languages
all the way through to the end, and knew what a Hand of available to you due to a high Intelligence score.
Glory was. Though they could not make the moon eclipse, Favored Class: When gaining a level of wizard as a favored
they could do some very striking lightning effects and make it class, rather than choosing +1 hp or skill point, you can
look as though it might rain if you waited long enough. instead select one of the following options:
―John Bellairs, The Face in the Frost (1969)
Upon selecting this class, a mage must decide whether to Elder Craftsman (Ex): You gain a +1 competence bonus to
be a pure wizard, devoted to the study of all types of magic, or any Craft skill of your choice. You may select this option
a specialist wizard (presented separately below), devoted to a multiple times; each time, select a different Craft skill or
specific school of magic or esoteric branch of wizardry. increase the bonus of an existing skill by +1 (to a
Generalist wizards are masters of metamagic and item maximum such bonus equal to half your class level). This
crafting, but their main strength is in the number and breadth otherwise duplicates the effects of Skill Focus feat.
of their available spells. Such wizards are exemplified by Practiced Sage (Ex): You gain a +1 competence bonus to
Prospero (cited above). Mazirian the Magician, from Jack any Knowledge skill of your choice. You may select this
Vance’s The Dying Earth, is also a wizard. option multiple times; each time, select a different
TABLE 1: THE WIZARD HIT DICE: D4 Knowledge skill or increase the bonus of an existing skill
by +1 (to a maximum such bonus equal to half your class
Class
Level
Base
Attack
Spell
Capacity
Special level). This otherwise duplicates the effects of Skill Focus
feat.
1st +0 1st Arcane bond, artificer,
generalist spell
Spell Mastery (Ex): Each time you select this option,
2nd +1 2nd — choose one spell you know. You can prepare that spell
3rd +1 3rd — without referring to your spellbooks.
4th +2 4th Low arcana
Spell Knowledge (Ex): Add one spell from the class spell
5th +2 5th — list to your spellbook, familiar, or eidetic memory; this
6th +3 6th — does not count against your personal numen (see below).
7th +3 7th —
The level of the spell must be a level that you are capable
of preparing.
8th +4 8th Metamagic mastery
9th +4 9th — Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Wizards have Simple
10th +5 10th —
proficiency with light and heavy clubs, crossbows, daggers,
and darts, and Martial proficiency with quarterstaves. They
11th +5 11th — are not proficient with any type of armor or shields. Armor
12th +6/+1 12th Low arcana can cause spells with somatic components to fail (see below).
Spellcasting: You cast prepared arcane spells drawn from
13th +6/+1 13th — the sorcerer/wizard spell list. Your spellcasting attribute is
14th +7/+2 14th — Intelligence.
15th +7/+2 15th —
You must choose and prepare your spells ahead of time by
getting 8 hours of sleep and spending 1 hour studying your
16th +8/+3 16th Low arcana spellbook (see below) or consulting your eidetic memory or
17th +8/+3 17th — familiar (see Arcane Bond, below). While studying, you decide
which spells to prepare.
18th +9/+4 18th — He knew what he had to do the next day and he did not like
19th +9/+4 19th High Arcana it at all. But he shrugged and went to his satchel, and from it
20th +10/+5 20th High Arcana
he took his large manuscript magic book. Prospero leafed
through the book until he came to a section with the black-
Saving Throws: Wizards gain a +2 class bonus to Intuition letter heading ‘Necromancy.’ These pages did not have the
and Will saves. grease stains and bottle marks that the others did, because
Bonus Skills: A generalist wizard gains 1 free rank per Prospero had never had to use this section of the book. Years
class level in Concentration, Knowledge (linguistics), before, many years before, he had copied down what Michael
Knowledge (lore), and Spellcraft. These are otherwise treated Scott had taught him. Now, like a novice, he pored over
as class skills. pentagrams and circles, and his long tobacco-stained fingers
Class Skills: Craft (all), Fly, Knowledge (all except ran back and forth over strange curlicued words and dark-
Warfare), Planar Sense, Profession (all). sounding chants.
―The Face in the Frost
Spellbooks: Unless you have Eidetic Memory or a spell
storing familiar (see below), you must study your spellbook
each day to prepare spells. You cannot prepare any spell not
recorded in your spellbook unless you have the Spell Mastery
feat. You begin play with a spellbook containing all 0-level
wizard spells (except those from your prohibited schools, if
any; see Arcane Schools) plus three 1st level sorcerer/wizard
spells of your choice. You also select a number of additional
1st level spells equal to your Intelligence modifier to add to
the spellbook. At each new wizard level, you gain two new
spells of any spell level or levels that you can cast (based on
your new wizard level) for your spellbook.
You can potentially buy scrolls and transcribe the spells
thereon into your spellbooks (or imprint them into your
eidetic memory or familiar) with a Linguistics check, but
doing so uses up numen (Chapter 6) equal to the cost of the
scroll (25 x spell level x caster level). You can also add spells
found in other wizards' spellbooks to your own, at the same
cost (again using Linguistics to decipher the other wizard’s
writings). Because of the numen cost involved, it is
inadvisable to assume that ready cash and/or a few wizard
friends always equals more spells known.
If you have the Eidetic Memory arcane bond (q.v.) you do
not need physical spellbooks, but the above still apply, and
you still have special requirements for preparing spells.
Bonus Spells: Generalist wizards are extremely versatile.
They can prepare any spell from their class list as a bonus
spell (see Spellcasting Table 1 in Chapter 7) of the
appropriate level.
Arcane Bond (Ex): At 1st level, you form a powerful bond
with an object, a creature, or your own mind. This bond can
take one of several forms, as listed below. Once you choose
one of these options, it is permanent and cannot be changed,
nor can you gain an additional option through a feat or other
class feature.
Bonded Object: You have a personal staff, wand, or
weapon that serves as a focus for your magic. Bonded
items, including wizard’s staves, are described in
Appendix A.
Diligent Preparation: You spend great effort preparing
your spells to be cast with maximum efficiency. You use
your Intelligence modifier, rather than your Charisma
modifier, to modify Concentration skill checks. You also
determine the saving throw DCs of your spells and school
abilities using your Intelligence modifier, rather than your
Charisma modifier.
Eidetic Memory: You do not need a spellbook (q.v.), either
to record spells you know or to prepare known spells. You
can learn spells normally, either through gaining levels in
wizard or learning from other spellbooks, and you must
pay all the normal costs for learning new spells (for
example, you might use special incenses when
memorizing the formulae in a trance, instead of using
special inks for transcription). Source: Dragon magazine,
issue 357.
Familiar: A familiar is a conjured being that takes the form
of an animal; it enhances your skills and senses and can
aid you in magic. Rules for familiars are found in
Appendix B.
Artificer (Ex): At 1st level, a generalist wizard gains Imbue
Item as a bonus feat. When crafting magic items, you spend
10% less gold for raw materials. You also require 25% less
time to create those items (this supersedes the Arcane
Builder discovery from Ultimate Magic). Items you personally
craft count only half of their effective price towards your
magical item affinity score (“numen”—see Chapter 6).
Low Arcana (Ex): At 4th, 12th, and 16th levels, you gain a
bonus Arcane feat (chapter 5) or Metamagic feat (chapter 7).
You must meet all prerequisites normally.
Metamagic Mastery (Su): At 8th level, you can apply any
one metamagic feat that you know to a spell you are about to
cast. This does not alter the level of the spell or the casting
time. You can use this ability once per day at 8th level and one
additional time per day for every two wizard levels you
possess beyond 8th (maximum 7/day at 20th level). Any time
you use this ability to apply a metamagic feat that increases
the spell level by more than 1, you must use an additional
daily usage for each level above 1 that the feat adds to the
spell. Even though this ability does not modify the spell's
actual level, you cannot use this ability to cast a spell whose
modified spell level would be above the level of the highest-
level spell that you are capable of casting.
High Arcana: At 18th level, you are acknowledged as an
archmage, a master of arcane magic. At 19th and 20th levels,
an archmage gains the opportunity to select a special ability
from among those described below.
Arcane Spells and Armor
Armor restricts the complicated gestures required while
casting any spell that has a somatic component. The armor
and shield descriptions list the arcane spell failure chance for
different armors and shields.
If a spell doesn't have a somatic component (or if a familiar
is performing the somatic components—see below), an
arcane spellcaster can cast it with no arcane spell failure
chance while wearing armor. Such spells can also be cast
even if the caster's hands are bound or he is grappling
(although Concentration checks still apply normally). The
metamagic feat Still Spell allows a spellcaster to prepare or
cast a spell without the somatic component at one spell level
higher than normal. This also provides a way to cast a spell
while wearing armor without risking arcane spell failure.
 Automatic Metamagic (Su): Choose one metamagic feat
you know. You can apply this feat at will to any spell you cast,
High Arcana without increasing the spell level or casting time. However,
The following are meant as representative examples; the total metamagic cost cannot be greater than +1 spell level
alternate arcana can be chosen with referee permission. For (metamagic cost reduction for stacking metamagic feats does
abilities that allow saving throws, the DCs, unless otherwise not apply). You can select this Arcanum twice, allowing you to
noted, are equal to 10 + half your class level + your Charisma add the effects of another +1 spell level cost feat, or else allow
modifier. the use of a single +2 spell level cost metamagic feat.
TABLE 1A: HIGH ARCANA Bonus Feat: You gain a bonus arcane or metamagic feat
for which you meet the prerequisites.
Arcanum Description Discard Item (Su): If you have a bonded item, you can
Additional bond Gain a second arcane bond internalize all of the benefits it grants you. Thereafter, you
Arcane fire Bolt of force deals damage
can discard the item itself; you no longer need it to cast spells
or gain its other benefits. This Arcanum supersedes the
Automatic Apply metamagic feat at no cost Magister’s greater aspect of power of the same name, from
metamagic Arcana Unearthed (Malhavoc Press).
Bonus feat Gain bonus Arcane feat Eldritch Breach (Su): You are adept at breaching magical
Discard item You gain all bonded item benefits
defenses and overcoming resistance to your magic. When
without retaining item attempting a Concentration check to dispel an effect,
overcome spell resistance, or otherwise determine whether
Eldritch breach Roll twice vs. SR, etc. your magic affects a target (such as with knock or neutralize
Epic mage armor Personal mage armor (+20) poison), roll twice and take the higher result. This Arcanum
supersedes the 1st tier Archmage ability of the same name,
Immortality You stop aging from Mythic Adventures.
Improved spell Gain 10th level spell slot Epic Mage Armor (Sp): Once per day you can cast mage
capacity armor as if affected by the Personal Spell feat (Chapter 7);
Knowing stare Hold monster gaze the effect is also Heightened to 9th level (+20 armor bonus).
Immortality (Su): You discover a magical stay against
Mastery of
shaping
Change shape of area spells aging, and from this point forward you take no penalty to your
attribute scores from advanced age. If you are already taking
Mind over Use Int bonus in place of other such penalties, they are removed at this time. Source:
matter Ultimate Magic.
Name of Speaking your name summons a hostile Improved Spell Capacity (Sp): When you select this
bondage monster Arcanum, you gain one spell slot per day of any level up to
Name of dread Speaking your name causes fear
one level higher than the highest-level spell you can already
cast (which can be used to hold lower-level spells or spells
Name of power Know when your name is spoken whose level has been increased beyond 9th by the application
Presence of the Morale penalties within 30 ft. of metamagic feats). You must have an Intelligence score of at
mage least 20 in order to prepare a 10th level spell. If you have a
Sanctum Permanent magnificent mansion
high enough ability modifier to gain one or more bonus spells
for this spell level, you also gain the bonus spells for this spell
Spell power You cast spells at +1 caster level level. This Arcanum supersedes the feat of the same name,
Unimpeded Your spells function normally on other from the 3.5 edition System Reference Document (“Epic
magic planes Feats”).
Knowing Stare (Su): Once per day you can invoke a 30-
Additional Bond (Su): You gain a second Arcane Bond foot gaze attack; each living creature within the area must
(q.v.). This can be the same form as the first (i.e., you could succeed at a Will save or be held for 1 round per class level
conceivably have two familiars), or a different one. you possess. This ability supersedes the Eldritch Master’s
Arcane Fire (Sp): You gain the ability to change arcane prestige class feature of the same name from Dragon
spell energy into arcane fire, manifesting it as a bolt of raw magazine (issue 280).
magical energy. The bolt is a ranged touch attack with long Mastery of Shaping (Sp): You can alter area and effect
range (400 feet + 40 feet/level), useable at will as a full-attack spells that use one of the following shapes: burst, cone,
action, that deals 1d6 points of force damage per level of the cylinder, emanation, or spread. The alteration consists of
highest-level spell you have prepared and uncast. If you creating spaces within the spell’s area or effect that are not
actually consume a prepared spell in order to create the subject to the spell. The minimum dimension for these
arcane fire, damage is doubled (2d6 per level of the spell), but spaces is a 5-foot cube. Furthermore, any shapeable spells
the spell is lost as if you had cast it. have a minimum dimension of 5 feet instead of 10 feet. Spells
cast in this way always have a somatic component that you
must perform, even if this would not otherwise be the case
(for spells normally without one, or by using a Stilled spell or
having a familiar to perform the somatic component for you).
Mind Over Matter (Su): You can use your uncanny intellect,
coupled with secrets learned while studying magic, in
situations that usually demand other attributes. Any time you
would normally use some other attribute modifier (attribute
check, skill check, melee attack and damage rolls, CMB, etc.),
you may instead apply your Intelligence modifier as an insight
bonus. For example, to force open a stuck door, you can make
an Intelligence check to best position yourself for leverage
and/or recall some secret knowledge about the magic stored
within the wood of the door to get it open. This ability
supersedes the Magister class feature of the same name,
from Arcana Unearthed (Malhavoc Press).
Name of Bondage (Su): Fell creatures hasten to the sound
of your name being spoken. Every time your name is said
aloud and you are not present, a random monster appears
and attacks the speaker. Roll 1d8 to determine the strength of
the creature; 1 = summon monster I, 2 = summon monster II,
etc. You can choose the list from the summon monster tables.
The effect uses your caster level and Concentration bonus,
but because you don’t really care if they’re controlled or not,
you need not have the Thaumaturgist feat.
Name of Dread (Su): Anyone other than you who speaks
or hears your name becomes unnerved. Listeners must save
vs. Will or be shaken (if of greater than or equal HD to you) or
frightened (if of fewer HD than you) for 1d4+1 rounds. The
speaker receives no saving throw. This is a mind-affecting
fear effect. Source: Dragon magazine, issue 359.
Name of Power (Su): You become instantly aware of it
when anyone speaks your name (referring specifically to you).
You learn the location and name of the speaker. This
awareness is sufficient to allow you to scry on the individual
as if you had just met the speaker. It does not convey enough
information to allow you to teleport to the speaker’s location,
though such information could be gathered through other
magical means, including scrying. This Arcanum supersedes
the Magister’s greater aspect of power of the same name,
from Arcana Unearthed (Malhavoc Press), and also the
Eldritch Master’s “mastered name” prestige class feature
from Dragon magazine (issue 280).
Presence of the Mage (Su): Enemies within 30 ft. of you
are shaken (no saving throw). Natural animals shy from you,
becoming uneasy within 30 ft. Any attempt by you or your
allies to influence an animal using a Charisma-based skill or
ability (such has Handle Animal or wild empathy) within this
area suffers a –2 penalty. This is a mind-affecting, fear effect
from Dragon magazine, issue 359.
Sanctum (Su): You gain access to your own personal
extradimensional sanctum. By concentrating for 1 minute
without interruption, you conjure the door to your own
personal sanctum, similar to a Widened (2x dimensions)
magnificent mansion, but permanent and persistent (so you
can store objects within the sanctum and retrieve them on
future visits). When you conjure the sanctum's door, you
decide which creatures can see and use it (to all other
creatures it's invisible and impermeable). The door remains
until you dismiss it—a standard action with unlimited range
as long as you are on the same plane as the door. If you
dismiss the door while you are outside the sanctum, all
creatures other than your familiar are immediately shunted
outside. Conjuring the door automatically dismisses any
other active door. As a full-round action, your familiar (if any)
can enter or leave the sanctum from any square adjacent to
you, without using the conjured door. This Arcanum emulates
the Archmage ability of the same name from Mythic
Adventures.
Spell Power (Ex): You gain a permanent +1 enhancement
bonus to Concentration checks and to your effective caster
level (this is a specific exception to the rule limiting your
caster level to your number of ranks in Concentration). Your
spell capacity is not affected.
Unimpeded Magic (Su): Your spells function normally on
all planes except those that are dead-magic, without the need
to succeed at Spellcraft checks to alter them, or to prepare
them specifically to suit the conditions of those planes. This
supersedes the wizard substitution feature of the same name,
from the Planar Handbook.
Specialist
Specialists gain spells outside of their specialty more Spell Knowledge (Ex): Add one spell from your specialist
slowly than in the core rules, but have far more potent school to your spellbook, familiar, or eidetic memory.
abilities related to their school or branch of study. This These bonus spells do not count against your personal
version of the specialist wizard assumes a 20-level numen.
progression; however, it is equally possible to handle
specialists as prestige classes, as described in Appendix C. Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Specialist wizards have
TABLE 2: THE SPECIALIST HIT DICE: D4 Simple proficiency with light and heavy clubs, daggers, darts,
crossbows, and quarterstaves. They are not proficient with
Class Base Spell Special any type of armor or shield. Armor interferes with a wizard's
Level Attack Capacity movements, which can cause his spells with somatic
components to fail.
1st +0 1st Arcane bond, arcane school, Spellcasting: You prepare and cast spells as a standard
school power wizard. Additional spells from high Intelligence can be of any
2nd +1 2nd Specialist bonus +1 school except a barred school (see below). For example, a 1st
level Abjurer with a 15 Intelligence could prepare one 1st
3rd +1 3rd — level abjuration spell (his school spell; see below) and one 1st
4th +2 4th School power level spell from a non-prohibited school (his additional 1st
5th 5th
level spell due to high Intelligence). You can learn spells from
+2 — your school that are on other class lists as if they were arcane
6th +3 6th Specialist bonus +2 (wizard) spells.
7th +3 7th — Bonus Spells: Your bonus spells (see Spellcasting Table 1
in Chapter 7) can be any spells from your specialty school of
8th +4 8th School power the appropriate levels. Spells prepared as bonus spells must
9th +4 9th — still be in the specialist's spellbook.
10th 10th
Arcane Bond (Ex): As per the wizard’s class feature of the
+5 Specialist bonus +3 same name, except that your default bond is a bonded item
11th +5 11th — appropriate to your specialist school (you need not select the
12th +6/+1 12th School power default item listed, although it is generally the most effective
and thematically-appropriate choice). Bonded items are
13th +6/+1 13th — described in Appendix A.
14th +7/+2 14th Specialist bonus +4 Some options are proscribed based on your barred
15th 15th
schools, as noted under each specialist school.
+7/+2 — Arcane School: Each specialist chooses a single
16th +8/+3 16th School power traditional school of magic (see below) or an esoteric branch
17th +8/+3 17th — of wizardry (Appendix D) in which to specialize. Once made,
this choice cannot be changed.
18th +9/+4 18th Specialist bonus +5 This choice limits the spells you can use; each specialist
19th +9/+4 19th School power school has two opposition (“barred”) schools listed below,
20th +10/+5 20th
representing the sacrifice of knowledge in one area in order
Master specialist to gain mastery in another. Barred schools for each school
are listed under that school’s description. You cannot learn,
Saving Throws: As wizards, specialists gain a +2 class prepare, or cast spells from barred schools without the Spell
bonus to Intuition and Will saves. Reprieve feat (q.v.). To use spell trigger items for barred
Bonus Skills: You receive one free rank per class level in schools, you must succeed at relevant Spellcraft checks, as if
Concentration. In addition, each school has one or more you had no spellcasting ability.
bonus skills, in which you receive 1 free rank per class level. You can learn, prepare, and cast spells from within your
These is otherwise treated as class skills, but does not count school from the cleric and druid lists. For example, an evoker
against your total number of skill points. could prepare divine power as a 4th level spell. However, you
Class Skills: Craft (all), Fly, Knowledge (all except treat them as if they were from non-specialist, non-barred
Warfare), Planar Sense, Profession (all), Spellcraft. schools.
Skill Ranks per Level: 2 + Int modifier. School Power: As you gain power, you learn an array of
Favored Class: Instead of +1 hp or skill point, you may potent abilities based on your school of specialization. School
select one of the following: powers are detailed for each specific specialist type in the
Spell Mastery (Ex): Each time you select this option, following section. You can always choose to take a bonus
choose one school spell you know. You can prepare that arcane feat in place of a school power. Other substitutions
spell without referring to your spellbooks. may also be possible with referee approval (for example, a
thematically-appropriate 9th level sorcerer bloodline power
might be substituted for an 8th level school power).
Unless otherwise noted, for school powers that allow saving
throws, the save DC is equal to 10 + half your class level +
your Charisma modifier. If you have Spell Focus with your
specialist school, apply that bonus to your school power DCs
as well.
Specialist Bonus (Ex): Also starting at 2nd level, you gain
a +1 competence bonus on certain effects related to your
school or esoteric branch of wizardry. This bonus improves
by +1 per 4 class levels thereafter, as shown in Table 2. Your
specialist bonus applies to the following:
Concentration, Spellcraft. and other skill checks related to
spells, magic, and items of your specialist school. This also
applies to your effective Concentration bonus for purposes
of determining how difficult your spells are to dispel.
Your saving throws against spells and spell-like abilities
from your specialist school. This bonus does not stack
with the effects of the Arcane Defense feat, and counts as
Arcane Defense in the appropriate school for purposes of
qualifying for feats with Arcane Defense as a prerequisite.
Add your specialist bonus, in rounds, to the duration of
non-instantaneous spells from your specialist school (thus,
a 6th level enchanter’s Enchantment spells last an
additional 2 rounds). This ability supersedes the conjurer’s
“summoner’s charm” ability from the core rules, the
Malconvoker’s “deceptive summons” prestige class feature
from Complete Scoundrel, the “extended enchantment”
ability from the 3.5 edition System Reference Document,
(“Class Variants: Specialist Wizard Variants”), the
“lingering evocations” ability from the Advanced Player’s
Guide, and the Master Transmogrifist’s “extended change”
prestige class feature from Complete Arcane.
You gain school-specific application(s) of your specialist
bonus, as described under the entry for that school or
branch (see below).
Master Specialist (Su): At 20th level, you have obtained
the deepest knowledge in your area of specialization. You
gain a “capstone” ability depending on your school of
specialization or esoteric branch of wizardry, as described
under the school powers section for that school or branch.
Specialist Schools
The following descriptions detail each arcane school
specialty and its corresponding specialist school powers. The
specialist school abilities listed here represent the standard
(default) array; however, variants are possible. Examples of
variant specialists are provided below for abjurers and
necromancers.
Abjurer
The abjurer masters the art of defensive and warding magics.
Bonus Skill: Endurance.
Barred Schools: Conjuration, Necromancy. Keep in mind
that the mage armor spell has been moved from conjuration
to abjuration.
Arcane Bond: Your default arcane bond is a talisman
(Appendix A). You cannot choose a familiar (Appendix B)
because Conjuration is a barred school.
Specialist Bonus: Your specialist bonus has four
additional effects, as follows:
Abjurant Armor (Su): Any time you cast one or more spells
on yourself that grant you an armor and/or shield bonus to
AC, you gain an additional enhancement bonus equal to
your specialist bonus. This bonus supersedes the Abjurant
Champion prestige class feature of the same name
(Complete Mage), and the Abjurative Potency feat from
Dragon magazine (issue 325).
Energy Resistance (Ex): You gain resistance to all energy
types (acid, cold, electricity, fire, force, negative energy, and
sonic) equal to 5 x your specialist bonus. These stack with
existing resistances, if any.
Resistance (Ex): You gain a resistance bonus on all saving
throws equal to your specialist bonus.
Swift Abjuration (Su): You can cast abjuration spells as a
swift action, as if you had applied the Quicken Spell feat
(but without any increase in spell level). The maximum
spell level you can quicken in this manner is equal to your
specialist bonus. This ability supersedes the Abjurant
Champion prestige class feature of the same name, from
Complete Mage.
Bestow Abjuration (Sp): Starting at 1st level, when casting
an abjuration spell that normally has a range of Personal, you
can instead choose to cast it as a touch spell that affects a
single creature. If the normal effect is an emanation centered
on you, you can instead choose to cast the abjuration as a
touch spell that emanates from the touched creature.
Improved Counterspell (Sp): Also at 1st level, you gain
Improved Counterspell as a bonus feat.
Halo of Shelter (Su): Starting at 4th level, you can help
protect your allies from harm. Each day, you receive a pool of
temporary hit points equal to 5 x your class level. These can
be assigned as you see fit, dividing them between you and any
touched allies you choose. For example, a 4th level abjurer
with 3 companions might provide each party member with 5
temporary hit points, or simply provide the fighter with 20.
These temporary hit points last until lost, or until you use this
ability again the next day.
Legion’s Protection (Ex): You are generally expected to
protect your whole party from harm, not just selected
members. At 8th level, you gain Communal Spell and Mass
Effect Spell (Chapter 7) as bonus metamagic feats. The
metamagic cost for using these feats in conjunction with
Abjuration spells is reduced by a number of spell levels equal
to half your specialist bonus (minimum +0). Note that using
this ability with shield of faith simulates the abjurer’s
protective ward ability from the Core rules. This abilioty also
emulates the War Weaver’s eldritch tapestry, from Heroes of
Battle.
 Energy Absorption (Su): At 12th level or higher, you gain
an amount of energy absorption equal to 5 x your class level
per day. Whenever you take energy damage, apply immunity,
vulnerability (if any), and resistance first and apply the rest to
this absorption, reducing your daily total by that amount. Any
damage in excess of your absorption is applied to you
normally. Energy damage you absorb can be released as a
standard action as a ray with close range, dealing the
appropriate amount and type of energy damage on a hit.
Enduring Protection (Ex): At 16th level, your abjurations
last longer than normal. You gain Extend Spell as a bonus
feat, and the metamagic cost for using this feat in conjunction
with Abjuration spells is reduced by a number of spell levels
equal to half your specialist bonus (minimum +0).
Counterspell Mastery (Su): Starting at 19th level, when
you counterspell a spell, it is turned back upon the caster as if
it were fully affected by a spell turning spell. If the spell
cannot be affected by spell turning, then it is merely
counterspelled.
Master Specialist (Su): At 20th level, the effect of your
resistance specialist bonus extends to all allies within 60 ft. of
you.
Variant Abjurer: Keeper of the Cerulean
Sign
An abjurer of the Cerulean Sign is adept at keeping
extraplanar menaces at bay. He or she gives up general skill
in magical duels in order to focus on this area of specialty,
which is an adaptation of the prestige class of the same name
from Lords of Madness and of the Riftwarden from Paths of
Prestige.
Replace the standard Abjurer school powers listed above
with the following:
Specialist Bonus: Your specialist bonus has the following
additional effect:
Eradication (Su): Apply your specialist bonus as a sacred
bonus on saving throws against the spells and spell-like,
supernatural, and extraordinary abilities of aberrations
and outsiders. It also applies to the save DC of, and
Concentration checks related to, any spell or spell-like or
supernatural ability that you use against outsiders or
aberrations, or that counters, dispels, or prevents planar
travel or teleportation.
Invoke the Cerulean Sign (Su): At 1st level, you can
channel energy as if you had the Planar Channeling feat, but
only to damage aberrations and outsiders. Use your class
level as your effective channeling level; if you also have levels
in cleric or archivist, they provide Full synergy.
Planar Scourge (Su): Starting at 4th level, any aberration
or outsider failing its save against your Cerulean Sign is
affected as follows, according to its Hit Dice:
Target Hit Dice Effect
Your level -10 or below Stunned
Up to your level -5 Dazed
Up to your level Staggered
Up to 2 x your level Sickened
More than 2 x your level None
The effects are cumulative and last a number of rounds
equal to half your class level (minimum 1). This ability is
modeled after the invoke cerulean signLoM spell, and also
subsumes the “unstable bonds” ability from Advanced
Player’s Guide and the Riftwarden’s “planar scourge” ability
from Paths of Prestige.
Planar Purge (Su): Starting at 8th level, any extraplanar
creature that fails its save against a your Cerulean Sign is
banished to its home plane (as the banishment spell).
Extraplanar creatures that save against the channeled energy
are unaffected by this ability, but still take half damage from
planar channel as normal.
Portal Warding (Su): Starting at 12th level, you can place
a potent warding effect on any doorway or magic portal as a
full round action. A summoned outsider or an aberration can
pass through a warded doorway or magic portal only if it
makes a successful Will save; otherwise it cannot use the
doorway or portal and takes 1d6 force damage per class level
you possess.
Mental Backlash (Su): Beginning at 16th level, you
reflexively lash out at any aberration, evil outsider, or cultist
that targets you but fails to affect you with a mind-affecting
spell or ability. When this power is activated, the attacker
must make a Fortitude save or take 1d6 points of damage per
keeper level and become nauseated for 1d4 rounds. A
successful saving throw halves the damage and negates the
nausea.
Aura of Protection (Su): Starting at 19th level, you are
constantly surrounded in a 20-ft. radius by one of the
following effects: cloak of chaos, holy aura, shield of law,
unholy aura. Each time you prepare spells for the day, you
can select which effect to radiate.
Cleanse Aberration (Sp): At 20th level, as a standard
action you can attempt to utterly destroy a single aberration
or evil outsider within close range. The target must make a
Fortitude save or be killed, as if by the 3.5 edition implosion. If
the target is destroyed, you heal a number of hit points equal
to the number of hit points the thing had when it died.
Conjurer
The conjurer focuses on the study of summoning monsters
and opening gates between the planes.
Bonus Skill: Knowledge (the planes).
Barred Schools: Illusion, Transmutation.
Arcane Bond: Your default arcane bond is a familiar
(Appendix B), which you can improve using your
Thaumaturgist feat. Alternately, you can select a specialist
implement appropriate to the school of conjuration
(Appendix A).
Specialist Bonus: You gain three primary effects.
Augment Summoning, Greater (Su): Apply your school
bonus as a profane bonus to the Strength and
Constitution of creatures you conjure with a summon
monsters spell. This stacks with the effects of the
Augment Summoning feat, if you have it. Source: 3.5 ed.
System Reference Document, “Class Variants: Specialist
Wizard Variants.” This also supersedes the Master
Specialist’s minor conjuration esoterica (Complete Mage).

Bolster Summons (Su): Your summoned creatures
apply your specialist bonus to Will saves against
banishment and dismissal. This ability supersedes the
moderate conjuration esoterica from the Master
Specialist prestige class (Complete Mage).
Calling, Improved (Su): Add your specialist bonus to your
effective Leadership score, for purposes of the
Thaumaturgist feat.
School Powers: You can select bonus arcane feats (e.g.,
Augment Summoning, Cloudy Conjuration, Imbued
Summoning) in the place of school powers, if you so choose.
Rapid Summoning (Ex): Starting at 1st level, whenever
you cast a prepared arcane spell from the conjuration
(summoning) school that takes one full round to cast (e.g.,
summon monster), the casting time is reduced to a full attack
action. Conjurations that normally require a full attack action
take you standard action instead (allowing you to cast and
take a move action in the same round). This ability represents
the variant conjurer class feature of the same name from the
3.5 edition System Reference Document (“Class Variants:
Specialist Wizard Variants”), and also supersedes the major
conjuration esoterica from the Master Specialist prestige
class (Complete Mage) and the Academae Graduate feat from
the Curse of the Crimson Throne Player’s Guide.
Thaumaturgist: You gain Thaumaturgist as a bonus feat
(Chapter 5) at 1st level, allowing you to summon and control
extraplanar beings.
Spontaneous Summons (Sp): Starting at 4th level, you
can sacrifice a prepared spell in order to cast a summon
monster spell of the same or lower level.
Creator’s Will (Sp): At 8th level, you learn to cast minor
creation as a spell-like ability. You can have no more than one
minor creation active at a time; if you cast the spell again, the
previous casting immediately ends. At 10th level, this ability
improves to major creation. You can use this ability a number
of times per day equal to half your class level. Source:
Advanced Player’s Guide.
Contingent Conjuration (Sp): A 12th level conjurer can
prepare a summoning or calling spell ahead of time to be
triggered by some other event. This functions as described
for the contingency spell, including having you cast the
summoning or calling spell beforehand. The spell is cast
instantly when the trigger event occurs. The conditions
needed to bring the spell into effect must be clear, although
they can be general. If complicated or convoluted condition as
are prescribed, the contingent conjuration may fail when
triggered. The conjuration spell occurs based solely on the
stated conditions, regardless of whether you want it to,
although most conjurations can be dismissed normally. You
can have only one contingent conjuration active at a time.
This power supersedes the Thaumaturgist prestige class
feature of the same name, from the 3.5 edition System
Reference Document.
Summoned Legion (Su): Starting at 16th level, whenever
you use a summon monster spell, you summon one extra
creature of the same kind. This supersedes the Malconvoker’s
“fiendish legion” prestige class feature, from Complete
Scoundrel.
True Name (Sp): At 19th level, your researches into
ancient tomes and your inquisitions of bound spirits have led
you to one of the best-hidden secrets of the multiverse: the
true name of an outsider—the name that defines the very
essence of the creature and that gives the speaker control
over the being. Choose an extraplanar being with a CR no
greater than 22. You can call on this being once, to either
demand one service from it (this does not count against your
Thaumaturgy limits), or to attempt to bind it. After the first
time you call on this being, your knowledge of its true name is
no longer sufficient for you to control it.
Master Specialist (Su): At 20th level, the doors of the
multiverse are thrown wide open to you. You can use
dimension door, greater teleport (self and up to 50 lbs. of
gear only), plane shift (self only), and sending at will as spell-
like abilities.
Diviner
Diviners are masters of remote viewing, prophecies, and
using magic to explore the world. Pythea (the Oracle at
Delphi), the head of Mimir in Norse mythology, and the
manteis from the 2nd edition Celts Campaign Sourcebook
are diviners.
Bonus Skills: Knowledge (lore), Perception.
Barred Schools: Evocation, Transmutation.
Arcane Bond: Your default arcane bond is a chalice as a
specialist implement (Appendix A). Alternatively, you can
choose the wizard’s Eidetic Memory bond, or a watchful spirit
(see below). You cannot choose a wand because Evocation is
a barred school.
Watchful Spirit: Rather than a familiar, your arcane bond is
with a disembodied spirit that occasionally gives you
warnings of impending danger. Once per day, you can reroll
any initiative check just before learning your place in the
initiative order. If the second roll is worse than the first one,
you can choose to disregard the watchful spirit and use the
first roll.
Specialist Bonus: Your specialist bonus manifests itself in
the following ways.
Diviner's Fortune (Sp): You can touch any creature as a
standard action to give it an insight bonus on all of its
attack rolls, skill checks, ability checks, and saving throws
equal to your specialist bonus for 1 round. You can use
this ability on yourself as a move action.
Forewarned (Su): You apply your specialist bonus as an
insight bonus to initiative. As an insight bonus, this
overlaps with (does not stack with) the initiative bonus
gained from your Alertness feat during surprise rounds.
Occult Knowledge (Su): Apply your specialist bonus as an
enhancement bonus to Knowledge (lore) and Perception
checks.
Alertness (Ex): You gain Alertness as a bonus feat (the
uncanny dodge abilities gained at 4 ranks in Perception
supersede the moderate divination esoterica from the Master
Specialist prestige class, from Complete Mage).
Evasion (Ex): At 4th level you gain evasion, as the rogue class
feature of the same name. If you already have the evasion
ability, your diviner level provides Full synergy for purposes of
determining its improvements (improved evasion, etc.).
Foretell (Su): At 8th level, you learn to utter a prediction of
the immediate future. While your foretelling is in effect, you
emit a 30-foot aura of fortune that aids your allies or hinders
your enemies, as chosen by you at the time of prediction. If
you choose to aid, you and your allies gain a +2 luck bonus on
ability checks, attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks. If
you choose to hinder, your enemies take a –2 penalty on those
rolls instead. You can use this ability for a number of rounds
per day equal to your wizard level. These rounds do not need
to be consecutive, but activation is a swift action. Source:
Advanced Player’s Guide.
Scrying Adept (Su): At 12th level, you are always aware
when you are being observed via magic, as if you had a
permanent detect scrying. In addition, whenever you scry on
a subject, treat the subject as one step more familiar to you.
Very familiar subjects get a penalty on their saves to avoid
your scrying attempts equal to half your class level. When
using a divination spell that requires concentration, you gain
information from the spell 1 round sooner than normal (so
you gain information from the first 2 rounds with 1 round of
concentration, and information from the third round in the
second round of concentration); this supersedes the Diviner’s
Delving feat from the Advanced Players Guide.
Revealing Divination (Sp): Starting at 16th level, gain true
seeing (as the spell) as a continuously active spell-like ability.
This power supersedes the moderate divination esoterica
from the Master Specialist prestige class (Complete Mage).
Guarded Mind (Su): Sometimes your peering into places
that mortals were not meant to see attracts unwanted
attention, and you gradually learn to defend against that. At
19th level, you gain a permanent mind blank effect.
Master Specialist (Su): At 20th level, you can take 20 on
all Knowledge skill checks. Your attunement to the
fundamental underpinnings of reality has also become so
advanced that once per week, you can cast wish as a spell-like
ability. This ability does not require a material component
and has no base numen cost (the costs for creating magic
items or raising attribute scores remain in effect; see Chapter
7)..
Enchanter
I have reason to conclude that he who would get me into his
power without my consent would use me as he pleased when
he had got me there, and destroy me too when he had a fancy
to it; for nobody can desire to have me in his absolute power
unless it be to compel me by force to that which is against the
right of my freedom―i.e., make me a slave.
―John Locke, Concerning the True Extent and
End of Civil Government (1689)
The enchanter uses magic to control and manipulate the
minds of his victims. Morgan le Fey, from Sir Thomas
Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur, is an enchantress.
Bonus Skill: Diplomacy.
Barred Schools: Divination, Evocation.
Arcane Bond: Your default arcane bond is a pendant
(Appendix A) as a specialist implement. You may instead
select to have a charmed slave, one who has been under the
sway of your enchantments for so long that he or she serves
you without question. The maximum CR of your charmed
slave is equal to half your class level; within this limit, you
advance your servant as you see fit (subject to referee
approval).
You cannot select a wand as your arcane bond because
Evocation is a barred school for you. You cannot select an
eidetic memory as your arcane bond because Divination is a
barred school for you.
Specialist Bonus: This bonus applies as follows.
Charming Smile (Su): Apply your specialist bonus as an
enhancement bonus to Charisma checks; to Bluff,
Diplomacy, and Streetwise skill checks; and for purposes
of calculating your leadership score if you gain the
Leadership feat. Add Bluff and Streetwise to your list of
class skills.
Powerful Enchantment (Su): For enchantments that affect
only a set number of Hit Dice (e.g., daze, sleep), add your
specialist bonus to the total number of HD.
Unsettling Enchantment (Su): Any foe required to save
against an enchantment spell you cast takes a morale
penalty equal to your specialist bonus on attack rolls and
to AC for 1 round, regardless of the result of the save. This
is a mind-affecting fear effect. Source: Complete Mage.
Dazing Touch (Sp): You can cause a living creature to
become dazed for 1 round as a melee touch attack. Creatures
with more Hit Dice than your class level + your specialist
bonus (because of your powerful enchantment ability) are
unaffected.
Combat Enchanter (Ex): Starting at 4th level, targets of
your [charm] spells do not gain a bonus on their saves due to
being currently threatened or attacked by you or your allies.
In addition, subjects of your compulsion spells do not get a
bonus on saves due to being forced to take an action against
their natures. This ability supersedes the minor enchantment
esoterica from the Master Specialist prestige class (Complete
Mage).
Aura of Despair (Su): Starting at 8th level, you can learn to
emit a 30-foot aura of despair for a number of rounds per day
equal to your wizard level. These rounds do not need to be
consecutive. Enemies within this aura are shaken, and also
take a –2 morale penalty on damage rolls (no save).
Force of Will (Su): At 12th level, you can send thoughts
and instructions telepathically to any creature within 60 feet
that you have charmed or dominated as though you shared a
common language. Affected creatures can communicate back
to you via the telepathic link as well. Source: Advanced
Player’s Guide.
Stubborn Enchantment (Su): Starting at 16th level, any
creature that successfully saves against one of your
enchantment spells must save again 1 round later (as if you
had cast the spell again) with a +4 bonus on the save. You can
use this ability up to 3 times per day. This ability supersedes
the moderate enchantment esoterica from the Master
Specialist prestige class (Complete Mage).
Instant Daze (Sp): Starting at 19th level, as an attack of
opportunity, you can daze an enemy who strikes you in melee
(Will negates). This is a mind-affecting compulsion. Creatures
with HD greater than your wizard level + your specialist
bonus are immune. You can’t activate this ability in response
to an attack you are unaware of. Source: Players Handbook
II.
Master Specialist (Su): At 20th level, you are immune to
charm and compulsion effects, and all allies within 30 feet of
you gain a +5 arcane bonus to resist such effects (unless they
come from you). Additionally, if an opponent attempts to use a
mind-affecting ability against you, you can target that foe with
any mind-affecting spell you have prepared as an immediate
action.
Evoker
Bonus Skill: Knowledge (warfare).
Barred Schools: Enchantment, Illusion.
Arcane Bond: Your default bonded item is a wand
(Appendix A). You may instead select a specialist implement
(generally in the form of a ceremonial dagger), a familiar
(generally a winged one capable of scouting for you and
calling in your artillery strikes), a bonded weapon, or eidetic
memory (spellbooks are easily lost or ruined on a battlefield).
Specialist Bonus: Your specialist bonus applies to the
following.
Intense Spells (Su): Whenever you cast an evocation spell
that deals hit point damage, you deal additional damage of
the appropriate type equal to 1d6 x your specialist bonus.
This bonus damage applies only once to a given spell, not
once per missile or ray, but it can be split between
multiple missiles or rays as you see fit. The bonus damage
is not increased by Empower Spell or similar effects.
School Powers: In substitution for one or more of the
school powers described below, evokers can select bonus
feats such as Blistering Spell, Brimstone Spell, Irresistible
Evocation, Piercing Cold Evocation, Searing Evocation, etc.
Versatile Evocation (Su): When you cast an evocation
spell that does acid, cold, electricity, or fire damage, you can
spontaneously change half or all of the damage dealt (your
choice) to one of the other energy types listed.
At 10th level, add sonic energy to the list, and you can mix
up to three energy types in whatever proportions you
desire.
At 14th level, add negative energy to the list.
At 18th level add force, and you can freely intermix any
number of energy types (the total damage stays the same).
This ability changes the descriptor of the spell to match the
new energy type. Any non-damaging effects remain
unchanged unless the new energy type invalidates them (an
ice storm that deals fire damage might still provide a penalty
on Perception checks due to smoke, but it would not create
difficult terrain). Such effects are subject to referee
discretion. Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Counterfire (Sp): Beginning at 4th level, when a visible
enemy within 60 ft. targets you with a spell or ranged attack,
you can spend an attack of opportunity to make a
simultaneous ranged touch attack against that opponent for
1d6 force damage per level of the highest-level evocation spell
you have prepared and ready for use. Counterfire does not
provoke an attack of opportunity. You can’t activate this ability
in response to an attack you are unaware of. Source: Players
Handbook II.
Energy Manipulation (Su): At 8th level, you can radiate
your Versatile Evocation ability in a 30-foot aura. Choose an
energy type (from acid, cold, electricity, and fire), and a second
type to transform it into. Any magical source of energy of this
type with a caster level equal to or less than your evoker level
is altered to the chosen energy type. This includes
supernatural effects from creatures with Hit Dice no greater
than your number of ranks in Concentration. For example,
you could transform a white dragon’s frigid breath weapon (a
supernatural ability), but not a fire elemental’s fiery touch (an
extraordinary ability). If an effect lies only partially within
your aura, only the portions within the aura are transformed.
You can use this ability for a number of rounds per day equal
to your wizard level. The rounds do not need to be
consecutive. Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Evocation Mastery (Su): At 12th level, choose one
metamagic feat with the word “Evocation” in its name (except
Inexorable Evocation). You need not know this feat already.
All of your evocation spells with the appropriate descriptor (if
applicable) are automatically modified as if by that feat, with
no increase in spell level or casting time.
Clinging Evocation (Su): Starting at 16th level, any
creature that fails its save against one of your evocation spells
takes damage again 1 round later equal to half the damage it
took when you cast the spell. You can use this ability up to 3
times per day. This ability supersedes the moderate evocation
esoterica from the Master Specialist prestige class (Complete
Mage).
Penetrating Evocation (Su): When you reach 19th level,
your evocation spells and spell-like abilities no longer allow
spell resistance (i.e., the text under the “spell description”
heading changes from “yes,” if applicable, to “no”). Among
other things, this means that you can affect golems with
them. If you chose Irresistible Evocation as your 16th level
automatic metamagic feat, you receive no further benefit at
19th level (i.e., you cannot retrain your 16th level choice).
Master Specialist (Su): At 20th level, your evocation spells
and spell-like abilities that deal direct hit point damage carry
all energy types simultaneously. They ignore all energy
resistance and spell resistance, and do not allow saving
throws for half damage (if normally applicable). In addition,
any creature with vulnerability to a specific energy type is
similarly vulnerable to all of your damaging evocations.
Illusionist
Illusionists use magic to weave confounding images,
figments, and phantoms to baffle and vex their foes. An
example of an illusionist is Coleman Collins, from Peter
Straub’s Shadowland.
Bonus Skill: Sleight of Hand.
Barred Schools: Conjuration, Evocation.
Arcane Bond: Your default arcane bond is a specialist
implement (Appendix A) in the form of a mirror (those with a
more theatrical bent can choose a mask, top hat, cape, etc.
instead). You cannot choose a familiar (Appendix B) because
Conjuration is a barred school for you, and you cannot
choose a wand (Appendix A) because Evocation is a barred
school.
Specialist Bonus: Your specialist bonus applies in the
following ways:
Cloak of Shadow (Su): You can cloak your form in shifting
shadows, providing you with a degree of concealment
(miss chance 5% x your specialist bonus). You can dismiss
or resume this effect as a free action. While your cloak of
shadow is active, you can make Stealth checks as if you
had concealment. Cloak of shadow doesn't function in
bright or full daylight, and it is the equivalent of a
[darkness] spell of level equal to your specialist bonus, for
the purpose of interacting with light spells. This ability
supersedes the Shadowcraft Mage’s prestige class feature
of the same name, from Races of Stone, and also the
moderate illusion esoterica from the Master Specialist
prestige class (Complete Mage).
Extended Illusions (Su): Any illusion spell you cast (of any
level) with a duration of “concentration” lasts a number of
additional rounds equal to your specialist bonus after you
stop maintaining concentration.
Shadow Illusion (Su): You are able to infuse certain
figments (silent image, minor image, major image,
persistent image, and programmed image) with material
from the Plane of Shadow, making them partially real, to
an extent equal to 5% x your specialist bonus (maximum
100% real). The subschool of these spells changes from
[figment] to [shadow]. This bonus is also added to the
extent to which your shadow conjurations and shadow
evocations are real. This supersedes the Shadowcraft
Mage’s prestige class feature of the same name and
“powerful shadow magic” class feature, from Races of
Stone, the Shadowcrafter’s “enhanced shadow spells”
class features from Underdark, and the Shadowcaster’s
“shadowy specialization” variant class feature from Inner
Sea Magic.
Stage Magician (Ex): Apply your specialist bonus as an
enhancement bonus to Escape Artist, Sleight of Hand,
Perform (acting), and Stealth checks. Also add these skills
to your list of class skills.
Blinding Ray (Sp): As a standard action you can fire a
shimmering ray at any foe within 30 feet as a ranged touch
attack. The ray causes creatures to be blinded for 1 round.
Creatures with more Hit Dice than your class level + your
specialist bonus are dazzled for 1 round instead.
Chains of Disbelief (Su): Starting at 4th level, even if a
viewer disbelieves an illusion created you and communicates
the details of the illusion to other creatures, those other
creatures do not receive the normal +4 bonus on their saying
throws to disbelieve the illusion. Furthermore, even when
presented with incontrovertible proof that the illusion isn't
real, creatures must still succeed on an Intuition save to see
objects or creatures that the illusion obscures, although they
get a +10 bonus on the saving throw. Source: 3.5 edition
System Reference Document, “Class Variants: Specialist
Wizard Variants.”
Bedeviling Aura (Su): At 8th level, you learn to emit a 30-
foot aura that bedevils your enemies with phantasmal
assailants. Enemies within this aura move at half speed, are
unable to take attacks of opportunity, and are considered to
be flanked. This is a mind-affecting effect. You can use this
ability for a number of rounds per day equal to your wizard
level. These rounds do not need to be consecutive. Source:
Advanced Player’s Guide.
Dazzling Illusion (Su): Starting at 12th level, whenever
you cast an illusion spell, you can choose to render all
enemies within 30 feet dazzled for 1 round per level of the
spell. Blind creatures are immune to this effect. This
supersedes the feat of the same name from Complete Mage.
Insidious Illusion (Su): Starting at 16th level, creatures
can't identify your illusion spells with Spellcraft, including
checks attempted as part of arcane sight, detect magic, or
similar effects. When any creature employs an ability, magic
item, or spell that would detect or pierce an illusion cast by
you, the user must make an opposed Concentration check in
order to succeed. The detecting creature can check only once
per divination spell or effect used, no matter how many of
your illusions are active in the area. Source: Races of Stone;
this also subsumes the Fabulous Figments feat from Mythic
Adventures.
Coiled Illusion (Su): At 19th level, you can coil an illusion
upon itself. Any creature that disbelieves the illusion sees a
second illusion within the translucent outline of the first, as if
you had cast the spell a second time. Effectively, after a
creature disbelieves the first illusion, it sees a second illusion
in its place, which it must attempt to disbelieve separately.
You must determine the features of the second illusion as you
cast the first. If the second illusion is especially similar to the
first one, creatures that study or interact with it receive a +4
bonus on the save to disbelieve the effect. This ability
emulates the Veiled Illusionist’s naga veil prestige class
feature from Paths of Prestige.
Master Specialist (Su): At 20th level, you are immune to
illusions, automatically seeing them for what they are. In
addition, your ties to the Plane of Shadow are strong enough
that you gain the following spell-like abilities, usable 1/day
each: shadow walking, phase door, plane shift (Plane of
Shadow). The latter two abilities function despite your
normal inability to access spells from the school of
conjuration.

Necromancer
Tribute was borne to them by fleshless porters from
outlying realms; and plague-eaten corpses, and tall mummies
scented with mortuary balsams… Dead labourers made their
palace-gardens to bloom with long-perished flowers; liches
and skeletons toiled for them in the mines, or reared superb,
fantastic towers to the dying sun. Chamberlains and princes
of old time were their cupbearers, and stringed instruments
were plucked for their delight by the slim hands of empresses
with golden hair that had come forth untarnished from the
night of the tomb. Those that were fairest, whom the plague
and the worm had not ravaged overmuch, they took for their
lemans and made to serve their necrophilic lust.
―Clark Ashton Smith,
“The Empire of the Necromancers” (1932)
The dread and feared necromancer commands undead and
uses the foul power of unlife against his enemies. John Dee
and Edward Kelley were supposedly amateur necromancers;
on the other end of the scale, Wavyhill from Larry Niven’s
What Good Is a Glass Dagger? is a more powerful
necromancer, and Nathaire from Clark Ashton Smith’s “The
Colossus of Ylourgne,” is an extremely powerful
necromancer.
Bonus Skills: Heal, Knowledge (the planes).
Barred Schools: Abjuration, Enchantment. Unlike most
specialists, you can learn, prepare, and cast spells from your
specialist school from the Cleric list (and any spells with the
word “undead” in the name) as if they were wizard
Necromancy spells (i.e., they can be gained as school bonus
spells). Also keep in mind that the entire conjuration (healing)
subschool as been moved into the school of Necromancy.
Arcane Bond: Your default arcane bond is a specialist
implement in the form of a bone or similar fetish, or a
weapon (sickle, scythe, or other harvest-inspired implement).
You can instead choose the familiar option, and declare one
of your undead followers (attracted using the Command
Undead feat) as your familiar as well.
Specialist Bonus:
Flesh and Spirit (Ex): Apply your specialist bonus as an
enhancement bonus to Heal and Knowledge (the planes)
checks. Heal is a class skill for you.
Master of Undeath (Ex): Add your specialist bonus to your
number of ranks in Knowledge (the Planes) when
determining your undead leadership score for the
Command Undead feat.
Undead Resistances (Ex): Apply your specialist bonus as a
profane bonus to saving throws against fear, death effects,
disease, energy drain, and negative energy. You also gain
resistance to negative energy equal to 5 hp x your
specialist bonus.
School Powers: In addition to the powers listed below,
necromancers can learn Divine feats for which they meet the
prerequisites in place of school powers (examples of feats
often selected in this manner include Bolster Resistance and
Corpsecrafter). Substituting the Black Lore of Moil feat (q.v.)
is also popular.
Channel Negative Energy (Su): A necromancer works
with the raw stuff of life and death. Starting at 1st level, you
can channel negative energy as an evil cleric of level equal to
your necromancer level (if you can already channel negative
energy, your necromancer levels stack with the levels from
that class when determining your channeling dice and the
save DC). You also gain Command Undead as a bonus feat.
Grave Touch (Sp): Also at 1st level, you gain the effects of
the Daunting Strike feat, but by touch (melee touch attack
needed) rather than through a weapon strike. Your BAB for
purposes of the effect is equal to your class level.
Life Sense (Sp): Starting at 4th level, you can sense the
ebbing of life forces and the pulse of necromantic energy
around you. You gain the continuous effects of deathwatch
and detect undead (as the spells). You can also cast speak
with dead at will as a spell-like ability.
Zone of Desecration (Su): At 8th level, you begin to
project an aura of desecration (as the spell) in an emanation
around yourself. This aura is centered on you and moves with
you; it extends to a radius of 5 ft. per class level you possess.
This ability supersedes the True Necromancer’s prestige
class feature of the same name from Libris Mortis, and also
the minor necromancy esoterica from the Master Specialist
prestige class (Complete Mage).
Fearsome Necromancy (Su): Starting at 12th level, any
foe required to save against a necromancy spell you cast is
shaken for 1 round per level of the spell, regardless of the
result of the save. This mind-affecting fear ability does not
stack with any other fear effect (it can't make a foe worse than
shaken). This supersedes the feat of the same name from
Complete Mage.
Bind Spirit (Sp): At 16th level, you learn to trap the spirits
of creatures in gems. You must ready an action for the
moment the target dies (i.e., is reduced to –10 hp or below),
and it receives an Intuition save to avoid the effect. If trapped,
the target cannot be restored to life, etc., until its spirit is free
again (either by 1 day per class level passing, or by breaking
the gem prior to that). While you have possession of the gem
containing the trapped soul, you may do one of the following
once per day: get the answer to a yes/no question from the
soul (it is compelled to speak the truth), speak one of the
spirit’s languages for 1 hour, or use the ranks of one of the
spirit’s skills for 1 minute. The gem must be worth at least
500 gp in mundane terms, but a trapped soul is worth far
more: it can be bartered with night hags and other fiends, or
used in the construction of magical items (see Chapter 6,
under “souls”). Source: Dragon magazine, issue 312.
Unhallowed Aura (Su): At 19th level, your zone of
desecration aura also carries the effects of an unhallow spell.
Because it is centered on a person (you) and not tied to a site,
you gain no fixed spell that operates in conjunction with the
unhallow effect.
Master Specialist (Su): At 20th level you gain an aura of
animation. Creatures that die within your aura of desecration
are automatically animated 1 round later as zombies (not
necessarily under your control).

Variant Necromancer: Deathwalker
This variant is from Dragon magazine (issue 312), and also
draws on the Dread Necromancer from Heroes of Horror. A
Deathwalker is a necromancer who takes on traits of undeath
as he progresses in skill. This variant class is only 16 levels
long; 17th-20th levels are automatically taken as a lich (see
Chapter 2).
Arcane Bond: Your default arcane bond is a specialist
implement in the form of a phylactery.
Specialist Bonus:
Fortification (Ex): You have a chance of ignoring extra
damage from sneak attacks, critical hits, and/or Vital
Strikes equal to 5% x your specialist bonus.
Shroud of Death (Su): Apply your specialist bonus as a
profane bonus to saving throws against poison, paralysis,
mind-affecting effects, sleep, and stunning.
Undead Resistances (Ex): Apply your specialist bonus as a
profane bonus to saving throws against fear, death effects,
disease, energy drain, and negative energy. You also gain
resistance to negative energy equal to 5 hp x your
specialist bonus.
Master of the Dead (Su): At 1st level, you gain the ability
to channel negative energy (as a standard necromancer), and
also gain the Command Undead feat. You have pale skin, a
low body temperature, and glassy-looking eyes. A DC 25
Knowledge (the planes) check reveals these as traits of one
starting along the path of the Deathwalker.
Charnel Touch (Su): Also at 1st level, you gain the ability to
inflict negative energy as a melee touch attack with the same
effects as your channeled negative energy. You can deliver
this touch through a spectral hand spell.
Fear Aura (Su): Beginning at 4th level, you can radiate a 5-
ft.-radius fear aura as a free action. Enemies in the area must
succeed on a Will save or become shaken. A creature who
successfully saves cannot be affected by your fear aura for 24
hours.
Death's Embrace (Ex): At 8th level, you no longer need eat,
drink, or sleep (although you must still rest to regain spells),
and are immune to magical sleep effects. You are also
immune to disease, sickness, and nausea. You gain the ability
to heal damage instead of taking damage from negative
energy (as an undead creature). However, your skin becomes
stretched, and your eyes appear hollow. You receive a –2
profane penalty on Charisma, Bluff, and Diplomacy checks
against non-undead.
Enervating Touch (Su): At 12th level, you gain the ability
to bestow negative levels with your charnel touch attack.
Each day, you can bestow a total number of negative levels
equal to half your class level, but no more than two negative
levels with a single touch. Activating this class feature is a
swift action. A dread necromancer can use the spectral hand
spell to deliver this attack from a distance.
Edge of Apotheosis (Ex): At 16th level, your preparations
for the passing from life into undeath are nearly complete.
You construct a phylactery (see lich entry in Chapter 2) which
does not count against your personal numen; subsequent
improvements in your phylactery as you gain levels in lich
likewise do not count against your personal magical item
allowance.
Transmuter
Transmuter
He had once known a great Anduan magician who believed
he had mastered the trick of changing his shape, but after six
months of meditation, and nearly a week of incantations in a
series of agonizing body postures, he uttered the last
awesome spell and succeeded only in making his nose nearly
nine feet long and driving himself insane.
―Stephen King, The Eyes of the Dragon (1987)
Transmuters use magic to change the world around them.
The witch Circe, from Homer’s epic The Odyssey, is a
transmuter.
Bonus Skill: Craft (alchemy).
Barred Schools: Due to the breadth of this school (even
after moving some spells out of it), transmuters have three
barred schools. However, transmuters are flexible as well, and
no two are alike. You can choose any three of the following to
be barred schools: Abjuration, Conjuration, Divination,
Enchantment, and Necromancy.
Arcane Bond: Your default arcane bond is a ring, which
follows the rules for specialist implements (Appendix A). A
transmuter with Conjuration as a barred school cannot
choose a familiar (Appendix B). A transmuter with Divination
as a barred school cannot choose an eidetic memory.
Specialist Bonus: Your specialist bonus applies in two
ways:
Physical Enhancement (Su): You gain an enhancement
bonus equal to your specialist bonus to one physical
attribute score (Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution) or to
your natural armor. Each time you prepare spells, you can
allocate the total bonus as you see fit. Starting at 18th
level, this bonus applies to natural AC and one physical
attribute score.
Tenacious Transmutation (Su): If one of your
transmutation spells is successfully dispelled or negated,
its effects persist for a number of additional rounds before
dissipating equal to your specialist bonus. If a creature is
responsible for the dispelling effect, it knows that the spell
has been dispelled but is still temporarily functioning.
Source: This ability supersedes the feat of the same name
from the Advanced Player’s Guide, and also the minor
transmutation esoterica from the Master Specialist
prestige class (Complete Mage)
Shapechanger (Sp): You acquire the [shape-changer]
subtype and the following suite of spell-like abilities (as
Racial Spell-Like Abilities described in Chapter 7, but using
your specialist level in place of your number of ranks in
Concentration): 1st—enlarge person, 2nd—alter self, 3rd
—beast shape I or monstrous physique I; 4th—beast shape II,
elemental body I, or monstrous physique II; 5th—beast shape
III, elemental body II, or momstrous physique III; 6th—beast
shape IV, elemental body III, form of the dragon I, or
monstrous physique IV; 7th—elemental body IV, form of the
dragon II, or giant shape I; 8th—form of the dragon III or
giant shape II; 9th—shapechange. These abilities all have a
range of Personal. Rather than using the standard durations,
you can remain in an assumed form indefinitely (until either
you choose to dismiss it or the effect is dispelled). This ability
supersedes the Master Transmogrifist prestige class feature
of the same name, from Complete Arcane.
Effortless Change (Ex): At 4th level, you learn how to change
your form through a simple act of will. You can choose to
apply the benefits of the Still Spell and Silent Spell feats
(even if you doesn’t have the feats) to any transmutation spell
or spell-like ability you cast on yourself to change your form
(such as alter self, beast shape, or elemental body). This
benefit does not increase the spell’s level or casting time, nor
it require any special preparation. This ability supersedes the
Master Transmogrifist prestige class feature of the same
name, from Complete Arcane.
Shifter Magic (Su): At 8th level, your spells are always
treated as being affected by the Natural Spell feat when you
are shapechanged, allowing you to cast spells in any form.
Ravaging Transmutation (Su): Starting at 12th level,
when a creature successfully saves against a transmutation
spell you cast, it takes 1d6 damage per level of the spell
(Fortitude save for half). This ability supersedes the moderate
transmutation esoterica of the Master Specialist prestige
class (Complete Mage).
Override Transmutation (Su): At 16th level, as an
immediate action, you can reroll any failed Fortitude save
against a transmutation spell or ability. If the effects last more
than one round, you can attempt a new save each round as a
swift action. This power supersedes the ability of the same
name from Races of Eberron, and also the minor
transmutation esoterica of the Master Specialist prestige
class (Complete Mage).
Transmutable Memory (Ex): Starting at 19th level, you
can give up a prepared spells and prepare different spells in
their place, as long as the number of newly prepared spell
levels is equal to or less than the number of spell levels given
up (0-level spells don't count). You can “trade out” up to one
spell level per 2 class levels you possess. For example, a 19th
level transmuter who uses this power can lose one 5th level
spell and two 2nd level spells from memory (a total of nine
spell levels, half the character's class level) and prepare two
new 3rd level spells and a 4th level spell (for example). Using
this ability requires a number of minutes of concentration
equal to the number of spell levels given up. If your
concentration is broken during this time, all spells to be lost
are gone and no spells are gained in their place. Source: 3.5
edition System Reference Document, “Class Variants:
Specialist Wizard Variants.”
Master Specialist (Su): At 20th level, you can create
completely imaginary forms when you use polymorph,
polymorph any object, or shapechange on yourself, choosing
a single aspect of a second monster whose form you could
assume using the spell you are casting, and adding it to the
form you are actually assuming. Your available options
include the following: replace the base form’s natural armor
bonus with that of the second form; add the second form’s
movement modes; add one of the second form’s natural
attack types (with the appropriate reach), if the base form
doesn’t have that attack type already; add an extraordinary
special attack of the second form; add an extraordinary
special quality of the second form; or replace one of the base
form’s physical ability scores, if both the base form and the
second form are the same size category. (For example, if a
young red dragon is the base form and a giant octopus is the
second, you could add the octopus’s eight tentacle rakes to
the dragon’s available natural attacks.)
Appendix A: Bonded
Objects
"...And [you are] a fool not to have borne a blade and so
enchanted it… or a mirror, a chalice, or a wand to brace your
magic.”
―Roger Zelazny, Prologue to Trumps of Doom (1985)
Wizards who select a bonded object begin play with one at
no cost. Objects that are the subject of an arcane bond
usually fall into one of the following categories: specialist
implement, staff, wand, or weapon—although alternative
objects are possible, subject to referee approval. These
objects are always masterwork quality. Weapons acquired at
1st level are not made of any special material. If the object is
an amulet or ring, it must be worn to have effect, while staves,
wands, and weapons must be wielded; mirrors, chalices, and
the like need merely be held. You may use your bonded object
in one hand to perform the somatic components of spells.
A bonded object must be an actual object; you cannot
designate your fist as a bonded weapon, or your heart as a
specialist implement, etc., unless the said body part has been
severed and is now a separate item from you (removal of your
heart would kill you, so this is not recommended).
Enhancing Bonded Items: You can add additional magic
abilities to your bonded object as if you had the Imbue Item
feat and appropriate Craft skill, if you meet the level
prerequisites of the feat. For example, a wizard with a bonded
dagger must be at least 5th level to add magic abilities to the
dagger (see the Imbue Item feat). If the bonded object is a
wand, it loses its wand abilities when its last charge is
consumed, but it is not destroyed and it retains all of its
bonded object properties and can be used to craft a new
wand. The magic properties of a bonded object, including any
magic abilities added to the object, only function for the
wizard who owns it. If a bonded object's owner dies, or the
item is replaced, the object reverts to being an ordinary
masterwork item of the appropriate type.
You can designate an existing magic item as your bonded
item. This functions in the same way as replacing a destroyed
item except that the new magic item retains its abilities while
gaining the benefits and drawbacks of becoming a bonded
item.
Damaged Items: A bonded object has a minimum
hardness of 5 + half your class level, and has 25 hp + 2 per
class level you possess. If a bonded object is damaged, it is
restored to full hit points the next time you prepare your
spells. If the object of an arcane bond is destroyed, it can be
replaced after 1 week in a special ritual that costs 200 gp per
wizard level plus the cost of the masterwork item. This ritual
takes 8 hours to complete. Items replaced in this way do not
possess any of the additional enhancements of the previous
bonded item.

General Bonded Item Abilities
As you gain in power, you gain additional abilities
pertaining to your bonded item, as shown below.
TABLE A-1: BONDED ITEM ABILITIES
Minimum Class Level Abilities
1st Arcane focus, arcane implement
2nd Attunement
6th Arcane implement, improved
10th Summon item
14th Arcane implement, greater
18th Swift summoning
Arcane Focus (Ex): While using your bonded object, the
object acts as an arcane focus component for your spells,
eliminating the need for material components costing less
than 5 gp. If attempt to cast a spell without your bonded
object worn or in hand, you must use the normal material
components, and must succeed at a Concentration check or
lose the spell. The DC for this check is equal to 15 + (2 x the
spell's level).
A hand-held bonded item automatically has the somatic
property, allowing you to perform somatic spell components
with the hand holding the item.
Arcane Implement: Your bonded object gains a special
ability based upon its type (specialist implement, staff, wand,
or weapon; see specific bonded item descriptions below).
Attunement (Su): Beginning at 2nd level, you are always
aware of the approximate distance and relative direction of
your bonded item. This ability supersedes the Reliquarian’s
“attunement” prestige class feature, from Relics & Rituals:
Excalibur (Sword & Sorcery Studios).
Arcane Implement, Improved: Starting at 6th level, your
bonded item gains an additional ability dependent upon its
type (see below).
Summon Item (Sp): Starting at 10th level, you can
summon your bonded item to appear immediately in your
hand as a standard action. The weapon can be up to 10 miles
per class level away, although if it is in someone else's
possession or in a locked room, you must make a
Concentration check (DC 25) to summon it. This ability
supersedes the Mage Blade class feature of the same name
from Arcana Evolved (Malhavoc Press).
Arcane Implement, Greater: At 14th level, the improved
arcane implement ability gained at 6th level improves again.
Swift Summoning (Sp): Starting at 18th level, you can use
your summon item ability as a free action once per round.
Specialist Implements
These bonded items are used by specialist wizards to focus
their already formidable powers within a single school of
magic. The most typical forms of implements are as follows:
abjuration—talisman; conjuration—baton, bottle, or brazier;
divination—chalice or mirror; enchantment—pendant or
crown; evocation—ceremonial dagger; illusion—mirror or
cape; necromancy—bone fetish; transmutation—ring.
Alternatives appropriate to the character might also be
possible, subject to a reasonable explanation and referee
approval.
Specialist Implement (Sp): Your implement, when used
as an arcane spellcasting focus, grants you Spell Focus in
your school of specialization as a bonus feat.
Also, the item can be used once per day to cast any one
spell from your specialist school that you have in your
spellbook and are capable of casting, even if the spell is not
prepared. This spell is treated like any other spell cast by you,
including casting time, duration, and other effects dependent
on level. This spell cannot be modified by metamagic feats or
other abilities.
Specialist Implement, Improved (Su): At 6th level, the
arcane implement also grants Greater Spell Focus.
In addition, all 1st level spells from your specialist school
that you cast using the implement are extended to double
their normal duration, as if by the Extend Spell feat, only
without an increase in casting time and without using up a
higher-level spell slot. The highest level of school spells
affected increases by +1 per 4 class levels thereafter (2nd
level spells at 10th, 3rd level spells at 14th, and 4th level spells
at 18th level). This extension overlaps (does not stack) with
the increase in duration normally provided by your specialist
bonus. This ability supersedes the Abjurant Champion’s
“extended abjuration” prestige class feature from Complete
Mage and the Thaumaturge’s “extended summoning” prestige
class feature from the 3.5 edition System Reference
Document.
Specialist Implement, Greater (Su): At 14th level, the
implement grants a +1 enhancement bonus to the effective
caster level for spells in your school of specialization. This is
a specific exception to the general rule limiting your caster
level to your number of ranks in Concentration.
Staff
“Do you know what happens to a wizard’s staff when the
wizard dies?” Prospero saw the wavering cowled shape
reflected in the candlelit pane. It held a long black staff.
Suddenly there was a loud crack and the staff bent, twisted,
writhed into an ugly bent branch covered with cancerous
scabbed growths. The figure cast the shuddering piece of
wood to the floor and said quietly: “He is dead. Go home.”
―The Face in the Frost.
The staff is the quintessential generalist wizard’s bonded
item, capable of storing a variety of spells. A specialist wizard
with a bonded staff treats the item as a bonded weapon (q.v.),
rather than using these rules.
Spellstaff (Sp): A 1st level bonded staff is treated as a Staff
magic item, even if you do not have the Imbue Item feat. At
1st level, choose one 1st level spell known to imbue into the
staff; this spell can then be cast using a charge from the staff.
When you gain access to a new level of spells, you can add
one spell known of that level to the staff’s repertoire. For
example, a 5th level wizard’s staff would have one 1st level,
one 2nd level, and one 3rd level spell in it. When fully charged,
your staff has a number of charges equal to 1 + half your
class level (maximum 10); it can be recharged as normal for a
magic staff. Casting a spell from your staff costs 1 charge for
1st – 3rd level spells, 2 charges for 4th – 6th level spells, and 3
charges for 7th – 9th level spells.
Staff Fighting (Su): Starting at 6th level, both ends of your
staff have an enhancement bonus equal to half the number of
charges remaining in the staff. If you strike a foe with both
ends of a magic staff in the same round, you can immediately
activate one of the spells from the staff as a swift action. The
spell must target or be centered either on you or the target
struck (or on any corner of your or your target's space, in the
case of an area spell). This ability supersedes the Eilserv
School feat, from Drow of the Underdark.
Retributive Strike (Sp): At 14th level, you gain the ability
to intentionally break your staff as a standard action (ignoring
its hardness and hp). All charges in the staff are released in a
30-foot spread dealing force damage. All within 10 feet of the
broken staff take hit points of damage equal to 8 times the
number of charges in the staff, those between 11 feet and 20
feet take damage equal to 6 times the number of charges, and
those 21 feet to 30 feet distant take 4 times the number of
charges in hp. A Reflex save reduces damage by half. You
have a 50% chance (01–50 on d%) of traveling to another
plane of existence, but if you do not (51–100), the explosive
release of spell energy destroys you (no saving throw).
Wand
Black pointed with a cloven hoof at a streak of red among the
rubble. "Pick it up."
"Jelerak's wand?"
“The Red Wand of Falkyntyne. There is nothing subtle
about it. It is one of the most efficient magical blasting
instruments ever created.”
―Roger Zelazny, The Changing Land (1981)
Bonded wands are essentially blasting instruments,
capable of focusing your arcane might into offensive
firepower. A character with Evocation as a barred school
cannot choose a wand as an arcane bond.
Eldritch Blast (Sp): Starting at 1st level, you gain the
ability to fire a bolt of energy from your wand as a standard
action. This strikes as a ranged touch attack (a ray) with close
range (25 ft. + 5 ft. per 2 levels), dealing 1d6 damage per level
of the highest-level spell you have prepared and ready to cast.
If you have the Imbue Item feat, you can imbue your wand
with enhancement bonuses to attacks and damage and/or
magical weapon properties which apply to the eldritch blast it
creates.
Your eldritch blast otherwise functions as the sorcerer
class feature of the same name, except that you need your
bonded wand in order to invoke it. The nature of your eldritch
blast, and the type of damage it deals, depend on your
specialist school or esoteric branch (as described below). For
those that mimic specific sorcerer eldritch blasts, the
improved blast ability is gained at 6th level (in place of your
improved arcane implement ability), and the greater blast is
gained at 14th level (in place of your greater arcane
implement ability). If you have levels in sorcerer, your wizard
levels and sorcerer levels stack for purposes of determining
your wand’s eldritch blast abilities.
Universal (generalist wizard): Your eldritch blast deals
force damage. Starting at 6th level, you can spontaneously
apply any metamagic feat you know to your eldritch blast
as if it were an appropriate Innate Metamagic feat.
Starting at 14th level, you can instead cause the eldritch
blast to carry the effects of any spell you have prepared (or
that your wand is imbued with), in addition to dealing
damage; this uses up the spell (or charge) normally.
Abjuration: Your eldritch blast deals force damage.
Starting at 6th level, it also creates a backsplash of force in
front of you when activated, acting as a shield spell for 1
round. Starting at 14th level, any creature struck is also
targeted by a resilient sphere effect (as the spell).
Conjuration: Your eldritch blast deals acid damage.
Starting at 6th level, you can choose to reduce the damage
in order to cause the discharge to also summon a random
monster to attack the target. This effect is equivalent to a
summon monster spell of level equal to half the number of
dice of damage sacrificed; the blast must always deal at
least 1d6 damage. For example, if you have a 5th level
spell prepared, your eldritch blast could deal 1d6 acid
damage and also create a summon monster II effect.
Evocation: Your eldritch blast mimics that of the Kensai
battle sorcerer.
Necromancy: Your eldritch blast mimics that of the
Undead sorcerer bloodline.
Transmutation: Your eldritch blast mimics that of the
Protean sorcerer bloodline.
Alienist: As Conjuration.
Arcane Disciple: Your eldritch blast mimics the effects of
variant channeled energy (see Cleric) for that domain,
except in the form of a ray rather than a burst.
Argent Savant: As Evocation.
Magaambyan Arcanist: As Celestial bloodline.
Rainbow Servant: As Elemental Air bloodline.
Wild Magic: Your eldritch blast deals disintegration
damage. Starting at 6th level, it also acts as a rod of
wonder whenever you discharge it. Starting at 14th level,
those affected can also be affected by corporeal instability,
as the protean sorcerer bloodline’s greater blast effect (DC
10 + level of the highest-level spell you have available +
your Charisma modifier).
Wu Jen: Your eldritch blast mimics that of the Elemental
bloodline corresponding to your element, or the Verdant
bloodline (for wood), etc.
Weapon
A bonded weapon, or athame, is often favored by eldritch
knights. A bonded weapon counts as an arcane focus for your
spellcasting (replacing inexpensive material components) and
you always treat it as if it had the somatic property, even if it
has no remaining enhancement bonus.
Arcane Enhancement (Su): As long as you have an arcane
spell of at least 1st level prepared and uncast, your bonded
weapon gains an enhancement bonus when you are wielding
it. This bonus is equal to the level of the highest-level spell
you have remaining (e.g., a 17th level wizard’s athame has an
effective enhancement bonus of +9 as long as he has at least
one 9th level spell prepared and uncast); as long as the
enhancement bonus is at least +1, you can trade in the
remainder for special properties (as described in Chapter 6).
You can change out your bonded weapon’s properties each
day when you prepare spells.
If any special weapon property’s cost is not fully covered by
remaining enhancement bonus potential, that property must
be downgraded (if possible), or becomes inactive, as
described for the ranger’s favored weapon lore.
Athame Defense (Su): Starting at 6th level, your bonded
weapon strikes at anyone other than you who picks it up or
attempts to use it, unless you specifically command it not to.
The item strikes once per round until dropped, using your
attack bonuses. Resolve the attack as if you were wielding the
weapon. This ability supersedes the Mage Blade class feature
of the same name, from Arcana Evolved (Malhavoc Press).
Mageblade (Ex): Starting at 14th level, you gain the effects
of the Spellstrike and Battle Touch feats, but these apply only
to your bonded weapon.
Appendix B: Familiars
A familiar is a fiendish, celestial, fey, or other arcane spirit
that aids you in your study of magic. It appears in the form of
an Tiny animal (of CR no greater than ½) chosen by a you,
and uses that animal’s Hit Dice, base attack bonus, base save
bonuses, skills, and feats, but it is a magical beast (or fey) for
the purpose of effects that depend on its type. You cannot
select a familiar as your arcane bond if you have Conjuration
as a barred school.
A familiar grants a bonus feat to you; choose from the
following, as appropriate for that creature type: Deep
Intuition, Fleet, Great Fortitude, Improved Deep Intuition,
Improved Iron Will, Improved Natural Armor, Lightning
Reflexes, Skill Focus (any), Superior Initiative, Toughness.
With referee permission, an alternative feat of similar power
might be chosen for a specific familiar.
A familiar also gains additional abilities based on your
number of ranks in Spellcraft (Table B-1).
If a familiar is reduced to 0 hp or below, it is banished, but
can be re-summoned by conducting a minor ritual that takes
30 minutes. Until it is replaced, the master casts spells as if
he or she were one level lower than is actually the case. A
familiar can also be banished by a banishment, dismissal, or
similar spell, but this entails no level loss.
Familiar Basics
Use the basic statistics for a creature of the familiar's kind,
but with the following changes.
Armor Class: Your familiar gains a bonus to its existing
natural armor bonus equal to 1 + half your class level
(maximum +11 at 20th level).
Hit Dice: The familiar has 1 HD per class level you
possess.
Hit Points: The familiar has half your total hit points (not
including temporary hit points), rounded down, regardless of
its actual Hit Dice.
Attacks: Use your base attack bonus, as calculated from all
your classes. Use the familiar's Dexterity or Strength
modifier, whichever is greater, to calculate the familiar's
melee attack bonus with natural weapons. Damage equals
that of a normal creature of the familiar's kind.
Saving Throws: For each save, use either the familiar's
base save bonus (Fortitude +2, Reflex +2, Intuition +2, Will
+0) or yours (as calculated from all his classes), whichever is
better. The familiar uses its own ability modifiers to saves,
and it doesn't share any of the other bonuses that you might
have.
Intelligence: 6 + half your class level.
Skills: 6 + Intelligence modifier skill points per Hit Die.
Familiars treat Acrobatics, Athletics, Bluff, Concentration,
Fly, Knowledge (all), Perception, Planar Sense, Spellcraft,
and Stealth as class skills.
TABLE B-1: FAMILIAR ABILITIES
Ranks in Abilities
Spellcraft
1 Lookout, improved evasion, share spells,
empathic link, store spells
2 Deliver touch spells
4 Speak with master
6 Speak with animals of its kind
8 Guide magic
10 Imbue with spells
12 Spell resistance
14 Scry on familiar
16 Cooperative magic
Familiar Ability Descriptions
All familiars have special abilities (or impart abilities to their
masters) depending on the master's total number of ranks in
Spellcraft, as shown on Table B-2. The abilities are
cumulative.
Lookout (Ex): When your familiar is within 10 ft. per class
level of you, you and the familiar each gain a +2 circumstance
bonus to Perception.
Improved Evasion (Ex): When subjected to an attack that
normally allows a Reflex saving throw for half damage, a
familiar takes no damage if it makes a successful saving
throw and half damage even if the saving throw fails.
Share Spells (Su): You can cast a personal spell (with a
target of “you”) on your familiar as a touch spell, instead of on
yourself. You may cast spells on your familiar even if the
spells do not normally affect creatures of the familiar's type.
Empathic Link (Su): You have an empathic link with your
familiar to a 1 mile distance. You can communicate
emphatically with your familiar, but cannot see through its
eyes. Because of the link's limited nature, only general
emotions can be shared. You have the same connection to an
item or place that your familiar does.
Store Spells (Su): You can choose to use your familiar as a
repository for your spells. In this manner, your familiar gains
something akin to eidetic memory (see above), but can confer
the spells to you during the time you prepare your spells.
Although this eliminates the need for spellbooks, it is
incredibly risky, because if the familiar dies, all your spells are
lost with it until a new familiar can be obtained. You can
choose not to use your familiar as a spell repository, and to
retain spellbooks instead.
Deliver Touch Spells (Su): If you have at least 2 ranks in
Spellcraft, your familiar can deliver touch spells for him. If
you and your familiar are in contact at the time you cast a
touch spell, you can designate your familiar as the “toucher.”
Your familiar can then deliver the touch spell just as you
would. As usual, if you cast another spell before the touch is
delivered, the touch spell dissipates.
Speak with Master (Ex): If you have at least 4 ranks in
Spellcraft, you and your familiar can communicate verbally as
if using a common language. Other creatures do not
understand the communication without magical help. Vermin
familiars communicate with their masters and other vermin
of their kind (see below) by way of a strange combination of
behaviors, slight changes in coloration, and even the
excretion of scents, subtle and otherwise. As with other types
of familiars, other creatures cannot understand this
communication without magical aid.
Speak with Animals of Its Kind (Ex): If you have at least
6 ranks in Spellcraft, your familiar can communicate with
animals of approximately the same kind as itself (including
dire varieties): bats with bats, cats with felines, hawks and
owls and ravens with birds, lizards and snakes with reptiles,
monkeys with other simians, rats with rodents, toads with
amphibians, and weasels with ermines and minks. Such
communication is limited by the Intelligence of the
conversing creatures.
Guide Magic (Su): If you have at least 8 ranks in
Spellcraft, you can assign your familiar the task of
concentrating on a spell or spell-like ability that is maintained
through concentration. You can act normally while your
familiar controls the spell. A familiar can concentrate on only
one spell at a time. Assuming it is hiding somewhere on your
person (a pocket, etc.) or nearby, it need not make
Concentration checks to maintain the spell if you are
threatened or take damage.
Imbue with Spells (Su): If you have at least 10 ranks in
Spellcraft, you can imbue your familiar with a number of
spells that the familiar can then cast on its own. At 10th level,
you can imbue a single 0-level spell. Unlike other cantrips, the
familiar can only cast this spell once. At 12th level, and every
two levels thereafter, you can imbue another spell into your
familiar, each one level higher than the previous (1st at 12th
level, 2nd at 14th level, and so on, up to a 5th level spell at 20th
level). This spell is cast as if you had cast it. Every spell
imbued in this way consumes two of your available spell slots
of that level until the spell is cast (0-level spells reduce the
number of 0-level spells she can prepare by 2). When you
prepare spells, you can remove imbued spells from your
familiar.
Spell Resistance (Ex): If you have at least 12 ranks in
Spellcraft, your familiar gains spell resistance equal to 11 +
your number of ranks.
Scry on Familiar (Sp): If you have at least 14 ranks in
Spellcraft, you may scry on your familiar (as if casting the
scrying spell) once per day. In addition, you can see through
your familiar’s eyes at will (rendering you blind in the
meantime) and/or hear through its ears (likewise rendering
you deaf in the meantime)
Cooperative Magic (Su): If you have at least 16 ranks in
Spellcraft, your familiar can perform the somatic components
of your spells for you. You must still perform any verbal
components and supply material components (if applicable)
as normal. However, you do not lose the spell if you fail to cast
defensively unless the familiar also fails to cast defensively
(using your Concentration bonus).
Incorporeal Familiars
At your option, your familiar spirit can be fully incorporeal
(this supersedes the Shadowform Familiar feat from
Champions of Ruin). Such familiars have the advantage of
being difficult to injure, but they have limitations that normal
familiars do not. Only you can see or interact with an
incorporeal familiar, and it cannot leave your space. This
means that such a familiar cannot be used as a messenger or
scout. However, you are no longer limited to standard familiar
animal types, and can add the following creature types and
associated bonus feats (for example): cougar (Leadership);
crane (Dodge); raccoon (Chaotic Mind); wolf (Improved
Flanking).
Improved Familiars
He was not the conventional stuff from which familiars were
made, of course. Most were simpering, mindless
functionaries, plucked by their summoners from the In Ovo—
the space between the Fifth and the Reconciled Dominions—
like lobsters from a restaurant tank. He, on the other hand,
had been a professional actor in his time, and fêted for it.
―Clive Barker, Imagica (1991)
If you have the Thaumaturgist feat (Chapter 5), you can
improve your familiar as if it were a follower or cohort; this
supersedes the Improved Familiar feat from the core rules.
An improved familiar gains standard familiar abilities (Table
B-1) only if it is of a CR 2 or more lower than you would
normally be eligible for.
In addition, you can choose to imbue your familiar with
other abilities by investing personal numen in it, exactly as if
it were a magic item (Chapter 6).
Appendix C: The Prestige
Specialist
Instead of a wizard being able to specialize in a particular
school of magic from the start, specialist wizards can be
treated as prestige classes instead. Using this option, the base
caster class is generally Wizard, although this need not be the
case ― a character could just as easily be a bard/enchanter, a
cleric/necromancer, or a battle sorcerer/abjurer. A
fighter/abjurer makes a good stand-in for the Abjurant
Champion prestige class from Complete Mage.
 TABLE C-1: THE PRESTIGE SPECIALIST HIT DICE: D6
Prerequisites
Level Base Spell Special Specialist
Spellcasting: Minimum ranks Concentration equal to 4 Attack Capacity Bonus
per level in Prestige Specialist to be gained –1 (i.e., in order 1st School power (1st and
to gain a 4th specialist level, you must also have at least 15 +0 —
4th)
+1
ranks in Concentration).
School-Specific Requirements: Any wizard or cleric with 2nd +1 +1 level School power (8th) +2
Arcanist domain can enter any of the specialist prestige 3rd +1 +1 level School power (12th) +3
classes directly. Others must meet at least one of the 4th +1 level School power (16th)
prerequisites listed under each specialty, as follows: +2 +4
5th +2 +1 level School power (19th), +5
Abjurer: Aasimar race, or one of the following: Celestial or master specialist
Sevenfold Veil bloodline; access to Good or Protection
domain; Mercy mystery. Saving Throws: Prestige specialists gain a +2 class bonus
Conjurer: Amber, Broken Pattern, or Chaos bloodline; to Intuition and Will saves.
access to Artifice or Travel domain. Bonus Skills: You receive one free rank per class level in
Concentration. This is otherwise treated as a class skill, but
Diviner: Destined bloodline; access to the Knowledge or does not count against your total number of skill points.
Dark Knowledge domain; or access to the Oracular Class Skills: Craft (all), Fly, Knowledge (all), Profession
mystery. (all), and Spellcraft.
Enchantment: Bard class; feytouched race; Beguiler, Fey, Skill Ranks per Level: 2 + Int modifier.
or Infernal bloodline; Charm or Mind domain. Favored Class: Any character with wizard as a favored
class also treats specialist wizard levels as favored class
Evoker: Druid or battle sorcerer class; half-fiend race; levels.
Abyssal, Boreal, Orc, Stormborn bloodline; Destruction, Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Specialist wizards gain
Fire, Fury, or War domain; Battle mystery. no additional proficiency with weapons or armor.
Spellcasting: Add all spells from your specialist school to
Illusionist: Bard class; fetchling or gnome race; Beguiler, your class list.
Fey, or Shadow bloodline; Trickery domain.
Necromancer: Undead race; Hag, Pestilence, or Undead
bloodline; Death or Repose domain; Graves mystery.
Transmuter: Lycanthrope race; Chaos or Protean
bloodline; Chaos domain.
Elementalist (Air): Feytouched (sylph) or genasi (air) race;
Elemenatal Air or Genie (djinn) bloodline; Air or Weather
domain; Wind mystery.
Elementalist (Earth): Mountain dwarf or genasi (air) race;
Deep Earth, Elemental (Earth), or Genie (shaitan/dao)
bloodline; Earth domain; Stone mystery.
Elementalist (Fire): Genasi (fire) race; Draconic (red),
Elemental (fire), Genie (efreet), or Infernal bloodline; Fire
domain; Flame mystery.
Elementalist (Water): Genasi (water) or water fey race;
Aquatic Fey, Deep One, Draconic (black), Elemental
(water), or Genie (marid) bloodline; Water domain; Waves
mystery).

Appendix D: Esoteric
Branches of Wizardry
These esoteric branches of wizardry can be taken in place
of specialist schools (either for the 20-level specialist
progression or the Prestige Specialist variant), and generally
work similarly. Because they are not traditional schools of
magic, a school specialist wizard cannot select an esoteric
branch as a barred school. Adjustments to school spells and
barred schools are listed, and the specific powers associated
with the esoteric branch are described.
Esoteric branches represent a convenient means of quickly
converting a variant type of magic or arcane prestige class,
and additional esoteric branches can be added by player and
referee approval.
Bonus Skill: Unless otherwise noted, all esoteric branches
have Knowledge (lore) as the school bonus skill.
Alienist
Alienists deal with powers and entities from terrifyingly
remote reaches of space and time. For them, magical power
is the triumph of the mind over the rude boundaries of
dimension, distance, and often, sanity. With knowledge and
determination, they pierce the barrier at the edge of time
itself. In the Far Realm, outside time, Herculean minds drift,
absorbed in contemplations of madness. Unspeakable beings
whisper terrifying secrets to those who dare communication.
These secrets were not meant for mortals, but the alienist
plunges into abysses of chaos and entropy that would blast a
weaker mind. An alienist's mad certainty is sometimes strong
enough to sway others to believe in her own future
transcendence. This branch of wizardry supersedes the
prestige class of the same name, from Complete Arcane.
Arcane Bond: You gain a familiar. If you have the
Thaumaturgist feat, you can add the pseudonatural template
(Complete Arcane) to your familiar at the cost of +1 CR.
School Spells: All spells from the Far Realm sorcerer
bloodline, Farspawn racial spell-like ability list, and Madness
domain. In addition, you treat all summon monster spells as
school spells. However, whenever you would use any summon
monster spell to summon a creature with the celestial or
fiendish template, it instead has the pseudonatural template
(Complete Arcane). You cannot summon non-pseudonatural
creatures (e.g., mephitis or howlers) with a summon monster
spell.
Barred Schools: None. However, your contact with Far
Realms entities damages your sanity, and you gain the
following disadvantages:
Descent into Madness: Your Wisdom score is reduced by
an amount equal to your specialist bonus.
Mental Corrosion: You take a penalty to all Diplomacy and
Handle Animal checks equal to twice the magnitude of
your specialist bonus.
Specialist Bonus:
Alien Blessing (Ex): Apply your specialist bonus as an
insight bonus to all saving throws.
Insane Certainty (Ex): Add your specialist bonus to your
total number of hit points.
Mad Certainty (Ex): Add your specialist bonus as a racial
bonus to Bluff checks, and on Charisma-based checks to
influence or control Far Realms entities.
Bonus Feats: You gain the following bonus feats at 1st, 4th,
8th, 12th, and 19th levels. Choose from the following:
Augment Summoning, Spell Focus (conjuration),
Thaumaturgist, and any metamagic feats. You must meet all
prerequisites normally.
Timeless Body (Ex): At 16th level, you learn the secret of
perpetual youth. You no longer take attribute penalties for
aging (any penalties already taken remain in place), and you
cannot be magically aged. Unless you achieve 20th level
before then, you are stolen away by horrible entities when
your allotted time is up, and you are never seen again.
Master Specialist (Su): At 20th level, because of long
association with alien entities and intense study of insane
secrets, you transcend your mortal form and becomes an
alien creature. You gain the pseudonatural template from
Complete Arcane.
Argent Savant
The argent savant regards spells that evoke or apply magical
force as the noblest and most fascinating spells at her
disposal. This esoteric branch subsumes the prestige class of
the same name from Complete Arcane, and also the Force
Missile Mage from Dragon magazine (#378).
Arcane Bond: Argent savants generally select a wand as
their arcane bond (which functions exactly as an Abjurer’s
wand).
School Spells: Any spells with the [force] descriptor or
that create or use magical force.
Barred Schools: Enchantment, Necromancy.
Specialist Bonus:
Ablate Force (Ex): You gain energy resistance (force) in an
amount equal to 5 x your specialist bonus.
Bonus Missiles (Su): Add half your specialist bonus to the
number of missiles you produce when casting a magic
missile spell.
Force Armor (Su): Increase the AC bonus from mage
armor, shield, and similar spells, spell-like abilities, and
supernatural abilities (those that improve AC by a [force]
effect), by an amount equal to your specialist bonus.
Force Specialization (Ex): Apply your specialist bonus as
competence bonus on attack rolls made with [force]
spells, and to the damage they deal (for magic missile, the
damage bonus applies to each missile, for Mordenkainen’s
sword, it applies to each hit, etc.). This function also
applies to your spell-like and supernatural abilities that
have the [force] descriptor.
Urgent Shield (Su): At 1st level, you gain Urgent Shield as
a bonus spell; your specialist bonus applies to the effect, so
that it scales from +2 to +7 to AC.
Reflective Shield (Sp): At 4th level, you reflect magic
missiles that target you, as if constantly under a spell turning
effect.
Telekinetic Control (Su): Starting at 8th level, all spells you
cast with the [force] descriptor have no somatic component,
as if under a Still Spell feat (but with no increase in spell level
or casting time).
Extended Force (Su): Starting at 12th level, all spells you
cast with the [force] descriptor last twice as long as normal,
as though affected by the Extend Spell feat (but with no
increase in spell level or casting time).
Unbind Force (Su): At 16th level, you learn how to
unweave a force spell or effect and liberate its magical energy.
As a standard action, you can attempt to dispel a single
[force] spell or effect within 60 feet (even those normally
immune to dispel magic, such as wall of force). If successful,
this immediately dispels the effect and deals 1d6 points of
force damage per level of the dispelled spell to all creatures
and objects within 10 feet of the unbound spell.
Absorb Force (Ex): At 19th level, you are immune to force
damage and can pass through force effects (such as a
forcecage) at will; you cannot be injured by force weapons.
Whenever you successfully use your unbind force ability, you
heal 5 hp per level of the [force] spell unbound.
Master Specialist (Sp): At 20th level, you are constantly
surrounded by a cylinder of force. This provides you with a
permanent mage armor effect, but the armor bonus is +20
(including your specialist bonus); if dismissed or dispelled,
you can restore the effect as a standard action.
Disciple, Arcane
You are a devotee of a specific deity or planar power, who
grants you arcane insights and greater powers in exchange
for your loyalty and worship—or possibly your soul. Arcane
disciples have an alignment aura as do clerics. This option
supersedes the feat of the same name, from Complete Divine.
More focused versions include the Magaambyan Arcanist and
the Rainbow Servant (see below).
Arcane Bond: You gain a holy or unholy symbol, which
functions as a specialist implement (Appendix A), except that
the effects apply to your domain spells. Alternatively, you can
choose a weapon (your deity’s favored weapon) or a familiar
(some animal type favored by your deity). Prohibitions based
on your barred school (see below) may apply.
School Spells: Choose two of your patron deity’s domains.
Your school spells are chosen from the lists for those
domains.
Barred Schools: Choose one barred school, which cannot
be Abjuration or Conjuration. In addition, you cannot cast
spells with an alignment descriptor opposite that of your
patron’s alignment.
Specialist Bonus:
Domain Channeling (Su): When channeling energy, your
specialist bonus applies to the save DC.
Domain Skill: For any skill listed as an “archivist skill” for
your domain, you treat that skill as a class skill, and also
apply your specialist bonus as a competence bonus to
checks made with that skill.
Domain Access (Su): At 1st level, you gain the 1st level
domain powers for both of your domains. You also gain
Domain Channeling (Chapter 5) for one domain as a bonus
feat.
Improved Domain Access (Su): At 4th and/or 8th level,
you gain the appropriate domain powers in place of the
corresponding school power.
Domain Feats: For the remaining levels at which you
would normally gain school powers (12th, 16th, and 19th),
choose a domain feat for your domain (if applicable) or a
general divine bonus feat.
Master Specialist (Su): At 20th level, you gain the domain
exemplar ability for one of your domains.
High Sorcery
Very rarely, a wizard will learn to tap into some external
source of magical power, a wellspring of mana with which to
power his spells. Such a wizard is midway between a wizard
and a sorcerer, without the former’s feats and powers, and
without the bloodline of the latter.
Arcane Bond: You must choose a bonded object, which
serves as a conduit through which you draw arcane power.
This item confers none of the normal abilities of a bonded
item (although all the drawbacks apply). Instead, this conduit
provides an array of daily spell slots, as shown in Table 2 of
Chapter 7. You gain additional spells per day according to
your Charisma bonus.
Barred Schools: None.
Specialist Bonus: None.
High Sorcery (Ex): At each level you gain, you choose how
many of the spells from Table 1 in Chapter 7 are spells
known (which you can cast using spell slots channeled
through your bonded item) and how many are open slots that
can be used to prepare spells. You gain additional prepared
spell slots for a high Intelligence score; these cannot be used
for spells known.
Preparing a spell uses up a “spells per day” slot of the
appropriate level, but otherwise works exactly like a normal
wizard’s preparation. Spells known work exactly as they do
for a sorcerer.
You do not gain bonus spells (the “+1” notation in Table 1
of Chapter 7). You do not gain additional school powers at 4th,
8th, 12th, or 16th levels.
High Arcana: At 19th level, you gain one high Arcanum,
selected from the list provided under the generalist wizard.
Master Specialist (Su): At 20th level, you are a High
Magister, for whom the concepts of “prepared” and
“spontaneous” spellcasting are interchangeable. Forget your
existing spells known. Instead, each day you select and
prepare an appropriate number of spells of each spell level, as
a wizard; this requires no expenditure of spell slots. Instead,
the prepared spells can be cast spontaneously using your
daily spell slots, as a sorcerer is able to do. In this manner,
you have all of the versatility of a wizard in terms of changing
your spell selection, and all the versatility of a sorcerer in
terms of casting whatever spells you need from that selection
at any time.

Magaambyan Arcanist
Magaambyan arcanists are students of the Magaambya, an
ancient academy of learning located in the heart of the
Mwangi Jungle. The legendary Old-Mage Jatembe and his Ten
Magic Warriors founded the school to reintroduce the light of
learning to a world overcome by fear and despair. A
Magaambyan arcanist studies and follows traditions of magic
originally discovered by Old-Mage Jatembe himself, and
utilizes these arcane secrets to continue Jatembe’s quest to
bring decency and integrity to civilization. Most Magaambyan
arcanists consider their studies to be a sacred duty and a
tradition that spans the ages. ―Paths of Prestige.
Arcane Bond: Domain bond—you gain access to the Good
domain, including bonus spells and granted powers, using
your class level as your effective cleric level. You gain an aura
of [Good], and detect and are affected by spells as though
good-aligned.
School Spells: The spells on your domain spell list are
considered school spells, as are any druid spells you know
(see below).
Barred Schools: Necromancy. In addition, you are unable
to cast spells with the [evil] or [darkness] descriptors.
Specialist Bonus:
Increased Spell Mastery (Ex): You gain an additional
number of mastered spells (as the spell mastery favored
class bonus) equal to your specialist bonus.
Righteous Contravention (Su): Apply your specialist bonus
as a sacred bonus to overcome the spell resistance of
[Evil] creatures or objects, and on checks to dispel spells
cast by evil creatures, spells with the [evil] descriptor, or
evil magic items.
Halcyon Magic (Su): When adding spells to your
spellbook when leveling up, you can learn druid spells as
arcane spells, as if they were on the Wizard spell list.
Spontaneous Spell Mastery (Ex): Starting at 4th level,
each time you prepare spells, you can also change the spells
for which you have Spell Mastery. In addition, you can “lose”
any prepared spell to cast a spell of the same spell level or
lower for which you have Spell Mastery.
Blessed Warding (Sp): Starting at 8th level, you are under
a constant protection from evil effect. If this is dispelled, you
can reactivate it as a swift action.
Immediate Spell Mastery (Sp): Starting at 12th level,
once per day you can cast any spell you have mastered with
the Spell Mastery feat, even if you haven’t prepared it that day.
Altruistic Guardian (Su): Starting at 16th level, when a
spell or supernatural effect that allows spell resistance
targets allies within 30 ft. of you (or they are within its area of
effect), you can use this ability as an immediate action to
redirect the effects to yourself. You must make all appropriate
saving throws for each ally, possibly making multiple saving
throws against the same spell or effect. You suffer all damage,
conditions, and other effects that your allies would have
taken, possibly taking these multiple times. Area effects with
a non-instantaneous duration can still affect your allies
normally at a later time.
Timeless Body (Su): Upon attaining 19th level, you stop
ageing. You no longer take attribute score penalties for aging,
cannot be magically aged, and will not die of old age. Any age
penalties you may have already incurred, however, remain in
place.
Master Specialist (Su): At 20th level, you gain the
Celestial simple template, although this does not increase
your CR or effective character level. Your type changes to
Outsider [Good].
Rainbow Servant
Other stories say that under Quetzalcoatl’s wise rule, Tula
became a center of prosperity, artisanship, and good order.
The ear of corn grew as large as a person’s arm, the
amaranth as tall as a palm tree, and cotton came in many
colors…
―Kay Almere Read and Jason J. Gonzalez, Mesoamerican
Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs
of Mexico and Central America (2000)
A rainbow servant is a wizard who has penetrated to the
invisible step pyramid temples of the couatl in the high
mountains and learned what they have to offer. This
simulates the prestige class of the same name from Complete
Divine.
Arcane Bond: Domain bond—at 1st level, you gain Domain
Access (Air, Good, Law) as bonus feats. You cannot trade this
for a different arcane bond and still follow the path of the
rainbow servant. You yourself detect as both [good] and
[lawful], and are susceptible to spells that affect those
alignments. You are also affected as if you had the [air]
subtype.
School Spells: The spells on your domain spell lists are
considered school spells.
Barred Schools: You are unable to cast spells with any of
the following descriptors: [acid], [chaotic], [earth], [evil],
[water].
Specialist Bonus: Applies as a sacred bonus to saving
throws against spells with the [chaotic] or [evil] descriptors,
and against spells and spell-like abilities cast by [chaotic] or
[evil] creatures.
Servant of the Upper Spheres (Sp): Starting at 1st level,
you can use detect chaos/evil/good/law (one at a time) at will
as a spell-like ability.
Lesser Domain Powers (Su): At 4th level, you gain the 1st
level granted powers for the Good and Law domains, and 1st
and 4th level granted powers for Air domain
Greater Domain Powers (Su): At 8th level, you gain the
8th level granted powers for the Good and Law domains.
Grow Wings (Su): At 12th level, you can grow
multicolored, feathered wings like that of a couatl. The wings,
which allow flight at a speed of 60 ft., have a daily duration of
1 minute per class level, divided up however you wish. It takes
a move action to grow or eliminate the feathered wings.
Restrictive clothing and armor of any kind prevents the wings
from growing.
 Cleric Spell Access (Ex): Starting at 16th level, you can
learn and cast spells from the cleric list as if they were wizard
spells, even if they don’t appear on the wizard spellcasting
list. Cleric spells are considered arcane spells for you,
meaning that the creature does not need a divine focus to
cast them. This class feature grants access to the spells and
enables you to read scrolls with cleric spells on them and use
wands and staffs that contain cleric spells.
Telepathy (Su): Starting at 19th level, you can
communicate mentally with any creature(s) within 100 ft. You
can also use detect thoughts at will as a spell-like ability, but
with a DC equal to 10 + half your class level + your Charisma
modifier.
Master Specialist (Su): At 20th level, your type changes to
Outsider [native]. You stop aging, and suffer no age penalties
to attribute scores. In addition, you can use ethereal jaunt
3/day as a spell-like ability.
Wild Magic
This esoteric branch of magic supersedes the Wild Mage
prestige class from Complete Arcane.
Arcane Bond: You can select the generalist wizard’s
eidetic memory, or can choose a wand (Appendix A) as a
bonded item.
School Spells: A wild mage selects his or her school
bonus spells from the list of wild magic spells (see the 2nd
edition Tome of Magic), or from choices approved by the
referee.
Barred Schools: Enchantment, Necromancy.
Specialist Bonus:
Student of Chaos (Ex): Whenever you use a power or
magic item that offers a randomly determined effect (e.g.,
when you create a wild surge, or use an item such as a bag
of tricks or rod of wonder), you can shift d20 results by up
to +/-1 per point of your specialist bonus (percentile
results can be shifted by up to 25% per point of your
specialist bonus).
Wild Magic (Ex): At wild mage casts spells differently
from any other arcane spellcaster. Reduce your caster level by
3 for all spells you cast. However, every time you cast a spell,
your use of wild magic adds 1d6 to your adjusted caster level.
For example, a 9th level wild mage has a base caster level of
6th, not 9th, but his or her actual caster level varies from 7th
to 12th for every spell cast. Caster level affects all level-based
variables of a spell, including Concentration checks. The
minimum caster level is 1st (even if, for example, a 1st level
wild mage rolls a 1 on the 1d6).
Random Deflector (Su): At 4th level, you gain the ability to
protect yourself from certain attacks with this ability. Using
this ability is an immediate action. When activated, the
random deflector lasts until the beginning of your next turn.
The random deflector redirects ranged attacks, ranged touch
attacks, and individually targeted spells (spells designating
you as the sole target, but not area spells striking an area in
which you happen to be the sole target) so that they instead
attack or affect a random target within 20 feet of you (include
yourself and your allies among the possible new targets). Any
creature targeted by a deflected attack is attacked or affected
normally, so an attack roll is made normally against the new
target’s AC, the new target receives a saving throw if a spell or
effect allows one, and so on. You can use this ability a number
of times per day equal to 3 + your Intelligence modifier.
Chaotic Mind (Su): Starting at 8th level, the power of
chaos infuses your mind. You gain the feat of the same name
as a bonus feat. You also gain immunity to confusion and
insanity spells and effects, and are shielded by a continuous
nondetection effect (as the spell). You must be at least 8th
level to select this ability.
Reckless Dweomer (Su): At 12th level you learn how to
spontaneously convert your own spell energy into random,
unpredictable results. As a standard action, you can eliminate
a prepared spell or spell slot of at least 1st level to create an
effect similar to that of activating a rod of wonder. Your
student of chaos ability (q.v.) applies when you use your
reckless dweomer ability.
Wildstrike (Sp): At 16th level, you gain the ability to make
a wildstrike once per day. A wildstrike affects a single
creature within 60 feet, surrounding the creature in an aura
of shimmering rainbow colors for 2d6 rounds. Spell
resistance applies, but the target receives no saving throw.
While a wildstrike is in effect, there is a 50% chance each
time the affected creature casts a spell or uses a spell-like
ability that its intended action fails. Instead, the creature rolls
as if it had activated a rod of wonder.
Wildstrike, Greater (Sp): At 19th level, a creature affected
by your wildstrike automatically triggers a wild surge when
attempting to use a spell or spell-like ability.
Master Specialist (Su): At 20th level, you continuously
generate a wild magic zone in an aura with a radius of 30 ft.
Your allies’ spells operate normally within this zone and do
not erupt into wild surges. Your own spells never result in
wild surges unless you want them to.
Variant: Wild Sorcerer
You can easily modify this esoteric branch of wizardry into a
sorcerer bloodline, using the guidelines below.
Class Skill: Disable Device.
Bonus Spells: 1st—patternweave; 2nd—nonsensical
nullifier; 3rd—alternate reality; 4th—there/not there; 5th
—vortex; 6th—wildshield; 7th—spell shape; 8th
—wildzone; 9th—stabilize. These spells are from the 2nd
edition Tome of Magic (David Cook et al., 1991).
Bonus Feats: Chaotic Mind, Deep Insight, Dodge, Eschew
Materials, Improved Dispelling, Lightning Reflexes, Silent
Spell, Skill Focus (Spellcraft).
Bloodline Arcana: Wild magic (see above).

Eldritch Blast: As described under the bonded item
(wand) for this branch, in Appendix A.
Bloodline Powers: 1st—student of chaos (+1, +1/4 levels
thereafter); 3rd—random deflector (this replaces your
bloodline resistances); 9th—reckless dweomer; 15th
—wildtrike; 20th—master specialist power.
Witchcraft
This is a secretive branch of wizardry, in which the
practitioner gains power from her communion with the
unknown. Generally feared and misunderstood, the witch
draws her magic from a pact made with an otherworldly
power. Communing with that source, using her familiar as a
conduit, the witch gains not only a host of spells, but a
number of strange abilities known as hexes. The esoteric
branch of witchcraft is described in Appendix E.
Wu Jen
Wizards of the orient, wu jen are feared and frequently
shunned by society, and tend to be reclusive and withdrawn.
They rarely live among others, normally abiding in the
wilderness where they may purify their minds and bodies and
contact the supernatural powers which enable them to
command the elements and spirits. This version of the wu jen
draws on the class as presented in Complete Arcane, and
also includes the elementalist wizards in the Advanced
Player’s Guide.
Each wu jen must choose one element—either a Western
one (air, earth, fire, or water), or a variant Oriental one (metal
or wood); a number of his or her class abilities depend on
that element.
Arcane Bond: Your default arcane bond is a watchful
spirit, a disembodied spirit that occasionally gives you
warnings of impending danger. Once per day, you can reroll
any initiative check just before learning your place in the
initiative order. If the second roll is worse than the first one,
you can choose to disregard the watchful spirit and use the
first roll.
Alternatively, you can gain a Tiny elemental (“gen”) familiar
(start with a Small elemental, then apply the Young simple
template). It gains familiar abilities normally, per Appendix B,
or you can advance it if you have the Thaumaturgy feat.
Some wu jen choose a wand (Appendix A); your eldritch
blast mimics that of the appropriate Elemental sorcerer
bloodline.
School Spells: A wu jen selects his or her school bonus
spells from the list of wu jen spells given in Complete Arcane.
Other spells from non-core sources, particularly those with
elemental themes, can be added with referee approval—
including spells from the druid class list.
Barred Schools: Instead of barred schools, you must
abide by a number of taboos. Choose one taboo for each
school power you receive. If you violate any of your taboos,
you lose the ability to cast spells until the next time you are
able to rest and prepare spells. Example taboos include:
Cannot eat meat or animal by-products (including most
rations and the heroes’ feast spell);
Cannot own more than you can carry;
Must make a daily offering (such as food, flowers, or
incense) to one or many spirits;
Cannot bathe (-4 to saves vs. disease);
Cannot cut your hair (-2 to Dex after 1 level);
Cannot touch a dead body;
Cannot drink alcohol or potions;
Cannot wear a certain article of clothing (belt, headband,
cloak, etc.—something that is a common magic item slot);
Cannot light a fire (or use [fire] spells);
Cannot sit facing in a certain direction, and are always
flanked from that direction (even by single opponents).
Specialist Bonus: The standard functions of your
specialist bonus apply only to spells of the type or descriptor
that match your chosen element (for example, if your element
is air, it would apply to spells with the [air] or [electricity]
descriptor. In addition, you gain the following:
Damage Reduction (Ex): If your element is Metal or Wood,
you gain damage reduction equal to twice your specialist
bonus against weapons made primarily from that material.
Elemental Mastery (Su): When casting spells of that type
or descriptor, add half your specialist bonus as a sacred
bonus to the spell DC.
Energy Resistance (Ex): If you have one of the four
standard elements, you gain resistance to one energy type
equal to 10 times your specialist bonus; at 18th level, you
are immune. This overlaps with (does not stack with) the
energy resistance granted by your favored terrain). Energy
types are as follows: air = electricity; earth = acid; fire =
fire; water = cold.
Planar Terrain (Ex): You gain favored terrain (appropriate
Elemental Plane) with a bonus equal to twice your
specialist bonus (maximum bonus 2 + half your total
character level).
Weapon Proficiency: A wu jen gains Simple proficiency
with all weapons. In addition, you gain Exotic proficiency
with one of the following: dart, light club, light blowgun, light
flail, quarterstaff, sickle, sling, spear, tonfa, or unarmed
attacks.
Elemental Channeling (Su): At 1st level, you can channel
elemental energy of the appropriate type as a cleric of level
equal to your class level. This works as the variant channeling
ability for the Air, Earth, Fire, or Water domain (or Forge
domain for metal, or Wood domain for wood); once selected,
you are eligible for the Command Elemental feat (which you
can select as a school power).
Energy Substitution (Su): Starting at 4th level, when
employing a spell with an energy descriptor (acid, electrical,
fire, sonic, etc.), you can modify the spell so that half or all of
the damage is appropriate to your element, as follows:
 Specialist Element Damage Type Appendix E: The Witch
Air Electrical The esoteric branch of witchcraft supersedes the Witch base
Earth Acid class, as described in the Advanced Player’s Guide. Because
of the large page count, it is presented here, rather than with
Fire Fire the remainder of the esoteric branches.
Water Cold
Metal Piercing or Slashing Arcane Bond
Wood Bludgeoning A witch’s default arcane bond is a familiar with the “store
spells” option (Appendix B), although you can choose a
This works similarly to the Versatile Evocation and Energy broomstick (as a generalist’s staff) instead. A rare variant
Admixture feats (Chapter 7), but does not increase the spell witch known as a “gravewalker” gains a “spell poppet”
level or casting time. Source: 3.5 edition System Reference instead of a familiar. Each gravewalker carries around a
Document, “Class Variants: Specialist Wizard Variants” and gristly, inanimate poppet stitched from human skin and
“Divine Feats.” stuffed with shards of bone, fingernails, and grave dirt. A
Elemental Revelation (Su): At 8th level, you gain one gravewalker's spells come from the will of evil spirits residing
revelation from the Incarnate mystery corresponding to your in the poppet, and its ability to hold spells functions in a
specialist element (air = wind; earth = Stone; fire = Flame; manner identical to the way a witch's spells are granted by
water = Waves; metal = Metal; wood = Wood). Use your wu her familiar. The gravewalker must commune with her
jen class level in place of your incarnate level for determining poppet each day to prepare her spells and cannot prepare
whether you qualify for the revelation, and when determining spells that are not stored in the poppet. This ability replaces
its effects. familiar. The following familiar ability works differently:
Elemental Body (Sp): Starting at 12th level, you can Deliver Touch Spells (Su): At 3rd level or higher, a
assume the form of a Medium elemental at will, as if by an gravewalker can use her poppet to deliver touch spells.
elemental body II spell (the elemental type is appropriate to After casting a touch spell, as a full-round action, the witch
your specialist element; Wood and Metal wu jen use the earth can designate a target and stab a pin into her poppet,
elemental, with cosmetic changes appropriate to their delivering the spell as a ranged touch attack. The target
element). At 15th level, you can become a Large air elemental must be within range of her aura of desecration ability
instead (as per an elemental body III spell). At 18th level, you (see below).
can become a Huge elemental (elemental body IV).
Elemental Might (Ex): At 16th level, you stop ageing, as
the druid’s timeless body class feature. gain an inherent School Spells
bonus to one attribute score; the attribute and magnitude of At 1st level, when you gain your familiar, you must also select
the bonus depend on your specialist element, as follows: a patron. This patron is a vague and mysterious force,
Element Attribute Bonus granting you power for reasons that you might not entirely
understand. While these forces need not be named, they
Air Dexterity +2 typically hold influence over one of the forces listed below. At
Earth Strength +6 each level that you would normally gain a school spell, you
gain the appropriate patron spell instead. These spells are
Fire Dexterity +2 also automatically added to the list of spells stored by your
Water Constitution +2 familiar. The spells gained depend upon the patron chosen
Metal Strength +6 (use sorcerer bloodline spells, domain spells, etc. as choices;
“unspeakable cult” bonus spells and patrons are especially
Wood Constitution +2 appropriate).
Energy Affinity (Ex): At 19th level and above, you gain a +1 Barred Schools
competence bonus to your effective caster level when casting
spells of your specialist element’s subtype or descriptor. This All spells not on the witch spells list (Advanced Player’s
is a specific exception to the rule that your caster level can be Guide) are treated as being from barred schools. Note that
no higher than your total number of Hit Dice. Source: 3.5 the witch’s spells list includes some spells not normally found
edition System Reference Document, “Class Variants: on the wizard/sorcerer list; these spells are added to your list
Specialist Wizard Variants.” of class spells. Other spells from non-core sources,
Master Specialist (Su): At 20th level, you are immune to particularly curses and the like, can be added with referee
spells and effects related to your chosen element and its approval.
associated energy type. In the case of metal and wood,
overcoming your damage reduction requires epic weapons of Specialist Bonus
an appropriate material. None. The witch gains more powers than a normal specialist,
but lacks a specialist bonus.

School Powers: Hexes
Unless otherwise noted, using a hex is a standard action
that does not provoke an attack of opportunity. The save to
resist a hex is equal to 10 + half your number of ranks in
Concentration + your Charisma modifier. You can use any hex
you know at will.
At 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th levels (each), you gain one of the
following minor hexes:
Aura of Desecration (Su): At first level, a gravewalker
witch can create a 20-foot-radius aura of evil power. This aura
increases the DC of channeled negative energy by +2 and the
turn resistance of undead by +2. At 3rd level and every 2 levels
thereafter, the radius of the aura increases by 5 feet, to a
maximum of 70 feet at 20th level.
Beast of Ill-Omen (Su): The witch imbues her familiar
with strange magic, putting a minor curse upon the next
enemy to see it. The enemy must make a Will save or be
affected by bane. The witch can use this hex on her familiar
at a range of up to 60 feet. The affected enemy must be no
more than 60 feet from the familiar to trigger the effect;
seeing the familiar from a greater distance has no effect
(though if the enemy and familiar approach to within 60 feet
of each other, the hex takes effect). The bane affects the
closest creature to the familiar (ties affect the creature with
the highest initiative score). Whether or not the target's save
is successful, the creature cannot be the target of the bane
effect for 1 day (later uses of this hex ignore that creature
when determining who is affected).
Blight (Su): The witch can curse an animal, plant creature,
or plot of land, causing it to wither and die. Blighting an area
takes 1 round, during which time the witch and her familiar
must be in contact with the target. If it’s used on a plot of
land, the land begins to wither the following day, and over the
next week all plants in the area die. Nothing will grow in that
area so long as the curse persists. A witch can affect an area
with a radius equal to her class level × 10 feet. Blighting a
creature is a standard action that requires a melee touch
attack. If used on a creature of the animal or plant type, the
creature gains the following curse: Blight Hex—type curse;
save Will negates; frequency 1/day; effect 1 Con damage.
Both types of curse can be removed with a remove curse or
similar magic, using the save DC as the DC to remove the
curse. A witch can only have one blight in effect at a time. If
another blight hex is made, the first immediately ends.
Cackle (Su): You can cackle madly as a move action. Any
creature that is within 30 feet that is under the effects of an
agony, charm, evil eye, fortune, or misfortune hex caused by
you has the duration of that hex extended by 1 round.
Cauldron (Ex): You receive 1 free rank in Craft (alchemy)
per class level, with a special +4 insight bonus on all checks.
Charm (Su): You can charm an animal or humanoid
creature within 30 feet by beckoning and speaking soothing
words. This improves the attitude of an animal or humanoid
creature by 1 step, as if you had successfully used the
Diplomacy skill. The effect lasts for a number of rounds equal
to your Intelligence modifier. An Intuition save negates this
effect. Whether or not the save is successful, a creature
cannot be the target of this hex again for 1 day. At 8th level,
this effect improves the attitude of the target creature by 2
steps. This is a mind-affecting charm effect.
Coven (Ex): You count as a hag for the purpose of joining a
hag’s coven. The coven must contain at least one hag. In
addition, whenever you are within 30 feet of another witch
with this hex, you can use the Aid Another action to grant a
+1 circumstance bonus to the other witch’s effective caster
level for 1 round. This bonus applies to that witch’s spells and
all of her hexes.
Disguise (Su): You can change your appearance for a
number of hours equal to your number of ranks in
Concentration, as if using disguise self. These hours do not
need to be consecutive, but they must be spent in 1-hour
increments.
Evil Eye (Su): You can cause doubt to creep into the mind
of a foe within 30 feet that you can see. The target takes a –2
penalty on one of the following (your choice): AC, ability
checks, attack rolls, saving throws, or skill checks. At 8th level
the penalty increases to –4. This hex lasts for a number of
rounds equal to 3 + your Intelligence modifier. A Will save
reduces the duration to 1 round. This is a mind-affecting
effect.
Feral Speech (Su): This hex grants you the ability to
speak with and understand the response of any animal as if
using speak with animals, though each time you use the hex,
you must decide to communicate with either amphibians,
birds, fish, mammals, or reptiles, and can only speak to and
understand animals of that type. You can make yourself
understood as far as your voice carries. This hex does not
predispose any animal so addressed toward you in any way.
At 12th level, you can use this hex to communicate with
vermin.
Flight (Su): You grow lighter as you gain power, eventually
gaining the ability to fly. At 1st level, you can use feather fall at
will and gain a +4 racial bonus on Swim checks. At 3rd level,
you can cast levitate once per day. At 5th level, you can fly, as
per the spell, for a number of minutes per day equal to your
class level. These minutes do not need to be consecutive, but
they must be spent in 1-minute increments.
Fortune (Su): You can grant a creature within 30 feet a bit
of good luck for 1 round. The target can call upon this good
luck once per round, allowing him to reroll any ability check,
attack roll, saving throw, or skill check, taking the better
result. He must decide to use this ability before the first roll is
made. At 8th level and 16th level, the duration of this hex is
extended by 1 round. Once a creature has benefited from the
fortune hex, it cannot benefit from it again for 24 hours.
Healing (Su): You can soothe wounds by touch. This acts
as a cure light wounds spell. Once a creature has benefited
from the healing hex, it cannot benefit from it again for 24
hours. At 8th level, this hex acts like cure moderate wounds;
at 12th it is equivalent to cure serious wounds; at 16th it is
equivalent to cure critical wounds; and at 20th level it is
equivalent to a heal spell.
Misfortune (Su): You can cause a creature within 30 feet
to suffer grave misfortune for 1 round. Anytime the creature
makes an ability check, attack roll, saving throw, or skill
check, it must roll twice and take the worse result. An
Intuition save negates this hex. At 8th level and 16th level, the
duration of this hex is extended by 1 round. This hex affects
all rolls the target must make while it lasts. Whether or not
the save is successful, a creature cannot be the target of this
hex again for 1 day.
Nails (Ex): Your nails are long and sharp, and count as
natural weapons that deal 1d6 points of damage. These
attacks are secondary attacks. If trimmed or sundered, the
nails regrow in 1d4 days.
Poison Steep (Sp): You can use your cauldron to brew a
foul toxin in which you can steep fruits and other delicious
edibles, transforming them so that when eaten, they have the
same effect as a poison spell. Brewing the toxin and then
steeping the food takes 1 hour in total; steeping can affect up
to 1 pound of food. The food is poisoned for 24 hours, and the
poison cannot be transferred to other objects. The food tastes
normal, but magic detects it as poisonous. You must have the
cauldron hex to select this hex.
Prehensile Hair (Su): You can instantly cause your hair
(or even your eyebrows) to grow up to 10 feet long or to
shrink to its normal length, and can manipulate your hair as if
it were a limb with a Strength score equal to your Intelligence
score. You hair has reach 10 feet, and you can use it as a
secondary natural attack that deals 1d3 points of damage.
Your hair can manipulate objects (but not weapons) as
dexterously as a human hand. The hair cannot be sundered
or attacked as a separate creature. Pieces cut from your
elongated hair shrink away to nothing. Using your hair does
not harm your head or neck, even if you lift something heavy
with it. You can manipulate your hair in this manner a
number of minutes each day equal to your class level; these
minutes do not need to be consecutive, but must be spent in
1-minute increments. A typical male witch with this hex can
also manipulate his beard, moustache, or eyebrows.
Scar (Su): This hex curses a single target with horrible
scars of your choosing, whether something as simple as a
single letter on the target's forehead or blotchy, burn-like
scars on his body. You must succeed at a touch attack (which
does not provoke an attack of opportunity), and the target may
make a Will save to resist. These scars do not hinder the
target's actions or abilities in any way, but scarring a creature
with the hex has two benefits: (1) you can use any of your
hexes on that creature at a range of up to one mile, and (2)
you are considered to have a body part from the target for the
purpose of scry and similar divinations. You can withdraw
this hex from a target as a move action at any range. The
number of supernatural scars you can maintain at once is
equal to your Intelligence bonus; once you reach this limit,
you must remove the scar from a current victim in order to
mark another. The scar is a magical curse, and it should
persist through changing shapes (lycanthropic, the change
shape monster ability, polymorph spells, and so on). Effects
that remove curses can remove the scar.
Sea Creature Empathy (Ex): You can influence the
attitude of water-dwelling animals and animals that live along
coasts and shores, including birds, as if using wild empathy.
Uses your witch level in place of your ranks in Handle Animal.
Slumber (Su): You can cause a creature within 30 feet to
fall into a deep, magical sleep, as per the spell sleep except
that there is no Hit Die limit. The creature receives a Will
save to negate the effect. If the save fails, the creature falls
asleep for a number of rounds equal to your number of ranks
in Concentration. Whether or not the save is successful, a
creature cannot be the target of this hex again for 1 day.
Spontaneous Healing (Su): You can channel stored spell
energy into healing spells that you did not prepare ahead of
time. You can “lose” any prepared spell that is not an orison
in order to cast any cure spell of the same spell level or lower,
even if you don't know that cure spell.
Swamp Hag (Sp): You gain favored terrain (swamps), as
the ranger class feature of the same name, with a bonus
equal to half your class level..
Tongues (Su): You can understand any spoken language,
as comprehend languages. At 9th level, you can use this ability
to speak any language, as per tongues.
Unnerve Beasts (Su): The target becomes offensive to
animals (Intuition negates). Animals become distraught and
aggressive in the victim's presence—horses buck, dogs snap
and bark, bulls charge, and so on. The hex lasts a number of
hours equal to the your Intelligence modifier. A creature that
saves against the hex cannot be affected by the hex for 1 day.
The reaction of the animals is a mind-affecting charm effect,
but the hex on the target is not.
Ward (Su): You can use this hex to place a protective ward
over one creature. The warded creature receives a +2
deflection bonus to AC and a +2 resistance bonus on saving
throws. At 8th level and 16th level, the bonuses provided by
this ward increase by +1. The ward lasts until the warded
creature is hit or fails a saving throw. You know when a
warded creature is no longer protected. You can have only
one ward active at a time. If you use this ability again, the
previous ward immediately ends. You cannot use this ability
on yourself.
Water Lung (Su): An air-breathing target can breathe
water or an aquatic target can breathe air. This lasts 10
minutes per level. If you use this hex on yourself, you can
maintain it while you sleep, allowing you to safely sleep
underwater.
Major Hexes
At 10th, 12th 14th, 16th and, 18th levels, you gain major hexes.
(In place of a major hex, you can select two minor hexes
instead.)
Agony (Su): With a quick incantation, you can place this
hex on one creature within 60 feet, causing it to suffer
intense pain. The target is nauseated for a number of rounds
equal to your class level (Fortitude save negates). If the saving
throw is failed, the target can attempt a new save each round
to end the effect. Whether or not the save is successful, a
creature cannot be the target of this hex again for 1 day.
Beast Eye (Su): You can project your senses into an
animal within 100 feet, sensing whatever it senses. You
cannot control the animal's actions. You can project your
senses from that animal to another within 100 feet of it as a
standard action, and can continue to make these sensory
leaps, potentially viewing things very far from your actual
location. You may return your senses to your own body as a
free action. Normal animals get no saving throw against this
ability, but animal companions, paladin mounts, and similar
unusual animals may resist with an Intuition save.
You may use this ability on your own familiar as if it were an
animal. If you have the coven hex, all other witches within 10
feet of you who also have the coven hex can see through the
target animal at will, although you still control the ability. You
can use this ability for a number of minutes per day equal to
your class level. These minutes need not be consecutive, but
they must be spent in 1-minute increments.
Cook People (Su): You must have the cauldron hex to
select this hex. With it, you can create spells by cooking an
intelligent humanoid creature in your cauldron, either alive or
dead. Using this hex creates one meal or serving of food of
your choice, typically a delicious stew or a dough suitable for
cookies, pastries, or other desserts. Cooking the victim takes
1 hour. Eating the food provides one of the following benefits
for 1 hour: age resistance, bear's endurance, bull's strength,
cat's grace, eagle's splendor, fox's cunning, neutralize poison
(instantaneous), owl's wisdom, remove disease
(instantaneous). Alternatively, you can shape the dough into a
Small, humanlike creature, animating it as a homunculus for
1 hour. Using this hex or knowingly eating its food is an evil
act.
Empathic Healing (Su): You can minister to a diseased or
poisoned target, redirecting the affliction into yourself. For a
poisoned target, you must tend to him as a standard action;
he makes his next saving throw against the poison as normal,
but you suffer the effects of the failed save instead of the
poisoned creature. For a diseased target, you must tend to
the sick person for an hour; he makes his next saving throw
against the disease as normal, but you suffers the effects of
the failed save instead of the diseased creature. You do not
actually become poisoned or diseased (and are not
contagious and does not need to be cured), but suffers the
effects of the affliction as if you had been. A witch normally
uses this ability to extend the life of someone near death,
giving him time to recover. This ability has no effect if you are
immune to disease or poison.
Familiar Form (Sp): You can take the shape of your
familiar (or a giant version of your familiar or a similar kind
of animal) as if using beast shape II. For example, a witch
with a rat familiar can turn into a Tiny rat, Small dire rat, or a
larger rodent; one with a cat familiar can turn into a Tiny cat
or a Large feline such as a tiger or lion; one with a monkey
familiar can turn into a Tiny monkey or a Large gorilla, and
so on. You can remain in animal form for a number of
minutes per day equal to your class level.
Hag’s Eye (Su): You can create a magic sensor that you
can see through. This functions as per the spell arcane eye. If
you have the coven hex, all other witches within 10 feet who
also have the coven hex can see through this sensor as well,
although you still control it. You can use this eye for a number
of minutes per day equal to your class level. These minutes do
not need to be consecutive, but they must be spent in 1-
minute increments.
Hidden Home (Sp): You can conceal or disguise your
home and the area around it as if using mirage arcana.
Before using the hex, you must spend 1 day pacing out the
border of an area that measures roughly 40,000 square feet
(approximately 200 feet by 200 feet) to define your home
territory. Thereafter, you can use the hex to change the
appearance of that area as a standard action as long as you
are within the area. The illusion persists until you change or
dismiss it. For the purpose of this ability, you can only have
one “home” at a time.
Hoarfrost (Su): The target is rimed with a shell of frost
needles that slowly work their way into its flesh (Fortitude
negates). The target turns pale and blue, and takes 1 point of
Constitution damage per minute until it dies, saves (once per
minute), or is cured. Break enchantment, dispel magic,
remove curse, and similar spells end the effect. If the target
saves, it is immune to this hex for 1 day. This is a [cold] effect.
Ice Tomb (Su): A storm of ice and freezing wind envelops
the target, which takes 3d8 points of cold damage (Fortitude
half). If the target fails its save, it is paralyzed and
unconscious but does not need to eat or breathe while the ice
lasts. The ice has 20 hit points; destroying the ice frees the
creature, which is staggered for 1d4 rounds after being
released. Whether or not the target's saving throw is
successful, it cannot be the target of this hex again for 1 day.
Infected Wounds (Su): The target's wounds become
infected (Fortitude negates). The target takes 1 point of
Constitution damage per day. After the first day, the target
may save once per day to cure the infection. This is a disease
effect.
Nightmares (Su): Calling upon fell powers, you can place
a hex on a creature within 60 feet that causes its sleep to be
tormented by terrible nightmares. This functions as the spell
nightmare each time the affected creature attempts to rest.
An Intuition save negates this effect. If the save is failed, the
target must make a new save each night or be unable to rest.
Pariah (Su): You can cause a creature within 60 feet to be
shunned by its allies for a number of rounds equal to your
Intelligence modifier. Any other creature attempting to
directly assist the target with a harmless spell or aid another
action must attempt a Will save. If the save succeeds, the
aiding creature is unaffected by this hex. If the save fails, the
aiding creature can't follow through, the action is lost, and the
aiding creature can't directly aid the target for the duration of
this hex. This hex does not prevent the target from benefiting
from area of effect spells.
Retribution (Su): You can place a retribution hex on a
creature within 60 feet, causing terrible wounds to open
across the target’s flesh whenever it deals damage to another
creature in melee. Immediately after the hexed creature deals
damage in melee, it takes half that damage (round down).
This damage bypasses any resistances, immunities, or
damage reduction the creature possesses. This effect lasts for
a number of rounds equal to your Intelligence modifier. A Will
save negates this effect.
Speak in Dreams (Sp): You can contact a creature as if
using dream. You can use this ability on a number of
creatures per day equal to your Intelligence bonus, but can
dream-speak to those creatures as often as desired
throughout that time period.
Twin Soul (Su): If you or your familiar is gravely injured or
about to die, the soul of the dying one immediately transfers
to the other's body. The two souls share the surviving body
peaceably, can communicate freely, and both retain their
ability to think and reason. The host may allow the guest soul
to take over the body temporarily or reclaim it as a move
action. You can persist in this state indefinitely, or the guest
can return to its own body (if available) by touch, transfer into
a suitable vessel (such as a clone), or take over another body
as if using magic jar (with no receptacle).
Vision (Su): You can grant a glimpse of the future to a
creature touched. Granting a vision takes 1 minute, during
which time you and the target must remain in contact with
one another. At the end of this time, the subject receives a
brief image of the future, usually no more than 1 year from
the time of the vision (subject to referee discretion). This is
only one possible version of the future, making such visions
unreliable at best. Most visions are slanted toward the
alignment of the witch that granted them. A creature cannot
be subject to another vision until the current vision has either
come to pass or been prevented. You cannot use this ability
on yourself. Unwilling creatures receive an Intuition save to
negate the vision.
Waxen Image (Su): You can spend a full-round action to
create a crude and unnerving wax duplicate of a creature you
can see within 30 feet. Once the image is complete, the
subject must make an Intuition save. If the subject fails, you
gain a small measure of control over the creature. Whenever
you exercise this control, the creature receives a new save to
end the effect. As a standard action, you can cause the subject
to do any one of the following things: move up to the
creature’s speed in any direction, attack itself once with any
weapon in hand (this attack automatically hits), lay down on
the ground, or drop anything held. Alternatively, you can
spend one of your uses to simply torture the image, causing
the creature to be both sickened and staggered on its turn.
This effect occurs on your turn and does not impede the
creature’s actions on its turn. As soon as the creature has
succeeded on a saving throw against this effect, it is immune
to it for 24 hours. You can use a waxen image a number of
times equal to your Intelligence modifier before it melts. The
is an enchantment (compulsion) effect.
Witch's Brew (Ex): You must have the cauldron hex to
select this hex. When you use your cauldron to brew a potion,
you may spend double the cost to create 2 identical potions
that day instead of just 1. At 15th level, you may spend triple
the cost to create 3 identical potions that day.
Grand Hexes
At 19th and 20th level, you gain a grand hex chosen from the
following list. (You can choose two major or four minor hexes
in place of a grand hex.)
Abominate (Sp): You can transform a creature within 30
feet into an aberration. This hex acts as baleful polymorph,
except the target is transmuted into a Small, Medium, or
Large aberration. The target's abilities are modified as
monstrous physique IV. Whether or not its save is successful,
a creature cannot be the target of this hex again for 1 day
Death Curse (Su): This powerful hex seizes a creature’s
heart (Will negates). This hex has a range of 30 feet. If this
save is failed, the creature becomes fatigued the first round of
the hex. On the second round of the hex, the creature
becomes exhausted. On the third round, the creature dies
unless it succeeds at a Fort save. Creatures that fail the first
save but succeed at the second remain exhausted and take
4d6 points of damage + 1 point of damage per level of the
witch. Slaying the witch that hexed the creature ends the
effect, but any fatigue or exhaustion remains. Whether or not
the saves are successful, a creature cannot be the target of
this hex again for 1 day.
Dire Prophecy (Su): You curse the target so he is doomed
to die (Intuition negates). As long as the curse persists, the
target takes a –4 penalty to his Armor Class and on attack
rolls, saves, ability checks, and skill checks. While the curse
persists, you may end it by bringing its full force upon the
victim. Doing so gives the victim a penalty equal to your
number of ranks in Concentration to AC or on any single
attack roll, opposed check, or saving throw. You must decide
to apply this penalty before the roll to be modified is made. If
you do not have line of sight to the target, the full force of the
curse occurs when the referee considers it most appropriate,
such as when the target is in mortal danger. A target can only
have one dire prophecy upon him at a time. Whether or not
the target’s save against the hex is successful, a creature
cannot be the target of this hex for 1 day. This is a [curse]
effect.
Eternal Slumber (Su): You can touch a creature, causing
it to drift off into a permanent slumber (Will negates). If the
save fails, the creature falls asleep and cannot be woken. The
effect can only be removed with a wish or similar magic,
although slaying you ends the effect. You can use this ability
to poison food or drink, causing those who ingest it to make a
save or fall into an eternal slumber. You can only have one
such dose of poison at any one time, and it loses its potency
after 1 minute if not consumed. Whether or not the save is
successful, a creature cannot be the target of this hex again
for 1 day.
Forced Reincarnation (Su): You cause a creature within
30 feet to save vs. Will or die and be immediately
reincarnated into a new body, as the spell. Whether or not the
save is successful, a creature cannot be the target of this hex
again for 1 day.
Life Giver (Su): Once per day you can, as a full round
action, touch a dead creature and bring it back to life. This
functions as resurrection, but it does not require a material
component.
Natural Disaster (Su): Using this hex calls down the
forces of nature to wreak havoc on an area. This functions as
a storm of vengeance combined with an earthquake that
occurs on the second round of the effect (while acid is raining
from the sky). You must concentrate for the duration of this
effect. If disrupted, the effect immediately ends. You can only
use this ability once per day.
Summon Spirit (Sp): You call forth the ghost of a
humanoid creature with no more than 18 HD. The ghost has
its own personality and desires, but is willing to bargain with
you, as if you had cast greater planar ally. To seal an
agreement, the ghost requires life energy from you equal to 1
temporary negative level (this is in addition to the standard
payment for the ghost's service). This negative level persists
as long as the ghost remains in the service; you can end the
agreement as a standard action, immediately removing the
negative level.
Witch’s Hut (Su): You can animate a hut, small house,
covered wagon, tent, or similar construction as an Animated
Object. The hut can be of up to Huge size (approximately 15
feet by 15 feet). The animated hut’s hardness increases to 8
and its hit points double. You can give the hut the following
commands: guard (watches for trespassers within 120 feet
using your Perception modifier, and screams if it spots any),
hide (all entrances are hidden by illusory wall spells and
locked with arcane lock), and move (moves at speed 60 on
giant bird or bone legs as directed by you, even obeying
commands such as “follow me from 100 feet away”). The hut
remains animate for 24 hours, until you dismiss it or animate
another, at which time the hut stops where it is and reverts to
its non-magical state.
Chapter 4: Skills
List of Skills
Supersedes
Skill Key Ability Armor Penalty? Untrained Use?
Acrobatics Dex Yes Yes Balance and Tumble skills; Mobility feat

Athletics Str Double Yes Climb, Jump, Swim skills; other (skiing, diving, etc.); Run feat

Bluff Cha No Yes Bluff, Intimidate, Sense Motive skills

Concentration Cha No Yes Concentration skill; Combat Casting, Practiced Spellcaster feats

Diplomacy Cha No Yes Diplomacy skill, Knowledge (nobility & royalty)

Disable Device Int Yes No Craft (trapmaking), Disable Device, Open Lock, open secret door

Endurance Con Yes Yes Autohypnosis skill; Endurance, Diehard feats

Escape Artist Dex Yes Yes Escape Artist skill

Fly Dex Yes No Aerial maneuverability class

Handle Animal Cha No Yes Handle Animal, Ride skills; Wild Empathy

Heal Wis No Yes Heal skill

Perception Wis No Yes Listen, Search, Spot skills

Planar Sense Wis No No Breach sense, portal intuition, Teleport Sense feat

Sleight of Hand Dex Yes No Sleight of Hand; Quick Draw feat

Spellcraft Int No No Spellcraft, Use Magic Device, disarm magic traps

Stealth Dex Yes Yes Hide, Move Silently skills

Streetwise Cha No Yes Knowledge (local), Gather Information skills

Survival Wis No Yes Survival, Knowledge (nature) skills; Track feat

Bonus Skills: Certain classes gain free “bonus” skill ranks with each level (for example, all rangers receive 1 free rank per class
level in Endurance, Perception, and Survival). This was done in order to make “skill taxes” more transparent — for example, the
rogue’s Alertness abilities (including Uncanny Dodge) rely on the Perception skill, so the rogue was given Perception up front as a
bonus skill, rather than have a PC rogue reach 8th level and not be eligible to gain improved uncanny dodge.
Bonus skills work exactly as do class skills. They receive the normal +3 class skill bonus upon gaining 1 rank in the skill; with
sufficient ranks, they provide the “class skill” abilities listed below. The total number of ranks a character has in a bonus skill
cannot exceed his or her total number of hit dice (except in the case of virtual ranks from the Skill Focus feat; see Chapter 5).
Bonus skills cannot be traded in for discretionary skill points unless the player has a pressing back-story that somehow requires it,
and if the referee is in agreement with the change.
Class Skills: You gain a +3 class bonus to checks made with TABLE: CHECK DCS FOR FAST SKILL USE
class skills, as per the Core rules. If you have at least 10 Normal Time Unit: Time Unit Task Attempted In:
ranks in a class skill, you can always Take 10 on checks with
that skill, even if stress and distractions would normally Day
prevent it. In addition, certain skills have additional abilities Week +20
that can only be used if the skill in question is a class skill.
Passive Checks: In general, whenever you specifically call Day +0
for a skill check, you are entitled to roll it (an “active check”). Hour ―
For some skills, you may be allowed a check even without Minute ―
asking for one; in such cases, the referee will generally
provide you with a “passive check.” A passive check Round ―
essentially consists of you continuously “taking 10,” allowing Standard action ―
you success against any DC of 10 + your bonus in the relevant
skill, without you needing to roll (the referee will simply Move action ―
announce the results). In many cases (as specifically noted),
you are entitled to a passive check even if you could not Acrobatics (Dex)
normally Take 10. You can keep your balance while traversing narrow or
Passive checks also serve as a means of making “secret treacherous surfaces. You can also dive, flip, and roll, avoiding
rolls” without rolling dice behind a screen and then trying to attacks and confusing your opponents.
convince the players it’s not important. Because they totally Active Checks: This skill has several distinct uses. First,
know when you roll dice it’s important, and it’s not cool for you can use it to move on narrow surfaces and uneven
you to roll a 1 for them to notice an ambush or something, ground without falling. A successful check allows you to move
and have them get killed because of your lame roll made on at half speed through such situations; you can attempt to
their behalf. move at greater speed, but at a penalty (as shown in the
Role-Playing Skills: Players are generally expected to tables below). Only one check is needed per round to move
describe their characters’ actions before an active skill check across such surfaces. Use the following table to determine
for success is made. For example, rather than simply saying, the base DC, which is then modified by the Acrobatics skill
“I Bluff the guard; I rolled a 26,” the player should first modifiers noted below. While you are using Acrobatics in this
describe the bluff itself. What is the PC saying? Why is the way, you are considered flat-footed and lose your Dexterity
bluff believable or not? For skill checks being made “off- bonus to your AC (if any), unless you beat the check by 10 or
screen” or as part of unimportant side situations, or when the more.
description is obvious (“How do I climb down the knotted If you take damage while using Acrobatics, you must
rope? I sheathe my sword and climb down the knotted rope”), immediately make another Acrobatics check at the same DC
this requirement is waived. to avoid falling or being knocked prone.
Superior Assist: If you aid another with a skill check, you
can attempt to provide a greater than normal +2 Surface Width DC
circumstance bonus to the other character’s total skill check. Greater than 3 feet wide 0
This reflects the fact that a highly trained person can render
better help than an untrained or fumbling assistant. With a 1–3 feet wide 5
DC 15 check, you boost the bonus you provide by an 7–11 inches wide or dense forest 10
additional +1, +1 per +5 to the DC thereafter. There is no
limit to how high you can push the Difficulty Class and the 2–6 inches wide or medium forest 15
bonus, but this carries some risk: if your check to aid another Less than 2 inches wide or sparse forest 20
fails, you actually inflict a penalty equal to the magnitude of
the bonus you were attempting. You cannot Take 10 or Take * No Acrobatics check is needed to move across these
20 when attempting a superior assist, even if you have 10 surfaces unless the modifiers increase the DC to 10 or
ranks in the appropriate skill. This option is adapted from higher.
Iron Heroes (Fiery Dragon Productions). The following modifiers apply to all Acrobatics skill checks.
Take 10/Take 20: In the interest of dispensing with The modifiers stack with one another, but generally only the
extraneous and/or extremely repetitive dice rolls, the ability most severe modifier for any given condition applies.
to Take 10 has been expanded as indicated for certain skills.
In general, you cannot Take 20 if there is a potential penalty
for failure; in some cases, this is spelled out.
Time Crunch: There are times when you can’t afford to
spend the full listed time on a task, such as when it will take
2d4 rounds to disarm the trap that will kill you in 1 round. In
these cases, you can attempt to speed up the skill check by
increasing the DC, as follows (you do not automatically
succeed on a natural 20, nor can you take 20), according to
the table below. For results that strain credulity (weeks to
rounds), simply assume that you knew of some mostly-
complete example that was located nearby (for Craft checks),
or come up with some similar explanation.
 Acrobatics Modifiers DC Modifier
You can use Acrobatics in this way while prone, but doing
so requires a full-round action to move 5 feet, and the DC is
Lightly obstructed (gravel, sand) +2 increased by 5. If you fail your check when moving past an
Severely obstructed (cavern, rubble) +5 opponent, you continue to move but provoke an attack of
opportunity as normal. If you fail your check when moving
Slightly slippery (wet) +2 through an opponent’s square, your movement ends before
Severely slippery (icy) +5 you enter the opponent’s space and you provoke an attack of
Slightly sloped (less than 45°) +2
opportunity as normal. You can attempt to crawl at half your
speed (rather than only moving 5 ft.), but this adds 10 to the
Severely sloped (greater than 45°) +5 check DC (in addition to the +5 for crawling).
Slightly unsteady (boat in rough water) +2 Kip up: You may stand up from prone as a swift action,
instead of as a move-equivalent action (if you succeed by 10
Mildly unsteady (boat in a storm) +5 or more, you stand up as a free action). If the check results
Severely unsteady (earthquake) +10 are high enough to move through a threatened square (see
Move at normal speed or greater +10
above), then you can also do so without provoking an attack of
opportunity.
Move at double speed (e.g., charge) +15 Class Skill: If Acrobatics is a class skill for you, you can
Run +20 spend an immediate action to make an Acrobatics check and
use the result in place of your CMB when attempting to avoid
More advanced uses of the Acrobatics skill include the a bull rush, overrun, or trample attempt. In addition, your
following: normal skill use is enhanced in the following ways:
Task Acrobatics DC Slow fall: For every 2 ranks in Acrobatics, you can ignore
Ignore difficult terrain 20 + 5 per additional 5 ft. 10 feet of falling distance; this supersedes the core monk’s
Landing roll 10 + trip results
“slow fall” ability.
Move through 5 + opponent's CMD Ledge walker: The penalty for moving at greater than half
occupied square speed using Acrobatics is reduced by 1 per rank
Move through Opponent’s CMD (+2 per add’l
(minimum -0). This ability supersedes the Legendary
threatened square threatening foe) Acrobat feat from Complete Adventurer. Along with the
Steady Stance ability (see below), it also supersedes the
Slow fall 5 + 10 per 10 ft. reduced rogue talent of the same name from the Core rules.
Kip up 20 Nimble moves: For every 3 ranks in Acrobatics, you can
Water walking 35 automatically ignore 5 ft. of difficult terrain, making
checks only when continuing to move through it
Ignore difficult terrain: You can take a 5-ft. step into or thereafter. This supersedes the Acrobatic Steps and
within difficult terrain with a DC 20 Acrobatics check. For Nimble Moves feats from the Core rules.
movement, you can move 5 ft. through difficult terrain on a
DC 20 check, and an additional 5 ft. per 5 points by which Sure step: If you are struck while using the Acrobatics
your check exceeds DC 20. skill, the check to avoid falling or being knocked prone is
Landing roll: If you are tripped, you can spend an made with a +1 competence bonus per rank in Acrobatics.
immediate action to attempt an Acrobatics check at DC 10 +
results of the combat maneuver check that tripped you. If In addition, as you gain additional ranks in Acrobatics as a
successful, you move 5 feet without provoking an attack of class skill, you gain the following additional abilities:
opportunity (this does not count as taking a 5-foot step). You
are still prone after this movement, however. This task Steady Stance: If you have at least 6 ranks in Acrobatics
supersedes the feat of the same name, from Ultimate as a class skill, you retain your Dex bonus to AC and are
Combat. no longer flat-footed while balancing. This supersedes the
Move through occupied or threatened square: When Thief-Acrobat, Dread Pirate, and Nightsong Infiltrator
moving in this way, you move at half speed. You can move at “steady stance” prestige class feature, from Complete
full speed by increasing the DC of the check by 10. You Adventurer.
cannot use Acrobatics to move past foes if your speed is
reduced due to carrying a medium or heavy load or wearing Water walking: If you have at least 11 ranks in Acrobatics
medium or heavy armor. If an ability allows you to move at as a class skill, you can “skim” across the surface of a body
full speed under such conditions, you can use Acrobatics to of water by making a skill check as if it were difficult
move past foes. terrain. The maximum distance you may cover in one
round in this manner is equal to your base land speed; if
you do not reach solid ground by the end of this
movement, you immediately sink unless you succeed at
another check. Rough water imposes a +5 modifier to the
check DC.

Wind step: If you have at least 16 ranks in Acrobatics, you
can make a check as if moving through difficult terrain, with
an additional +10 to the DC, in order to exert no weight upon
the surface you are walking on. This allows you to use the
Acrobatics skill to walk on clouds or smoke, to balance on a
sword blade, to ride on a lightning bolt, etc.
Action: Usually none; an Acrobatics check is normally made
as part of another action or as a reaction to a situation. Water
walking or wind stepping requires a full-round action.
Athletics (Str)
He had never seen Tarby ice skate, but he was sure that the
team’s greatest home-run hitter was also the champion ice
skater of New Zebedee.
―John Bellairs,
The House with a Clock in Its Walls (1973)
You know how to climb, jump, and swim, and are adept at
other physical sports and activities (any such activity not
specifically covered elsewhere falls under Athletics by
default).
Active Checks (Climbing): With a successful Athletics
check, you can advance up, down, or across a slope, a wall, or
some other steep incline (or even a ceiling with handholds) at
one-quarter your normal speed. A slope is considered to be
any incline at an angle measuring less than 60 degrees; a wall
is any incline at an angle measuring 60 degrees or more.
A check that fails by 4 or less means that you make no
progress; one that fails by 5+ means that you fall from
whatever height you have already attained. The DC of the
check depends on the conditions of the climb. Compare the
task with those on the following tables to determine an
appropriate DC.
Example Surface or Activity DC
Slope too steep to walk up, knotted rope with a wall to 0
brace against.
A rope with a wall to brace against, knotted rope, or 5 immediately attempt a Climb check (DC = wall’s DC + 10).
rope affected by the rope trick spell.
Surface with ledges, such as a very rough wall or ship’s 10
rigging.
Surface with adequate handholds and footholds
(natural or artificial)—e.g., very rough natural rock
15
surface, tree, unknotted rope, or pulling self up when
dangling by your hands.
Brachiation on vines, etc. 15
Uneven surface with narrow handholds and footholds 20
—e.g., typical wall in dungeon or ruins; natural rock;
brick wall
Overhang or ceiling with handholds but no footholds 25
(e.g., cavern ceiling)
Example Surface or Activity
(Cumulative; use all that apply) DC
Mod*
Climbing a chimney or other location where you can –10
brace against two opposite walls
Climbing a corner where you can brace against –5
perpendicular walls
Surface is slippery +5
Accelerated climbing (half speed) +5
Accelerated climbing (full speed) +10
One needed hand not free (e.g., holding lamp) +5
Both hands carrying objects +10
While climbing, you can’t move to avoid a blow, so you lose
your Dexterity bonus to AC (if any). Any time you take damage
while climbing or swimming, make an Athletics check against
the DC of the slope, wall, or water conditions. Failure means
you fall from your current height and sustain the appropriate
falling damage (if climbing), or begin to sink (if swimming).
Making Your Own Handholds and Footholds: You can
make your own handholds and footholds by pounding pitons
into a wall. Doing so takes 1 minute per piton, and one piton
is needed per 5 feet of distance. As with any surface that
offers handholds and footholds, a wall with pitons in it has a
DC of 15. In the same way, a climber with a hand axe or
similar implement can cut handholds in an ice wall.
Catching Yourself When Falling: It’s practically impossible
to catch yourself on a wall while falling. Make a Climb check
(DC = wall’s DC + 20) to do so. It’s much easier to catch
yourself on a slope (DC = slope’s DC + 10).
Catching a Falling Character While Climbing: If someone
climbing above you or adjacent to you falls, you can attempt
to catch the falling character if he or she is within your reach.
Doing so requires a successful melee touch attack against the
falling character (though he or she can voluntarily forego any
Dexterity bonus to AC if desired). If you hit, you must
Success indicates that you catch the falling character, but his
or her total weight, including equipment, cannot exceed your
heavy load limit or you automatically fall. If you fail your
Climb check by 4 or less, you fail to stop the character’s fall
but don’t lose your grip on the wall. If you fail by 5 or more,
you fail to stop the character’s fall and begin falling as well.
Active Checks (Jumping): You can also use the Athletics
skill to jump across gaps and pits, as well as soften your fall.
Instead of determining the base DC by the surface width, the
base DC is equal to the distance to be crossed (if horizontal)
or four times the height to be reached (if vertical). These DCs
double if you do not have at least 10 feet of space to get a
running start. Modifiers concerning the surface you are
jumping from (see Acrobatics) also apply. If you fail this check
by 4 or less, you can attempt a DC 20 Reflex save to grab
hold of the other side after having missed the jump. If you fail
by 5 or more, you fail to make the jump and fall (or land
prone, in the case of a vertical jump).
 Long Jump Athletics DC
5 feet 5 underwater intentionally, you must hold your breath. You can
10 feet 10
15 feet 15
20 feet 20
Greater than 20 feet +5 per 5 feet
High Jump Athletics DC
Any height 4 x number of feet
Jumping Down: If you intentionally jump from a height, you
take less damage than if you just fall. The DC to jump down
from a height is 15. You do not have to get a running start to
jump down (the DC is not doubled if you do not get a running
start). If you succeed on the check, you take falling damage as
if you had dropped 10 fewer feet than you actually did.
You can jump down upon an opponent as part of a melee
attack. Roll to attack normally and also roll an Athletics check
to jump; if you fail either one, you fall prone. If your jump
check results exceed the opponent’s combat maneuver
defense (CMD), you deal an additional 1d6 damage per 10
feet dropped. This maneuver can be combined with the
normal benefits of “jumping down” (see above).
Bounding Climb: With a 10-ft. running start, a DC 30
Athletics check allows you to climb to a height of up to 20 feet
(count this distance as part of your normal movement) by
jumping and bouncing off walls or trees. You must have at
least two vertical surfaces to bounce off, and the two must be
within 10 feet of each other.
Pole Vault: When carrying any long pole or staff, you can
use it to augment the height of a jump. Make a running high
jump as normal, but make a second Athletics check at DC 15
to add the length of the pole to the total distance you jump.
You may jump above the maximum distance normally
allowed by your height after applying this modifier. If you fail
the check to use the pole, resolve your initial jump check, but
halve the height it would normally allow you to clear. This
application is from 101 New Skill Uses (Rite Publishing).
Active Checks (Running): When running, make a DC 20
Athletics check to move five times your normal speed if
wearing light, or no armor and carrying no more than a
medium load; or four times your speed (if wearing medium or
heavy armor with a check penalty or carrying a heavy load). If
untrained, your maximum running speed is 4 times your
normal speed.
If you make a jump after a running start with a successful
run check, you gain a +4 bonus on your Athletics check to
jump.
Active Checks (Swimming): Make an Athletics check
once per round while you are in the water. Success means
you may swim at up to one-half your speed (as a full-round
action) or at one-quarter your speed (as a move action). If you
fail by 4 or less, you make no progress through the water. If
you fail by 5 or more, you go underwater.
If you are underwater, either because you failed an
Athletics check to swim or because you are swimming
hold your breath for a number of rounds equal to your
Constitution score or your Endurance skill bonus (whichever
is greater), but only if you do nothing other than take move
actions or free actions. If you take a standard action or a full-
round action (such as making an attack), the remainder of the
duration for which you can hold your breath is reduced by 1
round. (Effectively, a character in combat can hold his or her
breath only half as long as normal.) After that period of time,
you must make a DC 10 Constitution check every round to
continue holding your breath. Each round, the DC for that
check increases by 1. If you fail the Constitution check, you
begin to drown.
The DC for the Swim check depends on the water, as given
on the table below.
Water Swim DC
Calm water 10
Rough water 15
Stormy water 20
Hurricane conditions 25
Tsunami 30
Each hour that you swim, you must make a DC 20 Athletics
(swim) check or take 1d6 points of nonlethal damage from
fatigue.
Diving depth (without equipment) is limited to 10 ft. per
rank in this skill; with SCUBA gear or equivalent magical
aids, this limit is tripled. If you have ranks in this skill and
come from a modern setting, you are assumed to be able to
use SCUBA gear.
Active Checks (Other): The Athletics skill is additionally a
catch-all for other tasks that involve physical coordination
and muscular effort, but that are not sufficiently useful to
merit the creation of separate skills in your campaign.
Examples might include downhill skiing and rugby.
Class Skill: If you have Athletics as a class skill, your use of
the skill is improved as follows:
The DC increase for accelerated climbing or swimming,
or to catch yourself while falling from a climb, is reduced
by 1 per 2 ranks (minimum +0).
If struck while climbing or swimming, you gain a +1
competence bonus per rank in Athletics to avoid falling or
going under.
In addition, you gain the following abilities at the indicated
number of ranks:
If you have at least 6 ranks in Athletics as a class skill, you
are no longer flat-footed while climbing or swimming, and
no longer lose your Dex bonus to AC.
If you have at least 11 ranks, you can attempt to climb
perfectly smooth, flat surfaces (such as a wall of force).
The DC is 30, or 35 if the surface is a ceiling or overhang.
If you have at least 16 ranks, you can attempt outrageous
feats like swimming up waterfalls or diving to the bottom
of the ocean.
Action: Climbing is part of movement, so it’s generally part of Task Bluff DC
a move action (and may be combined with other types of Lie / discern lie Opposed check results
movement in a move action). Each move action that includes
any climbing requires a separate check. Catching yourself or Browbeat Opposed check or Will save
another falling character doesn’t take an action. Demoralize Opposed check or Will save
A successful check allows you to swim one-quarter of your Demoralize, mass Opposed check or Will save
speed as a move action or one-half your speed as a full-round
action. Elicit Information Opposed check results
Special: You can use a rope to haul a character upward (or Feint CMD or 10+Bluff bonus
lower a character) through sheer strength. You can lift double
your maximum load in this manner. A climber’s kit gives you Innuendo (simple) 15
a +2 circumstance bonus on Climb checks. Innuendo (complex) 20
A creature with a natural climb speed has a racial bonus on Innuendo (Dosadi) 30
all Athletic checks involving climbing equal to +1 per 5 ft. of
its climb speed. The creature must make a Climb check to Pantomime 20 (30 if different type)
climb any wall or slope with a DC higher than 0, but it always Sense Domination 15
can choose to take 10, even if rushed or threatened while
climbing. If a creature with a climb speed chooses an Sense Enchantment 25
accelerated climb (see above), it moves at double its climb Sense Motive (normal) 15 + Wis modifier
speed (or at its land speed, whichever is slower) and makes a Sense Motive (bluffing) Opposed check results
single Climb check at a –5 penalty. Such a creature retains its
Dexterity bonus to Armor Class (if any) while climbing, and Lie: You can convince others that what you are saying is
opponents get no special bonus to their attacks against it. It true. Bluff is an opposed skill check versus your opponent’s
cannot, however, use the run action while climbing. Bluff skill. If you are actively using Bluff to fool another, with a
A creature with a natural swim speed can move through successful check you convince your opponent that what you
water at its indicated speed without making checks. It gains a are saying is true. Alternatively, if you are being deceived and
+1 racial bonus per 5 ft. of swim speed on any Athletics check your check succeeds, you can see through the lies that are
to perform a special action or avoid a hazard while being told to you by others. Bluff checks are modified
swimming. The creature always can choose to take 10 on a depending upon the believability of the lie. The following
swim check, even if distracted or endangered when modifiers are applied to the roll of the creature attempting to
swimming. Such a creature can use the run action while tell the lie.
swimming, provided that it swims in a straight line.
Swim checks are subject to double the normal armor Circumstances Bluff Modifier
check penalty and encumbrance penalty.
Take 10: When running or swimming under normal The target wants to believe you +5
conditions over a number of rounds, you can choose to pace The deception is believable +0
yourself instead of rolling a check each round. The deception is unlikely –5
Untrained: You move four times your speed while running
(if wearing medium, light, or no armor and carrying no more The deception is far-fetched –10
than a medium load) or three times your speed (if wearing The deception is impossible –20
heavy armor or carrying a heavy load). You are unable to use
SCUBA gear effectively, and are limited to 10 feet in diving The target is drunk or impaired +5
depth without gear. You possess convincing proof up to +10

Bluff (Cha)
“You have always, I must say, a smooth explanation ready.”
“What do you want me to do? Learn to stutter?”
―Dashiell Hammett, The Maltese Falcon (1929)
You know how to tell a lie and how to notice when others
are lying. You can also use your skill at bluffing to actively
intimidate or even demoralize people. Games involving
bluffing and the reading of “tells” (poker, etc.) are also
resolved using this skill.
Active Checks: You can use the Bluff skill to accomplish
the following tasks:
Browbeat: You can use this skill to bully others into acting
in a way that benefits you. This use of the skill includes verbal
threats and displays of prowess. You can use Bluff to force an
opponent to act friendly to you for 1d6 x 10 minutes with a
successful check. An opposed Bluff check or Will save
(target’s option) negates the effect. If your are successful, the
target will give you information you desire, take actions that
do not endanger it, or otherwise offer limited assistance.
After the intimidation expires, the target treats you as
unfriendly and may report you to local authorities. If you fail
this check by 5 or more, the target attempts to deceive you or
otherwise hinder your activities.
Demoralize: You can use this skill to cause fear in your
opponents. The subject is entitled to an opposed Bluff check
or Will save (whichever it prefers) to resist. Size modifiers (as
to CMB) apply to both checks. If you are successful, the target
is shaken for as long as you are present and continue to be a
visible potential threat to him/her. If you beat the DC by 10 or
more (or if the target is already shaken), the target is
frightened instead of shaken, if you so choose. If you beat the
DC by 15 or more (or if the target is already frightened), the
target is panicked. If you beat the DC by 20 or more, the
target is cowering.
You can only threaten opponents in this way if they are
within 30 feet and can clearly see and hear you. You can take
10 when making an demoralize check, but can’t take 20. A
character immune to [fear] effects can’t be demoralized.
Demoralize, Mass: You can attempt to intimidate more
than one person at a time. Use the save or check of the most
resistant target and apply it the entire group, with a +2
circumstance bonus for each target beyond the first.
Elicit Information: Through conversation and misdirection,
you can trick others into revealing information to you. This
requires a Bluff check on your part opposed by the target’s
Bluff check to keep the information secret; DC of your check
is modified based on the sensitivity information to be gained,
according to the following table.
Sensitivity Example Modifier
Trivial What’s your name? -0
Significant When does the guards’ shift change? -5
Secret Where is the safe hidden? -10
Top Secret What’s the combination? -20
An unwilling target can simply refuse to talk to you
altogether, forcing you to rely on nonverbal cues; treat this as
if the target were taking 20 on his or her Bluff check to resist.
This function of the skill is described in the Crime and
Punishment supplement (Atlas Games), under “New Uses for
Old Skills.”
Feint: You can also use Bluff to feint in combat, causing
your opponent to be flat-footed against your next attack. The
DC of this check is equal to the opponent’s CMD. If your
opponent is also trained in Bluffing, the DC is instead equal
to 10 + your opponent’s Bluff bonus, if higher than his or her
CMD. If you have at least 8 ranks in Bluff, you can potentially
feint more than one opponent at a time, but doing so imposes
the penalties listed under Mass Demoralize.
Innuendo: You can use Bluff to imply hidden messages to
another character without others understanding your true
meaning. The DC of this check is 15 for simple messages and
20 for complex messages. If you are successful, the target
automatically understands you. If your check fails by 5 or
more, you deliver the wrong message. Other creatures that
hear the message can decipher the message by succeeding at
an opposed Bluff check.
With a DC 30 check, you can carry on complete
conversations undetected, even while seeming to talk
normally, as in Frank Herbert’s The Dosadi Experiment and
other works.
You may use Bluff to detect that a hidden message is being
transmitted by others you are observing. In this case, an
opposed skill check is made against the character
transmitting the message. For each piece of information
relating to the message that you are missing, you take a –2
penalty on your check. If you succeed by 4 or less, you know
that something hidden is being communicated, but you can't
learn anything specific about its content. If you beat the DC
by 5 or more, you intercept and understand the message. If
you fail by 4 or less, you don't detect any hidden
communication. If you fail by 5 or more, you might infer false
information.
Pantomime: When you are faced with a creature whose
language you do not understand, you can attempt to
communicate with it by making a successful Bluff. This check
requires that you spend at least 1 minute listening to the
creature and watching its gestures and demeanor, or
performing your own gestures. The check's base DC is 20. If
the creature is not the same type as you, the DC is 30. With a
successful check, you learn the basic gist of the creature's
speech, or convey your own meaning. This ability gives you no
special talent to speak the creature's tongue.
Sense Enchantment: You can tell that someone’s behavior
is being influenced by an enchantment effect (by definition, a
mind-affecting effect), even if that person isn’t aware of it. The
usual DC is 25, but if the target is dominated (see dominate
person), the DC is only 15 because of the limited range of the
target’s activities.
Sense Motive: This use of the skill involves making a gut
assessment of the social situation. You can get the feeling
from another’s behavior that something is wrong, such as
when you’re talking to an impostor. Alternatively, you can get
the feeling that someone is trustworthy, or to intuit the
person’s ulterior motives. This is an opposed check against
the other person’s Bluff results; if he or she is not attempting
to Bluff, the DC is 15 + the other person’s Wisdom modifier.
Passive Checks: The Bluff skill grants passive checks in
two situations:
You automatically notice attempts to lie to you or deceive
you, even if you have no reason to suspect the person
you’re interacting with, if their Bluff results are less than
or equal to 10 + your skill bonus.
In bad neighborhoods and the like, you can choose to walk
in a confident and/or threatening manner. Those with a
Bluff bonus less than yours (or who fail an active check
against your passive one) assume that you pose a
legitimate threat, even if you are not aware of them.
Action: Attempting to deceive someone takes at least 1
round, but can possibly take longer if the lie is elaborate.
Feinting in combat is a standard action. Exchanging a secret
message generally takes twice as long as the message itself
would take to relay. Using intimidation to change an
opponent’s attitude requires 1 minute of conversation.
Demoralizing an opponent is a standard action. Passive
checks do not require actions on your part.
Try Again: If you fail to lie to someone, any further checks Combat Conditions DC Modifier
made to lie them about the same subject are made at a –8 Affected by a non-damaging spell + (Spell’s DC
penalty. You can attempt to feint against someone again if you – 10)
fail. Secret messages can be relayed again if the first attempt
fails. You can attempt to browbeat or demoralize an opponent Injured or taking continuous damage while + Damage
casting dealt
again, but each additional check increases the DC by +5. This
increase resets after 1 hour has passed. Threatened while casting (see below) + Opponent’s
Synergy: If you also have at least 5 ranks in Stealth, any BAB
time you win an opposed Stealth check by 5 or more you can Grappled, bull rushed, tripped, etc. + Opponent's
choose to sow terror as a standard action. You do so by CMB
scraping your nails slightly on a solid surface, causing a Spell Components DC Modifier
board to creak ever so lightly, or rapping on a window pane.
The victim cannot detect the source of the sound and Spell has no material components, but does –2
dismisses it as the wind or some other mundane source, but require a focus
the idea that something might be lurking nearby festers in the Spell has no materials or focus –4
victim’s subconscious. You gain an attempt to Demoralize, but Spell has no somatic components –4
the shaken condition lasts until you show yourself or depart
the area. This supersedes the Sow Terror feat from Classic Motion DC Modifier
Monsters Revisited. Violent motion +5
Extremely violent motion +10
Concentration (Cha)
Precipitation DC Modifier
Through a combination of skill and sheer force of personality,
you can shape magical forces (i.e., cast spells and activate Heavy rain or sleet +5
spell-like abilities) without losing control of them. Unless Winds DC Modifier
otherwise noted, your caster level is always equal to your
number of ranks in Concentration. This means that the Severe winds +2
Practiced Spellcaster feat is superseded, and that there is no Windstorm +4
need to calculate caster level for non-full casting classes Hurricane +8
according to a formula.
Active Checks: The primary task requiring Concentration Tornado +12
skill checks is to cast spells or activate spell-like abilities in
stressful or distracting conditions. Skill checks can also be Cast Defensively: If you are threatened by an opponent who
made to penetrate spell resistance or to dispel magic (in has at least one attack of opportunity remaining, you can
general, whenever a caster level check is called for). elect to attempt to cast defensively. If you choose not to do so,
you provoke an attack of opportunity. To cast defensively, you
Task Concentration Check DC must succeed at a Concentration check at a base DC of 10 +
Cast while distracted 10 the BAB of the threatening opponent, as shown in the table
Cast defensively 10 + BAB of threatening above; as noted, you take a penalty to the check equal to twice
opponent the level of the spell you’re casting. If this check fails, a
threatening opponent can spend an attack of opportunity to
Dispel magic 16 + caster level of magic automatically disrupt your spell. If the check is successful, the
Penetrate spell SR of target creature spellcasting continues uninterrupted.
resistance Allies of the threatening opponent who also threaten you
can choose to potentially spend attacks of opportunity
* These checks are made at a penalty equal to twice the themselves in order to Aid Another (see Introduction); each
level of the spell you are attempting to cast. one who does so adds +2 circumstance bonus to the DC of
Cast While Distracted: Casting a spell or activating a spell- the defensive casting check (and again, uses up the attack of
like ability in melee or other conditions of distractions or opportunity only if your Concentration check fails).
stress requires a Concentration check. Conditions triggering As a risky strategy against a skilled opponent, you can
a concentration check include casting in combat, casting ignore the threat and simply cast the spell normally, but doing
while in vigorous motion (e.g., on a running horse), or casting so provokes an attack of opportunity from all threatening
in wind and rain or in sleet. opponents. If you are struck by an attack of opportunity
The base DC to cast while distracted is 10; you take a provoked by not casting defensively, you must succeed at a
penalty to this check equal to twice the level of the spell you concentration check after all, but you also add the damage
are attempting to cast (or level of the spell-like ability you are sustained to the check DC (see table). Threatening opponents
attempting to activate). Modifiers are summarized in the table can disrupt spellcasting more reliably than noted above by
below. withholding an attack (see Preemptive Actions in Chapter 1)
and striking you as an immediate action.
 Dispel Magic: When attempting to dispel magic using a Starting Attitude Check Modifier
dispel magic or similar spell, you must succeed at a Hostile -20
Concentration check at a DC of 11 + the caster’s
Concentration modifier (if unknown, use 1.5 x caster level to Unfriendly -10
estimate the caster’s Concentration modifier, so that a caster Indifferent -5
level 15th effect would have a default dispel check DC of 11 + Friendly 0
22 = 33).
Penetrate Spell Resistance: To penetrate spell resistance, Helpful +5
you must succeed at a Concentration check at a DC equal to
the SR of the target. You do not include your Charisma Your check results are opposed by a Diplomacy check on
modifier when making this check (i.e., you roll 1d20 + your the subject’s part (those untrained in Diplomacy can generally
number of ranks in Concentration + your bonus from Skill resist only through sheer force of personality, represented in
Focus, if any). This usage supersedes the Spell Penetration this case by a Will save). If you succeed, the character’s
feat from the core rules. attitude toward you is improved by one step (or worsened, if
Special: When casting a spell or using a spell-like ability in you prefer—you can use this skill to annoy people if you
combat that requires an attack roll, you can choose to take a wish). For every 5 points by which your check result exceeds
-1 penalty to the attack roll. For every 4 ranks in the subject’s opposed toll, the character’s attitude toward you
Concentration you possess, you can increase the penalty by increases (or decreases) by one additional step. If you fail the
an additional -1. For every -1 to attacks you accept, you gain a check by 4 or less, the character’s attitude toward you is
+2 circumstance bonus to Concentration checks to cast that unchanged. For every 5 by which your check fails, the
spell defensively or while taking ongoing damage, to avoid character’s attitude toward you is decreased by one step.
losing the spell if hit, etc. It is common for two parties to attempt to persuade each
Game Play Etiquette: Players of spellcasting characters other simultaneously; roll opposed Diplomacy checks, with
are expected to keep track of their Concentration check the loser’s attitude shifting, and the winner freely deciding on
modifiers, so as not to slow down play with calculations when his or her own attitude at each step.
such a check is called for. If unable to immediately roll the If the creature’s attitude toward you is at least indifferent,
relevant check, failure is automatic and the next person’s turn you can make requests of the creature. This requires
begins. Your skill check modifier should therefore be pre- additional Diplomacy checks. Once a creature’s attitude is
calculated for each level of spells you can cast, against the shifted to helpful, the creature gives in to most requests
base DC of 10. For example, a 10th level wizard with Cha 16 without a check, unless that check is against their nature or
would have the following Concentration bonuses by spell puts them in serious peril.
level: 5th level: +3; 4th level: +5; 3rd level: +7; 2nd level: +9; 1st
level: +11; 0-level: +13. You can then quickly subtract the Request Modifier
attacker’s BAB and throw the dice. Yes, this means you’ll Give simple advice or directions -5
know the attacker’s BAB. Give detailed advice +0
Diplomacy (Cha) Give simple aid +0
Rüdiger desired nothing better than to see the queen. He Reveal an unimportant secret +5
knew himself so skilful in speech that, could it be at all, he Give lengthy or complicated aid +5
must prevail with her. Give dangerous aid +10
―The Niebelungenlied (ca. 1200)
You can use this skill to resolve differences and persuade Reveal secret knowledge +10 or more
others. You are trained in etiquette, full of tact, and able in Give aid that could result in punishment +15 or more
negotiations; and you are able to recognize and respond
appropriately when others are using the same tools against Additional requests +5 per request
you.
You cannot use Diplomacy against a creature that does not Additional Active Checks: In addition to the standard
understand you or has an Int of 3 or less. uses outlined above, use the Diplomacy skill to resolve the
Active Checks: Diplomacy is primarily used to change the following:
attitudes of others by persuading them to see your point of Task Check DC
view, or by convincing them that it is advantageous to follow
your recommendations. Complicate situation (Opposed check)
Change Attitude or Negotiate: You can change the attitudes Etiquette (Varies; see below)
of intelligent creatures with a successful check. You make Obfuscate story (Opposed check)
your pitch (describing your argument or actually making it
verbally) and then roll your Diplomacy, modified by the Steal story (Opposed check)
subject’s current attitude towards you (based on the
circumstances and on your approach).
Complicate: Sometimes you find it to your advantage to delay
the resolution of a specific discussion for a while (or even
indefinitely). Every time you attempt to complicate the
situation in order to delay resolution you make a single
Diplomacy check. The other participants in the discussion
make opposed checks (or opposed Will saves); if you succeed,
then you can prevent any of the discussion’s participants from
coming to agreement for that session, without seeming to be
interfering. Each participant that beats your Diplomacy check
by 5 or more realizes what you are doing. This is from 101
New Skill Uses (Rite Publishing).
Etiquette: If you are trained in Diplomacy, you have an
understanding of etiquette. If faced with a fine point of
etiquette (correct address for a noble, for example, or proper
way to use cutlery at a Grand Ball), you may roll a Diplomacy
check to indicate your mastery of that particular point. As it is
always impolite to fail to address nobles correctly, this
function of Diplomacy also subsumes the D&D 3.5
Knowledge (nobility & royalty) skill—those trained in
Diplomacy know the names, titles, and demesnes of the
nobility. Using the Diplomacy skill in this manner may
require a skill check, as follows:
Check
DC Information Gained
5 Identify the borders of major kingdoms and the
general state of relations between them.
10 Identify the borders of smaller states; know the
names/titles of kings and queens.
15 Know names/titles of second-tier nobles, and/or
general information about the king/queen (“be
warned—he trusts no one who wears blue!”).
20 Know names/titles of minor nobles, and/or general
information about major nobles.
25 Know names/titles of nobles’ followers/servitors,
and/or general information about minor nobles.
30 Know names/titles and general information
regarding almost anyone you have seen before
(from having heard and remembered them
previously).
Obfuscate Story: While another individual attempts to give
an account of an event, make an opposed Diplomacy check to
deftly interject comments or statements over the course of
the storytelling that cause the individual to muddle his ability
to recall accurate or specific details. If the attempt succeeds,
the target remains unaware that your interjections caused the
confusion. However, if the attempt fails, the target is allowed
a Bluff check to sense motive check (DC equal to your failed
Diplomacy check) to figure out that you made deliberate
attempts to confuse the story. This skill use supersedes the
rogue talent of the same name from the Advanced Race
Guide.
Steal Story: When you successfully obfuscate a story (see
above), you may make another opposed Diplomacy check to
alter the details further in order to discredit, insult, or
humiliate the target. If the check succeeds, the target takes a
penalty on Diplomacy and Bluff checks against anyone who
heard the altered story. The magnitude of the penalty is equal
to the your Charisma bonus (minimum -1), and lasts until the
target is able to repair his reputation or discredit you in
return. Source: Advanced Race Guide.
Passive Checks: When not particularly attempting to
make a good impression, you nevertheless possess more tact
than most. All non-hostile social interactions are resolved as
if you were Taking 10 on Diplomacy, even if you make no
particular effort. (You can choose to act poorly if you wish, by
rolling an active check to worsen the attitudes of those you’re
dealing with.)
Class Skill: You can use the Diplomacy skill to produce the
following additional effects; the 1- and 6-rank effects
supersede the Renowned Courtesan feat from Dragon
magazine, issue 315.
Mutual Friend: If you have at least 1 rank in Diplomacy as
a class skill, you can change an NPC's attitude toward a
person other than yourself. The DC is the same as if you
were changing the character's attitude toward you.
Seduction: If you have at least 6 ranks and you
successfully improve a character's attitude toward you
(only) to Helpful, you can choose to cause that character to
show romantic interest in you. The character thereafter
seeks every opportunity to be near you and makes every
effort to win your affection, within the bounds of relatively
normal behavior.
Voice of Reason: If you have at least 11 ranks, you can
counter morale effects simply by “talking down” those
affected. All those to be affected must be within 30 ft. of
each other and able to hear and understand you; you
choose one morale bonus or penalty source to counteract
(e.g., rage, inspire courage, etc.). Each target is entitled to
an Intuition save (DC 10 + half your number of ranks +
your Charisma modifier) to retain the effect; for any target
failing the save, the effect is suspended for as long as you
continue talking (as a standard action each round) and for
1 round per rank in Diplomacy thereafter.
Legendary Statesman: If you have at least 16 ranks, you
can attempt a Diplomacy check as a full-round action. All
combatants within 60 ft. who can hear and understand
you must save vs. Intuition (DC 10 + half your number of
ranks + your Charisma modifier) or stop fighting and
listen to you instead; those who do are susceptible to
further Diplomacy checks in order to reach a truce. If you
stop talking before a settlement is made, they immediately
begin fighting again.
Action: Using Diplomacy to influence a creature’s attitude
takes 1 minute of continuous interaction. Making a request of
a creature or negotiating a specific concession takes 1 or
more rounds of interaction, depending upon the complexity
of the request. Seduction can take anywhere from hours to
days.
Try Again: You cannot use Diplomacy to influence a given
creature’s attitude more than once unless circumstances are
drastically altered. If a request is refused, the result does not
change with additional checks, although other requests might
be made.
Special: Bribery. Offering money or another form of favor If the check succeeds, you disable the device. If it fails by 5
can, in the right situation, improve a character’s chances with or less, you have failed but can try again. If you fail by 6 or
a Diplomacy skill check. Bribery allows you to circumvent more, something goes wrong. If the device is a trap, you
various official obstacles when a person in a position of trust spring it. If you’re attempting some sort of sabotage, you think
or authority is willing to accept such an offering. An illegal the device is disabled, but it still works normally.
act, bribery requires two willing participants—one to offer a If you beat a trap’s DC by 10 or more, you can study a trap,
bribe and the other to accept it. When a character requires a figure out how it works, and bypass it (with your party)
bribe to render services, then your Diplomacy check without disarming it.
automatically fails if a bribe isn’t attached to it. If a bribe isn’t Setting Traps: The Disable Device skill enables you to
requires, you can add a bribe to get a bonus on your skill construct mechanical traps, using the Craft rules below and
check. This can backfire, as some characters will be insulted the custom items rules in Chapter 6.
by a bribe offer (their attitude changes one step for the worse) Open Locks DC
and others will report you to the proper authorities.
Simple (briefcase lock) 20
Disable Device (Int) Average (home deadbolt) 25
You can pick locks, bypass or disarm mechanical traps, rig Good (business deadbolt) 30
devices so that they fail, set mechanical traps, and construct
simple devices. Amazing (branch bank vault) 40
Active Checks: Various tasks that can be accomplished Ultra-high security (bank HQ vault) 50
with this skill, and the relevant time and check DCs, are
summarized in the following tables. If you attempt to leave no Open Lock: The DC for opening a lock depends on its
sign of your tampering, add 5 to the check DC. quality. If you do not have a set of lockpicks, these DCs
Searching/Troubleshooting Time DC
increase by +10.
Find concealed door 1 round 15+ Sabotaging Devices Time DC
Find hidden compartment 1 round 15+ Jam a lock 1 round 10
Find and operate secret door 1 round 20+ Modify device As above +10
Find item Varies 10+ Sabotage mundane item 1d4 rds 15
Sabotage clockwork device 2d4 rds 25
Find Trap, Hidden Compartment, Item, Secret Door, etc.: Sapper Full round Special
You generally must be able to touch the object or surface to
be searched. You can attempt a check at a distance, but at a Modify Device: With a few carefully considered changes to
-10 penalty if within 10 ft., and a -20 penalty if within 30 ft. a mechanism’s internal workings, you cause it to operate
Dealing with Alarms, Traps Time DC differently. The DC of this attempt equals the DC necessary
Delay trap activation Immediate +10
to disable the device +10. On success, you may change one
aspect of the item’s operation. For example, a trap set to
Detect/find a mechanical trap 1 round Varies activate when a chest opens may now spring into action when
Disarm a trap, reset a trap; circumvent 2d4 rds 20 the chest closes. If it fails by 4 or less, you have failed but can
cheap door alarm try again. If you fail by 5 or more, something goes wrong, if it
Disarm a complex trap, beat store 2d4 rds 25
is a trap you trigger it instead and you cannot try again. The
security cameras referee has the final say on whether a proposed modification
is feasible. Source: 101 New Skill Uses (Rite Publishing).
Disarm museum motion detector 2d4 rds 30 Sabotage Mundane Item: You can rig simple devices such
Disarm bank vault alarm 2d4 min 35 as saddles or wagon wheels to work normally for a while and
then fail or fall off some time later (usually after 1d4 rounds
Disarm ultra-high security system 2d4 x 10 40
min.
or minutes of use).
Sapper: When attempting to smash down a door, gate, or
Set a trap (Varies) Trap other man-made fortification, make a Disable Device check
DC and divide the result in half, in place of making a Strength
check. You must have a sledgehammer, axe, portable
Delay Trap Activation: If you accidentally set off a trap, you battering ram or other large, destructive instrument to take
can attempt to delay its activation by making a Disable Device full advantage of this skill use. Otherwise, you may only make
check as an immediate action at the trap’s usual DC +10. This a standard Strength check. You may only make use of sapper
supersedes the Pathfinder Delver’s “thrilling escape” prestige against objects that allow a Strength check to break them. If
class feature, from Seekers of Secrets. it fails by 4 or less, you have failed but can try again. If you fail
Disable Device: For disabling, the Disable Device check is by 5 or more you cannot try again as you cannot figure it out,
made secretly, so that you don’t necessarily know whether and the tool suffers an amount of damage equal to the
you’ve succeeded. The DC depends on how tricky the device amount you missed the DC by (does not ignore hardness.
is. Disabling (or rigging or jamming) a fairly simple device Source: 101 New Skill Uses (Rite Publishing).
has a DC of 10; more intricate and complex devices have
higher DCs.
Passive Checks: If you are a rogue with the Trapfinding
talent (Chapter 3), you receive passive checks to notice and to
avoid setting off traps.
Class Skill: You can use this skill against constructs.
Doing so requires a melee touch attack that provokes an
attack of opportunity. If successful, make a Disable Device
check opposed by the construct’s CMD. If this check is
successful, you can sabotage the construct in different ways,
depending on your level of skill:
If you have at least 1 rank, as a standard action that
provokes an attack of opportunity, you can attempt to
damage a construct such as a golem. Roll a Disable
Device check against the construct’s AC; if successful, you
deal damage to the construct equal to your check results
(this bypasses any damage reduction the construct
possesses). At your option, you can cause the damage to
apply towards destroying the construct, or merely towards
deactivating it; if the latter, the damage can be repaired
with a successful Craft or Disable Device check.
If you have at least 6 ranks, you can cause the construct to
go berserk;
If you have at least 11 ranks, you can render the construct
inanimate for 1 round per rank;
If you have at least 16 ranks, you can override the
construct’s programming and issue it instructions
yourself.
Action: The amount of time needed to make a Disable
Device check depends on the task, as noted above. It takes a
full-round action to search a 5-foot-by-5-foot area or a volume
of goods 5 feet on a side. Disabling a simple device takes 1
round and is a full-round action. An intricate or complex
device requires 1d4 or 2d4 rounds. Attempting to open a lock
is a full-round action.
Try Again: Varies. You can retry if you have missed the
check by 4 or less, though you must be aware that you have
failed in order to try again.
Take 10/Take 20: You can take 10 when making a Disable
Device check. You can take 20 to open a lock or to disable a
security device, unless you are trying to prevent the
tampering from being noticed.
Special: Possessing the proper tools gives you the best
chance of succeeding on a Disable Device check. Opening a
lock requires a lockpick set (for a mechanical lock) or an
electrical tool kit (for an electronic lock). Disabling a security
device requires either a mechanical tool kit or an electronic
toll kit, depending on the nature of the device. If you do not
have the appropriate tools, you take a –4 penalty on your
check. A lock release gun can open a mechanical lock of
cheap or average quality without a Disable Device check.
Endurance (Con)
Through training, you are capable of feats of extreme physical
stamina.
Active Checks: Use Endurance in place of Constitution
checks when dealing with drowning and suffocation,
starvation, thirst, etc., as shown in the following table.
Condition DC Frequency
Drowning 10 + 1 for each Each round, starting after a
and round since the number of rounds equal to
Suffocation first check twice your Con.
Starvation 10 + 1 for each Each day, starting after 3
day since the days without food.
first check
Thirst 10 + 1 for each Each hour, starting 1 day
hour since the plus a number of hours
first check equal to your Con.
Forced 10 + 2 for each Each hour, starting after 8
March hour since the hours of walking.
first check
Run, in 10 + 1 for each Each round, starting after
Combat round since the running a number of rounds
first check equal to your Con.
Sleep 10 + 1 for each Each hour, starting after a
Deprivation hour since the number of hours equal to
first check 20 + Con modifier.
Avalanche 15 Once, after falling
and
Landslide, if
unconscious, to avoid
suffocation.
pinned
Exert: You can exert yourself (e.g. run, fight or cast spells
requiring concentration checks) for a maximum number of
rounds equal to 10 + your Endurance modifier. After this
time, you are fatigued and must rest if able. If you wish to tax
yourself beyond these limits, you must succeed at an
Endurance check (DC 15 + 1 per round of continued
exertion) or become exhausted.
Hustle: A character can hustle (double normal speed) for
one hour. Each additional hour of hustling in between sleep
cycles deals 1 point of nonlethal damage, and each additional
hour deals twice the damage taken during the previous hour
of hustling. A character who takes any nonlethal damage
from hustling becomes fatigued.
Walk: Eight hours is considered a standard march.
Additional walking in one day past this limit is a forced
march. For each hour of forced marching, an Endurance
check (DC 10, +2 per extra hour) is required. If the check
fails, you take 1d6 points of nonlethal damage and are
fatigued. Eliminating the nonlethal damage also eliminates
the fatigue. It’s possible to march into unconsciousness by
pushing yourself too hard.
Remain Awake: You can stay awake a number of hours
equal to 20 + your Endurance modifier. Each additional hour
requires an Endurance check, starting at DC 10 (the DC
increases by 1 per subsequent check). An untrained character
makes Constitution checks instead of Endurance checks to
remain awake. If in the midst of combat or a similar situation,
the character need not make checks until the situation is
over, but the DC increases by 1.
 Trained Only: A trained character is capable of the
following tasks:
Task DC
Delay poison onset As poison save DC
Ferocity 20 + hp below negative Con score
Ignore caltrop 20
Ignore fatigue 20
Ignore exhaustion 30
Sleep in armor:
Light 15
Medium 25
Heavy 35
Stabilize 10 + hp below 0
Delay Poison Onset: If you fail the initial fortitude save to
avoid being affected by a poison, you can attempt an
Endurance check against the poison’s DC as a free action. If
successful, the onset is delayed by one frequency unit as
listed for that poison (generally 1 round or 1 minute). When
that time elapses, you can attempt another check to delay the
onset again. There is no limit to how long you can delay the
onset in this manner, but each check after the first suffers a -1
cumulative penalty.
Ferocity: If reduced to 0 hit points (disabled), you can
attempt a DC 20 Endurance check. If successful, you can take
a normal action while at 0 hit points without taking 1 point of
damage. You must make a check for each strenuous action
you want to take; the DC of each such successive check
increases by 1. On a failed check, you can choose not to take
the strenuous action and thus avoid the hit point loss; if you
take the action anyway, you drop to –1 hit points, as normal
when disabled.
When reduced to negative hit points, on a successful
Endurance check at DC 20 + the number of hp below 0 (i.e.,
DC 25 at –5 hp), you may choose to act as if you were
disabled, rather than dying. You must make this decision as
soon as you are reduced to negative hit points (even if it isn’t
your turn). When disabled, you have the staggered condition.
You can take a move action without further injuring yourself,
but if you perform any standard action (or any other action
deemed as strenuous, including some free actions, swift
actions, or immediate actions, such as casting a quickened
spell) you take 1 point of damage after completing the act. If
you reach a negative number of hp equal to your Constitution
score, you immediately die.
Ignore Caltrop: If you are wounded by stepping on a
caltrop, your speed is reduced to one-half normal. A
successful Endurance check removes this movement penalty.
The wound doesn’t go away—it is just ignored through self-
persuasion.
Sleep in Armor: If you sleep in armor, you do not become
fatigued for doing so if you make an Endurance check at the
listed DC upon awakening. (You cannot take 20 on this
check.)
Stabilize: When reduced below 0 hp, you can roll an
Endurance check at DC 10 + the number of hp below 0 (i.e.,
DC 15 at –5 hp) to auto-stabilize.
Ignore Fatigue: By succeeding at a DC 20 Endurance
check, you can ignore the fatigued condition (and associated
penalties) for a number of rounds equal to the margin by
which your check succeeds. If you are exhausted, you might
be able to similarly reduce (DC 25) or ignore (DC 30)
penalties for the same length of time, as shown on the table.
Untrained: The number of consecutive rounds a character
can run or otherwise maximally exert him or herself is equal
to the character’s constitution score. A character can hustle
(double normal speed) for 1 hour. Checks to avoid nonlethal
damage are Constitution checks. The chance to stabilize
when below 0 hp is a flat 10%. An untrained character cannot
ignore wounds or sleep in armor.
Take 10: You can choose to Take 10 to stay awake,
automatically nodding off when the DC reaches 10 + your
Endurance bonus. You can likewise Take 10 to resist
starvation and thirst. Trained characters who regularly sleep
in armor can Take 19 to do so. Trained characters can Take
10 to ignore caltrops and ignore fatigue.
Class Skill: If you have Endurance as a class skill, you
receive the following additional benefits:
Reduce Armor Penalty: For every 3 ranks you possess,
you eliminate –1 worth of armor check penalties for any
armor you wear. If you reduce the armor check penalty to
–0, then you suffer no penalties to your speed while
wearing that armor. For example, a paladin with
masterwork full plate (-5 check penalty) with 15 ranks in
Endurance as a class skill can wear that armor with no
check penalty and no penalty to movement.
Reduce Encumbrance: When determining your carrying
capacity, add your number of ranks in Endurance to your
Strength score. This does not affect your actual Strength
in any way, merely the amount of gear you can carry. It
also has no effect on encumbrance due to armor. If you
wear armor you still take the normal penalties for doing so
regardless of how much weight you can carry. This ability
subsumes the Armiger’s “tough as nails” class feature,
from Iron Heroes (Fiery Dragon Productions).
Restless Slumber: If you have at least two ranks in
Endurance as a class skill, you regain hp and daily-use
class features, including spells, after 7 hours of sleep/rest
instead of the normal eight. The amount of sleep you need
is reduced by an additional hour for every 2 ranks
thereafter until it is reduced to 4 hours (at 8 ranks as a
class skill). The amount of sleep needed is reduced by one
additional hour per 4 ranks thereafter (minimum of 1 hour
of sleep to be fully refreshed, with 20 ranks as a class
skill).
You gain the following additional abilities as you gain
ranks:
Stalwart: If you have at least 6 ranks in Endurance as a
class skill, you are immune to effects that would leave a
normal person fatigued. Effects that would normally leave
you exhausted cause you to be fatigued instead.
Indefatigable: If you have at least 11 ranks, you are
immune to fatigue and exhaustion.

If you have at least 16 ranks, you are immune to magical
sleep and cannot be knocked unconscious (although you
must still sleep at least 2 hours a night).
Try Again: No, for most uses. To reduce fatigue or
exhaustion, you can try each round as a swift action.
Escape Artist (Dex)
When Dutilleul was taken inside La Santé prison, he felt as
though fate had smiled upon him. The thickness of the walls
was a veritable treat for him.
―Marcel Aymé, Le Passe-Muraille (1943)
You are skilled at getting free of bindings and
imprisonment.
Active Checks: The table below gives the DCs to escape
various forms of restraints. For ropes, your check is opposed
by the binder’s Escape Artist check. Since it’s easier to tie
someone up than to escape from being tied up, the binder
gets a +10 bonus on his or her check (included in the table
below). For manacles, the DC for manacles is set by their
construction.
Restraints Escape DC
Ropes Binder’s check +10
Net 20
Magical entangling effect 20 + level of the spell
Manacles 20
Tight space 20
Masterwork manacles 25
Solid stone 35
Grappler Grapple check result
Surreptitious Escape +10
Squeeze Through Tight Space: The DC noted on the table
is for getting through a space where your head fits but your
shoulders don’t. If the space is long you may need to make
multiple checks. You can’t get through a space that your head
does not fit through. When squeezing through a narrow
space at least half as wide as your Facing, or when moving
through a low area (ceiling shorter than your height, but at
least half your height above the floor), each space counts as 1
square of movement and you only suffer a -2 penalty on
attack rolls if you have at least 5 ranks in this skill. You also
retain your Dex bonus to AC under these conditions. If a
space is both narrow and low, you treat it as if only one of
those conditions applied.
Escape Grapple: You can make an Escape Artist check
opposed by your enemy’s grapple check to get out of a grapple
or out of a pinned condition (so that you’re only grappling).
Escaping from a grapple or pin is normally a standard action,
but can be attempted in place of an iterative attack by taking a
-5 penalty on the check, as a move action by taking a -10
penalty, as a swift action by taking a -15 penalty, and as a free
action by taking a -20 penalty.
If you fail to escape from a grapple outright, your Escape
Artist results might still ameliorate the effects of the grapple.
If you fail by a margin of 5 or less, you take no penalties to
Dexterity, attack rolls, and combat maneuver checks when
you have the grappled condition
Magical Entangling and Grappling Effects: Examples
include animate rope, command plants, control plants,
entangle, Bigby’s grasping hand, and so on. The standardized
DC listed here supersedes the arbitrary DCs given in those
spell descriptions.
Surreptitious Escape: In exchange for increasing the check
DC by 10, you can hide your efforts at escaping. Anyone who
inspects your bindings must attempt a Perception check with
a +10 circumstance bonus (DC equal to the result of your last
Escape Artist check). If this Perception check fails, they do
not notice the work you have done to escape. For example,
you could untie the rope that binds you but leave it in place so
a villain doesn’t realize that you’re free. Obviously if you free
yourself and escape, the villain notices you are gone. This
function is from 101 New Skill Uses (Rite Publishing).
Take 10: Use this for prolonged squeezing or similar
sustained efforts, rather than rolling each round.
Class Skill: As you gain ranks in Escape Artist, you gain
access to additional abilities, as follows:
If you have at least 6 ranks as a class skill, you can reduce
the effects of passable magical walls and barriers on you
when you move through them. Make an Escape Artist
check at DC 15 + twice the level of the spell; if you
succeed, you suffer no effects for being near the barrier
(such as fire damage from the hot side of a wall of fire),
and can pass through it and suffer only the effects of being
nearby. If you succeed by a margin of 10 or greater, you
suffer no effects for passing through the barrier.
If you have at least 11 ranks as a class skill, you can free
yourself paralysis or magical binding effects (DC 20 +
twice the level of the spell). Examples include anything
from hold person to dimensional anchor to binding. For
spells with a duration of 1 round/level, you can make one
attempt per round as a full-round action. For spells with
longer durations, the time between checks is also
increased accordingly (e.g., for a spell with a duration of 1
hour/level, escaping takes an hour, and you can check once
per hour). For permanent effects, you can check once per
year; the check takes an hour.
If you have at least 16 ranks as a class skill, you can find
your way out from solid walls, or a forcecage or resilient
sphere. As a move action, you can attempt to escape the
physical world, stepping past the barrier on some other
plane. You can potentially return from a maze or
imprisonment spell in this manner. The DC is 20 + twice
the level of the spell (DC 20 for mundane walls), +5 per 5
feet of movement attempted. Time between checks is as
above.
Action: Making an Escape check to escape from rope
bindings, manacles, or other restraints (except a grappler)
requires 1 minute of work. Escaping from a net or a spell is a
full-round action. Squeezing through a tight space takes at
least 1 minute, maybe longer, depending on how long the
space is.
Special: Optionally, apply the size modifier for AC and
attacks to Escape Artist checks as well; this variant makes
smaller creatures inherently better at escaping.
Try Again: You can make another check after a failed
check if you’re squeezing your way through a tight space,
making multiple checks. If the situation permits, you can
make additional checks, or even take 20, as long as you’re not
being actively opposed.
Untrained: You can try to escape mundane restraints or
entangling/grappling spell effects as a Dexterity check.
Squeezing causes spaces to count as 2 squares and the
squeezing character suffers a -4 penalty on attack rolls and
loses its Dexterity bonus to Armor Class. In a space that is
both narrow and low, speed is reduced to one-quarter normal.
Escaping from paralysis, binding, or force effects cannot be
attempted untrained.
Fly (Dex)
“Did I really fly, don Juan?”
“You flew. That is what the second portion of the devil’s
weed is for. As you take more of it, you will learn how to fly
perfectly. It is not a simple matter.”
―Carlos Castenada, The Teachings of Don Juan:
A Yaqui Way of Knowledge (1968)
You are skilled at flying, either through the use of wings,
spells or other magical means (carpet of flying, etc.), or
airplanes/spacecraft/whatever. You can perform daring
maneuvers while airborne. Note that this skill does not give
you the ability to fly.
Active Checks: You can perform maneuvers while flying.
Without making a check, a flying creature can remain flying
at the end of its turn so long as it moves a distance greater
than half its speed, can turn up to 45 degrees by sacrificing 5
feet of movement, can rise at half speed at an angle of 45
degrees, and can descend at any angle at normal speed. Note
that these restrictions only apply to movement taken during
your current turn. At the beginning of the next turn, you can
move in a different direction than you did the previous turn
without making a check. Taking any action that violates these
rules requires a check. The difficulty of these maneuvers
varies, as noted on the following chart.
Flying Maneuver DC
Move < half speed and remain flying 10
Turn > 45° by spending 5 ft. of movement 15
Hover 20
Turn 180° by spending 10 ft. of movement 20
Climb steeper than 45° 20
Note that hovering, as a specific task of the Fly skill,
supersedes the Hover feat from the core rules.
Attacked While Flying: Any creature with no ranks in Fly
skill is automatically considered flat-footed while flying; those
trained are not. Trained or otherwise, if you take damage
while flying you must make a Fly check at DC 20 + twice the
damage sustained. Failure means you 5 feet of altitude, plus a
number of additional feet of altitude equal to the margin by
which you fail the check (this descent does not count against
your movement). If the total altitude loss is greater than your
initial altitude, you crash into the ground, taking falling
damage as appropriate for the total amount of distance fallen.
Collision While Flying: If you collide with an object equal to
your size or larger while flying, you must immediately make a
DC 25 Fly check to avoid plummeting to the ground, taking
the appropriate falling damage.
Avoid Falling Damage: If you are falling and have the ability
to fly, you can make a DC 10 Fly check to negate the damage.
You cannot make this check if you are falling due to a failed
Fly check (as from being attacked while flying) or a collision.
Recover from Trip: You can be tripped while flying; if the
maneuver is successful, you immediately lose 5 feet of
altitude (+1 foot per point by which the maneuver succeeds)
and must succeed at a Fly check opposed to the Trip results;
failure requires you to spend a move action (provoking
attacks of opportunity) to fly from your current location
and/or gain altitude, much like a creature standing up from
being prone.
High Wind Speeds: Flying in high winds adds penalties on
your Fly checks as noted on Table: Wind Effects on Flight.
“Checked” means that creatures of that size or smaller must
succeed on a DC 20 Fly check to move at all so long as the
wind persists. “Blown away” means that creatures of that size
or smaller must make a DC 25 Fly check or be blown back
2d6 × 10 feet and take 2d6 points of nonlethal damage. This
check must be made every round the creature remains
airborne. A creature that is blown away must still make a DC
20 Fly check to move due to also being checked.
Speed Blown Check
Wind (mph) Checked Away Penalty
Light 0–10 — — —
Moderate 11–20 — — —
Strong 21–30 Tiny — –2
Severe 31–50 Small Tiny –4
Windstorm 51–74 Medium Small –8
Hurricane 75–174 Large Medium –12
Tornado 175+ Huge Large –16
Take 10: You can Take 10 to avoid falling if attacked while
flying, even though you are under stress. This is done to
reduce dice rolling in combat; simply mark the damage
threshold that makes you fall (this is equal to half your Fly
bonus -5).
Action: None. A fly check doesn’t require an action; it is
made as part of another action or as a reaction to a situation.
Try Again: Varies. You can attempt a Fly check to perform
the same maneuver on subsequent rounds. If you are using
wings and you fail this check by 5 or more, you plummet to
the ground, taking the appropriate falling damage.
Special: Creatures with a fly speed receive a racial bonus
(or penalty) on all Fly checks depending on their
maneuverability: clumsy -8; poor -4, average -0, good +4,
perfect +8. Creatures without a maneuverability rating are
assumed to have an average maneuverability. Alternatively,
you can scrap the entire maneuverability rating system and
apply a simple size modifier instead (e.g., the modifier used
for AC and attack rolls: ±1/2/4/8).
 Fetch (DC 15): Goes and gets something. If you do not
Handle Animal (Cha) point out a specific item, the animal fetches some random
You can train, care for, and ride domestic and even wild object.
animals. If you are skilled enough, you can apply this skill to Heel (DC 15): Follows you closely, even to places where it
vermin or magical beasts as well. normally wouldn’t go.
Active Checks: The DC depends on the task.
Perform (DC 15): Performs a variety of simple tricks, such
Task DC as sitting up, rolling over, roaring or barking, and so on.
Handle a tame animal 10 Roam (DC 15): You can let the animal loose to roam and
“Push” an animal 25 forage. It returns to the place you let it loose within the
Teach an animal a trick 15 or 20 time period you designate; this can be no more than a
week.
Train animal 15 or 20
Seek (DC 15): Moves into an area and looks around for
Rear wild animal 15 + HD of animal anything that is obviously alive or animate.
Befriend animal Special
Stay (DC 15): Stays in place, waiting for you to return;
Ride an animal Special (see below) does not challenge other creatures that come by (still
defends self if it needs to).
* See the specific trick or purpose below:
Track (DC 20): Tracks the scent presented to it.
Purpose DC Purpose DC
Combat riding 20 Hunting 20
Work (DC 15): Pulls or pushes a medium or heavy load.
Fighting 20 Performance 15 Train an Animal: Rather than teaching an animal individual
Guarding 20 Riding 15 tricks, you can simply train it for a general purpose.
Heavy labor 15
Essentially, an animal’s purpose represents a preselected set
of known tricks that fit into a common scheme, such as
Handle a Tame Animal: You command an animal to guarding or heavy labor. The animal must meet all the normal
perform a task or trick that it knows. If the check succeeds, prerequisites for all tricks included in the training package. If
the animal performs the task or trick on its next action. the package includes more than three tricks, the animal must
“Push” an Animal: You can get an animal to perform a task have an Intelligence of at least 2.
or trick that it doesn’t know but is physically capable of Befriend Animal: You can use Handle Animal to improve
performing. This task also covers making an animal perform the attitude of an animal; this ability functions just like a
a forced march or forcing it to hustle for more than 1 hour Diplomacy check made to improve the attitude of a person
between sleep cycles. If your check succeeds, the animal (see Using Skills). The typical domestic animal has a starting
performs the task or trick on its next action. attitude of indifferent, while wild animals are usually
Teach an Animal a Trick: You can teach an animal a specific unfriendly. Use of this ability on anything other than a tame
trick with one week of work and a successful Handle Animal animal results in a +4 modifier to the check DC; the DC
check against the indicated DC. An animal can learn a modifiers for non-animals (see below) also apply. To use this
maximum number of tricks equal to 3 x its Intelligence score. ability, you and the animal must be within 30 feet of one
Possible tricks (and their associated DCs) include, but are another under normal conditions. Generally, influencing an
not necessarily limited to, the following. animal in this way takes 1 minute but, as with influencing
people, it might take more or less time. This task subsumes
Attack (DC 20): Attacks apparent enemies, or those you the Wild Empathy class feature from the Core rules.
direct it to attack. Rear a Wild Animal: To rear an animal is to raise a wild
creature from infancy so that it becomes domesticated. A
Come (DC 15): Comes to you. handler can rear as many as three creatures of the same kind
Defend/Guard (DC 20): Defends you (or is ready to defend at once. A successfully domesticated animal can be taught
you if no threat is present), even without any command tricks at the same time it’s being raised, or it can be taught as
being given. Alternatively, you can command the animal to a domesticated animal later. Typical riding actions don’t
defend a specific other character, object, or place. require checks.
Ride an Animal: You can saddle, mount, ride, and dismount
Distract (DC 20; bird or bat only): Flutters wildly around from a mount without a problem. The following tasks do
any enemy it would normally attack with the attack trick. It require checks.
makes a combat maneuver check against that enemy. If
successful, the enemy is shaken 1 round.
Down (DC 15): Breaks off from combat or otherwise
backs down. An animal that doesn’t know this trick
continues to fight until it must flee (due to injury, a fear
effect, or the like) or its opponent is defeated.
 Riding Task Handle Animal DC
Guide with knees 5 yourself as a free action, provided that you still have a move
Stay in saddle 5 action available that round. If you fail the Handle Animal
Control mount in battle 10 or 20
Cover 15
Soft fall 15
Leap 15
Spur mount 15
Fast mount or dismount 20
(armor check penalty applies)
Stand on mount 20
Quick turn 25
Guide with Knees: You can react instantly to guide your
mount with your knees so that you can use both hands in
combat. Make your Handle Animal check at the start of your
turn. If you fail, you can use only one hand this round because
you need to use the other to control your mount.
Stay in Saddle: You can react instantly to try to avoid falling
when your mount rears or bolts unexpectedly or when you
take damage. This usage does not take an action.
Control Mount in Battle: If you direct your war-trained
mount to attack in battle, you can still make your own attack
or attacks normally. This usage is a free action with a DC of
10. Controlling a mount not trained for combat riding while in
battle requires a move action on your part, and has a DC of
20. If you fail the check, you can do nothing else in that round.
Cover: You can react instantly to drop down and hang
alongside your mount, using it as cover. You can’t attack or
cast spells while using your mount as cover. If you fail your
check, you don’t get the cover benefit. This usage does not
take an action.
Soft Fall: You can react instantly to try to take no damage
when you fall off a mount—when it is killed or when it falls,
for example. If you fail your check, you take 1d6 points of
falling damage. This usage does not take an action.
Leap: You can get your mount to leap obstacles as part of
its movement. Use your Handle Animal modifier or the
mount’s Athletics modifier, whichever is higher, to see how far
the creature can jump. If you fail your Handle Animal check,
you fall off the mount when it leaps and take the appropriate
falling damage (at least 1d6 points). This usage does not take
an action, but is part of the mount’s movement. If you leap a
charging over a creature or obstacle, you can continue the
charge.
Spur Mount: You can spur your mount to greater speed
with a move action. A successful check increases the mount’s
speed by 10 feet for 1 round but deals 1 point of damage to
the creature. For every 5 points by which you beat the check
DC, add another 10 feet to the gain in movement (e.g., you
can spur your mount to +60 ft. of additional movement speed
on a DC 40 Handle Animal check). You can use this ability
every round, but each consecutive round of additional speed
deals twice as much damage to the mount as the previous
round (2 points, 4 points, 8 points, and so on). This damage
increases by a base of 1 point per additional 10 feet of
spurred movement speed.
Fast Mount or Dismount: You can attempt to mount or
dismount from a mount of up to one size category larger than
check, mounting or dismounting is a move action. You can’t
use fast mount or dismount on a mount more than one size
category larger than yourself.
Stand on Mount: You can stand on the saddle while your
mount is moving by making a successful DC 20 check.
Failure means you fall.
Quick Turn: You can make a DC 25 check as a free action
to cause your mount to turn up to 90 degrees while running
or charging, provided it can move at least 10 ft. after the turn
is made. This can be done only once in any given round. If the
check fails, your mount moves 10 ft. in a straight line and
then loses the rest of its actions that turn.
Take 10: You can Take 10 to control a mount in battle, even
if stress and distraction would normally prevent it. This is
done to reduce the number of dice rolls in combat.
Modifiers: If you attempt to ride a creature that is ill suited
as a mount, you take a –5 penalty on your ride checks. If you
are riding bareback, you take a –5 penalty on checks. If the
animal is wounded or fatigued, you take an equivalent penalty
on checks to handle it. If your mount has a military saddle
you get a +2 circumstance bonus on Handle Animal checks
related to staying in the saddle.
Special: You can attempt to use this skill on creatures
other than animals, but with a higher degree of difficulty.
Refer to the following table for guidelines:
Creature Type DC
Magical beast (Int 3 or less) or vermin +4
Magical beast (Int 4+) or elemental +8
Lycanthrope or fey +12
Plant +16
Ooze +20
Action: Varies. Handling an animal is a move action, while
pushing an animal is a full-round action. (If you have a special
animal companion, you can handle your animal companion
as a free action or push it as a move action.) For tasks with
specific time frames noted above, you must spend half this
time (at the rate of 3 hours per day per animal being handled)
working toward completion of the task before you attempt the
Handle Animal check. If the check fails, your attempt to
teach, rear, or train the animal fails and you need not
complete the teaching, rearing, or training time. If the check
succeeds, you must invest the remainder of the time to
complete the teaching, rearing, or training. If the time is
interrupted or the task is not followed through to completion,
the attempt to teach, rear, or train the animal automatically
fails. Mounting or dismounting normally is a move action.
Other checks are a move action, a free action, or no action at
all, as noted above.
When fighting while mounted, in general you keep separate
track of your actions and your mount’s. For example, your
mount can make a double move while you full attack (melee
targets must be along the line of your mount’s movement).
Alternatively, your mount can make a normal move and one
attack, or a half-move and a full attack, while you also attack.
For a mounted charge, your mount supplies the double move
and you make the attack. Certain feats (e.g., Improved
Overrun and Skirmish) can improve your action economy
while mounted.
Try Again: Yes, except for rearing an animal.
Untrained: If you have no ranks in Handle Animal, you can
use a Charisma check to handle and push domestic animals,
but you can’t teach, rear, or train animals.
Heal (Wis)
The stuff she used on us did not sting, the cuts closed up, the
flexible dressings she put over them did not have to be
changed, and fell off in time with no infection and no scars.
―Robert A. Heinlein, Glory Road (1963)
In addition to expanded mundane uses, in these rules, the
Heal skill is required for the successful use of curing and
restoration spells.
Active Checks: The DC and effect of mundane uses
depends on the task you attempt.
Task Heal DC
Examine injury 10
First aid (or malpractice – see below) 15
Long-term care 15
Revive 15
Stabilize 15
Perform autopsy +1/day
Perform CPR 20 + hp
below 0
Perform surgery 20
Restore limb 40
Treat attribute damage 20
Treat disease Disease’s DC
Treat poison Poison’s DC
Treat wound from caltrop, spike growth, or 15
spike stones
Examine Injury: If you succeed at the check, you determine
the basic cause of an injury (a narrow blade, a small blunt
object, teeth). If your check results are 15 or greater, you gain
a more specific detail about the weapon that caused the
injury (e.g., “a double-edged dagger”); on results of 20 or
higher you gain multiple specific details (e.g., a double-edged
dagger with a non-serrated six-inch blade, balanced for
throwing). If your check results are 25 or higher, you also gain
information about the manner in which the wound was
inflicted (the attacker was left-handed, about six feet tall, and
probably grabbed her from behind). This task is described in
the Crime and Punishment supplement (Atlas Games), under
“New Uses for Old Skills.”
If the patient is diseased, you can identify the disease and
its effects with a successful check at a DC equal to the DC of
the disease. If the patient has been poisoned, you can attempt
a Craft (toxicology) check, with a DC equal to that of the
poison used, in order to identify the type, the effects, and the
duration remaining. If the patient was injured or killed by a
spell, you can identify the exact spell with a Spellcraft check
at DC 20 + the level of the spell.
First Aid: If a character has lost hit points, you can restore
some of them. A successful check, as a full-round action,
restores a number of hit points equal to your Heal check
results. You can take 20 on this check by spending 2 full
minutes. First aid can be performed on a character once per
fight in which he or she is injured, to a maximum amount of
damage healed equal to the amount sustained in that fight.
Revive: You can remove the dazed, stunned, or unconscious
condition from a character. This check is a standard action; a
successful check removes the condition from the affected
character. You can’t revive an unconscious character who is at
–1 hit points or lower without first stabilizing (q.v.) him or her.
Long-Term Care: Providing long-term care means treating
a wounded person for a day or more. If your Heal check is
successful, the patient recovers hit points at a daily rate equal
to your check results. Attribute score points (lost to ability
damage) are recovered at twice the normal rate (2 for 8
hours’ rest, 4 for a full day’s rest). You can tend as many as six
patients at a time. You need a few items and supplies
(bandages, salves, and so on) that are easy to come by in
settled lands. Giving long-term care counts as light activity for
the healer. You cannot give long-term care to yourself.
Malpractice: You must have at least 2 ranks in Bluff to use
Heal in this fashion. Rather than making a Heal check to
perform first aid or some other form of treatment on a
helpless or willing creature, you intentionally bungle the job
in order to ensure that the creature is more severely injured.
You make the check as a standard action and deal hit point
damage to the creature at the beginning of your next turn
equal to the amount you would have healed providing first
aid. If the creature is helpless, this is considered a coup de
grace attack. If under the watchful eye of others (including
your patient), your Heal check is opposed by the observer’s
Bluff or Heal check; a failure on your part results in them
detecting your malpractice (and they may attempt to
intervene). If someone successfully performs a First Aid
check before the beginning of your next turn, the damage is
negated. This use is from the 101 New Skill Uses preview
from Rite Publishing.
Perform Autopsy: You can examine a corpse to determine
the cause and approximate time of death. Cause of death is
as performing an “Examine Injury” check (see above), but the
DC increases by +1 per day since death (unless the corpse is
preserved with a gentle repose spell). Determining time of
death requires you to succeed on the cause determination
check by a factor of 10 or more. The accuracy of the
estimated moment of death decreases with elapsed time
since the actual event. For instance, if the subject died an
hour before the autopsy, the time of death can be fixed to
within 1d4 rounds (after one day, the estimate is only
accurate to within 1d4 hours, and so on).
Perform Surgery: If you have at least 10 ranks in heal, you
can conduct field surgery. This requires 1d4 hours and
appropriate tools. Successful surgery restores all attribute
drain to a single attribute score (Strength, Dexterity, etc.).
Surgery can only be used successfully on a character once
per attribute in any 1-week period. A character who
undergoes surgery is exhausted for 24 hours, minus 2 hours
for every point above the DC the surgeon achieves. The
period of exhaustion can never be reduced below 6 hours in
this fashion.
Stabilize: You usually use first aid to save a dying character.
If a character has negative hit points and is losing hit points
(at the rate of 1 per round, 1 per hour, or 1 per day), you can
make him or her stable. A stable character regains no hit
points but stops losing them.
Treat Attribute Damage: By spending an hour and
succeeding at a DC 20 Heal check, you can restore 1d4
points of attribute damage to a single attribute.
If you have at least 6 ranks, you can increase the Difficulty
Class to heal additional attribute damage. The DC of the
check increases by +5 per additional point (for example,
you could attempt a DC 35 check to cure 1d4+3 points of
attribute damage). There is no limit to the maximum DC
you can set for yourself, but a patient still can only receive
one attempt per day. If you heal multiple points of attribute
damage in this manner, you can divide them among the six
attribute scores as you see fit.
If you have at least 11 ranks, a successful DC 30 Heal
check cures all attribute damage to a single attribute.
If you have at least 16 ranks, a successful check at DC 40
heals all attribute damage the patient is suffering.
Treat Disease: You can tend a single diseased character.
Every time he or she makes a saving throw against disease
effects, you make a Heal check. The diseased character uses
your check result or his or her saving throw, whichever is
higher. If your check succeeds by a margin of 10 or more, the
disease is removed (although residual attribute damage
remains).
Treat Poison: You can tend to a patients who has been
poisoned and who is going to take more damage from the
poison (or suffer some other effect). Every time the poisoned
character makes a saving throw against the poison, you make
a Heal check. The poisoned character uses your check result
or his or her saving throw, whichever is higher. If your
succeed by a margin of 10 or better, the patient fully recovers
(although residual attribute damage remains).
Treat Wound from Caltrop, Spike Growth, or Spike Stones:
A creature wounded by stepping on a caltrop moves at one-
half normal speed. A successful Heal check removes this
movement penalty. A creature wounded by a spike growth or
spike stones spell must succeed on a Reflex save or take
injuries that reduce his speed by one-third. Another character
can remove this penalty by taking 10 minutes to dress the
victim’s injuries and succeeding on a Heal check against the
spell’s save DC.
Take 10: You can always choose to take 10 when making a
heal check. You can take 20 only when restoring hit points or
attempting to revive dazed, stunned, or unconscious
characters, or when performing an autopsy.
Class Skill: Only those with Heal as a class skill can
successfully cast [Healing] spells. As described in Chapter 7,
use of a Necromancy [Healing] spell requires a number of
ranks in Heal as a class skill equal to twice the level of the
spell (round up). In other words, only a character skilled in
mundane healing can properly diagnose a problem and heal
it with magic.
If you have additional class skill ranks in Heal as noted, you
can attempt the following tasks:
If you have at least 6 ranks, you can try to resuscitate a
dead ally if you start the attempt within 2 rounds of his or
her death. You may attempt this procedure only if your
patient died after entering the dying state and
subsequently failing to stabilize. Allies slain in any other
manner are beyond your help. You must make a Heal
check (DC 20 + character’s negative hit point total) to
bring your patient back from the brink. A success means
you increase her hit points to –9 and stabilize him or her.
Using Heal in this manner requires 1 full minute.
If you have at least 11 ranks, you can try to resuscitate an
ally who has been dead less than 1 day per rank in Heal
you possess. The check DC is 25 + 5 per day the victim
has been dead. If successful, this works as a raise dead
spell, but requires no diamond dust.
If you have at least 16 ranks, when you provide long-term
care for a week, on a successful DC 27 Heal check the
patient gains the effects of a greater restoration spell.
Alternatively, you can perform field surgery to re-attached
severed extremities; this requires a half hour of work and
requires a DC 27 check.
Action: Providing first aid, treating a wound, or treating
poison is a full-round action. Treating a disease or tending a
creature wounded by a spike growth or spike stones spell
takes 10 minutes of work. Providing long-term care requires
8 hours of light activity. Performing an autopsy takes 30
minutes.
Try Again: Varies. Generally speaking, you can’t try a Heal
check again without proof of the original check’s failure. You
can always retry a check to provide first aid, assuming the
target of the previous attempt is still alive.
Special: A healer’s kit gives you a +2 circumstance bonus
on Heal checks.
You can use the skill on yourself only to restore hit points,
treat disease, or treat poison. You take a –5 penalty on your
check any time you treat yourself.
 * Favorable and unfavorable conditions depend upon the
Perception (Wis) sense being used to make the check. For example, bright light
Your senses allow you to notice things and alert you to might increase the DC of checks involving sight, while dim
danger. Perception covers all five senses, including sight, light gives a penalty. Background noise increases a DC
sound, touch, taste, and smell. This does not mean you gain a involving hearing, while competing odors penalize any DC
Perception check for each sense; rather, you get a single involving scent.
Perception check which is an abstraction of looking, ** As for unfavorable conditions, but more extreme. For
listening, sniffing the air, and so on. example, candlelight for DCs involving sight, a roaring
Active Checks: On a successful Perception check, you are dragon for DCs involving hearing, and an overpowering
aware of the presence of a creature or environmental detail stench covering the area for DCs involving scent.
(you “sense” it), and can determine which square(s) it is in. Ear for Detail: If you succeed on a Perception roll to notice
Unless there is something preventing you from using your someone by 20 or more, you automatically identify them (if
primary mode of sense (usually sight) to study it, you are able you know them), or know you have never met them, before
to discern anything you sense fairly clearly (“pinpoint” it). If they come into sight. If you have never met the creature
for some reason your primary sense is blocked with respect before, you know you have not met it, but you do know why
to the perceived creature or object, you are unable to pinpoint type of creature it is and what type of footwear, if any, it is
it, and it has “total concealment” against you (see below). using (or if it is using some other form of movement). Source:
The DC to notice details varies depending upon distance, 101 New Skill Uses (Rite Publishing).
the environment, and how noticeable the detail is. The Passive Checks: Most often, Perception is a passive check;
following table gives a number of guidelines. if the notice DC is less than or equal to 10 + your Perception
bonus, you sense the item or creature in question. You can
Target DC request an active check as a move action, allowing you a
Creature in plain view, still, not using Stealth 0
chance to notice something with a higher DC.
Special Senses and Concealment: Abilities like scent and
Concealed creature walking without Stealth 10 tremorsense do not result in automatic success. They are
Creature burrowing underneath you 25 instead adjudicated as follows:
Creature using Stealth (Opposed)
Blindsense: Hidden or invisible creatures within range of
Pickpocket using Sleight of Hand (Opposed) your blindsense are considered to be in plain view. If they
Sound of battle –10 are using Stealth to evade notice, you gain a +8 bonus to
Perception to sense them, provided that you have a line of
Stench of rotting garbage –10 effect. Any opponent you cannot see (or study with some
Smell of smoke 0 other primary sense such as scent) still cannot be
Spoiled food (active check needed) 5
pinpointed (i.e., has total concealment). Visibility still
affects your movement, and you are still denied your
Normal conversation or verbal spellcasting 0 Dexterity bonus to AC against attacks from creatures you
Whispered conversation 15 cannot see.
Key being turned in a lock 20 Blindsight: This ability is similar to blindsense, but allows
Bow being drawn 25 you to pinpoint any creature within range that you sense.
You maneuver and fight as well as a sighted creature;
Depending on conditions, a Perception check to sense a darkness and most kinds of concealment are irrelevant,
creature, object, or stimulus may be more or less difficult. though you must have line of effect to a creature or object
Conditional modifiers to the Perception DC are summarized to pinpoint that creature or object. Perception checks are
in the following table. still needed to sense creatures within range of the
blindsight ability.
Conditions DC Modifier
Darkvision: Dim light does not provide partial
Distance +1/10 feet concealment against you, nor does full darkness provide
Through a closed door +5 total concealment, within the stated range. Invisibility is
still effective, however.
Through a wall +10/ft. thickness
Favorable conditions* –2
Unfavorable conditions* +2
Terrible conditions** +5
Distracted +5
Creature making the check is asleep +10

Scent: Your primary sense is smell, rather than sight. This
means that, by succeeding at a Perception check, you can
sense things within 30 feet, even if those things are not
visible or audible. If the creature or object is upwind, the
range increases to 60 feet; if downwind, it drops to 15 feet.
Strong scents, such as smoke or rotting garbage, can be
detected at twice the ranges noted above. Overpowering
scents, such as skunk musk or troglodyte stench, can be
detected at triple normal range. If you can see as well, the two
senses working in tandem grant it a +8 competence bonus to
Perception checks within range of your scent ability. You
cannot automatically pinpoint non-visible creatures and
objects unless they are within 5 ft.
Tremorsense: A creature with tremorsense is sensitive to
vibrations in the ground and gains a +8 bonus to Perception
checks to sense the location of anything that is in contact
with the ground within the range specified. If it senses such a
creature, it can also pinpoint the target, even if no line of sight
exists. Aquatic creatures with tremorsense can also sense
creatures moving through water. The ability's range is
specified in the creature's descriptive text.
Concealment, and its effects on Perception checks, is
handled as follows:
Blur: Provides the equivalent of partial concealment
against creatures whose primary sense is vision.
Bright Light: Provides favorable conditions (-2 to visual
check DCs) for those things that are illuminated.
Concealment, Partial: Partial concealment applies a 20%
miss chance in combat. In general, conditions of dim or
shadowy light provide partial concealment against
creatures whose primary sense is vision.
Concealment, Total: If you have line of effect to a target
but not line of sight (or other primary sense), the target is
considered to have total concealment from you. You can't
attack an opponent that has total concealment, though you
can attack into a square that you think he occupies. A
successful attack into a square occupied by an enemy with
total concealment has a 50% miss chance. You can't
execute an attack of opportunity against an opponent with
total concealment, even if you know what square or
squares the opponent occupies, unless you have the Blind-
Fight feat.
Dim Light: Provides “unfavorable conditions” (+2 to visual
perception DCs) to you unless you have low-light vision.
Displacement: You gain the equivalent of total
concealment against sight (but not against other senses),
but cannot use it to hide.
Invisibility: You cannot be pinpointed by creatures whose
primary sense is sight (i.e., you have total concealment
against them). You still must succeed at a Stealth check
against observers to avoid being sensed, and invisibility
provides a much lower bonus to this check than in the
core rules, as described in Chapter 7.
Invisibility, Greater: As invisibility, but also provides the
equivalent of total concealment against scent,
tremorsense, etc.
Search: Being skilled at noticing your surroundings does
not necessarily allow you to conduct methodical searches, or
even to recognize the significance of things you see. Most
functions of the 3.5 edition Search skill is therefore not
necessarily subsumed into Perception (as it is in Pathfinder).
Rather, searching for different things is covered by various
applicable skills:
To Search For… Use this Skill…
Clues Perception
Magical traps Spellcraft
Mechanical traps Disable Device
Records or files in an office Profession (Administration)
Secret doors Craft (Construction) or
Disable Device
Stonework traps, changes in Profession (Mining)
grade, etc.
For other types of searches (finding finding a specific
treasure in a dragon’s hoard, for example), make an untrained
Intelligence check. High elves receive a +2 racial bonus on
this check from their keen senses racial trait; rogues receive
a bonus on this check equal to their class level, to simulate
their training in larceny.
Find Clue: If there is a clue at a scene, you can attempt to
find it with a Perception check (DC dependent on how
obscure the clue is). If the scene has been somewhat
disturbed, add 5 to the DC; add 10 to the DC if the scene has
been intentionally wiped.
Action: As noted above, passive Perception checks are
reactive, made in response to observable stimulus. Active
checks, when intentionally searching for stimulus, require a
move action.
Try Again: Yes. You can try to sense something you missed
the first time, so long as the stimulus is still present.

Planar Sense (Wis)
Man was deficient in sensitivity, had no awareness of the
multitude of dimensions that filled the universe, each plane
intersecting with several others. Not so the Vadhagh or the
Nhadragh, who had known what it was to move at will
through the dimensions they termed the Five Planes. They
had glimpsed and understood the nature of many planes,
other than the Five, through which the Earth moved.
―Michael Moorcock, The Knight of the Swords (1971)
You are skilled at sensing and passing through the
interstices between worlds. This tasks listed for this skill
subsumes many of the planar class substitution features of
the same names from the Planar Handbook.
Check: The following basic tasks are possible:
Task Check DC
Planar magic 15 + (2x spell level)
Portal sense 20
Portal intuition (directionality) 15
Portal intuition (activation) 20
Portal intuition (destination) 25
Sense planar trap 25 + spell level
Sense past breach 20
Closed portal +10
Planar Magic: Spontaneous casters attempting to cast
spells on planes with different magical laws can attempt a
Planar Sense check as part of the casting in order for their
spells to have the normal effects (DC 15 + twice the level of
the spell); this increases the casting of a standard-action spell
to one full round, so that the spell takes effect on the caster’s
next turn. If you succeed by a margin of 10 or more, the
casting time is not increased.
Portal Sense: If actively looking for a gate or portal, the
check is DC 20. The DC increases by 10 if the gate is closed
(minimum bonus +20 to notice automatically, DC 30 if
searching).
Portal Intuition: By studying an existing portal, you can
determine whether it is 1-way or 2-way, and if the former, in
which direction it operates (DC 15); any special
circumstances governing the portal’s use, such as knowing
that it can be activated only at particular times or under
particular circumstances (but not what they are), or whether a
key or command word is needed (but not what they are) (DC
20); and possibly the destination of a portal, gate or teleport
(DC 25).
Sense Past Breach: You can determine whether or not a
planar breach occurred within 30 feet of a particular spot
within the last 24 hours. To do this, you must succeed on a
DC 20 check. If you determine that a breach did occur in the
area, you may then use this ability to ascertain where it led, as
described above.
Sense Planar Trap: You can detect magical traps that
involve conjuration effects such as summon monster or
teleportation circle; the DC is 25 + the level of the conjuration
spell.
Passive Checks: When passing within 30 ft. of an open
planar boundary, rift, or gate, you automatically notice it if
your Planar Sense bonus is at least +10. In addition, a
number of the Class Skill uses (below) are passive.
Class Skill: If Planar Sense is a class skill for you, you
gain the following additional abilities at the indicated number
of ranks:
Witch Sight: If you have at least 1 rank, you can see into
the ethereal plane. The range of this vision is equal to 5 ft.
per rank in Planar Sense you possess. This ability
supersedes the Incantatrix’ see ethereal prestige class
feature, from Magic of Faerun. Note that basilisks and
gorgons both receive 1 bonus rank in Planar Sense as a
class skill per racial Hit Die (see 1st edition Monster
Manual).
Breach Sense: If you have at least 6 ranks, you
automatically sense the imminent opening of a planar
breach (for example, a plane shift or summon monster
spell) within 30 ft. As long as you have a line of sight to the
breach, you can pinpoint its exact location. This ability
supersedes the planar substitution feature of the same
name from the Planar Handbook.
Teleport Sense: If you have at least 11 ranks, whenever a
creature uses a spell or effect from the conjuration
(teleportation) school to appear within 60 feet of you, you
automatically detect the teleportation, and you
automatically are not surprised by it and can act in the
surprise round if combat begins immediately. If combat
against the creature that teleported near you begins within
1 minute of the teleportation, you gain a +4 circumstance
bonus on the initiative check in that fight. If you also have
the Combat Reflexes feat, any creature using a
teleportation effect to enter or leave a square threatened
by you provokes an attack of opportunity, even if casting
defensively or using a supernatural ability. This subsumes
the feat of the same name, from the Pathfinder Chronicles
Campaign Setting, and also the Teleport Tactician feat
from the Pathfinder Advanced Player’s Guide.
Action: Passively sensing a portal or incoming teleport
does not require an action, although actively looking for a
gate or portal is a move action.

Sleight of Hand (Dex)
You are skilled at picking pockets. In addition, this skill lets
you hide objects on your person, and ready objects and
weapons (even concealed ones) more quickly than normal.
Active Check: The tasks that can be accomplished with
this skill, and the checks and DCs for each, are described
below.
Disguise Spellcasting: When casting a spell, you may make
a Sleight of Hand check to make your verbal and somatic
components less obtrusive, muttering magic words under
your breath and making magic gestures within your sleeves.
Your Sleight of Hand check is opposed by any observer's
Perception check. The observer's success doesn't prevent you
from casting the spell, just from doing it unnoticed. On
subsequent attempts, you take a -10 penalty on a second
Sleight of Hand attempt against the same target (or while the
same observer who noticed your previous attempt is
watching you).
Drink Potion: Actions such as drinking a potion normally
provoke attacks of opportunity; with a Sleight of Hand check
opposed to threatening creatures’ CMD, you can do so
without provoking.
Frisk: You can physically search a person for objects,
concealed weapons, or contraband. Roll a Sleight of Hand
check, opposed by the target’s check results (if any) to hide
objects on his or her person (see “Hide Objects,” below). If
your search is made openly, the target must be helpless or
willing, and you receive a +5 circumstance bonus on the
check. A secret check works like picking the target’s pocket
(see below).
Hide Objects: Hiding an object on your person is a Sleight
of Hand check opposed by a Perception check by those who
are looking for the item (such as a guard watching out for
weapons at a coronation). In addition, someone physically
searching you can make a Sleight of Hand check to find the
object (see “Frisk,” above). Hiding an object that is equal to or
smaller than the size of a short sword grants a +2
circumstance bonus on your check, whereas anything equal
to or larger than a longsword imposes a –2 penalty on your
check. A heavy cloak or other similar clothing grants a +2
circumstance bonus as well.
Pick Pockets: You can use this skill to pick the pockets of
an unaware creature. This is a DC 20 check, but the DC
increases if the item is large or firmly attached (referee’s
discretion). The target makes an opposed Perception check to
notice your attempt. If the target succeeds, he notices the
attempt, regardless of whether or not you succeed.
However, if you spend 1 full round studying the mark, and
then announce that you are making a Sleight of Hand check
to take something from him or her, the target must roll his or
her Perception check first, and you know the results. You can
then decide whether or not to roll the Sleight of Hand check
based on this information. If you elect not to make the check,
you can make an opposed Bluff check to prevent the target
from noticing anything amiss. This supersedes the “measure
the mark” talent, from the Pathfinder Advanced Player’s
Guide.
Quick Draw: With a successful Sleight of Hand check, you
can draw a weapon faster than normal:
Check DC Standard Items Hidden Items
11 Swift action Move action
16 Free action 1/rd. Swift action
21 Free action 2/rd. Free action 1/rd.
26 Free action 3/rd. Free action 2/rd.
+5 (etc.) (etc.)
Special: If you would normally be able to draw a weapon as
a free action twice per round, you can instead draw a weapon
as an immediate action (for example, as part of an attack of
opportunity or during a surprise round, even if you are
otherwise flat-footed).
Action: Hiding objects and picking pockets is a standard
action. You can attempt a Sleight of Hand check as a move
action by taking a -10 penalty to the attempt, and as a swift
action by taking a -20 penalty. Quick draw times are
discussed above.
Take 10: To save pointless dice rolling, you can Take 10 on
quick draw checks in combat (even if this would normally not
be possible due to stress), so that a character with BAB +11
and the Rapid Shot feat would need a +16 Sleight of Hand
bonus to throw a weapon in hand, then draw and throw three
more weapons in the same round.
Synergy: If you are also trained (at least 1 rank) in Perform
(acting), you can adopt mannerisms and postures that make
you appear defenseless. This deception grants you a +1
circumstance bonus on initiative checks and attack rolls
made with a hidden weapon during the first round of combat.
These bonuses increase by an additional +1 per 4 ranks in
Perform (acting) you possess. They do not apply if your
enemies spot your weapons prior to combat. This subsumes
the Deceitful Appearances feat, from Dragon magazine, issue
333.
Try Again: You can retry checks made to hide objects and
pick pockets. If the situation permits, you can make
additional checks, or even take 20, as long as you’re not being
actively opposed.
Untrained: You can try to hide objects as a Dexterity
check. Without this skill, you may draw a weapon as a move
action, or (if your base attack bonus is +1 or higher) as a free
action as part of movement. Without this skill, you can draw a
hidden weapon as a standard action.

Spellcraft (Int)
Each line that he beheld represented a single unit of the
spell, spoken or gestured. That power which filled it was, of
course, entered by Jelerak himself, in accompaniment to the
ritual, drawn either from his own being or a sacrificial source.
The problem for Holrun was to determine the sequence in
which the structure had been created back on his own plane
—a difficult task, for the beginning was not readily visible. It
was an exceedingly intricate piece of work, and Holrun felt an
unwilling admiration for the man’s technical proficiency.
―Roger Zelazny, The Changing Land (1981)
You have a working knowledge of magic and its various
uses, and can identify spells as they are being cast or identify
spell effects that are in place. You can also detect, bypass or
disarm magical traps, and you can identify or even activate
magic items that you would normally be unable to use. This
skill also allows you to identify the powers and abilities of
magical constructs.
Active Checks: Spellcraft is used whenever your
knowledge and skill of the technical art of casting a spell
comes into question. You can answer questions concerning
magic, symbols, spells, and magic items with a successful
check. The DC depends on the difficulty of the question: 10
for easy questions, 15 for basic questions, 20 for difficult
questions, and 25+ for truly rare pieces of knowledge.
You can use this skill to activate a magic item other than a
scroll or tome. Spellcraft lets you use a magic item as if you
had the spell ability or class features of another class, as if
you were a different race, or as if you were of a different
alignment. You make a check each time you activate a device
such as a wand. If you are using the check to emulate an
alignment or some other quality in an ongoing manner, you
need to make the relevant check once per hour.
You must consciously choose which requirement to
emulate. That is, you must know what you are trying to
emulate when you make a Spellcraft check for that purpose.
The DCs for various tasks involving checks are
summarized in the table below.
Task Check DC
Activate item or spell blindly 25
Emulate a class feature 20
Emulate an ability score See text
Emulate a race 25
Emulate an alignment 30
Identify auras while using detect 15 + spell level
magic
Identify magic item properties See below
Identify a spell as it is being cast 15 + spell level
Identify a spell effect that is in place 20 + spell level
Identify materials made by magic 20 + spell level
Identify a spell that just targeted you 25 + spell level
Identify construct See Knowledge
abilities/weaknesses skill
Use a wand 20
Activate Blindly: Some spells or magic items are activated
by special words, thoughts, or actions. You can activate such
an item as if you were using the activation word, thought, or
action, even when you’re not and even if you don’t know it.
You do have to perform some equivalent activity in order to
make the check. That is, you must speak, wave the item
around, or otherwise attempt to get it to activate. You get a +2
competence bonus on your check if you’ve activated the item
in question at least once before. If you fail by 9 or less, you
can’t activate the device. If you fail by 10 or more, you suffer a
mishap. A mishap means that magical energy gets released
but it doesn’t do what you wanted it to do. The default
mishaps are that the item affects the wrong target or that
uncontrolled magical energy is released, dealing 2d6 points
of damage to you. This mishap is in addition to the chance for
a mishap that you normally run when you cast a spell from a
scroll that you could not otherwise cast yourself.
Determine Aptitude: If observing an opponent cast a spell
or use a spell-like ability in action, as an immediate action you
can attempt a Spellcraft check to identify the opponent’s
caster level and the highest-spell level he or she can cast. The
DC of this check is equal to 10 + the target’s caster level + the
target’s relevant caster ability modifier. This ability is from the
101 New Skill Uses preview from Rite Publishing.
Emulate an Ability Score: To cast a spell from a scroll, you
need a high score in the appropriate ability (Intelligence for
wizard spells, Wisdom for divine spells, or Charisma for
sorcerer or bard spells). Your effective ability score
(appropriate to the class you’re emulating when you try to
cast the spell from the scroll) is your Spellcraft check result
minus 15. If you already have a high enough score in the
appropriate ability, you don’t need to make this check.
Emulate an Alignment: Some magic items have positive or
negative effects based on the user’s alignment. Spellcraft lets
you use these items as if you were of an alignment of your
choice. You can emulate only one alignment at a time.
Emulate a Class Feature: Sometimes you need to use a
class feature to activate a magic item. In this case, your
effective level in the emulated class equals your Spellcraft
check result minus 20. This skill does not let you actually use
the class feature of another class. It just lets you activate
items as if you had that class feature. If the class whose
feature you are emulating has an alignment requirement, you
must meet it, either honestly or by emulating an appropriate
alignment with a separate check (see above).
Emulate a Race: Some magic items work only for
members of certain races, or work better for members of
those races. You can use such an item as if you were a race of
your choice. You can emulate only one race at a time.
Identify Spell Being Cast: You can attempt this check is a
free action. If the check succeeds, you correctly identify the
opponent's spell and can attempt to counterspell it (as
described in Chapter 7). If the check fails, you can't do either
of these things.
Identify Construct Weaknesses and Abilities: With a
successful check, you can also identify constructs, their
abilities, weaknesses, and special powers, as described under
the general Knowledge skill heading.
Identify Magic Item Properties: You can identify the If you beat the DC by 20 or more, you can selectively edit
properties of a wand, staff, rod, or other spell-completion item the spell. If it allows specific creatures to pass it without
by handling the item for 3 rounds, during which time you danger, you can modify which creatures it allows to pass,
must succeed at a Spellcraft check at DC = 15 + the caster adding your allies and restricting enemies if you desire. If
level of the item. N.B. Identification of magic items other than it is keyed to a certain individual (such as a mental alarm
those have been moved to other skills, as summarized in the spell) you change the key to yourself or to a designated
table below. companion, if you choose. You can also cause it to
Type of Item Relevant Skill
detonate at will (as a free action) from any distance.
Rod, staff, wand, etc. Spellcraft Dispel an Active Spell: This works similarly to disarming a
Potion, elixir, oil, dust, etc. Craft (alchemy) magical trap, in terms of exposing you to the spell’s effects. If
Scrolls, librams, tomes, etc. Knowledge (linguistics)
the spell is not normally susceptible to dispel magic, the DC
increases by an additional +10.
Weapons, armor, shields Craft (smith) Heighten Spell: You can increase the level of a spell as you
Gems, jewelry, rings Craft (lapidary) prepare it. All effects dependent on spell level (such as saving
throw DCs, damage caps, and ability to penetrate a lesser
Misc. wondrous items Knowledge (lore) globe of invulnerability) are calculated according to the
Artifacts Knowledge (lore) heightened level. See Chapter 9 for more effects of
Relics Knowledge (planes)
Heightening spells.
Action: Identifying a spell as it is being cast requires no
Use a Wand: Normally, to use a wand, you must have the action, but you must be able to clearly see the spell as it is
wand’s spell on your class spell list. This use of the skill being cast, and this incurs the same penalties as a Perception
allows you to use a wand as if you had a particular spell on skill check due to distance, poor conditions, and other
your class spell list. This use of the skill also applies to other factors. Attempting to ascertain the properties of a magic
spell trigger magic items, such as staves. item takes 3 rounds per item to be identified and you must be
Passive Checks: You gain a passive check to emulate able to thoroughly examine the object. The check is made as
alignment if you enter an area warded by a forbiddance spell part of the action (if any) required to activate the magic item.
or other effect that is keyed to alignment, even if you are not Retry: You cannot retry checks made to identify a spell,
aware of the effect. monster, or item. If you fail to learn a spell from a spellbook
Class Skill: If you are trained in Spellcraft as a class skill, or scroll, you must wait at least 1 week before you can try
you can attempt the following additional tasks: again. If you fail to prepare a spell from a borrowed
spellbook, you cannot try again until the next day. For
bypassing magic, you can retry if you have missed the check
Task
DC by 4 or less, though you must be aware that you have failed in
order to try again. If you ever roll a natural 1 while attempting
Detect a magical trap or latent spell 25 + spell level to activate a magic item and you fail, then you can’t try to
Disarm a magical trap 25 + spell level activate that item again for 24 hours.
Dispel an active spell 20 + CL Special: You can take 10 when making a Spellcraft check
to disarm a magical trap. You cannot take 10 nor Aid Another
Heighten spell 20 + spell level with checks to use a magic device (only the user of the item
may attempt such a check).
Detect/Disarm Magical Traps and Spells: For and If you are a specialist wizard, add your specialist bonus to
disarming magical traps, you don’t necessarily know whether your Spellcraft bonus to identify, learn, and prepare spells
you’ve succeeded. The DC depends on how complex the spell from your chosen school. You take a –5 penalty on checks
is (DC 25 + spell level). made to identify spells from your opposed schools.
If the check succeeds, you detect the presence of a
warding spell, or disable the magic.
If it fails by 4 or less, you have failed but can try again.
If you fail by 5 or more, something goes wrong. If the trap
is an attack spell, you activate it. If you’re attempting some
sort of sabotage, you think the magic is disabled, but it still
works normally.
If you succeed by 5 or more, you know what it does.
If you beat a warding spell’s DC by 10 or more, you can
study a magic, figure out how it works, and bypass it (with
your party) without disarming it.
 Tailing: When tailing someone, your Stealth check is
Stealth (Dex) opposed to the tail’s Perception check to notice you; the
You are skilled at avoiding detection, allowing you to slip target gets a –5 penalty to the check if he or she has no
past foes, strike from an unseen position, or tail someone reason to suspect a tail and does not actively look for one. To
without being spotted (or lose a tail). It is assumed that a lose a tail, the subject makes an opposed Stealth check. If the
stealthy character is moving silently, using available cover, subject takes evasive maneuvers but is not actually aware of a
stepping on rocks or shuffling to avoid tremorsense, and tail, he or she declares a DC for his or her check; if this
taking basic steps to remain upwind and/or camouflage his or evasion check succeeds, any tail must succeed at the same
scent. Senses other than vision therefore do not Stealth DC to follow.
automatically defeat Stealth (see the Perception skill for Passive Checks: Even when not sneaking about on tiptoe,
details). If you successfully use Stealth against a creature’s you are accustomed to walking softly and refraining from
Perception, that creature is unaware of your presence and making a spectacle of yourself. Assume that your Stealth
location. results are equal to 0 + your skill bonus, even when walking
Active Check: Your Stealth check is opposed by the normally, unless you make an effort to be more noticeable.
Perception check of anyone who might notice you. The Class Skill: If you have Stealth as a class skill, the
stealth check is modified as follows. penalties for moving quickly while using this skill, for hiding
after attacking, and for attempting to hide in plain sight are
Your Size Check Modifier reduced by 1 per rank (minimum -0). This supersedes the
Fine +16
“stealthy sniper” rogue talent from the Pathfinder Advanced
Players Guide. In addition, as you gain ranks, you gain the
Diminutive +12 following additional abilities:
Tiny +8 Stealth Synergy: If you have at least 6 ranks, when you
Small +4 and allies within your sight must make Stealth checks,
Medium +0
they can use their own dice rolls or your die roll,
whichever is higher. Each ally uses his or her own Stealth
Large -4 modifiers, however. This supersedes the rogue talent of
Huge -8 the same name, from Ultimate Combat.
Gargantuan -12 Distraction: If you have at least 11 ranks, whenever you
Colossal -16
are detected while using Stealth, you can immediately
attempt an opposed Bluff check against the creature that
Condition Check Modifier
noticed you. If this check succeeds, the target assumes
that the noise was something innocent and disregards the
Move half speed -0 detection. This only functions if the creature cannot
Move 2/3 or ¾ speed -5 actually see you. This ability can only be used once during
a given Stealth attempt. If the same creature detects your
Move full speed -10 presence again, the ability has no effect. Source:
Move double speed (charge) -15 Pathfinder Advanced Player’s Guide.
Run (x4 speed) -20 Shadow Blend: If you have at least 16 ranks, you are so
Hide after making ranged attack -10 stealthy in combat that you are treated as having partial
Hide after making melee attack -20
concealment (as by a blur spell; 20% miss chance).
Distance to cover -5 per 5 ft. Action: Normally, you make a Stealth check as part of
movement, so it doesn’t take a separate action.
Hide in Plain Sight: You can use Stealth to hide even while
being observed, but you take a -1 penalty per foot of distance
separating you from the nearest cover or area of
concealment. You must have enough movement remaining to
you that round to cover the distance to your place of
concealment. You can attempt to hide even if there is no
cover present, but this is at a -20 penalty.
Creating a Diversion to Hide: You can use Bluff to allow
you to use Stealth. A successful Bluff check can give you the
momentary diversion you need to immediately attempt a
Stealth check without penalty while people are aware of you.

Streetwise (Cha)
You know your way around towns and cities, are
conversant with local customs and laws, and have an
advantage over others when it comes to dealing with criminal
elements. You can easily obtain directions, hail a taxi, find a
hotel, get a decent meal, negotiate subways, etc. in strange
cities. This skill is also used when attempting to gather
information about persons or activities ranging from the
Mayor to a Mafia boss; when attempting to recognize local
people you come into contact with; and when attempting to
locate or buy almost anything: legitimate but unusual items
(an imported cuckoo clock from the Black Forest) or
contraband ranging from drugs, through illegal arms, to child
prostitutes. Attempts to hire an assassin also fall under this
heading.
Active Checks: Streetwise has a number of more
specialized uses described below, which do require checks.
Task DC
Identify accent or ethnicity 10
Identify creature 10 + CR
Know local laws, popular 10
locations, etc.
Know common rumor or local
tradition
15
Gather secret information 20
Identify/read graffiti and thieves’ 20
marks
Identify local figure 20 or opposed Bluff
check
Pass as native 20
Find or fence Item See below
Spread rumor See below
Urban tracking See below
Gather Information: You can use Streetwise to gather
information about a specific topic or individual. To do this,
you must spend at least 1d4+1 hours canvassing people at
local taverns, markets, and gathering places (you can attempt
to reduce the time spent to only (1d4+1) x 10 minutes, but
this imposes a -10 penalty to your check).. The DC of this
check depends on the obscurity of the information sought,
but for most commonly known facts or rumors, it is 10. For
obscure or secret knowledge, the DC might increase to 20 or
higher. The referee might rule that some topics are simply
not known by the common folk.
Identify Creature: Identifying civilized peoples by sight by a
Streetwise check has a DC of 10 + the creature’s CR.
Success means that you learn one piece of information
(usually its place of origin and purported abilities). For every 5
points by which your check result exceeds the DC you learn
another piece of information. This ability works with civilized
humanoids only.
Identify Marks: You can identify the common marks made
by a thieves’ guild. Identifying the marks of a local thieves’
guild is a DC 20 Streetwise check, but this might be much
higher if the guild is using specialized marks.
Identify Local Figures: You can use the Streetwise skill to
identify underworld figures, police, and the like. Upon
observing such a figure whom you do not know personally, a
DC 20 check allows identification (this is normally a passive
check, successful if your bonus is at least +10). If the person
has the Bluff skill, the DC is equal to his or her Bluff results
instead (this does not require an action on that person’s part,
or on yours). If the person is in disguise (see Perform skill),
you must first penetrate the disguise before you can attempt
to identify the person.
Find or Fence Item: You can make a Streetwise check to
track down an item that is normally too expensive to be
purchased in the town or settlement where you are currently
located. The DC of this check is 10 + (the item's gp cost
minus the community's gp limit, divided by 1,000). If this
check succeeds, you learn of a merchant who can supply the
item to you. You must still purchase it as normal.
By increasing the DC by 10 (20 + item’s cost/1,000 gp –
community limit/1,000 gp), you can also sell stolen items on
the black market. If the check fails by 5 or more, you do
something to spook the market, and take a penalty on similar
checks for 1 week equal to twice the margin by which your
check failed. Furthermore, those in control of the black
market may alert the authorities to your presence in an act of
reprisal for spooking the market or to divert attention away
from their illicit activities.
Pass as Native: On a DC 20 Streetwise check in an
unfamiliar village, town, or city, you can get by without calling
undue attention to yourself (unless you are of a race not seen
in that locale, in which case a Perform (acting) check is
needed). If actually questioned, you can use a Streetwise
check (opposed to the questioner’s Buff skill check) to
correctly answer questions regarding local geography and the
like (“Hey, I’m from Philly, too! What high school did you say
you went to?”). If you fail this check, you can still attempt to
Bluff your way through the questioning, but the person
questioning you receives a +4 bonus to his rolls to see
through your bluff.
Spread Rumor: You can attempt to spread a rumor though
a small town or larger settlement. You can do so a maximum
number of times per week equal to your Charisma modifier
(minimum 0). The DC is based on the size of the settlement,
and it takes a week for the rumor to propagate through the
settlement. If the check succeeds, the rumor is practically
accepted as fact within the community (those subsequently
gathering information gain the rumor only, if they succeed at
a DC 18 check but fail to beat your results; if they beat your
DC as well, they learn the true information and are aware that
your rumor is false, and might attempt to follow the false
rumor back to you). A failed check means the rumor failed to
gain traction, while failing by 5 or more causes the opposite
of the rumor or some other competing story to take hold.
Community Size Check DC
Small town 18
Large town 20
Small city 25
Large city 30
Metropolis 35
Urban Tracking: You can track down the location of missing Survival (Wis)
persons or wanted individuals within communities. To find
the trail of an individual or to follow it for 1 hour requires a Man congratulated himself on his generalized structure. He
Streetwise check. You must make another check every hour could live on desert, on plain or ice, in forest or in city; Nature
of the search, as well as each time the trail becomes difficult had not shaped him to a special environment.
to follow, such as when it moves to a different area of town. ―Jack Vance, “The Men Return” (1957)
The DC of the check, and the number of checks required to You are skilled at surviving in the wild and following the
track down your quarry, depends on the community size and tracks left by others.
the conditions: Active Checks: You can keep yourself and others safe and
fed in the wild. You can recognize the tracks of, and identify
Community Size DC Checks Required by sight, common creatures of the wilderness.
Thorp, hamlet, or village 5 1d3 Task Survival DC
Small or large town 10 1d4+1 Get along in the wild 10
Small or large city 15 2d4 Know direction 10
Metropolis 20 2d4+2 Avoid natural hazards 15

DC Detect poison 15
Conditions Modifier Predict weather 15
Every three creatures in the group being sought -1 Resist weather 15
Every 24 hours party has been missing/sought +1 Follow tracks:
Tracked party "lies low" +5 Very soft ground 5
Tracked party matches community's +2 Soft ground 10
primary racial demographic
Firm ground 15
Tracked party does not match community's -2
primary or secondary racial demographic Hard ground 20
Identify creature 10+
If you fail a Streetwise check, you can retry after 1 hour of Locate animal, plant, or vermin 20
questioning. The referee should roll the number of checks
required secretly, so that the player doesn't know exactly how Detect animals and plants 25
long the task will require. You can cut the time between Locate dragon, humanoids, etc. 30
checks in half (to 30 minutes per check rather than 1 hour),
but you take a -5 penalty on the check. Trackless step Opposed check
Passive Checks: Basic city living skills, like how to use
subway tokens or how to tell where not to park on street Get Along in the Wild: On a successful check, you can
cleaning day, do not require a check. You are also entitled to a move up to one-half your overland speed while hunting and
passive check to notice a tail in a city, and to identify marks foraging (no food or water supplies needed). You can provide
and local figures (see above). If attempting to appear at home food and water for one other person for every 2 points by
in an unfamiliar community, but not making any special which your check result exceeds 10.
efforts, you are entitled to a passive check to pass as a native Know Direction: When outdoors, you can determine where
(see above) unless you do something to give yourself away or true north lies in relation to you.
your appearance, race, or language would automatically do Avoid Natural Hazards: On a successful check, you can
so. keep from getting lost or avoid natural hazards such as
Action: Identifying marks and local figures does not quicksand.
require an action. Using Streetwise to gather information Detect Poison: You determine whether a plant or creature
takes 1d4+1 hours of wandering the town, searching for is poisonous. You can determine the general effects of the
rumors and informants. poison (e.g., deals Str damage, etc.) if the check meets DC 20.
Retry: You can retry Streetwise checks made to gather Predict Weather: You can forecast the weather up to 24
information. You cannot retry checks to identify marks or hours in advance. For every 5 points by which your Survival
people, or know local landmarks/geography. check result exceeds 15, you can predict the weather for one
Untrained: A character without this feat can use gather additional day in advance.
information to find out information about a particular Resist Weather: On a successful check, you gain a +2
individual, but each check takes 1d4+1 hours and doesn't bonus on all Fortitude saves against severe weather while
allow effective trailing. moving up to one-half your overland speed, or gain a +4
bonus if you remain stationary. You may grant the same
bonus to one other character for every 1 point by which your
Survival check result exceeds 15.

Survival (Wis)
 Follow Tracks: To find tracks or to follow them for 1 mile
requires a successful Survival check. You must make another
Survival check every time the tracks become difficult to
follow. If you are not trained in this skill, you can make
untrained checks to find tracks, but you can follow them only
if the DC for the task is 10 or lower. Alternatively, you can use
the Perception skill to find a footprint or similar sign of a
creature’s passage using the same DCs, but you can’t use
Perception to follow tracks, even if someone else has already
found them.
You move at half your normal speed while following tracks
(or at your normal speed with a –10 penalty on the check, or
at up to twice your normal speed with a –20 penalty on the
check). The DC depends on the surface and the prevailing
conditions, as given on the table.
Very Soft Ground: Any surface (fresh snow, thick dust, wet
mud) that holds clear impressions.
Soft Ground: Any surface soft enough to yield to pressure,
but firmer than wet mud or fresh snow.
Firm Ground: Most normal outdoor surfaces (such as
lawns, fields, woods, and the like) or exceptionally soft
ordinary indoor surfaces (thick rugs and very dirty or
dusty floors). The creature might leave some traces
(broken branches or tufts of hair, partial footprints).
Hard Ground: Any surface that doesn’t hold footprints at
all, such as bare rock or an indoor floor. Most streambeds
fall into this category, since any footprints left behind are
obscured or washed away. The creature leaves only traces
(scuff marks or displaced pebbles).
Modifiers are summarized below.
Condition DC Modifier
Per 3 creatures in group being tracked –1
Size of creature(s) being tracked:
Fine +8
Diminutive +4
Tiny +2
Small +1
Medium +0
Large –1
Huge –2
Gargantuan –4
Colossal –8
Per 24 hours since the trail was made +2
Per hour of rain since the trail was made +2
Fresh snow cover since the trail was made +10
Poor visibility:
Overcast or moonless night +6
Moonlight +3
Fog or precipitation +3
Tracked party hides trail (moving ½ speed) +5
For a group of mixed sizes, apply only the modifier for the
largest size category. Apply only one (the largest) modifier
from the visibility category.
A check at the same DC for following tracks allows you to
identify the type of creature (animal, giant, etc.) making them.
If you succeed by 5 or more, you know the specific type of
creature (e.g., ogres), and if you succeed by 10 or more you
know how many of them there are. If you succeed by 20 or
more, you are also able to determine how long ago the tracks
were made, and additional information as determined by the
referee, which might include the creatures’ general health
(wounded, staggered, etc.), whether their behavior is normal
for its kind, how heavy a load is being carried, etc. (e.g., “three
hill giants, probably Veng clan judging from the footwear,
passed by here two days ago, and one of them is lightly
wounded.”)
Identify Creature: Identifying creatures by sight by a
Survival check has a DC of 10 or higher, depending on the
creature’s rarity (see Knowledge, below). This ability works
with animals, fey, magical beasts, plants, and vermin.
Locate Animal or Plant: Your knowledge of signs, growing
conditions, and animal behavior allows you to find a specific
type of animal or plant. A successful check leads you in the
correct general direction when at a distance (e.g., “probably
in the deepest part of the woods”). As you get closer,
subsequent checks may be needed to pinpoint an exact
location (e.g., “now check in the hollows beneath the biggest
oaks.”).
This ability works normally for vermin as well as animals
and plants. It works on dragons, giants, humanoids, magical
beasts, and monstrous humanoids as well, but the check DC
is 30.
Detect Animals and Plants: This function duplicates the 1st
level spell of the same name.
Trackless Step: You can pass through natural terrain
without leaving a discernible trail. Roll a Survival check;
anyone attempting to track you must succeed at an opposed
check, with the modifiers shown in the table under “follow
tracks” (including the modifier for group size; you can
attempt to obscure your comapanions’ trail).
Passive Checks: You automatically move without leaving
an obvious trail; the DC to follow you is equal to your skill
bonus (if you move at full speed) or your skill bonus – 10 (if
you hustle or run). You can instead choose to leave a trail, if
desired.
Class Skill: If survival is a class skill for you, you gain the
following additional abilities:
Swift Tracker: The penalty for moving at more than half
speed while tracking is reduced by 1 per rank in Survival
you possess (minimum -0).
Timeless Tracks: If you have at least 6 ranks, when
tracking, halve the increase in DC for elapsed time since
the tracks were made (to +1 per day).
Sea Wolf: If you have at least 11 ranks, you can attempt to
track creatures across or through the water, looking for
telltale signs like flotsam, disturbed seaweed, or whatever
(base DC 25).
 Legendary Tracker: If you have at least 16 ranks, you can
track flying creatures by looking for lost feathers or scales,
telltale signs of wind passage or disturbances in clouds, and
knowledge of local wind currents; the base DC is 30.
Action: Varies. A single Survival check may represent activity
over the course of hours or a full day. Finding or interpreting
tracks is at least a full-round action, and it may take even
longer. Identifying creatures by sight does not require an
action.
Try Again: Varies. For getting along in the wild or for
gaining the Fortitude save bonus noted in the table above, you
make a Survival check once every 24 hours. The result of that
check applies until the next check is made. To avoid getting
lost or avoid natural hazards, you make a Survival check
whenever the situation calls for one. Retries to avoid getting
lost in a specific situation or to avoid a specific natural hazard
are not allowed. For finding tracks, you can retry a failed
check after 1 hour (outdoors) or 10 minutes (indoors) of
searching.
 Secondary Skills
Secondary Skills
In addition to the primary (adventuring) skills shown above, there are a number of secondary skills which, while useful in
certain situations, are not always immediately applicable to adventuring. Every character gains 1 skill rank per class level in a
specific secondary skill for free. Additional ranks can be purchased using skill points normally.
Secondary skills are grouped as Craft (skills involving making things), Knowledge (academic or intellectual skills), Performance,
and Profession (generally service- or skill-oriented professions with limited or nonexistent combat utility). Adding non-adventuring
skills to these categories (e.g., Profession: Farming) is encouraged in order to flesh out characters. Adding more useful or
adventuring-applicable secondary skills in an effort to bypass the primary skills (e.g., Profession: Acrobat) is obviously prohibited.
Key Armor Untrained Supersedes
Secondary Skill Ability Penalty? Use?
Craft:
Alchemy Int No No Craft (alchemy), Craft (brewer) skills; Brew Potion feat

Construction Wis No No Craft (carpentry), Craft (stonemasonry), Craft (woodcarving), Knowledge

(architecture & engineering)

Lapidary Wis No No Craft (jeweler), Craft (lapidary), Forge Ring feat

Fine Art Wis No No Craft (painting, etc.), Forgery skills

Needlework Wis No No Craft (leatherworking), Profession (seamstress/tailor), etc.

Smith Wis No No Craft (blacksmith), Craft (armorer), Craft (weaponsmith) skills

Toxicology Int No No Craft (poison-making), poison use class feature

Knowledge:
Linguistics Int No No Decipher Script, Read Languages skills; read magic cantrip, Scribe Scroll feat

Lore Int No No Appraise, Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (ancient nobility), Knowledge (history);
identify spell

The Planes Int No No Knowledge (the planes), Knowledge (religion)

Warfare Int No No Knowledge (military insignia), Knowledge (tactics & strategy / military history),
Profession (soldier), Profession (siege engineer) skills

Perform:
Acting Cha Yes Yes Perform (act, comedy, oratory), Disguise skill

Dance Cha Yes Yes Perform (dance)

Music Cha No No Perform (keyboard, percussion, string, wind instruments, sing)

Profession:
Administration Cha No Yes Knowledge (law), Knowledge (business)

Driving Wis No No Drive, Pilot

Mining Wis No No Profession (miner), Knowledge (dungeoneering); Stonecunning

Sailing Wis No No Profession (sailor) skill


Craft
You are skilled in making some class of objects. A Craft
skill is specifically focused on creating something (e.g., Craft:
Cooking, not Profession: Chef, since you are creating meals);
if nothing is created by the endeavor, it probably falls under
the heading of a Profession skill. Examples of Craft skills are
given below; others can be added using those shown as
guidelines.
Routine Maintenance: One rank in the relevant Craft skill
is sufficient to perform routine maintenance tasks for items
of that sort. For example, a fighter with one rank in Craft
(smith) can care for his weapons, armor, and horseshoes
without them rusting; a character with one rank in Craft
(needlework) can maintain the party’s boots, cloaks, saddles,
and so on; a character with one rank in Craft (alchemy) can
check the corks on acid vials to keep the contents from
evaporating. Maintenance of this sort is assumed to take
place while resting. Routine maintenance does not require a
check.
Failure to perform routine maintenance imposes the
Broken condition on the item(s) after one adventure.
Exception: magical items bound to the character using
personal numen (Chapter 6) are exempt from routine
maintenance when in that character’s possession.
Check: You can practice your trade and make a decent
living. You know how to use the tools of your trade, how to
perform the craft’s daily tasks, how to supervise untrained
helpers, and how to handle common problems. (Untrained
laborers and assistants earn an average of 1 silver piece per
day.)
The basic function of the Craft skill, however, is to allow
you to make an item of the appropriate type. The time and
DC to craft an item depends on the complexity of the item to
be created.
Crafting
Item Time DC
Very simple item (club) 10 min. 5 making checks against the same DC that it took to make the
Typical item (iron pot) 1 hour 10
High-quality, simple item (bell, sword, 1 day 15
etc.)
Complex or superior item (lock, suit of 1 week
plate armor)
20
Masterwork or magical item 1 hour per 20+CL
250 gp
value
Use half to one-third of the item’s market price as an
estimate for the cost of the raw materials. These are
obviously not in-depth rules, but it isn’t really important how
much money an adventurer can make by weaving baskets,
and an NPC’s wealth can be hand-waved by the referee or
determined using wealth-by-level tables.
Masterwork and Magical Items: The rules for masterwork
items and magical items are the same. Costs for
enhancement bonuses, for working in special materials, etc.
are provided in Chapter 6 (masterwork and special items also
count against your maximum numen, as described in that
chapter). Unless otherwise noted, creation of expendable
items requires 1 hour per 250 gp base value (8 hours/day of
work maximum), expenditure of materials equal to half that
cost, and an applicable Craft check.
The creation of most magic items requires an appropriate
Craft skill (see below), with a number of ranks equal to the
caster level prerequisite. Single-use items can be created
using the appropriate skill and caster level. Permanent items
also require the Imbue Item feat. Unlike in the core rules, in
which the item crafter begins with a normal masterwork
item, these rules assume that the crafting of the item, and the
imbuing of magic into it, are part of the same process.
Imbuing a pre-existing item is still possible, but adds 50% to
the total crafting time, as much of the initial work must be
modified or undone first.
A partial list of applicable Craft skills is as follows:
Item Craft Skill
Metal armor, weapons, shields, tools, etc. Craft (Smith)
Amulets, figurines, jewels, lenses, rings, Craft (Lapidary)
crystalline items
Boots, cloaks, bags, robes, etc. Craft
(Needlework)
Potions, oils, etc. Craft
(Alchemy)
Rods, staves, wands, pipes, etc. Craft
(Construction)
Scrolls, manuals, etc. Linguistics
Traps (magical) Spellcraft
Traps (mechanical) Disable Device
Repairing Items: Generally, you can repair an item by
item in the first place. The cost of repairing an item is one-
fifth of the item’s price.
Action: See above.
Try Again: Yes, but each time you miss by 5 or more, you
ruin half the raw materials and have to pay half the original
raw material cost again.
Craft: Alchemy (Int)
You are able to concoct arcane substances, some with
dubious qualities, others with wondrous properties. You are
also capable of brewing beer, fermenting and aging wine, and
distilling liquor. Although the default impression is of glass
alembics and chemical reagents, this skill applies equally to a
druidic hermit making herbal infusions out of weird plants
collected from the forest.
 Alchemy is an example of the Craft skill, and follows the
basic rules listed for that entry. To make a special alchemical
item using Craft (alchemy), you must have alchemical
equipment and be a spellcaster. If you are working in a city,
you can buy what you need as part of the raw materials cost
to make the item, but alchemical equipment is difficult or
impossible to come by in some places. Purchasing and
maintaining an alchemist’s lab grants a +2 circumstance
bonus on Craft (alchemy) checks because you have the
perfect tools for the job, but it does not affect the cost of any
items made using the skill.
Check: Mundane liquids (beer, etc.) require a DC 10 check
(DC 15 for high-quality, and DC 20 for superior), and do not
require any magical talent on the part of the alchemist. Other
substances and items are summarized in the following table.
Craft
Item DC
Acid, mild (1d6) 15
Acid, potent (2d6) 20
Acid, concentrated (3d6) 30
Alchemist’s fire, smokestick, or tindertwig 20
Antitoxin, gunpowder, sunrod, tanglefoot bag, or 25
thunderstone
Other Tasks Craft DC
Advanced alchemy +10
Augmented alchemy +10
Identify potion 10 + CL
Targeted brewing +3 per +1 to DC
Use alchemical item Special
Advanced Alchemy: By adding 10 to the Craft DC to create
an alchemical item or potion, you can add your Intelligence
bonus to the target DC values to resist the effects of
alchemical items you create. This supersedes the feat of the
same name, from Advanced Feats: Secrets of the Alchemist
(Open Design, LLC).
Augmented Alchemy: When creating an alchemical item or
substance, you can choose to make it more powerful than
normal by adding +10 to the DC required to create it and
multiplying its price by 5. If the item or substance deals
damage, double the base damage dealt (this does not multiply
a grenadier rogue’s sneak attack damage; instead, add the
increase in base damage to the total damage for the missile).
If the item or substance doesn’t deal damage, double the
duration of its effect. If the item or substance doesn’t deal
damage and doesn’t have a specific listed duration (or has an
instantaneous duration), double all dimensions of its area.
This supersedes the feat of the same name, from the 3.5
edition System Reference Document (“Epic Feats”).
Identify Potion: You are skilled in identifying a potion,
either by the use of reagents (if a laboratory is available) or by
sight and taste (if not). In either case, the DC is equal to 10 +
the caster level of the potion. Tasting a potion forces a saving
throw against poison, if the “potion” turns out to be an
ingested toxin instead.
Targeted Brewing: If you have access to some body part of
an individual (blood, hair clippings, etc.), you can create a
potion that is especially effective against that person, gaining
a +1 on the saving throw DC or +1 to the effective caster level
per +3 by which you increase Craft check DC for the potion.
The maximum improvement is +1 per 3 ranks of Craft
(Alchemy) you possess. This usage is described in Relics &
Rituals: Excalibur (Sword & Sorcery Studios).
Use Alchemical Item: When using alchemical items
(tanglefoot bags, etc.) yourself, you can add half your number
of ranks in Craft (Alchemy) as a competence bonus to the DC
of the saving throws to resist the effects of those items.
Class Skill: If Craft (alchemy) is a class skill, you gain the
ability to brew potions. You can create a potion of any spell (of
maximum spell level equal to half your number of ranks) that
you know or can cast and that targets one or more creatures.
Alternatively, you might be able to substitute relevant talents
or feats for spellcasting ability, as described for the Imbue
Item feat. Brewing a potion takes 2 hours if its base price is
250 gp or less, otherwise brewing a potion takes 1 day for
each 1,000 gp in its base price. The DC is 15 + the spell level
for 0 – 3rd level spells, 20 + spell level for 4th – 6th level spells,
and 25 + spell level for 7th – 9th level spells. When you create
a potion, you set the caster level, which must be sufficient to
cast the spell in question and no higher than your own level.
To brew a potion, you must use up raw materials costing one
half this base price. When you create a potion, you make any
choices that you would normally make when casting the spell.
Whoever drinks the potion is the target of the spell.
As you gain more class skill ranks, you also gain the
following additional abilities:
Enhance Potion: If you have at least 1 rank, when drinking
a potion, you can attempt a Craft (Alchemy) check at a DC
equal to 20 + the potion’s caster level. If successful, the
potion functions at a caster level equal to your number of
ranks in Craft (alchemy). On a failure, the potion fails to
function at all. This supersedes the alchemist discovery of
the same name, from the Pathfinder Advanced Players
Guide.
Extend Potion: If you have at least 6 ranks, when drinking
a potion you can attempt a check (at DC 20 + the caster
level of the potion) to cause the potion to last twice as long
as normal. This supersedes the alchemist discovery of the
same name, from the Pathfinder Advanced Players Guide.
Create Oils and Dusts: At 11 ranks, you can create
magical oils and dusts; this requires all of the
prerequisites listed in the description of the item in
question and takes 1 day per 1,000 gp of the item’s base
price. The check DC is 20 + 1 per 1,000 gp of the
substance’s base cost. You use up ingredients worth half
the base cost. Substances that can be crafted in this
manner include, but are not limited to, the following:
candle of invocation, candle of truth, dust of appearance
(et al.), elixir of fire breath (et al.), sovereign glue, stone
salve, universal solvent, etc.

Dilute Potion: Also at 11 ranks, given an hour you can
attempt to dilute any one potion or elixir, creating two
doses of the same potion from one. Diluting a potion costs
a number of gp equal to one-quarter of the potion's market
value. A potion that has been diluted cannot be diluted
again. This task requires a check at the same DC as
brewing a potion; failure on this check ruins both doses.
This task supersedes the Alchemist’s “dilution” discovery
from the Pathfinder Advanced Players Guide.
Philospher’s Stone: If you have at least 20 ranks, you can
create a philosopher’s stone (as the minor artifact) once
per month; this requires a week of work, but uses no more
materials than are normally stocked in your laboratory.
Personal Stock: You can create any number of potions or
alchemical items and flasks, but keeping them generally on
hand forces you to count their value against your personal
numen (see Chapter 6). In that case, you pay out the
mundane cost once, tally the items against your numen, and
assume that the items are replenished whenever you are not
adventuring and have access to a laboratory and raw
materials.
Retry: Yes, but requires additional raw materials. A
confirmed critical failure during the process can potentially
destroy the laboratory area as well, particularly if gunpowder
or potions of flame breath are being created..
Craft: Construction (Wis)
This skill allows you to design, build, and evaluate wooden,
stone, concrete, and metal structures (including bookcases,
desks, walls, houses, and so forth), and extends to various
fields such as plumbing, drywall, laying cement, and building
cabinets. For the sake of convenience, it also covers wood
carving, allowing you to craft wands and staves.
Check: As per general Craft rules, and see below.
Task Check DC
Assess damage 15 + hardness
Assess weakness 10
Build structure 15 (simple) to 30 (complex)
Craft (ironwood) As Craft (Smith) DC
Locate feature See below
Build Structure: When building a structure from scratch,
the character describes the kind of structure he or she wants
to construct; then the referee decides if the structure is
simple, moderate, complex, or advanced in scope and
difficulty.
Type of Structure (Examples) Craft DC Time
Simple (bookcase, false wall) 15 12 hr.
Moderate (catapult, shed, deck) 20 24 hr.
Complex (bunker, domed ceiling) 25 1 week
Magnificent (cathedral) 25 10 yrs.
Assess Damage: You can look over an item as a full-round
action and accurately measure how much damage the object
has taken and how much more punishment it can take. With
a successful check (DC 15 + the object’s hardness), you learn
the object’s hardness, how many hit points of damage it has
taken, and how many more it can take before being ruined.
Source: 101 New Skill Uses (Rite Publishing).
Assess Structural Weakness: When attacking an
unattended inanimate object, wall, or structure—or a
construct made of wood, stone, or other standard
construction materials other than metal—you ignore 1 point
of hardness or damage reduction per rank in Craft
(Construction) you possess. If you study an unattended object
for at least 3 rounds, you can attempt a Craft (construction)
check at DC 15 + the object’s hardness) in order to
automatically deal maximum damage possible against that
object (this does not work on constructs or undead).
Craft Ironwood: A successful Craft (construction) check in
conjunction with the casting of the ironwood spell enables
you to make wooden items that have the strength of steel.
Locate Structural Features: You can use your skill and
experience at construction to help you notice things like
secret passages and the like. Searching generally requires a
full-round action (although a passive check might be made by
passing by); typical DCs are as follows:
To Detect/Find: DC
The restrooms in a restaurant 5
A concealed door 15
A hidden compartment 15
A typical secret door 20
A very cunning secret door 30
Craft: Fine Art (Wis)
“I suspect that the word [art] was invented by second-rate
intelligences to describe the incomprehensible activities of
their betters.”
―Jack Vance, Showboat World (1975).
You can draw and sketch, and, with proper materials,
produce works of fine art such as paintings and sculptures.
Check Result Effort Achieved
10 or lower Untalented amateur
11–20 Talented amateur
21–25 Professional
26–30 Expert
31 or higher Master
Create Forgeries: Forgery requires writing materials (such
as ink, paper, and wax) appropriate to the document being
forged. To forge a document on which the handwriting is not
specific to a person, you need only to have seen a similar
document before, and you gain a +8 bonus on your check. To
forge a signature, you need an autograph of that person to
copy, and you gain a +4 bonus on the check. To forge a longer
document written in the hand of some particular person, a
large sample of that person’s handwriting is needed.
 Factor DC Time Initial Value Check DC
Document Type: 10 gp 10
Simple (typed letter, business card) 10 10 min. 50 gp 15
Moderate (letterhead, form) 12 20 min. 100 gp 20
Complex (driver’s license) 15 1 hr. 500 gp 25
Difficult (passport) 20 4 hrs. 1,000 gp 30
Extreme (secure military ID) 30 24 hrs. 5,000 gp 35

DC The check is then made, with the change in value of the

Familiarity: Mod. gem dependent upon the results:
Unfamiliar (seen once for < 1 minute) +5 Check
Fairly familiar (seen for several minutes) +0 Results Final Value
Quite familiar (on hand or studied at leisure) -5 DC -11 or Initial value decreases by 1 step according to
more the table above
Forger has produced other documents of same -5
type DC -6 to Initial value is cut in half
-10
Document includes specific signature +5
DC -1 to -5 Initial value is unchanged
The check is made secretly, so that you’re not sure how DC +0 to Initial value increases by 20%
good your forgery is. As with disguise, you don’t even need to +9
make a check until someone examines the work. Your check DC +10 to Initial value is doubled
is opposed by a Knowledge (lore) or Profession +19
(administration) check of the person who examines the
document to check its authenticity. The examiner gains DC +20 or Increases 1 step according to the table above
more
modifiers on his or her check if any of the conditions on the
table below exist. A character trained in this skill can also identify the
Reader’s Condition Modifier properties of magical rings and jeweled wondrous items and
Type of document unknown to reader –2
jewelry. The DC is 15 + the caster level of the item, and
requires 3 rounds spent handling the item in question and
Type of document somewhat familiar +0 examining it under bright light.
Type of document well known to reader +2
Handwriting not known to reader –2
Craft: Needlework (Wis)
Handwriting somewhat known to reader +0
This broad skill heading encompasses the work of cobblers,
leatherworkers, seamstresses, tailors, tanners, weavers, and
Handwriting intimately known to reader +2 so on. You are trained in spinning thread, making clothes and
Reader only casually reviews the document –2 other garments, tanning leather and fashioning leather goods
(including boots), etc. In general, this skill receives most of its
Document contradicts orders or knowledge +2 use when crafting magical cloaks, boots, and the like.
A character trained in this skill can identify the properties
Action: Creating a forgery takes time as shown in the table. of magical cloaks, boots, belts, capes, and so on. The DC is
Creating a work of fine art requires anywhere from 1d4 days 15 + the caster level of the item, and requires 3 rounds spent
to 1d4 weeks, depending on the complexity and type of art. handling the item in question.
Craft: Lapidary (Wis) Craft: Smith (Wis)
You are trained in cutting gems and fashioning jewelry. In You are a skilled metalworker, and are capable of smelting
general, this skill receives most of its use when crafting ore as well as forging, tempering, welding, and machining
and/or identifying magical amulets, rings, and the like. metal tools and parts.
When finding a gem, a jeweler can attempt to improve its Check: The check DC depends on the item manufactured,
cut, thereby increasing its value. However, failure has a according to the following table:
chance of ruining the stone, so you cannot Take 20 on the
check. The DC is dependent on the initial value of the gem, as Item Craft DC
follows: Simple repair (patch a kettle) 5
Typical item (iron pot, horseshoe) 10
Armor or shield 10 + AC bonus
Weapon 15
Identify Item Properties: A character trained in this skill can
also identify the properties of magical weapons, armor, and
shields. The DC is 15 + the caster level of the item, and
requires 3 rounds spent handling the item in question. You
can likewise identify exotic metal materials (Appendix B of
Chapter 6) and their properties.
Class Skill: If you are trained in Craft (smith) as a class
skill, when attacking an inanimate object crafted from metal
(such as a sword, door, or statue), or a metal construct that
possesses damage reduction (e.g., an iron golem), you ignore
1 point of hardness or damage reduction per rank you
possess.
You can also work in special materials such as talonite,
alchemical silver, and Damascus steel (Chapter 6) with costs
less than 5,000 gp.
If you have at least 6 ranks, you can work in cold iron and
mithral.
If you have at least 11 ranks, you can work with
adamantine.
If you have at least 16 ranks, you can work in planar
materials such as Astral driftmetal.
Craft: Toxicology (Int)
“Some call it the coin-tree, others the good-for-naught. It is
completely inoffensive, either as a primary or an operative.
You might ingest the whole of it: leaves, bark, pith, roots, and
note nothing other than a sluggishness of digestion. Recently
one of our venefices became irritated at such insipidity. He
made an intensive study of the coin-tree, and after several
years finally derived a substance of unusual potency. To be
useful it must be dissolved in methycin and wafted into the
air as a fog or mist, whence it enters the corpus through the
eyes, causing first blindness, then numbness, then complete
paralysis. Think of it! From waste, a useful and effective
poison!”
―Edelrod, Undermaster Venefice of Sarkovy (from Jack
Vance’s The Palace of Love, 1967)
You are skilled in making and using poisons.
Checks: You are skilled at crafting, modifying, identifying,
administering, and resisting poisons.
Task Craft (Toxicology) DC
Administer poison See below
Apply poison 10
Concentrate poison As poison’s save DC
Detect/identify poison As poison’s save DC
Distill poison As poison’s save DC + 10
Modify poison As poison’s save DC + 5
Resist poison See below
Administer Poison: When personally using poisons, rather
than simply using the poison DC as the Fortitude save DC to
resist, you can administer the poison with skill. The victim’s
Fortitude save DC is equal to your results on an opposed
Craft (Toxicology) check; you gain an equipment bonus to this
check equal to the poison’s DC –20 (if this number is below
zero, it acts as a penalty to your check).
Apply Poison: Applying poison to a weapon is a standard
action. If you fail the check, you inadvertently expose yourself
to the poison and must save against the poison as normal.
This does not consume the dose of poison. Whenever you
attack with a poisoned weapon, if the attack roll results in a
natural 1, you expose yourself to the poison. This consumes
the poison on the weapon.
A character with 10 or more ranks or Skill Focus in Craft
(toxicology) can take 10 while using poison, usually
eliminating the chance for accidental exposure. He or she
also has no chance of accidental exposure while wielding a
poisoned weapon. This supersedes the assassin’s “poison
use” class feature.
Concentrate Poison: You can combine two doses of the
same poison to increase their effects. This requires two doses
of the poison and 1 minute of work. When completed, you
have one dose of poison, with the frequency extended by 50%
and the save DC increased by +2. You cannot re-concentrate a
concentrated poison.
Detect/Identify Poison: You can detect a substance or
creature as poisonous by making a check against the save DC
of the poison. If you succeed by 5 or more, you identify the
exact type of poison. You can identify poison by symptoms, by
taste, by scent (+3 to check DC), or possibly by sight alone (+4
to the check DC). Use of this task requires a standard action;
you can attempt this task as a move action by adding 5 to the
check DC, as a swift action by adding 10 to the check DC, or
as a free action by adding 15 to the check DC.
Distill Poison: Given a proper lab and the requisite
materials (in many cases, a live monster or plant from which
to extract or distill venom), you may craft poisons at the DCs
listed. This requires 1 day of work. If you fail with a natural
“1,” you are exposed to the poison (because there are
consequences for failure, you cannot Take 20 on the check).
Modify Poison: You can use this skill to change the
exposure route of a poison. This requires 1 hour of work with
an alchemist’s lab and a skill check with a DC equal to the
poison’s DC +5. If successful, the poison’s type changes to
contact, ingested, inhaled, or injury (your choice). If the check
fails, the existing poison is ruined. This function supersedes
the Alchemist’s “poison conversion” discovery from Ultimate
Combat and the Daggermark Poisoner’s “master poisoner”
ability from Paths of Prestige.
Class Skill: Your long exposure to poisons has given you
some measure of immunity. Choose one specific poison type
(e.g., deathblade, blue whinnis, snake venom, or scorpion
venom). You become immune to that poison type, and you
also receive a cumulative +1 competence bonus on saving
throws against all other poisons.
For every 4 ranks you possess, select another specific type
to gain immunity to, and your bonus against other types
increases by +1.
At 20 ranks in Craft (toxicology), you are immune to all
poisons.
Action: As noted in the task descriptions.
Source: This skill supersedes the assassin’s poison-based
prestige class features, and also the Poison Immunity feat
from Champions of Ruin..
 Creature Frequency DC Modifier
Knowledge (Int) Common -5
Like the Craft, Perform, and Profession skills, Knowledge Uncommon 0
actually encompasses a number of unrelated skills. Rare +5
Knowledge represents a study of some body of lore, possibly Very Rare +10
an academic or even scientific discipline. Typical fields of
study include linguistics, lore (history, legends, riddles, and For example, learning the name, type, and environment of
unique items); religion and the planes; and warfare. a Rare creature would require check results of 20 or higher.
Check: Answering a question within your field of study has Action: Usually none. In most cases, making a Knowledge
a DC of 10 (for really easy questions), 15 (for basic questions), check doesn’t take an action—you simply know the answer or
or 20 to 30 (for really tough questions). you don’t.
In many cases, you can use this skill to identify monsters Try Again: No. The check represents what you know, and
and possibly their special powers or vulnerabilities. Not all thinking about a topic a second time doesn’t let you know
creature types have a dedicated Knowledge skill; some can be something that you never learned in the first place.
subsumed into other skills. Recommendations are as follows, Untrained: An untrained Knowledge check is simply an
although some overlap is assumed. Intelligence check. Without actual training, you know only
Creature Type Knowledge Skill common knowledge (DC 10 or lower).
Animals, plants, and vermin Survival
Knowledge: Linguistics (Int)
Constructs Spellcraft
“I always enjoyed learning a new tongue.”
Dragons Knowledge (lore) “You always were a cunning linguist, James.”
Fey Survival or Knowledge ― Goldeneye (1995)
(lore) You are skilled at working with language, both in its spoken
Humanoids (civilized) Streetwise and written forms. You can speak multiple languages and can
decipher nearly any written matter ―including dead arcane
Humanoids (uncivilized) Knowledge (warfare) languages and coded messages―given enough time. This
Humanoids (monstrous), giants Knowledge (lore) skill allows you to create works of poetry and prose, and to
Oozes Profession (mining)
perform great feats of oratory.
Your native language is always most familiar to you; you
Outsiders, elementals, and Knowledge (the planes) receive a +8 racial bonus to linguistics checks in that tongue.
undead Other languages you know by virtue of race, intelligence, or
Sea monsters Profession (sailing) ranks in this skill use your Linguistics skill bonus.
When you select the Linguistics skill, you immediately
Subterranean (any) Profession (mining) learn to read any language you can speak. For every even-
numbered rank (2nd, 4th, etc.), you learn to speak an
The knowledge gained depends on the check results, as additional language. For every odd-numbered rank beyond
shown below; information gained is cumulative. the first, you learn to read the last language you learned to
Check speak.
Results Information Gained Check: Basic communication (ordering beer, etc.) normally
10 Type (fey, outsider, undead, etc.) and features
does not require a check; it can be assumed that you are
common to that creature type taking 10. More advanced communication might, depending
on the difficulty. Imitating and recognizing accents, making
15 Creature name and environment speeches or reciting poetry, and creating works of poetry and
20 Organization and (Ex) abilities prose all require checks as well:.
25 (Su) and (Sp) abilities
30 Information unique to individual

The various check DCs listed are in no way dependent on

the CR of the creature; however, the rarity of the creature can
modify the check DCs needed to gain specific information.
Monster frequency can be determined on a campaign-specific
basis by the referee, or can simply be taken from the
appropriate entry in the 1st edition Monster Manual, Fiend
Folio, etc.
 Task Linguistics DC
Read Lips: A subject taking pains to avoid lip reading can
attempt a Bluff check to unobtrusively make them harder to
Basic communication (shared tongue) 10 read (use their Bluff results as an opposed check, rather than
General conversation 15 using the DC listed), or can simply put a cloth, etc. over his or
her mouth (no chance of reading lips, but the intent is
Complex, in-depth discussion 20 immediately obvious).
Compose work See below Read Magical Writing: You can decipher magical writings
Debate and oration Opposed checks
on a successful Linguistics check. This allows you to identify
scrolls, for example.
Decipher script See below Speak without Accent: A casual listener assumes that you
Identify accent 20 are speaking your native language. A listener who knows the
language you are speaking can attempt an opposed check to
Identify magical glyph 25 + spell level determine that something is very slightly off. Rather than
Identify regional dialect 30 simply speaking like a native, you can pull off a native-
Learn arcane spell from a book/ scroll 10 + spell level
sounding accent in a regional dialect with a DC 35
Linguistics check.
Prepare from borrowed spellbook 15+ spell level Understand Foreign Tongue: You can try to understand a
Read lips 25 language you do not speak. Each major idea conveyed
requires a separate attempt; your level of comprehension
Read magical writing 25 + spell level depends on your check results.
Speak without accent 30 Results Level of Comprehension
Understand foreign tongue See below 20 General sense of subject of major topic
Use scroll 20 + caster level 25 Some specific details, but shaky grasp
Compose Work: When creating a work of writing or 30 Pretty good idea of topic and details
oratory, the player simply makes a Linguistics check, the 35 Perfect comprehension due to linguistic
result of which determines the quality of the work. similarities with known languages
Check Result Effort Achieved
If the creature being conversed with attempts to speak
9 or lower Untalented amateur slowly and carefully, and makes liberal use of pantomime
10–19 Talented amateur (trying to make you understand), you can attempt a Bluff
check to interpret those efforts in place of a failed Linguistics
20–24 Professional check.
25–30 Expert Use Scroll: If you are casting a spell from a scroll, you have
31–35 Master
to decipher it first. Normally, to cast a spell from a scroll, you
must have the scroll’s spell on your class spell list. If you are
36+ Enduring classic trained in Linguistics, you can attempt use a scroll as if you
had a particular spell on your class spell list. The DC is equal
Decipher Script: You can decipher writing in an unfamiliar to 20 + the caster level of the spell you are trying to cast from
language or a message written in an incomplete or archaic the scroll. In addition, casting a spell from a scroll requires a
form. The base DC is 20 for the simplest messages, 25 for minimum score (10 + spell level) in the appropriate attribute.
standard texts, and 30 or higher for intricate, exotic, or very If you don’t have a sufficient score in that ability, you must
old writing. If the check succeeds, you understand the general emulate the ability score with a separate check. This use of
content of a piece of writing about one page long (or the the skill also applies to other spell completion magic items.
equivalent). If the check fails by 10 or more, you draw a false Class Skill: If Knowledge (linguistics) is a class skill for
conclusion about the text. you, you can scribe magical scrolls. To create a scroll of a
Debate and Oration: The linguistics skill can be used in a spell you know requires a linguistics check at DC 15 + the
series of opposed checks, to simulate the swaying of an level of the spell to be scribed. Scrolls of multiple spells
audience during a debate―somewhat like a Mass Diplomacy require multiple checks. If a check fails by 4 or less, the
skill. This function therefore generally supersedes the inscriber is aware of his failure. On a failure of 5 or more, the
Demagogue bard archetype from Ultimate Magic. You can spell appears to be scribed correctly, but fails when cast.
also use this task to potentially disrupt a language-dependent Failure by 10 or more indicates that the spell appears correct,
magical effect or skald’s bardic inspiration effect; this works but has a reversed or harmful effect when read. Scribing a
as described under the “countersong” function of the Perform scroll takes 2 hours if its base price is 250 gp or less,
(Music) skill (q.v.). otherwise scribing a scroll takes 1 day for each 1,000 gp in its
Identify Magical Glyph: With a successful Linguistics base price.
check, you can determine the meaning or effects of a magical
rune, glyph, or symbol without triggering it (assuming it is Comprehend Languages: If you have at least 6 ranks, you
triggered by being read, not merely by being looked at). can puzzle out anything people say to you, as if under a
continuous comprehend languages effect.

Enhance Scroll: If you have at least 11 ranks, when using a
scroll you can cause the spell on it to function at your caster
level, rather than the caster level of the scroll. This requires a
check at DC 20 + the level of the spell. This ability supersedes
the Cyphermage’s lore of the same name, from the Pathfinder
Campaign Setting: Inner Sea Magic.
Gift of Tongues: If you have at least 16 ranks, you speak all
languages fluently, even ones you have never encountered.
Personal Stock: You can scribe any number of scrolls, but
keeping them generally on hand forces you to count their
value against your personal Mojo (see Chapter 6). In that
case, you pay out the materials cost once, tally the scrolls
against your mojo (25 x spell level x minimum caster level),
and assume that the scrolls are replenished whenever you
are not adventuring and have access to parchments and ink.
Synergy: If you have the Imbue Item feat, you can scribe
magical librams and tomes. This requires 1 day per 1,000 gp
of base cost, uses up materials (special inks, etc.) worth half
that, and has a DC of 25 + 1 per 10,000 gp base price (round
up).
Action: Varies. Creating a work of writing requires at least
1 hour, but usually takes a day, a week, or more, depending on
the scope of the project. Deciphering a page of ordinary text
takes 1 minute (10 consecutive rounds). Deciphering a
written spell requires 1 minute of concentration. Learning a
spell from a spellbook takes 1 hour per level of the spell (0-
level spells take 30 minutes). Preparing a spell from a
borrowed spellbook does not add any time to your spell
preparation.
Try Again: Yes.
Knowledge: Lore (Int)
“Since spring the lords of An have been asking two questions
only: who is Raederle to marry, and what was the one riddle
Pevin couldn’t answer? Hagis King of An, my father’s
grandfather, died in Pevin’s tower for the lack of that riddle.”
―Patricia McKillip, The Riddle-Master of Hed (1976)
You are a scholar of history, legends, and old riddles. Along
the way, you’ve become something of a walking storehouse of
history and trivia.
Check: In addition to recalling esoteric facts and solving
riddles, with this skill you can evaluate the value of any object
or comestible, picking out priceless treasures from worthless
junk. You might also be able to determine a place or culture
of origin and/or some piece of information associated with
the item in question. You can identify unique historical
magical items (artifacts, relics, or weapons of legacy) or
legendary places. The amount of information you have on the
item in question depends on the check results:
Information DC
Recent or historically significant event 10
Approximate date of specific event 15
Obscure or ancient historical event 20
Creature abilities/weaknesses See
above
Name of item/place (e.g., “Sword of Kas”) 20
Value of object 20
Properties of standard item 20 +
CL
Properties of wondrous item 15 +
CL
Rumored powers/effects of artifact/relic 25
One specific fact about item or place (e.g., “cutting 30
off the Hand will kill the host.”)
Each specific fact thereafter +5
Creature Abilities and Weaknesses: With a successful
check, you can also identify dragons, fey, giants, monstrous
humanoids, and unique legendary creatures, and their
abilities, weaknesses, and special powers, as described under
the general Knowledge heading.
Properties of Magic Items: You can determine the
properties of an artifact or relic, a wondrous item other than
jewelry and written items, etc. with a successful check at DC
15 + the item’s caster level. Any item of legendary repute (e.g.,
the signature bonded wand used by Rémy of Autrisch in the
dungeons beneath Castle Greyhawk) can be identified
likewise. This takes one full round.
You can also use this skill to identify other, more standard
magic items of any type, but this is more difficult; the check
DC increases by 5 and the time required increases to 3
rounds, during which time you must handle the item in
question.
Value of Object: If you succeed by 5 or more, you also
determine if the item has magic properties, although this
success does not grant knowledge of the magic item's
abilities. If your fail the check by less than 5, you determine
the price of that item to within 20% of its actual value. If you
fail this check by 5 or more, the price is wildly inaccurate,
subject to GM discretion. Particularly rare or exotic items
might increase the DC of this check by 5 or more.
You can also use this check to determine the most valuable-
looking item in a treasure hoard. The DC of this check is
generally 20, but can increase to as high as 30 for a
particularly large hoard.
Special: Riddling contests (Cf. The Hobbit) and trivia
contests are resolved using a series of opposed Knowledge
(lore) checks.
Action: Appraising an item takes 1 standard action.
Determining the most valuable object in a treasure hoard
takes 1 full-round action;
Try Again: No.

Knowledge: The Planes (Int)
He immediately commenced an almost profound stream of
profanity. Dilvish listened with admiration, for even in his
military days he would have been hard put to find its equal.
“You managed to blaspheme gods even the priests have
forgotten,” he said with awe in his voice.
Roger Zelazny, The Changing Land (1981)
You have a working knowledge of the multiverse, including
both the inner and outer planes. You are familiar with many
of the conditions and entities found on different planes, from
minor spirits to divine powers.
Check: You can identify items of information related to
gods and goddesses, religions, ecclesiastic tradition, holy
symbols, undead, and extraplanar beings.
Task Check DC
Identify holy symbol/vestments 15
Identify ritual 20
Identify mythic event 30
Identify abilities and weaknesses See above
Identify relic or extraplanar material 15 + caster level
Identify a divine spell being cast 15+ spell level
Identify active divine spell effect 20+ spell level
Identify materials of extra-planar origin 20+ spell level (if
or made by divine power applicable)
Identify a divine spell or planar property 25+ spell level (if
that just targeted you applicable)
Planar resistance (mild) 20
Planar resistance (strong) 30
Planar spell 15 + 2x spell
level
Identify Ritual: You can deduce the significance, purpose,
and patron deity of any religious ritual you observe. You can
determine the sacrifices and/or prayers approved by various
deities.
Identify Mythic Event: Upon observing an actual event or a
depiction of one in painting or sculpture, you can determine
the religious or planar significance of the event. For example,
if you see a carving of golden rain falling into a bronze cell,
you can identify this as a depiction of the god Zeus entering
the prison of the princess Danaë, and you know that the
offspring of that union was Perseus, who slew Medusa.
Identify Abilities and Weaknesses: You can use this skill to
identify elementals, outsiders, and undead and their special
powers or vulnerabilities, as described under the general
Knowledge heading.
Identify Relic or Extraplanar Material: You can identify a
holy/unholy relic by succeeding at a check at the DC listed;
this requires you to study the item in question for 1 full round,
although you need not actually touch it. You can identify the
properties of planar items (e.g., a cubic gate or sword of the
planes) or religious magical items (e.g., a phylactery of
faithfulness) likewise. You can identify extraplanar materials
(Appendix B of Chapter 6) likewise.
Planar Resistance (Mild): If you succeed at a DC 20
Knowledge (the Planes) check upon arriving on a mildly-
aligned plane, you are immune to ability penalties due to
alignment variance until you leave that plane. For every 5
points by which you beat the DC, you can confer this
resistance on one ally.
Planar Resistance (Strong): If you succeed at a DC 30
Knowledge (the Planes) check upon arriving on a strongly-
aligned plane, you are immune to ability penalties due to
alignment variance until you leave that plane.
Planar Spell: As noted in the Introduction, in general,
arcane casters attempting to cast unmodified prepared spells
on planes with different magical laws fail automatically, or
achieve questionable results (as a rod of wonder). Prepared
casters can attempt a Knowledge (the planes) check while
preparing spells (DC 15 + twice the level of the spell); if
successful, the spell prepared in that manner functions
normally on the variant-magic plane. If the check succeeds by
10 or more, the spell functions normally on either plane.
Knowledge: Warfare (Int)
You are trained in military tactics and strategy, and can direct
troops and operate siege equipment. In addition to military
uses, this skill governs your proficiency at chess and similar
games of strategy.
Check: Basic drills in non-combat situations do not require
checks. During an actual armed conflict, checks depend on
the task attempted.
Task DC
Create battle plan 15
Estimate CR 10 + CR
Identify creatures & tactics 10 + CR
Identify enemy command 20
Identify feat or talent 10 + BAB
Identify style (general) 15
Identify style (personal) 25
Large-scale tactics (Opposed check)
Mask style (Opposed check)
Negate stance 20 + BAB
Operate siege engine 15 or target’s AC
Create Battle Plan: You can develop a tactical battle plan.
This task requires observation of the situation and opponents
as a full-round action; you can’t perform this task when
surprised or otherwise unprepared. Because of stress and
distraction inherent in combat, you can’t take 10 unless you
have at least 10 ranks in the skill.
A successful check provides a +1 circumstance bonus to
either offense (attacks and skill checks) or defense (AC and
CMD), your choice. For every 10 points by which you beat the
check DC, you can increase the bonus by an additional +1. If
the bonus is greater than +1, you can divide the total bonus
between offense and defense as you see fit.
These bonuses apply to you and a number of allies within 30
ft. (and who can see and hear you) equal to your Intelligence
modifier. For each round that combat continues after the first
round that this bonus applies, the bonus is reduced by 1 (to a
minimum of +0), as the vagaries of circumstance begin to
unravel even the best-laid plans.
Estimate CR: After observing a creature in combat for at
least 1 full round, you can attempt a Knowledge (Warfare)
check at the DC shown as a free action. If successful, you
learn that creature’s challenge rating.
Identify Creatures and Tactics: With a successful check,
you can also identify uncivilized humanoids, their abilities,
weaknesses, and typical military tactics. See the general
Knowledge heading for details.
Identify Enemy Command: Your military experience makes
you comfortable in a chain of command, and allows you to
identify comparative rank and possibly even the meanings of
military insignia.
Identify Feat: Upon observing a combat feat (including a
stance or strike) or fighter talent being activated or in use
(even if it fails, or if no effect is immediately apparent), a
Knowledge (Warfare) check can be attempted as a free action
to identify the feat or talent and its effects. The DC of this
check is equal to 10 + the base attack bonus of the initiator of
the feat. If the check succeeds by 5 or more, you also identify
the school or style of combat the initiator was trained in.
Identify Style (Personal): You can identify anyone you have
ever seen fight before, based purely upon seeing them fight
again. Even if the person is disguised or otherwise
unidentifiable based on visual cues, by seeing them fight you
can identify and correlate styles, personal foibles and quirks,
and otherwise know that combatant for anyone you have seen
fight in the past. If the person you are observing is also
trained in this skill, he or she can attempt to mask his or her
particular style (see “mask style,” below). Special: If the
person you are observing is using the same weapon you
previously saw them fight with, you receive a +5 circumstance
bonus to the check.
Large-Scale Tactics: By directing a unit of soldiers, your
Knowledge (Warfare) check as treated as an opposed check
against the Knowledge (Warfare) of the enemy leader.
Assuming troops of approximately equal strength and arms
and armor on each side, the difference between checks is the
number of soldiers on the losing side dead per 20
combatants during that engagement.
Mask Style: You can attempt to prevent an observer from
divining your true style, training, and expertise (“I know
something you don’t know… I am not left handed!”). You roll
an opposed check against the observer’s “identify style” task.
Alternatively, you can go wild attempting to disguise your
style and set any DC you desire; you and the observer both
throw against this DC, but if you fail, the observer
immediately knows the truth. Special: Any creature with 10
or more Fighter levels automatically sees through your ruse;
see the fighter’s “threat assessment” class feature.
Negate Stance: If you successfully identify an opponent’s
Stance (see Identify Feat, above), you can, as a swift action,
attempt to spare yourself from the effects of that stance (for
example, you might be able to ignore the AC bonus from
Combat Expertise when attacking that opponent). This
requires the opponent to be within reach, and you must have
at least one attack of opportunity available to you in order to
negate the effects of an opponent’s stance on you.
Operate Siege Engine: If you have at least 5 ranks in
Knowledge (warfare), you are proficient with siege weaponry
and can head a siege crew. Hitting a target requires a
Knowledge (warfare) check by the crew chief against the AC
of the target, modified by the range penalty as appropriate. It
takes a crew a full-round actions to load and aim a siege
engine; if you increase the hit DC by 5, your crew can load
and aim as a standard action; if you increase the DC by 10,
your crew can load and fire as a move action. It requires a
crew (size dependent upon the type of engine) to use a siege
engine.
If you miss with an indirect-fire siege weapon, the shot
lands 5 ft. away from the target square, plus an additional
foot per point by which you miss the DC (round up), in a
random direction (roll 1d8). This task supersedes the Siege
Engineer and Siege Gunner feats from Ultimate Combat.
Try Again: If you miss a target with a siege engine, you can
try again after reloading and re-aiming the engine (just as, if
you miss a target with a ranged attack, you can try again on
your next attack). If you misinterpret insignia or a perceived
chain of command, you can try again only if additional orders
are given while you are observing.
Perform
Like Knowledge and Craft, Perform actually encompasses a
number of separate skills. Obvious examples include acting,
music, and dance (each described separately), but other
Perform skills can be included.
Check: You can impress audiences with your talent and
skill.
DC Performance
10 Routine performance. Trying to earn money by playing
in public is essentially begging. You can earn 1d10
cp/day.
15 Enjoyable performance. In a prosperous city, you can
earn 1d10 sp/day.
20 Great performance. In a prosperous city, you can earn
3d10 sp/day. In time, you may be invited to join a
professional troupe and may develop a regional
reputation.
25 Memorable performance. In a prosperous city, you can
earn 1d6 gp/day. In time, you may come to the
attention of noble patrons and develop a national
reputation.
30 Extraordinary performance. In a prosperous city, you
can earn 3d6 gp/day. In time, you may draw attention
from distant potential patrons, or even from
extraplanar beings.
Gather Crowd (Ex): You can use Perform skills in an
attempt at drawing an audience. If in a settlement or
populated area, you can dance, sing, etc. in order to attract an
audience to your impromptu stage. The size of the crowd
depends on the local population, but typically is a number of
people equal to half your number of ranks in Perform x the
results of your Perform check. The crowd gathers over the
next 1d10 rounds. If you fail to engage the crowd thereafter
(such as by performing, kissing babies, trying to use
fascinate, and so on), it disperses over the next 1d10 rounds.
This task supersedes the Celebrity bard’s variant class
feature of the same name, from Ultimate Magic.

Perform: Acting (Cha)
When you take your first rank in the skill, choose one of the
categories below (e.g., comedy); you have access to that entire
category. For each additional rank, you may choose one
specific example from a different category (e.g., drama).
Gaining two examples from any category gives you access to
that entire category. At 5 ranks in the skill, you are proficient
in all of the categories listed.
• Acting (comedy, drama, mime, disguise)
• Comedy (buffoonery, limericks, joke-telling)
• Oratory (epic, ode, storytelling)
Disguise: Your Performance check result determines how
good the disguise is, and it is opposed by others’ Perception
check results. If you don’t draw any attention to yourself,
others do not get to make Perception checks. If you come to
the attention of people who are suspicious (such as a guard
who is watching commoners walking through a city gate), it
can be assumed that such observers are taking 10 on their
Perception checks.
You get only one disguise check per use of the skill, even if
several people are making Perception checks against it. The
effectiveness of your disguise depends in part on how much
you’re attempting to change your appearance.
Disguise Details Check Modifier1
Different age category –22
Different gender –2
Different race of same general body type –2
Different size category3 –8
(1) These modifiers are cumulative; use all that apply.
(2) Per step of difference between your actual age category
and your disguised age category. The steps are: young
(younger than adulthood), adulthood, middle age, old, and
venerable.
(3) Maximum one category of difference.
Usually, an individual makes a Perception check to see
through your disguise immediately upon meeting you and
each hour thereafter. If you casually meet many different
creatures, each for a short time, check once per day or hour,
using an average Perception modifier for the group.
Taunt: You can use Perform (acting) to disrupt an
opponent’s focus and concentration. As a full-round action,
pick a single foe who can see and hear you and who shares a
language with you. Then make a Perform check opposed by
your target’s Will save. If your check succeeds, your enemy
suffers a –2 penalty to all attacks but gains a +1 bonus to
melee damage. Your opponent knows that your are causing
this effect, and may move to attack you if he can do so
without provoking attacks of opportunity; your allies can
forgo these attacks in such a manner as to signal the target
that they will let him pass. This effect lasts for a number of
rounds equal to 1 + your Charisma modifier.
You can also accomplish the following additional tasks with
this skill.
Task Check DC
False enchantment 15 + spell level
False Enchantment: If you successful save against a
[charm] or [compulsion] spell targeting you, you can attempt
a check at the indicated DC as an immediate action to
convince the caster that you were in fact affected. This lasts
until the spell duration would normally end, or until you act in
a way contrary to the spell’s effects (this task is therefore
most useful when paired with a Spellcraft check to identify
the spell, or when the caster issues verbal commands).
Class Skill: If you are trained in Perform (Acting) as a
class skill, you gain the following benefits at the requisite
number of ranks:
Impersonation: If you have at least 6 ranks, you can
attempt to impersonate a specific individual. Those who
know what that person looks like get a bonus on their
Perception checks according to the table below; they are
also automatically considered to be suspicious of you, so
opposed checks are always called for.
Familiarity Check Bonus
Recognizes on sight +4
Friends or associates +6
Close friends +8
Intimate +10
Façade: If you have at least 11 ranks, your disguises resist
divination spells and abilities. If a divination spell is cast
on you while in disguise, the spell or effect reveals
information that is consistent with your disguise, not with
your true identity, alignment, etc. In addition, when
targeted by a spell, spell-like ability, or supernatural ability
that affects creatures of certain alignments, you are
affected as if your alignment were that of your disguised
persona (if you succeed at a Spellcraft check to identify
the spell, you can choose to adopt a new false alignment as
an immediate action). This ability supersedes the rogue
talent of the same name from Dragon #326, the
Spymaster’s “deep cover” prestige class feature from
Complete Adventurer, and the Aspis Agent’s “mask
alignment” prestige class feature from Paths of Prestige.
Assumption: At 16 ranks, as a full-round action you can
touch a helpless creature and cause your aura to
impersonate that of the target. This confuses divination
effects and spells, even ones as powerful as discern
location, such that they register you as being the target
creature. This ability is not proof against the actions of
deities or similarly powerful beings. The assumption of an
identity lasts until you end it (a standard action) or you use
the ability on another creature or disguise. This
supersedes the Master Spy’s class feature of the same
name from the Advanced Player’s Guide
Master of Disguise: If you have 20 ranks, you can
voluntarily remove yourself from game play as a full-round
action. Thereafter, at any time you choose, you can
“reveal” that any non-crucial NPC (i.e., a palace guard, but
not the party’s nemesis) is actually you in disguise, and
has been since any point past the time you activated this
ability (your choice). It is up to you and the referee to
invent some reason the real NPC isn’t present, if that
turns out to be important.
Action: Varies. Trying to earn money by playing in public
requires anywhere from an evening’s work to a full day’s
performance. Creating a disguise requires 1d3×10 minutes of
work. If you have at least 5 ranks in the skill and already have
a disguise prepared, you can don it as a standard action, but
take a -5 penalty to the check.
Try Again: Yes. Retries are allowed, but they don’t negate
previous failures, and an audience that has been
unimpressed in the past is likely to be prejudiced against
future performances. (Increase the DC by 2 for each previous
failure.) You may try to redo a failed disguise, but once others
know that a disguise was attempted, they’ll be more
suspicious.
Special: Magic that alters your form, such as alter self,
disguise self, polymorph, or shapechange, grants you a bonus
on Disguise checks (see the individual spell descriptions). You
must succeed on a Disguise check to duplicate the
appearance of a specific individual using the veil spell.
Divination magic that allows people to see through illusions
(such as true seeing) does not penetrate a mundane disguise,
but it can negate the magical component of a magically
enhanced one. You must make a Perform (acting) check
when you cast a simulacrum spell to determine how good the
likeness is.
Perform: Dance (Cha)
When you take your first rank in the skill, choose one of the
categories below (e.g., ballroom); you have access to that
entire category. For each additional rank, you may choose one
specific example from a different category (e.g., polka).
Gaining two examples from any category gives you access to
that entire category. At 9 ranks in the skill, you are proficient
in all of the categories listed.
• Ballroom (tango, waltz, salsa, etc.)
• Ballet
• Eastern folk/traditional (punjabi folk dance, Chinese
ribbon dancing, etc.)
• Western folk/traditional (jig, polka, square dancing, line
dancing, flamenco, etc.)
• Modern (cheerleading, contemporary, disco,
breakdancing, krump, etc.)
Once you have acquired proficiency in a category, if you are
exposed to a specific example in that category that you are
unfamiliar with, you are able to quickly and easily master the
steps.
Perform: Music (Cha)
When you take your first rank in the skill, choose one of the
categories below (e.g., string instruments); you have access to
that entire category. For each additional rank, you may
choose one specific example from a different category (e.g.,
harpsichord). Gaining two examples from any category gives
you access to that entire category. At 10 ranks in the skill, you
are proficient in all of the categories listed.
• Keyboard instruments (harpsichord, piano, pipe organ)
• Percussion instruments (bells, chimes, drums, gong)
• String instruments (fiddle, harp, lute, mandolin)
• Wind instruments (flute, pan pipes, recorder, shawm,
trumpet)
• Singing (ballad, chant, melody)
Countersong: You can use your musical abilities to disrupt
magical attacks or abilities that rely on song. You must have a
Perform area that involves music and, if necessary, an
instrument. Any creature within 30 feet of you (including
yourself) that is affected by a sonic or language-dependent
magical attack may use your Perform check result in place of
a saving throw if, after the saving throw is rolled, the Perform
check result proves to be higher. Creatures within range of
the countersong who are already under the effect of a non-
instantaneous sonic or language-dependent magical attack
gain another saving throw against the effect each round they
hear the countersong, but they must use your Perform check
result for the save. Countersong offers no benefit against
effects that don’t allow saves. You may start a countersong as
a standard action and keep it up for a number of rounds equal
to your ranks in Perform.
You can also use countersong to ruin another person’s
performance. In this case, make an opposed check. If your
results are greater than or equal to your opponent’s, then the
performance is disrupted (this can prevent or end a minstrel’s
bardic inspiration effect).
Special: A masterwork musical instrument gives you a +2
circumstance bonus on Perform checks that involve its use.
Profession
You are trained in some profession not associated with an
adventuring class. Examples might include administration
(you can function in a bureaucracy), horticulture (including
farming, etc.), mining (see separate entry below), sailing (see
separate entry below), etc.
Profession: Administration (Cha)
“Control is necessary and even good—so long as I do the
controlling.”
―Jack Vance, Emphyrio (1969)
You are at home in bureaucratic organizations and among
regulations, and can competently allocate personnel and
resources, manage employees and tasks, and preserve your
own status within the organization.
Check: You can use this skill in the following ways; other
related uses should also be permitted.
Find Ally: A successful skill check (DC based on Diplomacy
rules) might allow a character with Admin skill to name-drop
their way into a shared relationship, even in unlikely
situations; think “six degrees of separation” here.
Garner Favor: With a successful check (DC 20 + creature’s
CR) you can compel an NPC to grant you some boon or
perform some favor for you, by leveraging personal
knowledge, organizational pressure, some obscure point of
procedure, or other means.
Know Law or Regulation: You can look up, cite, or at least
understand the gist of a given law or regulation. The DC
varies depending on the scale of the regulation and your
familiarity with the regulating body:
 Regulation Admin DC
Major law in your home country 10
Major law in foreign country 15
Minor law in your home country 15
Minor law in foreign country 20
Regulation in your organization 15
Regulation in related organization 25
Regulation in foreign organization 35
Negotiate Red Tape: When encountering bureaucratic red
tape, you can get past it by succeeding at an Administration
check opposed by an Administration or Bluff check by the
obstructive official. You can therefore use the Administration
skill to create red tape as well.
Political Maneuvering: In general, a check is necessary only
in the event of particularly involved political maneuvering or
organizational shuffling. In that event, play out the scenario
as much as desired by group consensus, then roll opposed
checks. A bidding war (see Introduction) is possible.
Special: If you use the optional Social Class attribute,
apply your Social Class modifier, in addition to your
Charisma modifier, to administration and politics checks.
Profession: Driving (Wis)
Not once, but several times, Mary cried out in fear as Harlow
took the Ferrari down through the hairpins of the Col de
Tende. Harlow's face was still, implacable. To an observer, it
must have appeared that the car was being driven by a
maniac, but Harlow was in complete control. To the
accompaniment of the sound of tortured tyres and engine
bellowing in the lower gears, he descended the Col as no one
had ever done before, and, assuredly, no one would ever do
again.
―Alistair MacLean, The Way to Dusty Death (1973)
Routine tasks, such as ordinary driving, don’t require a skill
check. Make a check only when some unusual circumstance
exists (such as inclement weather or an icy surface), or when
the character is driving during a dramatic situation.
Checks: Whenever you make a Drive check, the vehicle's
size modifier is added to your check (Medium –0; Large –1;
Huge –2; Gargantuan –4; Colossal –8). There are any number
of tasks you can perform with a vehicle using this skill; the
following are examples:
Task Check DC
Avoid collision 15
Engage the enemy Opposed initiative check
Escape grapple DC of grapple
Overdrive 20
Racing turn +10
Ram AC of target
Avoid Collision: You can make a DC 15 check as a reaction
to reduce or negate the damage from a collision.
Engage the Enemy (Trained Only): When driving a vehicle
in combat, you may choose to make a Profession (driving)
check instead of an Initiative check.
Escape Grapple (Trained Only): The driver of a car can
make a Profession (driving) check to escape being pinned
against the curb, etc.; the pilot of a starship can make a Drive
check to escape after being held or immobilized by another
starship’s grapplers or tractor beam; and so on.
Overdrive (Trained Only): You can make a Profession
(driving) check as a swift action to make your vehicle perform
beyond its normal limits. The increase in speed is equal to
1% x your check results; if the results are less than 10, there
is no increase. You can't take 10 on this check.
Racing Turn (Trained Only): You can make an accelerate,
decelerate, or turn action as a move action instead of a
standard action. Furthermore, when stopping a vehicle, you
subtract 10 feet from the roll to determine how many feet the
vehicle moves forward before it stops. This task supersedes
the Expert Driver feat from Ultimate Combat.
Ram: You can make a Drive check as a full-round action to
intentionally collide with your target. This replaces an attack
roll on your part; damage is dependent on the size and speed
of the vehicle.
Special: You can take 10 on a Drive check, except when
attempting to increase a vehicle's speed. You can’t take 20 on
a Drive check.
Profession: Mining (Wis)
From training and experience, you are at home underground.
You can conduct mining assays for valuable mineral deposits,
and are skilled in excavating, traversing, and shoring up mine
tunnels.
Check: The DC and effect depend on the task.
Task Check DC
Mining (per day)
Half a 5-ft. cube 10
One 5-ft. cube 15
Each additional 5-ft. cube +5
Conduct mining assay 20
Detect stonework trap DC of trap
Determine slope 15
Identify abilities and weaknesses See Knowledge
Identify underground hazards 15 + CR
Identify mineral, rock, or metal 10
Intuit depth underground 20
Notice unsafe stonework 20
Penetrate hardness (or DR) 10 + hardness
Mining: These rules are similar to those printed in Races of
the Dragon. A Profession (miner) check can be used to
indicate the progress of mining or digging operations.
Excavation is represented as a fixed number of 5-foot cubes
per miner, based on the Profession (miner) check result of
the lead worker. Even a pair of unskilled miners can remove a
5-foot cube of stone with 8 hours of labor, while reasonably
talented workers can remove twice or even three times as
much.
Two Medium miners can work together on a single 5-foot
cube, with one using the aid another action to assist the
other's check. Only a single large or larger miner can work on
any given 5-foot cube. Up to four Small or smaller miners can
work together on the same 5-foot cube, with as many as three
miners using the aid another action to assist the lead miner's
check. Kobolds are an exception to this rule (see Special,
below).
The table above assumes the miners are digging through
sedimentary rock, such as limestone, sandstone, or shale.
Other substances apply a modifier on the check, as shown on
the following table.
Substance Check Modifier
Gravel or sand +10
Loose earth +5
Clay or silt +2
Packed dirt or frozen earth +2
Igneous rock -5
Metamorphic rock -10
Kobolds mine more efficiently than other Small creatures.
Treat them as Medium creatures for determining their daily
progress, but as Small creatures when determining how
many kobolds can work on a given 5-foot cube.
Conduct Mining Assay: Given a week’s time, you can
determine what types of mineral resources are likely
available in a 4 square mile assay area, and the best locations
to dig for them.
Detect Stonework Trap: You can substitute Profession
(mining) checks for Perception checks to notice unusual
stonework, such as sliding walls, stonework traps, new
construction (even when built to match the old), unsafe stone
surfaces, shaky stone ceilings, and the like. Something that
isn’t stone but that is disguised as stone also counts as
unusual stonework. You can use the mining skill to find
stonework traps as a character trained in Disable Device can.
If you merely come within 10 feet of unusual stonework,
you can make a Perception check as if you were actively
searching to notice that something is amiss, and then make a
mining check to determine the nature of the feature that
caused you to stop.
Identify Abilities and Weaknesses: With a successful check,
you can also identify certain monsters associated with mines
and the Underdark, their abilities, weaknesses, and special
powers. You can use this ability with aberrations and oozes,
and with other creatures that live exclusively underground
(such as Morlocks). Details are listed under the Knowledge
skill heading.
Intuit Depth: With a DC 10 Profession (mining) check, you
can intuit depth, sensing your approximate depth
underground. Successive successful checks allow you to
determine the approximate slope of a passageway.
Notice Unsafe Stonework: This applies to unsafe ceilings,
inadequate shorings, and the like. Noticing these features
works as does detecting stonework traps, except that the
default DC is 20.
Penetrate Hardness: If you study an inanimate stone object
as a move action and succeed at a DC 10 Mining check, you
ignore 1 point of hardness thereafter per point above 10 by
which your roll succeeds (DC 18 to ignore the full hardness
of 8).
When faced with a stone or earth creature that possesses
damage reduction (e.g., a clay golem), you can make a Mining
check as a move action, and thereafter penetrate the
creature’s damage reduction as if your weapon were of the
appropriate material. The DC for this check is equal to 10 +
the creature’s damage reduction. For example, on a DC 20
Profession (mining) check, you would penetrate a stone
golem’s damage reduction (10/adamantine) as if you had an
adamantine weapon.
Action: A mining assay requires 1 week per 4 square mile
area. Actively searching for unusual or unsafe stonework, for
stonework traps, or for weaknesses in a stone wall or
creature is a move action.
Try Again: Yes.
Profession: Sailing (Wis)
“Down we go,” said Paddy. “Now pray to Saint Anthony if you
be a good Catholic—”
“I'm not,” snapped Fay, “and if you'll give more mind to the
boat and less to religion we’ll gain by it.”
―Jack Vance, The Five Gold Bands (1950)
You are able to handle various watercraft, from small
canoes to large sailing ships. You can steer, navigate, tie
knots, handle rigging, tend and repair sails, and stand a deck
watch at sea.
General Tasks DC
Prepare for a voyage 15
Chart course 15
Coax speed 15
Follow course (in sight of land) 10
Follow course (open sea) 15
Follow course (in swift current) 20
Identify sea monsters/hazards (Varies)
Predict weather 15
Prepare for a Voyage: With a successful check, you can
secure a vessel and crew (if in a harbor city) at cost, and
calculate and lade adequate supplies and cargo.
Chart Course: You can read charts and plot a seagoing
course that takes into account prevailing winds, reefs and
shallows, etc.
Coax Speed: On a DC 15 check, you can increase the
speed of a vessel you command by 5 ft. (or 0.5 mph). For every
5 points by which you succeed, you can coax an additional 5
ft. of speed from the vessel. This task subsumes the Inner Sea
Pirate’s “windrigger” prestige class feature, from Pirates of
the Inner Sea.
Follow Course: You can keep a ship generally on course; a
check is made each day. Missing one Profession (sailing)
check doesn’t mean the expedition is lost, but it does increase
the next day’s check to DC 10 (if in sight of the coast) or 19
(on the open sea). A second failed check increases the third
day’s DC to 13 (22 if at sea). Three consecutive failures
indicates that the ship is lost. A lost ship requires a DC 25
check to regain its course; this costs a day of travel per day of
being lost.
In a swift current, the base check is at DC 21 (DC 23 after
one failed check; DC 27 after two days of failed checks). In
general, three successful checks in a row enable you to steer
clear of the current.
Identify Sea Monsters/Hazards: With a successful check,
you can identify marine creatures and hazards and possibly
their abilities, weaknesses, and special powers (as described
under the Knowledge skill heading).
Predict Weather: Following adages like “red sky at
morning…” and watching the clouds and sea birds (and
barometer), you can estimate the general weather conditions
for the next 24 hours. You cannot use this ability indoors,
underground, or in other situations in which you cannot see
the sky.
Hazardous Tasks DC
Avoid sinking (holed ship) 15 + 4 per hole after the
first
Free ship 20
Navigate unfamiliar reefs, etc. 25
Weather storm:
Severe winds 15
Tropical storm 20
Hurricane 25
Apocalyptic whirlpool of 30
doom

Avoid Sinking: If a section of your ship is holed, you can

keep the ship afloat on a successful check. If this check fails,
the ship sinks in 1d100 minutes (1d6 minutes if 25% or more
of its hull sections have been holed).
Free Ship: If you have run aground on a sandbar or reef,
you can free the ship on a DC 20 check. The hull is likely to
be holed in at least one place, but at least the ship is mobile.
Weather Storm: A DC 15 Profession (sailing) check is
required to maintain a course during a storm with severe
winds and avoid foundering; this check DC increases as
shown for higher wind speeds. Failure indicates the ship is
blown off course. In addition, these conditions require a
check each hour to avoid washing or rolling 1d6 times. A
wash or roll knocks overboard anything on deck that isn’t
secured (Acrobatics or Strength check to resist at DC equal
to the weather storm DC).
Action: Preparing for a voyage takes a week. Checks to
follow a charted course are made on a daily basis. Checks to
identify marine creatures or hazards are a move action.
Try Again: Yes, within the limitations described above.

Divine Feats
All feats in this section have the [Divine] descriptor. Divine
feats with the [Channeling] descriptor also require and/or
make use of the Channel Energy class feature.
Aligned Strike [Strike]
Benefit: As a standard action, you can make a single melee
or ranged attack that is treated as either a [good], [evil],
[chaotic], or [lawful] attack (depending on your original
choice) for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, the weapon,
while aligned, also deals +2d6 holy, unholy, anarchic, or
axiomatic damage to outsiders of the opposite alignment
(or mortals whose souls are sworn to an aligned cause,
such as clerics, paladins, cultists, etc.), as appropriate to
the alignment it carries.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or greater, the weapon
actually gains the holy (or unholy, anarchic, or axiomatic)
weapon property while aligned, dealing +2d6 damage of
the appropriate type (negative energy, radiant energy, etc.).
If your base attack bonus is +16 or greater, the damage
bonus is +3d6.
You can use this feat in conjunction with a full attack, but
doing so reduces your effective base attack bonus by 5, for
purposes of determining the effects.
Source: 3.5 edition System Reference Document, “Psionic
Feats.” This feat also supersedes the Align Weapon ability
from Complete Champion and the Planar Handbook.
Avenging Smite [Combat]
Your strength of will and strong sense of justice allow you to
smite your foes.
Prerequisite: Patron deity or cause.
Benefit: As a swift action, you can use the power of your
faith to enhance attacks you make against a single enemy of
your deity or cause. You gain a sacred (or profane) bonus
equal to your Charisma bonus (if any) on attacks and damage
you make against that opponent; these bonuses last until that
enemy is defeated or slain, or until that encounter ends.
You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to
your Charisma bonus (minimum 1).
Special: Instead of a single opponent, you can designate a
group of weaker opponents of the same type and general
specs (i.e., all the 1st level warriors in a tribe of goblins).
Source: This supersedes the Avenging Strike feat, from
the Tome of Battle.
Bastion of Righteous War
Bastion of Righteous War
[Channeling]
Prerequisite: Able to channel energy.
Benefit: When an enemy scores a critical threat against
you, as an immediate action you can spend one channel
energy attempt in order to reduce or negate the threat. The
critical multiplier of the hit, if it is confirmed as a crit, is
reduced according to the number of dice worth of energy you
would normally channel, according to the following table:
Dice of Energy Channeled Multiplier Reduced By
1d6 -1
5d6 -2
9d6 -3
Any multiplier reduced to x1 means that a confirmed crit is
treated as a normal hit. If the multiplier is reduced to 0 or
below, that hit deals no damage to you.
Source: Adapted from the magic shield of the same name
from Complete Champion.
Bleed Holy Power [Channeling]
Prerequisite: Able to channel positive energy.
Benefit: When an undead creature damages you with a
melee attack, you can expend one use of channeled energy as
an immediate action to channel positive energy to deal
damage to undead creatures around you. Alternatively, you
may focus this channeled energy so it affects only the undead
creature that hit you. If you focus solely on that creature, the
damage dealt by the channeled positive energy is increased
by +2d6.
Source: This feat emulates the Hierophant’s 1st tier ability
of the same name, from Mythic Adventures.
Castigating Strike [Channeling]
Prerequisite: Ability to channel energy, Channeling Smite.
Benefit: When you execute a Channeling Smite, the
channeled energy also affects a 30-ft. radius area from the
point of impact, although with only half as many dice. For
example, if you execute a Channeling Strike against an
undead opponent that deals 8d6 positive energy damage, you
would also fill a 30-ft. area from the point of impact with 4d6
positive energy.
Special: If you expend an additional use of channel energy
when using this feat, the full effects occur, rather than halving
the number of dice.
Synergy: If you also have the Debilitating Strike feat, you
can use that in conjunction with your Castigating Strike. This
is a specific exception to the general rule against activating
multiple Strike effects. If you do so, enemies within 30 ft.
who take full damage from the additional channeled energy
(i.e., who do not save for half) also suffer half the attack
penalty as the target of the strike.
Source: Tome of Battle.

Channeled Metamagic
[Channeling]
Prerequisite: Able to channel energy.
Benefit: This functions similarly to Innate Metamagic
(Chapter 7), but the metamagic effect applies when you
channel energy. Your total channeled energy is reduced by a
number of dice equal to the metamagic cost of the effect.
Each time you channel energy, you decide whether to apply
this feat and reduce the amount of energy channeled
accordingly, or whether to simply channel the full normal
amount (without applying this feat).
Special: You may gain this feat multiple times. Each time,
select a different metamagic effect.
Normal: Innate Metamagic cannot be applied to
supernatural abilities.
Source: This feat subsumes the Profane Agony feat, from
Drow of the Underdark. With the Sickening Spell feat, it
supersedes the Blasphemous Incantation feat from
Exemplars of Evil.
Channeling, Baleful [Reserve]
Prerequisites: Ability to channel negative energy.
Benefit: As long as you have one of the listed spells ready
for use, you can choose to infuse your channeled energy with
the effects of that spell. This affects all targets of the
channeled energy exactly as if you had cast the spell on them,
and reduces the number of channeling dice by the amount
listed. If you channel an insufficient number of dice, you
cannot apply the listed effect.
Dice
Reduced Spells
1d6 Bane
2d6 Cause fear
4d6 Death knell (apply channeling damage 1st)
6d6 Bestow curse, blindness/deafness,
contagion
8d6 Enervation, poison
Channeling, Contingent
[Channeling]
You can imbue others with your healing energy so that they
can use it at the moment of greatest need.
Prerequisites: Selective Channeling.
Benefit: You can use a standard action to touch an ally and
expend one of your daily uses of channel energy to create a
repository of positive energy within that ally. This repository
contains the same number and type of dice as normal for
your channel energy feature, and it lasts for 1 minute. An ally
who has such a repository can use an immediate action to
roll the repository’s dice and regain a number of hit points
equal to the result. If an ally who has such a repository is
reduced to negative hit points, the repository triggers,
allowing the ally to heal without using an action.
Source: Ultimate Combat.
Channeling, Extra [Channeling]
You can channel divine energy more often.
Prerequisite: Channel energy class feature.
Benefit: You can channel energy two additional times per
day.
Special: If a paladin with the ability to channel positive
energy takes this feat, he or she can use lay on hands four
additional times a day, but only to channel positive energy.
Channeling, Improved
[Channeling]
Prerequisites: Ability to channel energy.
Benefit: Add +2 to the DC of your channel energy ability.
This stacks with the benefit from Ability Focus (channeling), if
applicable.
Channeling, Merciful [Reserve]
Prerequisites: Ability to channel positive energy.
Benefit: As long as you have one of the listed spells ready
for use, you can choose to infuse your channeled energy with
the effects of that spell. This affects all targets of the
channeled energy exactly as if you had cast the spell on them,
and reduces the number of channeling dice by the amount
listed. If you channel an insufficient number of dice, you
cannot apply the listed effect.
Dice
Reduced Spells
1d6 Bless, invigorate
2d6 Remove fear
4d6 Remove paralysis, lesser restoration
6d6 Remove blindness/deafness, remove curse,
remove disease
8d6 Death ward, neutralize poison, restoration
Channeling, Planar [Channeling]
Prerequisite: Ability to channel energy.
Benefit: When you channel positive energy, [evil] creatures
within the area also take damage as if they were undead. If
you channel Law domain energy, you damage [chaotic]
creatures (including fey) and heal [lawful] ones; if you
channel Chaos domain energy, you can damage [lawful]
creatures and heal [chaotic] ones; Evil domain energy
damages [good] creatures and heals [evil] ones.
Synergy: If you also have the Turn Undead feat (q.v.), you
gain the ability to dismiss evil outsiders by channeling
positive energy. To attempt this, you spend a channel energy
use. The total number of Hit Dice you can dismiss with one
channeling attempt is equal to your channeler level + your
Charisma modifier. Evil outsiders are entitled to a Will save
to negate the effect.
If the outsiders in question have been summoned, you
instead make a Concentration check against a DC of 16 + the
caster level of the summoner (saving throws do not apply in
this case). If the summoning creature doesn't have a caster
level, use its Hit Dice instead. Success indicates that the
summoned creature(s) are returned to their home plane.
If you channel negative energy and Command Undead, you
can dismiss good outsiders the way a cleric who channels
positive energy dismisses evil outsiders.
Source: This feat supersedes the variant class feature of the
same name from the Planar Handbook, and also the Aligned
Channeling feat from the Pathfinder core rules.
Channeling, Practiced
[Channeling]
Prerequisite: Ability to channel energy.
Benefit: Your cleric level for purposes of channeling energy
is 4 higher than normal, to a maximum effective level equal to
your total number of Hit Dice.
Special: The effects of feat stack with class synergy
features improving your effective channeling level; this a
specific exception to the non-stacking rule. Your total limit
based on character level, as described in Chapter 1, remains
in force.
Channeling, Quick [Channeling]
Prerequisites: Ability to channel energy.
Benefit: You may channel energy as a move action by
spending 2 daily uses of that ability.
Source: Ultimate Magic.
Channeling, Selective
[Channeling]
You can choose whom to affect when you channel energy.
Prerequisites: Cha 13, ability to channel energy.
Benefit: When you channel energy, you can choose a
number of targets in the area up to your Charisma modifier.
These targets are not affected by your channeled energy.
Normal: All targets in a 30-foot burst are affected when
you channel energy. You can only choose whether or not you
are affected.
Channeling, Shaped [Channeling]
Prerequisite: Ability to channel energy.
Benefits: When you channel energy, you can create a
standard 30-ft. burst, a 60-ft. cone, or a 120-ft. line, at your
option. Choose the shape each time you channel energy.
Source: This feat supersedes the Holy Vindicator’s
“versatile channeling” prestige class feature from the
Advanced Player’s Guide.
Channeling, Versatile
[Channeling]
Prerequisite: Channel energy class feature, access to a
domain.
Benefit: You gain the ability to channel energy for a
different effect, chosen from the following:
Positive energy;
Negative energy;
Domain channeling (choose one domain).
You retain channeling ability you already had. Thereafter,
each time you channel energy, you choose which type of
energy or effect you channel. You can also choose to channel
both types of energy at once by expending two uses of
channel energy simultaneously. You do not gain additional
channel uses per day.
Special: You can gain this feat multiple times. Its effects do
not stack. Each time you take this feat, it applies to a new
domain channeling effect.
Channeling Smite [Strike]
You can channel divine energy through a weapon.
Prerequisites: Ability to channel energy.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can make a single melee
attack and simultaneously expend a channel energy use. You
gain a sacred/profane bonus to the attack roll equal to the
number of dice of energy you channel; if it successfully hits,
also carries the effects of your channel energy ability upon
the target (if you channel positive energy, it damages
creatures with the [evil] descriptor or with an evil aura as if
they were undead). If the attack misses, you can Hold the
Charge, per the rules for touch spells.
Synergy:
If you have the Lay on Hands class feature, you can
expend one of those uses to activate this feat, rather than
expending an entire channel energy use.
If your base attack bonus is at least +6 and you have the
Battle Touch feat, you can use this feat in conjunction with
iterative attacks, either expending one lay on hands use
per attack, or else one Channel Energy use for one round
worth of attacks.
Source: This feat also subsumes the Crusader’s Fist feat
from Ultimate Combat.
Command/Turn Elemental
He forgot where he was; he forgot his own identity; he forgot
those who were with him as his whole mind concentrated
upon the Summoning. He sent his call out beyond the
confines of the world, unto that strange plane where the
elementals dwelled—where the powerful creatures of the air
could still be found—the sylphs of the breeze, and the
sharnahs, who lived in the storms, and the most powerful of
all, the h’Haashanns, creatures of the whirlwind. And now at
last some of them began to come at his summons, ready to
serve him as, by virtue of an ancient pact, the elementals had
served his forefathers. ―Michael Moorcock,
A Sailor on the Seas of Fate (1973)
Prerequisites: Elemental domain, bloodline, or mystery, or
elemental favored terrain; Knowledge (the planes) 1 rank.
Benefit: This feat functions as the druid’s mark of the wild
ability (Chapter 3), but applies to creatures native to an
elemental plane corresponding to your bloodline, mystery,
domain, or planar terrain (this includes true elementals, as
well as creatures such as salamanders, arrowhawks, xorns,
etc.). Your control capacity is calculated using your ranks in
Knowledge (the planes), rather than Handle Animal.
If you have unallocated potential, as a standard action, you
can attempt to take control of one or more elementals of the
appropriate type within 30 ft. of you, so long as you do not
exceed your potential. Elementals receive a Will save to
negate the effect (DC 10 + half your number of ranks in
Knowledge (the planes) + your Charisma modifier).
Elementals that fail their saves fall under your control,
obeying your commands to the best of their ability, as if under
the effects of control undead (but affecting elementals instead
of undead). Intelligent elementals receive a new saving throw
each day to resist your command.
Elementals of other types are turned instead of
commanded (see Turn Undead for details).
Command Undead [Channeling]
Using foul powers of necromancy, you can command undead
creatures, making them into your servants.
Prerequisite: Ability to channel negative energy;
Knowledge (the planes) 1 rank.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can use one of your uses
of channel negative energy to enslave undead within 30 feet.
Undead receive a Will save to negate the effect. The DC for
this save is equal to 10 + half your channeler level + your
Charisma modifier. If you use channel energy in this way, it
has no other effect (it does not heal or harm nearby
creatures). If an undead creature is under the control of
another creature, you must make an opposed Charisma
check whenever your orders conflict.
Mindless undead that fail their saves fall under your
control, obeying your commands to the best of their ability, as
if under the effects of control undead, and remain
permanently under control if within your CR limit (see
below). Intelligent undead are affected as if by command
undead instead. Mindless undead fall permanently under
your control.
The total number and CR of undead you can control by this
or any other means is limited by your ranks in Knowledge
(the planes) as described under the Druid’s mark of the wild
ability (Chapter 3) and Leadership feat (above), but
substituting Knowledge (the planes) instead of Handle
Animal or Diplomacy.
If you have at least 6 ranks in Knowledge (the planes), you
can attract intelligent corporeal undead followers, as
described under Leadership.
If you have at least 11 ranks in Knowledge (the planes),
you are a master of shrouds and can attract incorporeal
undead followers, subject to the total CR limits described
for Leadership.
If you have at least 16 ranks, when you channel energy to
command undead, even intelligent undead are affected as
by control undead.
Source: This feat supersedes the feat of the same name,
and also provides a means for low-level necromancers to
control mindless undead, and for high-level necromancers to
control armies of undead. It also provides more realistic
limits than simply a large number of Hit Dice.
Contingent Channel Energy
[Channeling]
Prerequisite: Ability to channel energy.
Benefit: You can expend a use of your channel energy
ability to create a contingency, causing another use of your
channel energy ability to trigger instantaneously in response
to some condition you dictate. The conditions needed to
bring the channel energy into effect must be clear, although
they can be general. For example, you could create a trigger
that uses your channel positive energy if you are reduced to 0
or fewer hit points. If you prescribe complicated or
convoluted conditions, your contingent channel energy ability
could fail to trigger.
The ability triggers based solely on the stated conditions,
regardless of whether you want it to. You make all decisions
about the ability (type of energy channeled, etc.) when you set
the contingency, according to what you can normally do with
your channel energy ability; if you wish to exclude targets, you
must name them at that time. If you have no uses of channel
energy remaining when the conditions occur, the ability fails.
Special: You can have only one use of this ability waiting to
be triggered at a time; if you use this ability again, the
previous use expires. This use also expires after 1 day if it
hasn't been triggered. The use of channel energy required to
create the contingency can't be regained until after the
contingent channel energy ability is triggered or expires.
Source: This feat emulates the 1st tier Hierophant ability
of the same name, from Mythic Adventures.
Cursed by the Gods
You were cursed by the gods, but this curse comes with a
benefit as well as a hindrance.
Benefit: Upon choosing this feat, select one of the curses
below (once made, this selection cannot be changed). Level-
dependent effects are based upon your total character level.
Clouded Vision: Your eyes are obscured, making it difficult
for you to see. You cannot see anything beyond 30 feet, but
you can see within this range as if you had darkvision. At 6th
level, this distance increases to 60 feet. At 11th level, you gain
blindsense out to a range of 30 feet. At 16th level, you gain
blindsight out to a range of 15 feet.
Deaf: You cannot hear and suffer all of the usual penalties
for being deafened. You cast all of your spells as if they were
modified by the Silent Spell feat. This does not increase their
level or casting time. At 6th level, you receive a +3 competence
bonus on Perception checks that do not rely upon hearing,
and the initiative penalty for being deaf is reduced to –2. At
11th level, you gain scent and you do not suffer any penalty on
initiative checks due to being deaf. At 16th level, you gain
tremorsense out to a range of 30 feet.
Deliberate: You must carefully weigh dangerous situations
before reacting. During the first round of combat, you must
delay your actions until everyone else has acted. This
reasoned approach allows you to recognize your opponents'
weaknesses and grants you a +1 sacred/profane bonus to
your first attack in any round. At 6th level, the +1 bonus
applies to all of your attacks. At 11th level, you also receive a
+1 bonus to any damage you inflict. At 16th level, both
bonuses to attack and damage increase to +2. Source: Oracle
Curses (Above Average Creations).

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Haunted: Malevolent spirits follow you wherever you go,
causing minor mishaps and strange occurrences (such as
unexpected breezes, small objects moving on their own, and
faint noises). Retrieving any stored item from your gear
requires a move action, unless it would normally take longer.
Add mage hand and ghost sound to your list of spells known;
if you have no spellcasting ability, you can use each once per
day as a spell-like ability. At 6th level, add levitate and minor
image to your list of spells known (or you can use each once
per day). Any item you drop lands 10 feet away from you in a
random direction. At 11th level, add telekinesis to your list of
spells known (or gain it 1/day as a spell-like ability). At 16th
level, add reverse gravity to your list of spells known (or gain
it 1/day as a spell-like ability).
Lame: One of your legs is permanently wounded, reducing
your base land speed by 5 feet. Your speed is never reduced
due to encumbrance. At 6th level, you are immune to the
fatigued condition (but not exhaustion). At 11th level, your
base land speed is reduced by an additional 5 ft. (unless you
are size Small), but is never reduced by armor. At 16th level,
you are immune to the exhausted condition.
Wasting: Your body is slowly rotting away. You take a –2
penalty on Charisma-based skill checks, except for Bluff
checks to intimidate or sense motive. You gain a +4
sacred/profane bonus on saves made against disease. At 6th
level, your penalty to Charisma-based checks increases to –3,
but you are immune to the sickened condition (but not
nauseated). At 11th level, your penalty to Charisma-based
checks increases to –4, but you gain immunity to disease. At
16th level, your penalty to Charisma-based checks increases
to –5, but you are immune to the nauseated condition.
Tongues: In times of stress, you speak in tongues. Pick one
of the following languages: Abyssal, Aklo, Aquan, Auran,
Celestial, Ignan, Infernal, or Terran. Whenever you are in
combat, you can only speak and understand the selected
language. This does not interfere with spellcasting, but it
does apply to spells that are language-dependent. You gain
the selected language as a bonus language. At 6th level, pick
an additional language to speak in combat and add it to your
list of known languages. At 11th level, you can understand any
spoken language, as if under the effects of tongues, even
during combat. At 16th level, you can speak and understand
any language, except your speech is still restricted during
combat.
Source: This feat supersedes the Oracle’s curse from the
core rules. An Incarnate (Chapter 3) can gain Cursed by the
Gods as a bonus feat at any time.
Divine Healing
Prerequisite: Divine (mystery or domain) bonus spells.
Benefit: Every time you cast one of your domain or
mystery bonus spells, you heal a number of hit points of
damage equal to twice the spell’s level.
Source: This emulates part of the Divine Scion’s domain
specialization ability, from Inner Sea Magic.
Divine Accuracy [Channeling,
Divine Accuracy [Channeling,
Combat]
Prerequisite: Ability to channel positive energy.
Benefit: As a standard action, spend one of your channel
uses to grant all your allies (including yourself) within a 60-
foot burst the ability to deal full damage to incorporeal
targets, as if wielding ghost touch weapons. This effect lasts
for a number of rounds equal to the number of channeling
dice you would normally receive.
Source: Libris Mortis: The Book of the Dead.
Divine Armor [Channeling,
Combat]
You call upon your deity to protect you in your hour of need
by wreathing you in divine power that wards off your
enemies' attacks.
Prerequisites: Ability to channel energy.
Benefit: As a swift action, you can expend a channel
energy use to gain damage reduction for a number of rounds
equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum 1 round). If you
channel positive energy, the damage reduction is overcome by
evil-aligned attacks; if negative energy, by good-aligned
attacks The magnitude of the damage reduction is equal to 1
hp per channeling die you would normally receive (maximum
DR 10/evil or good at 19th level).
Source: Player's Handbook II.
Divine Cleansing [Channeling]
You can channel energy to improve you and your allies' ability
to resist poison and curses.
Prerequisite: Ability to channel positive energy, Cha 13,
Extra Channeling.
Benefit: As a standard action, spend one of your channel
uses to grant all allies within a 60-foot burst (including
yourself) a sacred bonus on Fortitude saving throws equal to
the number of channeling dice you would normally receive
(i.e., +1 at 1st level, +2 at 3rd, etc.). This bonus lasts for a
number of rounds equal to your Charisma modifier.
Source: Complete Warrior.
Divine Impetus [Channeling,
Combat]
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +6, able to channel energy.
Benefit: You can expend one channel energy use as a free
action in order to gain one additional swift action this round.
Source: This feat supersedes the Ruby Knight Vindicator’s
prestige class feature of the same name, from the Tome of
Battle.
Divine Interference [Combat]
You can convert a spell to interfere with an enemy’s attack.
Prerequisites: Divine spellcaster, Concentration 10 ranks.
Benefit: As an immediate action, when an enemy within 30
feet hits an ally with an attack, you can sacrifice a prepared
divine spell or (if you are a spontaneous caster) an unused
spell slot and make the enemy reroll the attack roll. The
second attack roll takes a penalty equal to the level of the
spell you sacrifice. You must sacrifice a spell of 1st level or
higher to use this ability.
Source: Ultimate Magic.
Divine Judgment [Combat]
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +6, able to cast 1st level
cleric/archivist spells.
Benefit: Whenever you make a melee attack in the heat of
combat that reduces a credible threat to -1 hp or below, your
blow also creates a death knell effect on that creature (DC 10
+ half your base attack bonus + your Charisma modifier). The
save DC is increased by +2 if your weapon has a ×3 damage
multiplier, or by +4 if it is ×4.
Special: If you are sworn to a good-aligned deity or cause,
this effect is considered the meting out of divine judgment,
and is therefore not an evil act.
Source: This feat supersedes the Holy Vindicator’s
prestige class feature of the same name from the Advanced
Player’s Guide.
Divine Shield [Channeling,
Combat]
You can channel energy to make your shield more effective.
Prerequisite: Ability to channel energy, Simple shield
proficiency.
Benefit: As a standard action, spend one of your channel
energy uses to channel divine energy into your shield. For a
number of rounds equal to your Charisma modifier
(minimum 1 round), as long as you actively use this shield it
grants you a sacred/profane bonus to AC equal to your
number of channeling dice (+1 at 1st level, +2 at 3rd, etc.).
Special: Instead of the limited duration, you can choose to
create a more fragile channeled shield effect that lasts 24
hours or until you are struck in combat, whichever comes
first.
Source: Complete Warrior. This feat also supersedes the
Holy Vindicator’s “vindicator’s shield” prestige class feature,
from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Divine Surge [Channeling]
Prerequisites: Ability to channel energy, Channeling Smite.
Benefit: Before attempting a Channeling Smite attack, you
can also decide to take a number of points of Constitution
damage equal to your channeling level or lower. For each
point of Constitution damage you take, you gain a +1 bonus
on your attack roll and deal an extra 2d8 points of damage.
After using this maneuver, you are considered flat-footed until
the beginning of your next turn.
Special: You cannot use this maneuver if you are immune
to Constitution damage.
Source: Tome of Battle.
Divine Wrath [Strike]
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +6, able to cast 1st level
cleric/archivist spells.
Synergy: As a standard action, make a single melee attack.
Any creature struck must also save vs. Will (DC 10 + half
your base attack bonus + your Charisma modifier) or be
affected as if by a bane spell.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, the target is
instead affected by bestow curse.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, the target is
instead affected by a holy word (or blasphemy, dictum, or
word of chaos, as appropriate to your deity’s alignment).
Special: In addition to the normal activation conditions for
a [strike] feat, you can activate this ability as an immediate
action in response to a confirmed critical hit made against
you (even if it incapacitates or kills you). In that case, you
need not make an attack to inflict the spell condition (the
opponent’s attack carries it for you).
Source: This feat supersedes the Holy Vindicator’s
prestige class feature of the same name, and also the divine
retribution feature, from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Domain Access
Prerequisites: Knowledge (the planes) 1 rank; ability to cast
spells; must follow a god or philosophy consistent with the
chosen domain.
Benefit: Choose one domain consistent with the patron
deity or philosophy you espouse. You can select domain spells
in place of your bonus spells (the “+1” notation in Table 1 of
Chapter 7). If you have no bonus spell slots (as in the case of
the ranger), you gain them and can fill them with the domain
spells.
Special: Having access to a domain also allows you to gain
domain feats from that domain (see Cleric) in place of normal
feats when leveling up.
Synergy:
If you also have Skill Focus in the archivist skill listed for
the chosen domain, you gain the 1st level granted power
for that domain as well; it functions at an effective cleric
level equal to your number of ranks in Knowledge (the
planes).
If you have at least 4 or 8 ranks in Knowledge (the planes)
and in the appropriate domain skill, you can select the 4th
or 8th level granted power (respectively) for that domain as
if it were a feat.
Domain Channeling [Skill]
Prerequisite: Domain Access; Knowledge (the planes) 1
rank.
Benefit: You gain the ability to channel energy a number of
times per day equal to 3 + your Charisma modifier. The
effects of this channeled energy are as listed under the
Variant Channeling entry for your specific domain (see Cleric
Appendix A). You channel energy with an effective cleric level
equal to number of ranks in Knowledge (the planes).
Special: If you already have the ability to channel energy,
you cannot select this feat; instead, use your existing
channeling ability and/or the Versatile Channeling feat (q.v.).
Synergy: If you have levels in Bard and choose the Plant
domain, you can elect to trade the channel energy ability,
losing the ability to command plants. Instead, you gain the
benefits of the bard’s green ear lore.

Godhammer [Combat, Reserve]
You draw upon your divine power to enhance your
weapons.
Reserve Spell: 1st level divine spell (any).
Benefit: As a swift action, you can imbue your deity’s
favored weapon (or heavy mace, if you have no specific deity)
with a fraction of your power. For 1 round, this weapon deals
+1 sacred or profane damage (depending on the alignment of
your deity or cause) per level of the highest-level spell or spell
slot you have available and uncast, and is treated as aligned
(as your deity’s alignment) for the purpose of overcoming
damage reduction. You must wield the weapon yourself to
gain these benefits.
Special: The Holy Warrior domain feat (see below) works
similarly except it does not require a swift action to activate,
and automatically applies to all weapons you wield.
Source: Book of Experimental Might (Malhavoc Press).
Handle Relic
Prerequisite: Able to cast cleric/archivist spells or use rogue
skill tricks.
Benefit: The power of your faith (or simply long practice)
allows you to handle cursed relics and other objects without
fear. Objects that would normally curse you, or magically
damage you due to class, alignment, etc., have no such effect
on you. This includes things like bane weapons, books of vile
darkness, bracers of defenselessness, etc., but not items that
are simply trapped or inherently damaging (like burns from a
red-hot metal object).
Source: This feat supersedes the Reliquarian’s “Faith
Upholds Me” prestige class feature from Relics & Rituals:
Excalibur (Sword & Sorcery Studios).
Holy Shield [Channeling, Combat]
You can channel your faith into your shield, protecting any
nearby allies.
Prerequisites: Channel positive energy; paladin or access
to Good domain; shield proficiency.
Benefit: You can expend a channel energy use to grant one
adjacent ally a shield bonus equal to AC equal to your own
shield bonus, including any increase from the shield’s
enhancement bonus. This bonus does not stack with any
existing shield bonuses. You radiate light as a light spell while
the shielding is active. All effects last for 3 rounds plus a
number of rounds equal to your Charisma bonus (if any).
If you can channel at least 3d6 hp of positive energy, the
effects extend to all adjacent allies.
If you can channel at least 6d6 hp of positive energy, this
protection expands to cover any allies within 10 feet and
the radiance increases to the effects of a daylight spell.
If you can channel at least 9d6 hp, any allies within 20 feet
are protected.
Source: This feat supersedes the Sacred Shield’s variant
class feature of the same name, from Ultimate Combat.
Lamashtu's Mark [Skill]
Lamashtu's Mark [Skill]
You have been marked as one of Lamashtu’s favored minions.
Prerequisites: Con 13, Knowledge (the planes) 1 rank;
Lamashtu (or similar goddess) as patron deity.
Benefit: Your abdomen bears several ugly scars, as if your
belly had been torn open by a clawed hand. Lamashtu’s Mark
identifies you as favored of the Mother of Monsters, and if it is
visible, you gain a +2 profane bonus on Bluff checks to
browbeat or demoralize, but a –2 profane penalty on
Diplomacy checks.
Deforming Strike [Strike]: If you have at least 6 ranks in
Knowledge (the planes), you may invoke Lamashtu’s name
as you strike a non-evil foe with a melee attack as a
standard action. As you do, you cause the creature struck
to become deformed in some hideous manner (cloven
hoof, horns, forked tongues, and vestigial limbs like wings
and tails are common deformities). The deformity imparts
a penalty of 1d4 points to the target’s Charisma score for
1 hour; the physical deformity vanishes as soon as the
Charisma penalty fades. The target can resist this effect
by making a Fortitude save; the DC is equal to 10 + half
your number of ranks in Knowledge (the planes) + your
Charisma modifier.
If you have at least 11 ranks in Knowledge (the planes),
any offspring you sire or give birth to gain the fiendish
template.
If you have at least 16 ranks in Knowledge (the planes),
any offspring you sire or give birth to gain the half-fiend
template instead.
Source: Pathfinder Campaign Setting.
Lay on Hands [Channeling]
Prerequisite: Ability to channel positive energy.
Benefit: You can channel positive energy by touch, instead
of as a burst. The effects are the same, but apply only to the
creature touched. A melee touch attack roll (that does not
provoke an attack of opportunity) is needed to touch an
unwilling undead target; if you miss, you can Hold the Charge
as if it were a touch spell. A creature touched does not gain a
saving throw for reduced damage.
For every daily channel energy use you expend, you gain
two uses of lay on hands.
Life Lure [Channeling]
Your channeled positive energy is irresistibly sweet to nearby
undead.
Prerequisites: Ability to channel positive energy.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can channel positive
energy to fascinate all undead within 30 feet for a number of
rounds equal to the number of dice worth of energy you
would normally channel. Undead that succeed at a Intuition
save (DC 10 + half your channeler level + your Charisma
modifier) are unaffected. Channeling energy for this purpose
does not heal or harm creatures.
Source: Ultimate Magic.

Lingering Immunities
Prerequisites: Ability to cast 4th level necromancy spells
or channel positive or negative energy.
Benefit: Whenever you cast a necromancy spell or channel
positive or negative energy, you are immune to ability
damage, ability drain, energy drain, and negative levels for a
number of rounds equal to the level of the spell or the
number of dice worth of energy you channel.
Special: Remember that the conjuration (healing)
subschool from the core rules is now the necromancy
[healing] subschool.
Source: This feat supersedes the moderate necromancy
esoterica from the Master Specialist prestige class (Complete
Mage).
Lolth's Caress [Channeling]
You can channel negative energy to accelerate poisonous
effects.
Prerequisite: Able to channel negative energy.
Benefit: You can spend one use of channel negative energy
to speed up the effects of poison, affecting all creatures
within 20 feet of you. Any poisoned creature within the area
immediately suffers the effects of all remaining rounds of the
poison, as if the appropriate number of rounds were going by.
Source: Drow of the Underdark.
Profane Lifeleech [Channeling]
You can channel negative energy to draw the life force from
nearby living creatures.
Prerequisite: Ability to channel negative energy.
Benefit: When you channel negative energy, you can spend
an additional use to heal yourself 1d6 points of damage per
creature damaged by the channeled energy. This healing does
not allow you to exceed your full normal hit point total.
Source: Libris Mortis.
Resurrection Sense
Prerequisites: Knowledge (the planes) 6 ranks.
Benefit: You become supernaturally sensitive to the
movement of the souls of those you kill. This allows you a
chance to notice if anyone slain by you within the last year is
brought back to life. If such an event occurs, you notice the
resurrection unless it takes place on another plane or in an
area that prevents scrying effects, and even then, you can
sense the previously assassinated life the instant it returns to
the Prime Material Plane or steps out of the protected area.
The sensation does not tell you where the resurrected victim
is located, only which victim has returned to life.
Source: This feat duplicates the Red Mantis prestige class
feature of the same name, from Pathfinder Adventure Path
vol. 9, “Escape from Old Korvosa.”
Retrieve Spell [Channeling]
You can channel raw divine energy to recharge a previously
cast spell.
Prerequisite: Any two divine feats, ability to channel
energy.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can expend channeling
uses to recover a spell you have already cast that day. You
must spend a number of daily uses equal to the level of the
spell you wish to recover.
Source: Complete Champion.
Sacred Radiance [Channeling]
Prerequisites: Ability to channel positive energy.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can expend a channel
use to bathe yourself in light. This light provides bright
illumination in a 60-foot-radius emanation centered on you
and an additional 60 feet of shadowy illumination beyond that
area. The light moves as you move, keeping you at the center
of its area. It temporarily negates areas of magical darkness
created by spells of 3rd level or lower.
Any non-evil creatures within 60 feet of you gain a morale
bonus on saves against death effects, disease, fear, and
poison equal to half the number of dice you would normally
channel; evil creatures take a penalty of the same magnitude
on saves against fear effects. This benefit lasts for 10
minutes.
Source: Player's Handbook II.
Shared Defense [Channeling,
Combat]
Prerequisite: Ability to channel positive energy.
Benefit: You can spend one use of your channel energy
ability as a standard action to grant yourself a protective aura
emanating to 5 ft. that affects you and all allies within the
area. Those affected gain a sacred bonus to AC, CMD, and all
saving throws equal to half the number of channeling dice
you would normally receive (i.e., +1 at 2d6, etc., to a
maximum of +5 at 10d6). The aura lasts for a number of
rounds equal to your Charisma modifier.
If you would normally channel at least 5 dice of positive
energy, the bonus is granted to all allies within 10 feet,
and allies that are at fewer than 0 hit points within the
affected area are automatically stabilized.
If you would normally channel at least 7 dice, these
benefits are granted to all allies within 15 feet, and those
affected are immune to bleed damage. Ongoing bleed
damage already incurred is suspended while the effects
last, but is not cured.
If you would normally channel at least 9 dice, these
benefits are granted to all allies within 20 feet, and allies
within this area gain a 25% chance to negate any sneak
attack or critical hit scored against them. This ability does
not stack with the chance provided from the light,
medium, or heavy fortification armor special abilities.
These benefits are cumulative. Allies who leave the
emanation lose the effects; allies entering the emanation gain
them.
Source: This feat supersedes the Paladin’s variant class
feature of the same name, from the Advanced Player’s Guide
 Synergy: If you also have the Channeling Smite feat, each
Spell Focus, Malign die of negative energy you channel into the attack deals an
Prerequisite: Allegiance to an evil power. additional point of Vile damage. For example, a Channeling
Benefit: Add +1 to the DC for all saving throws against any Smite carrying 6d6 negative energy damage deals an
of your spells that have the [evil] descriptor. additional 8 points of Vile damage as well (+2 for this feat, +6
Special: You are treated as being [evil] aligned for for the channeled energy). This is a specific exception to the
purposes of alignment-specific spells and items. general rule of non-stacking of Strike effects.
Source: Champions of Ruin. If you can channel 10d6 hp worth of negative energy, all of
the negative energy damage channeled into your attack is
also Vile damage (this supersedes the feat’s normal effects).
Touch of Corruption [Channeling] You cannot use this in conjunction with a full attack.
Prerequisite: Ability to channel negative energy. Source: Book of Vile Darkness; the synergy effects also
Benefit: You can channel negative energy as a melee touch subsume the Vile Smite feat from the Wizards of the Coast
attack (that does not provoke an attack of opportunity), website (“Epic Insights: Book of Vile Darkness”).
instead of as a burst. The effects are the same, but apply only
to the creature touched. If you miss, you can Hold the Charge Violate Spell [Metamagic]
as if it were a touch spell. A creature touched does not gain a You can transform one of your spells into an evil spell, and the
saving throw for reduced damage. wounds the spell inflicts are tainted with the foulest evil.
For every daily channel energy use you expend, you gain Prerequisite: Any evil alignment.
two uses of this ability. Benefit: Choose one spell you know, or (for clerics) that is
Synergy: Your touch of corruption can deliver the effects of on your class list. This feat adds the [evil] descriptor to that
[Strike] feats as if it were a weapon. spell. Furthermore, if the spell deals damage, half of the
damage dealt is Vile damage, which can only be healed by
Turn Undead [Channeling] healing or restoration magic that is cast within an area
Calling upon higher powers, you cause undead to flee from sanctified by the forces of good (such as within a consecrate
the might of your unleashed divine energy. or a hallow spell). Natural healing, regeneration, fast healing
Prerequisite: Ability to channel positive energy and magical healing are otherwise ineffective in restoring the
Benefit: In addition to damaging undead, your channeled lost hit points or ability points.
positive energy also causes all undead within 30 feet of you to Metamagic Cost: +1 level.
flee for 1 minute, as if panicked (Will save negates; DC as per Special: A character may take this feat multiple times,
your channel energy DC). Intelligent undead receive a new choosing a different spell each time.
saving throw each round to end the effect. Source: Book of Vile Darkness.
Vile Strike [Strike]
Prerequisite: Sworn to an evil deity and/or cause, able to
channel negative energy (3d6 hp minimum).
Benefit: As a standard action, make a single melee attack
that deals an additional 1 point of Vile damage. This vile
damage is multiplied on a successful crit.
Vile damage cannot be cured by natural or magical healing,
fast healing, or regeneration; it can be cured only by healing
or restoration magic that is cast within an area sanctified by
the forces of good―such as within a consecrate or a hallow
spell.
If you can channel at least 6d6 hp worth of negative
energy, every successful attack deals an additional point of
Vile damage, even if the normal activating conditions are
not met. A Vile Strike made as a standard action, attack of
opportunity, etc. (normal Strike activating condition) deals
an additional 2 points of vile damage instead. In addition,
a consecrated area does not suffice for curing the vile
damage; the minimum effect is per a hallow spell.
If you can channel at least 9d6 worth of negative energy,
every successful attack deals an additional 2 points of vile
damage, and a standard-action Vile Strike deals an
additional 4. In addition, a hallow spell is insufficient; a
greater restoration or miracle within such an area is
needed.

Domain Feats
All feats in this section have the [Domain] descriptor, and
unless otherwise noted also have the [Divine] descriptor, in
addition to any other descriptors listed. They are intended as
selections for bonus feats for clerics and archivists with
access to the appropriate domains; other characters may
qualify as well according to the prerequisites listed.
Domain feats that require allegiance to an aligned deity or
cause also give the user those alignment descriptors, for
purposes of detecting alignment and determining alignment-
specific spell effects.
Unless otherwise noted, the save DC for Domain feats
allowing a saving throw is equal to 10 + half your number of
ranks in Concentration + your Charisma modifier.
In order to keep like-themed feats together, Domain feats
are alphabetized primarily by their primary descriptors,
rather than by feat names.
Air Devotion [Air]
Prerequisite: Access to the Air domain, Winds mystery, or
Elemental Air or Djinni bloodline; or [air elemental] subtype.
Benefit: Once per day as a swift action, you can shroud
yourself in a mantle of air. This effect grants you a +1
deflection bonus to AC. This bonus increases by 1 for every
four character levels you possess (maximum +6 at 20th level).
In addition, thrown and projectile weapons have an automatic
50% miss chance against you while the air mantle is active.
This protection lasts for 1 minute.
Special: You can select this feat multiple times, gaining
one additional daily use each time you take it. If you have the
ability to channel elemental energy, you gain one additional
daily use of this feat for each three daily turn or rebuke uses
you expend.
Source: Complete Champion.
Far-Reaching Wind [Air]
Prerequisite: Access to the Air domain, Winds mystery, or
Elemental Air or Djinni bloodline; or [air elemental] subtype.
Benefit: At will as a standard action, you can imbue a
weapon with the lofting of the winds as a supernatural ability.
All range increments of a missile affected in this way are
doubled; a melee weapon can be thrown with a range
increment of 20 ft., even if this is not normally possible. The
effect lasts for 1 minute or until expended, whichever comes
first.
Note that this is equivalent to the Arcane Talent feat,
selecting longshot (Ultimate Combat) as the spell.
Source: Dragon magazine, issue 342.
Hurricane Breath [Air]
The power of elemental air you hold in your mind allows
you to exhale the wind.
Prerequisite: Access to the Air domain, Winds mystery, or
Elemental Air or Djinni bloodline; or [air elemental] subtype.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can unleash a blast of air
in a 30-foot line. Make a combat maneuver check against
each creature in the line, making a Concentration check in
place of the combat maneuver check. Treat the results as a
bull rush attempt.
Source: Complete Mage; this feat also supersedes the
wind blast subdomain ability from the Advanced Player’s
Guide.
Thundercloud [Air]
Prerequisite: Access to the Air domain, Winds mystery, or
Elemental Air or Djinni bloodline; or [air elemental] type;
Knowledge (the planes) 8 ranks.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can summon a storm
cloud. This power functions as fog cloud except that creatures
inside the cloud are deafened while they remain within and
take 2d6 points of electricity damage each round from the
flashes of thunder and lightning. Once created, you can
concentrate on the cloud to move it up to 30 feet each round.
You can use this ability for a number of rounds per day equal
to your number of ranks in Knowledge (the planes); these
rounds do not need to be consecutive.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Animal Devotion [Animal]
You enhance your own abilities with the characteristics of
animals.
Prerequisite: Access to the Animal domain, Bestial
bloodline, or Nature mystery, or ability to wild shape.
Benefit: Once per day as a swift action, you can give
yourself the power of a specific animal. Select one of the
following abilities each time you activate the feat. Each effect
lasts for 1 minute.
Ape's Fury: Gain a +2 sacred (if your deity is good or
neutral) or profane (if your deity is evil) bonus to your
Strength score. The value of this bonus increases by 2 for
every six class levels you possess (maximum +8 at 18th
level). When you activate ape's jury, fur sprouts all over
your body and remains until the effect ends.
Cheetah's Sprint: Gain a +5-foot sacred (if your deity is
good or neutral) or profane (if your deity is evil) bonus to
your base land speed. The value of this bonus increases by
5 feet for every four class levels you possess (maximum
+30 feet at 20th level). Your body is covered in black spots
while cheetah's sprint is active.
Hawk's Flight: You can fly as if using the overland flight
spell. At 5th level and every five levels thereafter, you gain a
+5-foot sacred (if your deity is good or neutral) or profane
(if your deity is evil) bonus to your base fly speed
(maximum +20 feet at 20th level). Intangible, luminescent
wings grow from your back when you activate hawk's
flight and remain as long as the effect is active.
Serpent's Strike: You gain a natural bite attack (base
damage 1d4) that injects poison (injury DC 10 + half your
class level + your Charisma modifier; damage ld3
Con/round for 1 round; cure 1 save). Your upper canine
teeth grow into fangs when you activate serpent's strike
and remain in that form as long as the effect is active.
Special: You can select this feat multiple times, gaining one
additional daily use each time you take it. If you have the
ability to channel energy, you gain one additional daily use of
this feat for each three daily channeling uses you expend. You
can have multiple abilities active simultaneously. However,
you can still activate only one ability per round.
Source: Complete Champion.
Eyes of the Hawk [Animal]
Prerequisite: Access to the Animal domain, Bestial
bloodline, or Nature mystery, or ability to wild shape.
Benefit: As Skill Focus (Perception), and if you can act
during a surprise round, you receive a +2 racial bonus on your
Initiative check.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Predator's Grace [Animal]
Prerequisite: Access to the Animal domain, Bestial
bloodline, or Nature mystery, or ability to wild shape.
Benefit: As a swift action, you can grant yourself a +10-foot
bonus to your base speed for 1 round. This bonus increases
by 5 feet for every 5 ranks in Knowledge (the planes) you
possess. In addition, you gain low-light vision for 1 round. You
can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 +
your Wisdom modifier.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Aura of Chaos [Chaotic, Stance]
Prerequisite: Access to the Chaos domain or bloodline, or
fealty to a Chaotic deity or cause.
Benefit: While you are in this stance, whenever one or
more of your damage dice show a maximum possible result
(for example, one of the d6s when rolling greatsword damage
results in a 6), reroll each such die and add its result to the
original damage total. You can continue to reroll as long as a
die shows its maximum possible result, adding each new
number to the damage total until each die has shown less
than a maximum result
Source: Tome of Battle.
Chaos Devotion [Chaotic, Combat]
Prerequisite: Access to the Chaos domain or bloodline, or
fealty to a Chaotic deity or cause.
Benefit: As a swift action, you can summon the force of
chaos to aid you. When you activate this ability, roll ld6 (when
you attain 10th level, the die you roll increases to a d8; when
you attain 15th level, the die increases to a d10). If the result
is odd, add that number as a luck bonus on your attack rolls
until your next turn. If the result is even, add that number as a
luck to your AC. You can use this ability a number of rounds
per day equal to half your class level; these rounds need not
be consecutive.
Special: You can select this feat multiple times, gaining
additional daily rounds of use each time you take it. If you
have the ability to channel energy, you gain one additional
daily use of this feat for each three channel uses you expend.
Source: Complete Champion.
Chaos Curse [Chaotic]
Chaos Curse [Chaotic]
Prerequisite: Access to the Chaos domain or bloodline, or
fealty to a Chaotic deity or cause.
Benefit: You gain a ranged touch attack (a ray) with a range
of 30 ft. Any target struck must save vs. Intuition or become
stricken with random misfortune for 1 minute. Each round,
the target has a 50% of dropping whatever it is holding; if not
holding anything, it instead provokes an attack of opportunity
from each threatening opponent. If not holding anything and
not threatened, the victim falls prone instead.
You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to
half your class level (minimum 1/day).
Source: Dragon magazine, issue 342.
Elysium's Call [Chaotic, Good]
Prerequisites: Access to the Chaos or Good domain; Chaotic
Good deity or cause.
Benefit: With a touch, you can imbue creatures with the
spirit of Elysium, lifting their spirits and freeing them from
bonds. The creatures touched can immediately reroll any
failed saving throws against spells and spell-like abilities of
the enchantment [charm] and [compulsion] sub-schools. In
addition, targets receive a +2 sacred bonus on such saving
throws and a +2 sacred bonus on CMB checks to escape a
grapple. Finally, targets can ignore up to 5 feet of difficult
terrain each round.
These bonuses last for a number of rounds equal to half
your number of ranks in Knowledge (the planes) (minimum
1), although the saving throw reroll only applies when the
creature is touched. You can use this ability for a total number
of rounds per day equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier; these
rounds need not be concurrent, but each affected creature
counts against the duration. You can cancel the effect on each
subject with a free action.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Fury of the Abyss
[Chaotic, Evil, Channeling]
Prerequisite: Ability to channel energy; access to the Chaos,
Evil, or Fury domain; [chaotic] and [evil] alignment or subtype
or allegiance to a Chaotic Evil patron.
Benefit: As a swift action, you can channel energy to give
yourself an enhancement bonus equal to the number of dice
you would normally channel on melee attacks, melee damage
rolls, and combat maneuver checks. This bonus lasts for 1
round. During this round, you take a –2 penalty to AC.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.

Protean Aura [Chaotic]
Prerequisites: Access to the Chaos domain or Protean
bloodline, or planetouched (protean) race; Knowledge (the
planes) 8 ranks.
Benefit: You can surround yourself with a 30-ft. aura of
wild energies for a number of rounds per day equal to your
number of ranks in Concentration (these rounds need not be
consecutive, but activating this ability is a standard action). All
enemies within this aura must declare one type of action at
the start of their turn (attack, cast a spell, move, use an item,
or activate a special ability) and make an Intuition save.
Creatures that fail the save must take an action other than
their declared action. If they succeed, they must take the
declared action. Creatures cannot select actions that they
cannot perform.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Adoration [Charm]
Prerequisite: Access to the Charm domain, Beguiler
bloodline, or Lust mystery.
Benefit: As an immediate action, you can attempt to thwart
a melee or ranged attack that targets you. This ability
functions as sanctuary, but only against one individual attack
(Intuition save negates). You must use the ability after the
attack is declared but before the roll is made. If a creature
has more than one attack, this ability only affects one of the
attacks. You can use the ability a number of times per day
equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier. This is a mind-affecting
effect.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Anything to Please [Charm]
Prerequisites: Access to the Charm domain, Beguiler
bloodline, or Lust mystery; Bluff 8 ranks.
Benefit: You can compel a creature within 30 feet to
attempt to please you as a standard action. The creature
receives a Will save to negate this affect. If the save fails, the
creature attacks your enemies for 1 round, gives you its most
valuable item, or drops prone at your feet and grovels for 1d4
rounds (referee's choice). You can use this ability once per day
per 4 ranks in Bluff you possess. This is a mind-affecting
effect.
Binding Ties [Community]
Prerequisite: Access to the Community Domain.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can touch an ally and
remove one condition affecting the ally by transferring it to
yourself. This transfer lasts a number of rounds equal to your
number of ranks in Concentration, but you can end it as a
free action on your turn. At the end of this effect, the
condition reverts to the original creature, unless it has ended
or is removed by another effect. While this power is in use,
the target is immune to the transferred condition. You can
use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your
Wisdom modifier.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Guarded Hearth [Community]
Guarded Hearth [Community]
Prerequisites: Access to the Community domain; Knowledge
(the planes) 8 ranks.
Benefit: You can create a ward that protects a specified
area. Creating this ward takes 10 minutes of uninterrupted
work. This ward has a maximum radius of 5 feet per 2 ranks
in Concentration you possess. When the ward is completed,
you designate any number of creatures inside its area. Should
any other creature enter the warded area, all of the selected
creatures are immediately alerted (and awoken if they were
asleep). The designated creatures also receive a sacred bonus
equal to your Wisdom modifier on all saving throws and
attack rolls while inside the warded area. This ward
immediately ends if you leave the area. The ward lasts for 1
hour per rank in Knowledge (the planes) you possess. You
can use this ability once per day.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Energumen [Cultist, Skill]
Prerequisite: Access to the Cultist domain and/or demon
lord/archdevil/Great Old One patron deity; Knowledge (the
planes) 6 ranks.
Benefit: Once per day, you can open your soul to a
demonic spirit as a free action. This spirit possesses you for a
number of rounds equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum
1), granting you a +2 profane bonus to one attribute score of
your choice.
If you have at least 11 ranks in Knowledge (the planes),
energumen grants a +4 profane bonus to one attribute
score, electricity resistance 10, and a +4 profane bonus on
saves vs. poison.
If you have at least 16 ranks in Knowledge (the planes),
energumen grants a +6 profane bonus to one attribute
score and immunity to electricity and poison.
When the effect ends, you become confused for a number
of rounds equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum 1) as the
demonic spirit has its way with your mind. At the start of each
round of confusion, you can attempt a DC 25 Intuition save to
end the confusion effect immediately.
Energumen is a possession effect, and is negated by
protection from evil or protection from chaos. You can
prevent or end the confusion side effect by having one of
these spells cast on you when (or before) the energumen
ends, but being affected by such a spell before the energumen
has run its course also causes the benefits granted to end
prematurely.
Source: This feat supersedes the Demoniac’s prestige
class feature of the same name from Lords of Chaos: Book of
the Damned, Vol. 2.
False Priest [Cultist]
Prerequisites: Access to the Cultist domain and/or demon
lord/archdevil/Great Old One patron deity and ability to cast
divine spells.
Benefit: As long as you carry your unholy symbol, you are
immune to magical attempts to uncover falsehood such as
discern lies, zone of truth, and similar effects.
Source: Dragon magazine, issue 353.

Night Hunter [Darkness]
Prerequisite: Access to the Darkness domain or Shadow
bloodline, or Shade racial levels (Chapter 2).
Benefit: As a standard action, you can blend into the
shadows of the night, becoming nearly invisible. As long as
you are in an area of dim light or darkness, you are invisible
(as per invisibility) to creatures without darkvision. This
ability lasts for a number of rounds equal to half your number
of rounds in Concentration (minimum 1). You can use this
ability for a number of times per day equal to 3 + your
Wisdom modifier.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Shadow Chains [Darkness]
Prerequisites: Access to the Darkness domain, touch of
darkness granted power; Knowledge (the planes) 6 ranks;
service to a [lawful, evil] deity or cause.
Benefit: When using your touch of darkness ability, you
manifest shadowy chains that increase the reach of the melee
touch attack by 5 feet. A creature struck by these chains must
succeed at a Reflex save or be entangled for 1d4 rounds in
addition to the normal effects of the ability.
If you have at least 11 ranks in Knowledge (the planes),
the reach of your shadow chains increases by 5 feet (to a
total 10 foot increase). In place of entangling the target,
you can attempt to grapple the target without provoking
an attack of opportunity, using your Charisma modifier in
place of your Strength modifier for the purpose of
determining CMB. If both you and the target are in an
area of dim or darker light, you gain a +4 profane bonus
on this grapple check. You do not gain the grappled
condition when using your shadow chains this way. You
may make combat maneuver checks to maintain the
grapple for as long as the effects of the touch of darkness
persist.
If you have at least 16 ranks in Knowledge (the planes),
the reach provided by your shadow chains increases by
another 5 feet (to a total 20 foot reach). When you
successfully grapple a creature with your shadow chains,
you can begin constricting the victim as a free action,
dealing 1d6 points of damage per level of the highest-level
Darkness domain spell you have prepared whenever you
make a successful grapple check. Creatures constricted in
this way are also considered strangled, and cannot speak
or cast spells with verbal components.
Source: This feat emulates the Umbral Court Agent’s
prestige class feature of the same name (and its
improvements), from Paths of Prestige.
Unnerving Gaze [Darkness, Skill]
Prerequisites: Access to the Darkness domain, Shadow
bloodline, or Shade racial levels; Bluff 6 ranks, Knowledge
(the planes) 6 ranks; must serve a [lawful, evil] deity or cause.
Benefit: You gain a gaze attack similar to the kyton ability
of the same name. Creatures within 30 feet must succeed at
a Will save or be shaken for 1 round. You can use this ability
for a number of rounds per day equal to your number of
ranks in Bluff; these rounds do not need to be consecutive.
Activating this ability is a swift action.
You are immune to the unnerving gaze of kytons (whether
or not your own unnerving gaze is active). This is a mind-
affecting fear effect that follows all the normal rules for a
gaze attack.
If you have at least 11 ranks in Bluff, creatures that fail
their save are shaken for 1d4 rounds.
If you have at least 16 ranks in Bluff, they are staggered
for 1 round and shaken for 1d4 rounds thereafter.
Source: This feat emulates the Umbral Court Agent’s
prestige class feature of the same name, from Paths of
Prestige.
Death Devotion [Death]
The power of death imbues your weapon with exceptional
might.
Prerequisite: Access to the Death domain, Undead
bloodline, or Graves mystery.
Benefit: Once per day as a swift action, you can cause one
of your melee weapons to radiate life-draining energy for 1
minute. When you make a successful attack with this
weapon, the target must succeed on a Fortitude save or gain
a negative level. You can bestow only one negative level per
target for every four class levels you possess (maximum five
negative levels at 20th level).
Special: You can select this feat multiple times, gaining
one additional daily use each time you take it. If you have the
ability to channel negative energy, you gain one additional
daily use of this feat for each three daily channel uses you
expend.
Source: Complete Champion.
Death's Kiss [Death]
Prerequisite: Access to the Death domain, Undead
bloodline, or Graves mystery.
Benefit: You can cause a creature to take on some of the
traits of the undead with a melee touch attack. Touched
creatures are treated as undead for the purposes of effects
that heal or cause damage based on positive and negative
energy. This effect lasts for a number of rounds equal to half
your number of ranks in Knowledge (the planes) (minimum
1). It does not apply to the Turn Undead or Command
Undead feats. You can use this ability a number of times per
day equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.

Undying Fate [Death]
Prerequisites: Able to cast 2nd level divine spells, access
to the Death domain, Undead bloodline, or Graves mystery.
Benefit: As a swift action, you can determine how close
creatures are to death. This extraordinary ability can be used
at will but otherwise functions like the deathwatch spell. In
addition, you add the following spells to your class spell list:
2nd—false life; 3rd—halt undead; 5th—blight; 7th—finger of
death.
Source: Races of Destiny.
Heat Shimmer [Desert]
Prerequisite: Access to the Desert domain.
Benefit: As a free action, you can surround yourself with
heat distortion that acts as the blur spell. Creatures that
strike you in melee while you're using this ability are dazzled
for 1 round (Fortitude negates). You may use this ability for a
number of rounds per day equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier.
These rounds need not be consecutive.
Priest of the Waste [Desert]
You can swap out prepared spells for others that aid in
exploring and surviving in wastelands.
Prerequisite: Favored terrain (deserts) or access to the
Sun domain.
Benefit: This works similarly to the Spontaneous Spell
feat (q.v.), giving access to the following list of spells: 1st
—endure elements; 2nd—resist energy; 3rd—create food and
water; 4th—communal protection from energyUC; 5th
—control winds; 6th—heroes’ feast; 7th—control weather; 8th
—whirlwind; 9th—antipathy.
Source: Sandstorm.
Deadly Weather [Destruction]
Prerequisite: Access to the Destruction or Weather domain;
Concentration 8 ranks.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can unleash a furious
call to the heavens, summoning forth an ever-changing storm
of destruction for a number of rounds per day equal to your
number of ranks in Concentration. This storm has a radius of
5 feet per rank in Concentration you possess. Each round, the
storm has one of the following effects: driving rain (–4 on all
Perception checks and ranged attack rolls), howling winds (–
8 on Fly skill checks and ranged attack rolls), heavy snow (all
terrain is considered difficult), or lightning bolt (as call
lightning). You choose which effect takes place each round,
but no effect may be repeated on the following round. These
rounds do not need to be consecutive.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Destruction Devotion
Destruction Devotion
[Destruction]
Your attacks weaken your opponents' defenses.
Prerequisite: Access to the Destruction domain.
Benefit: Once per day as an immediate action, you can call
upon the forces of destruction to weaken your opponents'
defenses. If you deal damage with a melee attack (but not a
melee touch attack) while this ability is active, you
temporarily reduce the struck opponent's armor bonus or
natural armor bonus by 1. Reductions from multiple hits
stack, to a minimum bonus of +0. If the opponent has both
armor and natural armor bonuses, it chooses which one to
reduce. Once one bonus reaches +0, the other bonus
automatically gets reduced until it too reaches +0 or the
effect ends.
This effect lasts for 1 minute, after which all armor and
natural armor bonuses reduced in this way return to normal.
Upon reaching 10th level, you reduce your opponent's armor
or natural armor bonus by 2 per successful hit.
Special: You can select this feat multiple times, gaining
one additional daily use each time you take it. If you have the
ability to channel negative energy, you gain one additional
daily use of this feat for each daily channel use you expend.
Source: Complete Champion.
Fragile Construct [Destruction,
Reserve]
Your innate attunement to the forces of entropy allows you to
weaken objects.
Reserve Spell: 1st level Destruction or Artifice domain
spell.
Benefit: You can enhance the inherent flaws of objects.
Using this ability requires a touch or a melee touch attack (if
used against an opponent) that does not provoke an attack of
opportunity. For a number of rounds equal to your number of
ranks in Concentration, the hardness or damage reduction of
the touched object or construct is reduced by an amount
equal to the level of the highest-level reserve spell you have
available to cast. This ability cannot reduce an object's
hardness or damage reduction below 0.
Armor of Stone [Earth,
Channeling]
Prerequisites: Access to the Earth domain, or Elemental
Earth or Deep Earth or Genie (dao/shaitan) bloodline, or
Stone mystery, or [Earth] subtype; ability to channel
elemental energy (earth).
Benefit: By spending one channel energy use as a standard
action, you can grant yourself damage reduction (overcome
by adamantine weapons) to a number of points of damage
equal to the number of dice worth of energy you would
normally channel (e.g., a 5th level cleric would gain DR
3/adamantine). The effects last for 1 round per character level
you possess.
Source: This emulates the Divine Damage Reduction feat
from Races of Stone.

Acid Resistance [Earth]
Prerequisite: Access to the Earth domain, or Elemental
Earth or Deep Earth or Genie (dao/shaitan) bloodline, or
Stone mystery, or [Earth] subtype.
Benefit: You gain resistance to acid 5. This resistance
increases by 5 points per 4 ranks in Knowledge (the planes)
you possess, to resistance 20 at 16 ranks. At 20 ranks, you
are immune to acid.
Earth Devotion [Earth]
You can manipulate the earth to your advantage.
Prerequisite: Access to the Earth domain, or Elemental
Earth or Deep Earth or Genie (dao/shaitan) bloodline, or
Stone mystery, or [Earth] subtype; Concentration 3 ranks.
Benefit: Once per day as an immediate action, you can
affect one 5-ft. square of earth or stone per 3 ranks in
Concentration you possess (minimum 1 square; maximum 6
squares at 18th level), changing it from normal to difficult
terrain. The first square you change must be within 30 ft. of
you, and all other squares must be linked to that one in an
unbroken line. This change lasts for 1 minute.
On attaining 11th level, you can cause stone spikes to grow
from any surface you have changed to difficult terrain using
this ability. These spikes work like caltrops, except that the
bonus on attack rolls for each spike equals your base attack
bonus, and they cannot be swept away. This effect also lasts 1
minute. If you cause spikes to appear underneath a creature
on the affected surface, they immediately "attack."
Special: You can select this feat multiple times, gaining
one additional daily use each time you take it. If you have the
ability to channel elemental energy (earth), you gain one use
of this feat for each daily channel use you expend.
Source: Complete Champion.
Roots of the Mountain [Earth,
Channeling]
You can channel energy to make yourself immovable.
Prerequisites: Access to the Earth domain, or Elemental
Earth or Deep Earth or Genie (dao/shaitan) bloodline, or
Stone mystery, or [Earth] subtype; ability to channel
elemental energy (earth).
Benefit: As a standard action, spend one of your channel
energy uses to root yourself to the spot where you stand. You
cannot be bull rushed, tripped, lifted up, or thrown. A creature
with the improved grab ability must move into your space to
grapple you, since it cannot pull you into its space. If you are
grappling, you automatically win an opposed grapple check
when an opponent tries to move you. No spell or other effect
can force you to move. If you become frightened or panicked,
you experience the full effect of the fear but do not run away.
You cannot move, even to make a 5-foot step, while this ability
is in effect. This ability lasts for a number of rounds equal to
the number of dice you would normally channel, but you can
end it at any time as a free action.
Special: You must be touching the ground to use this feat.
Source: Races of Stone.
Tremor Step [Earth]
Tremor Step [Earth]
Prerequisite: Access to the Earth domain, or Elemental
Earth or Deep Earth or Genie (dao/shaitan) bloodline, or
Stone mystery, or [Earth] subtype.
Benefit: While standing on a solid, natural surface (e.g.,
fields or a cave floor, but not the upper storey of a tower) you
can strike the ground as a free action to produce highly
localized seismic vibrations. Roll a Concentration check;
those within 20 ft. with CMD less than the results are
knocked prone. You may use this ability once per day per 2
class levels you possess (minimum 1/day).
Source: Dragon magazine, issue 342.
Aura of Tyranny [Evil, Stance]
Prerequisite: Access to Evil domain, Infernal bloodline,
Planetouched (tiefling) levels, Incarnate (fiendish aspirancy),
or allegiance to Evil deity or cause.
Benefit: While you are in this stance, you drain hit points
from your allies. At the end of your turn, you can choose to
deal 2 points of damage to each willing ally within 10 feet.
For each ally who takes this damage, you heal 1 point of
damage.
Source: Tome of Battle.
Evil Devotion [Evil]
The power of evil cloaks you and your allies.
Prerequisite: Access to Evil domain, Abyssal or Daemon
or Infernal or Rakshasa bloodline, Aspirancy (fiendish)
mystery, or Planetouched (tiefling) levels, or allegiance to Evil
deity or cause.
Benefit: Once per day as an immediate action, you can
surround yourself with an aura of evil that grants you and
each of your allies within 30 feet damage reduction that can
be overcome only by good-aligned weapons. The numeric
value of this damage reduction is 1 + l/5 character levels you
possess (maximum 5/good at 20th level). In addition, your and
your allies' natural and weapon attacks are evil-aligned for
the purpose of overcoming damage reduction. This effect
lasts for 1 minute.
Special: You can select this feat multiple times, gaining
one additional daily use each time you take it. If you have the
ability to channel negative energy, you gain one additional
daily use of this feat for each daily channel use you expend.
Source: Complete Champion.
Hell's Corruption [Evil, Lawful]
Prerequisite: Access to Evil domain, Infernal bloodline, or
Aspirancy (fiendish) mystery; [Lawful] and [Evil]
alignment/subtypes or allegiance to a Lawful Evil deity or
cause.
Benefit: You can cause a creature to become more
susceptible to corruption as a melee touch attack that does
not provoke attacks of opportunity. Any creature touched
takes a –2 penalty on all saving throws and must roll all
opposed skill checks twice, taking the worse result. This
effect lasts for a number of rounds equal to half your number
of ranks in Knowledge (the planes) (minimum 1). You can use
this ability for a number of times per day equal to 3 + your
Wisdom modifier.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.

Whispering Evil [Evil]
Prerequisite: Access to Evil domain, Abyssal or Daemon
or Infernal or Rakshasa bloodline, Aspirancy (fiendish)
mystery, or [evil] alignment or subtype or allegiance to Evil
deity or cause; Knowledge (the planes) 8 ranks.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can whisper a
hypnotizing litany of empty promises. Each enemy within a
30-foot emanation that can hear you must succeed on a Will
saving throw or become fascinated for as long as you
continue the litany. You can use this power a number of
rounds per day equal to your number of ranks in Knowledge
(the planes), but these rounds do not need to be consecutive.
This is a mind-affecting effect.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Fire Devotion [Fire]
You can burn your enemies with your melee attacks.
Prerequisite: Access to the Fire domain, Elemental Fire or
Genie (efreet) bloodline, or Flame mystery; or [fire] subtype.
Benefit: Once per day as a swift action, you can sheathe
your body in red and orange flames. The fire does not harm
you, but you illuminate the nearby area as a torch would.
While you are thus alight, each of your melee attacks deals 1
extra point of fire damage, plus an additional point for every
three class levels you possess (maximum +7 at 18th level).
This effect lasts for 1 minute.
Any foe injured by this fire ignites and burns for an
additional ld4 points of fire damage per round unless it
succeeds on a Reflex save. A burning creature can take a
move action to automatically douse the flames.
Special: You can select this feat multiple times, gaining
one additional daily use each time you take it. If you have the
ability to channel elemental [fire] energy, you gain one
additional daily use of this feat for each two daily uses you
expend.
Source: Complete Champion.
Fire-Guiding Song [Fire]
Your voice has a hypnotic power over fire.
Prerequisite: Access to the Fire domain, Elemental Fire or
Genie (efreet) bloodline, or Flame mystery; or [fire] subtype.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can cause an existing
fire to lash out at one creature within 10 ft. of it, dealing 2d6
fire damage and forcing a Reflex saving throw to avoid
catching on fire.
You may also use this ability to automatically extinguish a
non-magical fire no larger than a bonfire. In either case, your
total number of uses per day is equal to half your class level.
Source: Dragon magazine, issue 342.
Aura of Heroism [Glory]
Prerequisite: Access to the Glory domain, Knowledge (the
planes) 8 ranks.
Benefit: You can emit a 30-foot aura of heroism for a
number of rounds per day equal to your number of ranks in
Concentration. These rounds do not need to be consecutive,
but each activation requires a swift action. Allies in the area
are treated as if they were under the effects of the heroism
spell.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Honor Bound [Glory]
Honor Bound [Glory]
Prerequisite: Access to the Glory domain.
Benefit: With a touch, you can remind a creature of its
duties and responsibilities, granting it a new saving throw
against each enchantment [charm] or [compulsion] effect
that currently affects it. If the saving throw is successful, the
enchantment effect is ended. This power only affects effects
that allow a save. If you fail a save against such an effect, you
can use this ability as an immediate action to grant yourself
an additional save. Once the target (either you or a touched
creature) has made one additional save per effect, this ability
has no further effect on that particular enchantment effect.
You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3
+ your Wisdom modifier.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Good Devotion [Good]
The power of good shields you and your allies.
Prerequisite: Access to the Good domain, Celestial
bloodline, Aspirant (celestial) mystery; or [Good] alignment
or subtype.
Benefit: Once per day as an immediate action, you can
surround yourself with an aura of good that grants you and
each of your allies within 30 feet damage reduction that can
be overcome only by evil-aligned weapons. The numeric value
of this damage reduction is 1 + l/5 character levels you
possess (maximum 5/evil at 20th level). In addition, your and
your allies’ natural and weapon attacks are good-aligned for
the purpose of overcoming damage reduction. This effect
lasts for 1 minute.
Special: You can select this feat multiple times, gaining
one additional daily use each time you take it. If you have the
ability to channel positive energy, you gain one additional
daily use of this feat for each daily channel use you expend.
Source: Complete Champion.
Protective Aura [Good]
Prerequisites: Access to the Good domain or Lawful Neutral
deity or cause; Knowledge (the planes) 8 ranks.
Benefit: You can emit a 30-foot protective aura as a
standard action. Allies in this aura receive a +2 deflection
bonus to AC and a +2 resistance bonus on all saving throws.
In addition, allies in the area gain the benefits of protection
from evil (although the AC bonus and saving throw bonus do
not stack with those granted by this effect). You can use this
ability for a number of rounds per day equal to your number
of ranks in Knowledge (the planes). These rounds do not have
to be consecutive.
Source: This is the Agathion subdomain power from the
Advanced Player’s Guide.
Saving Grace [Good]
Prerequisite: Access to the Good domain, Celestial
bloodline, Aspirant (celestial) mystery; or [Good] alignment
or subtype.
Benefit: As a move action, you can grant one ally within 30
ft. a sacred bonus equal to your Charisma bonus to the next
saving throw, attack roll, or attribute check made within 1
minute. You may use this ability once per day per 2 class
levels you possess (minimum 1/day).
Source: Dragon magazine, issue 342.

Healing Devotion [Healing]
You can heal damage faster than normal.
Prerequisite: Access to the Healing domain or Life
mystery or Greenbond initiation.
Benefit: Once per day, you can gain fast healing 1, +1 per 5
character levels you possess (maximum fast healing 5 at 20th
level). This effect lasts for 1 minute. You can activate this feat
as an immediate action or, if you have a daily available, it
automatically activates if you are reduced to 0 hit points or
below (but not killed). As a full-round action, you can transfer
this ability to a willing recipient as a touch spell. Doing so
counts as one daily use of the ability.
Special: You can select this feat multiple times, gaining
one additional daily use each time you take it. If you have the
ability to channel positive energy, you gain one additional
daily use of this feat for each channeling use you expend.
Source: Complete Champion.
Healing Kicker [Healing, Skill]
Prerequisites: Access to the Healing domain or Life mystery;
Heal 1 rank.
Benefit: Whenever you cast a cure spell, you can also
imbue the recipient with a sanctuary effect (DC 10 + your
Heal skill bonus). You can use this ability a number of times
per day equal to half your class level + your Wisdom modifier.
If you have at least 6 ranks in Heal, you can instead
choose to imbue the recipient with a sacred bonus on
Reflex saves equal to half your class level. This effect
likewise lasts 1 round.
If you have at least 11 ranks in Heal, you can instead
choose to imbue the recipient with a maximized aid effect
for 1 minute (or until the temporary hp so granted are
depleted, whichever comes first).
Source: This feat supersedes the Combat Medic prestige
class feature of the same name, from Heroes of Battle.
Healing Light [Healing, Skill]
Prerequisite: Access to the Healing domain or Life mystery
or Greenbond initiation; Heal 1 rank.
Benefit: Spells you cast with “cure” in the name have a
range of Close, rather than Touch (as if affected by the Reach
Spell feat, but with no increase in spell level or casting time).
You need not make a ranged touch attack against a willing
target, but you must do so to affect an unwilling target (e.g.,
when using a cure spell to inflict damage on undead).
If you have at least 6 ranks in Heal, the range is Medium
instead.
If you have at least 11 ranks in Heal, increase the effect to
Long range.
If you have at least 16 ranks in Heal, you can cast cure
spells on any willing recipient on the same plane.
Source: Dragon magazine, issue 342.
Healing, Merciful [Healing, Skill]
Healing, Merciful [Healing, Skill]
Prerequisite: Access to the Healing domain or Life mystery
or Greenbond initiation; Heal 1 rank.
Benefit: Choose one of the following harmful conditions:
fatigued, shaken, or sickened. When you channel energy you
can also remove the chosen condition from one living
creature that you heal within your channel energy burst.
If you have at least 6 ranks in Heal, you can choose
another condition. It can be one of those you didn’t choose
at initially, or one of the following conditions: dazed,
diseased, or staggered. You can remove the selected
condition or the one you chose at initially from up to two
creatures within your channel energy burst.
If you have at least 11 ranks in Heal, you gain another
condition, choosing an above option or one of the
following conditions: cursed, exhausted, frightened,
nauseated, or poisoned. You can remove that condition, or
a condition you previously chose, from one or two
creatures within the burst.
If you have at least 16 ranks in Heal, you can choose a
lower-level condition or one of the following conditions:
blinded, deafened, paralyzed, or stunned. You can remove
that condition or one she previously chose from one, two,
or three creatures within your channel energy burst.
Special: Feats and effects that affect a paladin’s mercy also
affect this ability.
Source: Ultimate Combat. Used in conjunction with the
Lay on Hands feat, this supersedes the Restorative Touch
ability from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Touch of Healing [Healing,
Reserve]
Prerequisite: Access to the Healing domain or Life mystery
or Greenbond initiation; Heal 1 rank.
Reserve Spell: 2nd level Necromancy [healing].
Benefit: You can spend a standard action to touch a target
creature and heal 1d6 points of damage per level of the
highest-level [healing] spell you have available to cast. You
can use this ability only on a target that has been reduced to
one-fourth or fewer of its total hit points (heavily wounded or
worse). The effect ends once you've healed the subject up to
¼ its normal maximum hit points. This ability has no effect
on creatures that can't be healed by cure spells.
If you have at least 11 ranks in Heal, you can use this ability
on lightly wounded creatures as well, restoring lost hit points
up to half its normal maximum.
Source: Complete Champion.
Inquisitor’s Zeal [Inquisition,
Skill]
Your zeal in carrying out your duties prevents you from
being subverted by magical means.
Prerequisites: Access to the Inquisition domain; Bluff 5
ranks.
Benefits: You gain immunity to [charm] effects.
If you have at least 11 ranks in Bluff, you are immune to
[compulsion] effects as well.
If you have at least 16 ranks in Bluff, you are also immune
to possession (including magic jar and the ghost’s
malevolence ability) and effects that would normally
displace or trap your life force or soul (soul bind, trap the
soul, etc.).
Source: This feat provides the immunities of the Church
Inquisitor prestige class, from Complete Divine.
Divine Inspiration [Knowledge]
Prerequisites: Access to the Knowledge domain or Akashic
or Oracular mystery.
Benefit: You can make Knowledge skill checks untrained.
Once per day per class level, you can grant yourself an
enhancement bonus equal to your Charisma modifier to any
Knowledge check as a free action.
Source: Dragon magazine, issue 342.
Paragnostic Disciple [Knowledge]
You gain enhancements to your spellcasting based on the skills knowledge you possess.
Prerequisites: Access to the Knowledge domain or Akashic mystery; minimum 6 ranks in the applicable skill, as indicated in
the table.
Benefit: Each time you select this feat, choose two abilities from the table for which you meet the skill prerequisites.
Source: This feat supersedes the prestige class of the same name, from Complete Champion.
TABLE: PARAGNOSTIC DISCIPLE ABILITIES
Ability Name Skill Description
Accurate Spellcraft You gain a +1 circumstance bonus on your ranged attack roll with every ray spell that you aim
Retort at a creature with a natural armor bonus.
Backhanded Spellcraft If you successfully hit with an attack that deals hit point or ability score damage and requires a
Attack saving throw against an additional, non-damaging effect (such as the orb of acid spell, add 1 to
the DC of the saving throw.
Call of Worlds Knowledge Each creature you summon with a [summoning] spell gains the fast healing ability. The damage
(planes) healed per round begins at 1 hit point and increases by 1 for every three class levels above the
6th (maximum 5 at 18th level).
Discern Special Choose one creature type or subtype from the ranger's favored enemy list. If you have 8 ranks
Weakness in the appropriate Knowledge skill (such as Knowledge [lore] for dragons, or Streetwise for
civilized humanoids), the save DC of every spell that you target on a creature of that type
increases by 1. You can select this ability multiple times, choosing a different creature type
each time.
Divine Knowledge Choose one clerical domain. For the purpose of this ability, you can choose any domain,
Understanding (planes) whether or not your deity offers it. Your effective caster level increases by 1 when you cast
spells that appear on that domain's spell list. You can select this ability multiple times,
choosing a different domain each time.
Energy Knowledge Choose an energy type. Your effective caster level increases by 1 when you cast spells of that
Supremacy (planes) energy type. You can select this ability multiple times, choosing a different energy type each
time.
Manifest Knowledge Choose one non-neutral aspect of your deity’s alignment. When you cast an energy-based
Ethos (planes) offensive spell against a creature with an opposing alignment component, one-half the hit
point damage dealt is pure divine power instead of its normal energy type, and thus not
subject to reduction by energy resistance. You can select this ability multiple times, assuming
that your deity’s alignment permits it, choosing a different aspect of your deity’s alignment
each time.
Mind over Survival Your effective caster level increases by 1 when you cast [healing] spells or transmutation spells
Body that grant ability bonuses or penalties.
Mind over Craft Whenever you cast a spell that creates a solid object, its hardness and hit points each increase
Matter (construction) by 2. When you cast a spell that provides an armor bonus, that bonus to AC also increases by
2.
Mortal Coil Survival Your effective caster level increases by 1 when you cast spells that physically change the
subject's form (such as enlarge person or baleful polymorph).
Noble Diplomacy Whenever you cast a charm spell, or a compulsion that affects the subject's emotions but not
Presence specific actions (such as good hope or rage, but not dominate person), the save DC increases
by 1.
Penetrating Spellcraft You gain a +1 insight bonus on checks made to overcome spell resistance, or to successfully
Insight dispel another caster's spell.
See Through Knowledge Whenever you cast a necromantic spell that targets undead, the save DC increases by 1. In
the Veil (planes) addition, your effective channeling level increases by 2, if you possess the ability to channel
negative energy.
Spatial Survival Your effective caster level increases by 1 when you cast conjuration (teleportation) spells.
Awareness Furthermore, the subject of any spell that increases base movement rate or grants a new type
of movement gains an additional 10 feet to the designated speed.

Aura of Menace [Lawful, Good]
Prerequisites: Access to the Law domain or Celestial
bloodline or Aspirancy (celestial) mystery, or [Lawful] and
[Good] alignment descriptors or subtype; Knowledge (the
planes) 8 ranks.
Benefit: You can emit a 30-foot aura of menace as a
standard action. Enemies in this aura take a –2 penalty to AC
and on attacks and saves as long as they remain inside the
aura. You can use this ability for a number of rounds per day
equal to your number of ranks in Knowledge (the planes).
These rounds do not need to be consecutive.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Aura of Perfect Order [Lawful,
Stance]
Prerequisite: Access to the Law domain, [Lawful] alignment
or subtype, or allegiance to a Lawful deity or cause.
Benefit: This stance allows you to treat a potential d20
result as an 11. You must decide to use this ability
immediately before rolling the d20. You can use this ability
once per round. Using this ability does not take an action; you
simply decide to invoke it before rolling a d20 for any reason,
such as for an attack, save, or check.
Source: Tome of Battle.
Aura of Repetition [Lawful]
Prerequisites: Access to the Law domain; Knowledge (the
planes) 8 ranks.
Benefit: You can emit a 30-foot aura of repetition for a
number of rounds per day equal to your number of ranks in
Concentration. These rounds do not need to be consecutive.
All enemies within this aura must make a Will save each
round or repeat their action from the previous round (if
possible). Creatures that attacked on the previous round
attack again on the following round, although they may
change their target. Creatures that moved the previous round
must take the same move action again, although they may
change their route. Creatures that drank a potion must do so
again, even they can only drink from an empty bottle. Actions
that cannot be repeated are wasted.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Inevitable Command [Lawful]
Prerequisite: Access to the Law or Nobility domain.
Benefit: At will as a standard action, you can give a
creature an emotionless yet undeniable order, as per the spell
command. A Will save negates this effect. You cannot target a
creature more than once per day with this ability. If you have
at least 12 ranks in Concentration, the effect is as a greater
command instead.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Law Devotion [Lawful]
Law Devotion [Lawful]
Prerequisite: Access to the Law domain.
Benefit: Once per day as a swift action, you can summon
the power of law to aid you. Upon activating this ability, you
immediately gain a +3 sacred (if your deity is good or neutral)
or profane (if your deity is evil) bonus on your attack rolls or
to your AC until your next action. At the beginning of your
next action, you can reallocate the bonus if desired. This
effect lasts for 1 minute. The bonus increases to +5 when you
attain 10th level, and to +7 when you attain 15th level.
Synergy: If you have the ability to channel energy, you can
gain an additional use of this feat by expending a channel use.
Special: You can select this feat multiple times, gaining
one additional daily use each time you take it.
Source: Complete Champion.
Law Inviolate [Lawful]
Your unshakable faith in law allows you to better apprehend
fugitives or overcome villains who transgress it.
Prerequisite: Access to the Law domain.
Benefit: Your natural weapons, as well as any weapons you
wield, are treated as [lawful] aligned for the purpose of
overcoming damage reduction.
In addition, you may add the following spells to your class
spell list: 1st—color spray; 2nd—daze monster; 3rd
—suggestion; 5th—passwall; 6th—mass suggestion; 8th
—power word: stun.
Source: Races of Destiny.
Liberty's Blessing [Liberation]
Prerequisite: Access to the Liberation domain, or [chaotic]
and [good] alignment, subtypes, or deity or cause.
Benefit: You touch a willing creature as a standard action,
granting it a boon. A creature with this boon can, as a swift
action, make another saving throw against a single spell or
effect it is suffering from that grants a save. The DC of the
saving throw is equal to the original DC of the spell or effect.
If the saving throw is successful, the effect ends.
This boon lasts for 1 minute or until successfully used to
remove a spell or effect, whichever duration is shorter. You
can use this ability for a number of times equal to 3 + your
Wisdom modifier.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Luck Devotion [Luck]
Luck makes your attacks more effective.
Prerequisite: Patron deity with the Luck domain.
Benefit: Once per day as a swift action, you can activate
this ability to improve your combat prowess. For 1 minute, if
the result of any damage roll you make is below average, you
can increase it to one-half the maximum possible (rounded
up). This effect works for all damage you deal, whether from
physical or magical attacks.
Special: You can select this feat multiple times, gaining
one additional daily use each time you take it. If you have the
ability to channel positive energy, you gain one additional
daily use of this feat for each channel use you expend.
Source: Complete Champion.

Malign Eye [Luck ]
Prerequisite: Access to the Luck domain.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can afflict one target
within 30 feet with your malign eye, causing it to take a –2
profane penalty on all saving throws against your spells. The
effect lasts for 1 minute or until the target hits you with an
attack. You can use this ability for a number of times per day
equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Tugging Strands [Luck]
Prerequisite: Access to the Luck domain, divine caster level
8th.
Benefit: As an immediate action, you can force a creature
within your line of sight to reroll any one roll that it has just
made before the result of the roll is revealed. The result of the
reroll must be taken, even if it is worse than the original roll.
You can use this ability once per day at 8th level, and one
additional time per day for every 6 levels beyond 8th
(maximum 3/day at 20th level).
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Fearful Touch [Madness]
Benefit: As a standard action, you can make a melee touch
attack against a creature, causing it to experience terrible
hallucinations for 1 round. During this time, the creature
loses any resistance or immunity to fear effects it might
possess and takes a –2 morale penalty on attack rolls made
against you. In addition, the creature takes a penalty on Will
saves made against fear effects equal to half your number of
ranks in Knowledge (religion) (minimum –1). This power is a
mind-affecting effect. You can use this ability for a number of
times per day equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Insane Focus [Madness]
Prerequisite: Access to the Madness domain.
Benefit: You can touch a willing creature as a standard
action, granting it a +4 profane bonus on all saving throws
made against mind-affecting effects, and immunity to
confusion. This bonus lasts for 1 round per rank in
Concentration you possess. If the creature fails a saving
throw against a mind-affecting effect during this period, it
loses its immunity to confusion and is immediately confused
for one round. You can use this ability a number of times per
day equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Arcane Insight [Magic, Arcane]
By immersing yourself in the reverence of magic, you have
unearthed magical secrets and gained special insight into
arcane spellcasting.
Prerequisites: Access to the Magic or Mystic domain.
Benefit: You gain a +2 insight bonus on Spellcraft checks.
In addition, you may add the following spells to your class
and domain spell lists: 1st—true strike; 3rd—arcane sight; 5th
—telepathic bond; 7th—greater arcane sight; 8th—moment of
prescience.
Source: Races of Destiny.
Channel Magical Might [Magic,
Channel Magical Might [Magic,
Arcane, Channeling]
Prerequisites: Access to the Magic or Mystic domain; able to
channel energy.
Benefit: When you cast a spell, you can expend a channel
energy use as a swift action to make the spell more effective
against one target you specify, as follows:
Target gains a sacred/profane penalty to its spell
resistance against the spell equal to the number of dice
you would normally channel.
Target gains a sacred/profane penalty to its saving throw
against that spell equal to half the number of dice you
would normally channel.
Source: D&D Next Index.
Divine Vessel [Magic]
Prerequisite: Access to the Magic domain.
Benefit: Whenever you are the target of a divine spell, as an
immediate action you can grant each ally within 15 feet of
you a divine boon. This boon grants a +2 sacred bonus on the
next attack roll, skill check, or ability check made before the
end of their next turn. You can use this ability a number of
times per day equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Power Magic Device [Magic,
Arcane]
Prerequisites: Access to the Magic or Mystic domain.
Benefit: When activating a charged magic item, you can
power the item with divine magic, rather than expending
charges. You must have a number of ranks in Spellcraft
greater than or equal to the item’s caster level. You can use
this ability a number of times per day equal to half your class
level (minimum 1/day); for activations normally requiring
more than one charge, you must expend an equal number of
daily uses of this ability. This ability applies only to items with
finite charges, not items with a limited number of daily uses.
Source: Dragon magazine, issue 342.
Inspiring Command [Nobility]
Prerequisite: Access to the Nobility domain.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can issue an inspiring
command to your allies. The inspiring command affects one
ally plus one additional ally for every three ranks in
Knowledge (the planes) you possess, who must all be within
30 feet of you. Affected allies gain a +2 insight bonus on
attack rolls, AC, combat maneuver defense, and skill checks
for 1 round. This is a language-dependant, mind-affecting
effect.

Sacrificial Bond [Nobility]
Prerequisites: Access to the Nobility domain; Knowledge
(the planes) 4 ranks.
Benefit: When an ally within 30 feet takes damage from an
attack, you can, as an immediate action, transfer this damage
to yourself. This power also transfers any effects that
accompany the damage. The damage done to you cannot be
reduced in any way. You can use this ability once per day per
4 ranks in Knowledge (the planes) you possess.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Splendor [Nobility]
Prerequisites: Access to the Nobility domain; Knowledge
(the planes) 12 ranks.
Benefit: This functions as the bardic lore of the same
name (q.v.).
Aura of Decomposition [Plant]
Prerequisite: Access to the Destruction or Plant domain,
Nature mystery, or Blighter initiation; Concentration 8 ranks.
Benefit: You can emit a 30-foot aura of decay as a standard
action. Living creatures in this aura (except you) take 1d6
points of damage per round as their flesh rots. They also take
a cumulative –1 penalty to Strength each round they remain
in the aura. Once outside the aura, the penalty fades at the
rate of –1 per round, but it begins building again if they
reenter the aura. Plant creatures take 2d6 points of damage
per round. You can use this ability for a number of rounds per
day equal to your cleric level. These rounds do not need to be
consecutive.
Source: This feat supersedes the Aura of Decay ability of
the Decay subdomain, from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Plant Devotion [Plant, Skill]
Your body takes on the resilience of plants.
Prerequisite: Access to the Plant domain, Verdant
bloodline, Greenbond or Verdant Lord initiation, or Nature
mystery; Profession (horticulture) 1 rank.
Benefit: Once per day as an immediate action, you can
force your body to take on plant characteristics for 1 round
per rank in Craft (horticulture) you possess. Your skin
becomes brown and bark-like, your hair becomes leafy, and
your blood oozes like sap. While in this form, you gain a +2
enhancement bonus to natural armor (as barkskin); thus
improves by an additional +1 per 4 ranks in Craft
(horticulture) you possess. In addition, while this feat is active
you gain fortification (chance to ignore extra damage from
critical hits and sneak attacks) equal to 5% per rank in Craft
(horticulture) you possess.
Special: You can select this feat multiple times, gaining
one additional daily use each time you take it. If you have the
ability to channel elemental energy, you gain one additional
daily use of this feat for each two daily channel uses you
expend.
Source: Complete Champion.
Protective Ward [Protection,
Protective Ward [Protection,
Reserve]
Your connection to the divine principle of protection shields
you or an ally from attacks.
Prerequisite: Access to the Protection domain.
Reserve Spell: 1st level Abjuration.
Benefit: You can use a standard action to provide a sacred
(if your deity is good or neutral) or profane (if your deity is
evil) bonus to AC equal to the level of the highest-level
abjuration spell you have available. You can apply this bonus
either to your AC or to that of a single ally within 30 feet, and
it persists until the beginning of your next turn.
Source: Complete Champion.
Protection Devotion [Protection]
You exude an aura that protects you and those around you.
Prerequisite: Access to the Protection domain.
Benefit: Once per day as an immediate action, you can
activate a protective aura. While it is active, you gain a +2
sacred (if your deity is good or neutral) or profane (if your
deity is evil) bonus to AC, as does every ally within 30 feet of
you. This bonus increases by 1 for every four class levels you
possess (maximum +7 at 20th level). This effect lasts for 1
minute.
Special: You can select this feat multiple times, gaining
one additional daily use each time you take it. If you have the
ability to channel energy, you gain one additional daily use of
this feat for each three daily channel uses you expend.
Source: Complete Champion.
Shield of the Martyr [Protection]
Prerequisite: Access to the Protection domain.
Benefit: When an ally within 30 ft. takes damage, you can
spend an immediate action to split the damage evenly
between that ally and yourself. You may use this ability once
per day per two class levels you possess (minimum 1/day).
Source: Dragon magazine, issue 342.
Runic Spell [Rune, Metamagic]
You can carve the words to spells in the form of runes on
rocks or tablets.
Prerequisite: Access to the Rune domain, Knowledge
(linguistics) 2 ranks per level of the spell to be affected.
Benefit: A Runic spell has no Verbal components. Instead,
it gains an additional material component (the carved runes),
which cannot be eliminated using a focus or with Eschew
Materials. Carving the runes for a Runic spell can be done
when you prepare spells, or at any other time as a full-round
action.
A runic spell is otherwise similar to a spell affected by the
Silent Spell feat.
Metamagic Cost: +0 levels.
Rune Shift [Rune]
Prerequisites: Access to the Rune domain; Knowledge
(linguistics) 6 ranks, blast rune granted power.
Benefit: As a swift action, you can change the location of
one of your blast runes. The rune must be within 30 feet. You
can place the blast rune in any square adjacent to you,
including one occupied by another creature.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Warding Rune [Rune]
Prerequisites: Access to the Rune domain; Knowledge
(linguistics) 6 ranks, blast rune granted power.
Benefit: When a creature is damaged by your blast rune, it
cannot attack you for a number of rounds equal to half your
number of ranks in Concentration unless it succeeds at a Will
save, as per the spell sanctuary. Using this ability is an
immediate action when a creature triggers one of your blast
runes. The ability does not prevent you from being attacked
or affected by area of effect spells or abilities.
You can use this ability once per day per 6 ranks in
Knowledge (linguistics) you possess.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Bestow Resolve [Strength]
Prerequisites: Access to the Strength domain or aura of
courage class feature; Knowledge (the planes) 4 ranks.
Benefit: You can bless creatures with the boldness of your
deity. You can bestow a number of temporary hit points equal
to your number of ranks in Concentration + your Wisdom
modifier to all allies within 20 feet. The temporary hit points
remain for 1 minute. You can use this ability once per day per
4 ranks in Knowledge (the planes) you possess.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Eternal Strength [Strength]
Prerequisites: Access to the Strength domain.
Benefit: You gain a +4 bonus on saving throws to resist
effects that deal Strength damage or cause Strength drain. In
addition, you may add the following spells to your class spell
list: 3rd—heroism, 5th—waves of fatigue; 6th—greater
heroism; 7th—waves of exhaustion
Source: Races of Destiny.
Strength Devotion [Strength]
You can overcome an opponent's normal resistance to
damage.
Prerequisite: Patron deity with the Strength domain.
Benefit: Once per day as a swift action, you can bypass
hardness with your melee attacks for 1 minute. In addition,
you gain a slam attack as a natural weapon, and all your
melee attacks (natural or not) gain the adamantine property
for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
As a natural weapon, your slam attack does not provoke
attacks of opportunity. It deals damage based on your size
and character level, as given on the following table.
Character Damage Damage Damage
Level (Small) (Medium) (Large)
1st - 5th 1d4 1d6 1d8
6th - 10th 1d6 1d8 2d6
11th - 15th 1d8 1d10 2d8
16th - 20th 1d10 2d6 3d6
If you already have a natural weapon, use whichever
damage value is higher, and you gain a +2 circumstance
bonus on any damage rolls you make with that weapon.
Special: You can select this feat multiple times, gaining
one additional daily use each time you take it. If you have the
ability to channel energy, you gain one additional daily use of
this feat for each daily channel use you expend.
Source: Complete Champion.
Torture Strike [Suffering, Strike]
Prerequisite: Access to the Suffering domain or the Evil
domain; base attack bonus +6.
Benefit: As a standard action, make a single melee attack
with a weapon that deals nonlethal damage. If the target
takes nonlethal damage from this attack, it also takes 1d4
points of Strength damage and is nauseated for 1 round. A
successful Fortitude save reduces the condition to sickened
and negates the Strength damage. In addition, for the next
minute you gain a profane bonus on Bluff checks to
demoralize the victim.
Source: Dragon magazine, issue 342.
Blinding Flash [Sun]
Prerequisite: Access to the Sun domain, Starsoul bloodline,
or Heavens mystery.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can emit a 20-ft. radius
flash of light from your holy symbol or divine focus. Creatures
within this area who have fewer HD than your number of
ranks in Knowledge (the planes) are blinded for 1d4 rounds
unless they succeed at a Fortitude save. All creatures in this
area are dazzled for a number of rounds equal to 1/2 your
number of ranks in Concentration (minimum 1 round), no
save. You can use this ability a number of times per day equal
to 3 + your Wisdom modifier
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Day's Resurgence [Sun]
Prerequisites: Access to the Sun domain, Starsoul bloodline,
or Heavens mystery; Knowledge (the planes) 8 ranks.
Benefit: By performing a 10-minute ritual with prayers,
you can restore a single creature as if it had just completed 8
hours of rest. If the ritual is disrupted, it must be restarted,
but it is not lost. At the end of the 10 minutes, a single willing
creature that you have touched regains hit points as if it had
rested for the night, and may make new saving throws against
effects that require a save once per day. The target does not
suffer any negative effects if such saving throws are failed, but
success counts toward removing the affliction (if possible).
This ability does not allow a target to prepare spells an
additional time per day.
You can use this ability once per day, plus one additional
time per day for every 2 additional ranks in Knowledge (the
planes) (maximum 7/day at 20 ranks).
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Sun's Blessing [Sun]
Prerequisites: Access to the Sun domain, Starsoul bloodline,
or Heavens mystery.
Benefit: You shed an aura instilling you with the warm
blessings of the sun. You and all allies within 10 feet gain a
+2 morale bonus on all Will saving throws.
Source: This emulates the Radiant Servant of Pelor’s
“aura of warding” prestige class feature, from Complete
Divine.

Sun's Fury [Sun, Channeling]
Prerequisites: Access to the Sun domain; able to channel
positive energy.
Benefit: You can channel positive energy (or Sun domain
variant channeling) solely to damage undead. If you do so,
undead take double damage and do not add their channel
resistance to their saves.
Vengeance of Day [Sun, Reserve]
Reserve Spell: 1st level Sun domain, Starsoul bloodline, or
Heavens mystery spell.
Benefit: As a standard action you can project a 30-ft. cone
of light. Those caught in the cone must save vs. Intuition or
be dazzled for 1 round per level of the highest-level reserve
spell you have. Undead and creatures with light blindness are
blinded instead of dazzled on a failed save.
Source: Dragon magazine, issue 342.
Thief of the Gods [Thievery]
Prerequisites: Access to the Thievery domain or Spellthief
bloodline; Knowledge (the planes) 4 ranks.
Benefit: When you make a Disable Device or Sleight of
Hand check, you can roll twice and take the higher result.
Using this ability is a free action. You can use this ability once
per day per 4 ranks in Knowledge (the planes) you possess.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Door Sight [Travel]
Prerequisite: Access to the Travel domain or Starsoul
bloodline.
Benefit: You can lay your hand upon any surface and see
what is on the other side, as if using clairvoyance. Using this
power takes 1 minute, during which time you must be
touching the surface you want to see through. You can keep
looking for as long as 10 minutes with each use of this power,
but must touch the surface and take no other action the
entire time. The surface cannot be thicker than 6 inches plus
1 inch per cleric level you possess. You can use this power a
number of times per day equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Far Horizons [Travel]
By dedicating yourself to the philosophies of your domain,
you have become a more world-wise and capable traveler.
Prerequisite: Access to the Travel domain or Starsoul
bloodline.
Benefit: Add Athletics and Survival to your list of class
skills. Furthermore, you always know the direction of north
from your current position (you cannot use this ability in any
environment where "north" does not exist.
In addition, you may add the following spells to your class
spell list: 1st—expeditious retreat; 3rd—Leomund’s tiny hut;
5th—overland flight; 6th—shadow walk.
Source: Races of Destiny.
Second Wind [Travel]
Second Wind [Travel]
Prerequisite: Access to the Travel domain.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can touch one creature
with your holy symbol and remove the fatigued condition. An
exhausted creature becomes fatigued instead. A creature with
neither condition instead gains a +30 ft. enhancement bonus
to its speed for 1 round.
Source: Dragon magazine, issue 342.
Travel Devotion [Travel]
You can move quickly around the battlefield.
Prerequisite: Access to the Travel domain or Starsoul
bloodline.
Benefit: Once per day as a swift action, you can activate
this ability to move up to your speed as a swift action each
round. Thus, you can move your speed and then take a full-
round action, or move and take two other actions (two move
actions or one move action and one standard action). This
effect lasts for 1 minute. You cannot take a 5-foot step in the
same round that you use this feat to move as a swift action.
Special: You can select this feat multiple times, gaining
one additional daily use each time you take it. If you have the
ability to channel energy, you gain one additional daily use of
this feat for each two daily channel uses you expend.
Source: Complete Champion.
Sudden Shift [Trickery]
Prerequisite: Access to the Trickery domain.
Benefit: In the blink of an eye, you can appear somewhere
else. As an immediate action, after you are missed by a melee
attack, you can teleport up to 10 feet to a space that you can
see. This space must be inside the reach of the creature that
attacked you. You can use this power a number of times each
day equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Trickery Devotion [Trickery, Skill]
You project a simulacrum of yourself that can perform limited
tasks.
Prerequisite: Access to the Trickery domain, copycat
domain power, Concentration 4 ranks.
Benefit: Once per day as a standard action, you can create
an exact duplicate of yourself up to 30 feet away. You can
control this simulacrum's movements as a free action. This
ability is usable up to a maximum of 1 minute per rank in
Concentration each day.
The simulacrum combines the characteristics of the silent
image and unseen servant spells. Its hit points are equal to 6
+ your character level. It ignores terrain effects and moves
like an unseen servant, making no noise in the process,
though it makes normal motions while traveling. If you have a
fly speed, the image appears to fly when not in contact with
the ground; otherwise, it walks on open air. You can do
anything with this image that you could do with the unseen
servant spell and are under the same limitations.
The image becomes more "real" as you advance in level:

If you have at least 8 ranks in Concentration, you gain
more control over the simulacrum. At this point, it behaves
more like a major image spell, though it still performs
actions like an unseen servant. As long as the simulacrum
remains within 5 feet of your position (and you can direct
it to do so as a free action), you can perform a Bluff check
in combat as a swift action. You gain a +4 bonus on this
check, which is opposed by your opponents' Bluff checks
to sense motive. If you are successful, your foes believe the
image is you (and vice versa) for 1 round.
If you have at least 12 ranks in Concentration, you can
spend a swift action to transfer your perceptions to the
simulacrum and perceive the world from its point of view
rather than your own. You can move the image as if it
were your own body, using the simulacrum's movement
characteristics (ignoring terrain, "flying, " and the like).
You can also perform any skill and ability checks using the
simulacrum, as long as they do not require a Strength
score higher than 2. The image has phantom versions of
all your equipment (such as lockpicks), but any such items
that lose direct contact with it immediately dissipate.
If you have at least 16 ranks in Concentration, the image
can become more "real" at your command. It gains a
Strength score equal to one-half your own and can
perform combat actions using phantom versions of your
gear. Any of these items that lose contact with the image
dissipate immediately. Thus, the image can wield a sword,
but if it shoots a bow, the arrow disappears as soon as it is
fired. Equipment that extends more than 5 feet from the
image (such as a length of rope) also disappears beyond
that distance. In addition, you can now cast spells
originating from the image as if with a project image spell,
with one exception. If you lose line of effect to the image,
the effect does not end; you just can't cast spells
originating from the image until you gain line of effect
again.
Special: You can select this feat multiple times, gaining
one additional daily use each time you take it. If you have the
ability to channel energy, you gain one additional daily use of
this feat for each three daily channel uses you expend.
Source: Complete Champion.
Holy Warrior [War, Reserve]
Your zeal on the battlefield allows you to deal extra damage in
combat.
Reserve Spell: 1st level War domain or Battle mystery
spell.
Benefit: You gain a sacred (or profane) bonus on damage
rolls equal to the level of the highest-level reserve spell you
have available to cast.
War Devotion [War, Reserve]
War Devotion [War, Reserve]
You control your abilities more effectively in combat.
Reserve Spell: 1st level War domain or Battle mystery
spell.
Benefit: When fighting defensively as a standard or full-
round action, your penalty to attack rolls when fighting
defensively or using Combat Expertise is reduced by –1,
although you do not lose the corresponding bonus to AC.
If your highest-level reserve spell is at least 4th, your
penalty on attack rolls drops by an additional –1 (to a total
of –2).
If your highest-level reserve spell is at least 7th, your
penalty on attack rolls drops by an additional –1 (to a total
of –3).
Source: Complete Champion.
Wounding Blade [War, Skill]
Prerequisites: Access to the War domain, Orc bloodline, or
Battle mystery; Knowledge (warfare) 8 ranks.
Benefit: Once per day, you can give a weapon that you
touch the wounding special weapon quality for a number of
rounds equal to half your number of ranks in Knowledge
(warfare). You can use this ability once per day; for every 4
additional ranks in Knowledge (warfare), you gain an
additional daily use (maximum 4/day at 20 ranks).
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Blackwater Invocation [Water,
Channeling]
You can call upon negative energy to infuse normal water
around you, transforming it into the dark, cold water found at
the bottom of deepest ocean trenches. This feat is favored by
the clerics of wicked sea gods and the masters of the deep
pelagic abysses.
Prerequisite: Cha 13; ability to channel negative energy.
Benefit: By expending a daily channeling use while
standing at least waist-deep in water (or swimming), in
addition to the normal (instantaneous) effects of the
channeled negative energy, you infuse the water around you
for a 30-ft. radius with negative energy. The affected water
darkens and becomes bitterly cold for 10 minutes; those
entering or within the water who are not protected from cold
must make an Endurance check or Fortitude save or take 1d6
nonlethal damage per die of energy you are capable of
channeling. This damage is the same kind of damage dealt by
cold weather and is only taken once (as it would have to last a
full hour to deal damage again). However, those leaving the
area and then returning to it must make another saving throw
or take further damage, since their warmed bodies are chilled
once again. Those wearing warm clothing or otherwise
protected from the cold (whether by any amount of resistance
to cold or the endure elements spell) take no damage from
this effect.
Additionally, those within the area of affected water gain
concealment. Those with the ability to channel negative
energy are immune to the cold effects of this feat but are still
subject to its concealment miss chance.
Source: Stormwrack.
 Minimum Elemental(s) Spell Duplicated
Sanctify Water [Water, Channeling] Ranks Summoned
You can call upon positive energy to momentarily 1st – 3rd Young Small Summon nature’s ally
transform normal water around you into holy water. This feat I
is often learned by the clerics and paladins of sea gods, as 4th – 5th Small Summon nature’s ally
well as aquatic clerics of all stripes. II
Prerequisites: Cha 13, ability to channel positive energy. 6th – 7th 1d3 Small Summon nature’s ally
Benefit: If you channel positive energy while standing at III
least waist-deep in water (or swimming), in addition to the
normal (instantaneous) effects, you infuse the water in a 30-ft. 8th – 9th Medium Summon nature’s ally
radius around you with positive energy, turning it into holy IV
water. All susceptible creatures in the affected radius take 10th – 11th Large Summon nature’s ally
damage each round thereafter as though they’d been struck V
directly by a flask of holy water. The water remains holy for a 12th – 13th Huge Summon nature’s ally
number of rounds equal to 1 + your Charisma modifier. VI
Source: Stormwrack. 14th – 15th Greater Summon nature’s ally
VII
Seastrike [Water, Strike] 16th – 17th Elder Summon nature’s ally
Prerequisite: Access to the Water domain, Elemental Water VIII
or Deep One or Genie (Marid) bloodline, or Waves mystery. 18th + Water-veiled assassin Summon nature’s ally
Benefit: As a standard action you can throw a weapon IX
underwater without the normal penalties for throwing
weapons. If your target is in or under the water, the weapon Special: If you have the ability to channel energy, you can
also acts as a returning weapon for that attack. expend 2 daily uses of channel energy to gain an additional
use of this feat.
Surge [Water] Source: Complete Champion.
Prerequisite: Access to the Water domain, Elemental Water
or Genie (Marid) bloodline, or Waves mystery. Gale Aura [Weather]
Benefit: As a standard action, you can cause a mighty wave Prerequisites: Access to the Weather domain or Stormborn
to appear that pushes or pulls a single creature. Make a bloodline; Knowledge (the planes) 6 ranks.
combat maneuver check against the target, using your cleric Benefit: As a standard action, you can create a 30-foot aura
level + your Wisdom modifier as your CMB. If successful, you of gale-like winds that slows the progress of enemies.
may pull or push the creature as if using the bull rush or drag Creatures in the aura cannot take a 5-foot step. Enemies in
combat maneuver. You can use this ability a number of times the aura treat each square that brings them closer to you as
per day equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier. difficult terrain (they can move normally in any other
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide. direction). You can use this ability for a number of rounds per
day equal to your number of ranks in Concentration. The
Water Devotion [Water] rounds do not need to be consecutive.
You can create a water guardian.
Prerequisite: Access to the Water domain, Elemental Arctic Priest [Winter]
Water or Genie (Marid) bloodline, or Waves mystery. Prerequisite: Access to Winter domain, Boreal bloodline, or
Benefit: Once per day as a full attack action, you can pour Frost mystery.
the contents of a full waterskin on the ground and summon Benefit: You can channel stored spell energy into spells
forth a water elemental on that spot, as a summon monster that aid in surviving in the Frostfell. You can ‘lose' any
spell-like ability. The size and power (and possibly numbers) prepared spell that is not a domain spell in order to
of the elemental(s) are based on your number of ranks in spontaneously cast any of the spells that appear on the list
Concentration, as given in the table below. below, as long as the spell to be cast is of an equal or lower
level to the one you lose. Spells you can spontaneously cast
when using this feat include: 1st—endure elements; 2nd
—resist energy; 3rd—create food and water; 4th—communal
protection from energyUC; 5th—hibernateFB; 6th—heroes’
feast; 7th—control weather; 8th—sunburst; 9th—regenerate.

Body of Ice [Winter]
Prerequisites: Access to the Winter domain, Boreal
bloodline, or Frost mystery; Knowledge (the planes) 8 ranks.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can transmute your body
and equipment to ice. In this form, you are immune to cold
and have DR 5/—, but you take twice the normal amount of
damage from fire. You can take on the form of ice for a
number of rounds per day equal to your cleric level. The
rounds need not be consecutive, but each activation requires
a standard action (you can dismiss the effect as a free action).
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Necromantic Feats
Unless otherwise noted, each of these feats should be
assumed to have the [arcane] and [domain] descriptors,
specifically for the school of Necromancy and the Death
domain.
Prerequisite: All [necromantic] feats require access to the
Death domain, Graves mystery, Necromancy specialist
school, or Daemon or Undead bloodline, in addition to any
other additional prerequisite(s) listed.
Black Lore of Moil [Metamagic]
You have studied the sinister knowledge and spellcasting
techniques of the long-dead Nightlords of Moil, making
necromancy spells especially potent.
Benefit: Any necromancy spell you cast can be cast as a
Moilian spell, dealing an extra 1d6 points of negative energy
damage per level of the spell. If the spell normally allows a
saving throw, the target takes half the negative energy
damage on a successful save, regardless of the outcome of
the save on the spell's normal effect.
Metamagic Cost: +0. However, in addition to its normal
spell components, a Moilian spell requires a Moilian
runebone as a focus—a small human bone (often a finger
bone) scribed with carefully prepared arcane markings. Only
a character trained in the Black Lore of Moil knows the
secrets of creating a runebone, which takes 1 hour to craft
and requires special inks and powders costing 1,000 gp per
die of negative energy damage to be generated; this total
counts against your personal numen (Chapter 6). For
example, a runebone capable of adding 3d6 points of negative
energy damage to a spell costs 3,000 gp to craft. If your
arcane bond is with a specialist implement, you can convert
that implement to double as a runebone.
While the maximum negative energy damage dealt by a
Moilian spell is based on the spell's level, the actual damage is
limited by the runebone. For example, if a sorcerer casts
finger of death (a 7th level spell, so normally +7d6) with a
3,000 gp (3d6) runebone, the spell deals only 3d6 points of
additional negative energy damage.
Source: Complete Arcane.
Bolster Resistance
Bolster Resistance
Undead you raise or create are more resistant to turning than
normal.
Benefit: Each undead you raise or create gains channel
resistance +4.
Source: Libris Mortis.
Call of the Grave [Reserve]
Creatures near you feel the inevitability of death and resist
attempts to keep them among the living.
Reserve Spell: Death domain, Graves mystery, Undead
bloodline, or Necromancy school spell.
Benefit: You exude an aura of radius 5 ft. x the level of the
highest-level reserve spell you have available. with effects that
depend on the level of the highest-level reserve spell you have
available.
Cure wounds spells (including heal) of a level less than or
equal to your highest reserve spell level cure only half as
much damage as normal.
Channeled positive energy is reduced by a number of dice
equal to your highest reserve spell level.
The resurrection save DC (chapter ) is increased by your
highest reserve spell level (this is considered a profane
bonus)..
You can suppress this aura as a free action, but activating it
again requires a swift action.
Source: Dragon magazine, issue 342.
Charnel Miasma [Reserve]
Your close connection to death magic causes others to find
your company unpleasant.
Reserve Spell: 2nd level Necromancy.
Benefit: You exude an almost imperceptible scent of the
grave wherever you go. As a standard action, you can force
one foe within 30 feet to attempt a Will save or be shaken for
1 minute. If you use this ability on an already shaken creature
and it fails its saving throw, it becomes panicked for 1 minute
or until it spends 1 full round out of line of sight of you.
Creatures that succeed on this save are not affected again by
your charnel miasma for 24 hours.
Corpsecrafter
Benefit: Each time you raise undead or create them by
means of a necromancy spell, you can choose to imbue them
with the Advanced simple template (+4 to all attributes, +2 to
natural armor, and +1 to CR).
Source: This feat subsumes the feat of the same name,
and also the Hardened Flesh feat, from Libris Mortis.

Deadly Chill
Undead you raise or create deal more damage than normal.
Additional Prerequisite: Corpsecrafter.
Benefit: You can choose to imbue corporeal undead you
raise (or create with any necromancy spell) with the chill of
the grave. Such undead gain the [cold] subtype, are immune
to cold and vulnerable to fire, and gain an aura of cold and
the freezing death ability (see below). They gain a +2
enhancement bonus to Charisma and +1 to their CR.
Aura of Cold (Ex): Creatures adjacent to a deadly chill
undead take 1d6 points of cold damage at the start of their
turns. Anyone striking a deadly chill undead with an unarmed
strike or natural attack takes 1d6 cold damage. The undead’s
own melee attacks deal an additional 1d6 cold damage as
well.
Freezing Death (Su): A deadly chill undead explodes into a
burst of frost when it dies. Anyone adjacent to the undead
when it is destroyed takes 1d6 points of cold damage per 2
Hit Dice the monster possessed (minimum 1d6). A Reflex
save (DC 10 + half the undead’s Hit Dice + the undead’s
Charisma modifier) halves this damage.
Source: Libris Mortis.
Destructive Retribution
Undead you raise or create harbor a retributive curse that is
unleashed if they are destroyed.
Additional Prerequisite: Corpsecrafter.
Benefit: Each undead you raise or create with any
necromancy spell releases a burst of negative energy upon its
destruction. This is similar to channeled negative energy,
except the radius is only 10 feet and the number of dice is
equal to the CR of the destroyed undead. The save DC is 10 +
half the undead’s HD + the undead’s Charisma modifier.
Source: Libris Mortis.
Master of Shrouds [Skill]
Incorporeal and undead creatures you summon are stronger
than normal.
Additional Prerequisites: Knowledge (the planes) 4 ranks.
Benefit: Incorporeal creatures summoned by your
summon undead spells (Chapter 7) receive an enhancement
bonus to attacks, damage, and Charisma equal to +1 per 4
ranks in Knowledge (the planes) you possess.
Source: This feat subsumes the Master of Shroud’s
“improved summoning” prestige class feature, from Libris
Mortis.
Necromantic Might
Additional Prerequisite: Necromantic Presence.
Benefit: Whenever undead you control are within 60 feet
of you, they are physically inspired by your necromantic aura,
and gain a +2 enhancement bonus on their attack rolls and
saving throws.
Source: Libris Mortis.
Necromantic Presence
Necromantic Presence
Undead you control are harder to turn when they are near
you.
Benefit: Whenever undead you control are within 60 feet
of you, they gain +4 channel resistance.
Source: Libris Mortis.
Nimble Bones
Undead you raise or create are faster and more nimble than
normal.
Additional Prerequisite: Corpsecrafter.
Benefit: Each corporeal undead you raise or create gains a
+2 profane bonus to Dexterity, a 10-foot increase to its base
land speed, and, when taking a full attack, can make one
additional natural attack at its highest attack bonus. Such
undead are immune to the staggered condition (meaning that
these zombies lose the staggered condition).
However, nimble undead lose any damage reduction they
would normally possess.
Source: Libris Mortis. This feat has been altered
somewhat so as to produce fast zombies, per the Pathfinder
Bestiary.
Reaping Spell [Metamagic]
The dark energy of your spell devours the soul of any creature
killed by it.
Benefit: A raise dead, reincarnate, or resurrection spell
cannot return to life a creature killed by a reaping spell, and a
true resurrection spell has only a 50% chance of succeeding.
A reaping spell that fails to kill the target has no additional
effect.
Metamagic Cost: +3 spell levels.
Source: Champions of Ruin.
Soulcrafting
Additional Prerequisites: Knowledge (the planes) 6 ranks,
Imbue Item.
Benefit: You can craft magic items using the numen from
trapped souls, instead of your own. The amount of numen
available from a trapped soul is detailed in Chapter 6. In
addition to the use of the soul’s numen, you can use any of the
spell-like abilities formerly possessed by the soul’s owner as
prerequisites for the item to be crafted.
Special: Any item created using this feat radiates evil as
well as magic.
Swallowing Glyph
Benefit: Any time you slay a creature with a necromancy
spell, you can spend a swift action to gain a number of
temporary hit points equal to 1d6 x the spell's level or the
creature’s Hit Dice (whichever is lower). Temporary hit points
gained from subsequent uses of this ability do not stack.
Source: This feat supersedes the Tattooed Mystic prestige
class feature of the same name, from Paths of Prestige.
Thanatopic Spell [Metamagic]
Your spells can pierce wards against negative energy or
even affect undead targets.
Additional Prerequisite: Knowledge (the planes) 6 ranks.
Benefit: A thanatopic spell pierces defenses that protect
against death effects, negative levels, and energy drain,
affecting the target as if the protective barrier did not exist.
For example, you could cast a thanatopic vampiric touch or
enervation on a target under the effects of death ward and
they would suffer the normal effect of the spell. Saving throws
and SR (if any) still apply.
Undead are susceptible to spells augmented by this feat, as
it retunes the negative energy to be harmful to them. A
thanatopic spell that would kill a living creature (such as by
giving it negative levels equal to its hit dice) destroys an
undead (ghosts, liches, and vampires may reform as normal),
though they automatically make their saving throws to
recover negative levels after 24 hours.
Metamagic Cost: +2 levels.
Normal: Defenses such as death ward negate death
effects, negative levels, and energy drain. Undead are
immune to these attacks.
Source: Osirion: Land of Pharaohs (and reprinted in
Ultimate Magic).
Unnatural Vitality
Your sickly appearance belies your powerful vitality.
Benefit: Use your Charisma modifier in place of your
Constitution modifier when determining hit points and your
Fortitude saving throw bonus.
Special: Undead gain Unnatural Vitality as a bonus feat.
Chapter 5: Feats
Feats from other sources can be added to the list on a case-
by-case basis, pending agreement from the group.
Descriptors: Most feats are provided with bracketed
descriptors, which are intended to make it easier to tell at a
glance what sort of feats they are. For example, feats with the
[Skill] descriptor are dependent upon a specific skill, and
generally have effects that scale depending on your number
of ranks in that skill. In addition, several descriptors [Reserve,
Stance, Strike, etc.] have special rules governing their use.
Several classes provide bonus feats that have specific
descriptors.
GENERAL FEATS 1
ARCANE FEATS 3
ARCANE FEATS, RESERVE 3
COMBAT FEATS, GENERAL 3
COMBAT FEATS, ARMOR/SHIELD 3
COMBAT FEATS, WEAPON-AND STYLE-SPECIFIC 3
COMBAT FEATS, STANCES 3
COMBAT FEATS, STRIKES 3
DIVINE FEATS 3
DOMAIN FEATS 3
NECROMANTIC FEATS 3
General Feats
Ability Focus
Benefit: Choose one exceptional, spell-like, or supernatural
ability you possess, whether through a feat, class, or racial
feature. You gain a +2 competence bonus to the DC for all
saving throws against that ability.
Special: You can gain this feat multiple times. Its effects do
not stack. Each time, choose a different ability.
Adaptability
Benefit: You are immune to all circumstance penalties. In
addition, as an immediate action you can designate an
opponent and negate one source of circumstance bonuses
against you from that opponent (e.g., advantage from
attacking from higher ground, or additional damage from the
Mounted Combat or Power Attack feat) until the start of your
next turn. You need not know which of the opponent’s
abilities provide circumstance bonuses; the first one used
against you by that opponent is negated. If more than one
apply simultaneously, the referee will select one (generally
the highest numerical bonus, if immediately obvious).
Source: This is equivalent to the Oathsworn’s “greater
adaptation” class feature from Arcana Unearthed (Malhavoc
Press).
Agility Training [Skill]
Prerequisite: Acrobatics 3 ranks as a class skill.
Benefit: Through constant physical training, you have a +1
enhancement bonus to Dexterity per 3 ranks in Acrobatics
you possess (maximum +6 enhancement bonus at 18 ranks
Acrobatics). Any condition that prevents this training for more
than 1 week eliminates the bonus until you can get back into
training.
Alertness [Skill]
Alertness [Skill]
You have an intuitive sense that alerts you to danger.
Prerequisite: Perception 1 rank as a class skill.
Benefit: You gain a +1 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves
during surprise rounds and against traps; you also gain a +1
insight bonus to initiative during surprise rounds. These
bonuses increase by +1 per 4 ranks in Perception you
possess (to +6 at 20th level). The dodge bonus gained from
this feat applies even if you lose your Dexterity bonus to AC
(as from being flat-footed while surprised). Unlike the other
bonuses, you retain the bonus to AC for purposes of
confirming critical threats against you at all times (even after
the surprise round).
If your Alertness bonus is at least +2 (requiring 4 ranks of
Perception as a class skill), you cannot be caught flat-
footed, even if the attacker is invisible. You still lose your
Dexterity bonus to AC if immobilized. You can still lose
your Dexterity bonus to AC if an opponent successfully
uses the feint action (see Combat) against you.
If your Alertness bonus is at least +3 (requiring 8 ranks of
Perception as a class skill), you can no longer be flanked
(i.e., opponents do not receive Aid Another bonuses to
attacks against you).
If your Alertness bonus is +4 or higher (12 ranks
Perception), as a standard action you can become aware
of the presence of any creatures with hostile intent within
30 feet of you, and their direction from you (but not their
specific location). This ability detects active aggression, as
opposed to vigilance. You can make a Bluff check to sense
motive as a free action against anyone within 30 feet of
you. This is equivalent to the Psychic Warrior’s detect
hostile intent power, from the d20 System Reference
Document.
If your Alertness bonus is +5 or greater (16 ranks
Perception), you can always act during a surprise round,
even if you fail to make a Perception roll to notice a foe.
At an Alertness bonus of +6 (20 ranks Perception), you are
preternaturally alert, and cannot be surprised except as
described below.
Special: A creature trained in Stealth as a class skill is
entitled to a Stealth check to negate your Alertness (with
respect to that creature only). The DC for this check is equal
to 14 + your Perception bonus.
Source: This ability subsumes the standard trap sense
ability from the core rules, and also the Sixth Sense variant
class feature from the Advanced Player’s Guide. It also
includes subsumes the Barbarian’s and Rogue’s uncanny
dodge class features from the core rules. It is presented as a
feat in order to streamline mechanics and to avoid the need
for multiple descriptions in the class descriptions as a class
feature or talent.

Arcane Defense
Benefit: Choose one school of magic. You gain a +2
competence bonus to all saving throws against spells and
effects of that school. This bonus improves by an additional
+1 per 5 character levels you possess beyond the first, to a
maximum of +5 at 16th level. At 20th level, you are immune to
spells from that school of magic (as if you had unbeatable
SR).
Hit Dice Saving Throw Bonus
1–5 +2
6 – 10 +3
11 – 15 +4
16 – 19 +5
20+ Immune
Special: You may take this feat multiple times; each time,
you select a different school.
Source: Complete Arcane. This feat also provides a
template for the racial spell bonuses in the core rules. Arcane
Defense (Enchantment) supersedes the still mind class
feature.
Beginner’s Luck
You constantly react in ways that no professional ever would,
which throws off opponents counting on you to react as they
expect. Experienced adversaries are often at a loss for how to
deal with you.
Benefit: Competence bonuses do not apply against you.
For example, an attacker with Weapon Focus and Weapon
Specialization does not gain the benefits of those feats on
attacks made against you; when making opposed skill checks
against you, an opponent with Skill Focus does not apply the
effects of that feat; etc.
In addition, you automatically receive a Stealth check to
negate the benefits of the Alertness feat (q.v.) when used
against you; if you have no ranks in Stealth, use your
Charisma score in place of your Stealth bonus (i.e., you have
a good chance of flanking and/or surprising opponents who
are normally immune).
Bond, Practiced
Your bond with your animal companion or familiar is
unusually close.
Prerequisites: Arcane bond (item).
Benefit: Calculate all powers, abilities, and effects of your
arcane bonded item as if your class level granting that ability
were 4 higher than is actually the case, to a maximum
effective class level equal to your number of Hit Dice.
Special: If your bonded item is destroyed, you may
automatically apply this feat to the replacement. The effects
of feat stack with class synergy features improving your bond;
this a specific exception to the non-stacking rule. Your total
limit based on character level, as described in Chapter 1,
remains in force.
Source: This feat duplicates the Boon Companion feat
from Seekers of Secrets (Paizo Publishing).
Careful Speaker [Skill]
You are hyperaware of attempts to watch you.
Prerequisite: Wis 13, Bluff 1 rank, Arcane Defense
(Divination).
Benefit: You gain a +4 insight bonus on Perception checks
made to locate a scrying sensor (if any), to notice someone
watching or eavesdropping on you, and to the DC to
browbeat or demoralize you. You can attempt a Bluff check to
sense motive, instead of a Perception check, to notice scrying
sensors.
If you have at least 6 ranks in Bluff, you are automatically
aware of scrying attempts targeting you, and can spend a
swift action to detect scrying sensors within 40 feet of you.
If you have at least 11 ranks, you can attempt a Bluff skill
check (opposed by a Concentration check on the part of
the caster) to gain a visual image of the scryer and learn
his/her approximate distance and direction from you.
If you have at least 16 ranks, whenever someone
successfully targets you with a divination spell or effect,
you send that caster a nightmarish vision. This vision
functions as a phantasmal killer spell-like ability (using
your ranks in Bluff in place of your ranks in
Concentration).
Special: In addition to scrying attempts, this feat applies
against attempts to record your image, such as by camera or
video surveillance.
Source: Pathfinder Campaign Setting. This feat also
subsumes the Live My Nightmare feat from Unearthed
Arcana.
Chaotic Mind
The turbulence of your thoughts prevents others from gaining
insight into your actions.
Prerequisites: Cha 13.
Benefit: Creatures do not gain insight bonuses against you.
This applies to insight bonuses to their attacks against you
(such as from the Insightful Strike feat), to armor class
against your attacks (such as from the Canny Defense ability),
etc.
Synergy: If your base Intuition save (including the class
bonus, if any) is +5 or higher, anyone attempting to read your
thoughts, communicate with you via telepathy, or otherwise
contact your mind is dazed for 1d4 rounds (Intuition save
negates; DC 15 + your Cha modifier).
Source: 3.5 edition System Reference Document, “Psionic
Feats.” This feat also subsumes the Warped Mind feat, from
the Pathfinder Campaign Setting.

Claws, Eldritch [Combat]
Prerequisites: Natural weapons.
Benefit: You natural weapons are considered magic for
purposes of overcoming damage reduction.
If your base attack bonus is at least +6, they are also
considered +2 (and therefore penetrate DR/silver as well).
If your base attack bonus is at least +11, they are also
considered +3 (and therefore penetrate DR/cold iron as
well).
If your base attack bonus is at least +16, they are also
considered +4 (and therefore penetrate DR/adamantine as
well).
If your base attack bonus is +21 or higher, your natural
weapons are considered +5, and penetrate DR/—.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Claws, Envenomed
Prerequisite: Constitution 13+, natural weapons.
Benefit: A number of times per day equal to your
Constitution modifier, you can secrete poison onto one set of
your natural weapons (bite, or claws, etc.) as a swift action.
This poison remains in place until you damage a target with
that weapon. Any creature struck must succeed on a
Fortitude save or be poisoned: You are immune to your own
poison. The poison you secrete cannot be collected or
preserved.
Poison—injury, DC 10 + half your Hit Dice + your
Constitution modifier; damage 1d2 Strength per round;
duration 6 rounds; cure 1 save.
Special: You can gain this feat multiple times. Each time, it
applies to a different mode of natural attacks.
Source: Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss.
Collector
You have a tendency to pick up and/or purchase random
items in your travels. Although it may annoy your companions
that you are constantly browsing old shops, junkyards, and
even stranger places, you can always be counted on to have
some useful object in your pocket, whatever the situation.
Prerequisite: Total magical gear below “par” (see Chapter
6), but above minimum for that level.
Benefit: When you maintain a floating inventory of items
(see Chapter 6), you are not limited to the normal value of 10
gp per level for each item. Instead, you can produce any
item(s) you like, as long as the cost limit doesn’t put you over
par for your personal numen.
Special: You must specify a default encumbrance (light,
medium, or heavy load) that you are always assumed to be
carrying, before selecting specific items; if an item would
cause you to exceed this load, it is not available to you at that
time.
Deep Intuition [Skill]
You are especially difficult to beguile.
Prerequisite: Perception 1 rank.
Benefit: You gain a +2 competence bonus to Intuition
saves.
If you have at least 6 ranks in Perception, if you are
affected by a spell or effect as a consequence of failing a
Intuition save, you can attempt it again 1 round later at the
same DC. You get only this one extra chance to succeed
on the saving throw (unless the spell normally allows
additional chances).
If you have at least 11 ranks in Perception, instead of one
additional attempt, you can instead choose to gain one
attempt per unit of time in which the effect’s duration is
measured (i.e., one additional attempt per round for an
effects that lasts rounds per level or HD; 1 per minute for
an effects with a duration measured in minutes, 1 per
hour for an effect with a duration measured in hours, and
1 per day for an effect with a duration longer than 1 day
(up to and including permanent).
If you have at least 16 ranks in Perception, you are
immune to [charm] effects.
Defiance [Combat]
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: You can ignore one minor condition (Chapter 1)
for a limited period of time. You may use this ability a
maximum number of rounds per day equal to your Hit Dice;
this is a total number of rounds, and is not tracked separately
for each condition separately. Once you stop spending rounds
(or run out of rounds to spend), the suppressed condition
returns if it has duration remaining.
If your base attack bonus is at least +4, you can
temporarily ignore moderate conditions as well.
If your base attack bonus is at least +8, you can
temporarily ignore severe conditions.
If your base attack bonus is at least +12, you can
temporarily ignore critical conditions. You can also
temporarily suppress any [compulsion] effects not listed
above.
If your base attack bonus is at least +16, add bound,
imprisoned, mazed, plane shifted, polymorphed, etc. You
can also temporarily suppress any [mind-affecting] effects
not listed.
Synergy: The rogue’s Opportune Strike ability applies to
this feat.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide (Heroic Defiance); it also
emulates the Ignore Condition feat from the Collected Book
of Experimental Might (Malhavoc Press). It can normally
substitute for the Warblade’s iron heart surge maneuver from
the Tome of Battle—although it merely delays the onset of the
condition instead of ending it, this often allows the character
to finish the fight before being affected. Used against fatigue,
it supersedes the Country Born feat from the Rise of the
Runelords Player's Guide.

Defiance, Heroic [Combat]
Prerequisite: Defiance.
Benefit: When you use the Defiance feat, you ignore all
harmful conditions affecting you, instead of just one
condition.
Source: This is similar to the Improved Ignore Condition
feat from the Collected Book of Experimental Might
(Malhavoc Press).
Diehard [Skill]
Prerequisite: Endurance 1 rank as a class skill.
Benefit: You automatically stabilize when reduced to -1 or
fewer hp, without the need for an Endurance check. You still
die if reduced to a negative hp total equal to your Constitution
score, however.
If you have at least 6 ranks in Endurance, you
automatically succeed at ferocity (acting while dying;
Chapter 4), without the need for a skill check. You are still
staggered, however.
If you have at least 11 ranks in Endurance, you are
immune to death from massive damage (you might still die
from hp loss, but need not succeed at a Fortitude save
when taking 50+ damage). You are similarly immune to
coup de grâce attempts (you still take critical damage, but
need not save vs. Fortitude to avoid dying).
If you have at least 16 ranks in Endurance, you can act
normally when at -1 hp until you die; you are not
staggered. Whenever you take damage and your final
negative hp total to exceeds your Constitution score, you
can temporarily stave off death by succeeding at an
Endurance check (DC 10 + number of hp below zero).
There is no limit to how many times you can attempt this,
but you must check separately each time you take hp
damage, and eventually the DC becomes too high for you
to meet. This ability emulates the immortal fortitude
stance from the Tome of Battle.
Normal: When reduced to below 0 hp, you must make
Endurance checks to stabilize, and to act as if staggered
rather than immediately falling unconscious. If you ever
sustain a single attack that deals an amount of damage equal
to half your total hit points (minimum 50 points of damage)
or more and it doesn't kill you outright, you must make a DC
15 Fortitude save (+1 per 10 points of damage above 50 hp).
If this saving throw fails, you are dying with –1 hp. If you take
half your total hit points or more in damage from multiple
attacks, no one of which dealt more than half your total hit
points (minimum 50), the massive damage rule does not
apply.
Eye for Larceny [Skill]
Benefit: You can use Streetwise in place of Knowledge
(lore) to determine the value of objects.
If you have ranks in Knowledge (lore) and use it to attempt
to determine the value of an object, you are always within
50% of the true value, even on a natural “1.” This enables you
to discern worthless forgeries at a glance. In addition, you
automatically know if something is ordinary, masterwork, or
magic when looking at it.
If you have at least 6 ranks in Knowledge (lore), you can
handle an item for 10 minutes, after which time a
successful check (DC 10 + the item’s caster level) reveals
the properties of a magic item (including how to activate
it, if appropriate—even if it involves a command word you
don’t know and have no obvious way of knowing); how
many charges are left (if it has them); the names and
general backgrounds of famous owners; etc.
Ιφ ψου ηαϖε ατ λεαστ 11 ρανκσ ιν Κνοωλεδγε (λορε), οnce per
round as a free action, you can examine a magic item from
up to 30 ft. away and attempt a check (DC equal to the
item's caster level + 20) to determine its properties,
including its functions, how to activate those functions (if
necessary), how many charges it has left (if it has charges),
and its entire ownership history.
Ιφ ψου ηαϖε ατ λεαστ 16 ρανκσ ιν Κνοωλεδγε (λορε), you
pinpoint the most valuable item in any collection, such as
the most valuable magic item an enemy is wearing or the
most valuable object in a dragon's horde, just by looking at
the collection; this does not require an action on your part.
As a full-round action, you learn the approximate type,
numbers, and value of every item in the collection. You
automatically recognize an artifact when looking at it.
Fast Recovery
You recover from wounds more quickly and easily than
others.
Prerequisite: Constitution 13+.
Benefit: You gain the following benefits:
You heal at double the normal rate (2 hp per character
level for a full night’s rest). With full bed rest for 24 hours,
you recover 6 hp per character level. Even when not
resting, you heal 1 hp per character level every 8 hours.
You regain double the indicated hit points from a
successful use of the Heal skill, or from taking a breather
(Chapter 1).
All magical healing you receive is treated as if it were
empowered (as per the Empower Spell feat) for you only.
You heal attribute damage more quickly than normal. You
heal a number of ability points per day equal to 1 + your
Constitution bonus.
You recover from fatigue and exhaustion at twice the
normal rates.
Normal: With a full night's rest (8 hours of sleep or more),
you recover 1 hit point per character level. Any significant
interruption during your rest prevents you from healing that
night. If you undergo complete bed rest for an entire day and
night, you recover twice your character level in hit points. You
heal ability damage at a rate of 1 point per day.

Favored Terrain
Benefit: You gain one favored terrain, as the ranger’s class
feature, with a +2 bonus. This bonus is static; it does not
scale with level. If you already have that favored terrain from
a class or racial feature, simply increase the existing bonus
by +2.
Special: You may select this feat multiple times. Each time,
choose a different terrain, or increase the bonus to an
existing terrain by +2, to a maximum bonus equal to 2 + half
your total character level.
Feat Mastery
Prerequisite: Scaling feat.
Benefit: Choose one feat you possess that scales with base
attack bonus or number of skill ranks (e.g., Fleet or Power
Attack). For purposes of determining the effects of that feat,
treat your scaling quantity (BAB, skill ranks, etc.) as if it were
5 higher than is actually the case. For example, a character
with the Fleet feat (q.v.) and 2 ranks in Endurance normally
adds 10 ft. to his or her base land speed. With Feat Mastery
(Fleet), he or she would add 15 ft. instead, as if he or she
possessed 7 ranks in Endurance.
Special: You may select this feat multiple times. The
effects do not stack. Each time, select a different feat to which
it applies.
Fleet [Skill]
Benefit: Your base speed increases by 5 ft. This additional
speed is increased if you possess ranks in Athletics,
according to the following table:
Ranks in Athletics Speed Increase
0 5 ft.
1 to 5 10 ft.
6 to 10 15 ft.
11 to 15 20 ft.
16+ 25 ft.
If you have multiple modes of movement, the primary
speed (generally land speed) is increased; secondary modes
benefit only if they are expressed in terms of the primary
mode. For example, 6th level ranger with the Mountains
favored terrain has a climb speed equal to half his base land
speed. With this feat, he would gain a land speed of 45 ft. and
a climb speed of 20 ft. On the other hand, a wyvern would
simply gain an increase in flying speed.
You lose the benefits of this feat if you carry a medium or
heavy load.
Special: You can take this feat multiple times. Its effects
stack.
Source: This feat subsumes the Epic Speed feat from the
3.5 edition System Reference Document (“Epic Feats”).
Great Fortitude [Skill]
You are especially resistant to poisons, diseases, and other
deadly maladies.
Prerequisite: Endurance 1 rank.
Benefit: You gain a +2 competence bonus to Fortitude
saves.
If you have at least 6 ranks in Endurance, if you are
affected by a spell or effect as a consequence of failing a
Fortitude save, you can attempt it again 1 round later at
the same DC. You get only this one extra chance to
succeed on the saving throw (unless the spell normally
allows additional chances).
If you have at least 11 ranks in Endurance, instead of one
additional attempt, you can instead choose to gain one
attempt per unit of time in which the effect’s duration is
measured (i.e., one additional attempt per round for an
effects that lasts rounds per level or HD; 1 per minute for
an effects with a duration measured in minutes, 1 per
hour for an effect with a duration measured in hours, and
1 per day for an effect with a duration longer than 1 day
(up to and including permanent).
If you have at least 16 ranks in Endurance, you
automatically succeed at Fortitude saves for resurrection
survival (Chapter 7).
Intimidating Prowess [Combat,
Skill]
Your physical might is intimidating to others.
Benefit: You choose whether to apply your Strength
modifier or your Charisma modifier to Bluff checks made to
demoralize or browbeat.
If you have at least 6 ranks in Bluff, you ignore all size
modifiers to Bluff checks to intimidate or browbeat, when
it is to your advantage to do so.
If you have at least 11 ranks in Bluff, add both your
Strength and your Charisma modifier (if both are positive).
If you have at least 16 ranks in Bluff, you can demoralize
creatures that are normally immune to fear (although the
maximum condition is Shaken, regardless of the margin
by which you win the check).
Normal: The Bluff skill is Charisma-based.
Iron Will [Skill]
Your skill at browbeating and intimidating others, and at
avoiding the same, renders you resistant to compulsions and
fear.
Prerequisite: Bluff 1 rank.
Benefit: You gain a +2 competence bonus to Will saves.
If you have at least 6 ranks in Bluff, if you are affected by a
spell or effect as a consequence of failing a Will save, you
can attempt it again 1 round later at the same DC. You get
only this one extra chance to succeed on the saving throw
(unless the spell normally allows additional chances).

If you have at least 11 ranks in Bluff, instead of one
additional attempt, you can instead choose to gain one
attempt per unit of time in which the effect’s duration is
measured (i.e., one additional attempt per round for an
effects that lasts rounds per level or HD; 1 per minute for an
effects with a duration measured in minutes, 1 per hour for
an effect with a duration measured in hours, and 1 per day
for an effect with a duration longer than 1 day (up to and
including permanent).
If you have at least 16 ranks in Bluff, you are immune to
[compulsion] effects.
Leadership [Skill]
You attract followers to your cause and a companion to join
you on your adventures. This feat has been revised to allow
much greater flexibility in terms of selecting numbers and
types of followers.
Prerequisites: Diplomacy 1 rank.
Benefits: You gain a Leadership score equal to your
Diplomacy skill bonus. This allows you to attract followers
(retainers), as described below. Unaffiliated allies looking for
leadership will naturally follow the orders of the person with
the highest leadership score, in preference to other
characters. Additional benefits depend on your number of
ranks in Diplomacy, as follows:
If you have at least 6 ranks, you can attract a cohort as
well, as described below.
If you have at least 11 ranks, your sureness of command is
so great that NPC allies within sight and hearing of you
automatically obey your orders without hesitation. If they
wish to disobey, they must succeed at a Will save (DC 10 +
half your character level + your Charisma modifier).
If you have at least 16 ranks, you can bark an order that
acts as a quickened greater command spell (DC 10 + half
your character level + your Charisma modifier). This is an
extraordinary ability that does not provoke an attack of
opportunity; it supersedes the Legendary Leader’s greater
command prestige class feature from Heroes of Battle.
Followers: The number of followers you may attract is
determined by the sum of all followers’ individual CR scores,
as determined by the following formula (this total is your
leadership potential):
Potential = ((Diplomacy Score - 8) / 2) 2
For example, a character with 9 ranks in Diplomacy as a
class skill and a Charisma of 15 would have a leadership
score of 14, and a leadership potential of 9. He could attract
up to 27 first-level experts or warriors (CR 1/3 each x 27 = 9),
or up to 18 first-level fighters (CR ½ each x 18 = 9), or a
kennel of 5 riding dogs (CR 1 each) and four 2nd level ranger
handlers (CR 1 each), etc. You may attract followers of any
number and CR up to your leadership potential within the
limits described below. There are three types of followers you
may maintain:
Cohorts (aides or close companions): You may have up to
one cohort of a maximum CR equal to 3 less than your
CR.
Retainers (servants or men-at-arms dedicated to your
service): The maximum CR for additional followers is
equal to your CR –5.
Hirelings (contractors with no particular loyalty to you
beyond being paid): Hirelings do not count against your
leadership potential, but also have no particular loyalty
towards you.
Advancement: As you gain experience, you can “level up” or
advance your followers as you see fit, as long as their final
CRs conform to the above restrictions.
Loyalty: Followers are not mindless slaves; however, they
respond well to good leaders. Whenever one or more of your
followers must make an Intuition or Will save or an opposed
check to avoid being bribed, subverted, turned against you,
etc., your Charisma modifier applies to the saving throw or
check. For example, a follower with a +2 Intuition save bonus,
in the service of a 17 Charisma character, would have a total
save bonus of +5 against charm spells, etc. When you
personally lead followers into battle, they gain a morale
bonus to all Will saves equal to your Charisma bonus (if any).
Special: You can use this feat to a more limited extent with
skills other than Diplomacy. Substituting other skills limits
the types of followers you are able to attract, however, as
follows:
Craft (any): Apprentices and other craftspeople.
Handle Animal: Animals.
Knowledge (Warfare): Warriors, men-at-arms, etc.
Profession (Administration): Clerks, civil servants,
functionaries, etc.
Spellcraft: Apprentices and magical servitors (improved
familiars, imps, homunculi, etc.).
Streetwise: Criminal gangs, etc.
Synergy: A fighter with the Leadership feat adds half his
fighter level as a competence bonus to Diplomacy, for
purposes of this feat. This supersedes the Warmaster’s “born
leader” talent, from the Genius Guide to the Warmaster
(Super Genius Games).
Lightning Reflexes [Skill]
You have faster than normal reflexes.
Prerequisite: Acrobatics 1 rank.
Benefit: You gain a +2 competence bonus to Reflex saves.
If you have at least 6 ranks in Acrobatics, if you are
affected by a spell or effect as a consequence of failing a
Reflex save, you can attempt it again 1 round later at the
same DC. You get only this one extra chance to succeed
on the saving throw (unless the spell normally allows
additional chances).
 If you have at least 11 ranks in Acrobatics, instead of
one additional attempt, you can instead choose to gain one
attempt per unit of time in which the effect’s duration is
measured (i.e., one additional attempt per round for an
effects that lasts rounds per level or HD; 1 per minute for
an effects with a duration measured in minutes, 1 per
hour for an effect with a duration measured in hours, and
1 per day for an effect with a duration longer than 1 day
(up to and including permanent).
If you have at least 16 ranks in Acrobatics, you gain
Evasion, as the rogue class feature of the same name. If
you already have evasion, use your total number of Hit
Dice in place of your effective class level to determine
improvements (if any).
Moral Training [Skill]
Prerequisite: Perception 6 ranks.
Benefit: Through constant pondering of moral puzzles and
koans, you have a +2 enhancement bonus to Wisdom. A
condition that prevents this training for more than 1 week
eliminates the bonus until you can get back into training.
Special: You may select this feat up to 3 times. Each time,
the requisite number of ranks in Perception increases by 6,
and the enhancement bonus to Wisdom increases by +2 (to a
maximum enhancement bonus of +6).
Natural Armor, Improved
Benefit: You gain a +1 natural armor bonus to AC, or your
existing natural armor bonus increases by 1.
Special: You can gain this feat multiple times. Each time,
your natural armor bonus increases by another point.
Source: This feat subsumes the feat of the same name
from the core rules, plus the Armor Skin feat from the 3.5
edition System Reference Document (“Epic Feats”), and the
Ironhide feat from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Night Stalker [Skill]
Prerequisites: Skill Focus (Stealth), Large or larger.
Benefit: While you are in areas of natural darkness, you
ignore all size penalties to Stealth checks.
If you have at least 6 ranks in Stealth, this ability also
applies in supernatural darkness.
If you have at least 11 ranks in Stealth, it applies in dim
light as well.
If you have at least 16 ranks, it applies in any light
conditions except bright light or full daylight.
Special: This feat is obviously intended for monsters, not
PCs. It can be modified by the referee to apply to creatures
such as crocodiles, etc., while in the water.
Source: Classic Monsters Revisited.
Oath
Benefit: You can swear an oath to accomplish a specific
task. Whenever you accomplish the task, you receive a small
boon. You do not have to complete the task by yourself, but
you must meaningfully contribute to the completion of the
task to receive the bonus.
Whenever you complete an oath, you can swear another or
you can keep the existing oath, if it is still applicable. You can
abandon an oath, but cannot then swear a new oath to
replace the abandoned oath for at least 24 hours. Oaths must
be kept to maintain the bonus, and must be abandoned to
select a different oath.
The following oaths are among the most common. A
character might swear other oaths that grant different
bonuses, subject to the referee’s approval.
Oath of Chastity: You swear to avoid temptation. You must
avoid all physical contact with members of gender(s) you are
attracted to for 24 hours to complete this oath. Upon
completion, you receive a +1 morale bonus on saving throws
against [charm] spells and effects as long as you keeps this
oath and continue to avoid contact. This bonus increases by
+1 for every five character levels you possess.
Oath of Greed: You vow to garner as much wealth as
possible. Whenever you gain possession of an item worth at
least 1,000 gp per character level you possess, you receive a
+1 morale bonus on Bluff and Knowledge (lore) skill checks
for 24 hours. You lose this bonus if you willing give away
wealth or an object of value without receiving proper
compensation. This bonus increases by +1 for every five
character levels you possess.
Oath of Justice: You swear to bring a specific individual or
creature to justice, be it through capturing individual or
slaying him. Upon completing this oath, you receive a +1
morale bonus on saving throws for 1 day. This bonus
increases by +1 for every 5 HD of the creature brought to
justice.
Oath of Loyalty: You swear to remain loyal to your allies
and friends. When you make this oath, you select any number
of allies that are within your line of sight. Whenever one of
these allies calls for help and you respond with an Aid
Another action, you receive a +1 morale bonus on saving
throws against enchantment [compulsion] spells and effects
for 1 day, as long as you keep this oath and remain faithful to
your allies. This bonus increases by +1 for every five
character levels you possess.
Oath of Protection: You vow to protect one individual and
keep him from harm. When you make this oath, you
nominate one creature. If that creature does not take any
damage (lethal or nonlethal) for 24 hours, he or she receives
a +1 morale bonus to AC whenever adjacent to you. This
bonus increases by +1 for every five character levels you
possess. This bonus lasts as long as you keep the oath and
the target is protected from harm.
Oath of Purity: You swear to remain pure in both body and
soul. You must remain free of alcohol, curses, diseases, drugs,
and poisons for 24 hours to complete this oath (failing a
saving throw against any one of these effects causes the
duration to reset). Upon completion, you receive a +1 morale
bonus on saving throws against curses, diseases, and poisons
as long as you keep this oath and remains free from the listed
impurities. This bonus increases by +1 for every five
character levels you possess.
Oath of Vengeance: You swear to slay all creatures of a
specific kind, such as goblins, mummies, or bone devils.
Whenever you kill a creature of the selected type, you receive
a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls made against others of that
specific kind for 1 hour. This bonus increases by +1 for every
5 HD of the creature slain. You can swear this oath more than
once, if you are able to swear multiple oaths.
Source: This feat supersedes the Cavalier class feature of
the same name, from the Advanced Player’s Guide playtest.
Open Minded [Skill]
You are naturally able to reroute your memory, mind, and skill
expertise.
Benefit: You immediately gain a number of extra skill
points equal to your character level. For each level you gain
thereafter, you gain one more skill point as well, so that the
total number of additional skill points granted by this feat is
always equal to your character level.
You spend these skill points as normal. You cannot exceed
the normal maximum ranks for your level in any skill.
Special: You can gain this feat more than once; the effects
stack.
Source: 3.5 System Reference Document, “Psionic Feats.”
Otherworldly Countenance
You are either stunningly beautiful or wretchedly hideous.
Either way, your appearance can be terribly unsettling to
others upon whom you focus your attentions.
Prerequisite: Cha 15.
Benefit: When you take this feat, you must decide whether
you are unusually beautiful or unusually hideous. Once you
make this choice, you cannot change it. As a full-round action,
you can attempt to distract a target within 30 feet by focusing
your attention upon it. The target must be able to see you and
can resist your distracting appearance by making an Intuition
save (DC 10 + half your character level + your Charisma
modifier). Failure indicates that the target is fascinated (if you
are beautiful) or sickened (if you are ugly) for as long as you
remain in its line of sight. You can affect a specific creature in
this manner only once per day. This ability is usable a number
of times per day equal to your Charisma modifier.
Special: Your appearance is so striking that it's difficult to
hide. You take a -2 penalty on Perform (acting) checks to
disguise yourself.
If you are using the optional rules for Comeliness (Chapter
1), your Comeliness score is either 20 + your Charisma
modify and racial modifiers, or else 0 – your Charisma bonus
(or plus your Charisma penalty) + racial modifiers.
Source: Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss.
Paragon of Health
Your endurance is a thing of legend, and people discuss how
you can hold your breath for an hour or run a week without
tiring. Although these reports may be exaggerations, you are
nonetheless of astounding physical health.
Prerequisite: Constitution 21+.
Benefit: You can automatically shrug off any non-magical
poison or disease with a DC less than or equal to your
Constitution score. Against magical diseases and poisons,
and those with higher DCs, you receive a +4 competence
bonus on saving throws. You also gain this bonus to saving
throws against effects that cause the sickened or nauseated
conditions.
Source: Relics & Rituals: Excalibur (Sword & Sorcery
Studios).
Paragon of Insight
The depth and scope of your perception is legendary.
Complex puzzles of ethics and morality fall away with a few
key words from you, and your dedication, focus, and
discipline are almost beyond the pale.
Prerequisite: Wisdom 21+.
Benefit: You gain the extraordinary ability to see through
illusions, including invisibility (as if under a true seeing spell),
of a maximum spell level equal to your Wisdom score – 20.
For example, a character with a 22 Wisdom would be able to
see through illusion spells of 2nd level or lower, whereas a
character with a Wisdom of 29 could see through all illusions
of less than Epic power.
Source: Relics & Rituals: Excalibur (Sword & Sorcery
Studios).
Paragon of Intellect [Skill]
Your intellect is vorpal-sharp, and you know how to use it
well.
Prerequisite: Intelligence 21+, Knowledge (lore) 1 rank.
Benefit: You are capable of puzzling out situations in a way
that seems almost magical, though it’s really just a matter of
pure thought. By spending 10 minutes in thought, you can
deduce the solution to any one problem as if you had cast an
augury spell, but this is an extraordinary, rather than a spell-
like ability.
If you have at least 8 ranks in Knowledge (lore), the effect
is as a divination spell instead.
If you have at least 15 ranks in Knowledge (lore) and
access to a library, you can gain an effect similar to a
legend lore spell, with the same casting time and
restrictions.
Source: Relics & Rituals: Excalibur (Sword & Sorcery
Studios).

Paragon of Might
You are among the mightiest of men (or elves, or orcs) that
has ever lived, and you have trained and focused your great
strength so that you are capable of phenomenal exertions.
Prerequisite: Strength 21+.
Benefit: You can always choose to take 10 on any Strength-
based skill check, even if stress and distractions would
normally prevent you from doing so. In addition, by first
spending 1 minute warming up, you can add a +10
competence bonus to your Strength score for the next round
thereafter, allowing you to lift tremendous weight or deliver a
crushing blow.
Source: Relics & Rituals: Excalibur (Sword & Sorcery
Studios).
Photographic Memory
You have near-perfect recall.
Benefit: At will, you can permanently memorize any text
you read or hear, word for word. You can attempt to recall
other incidental details (e.g., what each person had for dinner
in a restaurant you ate at six years ago), but this requires a
Perception check to see if you noticed them in the first place
(DC 10 for obvious details to DC 30 for minute ones that you
had little chance of being exposed to, much less noticing).
Racial Heritage [Heritage]
The racial heritage of your people manifests itself
especially strongly in you.
Benefit: You gain one additional racial feat from the list of
racial feats for your race (Chapter 2). Alternatively, you can
select two additional racial traits appropriate to your race.
Resist Energy
Benefit: Choose an energy form (acid, cold, electricity, fire,
negative energy, or sonic). You gain resistance 5 against that
type of energy; this stacks with any existing resistance to that
type.
Special: You can take this feat multiple times. If you
choose the same energy form two or more times, the effects
stack.
Source: Masters of the Wild.
Resistance [Skill]
Prerequisite: Endurance 1 rank.
Benefit: You gain a +1 resistance bonus to all saving
throws. For every 5 ranks in Endurance you possess, this
resistance bonus increases by an additional +1 (maximum +5
at 20 ranks).
Serenity
Your wisdom, inner calm and sagacity fuels your abilities,
rather than your force of personality.
Prerequisite: Wis 13.
Benefit: Use your Wisdom modifier in place of your
Charisma modifier to modify Concentration checks. In
addition, you may use your Wisdom modifier in place of your
Charisma modifier when calculating saving throw DCs of
your spells and extraordinary, supernatural, and spell-like
abilities that rely on Charisma.
Synergy: If you have levels in Prestige Paladin, you can
also use your Wisdom modifier in place of your Charisma
modifier for purposes of determining the benefits of
Charisma-dependent paladin class features (divine grace,
smite evil, etc.).
Normal: You use your Charisma bonus to determine save
DCs and the effects of paladin abilities.
Source: Dragon magazine, issue 306.
Skill Focus [Skill]
Choose a skill. You are particularly adept at that skill.
Benefit: If the skill in question is not a class skill for you, it
becomes one. This gives you the +3 class skill bonus and
access to the “class skill” abilities listed under that skill
(Chapter 4).
If the skill in question is already a class skill, you gain a
competence bonus on all checks involving that skill equal to
half your number of ranks (minimum +3). In addition, your
critical success range for that skill (Chapter 1) increases to
19-20.
Special: If the skill is not a class skill for you, you can take
this feat twice: once to make the skill a class skill, and a
second time to gain the competence bonus and expanded crit
range. If the skill is already a class skill, you can select this
feat only once with that skill, but can still take Skill Focus
with other skills.
Source: This feat supersedes the feat of the same name
from the core rules, and also the Epic Skill Focus feat from
the 3.5 edition System Reference Document.
Skill Synergy [Skill]
Benefit: Choose two skills. You can use the indicated skills
untrained, even if this is not normally possible. You also get a
+2 racial bonus on all checks made using those skills.
Examples of skill synergy feats (and the associated skills)
include Agile (Acrobatics, Escape Artist), Cosmopolitan
(Diplomacy, Streetwise), Persuasive (Bluff, Diplomacy), Self-
Sufficient (Heal, Survival), etc.
Design Note: I’m aware that almost no one will ever select
this feat voluntarily. In general, skill synergies get handed out
as racial traits (see Races), and consolidating them into the
form of a single feat allows for a single feat reference to be
used there, rather than repeating the description each time.
This is the reason the bonus type is designated as a “racial
bonus.”
Source: This feat supersedes the various similar sub-feats,
and also the Breadth of Experience racial feat from the
Advanced Player’s Guide.
Skill Synergy, Secondary [Skill]
Benefit: Choose one of the options listed below. You gain a
+2 racial bonus to all secondary skills in the listed category.
You can use these skills untrained, even if this is not normally
possible, and always treat these skills as class skills.
Artisan: All Craft skills
Professional: All Profession skills
Sage: All Knowledge skills
Social Training [Skill]
Through constant socializing, you have learned assert your
own personality and to dominate those around you.
Prerequisite: Diplomacy 6 ranks.
Benefit: You gain a +2 enhancement bonus to Charisma. A
condition that prevents your training for more than 1 week
eliminates the bonus until you can get back into training.
Special: You may select this feat up to 3 times. Each time,
the requisite number of ranks in Diplomacy increases by 6,
and the enhancement bonus to Charisma increases by +2 (to
a maximum enhancement bonus of +6).
Stamina Training [Skill]
Prerequisite: Endurance 3 ranks as a class skill.
Benefit: Through constant physical training, you have a +1
enhancement bonus to Constitution per 3 ranks in
Endurance you possess (maximum bonus of +6 with 18
ranks in Endurance). Any condition that prevents this training
for more than 1 week eliminates the bonus until you can get
back into training.
Strength Training [Skill]
Prerequisite: Athletics 3 ranks as a class skill.
Benefit: Through constant physical training, you have a +1
enhancement bonus to Strength per 3 ranks in Athletics you
possess (maximum bonus of +6 at 18 ranks). Any condition
that prevents this training for more than 1 week eliminates
the bonus until you can get back into training.
Toughness
You have enhanced physical stamina.
Benefit: You gain +3 hit points. Also, for every Hit Die you
possess or gain, you gain an additional +1 hit point (e.g., a 10
HD creature would have +13 hp total from this feat).
Arcane Feats
Unless otherwise noted, all feats in this section have the
[Arcane] descriptor, in addition to any others listed.
Note: Metamagic feats are a more integral part of the
spellcasting rules in these house rules; they are therefore
presented in Chapter 7, along with the other spellcasting
rules.
Alacritous Cogitation
You can leave a prepared spell slot open to spontaneously
cast a spell.
Prerequisite: Must prepare arcane spells.
Benefit: If you leave an arcane spell slot open when
preparing spells, you can use that open slot to cast any
arcane spell you know of the same level or lower. Casting a
spell in this manner requires a full-round action. You can use
this feat only once per day, regardless of the number of slots
you leave open.
Special: You can select this feat multiple times; each time,
you gain an additional use per day.
Source: Complete Mage.
Arcane Smite [Combat]
You can channel spell energy into your melee attacks.
Prerequisite: Able to cast 1st level arcane spells; must not
have Evocation as a barred school.
Benefit: When you activate this feat (a free action that does
not provoke an attack of opportunity), you sacrifice one of
your spells for the day (of 1st level or higher) to do this. For 1
round, you gain a luck bonus on all melee attack rolls for 1
round equal to the level of the spell sacrificed, as well as extra
damage equal to 1d6 points x the level of the spell sacrificed
(this is not multiplied in the event of a critical hit).
Source: Complete Warrior.
Augment Summoning [Conjuration]
Your summoned creatures are more powerful and robust
than most.
Prerequisites: Spell Focus (conjuration) or Conjurer level
1st.
Benefit: Each creature you conjure with any summon spell
gains a +4 enhancement bonus to Strength and Constitution
for the duration of the spell that summoned it.
Synergy: If you have at least a +2 bonus to Conjuration
spell DCs (as from feats or specialist bonus), your summoned
monsters instead gain the Advanced simple template from
the Pathfinder Bestiary.
Bane Magic [Combat]
Your spells deal extra damage to a particular type of
creature.
Benefit: Choose a creature type from the Ranger’s favored
enemy list. Once made, this selection is fixed and cannot be
re-assigned. Any spell that deals direct damage, when cast
against the selected creatures, deals additional damage equal
to 1d6 per level of the spell. For example, a 3rd level giant
bane lightning bolt cast by an 8th level caster would deal the
usual 8d6 points of damage to any non-giant in its path, but
would deal 11d6 points of damage against giants. This feat
has no effect on spells that do not deal hit point damage, and
the source and type of the damage remains the same. This
feat cannot be used to increase the amount of healing dealt to
undead by inflict light wounds and similar spells, but it can
add to the damage dealt by casting cure light wounds on an
undead creature.
Special: You can select this feat multiple times. Each time,
select a different creature type.
Source: Heroes of Horror.
Battle Touch [Combat]
Prerequisites: Able to cast touch spells; must not have
Evocation as a barred school.
Benefit: If you cast a touch attack spell or spell-like ability
and have multiple attacks due to a high base attack bonus,
you can attempt iterative touch attacks as though using a full
attack action. This feat works only with attack spells such as
shocking grasp or cause fear, not beneficial spells like cure
light wounds (unless cure light wounds is used to attack and
damage undead).
Synergy: If you also have the Two-Weapon Fighting feat,
you can Hold the Charge with two spells simultaneously; one
for each hand.
If you have the Spellstrike feat, you can apply the spell
effect to each attack made with that weapon that round
(applying a -5 attack penalty for using a strike with iterative
attacks; see Spellstrike feat). If you have the Battle Touch,
Spellstrike, and Two-Weapon Fighting feats, you can use the
Spellstrike feat in conjunction with a pair of weapons and
spells.
Source: Book of Eldritch Might (Malhavoc Press).
Blast, Arcane [Evocation]
Prerequisite: Arcane spellcaster (may not have Evocation as
a barred school).
Benefit: As a standard action, you can sacrifice a prepared
spell or unused spell slot of 1st level or higher and transform
it into a ray of force, targeting any foe within 30 feet as a
ranged touch attack. This attack deals 2d6 points of force
damage plus an additional 1d6 points of damage for every
level of the spell or spell slot you sacrificed. 0-level spells may
not be sacrificed in this manner.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.

Blistering Bands [Evocation]
Prerequisite: Spell Focus (Evocation) or Evocation
specialist.
Benefit: Whenever you cast an evocation spell that deals
energy damage, you can spend a swift action to deal damage
of that same energy type to all creatures adjacent to you; the
damage is equal to 1d6 hp x the level of the spell. If the spell
deals more than one type of energy damage, you must choose
which of those types of damage this aura deals.
Source: This feat supersedes the Tattooed Mystic’s
prestige class feature of the same name from Paths of
Prestige.
Bloodline, Eldritch Heritage
You are descended from a long line of sorcerers, and some
portion of their power flows in your veins.
Prerequisites: Cha 13, Skill Focus with one of the bonus
skills of bloodline selected for this feat, character level 3rd.
Benefit: Select one sorcerer bloodline. You gain the first-
level bloodline power for the selected bloodline. For purposes
of using that power, treat your sorcerer level as equal to your
number of ranks in Concentration –2, even if you have levels
in sorcerer. You do not gain any of the other class abilities.
Synergy: You can apply the Practiced Bloodline feat (q.v.)
to the effects of this feat.
Source: Ultimate Magic.
Bloodline, Practiced [Heritage]
Prerequisite: Sorcerer bloodline or Eldritch Heritage feat.
Benefit: Your effective sorcerer level for your sorcerer
bloodline increases by +4, to a maximum effective level equal
to your Hit Dice (even if you can't benefit from the full bonus
immediately, if you later gain non caster-level HD you may be
able to apply the rest of the bonus).
This increase in effective level applies to bloodline powers
gained and the level-dependent effects of your existing
bloodline powers and resistances. It does not grant you
bloodline feats, improvements to your eldritch blast (if
applicable), or any other sorcerer class features.
Special: This feats stacks with class synergy features and
with itself (if gained multiple times), subject to a maximum
effective level equal to your Hit Dice. In conjunction with the
Eldritch Heritage feat (q.v.), this supersedes the Improved and
Greater Eldritch Heritage feats from Ultimate Magic.
Bond, Arcane
Prerequisite: Concentration 1 rank, Spellcraft 1 rank.
Benefit: You gain a bonded item or familiar, as the wizard
class feature of the same name. For clerics and archivists,
this item must be your deity’s holy symbol or some other
religious reliquary or relic; others can choose normally.
For the purpose of determining familiar or bonded item
abilities that depend on your arcane caster class level, your
maximum effective level is equal to your number of ranks in
Concentration.
Special: Unlike a bonded object or familiar gained through
the class feature, a bonded item or familiar gained through a
feat requires some investiture of personal numen (Chapter 6),
equal to 1,000 x (half your effective caster level)2. For
example, a bonded item with an effective caster level of 10th
would cost 25,000 numen. It is possible to “fall behind” on
payments and have a bonded object or familiar operating at a
lower effective caster level than your number of ranks in
Concentration.
Source: This feat supersedes the Obtain Familiar feat from
Complete Arcane.
Boost, Arcane [Combat]
You can burn arcane energy to empower your martial
abilities.
Prerequisite: Able to cast arcane abjuration spells.
Benefit: As a swift action, you can spend one of your
uncast spells or spell slots to grant yourself one of the
following bonuses for 1 round:
Luck bonus on attack rolls or saving throws equal to the
spell’s level;
Luck bonus on weapon damage rolls equal to twice the
spell’s level;
Deflection bonus to AC equal to the spell’s level;
Damage reduction equal to twice the level of the spell
expended against all but one alignment or special material
(cold iron or silver);
Energy damage on your next weapon attack equal to +1d6
per level of the spell, of a type corresponding to the
sacrificed spell’s descriptor (acid, cold, etc.; you cannot use
this function by sacrificing a spell that does not have an
energy descriptor);
Resistance to acid, cold, electricity, fire, and sonic energy
equal to 5 x the spell’s level.
Source: This feat supersedes the Abjurant Champion
prestige class feature of the same name, from Complete
Mage, and also the Arcane Shield feat from the Advanced
Player’s Guide and the Daggerspell Mage’s energy infusion
prestige class feature from Complete Adventurer.

Call for Aid [Conjuration]
Prerequisite: Able to cast Conjuration spells.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can sacrifice a prepared
spell of 2nd level or higher to call a creature bound to you,
including an animal companion, eidolon, or familiar; a
personally controlled construct, undead creature, or outsider;
or a creature telepathically linked to you (including by
telepathic bond, dominate person, or dominate monster). The
named creature appears adjacent to the Arclord, or in the
nearest open space if all adjacent squares are occupied. This
ability functions like greater teleport, except the range limit is
determined by the level of the sacrificed spell:
Level of Spell Range Distance
2nd – 3rd Short 25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels
4th – 5th Medium 100 ft. + 10 ft./level
6th – 7th Long 400 ft. + 40 ft./level
8th Unlimited Same plane
9th Unlimited Any plane
Source: This feat supersedes the Arclord of Nex prestige
class feature of the same name, from Paths of Prestige.
Combat Casting [Combat, Skill]
You are experienced in casting spells in combat.
Prerequisite: BAB +1, Concentration 1 rank.
Benefit: You are immune to the effects of the Disruptive
fighter talent, the Disruptive Strike feat, and the Disruptive
Spell metamagic feat.
When casting a spell or using a spell-like ability in combat
that allows a saving throw, you can choose to take a -1 penalty
to the spell’s saving throw DC. For every 4 ranks in
Concentration you possess, you can increase the penalty by
an additional -1. For every -1 to saves you accept, you gain a
+2 circumstance bonus to Concentration checks to cast that
spell defensively or while taking ongoing damage, to avoid
losing the spell if hit, etc.
Counterport [Conjuration, Skill]
Prerequisites: Knowledge (the planes) 6 ranks, Improved
Counterspell; able to cast Abjuration and Conjuration spells.
Benefit: When a conjuration effect causes a creature to
appear in a square threatened by you, that creature provokes
an attack of opportunity from you.
If you have at least 11 ranks in Knowledge (the planes),
when you successfully counterspell a [teleportation] effect,
you can forcibly redirect the teleporting creature to a new
valid destination within 30 feet of you. The wrenching
redirection deals force damage to the redirected creature
equal to 1d6 x your number of ranks in Concentration. A
successful Fortitude save (DC 10 + half your caster level +
your Charisma modifier) halves the damage and negates
the redirection.
If you have at least 16 ranks in Knowledge (the planes),
you can forcibly recall a creature that used teleportation to
exit an area within 30 feet of you since the end of your last
turn. If the target fails its save, the teleportation effect is
reversed and the creature returns to the point from which
it teleported (or the nearest available space, if that space is
now occupied by another creature). It takes damage as per
the teleport redirect effect.
Source: This feat supersedes the Riftwarden’s prestige
class features of the same name, from Paths of Prestige.
Counterspell, Improved
[Abjuration, Skill]
You are skilled at countering the spells of others.
Prerequisites: Able to cast abjuration spells, Spellcraft 1
rank.
Benefit: You gain a +4 enhancement bonus to all
counterspelling attempts. If you use a spell of the same
school that is one or more spell levels higher than the target
spell, your success is automatic, as if you had counterspelled
using the target spell.
If you have at least 6 ranks in Spellcraft, you can
counterspell as a standard action, allowing you to move
and counterspell in the same round.
If you have at least 11 ranks in Spellcraft, counterspelling
is a move action.
At 16 or more ranks in Spellcraft, counterspelling is a
swift action (in a magical duel between archmages, a
Quickened spell will often be used as a feint to draw a
counterspell, so that the “real” attack spell has a chance to
get through).
Normal: Without this feat, you must roll an opposed
Concentration check to counter a spell being cast.
Dimensional Agility [Combat,
Conjuration]
Teleportation does not faze you.
Prerequisites: Planar Sense 6 ranks; ability to use
dimension door or similar short-range teleportation effect.
Benefit: After using dimension door, you can take any
actions you still have remaining on your turn. You also gain a
+4 competence bonus on Concentration checks when casting
[teleportation] spells.
As a full-round action, you use dimension door to make a
special charge attack. Doing so allows you to teleport up to
double your current speed (up to the maximum distance
allowed by the spell or ability) and to make the attack
normally allowed on a charge.
Synergy:
You can use dimension door in conjunction with the
Spring Attack feat. This ability can be used only against
opponents within 60 feet to which you have a line of sight.
As a full-round action, you can dimension door up to the
target, make one attack using Spring Attack, and then
dimension door back to your starting point, assuming you
do not exceed your total available distance from the
dimension door ability.
If you also have the Skirmish feat, you can take a full-
attack action, activating dimension door as a swift action.
If your do, you can teleport up to twice your speed (up to
the maximum distance allowed by the spell or ability),
dividing this teleportation into increments you use before
your first attack, between each attack, and/or after your
last attack. You must teleport at least 5 feet each time you
teleport. The effects of Skirmish apply exactly as if the
teleportation were ground movement.
If you have the Skirmish, Spring Attack, and Adaptable
Flanking feats, while using the Dimensional Agility feat
you provide flanking from all squares you attack from.
Flanking starts from the moment you make an attack until
the start of your next turn. You can effectively flank with
yourself and with multiple allies when using this feat.
Source: Ultimate Combat. This feat also subsumes the
Dimensional Assault, Dimensional Dervish, and Dimensional
Savant feats from Ultimate Combat, and the Elocator’s
dimensional spring attack ability from the 3.5 edition System
Reference Document (Psionic Classes).
Dispelling, Improved [Abjuration,
Skill]
Prerequisites: Ability to use dispel magic or greater dispel
magic, Spellcraft 1 rank.
Benefit: You gain a +4 competence bonus on
Concentration checks to dispel magic.
If you have at least 6 ranks in Spellcraft, if you dispel
spells affecting a creature, you can choose to deal up to
1d6 force damage to that creature per spell level dispelled,
to a maximum number of dice equal to your number of
ranks in Spellcraft.
If you have at least 11 ranks in Spellcraft, when you
successfully make a targeted dispel check against an
opponent, that opponent must succeed at a Fortitude save
(DC equals the DC of the spell used to dispel) or be
stunned until the start of your next turn. If the save
succeeds, the opponent is instead sickened until the start
of your next turn.
Synergy: You can use this feat in conjunction with the
Dispelling Strike feat (q.v.). If you have levels in Fighter, when
making an Improved Dispelling Strike you can substitute
your fighter level for ranks in Spellcraft.
Source: This feat supersedes the Initiate of the Sevenfold
Veil’s ”unanswerable strike” prestige class feature from
Complete Arcane, and also the minor abjuration esoterica
from the Master Specialist prestige class (Complete Mage). It
also subsumes the Destructive Dispel feat from Ultimate
Combat.
Energy Abjuration [Abjuration]
Prerequisite: Must not have Abjuration as a barred school.
Benefit: When you cast a spell of the acid, cold, electricity,
fire, force, sonic, positive energy, or negative energy subtype,
you gain resistance to that energy equal to 5 x the spell's level.
This energy resistance lasts for 1 round per level of the spell
or until you are struck by that type of energy damage (acid,
cold, fire, electricity, or sonic).
Source: Complete Mage. This ability also supersedes the
“energy eddy” moderate evocation esoterica from the Master
Specialist prestige class (Complete Mage).
Energy Shield [Abjuration, Combat]
Prerequisite: Arcane Boost; must not have Abjuration as a
barred school.
Benefit: As a swift action, you can expend an unused spell
slot or uncast spell of 1st level or higher or with an energy
subtype (e.g., [fire] or [acid]) to spontaneously create an
energy shield around yourself lasting 1 round per level of the
spell expended. This shield provides you with resistance to
that energy type of 5 per level of the spell sacrificed.
Whenever you are struck in melee while so shielded, your
attacker takes energy damage of the appropriate type equal to
1d6 per level of the sacrificed spell.
Eschew Materials
You can cast spells without material components.
Benefit: You can cast any spell that has a material
component costing 1 gp or less without needing that
component.
The casting of the spell still provokes attacks of opportunity
as normal. If the spell requires a material component that
costs more than 1 gp, you must have the material component
on hand to cast the spell, just as normal.
Evocation, Piercing [Evocation]
Your evocation spells ignore some energy resistance.
Benefit: When you cast an evocation spell that deals
energy damage (acid, cold, fire, electricity, or sonic), you can
choose to convert some of the damage dealt by the spell to
become untyped damage, to which energy resistance and
immunity do not apply. The maximum number of points of
energy damage you can convert is equal to your number of
ranks in Concentration. If the spell deals multiple types of
energy damage, you choose how much of each type is
converted by this feat after rolling damage.
Source: Complete Mage.

Expanded Arcana
Prerequisite: Able to cast spells.
Benefit: Add one spell to your list of spells known, of a
spell level up to the maximum spell level you are able to cast.
You can add a spell from another class’ list, but at a spell level
one higher than the listing for that class (for example, a 7th
level archivist could add fireball as a 4th level spell known).
In the case of spontaneous casters, the spell is simply
added to your list of spells known, in excess of the numbers
listed in Table 1 of Chapter 7. For prepared spellcasters, the
spell is added to your spellbooks, list of class spells, etc. and
does not require any expenditure of mojo.
Source: This feat subsumes the feat of the same name
from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Fade Into Darkness [Darkness]
You can draw from nearby magical shadow to cloak yourself
in darkness.
Prerequisite: Darkness as a spell-like ability.
Benefit: As long as you are within 10 feet of an area of
magical darkness, as a swift action, you can spend one use of
your own darkness spell-like ability to make a Stealth check,
even while being observed and without cover or concealment.
When activating this ability, you also gain a +5 enhancement
bonus to Stealth checks for a number of minutes equal to
your number of ranks in Concentration.
Source: This feat subsumes the feat of the same name,
and the Blend into Shadows feat, from Drow of the
Underdark.
Familiar, Evolved [Conjuration,
Skill]
Your familiar is different from others of its kind.
Prerequisites: Int 13, Cha 13, familiar class feature,
Spellcraft 1 rank.
Benefit: Your familiar gains evolutions as a summoner’s
eidolon (see Sorcerer in Chapter 3), to a maximum of 1 point
worth of evolutions, +1 per 6 ranks in Spellcraft you possess.
These can be used to purchase multiple 1-point evolutions, or
fewer higher-valued ones. The familiar must conform to any
limitations of the evolution(s). For instance, only familiars
with wings can take the wing buffet evolution.
Special: If you gain a new familiar, your old familiar loses
all evolutions, and you can select new evolutions for the new
familiar.
Source: Ultimate Magic.
Familiar, Guardian [Skill,
Transmutation]
In addition to its normal duties, your familiar can actively
protect you or your lodgings or valuables.
Prerequisites: Spellcraft 6 ranks, able to cast
Transmutation spells, familiar.
Benefit: Up to 3 times per day, your familiar can assume a
larger, more threatening form for up to 1 minute per rank in
Spellcraft you possess. This works as a beast shape spell of a
level appropriate to your number of ranks in Spellcraft (as
summarized in the following table), except the guardian form
must be of the same general type as the familiar’s (for
example, a black cat familiar could become a Medium
leopard at 6th level, a tiger at 11th level, or a Huge dire tiger at
16th level).
Ranks in Spellcraft Guardian Form Effect
6 – 10 Beast shape I
11 – 15 Beast shape II
16+ Beast shape III
Source: This feat supersedes the Dancer of Sharess’
“familiar shapechange” prestige class feature, from Dragon
magazine (issue 290).
Familiar, Morphic [Skill,
Transmutation]
Prerequisite: Familiar; Spellcraft 1 rank.
Benefit: As a full-round action, your familiar can change its
form to that of another type of animal. You lose the previous
familiar bonus feat and gain the bonus feat for your familiar’s
new form instead.
If you have at least 6 ranks in Spellcraft, the familiar can
change form as a full attack action.
If you have at least 11 ranks in Spellcraft, the familiar can
change form as a standard action.
If you have at least 16 ranks in Spellcraft, the familiar can
change form as a swift action.
Source: This feat supersedes the changeling wizard
substitution feature from Races of Eberron.
Fast Study
Prerequisites: Able to prepare 2nd or higher level arcane
spells, Eidetic Memory class feature.
Benefit: Thanks to mental discipline and clever
mnemonics, you can prepare all of your spells in only 15
minutes, and your minimum preparation time is only 1
minute.
Normal: It takes 1 hour to prepare your spells for the day,
or proportionately less if he only prepares some spells, with a
minimum of 15 minutes of preparation.
Source: Ultimate Magic.

Flickering Eye [Illusion]
Prerequisite: Spell Focus (Illusion) or Illusionist.
Benefit: When you spend a standard action to concentrate
on an ongoing illusion effect created by one of your spells,
you gain concealment (20% miss chance) until the beginning
of your next turn. Effects that negate invisibility negate this
miss chance.
If you are able to cast at least level illusion spells, the miss
chance increases to 50%.
If you are able to cast at least level illusion spells, you
instead become invisible, as per the spell invisibility, until
the beginning of your next turn.
Source: This feat supersedes the Tattooed Mystic’s
prestige class feature of the same name from Paths of
Prestige.
Imbue Item [Skill]
“We make them. Later… when your studies are more
advanced, I’ll show you how it’s done. It entails metalwork—
oh, yes. But so much more. A balanced heart, a deep taw,
silent as a mountain tarn…”
―Charles deLint, Moonheart (1984)
Prerequisites: Any Craft skill.
Benefit: You can craft charged and permanent magical
items, using the appropriate Craft skill (see Skills). The DC to
create the item increases for any necessary spell
requirements, per the magic item creation rules in the Core
rules.
Special: For characters without spellcasting ability, certain
talents and feats can be substituted for spell prerequisites.
Obvious examples include Weapon Specialization or weapon
training in lieu of a greater magic weapon spell; armor
training in lieu of magic vestment; the Shared Shield feat in
lieu of shield other when crafting a defending weapon, etc. It
is also possible to waive spell requirements by substituting
exotic components. For example, a flaming sword might be
made by quenching the newly-forged blade in the blood of a
living salamander, rather than casting one of the listed fire
spells.
In all cases, your maximum effective caster level and
effective spell capacity cannot exceed your number of ranks
in the appropriate Craft skill, so that the maximum spell level
of spell effects (Chapter 7) in items you craft is equal to half
your number of ranks in the appropriate Craft skill (a
character with 6 ranks in Craft (alchemy) can potentially use
the blood of a displacer beast to brew a potion of
displacement; a character with fewer ranks than that cannot).
Source: This feat supersedes the Pathfinder item
construction feats and Master Craftsman feat from the Core
rules.
Imbue Missile [Combat, Ranged]
Imbue Missile [Combat, Ranged]
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +6, ability to cast 1st level
spells.
Benefit: You gain the ability to place an area spell upon a
projectile (arrow, sling stone, bullet, etc.) or thrown weapon.
When the projectile is fired, the spell's area is centered where
the projectile lands (or strikes), even if the spell could
normally be centered only on the caster. This ability allows
you to use the weapon's range rather than the spell's range. A
spell cast in this way uses its standard casting time and you
can fire the weapon as part of the casting. The projectile must
be fired during the round that the casting is completed or the
spell is wasted. If the projectile misses, the spell is wasted.
Synergy: If you also have the Spellstrike feat, you can
deliver a touch spell through a thrown weapon or projectile. If
the attack misses, you can retrieve the weapon and the
charge is considered held if you do so (unless the
ammunition is destroyed); anyone else touching the weapon
discharges the spell and takes its effects. If no one touches
the weapon within 1 minute per spell level held, the spell
dissipates harmlessly.
Source: This feat supersedes the Arcane Archer’s imbue
arrow prestige class feature, and also the Daggerspell Mage’s
“arcane throw” prestige class features from Complete
Adventurer.
Initiate of the Open Sky
Prerequisites: Reach Spell, Widen Spell.
Benefit: When you are casting outdoors and under an open
sky, all of your spells’ ranges and areas of effect are
automatically doubled, as if by the Reach Spell and Widen
Spell feats, although with no increase in casting time or spell
level.
Source: 1st edition rules for scale converted feet indoors to
yards outdoors (3x); a doubling was used here as a
compromise between that and the 3rd edition 1:1 scaling.
Innate Spell
Prerequisite: Ability to prepare spells.
Benefit: You can permanently give up one of your spell
slots to prepare one of your spells of that level as a spell-like
ability that can be used twice per day.
You may devote a higher-level spell slot to this feat in order
to use the spell-like ability more often; for every spell level the
slot used exceeds the level of the spell-like ability, you can use
the ability an additional time per day. At 5/day, you can use
the spell-like ability at will.
Special: You can select this feat multiple times. Each time,
select a different spell.
Source: This feat supersedes the Hierophant and
Archmage “spell-like ability” high arcana, from the 3.5 edition
System Reference Document, and also the Spell Expertise
feats from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
 Benefit: When you attempt to call or summon a creature
Internalize Spell into an area where summoning is blocked by a magical effect
Benefit: Choose one or more spells, with total spell levels (such as magic circle against evil, forbiddance, or
equal to or lower than your character level. As an dimensional lock), or when a creature you have called or
extraordinary ability, you learn how to intuitively absorb these summoned would have its attacks against a creature blocked
spells into your body. While you are under the effect of any of by such an effect, as a swift action you can sacrifice a
those spells, the effects become extraordinary rather than prepared spell or spell slot of the same level as the warding
spell effects (and therefore cannot be dispelled by any effect. If your caster level is higher than the caster level of the
means). The spell otherwise functions as it normally would, is warding effect, it is immediately negated. If it is the same or
expended normally, and can be countered or disrupted during lower, an opposed Concentration check is required to negate
casting. the warding effect. The range of this ability is 30 ft.
Source: This feat supersedes the Swiftblade’s fortified If you have at least 11 ranks in Knowledge (the planes),
hustle prestige class feature, from the Wizards of the Coast when you summon a creature, you can choose to allow
website. that creature to use any innate summoning abilities it
possesses. The creatures it summons are not under your
Kin Mastery [Heritage] control. Once this decision is made, it cannot be reversed
You can channel the energies of your arcane bloodline to turn until the summoned creature is sent back to whence it
or rebuke creatures with which you share a common came.
heritage. If you have at least 16 ranks in Knowledge (the planes),
Prerequisites: Sorcerer bloodline (other than non- your breaching can penetrate and destroy an antimagic
applicable types such as arcane, destiny, etc.). At the referee’s field, a prismatic sphere, or an extradimensional shelter
option, incarnates with appropriate mysteries can select this like a mage’s magnificent mansion, though an opposed
feat as well (e.g., those with the Graves mystery might turn or Concentration check is always needed for this. You can
rebuke undead; those with the Flames mystery might turn or summon creatures into a naturally dead magic areas with
rebuke fire elementals, etc.). a successful DC 31 caster level check, but the magic-dead
Benefit: You can turn or rebuke creatures of the same type area is not negated.
as your bloodline (aberrations, dragons, elementals, undead,
etc.) as a cleric of half your sorcerer level with the Turn Source: This feat supersedes the Blackfire Adept’s prestige
Undead feat turns undead. You can use this ability a number class feature of the same name, from Paths of Prestige.
of times per day equal to 3 + your Charisma modifier.
Synergy: You can take the Extra Channeling feat to gain
additional daily uses.
Source: Dragon magazine, issue 311.
Nameless
The fact that you have given up your real name makes you
resistant to certain types of magic.
Prerequisites: You must give up your real name; you are
thereafter addressed only by rank or by a generic nickname.
Benefit: Anyone who attempts to use magic in order to
learn personal information about you, such as through
divination, scrying, or similar magic, must make a
Concentration check with a DC equal to 10 + your character
level + your Wisdom modifier to succeed. You are immune to
spells that require the use of your name in order to function
(such as trap the soul).
Special: If you ever choose a real name, you lose all
benefits of this feat.
Source: Pathfinder Faction Guide.
Planar Breaching [Conjuration,
Skill]
Prerequisites: Knowledge (the planes) 6 ranks, Planar
Sense 6 ranks, Spell Focus (conjuration) or Conjurer,
Thaumaturgist.
 Purge Magic [Abjuraton]
Power over Shadow [Skill] You know incantations that can free yourself or an ally of
You can manipulate the stuff of Shadow as a Prince of unwanted magic.
Amber or Lord of Chaos is able to do, allowing you to “find” Prerequisites: Intelligence or Wisdom 13+; Concentration
non-magical objects (“Oh, look, someone must have left this 6 ranks, Spellcraft 6 ranks.
masterwork longsword lying in the gutter over here!”), or Benefit: You can use dispel magic at will as a spell-like
change the odds of certain events coming to pass. ability, but only on yourself or a willing ally.
Prerequisites: Planar Sense 6 ranks. Source: D&D Next Index.
Benefit: You can look around and “just happen” to find
common objects or creatures. Your success is dependent on a Reabsorption, Arcane
successful Planar Sense skill check, as summarized in the
table below. Benefit: Whenever you cast a targeted spell that fails to
penetrate the target’s spell resistance (and has no effect at all)
If you have at least 11 ranks in Planar Sense, you can or is successfully counterspelled, you can reabsorb the arcane
adjust the odds of occurrences; change your clothing, energies as a free action, regaining the spell slot or prepared
cash, etc. to match those appropriate to your location; or spell as if you had not cast it.
move through the inner planes. You take 1 point of damage per spell level you reabsorb.
If you have at least 16 ranks in Planar Sense, you can This damage is internal and bypasses DR and resistances.
move alter the laws of physics in your personal space, Source: Dragon magazine #348.
allowing your spells to function properly on planes despite Seeker Arrow [Ranged, Strike]
their varying magical laws, or allowing technological
items to work in areas where they are normally Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +6, able to cast arcane
nonfunctional. You also develop skill at shadowmastery, spells, Precise Shot.
and can attempt to create and stitch together demiplanes Benefit: As a standard action, you can launch a projectile
(as the create demiplane spell). at a target known to you within range, and the missile travels
to the target, even around corners. Only an unavoidable
Task Min. Check DC
obstacle or the limit of the weapon's range prevents the
Ranks arrow's flight. This ability negates cover and concealment
modifiers, but otherwise the attack is rolled normally.
“Find” common item or creature 6 20 Source: This feat supersedes the Arcane Archer’s prestige
“Find” uncommon item/creature 6 25 class feature of the same name, from the core rules.
“Find” rare item/creature 6 35
Shield, Urgent [Abjuration]
“Find” very rare or unique item or 11 40
creature Prerequisite: Able to cast abjuration spells.
Benefit: As an immediate action that does not provoke an
Blatantly alter clothing, cash, etc. to 11 25 attack of opportunity, you can create a temporary shield of
local equivalents force granting you a +2 shield bonus to AC. This shield lasts
Move to very familiar inner plane 11 20 until the beginning of your next turn. This is useable once per
Move to plane visited briefly 11 25 day, plus an additional time per day for every 2 ranks in
Concentration you possess. You can’t activate this ability in
Move into Amber or out of the 11 20 response to an attack you are unaware of.
Courts of Chaos Source: Players Handbook II.
Slightly change probabilities in 11 10 + 2 per 5%
surroundings alteration Somatic Weapon [Combat, Skill]
Allow use of magical or tech item 16 30 You are adept at performing somatic spell components while
on other plane your hands are occupied.
Move into Shadow from Amber 16 40 Prerequisite: Spellcraft 1 rank.
Move to unfamiliar or distant plane 16 30 Benefit: When wielding a weapon (or holding an item of
comparable size) in one or both hands, you can use that item
Spontaneously alter spells to fit 16 15 + spell level to trace the somatic component of a spell, rather than using
magic rules of other plane your fingers. This allows you to cast spells with somatic
Create demiplane 16 30 components even while your hands are full or occupied, as
long as at least one hand is holding an item of proper size.
Changing currency or altering probabilities requires a full- If you have at least 6 ranks in Spellcraft, you can cast
round action. Moving throughout the planes, or finding items spells with material components while using a somatic
or creatures among them, requires a number of hours equal weapon (the components vanish during the casting, but
to the DC of the task. Failure while moving through the you need not physically remove them from the pouch).
planes can cause you to wind up in an extremely undesirable
alternate plane (e.g., Hell), so it is usually not possible to Take If you have at least 11 ranks in Spellcraft, you can use this
20 while walking in Shadow. feat even while in a grapple.

Purge Magic [Abjuraton]

Normal: You must have a hand free to cast spells that have
somatic and/or material components.
Source: Complete Mage.
Spell Focus
Choose a school of magic. Any spells you cast of that school
are more difficult to resist.
Benefit: You gain a +1 competence bonus to the Difficulty
Class for all saving throws against spells from the school of
magic you select.
Instead of selecting a school of arcane magic, you can
choose one energy type instead (acid, cold, electricity, fire,
force, negative energy, positive energy, or sonics) and the
bonus applies to spells with the appropriate descriptor.
Special: You can gain this feat multiple times. The effects
do not stack. Each time, choose a different school of magic or
energy type.
Spell Focus, Greater
Prerequisite: Spell Focus.
Benefit: The competence bonus from your Spell Focus feat
increases to +2.
Special: You can gain this feat multiple times. The effects
do not stack. Each time, apply it to a different school or
descriptor for which you have Spell Focus.
Spell Penetration
Prerequisite: Skill Focus (Concentration).
Benefit: When you roll a Concentration check to defeat an
opponent’s spell resistance, roll twice and use the better
result.
Spell Reprieve
Your studies of the less restrictive arcane traditions of old
allow you to cast one spell from a prohibited school.
Prerequisite: Barred school(s); Spellcraft 2 ranks per level
of the spell to be selected.
Benefit: Choose a spell from one of your opposition
schools of a level that you can cast. You can now learn and
prepare that spell normally. You can also use spell completion
items that release that spell. If applicable, instead of a single
spell, you can learn chains of near-identical spells (e.g.,
summon monster I–IX) with referee approval.
Normal: You cannot use spells or spell completion items
from barred schools.
Special: You can take this feat multiple times, each time
choosing a new spell from any of your prohibited schools.
Source: Lost Empires of Faerun.
Spirit Chill [Fear]
Benefit: Creatures affected by any [fear] effect you cause
(whether by a spell, class feature, or other source) take
nonlethal damage as well, depending on the potency of the
fear created: shaken—1d6; frightened—2d6; panicked—3d6;
cowering—4d6.
Source: This feat supersedes the Nightmare Spinner’s
prestige class feature of the same name, from Complete
Mage.
Split Slot
Split Slot
Prerequisite: Able to prepare 2nd level spells.
Benefit: Once per day when you prepare spells, you may
treat any one of your open spell slots as if it were two spell
slots that were each two spell levels lower. For example, a 9th
level wizard can split a 5th level slot into two 3rd level slots.
For all purposes, the two lower-level slots are treated as that
lower level (so the split 5th level slot used for a fireball has a
DC as if it were in a normal 3rd level slot). Splitting a 2nd level
slot lets you prepare two additional cantrips (which you can
cast over and over, just like normally prepared cantrips). This
feat has no effect on cantrips or 1st level spells.
Special: You may select this feat multiple times; each time
you select it, you may split another spell slot when you
prepare spells. You cannot split a slot that you created by
splitting a higher-level slot.
Source: Ultimate Magic.
Spontaneous Spell
Benefit: Select a spell you can cast. You may spontaneously
convert any prepared spell of the selected spell’s level (or
higher) into the selected spell, just as a cleric casts
spontaneous cure spells. You can apply any metamagic feats
you possess to this spell when you cast it. This increases the
minimum level of the prepared spell or spell slot you must
sacrifice in order to cast it but does not affect the casting
time.
At the referee’s option, this might be expanded to more
than one spell, provided the spells to be affected form a
continuous chain (for example, summon nature’s ally I–IX).
The druid’s spontaneous casting ability, and the cleric’s ability
to spontaneously cast cure/inflict spells, would therefore
represent the acquisition of Spontaneous Spell as a feat. The
specific bonus spells of a bloodline or domain can also be
considered a chain, for purposes of this feat.
Special: You can gain this feat multiple times. Each time
you take this feat, it applies to a different spell or spell chain.
Source: 3.5 edition System Reference Document, “Epic
Feats.” This feat also supersedes the Favored Spell feat from
the Advanced Player’s Guide, and subsumes the cleric’s
spontaneous casting and the druid’s spontaneous
summoning, from the Core rules.
Staff-Like Wand [Skill]
Your research has unlocked a new power in conjunction with
using wands.
Prerequisite: Spellcraft 6 ranks, Imbue Item.
Benefit: Similar to using a magic staff, you use your own
Charisma score and relevant feats to set the DC for saves
against spells you cast from a wand, and you can use your
number of ranks in Spellcraft when activating the power of a
wand if it’s higher than the caster level of the wand.
Source: Ultimate Magic.

Supernatural Ability
Prerequisite: Able to use at least one spell-like ability.
Benefit: Choose any one spell-like ability you possess. You
can create that effect as a supernatural ability instead.
However, it is usable somewhat less often, as shown in the
following table:
Original Use Frequency New Uses/Day
1/day 1
2/day 1 Talent, Magical Array [Skill]
3/day 2 Prerequisite: Magical Talent.
5/day 3 Benefit: You gain a suite of spell-like abilities following the
At will 3 + Cha modifier
Source: An evil cleric’s channel negative energy ability is
simply a Shaped eldritch blast (negative energy ray to burst;
3rd level Reserve spell-like ability) made into a supernatural
ability with this feat.
Talent, Magical [Skill]
Prerequisite: Concentration 1 rank.
Benefit: Choose one or more spells from one primary class
spell list (cleric, druid, or wizard/sorcerer), whose total spell
levels are less than or equal to half your number of ranks in
Concentration (e.g., a character with 10 ranks in
Concentration could select no more than 5 levels worth of
spells). For purposes of this feat, zero-level spells count as ½
spell level each. Once these spells are selected, they cannot
be re-assigned.
You can cast the selected spell(s) 1/day each as spell-like
abilities, at a caster level equal to your number of ranks in
Concentration.
If your number of ranks in Concentration exceeds the level
of the spell by a high enough margin, you can use that spell-
like ability more often, as shown in the following table:
Ratio of Ranks in Concentration to Spell
Level
Frequency of
Use
2x 1/day
3x 2/day
4x 3/day
5x At will
Synergy: A fighter with the Spellsword talent who selects
this feat and selects one or more weapon-like spells (e.g.,
flame blade, spiritual weapon, etc.) can apply feats and fighter
talents to those effects as if they were weapons of the
appropriate type. With referee permission, personal numen
(Chapter 6) can be allotted to that end as well. For example, a
10th level fighter able to use flame blade at will might choose
to apply the Personal Weapon talent to his flame blade and
provide it with an enhancement bonus and possibly
additional properties.
In this manner, a reasonable facsimile of the brilliant
energy swords summoned by Tulani eladrin (Book of Exalted
Deeds) and LeShay (Epic Level Handbook) can be made (the
latter would have to select flame blade twice, so as to gain
two such weapons, and could then gain the Two-Weapon
Versatility feat to extend the Personal Weapon effects to
both).
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide. This feat also
supersedes the “minor magic” and “major magic” rogue
talents.
rules for racial spell-like abilities in Chapter 7. Your Magical
Talent spell-like ability becomes the spell-like ability of the
appropriate level in the array; the others must follow some
theme, built around the existing spell-like ability, but are
otherwise subject to your choice, conditional on referee
approval.
Thaumaturgist [Conjuration, Skill]
Melbriniononsadsazzersteldregandishfeltselior had seldom
been exploited by terrestrial adepts, inasmuch as use of a
demon’s name was necessary in those rites binding him to
servitude. One missed syllable and the conjurer would step
from the circle smiling, to discover that the demon was
smiling also.
―Roger Zelazny, The Changing Land (1981)
Prerequisites: Knowledge (the planes) 1 rank as a class
skill; able to cast Conjuration spells.
Benefit: If you have this feat, you are able to summon and
control outsiders and other extraplanar beings. The total
number and CR of creatures you can have working for you at
one time is as per the Leadership feat (q.v.), but substituting
Knowledge (the planes) for Diplomacy.
If you have at least 6 ranks in Knowledge (the planes), you
can retain a planar cohort or improved familiar, subject to
the usual CR limitations. Such a cohort or familiar still
counts against your total CR of controlled outsiders.
If you have at least 11 ranks in Knowledge (the planes),
when you cast a planar ally spell (including the lesser and
greater versions), you can attempt a Diplomacy check to
convince the creature to aid you for a reduced payment. If
your Diplomacy check succeeds against the creature’s
opposed check by 10 or more, the creature will work for
50% of the standard fee, as long as the task is one that is
not against its nature.
If you have at least 16 ranks in Knowledge (the planes),
you can dismiss any creature that you have summoned as
an immediate action rather than as a standard action .
Normal: Without this feat, all extraplanar beings you
summon are uncontrolled.
Source: This feat supersedes the Thamauturgist’s
improved ally and planar cohort prestige class features, from
the 3.5 edition System Reference Document, and also the
Malconvoker’s safe summoning prestige class feature, from
Complete Scoundrel.

Twisting Script [Skill]
Prerequisite: Knowledge (linguistics) 1 rank.
Benefit: Creatures that can see you are affected by your
language-dependent enchantment spells, even if they do not
understand the language you speak. Creatures without a
language are immune to this effect. The range of the effect is
equal to 10 ft. x your number of ranks in Knowledge
(linguistics). The maximum level of spell that can be affected
is equal to half your number of ranks in Knowledge
(linguistics).
Arcane Feats, Reserve
Despite their inclusion as [Arcane] feats, reserve feats need
not rely on arcane spells for qualification unless specifically
noted; normally, divine/druidical spells, ki powers, or spell-
like abilities can also be used to qualify, as long as they match
the minimum level and description listed.
Reserve Spells: Feats with the [reserve] descriptor are
generally usable at will as long as you have a spell that meets
the “reserve spell” requirements; these are generally stated in
terms of a school and/or descriptor, and a minimum spell
level. This reserve spell must currently be either prepared (if
you are a prepared caster); or known, with a spell slot of the
same or greater level available for use (if you are a
spontaneous caster); or have a daily use remaining (if you
have it as a spell-like ability).
If you have a reserve spell of a level higher than the
minimum spell level listed, the effects of the reserve feat often
scale with that level. If you have no reserve spell of the listed
level or higher remaining, you cannot use the reserve feat
until you recover spells and meet the requirement again.
You cannot “mix and match” reserve spells. Each reserve
feat has its own requirements for a qualifying reserve spell,
and you cannot substitute another one that fails to meet
them, even if it meets the requirements for some other
reserve feat you possess.
Unless otherwise noted, a reserve feat ability is a spell-like
power, with a spell level equal to the minimum level of
reserve spell needed. The save DC (if applicable) is equal to
10 + the level of the highest-level reserve spell you have
available + your Charisma modifier.
Aquatic Breath [Reserve]
Your reservoir of magic allows you to breathe normally even
underwater.
Reserve Spell: 3rd level [water].
Benefit: You can breathe normally in both air and water.
This requires no activation.
Source: Complete Mage.
Arcane Blade [Combat, Reserve]
You draw upon your arcane power to enhance your weapons.
Reserve Spell: 1st level arcane.
Source: This feat supersedes the Tattooed Mystic’s
prestige class feature of the same name from Paths of
Prestige.
Warmage [Combat, Evocation]
Prerequisite: Int 13, eldritch blast ability; able to cast
Evocation spells.
Benefit: Whenever you cast a spell or use a spell-like ability
that deals hit point damage, you add your Intelligence bonus
to the damage dealt. If the spell deals damage for more than
one round, it deals this extra damage in each round.
Source: This feat supersedes the “warmage edge” class
feature, from Complete Arcane.
Benefit: As a swift action, you can imbue your weapons
with a fraction of your power (despite the name of the feat,
any weapons, including unarmed attacks but excluding spells,
can be affected). For 1 round, your weapons gain an
enhancement bonus to damage equal to the level of the
highest-level reserve spell you have available, and are treated
as magic for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
Special: If you have a spell with the [force] descriptor
prepared (or known, with remaining slots of that level) your
Arcane Blade attacks deal normal damage to incorporeal
creatures. This supersedes the Arcane Strike feat from the
core rules and also the Blade of Force feat from Complete
Mage.
Clap of Thunder [Reserve]
You can deliver a thunderous roar with a touch.
Reserve Spell: 3rd level evocation [sonic].
Benefit: You can deliver a melee touch attack as a standard
action that does not provoke an attack of opportunity. This
attack deals ld6 points of sonic damage per level of the
highest-level reserve spell you have available. Additionally, the
subject must succeed on a Fortitude save or be deafened for
1 round.
Source: Complete Mage.
Daunting Visage [Reserve]
Reserve Spell: 1st level (any).
Benefit: As a free action, arcane power surges through you,
causing you to seemingly grow taller and more menacing.
You gain an enhancement bonus to Bluff checks to intimidate
equal to the level of the highest-level reserve spell you have
available.
Source: This feat emulates the Arcanist’s aspect of power
of the same name, from Iron Heroes (Fiery Dragon
Productions).

Dimensional Jaunt [Reserve]
With a single step, you can cross an entire room.
Reserve Spell: 4th level conjuration [teleportation].
Benefit: You can spend a standard action to teleport
yourself and carried objects up to your heavy load a distance
of 5 feet per level of the highest-level reserve spell you have
available. You can teleport only to a location that you can see
(including one you are currently scrying). You can't bring
along another creature (except for a familiar).
Source: Complete Mage.
Dimensional Reach [Reserve]
You can transport small objects to you.
Reserve Spell: 3rd level conjuration [summoning].
Benefit: You can transport small items directly into your
hand as a standard action. You must have line of sight to an
item you wish to transport in this way, and it must be
unattended. This ability works at a range of up to 5 feet per
level of the highest-level summoning spell you have available
to cast, and the item can weigh up to 2 pounds per level of
that spell.
Source: Complete Mage.
Drowning Glance [Reserve]
Reserve Spell: 4th level [water].
Benefit: You can use a standard action to transform a
small portion of the air in a living creature's lungs to water,
making it difficult for the creature to breathe. The subject
must be within 30 feet. The target becomes exhausted for 1
round; if it succeeds on a Fortitude save, it is instead fatigued
for 1 round. Creatures that can breathe water (or who don't
breathe) are immune to this effect.
Source: Complete Mage.
Face-Changer [Reserve, Skill]
Your mastery of illusions allows you to subtly alter your
appearance at whim.
Prerequisite: Perform (acting) 6 ranks.
Reserve Spell: 3rd level Illusion [glamer].
Benefit: You can alter your appearance as the spell
disguise self, except that the duration lasts up to 1 hour per
level of the highest-level glamer spell you have available to
cast and the maximum enhancement bonus to your Perform
(acting) check is based on the level of your reserve spell (+10
at 3rd, etc., as described in Chapter 7) This illusory
transformation requires a standard action to activate.
If you have at least 11 ranks in Perform (acting), you can
activate this ability as a move action.
If you have at least 16 ranks in Perform (acting), you can
activate this ability as a swift action.
Source: Complete Mage. This feat also supersedes the
Veiled Illusionist’s veil pool prestige class feature from Paths
of Prestige.
Fiery Burst [Reserve]
Fiery Burst [Reserve]
You channel your magical talent into a blast of fire.
Reserve Spell: 2nd level [fire].
Benefit: You can spend a standard action to create a 5-ft.-
radius burst of fire at a range of 30 feet. This burst deals ld6
points of fire damage per level of the highest-level [fire] spell
you have available to cast. A successful Reflex save halves the
damage.
Source: Complete Mage.
Gloom Attack [Reserve]
Prerequisite: Sneak attack +2d6.
Reserve Spell: 2nd level [darkness].
Benefit: Your sneak attack creates an aura of magical
darkness that impedes your target's vision for 1 round per
level of the highest-level reserve spell you have available. The
target takes a -4 blindness penalty to Perception checks and
treats all other creatures as having concealment. Neither
darkvision nor low-light vision pierces this effect, though the
ability to see through magical darkness does. Any spell with
the [light] descriptor suppresses the effect.
Source: Drow of the Underdark.
Hexblade’s Curse [Reserve]
Reserve Spell: 1st level Necromancy.
Benefit: You can unleash a curse upon a foe as a standard
action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity. The
target must be visible and within 60 ft. The target takes a
profane penalty to attacks, saves, ability checks, skill checks,
and weapon damage rolls equal to the level of the highest-
level necromancy spell you have available to cast; this penalty
lasts for 1 hour. A successful Intuition save negates the curse.
Multiple hexblade curses do not stack, and any creature
that successfully resists the effects cannot be affected by your
hexblade curse for 24 hours.
Special: If you choose to expend a prepared spell or spell
slot while using this ability, the curse’s penalty (based on the
level of the spell sacrificed) also applies to attack rolls and
saving throws for 1 minute. A successful save reduces the
penalty to -1.
You can inflict a hexblade curse through a weapon attack,
subject to the activating conditions of a [Strike] feat (q.v.). You
can choose whether to expend a spell after determining
whether the attack hits.
Source: This feat supersedes the Hexblade class feature of
the same name from Complete Warrior, and also the
Spellthief’s Cursed Blow substitution feature from Dragon
magazine, issue 353.
Invisible Needle [Reserve]
You can create tiny darts of force.
Reserve Spell: 3rd level Evocation [force].
Benefit: You can use a standard action to hurl a tiny
needle-shaped projectile created from pure force. This attack
requires a successful ranged attack roll (not a ranged touch
attack), and the dart has a range of 10 feet per level of the
highest-level [force] spell you have remaining. The needle
deals ld4 points of force damage per level of the highest-level
[force] spell you have available. Because it is composed of
force, the needle can strike incorporeal creatures.
Source: Complete Mage.

Magic Disruption [Reserve]
You can use your powers of abjuration to interfere with
other casters' spells.
Reserve Spell: 3rd level Abjuration.
Benefit: You can attempt to interrupt another character's
spellcasting with a tiny burst of magic. As an immediate
action, you can force any character within 30 feet currently
casting a spell to make a Concentration check (DC 10 + twice
the level of the highest-level abjuration spell you have
available to cast + your Charisma modifier); if the check fails,
the spell's save DC and caster level are reduced by 2 (to a
minimum caster level of 1st).
Source: Complete Mage.
Mental Distraction [Reserve]
Your touch briefly clouds the mind of a foe, impeding its
efforts.
Reserve Spell: 3rd level Enchantment.
Benefit: You can cloud the mind of a creature within 30
feet as a standard action. The target takes a circumstance
penalty on its next single attack roll or Reflex saving throw
equal to the level of the highest-level enchantment spell you
have available to cast. If the target makes no attacks or Reflex
saves within a number of rounds equal to the magnitude of
the penalty, the effect ends. Multiple uses of this feat don't
stack. This is an enchantment (compulsion) effect.
Source: Complete Mage; the name was changed from
“Touch of Distraction” because no touch is required.
Minor Shapeshift [Reserve]
Your mastery of shapeshifting magic allows you to reshape
your flesh in small but significant ways.
Reserve Spell: 4th level Transmutation; or one use of
greater wild shape.
Benefit: You can spend a swift action to grant yourself one
of the following benefits:
Might: +2 racial bonus on melee damage rolls.
Mobility: +2 competence bonus on Acrobatics and
Athletics checks.
Savagery: Primary claw attack dealing 1d6 points of
damage (assuming Medium size).
Speed: +5-foot enhancement bonus to any one movement
mode you already possess.
Vigor: Temporary hit points equal to your HD.
The chosen benefit lasts for a number of rounds equal to
the level of the highest-level polymorph spell you have
available to cast, or the number of wild shape uses you have
left. If you activate this feat a second time while a previous
benefit is still in effect, the first benefit ends immediately.
Source: Complete Mage.
Mitigate Suffering [Domain,
Mitigate Suffering [Domain,
Reserve]
You can temporarily relieve ability damage.
Reserve Spell: 2nd level Necromancy [healing] or Healing
domain spell.
Benefit: You can temporarily relieve lost attribute points on
yourself or an ally. As a standard action, you can mitigate 1
point per level of the highest-level reserve spell you have
available to cast. These ability points can be applied to any
single damaged ability, raising it to a maximum of its starting
score.
Attribute points gained in this way disappear after 10
minutes, returning the subject to its previous damaged state
unless some other effect restores the lost attribute points
first. Multiple uses of this feat on the same damaged attribute
do not stack, but do re-set the duration.
Source: Complete Champion.
Mystic Backlash [Reserve]
Your magic corrupts the spells of your enemies.
Reserve Spell: 5th level Abjuration.
Benefit: As a standard action, with a successful melee
touch that does not provoke an attack of opportunity, you can
infuse another creature with baneful magic for a number of
rounds equal to the level of the highest-level abjuration spell
you have available. A successful Will save reduces this
duration to 1 round. For the duration of the effect, each time
the target completes the casting of a spell, it takes damage
equal to the level of the abjuration spell that determined the
effect's duration. Since the spell's casting has already been
completed, this doesn't count as damage dealt during casting.
Source: Complete Mage.
Shadow Step [Reserve]
Reserve Spell: 4th level illusion [shadow] or Shadow
bloodline spell, or Shade racial spell-like ability.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can step through a
normal shadow into the Plane of Shadow and reappear in
another normal shadow (as a spell-like ability). In this
manner, you can travel up to 5 feet per level of the highest-
level reserve spell you have available. This movement does
not provoke attacks of opportunity. Travel through the
Shadow Plane is imprecise; when you arrive, you re-enter 1
square off target, as per the rules for thrown splash weapons.
If this would place you in an occupied square, you instead
arrive in the nearest safe location.
You may also bring other willing creatures with you, but
their travel counts against the total distance you have
available (thus, if you have a 6th level illusion [shadow] spell
prepared, you and two companions could travel a total
distance of 10 feet). Your companions also re-enter off target
(roll location for each creature) and are cloaked in shadow for
1 round.
Special: If you are a wizard specializing in illusions (i.e., an
Illusionist), when you arrive, you are cloaked in shadow and
gain concealment as the blur spell for 1 round.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.

Shadow Veil [Reserve]
You draw wisps of darkness across your enemy's eyes,
obscuring the world around him.
Reserve Spell: 2nd level [darkness] or [shadow].
Benefit: You can obscure the vision of a subject within 30
feet as a standard action. If the subject fails an Intuition save,
it takes a circumstance penalty on Perception checks equal to
the level of the highest-level reserve spell you have available
for 1 round. In addition, it treats all other creatures and
objects as though they had partial concealment (miss chance
5% x the level of the highest-level reserve spell you have
available).
Source: Complete Mage.
Sickening Grasp [Reserve]
You wreak havoc with the inner organs of a target, causing it
to grow ill.
Reserve Spell: 1st level Necromancy or Pestilence
bloodline spell.
Benefit: As a melee touch attack that does not provoke
attacks of opportunity, you can require any living creature hit
to become sickened for a number of rounds equal to the level
of your highest-level reserve spell. The subject can reduce this
duration to 1 round with a successful Fortitude save.
Source: Complete Mage.
Storm Bolt [Reserve]
The electrical energy contained within your magic rages
inside you, begging to be released.
Reserve Spell: 3rd level Evocation [electricity].
Benefit: You can fire a line of electricity as a standard
action. This bolt has a length of 10 feet per level of the
highest-level reserve spell you have available; it deals ld6
points of electricity damage per level of the highest-level
electricity spell you have available (Reflex half).
Source: Complete Mage.
Swift Surge [Reserve]
Reserve Spell: Haste (or Blinding Speed fighter talent, etc.).
Benefit: You gain the following benefits; these bonuses
stack with the bonuses gained from the haste spell, if active.
A dodge bonus to attack rolls, AC, and Reflex saves equal
to half the level of reserve spell you have available or
active; and
An enhancement bonus to Acrobatics, Escape Artist, and
Stealth checks equal to half the level of reserve spell you
have available or active (round up).
Synergy: If you also have the Internalize Spell (haste) feat
(q.v.), as an additional effect, you can also move across the
surface of placid or flowing water, but not whitewater rapids
or stormy water, by making two move actions in a round. You
immediately sink any time you make a single move action in a
round or come to a complete stop while traversing water.
Source: This feat supersedes the Swiftblade prestige class
feature of the same name, and also the diligent rapidity
prestige class feature, from the Wizards of the Coast website.
Telekinetic Fist [Reserve]
Telekinetic Fist [Reserve]
Reserve Spell: 1st level Transmutation.
Benefit: As a standard action you can strike with a
telekinetic fist, targeting any foe within 30 feet as a ranged
touch attack. The telekinetic fist deals 1d6 points of
bludgeoning damage per level of the highest-level
transmutation spell you have available to cast. The telekinetic
fist is a 1st level spell-like ability.
Source: This is the transmuter’s 1st level school power
from the core rules, revised as a feat to make room for more
thematically-appropriate abilities (a transmuter can always
choose to take this feat in place of his or her 1st level school
power).
Umbral Shroud [Darkness, Reserve]
You control darkness and shadows.
Reserve Spell: 1st level [darkness] spell or Darkness
domain spell or Shadow bloodline spell, or shade racial spell-
like ability.
Benefit: Shadows and darkness appear to obey your will.
As a standard action, you can direct these shadows to
obscure the vision of one foe within 30 feet. If your target
fails an Intuition save, its attacks have a miss chance equal to
5% per level of the highest-level qualifying spell you have
available to cast. This effect lasts until the beginning of your
next turn.
Creatures that do not rely on sight are unaffected by this
effect, and those with Blind-Fight or similar abilities can fight
as they normally would.
As a secondary benefit, you gain darkvision out to 10 feet.
If you already have darkvision, its range increases by 10 feet.
Source: Complete Champion.
Wind-Guided Arrows [Reserve]
Your mastery of the wind allows you to alter the flight of a
ranged weapon.
Prerequisite: 2nd level [air].
Benefit: You can spend an immediate action to alter
slightly the course of an arrow, crossbow bolt, spear, or other
ranged weapon already in flight. You can't change the
weapon's target, but you can apply a circumstance bonus or
penalty on its attack roll equal to half the level of the highest-
level [air] spell you have available to cast.
This feat works only on thrown or projectile weapons; it
can't affect spells, powers, energy attacks, or the like.
Source: Complete Mage.
Winter’s Blast [Reserve]
The frozen magic within you can burst forth in a hail of frost.
Prerequisite: 2nd level Evocation [cold].
Benefit: You can create a cone-shaped burst of cold, with a
length and maximum width equal to 5 ft. x half the level of
the highest-level cold spell you have remaining. This cone
deals ld6 points of cold damage per level of the highest-level
cold spell you have available to cast (Reflex half).
Source: Complete Mage.
Combat Feats, General
All feats in this section have the [combat] descriptor, in
addition to any other descriptors listed.
Credible Threats: Some combat feats require a target to
represent a “credible threat.” For purposes of these feats, a
credible threat is an opponent with a CR greater than or
equal to your CR –2, who is actively in combat with you
and/or your allies with the intent and potential ability to
incapacitate and/or kill you. These feats do not apply against
helpless opponents, random vermin, etc.
Note that a creature’s CR can be estimated as a free action
using the Knowledge: Warfare skill, as described in Chapter
4.
Scaling by ¼ BAB: A number of combat feats, including
Combat Expertise and Power Attack, apply bonuses and/or
penalties equal to +/-1, with an additional +/-1 per 4 points of
base attack bonus. For convenience, a summary table is
included here:
Base Attack Bonus Feat Bonus/Penalty
+1 to +3 +1
+4 to +7 +2
+8 to +11 +3
+12 to +15 +4
+16 to +19 +5
+20 or above +6
Alert Bodyguard [Skill]
You are trained to share your alertness of danger with those
you protect.
Prerequisites: Perception 1 rank, Alertness.
Benefit: Choose one willing ally as a swift action. As long
as that ally remains within your reach and can hear you, he or
she gains the numerical benefit of your Alertness feat, using
your number of ranks in Perception.
If you have at least 6 ranks in Perception, the designated
ally also gains the rank-dependent benefits of your
Alertness feat (uncanny dodge, etc.)
If you have at least 11 ranks in Perception and the evasion
ability, the designated ally receives the benefits of evasion
as well. If he or she fails a Reflex save, you can attempt a
Reflex save at the same DC; if successful, you push your
ally out of the way (treat the save results as if your ally had
succeeded and you had rolled a natural 1).
If you have at least 16 ranks in Perception and improved
evasion, the designated ally also gains the effects of
improved evasion.
Source: This feat subsumes a number of the Bodyguard’s
prestige class features, from Dynasties and Demagogues
(Atlas Games).
Blind-Fight [Skill]
You are skilled at attacking opponents that you cannot
clearly perceive.
Prerequisite: BAB +1, Perception 1 rank.
Benefit: This feat provides a number of benefits, as well as
additional benefits as your skill in Perception improves.
In melee, every time you miss because of concealment,
you can reroll your miss chance percentile roll one time to
see if you actually hit.
You can deal precision damage (such as from a sneak
attack), against targets with concealment, but not total
concealment.
An invisible attacker gets no advantages related to hitting
you in melee. That is, you don’t lose your Dexterity bonus
to Armor Class, and the attacker doesn’t get the usual +2
circumstance bonus for being invisible. The invisible
attacker’s bonuses do still apply for ranged attacks,
however.
You do not need to make Acrobatics skill checks to move
at full speed while blinded.
As your base attack bonus and skill in Perception improve,
you gain the following additional abilities:
If your base attack bonus is at least +6 and you have at
least 6 ranks in Perception, you can also make attacks of
opportunity against opponents with total concealment.
If your base attack bonus is at least +11, you gain
blindsense with a radius of 5 ft. per 2 ranks in Perception
you have, and the effects of your Blind-Fight feat extend to
ranged attacks up to point blank range. Also, your melee
attacks and attacks within point blank range ignore the
miss chance for less than total concealment (you may still
reroll your miss chance percentile roll for total
concealment), and you can deal precision damage against
opponents with total concealment.
If your base attack bonus is at least +16, you gain
blindsight with a radius equal to 5 ft. per 2 ranks in
Perception you have.
Synergy: The rogue’s Opportune Strike class feature
applies to this feat.
Special: The Blind-Fight feat is of no use against a
character who is the subject of a blink spell.
Normal: Regular attack roll modifiers for invisible
attackers trying to hit you apply, and you lose your Dexterity
bonus to AC. The speed reduction for darkness and poor
visibility also applies.
Source: This feat now subsumes the Improved Blind
Fight, Greater Blind Fight, and Shadow Strike feats, from the
Advanced Player’s Guide.

Bolstered Resilience
Prerequisite: Damage reduction.
Benefit: As an immediate action, you can double your DR
against a single attack, to a maximum of DR 20. The type of
the DR remains unchanged. If the attack you are guarding
against is not successful, the increased damage reduction
persists until you are hit with an attack or until the start of
your next turn, whichever happens first. At the start of your
next turn, you become fatigued. You cannot use this feat while
you are already fatigued.
Source: Ultimate Combat.
Canny Defense
Prerequisite: Int, Wis, or Cha 13.
Benefit: Choose one mental attribute score (once chosen,
this cannot be changed). When wearing light armor or no
armor, and not carrying a medium or heavy load, you treat
that attribute modifier as an insight bonus to Armor Class
and CMD. This bonus applies even when you are flat-footed,
but not if you are immobilized or helpless.
Special: The AC bonus granted by this feat overlaps with
(does not stack with) the armor bonus granted by arcane
mage armor.
Synergy: You can gain the benefits of this feat when
wearing medium or heavy armor, but only if you are able to
reduce the armor skill check penalty to –0 (e.g., through the
Armor Training talent and/or sufficient ranks in Endurance
as a class skill).
Source: This feat supersedes the monk’s wisdom bonus to
AC and the duelist prestige class feature of the same name
from the core rules, and also the “Armor of the Senses”
variant class feature from Dragon magazine, issue 340.
Careful Attack [Finesse]
You are skilled at avoiding attacks of opportunity,
counterattacks, and reciprocal damage. This feat has had
many names historically, including jam and prix de fer
(“taking the iron”)
Prerequisites: Dodge, Weapon Finesse.
Benefit: You gain a +2 dodge bonus to AC against
counterattacks and attacks of opportunity. This bonus
increases by +1 per 4 points of your base attack bonus (to a
maximum of +7 at BAB +20).
When attacking a creature using fire shield or a similar
effect that damages creatures attacking it (such as a barbed
devil’s barbed defense), you reduce the damage from such
effects by an amount equal to your base attack bonus.
Source: This feat supersedes the Savage Warrior’s “careful
claw” variant class feature, from the Advanced Player’s
Guide, and also the Attack with Opposition feat from Art of
the Duel (Sinister Adventures LLC).
Cleave
Prerequisites: Str 13, base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: If you deal a creature enough damage to make it
drop (typically by dropping it to below 0 hit points or killing
it), you get an immediate attack of opportunity against
another creature within reach. The extra attack is with the
same weapon and at the same bonus as the attack that
dropped the previous creature.
Synergy:
If you also have the Combat Reflexes feat, you can use
Cleave multiple times in a round. If your base attack bonus
is +6 or higher, you can take a 5-ft. step between each
attack when cleaving. The maximum number of such
steps you can take is limited by your speed (e.g., 4 steps
maximum for a character with a speed of 20 ft.). This does
not give you the ability to take a 5-ft. step when you would
normally be unable to (such as due to difficult terrain).
This supersedes the Supreme Cleave prestige class
feature of the Knight Protector and Frenzied Berserker,
from Complete Warrior.
If you also have the Staredown feat, if you make an
additional attack thanks to Cleave and drop your target
with that attack, all enemies witnessing the event are
affected as if by your Staredown feat. This is an
extraordinary mind-affecting fear effect that does not
require an action on your part. This supersedes the
Terrifying Warrior feat from Dragon magazine, issue 343.
Source: 3.5 edition System Reference Document. The
Pathfinder version of Cleave has been merged with
Whirlwind Attack into the Whirlwind Strike feat (q.v.).
Combat Awareness
You have an uncanny ability to sense the ebb and flow of your
opponents’ vitality.
Prerequisite: Wis 13, base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: During melee combat, you automatically know
whether each adjacent creature is fatigued or exhausted.
During non-combat situations, gaining this knowledge
requires a standard action. This ability scales with your base
attack bonus:
BAB +4: This ability extends to every creature you can
see, not merely those adjacent to you.
BAB +8: You automatically know if an unmoving creature
you see is faking it, comatose, dying, or actually dead.
BAB +12: You know the exact hit point total of every
adjacent creature.
BAB +16: You know the exact hit point total of every
creature you can see.
Synergy: The rogue’s Opportune Strike ability (Chapter 3)
also applies to this feat.
Source: Players Handbook II.

Combat Reflexes
You can make additional attacks of opportunity and other
immediate actions.
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: The maximum number of immediate actions you
can take in a round is equal to 1 + your Dexterity bonus (or 1
+ the number derived from your base attack bonus, whichever
is higher). You gain additional options depending on your
base attack bonus, as follows:
If your base attack bonus is at least +6, you may make an
attack of opportunity whenever an opponent you threaten
draws a weapon, readies or looses a shield, or attempts to
feint in combat (even with the Improved Feint feat). You
are able to make attacks of opportunity even when you are
flat-footed.
If your base attack is at least +11, your successful attacks
of opportunity interfere with the actions that provoked
them. Those actions are not completed, but are not lost,
either; they can be re-attempted immediately (which likely
provokes an additional attack of opportunity from you).
You can make attacks of opportunity (when provoked)
even against foes with cover (but not total cover).
If your base attack bonus is at least +16, there is no limit
to the number of immediate actions you can make in one
round. You still can’t make more than one attack of
opportunity or other immediate action for a given
opportunity, however. You can make attacks of opportunity
even against opponents with total concealment.
Synergy: If you have this feat and at least one Strike feat
(q,v.), you can add the effects of one strike to an attack of
opportunity. If you do so, you cannot make more than one
attack of opportunity that round.
Special: This feat does not allow more than one
counterattack using the Riposte fighter talent.
Normal: A character without this feat can make only one
attack of opportunity per round, +1 per 5 points of BAB
thereafter (Chapter 1). You cannot make attacks of
opportunity while flat-footed, or against an opponent with
partial cover or total concealment.
Source: This feat also subsumes the Epic Combat Reflexes
feat from the 3.5 edition System Reference Document (“Epic
Feats”); the Canny Opportunist feat from Dragon magazine,
issue 340; the Deft Opportunist feat from Complete
Adventurer; the Warblade’s “battle mastery” class feature
from the Tome of Battle and the “exotic reach” Exotic
Weapon Master stunt from Complete Warrior. Paired with
the Staggering Strike feat, it subsumes the Flowing Monk’s
“unbalancing counter” from Ultimate Combat. Paired with
the Vital Strike feat, it subsumes the Impressive Cleave feat
from the Collected Book of Experimental Might (Malhavoc
Press).
Critical Focus
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +6.
Benefit: You receive a +4 circumstance bonus on attack
rolls made to confirm critical hits. at +8 BAB this feat become
Improved Critical (effectively merging the two)
Synergy: If you also have at least one Strike feat (q.v.), you
can apply the effects of that strike to any confirmed critical
hit, even if none of the normal conditions were met. This has
the normal effects unless otherwise noted in that feat
description. You still cannot add more than one strike effect
to a given attack unless you also have the Striking Mastery
feat (q.v.).
Special: You can apply the effects of only one strike to any
given blow, unless you also have the Striking Mastery feat
(q.v.).
Critical, Dodge
You can turn even the luckiest blow into a grazing strike.
Prerequisites: Uncanny Dodge.
Benefit: You gain a +1 circumstance bonus to AC for
purposes of confirming critical hits against you. This bonus
increases by +1 per 4 points of your base attack bonus.
In addition, you can attempt a Reflex saving throw to turn a
critical hit against you into a normal hit. The save DC is equal
to 10 + the attacker’s BAB + attacker’s Strength bonus (for
melee attacks) or Wisdom bonus (for ranged attacks). The
bonus you receive from this feat applies as a circumstance
bonus to this save. You must be aware of the attack and not
flat-footed, and you must declare the attempt before damage
is rolled.
Source: This feat supersedes the Darkwood Stalker
prestige class feature of the same name from Complete
Warrior, and also subsumes the Deny the Lethal Strike feat
from Relics & Rituals: Excalibur (Sword & Sorcery Studios).
Crowd Control
You are skilled at making multiple assailants interfere with
each other’s attacks.
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +1, Alertness.
Benefit: As long as you have at least one immediate action
available to you in a round, when threatened by more than
one opponent you gain a circumstance bonus to AC equal to
the total number of opponents threatening you. This bonus
also applies to melee attack rolls you make against those
opponents. The effects of this feat do not apply when you are
flat-footed or otherwise denied your Dexterity bonus to AC.
This ability scales with your base attack bonus, as follows:
BAB +4: Whenever you damage an opponent with a melee
attack, until the start of your next turn, that opponent does
not gain any circumstance bonus on attack rolls against
you from Aid Another (for example, while it is flanking
you) and cannot deal sneak attack damage to you. It can
still provide Aid Another bonuses for its allies.
BAB +8: Any opponent you damage in melee gains no Aid
Another bonuses or flanking, and cannot provide them to
others, until the end of your next turn.
BAB +12: Opponents adjacent to you do not provide Aid
Another bonuses or flanking to their allies.
BAB +16: Opponents adjacent to you cannot provide or
benefit from circumstance bonuses of any kind.
BAB +20: The effects apply to all opponents within reach,
not merely those adjacent to you.
 Source: This feat subsumes the Urban Barbarian’s variant
class feature of the same name, and also the Flanking Foil
feat and the Flowing Monk’s “flowing dodge” variant class
feature, from Ultimate Combat. It also supersedes the chaotic
good paladin’s Stand Against the Tide variant class feature
from the Book of Hallowed Might (Malhavoc Press), the
swarm tactics stance from the Tome of Battle, and the
“cornered predator” option of the Reaping Talons feat (also
from the Tome of Battle).
Defensive Combat Training
You have been trained to defend yourself from a variety of
combat maneuvers.
Benefit: You treat your total Hit Dice as your base attack
bonus when calculating your Combat Maneuver Defense. If
your base attack bonus is equal to your Hit Dice, you instead
gain a +4 competence bonus to CMD.
Defensive Rebuke
You are better able to defend your allies against a
designated enemy whose mettle you have tested.
Prerequisites: Shared Shield feat or Challenge class
feature
Benefit: When you strike an opponent with a melee attack,
you can select that opponent as the target of this feat. For the
remainder of the encounter, any time that enemy attacks one
of your allies (not you), he or she provokes an attack of
opportunity from you by doing so (and is aware of this fact).
This feat can be applied to only one target per encounter.
Source: This feat duplicates the Crusader’s boost of the
same name, from the Tome of Battle.
Dodge
Prerequisites: Dex 13.
Benefit: You gain a +1 dodge bonus to AC and CMD. Any
condition that makes you lose your Dexterity bonus to AC
also makes you lose the benefits of this feat.
If you meet the following conditions, the dodge bonus
increases by +1 for every four points of your base attack
bonus (to a maximum of +6 at BAB +20). These conditions
are:
You are not wearing armor (or are wearing armor for
which you have a –0 armor check penalty);
You are not carrying a shield; and
You are not carrying a medium or heavy load.
Synergy: Certain classes can gain the scaling benefits of
this feat even if some of the normal conditions do not apply,
as follows:
An unarmored barbarian can use a shield and still gain
the scaling dodge bonus.
A fighter gains the scaling bonus to AC even when
armored and/or carrying a shield, as long as his or her
total armor check penalty is –0.
A monk applies the dodge bonus from this feat even when
flat-footed.
The rogue’s Opportune Strike class feature applies when
determining the effects of this feat.
Source: This feat now simulates the monk’s scaling bonus
to AC, and also the Free Hand Fighter’s “elusive” variant class
feature (from the Advanced Player’s Guide).
Feint, Disengaging [Skill]
Prerequisite: Bluff 1 rank.
Benefit: As a standard action, use Bluff to feint against an
opponent. Instead of denying that opponent his Dexterity
bonus to AC, a successful feint allows you to move up to your
speed without provoking an attack of opportunity from the
opponent you feinted for leaving the square you start in.
If you have at least 6 ranks in Bluff, as a standard action
you can make a Bluff check against all opponents
currently threatening you. If you succeed against at least
one opponent, you can move up to your speed. This
movement does not provoke attacks of opportunity from
any opponent you succeeded at feinting against.
If you have at least 11 ranks in Bluff, whenever you use
this ability, you can make a single melee attack against
one opponent you succeeded at feinting against. That
opponent is denied his Dexterity bonus to AC against this
attack.
If you have at least 16 ranks in Bluff, you can make a full
attack as you disengage; opponents you succeeded in
Bluffing are denied their Dex bonuses to AC against these
attacks.
Source: Ultimate Combat. This feat also subsumes the
Disengaging Flourish and Disengaging Shot feats.
Feint, Improved [Finesse, Skill]
Prerequisites: Weapon Finesse, Bluff 1 rank.
Benefit: You can make a Bluff check to feint in combat as a
move action. In addition to feinting normally, you can instead
choose to feint defensively (the “baffling defense”), using your
Bluff results in place of your AC for the next attack made
against you.
Your ability to feint continues to improve with your skill in
Bluff, as follows:
If you have at least 6 ranks in Bluff, whenever you use
feint to cause an opponent to lose his Dexterity bonus, he
loses that bonus against all threatening opponents until
the beginning of your next turn, in addition to losing his
Dexterity bonus against your next attack. If you use
baffling defense, you can use your Bluff results against all
attacks you are aware of that round.
If you have at least 11 ranks in Bluff, you can feint in
combat (offensively or using the baffling defense) as a
swift action.
If you have at least 16 ranks in Bluff, all opponents with
CMD less than 10 + your Bluff skill bonus automatically
lose their Dex bonus to AC against your attacks.
Special: In addition to the above benefits, you gain a +2
competence bonus with other tricky maneuvers (as described
in Chapter 1); thus bonus increases by +1 per 4 ranks in Bluff
you possess.
Normal: Feinting in combat is a standard action, and is
always offensive. Creatures you feint lose their Dexterity
bonus against your next attack only.
Source: This feat subsumes the Greater Feint feat from
the Pathfinder core rules, the Surprising Riposte feat from
Drow of the Underdark, the Invisible Blade’s “uncanny feint”
prestige class feature from Complete Warrior, and the
Swordsage’s baffling defense counter from the Tome of
Battle.
Fight On
You call on deep reserves to continue fighting.
Benefit: Once per day as an immediate action, you can
grant yourself a number of temporary hit points equal to 1d8
+ your Constitution modifier. These temporary hit points last
up to 1 minute per character level you possess, or until lost.
The number of temporary hit points increases by an
additional 1d8 hp per 5 points of your base attack bonus, to a
maximum equal to 5d8 + your Constitution modifier at BAB
+20.
Special: If you are at 0 or hp or less when you use this feat,
the effects are Maximized (as if by the Maximize Spell feat).
You can use this feat to prevent yourself from dying.
You can gain this feat multiple times; each time, you gain
an additional daily use.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide. This feat also
supersedes the Increased Vigor and Greater Increased Vigor
feats from the Collected Book of Experimental Might
(Malhavoc Press).
Flanking, Improved
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: When you provide or receive an Aid Another
attack bonus in combat (Chapter 1), the total bonus improves
by +1. For every 4 points of your base attack bonus, this
bonus improves by an additional +1 (maximum total bonus of
+6 at BAB +16).
If your base attack bonus is at least +11, allies for whom
you provide an Aid Another bonus to attacks deal an
additional 1d6 points of precision damage with each
successful melee attack against the flanked opponent.
This bonus damage stacks with other sources of precision
damage, such as sneak attack, but is not multiplied on a
critical hit.
If your base attack bonus is at least +16, your allies gain
+2d6 damage, rather than +1d6.
Synergy: The rogue’s Opportune Strike class feature
applies to this feat.
When combined with the Distracting Strike feat (q.v.), this
feat supersedes the Nightsong Infiltrator’s “teamwork sneak
attack” prestige class feature, from Complete Adventurer.
Normal: An Aid Another bonus in combat provides a flat
+2 bonus on attacks (or +1 for additional aid), and no damage
bonus unless the sneak attack ability is possessed.
Source: This feat supersedes the Swashbuckler class
feature of the same name, from Complete Warrior, the
Vexing Flanker feat from Player’s Handbook II, the Superior
Flanking feat from Dragon magazine (issue 343), and the
Precise Assault feat from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Giant-Slayer
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +1, Acrobatics 5 ranks; or
dwarf or Small sized race.
Benefit: You gain a +4 dodge bonus to your Armor Class
against giants, or a +1 dodge bonus against any non-giant
creature two or more size categories larger than yourself.
This benefit does not apply if you lose your Dex bonus to AC,
or if your speed is reduced by wearing armor. You also gain a
+1 racial bonus to attacks and damage against creatures at
least one size category larger than you are.
For every 4 points of your base attack bonus, these racial
modifiers increase by +1, to a maximum AC bonus of +9 vs.
giants (+6 vs. others), and maximum attack and damage
bonuses of +6.
Synergy: If you also have one or more Improved Combat
Maneuvers feats, you can treat opponents larger than you as
if they were smaller when attempting appropriate maneuvers
against them. This effective reduction reduces the opponent’s
size bonus to CMB and CMD against you (this does not stack
with the racial bonus to attacks granted to you by this feat),
and also permits you to perform maneuvers such as trip
against opponents that would normally be too large to affect,
as follows:
BAB Effective Size Reduction
+1 1 step (e.g., Huge to Large)
+6 2 steps (e.g., Gargantuan to Large)
+11 3 steps (e.g., Colossal to Large)
+16 4 steps (e.g., Colossal to Medium)
You gain additional advantages if you meet a minimum
number of ranks in Acrobatics, as follows:
If your base attack bonus is at least +6 and you have at
least 6 ranks in Acrobatics (or are a gnome with BAB +6),
and you successfully use the Acrobatics skill enter the
space of a creature at least one size larger than you are
without provoking an attack of opportunity, then while you
and that opponent continue to occupy the same space the
opponent is treated as being flat-footed to your attacks.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher and you have at
least 11 ranks in Acrobatics (or are a dwarf or gnome with
BAB +11), you gain 50% cover against all attacks (+4
shield bonus to AC and Reflex saves), including those
made by the creature whose space you’re in, when sharing
the space of a creature at least one size larger than you
are.
Special: The rogue’s Opportune Strike ability applies to
this feat.
Source: This feat supersedes the Gnome Giant-Slayer Source: Tome of Battle. This feat also supersedes the
“Crafty Fighter” prestige class feature. The expanded use of Marshal’s over the top aura from the Miniatures Handbook,
the feat simulates the wolf climbs the mountain strike and the and the Battle Herald’s sound the charge command from the
giant killing style stance, from the Tome of Battle; the Low Advanced Player’s Guide.
Blow and Improved Low Blow feats from Races of Faerun;
and the Earth Child Topple feat from Ultimate Combat.
Initiative, Improved
Your quick reflexes allow you to react quickly to danger.
Benefit: You gain a +4 competence bonus on initiative
checks.
Initiative, Superior
Benefit: You gain a +2 insight bonus on initiative checks.
Special: You may select this feat multiple times; each time,
increase the bonus by an additional +2.
Source: 3.5 edition System Reference Document, “Epic
Feats.” This feat also supersedes the duelist’s Improved
Reaction prestige class feature, and the “gunslinger initiative”
class feature from the Pathfinder Ultimate Combat playtest.
Inspirational Victory
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +1, Knowledge (warfare) 1
rank.
Benefit: Once per encounter as a swift action, you may
designate an opponent who represents a credible threat as
the target of this feat. If you reduce that enemy to fewer than
0 hp during that encounter, your allies are heartened, and
gain a morale bonus equal to half your base attack bonus
(minimum +1) on all damage rolls for the remainder of the
encounter.
Source: This feat simulates the lion’s roar boost, from the
Tome of Battle.
Lead the Charge [Skill]
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +1, Knowledge (warfare) 1
rank.
Benefit: Whenever you personally lead a charge, other
charging allies within 60 ft. who can hear your voice gain a
+1 circumstance bonus to attacks made at the end of their
charge. This bonus increases by +1 per 4 ranks in Knowledge
(warfare) you possess. Affected allies gain a competence
bonus to speed while charging equal to 5 ft. x the attack
bonus granted by this feat, as shown in the table.
In addition, each affected ally deals bonus damage on his
or her first successful charge attack as shown in the table
below, based on number of ranks in Knowledge (warfare),
whichever is lower. This bonus damage is not multiplied on a
successful critical hit.
You can use this feat only once per encounter.
Skill Ranks Attack Damage Speed
+1 to +3 +1 +0 +5 ft.
+4 to +7 +2 +1d6 +10 ft.
+8 to +11 +3 +2d6 +15 ft.
+12 to +15 +4 +3d6 +20 ft.
+16 to +19 +5 +4d6 +25 ft.
+20 +6 +5d6 +30 ft.

Mounted Combat [Skill]
You are adept at fighting from horseback and at guiding
your mount through combat.
Prerequisites: Handle Animal 1 rank.
Benefit: While you are mounted, you and your mount
receive a +1 circumstance bonus to damage against
opponents adjacent to your mount. This bonus increases by
an additional +1 per 5 ranks in Handle Animal thereafter
(maximum +4 at 16 ranks).
If you have at least 6 ranks in Handle Animal, when your
mount is hit in combat, you may spend an attack of
opportunity to attempt a Handle Animal check to negate
the hit. The hit is negated if your check result is greater
than the opponent’s attack roll.
If you have at least 11 ranks in Handle Animal, you can
also choose to make Handle Animal checks in place of
your mount’s saving throws, at the same action cost.
If you have at least 16 ranks in Handle Animal, you and
your mount suffer no armor check penalty on skill checks
while mounted. When charging, you may jump from you
mount toward your target. If you jump 10 feet, your charge
modifiers on attack rolls and to AC are doubled and you
are still considered mounted for purposes of damage,
mounted combat feats, and so on. This supersedes the
Dragoon’s “leaping lance” ability from Ultimate Combat.
Synergy: Mounted Combat can be combined with other
feats in various ways:
If you have the Improved Overrun feat, you can perform
overrun maneuvers using your mount. When calculating
the CMB, use the mount’s size modifier. Apply your base
attack bonus and Strength bonus or your mount’s,
whichever is higher. When you attempt to overrun an
opponent while mounted, your target cannot choose to
avoid you. Your mount may make one hoof attack against
any target you knock down, gaining the standard +4 bonus
on attack rolls against prone targets. These benefits
supersede the Trample feat.
If you also have the Improved Bull Rush feat, when
charging an opponent while mounted and wielding a
lance, resolve the attack as normal. If it hits, you may
immediately make a free bull rush attempt in addition to
the normal damage. If successful, the target is knocked off
his horse and lands prone in a space adjacent to his
mount that is directly away from you.
If you have the Improved Weapon Maneuvers feat and
your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, you can make a
check, disarm, or sunder maneuver as a free action any
time you successfully perform a mounted charge against
an opponent. This free combat maneuver does not
provoke an attack of opportunity.
If you have the Skirmish feat, the benefits apply to both
you and your mount (including hoof attacks made while
overrunning an opponent, if applicable).
Source: This feat now subsumes the Pathfinder Trample
and Unhorse feats; the roughrider fighter’s Mounted Mettle
variant class feature from the Advanced Player’s Guide; part
of the cavalier’s Mighty Charge class feature, also from the
Advanced Player’s Guide; and also the Power of the Steed
feat from the Collected Book of Experimental Might
(Malhavoc Press) and the Indomitable Mount feat from Cities
of Golarion.
Multiattack
Prerequisite: Multiple attacks.
Benefit: This feat, when chosen, applies either to (a)
iterative attacks with a primary weapon, (b) iterative attacks
with secondary (off-hand) weapons, or (c) secondary natural
attacks (your choice). The attack penalties for secondary
attacks or iterative attacks (depending on which option you
selected) are reduced by 3. For example, a character with
iterative attacks at +11/+6/+6 could take this feat and have
attacks +11/+9/+9 instead.
Special: You may select the feat multiple times. The effects
do not stack. Each time, select a different attack mode.
No Retreat
Prerequisite: Combat Reflexes.
Benefit: Whenever a foe within reach attempts to take a 5-
foot step away from you, you may also make a 5-foot or 10-
foot step as an immediate action, so long as you end up
adjacent to the foe that triggered this ability. This ability can
be used against only one opponent per turn.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, when using this
feat to follow an opponent, you receive an attack of
opportunity against that opponent if the movement from
this feat puts you within reach. Against enemies you
threaten that take a withdraw action, you can choose to
forego pursuit and instead make an attack of opportunity.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or greater, you can move
any distance up to your normal speed in pursuit, rather
than being limited to 10 feet. This movement does not
provoke attacks of opportunity.
Normal: You gain no free movement against foes who step
away. The withdraw action does not provoke attacks of
opportunity.
Sources: This feat supersedes the duelist prestige class
feature of the same name, and also the Step Up feat from the
Pathfinder core rules, and the Following Step and Step Up
and Strike feats from the Advanced Player’s Guide. It also
emulates the Swordsage’s mirrored pursuit and stalking
shadow counters from the Tome of Battle.

Opportunist, Draw Attack
Prerequisites: Dex 15, Bluff 1 rank, Combat Reflexes.
Benefit: When an opponent makes an attack of opportunity
against you, you may immediately make an attack of
opportunity against that foe. Using this feat counts against
your total number of attacks of opportunity in a round.
Synergy:
If you also have the Improved Feint feat, you can feint so
as to intentionally provoke an attack of opportunity from
one melee opponent. If your enemy takes advantage of this
opportunity, you gain an immediate counterattack as
noted above. The target of this feat is permitted an
opposed Bluff check (against your feint) to see the feigned
opening for what it is.
If you have the Distracting Strike feat, you can activate it
automatically as part of the attack of opportunity you gain
from the use of this feat, even if the normal conditions are
not met.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher and you have
the Improved Critical and Killing Stroke feats (q.v.), as a
full attack you can allow one target in melee to deliver a
coup de grâce against you as if you were helpless (the
target must still hit you, is subject to any miss chance it
would normally have against you, and may decide to
forego the attack in any event). If the target decides to take
this opening and hits you, you may immediately attempt a
single coup de grâce attack against it as if it were helpless
(even if the opponent’s attack simultaneously incapacitates
or kills you). Your coup de grâce requires a roll to hit but is
not subject to any miss chances, for you are using your
target's attack as a guide for your own attack, even if the
target is invisible, in total darkness, under the effects of a
displacement spell, and so on. You and your target still
provoke attacks of opportunity from threatening
opponents as normal.
Source: Collected Book of Experimental Might (Malhavoc
Press). It also subsumes the Swordsage’s feigned opening
counter from the Tome of Battle, the Broken Wing Gambit
and Panther Style feats from Ultimate Combat, the orc
Reverse-Feint feat from the Advanced Race Guide, and the
Reciprocal Slaying feat from Sean K Reynolds’ web site.
Power Attack
Prerequisites: Str 13, base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: You can choose to take a –1 penalty on all melee
attack rolls and combat maneuver checks to gain a +2
circumstance bonus on all melee damage rolls. This bonus to
damage is increased by half (+50%) if you are making an
attack with a two-handed weapon, a one handed weapon
using two hands, or a primary natural weapon that adds 1½
times your Strength modifier on damage rolls. This bonus to
damage is halved (–50%) if you are making an attack with an
off-hand weapon or secondary natural weapon.
When your base attack bonus reaches +4, and every 4
points thereafter, the penalty increases by –1 and the bonus
to damage increases by +2. You must choose to use this feat
before making an attack roll, and its effects last until your
next turn. The bonus damage does not apply to touch attacks
or effects that do not deal hit point damage.
Power Attack, Furious Focus
Even in the midst of fierce and furious blows, you can find
focus in the carnage and your seemingly wild blows strike
home.
Prerequisites: Str 13, Power Attack.
Benefit: When you are wielding a two-handed weapon or a
one-handed weapon with two hands, and using the Power
Attack feat, you do not suffer Power Attack’s penalty on melee
attack rolls on the first attack you make each turn. You still
suffer the penalty on any additional attacks, including attacks
of opportunity.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Practiced Fighter
Prerequisite: At least one fighter talent.
Benefit: Treat your effective fighter level as 4 higher than is
actually the case, to a maximum effective fighter level equal
to your total hit dice. This applies to your weapon training
class feature, and also when determining the effects of fighter
talents such as Armor Training. It does not grant you
additional fighter talents or feats, more advanced fighter
talents, or any other benefits of the fighter class.
Special: The effects of feat stack with class synergy
features improving your effective fighter level; this a specific
exception to the non-stacking rule. Your total limit based on
effective character level, as described in Chapter 1, remains in
force.
Press the Advantage
Benefit: Whenever you take a 5-ft. step in a round, you can
also take one additional 5-ft. step as a free action as long as
you then end your movement for the round.
You can instead take a single 5-ft. step into difficult terrain,
but cannot then take the second 5-ft. step.
Source: Tome of Battle.
Shatter Defenses [Skill]
Prerequisites: BAB +6, Bluff 6 ranks, Staredown.
Benefit: You treat any shaken, frightened, or panicked
opponent as flat-footed to your attacks.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or greater and you have at
least 11 ranks in Bluff, creatures within your reach who start
their turns with the shaken, frightened, or panicked condition
provoke attacks of opportunity from you.
Synergy: If you have the Vital Strike feat, it always applies
against flat-footed opponents, even on a full attack.
Normal: Conditions do not provoke attacks of opportunity;
demoralized opponents are merely shaken, not cowering.
Source: This feat subsumes the Pathfinder RPG feat of the
same name, as well as the Avenging Executioner’s “dread
blade” prestige class feature from Complete Scoundrel and
the Imperious Command feat from Drow of the Underdark.

Skirmish
Prerequisite: Dex 13, base attack bonus +6, Dodge.
Benefit: You can move your full speed and still make a full
attack that round. Because this is a full attack, rather than a
standard action, abilities that require a single attack as a
standard action do not apply (except as described hereafter).
With this feat, you can also make a full attack at the end of a
charge.
Synergy: If you also have the Vital Strike feat and fulfill the
following conditions, you can apply your Vital Strike damage
to iterative attacks while moving (but not other strike feats,
nor improvements to Vital Strike damage from the Mountain
Hammer talent):
You must use your full movement and all your attacks on
your turn (without holding or foregoing any movement or
attacks);
You must move at least 5 ft. between attacks, unless you
also have the Spring Attack feat;
Movement must be generally in a straight line (with no
turn of more than 45 degrees), unless you also have the
Spring Attack feat.
Additional Vital Strike damage applies only against
creatures that have not yet acted that round. If you have a
speed of at least 40 ft., you also gain a +1 competence bonus
to AC per die of Vital Strike damage while performing this
maneuver. This extra damage applies to ranged attacks, but
only if the target is within point blank range (normally 30
feet, although this can be expanded with the Point-Blank
Shot feat).
Synergy: If you also have the Mounted Combat feat, you
can use this feat while mounted, using your mount’s speed
rather than yours.
Source: This feat supersedes the Scout class feature and
the Highland Stalker prestige class feature of the same name,
from Complete Adventurer. It also subsumes the Flyby
Attack, Ride-By Attack, and Shot on the Run feats from the
core rules, and the Dire Charge feat from the 3.5 edition
System Reference Document (“Epic Feats”).
Spring Attack
Prerequisites: Dex 13, Acrobatics 6 ranks, Dodge.
Benefit: You can freely interspace movement and attacks,
as long as any movement taken is in 5-ft. increments, and the
total does not exceed half your speed (or your full speed, if
you also have the Skirmish feat). Movement can be in any
direction you choose, including backwards.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or greater, opponents
targeted by your attacks cannot make attacks of
opportunity against you in response to your movement.
If your base attack bonus is at least +11 and you have at
least 5 ft. of movement in reserve as a held action, you can
use this movement to take a 5-ft. step as an immediate
action to remove yourself from a threatened square. Done
in response to an attack, this can actually cause the attack
to miss, whistling through the space you just vacated.
Special: When you charge, you can make turns of up to 90
degrees during your movement. All other restrictions on
charges still apply; for instance, you cannot pass through a
square that blocks or slows movement, or that contains a
creature (unless you have the Improved Overrun feat and
overrun that creature). You must have line of sight to the
opponent at the start of your turn.
Source: This feat now subsumes the Bounding Assault
and Rapid Blitz feats from the Players Handbook II, and also
the Focused Charge feat from the 3.5 edition System
Reference Document (“Psionic Feats”) and the shifting
defense maneuver from the Tome of Battle.
Staredown [Skill]
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +1, Bluff 1 rank.
Benefit: As a full-round action, you can make a demoralize
check (see Bluff skill) against all foes within 30 feet who can
see you, without the normal “mass demoralize” penalty.
As your base attack bonus and number of ranks in Bluff
improve, the speed at which you can intimidate nearby
opponents also improves, as described below.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher and you have at
least 6 ranks in Bluff, you can demoralize opponents
within 30 ft. as a move action.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher and you have at
least 11 ranks in Bluff, you can demoralize opponents
within 30 ft. as an attack action (using a later iterative
attack applies a penalty to the Bluff check equal to the
iterative attack penalty).
If your base attack bonus is at least +16 and you have at
least 16 ranks in Bluff, you gain the frightful presence
ability. When you draw a weapon, charge, or are in a rage,
your Staredown automatically affects opponents within 30
ft., without requiring an action on your part.
Synergy:
If you have at least 6 ranks in Bluff and also have the
Killing Stroke feat (q.v.), whenever you reduce an enemy to
0 or fewer hit points (whether using Killing Stroke or not),
you can also make a Bluff check to demoralize all enemies
within 30 feet as a free action. Enemies that cannot see
both you and the enemy you struck are unaffected. This
subsumes the Dreadful Carnage feat from the Advanced
Player’s Guide, the Mortifying Attack feat from Champions
of Ruin, the Gory Finish feat from Ultimate Combat, the
Fountain of Blood boost from the Tome of Battle, and the
Ghost-Face Killer’s “frightful attack” prestige class feature
from Complete Adventurer.
Instead of only affecting targets who can see you, you can
also affect creatures within a darkness effect you create
(you can cast darkness and also use this ability as a single
full-round action). This supersedes the Nightmare Weaver
feat from Ultimate Combat.
Normal: Demoralizing multiple opponents applies a -2
penalty per individual to be demoralized. Demoralizing is a
standard action (see Bluff skill). Targets of demoralization
attempts must be within 30 ft. and able to see you.
Source: This feat supersedes the Dazzling Display feat from
the core rules, and the Kiai Shout and Improved Staredown
Samurai class features from Complete Warrior.
Stone Power
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: When you use an attack action or a full attack
action, you can take a -1 penalty to your attack rolls, with an
additional -1 per 4 points of your base attack bonus. You gain
temporary hit points equal to 1d6 x the number that you
subtract from your attack rolls. These temporary hit points
last until the beginning of your next turn.
Source: Tome of Battle.
Unskittering Attack
Benefit: Your attacks ignore 1 point of deflection bonus to the
target’s AC (if any). For every 3 points of your base attack
bonus, your attacks ignore an additional point of deflection
bonus (maximum +7 deflection at BAB +18).
Wild Swing
Prerequisite: Combat Reflexes.
Benefit: With a full attack action, you can attempt to force
all adjacent foes to immediately move back 5 feet. Those who
choose not to move (or who cannot move) back provoke
attacks of opportunity from you unless they succeed at a
Reflex save (DC 10 + ½ your base attack bonus + your
Strength modifier).
Synergy: If you also have the Threat Zone fighter talent,
add the increased reach from that talent to the distance your
opponents must retreat.
Source: Collected Book of Experimental Might (Malhavoc
Press).

Combat Feats,
Armor/Shield
As with general combat feats, all feats in this section have
the [Combat] descriptor.
Armor Optimization, Heavy
You have trained extensively in heavy armor, and you have
learned to take advantage of the protection it offers.
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +1, Heavy Armor
Proficiency.
Benefit: When you are wearing heavy armor, lessen the
armor check penalty of the armor by 1, and by an additional 1
point per +5 points of your base attack bonus thereafter (i.e.,
2 at BAB +6, 3 at BAB +11, and 4 at BAB +16).
If your base attack bonus is +6 or greater, you also
increase the armor bonus by +1.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or greater, the armor
bonus again improves by an additional +1.
Special: The effects of this feat overlap with (do not stack
with) the effects of the fighter’s Armor Training talents.
Source: Races of Stone.
Armor Proficiency, Heavy
You are skilled at wearing heavy armor.
Prerequisites: Light Armor Proficiency, Medium Armor
Proficiency.
Benefit: You are proficient with heavy armor.
Normal: See Armor Proficiency, Light.
Special: Fighters and paladins automatically have Heavy
Armor Proficiency as a bonus feat. They need not select it.
Armor Proficiency, Light
You are skilled at wearing light armor.
Benefit: When you wear a type of armor with which you
are proficient, the armor check penalty for that armor applies
only to Dexterity- and Strength-based skill checks.
Normal: A character who is wearing armor with which he
is not proficient applies its armor check penalty to attack rolls
and to all skill checks that involve moving.
Special: All characters except monks, sorcerers, and
wizards automatically have Armor Proficiency (light) as a
bonus feat. They need not select it.
Armor Proficiency, Medium
You are skilled at wearing medium armor.
Prerequisites: Light Armor Proficiency.
Benefit: You are proficienct with medium armor.
Normal: See Armor Proficiency, Light.
Special: Barbarians, bards (skalds only), clerics, druids,
fighters, inquisitors, paladins, and rangers automatically have
Medium Armor Proficiency as a bonus feat (unless they trade
it for canny defense; see individual class descriptions).
Armor Training, Arcane [Arcane,
Armor Training, Arcane [Arcane,
Skill]
You have learned how to cast spells while wearing armor.
Prerequisites: Armor Proficiency (Light), Concentration 1
rank.
Benefit: Reduce the arcane spell failure chance due to the
armor you are wearing by 10% for any spells you cast. If you
possess heavier armor proficiency and a sufficiently high
base attack bonus and number of ranks in Concentration,
greater reductions in spell failure are possible, according to
the following table.
Minimum: Spell Failure Reduction
Armor Proficiency Skill Ranks
Light 1–5
Medium 6 – 10
Heavy 11 – 15
Heavy & Shields 16+
Special: This feat does not apply to armor and shields
separately. If you wear armor and carry a shield, first total the
arcane spell failure chance, then apply the effects of this feat.
Armored Trap
You prepare a counterattack against an opponent, timing your
strike to connect just as your armor baffles his attack.
Prerequisites: Heavy armor proficiency.
Benefit: When wearing armor and using a held attack (see
Combat rules) against an opponent striking at you in melee,
you gain a circumstance bonus to the attack equal to your
armor training bonus (if any) and a circumstance bonus to
damage equal to the AC bonus you receive from the armor
(maximum +1 per point of your base attack bonus).
Source: This feat emulates the Armiger’s token ability of
the same name, from Iron Heroes (Fiery Dragon
Productions).
Block Arrow
You can block incoming arrows with your shield.
Prerequisite: Dex 13, Shield Proficiency.
Benefit: To use this feat, you must be actively using a
shield (not merely an animated shield or a shield spell). When
you would normally be hit with a ranged weapon, you can
spend an attack of opportunity to deflect it so that you take no
damage from it. You must be aware of the attack. Unusually
massive ranged weapons, such as boulders hurled by giants,
siege weapon attacks, and ranged attacks generated by spell
effects (such as Melf's acid arrow) can't be deflected.
Synergy: If you also have the Shield Cover feat (q.v.), you
can parry ranged touch spells and attacks (such as rays) as if
they were weapon attacks.
Source: Heroes of Battle. This feat also supersedes the
Missile Shield and Ray Shield feats from the Advanced
Player’s Guide.

Sacrificial Shield
Prerequisite: Martial shield proficiency.
Benefit: When you are struck in combat while using a
shield, you can spend an attack of opportunity to apply the
damage to your shield. Subtract your shield's hardness and
hit points (Chapter 6) from the damage of the attack; you take
only the remainder (if any).
If the shield takes enough damage to destroy it, it's
destroyed. Otherwise, it gains the broken condition, even if
the damage was not enough to give it the broken condition
under other circumstances.
Synergy: If you also have the Shared Shield feat, you can
use this ability to protect an adjacent ally.
Source: This feat emulates the 2nd tier Guardian ability of
the same name, from Mythic Adventures.
Shield Bash, Improved
You can protect yourself with your shield, even if you use it to
attack.
Prerequisites: Exotic Shield Proficiency, Two-Weapon
Fighting.
Benefit: When you perform a shield bash, you may still
apply the shield’s shield bonus to your AC.
If your base attack bonus is at least +6, when shield
bashing with a magic shield, your shield’s enhancement
bonus to AC can also be applied as an enhancement
bonus to attacks and damage as well. The maximum
enhancement bonus that can be applied in this manner is
equal to +1 per 4 points of your base attack bonus.
If your base attack bonus is at least +11, your shield bash
deals damage as if your shield were one size larger (1d4
for a light shield, 1d6 for a heavy shield; or 1d6 for a light
spiked shield, 1d8 for a heavy spiked shield). This does not
stack with the bashing shield property.
If your base attack bonus is at least +16, your shield bash
deals damage as if your shield were two sizes larger (1d6
for a light shield, 1d8 for a heavy shield; or 1d8 for a light
spiked shield, 2d6 for a heavy spiked shield). This does not
stack with the bashing shield property.
You can also force your shield into the mouth of a creature
to prevent it from using bite attacks or other mouth-based
abilities. Make a grapple check against a creature at least two
sizes larger than your size category. If you succeed, you
wedge your shield into its mouth. At any time you may release
your shield, which means you both lose the grappled
condition and return to your own squares, though your shield
remains in its mouth. The creature may remove the shield by
destroying it (or leaving it with the broken condition), forcing
the shield out of its mouth with a grapple check against your
CMB, or swallowing it (if it has the swallow whole ability) as
if the shield were a creature.
While the shield is in place, the monster cannot use its
mouth to make attacks (such as a bite or a giant frog’s sticky
tongue) against anything but the shield and cannot speak
clearly enough to cast spells or use items requiring speech. If
it uses a breath weapon, its range is half normal and any
damage dealt must first get through the shield, with any
remaining damage affecting the area normally.
Synergy: If you also have the Improved Bull Rush feat, any
opponents hit by your shield bash are also hit with a free bull
rush attack, substituting your attack roll for the combat
maneuver check. This bull rush does not provoke an attack of
opportunity. Opponents who cannot move back due to a wall
or other surface are knocked prone after moving the
maximum possible distance. You may choose to move with
your target if you are able to take a 5-foot step or to spend an
action to move this turn. This supersedes the Shield Slam
feat from the core rules.
Normal: Without this feat, a character that performs a
shield bash loses the shield’s shield bonus to AC until his next
turn. Magic shields do not apply their enhancement bonus to
shield bashes.
Source: The shield gag trick is from Adventurer’s Armory.
Shield Cover
Prerequisite: Martial Shield Proficiency.
Benefit: When actively using a light, heavy, or tower shield
(not a buckler, animated shield, or shield spell), you retain
your shield bonus while flat-footed. You also gain a +4
circumstance bonus to AC for purposes of confirming critical
hits against you.
If your base attack bonus is at least +6, you may apply your
shield bonus to Reflex saves.
If your base attack bonus is at least +11, you may apply
your shield bonus to AC to your touch AC and your CMD.
Normal: Shield bonuses do not apply to touch AC, nor to
CMD or reflex saves. Flat-footed characters do not receive
the benefits of a shield.
Source: This feat subsumes the Shield Ward feat from the
Players Handbook II, the Shield Specialization feat from the
Advanced Player’s Guide, and the Knight of the Realm’s
“knightly defense” prestige class feature, from Relics &
Rituals: Excalibur (Sword & Sorcery Studios).
Shield Focus
Prerequisites: Martial Shield Proficiency, base attack bonus
+1.
Benefit: Increase the shield bonus to AC granted by any
shield you are actively using (not an animated shield or a
shield spell) by 1. This protection improves with your base
attack bonus, per the following table.
Base Attack AC Bonus vs. Ranged
+1 to +5 +1 +1
+6 to +10 +1 +2
+11 to +15 +2 +3
+16 or higher +3 +4
Special: The effects of this feat overlap with those of the
armor training fighter talent; they do not stack.
 Special: Barbarians, clerics, fighters, and paladins
Shield Mastery automatically have Martial Shield Proficiency as a bonus feat.
Prerequisites: Shield Focus, Martial Shield Proficiency, They need not select it.
base attack bonus +1. Shield Proficiency, Simple
Benefit: Whenever you are actively using a light, heavy, or
tower shield (not a buckler, animated shield, or shield spell), You are trained in how to properly use shields.
you gain DR 1/—. This increases by 1 per 4 points of your Benefit: Simple proficiency with all shields.
base attack bonus (maximum DR 6/— at BAB +20). You must Normal: When you are using a shield with which you are
be aware of the attack to gain this bonus. Any effect that not proficient, you take the shield’s armor check penalty on
causes you to lose your Dexterity or shield bonus causes you attack rolls and on all Strength- and Dexterity-related skill
to lose this bonus. checks.
Special: This bonus stacks with all other forms of damage Special: Bards, druids, incarnates, and rogues
reduction without a type (such as the damage reduction automatically have Simple Shield Proficiency as a bonus feat.
gained by barbarians) with one exception—the effects of this They need not select it.
feat overlap with (do not stack with) the damage reduction
gained by a fighter with Armor Training who is using a shield. Shield Proficiency, Exotic
Source: Pathfinder Beta Playtest, “New Feats for Prerequisites: Simple Shield Proficiency.
Playtesting.” It also supersedes the Impact Reduction feat Benefit: Select one shield. You gain Exotic proficiency with
from the Collected Book of Experimental Might (Malhavoc that shield (see Equipment).
Press).
Shield Parry
Prerequisites: Martial Shield Proficiency, Armor Training or
Shield Focus, base attack bonus +6.
Benefit: When actively using a shield (not an animated
shield or a shield spell) you can use it to attempt one parry
per round (see Combat rules in Chapter 1) as an immediate
action against an incoming attack. Penalties for Two-Weapon
Fighting apply normally, but bonuses for Armor Training or
Shield Focus also apply.
Synergy: If you also have the Shield Cover feat (q.v.), you
can parry ranged touch spells and attacks as if they were
weapon attacks. If your base attack bonus is at least +11 and
you use a magical shield to successfully parry an incoming
ranged touch spell or attack (including a ray), you can redirect
the effect at any target within the attack’s remaining range,
including the original caster. Use the original spell’s attack
roll, save DC, etc.
If you also have the Blind-Fight feat, you master the art of
using the reflective surface of your shield to locate foes that
you dare not look at directly. On your turn, you may choose to
forfeit your shield’s AC bonus for 1 round to improve your
defenses against one creature using a gaze attack (if you also
have the Improved Shield Bash feat, you can use this trick
without losing the AC bonus). Your chance to avoid having to
make a saving throw against that creature’s gaze attack
increases to 100%, and the creature does not gain
concealment against you. For every 5 ranks in Perception you
have, you may simultaneously use this ability against one
additional creature with a gaze attack.
Source: This feat replaces the Improved Shield
Specialization and Reflective Shield feats, from the Collected
Book of Experimental Might (Malhavoc Press). The mirror
shield trick is from the Pathfinder Adventurer’s Armory.
Shield Proficiency, Martial
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +1, Simple Shield
Proficiency.
Benefit: You gain Martial proficiency with all shields (see
Equipment).

Combat Feats, Weapon-and
Style-Specific
The feats presented here are specific to certain weapons
and/or combat styles, including dueling (finesse weapons),
two-weapon fighting, and unarmed combat. Descriptors such
as [Unarmed] and [Ranged] are provided for ease of
reference; as with general combat feats, all feats in this
section have the [Combat] descriptor, in addition to any
others listed.
Axefighting [Axe, Slashing]
Prerequisite: Dex 13, base attack bonus +1, Weapon Focus
(any axe).
Benefit: Whenever you drop a foe (i.e., reduce him below 0
hp) with a qualifying axe, you gain a +2 morale bonus to
attacks and damage with your weapon for 1 round, plus 1
round per 5 points of your base attack bonus above +1 (e.g., 4
rounds total at BAB +16).
Source: Collected Book of Experimental Might.
Backswing [Two-Handed]
Prerequisites: Str 13, base attack bonus +6, Overhand Chop.
Benefit: When using the full-attack action with a two-
handed melee weapon, add double your Strength bonus to
damage, rather than 1½ times your Strength bonus.
Normal: You normally add 1½ times your Strength
modifier to damage rolls with a two-handed weapon.
Source: This feat supersedes the variant class feature of
the same name from the Advanced Player’s Guide, the Exotic
Weapon Master’s “uncanny blow” prestige class feature from
Complete Warrior, and the Master Samurai’s “blades of
death” prestige class feature from Sword and Fist.
Bull Rush, Improved [Maneuver]
“If Igli manages to put on the brakes, I’ll hit him with a low
tackle and knock him in. Then we all play water polo.”
―Robert A. Heinlein, Glory Road (1963)
You are skilled at blocking your foes, pushing them around
the battlefield, and running them down.
Prerequisites: Str 13, Power Attack.
Benefit: You do not provoke attacks of opportunity when
performing the bull rush, check, drag, or reposition
maneuvers. In addition, you receive a +2 competence bonus
on checks made to bull rush, check, drag, or reposition a foe.
This bonus increases by an additional +1 per 4 points of your
base attack bonus. You gain a like bonus to your CMD for
defending against these maneuvers as well.
You gain the following improvements as you gain in combat
experience:
Bull Rush Strike (Strike): If your base attack bonus is +6
or higher, you can make a single melee attack as a
standard action; if it hits, you also gain a free bull rush
attempt against that opponent. At the end of this
movement, the target also falls prone if a second combat
(forcing) maneuver check on your part beats his CMD. You
can use this maneuver as part of a full attack, but doing so
causes you to take a -5 penalty to attack rolls and CMB
that round. This supersedes the Bull Rush Strike and
Pushing Assault feats from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Combining the bull rush strike with Greater Overrun (see
below) allows the duplication of the Driving Attack feat,
from the Players Handbook II.
Greater Bull Rush: If your base attack bonus is +11 or
higher, whenever you bull rush or reposition an opponent
in place of an attack (rather than in addition to an attack),
the target’s movement provokes attacks of opportunity
from all of your allies (but not you). This subsumes the
Greater Bull Rush feat from the core rules.
Knock Back: If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher,
whenever you deal weapon damage (in hit points) greater
than a melee opponent’s CMD in a single blow in melee
(not including energy or spell damage), you immediately
gain a special bull rush attack against that opponent as a
free action. If successful, the opponent is pushed back 10
feet; you do not move with him unless you choose to take a
5-ft. step into the space he was formerly in. Knocking a
target back into a solid surface (such as a wall) inflicts 2d6
points of bludgeoning damage on the target, plus 1½ times
your Strength modifier. This subsumes the Knock Back
feat in Races of Stone and in the Collected Book of
Experimental Might (Malhavoc Press).
Synergy: You can combine forcing maneuvers with other
feats in a variety of ways:
If you have medium or heavy armor proficiency,
respectively, you gain a +1 armor bonus to overrun
attempts when wearing medium armor, or a +2 armor
bonus to overrun attempts when wearing heavy armor.
If you have Exotic shield proficiency, you gain a +1 shield
bonus to overrun attempts when using a light shield, +2
with a heavy shield, and +3 with a tower shield.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher and you have
the Improved Trip feat, you can attempt to overbear an
opponent by making a trip attempt as a free action at the
end of a bull rush.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher and you have
the Improved Weapon Maneuvers feat, on a successful
bull rush you slam into an opponent hard enough to make
him drop whatever he’s holding (in practice, you can make
a disarm check as a free action as the initial part of a bull
rush attempt).
Normal: You provoke an attack of opportunity when
performing a combat maneuver. Creatures moved by combat
maneuvers do not provoke attacks of opportunity.

Catch Off-Guard
“I’ll carry my weapons right through the check-point.”
“Oh, yes, I’d forgotten about that for a moment. Naked/kill
and all that. Stab a man with a drinking straw. What a
nuisance that’s been...”
―Trevanian, Shibumi (1979)
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: You do not suffer any penalties for using
improvised ranged or melee weapons. Unarmed opponents
are flat-footed to any attacks you make with an improvised
melee weapon. You also receive a +1 competence bonus on
attack rolls made with thrown splash weapons.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or above and you have
Exotic proficiency in unarmed attacks, increase the
amount of damage you deal with improvised weapons by
one step (for example, 1d4 becomes 1d6) to a maximum
of 1d8 (2d6 if the improvised weapon is two-handed).
If your base attack bonus is at least +11, your critical
threat range with improved weapons is 19–20.
If your base attack bonus is at least +16, when you confirm
a critical hit with an improvised weapon, you can choose
to increase the critical multiplier to x3, but the weapon
itself also takes full critical damage from the attack
(subject to hardness), and is therefore likely to be
destroyed.
Normal: You take a –4 penalty on attack rolls made with an
improvised weapon.
Source: This feat also subsumes the Throw Anything and
Improvised Weapon Mastery feats, and the “always armed”
1st tier Champion ability from Mythic Adventures.
Cloaked Duelist [Finesse,
Maneuver]
You use the very cloak on your back against an enemy,
befuddling their attacks.
Prerequisites: Combat Expertise, Improved Weapon
Maneuvers, Weapon Finesse.
Benefit: When fighting with a cloak on and at least one
hand empty, you may as a free action sweep your cloak into
your hand to aid you in a fight. You may perform Bind
maneuvers with your cloak.
If your base attack bonus is at least +6, you can parry with
your cloak as well. If you fight defensively the cloak grants
you a 20% miss chance from partial concealment, as if by
a blur spell (this miss chance does not stack with other
concealment-based miss chances, as from the Wind
Stance feat).
If your base attack bonus is at least +11, when you use
total defense in fighting defensively, your cloak grants you
a 50% miss chance from concealment (as if by a
displacement spell).
If your base attack bonus is at least +16, the miss chance
is 50% when fighting defensively, and you are treated as if
invisible when using full defense.
Synergy: If you also have the Two-Weapon Fighting feat,
treat your cloak as a light weapon for purposes of making off-
hand binds or parries with it.
Source: Art of the Duel (Sinister Adventures LLC).
Clustered Shots [Ranged]
You take a moment to carefully aim your shots, causing them
all to strike nearly the same spot.
Prerequisites: Precise Shot, base attack bonus +6.
Benefit: When you use a full-attack action to make multiple
ranged weapon attacks against the same opponent, total the
damage from all hits before applying that opponent’s damage
reduction.
Massive damage applies if the total damage you deal with
this feat is equal to or exceeds half the opponent’s full normal
hit points (minimum 50 points of damage).
Source: Ultimate Combat.
Critical, Deadly [Critical]
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +11, Critical Focus,
Improved Critical.
Benefit: Whenever you score a critical hit with a weapon
for which you have the Improved Critical feat, the critical
damage multiplier increases by 1.
Note: This feat supersedes the Weapon Master’s variant
class feature of the same name from the Advanced Player’s
Guide, and also the Master Thrower prestige class’s
“Deadeye Shot” thrown weapon trick from Complete
Warrior.
Critical, Improved [Critical]
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +8.
Benefit: Choose one type of weapon. When using a
weapon of that type with which you have at least Martial
proficiency, your threat range is doubled. If you have only
Simple proficiency, your threat range is expanded by 1.
You can gain Improved Critical multiple times. The effects
do not stack. Each time you take the feat, it applies to a new
type of weapon.
Synergy: If you are a fighter, the effects of this feat apply to
an entire weapon group (Chapter 6), not just a specific type of
weapon.
Special: At 8th level or above, a wizard specializing in
evocation spells (an Evoker) can select Improved Critical and
designate “spells” as the weapon group; the effects apply to
all of his or her spells and spell-like abilities that require
attack rolls and deal damage.
Special:This feat also grants the Critical Focus Feat
(Effectivly Mergeing the two).

Crushing Blow [Bludgeoning]
Your bludgeoning attacks are powerful enough to damage
even heavily armored foes.
Prerequisites: Weapon Focus and Weapon Specialization
with a bludgeoning weapon, base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: If you miss with a bludgeoning weapon by a
margin less than your opponent’s armor and/or shield bonus
(if any), you batter the foe for half normal damage.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, you also ignore
up to 4 points of armor bonus.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, you ignore up to
8 points of your opponent’s armor bonus. Also, when you
use a full attack action while fighting with any bludgeoning
weapon, each attack that connects beats down your foe's
defenses, granting a cumulative +2 circumstance bonus
on attack rolls until the end of your current turn.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, you ignore up to
12 points of your opponent’s armor bonus.
Source: Players Handbook II. This feat also subsumes the
Foe Hammer expanded mastery (4) effect, from Iron Heroes
(Fiery Dragon Productions) and the Macefighter feat from the
Collected Book of Experimental Might (Malhavoc Press).
Deadly Aim [Ranged]
You can make exceptionally deadly ranged attacks by
pinpointing a target’s weak spot, at the expense of making the
attack less likely to succeed.
Prerequisites: Wis 13, base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: You can choose to take a –1 feat penalty to ranged
attacks, but gain a circumstance bonus on damage. For every
4 points of your base attack bonus, increase the attack
penalty by 1 (maximum –6/+6 at BAB +20). The bonus to
damage is dependent on the type of ranged weapon you are
using: for thrown weapons, the damage bonus is equal to the
magnitude of the attack penalty; for projectile weapons such
as bows or slings, you gain a +2 damage bonus per –1 to
attacks; with crossbows and modern personal firearms, you
gain a +3 damage bonus per –1 to attacks.
Special: Rays count as projectile weapons for purposes of
this feat; orbs and other “thrown” ranged touch attacks count
as thrown weapons.
Defensive Weapon Training
You know how to defend yourself against a certain class of
weaponry.
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: Choose a weapon group (Chapter 6). When an
opponent attacks you using a weapon from that group, you
gain a competence bonus to AC and CMB equal to +1, with an
additional +1 per 4 points of your base attack bonus.
Synergy: If you have the Opportune Strike class feature,
the effects of that ability apply to this feat.
Special: You can select this feat more than once. Its
effects do not stack. Each time you select this feat, it
applies to a different weapon group.
Source: This feat emulates the Knife Master’s “blade
sense” variant class feature, from Ultimate Combat.
Deflect Arrows [Finesse, Unarmed]
Deflect Arrows [Finesse, Unarmed]
You can knock arrows and other projectiles off course,
preventing them from hitting you.
Prerequisites: Dex 13, base attack bonus +1; Exotic
Weapon Proficiency (unarmed attacks), Weapon Finesse, or
Weapon Focus.
Benefit: Depending on how you qualified for this feat,
using it requires one of the following conditions: Exotic
Proficiency (unarmed attacks)—one hand free (holding
nothing); Weapon Finesse—holding manufactured finesse
weapon; Weapon Focus—wielding appropriate weapon.
Whenever you would normally be hit with a ranged
weapon, you can spend an attack of opportunity to deflect it
so that you take no damage from it. You must be aware of the
attack and not flat-footed. Unusually massive ranged weapons
(such as boulders or ballista bolts) and ranged attacks
generated by spell effects can’t be deflected.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, you have at least
1 rank in Sleight of Hand, and have one hand free, instead
of simply deflecting a thrown weapon, you can catch it and
immediately throw it back. This requires a Sleight of
Hand check (DC = the results of the missile’s attack roll)
and uses an additional attack of opportunity.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, you can deflect
ranged spell attacks and spell-like abilities as if they were
arrows, provided the attack in question specifically targets
you and requires an attack roll. You cannot “catch” magical
attacks and return them, however.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, you can deflect
even boulders and siege missiles. You cannot throw these
missiles back unless your Strength allows it and you
normally have the ability to throw such large missiles.
Source: This feat subsumes the feat of the same name
from the core rules, and also the Armed Deflection and
Exceptional Deflection feats from the 3.5 edition System
Reference Document, “Epic Feats” (this feat subsumes both
the Armed Deflection and Exceptional Deflection feats). It
also supersedes the duelist’s “Deflect Arrows” prestige class
feature.
Deft Blow [Finesse]
Prerequisite: BAB +1, Weapon Finesse.
Benefit: When using a slashing or piercing weapon in one
hand to which Weapon Finesse applies (or a claw attack or
crossbow), attacks with that weapon ignore up to 5 points of
your opponent’s armor bonus to AC (if any). For every 4 points
of your base attack bonus, increase the amount of armor
bonus you can ignore by 1 (maximum 10 points at BAB +20).
Special: Unlike the Unstoppable Strike feat (q.v.), which
resolves a melee attack as a touch attack, this feat can be
used in conjunction with a full attack.
Synergy: The rogue’s Opportune Strike class feature
applies to this feat.
Source: This feat supersedes the Deft Strike feat from
Complete Adventurer. It subsumes the Free Hand Fighter’s
“timely tip” variant class feature, from the Advanced Player’s
Guide, being both more flexible (applying to armor and
shield) and more efficient (not requiring a move action).

Far Shot [Ranged]
You are more accurate at longer ranges.
Benefit: You only suffer a –1 penalty per full range
increment between you and your target when using a ranged
weapon.
Windage Shot (Strike): If your base attack is +6 or higher,
you can make a single ranged attack as a full round action
that increases all range increments by half (for example, a
bow with a normal range increment of 100 ft. would have
a range increment of 150 ft.).
At a base attack of +11, you can modify a ranged weapon
and use in such a way that its range increments are
increased by 50% even when you use it to make iterative
attack. If you make a windage shot, the weapon’s range
increments are doubled instead (this supersedes the
Archer’s “legendary shot” class feature from Iron Heroes).
At a base attack of +16, your range increments are always
doubled. You also gain the Horizon Shot (Strike) ability: as
a full-round action, you can make a single ranged attack,
the range of which is limited only by how far you can see
(regardless of the normal range of the weapon).
Synergy: If you also have Weapon Focus (splash weapons)
or the Grenadier rogue talent, when you hit with a splash
weapon, select one additional square adjacent to the splash
area; creatures in this area also take splash damage. When
you miss with a splash weapon, you may adjust the miss
direction on the grid by +1 or –1. For every 4 points of your
base attack bonus, add an additional square to the splash
area and an additional +/-1 to the miss direction.
Normal: You suffer a –2 penalty per full range increment
between you and your target.
Source: This feat subsumes the Splash Weapon Mastery
feat from Adventurer's Armory, and the Distance Thrower
feat from Ultimate Combat.
Flanking Shot [Ranged]
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +1, Precise Shot, Point-
Blank Shot.
Benefit: Whenever two of your allies are in melee with an
enemy and at least one ally is providing an Aid Another bonus
to the other’s attacks (i.e., is flanking it; see Chapter 1), you
automatically gain a like circumstance bonus to ranged
attacks made from within your point-blank range against that
enemy.
In addition, when armed with a loaded ranged weapon, you
can spend immediate actions to aid allies in combat (Aid
Another) as long as they are within your point-blank range;
they need not be within your reach.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, you can also
receive Aid Another circumstance bonuses from allies to
your ranged attack rolls against any targets, as long as the
aiding allies are within your point-blank range.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, you can use
these abilities at any range.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, you
automatically gain a circumstance bonus to ranged
attacks, as if by Aid Another, equal to twice the number of
allies threatening the target (even if they are not spending
immediate actions to aid one another or you).
Normal: You can flank only in melee.
Source: This feat was inspired by the Distant Advantage
feat, from the 4th edition Players Handbook II. It also
subsumes the Enfilading Fire feat from Ultimate Combat.
Flay Foe [Slashing]
Prerequisites: Str 13, base attack bonus +6, Martial
proficiency with slashing melee weapon (or proficiency with
natural claw attack).
Benefit: If you hit the same enemy more than once in a
single round with slashing melee attacks, you deal an extra
+1d6 damage (cumulative) for each previous successful
slashing attack you made against that opponent that round
with that weapon.
Synergy: Applying this feat in conjunction with the Two-
Weapon Strike and Vital Strike feats emulates the girallon
windmill flesh rip maneuver, from the Tome of Battle. (A 16th
level fighter hitting with all eight attacks would deal an
additional 18d6 + 1½ Str bonus damage: 6d6 for the Vital
Strike rend damage + 6d6 flaying for each weapon).
Source: Champions of Ruin. This feat also supersedes the
Hammer the Gap feat from Ultimate Combat.
Grapple, Improved [Maneuver]
Prerequisites: Dex 13, Martial Weapon Proficiency
(unarmed attacks) or proficiency with natural attacks.
Benefit: You do not provoke an attack of opportunity when
performing a grapple combat maneuver. In addition, you
receive a +2 competence bonus on checks made to grapple a
foe. This bonus increases by an additional +1 per 4 points of
your base attack bonus. You gain a like bonus to the DC of
attempts to grapple or pin you as well.
Grappling Strike: If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher,
you gain the effects of the Maneuvering Strike feat (q.v.),
but this applies only to grappling maneuvers made in
conjunction with unarmed attacks.
Maintain Grapple: Also at BAB +6, once you have grappled
a creature, you can maintain the grapple as a move action.
You suffer no penalty on attack rolls and can make attacks
of opportunity while grappling, and you retain your
Dexterity bonus to AC when pinning an opponent or when
grappled. As a full attack you can make iterative grapple
checks to move, pin, and/or damage a grappled opponent,
as if you were making iterative attacks.
Grab: If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, on a
successful unarmed attack, you can choose to forego any
additional attacks that round and instead immediately
attempt a grapple as a free action.
 Inescapable Grasp: If your base attack bonus is +16 or
higher, creatures you attempt to grapple or are grappling
gain no benefit from freedom of movement and magical
bonuses to Escape Artist or on checks to escape a grapple.
Your grapple also causes a dimensional anchor effect on
the grappled opponent (caster level equal to your base
attack bonus), and you can grapple even incorporeal
beings, as if you had the ghost touch special ability. This
supersedes the Tetori monk’s class feature of the same
name.
Synergy: If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, you can
apply the effects of any Strike feat (q.v.) you possess when
maintaining a damaging grapple or pin as a standard action
(rather than attempting iterative damaging attempts using the
maintain grapple function). Applying the Vital Strike feat with
this effect allows you to add 1½ times your Strength bonus to
the Vital Strike damage, as per the corresponding synergy
effect using the Two-Weapon Strike feat; this supersedes the
Constrict ability from the core rules.
If you have a number of ranks in Escape Artist greater than
or equal to a grappling opponent’s base attack bonus,
attempts to grapple you automatically provoke attacks of
opportunity from you, even if this is not normally the case due
to feats or special abilities. If you deal damage with this
attack, the enemy fails to start the grapple unless it has the
Improved Grapple feat or a special ability such as grab. If the
enemy has such an ability, you may add the damage you deal
as a circumstance bonus on your opposed check to resist
being grappled. This feat does not give you extra attacks of
opportunity when you would be denied one for being
surprised, helpless, or in a similar situation. If your base
attack bonus is +6 or greater, you can make this attack of
opportunity level even if the attacker has concealment or total
concealment; at BAB +11, even if you are flat-footed, and at
BAB +16, even if your attacker has exceptional reach. This
supersedes the Close-Quarters Fighting feat from Complete
Warrior, and also the Tetori Monk’s “counter-grapple” ability,
from Ultimate Combat. If the attack of opportunity is used for
a trip attempt, this function also supersedes the Under and
Over feat from the Advanced Player’s Guide, and the Felling
Escape feat from Ultimate Combat.
Normal: You provoke an attack of opportunity when
attempting a grapple. Maintaining a grapple, or grappling to
move, pin, or damage an opponent, is a standard action.
Hammer Fist [Unarmed]
Prerequisites: Str 13+, Martial Weapon Proficiency
(unarmed).
Benefit: You add one and a half times your Strength bonus
to damage when you hit with an unarmed attack. This extra
damage does not apply if you are using Two-Weapon Fighting,
or if you are holding anything in either hand. You must use
both hands to make the unarmed attack.
Synergy: When using the Power Attack feat in conjunction
with Hammer Fist, you gain the damage bonus from Power
Attack as if wielding a two-handed weapon.
Source: Races of Faerun.
Impaling Attack [Maneuver,
Piercing]
You can catch your opponents on your weapon and hold
them in place.
Prerequisites: Str 13, base attack bonus +6, Improved
Grapple.
Benefit: Whenever you damage an opponent with a
piercing weapon, you can immediately make a grapple check;
success means the opponent is impaled on your weapon and
you both gain the grappled condition. While the opponent is
impaled, as an attack action you may make a grapple check
on your turn at a –4 penalty to damage the opponent with
your weapon, even if your weapon cannot normally be used in
a grapple. While you impale your opponent with your
weapon, you cannot use it to attack, and you must hold on to
it.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, while your
opponent is impaled in this way, each time he starts his
turn, it automatically takes normal damage from the
weapon. As an immediate action, you can pull your
weapon out of your opponent. Your opponent can also
spend a move action to attempt a counter grapple check to
pull your weapon out. When the weapon comes out, your
opponent takes damage as if starting his turn impaled.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, you can let go
of your weapon, and the impaled opponent still must
spend a standard action to remove the weapon. Until the
opponent pulls the weapon out, his speed in all modes is
halved. When the weapon comes out, instead of dealing
the damage normal, you can deal bleed damage equal to
your weapon’s damage dice result once per round at the
start of that opponent’s turn.
Synergy: If you also have the Slowing Strike feat, the
reduction in movement from that feat applies whenever an
opponent is impaled (even if you are not still holding the
weapon, if your BAB is +11 or higher; the victim is immobile
while you hold the weapon, is slowed to 5 ft. once you let go,
and moves at half speed once the weapon is removed). If you
have the Bleeding Strike feat, it automatically activates when
the weapon is pulled out of the impaled foe.
Normal: You can only attack unarmed, or with a natural
weapon or light weapon, against opponents you are
grappling.
Source: This feat subsumes the Hamatula Attack and
Hamatula Grasp feats from Cheliax: Empire of Devils, and
the Impaling Critical and (with synergy) Improved Impaling
Critical feats from Ultimate Combat.
Manyshot [Ranged]
Prerequisites: Wis 13, Sleight of Hand 1 rank.
Benefit: When making a full attack action with a ranged
weapon, you can attack one additional time that round with
no additional reload time, if applicable. All of your attack rolls
take a –2 penalty when using this function.

If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher and you have at
least 6 ranks in Sleight of Hand, you can use this feat in
conjunction with a standard action, making two attacks
against a single opponent instead of one, each attack with
a –2 penalty. Precision-based damage or [Strike] effects, if
applicable, apply only once.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher and you have at
least 11 ranks in Sleight of Hand, you can make the extra
attack against a different target instead of both of them
targeting the same opponent. Precision-based damage
applies to each attack.
If your base attack bonus is at least +16 and you have at
least 16 ranks in Sleight of Hand, in lieu of your regular
attacks, you can make a single ranged attack at each and
every target within range, to a maximum number of
targets equal to half your base attack bonus (normal
reload times obviously do not apply in this case). Each
attack uses your primary attack bonus, and each enemy
may only be targeted by a single attack.
Source: This feat now subsumes the Rapid Shot and
Manyshot feats from the core rules, and also the Greater
Manyshot and Storm of Throws feats from the 3.5 edition
System Reference Document (“Epic Feats”). It also subsumes
the Arcane Archer’s “hail of arrows” prestige class feature,
and the Swarm of Arrows epic feat from the 3.5 edition
System Reference Document. Finally, it subsumes the
Fighter-Archer’s “volley” variant class feature from the
Advanced Player’s Guide.
Medusa’s Wrath [Unarmed]
You can take advantage of your opponent’s condition,
delivering multiple blows.
Prerequisites: Martial Weapon Proficiency (unarmed
attacks), Staggering Strike, base attack bonus +11.
Benefit: When making a full unarmed attack against a
dazed, flat-footed, paralyzed, staggered, stunned, or
unconscious foe, you can make two additional unarmed
attacks at your highest base attack bonus.
Overrun, Improved [Maneuver]
You are skilled at ramming past opponents and running them
down.
Prerequisites: Str 13, Power Attack.
Benefit: You do not provoke attacks of opportunity when
performing an overrun maneuver. In addition, you receive a
+2 competence bonus on checks made to overrun a foe. This
bonus increases by an additional +1 per 4 points of your base
attack bonus. You gain a like bonus to your CMD for
defending against overruns, against the Counter Charge
maneuver (see Chapter 1), and as a competence bonus to
saving throws against trample attacks.
You gain the following improvements as your skill at
combat improves:
Improved Overrun: If your base attack bonus is +6 or
higher, you can overrun as an attack action, rather than as
a standard action (you can make iterative overrun
attempts in this manner even if you do not normally
receive iterative attacks, as in the case of creatures using
natural weapons). If you fail to overrun an opponent, the
target can’t knock you prone; your movement merely stops
in the last legal space you occupy. This subsumes the
boulder roll maneuver from the Tome of Battle, and also
the Phalanx Fighter’s “stand firm” variant class feature
from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Greater Overrun: If your base attack bonus is +11 or
higher, whenever you overrun opponents, they provoke
attacks of opportunity if they attempt to avoid you or are
knocked prone by your overrun. This subsumes the
Greater Overrun feat from the core rules.
Charge Through: If your base attack bonus is +16 or
higher, you can charge through allies’ spaces without
impediment. When making a charge, you can attempt to
overrun creatures in the straight-line path of the charge as
free actions. If you successfully overrun a creature in the
way, you can complete the charge. If the overrun is
unsuccessful, the charge ends in the space directly in front
of that creature. This supersedes the feat of the same
name from the Advanced Player’s Guide and the
Juggernaut Charge feat from the Collected Book of
Experimental Might (Malhavoc Press).
Synergy: You can combine charging and overrunning with
other feats in a variety of ways:
If you have medium or heavy armor proficiency,
respectively, you gain a +1 armor bonus to overrun
attempts when wearing medium armor, or a +2 armor
bonus to overrun attempts when wearing heavy armor.
If you have Exotic shield proficiency, you gain a +1 shield
bonus to overrun attempts when using a light shield, +2
with a heavy shield, and +3 with a tower shield.
If you have the Skirmish and Vital Strike feats, you can
use them to deal Vital Strike damage to creatures you
successfully overrun, in addition to the creature attacked
at the end of the charge (see Skirmish, q.v.).
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher and you have
the Improved Weapon Maneuvers feat, on a successful
overrun you slam into an opponent hard enough to make
him drop whatever he’s holding (in practice, you can make
a disarm check as a free action as the initial part of a bull
rush or overrun attempt).
Normal: You provoke an attack of opportunity when
performing a combat maneuver. Creatures moved by combat
maneuvers do not provoke attacks of opportunity. Creatures
that avoid your overrun or are knocked prone do not provoke
an attack of opportunity.

Parry, Open-Handed [Unarmed]
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +6, Combat Expertise,
Dodge feat or agile dodge class feature, Exotic Weapon
Proficiency (unarmed attacks).
Benefit: Once per round when you have at least one hand
free and are either fighting defensively or using the total
defense action, you can attempt to parry (see Chapter 1) one
melee weapon attack that would normally hit you. This costs
an attack of opportunity. You must be aware of the attack and
not flat-footed. An attack so deflected deals no damage to you.
Synergy: If you also have the Combat Reflexes feat, you
can make an immediate counterattack (an additional attack
of opportunity) against any opponent whose attack you parry
in this manner.
Source: This feat supersedes the Crane Wing and Crane
Riposte feats, from Ultimate Combat.
Phalanx Fighter [Polearm]
Prerequisite: Weapon Focus (polearm or spear); Martial
shield proficiency.
Benefit: You can use any qualifying polearm or spear of
your size as a one-handed weapon when using a qualifying
shield with your other arm.
Source: This feat supersedes the “phalanx fighter” variant
class feature, from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Point-Blank Shot [Ranged]
You are especially accurate when making ranged attacks
against close targets.
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: You get a +1 circumstance bonus on attack and
damage rolls with ranged weapons at ranges of up to 30 feet.
The range and bonuses increase according to your base
attack bonus, per the following table:
Base Attack Point-Blank Bonus to Atks,
Bonus Range Damage
+1 to +5 30 ft. +1
+6 to +10 60 ft. +2
+11 to +15 90 ft. +3
+16 and up 120 ft. +4
Readied Shot: If you use a held or readied action to fire a
ranged weapon at point-blank range at any foe who charges
you, each +1 damage bonus from this feat is +1d6 instead
(maximum +4d6 at BAB +16). Creatures immune to extra
damage from critical hits are immune to this effect.
Synergy:
The range at which you can make sneak attacks or
skirmish attacks is equal your point-blank range.
When using the Improved Two-Weapon Fighting feat
while wielding a melee weapon and a crossbow or
firearm, your attacks with the crossbow or firearm
provoke no attacks of opportunity from foes that you
threaten with your melee weapon. This supersedes the
Sword and Pistol feat from Ultimate Combat.
Source: This feat incorporates the Hyborian Ranger class
feature of the same name, from Hyboria.Xoth.net, and has
also been combined with the Ready Shot feat, from Heroes of
Battle. It supersedes the Sniper’s “deadly range” variant class
feature, from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Power Throw [Ranged]
Prerequisites: Strength 13+.
Benefit: You can apply your Strength bonus, rather than
your Dexterity bonus, to thrown weapon attacks. For any
attacks made this way, you can apply the Power Attack feat.
You can also combine a charge with a hurled weapon attack,
moving towards the target and taking a -2 penalty to AC in
exchange for a +2 bonus to attack.
Whenever you use two hands to throw a one-handed or
two-handed weapon (not a light weapon), you gain a bonus on
damage rolls equal to 1½ times your Strength bonus. Using
two hands to throw any weapon requires only a standard
action for you.
If your base attack bonus is at least +6 and your Dexterity
is 13 or greater, you can also apply half your Dexterity
bonus (in addition to your Strength bonus) to damage rolls
with weapons thrown with one hand.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, you can apply
your full Dexterity bonus (if any), as well as your Strength
bonus, to damage with weapons thrown with one hand.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, you can apply
both your Strength bonus and your Dexterity bonus (if
any) to attacks with weapons thrown with one hand.
Special: You cannot use the Deadly Aim feat in
conjunction with this feat.
Normal: Thrown weapon attacks use your Dexterity
modifier. Power Attack can be applied only to attacks with
melee weapons. You add your Strength bonus on thrown
weapon damage, regardless of available hands. Throwing a
two-handed weapon is a full-round action.
Source: This feat subsumes both the Brutal Throw feat
and the Power Throw feat from Complete Adventurer, and
the Charging Hurler and Two-Handed Thrower feats from
Ultimate Combat. It also supersedes the Hulking Hurler’s
ranged power attack prestige class feature from Complete
Warrior, and the Hurling Charge feat from the Miniatures
Handbook.
Precise Shot [Ranged]
You are adept at firing ranged attacks into melee.
Benefit: You can shoot or throw ranged weapons at an
opponent engaged in melee without taking the standard –4
penalty on your attack roll.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, when you shoot
or throw ranged weapons at a grappling or pinned
opponent, you run no risk of hitting the wrong target.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, your ranged
attacks also ignore the AC bonus granted to targets by
anything less than total cover, and the miss chance
granted to targets by anything less than total concealment.
If you miss due to total concealment, you can immediately
reroll once to see if you actually hit. You gain no more than
one reroll per attempt.
At a base attack bonus of +16, as a full-round action you
can take a single shot against an opponent with full cover,
by ricocheting the shot.
Normal: Firing into a melee has a –4 circumstance
penalty; if you miss your intended target by a margin of 4 or
less on the roll, the shot targets an adjacent creature instead.
Synergy:
If you have at least 11 ranks in Stealth as a class skill,
opponents struck by your ranged attacks (and observers)
do not automatically know what square your attack came
from, and must attempt to find you normally.
If you have the sneak attack ability, you can make ranged
sneak attacks against targets with partial concealment if
you have this feat and your base attack bonus (including
the benefit from your Opportune Strike ability, if
applicable) is at least +6. You can make ranged sneak
attacks against targets with total concealment if your
effective BAB is +11 or higher.
Source: The advanced usages of this feat supersede the
Improved Precise Shot feat and the Archer’s legendary shot
class feature from Iron Heroes (Fiery Dragon Productions),
and the Elven Accuracy feat from the Advanced Player’s
Guide.
Pulverize Foe [Bludgeoning]
You enjoy smashing your opponents into submission.
Prerequisite: Str 15, base attack bonus +6, Martial
proficiency with bludgeoning melee weapon (or proficiency
with natural slam attack).
Benefit: If you hit the same enemy more than once in a
single round with bludgeoning melee attacks, you deal an
extra 1d6 points of bludgeoning damage for each previous
successful bludgeoning attack you made against that
opponent that round.
Source: Champions of Ruin. This feat also supersedes the
Hammer the Gap and Twin Thunders feats from Ultimate
Combat.
Ranged Maneuvers [Maneuver,
Ranged]
Prerequisites: Exotic Proficiency and Weapon Focus in
the appropriate ranged weapon; Improved Combat
Maneuvers (any) and/or Cleave.
Benefit: You can perform combat maneuvers with
qualifying ranged weapons, and can also apply the Cleave
feat to ranged attacks. You must have the Improved Combat
Maneuvers or other feat to be applied, and must meet all of its
prerequisites.
Source: This feat supersedes Ranged Mastery feat from
the Collected Book of Experimental Might (Malhavoc Press)
and also the “meteor shot” and “trick shot” variant class
features, from the Advanced Player’s Guide. The ranged feint
function replaces the Master Thrower’s “sneaky shot”
prestige class thrown weapon trick from Complete Warrior,
and also can simulate the Archer’s “unerring shot” token
ability, from Iron Heroes (Fiery Dragon Productions).
Ranged Threat [Ranged]
Prerequisites: Point-Blank Shot.
Benefit: When armed with a ranged weapon that is ready
for use, you threaten every square within 5 ft., plus 5 ft. per 4
points of your base attack bonus. If a target in this area takes
an action that provokes an attack of opportunity, you may
make a ranged attack of opportunity at your highest bonus.
You do not provoke attacks of opportunity when making a
ranged attack of opportunity.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, you can make a
covering shot as a standard action. Covering Shot (Strike):
When you miss with a ranged attack made as a standard
action, you can pin down the target of that missed attack
as a free action. The pinned-down target is treated as if it
were entangled for 1 round. This supersedes the
Gunslinger’s “covering shot” deed from Ultimate Combat.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or greater, you can choose
for the target of your covering shot to be flat-footed for 1
round, rather than entangled. You cannot choose to
purposely miss a target to gain this effect. This supersedes
the Gunslinger’s “startling shot” deed from Ultimate
Combat.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, you do not
provoke attacks of opportunity when using a ranged
weapon from a threatened square. This supersedes the
Combat Archery feat from the 3.5 edition System
Reference Document, “Epic Feats.”
Synergy:
If you also have the Combat Reflexes feat, you can choose
to forego threatening nearby squares and instead lay down
threatening fire. As a standard action, designate a straight
line of squares to which you have a clear line of fire. All of
the squares must lie within the same range increment of
you. Opponents moving through those squares provoke
ranged attacks of opportunity from you; this effect ends
when you move. This supersedes the Suppressive Fire
feat from Swashbuckling Adventures (Alderac
Entertainment Group).
If you have the Manyshot feat, when making a full-attack
action with a ranged weapon, you may choose to make a
melee attack against an adjacent opponent with a drawn
arrow or bolt (or with the butt of the weapon itself) rather
than firing it. If the attack hits—whether or not it does
damage—your target is pushed back 5 feet away from you.
You can then fire the weapon normally, at the original
target, or at another target within range. This melee attack
replaces the extra attack from Manyshot, and all of your
attack rolls for the round (the melee attack and the ranged
attacks) take a –2 penalty. If your initial attack leaves you
with no enemies threatening you, you can make the
subsequent ranged attack or attacks without provoking
attacks of opportunity. This subsumes the Stabbing Shot
feat from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Normal: While wielding a ranged weapon, you threaten no
squares and can make no attacks of opportunity with that
weapon. Ranged attacks provoke attacks of opportunity from
threatening opponents.
Source: Dragon magazine, issue 350 and also Advanced
Feats: Secrets of the Alchemist (Open Design LLC). This feat
also supersedes the Order of the Bow Initiate “close combat
shot” prestige class feature, the Exotic Weapon Master’s
“close quarters ranged shot” and the Master Thrower’s
“defensive toss” stunts, from Complete Warrior; the Close-
Quarter Fire feat from the Collected Book of Experimental
Might (Malhavoc Press); the Close-Quarters Thrower feat and
the Snap Shot feat chain from Ultimate Combat; and the
Point Blank Master feat, the Archer’s and Crossbowman’s
“safe shot” variant class feature, and the Zen Archer’s
“reflexive shot” variant class feature, from the Advanced
Player’s Guide.
Reflexive Shot [Ranged]
You are so practiced with ranged weapons that you fire them
from pure reflex and “muscle memory” as much as from
careful aim.
Benefit: When using a projectile weapon, you may use
your Dexterity modifier instead of your Wisdom modifier on
attack rolls.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or greater, you can apply
half your Dexterity modifier on damage rolls. When using
a crossbow or firearm, you can instead apply your full
Dexterity bonus to damage.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, you can apply
your full Dexterity modifier as a bonus to damage with
ranged weapons. When using a crossbow or firearm, you
can apply your full Dexterity bonus and your Wisdom
bonus (if any) to damage.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, you can apply
both your Wisdom bonus (if any) and your Dexterity
modifier to attacks with ranged weapons.
Source: This feat supersedes the Crossbowman’s
Deadshot chain of variant class features, from the Advanced
Player’s Guide, and also the Gunslinger’s gun training class
feature, from Ultimate Combat.
Scything Blow [Two-Handed]
Prerequisite: Str 13, base attack bonus +1, Cleave, Power
Attack.
Benefit: When using a slashing or piercing weapon in both
hands (or a primary bite or gore attack), your melee attacks
ignore up to 5 points of your opponent’s armor and/or shield
bonus. For every 4 points of your base attack bonus, increase
the amount of armor/shield bonus you can ignore by 1
(maximum 10 points at BAB +20).
Source: This feat is similar to the Deft Strike feat (q.v.)
from Complete Adventurer, but applies to two-handed
weapons.
Shared Precision [Ranged]
Your skill at archery inspires your allies to follow your mark.
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +6, Deadly Aim, Precise
Shot.
Benefit: When you hit a creature with a ranged attack,
allies within 10 feet of you gain the benefit of the Precise
Shot feat against that target until the start of your next turn.
Your allies must remain within 10 feet of you, and must be
able both to see and hear you to gain this benefit.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, you and any
allies within 10 feet no longer provide cover against each
other’s ranged attacks unless they wish to. Allies who
cannot move or otherwise take action still provide cover,
as do flat-footed allies. You and your allies must be able to
see or hear each other to use this ability.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, allies within 10
feet of you also gain the effects of the Deadly Aim feat
against the designated target, even if they lack the
prerequisites.
Source: This feat supersedes the Divine Hunter’s shared
precision, aura of care, and hunter’s blessing variant class
features, from Ultimate Combat.

Steady Aim [Ranged]
You are skilled at making ranged attacks while in motion.
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: The penalties you take in conditions involving
movement (such as while mounted or on the pitching deck of
a ship) are halved: -2 if on a mount taking a double move or
ship’s deck in choppy seas, -4 on a running mount or on a
ship’s deck in high waves.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, you reduce the
penalties by half again (to a total of -1 or -2, depending on
conditions).
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, you take no
penalties for making ranged attacks in unstable
movement conditions (including earthquakes).
Normal: You take a –4 penalty when making ranged
attacks on a mount making a double move or on choppy seas,
and –8 when the mount is running or in heavy seas.
Source: This feat subsumes the Improved Mounted
Archery feat, from Complete Warrior.
Shorten Grip [Polearm]
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +6, Martial Weapon
Proficiency (any polearm).
Benefit: When wielding a polearm with which you have at
least Martial proficiency and that has reach, you may treat the
weapon as if it did not have reach. The weapon is unwieldy in
this fashion and you take a –2 circumstance penalty on attack
rolls when attacking an enemy you normally could not.
Normal: Reach weapons cannot be used against adjacent
foes.
Source: Dragon magazine, issue 331. This feat also
supersedes the Short Haft feat from the Player’s Handbook
II.
Skewer Foe [Piercing]
A ruthless combatant, you like to impale enemies on spears
and similar piercing weapons.
Prerequisites: Str 15, base attack bonus +6, Martial
proficiency with piercing melee weapon (or proficiency with
natural bite or gore attack).
Benefit: If you hit the same enemy more than once in a
single round with a piercing melee attack, you deal an extra
+1d6 points of piercing damage for each previous successful
piercing attack you made against that opponent that round.
Source: Champions of Ruin. This feat also supersedes the
Hammer the Gap feat from Ultimate Combat.
Spearfighter [Piercing, Spear]
You keep foes at bay with jabs from your spear.
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +1, Weapon Focus (spear,
long spear, or short spear).
Benefit: When using a qualifying spear, any foe within
reach who makes a full attack against you, and any foe which
charges you, provokes an attack of opportunity. The attack of
opportunity provoked by a charging opponent counts as if you
had braced your weapon (Chapter 6).
Source: Collected Book of Experimental Might.
Trip, Improved [Maneuver]
Trip, Improved [Maneuver]
Prerequisites: Dex 13, Martial Weapon Proficiency
(unarmed attacks or tripping weapon, or primary natural
attack).
Benefit: You do not provoke an attack of opportunity when
performing a trip or unbalance combat maneuver. In addition,
you receive a +2 competence bonus on checks made to trip or
unbalance a foe. This bonus increases by an additional +1 per
4 points of your base attack bonus. You gain a like bonus to
CMD when defending against these maneuvers. Your ability
to trip people improves as you gain in combat experience:
Drag Down: If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher,
whenever an opponent successfully trips you, you can
attempt to trip that opponent as an immediate action. This
supersedes the feat of the same name, from Ultimate
Combat.
Maneuver Training: If your base attack bonus is +6 or
higher, you gain the effects of the Maneuvering Strike feat
(trip or unbalance only), even if you do not possess that
feat. This supersedes the tripping function of the
Punishing Kick feat, from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Greater Trip/Greater Unbalance: If your base attack bonus
is +11 or higher, whenever you successfully trip an
opponent, that opponent provokes an attack of opportunity
from you. Whenever you unbalance an opponent as a
combat maneuver, he or she is treated as flat-footed and
cannot make attacks of opportunity.
Knockdown: If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher,
whenever you deal damage (in hit points) greater than a
melee opponent’s CMD in a single blow, you immediately
gain a trip attack against that opponent as a free action.
However, you do not gain an attack of opportunity (see
below) when tripping an opponent through the use of this
function. This supersedes the feat of the same name from
the 3.5 edition System Reference Document (“Divine
Feats”).
Normal: You provoke an attack of opportunity when
performing a trip or unbalance combat maneuver. Creatures
that are knocked prone do not provoke attacks of opportunity;
off-balance creatures lose their Dex bonus to AC, but are not
otherwise flat-footed.

Two-Weapon Defense
So saying, he gripped his staff and threw himself upon his
guard. Then the Tinker spat upon his hands and, grasping his
staff, came straight at the other. He struck two or three blows,
but soon found that he had met his match, for Robin warded
and parried all of them. ―Howard Pyle, The Merry
Adventures
of Robin Hood (1883)
Prerequisites: Two-Weapon Fighting.
Benefit: When wielding a double weapon or two weapons
(not including natural weapons or unarmed strikes), you gain
a +1 shield bonus to your AC.
This bonus increases by an additional +1 per 5 points of
your base attack bonus thereafter (i.e., +2 at BAB +6, +3 at
BAB +11, and +4 at BAB +16). Also, when you are fighting
defensively, using the total defense action, or using the
Combat Expertise feat, this shield bonus increases by an
additional +1.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, apply the
enhancement bonus of your off-hand weapon also applies
to the shield bonus to AC from this feat as well.
Synergy: If you have the Weapon Finesse feat and are
fighting with a finessable weapon in one hand and a light
weapon in the other, you may choose to fight defensively with
your off-hand weapon, while fighting normally with your
primary weapon. The penalty for fighting defensively applies
to all attacks with your off-hand weapon only, and you still
gain the bonus to AC. You may not use total defense in this
manner. This use of the feat supersedes (does not stack with)
the normal AC bonus provided by the feat.
Source: This feat supersedes the Two-Weapon Warrior’s
“defensive flurry” variant class feature from the Advanced
Player’s Guide and the Mythic Two-Weapon Defense feat
from Mythic Adventures. The synergy use also supersedes
the Dagger Defense feat from Art of the Duel (Sinister
Adventures LLC).
Two-Weapon Fighting
You can fight with a weapon in each hand, making one attack
each round with the second weapon in addition to your
primary hand attacks.
Prerequisites: Dex 13.
Benefit: Your penalties on attack rolls for fighting with two
weapons are reduced. The penalty for your primary hand
lessens by 2 and the one for your off hand lessens by 6.
Synergy: A monk can use the Two-Weapon Fighting feat to
perform a so-called “flurry of blows” in conjunction with any
combination of weapons, unarmed attacks, and/or combat
maneuvers (assuming the weapon(s) are in hand and the
monk has at least Simple proficiency with them).For example,
a 1st level monk can attack with two unarmed attacks, or with
each of a pair of sickles, or twice with a single sickle, or with
a sickle and an unarmed attack, etc., as long as the total
number of attacks matches that gained with the Two-Weapon
Fighting feat.
Flurrying with a two-handed weapon limits your damage
bonus from Strength and Power Attack to that of a one-
handed weapon, however. You can flurry with ranged
weapons, subject to the normal reload times (for projectiles)
and Sleight of Hand requirements (for thrown weapons).
Special: In addition to attacking with two separate
weapons (or a double weapon), Two-Weapon Fighting can
also be used in conjunction with any of the following:
A single polearm held in both hands (taking the off-hand
attacks with the haft; treat as a staff). Secondary attacks
gain ½ your Strength modifier for damage, as normal for
two-weapon fighting, and gain damage bonuses from
Power Attack as if using a light weapon.
A finessable weapon used in one hand (attacking with the
pommel as a knuckle-duster for your off-hand attacks;
treat as a light club).
Alternatively, you can activate two wands (one in each
hand) as a standard action, applying the attack penalty as
a penalty to Spellcraft checks made to activate them.
Normal: If you wield a second weapon in your off hand, you
can get one extra attack per round with that weapon. When
fighting in this way you suffer a –6 penalty with your regular
attack or attacks with your primary hand and a –10 penalty to
the attack with your off hand. If your offhand weapon is light,
the penalties are reduced by 2 each (an unarmed strike is
always considered light). Activating a wand is a standard
action.
Source: This feat now subsumes the Haft Strike feat from
Dragon magazine, issue 331, the Double Wand Wielder feat
from Complete Arcane, and the Swashbuckler’s pommel
swipe deed from the Advanced Class Guide.
Two-Weapon Fighting, Bear Fang
[Axe, Maneuver, Slashing]
You have mastered the fierce style of fighting with hand axe
and dagger at the same time (historically, this was termed
fighting “Indian Style” on the American frontier). You can
bring the fight to close quarters in the blink of an eye.
Prerequisites: Str 13, Improved Grapple, Improved Trip,
Two-Weapon Fighting.
Benefit: If you hit a creature with both your hand axe and
your dagger in the same round, you deal normal damage with
both weapons, and you can choose to immediately attempt to
start a grapple or trip as a free action without provoking an
attack of opportunity, as if you had the improved grab or trip
special ability. No initial touch attack is required.
If you succeed on your grapple attempt, you drop your axe,
but you immediately gain an additional attack against your
grappled foe with your dagger at your highest attack bonus
(without the normal –4 penalty for attacking in a grapple). In
subsequent rounds, you can use the dagger to attack while
grappling. If your base attack bonus is at least +6, you can
grapple with iterative attacks and attack with the dagger
likewise as well, using Two-Weapon Fighting.
 If you opt for the trip attempt (using your hand axe), you
immediately gain an attack of opportunity against that
opponent if your base attack bonus is at least +6. You can also
choose to automatically grapple to the tripped opponent. This
knocks you prone as well, but allows you all of the benefits of
grappling in conjunction with this feat, as described above.
Source: This feat supersedes not only the feat of the same
name, but also subsumes the High Sword Low Axe feat, both
from Complete Warrior.
Two-Weapon Fighting, Improved
You are skilled at fighting with two weapons.
Prerequisites: Dex 15, base attack bonus +6, Two-Weapon
Fighting.
Benefit: Add your full Strength bonus to damage rolls
made with your off-hand weapon.
In addition, you can make iterative attacks with your off-
hand weapon. In this case, the Multiattack feat generally
applies only to iterative attacks made with your primary
weapon; selecting Multiattack a second time allows you to
mitigate the iterative attack penalties with your off-hand
weapon as well.
Normal: Without this feat, you can only get a single extra
attack with an off-hand weapon, and add only half your
Strength bonus to damage with an off-hand weapon.
Source: This feat subsumes the Greater Two-Weapon
Fighting feat, and incorporates the Double Slice feat as well.
Two-Weapon Fighting, Oversized
You are adept at wielding larger than normal weapons in
your off-hand.
Prerequisite: Str 13, Two-Weapon Fighting.
Benefit: When wielding a one-handed weapon in your off-
hand, you take penalties for fighting with two weapons as if
you were wielding a light weapon in your off-hand.
Source: Complete Adventurer.
Two-Weapon Strike
Prerequisites: Dex 15, base attack bonus +6; Two-Weapon
Fighting and Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, or two claw
attacks.
Benefit: If you hit an opponent with both your primary
attack and your off-hand attack (or both claw attacks) during
the same round, you can apply the effects of one Strike feat
you possess, even if the normal activating conditions have not
been met.
Synergy:
When used in conjunction with the Vital Strike feat in
melee, you also add 1½ times your Strength bonus to the
Vital Strike damage. This supersedes the Two-Weapon
Rend feat and the Rending Claws feat from the Advanced
Player’s Guide. You cannot also apply the Mountain
Hammer ability, however (see Advanced Fighter Talents).
If you have the Versatile Unarmed Combat feat (q.v.) and
have two hands free, your unarmed attacks count as claw
attacks for purposes of qualifying for this feat and
activating it. This supersedes the Boar Style feat from
Ultimate Combat (in conjunction with the Daunting Strike
feat, it also subsumes the Boar Ferocity feat; in
conjunction with the Bleeding Strike feat, it subsumes the
Boar Shred and Greater Rending Fury feats as well).
When used in conjunction with Maneuvering Strike feat,
this feat subsumes the Two-Weapon Warrior’s “deft
doublestrike” variant class feature, from the Advanced
Player’s Guide.
Two-Weapon Versatility
Prerequisites: Dex 15, base attack bonus +6, Improved Two-
Weapon Fighting, Two-Weapon Fighting.
Benefit: When fighting with two different weapons, any
weapon-specific benefits from feats or talents (such as
Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization, or the Improved
Critical feat) that you receive with one weapon automatically
apply to the other as well. If you already receive one or more
of these benefits with the other weapon, the effects overlap,
rather than stack.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or greater, magical
properties possessed by one weapon apply to both (if there is
an overlap, use the best of each category; enhancement
bonuses do not stack).
Source: This feat supersedes the Tempest prestige class
feature of the same name, from Complete Adventurer. It can
also be used to simulate the Two-Weapon Warrior’s “twin
blades” variant class feature, from the Advanced Player’s
Guide.
Unarmed Combat, Versatile
[Unarmed]
You employ a variety of unarmed fighting styles, allowing you
to alter the type of damage your attacks deal.
Prerequisite: Exotic Weapon Proficiency (unarmed
attacks).
Benefit: As a swift action, you can opt for your unarmed
strikes to deal your choice of bludgeoning, piercing, or
slashing damage. Once you make this choice, your unarmed
strikes continue to deal the chosen damage type until you use
another swift action to change it.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, you can change
the damage type as a free action. In addition, for each
consecutive round that you change the type of damage
selected from the previous round, the threat range of your
unarmed attack increases by 1, to a maximum of 15-20/x2
after 4 rounds (2 rounds if you also have the Improved
Critical feat).
 If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, your unarmed
attacks can deal two different types of damage
simultaneously (e.g., bludgeoning and slashing).
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, your unarmed
attacks deal bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage. For
purposes of increasing the threat range (see above), the
damage type is treated as if it were re-assigned each round.
Special: If you possess this feat, your unarmed attacks are
treated as natural weapons for purposes of spells such as
greater magic fang and for purposes of qualifying for feats
such as Eldritch Claws (q.v.).
Source: Players Handbook II. This feat also subsumes the
Hamatulatsu feat from the Pathfinder Chronicles Campaign
Setting and the Mountain Breaking Fists feat from The
Warrior’s Way (Sinister Adventures, LLC).
Weapon Finesse [Finesse]
You are trained in using your agility in melee combat, as
opposed to brute strength.
Benefit: With a light weapon, natural weapon, or weapon
with the “finesse” property made for a creature of your size
category, you may use your Dexterity modifier instead of your
Strength modifier on attack rolls and when calculating CMB.
Additionally, you can substitute your Dexterity modifier
instead of your Strength modifier when calculating any
Strength-dependent DCs for strike feats (q.v.) and/or strike
talents you possess.
If you carry a shield, its armor check penalty applies to your
attack rolls.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or greater, you can apply
your Dexterity bonus instead of your Strength bonus on
damage rolls as well as attack rolls. Any Strength penalty
to damage still applies, however.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, you can apply
your Strength modifier and/or your Dexterity modifier to
damage, at your option, and can choose which modifier to
apply to attacks and CMB.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, you can apply
both your Strength bonus (if positive) and your Dexterity
bonus to attacks, CMB, and damage.
Special: Other feats requiring this feat gain the [Finesse]
descriptor.
Synergy: You cannot use this feat in conjunction with the
Power Attack feat.The rogue’s Opportune Strike class feature
applies when determining the effects of this feat.
Source: This feat also subsumes the Agile Maneuvers feat
from the core rules, the Fury’s Fall feat from Cheliax: Empire
of Devils, the Shadow Blade feat from the Tome of Battle, the
Aldori Swordlord’s Deft Strike prestige class feature, and the
Mythic Weapon Finesse feat from Mythic Adventures.
Weapon Finesse, Special [Finesse]
You can apply finesse to weapons that do not normally
allow it.
Prerequisites: Str 13, Dex 13, Martial Weapon Proficiency,
Weapon Finesse.
Benefit: Choose a weapon group for which you have at
least the Martial level of proficiency. You can use all weapons
from that group in conjunction with the Weapon Finesse feat,
even if this is not normally possible.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or greater, you can apply
your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier
on damage rolls as well as attack rolls.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, you can apply
both your Strength modifier and your Dexterity modifier
to attacks, and choose which modifier to apply to damage.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, you can apply
both your Strength modifier and your Dexterity modifier
to both attacks and damage.
Normal: Weapon Finesse applies only to light weapons
and weapons with the “finesse” property.
Weapon Focus
Choose one specific type of weapon (e.g., longswords). You
can also choose unarmed attacks or grapples (or rays, if you
are a spellcaster) as your weapon for purposes of this feat.
Prerequisites: Proficiency with selected weapon, base
attack bonus +1.
Benefit: You gain a +1 competence bonus to all attack rolls
you make using the selected weapon. For every 5 points of
your base attack bonus thereafter, this competence bonus
increases by an additional +1, per the following table:
Base Attack Bonus Attack Bonus
+1 to +5 +1
+6 to +10 +2
+11 to +15 +3
+16 or higher +4
Special: You can gain this feat multiple times; each time, it
applies to a new type of weapon.
Special: This feat is merged with the Weapon Focus feat
Synergy: If you have the weapon training class feature,
Weapon Focus applies to a weapons group (Chapter 6)
instead of a single weapon type.
Source: This feat scales so as to subsume the Epic
Weapon Focus feat from the 3.5 edition System Reference
Document (“Epic Feats”).

Weapon Maneuvers, Improved
[Maneuver]
Prerequisites: Combat Expertise.
Benefit: You do not provoke an attack of opportunity when
performing a bind, disarm, or sunder combat maneuver. In
addition, you receive a +2 competence bonus on checks made
to bind, disarm, parry, or sunder a foe’s weapon. This bonus
increases by an additional +1 per 4 points of your base attack
bonus. You gain a like bonus to the DC for performing these
combat maneuvers against you as well. When attacking an
object, you ignore 1 point of the object’s hardness per +1
bonus granted by this feat.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or greater, you gain the
following additional abilities:
Blade Binder: Whenever you successfully bind an
opponent’s weapon with yours, that opponent gains
grappled and flat-footed conditions until he wrests his
weapon free (by succeeding at a combat maneuver check
as an attack action) or drops it (as a free action) on his
turn. Dropping the weapon provokes an immediate attack
of opportunity from you (the opponent is aware of this if
he or she succeeds at a combat maneuver check against
you as a free action). This supersedes the Blade Binder
feat, from the Pathfinder Campaign Setting.
Disarm, Greater: Whenever you successfully disarm an
opponent, the weapon lands a number feet away from its
previous wielder equal to your disarm CMB check results,
in a random direction. You can choose the direction by
reducing the distance by 5 ft.; if you cause the weapon
land within 15 ft., you specify the exact location (including
into your off-hand, if desired).
Blinding/Disarming/Sundering Strike (Strike): As a
standard action, you can make a single melee attack. If it
hits, you gain a bind, disarm, or sunder attempt (your
choice) against that opponent as a free action. You can use
this attack in conjunction with the Vital Strike feat (q.v.).
This emulates the Warblade’s disarming strike maneuver,
from the Tome of Battle.
Sundering Parry: If you successfully use a held action to
parry an opponent’s attack, you can automatically attempt
to sunder the weapon; this does not require an action.
This emulates the Crushing Defense feat from Dragon
magazine (issue 301).
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, you gain the
following additional abilities:
Halbschwert: You can wield any weapon with which you
have at least Martial proficiency against a foe grappling
you, without the normal penalty. This simulates one
function of the Weapon Supremacy feat, from the Players
Handbook II.
Sunder, Greater: Whenever you sunder armor or shield
and destroy it, any excess damage is applied to the
wielder/wearer (no damage is transferred if you decide to
leave the item with 1 hit point). If you sunder an
opponent's armor or shield and destroy the item with a
single hit, you instead deal an amount of damage to your
opponent equal to the total amount of damage you dealt to
destroy the armor or shield (this supersedes the Deadly
Concussion feat from Dragon magazine, issue 333).
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, you gain the
following additional ability:
Sunder, Aggressive: When you successfully sunder a
weapon using your weapon, you cause broken pieces of
the sundered weapon to strike its bearer. Immediately
make an attack roll (as a free action) against the weapon's
wielder (using only your base attack bonus and any
masterwork or enhancement attack bonus the sundered
weapon had). If this attack hits, the target takes damage as
if he was struck by the weapon in its unsundered state.
This option is from Sean K Reynolds’ web site.
Synergy: There are two major areas of synergy:
Come to Grips: If you have the Improved Grapple or
Improved Trip feat, after a successful parry or bind with a
Finesse weapon, you may immediately make a trip
attempt or initiate a grapple as a free action that does not
provoke an attack of opportunity. This option duplicates
the Come to Grips feat from Art of the Duel (Sinister
Adventures LLC). Historical Note: Wrestling was often
used as a foundation for weapon training, and many sword
instructors integrated swordplay with wrestling, especially
in Germany and Italy.
Swashbuckler: If you have the Weapon Finesse feat, are
wielding a light or one-handed weapon in one hand, and
have nothing in your other hand, then the bonuses granted
by this feat are doubled. (This allows a better simulation of
the various swashbuckling movies with Douglas
Fairbanks and Errol Flynn.)
Normal: You provoke an attack of opportunity when
performing a bind, disarm, or sunder combat maneuver.
Disarmed weapons and gear land at the feet of the disarmed
creature. You cannot ignore item hardness when sundering,
and excess sundering damage is wasted.
Source: This feat combines the Improved Disarm,
Improved Sunder, Greater Disarm, and Greater Sunder feats
from the core rules.
 Source: This feat scales so as to subsume the Epic
Weapon Proficiency, Exotic Weapon Specialization feat from the 3.5 edition System
Benefit: You gain the Exotic level of proficiency with one Reference Document (“Epic Feats”).
specific weapon (Chapter 6).
Special: You can gain Exotic Weapon Proficiency multiple
times. Each time you take the feat, it applies to a different
weapon.
Synergy: If you gain Exotic proficiency with two weapons
in the same weapons group (e.g., the broadsword and the
bastard sword, both heavy blades), you automatically gain
Exotic proficiency with all other weapons in that same group
(e.g., the falchion, greatsword, scimitar, and scythe).
Weapon Proficiency, Martial
Benefit: Choose one weapons group (see Equipment). You
have the Martial level of proficiency with all weapons in that
group.
Special: You can gain Martial Weapon Proficiency multiple
times. Each time you take the feat, it applies to a new type of
weapon. Barbarians, fighters, paladins, and rangers have
Martial proficiency with all weapons. They need not select
this feat.
Weapon Proficiency, Simple
You are trained in the basic use of most weapons.
Benefit: You gain the Simple level of proficiency with all
weapons (see Equipment).
Normal: When using a weapon with which you are not
proficient, you take a –4 competence penalty on attack rolls.
Special: All characters except for druids and wizards
automatically have Simple proficiency with all weapons. They
need not select this feat.
Weapon Specialization
Prerequisites: Proficiency with selected weapon, Weapon
Focus with selected weapon.
Benefit: You gain a +1 competence bonus on all damage
rolls you make using the selected weapon. For every 4 points
of your base attack bonus, this damage bonus increases by
+1, as per the following table:
Base Attack Bonus Damage Bonus
+0 to +3 +1
+4 to +7 +2
+8 to +11 +3
+12 to +15 +4
+16 to +19 +5
+20 or above +6

Special: You can gain this feat multiple times. Its effects do
not stack. Each time you take the feat, it applies to a new type
of weapon.
Special: This feat is merged with the Weapon Focus feat
Synergy: If you have the weapon training class feature,
Weapon Focus applies to a weapons group (Chapter 6)
instead of a single weapon type.
 If your base attack bonus is at least +6, neither you nor
one adjacent ally are treated as being flanked.
Combat Feats, Stances
Unless otherwise specified, a stance requires a half-move If your base attack bonus is at least +11, you do not need
action to activate (i.e., you can still make a full attack, but an adjacent ally to gain the benefits this feat if you are
cannot make any other movement that round). Once initiated, within 5 ft. of a pillar, wall, etc.
it lasts until you adopt another stance (as a swift action), or If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, no adjacent
until you move (see below), after which time it can be re- allies are treated as being flanked while you are in this
adopted as a half-move action on your next turn. You cannot stance.
maintain a stance while dazed, helpless, staggered, stunned,
or unconscious.
While in a stance, you cannot willingly move from your Combat Expertise [Stance]
current position through any means (including normal Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +1.
movement, riding a mount, teleportation, or willingly allowing Benefit: You can only choose to use this feat when you
allies to carry you). If you enter a stance while on a moving declare that you are making an attack or full-attack action
vehicle you do not control (such as a wagon or ship), you can with a melee weapon. You gain a +1 dodge bonus to your
maintain the stance even if the vehicle moves. However, if you armor class for 1 round. For every 4 points of your base
move under your own power as a result of an enemy’s attack bonus, the bonus to AC increases by +1. You take a
successful use of the Bluff skill or an enchantment spell―or penalty on all attack rolls that round equal to the AC bonus
suffer any uncontrolled movement, as by a Bull Rush or gained.
telekinesis effect―your stance ends. If you choose to give up all of your normal attacks for the
Unless noted otherwise in the description, it is not possible round, the bonus to AC is doubled (+2, +2 for every 4 points of
to gain the effects of more than one stance at a time unless BAB).
you also have the Stance Mastery fighter class feature (q.v.).
Special: All [stance] feats are also [combat] feats, although Base Attack Attack Defensive Total
the [combat] descriptor is omitted in the titles. Bonus Penalty Fighting Defense
+1 to +3 -1 +1 +2
Assassin’s Stance [Skill, Stance] +4 to +7 -2 +2 +4
Prerequisite: Stealth 1 rank as a class skill. +8 to +11 -3 +3 +6
Benefit: While you are in this stance, you gain sneak attack
+1d6 (or your existing sneak attack damage increases by +12 to +15 -4 +4 +8
+1d6). For every 5 ranks in Stealth you possess above the 1st, +16 to +19 -5 +5 +10
the sneak attack damage granted by this stance increases by
+1d6. +20 -6 +6 +12
Special: You can exceed your normal level-based
maximum sneak attack damage using this feat; this is a Synergy: If you also have the Vital Strike and Weapon
specific exception to the rule that sneak attack damage can Finesse feats, when in this stance and fighting defensively or
never exceed +1d6 per 2 HD you possess (rounded up). using total defense, you apply your Vital Strike damage to any
Synergy: If you have the Vital Strike feat, you can use the melee attack you make with a finesse weapon. This
Bluff skill in place of Stealth for purposes of this feat; you supersedes the Deadly Defense feat from Complete
increase your Vital Strike damage, rather than your sneak Scoundrel.
attack damage. Normal: The attack penalties when fighting defensively are
Source: Tome of Battle. double those shown in the table.
Note: In essence, this feat doubles the effectiveness of
Avoid Critical Hit [Skill, Stance] fighting defensively, and should logically be renamed
Improved Defensive Fighting. The name “Combat Expertise”
Prerequisites: Dex 13+, Dodge, base attack bonus +6, is retained for the convenience of interaction with 3.5 and
Acrobatics 6 ranks. Pathfinder rules that reference this feat.
Benefit: While in this stance, you can attempt to cancel any
critical hit made against you as an immediate action. Note the Duck and Cover [Stance]
modified attack roll that confirmed that a critical hit has been
scored against you, and make an Acrobatics skill check. If Benefit: Whenever you are adjacent to at least one ally and
your check result equals or exceeds the confirming roll (with both of you are required to make a Reflex saving throw
modifications) then the critical hit is instead treated as a against a spell or effect, you may take the result of your die
normal hit. roll or that of your ally (your modifiers still apply to the roll,
Source: Dragon magazine, issue 292. regardless of which result you take). If you take your ally’s
result, you are knocked prone (or staggered on your next
Back to Back [Stance] turn, if you are already prone or cannot be knocked prone).
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +1. If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher and your
Benefit: While in this stance and adjacent to at least one adjacent ally is wielding a shield, you gain your ally’s shield
ally, you cannot be flanked (i.e., opponents gain no Aid bonus to AC against ranged attacks.
Another bonuses to attack you).

If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, if your adjacent
ally has the Evasion ability, you gain it as well (you do not
gain Improved Evasion or Greater Evasion, however).
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, you are not
knocked prone or staggered.
Source: This stance supersedes the teamwork feat of the
same name from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Evade Reach [Stance]
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +1, Dodge.
Benefit: As a swift action, choose one creature within your
line of sight. As long as you maintain this stance, that target’s
reach is treated as if it were 5 feet shorter with respect to
you, to a minimum effective reach of 5 ft.
You can move and eliminate the target’s threatened area
entirely for purposes of your movement, but you must end
your movement adjacent to that creature. The other effects of
this stance end immediately upon cessation of your
movement.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, designating the
target is a free action, and you can choose whether to
reduce the opponent’s effective reach by 10 ft. (to a
minimum of 5 ft.) or by 5 ft. (to minimum of 0 ft., meaning
that that opponent cannot make attacks of opportunity
against you).
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, the opponent’s
effective reach is reduced by 15 ft. (minimum 5 ft.) or by
10 ft. (minimum 0 ft.).
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, the opponent’s
effective reach is reduced by 20 ft. (minimum 5 ft.) or by
15 ft. (minimum 0 ft.).
Synergy: If your base attack bonus is at least +6 and you
also have the Combat Reflexes feat, whenever an opponent
with effective reach of 0 ft. against you attempts an attack of
opportunity against another character, you can spend one of
your own attacks of opportunity to automatically negate the
attempt.
Source: This stance supersedes the Titan Mauler’s variant
class feature of the same name, from Ultimate Combat, and
also the Elusive Stance feat from Dragon magazine (issue
333), the covering strike maneuver from the Tome of Battle,
the Running Circles feat from the Collected Book of
Experimental Might (Malhavoc Press), and the Advance feat
from the Pathfinder Beta Playtest.
Exhausting Defense [Stance]
You coax your opponents into wasting their strength.
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +6, Dodge.
Benefit: Designate one foe per round as the target of this
feat. The target must attempt a Fortitude save (DC 10 + half
your base attack bonus + your Constitution modifier) each
round when attacking you in melee or suffer an amount of
nonlethal damage equal to 1d6 + your Constitution modifier.
The target suffers this damage a maximum of once per round,
no matter how many times you are attacked.
Synergy: You can use this stance in conjunction with
Combat Expertise; this is a specific exception to the non-
stacking rule for stances. If you do so for more than 3
consecutive rounds, your opponent must save (DC as above)
each round after the third or be fatigued. A fatigued opponent
must save each round or become exhausted instead. Any
interruption in the combat before the opponent succumbs
means that you must start over to use this feat. If you use
Combat Expertise against a fatigued or exhausted foe for 1
round, then attack the next round without using Combat
Expertise, your opponent is flat-footed for 1 round and you
gain an additional +2 circumstance bonus to attack him until
your next turn.
Source: This feat combines the feat of the same name
from Dragon magazine, issue 345, and also the Armiger’s
“draining defense” class feature from Iron Heroes (Fiery
Dragon Productions).
Flanking, Adaptable [Stance]
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +1, Combat Reflexes,
Improved Flanking.
Benefit: Each round, designate a single opponent as the
target of this feat. When the chosen target is within your
reach, you can provide Aid Another bonuses to allies’ attacks
against it as a free action, and you can choose to count as
occupying your square or any square you threaten for
purposes of determining whether you can provide or receive
flanking bonuses with allies.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, the designated
opponent is always treated as flanked by all opponents
adjacent to it, even if they do not spend immediate actions.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, the effects of
this feat apply to all adjacent opponents.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, the effects of
this feat apply to all opponents within your reach.
Source: Player’s Handbook II. This feat also subsumes the
Superior Flanking feat from the Collected Book of
Experimental Might (Malhavoc Press); the Dedicated
Nuisance feat from Dragon magazine, issue 343; the Gang
Up feat from the Advanced Player’s Guide; the Polearm
Master’s “flexible flanker” variant class feature from the
Advanced Player’s Guide; and the Swordsage’s island of
blades stance, from the Tome of Battle.
Giant’s Stance [Stance]
Prerequisite: Power Attack.
Benefit: As a swift action, you can adopt a stance allowing
you to put extra leverage into your blows. As long as you
remain in this stance, you deal damage in melee as if any
weapon you wield (or any unarmed attack) was one size
greater than actual. You gain no size modifiers; only base
damage changes.
Source: Tome of Battle.
Hold the Line [Stance]
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +1, Dodge.
Benefit: While in this stance, you get a +1 dodge bonus to
Armor Class against charge attacks; this bonus improves by
+1 per 4 points of your base attack bonus (maximum +6 at
BAB +20). This bonus also applies to your CMB when
attempting a Counter Charge maneuver (Chapter 1).
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, any opponent
who misses you with a charge attack provokes an attack of
opportunity from you.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, you can also
make an attack of opportunity against any charging
opponent who enters the area you threaten, even if you
are not targeted. This attack of opportunity happens
immediately before the charge attack is resolved. If you
use a weapon with the brace property, this attack deals
double damage as if you had set it to receive the charge.
Special: This feat does not grant you more attacks of
opportunity than you are normally allowed in a round. If you
are flat-footed or otherwise denied your Dexterity bonus to
Armor Class, you do not gain the benefit of this feat.
Normal: You only get an attack of opportunity against a
character that exits a square you threaten.
Source: Complete Warrior. This feat also subsumes the
Sidestep Charge feat from the 3.5 edition System Reference
Document (“Psionic Feats”); the Phalanx Fighter’s “ready
pike” variant class feature from the Advanced Player’s Guide;
and the Resist Charge feat from the Collected Book of
Experimental Might (Malhavoc Press).
Lunge [Stance]
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: When you adopt this stance, you increase the
reach of your melee attacks by 5 feet by taking a -2 penalty to
your AC until your next turn. You can return to a normal
stance (using your standard reach) as a free action.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, you can activate
this feat as a swift action.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, you do not
suffer the penalty to AC.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, you can activate
and de-activate this stance as a free action (i.e., it is no
longer a stance, but a simple choice you make each time
you attack).
Martial Spirit [Stance]
Benefit: While you are in this stance, each time you
successfully damage an opponent that represents a credible
threat with a melee attack, you or an ally within 30 feet (your
choice with each hit) heals 2 points of damage (multiplied on
a successful crit). This healing represents the vigor, drive, and
toughness you inspire.
Source: Tome of Battle.
Menacing Stance [Skill, Stance]
While in this stance, you constantly harry and distract your
enemies, causing them to make mistakes.
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +1, Staredown.
Benefit: While adjacent to you, enemies take a –1 morale
penalty to attack rolls and Concentration checks. These
penalties increase by 1 for every four points of your base
attack bonus and 4 ranks of Bluff you possess (to a maximum
of –6 at BAB +20 and 20 ranks in Bluff). They overlap with
(do not stack with) the penalties imposed by the shaken
condition.
Source: This stance supersedes the Brawler’s variant class
feature of the same name, from Ultimate Combat.
Mystic Phoenix Stance [Stance]
Prerequisites: BAB +6, able to cast arcane spells, Arcane
Boost.
Benefit: While in this stance, you gain a +2 dodge bonus to
AC and to Concentration checks to cast defensively during
any round in which you cast a spell or attempt to cast a spell
or use a spell-like ability. In addition, when you activate your
Arcane Boost ability, the effects of that feat last for as long as
you maintain this stance (maximum 1 round per level of the
spell expended).
Source: This feat emulates the Jade Phoenix Mage
prestige class feature of the same name, from the Tome of
Battle.
Opportunist, Paired [Stance]
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: Whenever you are in this stance and adjacent to at
least one ally, enemies that provoke attacks of opportunity
from your ally also provoke attacks of opportunity from you
so long as you threaten them (even if the situation or an
ability would normally deny you the attack of opportunity).
This does not allow you to take more than one attack of
opportunity against a creature for a given action.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, the ally need not
be adjacent, but merely within your reach.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, whenever an
ally successfully feints against an opponent, that opponent
provokes an attack of opportunity from you.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, once per round
you can make an attack of opportunity against any
opponent who has just been struck for damage in melee.
Synergy: The rogue’s Opportune Strike ability applies to
this feat (rogues with this feat also generally select the
Combat Reflexes and Vital Strike feats so as to apply sneak
attack damage as well).
If your base attack bonus is at least +6 and you also have
the Pont-Blank Shot feat, when an ally makes a ranged attack
and hits an opponent within point-blank range of you, you can
make a single ranged attack of opportunity against that
opponent as an immediate action. Your ranged weapon must
be in hand, loaded, and ready to be fired or thrown for you to
make the ranged attack.
Source: This stance supersedes the teamwork feat of the
same name from the Advanced Player’s Guide, the Ranged
Opportunist feat from Ultimate Combat, and the core rogue’s
“opportunist” talent.
Redirection [Stance]
You can adopt a stance allowing you to use an opponent’s
power against him.
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +1, Martial Weapon
Proficiency (unarmed attacks), Improved Bull Rush or
Improved Trip, Power Attack.
Benefit: As an immediate action, you can attempt a
reposition or trip combat maneuver against an opponent who
charges you, who attempts a forcing maneuver against you,
or who attacks you using the Power Attack feat. This
maneuver counts as an attack of opportunity on your part. If
successful, the attack is foiled and the attacker is sickened for
1 round, plus an additional round per 4 points of your base
attack bonus. A Reflex save (DC = 10 + half your BAB + your
Wisdom modifier) applies to halve the duration.
You gain a +2 circumstance bonus on the combat
maneuver check and to the save DC for the redirection if the
attacker is charging you or attempting a forcing maneuver
against you. If the opponent is using Power Attack, these
bonuses are instead equal to the penalty to attacks from the
opponent’s Power Attack. If the opponent uses Power Attack
on a charge, the bonuses stack (this is a specific exception to
the non-stacking rule for like-named bonuses).
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, you can use this
ability in response to one of the listed attack forms against
an adjacent ally.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, you can use
redirection against any opponent that attacks you in
melee, even that opponent is not using one of the listed
attack forms.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, you can use
redirection in response to any melee attack against an
adjacent ally.
Synergy: If you have both the Improved Bull Rush and
Improved Trip feats, you can make both a reposition and a
trip maneuver as part of a single immediate action with this
ability.
Special: This feat allows you to qualify for the Manticore
Parry fighter talent (q.v.) as if it were a feat, provided you meet
the other prerequisites and your base attack bonus is +11 or
higher. This simulates the Elusive Redirection feat from
Ultimate Combat.
Source: This feat supersedes the Flowing Monk’s variant
class feature of the same name, from Ultimate Combat.
Sand Dancer [Stance]
Prerequisite: Favored terrain (deserts).
Benefit: If you successfully trip an opponent in any area of
ash, dust, loose earth, or sand that is at least 1 inch deep, that
opponent must take a full-round action to stand during the
round after being tripped. Following that round, the target can
get to his feet with a move action (as normal). The opponent
still provokes attacks of opportunity while attempting to
stand, as normal.
If your base attack bonus is at least +6, in an area covered
in a layer of at least 1 inch of ash, dust, loose earth, or
sand, as an immediate action you can supplement an
attack made in that same round with flung or kicked
material. A foe damaged by your attack is blinded 1 round
(Fortitude negates; DC 10 + half your base attack bonus +
your Dex modifier).
If your base attack bonus is at least +11, the blinding spray
of sand affects either a 5-ft. cone or a 5-ft. burst, at your
option
Special: Equivalent feats for different impeding conditions
in other favored terrains might be allowed: Forest Dancer
(undergrowth), Mountain Dancer (scree), etc.
Source: This feat subsumes the feat of the same name,
and also the Sandspinner and Sand Snare feats, from
Sandstorm.
Shared Shield [Stance]
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: As long as you have at least one attack of
opportunity left, when you fight defensively, you can apply
that bonus to AC as a shield bonus to the AC of one ally you
designate within your reach (you gain no AC bonus yourself,
in this case).
If you are actively using a shield, you can instead simply
choose to share the AC bonus gained from your shield with
one adjacent ally who does not have a shield (this does not
require an action on your part), or share half this bonus with
all adjacent allies.
Synergy:
Improvements to fighting defensively (such as Combat
Expertise and Elaborate Defense) can also be applied
when using this feat to protect one ally; this is a specific
exception to general rule of non-stacking of stance effects.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, when you fight
defensively or use the total defense option, the full AC
bonus you receive extends to all allies in adjacent squares
as well, as long as you retain at least one unused attack of
opportunity. If you use the Combat Expertise feat or the
Elaborate Defense talent, you receive the full benefit of the
feat or talent, and adjacent allies receive the normal
fighting defensively bonus (+1, +1 per 4 points of your
BAB) in addition to the shield bonus.
You can use this feat in conjunction with the Two-Weapon
Defense feat. When this is done with a polearm, the effect
is similar to the Polearm Master’s “polearm parry” variant
class feature, from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Source: Collected Book of Experimental Might (Malhavoc
Press). This feat also subsumes the Covering Defense and
Saving Shield feats, and Phalanx Fighter’s “shield ally”
variant class feature, from the Advanced Player’s Guide, the
Cavalier’s “champion” class feature from Robert J. Schwalb’s
The Cavalier’s Handbook (Green Ronin Publishing), and the
Knight Protector’s “defensive stance” prestige class feature,
from Complete Warrior.
Shield Wall [Stance]
You are skilled at positioning yourself together with those
around you for greater protection.
Prerequisite: Shield Proficiency.
Benefit: Whenever you are wielding a shield and are
adjacent to an ally who is doing likewise, the AC bonus from
your shields increases. If an adjacent ally is wielding a light
shield, your shield bonus increases by +1; if your ally is
wielding a heavy shield, your shield bonus increases by +2. If
your ally is wielding a tower shield, your shield bonus
increases by +3; if the ally instead uses the tower shield to
gain total cover, you also benefit if an attack targeting you
passes through the edge of the shield (see page 153 of the
Core Rulebook).
Source: This feat supersedes the teamwork feat of the
same name, from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Snake Style [Skill, Stance]
You watch your foe’s every movement and then punch
through its defense.
Prerequisites: Bluff 1 rank, Combat Reflexes, Exotic
Weapon Proficiency (unarmed attacks), Improved Feint.
Benefit: While in this stance, your baffling defense (see
Improved Feint) is always active; roll Bluff once per round
and use the results in place of your AC against all attacks.
Your CMB in this stance is equal to your Bluff results + your
Strength modifier + your size modifier + any bonuses from
Improved Maneuvers feats.
If you have at least 6 ranks in Bluff, whenever you score a
critical threat with an unarmed attack while in this stance,
you can make a Bluff check in place of the attack roll to
confirm the critical hit. Whenever you confirm a critical
hit with your unarmed attack, you can spend an
immediate action to take a 5-foot step even if you have
otherwise moved this round; this step does not end your
stance.
If you have at least 11 ranks in Bluff, when an opponent’s
attack misses you while you are using this stance (i.e., fails
to meet your Bluff results), you can make an unarmed
attack against that opponent as an attack of opportunity
(assuming you have at least one attack of opportunity
remaining that round, after the one you used for your AC).
If you have at least 16 ranks in Bluff, if you make an
unarmed attack of opportunity in response to a miss and
you score a hit, you can make another attack of
opportunity against the same opponent (assuming you
have at least one attack of opportunity left after using the
other two with this feat).
Source: This feat duplicates the Snake Style, Snake
Sidewind, and Snake Fang feats, from Ultimate Combat.
Stance Mastery [Combat]
You can maintain stances when others cannot.
Prerequisites: BAB +6; any stance feat or talent.
Benefit: While in a stance that normally ends if you move,
you can move 5 ft. (or take a 5-ft. step) and still maintain the
effects of the stance. If you remain immobile, you can instead
choose to maintain the effects of two stances simultaneously.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, you can move
up to 10 feet and still maintain the stance.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, you can move
up to half your normal speed and still maintain the stance.
Source: This feat supersedes the Warblade class feature of
the same name from the Tome of Battle, and also the
Stalwart Defender’s “mobile stance” prestige class feature
from the Advanced Player’s Guide and the Master of Many
Styles’ “perfect style” variant class feature from Ultimate
Combat.
Steadfast Pike [Stance]
Prerequisite: Martial Weapon Proficiency (pole-arms or
spears).
Benefit: You gain a +1 circumstance bonus on attack rolls
with readied attacks and attacks of opportunity made with a
spear or polearm with which you have at least Martial
proficiency. The bonus increases by +1 for every four points
of your base attack bonus (maximum +6 at BAB +20).
Synergy: If you also have Exotic proficiency with a polearm
or spear with the “brace” property, you deal triple damage
against charging opponents, rather than double damage,
when set to receive a charge. Alternatively, when set to
receive a charge from a mounted opponent, you can brace
your weapon and deal double damage to the mount and
normal damage to the rider if you hit the mount.
Source: This feat supersedes the Polearm Master’s variant
class feature of the same name, from the Advanced Player’s
Guide.
Steady Stance [Stance]
Benefit: While in this stance, you gain a +4 circumstance
bonus to your Combat Maneuver Defense. This bonus
increases by an additional +1 per 4 points of your base attack
bonus.
Vigilant Defender [Stance]
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: Each round you are in this stance, select one
adjacent ally. Attacks made against that ally provoke attacks
of opportunity from you. These attacks of opportunity are
made with a morale bonus equal to one-fourth of your base
attack bonus (maximum +5 at BAB +20).
If your base attack bonus is at least +6, the ally need not
be adjacent, as long as he or she is within reach.
If your base attack bonus is at least +11, you can defend
two adjacent allies.

If your base attack bonus is at least +16, you can defend
two allies within reach, or on any number of adjacent allies.
Synergy: The rogue’s Opportune Strike class feature applies
to this feat.
Source: This feat supersedes the Devoted Defender’s
“defensive strike” class feature, from Sword and Fist.
Wind Stance [Stance]
Prerequisites: Dex 15, BAB +1, Dodge.
Benefit: If you move more than 5 feet, you gain a 10% miss
chance (treat as due to concealment) against ranged attacks
for 1 round. For every 4 points of your base attack bonus, the
miss chance increases by 10% (maximum 60% at BAB +20).
Special: This stance is a specific exception to the general
rule of non-mobility for stances; rather, it requires movement
in order to operate.
Source: This feat subsumes the Lightning Stance feat as
well, and the Swordsage’s child of shadow stance from the
Tome of Battle.
Combat Feats, Strikes
Strikes are a special subset of combat feats that add
additional effects to your attacks, but generally at the cost of
being able to make only one attack that round (some strikes
can be applied to multiple attacks, but at a penalty, as noted
in the description). Unless otherwise noted, Strikes that
require an attack as a standard action can also be used in
conjunction with a single attack at the end of a charge, or a
single attack made using the Spring Attack feat.
Immunity: In general, Strikes are ineffective against
creatures that are immune to critical hits or that do not have
a discernible anatomy, although this latter condition is waived
if you have oozes as a favored enemy (see the ranger lore of
the same name).
Saving Throws: Many Strikes allow a saving throw to
mitigate the effects. Unless otherwise noted, the save DC is
equal to 10 + half your base attack bonus + your Strength
modifier. If you have the Weapon Finesse feat and execute a
Strike, you can instead choose to set the DC as 10 + half your
BAB + your Dexterity modifier. For strikes that activate on a
critical and allow a saving throw, add +2 to the save DC for
weapons with a x3 critical multiplier, and +4 to the save DC
for weapons with a x4 critical multiplier.
Synergy: The effects of most strikes can be automatically
applied to certain other attacks, depending on the
prerequisites met:
To a single attack of opportunity if you have the Combat
Reflexes feat;
To a confirmed critical hit if you have the Critical Focus
feat;
To a pin if you have the Improved Grapple feat;
To a sneak attack if you are a rogue with the Opportune
Strike class feature.
Special: Unless you have the Striking Mastery feat (q.v.),
the effects of only one strike can be added to any given attack.
All [Strike] feats are also [Combat] feats, although the
[Combat] descriptor is omitted in the titles.
Sources: Strike feats are meant to organize the various
“critical” feats from the Pathfinder core rules, the “assault”
feats from the Advanced Player’s Guide, and the “martial
strikes” from the Tome of Battle into a more or less unified
mechanic.
Anchoring Blow [Strike]
Your ties to the Prime Material Plane are stronger than most.
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +6.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can perform an
anchoring blow. Any opponent damaged by that attack is also
affected as if by a dimensional anchor spell (caster level
equals your base attack bonus). There is no saving throw, but
spell resistance applies normally.
You can apply this talent to a full attack action, but this
imposes a -5 penalty to all attacks made that round.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, you gain the
effects of a permanent dimensional anchor on yourself as
well as an extraordinary ability. You can lower or reinstate
it as a free action. While this ability is active, any creature
you grapple is likewise automatically affected.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, you can enter a
stance that expands your dimensional anchor to an aura
to encompass a 20-ft. emanation (as a dimensional lock
spell). This effect has all the limitations standard to
[Stance] feats.
Synergy: If you also have the planar tracking class feature
(see Ranger), when a creature you are grappling attempts to
dimension door, plane shift, teleport, or use any similar
transportation effect, you immediately know the intended
destination and can choose whether to apply your
dimensional anchor effect, lower the effect and allow the
effect as intended, or allow the effect and also “piggyback”
along, as if you had no weight (for purposes of counting
against the weight limit of effects like dimension door). This
supersedes the Guardian’s Dimensional Grappler ability from
Mythic Adventures.
Source: Dragon magazine, issue 306. It also supersedes
the Aura of Stability power from the Planar Handbook.
Avalanche of Blows [Strike]
Prerequisites: BAB +11, Combat Reflexes.
Benefit: As a full attack action, make a single attack. If this
attack hits, you may spend an immediate action to make a
second attack against the same opponent, albeit at a –4
penalty. As long as you continue to hit the opponent, you can
continue to make additional attacks against that same target,
but each additional attack suffers an additional –4 penalty (-8
for the third attack, -12 for the fourth, -16 for the fifth, etc.).
Any miss breaks the tempo and ends your chain of attacks.
Synergy: If you have the rogue’s “surprise attacks” class
feature, you can activate the Avalanche of Blows feat
whenever you successfully sneak attack an opponent during a
surprise round. This supersedes the Hellcat Pounce feat from
Cheliax: Empire of Devils.
Special: If you have the Multiattack feat and it normally
applies to your iterative attacks, it reduces the attack penalty
of the second attack by 3, so that the second attack is at -1,
the third at -5, the fourth at -9, and so on.
Source: This feat simulates the avalanche of blades strike,
from the Tome of Battle.
Awesome Blow [Strike]
Prerequisites: Improved Bull Rush, Power Attack; BAB +6
or Str 25.
Benefit: As a standard action, make one melee attack
against a creature at least one size category smaller than you
are (or the same size, if you have the Powerful Build trait). If
successful, the attack deals normal damage, and if the attack
roll results exceed the opponent’s CMD, the victim is thrown
10 feet in a direction of your choice and falls prone. For every
5 points by which your attack roll beats the opponent’s CMD,
you can add an additional 5 ft. to the distance thrown. You
can only throw the opponent in a straight line, and the
opponent can’t move closer to you than the square it started
in. An enemy you throw with this feat does not provoke
attacks of opportunity for movement while being thrown. If
the thrown creature’s trajectory causes it to strike an object,
the creature and object take damage as if you had struck
them with an unarmed attack.
You can use this feat as part of a full attack, but all attacks
and combat maneuver checks that round suffer a -5 penalty.
Synergy:
If you have the Improved Grapple feat, you can use this
ability in conjunction with an unarmed attack against a
creature of any size that you would normally be able to
grapple. This usage supersedes the Great Throw feat from
Oriental Adventures, the Ki Throw feats from the
Advanced Player’s Guide, and the various Swordsage
“mighty throw” strikes, from the Tome of Battle (the latter
particularly if combined with Vital Strike; see below).
If you have the Vital Strike feat, if an obstacle prevents the
completion of the opponent’s move, add your Vital Strike
damage to the creature and impacted object. If the
obstacle is another creature, it is also knocked prone if the
damage dealt to it in this manner is greater than its CMD.
Baffling Strike [Strike]
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: As a standard action, make a single attack. Any
opponent damaged by this attack is also hampered for 1
round, taking a circumstance penalty to attack rolls equal to
half your base attack bonus (round up). The penalty does not
multiply on a successful critical hit, but the duration does.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, on a failed save
the effects last for 1 round per point of your base attack
bonus.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, the effects
apply to the target’s next attack even on a successful save.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, the effects
apply until the start of your next turn, even on a successful
save.
You can use this feat in conjunction with a full attack, but
doing so imposes a -5 penalty to all your attacks that round.
The effects of multiple hits do not stack, but do increase the
duration.
Source: Collected Book of Experimental Might (Malhavoc
Press). This feat also supersedes the Rogue’s befuddling
strike talent from the Advanced Player’s Guide and the
Archer’s “distracting shot” token ability from Iron Heroes
(Fiery Dragon Productions).
Bleeding Strike [Strike]
Prerequisites: Str 13 and Power Attack or Dex 13 and
Weapon Finesse; base attack bonus +6 or sneak attack +1d6.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can make a single attack
with a slashing or piercing weapon that deals an additional
1d6 points of bleed damage per round, in addition to normal
damage. You can use this feat in conjunction with a full
attack, but this imposes a -5 penalty on all attacks that round
and reduces the bleed damage to 1d4.
The amount of bleed damage increases with your base
attack bonus, according to the following table:
Bleed Damage on a:
Base Attack Standard Action
+6 to +10 1d6
+11 to +15 1d8
+16 or higher 2d6
A creature continues to take bleed damage every round at
the start of its turn. Bleed damage can be stopped by a DC 15
Heal check or through any magical healing. Bleed damage
from this feat does not stack with itself unless you also have
the Striking Mastery feat (q.v.).
Special: You can use this feat in conjunction with a full
attack when using a melee or thrown weapon with the fragile
quality (i.e., that breaks on a 1, such as a stone weapon; see
Special Materials under “Equipment”). You take no penalty to
attacks, but instead give your weapon the broken condition
on a successful hit if you activate this feat. You cannot
activate this effect with a weapon that is already broken This
supersedes the Splintering Weapon feat from Ultimate
Combat.
Synergy: If activate this Strike as part of a sneak attack,
instead of rolling for bleed damage, you may instead set it
equal to the number of dice of sneak attack damage dealt.
This supersedes the Bleeding Attack rogue talent from the
core rules.
Source: This feat now subsumes the Bloody Assault feat
from the Advanced Player’s Guide and the Belier’s Bite feat
from Cheliax: Empire of Devils.

Blinding Strike [Strike]
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can make a single attack
that inflicts normal damage. If you damage an opponent with
a discernible anatomy, the foe must succeed at a Reflex save
or be dazzled (suffering a 20% miss chance and -4 to
Perception checks, as noted in Chapter 1) for a number of
rounds equal to your base attack bonus.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, on a failed save
the target is blinded instead of dazzled. A successful
Reflex save reduces the blinded condition to dazzled.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, the feat causes
blindness 1 round even on a successful save, followed by
the dazzled condition for the remainder of the duration.
On a failed save, in addition to temporary blindness in
both eyes, one eye is permanently blinded. Thereafter, the
victim takes a -2 penalty to ranged attacks and Perception
checks due to poor depth perception.
If your base attack bonus is at least +16, the blindness in
both eyes is permanent.
Creatures with multiple eyestalks are not blinded. However,
creatures with eye-related powers (such as gaze attacks) may
be unable to use those attacks until the blindness wears off.
This feat has no effect on creatures that do not rely on eyes
for sight or creatures with more than two eyes (although
multiple hits might cause blindness, depending on the
referee’s discretion). This blindness can be cured by heal,
regeneration, remove blindness, or a similar ability.
Source: Collected Book of Experimental Might (Malhavoc
Press); this feat also subsumes the Blinding Critical feat from
the Pathfinder core rules and the Blinding Strike feat from
The Warrior’s Way (Sinister Adventures, LLC). The dazzling
function supersedes the Dazzling Attack feat from Dragon
magazine (issue 344), and emulates the Swordsage’s clinging
shadow strike and obscuring shadow veil strikes, from the
Tome of Battle.
Bonecrusher Strike [Strike]
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: As a standard action, make a single melee attack.
Any opponent with a discernible anatomy damaged by this
attack must succeed at a Fortitude save or suffer a -4 penalty
to AC for purposes of confirming critical hits against it (only).
This penalty lasts until the target’s hit points are restored to
their full normal total.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, the penalty is
equal to your base attack bonus, and the target’s
Fortification (if any, regardless of its source) is reduced by
25% until the victim is fully healed.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, all critical
threats against the target are automatically confirmed
until the victim is fully healed, and the target’s Fortification
(if any) is reduced by 50% during that time.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, in addition to
the auto-confirmation of crits against the victim, the
target’s Fortification (if any) is negated until the victim is
fully healed.
You can use this feat as part of a full attack, but doing so
imposes a -5 penalty on all attack rolls that round.
Source: Tome of Battle.
Charge, Heedless [Strike]
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +6.
Benefit: When you make a single attack at the end of a
charge, you gain a bonus on attack rolls equal to half your
base attack bonus, while suffering a penalty to AC equal to
half your BAB. These replace the normal attack roll bonus
and AC penalty for charging. The attack bonus also applies to
your CMB for Overrun attempts made in conjunction with the
charge.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, you can charge
through friendly creatures and difficult terrain.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, the AC penalty
is reduced to ¼ your BAB, rather than half.
Synergy: When using the Power Attack feat in conjunction
with a charge, you can convert the attack penalty from that
feat into an AC penalty instead.
Normal: Charging applies a flat +2 bonus to attack rolls
and a -2 penalty to AC.
Source: This feat supersedes the Savage Charge from the
Advanced Player’s Guide, and also the “heedless charge”
function of the Shock Trooper feat, from Complete Warrior.
Cold Iron Strike [Strike]
Benefit: As a standard action, make a single attack that
bypasses DR/cold iron.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, all your attacks
bypass DR/cold iron. In addition, as a standard action you
can make a single attack as if your weapon had the bane
property against demons, fey, and other creatures
susceptible to cold iron.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, all your attacks
are bane against creatures susceptible to cold iron. As a
standard action, you can make a single attack that
suppresses any deflection bonus to AC and/or blur,
displacement, or invisibility effect on the target for 1
round per point of your base attack bonus (Will save
reduces the duration to 1 round).
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, the BAB +11
[strike] effects always apply, even if the attack does not
meet the normal activating conditions.

Concussive Strike [Strike]
You strike your opponent’s head, rattling his senses and
causing him to lose focus.
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: As a standard action, make a single attack. If this
attack damages an opponent with a discernible anatomy, that
target also takes a penalty to Intelligence, Wisdom, or
Charisma (your choice) equal to 1d6 points (Will save for
half). The penalty lasts 1 round per point of your base attack
bonus. Multiple hits do not stack penalties, but do increase
the duration.
If your base attack bonus is at least +6, instead of a
penalty, the strike deals a like amount of attribute damage.
If your base attack bonus is at least +11, the attribute
damage increases to 2d6 (all to the same stat or divided
between two mental attributes, at your option), or you can
inflict 1d6 drain to one metal attribute instead.
If your base attack bonus is at least +16, the attribute
damage increases to 3d6 (each die assigned to a mental
attribute as you see fit), or you can inflict 2d6 total
attribute drain instead.
Source: This feat emulates mind strike maneuver from the
Tome of Battle.
Confusing Blow [Bludgeoning,
Strike]
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +1, Weapon Focus with a
bludgeoning weapon.
Benefit: As a standard action, make a single attack with a
qualifying bludgeoning weapon. If successful, the target must
succeed at a Will save or be confused for 1 round.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, there is no
saving throw against the effect.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, the confusion
automatically lasts 1 round; on a failed save, the confusion
lasts 1 round per point of your base attack bonus.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, the confusion is
permanent on a failed save; on a successful save it lasts 1
round per point of your base attack bonus.
Source: This feat supersedes the Head Shot ambush feat
from Complete Scoundrel.
Crippling Strike [Strike]
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: As a standard action, make a single attack. If this
attack damages an opponent with a discernible anatomy, that
target also takes a temporary penalty to Dexterity or Strength
equal to 1d6 points (Fort save for half). The penalty lasts 1
round per point of your base attack bonus. Multiple hits do
not stack penalties, but do increase the duration.
If your base attack bonus is at least +6, instead of a
penalty, the strike deals 1d6 attribute damage.
If your base attack bonus is at least +11, the attack deals
2d6 attribute damage. Each die can be assigned to
Strength or Dexterity as you see fit. Alternatively, your
strike can inflict 1d6 attribute drain to either Strength or
Dexterity, or 1d6 Constitution damage.
If your base attack bonus is at least +16, the attack deals
3d6 attribute damage (each die assigned to Str or Dex as
you see fit, and up to 1 die can be applied to Constitution)
or 2d6 attribute drain (likewise).
In all cases, a Fortitude save applies for half.
Source: This feat supersedes the rogue talent and duelist
prestige class feature of the same name, and also the
Swashbuckler’s weakening critical and wounding critical
class features from Complete Warrior, the Disemboweling
Strike ambush feat from Complete Scoundrel, the Wounding
Attack feat from the 3.5 edition System Reference Document
(“Psionic Feats”), the bone splitting strike and bloodletting
strike maneuvers from the Tome of Battle, and the
Bonebreaker and Neckbreaker feats from Ultimate Combat.
Daunting Strike [Skill, Strike]
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +1, Bluff 1 rank.
Benefit: As a standard action, make a single melee attack.
Any opponent damaged by this attack must succeed at a Will
save (DC 10 + your Bluff skill bonus to demoralize) or be
shaken for 1 minute.
If your base attack bonus is at least +6 and you have at
least 6 ranks in Bluff, if the target fails the save by a
margin of 10 or greater (or is already shaken), he or she
becomes frightened.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher and you have at
least 11 ranks in Bluff, if the target fails the save by a
margin of 15 or more, or fails by a margin of 10 or more if
already shaken, or fails at all and is already frightened, he
or she becomes panicked.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher and have at
least 16 ranks in Bluff, if the target fails the save by a
margin of 20 or more, or by 15 or more if already shaken,
or by 10 or more if already frightened, or fails at all and is
already panicked, he or she becomes cowering.
You can use this feat as part of a full attack, but doing so
imposes a -5 penalty on all attack rolls that round.
Synergy:
If you have at least 6 ranks in Bluff and also have the
Power Attack feat, whenever you damage an opponent
with a Power Attack, you may make an immediate Bluff
check as a free action to attempt to demoralize your
opponent. This happens regardless of whether you meet
the normal activating conditions for the Daunting Strike
feat. This usage supersedes the Cornugon Smash feat
from the Pathfinder Companion: Cheliax, Empire of
Devils.
If you have the Staredown feat, you can activate your
Daunting Strike whenever you deal nonlethal damage to a foe
using a melee weapon, even if the normal activating
conditions are not met. The target is shaken for a number of
rounds equal to the damage dealt. If your attack was a critical
hit, your target is frightened for 1 round with a successful
Bluff check, as well as being shaken for a number of rounds
equal to the damage dealt. This supersedes the Enforcer feat
from the Advanced Player’s Guide and the Merciful Strike
feat from Complete Scoundrel.
If you have the Staredown feat and your base attack bonus
is +6 or higher, you can attempt to demoralize all onlookers
within 30 ft. as a free action whenever you perform a
Daunting Strike. This subsumes the sword saint’s “terrifying
iaijutsu” ability from the Pathfinder Player Companion:
Dragon Empires Primer and the Avenging Executioner’s
“bloody blade” prestige class feature from Complete
Scoundrel.
Source: This feat supersedes the Crusader’s strike of the
same name from the Tome of Battle, the Terrifying Attack feat
from Drow of the Underdark, the “bravado’s blade” ability
from the Advanced Player’s Guide, and the Bandit’s
“fearsome strike” variant class feature and the Dragon
Ferocity feat, from Ultimate Combat. Used in conjunction
with the Critical Focus feat, it supersedes the Rounding Blow
feat from the Book of Exalted Deeds.
Deafening Strike [Strike]
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: As a standard action, make a single attack. If this
attack damages an opponent that has a discernible anatomy,
that target must succeed at a Fortitude save or be deafened
for a number of rounds equal to your base attack bonus. On a
successful critical hit, all durations (if applicable) are
multiplied by your critical multiplier. You can use this feat as
part of a full attack, but doing so imposes a -5 penalty on all
attack rolls that round.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, on a successful
save, the deafness lasts only 1 round, but the target is
rendered overly sensitive to sound; for 1 minute, he or she
takes a -4 penalty on saving throws against sonic attacks
and language-dependent effects.
If your base attack bonus is at least +11, the deafness lasts
until the target has been restored to its normal maximum
hit point total.
If your base attack bonus is at least +16, the deafness is
permanent (this deafness can be cured by heal,
regeneration, remove deafness, or a similar ability).
Source: This subsumes the Deafening Attack ambush feat
from Complete Scoundrel, the Ring the Ear feat from Dragon
magazine (issue 344), and the Deafening Blow feat from
Dragon magazine (issue 345).
Dispelling Strike [Skill, Strike]
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +6, Concentration 6 ranks
or fighter 6th level.
Benefit: As a standard action, make a single melee attack.
If you hit, you deal normal damage and the target is affected
by a targeted dispel magic (you can use your fighter level in
place of your number of ranks in Concentration when
attempting the dispel check).
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher and you have at
least 11 ranks in Concentration (or 11 levels in Fighter),
the effect is per a targeted greater dispel magic instead.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher and you have at
least 16 ranks in Concentration (or 16 levels in Fighter),
the target hit is affected as if by a mage’s disjunction spell.
You can use this strike in conjunction with a full attack, but
doing so imposes a -5 penalty to all attacks made that round.
Special: It is possible to use a dispelling strike as a
preemptive action (see Combat rules) to attack a spell
passing into or through your threatened area.
Source: This feat supersedes the Suel Archanomach
prestige class feature of the same name, from Complete
Arcane, and the Iconoclast’s “dispelling attack” variant class
feature, from Ultimate Combat.
Disruptive Strike [Strike]
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: As a standard action, make a single melee attack.
An opponent damaged by this attack must succeed at a
Fortitude save or take a penalty to Concentration checks for 1
round equal to your base attack bonus.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, on a failed save
the target incurs a 20% chance of spell failure when
casting any spell (or attempting to use a spell-like ability)
for 1d4 rounds + an additional round for every 4 points of
your base attack bonus. Unless specified to the contrary,
all spell failure penalties (as from armor, etc.) stack. On a
successful save, the target takes Concentration penalties
as described above.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, the spell failure
chance is 50%.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, the target
cannot cast spells or activate spell-like abilities until the
start of your next turn.
You can use this feat as part of a full attack, but doing so
imposes a -5 penalty on all attack rolls that round. Creatures
immune to critical hits cannot be affected by this strike.
Source: This feat supersedes the Arcanopath’s “strike of
confusion” prestige class feature from Dragon magazine
(issue 281), and also the Black Powder Inquisition granted
power and the Spellbreaker’s “foil casting” variant class
feature, from Ultimate Combat.
Distracting Strike [Strike]
You can make a ferocious attack that forces the foe to
concentrate on you.
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +6, Bluff 6 ranks.
Benefit: Make a melee attack as a standard action. If you
hit, your foe turns his or her attention to you, and one ally
who is in position to give you an Aid Another bonus in combat
can instead make an attack of opportunity against that foe.
If your base attack bonus is at least +11, all allies
threatening that opponent and can make an attack of
opportunity against it in place of providing an Aid Another
bonus.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, allies who that
have already acted that round and are not threatening the
target, but who have retained sufficient movement, can
use that movement in order to close in and make an attack
of opportunity against the opponent you hit.
Synergy:
If you also have the Improved Feint feat, you can activate
the effects of this strike whenever you successfully feint an
opponent in melee, even if the other conditions are not
met.
If also have the Paired Opportunist feat, a single ally
threatening the target gains an attack of opportunity even
when you attempt this strike and miss the target. This
usage supersedes the “assault leader” rogue talent, from
the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Source: This feat supersedes the Distracting Attack
variant class feature from the Players Handbook II and the
Distract Foe function of the Wolfpack feat from Races of the
Wild. Used in conjunction with synergy from the Critical
Focus feat, it also subsumes the Outflank and Seize the
Moment feats from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Dragon Slaying Strike [Strike]
Even when facing a larger foe, you aren’t afraid to take great
risks in order to finish the fight.
Prerequisites: Str 13, BAB +6, Power Attack.
Benefit: Against a creature at least one size category larger
than you, you can make a single melee attack as a full-round
action, gaining an insight bonus on the attack roll, damage,
and critical confirmation roll (if applicable) equal to half your
base attack bonus.
Synergy: If you also have the Vital Strike feat and the
Mountain Hammer class feature, you can apply both of those
effects to the effects of this attack. This is a specific exception
to the general rule of non-stacking effects for Strike feats.
Source: This strike supersedes the Death or Glory feat
from Ultimate Combat.
Eldritch Erosion [Strike]
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: As a standard action, make a single attack. If it
hits, the target’s spell resistance is reduced by an amount
equal to half your base attack bonus (round up) for the
remainder of the encounter.
You can use this feat as part of a full attack, but doing so
imposes a -5 penalty on all attack rolls that round.
Source: This strike supersedes the ambush feat of the
same name from Complete Scoundrel, and also the
Duskblade’s spell power class feature, from the Player’s
Handbook II.
Empowering Strike [Strike]
Prerequisite: BAB +6, able to cast arcane spells.
Benefit: As a standard action, make a single attack. If it
hits, one arcane spell you cast before the end of your next
turn is automatically empowered, without any increase in
casting time or spell level. The spell to be empowered must
include the target of the attack as one of its targets or in its
area of effect. You need not have the Empower Spell feat to
gain the Empowering Strike feat.
You can use this feat as part of a full attack, but doing so
imposes a -5 penalty on all attack rolls that round.
Source: This feat stands in for the Jade Phoenix Mage’s
prestige class feature of the same name, from the Tome of
Battle.
Fell Shot [Ranged, Strike]
You target the weak points in your foe's armor.
Prerequisites: Wis 13, BAB +6, Precise Shot.
Benefit: As a standard action, make a single ranged attack.
The target does not gain any armor, natural armor, or shield
bonuses to its Armor Class. You do not gain the benefit of this
feat if you move this round.
Synergy:
If you can cast Conjuration spells and your base attack
bonus is at least +11, you can use this feat to fire a phase
arrow that travels to the target in a straight path, passing
through any non-magical barrier or wall in its way (any
magical barrier stops the arrow). This ability negates
cover, concealment, armor, and shield modifiers, but
otherwise the attack is rolled normally. This supersedes
the Arcane Archer’s phase arrow prestige class feature
from the core rules.
If you have a base attack bonus of +11 and at least 11
ranks in Sleight of Hand, you can use thrown weapons to
make touch attacks, even in conjunction with a full attack.
If you do so, your Strength bonus does not apply to
damage. This effect does not apply to projectiles; only to
weapons that you personally throw. This supersedes the
Master Thrower’s “weak spot” prestige class feature, from
Complete Warrior.
Source: 3.5 edition System Reference Document (“Psionic
Feats”). In addition to reducing the prerequisites for the
Pinpoint Targeting shot from the core rules, this feat also
supersedes the Gunslinger’s “deadeye” class feature from the
Pathfinder Ultimate Combat playtest, and the Archer’s
“armor-piercing shot” token ability from Iron Heroes (Fiery
Dragon Productions).
Finishing Blow [Strike]
Prerequisites: Base Attack Bonus +6, Vital Strike.
Benefit: When you successfully execute a Vital Strike
against a lightly wounded opponent, that feat deals half again
as many dice of bonus damage (e.g., 3d6 instead of 2d6). If
the opponent is heavily wounded, double the bonus damage
dice from your Vital Strike instead. If the opponent survives,
it is immune to further use of this feat by you for the
remainder of the encounter.
Synergy: The effects of this feat also stack with the effects
of the Mountain Hammer class feature, so that an 11th level
fighter with that talent and the Finishing Blow feat would
deal +10d6 damage against a lightly-wounded opponent, and
+12d6 damage against a heavily-wounded foe.
The effects of this feat cannot be activated automatically
using synergy from the Critical Focus feat (q.v.).
Source: This feat simulates the Warblade’s finishing move
strike, from the Tome of Battle.
Ghost Strike [Strike]
Your deadly strikes against incorporeal foes always find their
mark.
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can make a single attack
against an incorporeal creature using a non-magical weapon.
If the attack hits, you deal half damage, as if wielding a
magical weapon.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, as a standard
action, you can make a single melee or ranged attack
against an incorporeal creature. The attack is treated as if
it were made with a ghost touch weapon for the purpose
of affecting the creature. You can use this in conjunction
with a full attack, but doing so imposes a -5 penalty on all
attack rolls that round.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, this ability is
always active, even on a normal full attack. As a standard
action, you can make a single attack that deals normal
damage against a target on the ethereal plane or the Plane
of Shadow. Normal miss chances apply if you are unable
to see the target, and you cannot use this ability against a
target you are unable to perceive.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, any armor or
shield used by you is also treated as if it had the ghost
touch property.
Synergy: When used in conjunction with Improved
Grapple on a pin, this feat supersedes the Tatori monk’s
“inescapable grasp” ability from Ultimate Combat.
Source: 3.5 edition System Reference Document, “Psionic
Feats.”
Hamper Defense [Strike]
Hamper Defense [Strike]
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can make a single attack
a hampering attack. If this attack hits and deals damage, that
opponent suffers a penalty to AC and CMD equal to half your
base attack bonus (rounded up) until your next turn (no
saving throw).
You can use this feat as part of a full attack, but doing so
imposes a -5 penalty on all your attacks that round. The
effects of multiple hampering attacks do not stack, but
successive attacks add 1 round each to the duration.
Synergy:
If also you have Exotic shield proficiency, you can use this
strike in conjunction with a shield bash (using Two-
Weapon Fighting) at no additional penalty.
If you have the Vital Strike feat and your BAB is +16 or
higher, when making a Hamper Defense attack against a
creature with a +13 or greater natural armor bonus, your
Vital Strike damage is equal to 1d6 x half the creature’s
natural armor bonus (this is similar to the squamous
attackBEM2 spell).
Source: Collected Book of Experimental Might (Malhavoc
Press). This feat also emulates the Crusader’s vanguard
strike from the Tome of Battle, the Disruptive Attack feat
from the Player’s Handbook II, and the Crushing Blow feat
from Ultimate Combat.
Insightful Strike [Strike]
Prerequisites: Int, Wis, or Cha 13; BAB +1.
Benefit: Choose one mental attribute modifier
(Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma; once this choice is
made, you cannot change it). As a standard action, you can
make a single attack, adding that attribute modifier as an
insight bonus to damage.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, you also add the
relevant attribute modifier as an insight bonus to the
attack roll.
Starting at BAB +11, you always gain the relevant attribute
modifier as an insight bonus to damage, even on a full
attack.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, you always gain
the relevant attribute modifier as an insight bonus to
attacks, CMB, and damage, even on a full attack. If you
make a single Insightful Strike as a standard action, add
twice the relevant attribute modifier as an insight bonus to
damage.
Synergy: If you have other [Strike] feats that permit saving
throws, you may substitute your Int, Wis, or Cha modifier
(whichever you chose for Insightful Strike) in place of your
Strength modifier, when determining the saving throw DCs.
Source: This feat has been modified from the strike of the
same name, from the Tome of Battle, and supersedes the
Swashbuckler’s class feature of the same name, from
Complete Warrior. It also supersedes the Combat Insight feat
from the 3.5 edition System Reference Document (“Epic
Feats”), the Intuitive Attack feat from the Book of Exalted
Deeds, the Weapon Trickery feat from the Adventurer’s
Handbook: Genius Guide Volume 1 (Super Genius Games),
the Focused Shot feat from the Advanced Player’s Guide, and
the Guided Hand and Kirin Strike feats from Ultimate
Combat. This feat also supersedes the Mysterious Stranger’s
“focused aim” variant class feature from Ultimate Combat.
Killing Stroke [Strike]
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: You can perform a coup de grâce against a
helpless opponent as a standard action.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, you can perform
a coup de grâce against a stunned opponent as if he or she
were helpless.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, you can
perform a coup de grâce against a cowering or dazed
opponent as if he or she were helpless. In addition, when
you hit with a melee attack and reduce your opponent to –
1 or fewer hit points, you can force that opponent to
succeed at a Fortitude save (DC 15 + the damage your
attack dealt) or die (this supersedes the Deadly Finish
feat, from Ultimate Combat).
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, you can also
perform a coup de grâce against a staggered opponent as
if he or she were helpless.
If your effective base attack bonus is +21 or higher (see
below), you can also perform a coup de grâce against a
grappled or flat-footed opponent as if he or she were
helpless.
Special: For every consecutive round in which you spend
at least a standard action studying an opponent, you can
make a Killing Stroke as if your base attack bonus were 5
points higher than is actually the case. The killing stroke
must then be delivered within 1 round per round spent
studying the target. In this manner, a 6th level rogue can
spend 3 full rounds studying an opponent undetected, then
make a killing stroke against that target’s flat-footed condition
within the next 3 rounds. This supersedes the assassin’s
“death attack” class feature. Note that the save DC (10 +
damage dealt, including sneak attack damage) is likely to be
more difficult than the death attack DC in the core rules (10 +
prestige class level + Int modifier).
Synergy:
If you also have the Critical Focus and Improved Critical
feats, you can apply the effects of this feat to a confirmed
critical (even if the attack is made as part of a full attack).
This use supersedes the Devastating Critical feat, from
the 3.5 Edition System Reference Document, “Epic Feats.”
It also replicates the Gunslinger’s “death’s shot” class
feature, from Ultimate Combat.
If you have the Staggering Strike feat, apply the results of
that feat to the opponent before referencing whether the
Killing Stroke applies (this is a specific exception to the
general rule of non-stacking of Strike effects).
If you have the Improved Grapple feat (q.v.), each round
you maintain a pin against an opponent counts as one
round of studying, for purposes of activating this feat. This
supersedes the Reaping Mauler’s “devastating grapple”
prestige class feature, from Complete Warrior.
If you have at least 6 ranks in Bluff as a class skill,
whenever you reduce an enemy to 0 or fewer hit points
(whether using a Killing Stroke or not), you can also make
a Bluff check to demoralize all enemies within 30 feet as a
free action. Enemies that cannot see both you and the
enemy you struck are unaffected. This subsumes the
Dreadful Carnage feat from the Advanced Player’s Guide,
the Mortifying Attack feat from Champions of Ruin, the
Gory Finish feat from Ultimate Combat, and the Ghost-
Face Killer’s “frightful attack” prestige class feature from
Complete Adventurer.
Normal: A coup de grâce can be performed only against a
helpless creature as a full-round action. You automatically hit
and score a critical hit. If the defender survives the damage,
he must make a Fortitude save (DC 10 + damage dealt) or
die. A rogue also gets her extra sneak attack damage against
a helpless opponent when delivering a coup de grâce.
Source: This feat supersedes the Dastardly Finish feat
from the Advanced Player’s Guide and the Death Blow feat
from Complete Adventurer.
Knockout Blow [Strike]
Prerequisites: Str 13, base attack bonus +1, Exotic Weapon
Proficiency (unarmed attacks) or Martial Weapon Proficiency
(bludgeons), Staggering Strike.
Benefit: As a full round action, make a single attack. If it
hits, you do double damage and your Staggering Strike feat
also applies.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or greater, you can deal
normal, rather than double damage, but also attempt to
stun your opponent. On a hit that inflicts damage, the
target must succeed at a Fortitude save or be stunned for
1 round (rather than merely staggered by the Staggering
Strike feat).
If your base attack bonus is +11 or greater, when you elect
to deal nonlethal damage on a Knockout Blow, the target
is knocked unconscious on a failed save, rather than
dazed or stunned (unconsciousness lasts a number of
rounds equal to half your base attack bonus). On a
successful save, the target is staggered 1 round.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or greater, the target is
dazed 1 round on a successful save.
Synergy: If you have the sneak attack ability, when making
a nonlethal sneak attack you can double the (nonlethal) sneak
attack damage rather than attempting to stun or knock out
the target. This supersedes the Sap Master feat from
Ultimate Combat.
When used in conjunction with Improved Grapple (q.v.) on a
pin, this feat subsumes the Reaping Mauler’s “sleeper lock”
prestige class feature, from Complete Warrior and the Choke
Hold feat from Oriental Adventures.
Special: This feat is a specific exception to the general rule
of non-stacking of Strike feat effects.
Source: This feat supersedes the rogue talent of the same
name from the Advanced Player’s Guide, the Monk’s
“devastating blow” variant class feature from the Players
Handbook II, and the Knockout Punch feat from d20
Modern.
Maneuvering Strike [Manuever,
Strike]
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +6.
Benefit: As a standard attack, make a single melee attack.
If the attack hits, you can also initiate any combat maneuver
against that opponent as a free action that does not provoke
an attack of opportunity. If your base attack bonus is +11 or
higher, you can apply two non-contradictory maneuvers
simultaneously (e.g., bull rush and trip, but not bull rush and
pull).
You can use this feat as part of a full attack, but doing so
imposes a -5 penalty on all attack rolls and CMB checks that
round.
Synergy: If you also have the Ranged Maneuvers feat, you
can apply this feat to ranged attacks within point blank range,
in addition to melee attacks. This supersedes the Impact
Critical Shot feat from Ultimate Combat.
Note: You can achieve similar results with a number of
specific maneuvers via the Improved Maneuvers feats (q.v.).
Source: This feat supersedes the Bull Rush Strike,
Disarming Strike, Repositioning Strike, Sundering Strike,
and Tripping Strike feats from the Advanced Player’s Guide,
and also the Elephant Stomp feat from Pathfinder
Companion: Sargava, the Lost Colony and the Storm of
Flying Strikes feat from Stormwrack. Used in conjunction
with the Vital Strike feat, it can be used to emulate the
colossus strike maneuver from the Tome of Battle. Used in
conjunction with the Check maneuver, it subsumes the
overwhelming mountain strike maneuver from the Tome of
Battle, and also the Phalanx Fighter’s “stand firm” variant
class features from the Advanced Player’s Guide).
Overhand Chop [Strike, Two-
Handed]
When wielding a two-handed melee weapon, you can deliver
a devastating blow.
Prerequisites: Str 13, base attack bonus +6.
Benefit: As a standard action, make a single attack with a
two-handed melee weapon (or attack with a natural weapon
that normally applies 1½ times your Strength modifier to
damage). If you hit, roll damage normally but add double your
Strength bonus to the damage roll. This multiplier scales
with your base attack bonus, according to the following table.
Base Attack Bonus Strength Bonus Multiplier
+6 2x
+11 2.5 x
+16 3x
Normal: You normally add 1½ times your Strength
modifier to damage rolls with a two-handed weapon or single
primary natural weapon.
Synergy: When used in conjunction with Improved
Grapple (q.v.) on a pin, this feat supersedes the Crushing Hug
feat from Dragon magazine (issue 313). The effects of this
feat cannot be activated automatically using synergy from the
Critical Focus feat (q.v.).
Source: This feat supersedes the variant class feature of
the same name from the Advanced Player’s Guide, and also
the Power Lunge feat from Sword and Fist.
Penetrating Shot [Ranged, Strike]
Prerequisite: Strength 15+, base attack bonus +11, Point-
Blank Shot.
Benefit: When you make a ranged attack with a
manufactured weapon, you can instead choose to unleash a
single, mighty attack that blasts through multiple opponents.
This attack requires a standard action, and your shot takes
the form of a line extending out to your point-blank range.
Make a separate attack roll against each creature in the line.
If struck, creatures along this line take damage from your
shot, though any extra damage (such as from a sneak attack
or a flaming weapon) is applied only against the first creature
struck.
Synergy: If you also have the Critical Mastery feat, this
ability activates automatically whenever you confirm a critical
hit with a projectile weapon.
Source: Players Handbook II. This feat also subsumes the
Crossbowman’s variant class feature of the same name from
the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Penetrating Strike [Strike]
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: As a standard action, make a single attack. If it
hits, this attack ignores up to 5 points of damage reduction of
any type short of “epic,” or up to 5 points of hardness (for
objects).
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, the attack
ignores any amount of hardness or damage reduction
possessed by the target.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, you can use this
feat in conjunction with a full attack action, but doing so
imposes a -5 penalty to all attacks you make that round.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, all of your
attacks gain the benefit of this feat, without any attack
penalty for doing so. Alternatively, you can make a single
attack as a standard action that penetrates DR/epic.
Source: This feat supersedes the Crusader’s foehammer
strike, from the Tome of Battle (especially when used in
conjunction with the Vital Strike feat), and also stands in for
the Improved Domain Power feat (Destruction domain,
“shattering blow”) from Dragon magazine, issue 342.

Perfect Strike [Finesse, Strike]
Prerequisites: BAB +1, Weapon Finesse.
Benefit: When using a weapon for which you have Weapon
Finesse, you can make a single attack as a standard action (or
as part of a charge) that deals maximum weapon damage
(rather than having to roll for damage). Additional dice of
damage, such as from a confirmed critical hit, the sneak
attack ability, or a flaming sword, are not automatically
maximized except as noted below.
If your base attack bonus is at least +6, all sources of
damage for the attack are maximized.
If your base attack bonus is at least +11, your first attack
made in each round always deals maximum weapon
damage. You can apply this effect to your iterative attacks
as well, but doing so results in a -5 penalty to all attacks
made that round.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or greater, when using a
finessable weapon in one hand (and nothing in the other),
all your melee attack damage is always maximized.
Source: This feat supersedes the Kensai’s variant class
feature of the same name from Ultimate Combat, the
Weapon Master’s “steady aim” and “mighty blow” weapon
style abilities from Iron Heroes (Fiery Dragon Productions),
and also the Kensai’s “ki damage” prestige class feature from
Oriental Adventures.
Positioning Attack [Strike]
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: As a standard action, make a single melee attack.
If you hit, you can move 5 feet as a free action without
provoking attacks of opportunity. For every 4 points of your
base attack bonus, increase the maximum distance by 5 ft. (to
a maximum of 30 ft. at BAB +20). The movement must end in
a space adjacent to the creature hit.
You can use this feat in conjunction with a full attack action
(moving all at once or between attacks as you see fit), but
doing so imposes a -5 penalty to all attacks you make that
round.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Punishing Blow
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +6.
Benefit: As a standard action, make a single melee or
ranged attack. Any opponent damaged by this attack cannot
heal that damage with fast healing or regeneration.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, the strike also
suppresses the target’s fast healing (if any) altogether for 1
round.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, a successful
strike can also suppress regeneration for 1 round. A
creature whose regeneration can't be suppressed or
ignored (such as the tarrasque) is immune to this effect.
Synergy: If you also have the Penetrating Strike feat and
your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, the target’s damage
reduction (if any) is also suppressed for 1 round. Suppressing
epic damage reduction in this manner requires a base attack
bonus of at least +16.
Source: This feat mimics the Champion path ability of the
same name from Mythic Adventures.
Rallying Strike [Strike]
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +6.
Benefit: As a standard action, make a single melee attack
against a credible threat. If it hits and deals damage, you
recover 3d6 damage + 1 hp per point of your base attack
bonus (this represents taking heart and bolstering flagging
morale, not a magical healing of wounds). If already at full hp,
you can gain temporary hp to a maximum amount equal to
your Charisma bonus. You can use this ability in conjunction
with a full attack, but doing so imposes a -5 penalty to all
attack rolls that round and the damage healed is equal to
your BAB.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or greater, all allies of CR
less than or equal to that of the creature struck within 30
ft. regain hp equal to your Charisma bonus (or gain
temporary hp, if fully healed). In addition, each affected
ally gains a +1 morale bonus on his or her next attack roll,
if made prior to the start of your next turn.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or greater, allies within 30
ft. regain as many hp as you do, in addition to gaining the
morale bonus to attacks.
Source: This feat emulates the strike of the same name,
the crusader’s strike, and the revitalizing strike, from the
Tome of Battle. It also supersedes the Savage Skald’s
inspiring blow variant class feature, from the Advanced
Player’s Guide.
Second Chance [Strike]
Even when you miss, you are in a position to turn your
misfortune into an advantage.
Prerequisites: BAB +1, Combat Expertise.
Benefit: As a standard action, make a single attack or
perform a single combat maneuver. You can Take 10 on the
attack roll or combat maneuver check. If you miss, you gain a
+1 competence bonus to AC against that opponent until the
beginning of your next turn.
If your base attack bonus is at least +6, instead of taking
10 on the attack roll, you can roll normally, but if the
attack misses, you can roll again with a +2 bonus. You
must accept the results of the second roll. If the second
roll results in a miss, you gain a +2 competence bonus to
AC against that opponent until the beginning of your next
turn.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or greater, if the attack
misses, rather than rerolling you can choose to
automatically deal half the damage that attack would have
dealt if it were a hit (roll damage normally). If you do so,
you also gain a +3 competence bonus to AC against that
opponent until the beginning of your next turn.

If your base attack bonus is at least +16, whenever you
miss an opponent (whether using this strike or not), you
automatically gain a +4 competence bonus to AC against
that opponent until the beginning of your next turn.
You can use this feat in conjunction with a full attack, but
doing so imposes a -5 penalty on all attacks made that round.
You can wait until the results of your first attack roll are
determined before declaring this use, if desired.
Source: This feat supersedes the feat chain of the same
name from the Advanced Player’s Guide. It also subsumes
the Weapon Master’s master’s accuracy, precise strike, and
quick recovery weapon expertise abilities from Iron Heroes
(Fiery Dragon Productions); the Warblade’s lightning
recovery counter from the Tome of Battle; and the Mysterious
Stranger’s “clipping shot” variant class feature, from Ultimate
Combat.
Severing Strike [Slashing, Strike]
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +1, Improved Weapon
Maneuvers, Weapon Focus and Weapon Specialization with
same slashing weapon (or weapon training).
Benefit: As a standard action, make a single melee attack
with a qualifying slashing weapon. If this attack successfully
damages the target, the target must succeed at a Fortitude
save or one of its limbs (hand/foreleg, tentacle, or wing; you
choose one within your reach) is rendered useless for 1
round. A useless arm cannot be used to wield a weapon, hold
an object, or carry a shield; a creature with only usable wing
cannot fly; a quadruped with only one usable foreleg moves at
half normal speed; a biped with only one leg has its base land
speed reduced to 5 ft.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, the limb remains
useless until all hp damage currently sustained by the
creature has been healed. Alternatively, a successful Heal
skill check (DC 10 + half your base attack bonus + your
Strength modifier) made on the injured opponent will
restore use to the limb; this requires 10 minutes of work
and a healer’s kit.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, on a failed save,
you actually lop off one of the opponent’s extremities
(again, you choose which, if more than one could apply),
rendering it permanently useless.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, on a failed save
you can choose to sever the opponent’s head instead (as a
successful critical using a vorpal weapon).
Special: Similar feats could be devised for bludgeoning
weapons (“Skull-Smashing Strike”) and piercing weapons.
Source: Suggested by the “Stroke of Precision” heroic
feat, from the 2nd edition Celts Campaign Sourcebook.
Sickening Strike [Strike]
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: As a standard action, make a single attack. Any
opponent with a discernible anatomy that is damaged by this
attack must succeed at a Fortitude save or be sickened for 1
round. The duration multiplies on a confirmed crit.
If your base attack bonus is at least +6, the sickened
condition lasts 1 minute (or 1 round even on a successful
save).
If your base attack bonus is at least +11, there is no saving
throw against the sickness, and on a failed save the victim
is also nauseated 1 round.
If your base attack bonus is at least +16, on a failed save
the victim is nauseated for 1 minute.
You can use this feat in conjunction with a full attack
action, but doing so imposes a -5 penalty to all attacks you
make that round.
Source: This feat combines the Sickening Critical feat
from the Pathfinder core rules with the Brutal Strike feat
from the Players Handbook II. It also subsumes the Three
Mountains style feat from Complete Warrior, the Foe
Hammer feat from Iron Heroes (Fiery Dragon Productions),
the Sickening Blow feat from Drow of the Underdark, the
Painful Strike feat from Dragon magazine (issue 344), and
the Thug’s “brutal beating” variant class feature from the
Advanced Player’s Guide.
Slowing Strike [Strike]
You are able to maim a target and hinder its movement.
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: As a standard action, make a single attack. If this
attack damages an opponent with a discernible anatomy, that
target gains the entangled condition (see Introduction). The
condition ends when the target receives healing (a successful
Heal check, any cure spell, or other magical healing). A
successful Fortitude save reduces the duration to 1 minute.
Against creatures with multiple types of movement, you
must choose which movement type to affect. A flying creature
affected by this attack has its maneuverability reduced by one
step.
If your base attack bonus is at least +6, all the target’s
movement speeds are reduced to 5 ft., rather than by half.
An airborne creature must succeed at a Fly check to
remain airborne (Chapter 4), and has its maneuverability
reduced to poor.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, the target is
treated as grappled for 1 minute (pinned on a failed save),
and is entangled thereafter until healed. An airborne
creature with a fly speed of 0 falls to the ground.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, the target is
treated as pinned for 1 minute (paralyzed on a failed save),
and entangled thereafter; the target is also under a
dimensional anchor effect until the entanglement ends.
You can use this feat in conjunction with a full attack, but
this imposes a -5 penalty on all attacks that round.
Synergy: If you also have the Critical Focus feat, you can
apply the effects of this feat to any confirmed critical hit, even
if none of the normal conditions were met, and the duration
lasts until the target recovers all hp damage (a successful
Fortitude save reduces the duration to 1 minute). You still
cannot add more than one strike effect to a given attack
unless you also have the Striking Mastery feat (q.v.).
Source: This is the Crippling Critical feat from the
Advanced Player’s Guide, altered so as to fit the new Strike
feats rules and renamed to avoid confusion with the existing
Crippling Strike feat. It also subsumes the Scorpion Style
feat from the Pathfinder core rules, and to some extend
stands in for the entangling blade, stone vise, and (in
conjunction with the Vital Strike feat) crushing vice strikes,
from the Tome of Battle, and the Wild Shadow’s harrying
attack variant class feature from the Advanced Race Guide. It
also supersedes the Hamstring feat from Complete Warrior
and the Hinder feat from Dragon magazine (issue 344).
Spellstrike [Strike]
Benefit: You can deliver spells or spell-like abilities through a
weapon. Casting the spell (or activating the spell-like ability)
and making a single attack requires a full-round action (spells
with casting times longer than 1 round use the full casting
time). A successful attack deals normal damage from the
weapon and delivers the spell or spell-like ability as well.
Saving throws and SR apply normally.
If a melee Spellstrike attack misses, you may hold the
charge. Even if the spell normally affects an area, ray, or
multiple targets, it affects only one target when channeled in
this way. Saving throws, if any, still apply. Spells that have no
effect on a target (e.g., wall of stone) cannot be channeled in
this manner. Using a spell or spell-like ability in this way does
not provoke an attack of opportunity.
Synergy: If you have the Battle Touch feat (q.v.), you can
use this feat as part of a full attack, applying the effects of the
spell to all successful attacks. However, all attacks and
combat maneuver checks you make that round suffer a -5
penalty.
Special: You can channel a spell into your hand, causing
the spell affect the next creature you touch (this requires a
melee touch attack to discharge the spell, as opposed to a
melee attack roll to discharge the spell through a weapon or
unarmed attack).
Source: This feat supersedes the Spellsword’s “channel
spell” prestige class feature from Complete Warrior, the
Duskblade’s “arcane channeling” class feature from the
Players Handbook II, the Daggerspell Mage’s “daggercast”
prestige class feature from Complete Adventurer, the Smiting
Spell feat from the Players Handbook II, and the Magus’
“spellstrike” class feature from Ultimate Magic. When used in
conjunction with the Critical Focus feat, this feat supersedes
the Eldritch Knight’s “spell critical” prestige class feature
from the core rules, and also the Magus’ “critical strike”
arcanum from Ultimate Magic. Used with a sorcerer’s
eldritch blast ability, it duplicates the Warlock’s hideous blow
invocation, from Complete Arcane.
Spirited Charge [Skill, Strike]
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +1, Handle Animal 1 rank,
Mounted Combat.
Benefit: When making a single attack at the end of a
mounted charge, you deal double damage with a melee
weapon (or triple damage with a lance). As your
horsemanship and combat abilities improve, you gain the
ability to perform more devastating charges, as described
below.
Deadly Charge (Ex): If you have at least 6 ranks in Handle
Animal and if your base attack bonus is +6 or greater, once
per day you can attempt a deadly charge (declare this
before rolling to attack, so a miss ruins the attempt). On a
successful hit, you deal triple normal damage (quadruple
damage with a lance). This benefit does not stack with the
normal effects of the Spirited Charge. For each +3 to your
base attack bonus above +6 (i.e., at +9, +12, +15, and +18)
you may use this ability an additional time per day.
Mighty Charge (Ex): If you have at least 11 ranks in
Handle Animal and your base attack bonus is +11 or
higher, double the threat range of any weapons wielded
during a charge while mounted. This increase does not
stack with other effects that increase the threat range of
the weapon.
Unstoppable Charge (Ex): If you have at least 16 ranks in
Handle Animal and your base attack bonus is +16 or
higher, your deadly charge deals quadruple damage
(quintuple damage with a lance); this supersedes (does not
stack with) the lower-level effects of this feat.
Synergy:
If you do not use the Vital Strike feat in conjunction with a
spirited charge, you can apply the effects of one other
[Strike] feat instead. This is a specific exception to the
general rule of non-stacking of Strike feats. Combining a
mounted charge with a Staggering Strike emulates the
Cavalier’s “supreme charge” class feature from the
Advanced Player’s Guide and the Mythic Spirited Charge
feat from Mythic Adventures.
If you also have the Improved Overrun feat and your base
attack bonus is +11 or higher, your mounted charges are
not blocked by friendly creatures or difficult terrain. This
emulates the roughrider Fighter’s “unavoidable onslaught”
variant class feature, from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Special: Certain animals and monsters can use this feat by
themselves, without a rider. Examples include boars
(charging with tusks), falcons (making diving attacks), and
centaurs (acting as their own mounts).
Source: This feat subsumes the Cavalier’s “deadly charge”
and “unstoppable charge” prestige class features from
Complete Warrior, and the Cavalier’s “mighty charge” class
feature from the Advanced Player’s Guide.

Staggering Strike [Strike]
Prerequisites: Str 13, base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: As a standard action, make a single attack. Any
opponent with a discernible anatomy that is damaged by this
attack must succeed at a Fortitude save or be flat-footed until
the start of his next turn.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, an opponent who
fails the save is staggered 1 round as well.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, the opponent is
dazed 1 round and staggered 1d4+1 rounds on a failed
save, and is staggered 1 round if the saving throw
succeeds.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, the opponent is
stunned instead of dazed.
You can use this feat in conjunction with a full attack, but
this imposes a -5 penalty on all attacks that round. Multiple
hits in a single round can increase the condition from
staggered to dazed, and from dazed to stunned.
Synergy: If you also have the Dispelling Strike feat, you
can activate the effects of your Staggering Strike feat any
time you successfully dispel an opponent’s spells using that
feat (this emulates the Destructive Dispel feat from Ultimate
Combat). This is a specific exception to the general rule of
non-stacking of Strike effects.
A rogue using this feat in conjunction with a sneak attack
increases the duration of the Staggered condition to 1 round
per die of sneak attack damage.
Source: This feat subsumes the Stunning Fist and
Gorgon’s Fist feats from the Pathfinder core rules; the Dazing
Assault and Stunning Assault feats from the Advanced
Player’s Guide; the Staggering Blow feat from Dragon
magazine (issue 279); the Staggering Strike feat from
Complete Adventurer; the Staggering Critical feat from Drow
of the Underdark; and the dazing strike, disrupting blow,
hydra slaying strike, white raven hammer, white raven strike,
and strike of the broken shield from the Tome of Battle. It
also subsumes the Low Blow and Hampering Shot feats from
the Collected Book of Experimental Might (Malhavoc Press),
the “distracting attack” rogue talent from the Advanced
Player’s Guide, and the Gunslinger’s “stunning shot” deed
from Ultimate Combat. Because a flat-footed opponent
cannot make attacks of opportunity, this feat also subsumes
the “slow reactions” rogue talent from the core rules.
Stemming Strike [Strike]
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +1, sneak attack or Vital
Strike.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can make a single
attack. Any creature damaged by this attack is inhibited when
attempting to channel energy or use an eldritch blast or
similar reserve spell-like ability. Subtract your number of
sneak attack dice or Vital Strike dice from the target’s
number of channeling dice or spell-like ability damage dice.
The effects last for a number of rounds equal to your base
attack bonus; the target is not necessarily aware of the effect
until it attempts to use the relevant ability.
If the target’s channeling is reduced to 0 dice, the target
cannot use that ability at all for the duration. It is not possible
to reduce the number of dice to below zero.
Source: This feat subsumes the rogue’s “stem the flow”
talent from Champions of Purity.
Steely Strike [Strike]
Your other enemies mean nothing to you as you press your
attack.
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can make a single attack
with a competence bonus to the attack roll equal to your base
attack bonus. However, until your next turn, all opponents
other than the one you attack gain a circumstance bonus on
attack rolls against you equal to half your BAB.
Synergy: The effects of this feat cannot be activated
automatically using synergy from the Critical Focus feat (q.v.).
You cannot use this feat if you also have the Adaptability feat.
Source: This feat supersedes the strike of the same name,
from the Tome of Battle.
Striking Specialist [Combat]
Prerequisite: Critical Focus.
Benefit: You gain a +2 competence bonus to the save DCs
of any [Strike] feats you use, or effects you trigger by a critical
hit (e.g., from weapon properties such as thundering).
Special: You can gain this feat a second time, increasing
the bonus to a maximum of +4.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Susceptible Strike [Strike]
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: As a standard action, make a single attack. Any
opponent damaged by this attack takes a -1 circumstance
penalty to saving throws for 1 round (Intuition negates). For
every 4 points of your base attack bonus, the penalty
increases by an additional -1 (maximum penalty of -6 at BAB
+20).
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, the effects last
for a number of rounds equal to the penalty on a failed
Fortitude save, and for 1 round on a successful save.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, the effects last
1 round per point of your base attack bonus on a failed
save.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, on a failed save
the effects last until the victim has been fully healed.
You can use this feat in conjunction with a full attack, but
this imposes a -5 penalty on all attacks that round. Multiple
hits in a single round do not increase the saving throw
penalty, but do extend the duration by 1 round per additional
hit after the first.
Source: This feat supersedes the Aleval School feat, from
Drow of the Underdark.
Thief of Life [Strike]
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +6, Heal 1 rank,
Knowledge (the planes) 1 rank.
As a standard action, make a single attack. If the blow
reduces the target to below 0 hp, it also applies a death knell
effect on the creature struck (the victim dies, and you gain
1d8 temporary hit points and a +2 enhancement bonus to
Strength for 10 minutes per HD of the victim).
If your base attack bonus is at least +11, whenever your
strike kills a credible threat through hit point damage, you
gain immunity to fatigue and exhaustion for the same
duration.
If your base attack bonus is at least +16, whenever your
strike kills a credible threat through hit point damage, you
devour a small portion of the victim’s soul. You stop aging
for 1 year thereafter.
Source: This feat largely supersedes the prestige class of
the same name from Faiths of Eberron.
Throat Punch [Strike]
Prerequisite: Sneak attack +1d6 or Martial Weapon
Proficiency (unarmed attacks).
Benefit: As a standard action, make a single unarmed
attack (or successful sneak attack within point-blank range). If
you deal damage to the opponent, he or she must succeed at
a Fortitude save or be mute (unable to speak) for 1 round. A
mute creature cannot cast spells with verbal components, use
bardic inspiration requiring oratory or song, use breath
weapons, or communicate verbally (which prevents the use of
feats that require verbal communication).
On a successful saving throw, the target’ speech is
hindered for 1 round; he or she takes a –5 penalty on any skill
check requiring speech and has a 50% chance of failure when
casting a spell with a verbal component, activating a magic
item with a command word, or using a breath weapon.
If your base attack bonus is at least +6, on a failed save the
target is mute 1 round and speech-hindered 1 minute (on
a successful save, its speech is merely hindered for that
full duration). Additionally, you can use this feat in
conjunction with any single action attack, even if it is not a
sneak attack or unarmed strike. You can also use this feat
in conjunction with a full attack, but this imposes a -5
penalty on all attacks that round.
If your base attack bonus is at least +11, the target is
automatically mute for 1 round and hindered 1 minute.
On a failed save, it is mute for the full duration.
If your base attack bonus is at least +16, on a failed save
the target is mute 1 minute, and its speech is permanently
hindered thereafter (until receiving a greater restoration
or regenerate spell).
Synergy: When used in conjunction with Improved
Grapple (q.v.) on a pin, this feat supersedes the Chokehold
feat from Ultimate Combat. In addition to the effects listed
above, the target cannot breathe for as long as you maintain
the pin.
Source: This feat supersedes the ambush feat of the same
name from Complete Scoundrel, and also the Arcanopath’s
“chop of muteness” prestige class feature, from Dragon
magazine (issue 281).
Tiring Strike [Strike]
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus +6.
Benefit: As a standard action, make a single attack. Any
opponent with a discernible anatomy that is damaged by this
attack becomes fatigued. If your opponent is already fatigued
(due to damage or some other fatiguing effect) he or she
becomes exhausted instead.
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, your opponent
is automatically exhausted instead. This has no effect on
exhausted creatures unless your BAB is 16 or higher (see
below).
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, an exhausted
opponent affected by this feat must save vs. Fortitude or
become disabled.
You can use this feat in conjunction with a full attack
action, but doing so imposes a -5 penalty to all attacks you
make that round.
Unclean Strike [Strike]
You keep your weapons in a filthy condition, such that anyone
injured by them runs the risk of infection.
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +1.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can make a single attack
with a piercing or slashing weapon. Any living creature
damaged by this attack must succeed at a Fortitude save or
contract filth fever (onset 1d3 days, effects 1d3 Dex and 1d3
Con damage per day, cure 2 consecutive saves).
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, all your edged
weapon attacks carry the risk of filth fever; as a standard
action, you can make a single attack that carries bubonic
plague instead (onset 1 day, effects 1d4 Con and 1 Cha
damage/day and fatigued, cure 2 consecutive saves).
If your base attack bonus is +11 or above, all your edged
weapon attacks carry the risk of bubonic plague, rather
than filth fever. As a standard action, you can make a
single attack that carries demon fever instead (onset 1 day,
effects 1d6 Con damage/day and second save or 1 point is
permanent drain; cure 2 consecutive saves).
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, all your edged
weapon attacks carry the risk of demon fever.
Unstoppable Strike [Strike]
You can strike your foe with a melee weapon as if making a
touch attack.
Prerequisites: Str 13, base attack bonus +6, Vital Strike or
sneak attack.
Benefit: As a full-round action, you can make a single melee
attack as a touch attack. Any attacks of opportunity you make
during the same round are normal attacks, not touch attacks.
Synergy: For obvious reasons the effects of this feat cannot
be activated automatically using synergy from the Critical
Focus feat (q.v.).
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide. This feat also duplicates
the Deep Impact feat from the 3.5 edition System Reference
Document (“Psionic Feats”), and also the emerald razor
strike from the Tome of Battle.
Venomous Strike [Skill, Strike]
Prerequisites: BAB +1, Craft (Toxicology) 3 ranks.
Benefit: As a standard action, make a single attack with an
envenomed weapon. If the attack deals damage, you receive a
circumstance bonus to the saving throw DC of injury poison
delivered by the attack equal to +1 per 3 ranks in Craft
(Toxicology) you possess.
If your base attack bonus is at least +6 and you have at
least 6 ranks in Craft (Toxicology), you can apply poison to
a weapon in such a way that it is effective for two
successful attacks instead of one. You do not gain the
circumstance bonus to the DC on the second attack,
however.
If your base attack bonus is at least +11 and you have at
least 11 ranks in Craft (Toxicology), you gain a 3rd poison
application, with a -5 circumstance penalty to the save DC.
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher and you have at
least 16 ranks in Craft (Toxicology), you receive a 4th
poison application, with a -10 circumstance penalty to the
save DC.
You can use this feat in conjunction with a full attack
action, but doing so imposes a -5 penalty to all attacks you
make that round.
Source: Drow of the Underdark. This feat also subsumes
the lasting poison rogue talent from the Advanced Player’s
Guide.
Versatile Strike [Strike]
Benefit: On a single attack made as a standard action, you
can use one special ability (such as a ghoul’s paralysis) you
possess that normally applies only to a particular type of
attack—unarmed, natural attack, etc.—with another weapon
or attack form (e.g., through a sword).
You can use this feat in conjunction with a full attack
action, but doing so imposes a -5 penalty to all attacks you
make that round.
Special: Swallow whole, grab, constrict, and other abilities
that are dependent upon the form the attacking weapon
cannot be transferred by means of this feat.
Source: This feat supersedes the Exotic Weapon Master
stunt of the same name, from Complete Warrior. Applied to
domain powers, it subsumes the Domain Strike feat from
Ultimate Combat.
Vital Strike [Strike]
You make a single attack that deals significantly more
damage than normal.
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +6.
Benefit: In place of your normal array of iterative or
multiple attacks, you can make a single attack that deals an
additional +2d6 damage. This bonus damage increases to
+4d6 if your base attack bonus is +11 or better, and to +6d6 if
your base attack bonus is +16 or better. This additional
damage applies only to your primary attack, not to any
attacks of opportunity you might make that round.
Synergy:
When making a single attack as a standard action, you can
use Vital Strike in conjunction with any one other strike
feat (unless this is specifically prohibited in the feat
description), even if you do not have the Striking Mastery
feat. This is a specific exception to the general rule of non-
stacking for Strike feats.
If you have the Sneak Attack class feature, you can use
your sneak attack damage in place of your Vital Strike
damage, if it is greater (you cannot use this option in
conjunction with the Mountain Hammer fighter talent). In
conjunction with the Critical Focus feat, this supersedes
the Telling Blow feat from the Players Handbook II; in
conjunction with the Improved Grapple feat, it supersedes
the Strangler feat from Ultimate Combat; in conjunction
with the Combat Reflexes feat, it supersedes the Sneak
Attack of Opportunity feat from the 3.5 edition System
Reference Document (“Epic Feats”).
Source: This feat supersedes the Order of the Bow
Initiate’s “Ranged Precision” prestige class feature, from
Complete Warrior, and also the Psionic Weapon feats from
the 3.5 edition System Reference Document (“Psionic
Feats”). It also stands in for the Overpowering Attack option
for fighters, in the Players Handbook II. Used in conjunction
with a charge attack, it supersedes the Powerful Charge feat
from the Miniatures Handbook, the Ronin’s “banzai charge”
class feature from Complete Warrior, and the Scout’s
“skirmisher” variant class feature from the Advanced Player’s
Guide.
Whirlwind Strike [Strike]
Prerequisites: Power Attack, BAB +1.
Benefit: As a full-round action, make a single melee attack
against a foe within reach. If you hit, you deal damage
normally and can make an attack of opportunity (at the same
bonus) against a foe that is adjacent to the first and also
within reach. You can only make one additional attack per
round with this feat, unless you also have the Combat
Reflexes feat. You cannot attack an individual foe more than
once in a round with this feat.
You can take a 5-ft. step between each attack when following If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, all your attacks
through. The maximum number of such steps you can take is are bane against [shapechangers]. The true form effect on
limited by your allowable movement that round (e.g., 4 steps a successful Strike lasts for 1 round even on a successful
maximum for a character with 20 ft. of movement). This does save. A successful Strike also dispels any active
not give you the ability to take a 5-ft. step when you would Transmutation effects on the target, as if by a greater
normally be unable to (such as due to difficult terrain). dispel magic (check equals 1d20 + your base attack bonus
When you use this feat, you also forfeit any bonus or extra + your Strength modifier).
attacks granted by other feats, spells, or abilities. If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, the true form
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, when you use the effect lasts until the next full moon on a failed save (it lasts
full attack action, you can instead choose to make one 1 round even on a successful save). While affected, any
melee attack against each opponent within reach. creature that attempts to assume a different form must
succeed at a second Fortitude save or its shape changing
If your base attack bonus is +11 or higher, you can use this abilities spiral out of control; this effect is the same as the
feat as a standard action rather than as a full attack action. Protean Sorcerer’s greater eldritch blast (corporeal
You can still use it only once in any given round. instability) ability (q.v.).
If your base attack bonus is +16 or higher, as a full-attack Source: This feat supersedes the Tetori Monk’s “form lock”
action, you can give up your regular attacks and instead ability, from Ultimate Combat.
make two melee attacks against each opponent within
reach (one normal, one iterative).
Synergy: If you also have the Critical Focus feat, you can
apply the standard (BAB +1) effects of this feat on any
confirmed critical hit, even if none of the normal conditions
were met. You still cannot add more than one strike effect to
a given attack unless you also have the Striking Mastery feat
(q.v.).
Source: This feat subsumes the Pathfinder “Cleave” and
“Great Cleave” feats, renamed to avoid confusion with the 3.5
edition Cleave feat, and the Whirlwind Attack feat from the
core rules. It also emulates the Warblade’s adamantine
hurricane, mithral tornado, and steel wind strike maneuvers
from the Tome of Battle, and is likewise similar to the
Warblade’s scything blade boost. It supersedes the expanded
mastery ability of the Cleave feat from Iron Heroes (Fiery
Dragon Productions), the Knight Protector’s and Frenzied
Berserker’s Supreme Cleave prestige class feature from
Complete Warrior, the Kensai’s ki whirlwind attack prestige
class feature from Oriental Adventures and the Mobile
Fighter’s “whirlwind blitz” variant class feature from the
Advanced Player’s Guide. Used in conjunction with unarmed
attacks, it subsumes the Roundabout Kick feat from
Complete Warrior.
Wolfsbane Strike [Strike]
Benefit: As a standard action, make a single attack that
bypasses DR/silver.
If your base attack bonus is +6 or higher, all your attacks
bypass DR/silver. In addition, as a standard action you can
make a single attack as if your weapon had the bane
property against creatures with the [shapechanger]
subtype/ descriptor. Any target damaged is subject to a
true formAPG effect (Fort negates), using your BAB and
Str in place of your CL and Cha. This effect can also end a
barbarian’s rage on a failed save.
Chapter 6: Equipment
Starting Gear: If the optional rules for Social Class are not used to determine starting wealth (see main house rules document),
then players can simply select gear appropriate to the PC’s back story. If the total value is somewhere within the range of starting
wealth for that class, it’s good. Certain groups more inclined to strict accountancy can of course roll for starting wealth and go
shopping with it, but that’s not required.

Armor and Shields

Armor
Armor types have been consolidated somewhat, as shown in the table below. These represent base armor types; it is possible to
custom-design armor using special materials and properties, as outlined in the Appendices to this chapter (for example, “full plate”
is made by simply applying a +1 AC bonus to plate armor).
Armor/ Shield Max. Dex Armor Check Arcane Spell Speed Weight Cost
Armor Type Bonus Bonus Penalty Failure Adjust-ment (lbs.) (gp)
Light armor
Leather or “buff coat,” padded gambeson, +2 +6 0 10% 0 10 10
arming doublet, etc.
Studded leather +3 +5 –1 15% 0 15 25
Chain shirt (haubergeon), ring mail, light +4 +4 –2 20% 0 20 75
jack, etc.
Medium armor
Hide armor +4 +4 –3 20% -5 ft. 20 15
Scale byrnie, brigandine, coat-of-plates, +5 +3 –4 25% -5 ft. 25 100
plated jack, do-maru, etc.
Chainmail hauberk, breastplate, or lamellar +6 +2 –5 30% -5 ft. 30 250
armor
Heavy armor
Full laminar armor (including splint mail, +7 +2 –6 35% -10 ft. 40 500
banded mail, etc.)
Plate armor +8 +1 –6 40% -10 ft. 45 1,000

Notes on movement in armor

Movement speed penalties for all armor are eliminated if the armor check penalty is reduced to -0.
You cannot run in heavy armor unless the check penalty is -0.

Shields
As for weapons (see below), shields provide differing benefits depending upon your level of proficiency with them (Simple, Martial,
or Exotic, as with weapons). Characters who are not proficient with shields gain a flat +1 shield bonus to AC (regardless of the type
of shield), suffer a penalty to all attack rolls equal to the shield’s armor check penalty, and apply the shield’s armor check penalty to
all Strength- and Dexterity-based skill checks.
If you use your shield as a weapon, you lose its AC bonus until your next turn. An enhancement bonus on a shield does not
automatically improve the effectiveness of a shield bash made with it, but the shield can be made into a masterwork weapon or
magical weapon in its own right.
Note that, unlike in the Core rules, shield bonuses do not apply to your flat-footed AC.
 Martial: You carry other items in your shield hand,
Buckler/Dastana although you cannot use weapons or cast spells with it.
The buckler, or “target,” is a very small shield that can be You can bash an opponent with a light shield, using it as a
strapped to one arm and easily maneuvered. The dastana, or light weapon. If you use your shield as a weapon, you lose
vambraces, are metal forearm guards worn with light armor. its AC bonus until your next turn. It deals 1d3 bludgeoning
For the sake of simplicity, both devices share the same basic damage (20/x2), or 1d4/19-20 with a central spike or
game rules. A buckler or pair of dastana weighs 3 lbs., has a sharpened rim.
-1 armor check penalty, and has a 5% arcane spell failure Exotic: As martial proficiency, plus feat (Improved Shield
chance. It provides a base +1 shield bonus to AC. Bash).
Simple: You can use a buckler without suffering the non-
proficiency penalties noted above. You gain the shield Shield, Tower
bonus to AC, but cannot use one hand as long as the This massive wooden shield is nearly as tall as you are. 40
buckler is carried. A character with only Simple lbs., -10 check penalty, 50% arcane spell failure chance,
proficiency gains no particular benefit from dastana. maximum Dex bonus +2, base +4 shield bonus to AC.
Martial: You can also use your shield arm to wield a Simple: You can use a tower shield without suffering the
weapon (whether you are using an off-hand weapon or normal non-proficiency penalties (see Shields, above),
using your off hand to help wield a two-handed weapon), although you still suffer a -2 penalty to attack rolls while
but you take a –1 penalty on attack rolls while doing so. using it.
This penalty stacks with those that may apply for fighting
with your off hand and for fighting with two weapons. In Martial: You do not suffer the standard -2 attack penalty
any case, if you use a weapon in your off hand, you lose the for using the shield, and gain an additional +2 bonus to AC
buckler's AC bonus until your next turn. You can cast a against missiles (+6 total). By giving up all actions for the
spell with somatic components using your shield arm, but round, you can take total cover behind the shield.
you lose the buckler's AC bonus until your next turn.
Exotic: In addition to the AC bonus from the shield, you
Exotic: You can freely use both hands and still gain the gain a +2 shield bonus to Reflex saves and Evasion (as the
shield bonus to AC. rogue class feature). While using the shield as total cover,
you have Improved Evasion.
Shield, Heavy
A heavy shield is typically made of hide, wood, or steel, and is
large enough to provide substantial protection. You strap the
shield to your forearm and grip it with your hand; a heavy
shield is so heavy that you can't use your shield hand for
anything else. 10 lbs., -2 check penalty, 15% arcane spell
failure chance, base +2 shield bonus to AC.
Simple: You can use a heavy shield without suffering the
normal non-proficiency penalty.
Martial: In addition to the uses listed above, you receive
an additional +2 AC bonus against missiles (total +4). You
can bash with a shield as a one-handed weapon instead of
using it for defense; it deals 1d4 bludgeoning damage
(20/x2). A spiked heavy shield deals 1d6/19-20 piercing
damage instead.
Exotic: As martial proficiency, plus feat (Oversized Two-
Weapon Fighting, enabling you to treat the heavy shield as
if it were a light weapon for purposes of Two-Weapon
Fighting).

Shield, Light
A light shield provides less area of coverage but is more
quickly and easily brought to bear than a heavy shield. You
strap the shield to your forearm and grip it with your hand. 5
lbs., -1 check penalty, 10% arcane spell failure chance, base
+1 shield bonus to AC.
Simple: You can use a light shield without suffering the
normal non-proficiency penalty.

Weapons
Many weapons have been re-categorized, and stats
reassigned, from those listed in the core rules. In general,
some effort was made for the weapons here to reflect those
in historical use. Unlike in the core rules, in which weapons
are individually classified as “simple,” “martial,” or “exotic,”
these rules allow all weapons to be used with varying degrees
of skill, depending on the level of proficiency of the wielder.
The Simple Weapon Proficiency feat grants the Simple level
of proficiency with all weapons. The Martial Weapon
Proficiency feat grants Martial proficiency with all weapons
within a particular weapons group (see below). Certain fighter
talents, such as Weapon Mastery, also apply to all weapons
within a particular group. The Exotic Weapon Proficiency
feat grants the Exotic level of proficiency with a single
weapon. Weapon groups are as follows:
Group Weapons
Axes Battleaxe, glaive, great axe, halberd, hand axe
Blades, Bastard sword, broadsword, falchion,
Heavy greatsword, longsword, scimitar, scythe
Blades, Dagger, kukri, machete, rapier, sickle, short
Light sword, smallsword
Bludgeons Great club, heavy club, heavy mace, light club,
morningstar, quarterstaff, sap, tonfa
Bows and Blowgun, hunting blowgun, kestros, longbow,
Slings short bow, sling, staff sling
Close Gauntlet, heavy shield, light shield, natural
weapons attacks, punching dagger, garotte, sap, spiked
gauntlet, spiked shield, unarmed attacks
Crossbows Hand crossbow, heavy crossbow, light
crossbow, prodd
Flails and Chain whip, heavy flail, light flail, meteor
Whips hammer, pole flail, three-section staff, scourge,
spiked chain, whip
Hammers Heavy pick, great hammer, light hammer, light
and Picks pick, Lucerne hammer, maul, military pick,
warhammer
Polearms Glaive, guisarme, halberd, lajatang, long spear,
Lucerne hammer, mancatcher, morningstar,
pole flail, ranseur
Spears Harpoon, javelin, lance, long spear, ranseur,
short spear, spear
Throwing Bolas, boomerang, chakram, dagger, dart, hand
Weapons axe, javelin, light hammer, net, orc shot put
A number of weapons have special properties:
Brace: If you use a readied action to set a brace weapon
against a charge, you deal double damage on a successful hit
against a charging creature.
Choke: A successful pin cuts off the opponent's air supply;
use drowning/suffocating rules.
Disarm: When you use a disarm weapon, you get a +2
bonus on Combat Maneuver Checks to disarm an enemy.
Double Weapon: You can use a double weapon to fight as
if fighting with two weapons, but if you do, you incur all the
normal attack penalties associated with fighting with two
weapons, just as if you were using a one-handed weapon and
a light weapon.
Entangle: A successful attack also applies the Entangled
condition to the target. Unless otherwise noted, keeping an
opponent entangled requires a CMB check on the wielder’s
part each round after the initial one.
Feat: Some Exotic usages duplicate feats. You need not
meet the prerequisites, but the feat applies only to the
specific weapon in which you have the Exotic proficiency.
Finesse: You can use this weapon in conjunction with the
Weapon Finesse feat (all light weapons automatically have
this property).
Melee: The weapon cannot be effectively thrown without
the Catch Off-Guard feat.
Nonlethal: These weapons deal nonlethal damage (see
Combat).
Ranged: The weapon can be thrown and/or used to fire
projectiles, with the listed range increment. Each increment
beyond the first applies a cumulative -2 penalty to attacks.
Maximum range is five such increments for thrown weapons,
or ten for ranged weapons.
Reach: You use a reach weapon to strike opponents 10 feet
away, but you can't use it against an adjacent foe.
Reload: Most projectile weapons take time to reload, as
listed. More proficient users can reload faster. Reload times in
terms of actions are self-explanatory. A reload time of “one
iterative attack” means that a user with multiple attacks can
use one or more of them to reload during a round. Regardless
of which attack(s) in sequence are used for reloading, actual
ranged attacks are made at the normal attack penalty
progression (usually -0/-5/-5/-5). For example, a character
with base attack bonus +11 with a ready weapon can fire
once at +11, reload, and fire again at +6 in the same round.
Trip: If you are tripped during your own trip attempt, you
can drop the weapon to avoid being tripped. Unlike non-trip
weapons, weapons with the "trip" property allow you to apply
weapon bonuses (enhancement, Weapon Focus, etc.) and feat
bonuses (Improved Trip, etc.) to your CBM when tripping.
Note: You can attempt unarmed trips even without a free
hand, using a foot.
Multiple Options: Multiple options separated by an “and”
are all available to a character with that level of proficiency.
Multiple options with an “or” require the desired option to be
chosen at the time the appropriate proficiency is taken. For
weapons of this sort, the Exotic Weapon Proficiency can be
selected multiple times, in order to gain multiple options. For
example, the Exotic listing for the long spear reads as
follows:
Two handed melee, 1d8/x3, brace, feat (Lunge or Phalanx
Fighter talent), reach; or two handed melee, 2d6/x3, brace,
reach.
A character with Exotic proficiency with the long spear can
either (a) learn to use the Lunge feat with that weapon, or (b)
learn to use the Phalanx Fighter talent with that weapon, or
(c) learn to deal base 2d6 damage with the weapon (but gain
none of the feat options, in that case). The brace and reach
properties are gained no matter which option is selected. A
character could potentially gain Exotic Weapon Proficiency
with the long spear up to three times, in order to gain
multiple options.
Axes
Unless otherwise noted, all axes deal slashing damage.
Axe, Battle
This is the famous one-handed Viking Axe. Weapons of this
type include the Indian parashu; larger examples include the
Danish axe and the dwarven war axe. Up to 6 lbs.
Simple: Two handed melee, or one handed melee with -4
competence penalty to attacks, 1d8/x3.
Martial: One handed melee, 1d8/x3 and two-handed
melee, 1d10/x3.
Exotic: One handed melee, 1d10/x3.
Axe, Hand
An incredibly versatile weapon and tool, the hand axe can be
thrown or used in melee, and can be used to make tripping
attacks. Includes the hatchet, the tomahawk, and the
francisca. 2 lbs.
Simple: One handed melee and ranged (10 ft.), 1d6/x2.
Martial: Light melee and ranged (10 ft.), 1d6/x3, trip.
Exotic: Light melee and ranged (20 ft.), 1d6/x3, disarm,
trip.
Axe, Great
Includes all heavy, two-handed axes without reach, such as
the bardiche and Lochaber axe. 12 lbs.
Simple: Two handed melee, -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 1d10/x3.
Martial: Two handed melee, 1d12/x3.
Exotic: Two handed melee, 2d8/x3.
Glaive
A glaive is a simple blade, mounted to the end of a pole.
Similar reach weapons such as the Japanese naginata, the
pollaxe (or “poleaxe”), the couteau de brèche, the voulge, and
the longaxe (from the Advanced Race Guide) can all be
treated as glaives. The trip function of the Exotic proficiency
can be accomplished by adding a hook to the back, creating a
glaive-guisarme, whereas the added damage option for Exotic
use supersedes the heavy poleaxe from Complete Warrior. An
Exotic wielder with Shorten Grip option and the Two-Weapon
Fighting feat can use a glaive as a double weapon, striking
with the butt as if it were a staff. 8 lbs.
Simple: Two handed melee, -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 1d10/x3, reach.
Martial: Two handed melee, 1d10/x3, reach.
Exotic: Two handed melee, 1d10/x3, feat (Shorten Grip),
reach, trip; or two handed melee, 2d6/x3, reach.
Halberd
The halberd consists of a small axe blade topped with a
spike, mounted on a shaft. It always has a hook on the back
side of the axe blade, used for snagging mounted combatants.
A halberd can be used to perform trip attacks, and can be
braced against an enemy charge; exotic proficiency
supersedes the “dwarven warpike” from Races of Stone. 6
lbs, slashing or piercing damage.
Simple: Two handed melee, -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 1d10/x2, brace.
Martial: Two handed melee, 1d10/x3, brace, trip.
Exotic: Two handed melee, 1d10/x3, brace, feat (Lunge),
trip.
Blades, Heavy
Unless otherwise noted, all heavy blades deal slashing
damage.
Falchion
Although the historical falchion was a form of broadsword,
the term is used here as in the Pathfinder core rules, to
specifically represent a hand-and-a-half scimitar or “great
scimitar,” similar to the German Kriegsmesser or Chinese
dadao. Its exotic usage can also simulate the katana (or tachi),
the “elven curve blade” of Golarion, and the “elven
courtblade” from Races of the Wild. 6 lbs.
Simple: Two handed melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 2d4/18-20.
Martial: Two handed melee, 2d4/18-20.
Exotic: One handed melee, 1d8/18-20; or
two handed melee, 1d10/18-20 and finesse; or
two handed melee, 2d6/18-20.
Scimitar
Any single-handed, curved sword that is lighter than a
broadsword, such as the sabre, the Russian shashka, the
Indian tulwar, the Chinese dao, the Persian shamshir, and
the Turkish yataghan, can be considered a scimitar. The
curve allows more momentum to be focused on a single point
along the blade, accounting for the weapon’s excellent critical
range. 2.5 lbs.
Simple: One handed melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 1d6/19-20.
Martial: One handed melee, 1d6/18-20.
Exotic: One handed melee, 1d8/18-20; or one handed
melee (Light melee for purposes of Two-Weapon Fighting),
1d6/18-20, Finesse (this latter usage supersedes the
Dervish Dance feat from Qadira: Gateway to the East, and
the Red Mantis Assassins’ “sawtooth sabre” from the
Pathfinder Campaign Setting).

Scythe
A scythe consists of an S-shaped wooden shaft with a long,
curved blade set on it. Although capable of dealing
horrendous wounds, it is a clumsy weapon except in well-
trained hands. 5 lbs. A longer war scythe (e.g., a fauchard) is
represented using the guisarme statistics (see Polearms). You
can use the scythe stats for a “mercurial greatsword” like
Terminus Est from Gene Wolfe’s Book of the New Sun.
Simple: Two handed with -4 competence penalty to
attacks melee, 2d4/x3.
Martial: Two handed melee, 2d4/x3, trip.
Exotic: Two handed melee, 2d4/x4, trip.
Sword, Bastard
The bastard sword is similar to the long sword, but with a 4-
ft. blade and longer handle allowing better leverage with two-
handed blows; it is often referred to as a “hand-and-a-half
sword.” Smaller claymores are bastard swords (larger ones
can be treated as great swords). 4 lbs.
Simple: Two handed melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 1d10/19-20.
Martial: Two handed melee, 1d10/19-20.
Exotic: One handed melee, 1d10/19-20, and two-handed
melee, 1d10/18-20 or special (1d10/19-20 and 2d8/19-20
against Large or larger opponents).
Sword, Broad
True broadswords—such as the schiavona, the falcata, the
backsword, the hanger, the Scottish broadsword, and the
German Großes Messer—use the sword’s weight to add
power to the blow. The weapon’s balance is such, however,
that it cannot be effectively wielded in two hands. A
broadsword is generally fitted with a basket hilt, providing a
+2 enhancement bonus against disarm attempts. 4 lbs.
Simple: One handed melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 1d8/19-20.
Martial: One handed melee, 1d8/19-20.
Exotic: One handed melee, 1d8/19-20/x3.
Sword, Great
The greatsword includes the two-handed sword or
Zweihänder, and also the Japanese no-dachi. 6 lbs.
Simple: Two handed melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 2d6/x2.
Martial: Two handed melee, 2d6/19-20.
Exotic: Two handed melee, 2d6/19-20 and 3d6/19-20
against Large or larger opponents.
Sword, Long
The longsword is a multipurpose cutting and thrusting
weapon, generally with a straight blade approximately 3 ft.
long. The cruciform arming sword, the knight’s sword, the
side-sword, the Walloon sword, the mortuary sword used in
the English Civil War, the Viking sword, the Chinese jian, the
Sudanese kaskara, and the Roman spatha are all represented
by longsword statistics. 3 lbs., slashing and piercing damage.
Exotic wielders become more adept with the point, rapier-
like, and have more finesse overall; this supersedes the
Taldori dueling sword of Golarion and the elven thinblade
from Races of the Wild.
Simple: One handed melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 1d8/19-20.
Martial: One handed melee, 1d8/19-20.
Exotic: One handed melee, 1d8/18-20, Finesse; or one
handed melee, 1d8/19-20 and 1d12/19-20 vs. opponents
of size Large or larger.
Blades, Light
Dagger
Any weapon with a blade about a foot in length―including a
Scottish dirk, a French poignard, a Somali bilao, an
Indonesian kris, etc. Most knives can be treated as daggers as
well, only dealing primarily slashing damage. You get a +2
bonus on Sleight of Hand skill checks made to conceal a
dagger on your body. 1 lb, piercing damage (secondary
slashing damage).
Simple: Light melee, 1d4/19-20.
Martial: Light melee and ranged (10 ft.), 1d4/19-20
Exotic: Light melee, 1d4/19-20 and sneak attack +1d6;
and light ranged (10 ft.), 1d4/19-20.
Synergy: If you have Exotic dagger proficiency and also
have the sneak attack class feature, the effects stack. In
addition, if your base sneak attack ability (not including this
feature) is at least +5d6, you gain an additional +1d6 when
using a dagger (+7d6 total). If your base sneak attack ability is
at least +9d6, you gain +3d6 instead (total +12d6). This is a
specific exception to the general rule capping sneak attack
damage at +1d6/2 levels (rounded up), and emulates the
Knife Master’s “sneak stab” from the Advanced Player’s
Guide.
Kukri
The kukri, or “Gurkha knife,” has a large, curved blade, with
the cutting edge on the inside of the curve. 1-2 lbs, slashing
damage.
Simple: Light with -4 competence penalty to attacks,
1d4/18-20.
Martial: Light, 1d4/18-20.
Exotic: Light, 1d6/18-20 and feat (Lunge).

Cutlass
A small cutlass includes any slashing weapon larger than a
simple knife but smaller than a full-sized sword. Examples
include the machete, the Philippine bolo, the Malaysian
parang, the Old English seax, the Arabic jambiya, the
Japanese wakizashi, and the “dogslicer” of Golarion. 2 lbs.,
slashing damage.
Simple: One handed melee, 1d6/x2.
Martial: Light melee, 1d6/19-20.
Exotic: Light melee, 1d6/18-20 or 1d8/19-20; and one
handed thrown (10 ft.), 1d6/19-20.
Sickle
The sickle, derived from the grain cutting tool, is a wooden
handle with a short, curved blade. Examples include the
Japanese kama. The kusarigama is a double weapon
equivalent to a sickle and a chain whip (q.v.). 2 lbs., slashing
damage.
Simple: Light melee, 1d6/x2.
Martial: Light melee, 1d6/19-20, trip.
Exotic: Light melee, 1d6/18-20, trip.
Sword, Rapier
The rapier is a long, thin sword, usually with no cutting edge;
variants include the estoc. You can't wield a rapier in two
hands in order to apply 1½ times your Strength bonus to
damage. 2 lbs., piercing damage.
Simple: One handed melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 1d6/19-20.
Martial: One handed melee, 1d6/18-20, Finesse.
Exotic: One handed melee, 1d6/18-20, Disarm, Finesse
and feat (Lunge).
Sword, Short
Typically, this category consists of any thrusting blade longer
than a dagger, but shorter than a full-sized sword; the Roman
gladius is an excellent example, as is the U.S. Model 1832
foot artillery sword. Larger cinqueadea daggers also qualify. 1
lb., piercing damage (secondary slashing damage).
Simple: One handed melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 1d6/19-20.
Martial: Light melee, 1d6/19-20.
Exotic: Light melee, 1d8/19-20.
Sword, Small
The small sword or smallsword (also court sword, French
épée de cour or dress sword) is a light weapon designed for
thrusting which evolved out of the longer and heavier rapier
of the late Renaissance. This weapon also supersedes the
elven lightblade from Races of the Wild. 1 lb., piercing
damage.
Simple: One handed melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 1d6/19-20, Finesse.
Martial: Light melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 1d6/18-20.
Exotic: Light melee, 1d6/18-20, feat (Lunge).
Bludgeons
As their name implies, unless otherwise noted all bludgeons
deal bludgeoning damage.
Club, Great
The great club is simply a heavy, two-handed club. Fancy
versions might be bound in iron and set with metal studs, like
the Japanese tetsubo or kanabo. 6 lbs.
Simple: Two handed melee, 1d10/x2.
Martial: Two handed melee, 1d10/x3.
Exotic: Two handed melee, 1d10/x4.
Club, Heavy
Heavier bludgeons, such as an Iroquois ball-headed or
gunstock war club, a baseball bat, an Irish shillelagh, a
Japanese bokken (wooden practice sword)―or even a length
of metal pipe―fall under this category. A heavy club can be
swung two-handed to gain 1½ times your Strength bonus on
damage. 2.5 to 4 lbs.
Simple: One handed melee, 1d6/x2.
Martial: One handed melee, 1d6/x3.
Exotic: One handed melee, 1d6/x3, Feat (Staggering
Strike); and one handed ranged, 1d6/x3, 10 ft.
Club, Light
Any lightweight bludgeon, such as a light mace, belaying pin,
singlestick, Japanese hanbo, South African knobkierrie,
Filipino yantok (escrima stick), etc., is treated as a light club.
Light clubs do not provide sufficient weight and leverage to
gain additional damage from being used two-handed. Most
styles featured training in Two-Weapon Fighting (such as with
the paired sticks or the Philippine knife-and-stick) or
throwing (such as the Zulu iwisa). 1 to 2 lbs.
Simple: One handed melee, 1d4/x2.
Martial: Light melee, 1d6/x2 and feat (Two-Weapon
Fighting, with two light clubs or light club and dagger
only); or light melee and light ranged (10 ft.), 1d6/x2.
Exotic: Light melee, 1d6/x2, feat (Two-Weapon Fighting);
and light ranged (10 ft.), 1d6/x2, feat (Far Shot).
Synergy: If you have at least Martial proficiency with light
clubs and also Exotic proficiency with light flails, you can use
a dan bong (Korean rope stick) as a light club or as a light
flail, depending on how you swing it. Until you do so, the
weapon appears to be nothing more than a light club to
anyone lacking that proficiency.

Mace, Heavy
A mace is made up of an ornate metal head attached to a
simple wooden or metal shaft. The Russian pernach and
shestopyor are examples of flanged maces. The one-handed
“morningstar” in the core rules is treated as a heavy mace, as
the Medieval morning star (q.v.) was a two-handed pole
weapon. The increased damage option for Exotic use
supersedes the “warmace” from Complete Warrior. 2 lbs. to 6
lbs.
Simple: One handed melee, 1d8/x2.
Martial: One handed melee, 1d8/x3.
Exotic: One handed melee, 1d8/x3, feat
(Crushing Blow); or one handed melee, 1d12/x3.
Morning Star
This is an infantry weapon in the form of a thick wooden
shaft up to 8 feet in length, slightly fluted toward the top, with
a spiked head and topped with a stout iron spike. The
Flemish goedendag and the English “holy water sprinkler”
are examples; longer Aztec macauhuitl can also be treated as
morning stars. The length of the morning star’s handle
distinguishes it from the one-handed weapon described in the
core rules. 10 lbs, bludgeoning and piercing damage.
Simple: Two handed melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 1d10/x3.
Martial: Two handed melee, 1d10/x3, brace.
Exotic: Two handed melee, 1d10/x3, brace, and the long
shaft allows the morning star to be used as a normal
weapon (5 ft. reach) or as a reach weapon (10-ft. reach);
you can switch your grip as a swift action.
Sap
The sap, or blackjack, is essentially a sandbag, used to
bludgeon opponents unconscious. 1 lb.
Simple: Light melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 1d6/x2 nonlethal.
Martial: Light melee, 1d6/x3 nonlethal.
Exotic: Light melee, 1d6/x3 nonlethal, feat (Knockout
Blow).
Staff, Quarter
The simple staff, whether shod and weighted like the English
quarterstaff, or simply made of strong bamboo, as the bo
staff, is a useful double weapon. 3 lbs. Note that the Maori
taiaha is essentially a double weapon with a quarterstaff for
one end and a short spear for the other.
Simple: Two handed melee, 1d6/x2.
Martial: Two handed melee double weapon, 1d6/x2, feat
(Two Weapon Fighting).
Exotic: Two handed melee double weapon, 1d6/x3, feats
(Two-Weapon Fighting and Two Weapon Defense); or one
handed melee weapon, 1d6/x3.
Tonfa
Any light bludgeoning weapon with a side handle or prong in
order to catch opponents’ weapons and allow for variant grips
(including a billy club) can be treated as a tonfa. For example,
a sai is a metal spike flanked by a pair of prongs used to trap
an enemy's weapon; though pointed, a sai is used primarily to
bludgeon foes and to disarm weapons, so it falls into this
category for the sake of simplicity (as does the jutte). The
aklys, owing to the side hook, can also be treated as a tonfa.
However, it is attached to a 20-ft. cord, and can be retrieved
after throwing as a move action. 2 lbs.
Simple: Light melee, 1d4/x2.
Martial: Light melee, 1d6/x2, disarm, trip.
Exotic: Light melee and ranged (10 ft.), 1d6/x3, disarm,
trip.
Bows and Slings
The “Bows and Slings” group is also used as a catch-all for
projectile weapons (such as the blowgun) that don’t belong
anywhere else.
Special: Standard short bows and longbows are
constructed for a person of average Strength (10-11).
Strength penalties to damage apply, but not bonuses due to
higher Strength unless a composite bow is used. Composite
bows have a greater “pull,” and require a minimum Strength
score to use. A wielder meeting or exceeding that minimum
can add his or her Strength bonus to damage. Composite
bows also add 10 ft. to the range increments shown.
Blowgun, Light
Blowguns are generally used to deliver debilitating (but rarely
fatal) poisons from a distance. They are nearly silent when
fired. The smaller Japanese fukiya blowgun is a simple
weapon appropriate for ninjas; 2 lbs, piercing damage.
Simple: One handed ranged (10 ft.) with -4 competence
penalty to attacks, 1d2, reload 1 standard action.
Martial: One handed ranged (10 ft.), 1d2, reload 1 move
action.
Exotic: One handed ranged (10 ft.), 1d2, reload 1 iterative
attack.
Blowgun, Hunting
The longer South American and Cherokee blowguns have a
much longer range, with the disadvantage of being 6 to 9 feet
long and unwieldy. 3 lbs, piercing damage.
Simple: Two handed ranged (30 ft.) with -4 competence
penalty to attacks, 1d2, reload 1 full round.
Martial: Two handed ranged (30 ft.) with -4 competence
penalty to attacks, 1d2, reload 1 move action.
Exotic: Two handed ranged (30 ft.), 1d2, reload 1 iterative
attack.

Bow, Long
Six-foot bows like the English longbow and the Japanese
daikyu fall under this heading. The daikyu’s grip was off-
center, allowing it to be used while mounted by a wielder with
Exotic proficiency. 3 lbs, piercing damage.
Simple: Two handed ranged (100 ft.) with -4 competence
penalty to attacks, 1d8/x3, reload 1 move action.
Martial: Two handed ranged (100 ft.), 1d8/x3, reload 1
iterative attack.
Exotic: Two handed ranged (100 ft.), 1d8/x3, reload free
action, or reload move action and can use while mounted.
Bow, short
A short bow is about 3 feet in length; examples include the
Mongol bow and the Japanese hankyu. You can use a short
bow while mounted. 2 lbs, piercing damage.
Simple: Two handed ranged (60 ft.) with -4 competence
penalty to attacks, 1d6/x3, reload 1 iterative attack.
Martial: Two handed ranged (60 ft.), 1d6/x3, reload free
action.
Exotic: Two handed ranged (60 ft.), 1d8/x3 and feat
(Steady Aim), reload free action.
Kestros
The Macedonian kestros is, in essence, a double sling for
throwing heavy, javelin-like darts. 1 lb., piercing.
Simple: One handed ranged (30 ft.) with -4 competence
penalty to attacks, 1d8, reload 1 move action.
Martial: One handed ranged (40 ft.), 1d8/x2, reload 1
iterative attack.
Exotic: One handed ranged (50 ft.), 1d8/x3, reload free
action.
Sling
A sling is little more than a leather cup attached to a pair of
strings. Your Strength modifier applies to damage rolls when
you use a sling, just as it does for thrown weapons. You can
fire, but not load, a sling with one hand. Loading a sling
requires two hands and provokes attacks of opportunity. 0
lbs., bludgeoning damage.
Special: You can hurl ordinary stones with a sling, but
stones are not as dense or as round as bullets. Thus, such an
attack deals damage as if the weapon were designed for a
creature one size category smaller than you.
Simple: One handed ranged (50 ft.), 1d4/x3, reload 1
move action.
Martial: One handed ranged (60 ft.), 1d6/x3, reload 1
iterative attack.
Exotic: One handed ranged (60 ft.), 1d8/x3, reload free
action; or one handed ranged (60 ft.), 1d6/x3, reload 1
iterative attack, feat (Staggering Strike).
Synergy: If you have at least Martial proficiency with the
sling and with Flails and Whips, you can use a loaded sling
exactly as if it were a light flail (including any feats and/or
talents you have that normally apply to the light flail). This
supersedes the Sling Flail feat from Ultimate Combat.
Sling, Staff
Made from a specially designed sling attached to a pole, a
staff sling can be used by a proficient wielder to devastating
effect. Your Strength modifier applies to damage rolls when
you use a staff sling, just as it does for thrown weapons.
Exotic proficiency supersedes the warsling from Races of the
Wild. 3 lbs, bludgeoning damage.
Special: You can hurl ordinary stones with a staff sling, but
stones are not as dense or as round as bullets. Thus, such an
attack deals damage as if the weapon were designed for a
creature one size category smaller than you and you take a –1
penalty on attack rolls.
Simple: Two handed ranged (40 ft.) with -4 competence
penalty to attacks, 1d6/x3, reload 1 full round.
Martial: Two handed ranged (80 ft.) with -4 competence
penalty to attacks, 1d8/x3, reload 1 move action.
Exotic: Two handed ranged (80 ft.), 1d8/x4, reload 1
iterative attack.
Close Weapons
Dagger, Punching
A punching dagger's blade is often attached to a horizontal
handle that projects out from the fist when held. The Indian
katara is an example of a punching dagger, as is the riverboat
gambler’s push knife. Also, the Malaysian siangham and
Chinese emeici, and the
“Gehennan lancet” from the Planar Handbook, can
essentially be treated as punching daggers. 1 lb., piercing
damage.
Simple: Light melee, 1d4/x3.
Martial: Light melee, 1d4/x3 and feat (Deft Blow).
Exotic: Light melee, 1d4/x3 and feats (Deft Blow, Skewer
Foe).
Garrote, Cord
This is nothing more than a simple strangling cord, such as a
Thuggee’s silken garrote or a Mafioso’s “rope.” In order for
you to use a garrote, your opponent must be helpless or
unaware of you. You must make a grapple check (though you
avoid the –4 penalty for not having two hands free) to
successfully begin garroting your opponent. If you have
Martial proficiency or better, your victim must make a
concentration check (DC 20 + your CMB + level of the spell)
to cast a spell with a verbal component, use a command word
item, or use any magic requiring speech. Negligible weight;
special damage.
Simple: Two handed melee, 1d4 on grapple.
Martial: Two handed melee, 1d4 on grapple, choke, feat
(Throat Punch).
 Exotic: Two handed melee, 1d4 on grapple, choke, feats
(Improved Grapple, Throat Punch).
Garrote, Wire
A garrote is a length of wire with wooden handles at both
ends. The wire is placed across a victim's throat and crossed
behind the neck; when the handles are pulled tight, the
garrote strangles him. It is otherwise similar to a strangling
cord (see garrote, cord). Negligible weight; slashing damage.
Simple: Two handed melee, 1d6 on grapple.
Martial: Two handed melee, 1d6/19-20 on grapple, choke,
feat (Throat Punch).
Exotic: Two handed melee, 1d6/19-20 on grapple, choke,
feats (Improved Grapple, Throat Punch).
Gauntlet
Any armored glove or other means of adding weight and/or
hardness to a basic fist (brass knuckles, or even a simple roll
of quarters) uses these statistics (e.g., the cestus is a glove of
leather or thick cloth that covers the wielder from mid-finger
to mid-forearm, reinforced with metal plates over the fingers.
An armored gauntlet or cestus gives you a –2 penalty on all
precision-based tasks involving that hand (such as opening
locks). 1 lb., bludgeoning damage.
Simple: Light melee, 1d3/x2.
Martial: Light melee, 1d4/19-20.
Exotic: Light melee, 1d4/19-20, feats/class features
applying to unarmed attacks also apply to your gauntlets
(q.v.).
Gauntlet, Spiked
Adding spikes to a gauntlet or cestus allows more damaging
attacks, at the cost of added weight. 2 lbs, piercing damage.
Simple: Light melee, 1d4/x2.
Martial: Light melee, 1d4/x3.
Exotic: Light melee, 1d4/x3 and feat (Skewer Foe).
Sap
See full descriptions under “Bludgeons.”
Unarmed Attack
A non-proficient character can make flailing blows without a
weapon; these blows provoke attacks of opportunity. At the
Simple level of proficiency, unarmed attacks are basic
punches, unable to deal lethal damage but not provoking
attacks of opportunity. Kicks, elbows, etc. can be added to the
repertoire at the Martial level, and at the Exotic level of
proficiency the character is a skilled martial artist.
Simple: Light unarmed (melee), 1d3, nonlethal.
Martial: Light unarmed (melee), 1d4/19-20, lethal or
nonlethal.
Exotic: Light unarmed (melee), 1d6/19-20 lethal or
nonlethal, and your unarmed attacks are treated both as
manufactured weapons and as natural weapons for the
purpose of spells and effects that enhance or improve
either manufactured weapons or natural weapons.
Synergy: If you also have the Improved Weapon
Maneuvers feat, you can make unarmed parry, bind, and
disarm attempts (and sunder attempts against wooden
weapons) as if you were armed.
Source: Martial proficiency in unarmed attacks
supersedes the Improved Unarmed Strike feat; Exotic
proficiency subsumes the Superior Unarmed Strike feat,
from the Tome of Battle.
Crossbows
Crossbows work similarly to bows, except their Strength is
mechanical (through winding) rather than limited by the
user’s Strength. Default mechanical strength scores are 12
(+1 damage) for a hand crossbow, 16 (+3) for a light
crossbow, and 20 (+5) for a heavy crossbow. Crossbows can
be constructed with higher mechanical strength scores (see
“Spring Steel” under special materials, below), but they are
expensive and difficult to produce.
Some crossbows can be fired one-handed (as shown in the
individual descriptions), but all of them generally require two
hands to reload.
Exotic Proficiency: If you have Exotic proficiency with a
crossbow that is loaded and in hand, any time you are hit with
a ranged attack, you can fire that crossbow at your attacker as
an attack of opportunity.
Repeating Crossbows: Repeating crossbows like the
Chinese chu-ke-nu hold 5 crossbow bolts. As long as it holds
bolts, you can reload it by pulling the reloading lever (a free
action). Loading a new case of 5 bolts is a full-round action
(regardless of your level of proficiency) that provokes attacks
of opportunity. Repeating crossbows have a mechanical
Strength score 4 lower than normal (1d6+1 damage for light
repeating crossbows, 1d8+3 for heavy repeating crossbows).
Hand crossbows and prodds do not have repeating versions.
Standard crossbows deal piercing damage; the prod deals
bludgeoning damage instead.
Crossbow, Hand
You can draw a hand crossbow back by hand. You can shoot,
but not load, a hand crossbow with one hand at no penalty.
You can shoot a hand crossbow with each hand, but you take
a penalty on attack rolls as if attacking with two light
weapons. Reloading takes 2 hands. 2 lbs.
Simple: Light ranged (30 ft.), 1d4+1/19-20, reload 1 move
action.
Martial: Light ranged (30 ft.), 1d4+1/19-20, reload 1
iterative attack.
Exotic: Light ranged (30 ft.), 1d4+1/19-20, reload free
action.

Crossbow, Heavy
You draw a heavy crossbow back by turning a small winch.
Normally, operating a heavy crossbow requires two hands.
However, you can shoot, but not load, a heavy crossbow with
one hand at a –4 penalty on attack rolls. 8 lbs.
Simple: Two handed ranged (120 ft.), 1d8+5/19-20, reload
1 full round (provokes attacks of opportunity).
Martial: Two handed ranged (120 ft.), 1d8+5/19-20, reload
1 move action (provokes attacks of opportunity).
Exotic: Two handed ranged (120 ft.), 1d8+5/19-20, feat
(Fell Shot or Vital Stike), reload 1 move action.
Vital Strike damage is +1d6 if BAB less than +6. If you
already have the Vital Strike feat, you gain the effects of the
Powerful Bolt fighter talent when firing a heavy crossbow.
Crossbow, Light
You draw a light crossbow back by pulling a lever. Normally,
operating a light crossbow requires two hands. However, you
can shoot, but not load, a light crossbow with one hand at a –
2 penalty on attack rolls. You can shoot a light crossbow with
each hand, but you take a penalty on attack rolls as if
attacking with two weapons. 4 lbs.
Simple: Two handed ranged (80 ft.), 1d6+3/19-20, reload
1 move action.
Martial: Two handed ranged (80 ft.), 1d6+3/19-20, reload
1 iterative attack.
Exotic: Two handed ranged (80 ft.), 1d6+3/19-20, feat
(Focused Shot or Deft Blow), reload 1 iterative attack.
Prodd
The prodd is, in essence, a small hand catapult that fires
sling bullets rather than bolts. Normally, operating a prodd
requires two hands. However, you can shoot, but not load, a
prodd with one hand at no penalty on attack rolls. Like a light
crossbow, a prod has an effective mechanical Strength of 15.
4 lbs.
Simple: Light ranged (80 ft.), 1d4+2/x2, reload 1 move
action.
Martial: Light ranged (80 ft.), 1d4+2/x2, reload 1 iterative
attack.
Exotic: Light ranged (80 ft.), 1d4+2/x2, reload free action.
Flails and Whips
Chain, Spiked
Essentially a double chain whip (q.v.)―heavier, with bladed
tips at both ends, and it can be gripped anywhere along the
chain. 5 lbs, bludgeoning and piercing damage.
Simple: Two handed melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 2d4, entangle.
Martial: Two handed melee, 2d4, entangle, finesse.
Exotic: Two handed melee double weapon, 2d4/2d4; and
two-handed melee reach weapon 2d4 (shift grip as swift
action); disarm, entangle, finesse, trip.
Flail, Heavy
A heavy flail consists of a long handle with a spiked metal
striking end―rather like the end of a morning star―attached
by means of a chain or swivel. 10 lbs, bludgeoning damage. 6
lbs, bludgeoning (secondary piercing) damage.
Simple: Two handed melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 1d10/19-20.
Martial: Two handed melee, 1d10/19-20, disarm, trip.
Exotic: One handed melee, 1d10/19-20, disarm, trip; and
two handed melee, 1d10/19-20, disarm and special
(cannot be parried or redirected; not affected by Combat
Expertise or defensive fighting).
Flail, Light
In addition to the familiar image of a handle with a spiked
ball at the end of a chain (a “horseman’s flail”), the light flail
includes any one-handed martial bludgeon with a rope or
swivel, such as a grain thresher, a set of nunchaku, or a
“flindbar.” 2 to 3 lbs, bludgeoning damage.
Simple: One handed melee, 1d6/x2.
Martial: One handed melee, 1d8/x2, disarm.
Exotic: Light melee, 1d8/19-20, disarm.
Flail, Pole
This is simply a long heavy flail with reach, forming a sort of
polearm. 12 lbs., bludgeoning (secondary piercing) damage.
Simple: Two handed melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 1d10/19-20, reach.
Martial: Two handed melee, 1d10/19-20, reach, trip.
Exotic: Two handed melee, 1d10/19-20, feat (Crushing
Blow), reach, trip.
Hammer, Meteor
This weapon is a spherical or conical weight attached to a 15-
foot rope. This weapon includes the rope dart and the “dorn-
dergar.” 6-7 lbs, bludgeoning damage.
Simple: Two handed melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 1d8/x2, finesse, reach.
Martial: Two handed melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 1d8/19-20, entangle, finesse, reach; and one
handed ranged, 1d4/19-20, retrieve by means of rope
(adjust grip as move action).
Exotic: Two handed melee, 1d10/19-20, disarm, entangle,
finesse, reach, trip; and two handed melee, 1d10/19-20,
trip (adjust grip as swift action; this supersedes the
Darting Viper feat from Dwarves of Golarion).

Scourge
The scourge is a short, heavy, multi-tailed whip, capable of
leaving bleeding wounds. The “cat-o’-nine tails” uses the
scourge statistics. 2 lbs, slashing damage.
Simple: One handed melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 1d6/x2.
Martial: One handed melee, 1d8/x2, disarm.
Exotic: One handed melee, 1d8/x2, disarm, feat (Bleeding
Strike).
Staff, Three-Section
The three-section staff (sanjiegun or sansetsukon) is a flail
weapon that consists of three wooden or metal staves
connected by metal rings or rope. A more complicated
version of the light flail, the staves can be spun to gather
momentum resulting in a powerful blow. 5 lbs, bludgeoning
damage. More proficient wielders can use both ends
simultaneously, as a double weapon; these stats therefore
cover the 3.5 edition “dire flail.”
Simple: Two handed melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 1d6/x2.
Martial: Two handed melee, 1d10/19-20; and two-handed
melee double weapon, 1d6/19-20.
Exotic: Two handed melee weapon, 1d10/19-20, disarm,
feat (Lunge), finesse, trip; and two-handed melee double
weapon, 1d8/19-20, finesse, feat (Two-Weapon Fighting).
Whip
The whip is treated as a melee weapon with 15-foot reach,
though you don't threaten the area into which you can make
an attack. Using a whip provokes an attack of opportunity,
just as if you had used a ranged weapon, unless you have
Exotic proficiency with it (Exotic whip proficiency supersedes
the Whip Mastery feat from Ultimate Combat).
Simple: One handed melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 1d3 nonlethal, finesse, reach.
Martial: One handed melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 1d3 nonlethal, finesse, reach.
Exotic: One handed melee, 1d3 lethal or nonlethal (your
choice each attack), disarm, finesse, reach, trip.
Synergy: If you also have the Ranged Maneuvers feat (q.v.),
you can use a whip to grasp an unattended Small or Tiny
object within 15 ft. and pull that object into your square. To
do so, you must hit AC 10 with a melee touch attack. Further,
you can use the whip to grasp onto an object within 10 ft.,
using 5 feet of your whip as if it were a grappling hook,
allowing you to use the rest of your whip to swing on like a
rope. As a free action, you can release the object your whip is
grasping, but you cannot use the whip to attack while the
whip is grasping an object.
If you also have the Improved Grapple feat (q.v.), you gain
the ability to grapple using your whip. To do so, use the
normal grapple rules with the following changes.
Attack: You cannot use your whip to attack while you are
using it to grapple an opponent.
Damage: When dealing damage to your grappled
opponent, you deal your whip’s weapon damage rather
than your unarmed strike damage.
Free Hands: You take no penalty on your combat
maneuver check for having fewer than two hands free
when you use your whip to grapple.
These synergy effects supersede the Whip Mastery and
Greater Whip Mastery feats from Ultimate Combat.
Whip, Chain
Any one-handed flexible, whiplike weapon with a handle at
one end and a sharp edge or tip fits under the category of
“chain whips.” Examples include the scorpion whip, the whip-
dagger, the kau sin ke, the urumi of the Punjab, the “nine-
section whip” from Ultimate Combat, and the bladed scarf of
Varisia. 3 lbs, Slashing.
Simple: One handed melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 1d6/x2, reach.
Martial: One handed melee, 1d6/19-20, finesse, reach.
Exotic: One handed melee, 1d8/18-20, disarm, finesse,
reach, trip.
Hammers and Picks
Historically, warhammers and picks were generally combined
or even indistinguishable from one another; for the sake of
game continuity, they are listed separately here. Unless
otherwise noted, all hammers deal bludgeoning damage;
picks deal piercing damage.
Hammer, Great
Appearing as a weapon only in fantasy, a great hammer is a
massive, two-handed weapon akin to the thing used in Conan
the Barbarian, or the “earth breaker” in the Golarion setting.
16 lbs.
Simple: Two handed melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 2d6/x2.
Martial: Two handed melee, 2d6/x3.
Exotic: Two handed melee, 2d6/x3, feat (Staggering
Strike).
Hammer, Light
The light hammer is an especially short-handled, blunt-
headed warhammer, balanced for throwing. 2 lbs.
Simple: Light melee and ranged (10 ft.) with -4
competence penalty to attacks, 1d4/x2.
Martial: Light melee and ranged (10 ft.), 1d4/x3.
Exotic: Light melee and ranged (20 ft.), 1d4/x3, feat
(Staggering Strike).

Hammer, War
The historical warhammer, including the horseman’s
hammer, was a lightweight, long-handled weapon designed to
damage even armored opponents. The small, pronged
hammer head is often backed with a military pick. 2.5 lbs.
Simple: One handed melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 1d8/x3.
Martial: One handed melee, 1d8/x3.
Exotic: One handed melee, 1d8/x3, feat (Crushing Blow).
Lucerne Hammer
This polearm has both a pronged hammer head for crushing
blows and a spiked head for piercing and peeling armor; most
attacks are made with the hammer. The long haft allows the
wielder to put amazing force behind the head of this weapon.
The bec de corbin is very similar to the Lucerne hammer, but
the hammer head is blunt rather than spiked and the spike is
stouter and more hooked. The dwarven longhammer from the
Advanced Race Guide and the “ramhammer” from the Planar
Handbook are essentially Lucerne hammers. 10 lbs, piercing
and bludgeoning damage.
Simple: Two handed melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 2d4/x3, reach.
Martial: Two handed melee, 2d6/x3, reach.
Exotic: Two handed melee, 2d6/x3, feat (Scything Blow),
reach.
Maul
A maul is a sledgehammer. It can be used as a two-handed
martial weapon, but is too heavy and unwieldy to be used in
one hand without Exotic proficiency. 8 lbs, bludgeoning
damage.
Simple: Two handed melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 1d10/x2.
Martial: Two handed melee, 1d10/x3.
Exotic: One handed melee, 1d10/x3.
Pick, Heavy
The heavy pick is a mattock or pickaxe, which also
supersedes the “dire pick” from Complete Warrior and the
tigerskull club from Frostburn. 8 lbs.
Simple: Two handed melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 1d8/x3.
Martial: Two handed melee, 1d8/x4.
Exotic: Two handed melee, 1d8/x4, feat (Scything Blow).
Pick, Light
The light pick, or horseman’s pick, is designed to allow a
skilled user to penetrate armor, despite its light weight. The
pick head is often backed by a light hammer (q.v.). Examples
include the Scythian sagaris. 2 lbs.
Simple: One handed melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 1d4/x3.
Martial: Light melee, 1d4/x4.
Exotic: Light melee, 1d4/x4, feat (Deft Blow).
Pick, Military
The military pick, crowbill, or martel-de-fer, is a heavier
version of the light pick, ideal for penetrating armor in the
hands of a skilled user. The head of the pick is often backed
by a warhammer. 4 lbs.
Simple: One handed melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 1d6/x3.
Martial: One handed melee, 1d6/x4.
Exotic: One handed melee, 1d6/x4, feat (Crushing Blow);
or one handed melee, 1d8/x4.
Polearms
This is a varied group of weapons, many of which also belong
to other weapons groups.
Glaive; Halberd
See full descriptions under “Axes.”
Guisarme
A guisarme is a modified pruning hook, an 8-foot-long shaft
with a blade and a hook mounted at the tip. The curve and/or
hook of the blade allows the guisarme to be used as a
tripping weapon. Such weapons as the bill and bill hook are
similar enough that they can use the same basic statistics. A
fauchard is a scythe blade mounted lengthwise at the end of a
pole; although the blade is sharpened on the inside of the
curve, and the curve is less pronounced than in the guisarme,
it is otherwise similar enough so as not to merit separate
statistics. 9 lbs, slashing damage.
Simple: Two handed melee, 1d8/x2, reach, trip.
Martial: Two handed melee, 1d8/x3, reach, trip.
Exotic: Two handed melee, 1d10/x3, feat (Shorten grip),
reach, trip.
Flail, Pole
See full description under “Flails and Whips.”
Hammer, Lucerne
See full description under “Hammers and Picks.”

Lajatang
A lajatang is a rare and unusual double weapon found only
in the hands of martial artists skilled in its use. It consists of a
three to five foot shaft with a crescent blade fitted at each end.
Such fantasy weapons as the thri-kreen gythka and the orc
double axe can be treated as lajatangs. 7 lbs, slashing
damage.
Simple: Two handed melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 1d8/x2.
Martial: Two handed double melee weapon, 1d8/x3.
Exotic: Two handed double melee weapon, 1d8/x3, feat
(Two-Weapon Fighting), finesse.
Mancatcher
This polearm consists of two curved metal bands that close
around a target when you attack, allowing you to bind an
opponent. A mancatcher is built to capture a creature of a
particular size category (e.g., Medium) and doesn’t work on
creatures of the wrong size. The kuo-toa “pincer staff” is a
mancatcher.
A wielder with Exotic proficiency can make a touch attack
to hit an opponent and a combat maneuver check to grapple
him (without the –4 penalty for not having two hands free);
success means you and the target are grappled. Once the
target is grappled, you can perform a move or damage
grapple action against him. The mancatcher has hardness 10
and 5 hit points; it requires a DC 26 Strength check to break
it. If you drop the mancatcher, the target can free himself as a
standard action. 8 lbs, piercing damage.
Simple: Two handed melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 1d2, reach.
Martial: Two handed melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 1d2, reach, entangle.
Exotic: Two handed melee, 1d2, reach, grapple.
Morningstar
See full description under “Bludgeons.”
Ranseur; Long Spear
See full descriptions under “Spears.”
Spears
Unless otherwise noted, all spears deal piercing damage.
Harpoon
The harpoon is a heavy, barbed throwing spear with a
socketed head. It is generally attached to a line so that it can
be retrieved on a miss (a move action), and/or used to drag
prey to the wielder on a hit. It can be used in melee with a -4
competence penalty. 8 lbs.
Simple: Two handed ranged (10 ft.) with -4 competence
penalty to attacks, 1d10/x2.
Martial: Two handed ranged (20 ft.), 1d10/x2, entangle.
Exotic: One handed ranged (30 ft.), 1d10/x3, entangle, feat
(Impaling Attack).
Javelin
The javelin (including the assegai and the pilum) is a light
throwing spear. Thrown javelins are subject to the same
breakage chances as arrows. 2 lbs. A javelin can be used in
melee as a short spear (q.v.) with a -4 competence penalty to
attacks (and no Exotic usage in melee).
Simple: One handed ranged (30 ft.), 1d6/x2.
Martial: One handed ranged (30 ft.), 1d6/x3.
Exotic: One handed ranged (30 ft.), 1d8/x3. If you hit a
shield-using opponent with a javelin, he loses the AC
bonus from that shield until he takes a standard action to
pry out the remnants.
Lance
The lance is a long spear, designed for use from horseback. If
used from the back of a charging mount, the lance deals
double damage on a successful hit. 10 lbs.
Simple: Two handed melee with -4 competence penalty to
attacks, 1d8/x2, brace, reach.
Martial: Two handed melee (or one handed melee to
attack as a standard action), 1d8/x3, brace, reach.
Exotic: One handed melee, 1d8/x3 (1d12/x3 vs. Large
and larger opponents), brace, reach.
Ranseur
A trident-like polearm designed to parry and disarm weapons
at a distance. The partisan, spetum, corsèsque, military fork,
tiger fork, spontoon, and Bohemian ear-spoon are essentially
similar. 6 lbs.
Simple: Two handed melee, 1d8/x2, brace, reach.
Martial: Two handed melee, 1d8/x3, brace, disarm, reach.
Exotic: Two handed melee, 1d8/x3, brace, disarm, feat
(Shorten Grip), reach, trip.
Spear
A war spear can be used in both hands as a simple weapon,
or in one hand (or thrown) as a martial weapon. Wielders
with the Two-Weapon Fighting feat can use a spear in both
hands, striking with the butt end as if it were a staff. Minor
variations, such as the trident, do not merit separate
statistics. 4 lbs.
Simple: Two handed melee, 1d8/x3, brace.
Martial: One handed melee and ranged (10 ft.), 1d8/x3,
brace.
Exotic: One handed melee 1d8/x3, brace, feat (Skewer
Foe); and two handed melee 1d12/x3, brace; and one
handed ranged (10 ft.) 1d8/x3.

Spear, Long
In essence, a spear with a longer shaft, allowing it to be
used as a reach weapon. Examples include the Macedonian
sarissa, and, for especially long examples, the pike and awl
pike. Exotic usage includes most pike options, and also
supersedes the greatspear from Complete Warrior and the
dwarven war pike from Races of Stone if the greater damage
die is selected instead. 6 lbs.
Simple: Two handed melee, 1d8/x2, brace, reach.
Martial: Two handed melee, 1d8/x3, brace, reach.
Exotic: (a) Two handed melee, 1d8/x3, brace, feat (Lunge),
reach; or (b) two handed melee, 2d6/x3, brace, reach; or
(c) one handed melee, 1d8/+3, brace, reach.
Spear, Short
The short thrusting spear (“ixwa”―named for the sound
made when it was withdrawn from a wound) was made
famous by the Zulu actions against the British at the Battle of
Isandlwana in early 1879, and the subsequent defense at
Rorke's Drift. This category of weapon also includes the
“halfspear.” 3 lbs.
Simple: One handed melee, 1d6/x2, brace.
Martial: One handed melee and ranged (20 ft.), 1d6/x3,
brace.
Exotic: One handed melee, 1d8/x3, brace, and feat
(Skewer Foe or Spearfighter); and one handed ranged (20
ft.), 1d8/x3.
Throwing Weapons
Axe, Throwing
The throwing axe, such as the francisca, is a hand axe (see
full description under “Axes”). Martial Weapon Proficiency
with throwing weapons grants ranged proficiency at the
Martial level, but no melee proficiency, with the hand axe.
Bolas
A bolas is a pair of weights, connected by a thin rope or cord.
You can use this weapon to make a ranged trip attack against
an opponent. You can't be tripped during your own trip
attempt when using a bolas. 2 lbs, bludgeoning damage (or
piercing damage with barbed bolas)
Simple: One handed ranged (10 ft.) with a -4 competence
penalty to attacks, 1d4/x2, nonlethal.
Martial: One handed ranged (10 ft.) with a -4 competence
penalty to attacks, 1d4/x2, entangle, nonlethal.
Exotic: One handed ranged (10 ft.), 1d4/x2, entangle, trip,
lethal or nonlethal.
Boomerang
The boomerang is primarily a hunting tool, but it is not
uncommon to carry these versatile weapons into battle. A
boomerang (or hunting stick or “kylie”) is made of wood and
is flat, with a long haft, a pronounced forward curve, and a
sharp backward bend at the head. The Maasai throwing club
(orinka) and similar weapons can also use these statistics.
A thrown boomerang does not fly in a returning path;
returning boomerangs are solely recreational. 1 lb.,
bludgeoning.
Simple: Light ranged (30 ft.) with a -4 competence penalty
to attacks, 1d6/x2.
Martial: Light ranged (40 ft.), 1d6/x2.
Exotic: Light ranged (50 ft.), 1d6/x2, feat (Staggering
Strike).
Chakram
The chakram is an elegant and highly portable thrown
weapon. It is a flat, open-centered metal discus with a
sharpened edge; however, any exotic crystal throwing wedge,
such as the thri-kreen’s “chatkcha,” can be treated as a
chakram.
You can also use these stats for any of the various multi-
bladed African throwing knives such as the mambele or the
hunga munga (or the “kapok” from the movie The
Beastmaster). The “annulat” from the Planar Handbook and
the Varisian starknife can also be treated as chakrams. 1 lb.,
slashing damage.
You can wield the chakram as a melee weapon, but it is not
designed for such use; you take a –4 competence penalty on
your attack roll with the weapon and must make a DC 15
Reflex save or cut yourself on the blade (half damage, no
Strength modifier). You do not need to make this save if
wearing heavy armor or a gauntlet.
Simple: Light ranged (10 ft.) with a -4 competence penalty
to attacks, 1d6/x2.
Martial: Light ranged (20 ft.), 1d6/19-20.
Exotic: Light ranged (20 ft.), 1d6/18-20.
Dagger, Throwing
The throwing dagger is simply a dagger (see full description
under “Light Blades”) that is balanced for throwing. Martial
Weapon Proficiency with throwing weapons grants ranged
proficiency at the Martial level with the dagger, but no melee
proficiency.
Dart
More similar to a lawn dart than a pub dart, this is a throwing
weapon, much smaller than a javelin, typically fletched like an
arrow and weighted with lead. The Roman plumbata is an
example. For the sake of convenience, other small throwing
weapons such as shuriken can be modeled using these
statistics as well. Half a pound; piercing damage.
Simple: Light ranged (20 ft.), 1d4/x2.
Martial: Light ranged (20 ft.), 1d4/x3.
Exotic: Light ranged (20 ft.), 1d4/x3, feat (Manyshot).
Hammer, Throwing
The throwing hammer is simply a light hammer (see full
description under “Hammers and Picks”) that is balanced for
throwing. Martial Weapon Proficiency with throwing
weapons grants ranged proficiency at the Martial level with
the throwing hammer, but no melee proficiency.
Javelin
See full description under “Spears” (q.v.).
Net
A net is used to entangle enemies. When you throw a net,
you make a ranged touch attack against your target. A net
must be folded to be thrown effectively; after the net is
unfolded, you take a –4 penalty on attack rolls with it unless
you have Exotic proficiency.
An entangled creature can escape with a DC 20 Escape
Artist check (a full-round action). The net has 5 hit points and
can be burst with a DC 25 Strength check (also a full-round
action). A net is useful only against creatures within one size
category of you.
Simple: A person with only Simple proficiency cannot use
a net effectively in combat.
Martial: Two handed ranged (10 ft.), entangle, refold 2 full
rounds.
Exotic: One handed ranged (10 ft.), entangle and special
(+2 to attacks vs. entangled opponent with a weapon held
in your other hand), refold 1 full round (or two move
actions).
Synergy: If you have Exotic proficiency with the net and
also have the Improved Trip feat, you treat the net as if it had
the Trip quality. If you have the Improved Weapon Maneuvers
feat, you treat the net as if it had the Disarm quality. Exotic
net proficiency (and the synergy effects) supersedes the Net
Adept, Net and Trident, and Net Maneuvering feats from
Ultimate Combat.
Shot Put, Orc
A character with a Strength of less than 12 cannot effectively
wield an orc shot put at all, regardless of his or level of
proficiency. 15 lbs, bludgeoning.
Simple: One handed ranged (10 ft.) with -4 competence
penalty to attacks, 1d8/x2.
Martial: One handed ranged (10 ft.) with -4 competence
penalty to attacks, 1d8/x3.
Exotic: One handed ranged (10 ft.), 1d8/19-20/x3.
 An unfortunate by-product of this system is the need to
track the total value of your items. If that’s too much of a pain
Magic Items and Wealth for a given group, they can simply accept the two-tiered
currency system and hand-wave the rest in terms of bartering
And as they rode, Arthur said, “I have no sword…” So they and so on, and the game can still work―but it’s more effort
rode till they came to a lake, the which was a fair water and for the referee, who in essence is stuck tracking your items
broad, and in the midst of the lake Arthur was ware of an arm for you in order to balance encounters appropriately.
clothed in white samite, that held a fair sword in that hand. Character Numen (or gp value equivalent of
―Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte d’Arthur (1470)
Level/CR gear):
An effort has been made to decouple magical gear from
monetary wealth. This allows characters to spend fortunes Minimum
on castles, lavish parties, or whatever else they desire, 1st 0
without automatically falling behind their peers in terms of 2nd
personal power. To this end, a number of the new feats and 780
class features are intended to supersede the “standard” items 3rd 1,650
(cloaks of resistance, belts of physical might, and the like). In 4th 2,400
addition, “wealth by level” as a measure of magical gear is, if
not abolished, at least modified heavily enough that material 5th 3,450
wealth no longer translates directly to magical power. 6th 4,650
Magic Item Economics: Because of the time and effort it 7th
takes to craft magical items, major magical items are not 6,000
openly for sale for mere money―a +5 sword can do things 8th 7,800
that any number of gold coins can’t do, and adding more tons 9th 10,050
of gold doesn’t change that. Major magic items generally
must be bartered for with items of equivalent value: other 10th 12,750
magic items, souls trapped in items or in the form of larvae, 11th 16,350
the stuff of raw chaos crystallized into gems (such as those 12th
used in Steven Brust’s “pre-empire sorcery”), etc. In general, 21,000
magical gear worth over 10,000 gp or so (based on the 13th 27,000
diamond value required for a resurrection spell) cannot be 14th 34,800
purchased for mundane coin under almost any
circumstances. 15th 45,000
This cash limit does not apply to mundane items such as 16th 58,500
sailing ships or electron microscopes: only to major magical 17th
items and certain special materials. 75,000
Magical Items as Class Features: In some cases, you 18th 96,000
receive enhancements to items directly as a class feature. 19th 123,000
Examples include the fighter’s Personal Weapon talent; the
prestige paladin’s bonded armor, holy symbol, or weapon; the 20th 159,000
wizard’s bonded item. Unless otherwise noted, these items do
not count against your personal numen (see below). However, A scroll or potion that is created, found, or purchased, and
they also do not generally function for people other than you, that is consumed almost immediately (not copied into a
so that selling or trading them is pointless. spellbook), does not count against your total gear. However, a
character who keeps one or more potions or scrolls “on
Personal “Mojo” (Numen) hand” must tally those items against his or her limits.
Minimal Gear: Characters with less than a certain
Even with a shift in currency expectations, you’re still in a minimum value of magical gear (as listed in the table; that
situation in which wealth (of whatever sort) directly buys column duplicates the Pathfinder NPC wealth table) are
power, and the hope is to diminish that. As a proposed treated as if their Challenge Rating (CR) were one less, so
alternative, irrespective of actual monetary wealth (of any that an 8th level monk with less than the minimum listed gear
kind) available for spending, a given character can only (7,800 numen worth) has a CR of 7, and is expected to
maintain a personal equipage of magical gear set by the adventure with a 7th level party against 7th level threats.
limits of his or her personal power, or “numen” (I preferred (They do not advance in levels faster than an 8th level peer,
“mojo,” but was outvoted). Each item “costs” a certain amount and if they insist on adventuring with 8th level parties, they
of numen to bind to one’s use; items not bound to a character get what they get.) This rule provides an explanation for why
can be retained only temporarily (see “Maximum,” below). To NPCs have CR = class level -1 (per the Pathfinder core rules).
bind an item to yourself, you must spend an amount of An NPC with more than the minimum listed gear has a
numen equal to the gold piece value of the item. Magical higher CR.
items obtained in excess of your maximum numen limit
cannot be bound to you.
Par: The character has the “correct” amount of gear for a 3.5
edition PC. These values are slightly lower than those in the
Pathfinder core rules, which is appropriate for use with these
house rules because of the numerous ways in which feats and
talents can take the place of magic items.
Maximum: The maximum value worth of magical gear that
you can personally retain, equal to the Pathfinder PC wealth-
by-level value for the next level. Items that exceed your
maximum numen can be held temporarily, but sooner or later
will be lost, stolen, destroyed, or requisitioned by a more
powerful being―generally within one adventure or game
session. This enables scenarios in which the party uses a
more powerful item to fulfill a given purpose, but doesn’t
automatically get to keep that item thereafter.
Reaching Par: Whenever the total magical value of a PC’s
gear is less than par, the player is encouraged to request that
they “discover” one or more additional abilities, heretofore
latent, in existing bound items (subject to referee approval),
or gain new items altogether (see below), until the total value
reaches par. For example, a player whose 3rd level character
(par = 2,700 numen) has a suit of +1 full plate (value 1,000
numen) and no other substantive gear might “discover” that
his or her armor also grants a +1 resistance bonus on saves
(+1,000 numen). He could not simply increase the armor’s
enhancement bonus to +2, because +2 armor has a magical
value of 4,000 numen, which exceeds his “par.” He could,
however, keep a suit of +2 armor that he found in a dungeon
or crafted himself (4,000 numen is still less than his
maximum of 6,000). A suit of +3 armor (9,000 numen, or
150% of his maximum) would certainly be lost, stolen,
destroyed, or whatever―and he knows it.
Combining Properties and Magic Item Slots: There is
no increase in magic item costs for combining properties in
the same item. Rather, characters (and referees) are
encouraged to combine multiple items into a single item that
becomes a fundamental part of the character’s portfolio. For
example, a character who normally would have a +1 flaming
sword, a ring of protection +1, a ring of minor elemental
resistance (fire), and a cloak of resistance +2 can instead
choose to have a single sword that combines all of those
functions―a sword that could then be named and become
part of that character’s legend.
In addition, the standard chakra-like system of one suit of
armor, two rings, one amulet, etc. is abolished. You can keep
an amount of magical gear equal to your personal numen,
and it doesn’t matter what “slots” it occupies or what form it’s
in (within rational limits: obviously no one can wear two suits
of armor, but there is no reason why a character could not
wear three magical rings).
Manna from Heaven: If you are under “par,” there is no
reason you have to make a trip to the nearest “magic mart”
(which do not exist in the setting, as no craftsperson will be
willing to have numen tied up in the form of inventory). Nor
are you required to advance the items you already have, or
hope to find new ones placed by the DM in the nearest
dungeon. Any item you find during the course of an adventure
can be declared magical, if you have the numen to spend on
it. “I pull one of the dragon’s teeth, and will use it henceforth
as a +1 flaming dagger!” is completely legitimate, if you have
the numen to spend. Magical heirlooms left to you by
ancestors are a favorite gimmick. King Arthur had his sword
Excalibur handed to him by the Lady of the Lake, and no one
told him that was “against the rules.” The general philosophy
here is that, because a character’s items are such an
important part of the character, their exact origin and abilities
are best left up to the player’s creativity.
Expendable Items: For one-use items like potions and
scrolls, simply apply the standard cost against your numen
until used. On the other hand, to keep a supply of expendable
items on hand, it’s easier to simply price large stock of
potions of bull’s strength, for example, as a single command-
activated item usable at will (see below), for 900 x spell level x
caster level = 6,000 numen total (compare to 4,500 gp list
price for a wand of bull’s strength, for example).
Floating Inventory: As long as your total amount of
permanent gear is above minimum but under par, you can
declare the difference to be a “floating inventory” of mundane
(and possibly minor magical) items, without bothering to
record their exact nature. Instead, you can simply assume you
have any needed item as long as it’s portable and within the
cost limit remaining to you. The item must be one that you
could reasonably have picked up in your travels.
Additionally, no single item produced in this manner can
cost more than 10 gp per character level (the Collector feat
allows you to exceed this limit; see Chapter 5). Once your
“floating inventory” is depleted, it takes you 4 hours of
shopping in a town (and an appropriate amount of money) to
replenish your inventory. This supersedes the Packrat feat
from Dragon magazine (issue 354) and the Well-Prepared
feat from the Advanced Player’s Guide.
Masterwork Items: These are priced in exactly the same
way that magic items are; see below.
Unbinding Items: You can choose to remove items from
your personal inventory, generally to free up numen. If you do
so, the item released can never again become part of your
personal inventory, and in general won’t even function for you.
(If the item in question is one that you found and “declared”
as magical, it might become non-magical altogether, once
abandoned by you). This is to prevent exploits such as a
character giving away all his gear, spending his “par” on other
stuff, and then re-claiming the items just laid aside as “found”
treasure up to maximum.
Crafting: This system would appear on first glance to
devalue magic item crafting, since people can simple
“discover” magic properties in existing items. However, via
crafting you can exceed par and obtain custom items up to
the listed maximum numen, assuming you gave enough time
and money. Crafting an item counts against the maximum
numen of the craftsperson, unless it is transferred to a willing
recipient, at which time it counts against the new owner’s
numen instead.
Cursed Items: Cursed items are like parasites in that they Enhancement Bonuses
generally count against the cursed character’s numen as if
they were fully-functional magic items of the appropriate type. Enhancement bonuses to armor, weapons, skill checks, and
For example, a character afflicted with a suit of armor of so on are priced according to the following table. These
arrow attraction (with a “Magic Items: +3 full plate” listing in prices are used for both masterwork and magical items; for
the entry in the Core Rulebook) would have 9,000 numen example, there is no reason a suit of hydraulic mechanical
occupied by the cursed item, unavailable for other use. If this armor could not provide an enhancement bonus to the
causes you to lose other items from your inventory, you can wearer’s strength, much in the way that a belt of giant
re-bind those items later (as they were usurped rather than strength provides a magical bonus to the wearer’s strength.
voluntarily unbound), assuming you have sufficient numen to Non-magical (masterwork) items applying bonuses to things
do so. normally improved only by magic items tend to be large and
Magic Items and Followers: Followers use their own bulky, and can be disabled using the Disable Device skill (as
numen, based upon their character level. In general, their opposed to being rendered inoperative by a dispel magic
equipment is kept below “minimum” by their employers, spell).
because a character with equipment above that limit counts Cost Multiplier (x bonus
as CR +1 (making him or her more difficult to retain as a Enhancement Bonus To squared)
cohort: see Leadership feat). However, you can intentionally Armor or shield bonus to 600
over-equip a cohort and still keep him or her at the lower CR AC
by paying the excess numen cost (above minimum for the
follower) yourself. Armor check penalty (per 100
Souls: Because souls contain numen in their own right, it +/-1)
is sometimes possible to exchange souls trapped in gems for Armor or shield max. Dex 75
favors, wishes (Chapter 7), or magic items (night hags in bonus
particular are known to traffic in souls)―or to use the souls Armor spell failure (per 1,500
themselves as numen in magical items (using the -5%)
Soulcrafting feat). However, only half of the numen of a dead Damage reduction /― 500
creature can be harvested from its soul (this destroys the
soul). In addition, if the dead creature has outstanding numen Item hardness (per +1) 75
invested in the form of magic items, latent spells, etc., Item hit points (per +5 hp) 50
subtract that total from the creature’s before calculating the
harvestable total (i.e., a portion of the creature’s soul is held Natural armor 2,000
in each of these items and spells). It is always considered an Penetration of DR (per +1 1,000
evil act to traffic in souls. step)
Skill checks (single task 200
Appendix A: Designing only)
Skill checks (all tasks for 1 400
Custom Items skill)
The following are guidelines illustrating the types of things Speed (per +10 ft.) 1,000
that are possible and the type of thought that might go into User attribute score 1,000
designing a custom item. No matter what the design or item,
agreement between players and referee is always needed, and Weapon attack rolls 400
the referee can always ban, re-price, or apply limitations to an Weapon damage 200
item according to best judgment.
For the sake of brevity and familiarity, many costs are Bundled Bonuses: Most magic weapons and armor
presented in units of “gp,” but remember that equivalent provide “bundled” benefits. Each +1 of a magical weapon
personal numen must always be spent on custom items. provides a +1 enhancement bonus to attacks and damage, +2
to hardness, +10 to the weapon’s hit points, and +1 to the
Numerical Bonuses weapon’s ability to penetrate damage reduction. Each +1 of a
Bonuses are priced using a multiplier bonus squared, as in suit of magic armor provides a +1 enhancement bonus to the
the core rules. Numerical bonuses are always priced using armor’s AC bonus, +2 to the armor’s hardness, and +10 to the
this method; never as spells or feats. Therefore, a weapon armor’s hit point total. Total costs come out comparable to
with the true strike spell simply ignores miss chances due to those listed in the core rules (1,000 x overall bonus squared
concealment (i.e., has the seeking weapon property); pricing for armor and shields; 2,000 x overall bonus squared for
to gain an insight bonus to attacks is 2,500 x the bonus weapons).
squared, per the “other bonuses” table below. Damage Reduction: A +1 bonus (as bestowed by light
armor made of adamantine; see below) provides DR 1/— or
increases existing DR/— by one hp, etc.
Maximum AC Bonus: Because of the way offense scales
faster than defense at higher levels, the +5 maximum
enhancement bonus to AC is increased to +10 (costing
60,000 gp for the AC increase alone, or 100,000 gp for +10
magic armor).
Enhancement Bonuses
Penetrating Damage Reduction: Although many 3.5 edition Numen
players dislike the idea of enhancement bonuses overcoming Equivalent
materials-based damage reduction, it does provide a Total Enhancement Bonus Traded In
reasonable rationale for the cost of magic weapons with +1 6,000
higher bonuses, and also mitigates the “golf bag of weapons”
for fighters (or need to carry vials of oils). Enhancement +2 13,000
bonuses to penetrate damage reduction can be purchased on +3 20,000
an ascending scale as follows:
+4 28,000
Enhancement Bonus Overcomes DR
+5 37,000
+1 /magic
+6 47,000
+2 /silver
+7 58,000
+3 /cold iron
+8 70,000
+4 /adamantine
+9 84,000
+5 /—
+6 /epic Other Numerical Bonuses
Bonus types other than those shown below are generally not
Creatures with material-based damage reduction take an allowed.
additional +1d6 damage from weapons made from that
material that also have an enhancement bonus high enough Bonus Type Can Apply To Multiplier
to penetrate that material’s DR. For example, a +2 silver Alchemical Item hardness (per +1) 50
weapon would deal +1d6 damage against lycanthropes,
whereas a +1 silver weapon or a +2 cold iron weapon would Item hit points (per +5 hp) 100
deal normal damage. Weight reduction (per -5%) 50
Alternately, a weapon can be made to penetrate damage Luck Attack rolls, damage, saves 5,000
reduction corresponding only a single type of material (not
magic, or on an ascending scale) by using the pricing for use- Deflection AC 2,000
activated spell effects (see below): 2nd level versatile weapon Insight AC, attack rolls 2,500
spell (Pathfinder Advanced Players Guide) x CL 3rd x 500 =
3,000 numen. There is no duration multiplier because the Resistance Saving throws 1,000
use is contingent (creatures with specific DR). Shield AC (e.g., ring of force shield) 2,500
Examples of Specific Armors: The following examples (Other) Referee permission 5,000
indicate the use of enhancement bonuses to simulate special
armors from various sources. Because the numerical bonus pricing rules trump others,
Full Plate Armor (Core rules): Start with plate armor; add you cannot simply use a 1st level shield spell effect (see
+1 enhancement bonus to AC (600 gp), -5% arcane spell below) to simulate a ring of force shield or animated shield.
failure (1,500 gp) = 2,100 numen. Instead, you must use the cost for shield bonuses (2,500
numen x the shield bonus squared). A ring of force shield +2
Enhancement Penalties: For obvious reasons, it is not costs 10,000 numen. A +1 animated heavy steel shield costs
permitted to “sell down” the price of a custom item by 10,000 for the shield bonus + 1,000 for the enhancement
building in penalties that don’t really apply to the user. For bonus = 11,000 numen.
example, a fighter with no spellcasting ability cannot add a
+50% spell failure chance to armor and then try to claim a Feats
150,000 gp cost reduction for it. The spell failure chance An item that allows the user to use a feat is priced based on
could still be added to the armor, but the price adjustment in the prerequisites for use. The base cost is 2,000 numen x the
that case would be -0. minimum base attack bonus or number of skill ranks, etc.
Trading in Enhancement Bonuses: Some class features needed to gain the desired feat effects. For example, a magic
(the barbarian’s wrath of ancestors rage power, fighter’s mace that allows the use of the Crippling Strike feat (Str
personal weapon talent, the paladin’s divine weapon, and the damage only, BAB +6) would cost 6 x 2,000 = 12,000 numen.
ranger’s favored weapon lore, for example) allow part or all of The same item allowing use of the same feat, but dealing Str,
an enhancement bonus to be “traded in” for additional Dex, and Con damage (BAB +16) would cost 32,000 numen
numen. For ease of bookkeeping, players can still use the “+X instead. The user must meet the prerequisites, unless the
bonus equivalent” pricing from the Core rules. However, magic item cost is increased to cover those as well (by adding
because weapon and armor properties are no longer priced another feat, etc.).
as “+X equivalent” (see below), when trading in bonuses for Some examples of feat-based weapon properties are
properties it can be more advantageous to use the new provided below:
pricing rules herein. The table below lists recommended
“trade in” values for raw enhancement bonuses, which can
then be spent on properties à la carte.
 Defending: Combat Expertise feat (BAB +1) = 2,000
numen for a +1 defending sword; BAB +4 = 8,000 numen
for a +2 defending sword; BAB +8 = 16,000 numen for a
+3 defending sword, etc.
Fortification: Fortification fighter talent; 2,000 numen per
5%. Light fortification armor, with a 25% chance to ignore
crits and sneak attacks, would cost 10,000 numen). Note
that it is normally not possible to use class features
instead of feats to create custom items; this is a specific
exception.
Ki Focus: Versatile Blow feat, allowing the use of a 1st
level ki power and +1 enhancement bonus from ki attack
(1st level monk) = 2,000 numen; 12,000 numen for +2 (6th
level monk equivalent), 20,000 for +3, 28,000 for +4, and
36,000 numen for +5 (18th level equivalent).
Metamagic Rods: Price according to the metamagic feat in
question (Chapter 7), and referencing the Sudden
Metamagic feat for uses per day that would normally be
allowed. For example, a normal metamagic rod of
empower allows the Empowering (+2 spell level cost) of
4th level spells. The item is therefore priced based on a
spell capacity of 11th level, the minimum needed to cast
6th level spells. However, Sudden Metamagic (Empower
Spell) normally allows only 2 uses per day; gaining the 3rd
use would require a 150% greater expenditure. Total cost
would be 11 x 2,000 x 1.5 = 33,000 numen (as compared
to a 32,500 gp price tag in the Core rules).
Nonmetallic: Druid of Earth and Metal feat (Chapter 3);
base 2,000 gp. In addition to being usable by druids,
nonmetallic items are not treated as metal for effects such
as heat metal, shocking grasp, etc. (2nd level resist
elements spell x CL 3rd x 1,000 x 1 (contingent spell
effect) = 6,000 gp, for 8,000 numen total.
Somatic: Somatic Weapon feat at 1 rank Spellcraft =
2,000 numen for the most basic function; 12,000 numen if
it also allows use of material components.
Throwing: Can be thrown with 10-ft. range increment, as
Catch Off-Guard feat (+1 bonus; 2,000 numen).
Vorpal: Severing Strike feat; BAB +16 effects = 32,000
numen cost. A sword of sharpness (as in 1st edition)
would use the same feat but allow only the BAB +11
effects, for a cost of 22,000 numen.
Wounding: Bleeding Strike feat; BAB +6 effects = 12,000
numen.
As always, an exception involves feats such as Weapon
Focus that grant numerical bonuses. Numerical bonuses are
always priced based on the bonus, as described above, and
never as a feat or spell.
Spell Effects
Spell effects are an easy way to custom-make almost any item
imaginable. Note that numerical bonuses are always priced
by bonus (see above), never by spell level and caster level.
Command Word Activated: 900 x spell level x caster level.
If limited (4 or fewer) uses per day, multiply cost by (uses per
day/5).
Continuous: 1,000 x spell level x caster level x duration
modifier (x1 if hours/level, x1.5 if 10 min./level, x2 if
min./level, x4 if rounds/level, x8 if instantaneous). Continuous
items/spells radiate the applicable effects at all times. For
example:
A lantern of revealing is simply a permanent invisibility
purge spell placed on a lantern; the cost is 3 (spell level) x
5 (caster level) x 1,000 (continuous-effect) x 2 (duration in
min./level) = 30,000 numen—exactly that listed in the
Core Rulebook.
A ring of energy resistance uses the 2nd level resist energy
spell at CL 3rd (minor), 7th (major), and 11th (greater).
Rounding the values and smoothing the progression
comes to an approximate value of 1,000 numen per point
of resistance (i.e., 10,000 numen for resistance 10, etc.).
Spell resistance is a 5th level spell x 1,000 x 2 (1
min./level). Assuming CL 1 grants SR 13 = (5 x 1 x 1,000 x
2 = 10,000 numen), SR costs 10,000 numen per point over
12, exactly as recommended in the Core rules.
An Apache hodentin sack, filled with the pollen of the tule
sedge, was believed to ward off evil; no warrior would part
with his. 1st level protection from evil x CL 1st x 1,000 x 2
(1 minute/level) = 2,000 numen.
Use-activated: These sorts of items must be wielded or
otherwise intentionally employed for the effects to come into
play. Cost is half that of continuous spell-effect items (500 x
spell level x caster level x duration modifier). As an example, a
rod of absorption could be priced using the 9th level
absorptionCA spell x CL 17th x 500 x 2 (10 min./level) x 0.5
(50 charges only) = 76,500 gp. A rod of absorption that can
hold up to 50 spell levels at a time, but that can be recharged,
would cost 153,000 numen.
Using these guidelines, it is also possible to have a magic
item that is, in effect, a permanent spell. For example:
The 2nd level flame blade spell makes a something of a
poor man’s brilliant energy weapon, at a cost of 2 (spell
level) x 3 (caster level) x 500 x 2 (duration in min./level) =
5,000 numen (for base fire damage equal to a normal
weapon’s; the spell’s level-based bonus to damage would
have to instead be purchased separately using the
numerical bonus rules). This is conceivably attainable by a
4th level PC with no other items.
A paladin PC might wield a fixed searing light spell as if it
were a sword (base 2d8 damage, or 5d6 vs. undead), at a
cost of 3 (spell level) x 5 (caster level) x 500 x 8
(instantaneous spell duration) = 60,000 numen
(appropriate for an 11th level PC).
FAQ: Why are the costs so low? Observant players will note
that the continuous-effect costs are half those listed in the
Core rules for custom items; use-activated costs are one-
fourth of the values listed. A: This pricing not only better
reflects most of the example item prices in the Core
Rulebook, but it also allows all characters, not just casters, to
benefit from new books full of spells. In addition, martial
characters are far more gear-dependent than casters; this
system makes that gear somewhat easier to come by.
Armor and Weapon Properties
In keeping with the lack of a markup on multiple properties
for a single item, the “+1 enhancement bonus equivalent”
pricing scheme has been exchanged for a menu of flat costs,
generally using the use-activated spell effect rules above. This
allows multiple minor properties (flaming, keen, returning,
etc.) to be added without geometrically increasing the cost of
the item, whereas more powerful effects (i.e., higher-level
spells) do greatly increase item pricing.
Duration Multipliers: When creating use-activated spell
effect weapons, a straight duration multiplier is not
appropriate for effects such as hold monster, that are applied
instantaneously to the target but then last for some period of
time. In such cases, use the instantaneous (x8) multiplier, not
the actual duration. Given the high costs this typically
generates, most such effects are made contingent (e.g., as
Strikes); as described in the following section.
Energy Weapons: The caustic, flame, frost, and shock
weapon properties (+1 bonus cost in the core rules) emulate
a use-activated shocking grasp spell (and possible application
of a versatile evocation effect), for a flat cost of 1 (spell level) x
CL 1 (1d6 damage only) x 500 x 8 (instantaneous duration) =
4,000 numen. This allows the flaming property to be added to
weapons with higher enhancement bonuses without pushing
the cost up unreasonably. The caster level could conceivably
be increased to increase the damage: 8,000 numen for 2d6
energy damage on a hit, 12,000 for 3d6, 16,000 for 4d6, and
20,000 for 5d6. Even higher damage could be obtained by
Heightening the spell to 3rd level (120,000 numen for 10d6
energy damage at CL 10th).
Applying the Versatile Evocation metamagic feat to the
energy damage permits weapons that deal different kinds of
damage from those shown. Negative energy or sonic weapons
cost 2 (spell level + metamagic cost) x CL 1st x 500 x 8 =
8,000 numen per +1d6 (max. +5d6). Weapons dealing force
damage cost 3 x 1 x 500 x 8 = 12,000 numen per +1d6.
Other Properties as Spell Effects: Other examples are
handled similarly to energy weapons:
Animated (shield): Not applicable as a spell effect;
numerical bonus pricing rules (see above for shield
bonuses) always take precedence over spell effect rules.
Bashing: Exotic Shield Proficiency feat (2,000) + lead
bladesAPG (5,000; see below) = 7,000 numen.
Blessed: 1st level bless weapon spell x CL 1st x 500 x 2 (1
min./level duration) = 1,000 numen.
Blinding: 2nd level pyrotechnics spell x CL 3rd x 900
(command-activated) x 2/5 (2 uses/day) = 1,800 numen,
and 120 ft. range (DC 13, 1d4+1 rounds).
Brilliant Energy: 6th level brilliant bladeCA spell x CL 11th
x 500 x 2 (1 min./level) = 66,000 numen.
Corrupt: Weapon is evil-aligned and auto-confirms crits
against good opponents. 1st level corrupt weaponBVD x
CL 1st x 500 x 2 (1 min/level) = 1,000 numen.
Cortical (Underdark): 8th level mind blank x CL 15th x
1,000 x 1 (24-hour duration) = 120,000 numen.
Dancing: 4th level dancing bladeCA spell x CL 4th (dances
only 4 rounds at a time) x 900 = 14,400 numen.
Dimensional Sheath: When not in use, you stash your
weapon in an extradimensional space. 3rd level secret
pocket spell (d20 Arcana) x CL 5th x 500 x 1 (hour/level) =
7,500 numen, plus 1,500 per pound above 5 lbs. weight.
Distance: 1st level longshotUC spell x CL 1st x 500 x 2 (1
min./level) = 1,000 numen.
Energy Resistance: 1,000 numen per point of energy
resistance (see above).
Glamered: 1st level disguise self spell x CL 1st x 1,000 x
1.5 (10 min./level) = 1,500 numen.
Ghost Touch: 2nd level ghost touch armorLM spell x CL
3rd x 500 x 2 (1 minute/level) = 6,000 numen, or 3rd level
ghost touch weaponSC x CL 5th x 500 x 1 (contingent on
fighting incorporeal opponents—see below) = 7,500
numen.
Holy: 3rd level searing light spell (Chapter 7) x CL 2nd
(1d6 holy and 1d6 fire damage) x 500 x 8 (instantaneous)
= 24,000 numen, plus 24,000 per +2d6 damage thereafter
(maximum 10d6 for 120,000 numen). Unlike the holy
weapon in the core rules, the damage from this weapon
applies to all opponents, except that undead take extra
and constructs less, and half the damage is fire damage.
Impact: As keen, but applies to bludgeoning weapons. 3rd
level weapon of impactMF spell x CL 5th x 500 x 1.5 (10
min./level) = 11,250 numen.
Keen: 3rd level keen edge spell x CL 5th x 500 x 1.5 (10
min./level) = 11,250 numen.
Lead BladeAPG (or gravity bowAPG): 1st level spell x CL
5th x 500 x 2 (1 min./level) = 5,000 numen.
Poison: 4th level poison spell (DC 16) x CL 7th x 500 x 8
(instantaneous) = 112,000 numen; this weapon is like John
Daker’s sword Katajana, from Micahel Moorcock’s The
Eternal Champion.
Reflecting: 7th level spell turning x CL 13th x 1,000 x 1/5
(once per day) = 18,200 numen.
ReliquaryUM (see Create Reliquary Arms and Armor feat):
2nd level consecrate or desecrate spell x CL 3rd x 1,000 x
1 (2 hrs/level) = 5,000 numen. The item can also be used
as a holy/unholy symbol; if within the area of another
consecrate/desecrate spell (as appropriate), it counts as a
permanent fixture.
 Returning: 2nd level returning weaponUC spell x CL 3rd x
500 x 2 (1 min./level) = 6,000 numen (the same cost as
adding a +1 weapon property to a +1 weapon, as in the
Core rules).
Second Chance (Ultimate Equipment): 2nd level ricochet
shotUC spell x CL 3rd x 500 x 4 (1 round/level) = 12,000
numen.
Seeking: This is the effect of the true strike spell, not
including the numerical attack bonus (which would have
to be added separately using the numerical bonus rules
above); 1 x CL 1 x 500 x 8 (instantaneous) = 4,000 numen.
ShieldbreakerBEM2: 2nd level shieldbreaker x CL 3rd x
500 x 1 (1 hour/level) = 3,000 numen; weapon ignores
shield bonuses to AC. Mundane (non-numen bound and
non-magical) shields are destroyed on a hit.
Slaying: 7th level finger of death x CL 13th x 500 x 8
(instantaneous) x 1/50 (expendable ammunition) = 7,280
numen. The arrow, bolt, bullet, etc. is destroyed on a
successful hit.
SoulfireBED: 4th level death ward spell x CL 7th x 1,000
(continuous) x 2 (1 min./level) = 56,000 numen.
Speed: 3rd level haste spell x CL 5th x 500 x 4 (1
round/level duration) = 30,000 numen (the same cost as
applying a +3 weapon quality to a +1 weapon, as in the
Core rules).
Transformative (Ultimate Equipment): On command, the
weapon can become another weapon type with the same
size and properties (as the morphic property from the
Magic Item Compendium). 2nd level alter self spell x CL
3rd x 900 (command word activated) = 5,400 numen.
Unholy: [1st level shocking grasp spell + Versatile
Evocation (negative energy; +1 level) + Energy Admixture
(unholy; +1 level)] x CL 2nd x 500 x 8 (instantaneous) =
24,000 numen. The weapon deals an extra +1d6 negative
energy damage and +1d6 unholy damage on a hit; this can
be increased by increasing the caster level (+24,000
numen per additional +2d6; maximum +10d6).
Vampiric: 3rd level vampiric touch spell x CL 2nd x 500 x 8
(instantaneous) = 24,000 numen for +1d6 damage; 48,000
for +2d6, 72,000 for +3d6, etc.
Venom: 4th level poison spell (DC 16) x CL 7th x 900 x 1/5
(once per day) = 5,040 numen.
Critical or Contingent Weapon Properties: Weapon
property spell effects that activate only on a critical (e.g., the
deafness effect of a thundering weapon, or the additional
damage dealt by a flaming burst weapon) are priced as use-
activated spell effects (see above). However, because the
effect occurs only contingent on specific activation
conditions, spell duration pricing modifiers do not apply. In
these rules, critical-only properties are expanded so as to
activate on any of the conditions normally associated with
[Strike] feats (Chapter 5). Examples include the following:
Bane: 4th level foebaneCA spell x CL 7th x 500 x 1
(contingent; specific creature type only) = 14,000 numen.
If you the effect somehow becomes non-contingent (i.e.,
can be changed every so often), then multiply by 4 (for 1
rd./level), for a total cost of 56,000 numen.
Blinking: 3rd level blink spell x CL 5th x 500 x 1 = 7,500
numen. When attacking with a blinking weapon, roll
1d10: 1-2 = attack misses (weapon ethereal at the wrong
time); 3-5 = normal attack; 6-10 = attack ignores armor
and shields (unless they have the ghost touch property).
Any attempt to parry a blinking weapon fails 50% of the
time.
Cursed: 4th level cursed bladeCW spell x CL 7th x 500 x 1
(situational effects) = 14,000 numen. Like the sword
Tyrfing from the Icelandic sagas, wounds from a cursed
weapon cannot be cured by any means until the damaged
individual has received a remove curse spell (or some
other effect that neutralizes a curse).
Disruption: 5th level disrupting weapon spell (DC 17) x CL
9th x 500 x 1 (fighting undead is contingent) = 22,500
numen.
EnfeeblingBED: 1st level ray of enfeeblement spell x CL 4th
x 500 x 1 (Strike) = 2,000 numen.
Enervating (Magic Item Compendium): 4th level
enervation spell (1d4 negative levels) x CL 7th x 500 x 1
(Strike) = 14,000 numen.
Flaming Burst: 1st level spell x CL 1st x 500 x 1 (crit-
contingent) = 500 numen for +1d6 on a crit, plus an
additional 500 per additional +1d6 (up to +5d6). The same
cost applies to icy burst, acid burst, and shocking burst
weapons.
Holy Burst: 3rd level spell x CL 2nd x 500 x 1 = 3,000
numen for +2d6 holy damage on a crit, plus an additional
1,000 per +1d6 thereafter (maximum +10d6).
Life Stealing: 9th level energy drain spell x CL 17th x 500
x 1/5 (1 negative level only) = 15,300 numen.
Morganti: As in Steven Brust’s novels, these are weapons
that destroy the souls of those killed (another famous
example is Stormbringer, from Michael Moorcock’s Elric
of Melniboné saga). There are several possibilities for this:
9th level soul bind spell x CL 17th x 500 x 1 =
76,500 numen; or
6th level barghest’s feastPnH x CL 11th x 500 x 1 =
33,000 numen.
Alternatively, one could simply apply an
enhancement bonus to the resurrection survival DC
(see Introduction) for those killed by the weapon, at
a suggested cost of 100 numen x the square of the
bonus.
Note that in the Aviona campaign setting, the elf-king has
declared possession of Morganti weapons illegal; this edict is
widely ignored by high elf nobles, who collect Morganti
weapons in secret vaults simply to defy the prohibition on
ownership (which they oppose in principle or simply out of
rebelliousness).
Nine Lives Stealer: 7th level finger of death spell x CL 13th
x 500 x 1 (Strike) = 45,500 numen (but is not limited to 9
uses).
Sending (Lost Empires of Faerun): 6th level Trobriand’s
baleful teleportWCS spell x CL 11th x 500 = 33,000
numen.
Sound Burst: 2nd level spell x CL 1st x 500 x 1 = 1,000
numen for +1d6, plus 1,000 numen per additional +1d6
(max. +5d6). This cost also applies for negative energy
burst weapons.
Thundering: 2nd level deafness spell x CL 3rd x 500 =
2,500 numen, plus [Strike] energy burst (sonic; 2 x 2 x
500 = 2,000 numen) = 4,500 numen total for +2d6 sonic.
Wild Armor: This armor allows the wearer to retain its AC
bonus while in alternate forms (wild shaped,
polymorphed, etc.), subject to the rules for stacking armor
and natural armor bonuses (Chapter 1). Wild armor is
available in various “grades,” dependent upon the highest-
level polymorph effect it can accommodate; refer to the
following table.
Cost in
Grade Spell Effects Numen
Lesser Beast shape I, vermin shape I 15,000
Improved Beast shape II, elemental body I, 28,000
vermin shape II
Greater Beast shape III, elemental body II, plant 45,000
shape I, polymorph
Superior Beast shape IV, elemental body III, 66,000
form of the dragon I, plant shape II
Primal Elemental body IV, form of the dragon 91,000
II, plant shape III
Mythic Form of the dragon III 120,000
Other
Creativity is encouraged, especially in regards to ideas that
have no clear rules elsewhere. This section provides a
number of examples to showcase demonstrate ways to
implement these sorts of ideas.
Embedded Items: Applying the tattoo itemRR spell as a
continuous spell effect is a simple way to create items that
are physically embedded in your body. Although the spell as
written in the source material suppresses the item’s
properties, that’s a holdover from the “limited item slots”
paradigm in 3.0/3.5 and can be ignored in these rules. Also,
while embedded items can take the form of tattoos (as the
spell implies), there’s no particular reason an item couldn’t as
easily be a gem embedded in your forehead, a cybernetic
enhancement, an arcane symbiont, or whatever. Cost is as a
4th level spell x CL 7th x 1,000 x 1 (permanent duration) =
28,000 numen.
Applying this ability to your familiar allows you to emulate
the Tattooed Sorcerer’s familiar tattoo variant class feature
from Inner Sea Magic.
Enhanced Companions: A familiar, animal companion,
bonded mount, etc. can be enhanced using your personal
numen exactly as if it were a magical item. For example, a
dog could be given a +4 enhancement bonus to Constitution
for 16,000 numen, or a +2 bite for 8,000 numen, or a
permanent expeditious retreat effect for 2,000 numen (see
spell effects, above). In this manner, the special familiar
abilities in 1st edition can be duplicated; by spending 10,000
numen, for example, a pseudodragon familiar can be made to
bestow SR 13 on its master.
Intelligent Items: There are a several ways to go about
this.
If you have the arcane bond class feature, one option is to
select a bonded object and also take the Arcane Bond feat
(Chapter 5), and designate the object as your familiar. The
object then gains an Intelligence score equal to 5 + half
your effective master level (see Wizard, Appendix B, and
also Chapter 5: Feats).
A 7th level character might gain the Leadership or
Command Undead feat, apply the ghost template (+2 CR)
to the cohort gained, and end up with a 3rd level ghost
sorcerer or incarnate (effective CR 4) bound to a personal
item―thus allowing the “item” to have its own intelligence
and magical abilities.
Masking Objects of Power: For magical items that do not
register to detect magic and/or scrying, use the continuous
spell effect rules, with the contingent duration multiplier (x1)
if the effect applies only to the item. Typical spell effects for
this include the following:
1st level magic aura x CL 1st x 1,000 x 1 (1day/level) =
1,000 numen (item up to 5 lbs. only; +1,000 numen per
additional 5 lbs.)
3rd level nondetection x CL 5th x 1,000 x 1 (1 hour/level) =
15,000 numen; protection also extends to owner as long
as item held/worn. The Concentration DC to pierce the
protection is equal to 11 + (1.5 x CL), so increasing the CL
(and therefore the cost) is a smart investment.
7th level sequester x CL 13th x 1,000 x 1 (1 day/level) =
91,000 numen; the object is both invisible and immune to
detection/location spells. Given the spell’s long duration,
however, it’s a lot more cost-effective to simply re-cast the
spell every week or two.
8th level mind blank x CL 15th x 1,000 x 1 (24-hour
duration) = 120,000 numen. The object is immune to all
divinations and mind-affecting effects, and this protection
extends to anyone holding or wearing it.
 Power Conduits: For when you just can’t get enough spell
slots, a personal item might serve as a conduit for raw
magical power from the plane of your deity, from a circle of
stones at the confluence of ley lines, or whatever. A power
conduit provides you with additional “spells per day” slots
(Spellcasting Table 2). This costs 2,000 numen x the
maximum level of spell slots x the spell capacity level. For
example, a 7th level sorcerer could have an item that draws
additional magical power, adding six 1st level and three 2nd
level spell slots to his total, for 16,000 numen total (2,000 x 2
x 4). Note that there is no reason a fighter cannot take the
Arcane Bond feat, choose a wand as a bonded item, and
enhance it with this ability in order to power it.
Individual spells, activated using the item’s spell slots, can
be added for 750 numen x spell level x caster level for the
first ability, ¾ that for the second, and half that for additional
spells thereafter (as a wand or staff).
Prepared Spell Slots: For casting additional prepared
spells, the suggested cost is 2,000 x (spell level)2 x number of
spells. Thus, a 3rd level pearl of power costs 18,000 numen,
and a ring of wizardry III costs 2,000 x 32 x 3 = 54,000
numen (again, bonus spells for high attributes or school are
not multiplied, unless added to the cost accordingly).
Appendix B: Materials
As noted in Appendix A, the use of special materials
(mithral, etc.) is an easy way to create custom items. In
addition to some of the materials from existing sources,
described below, a character with enough ranks in an
appropriate Craft skill could create new custom materials
using the guidelines presented in Appendix A and using the
examples here as a template.
Standard Materials
Basic materials are summarized in the table below. They
do not count against numen unless enhancement bonuses or
other properties are imbued into them.
Material Hardness Weapon or Shield hp Armor hp
Gold 6 7 4 x AC
Hide/Leather 2 2 2 x AC
Steel 10 10 5 x AC
Stone 8 5 3 x AC
Wood or bone 5 5 2 x AC
Gold: Typically only used for ceremonial weapons and
armor, metal equipment made from gold is fragile, heavy, and
expensive. Often golden armor is gold-plated, rather than
constructed entirely from gold. Gold-plated items triple the
base cost of weapons and armor (this does not count against
personal numen) and have the same properties as the base
item. Items constructed purely of gold cost 10 times the
normal cost for items of their type (again, not counting
against numen) and are double their normal weight.
Pure gold is too soft to hold a decent edge; unless
alchemically treated (as described in Magic of Faerun; use
the custom items rules above), edged weapons made of gold
weapons take a -2 penalty to damage rolls. Untreated gold
weapons also have the fragile property, gaining the Broken
quality on a natural 1 on any attack roll. Gold weapons deal
damage as if one size category larger, due to their extra
weight; however, they cannot be used in conjunction with the
Weapon Finesse feat, and the wielder also takes a penalty to
attack rolls as follows:
Weapon Catgory Wielded in:
One hand
Light -2
One-handed -4
Two-handed n/a
Gold can be fashioned into light or medium metal armor.
The softness and the weight of the metal decrease the
armor/shield bonus by 2, and increase the armor check
penalty by 2 (unless alchemically treated). The additional
weight also makes the armor count as 1 category heavier
than normal (light armor becomes medium armor, medium
becomes heavy), increases spell failure chances by 10%,
increases armor check penalties by 3, and decreases the max
Dex bonus of the wearer by 2.
Hide and Leather: The hides of various animals and
monsters (not only dragons) can be crafted into armor by a
skilled leatherworker. In general, armor crafted from a
creature’s hide provides an armor bonus to AC equal to half
the creature’s natural AC bonus.
Hides providing an armor bonus of +3 or less are made
into light armor (standard leather armor is therefore
assumed to be aurochs hide armor, although a normal
crocodile would also be appropriate, for example).
Wolfskin armor would provide a +1 armor bonus to AC,
but otherwise be identical to leather armor; grizzly bear
leather would provide a +3 armor bonus to AC, etc.
Hides providing an armor bonus of +4 or greater are
medium armor, rather than light armor, and use the base
mechanics listed for hide armor. “Standard” hide armor is
made from the hide of a bison or elephant. Mastodon or
bulette armor would provide a +6 armor bonus to AC, etc.
Hides providing an armor bonus of +7 or greater are
heavy armor, rather than medium or light armor, and use
the base statistics for full laminar or lamellar armor (e.g.,
banded mail). For example, triceratops hide armor, dire
crocodile scale armor, and dire sharkskin armor are
exactly identical to banded mail, except they can be worn
by druids (add the nonmetallic property, using the feat
costs above). Armor made from the hide of an adult red
dragon (+21 natural armor) would provide a maximum
+10 armor bonus to AC.
 Hides of exotic creatures are generally not available on the
open market; you must kill and skin the monster (the latter
requires a Survival check at DC 10 + the creature’s natural
AC bonus to avoid ruining it). Regardless of the size of the
creature being skinned, you can make only one suit of armor
from it for a creature one or more sizes smaller (smaller suits
of armor use choicer bits of material to make up for the lack
of sheer mass). This requires a Craft (needlework) check, at a
DC equal to that of the base armor + twice the AC bonus
above normal.
The cost and characteristics of exotic hide armors are
handled by assuming the armor is magical (+1 bonus per AC
above 2 for light armors, above 4 for medium armors, and
above 7 for heavy armors). For example, armor made from
the plates of the tarrasque (+17 armor bonus) would be
equivalent to +10 laminar armor, for a cost of 100,000 gp for
the enhancement bonuses + 8,000 gp (nonmetallic) = 108,000
numen.
Steel: Steel is the standard material used for fabricating
metal armor and weapons in human and dwarven lands.
When calculating custom materials costs, steel is generally
used for “base” stats for items normally made from metal.
Stone: The wood elves of Estren do not work metal; their
weapons, when not made entirely of wood, are often of
stone―light and one-handed bludgeoning weapons, daggers,
axe-heads, spearheads, and arrowheads can all be made of
stone. Sling bullets can be made of heavy ceramic rather than
lead. In some cases, edged weapons can be simulated by
setting obsidian into wood; the macauhuitl is essentially a
stone bastard sword. Stone weapons and armor are made
using the Craft (lapidary) skill rather than the Craft (smith)
skill.
Stone weapons are easier to sunder than their steel
counterparts, as shown in the table. Also, they have the
“fragile” quality and are prone to breaking during normal use.
When you roll a natural 1 on an attack roll with a stone
weapon, the weapon gains the Broken condition. Stone
weapons cost a quarter of what base items of their type do,
and weigh 75% of what base items of their type do. If you
have at least Martial proficiency with a stone weapon and
score a critical threat, you can intentionally break the weapon
(giving it the broken condition) in order to confirm the crit
without rolling; this supersedes the Disposable Weapon feat
from Ultimate Combat.
Alchemically-treated stone armor is available as a
breastplate, half-plate, or full plate only. Weight is roughly
150% normal, and movement speed is reduced to 15 feet for
those with a base speed of 30 ft. (creatures with a 20-ft. speed
have their movement rates reduced to 10 ft.). Cost is the
same as for normal (steel) armor of the same category. Armor
crafted from seashells or the like can be treated as stone
armor.
Wood: Wood is used for the hafts of axes, the shafts of
arrows, etc; clubs, staves, and so on are also typically made of
wood. Wood can come in exotic types and be alchemically-
treated in a variety of ways, as described below.
Because wooden armor and shields can be used by druids,
they receive no numen cost discount for their lower hardness
and hit points. Likewise, wood is a standard material for
many types of weapons (clubs, staves, axe handles, etc.), so no
numen discount is provided.
Special Materials
Special materials such as mithral and adamantine are
simulated using the rules for designing custom items, above.
Examples, with calculations for costs, are provided here. The
materials listed here are not meant to be representative of all
possible materials; new ones can be designed using the
“Designing Custom Items” rules above. Unless otherwise
noted, special materials costs are tallied against a character’s
numen (see above). Not all special materials are freely
available, particularly costly ones; referee approval is needed.
Adamantine: This ultra-hard metal adds to the quality of a
weapon or suit of armor. Adamantine is black in color, and
impossible to work without magical means and at least 11
ranks in Craft (smith) as a class skill. Items without metal
parts cannot be made from adamantine (an arrow could be
made of adamantine, but a quarterstaff could not).
Wide is the fronting gate, and, rais’d on high
With adamantine columns, threats the sky.
Vain is the force of man, and Heav’n’s as vain,
To crush the pillars which the pile sustain.
―Virgil, The Aeneid (29-19 B.C.)
Light armor and shields: masterwork (check penalty
reduced by 1; 100 gp), +10 alchemical bonus to hardness
(5,000 gp), +10 alchemical bonus to hp (400 gp), provides
DR 1/— (500 gp) = 6,000 numen.
Medium armor: masterwork (check penalty reduced by 1;
100 gp), +10 alchemical bonus to hardness (5,000 gp), +15
alchemical bonus to hp (900 gp), provides DR 2/— (2,000
gp) = 8,000 numen.
Heavy armor: masterwork (check penalty reduced by 1;
100 gp), +10 alchemical bonus to hardness (5,000 gp), +20
alchemical bonus to hp (1,600 gp), provides DR 3/—
(4,500 gp) = 11,200 numen.
Weapons: +10 alchemical bonus to hardness (5,000 gp),
+5 alchemical bonus to hp (100 gp), ignore first 20 points
of hardness when sundering weapons or attacking objects
(30,000/2 for situational = 15,000), penetrates
DR/adamantine (3,000 gp) = 18,100 numen.
Bronze: Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin, with weapon
properties superior to those of simple iron, but inferior to
steel. Bronze armor and weapons are typically used by low-
level high elves, who intensely dislike the touch of steel, but
cannot afford more exotic materials such as mithral or
glassteel (q.v.).
Armor and shields: -1 to hardness (-50 gp), -5 hp (-100 gp),
-1 to armor or shield bonus to AC (-600 gp), -5% to arcane
spell failure (+1,500 gp), +10% to weight (-200 gp) = 550
numen.
Weapons: -1 to hardness (-50 gp), -5 hp (-100 gp), = -150
numen (i.e., the total cost of magical or masterwork
enhancements to the weapon is reduced by 150 numen,
so that a +1 sword made of bronze costs 1,850 numen,
rather than 2,000).
Cold Iron: Cold iron is made from taenite or other high
nickel ore ― e.g., “meteorite iron” or “thunder-bolt iron” from
fallen stars. It is essentially identical to steel, but is resistant
to corrosion, and requires at least 6 ranks in Craft (smith) to
competently work. It may display 60° cross-hatched
Widmanstätten patterns, allowing one to tell at a glance that
it’s not ordinary metal. Items without metal parts cannot be
made from cold iron.
… that sword that was kin to lightning grew weary of these
defenses, for it had in its essence speed and desperate
journeys; and, lifting Alveric’s hand along with it, it swept
blows at the elvish knights, and the armor of Elfland could
not hold it out.
―Lord Dunsany,
The King of Elfland’s Daughter (1924)
Light armor; shields: Grant SR 13 (10,000 numen).
Medium armor: Grants SR 15 (30,000 numen).
Heavy armor: Grants SR 17 (50,000 gp).
Weapons: Penetrate damage reduction (cold iron; 3,000
gp), ignore +1 of deflection bonus to AC (Unskittering
Attack feat; 2,000 gp for +1 BAB effect), use-activated
contingent dispel magic (3rd level spell x CL 5th x 900 gp x
1 [Strike] = 13,500 gp) = 18,500 numen total. Cold iron
weapons ignoring greater deflection bonuses and/or with
higher caster level for dispelling can be made by
increasing costs accordingly.
Crystal: Certain types of crystal can be used in place of
metal in weapons or armor, using a special forging process
(using the Craft (lapidary) skill in place of the Craft (smith)
skill). The fortified crystal possesses the properties of a
similar steel weapon or armor, except for visual appearance.
Weapons and armor made of mundane crystal are especially
vulnerable to a shatter spell. Because the properties are
similar to those of steel, crystal armor cannot be worn by
druids unless you add the nonmetallic property (q.v.), for an
additional 8,000 numen. Source: Expanded Psionics
Handbook.
Crystal, Deep: This crystal is found at the hearts of large
veins or deposits of mundane crystal (Expanded Psionics
Handbook), or grown and shaped on other worlds
(“voidglass,” per Pathfinder Module The Dragon’s Demand).
They are crafted using the Craft (lapidary) skill rather than
Craft (smith).
Armor made of deep crystal provides a resistance bonus to
saves against mind-affecting magic and psionic effects, as
shown below.
Light armor: (+1 resistance bonus)2 x 1,000 gp x 0.5
(conditional—mind-affecting only) = 500 numen.
Medium armor: (+2 resistance bonus)2 x 1,000 gp x 0.5
(conditional) = 2,000 numen.
Heavy armor: (+3 resistance bonus)2 x 1,000 gp x 0.5
(conditional) = 4,500 numen.
A psionic wielder of a deep crystal weapon can focus
psionic power through it, increasing the damage that weapon
deals. There are at least three ways of handling this; more
than one can be combined in the same weapon (although
costs are cumulative, in that case).
Ki Channeling: As a free action that does not provoke
attacks of opportunity, the wielder can channel psionic
power into a melee weapon or ranged weapon made of
deep crystal, sacrificing one daily use of a ki power to
cause the weapon to deal +2d6 force damage, plus an
additional 1d6 per level of the slot sacrificed (minimum
1st level). The weapon will stay charged for 1 minute or
until it scores its next hit. Missile weapons lose this effect
if they miss; however, they may be recovered and charged
again. Arcane Blast feat (2,000 numen, plus 4,000 numen
per +1d6 thereafter).
Mastery Weapon (Monk Only): The weapon carries
additional force damage, per your Unarmed Mastery class
feature. Versatile Strike feat (8,000 numen per +1d6
mastery damage).
Voidglass: The weapon gains a +1 enhancement bonus to
damage per level of the highest-level spell, spell-like ability,
or ki power slot the wielder has available. Arcane Blade
feat (2,000 numen for +1 max. damage bonus, plus 4,000
numen per +1 thereafter; max. 34,000 for +9 maximum).
Glassteel: Glass magically transmuted to a material
stronger than steel, glassteel is often used for high elven
weapons and plate armor. It functions similarly to mithral
(q.v.), except it cannot be made into chain shirts, chainmail
armor, or chain weapons, and does not penetrate DR/silver as
mithral does. Glassteel items are crafted using Craft
(glassblowing), rather than Craft (smith). They are transmuted
after being formed, and are considered metallic for purposes
such as use by druids, etc.
Armor and shields: +5 alchemical bonus to hardness
(1,250 gp), armor check penalties reduced by 2 (400 gp),
+2 to maximum Dex bonus (300 gp), -5% spell failure
(1,500 gp), -50% weight (5,000 gp) = 8,450 numen.
Weapons: +5 alchemical bonus to hardness (1,250 gp),
gain Finesse property (2,000 gp; Special Weapon Finesse
feat) = 3,250 numen. Being able to apply your Dex bonus
to damage, etc. would cost more, as per the pricing for
feats.
Dragonhide: Start with leather armor, scale mail, or
banded armor as a base, then add an armor enhancement
bonus (cost 1,000 gp x bonus squared, as normal) sufficient to
bring the total AC value equal to half the natural AC bonus of
the dragon from which the hide was taken. For example,
armor made from the hide of an adult red dragon (+21
natural armor) would provide a +10 armor bonus to AC
(equivalent to +3 banded armor). It also has the nonmetallic
property (see above; 8000 gp). Dragonhide armor also
provides resistance 10 to the type of energy the living dragon
was immune to (10,000 gp). Total cost = enhancement bonus
cost + 18,000 numen.
Leafweave: As the name suggests, leafweave armor (from
Races of the Wild) is made from forest leaves, which are then
treated with a special alchemical process that makes them as
tough and flexible as leather. Leafweave versions of padded,
leather, studded leather, and hide armor exist; leafweave
studded leather typically incorporates darkwood studs to
make it druid-friendly. Leafweave studded leather is
equivalent to the “leaf armor” described in the Pathfinder
Inner Sea World Guide.
Armor: Check penalty reduced by 1 (100 gp), +1 to max
Dex bonus (75 gp), -5% spell failure (1,500 gp) = 1,675
numen.
Creating leafweave armor requires a successful DC 25
Craft (alchemy) check in addition to the normal Craft
(needlework) checks. The secret of its manufacture is known
only to the wood elves of Estren.
Darkleaf: It is rumored that a type of leafweave can be
made that incorporates darkwood (q.v.) as well; this is the
“darkleaf cloth” from the Pathfinder Advanced Race Guide.
Only armor normally made of hide, leather, or cloth can be
made as darkleaf armor.
Armor: +8 alchemical bonus to hardness (3,200 gp), +5
alchemical bonus to hp (50 gp), check penalty reduced by
3 (900 gp), +2 to max Dex bonus (300 gp), -10% spell
failure (6,000 gp), -50% weight (5,000 gp) = 15,450 numen.
Mithral: Mithral is a very rare silvery, glistening metal that
is lighter than steel but just as hard; the secret of its working
is known only to the eldest of high elves and mountain
dwarves (requiring at least 6 ranks in Craft (smith) as a class
skill). When worked like steel, it becomes a wonderful
material from which to create armor, and is occasionally used
for other items as well.
Mithril! All folk desired it. It could be beaten like copper,
and polished like glass; and the Dwarves could make of it a
metal, light and yet harder than tempered steel. Its beauty
was like to that of common silver, but the beauty of mithril did
not tarnish or grow dim.
―J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring (1954)
Weapons and armor made of mithral weigh half as much
as their steel counterparts.
Armor and shields: +5 alchemical bonus to hardness
(1,250 gp), armor check penalties reduced by 3 (900 gp),
+2 to maximum Dex bonus (300 gp), -10% spell failure
(6,000 gp), -50% weight (5,000 gp) = 13,450 numen.
Weapons: +5 alchemical bonus to hardness (1,250 gp),
penetrate DR/silver (3,000 gp), gain Finesse property
(2,000 gp; Special Weapon Finesse feat) = 6,250 numen.
Being able to apply your Dex bonus to damage, etc. would
cost more, as per the pricing for feats.
Most mithral armors are one category lighter than normal
for purposes of movement and other limitations. Heavy
armors are treated as medium, and medium armors are
treated as light, but light armors are still treated as light. This
decrease does not apply to proficiency in wearing the armor.
A character wearing mithral full plate must be proficient in
wearing heavy armor to avoid adding the armor's check
penalty to all his attack rolls and skill checks that involve
moving.
In the case of mithral weapons, the lighter weight gives the
weapon the Finesse special property (even if it did not
already possess it). However, the light weight means that, for
purposes of adding your Strength modifier to damage, two-
handed mithral weapons are treated as one-handed (1x Str
modifier), and one-handed mithral weapons are treated as
light weapons (0.5 x Str modifier).
Phoenix Stone: From Steven Brust’s “Dragaera” novels,
phoenix stone is a mineral that can be worked like metal.
Gold phoenix stone blocks arcane magic; any creature
wearing gold phoenix stone armor is immune to spells and
spell-like abilities, as if he or she were just inside the edge of
an antimagic field. However, he or she cannot cast spells or
use spell-like abilities or magic items while so armored.
Gold phoenix stone weapons ignore spells and magical
protection, including enhancement bonuses of magical
armor. Gold phoenix stone weapons and armor cannot
themselves be imbued with magic, for obvious reasons. Black
phoenix is otherwise similar, but it blocks psionic and ki
powers and druid spells, rather than arcane magic.
Armor, weapons, and shields: Basic properties of stone
weapons and armor, plus 6th level spell (antimagic field) x
CL 11th x 1,000 gp (continuous spell effect) x 1.5 for 10
min./level duration = 99,000 numen.
Silver, Alchemical: This alloy, formed by a complex
process involving metallurgy and alchemy, looks exactly like
silver, although it is much lighter. The material as presented
here is a fusion of the alchemical silver from the core rules
and from Magic of Faerun, and of the Qadarian “silversheen”
metal, from Pathfinder Companion: Qadira, Gateway to the
East.
Armor and shields: 20% weight reduction (800 gp), +1
max Dex bonus (75 gp), armor check penalty reduced by 1
(100 gp), -5% spell failure (1,500 gp), resist electricity 2
(400 gp) = 2,875 numen.
Weapons: penetrate DR/silver (3,000 gp), -1 enhancement
penalty to damage (-200 gp; optional) = 3,000 (or 2,800)
numen.
Steel, Damascus: The special Wootz ore (containing
vanadium and other trace elements) used in this steel, along
with the secret methods of crucible forging, result in carbon
nanotubes within the forged metal. In addition to making this
steel far stronger than normal, it produces a “watered”
pattern when forged. The ore and forging techniques required
for Damascus steel are known only in Bailakash and eastern
Aramni.
 Light armor and shields: +5 alchemical bonus to hardness
(1,250 gp), +5 alchemical bonus to hp (100 gp) = 1,350
numen.
Medium armor: +5 alchemical bonus to hardness (1,250
gp), +10 alchemical bonus to hp (400 gp) = 1,650 numen.
Heavy armor: +5 alchemical bonus to hardness (1,250 gp),
+15 alchemical bonus to hp (900 gp) = 2,150 numen.
Edged Weapons: +5 alchemical bonus to hardness (1,250
gp), +5 alchemical bonus to hp (100 gp), +1 enhancement
bonus to damage (200 gp) = 1,550 numen.
Steel, Spring: Spring steel is a high-carbon, silicon-alloy
steel with a very high yield strength. Crossbows (and prodds)
constructed using spring steel can carry a higher mechanical
strength than normal, but at an increased cost. For
mechanical Strength scores higher than the defaults shown
above, simply apply the additional cost formula for
enhancement bonuses to damage. Thus, a crossbow dealing
an additional +5 damage (e.g., 1d8+10 for a heavy crossbow)
would cost 5,000 numen (52 x 200 gp).
Talonite: This dark blue-gray alloy of cobalt and other
metals, which is hot-rolled rather than forged, is often used by
goblins. Because of its high lubricity, it continues cutting even
when dull; edged blades of talonite gain a +1 enhancement
bonus to attack rolls and damage. When magically enhanced,
the metal takes on a deep blue color, identifiable with a DC
20 Knowledge (lore) or DC 15 Craft (smith) or Profession
(mining) check. Talonite is equivalent to the “arundar” special
material in Magic of Faerun.
Armor and shields: +2 alchemical bonus to hardness (200
gp), grants sonic resistance 2 (2,000 gp) = 2,200 numen.
Weapons: +2 alchemical bonus to hardness (200 gp), +1
enhancement bonus to attacks (400 gp), +1 enhancement
bonus to damage (200 gp) = 800 numen.
Wood, Darkwood: This rare magic wood is as hard as
normal wood but very light. Items not normally made of wood
or only partially of wood (such as a battleaxe or a mace)
either cannot be made from darkwood or do not gain any
special benefit from being made of darkwood. Darkwood can
be made into ironwood (q.v.), but the additional costs stack.
Armor and shields: -40% weight (3,200 gp), armor check
penalty reduced by 2 (400 gp) = 3,600 numen.
Wood, Heartwood: Heartwood of any kind is rare; it is the
center wood of a particularly ancient tree brought to thinking
life with the awaken spell. Heartwood comes in four main
varieties, each mimicking the mystic qualities of a special
metal: blue—alchemical silver; gray—adamantine; red—cold
iron; white—mithral. This quality allows these woods to
penetrate damage reduction as if they were the metal in
question. White heartwood weights half as much as normal
wood, and grey heartwood ignores 20 points of object
hardness. Despite these properties, heartwoods have the
same hardness and hit points as normal wood. Heartwood
can also be ironwood (q.v.), but the additional costs stack. An
item made of heartwood cost the same amount as one made
of the metal it mimics.
Wood, Ironwood: Ironwood is a magical substance created
by druids from normal wood. While remaining natural wood
in almost every way, ironwood is as strong, heavy, and
resistant to fire as steel. Spells that affect metal or iron do not
function on ironwood. Spells that affect wood do affect
ironwood, although ironwood does not burn. Ironwood allows
the fashioning of wooden items (using the Craft
(construction) skill) that function as steel items. Thus,
wooden plate armor and wooden swords can be created that
are as durable as their normal steel counterparts (but you
cannot make chain weapons or chain armor from ironwood).
Ironwood armor and shields are freely usable by druids.
Shields: +5 alchemical bonus to hardness (1,250 gp), +5
alchemical bonus to hp (100 gp) = 1,350 numen.
Medium armor: +5 alchemical bonus to hardness (1,250
gp), +15 alchemical bonus to hp (900 gp) = 2,150 numen.
Heavy armor: +5 alchemical bonus to hardness (1,250 gp),
+25 alchemical bonus to hp (2,500 gp) = 3,750 numen.
Extraplanar Materials
The following special materials are extraterrestrial or
extraplanar in origin, and are almost never available on the
open market. Players wishing for their PCs to have items of
these materials must present a reasonable source that fits
into the ongoing campaign storyline, subject to referee
approval. At least 16 ranks in Craft (smith) as a class skill are
generally required in order to work with these materials (this
requirement is reduced for natives of the plane from which
the material originates). The additional costs for these
materials always count against a character’s numen (see
above).
Abysium: Known also as “feverstone” (a somewhat
misleading name, as abysium is a metal), this glowing, blue-
green substance can be a source of great energy. However, it
also causes living creatures who spend extended amounts of
time near it to grow ill and die unless proper precautions are
taken. Abysium functions as steel when used to craft
weapons and armor, but anyone who carries or wears
abysium arms or armor becomes sickened for as long as the
gear is carried or worn, plus an additional 1d4 hours after it
is removed. This is a poison effect. Weapons and armor made
from abysium glow with an intensity equal to that of a candle.
Source: Pathfinder #61, Shards of Sin.
Armor: 2nd level spell effect (stolen breath, from Dragon
magazine #314) x CL 3rd x 500 gp = 3,000 numen.
Weapons: Feat (Sickening Strike) = 2,000 numen.
Astral Driftmetal: An extraordinarily rare mineral that is
mined only on islands of matter floating in the Astral Plane,
as described in the Planar Handbook. It is very similar to iron
but has the remarkable feature of being fully effective against
incorporeal attacks, as though it were made of force (Cf. the
metal “dureum” in E.E. “Doc” Smith’s Chronicles of the
Lensmen). Armor crafted from astral driftmetal retains its full
armor bonus to Armor Class against incorporeal attacks.
Astral driftmetal is not malleable enough to be worked into
chainmail or scale mail; only a breastplate, shield, or any form
of heavy armor can be made from it.
Armor and shields: +2 alchemical bonus to hardness (200
gp), +10% weight (-200 gp); ghost touch property (6,000
gp) = 6,000 numen.
Weapons: +2 alchemical bonus to hardness (200 gp),
+10% weight (-200 gp); ghost touch property (21,000 gp) =
21,000 numen.
Bloodiron, Abyssal: Tainted metal harvested from the
earth of the Abyss, where cataclysmic battles have been
waged for eons and the earth has been saturated with iron,
blood, and spent magic, Abyssal bloodiron is forged at a low
temperature to preserve its innate powers. Weapons forged
of the metal usually appear dark except for their cutting
edges, which are as red as freshly spilled blood. Source:
Planar Handbook.
Armor and shields: Grants SR 13 (10,000 numen) and
negates the critical hit confirmation function of blessed
weapons.
Weapons: Penetrate damage reduction (cold iron; 4,000
gp), corrupt (1,000 gp) = 5,000 numen.
Celestrum: Celestrum (from the celestial armor magic
item in the core rules, the celestial plate armor from
Pathfinder #11: Skeletons of Scarwall, and from Green
Ronin’s Advanced Gamemaster’s Guide) is a holy metal
smelted from the raw stuff of the good-aligned planes. It can
be silver or gold in color, though it is vastly more valuable
than either metal. Celestrum is extremely light and strong,
allowing armors made of it to be thin without losing strength,
and easily maneuvered in. Angels and messengers of the gods
are often clad in full suits of celestrum, but it’s much rarer for
any mortal to acquire a suit. Items not primarily of metal are
not meaningfully affected by being partially made of
celestrium (a longsword can be a celestrum weapon, while a
quarterstaff cannot).
Light armor and shields: +5 alchemical bonus to hardness
(1,250 gp), +5 alchemical bonus to hp (100), armor check
penalties reduced by 3 (900 gp), +5 to maximum Dex
bonus (1,875 gp), -15% spell failure (13,500 gp), -50%
weight (5,000 gp), and negates the critical hit confirmation
function of corrupt weapons = 22,625 numen.
Medium armor: As above, but +10 alchemical bonus to hp
(400 gp) = 22,925 numen.
Heavy armor: As above, but +15 alchemical bonus to hp
(900 gp) = 23,425 numen.
Weapons: +5 alchemical bonus to hardness (1,250 gp), +5
alchemical bonus to hp (100 gp), penetrate DR/silver
(3,000 gp), gain Finesse quality (5,000 gp), blessed (1,000
gp) = 10,350 numen.
Only good-aligned characters may work, refine, forge, or
imbue celestrum. Non-good characters that hold or wear
celestrum gain one negative level. The negative level remains
as long as the weapon is in hand or the armor is worn, and it
disappears when this condition is no longer the case. This
negative level never results in actual level loss, but it cannot
be overcome in any way (including restoration spells) while
the weapon is wielded or the armor worn.
Celestrum is found only on the planes that serve as the
home of good-aligned gods. Even there, the material is rare,
existing only where the plane has a natural portal to the plane
of earth or in areas where the plane itself has been damaged.
A vein of celestrum is thin and small, and the material must
be removed without being broken or it becomes tainted by
the tools used to retrieve it. It must also be constantly
surrounded by holy scripts and song, in order that its removal
from the plane that made it does not taint it (tainted
celestrum is much less valuable, and acts as mithral). Doing
this requires a DC 30 Profession (mining) check and a DC 35
Knowledge (the planes) check. Once celestrum has been
safely removed, it can be forged and moved without risk of
taint.
Force: Armor and weapons can be fabricated from pure
magical force (use Spellcraft rather than Craft). Although
almost indestructible by normal means, if dispelled (or
brought into an antimagic field) they vanish completely for
1d4 rounds (or until removed from the field), during which
time they provide no benefits. Use these guidelines for more
fanciful examples as well, such as armor made of
moonbeams.
Armor: 1,000 gp x (AC bonus squared). Although the
armor provides an armor bonus, treat the cost as a
magical enhancement bonus, so that you cannot stack an
enhancement bonus to AC on top of the armor bonus it
provides. Force armor has hardness 2 x the armor bonus,
hp 5 x the armor bonus, no encumbrance or weight, no
max AC, no skill check penalty, and no arcane spell failure
chance. It gains the ghost touch property by virtue of being
made of force.
Weapons: +20 alchemical bonus hardness (20,000 gp),
+10 alchemical bonus to hp (400 gp), ghost touch property
(7,500 gp) = 27,900 numen. Force weapons deal force
damage rather than piercing, slashing, or bludgeoning
damage.
Greensteel, Baatorian: Mined from the Nine Hells of
Baator, this rare metal is veined with green flecks, and when
properly alloyed can be made into weapons of amazing
sharpness. Slashing and piercing weapons of Baatorian
greensteel penetrate DR as if they were silver and lawfully-
aligned, gain the keen enhancement even if not magical, and
are also corrupt. Source: Arms and Equipment Guide.
Armor: +2 alchemical bonus to hardness (200 gp), and
negates critical confirmation function of blessed weapons
= 200 numen.

Weapons: +2 alchemical bonus to hardness (200 gp),
penetrate damage reduction (silver; 3,000 gp), corrupt (1,000
gp), keen (11,250 gp) = 26,250 numen.
Horacalcum: The rarest of the known skymetals, this dull,
coppery substance warps time around it, making things seem
to speed up or slow down. Almost never found in amounts
greater than a pound, horacalcum is the same weight and
density as steel, but is much more durable. An entire suit of
armor made from this rare metal is fantastically expensive,
but since a suit of horacalcum armor simultaneously allows
its wearer to react more quickly while perceiving time more
slowly, some consider the cost justifiable. Source: Pathfinder
#61, Shards of Sin.
Light armor: +5 alchemical bonus to hardness (1,250 gp),
+2 alchemical bonus to hp (50 gp), +1 insight bonus to
initiative checks (5,000 gp) = 6,300 numen.
Medium armor: +5 alchemical bonus to hardness (1,250
gp), +5 alchemical bonus to hp (100 gp), +2 insight bonus
to initiative checks (20,000 gp) = 21,350 numen.
Heavy armor: +5 alchemical bonus to hardness (1,250 gp),
+10 alchemical bonus to hp (400 gp), +3 insight bonus to
initiative checks (45,000 gp) = 46,650 numen.
Weapons: +5 alchemical bonus to hardness (1,250 gp), +5
alchemical bonus to hp (100 gp), +1 circumstance bonus
to attack rolls (5,000 gp) = 6,350 numen.
Ice, Blue: Found only in the depths of the most ancient
glaciers on Frostfell planes, veins of blue ice are often sought
out by glacier dwarves. It appears as dark blue, opaque ice
that sparkles in light as if it were coated with a tiny film of
gemstones; this is merely a thin layer of frost that forms over
its surface when exposed to air. The material is cold and feels
identical to regular ice upon casual observation, but blue ice
only melts under intense and direct application of heat,
similarly to iron. Those who mine this material from the
ancient glaciers often do so simply by melting away the
surrounding ice; this is a dangerous procedure, though, since
it can rapidly destabilize the surrounding ice. As a result, only
the most gifted miners attempt to obtain blue ice (+15 to the
DC of Profession: Mining checks).
Blue ice can be forged, shaped, and utilized as if it were
iron. When forged into a slashing weapon it keeps its edge
much longer and is much sharper than a forged iron weapon.
Blue ice armor is much lighter than normal armor, although it
can be uncomfortable to wear for creatures not immune or
resistant to cold. Only armor normally fashioned of metal can
be made from blue ice. If the creature wearing the armor is
not resistant or immune to cold, he takes a –2 penalty to
Dexterity from the general numbness caused by the armor.
An endure elements spell or effect is enough to prevent this
effect. Also, if the armor is bound to you (i.e., paid for with
available numen), you are immune to this effect from your
own armor.
Blue ice does not automatically have the nonmetallic
property (q.v.) unless you purchase that separately, in addition
to the costs listed below.
Light armor and shields: -2 alchemical penalty to hp (-50
gp), armor check penalties reduced by 2 (400 gp), +1 to
max Dex bonus (75 gp), -20% spell failure (24,000 gp x
0.125 for applying to [cold] only = 3,000 gp), -30% weight
(1,800 gp) = 5,225 numen.
Medium armor: -5 alchemical penalty to hp (-100 gp),
armor check penalties reduced by 2 (400 gp), +1 to max
Dex bonus (75 gp), -30% spell failure (54,000 gp x 0.125
for applying to [cold] only = 6,750 gp), -30% weight (1,800
gp) = 8,925 numen.
Heavy armor: -10 alchemical penalty to hp (-400 gp),
armor check penalties reduced by 2 (400 gp), +1 to max
Dex bonus (75 gp), -35% spell failure (73,500 gp x 0.125
for applying to [cold] only = 9,188), -30% weight (1,800 gp)
= 11,063 numen.
Weapons: -2 alchemical penalty to hp (-50 gp); plus frost,
keen, and/or icy burst properties (use appropriate weapon
property costs; see above).
Blue ice can also be used to build anything that is normally
built of iron (+400 gp/pound). Many dwarven fortresses in the
Frostfell make heavy use of blue ice for metal components
such as nails, tools, door hinges, utensils, and pretty much
anything else they can think of; blue ice goblets and mugs are
especially popular for export to warmer climates since they
keep their contents chilled. A room lined with sheets of blue
ice remains at a constant temperature of about freezing,
making for an effective way to create refrigerated chambers
for food storage. Items made out of blue ice weigh half as
much as normal. Source: Frostburn.
Styigian Ice: This extraplanar ice comes from Stygia, the
fifth layer of Hell. Infused with the soulless evil of that realm,
along with the magical waters of the river Styx, stygian ice is
black and constantly crawls with a thin layer of pale blue
mist. Stygian ice is much colder than normal ice, and it melts
slowly in nonfreezing environs. The coldness that this ice
exudes is magical in nature, and freezes the mind much more
rapidly than flesh.
Weapons: As blue ice (q.v.), plus Rattling Strike feat (+6
BAB equivalent only; 12,000 gp). If the weapon is keen or
has the burst quality, this effect automatically activates on
a confirmed crit. In addition, Stygian ice weapons are
corrupt (see Abyssal bloodiron; +1,000 gp) = 13,000
numen.
Inubrix: This metal’s structure allows it to pass through
iron and steel without touching them, seemingly shifting in
and out of phase with reality. This quality earned the pale
metal the nickname “ghost iron.” Inubrix is the softest of the
solid skymetals, being only slightly less malleable than lead. It
doesn’t function well for crafting armor as a result, and
though inubrix weapons can penetrate most metal armors
with relative ease, the weapons tend to break easily. An
inubrix weapon deals damage as if it were one size category
smaller than its actual size, and is always treated as if it had
the broken condition. It ignores all armor or shield bonuses
granted by iron or steel armor or shields. Inubrix weapons
cannot damage these materials at all (and, by extension,
cannot harm iron golems or similar creatures). Source:
Pathfinder #61, Shards of Sin.

Weapons: -5 alchemical penalty to hardness (-1,250 gp),
-2 enhancement penalty to attacks (-1,600 gp) and damage
(-1,200 gp), brilliant energy (66,000 gp), reversed keen
(-11,250 gp), reversed lead blades (-2,000 gp) = 48,700
numen.
Morghuth-Iron: This is the product of a volcanic mineral
unique to the mountains of the Bleak Eternity of Gehenna,
where it is occasionally mined. It forges poorly, making items
which appear pocked and pitted. It is also extremely toxic;
with each successful attack that deals at least 1 point of
damage, slashing and piercing weapons made from
Gehennan morghuth-iron deliver a dose of poison (injury DC
12 +1 per point of the weapon’s permanent enhancement
bonus, if any; damage 1d2 Dex/round for 5 rounds; cure 1
save). Source: Arms and Equipment Guide.
Weapons: -1 penalty to attacks (-400 gp), -1 penalty to
damage (-200 gp), corrupt (1,000 gp), poison (90 gp sewer
centipede venom x 50 material component cost multiplier
= 4,500 gp) = 4,900 numen.
Noqual: Noqualis a metal that looks almost like pale green
crystal to the untrained eye, but can be worked as iron
despite its appearance. Noqual is light—half as heavy as iron,
yet just as strong. Noqual armor weighs half as much as other
armors of its type, and is treated as one category lighter than
normal for the purposes of movement and other limitations
(light armor is still treated as light armor, though). Source:
Pathfinder #61, Shards of Sin.
Armor: +2 to max Dex bonus (300 gp), armor check
penalties reduced by 3 (900 gp), +20% spell failure chance
(-24,000 gp x 0.5 conditional penalty = -12,000 gp), -50%
weight (5,000 gp), +4 resistance against spells and spell-
like abilities (16,000 x 0.5 conditional = 8,000) = 2,200
numen.
Weapons: Bane property against constructs and undead
(14,000 numen).
Obdurium: An incredibly rare and hard metal, pale violet in
color, that represents the pinnacle of nonmagical strength.
Even dwarven metallurgists speak of obdurium as more
legend than fact. Source: Stronghold Builder's Guidebook;
this material is also referenced in Expedition to the Ruins of
Greyhawk.
Light armor and shields: +20 alchemical bonus to
hardness (20,000 gp), +20 alchemical bonus to hp (1,600
gp) = 20,400 numen.
Medium armor: +20 to hardness (20,000 gp), +30
alchemical bonus to hp (3,600 gp) = 23,600 numen.
Heavy armor: +20 to hardness (20,000 gp), +40 alchemical
bonus to hp (6,400 gp) = 26,400 numen.
Weapons: +20 to hardness (20,000 gp), +10 alchemical
bonus to hp (400 gp), penetrate damage reduction
(adamantine; 3,000 gp) = 23,400 numen.
Oerthblood: A residue of the creation of the World of
Greyhawk, this substance must be alloyed with metal
(generally steel) in order to be useful in armor and weapons.
Oerthblood items are red, with shimmering black flecks on
the surface. Source: Dragon magazine, issue 351.
Light armor and shields: +5 alchemical bonus to hardness
(1,250 gp), +10 alchemical bonus to hp (400 gp), DR 1/—
(500 gp), +1 luck bonus to saves against spells and spell-
like abilities (2,500 gp) = 4,650 numen.
Medium armor: +5 to hardness (1,250 gp), +15 alchemical
bonus to hp (900 gp), DR 2/— (2,000 gp), +2 luck bonus to
saves against spells and spell-like abilities (10,000 gp) =
14,150 numen.
Heavy armor: +5 to hardness (1,250 gp), +20 alchemical
bonus to hp (1,600 gp), DR 3/— (4,500 gp), +3 luck bonus
to saves against spells and spell-like abilities (22,500 gp) =
29,850 numen.
Weapons: +5 to hardness (1,250 gp), +10 alchemical
bonus to hp (400 gp), +1 luck bonus to attacks and
damage (5,000 gp), Susceptible Strike feat (10,000 gp) =
16,650 numen.
It is rumored that Oerthblood can be allowed with cold
iron, mithral, or other exotic materials, in order to gain a
composite with all the properties of both.
Pearlsteel: Forged by triton metallurgists who work at
volcanic vents deep in the ocean or on the Elemental Plane of
Water, pearlsteel is a gleaming, shining metal with a blue-
white sheen, like that of mother-of-pearl. Created from rare
silvery pearls found only in the ocean depths, this metal is
prized by all undersea races. It is very light, especially in
water. Source: Stormwrack.
Armor and shields: Check penalties reduced by 1 (100 gp)
and no penalty to Swim checks (250 gp, as a least
augment crystal of aquatic action from the Magic Item
Compendium), -20% weight (800 gp) = 1,150 numen.
Weapons: Gain the aquatic weapon quality from
Stormwrack (+1 enhancement cost = 2,000 gp).
Proteum: Githzerai smiths in the ever-changing Maelstrom
of Limbo have found a way to alloy native metal with some of
the shifting chaos-stuff of their native plane. The resulting
metal is heavier than iron but can be used to make effective
weapons and armor; however, it can only be forged on
chaotically-aligned planes.
Note: this is the “entropium” material from the Arms and
Equipment Guide, renamed to maintain continuity with the
chaotic “proteans” in the Pathfinder rules, and because the
name entropium refers to a real-life medical condition (the
inversion of the lower eyelid). Note that Jack Vance’s Trullion
features nearly indestructible knives “forged from proteum.”
Unfortunately, in chemistry, “protium” refers to hydrogen-1.
A suit of proteum armor actually shifts as its wearer moves,
allowing incredible flexibility at the cost of increased weight.
In addition to the properties below, the armor check penalty
of the armor increases by 2 for Strength-related skills and
decreases by 2 for Dexterity-related skills. Proteum can be
used only for armors made primarily of metal.
 Light armor and shields: +5 alchemical bonus to hardness Weapons: -2 alchemical penalty to hardness (-200 gp), -5
(1,250 gp), +5 alchemical bonus to hp (100 gp), +2 to alchemical penalty to hp (-100 gp), -1 damage (-200 gp),
maximum Dex bonus (300 gp), -10% arcane spell failure penetrate damage reduction (silver; 3,000 gp), entropic (as
(6,000 gp), +20% to weight (-800 gp) = 6,850 numen. blessed, but chaotic; 1,000 gp), fear effect: [3rd level
Medium armor: +5 to hardness (1,250 gp), +10 alchemical warcry spell (Book of Exalted Deeds) + Shape Spell
bonus to hp (400 gp), +2 to maximum Dex bonus (300 gp), (emanation; +1 level) + Lingering Spell (+1 level) + Extend
-10% arcane spell failure (6,000 gp), +20% to weight (-800 Spell (+1 level)] = 6 x CL 11th x 500 gp = 33,000 gp, for a
gp) = 7,150 numen. total cost of 36,500 numen.
Heavy armor: +5 to hardness (1,250 gp), +15 alchemical
bonus to hp (900 gp), +2 to maximum Dex bonus (300 gp),
-10% arcane spell failure (6,000 gp), +20% to weight (-800
gp) = 7,650 numen.
Weapons: +5 to hardness (1,250 gp), +5 alchemical bonus
to hp (100 gp), entropic (similar to blessed, but chaotic;
1,000 gp) = 2,350 numen.
Siccatite: This shining silver metal is either incredibly hot
or freezing cold when found. As of yet, scholars have not
determined whether siccatite is actually two similarly hued
metals or a single type that determines its own temperature
via some unknown process. Physical contact with siccatite
deals 1 point of energy damage each round (either fire or
cold, as appropriate). Hot siccatite can eventually ignite
objects, and cold siccatite in water quickly surrounds itself
with a 1-foot-thick shell of ice.
Armor: Energy resistance 5 (5,000 gp); also, those
touching or grappled take 1d6 cold or fire damage (as 1st
level corrosive grasp x CL 1st x 500 gp x 4 for duration 1
round/level = 2,000 gp) = 7,000 numen.
Weapons: Flaming or frost (4,000), plus heat metal or chill
metal when drawn (you are immune to this effect if the
weapon is bonded to you with personal numen).
Silver, Pandemonic: Mined from thin veins of ore on the
plane of Pandemonium, Pandemonic silver has all the
properties of alchemical silver (q.v.). In addition, a thin,
unearthly scream issues forth from a bladed weapon made of
Pandemonic silver whenever it is unsheathed in at least a
light breeze. This scream is a sonic, mind-affecting
compulsion that is a fear effect. Other than the wielder, those
within 30 feet who hear the scream must succeed on a Will
save or cower for 1d4 rounds. The DC of the Will save
depends on the strength of the wind, as indicated on the table
below. Source: Complete Warrior.
Wind Force Save DC
Light (0–10 mph) 10
Moderate (11–20 mph) 13
Strong (21–30 mph) 16
Severe (31–50 mph) 19
Windstorm (51–74 mph) 22
Hurricane (75–174 mph) 25
Tornado (175–300 mph) 28
Chapter 7: Spells
Standardized Spellcasting Rules
To avoid needless repetition
Standardized of standard rules Rules
Spellcasting in the class write-ups, standardized casting rules are provided here. In the class
descriptions for classes with spellcasting ability, relevant details are listed as needed only. In addition, some terms are clarified
here.
Bonus Spells: Most casting classes provide bonus spells, such as the cleric’s domain spells, the sorcerer’s bloodline spells, the
specialist wizard’s school spells, etc. These are shown on Spellcasting Table 1 for the sake of convenience, but generally represent
class features, rather than automatic acquisitions. Multiclassed casters receive higher-level bonus spells only if the contributing
classes do (see Spell Theurgy, below).
Cantrips and Orisons: You learn or can prepare a number of 0-level spells (“cantrips” for arcane casters, “orisons” for divine
casters), as shown in the tables. These spells are cast like any other spell, but they do not consume any slots and may be used at
will.
Caster Level: This is the level at which your spells operate, Then I spoke the spell, slowly and clearly, leaving out the
used to determine duration, range, damage, and other level- four key words I had chosen to omit. The woods grew
dependent effects of your spells. Unless otherwise noted, your absolutely still about me as the words rang out. The spell
caster level for all spells and spell-like abilities is equal to hung before me like a crippled butterfly of sound and color,
your number of ranks in Concentration (not including “virtual trapped within the synesthetic web of my personal vision of
ranks” from Skill Focus, if any). Your caster level is not the Logrus, to come again when I summoned it, to be
necessarily the same as your Spell Capacity (see below). released when I uttered the four omitted words.
SPELLCASTING TABLE 1: SPELLS KNOWN/PREPARED ―Roger Zelazny, Blood of Amber (1986)
Spell Capacity Spells by Level:
You must choose and prepare your spells in advance. You
can prepare and cast only a certain number of spells of each
0 spell level per day. The number of spells per spell level you
1 st 3 can have prepared at a time is shown in Spellcasting Table 1:
Spells Prepared. In addition, you receive additional spells per
2nd 4 day if you have a high spellcasting attribute score.
3rd 4 SPELLCASTING TABLE 2:
4 th 4
SPONTANEOUS SPELLS PER DAY
5th 4 Spell Capacity 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th
6th 4 1st 3 — — — — — — — —
7th 4 2nd 4 — — — — — — — —
8th 4 3rd 5 0 — — — — — — —
9th 4 4th 6 3 — — — — — — —
10th 4 5th 6 4 0 — — — — — —
11th 4 6th 6 5 3 — — — — — —
12th 4 7th 6 6 4 0 — — — — —
13th 4 8th 6 6 5 3 — — — — —
14th 4 9th 6 6 6 4 0 — — — —
15th 4 10th 6 6 6 5 3 — — — —
16th 4 11th 6 6 6 6 4 0 — — —
17th 4 12th 6 6 6 6 5 3 — — —
18th 4 13th 6 6 6 6 6 4 0 — —
19th 4 14th 6 6 6 6 6 5 3 — —
20th 4 15th 6 6 6 6 6 6 4 0 —
16th 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 3 —
The “+1” entries in the table indicate the class-granted 17th 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 4 0*
bonus spells, if any (see above).
18th 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 3
Prepared Casting: 19th 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 4
20th 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 5
* You can use spells of this level only if you have a high
enough spellcasting attribute score to gain a bonus spell of
that level.
Saving Throw DCs: For your spells that allow saving throws,
the DCs are calculated as 10 + the level of the spell + your
Charisma modifier. Characters with the Serenity feat may
apply their Wisdom modifier instead of their Charisma
modifier when calculating save DCs; wizards with the
Diligent Preparation arcane bond can apply their Intelligence
modifier instead of their Charisma modifier.
Spell Capacity: This is your row on the standardized
spellcasting tables, which corresponds to an equivalent level
of a full spellcaster in the core rules. Your spell capacity
determines your spells known and spells per day, and the
highest level of spells to which you have access.
Spellcasting Attribute: Each class has a single attribute
that governs spellcasting, as listed in the class description.
You are unable to learn, prepare, or cast spells from that class
list if your attribute is less than 10 + the level of the spell.
Spontaneous Casting: You can cast any spell you know
without preparing it ahead of time. You know a certain
number of spells (Spellcasting Table 1: Spells Known). You
can cast only a certain number of spells of each spell level per
day. Your base daily spell allotment is given on Table 2:
Spontaneous Spells per Day. In addition, you receive
additional spells per day if you have a high spellcasting
attribute score.
Theurgy
Multiclassing as a spell caster often works differently in these
rules than in the Pathfinder core rules. Rather than tracking
two separate spellcasting progressions, it is normally
possible to some extent to combine progression from
different spellcasting classes. For example, there are a
number of talents and other options in the class documents
(Chapter 2) allowing a caster to give up the normal
spellcasting progression in one class in order to improve
casting progression in another class.
This type of spellcasting improvement will be termed
“theurgy” in these rules, after the Mystic Theurge prestige
class in the core rules, and because of the linguistic similarity
with the word “synergy.” Spell theurgy works according to the
general rules for class synergy features (see Introduction).
Applying Theurgy: When spellcasting theurgy is used, the
improvements shown in the class synergy table are applied
directly to your Spell Capacity (q.v.) on Tables 1 and 2 (and
not necessarily to the level in the class being advanced). For
example, a bard 6 normally has a Spell Capacity of 5th (Bard
Table 1). Upon gaining 6 levels in ranger and selecting the
Harper Scout ranger lore (allowing your ranger levels to
provide Weak synergy towards your bard casting), your new
Spell Capacity would be 8th, allowing you to cast 4th level
bard spells. This referral back to a standard table avoids
unduly penalizing bards and other part-casters who gain
improvements in those casting progressions from another
such class.
Class Level: As noted in Chapter 1, when another class
provides spellcasting theurgy, always use your actual number
of levels in that class, rather your your “effective class level”
obtained through feats, talents, etc.
Spell List Access: Theurgy generally grants access to both
class spell lists, subject to any limitations specified for the
class feature granting it. For example, the Arcane Hierophant
druid (Chapter 2) can cast arcane spells only if the spell level
is less than or equal to his or her arcane class level.
Stacking Theurgy: If you have more than one class
providing theurgy towards a third class’ spellcasting
progression, then theurgy works similarly to saving throws:
add all levels providing weak theurgy together and compare
the total advancement in the appropriate column on Table 3;
add all levels providing strong theurgy and check the total
against the advancement on Table 3; and apply the total
advancement to your Spell Capacity on the Tables 1 and 2.
Theurgy and Bonus Spells: Classes that normally receive
bonus spells such as bloodline spells or domain spells (e.g.,
bard, monk) also allow acquisition of higher-level bonus spells
when used for theurgy. Theurgy from classes without bonus
spells (e.g., ranger) does not count towards acquiring new
bonus spells. This is a specific change from the Pathfinder
core rules, in which bonus spells are available to single-
classed characters only; it is intended to make multiclassing
as a spellcaster less onerous.
Racial Spell-Like Abilities
Rather than have templated races like half-fiends and shades
acquire spell-like abilities haphazardly, a standardized
mechanic is provided here. Races with access to suites of
spell-like abilities gain them according to ranks in
Concentration, so that their racial spell capacity is equal to
their caster level.
Progression: One spell-like ability is gained at each odd-
numbered rank in Concentration, to a maximum number of
ranks equal 17 or your total Hit Dice, whichever is lower. The
spell level of each new spell-like ability gained is equal to half
your number of ranks in Concentration (round up)—e.g., a
character with 5 ranks in Concentration will have one 1st,
one 2nd, and one 3rd level spell-like ability.
Listing: A race receiving racial spell-like abilities will list
them by spell level, much as bloodline or domain spells are
listed. For example, the list of spell-like abilities for the half-
fiend template reads: 1st—darkness, 2nd—desecrate, 3rd
—contagion, 4th—poison, 5th—unhallow, 6th—blasphemy, 7th
—destruction, 8th—unholy aura, 9th—summon monster IX.
Uses Per Day: When the first spell-like ability of a given
spell level is gained, it is usable once per day. A spell-like
ability is usable 3 times per day if your number of ranks in
Concentration is greater than or equal to 4 x the spell level of
the spell-like ability. If your number of ranks in Concentration
is greater than or equal to 6 x the spell level, you can use the
ability at will.
Theurgy and Bonus Spells: When racial spell-like abilities
are given up in favor of spellcasting synergy (as described for
each race in Chapter 2), the racial spell-like abilities listed can
be used in place of the standard bonus feats for the primary
casting progression.
Spells from Non-Core Sources
In various chapters, superscripts are used to reference spells
from sources other than the Core rules. To save on space in
repeating that list in each individual document, a central
listing of those sources is provided here. If your group does
not own the source cited, substitute an appropriate spell
instead of the one listed.
From Paizo Publishing: APG = Advanced Player’s Guide;
ARG = Advanced Race Guide; DG = Dwarves of Golarion;
Dr# = Dragon Magazine (and issue); DrAn = Dragon
magazine annual (and volume); ISWG = Inner Sea World
Guide; PB2 = Pathfinder Bestiary 2; UC = Ultimate Combat;
UM = Ultimate Magic.
From Wizards of the Coast: BED = Book of Exalted
Deeds; BVD = Book of Vile Darkness; CA = Complete
Arcane; CAd = Complete Adventurer; CD = Complete Divine;
CM = Complete Mage; CW = Complete Warrior; DN =
Draconomicon; ECS = Eberron Campaign Setting; FB =
Frostburn; FC1 = Fiendish Codex I; FR = Forgotten Realms
Campaign Setting; GA = Greyhawk Adventures; GW =
Ghostwalk; LM = Libris Mortis; LoM = Lords of Madness;
ME = Magic of Eberron; MF = Magic of Faerun; MH =
Miniatures Handbook; MP = Manual of the Planes; MW =
Masters of the Wild; OA = Oriental Adventures; PGF =
Players Guide to Faerun; PHII = Players Handbook II; PnH =
Planar Handbook; RD = Races of Destiny; RF = Races of
Faerun; SC = Spell Compendium; ShS = Shining South;
SRD = 3.5 edition System Reference Document; SS = Savage
Species; SSt = Sandstorm; SW = Stormwrack; TM2 = 2nd
edition Tome of Magic; UE = Unapproachable East; Und =
Underdark; WCS = Waterdeep: City of Splendors; WotC =
Wizards of the Coast web site.
From Other Publishers: AEST = Arcana Evolved Spell
Treasury (Malhavoc Press); APM = Advanced Players Manual
(Green Ronin); AUG = Arcana Unearthed Grimoire
(Malhavoc Press); BEM = Book of Eldritch Might (Malhavoc
Press); BHM = Book of Hallowed Might (Malhavoc Press);
RR = Relics & Rituals (Sword & Sorcery Studios); RRO =
Relics & Rituals: Olympus (Sword & Sorcery Studios).
Casting Spells
Casting Spells in Combat
Casting spells in combat is far more difficult in these rules
than in the core rules, as described under the Concentration
skill in Chapter 4. This is ameliorated by the greater power
and flexibility of spells (see specially Metamagic, below), and
by the fact that other characters can generally guard an allied
caster by holding enough movement and attacks to intercept
attacks―or if adjacent, simply by declaring that they are
doing so (see Chapter 1).
Casting Time: Spells with a listed casting time of “1
standard action” or greater (this includes most spells) are
difficult to cast if they have somatic and/or material
components. You may take a 5-ft. step while casting, but not a
full or half move. Spells with a casting time of “1 standard
action” with only verbal and/or focus components can be cast
as a standard action, allowing a full move in the same round.
Casting Spells on Other Planes
The rules listed above apply to Aviona and the rest of the
homebrew world. In other places, the rules might work
differently: casting might be easier, harder, or even
impossible. On Golarion, for example, the Concentration DC
for casting defensively is a static 15 regardless of threatening
opponents, as described in the Pathfinder core rules, and all
standard-action spells are cast as standard actions.
Certain planes have wildly differing rules of magic; some
types of spells might work at improved efficiency, or not at all.
In general, arcane casters attempting to cast unmodified
spells on planes with different magical laws fail automatically.
Spontaneous casters can attempt a Planar Sense check
(Chapter 4) as part of the casting to cast normally (DC 15 +
twice the level of the spell); this increases the casting of a
standard-action spell to one full round, so that the spell takes
effect on the caster’s next turn. Arcane casters who prepare
spells can make Knowledge (the planes) checks while
preparing their spells in order to prepare spells that function
on the new plane of existence.
Clerical spells, incarnate spells, and monks’ ki powers
work normally on all planes, except those with specific
special magic traits that would indicate otherwise. However,
most deities’ power and awareness does not extend to all
planes. Clerics and archivists out of touch with their deities
cannot regain spells above 2nd level. Druids’ connection to the
natural world requires special adjudication; unless specific
guidelines have been developed for a given plane, treat druids
as clerics.
Special Magic Zones
In some places, localized warping of reality—either though
massive magical trauma in the past or the impingement of
another plane onto the Prime Material—can create
conditions in which nonstandard spellcasting rules are used.
In the simplest case, use the rules for casting spells on other
planes (q.v.). For example, a temple of Graz’zt might count as
being part of the Abyss, for purposes of spellcasting inside.
Other common examples follow.
Dead Magic Areas: The magic, or “mana” of the area has
been totally depleted. Spells, spell-like abilities, and
supernatural abilities do not work in a dead magic area.
Creatures and objects inside the area cannot be detected
using divination magic, and creatures cannot teleport, plane
shift, or otherwise magically travel into the dead magic area.
Wild Magic Areas: Attempting to cast a spell or use a
spell-like ability in a wild magic area results in a wild surge,
as described in the 2nd edition Tome of Magic (TSR, Inc.).
Supernatural abilities are not affected.
Other Variations
Active or Latent Spells
Active or latent spells that are permanent or last until
discharged (such as explosive runes, glyph of warding, fire
trap, secret page, symbol of death, etc.) count against your
personal numen (Chapter 6). In general, the cost is as per a
magic trap (spell level x caster level x 50 gp, plus the spell’s
listed material component cost, if any). The numen is
replaced when the spell is no longer potent, due to discharge,
dispelling, or whatever. Some examples:
3rd level explosive runes x CL 6th x 50 gp = 900 numen
each.
For an 8 HD simulacrum: (6th level simulacrum spell x CL
11th x 50 gp) + (8 x 500 gp) = 7,300 numen.
Cantrips and Orisons
For 0-level spells that have non-instantaneous results, only
one such effect or result can be in existence from one caster
at one time. For example, in the Core rules, if you cast
another light spell while a previously-evoked light is still in
effect, the first light winks out. This principle is extended to
other applicable 0-level spells: e.g., create water, endure
elements, ghost sound, resistance, etc.
Castles and Dungeons
Spells (and abilities duplicating the effects of spells) with the
[teleportation] descriptor cannot penetrate to an area that is
entirely enclosed by more than 1 ft. of solid stone, 3 ft. of
earth, an inch of metal, and/or a thin coating of lead (an
exception is teleportation circle, which works normally). The
same restriction applies to scrying effects. This guideline,
adapted from the Dunegonomicon (Frank and “K,” The
Gaming Den), not only curtails “scry-and-fry” tactics, but also
provides a rationale for the prevalence of both castles and
dungeons in a game world in which dragons exist.
Kings therefore live in stone castles, not for defensibility
from armies, but for secrecy; if a need to teleport or use
scrying magic comes up, they can go to an outside room and
open a leaded-glass window, but while inside an inner room
with stone walls and a lead-lined door, their councils are
protected from eavesdropping and teleporting assassins.
Many wizards likewise live in stone towers with designated
divining and transportation rooms open to the outside. Tombs
and cultist headquarters are typically found in dungeons
underground for similar reasons.
Divination and dimension door effects within a dungeon or
building itself are normally not affected, as the doorways,
rooms, and corridors provide “open” pathways of effect within
the complex itself. However, rooms with stone walls and thick
stone or metal doors (such as all of the Tomb of Horrors
beyond the Chapel of Evil and Stone Gate) would fall under
these guidelines.
Counterspelling
Counterspelling uses the preemptive action mechanics
(q.v.); you hold a full attack action (or a standard action, if
using a spell with no material or somatic components) to
counterspell when an enemy caster begins to cast.
If the target of your counterspell tries to cast a spell, make a
Spellcraft check (DC 15 + the spell's level). This check is a
free action. If the check succeeds, you correctly identify the
opponent's spell and can attempt to counter it. If the check
fails, you can't do either of these things.
To complete the action, you must then cast an appropriate
spell. You may use any spell to counterspell, but success is
automatic only if you use the same spell as the one being
cast, or one of equal level or greater with effects that are
exactly opposite (e.g., haste vs. slow). Use of any other spell
requires a Concentration check on your part with a special
bonus equal to the level of the spell you are using as a
counterspell. The counterspelling DC is equal to 10 + the
enemy spellcaster’s Concentration bonus + the level of the
spell you are attempting to counterspell.
Use of a spell from a school different from the one being
cast results in a –4 penalty to your counterspelling attempt.
The Improved Counterspell feat provides a +4 bonus on all
counterspelling attempts and allows counterspelling more
quickly, scaling with the caster level of the counterspeller.
Default Spell Parameters
Playing a caster is hard work, because you generally have
access to a lot of spells, and are expected to know what they
do without flipping through rulebooks or opening web
browsers or PDF documents.
Game Play Etiquette: If a player is asked for specifics of a
spell his or her PC is casting, and is unable to provide them
instantly, the referee can instead resort to the use of the
following default parameters:
Casting Time: 1 full round
Components: V, S, M
Range: Personal (if the spell provides some bonus or
other advantage in combat), or Touch (otherwise)
Target: You or creature touched
Duration: 1 round maximum
Saving Throw: Will negates (DC 10)
Spell Resistance: Yes.
Obviously, keeping a set of index cards or sheet of notes
handy will result in you being able to use the correct spell
parameters.
 Attribute-Damaging Spells: Spells that impose conditions
Resurrection Survival associated with an attribute score of 0 (e.g., helplessness,
paralysis, death) instead deal attribute damage of the
In an ongoing campaign with loose time limits, races with appropriate type. Assume the base attribute damage spell is a
long life spans have a large advantage in their ability to wait touch attack dealing 1d4 attribute damage (save for half); this
out threats and to spend vast amounts of down time crafting is more or less equivalent to the lesser shivering touch spell
items. Re-instituting the 1st edition D&D “resurrection from the Frostburn supplement, or the boneblast spell from
survival” concept is an optional means of balancing this. In the Book of Vile Darkness.
this option, a character who wishes to be brought back from DAMAGE ATTRIBUTE
the dead must succeed at a Fortitude save at DC 5 + 1 per 10 School Enchantment (mental attributes) or Necromancy
years of the race’s “venerable” age up to 200, and +1 per 25 (physical attributes)
years thereafter. This translates to the following: Level cleric 1, druid 1, sorcerer/wizard 1
Components V, S, M/DF
Race Venerable Age Resurrect DC Casting Time standard action
Half-orc 60 11 Range touch
Human 70 12
Target creature touched
Duration instantaneous
Halfling 100 15 Saving Throw Fort or Will half; Spell Resistance yes
Half-elf 125 17 This effect can be Heightened, increasing the damage by
1d4 per additional spell level; automatic heightening from
Gnome 200 25 applying other metamagic does not apply, however. For
Dwarf 250 27 example, slay living is a touch spell dealing Constitution
Elf 350 31
damage, Heightened to 5th level for 5d4 Con damage (Fort
save for half). Finger of death starts with 1d4 Con damage
Dragon 600 41 (1st level); add the Reach Spell feat (touch to ray; +1 level),
and the damage is still 1d4 Con. The spell is then Heightened
Failure on this saving throw means that the newly- to 7th level (+5 levels) for a final damage of 6d4 Con (save for
resurrected creature instantly dies again, and cannot be half). These spells are obviously especially dangerous against
resurrected thereafter barring the use of a wish or miracle. creatures whose attribute scores are already reduced through
fatigue or exhaustion.
Save-or-Lose Spells (Optional) TABLE: ATTRIBUTE-AFFECTING SPELL CONDITIONS
Spells such as hold person and slay living can potentially be Stat Penalty Damage Drain
modified so that a failed save does not automatically knock a Str Weakened Helpless Withered
combatant out of the fight, but some seriously debilitating
effect occurs even on a successful save. This option uses the Dex Inhibited Paralyzed Petrified
conditions associated with attribute scores of 0 or 1 (see Con Infirm Dead Destroyed
Introduction), by applying attribute penalties, damage, or Int Feebleminded Mindless Mindless
drain as appropriate.
Important Note: These rules have not been tested and are Wis Confused Insensate Insane
not considered part of the official house rules. They are Cha Charmed Dominated Enthralled
presented here in hopes that they will get some use in-game
in order to gain useful feedback regarding implementation. To deal attribute drain instead of attribute damage, the Fell
Attribute Penalty Spells: Spells that inflict conditions Affliction metamagic feat is added to the effect.
associated with an attribute score of 1 (e.g., weakness, slow,
or confusion) are modeled after ray of enfeeblement, then
modified using the appropriate metamagic feats (see below).
Penalties and caps, by final spell level, are as follows.
Examples from the core rules are provided in Appendix B.
Spell Level Penalty & Cap
1st 1d6 + ½ levels (max +5)
3rd 1d6 + ½ levels (max +10)
5th 1d6 + 1/level (max +15)
7th 1d6 + 1/level (max +20)
9th 1d6 + 1/level (max +25)
Spell Effect Limitations
In order to cut down the need to track myriad spell effects on
characters at high levels, as an optional rule, a character or
monster can be affected by a maximum number of spell levels
worth of non-harmful spells (“buffs”) equal to his or her CR.
Buff spells causing this limit to be exceeded have no effect.
Permanent or use-activated spell effects from bound magic
items (Chapter 6) do not count against this limit.
Spell Resistance
Spell resistance, as from a racial or class feature, can be
selectively lowered against specific incoming spells at will.
This does not require an action. If you do not know what spell
a dubious ally is casting on you (for example, by using the
Spellcraft skill) you must decide blindly whether or not to
allow the spell past your SR.
Spells that Supersede Skills and
Class Features
Invisibility was likewise impossible, at least as far as Flagg
himself had been able to determine. Yet it was possible to
make oneself… dim. It was necessary to actually hide when
one was dim only if one saw someone whom one knew
well―for, whether one was dim or not, these people almost
always saw. Dimness was useful, but it was not invisibility.
―Stephen King, The Eyes of the Dragon (1987)
There are a large number of spells, both in the core rules
and in various supplements, that obsolete skills and
supersede class features. This has the effect of allowing a
caster (or anyone with a wand and the Spellcraft skill) to be a
duplicate ranger, rogue, etc. It also severely devalues skills. In
these house rules, many of the offending spells are modified
or removed, as summarized here and in the appropriate
subsection under “Changes to Schools of Magic,” below.
Spells Providing Bonuses to Skill Checks: The
maximum bonus is pegged at +1 per caster level, with a
maximum of +5 for a 1st level spell, +10 for a 3rd level spell,
+15 for a 5th level spell, +20 for a 7th level spell, and +25 for a
9th level spell (see Scaling Bonuses under Heighten Spell,
below). In addition, all skill-enhancing spells and magic items
now provide enhancement bonuses, so their effects do not
stack.
New Spells: When new sources are introduced, use the
above guidelines to evaluate whether to include them. For
example, the guiding star spell from the Advanced Player’s
Guide and the deadeye’s lore spell from Ultimate Combat
would be restricted to the ranger’s spell list, as they intrude
into the ranger’s area of expertise.
Changes to Schools of
Magic
The following adjustments are made to specific schools of
magic and spells therein.
Abjuration
All personal protective spells other than illusions (including
mage armor and shield) are specifically designated as
Abjuration spells. Also, all warding spells on a place or object
should be moved to the Abjuration school.
Changes to specific spells are summarized below.
Exorcism: Spells such as dispel evil and banishment can
be used selectively to affect any undead, outsider, or other
spirit possessing (through magic jar, malevolence, etc.) a
body. This either banishes the possessing entity (if applicable)
or expels it from the host (if not). Likewise, dimensional
anchor can be used to trap a possessing spirit in the host’s
body.
Freedom of Movement: Rather than outright immunity,
the spell confers an enhancement bonus to Escape Artist
checks to avoid a grapple or pin equal to +1 per caster level
(maximum +10), as consistent with the general rules
governing “Spells That Supersede Skills and Class Features”
described above.
Warding Spells: Note the cost for active or latent spells, as
noted above.
Conjuration
The school of Conjuration loses the [healing] subschool
(which is moved to the school of Necromancy) and also all
energy/blasting spells (such as acid splash; these are moved
into Evocation instead). It gains blink, ethereal jaunt and
etherealness (all of which move the caster to the ethereal
plane).
Other specific changes are described below.
Thaumaturgy: Summoning and controlling extraplanar
beings (through summon momster, planar binding, etc.) now
requires the Thaumaturgist feat, which sets CR limits in the
manner of the Leadership feat. Without the Thamuaturgy
feat, all summoned extraplanar beings are automatically
uncontrolled.
Summon Monster: In addition to the limits on control,
prepared summon monster spells require you to state the
being(s) summoned as part of the preparation. As something
of a counterbalance, the summon monster lists are expanded
to include almost any extraplanar creature of the appropriate
CR and HD for that spell level, according to the following
table (the maximum CR is a hard cap; creatures with HD
exceeding the typical range should have a maximum CR of 1
lower).
Spell Maximum CR Typical HD Range
Summon monster I ½ 1-2
Summon monster II 1 2-3
Summon monster III 2 2-4
Summon monster IV 4 4-5
Summon monster V 6 6-8
Summon monster VI 8 7-10
Summon monster VII 10 9-12
Summon monster VIII 12 12-14
Summon monster IX 14 14-15
Summon Nature’s Ally: Summon nature’s ally spells do not
require a feat, but do share the preparation limitations of
summon monster spells. However, these limitations can be
waived in a number of cases:
If cast spontaneously using the druid’s or ranger’s mark of
the wild ability, any animal, elemental, fey, plant, or vermin
within the appropriate CR and HD guidelines can be
summoned.
If cast in a specific terrain, you can choose to forego the
prepared summons and instead summon a random
creature (or number of creatures, if using a Heightened
spell) appropriate to that terrain. Doing so prevents any
chance of summoning a porpoise into a desert, for
example.
If cast in a specific terrain that is one of your favored
terrains, you can choose the exact creature type(s).
Plane Shift: The casting time of plane shift is increased to
30 minutes, so that it’s now a ritual, not a combat spell.
Teleport: Teleportation effects can be blocked by a
sufficient thickness of earth or stone, as described under
“Castles and Dungeons,” above.
Divination
Divination spells allowing a saving throw call for Intuition
saves, rather than Will saves (Chapter 1). In addition,
A number of spells within this school have been modified
or removed outright; the rationale for many of these changes
is given under “Spells that Supersede Skills and Class
Features,” above.
Analyze Dweomer: This spell should be entirely
superseded by the use of arcane sight coupled with relevant
Spellcraft checks, and/or greater arcane sight.
Detect Magic: The range of this spell is reduced to Touch.
Lingering magic auras can still be detected, but you must be
in the same space as the former effect. Those wishing to
detect magic at a distance will have to wait and use arcane
sight instead.
Detect Undead: This spell can be used as written, or it can
be set to activate automatically whenever you approach to
within 60 ft. of an undead creature (in this case, the effects
are as if you had cast the spell at that time, but it requires no
action on your part).
Find the Path: Tracking is the ranger’s stock in trade. The
find the path spell is therefore removed from the cleric and
druid spells lists. Bards, with their focus on lore, retain the
spell on their class list.
Read Magic: This cantrip is subsumed by the Linguistics
skill.
Scrying: Scrying effects (including clairvoyance) can be
blocked by a sufficient thickness of earth or stone, as
described under “Castles and Dungeons,” above.
Searching and Trap-Related Spells: In order to preserve
the role of the Spellcraft skill in detecting magical traps,
detect magic now has a range of touch, as noted above. In
addition, the detect secret doors spell is removed from the
wizard’s spell list; the find traps spell is removed from the
cleric’s spell list; and all other search-related spells from
alternative sources—quick search from Complete Adventurer,
spontaneous search from Dragon #325, safe search from the
Book of Eldritch Might 3 (Malhavoc Press), etc.—are removed
from their respective standard spells lists. A multi-classed
rogue/caster with a rogue class level greater than or equal to
twice the level of the spell can add that spell back to the
appropriate list.
Enchantment
Spells causing confusion, feeblemind, hold, slow effects and
so on can be modified to deal attribute penalties or damage,
as described under “Save-or-Lose” spells, above. This change
affects most of the school of Enchantment; specific examples
are provided in Appendix B.
Also note that [Charm] effects, as well as confusion and
insanity, now call for Intuition saves rather than Will saves
(Chapter 1).
Pet Peeve: In game rules, the word “enchantment” applies
strictly to the school of magic, and not in any more general
sense. You cannot “enchant” mindless inanimate objects.
Evocation
All direct-damage “blasting” spells (e.g., acid splash, orb of
force, etc.) are moved into the school of Evocation, especially
those designated as Conjuration in the 3.5 edition rules (as
well as a small number of Transmutation spells).
Appropriate metamagic feats make it possible to construct
almost any direct-damage spell in the core rules from ray of
frost and the appropriate metamagic feats (Appendix B). This
means that an evoker with the ray of frost spell, the versatile
evocation ability, and the Shape Spell metamagic feat
automatically “knows” (can construct) burning hands as well,
without needing to put it in his spellbooks as a separate spell.
Knock: This spell is moved from Transmutation to
Evocation. It either removes an arcane lock or suspends
magical treatment to a door’s hardness and break DC;
otherwise, it deals 1d6 force damage per caster level to the
door (maximum 5d6). It does not automatically bypass
mundane locks, in keeping with the general rules governing
“Spells that Supersede Skills and Class Features,” above.
Magic Missile: In keeping with its very fast casting time in
1st edition, the first-level magic missile spell, unmodified by
any metamagic, can be cast as an immediate action. Doing so
uses up a full attack action on your next turn, however (this is
a specific exception to the rule for immediate actions
described in Chapter 1). Activating a wand of magic missile
still requires a standard action.
Illusion
Note that disbelief saves are now Intuition saves, not Will
saves (Chapter 1).
Invisibility: The bonus to Stealth provided by invisibility is
an enhancement bonus of +1 per caster level (rather than a
flat +20), with a maximum bonus of +5 for invisibility, +10 for
greater invisibility or invisibility sphere, or +20 for mass
invisibility, as consistent with the general rules governing
“Spells That Supersede Skills and Class Features,” above.
Shadow Spells: The effects of shadow magic (shadow
conjuration and shadow evocation spells) have been
somewhat standardized; see “Effects of Heightening Spells,”
in the Metamagic section below.
Simulacrum: Reduce the final HD cap to your caster level
-3, instead of your caster level. Also, simulacra cannot be
made of creatures with the Outsider type. For monsters with
spell-like abilities, use the racial suite rules (see above) and
remove abilities as appropriate for the monster’s reduced HD.
In addition, the rules for racial levels (Chapter 2) suggest that
half-strength monsters do not have all the abilities that the
full-strength versions possess; therefore, the simulacrum of a
sea hag, in addition to having only 2 HD, would either lose
her evil eye ability or have the frequency of use reduced to
1/day. Referee discretion is needed.
Necromancy
Controlling Undead: Controlling undead, such as those
produced by the animate dead or create undead spells,
requires the Command Undead feat (Chapter 5), which
functions much like Leadership for undead. If you do not have
that feat (or exceed your CR cap), undead that you create or
summon are uncontrolled.
Death Spells: These spells now deal Constitution
damage/drain rather than hit point damage, as described
under “Save or Lose Spells,” above. Spells such as ray of
enfeeblement also fall under those rules. Specific examples
are provided in Appendix B.
Healing: The [healing] subschool is moved from
Conjuration back into the school of Necromancy (where it
was in 1st edition). This subschool includes the cure wounds
spells, neutralize poison, remove blindness/deafness, remove
disease, the restoration spells, raise dead and resurrection,
etc. (This change will please the many people inexplicably
clamoring for a “white necromancer” variant.)
In addition, use of a Necromancy [Healing] spell requires a
number of ranks in Heal as a class skill equal to twice the
level of the spell (round up). In other words, only a character
skilled in mundane healing can properly diagnose a problem
and heal it with magic.
Summon Undead: Necromancy variants of the summon
monster spells exist that summon undead of appropriate CR
and HD. Examples include (but are by no means limited to)
the following: summon undead I—human skeleton or 1 HD
zombie; summon undead II—human zombie; summon
undead III—ghoul; summon undead IV—allip, ghast, shadow;
summon undead V—mummy, vampire spawn, wight;
summon undead VI—wraith; summon undead VII—bodak,
spectre; summon undead VIII—mohrg; summon undead IX—
devourer, dread wraith.
Transmutation
Because this school in the core rules covers almost any
effect imaginable, spells in the existing Transmutation school
that could reasonably fit into other schools should be moved
accordingly. For example, the etherealness spell, which
allows travel to the ethereal plane, should be moved to the
Conjuration school; the pyrotechnics spell, which creates a
burst of fireworks, should be moved to the Evocation school.
Changes to specific Transmutation spells are described
below.
Haste: Because of the substantial boosts to martial
prowess already inherent in these house rules, haste now
specifically affects only one target. The Mass Effect spell
metamagic feat (q.v.) can be added to create a 7th level mass
haste spell.
Mage Hand: No longer targets only non-magical items, so
that this cantrip cannot do double duty as a ranged detect
magic as well.
Spells Providing Bonuses to Skill Checks: As noted
under “Spells that Supersede Skills and Class Features,”
above.
Universal
Permanency: The permanency spell is removed in favor of
the Permanent Spell feat (see below).
Wish: Pronouncing a wish is psychically taxing, and
represents a permanent drain on the speaker’s numen. For a
full wish or miracle, the wish costs 12,500 numen (as if
binding an item to you, but it cannot be unbound; see Chapter
6). A limited wish costs 750 numen. Dominating, forcing, or
otherwise coercing another creature into pronouncing the
wish for you does not transfer the cost to that creature. If the
wish would put you over your maximum numen, it fails or
backfires horribly. If you attempt to wish that subsequent
wishes not carry this cost, the initial wish costs 12,500
numen and also fails outright.
It is recommended that the wish spell have the same
effects as listed in the Pathfinder Core Rulebook, with the
following additional use and exceptions:
Create Item: A wish can be used to create any item,
mundane or magical. However, you must immediately
spend enough additional numen to purchase the item. If
this causes you to exceed maximum, the item remains
only so long as you are actively pursuing the current
adventure.
Inherent Bonuses to Attribute Scores: Attribute scores are
not “shuffled,” as in the core rules. Rather, use of a wish to
this end costs additional numen as if purchasing an
inherent attribute score manual, tome, etc. of the
appropriate bonus (this essentially falls under the create
item use described above).

Metamagic
A great number of additional metamagic feats, beyond
those in the core rules, are presented in Appendix A. This is
done in hopes of making the “building blocks” of existing
higher-level spells more transparent. Ideally, most of the
higher-level spells in the core rules with obvious effects can
be treated simply as lower-level spells with appropriate
metamagic feats added to them. Specific examples are
provided in Appendix B.
In addition, metamagic feats used in tandem, and the
Heighten Spell feat in general, work somewhat differently, as
outlined below.
Applying Metamagic
Metamagic can be applied normally, as in the core rules.
However, there are a few variations and additional options in
these house rules, as described below.
Metamagic Synergy: Each additional metamagic feat after
the 1st applied to a spell has its level cost decreased by 1 (to a
minimum of +1). This mechanism, in most cases, allows the
final modified spell level to match that in the core rules.
Examples:
A mass cure light wounds spell is simply a 1st level cure
light wounds spell, with the Reach Spell (+1 spell level),
Shape Spell (ray to burst: +3 -1 = +2 levels), and Selective
Spell (+1 level) feats applied, for a final level of 1+1+2+1 =
5th.
By this math, mass heal works out to be a 10th level spell
(6+1+2+1), but as a specific exception is retained at 9th
level in accordance with the core rules.
Pre-Modified Spells: Wizards and archivists might find
pre-modified spells that can be scribed into their spellbooks
at the appropriate (modified) spell level; this does not require
the caster to know the metamagic feat in question. Likewise,
a spontaneous caster might gain a spell pre-modified with
metamagic directly as a spell known: for example, an
incarnate could simply learn maximized searing light as a 6th
level spell (with the normal casting time), rather than
selecting searing light as a 3rd level spell and also taking the
Maximize Spell feat. In this case, neither the unmodified
spell nor the metamagic feat (for use on other spells) is
available to the caster.
Innate Metamagic: Another option is to select the Innate
Metamagic feat (q.v.) and apply it to a spell instead of a spell-
like ability, allowing in essence a Sudden Metamagic feat
(q.q.v.) usable only with that particular spell, but usable either
3/day (instead of 1/day), or at will with a sufficiently high
number of ranks in Concentration. Although far superior to
the above option in terms of spell level required, this option
requires the expenditure of a feat.
Hero Points and Metamagic Feats: You can use action
points/hero points to spontaneously apply any metamagic feat
you know without increasing the casting time and without
increasing the spell level. For each level by which the spell
level would normally be increased, this costs 1 hero point.
Heightened Spells
So the Warlock smiled and began moving his fingers in an
intricate pattern. Primary colors streamed up from between
the Warlock’s fingers, roiled and expanded beneath the
beamed roof. Heads turned at other tables. Then the
clattering of table knives stopped. Then came sounds of
delight and appreciative finger fingersnapping, for a spell the
Warlock had last used to blind an enemy army.
―Larry Niven, The Magic Goes Away (1978)
Heighten Spell, a separate feat in the Core rules, has been
rolled into the Spellcraft skill. In addition, the effects of the
Heighten Spell feat (see below) are automatically subsumed
into the costs of any other metamagic feats applied.
For example, a Maximized fireball is automatically treated
as a 6th level spell, with the correspondingly higher save DC,
dispel DC, and damage cap (in this case, 15d6 rather than
10d6, for a total damage of 90 hp). Heighten Spell can also be
applied by itself, without other metamagic feats; this requires
a Spellcraft check (DC 20 + final level of the spell).
Spells automatically heightened by the addition of
metamagic feats always require a material or focus
component unless the Eschew Materials feat (+1 spell level,
for this purpose) is added to the chain of metamagic feats.
Effects of Heightening Spells
The following effects are not meant to be all-inclusive, but
rather to provide enough examples to adjudicate other
possibilities as well.
Bonuses (Scaling): Spells providing scaling bonuses have
a bonus cap based on the final (modified) level of the spell. In
general, 1st level spells provide a maximum bonus of +5 to
one person. Higher-level spells can provide higher bonuses,
according to the table below.
Spell Level Single Target Multiple Targets
0 +2 —
1 +5 +2
2 +7 +5
3 +10 +7
4 +12 +10
5 +15 +12
6 +17 +15
7 +20 +17
8 +22 +20
9 +25 +22
For example, invisibility no longer provides a flat +20
bonus to Stealth, but rather a +1 enhancement bonus per
caster level, maximum +5 (per the table). A Heightened
invisibility spell would allow a higher bonus cap; for example,
a 7th level heightened invisibility cast by a 20th level caster
would provide a +20 enhancement bonus to the target’s
Stealth checks. Note that bonuses that scale by multiples of
levels (e.g., from shield of faith or greater magic weapon)
generally do not get high enough for this to be an issue.
 Bonuses (Static): Spells that provide a static bonus within Spell Level Arcane Spells: Divine Spells:
the above guidelines (such as bull’s strength or mage armor) Single Target Multiple Targets
have the bonus increased by +1 per level that the spell is
Heightened. For example, a black tentacles spell normally has 0 1d6 —
a static +4 Strength bonus to the tentacles; this would 1 5d6 5d6
increase that bonus by +1 per level it is Heightened. Infernal
healingISWG and vigorCD become a 1st level spell granting 2 10d6 5d6
fast healing 1 for 1 minute; the fast healing increases by 1 per 3 10d6 10d6
spell level by which the spell is Heightened. 4 15d6 10d6
Cure Spells: Cure moderate wounds, cure serious 5 15d6 15d6
wounds, and cure critical wounds are considered cure light 6 20d6 15d6
wounds spells that have been Heightened by +1, +2, or +3
spell levels, respectively. The same applies to inflict moderate 7 20d6 20d6
wounds, etc. This means that, for spontaneous casters, 8 25d6 20d6
anyone knowing cure light wounds and who has sufficient
ranks in Spellcraft also “knows” the other three spells as well, 9 25d6 25d6
plus 5th – 8th level versions healing a base 5d8 through 9d8
damage (with the level bonus cap increasing according to the Hit Dice Affected: Spells that affect only a set number of
scaling bonus table above, so that a cure wounds spell Hit Dice (e.g., sleep), add +2 HD per level the spell is
Heightened to 7th level cures 7d8 +1/level (maximum +20) Heightened.
damage. Shadow Spells: Shadow conjuration and shadow
Darkness Spells: The number of “steps” by which the light evocation (etc.) can be treated as single spells that can be
level is dimmed depends on the final level of the spell. For Heighted for greater effects. Start with the following base
reference, light levels are as follows: bright light (full spells:
sunlight); normal light (forest during the day, cloudy day, Lesser shadow conjuration: 2nd level illusion (shadow)
torchlight); dim light (moonlight, dense forest, storm), spell; mimics conjurations of 1st level or lower; creatures
darkness (cavern or moonless light); supernatural darkness are 10% real if disbelieved.
(as darkness, but darkvision does not penetrate).
Lesser shadow evocation: 3rd level illusion (shadow) spell;
Final Spell Level Light Reduced By
mimics evocations of 2nd level or lower; 10% damage or
0 – 2nd 1 step (e.g., bright to normal) effects if disbelieved.
3rd – 4th 2 steps (e.g., bright to dim)
5th – 6th 3 steps (e.g., bright to darkness)
For each level that one of the above spells is Heightened,
add +1 to the maximum spell level it can mimic and +10% to
7th + 4 steps (supernatural darkness) the reality of the effects when disbelieved. A greater shadow
conjuration (7th level spell; mimics 6th level; 60% real if
Lowering the light level in a 20-ft. radius by 1 step for 1 disbelieved) is therefore simply a lesser shadow conjuration
round per level should be a zero-level spell (gloom). Other spell that has been Heightened to 7th level.
darkness spells are then made using metamagic (see below): Summoned Monsters: A Heightened summon monster or
Darkness: Gloom (0 level) + Extend Spell (1 round to summon nature’s ally spell can summon additional creatures
minute/level; +2 levels) = 2nd level spell lowering light by 2 of the same type, according to the following table (this
steps. supersedes the core rules convention of using a higher-level
base spell).
Deeper darkness: Gloom (0 level) + Extend Spell (1 round Heightened By Number of
to 10 min./level; +3 levels) + Widen Spell (20’r. to 60’r.; +1
level) = 4th level; light level reduced by 2 steps. (Level Increase) Creatures

Direct-Damage Evocations: Damage caps for direct- +0 1

damage spells are increased based on the new spell level. +1 1d3
Standard damage caps are per the 3.0 edition rules, per the +2 1d4+1
table below. For example, the burning hands spell deals 1 die
of fire damage per caster level (maximum 5 dice) in a 15-ft. +3 2d4+1
cone. Reset the damage from fire to cold. Apply the Widen +4 3d6
Spell feat (see below) to increase the area to a 60-ft. cone (+4
spell levels). The new spell is a 5th level spell that deals 1d6 +5 4d8
cold damage per caster level (maximum 15d6, due to the new +6 10d6
damage cap for the new spell level)—in other words, a cone of
cold spell as written in the core rules.

Appendix A: Metamagic
Feats
Unless otherwise noted, all [Metamagic] feats in this section
are also assumed to have the [Arcane] descriptor, in addition
to any others listed.
Prerequisites: In addition to the prerequisites listed,
learning a metamagic feat requires a number of ranks in
Spellcraft equal to 2 x the Metamagic Cost (see below).
Metamagic Cost: The “Metamagic Cost” entry is the
increase in spell level that the feat applies to the base spell
(e.g., a Metamagic Cost of “+1 level” means that the feat takes
up a spell slot 1 level higher than the base spell). In many
cases, this can be scaled in order to increase the effects.
Special: These feats are presented with the assumption
that the optional rules for “save-or-lose” spells (see above)
have not been fully assimilated. If those rules are being used,
feats such as Bewitching Spell are subsumed into Cascade
Spell, using the appropriate attribute-damage or attribute
penalty spell(s).
Ascendant Spell [Metamagic]
Benefit: An ascendant spell uses the mythic effects of that
spell (see Paizo’s Mythic Adventures). You can't use the
augmented version of the mythic spell or use spells effects
that require you to expend uses of mythic power.
Metamagic Cost: +5 levels.
Bane Spell [Metamagic]
Benefit: A spell that deals direct damage, when modified by
this feat, deals additional damage to one or more types of
creatures (examples from the core rules include water
elementals and plant creatures; fungi, molds, slimes, oozes,
and undead; etc.). Damage against the selected creatures is
increased by one die type (e.g., 20d6 becomes 20d8 damage).
Metamagic Cost: +1 level.
Special: This is similar to the Bane Magic feat in Chapter
5, but with a spell level adjustment because the creature type
can be changed by the user.
Bewitching Spell [Metamagic]
Prerequisite: Enchantment is not a barred school.
Benefit: A spell modified by this feat requires one affected
creature (your choice) to succeed at a Will save at the spell's
save DC (or what would be the spell's save DC if the spell
doesn't normally have one) each time it is affected by the
spell. Failure indicates the damaged creature is confused for
1 round.
Metamagic Cost: +2 levels.
+3 levels: The duration of the confusion is 1 round per
final level of the spell.
+5 levels: All those targeted or within the area must save
or be affected for 1 round per rank in Concentration you
possess.
Source: Used with the Innate Metamagic feat and applied
to a sorcerer’s eldritch blast, this feat stands in for the
Warlock’s bewitching blast invocation from Complete Arcane.
Blast Spell [Metamagic]
Prerequisites: Able to cast spells spontaneously, eldritch
blast class feature or equivalent offensive spell-like reserve
ability (e.g., the Fiery Burst reserve feat, the cleric’s lightning
arc Air domain power, etc.).
Benefit: Choose one spell you know. By expending a spell
slot of the appropriate level, you can apply that spell to your
eldritch blast (or other offensive spell-like ability) as if using
the Innate Metamagic feat (q.v.).
If the eldritch blast (or other attack ability) is a normal ray,
only the creature struck is affected, even if the spell normally
affects multiple targets or an area. Only if the eldritch blast
itself is modified to affect an area (as with the Shape Spell
feat) or multiple targets (as with the Ray Splitting feat) can a
spell affecting an area or multiple targets do so. Likewise, if
the spell normally affects only a single target, but the eldritch
blast or other ability affects multiple targets or an area, then
the spell applies to only one of the targets within the area of
effect.
Metamagic Cost: The metamagic cost (for determining
whether it can be applied, uses per day, etc.) is equal to the
level of the spell, so that applying a 2nd level daze monster
spell to your eldritch blast would require a minimum caster
level of 2 x (1+2) = 6th level for 3/day use, or 12th level for use
at will.
Source: This ability supersedes the Eldritch Theurge’s
spellblast and greatreach blast prestige class features, from
Complete Mage.
Blinding Spell [Metamagic]
Your spells have the potential to blind your opponents.
Benefit: A spell modified by this feat requires a creature to
succeed at a Will save at the spell's save DC (or what would
be the spell's save DC if the spell doesn't normally have one)
each time it is affected by the spell. Failure indicates the
damaged creature is blinded for 1 round. Success indicates
the creature is not blinded, but it is dazzled for 1 round.
Metamagic Cost: +1 level.
+2 levels: The duration increases to 1 round per final level
of the spell.
+3 levels: The duration becomes Permanent (Cf. Cascade
Spell: blindness).
Source: This feat duplicates the Radiant Spell feat from
Dragon magazine, issue 314, but without that feat’s
prerequisites. It also supersedes the Flaring Spell feat from
Ultimate Magic. Used with the Innate Metamagic feat and
applied to a sorcerer’s eldritch blast, this feat stands in for the
Warlock’s beshadowed blast invocation from Complete
Arcane.

Bouncing Spell [Metamagic]
You can direct a failed spell against a different target.
Benefit: Whenever a bouncing spell targeting a single
creature has no effect on its intended target (whether due to
spell resistance or a successful saving throw) you may, as a
swift action, redirect it to target another eligible creature
within range. The redirected spell behaves in all ways as if its
new target were the original target for the spell. Spells that
affect a target in any way (including a lesser effect from a
successful saving throw) may not be redirected in this
manner.
Metamagic Cost: +1 level.
Source: Advanced Players Guide.
Cascade Spell [Metamagic]
Benefit: You can prepare two spells as a single cascade spell.
The duration of the cascade spells is equal to the shorter
duration of the two spells. The casting time equal to the
longer of the two casting times.
Metamagic Cost: A cascade spell uses up a spell slot one
level higher than the total level of both spells in the cascade.
Special: Applying subsequent metamagic feats to a
cascade spell does not automatically heighten both
component spells; choose one or the other.
Source: Feats of Metamagic (Super Genius Games), and
suggested by the magical research rules in the 1st edition
Dungeon Masters Guide.
Coercive Spell [Metamagic]
Living foes damaged by your spell become more pliable and
vulnerable to your commands.
Prerequisite: Enchantment is not a barred school.
Benefit: You can alter a spell that deals damage to foes so
that any living creature dealt damage by the spell takes a –2
penalty on Intuition and Will saves for 1 round per level of the
spell modified. Penalties from multiple coercive spells do not
stack.
Metamagic Cost: +1 level. For each additional +1 spell
level increase, increase the penalty to saves by an additional
-1.
Source: Drow of the Underdark.
Communal Spell [Metamagic]
Benefit: The effects of a communal spell can be applied to
any willing creatures/objects touched. However, the total
duration is divided among the recipients as you see fit, in
increments equal to the duration’s time units (rounds,
minutes, hours, etc.). Harmful spells cannot be modified
using this feat.
Metamagic Cost: +1 level.
Source: Ultimate Combat.
Metamagic Cost: +3 levels (Cf.
(Cf. Cascade Spell
Spell feat
feat ++ daze
Metamagic
monster spell).Cost: +3 levels
spell).
Concentration
monster Spell Cascade
[Metamagic] daze
Concentration Spell [Metamagic]
With concentration, you can maintain spells beyond their
normal durations.
Benefit: The duration of a Concentration Spell is equal to
the length of time you concentrate, plus the spell’s normal
duration thereafter. Concentrating to maintain a spell is a
standard action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity.
Anything that could break your concentration when casting a
spell can also break your concentration while you're
maintaining one, causing the spell to end. Spells with a
duration of instantaneous cannot be made into concentration
spells unless the Lingering Spell or Repeat Spell feat is also
applied (this makes the final duration concentration +1
round).
Metamagic Cost: +1 level.
Conjuration, Cloudy [Metamagic]
Prerequisite: Conjuration is not a barred school.
Benefit: When you cast a cloudy conjuration spell, you can
choose to have a 5-foot-radius cloud of sickening smoke
manifest. The cloud can appear in your space, adjacent to
you, or in the space of or adjacent to your target (if any). The
cloud lasts for 1 round. Any living creature is sickened while
inside it (but not after exiting). The cloud in all other ways
acts like a small area of the fog cloud spell. Creatures
immune to poison are immune to the sickening effect. The
cloud appears in conjunction with the spell taking effect (not
before or after). Any creature you call or summon with the
spell is immune to the sickening effect of the cloud.
Metamagic Cost: +1 level. If you are a Conjurer wizard
specialist (Chapter 3), the cost is +0.
Source: Complete Mage.
Creature-Specific Spell
[Metamagic]
Prerequisite: Game designer (only)—not for PCs.
Benefit: A creature-specific spell is a baneful spell that
affects only one creature type; others are immune. Examples
include humanoids, plants, animals, aberrations and chaotic
evil outsiders, creatures with the [aquatic] or [water] subtype,
etc. Spells that already affect specific creature types (e.g.,
hold person) are assumed to already have this feat
incorporated into them; it cannot be applied again.
Metamagic Cost: -2 levels.
Special: This “feat” is included here only in order to show
the theoretical construction of such spells as daze person. It
is not intended for general use as a feat, and should not be
allowed as such.
Dazing Spell [Metamagic]
Prerequisite: Enchantment is not a barred school.
Benefit: Creatures taking damage from a Dazing spell are
also dazed for 1 round. A dazing spell affects creatures with
HD totals less than or equal to 3 + the final level of the spell.
Any creature with more Hit Dice than that is unaffected. If the
spell allows a saving throw, a successful save negates the
daze effect. If the spell does not allow a save, the target can
attempt a Will save (DC 10 + level of the spell + your
Charisma modifier) to negate the daze effect.
Metamagic
Metamagic Cost: +3 levels (Cf. Cascade Spell feat + daze
monster
monster spell).Cost: +3 levels (Cf. Cascade Spell feat + daze
spell).
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Deafening Spell [Metamagic]
You can modify a spell so it deafens targets.
Benefit: You can alter a spell that deals damage to foes so
that any living creature dealt damage by the spell is also
deafened for 1 round per level of the spell. The effects from
multiple deafening spells do not stack, but do reset the
duration.
Metamagic Cost: +1 level. If you increase the cost to +3
levels, the deafness is permanent (Cf. Cascade Spell:
deafness).
Source: Drow of the Underdark. This feat also supersedes
the Thundering Spell feat from the Pathfinder Advanced
Player’s Guide. Applying this to an electrical-based eldritch
blast, via the Innate Metamagic feat, allows you to simulate
the deafness function of the Djinni Spirit feat from Ultimate
Combat.
Delay Spell [Metamagic]
You can cast spells that take effect after a short delay of your
choosing.
Prerequisite: Any metamagic feat.
Benefit: When casting a Delayed spell, you set a delay of 1
to 5 rounds before it takes effect. The delay time cannot be
changed once set; the spell activates just before your turn on
the round you designate. Only area, personal, and touch
spells can be affected by this feat. Any decisions you would
make about the spell (including attack rolls, designating
targets, or determining or shaping an area) are decided when
the spell is cast, with any of its effects (including damage and
saving throws) decided when the spell triggers. If conditions
change during the delay period in ways that would make the
spell impossible to cast (the target you designate moves
beyond the spell's range, for example), the spell fails. During
the delay period, a delayed spell can be dispelled normally,
and it can be detected in the area or on the target (as
applicable).
Metamagic Cost: +3 levels.
Source: Complete Arcane.
Disguise Spell [Metamagic]
Prerequisites: Bluff and Sleight of Hand 6 ranks; or Bardic
inspiration and Perform (music) or Linguistics 6 ranks;
Illusion is not a barred school.
Benefit: You have mastered the art of casting spells
unobtrusively, mingling verbal and somatic components into
rhythm and performance (or some other activity) so that
others rarely catch you in the act of casting a spell. Like a
silent, stilled spell, a disguised spell can’t be identified
through Spellcraft. An observer must succeed at a Perception
check (opposed by a Bluff or Sleight of Hand check on your
part) to even be aware that you are initiating some sort of
magical effect; your performance or recitation is obvious to
everyone in the vicinity, but the fact that you are casting a
spell isn’t. Unless the spell visibly emanates from you or
observers have some other means of determining its source,
they don’t know where the effect came from.
Metamagic Cost: +1 level.
Synergy: If you have the bardic inspiration ability and
maintain a bardic inspiration for 2 rounds prior to the casting
of the spell, and during the casting round, then the Disguised
spell does not use a higher-level slot.
Source: 3.5 edition System Reference Document, “Divine
Feats,” and also the Sandman’s “dramatic subtext” variant
class feature, from the Pathfinder Advanced Player’s Guide.
Disruptive Spell [Metamagic]
Your magical energies cling to enemies, interfering with their
spellcasting.
Prerequisite: Abjuration is not a barred school.
Benefit: For one round after being affected by a disruptive
spell, targets affected by a disruptive spell must make
concentration checks when using spells or spell-like abilities,
even if they would not normally need to do so. In addition,
during that time, the DC for all Concentration checks made
by an affected target is increased by the final level of the
disruptive spell. Targets that avoid the base spell’s effects
avoid this feat’s effect as well.
Metamagic Cost: +1 level.
Source: Advanced Player’s Guide.
Drifting Spell [Metamagic]
Your spell effects move slowly away from you; with
concentration, you can control their movement.
Benefit: This feat can be applied only to a spell with a
definite area of effect and a duration measured in rounds. A
Drifting spell moves away from you at 30 feet per round (10
ft. if the effect is fog-like). Figure out the area each round
based on its new point of origin. Any portion of the area that
would extend beyond your maximum range dissipates
harmlessly, reducing the remaining area thereafter.
By concentrating, you can make the area move in any
direction.
Metamagic Cost: +2 levels.
Source: Suggested by the behavior of cloudkill, incendiary
cloud, rainbow pattern, etc.
Empower Spell [Metamagic]
You can increase the power of your spells, causing them to
deal more damage.
Benefit: All variable, numeric effects of an empowered
spell are increased by one-half, so an Empowered fireball
from a 10th level caster deals 10d6 x 1.5 damage. Range,
duration, and other level- dependent parameters are not
increased, but level-based bonuses and effects expressed in
numbers of dice are. For example, an Empowered cure light
wounds from a 5th level caster heals (1d8+5) x 1.5 damage,
not (1d8 x 1.5) + 5. Spells without numerically-driven effects
are not affected.
Metamagic Cost: +2 levels. These levels do not themselves
count towards increasing the spell’s dice-based damage cap.
For example, an Empowered fireball cast by a 15th level
caster deals (10d6) x 1.5 damage, which is very nearly
equivalent to 15d6 damage; it does not deal (15d6) x 1.5
damage.

Entangling Spell [Metamagic]
Your spell releases residual eldritch power that entangles
your enemies.
Benefit: After an entangling spell is cast, lingering tendrils
of raw energy persist; creatures affected by the spell are also
entangled for 1 round.
Metamagic Cost: +1 level. If you increase the cost to +2
levels, the entanglement lasts as long as the original spell
lasts (1 round per level of the spell minimum (Cf. Cascade
Spell: entangle) +1 round; the spell is considered to be in
effect during this time and can be dispelled normally, ending
the entangling effect.
Source: Champions of Ruin. This feat also supersedes the
Rime Spell feat from Ultimate Magic and the Shadow Grasp
spell from Inner Sea Magic.
Evocation, Burning [Metamagic,
Fire]
Prerequisite: Evocation is not a barred school.
Benefit: This metamagic feat can be applied only to a spell
that has the [fire] descriptor. Creatures and flammable
objects damaged by a burning evocation spell must succeed
at Reflex saves (DC equal to the spell DC) or catch on fire,
taking an additional 1d6 fire damage each round until the
save is made or the flames are extinguished. A burning
creature can attempt a new save each round; dropping and
rolling on the ground as a move action grants a +4
circumstance bonus on this save.
Metamagic Cost: +1 level. You can increase the burn
damage by using progressively higher-level spell slots: +2
levels for 2d6/round; +3 levels for 1d6 +1d6 per 2 levels of the
final spell level (e.g., a burning fireball, cast as a 6th level spell,
would deal 4d6 burn damage per round).
Source: Used with the Innate Metamagic feat and applied
to a sorcerer’s eldritch blast, this feat stands in for the
Warlock’s brimstone blast invocation from Complete Arcane.
Applied to a fire-based eldritch blast and channeled into
unarmed attacks, it also subsumes the Efreeti Stance feat
from Ultimate Combat.
Evocation, Conductive [Metamagic,
Electricity]
Prerequisite: Evocation is not a barred school.
Benefit: This metamagic feat can be applied only to spells
that have the [electricity] descriptor. Against metal-armored
creatures, creatures holding metal weapons/objects, or
creatures that are actually made of metal (such as iron
golems), conductive spells gain a +4 circumstance bonus to
attack rolls (for spells requiring attack rolls) and/or a +4
circumstance bonus to the save DC (for those allowing a
saving throw).
Metamagic Cost: +1 level.
Evocation, Energy Admixture
[Metamagic]
You have learned to marry the power of two different energy
types.
Prerequisite: Spellcraft 1 rank (see table below);
Evocation is not a barred school.
Benefit: When you cast a spell that deals energy damage,
you can cause half of the damage inflicted to correspond to a
different energy type, according to the table below. The spell’s
descriptor changes to include both energy types or
descriptors―for example, a flame strike that deals half holy
damage is an evocation [fire, good] spell.
Metamagic Cost: As shown in the table below.
Ranks in Metamagic
Damage Type Spellcraft Cost
Acid, cold, electricity, fire 1 +0
Bludgeoning, piercing, 6 +0
slashing
Sonic, negative energy 11 +1
Holy, unholy 11 +2
Force 16 +2
This use requires ranks in Knowledge (the planes) rather
than Spellcraft. You can instead substitute a good bloodline
or allegiance (for holy damage) or an evil bloodline or
allegiance (for unholy damage).
Source: This feat supersedes the following feats: Born of
Three Thunders (Complete Arcane), Corrupt Spell (Complete
Divine), Lord of the Uttercold (Complete Arcane), Sacred
Spell (3.5 edition System Reference Document, “Divine
Feats”); and also the Daggerspell Mage’s invocation of the
knife prestige class feature (Complete Adventurer).
Evocation, Flash Frost [Metamagic,
Cold]
Your spells that use cold and ice to damage your foes leave
behind a thin layer of slippery frost.
Prerequisite: Evocation is not a barred school.
Benefit: This metamagic feat can be applied only to spells
that have the [cold] descriptor and that affect an area. When
you cast such a spell, the area of the spell is covered with a
slippery layer of ice for 1 round. Anyone attempting to move
through this icy area moves at half speed and must succeed
at an Acrobatics check (DC as the spell’s DC) or fall prone.
Fighting within the area also requires a check. A creature
that runs or charges through the area takes a -10 penalty to
the saving throw.
Metamagic Cost: +1 level. If you increase the cost to +2
levels, The slippery ice to lasts 1 round per caster level and
has the same effect as a grease spell (Cf. Cascade Spell feat),
but is non-flammable.
Source: Players Handbook II.
Evocation, Inexorable [Metamagic]
Prerequisite: Spellcraft 2 ranks per final level of the spell to
be affected; Evocation is not a barred school.
Benefit: This feat can be applied only to spells that deal hit
point damage. An inexorable evocation spell does not allow a
saving throw for half damage.
Metamagic Cost: +4 levels. Unlike most metamagic spell
level increases, these levels do not also count towards
Heightening the base spell.

Evocation, Irresistible [Metamagic]
Prerequisite: Evocation is not a barred school.
Benefit: This feat can be applied only to spells that deal hit
point damage. An irresistible evocation spell does not allow
spell resistance.
Metamagic Cost: +3 levels.
Evocation, Numbing Cold
[Metamagic]
Prerequisite: Evocation is not a barred school.
Benefit: You can alter a spell with the [cold] subtype so
that any living creature that is dealt cold damage by the spell
also takes a –4 penalty to Dexterity for 1 minute.
Metamagic Cost: +1 level. You can increase the cost to +2
spell levels (not reduced when stacking metamagic feats) in
order to change the penalty to Dexterity to 1d4 Dexterity
damage instead (save for half); this is equivalent to applying
the Cascade Spell feat (q.v.) with a lesser shivering touch spell
(Frostburn).
Source: This feat, modeled after the Fell Weaken feat from
Libris Mortis, can be also combined with the Innate
Metamagic feat (q.v.) to supersede the Warlock’s hellrime
blast invocation.
Evocation, Piercing Cold
[Metamagic, Cold]
Your cold spells are so cold that they can damage creatures
normally resistant or immune to cold.
Prerequisite: Evoker, boreal (or other cold-dominant)
bloodline, Frost mystery, or Winter domain.
Benefit: Your spells with the [cold] descriptor are so
horribly cold that they are capable of damaging creatures
normally unharmed by or resistant to cold. Piercing cold
spells completely ignore any resistance to cold a creature
possesses, bypassing this resistance and dealing damage to
the target as if it did not possess any resistance to cold at all.
They are still entitled to whatever other defenses the attack
allows (such as saving throws and spell resistance).
Creatures normally immune to cold can be damaged by
piercing cold spells as well; piercing cold spells deal half
damage to these creatures (or one-quarter on a successful
saving throw). Creatures with the [fire] subtype who are
damaged by a piercing cold spell take double normal damage
instead of the usual +50%.
Metamagic Cost: +1 level.
Source: Frostburn.
Evocation, Searing [Metamagic,
Fire]
Your fire spells are so hot that they can damage creatures
that normally have resistance or immunity to fire.
Prerequisite: Evoker, elemental fire esoteric branch,
elemental fire (or other fire-dominant) bloodline, flame
mystery, or Fire domain.
Benefit: This feat can be applied only to spells with the
[fire] descriptor. A searing spell is so hot that it ignores the
resistance to fire of creatures, and creatures with immunity
to fire still take half damage. Creatures with the [cold]
subtype take double damage from a searing spell.
Creatures affected by a searing spell are still entitled to
whatever saving throw the spell normally allows.
Metamagic Cost: +1 level.
Source: Sandstorm.
Evocation, Versatile [Metamagic]
You can alter the damage type of the spell in question.
Prerequisite: Evocation is not a barred school.
Benefit: Choose a damage type from the table below.
When you prepare or spontaneously cast a damage-dealing
spell, you can apply this feat in order to change the damage
type from the original type to the type you selected.
Metamagic Cost: Per the following table.
Damage Type Metamagic Cost
Acid, cold, electricity, fire +0
Sonic, negative energy +1
Force +2
Special: An evoker (Chapter 3) can use this effect without
any increase in spell level.
Evocation, Vitriolic [Metamagic,
Acid]
Your acid spells continue to deal damage after the initial
effects.
Prerequisite: Evocation is not a barred school.
Benefit: This metamagic feat can be applied only to a spell
that has the [acid] descriptor, or that create a lingering fog.
Any creature taking damage from a vitriolic spell continues to
take 1d6 acid damage per round after the first, for a number
of additional rounds equal to one-third of your caster level
(maximum 6 addition rounds or until the acid is neutralized,
whichever comes first).
Metamagic Cost: +1 level. For each additional spell level
increase, increase the continuing acid damage by 1d6 per
round (so that a Vitriolic Spell with a metamagic cost of +3
spell levels deals 3d6 acid per round until neutralized or the
duration ends.
Source: This feat allows the construction of a number of
spells, as shown in Appendix B. In conjunction with the
Innate Metamagic feat and applied to a sorcerer’s eldritch
blast, this feat supersedes the Warlock’s vitriolic blast
invocation from Complete Arcane.
Explosive Spell [Metamagic]
You can cast spells that blast creatures back out of the area.
Prerequisite: Evocation is not a barred school.
Benefit: On a failed Reflex save, an explosive spell ejects
any creature caught its area, sending it to a location outside
the nearest edge of that area and dealing additional damage.
For example, all creatures in the area of an explosive fireball
that fail their saving throws not only take full damage but are
pushed to the closest square outside the perimeter of the
spell's 20-foot-radius spread. Likewise, an explosive lightning
bolt moves targets that fail their saves to outside the area
defined by the squares the bolt's line passes through (any
creature struck dead-on, determined by a ranged touch
attack, is pushed the full length of the line).
Any creature moved in this manner also takes an additional
1d6 points of damage per 10 feet moved (no additional
damage if moved less than 10 feet by the effect; maximum
10d6 if moved 100 ft. or more). If some obstacle prevents a
blasted creature from being moved to the edge of the effect,
the creature is stopped and takes 1d6 points of damage from
striking the barrier (in addition to any damage taken from the
distance moved before then). In any event, this movement
does not provoke attacks of opportunity. Explosive Spell can
be applied only to spells that allow Reflex saves and affect an
area (a cone, cylinder, line, or burst).
Metamagic Cost: +2 levels.
Source: Complete Arcane.
Extend Spell [Metamagic]
You can make your spells last longer than normal.
Benefit: An Extended spell lasts twice as long as normal. A
spell with a duration of concentration, instantaneous, or
permanent is not affected by this feat.
Metamagic Cost: +1 level. By using a higher level spell
slot, you can extend the duration further, as follows:
New Duration Original Duration:
1 rd.
1 rd./level +2
1 min./level +3
10 min./level +4
1 hour/level +6
Fell Draining [Metamagic]
Living foes damaged by your spell also gain a negative level.
Prerequisite: Necromancy is not a barred school.
Benefit: You can alter a spell that deals damage to foes so
that any living creature that is dealt damage also gains a
negative level. If the subject has at least as many negative
levels as Hit Dice, it dies. Assuming the subject survives, the
negative level disappears (without requiring a Fortitude save)
after a number of hours equal to your caster level (maximum
15).
Metamagic Cost: +2 levels.
+3 levels: A Fortitude save is needed after 24 hours in
order to remove the negative level.
+5 levels: The effect increases to 1d4 negative levels (as
Cascade Spell: enervation).
Source: Libris Mortis. Used with the Innate Metamagic
feat and applied to a sorcerer’s eldritch blast, it stands in for
the Warlock’s utterdark blast invocation, from Complete
Arcane.
Fell Affliction [Metamagic]
Attribute damage from your spells becomes attribute drain.
Prerequisite: Necromancy is not a barred school.
Benefit: Attribute damage dealt by a Fell Affliction spell
becomes attribute drain instead. This feat as no effect on
spells that deal attribute penalties, rather than damage.
Metamagic Cost: For every 1d4 of attribute damage dealt,
a fell affliction spell uses up a spell slot one level higher than
the spell's actual level. For example, a spell dealing 3d4
Dexterity damage can be made into a Fell Affliction spell by
using a spell slot 3 levels higher than the spell’s actual level.
Special: The spell level cost for this feat cannot be
decreased through metamagic synergy; it is always a number
of levels equal to the number of dice affected.
Fell Frightening [Metamagic]
Living foes damaged by your spell are also shaken.
Prerequisite: Necromancy is not a barred school.
Benefit: You can alter a spell that deals damage to foes so
that any creature subject to fear effects and mind-affecting
spells and abilities that is dealt damage also becomes shaken
for 1 minute.
Metamagic Cost: +1 level.
+3 levels: The condition increases to frightened.
+5 levels: The condition increases to panicked (Cf.
Cascade Spell: fear).
Source: Libris Mortis. Used with the Innate Metamagic
feat and applied to a sorcerer’s eldritch blast, it stands in for
the Warlock’s frightful blast invocation, from Complete
Arcane.
Fell Nausea [Metamagic]
Prerequisite: Necromancy is not a barred school.
Benefit: Choose one creature targeted or within the area of
the spell; that creature becomes nauseated for 1 round. If the
spell allows a saving throw, a successful save reduces the
condition to sickened. If the spell does not allow a save, the
target can make a Fortitude save (DC 10 + level of spell +
your Charisma modifier) to negate the nauseating effect.
Spells that do not inflict damage do not benefit from this feat.
Metamagic Cost: +2 levels.
+3 levels: The duration is 1 round per caster level (Cf.
Cascade Spell: cacophonous call).
+6 levels: All affected creatures are nauseated for 1 round
per level (Cf. Cascade Spell: mass cacophonous call).
Source: This feat supersedes the Slimy Spell feat from
Dragon magazine, issue 358, and also the “acrid fumes”
function of the Energy Gestalt feat from Complete Mage.
Used with the Innate Metamagic feat and applied to a
sorcerer’s eldritch blast, it stands in for the Warlock’s noxious
blast invocation from Complete Arcane.

Fell Weakening [Metamagic]
Prerequisite: Necromancy is not a barred school.
Benefit: You can alter a spell that deals damage to foes so
that any living creature that is dealt damage also takes a –4
penalty to Strength for 1 minute. Strength penalties from
multiple spells enhanced by the Fell Weakening feat do not
stack.
Metamagic Cost: +1 level. You can increase the cost to +2
spell levels in order to change the penalty to Strength into
1d4 Strength damage instead (this is equivalent to using
Cascade Spell: attribute damage, if the optional “save-or-lose”
spells rules are used).
Source: Libris Mortis.
Focused Spell [Metamagic]
When you cast a spell that affects more than one creature,
one opponent finds it more difficult to resist.
Benefit: When casting a spell that affects or targets more
than one creature, you can choose one target or creature
within the spell effect. The spell affects no other creatures,
but that individual target’s saving throw DC to resist the spell
is increased by +2. You must choose which target to focus the
spell on before casting the spell.
Metamagic Cost: +0 levels. If you have at least twice as
many ranks in Spellcraft as the level of the spell to be
modified, this feat can be applied spontaneously, with no
increase in casting time.
Special: Spells that do not require a saving throw to resist
or lessen the spell’s effect do not benefit from this feat.
Source: Pathfinder Advanced Player’s Guide.
Illusion, Dazzling [Metamagic]
Prerequisite: Illusion is not a barred school.
Benefit: Casting a dazzling illusion spell causes the air
about you to be filled with flashing colors that dazzle your
foes. When you cast an illusion spell, you can choose to
render all enemies within 30 feet dazzled for 1 round. Blind
creatures are immune to this effect.
Metamagic Cost: +1 level (+0 levels if you are an
Illusionist).
Special: Per the Introduction chapter, the dazzled
condition now applies partial concealment (20% miss
chance) to everything the afflicted creature sees. In addition,
it applies a -4 penalty to Perception checks.
Source: Complete Mage.
Illusion, Threatening [Metamagic]
You’ve mastered the art of making illusions that force foes to
divide their attention in combat.
Prerequisites: Gnome or Illusionist level 1st.
Benefit: You can use this metamagic feat only on illusion
[figment] spells. A threatening illusion spell causes one target
to believe your illusion is a threat. Choose one 5-foot square
within the area of your illusion; that square threatens the
target as long as it is adjacent. Thus, if you or an ally is on the
opposite side of the target, it is considered flanking.
Normally the area must contain an illusory creature of
Small or Medium size. However, you can select one square of
a larger illusory creature to threaten the target. For example,
an illusory Large ogre takes up four 5-foot squares; you select
one square to be the source of the threat, and its other three
squares do not threaten anyone.
If the target has reason to believe there is an invisible
creature in the vicinity, even an auditory illusion with no
visual elements (such as ghost sound) is sufficient to convince
the target that the selected square contains an actual threat.
As long as you maintain the illusion, you can change the
location of the threatening square as a swift action.
When you threaten a target with this spell, the foe may
make an Intuition save to disbelieve (DC 10 + threatening
spell’s level + your Charisma modifier). If the target makes
this save, the threatening effect of this feat no longer applies
to it.
Metamagic Cost: +3 levels.
Normal: Illusion spells do not threaten squares.
Source: Gnomes of Golarion.
Innate Metamagic [Arcane, Skill]
Prerequisite: Able to use spell-like abilities or to cast spells;
Concentration 2+ ranks (see below).
Benefit: Choose one spell-like ability you possess or one
spell known. You can apply any one metamagic feat of your
choice to that spell or spell-like ability, without increasing the
casting time or the level of the spell. You need not know the
metamagic feat in question. Once the spell-like ability (or
spell) and feat are selected, they cannot be changed.
You must meet a minimum number of ranks in
Concentration to be able to apply this feat to any given spell
or spell-like ability, depending on the spell level and the
normal cost of the metamagic feat. If you meet the minimum
number of ranks, you can apply the metamagic effect
spontaneously up to three times per day (or less, if the ability
is normally usable only once or twice per day). If your number
of ranks is greater than or equal to twice the minimum, then
you can apply the effect at will.
Minimum Ranks for 3/day Metamagic =
2 x (Level of the spell-like ability + level cost to apply the
metamagic feat).
For example, a spell-like ability of scorching ray (a 2nd level
spell) could therefore be Empowered (normally +2 levels
cost) three times per day by a caster with at least 8 ranks in
Concentration, and could be Empowered at will by a caster
with at least 16 ranks.
Spell-like abilities gained as class features that do not have
a designated spell level are treated as if they were of a level
equal to half the class level at which they are obtained (round
up). For example, the various 1st level clerical domain spell-
like abilities count as 1st level spells, for purposes of this feat.
Special: You can gain this feat multiple times; each time, it
applies to a different spell or spell-like ability and/or
metamagic feat. In the case of multiple Innate Metamagics
applied to a single spell or spell-like ability, calculate the
minimum Concentration ranks using the total metamagic
cost (see Metamagic Feats introduction).
Source: This feat supersedes the various spell-like ability
metamagic feats (Empower Spell-Like Ability, Quicken Spell-
Like Ability, etc.), and also provides a metamagic option not
available to sorcerers, bards, incarnates, etc. in the Core
rules. When applied to a sorcerer’s eldritch blast, it
supersedes the Warlock’s various blast invocations, from
Complete Arcane. When applied to a spell known, it
supersedes the Wu Jen’s spell secret class feature from
Complete Arcane and the Theologian’s domain secret variant
class feature from Ultimate Magic.
Lingering Spell [Metamagic]
Your spell clings to existence, slowly fading from the world.
Benefit: You may cause an instantaneous spell that affects
an area to persist until the beginning of your next turn. Those
already in the area suffer no additional harm, but other
creatures or objects entering the area are subject to its
effects. A lingering spell with a visual manifestation obscures
vision, providing concealment (20% miss chance) beyond 5
feet and total concealment (50% miss chance) beyond 20 feet.
Alternatively, you can apply this feat to a spell requiring an
attack roll. After casting the spell, you can use your next
standard action to attack with the same spell. You can
designate either a different target or the same target. If any
other actions are taken, or the spell is disrupted before your
next action, then you lose the Lingering spell (though any
previous effects remain).
Metamagic Cost: +1 level. You can increase the duration of
a Lingering spell further using the Concentration Spell
and/or Extend Spell feat (q.v.)
Source: Pathfinder Advanced Player’s Guide. This feat
also supersedes the Ray Extension feat from Dragon Annual
#5 (Paizo Publishing).
Mass Effect Spell [Metamagic]
Your spells can affect more targets.
Benefit: A spell that normally affects a single target (e.g.,
hold person) can be modified to affect one target per level, no
two of which can be more than 30 ft. apart.
Metamagic Cost: +4 levels.
Special: For touch range spells, a similar effect can be
simulated using Reach Spell (+1 spell level) + Selective Spell
(+1 Spell Level) + Shape Spell (ray to burst; +3 spell levels, -1
for multiple effects = +2 spell levels), for a final metamagic
cost of 4 levels.
Source: Suggested by the various “mass X” spells in the
core rules. This feat also subsumes the Chain Spell feat from
Complete Arcane. Combined with the Innate Metamagic feat,
this supersedes the Warlock’s eldritch chain invocation, also
from Complete Arcane.
Maximize Spell [Metamagic]
Your spells have the maximum possible effect.
Benefit: All variable, numeric effects of a spell modified by
this feat are maximized. Saving throws and opposed rolls are
not affected, nor are spells without random variables.
An empowered, maximized spell gains the separate
benefits of each feat: the maximum result plus one-half the
normally rolled result.
Metamagic Cost: +3 levels.
Merciful Spell [Metamagic]
Your damaging spells subdue rather than kill.
Benefit: You can alter spells that inflict damage to inflict
nonlethal (subdual) damage instead. Spells that inflict
damage of a particular type (such as fire) inflict nonlethal
damage of that same type.
Metamagic Cost: +0 levels.
Source: Pathfinder Advanced Player’s Guide.
Metamagic Spell Trigger
You can apply metamagic feats you know to spell trigger
magic items you activate.
Prerequisites: Any metamagic feat, Spellcraft 12 ranks.
Benefit: You can apply any one metamagic feat you know
to a spell generated by a spell trigger item (such as a wand or
staff) that you activate. You expend one extra charge for each
change in spell level a metamagic feat normally requires. If
the metamagic feat's level adjustment would normally
increase the slot of the chosen spell's level above the
maximum spell level you can normally cast, you can't apply
the metamagic effect to the spell. For example, a caster with
access to 9th level spells cannot apply Quicken Spell to an
antimagic field generated by a staff (since that would take a
10th level spell slot to cast).
If sufficient charges aren't available in the item to power
the application of metamagic feats (or if the item doesn't use
charges), the item fails to activate and no charges are used,
but the action used to activate the item is wasted.
Source: Complete Mage.
Natural Spell [Metamagic]
You can cast spells even while in a form that cannot normally
cast spells.
Prerequisites: Wis 13, ability to assume non-speaking
form.
Benefit: You can complete the verbal and somatic
components of spells modified with this feat while using wild
shape, beast shape, or the like. You substitute various noises
and gestures for the normal verbal and somatic components
of a spell. However, you cannot cast spells modified with this
feat while in your normal form.
You can also use any material components or focuses you
possess, even if such items are melded within your current
form. This feat does not permit the use of magic items while
you are in a form that could not ordinarily use them, and you
do not gain the ability to speak while shapeshifted.
Metamagic Cost: +0 levels. If you increase the cost to +1
level, you can cast the spell in any form you take.
Penetrating Spell [Metamagic]
Your spells bypass spell resistance more easily.
Benefit: When casting a Penetrating spell, you gain a +2
enhancement bonus to Concentration checks to overcome
the target’s spell resistance.
Metamagic Cost: +1 level. You can use higher-level spell
slots; each additional spell level increases the bonus by +2.

Permanent Spell [Metamagic]
One of your spells is constantly active, without the need to
prepare or cast it.
Prerequisites: Able to cast 5th level spells, Concentration
8 ranks + 1 rank per level of the spell, Extend Spell feat.
Benefit: Cast one spell you know, with duration longer
than “instantaneous,” using a spell slot 4 levels higher than
the spell’s actual level. The effects of that single casting of the
spell become permanent. If successfully dispelled, the
permanent spell is merely suppressed for 2d4 rounds. You
can use this feat in three ways:
On yourself. This can be any spell with a range of
personal, or any spell that targets you specifically or has a
mobile emanation centered on you (it cannot be used on
spells that are discharged). For permanent spells such as
detect magic or detect thoughts, you need not concentrate
to be aware of the mere presence of absence of the things
detected, but you must still concentrate to gain additional
information as normal. Concentration on such a spell is a
standard action that does not provoke an attack of
opportunity.
On an object or location. If in another creature’s
possession, a saving throw applies, even if the spell being
made permanent does not normally allow one (Intuition
negates, in that case).
On a willing creature. In that case, the recipient of the
spell selects this feat (and need not meet the prerequisites
him or herself), but you cast the spell. For example, a 13th
level cleric could imbue a fighter companion with a
permanent +4 luck bonus to attacks and damage (by
means of a permanent divine favor spell); the fighter
would have to select Permanent Spell as a feat in order to
gain this effect. The recipient must also have a minimum
number of Hit Dice equal to 8 + the level of the spell to be
made permanent, or the effect fails.
Special: You can select this feat multiple times. Each time,
it applies to a different casting of a different spell.
Source: This feat supersedes the permanency spell from
the core rules and subsumes the Permanent Emanation feat
(3.5 edition System Reference Document, “Epic Feats”). It is
also proposed as a means to allow somewhat the same effect
as the Persistent Spell feat from Complete Arcane, without
that feat’s seemingly limitless potential for abuse.
Personal Spell [Metamagic]
Certain of your personal spells last all day.
Prerequisite: Extend Spell.
Benefit: A personal spell’s range changes from Touch to
Personal, and the duration is extended until the next time you
fall asleep. The following spells can be made personal:
barkskin, mage armor, extended (+1 spell level) resistance,
extended (+2 spell levels) bull’s strength (etc.), extended (+3
spell levels) blur, extended (+4 spell levels) displacement.
Spells extended in order to qualify for this feat are not
automatically heightened (see Heighten spell), although they
can subsequently be heightened in order to provide increased
bonuses.
Metamagic Cost: +0 levels (plus the cost for Extend Spell,
as indicated above).
Special: This feat may be disallowed by many referees; I
personally use it in order to avoid the need for tracking long-
duration personal buffs (which I am too lazy to do).
Poison Spell [Metamagic]
You can mystically transfer a poison to the target of your
spells.
Prerequisite: Craft (Toxicology) 2 ranks per final spell
level of the spell to be affected.
Benefit: You can add a contact or injury poison as a
material component to a melee touch spell you are casting.
Doing this entails the same risk of poisoning yourself as
applying poison to a weapon.
The target of the spell, in addition to being subject to the
normal effects of the spell, is also exposed to the poison (a
melee touch spell must deal damage to deliver the effect of an
injury poison).
The dose of poison used as the component is expended
when you cast the spell, whether or not the spell or poison
successfully affects the target.
Metamagic Cost: +0 levels.
Source: Drow of the Underdark.
Positive Spell [Metamagic]
Your spells channel positive energy to deal extra damage to
undead creatures, but are less effective against other
opponents.
Prerequisite: Ability to channel positive energy.
Benefit: A positive spell is infused with positive energy; it
deals an extra 50% damage to undead creatures, but deals
50% less damage to non-undead creatures and to objects.
Metamagic Cost: +0 levels.
Synergy: If applied to a damaging spell with the [light]
descriptor, the spell also damages molds, fungi, oozes, and
slimes as if they were undead. If the spell generates light that
is at least equivalent to daylight, undead specifically harmed
by bright light or sunlight are also destroyed by the spell on a
failed save.
Source: This is the Energize Spell feat from Libris Mortis.
Pushing Spell [Metamagic]
Prerequisite: Evocation is not a barred school.
Benefit: In addition to its normal effects, a pushing spell
creates a bull rush effect on the target or those within the
area of effect, with a CMB equal to your Concentration
bonus.
Metamagic Cost: +1 level.
Quicken Spell [Metamagic]
You can cast spells in a fraction of the normal time.
Benefit: Casting a quickened spell is a swift action. You
can perform another action, even casting another spell, in the
same round as you cast a quickened spell. A spell whose
casting time is more than 1 full-round action cannot be
quickened. Casting a quickened spell doesn’t provoke an
attack of opportunity.
Metamagic Cost: +4 levels.
Special: This feat can be applied to any spell cast
spontaneously (including incarnate spells, sorcerer spells,
bard spells, and cleric or druid spells cast spontaneously),
without increasing the casting time, allowing it to be cast as a
swift action.
Ray Splitting [Metamagic]
You can attack three adjacent targets with a ray spell.
Benefit: This feat functions similarly to Manyshot, but it
applies to ray attacks. One ray can instead be used to attack
two different targets; each attack takes a -2 penalty to the
attack roll. If your base attack bonus is at least +6, you can
make iterative attacks as well (or instead of) splitting the ray
as described above. For example, a caster with a base attack
bonus of +6 could attack with three rays at +6/+1/+1, or with
two rays at +4/+4.
Calculate the damage or effects cap (see above) as if for a
single target, based on the final spell level. Add +1/+1d6 per
final level of the spell to the cap, and divide the total among
the total number of rays to determine the damage for each
ray. For example, scorching ray (essentially, a Split ray of
frost) is a 2nd level spell, which has a damage cap of 10d6
against a single target, or a total damage cap of 12d6 for
multiple rays. A BAB +6 caster can attack with 2 rays at
+6/+1 for 6d6 each, or with 3 rays at +4/+4/-1 for 4d6 each
(the latter is similar to the scorching ray spell in the Core
rules for a 12th level caster, but with a lower attack bonus).
Metamagic Cost: +2 levels.
Source: Dragon Annual #5 (Paizo Publishing).
Reach Spell [Metamagic]
Benefit: You can alter a spell with a range of touch, close, or
medium to increase its range to a higher range category,
using the following order: touch, close, medium, and long.
Increases beyond long range can be made as follows:
extreme (1,000 ft. + 100 ft./level), and line of sight. Spells
modified by this feat that require melee touch attacks instead
require ranged touch attacks. Spells that do not have a range
of touch, close, or medium do not benefit from this feat.
Spells with a fixed range of 30 ft. are treated as Close range
spells for purposes of this feat.
Metamagic Cost: +1 level for each increase in range
category. For example, a spell with a range of touch increased
to long range uses up a spell slot three levels higher.
Source: Pathfinder Advanced Player’s Guide. This feat
supersedes the Enlarge Spell feat from the core rules.
Reduce Spell [Metamagic]
A reduced spell is slightly weaker than normal.
Benefit: A reduced spell has its damage cap and/or bonus
cap reduced by two spell levels’ worth (1 step on the table).
For example, a 5th level evocation spell (normal damage cap
15d6 for multiple opponents) would have its damage cap
reduced to 10d6 if reduced. This feat cannot be applied to
spells that have no damage or bonus cap.
Metamagic Cost: -1 level.
Repeat Spell [Metamagic]
Benefit: The target of a repeated spell is subject to its effects
again on the next round. For direct-damage spells, this cannot
be used to exceed the spell’s normal damage cap. Area-effect
spells and spells affecting more than one target cannot be
modified with this feat.
Metamagic Cost: +2 levels.
Source: Complete Arcane.
Residual Spell [Metamagic]
Benefit: The area a residual spell affects is considered
difficult terrain for 1 round per level of the spell. The exact
reason for the difficult terrain depends on the existing terrain
and type of spell; explosive spells cast underground might
leave rubble; cold spells might leave jagged ice or snow; etc.
Creatures with appropriate favored terrain (e.g., underground
for the former case; arctic for the latter) ignore the difficult
terrain created by the spell.
Metamagic Cost: +1 level.
Source: Strategists and Tacticians (4 Winds Fantasy
Gaming).
Ricochet Spell [Metamagic]
Prerequisite: Evocation is not a barred school.
Benefit: Spells you cast with an effect that is a line (e.g.,
lightning bolt) or a ray (e.g., scorching ray) can be bounced off
of walls or other solid barriers. In general, a ranged touch
attack against AC 15 is needed in order to hit the barrier in
such a way that the spell reflects in the direction desired (a
second ranged touch attack to strike the target is also
necessary, in the case of rays). Creatures whose spaces are
entered twice by a reflected line spell effect are potentially
affected twice.
Metamagic Cost: +0 levels.
Source: Suggested by the 1st edition D&D lightning bolt
spell description.
Sanctum Spell [Metamagic]
Your spells are especially potent on home ground.
Prerequisite: Abjuration is not a barred school.
Benefit: A sanctum spell has an effective spell level one
level higher than its normal level if cast in your sanctum (see
below), but if not cast in the sanctum, the spell has an
effective spell level one lower than normal. All effects
dependent on spell level (such as damage cap, save DCs, etc.;
see effects of Heightened spells, above) are calculated
according to the adjusted level.
Metamagic Cost: +0 levels.
Special: Your sanctum is a particular site, building, or
structure previously designated by you, and no larger than 20
feet per level in diameter. The designated area must be a site
where you have spent a cumulative period of at least three
months. Though a sanctum can be designated within a larger
structure, its special advantages do not apply beyond the
maximum area. Once designated, it takes seven days for a site
to become a sanctum, and if you designate a new area to be
your sanctum, the benefits of the old one immediately fade.
Source: Complete Arcane.
Selective Spell [Metamagic]
Your allies need not fear friendly fire.
Prerequisite: Spellcraft 1 rank per original (unmodified)
level of the spell to be affected.
Benefit: When casting a selective spell with an area effect,
you can choose a number of targets in the area equal to your
spellcasting attribute modifier. These targets are excluded
from the effects of your spell. Spells that do not have an area
of effect do not benefit from this feat.
Metamagic Cost: +1 level.
Source: Pathfinder Advanced Player’s Guide.
Shape Spell [Metamagic]
You can alter the area of effect of spells, making them lines,
cones, bursts, or rays.
Prerequisite: Spellcraft 2 ranks per final spell level of the
affected spell.
Benefit: You can alter the area of effect of any spell with
any of the following areas of effect: ray, burst, cone, or line.
You can change the area to any of the other options on the
list. The range for a line or burst remains the same. A line
extends from you out to the full range in a 5-ft. wide path; a
burst is 20 ft. in radius as a default; a cone extends 30 ft.
(these can be changed using the Widen Spell feat).
Damaging rays changed to cones, lines, and bursts allow a
Reflex save for half damage, even if the original ray spell did
not. For area spells changed to rays, even if the original spell
allowed a Reflex save to reduce or negate its effect, the ray
does not. However, if the original spell allowed a Fort or Will
save to reduce or negate the spell’s effect, that still applies.
Metamagic Cost: Dependent on the change in shape,
according to the following table.
New Shape Original Shape:
Ray
Ray — or esoteric branch of wizardry, or Waves mystery.
Line +1
Cone or wall +2
Burst +3
Special: Instead of a burst, you can form a cylinder with
half the radius (10 ft.) but double the height (40 ft.) for the
same metamagic cost.
Source: This feat supersedes the Ray Burst and Ray
Coning spells from Dragon Annual #5 (Paizo Publishing), and
also the Spellwarp Sniper’s “spellwarp” prestige class feature
from Complete Scoundrel.
Sickening Spell [Metamagic]
Prerequisite: Necromancy is not a barred school.
Benefit: Creatures that take damage from a sickening spell
become sickened for a number of rounds equal to the level of
the spell. If the spell allows a saving throw, a successful save
reduces the duration of the sickening effect to 1 round. If the
spell does not allow a save, the target can make a Fortitude
save (DC 10 + level of spell + your Charisma modifier) to
negate the sickening effect.
Metamagic Cost: +1 level.
Special: If the base spell effect also causes the creature to
become sickened, the duration of this metamagic effect is
added on to the duration of the spell.
Source: Pathfinder Advanced Player’s Guide; the effects
also subsume the penalty caused by the Blistering Spell feat
from the Player’s Handbook II. Used with the Innate
Metamagic feat and applied to a sorcerer’s eldritch blast, it
stands in for the Warlock’s sickening blast invocation from
Complete Arcane.
Silent Spell [Metamagic]
You can cast your spells without making any sound.
Benefit: A silent spell can be cast with no verbal
components. Spells without verbal components are not
affected.
Metamagic Cost: +1 level.
Special: Bard spells cannot be used in conjunction with
this metamagic feat.
Staggering Spell [Metamagic]
Benefit: Creatures that fail a saving throw against a
staggering spell are staggered 1 round. If the spell does not
normally allow a saving throw, a Will save is permitted to
negate the staggering effect.
Metamagic Cost: +2 levels. By using a spell level four
levels higher than the spell’s actual level, you increase the
duration to 1 round per rank in Concentration you possess,
and those affected are slowed rather than merely staggered
(Cf. Cascade Spell: slow).
Steam Spell [Metamagic]
You imbue your fire spells with elemental water, transforming
them into powerful gouts of steam.
Prerequisites: Water domain, elemental water bloodline
Benefit: You may increase the casting time of a [fire] spell
to a full-round action, infusing it with elemental power (spells
with a casting time of 1 full-round action or longer do not
have an increased casting time). The spell is treated as if it
had the [water] descriptor. All fire effects of the altered spell
instead manifest as superheated steam. The altered spell
works normally underwater without requiring a caster level
check. Unlike fire, the steam cannot ignite objects or set
creatures on fire. As the spell still deals fire damage, fire
resistance or immunity still applies to the spell's effects.
Metamagic Cost: +0 levels.
Source: Pathfinder Advanced Race Guide.
Still Spell [Metamagic]
You can cast spells without moving.
Benefit: A stilled spell can be cast with no somatic
components (spells already without somatic components are
not affected). A spell with no somatic or material components
can be cast as a standard action, rather than as a full attack
action.
A stilled spell uses up a spell slot one level higher than the
spell’s actual level.
Sudden Metamagic [Metamagic]
Prerequisite: Metamagic feat to be affected.
Benefit: Upon gaining this feat, choose one metamagic feat
you possess. A number of times per day according to the
metamagic cost of the feat, you can apply the effects of that
feat to any spell you cast without increasing the level of the
spell or specially preparing it ahead of time. Keep track of
what the spell level would have been if you had applied the
metamagic feat normally; the final spell level thus calculated
must be less than or equal to the highest level of spells you
can cast.
Normal Metamagic Cost Uses per Day
+1 spell level 3/day
+2 to +3 spell levels 2/day
+4 spell levels 1/day
+5 spell levels or more — Benefit: The target(s) of a toppling spell (or those caught
You can still use the feat normally.
Special: You can select this feat multiple times. Each time,
choose a different feat. Alternatively, you can choose the same
feat and gain additional uses per day.
Source: Complete Arcane.
Summoning, Imbued [Metamagic]
Your summoning spells gain an element of surprise. You can
summon creatures that come into existence with the benefit
of a spell such as invisibility.
Prerequisite: Conjurer or Spell Focus (conjuration).
Benefit: When you cast a spell from the summoning sub-
school, you can choose to grant the summoned creature(s)
the benefit of any spell of 3rd level or lower you can cast that
has a range of touch. You cast the spell you wish to grant the
creature (using a prepared spell or a spell slot as appropriate)
at the same time you cast your summoning spell. The
creature gains the benefit of the spell when it appears.
Metamagic Cost: +1 level.
Special: The summoning spell affected by this feat is not
automatically Heightened (see above).
Source: Player's Handbook II.
Sudden Spell [Metamagic]
You can cast a spell very quickly at the cost of greatly
reduced duration.
Benefit: A Sudden spell is cast as a swift action. You may
only use Sudden Spell on a spell with a range of touch or
personal, and only on spells that normally have a duration of
at least one minute (ten rounds) when you cast them. The
duration of a swift spell is reduced to one round.
Metamagic Cost: +0 levels.
Source: Feats of Metamagic (Super Genius Games).
Threnodic Spell [Metamagic]
You can convert mind-affecting magic to necromantic power
capable of controlling undead.
Prerequisites: Knowledge (the planes) 6 ranks, Spell
Focus (necromancy); Necromancy is not a barred school.
Benefit: This feat works only on [mind-affecting] spells. A
threnodic spell affects undead creatures (even mindless
undead) as if they weren't immune to mind-affecting effects,
but has no effect on living creatures.
Metamagic Cost: +2 levels.
Normal: Undead are immune to mind-affecting spells and
effects.
Source: Ultimate Magic.
Toppling Spell [Metamagic]
Prerequisite: Evocation is not a barred school.
within the area) are knocked prone on a failed saving throw,
in addition to the spell’s other effects (if the spell does not
normally allow a saving throw, a Reflex save at DC 10 + the
final level of the spell + your Charisma bonus prevents the
target from being knocked prone).
Metamagic Cost: +1 level.
Source: Ultimate Magic. Used in conjunction with Dazing
Spell, this also supersedes the Forceful Spell feat from
Dragon magazine, issue 358.
Transdimensional Spell
[Metamagic]
You can cast spells that affect targets lurking in coexistent
planes and extradimensional spaces whose entrances fall
within the spell's area.
Prerequisite: Conjuration is not a barred school.
Benefit: A transdimensional spell has its full normal effect
on incorporeal creatures, creatures on the Ethereal Plane or
the Plane of Shadow, and creatures within an
extradimensional space in the spell's area. Such creatures
include ethereal creatures, creatures that are blinking or
shadow walking, manifested ghosts, and creatures within the
extradimensional space of a rope trick, portable hole, or
familiar pocket. You must be able to perceive a creature to
target it with a transdimensional spell, but you do not need to
perceive a creature to catch it in the area of a burst, cone,
emanation, or spread.
Metamagic Cost: +1 level (+0 levels if it only affects
ethereal or incorporeal creatures, rather than material ones
as well).
Normal: Only force spells and effects can affect ethereal
creatures, and no Material Plane attack affects creatures on
the Plane of Shadow or in an enclosed extradimensional
space. Spells other than a force effects deal 50% damage
against incorporeal creatures.
Source: Complete Arcane. This feat also supersedes the
Ectoplasmic Spell feat, from the Pathfinder Advanced
Player’s Guide.
Unskittering Spell [Metamagic]
Your knowledge of arcane defenses allows you to cast spells
that bypass them.
Prerequisite: Evocation is not a barred school.
Benefit: This feat can be applied only to spells that require
an attack roll (melee or ranged; normal or touch). An
unskittering spell ignores deflection bonuses to AC and CMD,
and also ignores any AC bonus granted by mage armor or
bracers of armor.
Metamagic Cost: +1 level.
Special: There also exists a corresponding magical
weapon property, carrying an additional +1 (ignores
deflection) or +2 (ignores deflection and mage armor)
enhancement cost.
Source: This is the “Piercing Spell” home brew feat from
the Migdalia campaign, as hosted on angelfire.com.
Volumetric Burst [Metamagic]
Prerequisite: Shape Spell; Evocation is not a barred school.
Benefit: When this feat is applied to a spell with a “burst”
or “spread” area of effect, the spell effects always fill the full
(normal) volume of space. Each square that an affected spell
is prevented from occupying (because of a wall or similar
obstruction) is added to the other side of the effect's area. For
example, a fireball normally bursts in a 20-ft. radius (1255
square feet, or 50 squares). When used in a long, 10-ft.-wide
hallway, a volumetric fireball would occupy 125 feet of the
corridor’s length (the target pair of squares, plus 12 pairs of
squares in either direction along the length of the hallway). If
cast in a totally confined area less than or equal to half the
total volume (for example, a fireball cast within a closed 20-ft.
x 20-ft. room), the spell deals double damage/effects to
everyone within the area.
Metamagic Cost: +0 levels.
Source: 1st edition Players Handbook.
Widen Spell [Metamagic]
You can cast your spells so that they occupy a larger space.
Benefit: You can alter a burst, cone, emanation, line, or
spread-shaped spell to increase its measurements in all three
dimensions. Alternatively, you can increase the size of
affected cubes or squares, for spells with areas calculated
that way.
Metamagic Cost: +2 levels to double the dimensions;
tripling them uses up a slot three levels higher, etc. At the
extreme end of things, a fireball could Widened to a 9th level
spell, resulting in a blast radius of 120 feet (allowing you to
envelop a large mansion).

Appendix B: Examples of
Spells Built Using
Metamagic Feats
These examples include the synergy effects of metamagic
stacking, and also the automatic Heighten Spell effects of
applied metamagic.
Direct-Damage Evocations
Assume that ray of frost represents the baseline evocation.
Most other evocations can be “built” from that, using
Versatile Evocation to alter the energy type and other
metamagic feats to furnish the additional spell traits. Note
that many of these spells deal substantially more damage, or
are otherwise somewhat more powerful, than their core rules
equivalents (e.g., greater shout).
Acid Arrow: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation (acid; +0
levels) + Reach Spell (close to long; +2 levels) + Vitriolic
Evocation (+1 level) + Reduce Spell (-1 level) = 2nd level
(damage cap 5d6, and 2d6/round thereafter.
Acid Fog: Solid fog (4th; see below) + Vitriolic Evocation
(2d6/round; +2 levels) = 6th level.
Acid Splash: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation (acid;
+0 levels).
Acidic SprayUM: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation
(acid; +0 levels) + Shape Spell (ray to line; +1 level) + Vitriolic
Evocation (+4 levels) = 5th level spell (max. 15d6 plus 5d6
lingering acid damage for 1 round/3 levels).
Blade Barrier: Ray of frost (0) + Reach Spell (close to
medium; +1 level) + Lingering Spell (+1 level) + Extend Spell
(2 rds. to 1 min./level; +2 levels) + Shape Spell (ray to wall; +1
level) + Versatile Evocation (force; +1 level) = 6th level;
damage cap 15d6.
Burning Hands: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation (fire;
+0 levels) + Shape Spell (ray to cone; +2 levels) + reverse
Widen Spell (30 ft. to 15 ft.; -1 level) = 1st level (cap 5d6).
Call Lightning: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation
(electricity; +0 levels) + Reach Spell (close to medium; +1
level) + Lingering Spell (+1 level) + Extend Spell (2 rds. to 1
min./level; +2 levels) + Shape Spell (ray to vertical line; -1
level) = 3rd level (damage cap 5d6).
Call Lightning Storm: As call lightning, but long range (+1
level) = 4th level (damage cap 10d6).
Chain Lightning: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation
(electricity; +0 levels) + Shape Spell (ray to line; +1 level) +
Reach Spell (30 ft. to Long range; +2 levels) + Mass Effect
Spell (+3 levels) = 6th level (damage cap 20d6 for the primary
bolt and 15d6 for the secondary bolts).
Cold Ice StrikeUM: Ray of frost (0) + Shape Spell (ray to
line; +1 level) + Maximize Spell (+2 levels) + Quicken Spell
(+3 levels) = 6th level spell (damage 6 x caster level, max. 90).
Cone of Cold: Ray of frost (0) + Shape Spell (ray to cone;
+2 levels) + Widen Spell (30 ft. to 60 ft.; +1 level) + Flash
Frost Evocation (+1 level) + Numbing Cold Evocation (+1
level) = 5th level (damage cap 15d6 plus -4 penalty to Dex for
1 minute, and area is slippery for 1 round).
Disc of Concordant OppositionGA: Ray of frost (1st) +
Versatile Evocation (negative energy; +1 level) + Energy
Admixture (holy; +1 level) + Maximize Spell (+2 levels) = 5th
level, damage 6 x CL (max. 90 at 15th).
Ear-Piercing ScreamUM: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile
Evocation (Sonic; +1 level) + Cascade Spell (daze person; +1
level) = 2nd level (damage cap 5d6).
Fire Storm: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation (fire; +0
levels) + Reach Spell (close to medium; +1 level) + Shape
Spell (ray to burst, +2 levels, plus rearrange squares, +1 level)
+ Selective Spell (vegetation and plants; +1 level) + Widen
Spell (+1 level) + Burning Evocation (+2 levels) = 8th level
(damage cap 20d6, plus 5d6 burn/round).
Fireball: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation (fire; +0
levels) + Shape Spell (ray to burst; +3 levels) + Reach Spell
(close to long; +1 level) + Reduce Spell (-1 level) = 3rd level
(damage cap 10d6).
Fireball, Delayed Blast: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile
Evocation (fire; +0 levels) + Shape Spell (ray to burst; +3
levels) + Burning Spell (+1 level) + Reach Spell (close to long;
+1 level) + Delay Spell (+2 levels) = 7th level (damage cap
20d6 and catch on fire for 1d6/round).
FirefallAPG: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation (fire; +0
levels) + Burning Spell (1d6; +1 level) + Reach Spell (close to
long; +1 level) + Shape Spell (ray to burst; +2 levels) + Widen
Spell (20’r. to 60’r.; +1 level) + Blinding Spell (+1 level) +
Reduce Spell (-1 level) = 5th level spell (damage cap 10d6;
blinds 5 rounds).
Flame Strike: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation (fire;
+0 levels) + Reach Spell (close to medium; +1 level) + Shape
Spell (ray to cylinder; +2 levels) + Energy Admixture
(holy/unholy; +1 level) = 4th level (max. 10d6).
Flaming Sphere: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation
(fire; +0 levels) + Lingering Spell (+1 level) + Concentration
Spell (+1 level) = 2nd level (max. 5d6, concentration + 2
rounds duration).
Frigid TouchUM: Ray of frost (0) + Reach Spell (close to
touch; -1 level) + Staggering Spell (+3 levels) = 2nd level spell
(damage cap 5d6 and slowed 1 rd./level).
HaboobSSt: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation (fire; +0
levels) + Energy Admixture (slashing; +0 levels) + Reach Spell
(close to medium; +1 level) + Lingering Spell (+1 level) +
Shape Spell (ray to emanation; +2 levels) + Cascade Spell
(obscuring mist; +1 level) + Reduce Spell (-1 level) = 4th level
spell (damage cap 5d6).
HellballSRD: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation (sonic;
+1 level) + Shape Spell (ray to burst; +2 levels) + Reach Spell
(short to long; +1 level) + Widen Spell (40’r., +1 level) +
Empower Spell (+1 level) + Energy Admixture (acid,
electricity, and fire; +0 levels) + Burning Evocation
(2d6/round; +1 level) + Vitriolic Evocation (2d6/round; +1
level) = 8th level spell, damage cap 20d6 x 1.5.
HellfireBVD: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation (fire; +0
levels) + Energy Admixture (unholy; +2 levels) + Shape Spell
(ray to burst; +2 levels) + Widen Spell (20-ft. to 5-ft. radius; -2
levels) + Inexorable Evocation (+3 levels) = 5th level (damage
cap 10d6: 5d6 fire and 5d6 unholy).
Hellfire StormBVD: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation
(fire; +0 levels) + Reach Spell (close to medium; +1 level) +
Energy Admixture (unholy; +1 level) + Shape Spell (ray to
burst; +2 levels) + Inexorable Evocation (+3 levels) = 7th level
(damage cap 15d6).
Horrid Wilting: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation
(negative energy; +1 level) + Energy Admixture (desiccation;
+1 level) + Bane Magic (water creatures and plants; fixed, +0
levels) + Reach Spell (close to long range; +1 level) + Shape
Spell (ray to burst; +2 levels) + Widen Spell (20-ft. radius to
60-ft. radius; +2 levels) + Selective Spell (+1 level) = 8th level
(damage cap 20d6).
Ice BlastCA: Ray of frost (0) + Cascade Spell (touch of
fatigue; +2 levels) + Shape Spell (ray to cone; +1 level) +
Reduce Spell (-1 level) = 2nd level spell, damage cap 5d6 and
fatigues.
Ice Storm: Ray of frost (0) + Flash Frost Evocation (+1
level) + Energy Admixture (bludgeoning; +0 levels) + Reach
Spell (close to long; +1 level) + Shape Spell (ray to burst; +2
levels) = 4th level (damage cap 10d6, 5d6 cold, 5d6
bludgeoning; save for half).
Incendiary Cloud: Fog cloud (2nd level) + Cascade Spell
(ray of frost; +1 level) + Versatile Evocation (fire; +0 levels) +
Shape Spell (ray to burst; +2 levels) + Lingering Spell (+1
level) + Extend Spell (1 round/level; +1 level) + Drifting Spell
(+1 level) = 8th level (damage cap 20d6).
Inflict Light Wounds: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile
Evocation (negative energy; +1 level) + Reach Spell (close to
touch; -1 level) + Empower Spell (+1 level) = 1st level. 1d6
damage x 1.5 is close enough to 1d8+1/level (max. +5 for a 1st
level spell). Note that the spell, using this construction, should
not allow a saving throw for half damage.
Lightning ArcUM: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation
(electricity; +0 levels) + Shape Spell (ray to line; +1 level) +
Reach Spell (close to long range; +1 level) + Energy
Admixture (fire; +0 levels) + Burning Evocation (+2 levels) +
Empower Spell (+1 level) = 5th level (damage cap 15d6 and
3d6 burn damage if caught on fire).
Lightning Bolt: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation
(electricity; +0 levels) + Reach Spell (close to medium range;
+1 level) + Ray Splitting (+1 level) + Shape Spell (ray to line;
+1 level) = 3rd level. You can produce a single line with a
damage cap of 10d6, or fork the lightning into multiple bolts
(per the Ray Splitting feat), for up to 13d6 total damage. Add
the Ricochet Spell feat to get a lightning bolt that bounces off
of walls, etc.
Magic Missile: Ray of frost (0) + Reach Spell (close to
medium; +1 level) + Versatile Evocation (force; +1 level) + Ray
Splitting (+1 level) + Reduce Spell (-2 levels) = 1st level
(damage cap 5d6 divided among missiles). This spell is only
very approximately equivalent to the one in the Core
rulebook, and that version can be used in preference to this
one.
Meteor Swarm: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation (fire;
+0 levels) + Energy Admixture (bludgeoning; +0 levels) + Ray
Splitting (+1 level) + Reach Spell (close to long; +1 level) +
Shape Spell (ray to burst; fire damage portion only; +2 levels)
+ Widen Spell (burst radius from 20 ft. to 40 ft.; +1 level) +
Empower Spell (+1 level) + Cascade Spell (create pit; +2
levels) + Residual Spell = 9th level. Single-target damage cap
is 25d6, +8d6 for the Ray Splitting feat = 33d6 total, x 1.5 for
Empower Spell = 49.5d6 total, divided among 4 meteors =
approx. 12d6 each. Therefore, each meteor gains a ranged
touch attack to hit for 6d6 impact damage, then bursts in a
40-ft. radius for 6d6 fire damage (Reflex half) and creates
difficult terrain within the blast radius. In addition, the spell
leaves one 10 ft. x 10 ft. x 30-ft. deep crater; those in adjacent
squares may also fall in (see the Pathfinder Advanced Players
Guide).
Orb of AcidCA: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation (acid;
+0 levels) + Sickening Spell (+1 level) + Irresistible Evocation
(no SR; +2 levels) + Vitriolic Evocation (+1 level) = 4th level;
damage cap 15d6 and sickens 1 round and deals 2d6
acid/round for 1 round/3 levels (or until neutralized).
Orb of ColdCA: Ray of frost (0) + Blinding Spell (+2 levels)
+ Irresistible Evocation (no SR; +2 levels) = 4th level; damage
cap 15d6 and blinds 4 rounds.
Orb of ElectricityCA: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation
(electric; +0 levels) + Entangling Spell (+2 levels) +
Irresistible Evocation (no SR; +2 levels) = 4th level; damage
cap 15d6 and entangles 4 rounds.
Orb of FireCA: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation (fire;
+0 levels) + Irresistible Evocation (no SR; +3 levels) + Dazing
Spell (+2 levels) = 5th level; damage cap 15d6 and dazes 1
round.
Orb of ForceCA: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation
(force; +2 levels) + Irresistible Evocation (no SR; +2 levels) =
4th level; damage cap 15d6.
Orb of SoundCA: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation
(sonic; +1 level) + Irresistible Evocation (no SR; +2 levels) +
Deafening Spell (+1 level) = 4th level; damage cap 15d6 and
deafens 4 rounds.
Polar Ray: Damage attribute (1st; Dex) + Fell Affliction (+1
level) + Cascade Spell (ray of frost; +1 level) + Reach Spell
(touch to medium; +1 level) + Inexorable Evocation (+3 levels)
= 7th level; damage cap 20d6 and deals 1d4 Dex drain (no
save).
Ride the LightningUM: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile
Evocation (electricity; +0 levels) + Reach Spell (close to
medium; +1 level) + Cascade Spell (dimension leapME; +2
levels) + Lingering Spell (+1 level) + Extend Spell (1
round/level; +1 level) + Staggering Spell (+1 level) + Quicken
Spell (+3 levels) = 9th level (damage cap 25d6).
Scorching Ray: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation (fire;
+0 levels) + Ray Splitting (+2 levels) = 2nd level (damage cap
10d6 + 2d6 =12d6, divided evenly among rays).
Searing Light: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation (fire;
+0 levels) + Reach Spell (close to medium range; +1 level) +
Energy Admixture (holy; +1 level) + Cascade Spell (light; +1
level) + Positive Spell (+0 levels) = 3rd level (damage cap
15d6 vs. undead, molds, oozes, etc.; 5d6 to others).
Shocking Grasp: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation
(electricity; +0 levels) + Conductive Evocation (+1 level) +
Irresistible Evocation (+2 levels) + Reduce Spell (-1 level) +
Reach Spell (30 ft. to touch; -1 level) = 1st level (damage cap
5d6, no SR).
Shout: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation (sonic; +1 level)
+ Deafening Spell (+1 level) + Shape Spell (ray to cone; +1
level) + Still Spell (+1 level) = 4th level (damage cap 10d6).
Shout, Greater: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation
(sonic; +1 level) + Bane Spell (crystalline; +0 levels, fixed) +
Deafening Spell (+2 levels) + Dazing Spell (+2 levels) + Shape
Spell (ray to cone; +1 level) + Widen Spell (30 ft. to 60 ft.; +1
level) = 7th level (damage cap 15d6 or 15d8 vs. for crystalline;
deafness permanent; dazes up to 10 HD).
SiroccoAPG: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation (fire; +0
levels) + Bane Spell (water; +1 level) + Cascade Spell (touch
of fatigue; +1 level) + Reach Spell (medium; +1 level) + Shape
Spell (ray to cylinder; +2 levels) + Toppling Spell (+1 level) =
6th level spell (max. 15d6).
Sound Burst: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation (sonic;
+1 level) + Shape Spell (ray to burst; +2 levels) + Widen Spell
(20-ft. radius to 10-ft.; -1 level) + Dazing Spell (+2 levels) +
Reduce Spell (-1 level) = 3rd level spell (damage cap 5d6,
dazes up to 6 HD).
Sunbeam: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation (fire; +0
levels) + Reach Spell (close to medium range; +1 level) +
Cascade Spell (light; +1 level) + Positive Spell (+0 levels) +
Blinding Spell (+2 levels) + Lingering Spell (+1 level) +
Concentration Spell (+1 level) + Shape Spell (ray to line; +1
level) = 7th level (damage cap 10d6, or 30d6 vs. undead, fungi,
oozes, etc.).
Sunburst: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation (fire; +0
levels) + Cascade Spell (light; +1 level) + Positive Spell (+0
levels) + Blinding Spell (+2 levels) + Reach Spell (long range;
+1 level) + Shape Spell (ray to burst; +2 levels) + Widen Spell
(20 ft. to 80 ft.; +2 levels) = 8th level (damage cap 10d6, or
30d6 vs. undead, fungi, molds, oozes, etc.).
Tar BallUM: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation (fire; +0
levels) + Burning Evocation (+1 level) + Irresistible Evocation
(+2 levels) + Cascade Spell (ray of clumsiness; +1 level) +
Reduce Spell (-1 level) + normal ranged attack (not touch; ad
hoc -1 level) = 2nd level (damage cap 5d6 plus 1d6 burn).
Tar PoolUC: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation (fire; +0
levels) + Burning Spell (+1 level) + Shape Spell (ray to burst;
+2 levels) + Lingering Spell (+1 level) + Extend Spell (1
round/level; +1 level) + Residual Spell (+1 level) + Entangling
Spell (+1 level) = + Reduce Spell (-1 level) = 6th level (damage
cap 15d6; 20’r. difficult terrain entangles, catches on fire).
Wall of Fire: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation (fire; +0
levels) + Concentration Spell (+1 level) + Reach Spell (close
to medium; +1 level) + Shape Spell (ray to wall; +2 levels) =
4th level (damage cap 10d6).
Patterns
Rainbow Pattern: Hypnotic pattern (2nd) + Extend Spell (C +
2 rds to +1 rd/CL; +1 level) + Drifting Spell (+1 level) = 4th
level spell affecting (2d4+4+level, max +15) Hit Dice.
Scintillating Pattern: Color spray (1st) + Lingering Spell
(+1 level) + Concentration Spell (+1 level) + Widen Spell (15
ft. to 30 ft.; +1 level) + Shape Spell (cone to spread; +1 level) +
Heighten Spell (+3 levels) = 8th level spell affecting up to 19
HD (use 1 HD/level for convenience).
“Save-or-Lose” Spells
“Save-or-Lose” Spells
These examples use ray of enfeeblement and damage
attribute (see above) as the base effects.
Blood MistUM: Damage attribute (1st) + Cascade Spell
(murderous commandUM; +2 levels) + Reach Spell (Medium
range; +1 level) + Shape Spell (ray to burst; +2 levels) +
Widen Spell (20’r. to 60’r.; +1 level) + Lingering Spell (+1
level) + Extend Spell (+1 level) = 9th level spell dealing 1d4
Wis damage and causing murderous rage and concealing
conditions in 60’r.; lasts 1 minute/level.
Charm Monster: Ray of enfeeblement (1st) + attribute
change (Str to Cha) + Reduce Spell (-1 level) + Extend Spell
(rounds to days; +5 levels) + limited combat use (ad hoc -1
level) = 4th level spell inflicting penalty to Cha with respect to
the caster equal to 1d6+ ½ level (max +10) to a single target.
Charm Monster, Mass: As charm monster (4th), plus Mass
Effect Spell (+3 levels) = 7th level (splits the difference
between the bard and sorcerer/wizard versions). Charisma
penalty is 1d6 +1/level (max +15 due to reduce spell effect
from charm monster).
Charm Person: Ray of enfeeblement (1st) + attribute
change (Str to Cha) + Reduce Spell (-1 level) + Extend Spell
(rounds to hours; +4 levels) + Creature-Specific Spell
(humanoids only; -2 levels) + limited combat use (ad hoc -1
level) = 1st level spell inflicting penalty to Cha with respect to
the caster equal to 1d6+ ½ level (max +5) to a single
humanoid target.
Charm Person, MassRD: As charm person, plus Mass
Effect Spell (+3 levels) – Reduce Spell (+1 level) = 5th level
spell; Cha penalty is 1d6 +1/level (max. +15).
Chill Touch: Ray of frost (0) + Versatile Evocation
(negative energy; +1 level) + Fell Weakening (+1 level) +
Reach Spell (close to touch, for -1 level) = 1st level (damage
cap 5 dice, or 1d6 negative energy +1d4 Str damage per
touch for up to 5 touches).
Circle of Death: Damage attribute (1st; Constitution) +
Heighten Spell (+1d4, +1 level) + Shape Spell (ray to 20-ft.
burst; +2 levels) + Widen Spell (+1 level) + Reach Spell
(medium range; +1 level) = 6th level spell dealing 2d4 Con
damage, save for half.
Confusion: Ray of enfeeblement (1st level) + attribute
change (Str to Wis) + Reach Spell (close to medium; +1 level)
+ Mass Effect Spell (+3 levels) = 5th level; up to one creature
per caster level takes a penalty to Wisdom equal to 1d6 + 1
per caster level (maximum +15), half on a successful Will
save. Wisdom cannot be reduced below 1 by this spell; a
creature with a Wisdom of 1 is confused.
Death HailFB: Damage attribute (1st; Constitution) +
versatile spell (split damage between Str and Con; +0 levels)
+ Reach Spell (touch to medium; +1 level) + Shape Spell (ray
to burst; +2 levels) + Widen Spell (20’r. to 40’r.; +1 level) +
Lingering Spell (+1 level) + Extend Spell (1 round/level; +1
level) = 7th level spell dealing 1d2 Str and 1d2 Con per round
within the area.
DehydrateSW: Damage attribute (1st; Constitution) + Bane
Spell (plants, oozes, and aquatic creatures; +1 level) + Reach
Spell (touch to medium; +1 level) + Heighten Spell (+2d4; +2
levels) = 5th level spell dealing 3d4 Con damage, or 3d6 Con
vs. plants, oozes, and aquatic creatures.
Destruction: Damage attribute (1st; Constitution) + Reach
Spell (touch to close; +1 level) + Heighten Spell (+2d4; +2
levels) + Fell Affliction (+3 levels) = 7th level spell dealing 3d4
Con drain.
Dominate Person: Damage attribute (1st; Charisma) +
Heighten Spell (+5d4; +5 levels) + Creature-Specific Spell
(humanoids only; -2 levels) = 4th level spell dealing 6d4
Charisma damage (or 5th level for 7d4).
Dominate Monster: Damage attribute (1st; Charisma) +
Heighten Spell (+8d4; +8 levels) = 9th level spell dealing 9d4
Cha damage.
Domination, TrueCD: Damage attribute (1st; Charisma) +
Heighten Spell (+4d4; +4 levels) + Creature-Specific Spell
(humanoids only; -2 levels) + Cascade Spell (telepathic bond;
+5 levels) = 8th level spell dealing 5d4 Cha damage.
Ego WhipSRD: Damage attribute (1st; Charisma) + Reach
Spell (touch to close; +1 level) + Cascade Spell (daze; +1
level) = 3rd level spell dealing 1d4 Cha damage; dazes
humanoid of HD less than or equal to caster level (max 10
HD) 1 round on a failed save.
Feeblemind: Damage attribute (1st; Intelligence) +
Heighten Spell (+1d4; +1 level) + Reach Spell (touch to
medium; +1 level) + Fell Affliction (+2 levels) = 5th level spell
dealing 2d4 Intelligence drain.
Finger of Death: Damage attribute (1st; Constitution) +
Reach spell (touch to close; +1 level) + Heighten spell (+5d4,
for +5 levels) = 7th level spell dealing 6d4 Con damage (half if
save).
Flesh to Stone: Damage attribute (1st; Dexterity) +
Heighten Spell (+2d4; +2 levels) + Reach Spell (touch to
medium; +1 level) + Fell Affliction (+2 levels) = 6th level spell
dealing 1d4 Dex damage and 2d4 Dex drain.
FrostbiteFB: Ray of frost (0) + Shape Spell (ray to burst; +3
levels) + Selective Spell (+1 level) + Cascade Spell (damage
attribute, Dexterity; +1 level) + Heighten Spell (+1d4 Dex; +1
level) = 6th level; deals 1d6 cold/level (max 15d6) and 2d4
Dex damage.
Harm: Ray of enfeeblement (1st) + Reach Spell (close to
touch; -1 level) + Extend Spell (rounds to days; +5 levels) = 5th
level spell inflicting Con penalty equal to 1d6 + 1/level (max
+15) lasting 1 day/level.
Hold Person: Damage attribute (1st; Dexterity) + Reach
spell (touch to ray; +1 level) + Heighten spell (+2d4; +2 level)
+ Creature-Specific Spell (humanoids only; -2 levels) = 2nd
level ranged touch spell dealing 3d4 Dex damage, or 3rd level
dealing 4d4 Dex damage.
Hold Person, Mass: As hold person + mass effect spell (+3
levels) + Heighten Spell (+2d4; +2 levels) = 7th level spell
dealing 5d4 Dex damage.
Hold Monster: Damage attribute (1st; Dexterity) + Reach
spell (touch to ray; +1 level) + Heighten spell (+3d6; +3 levels)
= 5th level spell dealing 4d4 Dex damage.
Hold Monster, Mass: As hold monster + Mass Effect Spell
(+3 levels) + Heighten Spell (+1d4; +1 level) = 9th level spell
dealing 5d4 Dex damage.
Insanity: Damage attribute (1st; Wisdom) + Heighten Spell
(+2d4; +2 levels) + Reach Spell (touch to medium; +1 level) +
Fell Affliction (+3 levels) = 7th level spell dealing 3d4 Wis
drain.
Monstrous ThrallCD: Damage attribute (1st; Charisma) +
Heighten Spell (+4d4; +4 levels) + Fell Affliction (+4 levels) =
9th level spell dealing 1d4 Cha damage and 4d4 Cha drain.
MindfrostFB: Damage attribute (1st; Intelligence) + Reach
Spell (touch to close ray; +1 level) + Cascade Spell (ray of
frost; +1 level) = 3rd level spell dealing 1d6 cold/level (max.
10d6) and 1d4 Int damage.
ParboilSSt: Damage attribute (1st; Intelligence) + Heighten
Spell (+1d4; +1 level) + Reach Spell (touch to close ray; +1
level) + Cascade Spell (ray of frost; +1 level) + Versatile
Evocation (fire; +0 levels) + Shape Spell (ray to burst; +2
levels) = 6th level spell dealing 1d6 fire/level (max. 15d6) and
2d4 Int damage.
Poison: Damage attribute (1st; Constitution) + Repeat
Spell (+2 levels) + Extend Spell (+1 level) = 4th level spell
dealing 1d4 Con damage per round for 1 round/level (save
each round for half).
PoxBVD: Damage attribute (1st; Constitution) + Reach
Spell (touch to close; +1 level) + Mass Effect Spell (+3 levels)
+ Fell Affliction (+1 level) = 6th level spell dealing 1d4 Con
drain.
Slay Living: Damage attribute (1st; Constitution) +
Heighten Spell (+4d4; +4 levels) = 5th level spell dealing 5d4
Con damage.
Slow: Ray of enfeeblement (1st) + attribute change (Str to
Dex) + Reduce Spell (-1 level) + Mass Effect Spell (+3 levels)
= 3rd level; targets take Dex penalty equal to 1d6 + ½ caster
level (max +10), half if save, for 1 round per caster level.
Touch of Idiocy: Damage attribute (Intelligence, Wisdom,
and Charisma = 3 levels) + Heighten Spell (+1d4 Int, +1 level)
+ Extend Spell (days to 10 min.; -2 levels) = 2nd level spell
dealing 2d4 Int damage and 1d4 each Wis and Cha damage.
Undeath to Death: Disrupt undead (0) + Reach Spell
(close to medium; +1 level) + Shape Spell (ray to burst; +2
levels) + Widen Spell (20’r. to 40’r.; +1 level) + Cascade Spell
(disrupting weapon; +5 levels) + Creature-Specific Spell
(undead only; -2 levels) = 7th level spell; undead of up to 1
HD/level save vs. Will or destroyed; those not annihilated
outright take 1d6/level (max. 20d6).
Wail of the Banshee: Damage attribute (1st; Constitution)
+ Reach Spell (touch to close; +1 level) + Mass Effect Spell
(+3 levels) + Heighten Spell (+4d4; +4 levels) = 9th level spell
dealing 5d4 Con damage.