BLADE DANCER

The fastest path into this advanced class is from the Fast hero basic class, though other paths are possible. The blade dancer is from the Urban Arcana SRD (swashbuckler).

 

Requirements

To qualify to become a Blade Dancer, a character must fulfill the following criteria.

Base Attack Bonus: +2.

Skills: Balance 6 ranks, Tumble 6 ranks.

Feats: Weapon Finesse.

 

CLASS INFORMATION

The following information pertains to the Blade Dancer advanced class.

 

Hit Die

Blade Dancers gain 1d8 hit points per level. The character’s Constitution modifier applies.

 

Action Points

Blade Dancers gain a number of action points equal to 6 plus one-half their character level, rounded down, every time they advance a level in this class.

 

Class Skills

The Blade Dancer’s class skills are as follows: Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Escape Artist (Dex), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), Knowledge (current events, history, popular culture), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Navigate (Int), Pilot (Dex), Profession (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex).

 

Skill Points at Each Level: 5 + Intelligence modifier.

 

Table: The Blade Dancer
Class Level	Base Attack	Fort Save	Ref Save	Will Save	Special	Defense	Leadership
1st	+0	+1	+2	+0	Weapon focus	+1	+0
2nd	+1	+2	+3	+0	Quick weapon draw	+2	+0
3rd	+2	+2	+3	+1	Bonus feat	+2	+0
4th	+3	+2	+4	+1	Weapon specialization	+3	+0
5th	+3	+3	+4	+1	Find the mark	+4	+1
6th	+4	+3	+5	+2	Bonus feat	+4	+1
7th	+5	+4	+5	+2	Greater weapon specialization	+5	+1
8th	+6	+4	+6	+2	Dodge bullets	+6	+1
9th	+6	+4	+6	+3	Bonus feat	+6	+2
10th	+7	+5	+7	+3	Touché	+7	+2

 

CLASS FEATURES

The following features pertain to the Blade Dancer advanced class.

 

Weapon Focus

At 1st level, the Blade Dancer gets the Weapon Focus feat for a weapon which he has Weapon Finesse. If he already has Weapon Focus for this weapon, then he gains Weapon Focus in another light melee weapon or smaller of his choice.

 

Quick Weapon Draw

At 2nd level, the Blade Dancer gains the ability to draw his weapon as a free action. This applies only to the weapons for which the Blade Dancer has Weapon Focus.

 

Bonus Feats

At 3rd, 6th, and 9th levels, the Blade Dancer gets a bonus feat. The bonus feat must be selected from the following list, and the Blade Dancer must meet all of the prerequisites for the feat to select it.

Blind-Fight, Combat Expertise, Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Exotic Melee Weapon Proficiency, Improved Damage Threshold, Improved Disarm, Improved Trip, Mobility, Spring Attack, Whirlwind Attack.

 

Weapon Specialization

At 4th level, the Blade Dancer gains the Weapon Specialization feat. He gains a +2 bonus on damage rolls with a chosen light slashing or piercing melee weapon. The Blade Dancer must have Weapon Focus in that weapon in order to gain Weapon Specialization.

 

Find the Mark

The Blade Dancer increases his threat range by one when using any melee weapon with which he has Weapon Finesse. A weapon that would threaten a critical on 20 would now do so on a 19 or 20, and one which threatens on a 19 or 20 would now do so on an 18 to 20. This ability works with other abilities which increase threat ranges.

 

Greater Weapon Specialization

At 7th level, the Blade Dancer gains Greater Weapon Specialization with a light or smaller melee weapon with which he has Weapon Specialization. This ability increases the bonus on damage rolls to +4 when using the selected weapon.

 

Dodge Bullets

At 8th level, the Blade Dancer can use his weapon to deflect missiles in the air, including arrows, spears, bolts, and bullets. This is a supernatural ability and costs an action point to activate.

The Blade Dancer may spend an action point to allow a Reflex save (DC 20). If he succeeds, he avoids a specific ranged attack. If used successfully against a grenade attack the grenade automatically scatters (as normal rules) and then explodes.

 

Touché

At 10th level, the Blade Dancer is so adept are using his chosen weapon (with which he has Greater Weapon Focus) that attacks with that weapon can deal additional damage. With a successful attack with this weapon, before damage is rolled, he can spend 1 action point to deal +3d6 points of damage. This damage is not doubled by the effects of critical hits.

 

SAMPLE BLADE DANCERS

Though not an Eldar exclusive class, the archetypical blade dancers are eldar – specifically Harlequin’s who make melee combat an exercise in dexterity and finesse rather than brute force. The most dreaded of all the Harlequin hand weapons is the infamous Harlequin’s kiss.