General Prestige Class : Weapon Master
The monk, the red avenger, the drunken master, and the master samurai all harness ki energy as part of their martial disciplines; they are not, however, the only such persons to do so. Some pursue the study of ki by mastering a single melee weapon. To unite this weapon of choice with the body, to make them one, to use the weapon as naturally and without thought as any other limb, is the goal of weapon master.
Monks who follow this path may choose unarmed attacks or the kama, nunchaku, siangham or the three-section staff as their weapon of choice. In order to gain any of the special abilities of the weapon master class, you must use your weapon of choice. Once chosen, the weapon of choice cannot be later changed.
This does nor mean that, if your weapon of choice is the longsword, you can only use the longsword you owned when you first became a weapon master. The only material requirement for the class is a masterwork version of your weapon. It means you can use any masterwork longsword and gain the benefits of the weapon master.
If you use any other weapon, you can use none of the special abilities of the prestige class.
Requirements
To qualify to become a Weapon Master, a character must fulfill all the following criteria:
- Skills: Intimidate 4 ranks.
- Feats: Dodge, Mobility, Combat Reflexes, Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Focus, Whirlwind Attack,
- Base Attack Bonus: +5.
- Dex 13+.
- Proficiency: With your weapon of choice.
- Weapon: Masterwork weapon (unless unarmed).
Class Skills
The weapon master's class skills are Intimidate, Knowledge (weaponry), Listen, Sense Motive, and Spot.
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Class Features
Ki Damage: After you score a hit with your weapon of choice, you do not roll dice to determine the damage. Instead, you figure the normal maximum damage (not a critical hit) you can inflict with that weapon and do that much damage to the target. Assume you use a longsword, have a base attack bonus of +7, and possess a 17 Strength. A longsword does 1d8 damage, so its maximum damage is 8 points. Your Strength modifier is +3, so add that for a total of 11. Additional damage, such as from using the Power Attack feat (following all the rules for it normally) and the sneak attack ability are determined normally; they are not maximized. This ability cannot be used when you roll a successful critical hit.
Increased Multiplier: Determine the standard critical multiplier for your weapon of choice. With this ability, you can increase that multiplier by +1. For example, the longsword has a critical multiplier of x2. Using this ability, you can increase that multiplier to X3 (2+1=3) once per day at 2nd level. You must declare the use of this ability before you roll any damage dice.
Superior Weapon Focus: Stacking with any existing Weapon Focus bonus, this adds an additional +1 to all attack rolls with the weapon master's weapon of choice.
Superior Combat Reflexes: This ability lets you make a total number of attacks of opportunity in a round equal to your Dexterity modifier plus your Wisdom modifier.
Ki Critical: Gain the Improved Critical feat for free. If you already possess this feat, add an additional +2 to your weapon of choice's threat range for critical hits.
Ki Whirlwind: You can make a Whirlwind Attack as a standard action rather than a full attack action.
| Weapon Master | Hit Die: d10 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CL | BAB | Fort | Ref | Will | Special |
| 1st | +1 | +0 | +2 | +0 | Ki damage 1/day/level |
| 2nd | +2 | +0 | +3 | +0 | Increased multiplier 1/day |
| 3rd | +3 | +1 | +3 | +1 | Superior Weapon Focus |
| 4th | +4 | +1 | +4 | +1 | Increased multiplier 2/day |
| 5th | +5 | +1 | +4 | +1 | Superior Combat Reflexes |
| 6th | +6 | +2 | +5 | +2 | Increased multiplier 3/day |
| 7th | +7 | +2 | +5 | +2 | Ki critical |
| 8th | +8 | +2 | +6 | +2 | Increased multiplier 4/day |
| 9th | +9 | +3 | +6 | +3 | Ki Whirlwind Attack |
| 10th | +10 | +3 | +7 | +3 | Increased multiplier 5/day |
Multiclass Note: Monk characters can freely multiclass with this class. In other words, you can give your monk PC a weapon master level, then return to the monk class for your next level, take a weapon master level after that, and so on.
Epic Weapon Master
The epic weapon master is an unparalleled expert in the use of his chosen weapon, whether that weapon is sword, axe, or nunchaku.
You can improve your already prodigious combat talents by selecting Epic Prowess, Epic Weapon Focus, or Overwhelming Critical. Alternatively, enhance your defensive capabilities with Epic Combat Expertise or Epic Toughness. As a melee fighter, Strength is likely your most important ability score, so it should receive the lion's share of ability increases.
Other Options: If your chosen weapon is a reach weapon, it's tough to beat Improved Whirlwind Attack. Penetrate Damage Reduction is great if you routinely find yourself facing foes whose DR your chosen weapon can't overcome. If you go the Weapon Finesse route, then Dexterity becomes a prime target for ability increases.
Hit Die: d10.
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Ki Damage (Ex): The epic weapon master can use his ki damage ability one additional time per day per level gained after 10th (11/day at 11th, 12/day at 12th, and so on).
Increased Multiplier (Ex): The epic weapon master can declare that he is increasing the critical multiplier of his chosen weapon one additional time per day for every 2 levels gained above 10th (6/day at 12th, 7/day at 14th, and so on).
Bonus Feats: The epic weapon master gains a bonus feat (selected from the list of epic weapon master feats) every 3 levels after 10th.
Epic Weapon Master Bonus Feat List: Blinding Speed, Devastating Critical, Epic Combat Expertise (new feat; see below), Epic Prowess, Epic Reflexes, Epic Toughness, Epic Weapon Focus (weapon of choice only), Extended Lifespan, Improved Combat Reflexes, Improved Whirlwind Attack, Overwhelming Critical, Penetrate Damage Reduction.
| Epic Weapon Master | |
|---|---|
| CL | Special |
| 11 | Ki damage 11/day |
| 12 | Increased multiplier 6/day, ki damage 12/day |
| 13 | Ki damage 13/day, bonus feat |
| 14 | Increased multiplier 7/ day, ki damage 14/day |
| 15 | Ki damage 15/day |
| 16 | Increased multiplier 8/ day, ki damage 16/day, bonus feat |
| 17 | Ki damage 17/day |
| 18 | Increased multiplier 9/ day, ki damage 18/day |
| 19 | Ki damage 19/day, bonus feat |
| 20 | Increased multiplier 10/ day, ki damage 20/day |
Source: Sword and Fist